THURSDAY 29TH OCTOBER 2020

US Blocks 163 Members’ Pick of Okonjo-Iweala as WTO DG Obinna Chima But for the United States’ lone opposition, Nigeria’s candidate for the DirectorGeneral of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, would have been declared the winner of

the race yesterday.

Despite securing the vote of 163 of the 164 members of the trade organisation, the former coordinating minister for the economy and minister of finance of Nigeria could not be declared the head of the WTO because of the objection

by the US, which cited lack of experience and procedural issues for its stance.

By the organisation’s selection rules, its DG has to emerge by consensus.

But the majority, according to sources close to the process, may assert its will

at the general meeting of the organisation scheduled for November 9, using a proviso that allows a vote in the event of failure of consensus.

Ms. Yoo Myung-hee of South Korea, backed by the US, is Okonjo-Iweala’s sole opponent.

Okonjo-Iweala, who has locked in the support of China, the European Union, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean member-countries, has the best chance of attaining the consensus of membership of the global trade body, its General Council Chair, Mr.

David Walker, said yesterday.

Spokesman for the WTO, Mr. Keith Rockwell, at a media briefing at the end of the meeting of the organisation, said: “The candidate that had the best chance of attaining Continued on page 9

CBN Unveils Framework for N12.5bn Youth Investment Fund...

Page 8

Thursday 29 October, 2020 Vol 25. No 9334. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Police Lose 10 Officers, 16 Stations in Anambra, Oyo Arrest 477 suspects in five states Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City, Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano, Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan, Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja, David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka and Daji Sani in Yola

SECURING KWARA...

Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun; General Officer Commanding 2 Division (Ibadan), Maj. Gen. Anthony Omozoje; Kwara State Governor, Mr. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; Assistant Inspector General, Zone 8, Mr. Yakubu Babas; and Navy Captain Ayodele Olowolagba after an enlarged security council meeting in Ilorin…yesterday

The police commands in Anambra and Oyo States yesterday said they lost 10 officers and 16 stations to hoodlums during the #EndSARS protests.

Oyo State Commissioner for Police, Mr. Chucks Enwonwu, said six policemen were killed while five police stations were burnt by hoodlums during Continued on page 9

We’ve Achieved Substantial Progress in North-west, North-central, Says Buhari Urges Nigerians to promote national unity Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday gave his administration a thumb up in efforts to combat security challenges in the North-west and North-central zones.

The president, at the launch of the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD)

Emblem and Appeal Fund in Abuja, also noted that Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity.

He stressed the need to guard jealously the unity of the nation, which he said was won at a great cost.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina,

in a statement yesterday, said the president also appealed to Nigerians to desist from actions and comments that could jeopardise the unity and progress of the nation.

On security operations in the North-west and North-central zones, Buhari expressed delight at the return of normalcy in some of the

areas that previously witnessed security challenges.

He said: "Our dear nation has witnessed numerous security challenges since independence. These security threats have undermined Nigeria in the areas of trade, investment and economy, education, health as well as agriculture.

''I'm, however, pleased to state that a lot has been achieved in the internal security operations in the North-west and North-central zones where in addition to Operations Lafiya Dole, Hadarin Daji, Harbin Kunama, WHIRL STROKE, other operations such as Accord, Sahel Sanity and Katsina were

successfully launched. ''This has led to the return of normalcy in some of the affected areas. However, all hands must be on deck to check attacks on soft targets.''

The president urged Nigerians to honour the memory of the nation’s Continued on page 9

Eid-el-Maulud: Buhari, Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Others Sue for Peace...Page 5

2

THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020 • T H I S D AY

3

4

THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020 •T H I S D AY

5

THURSDAY, ͺ΁˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS Eid-el-Maulud: Buhari, Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Others Sue for Peace

Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike

Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268

Deji Elumoye in Abuja, Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale and Udora Orizu in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday urged Nigerians to reflect on the virtues of Prophet Mohammed by showing love and understanding for their compatriots while exhibiting patience, honesty, sincerity, kindness and generosity in all their undertakings.

In a message to Muslims commemorating Eid-elMaulud, the birthday of Prophet Mohammed, which is being marked as public holiday today, the president urged all citizens, and the youth in particular, to shun negative tendencies as manifested in the recent hijacking of peaceful protests to loot and destroy public and private property.

President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; All Progressives Congress (APC); Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives, in their messages to mark the occasion, sued for peace, dialogue and national rebirth.

Buhari, in a statement yesterday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Sheu, reiterated his earlier promise to bring police officers responsible for misconduct as well as looters to justice.

He urged Nigerians to continue to observe the COVID-19 protocols of social distancing, wearing of face masks and washing of hands.

Buhari, while noting that the country has so far managed the COVID-19 pandemic successfully by keeping the numbers as low as possible, however, cautioned that Nigerians

must not stretch their luck too far.

“Looking at the trends in the other countries, we must do all we can to avert the second wave of the pandemic. We must make sure that our cases, which have gone down, do not rise again. Our economy is too fragile to bear another round of lockdown,” he said.

On his part, Lawan, in a statement to mark this year's Eid-el-Maulud, urged the youths to embrace peace and dialogue with government to realise their five-point request made in the wake of the recent #EndSARS protest.

He stated that the youths, having justified their demands for better policing and governance, and having secured the commitment of the government to addressing the issues raised, "should in the spirit of this occasion embrace peace and engage government through dialogue, as the corrections they seek can only manifest under a peaceful atmosphere."

According to him, this year's celebration comes at a time that Nigeria is striving to restore law and order in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protest.

He said: "Our harrowing experience over the past few weeks underscores the need for us as a people of faith to imbibe and demonstrate in our every conduct the virtues of love, peace and tolerance, which Prophet Mohammed personifies," he added.

Lawal recommitted the National Assembly to "the entrenchment of processes that will encourage our youths to tap their talents and pursue their dreams for the elevation of our great country."

Gbajabiamila also urged Nigerians to exhibit more love for one another.

Gbajabiamila, in a message

issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Lanre Lasisi, said the celebration of the birth of Prophet Mohammed should be used to pray for peace, progress and unity of the country, especially at this period of challenges facing the country.

While congratulating Muslims all over the world, the Speaker urged that the characters and teachings of the prophet should be the watchword for all.

In its message, APC also urged Nigerians to shun divisive tendencies.

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Yekini Nabena, in a statement yesterday, called

on Nigerians to be influenced by the great virtues that Mohammed epitomised by imbibing the true meaning of piety, sacrifice, patience and fellowship.

He said many parts of the country was ravaged by the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests and the arson attacks and looting which marred the agitations.

Nabena stated that as the APC-led government reforms, rebuilds and repositions the country, everyone should be circumspect, humane and measured in their utterances and actions.

The ruling party also renewed its call for an end to the looting and arson.

The PDP also urged Nigerians, particularly the leaders, to use this year’s celebrations to kindle a national rebirth with actions that reassure the people and reinforce the stability, unity and peaceful co-existence of the country.

The party also charged Nigerians to pray for direction and God’s intervention to enable the nation overcome its current social, economic and security challenges.

According to a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, "Indeed, Eid-el Maulud, the celebration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammed,

offers us as a nation, an invaluable opportunity to reposition our value system in pursuit of national unity, equity and social justice; adherence to rule of law, respect for human rights, welfare of the people, transparency, accountability and prudence in governance while shunning all acts of corruption and oppression that provoke bitterness, restiveness and division among the people."

The PDP also urged the federal government to promote discourse and policies that will restore unity and calm frayed nerves, particularly at this trying time in the history of our nation.

REMEMBERING FALLEN HEROES...

Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (left), and Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Brig. Gen. Adakola Akpa (rtd.), during the launch of Emblem and Appeal Fund for the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration in Abuja…yesterday

Sanwo-Olu Awards Scholarship to Children of Deceased Policemen Segun James Police officers lynched in the wake of the violence instigated by the nationwide youth demonstration against police brutality will not die in vain, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has pledged.

The state government, yesterday, directed Lagos State Scholarship Board to award scholarships to the children of the slain officers up to the university level.

Twenty-nine Divisional Police Stations and 17 Police Posts were razed by hoodlums disguised as protesters.

Also, six police officers were lynched, 36 critically injured, while 71 police operational vehicles were torched.

In spite of the loss, the police said they remained undeterred in performing

their constitutional duties.

Sanwo-Olu yesterday, made the offer to take the bill of replacing the logistics lost by the police when he visited the Command Headquarters in Ikeja to boost the morale of officers, following the demoralising events of the past week in which police officers and their stations were targeted by hoodlums.

The governor got the assurance of the police’s commitment to strengthen security across the state from the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu.

Sanwo-Olu said the statutory duties of the Police could not be wished away because of the actions of a few bad eggs, noting that the impact of the police officers’ absence on the roads was generally felt by residents.

He said the State must put the event of the past week behind it and move

on to restore peace across the communities.

To achieve this, police officers , he said, must regain their confidence.

He said: “Commissioner of Police has come forward with a number of requests, which we will need to address to boost the morale of officers after last week’s event. As your governor, I have come here to take full responsibility for the loss you have suffered in terms of logistics. From tomorrow (Thursday), we will start implementing these requests.

“Through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), we will be replacing the police operational vehicles burnt in the violence. We have a bigger plan for all the police stations burnt down.

We will look for the funds and build befitting stations that will set the standard of what police stations should

be.

“The most important request is to offer scholarship to the children of officers that died. I have directed the Lagos State Scholarship Board under the Special Adviser on Education to immediately award scholarship to the children of the slain officers.”

Sanwo-Olu said the state Government would also be compensating family members of the officers killed in the violence and take care of the burial arrangement of the slain officers, adding that the state would also be picking up the hospital bills of those injured in the mayhem.

Police officers serving in Lagos are also to get life insurance from the state government, Sanwo-Olu promised.

The governor directed the Executive Secretary of

LSSTF, Dr. Rasaq Balogun, to establish the modality with the police leadership in the state.

The governor also approved the request to upgrade Police Cottage Hospital in Ikeja, directing the Commissioner for Health to inspect the facility for the required upgrade.

In addition to donating two 150KVa generating sets to the police, Sanwo-Olu said the Command Headquarters would be connected to the State’s Independent Power Project (IPP) for constant power supply.

Responding, Odumosu said the manner with which the slain officers were murdered brought down morale in the command.

He said the police officers remained committed to their statutory responsibilities, thanking the governor for approving their requests.

The gesture, the police boss said, would restore confidence in the state’s police workforce.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police in charge of Research and Planning, Leye Oyebade, said the Police took away valuable lessons from the EndSARS protest,noting that there was no better time to fully implement the community policing than now.

He said the protest had ended and it was time for the police to win back citizens’ confidence and trust.

He said: “As police officers, we must now go back to the drawing board and cultivate the goodwill of the communities in which we operate. I’m particularly charging divisional police headquarters to devise strategies tailored toward your local realities and employ digital tools.”

6

THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020 • T H I S D AY

7

8

THURSDAY, ͺ΁˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

CBN Unveils Framework for N12.5bn Youth Investment Fund Pegs interest rate at 5% with one-year moratorium

James Emejo in Abuja The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday released the guidelines for the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (N-YIF) with a take-off seed capital of N12.5 billion.

The CBN also listed the NIRSAL Microfinance Bank (NMFB) as the eligible participating financial institution for the scheme.

The scheme seeks to improve access to finance for youth and youth-owned enterprises for national development; generate much-needed employment opportunities to curb youth restiveness and boost the managerial capacity of the youth and develop their potentials to become the future large corporate organisations.

According to the apex bank, the target of the NYIF is to financially empower youths to generate at least 500,000 jobs between 2020 and 2023.

According to the Framework for the Operation of the NIRSAL Microfinance Bank Window of the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (N-YIF) posted on the CBN website, individual (unregistered business) shall be determined based on activity/ nature of project subject to the maximum of N250,000 credit.

On the other hand, registered businesses (business name, limited liability, cooperative, commodity association shall be determined by activity/ nature of project subject to the maximum of N3.0 million (including working capital).

The CBN, however, added that immovable assets acquired with the loan must be registered with the National Collateral

Registry (NCR).

Tenor for loans shall be maximum of five years depending on the nature of the business and the assets acquired, adding that moratorium of up to one year may be allowed depending on the nature of the business and the assets acquired.

The CBN stated that interest rate under the intervention shall be at not more than five per cent per annum (all inclusive).

It said the MYSD will collaborate with relevant stakeholders to identify potential training for training/mentoring.

The guidelines stipulated that the youths that are duly screened (and undergo the mandatory training where applicable) shall be advised to log on to the portal provided by the NMFB to apply for the facility.

The CBN added that the NMFB will leverage on the General Standing Instruction (GSI) as collateral while corporate guarantees will be acceptable where applicable.

It added that upon satisfactory appraisal of applications, NMFB shall apply for release of funds in respect of approved individuals/enterprises from the NYIF and CBN, adding that NMFB shall conduct credit checks on applicants and those with unsatisfactory credit reports will be rejected.

The framework stated that repayment of loans shall be made on instalment basis by the beneficiaries to the NMFB according to the nature of enterprise and the repayment schedule/work plan provided and agreed at the application processing stage.

It added that to ensure equitable participation and even access to finance by the youth across the country, applications will be batched according to state and Local Government Areas (LGA) of applicants.

The CBN assured applicants that it will promote gender parity and encouraged female entrepreneurs to apply.

It explained that the Project Management Office shall be established by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, which will work

with NIRSAL MFB on applicant screening, project monitoring and reporting, among others.

The Nigerian Youth Employment Action Plan was developed by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (FMYSD) as a built-in strategy to respond effectively to the youth employment challenge in Nigeria.

The major objectives of the plan are to address fragmentation of youth initiatives that prevent

assessment of impact and to provide Nigerian youths with investment inputs required to build successful businesses that can become sustainable employers of labour and contributors to Nigeria’s development.

The plan targets young people between the ages of 18-35 years and details the needed actions required to support business establishment, expansion and consequent employment creation for youth in critical economic and social

sectors.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had on the July 22, 2020 approved N75 billion for the establishment of the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund for the period of 2020 – 2023 dedicated to investing in the innovative ideas, skills and talents of Nigerian youths and to provide them with a special window for accessing funds, business management skills and other inputs critical for sustainable enterprise development.

WELCOME ABOARD...

L–R: New national commissioners, National Population Commission, Mr. Gidado Folorunso; Mr Silas Agara; Mrs Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin and Mr Bala Banye, during their inauguration in Abuja…yesterday godwin omoigui

NNPC: Nigerian Refineries Damaged FEC Approves Beyond Turnaround Maintenance N4.5bn for Exams Papers Printing, FCT Roads

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday attributed the prolonged neglect of overhauling the refineries in the country to the delay in making them functional.

It declared the refineries as damaged beyond the usual Turnaround Maintenance (TAM).

However, to revamp them, the national oil is embarking upon total rehabilitation of the plants, which despite currently being non-functional, gulp about N10 billion monthly in payment of salaries and other in-built costs.

Speaking yesterday on the third day of the virtual Oil Trading and Logistics (OTL) Africa Downstream Expo 2020, on the theme “ Petroleum Refining Trends and Outlook for Tomorrow's Energy Supply,” the Managing Director of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), Mr. Ezekiel Osarolube, stated that the corporation had begun the rehabilitation of all the facilities.

He explained that there is now a private/public arrangement in the revamping of the refineries, adding that getting them back on stream remains a priority for the NNPC. “The first phase of this project is to raise capacity and second phase is to upgrade and modernise to meet current trends; so, we need time to get there.

“There's a difference between turnaround maintenance and what we are doing now. The traditional TAM, which the whole world knows is usually statutory, which is done two to three years, is to open and clean the system.

“But because of the long neglect, we have gone beyond that level of turnaround. What we are talking about now is comprehensive rehabilitation, which will involve replacing very obsolete equipment that can bring the plants back to optimum performance,” he stated.

According to him, the journey to make the plants resume production is ongoing, adding that the corporation

has a roadmap, which it is following religiously to ensure all the slippages are rectified.

“These steps are going on in Warri, Kaduna and Port Harcourt and we have a roadmap we follow religiously.

“Every month, we have a stakeholders’ meeting to review where we are and if there is any slippages and how to recover because top management is focused on this project as the number one project of NNPC. “We are dealing with people who are good in the business and they also want to recoup their money. All the fears will be taken care of and everyone will be proud of the NNPC,” he stated.

On his part, the Executive Secretary of the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARA), a pan-African organisation for the African downstream oil sector, Mr. Anibor Kragha, noted that while the NNPC was on the right path, it should, however, focus on combining rehabilitation and upgrade to cleaner fuel specs to sell across Africa since there's a huge market for it.

“We are going to have a

population explosion in the next two decades and we are going to need an increased amount of energy to meet their demands.

“Renewables are going to grow during that period.

Notwithstanding what happens, we are going to need a lot of crude oil but we need to focus on cleaner fuels. That's why we are calling for Africa specific fuels by 2030,” he said.

He called for less emphasis on brown fuels and more on the green, noting that technologies for this should be made a priority, while the pursuit of gas as an alternative fuel should be encouraged.

Also in his intervention, Chairman, PEJAD, Nigeria, Mr. Anthony Ogbuigwe, said to make progress towards the attainment of cleaner fuel supplies, Sub-Saharan Africa must reduce the sulphur content of the fuels it consumes.

“The biggest refineries are in Egypt, but none of them meet the clean fuels specifications, but a number of them are carrying out revamping projects to improve the specification,” he said.

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N2.9 billion for the award of contract for the printing of examination materials.

The Minister of Education, Mr. Adamu Adamu, while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the FEC meeting alongside the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed, said the contract was awarded to a group of eight printers.

He said: “As you know, because of the recent disturbances, we have postponed the examinations that have not taken place.”

The materials are for the Basic Education Certification Examination, the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the

National Common Entrance.

Also, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Mohammed Bello, said the council approved N1.619,701,391.14, for the rehabilitation and upgrade of some selected roads in the satellite towns of FCT. The minister explained that the council also approved N900,294,304.75 to fix the roads in Gwagwalada Area Council.

Bello noted that the contract, which is for the duration of six months, was awarded to Messrs Teleview International Nig. Limited He said the FEC also approved N719,407,086.38 for the Kwali Area Council Rural Roads to Messrs Sahabi Liman Sons Nigeria Limited for the duration of six months.

THURSDAY, ͺ΁˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

9

PAGE NINE WE’VE ACHIEVED SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS IN NORTH-WEST, NORTH-CENTRAL, SAYS BUHARI fallen heroes and veterans, recalling their sacrifices during the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian civil war and peacekeeping operations around the world.

Buhari also paid tribute to men and women currently engaged in internal security operations, particularly the ongoing fight against insurgency, terrorism and armed banditry in some parts of the country, praising them for remaining steadfast in the difficult task of restoring peace and security despite the coronavirus pandemic.

“We honour the memory of our gallant officers and men who have paid the supreme sacrifice in order to keep the country united as one entity.

The nation remains grateful for the efforts and sacrifice of the armed forces, especially in

the fight against insurgency and other internal security challenges confronting Nigeria. ''The Armed Forces Remembrance Day or Veterans Day, as it is known in some parts of the world, is an important event observed in commemoration of the end of the Second World War. “In Commonwealth member countries, the Remembrance Day is observed on 11th November yearly.

However, for us, the date was changed to 15th January annually to accommodate the commemoration of the end of the Nigerian civil war,’’ he said.

The president, who restated that his administration will continue to forge alliances with neighbours and friends in the international community to overcome the security threats affecting the sub-region,

promised to ensure timely provision of resources and logistics to support the armed forces.

Buhari pledged that under his watch, the Nigerian Armed Forces will operate with the best modern warfare equipment, with welfare issues receiving utmost attention. ''We are quite aware that it is our responsibility to provide a conducive environment that is devoid of security threats.

I want to re-assure Nigerians that security being one of the pillars of this administration will continue to be at the forefront until peace and security are restored in the country,’’ he added.

Buhari also reassured Nigerians of his administration’s commitment to creating an environment in which all citizens and

foreigners are guaranteed freedom and returns on investments.

He, therefore, urged business enterprises to give discounts and rebates to men and women in uniform as a symbol of appreciation for their sacrifices, saying ‘‘this kind gesture will make life easier for them and deepen their patriotism.’’

On support for families of members of the armed forces who died in active service, Buhari said: ''The reality is that the spouses and defendants of these breadwinners in most cases experience trauma and deprivation.

“However, we can be of support to them to lighten their burdens, especially in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic. I, therefore, call on all to spare a thought for them and take positive steps

to come to their aid."

The president also expressed delight that the Nigerian Legion has continued to be a rallying point for veterans, doing a lot in catering for the welfare of ailing members.

He urged governors, who are patrons of legions in their respective states, as well as Nigerians, to continue to support and participate in the legion’s initiatives in the areas of transportation, agriculture and housing development.

The president called on Nigerians and other residents in the country to procure and wear the emblems with pride in order to identify with those who sacrificed for the peace and security of the county. ''I encourage all to donate generously in support of our veterans and dependents of our fallen heroes,'' he said.

The president also announced a donation of N10 million to the Nigerian Legion.

The Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd.), called on members of the civil society, religious and political leaders, the academia as well as the media to educate and enlighten Nigerians on the need to recognise and appreciate the sacrifices of gallant compatriots in uniform.

He also encouraged Nigerians to procure and wear the emblem to boost the morale of serving personnel.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Nigerian Legion, Brig.

Gen. Adakole Akpa (rtd.), thanked the president for his unrelenting support to the ex-servicemen, particularly in ensuring the prompt payment of pensions.

The Edo CP regretted that the stolen arms would be unleashed on members of the public, noting, however, that as the looting and destruction were taking place, the police and other security agencies were able to arrest some of the arsonists, looters and escapees.

"Also, on October 27, at Oliha Market Junction, Benin City, two armed robbers named Michael Peter ‘m’ and OZ Esi ‘m,’ were arrested by officers of the Nigerian Army, attached to 4 Brigade Headquarters, Benin City for allegedly attempting to snatch a Honda Civic Car with Reg. No. AA-261-AY from one Mr. John Destiny of No. 40 Agbonlahor Street, Aduwawa Benin City.

"Some of the suspects arrested are four hoodlums - Charles Okoeguale ‘m’, Ojo Osamiemwenfan Igbinoba ‘m’, Gift Osayiwu ‘m’ and Osasumwen Imanawe ‘m’, who were seen with police rifles, uniforms and other items carted away by hoodlums who invaded the several police stations during “ENDSARS” protest," he said.

The Kogi State Police Command has also arrested no fewer than 56 suspected looters/vandals who vandalised government facilities in Lokoja, the state capital, between Sunday night and Monday.

The state Commissioner of Police, Ayuba Ede, while parading the suspects in Lokoja, said the arrest was in line with the directives by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to reclaim the public space and restore normalcy across the federation and to bring an end to wanton violence, killing, looting and the destruction of public and private property.

Ede explained that consequent upon the reports of looting of some government facilities in Lokoja metropolis on Monday, he mobilised and personally led other heads of other security agencies and coordinated the operation to halt further slide into lawlessness and brigandage.

He noted that the ongoing operation led to the arrest of 56 suspected looters of Agricultural Development Project, essential drug warehouse and Federal Ministry of Agriculture offices in Lokoja and recoveries of some looted items.

The Adamawa State Police Commissioner, Olugbenga Adeyanju, also yesterday said his command had arrested 238 suspected vandals and looters.

Adeyanju told reporters in Yola, the state capital, that the suspects were responsible for the vandalism and theft of public and private property

across the state.

He said the police also recovered 35 tractors, 22 hand tractor hoes, 28 hand tractors, 12 tricycles, nine vehicles and farm tools.

According to him, the command, in collaboration with other sister security agencies, has so far dealt with all acts of lawlessness in the state.

"As I speak, we have 238 males and females suspects.

One hundred and eighty four were apprehended for breaking/looting government, private and corporate warehouses in the state while 54 were arrested for violating the state government curfew," he said.

Adeyanju added that 12 tricycles and nine vehicles were also confiscated while conveying looted property.

In Anambra State, the police arrested 17 suspects and recovered an AK-47 rifle, suspected to have been stolen by hoodlums from a police division during the violent protests in the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. John Abang, who briefed journalists in Awka, also paraded the 17 suspects arrested for arson and looting during the protests.

Abang reeled out police facilities burnt during the protest and police officers

specialist, had urged the WTO to help poorer countries access COVID-19 drugs and vaccines.

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 2003-2006 and 2011-2015 and briefly as foreign affairs minister in 2006, the first woman to hold both positions.

As finance minister, OkonjoIweala 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.

POLICE LOSE 10 OFFICERS, 16 STATIONS IN ANAMBRA, OYO the violence that trailed the #EndSARS protest in the state.

In Anambra, four policemen were killed while 11 stations were burnt.

However, the police have arrested 477 suspects involved in the looting and arson in Anambra, Adamawa, Kogi, Kano and Edo States.

A total of 35 tractors and one AK-47 rifle were also recovered from the suspects.

But the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command warned suspects that returning goods looted from warehouses storing COVID-19 palliatives and other items may not stop them from being prosecuted.

While nine suspects were arrested in Oyo, 17 were arrested in Anambra, 126 in Edo, 56 in Kogi, 31 in Kano and 238 in Adamawa.

The Oyo State police commissioner, who addressed journalists yesterday in Ibadan, confirmed that nine suspects were arrested in connection with arson and looting in Iseyin, in the Iseyin Local Government Area of the state .

The suspects were paraded before journalists at the briefing.

Enwonwu, while bemoaning the killing of the policemen, said some of them were gruesomely murdered.

He said six persons, who were arrested in Ogbomoso

during the EndSARS violence in the town, had been charged to court. The police are also on the trail of more suspects.

"Six police officers were gruesomely murdered, police patrol vehicles were burnt down and exhibits looted in the exhibits room with many police arms and ammunition carted away due to activities of criminal elements who capitalised on the protest to perpetrate their heinous crimes .

“Nonetheless , the Oyo State Police Command has arrested no fewer than nine suspected arsonists and looters for allegedly attacking the Divisional Police headquarters , Iseyin on Thursday, 22 October , 2020 and thereafter setting the station ablaze under the pretext of #EndSARS protests that lingered for so many days .

“A team of policemen attached to the unit moved swiftly to the area and in the process, nine of the arsonists and criminal looters were arrested in connection with the crimes while some exhibits were recovered from them.

He gave the names of the suspects as Taoreed Hamsat a. k. a Shorlex, 26 years; Tajudeen Ibrahim a .k .a Aji, 40 years; Moshood Fatai a .k .a Elewure, 39 years and Musibau Abubakar a .k. a Stainless, 21 years .

Other suspects are: Sikiru Aliu a. k. a 1414, 25 years; Fasasi Fatai a. k. a Lemon, 24 years; Isiaka Olaniyi, 32 years; Raheem Toheeb and Adeleke Akeem, 42 years.

Enwonwu lauded some residents of the state for warding off arsonists who attempted to burn down police stations in their areas.

The Edo State Police Command also paraded 126 suspects in connection with jailbreak, looting and vandalism in the wake of the #ENDSARS protest in the state.

Giving a breakdown of those arrested, the state Commissioner of Police, Johnson Kokumo, said 106 were arrested for breaking stores, looting and arson; 10 re-arrested for escaping from prison and 10 others arrested for other offences.

"As you are all aware, the hoodlums burnt down police stations, carted away arms and ammunition, raped women in some areas, killed policemen on their gory path to destruction, freed convicted criminals and felons, looted businesses and extorted innocent Nigerians.

"The command is currently pained by the havoc caused by the mobs and hoodlums, masquerading as protesters who were united by a common criminality," he stated.

Continued on page 10

US BLOCKS 163 MEMBERS’ PICK OF OKONJO-IWEALA AS WTO DG a consensus of membership is Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria. Consultations on the way forward will start immediately.”

The WTO tipped the former coordinating minister for the economy and minister of finance as the better person for the job out of the two candidates vying for the post just as the United States moved to block her emergence.

While consultation continues, the next meeting has now been scheduled for November 9th, where members would be seeking to get a consensus.

This would come after the US presidential election scheduled to be held on Tuesday.

The officials, who pleaded to remain anonymous, stated that members decided to continue with the ongoing process, which is expected to lead to Okonjo-Iweala’s announcement despite the opposition of the United States, which they described as unjustified.

According to the sources, the US objection was anchored on procedural grounds, adding

that constituents from across the regions who took the floor stressed that this cannot stand because the process was unanimously agreed on and that it would be wrong to change it midway.

The speakers included representatives of member countries from Africa, Caribbean, Asia, Latin America and other regions reflecting the breadth of her support.

“The WTO member countries insisted that Okonjo-Iweala is the better qualified and properly elected candidate for the position of DG of the WTO,” the source added.

All WTO decisions are taken by a consensus of its 164 members.

Another source who monitored the closed-door meeting, but pleaded to remain anonymous, said: “Ngozi at this stage is the candidate who is most likely to attract a consensus from the WTO membership.

Members have used consensus on every decision in electing a director-general in the history of the WTO. “In the rules, however, there

is a provision that allows for majority vote. But that has never been used before, so we don’t know whether members would want to set a precedent with this DG selection process.

“So, really, anything can happen on November 9th.

So, all options are open.”

Section 20 of the WTO Procedures for the Appointment of Director Generals states: “If, after having carried out all the procedures set out above, it has not been possible for the General Council to take a decision by consensus by the deadline provided for the appointment, members should consider the possibility of recourse to a vote as a last resort by a procedure to be determined at that time.

“Recourse to a vote for the appointment of a directorgeneral shall be understood to be an exceptional departure from the customary practice of decision-making by consensus, and shall not establish any precedent for such recourse in respect of any future decisions in the WTO.” Okonjo-Iweala, 66, an economist and development

TOP GAINERS CUSTODIAN NESTLE NEM INTERBREW FCMB TOP LOSERS ROYALEXCHANGE CUTIX HONEYWELL

NGN NGN % 0.55 6.05 10 117.50 1,292.00 10 0.20 2.23 9.8 0.60 6.70 9.8 0.26 2.91 9.8 NGN % 0.02 0.25 8.0 0.13 1.77 6.8 0.01 0.96 1.0 AFRIPRUD 0.05 5.85 0.8 MAY&BAKER 0.01 3.05 0.3 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦1,175.00 Volume: 375.249 million shares Value: N4.634 billion Deals: 5,947 As at yesterday 28/10/2020 See details on Page 35

10

THURSDAY, ͺ΁˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

PDP Tasks Yakubu on Credible, Conclusive Elections

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday called on the reappointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu, to use his second coming to correct the wrongs of the past by ensuring future credible and conclusive polls.

PDP noted that the reappointment of Yakubu should be seen as an impetus and an indication that preparations for a free and fair credible general election has commenced.

The main opposition party also said with the reappointment of the INEC boss, whatever had happened in the past should be ascribed to inexperience.

PDP added that his reappointment entrusts on him the fate, hope, and future of over 200 million Nigerians, adding that he should not disappoint the trust in him.

It charged Yakubu to use his second term as an opportunity to right the wrongs observed in his first appointment in 2015.

The party stated these in a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary,

Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan.

"In the light of this five-year extension, our party hopes that the failures, disappointments and miscarriages that characterised the first five years tenure of Yakubu will have no place in the new order.

"It is, therefore, instructive to state that with his reappointment, Prof. Yakubu has been given an ample time and opportunity to redeem himself, the image of the commission and preparation for credible, free and fair elections in our country," the PDP stated.

PDP said that with this reappointment, whatever

happens in subsequent future elections cannot be ascribed to inexperience and lack of adequate preparedness on the side of INEC. “We consider this reappointment by President Buhari as an impetus to demonstrate a readiness for a free, fair and credible election, which Mr. President had always promised to bequeath at the end of his second and final term in office in 2023.

"We, therefore, charge the INEC Chairman to spend the nearly two years ahead of the next general election to rejig the commission, work out

appropriate electoral policies and guidelines and push for amendment of the Electoral Act, in conjunction with the National Assembly, to give our nation a credible electoral process".

PDP said that Yakubu must be mindful of the aphorism that "to whom much is given, much more is expected".

"His reappointment therefore comes with a lot of expectations by Nigerians.

He must quickly take painstaking look into issues that aid manipulations, rigging, violence and inconclusive elections which marred most

of the exercises conducted in his previous tenure", the main opposition party said.

It urged the INEC boss to note that the future, stability and corporate existence of the nation have been entrusted in his hands as credible election is the bedrock of any democratic society.

"Our party urges the National Assembly, particularly, the Senate, to focus on these pertinent issues in the course of screening Prof. Yakubu to ensure that the failures of the past are not given accommodation in the new era."

Govs Move to Strengthen Land Administration, Boost IGR States to get $2m for meeting June 2021 deadline Chuks Okocha in Abuja The governors of the 36 states under the aegis of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), have moved to strengthen land administration and boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in their respective states.

The move is expected to bring sanity to land administration while ensuring that fair and right taxes, fees or levies are charged.

To actualise these, the governors in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, assisted by the World Bank, have scheduled two Virtual Peer

Learning Events (PLEs) on "Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technology to Strengthen Land Administration and Property Taxation" at the subnational level.

The event, according to a statement issued yesterday by the Senior Programme Manager of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum SFTAS Technical Assistance Project, Mr. Olanrewaju Ajogbasile, is part of several capacity building efforts aimed at supporting the effective deployment of GIS at statelevel.

The statement said efforts are underway to provide states

with GIS data, orthophotos of property mapping and software to support enumeration.

States that are able to update their property records before June 30, 2021 to capture at least 50 per cent of the property that have electricity connections in urban areas will each unlock $2 million in performance grant under the World Bank-funded States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) Programme for results.

The statement, however, added that it is imperative that these property records reflect accurate information about the

name of the owner/occupier, size of the land parcel, size of the building, use of the land/ property amongst other criteria required by the programme.

It added that states are at varying stages of GIS deployment with some notably Kaduna, Kogi, Lagos, Oyo, Nasarawa and Gombe states leading the way.

The peer learning events will have these states showcase their deployment experience and avail aspiring states still early in the process of deployment, an opportunity to address challenges that could derail and hinder GIS deployment at the state level.

Ajogbasile said the two peer

learning events would hold next month.

He noted that the states are determined to get it right this time and ensure old mistakes are not repeated, thus, the need to learn from the experiences of others who have led the way in GIS deployment.

Olanrewaju said GIS deployment and the consequential benefit of holding accurate land and property records would bring sanity to land administration while ensuring that fair and right taxes, fees or levies are charged.

He added that at least 160 persons will be in attendance at both events, including

state actors, partners and implementing agencies on the SFTAS programme.

Amongst the state officials to attend are states project managers for the GIS deployment, directors of lands (Ministry of Lands/ GIS Agency); directors, property tax (state IRS) and states SFTAS focal persons.

He explained that expectations are also that each state will as part of the efforts to strengthen the land administration system, engage civil societies and associations, including the citizenry to ensure smooth implementation of critical reforms that may follow.

Senate Committee Accuses Power Minister of Uneven Projects’ Distribution Says 20 electricity projects located in his LGA Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate Committee on Power yesterday accused the Minister of Power, Mr. Mamman Saleh, of uneven distribution of mini-grid power projects for rural communities.

It accused Saleh of proposing to locate 20 of such projects in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State where he hails from.

It, therefore, asked the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Mr. Ahmad Salijo, who appeared before the committee to defend

the agency's 2021 budget estimate, to go back to the minister and draw his attention to the lopsided distribution of the projects and rectify the error.

A member of the committee, Senator Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf from Taraba Central senatorial district, had drawn the attention of his colleagues to the lopsidedness in the distribution of the electrification projects.

According to him, many of the power projects were concentrated in the minister's LGA. "It is not just the N52 million project but if you

look at the proposal from number 85, N30 million, N20 million and N40 million, respectively are to be spent on rural electricity and they are all concentrated in one local government area, which is the minister's local government area. Twenty projects are in Lau Local Government Area. I am not challenging him but I am sure," he said.

Another member of the committee, Senator Bala Ibn Na' Allah, stated that the minister by his action violated the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

"Those who elected us to

this office expected us to ensure that the constitution, which they have made for themselves and given to us, will be executed to the letter.

The president wants to be the president of every citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. "Therefore, he would want loyalty and co-operation from every citizen of the country.

"If we sit down here and agree that a budget that pleases a minister can come, he (minister) is not doing himself good because he has sworn to do justice to all manner of the people and not to allow his personal

interest to affect his official conduct and decision. He has by this clearly shown that he has allowed his personal interest to affect his official conduct and decision, and that is a very serious matter.

"Governance is a very serious issue. I think you (MD) must take this observation serious and convey it to the minister. Tell him that the committee is not in agreement with him.

“We will not sit down and sign this kind of document.

We will be failing in our duties; we will be failing in the oath of office we have taken to hold and protect the

constitution, if we allow this to go unchallenged.

"Please let him know, there is no sentiment on this matter. Let us all try as much as we can to operate within the elements of our constitution," Na'Allah said.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Gabriel Suswan, thereafter asked the management of the agency to go back and correct the anomalies discovered in the project identification, location and ensure the even distribution of the projects before re-appearing before the Senate committee next Monday.

Anambra State, Ugochukwu Nwagboso 'm' aged 38 years of Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, Nwankpa Ejike 'm' aged 26 years of Izza North LGA of Ebonyi State and Nwankpa Izuchukwu 'm' aged 20 years of Izza North LGA of Ebonyi State.

The police in Kano State have also arrested 31 suspected looters who vandalised private facilities and carted away valuables in the wake of the EndSARS protest in the state.

The state Police Commissioner, Mr. Habu Sani, told reporters yesterday in Kano that the arrest and recovery of items followed intelligence.

Sani explained that the protesters, who perpetrated the heinous crime under the guise of peaceful protest, invaded private shopping malls and business facilities.

He regretted that what started as peaceful demonstration later turned violent, leading to the burning of eight vehicles, vandalism of 38 shops, including the popular Galaxy Mall on Igbo Road Sabon Gari, and Chicken Republic on airport road.

a crime in Nigeria.

According to him, the return of looted goods won’t change the fact that a crime has been committed.

The police commissioner, however, said cases would be handled based on their merit.

“In a situation where people come to return goods, the fact remains did you commit an offence or not? We will get our legal experts to look at it and we will decide what to do with it.

“We will conclude our investigations and the legal experts will look at it accordingly but the fact remains that a crime has been committed,” he stated.

He said the police had been able to arrest persons who looted warehouses while some property had been recovered.

He promised to prosecute all the suspects.

POLICE LOSE 10 OFFICERS, 16 STATIONS IN ANAMBRA, OYO killed.

"The hoodlums set ablaze 11 police stations; burnt over 20 vehicles, including patrol and exhibit vehicles and an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).

"They also vandalised six other police stations and carted away motorcycles kept as exhibits. The police also lost some rifles during the attacks.

"In the course of these heinous acts, the hoodlums murdered four police officers, including the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Osumenyi Division, CSP Akpan Joseph; ASP Agu Micheal, the Station Officer (SO), Osumenyi Division and a young PC Udegbunam Sunday Celestine, leaving two others injured.

"In their state of callousness, the hoodlums also murdered and beheaded Inspector John

Oche attached to the Anti-Cult Unit and burnt his body to ashes parading the streets with the deceased policeman’s head," he added.

He said the suspects were arrested with some exhibits, including one pump action rifle, one axe, three cutlass, one smoke grenade and some quantities of dry leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa.

"One AK-47 rifle stolen from Ogbunike Division has been recovered by operatives of the command," he said.

He listed the suspects arrested to include Matthew Vincent 'm' aged 29 years of Izza North LGA of Ebonyi State, Aguonu Chinedu Victor 'm' aged 24 years of Otolo Nnewi; Ezenagwu Ekene 'm' aged 32 years of Awka South LGA; Chukwuebuka Obianefo 'm' aged 36 years of Ihiala

LGA, and Okonkwo Stanley 'm' aged 37 years of Bende LGA of Abia State.

Others are Obumneme Omezuluike 'm' aged 30 years of Bende LGA of Abia State, Onyiuke Odinaka Izuchukwu 'm' aged 26 years of Njikoka LGA of Anambra State, Chukwuweike Enweozo 'm' aged 30 years of Onitsha North LGA, Chibuzo Otiaba 'm' aged 22 years of Njikoka LGA of Anambra State, Ebuka Nkwoego 'm'' aged 26 years of Ojenya Agbaja LGA of Ebonyi State, Emmanuel Okafor 'm' aged 21 years of Anambra East LGA, and Kelechi Onyekwere 'm' aged 34 years of Osisioma North LGA of Abia State.

Also arrested are Onyeka Egbemadu 'm' aged 23 years of Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, Samson Okoli 'm' aged 23 years of Ihiala LGA of

Returning Loots Won’t Save Suspects, Says FCT Command However, the FCT Police Command has said returning goods looted from warehouses storing COVID-19 palliatives and other items may not shield suspects from prosecution.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Bala Ciroma, while featuring on a television programme, said stealing is

THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020 • T H I S D AY

11

12

THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

MRA, IPC, Situation Room Condemn NBC’s Fine on ARISE News, Two Others Ejiofor Alike in Lagos and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and the International Press Centre (IPC) yesterday condemned the sanctioning of three television stations by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over the coverage of the #ENDSARS protests, describing the commission’s action as an outrageous violation of the Constitution and basic principles of fair hearing which cannot be allowed to stand.

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has also condemned the sanction imposed on the three television stations, describing it as an attempt to intimidate and suppress the media.

By a letter dated October 23, 2020 signed by its Acting Director General, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, the NBC fined each of the three stations – Channels Television, Africa Independent Television (AIT) and ARISE News Channel - N3 million as penalty for their alleged use of unsubstantiated footages from social media in their coverage of the #ENDSARS protests and gave them three weeks from the date of receipt of the letter to pay the amount to avoid further sanctions.

The Commission said it had earlier written to them on

October 21, 2020, where they were “cautioned on the sustained use of Fake News, disturbing visuals, close-up shots and attacks in the coverage of the ENDSARS protests” But in a joint statement released in Lagos, by the Communications Officer of the Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Mr, Idowu Adewale, the two organisations accused the NBC of turning itself into a “kangaroo court” and called on it to immediately reverse its decision sanctioning the three stations in order to save itself the embarrassment that both the commission and the country would suffer locally and internationally as a result of its action.

The statement quoted the MRA’s Executive Director, Mr. Edetaen Ojo, as saying that “a situation where the NBC, which is so glaringly lacking in independence and subject to the direct control of political authorities, created the offences for which the stations were sanctioned and was the complainant in the allegations against the stations, prosecuted them and sat in judgment on the matter without even giving the stations any opportunity to defend themselves against the charges, while also imposing a fine of N3 million on each of them, which

it intends to collect and pocket, is offensive to any notion of fair hearing, equity or justice.”

According to him, “Every Nigerian ought to be scandalised by this obscene violation of a principle that is sacrosanct not only under our Constitution

but under every regional and international human rights instrument to which Nigeria is a state party. It portrays Nigeria as crude and primitive and will no doubt bring the country to ridicule.”

He pledged that his

organisation would take legal action to challenge the NBC’s action.

On his part, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, also spoke in the same vein saying, “the NBC has in this matter again constituted itself

into the accuser, the prosecutor and the judge in its own case. It is indeed strange that the fines were arbitrarily imposed without giving the concerned media outlets the option of defending the allegations. All this constitutes an affront on rule of law”

THE GENERALS…

President Muhammadu Buhari (left), and former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, during Danjuma’s visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja…yesterday

Falana: Family Members Court Rejects Sowore, Bakare’s Appeal against of Lekki Victims Afraid Bail Conditions to Speak

Peter Uzoho Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana, has said that family members of those affected by the shooting at Lekki toll gate have refused to speak about the incident “because of the environment under which we operate”.

The senior lawyer, who said the military is “known for lies and deception,” insisted that there must be justice for the victims of Lekki shooting.

He spoke yesterday at a virtual #EndSARS meeting organised by the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Mr. Omoyele Sowore.

Narrating how the Nigerian Army “covered up” the reported killing of 347 Shi’ites in Zaria, Kaduna State, in 2015, Falana warned that the Lekki incident must not be swept under the carpet.

Soldiers had reportedly opened fire on the Shi’ites during a procession at a time the convoy of Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, was passing.

Although the army claimed few Shi’ites were killed in the incident, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) and a panel set up by the Kaduna state government said the casualties were more than 300.

Speaking at the meeting monitored by TheCable, Falana accused the army of lying about the incident in Lekki, saying nothing should have warranted soldiers’ presence at the protest venue.

“Nobody should believe the military, it has a history of lies, fraud and deception,” he said.

“Just in December 2015, the same chief of army staff claimed there was a traffic jam in Zaria and the big man wanted to move.

“And because of that traffic, he got soldiers from the first division in Kaduna to mow down hundreds of Shi’ites. And what was the explanation? That the Shi’ites wanted to assassinate the chief of army staff, and so his boys had to save him and in the process, they repelled these Shi’ites who had guns and about six or seven people died.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has struck out the appeal jointly filed by politicians and promoter of an online publication, Sahara Reporters, Mr. Omoyele Sowore and his associate, Mr. Olawale Bakare.

In a ruling yesterday, a threeman panel of the court upheld the preliminary objection filed against the appeal by Mr. Aminu Alilu of the Federal Ministry

of Justice.

In the led ruling by Justice Stephen Adah, the court held that the notice of appeal jointly filed by Sowore and Bakare was incompetent, because in criminal cases, appeals are personal, and each defendant is required to file individual notice of appeal.

The court also faulted the notice of appeal on the grounds that only one of the appellants

signed it, even when they claimed it was a joint notice of appeal.

Sowore and Bakare are being tried before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of treasonable felony, fraud, cyberstalking and insulting President Muhammadu Buhari.

On October 4, 2019 Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu granted both defendants conditional bail, part

of which conditions included barring them from addressing public gatherings.

Sowore was also restricted to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), while Bakare was restricted to his base in Osun State.

Sowore and Bakare, who described the bail conditions as stringent, had, by their appeal, sought to have them voided.

Lagos to Shut Adekunle-Adeniji Axis of Third Mainland Bridge Segun James The Lagos State Government will shut the Adekunle-Adeniji axis of the Third Mainland Bridge for the second round of repairs.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the state Ministry of Transportation, the closure will take place on Friday (tomorrow) at midnight.

The statement, which was signed by Bolanle Ogunlola, on behalf of the Public Affairs Unit, said the move is in “furtherance of the partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge occasioned by the ongoing first phase

rehabilitation works nearing completion.”

“The Lagos State Government has announced that there will be a total closure of the Adekunle to Adeniji section of the bridge for the second time from midnight of Friday 30th October to Sunday 1st November 2020,” the statement partly read.

The statement quoted the state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Frederic Oladeinde, as saying that: “This second phase closure of the repair works is coming two weeks behind schedule as a result of delays occasioned by the recent mayhem around the

Lagos metropolis.”

Oladeinde noted that the decision to close the section of the bridge for repairs is “to prevent vibrations on the bridge during the casting-inplace of the newly installed expansion joints which in turn will allow the special concrete achieve its required compressive strength.”

He had earlier explained that the casting of the expansion joints would be in two phases due to the number of expansion joints that will be cast and to effectively manage the attendant traffic, hence, repair works slated for weekends to minimize inconveniences that

may arise from the total closure.

While commending residents of the state for being patient since the commencement of the project, the commissioner said hinted that the previous alternative routes remain the same for road users to utilise during the closure period, while LASTMA and other traffic management agencies will be on the ground to direct traffic for easy vehicular movement.

He also “assured that the section of the bridge between Adekunle and Iyana–Oworo still remains open, as well as Ebute Metta outbound section into Iyana-Oworo.”

Buhari Meets Danjuma in No Out-of-court Settlement With Pan Ocean Group, AMCON Insists by its Head, Corporate 275), OML 152 and OML 98 The court also granted an Obinna Chima Aso Rock Communications, Mr. Jude respectively. order appointing AMCON

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met behind closed doors with a former Minister of Defence Staff, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) at Aso Rock in Abuja.

The meeting was coming two days after the National Christian Elders Forum, led by Danjuma and other statesmen demanded that Nigeria be re-negotiated.

The meeting, which was held behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, took place after the virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Danjuma, after his meeting with the President refused to speak with State House correspondents.

As of the time of filing this report, the agenda of the meeting between the two leaders remains unknown.

Contrary to some reports, the court is yet to sanction any ‘out-of-court settlement’ with the management of the embattled Pan Ocean Group, an oil and gas company over its indebtedness of N240 billion, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has disclosed.

AMCON stated this in a statement issued yesterday

Nwauzor.

The debt of the company led to its takeover by AMCON in July.

“Recall that Hon. Justice A.M. Liman in suit No. FHC/L/CS/722/20 ordered AMCON and its assigned designate to take over several oil mining and oil prospecting licenses that are exemplified

by OML 147 (formerly OPL

“The order also mandated AMCON to take over the property lying and situate at No. 33b, Adebayo Doherty Street, off Admiralty Way Lekki Phase One in Lagos State as well as the property lying and being specifically known as FF Towers, Plot 13/14 Ligali Ayorinde Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos and a host of other assets.

as a Receiver Manager (in accordance with its 2019 Act as amended).

“As a result of the takeover, Pan Ocean and its promoters have been in on-going discussions with AMCON to see how to amicably resolve the debt through a settlement framework, which is yet to be presented to the court.”

13

THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Diri, Ugwuanyi Inaugurate Panels on Police Brutality, Violent Protests Ejiofor Alike The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, and his Enugu State counterpart, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, yesterday inaugurated judicial panels on police brutality, and the violent EndSARS protests in their states, respectively.

Ugwuanyi, whose panel was on the violence that marred the EndSARS protests, also conveyed the sympathy of his administration to the families of private citizens and security

personnel who lost their loved ones to the unfortunate violence and criminality precipitated by the hijack of the otherwise peaceful #EndSARS protests by miscreants.

The governor also conveyed his administration’s compassionate consideration to private citizens and security personnel who suffered grievous bodily injuries during the mayhem as well as private citizens’ properties and security infrastructure.

He stated these yesterday while inaugurating the nine-member

Court Declines to Order Arrest of Former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday declined to make an order for the arrest of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is seeking the extradition of Diezani, to answer to corruption allegations she allegedly committed as Minister of Petroleum Resources.

The agency is specifically seeking the prosecution of the former minister over her role in the award of Strategic Alliance Agreement (SAA) to Septa Energy Limited, Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited and Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited by NNPC. Diezani is also wanted to explain “her role in the chartering of private jets by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and her role in the award of contracts by NNPC to Marine and Logistics Services Limited”.

However, owing to the difficulty of the anti-graft agency to get her to court to answer to

the corruption allegations, the commission had approached the court through an exparte application for the arrest and extradition of the former minister.

When the matter came up yesterday, counsel to EFCC, Mr. Farouk Abdullah, urged the court to issue an arrest warrant against Diezani for failing to appear in court.

“My lord, this honourable court issued a summon for the defendant to appear today but the defendant has failed to appear.

“Giving the aforesaid fact, I apply that a warrant of arrest be issued against the defendant pursuant to Section 83(1b) of the ACJA 2015.

“We urge the court, in making the order, to direct all law enforcement agencies and the INTERPOL to arrest the defendant anywhere she is sighted and be brought before the court to answer to the allegation made against her before this honourable court,” he said.

He said since the summon had not been able to achieve the desired result, adding that the need for a warrant of arrest cannot be over-emphasised.

FCT Police Arrest, Arraign 201 Suspected Looters, Arsonists Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The FCT Police Command yesterday arraigned 201 suspects over their alleged involvement in the looting of the Orientation Camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Kubwa.

A statement by the command said the suspects were also involved in the looting of warehouses and storage facilities in Gwagwalada, Kuje, Jabi and Idu Industrial Estate in Abuja.

The suspects, including women, were arraigned before six mobile courts while many looted items were recovered.

“In continuation of its relentless effort to restore normalcy, within the last 48 hours, the command has arrested and arraigned a total of 201 suspected looters, including women and made recoveries of some looted items, at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation CampKubwa, Kuje, Gwagwalada,Jabi and idu.

“All the suspects were arraigned before six mobile courts on Wednesday, October, 28 2020”, it said.

The command said the arrest and subsequent arraignment of the suspects were proof of the command’s unwavering resolve to further maintain peace and stability within the Federal Capital Territory.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bala Ciroma, called on residents to desist from engaging in any action capable of causing breakdown of law and order and urged them to conduct themselves peacefully and remain law-abiding.

He appealed to parents, guardians, community and religious leaders to prevail upon their wards to keep the peace.

“The command wishes to reiterate its dedication to the protection of lives and property”, the statement signed by the Spokesman of the command, ASP Mariam Yusuf, said.

Administrative Panel of Inquiry he constituted on Tuesday “to determine the loss of lives and/ or other grievous bodily injuries to private citizens and security personnel as well as destruction of properties of private citizens and security infrastructure in Enugu State resulting from the hijack of the #EndSARS protests by miscreants”.

The governor who expressed gratitude to God for the significant return to normalcy in the state, gratefully acknowledged the wise counsel of the traditional rulers, religious leaders and stakeholders “who in the heat

of the mayhem, lent their voices to the call for restraint and responsible citizenship”.

He also applauded the youth for rising “in defense of our coal city”, adding that “the freewill cleaning of the post-protest debris on our streets by volunteers and donors is deeply appreciated”.

According to him, “Our administration has elected to mitigate the pains of the loss of lives of private citizens and security personnel, their grievous bodily injuries and destruction of properties of private persons and security infrastructure occasioned by the hijacked #EndSARS

protests”.

He said that he constituted the panel pursuant to Executive Order No. 04 of 2020, dated October 27, 2020 “made in exercise of my powers under Section 4, Subsection 1 of the Commission of Inquiry Law Cap. 24 of the Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004”. Ugwuanyi expressed confidence that “the members of this panel have the expertise and gravitas for this assignment”.

He therefore enjoined residents of the state to avail the panel the cooperation and support for expeditious delivery

on its mandates, and remain vigilant and peaceful.

Members of the panel, which has sixty days to conclude and submit its report include - Justice Fredrick Obieze, (rtd.)

- Chairman; Professor Frank Ezugwu (Provost, ESUTH College of Medicine) - Member; Professor Agozie Ogbodo (Dean, Faculty of Law, Godfrey Okoye University) - Member; Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu of Ibagwa Nike - Member; Professor Ngozi Ejionueme (Head, Department of Marketing, ESUT) member, among others.

IN SOLIDARITY WITH POLICE…

L-R: Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Education, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola; state Commissioner for Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu; Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 2 Command, Mr. Ahmed Iliasu; state deputy governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of Southwest states, Mr. Leye Oyebade, during the governor’s visit to the Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja…yesterday

Deputy Director Bags 10 Years Jail Term over N2.6m Fraud EFCC re-arraigns two Chinese over alleged N50m bribery

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja A deputy director in the Sokoto State Civil Service, Mr. Aminu Abdullahi Mega, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Sokoto State High court for defrauding the state government of N2.6 million.

This is coming as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Sokoto Zonal Office rearraigned Meng Wei Kun and Xui Kuoi, before Justice Saleh Kogo Idrissa of the Federal High Court Sokoto for fraud.

The two Chinese were docked on a three-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N50 million.

A statement issued yesterday by the Independent Corrupt

Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), said Mega, a deputy director in charge of infrastructure, in the Sokoto Agriculture Development Project (SADP), was earlier arraigned by the ICPC on a two-count charge bordering on fraudulent diversion of government funds.

The anti-graft agency in a charge sheet filed before Justice Malami Umar, of High Court 3, Sokoto, accused Mega of fraudulently converting into personal use, the sum of N2, 626, 500 being government money meant for the construction of borehole at SADP Housing Estate in the state.

He was also accused of presenting fake receipts to the commission during investigation

to cover the fraud, thereby committing an offence contrary to Sections 16 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under the same section.

He pleaded guilty when the charge was read to him. ICPC counsel, Mashkur Salisu, who had earlier tendered before the court, documents showing evidence of recoveries made from the convict by the commission, prayed the judge to sentence him as charged according to the provisions of Section 273 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2019 of Sokoto State.

The prayer was not opposed by counsel to the accused, Mr. A. Danbuwa, even as he pleaded with the court to be lenient to his

client citing Sections 309, 310, 415 and 510 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, Sokoto State, 2019, and considering the fact that the convict had returned the proceeds of the fraud to the commission.

Justice Umar after the plea sentenced the convict to 10 years imprisonment, five years on each count which would be served concurrently.

The ruling also includes an option of fine of N90, 000 on each of the counts.

Meanwhile, the EFCC, Sokoto Zonal Office has re-arraigned the Chinese duo of Meng Wei Kun and Xui Kuoi before Justice Saleh Kogo Idrissa of the Federal High Court Sokoto for fraud.

Court Restrains Gwadabe from Parading Self as Bauchi PRP Chairman Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi A Bauchi state High Court has restrained Mr. Ahmed Farouq Gwadabe from parading himself as the Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Bauchi State.

Justice SI Zadawa in an order of interim injunction yesterday restrained Gwadabe and Mr. Saleh Yarima from posing as Bauchi PRP Chairman and North-east Zonal Vice Chairman of PRP,

respectively.

Legal Adviser of PRP Bauchi State, Mr. SG Idrees, filed a case on October 26, 2020 before the Bauchi High Court praying for an interim injunction stopping Gwadabe and Yarima from posing as State Chairman and Zonal Vice Chairman of the party, accordingly.

A copy of the judgement which was sighted by THISDAY, revealed that the court order restrained Bauchi PRP from

recognising Ahmed Farouq as Acting Chairman of the party ‘pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.’

Justice Zadawa said the decision of the court emanates from the ‘purported election’ held on October 23, 2020, which declared Farouq as Acting Chairman of the party. The court also directed Saleh Yarima to desist from parading himself as an exco member of the party.

It also ruled that the illegal meeting he convened, which declared Farouq as Acting Chairman was null and void.

Idrees, PRP Legal Adviser told THISDAY that the court permitted the excos of the party to elect a new chairman of the party according to the provisions of the constitution of the party.

PRP had elected Gwadabe as its interim Chairman following the resignation of Mr. Shehu Barau Ningi last week.

14

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱͷ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

COMMENT

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

AKIOLU: A PHILANTHROPIC AND TIRELESS MONARCH Akintoba Mendes pays tribute to Rilwan Babatunde Akiolu I, Oba of Lagos, at age 77

T

he mood in Lagos State and the whole of Nigeria in general calls for a sombre outlook at the moment. Yet, some important dates have a way of being defiantly critical even in the midst of turbulence.

Such is today, Thursday October 29 when His Royal Highness, the King of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu I, also known as the Eleko of Eko, clocks 77 years of age on earth.

It is a public holiday in Nigeria and an important day in Lagos to continue to reflect on the developments in our dear nation, to appraise steps being taken in bringing sanity and safety back to the people without engaging in blame game and to celebrate an enigma of a King who has had the good fortune of sitting on the throne of his forefathers for 17 glorious years so far.

History is replete with stories of various attacks against the throne and values that we as a people hold dear as far as traditional institution is concerned.

From the period of colonial rule to the military era and even under this current democratic dispensation, the throne has had to contend with various challenges, which often tend to either undermine or ridicule the role of the monarchy.

Instances abound across the country.

Even last week’s unfortunate incident where genuine agitation for true change within the polity, for necessary reforms in how citizens are policed and for our youths to have more say in the affairs of the nation got derailed by certain elements who, in wanton destruction of public and private properties, did not spare the sacred thrones - from Ogbomoso in Oyo State, to Idanre in Ondo, Calabar in Cross River State and of course in Lagos.

But the throne that forgives is the one that endures.

And this is why Kabiyesi Akiolu’s revered silence and forgiving mien call for acknowledgement and indeed celebration, particularly on a day like this.

Anyone who has the good fortune of being the traditional, even if ceremonial, sovereign of Lagos, the largest city in Africa and commercial capital of Nigeria will not hold grudge against any of his subjects and visitor-settlers no matter the indiscretion. This of course is a cornerstone philosophy of Oba Akiolu.

Every monarch approaches the organisation of the palace differently, particularly as modernity calls for more adjustments and adaptation. But the essence and sanctity of the throne has always remained traditionally inviolable under Oba Akiolu.

The youths have always been close to his heart and ceaseless interventions.

Not many will forget how over 2,000 graduates, none bearing his name, in the last five years were absorbed on merit into government and private employment through his direct intervention. For those without degrees, hundreds of youths were enrolled into various skills acquisition programmes for free.

Two years ago, several people also benefited from the commercial motorcycle and tricycle empowerment

THE YOUTHS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN CLOSE TO HIS HEART AND CEASELESS INTERVENTIONS. NOT MANY WILL FORGET HOW OVER 2,000 GRADUATES, NONE BEARING HIS NAME, IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS WERE ABSORBED ON MERIT INTO GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT THROUGH HIS DIRECT INTERVENTION

programme he offered to young ones just going into such businesses and those who needed new ones.

It was the Kabiyesi that got Zenith Bank, Dangote, Caverton and other corporate giants and individuals to build the health centre on Lagos Island for the benefit of his people, while he also got other banks and companies to pay for the medication in order to keep it free of charge for residents. We must not forget the ambulance on stand-by at the health centre was donated through Kabiyesi’s direct intervention to take patients to Island Maternity and General Hospital on emergencies.

Working with a monarch whose high standard draws the best out of his subject can be undoubtedly demanding. Yet, several staff members and friends of the palace attest to Kabiyesi’s generosity in paying for them to go on religious pilgrimages; in having the tuition of their wards paid and in always sending financial gift whenever he is invited to events.

Also in Oba Akiolu’s domain, head of each royal family receives honorary upkeep monthly support.

As the 21st incumbent Oba of Lagos, Oba Akiolu is a descendant of the Ologunkutere Ruling House in Isale Eko (downtown Lagos), a haven of Lagos indigenes and he is one who is forever committed to the welfare and development of his people there.

Born on October 29, 1943, Oba Akiolu attended Ansar-Ud-Deen College, Surulere, Lagos between 1961-1965. He went on to study Law at the University of Lagos where he received a Bachelor of Law degree (LL.B). He dedicated 32 years of his life to public service, joining the Nigerian Police Force in 1970 where he served in various capacities until his retirement in 2002 as an Assistant Inspector-General of Police.

He is a fellow of the Nigerian Law School and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management.

After the demise of Oba Adeyinka Oyekan in March 2003, Lagos kingmakers selected Akiolu as the late monarch’s successor after the necessary rites.

With his appointment ratified by the Lagos State Government, he was capped on May 24 and crowned on August 9, 2003.

A Lagos State High Court, in 2019, struck out a 16-year-old suit (challenging Oba Akiolu’s coronation) filed by the Akinsemoyin Ruling House, arguing that their lineage has been denied access to the throne, as lacking in merit.

It is not for nothing that the Yorubas say every cloud has a silver lining as far as an attack on a palace is concerned. Temporary set-backs do not have a space in Oba Akiolu’s worldview, as a man fiercely committed to his Isale Eko roots and the position of Lagos as an accommodating land of opportunities for visitors.

As he clocks 77 today, here is wishing the people’s monarch many more years on the throne in good health, peace and abundance for all and sundry.

Mendes wrote from Lagos Island

ENDCORRUPTION CALLED ‘ENDSARS’

The protesters used police brutality as a cover to expose corruption in the system, argues Okello Oculi

A

researcher on illegal miners of gold in the KARAMOJA region of North-Eastern Uganda discovered that giving guns to ‘’child soldiers’’ destroyed traditional respect for elders. The kids realised that pulling a trigger makes a bullet crumbles the physical frame of a symbol of community authority.

Several looters shouting into television cameras justified their ransacking and ‘’looting’’ storage sites with claims of liberating food items meant for starving persons from corrupt officials hoarding them. A climate of corruption has eroded the sanctity of official spaces and officers.

Corruption blocks roads to development for millions of youths for the benefit of several thousands of children of corrupt officials whose children attend primary, secondary schools and colleges in Canada, Britain, Turkey, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Singapore, Malaysia, China and beyond.

In 2015 when Buhari’s victory was announced, AIT television showed an elated young man in Kano City’s roundabout accusing leaders of sending their children outside while leaving local schools to decay. For him, Buhari was a window for redemption. Behind that joy was the lurking anger and potential violence which current arson and looting

indicate.

It is interesting that the planners of ENDSARS demonstrations chose to focus on police brutality and extortion for mobilising public support. Condemning corruption would have sounded like a cliché. Calling out police brutality lifted an ‘’ozone layer’’ over an ‘’old normal’’ of the public hearing about police violence. The Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Civil Society organisations that are dependent on funds from foreign sources, had grown largely indifferent and silent over this malaise.

A television report about a notorious extorter of millions of Naira as ransom and still killing his captives in Port Harcourt, including police officers showed that he had been severely beaten in captivity. He could not sit up without being propped up. He died shortly thereafter. No voices of outrage were raised.

The ENDSARS show of ‘’people power’’ occupying public space along streets may well have made the error of adopting the model of an ‘’amoeba’’, namely, hiding a leadership structure.

The very evident capacity for feeding, defending and providing medical services to huge rallies in Lagos had hints of sinister intent. When both President Buhari and the Governor of Lagos State hurriedly withdrew support

from ‘’SARS’’, the movement began to openly declare that their goals included the less specific and infinite achievement of ‘’good governance’’. That horizon held the prospect of the more contentious prize of ‘’regime change’’.

Amilcar Cabral, the brilliant agronomist who led the war for liberation of Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde, warned that people will not die for some elegant theories in heads of revolutionaries.

They want what will fill the hunger in their stomachs. What ENDSARS’ hidden leadership did not openly offer exploded from the ‘’pandora box’’ of stores holding ‘’palliatives’’. Huge crowds of animated youths ransacking and ‘’liberating’’ consumer goods gave testimony to Bob Marley’s assertion that a ‘’hungry man is an angry man’’. Large dams of alienation of youths from public authorities were exposed.

One vital issue which ENDSARS leaders would have usefully dramatized was the practice of state governments awarding contracts for ‘’capital intensive’’ projects. In Rivers State, Akwa Ibom State, Ekiti State, Lagos State, the Federal Capital Territory, as examples, billions of dollars are exported out of Nigeria’s economy as payments to mainly foreign contractors who use huge bulldozers, caterpillars, trucks, graders while creative labour-power in millions of under-employed and unemployed

are left to waste and wilt from hunger.

Bulldozers never buy fried yam or moi-moi from local women.

A documentary on China’s industrialization shows hundreds of thousands of labourers using raw muscle power to dredge swamps, lay rail lines, plant and harvest rice and other foodstuffs on huge farmlands. In contrast, the 200 million Nigeria’s population is proclaimed in speeches declaring Nigeria as a power in world affairs but not as receivers of huge sums of money for construction works.

A film from China’s Embassy in Lagos shows students of policy making the use of Tanzanian, Zambian and Chinese labourers in clearing the route for the TAZARA railway line from the port of Dar es Salaam to Ndola town in Zambia’s copper mining area. The sight is a striking contrast to a single driver directing an earth-mover and lifting soil or ore into a truck to be hauled away.

State governors cut tapes to ‘’commission’’ finished construction projects while hungry youths look on. It should now be clear that when hungry youths set such projects on fire it is a criticism of this policy of financial haemorrhage; and treating Nigeria’s population as mere ‘’paper tigers’’. The ENDSARS demonstrators know that such contracts serve corrupt officials while youths choke with rage.

15

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°ÍˇËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

EDITORIAL

RISING CASES OF STILLBIRTHS IN NIGERIA The primary health care system should be strengthened

O

f the 2.5 million newborns that died across the world in 2018, no fewer than 318,522 cases were recorded in Nigeria. The deaths were recorded mostly from preventable causes such as premature births, complications during delivery, and infections such as sepsis, meningitis and pneumonia. This is a worrying trend that should task the health authority in the country.

This ranks Nigeria second to India, for children dying before 28 weeks of pregnancy. The situation has remained the same since 2000, with only 1.3 deaths reduction annually, going by estimates from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

While about 2.6 million third trimester stillbirths occur every year worldwide, it says a lot that an estiTWO-THIRDS OF THE mated 1.8 million STILLBIRTHS HAPPEN stillbirths occur in 10 countries IN RURAL AREAS including Nigeria, WHERE SKILLED BIRTH India, Pakistan, ATTENDANTS, IN China, BanglaPARTICULAR MIDWIVES desh, Democratic AND PHYSICIANS, ARE NOT Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, ALWAYS AVAILABLE FOR Indonesia, ESSENTIAL CARE DURING Afghanistan and CHILDBIRTH AND FOR United Republic OBSTETRIC EMERGENCIES of Tanzania. What should even be of greater concern to the health authorities in our country is that two-thirds of the stillbirths happen in rural areas where skilled birth attendants, in particular midwives and physicians, are not always available for essential care during childbirth and for obstetric emergencies, including caesarean sections.

Meanwhile, available reports indicate clearly that there is a link between poverty and stillbirths, especially considering that they happen mostly in low income countries and in the rural areas. Huge number of stillbirths is attributable to five main

Letters to the Editor

T H I S DAY EDITOR

DEPUTY EDITOR

˜

˜ MANAGING DIRECTOR

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR

CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD

EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL

MANAGING EDITOR

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN

GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ˜

˜

˜ ˜

DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS

˜ ˜

DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR

SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS

˜ CONTROLLERS

˜

˜

DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION

HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT

Ě“

TO SEND EMAIL: ďŹ rst name.surname@thisdaylive.com

causes including childbirth complications, maternal infections in pregnancy, maternal disorders, especially pre-eclampsia and diabetes, fetal growth restriction and congenital abnormalities.

Unfortunately, many of the rural communities in the 36 states of our country lack cottage hospitals and medical facilities that will address these challenges. Where they exist, there is shortage of manpower, obsolete medical equipment and even skeletal services that more or less worsen the situation. For instance, many a time, pregnant women have had to die in the process of commuting from their homes to a medical facility.

It is very much evident that the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) has failed abysmally to tackle the challenge of stillbirths and other hiccups associated with pregnant women and infants. We must put the blame on state governments and the lack of attention by many of them to primary health care system. It is even worse that most of them have rendered prostrate the local government administration in their states, leaving healthcare delivery at that level in comatose. The solution therefore goes beyond mere formulation of some policies by the federal government in Abuja. There should be a framework where states and local governments are held accountable for maternal child health care services in their domains.

Research, according to Innocent Ujah, a former Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, has revealed that the fundamental reason for the high child deaths in the country was the non-utilisation of antenatal services by many of the pregnant women. “We also know that what kills the mother also kills the baby; hence, the high rate of stillbirths in Nigeria,� said Ujah. This is why the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) should be strengthened in such a manner that enables it effectively collaborate with the states. There is also a need to go beyond rhetoric and promises, to actionable plans to address all the existing gaps in the primary health sector. We must end the agony and tears of mothers who carry pregnancy for nine months only for their babies to be dead on delivery.

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.

LEKKI AND THE BLOOD-STAINED FLAG Continued from Backpage

E

very democracy carries within it an active seed of dictatorship, just like every dictatorship carries a potent seed of democracy. What often makes the difference is the moral stature of the leader and his personal ethics. These ethical standards were the major reason our youths mobilised and voted for Buhari in 2015 even if the little they knew about him was what they were told by their parents. This #EndSars protest presented the president an opportunity to demonstrate to these young Nigerians that he has their back. Sadly, at a time they most needed him, the president did not turn up for them.

We can go on and on about what should have been. But that would be academic.

The more productive approach is to focus on the lessons that this crisis teaches on all sides. Embedded in everything that has happened are important opportunities for nation building. This must begin with police reform aimed at making us all feel safer and allowing their personnel to wear their uniforms with pride. I am aware that everybody is hurting at the moment. It appears that the police themselves have resorted to retaliatory abdication, the reason looters have operated largely undisturbed.

The process of rebuilding must therefore give

police personnel the confidence that they are not being witch-hunted. And that we are only out for those bad eggs who have given the police a bad name.

As an aside, managers of the EndSARS protests spent just N60.4 million of the N147.85 million raised, a fraction of which was expended on consumables. Yet there was so much for some young people to eat and drink (as we saw on video posts) that they wished the protests would last forever. In contrast, we heard about the billions of Naira earmarked for COVID-19 palliatives that were only ‘eyemarked’ when looters descended on some hitherto-hidden warehouses to help themselves. Imagine what would have happened if our young people were given a quarter of the money available for the COVID-19 palliative to manage. Help would have reached the vulnerable of our society.

They have therefore proven their expertise in running efficient services in different areas of our national life if we are ready to dispense with the old and its corruptive tendencies and embrace the new.

Perhaps the most important lesson from the past ten days is that hunger and poverty can strip otherwise good people of their humanity. We have described those who have gone on looting sprees as hoodlums.

Yes, there are criminals and hoodlums among them. But if the hordes of people (men, women, children, including security personnel) who have engaged in maniacal looting across the country are all hoodlums, then something is terribly wrong with the soul of our country. The orgy of looting we have witnessed in the past ten days is also in some ways an act of retaliation against the government and political elite generally. If we don’t do something now, and allow this to happen a second time, we will have a full blown class war on our hands.

In all, President Buhari may have been led to believe that what happened was a matter of law and order. It is not. Getting people off the streets should therefore be seen as a starting point and not the end of a mission.

Legacies are made of moments like this.

Regardless of how this situation is being interpreted to him, the president must be guided by how he wants to be remembered.

In the two and a half years left for him in office, he should do everything to ensure that the blood-stained flag at Lekki or the video of desperate looters in Jos do not become the memorial emblem of his stewardship in Nigeria.

Olusegun Adeniyi, Abuja

THE KILLINGS AT LEKKI

W

hat happened at Lekki on 20th October 2020, where the army killed and injured many protesters of #ENDSARS is satanic and unacceptable. I am saddened by the losses and equally concerned for the safety of Nigerians as a whole. A life lost can never be regained and I urge us to do all that is possible to prevent more deaths as we continue with the protests until the needed result is achieved.

The ongoing unrest, tension and grief in the country are the results of corruption and bad leadership and we have to work collectively to stop further destruction of our dear country by corrupt leaders, politicians, pastors, Imams, lawyers, judges, and so on. I encourage you to practice mental and physical health this period as it would help release the tension and help you focus. This is also the period for you to get closer to your God for you may die at any time in the course of this struggle.

Awunah Pius Terwase, Mpape, Abuja

16

THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Zulum Approves Scholarship for Children of Fallen Civilian JTF Operatives Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Borno State Governor, Prof.

Babagana Zulum, has hailed the resistant group, Civilian JTF, as the greatest miracle that happened in the state in the last 10 years.

The governor stated this yesterday while establishing a scholarship scheme which

would see the children of the fallen members of the group sponsored through their education.

Zulum, who also flagged off a welfare package of N50,000 each for widows of the volunteers killed in the battle against Boko Haram insurgents that have laid siege on to the state in the last 11 years, launched the distribution

Bauchi Gov Inaugurates Panel on Police Brutality Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi Following the #EndSARS protests by Nigerian youths against the highhandedness and brutality by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force, the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, yesterday inaugurated a Judicial Panel of Inquiry to probe cases of human rights abuses.

Inaugurating the panel at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Bauchi, the governor said the panel was set up to address violation of citizens’ rights in the state.

According to him, in the terms of reference, the panel is to receive complaints, petitions from members of the public, identify the culprits and proffer recommendations to the state government.

Mohammed, who stated that the panel is to submit its report within six months, promised that the government would implement its recommendations and prosecute the erring police officers.

The panel has the following members: Justice Habibu Idris Shall (rtd), a High Court Judge) as chairman;

CP Hamisu Makama (rtd) member; Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bauchi State chapter, Jibrin S. Jibrin member; Civil Society Groups in Bauchi State and representative of National Human Right Commission Bauchi State Office (NHRC).

Others are representative of FIDA, Bauchi State Office as member; Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Bauchi State as member; representative of Jama’atul Nasrul Islam (JNI) Bauchi State chapter as member; representative of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Bauchi State as member; representative of National Council of Women Society, state chapter (NCWS) as member; representative of National Youth Council of Nigeria Bauchi State as member; representative of NACCIMA, Bauchi State as member; representative of Miyetti Allah Kautel Hore, Bauchi State as member, and representative of Miyetti Allah MACBAN as member, while representative of the state Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice will serve as secretary, among other members.

of N180 million and 27,000 bags and cartons of food variety to 9,000 volunteers.

He revealed the plans of the state government while addressing a gathering of about 9,000 volunteers who have been fighting alongside the Nigerian Armed Forces to contain the Boko Haram insurgency in the state.

The governor, while addressing the volunteers who were gathered on the campus of Borno State University, Maiduguri, said: “For me, the greatest miracle that has emanated from the state within the last 10 years is the emergence of the Civilian JTF in 2013, and the coming of more volunteers from hunters

and vigilantes groups, all of whom have devoted their lives to fearlessly and patriotically fight side by side with soldiers and other armed forces in the battle for Borno State liberation from Boko Haram.

“Of all the components of all those who make up the Borno society today, for me, there is no group that is as important and as critical to us as the brave men and women gathered before us today, who have given up their basic and entitled needs for safety and comfort so that millions of fellow citizens can be safe and comfortable.

“Our indomitable men and women of the civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes,

the people of Borno State are mightily and gratefully proud of you. Nothing can compensate for the sacrifices you are making; only Allah can adequately compensate you.

This is particularly so as many of our fellow compatriots have died in the battle fields.

“In the last seven years, we have recorded instances in which volunteers in the civilian JTF have intercepted suicide attackers, and in the process lost their lives. We have recorded more instances of many killed in major battles after they also succeeded in our shared victories over Boko Haram at different encounters.

I will not mention names, but there are records of warriors in

the Civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes from southern to northern and Central Borno, who fought so hard and gave their lives fighting for the state.”

Zulum added: “As governor of Borno State, I assure you, that Insha Allah, all of those who died in the Civilian JTF, groups of hunters and vigilantes, did not die in vain. They have all died for the causes of saving humanity, and we pray that Allah grants them His eternal mercy and admit them into Aljanna Firdaus.

“While we continue to pray for them, as a people, we all have obligations to support the orphans and widows left behind by these fallen heroes of Borno State.”

GETTING READY FOR BUDGET DEFENCE…

L-R: Director, Planning, Research and Policy Analysis, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Jibrilla Modu; Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Edet Akpan; Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; and Minister of State, Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi, during the ministers’ meeting with the permanent secretary, directors and director-general of agencies under the ministry in Abuja… yesterday ENOCK REUBEN

Seven Months after, Fayemi Directs Junior NIS Petitions EFCC over Alleged Workers to Resume N3.9bn Contract Scam Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Deji Elumoye inAbuja

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the Ministry of Interior officials and a private firm, Messrs Continental Transfect Technique Limited, over alleged N3.9 billion contract for the production of Combined Residence Permit Alien Card(CERPAC).

The Comptroller General of NIS, Muhammad Babandede, made this known yesterday when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Account.

His appearance was sequel to the query issued against the agency by the Auditor General of the Federation, Anthony Ayine, who expressed concern that his audit inspection revealed that nothing had been done at new issuing centres in 28 states command of the NIS, even after N3.9 billion had been deducted or set aside for the project.

Addressing the Senate Committee on Public Accounts headed by Senator Mathew Uroghide, the NIS boss absolved his agency of involvement in the alleged contract scam.

According to him, the contract in question was between the

Ministry of Interior and Messrs Continental, maintaining that the Immigration Service was included in the deal as a mere enforcing agency on behalf of the Ministry of Interior.

He expressed the hope that the EFCC would recover the fund from the contractor and the Ministry of Interior officials after its investigation, as he maintained that the project was poorly executed.

Babandede said: “The Immigration Service was included in the deal as a mere enforcing agency on behalf of the Ministry of Interior. Therefore, the NIS may not have the satisfactory answer to the query from this contract.”

The Auditor General of the Federation had raised concern over the manner the contract to replace the paper Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card in use with combined special purpose card that would ensure computer legibility and 21st century computer compatibility was executed.

Aside its observation that nothing was done in 28 issuing centres across the country, the Auditor General Office also observed that “the actual cost for the establishment of the 28 new issuing centres was not stated in the contract agreement.”

After seven months of holiday declared for Ekiti State civil servants to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has directed all the junior workers in the state civil service to go back to work.

In compliance with the stay-at-home directive of the state government, officers on Grade Levels 02 to 07 in the state public service have been away from office since March

23, 2020.

This measure was part of the efforts put in place to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

Their senior counterparts resumed in August after the number of index cases in the state had reduced.

In a statement issued yesterday by the state Head of Service, Mrs. Peju Babafemi, she said the state government has, however, reviewed the steps taken in containing the virus, including the provision

of equipment and materials to prevent the spread in their offices.

According to the statement, “The state Governor, Fayemi, has therefore directed all workers on Grade Levels 02 to 07, hitherto at home, to resume work with effect from November 2, 2020.

“It is noteworthy that despite the stay-at-home order and the limited resources available to the government, the state government has continued to demonstrate

unflinching commitment to workers’ wellbeing and career development.

“I urge all the workers to show more dedication to duty in ensuring effective service delivery to the Ekiti people as they resume work.

“All Accounting Officers should provide the necessary support for their staff and ensure compliance with all COVID-19 protocols in the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).”

Ogun Reopens Hospitality Centres, Others as COVID-19 Cases Drop Kayode Fasua in Abeokuta Satisfied with the drop in COVID-19 infection cases in Ogun State, the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has announced the re-opening of hospitality centres and other places earlier prone to infectivity in the state.

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Kunle Somorin, said all hotels, viewing centres, marquees, event centres, suites, guest houses, and motels can

now re-open.

Others to benefit from the reopening permit are establishments providing accommodation for tourists or entertainment, restaurants, eateries, fast food centres, lounges, bars, and cinemas.

Abiodun further directed that schools, markets and religious centres in the state could also revert to their regular programmes of activities as obtained before the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statement, however, said the hospitality establishments were to scrupulously adhere to some guidelines in order to keep up with the protocols aimed at further flattening the curve of COVID-19.

“The government is aware of the excruciating implications of COVID-19 lockdown but we have emplaced measures and improved on testing to stem the tide.

“Empirical field research indicates that we have managed to stem community spread and

treatment of the virus very well.

“We are convinced that opening of schools and entertainment centres would not harm our people. We would continue to monitor the development,” the governor said.

While reiterating the need to rebuild the economy, the state government maintained that it was irrevocably committed to the successful implementation of the ‘Building our Future Together’ agenda that it set out to achieve.

17

THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

NSA: Protesters Used Social Media to Spread Subversive Contents To check digital threats with 2020 cyber security policy The National Security Adviser (NSA), Major Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) has said the #EndSARS protesters used the social media to escalate tension and looting in the country with the spread of subversive contents.

He spoke at the multi-

stakeholders workshop for the Validation of the Draft National Cybersecurity Strategy 2020 in Abuja.

“We are witnesses to the use of social media to disseminate subversive content to incite violence and heightened tension, causing unrest and

Omo-Agege Begs Niger Delta Agitators Not to Attack Oil Facilities Deji Elumoye andUdora Orizu in Abuja

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has appealed to members of the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) to halt its planned attacks on oil facilities in the region.

Omo-Agege’s appeal came on the heels of recent threats by a coalition of nine militant groups in the Niger-Delta region to resume hostilities by attacking oil and gas facilities if the federal government did not meet the demands of #EndSARS protesters across the country.

The DSP who spoke yesterday while hosting a delegation of Oil and Gas Host Communities of Nigeria (HOSCON) in Abuja, led by elder statesman, Chief Wellington Okrika, urged the agitators to sheathe their sword and allow peace to reign, assuring that their demands would be tabled before the Presidency.

He said going ahead with their threat would create economic setback for the country and additional environmental degradation in the area.

The ranking Senator stressed that with the nation still battling with the challenges posed by COVID-19 and the aftermath of #EndSARS protests, which was hijacked by hoodlums, it cannot

sparking widespread looting and destruction across the country.”

According to him, the federal government would soon unveil the National Cyber security Policy and Strategy (NCPS) 2020 to check digital threats and enhance national security and economic growth for the over 200 million population.

In his keynote address, the NSA said the government has been proactive to develop policies that will check threats from the use of cyberspace.

Monguno who was

represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Services in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Mr. Aliyu Ganda Mohammed, recalled that his office inaugurated a multi stakeholders committee on September 10, 2020 to review the NCPS 2014, noting that the review is to strengthen the existing cyber policy as stipulated that it should be reviewed every five years.

“There is no gainsaying that cyberspace has become an engine for the enhancement

of Nigeria national security, economic transformation and national development.”

He however said the sophistication of cyberspace comes with inherent challenges.

“The threats posed by cyber terrorists, and the use of the internet has brought social media circulation of hate speech and seditious messages. It is almost impossible to overstate the challenges.”

Speaking, the Chairman of the NCPS 2014 Review Committee, Mr. Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola, said if cyberspace is not regulated as

exemplified in recent time with fake news in the social media that could result in civic unrest.

“The current draft document is a result of multi stakeholder efforts with due cognisant of a whole of society approach while leveraging technology for the well-being of Nigeria and for Nigerians.”

He said the validation workshop is to evaluate the entire process to fine tune it.

“I assure our commitment and resolve to delivering an implementable policy for Nigeria.”

afford another militancy problem at the moment. ‘’Whatever it is, we must maintain peace in the Niger Delta. I say this in view of the new agitations by the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers. We are just coming out of the #EndSARS protest which, of course, we all witnessed how a peaceful protest was hijacked by those with sinister agenda. We are all witnesses to what happened afterwards even when we must acknowledge that in a democracy, protest is a right provided those that do it do so peacefully without abridging the rights of others.’’ ‘’I urge HOSCON members to go back to our people in the creeks and tell them we are here for them. We are here to champion their request. We don’t want the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri (left), and Chairman of the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Samuel peace of the Niger Delta to be Numonengi, during the inauguration of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality at the Executive Chambers, Government House, disturbed or disrupted. We are Yenagoa…yesterday here to protect the interest of our people. Yes, I may be the Deputy President of the Senate today but, I am first of all, a Senator representing my people. I am government has done a lot.

The Speaker also reiterated before the protests, took the here and I am your own. I am Udora Orizu in Abuja “I make bold to say that no that some of the demands initiative, debated motions and your eye. We shall not disappoint you. Take this commendation to The Speaker of the House of government in Nigerian history of the youths following the took far-reaching decisions on our brothers in the Creeks that Representatives, Hon. Femi from inception, and I stand to #EndSARS protests would the floor.

“Part of the decision yesterday be corrected, has put in much be addressed constitutionally. they have done well in keeping Gbajabiamila, in youth empowerment as this He expressed the House was to reform the police to said President Muhammadu the peace and we will table their administration present government. Facts don’t readiness to empower the accommodate a better, more request before the authorities as Buhari’s they have channelled that request has done a lot on youth lie; this is a government that has Nigerian youths to make them reformed policing. We gave ourselves 30 days, and since empowerment more than devoted N500billion to youth competitive globally. through me.” empowerment every year.

Gbajabiamila said: ‘’Issues then, we’ve been working previous governments.

Gbajabiamila stated this There’s Tradermoni, N-Power, concerning the Nigerian youths night and day, especially with when he met with a group and several other programmes. have been a priority to the the Nigerian Bar Association of young lawmakers from This government has done a ninth House, which was the (NBA). We thought the best the House under the aegis of lot on youth empowerment reason behind several proactive way to go about it was that ‘Young Parliamentarians Forum’ and is ready to do more. We measures to address them, even we amend the Police Service of the National Assembly in can never be bereft of ideas. before the outbreak of the recent Commission Act, and that has If you have anything that we youth protests around the been done and the report has his office.

On youth empowerment, the need to look at, the House is country. All of us-every segment been concluded and very soon, bandits on a revenge mission to Speaker said though a lot still willing and ready to add to of the government, especially it will be published and be on the House of Representatives- the floor of the House.

Tsaskiya community of Safana need to be done, the present those ideas,’’ he stated.

LGA. “Bandits numbering over 200 armed with sophisticated weapons such as General He disclosed that the decision allegedly ferried looters from ensure the security of life and Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo was part of efforts to firm up house to house to perpetrate property of its citizens. That and AK 47 rifles, shooting sporadically, clandestinely Osun State Government has security in the state following the evil. They were the ones is why we are mandating attacked the village through given a two-week ultimatum recent looting and vandalisation who were paid to transport all the various associations three entry security barricades. to commercial motorcyclists of government and private hoodlums to destroy people’s of commercial motorcycle operators in the state to “In the spur of the moment, popularly known as okada riders properties as well as general businesses.

“I can also confirm to you document their members, the teams engaged the hoodlums in the state to “document their disruption of peace in the state.

Oyetola expressed shock that even the attempt on my register their bikes, issue them in a gun duel and five suspected members, register their bikes, bandits were killed and many issue them tags and reflective and displeasure at the way life was aided by some of your tags and reflective jackets with escaped with gun shots wounds. jackets with bold prints behind motorcycle operators allowed members, who, after our escape bold prints behind showing “On the other hand, the showing the different areas and themselves to be used to cause from the mob, gave my convoy the different areas and units hoodlums shot and killed one units of operation,” or risk unprecedented damage in the a long chase and attempted of operation. to block our movement at “This exercise is expected to Rabe Bala, 30, a lunatic from the suspension of their operations. state in the last few days.

While addressing the different points. We also have be concluded within two weeks The duration of commercial village. The hoodlums, while of the security reports that some of from the time of this meeting. on their way out, kidnapped motorcycle operators has also representatives three women who ran into a been limited; to now operate association, Oyetola said: your members are involved The time has come to separate “Security reports revealed that in all forms of illicit activities the wheat from the chaff, and nearby bush path for safety.” from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

The state Governor, your members played major like robbery, kidnapping, and as leaders of the associations, He explained that search please ensure this is done. parties were still combing the Adegboyega Oyetola, made roles in the destabilisation and ritual killings.

“Considering all these, the Otherwise, the government nearby bushes within the area this known at a meeting with breakdown of law and order with a view to recovering more the leadership of the Associations that necessitated the declaration government cannot pretend that will have no other option dead bodies or arresting the of Commercial Motorcycle of curfew in the state. Your all is well because the primary but to suspend motorcycle members were the ones who duty of the government is to operations in the state.”

Operators in the state. injured bandits.

FIGHTING POLICE BRUTALITY…

Gbajabiamila: Buhari’s Govt Has Empowered Youths

Police, Military Kill Five Bandits, Repel Attack in Katsina Francis Sardauna in Katsina The police in Katsina State in synergy with the Nigerian Army yesterday repelled coordinated bandits’ attack on Tsaskiya community of Safana Local Government Area of the state, killing five suspected bandits.

The spokesman of the state Police Command, Gambo Isah, in a statement issued to journalists yesterday, said the bandits were on revenge mission in the community.

Isah, a superintendent of police, said the marauding bandits numbering over 200, armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the community, shooting sporadically where they killed one Rabe Bala and kidnapped three women.

He said: “On October 27, 2020, at about 04:00hours, based on credible intelligence, the command in collaboration with the military, succeeded in repelling coordinated attacks by

Osun Asks Commercial Motorcyclists to Register or Risk Ban

18

THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Akinyemi Condemns Shooting of Protesters, Hails Lagos Panel Emma Okonji and Nosa Alekhuogie Former Minister of External Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, has joined other Nigerians in condemning the shooting of #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos, saying the use of firearms on peaceful protesters was uncalled for.

He, however, commended the Lagos State Government for setting up a Panel of Inquiry to look into the alleged shooting of the youths by the military.

Akinyemi, who spoke yesterday on Arise News TV, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, said the panel would have a difficult task in its investigation, but wished that the panel had really started

with the shooting at the Tollgate rather than the petitions filed by people who have issues with the Special Anti-Robbery Squard (SARS), which the youths were protesting against.

“I am not denying that people have issues with them. But given the national and international attention that is focused on Nigeria now, if I were the chairman of the panel, I would have dealt with that issue first before moving on, but the panel knows the best. I have read a letter from the first division and it is a bit conflicting, but deconstructing. I will rather wait for the panel to tell us the truth.

I hope somebody will tell us the truth,” Akinyemi said.

He added: “Within the international context, Nigeria

is lucky and unlucky. We are lucky in the sense that our crises came in the season of protests.

There have been protests all over the world- protests in Thailand and Pakistan. This means that the world wouldn’t perceive Nigeria protest as an aberration.

The bad part is that after about 12 days, there was shooting in Nigeria. In Thailand, protests have been going on for about one month without shootings;

Pakistan protest has been going on for about two months nothing happened. So this has put us in an awkward position. My take about the feelings of the international community for Nigeria is that they don’t believe the protesters started the violence, and I think they are right, they believe that the protesters are victims of what happened.

“Gradually the Nigerian

Government has come around in a rather conflicting way of admitting that the protesters at the Lekki Tollgate were victims.

“So I think the international community itself is probably still waiting for the Lagos panel’s decision, and I hope they are not going to take all their time about it because the America election is few days away and the world is going to move on.

If we want to keep the attention

of the world on this issue, the panel in Lagos should hurry up with its procedure and process it.”

According to the former diplomat, Nigeria for all its worth, was being perceived as a regional player that has sufficient capability to impose its views and will on West Africa.

“Sooner or later, we are going to be involved with what is going on in Guinea,” he stated.

PDP Asks Fayemi to Account for N3bn COVID-19 Fund Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has demanded an explanation from the state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on how he expended the over N3 billion received from the federal government, World Bank as well as donations from individuals and corporate organisations.

The party also urged Fayemi to tell the Ekiti people the modality adopted for the sharing of palliatives supplied by the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) to ease the economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The party also accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of manipulating the police top brass to shield some suspected thugs who allegedly killed one Prince Sunday Ogunleye at Oke Ureje in Ado Ekiti last Tuesday, and invaded GNN Guest House also in Ado Ekiti last Saturday night and attacked a former member of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Dayo Akinleye; Ariyo Afolabi, and three others.

The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, had last Tuesday alleged that all the state governors

got a sum of N1 billion from President Muhammadu Buhari and N1.1 billion from the World Bank to fight COVID-19.

The COVID-19 fund mobilisation committee set by Fayemi also generated over N650 million during the long-drawn global pandemic.

In a statement issued yesterday by the state Publicity Secretary of PDP, Raphael Adeyanju, the party said: “The people of Ekiti State deserve to know what happened to the fund since there is no evidence to show that it was spent on anything.

“Apart from the federal government and the World Bank N2 billion total donations, about N1 billion was donated to Ekiti State by private individuals and corporate organisations, making it over N3 billion that the state got for COVID-19.

“Our question is: where is the money?”

The PDP, which also demanded the whereabouts of the palliatives supplied by the private sector-led CACOVID, said since the food items were distributed by CACOVID early this month, Ekiti State government cannot claim to have distributed them.

Akure Airport Reopens for Flights James Sowole in Akure The Akure Airport in Ondo State, which was temporarily shut down following the discovery of a suspicious crater, has reopened for operation.

A source at the airport said the swift response of the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, was helpful in bringing the airport back to business.

“But for the prompt intervention of the governor, it would have taken some time to be back on stream. We thank God we are fully back after three days of hitches.

“Hopefully, from today, we will commence operations to our destinations. All intending passengers are even being contacted to follow up on this

development,” he said.

The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, confirmed that the state government had to intervene in the interest of the people and businesses.

According to him, “There is nothing unusual in the governor’s intervention because it has to do with the people, their businesses and investors.

“This is not the first time the governor would intervene in the affairs of the federal government agencies whenever there was need to do so.

“I know there is likely to be resumption of flights, but you can confirm from the airport authorities for official confirmation in this respect please.”

REMEMBERING FALLEN HEROES...

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (left), and Secretary of the Nigerian Legion, Group Captain Kayode Richard (rtd), during the launch of emblem appeal fund for the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the Presidential Villa in Abuja ...yesterday

FCT Minister Condemns Looting of Idu Industrial Zone Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Musa Bello, has condemned the invasion and looting of Idu Industrial Zone by hoodlums.

He castigated the act yesterday when he led the FCT Security Task Force, the branch Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Chief of Jiwa to assess the level of vandalisation by hoodlums at the industrial layout.

The entourage visited a number of factories and

warehouses that were vandalised in the last three days.

The minister also assured them that the administration would work with relevant stakeholders to provide adequate security in the commercial zone.

He stressed the importance of working together with all the relevant stakeholders to ensure that Idu Industrial Zone is protected given its primacy as the economic nerve centre of the territory, where a lot of people derive their economic living.

“For the last few hours, we have been going round the Idu

Industrial Layout of the FCT together with the Abuja branch chairman of MAN with the support of the FCT security task force represented by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma, and other heads of various security agencies in FCT. “We have also visited other factories that were not attacked and we realised the extent of the investment that is available here. It is important now going forward, that we are going to work with all the relevant stakeholders to ensure that Idu Industrial Zone is protected,”

he said.

On his own, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ciroma, assured the minister that the police would put a stop to vandalisation in the area and expose the perpetrators of the act.

Ciroma disclosed that the task force and security agencies would make adequate deployment and ensure constant patrol to ensure that no more damages are caused.

Also, the Chief of Jiwa, Alhaji Musa Idris, described the looting of the zone as an unfortunate and great loss to the country.

IPAC Threatens Court Action over Gombe LG Elections Segun Awofadeji in Gombe The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Gombe State has threatened the state Independent Electoral Commission (GOSIEC) with a court action if it refuses to allow all political parties to participate in the December 19 local government elections.

The state Chairman of IPAC, Abdullahamid Sadiq, gave the warning in a statement made

available to journalists in Gombe yesterday.

He alleged that shortly after the successful conduct of the party primaries, political parties under IPAC were confronted with a backdated list of 18 political parties dated February 6, 2020, despite the court of appeal judgment recently delivered on August 10, 2020.

Sadiq said it was based on the judgment that IPAC is calling on GOSIEC to obey the court order

by allowing all political parties that signified their interest to participate in the December 19, 2020, LG elections.

According to him, in the event of failure to heed to their call to allow all political parties to participate in the elections before the end of October, IPAC will be left with no other option than to seek legal remedy including an order of injunction restraining the conduct of the elections in a court of law.

GOSIEC had on September 7, 2020, invited all political parties for an interactive session preparatory to the December 19 LG elections.

After the interactive session, all political parties in attendance under IPAC were given the guidelines for the preparation of party primaries to be conducted by the political parties and to be supervised by GOSIEC. This was done on October 19, 2020.

Ikpeazu, Others Sue for Peace, as Abia PDP Chairman Laid to Rest Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, and other political leaders in the state yesterday harped on peaceful coexistence among Nigerians as the late Chairman of the statePDP, Chief Johnson Onuigbo, was laid to rest.

Onuigbo, described as a man of peace and loyal party man, who led the ruling party to victory in the 2019 governorship poll which ensured a second tenure for Ikpeazu, died on July

27, 2020, at the age of 66 after a brief illness.

The governor, in his tribute, said the late party chairman was a true embodiment of loyalty, friendship and courage.

He said Onuigbo did not only serve humanity with utmost devotion, but also his creator, adding that the society was in dire need of people like the late party chairman.

Ikpeazu noted that the funeral ceremony was an occasion for sober reflection given the ugly happenings in the world today.

“2020 is a year of sober reflection for you, for me and our leaders,” he said, adding that people should live their lives in recognition of the fact that they would be held accountable for every deed done on earth.

The new state PDP Chairman, Hon Allwell Okere, in his tribute, said his late predecessor was exemplary in all his exploits in life.

He said the death of Onuigbo had denied him the opportunity of drawing from his wealth of

experience in managing party affairs.

The Anglican Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Rt Rev Geoffrey Ibeabuchi, in his homily entitled: ‘Do not be foolish’, said the recent happenings in the society call for one to apply wisdom in all activities of life.

According to him, the deceased made a positive impact on the lives of the people, and was a devoted Christian committed to the growth of the church in his diocese where he was made a knight.

19

THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

Wike Signs Executive Order Reinforcing Ban on IPOB Pledges N20m to families of killed policemen, soldiers The war against the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) took a different dimension yesterday when the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, signed an executive order reinforcing the ban on the group’s activities.

Wike also promised to pay N20million compensation to the families of the soldiers and policemen killed by members of IPOB in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The governor said while the state remained the home to all tribes and ethnic nationalities, it

was “opposed to the presence and activities of the legally proscribed and anarchic IPOB and whatever it stands for in Rivers”.

Wike, in a statewide broadcast, said the government acknowledged the enormous contributions of non-indigenes to the political, social and economic development of the state but would neither accept nor allow any individual or group from within and outside to violate the peace, endanger lives and property under any guise in the State.

He said: “And so, let it be

understood that we have nothing against all or any specific tribe and will continue to live in peace with people of all other tribal extractions residing or doing business in Rivers State.

“But we have everything against the presence and activities of the legally proscribed and anarchic IPOB and whatever that group stands for in Rivers State.

“This is clearly terrorist group which existence, creed, mission and activities are strongly denounced even by the government and peoples of South-Eastern States of the country.

“I have therefore signed the executive order to reinforce the total ban on IPOB and its activities in Rivers State or any part thereof and nothing will stop us from enforcing this ban in its entirety”.

The governor, in a statement by his Special Assistant, Media, Mr. Kelvin Ebiri, also directed security agencies and the chairmen of local government areas to fish out and resolutely deal with any member of IPOB found in any community in line with the executive order and other legal instruments.

Wike lifted the existing curfew on Mile 1, Mile 2, Iloabuchi, Emenike and Ikokwu areas

of Port Harcourt as well as Rumukurushi in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

He said: “However, the curfew in Oyigbo Local Government Area shall remain in force until further notice while the entire Ikokwu motor spare market shall remain closed, also, until further notice”.

Wike directed the Rivers State Civil Service Commission to take immediate steps to employ 5,000 youths into teaching and other career positions in the State’s Civil Service as an immediate measure to reduce the level of youth unemployment.

The governor promised to pay N20million compensation to the families of the soldiers and policemen killed by members of IPOB in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The governor also promised to rebuild all the burnt police stations in Oyigbo and ensure that the terrorist organisation no longer exists in Rivers.

Wike stated these when he paid a condolence visit to the Rivers Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan and families of the slain policemen at the Rivers State Police Command yesterday.

Monarchs Demand Constitutional Roles as Minister Calls for Calm Emmanuel AddehinAbuja The Minister of State for Power, Mr. Goddy Jedy-Agba, has called for the de-escalation of the tensions in Cross River State following the fallout of the demonstrations which rocked the country recently.

Jedy-Agba made the call during a three-day visit to the state on the order of President Muhammadu Buhari, even as traditional rulers in the state have asked for clear-cut constitutional roles in the country.

The minister, who met with prominent traditional rulers, clergymen, youths and leaders of thought, told the people of the state that the president had heard their grouses and was ready to tackle them head-on.

Some of the personalities visited included the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon; the Muri Munene of the Efut people; paramount ruler of Calabar South Council, Prof. Hogan Itam, and the paramount ruler of Bakassi and Chairman Traditional Ruler’s Council, Cross River State, Etim Okon Edet.

Jedy-Agba told his audience that the federal government was committed to ensuring employment through the promotion and growth of medium and small scale businesses, which will take the youths off the streets.

He told the youths and the people of the state that he had noted all their concerns and would convey them to the president, adding that

interventions are being planned for the impacted places like the psychiatric hospital, the television station, the Cross River Basin Development Authority and the West African Examination Council (WAEC) office in Calabar, where certificates and examination results of candidates were burnt.

Also, Jedy-Agba met with the deputy leader of the Hausa/Fulani and the Muslim community in the state in Bogobiri, and urged them to live in peace with their hosts.

In his address, the Obong of Calabar said that the exclusion of traditional institutions and rulers from governance was one of the L-R: Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu; Member, House of Representatives, Hon. Victor Nwokolo; and Minority main problems limiting their ability Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, inspecting some property destroyed by hoodlums during the recent #ENDSARS protest in Asaba...yesterday to take appropriate measures aimed at communal peace and harmony.

He noted that the traditional rulers were closer to the people at the grassroots and can easily Sunday Okobi state governors in the country. society. the peace in many states and influence attitudes and behaviours, In a statement issued by One of the leaders of the leaving people to think that which would promote good Following the October 20 their leaders after birthing new movement, Stephen the movement does not have governance.

Lekki Tollgate shooting of the new Movement via Zoom Akintayo, in the statement, a focus, hence the behaviour At the palace of the Muri the #EndSARS protesters, a session by local and diaspora said: “We are not a political of the hoodlums who were Munene in Itam, the traditional ruler group of Nigerian youths Nigerian youths, they stated party, but a movement for a mistaken for the protesting urged the federal government to under the umbrella of New that one of the aims of the new Nigeria, and we are open youths. fulfill its promises on infrastructural Nigerian Youth Movement movement is to better engage to working with like minds “We apologise to them for development as well as ensure (NNYM) has drawn up an those at the grassroots like with similar agenda for the occupying their space since regular supply of electricity to action plan to reposition their the ‘street landlords’ whom new Nigeria we envision. the beginning of the protest consumers in the area.

“Recall that some hoodlums before they joined the party future, as well as demand many refer to as thugs and Also, the Chairman of the rulers’ to participate in the Judicial hoodlums, to use their energy had hijacked the peaceful on Wednesday. council, Edet, who condemned Panel of Inquiry set up by for the betterment of the #EndSARS protests, disturbing the attack by the hoodlums on critical infrastructure of the government, demanded job opportunities for the youths, lawmaker, who represents Eti-Osa He, however, urged the in general in the past three weeks and asked them to embrace Sunday Okobi federal constituency in Lagos State people of the state to remain have left me heavily troubled. peace.

“More disheartening is the fact The Deputy Chairman of said he was heavily burdened firm, assuring them that after a the House of Representatives by the unfortunate incident and meeting with the state Governor, that my constituency was the Committee on Steel, Hon. the resultant loss of lives of his Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, he is epicentre of it all. Significantly, confident that there are concrete the protesters in my constituency, Public Enterprises (BPE), Abuja. Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro, has constituents.

According to Obanikoro in the plans to rehabilitate and assist especially at the Lekki Tollgate, sympathised with his constituents A statement issued by the top BPE official on behalf of the over the recent Lekki Tollgate statement, “These acts have left victims of the unfortunate were civil in their protest. A new norm was set as regards how family, said late Dom Chuks- massacre during the peaceful me bewildered, seeing the danger incident. they portend to our industrial and The statement read in parts: protest should be carried out. #EndSARS protest.

Nwosu’s funeral ceremony will In a statement made available entrepreneurial establishments, “The recent incidents in our “Unfortunately, things fell apart be held in his Osuohia Villa beloved Lagos State and Nigeria and the centre could not hold. compound on Friday, November to THISDAY yesterday, the and our nascent democracy.”

ASSESSING DAMAGE...

EndSARS: Nigerian Youth Movement Unveils Next Action Plans

Obanikoro Sympathises with Constituents, Seeks Cooperation

Dom Chuks-Nwosu is Dead A retired Deputy Registrar of Cooperatives in the old Anambra State, comprising Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi states, Ezeoba Dom Menihu Chuks-Nwosu, is dead.

Aged 93, the late Dom ChuksNwosu, was also a former Board member of the Aguata Mass Transit Company Limited upon retirement from active service in the state civil service.

He was a devout Christian and community leader who pioneered numerous developmental projects in his community, Achina in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra state, including playing pivotal roles in the political education and development the local government.

He is survived by many relations amongst who is Dr. Eloka Chuks-Nwosu, a deputy director with the Bureau of

6, 2020 beginning with a requiem mass by 10 am.

Dom Chuks-Nwosu

FG Not Building Airport in Anambra, State Govt Clarifies The Anambra State Governor, Mr. Willie Obiano, has denied reports that the federal government is building an airport in the state.

In a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C-Don Adinuba, the governor said the state government decided to dispel the claim “for purposes of historical accuracy.”

The statement read in part, “Anambra State Government officials have since early this morning (Tuesday) been inundated with inquiries by

Nigerians throughout the country and beyond about a supposed claim by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, before the Senate Committee on Aviation yesterday (on Monday) that the Federal Government is building 10 airports in the country, including in Anambra State.

“Much as we are convinced that the minister was misrepresented in the news item, we consider it imperative to state certain key facts about ongoing airport development in the state for purposes of

historical accuracy.

“The Federal Government is not building any airport in Anambra State, even though it appreciates the need for an airport in the state given the huge population and the universally acknowledged dynamism of the people who constantly travel around the world.

“Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport at Umueri in Anambra East Local Government Area is being developed solely by the

Anambra State Government.

“The Federal Government has been very cooperative in developing the airport. The state government, for instance, has been working closely with the Federal Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

“On October 5, 2020, Governor Willie Obiano, after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja, visited Minister Sirika where they discussed progress on the airport.”

20

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020

POLITICS

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

‘If People Don’t Allow Nigeria to Make Necessary Changes to Remain one Country, They will Provoke Extreme Elements to Ask for a Total Breakup’

Chief Olu Falae, former Secretary to the Federal Government and Finance Minister dialogues with Nseobong Okon-Ekong on the justification for his continued insistence on a true federation as an acceptable system of government in Nigeria

A

s an Economist, how would you assess the 2021 budget recently presented to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari, given that one of the highlights is that the economy may be going into a second recession?

In fairness, I have not had a studious look at the budget. I did not listen to the presentation, therefore, I have to be guarded in what I say, but since the President himself said the economy is going into recession, that is most unfortunate. We cannot use COVID as a sufficient justification for that pronouncement. Our economy, fortunately or unfortunately is not as industrialised or commercialised as the advanced industrial economies, which depend crucially on daily interaction. More than 80 percent movement have to occur for production to take place.

Therefore with the arrival of COVID-19, all these activities have ground to a halt.

Their economy going into recession is automatic. In Nigeria, most crucial economic activities are still not dependent on daily movement and interactions. For example, the farmers, they live in their villages. They don’t have to take public transport to their farms, therefore they are not shut down. They are operating. I am a farmer. I go to my farm. Agriculture is still over 40 percent of our own economy. We cannot say because of COVID-19, recession is inevitable. Before COVID-19, this economy has been badly and incompetently managed. In those days, we always had a guide to government spending, not just the annual budget, but a five-year Development Plan. Recently, I started to hear about plans. I said thank God for that.

During the period of Obasanjo and immediately after Obasanjo and upto now all I heard about was an annual rolling plan. That is a deception. You cannot make any plan over a one-year period as a nation.

What they call a national rolling plan is just an annual budget. In our time, the annual budget was an instrument for implementing the five year-plan. For you to articulate any project of any significance, take a major road project, for instance, the engineers have to survey the road and design the road and go into the contractual process for evaluation and award, that takes, at least, two years, then you execute and implement over a three-year period. That is the kind of consideration that led to having a five-year plan, but when you say you have a one year rolling plan, can you design and implement a road project in 12 months? Of course, not. I think they have abandoned that illusion and I hope we can now go back to serious planning. What planning does is that it makes you look at the entire economy in a consistent manner. Look at the transport sector, look at the road system. The first report is on the status of the economy. The road system in Nigeria, there will be a report on each of them. Then you have to articulate what you do about the degeneration in that infrastructure. Of course, roads are used for different purposes; for passenger transportation, for haulage of goods to ports and from ports. Imports come in through roads, exports also come in through roads. Over a five year period, you can project the volume of trade, both import and export and then you see if the existing road network can carry the volume projected, if not, then you have to decide, which road to widen, which one to strengthen, which one to build. You begin

Falae to see that it is a very rational way of deciding on what to do. You ensure that the roads that lead to ports are taken care of, where you have enough berths for ships to come in and berth, discharge imports and load exports, so that what you are doing in transportation is consistent with what you are doing at the ports. You are not doing things in isolation. Similarly, if you take education. You say you want to increase enrollment in primary schools, you must project the population and then decide how many classrooms you need.

How many do you have now? How many more do you need? Where are you going to locate them? What about the teachers?

Planning takes you through this very rational process. By the time you finish, you can see clearly, how the economy will move in the next five years and there will be no room for recession. You see the minimum need of the economy in all the sectors and the cost to meet those needs.

Then you strive to do your best and discipline yourself in spending to meet the minimum needs of the economy. If you succeed in doing that, there can be no recession, because you have a five-year outlook for the economy and every year,

you review the plan. If there is any short fall you do something about it. You don’t go to sleep. It is when you go to sleep and you wake up three years later that there is a recession. Continuous monitoring of the economy is an essential part of planning and planning implementation. If we go back to serious planning and planning implementation, we will hardly have any recession, even with COVID. Then we have to look at the wastages and level of corruption. The euphemism for it is leakage, wastage or corruption. A lot of money is being stolen and a lot of the services are being wasted. We do not have an effective husbandry of the national resources. We have a situation where in a state like Ondo State, where we used to have free education and in the five Western states, education was completely and totally free. These days it is not so, in fact the poor can hardly send their children to school. Because we don’t plan. When you plan, you have to get your priorities right and their will be very few surprises. If we return to planned development, we will be able to avoid recessions. If you do not have any leak in the economy, you will not fall into a depression. Extended recession is depres-

To me, where the president comes from is a side show.

It is like shadow boxing. I ran for President. I had a blueprint, 352 pages, of what I will do in every sector of the economy. These people who have been President do they have any programme for you? None! If where the President comes from is relevant and a solution to the problem we have, Obasanjo was President for eight years, has his presidency for eight years solved the problem of the Yorubas? Buhari is the current president of Nigeria from Katsina, the people in Katsina including some of their traditional rulers are hiding in Abuja. They cant live in Katsina. You can see that where the president comes from is not really an important consideration.

After 60 years, this thing has not worked unless and until we change this system, I show no interest whatsoever in who gets what

sion because of abandoned planning.

Planning is the instrument you have for seeing that the entire economy are consistent in the different sectors and that there are no bottlenecks. If you want to expand the health system for example and you need 50,000 additional hospital beds and you need to arrange to buy or manufacture the equipment that will make the hospital function. From the moment of planning, you can begin to see your needs in future. It is not after building the hospital that you begin to look for beds. Where will the doctors come from? What about the nurses? It is when you are planning that you look at the needs of all you are trying to do. Any President should know that a plan is a major instrument in his hands for knowing what is going on, for controlling what is going on and for influencing the development of the economy. There is no other instrument. It is the plan that he gives to his ministers. For instance, the Minister of Education, read that plan. You duty is to implement it, faithfully, on target and if you have any problems, you come back. These days, the Executive appoints ministers and commissioners at state level. What do you give to guide them? Nothing! He goes to his ministry and the civil servants talk to you about what they were doing before.

The question is, what they were doing last year, should they be doing it this year?

Did it work well last year? Did it help the people of Nigeria? Who is assessing the impact of what they are doing on the live of Nigerians. It is planning that helps you look at all that. This thing that we have been doing for 10 years, is it delivering the services we expect? Is it improving the lives of Nigerians? It is critical analysis. If not, you need to abandon it and face something else. But there is no review of that kind. Planning brings all that on board.

My recommendation is that we need a serious multi-year plan, at least five years.

There is what we call perspective, which is between 10 and 20 years. Those are very skeletal kind of projections. You project macro economical aggregate for over 10 years. That was my job when I was in government. No ministry or department can just wake up one day and change the plan. There is a process for plan modification or plan amendment. It is a rigorous process. These days, a contractor goes to a governor or a minister and sells an idea to him. I see an example here in Akure, Ondo State. If you go to the major roads, you find elaborate bus stops, but we have no bus service in Akure. No buses are using those stops, why are they there?

Because a contractor persuaded the government that they should build those bus stops and that will raise the contract amount and enable whoever is handling it to have a bigger cut. That is a classic example. Bus stops without a bus service!

I have retired from partisan politics so it will be unfortunateif my observations are perceived as those of a politician. I no longer belong to any party. My retirement from partisan politics and resignation as the Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and a member of SDP were well publicised. I will never be a member of any party by the Grace of God. I will be able to play my role as a national leader and elder statesman, unhindered by any partisan interests.

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

21

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020

POLITICS

‘How Can Governors Say DISSENTING VOICE...IN HIS OWN WORDS They Were Waiting for Buhari Our Youths Are Fine Wine to Tell Them When to Release The depiction of Nigerian youths, by Iboro Otu, a businessman and Akwa Ibom State governorship COVID-19 Palliatives?

Deji Elumoye holds a discourse with the Chairman of the Senate Committtee on Special Duties and a member of the Interim Management Committee of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf, who represents Taraba Central, on the recent #EndSARS protests

by Nigerian youths and the ongoing efforts reconcile aggrieved APC members across the country

A

s a Senator, how would you express your concern about the widespread EndSARS protests by Nigerian youths?

Of course, every Nigerian will be very concerned about this, so I cannot be an exception. We are all very concerned about it. It’s unfortunate that it has happened, this was something that started in a very credible way, it now turned out in a violent way. There are differences between protests, violence, insurgency and the rest of them. Somehow, hoodlums took over and hijacked it. Because of that in this country you know we have to be very careful. The leaders and citizens have to be very careful and concerned.

I’m very concerned. The indication of things that are happening is that we leaders have to be very concerned about the citizens of this country, we should know that the common man has the right to good governance. For me, I don’t want to allocate faults.

A lot of people have cast aspersions at Mr President and the remaining members in the management of this country, especially the Minister in charge of Humanitarian Affairs... they are the people who did not do this and that, but we have seen where the problem lies. It lies on governance in this country. Some of our governors have not done well at all. How can you have palliatives and you pack them in warehouses and refuse to distribute them. It’s so sad. People are dying of hunger, frustration. Mr President has done his best in terms of palliatives and every aspect of it.

What advise do you have for state governments, because many states that hoarded the palliatives have said they were waiting for the federal government to give them go ahead, but the federal government is saying otherwise?

You see we are operating a federal system of government. Do state governments wait for Mr President to tell them when to release their budget or when to do their budget? For me that’s not a story I can accept. A governor cannot say they were waiting for Mr President to approve the release of something that has already been sent to them. We did our own. At the right time, we distributed these palliatives and it’s very clear people have seen it.

So there’s no reason a governor should keep things in a warehouse some of them will even get spoilt. Why would they wait for federal government to give out the palliatives? I don’t see any reason why a governor should wait. He has his own budget. So what are they doing with the budget of their own state and that of the local government?

I think the governors need to sit up and they need to do what’s in the best interest of this country.

What do you think of the attack on property of two of your colleagues, Senators Teslim Folarin and Gershom Bassey last weekend?

I think it’s sad, I don’t know what information people have, maybe they

Yusuf

got information that there are some palliatives stored in the house of some of the Senators, I don’t know. But for me I think people should not take law into their own hands, the constituents should have called them and said you know Senator we know there are things packed in your houses, I mean you should call us so you can distribute these items to us, that’s better than breaking into a house to take these things out.

On the issue of the Interim Management Committee of the All Progressives Congress, five months after, how far has the committee gone?

It’s actually not a bed of roses. It’s very challenging. There are circumstances in which the caretaker committee came to be, so we are looking at the best way to douse the tension in this country and one of the ways we’re going about it is to go into full blown reconciliation. And to do that you need to recognize people, you need to empower people, that’s the only way to douse the tension. It’s not just the caretaker that will solve the problem, it’s pervasive and it is in every part of this country and the party you know is a big party, just like any other political party, others too have theirs, so the bigger the party, the bigger the issue so we’re working hard to make sure that what we do is going to be what will be acceptable to the Nigerian people, in particular the APC. There’s insinuation that the committee is working towards extension of its tenure, is it true?

For me the Committee is meant to solve problems, take care of challenges that the party is going through. It’s not a matter of six months or 10 months.

Let us work towards getting what’s best for the APC in this country and you know what is best for APC is what is good for this country so we’re not just looking at APC but the generality of this country. Whether it will be extended or not, we have to stabilize this party to make sure that the convention we’re going to embark on will be a credible and peaceful one.

candidate of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party in the 2019 election, as new wine-a generation with new ideas-that cannot settle into the mindset of older generations, aptly captures the cataclysm of the EndSARS campaigns

W

ine is a product of fermentation after the extraction of grape juice, they bubble and expand as the fermentation gases are released. The science of it includes an exothermic reaction and the giving off of carbon dioxide. As such, in the olden days, it was better to carry wine in leather containers than in glass containers or ceramics. This was because it made its transportation easier to handle without breakage or rupture. Congrurently, the science behind new wineskins is such that they are resilient and expandable, as they are prone to inflate as wine matured. A non-resinated wineskin allows carbon dioxide to penetrate it and escape from the other side, keeping the wine cool and stable. Old wine skins, however, don’t have these resilient qualities. Because of age, they are no longer pliable but brittle and tend to easily burst when they come in contact with new wine. The bubbliness of new wines stresses old skins beyond their limits, ending in rupture of the skin.

And so the question is, is there any point in putting new wine in old wine skin, when the end point is you always end up losing both? New wines belong to new wineskins and old wine to old ones, it was so in the time of Jesus and same to this day.

Rarely can we put new ideas into old mindsets, just as it is impossible in getting new results with old behaviors. With the events of twenty-ten-2020, it should be glaring enough that some of our leaders don’t understand the signs of the times and are rather predictably primitive in reacting to challenges. For example, you only take bullets to wars, you don’t use them on defenseless, non-violent protesting youths carrying out their constitutional rights. Is there a strategy in this I’m yet to get my head around?

The unfortunate situations, which led to needless loss of lives and properties as a result of hoodlums acting in the cover of night and guise of protest are regrettable.

This however should have been anticipated by our security operatives, with knowledge of these patterns. When #NADECO #Jagaban or our president, whose political successes were scored as a result of them exercising their right to peaceful protest, were struggling against several ‘injustices’ at various times, they also exposed similar patterns.

They, however, are alive today because they weren’t gunned down. Similar to what is happening today, their activities were mirrored by saboteurs which they were quick to renounce and dispel. Like them, we should not get our eyes off the ball.

I condemn in strong terms, the loss of lives, acts of vandalism and destruction in Nigeria and indeed Akwa Ibom State. Acts carried out by paid hands and hoodlums to give the #EndSARS struggle a bad taste. I implore the security operatives to do the needful in swiftly bringing culprits to justice and most importantly, begin immediate investigation of all sources of illicit funding/bribery during the peaceful protest, for indeed, it is the arrival of slush funds from well known and highly publicized quarters that triggered this. The cash-for-hire service attracted vandals and hoodlums to a new avenue to cash out on the backs of legitimate peaceful protesters. The financial inducers, having acquired vast knowledge from experience on how the masses fight and scramble for money thrown down like manna from high heavens, knowingly setup the power-keg; crystallizing all the negative ills and energy we see today, all in their bid to change the narrative and redirect the conversation to their benefit. The spotlight should be on them. Their evil strategy will not work this

Otu time around.

About one month ago, myself and other CLO organizations and political parties in Akwa Ibom State had planned our activities for this period of LGA elections in the state. Many of our political parties have been unjustly excluded from the exercise as a result of several missteps of #AKISIEC, the state electoral body. We have written to them, the state government and have challenged them in court in our bid to get a level playing field. The elections, which is supposed to hold in a week, have laid bare the level of unpreparedness of the electoral body in containing its several challenges. We call for good governance in Akwa Ibom state.

We cannot allow certain non-democratic actors escape through the back door by utilizing an old trick from their playbook; creating a distraction to redirect conversation. Our legitimate concerns remain that our democracy is under threat in Nigeria and especially in Akwa Ibom state.

When leadership at councilorship and chairmanship levels are sold to highest bidders as it is with the new rules of engagement set by #AKISIEC - in the form of revenue generation, it totally destroys the rewards and little democratic gains made over the years.

It breeds nepotism, cryonism, favoritism and impunity. This is a crime against humanity.

Youth, like new wine, are products of ‘fermentation’ of ideas and vision. The reality is that present Nigerian youths are bursting new wines and for decades, have been held back by leaders who have been doing business as usual; trying to squeeze them into old wineskins, a scientific impossibility that always ends both in rupture of skins and waste of wine; like the event we all witnessed on twenty-ten-2020.

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Counselor T. Ulrich Brechbuhl, met today with our Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

The conversation was on America’s concerns about the ongoing violence in Nigeria, human right violations and citizens rights to peaceful demonstration. They also discussed modalities for accountability and justice for victims during this period and beyond. If there is anything to take from this, it is the fact that it further goes to show that our concerns have been registered globally, thus, our need to move unto the next level; negotiations and political participation. We can do both.

The judicial panel of inquiry on police brutality has begun in Akwa Ibom State.

To show sincerity of purpose, we call on the state government to immediately constitute other panels to look into even more pressing issues of youth unemployment and youth participation in decision making at all levels of governance. Those should be a great start.

22

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°ÍˇËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 07010510430

From #SoroSoke to #SoroLoriTable Segun Oduyemi writes on the need for protesters to leave the streets to leave the streets and come to the negotiation table

T

oday we awake to a Nigeria we are sad about. A Nigeria with many deep-seated undertones oxygenated by grave mistrusts – the government thinks protesters have been infiltrated by people with anti-nationalistic agendas, the protesters also think the government isn’t credible. As the heated rhetoric and knee-jerk reactions between opposing sides grow louder, often the response from us seeking peace is, "If only we could just sit down and talk."

The chaos that is gradually unfolding could have been avoidable if only constructive thinking was swiftly recognized and co-opted into a protest that has largely been driven by emotional stirrings. We cannot deny the fact that emotions play a key role in sustaining agitations however, emotional stirs at best can only buy sympathizers. The protest is in desperate need of a strategy that can bring tangible results with little or no fuss.

History never lies, it readily screams “I told you so� if you ignore its most valuable lesson.

The Arab spring is a classic case study of how not to protest. Yes, protesters consumed by a fit of understandable anger against governmental policies got what they wanted (Regime Change) but did not really get what they thought they would (Peace and prosperity). Their voices were heard no doubt but these voices metamorphosed into war cries because protests were not intelligently driven.

In the last two weeks, #SoroSoke had brought the government to its knees. Everything that was demanded was given. I mean everything! This has remained unprecedented in our nation's history. There is no gainsaying that #SoroSoke is welcomed and applaudable, but relying on it alone as the exclusive methodology of bringing about positive change will end in disappointment. In fact, staying in #SoroSoke is the fastest way to end any hope of change. Soonest and regrettable so, if #SoroSoke does not transit to #SoroLoriTable, the voices raised will quickly become an excruciating noise that offers some sought of legitimacy to shut it up.

Whilst we will never forget how #SoroSoke was used to illuminate our frustrations in a way that provided the needed voice, dignity, and attention to the marginalized populations, I think It is time to transit to #SoroLoriTable. It is time to leave the streets and SIT. This protest cannot rely on making constructive change by placards alone, there is an urgent need to actualize demands by negotiation (#SoroLoriTable).

The people must understand that the lasting solution to ills bedeviling this nation can only come via a process of dialogue. The two parties, in this case, young people and the government of the day must demonstrate in word and deed a preparedness to “calm down� and really pay attention to the concerns of each other, work together in a positive way to reach a constructive solution to the problem.

Once voices have been heard, the transition period must be a collective decision-making process in which the protesters are effectively represented (This can only happen at #SoroLo-

riTable). That being said, this takes us back to the lack of leadership in the movement. Indeed, the #EndSARS protest is in desperate need of a politically non-aligned leadership structure that will initiate the #SoroLoriTable process.

Of course, not all youths can sit on the table, but persons generally perceived as influential representatives of protest clusters can lead the SOLORITABLE process. Do their best to give a good account of the interest and concerns of protesters while maintaining all forms of loyalty to the Nigerian dream.

A situation too far from the state, I fear, may

heighten an already volatile situation, create further misunderstanding, brew bad blood, pitch the government against its people, protesters against protesters, and citizens against citizens. Here, the ethical, cultural, and religious realities of our nation will not do us much good.

I think the youths should talk but this time not on the streets anymore but on a table.

Shall we begin to #SoroLoriTable? r0EVZFNJ JT PG 4".& (306/%4 B NPWFNFOU UIBU BEWPDBUFT UIBU ZPVOH QFPQMF TIPVME PSHBOJTF NPSF JOUFMMJHFOUMZ

Inside SBI Media Tech-driven workshop Raheem Akingbolu In a fast-paced world driven by technology and rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics, tough-to-teach intangible skills, capabilities and attributes such as emotional intelligence, curiosity, creativity, adaptability, resilience and critical thinking are becoming more valued.

According to the founder of SBI Media Workshops, Rotimi Bankole, “The skills required to excel in today’s world and the future are curiosity, creativity, taking initiative, multi-disciplinary thinking and empathy. “These skills find application in the media and creative industries of the 21st centiry, which has been identified as a solid bet to help tackle Nigeria’s unemployment situation. They are also some of the skills that SBI Media Workshops is positioned to equip participants with over the course of the program.�

Bankole, who launched SBI Media Workshops on his 40th birthday anniversary, is the CEO of SBI Media, a seven-year-old integrated marketing and communications agency that is reputed to be one of the fast-growing agencies of the current decade.

The workshop, which is believed to be the first of its kind workshop, is poised to train

Bankole

participants to be more innovative, creative, and active initiators of new ideas and solutions.

Such skills as writing, speaking, and making videos using just their smartphones are crucial to helping young people unlock opportunities in the media and creative sector.

The Workshops – with its grand array of facilitators – will however also go on to teach fundamental skills of critical thinking, teamwork,

dialogue/negotiation, community building and conflict resolution. These powerful skills, along with a mind-set of persistence and resilience constitute a proven recipe for success.

Traditional models for other workshops focus on training people to equate what they do with who they. SBI Media Workshops is rather focusing on training participants to acquire critical thinking and flexible skills and attitudes that fit a rapidly changing world.

In what is also a first, the SBI Media Workshops is offering more than skills and training. As part of the program, 10 participants per session will also be empowered with up to N200,000 in grant money to finance their ideas and solutions.

Over a two-day period and series of masterclasses, young Nigerians between 18 and 35 years will go through the workshops and be trained to identify niche opportunities, create media value, collaborate with colleagues in their field and learn to successfully sell their products and solutions to brands and clients.

Facilitators for the SBI Media Workshops reflect the best of their respective fields. They have been chosen from a pool of digital media entrepreneurs, brand managers, digital media strategists and buyers, editors and publishers from legacy media, lawyers, business managers and futurists.

According to a 2016 Pew Research Centre survey, hard skills such as coding are said to be the easiest to teach, but soft, human skills

are agreed to be most crucial for survival in the age of quantum computing. With Nigeria’s very unimpressive unemployment rate at 27.1%, it is important that as an economy the country begins to address opportunities of the future and skills required to convert them to currency for the youth and country.

SBI Media, being players in an industry that leverages these human skills, is positioned to identify the gaps, and equipped to determine how to close these gaps. “There is an increasing economic incentive to develop training and skills that better unlocks value for the industry, especially as mobile and internet penetration continue to unlock new possibilities. We want to tap into these opportunities early enough to train and situate young Nigerians strategically to derive economic value for themselves. I have complete faith in the ability of our workshops to identify job gaps and develop in our participants the right tools to address those gaps,� said Bankole.

Bankole and his team have expressed confidence in the program they have designed. “Those looking for a job or hoping to start a business will benefit from learning the concepts and principles taught. SBI Media Workshop is designed to be very interactive, motivating and fun,� he said.

The first session of SBI Media Workshop is scheduled to hold on November 14 and 15 in Lagos.

23

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍˇËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

BUSINESSWORLD

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

Í° Íą Ëœ Í° ÍŽ Í° ÍŽ MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

REPO ͡ Ϲ ͡˛;ͳ Ϲ

CALL 1-MONTH

͜ Ϲ ͡ Ϲ

S & P INDEX INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY

S&P ;͡͹˛͜ͳ Ϲ ͯ˛ͳ; Ϲ

1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

EXCHANGE RATE ͯ͜˛͎ʹ Ϲ ͳ͹˛;ʹ Ϲ

͹;͡˚ͯ ̊ ̊

Quick Takes Ericsson Launches Graduate Program

ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’ Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ Ă?ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ? ĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă— Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă— Ă‹Ă“Ă—Ă? ÞÙ Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ëœ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?Ă— Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁË› Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‘Ă?ĂžĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?âÚÙĂ?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă? Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă– Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂœĂ“Ă˘ ĂŽĂœĂ“Ă Ă?Ă˜ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ—Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁË› Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ăž ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ Ă“ĂŽĂŽĂ–Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ëœ Ă‹ĂœĂ™Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË? ËŤ Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă Ă? ÞÒÓĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă— Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂšĂ? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–ĂŽ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă– ÞËÖĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂšĂ? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ě‹ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ— Ă?Ù××ÓÞ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ ĂĄĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ăž ÞËÖĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ? ÞÒĂ?Ă— Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă– Ă?Ă˜Ă Ă“ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ùà Ă?Ăœ Ă‹ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă™ĂŽ Ă™Ă? ÞÓ×Ă?Ë› ËŤ Ă’Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă’ ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ? ĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă— Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă? Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă?ËŞ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ×Ù×Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ&#x;Ă— Ă‹Ăž Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă‘Ă’Ăž ÞÓ×Ă? ĚŽ ×ËâÓ×ÓĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă? ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂŽĂ?Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ?ĂœĂžĂ™Ă“ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“ĂšĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă— ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? Ă‹ ÚÙĂ?ÓÞÓà Ă? Ó×ÚËĂ?Ăž Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› ËŤ Ă“Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă‹ĂžĂžĂœĂ‹Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă“ĂŽĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž ÞËÖĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ?ËÞÓà Ă? ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă—Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă? Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂŁ ÞÙ Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă‹Ă‘Ă? åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă?âĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă? Ă“Ăž ĂŒĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă?˛ˏ Ă’Ă? ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ? ĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă— Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂšĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ ×Ùà Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ–Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă‘Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;ËÖÓÞã ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă–ĂŽ Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁËž Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă? Ă’Ă“ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹ĂœĂ? åÙ×Ă?Ă˜Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž åÓÞÒ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ăž ÞÙ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă”Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă?×ÚÙåĂ?Ăœ åÙ×Ă?Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ Ě™ Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁËœ Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ËÞÒ̚ Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă–ĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞã ÞÙ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂœĂ?Ă˜Ëœ Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă‘Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă?Ë›

Emirates Launches Biometric Path at Airport

BRANCH EXPANSION

L-R: Branch Manager Lekki, Globus Bank, Modupe Ajayi; Managing Director/CEO, Elias Igbinakenzua; Chief Financial OďŹƒcer, Ekundayo Yakubu; and Chief Risk OďŹƒcer, Titus Ebare, at the launch of the Globus Bank Lekki Branch in Lagos... recently

More Criticisms Trail NBC’s Sanction on Broadcast Media Stories by Emma Okonji The telecommunications sector has joined other Nigerians and international bodies to condemn the sanction of three broadcast media by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), for broadcasting the footage of the alleged shooting of #EndSARS protesters at Lekki tollgate in Lagos by the military.

The NBC had on Monday, fined ARISE NEWS Channel, Channels Television and Africa Independent Television (AIT) over their coverage of the #EndSARS protests.

NBC accused the three broadcasting organisations of violating broadcasting codes for broadcasting footages obtained on the Lekki shooting by

TELECOM soldiers from unverified and unauthenticated social media sources, and slammed with fines that varied between N2 million and N3 million.

Although the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have criticised the National Broadcasting Commission for imposing fines on the three broadcast media, more Nigerians have equally joined in criticising NBC for the sanction.

A Lagos-based Telecoms Lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, who analysed the legal implications

of the fine, said “although NBC operates with a code that regulates broadcasting in Nigeria, which is very extensive in terms of its provision,� but he insisted that the procedure adopted by NBC for sanctioning erring broadcast media for alleged infraction of the broadcast code, remained a violation of the rights of the broadcast media.

According to Ogunye, the procedure adopted by NBC to accuse an offender, investigate an offender, impose sanction and exert punishment on the offender, without allowing the offender to make a defense, amounts to denial of fair hearing on the part of the offender. “A situation where NBC becomes the accuser, the

prosecutor and the judge, does not justify the constitution of fair hearing before punishment is imposed,� Ogunye said.

He added that such punishment could be regarded as penal provision. He therefore advocated a system whereby NBC could make allegation, ask for response from the offender, and if not satisfied, go to a court of law in matters of national urgency, and ask the court to impose fine on the offender.

Citing the case with AIT, where NBC had to shut it down last year for violating the broadcast code, Ogunye also advocated that in matters that require shutting down Continued on page 24

Subscribers Task Toriola Ahead of 2021 Assumption of Duty Date Following the recent appointment of Mr. Karl Toriola, a Nigerian from Osun State as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) designate, of MTN Nigeria with effect from March 1, 2021, MTN Nigeria subscribers have called on him, ahead of his assumption of duty date in March 2021, to consider more friendly consumer packages for voice and data services.

The subscribers however specified that Toriola must give priority to data services when developing welfare packages for MTN Nigeria subscribers.

Chairman, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOM), Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, who expressed happiness over the appointment, commended MTN Group

TELECOM for appointing Toriola as the second Nigerian to run the affairs of MTN Nigeria, since MTN established its presence in Nigeria in 2001.

Ogunbanjo however warned Toriola to ensure full compliance with the regulations of the Nigeria telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to avoid the pitfalls of his predecessor. “Government regulation is key in any business and all industry players must comply with all regulatory standards, including directives that may be issued by the regulator, and Toriola must ensure that MTN Nigeria obeys every directive issued by the regulator, as soon as

he assumes duties next year,�

Ogunbanjo said.

Considering the size of MTN Nigeria subscribers, which currently stands at 83.1 million with a market share of 40.90 per cent, making MTN the largest telecoms operator in Nigeria, Ogunbanjo said MTN Nigeria still tops the other 15 MTN subsidiaries globally, contributing the highest revenue to the MTN Group. He therefore advised Toriola to ensure that he gets large chunk of the generated revenue from MTN Nigeria, and invest it in telecoms infrastructure rollout in Nigeria. “MTN Nigeria has been listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange after NCC compelled it to do so as part of the conditions

for the reduction of its N1.04 trillion SIM card registration fine in 2015. As a public quoted company, Toriola must ensure he maintains transparency on all MTN shares to continue to build the existing confidence that Nigerians have in MTN Nigeria,� Ogunbanjo said.

Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, said the appointment of Toriola further reaffirmed 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 Toriola is well-suited to lead MTN Nigeria’s Executive Management team through the Continued on page 24

Ă? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? Ă—Ă“ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă?ËŞ Ă?Ù××ÓÞ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?Ăœ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂ“Ă™Ă—Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă? ÚËÞÒ Ă‹Ăž Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ‹Ă“

Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ě™ ̚˛ Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă?ÞÖĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ ÙÚĂ?Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă—Ă“ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă? ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă Ă?Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ‹Ă“Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂ“Ă™Ă—Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă? ÚËÞÒ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă? ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă Ă?Ă– ÔÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă•Ě‹Ă“Ă˜ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ™Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‘Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?Ăœ Ă?ÖÙå ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂž åÓÞÒ Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ™Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă•Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x;Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› ÞÓÖÓĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăž ĂŒĂ“Ă™Ă—Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă? ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ ĚŽ Ă‹ ×Óâ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“ĂœĂ“Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă—Ă“ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă? ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă• Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂžËœ Ă?Ù×ÚÖĂ?ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă—Ă—Ă“Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă“ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŒĂ™Ă‹ĂœĂŽ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ó×ÚÖã ĂŒĂŁ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ™Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂžË› Ă’Ă? Ă Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÙĂ&#x;Ă?Ă’ ĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ÓÙ×Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă? ÚËÞÒ ËÖÖÙåĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ Ă’ĂŁĂ‘Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă?ÞÖĂ?Ă?Ă? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă Ă?Ă– ÔÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă?ĂŁËœ ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă’Ă&#x;Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂžĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?×ÚÒËĂ?Ă“Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă?ËÖÞÒ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?Þã˛ Ă—Ă“ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă?ËŞ Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂœËœ ĂŽĂ?Ă– Ă– Ă?ĂŽĂ’Ă‹Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË? ËŤ Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‹Ă–ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ăž Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?Ăœ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ÞÙĂ&#x;Ă?Ă’ ĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? à ÓÞËÖ ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ó×ÚÖĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁ Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ăž ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă?ËÖÞÒ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?Þã ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă Ă?Ă– ÔÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă?ĂŁË› ËŤ Ă’Ă? Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ě‹Ă™Ă?̋ÞÒĂ?Ě‹Ă‹ĂœĂžËœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă?ÞÖĂ?Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă™Ă—Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă? ÚËÞÒ Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ÞÒËÞ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă Ă?Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ Ă—Ă“ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă? ÔÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă—Ă“Ă˜ĂŽË›ËŹ

Airtel Touching Lives Wins Award

Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă’Ă™Ă˜Ă™ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŽĂ‘Ă? ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ?Ë› Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂšĂ“ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă“Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ăœ ĂšĂœĂ‹Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœËœ ÒÙÚĂ?Ëœ Ă™ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÚÖËÞĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă? ÞÙ Ă–Ă“ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?×ÚÙåĂ?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂšĂœĂ“Ă Ă“Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă?ĂŽËœ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă‘Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂŽ ÞÙ ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă’ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ë› Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂœËš Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŽĂ‘Ă? Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂžĂŽËœ ĂœË› Ă™Ă’Ă˜ ÔËãÓ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?ĂŽ ĂžĂ’Ă‹ĂžËœ ˍÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă Ă?Ă? Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŽĂ‘Ă? Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ?Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă‹ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? ĂšĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂœĂ?Ă Ă“Ă?ĂĄ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă“Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ë› Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?ĂŽ ĂžĂ’Ă‹ĂžËœ Ă“Ăž ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă“Ă?ÞÒ Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă‹Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂŽĂ?ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžËœ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ă–ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“ĂžĂ? ÚËĂ?Ă•Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁË› ËŤ Ă™ Ă?Ă‹ĂœËœ Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă’Ă‹Ă? ÞÙĂ&#x;Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ùà Ă?Ăœ ÞåÙ Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?ÞÖã Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?ÞÖã ÚÖËÑĂ&#x;Ă?ĂŽ åÓÞÒ Ă Ă‹ĂœĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă’Ă?ËÖÞÒ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ĂĄĂ™Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹ ÚÙÙÖ Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂŒĂŁ Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ë› Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă–Ëœ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœËœ Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžËšĂ?×ÚÙåĂ?ĂœĂ—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă Ă‹Ă˜Ăž ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă? ĂŽĂ“Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?âĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁ ĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ? Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÎÙÚÞ̋Ë̋ Ă?ÒÙÙÖ ĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ëœ ×ÚÖÙãĂ?Ă? ÙÖĂ&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă—Ă?Ëœ Ă’ĂœĂ“Ă?Þ×ËĂ? Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ëœ ÞËÑÑĂ?ĂŽ ËŤ Ă“Ă Ă? Ă‹ĂŁĂ? Ă™Ă? Ùà Ă?ËŹËœ Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš åÓÞÒ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ÙÖÓĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ë›

“When you start to deliver a project, you need to have the triple constraints in perspective: time, cost and quality. Cost is indeed a big barrier to technology adoption. But when you have a partner who can deliver value, and quickly improves your internal process, I am sure the last thing you focus on is cost�

Country Manager, Dimension Data Nigeria,

Olugbenga Olabiyi

24

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍˇËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

BUSINESSWORLD MORE CRITICISMS TRAIL NBC’S SANCTION ON BROADCAST MEDIA of a broadcast station, NBC should go to court to get an ex-parte order to shut down the broadcast station because of the urgency of the matter.

Once that order is served and the station is shut down, the broadcast station can then go to court and seek to have the ex-parte order discharged.

Ogunye however blamed broadcast stations who rely on twits from social media to broadcast Information. He said making statements from social media twits that are being represented as factual, should be regarded as violation of the broadcast code.

According to him, the first broadcast immediately after the shooting of he #EndSARS protesters, gave the impression that 78 youths were feared dead as a result of the shooting, but subsequently it was aired that 46 youths died and later 15. He therefore advised mainstream media to stop the idea of publishing or broadcasting twits obtained from social media.

SUBSCRIBERS TASK TORIOLA AHEAD OF 2021 ASSUMPTION OF DUTY DATE next stages of growth in the years ahead,� Ndukwe said.

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 has overseen 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 have 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 a number of senior operational roles including Chief Technical Officer of MTN Nigeria, CEO of MTN Cameroon and MTN Group Operations Executive.

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

NEWS

AIB, France, Saudi Arabia, Benin Republic Seal Deal Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with France and Benin Republic on accident investigation and other air safety measures.

The Commissioner/ Chief Executive Officer, Accident Investigation Bureau, Engr Akin Olateru, disclosed this at a one-day sensitisation symposium on the activities of AIB in Kano, yesterday.

The AIB boss, who was represented by the General Manager, Public Affairs AIB, Tunji Oketunbi, said the signing of the agreement would enable the agency to go and conduct investigation on aircraft that involved in accident in the countries.

According to him, arrangements had also been concluded for signing of a similar agreement with Saudi Arabia. “The MoU would have been signed but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it had to be postponed.�

According to him, AIB had done creditably well in the area of impacting safety even to the admiration of the international community. “We were asked to come and conduct investigation in Sao Tome and principle and we

did it which is a cross border investigation. “AIB is playing a leadership role because it has the support of the Federal Government. So, because our profile is rising that is why the agency is not even the initiator of the collaboration.�

He said, “With the signing of the MoU, if anything happens in those countries, the agency will just deploy its personnel

and equipment to the place to assist them.�

He said the agency had so far issued no fewer than 50 accident reports since it was established adding that between 2017 to 2020, the agency had issued 32 accident reports which represented 60 percent of accident reports.

He said the workshop was aimed at keeping the critical stakeholders abreast with the

activities of AIB as well as to get feedback from them on what they think about the agency.

He said AIB would continue to accord priority attention to world class training for its investigators to enable them discharge their duties in accordance with the global best practices.

In his remarks at the occasion, the secretary to Kano State Government represented by

the Special Adviser on Cabinet Matters, Abdullahi Mohammed called for regular sensitisation of passengers on air travel safety measures.

The Regional Aviation Stakeholders Symposium was attended by various stakeholders including representatives of the police, FRSC, NAMA, Customs, Nigerian Army, NSCDC and aviation agencies among others.

ICT FORUM

L-R: Group Managing Director, VDT Communications Limited, Mr. Biodun Omoniyi; President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Olusola Teniola and former ATCON President, Mr. Lanre Ajayi, at the National Dialogue on Telecom/ICT Sector conference, organised by ATCON in Abuja...recently

Microsoft Beats Sales Estimates as Azure Growth Ticks Upward Microsoft Corp beat Wall Street estimates for quarterly revenue on Tuesday, powered by a slight uptick in growth in its flagship cloud computing business as the software maker continued to benefit from a global shift to working from home and online learning.

The pandemic has accelerated a shift already under way toward cloud-based computing, helping companies such as Microsoft, Amazon.com Inc’s cloud unit and Alphabet Inc’s Google Cloud.

According to Reuters, revenue growth for Azure,

the company’s flagship cloud computing business, was 48 per cent, up from 47 per cent in the previous quarter and ahead of Wall Street estimates of 43.45 per cent, according to consensus data from Visible Alpha.

Microsoft has shifted to selling many of its products via recurring subscriptions, which investors like because it generates stable revenue flows.

The value of Microsoft’s future recurring revenue contracts with big business customers was flat from the previous quarter and its proportion of one-time

deals rose slightly after two quarters of growth.

Microsoft bundles together several sets of software and services such as Office and Azure into a “commercial cloud� metric that investors watch closely to gauge the company’s progress in selling to large businesses.

Microsoft’s commercial cloud gross margins - a measure of the profitability of its sales to large businesses - was 71 per cent, compared with 66 per cent a year earlier.

Microsoft said 93 per cent of commercial cloud products

were sold as subscriptions, compared with 94 per cent the quarter before.

The company’s remaining performance obligations - a measure of how much revenue has been booked for the future in sales contracts but not yet formally recognised as revenue - stayed flat at $107 billion in the fiscal first quarter but was up from $86 billion a year prior.

Microsoft said revenue in its “Intelligent Cloud� segment rose 20 per cent to $13 billion in the first quarter, with 48 per cent growth in Azure. Analysts had expected revenue of $12.7

billion, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.

Revenue from its personal computing division, which includes Windows software and Xbox gaming consoles, rose six per cent to $11.8 billion.

The company’s revenue rose 12 per cent to $37.2 billion in the quarter ended September 30, beating analysts’ estimates of $35.72 billion.

Net income rose to $13.89 billion, or $1.82 per share, from $10.68 billion, or $1.38 per share, a year earlier. Analysts had expected a profit of $1.54 per share.

MTN, 9mobile Get National Roaming Service Approval Emma Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has granted approval for two mobile network operators (MNOs) to carry out trial on National Roaming Service for a period of three months, commencing from August 1, 2020 and to end by October 31, 2020.

The two telecoms companies are Mobile Telecommunication

Network (MTN) Nigeria and the Emerging Markets Telecommunication Service Limited (EMTS), trading as 9Mobile in Nigeria.

Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, said: “With the approval EMTS and MTN are expected to configure their networks to begin test and simulation for customer experience. The trial approval covers a few local

governments, designated as the National Roaming geographic area, in Ondo State.�

Roaming Service enables a mobile subscriber to automatically make and receive voice calls, send and receive data, or access other services when travelling outside a particular network geographical area by utilising the network coverage of other networks with roaming arrangements to access service.

Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, said: “The primary objective of the National Roaming Service trial is to encourage network resource sharing among operators. This will lead to operational expenditure (OPEX) optimisation and capital expenditure (CAPEX) efficiencies leading to freeing up of resources to expand mobile network coverage to unserved and underserved

communities across the country, which will lead to improved Quality of Service (QoS) delivery to subscribers.�

The successful implementation of the trial will enable EMTS subscribers to access MTN network service within the National Roaming trial geographical area without the need for an MTN Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card,� Danbatta further said.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Western Digital, Dropbox Partner to Boost Cloud Infrastructure

Comms/e-Business Editor

Nosa Alekhuogie

Senior Correspondent

The Western Digital Corp (WDC) and Dropbox Inc. (DBX) have introduced a platform that will accelerate cloud infrastructure.

With Western Digital SMR HDDs serving as the storage foundation for its custom-built, multi-exabyte storage platforms, Dropbox will continue its strategic

Goddy Egene Emma Okonji

Ă‹Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă— Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ĂŒĂ™Ă–Ă&#x; (Advertising) Correspondents

Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x; äĂ? (Aviation) ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ (Maritime) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafo (Energy) Ă—Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?Ă– ĂŽĂŽĂ?Ă’ (Energy) Reporters

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

path, taking advantage of the highest storage densities with the lowest TCO without sacrificing data durability and availability for its over 600 million online customers.

Announcing the partnership, Vice President, Engineering at Dropbox, Andrew Fong, said: “Online tools and services are more important than ever before, so we need to be able to quickly innovate,

expand functionality and scale to help stay competitive. We look forward to deploying these higher capacity 20TB SMR hard drives to further our cost savings and to provide our customers with even more value. “Western Digital is an important strategic partner and we look forward to continuously pushing cloud infrastructure boundaries

together. “We’ve been working with Western Digital for many years, and throughout several phases of our storage platform development,� Fong further said.

Vice President of Enterprise Hard Drives at Dropbox, Andrew Dorian, said: “Dropbox was a pioneer in adopting SMR at scale, and their commitment has definitely

paid off, giving them an early mover advantage by enabling rapid development of the highest capacity HDDs in the industry into their cloud infrastructure.� “We are pleased to continue our long-term partnership with Dropbox to help them scale and capitalise on the growing customer demand for cloud services, online storage and remote collaboration tools.�

25

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͷ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Tax Reforms as Catalyst for Telecom’s Sector Growth Emma Okonji writes on the importance of a tax reform system in the telecommunications and technology sector in order to cushion the adverse effects of COVID-19 pandemic

T

ince the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many economies around the world are faced with uncertain realities that are harmful to the growth and well-being of any nation. Besides the abrupt decline in real gross domestic product(GDP), rash household income decline, unstable business landscape, increased unemployment and underemployment, constrain fiscal space that weakened the international trade position in Nigeria, there also lies heightened domestic risks going forward. In light of the uncertain new realities endangered by the pandemic, concerns and questions are being raised regarding economic recovery and even more, fast-tracking the recovery.

Economic recovery Discussions at a recent webinar themed: ‘Fast-tracking Economic Recovery through Robust Tax Policies and Practices’ and hosted by the Telecommunication and Technology Sustainability Working Group, points to tax reforms in the telecoms sectors as a way out of the current economic state. Present at the webinar were key stakeholders in the telecommunication and technology sector and government representatives who analysed the impact of the pandemic on the economy, the role the information and communications technology (ICT) sector amidst the crisis, and its potential in the new normal.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, Zainab Ahmed, in her presentation, said Nigeria’s dependence on oil revenue and foreign exchange exasperated the impact of the pandemic and made economy vulnerable to recession relapse that successfully exited in 2017.

According to the minister, “Following a 13-quarter run of upward but low growth rates, reports from Nigeria’s statistics bureau show that Nigeria’s economy contracted by 6.1 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of this year. Real GDP dropped to N15.9 trillion in the second quarter of 2020 from N16.9 trillion in the corresponding period last year. The unexpected situation exposed the deleterious nature the economy’s heavy dependency on oil”.

The Director of Tax Policies of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Matthew Gbonjubola, was of the opinion that besides exposing the dangers of high dependency on revenue oil commodities, the pandemic also shows how much the taxation system has not been optimised. He said because we had money coming in from these commodities, we sort of neglected taxation and unfortunately, even the state of our tax and the legal framework from our taxation is one outdated because for many years, we never bothered to review our tax legislation to bring them up to date with current realities.

Needless to say, that the pandemic negatively impacted government revenue, and endangered increased government spend on COVID-19 responses. And the question remains, where do these monies come from? This is what led to the heightened activities of the FIRS since the outbreak, in a bid to balance the books.

Stakeholders’ position Stakeholders in the telecommunication and technology sector, however, believe tax reform particularly in the sectors is the way to economic sustainability.

For many organisations, effective cash flow is endangered during this period as revenues fall, and potentially, debtors delay payments or become insolvent. Operations have been affected by trade restrictions, lockdowns, disrupted transport routes, import/export bans, foreign exchange, and more. Not to mention the harsh business environment which existed prior to the pandemic.

These unfavourable business climates coupled with unfriendly taxation polices have made it very difficult for those in the telecommunication and technology sector.

The President, Association of Telecommunications Company of Nigeria, Mr. Olusola Teniola,

Ahmed

Adebayo

remarked: “Those costs like the running diesel generators and getting haulage of diesel to base stations have become part of our DNA. Over the almost 20 years that GSM operators and others have existed in Nigeria, what the government has to realize is that these costs that we are bearing, when compared to other environments and jurisdictions where we can operate off a grid that is reliable, are costs that we shouldn’t be bearing in the first place.”

trillion of the GDP to the Nigerian economy as noted by the Chairman of the COVID-19 Intervention Committee for PWC west Africa and the Chairman PWC Nigerian Ethics Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele.

Attendees at the webinar argued that for the reason that Nigeria’s GDP contribution is based on income and consumption, it is clear as day that without the telecommunications and technology sector potential tens of millions of people are more to be in poverty owing that since the pandemic, the sector has been the economic driver, ensuring business continuity and productivity.

Economic sustainability The government under the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) that will include fiscal policy measures, monetary policy measures, and real sector measures is determined to provide resources to support the private sector, through lending facilities especially because of the backward integration and value chain linkages that will help ease dependency on imports and foreign exchange constraints.

Besides, measures including digital initiatives such as creating digital identities that guarantee palliatives and resources are distributed equitably.

The plan developed by the Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC) set up by President Muhammadu Buhari on March 30, 2020, includes a fiscal stimulus package totalling N2.3 trillion was secured; N500 billion from special accounts, N1.1 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on structured lending, N334 billion from bilateral multilateral loans, and N802 billion from other fonts.

While stakeholders laud the federal government for these efforts to propel the Nigerian economy, there are still underlining questions regarding the theme of the webinar – ‘Fasttracking Economic Recovery Leveraging Robust Tax Policies and Practices,’ mainly in the telecommunications and technology sectors which contribute about nine per cent to 10 per cent, which is approximately N14

Tax reform Looking at tax contribution, especially the tax-to-GDP ratio, Oyedele argued that Nigeria needed to take advantage of the opportunities amidst the crisis. He noted that tax policies are too focused on people at the lower end of the society and visible industries, thus, a lot of people get away without paying their fair share of taxes. Efforts should be geared at getting the right people to pay tax.

He believes the technology sector can be leveraged to raise the tax-to-GDP ratio without the introduction of new taxes. He pointed out that “Kaduna State introduced technology and was able to increase Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state from N13 billion to over N44 billion in approximately two years without introducing any new tax.”

Participants at the webinar urged that current tax policies that not only create problems for businesses but do not generate revenue for the government, should be revamped.

According to Teniola, “It is evident that the technology cum the digital economy is going to be a force to reckon with for economic growth. He remarked that the current government budget is N13 trillion, approximately $26 billion, while the sector

Stakeholders believe the multiple taxation policies such as the 39 tax levies and charges indiscriminately applied to the telecommunication sector are called to question. The sector cannot invest in capital expenditure programs that are highly capital intensive in terms of industry and economic needs because of the uncertainties in policy decisions. Stakeholders are calling for alignment with the government harmonize taxes paid at the federal level to be shared with the state and local government

has attracted investments worth around $70 billion. This transformation journey must be private sector-driven and private sector-led, a transformation that will require at least N130 billion by 2030 to sustain the increasing population growth.

Chairman of The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, also highlighted the importance of the sector in navigating the pandemic outbreak.

“We were prepared to the extent that the industry had enough headroom to cope with the upside in traffic and we are glad that throughout the months of lockdown, we never had one day of national outage and I think that is significant because you could imagine people not being able to communicate. Even emergency and medical services would not have been able to communicate if we had one day of national breakdown of telecom infrastructure,” he said.

Adebayo further said: “Stakeholders believe the multiple taxation policies such as the 39 tax levies and charges indiscriminately applied to the telecommunication sector are called to question. The sector cannot invest in capital expenditure programs that are highly capital intensive in terms of industry and economic needs because of the uncertainties in policy decisions. Stakeholders are calling for alignment with the government harmonize taxes paid at the federal level to be shared with the state and local government to help the industry optimise revenue and investments in infrastructure, youths, and the growing population insight of this digital transformation and economy.”

One of the speakers at the webinar, Prof.

Teju Somorin, pointed out the issue of complex tax policies and importance of tax simplification is one of the six canons of taxation as described by Adam Smith. Her concerns, however, lies with implementations of the many recommendations of the revised national tax policy to simplify taxes.

She said: “The stamp duty’s act is the one that I can quickly remember. If you look how it is worded, some details are difficult for even the operators and the tax administrators, not to talk of taxpayers, to be able to understand what they are supposed to do about the stamp duties. Also, there has been a recommendation, which is yet to be implemented and that is to establish an office of tax simplification. That responsibility falls on the Federal Minister of Finance. That has not been done so I am looking forward to the day it will be done.”

The Director-General, Budget Office, Ben Akabueze, believes that the conversation should be far from multiple taxation and should rather focus on tax consolidation.

He pointed out that Nigeria has one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios and it is misleading that the companies are more heavily taxed in Nigeria. He said: “Kenya, for instance, is another country that you know is actually way up at the top of the ladder in terms of the technology deployment, nutrition, GSM usage and the application of that technology.

Consumer taxes on telecom services alone in Kenya aggregate to 21 per cent, apart from their Value Added Tax (VAT) rate, which is more than double even our higher rate. There is a 10 per cent flat charge on telecom services.”

He also pointed out that the government was not looking at new taxes but ways to improve collection efficiency, focusing more on acts administration to make sure that people pay what is rightfully due. In line with this, Oyedele highlighted how the telecommunications and technology sector could be leveraged to generate data for efficient collection and planning.

It is safe to say that telecommunication and technology have fast become the most critical infrastructure to any economy, in that without telecommunication services, the world would have come to a complete halt. Owing to this, it is imperative that all stakeholders begin to see the critical nature of telecoms infrastructure and provide not just incentives, but also a regulatory framework and tax regime that will be favourable to the industry.

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍˇËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

26

Fadolapo: APCON Will Resolve Knotty Areas in New NBC Code The Registrar/CEO of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, in this interview, speaks on his plan to reposition the advertising industry. Raheem Akingbolu brings the excerpts:

A

this, if we start this, the advertising industry can create 5,000 jobs immediately and that is part of government’s policy: job creation. You can quote me on this that if we implement the APCON reform, we will create 5,000 jobs.

gitation for the inauguration of the APCON council was at the peak when you were appointed as registrar two months ago, what step will you take to push

for that?

Let me start by stating that there is no vacuum in government. Much as I know and appreciate the importance of having a well constituted council, I am also aware that in the absence of none, the Minister of Information, which is the supervising minister for advertising fills in the gap and oversees the affair of the industry. That said, I am working closely with stakeholders, especially heads of sectoral bodies on the issue and I am sure it will soon be resolved. With the appointment of the registrar, the next step would be the council inauguration. Meanwhile, the law that established APCON states that even when the council makes a decision, they still need to get back to the supervising minister, and in the absence of a council, the minister shall act. So, it is a function of us putting our proposal together and presenting to the minister. Instead of the council doing this, the management will present our proposal to the minister and get necessary approval. That is what is in the law. However, I am sure it’s also a top priority for the government, but the absence of the council is not enough to justify our failure.

Another issue in the industry is preference for foreign agencies to handle campaigns at the expense of local players. What do you think APCON can do, especially in the promotion of local content?

We are going to review the local content law of Nigeria and see where they can situate our own proposal there. Don’t forget that currently, the APCON law states that any company that is to operate here, Nigerians must own 75 per cent of the shares. We are going to look at that local content law and see ways we could get empowerment from it. We are going to look at how we can collaborate. We would send a letter to all of them.

What step would you take to address the overlapping functions in the sixth version of the broadcasting code released by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)?

It is a simple issue to address if we consider the fact that government agencies are allowed by law to collaborate and achieve goals that would grow the economy. Yes, our members kicked that there were functions ceded to other agencies which were already in advertising code. To resolve this, I have started talking with relevant agencies to address those knotty areas. Few weeks ago, I met the Acting Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission; Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, to seek collaboration and promote policies that would improve the advertising industry and strengthen inter-sectoral relationship. I took the move in my determination to make sure APCON develop a new business framework and Standard Operating Procedure for the advertising industry. The business framework would be comprehensive and would address critical industry concerns which include industry debt, payment policy, inter and intra sectoral relationships among other issues. As I speak, APCON and NBC as the two government agencies regulating advertising practice and the broadcast media have agreed to collaborate to ensure the resolution of the age-long industry debt, adherence to advertising code among other critical industry issues.

You met an APCON that was yearning for the implementation of advertising industry reforms, are you revisiting the reform process?

My vision for APCON is to mould it to a regulator that will provide a healthy environment for all competitors within the industry. An APCON that is closer to the people, players, practitioners and stakeholders, that is, the

In what ways has APCON carried along all the stakeholders in the discharge of its mandate over the years?

Over the years, there has been a council with a representation of all the sectoral groups. Now that there is no council, what I am doing is consulting with all the groups and I’m calling them up. We will be having a meeting, which will be more like my own consultative body, because we are not going to take any decision that will impact their business, negatively.

Fadolapo

advertising community. Fortunately, I was the secretary of the Advertising Industry Reform Committee that was set up some years ago. We took a look at the industry, found the challenges that the industry was facing. So, we came up with so many things. We looked at them vis-a vis other professions in Nigeria and the global practice — the best business practices. It may interest you to know that in other countries, there is a standard operating framework that guides the relationship of every stakeholder in the industry: the client and agency, and between the agency and the vendors. But in Nigeria, we do not have anything we can hold on to. So, we are looking at a new APCON that has a standard operating manual for the entire advertising industry, even in the issue of contract and payment policy. These are some of the issues we are going to look into.

For now, I’m consulting. I’m talking to all the sectoral groups. Asking them: ‘What are the major challenges you want us to address?’ All this, put together, will form our new operating manual.

With COVID-19 and other challenges, 2020 appears harsh for businesses to thrive; will you still embark on the reform this year?

Well, we would take the remaining part of this year to take a detailed look at it. So many things have changed between the last time the industry reform was done and now. For example, the new government policy on ease of doing business, you also need to take that into consideration. The Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) have been amended, you need to take that into consideration as well. For you to apply for corporate licence before, you needed to be a company with a minimum of two shareholders. The amended Company and Allied Matters Act said it is one shareholder. There is also a provision for liability partnership, which was not there before. We are looking at the new provision of CAMA and how we are going to situate our own industry reform into this and how we are going to make it better. Let me tell you

What is the state of the media debt?

Several years ago, a Special Committee on Media Debts Issue (ACOMDI) was set up.

Members of the committee were drawn from the major sectoral associations, namely ADVAN, AAAN, BON, MIPAN, OAAN and NPAN. I served in that committee. The media houses were requested to bring their statement of accounts because the thing was more to reconcile the debts. At the end of the day, most of the media houses did not respond because of business relationships with the agencies of the parties involved. The people that responded also had so many reconciliatory issues. The issue is also coming up again. I have been meeting with the Director General of NBC, we are the two regulatory bodies involved in this, and we both agreed that going forward, we would have zero tolerance for industry debt, and that is where our standard of practice will come. We will also define business relationship and what is classified as debt. Now, if any organisation owes a media house, and it is confirmed that they are not paying or have been paid but are not remitting, we would take a decision. NBC and APCON will make a pronouncement. NBC issues licence to the media house, while APCON issues licence to the advertising agencies, so as their regulators, we have resolved to come in and ensure we bridge this gap and to ensure we resolve this issue and give you the permanent solution.

Osibanjo, Gbajabiamila, Adebayo for IoD Directors’ Conference Dike Onwuamaeze The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, will led top ranking government officials to the 2020 Annual Directors’ Conference of the IoD Nigeria, which will take place between November 3rd and 4th with the theme: “Business Ethics, Leadership & Sustainability as new frontiers of Corporate Governance.�

The delegation, according to a statement by the Director General/ Chief Executive Officer of the IoD, Mr. Bamidele Alimi, would include the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo, as guest of honour and the Speaker of

the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who would be the special guest of honour at the “Business Meets Government Forum� of the conference The President and Chairman of Governing Council of the IoD, Mr. Chris Okunowo, said this year’s conference would be a virtual event due to the restrictions imposed by the government as an aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic disease.

Okunowo said the conference would present its participants with, “another opportunity for deepening of the discourse in good corporate governance, leadership and sustainability of organisations

in a fast changing and challenging business, political and social environment.�

Speaking at the pre-event press conference, the Chairman of the National Organising Committee for the Conference, Mr. Lamis Dikko (F.IoD), noted that the keynote address of the 2020 edition of the Annual Directors Conference keynote would be delivered by the Professor of Decision Sciences, Insead, Fontainebleau, France, Prof.

Marc Menestrel.

Other participants included the Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika; the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian

Communications Commission, Prof.

Umar Danbatta; Professor Rodman School of Management, University of Toronto, Canada, Prof. David Beatty and the CEO of Corporate Governance Services Limited, United Kingdom, Dr. Chris Pierce.

Dikko said Awosika, would address the first plenary session with the sub-theme, “The Nexus Between Ethical Leadership and Corporate Governance Practice,� while Danbatta would speak on the sub-theme: “Ethical Leadership as an Instrument for National Sustainability in the Post-Oil Nigerian Economy – A Public Sector Perspective.�

Ganduje Woos Kano Indigenes in Diaspora Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has said the state government will provide free land for indigenes in diaspora to develop residential buildings where they will reunite with their families especially during holiday visits. “We are doing this to our citizens, some of whom have been away for a very long time and when they come visiting during holidays, they need spaces to settle and meet their families and loved ones,� he said.

Ganduje made the commitment during a virtual Kano in Diaspora Town Hall Meeting organised by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Foreign Investment and Diaspora, Hajiya Hama Aware, held recently.

A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, indicated that already, there has been a plan by the state government to grant land and tax incentives to would-be investors in the diaspora in order to promote economic investments in various sectors in the state.

Ganduje said land acquisition has been made easy and speedy with the removal of bureaucracies involved as well as a wide variety of tax incentives to encourage investments to boost the economy of the state.

He pointed out that Kano currently enjoys a peaceful atmosphere that would encourage any serious local and foreign investor to come to the state and derive the benefits of the efforts made so far by the state government in the area of security and massive infrastructure development that would facilitate

economic activities.

The governor expressed readiness to reduce medical tourism and said his administration would support the conduct of Kano Diaspora Day and Investment Summit in the state.

In her contribution, the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri Erewa, commended Kano for putting steps in place to pass a bill for Kano citizens in Diaspora to be known as Kano in Diaspora Commission (KIDCOM) which was submitted by the Special Adviser.

27

T H I S D AY ˾ OCTOBER 29, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Odeyemi: We Don’t Have Enough Cyber Security Experts in Nigeria Senior Partner, e86 Limited, a software development company, speaks on how the company has been bridging the skill gap through training. Adedayo Akinwale presents the excerpts:

W

these things should affect the cyber security policies of their organizations.

Cyber Security for Professionals: This curriculum combines everything under the 2 previous curriculums but goes deeper into the technicality of things. This curriculum leaves no stone unturned as participants are taken through the 360-degree view of Cyber Security.

Cyber Security University Degree (B.Sc.) – This curriculum includes everything we have stated above but additionally, it leads to an international university degree in Cyber Security. This is made possible based on our partnership with NCC UK, and it allows candidates to spend 12-18 months with us in Nigeria after which they proceed to a university in the UK, US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand for top up, after which they are awarded a degree.

hat exactly is your company into?

We started out with the primary motive of providing quality software services in Nigeria. Over the years, we have successfully built off-the-shelf software products and also built custom software products for individuals and businesses across the country. Due to the gaps in skills that we identified in the market while building these products, especially software development and engineering skills, we decided to invest in training. This explains why we have a lot of computer programming courses. We have spent less time and money advertising our courses; we have populated most of our classes based on referrals and word of mouth. Word on the street is that e86 is currently the most reliable place to learn how to code and how to become a professional in IT, especially if you’re the type that would like to put to use what you learn immediately.

How long have you been doing this?

Personally, I have been in the industry as a professional for 16 years, thank God for smart parents who saw the future when it wasn’t so clear. While waiting to get into the university after my secondary school education, my parents agreed to put me through software engineering training for two years, it seemed like something to do to while away time at that time, friends and family thought it was a waste of money, time or an attempt to replace university education. I became a Certified Java Programmer in 2005 at the age of 19, which gave me all the confidence I needed to grow within the industry. It is with the same skills I acquired that I paid myself through school and I’ve been doing life. e86 is also one of the proceeds of the skills acquired and the growth experienced. e86 was founded in 2012 to enable us do more for Nigeria and Africa.

What is the missions and vision of your organisation?

Our vision at e86 is simple; we want to be the most efficient and reliable technology gateway in Africa. To fulfill that vision, we are set on a mission to do the following: To build sustainable and scalable products that solve the most daunting problems across Africa; To provide efficient technological services in all walks of life; To build competent human capacity in technology, for Africa, by Africans.

How does one become a professional in cyber security?

The growth of the Internet and technology in general has given us so many opportunities that didn’t exist 20 years ago. These opportunities have helped the human race to build new businesses, modernize old ones and model new ways of living. Just like life itself, there are always upsides and downsides. Let’s take the internet/mobile banking as an example. It has made transactions a lot easier; customers can now send money and complete other financial transactions without entering a physical bank.

Odeyemi

As good as this sounds, there are people whose motive/job is to look for the weak points in these financial systems and try to use it to their own selfish advantage.

As we popularly say in the tech space, there is no technology platform that is 100% secure, the more valuable a platform is, the more attacks it will experience. So far, humans are still the weakest links in technology. A successful cyber security breach could be due to a bad setup/configuration, bad programming decisions or untrained company staff.

I mentioned untrained company staff because no matter how secure your technology infrastructure is; it is people that will use and manage it. One of the most successful hacking techniques in the world today is called Social Engineering, in-fact, a very good hacker must be good at social engineering and successful hacking campaigns begin with social engineering.

The staff of a company could be contacted over the phone or by email and asked seemingly innocent questions. I’m am sure you have received one of those phone calls from strangers pretending to be agents of your bank trying to get you to give out your bank/ card details. The intelligent ones spend most of their time researching about you before placing a call through.

Also, very close to this is the Phishing attack. This is also a social engineering attack where the target is sent a mail or text with links to click on. I’m very sure you have also received one of those emails telling you your account will be suspended if you don’t click on a link to take immediate action. Once a target clicks on such links, what will follow could be unimaginable. They may be able to steal your data, including login credentials

and credit card numbers or even take over the operations of your device or technology infrastructure.

This is why we at e86 have taken time to properly structure our cyber security curriculum. Our cyber security program prepares participants for industry relevant cyber security examinations and also prepares them for the ever-changing technology-working environment. To become a professional, simply register for any of our cyber security programs, we will support you from the point of registration till you pass all your professional exams.

Is the training on cyber security strictly for those in computer science related field?

Absolutely not! Cyber security is for everyone. As our lives revolve more and more around tech, cyber security awareness and competence becomes a requirement for daily living.

At e86, we have carefully structured our cyber security curriculum into the following categories: Cyber Security for users - This is for the general public. You do not require a background in computer science or technology to join this training. Based on what we have heard from former participants, it is an eye opener and the training has raised their awareness about computing systems and how they interconnect, threats and vulnerabilities, especially social engineering.

Cyber Security for leaders, managers and business owners – This curriculum is specially crafted for decision makers. Apart from going through the same modules that ordinary users go through, we also focus on cyber security governance and industry standards and how

How does one protect his company from cyber-attack?

It starts by getting decision makers of the organisation trained. Most leaders simply go ahead to hire cyber security professionals without first understanding it themselves.

This often leads to low funding for cyber security and unguided organisational policies, which leads to frustrations for everyone involved, and most likely a breach.

A well-trained senior management team will be able to provide appropriate oversight and will help guide the organization towards designing what their cyber security policy would be. It is based on an affective policy; tailor made for the organization that other IT and non-IT staff members will be trained.

It is also based on this policy that a team will be setup to handle the technicalities of securing their infrastructure.

Your people should always be your first line of defense against cyber security. No matter how many billions of dollars you spend on your firewalls, and related technologies, an untrained staff can give out details of all your internal technology infrastructures via a single email or phone call.

In what ways can this improve the country’s economy?

In 2019, a report published by Serianu stated that Nigeria lost $649 million to cyber security attacks. If we look away from the money lost, there are also issues surrounding credibility and trust, especially for government and businesses. Quality training, not only in cyber security, but also in other aspects of technology will help boost our internal competence, increase innovation and secure our infrastructures against attacks.

Especially considering what formal public university education looks like at the moment, providing quality alternatives, especially as vocational options will reduce unemployment and boost economic returns.

At the rate at which technology is growing, every organisation in Nigeria requires at least one cyber security professional; this ultimately means we do not have enough hands within Nigeria at the moment.

CHI Pledges Payment of Claims to Victims of Hoodlums’ Attack Ebere Nworji

C

onsolidated Hallmark Insurance (CHI) Plc said it is set to settle insurance claims of victims affected by the civil unrest last week, whose policies cover strike, riot and civil commotion (SRCC) extension.

The company, which stated this in a mail sent to its policyholders and stakeholders across the country, noted that, such claims, like all others, would be expeditiously handled to ensure that customers are back in business as quickly as possible.

While calling on the victims of the hood-

lums’ attack to file their claims through the company’s website and customer care centre, CHI assured the aggrieved policyholders that they would be attended to.

Commiserating with the victims, the company’s Managing Director, Eddie Efekoha, said: “May God console the families of citizens who have lost their lives and there are certainly glorious days ahead.”

Most of the affected businesses have insurance cover.

As part of efforts to create awareness, CHI embarked on a ‘Safety First’ campaign on radio and television stations in the country.

According to the company the campaign is currently running on some television

stations. It said the campaign also runs on radio channels across the country.

Speaking on the objective of the campaign, spokesman of the company, Mr. Ben Mamedu, said it was aimed at sensitising Nigerians on the need to protect their valued assets from life’s uncertainties in view of the lack of awareness and the understanding of the numerous benefits of insurance.

According to Memadu, many people are not aware that getting their valuable assets insured could keep them afloat when the unexpected happens.

He said the campaign revolves around the key message of what takes anxiety

away through safety of various assets – including Goods while in transit, vehicle insurance, security of investments, accident and medical as well as micro insurance.

“It takes into consideration, activities of various companies within the Consolidated Hallmark Group such as Hallmark HMO, Grand Treasurers Limited, CHI MicroInsurance and the general insurance.”

He added that the company embarked on the campaign to assure existing customers of reliable cover granted for their valued assets and also enjoin prospective customers to always consider insurance for their assets, health, and also take up micro-insurance policies irrespective of their income level.

28

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱͷ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

IMAGES

Photo Editor ÌÓÙÎßØ ÔËÖË Email ËÌÓÙÎßØ˛ËÔËÖË̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×

N P O ’ S S O L I D A R I T Y V I S I T T O T V C , T H E N AT I O N

L-R; President of Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN), Mr Guy Murray-Bruce; Chairman of Vintage Press, Mr. Wale Edun; Publisher, Guardian Newspaper, Mrs Maiden Ibru and President of Newspaper Proprietors Association Of Nigeria/ Chairman & Editor-in-Chief, THISDAY & Arise T.V, Mr Nduka Obaigbena during a Solidarity Visit to The Nation Newspaper by the Nigerian Press Organisation in Lagos yesterday abiodun ajala

Nation Office after the attack by hoodlums

MD/CEO, Nation Newspaper, Mr. Victor lfijeh appeciating the Nigerian Press Organisation for the visit

L-R; Former President of Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Mr. Ray Ekpu and Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Chapter, Dr. Qasim Akinreti

L-R: National President, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Chris Isiguso; Publisher Vanguard, Sam Amuka; Publisher Guardian Newspaper, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru; GM, Dailytrust,Ademola Oladosu; Former Governor,Ogun State,Aremo Olusegun Osoba; Chairman/Editor -in- Chief,Thisday/Arise TV,Prince Nduka Obaigbena; CEO, Television Comtinental,Andrew Hanlon; General Secretary,NPAN, Comfort Obi; Chairman Editorial Board, Vintage Press,Wale Edun; Chairman IBAN, Guy Murray -Bruce and GM,The NewTelegraph,Ayo Aminu during the NPAN solidarity visit to TVC communications in Lagos..recently.

Abiodun Ajala

Destroyed Television Continental Office by Hoodlums Burnt vehicles at TVC premises

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°ÍˇËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

29

L-R: Hon Commissioner for Finance ,Florence Olasunbo Oyeyemi; Hon. Mashood Mustapha; Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Alhaji Jani Ibrahim; Alhaji Abbass Ahmad; and Commissioner for Communications Harriet Afolabi-Oshatimlehin; during a meeting with the business owners whose properties were looted in Ilorin,...recently

R-L: Special Assistant to the President, OďŹƒce of the Minister of Information and Culture, Williams Adeleye; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; and Special Assistant, Segun Adeyemi during their appearance before House of Representatives Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values, to defend the Ministry’s 2021 Annual Budget, at the National Assembly in Abuja...recently

L-R: Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs. Folasade Jaji; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and a business owner at Adeniran Ogunsanya Mall, Mr. Oladimeji Ogunniyi, during an on-the-spot assessment of the vandalised Adeniran Ogunsanya Mall in Surulere...recently

Delta Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (left) and Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheri Oborevwori (right) during the presentation of the 2021 Appropriation Bill to the House by the Governor in Asaba...recently

Pic 8. Newly appointed commissioners of the National Population Commission taking oath of oďŹƒce before President Muhammadu Buhari during the Federal Executive Council Meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja ...recently

R-L; Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Tunde Mobayo;; Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Garrison Commander, Col. Magaji, during an inspection of police stations burnt by hoodlums in Ikere -Ekiti‌.recently

L-R: Director Planning Research and Policy Analysis, Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Jibrilla Modu; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Edet Akpan; Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and Minister of State, Barr. Mohammed Abdullahi, during the Ministers meeting with the Perm. Secretary ,Directors and Director-General of Agencies under the ministry in Abuja... recently .

ENOCK REUBEN

President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Foreign Aairs, Mr Georey Onyeama during a virtual farewell audience with the outgoing Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria, H.E MD Shameem Ashan held at the Council Chambers State House Abuja...recently state house

30

T H I S D AY ˾ , OCTOBER 29, 2020

ÜÙßÚ ÏËÞßÜÏÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ˝ ÒÓÏ×ÏÖÓÏ äÏÙÌÓ

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE Upping Anti-malaria Intervention as Weapon against Poverty

×ËÓÖ chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 07010510430

Onyebuchi Ezigbo writes that the worrisome statistics of malaria prevalence in Nigeria has necessitated the need to up anti-malaria intervention as a weapon against pervasive poverty, especially in rural areas

F

or many years, Nigeria and Africa have been ravaged by the scourge of malaria, causing many deaths and weakening the economy of the local populace. The statistics on malaria prevalence in Nigeria is as worrisome as the pervasive poverty it has created for the citizens.

Statistics According to the 2019 World Malaria Report by the World Health Organization, Nigeria had the highest number of global malaria cases (25 per cent of global malaria cases) in 2018 and accounted for the highest number of deaths (24 per cent of global malaria deaths).

Case numbers have plateaued at between 292 and 296 per 1000 of the population at risk between 2015 and 2018.

Malaria related deaths, however fell by 21 per cent from 0.62 to 0.49 per 1000 of the population at risk during that same period.

The report also shows that Malaria is transmitted all over Nigeria; 76 per cent of the population live in high transmission areas while 24 per cent of the population live in low transmission areas.

The transmission season can last all year round in the south and is about three months or less in the northern part of the country. One interesting aspect of the Nigerian situation is that the burden of malaria is three times greater among rural dwellers in comparison to urban dwellers.

According to the 2015 Malaria Indicator Survey, malaria prevalence among children under five years of age was 27 per cent, however, there are significant regional, rural-urban, and socioeconomic differences.

The 2015 Malaria Indicator Survey in Nigeria indicates that malaria and severe anaemia were double fold more prevalent in rural children than their urban counterparts.

In addition, the study stated that malaria prevalence among children in the lowest socioeconomic group is 11 times that of those in the highest socio-economic group (43 per cent vs. 4 per cent).

Funding for Anti-malaria Campaigns Another WHO report indicates that public health care system makes up 67 per cent of all healthcare facilities in Nigeria and this is divided into three levels: federal, state and local government areas (LGA) or National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHDA).

The federal health budget covers tertiary care and disease control programs (including malaria control), which includes, 83 tertiary healthcare facilities, while state health budget cover secondary care and there are 3,992 secondary facilities.

The local government area budgets addresses primary healthcare with about 30,098 primary healthcare facilities.The private sector makes up about 33 per cent of all health facilities and includes not-for-profit and for-profit organisations.

According to the assessment report, federal government receives funds for malaria control from the Global Fund. It also negotiates additional loans from the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and USAID’s President’s Malaria Initiative, among others.

The country has similarly been funded by DFID as well as a number of nongovernmental players. Private sector companies in the extraction industry have also implemented malaria control programmes.

National Malaria Elimination Programme ( NMEP) and the Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Malaria intervention strategy

are the main recipients of the funding assistance from the Global Fund (GF) playing coordinating roles, while Malaria Consortium (MC), Management Services for Health (MSH) Society for Family Health (SFH) are sub-recepients engaged in direct implementation of the anti malaria programmes in 13 states presently supported by the Global Fund.

Malaria Linkage With Poverty Findings have shown that there is a correlation between malaria disease prevalence and the endemic poverty presently ravaging most parts of the sub Saharan Africa.

One of the stakeholders in the implementation of anti malaria intervention programme in Nigeria and Cordinator of the Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN), Ayo Ipinmoye, said malaria and poverty are intimately connected.

He went further to state that as a root cause and a consequence of poverty, malaria is most intractable for the poorest countries and communities in the world that face a vicious cycle of poverty and ill health.

According to Ipinmoye, whose outfit is involved in facilitating and tracking of anti malaria programmes being sponsored with grants from the Global Fund, the Earth Institute of the University of Colombia had described malaria as the disease of the poor. Professor Jeff Sachs of the Institute said that ending malaria is the most important priority in lifting Africa out of poverty.

PLos

He further observed that it is no coincidence that the only parts of Africa that have significantly reduced malaria are the northern and southern tips, home to the richest countries on the continent. In the Western Hemisphere, the University Don said the country with the worst malaria case prevalence, Haiti, also happens to be the poorest country in that region.

Looking at the Nigeria’s scenario, there is no doubt that malaria has a direct linkage with the level of poverty in many communities.

However, not much effort has been made towards eradicating malaria in Nigeria.

It is either the resources to tackle the malaria scourge or genuine desire to do the needful is lacking. Just as budgetary allocation to the health sector had remained at the lowest ebb for many years running, funds devoted for anti malaria campaign if any has remained nothing to write home about.

As one who is in a poaition to know the true picture of things, the National Malaria Eradication Programme (NMEP), said that the current level of funding of the health sector by government is unacceptably low.

Dr. Lilian Oguguo who represented the coordinator of NMEP at an assessment programme organised by ACOMIN in Abuja said that the country is presently not properly covered by anti malaria programmes, adding only 13 states are being covered by the Global Fund-assisted malaria elimination programme.

“You can see that we are all wearing face masks today, but we can decide to free ourselves

from it by freeing our environment of malaria.

It is not COVID-19 that is an emergency, in the same way, we should have it on our minds that we can free ourselves from malaria because it is not only COVID-19 that is an emergency, malaria is also an emergency”.

Oguguo also stated that the federal and state governments have been failing in their responsibility to provide counterpart funds where such are needed. “Nigeria is grossly living on borrowed money for funding our health intervention programme “ she said.

Oguguo’s recommendation was that the federal government should declare a national emergency on malaria disease just it did with the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

She stressed that the declaration of state of emergency on malaria eradication will enable more funds and attention to be devoted for tackling malaria, especially now that funds from major donor agencies, like the Global Fund are shrinking.

Most of the stakeholders in the health sector are of the opinion that if adequate attention and resources are deployed towards eradicating malaria, the country can achieve more positive results even much more than the ongoing anti COVID-19 campaign.

Some people are pushing for similar efforts like the ones made to get Nigeria to observe series of COVID-19 health protocols to be replicated in educating and sensitising the public to imbibe good environmental practices and use of mosquito nets to keep away mosquitoes.

T H I S D AY Ëž , OCTOBER 29, 2020

31

NEWS

FERTILITY

with DR. KEMI AILOJE Info@lifelinkfertility.com; Website: lifelinkfertility.com 08033083580

DIMINISHED OVARIAN RESERVE (part 2)

Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire leading other oďŹƒcials to inspect NAFDAC oďŹƒce in Kaduna which was burgled by hoodlums

Last week we began the topic diminished ovarian reserve , this week we will be concluding with how can we measure a woman’s ovarian reserve,tests involved ,impact on infertility and its management

The burgled NAFDAC oďŹƒce in Kaduna

Ehanire Laments Looting of Kaduna NAFDAC Offices NGO urges end to violence, looting

Onyebuchi Ezigbo Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has described the damage and looting of the Zonal/ State Offices of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as “devastating and worse than can be imaginedâ€?.

The minister’s outrage came just as the Anti-kidnapping, Human Trafficking, Child Abuse and Drug Abuse Initiatives (AKTRACADAH), non-governmental organisation, lent their voice to demand an end to orgy of violence, looting and destruction of properties, including warehouses harbouring medicine.

A statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press, Olujimi Oyetomi, said Ehanire accompanied by the Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Moji Adeyeye along with some officials of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and of Federal Ministry of Health went on the assessment visit to inspect the looted and vandalised NAFDAC facility.

Ehanire said that nothing was left behind, including, ‘furniture, fixtures, and fittings� adding that it will take several years and a lot of resources to get the place back to normal.

The minister said: “We want to find ways to recalibrate and re-establish the place. One of the issues of concern was that some of the looted drugs are expired, some are fake, while some are supposed to have been destroyed. “There are some that are supposed to be prohibited, and the

entry of these into circulation is a source of concern� and that those who carted them away “might be ignorant of the effects it could have on their own health and the general health of Nigerians.�

Ehanire however disclosed that the option left for the authorities may be to engage the police to look out for such items with the aim of retrieving them “when they surface in the market, pharmacies, including the furniture that were looted to see what can be done to apprehend the perpetrators�.

The Kaduna NAFDAC Training Centre as well as the zonal/state offices came under vandalism and looting by some hoodlums who hijacked the #ENDSARS protests which rocked several parts of the nation recently.

The minister affirmed that the Kaduna NAFDAC facility “was vandalised by people who don’t know any better, who should not have taken what they have taken. Things, which are quite dangerous and poisonous to them and they have caused a lot more damage than what you can call a protest by carrying away windows, chairs, and loot air conditioners and damage what you can’t take.�

Meanwhile, AK-TRACADAH has joined the minister to condemn the acts of vandalism, looting and arson in warehouses containing stockpiles of medicines and goods in major cities across the country by hoodlums.

In a statement made available to THISDAY, the National President of AK-TRACADAH,

Primate Belonwu Ezeanyaeche said that of particular concern was the looting and carting away of contaminated food, drugs that are dangerous to health at the NAFDAC warehouse in the Narayi area of Chikun Local Government Area LGA of Kaduna State.

Ezeanyaeche also expressed concern that several warehouses where COVID-19 palliatives were stored were attacked and looted across the states of the federation.

While condemning the burning of police stations and other properties in states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Primate Ezeanyaeche commended the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu for ordering the immediate deployment of operational Police personnel to secure assets and to bring an end to the wanton violence, killing, looting and destruction of public and private space from criminal elements masquerading as protesters in some parts of the country.

He further expressed concerns that these actions can dent and diminish the genuine agitations for justice that triggered the #ENDSARS protest nation-wide adding that destruction of national and private infrastructure does not help in improving lives or growing our economy in anyway.

Primate Ezeanyaeche appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to give marching orders to the appropriate authorities to accelerate the implementation of demands collated from the legitimate protesters.

HOW CAN WE MEASURE A WOMAN’S OVARIAN RESERVE? : Anti-Mßllerian hormone (AMH) is another test that can be done to measure a woman’s ovarian reserve.

AMH is the protein made by the cells that surround each egg. The level of AMH in a woman’s blood is stable throughout the menstrual cycle henceyour blood can be taken at any point in your cycle for your AMH test.

There are standard AMH levels for different age groups, and like your number of eggs, your amount of this protein will also decline as you age. That makes it a good indicator of fertility when considered along with the other tests.

IMPACT OF DIMINISHED OVARIAN RESERVE ON FERTILITY r %JGĂ DVMUZ HFUUJOH QSFHOBOU EVF UP QPPS quality eggs, which may fail to fertilize and even when they fertilize may fail to undergo normal embryo development and implantation thus making achieving pregnancy almost impossible. r )JHI SJTL GPS SFDVSSFOU NJTDBSSJBHFT UIF process by which eggs grow and mature in our ovaries is called folliculogenesis. This process allows eggs to drastically grow in size and start producing energy which enables it separate and produce copies of chromosomes.

If this process goes wrong which often happens in women with diminished ovarian reserve abnormal chromosomes would be formed. Poor egg quality with chromosomal abnormalities eventually develops into an embryo and fetus with chromosomal abnormalities with little or no chance of surviving.

HOW IS DIMINISHED OVARIAN RESERVE TREATED? The approach to treatment in women with DOR depends on the severity. Time is a great factor in the management. Early diagnosis and treatment may increase your chance of being able to have your own genetic offspring.

Your fertility physician, using clinical judgment determines the best approach to helping you achieve desired pregnancy and live birth.

Ovarian simulation is usually the quickest and most reliable treatment option.

Other treatment Options that may be explored includes: r 0WVMBUJPO JOEVDUJPO XJUI UJNFE JOUFSDPVSTF or Intra uterine insemination r*O WJUSP 'FSUJMJ[BUJPO *7' XJUI 1(5 " PGT-M, PGT-SR In some cases of diminished ovarian reserve IVF may remain the only available treatment

option. Individualized treatment is tailored for their ovarian reserve. This often means that higher doses of stimulation medication may be used in protocols specifically adapted to the patient.

Women who are undergoing IVF with own eggs and using certain prenatal vitamins and anti-oxidants such as coenzyme 10 (CoQ10)4 , melatonin, N-acetylcysteine, L-arginine, myoInositol, D-Chiroinositol, Carnitine, selenium, Vitamin E, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin D plus calcium, omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, haveincreased chance for higher pregnancy rate and live birth as compared to women who did not.

Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT): embryos obtained from the IVF process may be subjected to genetic screening; this is a high technology in reproduction. It entails obtaining cells from the embryos on day 3 or day 5 of culturing. Embryos with genetic defect are identified and sorted. Genetically normal best quality embryos are transferred back to the womb. This process helps to prevent certain genetic diseases or disorder from being passed to the offspring, which subsequently improvespregnancy rate as well as life birth.

Some women with DOR may be left with the option of IVF using donor eggs as they may respond very poorly to ovarian stimulation even with very high doses of stimulation injections. In some cases, eggs retrieved following ovarian stimulation may not be able to fertilize,implant or progress to fetus. Hence your physician may counsel for the use of donor egg so as to improve your chance of a life birth.

One of the predominant reasons why most women are not comfortable with the use of donor egg is the fact that resulting offspring may not look like the mother or may have some diseases. Although the resulting off spring does not have the same genetic make-up as the recipient mother, proper IVF centers usually ensures that donors are matched to the recipient by strict criteria’s such as: physical appearance ,race, skin color, height, , blood group and genotype etc. Egg donors must be properly screened to ensure they do not have any infection or genetic abnormalities that may be transferred to their offspring. It is also reassuring that when the husband’ssperm is used the resulting offspring also has a fair chance of resemblance to their genetic fathers.

Recent Studies have shown that about 10% of women seeking fertility treatment have diminished ovarian reserve which simply put means that they have decreased number and quality of eggs as compared to other women of similar age.

Fertility profiling can help you identify if you fall within this 10% of population ,and with proper management and treatment, it is possible for your dream babies to be achieved despite the diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve.

32

T H I S D AY ˾ , OCTOBER 29, 2020

HEALTH

FG Tasked on National Protein-led Nutrition Policy The federal government has been tasked to urgently develop and implement a national protein-led nutrition policy to address and curtail the rising incidence of protein deficiency in Nigeria.

Dr. Adepeju Adeniran, a professional physician and an experienced public health expert, who made this call recently, noted that efforts to effectively tackle protein deficiency must include household food improvement, enhanced protein availability, protein affordability and multisectoral planning. Adeniran, who is also the co-founder and national chairperson of the Nigerian chapter of Women in Global Health, tasked the government to prioritise the availability and affordability of protein-rich foods in the country.

Speaking on the nutritional requirements of the average individual, she stated that carbohydrates, proteins, healthy oils and minerals all have their place in healthy diet compositions, but proteins

are nearly always neglected.

The public health expert explained that the need for a national protein nutrition policy arises from the urgent desire to target measured problems like household food security, child undernutrition, maternal and child health, infectious disease prevention, amongst other national indicators.

According to Dr Adeniran, “a nutritional policy could target the public’s access to information about a nutritionrelated health condition. For example, the United States public-private collaboration campaign to influence the increase in public dairy consumption tagged, “got milk?”

Nutrition policies have also targeted fortification of foods with minerals to increase the public’s consumption of such nutrients through eating foods rich in them. Many examples of these exist in global health.

“In Nigeria, iodine deficiency was combated by increasing the public’s education of the benefits of iodine in the diet,

improving the knowledge of iodine deficiency conditions and finally by the fortification of domestic table salt with iodine to increase the consumption of iodine in the home.”

She stated, “In Vietnam,

iron-deficiency anaemia was targeted by delivering iron supplements especially to women of childbearing age as a response to national surveys which identified anaemia as a prevalent national problem in that country. The supplements

were delivered through the village health workers directly to the women, alongside deworming medications.”

The medical expert reiterated that the protein deficiency problem in Nigeria has been on the rise, with various research surveys and reports confirming the indices are at a high level in the nation. She said: “Data extracted from the Nigerian Protein Deficiency Report states that about 51 per cent of the survey respondents did not have access to protein-rich foods because of the high costs.

“The report also highlighted the factors that influence the choice of meals in the home: availability of the food source, affordability of the food, taste of the food, knowledge of the nutritional value and personal choice or preference of the buyer.”

She advised the government to utilise a multi-pronged approach to implement the nutrition policy to alleviate malnutrition in Nigeria.

“To design and implement an effective nutritional protein

policy, public awareness and education about the benefits of protein should not be limited to school education and theory only,” she asserted.

She added that “re-learning and a lifelong familiarity about the benefits of protein to the home-maker should be taught consistently in public spaces like hospitals, primary health care centres, community centres and even in religious centres.”

She posited that agriculture food production policies could also support farmers by way of fertilizer and farm-to-market transport subsidies.

She said: “Governmentinitiated protein produce purchases will aid small- and large-scale farmers in various regions across the board and also encourage farmers to produce protein-rich plants for livestock feed and average consumers.”

She equally advised that the agricultural supply chains can be enhanced by import/ export policies that prioritise protein-rich foods.

COPE Charges Women to Embark on Frequent Breast Examination Ayodeji Ake The Founder of Care Organisation Public Enlightenment (C.O.P.E) , Mrs. Ebun Anozie has charged women to embark on frequent breast examination for early detection of breast cancer.

Speaking recent at the 25th Anniversary and Fund Raising of C.O.P.E, recently in Lagos, Anozie noted that most of the cancer cases are due to late presentation and consequently, has claimed many lives. She further said the cost of cancer treatment is still very expensive and a big issue seeking interventions from both private and public organisations as well as from well meaning Nigerians.

Thus, she emphasised on frequent breast examination and early presentation.

“I don’t want to tell stories because there are a lot of stories. There are a lot of them who seeks support but COVID-19 has limited them.

“This is breast cancer awareness month.

We urge women to take the advantage of this month and have their breast screened.

They shouldn’t start coming when they have maggot In their breast” she said.

Anozie said one of the major challenges is lack of cancer comprehensive centre in Nigeria.

“We don’t have a comprehensive cancer centre and we are yet to have one. I have been out there and I know what one looks like.

“We have the wealth and Nigeria is blessed but they should help the cancer patients because they are dying.

Nigerians are resilient people.

“Half of what we take here other countries doesn’t tolerate. I will say the way you treat your citizens is the way they will be treated outside.”

She concluded by urging Nigerians to cultivate the heart of giving to support one another expecially cancer patients rather than waiting for the government.

“Right now our main focus is to raise N3 million to be able to provide the items for breast cancer survivors.

Though we have more things to do but these are what I saw as necessary rather than them using all sorts to support their breast.

“Basically for me we have just started. We give thanks to God for this journey. I want to thank the media for the support. I have people calling from different states.

“Some of them want me to come to their states but it’s difficult to be everywhere but we are trying our best because I counsel as well and we have about four machines that we use.”

Launching of Nigeria Reproductive, Material, Newborn, Child, Adolescent and Elderly Health plus Nutrition (RMNCAEH+N) Multi-Stakeholder Partnership held atTranscorp Hilton, Abuja... recently

NAFDACBlacklistsIndianCompanyfor Manufacturing FalsifiedMedicines The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has blacklisted Mars Remedies PVT Limited, India for the manufacture of falsified Ciprofloxacin Tablets BP 500mg (NAFDAC REG. NO C4-0498) for Pinnacle Health Pharmaceutical Ltd, in Nigeria.

NAFDAC Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, who made this disclosure in a statement said: “In view of the unprofessional practice, the agency states that all products manufactured by the Mars Rem-

edies PVT LTD, 635, GIDC Estate Waghodia, Vadodara, Gujurat, India, will not be allowed into Nigeria with immediate effect.”

“In a letter dated October 9, 2020 addressed to the Managing Director of Mars Remedies PVT Limited, and titled: “Notice of blacklisting as a manufacturer of substandard and falsified medicines”, the DG reiterated the agency’s position of zero tolerance for substandard and falsified medicines preponderance in Nigeria in fulfillment of the regulatory obligation of

safeguarding the health of the nation.

The statement added, “in violation of NAFDAC extant laws and regulations, the company illegally manufactured different formulations of Ciprofloxacin tablets instead of the approved formulation for export to Nigeria.”

According to Prof Adeyeye, the variation in the formulation of the Ciprofloxacin 500mg tablets, which may impact on the product quality and shelf -life, was not approved by the agency before the changes were made, adding

that “this constitutes a violation of the NAFDAC Act”.

She further noted with dismay that the company has displayed a flagrant disregard for compliance with global standards necessary to assure the production of quality assured products, which was why the company has been blacklisted accordingly.

She also warned all manufacturers and importers of medicines to adhere strictly to the conditions for which their products were registered by NAFDAC or face similar sanctions.

MedicalGuild toChartRoadmaponHealthcare,MentalDelivery Kuni Tyessi ÓØ ÌßÔË The Guild of Medical Directors(GMD) has called on the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to improve healthcare delivery through better funding, proper planning and meticulous execution in post COVID-19 pandemic era.

The Publicity Secretary, GMD Lagos chapter, Dr Lekan Adelakun who stated this in a statement ahead of the virtual Annual General Meeting scheduled for October 29 and 30, said based on available statistics, about 64 per cent of Nigerians were reportedly not enjoying

mental health.

With the theme, ‘Post COVID Era: Economics and Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria’, he said recent happenings in the country challenges the abysmal state of healthcare, coupled with the impact of the pandemic on the economy.

He reiterated that in the

Abuja Declararion of 2001, African Union resolved that each country should allocate 15 per cent of its annual budget on health.

According to the statement: “before COVID-19 pandemic, about 64 per cent of Nigerians were reportedly not enjoying mental health.

“The pandemic has brought a lot of fear and anxiety and indeed, panic attacks in many cases. It has changed substantially the way we live, relate, work and brought untold economic hardships globally.”

He said the webinar seeks to discuss the effect of COVID-19

pandemic on two key areas which are ‘Economics and Healthcare Delivery and Mental Health’.

Adelakun said the topics have been carefully chosen for all healthcare personnel, planners and other stakeholders who are interested in having a healthy nation.

33

T H I S D AY ˾ , OCTOBER 29, 2020

HEALTH

UNICEF Takes Battle against FGM to Imo schools to Commemorate Girl-child Reassures FG of support to child rights Amby Uneze ÓØ áÏÜÜÓ United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has taken the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other forms of abuses against the girl-child to secondary schools in Imo State.

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

Addressing students at the 2020 commemoration of global observance of the International Day of the Girl Child, held at Mercy Girls High School, Ehime, in Ehime Mbano council area Imo state, the UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Enugu, Dr. Ibrahim Conteh stressed that the organisation would remain resolute and committed towards the protection and propagation of the rights

and privileges of children and work assiduously with relevant federal government agencies, so as to ensure accountability, ownership and sustainability.

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

Conteh challenged the girl-child to rise up to the occasion and aim for the top so as to reckoned with in the scheme of things globally.

He said, “Many countries today have women as presidents and Rwanda has emerged as the country with the highest number of female lawmakers in the country.

You can do better if you put your mind to work and work towards being independent”.

He listed the objectives of the ceremony which has the theme “Our Voice, Our Equal Future” to include: enhancing participants’ knowledge on the current efforts to end the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Imo and Ebonyi States, provision of a platform for the participants to discuss the theme of the year and to provide information of service providers to victims of FGM and where those at risk could seek assistance in Ebonyi State with the support of the school.

Dr. Conteh who was represented by the UNICEF’s desk officer in the state Ministry

of Gender and Vulnerable Group Affairs, Austin Okoro, called on parents and guardians to always provide equal opportunities for their children, to enable them to realise their full potentials as leaders of tomorrow.

He enjoined the girl child to always report cases of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) to the school authorities for onward transmission to the relevant authorities.

According to him, “our visit here is to let you know that you can report the practice anywhere you see it happening. If your parents, teachers hear your voices, violence against you will

stop.

“UNICEF is here to help to ensure that female genital mutilation is eliminated in Ehime Mbano. We’ve been able to secure public declaration against FGM and we’ve been able to train people in various LGAs to appreciate the harmful nature of this practice”.

A health expert from the state ministry of health, Mrs. Stella Ukaegbu stated that amongst several others, pressing the female genitals with the thumbs is the most prevalent in Ehime Mbano.

She told them that the reason given that the practice helps to prevent

promiscuity is never true, adding that the practice had been a major cause of prolonged labour amongst women amongst other things.

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

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

Foundation Partners Today’s Woman on Health Workers Fund Ayodeji Ake Today’s Woman magazine has joined forces with Sterling One Foundation to help create awareness all over the world for its Health Worker’s Fund initiative using Giving.ng, a reputable crowd-funding platform.

As part of its annual giving month social initiatives, the magazine has chosen to support the Sterling One Foundation Health Workers Fund project.

In a post from her website, the magazine mentions the reasons for the partnership as acknowledging the fact that there is a need to fight for the health workers who are on the frontline battling against this deadly virus. ”Most of our health

workers are on a hazard allowancaze of just N5,000 a month and we believe that they deserved more. They are constantly at risk so we want Nigerians to join us to move this up to N100,000 a month for three months.

“We urge Nigerians to be a part of something bigger.

Your N1,000 can go a long way. Think about it, if 10,000 people give N1,000 that would be a massive sum of N100,000,000 and that would mean 1,000 medical workers are sorted.

“About 111 health workers have benefitted from this fund, and many more still need our help. You don’t have to be rich or influential to help out or spread the word. They need your help to keep doing what they do,” the post said.

Dr. Yusuf Bara Jibrin, (left), newly appointed CMD of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, ATBUTH, Bauchi State being presented his letter of appointment by Health Minister, Dr. Osagie Ehanire in Abuja

British Study Shows Evidence of Waning Immunity to COVID-19 A study of hundreds of thousands of people across England suggests immunity to the coronavirus is gradually wearing off - at least according to one measure.

Researchers who sent out home fingerprick tests to more than 365,000 randomly selected people in England found a more than 26% decline in Covid-19 antibodies over just three months.

“We observe a significant decline in the proportion of the population with detectable antibodies over three rounds of national surveillance, using a self-administered lateral flow test, 12, 18 and 24 weeks after the first peak of infections in England,” the team wrote in a pre-print version of their report, released before peer review.

“This is consistent with evidence that immunity to seasonal coronaviruses declines over 6 to 12 months after infection and emerging data on SARS-CoV-2 that also detected a decrease over time in antibody levels in individuals followed in longitudinal studies,”

The study was published Monday by Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI, a market research company. At the beginning of the study, in June, 6% of those who took the tests had IgG antibody responses to the coronavirus, they reported. By September, just 4.4% of them did. For health care workers, the rates stayed about the same.

Antibodies are the proteins your body naturally generates to fight infection. IgG are one type - the tests were not designed to detect other types of antibodies. Other research teams have found that other types of antibodies may persist longer than IgG does.

The results also confirm earlier studies that showed that people who did not have symptoms of Covid-19 are likely to lose detectable antibodies sooner rather than those who had more severe infections.

Younger people who had recovered from Covid-19 had a slower loss of antibodies, compared to people older than 75 who had survived an infection, the researchers found.

Still, not enough is known to determine if antibodies provide any effective level of immunityto Covid-19, or how long people may be immuneto reinfection with the coronavirus.

Some infections, such as measles, cause what’s known as sterilizing immunity. People infected once have antibodies that can be detected for many years after infection.

With coronaviruses, scientists know less.

It’s also unclear what contribution T cell immunity and the body’s memory responses to threats like Covid-19 will play in providing protection if someone is exposed again to the novel coronavirus. More research is needed to better understand the ongoing risks of reinfection.

The study has limits. The samples were not taken from the same people over and over again, but from different people over time. It’s possible people who had been exposed to the coronavirus were less likely to take part over time and that may have skewed the numbers, researchers said.

This very large study has shown that the proportion of people with detectable antibodies is falling over time,” Helen Ward, who is on the faculty of medicine at the school of public health at Imperial College London, said in a statement.

We don’t yet know whether this will leave these people at risk of reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19, but it is essential that everyone continues to follow guidance to reduce the risk to themselves and others,” added Ward, who worked on the study.

Earlier national prevalence surveys that determined how many people have had Covid19 in Iceland recorded a durable antibody response over four months from the time of infection. Other studies have shown that different factorsmay impact how quickly antibodies decline. Age, co-morbidities, and the initial severity of illnessall seem to play a role. t$VMMFE GSPN $//

34

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍˇËœ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Coronation Insurance Assures Speedy Claims’ Payment to Hoodlums’Attack Victim Ebere Nwoji Coronation Insurance, formerly Wapic Insurance has reassured victims of the recent civil unrest in some parts of the country last week who are its customers of speedy compensation through claims’ payment for their businesses and assets that were destroyed.

The company said in doing this, it believes that insurance companies must ensure that their clients do not have to wait for assistance after a disaster occurs by proactively collating information of damage and losses as well as responding to claims with speed and precision.

It explained in a statement yesterday: “We are well aware that our customers are dealing with numerous difficulties at this time and the last thing they want is a painful and challenging claims process. “Following the recent monumental loss of human life and damage to property and assets across the nation, we have shifted to our highest gear to get our customers the most appropriate help as quickly as

possible at this time of need.�

Managing Director of the company, Adeyinka Adekoya, reassured policy holders of support at this critical time, saying, “We want our customers to return to their normal way of life as soon as possible and have put in place a claims response platform for realtime communication and easy sharing of loss evidence to fast-track claims processing.�

She said the company’s emergency payment methods would assist to relieve client’s immediate spending pressures and help them get back on their feet within the quickest period of time.

She urged affected customers to use the company’s dedicated helplines for emergencies and to speak to one of the experts for advice and assistance on what to do next.

According to her, “Our channels are available 24/7 so that you can make enquiries and report claims seamlessly. We encourage you to use them to minimise physical visits. “You can also download our

Coronation Insurance Mobile App via Google play or the App Store for your Android or Apple devices respectively, to access our services conveniently on your mobile phones from anywhere in Nigeria. “Our social media channels are equally active for all enquiries, via Coronationinsur on Facebook and Twitter; CoronationInsur on Instagram; and Coronation Insurance Plc on LinkedIn,�

The statement described Coronation Insurance Plc, formerly Wapic Insurance as an expert in underwriting life and non-life insurance risks for corporate and individual customers, and also provides investment risk products for individuals.

The company’s range of insurance services includes, motor, general accident, fire, engineering, special risk, marine and group life insurance for the risk management of businesses and individuals.

The company’s general business is conducted by Coronation Insurance Plc and Coronation Insurance Ghana Limited.

Globus Bank Opens Three Branches Goddy Egene Globus Bank Limited said it celebrated the 2020 Customer Service Week with a special gift to Lagos customers as it opened three new branches at the following locations Lekki, Ikeja and Apapa, Lagos State.

According to the bank, it remains poised to strategically branch out in a manner that aligns with its vision to offer the banking public a viable alternative that is designed to provide ultimate and endearing customer experience.

A statement disclosed that Globus Bank commenced operations in November, 2019, and in accordance with its service

promise, it has continued to roll out branches in very strategic locations across the country.

The bank noted that the three new branches in one week demonstrate its commitment to match words with action. “To serve the retail customers, the bank is currently active on USSD code (*989#)and has a mobile banking application (Globus Mobile), that is seamless and provide end-to-end solution for retail customers,� it stated.

It explained that accounts are fully opened in two minutes without the need to physically visit any branch. The transfer service on Globus Mobile is the most enjoyable in the

industry. Individuals can switch between personal and corporate accounts on Globus Mobile and do transactions seamlessly, including bulk payments.

With Globus Mobile, your corporate account is on your palm. This is a robust solution for individuals and MSMEs. “Whilst rapidly gaining market share in the corporate segment, the bank is maintaining its focus on enhancing financial inclusion by encouraging the unbanked through innovative digital platforms and incentives.

There are plans to show optimal physical presence in key retail centres aimed at strengthening financial inclusion and supporting MSMEs,� the bank said.

Barclays Launches Accelerator Programme Barclays has launched an immersive 12-week accelerator programme for 25 Black founder-led tech businesses.

According to a report by Barclays, the launch featured the work of acclaimed photographer, Misan Harriman, the first Black male cover photographer for British Vogue and Oscar-nominated director Cornelius Walker The virtual accelerator programme was designed to help early-stage tech businesses, founded by one or more Black entrepreneurs, in order to boost diversity in entrepreneurship. “The accelerator, in partnership with Foundervine, an award-winning social enterprise specialising in digital startups, includes a series of expert masterclasses focused on a number of core business skills, including product development, sales strategy, operations and leadership. The founders will be mentored by and receive professional

coaching from scale-up experts. “So far, over 140 businesses have applied to take part in the accelerator, of which 25 successful businesses will be selected to participate in the programme. Applications close on 29 October. “The programme will start on the 12th November and will last 12 weeks. It will culminate in a Demo Day in which founders will have the opportunity to present their business to an invited audience. In addition, through the programme, participants will gain access to the UK-wide Eagle Labs network and to community events through Barclays Eagle Labs,� it revealed.

The launch of the Black Founder Accelerator comes as Barclays celebrates Black History Month and further demonstrates its commitment to the Race at Work agenda, and its Race at Work action plan.

Ecosystem Manager at Barclays Eagle Labs, who

led on the creation of the programme, Natalie Ojevah said: “Having worked with businesses for a number of years, and in my current role supporting founders and startups, I have seen the lack of diversity, especially with Black entrepreneurs. “I realised this was a national issue, so working with my colleagues and Foundervine, we have launched the Black Founder Accelerator.

Foundervine’s track record of supporting Black founders and businesses will help us to make a real difference and I am delighted to see the programme come to life.�

Also, Managing Director of Foundervine, Izzy Obeng said: “I am delighted to be partnering with Barclays Eagle Labs to launch the Black Founder Accelerator. Together we have the opportunity to help level the playing field for Black founders - building a more equitable future where successful founders come from a wide range of backgrounds.�

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JULY 2020 Money Supply (M3)

36,822,751.47

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

3,476,121.25

Money Supply (M2)

33,346,630.22

-- Quasi Money

120,764,479.02

-- Narrow Money (M1)

12,582,151.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,002,026.89

---- Demand Deposits

10,580,124.31

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,637,137.23

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

29,185,614.24

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

39,711,115.95

---- Credit to Government (Net)

19,521,851.08

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-130,189,264.87

--Other Assets Net

3,472,017.70

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,421,827.07

--Currency in Circulation

2,395,917.03

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

11,025,910.04 317,234.17

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ Í°Íľ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $39.53 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $39.22 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

35

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍˇËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

BUA Cement Posts N157bn Revenue, N54bn Profit in Nine Months Goddy Egene The hopes of shareholders of BUA Cement Plc to receive robust dividend at the end of the current final year have been raised by the improved results recorded by the company for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

BUA Cement, which is one of Africa’s largest cement producers reported a revenue of N156.55 billion in 2020, showing an increase

of21 percent from N129.429 billion in the corresponding period of 2019.

Gross profit rose from N63.123 billion to N71.729billion.

Selling and distribution expenses rose from N8.341 billion to N9.679billion, while administrative expenses rose from N6.103 billion to N7.034billion.

The company was able to reduce its net financing cost by 23 per cent from N3.719 billion to N2.874 billion. This enhanced

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

the profitability as profit before tax (PBT) grew by 19 per cent to N59.484 billion from N50.186 billion. Profit after tax (PAT) grew faster by 24 per cent fromN43.253 billion to N53.567 billion.

When the company recorded a similarly improved performance for the half year endedJune 30, 2020, the Managing Director of BUA Cement, Yusuf Binji, had said that the continued impressive performance in 2020 despite the challenging operating

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

environment occasioned by the covid-19 pandemic, was a pointer to the value and strength of the BUA Cement brand and product offerings as well as a nod to the excellent implementation of the company’s Business Continuity Plan which ensured that BUA Cement was able to withstand the impact of the pandemic in the period under review. “In a bid to further drive cost efficiencies and sustainability, we entered into strategic alliances for

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

the supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) at the Kalambaina, Sokoto State and the management of our mining operations. Given these deliberate and strategic choices amongst other cost management efforts, we continue to combine development and innovation into our offerings and activities,� Binji said.

According to him, in spite of the prevailing economic conditions, “we are quite optimistic about the future because it affords

O F

us not only with the opportunity to further evolve our business model but also provides an opportunity for accelerated development. We will continue to push to new markets aided by a focused distribution strategy.�

Meanwhile, the stock market surged further as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) rose 1.58 per cent to close at 29,437.60, while market capitalisation added N239 billion to close at N15.4 trillion.

2 6 / 1 0 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

36

MARKET NEWS

UPDC Reduces Loss from N15 Billion to N3.4 Billion

Goddy Egene

UACN Property Development

Company (UPDC) Plc has recorded a reduction in its loss for the nine months ended

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

September 30, 2020. Details of the results showed that UPDC reported a revenue of N458

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 27Oct-2020, unless otherwise stated.

million, down from N1.895 billion in the corresponding period of 2019.

Administrative expenses rose from N2.009 billion in 2019 to N2.456 billion. However, loss

after tax reduced from N14.651 billion in 2019 to N3.375 billion in 2020.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.99 1.00 9.84% ACAP Income Funds 0.85 0.85 11.09% 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 3.82% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.70 3.82 51.07% 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 115.01 115.41 11.37% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.47 1.47 22.45% 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 16.33 16.83 6.63% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 371.32 382.52 7.50% ARM Ethical Fund 31.84 32.80 9.48% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.16 1.17 16.30% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.13 1.13 12.87% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.68% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 111.71 112.49 16.26% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.08% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.26% Paramount Equity Fund 13.51 13.80 8.12% Women's Investment Fund 121.69 122.92 10.28% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.74% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 121.26 121.78 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 132.05 133.07 Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 103.49 103.49 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 2.41% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.08 1.09 16.42% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.75 1.75 31.70% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 2.49% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 1.32% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,185.32 1,200.75 6.97% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,532.42 1,534.00 24.97% FBN Balanced Fund 166.82 168.08 13.62% FBN Halal Fund 109.32 109.33 9.32% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.27% 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 131.95 134.01 1.40% 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 5.15% Legacy Equity Fund 1.30 1.33 15.00% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.13 1.13 4.14% 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 3,363.66 3,398.10 10.54% Coral Income Fund 3,211.84 3,211.84 4.42% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 3.58% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.97% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 123.08 123.61 14.67%

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.42% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.50 2.55 14.12% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 7.50% 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 1,128.55 1,128.43 8.61% 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 1.48 1.50 20.36% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.77 11.86 4.74% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.16% PACAM Equity Fund 1.32 1.33 PACAM EuroBond Fund 108.87 111.18 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 1.01 1.01 7.93% 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 16.09% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 5.79% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 13.33% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 6.81% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 15.84% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.76% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 8.28% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.21 1.21 4.58% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 110.15 110.15 5.70% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.30 1.32 8.76% United Capital Bond Fund 1.87 1.87 7.97% United Capital Equity Fund 0.74 0.76 5.26% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.74% United Capital Eurobond Fund 115.48 115.48 5.67% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.03 1.04 -1.90% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 11.24 11.37 9.35% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.47 12.58 7.27% Zenith Income Fund 24.59 24.59 8.25% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.89%

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

9.56 102.97 76.16

9.66 102.97 77.56

14.36% 7.84% 1.37%

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

3.68 4.86 13.63 1.00 12.35 231.86

3.72 4.94 13.73 1.00 12.55 233.86

7.53% -17.73% 12.08% 2.40% 18.64% 21.40%

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.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

37

24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

Alleged Killings of Northerners in South False, Says Ohanaeze Gideon Arinze in Enugu The apex socio-cultural youth organisation in Igbo land, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, on Wednesday denied the allegation by the Arewa

Consultative Forum (ACF) that Northerners were being killed in the Southern part of the country.

The Igbo youth group, in a statement by its Secretary General, Mr. Nnabuike Okwu,

Inmate who Fled in Edo Kill Neighbour for Testifying against Him Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City One of the 1,993 inmates who escaped during the jailbreaks at Oko and Benin prisons in Edo State has been arrested for murder, after killing his neighbor, who testified against him in the case that landed him in prison.

The Cable reported that while parading 126 suspected criminals yesterday, the Edo State Commissioner for Police, Babatunde Kokumo, said 10 of the suspects were the inmates who escaped earlier.

He said the inmates immediately returned to crime and were re-arrested by the police.

“We have commenced actions against the criminal elements. It will interest you to know that 10 of the criminal elements who escaped from Oko Correctional Centre on Airport Road, Benin and the Correctional Centre on

noted that the claim was false and unfounded.

The group was reacting to a statement credited to the ACF that over 30 persons were killed in the Southern part of the country since the #EndSARS protests became violent.

But the Igbo group

described the allegation as a “propagandistic move and ploy to complicate issues and incite violence against southerners.”

It said, “The alleged harassment and killings of Northerners has been discovered to be baseless and there is no iota of truth in the claim.

“We urge Northern leaders to cross check their facts on some of these security issues before going public. No sane Southerner can touch any Northerner, because we are one and we have lived peacefully among ourselves.

“ONYC categorically denies these allegations by ACF on the killings of Northerners in the South as mere rumours, falsehood and fake news, and we challenge Emmanuel Yawe, to produce evidence of the said killings”.

Sapele Road, Benin were also arrested,” he said.

“One of them, after having escaped from Oko correctional centre, ran back to his village on the same day, to kill the person who stood as a prosecution witness in the case that took him to the correctional centre. He has been arrested and he is among the suspects.

“Another group of three escapees from the correctional centre in Benin also went ahead to snatch a Lexus Sport Utility L-R: Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to Imo State governor, Mr. Oguwike Nwachuku; Imo State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Chuck Vehicle (SUV). Three of them met at the correctional centre Chuckemeka; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Declan Emelumba; and Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ikay Njoku, and they were caught by the addressing the media after the Exco meeting at the Sam Mbakwe Exco Chambers, Owerri...yesterday police.

“A set of two escapees equally stole a Toyota Camry car. They also met at the Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto Bashir Gorau and Maikudi Tambuwal charged the their experiences, knowledge correctional centre. They were Abubakar Ahmed; while appointees to exhibit higher and expertise in the conduct of arrested by Okada Division of The Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Abubakar Shekara and Abdul’aziz sense of responsibility and mature their new assignment.

Edo State Police Command. We Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday swore Ibrahim were sworn in as Special conduct in the discharge of their Also, the governor appealed have a total of 10 escapees.” in three new commissioners at Advisers on Public Affairs and duties, particularly in their public to the people of state to continue the Council Chamber of the Disabled Affairs respectively. In appearance, comments and to show understanding with the the same vein, Dr. Hafsat Buhari engagement of members of the state government and the federal Government House in Sokoto.

Also sworn in were two Special Galadima and Dr. Muhammad public as well as in the handling government, saying Nigeria is passing through a very challenging Advisers and two directors-general. Bashir Mustapha were sworn in of public trust.

While congratulating the time, and thus in need of the Those sworn in as as directors-general in the state new appointees, the governor prayers and support of every commissioners were Alhaji civil service.

Speaking at the ceremony, charged them to marshal all citizen.

Muhammad Mainasara Ahmed,

MEDIA PARLEY...

Tambuwal Swears in New Commissioners, Special Advisers

Oronsaye Trial: Court Threatens to Close Prosecutor’s Case Kwara Gov: Nigerians Shouldn’t Abandon, Demoralise Police

Nine years after the trial of former Head of Service, Mr Stephen Oronsaye began, a Federal High Court yesterday threatened to close the prosecutor’s case for want of diligent prosecution.

The trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, said he will close the prosecution’s case should the prosecution fail to bring witnesses at the next adjourned date.

Justice Ekwo stated this during the proceedings after the prosecutor, Mr .A Atolagbe failed to call a witness on Tuesday and called only one witness yesterday.

He held, “At the next adjourn date if the prosecution is unable to proceed with this case, I will make an order foreclosing their case.”

While justifying his inability to bring witnesses, Atolagbe attributed it to the ongoing ENDSARS protests across the country.

He added that it was only by stroke of luck that, a witness, Mr. Nurudeen Suleiman, who testified yesterday, was able to fly to Abuja from Kano to give evidence.

But while being led in evidence by Atolagbe earlier, Suleiman, an operative with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) told the court that he was part of the team that undertook biometric verification at the office of the Head of Service.

His team, according to Suleiman, had in the course of the biometric verification carried out an investigation on some fictitious contracts.

He told the court that his team discovered that some contractors were paid for contracts that did not exist.

The witness further told the court that he was paid allowances for his assignment directly into his account by the office of the Head of Service.

While expressing concerns at the slow pace at which the prosecution was handling the matter, counsel to Oronsaye, Mr. Ade Okeoya-Inneh (SAN) decried a situation where criminal matters were not done in installments.

He lamented that the case started in 2011 with investigations.

“We were served this morning with additional proof of evidence, this is preposterous. This is 2020 for a case that started in 2011.”

The former Head of Service is being tried alongside others on charges bordering on inflation of biometrics enrollment contracts, collective allowances and other schemes to siphon money from accounts in which pensioners funds were kept.

Meanwhile, the matter has been adjourned till November 30 and December 1, 2 respectively.

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Kwara State Governor, Mr. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has appealed to Nigerians to never turn their backs or abandon the police and other security agencies.

AbdulRaza stated that the vast majority of the officers are patriots equally committed to a greater Nigeria.

The governor said the events of the past few weeks, especially the #EndSARS protests, should not be framed in a way that

might leave officers and men of the police demoralised or dejected.

Demoralising the security forces, especially the police, might play into the hands of criminals who prefer anarchy to hurt their victims, the governor warned.

The governor had on Tuesday night, visited various police posts in Ilorin to identify with officers and men of the police in Kwara State who he said have mostly been doing well.

Yesterday, he led Kwara

Senators— Ibrahim Yahya Oloriegbe (Central); Sadiq Umar (North); and Lola Ashiru (South) — to the police headquarters to cheer the police for their efforts to maintain the peace.

AbdulRazaq had earlier held a security council meeting during which he observed certain interests later hijacked the peaceful #EndSARS protests to push for anarchy and undemocratic regime change.

The governor said: “We care about our police and we must not demoralise them. We should

avoid using one brush to tar all of them. I urge all Nigerians to stand up and support the police.

“We need to embrace the Police to do their jobs,” AbdulRazaq said during a visit to Police state Commissioner of Police, Kayode Egbetokun at the police headquarters.

“I am glad that President Muhammadu Buhari has given instructions that the needful should be done. “Their salaries will be increased. Their welfare will be increased and I am sure they would do more to serve us.”

Ugwuanyi’s Supporters Empower Traders in Enugu Communities Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Supporters of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State under the aegis of Udenu Youth Front for Gburugburu (UYFG) has released another tranche of N1 million to traders at the World Bank market in Orba community of Udenu Local Government Area of the state to support their businesses.

In furtherance of its earlier commitment to support traders and entrepreneurs in expanding their businesses through social and economic reinvestment scheme, the UYFG led by its Convener, Mr. Nnamani Chidiebere, stormed the Orba market with his team and handed over the cheques of N1million to 50 traders randomly selected among the traders.

An official of the youth group, Mr. Chika Ohabuenyi, said in a statement issued to journalists that the event, which took place at the market square, attracted the presence of dignitaries, including the Chairman of Orba Market Traders Association, Mr. Charles Ezeugwu, among others.

While handling the cheques to the jubilant traders, Nnamani stated that the gesture was in fulfillment of their promise to bring smiles to the faces of the traders and encourage them in their respective businesses.

“It is our belief that this is a time to give back to you. For supporting the government of His Excellency, our performing Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi with your prayers, we want to assure you that the government will continue to do everything

possible to create an enabling environment for your businesses.

“Already, you’re all enjoying the dividends of democracy in terms of infrastructure such as good roads, quality education, electricity, peace and security. But we want to assure you that more and more are still coming.

“We encourage you to make good use of this opportunity by applying the money into profitable ventures so that it can yield more result”.

Nnamani further reiterated the UYFG’s commitment to visit again in order to capture the batch of traders who have not received their own.

He added that the programme would continue to run in the large community until everyone is meaningfully engaged.

Speaking on behalf of

the Orba Market Traders Association, the Chairman of the Association, Ezeugwu, commended Governor Ugwuanyi for meeting them when they were in dire need of financial assistance.

The Chairman, who maintained that the governor has wiped away their tears by the empowerment package, promised that they would not disappoint him as they would put the money in good use.

It would be recalled that the UYFG had taken the economic empowerment programme to Obollo Afor, the headquarters of Udenu LGA, where many traders, artisans and entrepreneurs were supported in their businesses with millions of Naira.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

38

THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

At Last, NFF Receives $1m Covid-19 Palliatives from FIFA Duro Ikhazuagbe

At last, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has received the $1 million Covid-19 palliatives promised by world football governing body, FIFA, to help football stakeholders in the country cushion the effects of the pandemic.

President of the NFF, Amaju Pinnick, confirmed the good news to football stakeholders yesterday via his verified Twitter

handle.

Pinnick who explained how the $1 million will be utilized, also revealed that the federation has also received the $600,000 fund for the FIFA Forward 2.0 projects in Birnin-Kebbi and Ugborodo (Escravos) in Delta State.

“Huge appreciation to football’s world governing body, FIFA, for the $1 million (one million dollars) the Federation has received in the frame of

COVID-19 palliatives. The money was received by the the NFF and we re-confirmed the purpose from FIFA two days ago.

“FIFA also sent $600,000 to the Federation for the FIFA Forward 2.0 projects in Birnin-Kebbi and Ugborodo.

At $300,000 each, it will enable the mini-stadia in both centres to start at a very good pace, as we earmark completion by the end of March 2021.

“As a further break down, the $1 million for palliatives

is composed of $500,000 for men’s football and $500,000 for the women’s game.”

He added:”FIFA has also promised to send the Federation an additional $500,000 sometime in January 2021, also as part of COVID-19 palliative efforts.

“On the continent, we have received confirmation from CAF that the Federation will receive the expected $300,000 from the Confederation on or before Sunday, the 1st of November. With the $200,000 we have already ring-fenced

from our sponsors’ funds for the purpose the coast will then be clear for us to start the disbursement of funds to the beneficiaries, as captured in our approved template, from next week.

“Even though we are bolstered by the guidelines from FIFA strictly outlying the purposes of these funds as well as the approval of the the NFF Executive Board, we will also interface with our auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, on each and every line item, to

ensure the disbursements conform to global best practices.

“Beneficiaries MUST ensure 100% compliance to guidelines by ensuring that all funds are paid into designated accounts.

“I would also like to thank all beneficiaries for their patience and understanding at these trying times.

“Finally, I would like to wish FIFA President, Gianni Infantino God’s speed as he recovers from the pandemic,” concludes the NFF Chief on the social media yesterday afternoon.

FIFA President, Gianni Infantino (left) and NFF President, Amaju Pinnick at a FIFA event early this year

D’Tigers Qualification for 2021 AfroBasket Not Negotiable, NBBF Insists The leadership of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has affirmed that the country’s qualification for the 2021 FIBA Afrobasket Men’s Tournament is non-negotiable.

The federation rolled out this warning to the senior national basketball team on Tuesday as countries get set for the next window of the 2021 FIBA Afrobasket qualifiers to be hosted in Rwanda and Egypt after the conclusion of the first window in February.

With gradual return of international basketball following the disruption of the global calendar due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the NBBF has set its sight on a successful AFROBASKET qualifiers campaign.

NBBF President, Musa Kida said yesterday that preparations have started in earnest to ensure

that the 2020 Olympics bound D’Tigers qualify for their 28th Afrobasket tournament.

“We are not unaware of the huge task before us to ensure another seamless qualification for Afrobasket. We know that millions of Nigerians are expecting us to qualify without drama and that is exactly what we are working towards.”

Currently ranked 26th globally and 1st in Africa, Nigeria is grouped alongside host- Rwanda, Mali and Algeria in Group D Kida hammered on the need for early training camp and preparations to adequately get the team ready.

“No more minnows in African basketball. All the teams in our group deserve to be there and they deserve our respect. We need to prepare early and adequately to live up to pre-tournament ratings by pundits.

Rosa Collins: Questions Gusau Must Answer for Peace to Return to AFN Former African triple jump record holder, Rosa Collins has insisted that embattled President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Ibrahim Shehu Gusau must provide answers to some questions before his reconciliatory moves with aggrieved board members of the federation can be considered.

Gusau, is believed to be making overtures to board members of the federation and officials of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to sheathe their sword after the Federal Court of Appeal in Abuja re-affirmed him as president of the AFN. That ruling also annulled his impeachment by majority of

the board members.

But yesterday, Rosa Collins told reporters that she has nothing against Gusau personally but only asking for the right things to be done to move the federation forward.

“I have nothing personal against Ibrahim Gusau but he who seeks equity must come with clean hands. Let him wash himself free of the allegations levelled against him and let him answer the following questions with utmost sincerity. I believe if he can do that, the peace he is desiring at the AFN will be granted,” observed Collins who won the first triple jump gold medal at the 1995 African Games in Harare, Zimbabwe.

D’Tigers have been told to ensure Nigeria qualifies for the 2021 AfroBasket Tournament

Rivers Sports Council Relocates to Amiesimaka Stadium The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has approved the relocation of the State Sports Council to the Adokiye Amiesimaka Sports Complex, Igwuruta-Ali as its permanent site.

The Commissioner for Sports, Barr. Boma Iyaye who disclosed this in an interview with reporters in Port Harcourt yesterday, said the approval for the relocation of the Council to a permanent site after its 51 years of existence signaled a new dawn in sports promotion and development in Rivers

State.

Established by Edict No. 4 of 1969 as amended in 1972, the Rivers State Sports Council had its initial office complex at a bungalow owned by then Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA) premises, using the Isaac Boro Park and the Port Harcourt Club field for training and local competitions.

The Council later transited to the Hotel Olympia, Old Rivers State House of Assembly, Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex (popularly known as The Civic Centre) and

presently at the Basket Ball Hostel, Port Harcourt.

The Sports Commissioner said the transit nature of the Council’s head office adversely affected its effort in preparing for championships and other national, and international competitions.

According to him, the Council’s transit head office also created major problems including communication challenges, disruption of effective implementation of policies and programmes in planning, training and

execution, as well as resulted in damage to records, documents, materials and equipment.

While maintaining that the move further attest to the commitment of Governor Wike in institutionalizing Sports development in Rivers State, Iyaye expressed gratitude to the Governor for relocating the Sports Council to the Sports Complex, which has ample space to accommodate its head office, association offices, equipment store, hostels, camping and training facilities.

NWFL Premiership to Begin December 9 The Aisha Falode-led Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) yesterday in Abuja held the draws for the Nigeria Women Premiership league, which has been tentatively scheduled to kick-off across Nigeria on December 9, 2020, subject to the ratification of the Nigeria Football Federation.

At the draws ceremony held at the conference room of the new NWFL Secretariat

in Abuja, had representatives from all the 16 participating clubs in attendance.

According to the Chief Operating Officer of the NWFL, Mrs. Faith Ben-Anuge, the fixtures for the 2020 Premiership season which will be played on a straight league format for the first time in three years, would last for 30 weeks.

She added that, the draw was generated digitally and the teams

paired electronically, leaving no margin for error.

Mrs. Ben-Anuge disclosed that, the fixture between former league champions, Nasarawa Amazons and FC Robo of Lagos, at the Lafia Township Stadium, Nasarawa has been picked as the official opening game for the 2020/2021 Premiership season.

She noted that, the season would go on a two-week break after Week 15.

FIXTURES (WEEK 1) Amazons

v FC Robo

Adamawa

v RV Angels

Confluence v Ibom Angels DreamStars v Delta Queens BayelsaQueens v Pelican Edo Queens v Royal Queens Abia Angels v Osun Babes SunshineQ

v HeartlandQ

SWAN Applauds Appointments of Raji, Tobe-Chukwu The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has hailed the appointment of its Deputy Secretary General, Babafemi Rajiand a dedicated member, Oluchi Tobe-Chukwuas Media Officers of the Super Eagles and Super Falcons respectively.

SWAN equally commended

the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for once again appointing well experienced sports journalists who are certified members of the Association into such sensitive positions.

In a statement issued yesterday by SWAN’s

National Secretary General, Jude Opara, “the appointments are indeed reward for industry, experience, firm believe in professionalism and capacity to deliver on critical national assignments.

“We particularly commend the NFF for recognizing the

role of SWAN in sharpening Sports Journalists as critical stakeholders in Sports development and the recent awaited financial palliative extended to the association from the FIFA’s reach out to national football bodies across the world.

39

THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

ThursdaySPORTS

Arsenal Seek Europa League Boost as Spurs Go to Belgium English rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are aiming to build on winning starts in the Europa League this evening while Zlatan Ibrahimovic will look to transfer his incredible Serie A form to the continental stage.

Smarting from a 1-0 loss at home to Leicester at the weekend, the Gunners host Irish side Dundalk in their second Group B fixture following a come-frombehind victory in Austria in their opening match.

Dundalk are just the third

Irish representative to reach the group stage, having matched their achievement in 2016/17 and that of Shamrock Rovers in 2011/12.

They lost 2-1 at home to Norwegians Molde in their first game, and their Italian coach Filippo Giovagnoli is acutely aware the odds are stacked against the club from County Louth on Ireland’s east coast.

“Arsenal have better players, better coaches and better everything than us, but this is the challenge. We

Ronaldo Criticises Covid-19 Testing System After Missing Juve, Barca Clash Cristiano Ronaldo criticised the Covid-19 testing system as Juventus left him out of the squad for the Champions League game against Barcelona last night.

The 35-year-old has been self-isolating since a positive result for the virus on 13 October, and had another test before Wednesday’s match.

The Italian club would not comment on whether he tested positive again.

Ronaldo said he was “feeling healthy” on social media and then lambasted the PCR test.

The result from a PCR test reveals whether someone currently has the virus or not.

The ex-Real Madrid player was set to face Barcelona forward and rival Lionel Messi for the first time since 2018.

1-0 win at Burnley.

Jose Mourinho’s side head to Belgium to play Antwerp this week after easing past Austrian outfit LASK Linz 3-0 in their Group J opener.

Leicester, the third English club in the competition, travel to AEK Athens as they too chase a second straight victory in Group J. Joe Aribo’s Scottish Premiership leaders Rangers are at home to Lech Poznan in Group D. Steven Gerrard’s men are unbeaten this term and have won their last seven games.

Celtic, who are targeting

a record 10th successive Scottish title, lost ground to Rangers at the weekend and have work to do in Group H after they were beaten 3-1 by Milan.

The task won’t get any easier with a visit to Lille, who are level on points with Paris Saint-Germain in France and the only unbeaten team left in Ligue 1.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored seven times in five games this season despite missing a handful of matches after testing positive for coronavirus.

The 39-year-old former

Sweden international netted twice for the third time in a row in Serie A as Milan drew 3-3 with Roma on Monday.

Ibrahimovic would become the second-oldest scorer in Europa League history if he hits the target against Sparta Prague.

Molde’s Daniel Hestad holds the record, scoring against Celtic in November 2015 aged 40 years and 98 days.

Real Sociedad host Napoli as two famous European names do battle for the first time in Group F.

Ronaldo last played in Portugal’s 0-0 draw with France on 11 October.

Juventus were also without defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Matthijs de Ligt for the game in Turin.

The 1995-96 Champions League winners beat Dynamo Kyiv 2-0in their opening game of this year’s group stage.

Barcelona were also without midfielder Philippe Coutinho, who injured his left hamstring in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat by Real Madridin La Liga.

The length of the 28-yearold’s absence will “depend on how the injury evolves”, according to Barcaexternallink.

Barcelona beat Ferencvaros 5-1in their opening Champions Thomas Partey (left) and Joe Willock at training ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Dundalk this evening at the Emirates Stadium League group match.

Everton’s Pickford Hires Bodyguards After Threat from Reds’ Fans Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has reportedly been forced to hire bodyguards after allegedly receiving threats from Liverpool supporters.

Pickford was heavily criticised following Everton’s 2-2 draw with the Reds earlier this month when his tackle on Virgil van Dijk resulted in the defender sustaining a serious knee injury that has potentially ruled the Dutchman out for the remainder of the season.

The England international has since been exposed to a spate of online threats and abuse, which has reportedly

need to play with a lot of heart, run a lot and be a little crazy and brave, but we’re going to try,” said Giovagnoli.

Tottenham’s solid start in the Premier League has stirred up talk they could potentially end a long title drought, with no team yet to truly assert themselves after a truncated pre-season.

“We know with the team we have got and the players we have got we can do something special,” captain Harry Kane, who is two goals shy of 200 for Spurs, told the BBC after Monday’s

prompted him to appoint a specialist security firm over fears for his and his family’s safety.

“Jordan has been shocked by the level of abuse he has received since the match. He is determined to do whatever it takes to make sure his family is kept safe,” a source close to the player reportedly told UK’s Daily Mail.

It has been claimed further that the Toffees’ Brazil forward Richarlison has also been subjected to abuse after his red-card challenge on Reds midfielder Thiago Alcantara, which has sidelined the Spain star for the past three matches.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Rashford Scores Hat-trick as Man Utd Thump RB Leipzig 5-0 Marcus Rashford came off the bench last night to score a clinical hat-trick as Manchester United continued their recent momentum by taking apart RB Leipzig 5-0 in the Champions League.

England international Rashford came on just after the hour mark and netted three goals in 18 minutes, first running clear to calmly slot in, then smashing in a terrific second, before drilling home a third in stoppage time.

Teenage forward Mason Greenwood scored his first goal in the competition, latching onto Paul Pogba’s defence-splitting pass before drilling a precise, low finish into the far corner.

Greenwood produced another thumping effort straight at Peter Gulasci, while the visiting goalkeeper also kept out Anthony Martial’s poked effort.

But when Martial was tripped in the box with three minutes to go, he converted the penalty to score his first goal of the season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side backed up their excellent win at Paris St-Germain in their opening game by collecting another impressive three points to extend their unbeaten run to four games.

In the Group H’s other game, last year’s runners-up Paris St-Germain picked up their first points with a 2-0

win at Istanbul Basaksehir.

Elsewhere in Turin, Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele scored as Barcelona comfortably beat Juventus without Cristiano Ronaldo 2-0 to make it two wins from two in the Champions League.

Dembele opened the scoring when his deflected shot looped over Wojciech Szczesny in the Juventus goal.

Messi then wrapped up the win in stoppage time when he coolly converted a penalty after substitute Ansu Fati had been fouled.

Earlier in Russia, Hakim Ziyech scored his first Chelsea goal as Frank Lampard’s side picked up three points in an emphatic

4-0 Champions League Win against Krasnodar.

Ziyech, 27, swept in on his first start for the club to add to goals from Callum HudsonOdoi, Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic as Chelsea returned to goalscoring ways in style.

RESULTS Juventus

0-2 Barcelona

Man Utd

5-0 RB Leipzig

Krasnodar

0-4 Chelsea

Istanbul Bas’ 0-2 PSG Sevilla

1-0 Rennes

B’Dortmund 2-0 Zenit Club Bruges 1-1 Lazio Ferencvaros 2-2 Dynamo Kyiv

FIFA Not Aware of Barca Plan to Join Super League

Jordan Pickford (left) has been threatened by Liverpool fans over injury inflicted on Virgil Van Dijk

FIFA insisted yesterday it is not aware of any agreement for Barcelona to join a European Super League.

Outgoing Barca President Josep Maria Bartomeu said the club had begun proceedings as he announced his resignation on Tuesday.

Bartomeu stepped down, along with the entire board of directors, after facing increasing pressure from fans.

Last week, BBC Sport revealed talks have taken placeover the creation of a new £4.6bn European Premier League.

It would involve the top sides from across the continent, although discussions are at an early stage.

In a statement, FIFA football’s world governing body - said: “FIFA is not aware of any agreement.

“As we already said last

week, the topic of a so-called “European Super League” comes up every now and then and Fifa has no wish to comment further on this since there are already well-established football institutional structures to deal with it.”

Thursday, October 29, 2020

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N250

MISSILE Victor Oninye to Onitsha Protesters

“Miscreants, hoodlums, gutter snippers, loafers, charlatans, nitwits and nincompoops besieged the statue, hung a used tyre on his neck, poured petrol and set it on fire. They decapitated his hand and went away with his title staff. That was the height of ingratitude by the bastards who are ignorant of history” – A relation of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, who witnessed the vandalisation of his statue by protesters who accused him (Zik) of being behind a united Nigeria .

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

Lekki and the Blood-Stained Flag I

n concluding my column last Thursday, I urged President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation in view of the EndSARS protests that had been hijacked by opportunistic criminals and the shooting of protesters two days earlier at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos. I was therefore elated when I received the Villa statement that the president would indeed address the nation that day. Before that notice came, the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, had alerted Nigerians of a pending intervention from the highest political authority in the country. “The president himself, I have just left his office, is going to deal with these issues in a specific manner apart from what has just taken place in council” said Monguno who added: “I believe in the next couple of hours, Mr President will come up with certain solutions that will be agreeable to the entire federation.”

What this suggested was that the president had been fully briefed on events and the military and security chiefs must also have counselled him on an appropriate response. In a Twitter post the night before, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had expressed grief and regret, especially on the Lekki shooting, in a manner that reflected public mood. So my expectation was that the president would show empathy for those across the country who were injured or lost their lives, present the exact narrative of what happened in Lekki and efforts to bring the culprits to justice, propose timelines for the promised police reform and arraignment of the 35 SARS operatives indicted more than a year ago by his own committee, read the riot act to criminals who had hijacked the peaceful protests, and offer hope and comfort for a nation in distress.

Instructively, in the first line of his broadcast, the president admitted that it became necessary “having heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the security chiefs.” But if the counsel he received was what the president reflected in his speech, it left many of his admirers shocked. For sure, he was not well served. Deliberately avoiding to speak about Lekki was a major blunder.

It is also typical. For months following the December 2015 killings in Zaria of the Shiite Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) members by soldiers, the president also refused to talk about the tragedy we later learnt claimed no fewer than 347 lives, including women and children. Then, as now, all manner of excuses were invented for him by his aides. In the end, the president outsourced his responsibility on the issue to the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir elRufai, who has no control over the military. The same thing is now happening with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.

In last Thursday’s national broadcast, the president addressed the law and order component of the challenge we now face.

It could not have been an accident that in addition to setting afire the property of political leaders in Lagos and looting food centres across the country, the hoodlums targeted prison facilities to release criminals into the society, razed police stations and killed their personnel. After letting loose no fewer than 1,993 inmates at two correctional centres in Edo State, hoodlums attacked the Okitipupa correctional

Buhari facility in Ondo State where an unspecified number of prisoners were also set free. The Ikoyi custodian centre in Lagos was torched, although security agents prevented a jailbreak.

A warder was killed at the Warri correctional centre in Delta State in another attack. The assault on Afara Umuahia correctional centre in Abia State was foiled by the army and police. What the foregoing reveals is that while our young people were organizing their civil protests with a leadership that has proved to be accountable (as demonstrated by statements from the Feminist Coalition during and after the protests), other forces were also working to take advantage.

It was therefore appropriate for the president to sound the right note of warning to these criminal elements. But his refusal to address the hearts and minds component of this crisis is where I take issue. And nothing exemplifies this more than what happened at the Lekki

We have described those who have gone on looting sprees as hoodlums.

But if the hordes of people (men, women, children, including security personnel) who have engaged in maniacal looting across the country are all hoodlums, then something is terribly wrong with the soul of our country

tollgate on the night of 20th October. Tuesday’s statement by the army was a clear after-thought which raises several questions. Besides, it merely echoed what is fast becoming the official line on this tragedy. Even before the army came up with their statement, I had been told by people in government that ‘the so-called Lekki massacre is all propaganda and fake news’.

Given the fictitious stories being peddled by some people, ostensibly to discredit a government they oppose, there may indeed be a dispute about the number of protesters that died and/or were wounded at Lekki tollgate.

But to say there was no shooting by soldiers is as ludicrous as the counter-accusation that it was government that released miscreants to the streets to cause havoc across the country.

If there was any doubt about the shooting of protesters by soldiers, they have been dispelled

by Governor Sanwo-Olu in his interaction with CNN’s Becky Anderson on Monday. “From the footage that we could see, it seems to be…there would be men in military uniform, who should be Nigerian Army or something,” said Sanwo-Olu. Pressed further by Anderson, the governor admitted, “Yes, they were there.

That’s what the footage shows.”

Now that we are learning that governors can order deployment of military troops, silence cannot be an appropriate response to the Lekki tollgate incident that has dominated both local and international media reports and brought our nation to disrepute. Nor can the president rely solely on information supplied by a military that is complicit. With the manner in which this tragedy has been handled, we need a public enquiry. Afterall, it was only in the course of such exercise that the gory details of how 347 corpses were given mass burial in a single grave on the night of 14th December 2015 emerged. Which is why the president must understand that this ‘espirit de corps’ response whenever soldiers misbehave--which we also witnessed many times under President Olusegun Obasanjo, another retired General--cannot advance the cause of our democracy.

I believe the federal government misses the import of this tragedy that has been grossly mismanaged. Regardless of whether or not protesters died at Lekki, something died. As my friend, Kingsley Omose, said last weekend, ‘massacre has already occurred in the hearts of many of our young people who would see the fruitlessness of unarmed civil disobedience to protest genuine grievances.’ No matter the outcome of any investigation into the Lekki incident, the scars of such a metaphorical massacre, as aptly described by Omose, are deeper than that of the physical ones inflicted by cudgels and guns. And they sometimes never heal.

That a blood-stained flag is being used to symbolize what happened at Lekki tollgate on the night of 20th October 2020 is a sad commentary on our country. The story behind it is that when soldiers arrived the scene, protesters took a knee, waved the Nigerian Flag and began singing the National Anthem.

The shots that reportedly followed stained the flag. In these days of alternative facts, nobody can be sure that exactly was what happened. But it really doesn’t matter. To feel safe and secure in your own country is a basic right. The EndSARS protests resulted from the

denial of those rights by agents of state. To be shot by soldiers (with or without a flag) while protesting is a stain on the conscience of any nation.

In his broadcast last week, President Buhari talked about Tradermoni, Farmermoni, Marketmoni and palliative measures targeted at young people at a time they were hurting very badly. It’s like going to the house of mourning and talking about house rent. This crisis of mission which has in the past five years manifested in acts that confirm habitual indifference, aloofness and arrogance is a burden for the president who should now be concerned about his legacy. At a time like this, the people need to see their president demonstrate that Nigerian lives in fact do matter to him. That is the beginning of accountability.

In 2017, presidential spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, wrote a piece while his principal was in the United Kingdom on medical leave titled ‘President Muhammadu Buhari and the descendants of Shimei’. Adesina likened the president to King David, easily one of the most important Bible characters; and his critics to “descendants of Shimei’’, a member of the family of the displaced King Saul who once publicly humiliated King David. A famous quote from the piece reads: “President Buhari has tolerated people who have called him all sorts of names in the past two years. If he didn’t move against them directly, he could have allowed many Abishais to move against them, ‘and take off their heads.’ But not our President, a reformed democrat, a pious man, who has resolved to leave the people suffused by hatred unto God.’’ Many were critical of the ‘take off their heads’ allusion which spoke to intolerance, but there were also Christians whose exceptions were anchored on the comparison between President Buhari and King David. I saw the piece in a different light. In my disquisition, I drew parallels between President Buhari and King David, before dwelling on their differences. I argued in my column that the president of a republic should see himself in the least of his citizens while their joy is his uplift and their sorrow his personal anguish. In a monarchy, the leader is king. He is above the people and sees gestures of empathy even in dire circumstances as condescension. “Nigerians elected a president to lead them in a republic but Buhari and his handlers have manipulated the presidency into a monarchy,” I wrote.

It is instructive that the same Biblical text I used to illustrate my point in that column, ‘Of President Buhari and King David’ was used by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, in his Monday piece on the Nigerian crisis titled ‘A Time for Heroes’. Welby, a personal friend of our president wrote: “The heroic leader knows that he or she is fallible, has feet of clay to some extent. They are self-aware, they know themselves. In consequence they appoint people who compensate for their weaknesses.”

And then Lord Welby added: “King David, in the rebellion of Absalom, took the advice of Joab (I Kings 19: 1-8). Honour matters to heroes but they are not proud about always being right for they have conquered the fear of letting others have credit or letting others advise.”

NOTE: Piece concluded on page 15

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja .

All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085, 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com