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Finally, Emirates Reinstates Nigeria/Dubai Route, Commences Flights Dec 5 Chinedu Eze After 10 months of suspending flight to Nigeria, Emirates has announced that it would resume passenger operations between Dubai and Nigeria from December 5, 2021.

In a statement yesterday,

the airline stated that Nigerian cities - Abuja and Lagos - would be served with daily flights from the day of resumption.

This is coming after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) removed Nigeria from countries that their passengers

would undergo Rapid PCR test four hours before boarding flights to Dubai. Nigeria’s government had in response lifted the ban on the airline from flying into Nigeria for abiding by the country’s COVID-19 protocol for departing Nigerian passengers

to Dubai.

“The world’s largest international airline will operate to and from its Nigerian gateways with daily flights, providing travellers from Nigeria convenient access to Dubai, which remains a highly popular holiday and

business destination.

“It’ll also enable travellers to safely connect via Dubai to the Emirates network of over 120 global destinations,” the airline stated.

The statement disclosed that Emirates would operate to Abuja with EK 785 and 786.

EK 785 would depart Dubai at 1100hrs, arriving in Abuja at 1540hrs. The return flight, EK 786 would take off from Abuja at 1900, arriving in Dubai at 0435hrs the next day.

Also, Emirates flight EK 783 Continued on page 10

Nembe Oil Spill: Leaking Wellhead to Be Contained in Few Days, Says Aiteo...page 40 Friday 3 December, 2021 Vol 26. No 9734. Price: N250

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Despite Emergency Oil Releases, Omicron Fears, OPEC Sticks to 400,000bpd Supply Hike Nigeria gets 1.683m bpd January quota Receives Dec. 17 deadline to submit compliance plan

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Despite concerns over the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, and recent emergency oil reserves releases by a United States-led coalition, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies known as OPEC+ yesterday resolved to stick with its current production

policy of 400,000 bpd monthly increases in January.

The decision came as a surprise to market watchers who were expecting the producers’ group to temporarily halt the July 2021 agreement to tame the expected oversupply from the first quarter of 2022, owing to the added threat of renewed Continued on page 10

LASU Students, Activist to Join Sanwo-Olu in ‘Lagos Peace Walk’ Segun James Students of the Lagos State University (LASU) yesterday expressed their readiness to participate in the ‘Lagos Peace Walk,’ proposed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to herald the healing of Lagos in the aftermath of last year's EndSARS protests in the state.

This is just as a rights activist and member of the

Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry over alleged police brutality, especially, the October 20, 2020 incident at the Lekki toll plaza, Mr. Segun Awosanya yesterday said he would join Sanwo-Olu in the proposed peace walk.

LASU students who came out in large numbers to welcome the governor Continued on page 10

How Indians Rule Global BUHARI ARRIVES DUBAI FOR EXPO 2020...

Muhammadu Buhari (left) and UAE Ambassador to Nigeria,Dr. Fahad Obaid Al Taffaq, as he arrives for the Expo 2020 Technology Companies... Page 6 President in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)... yesterday SUNDAY AGHAEZE

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Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322

PUTTING HEADS TOGETHER TO WOO POTENTIAL INVESTORS...

President Muhammadu Buhari (from right) receives briefing from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama; Nigerian Ambassador to UAE, Mohammed Dansanta Rimi; SUNDAY AGHAEZE NSA Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd) and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, in Dubai, UAE... yesterday

NCC Confirms MTN, Airtel, Mafab Communications for 3.5GHz Spectrum Fixes December 10 for mock auction Restates plan to launch 5G Network next year Emma Okonji in Lagos and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), yesterday confirmed that three telecoms operators submitted their Expression of Interest (EoI) to the commission to bid for the 3.5GHz spectrum licence, whose auction date has been fixed for December 13, 2021.

The NCC in a statement signed by its Director, Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, disclosed that it received their applications to bid for the spectrum.

Adinde also said the three bidders met all criteria, including the payment of the stipulated Intention to Bid Deposit (IBD) as outlined in the Information Memorandum (IM), which pegged the initial deposit at 10 per cent of the reserved bid price of $197.4 million (N75 billion).

He said the NCC had already fixed December 10 for a mandatory mock bidding, ahead of the main bidding process that will hold December 13, 2021.

The three bidders are MTN Nigeria Plc, Airtel Networks Limited and Mafab Communications Limited. All three bidders paid N7.5 billion each as non-refundable initial deposit, which is 10 per cent of the reserved bid price.

Although Mafab Communications is not known in the Nigerian telecoms space, THISDAY gathered that it is a new entrant and a strategic investor with a non-mobile licence that is investing in one of the small telecoms operators in Nigeria.

The NCC stated: “Consistent with its regulatory principle of open and transparent auction, the NCC has announced that three telecoms companies have qualified as approved bidders of the forthcoming 3.5 gigahertz (Ghz) spectrum auction for the deployment of Fifth generation (5G) networks in the country.

“The qualified bidders that have met the criteria for participation in the licensing process of 3.5Ghz spectrum,

including payment of the stipulated Intention to Bid Deposit (IBD) as outlined in the Information Memorandum (IM), are MTN Nigeria Plc, Mafab Communications Limited and Airtel Networks Limited.

“Consequently, the stage is now set for the three companies to participate in the main auction as well as in the mandatory Mock Auction process, which will come as a precursor to the main auction.”

The commission has also reaffirmed the dates for the conduct of both the mock auction and the main auction. The mock auction was scheduled to hold on Friday, December 10, 2021 at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, while the main auction will hold on Monday, December 13, 2021 at same venue and same time.

Meanwhile, the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management of the Nigerian NCC, Mr. Adeleke Adewolu, has expressed the commission's readiness to launch the 5G network in 2022.

Adewolu who made this known in his speech yesterday, at the agency stakeholders’ consultative forum held in Port Harcourt, stated that the recent engagement of the stakeholders was, "to formally commence efforts towards the launch of 5G networks,, next year.

He stressed that, "This would enable Nigerians enjoy cuttingedge technologies like Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud Computing; Quantum Computing, Virtual/ Augmented Reality, Artificial intelligence."

Speaking on the forum titled, "Talk to the Regulator," Adewolu said it was held at a crucial point in the evolution of the telecoms sector, not just in Nigeria, but globally.

He added: "The NCC is currently leading the industry to facilitate the rollout of broadband infrastructure so that Nigeria can achieve the target of 70 per cent broadband penetration to at least 90 per cent of the population by 2025 as articulated in the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP 2020-2025)."

Adewolu added that NCC

was assisting to put in place critical supporting infrastructure that would facilitate Nigeria's emergence as a truly digital economy.

"We are working with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to develop a comprehensive national citizens’ identity database on which every other sector of the economy which requires citizen identification can leverage," Adewolu disclosed.

However, in his keynote speech, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof.

Umar Danbatta, stated that the objective of the programme with the theme: "Improving

Stakeholders Satisfaction," was embedded in the NCC's Strategic Vision Plan (SVP 2021-2025)."

Danbatta listed the vision as, "Organisational renewal for operational efficiency and regulatory excellence, facilitate the provision of infrastructure for a digital economy which fosters national development."

Also, it “promotes fair competition, inclusive growth, increased investment and innovative services, and facilitate strategic collaboration and partnership."

Represented by Adewolu, the NCC Vice Chairman disclosed that such stakeholders’ gathering was earlier held in Kano for the

north and Lagos for the southwest, saying the Port Harcourt session was for the south-south and south-east regions.

He noted that the successes achieved by the industry were because the commission put stakeholders’ satisfaction at the centre of her activities.

He added, "To sustain past achievements and reach new heights, we need all our stakeholders, particularly our licensees, to be fully on board.

We need you to key into our programmes and to operate with maximum efficiency."

Also, in his remarks, the Director, Licencing and Authorisation Department,

NCC, Mr. Mohammed Babajika, stressed that despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and its resultant challenges, the Commission is further liberalising the Telecoms industry finalising the framework for Mobile Virtual Network Operator and currently reviewing existing regulations.

Some of the stakeholders that spoke with THISDAY at the forum were Doreen Ekeh, Retail manager for the Port Harcourt branch of Airtel Network and Emmanuel Aneke with Smile Network. They commended the NCC for its commitment to the industry.

S’Africa Mulls 10-year Visa for Nigerian Business Travellers Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe in Lagos In a bid to promote trade between Nigeria and South Africa, the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Thamsanqa Dennis Mseleku has advised more Nigerian businesses, especially financial institutions to expand their businesses to South Africa.

The envoy also disclosed that the South African consulate was working on issuing Nigerian business operators 10-year-visa to further foster business relationship between both countries.

Mseleku said this yesterday on ‘The Morning Show, a programme monitored on Arise

News, where he also noted that the bilateral agreements being signed by both countries would be fully implemented in the coming years.

He said: “Yes, Nigerian businesses are operating in South Africa, and this issue was raised in 2019 when President Buhari was in South Africa specifically referring to Access Bank and Air Peace.

Today Access bank has opened a bank in South Africa and is active and Air peace is flying to South Africa.

“So, the issue is that we must encourage more businesses that want to go to South Africa from Nigeria to do so particularly in the financial sector.”

He noted that some South

African companies in Nigeria were pulling out of the West African country, which he said was one of the reasons for the visit by South Africa’s president.

On the issues surrounding inaccessibility of visa to business personnel, he added: “For business people, we are agreeing and we would continue to implement longer term visas for them. We are now looking at actually ensuring they get up to 10 years of visa because we are improving the situation.

“We do agree that there is a challenge with relation turnaround time because of the capacities in our embassies and these are some of the issues discussed.”

On bilateral agreements

signed, he added: “There is this notion that we just meet each other, sign agreements and that is how we keep the friendships.

But these two presidents are very clear that it is not the kind of relationship they are looking for. They are going to supervise, work, and have joint reports on implementations because they are serious on getting things actually working.

“So, this time around, I promise you, in two years’ time when we see President Buhari in South Africa, we wouldn’t be saying was there half implementation or no implementation, I can promise that more of these agreements would have been implemented,” he added.

Airtel Africa Completes N61.24bn Shares Buyback Kayode Tokede Airtel Africa Plc yesterday announced the completion of a shareholding buyback on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX).

A buyback is the repurchase of a company’s own shares from investors.

The Group’s Company Secretary, Airtel Africa, Simon O’Hara, in a statement posted

on the NGX’s website put the total consideration for the 8.22 per cent minority shareholdings acquired under the buyback at N61 billion, which was equivalent to $147 million, using an exchange rate of N415.07/$1.

“Airtel Africa now holds 99.96 per cent ownership of its largest subsidiary,’’ it stated The telecommunication company had on October

4, stated it had initiated a process under which it sought to buy back the 8.27 per cent minority shareholdings at an offer price of N55.81 per share.

The company added that: “Assuming all minority shareholders decide to tender their shares, the total consideration is estimated to be N61.24billion (c$148.1million using an exchange rate of N413.38 /

USD). “This represents an open offer to all shareholders.”

Commenting on the transaction, the Managing Director, APT Securities and Funds Limited, Malam Garba Kurfi, said Airtel Africa bought the N61 billion worth of shares from its Nigeria, adding that, “the buyback does not have any business with Airtel Africa listed on the NGX.”

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BOSS AND HAMZAT AT SWSF...

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha (Left) and Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat at the Opening of Maiden Edition of the South West Secretaries to the State Governments Forum held in Ikeja, Lagos... yesterday

How Indians Rule Global Technology Companies Emma Okonji Analysts have described the recent surge in Nigeria’s technology sector as an indication that the West African country given the chance can become a force to reckon with.

Currently in Africa, Nigeria is one of the leading technology countries, even though it is still lagging behind India.

Statistics have shown that global technology companies are comfortable searching for Indian tech savvy experts to manage their technology companies.

Checks by THISDAY showed that the top five global technology companies, which included Twitter, Google, Microsoft, IBM and Adobe, have Indians as their chief executive officers (CEOs).

For instance, the current CEO of Twitter is Parag Agrawal, while Google CEO is Sundar Pichai. Similarly, Microsoft CEO

is Satya Nadella, while Adobe CEO is Shantanu Narayen, and IBM CEO is Arvind Krishna.

The five technology companies, no doubt, are the largest tech companies in the world, and they are all managed

by Indians as CEOs. Giving reasons why top technology companies are searching for tech savvy Indians to manage their companies, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, said the choice for Indians would not be farfetched.

According to him, Indian as a country, has the population and lots of human resources, especially in the field of technology.

Adebayo said: “So in terms of human capital, Indians have more human capital than other countries of the world. Although there are many variables that

must have informed the choice of Indians to manage top global technology companies, but one variable that stands out, is the fact that Indians have sufficient human capacity and digital skills in the area of technology and over time, we have seen Indians as a group of people that are technically creative and they do not believe in copying technology developed by others.

“They believe in their own technology and the government of India encourages indigenous technology that are developed

by Indians.”

He further described Indians as a people who are humble to the core and are willing to learn and adapt to any situation, which he said, remained another factor that must have helped the Indians to develop themselves with technology skills that have turned out to become a point of attraction to global technology companies.

Speaking on the implications of having Indians to head top global technology companies on cyber-security, the President of Information Security Society of Africa-Nigeria (ISSAN), Dr. David Isiavwe, ruled out any cyber-security implications of having Indians to manage top technology companies of the world. According to him, Indians had over time, developed their technology and the government has put a policy in place to export technology from India to other countries of the world and this has been ongoing for decades.

“The search for Indians to manage global technology companies is not accidental, because the Indian government had over the years, strategically put in place a deliberate policy to export indigenous technology from India to other countries of the world,” Isiavwe said.

Citing the case of Nigeria’s

Economic Cooperation, Key for Nigeria’s Development, Says EU Sunday Ehigiator The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Samuela Isopi has advised the federal government to develop a suitable investment framework as well as consultation mechanism with investors.

She also identified lack of liquidity in Nigeria’s foreign exchange market, unstable business environment and regulations as major challenges affecting investors in Nigeria.

Isopi stated this yesterday at the European Business Chambers (Eurocham) Nigeria Investment Conference, held in Lagos State.

She, however, applauded the ongoing construction of a new deep sea port at the Lagos Free Zone and reaffirmed support for European private sector in Nigeria and its commitment to Nigeria investment drive.

According to her, "We have seen through recent recovery initiatives and notably in the articulation of the Nigeria economic sustainability plan,

that much work remains to be done to create sufficient employment and a business environment that is attractive to entice new, diversified investment.

"I am personally strongly committed to strengthening bilateral ties between Nigeria and the European Union on trade and investments. In this context, one of the main task of the EU delegation, as an institution representing the 27 member-states, is to promote the opportunities, but also to address the concerns and the challenges faced by EU businesses, which hinder the development of trade and investments.

"In our consultation with the industry, one of the main concerns relate to predictability.

Companies need a stable environment in which they can conduct business, particularly with regard to the regulations affecting their operations.

“The introduction of new rules that apparently contradict existing practices or even simply being faced with a different interpretation of same rules,

has a profound impact on legitimate companies acting in good faith."

While noting that lack of liquidity in the foreign exchange market was also a major challenge to investors, she added: "Importing goods, whether as intermediary goods for manufacturing or finished articles for domestic consumption, they all need to be paid for. When a company is unable to source sufficient foreign exchange to complete the transaction, businesses suffer.”

As solution, she said a consultation mechanism, "bringing the administration together with the private sector, might contribute to identifying possible solution to easing the problem."

She said more predictability and consultation would resolve all the perceived obstacles, and could certainly mitigate some of the difficulties encountered.

"In addition, improvements to infrastructure, though costly, are necessary. The power sector is no exception. In the area of trade, the need for infrastructure that is fit for purpose evident and

the shortcomings at the ports and on the transport corridors are well documented, "she said.

Speaking on positives, Isopi applauded the ongoing construction of the new deepsea port being developed at the Lagos Free Zone area in Lagos State.

According to her, the project was a good example of publicprivate partnership, which, "will make significant difference to Nigeria's competitiveness.

Increased capacity and modern loading and unloading facility should lower cost and time for container movement, which in turn will have a positive impact on manufacturing and on the whole supply chain in Nigeria."

She equally pointed out that some of the difficulties encountered by European companies in Nigeria are not nationality-specific.

"Shipping costs and delays affect all economic operators, including Nigerians, without discrimination. The knock-on effect within the country is recognized; higher cost for manufactures, resulting in less competitive industries," she said.

medical experts, trained in Nigeria who are being searched for by the UK government to work in their health facilities in the UK, Isiavwe said Nigerian government had the same opportunity like the Indian government to develop the Nigerian health sector and make it a hub to train and export medical doctors to the UK and other parts of the country.

He said such initiative could have helped boost the foreign exchange capacity of Nigeria.

He said the Indian government saw the opportunity decades ago and maximised the opportunity by focusing on technology and creating the largest technology hub in the world in Bangalore in India, which had over time, produced the finest of tech experts and tech solutions that India export to other

countries of the world. He further explained that India has the biggest data centre in the world, from where they process technology transactions for multi-national organisations across the world, adding that Indians has long developed themselves technologically, hence global technology companies are searching for them to manage their technology companies.

Isiavwe said cyber-security could not be pointed at in one direction, because it is a global phenomenon that does not recognise colour or race, since it is about skills acquisition and technical know-how.

Isiavwe said the skills and technology to protect the cyberspace are available and that once they are applied, the right result would definitely be achieved.

Bridging Payments for Petrol Continues, Says Midstream/ Downstream Authority Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) yesterday said it would continue to process claims for bridging of petrol to ensure product availability nationwide.

Before the new commission, the defunct Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) was saddled with the job of administering the ‘bridging fund’ to ensure uniformity in petrol prices nationwide.

The Chief Executive of NMDPRA, Mr. Farouk Ahmed spoke in Abuja, when delegates from the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) paid him a courtesy visit.

Ahmed said the Authority was aware of the fact that the signing of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA, 2021), leading to the creation of the NMDPRA may have raised some uncertainty on the continuation of the bridging scheme.

He added that the issues included whether or not bridging funds would continue to be paid to beneficiaries.

He stressed further that NARTO as well as other

stakeholders should not panic because all verified bridging obligations will be honoured and paid by the Authority.

The National President, NARTO, Lawal Othman, had earlier informed the NMDPRA of the outstanding payments being owed its members by the federal government.

He expressed concern that some members were losing interest in the business of transporting petrol, which according to him, was no longer profitable.

To this end, he made an appeal for the upward review of the bridging funds on the pricing template.

He urged government to put in place policies that will not only address the current dwindling returns on investment but will in addition, stimulate investment in the transportation and logistics of petroleum products in the country.

Executive Director, Distributions System, Storage and Retail Infrastructure, NMDPRA, Mr. Ogbugo Ukoha, in his remarks, urged NARTO to ensure that it plays its part in ensuring petrol availability throughout the yuletide period, regardless of its current challenges.

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ARISE Fashion Week Brings Sparkle to Dubai, Holds Today Vanessa Obioha Dubai, the iconic Jewel City of the Middle East will be experiencing Nigerian fashion and music like no other as the ARISE Fashion Week (AFW) takes place today in the United Arab Emirates.

The one-night show which was set against the backdrop of the renowned Burj Khalifa would see the runway transform into a dazzling spectacle as top Nigerian fashion designers like Lisa Folawiyo, Huddaya, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi and Kenneth Ize showcase their dynamic creativity and innovative styles.

Grammy award winner Wizkid would also be bringing Afrobeat flavour to the show while long-time partner of ARISE Fashion Week, Naomi Campbell is expected to grace the event.

Tapping into the theme of the Expo 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future', the Dubai show was a continuation of the tradition of AFW which not only beams the spotlight on Nigerian and African fashion designers but projects the future

of Nigerian fashion. In the past 15 years, the runway has been to different parts of the world, birthing new and dynamic

at 1030hrs, arriving in Lagos at 1540hrs. The return flight EK 784 would depart Lagos at 1810hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0415hrs the next day.

The airline said all flights could be booked on its website with OTAs and via travel agents.

“Throughout the pandemic, Emirates has been helping its customers travel safely and confidently, implementing industry-leading health and safety measures at every point of the travel journey, helping communities reconnect faster and facilitating economic recovery.

“The airline has also been working hard to provide up to date, comprehensive travel information to its customers, as well as speeding up processes on the ground through digital verification for Covid-19 via the IATA Travel Pass, as well as touchless check-in and biometrics processing,” the airline stated.

designers who were under 30 with a one-of-a-kind competition that saw Ize walk away with a $100,000

cash prize.

This year's event is part of Nigeria's Day at the ongoing Expo 2020 and is

in collaboration with the Nigerian Pavilion and the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment.

Ehanire: FG Seeking Sustainable Funding Options for Health Sector WHO, UNICEF seek improved primary healthcare Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire yesterday said the federal government was currently pushing for a law on a mandatory health insurance scheme in Nigeria, as part of reforms as well as to revolutionising funding in the sector.

Ehanire said this in his address at a special session of the National Council on Health (NCH) meeting which held in Abuja.

This is just as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have stressed the need

F I N A L LY, E M I R AT E S R E I N STAT E S NIGERIA/DUBAI ROUTE, COMMENCES FLIGHTS DEC. 5 to Lagos would depart Dubai

talents as well as placing the continent as the global hub of fashion, arts and music.

Last year, it celebrated 30

It also said to ensure the safety of travellers, visitors, and the community, Covid-19 PCR tests are mandatory for all inbound passengers arriving to Dubai, including UAE citizens, residents and tourists, irrespective of the country they are coming from.

“Travellers coming from Nigeria must hold a negative Covid-19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 72 hours before departure.

“Additionally, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has specified designated laboratories for passengers departing Nigeria and travellers must obtain their certificate from one of the labs to be accepted on the flight. Travellers coming from Nigeria will also need to take another Covid-19 PCR test on arrival at Dubai International Airport.

“Passengers flying to Nigeria have to meet the requirements of their destination,” the airline stated.

to channel more funds towards the improvement of facilities at the various primary healthcare centres in the country.

Minister said the government was implementing an innovative digital health technology reforms and building a network of National Primary Health Care centers across the country to take healthcare delivery to the grassroots.

"We have come a long way in expectation of a law for mandatory health insurance in Nigeria, a critical health sector reform to revolutionise funding and undergoing innovative digital health technology reforms.

Side by side with this, is the network of National Primary

Health Care centers to take care to the grassroots," he said.

Ehanire said models of the new Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) designs had been sent to all state governors adding that each PHC would have staff quarters, assured water supply, solar powered aggregates and a sound complement of human resource for health.

He said that PHCs are the most important building blocks of the country's health system and should be prioritised by all states as the platform attain the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

With regard to the advent of the new Covid-19 variant -Omicron,

Ehanire said the country must have to strengthen its health security architecture to ensure that it was prepared at all times to detect and respond, in the interest of the health of the populace.

The minister said strong and resilient health systems remained the best lines of defence to pandemics and other health threats.

He also said vaccines remained the surest and most cost-effective measure to contain the pandemic so far.

Speaking on efforts and achievements of the current administration to reposition the health sector, Ehanire said the sector has benefited from the

several interventions undertaken to check the spread of the pandemic in the country.

He added that benefits from Covid-19 pandemic included the construction of a total of 50 oxygen plants by the federal government and Global Fund, as well as the importation of thousands of oxygen cylinders to make oxygen available to all hospitals, as well as the setting up of the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), an innovative care system that was intended to make medical services available at the site of medical emergency with a phone call.

LASU STUDENTS, ACTIVIST TO JOIN SANWO-OLU IN ‘LAGOS PEACE WALK’ said they have all resolved to participate in the ‘Walk for Peace’ with the governor for peace and prosperity of the state.

The students made their resolve on the matter known through their Student Union Government (SUG) President, Mr. Oladipupo Uthman Badmus, during the sitting of the Students Representatives Council, the legislative arms of the SUG. The sitting was the first council session to be held at the newly built students’ Arcade in the school, which was inaugurated

by Sanwo-Olu yesterday.

Speaking during the sitting, which was witnessed by Sanwo-Olu; the Vice Chancellor of LASU, Prof.

Ibiyemi Tunji-Bello; Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, and members of the institution's Governing Board, among others, Badmus and Speaker of the Students Representatives Council, Mustapha Adejuwon, who led students to welcome Sanwo-Olu, who is the Visitor to the institution, described him as a

youth-centric governor.

They commended the governor's giant strides in Lagos State, especially in the education sector.

"Mr. Governor, sir, it is what you signed up for but we are indebted to you. Be rest assured, whenever you walk, we will walk with you. We will be by your side. Whenever you run, we will run with you to the end," Badmus assured on behalf of LASU students.

Sanwo-Olu who had the first session with the Students Representatives Council, charged the students to join hands with the state government and LASU management for the institution to make it competitive among notable universities in the world.

Sanwo-Olu during the sitting announced a donation of two brand new big buses to the SUG to ease movement around the campus as well as other gadgets and equipment for students' use.

He said: "I want to tell you that we are in this journey together

and together, we will build the biggest university in the whole of Africa and it will compete with the greatest universities in the entire world.

"I feel highly honoured that all of you have turned out in large numbers to come and see the possibilities of what we can do collectively.

"This arcade will provide the right atmosphere for the leadership of the Student Union of LASU and opportunity for students’ management better relationship. It would provide an opportunity to engage with the wonderful youths in LASU, because this is also a building to develop the future leaders that are leaders here today."

On his part, Awosanya who is currently in London, said he would join Governor Sanwo-Olu for the Peace Walk if he is Nigeria at the time of the exercise, saying he is more concerned about a peaceful society.

"Because I am an advocate for peace, justice, equity and

fairness, I will walk with anybody who wants peace," Awosanya, popularly known as Segalink said during an interview on Channels Television.

Awosanya said the SanwoOlu-led administration was doing everything possible to ensure peace in Lagos, adding that the government should be encouraged for a peaceful society.

He said the decision of Lagos State Government based on its White Paper to accept 11 recommendations, reject one, accepted six with modifications and forwarded 14 to the Federal Government for consideration out of the 32 recommendations made by the Judicial Panel of Inquiry, was a good development that should be encouraged.

Awosanya said, "injustice is what we should insist must be corrected" and going by the White Paper released by the Lagos State Government, some of the issues raised in the report of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry have been addressed.

DESPITE EMERGENCY OIL RELEASES, OMICRON FEAR, OPEC STICKS TO 400,000BPD SUPPLY HIKE lockdown by some nations.

A number of analysts had expected the group to pause its monthly increase next month in light of the upcoming strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) release by key crude buyers and the recent emergence of Omicron, a potentially more transmissible Covid-19 strain.

In July, OPEC+ had agreed on a roadmap to restore all of the production it removed from the market in May last year in response to the Covid-19induced collapse in oil demand.

The roadmap entailed a 400,000bpd increase in the group's collective quota every month through to April next year, followed by a rise of 432,000 bpd each month until all of the original cut is unwound.

The increases must be rubberstamped at monthly ministerial meetings and can be paused for up to three months if market conditions warrant it.

The group also agreed to a six-month extension to the deadline for its compensation

scheme which imposes additional cuts for countries that produce above target to the end of June 2022.

In reaction, oil prices were largely bearish for the rest of the day. Specifically, Brent crude, Nigeria’s benchmark, was $1.21, or 1.7 per cent lower at $67.66 a barrel as of yesterday afternoon, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell $1.24, or 1.8 per cent, to $64.33.

Global oil prices have lost more than $10 a barrel since last Thursday, when news of Omicron first shook investors, but OPEC and its allies insisted on releasing more oil into the market next month in line with previous months.

Also weighing on the market was weekly US inventory data showing that US crude stocks fell less than expected last week, while petrol and distillate inventories rose much more than expected while demand weakened.

A statement released after

meeting stated: “The 23rd OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting (ONOMM), was held via videoconference, on Thursday December 2, 2021.

“The meeting reaffirmed the continued commitment of the participating countries in the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) to ensure a stable and balanced oil market.

“In view of current oil market fundamentals, the meeting resolved to reaffirm the decision of the 10th ONOMM on April 12, 2020 and further endorsed in subsequent meetings including the 19th ONOMM on July 18, 2021.

“It reconfirmed the production adjustment plan and the monthly production adjustment mechanism approved at the 19th ONOMM and the decision to adjust upward the monthly overall production by 0.4 mb/d for the month of January 2022.

“It agreed that the meeting shall remain in session pending further developments of the pandemic and continue to

monitor the market closely and make immediate adjustments if required.”

OPEC noted that it was extending the compensation period until the end of June 2022 as requested by some underperforming countries and requested that they submit their plans by December 17, 2021.

“Compensation plans should be submitted in accordance with the statement of the 15th ONOMM,” it added.

While reiterating the critical importance of adhering to full conformity and to the compensation mechanism, the organisation resolved to hold the 24th OPEC and non-OPEC ministerial meeting on January 4, 2022.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has received a production output allocation of 1.683 million bpd for January, in spite of its inability to meet previous quotas.

The country has been lagging in its capacity to produce enough as a result of ageing

upstream infrastructure, sabotage and oil theft as well as difficulty in restarting the oil wells that were shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic last year.

Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mallam Mele Kyari, recently assured that by the end of the year, Nigeria would be able to ramp up its production to at least 1.7 million bpd.

Despite the over 1.6 million bpd allocated to Nigeria in September and October, the country was only to supply 1.399 million bpd and 1.354 million barrels in the two separate months.

Kyari argued that although Nigeria has faltered in meeting its OPEC allocation, by the end of the year, the country may be able to hit 1.8 million bpd, excluding condensates.

“It's very obvious that by the close of the year, we will get back to the 1.7 barrels to 1.8 barrels per day of crude oil.

When I mention this figure, I am only talking about crude oil because we also produce condensates and when you combine, we can easily hit 2.0 million barrels by the end of the year,” he stressed.

The GMD reiterated that Nigeria was hugely impacted by its inability to restart the oil facilities after the Covid-19induced shutdowns, emphasising that with the fresh clarity around the fiscal environment with the introduction of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), more investments were being expected in the country’s oil and gas industry.

“The fact is very clear, during the covid-19 pandemic, we shut down some of these wells and they usually don't come back as early as we want them. Right now, we do have some challenges around the facilities and these are being taken care of. There's enormous work going on that will get us back before the end of the year,” he stated.

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COMMENT

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

RIDING AGAINST THE STORMY TIDE

Lagos State government’s white power on Justice Okuwobi’s panel report rides against the tide, writes Bolaji Adebiyi

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oming into office on the tide of a widely criticised and disputed election, Umaru Yar’Adua, may Allah forgive his sins, attempted to assuage the anger of the public. He admitted that his election was fraught with irregularities. He then set up a commission to suggest ways of reforming the nation’s electoral process in such a way that it would be transparent and credible. For the man who popularised the phrase, the rule of law, in Nigeria’s political landscape, the transparency and credibility being talked about must start with the composition of the commission.

So, Yar’Adua sourced respected jurist, Muhammed Uwais, who had retired as the chief justice of Nigeria, to head the commission, which he populated with leading social critics and human rights activists of the time, including Olisa Agbakoba, SAN. At the end of its assignment, the commission submitted its report to the president and made 100 or so far-reaching recommendations on how to clean up the electoral process.

A few months after, Yar’Adua made good his promise to look into the report and issue his government’s White Paper on time. The government accepted all but one of the recommendations. If the late president expected applause, he soon found out that his expectation was wholly misconceived. The 99 recommendations he accepted counted for nothing in the face of the sole advice that was rejected, the critics, including the social-critic members of the commission said.

The crooked stick that scattered the fire was the recommendation that the composition of the electoral body should be removed from the president’s control and vested in the National Judicial Council. They made the point that the independence of the electoral body would be enhanced if the appointment of its principal officers is made by a neutral body rather than the president who invariable would be an interested party during the election.

So deafening was the rejection of the White Paper by the dominant public opinion as reflected by the media that one would have thought that it was the entire recommendations of the commission that was rejected by the government. As far as they were concerned, the rejected proposal was the meat of the matter. The others were addendums.

Yet Yar’Adua, in his rabid desire for the transparency of the electoral process, was minded to accept the troublesome recommendation but for a strong objection by a small group, mostly lawyers, in his cabinet.

The group, three of them learned silk, had argued that it would amount to ceding an executive power and function to the judiciary.

Thirteen years after the Uwais Commission Report bedlam, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State, was fittingly inside Yar’Adua’s shoes. Last Tuesday, he laboured vigorously to explain to the people why they should unbelieve what they believed happened at Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020. One mischief-maker said the governor was covered with massive sweat despite the chilly ambience of his Lagos House abode where he delivered his state-wide broadcast on the White Paper on the Justice Doris Okuwobi Judicial Panel on Police Brutality

IT MUST HAVE BEEN A DIFFICULT JOB SPEAKING TO A PUBLIC YOU KNOW MAY NOT BELIEVE WHATEVER YOU SAY

report. His travail began in the middle of last month when the report was submitted to him by the chairperson who said she considered 186 of the 235 petitions the panel received, adding that N410million awards were made to 70 victims of police brutality. Promising a timely treatment of the matter to achieve an early closure of the sad events, the governor promised a White Paper within two weeks. Minutes after the reception, a part of the report which dealt with the alleged Lekki massacre was leaked and was all over social media. That portion of the report confirmed what dominant public opinion perceived had happened at LTG on October 20, 2020. It said there were nine deaths and four persons missing but presumed dead. It practically put the Lagos State government and Lai Mohammed, the loquacious minister of information and culture, who had always said the incident was a massacre without blood and body, on the defensive.

What followed was a deluge of emotive discourse in the media space with great efforts put in to discredit the report before the White Paper would be issued. Without a doubt, this discourse put the Lagos State government in a difficult position given that whatever it would say at the end of the day stood the danger of being dismissed as an afterthought. This was the background to Sanwo-Olu’s broadcast on his impending White Paper. It must have been a difficult job speaking to a public you know may not believe whatever you say.

Like Yar’Adua’s White Paper, Sanwo-Olu’s rejected only one, accepted 11, modified six and deflected 14 recommendations to the federal government on the ground that he has no power to act on them. Okuwobi’s total recommendations were 32. Expectedly, public reaction, divided as it is, has not been nice for Sanwo-Olu because the sole decision rides against the tide of dominant public perception of the October 20, 2020 incident at LTG. In his lengthy speech on Tuesday, the governor laboured to remind the people that the panel’s substantive brief was the complaints against police brutality and that the alleged massacre at LTG was an addendum, adding that he made no attempt to influence its outcome.

True. Of the 235 petitions, only 14 were on LTG. There were 99 bodies, only nine were traced to LTG by the panel. The government accepted only one body traced to LTG. So why all the fuss about LTG, he seems to have asked? Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, his attorney-general, made the same point severally on ARISE TV on Wednesday morning.

Responding to their apparent bewilderment, someone who had been at the presidency said Sanwo-Olu’s handling of the panel showed a shocking political naivety that were he a student in a corporal punishment environment, he would have been awarded 12 lashes of the cane on his bare buttocks by his teacher. Why? “You empanelled professional agitators to handle such a sensitive matter and you stood aloof? In which political environment is that done?” he replied.

Adebiyi, managing editor of THISDAY Newspapers, writes from bolaji.adebiyi@thisdaylive.com

NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISM: 50 YEARS ON Qasim Akinreti celebrates NIJ at 50

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ifty years is remarkable in the life of anyone, organisation or even a nation.

Instructively, the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, (NIJ) - Center of Excellence for media training in Africa is celebrating.

At inception in 1963, three Journalism training centers focusing mainly on the training of journalists and professionals (on the job) in the field of Journalism were established in Lagos, Kenya and Tanzania with the support of the International Press Institute (IPI), The Poynter Institute of Media Studies, St Petersburg Florida, United States, provided manpower support to the school. Dr Boye Ola (one of Nigeria’s Photo Journalists top notches) was there. Lekan Otunfodurin and myself, were Poynter alumni too. Today, both of us are part-time lecturers at NIJ. NIJ’s vision was clear - to be the leading and foremost Mass Communication and Journalism training Institution in Africa; “the Centre of Communication Excellence.”

Expectedly, the mission was apt, an institution dedicated to mass communication and journalism training and retraining through the use of all round curriculum and state of the art equipment in an environment conducive to critical thinking, learning, sound character, professionalism, ethical standard, research and productivity.

The school started with a Director, an expatriate.

Chief Dayo Duyile ended the era, obviously the longest serving head of the institution. I was a student during his administration from 1992 to 1993 as post -graduate student. My classmates include: Ladan Salihu, former DG NBC; Mrs Sherifat Ahmed, Director FRCN, Abuja National Station; Osa Director, Publisher and Lawyer; Tunde Ajibike , Director in the Ministry of Information, Oyo State and Dotun Adenijo, former Registrar, NIJ, among others.

Dr Elizabeth Ikem, arguably the first Ph.D holder to run the affairs of the school, brought panache

and change the nomenclature of NIJ from just a training school to a monotechnic. She broadened the recruitment drive for professionals and academics. In 2009, she sought permission from Voice of Nigeria Executive Director News, Mr. Okey Nwachukwu for my part time service to teach Online Journalism/ Multimedia /New Media. Dr Savage was instrumental to this offer after my presentation on Online Journalism at the post graduate class of Professor Ralph Akinfeleye at the University of Lagos Mass Communication Department.

Now, NIJ students after Higher National Diploma Certificate programme are entitled to go for the National Youth Service programme (NYSC). Mr. Gbemiga Ogunleye, Journalist and Lawyer added value to the products and services of the school. The rebranding project of NIJ started with him. Beaming with years of professional experience in the print and broadcast media from Punch to TVC, he set a towering standard which, Gbenga Adefaye, former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and currently Managing Editor / Editor-In-Chief Vanguard Newspapers has surpassed.

Gbemiga Ogunleye brought a remarkable private sector initiative to the school. Corporate organisations were brought with their assistance and technical support. Access Bank came with a brand-new generating set, the classrooms were fitted with air-conditioners and projectors for teaching. Just like Dr Elizabeth Ikem, Gbemiga Ogunleye was an administrator and a teacher in the school. He brought the National Communications Commission (NCC), and the US Embassy Public Affairs to install Computers, audio gadgets and Internet facilities.

Adefaye era is unique in all respects. He concluded the Radio Studio project- PEN RADIO. He secured the broadcast licence from the NBC. The Radio station is Online, real time presently. Now he is looking for a Radio Transmitter. He is currently talking to the international development partners

and media NGOs and has continued the rebranding process, an initiative started by Ogunleye. The Code of Ethics of the founding organisations of NIJ is the first impression that indeed you are in a Journalism School. You must be guided by the ethics of the profession. The NGE, NUJ, NIPR, APCON were conspicuously hung on the wall on the staircase. The school also has a functional website. The website was first built by Dr Elizabeth Ikem, with my inputs as Adjunct faculty - New Media. We trained NIJ students to update the website.

Assuredly, each provost, as well as full-time and part-time teachers are committed to the vision and mission statements. Industry experts are at the school to integrate theory with practice for the students.

Courses available at the school are print journalism, broadcast journalism, and public relations and advertising (PRAD). There are also special programmes on writing skills, editing, photo journalism and film productions.

Today, NIJ boosts of media industry stars in the public and private spheres. Mrs Abike Dabiri- Erewa, NTA (Diaspora Commission); Iyabo Wale – Eri, NTA; Mrs Sherifat Ahmed, Radio Nigeria Abuja National Station; Gbenga Onayiga, FRCN; Mrs Mary Atolagbe; Dr Qasim Akinreti of Voice of Nigeria; John Momoh; Ini Thompson of Channels TV; Mrs Olufunke Fadugba, Biola Aberuagba of Ray Power FM; Iyabo Ogunjuyigbe, Anike Ola Salako, Kafayat Adeola Orisile, Qasim Funmilayo, Funmi Omoboriowo, - Radio Lagos/ Eko FM; Jubril Folami, Aminat Elegusi, Busola Kukoyi, LTV; Karimat Salami, Saron Ijasan, Jeremiah Uzor, Producer Inside Lagos, TVC; Debo Osundun, News Agency of Nigeria.

In the print media, these names tower above others, Dr Olusanya Awosan, Public relations, Publisher, Nigerian Essence and former Special Assistant on Public Relations to President Jonathan; Mrs Dupe Gbadebo, former editor, Daily Times , Dapo Olorunyomi, of Premium Times Online, Bolaji

Adebiyi, Managing Editor, THISDAY Newspapers and Vice President West, Nigerian Guild of Editors; Lanre Arogundade, International Press Center; Otunba Tajudeen Abbas, Publisher Ekoblog.com, and late Ben Alaya of Sports Day Newspapers and Former Media Officer Super Eagles, among other notables.

The public service, security agencies, music celebrities, Nollywood industry and the corporate world are full of NIJ graduates. Sina Thorpe, Lanre Bajulaye, Dupe Ileyemi, Frank Ajayi, Mrs Ronke Famakinwa, Funmi Olabisi, Mr. Ganiyu Banuso, and Kayode Sutton, among others are senior public officials in Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy. Korede Bello, the young talented artiste and musician of “Godwin Song,” Yeni Kuti, of Felebration fame, the Nollywood Star, Njoku Ebeonu are gladiators in their own space. Those who ventured into other professions especially academic, such as Professor Ayandiji Daniel Aina, former Vice Chancellor, Caleb University and Dr Saeed Timehin of LASU, are giants and role models.

In the midst of celebrations are myriads of challenges facing the school- poor funding from the current owners of the school- Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO). Only the Nigerian Guild of Editors has shown the passion to pay subvention to the school. NIJ is financially struggling with paltry school fees. The Jakande building needs expansion, the classrooms are inadequate, lecturers do not have well deserve office for research and comfort. Since all satellite campuses have been closed, the pressure on the main campus in Lagos is enormous. There should be hostel facilities for teeming students outside Lagos. The off campus system is not too ideal for students.

Dr Akinreti, NIJ Alumnus (1992- 1993), is Deputy Director, Digital Media Voice of Nigeria and Former Chairman Nigeria Union Of Journalists, Lagos State Council

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EDITORIAL TRAGEDY ON KANO WATERWAY The authorities should enforce minimum standards for water transportation

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he death on Tuesday of dozens of villagers following a boat mishap in Bagwai local government area of Kano State should be another wake-up call regarding safety on our waterways. The boat, conveying 47 passengers, including school pupils, capsized with 29 persons reported dead while 13 others are yet to be accounted for. The school pupils were said to be on their way to participate in the Maulud celebration marking the birth of Prophet Mohammed.

Only seven persons were reportedly rescued while the remains of those that died had been deposited in a hospital. While we commiserate with the families of the deceased, we urge the Kano authorities to pay more attention to the plight of the affected communities.

While many Nigerians may not be paying attention, hardly a week passes without reports of a boat accident HALTING THE CONSTANT and often with heavy casualty AND NEEDLESS WASTE figures as people OF HUMAN LIVES ON tend to pile into OUR WATERWAYS WILL whatever waterENTAIL PUTTING IN PLACE craft happens to be ADEQUATE SAFETY going towards the direction they are MEASURES headed. This often necessitates overcrowding as very small wooden canoes carry passengers far beyond their capacity. Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who has set up a panel to investigate the cause of the Kano tragedy, confirmed that the boat “was ferrying about 50 people with some loads, which capsized because of overload.”

In Nigeria today, there is hardly any ferry, canoe or the so-called ‘flying boat’ that keeps to the exact passenger specification. In some instances, boats that were constructed to carry not more than 20 persons could be loaded with 50 or more passengers especially at peak periods

Letters to the Editor

when people are in a hurry to get back to their destinations. Consequently, when the canoe encounters stormy conditions along the water, the sheer weight of the human cargo and other luggage would make it easily susceptible to capsize.

Furthermore, the fact that there are no lifejackets on board is a sure guarantee that casualty figure is bound to be high.

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T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITOR WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGED ENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

side from overloading, another cause of these marine accidents is the fact that most of the boats are old and suffer from lack of proper maintenance. Perhaps more important is the obvious absence of enforcement of safety standards since not much is known about the existence of any mandatory operational guidelines for ownership of ferries and boats.

As we have repeatedly highlighted, water transportation could indeed be a source of decongesting the roads in Nigeria. However, there is an urgent need for the enforcement of operational standards for all ferry and canoe operators across the country’s waterways. There should also be regular inspection of these boats just like motor vehicles are inspected to detect dilapidated and rickety boats which constitute serious hazard to human lives. Provision of emergency services along the waterways is also worthy of consideration. The absence of such emergency agencies often contributes to the high casualty figures recorded when boat accidents occur.

It is even more disturbing that we have marine police in the country who always seem to be nowhere to be found in environs where water tragedies occur. If they are marine police, shouldn’t they be permanently stationed around waterways and swiftly swing to action when accidents occur by promptly rescuing victims?

Besides, the essence of Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is hardly felt. Halting the constant and needless waste of human lives on our waterways will entail putting in place adequate safety measures. The time for that is now!

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific 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.

BABASUWE: A GENIUS OF COMEDY

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f the three genres of Literature, drama is the most versatile, the most social and the most physically present of all artistic productivity. It being a composite interplay of literature, visual art, speech, movement and spectacle, for me, makes it the icing on the cake of the three genres of literature. Perhaps, in the process of drama creation, various social aspects of human history are contracted and expanded in artistic reflection and refraction. In so doing, pleasure and entertainment are guaranteed as a sole purpose.

Comedy is one of the subfields of drama which, according to modern notions, is to amuse. The classic conception of comedy, which began with Aristotle in ancient Greece of the 4th century BCE and persists through the present, holds that it is primarily concerned with humans as social beings, rather than as private persons, and that its function is to make correction and erupt laughter. The comic artist’s purpose is to hold a mirror up to society to reflect its follies and vices, in the hope that they will, as a result, be mended. The word comedy seems to be connected by derivation with the Greek verb meaning “to revel” (enjoy oneself in a lively and noisy way, especially with drinking and dancing).

Of all his contemporaries such as: Opebe, Lukuluku,

Ajirebi, Elesho, Aderupoko, Koledowo and so on, Babatunde Omidina otherwise known as Babasuwe aptly demonstrated what comedy truly is as explained by classic comedy scholars such as Aristotle, Aristophanes, Shakespeare, Moliere amongst others. Through skylarking and mischief, Babasuwe made his mark in theatre.

Like Richard Wagner’s concept of a Gesamtkunstwerk (Total Theatre): a total or unified work of art, in which all elements – music, voice, movement and spectacle – work together; Babasuwe was a total comedian. His diction, oculesics, body movements and vast knowledge of Yoruba proverbs that he corrupted and convoluted to suit his own narratives are a testament to his comedic brilliance. Little wonder Pablo Picasso, a legendary artist, said: “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist”.

Babasuwe professionally learnt the rules of comedy and he shaped it as he liked in order to give his audience hilarity as the end product: “awon ekute yi ti ya hulgans o, baagi ti mo Ko Ogun ekute si ni won tun nje’’ antithetical! See pure genius at work. Irony at its peak. If Babasuwe were a “Whiteman ‘’, he would be in the class of Michael Jackson.

I doubt if any thespian has so many nicknames as he had as his mischievous roles in movies conferred numerous nicknames on him from from Baba Suwe, Baba Cheeroke, Adimeru, Baba Londoner, Baba Thuraya,

Obelomo, Oyinlomo, Oko Safu, Maradona, Oluaye Marose, Jor Jor Jor, Omo na Bouncing, to Kosomona and so on. He was a true thespian and comedian. He brought so much laughter to tens of thousands of Nigerians and snatched them away from the hands of unhappiness through his many comedic roles that he played in “Yoruwood”. He was a class act.

In one of his numerous movies titled “Elebolo”, he remarked: “I am the one who confidently cremates the fowl before its owner. While the owner weeps, I grind the pepper for the chicken sauce.” He was an apostle of improvisation and spontaneity. Sadly, in this part of the world, we are used to neglecting heroes and talents like Babasuwe until they are gone before we start writing glowing tributes. It is time government looked into theatre, culture and tourism and give it the needed attention.

The reality of life is that we live to die. The words of Ian Lancaster Fleming— an English author, journalist and naval intelligence officer who is best known for his James Bond series of spy novels— “Death is forever. But so are diamonds” are both apt and soothing here. Death has claimed Baba Suwe’s life. But Adimeru, to us, is a diamond. He would forever be in our memories. May God forgive him of his iniquities and grant him a beautiful repose.

Folorunso Fatai Adisa, Abeokuta

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POLITICS

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

Why Buhari Must Reject IMF-World Bank Advisory on Increase in Petroleum Products Prices Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim warns President Muhammadu Buhari against any increase in the prices of petroleum products at a time like this, as it will be suicidal to the ruling All Progressives Congress

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e are again back to the debate of whether to increase the prices of petroleum products or not in what some people call

subsidy debate.

Expectedly, most political leaders and those who aspire or pretend to want to lead Nigeria in 2023, have all kept their mouths shut because it is politically risky to speak.

It is, however, not in my character to keep quiet on a matter so fundamental as this.

We were in this situation early in the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 when prices of petroleum products were suddenly increased without any consultation with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive Committee of which I was a vocal member.

Led by our Deputy National Chairman, Alhaji Iro Dan Musa, Harry Marshal (Vice Chairman South/South), Abubakar Magaji (Vice Chairman North Central), Emmanuel Ibeshi (National Publicity Secretary) and I (Deputy National Publicity Secretary) on behalf of ourselves and other NEC members, addressed a press conference and urged the President to reverse the price increase.

Workers led by Adams Oshiomhole were already on strike. And when the party spoke, President Obasanjo backed down.

As I was not afraid to ask Obasanjo to reverse himself 22 years ago, so I will be very upfront with Mr. President and leader of my party, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, He does not need to listen to IMF and World Bank on this particular matter.

Firstly, the possibility of spending a maximum of USD4 billion at current price levels on petroleum products over a 12-month period that Nigeria could earn about USD 30 billion from oil exports ((@60USD per barrel based on daily export estimates) is not the biggest headache in Nigeria finances, but expending about USD10 billion on debt servicing.

Debt servicing obligation is the biggest elephant in the room that IMF that functions most of the times, as agent of creditors to weak nations, does not want to talk about.

At best, the noise about “Petroleum subsidy” is diversionary.

Secondly, the size of what is called subsidy could have even been exaggerated as the value of crude allocated for domestic consumption (415,000 barrels per day) which is swapped, should stand to the credit of local petroleum product account after deduction of OPEX and average unit CAPEX costs.

When this particular sum is accounted for, the so-called “subsidy cost” will be relatively smaller than the costs bandied about.

This could just be refining costs per litre usually very marginal ,plus freight, insurance and other handling costs. The Natural Resources Governing Institute in a 2015 report, recommended what to do with the Domestic Crude Allocation (DCA) so we can have clarity on product accounting.

The arguments surrounding Petroleum pricing are not new. Since the regime of General Yakubu Gowon, which moved the price from 6 kobo to 8.45 kobo in 1973, prices of petroleum products have been increased periodically for about 30 times, even when local refineries were working.

It was only during Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s Government that petroleum products were never increased.

Any time oil price goes up in the international market, there is always a need to hike domestic price of products. Any time international oil price falls internationally, it is an occasion again to hike the domestic price of petroleum products because the value of the nation’s currency will fall.

Oil is a Strategic National Commodity for Nigeria as it is for all oil producing countries;

the policy surrounding it must be well thought out relative to other matters in the economy.

For instance, diesel and petrol are not just products that end up in the tanks of cars and

lorries for transportation. These products are the fuel for the tiny generator at the barber’s shops, tailor’s shops, the corn mills, rice mills, local clinics, hospitals, bakeries, small scale industries, telecommunications

Ajulo Faults Keyamo on EndSARS Tribunal Abuja-based lawyer, Dr. Kayode Ajulo counters the position of the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Chief Festus Keyamo (SAN) on the legality of tribunals of Inquiry by state governments to investigate the EndSARS protests

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watched with rude shock, the Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo, SAN’s comment on the legality of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by the Lagos State Government in response to the October 20 #Endsars protest at the Lekki Toll Gate. Quite surprisingly, during his televised interview on Sunday, the Learned Silk posited stridently, howbeit, erroneously that the Judicial Panel of inquiry set up by the Lagos State Government was illegal on the footing that the panel investigated federal officers.

As a prefatory, it is imperative to state that a careful look through the provisions of the second schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Tribunal of Inquiry is not one of the items in the Exclusive Legislative List or on the Concurrent List. Hence, same is a residual matter within the legislative competence of the state government.

This extant position of law was enunciated in the case of Fawehinmi v Babangida (2003) 3 NWLR (Pt. 808) 604 where the Apex Court held that: when it is remembered that the 1999 Constitution has made no provision for tribunals of Inquiry as did the 1963 Constitution in Item 39 of the Exclusive Legislative List and item 25 of the Concurrent List, it follows that, to repeat myself on the point, the power to make a general law for the establishment and regulation of tribunals of Inquiry in the form of the Tribunal of Inquiry Act, 1966 is now a residual power under the 1999 Constitution belonging to the States.

What is more, it is instructive to note that by virtue of Section 1 of the Tribunal of Inquiry Laws of various states, the state government has the power to constitute a Tribunal of Inquiry to inter alia inquire into the conduct of officers of the government.

Similarly, it is the law that a Police Offi-

cer/Military Officer in Nigeria is capable of enjoying a dual status. When he is complying with the directives of the governor of a state with respect to the maintaining and securing of public safety and public order within the state he is an agent of the state and not an agent of the Federal Government even though he is a servant of the Federal Government and the result of their investigation may result in a prosecution under the state laws. See the cases of Militat Administrator of Kwara State and Others V. Lafiagi (1998) 7 NWLR (PT. 557) 202, 213; Okoroma and Anor V. UBA and Ors (1998) LPELR-6405(CA).

The Lekki toll gate shooting was a crime committed against the law of Lagos State and under the Criminal Law of Lagos State, there is no immunity for soldiers and policemen.

-Ajulo is Principal Partner at Castle NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

facilities, banks etc.

Petrol and diesel are fuel for self generated power in Nigeria because Nigeria generates less than 5% of what it should be generating from the grid.As its energy from petrol and diesel is over 150 percent of grid costs.This already makes the energy costs of an average producer both in the formal and informal sector one of the highest in the world .Specifically the increase being recommended in PMS prices will affect informal sector more because PMS is the fuel for small generators.It will also hit the working class hard!

Petrol and diesel fuels 90% of economic activities in Nigeria. Any increase in the prices causes significant distortion in the economy and whatever gain to the treasury will be wiped off by the losses it will cause to the economy and the net balance will be negative.

You do not have to be a Havard trained economist to comprehend this simple analysis. Any time petroleum prices goes up, the people feel it everywhere around them immediately, and that is why anger and reactions to such increases are usually spontaneous.

In April 1988 when prices of products were increased by 2.5k from 37.5k, workers’ strikes broke out in Kano Jos and then Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ilorin, bank workers shut down the banks nationwide and then nurses went on strike, followed by street protests organised by students of tertiary institutions.

In 1994, the reactions to the whopping increase by the”technocratic” interim government of Ernest Shonekan swept that government out of power. The reactions to the increases in petroleum products prices under Jonathan’s Government are so fresh in the minds of most Nigerians that it is not worth elaborating upon.

In the 1980’s and 1990’s the Brethen woods institutions put weak third world countries under undue pressure on the management of their economies based on their national debts through ruinous advisories and conditionalities that are not applied on similarly indebted developed nations whenever they want to offer assistance. The US , the world most indebted country with a national debt of over 100% of her GDP does not get such advisory from the IMF. So, the difference is political power not economics.

Right now, most Western countries in the COVID era are printing money to subsidise their people. So, the conversations we should be having is how developing countries can also enjoy some concessions, not how to take any little support for the people away.

At the domestic level, we need a conversation on a national strategy for economic development, not on how to tinker with the price of petroleum product or value of the national currency which has been an unhelpful path we followed biannually since 1986.

Nigeria economic managers, especially those who have appropriated the titles of technocrats for themselves and their acolytes in the media and the market fundamentalists of the “Chicago school” need to demonstrate more creativity in their postulations than rehashing policies whose outcomes have been rounds of colossal failure after three decades of application in Nigeria.

-Olawepo-Hashim is a former Presidential Candidate and Lord Max Bellof Prize Winner in Global Affairs. He was also trained in International Petroleum Management in Boston Massachusetts, USA NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY DECEMBER 3, 2021

19

PERSPECTIVE

EPISTLES of ANTHONY KILA

Let Us Reform or Disband NYSC As Nigeria and South Africa’s Move for Continental Leadership The National Youths Service Corps, established

in 1973, will be 50 years in 2023, when a new Chido Nwangwu predicts the likely outcome of the government will come into power, Anthony Kila current visit of President Cyril Ramaphosa of South argues that the idea of governing Gen Z with rules Africa to four West African countries, including Nigeria and schemes invented in 1973 is simply ridiculous and destined to fail dent.

I

do know that South Africa’s President, Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, is not, currently, engaged in a siteseeing trip for West African traditional dances.

He’s not in West Africa to taste whose jollof rice is better….

As a strategic thinker, he envisions some opportunities from some of the challenges facing Nigeria. After all the pursuit, protection and promotion of the national interest of any serious country is not a sentimental activity.

Amidst COVID-19 ‘Omicron’ concerns, he has concluded his visit to the “Giant of Africa,” Nigeria; first of four-nation West Africa visit.

Ramaphosa is in Côte d’Ivoire on December 2 and 3, where he will address the opening session of the Africa Investment Forum.

He will be in Ghana from December 4 to 5; concluding in Senegal from December 6 to 7.

President since February 15, 2018, Ramaphosa came into limelight as a young and vibrant former trade union leader around the time Nelson Mandela was released from an isolated jail at South Africa’s Robben Island.

Without any doubt, Ramaphosa has been in the mainstream of the politics of national liberation and economic empowerment of the indigenous African populations and the so designated ‘colored’ peoples of South Africa.

It is important to note that he was the lead negotiator for Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress (ANC) during the transition from apartheid to the multi-ethnic democratic South Africa. He was one of the architects of the first election in April 1994 which led up to the emergence of Mandela as the first post-apartheid South Africa President.

Also, his influence grew in the 1990s from his being the leader and mastermind of what was — at the time — South Africa’s most powerful trade union, the National Union of Mine Workers (NUM).

Mandela privately indicated to his confidantes that Cyril would be a worthy, likely, future presi-

Apparently, Ramaphosa knew his time would come, much later, he chose to operate primarily within the lanes of financial and economic clout.

Regardless, he kept a very diligent focus on the activities and leadership dynamics of the African National Congress (ANC) — as chronicled in my 2022 book titled MLK, Mandela and Achebe: Power Leadership & Identity.

MLKMandelaAchebe.com On December 18, 2017, he was elected President of one of the oldest political parties and liberation movements in Africa. The rest, as they say, is history.

A few years afterwards, with a mix of valuable investments, expansion of opportunities for Blacks and strategic partnerships, Comrade Ramaphosa turned out to become a very successful and wealthy business executive. He has also served as chairman of the board of the information, telecommunications and financial services company, MTN; among others. USAfrica and USAfricaonline.com News Index 2021 on Ramaphosa indicate he is worth, at least R7 billion South African Rand (US $500 million).

Recall that on July 9, 2021, in my weekly column on this platform, I wrote a commentary titled “Zuma’s woes and waste of Mandela’s legacy.” It focused on what happened on July 7, 2021, whereby South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma — the 79-year old grandfather and (former) freedom fighter — handed himself to the police at a correctional services facility (prison).

Fact is that the failures of the ANC has been devastating; causing it to lose elections/seats which millions of people thought were ‘safe seats’ for the ANC. No; not anymore!

My point remains that It’s sad but true that some of the notorious financial criminals who are making living difficult for those deprived peoples of South Africa rose to power under the umbrella of the ANC, the countless abuse of the rights of both the citizens of South Africa and especially the seasonal violence and xenophobia visited upon other African residents and migrant workers in different parts of the richly blessed country.

Seriously, I think he wants to, realistically, enhance the clout of South Africa and optimize its position as an influential power player and potential leader across the continent. But he has to get his national domestic environment right, first.

-Dr. Nwangwu serves as Founder & Publisher of the first African-owned, U.S-based newspaper on the internet, USAfricaonline. com, USAfrica magazine

D

ear Readers As politicians and the media guide us to and through the maze of possibilities, permutations and speculations around 2023 as a prelude to new a beginning in Nigeria, here is an item for discussion and a proposed agenda for those planning to lead in 2023: Let us radically reform or disband the National Youths Service Corp (NYSC).

An aside, if you are over 50 years old today or younger but familiar with the history of Nigeria, I know what you are thinking and I can guess your facial expression seeing Kila writing about NYSC. Yes, I am laughing too so please feel free to enjoy your laughter.

The most obvious reason to reform or disband the NYSC is that of safety but that is a mere but crucial topical issue. The security situation in the country has muffled the sense of adventure in potential corps members and transformed the feel and aroma of NYSC into anxiety. Thus arrival of the NYSC call in Nigeria of today makes parents and guardians of young certified learned adults close to being called to join the NYSC pray and fast that their young ones are not sent to volatile areas of the country. To top up their fasting and praying, many Nigerians resolve to looking for who can influence their postings. Can you in knowledge and conscience blame them? The link between their anxiety and acts of nepotism and corruption does not need much explanation.

Let us remind ourselves, the NYSC is mandatory one year scheme for graduates who finish their tertiary education under the age of 30 years. A sort of conscription for graduates that was created in 1973 with a military decree as part of efforts to reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild Nigeria after the civil war. Part of its main aim was to be a vehicle that will foster development of common ties amongst the youths of Nigeria and to promote national unity. Decree No. 24 was the establishment decree.

Regardless of what you think of the NYSC, I think it is safe to argue that the profile, configuration and mode of operation of the organisation would be rather different if conceived under a democratic process and not as a response to a dramatic situation like war. Military decrees and all forms of executive orders are generally swift but rarely capable of taking account of sensibilities and sustainability. A democratic country should not be guided by decrees and civil society should as much as possible review laws and practices conceived under military and emergency duress.

At best, the idea of the NYSC is to give young graduates a chance to discover parts of the country, people and cultures of the country alien to them with the aim of making them more Nigerian. This seems laudable but after a closer look, a question pops up: why is it the business of the government to force young Nigerians to discover other parts of Nigeria? The mindset that conceives such idea is mindset that prioritises identity over functionality. It is a wrong and lazy way of thinking. Nigerians do not mistrust themselves because they do not know each other.

Nigerians mistrust themselves because those in power fail to provide enough services and opportunities for all but insist on rationing insufficient services and opportunities through nepotism, tribalism and other forms of favouritism at the detriment of merit.

Classroom is the place to learn about people, places and culture. If travel one

must, then let the national tourism industry grow. Let state governments focus on making their states attractive to the curious, needy and adventurous. Let the Federal Government make sure that the constitution reign supreme so that any Nigerian can be himself or herself within the provisions of the law in any part of Nigeria.

In practice, the NYSC is a very widely used means to substitute for large deficiencies of the country like teaching. It is shockingly amazing how we as a people fail to see the dangerous error in allowing youth corpers to teach in our classrooms instead of insisting on professionally trained teachers who are in the profession because they want to. I have an information for you: It was one thing to know Maths, Economics, Biology or Literature, it is another thing to how to teach it. The fact that we do not consider this simple fact is a grave indictment of our consideration for education and one of the strong reasons why our educational system is failing.

Times have changed and a lot has happened since May 1973 when the NYSC was invented. The easiest thing to do is to scrap the scheme. We have two years to think of what to do with it. By 2023 when a new government will come into power and the NYSC will be 50 years old, many of those billed to serve will probably be young adults born in 2000. We are talking generation Z here. The idea of governing Gen Z with rules and schemes invented in 1973 is simply ridiculous and destined to fail.

My fellow trained teachers know curriculums are currently being modified to suit Gen Z. There is no point saying they are spoilt, strange or overpampered, they are simply different. Evolution is real, we have the fortune of misfortune of dealing with a new breed of human species born into a digital and highly interconnected world.

Everything is optional for them. Coercion is an aberration they don’t get; sanctions and threats are concepts alien and empty to them. They are born to be motivated, incentivised and recognised.

The easiest thing to do is to scrap the scheme. We have two years to think of what to do with it. If we do not want to disband the NYSC here is an option: Let us make NYSC optional and specialised. Let it be a full voluntary military service that allows only those who want to join do so for one year and with that they get the option to, depending on their interest and ability, join the armed forces, custom, police and other security services as trained graduates.

-Prof. Kila is Centre Director at CIAPS Lagos.

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 3, 2021 •T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

21

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Email oriarehu.eromosele@thisdaylive.com

08056356325

D E C E M B E R

S & P INDEX

2 , 2 0 2 1

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OBB

9.00%

CALL

4%

INDEX LEVEL

564.02%

1/4 TO DATE

5.82%

N413.03/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

10.75%

1-MONTH

6%

1-DAY

–0.17%

YEAR TO DATE

– 15.85%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.19%

Airlines Strategise Amid Fears Harmattan May Disrupt Flight Operations During Yuletide

Chinedu Eze Domestic airline operators in Nigeria have expressed fears that their flight schedule might be disrupted by the harmattan weather, which becomes severe from late November to January every year.

The airlines noted that the harmattan was mild throughout the end of last year and early 2021.

However, they said this was a departure from the past and expressed hope that it would be similar experience this year.

In 2018, flight operations did not take place on December 21, 22 and 23; airlines had to reschedule their flights at huge cost and enormous discomfort to passengers.

Similarly, in 2019, there were disruptions but not as severe as the previous year and in 2020 besides few hours delays, harmattan did not disrupt flight like in the past years.

Speaking on the development, a spokesman for Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa, said airlines are optimistic that the authorities would provide the necessary facilities to stem the

effect of bad weather.

He stressed that if such facilities are not provided, flights would be disrupted, a situation, he stated, would be very bad for the airlines and the passengers.

“Passengers do not know the root cause of flight delays and even flight cancellations. They do not want to know if it is caused by weather they just blame the airlines. So if nothing is done, it means that we will go through the same experience as we do every year. That will not be good for flight operations,” he said.

The Director General of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Prof. Mansur Matazu, told THISDAY that harmattan may not be as severe this year and promised to keep updating the public on weather changes.

“You Know harmattan dust comes in cycles of four and six days,” he said.

A former Director General of NIMET, Dr. Anthony Anuforom, gave details of how harmattan could hamper flight operations and noted that no two seasons are the same

because the volume of rains every year cannot be the same.

“We are under the influence of harmattan because the North-Easterly wind from Niger and Chad carries dusty wind into Nigeria, which usually have higher impact in the northern region because of its proximity to the Sahel. It brings dust particles, which scatter light, obscure visibility. These particles are solid but suspended in the air. It blocks visibility and affects flight operation.

“It will be difficult to tell the frequency of severe dust activities

and climate variability. The amount of rainfall last year was not the same this year, so it varies from year to year. So there is annual variability and on the average there is dust which obstruct flight operations,” Anuforom said.

Industry experts told THISDAY that harmattan weather is not as severe as the winter in Europe; yet, flights still take off and land and attributed the inability of airlines to conduct flights during rainy Continued on page 22

81,000 Women, Girls Killed Globally in 2020, Says UNODC Report Ugo Aliogo A report by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has stated that globally 81,000 women and girls were killed in 2020, around 47,000 of them (58 per cent) died at the hands of an intimate partner or a family member, which equals to a woman or girl being killed every 11 minutes in their home.

The report, which was released on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against

Women, is based on data from 95 countries on gender-related killings of women and girls by intimate partners or family members.

The UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly said although eight out of 10 of all homicide victims are men or boys, women and girls are the primary victims of lethal violence at home in every part of the world, accounting for six out of 10 killings committed by intimate partners or other family members.

“UNODC research shows that the situation has not improved over the past decade, even in places where lethal violence has decreased overall. Urgent and targeted action is needed to empower and protect women and girls, to prevent gender-based violence and save lives,” he noted.

The report hinted that Africa remains the region with the highest rate of killings of women and girls by an intimate partner or a family member with 2.7 victims

per 100,000 inhabitants.

The report also stated that global data on the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on gender-related killings on women and girls remain patchy and inconclusive.

According to the report, “Between 2019 and 2020, the average annual number of these killings showed a slight increase in both Europe and the Americas, with differences in the various regions. These changes, however, were similar in size to previous

annual changes recorded in the past decade.

“The number of gender-related killings between 2019 and 2020 has increased in Western Europe by 11 per cent, while a slighter increase was recorded in Southern Europe with five per cent. In comparison, in Northern America the numbers have increased by eight per cent, in Central America by three per cent, while data from South America shows an increase of five per cent.

According to the research brief, the

numbers in Northern Europe have not changed during the examined period, while a slight decrease of minus five per cent could be noted in Eastern Europe.

“Monthly data on women and girls killed by intimate partners or family members received from 14 countries from different regions around the globe show high variability in trends across countries throughout the various waves of COVID-related mobility restrictions in 2020.”

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT T H U R S D AY, D E C E M B E R 2 , 2 0 2 1 FGN BONDS DESCRIPTION 9.091 FGNSB 11-DEC-2021 13.402 FGNSB 12-DEC-2021 7.144 FGNSB 15-JAN-2022 13.125 FGNSB 16-JAN-2022 16.39 27-JAN2022

Price

Yield

BILLS Change (%)

MATURITY

OTC FX F U T U R E S

Discount Yield

Change (%)

100.11

4.61

-0.02

NTB 13-Jan-22

3.69

3.71

0.00

100.24

4.58

-0.02

NTB 27-Jan-22

3.85

3.87

0.00

100.40

3.74

0.00

NTB 10-Feb-22

4.00

4.03

0.00

101.14

3.72

0.00

NTB 24-Feb-22

2.45

2.46

0.01

NTB 10-Mar-22

2.98

3.01

101.93

3.44

CONTRACT TENOR (MONTH) 1

Contract

Current Rate ($/₦)

NGUS DEC 29 2021 421.18

2

NGUS JAN 26 2022 422.61

3

NGUS FEB 23 2022 424.04

0.00

4

NGUS MAR 30 2022 425.46

-1.35

5

NGUS APR 27 2022 426.89

C Ps MATURITY

Discount Yield

Change (%)

CMBL CP XIV 6-DEC-21 MREP CP XXXVII 14-DEC-21 MTNN CP IV 17DEC-21 FDHC CP I 17DEC-21 PARP CP II 30DEC-21

6.92

6.93

-0.02

14.19

14.25 -0.02

7.83

7.86

-0.01

7.83

7.86

-0.01

5.90

5.93

-0.01

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

REWARD FOR EXCELLENCE…

L-R: Group Head, Quality Management Systems, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Oludunke Oluwafumilayo; President, Lagos Business School Alumni Association (LBSAA)/ Publisher, Businessday Newspaper, Frank Aigbogun; Director-General, SON, Mallam Farouk Salim; Dean, Lagos Business School (LBS), Prof. Chris Ogbechie; and Associate Dean, LBS, Prof. Yinka David-West, during the official presentation ceremony of Lagos Business School’s ISO 9001:2015 Certification by SON in Lagos... recently

Analysts: Solid Expansion in Business Drives PMI to 55 Index Points in November Kayode Tokede

Analysts at Stanbic IBTC Bank Nigeria has stated that Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) increased to 55 index points in November from 54.1 in October to signal a solid expansion in business conditions, bringing the sequence of growth to 17 months.

They expressed that the output and new orders rise at quicker rates in November, stating that there was robust increase in inventories “Inflation of output prices and purchase costs hit new highs,” analysts at Stanbic IBTC Bank Nigeria added in their latest report.

According to the PMI report

by Stanbic IBTC there was robust expansions in output and new orders that helped drive a pickup in growth in the Nigerian private sector in the month under review. .

The report stated that private sector performance was overshadowed by a record increase in overall costs amid ongoing global supply issues and unfavourable exchange rate movements.

According to the report: “Firms were nevertheless committed to raising their inventory holdings in a bid to protect against future shortages and price hikes. The headline figure derived from the survey is the PMI. Readings above 50 signal an improvement in business conditions on the previous month, while readings below 50.0

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji Aviation Editor Chinedu Eze Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafo (Energy) Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) Reporters Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy) Ugo Aliogo (Development)

show a deterioration.

“Central to the improvement was the joint-fastest rise in new orders for almost two years. Higher sales to both international and domestic markets, as well as greater client requirements underpinned growth.

“Subsequently, output increased for the twelfth month running and at a quicker pace. Sub-sector data revealed expansions across the board, although manufacturers

recorded by far the strongest increase. Wholesale & retail, agriculture and services followed, respectively.”

It added, “With workloads increasing, firms looked to fill vacant positions. Job creation has now been recorded in each of the last ten months, with the latest expansion only modest but above the average seen for 2021 so far. As a result, firms were able to keep

up with demand resulting in an eighteenth consecutive monthly decline in backlogs. The reduction was marked and amongst the steepest in the series history.

Improving vendor performance also helped keep backlogs at bay in November.

“Turning to prices, global supply shortages for a range of raw materials, unfavourable dollarnaira exchange rate movements and

increasing staff costs led to a record rate of overall input price inflation.

Firms chose to pass on a large part of the burden to clients, with selling price inflation also picking up to a fresh new series high.

“Despite rising cost pressures, firms continued buying activity and added to their inventory holdings as they sought to protect against future shortages. In fact, stocks of purchases rose at the fourth-most

marked rate in the series history.”

The report added that business sentiment remained positive in November, fuelled by plans to broaden product offerings.

“However, the degree of optimism moderated to a three-month low, and posted below the average for 2021 so far suggesting that longer- term concerns surrounding COVID-19 persist,” the report added.

Firm Loses N501m to Enugu Govt as Court Declares Arbitration Statute Barred A firm, Scientific Synergy Consult Limited has failed in its attempt to recover the sum of N501 million from the Enugu State Government, following the declaration by an Enugu State High Court that its arbitral proceeding has become statute barred.

The firm had commenced an arbitral proceeding seeking to enforce an alleged Retainer Agreement between it and the Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue.

The agreement borders on PAYE and Development levies audit of the University of Nigeria Nsukka for the years 2006- 2008; wherein

the firm claimed it recovered the sum of N2.5 billion on behalf of the Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue.

Displeased with the arbitral proceedings, the Enugu State Government (through its Attorney General) and the Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue approached the Enugu State High Court for a declaration that there was no valid and enforceable contract between the Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue and Scientific Synergy Consult Limited.

The Suit marked: E/572/2020 has Scientific Synergy Consult

Limited and Chief James Akinola, as defendants.

In arguing the case of the plaintiffs, O. A. Okafor, urged the court to hold that there was no contract between Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue and the Scientific Synergy Consult Limited.

He added that even if there was an agreement, the action would have been statute barred by the time the defendant commenced arbitral proceedings.

In a counter to the suit, Scientific Synergy Consult Limited urged the court to declare that there was indeed a valid and enforceable contract

between it and the Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue.

It also prayed the court to make an order directing the Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue to pay over to it, the sum of N501,195,664.64k as commission for PAYE and Development levies audit of the University of Nigeria Nsukka for the years 2006- 2008, pursuant to an alleged Retainer Agreement between it and the Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue, in which it claimed to have recovered the sum of N2,505,978,323.22k on behalf of Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue.

In his judgment, Justice K. I. Okpe of the High Court of Enugu State agreed with the submissions of the Plaintiff’s Counsel and held that there was no valid and enforceable contract between the Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue and Scientific Synergy Consults Limited and that in any case, Synergy’s claim and resort to Arbitration was statute barred.

The court further held that Scientific Synergy Consult Limited failed to prove its Counterclaim as its own documents disproved rather than proved its case, consequently the court dismissed the counter claim.

Herconomy Raises $600,000 to Empower Women in Nigeria Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia Herconomy, Africa’s first women-focused digital platform has announced that it raised a pre-seed round of $600,000 for the empowerment of women in Nigeria.

In a statement, the Founder and CEO of the Herconomy, Mrs. Ifedayo Durosinmi-Etti stated that when the life of a

woman is positively impacted, value is created not just for that woman but for the community at large.

Durosinmi-Etti said: “This year, we unveiled the Herconomy Cooperative Multipurpose Society, which was described as a first step on the community’s mission to owning a female-focused bank here in Nigeria.

“To fund the expansion of Herconomy, the community embarked on its capital raising exercise. Very recently too, through the AGS Savings Challenge, over 500 women were able to save $100,000 cumulatively in 6 months.”

She continued that Herconomy, formerly AGS Tribe, has repositioned itself as a financial technology (Fintech) service

provider to democratise economic opportunities for women and even the financial landscape.

“We decided to rebrand this year to Herconomy so that the essence of what we do is easily communicated. 70% of the funding we received came from our community while the rest was from Venture Capitalists and Angel Investors. Due to the minimum floor of $20,000

investment, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) was created to onboard members with less than $20,000, “Durosinmi-Etti disclosed The Herconomy CEO concluded that such funds will be channeled towards hiring an in-house tech team, improving on their product, increasing their marketing efforts and expanding their operations.

AIRLINES STRATEGISE AMID FEARS HARMATTAN MAY DISRUPT FLIGHT OPERATIONS DURING YULETIDE season and harmattan period to the non-availability of the right landing aids and other aeronautical facilities.

They accused the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) of not improving its facilities from year –to- year, noting that whenever NAMA is able to install these modern facilities, harmattan would no more obstruct flight operations.

“NAMA installed Category 3 Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the Lagos and Abuja airports without the corresponding lighting system and other equipment

that should g with it,” disclosed industry stakeholder who spoke to THISDAY. Recently when asked when Nigeria airlines could be flying, taking off and landing under severe harmattan weather, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika told THISDAY that NAMA had acquired modern equipment that could enable airlines to fly under severe harmattan weather but the aircraft operated by the airlines ought to have corresponding equipment that would enable them interface with the modern

equipment.

“Recently we have acquired some equipment that will help in landing in reduced visibility. So, 13 airports are being equipped with Category 3 Instrument Landing System (ILS). Category 3 Instrument Landing System means that you can land with zero, zero visibility.

Meaning that even blindfolded, you can put down the airplane. But you see on this, during a conference with the air traffic controllers, I had highlighted more on this. It takes the two to tango. We will provide the equipment, but the airlines

also must train their pilots to be able to use that Category 3 ILS. “That is number one, number two, they also have to have inside the airplane corresponding equipment that can interpret the signals being sent by the ground equipment that we have installed on the ILS,” the Minister said.

The Minister said it would cost the airlines huge amount of money to install some of this equipment in their aircraft and this is why government is not making it compulsory for the airlines.

However, THISDAY gathered

that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has weather minima for every airport and that airlines with modern equipment had in the past requested from NCAA to operate flights to some airports when the visibility is below the weather minima but NCAA refused.

For example, Arik Air operated modern aircraft, Boeing 737-700 and 800 NG and these aircraft have installed equipment that enables then to land at zero visibility but NCAA never approved that they should utilise the equipment.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

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AIR WATCH

United Airlines Inaugurates Washington D.C-Lagos Nonstop Service Chinedu Eze United Airlines has inaugurated its new nonstop service between its hub at Washington Dulles International Airport and Murtala MuhammedInternational Airport with the arrival of the first flight into Lagos last Tuestday.

With three weekly flights, United is the first and only airline serving Washington, D.C. nonstop from Lagos.

The flight is operated with stateof-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring United’s awardwinning United PolarisSM business class cabin and United Premium PlusSM premium economy seats.

The new service marks United’s return to Nigeria, which the airline previously served up until 2016.

A water cannon salute marked the arrival of United flight UA612 with United’s Country Sales Manager Nigeria, Oluwatomi Bola-Sadipe, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Regional General Manager, Victoria Shin-Aba and US Consul General, Claire Pierangelowelcoming the first arriving United customers at Murtala MuhammedInternational Airport.

“This new flight from Lagos reinforces our ongoing commitment to growing our network in Africa and providing more convenient service to the destinations our customers want to fly to most,” said United’s Senior Vice President International Network Planning and Alliances, Patrick Quayle.

“This highly anticipated service will provide a key gateway between Lagos and Washington D.C., as well as easy one-stop connections to almost 80 destinations across the Americas, including Houston and Chicago.”

“This exciting initiative further expands our economic relationship, promotes people-to-people ties, and creates new opportunities for United, travel companies, and customers alike,” said US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard.

This new flight builds on United’s expansion into Africa and solidifies the airline’s leadership position from Africa to the US. Earlier this year, United launched new service between Johannesburg and New York/Newark and between Accra and Washington, D.C. This December and January, United will increase its Accra

service from three weekly flights to daily. United will also bring back its popular nonstop service between Cape Town and New York/Newark on 1 December 2021.

United’s new flights comply with each countries’ COVID-19 protocols and customers should check destination requirements before travelling.

United’s new service from Lagos to Washington D.C. is operated with Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring 28 United Polaris business class lie-flat seats, 21 United Premium Plus premium economy seats, 36 Economy PlusSM seats and 158 standard economy seats. This flight is the only service between Nigeria and the U.S. to offer a premium economy product.

The airline said the revolutionary design of the Dreamliner offers customers many features for increased comfort, such as large windows, spacious overhead storage and modern LED lighting to simulate a full day, helping passengers adjust their internal clock on the transatlantic flight. In addition, a lower cabin altitude, cleaner air and smoother ride help customers feel rested on arrival.

Qatar Airways to Launch Flights to Tashkent Next Year Qatar Airways has announced that it would add Tashkent, Uzbekistan to its global network with twice weekly flights. The first flight from Doha to Tashkent will take off on 17 January 2022, operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft, featuring 12 seats in Business Class and 120 seats in Economy Class.

The new service will enable passengers flying to and from Tashkent to enjoy seamless connectivity to over 140 destinations, including UAE, Saudi Arabia, India and the US, via Hamad International Airport in Doha.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We see tremendous growth potential in Central Asia and this new service to Tashkent will serve to boost trade opportunities and attract tourists wanting to discover this beautiful destination. Passengers from Tashkent will now have access to more than

140 destinations when travelling with the World’s Best Airline via the World’s Best Airport, Hamad International Airport.”

Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan lying at the core of the ancient Silk Road, will become Qatar Airways’ newest destination in 2022 and the latest addition to its network in Asia.

It is the largest city in Central Asia, offering visitors panoramic views, varied cuisine and plenty of places to see and discover.

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was announced as the ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2021 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering’ and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’. The airline

continues to stand alone at the top of the industry having now won the main prize for an unprecedented sixth time (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019 and now 2021). The airline’s hub, Hamad International Airport, was recently recognised as the ‘Best Airport in the World 2021’, by the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2021.

In addition to this, Qatar Airways has become the first global airline to achieve the prestigious 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating

by Skytrax.

This follows the success of Hamad International Airport (HIA) as the first airport in the Middle East and Asia to be awarded a Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating. These awards provide assurance to passengers across the world that the airline’s health and safety standards are subject to the highest possible standards of professional, independent scrutiny and assessment.

Arravo: Investment in Tech Will Help Organisations Achieve More Emma Okonji The Chief Executive Officer of Arravo, a Systems Integration Service Provider Company, Mr. Ayo Adegboye, has stressed the need for organisations to invest in technology and in their customers in order to remain relevant in business to provide customer satisfaction.

Adegboye who made the assertion in Lagos at a recent press conference to announce the award it received from the Nigeria Technology Innovation and Telecoms Award (NTITA), as the Best Systems Integration Service Provider of the Year, said Arravo had continued to remain in business, achieving so much because of its continued investment in technology and in its customers, a development, he added, led to the winning of the prestigious award.

According to Adegboye,

“Businesses generally had their challenges in the last 18 months due to the effect of COVID-19 pandemic.

The effect forced many businesses to go into recession and they could not survive it, while those business that survived it, are now struggling to remain in business. But in all of these, investment in the right technology solutions will help companies and organisations to survive well. We are now in the post-COVID era where businesses that earlier embraced technology are bouncing back to business and the work environment is fast picking up and gaining traction.”

Speaking about the award, Adegboye said: “The award is a reflection of dedication and efforts from the Arravo team. The award places us as first and above other systems integration service providers who are our competitors, which again is a reflection of our continued investments in solutions that address

customers’ business concerns.”

He said due diligence was carried out by the award organisers and the nominees were subjected to thorough selection process from the panel of judges before the public voting that saw Arravo emerged as the Best Systems Integration Service Provider of Year.

“This is the first award we are receiving since we changed our brand identity from BCX to Arravo, and we are proud of the award because of its integrity in judging award winners,” Adegboye further said.

Explaining how the award would impact Arravo’s customers, Adegboye said the award would further strengthen the trust that customers have in Arravo, having won the Best Systems Integration Service Provider of the Year Award.

The award will also spur us to do more for our customers in order to retain the trust that customers have established for Arravo.

Ibru Links Media Support to Growth of Tourism

Chinedu Eze Tourism is buoyed by air transport and media and for the sector to grow and contribute significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the media have to play a major role.

The Chairman, Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of Guardian Newspapers, Mrs. Maiden Alex Ibru made this known when she declared open the 17th Akwaaba African Travel Market on Monday at the Eko Hotel and Suits, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Mrs. Ibru explained that tourism creates and empowers people, disclosing that statistics by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) indicates that tourism was responsible for 238 million (8.8 per cent) jobs globally, $6.6 trillion (9.1 per cent) of the world GDP, $652 billion (4.5 per cent) of the global investment pre-pandemic.

She said these were staggering figures but noted that in sub-Sahara Africa, major players are few and countries are yet to maximise the opportunities offered by tourism, adding that due to heightened insurgency occasioned by Boko Haram, ISWAP including the COVID-19 pandemic people in the sub-region are yet to reap the full potential of the tourism industry.

Mrs. Ibru stressed the role of the media in addressing these significant strategic tensions to market tourism by creating compelling narratives about Africa, which remains the bastion of hope for the world.

She also urged the media to present factual, accurate and balanced accounts of health and security challenges relative to tourism advice to assist potential tourists make informed decisions.

“Highlight positive stories and images of tourism in Sub-Saharan Africa and Africa widely. Articulate the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which seeks to eliminate barriers across IntraAfrican trade. By extension heightening the potential scaling-up of direct and indirect employment across the continent”.

Mrs. Ibru says, to develop tourism industry, practitioners and managers must realize the media, newspapers, radio, TV and online are potent tools for mass mobilization, socialisation, integration, cultural promotion amongst others.

Speaking on the impact of COVID-19 on tourism, specially the new variant, Omacron, the organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market, Ambassador Ikechi Uko said that for almost two years COVID-19 has been with the world, the world has started adapting to it so a new variant would not be as devastating despite the knee-jack reaction of some countries that are banning air travel from other countries.

“I don’t think the impact of the new variant will be as bad as the first time. This is something we already know. We will give the scientists a week or two to find out how the new variant responds to the vaccine. They are stopping flights because they don’t know if it will overwhelm the vaccines. By the time the scientists find out how it responds to the vaccine, then we can know whether we are

home dry or we have another lockdown but it won’t be as bad as the first time. We will only be stricter with the PCR tests,” he said.

He also said that the new variant might not hamper people from travelling because people have stayed too long at home and are longing to travel.

“I don’t think this will stop people from travelling. People have stayed too long at home. This December, there will be a lot of travelling going on but what will happen is that the government will take precaution because they want to know if the Omicron is in your country. NCDC have said it has not yet been tracked in Nigeria. This is the initial crisis reaction but by next week, things will settle. People will still travel for Christmas like they did last year despite COVID-19.

On Akwaaba, Ambassador Uko said that this year’s Akwaaba is similar to 2014 “when we had the Ebola year. We had 80 percent cancellations and used 25 percent of the hall. This year we are using 50 percent of the hall, which means we have done better than we did in 2014. We have fewer groups coming outside the country. Akwaaba this year is happening but not like it used to be.

We have the youth panel and tour operators’ panel. We have about 20 exhibitors cutting across tourism and travel and foreign affairs.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Travel Lab, Mrs. Sharon Asuquo-Ankoh, commended the successful organisation of the 17th Akwaaba African Travel Market and noted that Africa is ready for tourism despite COVID-19 and its variant fears.

“Africa is one billion ready to buy. So, if you say you want to restrict African countries, you will be doing yourself more harm than good. We are a ready market and ready to buy. On the travel business the sales have not dropped but has even picked up. There is also the domestic aspect of this apart from the regional aspect. There are the West Africa sales, which have no visa, there are the domestic market, which is internal and there are the North Africa, East Africa and Southern Africa.

So, if we decide to break it down into sales, we can still do many countries in Africa.

Talking about Omacron, she said that the impact would not be much in Africa because Africa is blessed is blessed with good weather and food, adding that food has played a grest role in the healing process.

“The airlines are fully booked. When Kenya Airways resumed after lockdown, they came in with a smaller aircraft but we had advised them to get bigger equipment. With bigger equipment, they were still fully booked.

Air Peace came in with bigger equipment and IbomAir signed for 10 aircraft and this will run for domestic tourism. It is for us as travel consultants to begin to look around for newer destinations and look at the tech savvy generation. These people want something more exciting. So, it is just for us to look for destinations that provide those excitements that will ensure they have those experiences they want to have,” she said.

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EY: Despite Economic Recessions, Africa’s Services Sector Remain Attractive Eromosele Abiodun

Despite Africa continent recording its worse economic recessions in 50 years with s 50 per cent drop in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow, the broad services sector, including business services, telecoms, media and technology, financial services and consumer, attracted 72 per cent of Africa’s FDI, Ernst & Young (EY) has said EY in its Africa Attractiveness Report provides an in-depth analysis into foreign direct investment and economic progress in Africa.

According to EY, “The extractive sector—mining, oil and gas, on the other hand, accounted for only 4 per cent of FDI inflows in 2020.

This, in essence, does not mean that Africa is not still heavily reliant on commodities. This is one of the key findings as reveals in the Report, noting that FDI into Africa last year fell by 50 per cent, the hardest-hit region worldwide.

“This could be ascribed to its still largely resource-export dependent economies, which felt the impact of commodity price declines and rapidly decreasing demand, particularly from China, causing them to fall into recession, ”said Anthony Oputa, EY Regional Managing Partner for West Africa and EY Nigeria Country Leader.

The report further exposes that Africa’s overall GDP contracted by 2.4 per cent in 2020, “but this less than the 3.6 per cent contraction in the overall global GDP.” Oputa added that Africa, along with the rest of the world was significantly impacted by the

COVID-19 pandemic, causing lots of business disruption across industries and sectors.

“All hope is not lost, noting despite the drop in FDI, Africa is on the path to multi-speed recovery.

While Foreign Direct Investment fell sharply in 2020, this is only half the story. The share of FDI into services sectors is rising rapidly, which will support job creation over time, ”Oputa added.

“But investment flows are changing, and it is the services sector that is enticing the lion’s share. Environmental concerns are among the factors driving this shift. FDI is shifting away from extractive industries as an increased global focus on environmental sustainability requires a step change across the corporate world.

This addresses the green energy transition and related concerns that form part of the corporate embrace of ESGs—environmental, social and governance issue,” the report notes.

“Though extractives accounted for a considerable portion of inbound capital (31%) between 2016 and 2020, they rank low in comparison with both services and industry in project numbers (7%) and the share of jobs created (11%). Over the last five years, service-based sectors received the highest capital investment (45%, amounting to $158billion) of the three industry groups, created more jobs (55%, 400,000) and accounted for 69% of Africa’s FDI projects, ”It added.

EY’s Partner and Strategy and Transaction Lead, Olufemi Alabi said, “Africa’s economies

have been rapidly transforming through the first two decades of the new millennium, making them less dependent on extractive industries, as they aim to become more sustainable and competitive.

Investors are moving away from oil exploration and mining to ‘new age’ sectors, including ICT, retail and business services. This trend is likely to accelerate as energy investors are increasingly compelled to meet stringent zero net carbon

emission targets.”

Also, the report states that, across Africa, East Africa was most robust, with Tanzania and Ethiopia growing fastest in 2020.

But Southern Africa was greatly affected, with South Africa falling into a deep recession.

“In other emerging markets, well as the key mature regions, the Report also reveals that in Europe, it was (-23%) and North America (-19%). Only

Asia-Pacific’s decline was close (-43%). According to the Report, France was the largest investor into Africa in 2020, followed by US, the UK and China based on FDI project numbers. China had been the largest investor in 2018, but in capital investment, China still leads.

“On a FDI score basis, which is a combined measure of number of projects, jobs created, and capital invested, Southern Africa ranked

highest with an FDI score of 45.4, followed by North Africa (36.7), West Africa (32.6), indicating that in 2020 Southern Africa was the favoured FDI destinations, while the West region outpaced East Africa. On a country basis, South Africa had the highest FDI score of 31.1, followed by Morocco at 17.7 and Nigeria at 17.5, which were the top 3 FDI destination countries in 2020, “it added.

L-R: Co-Founder/Chief Visionary Officer, Information Security Management System (ISMS) Certification, Dr. Adewale Obadare; Chief Executive Officer, ARM Holding Company, Ms Jumoke Ogundare; and Chief Risk Officer, ARM Holding Company, Mr. Gozie PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT Alozieuwa, at the presentation of ISO 27001: 2013 to ARM Holding Company in Lagos... recently

‘Green Buildings Pay Study Reveals Nigerians Spend 196% Off for Investors, are of Monthly Income on Christmas Cheaper to Live in’ Omolabake Fasogbon

The Group CEO, Alpha Mead Development Company (AMDC), Mr. Femi Akintunde, has called on Nigerian real estate developers to embrace green building design and construction practices because they are good for the environment and make sound business sense.

Akintunde made the call recently, while sharing Alpha Mead’s experience as a green building pioneer at a cocktail event organised by IFC EDGE to celebrate early adopters of EDGE Certification in Nigeria.

The event which held in Lagos, had government leaders, housing development finance institutions, real estate developers, and a wide array of housing industry stakeholders in attendance.

Akintunde noted that although many think of climate change as something far away, the reality was that it poses a real and practical danger. He stressed that the Nigerian construction industry must embrace green buildings and sustainability as a strategic mitigation measure.

“We are all living witnesses to what we experienced in the last four to five years, especially in Lagos in terms of frequent flooding and heat. Per decade the global average temperature is increasing by point two degrees centigrade. The situation presents a real problem.

“Trust me; if we don’t all do something about this issue in our little ways in the construction industry, it’s going to get worse.

And we may all leave this world worse than we met it. And that is not going to be good for the coming generation,” he said.

Akintunde said although the overall goal of green buildings was to lessen the negative impact of

the construction industry on the environment, sustainable buildings also make sound business sense and deliver value to developers.

He noted that Alpha Mead was clear on building green’s ethical and business value when it decided to expand its operations from Facilities Management to include Real Estate Development while adding that its investment in building green is paying off.

“When we conceptualised our flagship real estate project, Lekki Pearl Estate, we were clear that we would build green. Our building design leverages innovative construction technology to build one house in twelve days.

“We plan to build 1000 over the next three years. I am pleased to note that the concept of green buildings, which we embraced, is paying off. We have realised that when we finish building and pass the message out, the first few units that we sell, those people living there, are the ones that end up selling the remaining units for us.

“The reason is that our EDGECertified green buildings are more comfortable than the conventionally built homes, the cost of living in them is significantly lower in terms of utilities such as water and energy. What that translates to when you look at the life cycle costs over ten to twenty years is that living in sustainable houses is far cheaper. You may pay more initially, but your long-term costs will be lower,” Akintunde added.

The Alpha Mead Group CEO urged Nigerian developers to embrace green buildings and EDGE certification because of the unique advantages to both the investors and the owners and tenants.

A new study by Cross-border Payment Company, WorldRemit has revealed that Nigerians spend not less than 196 per cent of their monthly income on Christmas celebration.

The multi-country study further revealed that Nigerians spends nearly one-fifth (16%) of their annual income on holiday.

The study analysed the true cost of Christmas in 14 countries, mining data to showcase the average costs of traditional Christmas meals, decorations and gifts.

The countries sampled included: United States of America, United Kingdom,

Canada, Australia, France and Philippines.

Others are; Mexico, India, Kenya, Lebanon, Rwanda, Cameroon, Uganda and Nigeria.

The findings revealed that like Nigeria, countries like Mexico, Lebanon, Philippines, Cameroon and Rwanda also spend 196 per cent of their monthly income on Christmas celebration.

Of the 14 countries observed, data showed that Rwandans are most impacted by the disparity between average household income and holiday costs, spending 708 per cent of their monthly income and nearly 60 per cent of their annual income on the holiday.

Filipinos on its part spend

257 per cent of their monthly income on holiday as the region begins Christmas celebrations in September, which extends till January of the New Year.

According to the study, this makes it challenging for many families to afford the basic costs of Christmas, adding that celebrating Christmas in countries like the Philippines, would be near impossible without remittances.

World Remit submits that over 244 million people are classified as immigrants around the world and account for large percentages of populations in countries like the United States (14.4, % of total population), UK (9%)Australia (30%)and Canada (21.5%).

It argued in a statement, “During the holidays, immigrants and overseas foreign workers are often unable to celebrate with their families in-person, and find themselves working to support not only themselves, but also their families and communities back home.

“Christmas is one of the primary reasons immigrants and migrants send money back to their home country. Because of the high cost of coveted seasonal items like food, and the overall impact COVID has had on supply chain and inflation, it is vital for remittance senders to be able to support those dearest to them by helping make Christmas a reality for their loved ones”

WACT Attains Major Safety Milestone APM Terminals West Africa Container Terminal Nigeria (WACT), Onne, has recorded a major safety milestone by attaining one million manhours with no Lost Time Injury (LTI) in its ongoing Phase Two terminal upgrade and expansion.

WACT recently launched a USD 110 million Phase Two upgrade. The upgrade covers the acquisition of three additional Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHCs) to bring the number of MHCs at the terminal to five; acquisition of 20 Rubber Tyre Gantry Cranes (RTGs); three Reach Stackers; 13 terminal

trucks and trailers, an empty container handler, deployment of reefer racks with 600 plugs capacity, as well as paving of the current yard and expansion by 13 hectares, new workshop and new terminal gate complex.

A no Lost Time Injury (LTI) means no employee or contractor sustained injury that resulted in the loss of productive work time.

Speaking at an event to mark the major safety milestone at the Onne Port, Rivers State on Friday, Senior Project Manager of WACT, Rutger ten-Thij, said, “We have our families at home and so everyone working on

the construction site needs to go home safely at the end of the day. One million hours is only a number. To implement the project safely at all levels is our main goal. We need to achieve the whole project without an LTI. It is not only a goal for the project team but also for the workers on site, their supervisors, the management team from Vita Constructions and the entire construction team. A high-rise building is coming up. Other safety issues will emerge. It will be challenging but I am confident that together with the contractors, we will achieve

that as well.”

Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer of WACT, Captain Prashant Baijal, said the achievement of one million man-hours without Lost Time Injury (LTI) was made possible by the “full collaboration between the project team and the construction contractor”. “At WACT, safety is our license to operate, and Vita Construction understands that very well.

Thank you to all the teams working night and day, the bar has been raised, let’s take it higher by ending the project without an LTI, ”Captain Baijal said.

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Customs Intercepts N12m Smuggled Diesel, Armoured Vehicle Eromosele Abiodun The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C’ (FOUC), has announced that it intercepted 32,500 litres of Automotive Gas Oil popularly known as diesel worth N12million.

Speaking at a press briefing in Owerri, the Customs Area Controller, FOU Zone ‘C’, Ali Ibrahim said the unit also seized an armoured Lexus LX570 jeep without End User Certificate.

According to him, other seized items include eight other vehicles worth N159million and 294 bags of foreign parboiled rice concealed with RC minerals worth N12million “The anti-smuggling arm of the unit seized items were 304 pieces of used tyres worth N4,560,000million, 657 jumbo bales of used clothing worth N131,400,000million and 32,500 litres of Automotive Gas Oil popularly known as Diesel concealed in 650 jumbo sacks worth N11,700,000million, “he said.

Ibrahim said that the seized

goods were intercepted along different routes which include the Umuikaa/Aba, Okada/Benin, Benin/Auchi and Enugu/Ubollo roads with seven suspects arrested.

He thanked the ComptrollerGeneral, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) for his logistics support to the Zone and pledged to justify the confidence reposed on him.

He further urged Nigerians to support the service in its advocacy against smuggling while warning smugglers to stay off the South-East and South-South geo-political zones, his areas of jurisdiction.

He also thanked men and officers of FOUC for their gallantry in the face of challenging assignments and restated his unwavering commitment to their welfare.

“We recorded this sterling feat between Oct. 14, 2021 when I took over as FOUC Comptroller and Nov. 13, 2021 largely due to the leadership style of the ComptrollerGeneral and the entire management team of the Service. We pledge to

continue justifying the incentives and logistics support we receive which includes a recent additional supply of 10 Toyota Hilux vehicles which are already being used in our

patrol and surveillance activities.

“We urge the general public to join the service in the advocacy against the peril of smuggling to the Nation’s economy. We also warn

economic saboteurs who will want to use this festive season for their nefarious activities to desist from such illegal business. No matter how surreptitious their activities

may be, this unit is more determined and committed to ensure unwavering implementation of the Government’s fiscal policy, “he said.

FOU ‘A’ Seizes N2.8bn Expired Drinks, Cannabis, Other Items ASR Provide N2.5bn Grant for Healthcare Support in Edo

L-R; PR Strategist, Wabi Nigeria, Adeniyi Ayuba; Head, Wabi2b, Chimezie Ugwuzie; Wabi Wholesaler, Mr. Bayo Adepoju and Country Manager, Wabi Nigeria, Mrs Omolara Adagunodo during the launch of Wabi2b,a platform for PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA wholesalers and retailers entrepreneurship in Lagos.. recently

Eromosele Abiodun

The Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said that it has within six weeks made seizures with duty paid value of N2,826,486,890, which includes 1009 cartons of expired drinks labeled in Chinese language uncovered in a Lagos warehouse, cannabis and other items.

The unit said it also arrested two prime suspects who masterminded the attack and killing of two customs officers in Ogun State recently.

Acting Controller of the unit, Deputy Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu who briefed journalists on anti smuggling activities of the unit in the last six weeks disclosed that he worked on credible intelligence indicating that contraband items were stored in a warehouse where the expired drinks were seized The unit according to him made the seizure to prevent unsuspecting Nigerians from consuming the products since it could be sold out during the yuletide period.

Ejibunu who conducted reporters round the government warehouse also displayed other seized items including,13,342 bags of 50kg smuggled parboiled rice; 3,696 pieces ;175 sacks of used shoes; 285 cartons of Basmati rice ; 464 cartons of Tomato paste and 694 bales of secondhand clothing, Other seizures include 5,413 cartons of Medicaments without NAFDAC Numbers or Certification; 907 kilograms of Indian hemp (Cannabis sativa); 1,224 cartons of frozen poultry products; 148 pieces of used compressor; 5x20ft containers of wood – rough and semiprocessed meant for export which causes deforestation in Nigeria and 2x40ft containers of charcoal – meant for export.

Also seized are 1,111 kegs of PMS at 25 litres each – meant to be smuggled to neigbhouring countries thereby creating artificial fuel scarcity in Nigeria; 177 kegs of vegetable oil at 25 litres each; 231 pieces of used tyres; 56 units of used fridges; 28 units of used motorcycles 59 vehicles used as means of conveyance Within the period, Ejibunu said the command made revenue from it’s intervention and will continually confront

smugglers proactively as yuletide approaches He said, “In recovery of lost revenues, the revenue generated within the period under review through our interventions is put at N 104,377,682.25. This period of the year usually has the tradition of springing high level smuggling activities all over the country with particular reference to South West Zone that I superintend.

“Being very much aware of the foregoing known facts, this Unit proactively marshaled out strategies to put the activities of smugglers in check. The application of these strategies, which for security reasons are not to be made public, provoked the avalanche of seizures showcased today.

“I must unequivocally state that the smugglers themselves keep devising new tactics to beat our operatives to it inclusive of readiness to eliminate officers.

We are never deterred by their antics. We remain committed to the mandate given to us by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) – Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and his Management.”

He added, “The tremendous support the Unit has enjoyed and is still enjoying cannot be overemphasized. Just 2 weeks ago, the CGC provided 16 new operational Hilux vehicles for the Unit; a Largesse that has never been enjoyed by the Unit.

Beside provision of operational vehicles, the CGC pays very close attention to the performance by the Unit, which has translated into always sending Letters of Commendation to the Unit.

“The aforementioned seizures are informed by sheer contravention of relevant extant laws and for purposes of public enlightenment, the Federal Government has since banned the importation of rice across land borders. Under Schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff, which covers Absolute Prohibition List of goods by importation, secondhand clothing falls on Item 17. Under Schedule 3,, which is Revised Import Prohibition List, Used tyre is under Item 16, Frozen Poultry Product is on Item 1, Vegetable Oil on Item 4 and unprocessed wood for export falls under Schedule 6 Item 4.”

The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) – brainchild of Industrialist, philanthropist and founder of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, has provided a grant of 2.5billion to the Edo State Government towards the equipping of the New Stella Obasanjo Hospital in Benin City currently being reconfigured, upgraded, and expanded to a 250-bed specialist hospital.

ASR in a statement said the donation makes Edo State the fourth state after Sokoto, Ogun and Kwara states to receive a 2.5billion grant from ASR Africa’s N10bn Tertiary Healthcare Systems Support Grants Scheme for 2021 drawn from the Annual ASR Africa $100million Fund for Social Development and Renewal.

Presenting the grants award letter to Governor Godwin Obaseki in Edo State, Ubon Udoh, Managing

Director, ASR Africa Initiative said the N2.5billion Healthcare grant to Edo State, was in fulfilment of the pledge made by the founder of ASR Africa, Alh. Abdul Samad Rabiu, in June 2021 when he specifically set aside N10billion for tertiary healthcare interventions in 4 states in Nigeria.

He further added that the N2.5billion grant, which will be put towards equipping the new Stella Obasanjo Hospital, will go a long way in raising the standard of care accessible in the region.

He also commended Governor Godwin Obaseki, for his commitment to healthcare development at all levels within the State.

After receiving the letter of award from Udoh, at the Government House in Benin City, the governor reiterated his administration’s com-

mitment to improving the healthcare system in the state.

“We are here to present to you a letter of award for a N2.5 billion grant for tertiary healthcare support system scheme to support the Stella Obasanjo Hospital. We are going to start by putting an initial deposit of N1.25billion in a joint account between ASR Africa and Edo State Government; I want to congratulate you and your team. We want to thank you for the commitment you’ve shown towards bettering the lives of your people and the quality of leadership you’ve shown and which we have seen. I want to assure you that this is the beginning of a partnership between ASR and the Edo State Government,” he said.

Governor Obaseki, whilst thanking the ASR Africa Initiative for the grant,

stated that his government decided to improve healthcare delivery in the state by renovating, improving, and upgrading the Stella Obasanjo Hospital to a 250-bed hospital. He also added that new buildings and services are being added to complement and support the existing complex.

According to Governor Obaseki, “We are very concerned about healthcare in Nigeria with the post-COVID-19 economy. We are determined to make Edo a healthcare hub in Nigeria. The healthcare system is really about the people.

Infrastructure is important. If you don’t have the people that are properly trained, then the equipment will just be fancy for tourism. Within the Edo axis, we can muster up to five thousand doctors in different specialisations.”

APM Terminals Apapa Recycles Used Tyres Into Pavement Blocks In furtherance of its contribution to reducing the harmful effects of industrial wastes on the environment, the management of APM Terminals Apapa has started using recycled tyres in pavement blocks for exterior flooring.

Studies have shown that recycling of tyres helps reduce the effects of harmful chemicals on the environment. Recycling also prevents tyres from becoming breeding grounds for disease-carrying pests like malaria mosquitoes.

The Terminal Manager of APM Terminals Apapa, Steen Knudsen, said that the company is running a trial with a recycling firm named Freetown Waste Management Recycle Limited to use pavement blocks made of recycled tyres, and potentially recycle own used

tyres with them in the future. After the trial, sustainability of the solution will be evaluated.

“With all the rolling equipment that we have, we are consuming a lot of tyres on an annual basis. We are at the moment running a trial where we use recycled compressed tyres turned into pavement blocks for paving different areas of the terminal where we have pedestrian traffic.

“It is quite an interesting project and the trial is in collaboration with a recycling facility located in Nigeria, Freetown Waste Management Recycle Limited, where we might send our own used tyres to in the future and get them back as pavement blocks, which we then use. The recycled tyres, now pavers, can be easily laid on concrete

floor, removed and recycled again in the future, which I think is quite nice,” Knudsen said.

He said so far 40 square metres of the pedestrian area of the terminal has been paved using the recycled tyres from the firm.

“The final goal is to have a total paved area of 580 square metres with recycled tyres turned pavers,” he said.

Knudsen reiterated the commitment of the management and staff of APM Terminals Apapa to a policy of “environmental excellence” with respect to the company’s business activities in its ongoing effort to remain “environmentally responsible”.

Recently, APM Terminals Apapa announced the replacement of singleuse plastic bottled water with refill

bottles and water dispensers, thereby eliminating an annual waste of 408,800 single-use plastic bottles at the terminal.

The Country Manager of APM Terminals Nigeria, Klaus Laursen, said the company takes its responsibility towards the environment “very serious”.

“We owe that to ourselves, we owe that to our kids, and we owe that to the future,” Laursen said.

APM Terminals Apapa is the largest container terminal in West Africa. With an investment of over USD438 million in equipment, the terminal has continued to introduce new innovations to help both shipping lines and landside customers achieve improved supply chain efficiency, flexibility and dependability in a cost-effective manner.

Ethiopia, Zambia Airlines Partner to Establish National Carrier

Ethiopia Airlines has announced that it has finalised preparations for the launch of Zambia’s National Carrier in a joint venture with Industrial Development Corporation Limited (IDC).

The airline in a statement said it has 45 per cent stake in the joint venture while Industrial Development Corporation Limited (IDC) retains 55 percent, the shareholders have contributed $30 million in capital towards the establishment of the airline.

The new Zambia Airways

(ZN) is to join African sky with its initial domestic flight from Lusaka to Ndola on December 1, 2021 and it will operate at a frequency of six and five times a week to Ndola and Livingstone, respectively.

Other domestic routes to Mfuwe and Solwezi will follow before introducing regional destinations, to Johannesburg and Harare, to its network within the first quarter of 2022.

Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam

remarked: “The strategic equity partnership in the launching of Zambia’s national carrier is part of our Vision 2025 multiple hub strategy in Africa.

“Ethiopian is committed to its growth plan in collaboration with African carriers and the new Zambia Airways will serve as a strong hub in Central and Southern Africa availing domestic, regional and eventually international air connectivity for passengers and cargo to the major destinations in the Middle

East, Europe and Asia, which will enhance the socioeconomic integration and tourism industry in Zambia and the region” Through its multiple hubs strategy in Africa, Ethiopian currently operates hubs in Lomé (Togo) with ASKY Airlines, Malawian in Lilongwe (Malawi), Tchadia in N’Djamena(Chad) and Ethiopian Mozambique in Maputo (Mozambique) while having the already acquired stakes in Guinea’s and Democratic Republic of Congo’s national carriers.

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 3, 2021 •T H I S D AY

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

NEWS METRO THISLIFE ART WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com 07010510430

Chief Charles Mba: Building

Affordable Homes for the Average Nigerian

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱ, 2021

28

COVER

Chief Charles Mba: Building Affordable Homes for the Average Nigerian Chief Charles Mba is the Chief Executive Officer of CDV Properties and Development Limited, a real estate development company. In this interview with Precious Ugwuzor, the real estate guru, who has undoubtedly carved a niche for himself as one of the biggest players in real estate sector in Nigeria by building affordable homes, shares the heart warming and exciting story of his life’s journey as he marks his 50th birthday How do you feel at 50? t is great to be 50. Fifty to me is a golden age. It is half time. Even in the Bible, 50 is golden. Attaining fifty means a lot of experience and a time that someone could say that he has reached enough and reasonable maturity in life. I feel great at 50. But at heart, I feel as if I am still 40 years. To me, I don’t feel I am 50. My birth certificate is 50 years but when I reason, I reason more than 50 years old but when I act, you see me act like 40. God granted me good health at 50, I don’t have any kind of underlining ailment. I have no issues. So, I feel great to be 50.

self-reliance, believe in our selves and believe in what we can do and not depend on people for arms, rather do it yourself. We learned to do it and always be the best at whatever we did.

So, that is the way we were taught while we were growing up. I imbibed it and till today it is working out . I believe I can do it once I remain focused and keep my eyes on the ball, I will achieve what I want to achieve.

My growing up experience molded me so well. Then more importantly the university I went to. We had good lecturers and a serene learning environment. We were taught very well and today the results are obvious.

As you turn 50, are you fulfilled?

I feel fulfilled as a person. I am so grateful to God, first of all; for keeping me alive till 50. I have lost some friends, even at the age of 40, they died. I have lost close friends who didn’t get to 50 but for me, the most precious thing God has done to me is keeping me alive and healthy to attain 50 years and I know He will continue keeping me to make 100 years. But at 50, I feel so fulfilled too. I have achieved a lot. I have done so well in my area of discipline even in other areas. God has been so kind to me and things have been working so perfectly well at 50.

You studied Microbiology and today you are in the real estate business. What motivated you to venture into real estate?* Basically, I like watching things grow. I like to watch things move from one point to the next point. I like playing with objects as a child. But I never knew I would end up in real estate development. I thought I would be a medical doctor. My intention was to study Medicine but as God would have it, I passionately ended up where I am today.

But I always had this building tendency in me , dismantling and rebuilding things, playing with objects and drawing different designs of homes even in sand as a child . It has always been my hobby. If I see something, I would want to dismantle it, I want to put it back and I want to build it myself. So that habit of building by myself prompted me into building as a profession.

The first house I did, I thought about it. I am passionate about building.

Basically, I was building the house to live and somebody came and said he is interested and asked me “Would you sell this house to me?” I said okay come on and I sold that house to him. Then I bought another land, started building again. You know when you are building to live, you put in all the best in the house and that is still my secret till today. Any house I am building, I build it as if I want to live there. I want to make sure I use the best of standard so that even if someone doesn’t buy it, I will be proud to own it . I can confidently tell you that this is my house and I will keep it for myself.

So from there on, we started building. We sold, we bought another land we built and before you know it, we kept going on and on.

I

What are some of the achievements?

The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively. So achievements generally could not necessarily be achievements in terms of material things.

There is a way I look at achievement; how many people have you impacted in life, how have you changed situations around you ? These are where and areas I call achievements. We have been able to give scholarships to different people especially the indigent people. We have been able to train people who are graduates today; fending for themselves. Some are employed in our establishment, working for us and earning a living.

These are civil engineers that went through reputable universities. We have been able to take care of people; the sick and the needy .

We have also been able to provide amenities for our community. We have been able to do roads. As we are speak, we are building a church. These are what I call achievements, not personal but helping people and the community. But in terms of growth, we have also done well.

We have grown our company CDV Property and Development Limited too. We have grown the company from scratch to where it is today. And by the grace of God, it is one of the outstanding building and real estate companies in Lagos. We have delivered a lot in the industry.

At 50, do you have any regrets in life?

There is nobody who doesn’t have. It may not be regret per say but not doing what one wants to do at the right time. The only thing which I call regret is that I would have studied Civil Engineering instead of studying Microbiology but still I have made up for that. I have employed the best civil engineers working with us. But I would have been so much fulfilled if I was a professional civil engineer. Apart from that, there is no regret as every other thing has been moving according to plans; every other thing has been strategically structured and working perfectly well.

If you are opportune, would you go back to school to study Civil Engineering?

Yes, I will do that and I will still do Architecture at the same time.

What was your happiest moment in life?

My happiest moment in life is when I am

Mba with my family. I love my family; both my immediate and extended families.

Whenever we are together, I feel so happy, blessed and so great when I watch them grow, play and do all sorts of activities. I feel happy and fulfilled.

How was your growing up like?

I was born on December 4, 1971 precisely. I was born in a town called Nsukka in Enugu State. It is a university community. That is the town that houses the University of Nigeria.

I had my primary school in Nsukka and also my secondary education at St. Theresa’s Secondary School, Nsukka.

Then I proceeded to the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka where I read Microbiology. Growing up in Nsukka was a lovely experience.

It is indeed a lovely place. It was a place that molded me to become who and what I am today. I am from Orba in Enugu State and our people naturally are down to heart people. We are very

resilient and quite forthright.

We are highly respectful, sincere and we were taught a lot of morals. We take things easy never in hurry to make money or do anything evil to achieve greatness.

We were taught that hard work leads to success and that was the way I grew up.

I was born in an average family with a civil servant father while my mother was a caring housewife. We have that basic home training of an average family where we had very close and tight family values.

We were all brought up with high discipline and we did everything together as a family. My parents weren’t that rich but they made us believe that there’s dignity in labour and that with determination we could be whatever we want to be.

We could achieve our dreams and that is why everybody in the family one way or the other is doing his or her best to the best of one’s ability and because we were trained to have that self-confidence,

You know when you are building to live, you put in all the best in the house and that is still my secret till today. Any house I am building, I build it as if I want to live there. I want to make sure I use the best of standard so that even if someone doesn’t buy it, I will be proud to own it

Can you share your major turning point in life and in the real estate business?

Basically, my turning point was when I moved from high profile building to a medium-income homes . Though we started well in building luxurious houses but when the economy of the country started nose-diving, we switched to building affordable homes that more people can acquire because the economy wasn’t good enough to support the market for luxurious homes anymore.

So, that was when we developed this idea of building terrace houses which are cheaper, affordable and less expensive for people to buy. And when you watch the population of the country and you watch the distribution of wealth, you would see that the people in the average class are more than the people that can afford luxury. So the market was huge in that average class. So when we switched to affordable terraces was the turning point for the company.

At 50, you are still looking very young, what could be the secret?

The secret of looking young and healthy is just to make sure you do all things with modesty . Always be happy with yourself and be happy with the people around you.

Don’t be envious of your friends, relations and more importantly eat healthily and do a bit of exercise. Make sure you take good care of your body. Go for your regular medical checkups and be at peace with yourself.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͱ, 2021

Kinglace Ice Cream Launches in Nigeria, To Create over 1,000 Jobs Stories by Mary Nnah Kinglace Ice Cream, produced by the oldest ice cream manufacturers in Russia, Iceberry and distributed by Wow Creamery, was officially launched in Lagos recently with plans to expand operations within the next five years.

Plans are that over 1000 jobs will be created as a result of the high demands it foresees in Nigeria.

Globally, the Iceberry brand have taken the lead in the production of ice cream by producing over 90,000 tons of ice cream per year, with a range of 250 products in Russia and exports to CIS countries, China and Africa, giving consumers a platform to experience the greatly admired Russian Ice cream.

Kinglace, which currently operates beside Burger King Nigeria on Ajose Adeogun, Victoria Island, Lagos, and would subsequently adapt this model in other outlets, plans to open 60 cafes over the next five years with plans to create over 1,000 jobs as a result of the demand it sees in Nigeria.

Speaking during the official

launch of Kinglace and Burger King Nigeria, Marketing Coordinator of Kinglace Ice cream, Buzugbe Victoria, said it was high time Nigerian consumers had real ice cream that is of the best quality and price.

Victoria seemed very excited about reviews of the products so far from the consumers, described as that ice cream with great texture, extra creamy and doesn’t melt so fast, adding that the consumers are also very excited about the various flavours and she can’t wait to include more offerings to the range of products they currently offer.

Group Managing Director, Wow Creamery Nigeria & Allied Food & Confectionery Services Limited, Franchisee of Burger King in Nigeria, Antoine Zammarieh, said the newly launched Kinglace Ice cream and Burger King Nigeria is a fruit of hard work, dedication and perseverance.

A shareholder, Roman Lola, explained its relationship with the iconic American brand, Burger King, noting that Iceberry is a shareholder of theAllied Food and Confectionary Services Limited, which are franchisees of Burger King in

L-R: Group Managing Director, Kinglace Ice-cream, Antoine Zammarieh (2nd from right), flanked by shareholders from left; Boris Zhukov, Anna Lola, Roman Lola and Alex Bartczak at the event Nigeria. “Our ice cream is quite good and affordable. When kids want to go for ice cream, they go with the family, so the family can enjoy burgers and ice cream. It brings synergy to both businesses”, he said.

He said the brand which has been working on starting operations in Nigeria for the last two years has so far invested several million dollars to set up operations in the country and its investment in the market in

the next couple of years will reach tens of millions of U.S dollars.

“We have a long history of making ice cream, Russian ice cream has been considered to be the best and I think Nigerians

will love it and appreciate it.”

Kinglace has a lot of varieties for consumers ranging from the 22 ice cream flavours to the delicious muffins, cookies, cake slices, Italian coffee and assorted teas.

Lions Club Sensitises Community on Diabetes Awareness, Early Detection Held in commemoration of the World Diabetes Day, 2021, the Lagos Ikoyi Lions Club recently embarked on a “Free Diabetes Awareness and Screening Exercise”, aimed at promoting early detection thereby encouraging the local community to be aware of the symptoms and side effects of diabetes.

The event which took place at the newly commissioned Anikantamo Public Health Centre, Adeniji Adele, Lagos, had a large turnout of members of the community who were all attended to one after the other.

Speaking on what informed the choice of the area in which

the exercise was carried out, President, Lagos Ikoyi Lions Club, Lion Abdulkarim Yusuf said the Executive Chairman of the Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Hon. Muibi Alade Folawiyo had approached the club to provide community service in line with the commissioning of the new health care centre in the community, adding, “we are grateful we responded to his request and here we are today”.

Yusuf, who noted further that over 250 persons were attended to during the exercise, advised Nigerians to watch what they eat, try as much as possible to

L-R: Chairperson of event, Stella Busari; Chairman, Lagos Island East CDA, Muibi Alade Folawiyo; President, Lagos Ikoyi Lions Club, Abdulkarim Yusuf; and Zonal Chairperson, Zone IA, Lions District 404A1, TPL Soledotun AbdulkarimYusuf during the awareness exercise eat healthy, live healthy and do more of exercises as well as

take good care of themselves generally. Chairperson for

the awareness event, Lion Stella Busari who said the club champions kindness in every community and therefore actively works to improve the lives of people, noted that Diabetes disease has reached an alarming proportion in the world, that it is now regarded as one of the major causes of deaths in the globe.

She noted, “A lot of us go about being diabetic without realising that we are time bombs waiting to explode.

“Diabetes does not drop from the sky into our body systems. It is caused by our attitude to the healthy nature of

the things we eat and drink and our careless attitude to visiting the health experts on time when we begin to feel that our bodies are not functioning properly”, she said further.

Busari lamented the lack of awareness on diabetes in today’s society adding further that Diabetes leads to the failure of many organs of the body like the heart, eyes, kidney and so on.

She therefore maintained that early detection of Diabetes “could save us from this scourge which should in fact be declared a pandemic by WHO”.

Rotary Club Donates African Music Fashion Runway Holds 7th Edition Library to School Rotary Club of Lagos Island recently commissioned a library in the loving memory of one its members, Late Mrs. Sushil. M. Chanrai, at the premises of the Government Senior College, Ikoyi.

The fully equipped library, which comes under the club’s #KA IWE service project was commissioned by the District Governor, D-9110, Rotn Remi Bello.

The facility, which is to promote reading culture in children and especially girls, was donated to Government Senior College, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the District Governor, Remi Bello, commended and congratulated RCLI for using their time and resources to improve the learning conditions and the continuous education of students of Government Senior College, Ikoyi.

He thanked the authorities of the school for giving Rotary the opportunity to execute the

library project.

“To improve on the reading attitude generally is very big work, that is why this club came up with the project they called “Ka-iwe”, which simply means read a book, so we need to encourage people to read it”, Bello noted.

He therefore encouraged the students to read more to become wise, adding, “you can actually touch the sky on the limit if you read more and more and then you become a great citizen of Nigeria”.

President of the club, Kamlesh Jain, said the initiative was borne out of the commitment to give back to the community and encourage reading culture, adding, “basic education is one of the ways we carry out our community project and this project aims at revitalising the reading culture among students.

Renovating and equipping this school library is one of our mandates to encourage reading”.

Organisers of the 7th edition of the annual Music Fashion Runway (MFR), a cultural showcase platform, are set to hold its 7th edition, tomorrow, Saturday, December 4, at Wheatbaker, Ikoyi, Lagos. Named Nigeria’s most influential fashion brand, MFR blends contemporary Pan Africa designers, international runway models, cutting edge fashion with live music excellence to delight its audience.

Funded and produced by

NMO Management Limited, this year’s edition will feature the Game Changer Africa Acknowledgement (GCAA), which platform programme at the MFR honours trailblazers and pioneers, recognising their significant contribution to the creative industry.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NMO Management, Ngozi Omambala, said this year’s MFR would incorporate a

youth empowerment initiative called Golden Break Through (GBT) auditions.

According to her, this initiative has been put in place to support breakthrough talents while the GBT auditions for MFR model search 2021 is to find two upcoming models that will be given the opportunity to kick start their modelling careers.

She noted further that this year`s edition will be streamed

live via Social media, as was done last year and it opened the pioneering music and fashion platform to a global audience.

The CEO noted further that the challenges and unprecedented nature of the 2020 pandemic is still apparent and therefore, this year’s hybrid edition strictly follows stipulated health protocols, adding, “our priority is to produce in a safe environment, the first-class event of live music excellence”.

FONDCUP Queen, Kasi Usani, to Spread Love, Kindness in Niger Delta Winner of the just 2021/2022 edition of the Face of the Niger Delta Pageant (FONDCUP), Kasi Usani is set to spread kindness, love and preach peace in the Niger Delta region as part of her pet project during her one year reign as the face of FONDCUP. Speaking during a press conference where she revealed her plans for the year, Usani who said the platform meant a lot to her, noted that it will help her achieve her dreams, one of which has always been

to help the young girls in the Niger Delta region.

Speaking on why she chose to spread love and kindness, she explained that the Niger Delta region has constantly experienced the issue of insecurity, due to certain unrest at various times and that she had the believe that once every individual is kind to one another, by showing love to one another, there would be peace in the various communities in the Niger Delta.

“So, once I preach kindness to

the people and they understand what kindness means and what it can bring to us as a region, there will be peace amongst us”, she noted.

Usani who said she will be sharing sanitary towels which, an act she described as her own act of kindness to the people of Niger Delta, added that her pet project as the FONDCUP Queen and Kindness Ambassador 2021/2022 is to spread kindness, preach peace and show love to the Niger Delta

people through enlightenment campaign, empowerment programmes and events that would also unite the Niger Delta people.

“Also, it has always been my dream to provide sanitary towels to young girls in the Niger Delta, especially those in the rural areas and slums who can`t afford sanitary towels.”

“I have tried to carry out research in my own little way and what I found was really overwhelming and heart-breaking.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͱ, 2021

E-TRENDS

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

…Your weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

It’s Fuji December with Bobo Omotayo Stories by Vanessa Obioha A new series of concerts showcasing the best of the Fuji genre is set for enjoyment across three venues in Lagos this month.

Broadly known as Fuji: A Opera, it introduces Fuji Vibrations, a platform for blending music styles, which allows fusion of the Fuji music genre with other genres of music or a blend of Fuji artists with themselves.

Curated by the well-known Public Relations expert Bobo Omotayo, who is increasingly carving a niche for himself as a show business impresario, this initiative aims to create a portal for exciting possibilities within the Fuji music genre. It also creates a platform for Fuji music to reach a wider audience.

Fuji Vibrations aims to take the Fuji music genre to fans by exploring locations and ambits in Lagos, where Fuji music has found residency. It promises exciting experiences that will display the month of December a Fuji December!

Here is what Fuji Vibrations is about, “Last year, we had a pop-up Fuji concert to commemorate the maiden edition of Fuji: A Opera. This year we are going full-throttle in our quest to position the Fuji music genre as the music for December in Lagos, Nigeria, with live music like you’ve never heard before”, says Tunde Ashafa, Executive Producer, Fuji: A Opera.

Fuji Vibrations is proudly supported by the Fuji Musician Association of Nigeria (FUMAN) and the Lagos State Government.

Fuji musician Saheed Osupa

Dubai’s DET Unveils D’banj as Official Artist of AfroZons Soundoff On the heels of his newly released album, ‘Stress Free (Chapter 1)’ Nigerian music superstar Dapo Oyebanjo, better known as D’banj has been unveiled as the official Afrobeat artist of the AfroZons Dubai Soundoff.

The announcement was made recently by Dubai’s Department for Economy and Tourism, DET formerly known as Dubai Tourism.

Scheduled for March 2022, Afrozons Dubai Soundoff serves as an avenue for Afrobeat lovers around the world to have a stress-free time while experiencing the greatness of Dubai. It is in line with the department’s mission to increase the awareness of Dubai among global audi-

D’banj (r) with Issam Kazim (l)

ences and to attract tourists and inward investment into the emirate.

“The AfroZons Dubai

Soundoff has received incredible feedback across all markets since its launch.

We are very proud of what

has been accomplished until this day and the partnership between DET, Dubai’s Department of Economy and

Tourism and our partner AfroZons has proven to be very successful,” said Chief Executive Officer of Dubai’s DET, Issam Kazim.

He also spoke loftily about having D’banj on board the project.

“We are excited to announce another milestone in the Soundoff, which is having D’banj join us as the lead musician for this incredible project. We are convinced that his energy and positive attitude are a great fit for our brand and that he will take this project to the next level. We are thankful to have D’banj aboard for this journey and we are certain that we can create an outstanding and memorable event together in Dubai early 2022.”

“I have always said content is the new crude oil and it takes people to create content,” added D’banj. “This is why I love what Dubai’s DET and AfroZons are doing here. After the global Covid-19 pandemic people and economies are trying to bounce back, stress-free. The AfroZons Dubai Soundoff drives that purpose by bringing people together in a stress-free environment. I am excited to be part of this project and look forward to the many ways we can make the Dubai Soundoff a massive success.”

AfroZons will feature celebrity radio hosts and will officially kick off on March 3 and run till March 9, 2022.

The Justice Court Wraps Production for Season 6 In Honour of ‘House of Gucci’, Jurio Lori Having aired over 90 episodes since its inception in January 2020, the reality TV program ‘The Justice Court’ (TJC), has entered the final stages of production for its sixth season.

An alternative dispute resolution (ADR) reality court presided by Judge Funmi Asaolu, TJC offers solutions over real-life small claims civil disputes that have a profound effect on society.

In one of its recordings, a plaintiff, Chinonso Osagie revealed her marital woes that culminated in her husband abandoning her for another woman. Fighting to steer her marriage back on track, she is presented with a doctored divorce letter stating that her marriage had been annulled. A former banker, Chinonso now fights the legal battle of not only saving herself

The Justice Court judge, Funmi Asaolu

but also securing the future of her children.

So far, the show has absorbed a substantial amount of referred cases from the customary court. According to the judge, the show aims to decongest traditional courts. It provides pro bono services to all its clients, and in special cases like

Chinonso’s, assists in its limited capacity. She also reiterated that the rulings are legally binding.

“We noticed the last case that was presided over, and we hear what the lady spoke about: she has been to several places, and right now, it is like ‘justice denied’ for her still. She is still in pain. It is because of people like her that we have ‘The Justice Court’ to make them feel humane, and realise that whatever challenges that they are going through, they can always get justice.”

Citing the conflict resolution and prevention role TJC plays, Executive Producer, Victor Aluko also pointed out the show’s unique style in delivering legal rights education in an entertaining format.

The sixth season is expected to begin airing in the coming weeks.

Movement-Japa Ep. 5: A Costly Exchange Another plan goes awry in the fifth episode of ‘Movement-Japa’. Following the kidnap of Mimi in the fourth episode, Shina and Osas race against time to save her. Meanwhile, to their surprise, Angela did not escape as earlier believed.

Osas contemplates killing her as he has only 24 hours to kill her or lose Mimi. However, Shina, who is already developing feelings for her due to their shared passion for music, kicks against it.

Unaware of the plot to kill

her, Angela puts up a fight at the slightest suspicion.

Frustration and desperation lead Osas to tie her up but she surprises him when unexpected visitors — the police — arrive. She pretends to be Shina’s lover, kissing him in the kitchen where they both hid. The police later leave having confirmed that they were not the suspects of advance fee fraud.

The tone of desperation is detected in this episode as love and sacrifice drive

the action. The dramatic question seeks to find out how far can one go to save a loved one.

Even as the two friends feign Angela’s death in exchange for Mimi, the rain of bullets at the last scene leaves many questions. Did Angela’s stepmother’s plan to kill them all succeed or did the boys survive the hellish encounter?

‘Movement-Japa’ shows every Monday night on Africa Magic Showcase and repeats on Showmax.

Hits the Runway for Lagos Premiere

Models at House of Gucci premiere

Iyke Bede Recently, fashionistas stormed the palatial space of the Silverbird Cinema, Victoria Island, for the Lagos premiere of ‘House of Gucci’. The show was accompanied by a fashion runway show put together by fashion house Jurio Luti.

Abiographical crime drama, ‘House of Gucci’ stars American singer Stefani Germanotta, aka Lady Gaga in the leading role as Patrizia Reggiani, who meets her doom after orchestrating husband Maurizio Gucci assassination.

Spanning three decades, the film further chronicles how the household business eventually succumbs — influenced by family politics — to the powers of the corporate world.

Inspired by classic pieces from the Gucci line over the years, the fashion brand curated a collection of bespoke evening gowns and men’s suits adopting an eclectic range of colours to resonate sophistication, exuberance, and synergy. The collection was showcased by over a dozen models.

Under the direction of Ojuri Adefunminiyi, the designer explains that he aspires to the greatness of the Gucci brand, hoping that one day, through sheer hard work, he would be able to gain international recognition for his works.

“Gucci is a household name, there have been premieres all over the world, but we thought we can create a fashion ambience that mirrors

the spirit of the clothier, right before releasing the movie.

That name alone inspired us to come out with the best pieces.

“This runway show is my way of achieving what the Gucci brand has achieved through bespoke pieces while carving a niche for myself.

The Gucci brand stands out, and that also inspired me to aspire to attain great status in the fashion industry.”

Impressed by the show, the audience applauded the collection. Before the screening, guests were treated to canapes, cocktails and dessert servings. The evening also saw them compete for various prizes in trivia games.

‘House of Gucci’ is currently showing at the cinemas.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͱ, 2021

ART WEEKEND

…For pure art enthusiasts

From Khashoggi to Soyinka, Olu Amoda’s ‘Carte Blanche’ Explores Freedom The threat to humanity-particularly press freedom- forms the spine of the body of works at the on-going solo exhibition by the master of metals, Olu Amoda at Art Twenty One, Victoria Island, Lagos, says Yinka Olatunbosun

A

spirit of solemnity engulfs anyone who walks into Art Twenty One, an exhibition space inside Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island.

The mind-blowing installation, made of welded steel rods, mesh, stainless steel and mirror has a morbid memory. Its makerthe renowned sculptor- Olu Amoda had been inspired by global events particularly the story of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, the SaudiArabian journalist who was last seen alive entering into the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.

The segmented installation-with a long pen laid on it- is a reminder of how Khashoggi’s body was reportedly dismembered. Its imposing presence at the show is a strong artistic statement in the cry for press freedom and the question of one’s ability to disrupt. Titled, ‘New Normal- The Divide Between Good and Evil (2019),’ the work is one in a body of works for this solo exhibition with the theme ‘Carte Blanche.’ Drawn from French origin, the exhibition title seems to suggest ‘no holds barred.’

The show which runs till January 29, 2022 is Amoda’s fourth solo exhibition at Art Twenty One, parading his works from the past three years and more. With a purposeful use of repurposed materials like mild steel objects, nails, rods, aluminium and wood, the Warri-born artist deepens conversations around socio-political issues beyond the surface aesthetics. The show is not just an expression from an environmental artist; it is reflective of challenges that threaten our collective humanity such as banditry, statesponsored executions, and other brutal acts.

Amoda embraces the world as his living theatre

New Normal- The Divide Between Good and Evil

and places Nigeria at the centre stage for observing those crimes that have remained unsolved.

For Amoda, art critics should be positioned as cultural provocateurs; using art forms to stir up social discourse and helping to drive cultural change.

“One of the strategies explored in this body of work is using the familiar to

uncover the unknown where each piece challenges what is seen and expressed as artwork. They are complex in composition but mirror today’s society’s organized chaos, the eternal desire to accumulate more than we need. The ants in their colony will marvel at how humans have managed so far and not extinct themselves.

Today’s challenge is about one’s ability to

disrupt,” he said.

Drawing upon African literature, some of Amoda’s pieces at the show are characters that ‘dare to disrupt’ from the Wole Soyinka’s tragic drama, ‘Death and the King’s Horseman.’ For instance, ‘Mrs Pilkins III’ is a visual reference to the character that imposed British colonial power on the Yorubas as well as the struggle for identity in post-colonial Africa. With the pieces ‘Dialogue-Olunde’ and ‘Elesin Oba III,’ the artist juxtaposes the mind-set of an educated African who considers the ritual suicide as an honour and a traditional ruler who is a slave to his own flesh- his insatiable sexual appetite. In the resolution of the dramatic conflict, Olunde dares to disrupt the colonial order.

Attuned to national developments, Amoda also made a mesh piece titled, ‘Ruga.’ Using the cow motif, this piece alludes to the Nigerian policy introduced by the Buhari Presidency to resolve the crisis between the nomadic Fulani herdsmen and the farmers.

Amoda, one of the most consistent artists in the past three decades is also a muralist, furniture designer and multimedia artist. Best known for using repurposed materials arising from consumer culture, Amoda boldly confronts provocative subject matters.

His seminal body of work, ‘Sunflower,’ explores the connection between mass industry and the organic. It won the top prize at the DAK’ART Biennale in Dakar, Senegal in 2014.

Amoda has also exhibited at the Museum of Art and Design in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Villa Arson in Nice, France, and the Bag Factory in Johannesburg.

His work is included in the collections of the Newark Museum, USA; Fondation Blachère, France and the Sindika Dokolo Foundation.

With Olojo Festival, MTN Commits to Community Development Through Culture Lions Club Seeks Promotion of Peace through Arts

Yinka Olatunbosun

Funmi Ogundare

In a bid to promote activities of the grassroots communities in Nigeria, the leading telecommunications company, MTN Nigeria supported the just concluded Olojo Festival to reiterate its position and commitment towards celebrating cultural heritage across communities in Nigeria.

The Olojo festival which is over a century old hinges on the remembrance of “Ogun, God of Iron,” who is believed to be the first son of Oduduwa, progenitor of the Yoruba people.

Celebrated annually by the people of Ife, the festival name ‘Olojo’ means ‘the day of the first dawn’ but in the history of Ile-Ife, the Olojo Festival is to mark the day the Almighty created the earth.

On the day of the festival, the Ooni of Ife appears after seven days of seclusion without food, speaking to the ancestors and praying for the people of Ile-Ife. This is to make him pure and ensure the efficacy of his prayers. Before the Ooni emerges, women from his maternal and paternal families sweep the Palace, symbolically ridding it of evil. The Ooni later appears in public with the ‘Are’ crown, which is believed to be the original crown used by Oduduwa in leading a procession of traditional Chiefs and Priests to perform at the Shrine of Ogun.

Over the years, the Olojo festival has remained popular in Ile-Ife because of its rich history and cultural symbolism; connoting the day in the year which was blessed by Olodumare.

Olojo can also be translated as the “Owner for the day”. Prayers are offered for peace and tranquility in Yoruba and Nigeria. With no age barriers, the festival unites the people of Ile-Ife, known as the cradle of the Yorubas, the city of survivors, the spiritual seat of the Yorubas, and the land of the ancients.

While reflecting on the importance of the Olojo festival, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II says “Olojo is the

Olojo-festival

celebration of God Almighty. It is a way of our culture, our tradition and our heritage. That is the reason why it’s a celebration for the entire black race all over the world. It is the pride of the entire black race; not only the people of Ife, Osun State, not only Nigerians. It is the celebration of black people all over the world.”

Participants at the last edition of the festival include MTN Nigeria executives led by the Chief Sales and Distribution Officer, MTN Nigeria, Adekunle Adebiyi; Senior Manager Sales and Distribution, MTN Nigeria, Ifeanyi Udom and Manager Sales and Distribution, MTN Nigeria, Oyebimpe Akinsola. The executives were hosted by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II as they presented gifts in celebration at the festival to show MTN’s support of the Olojo Festival.

On MTN’s dedication to the promotion of cultural activities in grassroots communities, the Chief Sales and Distribution Officer of MTN, Adekunle Adebiyi said: “We decided to be a part of this colourful festival to promote the rich culture in Ile-Ife and connect members

of the community effortlessly.” Kulture Fest has become a leading platform by a Nigerian corporate, dedicated to showcasing the rich Nigerian culture through cultural festivals.

Under the Kulture Fest initiative, MTN Nigeria sponsored Ilorin’s rejuvenated Durbar Festival in 2018. The century-old festival which took place in the state of harmony is a celebration that involves prayers, a parade by the Emir and his entourage as well as accompanying music.

Another festival worthy of note supported by the telecommunication giant is the fourth edition of the African Drum Festival. Athree-day festival held in Ogun State and designed to bring together participants from across the world to showcase the rich cultures of the different ethnic groups through dance, exhibitions, music and drums.

MTN Nigeria also supported the Diwali Festival of Lights in 2019 at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos. Diwali, which means an array of lights, is the most important festival celebrated in India and symbolizes the victory of good over evil.

The Lions Club International District 404A1, Nigeria, recently held its Peace Poster Contest, 2021- 2022 District finale as part of its efforts at promoting peace.

With the theme, ‘We are All Connected’, the contest was held at the Nike Art Gallery, Lagos. In his remark, the District Governor, Fortune Wagbatsoma noted that for over 30 years, the event has been sponsored annually by the Lions Club International to encourage students between ages 11 and 13 years in local schools to express their vision of peace.

“The creation of the peace posters initiative will give children the opportunity to express their vision of peace and inspire the world, through art and creativity,” she said.

The DG said the theme was chosen in light of the current situation across the globe, adding that Lions International Peace Poster contest has received entries from millions of children in over 100 countries.

She appealed to the participating children, and those whose art piece have been selected to proceed to the national finale and become one of the 23 merit winners at the global finale. She commended the efforts of the distinguished judges from the Nike Art Gallery.

In her remarks, the District Chairperson, Mary Onu thanked the Director-General for the encouragement and also to her team members for their efforts towards the success of the programme.

Globally, Lions clubs had sponsored art contests in schools and youth groups. Creating Peace Posters gives children the chance to express their visions of peace and inspire the world through art and creativity.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱ, 2021

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SoftLet Set to Become Nigeria’s AirBnB Stories by Precious Ugwuzor With the aim of connecting guests to decent and budget-friendly short-term accommodation, SoftLet, an innovative digital platform, has launched its portal.

Created by a team of digital enthusiasts, the PropTech platform is set to ensure people can access secure and comfortable temporary homes in choice areas of the country.

Presently, the platform boasts of listings across the city of Lagos and has been simplified to give tourists, guests and travelers easy access to various affordable and decent short-term accommodation.

CEO / co-founder of SoftLet, Chigozie Okwara, stated that the platform was set to become the ‘AirBnB’ of Nigeria. “The original AirBnB is over a decade old and the initial idea was to offer short let accommodation for people who couldn’t afford hotel rooms. Now, AirBnB is a public company. The

truth is that hospitality is big anywhere in world. Nigeria is not left out.

“These days, people want to have more control over their vacation experience and frankly, hotels have a lot of rules and regulations.

“So, people can now enjoy the comfort of ‘home’ with all the perks like cooking yourself, bringing your pet, having your children play in a homely environment and so on. “ It’s also financially beneficial for the property owners as they get paid rent. Where we come in is making the whole process easy by ensuring guests find accommodation of their choice easily,” he said.

SoftLet currently has over 100 different apartments listed in various locations; mainly Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lagos Mainland. Apartment sizes range from one-bedroom apartments, two-bedroom apartments, three-bedroom apartments, family homes to penthouses and lofts.

Booking on SoftLet is very straightforward and

easy with the full listing of accommodation, prices and accompanying Ts and Cs. Popularly termed AirBnBs,

short-term rental apartments are fast becoming alternatives to hotels especially for holiday makers, company expatriate

workers and travelers.

Globally, the hospitality industry is one of the largest sectors and this is largely

driven by tourism. Currently, Nigeria remains an important market in the West African region and Africa at large.

L-R: Media Manager, Dumebi Egbo; content creator, Okwechime Anita Nkiruka; and Okotie Wisdom, Administrative Manager of Softlet

Schneider Electric Recognised as Diversity Leader by FT for Third Year in a Row Schneider Electric, the global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation and named the World’s Most Sustainable Corporation in 2021 by Corporate Knights, has been recognised as a Diversity Leader in a high-profile annual survey conducted by the Financial Times and Statista for the third time in a row.

Schneider Electric ranked 66th overall out of the 850 companies that made it onto the Financial Times Diversity Leaders 2022 ranking, and fifth in its industry.

It is the third time in a row that Schneider Electric has featured high on the list – a reflection of the company’s continuous efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in its 128,000-strong global workforce.

The FT’s yearly ranking aims to assess companies’ success in advancing all types of diversity in the workplace. It was developed through an independent survey of more than 100,000 employees from companies that employ at least 250 people in 16 European countries.

Survey participants were

asked to what extent they think their employer promotes diversity of age, gender, ethnicity, disability and sexual orientation.

Participants were also given the chance to evaluate other prominent employers in their respective industries regarding diversity. The 850 highest-scoring companies were recognised as Diversity Leaders.

Schneider Electric is committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion, among its workforce.

Earlier this year, its Execu-

tive Committee, which is responsible for the day-to-day management of the company, passed a gender-diversity milestone: 44 percent of its members are now female.

Schneider Electric’s wider 2025 sustainability goals include targets to boost female representation from new hires to senior leaders.

It recently celebrated the International Men’s Day with the theme: Better Relations between Men and Women.

Schneider Electric used the opportunity to encourage

everyone to promote a more gender-inclusive culture.

It stated on its website: “We ask everyone to care for themselves and others by acting as allies, role modeling inclusive behaviors and speaking up if we see or hear gender bias and stereotypes.

Together, we can build an inclusive company for all.

“At Schneider Electric, we are building gender equality through our inclusive policies, empowering all of our employees, no matter their gender, to manage their unique life and work.”

The company also stated that its purpose is to empower all to make the most of its energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all, which it calls “Life Is On.” Schneider Electric drives digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, end-point to cloud connecting products, controls, software and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries.

special attention to empowering women as they played key roles in advancing such empowerment to affect their communities.

In her remarks, Ayeni expressed gratitude at what the centre was able to achieve, with the support of the ITC and the NEPC. She explained that she had trained and mentored over 250 women and a set of the women had already started processing some food and were now on the verge of obtaining NAFDAC number.

Ayeni added that the facility was also used to assist women who required NAFDAC number, noting that it could be used for

processing and packaging before seeking registration and certification.

Said said: “Our next phase is on how we can train and support more women. We want to bring in more women into agricultural food processing and teach them what it takes to preserve farm produce, especially those that easily go bad.

“I must confess that I cannot over emphasise what SheTrades and NEPC have done for us. We remain grateful and appreciate their efforts.”

Ayeni added that the centre also assisted women in getting NAFDAC registrations, pointing out that it had so far made yam flour, coconut flour and coconut oil.

ITC to Commence SheTrades Phase II in Nigeria Michael Olugbode in Abuja The International Trade Centre (ITC) is to commence the second phase of its She Trades initiative in Nigeria, following the success of the first phase, according to the centre’s Executive Director, Ms Pamela Coke-Hamilton.

Coke-Hamilton disclosed this in Abuja while conducting journalists round the processing centre of one of its SheTrades beneficiaries, Bimkaf Palace Nig. Ltd. Bimkaf Palace, owned by Mrs Kafilat Ayeni, is into agro-processing, training of women in similar fields and assisting them with necessary registrations.

Coke-Hamilton said that she was satisfied with the success stories of women empowerment at the Palace, adding that this indicated that the initiative was working.

She said that the flagship programme had been instrumental in exposing women to new markets and also building their capacity.

She said: “We believe that this is a real case of success and we really want to showcase a success story like this across the globe.

“We have a SheTrades Global in February next year in Dubai, and I think it will be important, not just to showcase this organisation but the other Small and Medium Entrepreneurs she trained.”

She added that: “This is what is important, it is not just about giving to one, it is the pyramid approach – it is one feeds two, two feeds four and then it escalates to the whole community.

“What she has done represents that; we think that is what makes it more phenomenal, it is not just her success but the success of all those around her and it is the success of the community.”

Coke-Hamilton disclosed that: “We are looking to have a SheTrades 2.0 which will increase our engagement at the level of women empowerment.”

The ITC boss commended the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) for its huge

contributions to the success of the initiative.

In his reaction, Mr Olusegun Awolowo, NEPC’s Chief Executive Officer, said that in spite of the seeming success of Bimkaf Palace, they are still grappled with many challenges.

Awolowo said that the NEPC tried to bridge such challenges like it had done with the centre to ensure it became a success story.

“We have carried Ayeni along in her journey to reach this stage. I am so proud of what she has achieved and we are promising that the Federal Government will continue to encourage entrepreneurs,” he said.

The NEPC boss added that government would pay

Foundation Empowers Women Entrepreneurs with Grants Vanessa Obioha Inspired by her late father Moshood Abiola’s philanthropic nature, Derinsola recently supported over 100 women entrepreneurs of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Abeokuta North and South with grants.

Disbursed via the Women’s Support Fund, one of the initiatives of the Derinsola Abiola Foundation, each beneficiary received a sum of N20,000 in cash to bolster their businesses or assist them in starting up

new ones.

The grants initiative comes at a timely pace, especially at a period when inflation has markedly strained the purchasing power of many SMEs. According to the convener, the foundation was established to serve as a social vehicle to deliver financial support and improve human capacity development to enable local SMEs to thrive.

With the foundation still in its nascent stage, it currently beams light on empowering women. However, Derinsola

showed optimism towards expanding the agency of the foundation.

“I believe, very passionately, in empowering women. When you empower a woman, you have empowered a community,” Derinsola said, highlighting the positive effects of pumping funds into the grassroots economy.

Continuing, she said: “My daddy played a key role in what I do. He has been a huge inspiration to me. It is about giving back to my society.

Doing what I can for those I

can with the resources at my disposal. I wish that I can do more, but I am quite hopeful that subsequently, we will be able to touch more lives.

“Nobody hopes for their project to be limited to one space. I am hoping that we can touch lives in other places, too, through a couple of projects via different platforms. Soon, we will be patterning with agencies in different states.

“We are going to have a wide range of programmes catering to a wide range of people, and not just women but will include

young and elderly people. But for now, my major area of focus is my hometown.”

The occasion which took place at the Daktad Hotel and Suites had important dignitaries in attendance. They include the Chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC) Abeokuta South, Adetunji Fagbero; APC Chairman, Abeokuta North, Faidat Sarumi; Women Youth Leader, Dayo Sanmi among others.

Speaking on her social work in the different communities nestled in north and south

of Abeokuta, Fagbero commended Derinsola largesse and resilience to extend her father’s legacy through philanthropy.

Recalling MKO’s impact, he said: “The late Abiola, through giving financial assistance, has supported hundreds of communities towards infrastructure development.

“It is heartwarming to witness his offspring continue in his path. Surely, the grants provided today will go a long way in boosting the grassroots economy and impacting the national GDP.”

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱ, 2021

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POLSCOPE

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How Would N5000 Regenerate the Economy?

I

listened to a comic video claiming that any time the federal government has any “senseless thing” to say, it is the Finance Minister, Mrs Zainab Ahmed that is usually pushed forward to proclaim it. The video went on to wonder the rationale and logic that defended the idea of removing the fuel subsidy and replacing it with N5000 for only 40 million poorest of the poor Nigerians. It further claimed that the poorest of the poor Nigerians are about 195 million. The video served its purpose: comic relief.

But did the issue actually offer any relief to Nigerians? I dare say No! If anything, it must have been a troubling idea that has the potential of raising the blood pressure of the masses.

The economic developments in this country remind me of a Bible story I read many years ago.

A King was ruling over the Israelites, and the people were groaning as things were tough and rough. And the king eventually died. His son, Rehoboam inherited the throne. The Israelites led by Jeroboam, had gone to plead with the king to lighten their burden now that he is the King. But after consultation, first from the elders, and then from the youths—his ilks, King Rehoboam, replied his subjects by vowing to chastise them with scorpion, and not the whips his father used on them. The result was that the Israelites went on the famous protest of “To Your Tents O Israel”.

It is thus surprising that in the face of all the wailings and complaints by Nigerians over the acute hardship they are facing, the best option/solution the government came out with is that petrol subsidy would be removed and that N5000 would be given as palliative to forty million poor Nigerians. There are many matters arising from this plan.

First, how did the government arrive at the figure of 40 million? What statistics or research backed this up? Is government implying that the remaining 160 million Nigerians are doing ok enough as not to need any palliative?

Question is , after one year, what happenes to the 40 million poor Nigerians? They would remain in their poverty or they would have been lifted from their poverty? How helpful would N60,000 a year be to even a beggar on the streets?

But even then, what is the guaranty that this mass of poor people will come from every part of the country? What we have seen in the past is that a particular section of the country will be the principal beneficiaries while a few other parts will merely provide supportive names to give it a semblance of federal spread. Truth is that there is poverty everywhere. The beneficiaries should not come from only one section of the country.

Aside the issue of the number, let’s do the arithmetic of the palliative. The plan is to dole out N5000 every month to 40 million people.That comes to N200billion monthly. And this will happen for between six months and one year. Assuming they sustain it for one year, that means N200 billion for twelve months. That comes to N2.4 trillion.

How much has been the amount spent on the provision of the so-called subsidy?

N1.8 tr! So in attempt to solve the problem caused by N1.8 trillion, we are planning to spend N2.4tr.

Hey, does that sound sound? How can the government purpose to spend a much

Finance Minister, Mrs Zainab Ahmed

higher amount to solve a smaller problem?

It is akin to undergoing a surgery to cure headache.

But beyond the poor economic sense of the scheme, let us look at the shallowness.

If government is planning to spend N2.4 tr in one year so that it can remove the subsidy, why does the government not build another refinery altogether? How much does a medium-sized refinery cost?

There has been so much noise and even hoopla about modular refineries. What has happened to them? Would building another (brand new) refinery not be a lot better in every sense than sustaining the importation of petroleum products and giving out palliatives? By continuing the importation regime of petroleum products, we are not only providing jobs to outsiders (the countries we import from), we are indeed boosting their economy. If we could largely stop rice importation and literally knocked down the rice factories in Thailand and co, why can’t we do same on petroleum products? Or is it the effect of the notorious cabal?

How can N5000—N60,00 per annum, change the life story of any Nigerian? That amount (N5000) is about the cost of one bag of cement today. The Finance minister said beneficiaries will be paid digitally. Many of those poorest of the poor live in villages and hinterland communities. It may cost them about the same amount or even more to go to the towns and city centres where they can access banks. So what is the net benefit if the

cost of transportation to and from collecting the N5000 will be equal to the money that will be collected ?

If the government is creative and even proactive enough, it can plough the N2.4 trillion into viable projects that will not only employ hundreds of people, especially the youths, who can in turn take care of their poor parents, but can also become an incomegenerating going concern for the country.

One wonders how the entire Federal Executive Council—filled with technocrats and professional doyens, will fail to give a deep thought to the scheme, and approve it with all its obvious and latent drawbacks.

It does appear that this government is so given to tokenism. It is bent on giving Nigerians fish instead of teaching them how to fish.

Once, they came with the idea of N-Power, then market moni, then the 774,000 (Keyamo) jobs—for three months. All these interventionist schemes, have not only ended, their impacts are as low as eventide, just as the beneficiaries are most likely back to point origin. The gestures from the federal government are attempts that merely scratch the surface of the economic challenge facing Nigerians. They are neither deep nor wholesome. That is why their impacts are minimal and negligible, and count for very little.

If all the funds so expended on these flash-in-the-pan schemes have been properly harnessed and invested in worthwhile ventures, the tension in the society would have been drastically reduced. The efforts of

the government at meeting the social obligations of the Nigerian people through these vapourised schemes, appear like heavy down pour in the thick forest; it neither benfitted the crops nor the soil.

Needless to say that the ripple effect of the increase in the cost of pump price of petrol from N162 to the proposed N340 per litre will be ultra huge. Nigerians will practically be jumping from frying pan to fire.

Every aspect of the Nigerian economy will bear the brunt of that increase. In an economy where the inflationary rate has hit 16.3 per cent, the whatever good intent behind the N5000 gesture will be swallowed up by the spiky inflation in the economy. Transport cost, will be the first to shoot up. This will be followed by food items. Electricity bill will increase, school fees will increase, medical bills will increase.

Indeed, all other things will follow. The end result will be a return to Thomas Hobbe’s world of nasty, brutish and short taste. The accompanying corollary will be that even crime will increase, as there is bound to be more hunger and hardship.And all the social arms like National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) that ought to resist this plan have long been acquiesced by government. Who would have foretold the degeneration of the “struggle” of the 80’s and 90’s in Nigerian universities, that will witness NANS president riding in executive Mercedes Benz SUV with customized plate numbers with all the allures and accoutrements of a budding epicurean?

Twenty years ago, it would have been a smelly sacrilege. But today, NANS leaders have been masterfully compromised and the struggle has been abandoned.

What is probably worse is that the scheme will be a gateless entry to the colony of corruption.

All we shall hear when the scheme has taken off will be huge figures in billions of Naira as having been expended. Or didnt we hear that government spent over a trillion Naira on the provision of palliatives during the COVID-19 pandemic? They are still spending...

The TV camera, especially that of NTA will capture and feature a handful of (tutored) beneficiaries, say in Borno or Jigawa States, get interviewed where they will say glorious things about the great feat of the government… and that will be it. No agency of government is likely to probe or ask for records, not even the National Assembl;y that should exercise oversight functions. A chip of the bulk will sure zip every lip.

And that takes us to the issue of budget. Was this N2.4 trillion budgeted for in the 2022 fiscal budget? No, I think. So where will the federal Government source the money from? Will it get the approval of the National Assembly or will the executive arm of government afford to splurge that huge sum without the approval of the nation’s lawmakers? Will it fall back to borrowing again to dole out as political freebies?

Some have duly expressed worry about the timing of this scheme. In a pre-election year, many of government’s moves and gestures are treated with suspicion. Is this scheme all about 2023 presidential election?

I have heard of how government will fall back on some funds tucked away somewhere in the labyrinth of the CBN, to fund the scheme.

That smacks of desperation, if you ask me.

Or was the idea of this N5000 palliative an after-thought? Why is it not not accommodated in the 2022 budget?

In all, we do not all have to be economists to understand that this N5000 gesture will cause us more aches than relief. It will not and cannot regenerate the economy. It will neither fix nor nix the economy.

Nigeria Air: Another Wild Goose Chase?

He sounded clear and confident. He spoke with some air of authority and magisterial conviction. Nothing on his visage betrayed the fact that we are zomming into another trial-and-error engagement.

It is his second effort, so we are likely to think all loopholes have been blocked and all minefields have been identified and cleared off.

It is the sixth time the issue of the airline had been tabled at the Federal Executive Council (FEC). In 2018, efforts to launch the airline had gone pretty far, including organizing a roadshow in London, before it was cancelled and suspended. Now we are back to it again, as it scents reloaded.

But the content of what the Minister of Aviation, Mr Hadi Sirika, said are full of fog.

First, Mr Sirika says operation will start in April next year, about five months away. Then that the airline will lease three aircraft to get started.

It plans to generate, wait for it, 70,000 jobs! Really? 70,000 jobs to work on three aircraft?

He drove home the point when he noted that the workforce will be higher than the entire federal civil service put together.

Even far more established airlines which have been in operation for over two decades, do not have as much as 70,000.

How will a borrow-borrow airline begin its work wwith 70,000 workers? We have not forgotten all the factors that combined to kill Nigeria Airways.

He also talked about the ownership structure. I am particualry glad that the

private sector will own 46 per cent while the federal government will own just about five per cent, while “strategic Partners” will own 49 per cent.

I fear that no informed businessman will allow that heavy workforce at the take off of the airline.

If Akwa-Ibom State can run an airline successfully, and is already increasing its fleet, I do not see why Nigeria, the whole Nigeria, will start off by leasing airplanes.

Would this not bore a hole into the asset base of the airline? If it has taken the ministry three fulkl years to re-strategise, the final outcome does not quite bespeak of a deep and clinical thinking.

And that is why many Nigerians are worried that this should not be another wild goose chase.

Hadi Sirika

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ DECEMBER 3, 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Direct Remittances Drops by 62.4% to $1.96bn in 10 Months Nume Ekeghe Latest data by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed that total direct remittances from Nigerians in Diaspora dropped by 62,4 per cent to $1.96 billion in 10 months of 2021 from $5.21billion it recorded in prior year’s 10 months.

Analysts attributed the significant drop to current global economy challenges caused by COVID-19 and dwindling global oil prices.

The CBN had revealed that Nigeria received $19.2 billion and $5.5billion in total direct remittances between 2019 and 2020 respectively.

Remittances are funds transferred from migrants to their home countries.

The breakdown of CBN’s total direct remittances, according to its ‘international payment’ data revealed that, in January 2021, $185million was remitted, while in February, $452million was the total direct remittance.

According to the CBN, $227million and $165mllion was the total

direct remittance between March and April 2019 respectively. The data disclosed that total direct remittance dropped to $150million in May; $378million in June and $37.6 billion in July 2021.

For August and September, the apex bank reported $86million and $224million was remitted to the nation’s economy, respectively.

It added that $51.74million was the total direct remittance in October.

The CBN had licensed International Money Transfer Operators (IMTO) and monitors legitimate foreign currency, most especially Dollar inflow into the country.

In addition, banks and oil companies also remit foreign currency to the CBN. The World Bank had projected $17.6 billion diaspora remittances into Nigeria in 2021, representing 2.5 per cent increase from $17.2 billion recorded in 2020.

The bank had attributed the moderate increase in Nigeria’s Diaspora remittances to increasing influence of policies intended to channel inflows through the

banking system.

Among other things the report projected 7.3 per cent increase in remittances to low and middle income countries in 2021.

The World Bank also projected a 6.2 increase in remittances to SubSaharan countries in 2021. The World Bank stated: “Remittances to low- and middle-income countries are projected to have grown.

This return to growth is more robust than earlier estimates and follows the resilience of flows in 2020 when remittances declined by only 1.7 percent despite a severe global recession due to COVID-19, according to estimates from the World Bank’s Migration and Development Brief released today.

“Remittance inflows to SubSaharan Africa returned to growth in 2021, increasing by 6.2 percent to $45 billion. Nigeria, the region’s largest recipient, is experiencing a moderate rebound in remittance flows, in part due to the increasing influence of policies intended to channel inflows through the banking system.”

Senior Project Manager of APM Terminals West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), Rutger ten-Thij (left), presents a safety award to an employee, Lateef Akirlegs (right) at an event to mark the attainment of one million man-hours with no Lost Time Injury (LTI) at the terminal at Onne Port, Rivers State, recently.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

‘NGX Remains Preferred Listing Destination’ Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX or The Exchange) has said that it remains the preferred listing destination for companies seeking to raise capital via corporate bonds, equities and even private companies looking to raise public capital.

According to the NGX, market stakeholders were excited to learn last week that MTN Nigeria Communications (MTNN) Plc is taking advantage of this opportunity and has obtained the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the offer for sale of up to 575 million ordinary shares in MTNN held by the MTN Group.

“Capital is critical for business growth, NGX plays a critical role in the capital formation process by mobilizing long-term savings

to finance long-term investors and helping issuers and investors meet their objectives. In 2021, NGX has facilitated needed financing of over N6.71 trillion raised by governments and corporates across various asset classes. Notable among these transactions is Emzor Pharmaceuticals’ N13.7 billion 5-Year Series 1 Fixed rate Senior Unsecured Bond listed exclusively on NGX in April 2021 and being the first public instrument issued by the company. Also notable is BUA Cement’s debut listing of a N115 billion Bond issue, the largest of many corporate debt issuances in the history of the Nigerian capital market.

“Attention has now shifted to the equities market where MTNN will float the first Public Offer of 2021. The offer commenced

by way of a book build to institutional investors (Institutional Offer), and subsequently, a fixed price to retail investors (Retail Offer).

The Institutional Offer opened on 23 November 2021 to close on 26 November 26, after which a fixed price will be determined for the Retail Offer. Book building is a process that assists companies determine the price of their shares, with the help of investment bankers, when offering them in an Initial Public Offering (IPO), “the NGX said.

It added, “What is also interesting to note about this offer is that NGX has received ‘No Objection’ from the apex regulator, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to establish and deploy an electronic platform for use in the e-offering of MTNN’s public offer.

FCMB Secures Future ofYoung Nigerians from Poverty First City Monument Bank (FCMB), has said that it has redoubled efforts to ensure young Nigerians are free from poverty.

This time, the bank said it invested in another round of financial literacy training for hundreds of secondary school students in seven states across the country.

“The training, which formed part of the activities organised in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to commemorate the 2021 World Savings Day, seeks to secure their future and guarantee them freedom from poverty. It focused on guiding the students to imbibe financial principles early

in life, ensuring they grow up to become responsible citizens who will know how to make their money work for them, It said.

Speaking on the significance of the World Savings Day, Group Head, Corporate Affairs at FCMB, Mr Diran Olojo, said, “We want our young ones, who are the hope and future drivers of Nigeria, to understand the prudent management of resources. They require this skill to secure their future.

Therefore, we will continue to champion and execute initiatives that would fast-track financial literacy and inclusion because this is one of the most effective ways to empower students and Nigerians at large towards build-

ing a better society.”

FCMB Group Plc, led by the Group Chief Executive, Mr Ladi Balogun, stresses the need for Nigerians to have money management skills such as budgeting, saving, and investing because it guarantees financial security and freedom.

Hundreds of secondary school students in Anambra, Bauchi, Cross River, Edo, Enugu, Lagos and Osun states benefitted from the training this year. Top officials of the Bank tutored them on topics ranging from prudent management of resources, appreciation of how money works and how it can be channeled to productive use.

Olawale-Cole Elected as LCCI’s New President Gilbert Ekugbe The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has elected Michael Olawale-Cole as its new president, to steer the ship of the Chamber and take charge of its affairs for the next two years.

The Chamber in a statement signed by its Director General, Chinyere Almona, stated that the move was followed by the expiration of Mrs. Toki Mabogunje’s

tenure of office, after she meritoriously served the Chamber in the same capacity for two years. The Director General said: “Asiwaju Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole emerged as President after a duly conducted election at the Chamber’s 133rd Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Asiwaju Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, a two-time Former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, as well as Works and Transport in Lagos State, is

an astute boardroom executive who has served the Chamber previously in various capacities such as Deputy President, Vice President, Chairperson, Public Affairs Committee, Chairperson, Financial &General Purposes Committee among others.”

She added: “Indeed, we are very pleased as Asiwaju Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, CON assumes the role of President of LCCI.

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

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

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (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).

35

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͱ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Profit-taking Persist on NGX as Market Cap Drops by N112bn Kayode Tokede The stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) yesterday extended its investors’ profit-taking position on the heels of sell pressure on MTN Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Holdings Company Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and 31 other stocks.

The likes of MTN Nigeria dropped by 1.1 per cent to close at N169.20, while GTCO

and Zenith Bank depreciated by 0.4per cent and 1.9per cent to close at N24.50 and N23.55 respectively. Thus, the overall market capitalisation value lost N112 billion to close at N22.045 trillion from N22.157 trillion it opened for trading, while NGX All-Share Index declined by 215.18 per cent,or 0.51 per cent, to close at 42,247.98 points from 42,463.16 basis points.

Analysing by sectors, the NGX Oil and Gas dropped by 3.5per

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

cent, Insurance was down by 2.2 per cent, Banking slips by 1.2 per cent and Industrial Goods depreciated by -0.1 per cent yesterday, while the Consumer Goods added 0.1 per cent index, a the sole gainer yesterday.

Accordingly, Month-to-Date loss increased to -2.3per cent while Year-to-Date gain moderated to +4.9 per cent-.

As measured by market breadth, market sentiment was negative as 34 stocks lost

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

relative to 17 gainers. Meyer Plc recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent to close at 22 kobo, per share. NEM Insurance followed with a gain of 7.33 per cent to close at N2.05, while Royal Exchange up by 5.88 per cent to close at 54 kobo, per share. Japaul Gold and Ventures appreciated by 5.26 per cent to close at 40 kobo, while Chams rose by 4.76 per cent to close at 22 kobo, per share.

On the other hand, BOS Gases

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

Nigeria led the losers’ chart by 10.00 per cent to close at N9.45, per share. UACN Property Development Company (UPDC) followed with a decline of 9.09 per cent to close at 90 kobo, while Trans-Nationwide Express lost 8.99 per cent to close at 81 kobo, per share.

LivingTrust Mortgage Bank declined 8.33 per cent to close at 88 kobo, while AXA Mansard shed 7.89 per cent to close at N2.10, per share.

O F

Meanwhile, the total volume traded fell by 3.4 per cent to 324.020 million units, valued at N5.294 billion, and exchanged in 4,706 deals.

Transactions in the shares of FBN Holdings (FBNH) topped the activity chart with 113.360 million shares valued at N1.346 billion. GTCO followed with 33.477 million shares worth N821.132 million, while Access Bank traded 18.965 million shares valued at N170.666 million.

0 2 / 1 2 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

36

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

Friday, December 3, 2021 Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index fell fellby 45bps 14bps The dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞdž ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ ϭϰďƉƐ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index fell 45bps to close at

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

at 1,674.89 ϭ͕ϴϰϮ͘ϲϲ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ points ŽŶ due ƚŚĞ toďĂĐŬ sell-pressure ŽĨ ƐĞůůŽīƐ onŝŶ ZENITH GTCO (-0.4%), (-0.6%), WAPCO ZENITH (-1.9%), (-1.3%),and andMTNN UBA (-0.7%).

(-1.1%). These These stocks cumula-

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

ƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϭϯ͘Ϯй͘ ƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϭϳ͘ϳй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘

ASI The up Bears 11bps Remain as DANGCEM Resolute...

Gains ASI 3.3% down 51bps zĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͕ Yesterday, the local ƉƌŝĐĞ bourse ƵƉƟĐŬ extendedŝŶ its bearish ,KEz&>KhZ perfor(+9.8%), mance on E' D the back;нϯ͘ϯйͿ͕ of sell ĂŶĚ pressure & E, on (+0.7%) MTNNbol(stered 1.1%), ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŽŶ SEPLAT (-6.5%), and ZENITH the local (-1.9%), bourse as the as the benchAllShare mark index fell 51bps indexƚŽ ĐůŽƐĞ Ăƚ ϰϮ͕Ϯϰϳ͘ϵϴ rose points. YTD by

Ticker

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

1,842.66

-0.45%

950.00

0.0%

33.7%

74.50

0.0%

10.4%

-3.7%

24.50

-0.4%

6.8%

-24.3%

1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 BUA Cement Plc 3 Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC 4 Zenith Bank PLC 5 Dangote Cement PLC 6 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC 7 Nestle Nigeria PLC

11bps return to moderated 39,550.36topoints.

4.9% ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůLJ͕ while ŵĂƌŬĞƚ zd ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ůŽƐƐ ŝŵͲ

8 Lafarge Africa PLC 9 Access Bank PLC

proved ƐŚĞĚ േϭϭϮ͘ϯďŶ to -1.8%ƚŽ while േϮϮ͘ϬƚŶ͘ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ Trading ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ǁĂƐ ƌŽƐĞ ŵŝdžĞĚ ďLJ

10 United Bank for Africa PLC 11 FBN Holdings Plc

േϮϯ͘ϰďŶ ƚŽ as volume traded േϮϬ͘ϲƚŶ͘ felldƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ϯ͘ϰй ƚŽ ϯϮϰ͘Ϭŵ units while value ƚƌĂĚĞĚ traded ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ rose 49.0% ďLJ Ϯϭ͘ϲй to േϱ͘ϯďŶ͘ ƚŽ ϭϭϬ͘ϴŵ FBNHƵŶŝƚƐ (113.4m ǁŚŝůĞ units), value ƚƌĂĚĞĚ GTCO (33.5m ƌŽƐĞ ďLJ units), ϴϴ͘ϱй and ƚŽ ACCESS േϯ͘ϭďŶ͘ ;ϭϵ͘Ϭŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ůĞĚ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ The most traded stocks by volume volume were whiledZ E^ KZW FBNH ;േϭ͘ϯďŶͿ͕ ;ϭϭ͘ϵŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ SEPLAT ;േϭ͘ϬďŶͿ͕ & E, (11.1m ĂŶĚ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ GTCO ;േϴϮϭ͘ϭŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘ ĂŶĚ K E K ;ϳ͘ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ǁŚŝůĞ E ^d> ;േϮ͘ϮďŶͿ͕ E' D ;േϭϰϱ͘ϬŵͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;േϭϯϰ͘ϴŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘ Bearish Sector Performance Bearish Across our Sector sector Performance coverage, performance was bearish as 5 indices lost under while 1ourindex gained.performance The Consumer Across sectors coverage, was Goods index was the only gainer, up 8ps on account of bearish as 4 indices lost, 1 index gained ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ &Z-/ d ďĂƌŐĂŝŶ ŚƵŶƟŶŐ ŝŶ /Ed Z t ;нϮ͘ϭйͿ ĂŶĚ E/' Z/ E Z tͲ ŝŶĚĞdž ƌĞŵĂŝŶĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽƉƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ ĂƌĞ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵͲ Z/ ^ ;нϬ͘ϯйͿ͘ Oil & Gas index lost and the er 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ InsuranceƚŚĞindices, down 4.6% most,ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ƉƌŽĮƚ-ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ E ^d> down 3.5% due to sell-ŽīƐ ŝŶ ^ W> d ;-6.5%) and ϭ͘Ϯй (K E K ;-3.6%). the >/E< ^^hZ Insurance and (-6.4%), Bank9.1%), hE/> s ZTrailing, (-3.5%), ŝŶŐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĨĞůů Ϯ͘Ϯй and 1.3% ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ŽĨ and D E^ Z (-Ϯ͘ϮйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬͲ ƉƌŽĮƚ-ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ // K ;-ϳ͘ϯйͿ͕ D E^ Z ;-ϳ͘ϵйͿ͕ E/d, ;ing indices fell by Ϭ͘Ϯй ĂŶĚ ϮďƉƐ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůůϭ͘ϵйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ ^d E / ;-Ϯ͘ϲйͿ͘ the AFR-ICT and ŽīƐ ŝŶ K E K (-0.8%), E/d,^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ (-Ϭ͘ϮйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;-Ϭ͘ϮйͿ͘ Industrial Goods ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƐŚĞĚ Ϭ͘ϱй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϭй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͕ ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶĞ ŐĂŝŶͲ ĚƌŝǀĞŶ ďLJ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĚĞƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ DdEE er, up 1.8% driven by (-1.1%) price ĂŶĚ t W K apprecia(-1.8%). ƟŽŶ in E' D (+3.3%).

Investor ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ tĞĂŬĞŶƐ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ Investor ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϱdž ĨƌŽŵ Ϭ͘ϳdž ĂƐ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ͕ ƐĞƩůŝŶŐ Ăƚ 1.6x 17 stocks advanced while 33 stocks stocks deĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϯdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ Ϯϰ clined. MEYER NEM (+7.3%), and MAYROYadvanced while 15(+10.0%), stocks declined.

MRS (+9.9%), ALEX (+5.9%) led gainers while BOCGAS (-10.0%), (BAKER (+9.8%), and HONYFLOUR (+9.8%) led UPDC gainers 9.1%), and TRANSEXPR (-9.0%) led decliners.

In today͛s while ABCTRANS (-8.3%), LASACO (-6.7%), and LIVEƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ͕ ŵĂŝŶƚĂŝŶ ŽƵƌ ĞdžƉĞĐƚĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ modest STOCK (-4.8%) ledǁĞ losers.

Yesterday, we expect the market recovery take advantage of bargain opportuƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ asƚŽ investors ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ŵŝdžĞĚ͕ ĂƐ earnings season gradually ŶŝƟĞƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ͘ winds up.

Price Change Index to Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

5.2x

P/BV

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

25.5%

84.3%

15.0%

3.5%

11.5%

11.5%

14.7%

5.2%

0.7x

5.4%

16.3%

-3.7%

19.1%

11.2%

35.8x

6.7x

-24.3%

24.8%

3.9%

3.7x

0.9x

12.2%

27.0% 31.3%

2.0% 2.8%

23.55

-1.9%

6.2%

-5.0%

-5.0%

20.9%

2.8%

3.2x

0.6x

12.7%

280.00

0.0%

6.6%

14.3%

14.3%

40.4%

16.7%

13.9x

5.4x

6.3%

7.2%

169.20

-1.1%

4.7%

-0.4%

-0.4%

179.2%

14.1%

12.2x

18.5x

6.2%

8.2%

1,395.00

0.0%

3.5%

-7.3%

-7.3%

106.8%

15.6%

27.1x

31.8x

4.3%

3.7%

24.55

-1.8%

3.7%

16.6%

16.6%

11.6%

8.4%

9.2x

1.0x

4.1%

10.9%

9.00

0.0%

2.9%

6.5%

6.5%

17.0%

1.4%

2.5x

0.4x

9.4%

39.6%

7.90

-1.3%

2.4%

-8.7%

-8.7%

2.0x

0.4x

7.0%

50.3%

12.05

0.4%

4.0%

68.5%

68.5%

0.6x

3.8%

17.8%

12 Nigerian Brew eries PLC 13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC 14 International Brew eries PLC 15 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC 16 SEPLAT Energy PLC 17 11 PLC 18 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

10.6%

1.0%

5.6x

46.95

0.3%

1.7%

-16.2%

-16.2%

5.3%

1.9%

43.3x

2.3x

2.3%

2.3%

37.00

-2.6%

1.9%

-2.0%

-2.0%

15.4%

2.0%

8.5x

1.4x

11.0%

11.8%

-10.3%

-3.9%

4.80

2.1%

1.2%

-19.3%

-19.3%

29.00

0.0%

1.1%

11.5%

11.5%

650.00

-6.5%

1.6%

61.6%

61.6%

3.4%

0.9x

-11.9%

4.5x

0.7x

5.7%

22.4%

1.9%

15.0x

0.5x

6.3%

6.7%

0.0%

19 Fidelity Bank PLC 20 Ecobank Transnational Inc 21 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 22 FCMB Group Plc 23 Sterling Bank PLC 24 NASCON Allied Industries PLC 25 Transnational Corp of Nigeria 26 Presco PLC 27 Unilever Nigeria PLC 28 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC 29 United Capital PLC 30 Guinness Nigeria PLC 31 Custodian and Allied Insurance 32 AIICO Insurance PLC 33 TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeri 34 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

142.00

0.0%

1.2%

56.0%

56.0%

38.8%

25.2%

9.7x

3.4x

5.3%

10.3%

2.50

-0.8%

0.7%

-0.8%

-0.8%

12.0%

1.1%

2.2x

0.3x

8.8%

45.2%

8.00

-2.4%

0.9%

33.3%

33.3%

1.5%

0.1%

26.6x

0.3x

16.20

-0.3%

0.5%

-8.0%

-8.0%

3.8%

1.6x

9.3%

2.98

-0.3%

0.5%

-10.5%

-10.5%

1.47

0.7%

0.3%

-27.9%

-27.9%

10.1%

0.9%

3.2x

0.3x

3.4%

14.00

-1.1%

0.3%

-3.4%

-3.4%

21.3%

6.9%

13.2x

2.6x

2.9%

7.6%

0.99

3.1%

0.4%

10.0%

10.0%

11.1%

2.3%

5.3x

0.6x

1.0%

19.0%

87.80

0.0%

0.3%

23.7%

23.7%

2.1x

1.1%

13.75

0.0%

0.2%

-1.1%

-1.1%

-1.3%

-0.8%

5.95

0.0%

0.2%

12.3%

12.3%

5.0%

1.2x

31.3%

-1.1% 4.2%

9.60

-1.0%

0.4%

103.8%

103.8%

2.1x

7.3%

36.30

0.0%

0.4%

91.1%

91.1%

8.1%

3.8%

12.9x

1.0x

1.3%

7.7%

7.70

-0.6%

0.2%

31.6%

31.6%

24.7%

7.5%

3.8x

0.9x

7.1%

26.4%

7.2%

1.1%

422.2x

0.8x 2.0%

20.3%

0.76

-7.3%

0.3%

56.9%

58.3%

216.80

0.0%

0.3%

66.8%

66.8%

0.2%

4.9x

24.80

0.0%

0.2%

40.7%

40.7%

20.7%

2.5%

4.3x

0.8x

1.7%

23.1%

35 Wema Bank PLC 36 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

0.80

0.0%

0.1%

15.9%

15.9%

13.7%

0.8%

3.8x

0.5x

5.1%

26.5%

1.1%

0.0%

7.1%

0.8%

5.2x

0.5x

5.4%

37 Oando PLC 38 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 39 Beta Glass PLC

4.60

-3.6%

0.1%

24.3%

14.5%

2.6%

2.0x

0.3x

4.7x

0.6x

40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

24.3%

62.50

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

-41.3%

-9.2%

52.95

0.0%

0.1%

-4.4%

-4.4%

14.8%

10.1%

5.38

0.0%

0.0%

49.4%

49.4%

T ic k er

2.3x

-20.3% 2.0%

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Vo lum e

0.22

10.0%

FB NH

113.4

P ric e C hg % 0.4%

33.5

-0.4% 0.0%

N EM

2.05

7.3%

GT C O

R OYA LEX

0.54

5.9%

A C C ESS

19.0

J A P A ULGOLD

0.40

5.3%

T R A N SC OR P

18.1

3.1%

CHA M S

0.22

4.8%

Z EN IT H B A N K

14.6

-1.9%

SOVR EN IN S

0.24

4.3%

A IIC O

8.4

-7.3%

M B EN EF IT

0.26

4.0%

CHA M S

7.7

4.8%

UN IT YB N K

0.53

3.9%

F ID ELIT YB K

6.8

-0.8%

T R A N SC OR P

0.99

3.1%

F T N C OC OA

6.7

-5.0%

C UT IX

2.89

2.8%

UP D C

5.4

-9.1%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

B OC GA S

9.45

-10.0%

FB NH

1346.2

0.4%

UP D C

0.90

-9.1%

SEP LA T

1009.6

-6.5%

T R A N SEXP R

0.81

-9.0%

GT C O

821.1

-0.4%

M A N SA R D

2.10

-7.9%

M TNN

625.7

-1.1%

A IIC O

0.76

-7.3%

Z EN IT H B A N K

346.5

-1.9%

C OR N ER ST

0.52

-7.1%

NB

235.0

0.3%

3.17

-6.8%

A C C ESS

170.7

0.0%

650.00

-6.5%

N GXGR OUP

57.6

-1.2%

49.9

0.0%

47.5

0.0%

SEP LA T

21.4%

0.9x

P ric e

M EYER

19.3% 50.5%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

T o p 10 G a i n e r s

R ED ST A R EX

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

Price Previous Current Change Price YTD Weighting Change

Current Price

GLA XOSM IT H

5.95

-6.3%

B UA C EM EN T

J A IZ B A N K

0.64

-5.9%

D A N GC EM

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com

Taiwo Ogundipe | togundipe@afrinvest.com

Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com

Damilare Asimiyu| dasimiyu@afrinvest.com

37

FRIDAY DECEMBER 3, 2021• T H I S DAY

MARKET NEWS 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

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 01Dec-2021, unless otherwise stated.

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 162.80 164.21 0.57% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 9.15% Nigeria International Debt Fund 317.75 317.75 -17.04% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 99.10 100.15 -10.28% 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 10.49% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.27 3.32 -5.36% 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 8.66% Anchoria Equity Fund 136.56 138.28 2.67% info@anchoriaam.com Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.14 1.14 -14.13% 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 20.26 20.87 11.73% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 451.16 464.76 12.69% ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.07 1.07 -2.38% ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.99 0.99 -5.63% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.55% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 107.61 107.61 5.80% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,058.20 1,058.20 5.82% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.03 2.03 -3.45% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.21 2.25 4.08% mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.04 1.04 5.11% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.55% Paramount Equity Fund 17.28 17.60 8.05% Women's Investment Fund 140.85 142.47 5.83% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.10% Cordros Milestone Fund 131.28 132.09 11.99% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 110.08 110.08 5.57% 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 8.01% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.25 1.26 3.85% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.42 1.42 -10.63% 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 7.81% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 8.61% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,170.11 1,193.95 1.83% assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-assetmanagement-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.93% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.04 1.04 3.48% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.11 Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 104.26 FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price FBN Bond Fund 1,379.14 FBN Balanced Fund 172.74 FBN Halal Fund 114.81 FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 FBN Dollar Fund (Retail) FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Money Market Fund Legacy Debt Fund Legacy Equity Fund Legacy USD Bond Fund

121.96 147.38 Bid Price 1.00 3.99 1.72 1.20

1.11 10.25% 104.26 4.22% invest@fbnquest.com Offer Price 1,379.14 173.99 114.81 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn 11.41% 3.67% 9.25% 9.13%

121.96 3.96% 149.37 11.68% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Offer Price 1.00 3.99 1.75 1.20

Yield / T-Rtn 7.25% 3.23% 12.78% 5.81%

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 Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral 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 7.75% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.85 2.92 -0.10% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 155.47 155.74 -0.02% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.26 1.30 -0.11% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.06 1.06 3.95% 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 1.48 1.50 8.33% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,151.70 1,151.70 7.94% 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 11.57 11.65 10.59% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 10.12% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 101.26 101.27 7.55% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 8.77% 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 1.59 1.62 13.12% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.09 11.11 -8.73% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 7.72% PACAM Equity Fund 1.45 1.46 -8.30% PACAM EuroBond Fund 111.57 113.81 1.75% 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 129.25 131.61 10.45% 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 1.07 1.07 10.06% 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 3,357.31 3,389.22 4.47% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 235.01 235.01 4.52% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.25 1.27 6.78% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 311.52 311.52 5.72% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 235.62 239.19 7.98% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.73% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,933.85 11,090.36 4.19% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.29 1.29 4.94% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 116.57 116.57 4.94% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 105.69 105.69 UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.32 1.34 3.21% United Capital Bond Fund 1.95 1.95 6.24% United Capital Equity Fund 0.91 0.94 14.71% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.08% United Capital Eurobond Fund 121.81 121.81 6.39% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.08 1.09 5.46% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.07 1.07 7.02% 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 Balanced Strategy Fund 12.96 13.08 9.24% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 14.48 14.63 18.62% Zenith Income Fund 24.77 24.77 3.21% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.60%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

124.98 54.20

10.62% 7.24%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

13.95 127.82 101.82 17.58 21.32

14.05 130.99 104.05 17.68 21.42

5.55% 6.30% 2.63% -2.89% 15.95%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

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

3.81 5.41 17.53 1.00 21.84 157.56

3.91 5.51 17.73 1.00 22.04 159.56

1.85% -4.64% 8.28% 7.70% 6.39% -15.12%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.28

13.11%

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.

38

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

FOREIGN DESK

COMPILED BY BAYO AKINLOYE

UK Court Backs Meghan in Dispute over Privacy with Publisher

The Duchess of Sussex on Thursday won the latest stage in her long-running privacy lawsuit against a British newspaper publisher over its publication of parts of a letter she wrote to her estranged father, AP reports.

The Court of Appeal in London upheld a High Court ruling that the publisher of The Mail on Sunday and MailOnline website unlawfully breached the former Meghan Markle’s privacy by reproducing a large chunk of the handwritten letter she sent her father, Thomas Markle after she married Prince Harry in 2018.

Associated Newspapers challenged the decision at the Court of Appeal, which held a hearing last month. Dismissing the appeal, senior judge Geoffrey Vos told the court Thursday that “the Duchess had a reasonable expectation of privacy in the contents of the letter. Those contents were personal, private and not matters of legitimate public interest.”

The publisher said it was “very disappointed” and was considering an appeal to the UK Supreme Court.

In a statement, Meghan, 40, condemned the publisher for treating the lawsuit as “a game with no rules” and said the ruling was “a victory not just for me, but for anyone who has ever felt scared to stand up for what’s right.”

“What matters most is that we are now collectively brave enough to reshape a tabloid industry that conditions people to be cruel and profits from the lies and pain that they create,” she said.

Transparency International Demands Investigations into Senegal Oil Blocks Bribery Scandals

Authorities in at least six countries should investigate suspicious deals for two major oil blocks off the coast of Senegal, Transparency International said Thursday.

In 2019, independent investigations by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and BBC Africa Eye uncovered previously unknown details surrounding the 2012 sale of concession rights for the Deep St. Louis and Deep Cayar offshore blocks, located off the coast of Senegal.

These revelations implicate the incumbent president of Senegal, Macky Sall, his brother, Aliou Sall, and the son of the former president.

According to the reports, the controversial Romanian-Australian businessman Frank Timis allegedly bribed Senegalese officials in efforts to acquire access to lucrative oil and gas reserves under extremely favourable conditions. His business partner Eddie Wong, who holds passports of Malaysia and Singapore, reportedly facilitated some of these connections and came to represent Timis’s companies around the time of the sale. Timis has denied any wrongdoing.

The release of these investigations prompted protests in Senegal. In response to public pressure, the president’s

and May. The World Health Organization has warned that omicron poses a high infection risk around the globe.

Ugandan Troops Deploy in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

brother Aliou Sall resigned from public office but rejected claims that he received secret payments. A judge dismissed the investigation into Aliou Sall’s role in December 2020.

Belarus Targets Journalists, Activists with Mass Raids

Authorities in Belarus raided the homes of dozens of journalists and activists Wednesday, according to a human rights group, in what appeared to be the biggest one-day crackdown on dissent in the past three months.

Independent journalists, human rights advocates and activists in at least nine large Belarusian cities had phones and computers seized during the searches and were interrogated, the Viasna human rights centre reported.

In the capital, Minsk, authorities targeted 10 people accused of funding anti-government protests and spreading information deemed extremist.

Some 300 chats on the popular messaging app Telegram have been designated extremist by authorities, and users of those chats can be sentenced to up to seven years in prison if charged and convicted.

Freelance journalist Larysa Shchyrakova said she was brought in for questioning after an hours-long search of her home in Gomel, a city 300 kilometres (186 miles) southeast of Minsk. Shchyrakova used to work with the Belsat TV channel, which authorities in Belarus have declared extremist.

Germany to Tighten COVID-19 Restrictions on Unvaccinated

Outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her likely successor, current Finance Minister Olaf Scholz, Thursday announced new restrictions on the nation’s unvaccinated to fight the surge in new COVID-19 infections.

Merkel and Scholz told reporters in Berlin that the unvaccinated will be

excluded from nonessential stores and cultural and recreational venues under the new rules. They made the announcement following a meeting with the governors of Germany’s 16 states.

Merkel said parliament would also consider imposing a general coronavirus vaccine mandate as part of the country faces a fourth wave of infections. Germany’s Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases (RKI) says the nation once again Thursday exceeded 70,000 new cases in 24 hours. The infection rate stood at just more than 439 cases per 100,000 people, down for the third consecutive day.

India Reports Two Cases of Omicron

India has detected two cases of the omicron variant in the southern state of Karnataka, health officials said on Thursday and urged people to get vaccinated as the country braces to deal with the new threat.

Two men, 46 and 66, who tested positive for the new coronavirus variant had come from overseas.

Officials did not disclose whether they were Indian or foreign nationals to protect their privacy.

They said the infected persons had “mild symptoms” and all those who had been in contact with them have been traced and are being tested for the variant that is causing global concern.

“We need not panic, but awareness is the need of the hour,” Balram Bhargava, the head of the Indian Council of Medical Research told a news conference.

The omicron variant has been found in India at a time when coronavirus cases have reduced dramatically in the country after it was ravaged by a deadly second wave caused by the highly transmissible delta variant in April

Ugandan troops stepped up their deployment in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, witnesses said, on the second day of an operation launched in cooperation with Kinshasa against the notorious ADF rebel group, reports AFP. “They are arriving aboard armoured cars, with escorts from members of the local security services,” Tony Kitambala, a freelance journalist based in North Kivu province, said at Nobili, on the border.

On Tuesday, Ugandan soldiers were seen crossing there into the DRC after their armed forces launched air and artillery strikes from Ugandan territory.

The target is the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group that has been blamed for massacres in eastern DRC and attacks in the Ugandan capital, and that the Islamic State group claims as an affiliate.

Over the weekend, the DRC said through a presidential adviser that it approved a Ugandan offer to pursue the ADF on its soil, where the group has holed up since the mid-1990s.

An aid worker in Nobili said that “airstrikes on ADF positions continued last evening”, but the situation was calm on Wednesday.

Shuttered Hong Kong Democracy Paper Wins Press Freedom Award Jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai and the staff of his now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper have been awarded a prestigious press freedom prize by the World Association of News Publishers.

In June, Apple Daily, formerly Hong Kong’s most popular pro-democracy newspaper, collapsed after authorities froze its assets under a national security law imposed by Beijing to curb dissent.

Lai, the paper’s outspoken founder, and multiple senior executives and editors have been detained on “foreign collusion” charges over Apple Daily’s support for international sanctions against China.

Warren Fernandez, president of the World Editors Forum, said this year’s Golden Pen of Freedom award highlighted journalists’ “fears and challenges” who face increasing curbs in Hong Kong, a regional media hub.

“The jailing of a publisher, the arrest of an editor-in-chief and his senior colleagues, the shuttering of a newsroom, and the closure of a media title –- the 2021 Golden Pen award recognizes and reflects on, all of these,” Fernandez said at a virtual ceremony on Wednesday.

39

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

BEFITTING ARCADE FOR LASU STUDENTS...

L-R: Vice Chancellor of LASU, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, cutting the tape to inaugurate the new Student Union Arcade; and others, at the Lagos State University, LASU in Lagos State...yesterday

Gbajabiamila: Technology, New Media Encouraging Misinformation, Threatening Society's Survival Fake news, hate speech hinders development, says Akwa Ibom Deputy Gov Udora Orizu in Abuja The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has said advancement in information technology and the evolution of new media were aiding the spread of misinformation which in turn threatens the society.

This was as he said one of the ingredients of overcoming the country's security challenges and growing the country was information management.

The Speaker said these at the opening ceremony of a two-day national conference on information with the theme: ‘Information as a Strategic Tool for National Development,’ organised by the House Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values in Abuja, yesterday.

He said deliberate measures under the law needed to be taken to mitigate effects of such development on the journey to achieving a perfect union of the diverse cultures and religious of Nigeria.

Gbajabiamila said: "As we undertake this crucial assignment today, I would like for us to keep a few things in mind.

“First is that right now, across the length and breadth of our beloved country, we are besieged by several security challenges that strike at the very heart of our continued nationhood.

“Triumphing over these challenges require overcoming our differences in politics and religion, tribe and ethnicity, and building a national alliance against the forces that threaten us. Information management is central to success in this regard.

“We have to do better at making sure that citizens understand the nature of the problems we face and are kept informed of our wins and losses and the sacrifices made by those who do battle on our behalf.

"Secondly, as technology and new media have democratised public debate to benefit citizens and nations, it has also created the ideal conditions for bad actors to spread misinformation

and manipulate people in ways that threaten our societies. In Nigeria, with our diverse cultures and religions still working towards achieving a more perfect union, hate speech and other forms of misinformation and disinformation can quickly have a devastating real-world effect.

“Therefore, countering misinformation by whatever proper and legal means are available is not a theoretical question but a responsibility that goes to the heart of our ability to continue to exist as one nation in peace, unity and prosperity."

The Speaker, however warned against taking action that would suppress free expression and robust public debate on social issues.

"Let us be aware that in trying to prevent the worst consequences of misinformation and hate speech, there is a danger of going too far in ways that smother the marketplace of ideas and deprive citizens of their free speech rights.

“That would be most unfortunate, and as leaders and government policymakers, we must avoid that outcome by all means. To do that, we must focus on building legal systems and protocols that support free expression and robust public debate whilst holding to account those who in service of their narrow interests will seek to subvert our societies and harm our country using choreographed and mischievously curated misinformation," he added In his goodwill message, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Mr. Moses Ekpo said means of fake news, hate speeches and misinformation, were being daily compromised.

Ekpo, who was represented

by Hon. Aniekan Umanah said when government fails to speak up in order to counter such misinformation and hate speeches, the body language of such inaction in high places becomes even louder in it incendiary decibel.

The result of this, according to the deputy governor was

avoidable deaths which he said were being recorded daily in all parts of the country.

He said, "And the worst of all for national harmony, cohesion and development, are the incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers, unknown gunmen, so-called bandits as well as inter-ethnic tension arising from the activities of these “faceless” groups.

“The question as to who is a journalist must be posed with a new kind of vehemence. This is so because in discussing the deployment of the information tool towards national development, we should be definite about the human agency of such deployment would that also include the online blogger and the other assortments of social media information carriers over whom

there is currently no control?

"In Akwa Ibom State, the state chapter of the NUJ has come up with an electronic register of duly certified journalists in the state. I recommend this in states where it is not yet done.

“Such register and the data it provides are a critical first step in the admittedly monumental workload ahead of us in separating the real from the fake journalist, and thereby

narrowing down the focus of accountability regarding the effect of information on national development.”

Earlier, in his address, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, National Orientation and Ethics and Values, Hon. Olusegun Odegbumi said proper information management needed to be given the right consideration to discourage hate speech.

US Embassy, NGE Commence Town Hall Meetings Michael Olugbode in Abuja The United States Embassy in Nigeria and the Nigerian Guild of Editors, have flagged off town hall meetings and workshops to promote democracy and good governance.

The flagged off, which held in Lagos yesterday was the first of the six-media-focused town halls and workshops that would be held across the country.

A statement by the US Embassy read: “Recognising the vital importance of a free press and ‘the fourth Estate’ to democracy and good governance, the U.S. Embassy and the Nigerian Guild of Editors co-launched today in Lagos the first of six media-focused Town Halls and Workshops that will take place across the country in the next several months.

“The capacity-building programme will provide a forum for over 200 participating Nigerian editors and leaders of the independent press to discuss and share best practices, and to also hear from U.S. experts on topics such as journalistic standards, identifying bias, and conducting fact-based investigative reporting to better inform the Nigerian public.”

Delivering keynote remarks at the opening programme in Lagos, U.S. Ambassador, Mary Beth Leonard, discussed the challenges faced by Nigeria and other democracies across the world and highlighted democracy’s greatest strengths: the ability to

improve upon and reinvent itself.

She said, when the citizenry’s belief in democracy, good governance and elections were restored, “invariably they will want to be a part of that system and will defend it.

“Our hope is that in this forum today is that you will lead and serve as catalysts for further discussions on countering disinformation; increasing transparency; solution building; and encouraging media literacy and their contribution to a

democracy that is accountable to its people.”

General Secretary, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, in a statement, said, “At the end of the project, we expect to see a pool of Nigerian editors, senior journalists and media managers, who will be galvanised and committed to the highest ethical standard and to take robust actions to Editors who will be committed to the promotion and protection of the right to independent press,

freedom of expression and deepening democratic space; and constantly projecting issue-based governance in defense of the mass of the Nigerian people.”

The Town Halls and editor workshops were supported through a public diplomacy grant from the U.S. Embassy in Abuja to the Nigerian Guild of Editors. In addition to Lagos, the programmes would also take place in Kano in January 2022, Yola, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Enugu.

Olawale-Cole Elected LCCI President Gilbert Ekugbe

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has elected Michael Olawale-Cole as its new president, to steer the ship of the Chamber and take charge of its affairs over the next two years.

The Chamber in a statement signed by its Director General, Chinyere Almona, stated that the election followed the expiration of Mrs. Toki Mabogunje’s tenure of office, after she meritoriously served the Chamber in the same capacity for two years.

The Director General explained: “Asiwaju Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole emerged as President after a duly conducted election at the Chamber’s 133rd Annual General Meeting (AGM). Asiwaju Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, a twotime Former Commissioner

for Finance and Economic Development, as well as Works and Transport in Lagos State, is an astute boardroom executive who has served the Chamber previously in various capacities such as Deputy President, Vice President, Chairperson, Public Affairs Committee, Chairperson, Financial &General Purposes Committee among others.”

She added: “Indeed, we are very pleased as Asiwaju Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole assumes the role of President of LCCI. As a Council Member and a key Officer of the Chamber, he has brought his extensive knowledge and experience to bear and has provided inspirational leadership and direction for the success of the Chamber.

“His emergence as the President will enhance the Chamber’s role as the leading public policy advocate,

promoting and protecting the interest of its members and the business community at large.”

Olawale-Cole, is an accomplished Business Mogul of repute and the Founder of Colenson Group of Companies.

He is an Alumnus of the prestigious University of Lagos; University of Cambridge; South West London College; All Saints University of America and Harvard Business School, USA. He is also a Past President of the Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC); Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM); University of Lagos Alumni Association and Former District Governor of Rotary for District 9110.

He is to be formally inaugurated as the 24th President of the Chamber on December 4, 2021, at an investiture ceremony to hold in Lagos.

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NEWSXTRA

DELIBERATING ON PEOPLE'S HEALTH...

L-R: Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III, at the opening ceremony of the meeting of the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Medical Association in Sokoto...yesterday

Nembe Oil Spill: Leaking Wellhead to Be Contained in Few Days, Says Aiteo Peter Uzoho in Bayelsa Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO), operator and joint owner of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 has expressed optimism that the leaking Wellhead in the Santa Barbara South field, Nembe, Bayelsa State, would be finally contained in the next few days.

The independent oil producer added that the wellhead, which blew up last month and has been spilling volumes of oil, was currently being pumped with chemicals that would contain further leakage in one or two days.

Aiteo's Global Group Director/Coordinator, Mr. Andrew Oru, told journalists during the tour of the scene of the incident involving both helicopter view and patrol boats along the water ways around the vicinity, that the spill had already been substantially diminished.

He said the spill was a special type - a gas blowout - which involved 80 per cent gas and 20 per cent oil.

Oru said the oil spillage was minimal as it was effectively contained both by what was known as the booms, adding that, that was contrary to the impression that the entire environment had been seriously polluted.

Oru described as "spurious" claims that the well had spilled two million barrels of oil into the creeks, explaining that the well's production capacity, including its total reserves, was nowhere near two million barrels.

Addressing Opu Nembe people while presenting the palliatives to them, after the site tour, Oru stated: "The talk of two million barrels of oil spilling from the well is spurious.

"Two million barrels is about two super tankers.

The oil would have spread over the entire country if it were that much as claimed.

The reserve of the well itself is nowhere near two million barrels."

He assured the community that the company was doing

everything possible to prevent any humanitarian or ecological disaster.

Oru further said, "I can tell you authoritatively that the pressure of the well has been substantially diminished already, because all the chemicals that are needed to put the pressure under control are been fed in continuously and the pressure has started going down.

"This spill is a special type.

It's not just an oil spill, it's a gas blowout, for whatever reason. There are two stages in containing it. The first one is to stop the gas leakage. The second is to kill the well.

"It is the gas leakage that engenders and creates room for some droplets of oil to escape with gas.

"The well is a gas well, 80 per cent gas and about 20 per cent oil; that is why it is relatively easy for us to contain the amount of oil that spills out. Ordinarily, if what is coming out now were oil, I can imagine that we'll be needing Noah's Ark by now."

He noted that the heavy vegetation of the area by which oxygen was emitted in large quantities and which flows freely as well had also help to absorb gaseous emissions.

"But critically speaking, the pressure of the gas that is coming out has been almost completely extinguished and in one or two days maximum, I believe we will proceed further to begin the well kill process," Oru said.

The company also donated five truckloads of palliative, including food and medical supplies, to the Nembe people.

The items received by the community's leaders for onward distribution to all fishing communities directly affected by the spillage included 10 cows, 500 bags of rice, 500 cartons of noodles, 500 cartons of water, and 500 tubers of yam.

Others were 200 cartons of toilet rolls, 200 cartons of milk, 200 bags of garri, 200 cartons of tin tomatoes, 100 cartons of bevarages and 100 cartoons of vegetable oil and cash of N2 million for transportation.

Also, presented to the communities were medical supplies comprising six digital thermometers, four blood pressure machines, two sugar testing kits, 150 packs of Coartem for malaria, five

packs of PCM, five cartons of Detoil, 40 mosquito nets, Vitamin C and fully equipped first aid boxes.

The Chairman of OpuNembe Council of Chiefs, Chief Ori Ango Ekpeleyai-

Oruwari, who spoke on behalf of the Nembe monarch, said, "On behalf of the Amanayanbo of Opu-Nembe Kingdom, I receive these relief materials that are coming to our community for the second

time.

"For those who are directly impacted in the oil spillage from OML 29 at Santa Barbara we are indeed very grateful to Aiteo for bringing this relief materials to us."

House Invites INEC Chairman over N500bn Cost Implications to Conduct Direct Primaries Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The House of Representatives has invited the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to explain the cost implication of conducting direct primaries by political parties in the country.

The resolution of the House was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance moved at the plenary on Thursday in Abuja by the lawmaker representing Yagba East/ Yagba West/Mopa-Muro Federal Constituency of Kogi

State, Hon. Leke Abejide.

Moving the motion, Abejide pointed out the speculation making the rounds that it would cost over N500 billion for political parties to conduct direct primaries ahead of the 2023 general election.

The cost implication is believed would decide the fate of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021, still pending before President Muhammadu Buhari.

The bill, which is still awaiting the president’s assent captured direct primaries as the mode of choosing the candidates of

political parties for elections.

Abejide stressed that with INEC as the body supervising both the primaries of political parties and the main elections, Yakubu would be the appropriate official to clear the air on the cost implications of direct primaries.

“We all know the importance of direct primaries. Some people say it will cost N500 billion. This is mere speculation because the cost of direct primaries may be within the budget of INEC,” he said.

Abejide pointed out that the best time to invite Yakubu would be now that the 2022

budget was still pending before the National Assembly and stressed that it would help the legislature to decide on appropriate budgeting.

The INEC Chairman is to appear before the House Committees on Appropriations and Electoral Matters to speak on the matter.

The Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, while giving his directive after the motion was passed, said, “Committees on INEC and Appropriation, please invite the INEC chairman so that he can give us the possible cost implications of direct primaries.”

Akeredolu Inaugurates Johnvent’s N3bn Cocoa Factory, Firm Laments Rising Costs An agro-allied company, the Johnvent Industries Nigeria Limited said it had invested the sum of N3 billion to boost cocoa business in Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole.

It was gathered that the company acquired the cocoa factory in Nigeria from the previous occupier of the factory early this year.

The Group Managing Director of the company, Mr. John Alamu, while addressing journalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on the development, explained that the firm was in the cocoa industry to make a difference.

Alamu disclosed that the company would be officially inaugurated by the state governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, next week.

He said, "We acquired the

factory from Olam. Olam was the last tenant here and the factory belongs to Coop Cocoa.

The nature of acquisition is this - the building belongs to Coop Cocoa while we had 100 per cent acquisition of all the equipment of the factory.

"We came in, in the month of April and since we came in, we have invested over N3 billion in revamping the entire factory. This investment has been in the area of upgrade of some machinery, complete over haul of some machinery.

“There has whole lot of development, this is not what this place used to be months ago. We have also invested a lot of money into procurement of cocoa beans."

On the difference the company was bringing to the sector, Alamu said the

products and by-products of the company would be for export.

"Ondo State is the largest cocoa pressing state in Nigeria.

The biggest challenge for a factory like this is always raw materials but then because we are sited in Ondo State and we have in our procurement strategy, plans to do backward integration to support farmers.

“That would eventually lead to guarantee the supply of our raw materials. I can confirm that we have the big guys in the state working with us and we are still continuing to identify others and it is going to be a continuous job and as well identify more we are still going to partner more.

"There are many factories in Nigeria and there are quite a number of factories

in Ondo State but there only few operational factories in Ondo State and they are not up to three. Most factories produce cocoa cake, a few produce powder and just about one or two process cocoa into butter. So, here we are producing butter for export.

"Our sales strategy is product specific. For our butter, it is 100 percent export and this industry will be playing a key role in enhancing Nigeria's foreign exchange challenges.

And already we have buys for our cocoa butter. We have signed agreement with countries abroad while for the powder, we are not willing to sell that abroad because we don't want to package all our fortune here and take them abroad since there is a local demand for the powder"

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NEWSXTRA

HEALING AND MIRACLE SERVICE… L-R: Wife of Pastor In-Charge, RCCG Jesus House, Abuja, Mrs. Mary Akem-Vingir; her Husband, Maj. Gen. (rtd), Pastor Pat Akem-Vingir; President, Living Faith Foundation, Rev. Joe Olaiya; and his wife Mrs Florence Olaiya, during the Healing and Miracle Service in Abuja ... yesterday

Amnesty International Urges FG to Probe Killing of Two Policemen in Anambra Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Human rights group, Amnesty International (AI), has condemned the killing of two policemen in Anambra State.

It said the gruesome killing shown in a viral video, depicted utter disregard for the sanctity of human life.

The killing was recorded in a recent video circulating widely on the social media.

The international human rights group said the abduction and gruesome killing of the two police officers clearly showed utter disregard for the sanctity of life.

The group, therefore, urged the federal government to act swiftly to apprehend those responsible for the dastardly act and bring them to book.

AI stated that the killing of the two policemen and the incessant attacks on security

agencies in the South-east was alarming.

"Amnesty International urges the Nigerian authorities

to act swiftly to find those responsible for these horrific acts or persons suspected of responsibility for the

gruesome killings and bring them to justice promptly.

The authorities must initiate, and lead prompt,

independent, impartial and effective investigations into the abduction and horrific killing of the policemen with

Oyetola Flags Off Distribution of OHIS Beneficiary Cards to 69,273 Enrollees Osun State Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, yesterday, flagged off the distribution of Osun Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS) beneficiaries' card to 69,273 enrollees.

This, according to Oyetola, was both historic and symbolic, adding that it marked a watershed in his administration’s quest for ensuring that none of the people was left behind in accessing qualitative health care.

Oyetola also announced his selection for decoration as Ambassador for Better Health at the UHC Summit being organised by the UHC 2023 Forum in collaboration with Chatham House, London at the Yar’Adua International Conference Centre, Abuja, come December 16, 2021, in recognition of his administration's sterling performance in the health sector.

Oyetola, who lauded the leadership of OHIS for

the sterling performance of the Agency since commencing operation, said his administration was particularly about engineering the Osun Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS) with a view to making all citizens have access to better healthcare.

"To demonstrate this commitment, we released the sum of N150 million as take-off grant for the Agency and over N477million as equity grant meant for the premium for the poor, the

needy and the vulnerable within our first year in office "We also established the OHIS Drug Distribution Centre which is now supplying medicines and consumables to 16 OHISaccredited government secondary health facilities across the State to put an end to the perennial out-ofstock syndrome of medicines in government secondary healthcare facilities for health insurance enrollees.

"With about 300,000

Okowa: Tambuwal is the Man Nigeria Needs Now Chuks Okocha in Abuja Contrary to the position of Southern governors, the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday, subtly campaigned for the presidential aspiration of his Sokoto State counterpart, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and described him as the man Nigeria needed at the moment.

He also prayed for his elevation to a higher pedestal in the nation’s affairs while commissioning a N3.2 billion state of the art Sokoto State Advanced Medical Diagnostic Center (SOSAMEDIC) constructed

by Tambuwal in Sokoto.

In a statement by his Media Adviser, Mohammed

a view to bringing criminal charges against all those reasonably suspected of responsibility,” it said.

Bello, Okowa was quoted thus: “Coming here, I have seen the way he relates with his people. That is what Nigeria needs.

“You are a man of peace, who is always ready to build bridges. We are very thankful that God has ensured that you have held several positions. My prayers for you is that God will elevate you,” Okowa said, while showering encomiums on the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, whom he said was committed to the Nigerian project.

The statement said that the construction of the edifice located a few kilometers from the 950-bed Sokoto State

University Teaching Hospital (SOSUTH), which construction has reached over 60 per cent, gulped N824 million and is equipped with N2.4 billion ultra-modern equipment.

The latter include facilities for ECG, Stress ECG, Echocardiography, and Vascular Doppler, Gastrology, Endoscopy, Neurology, and EEG. Other upscale tools for diagnosis are those for MRI, CT scan, Fluoroscopy, Digital X-ray, Mammography, Chemical Pathology, Histopathology, Microbiology, and Hematology.

All these are housed in radiology, laboratory, dental, and ENT units as

well as out-patient clinics, with capacity for medical, radiological and laboratory investigations.

“I want to congratulate my brother Governor (Tambuwal) for thinking about the people, because this is a project for the people and one that the people will cherish long after you have left the governor as Governor.

“I am not surprised that you are able to render services to your people in such a manner that they are happy, because you have always been focused and believed in your people and those of Nigeria.

“I am not surprised with what I see here. It is only a prudent person

that can ensure this level of construction at below a billion naira. Having told us about the equipment inside, I am excited that the new best of equipment have also been put on ground,”.

Earlier, Tambuwal informed the gathering that the project was a product of consultations with Sultan before the draft proposal of an annual budget a couple of years ago.

“Whoever lives in Sokoto enjoys the benefit of free education, healthcare and every other services that the state avails its citizens,” stressing the need for national cohesion, integration and good governance as against divisive partisan politics.

residents already enlisted on the State Social Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS) and 195,565 successfully enrolled and accessing care under the Scheme, OHIS is up and running well, and we are proud of it as one of the leading State Health Insurance Agencies in the country.

"To further strengthen the Scheme, we have consistently paid the government’s share of public servants’ health insurance premium which is 3% of workers basic salary and paid the equity grant meant for the provision of treatment and care for the vulnerable/less privileged people in the State free of charge, making us the second in the entire Federation to do so.

"It is indeed heart-warming to note that in recognition of the achievements of the Agency, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) selected OHIS for piloting the Integration of Tuberculosis (TB) with State Social Health Insurance Schemes (SSHIS) in Nigeria in collaboration with their consultants at Equitable Health Access Initiative (EHAI).

“The programmes have just been completed and the enrolled patients are already receiving treatment for TB across the State, as part of the OHIS Equity Programme for vulnerable persons," Oyetola stated.

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TRIBUTE

Buhari, Obasanjo, Lawan, Others Mourn, Pay Tribute to Former Senate President, Wayas Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Olawale Ajimotokan, Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Udora Orizu in Abuja and James Sowole in Abeokuta President Muhammadu Buhari, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senate President Ahmed Lawan and several other prominent Nigerians, have condoled with the family of a former Senate President, Joseph Wayas, aged 80, who passed on Wednesday in London, and paid tribute to his influence and contributions to Nigeria’s democracy, which they described as indelible.

Buhari, in a release yesterday by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, noted the sacrifices of Wayas, who started taking up leadership responsibilities at an early age, becoming a Senate President at 38, and remaining vibrant and dynamic in mentoring leaders long after he retired from politics.

The president, therefore, joined the National Assembly, government and people of Cross River State, his friends and associates in mourning the loss, believing his legacies would be approximated for posterity. He also prayed that his soul would find rest with the Lord.

On his part, Obasanjo said Wayas lived for the welfare and security of the common man.

Obasanjo, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, noted that the federal lawmaker, during the administration of President Shehu Shagari in 1979, would "be sorely missed in view of his giant political strides and contributions to the building of the Nigerian nation, starting from his birth place, Bassang, in Cross River State, to every nook and cranny of the country.

“Dr. Wayas was a special breed, who contributed immensely to the development of the country and became a parliamentarian in the Second Republic.

"He was such a great patriot, who had contributed his own quota to the legislative governance and overall development of Nigeria. He always pitched its tent with the truth. He maintained a cordial relationship with his colleagues in the Senate and well-groomed in legislative practices and procedures.

“His knowledge of practices and procedures of the Senate, helped him greatly in running the affairs of the Senate. He demonstrated high level of maturity and level-headedness.

His disposition towards effective nation building remains unparalleled.

"He lived for the welfare and security of the common man. His passion about a better and safer society was exceptional. His steadfastness, commitment to the cause of one Nigeria and optimistic spirit towards national development will continue to inspire us both now and in the future,” Obasanjo said.

Lawan and his Deputy, Senator Ovie OmoAgege, while commiserating with the Wayas family and the Cross River State Government, described the death of Senator Wayas as a great loss for Nigeria.

Lawan said, "Senator Joseph Wayas was a great lawmaker and political leader, who served his country and people with dedication and integrity. As the Senate President in the Second Republic, Senator Wayas led the upper chamber with competence and passion.

He was a great symbol of his political era.

"Senator Wayas continued to contribute to nation-building, democracy and socioeconomic development of Nigeria even after he left public office in 1983. He played a significant role as Deputy Chairman of the 1994-95 National Constitutional Conference and took part in many other national assignments. Nigeria will sorely miss his wealth of experience."

Omo-Agege declared that the smooth Executive/Legislature working relationship that Wayas practicalised during the Second Republic is still being implemented to enhance good governance today.

“As Senate President, Senator Wayas went to great lengths to ensure that, in the interest of their political party as well as the entire nation, both the Executive and Legislature, were on the same page on critical issues before such were brought up at the Senate.

“He was also known for peaceful, patriotic compromise and a lifetime commitment towards working with Nigerians from other parts of the Federation. He was an experienced private sector figure, who distinguished himself in the public sector, utilising knowledge and experiences gathered abroad to enhance governance in Nigeria.”

Gbajabiamila: His

Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has described the late Wayas as a quintessential democrat, who left bold prints on the politics and political history of Nigeria.

Recalling his role in the Second Republic, Ayu said Wayas brought stability, colour, style and depth to his leadership of the National Assembly.

"I join millions of Nigerians across different strata of life mourning the passing of this great Nigerian statesman. He dedicated his life to the service of his Fatherland.

"He was a great man, a quintessential democrat and outstanding statesman, who has left very bold prints, both on the politics and political history of Nigeria. As Senate President in the Second Republic, he brought stability, style and depth to his leadership of the National Assembly at the time."

Mark, Ekweremadu, Nnamani Mourn Too

Wayas

Contributions to Democracy Were Great Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, while expressing sadness over the death of Wayas, said his contributions to the deepening of democracy in the country cannot be overemphasised.

While praying for the repose of the soul of the elder statesman, the Speaker enjoined the family, friends and the people of Cross River State to take solace in the fact that the ex-President of the Senate, a founding member of the defunct All People’s Party (APP), contributed his part to the political development of Nigeria.

SGF: He Worked for Nigeria's Indivisibility The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, in his tribute,described Wayas as a firm believer in federalism and worked hard to ensure oneness and indivisibility of the country.

In a statement by the Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, the SGF lamented that the astute politician died at a time his wise counsel was mostly needed at the point of the nation’s history.

The SGF commiserated with the government and the people of Cross River State, his immediate family and political associates and prayed God to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest.

Tinubu: He Was a Statesman, Vibrant Politician A former Lagos State governor and one of the All Progressives Congress (APC) national leaders, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has described Wayas, as an important statesman and vibrant politician, who served his country with total commitment.

He said his death at 80 represented the end of an era in the socio-political evolution of Nigeria, adding that he was until his death one of the few remaining notable politicians, who played vital roles in the politics of Nigeria’s Second Republic.

In a condolence message released by his Media Office in Lagos, Tinubu, noted that

as a politician, Wayas was excellent, and as a patriot, he served the country brilliantly in and out of public office “His wisdom, uncanny humour, deep knowledge and understanding of Nigeria would be missed by the younger generation.

Dr. Wayas' most outstanding contribution to national development, unity and progress of Nigeria was when he served as the Senate President from 1979-83. He led the National Assembly, that important institution and arm of government, with exemplary commitment.”

Saraki: He Was a True Statesman and Father-figure Former President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has described Wayas as a true statesman and father-figure.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said Nigeria had lost one of its most illustrious sons, noted that, “My prayers are with the Wayas family over the passing of Dr. Joseph Wayas, who was the President of the Senate while my father, Dr. Olusola Saraki, served as Senate Leader between 1979 and 1983.

“I remember when I was younger, whenever Oloye used to visit Dr. Wayas, or Dr. Wayas came to our home on visits, he always had a knack for wanting to ensure that everyone was carried along in the solutions to the problems of the day.

“During my time as Senate President, knowing full well how closely he and my father worked, based on his experience, I consulted with him regularly on issues relating to the running of the Senate. He was a guest at a few of our anniversary events in the 8th Senate.

“This is why, today, as we mourn the passing of this great statesman, experienced legislator, and people-centered politician, I thank Almighty God and his family for sharing him with us. I also commiserate with the people of Cross River State over Dr. Wayas’s demise, and pray for strength for his family, friends, political associates, and supporters,” Saraki stated.

Ayu: He Was a Quintessential Democrat The National Chairman-elect of the Peoples

Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, ex-Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and former governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, have also mourned Wayas and described him as an accomplished veteran federal legislator.

In separate tributes, the trio eulogised the Fourth President of Nigerian Senate.

Mark, who served as President of the 6th and 7th Senate, in a statement, described the demise of Wayas as a sad end of an era.

"Senator Wayas was a great nationalist. He was a parliamentarian per excellence. His diligence, honesty and uncommon dedication to the ideals of nationhood remains reference points. He brought dignity and respect to the legislature by adhering to the rule of law, separation of power and collaborating with the executive arm of government without compromising the independence of the legislature”.

Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, while expressing sadness over his passing, described him as a veteran of the Nigerian legislature and key player in Nigeria’s constitutional development.

“This is particularly a grievous loss to the Nigerian legislature and the nation as a whole. He was a veteran and an institutional memory bank of the Nigerian legislature, and a key player in Nigeria’s constitutional development, having Deputy Chairman of the National Constitutional Conference Commission, which midwifed the 1994/1995 Constitutional Conference.

“Senator Wayas gave his all to the nation, had a tempering effect on the polity and acquitted himself most creditable as a patriot, pan-Nigerian, and people-vested political icon and leader.

Nnamani, on his part, described his death as a huge loss to the nation especially the political class, saying Wayas was a pathfinder, who believed in the sanctity of the ballot as a vehicle for electing leaders at all levels.

“We have lost a patriot and committed democrat, who took the entire country as his constituency,” he said, adding that Wayas believed in a fair and just society, where no citizen was impeded or inhibited from pursuing his or her legitimate ambition on account of religion, ethnic or tribal leaning.

Ngige: It’s a Great National Loss Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has equally described Wayas as a colossus and his death, a great national loss.

In a tribute, Ngige said, “Dr. Wayas was one of the young titans, who moulded the building blocks for the presidential democracy, which Nigeria adopted in 1979.”

"In that Second Republic, where he was elected the President of the Senate between 1979and 1983, he led a vigorous, vibrant and issued-based assembly, which gingered stability and attenuated to a great length, the teething challenges posed by the then nascent presidential system of government.

“Watching Dr. Wayas conduct the affairs of the Senate, his deft control of the vibrant cross party debates in the chambers, had a sharp impression on my youthful mind, thus, my decision later in life to vie for the Senate, an ambition I realised when I won a hotly contested senatorial election in 2011 to represent Anambra Central in the Seventh Senate as the only opposition Senator from the old Eastern Nigeria."

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NEWS

Police Arrest 13 Suspects for Attack on APC Governorship Campaign Office in Kano IbrahimShuaibuinKano Kano State Police Command has confirmed an attack on the campaign office of Senator Barau Jibril, representing Kano North Senatorial District in the state.

Jibril, who is gunning for Kano gubernatorial position, had parted ways with Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje-led APC faction and joined Senator Ibrahim Shekarau’s side.

Also, a High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday sacked the Ganduje-backed APC leadership and affirmed the Shekarau-led exco.

However, yesterday hundreds of thugs, holding dangerous weapons, invaded the campaign office of Senator Jibril, situated along Maiduguri Road and vandalized it. pokesman of the command, Mr Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said in a statement that on receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, raised and instructed teams of Operation Puff Adder to move to the scene, restore normalcy and arrest the culprits.

Haruna, a deputy superintendent of Police (DSP) said 13 suspects had been arrested, adding that weapons and other items were recovered.

Items recovered include: 34

dangerous weapons, 23 Clubs, two gallons of suspected petroleum, one parcel and 30 pieces of dried leaves, suspected to be Indian hemp.

Other exhibition recovered

include 24 sachets of Diazepam tablets, four pieces of Red Sun Solution, one mobile phone, two ceiling fans and a bunch of charms.

Kiyawa stated that normalcy

was immediately restored and the situation brought under control.

Investigation has commenced and suspects will be charged to court for prosecution.

“The CP warns that criminals will have no hiding place in Kano State.They are advised to either repent or leave the State completely.

Otherwise, they will be arrested

and face the full wrath of Law. He thanked the good people of Kano State for their prayers, encouragement, continuous support and cooperation.

SAVOURING THEIR PRIZES…

L-R: Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Seun Fakorede; Regional Manager, Activations Globacom West, Mr. Abidemi Emmanuel; Nollywood actor, Odunlade Adekola; Regional Manager, Recharge, Mr. Ikechukwu Onuekwusi (2nd right) ace comedian Godwin Komone, a.k.a Gordons, and Regional Sales Coordinator, Globacom, Mr. Akeem Yusuf (4th right) with winners of power generating sets at the presentation of prizes to winners in Globacom Joy Unlimited Extravaganza Promo at the Gloworld, Idi Ape, Ibadan

Edo NDLEA Seizes 5.49 Access Bank Embarks on a Three-fold CSR Project Tonnes of Suspected Cannabis in Two days Ugo Aliogo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo Command, said it seized 5,492 Kilogrammes of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa within two days in the state.

State Commander of the agency, Mr. Buba Wakawa, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Benin yesterday.

Wakawa said that the seizures were made from two concealed warehouses discovered by the personnel of the command in two communities across two Local Government Areas of the state.

He explained that on November 23, acting on credible intelligence, personnel of the agency stormed a storage facility at Uzzeba in Owas West Local Government Area in the state and evacuated 107 bags of suspected Cannabis Sativa weighing 1,240 Kilogrammes, (1.240 tonnes)

“Then on November 24, the command discovered another concealed warehouse at Uhiere village in Ovia North East Local Government Area.

“The command’s personnel went into action immediately and a total of 315 bags of suspected cannabis sativa weighing 4,252 Kilogrammes (4.252 tonnes) were evacuated and removed from circulation from a concealed warehouse”.

He added that a 21 years old suspect was arrested during the operations.

He disclosed that the two seizures were a major seizure by the command in November, as the quantity of suspected cannabis sativa were huge.

He added that there were other seizures made in November, which when added brings the total seizure made within the month to 6,477.86 Kilogrammes.

Plateau Community Protests Lalong’s Impunity Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Taroh community of Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State has shut down activities in the local government by blocking all the roads leading to the council to protest what they termed as the impunity of Governor Simon Lalong who refused to obey court order that restored the council chairman that he illegally removed.

The protesters explained that the council chairman, Mr. Joshua Laven, was duly elected for a three-year tenure but was removed after two years by Lalong who replaced him with Zulfa Rimven.

They said the Governor has refused to obey the court judgment that restored Laven

and his deputy, Mr. Daniel Balbong to office.

They accuse the governor of fanning crisis in the council and dividing the people.

The Coordinator of Taroh Vanguard, Mr. Boniface Ndam, told newsmen that the governor should be held responsible for any bloodshed on Taroh land as a result of his attempt to impose Mr. Zulfa Rimven, on the people.

Ndam argued that the political interest and ambition of the governor is not worth the blood of anybody in Taroh land and Plateau State, adding that the events unfolding in Langtang North and the entire state were fearful and called for concerted effort to nip it in the bud before it would be too late.

Access Bank Plc has embarked on a three-fold corporate social responsibility (CSR) project in the south-west (Lagos), south-east (Port-Harcourt) and northern part of the country (Abuja).

Speaking at the CSR project forum in Lagos, the bank’s Head, Corporate Social Responsibility, Commercial Banking Division, Susan Onwuegbuzie, said the focus of the event was aimed at developing the mindset of the children who are the future leaders and improving the level of literacy in communities where the bank operates.

According to her, over 10 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 years are out of school in Nigeria.

She said that it was imperative to invest in the development of the pupils because of the potential and prospect they hold for the country.

Onwuegbuzie said in Lagos, the bank sponsored the enrollment of 50 children from the Makoko Community in Adekunle Primary School Makoko, Lagos.

She said the sponsorship covered the children enrollment fees, school uniforms, shoes, books, writing materials and

all other requirements need to commence formal education.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, one of the Group Heads Commercial Banking Division, Access Bank, Mr. Lookman Martins, who was represented by a Zonal Head, Mr. Adeboye Ayewamide said the project was laudable as it gives children an opportunity for learning which would enable them to realize their full potentials.

Martins revealed that the project was done in partnership with Slum2school an organisation transforming the society by empowering less

privileged children in slums, and remote communities with quality education, entrepreneurial skills, and psychosocial support, “to enable them to realise their full potential and become social reformers.”

According to Onwuegbuzie, “We will be monitoring the education of the children, receiving quarterly updates from Slum2school. We will also visit the school quarterly; having mentoring sessions to speak to the mindset of the children and make them have a stronger belief in themselves and greater hope for tomorrow.

Ohuabunwa Harps on Equity, Fairness to Guarantee Nigeria’s Future Chinedu Eze Convener for The New Nigeria Group and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Mazi Sam Ohabunwa, said that every part of Nigeria needs fairness and that is what would guarantee the future of the country.

Ohabunwa, who spoke to

journalists when he arrived Nigeria at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos yesterday after a trip to United Kingdom(UK), said Nigeria is restive and tormented by insecurity because the federal government has failed to bring together citizens across ethnic, gender and religious divides under

one nation.

He lamented the high cost of food and associated poverty as well as the security challenges bedeviling the country.

Speaking about unity of various ethnic groups in Nigeria, Ohabunwa said what the Igbo were looking for in Nigeria was not different from what other ethnic nationalities are

also looking for and that if elected president in 2023, he would heal the nation of all causes of disunity and hatred.

“One Hausa boy was here speaking Igbo and I asked him, “is there anything that the Igbo wants and the Hausa does not want and he said no. Nigerians want the same thing, equity, fair play and justice.

Lawyer Arraigned for Allegedly Faking Judgment in Nasarawa Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia

A Makurdi Based Lawyer, Mr. Okpale Ojikpa, was yesterday arraigned before a Nasarawa State Chief Magistrate Court III, sitting in Lafia, for allegedly using false evidence in court, contrary to Section 161 of the Penal Code against the Nasarawa State Government.

The suspect, who was

remanded for 48 hours at the Lafia Correctional facility, was also accused of presenting false statement in declaration, which is by law receivable as evidence, contrary to Section 164 of the Penal Code.

The lawyer was arraigned in court after an arrest warrant issued that compeled him to appear in person as enshrined in the Nasarawa State

Administration of Criminal Justice Law. The counsel to the Nasarawa State Government, who doubled as the lead counsel, Egye Usman Aliyu, said the records before the court showed that Mr. Okpale used fake court judgments to obtain Garnishee Orders on the accounts of the state government, which

contravened section 161 and section 164 of the Penal Code.

Aliyu applied to the court that the particulars of the complaint be read out to the suspect, to appraise him of why he was in court, adding that the judgment Ojikpa was alleging was a continued case, and has been determined at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Lagos TUC Condemns Poor Labour Practices by Private Sectors Ugo Aliogo and Oluchi Chibuzor The Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, Lagos Council, has said it condemned the antithetical labour practises deployed by the private sector in the state.

This, practices according to them includes reported and unreported cases of victimization,

sexual harassment, child/forced labour, threats, bullying, arbitrary disengagements, intimidations, casualisations, witch-hunting and repression of workers and labour leaders.

TUC Lagos Council stated this in a communiqué signed by its Chairman, Gbenga Ekundayo and Secretary, Abiodun Aladetan,

after 2021 training organised by the leadership of the TUC Lagos State Council, held recently with the theme: ‘Decent Work and Employment Relations: The Impact for A Smart City’.

They said after a careful analysis of the theme, the following observations and decisions were made.

“The workshop brought to the attention of all participants the fact that the world of work is presently under attack and the Nigeria Labour Law now on trial due to the high reported cases of abuse of workers right in work places particularly since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.“

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 3, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

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N11.5bn Fraud: Appeal Court Frees Akala, Two Others Kemi Olaitan inIbadan The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan yesterday discharged and acquitted a former governor of Oyo State, Mr. Adebayo AlaoAkala, over the N11.5 billion corruption charges levelled against him by the Economic and Financial crimes commission (EFCC).

The appellate court also discharged and acquitted former deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Hosea Agboola, who is currently the Chairman of Governor’s Advisory Council to Governor Seyi Makinde, and a business mogul, Mr. Femi Babalola, popularly known as Jogor.

Agboola who is the second defendant/appellant, served as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters when Alao-Akala was governor between 2007 and 2011, while the third defendant/ appellant, Femi Babalola, owns an engineering firm, Pentagon Engineering Services, that executed some contracts during the former governor’s tenure.

The case, which started 11 years ago, was presided over by a three-man panel led by Justice Jimi Olukayode Bada while Justices Abba Muhammed and Abdulazeez Waziri were other members of the panel.

The three defendants/appellants were present in court during yesterday’s proceeding.

Alao-Akala, Ayoola and Babalola, had been arraigned

by EFCC before an Oyo State High Court, over an alleged N11.5 billion fraud.

The 11 count-charge preferred against the trio included conspiracy, awarding contract without budgetary provision, obtaining by

false pretence, acquiring property with money derived from illegal act and concealing the ownership of such property, among others.

Counsel to EFCC, Dr. Benedict Ubi, had told the lower court that when Alao-Akala was the governor of Oyo State, he awarded a road contract worth

N8.5 billion between 2007 and 2009 to Pentagon Engineering Services, alleging that the firm handled the contract on behalf of the 33 local governments areas of the state without budgetary provision.

According to him, Alao-Akala, ordered the supply of drilling

machines on behalf of the 33 local government areas worth N3.5 billion, stating that the former governor purportedly conspired with Ayoola to withdraw N2.9 billion from Oyo State Local Government Joint Account.

He also told the court that Alao-Akala illegally acquired

a property at Old Bodija, Off Rotimi Williams Avenue, in Ibadan, when he was governor, disclosing that the alleged offences contravened Section 22 (4) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act and Section 1 (18) of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act.

E-BUSINESS RETREAT…

L-R: Director of Digital Economy, Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC), Rev. Nwaulune Augustine; Chairman, Committee of E- Business Industry Heads ( CeBIH), Mr. Adeyemi Atanda; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Managing Director/CEO of 9 Payment Service Bank (9PSB), Mr. Branka Mracajac; CeBIH Vice Chairman, Mrs. Oluremi Tinuolu-Gabriel, at 2021 Annual Committee of E-Business Industry Head Retreat in Abeokuta, Ogun State…yesterday

Enugu Assembly Zones Next 55 Million Youths Living in Abject Poverty, Says Senator Bassey Gov to East Senatorial Zone for Equity, Justice Bassey Inyang in Calabar

Members of a socio-political group, Enugu State Equity and Integrity Assembly, have thrown their total weight behind the existing zoning arrangement for the governorship position in Enugu State.

The group, made up of people of Enugu West senatorial zone, disclosed their stance in a communiqué read by the Coordinator, Mr. Gary Eneh, at the end of their meeting in Enugu yesterday.

They noted that the zoning arrangement had helped to stabilise Enugu State and reduce political tension, bitterness and rancour among political actors in the state.

The people stated that for peace and equity, the next governor of the state should come from Enugu East senatorial district, stressing that “Enugu West

senatorial zone is not interested in the governorship position in 2023, as such moves would run contrary to the established zoning formula in the state.”

Also, members of the group unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the state Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and the manner in which he has been promoting peace and unity as well as entrenching good governance in spite of Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.

According to them, “The members of the association are unflinchingly in support of the established zoning formula in the state.

“The members are not oblivious of the fact that the next governor of Enugu State should be from Enugu East senatorial zone for equity, fair-play, integrity and justice.

The senator representing Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Mr. Gershom Henry Bassey, has lamented the high rate of youth unemployment in the country, saying that available statistics indicated that over 55 million of them live in object property.

Bassey, who earlier in the week raised a motion in the Senate on “The Need to Prioritise Sustainable

Youth Oriented Human Capital Development for Long Term SocioEconomic Growth,” said that the need for sustainable programmes for youths’ development and empowerment in Nigeria is now to check current slide.

A statement from his office, which was made available to journalists yesterday in Calabar, said that “Nigeria’s current economic growth patterns are not providing adequate employment and quality life, especially for

young persons who may lack necessary skills and training.”

He stated that “by the fourth quarter of 2020, Nigeria’s unemployment rate increased to 33.3 percent from 27 percent in second quarter and Nigeria now ranks 2nd highest on the unemployment global list, which and is not acceptable as one in three of Nigeria’s 69.7 million work force are unemployed, consisting predominantly of young persons aged 25 to 44.”

He said the time has come for an urgent intervention to get Nigerian youths gainfully empowered and employed.

Bassey who is also the Chairman of Cross River National Assembly Caucus, said that “food inflation has accelerated at its highest pace in 15 years, worsening the economic conditions of millions of Nigerian youths, of which more than 55 million now live in extreme poverty.”

Prevail on Buhari to Inaugurate NDDC Board, Monarch Urges NASS Sylvester Idowu inWarri The Ovie of Idjerhe kingdom, HRM Monday Whiskey Udurhie I, has urged the National Assembly to prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari to inaugurate, “the already screened and confirmed” board of the Niger Development Commission (NDDC).

Reacting to the continued

delay in the inauguration of the interventionist agency’s board, the traditional ruler in an interview with THISDAY, yesterday, told the National Assembly to invoke the doctrine of necessity and stop the current “dance of shame” in the commission.

Advising the National Assembly not to undermine its constitutional functions, he argued that since the nominees

were nominated by the president and were duly screened and confirmed by National Assembly, there was no other authority known to law that could stop their inauguration.

“Billions have been wasted and out rightly looted and more are still currently being looted and as a people, we cannot continue in this shameful and very disgraceful manner.

“The Niger Delta has not been so bad in the past 20 years of NDDC’s existence that one single individual in the name of Minister of Niger Delta Affairs will hijack the administrative structures of the interventionist agency working for socio-economic development of a sensitive region like the Niger Delta and entire nations leadership will go to sleep as if all is well,” he said.

to Dismiss 233 Teachers with Fake Certificates Observers Want Parties Boycotting Kaduna teachers in the state would 451 certificates by contacting the these 233 fake certificates.

John Shiklam in Kaduna undergo another competency test. institutions that awarded the “The board will dismiss the Elections Sanctioned The first competency test took certificates.

233 teachers who presented these The Kaduna State Universal Basic Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

A coalition of election observers has called the National Assembly to rework the constitution to empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to sanction parties boycotting elections in the country.

The call the refusal of some political parties, including the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), to participate in the December 4 Local Government Elections in Ekiti State.

The CSOs also warned the traditional rulers to stop anointing candidates for elections in order to avoid heating up the polity and desecrating the traditional institution in the country.

The coalition also praised

the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), security agencies, political parties, Ekiti voters and traditional institution for their readiness to participate and ensure the success of the Saturday’s chairmanship and councillorship elections.

The Ekiti State accredited Domestic Civil Society Election Observers (DCSEO) described boycott of elections by parties as an act of sabotage.

The team leader, Mr. Victor Kalu, said: “It is surprising that the opposition parties will be staying away from local government elections after requesting for it on the fear that the process is already predetermined. If a political party boycotts an election, it is like going on hunger strike, which someone has no reason to do.

Education Board (KADSUBEB) would dismiss 233 teachers with fake certificates.

The Chairman of the KADSUBEB, Mr. Tijjani Abdullahi, who disclosed this during a news briefing yesterday in Kaduna, said that the culprits would be prosecuted for forgery.

Abdullahi also said that

place in 2017, leading to the sacking of over 20, 000 teachers that failed the test which was trailed by controversies.

He said that the KADSUBEB, had in April 2021, embarked on a verification exercise to ascertain if all the teachers have the requisite qualifications for employment.

“So far, the board has verified

“Nine of the 13 institutions contacted have responded, as at today. The responses from the institutions showed that 233 teachers presented fake certificates.

“This represents 51 per cent of the 451 certificates on which responses have been received from the awarding institutions.

One institution disowned 212 of

fake certificates, while their files will be forwarded to the Ministry of Justice to initiate prosecution for forgery,” he said.

Abdullahi said that the KADSUBEB would continue to check the integrity of certificates presented by teachers to ensure that the teaching profession would not devalued by impostors.

RCCG Inaugurates N15m Science Laboratories in Lagos Pastor of Rose of Sharon, Pastor Sharon parish. students learn in a conducive

Ayodeji Ake

The Rose of Sharon Chapter of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has rehabilitated and commissioned science laboratories at the State Senior High School, Ikeja, Lagos State.

Speaking during the commissioning, the Senior

Emeka Obiagwu, noted that the church has bent on partnering and assisting the government through its Christian Social Responsibilities (CSR).

Obiagwu, in his remark, noted that the science laboratories were rehabilitated with the sum of N15 million to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Rose of

He said: “We thought it necessary to do something great for the community. We felt there is a need to touch lives and we felt it was important that we do a landmark project that 15 years from now it will still be obvious that lives have been impacted through this project.

“The burden was to ensure

atmosphere. The committee went round to look for a landmark project and we identified that the school laboratory was in bad shape. We decided to refurbish, renovate and equip the laboratories.“ We have the chemistry, biology and physics laboratories fully rehabilitated and equipped.

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Public Procurement: NACCIMA Women Mull N500bn Annual Contribution to Economy KuniTyessi inAbuja The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Women Wing has called on the federal government to address challenges hindering the inclusion of women in public procurement processes.

This, they said would enable Nigerian female entrepreneurs contribute at least N500 billion to the nation’s economy annually.

The group regretted that despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s Executive Order 003 that directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government to grant preference to local manufacturers in their procurement of goods and services, only one per cent goes to women-owned businesses.

The Chairperson of the NACCIMA Business Women Group (NAWORG), Mrs. Aisha Abubakar, made this call at a media briefing in Abuja yesterday.

According to the ex-Minister, “The case for gender equality is founded in both human rights and economic arguments. As

such, closing gender gaps must be a central part of any strategy to create more sustainable and inclusive economies and societies.

“We, therefore, advocate specifically for improved market demand for products and services of women-owned businesses by leveraging on the Presidential Executive Order 3 published in 2017, titled, Executive Order on Support for Local Content in Public Procurement by the federal government.”

NCAA Approves Anambra Airport for Commercial Flights David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has authorised the Anambra State Government to commence commercial operations in its International Airport from December 2, 2021.

The state Commissioner for Works, Mr. Marcel Ifejiofor, disclosed this to journalists

UNIBEN Alumni Holds Excellence Awards University of Benin Alumni Association (UBAA), Lagos Branch holds its Award of Excellence and Dinner at 2.00pm on Sunday December 5, 2021 in Ikeja.

A statement by branch chairman and secretary, Stephen Onojomete, and David Osiezagha, said the event would be chaired by Mr. George Okoyo, MD/CEO of Point Engineering Ltd. A keynote address will be delivered by Lagos State Budget and Economic Planning Commissioner, Hon. Sam Egube.

The university’s vice chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami is the special guest of honour while Northwest Petroleum Ltd’s MD/CEO, Mrs. Winifred Akpani is mother of the day. Other patrons expected

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as OGUNJUYIGBE AYODEJI SAMSON, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNJUYIGBE AYODEJI SAMSON OLATUNJI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANAZODO NONYE AMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS LBEKWE NONYE AMAKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ANGELA OGECHI OKORIE. now wish to be known and addressed as ANGELA OGECHI ONUEGBULEM. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MR ATAMA REMINUS, now wish to be known and addressed as MR AGOZIE REMINUS IKECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MRS ATAMA MARTHA EBERE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AGOZIE MARTHA EBERE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Speaking also, the President, Nigerian Association of Women Entrepreneurs, Vera Ndanusa, stated that the Presidential Orders 003 and 005 provided an opportunity for women businesses to thrive.

However, she advocated inclusiveness, transparency, competitiveness and professionalism in Nigeria’s public procurement as a way surmounting the challenges hindering the participation of women businesses.

include Pharm (Chief) Paul Osogbe Enebeli, Chief Oma Richard Ahonaruogho (SAN) and Senator Matthew Urhogide while some ex-students who have excelled in their professions and contributed to national development and UBAA’s growth will be honoured. They include Sharon Ikeazor, Minister of State for Environment; Elias Igbinakenzua, MD/CEO Globus Bank Plc; Dr. Kemi Pinheiro.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as MISS UNYIME UWEM ANTIAOBONG now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UNYIME UDUAK INUA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

This is to notify the general public that EHIMARE UWA CHRISTY and ALEX- EHIMARE UWA CHRISTY is the same person, and now wish to be known as ALEXEHIMARE UWA CHRISTY. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

THEODORA - I, formerly known and addressed as THEODORA OLUCHI EJIMOFOR now wish to be known and addressed as THEODORA OLUCHI GEORGE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as PUNARIMAM CHRISTIANA FEHINTOLA now wish to be known and addressed as PUNARIMAM CHRISTIANA BENJAMIN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as GEORGINA NDUKWE now wish to be known and addressed as GEORGINA NDUKWE-EZEANYIKA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

NOTIFICATION OF NAME This is to notify the general public that EHIMARE UWA CHRISTY and ALEX- EHIMARE UWA CHRISTY is the same person, and now wish to be known as ALEXEHIMARE UWA CHRISTY. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

yesterday.

Ifejiofor said the approval was contained in a letter dated December 1, 2021, addressed to the state Governor, Willie Obiano, as he displayed the letter issued by NCAA. He said: “The aviation authority said it has received security clearance from relevant security agencies for the opening.

It said the negative security clearance was the reason the authority had declined approval for the opening of the airport on October 30 2021, when the state government had scheduled the inauguration of the airport.

“In the interim, Category ‘B’ aircrafts are permitted to land and take off from the airport from sunrise to sunset.”

The commissioner praised the efforts of the governor, who he said never relented, even while on vacation to ensure that the airport becomes operational ahead of Christmas mass return of Ndi Anambra living in the Diaspora, and other visitors.

“With this NCAA clearance, airlines already approved by the relevant authorities to operate at the Anambra airport such as Air Peace, Ibom Air, United Nigeria and others are expected to start scheduling flights into and out of the airport immediately,” he said.

Lagos Medical Women Promise Improved Healthcare Emmanuel Olorunda-Otaru The acting President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria(MWAN), Lagos branch, Dr. Ibironke Sodeinde, has reemphasised the mission of the association, ‘to serve humanity in pursuit of positive health projects throughout the state and Nigeria.

Our main focus is to improve the health and wellbeing of the populace, especially women and children’.

Dr. Sodeinde, gave this hint, during the pre-conference briefing on the two-day 22nd Biennial Conference/Annual General Meeting of the Lagos State Branch of MWAN, with the theme: “Health and Security: A Critical Appraisal”, holding from December 7 -8, 2021, at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

According to her, “We selected the theme because of the challenging times like this, and it concerns everybody. When you are talking about insecurity, everybody counts. Health and insecurity are inseparable, when there is insecurity it affects health as well. When people are held bound, their health will fail.“

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

True Believers Love –Not Fear–God (1)

By: Spahic Omer/IslamiCity

“A true believer is so obsessed with cultivating love for God that he has no time, nor interest, to worry about unduly fearing him. He only fears the prospect of incurring God’s displeasure, by whatever means and whatever degree”.

Some people have problems reconciling the following truths.

First, it is rightly said that you can never love a person whom you fear (a statement often ascribed to Aristotle). There is no room in the heart for both fear and love towards the same person or thing. It is either one, or none.

Second, the highest level of one’s piety is to fear God as He should be feared (Alu- ‘Imran, 102). Whenever God is mentioned, the hearts of true believers become full of fear (al-Anfal, 2).

Third, believers are expected to love God more than anything else. Not doing so is a serious spiritual deficiency (al-Tawbah, 24).

Fourth, true believers, who follow the heavenly guidance, are supposed to have neither fear nor grief (al-Baqarah, 38).

All of the above assertions are correct. The best way to reconcile them is to carefully analyse the Qur’anic concepts of piety, fear, love and man’s relationships with God, the Creator, and His creations. The same concepts can be further explained in the light of the Prophet’s Sunnah.

One should also bear in mind that the Arabic language is so rich and diverse that sometimes two apparently synonymous words may be significantly different. They may be a world of subtle meanings apart.

Thus, a main condition for truly excelling in any branch of Islamic studies is the adequate knowledge of Arabic. Without that, more harm than benefit can be generated, notwithstanding people’s sincere intentions and the levels of their commitment. In passing, herein lies one of the main causes of the biggest predicaments Muslims face today.

God reveals that He has sent it (the Qur’an) (Yusuf, 2), and has made it (al-Zukhruf, 3), an Arabic Qur’an that people may be able to understand and learn wisdom. That means that no proper understanding and wisdom (epistemology) are possible without the Qur’an, or the revealed knowledge, and without the Arabic language as its method and system of communication.

Born to love and be brave According to the Islamic worldview, people are created to love. They learn how to hate. When they love, they stay true to themselves and their primordial nature (fitrah).

To love is to be normal. That is why love is called hubb in Arabic. Related to the same root word is the word habb, which means seed. When a person is born, he is implanted with the seed (habb) of love (hubb), which he is expected to grow and cultivate throughout his life.

To hate, conversely, is an anomaly. A person who hates is abnormal. That is why hatred in Arabic is called karahiyyah. It is from the same root word as the words akraha and ikrah, which mean “to force or compel” and “compulsion” respectively. That implies when a person hates, he goes against his intrinsic nature. He forces an aberrant feeling and activity upon himself.

Consistent with His divine attributes, Almighty God created life full of goodness. What can be perceived as life’s negativities, such as Satan, pain, suffering, death, etc., are relative things. Their being bad and undesirable is only skin-deep. It is an outward property and so, easily deceiving.

God created those things as means to a higher order of meaning and experience. They are to be openly and decisively dealt with. They are likewise to be contemplated, thus penetrating the greatest secrets of life and man’s purpose in it.

Man in addition is created as God’s vicegerent on earth. The end of his successful life mission is God’s pleasure and His Jannah (Paradise).

Every moment and activity is a step closer to the fulfilment of that noble objective.

Thus, a believing man has no reason to worry about anything, let alone be afraid, except about whether he will succeed in his mission or not.

Everything else is secondary and takes a back seat. Whatever aids a believer in what he strives for is priceless to him and he effortlessly develops a deep affection for it. He loves only those things.

The more they are important for his life aims, the more he loves them.

It goes without saying that God as his Creator and the Creator of life, is loved most by such a person. As the Source of all goodness and worth, God deserves to be loved most. Nobody gets

even close to His rights and entitlement, making this paradigm as much a logic as a palpable reality. Surely, a similar reasoning goes to the ways people feel about the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), Islam as Truth, the Holy Qur’an, and fellow believers as well.

With these spiritual and mental states, a believer needs neither to hate nor fear genuinely anything. He does not need to hate because life is so short and so precious to be wasted on such a meaningless and futile matter. He knows that the reason for his existence (raison d’etre) is love, compassion and being useful. He hates to hate.

When he must, though, his hate is conditional and short-lived. It is resorted to only when his life ideals and mission are at stake. Such hate is virtual and never personal.

A believer furthermore does not need to fear anybody and anything because it is unnatural and counterproductive. It is likewise incompatible with his second nature: love. A believer is the bravest being. He is on the right path, is an embodiment of Truth, and has Almighty God, the Creator and Master of all creation and the Absolute Truth, on his side. Not only that, God is his best ally, protector and friend on his journey.

Fears associable with such a person are not fears per se. The abject fear of the coward is unknown to him. The fear before a potential unidentified danger is also unfeasible, for only actual dangers are confronted, making that pursuit an act of courage itself. There is no such thing as childish (immature) and imaginary fears for a believer.

Moreover, the fear of a sensible man who wants to protect himself and such as have been entrusted to him against some actual evil forces, is no more than a preventive measure against those forces before they are systematically prevailed over. At the end of the day, that, too, does not warrant to be called a fear. Rather, it is a great act of bravery, diligence and maturity.

Fearing God Believers do not fear God. They love Him more than anything else. He means to them everything.

All value, goodness, beauty and knowledge come only from Him. Believers know they came from God as their Creator, they belong to Him, they live under His care, love and providence, and in the end they return to Him. Believers’ total lifestyles, based exclusively on love, are mere offshoots of their infinite and unqualified love for God. Moreover, their love is an earthly reflection of God’s divine love for His creation, in that man has been created in God’s image (Sahih Muslim).

In this love relationship, there is a significant degree of fear on the side of man, which however is conditional and yet fully placed in service of love. So immense and authentic is a believer’s love for God that he constantly fears that he may do something he shouldn’t do, or that he may not do something he should do, whereby his personal relationship with God, imbued with love, might be weakened. These are ostensibly fears. However, in reality, they are extensions, as well as signs, of true love.

For example, a person prays not because he fears God, but because he loves Him. He also trusts God and knows that prayers are good for him. He fears the prospect of missing his prayers only because his love for God, and God’s love for him, will be affected thereby, which is unimaginable for him. The same holds true as regards all the other commands and prohibitions aimed to strengthen and nurture man’s relationship with God. This is what is normally interpreted as altaqwa, as the highest station in one’s spiritual ascension. The concept is often translated as “fear of God”. However, if the translation is properly conceptualized and contextualized, and is accompanied with necessary clarifications, it is then acceptable. If it is not, then it shouldn’t be accepted as such, for the translation entails more than a few problematic nuances. Indeed, if a person believes in God and obeys him solely as a result of fear, such in no way is a mark of commendable faith.

Al-taqwa is derived from the words waqa and wiqayah, which mean “to protect” and “protection” respectively. Al-taqwa could therefore be construed as “observing one’s duty to God”, “God-consciousness”, “self-restraint”, “protecting the relationship with God, and by means of performing righteous deeds and shunning immoral ones, protecting oneself from the consequences of damaging such relationship”. Al-taqwa is also understood as a shield.

To Be Continued

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FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

CR7: 801 And Still Counting....

Cristiano Ronaldo made it 801 career goals as Manchester United beat Arsenal 3-2 in a brilliant see-saw game that had controversy and crucial VAR decisions last night.

Emile Smith Rowe fired in the opener with goalkeeper David de Gea down injured after Fred trod on his heel, with

VAR awarding the goal.

Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo turned the game United's way.

Martin Odegaard restored parity but Ronaldo struck a penalty winner after a VAR check for a foul on Fred.

In scoring his two goals, 36-year-old Ronaldo became the first player in

history to reach reach eaach ch 880 800 00 goals 00 goals in competitive games for club cllub aand country, doing so in 1,097 matches.

The drama was watched by Ralf Rangnick, who replaces Michael Carrick as interim United boss after this game.

Carrick has stepped own and left Old Trafford.

Michelle Alozie Focused on Qualifying Falcons for AWCON, World Cup Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report Nigeria and Houston Dash in the America’s National Women's Soccer League forward, Michelle Alozie, 24, has remained focused on helping Super Falcons qualifying for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations

tournament scheduled to hold next February in Morocco.

Alozie was one of the players Coach Randy Waldrum recently camped in Abuja for a training camp ahead of the all important final hurdle with Côte d’Ivoire’s Elephant Ladies.

"It was really good to get a full

Infantino, NFF Board Felicitate with Pinnick on Birthday President of world footballgoverning body FIFA, Mr Gianni Infantino, has showered encomiums on the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick as the latter marked his birthday anniversary on Wednesday, 1st December 2021.

“This past year, which has presented us with many challenges, has nevertheless shown and highlighted the exemplary unity and solidarity of the football world, and I can only reiterate my sincere thanks to you for your efforts, work and contribution within the FIFA Council,” Infantino wrote in a letter personally signed by him

to a fellow Member of the FIFA Council.

The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, which Pinnick has led brilliantly for the past seven years and two months, also heaped plaudits on the debonair and formidable administrator as he celebrated on Wednesday.

General Secretary of the NFF and Secretary to the Board, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said Pinnick has demonstrated exemplary leadership and remains one of the most innovative and energetic leaders that Nigeria Football has seen in a long time.

nine days with everyone to prepare for the upcoming games," began Alozie in an interview with BBC Africa Sports yesterday.

She admitted a lot of take away from the training session in Abuja.

"We had a lot of positives, and it was good to see some new faces from the domestic players in Nigeria.

We need to work more together, to get more acclimated to one another, and that is what these camps are for.

"We are continuing to build for these qualifiers."

Super Falcons in October narrowly defeated Ghana’s Black Queens 2-1 on aggregate to reach this final qualifying clash with the Ivorians.

A win for Falcons at the AWCON in Morocco next year will be the fourth time in a row and the 10th title for Nigeria.

Ticket as one of Africa's representatives for the 2023 Women's World Cup will also be decided in Morocco

in July, with the semi-finalists all booking spots in Australia and New Zealand joint hosting of the women’s Mundial.

"We know this is a revenge game so we are going to put everything in it," Alozie said, referring to the fact Côte d’Ivoire knocked Nigeria out of the qualifiers for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

"We need to win it. We want to go to AWCON and we want to go to the World Cup so we know what is at stake,” she stressed with seriousness.

At the Summer Series tournament in USA last June, Alozie made her full Nigeria debut against Jamaica, fulfilling a "childhood dream".

However, in a bizarre twist of fate three months later, Alozie got on the scorer’s sheet against Nigeria at the Aisha Buhari Tournament in Lagos with an own goal in Falcons clash with South Africa’s Banyana Banyana.

Bet9ja/Lagos SWAN Cup Begins The opening ceremony of the week-long 2021 Bet9ja/Lagos SWAN Cup celebration will take centre stage today at the Legacy pitch inside the National Stadium Complex, Lagos.

As part of activities marking the ceremony heralding the event, veterans in the sports writing business will lace up for a novelty football match while the Lagos SWAN women will file out against women referees known as Law 5 Queens.

This year’s event is proudly sponsored by Bet9ja with Lagos State Sports Commission, Owu, Nestle Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries, Intercontinental Distillery, Redbull,

La Liga, Guarantee Trust Holding Company and Multichoice as partners.

The opening ceremony which will commence by 4pm will be graced by distinguished members of the society and friends of the association with the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Gafaar Shakiru Oluwatoyin performing the ceremonial kick off.

Lagos SWAN Chairman, Debo Oshundun said the unique event is a celebration of friendship, healthy lifestyle and camaraderie as people are gradually getting their lives back after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rainoil Limited in partnership with the Nigerian Tennis Federation (NTF) will kicked off its 2021 Rainoil Tennis Open Tournament yesterday at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, Lagos.

The tournament is scheduled to run from December 2 to December 11, 2021.

Last year, the event failed to take place due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the press conference in Lagos to herald the tournament,

the Group Managing Director of Rainoil Limited, Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie, who was represented by the Group Head, Strategy and Business Development, Mr. Emmanuel Omuojine said that this year’s tournaments is themed ‘Fueling the love for tennis’ According to him, all arrangements are in place by the club to guarantee hitch-free tournament which will feature top seeded male and female players across the country. ‘’The tournament will feature 64 players in the Men's Singles, 32

Former Ismaily player and ElMagd SC Head Coach, Adham El-Selhedar, has died while celebrating his team’s goal in an Egyptian Second Division match.

According to the report by Kingfut, Alexandria’s El-Magd were up against Al-Zarka in matchday nine of the season and the game seemed to be heading for a goalless draw.

The Alexandrian side, however, managed to score the winner in the 92nd minute to successfully secure the three points.

During the celebrations, Coach El-Selhedar suddenly passed out

and was immediately rushed to the hospital.

He later died in the Al-Amriya hospital in Alexandria and it was revealed a heart-attack was the reason behind his death.

El-Selhedar spent the majority of his professional career with Ismaily during the 1990s and succeeded in lifting both the Egyptian Premier League and Egypt Cup titles.

After a brief spell with AlSharkia, he turned to coaching where he took charge of Libya’s Al-Ittihad and was even part of the Ismaily coaching staff.

FIBA Fixes NBBF Elections for Jan 30

Firm on 2019 constitution of the federation for the poll Michelle Alozie...focused on qualifying with Falcons for AWCON and the Women’s World Cup

Rainoil 2021 Tennis Open Takes Centre Stage at LCC Femi Solaja

Coach Dies Celebrating Goal

players in the Women's Singles, 32 in the players Men's Doubles and 16 players in the Women's Doubles ‘’The open nature of the competition ensures that we partner the Nigerian Tennis Federation (NTF) who provides the players’ rankings. The Rainoil Tennis Open is an NTF sanctioned competition and participating players will also earn ranking points.

“Rainoil has been sponsoring tennis for close to a decade and this competition is our contribution

to youth and sports development, using Tennis as a platform. The competition brings players together in a friendly atmosphere and gives them the opportunity to gain bragging rights and improve their ranking.” he stated.

He noted that the tournament affirms Rainoil’s continued commitment to the development of tennis in Nigeria and ultimately raising a Nigerian grand slam champion.

Winners in the male and female categories are to be rewarded with total grand prize of N6,126,000

The Federation of International Basketball Associations (FIBA) has declared that it will not accept any amendment to the 2019 NBBF constitution.

In its latest letter addressed to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Chief Sunday Dare, FIBA maintained its stance as contained in its November 10 letter where the world body unequivocally stated that National Member Federations (NMF) must manage their affairs independently without the influence of third parties.

FIBA insisted that this independence ensures that officials are elected or appointed under a democratic process in line with Article 9.7 of the FIBA's General Statutes.

To accommodate the interest of all parties, the basketball governing body approved a January 30, 2022 extension date for the conduct of a fresh elections into the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation by the Congress.

This move it said “ is to

accommodate the ongoing peace and reconciliation move of the Federal Government at the behest of the Sports Minister.”

Signed by the FIBA President, Hamane Niang and Andreas Zagklis (FIBA Secretary), the letter stated that, "We hereby inform you that FIBA's Central Board has approved a deadline extension for the celebration of the Nigeria Basketball Federation's (NBBF) Electoral Congress up until 31 January 2022.”

In doing so, FIBA reiterates and confirms the contents of its letter dated 2 November 2021, stressing that FIBA will not recognise any changes to the NBBF's statutes prior to the celebration of the Electoral Congress.

Regarding the participation of the national teams in the FIBA 2023 World Cup African Qualifiers, FIBA confirmed that the NBBF holds the obligation to manage the affairs of the national team independently and without the influence of third parties.

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SPORTS

Lewandowski Dreams Real Madrid Move

Poland and Bayern Munich forward, Robert Lewandowski, is believed to have instructed his agent, Pini Zahavi, to secure a move to Real Madrid for him during next summer’s transfer window.

The 33-year-old has again been in excellent form for Bayern Munich during the 2021-22 campaign, scoring 25 goals in 20 appearances so far

in all competitions.

In all, Lewandowski has managed 319 goals in 349 outings for the Bundesliga giants since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in July 2014.

Lewandowski only has 18 months left to run on his contract at Allianz Arena, though, and the Poland international is believed to be keen to leave Germany next summer in search of new

challenges.

According to reputable ASmedium, the experienced striker is desperate to move to Real Madrid, and Zahavi is working to negotiate a switch to the Spanish giants for his client.

Lewandowski was previously linked with a move to the Premier League, with Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool thought to have shown interests.

Rangnick Granted Work Permit to Start United Job

Ralf Rangnick...secures work permit to take charge of Manchester United from today Ralf Rangnick has been awarded his work visa to take temporary control of Manchester United.

The German, who has been working as a director since 2019, had to convince the English FA that he deserves a permit after his

spell away from the dugout meant he was not automatically eligible for a permit.

That was never expected to be a problem and was instead viewed simply as a delay, but Rob Dawson has now confirmed that

the paperwork has all been finalised and Rangnick is free to take over at Old Trafford.

The German was yet to take charge when United took on Arsenal last night. Rangnick watched on from the dugout, with his first match as interim boss set to come against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

There were rumours United coach Darren Fletcher was speaking to the German on a headset during the 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

Current caretaker boss, Michael Carrick, recently stressed that he is yet to have any real contact with Rangnick.

Aside from leading the team until the summer, Rangnick will be given some input in the pursuit of a new permanent manager as he prepares to transition into a consultancy role at Old Trafford.

The former Red Bull Leipzig chief will also be tasked with aiding United's transfer business in the summer and he is reported to have a hefty bonus written into his contract if he can help the club sign Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland.

Robert Lewandowski....wants Real Madrid switch in summer

100 Golfers Battle for Lakowe Lakes Club’s Championship Title Nigeria’s prestigious golf club, Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Club in Lagos will this weekend host its members to the 6th edition of the club’s championships.

Over 100 players have signed up for the epic event which is usually graded by golfing categories and overall winner judged by gross score at the end of 36 holes play.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5, 2021.

The club’s Manager, Femi Olagbenro, said midweek that the

course is in its best shape and hopes the best player is rewarded at the end of the two-day encounter.

“The Club Championship is for us, the crowning event of the golfing calendar, among other things. It attracts the best players, fun, gifts and most especially new players bring their best game to try and upturn the existing playing records.

It’s an electric atmosphere,” he noted.

Olagbenro said, Lakowe Lakes prides itself on maintenance and hence the players showing up for the event should brace up to

have the best fairways and greens to play on.

“Hoping for a clement weather, the course has been put in the best possible condition for the Club Championship,” the manager added.

Defending Champion, Peter Eben-Spiff, who is one of the few Nigerian amateur players ranked on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, will be hoping to hold down perennial rival Tunji Adebayo and others.

Other players expected at the event includes, Fatumata Coker

(ladies defending champion), Njide Ndili, Kim Tai Chul (Veteran’s defending champion), Dapo Akande, Ibiyemi Walter, Vitus Ezenwa, etc.

The championship would be rounded off with prize giving and award dinner on Sunday, December 5.

This sixth edition of themchampionship is being supported by: Mixta Africa, Mainstream Foundation, Hydropolis, Geregu Powerplant PLC, NNPC/Chevron JV, Interswitch, Sparkle, Gremoore, TotalEnergies, OPAS and DEL.

NBA,ExxonMobil,PanAfricareMarkPowerForwardAnniversaryinAbuja In its drive to positively impact youths in Nigeria through basketball and other ideas, Power Forward, a youth development initiative of ExxonMobil, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the international NGO, PanAfricare recently held its 8th anniversary in Abuja with a basketball competition amongst schools.

The project also donated jerseys to 30 boys’ and 12 girls’ teams, and hand washing stations to participating schools.

To date, the programme has cumulatively reached more than 150,000 youths in schools and vulnerable communities with life skills information, provided more than 11,000 people with malaria prevention strategies and treatment, and established 134 hand washing stations.

More than 9,500 students have been engaged in air pollution awareness campaigns with more than 2,000 female students from the 30 schools engaged in a Menstrual Hygiene Management Awareness Programme.

The 8th edition of the Power Forward project saw students from 30 secondary schools made up of 42 teams (30 boys’ and 12 girls’ teams, modelled after the NBA and WNBA respectively) compete in a total 168 games in the Power Forward Basketball League.

Glisten International Academy Jahi, hosted Government Secondary School Karu, in the girl’s final and Government Secondary School Karu, tackled Total Child Model School Dutse, in the boy’s final.

In the all-girls final, Government Secondary School Karu, carried the day with 15 to 5 points, while Total Child Model School defeated their opponent 17 to 14 points to lift the boy’s category trophy.

The Acting Secretary/ Director of Administration & Finance, FCT Education Secretariat, Mallam Leremoh Abdulrazaq called for promotion of youth development, and support for children to harvest the potential within them, noting that every child is differently endowed, but with the right opportunity each child is able to unlock his/ her talents.

He also added that “The newly commissioned basketball court in Government Secondary School (GSS) Gwarinpa, Life Camp, will no doubt produce professional basketballers of international repute”.

Speaking at the event, Director Basketball Operations, NBA-Africa; Kita Mutungulu, disclosed that the initiative since inception has proven to be worth the energy and investment, it has enhanced leadership monitoring and channeling of youth energy towards sport, especially basketball, as seen in the level of commitment and participation of the students from various schools.

He applauded the partners ExxonMobil and PanAfricare for their commitment and donations to the idea, which has helped to expand and grow the project annually In his comments, Country Director, PanAfricare, Dr Patrick Adah, noted that the Power Forward idea has positively impacted students in various areas including Sports, academics, leadership and behavioral patterns.

The Power Forward programme was inaugurated in Nigeria’s FCT on November 19, 2013 with a Tip-Off event featuring NBA and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) representatives, Nigerian policymakers and influential personalitie.

The NBA and WNBA players and legends, who have participated in the programme to date include Hall of Fame Hakeem Olajuwon, former NBA players Obinna Ekezie (current CEO of Wakanow), Olumide Oyedeji, Kelenna Azubuike, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Jerome Williams and Festus Ezeli, WNBA’s Chiney Ogwumike of the L.A. Sparks, and former WNBA players Evelyn Akhator, Mactabene Amachree and Astou Ndiaye.

Between 2000 and 2020, ExxonMobil has committed more than $170 million in grants to the Malaria cause.

Reaching more than 125 million people throughout Africa and Asia with over 15 million bed nets, 5.6 million doses of anti malarial drugs and more than 4 million rapid-diagnostic kits.

GOtv Boxing Night Returns December 24 A World Boxing Federation (WBF) title fight, national light heavyweight title fight and national cruiserweight title bout will headline the 24th edition of GOtv Boxing Night (GOtv Boxing Night 24), scheduled to hold on December 24 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

The event will stage one international and five domestic bouts across weight divisions and will be aired live on SuperSport Select 2 (GOtv Channel 34) and SuperSport Variety 4 (DStv Channel 209).

This was announced by Flykite Productions, organisers of the event, at a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday.

Speaking at the event, Public Relations Manager, GOtv Nigeria, Jennifer Ukoh-Osamwonyi, expressed delight at the progress recorded with the boxing event. She commended the promoters, Flykite Productions, Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) and the media for their support.

“We are proud of how far we have come with the support of

boxing fans, the NBB of C as well as members of the media, who have done commendable work in their role as advocates for not just the sport but the event,” she said.

The bout card released indicates that Nigeria’s Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde, reigning WBF International welterweight champion, will defend his title against Justice “Qwick Action” Addy of Ghana.

Two other title bouts, both domestic, are also scheduled. One of the domestic title fights will see Segun “Success” Olanrewaju take on Adewale “Masevex” Masebinu for the national light heavyweight title, while the other will see Michael “Emirate” Godwin duel Abiodun “Infiniti” Afinni for the national cruiserweight title.

The best boxer at the event will walk away with a cash prize of N1million attached to the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy. Last month, Flykite announced a new format for choosing the best boxer.

The new format will see the winner of the award chosen by a nine-man panel, using weighted scores.

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Flykite Productions, Jenkins Alumona; Public Relations Manager, GOtv Nigeria, Jennifer Ukoh-Osamwonyi; President, Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), Rafiu Ladipo; and Secretary General of NBB of C, Remi Aboderin, at the press conference on the GOtv Boxing Night 24 held in Lagos....yesterday

Friday December 3, 2021

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MISSILE Garba Shehu to Reno Omokri “My message to anyone who made money using Leah Sharubutu’s sad ordeal, and they are flaunting it remains unchanged: This is blood money. I don’t need any of it. Period” – Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a return salvo, fires back at his opponent, Reno Omokri, in the verbal war.

KAYODEFAYEMI GUEST COLUMNIST

Nation-Building: Between Restructuring and Autonomy

W

hat would have been Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s idea of nation-building amidst the centrifugal forces emerging from almost all parts of the country to challenge the foundations of our nationhood as a united Nigeria? It seems to me that it would be fair to say, as Azikiwe would have done, that national security and development are dependent on a resolution of the National Question and the associated demands of nation- and state-building.

History and comparative experience teach us that where a broad consensus has been built on the fundamental issues underpinning the National Question, security and development becomes much easier to attain and sustain. One of the most critical factors for the success of any nation is the achievement of a broad and enduring consensus among the elite drawn from various walks of life on a fundamental set of questions that are germane to the establishment and nurturing of a stable foundation for the pursuit of security and development. Yet, on the other hand, this is not a charge to be left to political elites only as doing so is bound to create resentment and feelings of exclusion among lay citizens. A nation’s theory of development can only derive from the consensus that has been forged on key national questions, especially those related to the issues of identity, religion, participation, justice, and the overall management of diversity. How these are mobilised to define the value of citizenship and to set the parameters for inclusion or exclusion within the nation’s socio-economic and political space. As such, there can be no successful nation-building in our current climate where a wide section of our citizens are apathetic to the very idea of the nation-state and perceive the political institutions that govern them as enemies. For many, nation-building is no more than age-old idealistic rhetoric that has no bearing on lived realities.

My argument has always been though, that we cannot speak of national development without first resolving the key issues of nation-building.

I make bold, therefore, to say that the security challenges that are confronting us in all their various dimensions and ramifications, and all the issues of governance instability that we are confronted with are directly consequential upon our inability to settle some fundamental questions of nationhood and find points of convergence in a plural society like ours. Where the very existence of the nation itself is easily brought to question at the slightest provocation, it should serve as a warning to us that the very foundation upon which the nation stands is either weakening or has collapsed. In either case, measures aimed at reinforcing that foundation must be adopted speedily.

Settling our foundational challenges, and doing so frontally, is a sine qua non for the successful forging of consensus that is needed for moving the country forward with a unity of purpose, a common vision of our greatness, shared values of solidarity, and a sense of equity, and justice.

Yet the challenges of nation-building are not exclusive to Nigeria or African states as is often ascribed. Erstwhile model nation-states in the West are falling short of their cohesive ideals and grappling with the challenges of national divisiveness. In the case of Nigeria, some have argued, with some merit, I must admit, that we cannot build Nigeria into a truly united nation until we somehow boil down all our ethnic and other differences into one homogenous melting pot. “For the nation to live, the tribe must die”

Buhari was the clarion call. This was the exact thinking that underpinned the Westphalian model of the modern nation-state in Europe. History has shown, however, that difference is a permanent feature of the human condition and it does not preclude the nurturing of bonds that unite.

Moreover, human beings have natural affinities to their ethnic or linguistic groups that are too resilient to be simply swept aside artificially.

This is true for most nations of the world, but even more so for post-colonial African states that emerged out of the European partition of continent in 1884/85. None of us chose to be Nigerians. But having found ourselves in this geographical space called Nigeria, we are left with two real alternatives. One is to make it work for everyone. The other is to break it up and let everyone return to their ethnic enclaves.

The latter option has never proven to be better or more sustainable than the former.

Speaking in the context of Nigeria’s three regions in the early years of independence, Dr. Azikiwe noted as follows: “Each of our three Regions is vastly different in many respects, but each has this in common: that, despite variety of languages and custom or difference in climate, all form part of one country which has existed as a political and social entity for fifty years. That is why we believe that the political union of Nigeria is destined to be perpetual and indestructible.”

It was a message to say that despite differences of various types, we are not confronted with cleavages that are insurmountable as we invest in the building of enduring parameters for nationhood. No political union is created perfect and none enjoys perfection as a permanent condition. What is encouraging, and which Azikiwe understood and preached always, is that through visionary leadership, doors are opened to us to invest in forging a more perfect union from generation to generation.

Like most of his contemporaries, Zik acknowledged our diversities in ethnicity, religion, tongues, and custom, but he regarded Nigeria as the “motherland.” I believe that in choosing to describe Nigeria as a “motherland,” he was being deliberate. No one gets to choose their mothers or change their mothers. It is a relationship that is “perpetual and indestructible.” In the context of the many historical events that have unfolded in the country over the years since independence,

some have been tempted, in the thick of zero-sum partisanship, to suggest that perhaps Zik had too much faith in project Nigeria or allowed himself to be blinded to the many dysfunctions that have wracked the nation-building process.

In my considered opinion, both suggestions are wrong and unhelpful insofar as they betray a fundamental understanding of the roots of his nationalism which set great store by unity in the march to greatness. As a key architect in the making of contemporary Nigeria, it would have been too much to expect that Azikiwe would also easily embrace a path that would lead to its dismemberment. To do so would have amounted to a wholesale self-repudiation. The greatest test which he faced came at the onset of the Nigerian civil war and the polarization which required all key actors to pitch their tents with one side or the other in the conflict. It had to be one of the most difficult moments in his entire political life watching the potential disintegration of Nigeria while also seeking to understand the fullness of the grievances in Eastern Nigeria that unfurled the drive towards the creation of Biafra. One of the enduring controversies of the Nigerian civil war was the actual role that Dr. Azikiwe played - or did not play - in that conflict. It was the real-life equivalent of being caught between the rock and the hard place. Treading with the utmost caution, he did stick out his neck to make a plea for the abandonment by the conflicting parties of the resort to violence and a resumption of dialogue.

Perhaps there is something in this approach that contemporary gladiators in the ongoing challenges to Nigerian nationhood may want to take as food for thought.

Like all people imbued with a profound intellect, Azikiwe’s favoured strategy for tackling differences was encapsulated by the French word “Parlement”, or parliament in English, which means discussions, meetings, or negotiations until a compromise can be forged. In the fight for Nigeria’s independence, Zik insisted that “we would not shed blood. We would not force the British to shoot at us.” And he advised all of his fellow anti-colonial nationalists around Africa to adopt the same strategy. In embracing the philosophy of non-violence, Zik was undoubtedly influenced by his experience with the civil rights movement in the United States and the example of Mahatma Ghandi. But apart from a deep commitment to humanism and the sanctity of human life, Zik’s non-violence was also borne out of pragmatism. He did not think there was any wisdom in taking to the battlefield against an enemy that is more powerful than you. However, armed with the heavy artillery of your intellect and the morality and justness of your cause, you can make an enemy retreat.

Dialogue is more compelling and can oftentimes be even more resounding than the staccato of the Kalashnikov.

Zik’s non-violence also had nothing to do with a surrender mentality as some have suggested.

Thus, even as he made efforts to stop the Nigerian civil war from becoming an inevitability and escalating, he also made it clear that justice, fairness, and equity in the administration of the commonwealth were fundamental pre-conditions for peace and unity to be won and sustained. He called for an end to the war hostilities and the reintegration of the Biafrans back into Nigeria, “provided,” he said that: “Nigeria will continue to ensure the safety of persons and properties of Biafrans in one united country where all its citizens will be treated as equals without any discrimination.

And where there would be opportunities for all citizens and inhabitants.”

History has taught us that wars, especially civil wars, could be one of how a country self-introspects and finds its true identity and a pathway to transformation. As with the American civil war which historians have suggested was also America’s war socio-economic transformation, there have been suggestions that out of the wreckage of the civil war, Nigeria might successfully reconstruct itself and move on to the path of structural change. All things considered, amidst the optimism unleashed under the banner of the three “Rs” of post-war reconstruction, reconciliation, and reintegration, few will disagree that we are yet to achieve the high hopes that flourished amidst the oil boom of the 1970s that we were well on the way to fulfilling our destiny to greatness. With persistent challenges of state and nation-building and a myriad of developmental discontents, the rise of separatist agitations in recent years, and the rhetoric of such agitation indicates that there are still people in this country who feel that Nigeria is not working for them; who still feel marginalised in the scheme of things; who frame this discontent in ethnic, religious, or regional terms; and who, therefore, believe that the only solution is for them to be allowed to go and form their own country.

It is important to note that complaints about marginalisation are not exclusively or always solely directed at the federal centre. Within the regions and states that have made up the Nigerian federation at various times since 1960, people who feel they are not getting a fair deal or equality of opportunities also complain of marginalisation. The standard solution that has been pursued has been to clamour for more states in the expectation that the interests of those who feel marginalised would be better served if they have a state of their own to themselves.

Going by the persistent agitation for the creation of more states, it is easy to assume that discontent at the sub-National level is real, persistent, and widespread. Since the 1946 Richard constitution that created the three regions of the Nigerian federation, agitations for the creation of more regions had been rife, particularly among the minority ethnic groups. The subsequent creation of states in 1967, 1976, 1987, 1991, and 1996 has not stemmed the vociferous demand for more states. While the 2005 National Political Reform Conference set up by the Obasanjo administration concluded that the creation of new states was not feasible, the 2014 National Conference by the Jonathan administration recommended the creation of 18 new additional states to make Nigeria into a federation of 54 states.

The infinite political market for the creation of an ever-increasing number of states in the Nigerian federal system is an indicator of the fact that the successive rounds of state creation which we have had to date have not produced the el dorado that successive generations of agitators thought the exercise would produce. The more states are created, the more new perceptions of marginalisation have multiplied. It cannot be viable to steer the country into an over-fragmentation that cancels out the effectiveness of the administration of the common good.

•Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON is the Governor of Ekiti State NOTE: Read full article in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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