TUESDAY MARCH 17TH 2020

Zenith Bank Fetes Shareholders with N87.9bn Dividend Payout James Emejo in Abuja Shareholders of Zenith Bank Plc at the 29th Annual General Meeting of the bank held in Abuja, yesterday, unanimously approved the proposed final dividend of N2.50 per share, bringing the total dividend

payment for the 2019 financial year to N2.80 per share, with a total value of N87.9 billion.

This followed the recent release of the bank’s audited financial results for 2019 financial year.

According to the audited financial results for the 2019

financial year, Zenith Bank recorded a profit after tax (PAT) of N208.8 billion, an increase of eight per cent from the N193 billion recorded in the previous year, thus achieving the feat as the first Nigerian Bank to cross the N200 billion mark.

The group also recorded a growth in gross earnings of five per cent, rising to N662.3 billion from N630.3 billion reported in the previous year. This growth was driven by the 29 per cent increase in non-interest income from N179.9 billion in 2018 to

N231.1 billion in 2019.

According to the results, fees on electronic products continued to grow significantly with a 108 per cent year-onyear (Y-o-Y) growth from N20.4 billion in 2018, to N42.5 billion in the current year.

This was a validation of the

bank’s retail transformation strategy, which continues to deliver impressive results.

The bank’s profit before tax also increased by five per cent, growing from N232 billion to N243 billion in the current year, Continued on page 8

FG Extends Travel Caution to Germany, France, Spain...

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CBN Unveils Measures to Cushion COVID-19 Impact on Economy Cuts intervention loans rate to 5% Directs banks to restructure tenor Creates N50bn credit support for healthcare, other industries James Emejo in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe in Lagos The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, yesterday unveiled a number of policy initiatives aimed at reducing the adverse impacts of

COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.

Analysts yesterday hailed the timely intervention by the apex bank.

The CBN’s interventions include an extension of the moratorium on the apex bank’s interventions programmes,

interest rate reduction, creation of a N50 billion targeted credit facility and credit support for the healthcare industry.

Others are strengthening the CBN’s Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR) policy and regulatory forbearance.

The CBN governor

announced a moratorium of one year on all principal repayments, effective March 1, 2020, as well as interest rate reduction on all applicable CBN intervention facilities from nine per cent to five per cent per annum for one year effective March 1, 2020.

He said the total CBN intervention facilities through the Commercial Agricultural Credit Loan Scheme, the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) and the Agric, Small and Medium Enterprise Scheme (AGSMEIS) among others are currently worth

about N3 trillion and the new rate cut will apply to all facilities.

Speaking at a media briefing, the apex bank boss further announced the creation of a N50 billion Continued on page 8

Comfort for Obaseki Postponed, Oshiomhole Survives as A’Court Freezes Suspension Order Buhari, APC govs suspend NEC meeting NWC meets today Omololu Ogunmade, Alex Enumah and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Relief came yesterday for the embattled National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, as the Court of Appeal granted his application for stay of execution of the ruling of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, which earlier this month suspended him from office.

The judicial relief came moments after President Muhammadu Buhari and APC governors agreed at a meeting in the Presidential Villa, Abuja to suspend the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for

today, effectively putting in abeyance the push to oust Oshiomhole.

For Oshiomhole’s chief adversary, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the two developments disrupted his desire to ease the national chairman out of office in the hope that it would smoothen his way back to the governorship of his state.

The national chairman’s current travails arose from his protracted quarrel with his erstwhile ally and state governor over the control of the state branch of the party, with the latter insisting that the former should bow to him.

With the governorship Continued on page 8

Pressure on NNPC Pipeline Caused Lagos Explosion, Says NEMA... Page 6

NAIRA RAIN AT ZENITH...

L-R: Group Managing Director/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu; Chairman, Mr. Jim Ovia; and Deputy Managing Director, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, at the 29th Annual General Meeting of the bank in Abuja... yesterday

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NEWS

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

FG Extends Travel Caution to Germany, France, Spain Receives report on containment of COVID-19 outbreak Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The federal government yesterday added three new countriesGermany, France and Spain- to the list of five high-risk countries with widespread community transmission of COVID-19 virus for which it has issued travel caution.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari has received the report of the committee set up by the federal government to assess the health and economic impact of the outbreak of COVID-19 on the country.

Briefing journalists on efforts to contain the spread of the pandemic in the country, the Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, said despite the fact that Nigeria has not recorded another confirmed case in the last one week, the government has not lost sight that the country like others is still at high risk.

He said following the review carried out by health officials, Germany, France and Spain had been added to the list of high-risk countries for which Nigeria is paying closer attention on air travels.

He said: “We continue to monitor returning travellers that fit our case definition and improve

our surveillance, detection and risk communications. “Following the declaration of a pandemic and increasing spread in the countries, we carried out a review of our case definition. We have added three new countries to the existing list of five high-risk countries with widespread community transmission. These are France, Germany and Spain. Therefore, eight countries are in our priority list- China, Japan, Iran, Italy, Republic of Korea, France and Germany."

Mamora explained that travellers from these eight countries will undertake secondary screening at the point of entry, adding that the passengers are also advised to self-isolate for 14 days on entry.

Giving further details on the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, Mamora said: "Between the 7th of January and 15h of March 2020, a total of 48 people, who met our case definition have been screened for COVID-19 in eight states- Edo, Lagos, Ogun, FCT, Yobe, Rivers, Kano and Enugu. “Out of which 47 tested negative and have been cleared, one was positive (contact of the index case) and one result is pending."

Also yesterday, Osinbajo at

Fayemi Signs Amotekun Bill into Law Warns criminals to stay away

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, yesterday signed the Ekiti State Security Network Agency Bill, better known as Amotekun Corps, into law.

At the event attended by traditional rulers, members of Vigilance Group of Nigeria, hunters and the Oodua People's Congress in Ado Ekiti, Fayemi warned criminals to steer clear of Ekiti, saying: “Amotekun Corps will get you wherever you hide.�

He said the assent would give legal backing to the operation of Amotekun in the state.

The governor said the resilience of Ekiti kete and Yoruba race brought the security outfit to full operation, describing the scenario leading to the birth of Amotekun Corps as novel since the advent of democracy in 1999.

He said: "Since the advent of democracy in 1999, this is the first time when Yoruba people will speak with one voice without political or religious considerations.

"As a responsible and responsive government, it is our belief that security is significant and we won't toy with security of lives and property.

"The current challenges of proliferation of small arms, ritual killings, banditry, youth restiveness, cattle rustling, insurgency and terrorism are daunting.

"In tackling some of these menaces, which surfaced in the South-west region, the governors in the zone officially launched Western Nigeria Security Network in Ibadan on Jan 20, 2020 and

the bill that will form the legal framework was passed by the State House of Assembly.

"Let me clarify that Amotekun will help the police to arrest, gather intelligence and information, arrest and prosecute criminals, tackle illegal mining, land trespass, cattle rustling, destruction of crops, trespass into farmlands, cultism, highway robbery, among others.

"Amotekun is not a substitute to the existing security networks, but a complement to it. It is not for Ekiti people alone, but for everybody. As long as you are resident in Ekiti, you enjoy the right to be protected; so, it is not for the indigenes alone.

"Crime fighting is a collective responsibility. Those perpetrating crimes are living among us and let us be vigilant and help the Amotekun Corps fish out criminals in our midst."

According to the governor, handlers of Amotekun will be thorough with the issues of recruitment, training, and deployment of the operatives, for efficiency and effectiveness of the network.

"The issues of recruitment, training, and deployment will be carefully considered. All the operatives will work in areas where they understand better," he added.

He urged traditional rulers to join efforts with the security network to rid the state of criminals at the grassroots.

"We are sure that we are going to make a success of this. Tell criminals to stay away from Ekiti, because Amotekun will get them wherever they hide", he added.

the launch of the Integrated Medical Outreach Programme (IMOP) at the primary healthcare centre in Bwari, headquarters of the Bwari Area Council said the committee that assessed the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the economy and healthcare sector had submitted its report.

He said: "Only recently, the president directed that a

readiness check be conducted on the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak covering both the economy and our healthcare sector. That report has been submitted to Mr. President. We are also carrying out readiness checks on our healthcare facilities for whatever eventuality that may arise."

According to him, the aim of

the outreach programme is to offer immunisation to all children as it is the responsibility of the federal government to vaccinate all children.

Osinbajo added that the government is undertaking along with donor partners to make available vaccines needed to combat preventable diseases.

He implored all parents,

guardian and community leaders to ensure that children benefit from the initiative.

"The outreach healthcare programme is part of our overall human capacity build-up. It is targeted at the vulnerable population and underserved communities like the riverine areas and other very difficult to reach places in the country,� he stated.

APC FIREFIGHTERS...

L–R: Governors Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Babajide Sanwo–Olu (Lagos), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), and Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi), and President Muhammadu Buhari during the visit of APC governors to the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday godwin omoigui

Kano Assembly Suspends Five Lawmakers over Sanusi Nasarawa gov denies prior knowledge of former emir’s removal Peter Uzoho in Lagos and Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Kano State House of Assembly yesterday suspended five lawmakers for six months over an attempt by them to stop the presentation of the report of the investigation of the former Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, which caused a rowdy session in the house last week.

The House Speaker, Hon. Abdulazeez Gafasa, announced the suspension of the members at the resumption of sitting, saying they were suspended for misconduct and violation of the rules of the house.

The suspension came just as the Governor of Nasarawa State, Mr. Abdullahi Sule, expressed shock over the removal of the former emir and his subsequent banishment to Nasarawa State, saying that he had no prior knowledge of the plot to dethrone him.

"The five members were suspended for violating the rules of the house especially Order IV Sub 4 a, b, d, and e; they disrupted the sittings of the House and prevented proceedings from going on.

"They behaved violently and even attempted to snatch away the mace in a clear attempt to sabotage the sitting of the house," Gafasa said.

The members suspended are

Hon. Garba Yau-Gwarmai, APC representing Kunchi/Tsanyawa Constituency; Hon. Labaran Abdul Madari, APC representing Warawa Constituency; and Hon. Isyaku Danja, PDP representing Gezawa Constituency.

The other two members are Hon. Mohammed Bello, APC representing Rimin Gado/Tofa Constituency, and Hon. Salisu Ahmed-Gwangwazo, PDP representing Kano Municipal.

At penultimate Monday’s sitting of the House, some members had attempted to disrupt the sitting.

Their action followed an attempt by the chairman of an ad-hoc committee constituted to investigate the former emir to present its report.

However, when the legislators sensed a move by the committee Chairman and the Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Hamisu Chidari, to read the report of the committee two days ahead of the deadline for the presentation of the report, a member representing Dala Constituency, Alhaji Hussaini Lawal, rejected the attempt.

The committee’s report was said to have recommended the dethronement of the former emir.

Other PDP members and some APC legislators also protested and rejected the attempt to read the report, which caused the fracas.

Nasarawa Gov Denies Prior knowledge of Sanusi’s Removal Meanwhile, Sule has expressed shock over the removal of the former emir and his subsequent banishment, saying that he did not have prior knowledge of the plot to dethrone him.

The governor said though he knew, like every other person, that both the dethroned emir and the Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, were having issues but that he did not know the face-off would turn out the way it did.

Sule, during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos, said: “The whole world knows they were having problems, but I did not know it will lead to this."

The governor, however, explained that he had no idea that the emir had been dethroned until he got a phone call from Ganduje, who informed him that they had dethroned Sanusi and also sought his consent for the emir to be relocated to Nasarawa.

His narration: "When he (Ganduje) told me the emir had been dethroned, I never said a word about it; whether it is good or bad or why. “Immediately he was dethroned, the governor of Kano called me and said, we

have just dethroned the emir and we are thinking about relocating him to Nasarawa; if you will accept him. I said I will be more than happy to accept him."

On how the message of the banishment of the emir came to him, Sule said: “The message was all over the social media that Emir Sanusi II was dethroned.

I did not check because I was busy. But when the Kano governor called, my aid brought the phone to me in a meeting.

So, as a senior governor and a second-term governor, and someone I respect, I stepped aside to answer his call."

Justifying the state's reticence since the emir's removal and relocation to Nasarawa, the governor explained: “I think the reason Nasarawa State has been quiet since the saga is because we were not involved with the politics of the removal of the emir himself; what led to the removal of the emir; how he was removed, and the decision to remove him - Nasarawa State was not part of it."

Sule, who also gave insight into his relationship with the deposed emir and why he decided to accept him in his state, said: “This is a global citizen, highly respected person.

When I was the Managing Director of Dangote Group, he was the Group Managing Director of First Bank.

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Pressure on NNPC Pipeline Caused Lagos Explosion, Says NEMA Death toll rises to 21, toddler rescued Sanwo-Olu sets up N2bn relief fund for victims Chiemelie Ezeobi and Segun James The explosion that rocked Abule Ado and its environs in AmuwoOdofin Local Government Area of Lagos on Sunday, killing 21 people and injuring scores of others was caused by pressure on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline in the area, the acting Coordinator, Lagos Territorial Office, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, has said.

The blast also destroyed over 100 buildings.

To cushion the loss of the victims, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who visited the scene of the incident yesterday, announced a N2 billion relief fund with the state government providing the seed capital of N250 million to provide instant relief for the victims.

He also said the state government had set up a committee to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the explosion.

The committee, to be chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Omotayo Bamgbose-Martins, has 14 days to submit its findings.

However, Farinloye said investigations by security and emergency agencies revealed that

contrary to earlier speculation, the explosion was caused by pressure exerted on the NNPC pipeline by a heavy-duty tipper.

According to the investigation, the tipper, which was fully laden with granite, was parked on the pipeline overnight, thus forcing the content in the pipeline to blow up.

Speaking to THISDAY, Farinloye said the pressure exerted on the pipeline could be likened to compressing a coke bottle.

He said: “When the pressure became too much, the pipeline forced itself out to escape and that was why the sky was filled with grey smoke that led to explosion before the fire.�

Giving an update on the state of rescue operations, Farinloye said aside from the three-year-old toddler that was rescued, no other survivor was found yesterday.

He, however, stated that three more bodies were recovered as emergency workers carried out an excavation of some of the collapsed buildings.

Measures have also been put in place to arrest the driver of the tipper, who is now on the run.

THISDAY gathered that although it was initially thought that the driver died in the explosion, information by the landlord association in the area said he escaped.

Farinloye, after a stakeholders’ meeting chaired by Hamzat, said

five relief lines had been released for the affected residents.

Sanwo-Olu said the N250 million would be set aside for the immediate needs of the victims.

He said: “To give immediate relief and support to the victims of the disaster, I have set up a N2 billion relief fund to be chaired

by Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.

He said: “The process of rebuilding this place is beyond what the government, either at the national level or state, can also undertake on its own. Given the level of destruction, I am immediately setting up what I have called an Abule Ado/Ado Soba Emergency Relief Fund.

It is a N2 billion relief fund and the state government will immediately be putting N250 million in that fund. Three banks have opened accounts for the fund.�

The governor also released three bank account numbers for individuals and organisations to contribute to the fund. “Polaris Bank with the account

number 4030017510 and name Abule Ado Emergency Relief Fund. Also, Zenith Bank, with the same account name gave account number 1017184516, while Guaranty Trust (GT) Bank account number is 0568615688. “Well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations that wish to support us on this journey have any of these three banks to donate.�

Meanwhile, a toddler simply identified as Favour was rescued from the rubble of one of the collapsed buildings at the Abule Ado explosion.

The three-year-old girl was rescued by operatives of Red Cross Nigeria.

According to the Chairman of Red Cross Nigeria, Mr. Adebowale Kolawole, she was recovered under the debris of a building.

He said: “We found out that her mother and sibling were admitted in the hospital. The mother who had head injury was semiconscious. This morning when she asked for her daughter,

the doctors told her that she is safe and with the Red Cross. “Actually that was what we wanted so that the mother would be at rest psychologically; so that it will not add to the pains that the mother is actually going through in other to save her life. “As soon as possible, we are taking her to go see her mother at the naval hospital. The little girl’s name is Favour and God has favoured her.�

Aside the rescued toddler, scores of parents are still hunting for their missing children in hospitals in the area and beyond.

Although no figure was given on the total number of schoolgirls from Bethlehem Girls College that are missing, the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji, told THISDAY that most of those that were brought to the navy hospital have been discharged.

However, the identities of the two of the corpses that were recovered were revealed as Mr. Emmanuel Uyammadu,

and his wife, Chisom, who was pregnant.

The husband, a Banking and Finance graduate of Anambra State University was burnt with his wife, a first-class graduate of Zenith University College (ZUC), Accra, Ghana.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, also visited the scene of the incident yesterday.

According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, the CP went there to assess the security situation on the ground.

He said: “He went to see the security situation on the ground and the crowd control management that was put in place, to know if we should increase manpower. “It was because of security on the ground that deterred scavengers and hoodlums from taking advantage of the situation.

Thus the police did not make any arrest because there was no security breach.�

NERC Must Punish Discos for Load Rejection, Says TCN Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) yesterday insisted that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Agency (NERC) must punish Distribution Companies (Discos) that decline to accept the load due to them.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Public Hearing on the request for a tariff hike by the TCN, its Managing Director, Mr. Usman Mohammed, who said the transmission company was mostly interested in the provision of a spinning reserve for the TCN to cushion the impact of grid collapses said that when there are sanctions, the practice of load rejection will stop.

He said the outcry over the planned extra-ordinary tariff review on the grounds that many Nigerians are poor was not justifiable, stressing that even those in the villages are already overpaying because no metres have been provided for them.

Mohammed said that with the recent stand by the NERC to surcharge Discos for rejecting power supplied, the matter will soon be a thing of the past. “NERC is addressing the load rejection issue. NERC has already made an order mandating Discos to pay for capacity. This will address the problem and the load rejection matter will be a thing of the past because load rejection is because the Discos can drop or increase load at will and they are not penalised. “But now that NERC is putting this structure to ensure that there’s a capacity charged for those who refuse to take load, very soon the load rejection will be over� he said.

He said the so-called excess generation had become an issue because the industry was not working as it should.

He explained: “Where is excess generation coming from? Currently, we still have a problem with gas supply and that is because the market is not working. As Nigerians, we have to take a decision to make the market work. We need to remove the government from the market. “They need to have an industry without government, otherwise we will continue to pump money into the sector and it will not work. The sector is supposed to be governed by contract so that those who do not perform can be liquidated based on contract�

He argued that Nigeria will not have stable supply until the issue of pricing, power collapse, and metering are addressed.

According to Mohammed, “If we don’t do that, we will continue to waste time. And I have said it many times that there’s no relationship between poverty and payment for electricity. “What we need to do is to provide electricity to our people for 24 hours, give them a means of measurement and let them decide what they do with the electricity supplied to them. They should be supplied meters. “We cannot be giving five hours and all these games. In places like Burkina Faso, they buy electricity very expensive. Here, the most expensive generator on the grid is Azura 10.5 megawatts.

In Burkina Faso, they buy 17 to 21 cents per kilowatt and yet they have efficient utility.

ROYAL VISITATION...

L-R: Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alawe of Ilawe, Oba Adebanji Alabi, during a meeting with the governor and some Ekiti Obas at the Governor’s OďŹƒce, Ado-Ekiti‌yesterday

APC Ex-Deputy National Chairman, Oni, Set to Return to PDP Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti A former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Segun Oni, has begun the process of dumping the party along with his supporters for the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

Oni, a former Ekiti State governor on PDP ticket, said he decided to leave the APC due to the shabby treatment being meted out to him and his supporters.

Oni said he had commenced the process of rapprochement with critical stakeholders in the Ekiti State chapter of PDP such as the former governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, and Senator Biodun Olujimi about his resolve to return to the party.

He said he took the decision

to return to the PDP as a way of acceding to the request of his people, who were desirous of taking the political step.

There were speculations on Sunday that Oni, who defected to APC in June 2014, was planning to return to the PDP where he was a foundation member.

Oni, who spoke with journalists on the phone in Ado Ekiti, yesterday expressed displeasure about how he and his supporters were being ostracised from all engagements in APC, including appointments and privilege to contest elections.

While justifying the position taken by him to return to the PDP, the former governor said: "You all knew the kind of treatment I have been getting. As we speak, none

of my supporters was being allowed to get an appointment or contest elections in APC. "If the APC gives me the whole world, I won't be happy seeing an integral part of my political life, I mean my supporters, being treated badly.

"At a particular time, I was suspended in my ward at Ifaki Ekiti and nothing was said about it. I am the Asiwaju of this town - if someone could have the effrontery to do that to me here, you could see it had sent a signal that there was a problem.

"It is not about Segun Oni, my people and supporters are the main issues."

Oni, however, didn't give the actual time he will formally join the PDP. He said: "We have taken a

decision and we are in the process of joining the PDP. We are going to set up an implementation committee to work on our programme of action. Our joining PDP is something that will take about three months.

"I am not that kind of a politician that will rush at things; we can't just go back that way. There must be proper planning. We are carrying out local government by local government counting of those that will follow us.

"Those who took the action were my supporters across all the local governments and 177 wards, who felt bad about the whole scenario in APC. "But the major thing is that we are moving; we have taken a decision to go back and on that we are working on."

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PAGE EIGHT CBN UNVEILS MEASURES TO CUSHION COVID-19 IMPACT ON ECONOMY targeted credit facility through the NIRSAL Microfinance Bank for households and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have been particularly hard hit by Covid-19, including but not limited to hoteliers, airline service providers, health care merchants, among others.

He also unveiled some sort of credit support for the healthcare industry to meet the potential increase in demand for healthcare services and products in the country.

To this end, the CBN governor said the apex bank had extended its intervention facilities to provide loans to pharmaceutical companies intending to expand/open their drug manufacturing plants in the country.

He said the healthcare programme will also accommodate hospital and healthcare practitioners who intend to expand/build the health facilities to first-class centres, stressing that this is in addition to growing the size of existing interventions to the

agricultural and manufacturing sectors in the country.

Emefiele further announced a regulatory forbearance for deposit money banks (DMBs) going forward.

He said the CBN will immediately grant all DMBs leave to consider temporary and time-limited restructuring of the tenor and loan terms for businesses and households most affected by the outbreak of COVID-19 particularly oil and gas, agriculture, and manufacturing.

He added that the apex bank would work closely with the banks to ensure that the use of the current forbearance is targeted, transparent and temporary while maintaining individual DMB’s financial strength and overall financial stability of the system.

Emefiele also hinted on the resolve of the CBN to strengthen CBN’s LDR policy in view of the success already recorded in growing credit to the economy and reducing interest rates.

He said the CBN would further support industry

funding levels to maintain DMBs’ capacity to direct credit to individuals, households, and businesses.

In doing this, the CBN boss said it would consider additional incentives to encourage the extension of longer tenured credit facilities, adding that DMBs are encouraged to continue to build capital buffers in order to improve the resilience of the sector.

He said the apex bank "stands ready to provide liquidity backstops as and when required in view of its role as banker to the federal government and lender of last resort," adding that "the CBN shall continue to monitor developments and will issue further updates as may be appropriate."

Emefiele said the CBN’s response had become inevitable given that the COVID-19 pandemic was having significant adverse consequences for both the global and the Nigerian economies.

He said the development had led to "unprecedented disruptions in global supply

chains, a sharp reduction in crude oil prices, turmoil in global stock and financial markets, widespread cancellations in sporting, entertainment and business events, the lockdown of large swaths of movements of persons in many countries, and intercontinental travel restrictions across critical air routes in the world.

"These outcomes have had serious adverse implications for key sectors, including but not limited to oil and gas, airlines, manufacturing, trade and consumer markets."

Expatiating further on the initiatives, Emefiele said revenue shortages occasioned by the impact of COVID-19 could make loan repayment difficult for individuals and organisations, who had subscribed to some of its intervention schemes, including the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) and the CBN Agric, Small and Medium Enterprise Scheme (AGSMEIS) among others.

He said: "What we are trying to say is that the burden of taking a loan and the strain

of getting revenue to repay the loan has been ameliorated for you to the extent that you pay much less for your loan repayment for a longer period."

Asked if the CBN will also consider a cut in Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) otherwise known as interest rate to further ameliorate the impact of the pandemic, the CBN governor said it could not unilaterally tinker with the policy rate, adding that a decision will likely be arrived at during the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting slated for next week.

He said: "The CBN would not decree on interest rates but what happens is that as a result of activities in the market, the size of liquidity in the marketinterest rate will either go up or come down also depending on the decisions of the monetary policy committee.

"And you all know that as a result of the loan to deposit ratio policy, we have seen that banks over a seven-month period from May 2019 to December 2019 had granted almost N2 trillion in

additional credit running across all the sectors of the economy, including households individual and the rest of them."

He added: "In the course of this, interest rates have also come down and we all know that.

We know of some corporates today that have gone out to raise corporate bonds and they have raised those bonds at single-digit rates today, which are far lower than the rates at which they would have raised this money in the market even a year ago.

"So, what am I saying?

That interest rate is already low anyway but that by our activities and also the fact that we would continue to emphasise and play direct focus on the issue of the loan to deposit ratio, which sort of pushes the banks to lend, and that process of market competition for loans will naturally result in lower interest rate like we have seen today. So we are not afraid of that, we know what to do and that will naturally happen."

Continued on page 37

COMFORT FOR OBASEKI POSTPONED, OSHIOMHOLE SURVIVES AS A’COURT FREEZES SUSPENSION ORDER primaries of Edo State in sight, the struggle for the soul of the party had become intense because whoever controls the APC structure in the state, and has contact at the national secretariat would have an upper hand.

Oshiomhole’s suspension, said an analyst, had given Obaseki the upper hand and had the NEC meeting held today it is unlikely the national chairman would have survived.

The political and judicial developments yesterday would appear to have shifted the balance of forces in Oshiomhole’s favour, discomforting Obaseki, who had hoped to see the back of his former mentor.

But Justice Abubakar Yahaya, who presided over a three-man panel of the Court of Appeal, ordered the stay of execution of the suspension order on Oshiomhole, while delivering ruling in an ex-parte application filed by him.

Oshiomhole in the application had prayed the court to halt the suspension order on the grounds that there would be no status quo ante belum if the appellate court failed to do so.

His lead lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), told the court that there was a NEC meeting of the APC slated for today, wherein the applicant would be excluded going by the suspension order of the lower court.

Olanipekun submitted that the order has already created a state of disorder in the party that could degenerate if the appellate court failed to intervene.

In its ruling, the appellate court held that the status quo could only be maintained if the order of the lower court was stayed.

The appellate court said: "We have looked at the application

and we are of the view that the image of emergency has been painted. There is information that NEC would hold a meeting tomorrow and the applicant will not be there. “Justice would not have been served if the applicant is not in that meeting. The status quo can only be maintained if there is a stay. We find merit in the application.

"We hereby order a stay of execution of the lower court made on March 4, 2020, pending the hearing of the notice of appeal slated for Friday, March 20, 2020."

The court also ordered all parties in the suit not to take any further steps that would affect the ruling.

"We hereby give an order of injunction restraining the respondents or their agents from taking further steps until the determination of the substantive suit,� the court ruled.

The Court of Appeal in addition, made an order for accelerated hearing in the matter.

Justice Yahaya, however, urged politicians to learn to resolve their problems without involving the courts.

Justice Danlami Senchi of the FCT High Court had in an interlocutory ruling, ordered among others, that Oshiomhole should desist from parading himself as the APC national chairman.

The order was sequel to an application of interlocutory injunction asking the court to suspend Oshiomhole, having been suspended as a member of the APC by the party in Edo State.

However, Oshiomhole through his lawyer, Mr. Damian Dodo (SAN), had same day approached the appellate court to reverse the suspension order.

Oshiomhole asked the Court of Appeal to set aside

the suspension order of Justice Senchi and restore his position as national chairman of the APC. The NEC meeting was convened by forces seeking to oust Oshiomhole as the chairman of the ruling party.

It was called by the Acting National Secretary of the party, Mr. Victor Giadom, to seal the fate of Oshiomhole, who was restrained by the court on March 4 from further parading himself as the party's chairman.

The court had issued the interlocutory injunction in accordance with the prayer of the National Vice-Chairman (North-east) of the party, Mr. Mustapha Salihu, in collaboration with some members of Oshiomhole's ward in Edo State, asking the court to grant the injunction restraining him from further acting as the party's national chairman, having been suspended by his ward.

In the aftermath of the court order, which was followed by a rash of counter orders, all from courts of coordinate jurisdiction, the APC had been enmeshed in a crisis that led security operatives to stop Oshiomhole and his group from gaining entry into the party’s national secretariat.

Buhari, APC Govs Suspend NEC Meeting Against the background of the division among governors over the fate of Oshiomhole, they met with the president in the State House yesterday, seeking his consent to indefinitely postpone the meeting.

Answering questions from journalists after the meeting, Chairman of APC Governors' Forum and Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu,

said the president obliged them the request.

"Also, we seek Mr. President's support to postpone the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting that is scheduled for tomorrow until such a time that the governors are ready to report back," he said.

Bagudu also spoke on other issues discussed with the president, saying they informed him that the governors had agreed to resolve all lingering crises bedeviling the party.

They also thanked Buhari for the access he had granted them both individually and collectively.

"We met with Mr. President.

Among other issues, we discussed about the party in appreciation to Mr. President - how he has given access to each of us individually and collectively.

"Among the issues we discussed was the resolution that the governors have taken to work together to resolve all the issues in the party," he said.

Meanwhile, Giadom has said that the party is in agreement with Buhari’s decision to postpone the proposed emergency NEC billed to hold today.

Giadom, while speaking with journalists in a telephone interview yesterday, said a new date for the meeting would be announced.

He said: "The NEC meeting has been postponed indefinitely, at the appropriate time, the public and members of the NEC will be informed on the new date, but as of today, we are in agreement with the president that the NEC meeting has been postponed."

However, some APC members opposed to Oshiomhole have said the ruling party is afflicted by 'Osho-virus' and not 2023 virus.

In a statement yesterday by the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, the group disagreed with Sunday statement by the National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu, that the anti-Oshiomhole forces had been infected with “old ambition 2023 virus.�

Rather, it described them as passionate and loyal members of the party at the grassroots level.

He explained that those against Oshiomhole at the moment initially held him in high esteem and had high expectations of optimum performance and quality leadership from him.

He noted that it was, therefore, with deep regret that two years down the line, Oshiomhole, in utter disregard to the high expectations of the responsibility entrusted on him, and the constitution of the APC committed without remorse or introspection 10 monumental cardinal sins against the party.

Okechukwu noted that Oshiomhole was pivotal to the revival and resurrection of collapsing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structures to win more states like Adamawa, Bauchi, Zamfara and Sokoto, all strongholds of APC. He also accused the embattled chairman of brazen incompetence, adding that the revival of PDP was evidenced in the Bayelsa State imbroglio.

Okechukwu also accused Oshiomhole of manipulating, corrupting and mangling the 2018 APC gubernatorial and legislative primary elections.

Court Declares Giadom Acting National Chairman Meanwhile, Justice Samira

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Bature of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama yesterday granted an interim order permitting Chief Victor Giadom to act as the Acting National Chairman of the APC. The order was sequel to an exparte application brought by Mustapha Salihu.

The application marked FCT/ HC/M/6447/2020, was argued on behalf of the applicant by his lawyer, O.C. Ugwu.

Babatunde Ogala, Lanre IssaOnilu, Waziri Bulama and the APC were joined as defendants.

Salihu had approached the court, through the exparte motion, seeking an interim order allowing Giadom to pilot the affairs of the party as acting chairman and to preside at all meetings of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) pending the decision of the party’s NEC fixed for March 17.

The applicant also sought an interim order restraining the APC and its officers or anyone purporting to act as an officer of the 4th defendant (APC) from preventing or in any way disturbing Giadom from functioning as the acting chairman unless otherwise decided by the NEC of the party pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

After listening to the motion as argued by Ugwu, Justice Bature granted the interim order as prayed.

"Application is hereby granted as prayed," the judge ordered.

Bature then adjourned the matter until March 20 for hearing.

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TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

PDP, APC Govs Commiserate with Victims of Lagos Explosion Lagos explosion reignited, NNPC alleges Gbajabiamila visits scene, promises govt action Afenifere wants open forensic investigation Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Akinwale Adedayo, Udora Orizu in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos The Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have commiserated with the victims of Lagos explosions.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has however raised the alarm that the residual fire of the explosion evoked another pipeline fire in the area yesterday.

This is coming as the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has asked the Lagos State government to institute an open forensic inquiry into the explosion.

The Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila yesterday visited the scene of the explosion.

In a statement issued yesterday, the main opposition party particularly expressed worry about the spate of explosions and other avoidable disasters in Lagos and other

strategic states, which it said raised grave public safety concerns in the Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre.

The party in the statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, recalled that in January 2020, a pipeline explosion rocked Abule-Egba in Lagos State in which Nigerians were killed in an inferno that also razed valuables and brought anguish to many families.

The PDP, therefore, called for rejigging of the national emergency response scheme in a manner that would educate Nigerians on how to prevent disasters.

The statement said: “The PDP is grieved by the traumatising effect of the explosion in a school, which killed the school principal, Revd. Henrietta Alokha, and injured many of the students.

“Our party notes the heroic service rendered by Revd.

Alokha in saving no fewer than 300 students, but unfortunately lost her own life in the end.”

PDP urged the federal

No Student Died in Lagos Explosion, Says Catholic Bishop

government to confer a worthy posthumous recognition in honour of Alokha, who died while trying to save students in a school where she was the principal.

Meanwhile, the PGF has also commiserated with the government and people of Lagos State over the sad incident.

The Chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, in a statement issued yesterday sympathised with the people of Lagos, especially the residents and indigenes of Abule Ado, who lost their homes, properties, means of livelihood and had been displaced by the disaster.

He said: “We commiserate with the government and people of Lagos State over the sad incidence of the pipeline explosion that caused many deaths and devastating damages to many houses in Abule Ado area of the state.

At times like this, we send our condolence message to our colleague Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and all the people of the state for the unfortunate loss of lives. We pray that God

Almighty would give you and the families of those who lost their lives the fortitude to bear the loss.”

In another statement, the Forum also expressed condolences on the passing away of Hajia Hauwa Bello, the mother of Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

The forum described the late Hauwa Bello as a great woman of courage and value, adding that she distinguished herself in all aspects of humanity.

Meanwhile, NNPC said yesterday that the residual fire of the explosion evoked another pipeline fire in the area yesterday.

NNPC Group Managing Director, Malam Mele Kyari, said the pipeline fire reignited at 05.10 a.m on Monday.

Kyari, however, said a combined team from the NNPC, and the Lagos State Government, as well as other first responders have effectively controlled the fire.

He added that steps have been taken to prevent a reignition.

In a related development, Afenifere has asked the Lagos

State government to institute an open forensic inquiry into the explosion.

The group in a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, called for an open inquiry into the incident “which was coming three weeks after the Chief of Army staff announced the presence of Boko Haram in Lagos”.

According to the group, “the explosion targeting a missionary girls school and the impact of it being felt kilometres from the scene with cars parked at far distance having their windscreens shattered make us to reject the different causes the explosion has been ascribed to without any investigation”.

Afenifere therefore canvassed for a forensic investigation “to ascertain the real cause of this explosion that has left so many families bereaved”.

The statement added that Afenifere is distressed by the explosion that killed unspecified number of people and destroyed yet to be enumerated property.

“Our hearts go to all the

families who are victims of this great tragedy as we pray for the repose of all souls, who perished in the sad occurence”, the group said.

Meanwhile, Gbajabiamila yesterday visited the site of the explosion, along some members of the House and expressed sadness over the number of people that died during the explosion.

He assured those he met at the site that the government would not abandon the families of the victims to their fate as action would be taken.

“Be rest assured that this is your government, I don’t care which party you belong to, that does not mean anything to me. I don’t care where you come from, I don’t care what religion you practise. I want to assure the people here that the Lagos state government is not going to abandon you, the Federal government, the NNPC was the first to be here, you are not going to be abandoned, the local government chairman is here, your representative, Hon. Oghene is here. You are not going to be abandoned.”

Moves to accommodate students in other schools Ejiofor Alike The Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos has clarified that no student of Bethlehem Girls College, Abule Ado in Lagos died in the unfortunate fire incident that occurred on Sunday.

The Church in a statement issued yesterday, which was signed by the Chief Shepherd of the Archdiocese, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins stated that all students of the school were safe.

“We want to state that all students of the school were reported safe.Those who sustained injuries were promptly attended to in various hospitals within the environs. We are getting our Education Department along with the Administrators of other Archdiocesan schools to see how the students of Bethlehem Girls College can be accommodated in the other schools so that their education is not disrupted.”

The statement disclosed that the incident occurred while the students were at Sunday Mass.

“This sad incident occurred while the students and staff were at Sunday Mass. With the help of the first respondents, all the students were rescued and some that were injured were rushed to the hospitals.

The other students have been released to their parents and gone to their different homes.”

The Church however confirmed the painful death of school’s Administrator, Rev. Sister Henrietta Alokha, and a female security guard who both paid the supreme price while

trying to ensure the safety of the students.

“Unfortunately, the Administrator of the school, Rev. Sr. Dr. Henrietta Alokha SSH and one female security guard died in the process of taking care that the students were safe. Henrietta Alokha SSH and other staff that died have paid the supreme price in their bid to lead all her students to safety. May their souls rest in peace. It is important to confirm that no priest died during the incident.

The priest who was celebrating the Mass helped in rescuing the students and he himself is safe. “Unfortunately, the Staff quarters, Administrative Building, the refectory and hostel buildings were levelled to the ground as a result of the impact of the explosion with no essential building standing except the convent housing the nuns in charge of the school,” the statement added.

The statement thanked all those who responded swiftly thus ensuring the situation did not get worse.

“We commend the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Nigeria Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Red Cross, the various security agencies for their prompt response which ensured that the situation did not get worse. We are grateful to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his call to express the sympathy of the government and for setting up a committee to investigate issues surrounding the explosion.”

I SHARE YOUR GRIEF...

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (left), briefing President Muhammadu Buhari on the Abule Ado-Soba explosion, during a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja... yesterday

Court Orders Buratai to Produce Wadume’s Accomplices for Arraignment Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday ordered the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, to produce the army officers who were alleged to have aided the escape of a suspected kidnap kingpin, Mr. Hamisu Bala (Wadume) in Court.

Justice Nyako made the order yesterday in a short ruling during the failed arraignment of Wadume.

The Inspector General (IG) of Police , Mr Mohammed Adamu, had filed a 16-count charge against Wadume and 19 others.

They are being accused of committing crimes relating to terrorism, murder, kidnapping and illegal arms possession.

However, the arraignment could not take place following the absence of the 2nd to 11 defendants.

By the order, Buratai or any other person who is keeping custody of the defendants are to produce them in court by March 30, the next adjourned date.

Soldiers of 93 Battalion, Takum, Taraba State, had on August 6, 2019

shot members of a special anti-crime squad from the Inspector General of Police Office, who had arrested Wadume and were transporting him to the Taraba State Police Command, Jalingo, for interrogation, killing three policemen and two civilians on the spot.

Earlier, Prosecution Counsel, Mr Simon Lough had told the court that on January 7, 2020 the IG wrote to the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, seeking for the release of the 2nd to 11th

defendants to the police for the purpose of arraignment and prosecution in court.

He however said that, although the served letters were acknowledged, the defendants were not released to appear before the court for arraignment.

In relation to Section 87 and 159 of ACJA 2015, Lough further urged the court to compel those in custody of the defendants to produce them in court on the next adjourned date

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TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Aregbesola, Mimiko, Falana Call for Celebration of Writers Segun James The Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola; former Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Olusegun Mimiko and human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana have called on all Nigerians to fashion out ways to make writers, poets and other intellectuals in the country materially comfortable.

They spoke separately yesterday at a conference organised in celebration of the 70th birthday of poet, journalist, critic, columnist and public commentator, Mr. Odia Ofeimun, at the University of Lagos.

In his speech entitled: “The Poet and Writer in a Challenging Economy,”Aregbesola who chaired the occasion, said that intellectuals, writers and poets do not make enough materially to live on their

works.

According to him, intellectual outputs are infrastructure of the mind for human development that will ultimately lead to production of goods and services if well channelled.

“But they are not exactly commodities that have immediate pecuniary value for gross national product on their own. Because of their economic dependency status, writers’ economic value and hence remuneration have not been well computed and their contribution to national wealth determined, even when their value to society is priceless.”

He argued that Nigeria’s poverty has been the result of the burgeoning non-qualitative and non-productive population, which regrettably and ironically has impacted badly on writers who devote their lifetime

chronicling the challenges of the nation and working hard on how to overcome them.

“If the writers did not fare well in good times, they are certainly now worse in these challenging times. They are the social capital of any society and should be well maintained in order to guarantee continued production in society,”

Aregbesola added.

The conference was held in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos with the theme, “Taking Nigeria Seriously: A Conference in Honour of Odia Ofeimun.”

In his speech, Mimiko said writers are not rich because the value system of Nigeria is upside

down, adding that prayers are needed for a Nigeria of tomorrow where real values should be celebrated.

Falana on his part, challenged the celebrant, writers and intellectuals to collaborate with men, women and all revolutionaries of progressive ideas, in establishing a social

justice that will wage a battle and dismantle the oppressive status quo in the interest of the people.

He argued that those that have been at the helm of affairs have never taken Nigerians seriously, and called for collaboration, so that Nigeria can occupy a prominent place in the committee of nations.

Alleged Debt: Court Adjourns Contempt Suit against Seplat Chairman The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday adjourned further proceedings till May 27 in a debt recovery suit filed by AOS Orwell Limited against Shebah Exploration and Production Company Limited.

Justice Saliu Saidu adjourned the case to await the outcome of the appeal filed by the Managing Director of Shebah Exploration and Production Company Limited, Dr Ambrose Orjiako, to challenge the order made for his arrest by the court.

Justice Hadiza Shagari of the court had on December 4, 2017 issued a warrant for Orjiako’s arrest, following his repeated non-appearance in court to defend a contempt application filed against him by AOS Orwell Limited.

Orjiako is also the Chairman of Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc. AOS Orwell Limited claimed that Orjiako flouted a November

8, 2016 order made by Justice Shagari, restraining him from tampering with the assets of Shebah Exploration and Production Limited, pending the determination of the debt recovery suit filed against the company by AOS Orwell Limited.

AOS Orwell Limited insisted that the court must commit Orjiako to prison for alleged contempt of court.

But despite court’s summons, Orjiako repeatedly failed to appear before the court, prompting Justice Shagari to issue a warrant for his arrest.

Displeased with the arrest order, the businessman filed an appeal.

At the proceedings yesterday, Shebah Exploration and Production Company Limited’s lawyer, Temidayo Alabi, said the Court of Appeal was yet to determine Orjiako’s appeal against the arrest order.

COURTESY CALL..

Chief Executive Officer, Mouka Foam, Mr. Raymond Murphy (left), receiving a souvenir from the Commandant, Nigeria Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi, Air Vice Marshal, Kingsley Lar; during a courtesy visit to Mouka at the company’s corporate headquarters in Lagos...recently

Ooni Mediates in Ekiti Traditional Council Controversy Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi yesterday mediated in the crisis rocking the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers as he met with the state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and some of the obas in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

The meeting, which was held behind closed doors at the Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti, had in attendance a renowned historian and Second Republic Senator, Prof Banji Akintoye; and 11 traditional rulers including the current Chairman of the Ekiti State

Traditional Council, the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi; Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, Oloye of Oye Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju, Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Adewole Adebayo among others.

Governor Fayemi, the Ooni and Prof Akintoye, had earlier met briefly before the main meeting with the obas. Governor Fayemi described the parley with the traditional rulers as a “family meeting.”

Briefing journalists shortly after the meeting, Oba Ogunwusi assured Nigerians and Ekiti people that the meeting succeeded

in resolving the impasse that arose as a result of the traditional council chairmanship.

Oba Ogunwusi commended Governor Kayode for his efforts at ensuring that there was peace among the state traditional rulers by going to the extent of visiting the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi to explain his own side of the story. He dscribed the Governor’s gesture as a honourable move that signified true leadership.

He restated that there is mutual respect and synergy between people in government and the traditional council, adding that

obas are still upholding the heritage, culture and tradition the forefathers handed over to them several thousand years ago.

Also speaking to newsmen on behalf of other traditional rulers, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe and the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Adewole Adebayo said they have resolved to suspend all litigations arising from the chairmanship and related issues.

The royal fathers explained that communication gap between them and government was responsible for the reason why the case was not resolved before now.

House to Partner CSOs in Monitoring,Tracking of Constituency Projects

Senate: Nigeria’s Debt Profile Now N33tn

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Senate yesterday put the Nigeria’s total debt profile at N33 trillion after its approval of $22.7 billion foreign loan for the federal government penultimate week.

This is just as the DirectorGeneral of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Mrs. Patience Oniha, expressed concern that economic effects of the Coronavirus pandemic may incapacitate the country from effectively servicing the debt.

Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign and Local

The House of Representatives has said that it would partner with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and development partners in the monitoring and tracking of constituency projects and offices.

It also said that it would provide an updated annual database of constituency projects as allocated in the Appropriation Act for ease of monitoring and assessment of constituency projects.

The Chairman, House Committee on Constituency Outreach, Hon. Bello Kaoje, disclosed this while addressing a press conference on yesterday in Abuja, stressing that the move was aimed at ensuring that problem of abandoned projects would become a thing of the past.

He said this was part of the resolution reached by the committee at the end of a two-day retreat that was held between March13 and 14, 2020,

in Owerri, Imo State. He added that the committee had already set its agenda and operational work-plan for the year 2020.

The chairman said the committee would utilise its powers and mandate to ensure proper education that would improve Nigerians understanding of constituency projects and effective ways of engaging lawmakers on constituency project implementation.

This, he said, would build public trust and promote democratic accountability.

Kaoje stated: “The committee resolved to partner with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and development partners in the monitoring and tracking of constituency projects and offices.”

He stressed that the committee is committed to promoting regular engagement between constituents and their representatives in order to promote inclusive governance.

Coronavirus may affect its servicing, says DMO Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Debts, Senator Muhammad Enagi, who made Nigeria’s current debt profile known at a public lecture with the theme “Public Debt in Nigeria: Trend, Sustainability and Management declared that from a low ratio of debt to gross domestic product (GDP) of about 3.4 per cent at independence, Nigeria’s total public debt as at September 30, 2019 according to the Debt Management Office (DMO), stands at about N26.2 trillion (or $85.4 Billion).

“Of this amount total domestic debts is about N18 trillion (or $58.4 billion) which is 68.45 per cent of

the total public debts. With the recent approval of the 2016-2018 External Borrowing Plan, the total debt stock would be about N33 trillion and 21 Debt/GDP ratio.

“The big question in the minds of average Nigerian aware of this fact is what did we do with the money? In other words, where did the money go? What do we have to show as a people for these huge debts accumulated over the last four decades or so?” the Senator asked.

He explained that borrowing has always served as veritable financial platforms for many countries of the world in running

their economies but judiciously utilising such loans for intended projects and servicing the debts appropriately have also been problems for developing countries like Nigeria.

According to him, realities on the ground in the country in terms of required infrastructures and debts accumulations between 2006 and now appear disjointed.

The very reason, he explained, many Nigerians are worried whenever they hear that their government seeking for one loan or the other.

2020 UTME: JAMB Releases First-day Results The results of the 312,000 candidates that sat for Saturday’s 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) nationwide have been released, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) disclosed yesterday.

The Board’s Head, Media, and Information, Dr. Fabian Benjamin,

disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos.

Benjamin urged all concerned candidates to check their profiles for the results.

According to him, the board is optimistic that the entire exercise will be hitch-free.

“The Board is happy with the conduct of the examination on its first day, Saturday, March 14 and results are out.

“This is not to say that we did not register one or two technical hitches.

“There is no way anyone can embark on such massive exercise without a few hitches.

“However, the good thing is that, as soon as our attention is drawn to such hitches, we tackle them immediately.

“So, the Board is fully on ground to take on these hitches as they come, but in all, we are happy with the conduct of the examination so far,’’ he said.

TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Osoba, Others Hail Nigerian Journalists for Fighting for Democracy Sunday Okobi A former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba, and other eminent Nigerians have lauded the price paid by Nigerian journalists while fighting for the birth of Nigeria’s democracy during the military junta, which they said Nigerians are enjoying presently.

In a statement made available to THISDAY, the veteran journalist and others made the commendation at the recent screening of The Avalon Daily’s documentary ‘Paying The Price (Press freedom in Nigeria)’ held at Freedom Park in Lagos.

The documentary tells the story of six Nigerian journalists - Dapo Olorunyomi, Babafemi Ojudu, George Mba, Nosa Igiebor, Soji Omotunde, and Kunle Ajibade

- who were tortured and jailed by the military government for publishing stories that were in the interest of the society.

Kunle Ajibade and George Mbah were both jailed for life.

In his keynote address at the event, Osoba, who was a managing director of the Daily Times, stressed on the roles of journalists in a democracy, which he described as being “of great significance.”

According to the statement, he said: “The democracy and freedom we enjoy in Nigeria today was fought for by the media. I have urged my colleagues at the Tell magazine, The News, The Guardian and others to write their stories so that the people would know what the media passed through during the

military regime.

“Some of you might have heard of NADECO, but that was just a wing or an arm in the fight for democracy. What you have just watched now (the documentary) is the price the media had to pay to usher in democracy in our country.”

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwolu, who

was represented by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, paid tribute to those journalists who paid the ultimate price for defending their ideals and the ethics of their profession.

He said: “I’m glad that there are students of journalism in attendance, hopefully they would learn a bit of history and what it

means to be a good journalist.”

Omotoso, who also personally recalled the ordeals of some of his colleagues like Ojudu who was at one point held in a cemetery by the junta, commended The Avalon Daily for putting together the documentary, saying: “I commend the organisers of this event for preserving an important historic event in our country.”

In his remark at the event, a former Senator representing Lagos-East constituency Senator Gbenga Ashafa, who spoke after the screening of the documentary, said: “The Avalon Daily has dug into the history of journalism and media in Nigeria to produce a documentary about the huge price paid by veteran journalists during the military era.

C’River Garment Factory Gets Major Boost, Receives Huge NYSC Uniforms Order Military indicates interest in partnership The Cross River state-owned Calabar Garment Factory has procured order for the production of 8,000 pairs of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) uniforms.

The garment factory is one of the industries established

by Governor Ben Ayade in his first term in line with the industrialisation policy of his administration.

The state Commissioner for Industry, Mr. Peter Egba disclosed in a statement that the factory was given eight days to produce the uniforms.

Egba said: “For me, this order is a manifestation of the engagement we have had over time. It helps sharpen our skills, keep the employees and generate revenue.

“The governor of Cross River state, Ben Ayade, in establishing the garment factory, stated that the factory will be among those to decouple the state from over dependence on federal allocation.”

The commissioners maintained

that the sophisticated machines at the garment factory greatly aided in meeting the NYSC order.

“The NYSC brought their materials to us to make for them at the Garment factory. Basically, the idea behind this was that they wanted to test our capabilities to deliver within a short period of time. That was why they gave us only eight days to deliver 8,000.

“Because of staff strength and the sophisticated machines put in place by Ben Ayade, as I speak to you now we’ve been working for five days to beat the deadline.”

Egba stated that plans are in top gear to also ensure that the factory gets NYSC order for uniforms for the next stream of corps members in May. “Another stream of corps members are coming in May this year, and we fully expect that after we might have delivered this present order and on time, we will get an even bigger order when the next stream of corp members come on board”, he said.

Gbajabiamila Calls for Proactive Nigerian Military UdoraOrizuinAbuja

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has advocated a more proactive Nigerian military in tune with the prevailing global realities.

The Speaker said the deployment of themilitarygloballyhasmovedbeyond conventional responsibilities of physical protection of the territorial integrity of any country against external aggression.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker, however, disclosed that the House is already working on a new model of funding theNigerianmilitaryoutsidethenational budget so that it will be able to carry out its responsibilities optimally.

Gbajabiamila made this known yesterday while declaring open a two-day capacity building workshop/ retreat of the House Committee on Defence in collaboration with Centre for Strategic Research and Studies of the National Defence College and the Policy and Legal Advocacy Center

(PLAC).

Citing the deployment of the military against coronavirus (being foreign aggression) in the United States of America as an instance, he said foreign or external aggression has assumed a new dimension in global conflictconsideringtheuseoftechnology in modern warfare.

Gbajabiamila said Nigeria can no longer afford to be dogmatic about the roles and responsibilities of its military, noting that here in Nigeria, it is straight-jacketed with the military.

“But then, when we get foreign aggression and external aggression can be simultaneous. So, when we begin to talk about the military and expand the frontiers, rather than being straightjacket, we must consider and remember that in this day and age, this century, foreign attack can come from anywhere. We talk about cyberspace here. When we begin to consider the issues on this, I will suggest that what exactly is the definition, or what exactly is a foreign attack - food for thought”.

FOSTERING YORUBA UNITY…

L-R: Commissioner, Osun State Governor’s Office, Alhaja Latifa Giwa; Ex-Officio Member, Yoruba Unity Forum, Mrs. Bolajoko Doherty; Assistant Secretary-General of the forum, Mr. Emmanuel Adelana; the forum’s National Public Relations Officer (PRO), Chief Aramide Tola Noibi; Osun State Deputy Governor, Mr. Benedict Alabi; Governor of Osun State, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola; and the Chairman of the Yoruba Unity Forum, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, during the Yoruba Unity Forum’s courtesy call on the governor in Osogbo, Osun State…recently

Opposition Parties Sue FG, Four Others over $22.7bn Loan Request Alex Enumah and Udora Orizu in Abuja The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), acting through one of the registered political parties, Action Peoples Party ( APP), yesterday filed a suit against the federal government and four others before a Federal High Court in Abuja, over the proposed borrowing of the sum of $22.7billion.

In the suit dated March 16, 2020 and filed on behalf of the APP by

its lawyer, Mr. Chibuzor Ezike, the party is praying the court to set aside or nullify any approval for external loan borrowing made by the National Assembly.

The party in suit number FHC/ ABJ/CS/2020 raised seven issues before the court for determination.

Apart from the federal government, other defendants in the matter are: President Muhammadu Buhari; AttorneyGeneral of the Federation; and the Minister of Finance and the National Assembly.

The party also sought for 10 reliefs in the suit.

Part of the reliefs are: “A declaration that it is unlawful and unconstitutional for the National Assembly to offer to undertake any guarantee for the requested external loans made by the President when the terms and conditions of the said loan has not been duly laid before, considered and approved by the National Assembly as mandatorily stipulated by the law”.

The parties also also asked the court to declare as

“unconstitutional, unlawful and ultra vires the executive powers of the President to borrow external loans or participate in the negotiation and acquisition of any external loan without the proper legislative framework and approval of the National Assembly in an openly debated, considered and deliberated session of the parliament, where the details of such external borrowing, project financing and projected repayment modalities will be openly debated and considered by the legislature.

SSANU Seeks to Opt out of IPPIS for Alleged Lapses in Implementation OnyebuchiEzigboinAbuja The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has expressed displeasure over the alleged irregularities witnessed in the payment of February 2020 salaries for its members using the Integrated Payroll and Personel Information System (IPPIS), a government payment platform.

It said though it believes that the platform would greatly improve personnel accountability in the system thereby reducing the spate of corruption in the universities, it

faulted the implementation.

In a statement issued yesterday by the National Public Relations Officer of SSANU, Mr. Salaam Abdussobur Olayiwola, the union urged the federal government to look into the issue and immediately address the anomaly so as not to cause disruption in industrial peace in the institutions.

“Kindly recall that we keyed into the IPPIS with an understanding that all the peculiarities in the University system, particularly pertaining to our members would be adequately addressed, especially the issues of allowances, appointments, increments,

third party deductions etc.

“Various concerns were raised and our fears were allayed through various correspondences, meetings and practical sessions where the application was displayed and all issues brought forward were addressed. It is therefore shocking to us that our first real taste of the IPPIS application is totally different from what was presented”.

SSANU said it regretted that the concerns raised by the union were not implemented.

“Apart from the breach of trust which has now manifested, our

members across the universities are groaning from various anomalies witnessed in their salaries thereby forcing them into great hardships which they never bargained for when they keyed into the IPPIS. “As a leadership, this is totally unacceptable! The recent development has once again shown, despite our attempts to test otherwise, that Government can never be trusted and as such, based on what we have been subjected to with the February salary, we do not blame our lecturer counterparts, ASUU, for resisting the IPPIS from the beginning!

Tambuwal Promises to Adhere to PDP Guidelines for Party Congresses Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has assured stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that his administration will adhere strictly to the stipulation of the party on gender affirmation in the upcoming ward congresses.

He stated this while hosting a meeting of the party stakeholders in preparation for the ward

congress scheduled to hold today.

According to him, “We are going to respect the position of the party that 30 per cent of positions to be filled during the congresses should be allotted to women.

“As a result, we must encourage the women to participate in this process that would give us new leaders and also allow them to

provide the leadership needed irrespective of their gender.”

He expressed confidence that the ward congress of the party in the state would be hitch and rancour-free as “ Sokoto people are peace loving and believe that dominion comes from Allah.”

Tambuwal also assured them that he would not influence the process of the congress in any way,

including any move to impose candidates on the party.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation of the party’s Congress Committee to the state, Hon. Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, had noted that the people of the state are known to be peace loving, “so we do not expect the congress to be marred by irregularities or violence.”

TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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COMMENT

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

AN ICON AT 64

Alan Boyd pays tribute to Victor Ndoma-Egba, lawyer and former Senate leader, at age 64

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hen Senator Ndoma-Egba turned 64 on Sunday, President Buhari publicly acknowledged him in glowing terms. The President described Senator Ndoma-Egba as a role model, a patriot and a man of impeccable credentials.

And so did many glowing tributes and accolades pour in to honour this eminent lawyer, politician and patriot as he celebrated his birthday!

From governors to senators, ministers to community leaders, from church leaders to eminent lawyers, so did tributes pour in to celebrate a man known for his cool head and steady disposition.

Interestingly, Senator Ndoma-Egba shares the same birthday with Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Interestingly both men are Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) and they share a passion for the upliftment of Nigeria.

Now, who is this man that many great Nigerians celebrated as he marked 64? Victor Ndoma-Egba is a renowned lawyer, politician, and former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). He was a three-term senator, representing the Central Senatorial District of Cross River State in the Nigerian Senate from 2003 to 2015. He holds two national honors, Officer of the Federal Republic [OFR] and Commander of the Niger [CON].

Victor Ndoma-Egba was born in Ikom, Cross River State on 8th March 1956. He was raised by parents who were achievers in their fields and it is no surprise that Victor has accomplished so much in a short while. His father, the late Justice Emmanuel Ndoma-Egba, was a retired Justice of the Federal Court of Appeal and his mother, Madam Regina Nentui, was a seasoned teacher and an erudite politician. She had the honor of being the first female local government chairman in the whole of Nigeria.

He began his university education at the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus before proceeding to the University of Lagos where he obtained the LLB degree in 1977. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1978 and his set is renowned as the famous “1978 set�- the set with the highest number of Supreme Court Justices and Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

Not satisfied with just an LL. B, he obtained an LL.M from the University of Calabar. Also, he obtained certifications in other fields from the Irish Development Institute, Shannon Ireland; University of Stanford and Harvard University in the USA. He was made a life bencher in 2017 and was awarded the LL. D [Honoris Causa] by the University of Calabar in 2018.

He started his professional career with Kanu G. Agabi & Co in 1979 and practiced law in all the superior courts of record for several years.

At the very young age of 27, he was appointed the Commissioner for Works and Transport in the old Cross River State [i.e. that is Cross River State, before it was divided into Cross River and Akwa Ibom States]. In addition to this role, he had to act as the Commissioner for Justice.

Before venturing into full-time politics, Victor Ndoma-Egba had an

HE IS DESCRIBED BY ADMIRERS AS A MAN OF INTEGRITY, HARDWORKING, AND A MAN WITH A DEEP SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO DUTY AND SERVICE

illustrious career during which he held several leadership positions.

Some of these include: pioneer chief executive of the Cross River State Directorate for Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure and at the same time, the Director of Cross River Basin Development Authority during the Third Republic; chairman, Calabar branch of the Nigerian Bar Association and President, Calabar Chamber of Commerce, for an unprecedented three terms. r )F BMTP DIBJSFE UIF CPBSET PG DPNQBOJFT JO UIF QSJWBUF TFDUPS with interest ranging from banking, construction and manufacturing.

His foray into politics was highlighted by his election into the Nigerian Senate in 2002 to represent Cross Rivers State - Central Senatorial District and remained there until 2015. During this eventful period, he held several positions including the following: Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals; Chairman of the newly created Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, making him the official spokesman of the Senate.

He later became the Deputy Senate Leader and is credited with over 38 bills including the “Freedom of Information� and “Prisons Reform� bills.

The pinnacle of his career in the Nigerian Senate came in June 6, 2011 when he became the Senate Leader, a position he occupied till June 6, 2015.

He had the distinct and unique privilege of being elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2004, the first and the only one for 12 years from the National Assembly and the only one so far from the Senate and outside legal practice and academics.

On leaving the Senate in 2015, he returned to his law practice as a Senior Partner in the Law Firm of Ndoma-Egba, Ebri & Co in Abuja.

Before he could settle fully into his legal practice, he received a call to serve the nation again. This was in July 2016, when he was appointed the Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by President Muhammadu Buhari. This is where he served until 2019 when he resigned to return back to politics.

A devout Roman Catholic, and philanthropist, Senator Victor Ndoma - Egba has supported the Church in Nigeria. This he has done by financially supporting the activities of various denominations, and the training of both priests and pastors. In 2014, he donated musical equipment to 12 rural Christian churches or different denominations.

His involvement in the promotion of the church in Nigeria culminated in the construction of a 1, 000 seating-capacity Cathedral in his home town and handed over to the Catholic Church.

A broad-minded individual, Victor Ndoma-Egba sponsors Muslims to Mecca for their yearly Hajj regularly. His belief in education has motivated his sponsorship of hundreds of youths in various fields of academics.

Victor Ndoma-Egba is described by admirers as a man of integrity, hardworking, and a man with a deep sense of commitment to duty and service. His philosophy of life is that “if you cannot change the world, you can change the space that you stand in�.

BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF APC Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the party, could have done better, writes Oyetunji Oladele

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he growing disquiet and dissent in the leadership ranks of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) can no longer be kept under the carpet. For a very long time, the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole has carried on as a sole administrator, a man whose words must be obeyed by all party faithful irrespective of their status. The chairman has, through his brash approach to party administration, brought himself into conflict and collision with almost every person that matters in the party.

In the process, he has not only brought the party to dishonor and disrepute, but the fortunes of the party have continued to suffer serious decline under his leadership.

For many, the sins of Oshiomhole are too many; and retaining him in the position would bring incalculable damage to the party and undermines the capacity of the party to break new grounds in the polity.

When Oshiomhole replaced his kinsman, John Odigie- Oyegun as the National Chairman, it was thought that as a former labour leader and Governor of Edo State, he was going to bring a breath of fresh air in the party. Backed by the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he was given the opportunity to take over the leadership of the party in the hope that he would take the APC to greater heights.

But rather than the fortunes of the party to increase under his leadership, what has been witnessed in the last two years is a harvest of crises in different chapters of the party

resulting from the arbitrary and unilateral actions of the national chairman. He runs a one-man show and hardly involves members of the party`s National Working Committee (NWC) in the running of the affairs of the party.

One of the allegations against Oshiomhole is that he sidelines all the various structures and organs of the party in the decisionmaking process. To this extent, he is more comfortable operating from his personal home in Abuja instead of functioning from the party`s National Secretariat. He is accused of taking unilateral actions and decisions without the ratification or consent of the NEC which is the highest administrative organ of the party after the national convention.

He is accused of appointing some persons into vacant positions within the NWC without consulting relevant stakeholders like the NEC, national caucus and governors. A recent example was his unilateral appointment of a protĂŠgĂŠ of Tinubu and former governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi as the National Vice Chairman of APC for South West without consulting the governors from the South West. He did a similar thing earlier when he replaced Muiz Banire with Babatunde Ogala as the National Legal Adviser of the party.

Many of his critics see his bullish style as a disappointing departure from the decent and dignified manner the former National Chairmen before him, Chief Bisi Akande and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, managed the party. As at the time Oshiomhole took over

the party`s leadership from Chief Oyegun, the APC was in control of 24 states, PDP 11, and APGA one. But under the watch of Oshiomhole, the APC lost Sokoto, Bauchi, Benue, Adamawa, Zamfara, Oyo and Imo to the opposition. It only managed to retrieve Imo through a controversial Supreme Court judgment. Under his watch too, APC failed to field candidates in Rivers State in the last elections. And through administrative blunder by the party under his watch, the APC lost Bayelsa State to the opposition PDP through the court.

His outbursts against the Supreme Court following the loss of Bayelsa by the party was a big embarrassment to APC-led federal government. Oshiomhole had threatened that the party would not accept the decision of the Supreme Court on Bayelsa State. This was a clear case of invitation to anarchy.

Based on his ill-advised stance on the matter, a motley crowd of APC supporters staged a public demonstration in the home of a Supreme Court Justice, Mary Odili, to protest the ruling on Bayelsa, erroneously believing that Justice Mary Odili may have influenced the outcome of the case. This was a very dangerous development which painted the APC in a very bad light. It is important to note that no words of condemnation ever came from Oshiomhole.

There are also allegations of financial sleaze in the party under his control. It is on record that Governor Badaru of Jigawa State has raised serious questions on the finances of the party especially on the mismanagement of the billions of naira which the party

raised through nomination fees by political aspirants and candidates on the platform of the party.

The governors and other key stakeholders who have stepped into the fray and demanding for the removal of Oshiomhole are doing so in order to rescue the party and halt the slide in its fortunes. It is not for any vaulting ambition on their part as being alleged by the embattled National Chairman and his cohorts. Oshiomhole has refused to call for meeting of the various organs of the party until now when he is being forced into one by the governors and other stakeholders.

He does not feel secure, especially in the light of an injunction from an Abuja High Court that had restrained him from functioning as the National Chairman, pending the determination of the substantive suit. The judgment came against the background of his earlier suspension by his ward, local government and state chapter of the party.

The effort he made to overturn the injunction by rushing to a Kano High Court which has coordinate jurisdiction with the Abuja High Court to seek a counter injunction was an act of desperation which only came to naught. All the attempts he made to stop the NEC meeting failed to yield any positive results. He went to the Presidential Villa last week to seek help from the President but President Buhari noted that as long as the processes for the convening of the NEC meeting were legal, it would eventually hold. He should read the hand writing on the wall.

Oladele wrote from Abuja

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020

EDITORIAL PROPOSED BILL TO BAN PLASTICS The proposed bill to ban plastic products is in order

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lastic is harmful to the environment, not only because it is produced from nonrenewable resources, but also because of the difficulties of disposal, since it does not decompose. Respiratory issues are increasing because of air pollution from burning plastic, animal lifespans are shortened because of consuming plastic, littered plastic is clogging drains and causing floods, and unmanaged plastic is contaminating our precious oceans and waterways. All over the world, some governments have placed ban on plastic products or on single-use plastics. Specifically, some have banned disposable plastic shopping bags to protect the environment. Countries in Africa that have banned plastics include Rwanda, Kenya, Congo, and South Africa. But Nigeria has never really taken the issue of environment seriously.

It is within that context that we endorse the attempt to enact a law that would ban plastic materials. According to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria is among the 20 countries generating more than 80 per cent of the land-based plastic wastes that end RESPIRATORY ISSUES ARE up in the oceans. At INCREASING BECAUSE present, the National OF AIR POLLUTION Assembly and the FROM BURNING PLASTIC, Federal Ministry of Environment are ANIMAL LIFESPANS ARE SHORTENED BECAUSE OF putting finishing CONSUMING PLASTIC AND touches to a bill meant to prohibit the UNMANAGED PLASTIC production of plastics.

IS CONTAMINATING OUR OCEANS AND WATERWAYS The proposed law will definitely convince Nigerians to discontinue with current bad habits of using plastics without consideration for the dangers.

Plastic is a material made to last forever, and research has shown that disposed plastics materials merely break down into smaller pieces and can remain in the environment for up to 2,000 years and more. Regardless, 33

per cent of all plastics, including water bottles, bags and straws, among others, are used just once and thrown away. Toxic chemicals leach out of plastic and are found in the blood and tissue of nearly all humans. Exposure to them is linked to cancers, birth defects, impaired immunity, endocrine disruption and other ailments.

I T H I S DAY EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI AJAYI, DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA

t is important to note the effort of the Lagos State government through its Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) to ban the use of plastic and replace it with suitable and multiple cloth bags. Besides, all the plastics lying waste can be recycled after sorting, shredding and rid of impurities like paper. The shreds are then melted and formed into pellets, which can be made into other products. Some companies are known to recycle polyethylene into outdoor decking material, fencing, doors and windows. Plastic bottles can be recycled into t-shirts, sweaters, fleece jackets, insulation for jackets and sleeping bags, carpeting and more bottles.

Interestingly, many countries have found ways to recycle plastics, and some even use it for road construction. Some local communities are using recycled plastic as filler for cement blocks, ropes, and household goods such as baskets and mats. At a larger scale, manufacturers are using recycled plastic and textiles to make clothing and furniture. By using waste materials for products with monetary value such as clothing, shoes, or road construction, society is incentivised to collect plastic and capture its full value.

Something needs to be done to reverse the growing dependence on plastics, because, according to Ellen & MacArthur Foundation, there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish by 2050 if nothing is done.

Environmentalists believe there are many ways to curb plastic waste and these are by producing less, consuming less, and better managing existing waste to prevent contamination or leakage. They agree that solutions may vary, but that policy solutions, increased awareness, and improved design and disposal processes, among others, are critical to changing behaviour and better managing plastic waste

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Letters to the Editor

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.

WHAT HOPE FOR RAPEVICTIMS?

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he 12-year-old was raped by the son of the property-owner in Rumuodara in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. And the rapist wasn’t smitten by a pang of guilt thereafter. His family is rich in the eyes of people nearby because they own the apartment where the rape victim and her family live. All it takes to be known as a rich person in Nigeria is to drive a car and own a house.

People who do not drive cars and who do not live in their own personal apartment aren’t rich in the eyes of many people, such people who do not have money are underlings not to be taken seriously and can be given the look of patrician disdain by so-called money bags.

What is worse is that agents of state protect these lots.

The mother of the victim expected the parents of the rapist to rebuke their child but they did nothing and she sought help from agents of state permitted by law to defend the helpless in the society.

Days- on- end she went to their office to seek justice. But justice travelled to lose Island every time she stopped by. Finally, an agent of state, a lady, who should have compassion for her and her challenge, acted contrarily.

She counselled the woman to let the matter rest, to stop pursuing the rape case because according to her, that might not have been the first time the young girl engaged in the tricks of the flesh with men and this particular rape case shouldn’t creäte any raucous claque.

I heard this in a taxi in Port Harcourt, narrated by the victim’s mother and it was befuddling because she was helpless and had to give up the fight for justice. Poor people operate from the position of weakness. They are cheated by the powerful.

People get away with atrocious misconducts against children. But this shouldn’t be. The democratization of evil and association with depraved

people are some of the reasons rape victims and children are not safe in Nigeria and are not protected as they ought to and this has to change.

Parents need to protect their children. Children shouldn’t run errands for people with questionable character and they should stop children from going into the rooms of people with dubious character.

They should also speak up, for in Nigeria, rape cases aren’t brought forward for fear of children being pilloried. The ones bold enough to speak up should get justice and not made to suffer and paralyzed by verbal incontinence, they should not become victims because they were proactive enough to seek for justice.

Why do people get away with rape cases in Nigeria? Why do people rape children, some as old as only few months old? It staggers my imagination. Parents should monitor the relationships of their children with relatives, family friends, visitors and neighbors. They should ensure that children are not left all by themselves with people whose character they are not sure of and in housing units full with crooks.

Children shouldn’t be allowed to take strolls at night and sent on errands which will see them walk through dark-back-streets.

Children must be properly guided on how to stop the source of bad behavior and the time frame to report depravity.

They should be coached to shout and ask for help when the target of the behavior starts to groom them improperly for debauched undertakings. Any observer in every environment where children live should stop the harassment of children when they see that they are sexually molested. There is nothing as an innocent passerby.

The police and the justice system must ensure that rape victims get justice in the real sense. A duty exists for those in authority to help put rapists in jail.

Simon Abah, Abuja

THE 2020 NBA CONFERENCE

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ecently, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) approved Port Harcourt, Rivers State as the venue for the 2020 NBA Annual General Conference (NBA-AGC). The body also proposed conference fees for participants based on their years of call. My attention is particularly drawn to the proposed amount to be paid by new wigs. Young wigs (lawyers) are to pay N20,000 for early birds, N45,000 as regular fee and N90,000 for late registration.

For the bourgeoisie or lucky few in this harsh economy, this amount of money is nothing. But for the majority of new wigs, who wear shoes and know where it pinches, it would quickly dawn on us that this could be a brazen systemic seclusion by the NBA from the conference.

There is an old cliché that says, if you are not at the table dining, then you are on the menu. Of a profession that offers young wigs peanuts and servile positions, one could quickly feel that even though NBA is supposed to be for all lawyers, but truly, it may not be so in the real sense. Aside the registration fee, the cost of transportation to and from the venue, feeding and accommodation for the whole period of the conference may prevent new lawyers from attending.

Therefore, we call on the NBA National Executive Committee to reduce the said amount for the sake of the new wigs. For the good image of NBA, we urge that the amount be reduced. At least, for the fact that this year’s conference would be a landmark and historic, being the 60th AGC. Any trade or profession that does not strongly put into consideration the well-being of its young members has embarked on a summary retrogressive journey. This is a pathway that NBA should not follow.

Victor Opatola, Abuja

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TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2020 •T H I S D AY

TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2020

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POLITICS

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

How Oshiomhole Demystified Minor Deities in APC

Vanessa Obioha writes that the insistence of some state governors to determine the outcome of the party’s selection process for candidates in the 2023 national elections may be the reason they are campaigning for the removal of Adams Oshiomhole as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress; an action that will only spell doom for APC

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here is no doubt that the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has demystified members of the party who considered themselves demigods, since he assumed leadership in June, 2018. A good illustration of such actions is his fight with the former governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha who wanted to rubbish the image of the party by imposing a relative to represent the state in the last governorship election. Okorocha had already proclaimed himself the Messiah of Imo state and therefore sought to retain his exalted throne by parading a puppet to replace him. His chosen successor was his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu. However, his plans hit a stumbling block when Oshiomhole kicked against his moves, allowing the party to choose other contenders for the seat.

If not for Oshiomhole’s combative manner that truncated Okorocha’s anti-party moves, APC would have been a laughing stock in the South-eastern state.

The same drama unfolded in Ogun state when former governor Ibikunle Amosun plotted to hand over the governorship baton to one of his favourites. Such activities only speak volumes of the selfish interests of members.

Apart from his commitment to instill discipline in the party, it is on record that under Oshiomhole’s leadership, APC maintained its winning streak in the 2019 presidential election and would have exceeded expectations in the governorship election if not for the discordant voices that refused any form of harmony. For instance, the crisis in Zamfara is a result of the rift between the former governor Abdulaziz Yari and Senator Kabir Marafa. Oshiomhole’s attempt to resolve the case only fetched him more animosity. Little wonder that Marafa alerted the public on the alleged plot to oust Oshiomhole from power last year “It is evident that the plot to unseat Comrade Adams Oshiomole by a gang of President Buhari’s adversaries has thickened. This plot is merely aimed at hijacking the party structures and handing it over to Yari – who till now is the arrowhead of all the people that harbour a lot of bitterness against the president,” Marafa said last December.

Yari denied the allegations expectedly but more reports followed, insisting that the growing number of detractors of the former governor of Edo state are busy plotting and countering moves that will put the suspended chairman in good light. In their own estimation, the party is better off without a leader whose goal included ridding the party of selfish and corrupt members.

The removal of Oshiomhole will only spell doom for APC. The party is already suffering from an ego implosion. The midnight meetings and closed-door whispers are only a spectre of the pending disintegration. As much as the detractors who have been working tirelessly to unseat Oshiomhole since last year would like to portray their actions as a collective good for the party, there’s no uncertainty that it is for their personal interest.

The mood at the Eagles Square on morning of Sunday, June 24, 2018 was upbeat when Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, former Governor of Edo State was sworn in as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He came highly recommended having had a relatively successful two fouryear tenure as Chief Executive of Edo, which culminated in the triumphant emergence of Godwin Obaseki, as governor.

Once the baton of leadership of the party was firmly in his grip, Oshiomhole attempted to establish the supremacy of the party, vis-à-vis the rule of collective bargaining-a process he

Oshiomhole was conversant with, having been a labour leader for years. Conversely, the purveyor of individual interests which had held the party captive for so long were unyielding in their bid to maintain the status quo.

One month after, he threatened to suspend the Labour and Employment Minister, Dr. Chris Ngige over delay to inaugurate the board of some parastatals under his ministry. He made it clear that he would not foot drag on the issues of discipline. Not a few were rattled by his statement; “If the Minister refuses, we will suspend him from the party. We must return to internal discipline. For me, it is the height of mischief for any Minister, you cannot purport to be an Honourable Minister and you act dishonourably. Nobody is greater than the party.

“If the President condones disrespect for his office, I will not condone disrespect for the party.”

It was an unmistakable notice to the discerning that a new Sheriff was in charge of the affairs of the party. About five months later, it was time for the primaries of the APC across the country.

Much of this selection process for the party’s candidates in the 2019 national elections became emerged in controversies. In one instance, the National Chairman of the APC was reportedly detained by the Department of the State Services (DSS) on allegations made by certain governors

that he received bribe to manipulate the party’s primary elections.

Conducting a hitch-free primary became Oshiomhole’s biggest headache on account of the insistence of state governors to determine the outcome of the selection process. Many APC state governors took their fight to party’s National Chairman, for refusing to play it according to their script. Among those who challenged Oshiomhole openly were former governors Ibikunle Amosun, Rochas Okorocha, and Abdulaziz Yari of Ogun, Imo and Zamfara states respectively whose bid to install their favoured successor failed.

However, Oshiomhole stoutly stood his ground and continued to draw attention to his most cherished achievements. “We the executive members of the party were sworn in on June 3, 2018, at about 6 p.m. Two weeks later, we went to Ekiti to contest election against a PDP incumbent governor Fayose and we won.

Kayode Fayemi today is the governor of that state. Few months later, we went to Osun State, we contested a by-election. We won and we had the Osun State governor elected for his first term. Then we went for the national elections.

You know all the tensions in the country at the time. The gap between President Buhari and the former candidate of the PDP Abubakar

Any observer of the political landscape in Nigeria would easily concur that APC enjoyed a certain degree of decorum since Oshiomhole became chairman of the party. He spoke a language that most corrupt members of the party were unused to. He crushed egos and promoted selflessness.

Not one to cavil at his opposition’s remarks, Oshiomhole aims at professionalism and excellence, two traits that have accompanied him since his days as a union leader. His ultimate objective is to ensure that the party’s structures and ideals are maintained and not used to serve selfish interests. This was clearly seen in his first public speech after the High Court ruling. Oshiomhole said that he was more concerned about his legacy than the title

Atiku was about four million voters. The one between President Buhari and former President Jonathan in 2015 was about three million. Under my leadership, this President has more votes than the first runner-up. We would like to claim credit for that because if it went the other way; we would be crucified,’’ he said.

Another attainment which Oshiomhole likes to gloat about is the defeat of the immediate past Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki in Kwara State. “We went to Kwara, we did ‘otoge’ (enough is enough). We uprooted Saraki and you cannot commend me for this? Do you know who Saraki is? If you are talking of the smartest political player, seasoned smart guy, he is. But for every smartness he has, I have a superior smartness. At the end of the day, who won?”

Any observer of the political landscape in Nigeria would easily concur that APC enjoyed a certain degree of decorum since Oshiomhole became chairman of the party. He spoke a language that most corrupt members of the party were unused to. He crushed egos and promoted selflessness. Not one to cavil at his opposition’s remarks, Oshiomhole aims at professionalism and excellence, two traits that have accompanied him since his days as a union leader. His ultimate objective is to ensure that the party’s structures and ideals are maintained and not used to serve selfish interests. This was clearly seen in his first public speech after the High Court ruling.

Oshiomhole said that he was more concerned about his legacy than the title.

“I worry more about what I will be remembered for when I was chairman rather than how long I was chairman.”

But he need not worry about this. His impact would be felt by many and even his traducers are likely to regret their steps. At least, none can accuse him of promoting anti-party policies or embezzling funds.

He is aware of the battle ahead but he is not having sleepless nights over it.

“Whatever you do, those who want to fight you will fight you but I know that my tenure will be defined by God and not man,” he said at that public address.

His confrontational style might have yielded him more friends than foes, his loss will cost APC more than just a title.

However, those who started the current round of troubles for Oshiomhole think differently.

Incidentally, they are from his home state.

“There will be peace in Edo state,” are some of the jubilatory comments that have greeted the suspension of the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomhole by a Federal High Court in Abuja recently. Justice Danlami Senchi of the court in Jabi ordered Oshiomhole to step down on March 4, pending the determination of the substantive suit by Edo state chapter of the party seeking his removal as the APC chairman.

The ruling came almost a fortnight to the next National Executive Meeting of the party which Oshiomhole should preside over. Going by the constitution of the party which stipulates that the Deputy National Chairman, South should assume the exalted office of chairman of the party in an acting capacity if there is a leadership vacuum, former Governor of Oyo State, Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi, who was approved the deputy national chairman of the party, the same day was poised to fill in the seat.

But in another drama, some members of the party endorsed Victor Giadom, the party’s National Secretary to occupy the seat.

The ongoing drama is evidence of the crisis that pervaded the party which Oshiomhole tried to resolve.

T H I S D AY ˾TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2020

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Why APC Should Embark on Frank Self-examination Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes that the fiasco that have the lot of the All Progressives Congress in recent times demands a forthright introspection to avoid a repeat of history.

Buhari

Amaechi

Oshiomhole 1

Princewill

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ne of the leading chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill has aligned himself with those who support that the NEC of the party should go ahead with its scheduled meeting today. An unrepentant ally of the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi in the current political dispensation, Princewill said opposition to the NEC was pointless. He explained, “Only those who are afraid of a discussion will be afraid of the convening of the NEC. As a victim of court rulings, it surprises me how quickly politicians run to the courts, but I guess if you don’t go, others will, so it’s best to go first. All those who want a discussion to take place are saying is, let the NEC meet, discuss the way forward and put the party in line for a mini-convention, where the proper things are done the proper way.”

His optimism may be against a backdrop of difficulties, going back to his home state, Rivers, where the APC continues to swim in troubled waters. There is hardly any state in the entire South-south region that APC’s once robust bunch of broom is not becoming thin by the day, from self-inflicted damage. “I am quite disappointed with the performance of our South-south zone,” he began before giving depth to an answer that can be easily misunderstood. “To be honest, the inability of our leadership to bring the benefits of democracy to our people. If it is not one fight, it’s another. A struggle for supremacy, a competition for Villa (Presidential) access or key leaders getting in each other’s way. As a result of this, we have suffered a mixture of intra and inter-state disharmony which has left us in one case, without candidates in a whole state, in another - losing a governor-elect; while in Edo state, a National Chairman and a Governor are in open warfare. This alone calls for drastic change at the highest level and for those of us that know who did what and when, the buck stops at the table of the suspended National Chairman, Adams

Oshiomhole. For us to make progress, he has to step aside. Even then, the leaders have to sit down and get their act together. Enough-is-enough.

We have a President who can move mountains for us if we sing from the same hymn sheet, but instead we are self-isolating like coronavirus suspects. The rank and file are not happy with the leadership and if it continues like this, they will make life very uncomfortable.”

Since the imminent struggle for the soul of the APC is about those who have queued up behind Oshiomhole and those on the opposing side, Princewill is likely to be on the side of Amaechi, who many see as an anti-Oshiomhole campaigner. While not yielding any ground,

he put the relationship between Amaechi and Oshiomhole in perspective. “I wish he knew how much Amaechi has defended him. From the days of Magnus Abe to now, Amaechi has been telling us that he trusts Oshiomhole and that if he has any flaw, being a puppet to another man’s negative agenda is not one of them.”

While he did not say so unambiguously, there was a clear hint from Princewill that Amaechi may be more circumspect in his dealings with Oshiomhole, at the moment. “When people told him Magnus was working with Oshiomhole, he said they were wrong, when they told him Oshiomhole was working with Wike, he told them to relax. That’s how much he tries to stay

We have suffered a mixture of intra and inter-state disharmony which has left us in one case, without candidates in a whole state, in another - losing a governor-elect; while in Edo state, a National Chairman and a Governor are in open warfare. This alone calls for drastic change at the highest level and for those of us that know who did what and when, the buck stops at the table of the suspended National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. For us to make progress, he has to step aside. Even then, the leaders have to sit down and get their act together.

Enough-is-enough. We have a President who can move mountains for us if we sing from the same hymn sheet, but instead we are self-isolating like coronavirus suspects

away now from the politics; especially in the South-south. His influence became a threat to his fellow South-south leaders, so he decided to focus on his ministry and mind his business.

Look at the NDDC, the Amnesty Programme and even the issue of National Chairman, he has no interest; until recently when Oshiomhole tried to replace Giadom. Amaechi has learnt that you can struggle to place people somewhere today and those same people will deny you tomorrow, so why make unnecessary enemies?

Just live and let live. It’s the rank and file that are not happy.”

Princewill hopes the NEC of the APC will go ahead with its meeting today. For him, it is the only panacea to halt the current slide of the party. “I still feel, we can get beyond this if all sides accept that the status quo won’t work and agree to make changes that reasonable minds can live with, in order to avoid the emergence of a Third Force.”

Like many members of the party, Princewill hopes that President Muhammadu Buhari can remove his infamous toga of aloofness and save the party from disintegration. “Only one person can restore order. If he doesn’t, it will overflow into governance,” he said. By not meddling into the affairs of the party, Buhari may be perceived as weak or selfish by some, but Princewill thinks the President is a victim of his training. He described him as a man who is “a product of a time when power was absolute, so he knows the implications of using it too freely. He is also an extreme democrat.”

For the obvious debacle that have been the lot of the APC in recent times. Princewill thinks the party should look inwards to avoid a repeat of history. The type that happened in Rivers, Bayelsa and Zamfara states. “Edo state is already an APC state, so penetration there is already a concluded affair. What is of concern to us now is returning Obaseki, but we can’t do it if his party is fighting him.”

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍľ, 2020

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FEATURES

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

Making Lasting Difference for Women and Girls Chiemelie Ezeobi writes on the drive by the British Council Nigeria to make lasting difference for women and girls across board

Cross section of panelists and senior sta at the British Council 75th Anniversary morning event in Abuja

The panelists during the morning session L-R Mrs Eugenia Abu; MI Jude Abaga; Mrs Priscilla Ankut; Mr Christopher Maiyaki; Chioma Okugo

Ambassador Zubairu Dada, Honorable Minister of State for Foreign Aairs representing the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo during the cake cutting ceremony

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“In addition, the fifth Social Development Goal (SDG), which is aimed at achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls was a further motivation for the British Council to commission a global report to highlight the work of the British Council in relation to the empowerment of women and girls between 2010 and 2015.

lobally, every March 8 is dedicated to honouring women’s achievements in different spheres of life. It is also a day that women from different backgrounds and culture come together to fight for women’s rights and address issues of bias. This year, its theme was a timely call to action for improvement of women’s situation globally.

This year, the 2020 International Women’s Day (IWD) themed ‘I am Generation Equality: Realising Women's Rights’, which aligns with UN Women's new multigenerational campaign, Generation Equality, which also marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, was marked on Sunday, March 8.

According to the British Council Nigeria, “Gender equality has been the focus for years in developing and developed nations globally. Gender discrimination affects

women and girls across strata, tradition and ethnicities though arguably more profound in some localities than others. “ As Nigeria joins the rest of the world in marking the international women’s day, it is imperative that more efforts are put into enhancing the lives of women and girls, with a view to making a lasting difference.

Gender equality has been the focus for years in developing and developed nations globally. Gender discrimination affects women and girls across strata, tradition and ethnicities though arguably more profound in some localities than others

“The report titled Women and Girls – making a lasting difference highlights the different activities of British Council that work towards addressing the SDG goal of increasing gender equality.�

Therefore, as part of their 75th Anniversary celebration, British Council Nigeria intends to highlight the women and girls’ empowerment programmes across their portfolio in Nigeria and some of the outcomes that have been achieved, as featured in the report.

They include empowering women and girls through sport with The British Council’s major sports programme, Premier Skills, a global programme delivered in partnership with the Premier League that uses football to develop a brighter future for young people around the world. So far in Nigeria, 300 female students between the ages of 12 and 16 years have participated.

Also, they are empowering women and

T H I S D AY ˾ MARCH 17, 2020

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FEATURES

Stephen Forbes, Director Operations; Lucy Pearson, Country Director Nigeria; Adetomi Soyinka Director, Higher Education, Skills and Enterprise; Ojoma Ochai, Director Programmes; Marniee Nottingham, Director Exams; Moses Anibaba, Regional Director Sub Saharan Africa

Lucy Pearson, Country Director British Council giving her welcome speech during the morning session

girls through volunteering, individual and collective action with the Active Citizens is a project that promotes intercultural dialogue, community-led social development and social responsibility, working to build empowerment through the promotion of social change in communities.

In Nigeria, over 1,000 female students and university staff have developed their leadership skills through the project.

Again, they are empowering women and girls through peace, justice and security with the Justice for All (J4A) DFID funded project where British Council is the lead partner. The programme focuses on reform of the justice sector and works across several states. The programme has some explicitly gendered components including supporting the creation of the Mirabel centre situated at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, and the Tamar Centre in Enugu, which provides counselling and medical support to victims of sexual and domestic violence.

With the DFID-funded - Nigerian Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP), in particular, Component 3, which is supported by Social Development Direct, is directed at women and girls with the aim of ‘more influential participation by women and girls in institutions and initiatives relevant to peace building, with reduced prevalence and impact

of violence against women and girls’.

According to Dr Eleanor Nwadinobi, who leads the work on this component, “a main success of the programme should be seen in the increased willingness of women and girls to report sexual violence. These young people are willing to report issues and through the peace clubs, sometimes characterised as “safe spaces”’.

Empowering women and girls through partnerships in education through the Northern Nigerian Girls Education Programme targeted especially at states with poor data on educational outcomes, British Council Nigeria has supported the set-up of Girls Education Advocacy and Research networks (GEARn).

Valentine Ozigbo, President/CEO Transcorp Plc

The aim is to produce high-quality research on what works in support to education of girls. Research findings have been utilised by GEARn members for advocacy to government and private stakeholders within project states to influence policy aimed at ensuring better educational outcomes for girls.

Empowering women and girls through arts by supporting the Nigerian creative industries, offering opportunities for women artists to showcase their skills some of these programmes include NAIJA STREET STORIES in collaboration with Hatch Africa where young filmmakers were challenged to present ideas for a women-centred documentary through

The fifth SDG, which is aimed at achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls was a further motivation for the British Council to commission a global report to highlight the work of the British Council in relation to the empowerment of women and girls between 2010 and 2015

workshops, mentoring and training.

There is also the Go Women Go, collaboration by British artist Laura Aldridge and Nike Davies Okundaye of the Nike Arts Centre in, which aims to promote ceramics, textiles and sculpture.

“The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. Using the UK’s cultural resources we make a positive contribution to the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust. ”We work with over 100 countries across the world in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Each year we reach over 20 million people face-to-face and more than 500 million people online, via broadcasts and publications. ”Founded in 1934, we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. The majority of our income is raised delivering a range of projects and contracts in English teaching and examinations, education and development contracts and from partnerships with public and private organisations. Eighteen per cent of our funding is received from the UK government,” they added.

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17.03.2020

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

EMIR SANUSI GONE, WHO NEXT?

Ousted Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje

2/DASHBOARD

17.03.2020

Circumscription of Exclusive Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Land Matters PAGE 4

Ogun sets up Committee to Decongest Correctional Centres PAGE 5

Court Fixes April 3 for Judgement in Suit Filed

by PRAI against FG, Others, over Ikoyi Inmates’ Inhumane Conditions PAGE 5

EFCC Witness: We did not Recommend the Take Over of Intercontinental Bank

QUOTABLES ‘The Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), is unknown to the Constitution. We should be talking about the National Economic Council (NEC) comprising of the 36 Governors and headed by the Vice President. The PEAC cannot usurp the functions of the NEC.’ – Femi Falana, SAN, Human Rights Lawyer and Activist

‘Every law in Kano.....that seeks to restrict the right of abode of the Emir to a particular place, is unconstitutional and cannot stand the test of time.....Emir Sanusi is a symbol of hope for Northern Nigeria. He has been speaking the truth to power in the North, because of the impending restructuring that is about to come on the nation.’

– Daniel Hassan Bwala, Legal Practitioner, Abuja

PAGE 6

‘Hard Work, Integrity and Good Public Relations are the key to Success’ PAGE 6

Bail: All You Need to Know PAGE 7

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE EDITOR JUDE IGBANOI DEPUTY EDITOR AKINWALE AKINTUNDE REPORTER TUNDE BUSARI GROUP HEAD OCHI OGBUAKU II ART DIRECTOR

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A Governor as Bully

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et me make it quite clear that, I do not know the 14th Emir of Kano, HH Mohammed Sanusi II. These days, when one states the truth and it doesn’t go down well with some, the disgruntled elements vilify you and say that the person whom you may seem to be speaking in defence of, must be your friend! For the record, I do not know Governor Ganduje either. I am neutral.

King Jaja of Opobo and Oba Ovonramwen of Benin I have never really understood why our age long traditions and institutions, are subject to temporary governments, especially in such a servile manner. I would imagine that, in any community, it should be the king makers in conjunction with the wishes of the people, that should have the right to dethrone a monarch, if the need arises.

Did this subjugation of our traditions to the State start with the British colonialists, possibly with the dethronement of King Jaja of Opobo about 1887 and his exile to the West Indies, because of his refusal to stop taking taxes from British Traders? Or in 1897/1898, with that of Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, Oba of Benin (1888-1897), who was exiled also by the British, to Calabar.

His dethronement and journey to exile, was depicted in the film ‘Invasion 1897’. At the end of the movie, as the boat that was conveying Oba Ovonramwen to Calabar started to sail, Oba Ovonramwen said: “Eboh Moore (that is, the British Consul-General, Sir Ralph Denham Moore), you have bitten the bitter bile of fame and power, but remember, none lasts, nor will your life!” Eboh Moore committed suicide in England, five years later (Eboh means fair skinned person in Edo language).

The British were our colonial masters, at the time. Naturally, they saw our traditional institutions as a threat to their domination, and were of course, prepared to rubbish them to maintain their control, if need be.

The question is, is it then acceptable that this system of humiliation, dethronement and banishment that the British used to keep our traditional rulers in check, to prevent them from rivalling them in terms of power, survives till 2020, and be adopted by our own local leaders, when Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of Britain cannot wake up and dethrone Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II? Declining Standards?

I am confused, though. Just as many of our political leaders are not fit for purpose and are totally undeserving of the positions which they occupy, many of our traditional king makers are equally as corrupt and are easily bought over with money, especially in cases where the line of succession to the throne is not as clear as for instance,

the Binis, where the first son of the Oba succeeds him - no argument, no king making. In not-so-clear circumstances, where there is usually a list of aspirants to the throne, these days, the king makers may simply install those who are able to grease their palms the most, good or bad, qualified or not, or the candidate whom the State Governor wants.

I remember one time many years ago, we travelled to Eastern Nigeria for a wedding. The hotel we stayed in was owned by the king of that town, who was allegedly a ‘419’ king pin. Just imagine, a criminal king! Similarly, recently, some almost nude, indecent photographs of a South West Oba were trending on social media - totally unbecoming of an Oba, and I wondered how anybody would select him to be an Oba - someone who by virtue of being an Oba must be shown the utmost respect, when he himself, has absolutely no respect for himself! Could this be the reason why the State has little or no regard for our traditional rulers, and believes that they have to keep close tabs on them - because of the unsuitability of some of them? Or is it that, like the British, our political leaders also see traditional rulers as a threat? Do our politicians even have the moral standing to judge and dethrone anyone? Was it not Governor Ganduje who was shown in a video which trended sometime ago, shamelessly and excitedly stuffing his pockets with Dollars, like a kid who had been let loose in a candy store?

Governor Ganduje v HH Mohammed Sanusi II In the case of Governor Ganduje’s purported dethronement of Mohammed Sanusi II, while no one is cursing the Governor to death like Oba Ovonramwen did to Eboh Moore, is this also a case of “Eh Blackie Ganduje, you have bitten the sweet bitter bile of fame (or should we say infamy) and power, but remember, none lasts?” In dethroning and banishing the Emir of Kano, Governor Ganduje and his administration contravened practically every provision contained in Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)(the Constitution), from Section 34(1)(a) (right to dignity of a human person) to 35(1) (right to personal liberty), 36(1)(right to fair hearing), 38(1)(right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion), 39(1)(freedom of expression), 40(freedom of association), 41(freedom of movement), and 42(1)(a) (right to freedom from discrimination).

See the case of Attorney- General & Commissioner for Justice, Kebbi State v Alhaji Al-Mustapha Jokolo & Ors 2013 LPELR – 22349 (CA).

Even though Section 13 of the Kano State Emirates Law 2019 (KEL) (probably hurriedly promulgated or updated for the

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and the ousted Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II

sole purpose of dethroning Mohammed Sanusi II), permits the deposition of an Emir in specific circumstances, the law provides that such deposition may be carried out after due ‘inquiry’ and consultation with the State Council of Chiefs, who, even if they were consulted, are probably under the firm control of the Governor, and would do his bidding anyway. It is obvious that, there was no inquiry. An inquiry is an investigation, and if, indeed, a proper investigation was conducted and due process was followed, by virtue of Section 36(1) of the Constitution, Mohammed Sanusi II would have been accorded the opportunity to respond to any allegations levelled against him by the State Government, before the latter moved to the ‘next level’ and unilaterally deposed him. I’m not sure that, this was done.

When it is not that an Emir is a primary school pupil, and the Governor, a Headmaster, nor is the role of an Emir to be at the beck and call of the Governor, how can Section 13(b) of the KEL just casually provide that a ground for deposition of an Emir, whose traditional stool origin dates as far back as the year 999, so historical and entrenched, is “Where the Emir consciously and intentionally fails to attend meetings of the Council for 3 consecutive times without a valid and reasonable excuse”? To say that this is a trivialisation of one of our traditional institutions, by someone who cannot occupy the position of Governor for more than eight years, is an understatement.

Most top government officials do what pleases them, without necessarily taking proper legal advice, or adhering to good advice, if they are given. How, in 2020, would a Governor seek to banish/exile a citizen of Nigeria to a particular area and restrict him/she to the place? It is so embarrassing, that an elected official in such a high position of authority as Governor Ganduje, can proudly display that level of ignorance and arrogance.

Is the Governor a court of competent jurisdiction that can sentence someone to a term of imprisonment, upon a criminal conviction? Is the Governor unaware of Section 41 of the Constitution? Thankfully, the authorities eventually did the right thing, by letting Emir Sanusi leave Nasarawa State for Lagos. By virtue of Section 41 of the Constitution, Mohammed Sanusi II as a Nigerian citizen, is entitled to reside wherever he chooses to within Nigeria, even in Kano, for that matter.

P.S. As for Senator Emagi and his ludicrous ‘Generating Set (Prohibition/Ban) Bill’, I wonder how he came up with such nonsense. Electricity supply is a necessity, not a luxury; we all know that, Nigeria is severely underpowered, and majority

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE

THE ADVOCATE onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive.com onikepob@yahoo.com Twitter: @TheAdvocateTD

“HOW, IN 2020, WOULD A GOVERNOR SEEK TO BANISH/EXILE A CITIZEN OF NIGERIA TO A PARTICULAR AREA AND RESTRICT HIM/SHE TO THE PLACE? IT IS SO EMBARRASSING, THAT AN ELECTED OFFICIAL IN SUCH A HIGH POSITION OF AUTHORITY AS GOVERNOR GANDUJE, CAN PROUDLY DISPLAY THAT LEVEL OF IGNORANCE AND ARROGANCE”

of the country is in darkness mostly; yet, he wants generators to be banned because of environmental pollution!

The sad truth is that, generators are an essential alternative, maybe even the principal source of power in Nigeria, yet Senator Emagi in his wisdom, is advocating a 10 year prison sentence for those who sell generators. I don’t know if that prison sentence also extends to those who also make use of generators too, which would be practically the whole of Nigeria. Of course, the National Assembly and the homes of lawmakers will probably be exempt and allowed to use generators, or with their stupendous exorbitant salaries, they can afford to install solar panels in their homes, while majority of Nigerians wallow in darkness, and will not even be able to enjoy even one cool drink a day, seeing as there is usually no electricity.

In a country where the plight of the citizens is not necessarily a priority for Government, are we to believe that a ban on generators will ginger up the Government to improve the electricity supply? I think not. Let’s talk about environmental pollution and generator ban, when there’s adequate power supply for the whole country. It is not appropriate for such a bill to be considered presently, if not, it will further entrench the popular belief amongst the average Nigerian, that Government and elected political office holders are here to serve themselves and interests, and not the people. If that Bill goes past the dustbin where it belongs, it will show that Government is even more insensitive than we previously imagined.

4/LAW REPORT

17.03.2020

Circumscription of Exclusive Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Land Matters

O Facts

n 13th June, 2007, the Appellant advertised in a national newspaper and invited the general public to bid for the sale of its residential houses in eighteen locations across the country.

The Respondent participated in the bid, and the Appellant’s Senior Staff Central Bank of Nigeria Quarters, Bado (Bado Estate) was sold to it.

Subsequent to the sale, the Respondent started dealing with the club-house, fuel dump, generator, generator house and an undeveloped land at the Bado Estate, apart from the residential quarters. The Appellant therefore, filed an action at the High Court of Sokoto State, seeking inter alia, a declaration that it is the owner of the club-house, fuel dump, generator, generator house and the undeveloped land at the Bado Estate, as well as damages for the Respondent’s trespass.

The Respondent filed a Preliminary Objection to challenge the jurisdiction of the trial court to entertain the suit, but the Preliminary Objection was dismissed. The Respondent unsuccessfully appealed the interlocutory ruling to the Court of Appeal, after which the trial court resumed the hearing of the suit on the merit. At the conclusion of trial, the Court granted all the reliefs sought by the Appellant.

Aggrieved by the decision of the trial court, the Respondent appealed to the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal and set aside the decision of the trial court, on the ground that the trial court lacked jurisdiction.

The Appellant therefore, appealed to the Supreme Court.

Issue for Determination In determining the appeal, the Supreme Court considered the following issue: Whether by virtue of Section 251(1)(p)(q)(r) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Court of Appeal rightly held that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to have entertained the suit.

Arguments The Appellant’s counsel contended that, the subject-matter of an action is a factor to be considered in determining the jurisdiction of a court. He cited the case of MADUKOLU V NKEMDILIM (1962) 2 All NLR 587 and further submitted that, even where the Federal Government or any of its agencies is a party to a suit, the Federal High Court will lack jurisdiction, unless the subject-matter of the suit relates to one of the specified matters upon which exclusive jurisdiction is conferred on the court by Section 251 (1) (a) – (s) of the Constitution. Counsel also argued that, the principal claim of the Appellant was based on trespass. Therefore, it was wrong to hold that the High Court of Sokoto State lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter. The Appellant’s counsel stated that, the matter emanated from a simple contract of sale which cannot be described as arising in the course of an administration or management and control of the Federal Government.

The Appellant’s counsel maintained that, the Appellant’s claim at the trial court fell outside the ambit of Section 251(1) of the Constitution and matters specified therein.

He supported this position with the case of ONUORAH v KRPC LTD (2002) 18 NWLR (Pt. 921) at 393.

The Respondent’s counsel submitted that, in determining whether a court has jurisdiction, recourse must be made to the statute which created the court. Counsel contended that the relevant statute which created the Federal High Court is the Constitution, and by Section 251(1)(q) of the Constitution, the Federal High Court has jurisdiction to entertain any matter involving a declaration or injunction affecting the validity of any executive or administrative action, or decision of the Federal Government or any of its agencies. He contended also that, from the combined reading of Sections 1(1) and 40 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, the Respondent is an agency of the Federal Government and the claim of the Appellant arose out of an administrative directive given to it by the Federal Government to dispose of its assets in Sokoto State. Therefore, the facts leading to this suit in the trial court and the subject- matter comes within the ambit of Section 251(1)(q),(r) of the Constitution. Consequently, the Federal High Court is the proper court to entertain the suit. He cited the case of Gassol v Turari (2013) 3 SCNJ 277 Page 294 – 295, and other cases. Counsel concluded by submitting that, once an agency of the Federal Government is involved and the requirements of Section 251(1) (p ),( q),( r) of the Constitution has been met, the Federal High Court has and can exercise jurisdiction to the exclusion of any other court.

Hon. John Inyang Okoro, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 17th day of January, 2020 Before Their Lordships Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili Musa Dattijo Muhammad John Inyang Okoro Paul Adamu Galinje Uwani Musa Abba Aji Justices, Supreme Court SC.632/2017 Between Central Bank of Nigeria ..................Appellant And Rahamaniyya Global Resources Ltd................... Respondent (Lead Judgement delivered by Hon. John Inyang Okoro, JSC)

Court’s Judgement and Rationale The Supreme Court held that, in cases initiated vide a Writ of Summons and Statement of Claim, the jurisdiction of the court is determined by the Plaintiff’s Statement of Claim - EMEKA v OKADIGBO (2012) 18 NWLR (Pt. 1331) Page 55. The Supreme Court also held that, the jurisdiction of any court is derived from the statute creating the court or any statute specifically conferring jurisdiction on the court.

The Appellant’s case was hinged principally on a declaration of title to a portion of undeveloped land at the Central

“BY SECTION 39(1) OF THE LAND USE ACT, IT IS THE STATE HIGH COURT WHICH HAS EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION TO DETERMINE DISPUTES IN LAND MATTERS, PARTICULARLY WHERE SUCH DISPUTES RELATE TO DECLARATION OF TITLE TO A STATUTORY RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY, AND NOT THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT”

Bank of Nigeria Staff Quarters (Bado Estate), with ancillary claims for damages and an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Respondent from further trespass.

The law is trite that, the jurisdiction of any court is derived from the statute creating the court or from any other statute specifically conferring such jurisdiction on the court. The statutes in contention in this appeal were the provisions of Section 251(1)(p),(q) and (r) of the 1999 Constitution, and the provision of Section 39 of the Land Use Act 1978 entrenched in the provision of Section 315(5) thereof.

In considering these provisions of the Constitution, this court, per Mohammed, JSC held in the case of ADETAYO v ADEMOLA (2010) 4 (Pt. 1) MJSC 107 at 119-120 that, based on the provisions of the Constitution, it appears that impression has been created that the Federal High Court has exclusive original jurisdiction to the exclusion of all other courts in Nigeria, in any civil cause or proceedings in which the Federal Government or any of its agencies is a party. However, a very close, careful and proper interpretation or construction of the provisions would show that, this is not necessarily the true position. This is because, in my view, it is the facts and circumstances of each ·case that will determine whether or not it is a case within or outside the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. Applying the foregoing provisions of the Constitution, for an argument to be sustained as touching any action or proceeding within the ambit of Section 251(1)(p),(q) and (r), such action must relate to or affect the validity of any executive or administrative action or decision of the Federal Government, or any of its agencies.

In WEMA SECURITIES AND FINANCE PLC v NIGERIA AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE CORPORATION (2015) 16 NWLR (Pt. 1484) 93 at 130 -131, the court held that, though the Respondent is an agency of the Federal Government, that cannot without more, confer jurisdiction on the Federal High Court. Section 251(1) of the Constitution now delineates the jurisprudence of the Federal High Court, and circumscribes it to only eighteen items which are exclusively reserved for the Federal high Court. However, actions on simple contract are not included in those items enumerated above - ADELEKAN v ECU -LINE NV (2006) 12 NWLR (Pt. 993) 33 at 52; as such, the court cannot arrogate to itself, a jurisdiction only exercisable by the trial court or a State High Court on such simple contractual matters.

Applying the above position to the instant appeal, the Supreme Court held that, Section 251(1) of the 1999 Constitution is not a blanket provision which automatically confers jurisdiction on the Federal High Court, once the Federal Government or any of its agencies is a party in any proceeding. It does appear that, matters which do not relate to or affect the validity of any executive or administrative decision, are outside the purview or contemplation of Section 251(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

The claims of the Appellant in the instant case are for declaration of title to land, damages for trespass and injunction to protect its possession of the land. The executive and administrative action or decision of the Federal government and its agency, the Central Bank of Nigeria, is not in any way the subject of the action. In the light of the provision of Section 39(1) of the Land Use Act, 1978, it is the State High Courts that have exclusive jurisdiction to entertain proceedings in respect of land disputes. It is instructive to note that, the Land Use Act, 1978 was promulgated specifically to deal with the control and management of land in Nigeria. The said Section 39(1) of the Land Use Act provides that the State High Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction in respect of proceedings in respect of any land, the subject of a statutory right of occupancy granted by the Governor, or deemed to be granted by him under this Act. The National Assembly has not yet conferred any additional jurisdiction in land matters, on the Federal High Court. The Federal High Court can therefore, not assume jurisdiction over matters relating to land disputes, where there is no statute conferring such jurisdiction on it.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation: Abdulkadir Mustapha for the Appellant F.E. Okotete with R.T. Mustapha and Adah Mustapha for the Respondent.

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

17.03.2020

NEWS/5

Ogun sets up Committee to Decongest Correctional Centres Ademola Orunbon

Ogun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Akingbolahan Adeniran (left) and Controller, Ogun State Correctional Centre, Mr. Abolade Victor Benson, at a familiarisation tour to his Office at Federal Government Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State

Construction Industry Arbitrators Admit Four SANs, Others, as New Fellows, Members Stories by Akinwale Akintunde Four Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) were among those who were inducted last Friday, as Fellows of the Institute of Construction Industry Arbitrators (ICIArb).

These Senior Advocates among the eleven members inducted as Fellows of the Institute are, Professor Andrew Chukwuemerie, SAN, Professor Offornze Amucheazi, SAN, Dr. Adewale Olawoyin, SAN and Mr. Ayodele Akintunde, SAN. Others, who are mostly legal practitioners, are Mrs. Roseline Nwosu, Mrs. Yinka Kolade, Dr Ifeoma Nwafor, Mr. Uchenna Orakwue, Mr. Kembi Gabriel, Mr. Robinson Omomia and Mr. Pachal Madu.

The new members admitted at the Institute’s 2020 Fellow Investiture and New Members Induction, which held at Westwood Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos include, Mr. Joseph Kikiowo, Mr. Kenneth Onyema, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, Mr. Orojinmi Niran and Mr. Olayinka Davies.

The Institute is a professional Arbitration Body in the construction industry, which specialises

in providing a one-stop shop for the resolution of disputes in construction contracts through arbitration, mediation, conciliation, negotiation, meditative conciliation and other methods of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms.

Established in 1993 and registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) under the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) as a non-governmental and nonprofit making organisation, its membership cuts across the building professionals, which include, Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Town Planners, Builders, Architects and Lawyers.

Speaking during the investiture, Mr. Kola Awodein, SAN, President and Chairman of Council, decried the rate at which nominated and appointed arbitrators compromise and undermine the integrity of arbitral process in the conduct of arbitration generally in the country, adding that, it has become disturbing and worrisome to say the least.

Awodein, who was represented by the President elect of the institute, Felix Okereke-Onyeri said the Institute is poised to free the construction industry from protracted litigation and uncertainties inherent in construction related disputes, through innovative and tailor-made dispute resolution strategies.

He said it has therefore, become necessary for Lawyers involved in arbitration in the construction industry, to ensure that “the brand reflects the professionalism and service that has been our legacy for nearly three decades”.

“Let me seize this opportunity as the outgoing President of this dynamic Institute to state very clearly and firmly that, it is imperative for all existing Fellows and Members to know that ICIArb is built on, and has endeavoured to maintain a firm principle of integrity and professional ethics.

“Every member irrespective of status, is mandated and has a duty to adhere to high standard of professional ethics as laid down in the Institute’s Code of Conduct and Ethics, as well as

by various professional bodies that each member belongs to, especially in the conduct of arbitration disputes”, Awodein stated.

He charged Lawyers involved in arbitration in the construction industry, to be diligent, as sanctions will henceforth be meted out to erring ones by the Institute of Construction Industry Arbitrators.

According to him, aside from disciplining erring members, the Institute will also report such erring members to all professional and statutory bodies, that can discipline them.

The ICIArb President said in many cases, such arbitrators, knowing that relationships they have with either counsel or the parties are such as to disqualify them from accepting nominations or appointments as their independence is called into question, still unethically refuse or decline to disclose such relationship or to recuse themselves.

He cited a case decided at the Lagos High Court, number LD/1910/2017 involving Global Gas and Refinery Limited v

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Court Sets Aside Arbitral Award in SPDC, Global Gas Dispute A Lagos High Court has set aside the arbitral tribunal award, which dismissed Global Gas and Refining Limited’s claim for a breach of contract for the supply of gas, by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria.

The presiding Judge, Justice Taofiquat Oyekan-Abdullahi delivered the ruling in Suit No: LD/1910GCM/2017, between Global Gas and Refining Limited v Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria.

In her ruling, the Judge set aside the ICC Award in which the majority of the Arbitral Tribunal (Oba Nsugbe, QC, SAN & Mrs Doyin Rhodes-Vivour, SAN with Mrs Dorothy Udeme Ufot, SAN

delivering a minority opinion upholding the claims of the Claimant) dismissed the Claimant’s claims.

The Judge underscored the fundamental importance of full disclosure, in international commercial arbitrations.

She, thus, upheld the argument of Global Gas that the failure and neglect of the President of the Arbitral Tribunal, Oba Nsugbe, QC, SAN to disclose his earlier involvement in a matter in which the SPDC was involved, amounted to gross misconduct for which the Award delivered by the Majority of the Arbitral Tribunal ought to and must

be set aside.

Global Gas Refining Limited (GGRL) is an independent indigenous gas processing operator and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) producer, operating in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.

It is on record that, the company is the first Nigeria indigenous private company to successfully embark on a multi-million dollar gas processing and refining facility in the country, with operations and assets situated in the Niger Delta creeks at Cawthorne Channel, Rivers State.

This facility with such a tremendous capacity to advance the regional and national economic growth of the nation, was

put in jeopardy by the SPDC’s inability to honour their side of a binding Gas Supply Agreement executed in March 1998, and renegotiated and resigned in March 2002.

Consequently, a large workforce comprising of several hundreds of teeming Nigerian youths were laid off, experts of different nationalities, several dozens of local contractors, as well as the thriving host communities have all now been made redundant.

Over $400m secured from international financial institutions and individual investors are now also in jeopardy, because of economically hurtful decisions being made by SPDC.

The Ogun state AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Akingbolahan Adeniran, says decongestion of Correctional Centres across the State will be his priority, as the State Government has set up a Committee towards achieving the mission.

He said that Prerogative of Mercy Council Committee and Community Service Centres would be established in conjunction with the State Correctional Service Centre, to decongest the prisons across the State.

He stated this at a familiarisation tours to the Office of the State Controller of Correctional Centres, at Federal Government Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta and Ibara and Oba Correctional Centres, in the State.

He assured the Awaiting Trials (ATs) of fair hearing of their cases through the establishment of Private Lawyers to weigh into their cases, if the accused persons were unable to have Government Lawyers.

"Though, most of the accused persons may not be able to deal with the Government Lawyers, that is the more reason, we will establish private Lawyers to come into their cases, for quick dispensation of justice", Adeniran said He added that, the Administration of Criminal Justice Committee would also be initiated by the present administration, so as to further decongest the prisons, noting that public prosecutors would be given notice of cases in the State for advice.

"This Committee will work with Court Registrar, Director of Public Prosecutions and other relevant agencies, to hasten the dispensation of justice, where the public prosecutors will easily offer advice for court cases relating to awaiting trials, which will reduce overloading of work for prison officers, and others", he said The Attorney-General of the State vowed to provide them the internet facilities to boost their daily activities, so as reduce most of the paper work and promote quick dispensation of justice.

In his response, the Controller, Ogun State Correctional Centre, Mr. Abolade Victor Benson, appreciated the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, noting that he came to their rescue at the appropriate time.

He said the State Correctional Centre needs the assistance of the State Government concerning the Awaiting Trials (ATs), noting that 80% of ATs were from the State.

Benson said that the Government needs to assist the Correctional Centre through freeing of some inmates who have no case to answer, and which some of them had repented of their sins.

"As you can see them now, most of them are in National Open University (NOUN); some have completed, some of them have learnt vocational jobs which can be useful in the society, they really deserve the Government’s attention", he added In terms of logistics, the Controller requested for 15 vehicles from the State Government, in order to convey the inmates to their various courts for hearing and courts sessions.

Court Fixes April 3 for Judgement in Suit Filed by PRAI against FG, Others, over Ikoyi Inmates’ Inhumane Conditions Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has fixed April 3 for judgement in a suit filed by Prisoners’ Rights Advocacy Initiative (PRAI) against the Federal Government and others, over issue of overcrowding and the inhumane conditions the inmates of Ikoyi Custodial Centre live in.

The Judge fixed the date, after taking arguments from the parties to the suit during the last proceedings.

The Incorporated Trustees of PRAI had dragged Federal Government alongside six others, Attorney-General of the Federation, Minister of Interior, Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lagos State Controller of Correctional Service, Attorney-General of Lagos State and the Chief Judge of Lagos State, for the enforcement of the inmates’ fundamental human rights.

In the suit filed and argued

by PRAI Director, Ahmed Adetola-Kazeem on behalf of the Inmates of the Ikoyi

Medium Security Custodial Centre, the Claimant had prayed the court to declare that the overcrowding of the Ikoyi Medium Security Custodial Centre, which was originally built in 1955 to accommodate 800 inmates, but now holding about 3,113 inmates as at December 3, 2019, is unconstitutional and violates the inmates’ fundamental right of freedom from degrading treatment and respect for dignity of their persons under Section 34(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

The Claimant also prayed the court, to declare that the overcrowding is a breach of Section 12(8) of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019, which requires the 5th Respondent’s (Lagos State Controller of Corrections) not to keep inmates in excess of the Custodial Centre’s capacity.

At the last proceedings, the 1st and 2nd Respondents, represented by S. I. Onyenma, argued that the Applicant had not been able to establish that

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17.03.2020

EFCC Witness: We did not Recommend the Take Over of Intercontinental Bank Akinwale Akintunde The trial of ex-Managing Director of the now- defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, Dr. Erastus Akingbola, over the allegation of granting “unsecured credit facilities” continued yesterday, with a former official of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mr. Paul Akali, telling the court that the joint team of NDIC/ CBN, which carried out various examinations on the defunct bank, never recommended that the bank should be taken over.

Akali, who is one of the external examiners who looked into the bank's books in May 2009, stated this while being cross- examined by Dr. Akigbola's counsel, Professor Taiwo Osipitan, SAN. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Akingbola, on the allegation of granting “unsecured credit facilities” worth billions of Naira to different companies, among others.

According to EFCC, the alleged offence violates Section 14 (1) of the Money Laundering Act of 2004.

Akali, who was the 1st prosecution witness to testify in the matter, while being led by the Prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, had

told the court the roles played by his team, which led to the removal of Dr. Akingbola as the Bank's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, as well as taking over of the bank by Access Bank Plc in 2009.

At the resumed hearing of the matter before Justice Ayokunle Faji yesterday, the EFCC witness told the court that, even though his team conducted various examinations on the bank, they never recommended that the bank should be taken over.

When asked if he knew that the taking over was less than one month after the 'exit meeting' of his team, he answered in the affirmative, adding that, even though there was financial discrepancy in the bank, none was directly linked to Dr. Akingbola.

He also stated that some of the discrepancies in the bank were noticed in the bank's monthly returns, but added that, the bank management disagreed with the team on Commercial Papers, which he said were short time loans for maximum of 270 days.

He claimed that, he could not remember if Dr. Akingbola signed any of the Commercial Papers.

Akali also complained about loans given to the bank’s directors to buy shares, but

when questioned if Akingbola was among the directors that collected the loans or signed for it, he said no.

When asked by Akingbola’s counsel, Professor Osipitan, SAN if any of the directors who benefited from the loan and bonuses are standing trial with Akingbola, he said no.

When asked if he was aware that the directors who were beneficiaries of the alleged unsecured loans of N8 billion, were charged and arraigned before a court, he said he was not aware of it.

He was then confronted with a charge sheet, in which the directors’ names were listed as defendants. They include Alabi Christopher Adebayo; Raymond C. Obieri (Chairman of the bank); U. N. Enuha; Samuel Adegbite; Alhaji Ishaku Umoru and Elder Dr. Sunny Adams.

When also confronted with an enrolled order striking out the charge against the directors in 2014, he then confirmed that Akingbola’s name was not in the charge, and that he did not have any course to testify against the named directors in any court.

When asked if he knew any reason why the charge was withdrawn against the directors, he said no. And also confirmed that the bank, Intercontinental, was not on trial.

Akali also confirmed through Central Bank

of Nigeria (CBN) Circular of October 2, 2008, several banks were having issues with their capital market transactions and through same circular, the banks were allowed to sort out issue up till December 31, 2009.

When asked of the number of banks that were taken over like Intercontinental, on account of share related-loans, he said ‘I don’t know of any bank that was taken over on the shares related-issue.

When asked if bank directors have rights to bonuses, he told the court that it is their right, but that going through the books, he noticed that Dr. Akingbola did not collect loan or the bonus.

When asked if he knows that he was an innocent agent being used because of the competition between First Bank, where Sanusi Lamido, was the former CEO before his appointment as CBN Governor and Intercontinental Bank were in supremacy competition, he answered that banks are usually in competition with each other.

When further questioned if he was aware that Intercontinental Bank had cause to complain that officials of First Bank were de-marketing them and that they would soon go down, the witness said he was not aware of such.

Further hearing of cross-examination of the witness, has been adjourned till Friday.

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY ARBITRATORS ADMIT FOUR SANS, OTHERS, AS NEW FELLOWS, MEMBERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in which judgement was delivered on February 25, 2020.

He said the trial Judge set aside an arbitral award on the ground of misconduct by the chairman of the arbitral panel, because it was grounded in bias.

“There was apparently established by evidence in that case, that there was such disqualifying relationship between the President of the arbitral

panel and one of the parties, as well as between the counsel to one of the parties and some members of the arbitral panel.

“The judgement infers that, the least professionalism and ethics required of the said President, was to disclose the relationship to the other party and recuse himself, in the event that the other party objects to his appointment”, he said.

Secretary of the Institute, Emmanuel Dike, in

his address, stressed the need for continuous professional development for fellows and members of the Institute.

Dike encouraged them to attend courses by other professional bodies that may enhance their skills and competence, such as those of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian Institute of Architects, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, among others.

“Construction involves immense multidisciplinary and inter-disciplinary activity, governed by layers of simultaneous contractual relationships. An understanding of the technical principles for the purpose of dispute resolution, provides an edge to the professional equipped with the relevant skill set.

“Admission to this prestigious body is therefore, an opportunity to join the league of successful sought after arbitrators”, he said.

Legal Personality of the Week Michael Ogheneruona Efeakpor

‘Hard Work, Integrity and Good Public Relations are the key to Success’ Court Judges who statutorily retire at 65 years, can be engaged for this purpose. I hope the National Assembly will look into this suggestion critically, as we look towards critical reforms in the Judiciary.

Please, give a brief Introduction of yourself?

I am Michael Ogheneruona Efeakpor, I am from Delta State. I graduated from the Faculty of Law, Delta State University, Abraka. I attended Nigerian Law School, Kano Campus, and was called to the Bar in November, 2009. I hold a Masters Degree in Law from the University of Benin. I am a Notary Public, and presently, Managing Partner of Starlex Legal Practitioners, a firm of Lawyers based in Warri, Delta State. I am a Catholic, and I am married to a practicing Nurse, Mrs. Akpevwe Efeakpor with children.

Have you had any challenges in your career as a Lawyer, and if so what were the main challenges?

Yes! As a Lawyer in active practice, challenges are common occurrences. As a young Lawyer, the initial problem was that of having a firm that gives you quality opportunity to practice law like I had, and payment of reasonable financial remuneration for the young Lawyer which was lacking and remains a key challenge in the profession.

However, as I grow older in the profession, the present challenges are tied to the economic imbalance in the society, ranging from expenses of managing a business (Law firm) in Nigeria. In most cases, Nigerian clients do not know the true value of legal services rendered by Lawyers, and this affects the charges. Again, restriction of areas of law practice due to absence of the Corporate Offices of most multinational oil companies in the Niger Delta Area and non-performing Federal parastatals like the Delta Steel Company and the Nigerian Ports Authority, Warri, and lastly, the inability of the NBA to regulate how fees for legal documentation/ services should be generally and corporately secured for Lawyers.

What do you consider to be your worst day as a Lawyer?

There’s no particular day, but several happenings in the Legal profession make useless the efforts of Lawyers. In one case, after spending eight years in a matter, the Honourable Judge handling the matter was suddenly elevated to the Court of Appeal after we had adjourned for adoption of Final Written Addresses, and we had to start de novo, even the parties themselves were forced out of court, by the frustration of having to start de novo.

Michael Ogheneruona Efeakpor

Furthermore, in Delta State, there is need for the appointment of more competent Practitioners to the Bench following due process, as enshrined in the NJC guidelines. Where cases are adjourned for a period of not less than two months due to overloading of the Cause List, it fosters delay of cases, and you know the Maxim, “justice delayed is justice denied”.

Firstly, I think retired High Court Judges of less than 70 years, should be recommended for assignment to Election Petition Tribunals.

This will help to reduce the number of serving Judges involved in Election Petition Tribunals, and delays occasioned by that. The logic behind this, is that Appellate Court Judges retire at 70 years and experienced and healthy High

What has been your most memorable experience as a Lawyer, so far?

Having to adorn the wig and gown after a difficult phase of going through school from a humble background, was memorable. But, presently, making impact in my own little way, gives me happiness.

Who has been most influential in your life?

Humanly speaking, that should be my Mother, Mrs. Mary Ann Ukukoyo (Nee Erisuena). Her ability to bring up her children with the fear of God with very limited resources, was exemplary.

Why did you become a Lawyer?

To be a voice to the voiceless! You see, there is no better way to contribute to the growth of society than by being a Lawyer. That’s why Medical Doctors, Engineers, Politicians and

graduates of other disciplines return to study law, and become Lawyers. Lawyers are the engine room of society and noble Ministers in the temple of Justice. Everyone, at one time or the other, in their lifetime, must consult the services of a Lawyer, irrespective of your pedigree in society.

What would be your advice to anyone wanting a career in law?

They must be ready to work hard and imbibe the virtue of integrity. If you can’t comply with the ethics of the profession, go and become a Farmer. Apart from the design of God’s grace, hard work, integrity and good public relations are the keys to sustaining success in the life of a Lawyer. You lose these, you lose your career.

For me, Law Practice is, firstly, strictly business and I encourage Lawyers to treat the profession with the mind of a businessman. Once a Lawyer has earned his fee, he can then think of his social responsibility of giving back to society through pro bono cases and charity. That is the only way, to sustain law practice.

If you had not become a Lawyer, what other career would you have chosen?

Mass Communication or the Arts! I had genuine flare for them while growing up, but everything turned around when I discovered the importance of being a Lawyer.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

God willing, I want to honestly contribute my quota to the development of the legal profession and the society at large, through the instrumentality of law practice, get a PhD in law, earn the desired fees, mentor young Lawyers from my own experience, and achieve the highest rank of a Counsel.

17.03.2020

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Bail: All You Need to Know In this informative article, Hon. Justice Usman Bwala (Rtd) gives an overview of Bail and all we need to know about it. This has become essential, especially with the trend of Government agencies holding people at their pleasure, refusing to release them even after they have been admitted to bail by a court of competent jurisdiction

A What is Bail?

person who is imprisoned or detained has a right to early trial or be released on bail, James Danbaba v The State 2000 14 NWLR (Pt 687) 396 at 409. Where there is a delayed investigation or trial a person can apply for bail pending the conclusion of investigation or trial. Bail, therefore, is applicable in three stages (1) bail before trial (2) bail during trial and (3) bail after conviction We shall start with bail before trial. What is bail? Bail is a common word in every society, however, its meaning and applicability may not be known or understood by all. Bail is a legal word which has its origin from the French word “brailler” meaning “to deliver” The Nigerian Law Dictionary by S.1 Nichi 71. Bail simply means to set at liberty, somebody who has been arrested or imprisoned Emeka Ekwenugo v F.A.G 2001 6 NWLR (Pt 708) 17 where it was held as follows: “It literally means to set at liberty, a person arrested or imprisoned on security being taken for his appearance on a day and a day certain.”

Bail is applicable to both criminal and civil matters. Bail in civil matters is used mainly to secure directly or indirectly, payment of debt or performance of civil duties Johnson v Shaffer 28 N.E. 2d 765. Bail is applicable to both common law and statutes. At common law, all felons are bailable In Re Nottingham Corporation 1897 2 Q.B. 502. At common law all courts have inherent jurisdiction to grant bail R v Spilsbury 1898 2 Q.B. 615 where it was held as follows: “...court has independently of statute by common law, jurisdiction to admit to bail.”

The function of bail in criminal matters, is to release a person detained or arrested to regain his freedom by way of bail with or without condition to enable him appear in court on a day certain Johnson v Shaffer (supra) held as follows: “...while in criminal cases object is to secure appearance of a person before the court when his presence is needed.”

Bail is not only granted to a natural person, bail can be granted to a sea or ocean going vessels, ships, boats etc, that is, admiralty proceedings. A ship seized may be granted bail, based on two principles of law. These principles of law are best arguable case and the value of the ship Delta Steel Co v Aditya Prablia 1987 – 90 3 NSC 602.

A person who has not been tried and convicted by a court is presumed to be innocent until proved guilty Section 36 (5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. This presumption of innocence of an accused person, is preserved and reinforced by granting an accused person bail pending and during trial Stacks v Boyle 342 U.S 1951 where it was held as follows: “Unless this right to bail before trial is preserved, the presumption of innocence secured only after centuries of struggle, would loose its meaning”.

The constitutionality if bail is recognised and contained in the common law, all Constitutions ever operated in Nigeria, and the CPA Sections 118 – 142 and CPC Sections 340 – 355, reinforced by decisions of courts interpreting the constitutional provisions of bail see Section 36 (5) of the 1999 Constitution, Chief Pius Anaekwe v COP 1996 3 NWLR (Pt 436) 320. Section 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights have given all those living in Africa, the freedom of bail.

Bail is applicable only when the freedom of movement guaranteed to an individual has been restricted or restrained Jahar Mal v The State 1954 A.I.R (Raj) 279 where it was held as follows: “The conclusion, therefore, at which we arrived, is that there must be some kind of restraint to him before a person who appears before court, is granted bail by court.”

Anticipatory Bail Anticipatory bail, is not granted in most States in the world.

However, India practices what may be termed as anticipatory bail Amir Chand v The Crown 1950 A.I.R. (E.P.) 58 where

“THE PURPOSE OF GRANTING BAIL, IS FOR A PERSON DETAINED TO REGAIN HIS FREEDOM, BAIL CONDITIONS MUST THEREFORE, NOT BE EXCESSIVE OR UNREASONABLE TO ENABLE AN ACCUSED PERSON FULFIL THE CONDITIONS, AND REGAIN HIS FREEDOM”

Hon. Justice Usman Bwala (Rtd)

it was held as follows: “In the case of a person who is not under arrest but whose arrest warrant has been issued, bail can be allowed if he appears in court and surrenders himself.”

Anticipatory bail is not granted in serious cases, or to a person being investigated for serious offences Samunder Singh 1987 A.I.R. (S.C.) 737.

Anticipatory bail is like enforcement of fundamental rights guaranteed under Section 46 (1) of the Constitution, one need not wait unless he is apprehended, a person who reasonably fears his fundamental right is eminently about to be violated, can stop it by applying Section 46(1) of the Constitution supra.

In the language of bail the phrases “admitted to bail” and “granted or released on bail” is frequently interchangeably used, it has been held in Juhal Mal. v The State (supra) to mean the same thing as follows: “The basic idea in both these sections is the release of a person concerned on bail, and the use of different expressions namely “released on bail” in one and “admitted on bail” in the other, does not, in our opinion, make any difference to the meaning, and both sections are meant for the release of a person on bail.”

Discretion To grant or not grant bail by court is discretionary R v Abdullahi Jamal 16 NLR 54 as follows: “The position is therefore clear, that I have a clear discretion as to granting bail.”

Though, granting bail is discretionary of a court, the discretion must be exercised according to the rules of reason and justice, and not according to private opinion Sharpe v Wakefield 1891 A.C. 173. Discretion is exercised according to common sense and justice Gardner v Jay 1885 29 Ch. D. 58. A discretion in law must be exercised judicially, and in accordance with established principles Adamu Muri v 1GP 1957 NNLR 5, it must be exercised judicially and judiciously Dana Impex v Stephen Aderotoye 2006 All FWLR (Pt 308) 1388.

The purpose of granting bail, is for a person detained to regain his freedom, bail conditions must therefore, not be excessive or unreasonable to enable an accused person fulfil the conditions, and regain his freedom Mathias Onuigbo v COP 1975 NNLR 34 held as follows: “...bail must not be excessive. Excessive bail might amount to no bail at all because the accused person may not be able to comply with the term”.

See also El-Alim Mirghani v Sudan Gov’t 1960 S.L.J.R 68.

Where excessive bail conditions are granted, it can be reviewed by courts Sections 334, 125 CPC and CPA respectively, Mathias Onuigbo v C.O.P (supra).

Types of Bail There are 2 types of bail Mathias Onuigbo v C.O.P (supra) as follows: “Bail is mainly of 2 types: (1) Self recognisance by which the accused person is merely asked to enter into bond of certain sum of money which may be estregated in full, in case he fails to turn up on a given date; (1) Bond with surety or sureties by which he is asked to enter a bond of a fixed sum of money, and the surety the same bond by which they bind themselves to forfeit a fixed sum of money in case of default of appearance by the accused person”.

Failure to fulfil Bond Terms and Forfeiture Failure to fulfil bail bond terms, can lead to forfeiting the bond, cancellation of the bail and re-arrested of the accused person Ss. 348 and 121 CPC and CPA respectively. A court can order deposition of money in a court as a fulfilment of bail terms Mathias Onuagbo v C.O.P (supra).

There are procedures for forfeiting bail bond and the procedures must be meticulously followed Aiyegoboyin v A.G. Oyo 1982 1 NCR 295. The conditions are a court must be satisfied bond has been forfeited, grounds for the forfeiture of the bond and it is discretionary of a court to order forfeiture Section 354 CPC, R v Southampton Justices 1975 2 All E.L.R. 1075, El Alim v Sudan Gov’t 1960 S.L.J.R.68. A bail bond must be in writing COP v John 1981 1 NCR 139; R v Mc Gary 1945 30 Cr. Ap. R 187.

Bail before trial is sometimes referred to pre-trial bail, and a person who has not been tried and convicted by a court is prima facie entitled to be granted bail, unless there are mitigating circumstances Ani v The State 2002 1 NWLR (Pt 747) 217.

Courts have inherent power to grant bail to a person before his committal for trial continues, unless it is expressly taken away R v Augustino 1950 WWR 1075. Bail will be refused an applicant when prosecution witnesses are afraid to testify in the case Bamaiyi v The State 2001 2 NWLR (Pt 698) 435. An applicant awaiting trial who is refused bail pending trial, should be brought to court within a two months period stipulated in Section 35(4) Constitution Bamaiyi v The State (supra). There are many factors considered before a court grants bail pending trial Shafiu v The State 2002 4 NWLR (Pt 757) 265.

When a suspect will not appear in court to face trial, commit other crimes or has record of previous convictions bail will be denied Girdhar v R 1960 E.A. 320. When a suspect interfere with investigation bail will be denied James Danbaba v The State 2000 14 NWLR (Pt 687) 396. The fact that a suspect has grievous charges against him is not a ground to refuse him bail James Danbaba vs The State supra.

A suspect who has not been tried and convicted by court should be granted bail as a matter of course Emeka Ani vs The State 2001 FWLR (Pt 81) 1715. Bail will be refused to an applicant who admitted committing a crime or investigation of his case was still going on Suleman Adamu v C.O.P 2006 All FWLR (Pt 298) 1348.

Prisoners charged with high offences will not be granted bail Re Nottingham Corporation 1897 2 Q.B. 502. Capital offences are not bailable unless there are compelling and constraining circumstances COP v Dr Iruoma 1977 1MSLR 80. Inordinate delay in prosecuting a case is a ground to grant bail pending trial COP v Dr Iruoma (supra). An applicant who has history of past convictions and committing other offences while on bail will have his bail revoked H.M. Postmaster v Whitehouse 1951 35 Cr. A.P.R 8.

When a prosecutor asks for adjournment on the ground that the facts are insufficient to proceed against an accused person means there is no case against a suspect he is entitled to bail COP v Dr Iruoma (supra). When an applicant for bail pending hearing interferes with the course of justice bail will be denied A. G. v Duffy 1942 I.R. 529. It is the duty of the prosecution who opposed bail to provide prima facie evidence that the case against an accused person will succeed The State v Lambert Onwu 1978 IMSLR 154.

Whatever stage application for bail is made the health of an applicant is a weighty matter to be considered Chief Olabode v FRN 2010 5 NWLR (Pt 1187) 254.

Bail will not be granted to an applicant who has other cases pending against him Michael Patrick Philips 1948 32 Cr APR 47. Bail must not be refused for personal vendetta, capricious reasons or to force an accused person to plead guilty Ugwumba Elisha v C.O.P 1974 4 E.C. S.L.R 362. Difficulties encountered by an applicant is not a ground for granting bail but is a ground to adopt liberal approach Raghbir Lambon v R 1933 E.A. 337.

Sections 27 and 332 of the Nigeria Police Act allows police officers to release on bail those arrested for minor offences. Under S. 332 (vii) of the Police Act the second in command in a police station can release on bail a suspect arrested without warrant.

Why it is the second in command who grants a bail in a police station and not the head or any other person is not clear. When police officer releases on bail a suspect on conditions and the suspect fails to satisfy those conditions the suspect is no longer illegally detained Eda v COP 1980 1 NCR 14.

Political motivation is not a ground to warrant an applicant get bail Aiyegboyin v A.G. 1982 1 NCR 295. There is nothing in Nigerian law known as “holding charge” a major reason for keeping suspects in custody pending being charged to court Chief Pat Ewere v COP 1993 6 NWLR (Pt 299) 333.

Hon. Justice Usman Bukar Bwala, Retired from the High Court of Justice, Maiduguri, Borno State

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Emir Sanusi Gone, Who Next?

Last week, the dethronement, banishment to Nasarawa State, confinement and subsequent release of the erstwhile Emir of Kano, HH, Muhammadu Sanusi II, like a well scripted Nollywood movie, will no doubt, occupy the front-burner of national discourse for some time. The speed and suspicious circumstances under which the former Central Bank Governor was dethroned as the Emir of Kano, leaves much to be desired. While many believe it was a deft political move by the Kano State Executive in its quest for relevance, others argue that the dethronement serves the former Emir right for several reasons, including his outspokenness which may have ruffled many conservative feathers in the North.

Chief Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, Dr Mike Ozekhome, SAN, Abubakar Sani, Chuks Nwana, and Dr Kayode Ajulo, in examining the controversial issue, hold that the Kano State Governor acted ultra vires his constitutional powers, at least as far as the banishment was concerned, while Felix Eghie Sugaba believes that, banishment is a tool which Government can use, as a means of dealing with security risks

The Travails of Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi Ferdinand Orbih, SAN

T

The Dethronement he news of the dethronement of Emir Lamido Sanusi struck like a bolt of thunder on Monday, the 9th of March, 2020, when the Government of Kano addressed a letter to “Malam Muhammad Sanusi II Deposed Emir Kano Emirate”. The said letter signed by the Secretary to the Kano State Government read in part as follows; “I wish to inform you that the Kano State Executive Council under the chairmanship of his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje OFR, during its sitting on 9th March, 2020/14, Rajab 1441 A. H. has approved and directed for your immediate removal and dethronement as the Emir of Kano, and also for your relocation to Nasarawa State, which is done in line with the relevant section of the Kano State Emirate Council Law of 2019.”

The Government of Kano State went tautologous, perhaps, in order to leave no one in doubt as to her intention to remove Emir Sanusi from office, when it deployed the words “removal and dethronement” in the same sentence to convey the message that Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was no longer the Emir of Kano. To “remove” and to “dethrone” means the same thing, but to the Kano State Government, one of them was not sufficient. To keen watchers of the cat and mouse games that have been going on between the dethroned Emir and His Excellency the Governor of Kano State in recent past especially after the 2019 general elections and more particularly, the governorship election in Kano State, the removal of the Emir did not come as a surprise. There had been skirmishes between the erstwhile Emir and the Governor, before now. The Emir had to resort to court action on different occasions, to stop the Kano State government from probing him.

Prominent citizens from the Northern part of Nigeria had intervened, but it is clear from the events of Monday the 9th of March, that Governor Ganduje had made up his mind to remove the Emir from the throne, and he was not going

The Unconstitutionality and Illegality of the Dethronement and Banishment of Emir Sanusi

to allow anything to stand on his way.

Why Emir Sanusi Was Dethroned The official reason why Emir Sanusi was removed from office is contained in paragraphs 2 and 3 of the letter of 9th March, 2020 as follows: “1. Kindly note that this decision was taken due to your general disrespect to lawful instructions from the authorities, including persistent refusal to attend official programs and meetings organised by the Government, which is viewed as an act of insubordination.

2. In the light of the foregoing, and having made appropriate consultations with relevant stakeholders, the decision was reached to safeguard the sanctity, culture, tradition and prestige of the Kano Emirate which was established and sustained over one thousand years ago.”

The Kano State Government was being economical with the truth, when it stated that the above stated reasons informed her decision to remove Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi from the exalted throne of the Emir of Kano. The erstwhile Emir had been a thorn in the flesh of not only the Governor Ganduje’s Government, but a majority of Northern Governors and Leaders. Emir Sanusi was bold, forthright and courageous in attacking not only government policies that he perceived to be bad, but also, religious practices that he considered to be backward. During his reign, in speech after speech at different fora, Emir Sanusi relentlessly ruthlessly attacked the religious status quo and the Northern Nigerian leadership with brutal frankness; telling them to their faces that they have failed the people.

Though a product of the system he was attacking, that did not in anyway deter him.

Some of the Emir’s Words It is difficult to resist the temptation recall some of these speeches in this piece, if only to underscore our assertion that there are more to the reasons given by the Kano State Government for his removal from office. A few examples of his quotable quotes will suffice: On Meaningless Projects “We have Governors, they go to China and spend one month on a tour, and what do they come back with, MoU on debts. China will lend you $1.8bn to build light rail. This

Are we still living in the Stone Age? Dr Mike Ozekhome, SAN

O Introduction

Ousted Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II

light rail will be done by the rail workers from China. The trains will come from China. The engines will come from China. The labour comes from China. The driver is Chinese.

At the end of the day what do you benefit from it?”

Build Schools not Mosques “I am just tired of people coming to me to say, I want to build a new mosque. You know we keep building mosques, and our daughters are illiterate... If you really want to help, coincidence that is where you have the highest levels of illiteracy, early marriage, divorce and highest levels of domestic violence.”

We believe that the last straw that broke the camel’s back, as far as the Emir’s speeches are concerned, was the speech he gave at the 60th birthday celebration of Mallam El Rufai, the Governor of Kaduna State. On that day, he spoke on diverse issues affecting the Northern

part of Nigeria. Again we quote him as follows: “If the North does not change and tackle some of these social problems, it will destroy itself. When we talk about birthday, we talk about happiness.

Just last week, someone asked me “are you happy”? And I said, “I am not”. And, the person was surprised.

Nobody who is a leader in Northern Nigeria today, can afford to be happy.

You cannot be happy with about 87 percent of poverty in Nigeria, being

“THE ERSTWHILE EMIR HAD BEEN A THORN IN THE FLESH OF NOT ONLY THE GOVERNOR GANDUJE’S GOVERNMENT, BUT A MAJORITY OF NORTHERN GOVERNORS AND LEADERS”

in the North. You cannot be happy with millions of Northern children, out of school. You cannot be happy with nine States in the North, contributing almost 50 percent of the entire malnutrition burden in the country.

You cannot be happy with the drug problem; you can’t be happy with the boko haram problem. You can’t be happy with political thuggery. You can’t be happy with the issues, the almajiri problem that we have. We have been saying this, for 20 to 30 years. If the North does not change, the North will destroy itself.”

The Emir did not stop there, but proceeded to say the unthinkable (from the perspective of some power mongers in the North) on Quota System when he stated thus: “The country is moving on. Quota system that everybody talks about, must have a sunset clause...You don’t need CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

n Monday, 9th March, 2020, Nigerians, who have become accustomed to weird and strange news on a daily basis, woke up to the yet ugly piece of news of the dethronement and banishment to Abuja, Nasarawa, then Loko, and finally Awe, a small suburb town in Nasarawa State, of the flamboyant, cerebral, bold, courageous and straight-talking former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, and erstwhile Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (Mohammed Sanusi II).

I totally condemn these crude, barbaric, primitive, unconscionable, wrongful, unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional acts exhibited by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State. Governor Ganduje’s actions, constitute a blatant and violent rape and violation of the fundamental constitutional rights of Emir Sanusi to freedom of movement, right to liberty, rights to fair hearing, freedom of expression and association and right to dignity of the human person, to be free from inhuman and degrading treatment. The way and manner the Emir was forcefully evicted, viet armis, from his palace, with a multitude of armed security agents of the State, amidst commotion and teargas canisters fired into his private quarters and bedroom; and his forceful separation from his wives, children, family, aides, library etc., are only scenes expected from the Stone Age of the Early Man and Australopithecus, who lived 4.2 to 1.9 million years ago.

I am not one of those Nigerians, who appear surprised at this development.

I saw it coming, and I had said so in an earlier write- up, where I had condemned the bulkanisation of the centuries-long revered Kano Emirate into four segmented Emirates, out of sheer political exigency and crass opportunism by a rampaging Governor.

After all, a fruit does not fall far away from the mother-tree. Governor Ganduje was merely following the footsteps and examples in acts of impunity and lawlessness, which he learnt from the Federal Government at the centre.

The reasons the Emir came under the hammer are, to me, quite simple and very well known. Emir Sanusi has continuously preached modernity, as against the archaic and antediluvian style of governance of the Northern elites who have continued their obnoxious and primordial policies of repression, retrogression, subjugation, oppression and marginalisation of the vast majority of their people.

He has spoken vehemently against the Almajari system that churns out children and the youths unto the streets in their thousands as ablebodied beggars, to “ranka dede” the elites. He has unrepentantly frowned, at the girl-child marriage and labour.

He has, now and again, lampooned the Northern elites for inflicting untold hardship on the people of the North.

He has courageously preached the dire necessity for education as a sure tool of development and liberator of his people, from the doldrums of ignorance and wretchedness. The elites, no doubt, gaped, with awe and shock, at this fire-eating, no-nonsense intellectual Emir, whom they believed was hiding under his royal turban and robes to de-robe the Northern elites of their mystical, but firm, grip on power and its intoxicating effect as an aphrodisiac. They believed Emir Sanusi was opening up their smelly flanks to the outside world, to be laughed at, to be scorned, to be derided, and to be opened to vitriolic attack by the hoi-polloi whose eyes may be opened to begin to question their years of enslavement and impoverishment.

This is the “mortal” and “original” sin, committed by Emir Sanusi.

And lo and behold, they resolved, through the instrumentality of Governor Ganduje, that Emir Sanusi must be stopped dead in his tracks, before he committed more havoc. I want to be convinced by anyone (with contrary facts and figures), that the Presidency

“THESE CASES WERE STILL EXTANT, EXISTING AND LIVE WHEN THE GOVERNOR RESORTED TO SELF HELP, REMOVED THE MAT FROM THE FEET OF THE JUDICIAL PROCESS, AND HURRIEDLY DETHRONED AND BANISHED THE EMIR. THESE ACTS ARE AGAINST THE HALLOWED DOCTRINE OF LIS PENDENS......”

did not support, or have a hand in this humiliation of Emir Sanusi, and by extension, the Kano Emirate.

Let us, however, look at the atrocious acts meted out to Emir Sanusi from legal and constitutional perspectives, devoid of political undertones or analysis.

The Doctrine of Lis Pendens It is clear to all that, before the hurried dethronement and harried banishment of the Emir to Nasarawa State, he had instituted many suits against the Governor and Kano State government, challenging the degrading of his office through the creation of four Emirates from the Kano Emirate, the investigation instituted against him by some anti-corruption agencies and the State government, and the then palpable threats to dethrone him.

These cases were still extant, existing and live when the Governor resorted to self help, removed the mat from the feet of the judicial process, and hurriedly dethroned and banished the Emir. These acts are against the hallowed doctrine of lis pendens, which theorises that once parties have put their case before a competent court of CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

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THE TRAVAILS OF EMIR SANUSI LAMIDO SANUSI

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

to write on from being from Kaduna State or being from the North or being a Muslim, to get a job. You go with your credentials; you go with your competence. You can compete with any Nigerian, from anywhere. We need to get our Northern Youth to a point where they don’t need to rely on being from a part of the country, to get a job.

And, believe me, if we don’t listen, there will be a day when there will be a Constitutional amendment that addresses the issues of quota system and federal character. The rest of the country cannot be investing, educating its children, producing graduates, and then they watch us they can’t get jobs because they come from the wrong States, when we have not invested in the education of our own children” We have stated elsewhere, that the above was the speech that removed Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi from power. The truth is very bitter, and when told to power, power will fight back. His removal from office, is the adverse consequence of the truth he spoke to power. From the moment the Emir gave that speech, it was clear to watchers of Nigeria polity (including Emir Sanusi himself), that he was a marked man. It was no longer a question of whether he would be dethroned, but when.

Was the Dethronement of Emir Sanusi Constitutional?

The Kano State Government, according to the deposition letter of 9th March 2020, removed Emir Sanusi from office due to his general disrespect to lawful instructions from the authorities, including persistent refusal to attend official programs and meetings organised by the Government, which is viewed as an act of insubordination. The Constitution has donated the right to fair hearing to every person resident in Nigeria, during the determination of his civil rights and obligations. The late Chief M.K.O. Abiola used to succinctly encapsulate this right in an African proverb, which says that you should not shave a man’s head in his absence.

Was Emir Sanusi ever queried for not attending meetings and programs organised by the government? If yes, did he respond to the queries? Were his answers to the queries taken into consideration, before the step to remove him from office? The statement issued by his Lawyers stated categorically that, the Emir was not given a fair hearing before his removal from office. If this is true, his removal was unconstitutional, null and void, and it is of no effect whatsoever.

Furthermore, from the chain of events leading up to the dethronement of the Emir, the Government of Kano State left no one in doubt that she was the Accuser, the Investigator, the Prosecutor and the Judge of Emir Sanusi. One of the pillars on which our jurisprudence has built the principles of fair hearing, is that a man should not be a judge in his own cause.

If a man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause, bias will certainly set in and society will be the worse for it.

The Government of Kano State was enjoined to consult relevant stakeholders, under the law it relied on to remove the Emir. The Government said that it did, but, it is doubtful, given the fact that the Executive Council Meeting to remove him was held on the 9th of March, 2020, the decision to remove the Emir was taken on that same day, and the letter conveying the decision was written, dispatched and delivered to the Emir on the same day. It is highly unlikely in the circumstances, that actual consultation was done with relevant stakeholders before the dethronement.

Having regard to the foregoing, we are of the firm view that, the Kano State Government has reason to celebrate the

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje

fact that the Emir has decided not to challenge his removal in court.

The Emir’s Banishment There remains the matter, whether his banishment to Nasarawa State is constitutional. While we have every liberty to comment on the constitutionality or otherwise of the Emir’s removal from office, our rules of professional conduct as Lawyers do not permit us to comment on the issue whether or not his banishment to Nasarawa State is constitutional. The reason for this is that the Emir’s removal from office has not been subjected to any judicial challenge, but his banishment is being challenged in court. Being sub judice, our freedom to comment on same is heavily circumscribed. However it is sufficient for us to say that when a similar banishment visited on the Emir of Gwandu, the Court of Appeal in the case of Government of Kebbi State v HRH Mustapha Jokolo (2013) LPELR -2234 (CA) had the following to say: “The Governor of Kebbi State has no right to act outside the clear and unambiguous provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (applicable to this case). Section 35 (1) of the said Constitution every citizen of Nigeria is “entitled to his personal liberty and no person shall be deprived of such liberty’ except in the circumstances set out in subsections (a) to (f) thereof.

Section 40 of the same Constitution provides that “every person is entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons”. On the issue at hand, Section 41-(1) of the Constitution is germane and it provides thus:”41-(1) Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereto or exit therefrom...

The Appellant has not been able to show that the banishment of the 1st Respondent from Gwandu Emirate in Kebbi Sate and his deportation to Obi in Nasarawa State were in accordance with the clear provisions

“FROM THE MOMENT THE EMIR GAVE THAT SPEECH, IT WAS CLEAR TO WATCHERS OF NIGERIA POLITY (INCLUDING EMIR SANUSI HIMSELF), THAT HE WAS A MARKED MAN. IT WAS NO LONGER A QUESTION OF WHETHER HE WOULD BE DETHRONED, BUT WHEN”

of Section 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

The banishment and deportation from Kebbi State, on or about the 3rd of June, 2005 of the 1st Respondent to Lafia in Nasarawa State and to Obi, also in Nasarawa State, is most unconstitutional, and illegal.”

I will not say more than this for now, while we await the decision of the court in the case challenging the banishment and detention of Emir Sanusi.

Rivalry between Traditional Rulers and Political Authorities The dethronement of Emir Muhammad Sanusi II, marks another chapter in the perennial thug of war between political authorities and traditional institutions in Nigeria. The rivalry between Traditional Institutions and Political Authorities dates back to the time of British colonial Administration, over the indigenous peoples of modern Nigeria. It even pre-dates the creation of the Protectorates of Southern and Northern Nigeria. If we roll back the pages of history, we would find that in these struggles for supremacy between the two, Traditional rulers are very often the causalities, as they almost always ended up being removed from office and banished from their domains.

Some examples of those dethroned or exiled in the past include, Oba of Benin- Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi who was exiled by the British Government to Calabar in 1897 for allegedly monopolising trade around his area; Emir of Bauchi-Umar Mohammed, also deposed by the British in 1902 on allegation of slave dealing and insubordination; Emir of Kano- Aliyu Ibn Abdullahi Maje Karofi dethroned by the British and French forces in 1903 and exiled to Lokoja, where he died in 1926. The British colonial Administration also deposed and/or exiled the Emir of Ningi-Dan Yaya in 1902 for allegedly terrorising his people; the Timi of EdeAbibu Lagunju in 1892; the Akarigbo of Remo-Oba Oyebajo in 1915; the Osemawe of Ondo-Oba Adekolurejo Jimosun II in 1925; and two Obas of Lagos-Ibikunle Akintoye and Kosoko Akintoye. It is clear from the above that, the British colonial administration found deposition and banishment a veritable tool to whip Traditional Rulers into line, especially when their policies and dispositions were not in tune with those of the Colonial masters.

Traditional Rulers did not fare better under Nigerian politicians, who took over from the British. Nigerian Politicians who took over from the British, used deposition and banishment to intimidate Traditional Rulers who did not support

their government. Thus, during the Action Group crisis of 1962, the government of Western Region reduced the salary of Odemo of Ishara-Chief Samuel Akinsaya to one penny a year, because the Oba refused to support the government of the day. Others fared a lot worse. The Alaafin of Oyo-Oba Adediran II, was dethroned for refusing to support Chief Awolowo led Action Group Government of Western Region. Olu of Warri suffered a similar fate, when he refused to support Chief S. L. A. Akintola led government of Western Region.

In the Northern Region, the Olofa of Ofa-Oba Wuraola Isioye was deposed and exiled to Ogbomosho, for failing to support Sir Ahmadu Bello led Government of Northern Nigeria. The Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi I (the grandfather of Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi) was deposed by the Sir Ahmadu Bello led Government of Northern Nigeria and banished to Azare, following allegations of financial impropriety. Oba Sikiru Adetona the Awujale of Ijebu land was deposed in 1981 by the Ogun State government, led by Chief Bisi Onabqnjo.

Luckily for him, after the over-throw of that government, the Administration of Col. Oladipo Diya reinstated him. The Oshiomhole led Government of Edo State suspended the Onogie of Uromi in 2016, over allegations of abusing a woman and total disregard for constituted authority. The few examples given above show that, Traditional Rulers in Nigeria are endangered specie in the hands of politicians.

Role of Traditional Rulers in a Constitutional Democracy The issue arising from the way and manner in which politicians treat dissident Traditional Rulers is: what role should our Royal Fathers play in a Constitutional Democracy? Are they only to be seen, and not heard? Or should we assign to them similar roles, such as those of the British Monarch who only reigns, but does not rule? Or do we build Local Government Administration around them? Or should we make Traditional Rulers Chief Security Officers of their domains? We cannot claim to have answers to all these questions, but one thing is certain, it is high time we created specific roles for our revered Traditional Rulers under the Constitution, and also protect them from the whims and caprices of politicians. We have two choices in this matter: it is either we provide the necessary institutional safeguards for our Royal Fathers, or we legislate them out of existence. We firmly believe that the country will be better off for it, if we retain and retool the institution.

Conclusion To say that Emir Sanusi is a controversial figure, is to state the obvious.

Reactions to his dethronement have been many and varied. Some commentators with a PDP slant are unforgiving, given the role Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi played in the coming to power of the APC. Prior to his becoming the Emir of Kano, Sanusi as Governor of Central Bank was a thorn in the flesh of President Goodluck Jonathan, and by extension, the PDP. To those commentators his dethronement serves him right, because it was the APC that made him Emir, that also dethroned him. For them, it is a case of those who ride the tiger, will eventually end up in the tiger’s stomach.

As for commentators with APC sympathies, the Emir got what he deserved, because he (according to them) was ungrateful to the political party that made him Emir. Another group of commentators are of the view that, Emir Sanusi is a vibrant intellectual and moderniser, who found himself in a conservative traditional setting, and got choked by it.

The big question in all this is: will history be kind to Muhammad Sanusi II, the former Emir of Kano? As Jimmy Cliff once sang in one of his popular tracks, only “Time will tell”.

Chief Ferdinand Oshioke Orbih, SAN FCArb, Vice Chairman, NBA Section on Legal Practice

17.03.2020

COVER/11

THE UNCONSTITUTIONALITY AND ILLEGALITY OF THE DETHRONEMENT AND BANISHMENT OF EMIR SANUSI

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

law, no party shall take the laws into his hands, or resort to self help or do anything capable of undermining the judicial process and integrity of the arbitral court or tribunal, in accordance with Section 6(6) of the 1999 Constitution. The Supreme Court of Nigeria employed this doctrine to lampoon the government of Lagos State in the causa celebre, MILITARY GOVERNOR, LAGOS STATE v OJUKWU (1986) 1 NWLR (PT. 18) 621, as having committed acts of executive lawlessness, when it forcibly evicted, viet armis, Chief Ojukwu, from his Vilaska Lodge in Ikoyi, Lagos, when his case concerning possession of the property was already pending before the court. The entire dethronement and banishment of the Emir can therefore, be upturned by the courts on this score alone, without more.

The Loss and Abuse of Emir Sanusi’s Dignity to the Human Person The action of the Kano State government has cost the Emir of his dignity, not necessarily as the Emir of Kano, but as a citizen of Nigeria. The Black’s Law Dictionary defines “dignity” as: "(1) The state of being noble; the state of being dignified. (2) An elevated title or position. (3) A person holding an elevated title; a dignitary. (4) A right to hold a title or nobility, which may be hereditary or for life."

By dethroning the Emir without due process of law since the Emir still had his cases pending in court, the action of the State government has robbed the Emir of the dignity of his person, as provided for in Section 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

By virtue of the said Section 34 of the Constitution, every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person. By dethroning the Emir, relocating and banishing him from the Kano Emirate against his will, surely, the respect of Emir Sanusi as constitutionally provided for, has been brazenly violated. The Emir deserves to be accorded his constitutional rights to dignity of the human person, even if he was dethroned and such dethronement was legal (which is denied). "Respect", depending on its usage, means polite behaviour exhibited towards somebody, or something that you think is important. It is clear that, the Emir of Kano was not considered important enough to be accorded the modicum of respect that he deserves, not necessarily as the Emir, but at least as a citizen of Nigeria. An Emir who was overawed, harassed and humiliated in his palace, forcibly separated from his family and loved ones, banished to the remote village of Awe in Nasarawa State, with over 7 hours drive by road from Abuja, has been inhumanly treated.

Inhuman and Degrading Treatment meted to Emir Sanusi The learned authors of Black's Law Dictionary, 9th edition page 854, define "Inhuman treatment" as "physical or mental cruelty so severe that it endangers life or health". A degrading treatment is to do unpleasant things to someone and to make him lose self respect. Thus, "degradation" is “(1) A reduction in rank, degree, or dignity.

(2) A lessening of a person's or thing's character or quality. (3) A wearing down of something, as by erosion".

Without any shadow of doubt, Emir Sanusi, by being literally driven out of his palace with a multitude of Police and other security agents, and being hurriedly banished to solitary confinement in a strange land where he was put under house arrest, without access to visitors, is being subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment by the Kano State government.

The sum total of it is that, the Governor was not only satisfied in dethroning the Emir of Kano, but showed no respect to his dignity as an individual by meting out on him

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and the ousted Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II

inhuman and degrading treatment, where he was held like a slave, contrary to Section 34(1) (a)-(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria1999. What the Governor's agents did, on the instructions and at the behest of the Governor, constitutes slavery and servitude. Slavery is a situation in which one person has absolute power over the life, fortune, and liberty of another. It is the practice of keeping individuals in such a state of bondage or servitude, outlawed by the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution since 1865. The case of FRN v IFEGWU (2003) 15 NWLR (Part 842)113, 216-217, is very apposite here.

The Right to Personal Liberty of the Emir Section 35 (1) of the said Constitution provides that: every citizen of Nigeria is "entitled to his personal liberty and no person shall be deprived of such liberty" except in the circumstances set out in subsections (a) to (f) thereof. Section 40 of the same Constitution provides that "every person is entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons".

On the issue at hand, Section 41(1) of the Constitution is germane and it provides thus: "41 - (1) Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereto or exit therefrom. (2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall invalidate any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society - (a) imposing restrictions on the residence or movement of any person who has committed or is reasonable suspected to have committed a criminal offence in order to prevent him from leaving Nigeria; or (b) providing for the removal of any person from Nigeria to any other country to - (i) be tried outside Nigeria for any criminal offence, or (i ) undergo imprisonment outside Nigeria in execution of the sentence of a court of law in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty: Provided that there is reciprocal agreement between Nigerian and such other country in relation to such matter. See the case of INUSA SAIDU v STATE (1982) LPELR-2977 (SC), where A.O. Obaseki, J.S.C. held: “...It does not give the court any joy to see offenders escape the penalty they richly deserve, but until they are proved guilty under the appropriate law in our law courts, they are entitled to walk about in our streets and tread the Nigerian soil and breathe the Nigerian air, as free and innocent men and women...”

See also MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS v SHUGABA DARMAN (1982) 3 NCLR 915, 953.

In the instant case, the Kano State

government has to show that the dethronement and banishment of the Emir of Kano to Nasarawa State, are in accordance with the clear provisions of Section 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

Breach of the Emir’s Right to Fair Hearing It is incontestable that, the Emir Sanusi’s right to fair hearing was wantonly violated. He was not accused of any criminal offence. He was not afforded any fair hearing, before deportation. His cases against the Government and Governor, were still pending in court. There was no valid court order, for his removal or deportation. Even Almighty God gave Adam and Eve a fair hearing in the Garden of Eden! See R v CHANCELLOR UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE (1723) 1 Str 557.

The actions of the government are also contrary to Articles 4, 5, 6 and 12 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, Cap A9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The current Sanusi case is on all fours with the case of AttorneyGeneral & Commissioner for Justice, KEBBI STATE v HRH ALHAJI AL-MUSTAPHA JOKOLO & ORS (2013) LPELR – 22349 (CA), decided on Friday, the 13th of December, 2013. In that case, both the Federal High court in Kebbi State and the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division, upturned the dethronement and banishment of Emir Jokolo on the 3rd of June, 2005 as the 19th Emir and traditional ruler of Gwandu Emirate Council. The Court of Appeal relied, inter alia, on Sections 35 and 41 of the Constitution, and Articles 4,5 and 6 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. The Court of Appeal held that, the Kebbi State government did not have the power to banish the Appellant, or put him under house arrest, or prevent the Appellant from going abroad for medical treatment, and that the trial Judge was right to have granted him the reliefs sought concerning his liberty, rights to freedom of movement, association and dignity of the human person.

We also find succour in the Supreme Court cases of THE DIRECTOR, STATE SECURITY SERVICE v OLISA AGBAKOGBA (1993) 3 NWLR (Part 595) 314, 373; Onagoruwa v IGP (1991) 5 NWLR (Part 843) 113, 180; EJIOFOR v OKEKE (2007) 7 NWLR (Part 665) 373; and the unreported case of REV. POLICARP A.K.A. ODIONG MATTHEW v AIG ZONE 6, CALABAR - Appeal No. CA/C/149/2010, decided on 22nd May, 2013.

As held in the above case of ATTORNEY-GENERAL & COMMISSIONER OF JUSTICE, KEBBI

“GOVERNOR GANDUJE WAS MERELY FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS AND EXAMPLES IN ACTS OF IMPUNITY AND LAWLESSNESS, WHICH HE LEARNT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AT THE CENTRE” STATE v HRH ALHAJI AL- MUSTAPHA JOKOLO & ORS (supra), the Court of Appeal was vehement that: "If those entrusted with the power to govern or rule Nigeria have personalities be respected abroad that will not be possible. Charity must begin at home. In Rev. [There must be respect] to the traditional institution or the citizens. The banishment and deportation from Kebbi State by the Governor of Kebbi State, on or about the 3rd of June, 2005 of the 1st respondent to Lafia in Nasarawa State and later to Obi, also in Nasarawa State, is most unconstitutional, and illegal.

By the said banishment and deportation, the 1st respondent has been, unduly and wrongfully denied his constitutional rights "to respect for the dignity of his person ".

Conclusion The dethronement and banishment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano State by the Kano State government, amounts to a clear violation of the fundamental rights of the erstwhile Emir of Kano, as provided for in our Constitution, the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948. Same are subject to being upturned, by courts of law.

The Emir should immediately seek for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights. Enough of this government of impunity and lawlessness.

He is also entitled to damages, and a public apology. See the case of EFCC v ABIODUN AGEBELE (2018) ELR-44677 (CA), which I personally handled. See also AG LAGOS STATE v KEITA (2016) LPELR-40163 (CA).

Suffering and impoverished Nigerians, who are always at the receiving end of governmental acts of lawlessness and crass impunity, deserve much better than what these governments, from the centre, to the States and local governments, have so far offered them.

Dr Mike Ozekhome OFR, SAN, Human Rights Lawyer and Activist

12/COVER

17.03.2020

Sanusi: Law as an Instrument/ Casualty of Political Vendetta Abubakar D. Sani

I

Introduction t finally came to pass: the longexpected removal of Muhammad Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano became a reality on Monday, the 9th day of March 2020, when the Kano State Executive Council announced his deposition and quickly named HRH Aminu Ado Bayero as his replacement.

Simultaneously, Sanusi was reportedly ‘banished’ from Kano to ‘far away’ Nasarawa State. If his dethronement was not altogether unexpected (given the widely-reported frosty relationship between him and Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje), his purported banishment from his hometown ought to raise a few eye-brows, not least because it is based on no known law, but rather practice and/or convention; for example, that fate befell Sanusi’s grandfather, Muhammad Sanusi I, following his own removal by Sardauna Ahmadu Bello in 1963. More on this shortly.

Is the Dethronement Justified?

The Government rationalised its action on the basis of Sanusi’s alleged “total disrespect to lawful instructions of the State Governor and other lawful authorities, including his persistent refusal to attend official meetings and programmes organised by the Government without lawful justification, which amount to total insubordination”. This was contained in the press statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, who announced the dethronement.

Citing Section 13(a-e) of the Kano State Emirates Law, the Government asserted that Sanusi’s “immediate removal/dethronement was unanimously approved by the State Executive Council led by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganjuje”, adding that the action was taken “after due consultation with relevant stakeholders”, and was supposedly done “to safeguard the sanctity, culture, tradition, religion and prestige of Kano Emirate built over a thousand years.”

That being the case, it is imperative that we take a close look at the provisions of Section 13(a-e) of the Kano Emirates Law 2019. They are as follows:“13. The Governor after due inquiry and consultation with the State Council of Chiefs may depose of such (sic) Emir if he is satisfied that: (a)The deposition is required in accordance with the tradition or is necessary for the preservation of custom and tradition or peace, order and good governance; (b)Where the Emir consciously and intentionally fails to attend meetings of the Council for 3 consecutive times without a valid and reasonable excuse; or (c) Where the Emir commits an act of gross misconduct; or

(d)Where the Emir abuses his office or; (e)Where the Emir commits an act of immorality or acted in an unethical manner that is not compatible with the societal values and the ethics of his office”.

It is clear that, on the face of it, they entitle the powers-that-be to sanction an Emir on the grounds stated therein.

What they don’t specify, is the procedure to be adopted before taking the decision that the Emir - any Emir - be removed. It is in this regard, that the right of fair hearing (or natural justice) guaranteed under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution comes in. It provides that: “In the determination of his civil rights and obligations, including any question or determination by or against any government or authority, a person shall be entitled to a fair hearing within a reasonable time by a court or other tribunal established by law and constituted in such manner as to secure its independence and impartiality” Subsection (2) of this provision qualifies it by stipulating, inter alia, thus:“Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this Section, a law shall not be invalidated by reason only that it confers on any government or authority power to determine questions arising in the administration of a law that affects or may affect the civil rights and obligations of any person if such law(a) provides for an opportunity for the person whose rights and obligations may be affected to make representations to the administering authority before that authority makes the decision affecting that person; and (b) contains no provision making the determination of the administering authority final and conclusive” In BAKARE v L.S.C.S.C (1992)23 NSCC pt.3 pg. 218 @ 247, the Supreme Court construed identical provisions in the 1979 Constitution and held that, it “is an entrenchment of the common law principle of the right of fair hearing, which is an inherent and necessary element in the determination of every dispute. (They) ensure that the rights and obligations of every citizen is finally and conclusively determined, after hearing the person whose rights and obligations are involved and would be affected by the decision. It is therefore, a fundamental and constitutional right of the person whose rights and obligations would be affected by any determination, to be heard before such rights and obligations are conclusively determined. Hence, the person whose rights and obligations are in issue, must be given an opportunity to be heard in defence of such right.”

The Apex Court further held, in relation to subsection (2) above, that “any law that affects or may affect the civil rights and obligations of any person is valid if: (a) it provides an opportunity for the person affected to make representation to the person taking the decision before the decision is taken; or (b) the decision made without

“......AS THEY BOTH DENY AN EMIR ......A RIGHT TO BE HEARD PRIOR TO DECIDING HIS FATE (AUDI ALTEREM PARTEM) AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY - AS WE HAVE SEEN IN SANUSI’S CASE - TO THE EXTENT THAT THAT DECISION TAKES “IMMEDIATE EFFECT”, IT IS FINAL AND CONCLUSIVE. ACCORDINGLY, IN MY VIEW, SANUSI’S REMOVAL IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, INVALID AND VOID”

New Emir of Kano, HH Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero

representation is not final and conclusive.

The two conditions are independent of each other, and are in the alternative”.

Applying the foregoing to the provisions of Section 13(a-e) of the Kano Emirates Law, it is clear that they fall short of the said constitutional safeguards, as they both deny an Emir (such as Sanusi) who is accused of violating them, a right to be heard prior to deciding his fate (audi alterem partem) and, more importantly - as we have seen in Sanusi’s case - to the extent that that decision takes “immediate effect”, it is final and conclusive. Accordingly, in my view, Sanusi’s removal is unconstitutional, invalid and void.

This conclusion is buttressed by the fact that, the decision to remove him was taken by a body (the State Executive Council) presided over by the State Governor, who is well-known to be Sanusi’s Traducer-in-Chief. It is clear that Sanusi’s flouting of his directives directly or indirectly – is the basis of the charge of insubordination which was levelled against him. In other words, Governor Ganduje was a judge in his own cause. Nemo judex in causa sua. His Excellency should have disqualified himself, and not presided over the deliberations of the Executive Council which took the decision to remove Sanusi. I believe that, this is yet another reason why his dethronement is invalid and unconstitutional.

His Banishment The reported ‘deportation’ of Sanusi to Nasarawa State following his dethronement is also problematic, because it appears to violate his fundamental right to liberty, freedom of movement and association under Sections 35, 40 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.

We are not in uncharted territory here, as a similar treatment that was meted out to Maj. Mustapha Jokolo (rtd) by the Kebbi State Government, sequel to his removal as the Emir of Gwandu, was reversed by the Court of Appeal in GOVERNMENT OF KEBBI STATE v HRH MUSTAPHA JOKOLO (2013) LPELR, where it held, inter alia, that:

“The banishment of the 1st Respondent from Gwandu Emirate in Kebbi State and his deportation to Obi in Nasarawa State by the Governor of Kebbi State on or about the 3rd day of June, 2005, is most unconstitutional and illegal. By the said banishment and deportation, the 1st Respondent has been unduly and wrongfully denied his constitutional rights to respect for the dignity of his person, to assemble freely and associate with other persons – including the people of Gwandu Emirate of Kebbi State, to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, as respectively provided in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

And now, the New Emir . . .

While wishing Sanusi’s replacement, HRH Aminu Ado Bayero, a successful tenure, it is pertinent to present the following posers, with the utmost respect, to His Majesty: what ‘stuff’ is he really made of? How engaged and socially-conscious is he? Does he have the common touch? Does he care about the masses, the hoi polloi? What is the depth of his intellect? Will the circumstances of his emergence make him unduly beholden – if not hostage – to the Governor? Will he be his own man? What is his Mission Statement, if any? How does he envision his role as a royal father? Will he command the respect of his peers (other royal fathers) in the North, across Nigeria and beyond? Is he a man of the world (that is, urbane, cosmopolitan and worldly-wise)? Can he hold his own in any forum/talk-shop, either local or foreign? I believe the answers to all these questions will determine his legacy – whether he matches or surpasses Sanusi’s larger-than-life image, or whether he will forever be condemned to live in his shadow.

In other words, in the circumstances, ascending the throne might yet prove to be the easy part: demonstrating that he is not only fit-for- purpose, but is better than his predecessor, will be a tougher call. Allah ya ji zamanin Sarki.

Abubakar D. Sani, Esq., Legal Practitioner, Kano/Abuja

17.03.2020

COVER/13

A Governor can Depose, but not Banish an Emir Chuks Nwana

T

Subjugation of Traditional Authorities by the British he unfolding events around the deposition of the Emir Kano, highlight the contradictions between traditional authority and State power.

One derives its authority from law, while the authority of the other is traditional or religious.

Prior to the creation of the modern State, the Emirs and traditional rulers controlled the spiritual and administrative organs of the State or territory. However, and with the advent of structured governance, the traditional institutions lost their pre- eminence and were indeed, in many respects, made subservient to State authority.

The evolution of State power evolved with the British colonialists, who subjugated the traditional authorities and domain to their control. This power also included authority to depose and banish an uncooperative traditional authority. Consequently, it was quite rampant during the colonial era for Emirs and Chiefs to be de-stooled, and for them to be sent to internal exile for security reasons, and a more compliant character installed in their place. It was assumed that, the incumbent traditional ruler did not need to be distracted in the discharge of their new roles and that, in any event, there cannot be two captains or rulers within a particular domain. Banishments were collaterals, to any successful deposition. There are widespread historical accounts where Chiefs, Emirs and Obas were banished or sent on internal exile, without regard to whether the ascendancy to the throne was hereditary or rotational among ruling houses.

The Oba of Benin and Lagos were at various times, sent on exile for peace to reign within their domain. See the famous case of ESHUGBAYI ELEKO v GOVERNMENT OF COLONIAL NIGERIA (1931) AC 662.

The modern Nigerian State inherited these vestiges of colonial rule, by subordinating the traditional authority to State authority using the instrumentality of laws and regulations. In effect, almost all States in Nigeria have laws regulating chiefdoms within their domain, and with these laws, the control of traditional institutions including the rulers is made complete, especially where any choice made by kingmakers will have to be ratified by the political authority of the State, either at the State or local government levels.

Under these laws, a traditional ruler could be deposed for variety of reasons, including disrespect to constituted authority or failure to be politically correct. These traditional rulers and institutions were now maintained from the public treasury as the source of revenue from the subjects had now become taxable at the control of the State authority, and so, in addition to political control, the State also had financial control over these traditional institutions. This new reality, greatly reduced the influence and powers of these institutions in their domains.

On account of the very significant reduction in the influence and standing of the traditional authorities, some of them have suggested that they should be given constitutional roles, which makes it more difficult for them to be subject to the whims of a vindictive political authority.

Our constitutional amendments so far has only acquiesced to the creation of house of chiefs without ceding any real authority to the traditional rulers, and it does not appear that any significant concessions will be made to the traditional rulers for reason of the fact that the envisaged roles are contradictory and will result in dysfunctional operations of State, because one is popularly elected while the other is hereditary and or rotational.

Kano This really is the context of the issues currently at play in Kano, where the ousted Emir of Kano is accused of being disrespectful to the popularly elected government of Kano State.

Muhammadu Sanusi II, after his dethronment

“...... THE STATUTORY RIGHT TO DEPOSE, DOES NOT EXTEND TO POWERS TO IMPOSE PUNISHMENT OF TORTURE AND BANISHMENT, AND IF IT DOES, IT WILL CLEARLY BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL.....”

While the government under the Chieftaincy laws of the respective States have the powers to depose a disagreeable traditional ruler, it does not possess the powers hitherto exercised by the colonial authorities, to send anyone on exile or to banish them to a different location.

Nigeria is a constitutional democracy where the Constitution is superior to any other law or enactment, and all institutions of State are commanded by the Constitution to respect and abide by its provisions. In this regard, the government of Kano erred when it purported to have banished and sent Lamido Sanusi to Nasarawa State, and declaring that he will not have a right to visit Kano or any other location of his choice, as his request to be flown to Lagos was denied.

This is a gross violation of the Constitution, and it is indeed, a throw back to the period and time when the colonial authorities exercised this kind of authority over conquered territories and its traditional authority. The deposed Emir is not a felon or fugitive, to warrant the restriction of his movement to a location that is not his choice. It is important to stress that, while the colonial authorities exercised these powers without any challenge to their authority, these kind of powers are not permissible under this dispensation.

The Governor is not a king or emperor, but is subject to the supreme law of the land.

Court Decisions In many cases, the courts have had cause to intervene in these matters. The most notable, is the case of ATTORNEY- GENERAL OF KEBBI STATE v ALHAJI AL MUSTAPHA JOKOLO & ORS 2013 LPELR 22349/ CA over his deposition as Emir of Gwandu and subsequent banishment to Nasarawa State,

where the court relied on several cases, particularly the decision in STATE SECURITY SERVICES v OLISA AGBAKOBA (1993) 3 NWLR (PT 595) @314 and 373 to hold that, restriction of movement amounted to a violation of the Constitution. The matter terminated at the Court of Appeal and the decision of the court reflects the state of our law, in that regard. The court of Appeal compared internal exile to slavery, where the person does not have control over his affairs and is subject to the direction and absolute control of the master, which is the security services and government.

The court further held that, Section 35 (1) and 41 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees personal liberty, freedom of movement and liberty to reside anywhere within Nigeria, and any attempt to abridge this right except in the particular instances referred to in the Constitution, amounts to a violation of the Constitution and had no hesitation that the action of the government in banishing Alhaji Jokolo was unconstitutional and under Articles 4, 5 and 6 of the African Charter on Peoples and Human Rights, which has been domesticated in Nigeria.

It further stated that, banishment amounted in practical terms to degradation of his dignity, liberty and legal status, especially as he has not been convicted of any offence. The JOKOLO case is actually on all fours with the present case of Lamido Sanusi, and the courts will have no hesitations whatsoever in holding that the banishment to a location within Nigeria that is not his choice, is an affront to the express provisions of Sections 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution, and the banishment does not fall under any of the exceptions permitted by the Constitution.

It has quite often been argued that, security and public order is the reason why deposed rulers are banished, but it is dangerous to subject the clear and unambiguous provisions of the Constitution, to a definition of security and public order by a Government who is an interested party in the matter. In any circumstance, the Police should be able to deal with any matter of public disorder, without recourse to banishment.

It is obvious that the Kano State Government did not have the powers it purported to exercise, to banish a Nigerian citizen not under any criminal indictment to Nasarawa State. Indeed, the Government has denied that it sent the deposed Emir to internal exile, and if they had the benefit of legal advice on the matter, they should have allowed the Emir to proceed to a location of his choice within Nigeria, and allowed him some dignity. De-stooling of a traditional ruler is not necessarily a crime that would warrant internal exercise as punishment.

In the absence of constitutional provisions which protected rights, the colonial governments could depose and banish for expedient purposes, but under the prevailing system, such powers are circumscribed by the express wordings of the grundnorm, and the courts have clearly stated that banishment is unconstitutional, if it does not fall under the exceptions contained in the Constitution.

Conclusion Conflicts between traditional and State institutions will always be inevitable, because the two institutions derive their powers and authority from extreme sources . However, the statutory right to depose, does not extend to powers to impose punishment of torture and banishment, and if it does, it will clearly be unconstitutional on the authority of the JOKOLO case.

In the final analysis, the solution may lie in encrypting a constitutional role for monarchs and religious leaders, that guarantees that they will not be removed from office for reasons as flimsy as disrespect or outspokenness, and sent outside their domain for the rest of their lives. This may really be far fetched in a democracy where power derives from the people through elections, and also because it will almost be impossible to insulate traditional rulers and institutions from politics.

Chuks Nwana (Bsc, LL.M, FCiarb ), Legal Practitioner and Public Affairs Commentator

Gov Ganduje Violated Emir Sanusi’s Rights Felix Eghie Sugaba

I

Lawyers and the Rule of Law f there is anything that unites Lawyers, it is the rule of law. As custodians of the law, there is no room for compromise. It is more so, in the area of human rights.

Every Lawyer is challenged and fired up where human rights’ issues are involved. Like their counterparts in the Medical profession whose matrix and first call is to save lives, the Lawyers` first and most important assignment is the protection of human rights.

It was therefore, not surprising that Nigerian Lawyers aligned their tools and tentacles with other organisations in readiness for war with the Kano State Government, over the alleged banishment of the former Emir of Kano by the

government, following his removal from the throne.

The news of his removal, though shocking, was not unexpected.

The announcement opened a new horizon of discussions, in a nation whose citizens are never shocked any longer. Like bees in a hive, every aspect of the media was swarmed for analysis and commentaries, by all and sundry. The Lawyers were not left to savour the pie of the moment, alone. Politicians joined the fray. Street urchins were not left out. The new social media, saw to it that their opinions were aired.

Consensus In the haystack of commentaries and opinions, there seems to be a consensus. This, of course, is more so amongst the men and women of the legal profession. The consensus is built around the issue of banishment. Given the act that empowers State Governors to remove or dethrone traditional rulers, the

removal of Emir Sanusi may appear to have been perpetuated within the bounds of legality. However, according to our learned men, it was illegal and inappropriate for the Kano State government to have banished the Emir to Nasarawa.

Interestingly, the government seems to have walked back on the issue of banishment, even as a competent court has ordered that the Emir’s freedom and liberty, be restored.

Issue of Banishment My focus herein, is the issue of banishment. It is not unexpected for the Lawyers to examine every issue, from the prism of legality. My take is that, it is not so much about legality, but the concept of governance. What the legal profession fails to do here, is to look at the larger picture as it relates to security.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

14/COVER

17.03.2020

Constitutionality or Otherwise of the Dethronement and Banishment of Emir Sanusi Kayode Ajulo PhD

T Introduction

he news of the dethronement and banishment of the former Emir of Kano on the 9th of March, 2020 by the Governor of the State which appeared in both print and electronic media is no longer a rumour, as a new Emir of Kano was appointed by the latter the same day, in the person of Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.

This perdurable development has generated hues and cries from political pundits, legal minds and concerned citizens in different quarters, and divided.

While some have condemned in totality the action of the Governor, some others have hailed the Governor for standing his ground against the dethroned Emir of the Kano Emirate.

It is however, apposite to consider the constitutionality and legality of the act of the Kano State Governor, in the spotlight of the 1999 Constitution and other relevant authorities.

Whether the Governor of a State has the Power to Dethrone and Banish a Traditional Ruler The Governor of a State is the Chief Executive of the State, and his powers are derived from a combined reading of Section 4(7) and 5(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

Section 4(7) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 provides that: (7) The House of Assembly of a State shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the State or any part thereof with respect to the following matters, that is to say:- (a) any matter not included in the Exclusive Legislative List set out in Part 1 of the Second Schedule to this Constitution; (b) any matter included in the Concurrent Legislative List set out in the first column of Part II of the Second Schedule to this Constitution to the extent prescribed in the second column opposite thereto; and (c) any other matter with respect to which it is empowered to make laws in accordance with the provisions of this constitution.

The executive powers of a Governor of a State shall come into operation, namely, to execute, or maintain laws enacted by a State House of Assembly within that State.

The executive powers of the Governor are derived from Section 5(2) of the Constitution which reads as follows: (2) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the executive powers of a State:- (a) shall be vested in the Governor of that State and may, subject as aforesaid and to the provisions of any law made by a House of Assembly, be exercised by him either directly or through the Deputy Governor or Commissioners of the Government of that State or officers in the State; and (b) shall extend to the execution and maintenance of this Constitution, all laws made by the House of Assembly of that State and to all matters with respect to which the House of Assembly has for the time being power to make laws. (3) The executive powers vested in a State under subsection (2) of this section, shall be exercised as not to:- (a) Impede or prejudice the exercise of the executive powers of the Federation; (b) Endanger any assets or investment of the Government of the Federation in a State; or (c) Endanger the continuation of a Federal Government in Nigeria.

Flowing from the above, it presupposes therefore, that the Governor of a State has the powers to execute, or maintain laws enacted by a State House of Assembly within that State.

In 2019, the Kano State House of Assembly passed into law, the Emirate Law 2019 which empowers the Governor of the State to reprimand, remove and banish an erring traditional ruler in the State.

It is therefore, succinct to state that the

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje giving Staff of Office to the New Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero

Governor of Kano State has the constitutional power to remove/dethrone the Emir of Kano State. However, such removal must be within the circumference of the law, and due process must be followed.

In the Supreme Court decision of Akuneziri v Okenwa & Ors (2000) LPELR-393(SC), the Apex Court held that the power to appoint and remove a traditional ruler is vested in the Governor of a State, pursuant to the enabling laws of the House of Assembly of the State.

The Apex Court held inter alia that : “I also agree with learned counsel for the 1st Respondent that under Imo State Chieftaincy Law No. 22 of 1978, the authority to remove a traditional ruler is the Governor. He does so by withdrawal of the certificate of recognition issued to the traditional ruler which signified his appointment”.

Due Process In the instant case, the question to ask, is whether due process of law was followed by the Kano State Executive Council?

In the instance, the argument of the Kano State Government is that Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II was in total disrespect to lawful instructions from the office of the Governor and other lawful authorities, and that the latter violated Part 3 of Section 13 (a) – (e) of the Kano State Emirates Law 2019.

It is pertinent to recall that, Muhammad Sanusi II was not given the opportunity to defend himself, neither was he given fair hearing, which is against the twin pillar of justice: Similarly, Muhammad Sanusi II has challenged the actions of the Kano State Executive Council in court, and the courts have severally quashed the decisions of the latter.

“......IT IS THEREFORE, CLEAR AS THE DAYLIGHT THAT THE BANISHMENT AND DEPORTATION FROM KANO STATE BY THE GOVERNOR OF KANO STATE ON OR ABOUT THE 9TH OF MARCH, 2020, OF MUHAMMAD SANUSI II TO NASARAWA STATE AS REPORTED, IS MOST UNCONSTITUTIONAL, AND ILLEGAL”

It is also pertinent to recall that, sometime in 1963, the Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi I was removed/ dethroned by the Sardauna of Sokoto, and in 2005, and the Governor of Kebbi State dethroned the Emir of Gwandu, HRH Alhaji Al-Mustapha Jokolo and banished him to Nasarawa State.

HRH Alhaji Al-Mustapha Jokolo approached the Court to challenge his banishment, vide fundamental action. The Court of Appeal in Attorney-General & Commissioner of Justice, Kebbi State v HRH Alhaji Al-Mustapha Jokolo & Ors (2013) LPELR-22349(CA), upholding the judgement of the trial Court held inter alia that: “The sum total of it is that, the Governor was not only satisfied in dethroning the 1st Respondent as the 19th Emir of Gwandu, but showed no respect to his dignity as an individual by inhuman and degrading treatment, where he was held like a slave, contrary to Section 34(1) (a)-(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. What the Governor's agents did, constituted slavery. Slavery is a situation in which one person has absolute power over the life, fortune, and liberty of another.

Furthermore, the forceful removal and handcuffing of the 1st Respondent from the National Hospital Abuja, was to ensure that he did not travel to the United States of America for further medical attention. But, Section 41(1) of the Constitution does not confer such powers on the Governor. I think his conduct was calculated to endanger the life of the 1st Respondent contrary to the provisions of Section 33(1) of the Constitution which provides that, "Every person has a right to life and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty." Furthermore, Section 34(1) of the Constitution provides that, "Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly (a) no person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman degrading treatment; (b) no person shall be held in slavery or servitude; and (c) no person shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour."

Per TUR, J.C.A. (Pp. 66-67, paras. F-C) What can be gleaned from the decision of the Court of Appeal above, is that the Governor of a State has no right to act outside the clear and unambiguous provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to deprive a dethroned traditional ruler his fundamental rights.

Section 35 (1) of the said Constitution

provides that: Every citizen of Nigeria is "entitled to his personal liberty and no person shall be deprived of such liberty" except in the circumstances set out in subsections (a) to (f) thereof.

Section 40 of the same Constitution provides that: “Every person is entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons”. On the issue at hand: Section 41(1) of the Constitution is germane and it provides thus: “Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereto or exit therefrom. (2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall invalidate any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society - (a) imposing restrictions on the residence or movement of any person who has committed or is reasonable suspected to have committed a criminal offence in order to prevent him from leaving Nigeria; or (b) providing for the removal of any person from Nigeria to any other country to - (i) be tried outside Nigeria for any criminal offence, or (i ) undergo imprisonment outside Nigeria in execution of the sentence of a court of law in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty: Provided that there is reciprocal agreement between Nigerian and such other country in relation to such matter.”

From the foregoing, it is therefore, clear as the daylight that the banishment and deportation from Kano State by the Governor of Kano State on or about the 9th of March, 2020, of Muhammad Sanusi II to Nasarawa State as reported, is most unconstitutional, and illegal.

By the said banishment and deportation, Alhaji Lamido Sanusi has been unduly and wrongfully denied his constitutional rights "to respect for the dignity of his person"; "to assemble freely and associate with other persons" - including the people of Kano Emirate of Kano State; and to "move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof" as respectively provided in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

Suffice it to note that, though some persons have argued that the Emirate Law, 2019 allows for the banishment of a deposed Emir, it suffices to state that, such provision is against the enshrined provisions of the Constitution, and as such, it is void ab initio pursuant to Section 1(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

One point must be stated clearly; Nigeria has moved from the Medieval era and gone beyond the era when British Administrative officers appointed to administer Colonial Territories and Protectorates, could at the shout of Jack Robinson, dethrone and deport native chiefs or emirs, restricting their movement to certain geographical locations within or beyond their domain in the name of the Queen of England.

In a democratic system, right of law and respect for the civil rights and obligations of persons residing in this country must take the centre stage, and repugnant laws and practices must give way to sacrosanct provisions of the Constitution.

Conclusion From whatever angle one considers the issue at hand, the Governor of a State has the power to recognise and remove a traditional ruler pursuant to an enabling law of the State House of Assembly.

However, the Governor of a State, not being a law enforcement agency, cannot deprive a citizen, the enjoyment of his/her fundamental right as enshrined in Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution.

In the circumstance, it is imperative to state that, if those entrusted with the power to govern or rule Nigeria have no respect to the traditional institution or the citizens, how could these personalities be respected abroad? That will not be possible, as charity must begins from home.

Kayode Ajulo PhD, Abuja

17.03.2020

THE LIGHTER SIDE/15

LEGAL HUMOUR

We Hold Your Brief JUDE IGBANOI jude.igbanoi@thisdaylive.com Dear Counsel, My 23 year old nephew came from school unexpectedly, and some Policemen came to my house two days later to arrest him, and in the process of questioning, I was also arrested.

At the Police station, I was told that I was being detained because I allowed someone who is being investigated for robbery, stay in my house. I was amazed, because my nephew has never been known to be involved in any type of crime. The Police claimed that they found a gun in his room at school, and he escaped before he and his friends were arrested.

I have been granted bail, but the Police insist that I have a case to answer, because according to them, I was shielding a robber in my house. A Lawyer I was referred to, said I have a case to answer, I want to seek GOV GANDUJE VIOLATED EMIR SANUSI’S RIGHTS Security, I repeat.

There is neither absolute liberty, nor absolute freedom.

The concept of Social Contract between the citizenry and the government, is not cased within the framework of legal rules. There is nowhere this doctrine of social contract is more relevant in the modern world, than in the area of state security.

The Encyclopaedia Britannica talks about the underlying philosophy of framers such as the 17th and 18th centuries Englishmen, Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. “What distinguished these theories of political obligation from other doctrines of the period, was their attempt to justify and delimit political authority on the grounds of individual self-interest and rational consent. By comparing the advantages of organised government with the disadvantages of the state of nature, they showed why and under what conditions government is useful, and ought therefore, to be accepted by all reasonable people as a voluntary obligation”.

Security/Security Risk In effect, the individual is compelled to comply with

the advice of another Lawyer.

Please, advice.

P.O., Abuja Dear P.O., Indeed, it is an offence in Nigeria to harbour robbers, with the intent to shelter them from punishment. And the penalty is imprisonment, which may extend to 7 years.

This provision is captured in Section 170 of the Penal Code Act. However, your Lawyer should contact your nephew’s Lawyer, to find out precisely what he is being detained for. Because, the mere fact that a gun was found in his room does not make him an armed robber, if there is nothing else that points to robbery. It could be simply be a case of, illegal possession of firearms.

Two Lawyers went into a diner and ordered two drinks.

They then got sandwiches out of their briefcases and began to eat them.

The owner of the diner marched over and said to them, "Hey! You can't eat your own sandwiches in here!"

The Lawyers looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders and then swapped sandwiches. ˾˾˾ Know how copper wire was invented?

Two Lawyers were fighting over a penny. ˾˾˾ Why does the law society prohibit sex between Lawyers and their clients?

To prevent clients from being billed twice for essentially the same service. ˾˾˾ How can you tell when a Lawyer is lying?

Their lips are moving. ˾˾˾ Why did New Jersey get all the toxic waste and California all the Lawyers?

New Jersey got to pick first. ˾˾˾ Why don't Lawyers go to the beach?

Cats keep trying to bury them. ˾˾˾ What do you call 5000 dead Lawyers at the bottom of the ocean?

A good start. ˾˾˾ What's the difference between a dead skunk on the road and a dead Lawyer on the road?

There are skid marks in front of the skunk. ˾˾˾ Attorney: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning?

Witness: He said, 'Where am I, Cathy?'

Attorney: And why did that upset you?

Witness: My name is Susan! ˾˾˾ Attorney: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?

Witness: Gucci sweats and Reeboks. ˾˾˾ Attorney: What is your date of birth?

Witness: July 18th.

Attorney: What year?

Witness: Every year. ˾˾˾ Attorney: How old is your son, the one living with you?

Witness: Thirty-eight or thirty-five, I can't remember which.

Attorney: How long has he lived with you?

Witness: Forty-five years. ˾˾˾ Why won't sharks attack Lawyers? Professional courtesy

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 fundamental social rules within the State. It is the obligation of the State to provide security for the citizenry, although some may argue, within the bounds of the laws. That raises the question at the heart of governance. What happens if a citizen is deemed a “Security Risk”? What if his freedom and liberty could potentially compromise the security of the generality of the public? Note that, a security risk individual does not imply that a crime has been committed, that might warrant a legal process. What, in this scenario is the political and social obligation of government and governance?

To banish political elements is neither novel in Nigeria, nor in other parts of the world. The case of Awolowo in Western Nigeria and other traditional rulers in the past are lingering examples, as most people are well aware. It is the same concept of security that places emergency powers in various governments, to declare wars against external and internal dangers to the State when it is called for, without recourse to their parliaments.

Finally, banishment is one of the tools governments all over the world, use to deal with security risks. It is a political

“WHAT HAPPENS IF A CITIZEN IS DEEMED A “SECURITY RISK”? WHAT IF HIS FREEDOM AND LIBERTY COULD POTENTIALLY COMPROMISE THE SECURITY OF THE GENERALITY OF THE PUBLIC? NOTE THAT, A SECURITY RISK INDIVIDUAL DOES NOT IMPLY THAT A CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED, THAT MIGHT WARRANT A LEGAL PROCESS”

and social security tool, that has no bearing with legality.

Felix Eghie Sugaba, Zurich, Switzerland

COURT FIXES APRIL 3 FOR JUDGEMENT IN SUIT FILED BY PRAI AGAINST FG, OTHERS, OVER IKOYI INMATES' INHUMANE CONDITIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 the 1st and 2nd Respondents infringed on the Fundamental Rights of the inmates, so as to invoke the Jurisdiction of the Court, adding that, that the rights or orders being sought by the Applicants are not justiciable, and are policy issues which the Government cannot be sued upon.

Counsel to the 4th and 5th Respondents, H. O. Dele argued that, the Applicant has no cause of action and that the Rights of the Inmates were in no way violated by the 4th and 5th Respondents. Dele also argued that, the suit was an abuse of court process and a mere academic exercise, made to harass and embarrass the Respondents.

6th Respondent’s counsel, Jonathan Ogunsanya, who is an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Justice, Lagos State also argued that, he was not liable for the alleged infringements of the fundamental rights of inmates in Ikoyi Custodial Centre because the Correctional Service is under the Exclusive Legislative

list and he and his office are not in charge of the day to day management and superintendent of the facilities.

In response, the Applicant’s counsel, Ahmed Adetola-Kazeem argued that, all the Respondents have core duties to play in ensuring that the Ikoyi Custodial Centre is less crowded, and that the inmates live in humane conditions behind bars, not the current condition where a cell of 30 capacity holds 140, and the Custodial Centre with a total capacity of 800, holds 3,113.

According to Adetola-Kazeem, the existence and continued existence of the alarming population at the Ikoyi Custodial Centre without more, constitutes a reasonable of cause of action against the Respondents for their failure to perform – or neglect thereof – their statutory duties to keep the Custodial Centre within its capacity as enshrined in Section 12(7) of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019.

“By virtue of Section 12(4) of the Nigerian Correctional

Service Act, 2019, the 5th Respondent “shall within a period not exceeding one week, notify the 6th and 7th Respondents of any excess in the number of inmates that should be in the Custodial Centre. Consequently, upon such notification, the 6th and 7th Respondents, “shall within a period not exceeding three months, take necessary steps to rectify the overcrowding”.

See Section 12(7) of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019.

Under Section 12(8) of the Nigeria Correctional Services Act 2019, the 5th Respondent has a duty to reject admission of further inmates once proper notices have been given to the relevant authorities”, Adetola-Kazeem submitted.

On the issue of abuse of court process raised by the 4th and 5th Respondents, the Applicant argued that, they had failed to prove it.

Justice Liman however, adjourned the matter till April 3, 2020 for judgement.

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17.3.2020

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TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2020 •T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍľËœ 2020

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

A S

A T

REPO 10.08 9.17

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

7.50 9.75 11

M A R C H S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

1 3 ,

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima

Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08152447875

2 0 2 0

S & P INDEX 451.69% 1/4 TO DATE - 0.79% YEAR TO DATE --13.95%

-6.13% -6.13%

EXCHANGE RATE N307/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes Olam Celebrates Women

DISCUSSING OIL AND GAS

L-R:Chairman,PetroleumTechnologyAssociationofNigeria(PETAN),Mr.BankAnthony-Okoroafor;ManagingDirector/ChiefExecutiveOfficer,Nigeria LiquefiedNaturalGas,AnthonyAttah;ExecutiveSecretary,NigerianContentDevelopmentandMonitoringBoard(NCDMB), SimbiWabote,and ManagingDirector,AiteoE&P,IkeOkoronkwo,duringanoilandgasforuminYenagoa‌recently

PPPRA’s Petrol Landing Cost Drops on Declining Oil Prices Stories by Chineme Okafor in Abuja The sharp drop in the price of crude oil appear to have temporarily halted the federal government’s expenditure on petrol subsidy, records from the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) have suggested.

Following the slump in crude oil price, the PPPRA indicated in its daily price template that the landing cost of a litre of petrol has steadily been declined as well.

For instance, the agency on March 11, disclosed that based on its calculations, the Expected Open Market Price (EOMP) for a litre of petrol was N112.26 while the ex-depot price was N125.63.

At the official pump price of N145 per litre, the calculation indicated a N32.74 over-recovery for the Nigerian National Petro-

ENERGY leum Corporation (NNPC) which is currently the sole importer of petrol in the country.

Similarly, on March 10, the PPPRA template indicated that the EOMP for petrol was N114.53 per litre and an over-recovery of N30.47 for the NNPC. On March 9, the template also showed that the landing cost or EOMP was N116.22 and an over-recovery of N28.78 on a litre of petrol.

Through the NNPC, the federal government subsidises consumption of petrol by Nigerians and has pegged the pump price of petrol at N145 per litre.

The practice has also resulted in the NNPC often claiming huge financial payments as costs of subsidising petrol consumption.

In 2019, the NNPC disclosed to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC)

that it spent N623.16 billion to subsidise petrol consumption in the country between January and November of 2018.

Similarly, a review of the corporation’s monthly financial and operations report showed that it spent an extra N13.336 billion on subsidy in December 2018 and then N104.347 billion and N102.338 billion between January and February 2019 to bringing the figure on its subsidy expenditure to N843.121 within 13 months.

Between January and April 2019, the NNPC according to its monthly reports spent a total sum of N326.43 billion on petrol subsidy or under-recovery as it often referred to it. The expenditure included N104.35 billion incurred in January for keeping pump price at N145 per litre; N102.24 billion in February; N30.64 billion in March and N89.2

billion in April.

Within these months, the corporation indicated that average daily petrol consumption in the country was 50 million litres.

In its latest Article IV consultation on Nigeria, released last month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had advised the federal government to cut down its expenditure on petrol subsidy especially with regards to potential low global oil prices and the country’s diminishing revenue from oil.

The Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, last week expressed the corporation’s readiness to strategically put in place measures to alleviate the cost of crude oil production in Nigeria to create market for Nigeria’s crude.

Continued on page 24

FG Assures AfDB of Transparent Utilisation of Funds for Power Transmission Upgrade The federal government has promised that funds approved and released to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) by the African Development Bank (AfDB) for upgrade of the national grid will not be embezzled.

The Minister of State for Power, Mr. Goddy Jedy-Agba, gave the assurance to Acting Vice President, Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth Complex at the AfDB, Mr. Wale Shonibare when they both met recently in Abuja.

His assurance followed disclosure by Sonibare, that the board of the Bank had voted to

ENERGY fund the expansion of Nigeria’s power transmission system with $410 million.

Sonibare, explained at the meeting that with the $410 million expenditure plan, the bank will fund the Nigerian Transmission Expansion Project (NTEP) of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

According to a statement from the Ministry of State for Power, Jeddy-Agba, described electricity as the bedrock for sustainable development, adding that country’s would only make

meaningful economic progress with efficient electricity supply.

He said the federal government was taking bold steps and initiatives to improve the country’s power sector and would welcome supports from development partners.

The minister also stated that the government was willing to do more in partnering with the AfDB to grow the sector and provide electricity to Nigerians, adding that it was appreciative of its contributions so far in the sector.

Jeddy-Agba assured Sonibare and his visiting team that any money given to the sector would

be judiciously utilised and accounted for, adding that: “AfDB had been investing in the sector and they planned to invest more by increasing their funding in the development of power in the country.�

Sonibare, according to the statement stated that the bank was involved in the country’s power transmission sector as well as its renewable energy market.

He said that the $410 million will support the NTEP to provide 330 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines, adding that so far, up to $200 million has already been Continued on page 24

As a part of activities to mark this year’s International Women Day, Olam, one of the leading players in the Nigerian agricultural value chain, recently celebrated its female employees as well as female students of the Lagos State Progressive Junior Secondary School, Surulere, LagosState.TheManagingDirector,CrownFlourMillsLtd,asubsidiary of Olam, Mr. Anurag Shukla, described the female employees of the company as a very important part of the workforce whose contributions have been monumental. The company, whose products include ‘Supreme Lite Flour’, is an equal opportunities employer.

Shukla, expressed excitement that a lot of women occupy senior leadershippositionsinthecompany.Hefurtherpledgedthattheorganisation would continue to promote gender equality, adding that Olam would continue to make the environment more conducive for female employees.Addressing the students of the Lagos State Progressive Junior Secondary School, Surulere, the Category Head, Marketing, Crown Flour Mill Ltd, Mrs. Bola Adeniji, said women are now emerging as leaders in various spheres of life, adding that traditional barriers for girls are being challenged and girls are now gaining access to greater opportunities. Also speaking at the event, a Girl Coach and educator, Mrs.JulietKeshinro,tooktheaudiencethroughthejourneyofadvocacy for equality of girls. Inspiring the girls to believe that they can ascend to whatever heights they desire to attain; she reiterated the need for them to have a resolve to overcome all limitations and challenges in their way. Keshinro, further urged the girls to stay focused in school.

FirstBank CEO Bags Award

First Bank of Nigeria Limited and its Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan have respectively been awarded theA ‘ frican Bank of the Year’ and ‘African Banking Personality of the Year,’ 2019 at the eight African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Award dinner.

The event with the theme: ‘Africa for Africans – Exploring the Gains of a Connected Continent’, was recently held at Johannesburg, South Africa.According to a statement, the bank CEO was honoured in recognition of his contribution to the ďŹ nancial industry and Africa’s socio-economic development.Also, the statement disclosed that FirstBankwashonouredforitsroleindemonstratinghighperformance across various metrics, in terms of maintaining public trust, business integrity, corporate governance, ethical codes of conduct, excellent customer service and innovative banking products and oerings.

Adeduntan dedicated the awards to all his colleagues at First Bank of Nigeria Limited and FBNBank, its business footprints in over half a dozen countries across three continents, thus; FBNBank UK, FBNBank China, FBNBank Ghana, FBNBank DRC, FBNBank Senegal, FBNBank Sierra Leone, FBNBank Gambia and FBNBank Guinea, as with their commitment the Bank has continually reinvented itself, impacting and promoting ďŹ nancial activities, especially with its renowned leading digital banking services.

S’Africa’s Telkom Plan Job Cuts

South African telecoms ďŹ rmTelkom SA SOC, is proposing job cuts of up to 20 per cent of its sta.This is expected to cost the ďŹ rm about 1.5 billion rand ($92.50 million), which will have a negative impact on its 2020 ďŹ nancial year (FY) earnings. According to Reuters, in January, Telkom told unions it could cut up to 3,000 of more than 15,000 sta including voluntary redundancies, as part of a two phase restructuring to deal with the decline of its ďŹ xed voice and ďŹ xed data services because of a migration to mobile data. In the six-months to Sept.30, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) declined 4.3 per cent to ďŹ ve billion rand on an IAS 17 accounting basis and headline earnings per share, the main proďŹ t measure in South Africa, fell 44 per cent compared to a restated year-ago ďŹ gure. “The cash outow related to the restructuring process is expected in the ďŹ rst half of the new ďŹ nancial year. Available cash resources will be used to fund the restructuring process,â€? Telkom said in a statement. “This allows Telkom to remain within the current debt levels.â€?

SharesinTelkomplungedtoa6-1/2-yearlowaftertheannouncement.

It closed 16.93 per cent weaker at 19.43 rand despite a rebound on the broader market.

“The coronavirus effect of disruption on the economy has taught us one lesson and that lesson is diversification.

ES/CEO, Nigerian Shippers’ Council,

Mr. Hassan Bello

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BUSINESSWORLD PPPRA’S PETROL LANDING COST DROPS ON DECLINING OIL PRICES

He noted that due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Nigeria has about 50 cargoes of crude oil that have not found landing, adding that this implied that there are no off-takers for them for now due to drop in demand.

He said in the face of the Coronavirus global pandemic, countries like Saudi Arabia have given discount of $8 and Iraq $5 to their off-takers in some locations meaning that when crude oil sells at $30 per barrel, countries like Saudi Arabia is selling at $22 per barrel and Iraq selling their crude at $25 per barrel.

According to him, the oil price crash on Monday signified the importance of oil to the global economy. He added that oil price will continue to shape activities in the global economy. “We used to say when the financial sector collapses, everything collapse. But certainly, it is the other way round. When the oil market collapses, everything collapses. So oil is the only commodity that the beneficiaries panic when the price goes up,�

Kyari said.

FG ASSURES AFDB OF TRANSPARENT UTILISATION OF FUNDS FOR POWER TRANSMISSION UPGRADE approved by the board for the first phase of the project.

According to him, within the first phase, parts of Nigeria’s transmission system will be rehabilitated and upgraded to improve electricity distribution and supply. “AfDB is very active in the Nigerian power sector and we are ready to do more. The board has approved $200 million to the sector through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), to roll out Mini- Grids. We are also involved in Energising Education, a programme under which we are dedicating power systems to eight federal universities,� he said.

He further stated: “I understand that the agreement (for the NTEP) was signed last week and we expect the project to progress.

We are involved in the Jigawa power project, we have approved a grant of one million dollars to support the feasibility study for phase one and the studies are almost completed.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

Chinedu Eze (Aviation) Eromosele Abiodun (Maritime) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafor ((Energy) Reporters

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT)

NEWS

WEF Seeks Private Sector Partnership against COVID-19 Peter Uzoho In response to global emergency caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19), the World Economic Forum (WEF), acting as partner to the World Health Organisation (WHO), has launched the COVID Action Platform.

The platform was intended to catalyse private-sector support for the global public health response to COVID-19, and to do so at the scale and speed required to protect lives and livelihoods, aiming to find ways to help end the global emergency as soon as possible.

According to a statement, the COVID Action Platform would focus on three priorities: Galvanise the global business community for collective action; protect people’s livelihoods and facilitate business continuity, and mobilise cooperation and business support for the COVID-19 response.

A statement from WEF explained that, “The dramatic spread of COVID-19 has disrupted lives, livelihoods, communities and businesses worldwide. But the sum of many individual actions by stakeholders around the world will not add up to a sufficient response. Only coordinated action by business, combined with global, multi-stakeholder cooperation can mitigate the risk and impact of this unprecedented global health

emergency. “The COVID Action Platform is open to all global businesses and industry groups, as well as other stakeholders, including governments, that wish to team up with the private sector on their response.

The platform will operate a network where CEOs, organisational leaders and designated COVID-19 corporate responders can offer their help and team up on specific projects, launch

actions and keep each other informed of best practices.�

According to the Founder/ Executive Chairman, WEF, Klaus Schwab, “COVID-19 is causing health emergencies and economic disruptions that no single stakeholder can address.

Our best and only response to it should be to take concerted action. The COVID Action Platform is at the centre of our mission and we draw upon all our members and partners,

communities and capabilities to make it a success.�

On his part, the DirectorGeneral, WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said: “The private sector has an essential role to play in combating this public health crisis through their expertise, innovation and resources. “We call on companies and organizations around the world to make full use of this platform in support

of the global public health response to COVID-19.�

The COVID Action Platform was conceived after a World Economic Forum conference call with over 200 corporate leaders from all over the world. It is supported by WHO and the Wellcome Trust and is the first initiative of its kind, operating globally.

The Forum has established a special team to support the platform’s work.

STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIP

L-R: International Funding and Development Financial Institutions Officers, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Hakeem Ogunsola and Miss.

Adebanke Aderogba; Divisional Head,Treasury and International Banking, Mr. Gerald Ikem; Executive Director, Finance, Mrs.Yemisi Edun; Country Director, PROPARCO in Nigeria, Mr. Jean Guyonnet-Duperat, and Projects Manager, Mr. Rachid Orounla, during the signing of a partnership agreement on risk sharing between FCMB and PROPARCO (A France-based Development Financial Institution), in Lagos...recently

Firm to Fund Postgraduate Studies of Nigerians, Others in Oxford Chineme Okafor in Abuja Oil firm, Eni has announced a new Masters in Business Administration (MBA) scholarship program at the SaĂŻd Business School, University of Oxford, to strengthen the future of business leadership in Africa.

The new scholarship is reportedly in collaboration with SaĂŻd Business School and would have candidates in one of the African countries in which Eni operates.

A statement from SaĂŻd Business School indicated that Nigeria, Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Libya, Morocco, Mozambique, Republic of Congo, South Africa and Tunisia are beneficiary countries.

A statement signed by the Head of Media Relations at

Oxford SaĂŻd Business School, Jeevan Vasagar, on the development stated that there will be 10 new scholarships which will unlock the potentials of talented students from the beneficiary countries. “Oxford SaĂŻd leads the way in MBA recruitment from Africa, with 13 per cent of this year’s cohort coming from the continent, spanning 12 African countries. Out of the African MBA students at Oxford, 56 per cent are women. “The Eni-Oxford Africa Scholarship will cover MBA course fees, a living expenses stipend and one return air fare.

Two places will be available for the 2020-21 academic year, and the remaining eight places will be opened in subsequent years,� the statement explained.

Furthermore, it stated that Eni also announced support

for three Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) at Oxford SaĂŻd, the first of which will start in September 2021. It added that preference for these will be given to candidates with an African nationality. “There are around 200 million young people, aged between 15 and 24, in Africa. This makes it the world’s youngest continent, representing both a challenge and opportunity for policymakers. “The School’s aim is to help businesses grasp the opportunities of Africa’s favourable demographics by supporting the education of talented African students.

These students are able to make valuable pan-African and international connections while at Oxford,� it further explained.

The statement noted that Oxford SaĂŻd has embedded Africa-focused activities

into its MBA curriculum and co-curriculum, including case studies and Africa business electives, as well as hosting senior African government ministers and businesspeople.

It further explained that Eni was inspired by the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to contribute to its targets by focusing on youth employment, agriculture value chains and renewable energy and energy efficiency, particularly in Africa. “The company has supported postgraduate students since the introduction of its first scholarship in 1957.

Since then, it has granted scholarships to over 5000 young graduates from 111 different countries,� it stated.

The statement also quoted the Dean of the Said Business School, Peter Tufano, to have

justified the development saying that: “In a generation’s time, there is no doubt that Africa will play a central role in the global economy.

A swelling middle class will create new markets for consumer goods. Young people will seek skilled jobs.� “These goods and jobs will require businesses, and businesses need the leadership skills and networks that we provide. The Eni-Oxford Africa scholarship will strengthen and deepen our longstanding efforts to engage with Africa’s future business leaders. “We are delighted to collaborate with Eni on this exciting scholarship and thank them for their generous support. The experience and knowledge our African students bring to the cohort is part of what makes the Oxford MBA so unique,�

Tufano noted.

Group Decries Dearth of Finance, Technology Talents Emma Okonji The number of people that are proficient in finance and technologies is still dramatically low, needless to say that they are in high demand and command high salary, according to the organisers of 2020 Lagos Fintech Week.

According to them, skills such as blockchain, programming languages, JavaScript and Java Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Deep Learning, cybersecurity including soft skills such as communication

and creativity, were lacking in the industry.

The group was of the view that despite the breakthrough and large success recorded by fintech in redefining financial service, the fintech ecosystem still falls short of talents to grow the market for sustainability. “Across the globe, fintech has shaped banking operations with seamless and simple innovative solutions.

The disruption has helped to deepen the global financial inclusion and boost economic output. In Nigeria, the fintech

ecosystem has grown to become a leading network in Africa’s financial service industry through innovative solutions,� the group said in a statement.

Citing one of the research reports released by PwC, which stated that 77 per cent of the CEOs surveyed in a particular year, viewed skills shortages as business threats, the group said more research reports from other quarters have shown that the local educational systems are not providing the necessary skills to train students in

today’s AI-driven industries, as companies and countries are being confronted with significant talent shortages. “As fintech evolves in Nigeria, Africa and globally, and sets more sophisticated requirements for technology skills, many businesses lag behind due to the lack of talents and resources to bring their innovative ideas to life,� the group said.

According to them, “To bridge this gap, the organiser of 2020 Lagos Fintech Week has incorporated Fintech Talents Summit (FTS) into

the annual week-long event to build a high capacity talent-based for the fintech ecosystem.

Chairman of the organising committee of the 2020 Lagos Fintech Week, Dr. Yele Okeremi, said the Fintech Talents Summit remained the premier space for multidisciplinary stakeholders from the private sector, policy, academia/education, and innovation to come together to discuss the trends and solutions for the future of work and education in financial technology space.

25

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ͵˜ 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Growing Non-Oil Exports in Nigeria

MAKE WEALTH LAST

Grace Omenyo Agada

How to Create an Immortal Name Awolowo with some participants at the forum

Rebecca Garba

N

igeria has been a mono-economy for many years, relying solely on crude oil as her major source of revenue. Before now, agriculture and mining were the primary drivers of Nigeria’s economy, but these have been abandoned since the 70’s as a result of the discovery of oil. The resultant effect has been a decline in the nation’s economy leading to a recession that has left so many unemployed and living in abject poverty.

“Nigeria has run a mono-product economy for too long,” the ED/CEO of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Olusegun Awolowo said.

“We have been left vulnerable to oil price shocks, the latest of which we are seeing now with the outbreak of corona virus. Despite academics and policymakers alike knowing that economic, and in particular export diversification, is crucial to our sustainability, true diversification has alluded us,” he added.

Diversification of Nigeria’s economy is believed to be the only viable way to survive the current environment of global economic uncertainty with the volatility of oil price. It certainly presents the most competitive and strategic option for Nigeria in light of her current developmental challenges.

“We must diversify our economy now! And Non-oil Export is one major way to do so,” Awolowo stressed at the non-oil export conference and awards (NECA) organised by Policy Development Facility (PDF II), to mark her closing out after five years of providing targeted assistance to support Nigeria’s champions of change across the federal government to implement economic and social reforms.

The Chair, House Committee on Commerce and Investment, Hon. Olufemi Fakeye, who was also at the event, reiterated the importance of diversification, saying, “If our economy is not export-driven, then we are going to be in trouble!”

This consensus that Nigeria needs to diversify its exports away from crude oil in relation to its reality and the best way to achieve it, however, has remained a topic of hot debate.

Recommendations from the Overseas Development Institute’s (ODI) work: ‘Supporting Economic Transformation in Nigeria,’ suggests that using non-oil exports in a few selected sectors could have significant impact on economic growth.

MSMEs account for majority of firms and businesses in most countries, and for majority of jobs, yet most MSMEs (amongst which there are many potential exporters) are unable to participate competitively in the global trade value chain due to stifling challenges in the business environment. In addition, they are usually conspicuously missing in trade related policy debates despite their significant role in formal and informal cross-border trade, particularly non-oil export.

To effectively position Nigeria’s MSMEs for the global market, policy must address some ‘before the border’ and ‘beyond the border’ issues. However, the political economy of trade policy remains challenging with certain groups dominating the policy discourse and many other local voices unrepresented.

This is why PDF ll launched the Network of Practicing Non-oil Exporters of Nigeria (NPNEN) at its NECA event.

“NPNEN is a body set-up to ensure that the voices of non-oil exporters would continue to be heard in a sustainable manner,” the PDF II Programme Manager, Dr. Titilola Akindeinde said.

Furthermore, Awolowo referred to NPNEN as, “A powerful advocacy group that will help NEPC itself make demands to government on what we can do to help increase exports all over Nigeria.”

He added that NPNEN is “an extremely laudable initiative and I firmly support this private sector led platform to ensure there is a voice of the Nigerian exporter”.

During the Non-Oil Export Conference and Awards (NECA) event, government institutions, organised private sector, and relevant development partners were engaged in a non-oil exporters’ dialogues. These dialogues were engaged in two plenty sessions, where key strategies on growing non-oil Export business in Nigeria were thoroughly discussed.

The first plenary session was anchored by Bamidele, the Lead Consultant at 3T Impex Trade Academy, and focused on 2 major areas of intervention: Access to Finance and Access to Markets; while the second session discussed Trade Policy reforms.

This session was inchored by Nancy Illoh-Nnaji, the Executive Producer of ‘Moneyline with Nancy’, and headed by Fakeye, Commenting on the viable dialogue, Fakeye said, “It would be nice to have a communique out of today’s discussions which can be developed into policies. The various stakeholders here can play different roles to make that happen.” Hon. Olufemi Fakaye believes that this will ensure that private sector voices which have hitherto been under-represented (especially the MSMEs) become effectively engaged and contribute to economic policies.

Awolowo, thanked PDF ll and DFID for supporting the initiative to launch NPNEN. According to him, “We cannot have enough bodies in exporting, because it is key to diversifying Nigeria’s economy. My call is for increased productivity and production all across the sectors of Nigeria so we can really become an export-led economy.”

The event was concluded with an awards ceremony which was presented in 2 categories: 1. PDF II award for program support 2. PDF II award to outstanding Exporters and Export supporting institutions from 2016-2019 – SME (product), SME (Services), Government institutions, Financial institutions, Trade Academy, Export Marketing, Trade Associations.

The awardees were well congratulated by Akindeinde, who stressed that the awards are a representation of their exemplary work and ultimately to encourage them to do more, “recognising that the growth of Nigeria rests squarely on our shoulders.” she said.

It is hoped that the private sector organisations, relevant government agencies, trade associations, development partners, senate and national assembly, embassies and diplomatic community, along with other actors in the non-oil export value chain who attended the event and eagerly participated in the discourse will all play their critical roles of making change happen in their Non-oil Export space to ensure improved ease of doing business for MSMEs in global trade.

“Exporting and diversification away from oil has become not just a government agenda, but a priority and an imperative for this economy!”

Akindeinde added.

And with more MSMEs participating in export, it is certain that more jobs will be created, and livelihoods improved.

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Nwakwue: Challenging Times Require Out-of-the-box Thinking The Chairman of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Nigeria Council, Joseph Nwakwue, in this interview explains why the federal government must address the uncertainties in its oil and gas industry. He says the long years it has taken the country to craft the Petroleum Industry Bill will be wasted if the country does not sign it into law. Chineme Okafor brings the excerpts: In the last few days, we have seen the world’s oil market react badly to the Covid-19 epidemic as well as the price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia.

How does the SPE-Nigeria view this and do you think there will be a rebound?

The global economy was already slowing down before the outbreak of the coronavirus.

In a sense, the outbreak compounded and accelerated a pre-existing disease. I suspect that once we reign in the virus, the global economy will recover some, but I doubt it will get back to pre-Corona levels in the near term. This scenario has obvious implications for all of us. For SPE, it is yet an opportunity to continue to devise tools and technologies that will enable low cost and environmentally sustainable energy production to help fuel and grow our economies to higher levels.

We are also beginning to hear about fresh legislative attempts on the PIB, does this interest the SPE-Nigeria? What would you like to see happen in terms of reforms in the sector?

SPE has over the years made far-reaching recommendations on critical challenges facing our industry and has availed the relevant authorities of these recommendations. So, we expect those will be part of the reform package. Also, as the foremost and probably largest member-based assemblage of industry professionals in the sector, we will continue to engage and offer our advice on issues that will enhance industry growth and sustainability.

We await the legislative proposals and would certainly provide our inputs at the appropriate time. We see this as a duty to our industry, our country and our future.

The challenges of Covid-19 are quite overreaching; OPEC and its allies are seemingly unstable now. Could this lead to another global recession?

The global economy thrives on our ability to move people, goods and services across the world and this epidemic threatens that seriously.

US just banned flights from Europe excepting the UK. You can imagine the dislocation and economic impact this will have. Recession is defined as sustained negative growth over two consecutive quarters. So, yes, Covid-19 could push us into a recession depending on how long it takes to contain the epidemic. The longer it takes to contain, the more debilitating it is to the economic system. I hope we are able to quickly contain this scourge.

What do you make of the government’s gas policies, especially the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Program (NGFCP); is the country serious about gas? Are the objectives of the NGFCP realistic?

The NGFCP is a novel and feasible solution to a major problem for our industry, gas flaring. Flaring is not only wasteful with severe environmental consequences, but also undermines our license to operate. So SPE considers the NGFCP as a step in the right direction and will continue to support it.

Lots of effort has gone into increasing gas monetisation but results have been dismal. We think the opportunities in the gas sub-sector are enormous and can be unlocked with the right end-to-end commercial framework; issues around gas pricing, fiscal terms, infrastructure, market structure and payment assurance need to be resolved urgently to accelerate market development and value capture. I had once said to a colleague that whilst we have missed the “oil boat�, we can yet ensure we do not miss the “gas boat�. Boat in this sense means use of these resources as a launch-pad to an industrial economy.

Looking homewards, oil prices are falling below Nigeria’s 2020 budget benchmark while supplies are reportedly pretty low.

Is this country heading to a potential economic dilemma?

Nigeria has always been fiscally challenged for as long as I can remember. Nothing new there.

Maybe we have gotten used to living on the edge. Even if the budget targets are exceeded, does that really solve our problems? Yes, low prices place additional fiscal pressures, but it is important we all realise that we have been in tough and challenging economic situation for way too long.

But one will ask, how did the legislators set the benchmark? What guided their thinking?

We need to be making informed decisions anchored on data and not emotions.

So, yes, we are in economic stormy waters, have always been but has demonstrably lacked the will and capacity to make required hard and well-informed choices.

How would you define Nigeria’s economic policy priorities if oil prices continue to head downwards and its 2020 budget gets pummeled?

We really need to re-think how we manage our economy. Our policy priorities should not focus on the symptoms, though they matter‌ issues like funding of budgets, deficit levels, etc, but should focus more on the root causes.

We need to diversify the economy and I dare say we have the tools and resources to do that through oil and gas-based re-industrialisation.

This economy can hum again if we deliberately approach this with the right mind-set and reduce bureaucratic interference in the process. Where state participation is needed to de-risk the investments, it should be limited to minority equity holding. Imagine if we can attract and build two more LNG plants, five fertilizer plants, three petrochemical plants, five new power plants etc. Our fiscal and unemployment position will be much different.

Every crisis presents an opportunity for ingenuity, do you think this could be the time for Nigeria to get serious with needed

Nwakwue reforms in her energy sector; like, end the expensive petrol subsidy?

Challenging times require out-of-the-box thinking. My personal view around subsidy is that subsidies are good when they are properly targeted and applied within a certain timeframe with the clear objective to stimulate desired economic activity. Just like oxygen for a sick patient. If you have to keep administrating oxygen in perpetuity, then the question arises whether or not the patient should be allowed to rest. Our fuel subsidy regime in my humble opinion does not meet the criteria. What specific economic activity is it targeting to stimulate? What is the timeframe?

We must resist the allure of economic populism; N1.7 trillion spent in 2019 according

We need to diversify the economy and I dare say we have the tools and resources to do that through oil and gas-based reindustrialisation. This economy can hum again if we deliberately approach this with the right mind-set and reduce bureaucratic interference in the process

to the NBS (National Bureau of Statistics) could have been funded more productive endeavours.

That could fund any of the following; 5000 MW (megawatts) of power generation, two petrochemical plants, two industrial parks, then imagine if we did these in the past five years, we would have had a different country.

How would you even describe or evaluate the country’s petroleum sector reform priorities? Do the intended reforms measure up to global standards?

We still have not seen the current reform proposals but in general terms, we expect changes that will not only attract muchneeded investments, but balance investment rewards with risks, strengthen our license to operate by ensuring shared and inclusive prosperity with our host communities and emplace a better institutional and governance framework for better commercial and regulatory outcomes.

But is the PIB still relevant; how would it help grow Nigeria’s oil industry now if passed?

Relevant is probably not the most appropriate word. Once we signaled an intention to change the laws governing the industry, we injected significant uncertainty into the system which can only be addressed by making the changes.

Clearly, there are lots of changes that are long overdue and are required for sustainable growth of the sector. Practically, all stakeholders are unhappy with the present state of the industry.

We simply need to ensure that the proposed changes are well-thought out and properly implemented otherwise the 19-year old reform effort would have been in vain. If it took 19 years to craft these changes, they had better be good.

It is interesting how you have chosen to talk about assets’ acquisitions and divestments in the Nigeria’s oil industry during the forthcoming annual SPE-OLEF and this is despite the country’s reluctance to hold fresh bid rounds; why did you chose this, are you worried about the situation?

Yes, the industry is worried and rightly so.

The delays in carrying out a licensing round invariably means no new assets have been put in the market in about 13 years. This has huge implication not just for government who will not earn any revenues but the entire industry as it increases the barriers to entry.

This state of affairs, alongside other drivers has birthed a budding secondary market for assets. We think it’s about time to set clear guidelines - technical, commercial and regulatory - for this secondary asset market, hence, our decision to use our major policy platform - the Oloibri lectures - to bring all the players; policy, regulatory and commercial authorities, together to discuss this issue. We are hopeful that we will be able to influence and broker a win-win outcome.

Within the comity of oil producers, how competitive is Nigeria in the last ďŹ ve years?

The uncertainty occasioned by the delay in PIB has been a huge blow to our competitive position. It is clear as reserves and output has stagnated, and investment levels have dropped to record lows. It has really been a wait-and-see situation. The industry does a better job with geologic and project development uncertainties than with fiscal uncertainty. Nigeria must act to ensure clarity and reduce the uncertainty so we can get on with our business.

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Who is Afraid of Cargo Tracking Note?

Francis Ugwoke The ugly scenario in the nation’s maritime industry leaves much to be desired. To some extent, it would appear like a survival of the fittest. The fraudulent practices involve all layers of shipping, from the point of purchases and loading to the port of destination. If you are in the system, it cuts across board, from the providers of shipping services to the consumers.

The culprits are the shipping lines/ agents, shippers (importers) – their agents, unscrupulous customs officers and others. The target has always been to maximize profit, and the only way to achieve this is through under-declaration, concealment and under-invoicing. Many stakeholders had said that government can generate as much as N7 trillion annually from the maritime industry if the potentials of the sector are developed and the loopholes through which revenue is lost closed. This cannot be far from the truth, but achieving this remains a big task with all sorts of fraud in the ports.

Previous administrations had made efforts by introducing a number of reforms without success.

The current scenario in the nation’s ports is that there is more corruption in the system than ever before. It does not matter that the current Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Rtd Col Hammed Ali had threatened to jail and sack officers found to be involved in fraudulent practices. It does not also matter that the Customs is smiling to the banks, meeting its revenue targets, surpassing that of last year. Surprisingly, despite surpassing its targets, the Customs seized goods which Duty Paid Value (DPV) was put at close to N100billion.

A visit to the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Ikeja is an eye-saw of the fraud in the system where hundreds of billions of goods have been seized and detained. Interestingly, importers and agents who have long legs can still get them released, perhaps after some level of settlement.

The question is how much revenue did the Service generate as at six years ago when the value of Naira was N160 per dollar. It was about a N1trillion.

But that is by the way, the worry now is that some government agencies, particularly some customs officers are not seen as ready to change from being collaborators in import duty fraud.

Agencies of government, including the Police, SON, NAFDAC, among others are not left out.

The result is that it is the national economy that is losing. Few weeks ago, an Assistant Inspector General, (AIG) Marine Command, Muhammad Uba Kura, who is very conversant with what happens at the ports was full of lamentation. Kura opined that the problem requires a strong technology as is the case in advanced countries and most African states.

He recommended the introduction of Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) which according to him has the potential to address issues on criminal activities in the nation’s ports. He was point blank that CTN was capable of curbing activities of those whose intention was to commit criminal acts in many ways.

How Revenue is Lost at Ports Once an importer orders his goods, he simply waits earnestly to take delivery at the port of destination. Except in very few cases, most imports often have issues at the point of clearance. Such issues include under-declaration, concealment and under-invoicing. This problem is usually detected by customs officers and other security agencies during examination. What most importers do is to settle the matter with the agents by offering as much as required to be free. The main settlement goes to some officers in customs investigation units (CIUs) who raise Demand/Debit Notes (DN) for the importers after negotiation.

The importer will still have to settle some other customs officers such as the operatives of the Federal Operations Unit (FOUs) or Comptroller General’s Strike Force either within the ports or on the road. If he fails to do this, his consignment will be seized. So many consignments running into hundreds of billions of Naira investments belonging to importers who probably were not properly advised on what to do had been lost as a result. Billions of Naira revenue is equally lost on regular

Ali basis due to the arrangement between some importers and customs officers. Perhaps, worse still is the fact that even contraband could be cleared at the ports with the right connection and cash. This could be part of the reason for the proliferation of arms and ammunition in many parts of the country and now used freely by either kidnappers, terrorists and other bandits. One other way in which importers try to cheat government is also through under-invoicing. In this case, if the value of a particular consignment is N20m for instance, a fraudulent importer can simply get his supplier to issue receipt for N5million since the duty payable is based on the value of the imports. He does this through the connivance of government agencies, needless to say the Customs.

How ship-owners defraud government The charges paid to the authorities by ships calling at the nation’s seaports depend on the gross tonnage (GT) of vessels. But most times, this is manipulated by the shipowners and their agents to pay less. The manipulation is done in connivance with personnel of Nigerian authorities who receive their settlement in hard currencies.

How CTN Can Check Fraud at Ports Corrupt practices in the ports have over the years defied solution since many are beneficiaries, including those who claim to

Corrupt practices in the ports have over the years deďŹ ed solution since many are beneďŹ ciaries, including those who claim to be crying out loud. Recently, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders apparently angered by the level of corruption in the ports moved to address the issue once again

be crying out loud. Recently, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) apparently angered by the level of corruption in the ports moved to address the issue once again. It was not the first time its leaders complained about corruption and high level fraud at the ports. The association inaugurated a compliance team to check corruption in the ports. Vice President of the association, Western Zone, Tanko Ibrahim said the association wants to partner with the federal government to ensure that corrupt practices in the ports are stamped out.

He told members at a meeting, “We would start from our importers, every importer should do 100 per cent declaration. Secondly, we the freight forwarders, it is our duty to ensure that all our cargo has been examined by the Customs Service. We are tired of being slaves to government agencies. Today, shipping companies and terminal operators, we are just like their slaves, we are tired of this. We have agreed now and we are ready to comply�. Just as NAGAFF was about carrying out its compliance at the ports, the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) halted the move, saying it should wait for now. The freight forwarding regulatory agency instead announced its own measures to reform the freight forwarding industry for improved trade facilitation.

Chairman of the Council, Alhaji Abubakar Tsanni, directed NAGAFF to hold on with the activities of its Compliance Committee, while promising to set standard for best of practices to foster industry discipline and harmony. But observers believe that while the efforts of NAGAFF and CRFFN may be good intentions, it would still not stamp out fraudulent cases at the ports.

This is considering that what happens in the ports is a clear case of connivance between the importers, agents and customs officers, among others in the system. The saying has always been that when you fight corruption, it will in turn fight you back. Just recently, a member of NAGAFF, Mr Segun Musa, claimed that CTN plays no significant role in shipping other than to add to cost. This position however did not take into consideration the many benefits of the technology. His argument is that with the presence of such agencies like the police, Department for State Security (DSS), NAFDAC, SON and others in the ports, there will be no need for CTN. Musa appeared to have distanced himself from the lamentations of his fellow freight forwarders, even his own association, importers and other Nigerians over fraudulent practices at the ports

in the presence of the agencies he mentioned.

Key industry stakeholders believe that the deployment of CTN technology as pointed out by the Police AIG remains imperative.

CTN which is also referred to Bordereau de Suivi Cargaison (BSC) or Loading Certificate in global ports is a compendium of information on the cargo being conveyed by any ship. In some advanced countries, CTN is requested for clearance of goods with the number provided to the ocean carrier at the port of loading for an addition in the manifest and Bill of Lading.

In these countries any cargo shipment must be accompanied with CTN before departure by an approved agent. It is used in more than 20 countries, and became popular after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack in the USA. For advanced countries, it is needed for safety and security and in accordance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Among the countries using CTN include European Union, Asia, the Middle East and the United States. African countries, including Angola, Benin Republic, Togo, Senegal, Niger, Burkina Faso, Camaeroun are not left out. Others are Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Republic of Chad, Guinea Conakry, Libya, Central African Republic, Congo, Burundi, Equitorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea Bissau.

Nigeria had in 2010 introduced CTN through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) but this was later suspended by the government as stakeholders complained of lack of public enlightenment and consultations. Government later directed the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) to handle the project leading to its reintroduction in 2015 but was later suspended again owing to unresolved technical hitches.

Since then, the ports economic regulator in synergy with other agencies has been making frantic efforts and industry consultations to ensure that once given a go ahead, CTN will come back in grand style to address issues of security, safety and fraudulent practices in respect of goods coming into Nigeria.

Target of CTN A maritime lawyer, technocrat and Director of Education and Research in the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Mr. Alban Igwe said CTN remains the best answer to issues of anomalies and security challenges in the country. Igwe explained that this was because CTN will improve the security and safety of supply chain as it will profile cargoes being imported into the country. “It will help us know the origin and destination of cargoes and help us know our enemies. Our enemies may be far away and stockpiling, with the CTN we are able to fish out these anomalies.�, he was quoted saying.

One of the problems that CTN will address is a situation in which importers under-invoice their goods from the suppliers at the point of purchases to pay less duties. Similarly, CTN will check the trend in which manifests are not tampered with by ships for the purpose of cheating on GT. The Executive Secretary, NSC, Mr Hassan Bello, whose Council is to handle CTN describes it as “another instrument that will add tremendously in shipping development�.

According to Bello, “It will boost the revenue of the government in customs revenue collection in the sense that it will abate under – declaration and concealment. It will boost the revenue of NPA because there will be no more alteration of the manifests. It will boost the revenue of NIMASA because under – declaration on the weight of ships will not be there any longer.

But most important is that the beauty of it is that CTN is a veritable source of data. You will know everything that is coming into your country. We have had many African countries having this because it is the initiation of Union of African Shippers Council (UASC). Cameroun, Niger that is even land – locked and many other countries have Cargo Tracking Note.

So, you got to know what is coming to your country. It is a security document because, if you knew, there will not be proliferation of firearms�. The question that has remained in the lips of some stakeholders is: If CTN could do so much for the country, including security and economic benefits, who are those who do not want it in Nigeria? Is their opposition genuine or just for the ills in the system to continue?

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍľ, 2020

Photo Editor ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ ÔËÖË Email Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜Ë›Ă‹Ă”Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĚśĂžĂ’Ă“Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ù×

R-L; President Muhammadu Buhari and the new President of Guinea Bissau, H.E Umaro Sissoco Embalo during the visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja...recently PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

L-R: Member Representing Nembe Constituency 1, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Ben Ololo; Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri; and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Hon. (Mrs.) Remi Kuku, during a meeting with the Nembe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Leaders, at Government House, Yenagoa‌ recently

Members of Nigeria Institute of Builders (NIOB), Enugu State during a campaign against building collapse in Enugu....recently

L-R: Chairman Great Achievers Cooperative Society and beneďŹ ciary of the smoking kiln, Charles Akinboboye; Program Manager, Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA), Dr. Olalekan Pereira Sheteolu; Executive Director British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), Abimbola Okoya; Lagos State Director of Agricultural Services, Mrs Ayoade Abiola, and another beneďŹ ciary, Ajayi Olalekan, during the donation of smoking kiln to beneďŹ ciaries at the grand ďŹ nale of the 3-day capacity building workshop on production and processing of catďŹ sh at LASDA oďŹƒce, Agege, Lagos... recently

L-R: Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu presenting the overall winner Trophy won by PAN Nig Ltd, during the three days Argungu Motor Rally to Head of Marketing, PAN Nig, Joseph Adesanya at the grand ďŹ nale of Argungu Fishing Festival in Argungu, Kebbi State...recently Saturday

L-R: APC chairman, Ilorin west, Sulaimon Tejidini; Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; Adewole Ward Secretary, Idowu Imam; and Youth leader Adewole Ward, Salman Mashood; during Adewole APC Ward meeting with the governor in llorin...recently

L-R: Special Adviser to the Hon.Minister, Project Performance Monitoring, Mrs Adenike Giwa; Director Highways,Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr. Oluyemi Oguntominiyi; Managing Director of RCC Nigeria Ltd, Engr.

Nabeel Elsawi; Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola,SAN; Minister of State in the Ministry, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu and others during the inspection of the Loko Oweto Bridge across River Benue in Loko, Nasarawa State and Oweto in Benue State...recently

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L-R: Chairman, Advisory Board, 17 Goals Africa, Mrs. Joke Silva; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Special Adviser to the Governor on SDGs & Lagos Global, Mrs Solape Hammond and Special Adviser, oďŹƒce of Civic Engagement, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, during the presentation of the 2020 Global Goals Women World Cup Ball to the Governor at Lagos House, Marina...recently

President Muhammadu Buhari and Deputy Senate President Senator Ovie Omo-Agege during a close door meeting at the State House, Abuja...recently PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

L-R: AG. Managing Director, 9mobile, Stephane Beuvelet; Director Network Operations, Abdulmutallib Mohammed; Director, Sales, Oluwatosin Olulana and AG. Director, Marketing, Olayiwola Onafowokan, at the 9mobile Channel Partner Conference 2020 held in Lagos...recently

L-R: Guest Speaker, Dr Lydia Laleye; Ibadan Centre Manager, National Teachers Institute, Dr Ronke Ojo; Oyo State Coordinator, Dr Abosede Oyinlola and External Moderator, Dr Oye Oyelami at the valedictory programme of the school in Ibadan...recently

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; representative of Minister of Youth and Sport /Co-ordinator, South West Zone 1, Mr. Femi Ajao and the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Segun Dawodu, during the presentation of the National Sport Festival Edo 2020 Unity Torch to the Governor, at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja...recently

L-R: Founder/Chairman, IAL Nigeria Ltd, Alhaji Ismail Adetola Lawal; Group Executive Vice Chairman, SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi; Great former head teacher, Command Children School/Chairman, CPEF Projects Expansion Committee, Grand Ma, Essie Florence Ibijoke Kukoyi; CPEF Cofounder/Programmes Coordinator, Oluwole David; and CPEF Cofounder/Executive Secretary, Bright Echendu at the installation ceremony of Afolabi as the Grand Patron of City Profs Educational Foundation held in Lagos...recently

L-R: Former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani; Managing Drector AG Vision, Mr. Elie Abon Ohozole; Governor District 9125 Dr. Victor Onukwugha and Polio international Ambassador, Sir Emeka Oor; during the ground breaking ceremony of Sir Emeka Oor Rotary center District 9125, in Abuja...recently PHOTO: KINGSLY ADEBOYE

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2020

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT Stakeholders in Building Industry Must Promote Competence, Says NIOB Ȋ March 13 now Builders’ Day

Bennett Oghifo

T

he Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has urged stakeholders in the building industry to ensure that only competent people are engaged in construction.

The National President of NIOB, Bldr. Kunle Awobodu stated this during activities to mark the maiden Builders’ Day in Lagos. Similar activities took place in all states of the federation and in the Federal Capital Territory.

Builders’ Day will now hold on March 13 of every year, Awobodu said, adding that manufacturers of building materials, building artisans and professionals must embrace the culture of doing it right.

He said any nation bereft of Building codes is vulnerable to inappropriate building construction.

“Stakeholders in the Nigerian built environment have, for long, been orchestrating the need for building construction in

Nigeria to be guided by the National Building Code.

“The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN is enjoined not to relent in his efforts at overcoming the stumbling blocks that have been delaying the use of the National Building Code in Nigeria.”

The Executive, Legislative and Judiciary arms of the federal and state governments, he said should endeavor, without further delay, to make the National Building Code operational in every locality of the federation.

Awobodu urged the government to ensure the construction of buildings to standard in the country. “Frequent building failure in a nation due, majorly, to quackery is an abnormality that should not be allowed to continue in a sane society where the rule of law prevails.”

He said to forestall poor production of buildings on sites, the federal government took some proactive measures by enacting into law the Builders’

Act through Decree 45 of 1989, now CAP 13 LFN 2004.

The essence of the Act is to ensure that trained and licensed builders solely manage production of buildings on sites in order to ascertain quality output, he said.

To ensure that adequate trainings are provided for the would-be professional builders, the government approved the establishment of building departments in 27 Universities and 56 Polytechnics in Nigeria.

Intensive training in Building Technology, he said involves knowledge acquisition in various aspects of building, spanning from Foundation to Roofing, he said.

Certain periods during their academic training, students of Building undergo SIWES under the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) scheme to acquire practical knowledge on building sites.

At the inception of the one year mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), many building graduates are

usually posted to construction companies to initiate them into full time building production management.

After the NYSC, the building graduates proceed to professional cadres for various stages of examinations and mentoring in the Nigerian Institute of

Building.

Once their competence has been ascertained with the Performance Index while working on building sites and gaining required experience, the corporate members of the NIOB undergo stringent interview with the government

regulatory body, Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON).

Those who succeed in this practical-oriented interview become Registered Builders that are licensed by CORBON to manage building production on sites.

L-R: Chairman, College of Fellows, Bldr. (Mrs.) Abolanle Araba; Oba (Bldr.) Asunmo Ganiyu Aderibigbe; Mr. Femi Falana, SAN; NIOB President, Bldr. Kunle Awobodu, FNiOB; Bldr. Siraj Bokinni, Lagos State Chapter Chairman, Bldr. Sunday Wusu; Bldr; and (Prof.) Martins Dada, at the maiden Builders’ Day celebration in Lagos… recently

Climate Change: Military Experts Predict Greater Threat to Global Security by 2030 Bennett Oghifo The International Military Council on Climate and Security (IMCCS) has said in a survey report that forced displacement and scale of natural disasters is likely to increase by 2040.

The survey report produced by a group of international security and military professionals was published recently by the Centre of Science and Environment (CSE), a public interest research and advocacy organisation based in New Delhi, India. It states that the impact of climate change on water will increase the risk to global security in the next decade.

The IMCCS administered a survey in December 2019

to assess the perceptions of climate security risks among 56 security and military experts and practitioners from across the globe, CSE said in a statement.

“The perception analysis was published in a World Climate and Security report, which claimed to be first of its kind.

“According to the report, 93 per cent military experts perceived climate change effects on water security would present significant or higher risks to global security by 2030. About 91 per cent perceived those risks would turn severe or catastrophic by 2040.”

Conflict, migration to pressure military Most respondents perceived that forced displacement and

scale of natural disasters would increase by 2040, according to the report. As a result, they projected conflicts within nations to increase. Over 94 per cent respondents feared risk of food security rose due to climate change.

The report highlighted perceptions of regional and inter-state tension escalation. At least 86 per cent experts perceived climate change effects on conflict within nations to present a significant or higher risk to global security by 2040.

The report presented a contemporary overview of global and regional climate and security risks across regions classified as: Africa, the Arctic, Europe, Indo-Asia Pacific, Middle East, North America, South

and Central America and the Caribbean.

Even low-warming scenarios would face severe security risks in the next thirty years, the United States National Security, Military and Intelligence Panel of the Center for Climate and Security warned. It added that higher-warming levels could lead to catastrophic and irreversible global security risks.

The report noted that a spike in natural disasters and migration owing to climate change would demand significant military and humanitarian intervention.

Extreme weather impact According to the report, military experts believed extreme weather events impacted military infrastructure.

In times when countries are struggling with natural disasters, increased political instability and mass displacements could aggravate risk to global security, the report observed.

The IMCCS report talked about Uganda, which sought army support when desert locusts spread across east Africa.

In Nigeria, many suffered due to pastoral conflict between herders and farmers between 2016 and 2018.

About 268 million pastoralists in Africa — one-fourth the population — lived on 43 per cent of the continent’s total land mass. However, inadequate policies on climate change increased land-related conflicts.

According to the report, respondents noted that

‘fragile’ states could be twice as burdened due to recurring droughts, floods, etc. Even politically stable countries with underlying and underreported climate vulnerabilities were facing significant or higher security risks.

Proactive approach needed The report highlighted security practices incorporated by countries such as Australia, NewZealand and the United States in their defence strategy.

For instance, Australia Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, recognised climate change as a ‘threat multiplier’ and ‘burden multiplier’. More than 6,400 defence troops were called out to assist in firefighting efforts during recent bushfires.

Haven Homes Partners Seso Global Warri, Environs Environmental Challenges in new Estate launch Man Made – Macaulay Fadekemi Ajakaiye Haven Homes, a real estate developer, has partnered with Seso Global, a property sales and marketing company for the launch of the second phase of Richmond Pearl Estate; with popular musician and entertainer, Falz, billed as special guest at the launch.

Chief Executive Officer of Haven Homes, Tayo Sonuga said with Phase One of the estate sold out, the firm has already seen good uptake for the second phase.

“We are looking forward to showing the quality of our products to a wider audience during this launch on March 28 from 12 till 5pm and believe we offer something unique to

Lagos,” he said. “The event held at Richmond Gate is designed to showcase this and give the opportunity for families to tour the homes.”

Located in Lekki, the new phase of the project introduces 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes to meet increased demand at the fully serviced estate, which includes a club house, swimming pool and tennis court.

“This is an exciting time for Haven Homes and we are looking forward to the open day,” said Daniel Bloch, CEO of Seso Global. “Working with such a trusted developer is important to us; and we believe the special open day price provides great value for those wishing to live in a dream development.”

According to Mr. Sonuga,

Heineken and Rite Foods have also partnered with the developers to provide refreshments to participants at the launch.

Haven Homes began back in 2006 with its first development and has quickly established itself as a developer of quality homes within a serviced and ordered estate. Phase 1 of Richmond Pearl Estate is fully completed with phase 2 construction well underway.

Seso Global entered the Nigerian real estate space in 2018, utilising blockchain technology to unlock increased value in the real estate industry. Its online marketplace is a leading real estate and property listing website with private, commercial property and houses in Nigeria for rent and for sale.

Sylvester Idowu in Warri The Director General of the Warri/Uvwie and Environs Special Area Development Agency, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay, has affirmed that the plan by the state government to develop Warri, Uvwie and environs is beyond the master drainage project.

Macaulay, who stated this when he met with members of the Ekpan Development Committee in Warri, said the mandate of the Agency encompassed an integrated development of the entire area, noting that the mandate of the Agency was not limited to Warri and Effurrun as it also extended to some parts of Udu,

Okpe and Ughelli-south.

He lamented that most of the environmental challenges were self-inflicted, pointing out that the Agency was doing everything possible to justify the purpose for which it was established, which he said was to give the cities of Warri/Uvwie and environs a face-lift.

The Director General decried the habit of dumping refuse indiscriminately by residents of the cities, describing as painful the continued dumping of waste in unauthorised places even after they had been evacuated by the Agency. .

Macaulay called on the Ekpan Development Committee to assist the Agency in educat-

ing the people on the need to maintain a clean environment, and appealed to them to join hands with the Agency to keep the environment clean.

He assured the people of Ekpan that the Agency would carry them along in the scheme of things.

The Chairman of Ekpan Development Committee, Mr. Innocent Adjenughure, thanked the DG for educating the community on its role in ensuring a clean environment.

Adjenughure promised that the people would be sensitized to stop open defecation and littering of the environment, and to ensure that government laws and regulations were enforced in the community.

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2020

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT

Study: Global Methane Emissions Would Rise by 30% Until 2050 Without Mitigation Bennett Oghifo

G

lobal emissions of methane, a major Greenhouse Gas (GHG) would increase by 30 per cent until 2050 if measures to control them are not taken, a new study has said.

The study, published by Down to Earth magazine, added that while it would technically be possible to remove about 38 per cent of these emissions by implementing available mitigation technology, nevertheless, a significant amount of methane would still be released between 2020 and 2050.

This would make it impossible for the world to stay below 1.5 degrees celsius warming, the study, conducted by international scientific institute, The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), said.

The researchers, who conducted the study, also found that emissions had registered a major increase after 2010.

They explained this as being caused due to increased methane emissions from shale gas production in North America, increased coal mining in Indonesia and Australia, increased generation of waste and wastewater from growing populations, as well as economic development in Asia and Africa.

In addition, there has been a small but steady increase in emissions from beef and dairy production in Latin America and Africa, according to the researchers.

Mitigation efforts Between 30 per cent and 50 per cent of future global emissions could still be removed at a cost below 50 €/t CO2eq, the study said, by using what it termed ‘technical abatement potentials’.

The researchers called for a phase-down of fossil fuels to achieve this.

Since technical abatement potentials were particularly limited in agriculture, the researchers called for non-

technical measures such as behavioural changes to reduce dairy and meat consumption.

Other such measures included institutional and socioeconomic reforms to address smallholder livestock herding as a means of risk management in Africa and Southeast Asia.

“There is no one-size fits all solution for the whole world,” study lead author Lena Höglund-Isaksson was quoted as saying in a press statement.

For instance, she said, in West Asia and Africa, oil production was a major contributor to methane emissions with relatively extensive potentials for emission reductions at low cost.

In Europe and Latin America, dairy and beef production were the main sources with relatively limited technical mitigation potentials, while in North America, emissions from shale gas extraction could significantly contain emissions at a low cost.

“Our study illustrates just how important it is to have

a regional-and sector-specific approach to mitigation strategies,” Höglund-Isaksson said.

The study, titled Techni-

cal potentials and costs for reducing global anthropogenic methane emissions in the 2050 timeframe –results from the

GAINS model, was published on February 27, 2020, in the journal Environmental Research Communications.

L-R: Julius Berger Region West (Ogbere Commercial) Viktoria Denysenko, Project Coordinator, Engineer Adegbenga Osunlana, His Royal Majesty, Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona, head of delegation and Regional Manager, Region West of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Alexander Bauer at a courtesy visit to the Awujale’s Palace during Julius Berger’s CSR work in Ijebu land… recently

Afrique Holdings Calls for Increased Investment in Agbara Estates Sunday Okobi The management of Afrique Holdings has called for increased investments in the

estate as part of efforts to drive commercialisation and growth.

According to a statement made available to THISDAY by the Group Executive Di-

rector of the company, Mrs. Nibukun Lawson, despite being one of the oldest real estate companies in the country, Afrique Holdings is Nigeria’s

ODF Nigeria: Lessons from India Everybody defecates and very few people ponder where the excreta go. Most people wipe or wash or do both and walk away never looking back. Those who do it in the open pick new spots from time to time. The fundamental question that should bother everyone is where the sewage goes and where does the drinking water come from? Can they mix? Do they mix? This is what excreta management in the context of open defecation is all about.

This is why it is important for the federal government to lead the campaign for open defecation-free Nigeria by containing the micro units of faeces finding their way back to the dining table. Nigeria must learn from India. Writes Bennett Oghifo Like India, Nigeria has vast lands and a huge population that is put at close to 200 million people. Everyone either squats or sits to do their business, most times oblivious of where the waste left behind goes. Only those who engage in open defecation are compelled to choose different spots to avoid stepping on fresh ones until it is safe to return to a previous spot after the waste biodegrades.

This unsafe open defecation is practiced by 50 per cent of Nigerians, according to official data. In a 2016 document, ‘Making Nigeria Open-DefecationFree By 2025: A National Road Map’, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources says, “Nigeria is among the nations in the world with the highest number of people practicing open defecation, estimated at over 46 million people. The practice has had a negative effect on the populace, especially children, in the areas of health and education and had contributed to the country’s failure to meet the MDG target.”

The Roadmap, developed with support from UNICEF, ought to provide a guide towards achieving an open defecation free country, using different approaches such as “capacity development; promotion of improved technology options through sanitation marketing; provision of sanitation facilities in public places; Community-Led Total Sanitation; promotional and media campaigns; creating enabling environment and coordination mechanism.”

According to UNICEF, “Achieving an ODF Nigeria would require constructing nearly 20 million household toilets and 43,000 toilets in schools, health centres and public places requiring an average annual investment of about N100 billion (approximately 75% household investment; 25% government contribution).”

Open defecation brings with it significant health risks, like avoidable deaths from diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid, as well as insecurity issues, particularly for

women and girls who become rape victims because they can only do their business in the dark.

Eradicating open defecation is thus an onerous task that must be marched with adequate funding and unequivocal commitment, as did the government of India in October 2014 up to October 2, 2019 when it declared India open defecation free.

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a leading New Delhi (India) - based research and advocacy body, said it has been working to highlight issues, concerns and practices related to rural sanitation in India and Africa.

In January, this year, CSE organised an Exposure Visitcum-Briefing Tour to India for journalists in Africa, “to understand the linkages that exist between environmental issues (such as sanitation) of the two regions and their communities; to witness and know about best practices; and to share reporting experiences with Indian counterparts.”

pioneer mixed-used industrial, commercial and residential real estate developer with focus on growth and development in the sector.

She also noted that the estate is host to around 40 operational manufacturing factories, including international conglomerates such as Unilever, Nestle, Reckitt Benckiser and GlaxoSmithkline, and local companies like Beta Glass and Pharma-Deko.

She added that the estate is well situated to be easily accessible both from Lagos and the neighbouring West

African countries.

Lawson in the statement further noted that Agbara estates was designed and planned to allow industrial, commercial and residential developments could co-exist.

According to her, “The size, strategic geographical location, intersection by two major federal high ways, and the existing infrastructure on the estate, including newly refurbished internal roads, street lighting, connection to shell Gas pipeline and PHCN, as well as an upcoming Inde-

pendent power project give it an invulnerable advantage.”

Also, the Managing Director of Agbara Estates Limited, Nadhan Ramachandran, in the statement hinted that amenities in the estate, such as the recently upgraded security, garbage disposal, central sewage treatment, street cleaning, bonded warehousing and other industrial/commercial facilities, were being managed by the on-site Agbara estates property services, “where a new operations manager has been recently appointed.”

FG Partners Building Professionals on Safety Fadekemi Ajakaiyei As part of efforts to guarantee the safety of Nigerians and the need to arrest the spate of building collapse in the country, the Federal Government has said it is collaborating with building professionals to uphold standard in the building industry.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola disclosed this during a meeting with the leaders of the Nigerian Institute of Building in his Office in Abuja.

“The safety of all Nigerians is key to the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration and so we are not leaving any stone unturned to achieve this,” the Minister said.

“As a Ministry that is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring internal security in Nigeria, our goal is to partner with relevant professional bodies and organisations to achieve our mandate,” he added.

Earlier, the National President of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Builder Kunle Awobodu hinted that NIOB had earmarked 13th of March as BUILDERS’ DAY. It was the day a five- storey building collapsed at No 63, Massey

Street on the Lagos Island, killing over 20 people, who were mostly school children.

That sad and painful incident caused by substandard building construction, which has become a common practice in Nigeria should be a reminder to stakeholders in the building industry on the fatal implications of noncompliance with appropriate building construction process.

According to Awobodu, the Builders’ Day, which should be an annual event would commence this year 2020. It would be a nation-wide sensitisation campaign against substandard building construction.

The NIOB thereby sought for the support of the Ministry of Interior to realise this objective.

Aregbesola, postulating the philosophy of placing prevention above damage control or medicine after death, added that his Ministry would collaborate with the NIOB to train artisans in building and also to ensure standardisation of all materials being used in building construction so as to avert the frequent incident of building collapse across the country, which he said had claimed the lives of many Nigerians.

Ogbeni Aregbesola enjoined

the Institute to help provide building skills at the correctional centres where inmates could be engaged in more productive activities, as well as generating income for themselves and the country.

The minister further said, “Among the causes of massive unemployment and insecurity in Nigeria is the failure of people to recognise key primary service providers such as the building artisans, so we are addressing this trend as part of our efforts at removing all threats to the security of lives and property of the citizenry,” He called for training and retraining of artisans in the various fields towards national development.

Considering the pragmatic approach to solving building collapse, the Minister commended Lagos State Government on its new building regulations that have assigned Professional Builders the responsibility of managing construction work at all building sites in the state. A compromise on professionalism has caused the nation losses.

Such building regulations if made national should help the nation reduce the perennial crisis of building collapse.

32

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍľËœ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Trade Unions Urged to Key into CBN Development Finance Initiatives Okon Bassey Ă“Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™ The Vice President of the Industrial Global Union, Mr. Issa Aremu, has advised various labour unions across the country to key into the development finance initiatives being promoted by the Central Bank of Nigerian (CBN) across the country. He made the call at a one-day interactive session with labour leaders and other stakeholders in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, while speaking on the 5-year policy trust of the CBN titled: “Promoting Sustainable Economic Development.â€?

Aremu, one of the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) insisted that promoting development finance, targeted intervention in agriculture, reviving the textile Industry were central to the concern of the trade union movement.

According to him, the vision of CBN under the leadership of Godwin Emefiele showed that the CBN had seen ahead, some of the challenges facing the country.

He noted that the Coronavirus

(CONVID-19) now affecting the global economy was a signal for Nigeria to diversify the economy, in line with the focus of the CBN Governor. “Everybody is talking about China. China has virtually shut down production. The lesson of this is that, we should return to the vision of CBN that has always been saying it is time for us to compliment monetary policy with active development financing that will promote domestic production. “With what is happening now with Coronavirus, countries are now running up and down to see how they can survive. “We must begin to look inward because if you want to import from China, it’s not possible because China has closed down most of her production, supply chain has really gone down. “So instead of importing tooth picks, tomatoes, we must use our own local technology, because we are living at very difficult time. Schools have shut down in France, Italy, Spain, and basically all the basic food stuffs have

disappeared in Switzerland.�

The unionist added: “Emefiele looks like the man who saw tomorrow. Others must complement this effort. Nigeria must produce what we consume and consume what we produce. “The vision of president Buhari to create 10 million jobs can only be possible if we diversify our economy. What CBN has done is to restrict foreign exchange to finance.�

Also speaking, the Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Mr. Isaac Okorafor said the CBN had been going round telling labour, “what we are doing and labour telling us what we should do.�

He added: “In 2014, Emefiele was sworn in as CBN Governor and he made a statement that the welfare of ordinary Nigerians will underpin all policies, initiatives and programmes of the CBN. “What that means is that for the first time the CBN is concerned practically with the welfare of the ordinary Nigerian.

That is why labour should be interested in what we are doing.�

L-R: Treasurer, Balogun Business Association (BBA), Ezenwa Oguadinma; Managing Director/Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo; President, BBA, Tony Obih, and Vice President, Emeka Igbosupolu, during the visit by the Fidelity Bank executives to the markets to commiserate with the victims of Lagos explosion‌yesterday

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

SEPTEMBER 2019

FCCPC Restates Commitment to Patients’ Rights Hamid Ayodeji The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has restated its commitment to protecting patients’ rights in the country.

This, the FCCPC stated exists in instruments such as the nation’s constitution, the Consumer Protection Act, Child’s Rights Act, Freedom of Information Act, National Health Act, the Hippocratic Oath, as well as other professional ethical codes and regulations.

The agency said this yesterday, during a public inquiry in Lagos, regarding a case of an alleged violation of patient’s rights. It disclosed that in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, it would ensure that the Patients’ Bill of Rights (PBoR) is effectively implemented.

This, they explained would, enable patients have adequate information, quality care, and access to emergency care including other vital health care and the patient’s dignity.

The Chief Executive Officer, FCCPC, Babatunde Irukera,

pointed out that patients should be granted and provided with access to clean, safe and secure healthcare environment, as well as access to equitable qualify care and caregivers, irrespective of disability.

Irukera explained that, “According to the Patients’ Bill of Rights, patients are to receive urgent, immediate and sufficient intervention and care in the event of an emergency, prioritising such needed attention over other factors including cost and payment, as well as law enforcement requirements. “Also, patients have the right to access of relevant information in a language that the patient understands, including complete and accurate information about diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, other procedures and possible outcomes. “On the part of patients, it is required that they provide adequate explanation and information during treatment when and where necessary without constituting a nuisance or in any way endanger others.�

Also speaking at the public

inquiry, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, Moyosore Onigbanjo, who was represented by the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Titilayo shittabey said, “The right to health is enshrined in the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as in the National Health Act of 2014 and the Patients’ Bill of Rights which was launched in 2018. “Section 20.1 of the National Health Act 2014 prohibits health care providers, health workers or health establishments from refusing a person medical treatment for any reason. It further prescribes punishments where such provision is violated. “Similarly, the compulsory treatment and care for victims of gunshots Act 2017provides for compulsory treatment and care of victims of gunshots. “Also, it is important that stakeholders come together to understand on ground realities, the root causes and reach practical agreement that would truly give access to victims and patients in their moment of dire need.�

Fidelity Assures Pipeline Victims of Support The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, yesterday commiserated with traders and others victims of Sunday’s tragic explosion in Abule Ado, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area (LGA) of Lagos State.

Accompanied by other executive management staff, Okonkwo who visited the affected market areas was received by the leaders of the Balogun Business Association (BBA), Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) and Association of Progressive Traders (APT). He prayed for the repose of the souls of those who died in the explosion and disclosed the bank’s readiness to make some token

contributions to members of the traders’ associations whose shops and properties were destroyed. “We thought to come this morning to commiserate with you and see first-hand the damages caused by effects of the explosions� said Okonkwo.

Responding, the market leaders thanked the bank for the gesture, noting that Fidelity Bank has been a true supporter and remains the most responsive of all financial institutions in the market. “Fidelity is not the only bank in this market. Coming here barely 24 hours after this incidence and offering financial support in addition, is quite commendable. We are still evaluating the extent of damages and the number

of our members affected,� the President BBA, Chief Anthony Obih said.

The Presidents of ASPAMDA and APT also expressed gratitude to Fidelity Bank. “You have indeed demonstrated to us that we are indeed partners. We will reciprocate this kindness and will continue to do everything within our powers to support the bank,�

President ASPAMDA, Chief Daniel Oforkansi said.

On his part the APT Market Association President Chief Eric Ilechukwu, called on other corporate entities to emulate Fidelity Bank, saying, “it is people and organisations like you that we want. If others are like you, things will be better for it.�

Money Supply (M3)

35,029,779.72

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

7,374,356.91

Money Supply (M2)

27,655,422.82

-- Quasi Money

116,533,891.21

-- Narrow Money (M1)

11,121,531.60

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,625,047.69

---- Demand Deposits

9,496,483.91

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

13,911,335.83

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

21,118,443.89

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

35,918,179.45

---- Credit to Government (Net)

10,452,199.38

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

11,007,422.79

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

25,465,980.07

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-14,799,735.56

--Other Assets Net

7,000,253.07

Reserve Money (Base Money

2,005,600.83

--Currency in Circulation

4,677,530.81

--Banks Reserves

317,121.43

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ ÍŻÍą Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $34.13 a barrel on Friday, compared with $33.25 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

33

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍľËœ 2020

MARKET NEWS

Julius Berger Posts N8.7bn Profit, Declares N3.6bn Dividend, Bonus Share Goddy Egene Shareholders of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc are to receive dividend and bonus shares for the financial year ended December 31, 2019 following improved performance recorded for the year.

The company is to pay a cash dividend of N3.63 billion, which translates to N2.75 per share compared to N2.64 billion paid in 2018. In addition to the cash dividend, the directors have

recommended a bonus issue of one new share for every five already held by shareholders.

Details of the performance showed that Julius Berger Nigeria posted a revenue of N266.43 billion, showing an increase of 36.8 per cent compared with N194.62 billion in 2018.

Cost of sales rose from N142 billion to N206 billion, while gross profit stood at N60.119 billion, up from N52.01 billion.

Marketing expenses rose from

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

N126.806 billion to N139.683 billion. Financing cost jumped 55 per cent to N7 billion, from N4.5 billion in 2018.

Julius Berger Nigeria ended the year with profit before tax of N13.918 billion, indicating an increase of 36 per cent from N10.197 billion in 2018. Profit after tax grew from N6.102 billion to N8.759 billion in 2018.

Meanwhile, trading at the stock market closed negatively as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI)

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

went down by 0.12 per cent to close at 22,705.19, while market capitalisation shed N15.1 billion to be at N11.8 trillion.

Activity also declined as volume and value traded fell 24.7 per cent and 43.7 per cent to 551.5 million shares and N5.8 billion respectively. The top traded stocks by volume were Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (137.2 million shares), FBN Holdings Plc (135.3 million shares) and Zenith Bank Plc (133.2 million shares) while

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

GTBank (N2.6 billion), Zenith Bank (N1.7 billion) and FBN Holdings (N518.3 million) were the top traded stocks by value.

The price losers’ table was led by Transcorp Plc with 10 per cent, trailed by Jaiz Bank Plc with 9.3 per cent. WAPIC Insurance Plc shed 7.4 per cent just as FBN Holdings Plc and FCMB Group Plc dipped by 7.0 per cent.

On the positive side, Courtville Business Solutions Plc,

O F

LASACO Assurance Plc, Niger Insurance Plc, United Capital Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and University Press Plc gained 10 per cent apiece.

In terms of sectoral performance, the NSE Insurance Index led the gainers with a 1.3 per cent, trailed by the NSE Banking Index rose 0.6 per cent. Conversely, the NSE Industrial Goods Index went down by 0.5 per cent while the NSE Consumer Goods Index lost 0.1 per cent.

1 3 / 0 3 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

34

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Redstar Express Raises N1.34 Billion to Boost Operations Goddy Egene

on the basis of four new shares for every seven shares already held.

The offer was made late last year and according to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the issue was 100 per cent successful.

Consequently, the NSE said, it had listed additional 336,855,291

Red Star Express Plc has successfully raised N1.347 billion from existing shareholders through the rights issue of 336,855,291 shares of 50 kobo each. The rights issue was made at N4 per share 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

ordinary shares of the company.

“With this listing of the additional 336,855,291 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid up shares of Redstar Express Plc has now increased from 589,496,760 to 926,352,051 ordinary shares of N0.50 each

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 06Mar-2020, unless otherwise stated.

The company had said the purpose of the exercise was to raise additional capital to finance the expansion of its current operations, the deployment of modern technology and improvement of its working capital.

Speaking on the rights issue, the

Group Managing Director of Red Star Express Plc, Mr. Sola Obabori, had said the additional capital was to accentuate the growth potential already put in place by the company’s management.

He said:“This move underlines our ambition to maintain the

expansion activities undertaken in the last few years. After opening international offices in Niger Republic, Burkina Faso and Benin Republic, we have established new business lines in the Agricultural and Technological sectors of the economy.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.83% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.41 2.47 -1.98% info@anchoriaam.com ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 13.10 13.50 -14.48% ARM Discovery Fund 314.60 324.09 -8.93% ARM Ethical Fund 25.93 26.71 -10.84% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.48% 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 87.90 88.51 -8.52% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.09% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 0.07 0.05 7.15% Paramount Equity Fund 10.51 11.73 -11.96% Women's Investment Fund 106.90 107.91 -3.15% 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 6.27% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 95.64 96.06 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 102.02 102.53 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 5.14% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.81 0.82 -12.67% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.31 1.31 -1.29% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,297.79 1,299.27 0.52% FBN Balanced Fund 131.22 132.18 -10.63% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.08% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 112.38 113.19 -5.75% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 113.13 113.94 -5.59% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 103.99 105.21 -20.09% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.17% Legacy Debt Fund 3.71 3.71 1.44% Legacy Equity Fund 0.97 0.98 -14.75% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.09 1.09 0.87% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 2,805.21 2,835.42 -5.94% Coral Income Fund 3,131.41 3,131.41 14.23% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 6.34% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.26% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 115.57 116.25 6.58%

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.07% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.00 2.03 -6.95% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 10.84% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 138.24 138.63 10.73% 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 1.14 1.16 -2.27% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,123.64 1,123.64 2.29% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.31 1.33 7.68% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.30 12.32 8.72% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 7.50% PACAM Equity Fund 1.10 1.10 PACAM EuroBond Fund 101.56 103.48 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 107.51 109.41 1.54% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.02 1.02 2.45% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,521.35 2,532.80 -4.41% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 1.33% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 -11.80% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 1.67% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 -9.65% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.24% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 -11.44% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.16 1.16 1.17% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 118.18 118.18 0.00% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.05 1.07 -12.55% United Capital Bond Fund 1.77 1.77 2.11% United Capital Equity Fund 0.64 0.66 -18.98% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.37% United Capital Eurobond Fund 113.46 113.46 1.41% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.03 1.03 -5.43% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 9.27 9.39 -9.79% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.08 11.21 -4.56% Zenith Income Fund 23.21 23.21 4.39% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.28%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

3.20 120.66 52.41

-66.85% 1.31% 0.69%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

7.77 76.98 59.19

7.87 78.60 60.29

-10.73% -16.77% -19.72%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

2.40 3.63 10.46 10.90 167.69

2.44 3.71 10.56 11.10 169.69

-32.27% -38.25% -13.44% 4.85% -10.28%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.69

17.60%

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.

TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

35

INTERNATIONAL

US Begins First Human Trial of Coronavirus Vaccine Trump orders energy dept to fill oil reserves to top The first human trial to evaluate a candidate vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 has begun in Seattle, US health officials said on Monday.

“The open-label trial will enrol 45 healthy adult volunteers ages 18 to 55 years over approximately 6 weeks,” the US National Institutes of Health said in a statement.

“The first participant received the investigational vaccine today.”

But the candidate would still need to progress through various more stages, known as phases, to prove it works and is safe.

US officials have estimated it may take a year to 18 months before it becomes available — if everything goes to plan.

The vaccine is called mRNA1273 and was developed by NIH scientists and collaborators at biotechnology company Moderna, which is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Funding was also provided by the Oslo-based Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

“Finding a safe and effective vaccine to prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2 is an urgent public health priority,” said Anthony Fauci, head of infectious diseases at the NIH. “This Phase 1 study, launched in record speed, is an important first step toward achieving that goal.”

Coronaviruses are spherical and have spikes protruding from their surface, giving them a crown-like appearance. The

spike binds to human cells, allowing the virus to gain entry.

The Moderna candidate vaccine carries the genetic information of this spike in a substance called “messenger RNA.” Injecting human tissue with the spike’s messenger RNA makes it grow inside the body, thereby eliciting an immune response without having actually infected a person with the full-blown virus.

Meanwhile, the US could begin purchasing US-produced crude oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in two weeks from now, and fill it in several months, an Energy Department source said on Monday.

President Donald Trump said on Friday that he had ordered the Energy Department to fill the reserve “to the top”.

The move was aimed at helping domestic energy producers suffering from the plunge in oil prices brought about by the spread of coronavirus and a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia.

The Energy Department has said the reserve, which has a capacity of 713 million barrels, can take an additional 77 million barrels of crude.

It was unclear how the government would finance such a purchase.

The cost of 77 million barrels at Monday’s prices for WTI oil CLc1 of fewer than 30 dollars a barrel would be nearly 2.3 billion dollars.

Congress would likely have

Benin Republic Confirms First Coronavirus Case as Idris Elba Tests Positive Nigeria’s neighbour, Benin Republic, Monday announced its first confirmed coronavirus case as the continent scrambles to stop the spread of the global pandemic.

This is as famous actor Idris Elba has tested positive for coronavirus COVID-19.

Health minister Benjamin Hounkpatin said a man coming from neighbouring Burkina Faso had tested positive, having recently visited Belgium.

Health Minister Benjamin Hounkpatin said a man from neighbouring Burkina Faso, who had recently visited Belgium, tested positive after arriving in Benin.

The announcement comes as numerous nations in subSaharan Africa have begun imposing entry restrictions or closing schools and banning public gatherings.

Meanwhile, famous actor Idris Elba has tested positive for COVID-19.

The British actor disclosed this via his official Twitter handle.

He tweeted: “This morning I tested positive for Covid 19.

I feel ok, I have no symptoms so far but have been isolated since I found out about my possible exposure to the virus.

Stay home people and be pragmatic. I will keep you updated on how I’m doing okay. No panic.”

Nearly 1,000 New Coronavirus Cases in Spain In 24 Hours Spain has registered nearly 1,000 new COVID-19 infections over the past 24 hours, raising the total number of cases to 8,744, the health ministry said on Monday.

Over the same period, the number of deaths rose by nine to 297, the ministry’s emergencies coordinator Fernando Simon said.

The figure for new cases was lower than weekend numbers when 2,000 infections were detected between Saturday

and Sunday and the number of deaths rose by around 100.

Of the total number, Madrid remains the worst-affected region, with 4,665 cases.

In order to rein in the virus, Spain has declared a state of alert, shutting all but essential services and ordering its population of 46 million people to stay at home. People are only authorised to go out to buy food or medicine, to go to work or to get medical treatment.

to pass a bill containing funding but it was uncertain how much money could be arranged through legislation.

Some lawmakers in the House of Representatives, which are controlled by Democrats, could

seek measures to promote green energy as a compromise.

Still, the source was confident that things would move quickly.

“Based on discussions with industry we are confident that

this can be filled within several months,” said the DOE source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Trump, who is running for re-election in November, has been divided on the impact

of low oil prices.

Last week he said in a tweet: “Good for the consumer, gasoline prices coming down!”

But the oil price drop could also push many domestic crude producers into bankruptcy.

DEVELOPMENT PARTNER ON A VISIT…

L-R: Country Representative, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Ms. Ulla Elisabeth Mueller, and Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, during a courtesy visit to the minister... yesterday

COVID-19: IMF Plans $1tn for Member Countries to Address Economic Impact The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that it has earmarked $1 trillion lending capacity to help its 189 member countries combat the impact of COVID-19 on the global economy.

This is coming after the United States Federal Reserve cut interest rates to almost zero and launched a $700 billion stimulus programme in a bid to protect the economy from the effect of coronavirus.

According to the Managing Director of IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, Central Banks’ policy

action in emerging-market and developing economies will need to address capital flow reversals and commodity shocks during this period.

She explained that the Fund can deploy its flexible and rapiddisbursing emergency response toolkit to help countries with urgent balance-of-payment needs.

These instruments could provide in the order of $50 billion to emerging and developing economies. Up to $10 billion could be made available to our low-income members through our concessional financing facilities,

which carry zero interest rates.

Georgieva explained that the Fund already has 40 ongoing arrangements, with combined commitments of about $200 billion.

We also have received interest from about 20 more countries and will be following up with them in the coming days.

In addition, the Fund’s Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust (CCRT) can help the poorest countries with immediate debt relief, which will free up vital resources for health spending, containment,

and mitigation.

The IMF boss lauded the UK government for pledging $195 million, which, according to her, means the CCRT now has about $400 million available for potential debt relief. Our aim, with the help of other donors, is to boost it to $1 billion.

She maintained that Governments should continue and expand these efforts to reach the most affected people and businesses—with policies including increased paid sick leave and targeted tax relief.

As Global Coronavirus Death Toll Tops 7,000, Canada Closes Border to Foreigners The number of novel coronavirus cases globally stood at 175,530 with 7,007 deaths, across 145 countries and territories at 1700 GMT on Monday, according to a tally compiled by AFP from official sources.

This is as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced yesterday that Canada is closing its borders to most foreign travellers, except Americans, in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Since 1700 GMT on Sunday there were 587 new deaths reported and 11,597 new cases globally.

The tallies, using data collected by AFP offices from national authorities and information from the World Health Organisation (WHO), take into account the fact that criteria for counting victims and coronavirus screening practices vary from country to country.

China — excluding Hong Kong and Macau — where the epidemic

was declared in late December, has to date declared 80,860 cases, including 3,213 deaths, with 67,490 people recovered. The country declared 16 new cases and 14 new fatalities since Sunday.

Outside China, there have been 3,794 deaths by 1700 GMT Monday — 573 new fatalities since Sunday 1700 GMT — out of 94,676 cases, of which 11,581 were new.

The worst-hit nation after China is Italy with 2,158 deaths (27,980 cases), Iran with 853 fatalities (14,991 cases), Spain with 309 deaths (9,191 cases) and France with 127 deaths (5,423 cases).

Since 1700 GMT Sunday, Portugal, Bahrain, Hungary, Guatemala and Luxembourg have announced their first fatalities. Trinidad and Tobago, Liberia and Tanzania have diagnosed their first cases.

By 1700 GMT Monday, Asia had listed 92,260 cases and 3,337 deaths, Europe 61,073 cases and 2,711 deaths, the Middle East 16,530 cases and

869 deaths, the United States and Canada 4,126 cases and 70 deaths, LatinAmerica and the Caribbean 815 cases and seven deaths, Africa 374 cases and eight deaths, and Oceania 358 cases and five deaths.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that Canada is closing its borders to most foreign travellers, except Americans, in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

“All Canadians, as much as possible, should also stay home,” he told a news conference outside his residence where he and his family are self-isolating after his wife Sophie tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

The prime minister said: “We will be denying entry to Canada to people who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents.”

Airlines will be ordered not to allow any passengers with flulike symptoms to board flights,

and all inbound international flights will be redirected to four Canadian airports in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver where health screenings will be stepped up.

These measures will take effect starting midday on March 18, said Transport Minister Marc Garneau.

US citizens will be exempted from the ban, Trudeau said, because of the high “level of integration of our two economies and the coordination that we have.”

This “puts the US in a separate category from the rest of the world,” he explained.

There will also be exemptions for aircrews, diplomats, and immediate family members of Canadian citizens.

As of 9 am (1300 GMT), Health Canada has confirmed 324 COVID-19 cases in Canada, and one death.

36

TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Zulum Rallies Support of Retired Officers against Boko Haram Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri The Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum has invited retired generals, ex-top police officers and retired senior members of other security and paramilitary services from the state to a strategic meeting on security.

The state, which is the birthplace of Boko Haram crisis, has had to deal with insecurity brought about by the decade-long insurgency.

A statement issued yesterday by the spokesman of the governor, Malam Isa Gusau, revealed that the governor at a meeting in Abuja on Sunday with the indigenes of the state working at the nation’s capital, asked the people from the state who had retired as generals in the

Armed Forces, and other retired top police officers, including ex highly senior security and paramilitary officers to link up with the state government to work out a strategic plan towards ending Boko Haram.

Gusau said Zulum offered the invitation on Sunday when he hosted a consultative meetings with Borno indigenes working at different federal establishments within the FCT, as well as other stakeholders.

The spokesman said the governor offered the invitations especially to those who held operational positions in the military, paramilitary and security agencies.

He disclosed that the meeting held at the banquet hall of Kanem Suits in Abuja, explored ways the Borno indigenes could contribute to addressing challenges of security, recovery and development of their

ADC Not Merging With PDP, Says Nwosu Nseobong Okon-Ekong The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr. Ralph Nwosu, has dissociated himself from the decision of a faction of ADC to merge with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A ‘merger’ talks between ADC and PDP held last week during the South-west stakeholders forum of PDP, which took place at the Oyo State Government House, Ibadan. At the meeting were some stalwarts of ADC that included the former governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

Also in attendance were the Deputy National Chairman, South, Yemi Akinwonmi; South-west Chairman, Mr. Eddy Oyefeso; Chief Bode George; a member of PDP Board of Trustees, Mr. Soboyede Okanlawon; former Minister of Defence, Erelu Olushola Obada; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofoworola Buknor-Akerele; Dr. Doyin Okupe; Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Diran Odeyemi; Dr. Ladipo Adebutu, Mr. Eitayo Jegede, Mr. Adedeji Doherty; Chief Clement Faborode and Mr. Kunmi Mustapha among others.

The major highlight of the meeting was an agreement to hold a unification rally in Ibadan where Oyinlola and other members of the ADC would be

formally presented to the PDP elders and the official collapse of the ADC’s political structure into the PDP. However, Nwosu has denied any knowledge of the alleged merger. “I am not aware of the purported meeting where a decision was taken to collapse the ADC structure into the PDP. To the best of my knowledge, the ADC, which I am the chairman, is intact. We are not merging with PDP or any other political party in the country.

“The ADC has always been the most authentic political party with clear ideas. The ADC brand is very strong,” he said.

Also, a statement that was issued by the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Lagos ADC, Mr. Olayiwola Abisoye, affirmed that the party has not merged with the PDP or any other political party in Nigeria.

Abisoye urged all members and stakeholders of the ADC to disregard any publication that the party has merged or collapsed into PDP. “The ADC as a party is not merging or collapsing into PDP or any other party. We remain the only credible alternative political party in Nigeria. We are on a mission to rescue Nigeria from 16 years of PDP fiasco and eight years of APC disaster.

Everyone is allowed freedom of association but ADC remains firm,” he said.

A’Ibom Proscribes 51 Cult Groups in Secondary Schools Okon Bassey in Uyo The Akwa Ibom State Government has proscribed 51 cult groups and societies in secondary schools in the state following the recent cult related violence and unrest in schools.

This is in addition to 14 other cult groups earlier proscribed by the state government in 2018.

The proscription order, which was signed yesterday by the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, came into effect on March 16, 2020.

The new order, which was titled “Cultism and other Violent Behavior (Prohibition) Order,” revoked and replaced “The Cultism and Other Violent Behavior (Prohibition) Order

of 2018.”

The order reads: “In addition to the cults, societies and groups listed under sub-paragraph (1) of this paragraph, the following cults, groups or societies in Secondary and Primary Schools in Akwa Ibom State are hereby declared illegal and forthwith proscribed: “The Luttox, Red Skins, St. Stephens, Dewell, Sept 11 Group, Secret Sons of Satan, King Cobra, J.V (Junior Vikings), Bats, and Predators. Others were Black Ladies, Black Cross, Scavengers, Skylolo, Sons of Nights, Blood Brotherhood, Junior Buccaneers, White Angels and Musket.

home state.

He revealed that the governor’s invitation to retired senior security personnel, was in response to

comment by a retired Brigadier General from the state, who at the meeting, offered to contribute strategies that could help the

government in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram.

The governor had promised to meet the retired

senior security officers as soon as the meeting can take place, at a suitable location.

RALLYING SUPPORT AGAINST FOREIGN LOAN…

L-R: National Chairman, Green Party of Nigeria, Chief Sam Eke; Spokesperson, Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Mr. Ikenga Ugochinyere; and National Chairman, Action Alliance (AA), Mr. Kenneth Udeze, during CUPP’s press conference to rally support against federal government’s request to borrow $22.7 billion, held in Abuja…yesterday ENOCK REUBEN

FCT Budgets Over N800m for Primary Healthcare Delivery Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has revealed that the administration had provided more than N800 million for Primary Health Care leadership, governance and infrastructure upgrade in the 2020 budget as part of measures to strengthen the Primary Health Care.

Aliyu made this revelation on yesterday during the flag off of the National Integrated Mobile Outreach Programme (I-MOP)

by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in Bwari Area Council of the FCT. Aliyu said that other items covered by the 2020 budget include N500 million provision for reproductive health, integrated management of childhood illnesses and nutrition; N600 million for human resources for health while more than N700 million was earmarked for essential medicines, immunisation, vaccines and technology.

She gave the sources of the funding to include the FCT Appropriation Act 2020, the Saving One Million

Lives Programme for Results and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).

The minister also stated that the reinvigorated FCT Health Insurance Scheme, had placed the administration on the path of achieving the Universal Health Coverage, stressing that the administration has taken the challenge of providing to residents, particularly women and children in most need, good quality, high impact primary health care services that included immunisation and nutrition activities.

Aliyu said: “Recently, a total N37,293,000 was disbursed to 62

PHC facilities with each PHC facility per ward in the FCT receiving a total N601,500 in the Direct Facility Funding under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).”

She affirmed that despite challenges facing the primary healthcare sector, specific findings in the report of the 2018 National Demographic and Health Survey (2018 NDHS), showed that the FCT performed well and better than most states in the Northcentral zone with some figures better than the zonal and national averages.

NDDC Manipulated to Deny N’Delta Key Projects, Wike Alleges Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has expressed regret that over the years, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was negatively manipulated to deny the people of the region key projects.

This is as he called for the unity of all Niger Delta ethnic nationalities to promote the development of the region.

Wike spoke yesterday when leaders of the Niger Delta paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

He said: “It is unfortunate that the NDDC cannot deliver on regional projects. There are no interstate roads and NDDC has not done any major project.

“Instead, the NDDC is engaged in micro projects to promote political interests.”

He said the Niger Delta region

has challenges because the people sing discordant tunes.

The governor also alleged that the amnesty for Niger Delta was mismanaged.

He decried the situation where the former special adviser on amnesty was detailed to remove him from office as governor of Rivers State.

He said after the special adviser was removed, he could not ask for his reappointment because he used his position to kill the people

of the state during the elections.

Wike said unless the people speak with one voice, they would continue to lose out.

“We must speak with one voice irrespective of the political party that we belong. The time has come for us to work together. If we don’t work together, we will continue to lose out.”

The governor said that the song for all ethnic nationalities should be the promotion of the development of the Niger Delta.

German Petitions IG over Alleged Illegal Detention by Edo Police Adibe Emeyeonu in Benin-city A German national, Toni Brunner, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IG), Muhammed Adamu, for his alleged illegal detention by men of the Edo State Police Command on the orders of Mr. Olanrewaju Adeleke of Peculiar Ultimate Concern Limited.

Adeleke of Peculiar Ultimate Concern is the main contractor working at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benincity in preparation for the National Sports Festival, while

Brunner’s Sports-Life Services, a Germany-based company is the subcontractor.

In the petition which was made available to journalists in Benin-city, counsel to Brunner, J. O. Ehianbhi and Associates, alleged that their client was contracted

by Adeleke to fix the tracks at the stadium in preparation for the National Sports Festival at an agreed amount, which he diligently performed until he observed that the mixing of cement on the floor of the track is slowing the pace of work.

Brunner’s counsel said in the process, equipment for laying the tracks broke down and he has to seek replacement from Germany after all attempt to fix it failed.

He said it was on these bases that Brunner was invited by Adeleke to discuss the progress of the job and payment, and in the course of the discussion, there was a disagreement between his client and Adeleke which prompted Adeleke to order the police officer attached to him to arrest Brunner, whom he

described as a fraudster.

According to him, “Our client was arrested and taken to the state CID on the allegation that he is a fraudster. He was humiliated by the police and locked up at there for a night and subjected to dehumanising condition. Our client is a hypertensive and diabetic patient.

“He was eventually released the next day and he informed the German Embassy of his ordeal in the hands of security personnel at the state CID in Benin-city.

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TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Obaseki, Oyetola Commiserate with Victims of Lagos Explosions IPMAN warns against building structures on right of way

Peter Uzoho in Lagos and Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and his Osun State counterpart, Adegboyega Oyetola, have commiserated with the people and government of Lagos State over the loss of lives and damages caused by the explosion in the Abule-Ado area of the state.

This is coming as the National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mr. Chinedu Okoronkwo, cautioned residents of the area to desist from illegal and unsafe act of building structures on the petroleum pipelines right of way (RoW).

In a statement issued yesterday, Obaseki said the incident is saddening and tragic, as he commended the Lagos State Government for providing necessary emergency response to mitigate the fatalities from the unfortunate incident.

According to him, “I commiserate with the people and government of Lagos State over the unfortunate incident which took place on March 15, 2020, which claimed not less than 15 lives in the state.

“At this dark hour, our prayers are with Lagosians and the state government. We pray that God should grant the families of the victims the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Oyetola, on his own, also sympathised with the victims of the Lagos explosions.

In a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, Oyetola commiserated with the families of the dead, the injured and those who lost their properties to the inferno that reportedly claimed about 18 lives and damaged dozens of buildings.

According to the statement, “On behalf of the state government and the people of Osun State, we would like to convey our heartfelt sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives and property to the blast.

“We pray that God will comfort every grieving family and everyone who has suffered devastation due to this tragic incident.”

The governor also condoled with the Lagos State Government, and called on relevant authorities and agencies of government to

Police Confirm Abduction of Three JAMB Candidates in Kaduna Some bandits have abducted four persons, including three JAMB candidates who sat for the Saturday’s Unified Tertiary Joint Matriculations Examination in Kaduna State.

The police in Kaduna yesterday confirmed the incident.

The police said the four were kidnapped at Ungwan Yako Village, Birni Gwari Local Government Area of the state.

The fourth person was said to be a minor, a one and halfyear-old boy.

The driver of the vehicle that conveyed the JAMB candidates was also killed according to the police.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalinge, gave the names of the JAMB candidates

to be Yusuf Sani, Ummi Sani, and Umairah Mustapha.

It was gathered that the candidates were returning to Birnin Gwari after their examination on Saturday in Kaduna when they were abducted by the gunmen.

The State Police Command confirmed the abduction of the JAMB candidate but remained silent on the killing of the driver.

When contacted, the police spokesman said, “Yes, there was an attack on Saturday on BirninGwari Road.

“Three of the kidnapped victims are candidates who came to Kaduna to write the UTME. They were on their way back when the incident happened.”

Benue Moves to Establish State Security Outfit George Okoh in Makurdi Benue State Governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom, has announced that the Benue State Government would consider the establishment of a state security outfit to complement existing security agencies.

Ortom stated this yesterday while briefing newsmen on the current security situation in the state. He emphasised that a security outfit like Amotekun of the South-west has become necessary in order to help the police, military and other security agencies to curb crimes in the state.

The governor stated that Benue State would go ahead with the plan even though states of the

North-central had not met to deliberate on the formation of joint security organisation for the region.

He urged traditional rulers to ensure peace in their domains by prevailing on their subjects to adopt peaceful approaches to resolving internal crisis, stressing that violence does no one any good.

Ortom said armed herdsmen had adopted guerrilla tactics by coming at night to kill and move to the next community and assured that his administration would not relent in its quest to guarantee the safety of lives and property in all parts of the state.

critically investigate the cause of the incident so as to put control measures in place to forestall a repeat of the incident.

Meanwhile, the National

President of IPMAN, Okoronkwo, has also commiserated with the victims and cautioned residents of the area to desist from illegal and unsafe act of building structures

on petroleum pipelines right of way (RoW).

The IPMAN boss in a statement issued yesterday said efforts must be made

by the government to curb incessant explosion in the area, as he appealed to authorities to get to the root of ceaseless explosions in the area.

TIME FOR PROJECTS…

L-R: Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri; and Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Konbowei Benson, during their arrival to inspect the site for the proposed Etegwe/Tombia flyover bridge at Edepie, Yenagoa... yesterday

Coronavirus: Unilorin Orders Foreign Students to Proceed for Medical Examination Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The management of the University of Ilorin has directed the returning international students of the institution to go for medical examination with immediate effect in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus on campus.

The Director of Centre for International Education (CIE) of the institution, Prof. Felicia

Olasheinde-Williams, disclosed this in Ilorin yesterday in a statement.

The statement said the directive to the foreign students became imperative in view of the outbreak of coronavirus and to assist the institution to know their status as they return back to the campus.

She gave the directive in a letter addressed to the international students.

Olasheinde-Williams said all

returning international students must proceed to the university clinic for medical examination so as to deter the spread of the virus within and outside the campus.

According to her, “Note that this medical test is an important requirement to maintaining your studentship with the university.

“As such, you are enjoined to adhere strictly to the directive

immediately on your arrival.”

Coronavirus disease codenamed COVID-19 is an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel virus that was first detected in China, and has now been detected in more than 100 locations internationally, including the United States, Italy, Spain, England among others.

CBN UNVEILS MEASURES TO CUSHION COVID-19 IMPACT ON ECONOMY Continuing, he said: “But the area where we felt that we needed to speak on directly is that because of the drop in revenues to companies that may be or that will be directly adversely impacted upon by this CODVID-19 and economic crisis; because their revenues will drop, that we are saying that if your loan was initially meant to be a three-year loan, where for instance, you were paying on a monthly basis, say you took N10 million and you were paying N100,000 as repayment, we are saying that we are going to grant the banks the dispensation where they can restructure your loan from three-year to six-year, such that in addition to lie interest rate, what you will be making in installments of your loans would have been dropped from say N100,000 monthly to say N50,000 monthly to match the reduction in revenues arising from the impact of coronavirus. So it will naturally get to everybody.”

On MPR reduction, he said: “There are so many things the monetary policy committee takes into consideration in its determination as to whether or not to alter MPR. I think we

should just wait. Indeed, MPC will be holding next week and I am also sure that with the array of data that will be confronting MPC by next week, they will direct as to whether or not to alter, reduce, raise interest rate.”

Analysts Hail CBN Timely Intervention Meanwhile, analysts have hailed the timely intervention by the CBN to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 on the Nigerian economy.

Speaking to THISDAY, the Managing Director, Agusto & Co, Mrs. Yinka Adelekan, commended the central bank for being proactive, saying the measures would drastically reduce the cost of loans to the power sector, which in turn would enhance banking stability.

She said: “I think the CBN is being very proactive because of the impact of the COVID-19 cannot be underestimated. Officially when you look at the loans the banks have granted to the power sector players, giving them a moratorium period is very good in bringing down the cost of debt.

“The fact that they have also dropped the interest rate from nine

per cent to five per cent to some sectors would also mean that the cost of funds would reduce, which is quite important at this time.

“Also, the N50 billion to the SMEs is commendable.”

Furthermore, she said the intervention for pharmaceutical companies was also essential so as to prevent the spread of the virus.

She added: “The fact that they are going to support the pharmaceutical sector, which controls 0.5 per cent of our GDP, which is very low, however, the first time they are focusing on this at this time is pivotal.

“All, the CBN is doing now is definitely the right thing to do at this time.”

On his part, the Head of Research, Afrinvest West Africa, Mr. Abiodun Keripe, also supported the intervention by the central bank.

He, however, called for enhanced liquidity for the banks like what was done in the United States.

“The funding for the healthcare is good given the situation at hand in dealing with COVID-19.

“It is also good that they talked about providing funding for businesses. However, that is just a drop in the ocean because

we are a $94 billion economy and that ratio is tiny.

“It is good they are restructuring loans to the oil and gas, it is good they support healthcare which is needed to fight the pandemic COVID-19.”

“It is also applaudable they are cutting interest rates for their intervention funds for SMEs, he said.

On his part, the Head of Research at United Capital, Mr. Wale Olusi, said the move was a good response by the central bank.

But, he argued that the central bank had been overstretched in terms of its interventions.

He said: “We have gone all out on expansionary monetary policy before the COVID-19 virus outbreak and we have little or no room to respond appropriately to this new shock in town.

“The response is more or less a consolidation of what we have been doing before, apart from the new support for the health sector.

“As at today, oil price is below $30 and we can only hope it does not continue too long because if it does, the monetary authority is almost out of the options they can use to respond.”

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TUESDAY MARCH 17, ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

C O R O N AV I R U S U P D AT E

UEFA: Mini-tournaments May Decide Champions League, Europa Winners Former Super Eagles winger, Victor M European football’s governing body, UEFA, is considering adopting a mini-tournament as one option to decide the winners of the Champions League and Europa League to ease fixture congestion caused by

the coronavirus pandemic.

UEFA will be hosting a video conference with major stakeholders to reach a deciding on the matter today Euro 2020 is set to be postponed to allow league seasons to be completed.

A source close to the

situation revealed yesterday that all parties must be ready to sacrifice something to reach a solution.

All 55 UEFA members, the boards of the European Club Association and the European Leagues, and

a representative of world players’ union Fifpro have been invited to Tuesday’s meeting.

The UEFA members will also hold an additional meeting to discuss their own reaction.

Okowa Adopts Six Athletes to Boost Sports Ministry’s Campaign The Adopt-an-Athlete initiative of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development under the leadership of its Minister, Mr. Sunday Dare, has continued to attract more private and public sector partnerships.

The latest of such is the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who has opted to sponsor six Olympic-bound Nigerian athletes.

This multiple adoption has become the single biggest boost to the campaign of the ministry to seek support for Nigeria’s athletes to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

The athletes are Ese Brume, Blessing Okagbare, Divine

Oduduru, Raymond Ekevwo, Itshekiri Usheorise and Ogho Oghene Egwero.

The governor was recently decorated with an award of honour for his support for sports development.

The state had before now hosted the Africa Senior Athletics Championship in 2018 and the qualifying series of the Super Eagles as well as the country’s male Olympic team under Imama Amapakabo to mention but a few.

The state also remains at the forefront of sporting excellence in the country emerging overall champions in the last sport festival held in Abuja.

EKSU Undergraduate Wins Universities’ Golf Tour at Smokin Hills Eight-handicapper and defending champion of the Nigerian Universities’ Golf Tour, Bamikole Paul, retained his title over the weekend at the prestigious Smokin Hills Golf Course in Ilara Mokin near Akure in Ondo State.

He stood clear of the 90 players that had teed-off at the event with his 82, ten over gross score in the one-day event to reclaim the title he won last year at the same venue.

“I am very delighted to have achieved this feat. The event was very competitive as there were a lot of great players here. I think the hardwork I have put in paid off for me. I hope to repeat this in the near future,” he said at prize giving dinner to close the event.

The event was jointly organized by Elizade University, Smokin Hills Golf Resort and Wole Adamolekun Foundation for all Nigerian Universities. Other Sponsors of the even include, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Work and Play, JAC Motors and Wema Bank Paul’s feat projected his school, Ekiti State University as producing the best player back-to-back at the event.

Olakunle Olalere of the host university, Elizade Univerity was one shot off Paul’s score to pick the runner-up prize in the male category.

Toyin Olusegun, a 28 handicapper from Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), shot 106 gross to emerge best female player at the event. Her score was one shot better

than Tawa Ademola who chalked 107 too at the event.

Vice Chancellor of the host institution, Professor Olukayode Oladipo Amund, who performed the ceremonial tee-off enjoined the competitors to see golf as an instrument of local and International integration and cooperation.

He commended the organizers for the job well done, saying the 5th edition is the beginning of greater things to happen in Nigerian universities.

Bayo Aderinto, Manager of the Smokin Hills Golf facility added that tournaments was conceptualized five years ago as a way to stimulate interest in the game among the youth and also a relevant skill for the marketplace when they are ready for integration at the workplace after graduation.

Over 70 participants from 12 universities and two elementary and secondary schools were at the Smokin Hills Golf Resort in Ilara Mokin to compete for the annual National Universities Golf Tour.

They include; Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA),Obafemi Awolowo University Ile -Ife (OAU), Federal University Dutse, University of Ibadan (UI), Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba (AAUA), Ekiti State University (EKSU), I- Tree International School Ilorin and Arandun Grammar School, Ilorin among others.

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (left) and Youth and Sports Development Minister, Mr Sunday Dare, shortly after the minister decorated the governor for his support for sports developments in the country...at the weekend 2 0 T H N AT I O N A L S P O RT S F E ST I VA L

Egwero, Orukpe, Okon-George Throw Down the Gauntlet Sprinter, Ogho-Oghene Egwero and quartermilers, Orukpe Eraiyokan and Patience OkonGeorge jumped to the front of the queue as favourites in their respective events as the final countdown begins for the 20th National Sports Festival holding in Benin City, Edo State.

The trio put up impressive performances in the dress rehearsal for the athletics event of the Festival tagged Test The Track Competition held at the ‘brand new’ Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium at the weekend.

Egwero, a multiple national 100m king proved he is still a strong force in the blue ribband event he once dominated, stopping the clock at 10.23 seconds to win, a personal season’s best and the fastest time run by a Nigerian so far this term. It is also the third fastest time he has run in the event since 2018.

It was also the third time this season he

has dipped inside 10.30 seconds, the only Nigerian to have done that this season and has now laid down the marker for Enoch Adegoke, hitherto the favourite for the Festival 100m gold who won in the first AFN organised meetings this year and Idjesa Uremu who ran 10.32 seconds to place second behind Egwero in Benin.

In the men’s 400m, 2015 African Games finalist, Eraiyokan proved talent is permanent as he raced to the top of the Nigeria list with an encouraging 46.42 seconds performance to win the race ahead of Sikiru Adeyemi (47.43) and Atanda Akindele (47.47).

The 27-year old Eraiyokan is the seventh Nigerian man to run inside 45 seconds over the quartermile following his incredible 44.95 seconds performance in Brazzaville, Congo in 2015 and he now looks to be one of the athletes host state, Edo will be banking

for gold.

In the women’s version, Okon-George sent a strong warning to 2019 Nigeria leader and World Athletics Championships semifinalist, Favour Ofili with her impressive 51.84 seconds performance to win the event ahead of Efejiro Praise Idamadudu (52.76) and Glory Patrick (53.85).

She is now the fastest Nigerian so far this year over the distance, supplanting Ofili who ran 52.54 seconds in Ado Ekiti a fortnight ago. She has now broken 52 seconds every season since she ran 51.87 seconds in Calabar in June 2013.

Like Eraiyokan, Okon-George is one of the seven Nigerian female quartermiler who have dipped inside 51 seconds and her 50.71 seconds performance on her way to a silver medal finish over the distance at the 2015 African Games is the fifth fastest time ever run by a Nigerian.

Meanwhile, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President, Olamide George is delighted with the performances of the athletes and believes they are positive signs as Nigeria strives to qualify for the relay events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

George is specially delighted the athletics event of the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival will be live on television.

“This is unprecedented in the history of the Festival and I want to thank the government of Edo State for trying to redefine how the Festival is organised. “We plan to take advantage of that and discus with SuperSport Nigeria, the host broadcaster for the Festival. We promise to deliver a world-class event in a world-class arena that the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium is,” he said,adding that the stadium will host many AFN events after the Festival and in the coming years.

Delta Releases Intervening Measures to Protect Athletes at Edo 2020 Delta State yesterday released a set of intervening measures aimed at protecting it’s contingents from Coronavirus at the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival (NSF) scheduled to begin March 22 and ends April 1.

The measures are not exclusive to the Delta contingent, it will also protect athletes, officials, the media and other participants at the festival, Nigeria’s equivalent of the Olympic Games.

According to Solomon Ogba, consultant to Team Delta and Delta State Sports Commission,

these interventions include but are not limited to Team Delta alone.

“The measures we put in place includes appropriate self-isolation period for all participants based outside Nigeria. This will be in specially designated hotels.

“We have made provision of 1000 wipes and hand sanitizers for all athletes and officials. We also have fully automated temperature change monitors that will be operated by health professionals.’’

Other measures put in place includes round-the-clock surveillance of contact of Delta State athletes with participants representing other states.

Ogba, who is also the Chairman of the Delta State Athletics Association, revealed that the tradition of Team Delta winning the NSF, which began when he was head of sports in Delta State from 1999 to 2007, will be maintained at the Edo 2020 NSF. Delta’s dominance, Ogba posited, is a product of hard work and enduring structure,

built in place over the course of decades, “In Delta, we don’t do sports just because of the NSF, sports is a way of life for us, it is a daily thing. We have sports at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

“We have training and competitions for our athletes regularly. After this NSF, we have the Delta State Inter Local Government Championships.

“We also have a solid elite athlete development programme, so in Delta, sports is not a one-off thing, it is a way of life” said Ogba.

TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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MISSILE Tambuwal to Leaders “Sometimes, we play politics. We must desist from playing politics with our traditional institutions, religion and security. These issues are beyond politics. We must try as much as possible to cooperate and work together for the unity and stability of this country” – Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, cautioning leaders against politicising the issues of monarchy, religion and security.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

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Odia Ofeimun at 70

n the world of literature and the arts- imagic, plastic, graphic and visual – there is no power in the hands of one dominant, tyrannical individual as may be found in partisan politics, power is located in a widespread but felt realm of imagination, distributed into the hands and minds of many individuals, agents and reincarnations of the Muses, who distinguish themselves with the fecundity of their talent, the awesomeness of their imagination, and their natural capacity to build, illuminate, re-define and extend the traditions of human thought and accomplishments. It is our duty as a community and as beneficiaries to celebrate these special individuals whose outputs transcend the boundaries of colour, identity, race, ethnicity and religion, and who by their efforts in the kingdom of the imagination, affect, enrich and transform our lives. From the village, ancestral griots in Africa, to the ritual priests of Egypt, the priests of ancient Hellenistic post-ritual enactments, the gladiators of Roman festivals, through the centuries to the Alarinjo, Ayinla Omowura, Rihanna, Beyonce, and Tiwa Savage and all the poets, drummers, the dancers, actors and actresses, painters, wordsmiths, and the models who capture time and space with their hips and swings, my firm belief is that humanity owes those who think, create, and engage society with their reconstruction of verbal and non-verbal imageries, a great debt of gratitude. Today, I devote this column and pay tribute to one of such persons: Odia Ofeimun, the poet, polemicist, author, journalist, publisher, and politician who turned 70, yesterday, March 16.

At 70, Ofeimun has lived through many of the great events of post-independence Nigeria and he is without doubt, one of the most articulate and persistent chroniclers and critics of that experience. He is a key voice in the perpetual search for a transformative, regenerative Nigerian revolution. For the better part of his life, Odia Ofeimun has devoted his time and energy to the task of “taking Nigeria seriously”, and yet this is a country that hardly rewards commitment and diligence. Instead, we reward characters who have no clear understanding of what it means to “take Nigeria seriously”. In a country of 200 million people that can hardly generate up to 4, 000 MW of electricity, one clown from Niger State showed up in the Senate the other day and proposed a bill to ban generators. In Odia Ofeimun’s native country, so many other clowns have showed up over the years, but that has not deterred him from “taking Nigeria seriously.”

Every brilliant Nigerian who continues to take Nigeria seriously is a patriot and an agent of change and hope.

The man I celebrate today, Odia Ofeimun achieved intellectual maturity quite early and under quite inauspicious circumstances and this should serve as a lesson to the younger generation. Born and raised in Iruekpen in the Ekpoma Division of what later became known as the Mid-West, Odia Ofeimun arrived in Lagos as a secondary school drop-out and with nothing other than Primary School education. His father was a rich mechanic who fell on bad times. His grandfather was a man of noble extraction, with many wives and an active, fertile loin. Faced with family misfortune, Odia found his way to Lagos.

His first job, as he told me the story himself, was as a factory worker in Ijora-Badiya area of Lagos. The name of the company is West African Thread Company. He did night-shifts, carrying load and managing to sleep wherever nature called. This did not discourage him. He studied privately on his own and eventually wrote the School Certificate Examination, the famous GCE. He passed. He also enrolled privately later for the Higher School Certificate Examination. He also

Ofeimun passed. In those days, the HSC was a prestigious piece of qualification. It was the ticket for Direct Entry admissions into universities. But there was something else about this factory worker: he loved words and he discovered poetry and literature. He scribbled on scraps of papers and notebooks. By sheer accident of fate, he sent a few of his poems to the then Mr. Wole Soyinka, who had become a celebrated African writer, and who was at the time putting together an Anthology of West African poetry. Soyinka has a life-long reputation for responding to every mail, especially from younger writers seeking his attention and support, and also being ready to encourage younger artists in general. In making his selection, Soyinka who did not now who Odia Ofeimun was, selected his poems and included them in the anthology. The factory worker became a published poet! Odia Ofeimun’s life would never be the same again.

Fate would also later bring him in contact with Mr. Bola Ige (as he then was), lawyer and rising star in the political firmament of Nigeria’s Western region. Ofeimun’s HSC result got him a place at the University of Ibadan where he studied Political science. He once told me Chief Bola Ige (as he later became) supported him financially. A few years ago, Odia Ofeimun visited the same factory in Ijora, Lagos where he was just a factory hand. He was surprised to find some of his old colleagues still on duty! They had heard about his accomplishments. They were excited to see one of their own who had now become a superstar on the global stage.

Ofeimun’s story is inspirational. Every young man who is depressed and thinking of ending it all at the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge, Nigeria’s suicide highway should remember Ofeimun’s story, the son of a bankrupt mechanic who made a name for himself on his own steam. Odia Ofeimun does not have billions in the banks, he has no powers to remove a traditional ruler from office, but the President of Nigeria has issued a statement congratulating him on his 70th birthday!

From a small factory in Lagos as labourer, Ofeimun created a manufacturing factory of his own. The only difference is that he manufactures words. He writes. He talks. He thinks. His factory of words is large, expansive, prodigious, his exports have earned him a solid, unimpeachable reputation. That dirty-clothed factory worker in Ijora is now a foremost public intellectual, and an undisputed leader in his chosen vocation, dressed in his own fashion choice of aso oke attires as a man of culture and as a promoter of African cultural symbols. It is a great privilege

to know him. It is a great blessing to be “one of the boys” of this immensely gifted writer who we refer to affectionately as “Baba” (for he is indeed a father figure in Nigerian arts and culture), or “Owanle” (in his native Esan language, that means “Elder”) or as most of us do, we just call him “Odia.” He doesn’t mind. He is a man completely without vanity, pretentions or affectations.

The thing that appeals to me most about him is his formidable intellect, which confers on him an unmistakable authority in both personal and intellectual circumstances. His mind is nimble and rich. He is able to turn every conversation into an argument and enrich it with his advantage of rich exposure. He is an orator even if he lacks the diplomacy of an orator seeking to win an audience to his side. Odia does not seek to persuade. He challenges you and he can be very obstinate with his views. He has an uncanny capacity to switch the template in an argument, he will take ownership of your argument, explain it better with facts, history and anecdotes, dismantle your original argument and then insist on his own original position. This unusual talent has brought him into conflict with those who consider him too intellectually aggressive and uncompromising. When he speaks, he sounds like he is writing. When you read his writings, he sounds like an orator’s delivery with all the emotions. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage. He got a full measure of the implications of this when as Secretary General and later President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), he thought he was in a position to direct the past, present and future prospects of the association. He was stoutly resisted by those who thought he should not be allowed deploy literary leadership as a tool of management and organizational knowledge. Many years later though, it is beginning to look as if he was the actual owner of some, not all, of the arguments.

Odia’s big shortcoming is that he does not hesitate to make his position very clear and he has enough vocabulary to prove his point. He is a voluminous thinker. Whereas his poetry is precise, his prose is a big volume of words, carefully scored to a rhythm. Every subject for him is a philosophical problem which must be analyzed to the point of exhaustion. Odia’s essays do not end; they stretch into other arguments. Long before Corona virus became a public health crisis, Odia Ofeimun infected the younger generation of Nigerian thinkers with the coronavirus of thought and ideas in the public domain.

What we have in return is a rich harvest of over 40 books and seminal essays. A balance sheet of Odia Ofeimun’s public career further reveals a number of high points, beyond the narratives above. One, he was the Private Secretary to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the legendary and iconic Yoruba leader in the middle and later part of the 20th Century.

Ofeimun competed for that position with some Yoruba sons, but he was Awo’s choice. Awo did not know him. He had never met him.

He got the job purely on merit. Awo was a living legend and sage. Working for him was like serving tutelage at the feet of an Avatar. In due course, it was reported that some documents escaped from Awolowo’s private bedroom which showed up on the pages of a national newspaper, and exposed the great Awo to gross embarrassment. The Yoruba elements who never wanted Odia Ofeimun on the job conspired against him, and made him the scapegoat. Till today, nobody knows exactly what happened. But I am shocked that each time this topic comes up, Odia refuses to be malicious. He remains an Awoist and a friend of those he believes may have been

behind his travails in the Awolowo household.

He continues to adore and promote Awo. He moved beyond the Awo debacle to become a strong force in the market place of ideas. Man is born to rise and fall and rise again. He experiences the cycles of fate: he lives and dies and rises again. Odia Ofeimun’s life is a script written in the city of the Phoenix. His resilience is the stuff of genius. He served as a member of the Editorial Board of The Guardian newspapers. He was an editorial writer and an active contributor to the polemics on the pages of Nigerian newspapers in the 80s and early 90s. It is sad that there is no debate on the opinion pages of Nigerian newspapers today. Every character who ever passed through the newsroom is now a columnist.

Opinionitis – a disease as bad COVID-19, is now rife. Creativity is scarce. We are now in the age of the columnist as a consultant-propagandist.

Ofeimun belongs to a different generation. That generation survived for a while, until it ended up in the hands of anyone who ever wrote a news intro.

After The Guardian, Odia went abroad. But fate bought him back and he lived in the Aromire- Ikeja area of Lagos where all the young boys learning to write poetry converged on his space and he became the Godfather of a whole generation of Nigerian poets. He later became the Chairman of the Editorial Board of The News and Tempo and was part of the struggle for Nigeria’s second independence- that is the independence from military rule and Northern totalitarianism.

Odia’s journalism bears the same imprints as his poetry. A skilful reader of his writings across the genres will see a persistent attempt to reach a high level of perfection and idealism, a devotion to humanism, and a determination to correct what is wrong with society. In his various essays, Odia is not afraid to engage in theoretical disputes. And is he fully armed? Yes, he is. He is a romantic though. He does not often appreciate the aesthetic, delicate, distance between theory and action.

He has always boasted that he is in a position to teach Nigerian politicians how to play politics.

I guess this is why in 2015, he aspired to become Governor of Edo State. I wrote a piece in The Guardian in which I lampooned him. It is good he didn’t make it. His fate would have been worse than that of Godwin Obaseki, current Governor of Edo State, whose biggest challenge is the scourge of the the politics of “Godfatherism.”

Odia would have written poems and essays to attack the Godfather and his agents and he would have been in bigger trouble.

I admire Odia Ofeimun. But I particularly do not like the fact that he extends his intellectual authority beyond his own limits. I recall how he tried in my younger days to act as a marriage counsellor: his only qualification being the fact that he was at my wedding and the naming ceremonies of my children. When he tried to start intellectualizing about how to be a husband, I reminded him that he had never married a woman in his life, and so, he should not act like the Pope. Once Odia knows your wife, you cannot take even an innocent female Personal Assistant to his house! He claims to be an expert in matters like that, when we all know that he and one famous Ijebu Chief’s daughter are…

Okay, I have to stop there… Look at your ears, aproko somebody, you too like gist! Odia is a good cook. He knows how to entertain. He dances well. He doesn’t drink alcohol, although if you invite him to a party, he is likely to bring a bottle of wine. He is a wonderful friend and mentor.

My family knows him as Daddy Odia. From all of us, may you live long sir to become the Odionwele of your clan in Esan West Kingdom.

Congratulations.

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