Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) is close to ramping up Nigeria’s 36.9

billion barrels crude oil reserves by 14 billion barrels and the country’s gas reserves by an additional 68 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF), Director of the

organisation, Mr Sarki Auwalu, stated yesterday.

Speaking when he received the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum

www.thisdaylive.com

Wednesday 8 September, 2021Vol 26. No 9648. Price: N250

TRUTH & REASON

Continued on page 10

Auwalu Hosts Kyari, Says DPR Plans Additional 14bn Barrels, 68TCF of Gas in Reserves

Duchess of Cornwall Becomes First Patron of The Mirabel Centre... Page 6

of Nigeria’s gas reserves to 206 TCF, the DPR's field analysis has shown that the possibility

14 billion barrels out of the 18 billion barrels in the works remains very high.

Auwalu disclosed that in addition to the recent increase

Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari and top manage-ment team of the corporation in his office, Auwalu disclosed that the possibility of getting

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Ahead of the September 9 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP), governors elected on the party’s platform are billed to meet today to discuss and assign offices in the National

Working Committee (NWC). The last NEC meeting of

the party had mandated the September 9 gathering to discuss the setting up of the

national convention committee as well as states and zones that would get what positions in the new NWC.

The last NEC meeting

had also received a recommendation on the micro-zoning of the leadership positions, though, the NEC, the national caucus of the

PDP Govs Meet Today, to Zone NWC Offices, Silent on Presidential Ticket

Continued on page 10

party, and the Board of Trustees (BoT) were silent on the zoning of the presidential

Like Rivers, Lagos Seeks Law to

Commence VAT Collection... Page 11

Continued on page 10

Deji Elumoye in Abuja, Dike Onwuamaeze in Lagos and Francis Sardauna in Katsina

Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari has said with the benefit of hindsight, his government should never have negotiated with bandits, let alone grant them amnesty. Although Masari said he never regretted his deci-sion at the time, he admitted that information available to him confirmed that engaging the bandits was not the right thing to do.

Consequently, based on current understanding of the situation, the governor said he had set in motion plans

OIL AND GAS ON THEIR MINDS...L-R: Chief Executive Officer/Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Engr. Sarki Auwalu; Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Malam Mele Kolo Kyari; Group Executive Director, Finance and Accounts NNPC, Mr. Umar Ajiya and Group Executive Director, Downstream, NNPC, Engr. Adeyemi Adetunji, during a courtesy call on the management of DPR, led by the NNPC leadership in Abuja... yesterday

Set to ban open grazing, says it’s un-islamic Declares nomadic herding mustn’t be encouraged in any form Identifies informants as greatest challenge to fight against insecurity President worried about selective abductions, killings, says IG

Masari: With Hindsight, We Should Never Have Negotiated With Bandits

David Mark committee runs into brick wall NEC meeting holds Thursday

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • T H I S D AY2

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • T H I S D AY 3

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • T H I S D AY4

5WEDNESDAY, T H I S D AY

NEWSGroup News Editor: Goddy Egene

Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322

GALA NIGHT FOR THE RETIRED JURIST...L-R: Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; newly-retired Chief Judge of Enugu State, Hon. Justice Ngozi Priscilla Emehelu; Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Centus C. Nweze; his fellow Supreme Court Judges, Hon. Justice Ejembi Eko and Hon. Justice Abdul Aboki, when the governor organised a gala night in honour of Hon. Justice Emehelu at the Government House, Enugu...yesterday.

Barkindo: Declining Investments in Oil Sector May Spur Market Volatility

Gross Domestic Product (GDP). “Although renewables will see

the largest incremental growth, oil, still is top spot in the energy mix. It is worth highlighting that soaring demand at these levels will require massive industry investment.

“In 2020, however, investment, dropped by roughly 30 per cent. This was predominantly due to the pandemic and heightened investments as a reaction to the energy transition.

“ If the industry does not get adequate investment, we could fall short of supply and face unwanted volatility in the market. I can assure you that these are the eventualities that no energy stakeholder wants to see.

“OPEC member countries are fully committed to investing in oil and gas industries, and they understand that it is only possible through the sustainable stability that continues to be underpinned by the partners of the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC),” he stated.

The former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group Managing Director,

pointed out that the ECB was carrying out a detailed technical review of the organisation’s World Oil Outlook (WOO) 2021, including the COVID-19 pandemic challenge, as well as future developments related to energy policy and technology.

Barkindo highlighted the key role played by the ECB in providing reliable and valuable research output, noting that its work feeds into various aspects of OPEC’s ongoing efforts to support oil market stability.

Making reference to the COVID-19 pandemic, the secretary general stressed that the combined efforts of OPEC and non-OPEC oil-producing countries participating in the DoC, in addition to other positive factors, have provided support to the recovery process throughout the pandemic.

Barkindo emphasised that overall, despite some occasional bumps, the high levels of volatility the industry suffered in 2020 had not resurfaced, assuring that he believed the industry was on the right path.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr. Sanusi Barkindo, yesterday warned that lack of investments in the oil and gas industry may eventually lead to price volatility if the decline is left uncurbed.

The Nigerian-born OPEC chief, who spoke in an address at the Special Meeting of the organisation’s Economic Commission Board (ECB), which held via a videoconference, explained that due to the nature of the industry, there was a very high chance that the resilience of the market may be tested again without adequate project funding.

The ECB is made up of the secretary general as the chairman, the national representatives of member countries as members and the director of the secretariat’s research division as the board’s coordinator.

Barkindo noted that such a volatile situation was not something that any member of the oil producers' group would

want to encounter, insisting that crude oil would continue to remain relevant despite the push for renewable energy sources.

A number of countries in the developed world and big oil giants recently ramped up their advocacy for the jettisoning of fossil fuels due to its carbon emissions capabilities, setting the year 2050 as the point zero carbon emissions will be achieved.

But Barkindo at the 21st edition of the meeting of the ECB, the organisation’s economic and technical think-tank, explained that with increasing global energy demand fuelled by growing world population, all forms of energy will still be required in the next 25 years.

“Global primary energy demand is forecast to increase by 28 per cent between 2020 and 2045 to meet this rapidly rising needs. All forms of energy will be required, especially in light of a rapidly growing global population expected to rise by 1.7 billion people by 2045 and an expected doubling of the global

James Emejo with agency report

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said it was more committed to improving dollar supply in order to meet market demand than worrying over the valuation of the naira.

Reuters quoted CBN Director, Monetary Policy Department, Hassan Mahmud, as saying this during a virtual investor conference.

Mahmud said, "What we are

worried about is the supply side and the confidence in the system."

The naira depreciated to N532 to the dollar on the parallel market yesterday.

Nigeria is battling dollar short-ages brought on by low oil prices following disruptions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. The central bank has devalued the currency three times since March 2020, but the naira has continued to weaken.

In June, CBN Governor, Mr.

Godwin Emefiele, said the country's spot naira rate was overvalued by about 10 per cent, citing the bank’s real effective exchange rate model.

But Mahmud said the level of the naira was expected to adjust based on demand but market failures had made the bank adopt a managed float regime. He said the spot rate was the reference rate and he expected a convergence of the country's several exchange rates.

The naira on Tuesday traded at N411 to a dollar on the official spot market, in the range of N407 to N412, where it has been since June.

Citing several infractions, the CBN had in July discontinued the sale of forex to Bureau De Change operators (BDCs) in the country and directed commercial banks to begin accepting cash deposits of foreign exchange from their customers as well as meet all

CBN Reiterates Commitment to Boost FX Supplylegitimate demands from the public.

The CBN had severally allayed concerns about developments in the forex market; regularly assuring investors and the public that there was no cause for alarm.

In November last year, Emefiele said the parallel market could not be used to determine the true value of the country's currency, pointing out that the value of the naira can only be determined by forces of demand and supply.

Describing the black market as tainted, he said it only accounted for five per cent of total foreign exchange market share – and could not determine the worth of the naira.

The CBN governor had reacted to some analysts whom he ac-cused of erroneously misleading Nigerians into believing that the current official exchange rate was about N480 to the US dollar at the time using the parallel market rate.

He said, "For the information of everybody, parallel market as we know and from the data that we have, is a shallow market in Nigeria with not more than five

per cent of market share. "Parallel market, and quote

me – is a tainted market in Nigeria – where people who desire to deal in illegal exchange transactions, including sourcing of FX cash for purpose of offering bribe, corruption, that is where they deal."

The CBN governor also said, "And that is where people who are supposed to understand the implication of this on economic activity in our country begin to go to television and say our exchange rate is N480.

"This is very unfortunate that this is the way those who are supposed to know try to bend numbers in this country.

"Parallel market is a market where people who don't want to provide documentations to support their transactions deal in and cannot be a basis to determine the value of our currency."

Emefiele added, "Everybody knows and it is accepted, the NAIFEX market, which is pre-dominantly the I&E window, is the market that should be used to determine the value of our naira."

FG, JOHESU Agree on Payment of New Hazard AllowanceOnyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The federal government yesterday reached a truce with aggrieved health workers of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) on modalities for the disbursement of the N37.5 billion set aside for payment of new hazard allowance for the health sector.

The resolution was based on an earlier proposal made by the federal government for the payment of a N15,000 flat rate for JOHESU members who are entitled for hazard allowance.

THISDAY gathered that the resolution of the dispute on new hazard was one of high points of the negotiations between the government side and leadership JOHESU at a meeting that ended last night in Abuja.

An understanding was reached by both parties after a conciliation meeting at the office of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige.

The union however said they would have to present the decisions reached to their organs before a final resolution would made.

JOHESU had earlier issued a 15-day ultimatum to the federal government to meet their demands or face an industrial action.

But, briefing journalists after the meeting which lasted about five hours, Ngige said they held fruitful discussions, assuring that the Memorandum of Understanding would be signed next week.

He said they discussed in a fraternal way and reached an understanding on all the issues in dispute, including the enhancement of hazard allowance, review of retirement age from 60 to 65 years, the arrears of the consequential adjustment of the national minimum wage and upward adjustment of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) as

done with Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).

The Minister said both sides had no problems with the old issues presented, while the meeting agreed that the new issues should return to their employer, the Federal Ministry of Health for discussions.

On the hazard allowance, Ngige said the government had earlier held four meetings with JOSEHU and the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) alongside their affiliates, but at a point there were areas of departure.

He noted that the NMA and a union hitherto thought to be part of JOHESU, demanded for the compartmentalisation of the discussions on the hazard allowance, which the Government granted.

“Based on previous discussion, we delivered to them (JOHESU) the financial implication of what is due to them and they promised to get back to their members and report back to us.

“On the other hand, government is meeting with NMA next week for their separate discussion on hazard allowance. Already the federal government has budgeted the sum of N37.5 billion for this," he said.

Ngige said government was not delaying the hazard allowance as some people wanted members of the public to believe.

He said the government has been making concerted efforts to put the new hazard allowance into effect since the last six months but for disagreement between NMA and JOHESU.

On the upward review of retirement age from 60 to 65 years, Ngige said the meeting received reports from the office of the Head of Service of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Health, which both agreed on the realism of the proposal.

Ngige said the meeting agreed that the issues of non-implementation of allowances contained in the 2017 agreement, such as consequential minimum wage adjustment and skipping would be taken holistically.

Regarding the non-adjustment of CONHESS as done in CONMESS, he recalled that the matter went to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) for adjudication, following a litigation engendered by a civil society organisation and

the court remitted the issue back to JOHESU and its employer, the Federal Ministry of Health for discussion.

According to him, JOHESU would meet with the Federal Ministry of Health on Thursday to draw up with a framework for all the discussions to start.

Responding, the President of JOHESU, Mr. Biobelemoye Josiah expressed optimism that all issues raised by the unions would be positively addressed.

6 WEDNESDAY, T H I S D AY

NEWS

Explains UK's 14-Day isolation requirement for travellersOnyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The federal government yesterday put the total number of eligible Nigerians that have so far received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at 3,600,858.

Also, the government has explained the reason Nigerians who have been fully vaccinated are still required to isolate upon arrival in the United Kingdom is because the country was yet to meet criteria such as the percentage of population immunised and incidence rates of COVID-19 infection.

Speaking during a weekly press briefing on the progress of phase 2 COVID-19 vaccination rollout in Abuja, the Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, said that as a mark of diplomatic reciprocity, Nigeria also require fully vaccinated UK citizens to isolate for seven days.

He said Nigeria alongside countries such as France and the Netherlands were listed as amber countries by the UK government based on criteria such as the number of population immunised and

incidence rates of COVID-19 infection.

"We have been inundated with questions about why the UK insists Nigerians who have been fully vaccinated are still required to isolate upon arrival in the UK.

“The reason is quite simple. We in Nigeria also require fully vaccinated UK citizens to isolate for seven days despite being fully vaccinated.

"In diplomatic circles, this is often referred to as the principle of reci-procity. Nigeria alongside countries like France and the Netherlands are listed as amber countries by the UK Government based on criteria such as the number of popula-tions immunised and incidence rates of COVID-19 infection. “Individuals from countries listed as amber countries are required

by the UK Government to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival and be quarantined for a few days," he said.

Shuaib further said regardless of a vaccine type or vaccination status, if a Nigerian with a Nigerian passport travels to a country on their green list and spends 14 days there before going to the UK, they would not be quarantined in the UK.

"Likewise, if a German or Australian that is currently from their green listed country travels to a country like France, Ghana or Italy which is on their amber list like Nigeria, and such an individual spends 14 days or more in these countries before departing to the UK, such an individual would be made to do a COVID-19 test and quarantined, regardless of their

vaccination status. "Just like Nigeria, every country

has its own COVID-19 travel rules, protocols and guidelines for travel-lers coming from other Countries. So, this should be a motivation for all eligible Nigerians to get vac-cinated, in order for us to increase our population coverage and return back to normalcy," he said.

While giving update on the progress so far made on phase 2 COVID-19 vaccination with Moderna and AstraZeneca, he said the exercise has now fully commenced in all the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

He said: "As at September 6 2021, a total of 3,600,858 eligible Nigerians have so far received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. This is made up of 2,551,738 persons vaccinated with AstraZeneca

vaccine and 1,049,120 persons vaccinated with Moderna vaccine.

“Therefore, 1,576,011 persons have been fully vaccinated with AstraZeneca vaccine. We have now restarted the administration of AstraZeneca as first dose in all designated health facilities. "The decision to re-open AstraZeneca for first dose administration is hinged on the fact that we received an additional 1,394,480 doses of vaccines through the COVAX facility," he said.

Shuaib also spoke on vaccine supply, saying that Nigeria received 1,123,200 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine last Saturday, through the AVATT platform, coordinated by the African Union Commission, as part of the 39,800,000 doses procured by the federal government of Nigeria.

COVID-19: 3.6 Million Nigerians Vaccinated, Says FG

Duchess of Cornwall Becomes First Patron of The Mirabel Centre

Ehanire Aplauds Ihekweazu's Transformational Role at NCDC

Don't Betray Buhari's Confidence, Fayemi Tells New NCDC DG Duchess of Cornwall as the Centre’s

first Patron.“We are pleased that the Duchess

has agreed to be our patron. We have followed her work with charities working in the sexual and gender-based violence space and have seen how passionate and committed The Duchess is towards providing support for survivors.

“Indeed, this announcement is timely considering the devastating nature of sexual violence and the increased advocacy for survivor support services which has led to an increase in the number of survivors who require the services of the centre.

"The current COVID-19 pandemic has further revealed the endemic nature of sexual violence. We have seen a huge number of children and women coming forward to report cases of sexual assault and rape. Our youngest survivor is a 3-month-old baby and the oldest, an 80-year-old woman. We are confident that the support of The Duchess will make a difference.”

Speaking also, the UK’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing CB said: “I am absolutely delighted that HRH The Duchess of Cornwall has agreed to become Patron of the Mirabel Centre in Lagos Nigeria.

"In this role, she will help show-

case the essential work the Mirabel Centre does to support sufferers of sexual assault and domestic abuse. HRH The Duchess of Cornwall has been a long-standing supporter of women who have suffered from these crimes. Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) is a global epidemic ravaging all levels of society, and one of the most prevalent and devastating human rights violations.

"It cuts across all social, national, economic boundaries and, sadly, remains largely unreported due to the stigma and shame too often associated with survivors, and the impunity too often enjoyed by the perpetrators.”

The Mirabel Centre is the first of its kind to provide holistic and high quality psychosocial and medical services to these survivors in Nigeria, and this patronage would no doubt help to ensure safe and continued support to sexual assault survivors, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

“This will complement the UK Government’s other partnerships in Nigeria to tackle SGBV,” it added.

Located in a modest two-room building within the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in the heart of the city, the centre is currently expanding its residence to make adequate room to serve survivors of sexual violence promptly.

Chiemelie Ezeobi and Peter Uzoho

The Duchess of Cornwall has become a patron of the Mirabel Centre, Nigeria’s first Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), which provides succor and a safe place to survivors of rape and sexual assault in Nigeria.

Founded in July 2013, by Itoro Eze-Anaba, the Mirabel Centre has ensured survivors who have recently or in the past been sexually assaulted are able to access free post-incident support services at the centre.

In the last eight years, the Mirabel Centre has provided free medical and psychosocial support services to over 6,450 survivors (including persons with disabilities).

Meanwhile, for several years, The Duchess of Cornwall, a member of the British Royal Family, who is married to the HRH Prince of Wales, heir to the British throne, has highlighted the work of domestic abuse and sexual assault charities in the UK and overseas in supporting victims and survivors, with the aim of breaking the taboo around the subject.

According a statement from the Press & Public Affairs Officer, British Deputy High Commission, Lagos, Ndidiamaka Eze, The Duchess' charity work varies across several themes including health,

literacy, supporting those in need; victims of rape and sexual abuse and domestic violence.

It explained: "Her Royal Highness has visited shelters and support centres around the world and in 2020 became Patron of the UK domestic abuse charity SafeLives.

"Her Royal Highness has at-tended round table discussions on domestic abuse in Australia in 2015, in New Zealand in 2019, and as part of the Women’s Forum at CHOGM in London in 2018.

"The Duchess visited Nigeria together with The Prince of Wales in 2018 when her engagements included joining a discussion hosted by the Women of the World Festival (WOW) saying, “Women get together to discuss things that matter to them so I think especially here in Nigeria it is a fantastic place to start."

It quoted The Duchess of Cornwall to have said: “I am delighted to become Patron of the Mirabel Centre in Lagos. It is a truly trailblazing organisation, supporting survivors of rape and sexual assault as they seek healing and justice. Their vital work means that women need no longer suffer in silence and I am deeply grateful to all Mirabel’s wonderful staff and volunteers.”

Also, Eze- Anaba, said it was an honour to welcome HRH The

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire has described the perfor-mance of the outgoing Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu

as highly transformational.While commending the outgoing

NCDC boss for successfully leading the agency in the last five years, Ehanire said the period Ihekweazu held sway at the NCDC witnessed great transformation and global recognition.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Health, Mallam Mamman Mahmuda, the Minister said President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that there should be smooth transition leading to hands over by Iheakweazu to his successor on November 1.

He said: ' Ihekweazu joined NCDC as a nascent institution and has led the agency through a period of remarkable transformation and global recognition.

"Under his leadership, Nigeria’s health security capacity has improved, evidenced by the improved capabilities and resources for infectious disease control.

“His appointment by WHO is a recognition of his excellence and professionalism and re-iterates Nigeria’s contribution to global health".

The statement added: "Federal

Ministry of Health welcomes the appointment of Dr. Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa, as the incoming Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari. This follows the recent appointment of the current NCDC Director General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu as Assistant Director General of Health Emergency Intelligence at the World Health Organization (WHO).

Adetifa is an Epidemiologist and Consultant Paediatrician who is currently an Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), United Kingdom, and Clinical Epidemiologist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP) in Kilifi, Kenya.

He is a graduate of the College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, and completed his specialist training in Paediatrics and Child Health at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos to become a Fellow of the West Africa College of Physicians.

During residency, he also received training in infectious diseases at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, and at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has appealed to the new Director General,National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, not to betray the confidence reposed in him by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Fayemi, who described Adetifa as a good choice for the strategic position, reminded him that his appointment was based on trust and competence and therefore urged the medical guru not to disappoint Nigeria and President Buhari in the task of building a disease-free nation.

President Buhari, had an-nounced the appointment of Adetifa as the new NCDC DG to replace Dr. Chikwe Iheakweazu, who recently landed a World Health Organisation (WHO) job.

Fayemi, in a statement on Tuesday, congratulated the Ayede-Ekiti born Medical Practitioner, describing him as a thoroughbred professional, who would bring his wealth of experience and integrity to bear on the job.

He urged the new NCDC boss to justify the confidence reposed in him by the President by improving on the excellent track record of his predecessor in office.

Similarly, the governor has

hailed the appointment of an Ijero- Ekiti born Dr Damola Dada into the membership of the Health Sector Reform Committee.

The Committee is to commence the development and implemen-tation of Health Sector Reform Programme for the country in collaboration with state govern-ments and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Fayemi, in his congratula-tory message to Dada, who is a member of the Ekiti State Covid-19 Advisory Committee, urged him to demonstrate his exceptional leadership qualities and professionalism in the course of the national assignment.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Ekiti State, I thank the President for considering these two excellent professionals from the Land of Honour for the opportunities to serve their fatherland through these strategic positions. We are convinced that they would not only add value to their respective organisations, they would demonstrate high level of integrity and the omoluabi ethos for which Ekitis are known.

“Congratulations to Dr Adetifa and Dr Dada on their new appoint-ments. We wish them successful and impactful tenures,” Fayemi said.

WITH LOVE FROM ARABIA...Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al-Saud (left), received by President Muhammadu Buhari in the Presidential Villa in Abuja...yesterday PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • T H I S D AY 7

8 WEDNESDAY, T H I S D AY

NEWS

Chiemelie Ezeobi

The Nigeria Police on Tuesday accused rights activist, Olarenwaju Suraju, who doubles as Chairman of Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), of cyber-stalking, giving false information, injurious falsehood, and defamation. The police reached the conclusions after investigating a petition by former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN), against Suraju.

The accusations against Suraju were contained in a report issued by the Inspector General of Police (IG) Monitoring Unit on September 2, following a petition by the former minister.

In the petition, Suraju was alleged to have used the social media platforms of his organisation to release an email, purportedly, of Adoke and JP Morgan, the US investment bank, in June 2011 over OPL 245 transactions involving Malabu Oil & Gas Limited, Shell and Eni.

The email alleged that the former minister had communicated the investment bank through the address of a company owned by Aliyu

Abubakar, who was also on trial in Italy. The correspondence was intended to support a claim that the transaction was fraudulent, and it alleged that Adoke and Abubakar "worked together" on the deal.

Adoke was also accused in the email of having a phone conversation with an Italian journalist in 2017, where he, allegedly, acknowledged that the OPL245 deal was a scam.

But in the petition in February, through his lawyers, to the Inspector-General of Police, Adoke, who had earlier refuted the allegations, called for a thorough investigation to unravel the truth. He argued that he was no longer minister at the date the said email was sent and, so, had no reason to use another person’s email address.

The former AGF described the purported phone conversation with an Italian journalist in 2017 as stage-managed. He said he was on self-exile at the time and had stopped using a Nigerian line since June 2015.

Communicating its findings to Adoke through a letter signed by Head of the IG Monitoring Unit, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ibrahim Musa, the police described the email

and voice conversation as forged. They said Suraju did not verify the phone tape and email before sharing on social media, describing his act as a calculated attempt to resort to media trial and falsify relationship between Adoke and Abubakar.

The report said, "A thorough investigation was carried out and in the course of investigation, it was evident that Mr Olarenwaju Suraju of Human and Environmental Development Agenda – an unregistered organisation, without verifying

the authenticity of the purported telephone interview and email, proceeded to use the social media handle of @HedaAgenda on Twitter and @HedaResourceCentre on Facebook to disseminate same.

"When invited by the police to substantiate his claims, he feigned sickness, jumped bail, and resorted to issuing press statements maligning the police, writing frivolous counter petitions, and filing civil suits in court against the IGP Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja, and the

police, aimed to undermine the investigation and to evade the course of justice.

The police report also said, "That the claims made by Mr. Olarewaju Suraju that his foreign partners, national and international media agencies, are the authors of the information he shared is misleading, as he was the one issuing the press statements that were published by these media agencies;

"That the totality of the conduct of Olarewaju Suraju is a calculated attempt to resort to media trial and to falsify

OPL 245: Police Conclude Investigation on Adoke’s Forgery Petition, Accuse HEDA Chairman of Falsehood

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have expressed their willingness to improve on their bilateral relationship and collaboration in international politics.

Both governments stated this in Abuja yesterday, during a meeting between their foreign ministers, Geoffrey Onyeama (Nigeria) and Prince Faisal Al-Saud (Saudi Arabia).

Addressing journalists after a closed door meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Onyeama said both countries have a relationship that dates over a century.

He said both countries are allies at the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and are currently looking for ways of moving from total dependency

on oil into other sectors.Onyeama said they are

looking at ways of increasing trade between both countries and are working at setting up a Commission which would bring in business men and women from both countries to explore areas of trade and business.

He said both countries are willing to improve the framework they already have for cooperation in the area of Joint Commission, explaining that one took place over six years ago and both countries would be having another one before the end of this year.

He said this would assist Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to identify areas of trade and bilateral relationship.

Onyeama said both nations are also ready to work together in the areas of security especially in addressing the challenge of

terrorism, insurgency and non-state actors destabilising the countries and around the world.

He said at the meeting they spoke on the need to work together to tackle the challenges.

He explained: "We talked about the challenges in the West Africa sub-region, in North Africa and in the Red Sea area.

"We spoke about opportunities in the trade and economy field. We spoke of cooperation at bilateral and multilateral levels, even at the level of the United Nations and strengthening our solidarity, speaking together with one voice and pushing for reforms of some of these agencies'

He added that: "We really appreciate the relationship between our nations, and also feeling that together we can make much difference in our bilateral

relations and also influencing the global trajectory."

He said he had an excellent discussion with his Saudi Arab counterpart and with the relationship of President Muhammadu Buhari and the King of Saudi Arabia, there is already a strong foundation for a better relationship between the two countries.

Also speaking, the Saudi Arabia Minister confirmed that they had fruitful discussion that would mutually benefit both nations.

He said the bond of brotherhood between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia is really strong and that both countries can build on this for greater relationship.

He disclosed that both nations would be meeting very soon to further build on the existing business and trade relationship.

US Supports Nigeria on HIV Eradication by 2030

Nigeria, Saudi Arabia to Strengthen Relationship

The statement revealed that the Strengthening Integrated Delivery of HIV/AIDS Services (SIDHAS) activity was supported by the Presidents’ Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through USAID. It added that since 2011, SIDHAS, implemented by FHI 360, had been a leader in a continuum of U.S. government support for HIV control, and through PEPFAR, the U.S. government had delivered lifesaving treatment to over 1.5 million individuals. The figure represents more than 83 per cent of the total estimated 1.8 million Nigerian people living with HIV.

The U.S. had also supported comprehensive services to over one million vulnerable children and their family members impacted by HIV, the statement said.

It said PEPFAR was implemented in Nigeria by the U.S. State Department, USAID, the U.S. Centres for Disease Control, and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, leveraging the power of a whole-of-government approach to controlling the global HIV/AIDS epidemic.

FitzGibbon was quoted in the statement as saying, “It’s been a great source of pride for me to witness the success of the U.S. government’s partnership with Nigeria to get HIV epidemic control within our reach.” He added, “The U.S. PEPFAR team has worked closely with government stakeholders to urgently reorient the national response to address areas with

the highest HIV burden.” SIDHAS made significant

contributions to the national HIV response through improving integration of HIV/AIDS and TB services into the Nigerian health system and helping deliver high quality prevention and treatment to HIV-positive people and their families.

SIDHAS began operating in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2011, and over the years has evolved to focus on “hot spots” of HIV incidence as identified by the activity’s interventions and results.

Along the way, SIDHAS has strengthened institutional, technical, and financial capacities of local health systems in planning, training of health workers, and support for community-based organisations active in the health sectors.

This support has helped to streamline and standardise Nigeria’s HIV prevention and care response and improved the geographic reach of high-quality treatment services, most recently through “surge” interventions in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states since 2019.

Through partnership with the U.S. government and the multilateral Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria, Nigeria has achieved a reduction in HIV prevalence from 4.1 per cent in 2010 to 1.4 per cent in 2018. New annual infections have dropped 26 per cent from 230,000 in 2010 to 170,000 in 2018.

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

United States has expressed commitment to Nigeria’s push towards meeting the United Nations goal of global HIV eradication by 2030.

A statement by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Tuesday read, “As Nigeria accelerates toward meeting the United Nations goal of global HIV eradication by 2030, USAID programmes will continue to maintain critical

momentum to propel HIV prevention, care, support, and treatment where it is needed most in Nigeria.”

The statement disclosed that on September 7, the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Kathleen FitzGibbon joined Nigerian Federal Director of Public Health, Dr. M.O. Alex-Okoh, representing Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanaire, to mark the closing of a U.S. government activity that made a significant contribution to the HIV response in Nigeria over the last decade.

INNOVATION AT THE HEARTBEAT OF NIGERIA...L-R: South South Zonal Coordinator, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Osakwe Emmanuel; Director, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Dennis Iyeke; Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Birgitta Okodugha, during a courtesy visit by the ministry to the governor at the Government House, Benin City ...yesterday

relationship between Mohamed Bello Adoke, SAN, and Aliyu Abubakar while their cases are still on-going in court, thereby misleading the public, of which elements of a prima facie case of cyber-stalking, giving false information to misled public officers, injurious falsehood and criminal defamation with intent to incite exist."

After the police made its findings public, Suraju first dismissed the report as fake, insisting that the police were yet to complete investigations on the issue.

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • T H I S D AY 9

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AUWALU HOSTS KYARI, SAYS DPR PLANS ADDITIONAL 14BN BARRELS, 68TCF OF GAS IN RESERVES

PDP GOVERNORS MEET TODAY, TO ZONE NWC OFFICES, SILENT ON PRESIDENTIAL TICKET

MASARI: WITH HINDSIGHT, WE SHOULD NEVER HAVE NEGOTIATED WITH BANDITSto proscribe open grazing of cattle in the state. He said once certain structures were put in place for ranching, nomadic herding would be outlawed in the state.

Masari disclosed these dur-ing an interview on a national television.

He insisted that open graz-ing of animals should not be encouraged in any form, adding that the practice is even contrary to Islamic doctrines, which forbid allowing animals into other peoples’ land.

The governor of the North-west state also identified informants as the greatest challenge to the fight against insecurity in that part of the country.

In a related development, the Inspector-General of Police, Us-man Alkali Baba, yesterday, said President Muhammadu Buhari was worried about the selective abductions and killings in the North-west and North-central zones of the country. Baba said the president had directed all security agencies in the country to ensure immediate end to the situation.

Meanwhile, six additional Tucano fighter jets are expected in the country next week to complement the six already on the ground in the fight against insecurity.

Masari, who had offered marauding gunmen amnesty, after negotiations with them, said looking back in hindsight, he should not have done that.

He said, “I do not regret it. But the only thing I can say is that with the benefit of hindsight, I wouldn’t have done it. We realised: who are you talking with, because they do not have an umbrella.

“They are not pushing for any ideological view; they are not pushing for any religious view. They are simply bandits, criminals and thieves. Any person in the forest is a potential criminal and should be dealt with as such.”

Speaking on the open grazing controversy, Masari said, “We intend to ban unnecessary roaming about with cattle. But before we do that, we will make provisions where the animals will stay. I think the situation in the southern part of the country is slightly different from the northern part of the country.

“The majority of the herders are from the northern part of the

country. So, for us, we need a law that should be obeyed, not one that will be disregarded. For us to come up with the law we will first of all put some structures on ground, then, we will have the law that can back up the structures so that nobody would roam or move about with cattle.

“Even that is un-Islamic. It says do not have the numbers you cannot feed that you have to stretch over to people’s land or on somebody’s farm. I do not think that it is right. And, certainly, once we put in place ranching for the grazing of all animals, the issue of anybody roaming about will be a past.”

On the rising incidence of armed criminality in Katsina State, Masari categorically identified majority of those involved in the act as Fulani, saying, “They are the same people like me; who speak the same language like me; who profess the same religion like me. They are not aliens. So, what we have here on ground is banditry.

“They are people we know. They are people that had been living with us for 100 of years. They are also people of the Fulani extraction. Majority of those involved in this banditry are Fulani, whether it is palat-able or not, but that is the truth.

“I did not say that 100 per cent of them are Fulani, but the majority of them are. They are people who live in the forest and their main occupation is rearing of cattle.

“Probably their fortunes dwindled over time with climate change and their lack of access to education, both Islamic and Western education, also aggravated the situation.”

While acknowledging possible infiltrations from some West and North African countries, the governor stressed that the fall of former Libya leader Muam-mar Ghadafi had encouraged instability and proliferation of arms and ammunitions. He urged the political leadership in northern Nigeria to summon courage and determination to end the crisis.

“I think it is our responsibility in Katsina and northern Nigeria to be determined to end this,” he said.

Masari added, “The biggest problem in our efforts and other places is their informants. They are everywhere in the markets and the villages and when they

ticket of the party. They insisted, as the Governor Bala Mohammed committee had suggested, that the matter be thrown open.

THISDAY gathered that the meeting today in Abuja would encourage the governors to negotiate and decide offices of the NWC that would come to their respective states.

Already, Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi, who had been acting for the national chairman, Uche Secondus, suggested at the last NEC that all members of the present NWC should go. Akinwonmi said he was tired and ready to retire to his farm in Ogun State.

The deputy national chairman’s position was prompted by the fact that some members of the present NWC had already begun to eye higher elective posts in the executive arm of government.

In the micro-zoning of the NWC offices, the governors were said to be against the re-election of some NWC members as their continued stay negated their 2023 political ambitions.

One of the governors, Mohammed, was believed

to be eyeing the presidential ticket of the party and, as such, uncomfortable with the aspirations of the deputy national chairman, North, Senator Nazif Suleiman. In his place, the Bauchi State governor was said to be inclined to allowing Borno State to have the office of Deputy National Chairman, North.

The party was said to be disposed to Mohammad Imam assuming the position, the reason, THISDAY gathered, being to give PDP in Borno State a sense of belonging.

Though this recommendation did not stop Suleiman from contesting, as doing would amount to abridging his constitutional rights.

Other NWC members affected by the micro-zoning also insisted they would go ahead and contest the offices, as the PDP constitution guaranteed them the right to contest and seek re-election.

The PDP organs championing the micro-zoning of the NWC offices, apart from the incumbent governors, include former members of the National Assembly and former governors of the party.

As at press time, former PDP members of the National Assembly had met with the NWC members at the party’s secretariat on the arrangement.

Meanwhile, the committee set up by the national caucus of PDP to resolve the inter-party crisis might have hit a brick wall in their negotiations with the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike. The governor was said to have insisted on an undertaking by the ousted national chairman, Uche Secondus, that he would not seek re-election as national chairman at the national convention as condition for withdrawing the two court orders against Secondus at the Degema High Court in Rivers State and the Calabar High Court in Cross River State.

The Mark committee could not, however, guarantee Wike’s request and the matter was left unresolved.

THISDAY gathered that the Mark committee would submit its report to NEC on Thursday, when the body is scheduled to meet.

Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, the governor of Sokoto State, in consultation with his

colleagues, has summoned an extraordinary meeting of the forum today.

According to a statement by Director General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Cyril Maduabum, the meeting would discuss party matters and strategies to reposition PDP ahead of the NEC meeting holding Thursday.

The PDP governors assured all PDP members, stakeholders, and the country of their commitment, determination and loyalty to the patriotic task of dislodging the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in 2023.

Meanwhile, the PDP national secretary, Senator Umaru Tsauri, has confirmed that the 93rd NEC meeting of the party would hold on Thursday. In a statement, Tsauri said, "This is to invite all members of PDP National Executive Committee to the 93rd NEC meeting scheduled as follows: date: Thursday September 09, 2021."

Tsauri said the time of the NEC meeting was 11am. He hinted that the Anambra National Campaign Council might be inaugurated during the open session of the meeting.

for what has been done so far; that we should improve much so that people can go about their lawful businesses within the quickest possible means."

Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd), also revealed after the meet-ing that six more Tucano jets would be in the country by next week to boost the fight against insurgency and other criminalities bedevilling the country. Magashi stressed that the initial six Tucano jets that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) took delivery of recently were currently being test run while the Chief of Air Staff would soon give further details on the issue.

The minister told journalists, "We are just testing the Tucano jets. Six are still coming by the end of, maybe, next week. So, when the 12 of them are here, I think the Chief of Air Staff will brief you on the operations that they are to undertake as soon as possible."

Magashi expressed gov-ernment's concern over the unfolding insecurity in Zamfara State and the North-central, but assured the people of military's determination to change the narrative.

According to him, "We believe that the rate at which these things are happening in Zamfara State and North-central is a source of concern to the government and to all agencies that are responsible for the execution of the operations in the North-central.

"We discussed the need for

urgency in our dealing with the bandits. We believe they're becoming a nuisance; killing people, they are doing what they like, they make careless statements, they say what they think they should say in order to solicit the kind of audience they want from the society."

The defence minister said the meeting also appraised the developments, generally, which required all hands on deck.

He stated, "We have ap-praised our position, we’ve found that we are capable, we can do this thing, but we need the cooperation of every Nigerian in order to ensure a free society.

"Security, as far as this country is concerned, is the paramount important thing. Without security, nothing will happen and the Commander-in-Chief has emphasised this today that without security, nothing can go on. So, he has directed us to find ways, tactics and style with which we can get out of this and we assured him."

Further assuring of the preparedness of the security agencies to end the menace of insecurity in the country, Magashi said, "We will do our best to ensure the mission is successful and we will do all we can to ensure the completion of this mission, especially, when equipment and other things are available to support the course of our tactical manoeuvres and that we will do very well from now."

see military or police patrol they will inform.

“The problem is the support the informants are giving to the bandits, which empowers them with information. Once we are able to cripple the informants, especially, by taking away the networks, the informants can no longer help them. The armed forces have their own way of communicating.”

The governor explained that the bandits would be fished out and brought to book with the aid of technology and the determination of the armed forces.

He stated regarding the armed criminal gangs, “They live in the forests. The terrain is very bad and reaching them is also very difficult. But with the help of technology and what we have seen the air force is trying to do, we will be able to reach some of their camps, get their leaders and bring them to book. The efforts of the military are yielding success in reaching the most difficult areas.

“A lot of these areas are ungoverned, because they are forest areas. Access to them is difficult in rainy season but not impossible. With technology, we will be able to reach wherever they are and fish them out.”

Meanwhile, Baba, who spoke after Tuesday’s meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) at State House, Abuja, chaired by Buhari, said the president had directed sustained action to end the menace of selective abduction and killings in the North-central and North-west

geopolitical zones. Briefing newsmen after the

close-door meeting, Baba stated, "The new marching order is that all the service chiefs and intelligence chiefs have been warned to go and reinvigorate efforts and to do more so that the North-central and Nigeria at large should enjoy better security."

The IG, who acknowledged government's responsibility to secure the citizenry, admitted that more needed to be done to change the insecurity narrative pervading the North-central and North-west, as well as other parts of the country.

He said, "The president also observed and made a remark that the constitutional responsibility of government is the provision of security, and he is ready to provide such. We should reinvigorate our efforts, which are yielding results in the North-east, South-east.

“But there is more to be done in the North-central, North-west, where people are worried and he has intel-ligence and information that schoolchildren and students are abducted, selective abductions and killings are done. This narrative must change."

The IG added that the security chiefs had assured the president that they would try their best to improve the security narrative.

Baba said on their meeting with Buhari, "We have assured him and promised that we will make efforts to do more. He also thanked and praised us

of proving the new oil and gas finds was becoming higher and gradually moving from P3 to P2.

In oil industry reserve clas-sification, Proven (P1) reserve is an estimate of recoverable volume with a probability of recovery greater than 90 per cent under present technical and economic conditions, while Probable (P2) reserve is an estimate of recoverable volume with chances of recovery equal to or above 50 per cent and less than 90 per cent.

In addition, Possible (P3) reserve is an estimate of recoverable volume with a chance equal to or above 10 per cent and less than 50 per cent of being economically and technically feasible to extract.

“Let me take this opportu-nity to inform the GMD and the entire top management of the NNPC that as of last year we were able to increase the proven gas reserve to 206 TCF. This year, we have looked at the reserves of gas and those reserves are in P3 and migrating to P2.

“We realised that over 68 TCF are in P3 and 75 per cent of it exists in P2 area, which is the production area. So there are several possibilities that this volume will be proven and we can increase and hit the 230 TCF before 2030.

“For oil, we have discovered P3 reserves in P2 area of about 18 billion barrels and 75 per cent of this 18 billion barrels exist in the P2 production area. So the

potential for us to increase about 14 billion barrels is there, and we’re ready to declare this full increase to our own reserves,” Auwalu stressed.

However, he insisted that the nation’s reserves production ratio was still not enough and expressed the hope that with the recent profit declared by the NNPC, it would open the floodgates for investors to come into Nigeria and put their monies in the industry.

He commended the GMD for making first profit in 44 years of the corporation’s existence, the commencement of the Train 7 gas project, the OB3 project, the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) project, spearheading of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) as well as many other endeavours.

“The GMD within the time he took over NNPC has created a lot of landmarks and a lot of things which history will not only put them on stone but will never forget it.

“I can also say, with ultimate commitment, today, the whole world, after 44 years of our great NNPC it is in the first year that not only is it trying to recover but profit is declared.

“We are so proud of it and we put our head very high in the committee of nations that our biggest corporation in Nigeria is no longer the way it was being seen, because of the man that came to say it is not business as usual but business unusual.

“And the GMD is here, the man sitting down here do things that are about to eliminate poverty in this nation,” he added.

Auwalu stated that the “De-cade of Gas” was also a signature project of the GMD as well as his decision to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) to ensure openness in the national oil company.

He stated that the licences and permits as well as approv-als issued by the department were in recognition of the fact that there was need to grow the oil and gas industry in the country and ensure more volumes are available for drilling.

He explained that in doing its job, the DPR had been getting a lot of support from the NNPC, whether in its efforts to boost the reservoir, exploration or production efforts.

In his comments, Kyari who hailed the DPR for its innovative solutions to industry challenges, said the fate of the oil and gas industry and by implication the prosperity of the nation rests on the shoulders of both the NNPC and the DPR.

He noted that the two organisations would not give excuses for non-performance, to Nigerians because the country deserves to get results.

Kyari stated that gas remains the future of energy, explaining that the DPR rather than being a mere police of the industry has become a business enabler.

On the rising prices of cooking gas, Kyari stated that the major challenge was that demand far outstrips supply, thereby creating distortions.

“Supply and demand is everything. Today, this country is struggling with supply of gas. We are having difficulty filling our network across the country with gas. Everyday, it is trouble to deliver gas. That means that once your supply is weak, it will affect prices.

“Same thing with LPG. The supply mechanism is very weak. That’s why we are collaborating extensively to extract value from our gas resources and make it available to the market.

“Once supply becomes high, you will definitely know that prices will be captured by the development. Gas is an internationally priced commod-ity. Despite this , supply and demand affect pricing. What we are doing collectively with the DPR and other agencies of government is to ensure that we deliver more gas into the domestic market,” he explained.

He noted that the idea was to take gas very close to Nigerian homes and expand the gas network like what obtains in developed countries where gas cylinders are no longer needed.

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NEWS

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SECURITY ON THEIR MINDS...L-R: Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao, at the security meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja....yesterday PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

Like Rivers, Lagos Seeks Law to Commence VAT CollectionOAU Dismisses another Lecturer over Sexual Harassment

constitutional development to the state.

Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Noheem Adams, stated that VAT was introduced as far back as 1954 in France before it spread global to developed countries in the world.

He said: “VAT is an indirect tax levied on expenditure that is been paid by a final consumer on goods and services, was introduced in Nigeria in 1993 by the Value Added Tax Act of 1993.

“In 1994, Nigeria started full operation of the Value Added Tax of 1993 which Nigeria generated N8.189 billion and in 1995, Nigeria generated N21 billion.”

Speaking to the Bill, Hon. Richard Kasunmu noted that if passed expediently, it would create more employment opportunities and increase more revenue to the state, as section 16(2) prohibit an importer of taxable goods to pay for the service on the goods before clearing, putting the responsibility of customs in relation to import duties, remit transfers, into

consideration.Justice Stephen Pam of the

Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Monday dismissed an application by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) seeking to stop the Rivers State Government from collecting Value Added Tax (VAT) in line with an earlier judgement in favour of the state. Pam had held that granting the application would negate the principle of equity.

Accordingly, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike had warned the FIRS against sabotaging the authority of the state to freely administer the VAT in line with the court ruling. In a state broadcast in Port Harcourt, Wike had alleged that the FIRS was bullying corporate bodies and business entities in the state for refusing to pay VAT to the federal agency. He said Rivers State would not allow further collection of VAT from corporate bodies and businesses operating in the state by the federal government agency.

Segun James

Just like Rivers State government which recently enacted its Value Added Tax (VAT) Law 2021 to regulate the effective administration of VAT in the state after a Federal High Court sided with the state in its judgment on the matter, Lagos State has also taken steps to enact a law on VAT collection by the state.

To this end, a bill seeking to empower the state government to collect VAT has scaled the first and second reading at the Lagos House of Assembly (LAHA).

Titled “Lagos State Value Added Tax Law: A Bill for a Law to Impose and Charge Value Added Tax On Certain Goods And Services, Provide for the Administration of the Tax and for Related Matters,” seeks to empower the state to charge VAT at the rate of six per cent on the value of goods and services.

According to the Bill, “the value of taxable goods and services shall be determined in the following ways: where

the supply is for money consideration, its value shall be deemed to be an amount which with the addition of the tax chargeable is equal to the consideration.”

It further states that revenue accruing for the VAT would be shared on a ratio of 75 per cent to 25 per cent between the State and the Local Government Council Areas.

The Bill empowers the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service to administer and implement the Law and account for money collected in accordance with the law.

Speaking on the Bill, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, asserted that the state stands to benefit if the Bill is passed into law, saying the state would channel the fund to develop schools, hospitals, and infrastructure.

Obasa noted that the focus of the bill should not be on the sharing formula between the state and the local government, but on the opportunity to practice

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

As part of efforts to rid the University of any form of sexual intimidation, harassment or coercion, the Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has dismissed another lecturer who was found guilty of sexual demeanor against a female student.

According to the Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that the decision to dismiss Dr. Adebayo Mosobalaje of the Department of English Language in the Faculty of Arts, was taken by the University Council at its last sitting yesterday.

He said having exhaustively deliberated on the report of the Joint Committee of Council and Senate, which investigated the case of sexual harassment against

Mosobalaje, the University Council, unambiguously declared its zero tolerance to sexual harassment in any form or guise and, accordingly and applied the appropriate sanctions for such an offence as contained in the University regulation.

The institution had about two weeks ago formally inaugurated an anti - sexual harassment policy.

At several fora, the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, had reiterated the commitment of his administration to uphold the “zero tolerance policy” for sexual harassment and other social vices.

The Council of University Chaired by Oscar Udoji has also pledged to support policies that promote mutual co-existence between all the members of the University Community.

Segun James

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has donated three hectares of land to the Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans (LASCOTA) to build an industrial skills hub for artisans and a secretariat in Badagry.

The donation followed a request by LASCOTA at the 12th Tradesmen and Artisans’ Day and Graduation Ceremony for 2000 upskilled artisans held at Ikeja, Lagos.

Besides, all the graduates who were trained by Bosch Nigeria on the use of their modern tools went home with startup kits, tools and equipment donated by the government.

The training and

empowerment programme was the 3rd edition under the administration of Sanwo-Olu and was done through the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment.

In his address, Sanwo-Olu said, “That technology and innovation are the bedrock of economic development across the world is not in doubt. The transition of human societies from the agricultural age to the Industrial Age to the Digital Age has been underlined by waves of innovation that emerge to disrupt an established and accepted order and replace it with a new way of seeing and doing things.

“The internet and digital technologies have now come along to hasten the pace of

Sanwo-Olu Empowers 2,000 Artisans, Tradesmentransition and transformation, and to entrench the power of innovation even further in our societies. Nobody can afford to ignore the rapid pace of change in the 21st century. “Anyone who does is bound to pay a very heavy price for this. The lesson for our artisans in Lagos State therefore is that you cannot afford to be left behind. You have to incorporate technological innovation into your practice.

“You have to stay in tune with emerging trends from around the world, and constantly anticipate the direction in which your various

areas of practice might be headed.”

The Lagos governor added: “Whether you’re a cobbler, plumber, mechanic, fashion-designer, make-up artist, whatever you might be, you must start to think out of the box—not just in the work that you produce but also in how you brand and market that product, and how you position yourself within your sector.” According to him, “On our part, our administration will continue to create and maintain an enabling environment for artisans and tradesmen to thrive. We will keep investing in

programs that will significantly impact the lives and earnings of artisans and others.

“We acknowledge that for us to build the dynamic economy of our dreams, we must optimise the value provided by skilled workers, while also training the under-skilled segments of the workforce. In line with this, we conceived the idea of the artisans’ up-skilling program to enhance the competence of our artisans in Lagos State.

“The program was developed to equip you with the necessary skills to become 21st century artisans, in alignment with a key

component of our T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, which is making Lagos a 21st century economy.”

In her address, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation & Employment, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke said the informal sector remains the engine that drives economic development.

“It therefore becomes imperative for Lagos artisans to work towards the realisation of a common purpose which is creating a 21st economy artisans for sustainable economic growth with a view to making and sustaining Lagos as a 21st century economy,’’ she added.

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COMMENT Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

Forcing citizens to take the COVID-19 vaccination which has caused the death of some people and severe adverse reactions and blood clot in the body and brain, known as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) of other people, is,

to say the least, a crime against humanity. Why force Nigerians to take COVID-19 vaccination when the manufacturers and suppliers of the COVID-19 vaccines had expressly exempted or absorbed themselves from any liability for any death, injury, bodily impairment or any other damage directly or indirectly traceable or resulting from taking the vaccination? Why force Nigerians to take the COVID-19 vaccination which is not a cure for COVID-19 but only a preventive measure compet-ing with other preventive measures? Why force Nigerians to take the COVID-19 vaccination when the manufacturers and suppliers of COVID-19 vaccines had expressly stated that they would not indemnify any taker of the vaccines?

It is no longer news that Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has commanded from his Olympian height that with effect from the second week of September 2021 all unvaccinated people in Edo State would be barred from worshipping in Churches and Mosques and even entering banks and other public places in the state. In other words, no vaccination, no freedom of religious worship, no freedom of movement. But ruling on an application brought by an aggrieved citizen Charles Osaretin against Governor Obaseki and five others, the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has granted an ex-parte restraining the governor from enforcing his command pending the determination of the substantive Motion on Notice of the applicant to enforce his fundamental human right. But apparently undeterred by the restraining

ex-parte order, Governor Obaseki is still talking tough and has vowed to enforce his command no matter whose ox is gored. As if this is not enough, the federal government is threatening to make the COVID-19 vaccination compulsory for all public servants in Nigeria.

Considering that the case of Charles Osaretin V Governor Obaseki & others is still sub-judice I would refrain from commenting on the merit or demerit of the case until it is determined by the court. But suffice it to say that it is trite law that a court order must be obeyed to the letter until it is set aside or lapses by effluxion of time. Disobedi-ence to a court order or ridiculing a court order or subjecting it to scathing criticisms or disparaging the integrity of the court in public or in the media is not only contemptuous of the court but a recipe for anarchy. The rule of law ought to reign supreme above any arbitrary or capricious exercise of executive power. More importantly, the function of the judiciary as a dispenser of justice, sustainer of good governance and a bulwark of justice in the causes of the citizenry is endangered by the growing incidence of executive lawlessness and executive disobedience to court orders.

Neither the federal government nor a state government nor any employer of labour can force or compel any Nigerian to take any COVID vac-cination. Why? Because there is no known Nigerian law backing compulsory vaccination or compulsory medical treatment. A governor’s directive is not a law and therefore not binding on the citizens. Everyone has to give his or her informed consent before receiving any vaccination. This is the law in Nigeria. Relying on the case of Denloye v Medical & Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal the Nigerian Supreme Court held in the case of Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal v Dr.

John Emewulu Nicholas Okonkwo (2002) AHRLR 159 that failure to extract a patient’s informed consent before administering a blood transfusion on him constituted an infraction of his fundamental human rights to privacy (section 37) and right to freedom of religion and conscience (section 38). The Supreme Court held that the patient’s constitutional right to object to medical treatment or, particularly, as in this case, to his tissue, blood or blood products or his organ being taken away from his body is founded on fundamental rights protected in the 1999 Constitution under the (i) right to privacy: sec-tion 37; (ii) right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion: section 38. The Court further held that the right to privacy “implies a right to protect one’s thought, conscience or religious belief and practice from coercive and unjustified intrusion; and, one’s body from unauthorized invasion. The right to freedom of thought, conscience or religion implies a right not to be prevented, without lawful justification, from choosing the course of one’s life, fashioned on what one believes in, and a right not to be coerced into acting contrary to religious belief…”

Under the English Law, the consent of a living person to medical treatment or for vaccination is absolutely mandatory. In fact the person can main-tain an action in tort or civil wrong for damages for trespass against his person against a medical practitioner or a hospital for forcing him to undergo any medical treatment or take a vaccination against his consent. The UK Vaccination Act of 1853 compelled parents to vaccinate their children. But the Vaccination Act of 1853 has since been repealed. The current law in the UK is that a patient cannot be vaccinated without his or her informed consent. A combined reading of the UK Coronavirus Act 1984 and that of 2020 reveals that the Minister is

not allowed by law to compel anybody to take the COVID-19 vaccination.

It is obvious that the COVID-19 vaccination media propaganda was prompted and propelled ab initio by a huge commercial interest. The COVID-19 vaccines manufacturers/profiteers and suppliers simply want to rake up huge profit from selling their vaccines. This is why they are discrediting other COVID-19 preventive measures. Which means that these manufacturers and suppliers have placed their financial gains over and above the precious lives of the citizens. Sad. In the video which has gone viral, Dr. Sean Brooks, PhD Oxford, author of about 48 medical publications and 23 books on health matters, says that the people who have taken the COVID-19 vaccination are eligible to die in the next one year; that the vaccination cause body organ failure, blood clot; 35% immune system decrease and sterilization of men and women. But impelled by commercial profit, the promoters of COVID-19 vaccines care less about the danger of the vaccines. All they are after is to maximize their profit even if it means destroying other people’s lives. As far as they are concerned, the govern-ment should make the taking of the vaccination compulsory so that they can sell the vaccines and make more profit.

Therefore the government and employers of labour have no right to force the citizens to take the COVID-19 vaccination. No citizen should be deprived of anything or suffer anything or any dis-crimination on account of his or her refusal/failure to take the vaccines. Federal and state governments and employers of labour should obey the law and allow the citizens to freely decide whether or not they want to take the COVID-19 vaccination or subscribe to other competing COVID-19 preventive measures.

THE COUP IN GUINEA

THE CASE AGAINST COMPULSORY VACCINATION

When the first military coup in West Africa took place in Togo in January 1963, we believed it could never happen in Nigeria. But it spread like a wild fire in a scorching sun across West Africa. Nigeria became worst-hit by the destructive tsunami. Another wild fire of coups set off in

Mali in October 2020 by some misguided officers has now consumed Guinea and if it is not put out, it is bound to consume more countries in the sub region.

In virtually all the cases, whether in Nigeria, Mali or Guinea, no military officers seize power on behalf of the people. The military usually cashes in on the frustration of the public to stage a coup in order to satisfy the lust of its officers for power. Hence one military coup usually leads to another.

When Col. Assimi Goita first seized power in Mali and pressured by ECOWAS not to head the transition government, this writer predicted he would still overthrow the Bah Ndaw-led interim government in order to satisfy the coupists’ lust for power. And when that came to pass, I urged President Buhari to lead a coalition to force the Goita-led coupists out of power with deliberate speed. He also cast a reflection on the Nigerian government hosting the new military ruler from Chad - “beamed live to the world, it underscores the exaggeration of the role of the military in any political community!”

Military officers do not grab power on behalf of the masses. When Lt. Moussa Traore seized power from the civilian President Modibo Keita in 1968, the Malian citizens welcomed the ‘saviour’ from the barracks! Traore had cashed in on the economic hardship of the masses. But what did the Malians get in return for their embrace of the unelected ‘saviour’? Brutal dictatorship that lasted for 22 years until another military putsch swept Traore from power! It was the same story in Nigeria, Guinea and other West African countries.

A former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Alfa Belgore, once lamented how military rule stifled Nigerian development. He recalled the many development agreements with the German government in critical sectors of the country’s economy in the early 60s, which had to be abandoned because of army rule. The strong economic foundation laid by our founding founders began a gradual plunge from the period of military take-over in January 15, 1966, notwithstanding the oil money that came later, which was largely mismanaged. Martial rule signalled the premature death or decimation of hundreds of flourishing industries, many of them multi-nationals. Even those established during the heyday of the army rule did not survive the depredations of the subsequent military governments, as one coup succeeded another. The then flourishing private/ mission schools were taken over by force, progressively decayed and destroyed. Today, the carcasses of these schools are being returned to their original owners! The public corporations too collapsed under the mismanagement of military regimes - Nigerian Railway, Nigeria Airways, Nigerian National Shipping Line, etc. Indeed, things became so bad for the country that

national aircraft and ships were seized in foreign countries on account of unpaid debts!

No government could match military regimes in the art of cor-ruption. Indeed, it can be argued that the civil governments accused of corruption by coup-makers could actually pass for saints. General Abacha alone is credited to have looted about $5 billion!

Consequently, my snorts of contempt could be heard on the streets of Bamako when on the 18th day of August, 2020, news filtered to the world that many Malian civilians had welcomed the military putsch against the embattled President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. The same uninformed masses have trooped out to welcome another junta in Guinea. Coups after coups, the African populations have failed to learn from history!

What does our latest saviour from the barracks, Col. Mamady Doumbouya of Guinea, have to say? They want people “to live in an environment where basic human needs can be met!” Sounds interesting! They want to end “the trampling of citizens’ rights, the disrespect for democratic principles, the outrageous politicisation of public administration, financial mismanagement, poverty and endemic corruption.” Sound familiar! Vacuous platitudes. This is the refrain of every coup maker in West Africa since 60s!

The concept of sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of independent nations has never stood the test of practice. Sooner or later, a restive state erupts into crisis or full-scale war. Timely intervention in the domestic affairs of other nations could help save the world from the horrors of this age and make it a better place to live. The more reason why we must deal with the coup cancer before it spreads to destroy the entire West-African body. Under the doctrine of self-defence and prevention of crime Nigeria has a duty to deal with the coup Malady in Guinea and prevent its spread to its territory.

Without further ado, President Buhari should order the immediate arrest of the Guinean coup leader, Lt. Col. Mamady Doumbouya. He must not be allowed to form the so-called government. The Nigerian armed forces should be asked to produce Doumbouya in Nigeria, dead or alive. The military has no excuse in this matter. They have not been given orders by the President to fight insurgency, an asymmetrical or guerrilla warfare in which there might be extenuating circumstances. Arresting the head of the Guinean army’s Special Forces, who has seized political power at gunpoint, is purely a conventional warfare. The order of President Buhari should not just be to disperse the bandits that have seized political power in Guinea but to bring to Nigeria, dead or alive, the very leader of the criminal gang that purportedly suspended the constitution of Guinea and dissolved all institutions of governance. (As for the excesses of President Alpha Conde, the medicine for headache is not to cut off the head. It was the same error in January 1966 that brought Nigeria to its knees - martial rule destroyed the nation’s federalism and its progress.)

Soyombo, media practitioner and public affairs analyst, sent this contribution from Abeokuta via densityshow@yahoo.com

THE CANCER OF COUPS OR MILITARY RULE DEMANDS AN IMMEDIATE SURGERY IN ORDER TO PREVENT IT FROM SPREADING TO OTHER PARTS OF THE WEST-AFRICAN BODY. CANCER KILLS

Soyombo Opeyemi writes that the coupists in Guinea must not be allowed to form a government

T H I S D AY • WENESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

Government and employers of labour have no right to force citizens to take the COVID-19 vaccination, writes Sonnie Ekwowusi

15

EDITORIALNEW DIMENSION TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING

The revelation last week by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Director-General, Basheer Mohammed that human traf-ficking in Kano State could be traced to organ harvesting is a disturbing devel-opment. “Organs like eyes, kidneys, and lungs are harvested to service the

medical needs of Europe,” said Mohammed. “NAPTIP vulnerability index analysis showed that human traffick-ing is endemic in Kano. Out of the 482 convicted persons by the agency from inception, 110 are from Kano zonal command, representing the highest in the country.”

We implore the security agencies to deploy the requisite intelligence that will help in fishing out the perpetrators of this most heinous crime and punish them in accordance with the law. Chilling statistics suggest that human trafficking has become one of the biggest money-making businesses after drug trafficking. It is therefore rather shameful that our country is regarded not only as a transit route for this illegal trade but also a source as well

as a destination with children and young adults, now becoming merchandise.

As established over the years, victims of human trafficking and illegal migration often go through physical and psychological trauma as they are at the beck and call of organised patrons

without choices. Those trafficked abroad neither have peace of mind nor desirable happiness. They often live under the threat and fear of deportation. The idea that many of them are also victims of organ harvesters make the situation more serious.

As part of the 2021 World Day against Trafficking in Persons last month, both IOM and NAPTIP launched

some tools that would ensure a standardised approach to the identification, referral, and protection of Victims of Trafficking (VoTs). “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation of vulnerable persons who, due to their worsened economic situation, were recruited for labour or sexual exploitation,” IOM Chief of Mission, Franz Celestin said. “The tools developed are a first step in providing a voice to the victims as it allows them to share their experiences, help service providers facilitate referral pathways and provide comprehensive protections services.”

In recent years, the IOM spent huge sums of money to evacuate back home hundreds of Nigerians most of whom were trafficked to Libya en route Europe with promises of better life. Several of them lost

their lives while those who survived went through anguish and trauma before the federal government came to their rescue. These were aside the uncountable numbers of Nigerians who regularly lose their lives on the Mediterranean Sea while being trafficked abroad or engaged in illegal migration. There have been stories of trafficked victims compelled to undergo rituals, including eating chicken hearts, and drinking blood containing worms and powdering incisions.

However, this latest dimension of organ harvesting should compel more attention at a time kidnappers are all over the country. Meanwhile, at the root of human trafficking in Nigeria is endemic poverty which has been a veritable tool in the hands of traffickers to lure their victims into illicit jobs with promises of improved living. Several of those recently evacuated from Libya narrated how frustration forced them into the journey.

We challenge government, at all levels, to address the prevalent poverty ravaging the land and offer meaningful hope of livelihood to frustrated young Nigerian men and women who are often victims of trafficking. We also task NAPTIP to live up to its responsibilities by engaging in massive enlightenment campaigns against trafficking, particularly in the rural areas of the country where this scourge is now prevalent.

NAPTIP SHOULD LIVE UP TO ITS RESPONSIBILITIES BY ENGAGING IN MASSIVE ENLIGHTENMENT CAMPAIGNS AGAINST TRAFFICKING, PARTICULARLY IN THE RURAL AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHERE THIS SCOURGE IS NOW PREVALENT

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Letters to the Editor

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

Government must do more to put the economy in order

The pejorative statement by the governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri towards Alma-jiri is condemnable. Fintiri in an interview told BBC Hausa service that the All Progressives Congress

is like a routine cake that even the almajiris will reject it.

Such statement is derogatory of almajiris. As a leader we should be mindful of what we say, because leadership means carrying each and every one along irrespective of culture, social status, religion or even political inclination.

Nobody is more Nigerian than all of us (poor masses), not even the president. They are only respected because they are holding the highest political offices. Therefore showing disrespect to any marginalized social group should be avoided. The almajiris are also humans, they are Nigerians as well. They deserve to eat clean and good food as every Nigerian deserves to. The governor should withdraw his statement because it is inappropriate.Ahmed Abdul, ahmedabdul38389898@gmail.com

ALMAJIRIS ARE ALSO HUMANS

From the very beginning of Nigeria`s existence as a country, a central question has been one of equity variously expressed as resource control and resource allocation. What has been of paramount interest to neutrals and stakeholders alike is that every section of the behemoth receives its due while contributing its quota to national development. With the wisdom of elders, the founding fathers of Nigeria recognized long ago

that this was the only way an ethnically and religiously diverse country can thrive. The journey so far has been tumultuous to put it mildly.

Merely seven years into the country`s independence, a devastating civil war broke out between the newly independent country and the self-styled Biafran Republic. More than 50 years since Nigeria`s bloodiest period ended, the chilling carnage of those days have continued to haunt Nigeria`s memory.

Since then, the country has found division along ethnic lines with sections of the country occasionally nursing grievances about exclusion real or imagined, and episodically sprouting agitations that violently convulse the fragile unity of a beleaguered country. It is not alarmist to say that at the core of the agitations is the question of resource control and allocation. Nigeria used to have viable options until oil was discovered. As oil flowed out of the Niger Delta region laying waste the region`s farmlands and water bodies, the groundnut pyramids in northern Nigeria disappeared; the cocoa plantations in the Southwest became a shadow of themselves, and the palm oil plantations in the South-east became redundant. The country was too busy counting petro-dollars to notice the frightening develop-ments, and foresee the debt the future would come to exact.

Now, many years down the line, regions of the country quake with discontent. These grumpy complainants which are not shy about their grouse bring unsteady hands to the Nigerian project. It is little wonder that the project has continued to stagger and stutter.

It is into this burning cauldron of resource allocation that the Revenue Mobilisa-

tion, Allocation and Fiscal Commission Act was born by the constitution. It was to address the thorny question of who gets what and in what quota that the commission was born. It has since experienced mixed fortunes.

The commission has long been accused of overseeing Nigeria`s severely imbalanced revenue allocation formulae. The commission has weathered savage accusation of favouring the federal and state governments at the expense of local governments that stand badly in need of funds.

Local governments in Nigeria by their very proximity to the people have the best opportunities to make the most impact. However, many years of Nigeria`s flawed federalism has ensured that the local governments have achieved only little.

Now that the commission is about to embark on the formulation of a new revenue allocation formula, the country`s changed and changing realities must be given prime consideration. It is a bit incongruous that the revenue allocation formula which is now about to undergo review has been in place for all of 28 years. In that time, much has changed in the country. Insecurity has become rife and the slopes of poverty have grown steeper. These challenges not only remark-ably reflect the failure of governance but have come to compound them.

As the RMAFC embarks on this critical national assignment, there is no doubt that it has the weight of history on its shoulders. It must now do everything to respect the wishes of Nigeria`s present and future generations. It must proceed to act accordingly in discharging its duties.

It is beyond argument that revenue allocation in Nigeria is scandalously lopsided, favouring the federal government at the expense of the state and local governments who are better placed to do more for Nigeria`s poorest people. The inexplicable revenue allocation formula which has been in place for such a long time have no doubt contributed to the growing calls for the country to be restructured on a more equitable basis.Kene Obiezu, Abuja

WITHOUT EQUITY, A SOCIETY COURTS SELF-DESTRUCTION

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WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • T H I S D AY 17

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

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T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

Why Ambode May Return to His Unfinished Business in 2023

From today, Wednesday, Sep-tember 8, 2021, it is 480 days to January 1, 2023. That is 15 months or 69 weeks away. All preparations that are needful

for a successful national elections in 2023 are going on. As a result of the high stakes, the leading political par-ties are experiencing multiple crises.

In Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu stands a good chance for re-election, having performed above average, in the estimation of many.

But political calculations, espe-cially in Lagos and the privilege for re-election is not always predicated on good performance, otherwise, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the immediate past governor of the state would be serving his second tenure now.

That is assuming Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a former governor of Lagos takes all the definitive political decisions in Lagos. Even from his sick bed in London, which has recently become a Mecca, the Asiwaju of Lagos and Jagaban of Borgu still gives the command, no matter how weak his voice may sound, his troop of loyalists must listen intently to hear when he tells them to jump.

Our collective memories are very much filled with the events leading to and during the 2019 governorship selection process for the APC in Lagos. Tinubu’s body language did not favour a second term for Ambode, who was unofficially accused of stepping out of line with Tinubu’s vision for Lagos, which is wrought in iron balsted in a furnace at his Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi home. As the lines are blurred between his plans for the future of Lagos and his personal interest that can bring, or that may be perceived to bring, direct or indirect benefits to him, Tinubu has reserved to himself the right to determine who is taking Lagos in the direction of the common good.

Ambode, it was said, refused to bribe Lagos legislators, turned down the proposition to concession the Fourth Mainland Bridge to a construction company linked to Tinubu, kept Al-pha Beta, the tax company in check, revoked the concession contract for the redevelopment of Falomo Shopping Centre and banned Vehicle Inspection Officers from Lagos roads. He was also in the process of ridding Lagos of the menace of ‘area boys’ operating as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

In 2019, Ambode thought he had it figured out and was in the good books of Tinubu, the assumed omnipotent of Lagos politics. That was until the final push, when the immediate past Lagos governor was taught a bitter lesson in a skewed governorship primary, in which the odds were highly stacked against him. Hemmed in on all sides by turncoats and obstacles that his teaming army of supporters could not fight. The contest for the Lagos APC governorship ticket was fierce. Ambode conceded defeat in an emotion ladden broadcast in October 2018.

“The interest of our beloved state must always supersede that of any person or group,” Mr Ambode said. Though he criticised the primaries, al-leging violence, electoral malpractices;

and that he and his supporters were disenfranchised, he has remained in the APC. As he bid the state farewell on the eve of his exit as governor, Ambode looked back at his administration. “A few of our policies might have been unpopular but these were decisions taken with the best interest of our state in mind. With the benefit of hindsight, maybe we could have done some things differently but our intention was always clear, for the good of Lagos,” Ambode said.

Lagosians can’t forget that Ambode stamped his legacy everywhere. His administration constructed 365 km of single car-riageways and 5.3km of bridges. He rehabilitated 342 roads. In 10 months, he built the Ajah flyover and constructed another flyover at Abule Egba in 13 months. He built the longest pedestrian bridge at Ojudu-Berger-98metres. His segregated bus terminals have

become a signature of the new Lagos. Ambode established the Lagos Neighbourhood Security Corps and extended existing BRT lanes. All these were done to keep faith with his slogan, ‘Ilosiwaju Eko’ (the progress or Advancement of Lagos was paramount to him)

Unfortunately, Ambode became tagged with the unsavoury reputa-tion as the first sitting governor of Lagos to lose the ticket for a second tenure. Conversely, this became a show of good character, strength and courage on the part of Ambode, which increased his reputation as a clean and gentleman politician.

Soon after, the Lagos State House of Assembly began a futile exercise to find a reason to blame Ambode for some wrongdoings with Greener Lagos Initiative and his bus procurement contract, and thus establish a reason to punish and disgrace him. The zeal for the

While Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the immediate past governor of Lagos State became tagged with the unsavoury reputation of being the first sitting governor of Lagos to lose the ticket for a second tenure, Nseobong Okon-Ekong argues that the conversely inherent show of good character, strength and courage on the part of Ambode positioned him as a clean and gentleman politician, with a likely chance for another bid for Lagos governorship

probe went cold when Ambode alleg-edly threatened to open a can of worms that could implicate Tinubu and the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.

Last May, the APC appointed Ambode, the deputy chairman of the South-west subcommittee of the Contact and Strategy Committee of the party. The 61-member Committee which includes many serving governors is positioned to strengthen and unite the party in the South-west region.

Given that Ambode is still very popu-lar and had only served one term, will he make a bold attempt to return to Lagos House, Alausa in 2023? Already, the battle for who the APC will field in 2023 as governorship candidate has started. The incumbent, Governor Baba-jide Sanwo-Olu’s chances are shrinking by the day, owing to the number of party stalwarts and top government officials interested in the job.

Should Sanwo-Olu be denied the opportunity of flying the party’s ticket like his predecessor, Akinwunmi Am-bode, some of the likely successors that are being touted include his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, who has never hidden his ambition to govern Lagos, Sanwo-Olu’s Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, who is a former Chief Secu-rity Officer to Tinubu, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Senator Tokunbo Abiru.

While his name may not feature prominently in the discourse on who becomes the next governor of Lagos State, Ambode may be the joker in the pack with an ace up his sleeves.

So far, the ward and local govern-ment congresses of the APC in Lagos have shown clearly that the number of aggrieved members who are not ready to tow Tinubu’s line are on the increase and getting bolder by the day, the most prominent being the Lagos4Lagos Movement led by Olajide Adeniran, better known as Jandor.

Hamzat may have relocated his primary constituency to Epe, which is Ambode’s political turf, but with the spectacular transformation that Ambode gave to Epe during his first tenure, everyone in the town is solidly behind him.

Ambode himself has not publicly said that he is running, but his footsoldiers like Fouad Oki are making deft moves behind the scene, in preparation for the right time for their principal to male a grand entry.

It is in the interest of people like Oki to have Ambode as governor of Lagos again. In the days ahead, it will be clear if the former Lagos governor will enter the race or not. Many members of his cabinet, having tested power, are willing to risk everything to get into office, once more in 2023. The powers that be in the presidency appear to favour an Ambode return, which is why he was given a strategic assignment on behalf of the party among serving governors.

Having said all that, it is a dicey and delicate decision that can make or mar Ambode’s future in politics. His prominence within the party in Lagos is not in doubt, the guess work hangs on whether Ambode will make that move.

While his name may not feature prominently in the discourse on who becomes the next governor of Lagos State, Ambode may be the joker in the pack with an ace up his sleeves

Ambode

19T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

POLITICS

GOVERNANCE IN PHOTOS

Newly sworn-in Acting President of the Abia State Customary Court of Appeal, Honorable Justice Okey Nwamuo (left) with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu after the swearing in ceremony

L-R: Chief Ugochukwu Okeke, the Secretary of the Anambra State PDP Governorship Campaign Council, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, the flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Anambra governorship election of Nov 6, and Chief Ali Odefa, Vice Chairman (South-east) of the PDP at a town hall for Ndi Anambra living in Ebonyi State hosted by Ozigbo at the Salt Lake Hotel, Abakiliki

L-R: Director, Inspection and Monitoring Office of the Special Adviser on Education (OSAE), Funmilola Olajide; Permanent Secretary, OSAE, Mr Adeniran Kasali; Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotosho; and the Chief Press Secretary to the Lagos State Governor, Gboyega Akosile,briefing State House Correspondents on the newly evacuated 68 students of University of Jos who are Lagos State Indigenes /residents on their arrival at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic, Secretariat, Alausa, Lagos recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Dr. Ifeatu Obi, running mate of Accord in the November 6 Governorshio election in Anambra State, Chief Ken Emeakayi, former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Anambra State and Dr. Godwin Maduka, Governorship candidate of Accord in Okija, Anambra; where Emeakayi collapsed all structures of the PDP in Anambra South in favour of Maduka

Senator Odebiyi’s Legislative Interventions in the Ninth N’Assembly

At the inauguration of the Ninth Senate on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, Senator Tolu Odebiyi, was one of the few Senators who were cutting their legislative teeth in

the National Assembly.The 57-year old first time Senator and holder

of a first degree in Building Construction Technology has over 25 years of International and domestic real estate experience with core competences in the areas of Building Con-struction, Property Management Portfolio and Project Development Analysis. In 2012, he became the Managing Director of Agbara Estates Limited, a development and Investment company with over N20billion in assets worth.

Tolu Odebiyi indicated interest in 2014 and ran as a Senatorial aspirant in Ogun West Senatorial District under the All Progressives Congress (APC). In 2017, he was appointed Chief of Staff to the Governor of Ogun State, a position he occupied until 2018 when he contested under the APC as a Senatorial candidate. He had a landslide victory and won the election to represent Ogun West Senatorial District.

Few weeks into the life of the Ninth Senate and with the composition of the upper cham-ber’s standing committees, Senator Odebiyi was named the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and member of several other Committees. In recognition of his sterling performance and quality contribution on the floor of the Senate, he was appointed a member of the ECOWAS Parliament to represent Nigeria.

The determination of Odebiyi to help raise the standard of life of the less privileged in the society and the enthronement of peace in the country led to his participation in qual-ity legislation of laws that will quicken that process.

In the last two years, the Senator has spon-sored no fewer than eight bills in various stages of legislation and also contributed meaning-fully at plenary to several bills sponsored by his colleagues.

The bills sponsored by Odebiyi include the bill for an Act to provide for the establish-ment of the National Burns and Rehabilitation Centre, Ilaro, Ogun state to provide intensive treatment and the rehsbilitative needs of burns victims and to train capable hands in the treat-ment of burns related injuries and for other related matters (SB676) which has been read for the first time at plenary by Senate Leader, Senator Abdullahi Yahaya.

Another one is the Bill for an Act To Establish The National Institute for Border studies, Imeko, Ogun State which is to provide for teaching, research, instruction and training of students in Border Management and for other Matters Connected Therewith (SB. 266) 2020. It has passed third reading.

Deji Elumoye profiles the legislative activities Of the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Tolu Odebiyi

Also, there is the Bill For An Act To Alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 CAP C23 LFN 2004, to make provision for change of name of the area referred to as ‘Egbado’ to ‘Yewa’ in Ogun State as contained in the First Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended) 2020 (SB. 357). This has passed second reading and is at the level of public hearing.

Others include A Bill For An Act To Establish The National Institute Of Food Technology Entrepreneurship And Management, Aiyetoro, Ogun State To Provide For Teaching, Instruction And Training Of Students In Food Processing, Preservation And Entrepreneurship Manage-ment And For Other Related Matters and is under consideration for first reading.

The other four bills to the credit of Odebiyi are: A Bill For An Act To Establish The Federal Vocational And Skills Acquisition College, Iboro, Ogun State which has undergone first reading;

A Bill For An Act To Amend The National Youth Service Corps Act And Other Related Matters has also passed first reading; A Bill For An Act To Establish The Chartered Institute Of Administrators And Registrars Of Nigeria Universities has also passed first reading and

The Federal College Of Education (Techni-cal) Ipokia, Ogun State Bill, 2020 which has passed through second reading and is awaiting public hearing.

Senator Odebiyi is also known to have moved several motions during Senate plenary sessions between June, 2019 and July, 2021 when the upper legislative chamber proceeded on its annual vacation.

The motions include Motion of urgent public importance on the need for the Senate and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama to investigate and ensure the immediate and speedy release of two Nigerians, Pastor Kunle Garb and his interpreter, Mr. Benjamin Amosu, who were unlawfully arrested and detained by security officials from Republic of Benin in Nigeria on 24th June, 2021 at Igbokofi, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The two Nigerians were released few days after the motion sponsored by Senator Odebiyi was raised and adopted on the floor of the 9th Senate.

The love Senator Odebiyi has for the less privileged and the most vulnerable

member of the society made him in 2019 to launch the Tolu Odebiyi Foundation that has four primary areas of focus namely Education, Health

Care, Youth Welfare and Women/Widows Empowerment. When it was

launched in October 2019, over 54 Ogun West undergraduate students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria benefitted from the scholarship award.

Odebiyi

20 T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

POLITICS

The current state of insecurity in the country under the administra-tion of President Muhammadu Buhari is now the new normal. The horrific tales of killings,

kidnappings, terrorism have become an everyday occurrence with Nigerians now looking on to God for their protection.

The daring attack on the Nigerian De-fence Academy (NDA) a few days ago by terrorists was another indication that governance of the country which elicited high expectations at the beginning of the President Muhammadu Buhari, a retired Nigerian Army General, administration has become rudderless, with many asking if a high profile military establishment could be brazenly attacked, then where else is safe?

The attack on the NDA has brought home an embarrassing reality: The Federal Government is overwhelmed. This appar-ent hopeless and helpless situation has forced various states to establish security outfits. To give more credence to this, the Governor of Kastina State, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari recently called on the people of the state to arm and defend themselves against bandits, and other unwanted killer elements like terrorists.

Despite the alarming state of insecurity, the creation of state security outfits like Amotekun and Ebubeagu was not without legal battles between the federal and the state governments. The seemingly over-whelmed federal government wants the status quo of a centralised policing and security system to remain despite its failure to secure lives and property of Nigerians

However, a legislation that will give more legal backing to the various secu-rity outfits established by various state governments to tackle insecurity in their domain is in the offing as the House of Representatives has resolved to alter the 1999 constitution by considering a bill to amend the Principal Act to remove Police and other government security services from the Exclusive Legislative List and insert it in the Concurrent Legislative List so that both federal and state governments can legislate on the subject.

The Bill sponsored by a member repre-senting Etinan/ Nsit Ibom/ Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State in the House, Hon. Onofiok Luke seeks to alter the 1999 Constitution to provide for State Police and other state govern-ment security services to enhance security and preservation of lives and property in Nigeria.

The Lawmaker who led the debate when the bill was considered by the House said the primary responsibility of every govern-ment all over the world is to protect and

The House of Representatives is contemplating constitutional backing to enable states establish their self-run police, writes Adedayo Akinwale

House Considers Giving Legal Backing to Amotekun, Ebubeagu

The Bill sponsored by a member representing Etinan/ Nsit Ibom/ Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State in the House, Hon. Onofiok Luke seeks to alter the 1999 Constitution to provide for State Police and other state government security services to enhance security and preservation of lives and property in Nigeria

preserve the lives and property of its citizens and to maintain law and order.

He argued amongst many other responsibilities of government, the responsibility of preserving lives and property ranks first.

Luke pointed out that the principle of social contract is chiefly anchored on this responsibility where the people relinquished and contracted their individual rights to the government for the protection of their lives and property. He noted that any failure on the part of the government to keep to this basic responsibility/contractual term portends danger.

The lawmaker lamented that many years after independence, Nigeria has continually been beset with insecurity ranging from terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, and domestic violence.

Luke said granted that there is no society without crime or manifestation of criminal behaviour, the inability to bring to the barest minimum crime is a scathing indictment on the current security architecture and structure in the country.

He added that the federal structure of the country’s security does not encourage community policing or localisation of policing, saying that recruitment and subsequent deploy-ment of police officers in their local area is one of the major ways of curbing crime. Such officers, the lawmaker stressed, understand the area, terrain, language, behaviour and attitude of the people he or she is policing.

Luke was of the opinion that Nigeria, a country with over 201 million people, is grossly under-policed with about 400, 000 police personnel, adding that the number falls far short of the United Nation’s recommendation of ratio one policeman per 400 citizens.

The lawmaker explained that the Constitution envisages Nigeria as a federal state, noting that allowing state governments to establish their police force and other security ap-paratuses would bring Nigeria into its original constitutional contemplation

of a federal state. The objectives of the Bill according

to Luke is to enhance greater security and preservation of lives and property in Nigeria’s federating units and in the country as a whole.

The bill also aims at enhancing maintenance and preservation of law and order; reduce incidents and occurrence of crimes in the country; establish community policing and install greater public participation in policing; and to support and provide assistance to federal police and other federal security agencies.

Summary of the Bill This Bill seeks to excise Item 45

(Police and other government se-curity services) from the Exclusive Legislative List and place the same on the Concurrent Legislative List to allow different state governments to legislate on security matters, which will effectively give state governments powers to establish state police.

The Bill comprises five clauses. Clause 1 generally alters the provision of the Principal Act, while Clause 2 establishes the State Police Council and State Police Service Commission just as we have at the federal level.

Clause 3 of the Bill alters the Second Schedule to the Constitution by de-leting from the Exclusive Legislative List police and government security agencies and inserting the Item in the Concurrent Legislative List, thereby empowering both the National As-sembly and Houses of Assembly of states to legislate on police and other security matters.

Clause 4 provides for the composi-tion and functions of the State Police Council and State Police Service Commission. The function of the council, amongst others, shall be the organisation and administration of the State Police Force while that of the Commission shall generally be the appointment of persons to offices in the State Police Force. However, Clause 5 contains the citation of the Bill.

Citation of the BillThe Constitution of the Federal Republic

of Nigeria, Cap.C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (in this Bill referred to as “the Principal Act”) is altered as set out in this Bill. Alteration of Cap. C23, LFN, 2004.

Section 197(1) of the Principal Act is altered by inserting after paragraph (d), new paragraphs “(e)” – “(f)” –which states: (e) State Police Council; and (f) State Police Service Commission.”

In the proposed bill, The Second Schedule to the Principal Act is altered–in Part I, by deleting item 45 from the Exclusive Legisla-tive List; and in Part II, by inserting after item 30 on the Concurrent Legislative List, new items “31” – “32”.

The Section 31 now states: The National Assembly may make laws for the establish-ment of the Federal Police and other Federal Government security services.

Section 32 also states: A House of Assem-bly may make laws for the establishment of State Police and other state government security services.

Also in the proposed legislation, the Third Schedule to the Principal Act is altered by inserting after paragraph (8), new paragraphs “9” – “12”

Paragraph 9 in the proposed bill now reads: A State Police Council shall comprise the following members: the Governor, who shall be the Chairman; the Chairman of the State Police Service Commission; and State Commissioner of Police.

While paragraph 10 of the proposed bill says: The functions of a State Police Council shall include:

(a) The organisation and administration of a State Police Force and all other matters relating thereto (not being matters relating to the use and operational control of the Force or the appointment, disciplinary control and dismissal of members of the Force);

(b) The general supervision of a State Police Force; and (c) advising the Governor on the appointment of State Commissioner of Police.

Also, paragraph 11 of the proposed bill says: A State Police Service Commission shall comprise the following members – a Chairman; and such number of other persons, not less than five but not more than seven, as may be prescribed by a Law made by the House of Assembly of a State.

Paragraph 12 says: The Commission shall have power to – appoint persons to offices (other than the office of the State Commissioner of Police) in the State Police Force; and

(b)Dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding any office referred to in sub paragraph (a).

Gbajabiamila Luke

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • T H I S D AY 21

FEATURES22

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi

Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 07010510430

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that seamless service has become the bedrock for the FESTAC Passport Office of the Nigerian Immigration Service. Upon assumption of duty, the Passport Control Officer, Deputy Comptroller Adeola Adesokan, tackled endemic corruption and 'touting'

Seamless Service as the Bedrock of Nigerian Immigration Service

The FESTAC Control Office is one of the three centres belonging to the Lagos Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), where applicants can acquire a Nigerian passport. At its helm

of affairs is Deputy Comptroller of Immigration Adeola Adesokan, a seasoned officer who assumed office after her duty tour on a foreign mission.

Described as versatile and articulate, Adesokan has, from all indications, transformed the FESTAC passport office upon assumption of duty on September 2020 by tackling endemic issues like extra charges. She also fought 'touting' to a standstill, thus ensuring a seamless process for passport applicants.

Elimination of Touts On a personal visit to the passport office, the

absence of touts was hard to ignore, given that touting is one issue that most passport offices constantly battle. For Adesokan, eradicating the menace of touting from her jurisdiction was a brainer given that the core of her mandate was 'Seamless Service Delivery'. Having acknowledged that the touts were clogs in the wheel of her mandate, she set out to eliminate that, thereby ensuring passport seekers acquire their passports without the extra charges they would have paid.

Explaining how she achieved that, Adesokan said: "Foremost, some couple of months ago, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was here with my Comptroller General, Mohammad Babandede and they gave us strict warnings that, you must clear your environment of touts and middlemen who will come around and say they will help Nigerians and extort money from them."

She added, "So what we did is, we became friendly with the community. We projected the SERVICOM unit outside, which means you don’t need to go and meet the touts outside as we are ready to help you. We opened our doors. You will see a lot of banners (as) come into the SERVICOM Unit. In short, you will see officers asking, ‘Can we help you?'

At the unit, immigration officers usually explain

the "procedure." She added, "This is the process, and if you do that for one person, the news spreads to about five more people, and that’s why you have been seeing an influx of people liaising directly with us in Festac Passport Office."

Sanitising the SystemWhilst the sanitising of their immediate

environment worked, Adesokan said she also worked inwards in cleaning up her jurisdiction because charity, of course, begins at home.

This, she said, is in tandem with the vision statement of the NIS, which is "to be a modern, effective and efficient immigra-tion service, manned by a well-trained and motivated workforce".

On this, she said: "When I came in here, I was given a mandate, and one of the mandates is to ensure that officers are well-trained in the vision of the service. The service has some tenets adopted by the comptroller general, and he wanted to spread it around. Not just passport offices but also at the airport."

Continuing, Adesokan stated, "Likewise, there’s this training they go through on making people feel welcome, for them to be treated well and relating well to the public. We are not only a security outfit but also a service delivery outfit. So we began with training my officers every Thursday. They began to understand the vision of service, and now, you will see landmark changes

in the attitude, behaviour, mannerism of officers."

"As a matter of fact, we had a lot of topics on mindset. Like the Comptroller General of Immigration would say, if you want to be producing passport, if you want to still be Nigerian Immigration Service," she noted, "then we must begin to change our attitude, behaviour to work. If not, there will be no future for the service."

Customer Appreciation WeekOne innovation Adesokan kicked off was

Customer Appreciation Week. "Customer Appreciation Week or Day is

a great medium to interface with the public. It's a day they give us feedback on how we are treating them. We also give them light snacks and water," Adesokan explained. "In fact, CWay gave us bottled water, we chilled it and gave it to the public, and they were happy. We were asking them how long they have been here. 'When did you finish your capturing?'"

She further noted, "If people have been saying, 'I have been here for like one hour', we are looking at a way of reducing their waiting time so that we can inject more officers to a particular section. That way, people can return to their vocation without spending a whole day in the Festac Passport Office."

Reducing Waiting TimeOne of the issues that plague passport

offices is the waiting time to acquire passports. This is one anomaly that Adesokan was bent on tackling. Commending the NIS comptroller general's efforts to clear the backlog, she said at Festac Passport Office, staff worked day and night to ensure that everything was covered.

At the moment, she said there are no more issues of backlog. She, however, added that if there are issues of backlog, it would be because the applicant's documents were not complete.

Sustaining the TempoIt's one thing to start and another to sustain

the tempo. On this, Adesokan said: "If you are running and you don’t have people running after you with the same vision, the moment you’re out of the system, it’s not sustained anymore."

"In fact, today," she stated, "I am meeting with the management team to appreciate them for that laudable experience. It has brought attraction to Festac. Just do your little bit and let it be growing but don’t be there always allow the younger generation of the service. If you check my comptroller general, all the reforms he did, he invested so much in training officers."

Finding Balance as a Career WomanAs expected for any career woman, balancing

the job and family life requires great care. For Adesokan, this rings true. "I have a very great family, and one of the areas of my strength in this job is my husband. Anything that has to do with my work and career, he’s 101 per cent behind me," she revealed.

At the end of the meeting, one thing was quite clear: Adesokan is service-driven. Her mantra has always been to ensure lives are touched, and this she has done at the FESTAC Passport Office.

"Of what use will you have in life passing through this place, after 35 years, and nobody can say that you have impacted them, so I am driven by a lifestyle of impact that gives me joy," she said. "When I saw people crying and smiling yesterday when we gave them their passports, that motivates me more".

When I came in here, I was given a mandate, and one of the mandates is to ensure that officers are well-trained in the vision of the service. The service has some tenets adopted by the comptroller general, and he wanted to spread it around. Not just passport offices but also at the airport

DCI Adesokan and satisfied applicants during the recently held Customer Appreciation Week

PERSPECTIVE

23T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

The rent-to-own product is an excellent addition to FMBN's efforts to make access to homeownership easier for Nigerians. It should encourage more low- and medium-income earners in both the formal and informal sectors of the economy to register and contribute to the National Housing Fund Scheme so they too can have a path to becoming landlords

Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa MD/CEO, FMBN

How FMBN is Enhancing Housing Affordability with Rent-to-Own Housing ProductJohn Terhemen Ikyaave

Henry Edet Bassey is a senior staff of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA). He lives in Abuja and has been a consistent contributor to the National Housing

Fund (NHF) Scheme since 2013. The Federal Government established the NHF scheme in 1992 to mobilize funds for the provision of affordable residential houses for Nigerians.

The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) administers and manages the fund as a source of long-term finance to power the Bank's affordable suite of housing products. Contributors to the NHF scheme can apply for FMBN housing loans after six months of consecutive contributions of 2.5 per cent of their monthly income.

In 2021, a happy and fulfilled Mr. Bassey received the keys to a three-bedroom flat at the ABSI Estate, an FMBN funded estate located in Kuje, an area council in the Federal Capital Territory, about 40 km southwest of Abuja. Although the property has a market valuation of about N9million, Mr. Bassey, as a contributor to the NHF scheme, did not need to pay any upfront fees, down payment, or mortgage perfection fees to take ownership of the building.

He is to pay and own the property in monthly rental payments at a seven percent interest rate per annum until he retires from service or hits the 60-year age. He also can liquidate the facility anytime he has the financial capacity to do so.

For Mr. Bassey and his family, participation in the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme has made their transition to homeownership possible.

"It is a good experience; I may say it is fantastic. This is because it provided an unusual op-

portunity for a Civil Servant like me to own a house at terms that are so convenient. I want to use this medium to thank this government for this unique and wonderful opportunity given me and my fellow Nigerians," exclaimed an elated Mr. Bassey.

"The process was pretty straightforward for me. FMBN asked me to provide letters from my organisation which I did, and they also prepared a Memorandum of Understanding between my organization and FMBN, which we executed. I feel great. I am a lot more organised now that I live in my own home, and I thank the FMBN for making this possible for me and other Nigerians. I encourage other Nigerians to always be patient in following up things with the FMBN. Patience is a very key point."

Like Bassey, an increasing number of Nigerians are benefitting from the FMBN Rent-to-Own Housing Product, one of the latest additions to the Bank's portfolio of affordable housing windows. The innovative, affordable housing product provides an easy and convenient payment plan towards homeownership for contributors to the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme.

Another good example is Mohammed Tawakalitu, a grade level 10 civil servant with the FCT Secondary Education Board in Abuja. He is a proud owner of a three-bedroom flat at Anthem Estate, an FMBN funded housing community located in Gwagwalada, an Abuja suburb, under the FMBN rent-to-own window. He started his homeownership journey by registering and consistently contributing to the National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme.

"Although I have been contributing to the NHF scheme for over nine years, I only applied for the FMBN rent-to-own product in 2019. The terms sounded too good to be true, so I was pleasantly surprised that my application went through successfully, and I am now a proud owner of a three-bedroom flat. I feel so good, and I thank the FMBN for introducing this product. The monthly payment terms are flexible and convenient. The worries and troubles of staying in a rented apartment are history now. I advise other Nigerians looking to own their homes to register and contribute to the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme to take advantage of this product," Mohammed explained.

Rent-to-Own: Key to Housing Affordability One of Nigeria's greatest long-term develop-

ment challenges has been providing citizens with access to decent housing. Access to affordable housing can have a significant impact on a

person's well-being. A safe, secure home can improve health, hygiene, and educational opportunities by ensuring access to clean water, safe toilets, electricity, and a respite from heat and disease-spreading insects.

At the core of this challenge is affordability. Experts agree that housing affordability is a function of three things: household income, the price of the house, and the terms of the finance.

Despite rapid urbanisation and increased demand for affordable housing and housing finance, interventions by the government are limited and inadequate. Due to low incomes, most low and middle-income households have minimal resources to spend on housing. Thus, they are forced to spend years living in poor or unfinished houses or renting with little hope of saving enough money to build or buy their own home.

Recent research finds that food expendi-tures alone account for 50-60 percent of total monthly spending for many households, which leaves very little housing or other necessities such as fuel, transportation, educa-tion, or health care. Housing affordability is a function of three things: household income, the price of the house, and the terms of the finance.

Affordable housing typically means market-quality formal housing that can be consumed by households that cannot afford the typical market price. In developed countries, housing is considered "affordable" if families spend no more than 30 per cent of income on rent or mortgage service plus other housing costs.

In Nigeria, there are challenges at several levels. From low incomes to housing sup-ply deficits and sub-optimal government interventions, a weak housing finance system, the capacity to afford decent accommodation is a preserve of the top few.

And this is why the FMBN Rent to Own housing window is so significant. It is a timely and necessary intervention to tackle the housing affordability challenge in Nigeria. The housing window enables eligible contributors to the National Housing Fund (NHF) to move into FMBN homes located nationwide as tenants without having to cough out any upfront payments that only a few can afford. It also allows beneficiaries the convenience to pay for and own the properties through monthly or yearly rent payments that could be spread over periods of up to 30-years.

Like other FMBN housing products, the rent-to-own housing window is available to Nigerians who contribute to the National Housing Fund scheme at a single-digit inter-est rate of seven per cent on the property price per annum.

FMBN: Commitment to Affordable Housing Delivery

The combination of affordable terms, including rental payments, zero equity payments, single-digit interest rates, and the 30-year payment plan, depending on an applicant's age and the number of years in service, makes the FMBN rent-to-own housing window a great enhancer of housing affordability.

Indeed, the FMBN Management Team developed the rent-to-own housing product as a strategic response to the inability of low-income contributors to the National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme to meet the 10 to 30 percent equity down payment requirement for accessing the NHF Mortgage loan. This included a 10 per cent down payment for loans of up to N5M; 20 per cent down payment for loans above N5M to N10M; and 30 per cent for loans above N10M to N15M.

"We developed the rent-to-own housing

product based on the situation we found on the ground when we assumed office in 2017. The results of our operations showed that most contributors to the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme and beneficiaries of the NHF mortgage loan could not pay the equity requirement. Even after we reviewed the down payment requirement, which ranged from 10 to 30 per cent when we came on board to a maximum of ten percent, several beneficiaries still could not pay up" remarked Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, the FMBN MD/CEO.

The rent-to-own product eliminates the need for a down payment. Beneficiaries can move into an FMBN funded home and pay in monthly installments to own their property, thus marking a remarkable improvement in affordability.

"We knew, therefore, that if we are going to make an impact, we would need to be innovative, and the rent to own seemed a perfect fit given the reality of the low earning capacity of the average Nigerian worker. With this product, contributors to the National Housing Scheme can benefit from the strength of their subscrip-tion and the fact that they work and earn an income which empowers them to pay gradually over a long time to own their homes," said Arc. Dangiwa, a firm believer in revamping FMBN's products to suit the income levels of low to medium-income earners.

The rent-to-own product is an excellent addition to FMBN's efforts to make access to homeownership easier for Nigerians. It should encourage more low- and medium-income earn-ers in both the formal and informal sectors of the economy to register and contribute to the National Housing Fund Scheme so they too can have a path to becoming landlords.

FMBN: Financing Construction of Af-fordable Housing Stock

It is also significant that the FMBN has ready and existing housing stock to drive offtake. The Bank is also collaborating with reputable property developers and financing the construction of additional affordable housing units nationwide to boost housing stock avail-ability further to ensure the sustainability of the rent-to-own housing window. Research shows that the houses that the FMBN is financing are specifically designed to fit the income profile of low- and medium-income Nigerians. They comprise one, two-to-three-bedroom apartments and bungalows with prices that range from N4million to N15million.

FMBN's two-pronged approach to housing delivery touches two key sides to the housing equation: demand and supply. First, by lowering the housing affordability bar using the rent-to-own product, FMBN enhances effective housing demand by Nigerians. Second, by financing the construction of fit-for-income decent and quality housing stock for offtake, FMBN is also promoting sustainable housing supply for those most in need and financially disadvantaged.

This trend reflects the commitment to performance and a renewed drive to create impact in line with the Bank's mandate by the current Management Team. Over the past four years, the FMBN has leveraged the National Housing Fund (NHF) and empowered about six thousand Nigerians with long-term housing loans to own their dream homes. The Bank provided home renovation loans to over 60,000 beneficiaries and financed over 10,000 affordable housing units.

Powering this positive shift in the narrative of the FMBN is a refreshing spirit of reform. The apex Mortgage Bank, under the leadership of Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has revamped legacy mortgage products and developed innovative new ones in a bid to ensure that low- and medium-income earners have a good chance to own their homes at a price they can afford.

Given the importance of housing to life, the worrying housing deficit, and the reality that most Nigerians lack the earning power to save and build homes, FMBN's introduction of the rent-to-own product is a timely social housing intervention. It should be sustained and scaled as an institutional path to homeownership for low and medium-income Nigerians.

-John T. Ikyaave, a housing policy analyst based in Abuja wrote in via housingtodayngr@gmail.com

24 WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 T H I S D AY

NIGERIA’S JUDICIARY, LEGISLATURE O N E L E C T O R A L T R I A LPaul Ejime  

The delivery of credible  elections is the collective responsibility of  multiple stakeholders,  including  the  three arms of government - legislative, executive and judicial –  the security agencies to secure the

votes, electoral umpires, politicians and political parties, non-state actors such as civil society, the media and the electorates themselves.  

Central to the success of this democratic enterprise is a  guaranteed  political  level playing field where the  stakeholders and actors operate unfettered under transparent, unambiguous legal frameworks such as the national Constitution and the Electoral Laws, an independent judiciary, with demonstrable impartiality in the enforcement of electoral laws.  

The drafters of national Constitutions and the Electoral Acts envision and often make provisions for recourse to the judiciary, usually as a last resort for settling electoral disputes and the “last hope of the common man.” This is to safeguard the electoral system and prevent to recourse to violence in resolving electoral disputes.  

After the political debacle that ended Nigeria’s First Republic, it was a Supreme Court verdict that finally settled the 1979 presidential contest which ushered the Second Republic before the military struck again in 1983. Since then, there have been other major judicial decisions on electoral matters in the country.  

Regrettably, judicial interventions have become so pervasive resulting in what some now call the “judicialisation of democracy”  in many countries. It is unlikely that the makers of the electoral legal frameworks ever contemplated the  level of abuse and reckless misuse unleashed upon the electoral process in recent times, to the point of endangering the chances of credible elections and consolidation of democracy in Nigeria.  

The worrisome situation is such that the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed, the Chairman of the National Judicial Commission (NJC), had to summon six Chief Judges recently over “conflicting court orders” emanating from their states.  

The Chief Judges were required to appear before the NJC to explain the conflicting orders by the courts of coordinate jurisdiction in Rivers, Kebbi, Cross River, Anambra, Jigawa and Imo states. Most of the cases involved pre-election primaries of political parties, with the latest related to the Anambra governorship poll slated for November 21.  

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has also condemned the “unfortunate and recurring trend” of contradictory court decisions on political matters.  

In a statement, NBA President Olumide Akpata, said the “actions of the six chief judges bring the judiciary and the entire system of administration of justice to ridicule.” He noted that, while the judiciary had made “invaluable contributions” to the development of the country, some “failings would remain permanently interred in the dark annals of history.  

“These developments in our courts are antithetical to the actualization of the just society and independent judiciary that we all aspire to, and they run contrary to everything we teach and hold dear as a profession,” Barrister Akpata said. He affirmed that the NBA, “as the prime defender of the integrity and independence of the judiciary will not be a spectator whilst our hard-earned democracy is threatened by the venal acts of a few.”  

But apart from the judges, Akpata said: “we must first look inwards and call out our (lawyer) members, most of

whom are senior members of the Bar, who continue to yield themselves to be used as willing tools by politicians to wantonly abuse the judicial process.”  

With more than 84 million registered voters for the 2019 elections and the possibility of an increase to 100 million at the end of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria with an estimated national population of 210 million, would be ranking among the largest democracies in the World.  

The regular and  off-season polls  conducted in the country since its return to civilian rule in 1999 after prolonged military rule have posted mixed results  with all six  presidential elections  decided by the Supreme Court.  

The Prof Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC has made no secret of its commitment and determination to deliver on its mandate of giving Nigerians free, fair, transparent and credible elections using appropriate technology. However, the Commission remains concerned over the negative consequences of the incessant judicial interventions, especially conflicting court orders.  

At separate meetings in 2018 between INEC delegations and former CJN Walter Onnoghen and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdul Kafarati, Prof Yakubu had flagged these same issues.  

“My Lords, in the course of discharging our responsibilities, no public institution in Nigeria is subjected to more litigations than INEC. Over the last two years (2016 and 2017), the Commission has been involved in 454 court cases, in addition to 680 cases determined by the Election Petition Tribunals, arising from the outcomes of the 2015 General Elections, making a total of 1,134 cases so far,” the INEC Chief had lamented.  

He explained that   “…in a recent leadership crisis in one political party, the Commission was served with six conflicting judgments and orders from courts of coordinate jurisdiction within three months (May-July 2016).”  

Four years on, instead of an improvement, the

situation has deteriorated, prompting a recent warning by INEC that Nigeria’s electoral process could be jeopardized ahead of the 2023 general polls.  

“What is going on is what in legal parlance, we call ‘forum shopping’ - people who are looking for a place where they can get a favourable decision,” said Mr. Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, on a recent private television programme.  

Mr. Okoye, a lawyer himself, therefore urged the NBA and the judiciary to intervene “because, if this spate of multiple and conflicting court orders is carried forward to the 2023 general elections, it is going to have far-reaching consequences on our electoral process.”  

While resort to legal option is legitimate by aggrieved persons to seek redress, instead of taking the law into their own hands, the gains from efforts towards improving the electoral process and consolidation of democracy could be lost with the potential danger of political upheaval, unless the unending destabilizing judicial interference is curbed.  

As part of the disciplinary measures to curb the serial abuse of the legal process, Nigerian lawyers and judges could borrow a leaf from a US District Judge Linda Parker of Michigan, who recently upbraided prominent lawyers who represented former President Donald Trump in his 2020 presidential election defeat cases.  

The judge did not only sanction the nine lawyers for falsely alleging voter fraud, but she also ordered them to pay their opponents’ legal costs and undergo 12 hours of legal education. The lawyers were also referred to the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission and local disciplinary Committees for further actions, which could include nullifying their licences.  

Other major culprits in the abuse of the legal processes are the politicians, who provide the resources for ‘forum shopping.’ As an integrated approach to arresting this phenomenon, the legislative and executive arms of government must work with

the judiciary to rein in all culprits to ensure that the electoral umpire discharges its responsibilities without legal encumbrances.  

Before proceeding on a recent recess, the Nigerian Parliament (National Assembly) came under heavy criticisms for passing the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021 with some controversial provisions. The fact that the Bill still has to be considered by the Joint Committee of the two Chamber legislature, before a presidential assent gives the lawmakers an opportunity to redeem themselves by cleaning up the Bill.  

A major sticking point is the electronic transmission of election results. Already, INEC has repeatedly pledged its assurance and readiness to transmit poll results electronically, having piloted the scheme successfully in three recent governorship elections.  

While acknowledging INEC’s selection for the Government Agency Award 2020 by the Leadership Media Group in Abuja last week, Prof Yakubu reiterated that with the deployment of technology during elections, the Commission “now serves Nigerians better.”  

In 2018, the Commission with partners organized an International Conference on best practices peer-learning, and exchange of knowledge and experiences on the use technology in elections. The National Assembly should not be a stumbling block to INEC’s technological progress.  

Also, the lawmakers’ attempt to subjugate INEC to approval by the legislature or the government’s National Communications Commission before activating electronic transmission of results even when all other aspects of the electoral process are technology-driven is not only unconstitutional, but will make nonsense of INEC’s independence.  

Other aspects of the Electoral Bill requiring review include the hike across board of the deposits or application fees for candidates running for political offices. For instance, raising the presidential candidate’s deposit from one billion to 15 billion Naira is not only discriminatory and against the present government’s anti-corruption stance, but could also make political contests in Nigeria the exclusive preserve of the rich, to the exclusion of a vast majority of the population.  

The overwhelming opinion is for a Nigerian Electoral Act and electoral framework that provide for diversity and inclusivity. There should also be a stringent deterrent against electoral offences, an unbundling of INEC to reduce its workload and clear provisions for consequences against frivolous judicial interference by errant lawyers, judges and their politician accomplices.  

These and other measures are necessary to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system. They will also guard against surrendering the electoral process and the outcome of elections to the judiciary or individuals with deep pockets, thereby rendering voting and the ballot box meaningless.

If the intention is for Nigeria’s long-delayed amended Electoral Act to become operational by 2023, it must be passed at least six months before that date going the relevant Protocol of the regional bloc, ECOWAS.  So, time is of the essence!  

PERSPECTIVE

Prof Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chair and immediate-past President ECONEC

Darasimi Adebisi

Following the negative impact the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) requirement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is having on banks’ profitability, sharehold-ers of banks have expressed displeasure over N12.73trillion restricted deposits with the CBN that is not available for banking operations.

In a chat with THISDAY, leaders of shareholders’ rights groups called on the CBN to reduce the CRR drastically or pay interest on the restricted deposits to the banks.

THISDAY findings revealed that 10 banks suffered N7.78 trillion and N4.95trillion debit in

Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) sequesters by CBN between 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The apex bank since 2019 debited banks a chunk of their deposits as part of a mutually inclusive CRR and Loan to Deposit Ratio policy that is targeted at driving lending more to private sector.

The Monetary Policy Commit-tee (MPC) of the CBN throughout 2019 maintained CRR of 22.5 per cent but in early January 2020, it was increased to 27.5 per cent.

The CRR is the amount the CBN debits from banks accounts in compliance with its monetary policy objective of mandatorily keeping cash on behalf of banks. The amount is not available for

banks to use.A reliable source in one of

the Tier-2 banks in explained to THISDAY that continued debits of CRR by CBN is putting the banking sector under serious threat, stressing that the apex bank has consistently debited banks every Fridays.

When the policy was intro-duced, banks had complained bitterly about the CRR policy because of its impact on their Net Interest Income.

“By debiting banks for failing to meet CRR targets, the CBN is effectively denying banks of the ability to earn an income in customer deposits,” the source said.

Analysis of the banks results

showed that Zenith Bank Plc’s re-stricted deposit with CBN moved from N680.26billion in 2019 to N1.33trillion in 2021, while FBN Holdings Plc’s restricted deposit was at N1.32trillion in 2020 from N843.44billion in 2019.

FBN Holdings in its 2020 financial year said: “Restricted deposits with central banks are not available for use in Group’s day to day operations. FBN Limited and FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited had restricted bal-ances of N1,271.81 billion and N39.37 billion respectively with CBN as at December 31, 2020 (December 2019: N828.69 billion and N8.00 billion).

“This balance includes CBN cash reserve requirement and

Special Intervention Reserve. FBN Bank Ghana and FBN Bank Guinea also had restricted balances of N4.870 billion and N4.992 billion (December 2019: N2.84billion and N2.64 billion) respectively with their respective central banks.”

Access Bank Plc grew its deposit with CBN to N1.31trillion, an increase of 54 per cent from N848.85billon in 2019, while Guaranty Trust Holdings Plc (GTCO) reported N1.03trillion mandatory reserve with CBN in 2020 from N443.65billion reported in 2019.

Among the Tier-1 banks with mandatory reserves with CBN across N1trillion was United Bank for Africa Plc with N1.10trillion

Ebere Nwoji

The Lagos state government said it is partnering with over 150 insurance brokers who serve as intermediaries and 20 insurance underwriters for the purpose of providing end-to-end risk management services to its workforce.

The state Governor Babajide Sanyo-Olu who stated this at the on going African Insurance Organisation’s (AIO) Conference holding in Lagos said this will

come in form of various group insurance coverage for the workers.

Sanyo Olu, who was repre-sented at the event by the state Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Rabin Olowo, said the state has perfected plans to bring all its workforce under various group insurance coverage including Group Personal Accident Insur-ance Cover, Group Life Insurance adding that his government has perfected plans to put in place several emergency response

agencies to safeguard the lives of over 22million people in the state.

Lagos, he stated, cannot afford to shy away from this responsibility.

He commended the effort of insurance sector operators in responding to claims from Enders protest adding that it served as an acid test for the industry.

According to him, “Endsars experience was a test and we are grateful to insurers for taking

responsibility and it proves that insurance is working. I encourage Nigerians to buy insurance that is why we are partnering with 150 brokers which serve as intermediary to over 20 insurance companies to provide end to end risk management services for all classes of insurance in the state including group life.

He said given the positive response of the insurers to claims when risk occurs, his administration could not afford to shy away from the services

of the insurance sector.“This is why we have

continued to partner with various insurance bodies and associations in the enlightenment of our people on the benefits of insurance and mitigating loses that might result from unforeseen occurrences, “he said.

He assured the insurers of his administration’s commitment to work closely with the insurance sector in its quest to rebuild a resilient and 24-century economy.

In her welcome remarks, the

Chairperson, Local Organising Committee of the conference, Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, said the theme of the conference which is: Rebuilding Africa’s Economy-Insurance perspective, was coming at a time when the corona virus pandemic had severely impacted economic activities all over the globe.

She noted that several confer-ences across different markets have focused on the impact of

BUSINESSWORLDGroup Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun

Email oriarehu.eromosele@thisdaylive.com08056356325

Lagos State Government Partners Insurance Operators to Provide Risk Management Services to Workers

Shareholders Demand Reduction in CRR as 10 Banks’ Restricted Deposit with CBN Hits N12.73trn in Two Years

25T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

Continued on page 26

F G N B O N D SDESCRIPTION Price Yield Change

(%)11.150 FGNSB 11-SEP-2021 100.09 2.77 0.01

12.364 FGNSB 12-SEP-2021 100.13 2.78 0.01

12.175 FGNSB 10-OCT-2021 100.81 3.07 0.10

11.244 FGNSB 16-OCT-2021 100.85 3.13 0.12

10.296 FGNSB 13-NOV-2021 101.24 3.41 0.20

OTC FX F U T U R E SCONTRACT TENOR (MONTH)

Contract Current Rate ($/₦)

1 NGUS SEP 29 2021 420.93

2 NGUS OCT 27 2021 422.38

3 NGUS NOV 24 2021 423.83

4 NGUS DEC 29 2021 425.28

5 NGUS JAN 26 2022 426.73

B I L L SMATURITY Discount Yield Change (%)

NTB 16-Sep-21 2.81 2.81 0.00

NTB 30-Sep-21 2.94 2.95 0.06

NTB 14-Oct-21 3.08 3.09 0.13

NTB 28-Oct-21 3.21 3.23 0.19

NTB 11-Nov-21 3.35 3.37 0.25

C PsMATURITY Discount Yield Change (%)MTNN CP III 20-SEP-21 5.98 5.99 0.04

MREP CP XXXIX 20-SEP-21 16.91 17.01 0.04

CMBL CP XV 11-OCT-21 6.45 6.48 0.10

UBNP CP VIII 18-OCT-21 8.06 8.13 0.12

CMBL CP XII 31-OCT-21 4.30 4.33 0.16

M A R K E T DATA A S AT T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 7 , 2 0 2 1

Continued on page 26

R A T E S A S A T S E P T E M B E R 7 , 2 0 2 1MONEY MARKET REPO S & P INDEX S & P INDEX EXCHANGE RATE OBB 6.50% CALL 4% INDEX LEVEL 562.93% 1/4 TO DATE 5.62% N411.63/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT 7.17 % 1-MONTH 6% 1-DAY 0.11% YEAR TO DATE – 16.02% *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH 10% MONTH-TO-DATE 4.78%

in 2020 as against N832.11 billion in 2019.

Another source in the industry told THISDAY that the current economic situation in the country is not conducive for banks to lend to real sector not to mention CBN taking from them without interest.

In his words, “CBN is still deducting from commercial for failing to meet up with the CRR of 27.5 per cent. The apex bank even debited last week from commercial banks on CRR. CBN is debiting from commercial banks with CRR below 27.5 per cent. The policies are creating a

EATON ELECTRICIANS…L-R: Marketing Manager, West Africa, Eaton, Mr.Kunmi Odunoku; Regional Manager, West Africa, Eaton,Mr.Charles Iyo; Managing Director, Idyllic Technologies Limited, Mrs.Tonia Ozoede; Chairman, Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria (LECAN), Lagos State Chapter, Comrade Bada Waheed Olalekan;and Sales Manager, Eaton Nigeria at the Eaton Electricians’ Day forum held in Lagos… recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

26 WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD NEWS

SHAREHOLDERS DEMAND REDUCTION IN CRR AS 10 BANKS’ RESTRICTED DEPOSIT WITH CBN HITS N12.73TRN IN TWO YEARS

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT PARTNERS INSURANCE OPERATORS TO PROVIDE RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO WORKERS

division in the banking sector because it is squeezing liquidity in the banking sector.”

The source added, “There is nothing precise with LDR in lend-ing to real sector but to protect the foreign exchange rate from further devalue. The problem is not about cost of funding but infrastructure, power supply, and access to foreign exchange are still some problems facing the real sector. Imagine I give out a five per cent loan, and there is no light and road, there is no

how do you expect those at the SMEs to pay back?”

Speaking with THISDAY, Chairman, Progressive Share-holders Association of Nigeria, Boniface Okezie, said sharehold-ers have been advocating that CBN paid interest to bank.

According to him: “The funds deposited by banks to CBN are not used. If these funds are with banks, certainly it will enhance their earnings and returns to shareholders. It will create more banking expansion. The deposit

fund is meant for bank customers and banks cannot make use of them.

“If CBN can pay at least three per cent on the mandatory funds collected from banks, it will go a long way to help banks to have more money and drive the real sector of the nation’s economy and pay robust dividend to shareholders.”

Collaborating with Okezie, the National Coordinator Emeritus, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN),

Sunny Nwosu also call on the CBN to pay interest on mandatory deposit collected from the banks

“I wanted to advocate that CBN pays interest to banks and it will actually reduce the pains. I also wanted to advocate that CRR should be reduced so banks can declare dividend that will make shareholders to be happy with. Every shareholder is expected to get a better reward on his or her investment. It is very important CBN has rethink on CRR, among others to enhance

works performance, ”he said.Analysts explained to THISDAY

that the debiting from commercial lenders has become frequent in recent time as the CBN trying to curb speculation against the local currency as the country’s foreign exchange reserves continue to drop.

Analysts at Agusto & Co in its latest report said the CBN’s policies targeted at lowering interest rates have persisted especially given the dire need to stimulate the economy following adversities created by the pandemic.

Group Business EditorEromosele Abiodun

Comms/e-Business EditorEmma OkonjiAviation EditorChinedu Eze

Asst. Editor, Money MarketNume Ekeghe

Senior CorrespondentRaheem Akingbolu (Advertising)

CorrespondentsJames Emejo (Finance)Ebere Nwoji (Insurance)Chineme Okafo (Energy)Emmanuel Addeh (Energy)

Reporters Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT)Peter Uzoho (Energy)Ugo Aliogo (Development)

COVID-19 on the industry from various perspectives.

He noted that the theme paper attempted to look at broader issues of how insurance could contribute to and benefit from the efforts at rebuilding the African economy post COVID.

“It is our hope and indeed expectation that participants will find the presentations insightful, enriching and of significant value. It is for this reason that the Local Organising Committee and the African Insurance Organisation have taken ample time to put

at your disposal the crème de la crème of the insurance industry thought leaders as speakers and panelists. We are optimistic that you will find the conference, interest-ing, rewarding, insightful and exciting, “she stated.

She urged the participants to take the opportunity of the conference to experience im-measurable Nigerian hospital-ity; delicacies, warmth, rich cultural heritage, abundant tourism potentials typified by the beaches and mangroves

and above all, the alluring beauty of Lagos and the ambi-ence of the conference venue.

Specifically, she stated, “Apart from being one of the fastest growing cities in Africa, Lagos has some beautiful tourism sites, and they are all yours to explore.”

by the Minister, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq, resumed payment at Igeibiri, Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas of the state following a backlog of payments for six months.

The Focal Person, National Social Investment Programme (N-SIP) in Bayelsa, Emmanuel Benson, explained that the exercise was aimed at reducing poverty in the state and the country at large.

According to him: “What is

going on here today is a recom-mencement of the conditional cash transfer.

“The figure of beneficiaries usually comes up at the end of the day because some don’t show up for their payment, so at the end, we can then say the total number of people paid,” he explained.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari, Farouk and Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa, for the support they

gave the programme.The Focal Person explained

that the money was meant for the less privilege in order to lift a lot of persons in the state out of poverty, urging the Bayelsa government to support the programme.

Benson, who doubles as the Coordinator of N-power and the School Feeding Programme, expressed hope that by end of November, more people would have benefitted across the state.

He also advised beneficiaries to utilise the funds judiciously, noting that some beneficiaries who are traders were already giving positive feedbacks to encourage the federal government to do more.

It was gathered that Nembe, Brass Ogbia, and part of Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas are the remaining areas to be covered in the pilot scheme.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to newsmen commended

the federal government over the gesture.

Mrs. Ebiere Ebiye, a foodstuff dealer said, “this is not the first time I am receiving such stipend for the programme.

“The money has been aid-ing me in my business and in handling little challenges in my home, and also in my building.

“I am very elated with what the federal government is doing and I pray God will continue to replenish them.”

Dike Onwuamaeze and Ugo Aligo

Experts have called for the refo-cusing of the country’s conception of Private Public Partnership (PPP) to include collaborations that would ensure transfer of capacity and productivity from the private sector to the public sector.

They noted that the new col-laboration between the public and the private sectors would be built around the quest for talent, skills, performance management, automated human resources,

digitisation of public sector processes and enhancement of staff welfare in order to motivate people to work.

The call was made yesterday by participants in a webinar on “Mainstreaming Private Sector Collaborationin Public Sector Reform,” which was organised by the by ICE (Innovation, Change, and Entrepreneurship) Hub, a subsidiary of the TL First Inte-grated Management Group and in collaboration with the Centre for the Study of Economies of Africa (CSEA).

The experts described PPP as a

partnership between an agency of the government and the private sector in the delivery of goods and services to the public.

They stated that the transfer of efficiency from the private sector to public sector should be the way forward in the PPP because improvement in the public sector, which is currently characterised by corruption, nepotism, influence peddling and weak capacity and low productivity, would grow the profitability of the private sector.

The Executive Vice Chair of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Mrs. Ofovwe Aig-Imoukwuede,

said that the foundation believed strongly “that the private sector needs to bring its resources and capacity to bear to support the public sector because without a well-functioning public sector, there is a limit within which the private sector can grow.”

Aig-Imoukhuede said: “We are bringing people on board to develop a framework that will allow for the transfer of capacity from the private to the public sector.

“One of the things we are doing now is helping the Of-fice of the Head of Civil Service

of the Federation (OHCSF) to develop frameworks that will allow for wider participation from the private sector. We are trying to transfer capabilities from the private sector to the public sector while encouraging public sector workers to work in the private sector on short term internship.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote, said that he brought his 25 five years experience from Shell Petroleum with the hope of bringing it to

bear with the operations of the NCDMB.

He observed that public sector is characterised by weak institutions, dearth of capacity and knowledge and called for investment in training that would enhance capacity building public sector.

“People are not trained in the public sector in areas that have meaning to the jobs they are doing. We have to do a competence gap analysis in the public sector and match them with the position personnel are holding in the MDAs,” he said.

Experts Call for New Collaboration to Strengthen Competency in Public Sector

FG Resumes Payment of Conditional Cash Transfer to Bayelsa HouseholdsOlusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

The federal government yesterday resumed its Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) to poor and indigent households in Bayelsa state.

The CCT, which is managed by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development led

27T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD AGRICULTURE

Travails of Climate Change

A critical examination of Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial capital, and Africa’s 6th largest economy, presents a classical case of irony when viewed in the context of one of the most important vocations

for the survival of humanity – agriculture.Although surrounded by water, the state still

suffers from water shortages while it naturally remains vulnerable to flooding due to rising sea levels.

There is hardly any group or business mostly affected by scarcity of water and the ravages of climate change in Lagos than farmers, whose trade essentially thrives on availability of water, which underpins arable land. The situation, among other climate issues, has made farming unattractive and economically unviable for smallholder women farmers, who are equally constrained by other challenges such as access to land, inputs and finance as well as untargeted government policies.

Climate change, which manifests as flood, drought, erratic rainfall patterns as well as extreme heat and high temperature and their attendant results, such as pest and disease outbreak, has made agricultural development more challenging, its effect reflecting on the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

LAGOS AND CLIMATE CHANGELagos is considered one of the most vulnerable

states in Nigeria to rising sea levels and flooding. With an estimated population of over 24 million, the state caters to more than 10 per cent of Nigeria’s population (200 million) on a landmass of 0.4 per cent.

Latest reports predict an increase in the intensity of rainfall in Lagos state. A research led by marine physicist at the UK’s National Oceanography Centre, Svetlana Jevrejeva, foresees a 90cm of sea level rise by 2100 in Lagos, if global warming exceeds 2C.

The Lagos State government, in April 2020, warned of a high intensity of rainfall of 261 days with attendant flooding across the state this year. The state’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, gave the warning during a briefing on the 2021 Seasonal Climate Predictions, and Socio-Economic implications for Lagos State.

He said, “Generally, the Seasonal Climate Prediction for Lagos State signifies that on-set dates ranged between March 17 in the earliest, and April 6, while the season-ending may range between November 20 and December 5, 2021. The connotation is that Lagos State shall experience a rainy season of 238-261 days, while the maximum annual rainfall amount is predicted to be 1,747mm.

“It is also expected that the increasing frequency of extreme weather events indicates that year 2021 will likely experience days with extremely high rainfall amounts which may result in flooding.”

On the flip side, water scarcity in Lagos puts the state at risk of drought. Water is considered an important climatic factor that determines plant and livestock growth and development. The Lagos State Water Supply Master Plan puts the daily water demand in Lagos at 540 million gallons per day (MGD), whereas it can only produce 210 MGD, less than half of what is needed.

The inconsistency of rain, flood and shortage of water, indeed, suggests a tougher time for farmers in Lagos who now need a high level of preparation for seasonal change.

The Fate of Smallholder Women Farmers in Lagos State

THISDAY interactions with smallholder women farmers in Lagos State showed an unmotivated lot devastated by the effects of climate change and neglected by government, a situation that might have a telling effect on food production in the state and its environs. If the situation in other parts of the country is anywhere close to the one in Lagos State, then food security in Nigeria might be a real and possible threat in the nearest future.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), already over 9 million people in Nigeria are reportedly facing food insecurity and the figure is predicted to increase by 12.8 percent later this year.

The situation is not unconnected to challenges faced by women farmers in this report.

Mrs. Adetola Modupe is one of the over 30,000 members of the Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), and specialises in fish farming. Generating water for her fish ponds tops her many hurdles. Electricity, she said, is not stable and so she relies mostly on generators to pump water to keep her business going. Even at that, the high cost of fuel with which to power the generator is killing her business. She said she had spent over N200,000 on fuel alone in six months.

But the good thing is that Modupe did not just fold her arms and resign to fate. She became innovative. She set up an earthen pond in her compound to culture her fishes, reasoning that the pond generates water from the ground. According to experts, the earthen pond, which is constructed from earth soil, presents natural habitat for fishes.

A fish expert, Benadine Nonye, explained

further: “Fishes grow better in an earthen pond than in every other type of pond. The maintenance cost is cheaper and it can support different kinds of feed. It also has natural capacity to control pollution”

But it was not too long that Modupe closed down the pond. Why? According to her, the earthen pond could not withstand the pressure from flood anytime it rained heavily, leading to the fishes dying or escaping and pollution of the pond.

“This is where I used to have my earthen pond (pointing to the spot which has been covered up and now a base for one of her 14 plastic ponds), it was an economical option and less stressful to operate as a woman. Infact, fish grows faster in earthen pond and even though I have to feed, I feed less because in the pond are earthworms and other organisms that fishes can feed on. Where I used four bags of feed on plastic pond, I will only use two in earthen pond,” Modupe explained.

She continued: “Despite these benefits, I’ve always had fish loss from flood arising from heavy rain. More to it is the fact that fishes get lost in the earthen pond and I would usually engage the service of men - the abokis - to locate them from the pit for me at a fee.

“It was so bad that the pond got the ground sinking, such that when we decided to cover it up as a result, getting to refill it with sand was tough. This also affected our borehole as we were forced to dig another borehole entirely. Thank God we are the owners of the house. Besides, fishes are always affected by cold weather when they are in hatchery. Infact, I’ve always recorded huge loss during this stage as a result of the cold weather.”

Continuing, Modupe said, “Other than these reactions, this would have been the best option for me. I wished I had a separate land close to my house where I can be able to do this as I would not be able to leave my family for a distant location”.

As another option, she later switched to a concrete pond, and that too suffered persistent water leakages before she eventually settled for black plastic ponds. Though the incidence of fish loss from flooding was curtailed as a result, she still bemoaned the huge overhead and extra physical efforts with no corresponding profit.

Mrs. Erhunmwunsee Osaretin, like Modupe, used to operate two earthen ponds to nuture fish. Her reason for this choice was not farfetched. “It is cheaper and less stressful for a woman”, she said.

Visiting her farm at Aiyetoro village along

the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, it was obvious that the ponds had since been abandoned as Osaretin also confirmed. She said she closed down the earthen pond to switch to plastic tank due to climate pressure.

“When l had my earthen pond, l had serious challenges due to theft since the farm is not fenced round. Besides, during heavy rainfall, the pond usually over flows, resulting in loss of fish most especially when it rained at night” She confessed, however, that having to manage plastic pond has not been easy in terms of resources and physical efforts.

WOMEN FARMERS’ AND WEATHER FORECASTS

Although, the Lagos State government has always disseminated weather forecasts via media platforms, not many farmers usually get hold of the information which could have enabled them to plan ahead. For the Lagos State SWOFON Coordinator, Mrs. Chinasa Asonye, who had just lost more than N500,000 worth of fishes to flood and infections in her Ijebu Farm in Ogun State, the calamity could have been averted if she had a signal that it was going to rain.

This reporter’s visit to Asonye’s farm was fortuitous, as she had just returned from where she went to bury dead fishes. She poured out her grievance with deep emotions.

“I lost more than N500,000 worth of fishes to the rain that fell two nights ago in Ijebu. This could have been averted if I had prior information on the weather. Then I would have quickly planned ahead of the rain. The rain came in the night when everybody had left the farm, so there was no one around to flush out water in the pond. Usually, when it starts raining, we usually fix the pumping machine to flush out water in the tanks but this happened in the night when there no one was on ground”.

But, it is not just flood alone that is bringing her headaches. Asanye recalled how she recently lost both her capital and profit to excessive cold weather despite the fact that affected fishes were hatched indoors.

“During extreme cold weather, when we spawn (bringing the egg of female fish and the male sperm together, also known as external fertilisation), the fishes should come out between 24 to 30 hours but if the weather is so cold, it takes so long and in other cases, all the eggs will die. So, in the case of extreme cold, we try to heat them up. Last time, I lost almost all the fishes because of extreme cold weather and running into huge loss.”

While Nigeria dithers on taking concerted action to combat climate change, its impact on the nation’s economy is unmistakable. For instance, women farmers who constitute 70 to 80 percent of the agriculture labour force in the country are at the mercy of climate change, with a resultant effect on food security. Governments have at best been indifferent. In this special report, Omolabake Fasogbon x-rays the travails of women farmers in Lagos state and Nigeria as a whole, noting that they are hardly ever captured in key agriculture decisions and policies

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

BUSINESSWORLD INTERVIEW

28 WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 T H I S D AY

“To be fair, the present level of capital for Insurance and Reinsurance companies in Nigeria compare reasonably well with that of other countries in Africa.”

Tope Smart: Ceding Businesses Abroad Hinders African Reinsurance Companies Growth

You are the incoming president of African Insurance Organisation, can we know your feelings about the new position you are about to occupy?

I feel very excited about this new position because I see it as an opportunity to sell my ideas on how we can develop the insurance sector across Africa and actually work towards this goal. I also see it

as a huge platform to correct some of the negative conversations around insurance practice in Africa. It is also an opportunity to initiate strategies on how to properly position the insurance sector in Africa.

One out of the two cardinal objectives of AIO is to promote inter-African corporation in insurance business especially now that Nigeria has signed into the African Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA). As the new president of the body, how do you hope to build on what your predecessors have done to see to the achievement of this objective?

Let me start by commending my pre-decessors in office for all the efforts they have put towards promoting inter-Africa cooperation in Insurance. Having said that AFCFTA is a very good initiative of AU and I see it as a game changer for the Insurance sector in Africa. Since the Insurance sector plays a vital role in the economic development of the continent, the expected increase in intra-African trade through AFCFTA will lead to increase in insurance penetration across the region. I will work with various regulators across the region towards the realization of this objective.

During this your tenure as AIO president and Nigeria’s opportunity to host the 47th edition of the confer-ence, what take home package is there for our indigenous insurers and for Nigeria as a nation?

As you are quite aware, we are expecting delegates not only from Africa, but from Europe, America, Asia etc. We shall use the opportunity of this hosting to correct some of the negative perspectives about Nigeria and show to the whole world our offerings as a nation such as our hospitality, our rich culture, our diversity etc.

Also, it is an opportunity to present Nigeria to the whole world as a good investment destination. So this is an opportunity to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country.

For the indigenous insurers, it is an opportunity to showcase what we have to the whole world in terms of our capacity, our resilience, and the huge potential of the industry in Nigeria.

Africa is no doubt behind the western world in terms of insurance penetration; in fact Nigeria your country ranks least in insurance penetration in the latest sigma report released by the Swiss Re, how can the continent cover up this Gap in insurance penetration?

As you rightly said, Africa lags behind the western world in terms of Insurance penetration. The same thing goes for Nigeria. Insurance penetration in Africa

in 2019 stood at 2.78 per cent against the global average of 7.23 per cent. Interestingly, Africa’s low insurance penetration is still its largest oppor-tunity. This gap can be covered in several ways which include increase in level of awareness, rapid urbanization, growing working population, adoption of digital technology, increase in level of consumer trust etc.

In line with the main theme of the conference rebuilding the African economy after covid-19 where in your view is the starting point for this rebuilding of the regional economy and Nigeria in Particular?

There are several ways through which we can rebuild our economy. One major way is by creating jobs for the huge unemployed population. This will increase spending among the populace. This has a way of increasing economic activity in the environment.

Digitalisation is the key point in modern business, with regard to

insurance, is Nigeria there what is the way forward in this regard.

In all honesty, Africa, Nigeria inclusive have been slow in em-bracing technology. But the coming of COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdowns have made it imperative for insurance companies to embrace technology. So, insurance companies in Nigeria have scaled up in the area of digitalization, but I will say this is work in progress but we are not there yet.

Recapitalisation in Nigerian insurance industry is always a controversial issue .In comparison with the operating capital of other regional operators do you think Nigeria is operating with the right capital level what advise do you have for these operators kicking against capital increase?

To be fair, the present level of capital for Insurance and Reinsur-ance companies in Nigeria compare reasonably well with that of other

countries in Africa. One of the arguments put forward by operators kicking against capital increase is that since the economy is not expanding what will they be doing with the huge capital? As we speak, many companies in Nigeria are trading below their capital.

For me, this is an abnormal situation, which should not be encouraged. I am definitely not against increase in capital but what is more important to me is the financial soundness of all operators. Each case should be treated based on its own merit. Operators who are operating below a particular threshold should be asked to shore up their capital. In any case, world over, attention is shifting towards risk-based capital and this is the direction we should face.

Most Insurance underwriters in the region prefer to cede their reinsurance business to oversea market whereas we have reinsurers in Africa. What will regional reinsurers see in terms of business during your tenure as AIO president?

My aim will be to retain as much premium in Africa so that we can increase the capacity of African Reinsurers. Reinsur-ance companies in Africa will not grow if we continue to cede our businesses to Reinsurance companies operating outside Africa. I will pursue this agenda and work with other stakeholders towards the realization of this objective.

The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, NEM Insurance Plc, Mr Tope Smart, is the Chairman of Nigerian Insurers Association. He is also on the board of Regency Insurance Ghana Limited, NEM Asset Management Co. Limited and Associate Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria. Smart who will be named President African Insurance Organisation (AIO)today, spoke to Ebere Nwoji on his plans for the Nigerian insurance industry, intra-African trade, insurance penetration and other issues. Excerpts

Smart

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BUSINESSWORLD INTERVIEW

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 T H I S D AY

Casmir: Insurance Industry has Been Making Provisions for Catastrophic Losses like #EndSARS

You are one of the insurers in Nigeria who has seen it all in the business of insurance. The industry is experiencing a lot of changes in the type of risks and quantum of claims coming its way. We heard about the losses from #EndSARS protest and other emerging risks, are indigenous insurers insuring these emerging risks?

Let me talk about our local challenges. That is what is primarily causing the problems. When you talk about emerging risks like cyber risks, look at London market, they are very versatile, very experienced and they

have built so much capacity and competency in that regard and they have what it takes to also guard against certain cyber losses.

But our own situation here is that we have very volatile environment. Volatile in the sense that if you are not careful and you take a cyber risk, in the next two weeks, you will hear that the risk has crystalised and if the insurance company is not careful, it will be paying out claims that can make them go under so that is our local problem you talk about terrorism risk, of course, terrorism has become international problem.

Whereas other countries have been finding a way to address their own terrorism challenges, Nigerian case seems to be going unabated.

Everyday you see the situation worsening, if insurance cannot determine the likelihood of occurrence of a particular risk and it is dabbling into it, you are burning your fingers and that is some of the reasons some of them are shying away from it.

Is there any lesson from the EndSARS protest and COVID-19 for insurers?

Well, the lesson we learnt from #EndSARS protest is this we have been hearing about catas-trophes and everybody believed that catastrophe can only come when you have wars, natural disasters like flood but little did anybody know that it could come from that angle and it came and was very overwhelming to the industry.

But if you look at that EndSARS protest criti-cally, it could have been possible for insurance industry to opt out of that risk or those losses but for image reasons, the industry decided to take them up because when you read the policy document, they will talk about riot, strike, civil commotion, war or war like situation, politically motivated risks.

If you bring these together and link them to the #EndSARS protests, you find links which could have been possible for insurance companies to say look, we are not liable or at best let us pay these claims on ex-Garcia basis. But because the industry is struggling to shore up our image, we paid.

But those they paid bought extension what about that?

What are they extending, to cover riot and strike? Is that not true? That is the only extension that can cover that risk.

But even if you extended the policy to cover riot and strike, have you talked about the likelihood of that riot and strike being politically motivated, being close to insurrection, and the rest of them. So if there is a link, what we call proximate cause in insurance business, if you find any link between these things I mentioned and those losses that could arm insurance companies to repudiate liability.

Is it possible for insurers to design specific products that can directly address these emerging risks?

I don’t think that is the solution. You know there are actually provisions for catastrophic losses. That is why insurance industry is regarded as a conservative industry.

Over the years, insurance industry has been making provisions for catastrophic losses like the #EndSARS protest.

If you make a profit of N10 million, the law will always require you to set aside N2 million for catastrophic losses, unexpected losses that could go over and above what you ever anticipated.

So insurance industry in Nigeria, if they have been keeping their records over the years have been making reserves and provisions for the likes of #EndSARS losses so all they needed to do was to take back from those reserves and pay the claims.

Your company Afriglobal recently set the pace in digital insurance marketing through the launch of the Africover 247 platform. Coming at a time when many other brokers think digital marketing is not yet the way to sell insurance in Nigeria. It’s about two months since you launched the platform. What is your experience like; how is the platform performing?

You and I know very well that technology is an ongoing thing. It is not one action you take and go and relax believing you have done it all. Technology is evolving and every now and then, something new comes up so you keep updating and upgrading what you already have. The platform we launched you know it is the first of its kind in insurance industry particularly in broking arm.

Before then, there were existing platforms particularly owned by underwriters deployed to one client or the other such that they could do their transactions with that particular client. But that is not the type we launched. Nigerians can use the application we launched outside the country. You may be surprised to hear that those that have shown much interest are Nigerians outside the country.

Those of them that have assets here and they have been thinking about how they could have their assets here insured. Some have vehicles here that they left they are not using them. Some have landed properties that are not insured, probably they felt it was going to be difficult for them to be doing insurance all the way from there, but now for the first time, it is easy for them to just pick their phones and buy insurance for any of their properties anywhere in Nigeria.

So the acceptability is very wide. Quite many people have successfully downloaded and are using the application. Many also have fully used it to buy insurance but like I said, we are still upgrading. What we have also done is to partner with some well known online markets. Yes that is the right way to go let me give you an example Konga.

Konga is like an online supermarket where you go to and you buy any product. It means when you go to Konga, you also buy insurance and when you say Konga insurance and click, what you get there is Africover 247, and that will give you the link to buy any insurance product you

want. This is just an example of what we are trying to do. There are quite a lot of other establishments we are partnering with.

What kind of partnership are you talking about with the online markets?

Let me use another example with Paga. You know you use your phone to do your transactions. You also use POS outlets to do your transactions. So the partnership is such that when you go to POS outlet, just as you do your banking transactions you can also buy insurance. So you have Africover as an app there so when you click, you buy any insurance you want.

But the truth is that if you invest in any technology and you think that in the next six months or one year you recover your investment, you are making a mistake. It trickles in, then builds momentum and overtime you begin to see the effects. So we are very happy that the app is receiving the desired acceptability that is actually spurring us further to upgrade it further higher than we launched.

There is this widely held view that the emergence of digital marketing will render insurance brokers irrelevant in the insurance business chain, do you agree with this and what is your next line of action as a broker to remain relevant?

I don’t think that is true. Anyway, some brokers that are not alive to the realities of the day will be gearing up to go out of the market.

But let me put it to you that it is not all insurance that you can sell digitally. You and I know about some insurance like engineering insurance that requires a lot of expertise say insurance of vessels and others like that. You really need to be there physically to see what it requires so it is not all classes of insurance that you can sell digitally. You can do digital insurance mainly in retail market not in all insurances.

It is often said that insurance market is brokers’ market. Are you thinking along the line of partnering insurance agents? I mean floating insurance agency and be in control of hundreds of agents working for you bringing businesses especially retail businesses for you to place with

insurance underwriters?We are looking at it especially at state level.

What we have been trying to do is to have agents in various states that will be marketing that platform. Before we got this platform, we tried to employ a number of agents. We have one of the offices at the back of this place but the challenge we have as brokers is that whereas that agent can work directly with an insurance company, introduce any transaction, earn the commission and move on; the same agent will work with you, earn the commission and share with you.

So you find out that agents prefer work-ing directly with the insurance companies. Of course the brokers live on commission so if you employ an agent that also lives on commission, both of you will share the commission and where the booty is not big enough, there will be problem because you find it difficult to satisfy them.

Members of the insuring public do not know much about the existence and role of insurance brokers in insurance business. Indeed, some mistake insurance brokers to be stockbrokers. What are brokers doing to make themselves popular in the market so that the masses will understand your roles and buy their insurance through you and avoid facing the challenges they face most times in getting their claims paid when risks occur?

The insurance brokers are doing a lot in this regard through their umbrella body, the Nigeria Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB). We have been placing newspaper adverts, radio gingles even in televisions we have been doing a lot to sensitise people on the relevance of using insurance brokers in insurance business.

Myself I have featured a number of times in such programmes on behalf of NCRIB. The last one was on Niger FM.

I featured in their life programme. People were phoning in, asking questions about insurance and I responded to all of them. Also almost every week, NCRIB sends one professional or the other to feature in similar programmes and enlighten people on insurance. So a lot is being done.

Managing Director, Afriglobal Insurance Brokers, Mr Azubuike Casmir, is a veteran insurer with over 30 years experience in insurance business. In this exclusive interview with Ebere Nwoji, he spoke on issues of public interest in insurance, role of insurance in the #EndSARS protests losses, the place of digital marketing in insurance business in Nigeria among others. Excerpts

Casmir

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

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BUSINESSWORLD PERSPECTIVE

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

PIA: Future of PEF(M)B, DPR and PPPRA

Eniola Olakunri

It is no longer news that President Muham-madu Buhari has signed the Petroleum Industry Bill into law, bringing to a close, the nearly 2-decade old clamour for a sound legal, fiscal, and regulatory framework to govern the business activities

of the Nigerian petroleum industry.Christened “Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)

2021”, the enactment (apart from other salient provisions), also allotted host communities some 3 percent (from expenditures undertaken by oil and gas prospecting companies); a decision that has drawn the opprobrium of Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and other stakeholders who hold that the provision is minuscule, given the direct economic hardship, poverty and neglect, oil activities over the years, have visited on their people.

It remains to be seen if President Buhari’s further appeal to the host communities to accept the 3 percent allocation will ring true, and gain traction with the stakeholders in the days and weeks ahead.

The PIA has been long in coming. According to the President, its non-passage over the years “.... stagnated the growth of the industry and prosperity of our economy. In the last ten years, Nigeria has lost the estimated US $50 billion worth of investments due to the uncertainty created by the non-passage of the PIB...” He also said the Act will attract the necessary investment in the petroleum sector, adding that employment, increased revenue and the development of other critical sectors of the economy now remain quite feasible.

As much as the PIA is largely welcomed by industry watchers and other stakeholders, the fate of the 3 Agencies involved in getting petrol to the final consumers is still shrouded somewhat. Perhaps this was the reason a national daily (not Thisday), reported the day after the President appended his signature to the PIA, that 2 of them and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) were to be “scrapped”.

Even though the Agencies namely, Petroleum Equalisation Fund (Management) Board, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), and Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency(PPPRA) would now be under the supervision of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (referred to as “The Authority”) under the Act, there is nothing in the bill that suggested they would be scrapped. Only the NNPC was specifi-cally indicated, would transmute into a new enterprise, to be named “ Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited”.

Be that as it may, the new superintendent of the 3 Agencies involved in fuel matters -The Authority- needs to ensure that the relative tranquillity being enjoyed in the petrol supply currently, nationwide is not jeopardised in any way.

We are very much aware that constant and hitch-free petrol supply makes the wheel of our economy go round, especially if we factor in,

the daily activities of transporters, barbers/hairdressers, tailors/seamstresses, eateries, vulcanisers and a host of other small scale business owners, who all, but rely on petrol to power their generators due to inadequate or absence of electricity supply from the Power Companies.

To be sure, The authority’s objectives include (but are not limited to the following):

*regulation of midstream/downstream operations including technical, operational and commercial activities*promoting the supply and distribution of natural gas and petroleum products and the security of natural gas supply for the domestic market

*ensuring safe, efficient, effective and seamless development of infrastructure for the sector

*implementation of sound policies for the petroleum operations under its sphere of influence, in line with the provisions of the Act and as directed by the Minister of Petroleum Resources.

* ensuring the supply of crude to refineries domiciled in Nigeria

*make certain that the technical standards, practices and codes governing midstream/downstream operations are in line with international best practices

*developing and ensuring compliance with tariff/pricing it deems fair for all stakeholders and other provisions as spelt out in the Act.

However, going forward, it behoves the Authority to leverage on the strengths of the individual agencies under its supervision for superior delivery/performance. DPR could step up its cooperation and work with the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, in keeping the activities of the smuggling rings of crude and petrol at bay. Nigeria is losing colossal amounts daily due to crude and petrol theft.

Also, PPPRA should concentrate on its expertise in working its templates to ensure that the prices at which petrol is being sourced and sold, are fair to all parties.

Two months ago, the Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Mele Kyari, raised an alarm that the daily consumption of petrol has reached some 103 million litres! This took industry observers and other stakeholders by surprise.

Recently, the Minister tried to walk back that assertion by the MD. He described it as the 103 million litres/day recorded in May as “flash”. Hear him, as quoted by Thisday Newspaper of August 18th, 2021. “But of course, you know we have flashes. Sometimes, we have these flashes. The daily consumption was about 66 million litres per month when we came in, and we were able to bring it down to 52 million. That’s the average..”

He went on “...but once in a while, you have that flash and it goes up, maybe

because of the activities of smugglers. Well, these are not ideal situations, you cannot readily use that as the measure of average consumption... You can’t discount these flashes that you have, which you cannot really judge us on”.

If indeed, these flashes do occur now and then, it therefore means every effort should be made to nip this upsurge or “flashes” largely ascribed to the nefarious activities of smugglers. It is no doubt a huge drain on the Nigerian economy, tottering as it is.

Facts and real-time adequate data on the daily consumption of petrol should be a sine qua non of petrol supply and distribution processes, nationwide.

DAFMIS TO THE RESCUEFrom the Minister’s postulation, The

Authority has its job cut out. It must get all facts and information on petrol consumption patterns from the get-go and in real-time.

Of the 3 Agencies identified earlier (PEF(M)B), DPR and PPPRA, the ones with the most robust automation processes that cover every gamut of petrol supply and distribution are PEF(M)B, according to industry watchers. This is where The Authority should lean on for on the spot information on petrol movements all across the country.

In May 2016, PEF(M)B started developing, in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency(NITDA), the “Downstream Automated Fuel Man-agement Information System” (DAFMIS); primed to ensuring real-time monitoring and data processing of petrol movement(s) in Nigeria, to the last mile.

DAFMIS, a further improvement on ‘Aquila’ (the first automation process embarked upon by the Agency), was endorsed by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and approved by the Federal Executive Council in May 2019 for a 3-year trial. Today, the system working perfectly for all operational processes for PEF (M) B, and is being acclaimed by industry experts, as the most all-encompassing, in delivering information on petrol distribution and its operational processes in Nigeria.

Some of DAFMIS features include, but not limited to: *Provision of an electronic eye (sensor network) that spawns real-time information in depots and fuel trucks (including their compartments). Massive retrofitting of petrol tankers were embarked upon nationwide to ensure the success of the scheme. For instance, a truck laden with 33,000 litres of petrol with 11,000 litres in each of its 3 compartments, is monitored by the electronic eye, and if in the course of the journey, the driver decided to offload part of the product somewhere before getting to it’s destination, he/she would be caught out. Besides that, the movements of trucks are also monitored effectively and it is easy to locate their positions at any given time.

Arrangements are on to extend the

processes to cover vessels, pipelines and filling stations. It is an ingenious system that guarantees the tracking of products everywhere and on the go.

* Ability to cut waste, improve efficiency and identify loopholes in the petrol distribution chain.

*Business Improvement; poised to upgrade the work processes between departments as well as on-field operations for overall efficiency.

*Business Applications; designed to manage petrol marketers claims and reconciliations much more accurately

*Document Management System; billed for digitising and archiving documents in all departments and across all stations nationwide. It also makes for an enhanced offsite backup mechanism that guarantees document security.

PEF(M)B has also upgraded its Data Centre in Abuja, and also built a backup Centre in Lagos towards ensuring that information safety is guaranteed at all times.

In addition, its Operations and Command Centre (OCC) is up and running. This ensures that field operations are monitored 24 hours and round the clock; day in, day out. In ef-fect, untoward incidents can be dealt with in real-time. OCC promotes enhanced visibility of operations within the system and its processes are modelled after that of Aramco, the highly regarded Saudi Arabian oil company.

The Authority will also find The Automation System useful when it appoints domestic Gas Aggregator” for the sole purpose of promoting the use of gas in relevant sectors within the polity. The Act empowers The Authority to “...implement a natural gas management model through which the demand and supply of natural gas for use in the strategic sectors shall be monitored”. This means an independent source of information on all the processes on gas production, supply and distribution are available and on-demand apart from data presented to The Authority by The Gas Aggregator. This is a win ultimately for Nigeria as incidence(s) of sharp practices can be minimised considerably.

DAFMIS which runs in line with global best practices supports the making of critical and on-time decisions in the downstream sub-sector of the petroleum industry and can furnish information to sister Agencies such as DPR and PPPRA, in working their templates.

Other bodies such as the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and some of the nation’s economic planners in the mould of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to mention a few, can also be supplied with requisite data on petrol movements.

DAFMIS will no doubt serve as a willing tool to PIA. The Authority, oil industry and the nation at large, will no doubt, reap bountifully from its full deployment, covering every sphere of petrol business supply, distribution, monitoring and operational processes, all in one fell swoop.

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BUSINESSWORLD NEWS

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

ENGAGEMENT WITH TRUCK DRIVERS…L-R: Head of Safety, Lagos Port Complex Apapa, Oyedokun Oyewole; Comptroller, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Peter Gbejemede; Head of Safety, APM Terminals Apapa, Felix Ugwuagbo; and Superintendent Route Commander/OC Wharf Outpost, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dennis Ogbebor at an engagement event with truck drivers organised by APM Terminals Apapa on Thursday to mark its 2021 Global Safety Day.

‘Decline in Piracy Will End War Risk Insurance Premium on Nigeria-bound Cargoes’

Safety: APM Terminals Apapa Gifts Truckers Over 1000 PPE

Unitrust Insurance Management Attributes Success to Strategic Focus on Sustainable Growth

Expert Seeks Increased Investment in Nigeria’s Agricultural Sector

Coronation Insurance Announces N16.19bn Premium

APM Terminals Apapa over the weekend hosted truck drivers plying the terminal as part of events to mark its 2021 Global Safety Day.

The event, which held at the Lilypond Truck Park, Ijora, Lagos, also featured a series of safety talks and the presentation of over 1,000 pieces of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the truckers. The PPE was made up of 800 reflective vests, 800 packets of nose masks, 40 pairs of safety boots, 40 hard hats, 40 pieces of rain gear, 40 pairs of rain boots and 1000 key rings.

The APM Terminals Global Safety Day is an annual in-ternational awareness-raising campaign to promote safe and secure working environment for workers and other stakeholders at the port.

The theme of the 2021 Global Safety Day is “We Lead With Care.”

The Chief Operating Of-ficer and Head of Terminal, APM Terminals Apapa, Steen

Knudsen said safety remains the operator’s watchword.

“Safety is our license to operate and we have kept that as our watchword. We want everyone that come to work in our premises to be safe and return home without any incident,” Knudsen said.

Addressing the truck drivers at the event, the Head of Safety, APM Terminals Apapa, Felix Ugwuagbo, said the event was organised to engage truck driv-ers with a view to reminding them of relevant safety rules and encourage them to abide by the rules.

“Most of you have wives and children and if you get injured, you won’t be able to work and provide financial support for your family members. So please obey safety rules to be able to work effectively, ”he said.

Ugwuagbo highlighted the importance of the safety rules instituted at the terminal and which he said the truck drivers must adhere to.

“Truck drivers are very important to us. Without truck drivers, containers cannot be moved. Truck driving is a very delicate job in that, if care is not taken, anything can happen. The terminal is not a place you walk around as you please. It is a place that has heavy containers, equipment, and other heavy objects.

“At APM Terminals, we lay strong emphasis on the safety of individuals that work in the terminal. We cannot do it alone, and that is why we say truck drivers must be aware of our safety rules.

“For instance we emphasize the need to moderate your speed when you are driving within the terminal because you must be mindful of other drivers and of heavy equipment.

“Another rule is that smoking is not allowed in the terminal. One of the reasons why smoking is prohibited is because there are combustible items in the terminal and even in some of

the containers that you carry.“Also, we don’t allow people

to walk or wander around the terminal. You are required to stay in your truck when you are inside the terminal. This is also a major safety requirement to avoid accidents and injuries in the terminal, ”he said.

Also speaking at the event, the Port Manager of Lagos Port Complex Apapa, Mrs. Olufun-milayo Olotu, commended APM Terminals Apapa for engaging the truck drivers. She described the event as the first of its kind in the industry.

“I really want to thank APM Terminals for organizing this event. Being the leading terminal operator in the country, what they did today, if you look at all the terminals, none of them has ever done it before. This is the first of its kind. So for that reason, we appreciate them for the initiative. Also, we want to encourage APM Terminals to have this kind of event quarterly to educate truckers.

Ebere Nwoji

The Management of Unitrust Insurance, has said that the secret of the company’s success has been on its strategic focus on sustainable growth, and consistent improvement on its delivery channels through digital adoption.

The company said emphasis has been on its e-insurance chan-nels which harbor motor; marine and travel insurance.

The company’s Managing Director, John ijerheime, who disclosed this when his company played host to the umbrella body of insurance brokers, the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) in Lagos said learning from the past, the firm has taken deliberate steps to improve risk management framework and corporate governance.

He expressed gratitude to the NCRIB for the opportunity given to the company to host the event, and pledged that Unitrust Insurance would continue to put in its best to ensure it delivers beyond expectations and also ensures a cordial mutual relationship with the brokers.

The company, at the event was endorsed and rated as a progres-sive underwriter worth doing business with by the NCRIB.

The NCRIB President, Dr Mrs.Bola Onigbogi, who led

other brokers to endorse the underwriting firm, noted that the company had distinguished itself by being brokers friendly and had over the years surpassed all expectations.

She congratulated the Manage-ment team for its success stories so far, while assuring them that the firm’s profile and account would soar after the meeting with brokers.

The company’s Executive Director, Technical, Mrs. Yetunde Adenuga; noted that the firm had over the years maintained a robust relationship with brokers, stressing that the relationship would be sustained to ensure growth of the insurance industry.

She submitted that since 1986 when the company started operations, it has continued to experience a steady growth, adding that the firm’s approved financials for 2021 revealed a total assets of N18.72 billion; shareholders’ fund of N14.31 billion and solvency margin of N8.92 billion.

According to her, the com-pany’s total net claims paid in 2020 was N598.84 million, whilst N934.70 million has been paid from January 2021 till date.

She maintained that following federal government’s directives for recapitalisation of insurance companies in 2019, the firm has put arrangements in place to remain at the forefront.

Gilbert Ekugbe

The Director of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria, Tijani Borodo, has stated that Nigeria can only win the tussle against hunger and poverty by addressing issues constraining food production with tactical and deliberate investment in the sector.

Borodo stated this at the Valida-tion Workshop organised by the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria in Lagos.

The workshop was aimed at reviewing the survey report on corporate governance and board structure of the agriculture sector in Nigeria.

In his keynote address, he stated that agriculture has been identified to be a pivotal mechanism for reducing poverty

and fortifying local livelihoods nationwide.

Borodo, however, identified policy biases; underinvestment, mis-investment and lack of capaci-ties underpin weak governance in agriculture, as some of the challenges bedeviling the sector.

According to him, there was need to engender the principles of good governance structures and related policies at all levels, if the agriculture sector is to thrive.

He said: “Where the tenets of corporate governance including accountability, fairness, transpar-ency, and responsibility are ad-hered to and executed effectively, it can prevent corporate scandals, fraud, and the civil and criminal liability of a company. There is need for reforms to improve public sector capacity, efficiency and delivery.

Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Admin-istration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has stated that a sustained reduction in reported cases of piracy and other maritime crimes in Nigerian waters would end the regime of War Risk Insurance premium on Nigeria-bound cargoes.

Jamoh made the assertion when he received Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Hon. Emmanuel Jime, who led a delegation from the Council on a courtesy visit to NIMASA at the Agency’s headquarters in Lagos.

Jamoh stated that the international shipping com-

munity had acknowledged the progress made by Nigeria in her quest for security in the Gulf of Guinea, as confirmed by recent reports by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

He said the sharp decrease in maritime incidents logged in IMB’s second quarter report was a valuable feedback on the Agency’s campaign for Nigeria’s delisting from countries under the war risk insurance burden, and an indication that the shipping community looked forward to sustenance of the progress made.

According him, “Feedback on our campaign for Nigeria to be removed from countries

Ebere Nwoji

Coronation Insurance Plc, has announced the group’s gross premium written of N16.19 billion for the 2020 business year, up from N15.2 billion recorded in 2019.

Also profit after tax of the firm rose to N1.2 billion from N214.32 million it made the previous year.

The group also incurred a net claims of N3.21 billion at the end of the financial year ended 31st December, 2020, as against N3.05 billion paid in 2019.

The Chairman of the company, Mutiu Sunmonu, disclosed these during the firm’s 62nd virtual Annual General Meeting in Lagos.

He said the group’s profit before tax went up from N23.6 million in 2019 to N1.15 billion in 2020.

He further said the group’s total underwriting profit also grew from N2.92 billion in 2019 to N3.29 billion in the year under review while total underwriting expenses came down from N6.55 billion in 2019 to N6.18 billion in 2020.

He added that the group’s total assets appreciated from N30.75 billion in 2019 financial year to N39.72billion in 2020.

Speaking at the virtual meeting, Coordinator Emeritus, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN) Sir. Sunny Nwosu, commended the company for its outstanding performance in 2020.

According to him, despite the difficulty experienced during the covid-19, the company was able to present better financial indices.

He however expressed his disappointment at the com-

pany’s failure to pay dividend adding that things were tough in the country and the minority shareholders needed to be put into consideration when crucial issue such as dividend was being discussed.

Also, former president of Progressive Shareholders As-sociation of Nigeria, Boniface Okezie, urged the company to leverage on its partnership with Access Bank to grow its business.

According to him, the company should be able to take advantage of the big customer size of the bank to sell insurance.

paying war risk insurance premium on inbound cargoes has confirmed that the inter-national shipping community is watching developments in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea with keen interest. Their desire is to see a sustainability of the positive developments in recent times leading to a drastic decline in piracy attacks in Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea.”

Jamoh also emphasised,

“Since the deployment of the Deep Blue Project assets in February, there has been a steady decline in piracy attacks in Nigerian waters on a monthly basis. With adequate sensitisation of the international shipping community, I am sure that our quest to be removed from nations considered to have dangerous waters will soon materialise for the benefit of Nigerian shippers.”

On his part, Jime called for greater collaboration among relevant government agencies to enable the country derive the full economic benefits of the maritime sector. He com-mended NIMASA for placing fleet expansion at the heart of her efforts to encourage indigenous participation in the maritime industry.

The Executive Secretary stressed that there was no better time to have a national

carrier than now, when the world was gradually look-ing away from fossil fuels, the current mainstay of the Nigerian economy.

Jime stated, “Nigeria cannot be caught unawares. We need to look at ways of developing our shipping sector, which, from studies, is capable of earning the country even more than oil annually. And maritime security is pivotal to achieving this goal.”

BUSINESSWORLD NEWS

47T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

Iyayi Writes Book on ABC of How to Industrialise NigeriaThe Chief Executive Officer of Caesar Engineering and Construction Limited, Mr. Caesar

Iyayi, has completed work on his book — “The ABC of How to Industrialise Nigeria”.

Charles Igbinidu, a consultant, said the public presentation of the book would take place during the first quarter of 2022 in Abuja.

Caesar is the eldest son of late Iyayi Efianayi, a renowned entrepreneur, industrialist and philanthropist.

The author expresses his belief that an industrialised Nigeria, with a dominance of made-in-Nigeria goods, should be a concern for all and the survival of the black race. The book covers the importance of industrialisation as the only way to create wealth, employment and development.

It also includes a step-by-step method on how federal and state governments can mobilise the private sector to industrialise Nigeria.

“We must take urgent steps to transform Nigeria from an agrar-ian society to a manufacturing economy. There is no alternative. It is bend or break,” Iyayi said.

FREE BANKING SERVICES…L-R: Executive Director, Nigeria Network of NGOs, Oyebisi Oluseyi; Founder The Irede Foundation, Nigeria Network NGOs, Crystal Chigbu; Chief Executuve Officer, Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe; Head, Business Banking, Sterling Bank, Ezinne Nwokafor and Grouo Head, Client Coverage and Financial Institutions, Sterling Bank, Kashetolu Lawal at a Media launch Free Banking Services for NGOs in Lagos recently

48 WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 T H I S D AY

TALIBAN BATTLES DEFIANT PROTESTERS AS 100 U.S. CITIZENS SEEK ESCAPECompiled by Bayo Akinloye

Respite has yet to return to Afghanistan as series of life and death events unfold in the troubled Middle East country following the U.S. withdrawal

of its troops characterised by chaos, the capitulation of the Afghan government and the Taliban takeover.

CBS News reports that Taliban gunmen fired weapons into the air to break up a demonstration in the capital against the group’s takeover of the country. But even as the Taliban faces defiance, the U.S. government is actively working with the group to try and ensure a safe escape for Americans still stuck on Afghan soil.

The protest in Kabul was sparked by the Taliban’s apparent capture of Afghanistan’s last bastion of resistance, Panjshir province. As CBS News correspondent Charlie D’Agata reports, anti-Taliban protests have been growing in size and fury by the day.

Heavy gunfire was heard in the capital as the Islamic fundamentalists fired to disperse the crowds, sending people scrambling. The protesters included many women shouting “freedom,” and others yelling “Death to Pakistan” over that country’s meddling in Afghanistan and perceived backing of the Taliban.

Amid continued reports that the Taliban is detaining, beating and even killing people who test its strict rules, another demonstration was held in the north of

the country in support of women’s rights. Every protest is a bold gamble against a regime known for its extreme brutality.

As the Taliban tightens its grip on power, the U.S. State Department said an American family of four had been able to flee the country over a land border. But there was growing outrage over Americans and Afghans still stranded in Afghanistan.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that there were still believed to be “somewhere around 100” U.S. citizens wanting to escape from Afghanistan.

Satellite images have shown six evacuation planes at the Mazar-i-Sharif airport, north of Kabul, amid accusations from U.S. politicians and a non-profit group that the Taliban have been preventing their departure for nearly a week.

U.S. WILL BE GOING BACK TO AFGHANISTAN, SAYS LINDSEY GRAHAM

Amid a chaotic exit from a country it has waged the longest war on foreign land, Sen. Lindsey O. Graham says the U.S. “will be going back into Afghanistan,” the Washington Post reports. 

Graham, in an interview Monday with  the BBC, predicted a looming clash between the Taliban and extremist

groups such as the Islamic State would necessitate American military action in the country. “We will be going back into Afghanistan,” Graham said. “We’ll have to, because the threat will be so large.”

He said Afghanistan “will be a cauldron for radical Islamic behavior,” presenting the United States with only two options: “You can say that’s no longer my problem … or hit them before they hit you.”

Graham has long advocated for an

aggressive campaign against the Islamic State. But public polling shows that the American public has little appetite for prolonging the conflict.

A  Washington Post-ABC News poll last week found that Americans overwhelmingly supported President Biden’s decision to end the war in Afghanistan, though they disapproved of how he executed the withdrawal. 

The last time a majority in a Post-ABC News poll said the war was worth fighting was in late 2009, and then

FOREIGN DESK

Graham

49T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

FOREIGN DESK

just a narrow  52 percent  majority said so, with Republicans more likely than Democrats or independents to say the war, which began under Republican President George W. Bush, was worth the cost.

The United States will maintain “robust counterterrorism capabilities” in the region, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken, after ISIS-K claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing outside Kabul airport. The attack killed 13 U.S. service members and more than 170 Afghan civilians desperately trying to flee the country.

The United States hit back in a drone strike in Kabul, which the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley told reporters was targeting an “imminent” threat posed by the Islamic State’s offshoot in Afghanistan. 

EMBATTLED PRINCE CHARLES DENIES SAUDI TYCOON CASH-FOR-HONOURS ALLEGATIONS

A money-for-knight scandal is roiling the UK monarchy as Prince Charles denied any knowledge of allegations a close aide offered to help secure a knighthood and citizenship for a Saudi tycoon in return for charity donations.

Newsweek reports that the Prince of Wales and the chief executive of his charity, The Prince’s Foundation were yesterday reported to the police. Officers are currently assessing the information provided.

The Mail on Sunday published a letter he reportedly sent to an adviser of Saudi billionaire Sheikh Marei Mubarak Mahfouz bin Mahfouz.

The denial came after allegations in The Sunday Times and The Mail on Sunday that Michael Fawcett offered to help a Saudi tycoon secure a knighthood and British citizenship in return for donations to Charles’ charities.

A Clarence House statement said: “The Prince of Wales has no knowledge of the alleged offer of honours or British citizenship on the basis of donation to his charities and fully supports the investigation now underway by The Prince’s Foundation.”

Fawcett resigned over the weekend as The Prince’s Foundation launched its own investigation into the scandal. However, by Sunday, Norman Baker, a former U.K. government minister, had complained to the police.

On Monday, anti-monarchy campaign group Republic followed up with their own police report and said they had named both Charles and Fawcett in their allegations on Twitter.

JAPAN: THREE DIE AFTER TAKING CONTAMINATED MODERNA COVID-19 VACCINE

A third man has died in Japan after receiving an injection from one of three batches of Moderna vaccines since identified as contaminated, though authorities say no causal link has yet been found.

According to The Guardian, the 49-year-old man had his second shot on 11 August and died the following day. His only known health issue was an allergy to buckwheat, the health ministry said on Monday. 

As with the previous two deaths, the ministry said it had yet to establish if the latest fatality was linked to the vaccine.

The shot came from the same batches that were found to have fragments of stainless steel in them, leading to a recall of 1.63m doses of the Moderna vaccine on 26 August. The three batches were manufactured in Spain under contract by Moderna.

The company has yet to comment on the most recent fatality, but last week issued a joint statement with local distributor Takeda Pharmaceutical, saying: “The rare presence of stainless steel particles in the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine does not pose an undue risk to patient safety and it does not adversely affect the benefit/risk profile of the product.”

Early last month, two men in their 30s with no underlying health conditions died within days of getting their second dose of the Moderna vaccine.

Contaminants believed to be pieces of rubber fragments from vial stoppers that entered the vaccine liquid due to incorrectly inserted needles were found in Okinawa, Gunma and Kanagawa in late August and early September.

PROTESTERS HIT CANADIAN PM TRUDEAU WITH STONES 

Protesters have hit Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with stones during a campaign stop.

He was returning to his bus after visiting a brewery when he was pelted by gravel. The incident occurred in London, Ontario.

BBC reports he was not injured.Mr Trudeau called a snap election in

mid-August in the hope of gaining a majority government for his left-of-centre Liberal party.

But his campaign has been disrupted by demonstrations against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other restrictions.

Just over a week ago, the prime minister was forced to cancel an election rally after a crowd of angry protesters ambushed the event.

After the incident, Trudeau told journalists he might have been hit on the shoulder.

HRW ACCUSES EGYPT SECURITY FORCES OF COVERING UP EXTRAJUDICIAL EXECUTIONS

Human Rights Watch has accused Egypt’s security forces of killing dozens of alleged militants in extrajudicial executions, claiming the deaths occurred during “shoot-outs.”

HRW cited interior ministry statements as reporting 755 such killings between 2015 and 2020. It examined the cases of 14 men whose relatives said they died in custody, said the BBC.

The interior ministry has not commented, but its statements said its forces opened fire in self-defence.

They also said most of those killed over the five-year period were sought for “terrorism” and that most belonged to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Thousands of members and supporters of the banned Islamist movement have been detained as part of a broad crackdown on dissent overseen by President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi since he led the military’s overthrow of his predecessor, Mohammed Morsi, in 2013 following mass protests.

The Taliban announced Tuesday a “caretaker” Islamic government in Afghanistan, saying it will be headed by Mullah Hasan Akhund, a close associate of the Islamist movement’s late founder Mullah Omar.

The announcement came a day after the Taliban declared they had conquered the northern province of Panjshir, ending the only armed resistance to their rule in the conflict-torn country, reports Voice of America.

While sharing details of the caretaker Cabinet at a news conference in Kabul, Taliban chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that all the appointments were in an acting capacity and that the heads of various other ministries will be appointed soon.

Akhund, believed to be in his 60s, hails from the southern Afghan province of Kandahar, the birthplace of the Taliban. He led the group’s leadership council, which directed insurgent attacks against the United States and allied forces during nearly 20 years of war.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, head of the group’s political office, will serve as the deputy prime minister in the caretaker government.

Sirajuddin Haqqani will be interior minister; Amir Khan Muttaqi will be the foreign minister; and Mohammad Yaqoob, son of Omar, will be the acting defense minister, Mujahid added.

Haqqani is the head of the Haqqani network, designated by the United States as a global terrorist organization.

Washington has offered a $10 million reward for information that leads to Haqqani’s arrest on accusations of directing deadly attacks against American and allied forces in Afghanistan. The U.S. denounces the Haqqani network as the “most lethal and sophisticated insurgent group.”

Reclusive Taliban chief Hibatullah Akhundzada will be the overall “amir” (supreme leader) of the government or the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,” said Ahmadullah Wasiq, the acting information minister, while speaking to reporters after Tuesday’s news conference.

U.S. President Joe Biden, when asked on Monday whether his administration would recognize the Taliban, said, “No. That’s a long way off.”

On Tuesday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki reiterated that there was no rush to recognition.

TALIBAN FORMS ISLAMIC GOVT, N A M E S F B I M O S T W A N T E D HAQQANI, INTERIOR MINISTER

CITYSTRINGS50 TH I SDAY WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi

Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 07010510430

Backward integration will be a key solution to this problem of an underdeveloped agricultural value chain, eventually leading to lower food prices in the long term. Beyond improved efficiency, it will also create more job opportunities for both young and old Nigerians

Backward Integration is the solution to rising food prices

Tackling Rising Food Prices through Backward IntegrationDavid Adeleke writes on how developing Agric value-chain through backward integration will help curb rising food prices

You’ve very likely heard this before: agriculture used to be the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy before we discovered oil. After independence, agriculture accounted for more than

half of Nigeria’s GDP and over 60 per cent of export revenue for the first nine years. But the sector’s contribution has waned since then, even though it still makes up a significant portion of Nigeria’s economic activity.

You’ve also likely heard that the unstable price of crude oil globally has forced Nigeria to think about creative ways to diversify its economy, leading, in part, to a renewed focus on agriculture and the value chain that upholds it.

According to PwC, Nigeria's agricultural potential is high because it has 82 million hectares of arable land, and less than half of that has been cultivated so far. However, the value chain upon which agriculture runs remains underdeveloped. Despite this underdevelopment, that value chain in Nigeria is estimated to be worth around $85 billion.

When we think about improving this value chain, we often think about ramping up produc-tion and productivity. This makes sense because, thinking about it linearly, increased production means we can meet more demand. However, we must also look closer at the elements that lie between production and consumption.

Thinking more about these elements, which make up the rest of the value chain, will influence our approach to policy making and private sector investment.

One of the biggest challenges of the value chain is inefficiency. The current structure includes smallholder and large-scale farmers who produce crops and rear animals, off-takers and local markets, processing companies and collectors, exporters, distributors, retailers, then consumers.

The system also relies heavily on logistics, knowledge sharing, and infrastructure.

Over the years, the government has designed different policies and programmes to strengthen the agricultural value, all of which have had varying degrees of success. Some of the most recent programmes and policies include the Agriculture Promotion Policy (APP) and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

Despite these initiatives, which have contributed significantly to the value chain in their own ways, massive opportunities remain for development. Some analysts say that one possible primary reason for this is that there has been a focus on production when we should instead focus on improving the value chain.

Some ideas for improving the value chain include digital agricultural solutions such as precision farming, platforms for growers to sell directly online, increased access to financial services, and an improved flow of information through mobile technology.

All of these are great ideas. However, there is one more solution that will undoubtedly improve the value chain while also reducing the price of staple foods and creating more jobs. That solution is backward integration.

Backward Integration In AgricultureSometimes in business, companies

analyse their supply chain and identify areas to increase efficiency and save cost. They also reckon that they can expand their operations to absorb some of those elements along the chain, so they buy or merge with other companies or set up new arms of business to handle those supply elements. This process is called backward integration.

Backward integration is when a pastry business acquires a wheat farm or sets up its own processing plant. All of these sit on the idea that integrating those supply elements will improve their pastry operations and increase the bottom line.

Backward integration could also be when a food processing company decides to buy up or build its own farm, factory, and logistics operation.

What this does is that it gives room for well-resourced organisations to go deeper into the value chain and apply decades of insight and expertise to certain elements. By doing this, they increase the quality of input and streamline their processes which will, in turn, lead to more productivity.

Backward integration also creates a platform for organisations to standardise

their supply chain and bring it to world-class levels. These organisations can rely on their expertise and multiple layers of data gathered from interfacing with customers and the public to improve production while building upon the knowledge and capabilities of suppliers that may not have been able to produce at a high level before.

The World Bank reports that, in 2020 alone, rising food prices pushed at least 7 million Nigerians below the poverty line. Food prices continue to soar and have reportedly risen by more than 22 per cent since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the major reasons for this is that farmers and food manufacturers have had to pass on the rising cost of production to their customers.

The United Nations has predicted that at Nigeria’s current growth rate, the country is well on its way to becoming the third most populous country in the world - Nigeria currently occupies seventh place. With the expanding population, the skyrocketing food price and the rate of unemployment, the country may be toying with a famine crisis in the future. There is a need for swift long-term strategies and actions to arrest these worrying developments.

Increased direct investment as well as capital infusion by the various players within the sec-tor, coupled with targeted policymaking that focuses on the root source of issues will drive this backward integration.

Backward integration will be a key solution to this problem of an underdeveloped agricultural value chain, eventually leading to lower food prices in the long term. Beyond improved ef-ficiency, it will also create more job opportunities for both young and old Nigerians.

-Adeleke is a writer, communications manager, and content strategist.

CRIME&SECURITY

TH I SDAY WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 51

Rebecca Ejifoma

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo has given assurance that the Nigerian Navy will continue to support

Aquatics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) in its quest to develop the game of swimming in the country.

The CNS made this pledge at the ninth edition of the Chief of the Naval Staff Open Swimming Championship.

Held in collaboration with the Nigerian Aquatics Federation, the championship drew participants from the 36 States of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory.

Held at the National Swimming Pool Surulere, Lagoa, the Nigerian Navy featured both male and female swim-mers for the championship.

The CNS, who was represented by Rear Admiral Halilu Zakaria, the Chief Staff Officer, Headquarters Western

A Collaborative Maritime Interdiction

To enhance maritime security, fight piracy and other inter-national crimes in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), Brazilian Navy Ship INDEPENDENCIA

Fragata recently arrived Nigeria for a maritime interdiction mission codenamed 'GUNEX'.

GUNEX, a joint operation among Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Nigeria, Cape Verde, and Brazil recently took place in Lagos, Nigeria.

Commending the Nigerian Navy for being at the forefront against piracy in the GoG, Ambassador of Brazil to Nigeria, H.E Ricardo Guerra de Araújo, during the courtesy visit with his entourage to the Flag Officer Command-ing (FOC), Western Naval Command, encouraged more collaborations between both navies to keep the Atlantic safe.

"This is what we should do more often; it will bring our countries together. So, our relationship shows the reality of these two countries and that we have so much in common," he said.

Araújo, who was represented by the Consulate General of Brazil to Nigeria, Francisco Soares Luz, said the Brazilian Ship is one of the prides of the country's Navy and was built in the country 42 years ago.

"I think it's very important for the Brazilian Navy to be here. Participating in the inauguration GUNEX One is a joint operation among Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Nigeria, Cape Verde, and

Brazil to fight piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and other international crimes. It's the first operation of this kind. I hope it won't be the last," he hinted.

While acknowledging Brazil and Nigeria as the biggest countries, most populous, and biggest economies in their regions - Brazil in Latin America, and Nigeria in

Africa - Araújo emphasised the importance of curbing piracy.

On his thoughts about fighting piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, he said it is paramount because pi-racy raises the cost of living for everyone, especially the landlocked countries, who pay with inflation.

According to the Ambassador, Brazil and Nigeria share the Atlantic

Brazilian Navy Ship INDEPENDENCIA Fragata recently arrived Nigeria for a maritime interdiction mission codenamed 'GUNEX' in the Gulf of Guinea. Rebecca Ejifoma reports that the visit was also aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between both nations as well as enhancing maritime security

Consulate General of Brazil to Nigeria, Francisco Soares Luz flanked by WNC Chief Staff Officer, Rear Admiral Halilu Duka Zakaria (right); WNC Chief Operations Officer, Commo-dore DN Mathew (first left); and others

L-R: Rear Admiral Zakaria, Navy Captain Andre Martin Pereira Commander Task force; Commander Andre Felipe Rosa Franca de Carvalho, Commanding Officer Brazilian Navy Ship INDEPENDENCIA; and Commodore DN Mathew

The football team from both navies during the novelty match

as a border, therefore, "having your border safe is important for everyone. No cost is too expensive to keep the Atlantic safe".

Speaking also, the FOC Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Jason Gbassa, told newsmen that the Nigerian Navy has always desired to have navies of other countries visit them. "Then we participate in exercises that will ensure maritime security within our waters and by extension within the Gulf of Guinea."

The FOC, represented by the Chief Staff Officer, Rear Admiral Halilu Zakaria, emphasised that the visit captures the Nigerian Navy total spectrum strategy, which allows them to collaborate with other navies in the Gulf of Guinea.

"The Gulf of Guinea is an area of interest for the Nigerian Navy because it will allow all maritime legalities to continue to thrive within these waters like the ambassador said, it has a rip-pling effect within the landlock countries and in Nigeria," he admitted.

For Gbassa, the Nigerian Navy itself has done so much to ensure that the maritime environment is deprived of any form of illegality.

While conceding that the visit was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and Brazil as well as enhancing maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, both navies engaged in a novelty football match at the National Stadium, Surulere.

....As Navy Pledges Support for AFNNaval Command, said the navy will continue to sponsor the competition towards making Nigerian swimmers gain the required exposure needed for them to compete favourably with their counterparts from other countries of the world at both the sub- regional, regional, continental and international championships.

According to him, “the cham-pionship itself is the modest contribution of the Nigerian Navy to the aquatic federation and in this case, it’s just to be able to bring out young talents so that the aquatic federation can mentor them as they grow”

“I have seen a lot of young kids coming here and competing in the 50 meters swimming and it’s very interesting. These young talents will be mentored very well so that at the end of the day, we will be able to produce champions for

Nigeria and for Africa at large.”He further urged the federation to

continue to mentor young swim-mers as they grow and even when they become senior champions in the country.

He also disclosed that apart from the tournament, the Nigerian Navy is involved in the organisation of many aquatic games aimed at improving the sports in the country even.

In his speech, Chairman, AFN Caretaker Committee, Babatunde Fatai- Williams, commended the CNS for approving the sponsor-ship of the tournament despite the economic challenges facing the country.

Fatai- Williams, while announcing that selected athletes at the end of the competition will represent the country at the international championships, admonished all the

participants and technical officials to play to the rules of the game.

At the competition, Hon Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports Develop-ment, was represented, the Chairman of the CompetitionJury of Appeal, Rear Admiral Olusegun Egbedina (rtd). Also in attendance was Director of Sports Naval Headquarters, Commodore Ismaila Zelani and other dignitaries.

The swimming competition came to an end with Delta State retaining its title as the top state in the country for swimming after winning 12 gold, 11 silver and four bronze medals to bring their total medals haul to 27.

The Nigeria Police Force Swimming Team came second with five gold, six silver and three bronze bringing their total medals to 14, while the third position went to the Nigeria Army swimming team with four gold, four silver and nine bronze, bringing their total medals won to 17 medals.

52 T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

EDUCATIONAnambra @30: Celebrating Education BuildersWith the maiden edition of ‘A Day with Education Builders’, organised recently by the Anambra government, which witnessed the celebration of stakeholders that contributed to support the sector, the state said it would ensure that education takes its pride of place in the nation and beyond. Funmi Ogundare reports

It was a celebration all the way, as the Anambra government recently took time off to honour its indigenes. These individuals support the course of education in the state through the

infrastructural development of schools, scholarships, and foundations to ensure that students achieve their dreams.

The milestone event, held at the Hol-lywood Event Centre, Awka, tagged ‘A Day with Anambra State Education Builders’, commemorated Anambra’s 30th anniversary. A total of 57 indigenes were honoured. The individuals received plaques and certificates for their support and contributions to the sector. Some of the honourees who spoke to THISDAY expressed delight about the award, saying it would spur them to do more.

Sir Boniface Ugonabo, chairman of JACBON Industries Limited and president of the alumni association of Bubendorff Memorial Grammar School, Adazi, said, “The governor is doing quite well. The award means so much to me. I feel highly elated. It will push me to do much more to put in place more infrastructure.”

The principal of Bubendorff Memorial Grammar School, Adazi Town, Owere Ezukala, Theodore Ekwem, is a member of Friends of Education in Orumba South, a group comprising six young men and women. They set up ICT centres, functional libraries, and skills acquisition equipment for schoolchildren in the community.

They awarded scholarships to poor students by subsidising their school fees and footed the bills of their WAEC fees. “And still more are in the pipeline. We are planning the perimeter fencing of the secondary schools to beef up security and ward off enemies,” Ekwem revealed. “Particularly as a Catholic priest, we have been championing good education.”

Chief Bart Nwibe is the founder of the Igboukwu Foundation, established in 2005. The foundation gives brilliant students in Igboukwu and Abaga local government. He believes the award will add more wind to

“We expect that the administration should do more. There is a need for synergy between the government of Anambra State and the private sector,” added Nwibe. “We need to have technical schools that will attract the relevant skills to students to prepare them for the challenges of modern life rather than waiting to be employed after graduation. The government should be the driver.”

A former national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sena-tor Victor Umeh, noted that he established a foundation in 2017 that trained over 10 university graduates and currently training over 300 students in institutions of higher learning.

“About 76 students were awarded scholarships in 2018 when I was in the senate. They are in their third year at the university now. By October this year, we will pay for the 2021/2022 academic ses-sion,” Umeh explained. “These are children who are not privileged to afford the high cost of education. They are the people we are looking at to help to achieve their dreams. Many of them have got PhDs, become medical doctors, lawyers and gone into other professions.”

Umeh appealed to rich people to stop buying luxury cars and start investing money in children from less privileged homes, stressing that by so doing, they will be building a better society.

“An educated child is a light to his community, state and Nigeria as a whole. Buying cars worth N100 or N150 million is a waste of money. When I started the foundation, I was paying N5 million

annually in 2017. Now my annual budget is about N20 million,” Umeh disclosed. “So let them start thinking of how to empower these children and help us to build a better society. The government cannot do it alone.”

The politician recalled helping a medical student who almost dropped out of the University of Port Harcourt due to her father’s death.

“I took her into my foundation, and this year, she graduated as the best student in Medicine and Surgery at the university. She is not even from my local government area. These are the types of people we should look for to empower so that they can achieve their dreams,” he stated.

In her address titled ‘What is lead-ership if you cannot influence’, the Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha, commended the awardees for their support and contributions to education over the years.

“Today provides the opportunity to sing their songs, to celebrate them, to say a big thank you for their numerous contributions to education in the state. A lot of you have supported the state government by providing extra teachers for our schools, building classrooms, toilet facilities, equipping libraries, training teachers, giving extra-mural lessons, equipping science laboratories, etc.,” said Omenugha.

Omenugha, the first professor of

as one of its enablers, his administration recognises that none of the pillars can stand without a solid education.

“This explains the huge investments we have made in education over the years. We approach education from three-pronged areas; infrastructure, teachers’ welfare and students’ welfare,” added Obiano.

He said infrastructure has made many Anambra schools wear new looks by remodelling science laboratories in over 60 secondary schools and revamping technical colleges. The governor further noted that the schools could be found in all the 179 communities of the state and easily recognisable with their red roofs, popularly called ‘the red roof revolution’.

“The technical colleges have been revamped as over 26 trade subjects have been accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), with the workshops having state of the art equip-ment,” stated the governor. “One of our greatest legacies is the model hostels we are building in the 12 technical colleges with 750 students capacity, which ultimate aim is to provide the technical college students with befitting boarding facilities that will make them both attractive and competitive.”

He added, “The hostels will also provide the opportunities for people to travel and live in any of the technical colleges that have their choice trade subjects.”

According to the governor, students’ welfare, including conducive environments for learning, is paramount. He pointed out that Anambra has made education “inclusive.”

“Our policy has made us reach students who even live beyond the end of the road. We have given prime attention to the special and the physically challenged students in our special education centres, giving them free tuition,” Obiano explained. “The same free tuition has been extended to technical colleges from NTC one to three. We have remodelled our special educa-tion centres giving the special students a liveable environment and increasing their subventions.”

Gender and Communications in Nigeria, revealed that a handbook titled, ‘A Guide to Public-Private Collaboration Initiatives/ Interventions in Schools’ had been prepared to provide a pathway for individuals and organisations intervening “in our schools.”

Paul B Construction Company manag-ing director Paul Enidom appealed to stakeholders to support Anambra’s education system. He emphasised a part-nership model where the government and private can continuously interact on education funding, particularly in hard-to-reach communities. A data bank that will link all schools in Anambra should also be put in place.

“We are looking at a situation where the state can have an organisation where the government and private sector can meet on funding of education, particularly in their community,” he stated. “The data bank is imperative so that anybody that wants to key in can have a clear idea of what to do. The organisation will also constitute a board, have an education trust fund, and they can harmonise the activities of old boys and girls of schools.”

Governor Willie Obiano explained that the occasion was an opportunity “to thank our great Anambra men and women who have keyed into the vision of providing quality and value-based education in the state.” He described education as very imperative to the development of the state, saying that

Traditional ruler of Umueri, His Royal Majesty Igwe Benneth Emeka, Okebo II (right), recieving his plaque and certificate from the Anam-bra State Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha and Governor Willie Obiano, at the maiden edition of ‘A Day with Education Builders’ programme ... recently

An educated child is a light to his community , state and Nigeria as a whole. Buying cars worth N100 or N150 million is a waste of money. So let people start thinking of how to empower children from less privileged background and help us to build a better society.The government cannot do it alone

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EDUCATION

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

Organisations Should Ensure Sustainability to Drive Innovation, Says Prof. OgbechieMary Nnah

Sustainability is needed to drive innovation, says a profes-sor of Strategic Management and the Dean at Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, Prof. Chris Ogbechie.

A keynote speaker at the Association of Sustainability Professionals of Nigeria’s inaugural induction in Lagos, Ogbechie spoke on the ‘Im-portance of professionalising sustainability in Nigeria’.

He charged the practitioners to brace up and create the necessary opportunity to give organisations more recognition to the sustainability sector.

YABATECH Don Urges Review of Urban Housing PoliciesFunmi Ogundare

A chief lecturer in the Depart-ment of Urban and Regional Planning, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr Philip Fagbohun, says the only viable solution to cities’ challenges is through adequate provision of basic needs.

Fagbohun stated this while delivering the 12th inaugural lecture of the college, titled ‘City of Uncertainty: A Trau-matised Living Environment’.

He noted that housing was essential to the good life and a key requirement for an efficient and satisfying labour force.

Fagbohun stated, “Effective transport system is the basis for determining how cities work and also plays an im-portant role in socio-economic development. Streetlight facili-tates free movement of people at night, prevent crime, help in security surveillance and promote social integration, while access to safe water is a universal need.”

The lecturer also mentioned that cities came into being due to urbanisation and are very important in human develop-ment, adding that an apparent lack of basic facilities is the root of cities challenges.

“The level of availability of the facilities has not af-forded the urban residents the opportunity to maximise public goods consumption. Consequently, human activities have contributed inadequately to sustainable urban devel-opment. These have further increased poverty level and polarised urban geographical space,” said Fagbohun.

He affirmed that the giant

cities and their agglomerations should be properly defined and carefully planned, where all modes of transport would be utilised.

He, however, stressed the need to adopt the concept of a compact city, which will bring many activities together in a small geographical area.

“Self-build housing method which has become the major approach in resolving home-ownership should be well coordinated. Since the building of cities and infrastructure is more complex, technological education should be encour-aged,” Fagbohun added. “More hands should be at-tracted from the formal sector into housing provision. Change in the use of land and building should be properly regulated and managed to avoid the elimination of residential land use from the city centres and reduce urban sprawl.”

He called for a review of the national housing policy to “make it mandatory for large-scale employers to provide some staff accommodations around their premises.”

He added, “There is a need to exploit the opportunity provided by the technology in the facilities provision, particularly power supply in the area of solar energy. More funds should be made available for the provision of public infrastructure because they are critical sector.”

The college’s rector, Obafemi Omokungbe, noted that Fagbohun had successfully presented a contemporary work to demonstrate his research activities in Urban and Regional Planning over the years.

L-R: Olasunkanmi Atolagbe, acting AdCademy Director; Emeka Obia, Leo Burnett; Rebecca Otepen Adenaike, Max Edge Communications Ltd; Jenkins Alumona, Vice-President AAAN/Chairman AdCademy Committee; and Temitope Jemer-igbe, Publicity Secretary, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, at the cheque presentation to winners of the AdCademy Masterclass Management Challenge, in Lagos... recently

Experts Suggest Using Local Languages to Boost Digital EducationUchechukwu Nnaike

The need to integrate indig-enous languages with digital education resources in promot-ing literacy skills in line with 21st-century expectations has prompted stakeholders in the education sector to initiate and seek public-private partner-ships to boost the availability of these resources to students in Nigeria.

This was the focus of discus-sion from the just concluded August edition of Ed-tech Monday - an initiative of Mastercard Foundation, in partnership with CcHub Limited.

The virtual discussion with

the theme ‘Access to Digital resources’, featured discussants from different segments of the education industry.

Gideon Olanrewaju noted that lack of digital skills and access to digital resources are major challenges in Nigeria.

“The foundation of learning, which begins with comprehen-sion skills, has been affected due to failure of educators at both private and public sec-tors to adopt languages best understood by the students,” said Olanrewaju. “As you are aware, if the children are un-able to have such foundational skills, it would be very difficult for them to access or use the knowledge that is obtainable

from digital resources.”He urged the government

and educators to use local languages to teach students digital skills and invest in community-level infrastructural development to find lasting solutions to the problem of access to digital resources.

Another participant, the Digital Content and Innovation Manager at Airtel Networks Limited, Bankole Alao, noted that connectivity remained a huge barrier to adopting digital learning in Nigeria, more so in this challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the solution to this challenge lies in the readiness of stakeholders to collaborate.

Also speaking, Kayode Akinwale, a member of Virtual Learning Teachers, noted that COVID-19 had further proved the effectiveness of technology in digital learning for students and parents.

Akinwale identified con-nectivity cost, poor power supply, limited understand-ing of digital resources by students, teachers, and cost of digital devices as major barriers that Nigeria needed to guarantee equitable access to digital resources for the students.

“Networks providers can also provide free access to learning platforms just as is done by Facebook,” he stated.

“Practitioners need to level up and have a great necessary impact that would ensure that professionals are elevated to the board level where decisions concerning the organisations are taken. This will help deepen the sector and reposition the industry,” he said.

The ASPN had its first induction ceremony with the theme ‘Together we can and will deliver a sustainable Nigeria’ at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Victoria Island.

Dr Kenneth Amaeshi, the President of ASPN and director of Scaling Business in Africa

Consortium at the University of Edinburgh Business School, United Kingdom, noted, “Our induction ceremony is a major milestone for us being the maiden edition. We also consider this a major milestone in Nigeria in view of our role in nation-building. We are determined to seek to redefine corporate responsibility and economic, environmental, so-cial, and governance practices in the country.”

In addition, the association’s director of communications, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, ex-plained that ASPN would drive professional ethics standards for sustainability profession-

als, drive best practices and long-term thinking amongst individuals and businesses.

Forty-four persons were inducted at the ceremony.

ASPN is a non-profit organisation established in August 2019 and officially launched on November 26, 2020, to redefine and improve the practice and profession of sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Nigeria.

The platform provides easy access to resources required to build capacity to transform businesses and the private sector through networking, certification, and advocacy.

VC: No Plan to Increase Federal University, Lokoja TuitionsIbrahim Oyewale

The Federal University, Lokoja, has no plan to in-crease school fees, says its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olayemi Akinwunmi.

The VC disclosed told journalists during a chat in his office at the permanent site of the university. He was reacting to an online publica-tion that FUL management had increased school fees, and people were about to protest.

He allayed the fear already created in the minds of par-ents and guardians, saying that the story had no iota of truth on the increase of school fees.

According to him, the school only increase the acceptance fee.

“Kindly disregard any information suggesting an increase in the school fees. School fees remain unchanged, please,” said Akinwunmi.

He explained that the institution’s new intakes would pay N55,000, including other charges, while returning

students pay 47,000. He described the acceptance

fee increased from N10,000 to N20,000 as optional, stating that those who could not afford it could try another institution.

Akinwunmi added fund-ing had become a major impediment to the university system’s development and appealed to the government to increase budgetary alloca-tions to tertiary institutions, particularly new ones.

He regretted that most federal universities found it difficult to operate after IPPIS’ introduction. He stated that the system took away all the responsibilities of the university system and rendered the management ineffective.

He added that most of the structures and facilities at the institution’s permanent site had been vandalised because of continued stay at the Adankolo campus of the institution. Akinwunmi called for an urgent response to salvage the facilities from vandals.

NIHOTOUR Boss Advocates Skill Acquisition to Solve JoblessnessSegun Awofadeji

The Director-General of the National Institute for Hospital-ity and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Nura Sani Kangiwa, has expressed confidence in vocational skills acquisition of the Nigerian arts and crafts industry in the fight against unemployment and poverty in the country.

Kangiwa, who stated this

recently, while declaring open a Skills Acquisition and Empowerment of Women in Arts and Crafts training session, organised by the North-East Campus of the institute in Bauchi, pointed out that the fight against poverty in Nigeria is everyone’s responsibility.

He said NIHOTOUR, as skills and vocational train-ing centre, would continue to play its part in imparting

knowledge-based skills that will offer them employment and financial earning opportuni-ties in line with the federal government’s agenda to fight poverty.

The director-general, rep-resented by the head of the North-East Zonal Campus of the institute, Samuel Ibrahim, called on participants to make good use of the programme.

Ali Babayo, Permanent Sec-

retary of Bauchi State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, urged Nigerians to look inward to be economically self-sufficient.

Nelson Lucas, the coor-dinator of the Bauchi zonal office of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), noted that tourism was a multifaceted industry offering ample opportunities for employment in the arts and crafts.

54 T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

EDUCATION

Oluchi Chibuzor

A non-profit organisation, Call to Love Initiative, in collaboration with Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), has sensitised low cost schools on strategies and skills to improve the quality of education they provide.

According to the NGO, the move was as a result of the feedback it got from low cost school owners and teachers about requiring funding to provide facilities needed to enhance the learning process of their students.

The founder, Omowunmi Ajila, said the organisation is glad that the state government,

Segun Awofadeji in Gombe

The Nigerian Army University has matriculated 450 students during its third matriculation ceremony for the 2021/2022 academic session.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Kyari Mohammed, warned the students to steer clear of bad conduct, adding that the institution has zero-tolerance for indiscipline.

According to the VC, the university was conceived and established based on the ethos

and values of the Nigerian Army focused on discipline, orderliness and respect for constituted authority as well as the universal values of universities, which is the freedom to hold and profess divergent opinions.

Mohammed disclosed that

the university offered 589 students admission, but only 450 students registered and took the matriculation oath.

The university’s registrar, Brig.-Gen. S.S. Ibrahim, administered the oath to the new students.

NGO, LSETF Sensitise Schools on Skills Transfer

Nigerian Army University Matriculates 450 Students

L-R: The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Edo State chapter, Mr. Pius Okhueleigbe; Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Osarodion Ogie; Governor Godwin Obaseki; board member, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), representing Edo Central, Hon. Stevenson Ehimhen; and SUBEB board member, representing Edo Central, Hon. Elizabeth Ighodaro, at the Edo SUBEB stakeholders’ engagement meeting held in Benin City... recently

206 Teachers Commence Second SEPLAT/NPDC TrainingUchechukwu Nnaike and Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Two hundred teachers and six chief inspectors of education (CIEs) from Edo and Delta have commenced a three-month training under the second edition of the NPDC/Seplat Petroleum Development Company PLC joint venture teachers’ empowerment programme, known as STEP.

They would be trained on modern learning techniques, critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and lesson notes.

Speaking at the formal inauguration of the programme in Benin weekend, the Director, External Affairs and Sustainability, SEPLAT, Dr Chioma Nwachukwu, said the process for the selection of the benefiting teachers commenced with an online test for 874 teachers that registered from all schools in Edo and Delta.

Nwachukwu, represented by the Manager, Corporate Social

Responsibility, Seplat, Esther Icha, added that the beneficiaries were drawn from 28 schools each from both states.

She said the strategy for selection included five teachers, each representing every public school and two from private schools.

The programme commenced with a three-day workshop in Benin, designed to empower teachers to access the Seplat Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) app.

“They are now going to apply learning and demonstration, and that is why the STEM training is very critical in nation-building,” stated Nwachukwu.

She further explained that the training would end with the award of certificates to successful teachers in February 2022. Beneficiaries are expected to set up a STEM club in their various schools.

“STEM club will usher in an exhibition where the use of STEM to proffer solutions

to world problems will be showcased,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Education, Stellamaris Imasuen, explained that the Seplat mandate was in line with the Edo government’s vision for education.

Represented by the Executive Director, Science Vocational and Technical Education, Odegua Kushe, she stated, “The impact of the training, which you started last year, is evident in the increase of students participating in science and technology competitions at both local and international levels.”

Also, the Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Rose Ezewu, commended the company for collaborating with the government to build the capacity of teachers to be equipped with modern techniques for improved classroom experiences.

Ezewu, represented by the

Director of School Services, Ufuoma Oduma, said over the years, teaching and learning in the country had suffered huge setbacks in the face of modern technology.

“But with intervention from a company like Seplat in collaboration with government, a new era of nourishing classroom experiences has been ushered in,” noted Ezewu. “We appreciate the intervention of your organisation on the STEP programme on STEM.”

On his part, Alli Zahra, Managing Director, NPDC, represented by Bassey Bassey, highlighted the purpose and impact of teachers in nation-building, hence the need for such training.

Some of the beneficiaries said the training would be an opportunity to change the narrative in their daily activities. One hundred teachers and 43 CIEs benefited from the first edition of the programme last year.

Teacher’sA

DIARYKEHINDE OMORU www.kayomoru.com

MY MEMORIES

We will always live with memories. I am constantly in the process or practice of telling or thinking about my past experiences.I frequently go back memory lane especially on how

my Teachers Diary column started in the 1990’s! I wrote as a teacher within mainstream primary education at Corona School Victoria Island and St. Saviours School Ikoyi, mostly children without learning disabilities. My intentions then and now are to entertain and inform my colleagues, of our noble teaching profession and vocation, as well as to hopefully coopt parents into my readership. I got very encouraging feedbacks from my venture. I could easily recall several of such encouraging and very thoughtful words. But one that particularly stands out in my memory was a letter from a lady in Bauchi State who wanted me to suggest tips for improving her spoken and written English. I mused then as my focus in teaching was changing. I wanted formal knowledge of why some children would possibly not learn the way we wanted them to no matter how hard we tried. I wanted to know why some children at the bottom of the class were not demonstrating learning despite painstaking efforts by teachers to teach them.I dabbled into dyslexia. This provided me with some answers and more importantly tools for teaching specific aspects of English and mathematics. My hunger remained. I wanted knowledge to enable me teach and support children with more visible usually congenital physical and behavioural conditions.Dyslexia is a topic that I have often written about on this platform. But for want of clarity, dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling. It is a specific learning difficulty, which means it causes problems with certain abilities used for learning, such as reading and writing. Dyslexia is not like a learning disability as intelligence is not affected.In formal education, we consciously as teachers create the environment for learning. Without equivocation, we have expected outcomes, and we garner resources to achieve this. We engage in a planning process and plan a strategy for success. At the end of the teaching session we judge success by changes in behaviour. Indeed, this change may have occurred as a result of some cognitive processing of information, or by forming some associations, through experiential or insightful learning etc or through a combination of all forms of learning.A lot of learning however takes place outside formal education. Learning can take place at any time or anywhere; may be observable or otherwise; may or may not be readily measurable. I have found this to be readily true in my present preoccupation as a specialist practitioner. I work within a multidisciplinary team of therapists, in a further education college for people with profound physical and learning disabilities. Our work is to enable and empower people with profound physical and learning disabilities achieve their greatest potentials. Allow me to introduce to you one of the students in the college where I practice disability.Vwede is 19 years old with a Statement of Severe Learning Disabilities and Epilepsy. He is visually impaired being blind in his left eye. He has a left-sided hemiplegia and therefore is mostly paralised in the left side of his body. He is wheeled about in his wheelchair, but can weight bear during transfers with the help of two staff. Vwede was not born with a condition resulting in his learning disability. He suffered a brain haemorrhage at three weeks old which left him with a severe brain damage. Vwede displays challenging behaviour now and again especially whenever his routine has been altered. At such times he lets out his frustration in severe self-harm. This is however being successfully managed in college by structured learning and routine. Vwede experiences an average of six epileptic seizures weekly. These usually require the administration of emergency anti convulsant medication. Vwede’s self-help, survival skills if you like, are being retained in college. For example he feeds himself successfully with the aid of adaptive utensils. Vwede uses a range of communication modalities to express himself. He makes vocalisations to gain attention in order to communicate. He also combines vocalisation with gestures. He does a particular eye-twitching and mouth movement that expresses his ‘yes’ and ‘no’. Vwede is able to use some basic Makaton signs to support his vocalisation such as signs for the toilet or for a drink. In terms of comprehension, Vwede needs his attention gained before giving him an instruction. His comprehension is demonstrated by the use of gesture such as eye-pointing at what you are talking about. Vwede understands his daily routine with the help of cues like activity related objects. He is enabled to cope with change by being told about it, reminded of impending change and being prepared for it. Essentially change is introduced gradually, explained clearly and given time to be worked out by Vwede. How often do we as teachers leave behind our ‘slow learners’ in favour of the ‘high fliers’? Do we actually have a right to pronounce anyone as ‘slow learning’? This is more so, when the condition is linked to genes, which is why the condition often runs in families.

-Omoru is a freelance writer, education, health and social care advocate

through LSETF has a dedicated fund for low cost schools, where they can access loans as high as N5 million with interest rates as low as 9 per cent, to improve their school facilities.

“This forum is aimed at appreciating low cost school owners and teachers for their efforts in terms of imparting knowledge and skills in the children and also to sensitise them about the available funds provided by the Lagos State government through the LSETF.”

“We employ a targeted approach of interaction with our beneficiaries and delivery of projects that drive lasting solutions and contribute positively to transforming our

target audience. Our mission is to enrich lives through social development and our target audience are pupils from low cost schools and orphanages.”

Ajila added: “We are trying to ensure that students in low cost schools can compete equally with more privileged students from high cost schools. Our vision is to also raise a pipeline of beneficiaries that can pave the way forward in the nearest future.”

The Head, Micro Enterprise and Micro Enterprise Startup, LSETF, Funsho Ogunlumade said the funds provided is for low cost schools operating in Lagos “as one of our missions is to create employment

opportunities and wealth for residents of Lagos.

“You cannot underrate the role of the education sector in building a credible society which is why we have partnered with Call to Love Initiative to come to the grassroot to engage the low cost schools to enlighten them on how to access funds that are available.

Ogunlumade said they also partnered First Bank and Edfin Microfinance Bank to disburse the loans to the school owner.

The Head, Community Banking Unit, First Bank, Akinwande Meadows said the partnership aims to reduce the negative impact of COVID-19 on theqrv education sector.

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T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

NIHOTOUR Tasks 500 New Students on Discipline, DiligenceSegun Awofadeji

Newly matriculated students of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) have been enjoined to obey the institution’s authorities.

Director-general of the institute, Nura Sani Kangiwa, stated this during the matriculation ceremony of 500 students for the 2020/2021 academic session in Abuja and other eight campuses across the country via Zoom streaming.

He explained that the students were fortunate to

be admitted into the institute for career proficiency and development in the Nigerian travel tourism and hospitality industry.

The director-general, who stated that the institute had since inception offered robust programmes for personnel in the travel tourism and hospitality industry, assured the matriculating students of the institute’s support to enable them to attain their goals.

Kangiwa, represented by the Research and Development/General Studies director of the institute, Dr

Taiwo Famogbiyele, reiterated the resolve of NIHOTOUR to produce skilled, motivated and well-equipped graduates.

The guest lecturer, Nkereuwem Onung, the National President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), called for job assurance in the labour market.

He urged the government and employers to mitigate the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry.

He applauded the efforts of NIHOTOUR for engaging

operators and practitioners in the industry for better service delivery through training and re-training.

Onung noted that without the requisite skilled manpower, better quality service delivery as needed by customers and tourists in the industry would not be possible.

He highlighted the socio-economic importance of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry in enhancing the country’s GDP and job creation and employment provision opportunities for youths in the country.

L-R: The Deputy Rector Administration, Yaba College of Technology, Mr. Iyang Udoh; acting polytechnic librarian, Dr. Ademola Fijabi; Dean, School of Environmental Studies, Dr. Oyebanji Okesoto; the inaugural lecturer, Dr. Philips Fgbohun; the Rector, Obafemi Omokungbe; Dr. Titilayo Ukabam; and Deputy Rector Academics, Registrar, Dr. Olukayode Momodu, during the college’s inuagural lecturer... recently

Scholars, Diplomats Unite for Prof Gambari’s Legacies ProjectRebecca Ejifoma

Prominent Nigerian scholars, researchers, and diplomats have teamed up to chronicle the legacies of Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, the chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, to make it a resource portal of global relevance.

The Strategic Facilitations International Ltd, in conjunction with Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy, and Development (SCDDD), will anchor the project.

A major step towards the commencement of the project

was taken on August 6 in Abuja with the signing of a substantive Memorandum of Understanding.

The Savannah Centre, founded by Gambari, promotes research, advocacy training, and policy analysis in conflict prevention, management, democracy, and sustainable development in Nigeria, Africa, and the world in general.

The project will digitalise Gambari’s speeches, books, and all Gambari’s intellectual works and establish a state-of-the-art e-library as a resource pool for research and other purposes and linked to other

global research centres with similar objectives.

The former Nigerian principal representative to ECOWAS, Aminu Wisdom, said, “In this part of the world where legacies are being freely diminished by certain events, we have decided to preserve the legacies of one of our own greatest personalities for the benefit of our children and generations yet to come.”

Wisdom added, “We are convinced that the product that will arise from this project would represent a global standard wherever it is presented. The project, which

involves the deployment of a lot of technologies, would be the first of its kind in Africa.” he said.

He stated that the team of diplomats and intellectuals to execute the project was assembled over time with a preference for people with proven track records in their respective areas of engagements.

The Savannah Centre’s executive director, Sani Bala, noted that the calibre of people in the team exemplifies the quality of performance and excellence for which Gambari represents.

Kuni Tyessi

Ladela School has condemned the use of corporal punishment to discipline schoolchildren.

The school’s proprietress, Angela Ajala, who stated this in Abuja during the school’s graduation ceremony

with the theme ‘Reinventing myself, charting the future’, said children understood punishment more when denied certain rights and privileges.

“We believe that if you can touch the heart of a child, it will be easy to touch the head, and other things will

fall in place. So, as a school, we do not believe in corporal punishment,” argued Ajala. “There are ways we handle our children. For example, denying them things they love. If I know you love ICT, I will deny you of it for, say, a month.”

For the graduating students, Ajala noted that after going through an uncertain period due to the COVID-19 pandemic and “having gone through challenges, they had never seen before,” it was time for them to prepare for their future.

Ladela School Condemns Corporal Punishment

Winners Emerge at Premier International Art CompetitionSunday Ehigiator

Winners have emerged in Premier International School, Abuja, art competition titled ‘2021 Art Explosion’.

Hauwa Adamu, Fatima Shehu, and Jidenna Oke-chukwu emerge winners in secondary, primary and pre-school categories.

The virtual event with the theme ‘The New Normal’ saw the winners go home with different prizes worth up to N100,000 each.

The initiator of the competition and head of the Department of Fine Art of the school, Agoreyo Armstrong, said, “They were to interpret the theme to the best of their knowledge using any medium of their choice, either clay or pencil or water-colour, paint or sculpture.”

Armstrong added that the students were to upload the same on their social media platforms and tag the school.

“The people with the high-est numbers of likes initially get 50 per cent chances of winning, while the judges decide on the other 50 per cent, as they will sort out for works that fit into the theme, and also meet up with other judgement parameters such as proportion, use of space, etc.,” said the teacher. “The school doesn’t compromise on excellence in every part, including arts.”

Speaking on the idea of the competition and efforts of the school in promot-ing arts, an art instructor, Ifeanyichukwu Onyeiwu, said, “We have art academy and art clubs which we hold every Fridays and Saturdays respectively.”

Explaining why the works of the three students stood out, one of the judges, Onyekachi Bertha, said, “(The) best three artworks from different categories

were critiqued in respect to the theme, originality of concept, use of colour, neat-ness, adherence to theme and attention to detail. They were found exceptional because they passed the message of the pandemic clearly even to a layman and possessed great attention to detail.”

Adamu said about her victory in the secondary school category: “I’m still surprised and excited that I won. Although the process was easy, I was not prepared. I didn’t want to join at first because I saw other better artistic kids, but my sister helped me through the journey.”

The student added, “I’ve been in Premier International School for a year now with the dream of becoming a sci-entist someday, but with this victory, I’ll try to participate in more art competitions and may change my mind and become an artist instead.”

The winner of the primary school category, Shehu, said she initially doubted her abilities while preparing for the competition.

Commenting on the stu-dents’ performance, the Head of School, Charles Husseni, said he was not surprised at the emergence of the three students as winners in their various categories.

“One of them, Fatima Shehu, qualified to the national level of the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest. The others have been consistently achieving and have represented the school in art competitions in the past,” stated Husseni. “We expect more wins, more participation in any available art competition around the country. The school will put machinery in place to track their progress and exploits in this area. This nurturing will continue until their artistic potential is fully maximised.”

UNIZIK, NGO Partner to Train Mass Comm Students on Ethical JournalismDavid-Chyddy Eleke

The Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and a non-governmental organisation, ‘Beyond Com-munity Care Foundation (BCCF), have partnered to train undergraduates of the institution on ethical journalism.

At a press conference, the institution and the NGO said they would bring top journalists to the school on a programme, ‘Town and Gown’, to mentor students and mould them into fine journalists.

The head Mass Com-munication department, Prof. Chinwe Uzochukwu, and directors of BCCF, Mariam Bello and Onuora Aninwobodo, disclosed this.

Uzochukwu said: “The event would take place at ASUU-NAU Secretariat, UNIZIK on August 19, and we hope to use it to bring practical experiences from top professionals to the students. Some of the top journalists expected at the occasion include a former managing director of Champion Newspapers, Emma Agu, and a former MD of Sun Newspapers, Chief Tony Onyima.”

She hinted that the theme of the mentorship programme would be ‘Exploring emerg-ing opportunities in Media and Communication’. An-inwobodo added that no fewer than 500 almajirai had benefited from the foundation through education, healthcare facilities and employment.

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

FG Seeks Investments in Strategic Sectors to Aid Economic Recovery

MARKET INDICATORSMONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021

Money Supply (M3) 38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors 1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2) 37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money 21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1) 15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks 2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits 13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA) 7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA) 31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC) 42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net) 12,304,773.44

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA 0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA) 0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS) 30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net 3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money 13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation 2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves 10,433,417.96--Special Intervention Reserves 317,234.17

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

56 T H I S D AY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

Hamid Ayodeji

The federal government has said that it is prepared to collaborate with potential investment partners in critital sectors of the nation’s economy so as to expedite recovery.

Some of the areas, the govern-ment said includes; domestication of production of key commodities through Backward Integration Programs, driving the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), especially through access to finance and markets; and cultivating invest-ments particularly through improving the ease of doing business in the country.

Disclosing this in Lagos at JCI Africa and Middle East Senate Association (AMESA) Conference, themed; “building emerging lead-ers for Africa and Middle East,” the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, said the country remains the best investment destination in Africa.

Speaking on the topic, “Opportunities and potentials of trade and investments in Nigeria,” Adebayo, noted that the country’s overall policy thrusts

are built around three thematic areas of focus.

He said, “With the nation’s BIP, the ministry has intensified efforts to increase local produc-tion, increase job opportunities and provide foreign exchange through the domestication of identified priority products namely Automobiles, Palm Oil, Dairy, Sugar, Cassava Starch and Cotton, Textiles and Garments.

“For Automobiles, our focus is on boosting activities around the local assembly of vehicles and auto component manufacturing by providing fiscal incentives, stimulating demand through targeted government patronage and establishment of consumer credit schemes and to improve economies of scale.”

“For Sugar, through the provision of fiscal incentives, import quota allocations, physical infrastructure for ir-rigation and foreign exchange to operators, we are driving the production of Sugar. For Oil Palm, we are intensifying efforts to facilitate investments across the value chain to increase the local production of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) and its derivatives.

“For Cassava Starch, we are focused on bringing in large-scale investors to increase the production of cassava starch. For Cotton, Textiles and Garments, our strategy here is to improve the cost competitiveness of textile production and leverage Special Economic Zones (SEZs) for garment production for export, ”he added.

Explaining the reason for the birth of the policy drive, the Minister stated that each of the key areas are targeted at meeting

Adebayo further said that the development of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and addressing the challenges of poor packaging, labeling and quantity of manufactured goods by MSMEs would mitigate the rejection of made in Nigeria products and ensure sustainability in the global market.

The minister also listed other areas the government is working to make Nigeria investment friendly, to include National Action Committee on the AfCFTA, enactment of the CAMA Act, Special Agroprocessing Zones (SAPZs).

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $71.27 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $71.43 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), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

Crown Interactive Offers Grant to Manufacturers, Suppliers

The Crown Interactive has an-nounced its innovate smart grant of N400 million to 20 medium sized Nigerian manufacturers, distributors of fast-moving consumer goods and suppliers of raw materials.

A statement by the company said that it has offered its CICOD Supply Chain Software at no charge to 20 companies in the Nigerian market that meet specified criteria.

The statement also noted that the promotion represents a value of N20 million delivered to each firm in terms of the technology offered and support service rendered.

The statement hinted that the special offer would make avail-able the organisations’ supply chain management solution to the selected firms and their supply chains.

It said: “Selected companies

would be offered the CICOD Suite of Business Support Systems (BSS) free of charge for the first 12 months.

“Subsequently, it will be avail-able at a monthly fee of N12, 000 per user but with no obligation on the company to continue to use the service. Other benefits include free software implementation and training as well as export promotions opportunities and access to inventory finance.

“The applications within the CICOD BSS can be easily integrated to existing systems within an organisation’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software or operated independently to provide a platform for automating key business processes.

“The Crown Interactive’s solution is designed to address common challenges relating to the manufacturing supply chain, in-

cluding customer order, inventory and workflow management and provides a platform for electronic payments and inventory finance.”

Commenting on the promo-tion, the Managing Director of Crown Interactive, Ms. Wumi Oghoetuoma, said: “We believe that design thinking and technol-ogy have combined to redefine the business landscape and that manufacturers that aspire to succeed cannot afford to be left behind. We look forward to showing selected companies the impact of our supply chain software on their operations. Over a year, we are confident that these companies will testify of the impact of our solution in terms of lowering costs, building partnerships for future business growth, balancing their product supply with market demand, and enhancing the customer experience.”

NGO Sensitises Schools on Funding Quality Education DeliveryHamid Ayodeji

Call to Love Initiative, a non-profit organisation has sensitized low cost schools on strategies and skills to improve quality of education given to their students.

According to the NGO, the move was generated as a result of the feedback they received from low cost school owners and teachers about requiring funding to provide facilities needed to enhance the learning process of their students.

The Founder, Call To Love Initiative, Omowunmi Ajila, speaking recently in Lagos said they are glad to know that the Lagos state government through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund has a dedicated fund for low cost schools, whereby they can access loans as high as five million naira in order to improve their school facilities

“This forum is aimed at ap-preciating low cost school owners and teachers for their efforts in terms of impacting knowledge and skills to the children and also to sensitise them about the available funds provided by the Lagos state government through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund.

“We employ a targeted ap-proach of interaction with our beneficiaries and delivery of projects that drive lasting solu-tions and contribute positively to transforming the development of our target audience. Our mission is to enrich lives through social development and our target audience is pupils from low cost schools and orphanages.

“We are trying to ensure students in low cost schools can compete equally with more privileged students from high cost schools. Our vision is to also

raise a pipeline of beneficiaries that can pave forward in the nearest future,” Ajila said.

In his remarks, Head Micro Enterprise and Micro Enterprise Startup, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, Funsho Ogunlumade said, “We have partnered with Call To Love Initiative by provid-ing access to finances to low cost schools within Lagos state.

“The fund is for the low cost schools operating in Lagos as one of our missions is to create employment opportunities and create wealth for residents of Lagos.

“You cannot underrate the role of the educational sector in building a credible society which is why we have partnered with Call To Love Initiative to come to the grass root to engage the low cost schools to enlighten them on how to access funds that are available.

T H I S D AY 57

Darasimi Adebisi

Members of the Association of Securities Dealing Houses of Nigeria (ASHON) have expressed confidence in the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group) and its new structure.

This is coming as the NGX has announced that it is set for its maiden Annual General Meeting (AGM) after its demutualisation,

Besides, ASHON, whose

members were the original own-ers of NGX Plc have endorsed the company’s plan to hold the post-demutualisation and 60th AGM in Abuja tomorrow as a symbol of current diversified ownership and sustained national outlook.

The NGX Group completed its demutualization in late March 2021 to improve the market in the areas like technology, hu-man capital, and processes with enhanced income generation.

It is also expected to make the exchange focus on its core mandate,

As part of the post-listing requirements for quoted com-panies, NGX Group’s scheduled meeting is a platform where the shareholders interact with the company’s board and manage-ment for shareholders’ appraisal, in line with corporate governance principles.

Top on the proposed resolu-tions at the meeting include

shareholders’ endorsement of long- term incentives for staff, comprising Deferred Bonus Plan (DBP) and Employees Share Purchase Plan (ESPP) and Employee Trust to manage both schemes and re-election of retiring Non-executive Directors.

In a Statement from ASHON, its Chairman, Onyewenchukwu Ezeagu explained that the as-sociation’s members had always partnered with The Exchange. According to him, Dealing

P R I C E S F O R S E C U R I T I E S T R A D E D A S O F 0 7 / 0 9 / 2 0 2 1MAIN BOARD DEALS MARKET

PRICE QUANTITY

TRADED VALUE TRADED

( N )MAIN BOARD DEALS MARKET

PRICE QUANTITY

TRADED VALUE TRADED

( N )

ASHON Expresses Confidence as NGX Holds Post-demutualisation AGMMember Houses played pivotal roles during all the stages of de-mutualisation and shall continue to support the market in all areas of development.

“Our members are fully prepared for the 60th Annual General Meeting of NGX Group Plc and the first to hold after the demutualisation exercise. As major shareholders, we were involved in all the processes of demutualisation.

“We are comfortable with the

agenda of the meeting as we have been part of the whole processes. The proposed resolu-tions had been made public in the course of the demutualisation. The meeting will bring about renewed relationship between the NGX Group and its stake-holders, “said Ezeagu. The meeting will attract numerous institutional and retail investors as the demutualisationhas paved the way for everyone to become a shareholder in the new entity.

58 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 T H I S D AY

Keynote Address By Abdulrasheed Bawa CFE, CAMS, Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) delivered at the 38th Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime held at Jesus College, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom… yesterday.

ECONOMIC CRIME:WHO PAYS AND WHO SHOULD PAY?

PROTOCOLS

It is a privilege and honour to be part of this historic and intellectual gathering but more so to be invited as a keynote speaker. This year’s theme: “Economic Crime - who pays and who should pay?” marks the 38th series of the Symposium. I wish to note

that the theme has been carefully selected to x-ray the global challenges associated with economic crimes. May I, therefore, extend my sincere appreciation to the organizers for their insight in eliciting a global response to the challenges of economic crimes.

I bring you greetings from Nigeria, particularly from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the leading anti-corruption agency in Nigeria charged with the responsibility of prevention, investigation, and prosecution of economic and financial crimes.

Let me at the onset start by giving a brief definition of economic crime. According to Europol, “economic crime, also known as financial crime, refers to illegal acts committed by an individual or a group of individuals to obtain a financial or professional advantage. The principal motive in such crime is economic gain”. 

In Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 defines “Economic and Financial Crimes” as:

“non-violent criminal and illicit activity committed with the objectives of earning wealth illegally either individually or in a group or organized manner, thereby violating existing legislation governing the economic activities of government and its administration and includes any form of fraud, narcotic drug trafficking, money laundering, embezzlement, bribery, looting and any form of corrupt malpractices, illegal arms deal, smuggling, human trafficking and child labour, illegal oil bunkering and illegal mining, tax evasion, foreign exchange malpractices including counterfeiting of currency, theft of intellectual property and piracy, open market abuse, dumping of toxic wastes and prohibited goods, etc”. 

It suffices to say that economic crimes are universal in nature and are the types of crimes that can affect a country’s economic policies, systems, objectives and social interests. Economic crimes are global challenges confronting every nation today as they undermine peace, security and economic development. Economic crimes erode national incomes and exacerbate economic hardships. By their very nature,

economic crimes affect the vital structures of global economies, causing significant damage to the Global Financial System and depriving developing nations of the needed resources for sustainable development.

Indeed, developed countries are also not left out, as the impact of economic crimes has been magnified with the proliferation of cyber-crimes which threaten the stability of global financial institutions. The developments in new technologies and the growth of cryptocurrencies portrays a far greater danger to the world economy than ever before with many criminals playing significant roles in crypto-currency markets.    Criminals now elect to transact or receive illegal monies (such as ransom money) for cyber-attacks in cryptocurrencies with Bitcoins and Ethereum as the most commonly used mediums for these exchanges.

The sophistication and complexity that defines the dynamics of economic crime in the 21st century continues to evolve, spurred by technological advancement in the global economy that has become borderless and transnational. This has inevitably led to the prioritization of law enforcement action on crimes that drive Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) across the globe.

The 2020 Global Financial Integrity Group report estimated that, IFFs account for about $1.3 trillion in lost revenues for the African continent. Such monies channeled through the underground economy are also used to fund other criminal activities including insurgency, terrorism and cybercrime, amongst other threats. These challenges continue to aggravate the state of developing economies and translate to deprivation, poverty, and dearth of infrastructural and basic amenities.

Consequently, in June this year, at the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGASS) against  Corruption which held in New York, Nigeria called for a multifaceted approach to addressing IFFs, consistent with the recommendation of the High-Level Panel Report on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity for achieving the 2030 Agenda (FACTI). The FACTI Panel Report has provided paths to financial integrity for sustainable development, strongly showing how to redirect stolen resources lost through illicit flows, to finance the implementation of the 2030 Agenda

and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The fight against economic crimes therefore remains a formidable task that must be addressed globally. It requires the collective resolve and effective collaboration of competent authorities especially in the wake of technological advancement where measures aimed at inclusive growth, are easily exploited by criminal elements to perpetuate their acts. Authorities are by the day challenged with the responsibility of devising counter measures against economic crimes instead of utilizing their skills towards the attainment of sustainable development.

Governments at all levels must therefore devote more attention to addressing the challenges of economic crime. In Nigeria, the Government of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari has prioritized action against economic crimes by introducing legislations and policies targeted at strengthening and stabilizing the financial system.

The Law enforcement legal framework has been strengthened through the enactment and amendment of relevant laws aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in Public and Private Sectors of the economy. Other measures implemented in Nigeria include amongst others; the Treasury Single Account to enhance transparency in public expenditure, Bank Verification Number to link individuals to financial transactions, cashless policy to reduce the informal economy, and whistle blower policy to encourage reporting of crime.  

Specifically, the EFCC has been at the forefront of the national action against economic crimes in Nigeria with many notable achievements recorded in investigations, prosecutions and asset recovery.  Since its establishment in 2003, the Commission has recorded no less than 3,500 convictions and recovered assets of significant value including properties in Nigeria, the UK, USA and the UAE. All these have measurably contributed to the national efforts against economic crimes in Nigeria. On the regional and international front, the EFCC continues to engage with relevant Law Enforcement Agencies in information and intelligence sharing, institutional strengthening and technical capacity-building.

It is, therefore, my firm belief that the choice of the theme “Economic Crime - who pays and who should pay?” is particularly essential in addressing the challenges of economic crimes. As the victims of crime continue to suffer globally from the effects of financial crimes, either directly or indirectly as part of a social system, the determination of who pays or who should pay becomes a critical measure of the criminal justice system in place. The judiciary, being one of the key stakeholders in the justice system and the third estate of the realm presupposes impartiality and integrity in the application of the rule of law and thus ensures that the perpetrators of acts and not the victims pay for their crimes. The onus therefore lies with national governments to ensure that an effective and efficient criminal justice system comprising of the key practitioners (law enforcement agencies, judiciary,  prosecutors,  courts, lawyers, prisons/correctional facilities etc) is established and its independence guaranteed.

Accordingly, we at the EFCC seek to forge closer collaborations and prioritize law-enforcement to law-enforcement cooperation. This has consistently proven effective, and translated to recoveries of millions of United States Dollars and assets of significant value.

In concluding, I would like to use this opportunity to reiterate that information and intelligence sharing as well as effective collaboration amongst relevant law enforcement agencies across the world are key to successful action against economic crimes. In the words of Martin Luther King (Jr): 

 “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy.” 

Therefore, in the days ahead, as we engage in discourse on the issues pertaining to economic crimes, let us not forget that we owe the world a duty to come up with practical solutions to curb this international threat. I believe that deliberations here will undoubtedly lead to practical multi-stakeholder engagement and action. Moreso, I am hopeful that the resolutions would go a long way in enhancing global leaders’ integrity, accountability, and transparency in public expenditure.

Thank you for your kind attention.

DISCOURSE

Bawa addressing participants at the symposium

MARKET NEWS

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.

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an

investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA:Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 06-Sept-2021, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors. Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF.

Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS

59WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021• T H I S DAY

GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.comWeb: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnGreenwich Plus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/ANigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/AGROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng

Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnGDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/AINVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.comWeb: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnAbacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.75%

Vantage Balanced Fund 2.79 2.85 -2.29%

Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50%Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 152.91 153.18 -1.67%Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.28 1.32 1.50%Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.10 1.10 0.70%LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com

Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnLotus Halal Investment Fund 1.42 1.44 4.17%Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,147.77 1,147.77 5.69%MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com

Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnMeristem Equity Market Fund 11.50 11.53 9.71%Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 9.06%PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com

Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnPACAM Balanced Fund 1.67 1.69 7.14%PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.58 11.57 -4.81%PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 5.78%PACAM Equity Fund 1.65 1.66 4.24%PACAM EuroBond Fund 113.08 114.99 2.97%SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com

Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnSCM Capital Frontier Fund 131.53 134.11 8.75%SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.comWeb: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnSFS Fixed Income Fund 1.05 1.05 10.04%STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com

Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDSFund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnStanbic IBTC Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/AStanbic IBTC Bond Fund N/A N/A N/AStanbic IBTC Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/AStanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund N/A N/A N/AStanbic IBTC Iman Fund N/A N/A N/AStanbic IBTC Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/AStanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund N/A N/A N/AStanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) N/A N/A N/AStanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/AStanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/AUNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD

Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnUnited Capital Balanced Fund 1.31 1.33 2.37%United Capital Bond Fund 1.91 1.91 4.55%United Capital Equity Fund 0.87 0.89 9.67%United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.32%

United Capital Eurobond Fund 120.13 120.13 4.95%United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.06 1.08 4.08%United capital Sukuk Fund 1.06 1.06 6.16%QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ngWeb: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnZenith Equity Fund 12.87 12.98 8.47%Zenith Ethical Fund 14.31 14.46 17.27%Zenith Income Fund 24.34 24.34 1.49%Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.35%

R E I T S Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-RtnSFS REIT 124.98 10.62%Union Homes REIT 53.10 5.15%

E X C H A N G E T R A D E D F U N D SFund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnLotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund 13.31 13.41 0.69%

SIAML Pension ETF 40 121.41 124.43 0.97%

Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund 96.63 98.74 -2.61%

MERGROWTH ETF 17.39 17.49

MERVALUE ETF 18.35 18.45

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.comWeb: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnVetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 3.91 3.95 3.45%

Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 5.43 5.51 -4.56%

Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 17.39 17.49 7.19%Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 0.00%

Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 19.50 19.70 -4.96%

Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 158.59 160.59 -27.92%

I N F R A S T R U C T U R E F U N DFund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-RtnChapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund 107.40 13.11%

info@anchoriaam.com

M U T U A L F U N D S / U N I T T R U S T SAFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.comWeb: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnAfrinvest Equity Fund 160.60 161.95 -0.73%Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 5.26%Nigeria International Debt Fund 322.62 322.62 -15.98%Afrinvest Dollar Fund 110.65 110.65 -0.29%ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.comWeb: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/AACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/AAIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.comWeb: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnAIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.67%AIICO Balanced Fund 3.31 3.48 -2.48%ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 7.77% Anchoria Equity Fund 138.62 140.28 4.21% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.15 1.15 -13.52%ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.comWeb: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276)Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnARM Aggressive Growth Fund 19.56 20.15 7.88%ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 432.03 445.06 7.91%ARM Ethical Fund 38.20 39.36 13.33%ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.10 -0.54%ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.97 0.98 -7.05%ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.73%AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.comWeb: www.avacapitalgroup.comFund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnAVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 106.1 106.1 4.32%AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,031.58 1,031.58 3.16%AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.comWeb: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnAXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/AAXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/ACAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.comWeb: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnCEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.04 2.04 -7.88%Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.13 2.17 -7.07%

CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnCardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.02 1.02 3.12%CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.comWeb: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnChapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.56%Paramount Equity Fund 16.55 16.86 3.50%Women's Investment Fund 136.91 138.49 2.88%CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.comWeb: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnCordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.62%Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 118.66 119.41

Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A

Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 108.14 108.14 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.comWeb:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnCoronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.comWeb: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnEDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 7.81%EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 7.58%EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,159.49 1,176.50 0.66%FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.comWeb: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnFBN Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/AFBN Balanced Fund 191.39 192.64 1.98%FBN Halal Fund N/A N/A N/AFBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.00% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail N/A N/A N/AFBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 158.24 160.27 4.67%FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.comWeb: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnLegacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.85%Legacy Debt Fund 3.97 3.97 2.55%

Legacy Equity Fund 1.60 1.63 4.75%Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.19 1.19 4.42%FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-RtnCoral Balanced Fund 3,765.97 3,819.69 0.53%

Coral Income Fund 3,358.16 3,358.16 2.50%

Coral Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.47%

Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com

info@anchoriaam.com

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • T H I S D AY60

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NEWS

James Sowole in Akure

Panic has gripped residents of some communities in Magboro area of Obafemi/Owode Local Government of Ogun State as not less than 25 persons were feared dead following outbreak of cholera in the area.

The affected communities include Arepo, Akeran, Akintonde, Sofolarin and Abule - Oko.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, had on Sunday confirmed the incident, which she said, “is predominant among Okada riders and scavengers in the area.”

The Chairman of Community Development Committee in Magboro, Mr Oluwasegun Oladosu, yesterday confirmed that 15 deaths have been recorded.

Highlighting on the identity of some of the casualties, Oladosu said that about 10 Hausas who relocated from the community to Kara (settlement) have equally died of cholera.

Oladosu said commercial motorcyclists who were of northern extraction were most hit by the outbreak.

According to him, some riders had just returned from a trip and probably might have been infected with cholera.

He lamented that relations of the victims do not release dead bodies saying “they always

Panic as Cholera Outbreak Ogun, Kills 25 Personsrushed to bury them. A number of them are already fleeing the community. But the information we have now is that 15 people are already dead.

“Forget about tribe, we have

been living here with Hausas for a long time, peacefully. But, some of them had travelled recently and they just returned, especially the Okada riders. They will always tell you the truth. Some of them came with

the disease. Some of them who ran to Kara (Hausa settlement), we learnt 10 of them are dead.”

The CDC Chairman said a government team had visited the community and provided drugs for cholera treatment and

prevention.Oladosu called on

government to ensure that they always enforce sanitation in the community, which he described as very dirty.

He said: “What we have

observed is that the Hausas live in a dirty environment and that can trigger cholera outbreak. The government should wade in and ensure the environment is always kept clean and hygienic.”

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

The Director General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Brigadier General Ibrahim Shuaibu, has charged corps members deployed to Sokoto State to promote peace and foster unity among citizens.

Shuaibu made the call in Wamakko permanent orientation camp, Sokoto, yesterday during

the swearing in of Batch B Stream 2 corps members posted to the state.

Shuaibu, who was represented by the State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mr. Muhammad Nakamba, said that the main aim of the scheme is to foster national unity and integration.

He further stated that the youth corps members should serve as role models to other

Nigerians and should shun ethno-religious differences and embrace one another during and after their service year.

On issue of security the DG assured that NYSC was collaborating with all security agencies in the state to ensure that they are well protected throughout their service year in their host communities.

He enjoined them to fully

participate in all the four cardinal activities of the scheme, advising them to pay special attention to skill acquisition and training taking place in the camp in order to be self reliant after the service.

“As you are already aware, the rate of graduate unemployment is of great concern to us as a nation,” he said.

DG Tasks Corps Members to Promote Peace, National Unity

Laleye Dipo in Minna

The Senator Representing Niger East Senatorial District of Niger State in the National Assembly, Senator Sani Musa, has condemned, in very strong terms, the recent massacre by bandits of “honest and peace loving villagers” in some communities in the Shiroro Local Government Area (SLGA) of Niger State.

Not less than 20 villagers were slaughtered in cold blood by the bandits in an incident that took place in broad daylight last Thursday.

Musa, in a statement made available to newsmen in Minna yesterday, described the incident as “not only wicked and callous” but “a gross act of man’s inhumanity to man”

The federal lawmaker declared that “the massacre of the 20 villagers is also

unacceptable,” describing the action of the bandits as “a heinous crime, which should be condemned by every peace loving person in the country

“To slaughter innocent villagers like goats taken to the altar for sacrifice is totally unacceptable. We should therefore do everything possible to bring these criminals to justice.”

According to him “the time has now come for all the strata of government to collaborate to bring the daily loss of lives in SLGA and other parts of Niger East Senatorial District to an end,” submitting that in the last couple of months not less than 3000 people have been displaced and now live in IDP camps with not less than 300 losing their lives while valuables worth billions of Naira were either destroyed or stolen by the marauders.

Senator Condemns Massacre of Villagers in Niger

The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, yesterday signed the bills for the financial autonomy of the judiciary and the legislature in the state into law.

Akeredolu also signed the bill for the establishment of the Ondo State House of Assembly Service Commission into law.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo, and the Attorney General and Commissioner

for Justice, Sir Charles Titiloye, while addressing journalists after the signing, explained that the bills are to provide for the management of funds accruing to the state judiciary, otherwise known as Judicial autonomy, and the bill for a law to provide for the management of the funds of the Ondo State House of Assembly.

They said the new laws would promote independence, efficiency,

transparency and accountability in both the Judiciary and Legislative arms of the government of the state, adding that the principle of separation of powers provided for by the Nigerian Constitution would also be enhanced.

According to them, the new laws have provided financial backing for the two arms of the government to see to the distribution and management of funds allocated to them under the

Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Their words: “These new laws are for the management of funds of Ondo State Judiciary and House of Assembly as separate arm of government and it also provides for the establishment of the House of Assembly Service Commission. It means that these arms of government will be able to have their funds and distribute them.

Akeredolu Signs Judicial, Legislature Autonomy Bills into Law

The three sons of the Deputy Provost of Isa Kaita College of Education in Dutsinma, Katsina State, Dr Isma’il Ado Funtua, have been kidnapped by bandits.

A source close to Ado Funtua, who confirmed the incident, said the bandits invaded the campus and broke into the deputy provost’s residence

around 11:30 p.m. on Monday, September 6.

“Around 11:30 pm on Monday, four heavily armed terrorists entered the school premises and broke into the residence of the Deputy Provost of the college, Dr Isma’il Ado Funtua, where they abducted three of his children,” the source, who

pleaded anonymity, said.“When they arrived, his

gateman was not around. They removed the padlock on the door and entered the house. While they were there, the gateman returned and they asked him about his boss and he said he was not around

“They went into the parlour and met the young men who

were reading. They kidnapped the gateman alongside three of the children, Usman, Aminu and Abdullahi, while the fourth young man was able to sneak out.”

The source added, however, that on their way, the kidnappers released the gateman and went away with the man’s children.

Bandits Kidnap College of Education Deputy Provost’s Three Sons in Katsina

Peter Uzoho

The Prelate of Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide, Dr. David Bob-Manuel, has called on the federal government to declare national emergency on unemployment.

Bob-Manuel said the level of graduate unemployment in the

country was becoming alarming, warning that the trend would worsen the negative security issues being experienced in the country. He made the call yesterday in Lagos at a world press conference that marked his fourth induction anniversary as the Baba Aladura of the church.

As part of the emergency steps, he suggested that the nation’s

education curriculum be tweaked in a way that encourages teaching of anchor and entrepreneurial skills relevant to today’s market situation.

In its fourth quarter (Q4) 2020 unemployment report released in March 2021, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had put the rate of unemployment in Nigeria at 33.3 per cent, an

increase from the 27.1 per cent recorded in Q2, 2020.

Bob-Manuel said: “Economic and development statistics reveal unemployment as a lagging index in our nation. Millions of our graduates are finding it hard to get a decent job. And where these jobs are available, most employment processes appear not to be fair.

Cleric Urges FG to Declare National Emergency on UnemploymentHammed Shittu in Ilorin

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State yesterday insisted that the party did not witness any parallel local government congress in the state last Saturday.

The party, however, called on its members that were dissatisfied with the outcome of the congress to pass through lawful corridors of negotiations and compensations of the party.

The Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the APC in Kwara State, Mr. Abdullahi Samari, who spoke with journalists on the outcome of the last local government congress of the party in Ilorin, that “unlike the ward congress, which involved all party

members, the local congress was not an all-comers’ affair.

Samari said: “It was strictly a delegates’ election in which only accredited delegates, including elected statutory delegates, are allowed to take part”.

He said that for a lawful congress to hold, the constitution of the party required provision of delegates’ list to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and police prior to commencement of voting at the venue of the local government congress.

He said that the exercise must also be conducted by accredited party officials and to be duly monitored by the INEC before it would be called a lawful congress.

No Parallel LG Congress in Kwara, Says APC Chairman

STRENGTHENING ACCOUNTABILITY…L-R: Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Anti-corruption, Hon. Nicholas Shehu; Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani; and INEC National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Information, Mr. Festus Okoye, during the CISLAC Working Group meeting on “The Strengthening Accountability Networks among Civil Society (SANCUS)” Project in Abuja... yesterday AYO AJAYI

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 T H I S D AY 6 7

Oyetola Inaugurates 360 Newly-recruited Amotekun OfficersYinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, yesterday inaugurated 360 newly-recruited officers into the State Security Network Agency otherwise known as Amotekun Corps.

This followed the completion of the 23-day intensive training programme the personnel underwent as part of efforts to make them professionally savvy and prepare them for the task ahead.

Speaking at the passing-out-parade ceremony for the new Amotekun Corps officers held in Ejigbo, the governor stated that his administration commitment to security, safety and welfare of the people remained irrevocable.

He added that his administration had given security the prime position in the state, as it is critical to its development agenda and a strategy for revolutionising the state economy.

The governor charged the new Amotekun Corps personnel to display the highest level of professionalism, discipline, competence, integrity and Omoluabi ethos in the discharge of their duty to protect the people and the state.

He also implored the citizens and residents of the state to cooperate with the Corps operatives in order to make security management easy and peaceful.

“All Osun citizens must own the Corps and provide them

with information that would help them to effectively protect us,” Oyetola added.

Speaking further, the governor said: “Amotekun is created to collaborate with the security agencies and the vigilance groups and hunters

across the state in order to ensure security in a peaceful, harmonious and professional manner.

“Let me also remind you all that by the nature of Amotekun operations and network, yours is a complementary

and collaborative security outfit. I therefore urge you to collaborate with your colleagues in neighbouring South-west states to keep our region and our people safe.

“Security is critical to our development agenda and a

strategy for revolutionising the economy of the state. Consequently, you have a crucial role to play in attaining this noble objective. You must therefore secure the state with integrity, civility and a high sense of responsibility.

Laleye Dipo in Minna

A male suspect has been arrested in connection with last Saturday kidnap of Niger State traditional ruler, the Dodo of Wawa in the Borgu Emirate, Dr. Mahmud Aliyu.

The suspect, who was apprehended last Monday, was said to be a security man recruited by the monarch about two months ago.

A source close to the Dodo of Wawa’s palace said the security man was recruited from Benin Republic to give protection to the traditional ruler, but a week before the abduction of Aliyu, the security man took permission to return to Benin Republic to attend to some pressing family problems, a request which the monarch granted.

However, it was gathered that the security man, whose name

was not divulged to THISDAY, did not travel out of Wawa, as he was seen in the town by members of the community.

THISDAY also learnt that the arrest of the security guard was as a consequence of his appearance within the monarch’s palace a few hours before the kidnap took place, only for him to disappear from the area again.

However, palace sources said

such information was given to security operatives investigating the incident, which led to the arrest of the security man.

Palace sources also informed THISDAY that the involvement of a woman in the kidnap of Aliyu must have been deliberately made by the abductors to neutralise any supernatural power the traditional ruler could have had, which would have made him to disappear.

Security Guard Arrested over Kidnap of Niger Monarch

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

A former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to publish details of the independent review that led to sack of Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Nanono and his power counterpart Power, Engr. Sale Mamman.

Chidoka said President Buhari’s assertion that the sack was based on, “independent and critical self-review” of sectoral performance and evaluation gave the impression that he evaluates the activities of his appointees through independent review and monitoring.

The former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), who made his demand in a statement, also said it was imperative that the president publishes the rating of other sectors particularly

security, education, health, road infrastructure, finance among other critical sectors as well as the criteria used.

“Mr. President is called out to immediately share with Nigerians the name(s) of the independent evaluators, the performance measurement criteria, the total result of the evaluation as well as the rating of other sectors particularly security, education, health, road infrastructure, finance among other critical sectors.

“Nigerians would like to know the outcome of the assessment of the security agencies, identifying the weaknesses and communicating the plans for strengthening the identified weak areas,” Chidoka added.

According to him, two of the nine priority areas of this administration were to expand access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity of Nigerians and “improve security for all.

Chidoka Challenges Buhari to Publish Performance Evaluation Report of Sacked Ministers

Goddy Egene

Leadway Assurance Company Limited has made an equity investment of $5 million InfraCredit, a ‘AAA’ rated specialised infrastructure credit guarantee institution, thus becoming the first private institutional investor member of the shareholder group in

InfraCredit.Speaking on the investment,

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Leadway Assurance, Mr. Tunde Hassan-Odukale said, “InfraCredit is bridging a significant infrastructure gap in Nigeria through the mobilisation of private capital. Through the realisation of the critical role an enabling infrastructure

plays in the development of the social-economic conditions in our country, we see a strong alignment in Leadway and InfraCredit’s mission of supporting our clients in building a more resilient Nigeria. InfraCredit’s vision, strong governance and execution capability reinforced our decision to

support InfraCredit in its quest to unlock long term local currency capital for infrastructure development in Nigeria through this equity participation. We are excited at the development impact of this investment and the positive trajectory of InfraCredit’s operations and strong outlook.

Leadway Assurance Becomes First Private Institutional Investor in InfraCedit

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

The Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has threatened to expel two House of Representatives members from the state for allegedly going against the consensus decision of the party in the just concluded local government congresses across the state.

The state Secretary of the party, Mr. Ibrahim Zakari Sarina, disclosed this to journalists yesterday, and described the action of the

two lawmakers as ;null and void’, insisting that the party is set to take disciplinary actions against them.

THISDAY gathered that the two House members, Shaaban Ibrahim Sharada, representing Kano Municipal federal constituency, and Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe, representing Dawakin Tofa/Rimin Gado federal constituency, have been blacklisted for expulsion by the party leadership for allegedly claiming to have organised a parallel congress in the state last Saturday.

APC Threatens to Expel Two Federal Lawmakers in Kano

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

An Ekiti State Magistrate Court has ordered a 39-year-old Agaduma Ovie to be remanded in the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Ado Ekiti, for alleged robbery.

Making her pronouncement yesterday, Magistrate Mojisola Salau said remanding the

defendant in the custody would allow the prosecutor, Inspector Bamigbade Olumide, to forward the case file to the office of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

According to the charge preferred against the defendant, Agaduma was reasonably suspected to have committed offences of conspiracy and

armed robbery on one Adebayo Modupe.

The incident happened at Ajibamidele area in Ado Ekiti on November 27, 2020.

The court on August 26, 2021, also remanded one Simeon Godswill Oreva, 23, while Ovie Agaduma was at large then, and was later arrested in Abuja in connection with offences

bordering on conspiracy and armed robbery.

The Investigative Police Officer (IPO) on August 26, 2021, informed the court that Oreva and others at large on November 27, 2020, conspired to rob one Mrs. Adebayo Modupe of her vehicle at gun point around Ajebamidele area in Ado Ekiti.

Court Remands Man for Alleged Robbery

NEWS XTRA

COURTESY VISIT…L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, Mr. Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud; Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari; and Chief Executive Officer, NGX, Mr. Temi Popoola, during a courtesy visit to NNPC in Abuja…recently

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

The National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) has deployed 1,500 corps members in Bayelsa State for the 2021 Batch B, stream II service year, urging them to always

make themselves available for the COVID-19 vaccination. The members were also encouraged to ensure healthy interactions and exchange ideas that will broaden their understanding of the country and build lasting friendships that

will make them the vanguard of national unity and integration.

The NYSC Director-General, Brig. Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, who was represented by the state Coordinator, Mrs. Ojugo Elizabeth Iyowuna, made this

known yesterday during the opening/swearing-in ceremony of corps members deployed in the state at the NYSC orientation camp in Kaiama town, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state.

NYSC Deploys I, 500 Corps Members in Bayelsa, Tasks them on COVID-19 Vaccination

68 WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 T H I S D AY

NEWS XTRA

Alleged Freezing of Kogi Account, a Joke Taken Too Far, Says GovernorDeji Elumoye in Abuja

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State yesterday declared that he is not aware that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has placed any embargo on any of the state’s salary accounts.

Bello, who described the alleged accounts’ freezing as a joke taken too far, also advised EFCC not to allow itself to be led on a journey of no discovery, adding that there is no N20 billion kept in any fixed deposit account in the state.

A Lagos High Court had last week granted an ex-parte application for the EFCC, ordering the freezing of an account allegedly housing around N20 billion, said to be Kogi State’s salary bailout account.

Speaking to newsmen after a close-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, the governor emphasised that no Kogi state governments salary account is frozen.

“None whatsoever. None of our accounts frozen or embargo placed on any of our accounts by EFCC at all. I think it’s just a misrepresentation of facts or is a joke taken too far.

“My Information Commi-

ssioner and all those that are concerned with that lies peddled by the EFCC, I think they have responded appropriately. And I will urge each and every Nigerian to please go to Kogi state website and all the facts are

there. The banks have denied that we don’t have such an account”.

He stressed that his administration expended the bailout received for the state, according to the agreement

reached with workers in the state.According to him, Kogi was

among the first to publish all its account activities for the public to see, including all the details and the documents generated from the activities, challenging

Nigerians to demand details of the utilisation of the said fund from other governors, just as he had done.

He said: “The bailout fund that we obtained, we appropriated in line with the agreement and

understanding between Kogi state government and the workers. All of these were done, we finished all of these in the year 2019. So first, there’s no N20 billion account, or N19 billion era, no fixed deposit account.

George Okoh in Makurdi

The Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, George Akume, has stated that his press briefing last week was to call out the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, to provide answers to disturbing issues affecting the state and

not to demonise anybody.He also called on people of

the state to have faith in the All Progressives Congress (APC) towards the 2023 election.

The minister stated these yesterday at a mega rally in Makurdi, the state capital, to brief APC party faithful on the party’s affairs.

The former governor, who is also contesting for the position of the national chairman of the party, said: “If we ask the government to pay salary of workers, which is their right, are we making a mistake? If we ask our poor parents, who have toiled and sweated to train us, to be paid their pension, are

we making a mistake? Is that too much to ask? Gratuities are pending and have continued to be pending.

‘So, we just invited the government to act on that. Instead of answering the queries raised, it rather generated a lot of insults in press conferences.

I Only Called Out Ortom to Respond to Pressing Issues, Says Akume

The Kaduna Government has said it has no plan to shut down telecommunication services in the state.

This is contained in a statement issued yesterday in Kaduna by Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye.

According to the statement, the government has not made such a decision, neither has it announced any such plan.

“The Kaduna State Government did not reach out to any federal agency to request a telecoms shutdown and it

has not in any way ordered or effected a communications shutdown,’’ the statement said.

It called on residents to ignore the rumours saying that is a fake news which some people were trying to pass off as genuine by placing KDSG logo on their false statements.

“The Kaduna State Government is transparent about security matters. If a telecoms shutdown is deemed necessary that decision will be formally announced in a properly signed statement posted on official information handles,” it said.

Kaduna Denies Plan to Shut down Telecom Services

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

Saki (Shaki) town in Saki West Local Government Area of Oyo State, has been rocked by an earth tremor which created panic amongst the populace, even as the federal government through the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), said it had sent a team of experts to evaluate the extent of damage.

The Director General, NGSA, Dr. Abdulrazaq Garba, while speaking to newsmen yesterday in Abuja, disclosed that a team of experts had been sent to monitor the extent of the tremor and pacify the community on the occurrence.

According to him, “a team has been sent to pacify the community because they were in panic. They have so far been

able to capture predictive analysis from the Ilorin (Kwara) station which monitors Shaki and its areas of surrounding.”

The NGSA boss, while speaking further stated that earth tremor was a natural occurrence which humans don’t have control over but added that consistent monitoring of tremors would help alert appropriate authorities and help study,

mitigate and manage such situations.

“Earth tremor is a natural occurrence which humans don’t have control over. We are currently having earth tremor in Saki (Shaki) as of today (Tuesday). For quite some time, sesmistic data has not been captured therefore there are no accurate compilation of appropriate information.

FG Team Moves in as Earth Tremor Rocks Saki in Oyo

Segun James

As the scheming for the much coveted Vice Chancellor’s position of the Lagos State University continues, the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared that he has no anointed candidate for the vacant post.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who made the declaration when

he received members of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities led by Professor Samuel Gowon Edoumiekumo during a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Ikeja, said due process would be followed in the selection and he won’t interfere in the process.

He revealed that plans were in top gear to establish two additional universities of

Technology and Education in the state which would enable the leaders of tomorrow compete favourably globally.

Sanwo-Olu pledged his administration’s commitment on adequate and continued funding of tertiary institutions in the state, even as he said his administration will support the committee on its forthcoming sixty year anniversary

celebration. Speaking earlier, the leader

of the Committee, thanked the Governor for the great job especially during the volatile and uncertain time as well as the handling of COVID 19 pandemic, education, traffic Management, infrastructural development, on the proposed fourth Mainland Bridge among others.

LASU VC: I Have No Anointed Candidate, Sanwo-Olu Declares

EMPOWERING THE WOMEN…L-R: Member, House of Representatives, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba; and All Progressives Congress National Women Leader, Hon. Stella Okotete at the Progressive Young Women Forum held in Abuja….yesterday

Former Lagos State Governor, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, has commiserated with the state’s Commissioner of Police, CP. Hakeem Odumosu, over the passing of his mother, Mrs. Sikirat Odumosu.

Ma Odumosu died last Thursday at the age of 88 at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital after a brief illness.

Tinubu prayed for the repose of the soul of Ma. Odumosu and beseeched the Almighty Allah to comfort Odumosu and others left behind by his mother.

The condolence letter was released in Lagos yesterday by Tinubu’s media office.

Tinubu, who is also the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, said in

the emotional letter: “By way of this letter, please accept my deepest condolence over the recent passing of your mum, Alhaja Sikirat Odumosu, at 88.

“It’s always painful when any of our parents leave us, particularly mothers. I know how it feels because I experienced this before when my mum died.

“But be consoled by the fact

that Mama lived to a ripe age, which is always our prayers for our parents. I understand that her life was devoted to the worship of Allah and service to humanity.

“We thank God that Mama left behind worthy children including you and your other siblings. My prayer is that Almighty Allah will grant her Aljanna Firdaus.”

Tinubu Commiserates with CP Odumosu over Mum’s Death

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

The Director General, National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier -General Shuaibu Ibrahim has assured all the corps members in the country that the federal government was leaving no stone unturned to address the unemployment rate in Nigeria.

General Ibrahim who disclosed this in Bauchi Tuesday, during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2021 batch B stream 2 corps members in the state,also said that the scheme was meticulous in the implementation of its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, which according to him, was meant to prepare corps members for self employment and wealth creation.

The D-G who was represented by Alhaji Hamisu Abubakar, the State Coordinator of

NYSC explained that “As you are already aware, the rate of graduate unemployment is of great concern to us as a nation”.

According to him, “Happily, the federal government and other stakeholders are leaving no stone unturned in the efforts to address this challenge as clearly demonstrated through various policies and programmes.

“As a scheme that is responsive to prevailing national needs, the NYSC is also assiduous in the implementation of its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme.

“This programme is meant to prepare corps members for self-employment and wealth creation through vocational and entrepreneurial training as well as linkage with financial institutions and other funding sources for business start-up financing,” said the D-G.

FG is Addressing Unemployment, NYSC DG Tells Corps Members

WEDNESDAYSPORTS Group Sports Editor: Duro IkhazuagbeEmail: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Ahmed Musa celebrates his 100th cap for Nigeria with victory

Super Eagles Consolidate as Group C Leaders, Edge Cape Verde

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Super Eagles yesterday consolidated their leadership of Group C of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a 2-1 victory against Cape Verde.

The victory in Mindelo lifted the Super Eagles to six points, three above second

placed Liberia who defeated Central African Republic on Monday in Monrovia.

Both Cape Verde and CAR are tied on one point apiece to stay third and fourth on the Group C log.

Napoli’s forward, Victor Osimhen leveled the game for Nigeria in the 29th minute

after the host had gained advantage as early as the 19th minute.

Dylan dos Santos steered the home team in front after an intense back-and-forth by both sides, when he slipped behind the Eagles’ rearguard and slammed a rocket of a shot past goalkeeper Maduka Okoye.

On a day Captain Ahmed Musa was celebrating his 100th cap for Nigeria, the

Turkish Fatih Karagumruk winger was determined to leave the island nation with a perfect gift.

That gift however came off the feet of Cape Verde’s Kenny Santos.

In the 75th minute, a spectacular backpass by Santos to his goalkeeper earned Nigeria an own goal as the ball floated above the goaltender and landed in the net. The goal put Nigeria in

front and eventually gave the Super Eagles the three points on the night.

Earlier, Chidera Ejuke, Osimhen and century history maker Musa all rattled the hosts goalkeeper severally in response to the initial attempts to force Nigeria to be brow-beat.

Lively Ejuke again rattled the Cape Verde number one, before Osimhen came close to adding another one from a

corner with a minute to recess.With the victory, the Super

Eagles earned for themselves the N20million Win bonus promised them by the owner of Air Peace, the official airline of the team.

Allen Onyema had at the point of the team’s departure for Cape Verde promised to reward Super Eagles if the the Match -day 2 Clash and put smiles on the faces of Nigerians with the victory.

Super Eagles players in aerial battle with host Cape Verde...yesterday. The victory consolidated Nigeria’s leadership of Group C of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers

William Troost-Ekong...not happy with UK COVID-19 restrictions

Watford's William Troost-Ekong is unhappy to be one of eight Nigerians, all based in the United Kingdom, who missed Tuesday's 2022 World Cup qualifier in Cape Verde due to Covid-19 restrictions.

As Cape Verde is on the British government's travel red list, anyone returning from the country to the UK has to quarantine in a hotel for ten days, so forcing players to miss matches for their clubs.

Along with Troost-Ekong, Leicester City duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi joined Everton's Alex Iwobi, Watford's Oghenekaro Etebo and Rangers duo Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo in returning to the UK over the weekend after helping Nigeria to beat Liberia in Lagos.

"We wanted to be part of the team and I feel like we are neglecting the team a bit by not travelling with them to Cape Verde," Vice-captain Troost-Ekong told BBC Sport Africa.

"It's a difficult one because

obviously it's a rule that has been set by the UK government. But it's not necessarily fair, because the situation in different countries like Italy or Spain or other leagues that some of the boys are coming from, is probably similar but they are then allowed to travel and play.

"It's going to be a disadvantage for us because it's good to have all your best players. I feel like some of the players that will be missing out would definitely improve the squad by being there."

One man the Super Eagles could certainly do with is Iheanacho, who scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Liberia on Friday - a result good enough for Nigeria to top Group C despite playing only once.

The row over quarantine restrictions for players returning from red zone countries led the Confederation of African Football to ask the UK government to exempt African internationals,but the request was turned down.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has given approval for the presence of 10,000 spectators for the CAF Champions League first round first leg preliminary match between Akwa United FC of Nigeria and CR Belouizdad of Algeria at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

In a letter addressed to the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mohammed Sanusi and signed by CAF's Development Director, Raul Chipenda, the number approved is to ensure safety measures in line with Covid-19 match protocols during the game.

The letter while seeking for the cooperation of NFF and the management of Akwa United to comply fully with CAF's COVID-19 protocols, warned that failure to carry out proper safety measures during the match will attract disciplinary sanctions by CAF.

The African Football governing body last month appointed Dr. Salami Onimisi

to serve as CAF COVID-19 Hygiene Officer during the match.

Meanwhile the local organizing committee for the CAF Champions League match in Uyo has announced that 10,000 VIP/Popular Stand tickets which goes for N2,000/N1,000 respectively will be available for sales from Friday, September 10 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium and other designated locations within the state.

It urged interested fans to get their match tickets before match day as ticket sales will end on Saturday to allow for proper match protocols within the stadium on Sunday.

The committee stressed that nobody will be allowed into the stadium without a ticket and facemask as strict Covid-19 protocols would be observed in line with CAF's health safety measure.

Ekong Says UK’s COVID-19 Rules UnfairCAF Approves 10,000 Fans for Akwa Utd/CR Belouizdad Clash in Uyo

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

WEDNESDAY, T H I S D AY 69

SPORTS

ITALIAN SERIE A

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

The two-match ban imposed on Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen by the Italia Serie A have been reduced to a match. Osimhen was on target as Nigeria defeated Cape Verde 2-1 in the race to Qatar 2022 World Cup.

The Nigeria international was sent off the opening game of the season against Venezia and was subsequently fined and suspended for two games.

After missing the game against Genoa, the club

chooses to appeal the ban and to get the match reduced.

The appeal committee of the football body met on Tuesday and after much deliberations and discussions, the ban was reduced to one game.

The outcome of the appeal mean that Osimhen will be available for Napoli clash against Juventus this weekend.

Victor Osimhen who was on target for Nigeria against Cape Verde yesterday has had his ban reduced to just one match in the Italian Serie A

L-R- CEO Falcon Golf, Remi Olukoya, Captain IBB Golf Club, Senator Emma Anosike, Gen E.R. Chioba, (rtd) Haruna Mamudu and Jimmy Ahmed at the closing ceremony of the International Pairs final in Abuja...recently

1-0 lead just nine minutes into the encounter.

Chipolopolo had to find a way to level matters, but they could not keep their shots on target, with Dickson Chapa and Prince Mumba failing to hit the back of the net with their attempts.

The visitors then stood firm at the back until Egyptian match referee Ibrahim Nour El Din blew the halftime whistle and Tunisia were leading 1-0 at the interval.

Chipolopolo continued to push for the equalising goal after the restart, but the Carthage Eagles were defending well at the back, with France-based Dylan Bronn marshalling the defence.

However, Zambia were left vulnerable at the back when they pushing forward in numbers and they conceded in stoppage time when substitute Anis Ben Slimane scored to seal Tunisia's 2-0 win.

Elsewhere, Tanzania earned one of the fastest penalties in football history when Simon Msuva was fouled after just four seconds against Madagascar, with the resulting

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The combination of Maj Gen E.R Chioba (rtd) and former Assistant Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs, Haruna Mamudu over the weekend emerged the winners of the 2021 Nigerian final of the International Pairs.

At the final held at IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, Chioba and Mamadu combined for 79 stableford points over two days, to clinch the ticket to the world International Pairs final in Algarve, Portugal between October 26 and 30.

About 60 players, constituting 30 pairs and drawn from across the country featured in the final.

Muhammed Suleiman and a former national winner, Julius Fadairo finished in second position-one point off the lead- while Abubakar Ayuba and another ex national champion, Bayo Alli, placed third with 76 points.

In fourth place, with 74 stableford points, was the pair of Mrs Grace Ihonvbere and Tunji Adebayo.

Eight-handicapper, Chioba thanked the event organisers, Falcon Golf Development Company for successfully organising the two-day national finale.

He declared they merited their victory because they played well over two days, returning 40 and 39 points respectively.

He also boasted that he would enjoy some local knowledge during the world final having previously played in Algarve and most of the golf courses in Portugal.

"I have travelled far and wide and the International Pairs is an opportunity to visit Portugal again. I play golf almost everyday as l have retired. With the way we are playing, l hope we can win the world title, " Chioba enthused.

Tunisia Put Zambia to the Sword to Stay on Top of Group B

Chioba, Mamudu Win International Pairs Trip to Portugal

Tunisia claimed a 2-0 victory over Zambia in their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group B match at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

The win saw the Carthage Eagles maintain their lead at the top of the group standings with four games left, while Chipolopolo remained second on the table.

The Carthage Eagles applied

On his part, Mamudu assured that they would prepare diligently for the world final knowing full well that they are going to represent the country.

He summed up the national final as hectic while thanking Chioba for providing support and encouragement that allowed the partnership to thrive.

"I have a stroke on every hole plus a tendency to get more points. But we require that synergy and at the same time that encouragement from his part. When you hit your ball and he commends you, whether good or bad, gives you the impetus to do the right thing, " Mamudu, who plays off handicap 23 declared.

Chief Executive of Falcon Golf, Remi Olukoya, thanked the players that graced the final despite the challenge of many players being away for summer vacation.

He reckoned the International Pairs world final as an all expense-paid golfing experience where between 35 and 40 countries are fully represented.

70 WEDNESDAY, T H I S D AY

RESULTSZambia 0-2 Tunisia

E’Guinea 1-0 Mauritania

Cape Verde 1-2 Nigeria

Malawi 1-0 Mozambique

Ethiopia 1-0 Zimbabwe

Congo 1-3 Senegal

Tanzania 3-2 Madagascar

The two-matct hhh bbban imposed

Osimhen’s Ban Reduced, to Star Against Juventus

spot-kick converted on their way to a 3-2 win.

Msuva latched onto a hopeful punt forward after Tanzania kicked off before being felled on the edge of the box by onrushing Madagascar goalkeeper Melvin Adrien.

With five seconds on the clock, the referee pointed to the spotwith Erasto Edward Nyoni converting a minute later to give his side an early lead.

Tanzania's penalty could well be the fastest-awarded penalty of all time, although this has yet to be officially confirmed.

In 2014, Montenegro were given a penalty after just 10 seconds in an international friendly against Ghana while there have also penalty awards in club football.

some pressure on Chipolopolo from the first whistle and they were awarded a penalty after Benedict Chepeshi was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.

Wahbi Khazri then stepped up and scored his 21st international goal, from the spot-kick, to hand Tunisia a

SPORTS

UEFA Lifts Ban on Away Fans in Champions League, EuropaUEFA has lifted a ban on away fans attending European club matches from next week.

Fans will be allowed to attend away games in the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League.

However, attendance remains subject to national government coronavirus restrictions in host countries.

The change will affect English and Scottish clubs who are preparing for away games in European competition group stages, which begin next week.

"Considering the different rules and regulations applicable across the Uefa member association territories, it was decided to leave any decision with regards to spectators to the relevant competent authorities," UEFA said in a statement.

Away fans have not been allowed to attend European competition since the start of the pandemic, with only a

limited number allowed at the Champions League and Europa League finals in May.

There has also been a ban on away fans for all qualifying rounds of European competition so far this season.

The restrictions in place locally vary considerably. For example, Sweden, where Chelsea travel to play Malmo on 2 November, currently forbids all non-essential travel from the UK, as does the Netherlands, where Vitesse Arnhem host Spurs on 21 October.

In contrast, Liverpool fans travelling to Portugal for the match against Porto on 28 September just need to show proof of vaccination, or a PCR or antigen Covid-19 test.

France, where Manchester City face Paris St-Germain on the same evening, bans non-essential travel from the UK for people who are not fully vaccinated and requires fully vaccinated travellers to

complete a 'sworn statement' form.Spain, where Celtic play Real Betis

in the Europa League on 16 September, requires all arrivals from the UK to present a pre-travel declaration form and either a negative Covid test or proof of vaccination.

In addition, UK government restrictions remain in placeon travellers returning from amber-list countries.

UEFA also confirmed in its statement that players who have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 will no longer need to be tested in order to play in its competitions.

However, players may still need to be tested to enter countries for matches depending on government restrictions in those places.

Chelsea fans and others clubs now have the opportunity to cheer their teams in away UEFA matches

Gianni Infantino...FIFA President

Wahid Enitan Oshodi...clear to contest ITTF Vice President post

his exemplary and leadership role in the sport and outside it on the continent.

In a statement issued by the ITTF, the world body said 17 candidates would contest the eight slots available for the VP positions.

The statement disclosed: “Following a vetting process by the ITTF Nominations Committee, the nominations for the ITTF Executive Committee have been announced to the ITTF Members.

“For the ITTF Executive Vice Presidents (8 positions), they are Nestor TENCA (Argentina), Graham SYMONS (Australia), Alaor AZEVEDO (Brazil), LIU Guoliang (China), Alaa MESHREF (Egypt), Michel GADAL (France), Tony YUE (Hong Kong), Roland NATRAN (Hungary), Behnam HABIBZADEHMOMEN (Iran), Masahiro MAEHARA (Japan), Teddy MATTHEWS (LCA), Wahid OSHODI (Nigeria), Paul KYLE (New Zeland), Khalil AL-MOHANNADI (Qatar), Igor LEVITIN (Russia), Dawoud ALHAJRI (United Arab

Emirates) and Virginia SUNG (United States).

Also, Sweden’s Petra Sörling is poised to become the ITTF President after being confirmed as the sole candidate for the position at the organisation’s Annual General Assembly (AGM).

ITTF Members will vote to elect the nine ITTF Executive Committee members with the President at the ITTF Annual General Meeting on 24 November 2021in Houston.. The Committee will serve a four-year mandate. The nine elected members will join the ITTF Athletes Commission Chair, Zoran PRIMORAC (CRO) and IOC Member RYU Seungmin (KOR) to form the complete ITTF Executive Committee.

Thirty-five nominations were received for the ITTF Board of Directors (BOD) positions, with 32 expected to be confirmed at the AGM. Nigeria’s Olabanji Oladapo, who is the Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), is expected to vie with others for the BOD posts.

UEFA is enlisting the support of Europe's biggest clubs to oppose FIFA's proposal for a biennial World Cup.

The UEFA president, Aleksander

Ceferin, addressed more than 160 of the most powerful clubs at a meeting of the European Club Association in Geneva today.

The audience included the

The Director-General of the Nigeria Television Authority, Alhaji Yakubu Ibn Mohammed declared on Tuesday that the nation’s leading television network is excited to be involved with the maiden edition of the Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Football Tournament taking place in the City of Lagos 15th – 21st September 2021.

Speaking during a courtesy call by members of the Local Organizing Committee of the tournament, the accomplished broadcaster said it is an honour for the NTA to be offered the role of Official Broadcast Partner (Terrestrial) of the tournament that is in honour of the country’s Firsy Lady, Her Excellency Dr (Mrs) Aisha Muhammadu Buhari.

“We are delighted to be presented with this offer, to play a key role in a tournament in honour of the First Lady. We will be honoured to play this role.

“For us, more than even the football, it is an opportunity for us to showcase to the world different aspects of our country, as the football itself lasts only a

couple of hours on match day. There are other things to see, and this makes the tournament a window for us to let the world see other parts of Nigerian life.”

In company with Executive Directors and Directors of the television station with the widest reach in the country and also with considerable international outreach, Alhaji Ibn Mohammed said the organization was looking forward to sealing the agreement with the the LOC in a couple of days.

Chairman of the LOC, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi led his team, which included the Mr Taye Ige (Marketing Consultant to LOC/President of HotSports); Barr. Aliyu Mohammed (Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the First Lady); Mr Ademola Olajire (Director of Publicity); Dr Sa’idu Suleiman (Member); Mrs Amina Daura (Deputy Director of Organization); Mr Olayinka Olagbemiro (Member); Ms Ruth David (Secretary) and; Mr Mohammed Ameenu (Assistant Secretary).

ITTF Clears Oshodi, Others as Candidates for VP Posts

...Enlists Europe’s Big Clubs to Oppose Biennial World Club

NTA Excited to be Part of Aisha Buhari Cup, Says MohammedWorld's table tennis ruling

body, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), has confirmed Nigeria’s Wahid Enitan Oshodi as one of the candidates for Executive Vice Presidents positions in the November 24elections taking place in the United States.

Oshodi, a former Lagos State

Commissioner for Youth and Sports as well as the erstwhile President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), was in June elected as the Deputy President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF). He has received massive support from Africa for the upcoming elections in the U.S. based on

nine European Super League rebels, who have been allowed to re-join the organisation after their dysfunctional insurrection earlier this year, as well as those superpowers, like Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, who refused to participate in the ill-fated project..

At the meeting, the first for Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelseaand Arsenal, since the Super League initiative, Ceferin laid out his concerns over the World Cup being held every two years.

'More is not always better,' the UEFA chief told the 26th General Assembly of the ECA, which was almost torn apart in the spring when news of the Super League – and the treachery of the plotters – emerged.

'You have probably heard that FIFA is conducting a feasibility study about the World Cup every two years,' he continued.

'Well, we think that the jewel of the World Cup has value precisely because of its rarity. But holding it every two years will, by our opinion, lead to…less legitimacy and unfortunately devalue the World Cup itself.

'We feel there is a space for everything and both national teams and clubs are fully occupying that physical and commercial space.

‘The international match calendar does not need that. Our players do not need to see

more of their summers spent on consuming tournaments rather than devoted to relaxing and recuperation. But you should speak about that, those players have contracts with you, not with UEFA.'

In the aftermath of the European Super League project, which saw all twelve founding members expelled from the ECA, before the contrite nine were readmitted, the ECA and UEFA were desperate to show unity.

Ceferin heaped praise on the newly elected chairman of the ECA, Nasser Al Khelaifi, who is also the chairman of the French Ligue 1 side, Paris Saint-Germain.

For his part, Al Khelaifi who also welcomed AC Milan, Inter and Atletico Madrid back to the fold, emphasised the solidarity between the ECA and UEFA, claiming the organisations were 'two sides of the same coin'.

And he also highlighted FIFA's proposals for a biennial World Cup as one of the biggest threats to European football, without directly naming the competition.

'We have important challenges to solve,' he told his audience, which included the representatives of European associations and leagues, but not the FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, who sent a recorded video message.

In May, FIFA approved a study into holding the World Cup every two years, instead of every four, following a request by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.

WEDNESDAY, T H I S D AY 71

TRUTH & REASONWednesday, September 8, 2021 Price: N250

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MISSILEAkinyemi to FG

Politicians talk of consensus-building as part of their political calculuses. Those who are able to forge a consensus in sharing positions are said to be smarter than those who fight a war of attrition

on who becomes what in the system. Beyond partisan politics, patriots with a broader view of nation-building also seek a consensus on the basis of integration.

Little attention is, however, paid to the crucial consensus on the concept of development. The lack of this socio-economic consensus is at the heart of the crisis of governance and underdevelopment bedevilling this nation. Poverty, inequality and insecurity are the most manifest symptoms of this crisis. Without rationalising criminality in any way, a nexus has been drawn by experts between the exacerbation of physical insecurity and the abysmal lack of social security. This could be understood within the context of the problem with the official concept of development.

The matter is made worse by the fact that in an electoral season, such as the approaching one, there is hardly any serious debate about development options and direction. That’s why it is difficult to locate any difference in development policies when the various political quarrels in the land are examined. For instance, in the jostling for the tickets of political parties for the Anambra governorship election, the acrimonious party primaries are not defined by sharp policy disagreements on the part of the aspirants. Those who go to Nigeria’s border with Niger to seek court injunctions are not doing so because of a passion to promote any policy of their party for the development of Anambra state.

To justify their stay in power, politicians are wont to count the number of projects executed and legislations enacted to back up their policies. Cheery statistics are periodically released on the state of things in the socio-economic realm. These figures are often advertised, with a measure of justification, as success stories. In most cases you can hardly fault this quantitative approach to governance on empirical grounds. Some state governments have constructed roads and they have built schools and health facilities. Some state governors are actively implementing projects aimed at achieving food security.

It would be difficult for even the harshest critics to deny that the federal government has completed some railway projects begun by previous administrations. The fact that these projects are financed with enormous foreign loans doesn’t detract from the merit of the policy in the rail sector. Questions have also been raised about the cost-effectiveness of some of the projects. The important thing, however, is that there is at least something concrete to show for the accumulated debts. After all, the historic debt payment by the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo could have been less controversial if his government had pointed to some visible projects tied to the loans incurred by the previous administrations that executed the projects. Undeniably, the Buhari administration is also building roads and bridges in every zone of the country. Dams have been constructed in parts of the country among other items of infrastructure being built around the country. Hundreds of billions of naira are being spent on social investment programmes. Agricultural programmes have been initiated and actively funded by the Central bank of Nigeria.

Legislations are being put in place for strategic socio-economic purposes. As they say, things are wrong in Nigeria not so much for the absence of laws. The problem is always with the non-enforcement of the laws including those ones meant to advance socio-economic development.

However, there is a dissonance between these counts

Consensus on Development

of projects and laws by successive administrations and the quality of the lives of the poor majority.

For instance, when the Power Sector Reform Act came into existence in 2005, it was hailed as a developmental leap given the centrality of electricity to social life and economic activities. The optimism heightened eight years later when the reform was put into effect by the privatisation exercise that took place in the sector. Now the output from that important sector remains largely unsatisfactory. If you asked 10 economic experts why the power situation remained dark, you would likely get 10 different answers laden with technical jargons. Hardly would you get an answer to the simple question: why is that after 16 years of power sector reform domestic consumers cannot have their homes lit while industrial consumers still power their factories and offices with diesel and generating sets? Yet, as the Yoruba would say, ti a bi f’ogun odun pinle were, odun melo gan la fe fi siwin na (if it takes 20 years to rehearse madness, how many years will it take to practise the real act)? It didn’t take the colonialists 16 years of contemplation to introduce electricity in Nigeria (albeit on a limited scale).

Ask a liberal member of the elite about development in the health sector, you would be reminded of the National Health Insurance Scheme introduced in 2005. He would also mention the National Health Act of 2014 as well as its offshoot, the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). So, while empirically, no one can deny efforts at reform in the health sector, the sad truth is that millions of poor Nigerians are yet to be beneficiaries of a universal healthcare coverage. The members of the elite have no confidence in the poorly equipped public hospitals with a demoralised staff. The poor majority cannot afford the huge expenses of private hospitals at home and abroad, an option which we members of the elite could consider. Even with the building of the physical facilities and embrace of technology in the health sector, the development indices in the sector cannot be positive until the condition of the workforce running the system is tremendously improved upon. At the heart of the needed investment in the sector should be a conscious improvement in the conditions of service of the labour force

in the sector. After weeks of doctors’ strike, other categories of health personnel are gearing up for another strike that could cause further disruptions in the bedevilled sector. The series of strikes do not evoke an atmosphere of public emergency anymore because the members of the elite who have a voice are not affected by the disruptions. The quality of healthcare delivery is important in defining the concept of development. This is because basic healthcare is one of the areas in which policies could make direct impacts on millions of people.

Similarly, the Universal Basic Education Act was enacted in 2004. In the spirit of this pro-people legislation the federal government is expected to support state and local governments in providing qualitative education for all. It is the duty of the parent or whoever has the custody to ensure that the child acquires basic education. Basic education in this context is defined as the education up to the Junior Secondary School (JSS). In fact, by virtue of this law, the transition from primary school to the JSS ought to be automatic as emphasis is to be put on continuous assessment. Now, 16 years after that noble legislation became part of the nation’s laws more than 10 million children in the streets are left behind in the race for basic education. By some estimates, Nigeria has the largest number of children out school in the world. The sordid situation in the education sector is now compounded by the disruptions caused by insecurity in the northern part of Nigeria. The basic education of a whole generation is put in jeopardy. Another huge deficit is that the provision of qualitative in public schools education is hampered by the poor conditions of service of teachers and other members of the labour force at all levels in the sector. Strikes in the education sector are hardly worth headline news anymore. The government and the public seem to have lost a sense of outrage at the fact that classrooms are shut for months. Yet the hope for the millions that are out of school lies in getting them enrolled in public schools where quality education should be made available. These millions are from poor homes. The option of the few private schools providing quality education is not open to this class of Nigerians. A narrow concept of development which focuses on huge contracts awarded in the sector may not capture these deficits.

In the same tone, despite the commissioning of water projects (ranging from boreholes to waterworks) potable water still remains a luxury for millions of the poor majority of Nigerians. Open defaecation is still a big issue of development in Nigeria in 2021. Poor sanitation in some parts of the country has reached a crisis point.

Cholera and other water-borne diseases still plague this major petroleum-exporting country.

Despite the hundreds of billions of naira in social investments, Nigeria is not yet on the path of social protection. Tens of millions are still waiting to be lifted out of poverty.

“Malaria, cholera have killed more people than COVID-19 and yet we have not seen our government flexing muscle over those ailments. Yet, our government is copying templates on COVID-19 from Europe, North America and other places, the realities are different here than there. Forcing people to take the vaccine is unconstitutional, it violates human rights”

---Chairman, Nigeria COVID-19 Response Alliance, Mr. Tony Akinyemi, berating the government for their hypocritical response to the pandemic.

“It takes the politics of development for the consensus on the welfare of the people to be generated”

The few sectors mentioned in the foregoing – health, education, social protection, water supply and sanitation - are just samples of the mega issues of development in Nigeria.

From China in the east to Canada in the west, tackling these issues is an important aspect of governance whether the government is elected in liberal democratic tradition or selected by other means. The idea of governance in this context goes beyond random awards of contracts for projects without an integrated concept of development . After all, the constitutional job of a governor is more than that of a project manager. As the recent of experience Nigeria has shown, some items of infrastructure could be built by the private sector. But every serious government regardless of the system operated takes responsibility for designing the concept of the development in the interest of the majority of the people. It is not an accident that on the major issues of development facing humanity – climate change, inequality, pandemics, insecurity etc. people turn to their governments for solutions. The trend is the same in capitalist America and communist China.

That’s the justification for insisting that governments in Nigeria should be pressurised to make the key issues of development a priority. A consensus should, therefore, be forged on this idea itself.

It is in the determination of the priority that the lack of a consensus on the concept of development becomes conspicuous. Some members of the elite in and out of government simply ignore an inclusive concept of development as they romanticise grandiose projects which are more often than not abandoned

For clarity, there is no illusion whatsoever here about the fact that a concept of development is primarily determined by class interests: the needs of the people are basic; but the elite are sometimes enamoured of the outlandish and fanciful projects. Here lies the contradiction. This contradiction has to be resolved in the interest of the poor majority.

As proved bitterly by the climate of insecurity enveloping the country, the failure to reach a consensus about a people-centred concept of development ultimately makes everybody endangered

It takes the practice of the politics of development for the consensus on the welfare of the people to be generated. For the advancement of human progress in Nigeria, the narrow concept of development should change. You cannot be talking of development with increasing inequality. Without a conscious effort at social inclusion, genuine development would remain a mirage. Only yesterday, the conservative government of the United Kingdom came up with a policy of taxing the rich in order to fund the social care of the poor. In fact, those with assets lower than £20,000 are excluded from the taxation. That’s a tendency towards inclusivity by a conservative government of a nation that is a member of the G7. Little surprise that British Prime Minster Boris Johnson could be treated for COVID-19 in the same National Health Service (NHS) hospital which any other citizen on NHS could access. This should be instructive to those who talk of development in terms of random execution of projects and in purely exclusionary manner. Nigeria would be making a developmental giant stride towards human progress the day the President or a governor could receive quality medical care in a public hospital to which other citizens equally have access. That would be in the spirit of social justice.

President Muhammadu Buhari still has an opportunity of the next 21 months to give leadership in this direction by a rethink of policy conception and execution for development.

Buhari