Masari to COAS: Katsina is Under Severe Bandits’ Attacks Laments worsening insecurity in the state Says 10 out of 34 LGAs affected Francis Sardauna in Katsina by bandits and kidnappers, of banditry accompanied by Government House, Katsina, other security agencies in He, however, called for leaving 10 out of the 34 local kidnapping, raping of innocent Masari said both residents needed logistics the deployment of modern Governor, Aminu government areas of the state women and armed robbery and security agencies must support and manpower to technology to tackle insecurity Bello Masari, yesterday, told vulnerable. on the state's highways, were work together to up the ante tackle banditry, kidnapping in the country, saying the the Chief of Army Staff Masari, expressed worry afflicting his government's in the war against bandits, and other insecurity challenges world has gone into the era of (COAS), Lieutenant General over the prevailing security effort of restoring peace and kidnapping and other criminal confronting the nation, technology, adding that, "with Faruk Yahaya, that the state challenges in the state, affirmed normalcy in the state. activities in the state. particularly in the North-west was under severe attacks that the deteriorating spate Receiving Yahaya at the He said the military and region of the country. Continued on page 8

FG: , Ekiti, 5 Other States to Benefit from $700m World Bank Loan for Water Projects... Page 6

Friday 6 August, 2021 Vol 26. No 9615. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com T R U N T H & R E ASO

TODAY'S WEATHER MAIDUGURI ENUGU KANO LAGOS PORT HARCOURT 25°C-33°C 31°C-31°C 25°C-28°C 27°C-33°C 24C-27°C 20°C-30°C With PDP Elders’ Intervention, Secondus Lives Another Day BoT, NEC set up committee to resolve crisis NWC members know fate in 72 hours Atiku, Anyim, Lamido, Mark, others seek peaceful rapprochement Chuks Okocha in Abuja removal by certain forces the seven that resigned their opposed to his leadership. positions on Tuesday, changed The intervention, yesterday, The indication that his stand and withdrew his by some political elders in the elders’ had achieved resignation letter. the Peoples Democratic Party a breakthrough in their Even more instructive, it (PDP) saved the embattled intervention emerged, when appeared, was Odeyemi’s national chairman of the main Deputy National Publicity pledge to work with the opposition party, Prince Uche Secretary of the party, Diran Secondus, from a planned Odeyemi, who was among Continued on page 8 BREAKING NEWS IBB Rules Out Atiku, Tinubu from 2023 Says new president should be in his sixties ŽŽȱœ˜›¢ȱ˜—ȱ™ŠŽȱšŠ Jega Proposes Devolution of Power to States, LGAs... Page 6 2 FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 •THISDAY FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 • THISDAY 3 4 FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 •THISDAY FRIDAY, ;˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY 5

Group News Editor: Goddy Egene NEWS Email: [email protected], 08033506821, 08097777322

SANWO-OLU RECEIVES MANAGEMENT TEAM OF NAICOM... L-R: Deputy Commissioner Technical, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Alhaji Sabiu Bello Abubakar; Director-General, Nigeria Insurance Association (NIA), Mrs. Yetunde Illori; Commissioner for Insurance/CEO, NAICOM, Mr. Olorundare Thomas; Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Dr. Bola Onigbogi; Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Ayoola Iyabo Oyeyemi and others, during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja...recently Hand Over Refineries to PrivateSector and Be Better Off, PwC Tells FG Says plants have recorded over N100bn in losses, produce zero barrel of refined products Report: Nigeria's CEOs highest paid in Africa Emma Addeh in Abuja and for billions of dollars was given. “Nigeria’s Nollywood is a Limited, Dr. Ayo Teriba, who billions of dollars.” companies, according to the Dike Onwuamaeze in Lagos These are refineries where good export to invest in.” moderated the panel discussion report. we have recorded over N100 Nervin also pointed out during the webinar, agreed Report: Nigeria's CEOs A Bloomberg report had also The federal government has billion in losses and produce that Africa was the only place with the perspective shared Highest Paid in Africa noted that chief financial officers been advised to handover zero barrel of refined products. with demographic growth in by Nervin that Nigeria in Africa’s biggest economy its refineries and other “If we have given these the world, stressing that this might become the world’s CEOs of Nigerian-listed were among the best paid in the commercially viable projects refineries for free to the private has big implications for the most populous country in companies are among sub- region, with median earnings to the private sector in order sector, Nigeria would have been Nigerian economy. the next century. Teriba urged Saharan Africa’s highest of $219,000, according to PwC. to reduce its debts and earn better off compared to close to “Nigeria can develop its the government to develop the earners, a new report by Price Nigeria is home to the more revenue from the assets. N10 billion that we spend every human capital as its most country’s human capital just Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) has continent’s biggest building- The government was also month maintaining and running strategic assets that can go as India and China did in the indicated. materials producer, Dangote advised to prepare for the assets that are not producing. abroad and earn foreign past century. The remuneration report Cement Plc, owned by Africa’s future by investing more in “If we take something like exchange. Teriba said, “Your published yesterday by the richest man, Aliko Dangote. human capital development in rails, refining and the ports that “By investing in Nigeria’s perspective is that by the accounting firm said the median The country has the biggest order to position its citizens as are commercially viable and young people and brains year 2100 Nigeria will have value of total-guaranteed companies by market value exportable ‘products’ and boost give to the private sector, they everything in the economy the largest population in the packages, which includes base on the continent, outside diaspora remittances. will bring money from within will take care of its self,” world, as India and China pay and benefits, for the heads South Africa, in the food These views were canvassed and outside Nigeria. They will Nervin said. populations will be declining of Nigerian companies was and beverage, banking and yesterday by Africa Tax and do them better. He added that climate change while Nigeria’s will be rising. $323,000. That is the highest energy industries through Legal Services Leader, PwC "They will make money. They would be a serious matter for So government must invest in among seven sub-Saharan Nestle Nigeria Plc, Guaranty Nigeria, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, and will run them efficiently and Nigeria, and Lagos, especially, them to generate more brains African countries, excluding Trust Holding Co., and Seplat Partner/Chief Economist, PwC pay taxes to the government. as the temperature is increasing that will go to the Diasporas, South Africa, and is based Energy Plc. Nigeria, Dr. Andrew S. Nervin, This is what we should do. It and the sea level is rising. like India and China have been on data published by 382 during a webinar organised will not only reduce our debt CEO of Economic Associates doing, and earn big to remit Continued on page 8 by the Lagos Chamber of and the cost of servicing them, Commerce and Industry (LCCI), it will also increase the overall in collaboration with PwC. efficiency of the economy.” The seminar was titled, Oyodele also said Nigeria CBN Recovers N89.2bn from Commercial “2021 Mid-Year Economic should be leading the African and Business Outlook.” Continental Free Trade Area Banks over Customers’ Complaints The advice came as a new (AfCFTA) negotiation as the report by PwC disclosed that largest economy in Africa Bassey Inyang in Calabar irregular charges, and other the system. There is nothing like adverse effects of COVID-19 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) “We complain over poor related matters. that. on the livelihood of the of Nigerian-listed companies infrastructure, but Nigeria The Governor of the Central Bank "What we do is that whenever "We want Nigerians to know people; we also tackled health were among sub-Saharan is largely a service-driven of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin we get these complaints they are that there is no iota of truth infrastructure, we considered Emefiele, has disclosed that as thoroughly investigated and if whatsoever in these rumours," research components, and all Africa’s highest earners. economy and should be of June 2021, the regulator has they are found to be true, the Emefiele said. these and more were based on The federal government more concerned about how to recovered about N89.2 billion CBN makes sure that these He said the sensitisation gaps identified and an effort to recently approved $1.484 billion improve services and export from commercial banks in the customers are properly refunded exercise was also designed to rejig the economy,” he added. for the rehabilitation of the them to the rest of Africa,” he country following investigations and we have so far recovered make members of the public The CBN Governor also Warri and Kaduna refineries. stated. and verified complaints from N89 billion," Emefiele said. understand how CBN polices spoke on the proposed digital But Oyedele said the He added, “The top import customers of affected banks. The CBN governor also and interventions were affecting currency, stressing that it is government should be more in Africa is petroleum products. Emefiele, who said this used the forum to dispel fears their lives. different from crypto-currencies. concerned about strategic Why can't Nigeria refine and yesterday in Calabar, at the making the rounds that the apex On its intervention "Let me make it clear, issues bothering the economy export to the rest of Africa?” opening session of a two- day bank was planning to convert programmes, the CBN boss crypto-currencies are issued than approving projects and Nervin, in his own sensitisation fair with the theme: domiciliary or dollar accounts said the apex bank currently by unknown entities. No one contracts that might turn out contribution, advised the "Promoting Financial Stability to naira, saying such fears were has about 37 initiatives aimed knows who they are, nobody to be unprofitable. Nigerian government to drive and Economic Development," founded in rumour and blatant at ameliorating the sufferings regulates them, nobody knows He said, “I have my issues export and diversification of also disclosed that contrary to falsehood. of the people as well as what they do, rather all they do with the Federal Executive the economy through the uninformed comments from He said the sensitisation fair diversifying the economy. is to issue the currencies and Council (FEC) that is just service sector and human some individuals, the nation's aims at providing adequate "We have healthcare we (Nigerians) have seen approving projects and contracts capital development. financial system was not in information on programmes, interventions, commercial agric, what happened on a simple when we should be looking at He said, “Two thirds of the any form of distress, more so, polices and interventions of discounted cash programmes, tweet by one man. more strategic issues to deal global economy is made up as commercial banks are safe. the CBN. amongst others, not just in "This is completely different Emefiele who was"The fair is targeted at keeping name, but are functional. from the digital currency that with in the economy. I do think of the service sector, which represented at the event by the public abreast and let them “Since the Covid-19 the CBN wants to issue, they that the amount of money we has higher value added than the acting Director, Corporate know the policies, programmes experience, the global economy would be under regulation by are spending on projects that goods. Nigeria’s creative and Communications Department, and interventions of the bank was shutdown, it affected the apex bank. So, it would are commercially unviable is cultural industries presently CBN, Mr. Osita Nwanisobi, said and how it benefits the people. families and businesses as be regulated and can be used unbelievable. play an important role and the recovered funds were based "Also the sensitisation is aimed many were shut down too. for monetary policy purposes “Just yesterday, the approval will generate $1 billion export on 23,526 complaints received at also disabusing all rumours "First thing we did was to roll and that's a huge difference," for the turnaround of refineries revenue. from customers bordering on being peddled about distress in out interventions to mitigate the the CBN boss said. 6 FRIDAY, ;˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY NEWS Jega Proposes Devolution of Power to States, LGAs Says return to regional structure not practicable Creation of states by military regimes helped to mitigate real and imagined/perceived marginalisation Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja According to him government more functional the grassroots level below the pension as well as a reduction in accountability standards. contemplating any of the and more viable as government local government areas. the cost running of Presidential “Also entertainment and Former Chairman of Independent agitations would upset the entities as well as defend the He also proposed that Villa and governors’ lodges and meeting expenditures of MDAs National Electoral Commission democratic electoral agenda and rights of citizens throughout the the provision of healthcare, the reduction in the number should be drastically reduced. (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega key milestone of 2023 general country by giving primacy to education, agriculture, housing of special advisers attached to Executives at both federal and has called for the equitable election which may result in citizenship and residency rights and urban development and political office holders. state levels should pay for redistribution of power and generalised anarchy and reversal over and above the so-called water resources should be “The federal government their own upkeep, as is the resources from the federal of national aspirations for good indigenes rights. state responsibility while the should introduce governance good practice globally, thereby government to the sub-national democratic governance. He said when the country role of the federal government reforms to improve efficiency reducing cost of running the Villa units like the state governments Jega also warned of the is restructured and managed should be limited to interstate and effectiveness of governance and Governors’ lodges, or those and the Local Government Areas. challenges and tension that properly the benefits to the commerce, national banking, at all levels as well drastically of heads of legislative organs of He said the redistribution of could arise from any attempt citizens of remaining together currencies, foreign relations, reduce the cost of governance. government. power will make the country to resuscitate the old regional in one united country would communications, aviation, “A lot can be done in this “The unethical humongous efficient and effective towards structure or create 42 states, by far outweigh the cost of seaport, foreign loans, regard, within the extant legal pensions of governors should satisfying the aspirations of its noting that it would be difficult separation into smaller sovereign armed forces and security framework, using executive be stopped; the numbers of citizens. as it would be akin to asking the ethno-religious entities. services, postal service and orders and without the necessity PAs, SAs, SSAs among others He made the proposal on people to voluntarily surrender He gave suggestions on how telecommunications, mining of constitutional reforms. For as well as the number of vehicles Wednesday at a public lecture their autonomy. to restructure the country, by and such. example, frivolous foreign in conveys of public officials series at the He conceded that the calling for the reduction of the Afterward, according to him, trips should be curtailed; our should be reduced. University, Keffi. restructuring of the country power and resources available the federal government should relatively liberal/ generous “Other cost saving measures Jega described the will bring about the stability to the federal government as subsequently dismantle the estacodes and DTAs for to reduce the cost of governance redistribution of power to the of the polity and make the specified in the exclusive federal MDAs and replace them with legislatures and high public should include a consideration for sub-national group from the environment amenable to and concurrent legislative smaller, compact and focused officials should be drastically reducing the size and composition federal government as the most accelerated socio-economic lists in the 1999 Constitution, departments as well as set up reduced, security votes’ for chief of legislative bodies at both realistic and sustainable after a development, strengthen in addition to increasing the an agency for interdepartmental executives should be reduced federal and state levels. For critical evaluation of the benefits national unity, eliminate mutual power and resources of the state relations to facilitate and and expenditures from them example, reducing the number and costs of all different notions suspicion, ensure peaceful government on the legislative coordinate and nurture and made more transparent, with of members of the federal and of restructuring, including the coexistence and create equal list consistent with global best strengthen federal-state inter strict accountability standards. state legislatures by one-third creation of six regions, the opportunities for all citizens practices. relations. Also, entertainment and meeting or half of the present size and return to the regional structure throughout the country. The former INEC chairman He urged the reduction of the expenditures of MDAs should making legislative work part time of 1960-1966, a return to the 12 According to him, also said that states can create cost of governance in form of be drastically reduced and as against being a permanent states structure of 1967- 1976, restructuring will make the development areas as the lower reduction of frivolous foreign expenditure from them made preoccupation as it the case the call for resource control, a existing states and local level tier of administration at trips, cutting off governors’ more transparent, with strict presently,” Jega said. confederal system and creation of 42 states to bring to seven the total number of states in each of the six geo-political zones. “After a critical evaluation of the benefits versus the costs of each of these notions of restructuring, I believe that the starting point of the desirable and serious, even realistic and sustainable, restructuring- -equitable redistribution of power and resources from the federal government to the sub-national governments/ units (i.e. from the federal government to state governments, and from states to local governments areas,’’ he said. He also noted that the dismantling of the current 36 states structure and reconfiguring the states into pre- 1966 Regional structure or into 12 states or 36 states or 42 is at worst unrealistic, a pipe-dream; and virtually impossible to do. He said the social and political costs of such an undertaking would far outweigh the benefits. He said: “In many fundamental respects, creation of states by military regimes since 1967 has gone a long way to mitigate real and imagined/ perceived marginalization of minorities; although given Nigeria’s complex diversity, the more states created, the more viability is threatened, and the more the newer majorities ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION... and minorities emerge with fresh demands by the new minorities L-R; Managing Director, Oil Data, Mr. Emeka Ene; Chairman, SPE Nigeria Council, Olatunji Akinwunmi and Group Managing Director, NNPC, Mele Kyari; for their own states”. during the 2021 Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition organised by Society of Petroleum Engineers in Lagos...recently FG: Kaduna, Ekiti, 5 Other States to Benefit from $700m World Bank Loan for Water Projects Deji Elumoye in Abuja However, Adamu bemoaned And the projects are submitted “So the whole thing has not The minister also said up by the state government the controversy surrounding the into tier one and tier two. Tier been finalised yet, but what the days when the federal because it claimed it could The federal government has Water Resources Control Bill one are for those that will get we have is an approval in government served as Father not afford to pay N3 million named seven of the 36 states of currently before the National a substantial amount, maybe general from the World Bank Christmas in terms of providing a month to provide diesel and the federation as beneficiaries Assembly. He alleged that $50, $60 million for the urban specifically for this. There will water projects in states were chemicals, and pay supporting of a $700 million loan sourced politically motivated persons schemes. be some realignments here and over. He stressed that the staff. from the World Bank for water were deliberately misinforming The P-WASH (Plan - Water, there and that is something that maximum commitment to Adamu said, “I know a projects. The states are Ekiti, the citizens on the proposed Sanitation and Hygiene) Action we are going to be working states henceforth would be scheme that we commissioned, Kaduna, Delta, Imo, Plateau, legislation. Plan is the rural component on between our ministry, 30 per cent, as it had been N6 billion, handed over to the Katsina, and Bauchi. They are Adamu said the seven states and it is going to the state Ministry of Finance, and the discovered that some states state government because the to benefit from the first tier would access between $50 specifically. Some are going as World Bank.” were deliberately laidback and Federal Ministry of Water of the loan. and $60 million after meeting grant while some of it is going Adamu said the federal unwilling to do their part in Resources cannot run a water Minister of Water Resources, certain criteria set up by the to some specific projects. And government was working on the maintenance of projects scheme on a daily basis. So Sulaiman Adamu, disclosed the World Bank for accessing the like I said, there are eligible 116 on-going and abandoned sited in their states. after completion, we handed benefitting states on Wednesday facility. criteria that states ought to have projects in the ministry, adding He mentioned the case of over to the state government. at the weekly ministerial press He stated, “Certain criteria met; it is not all the 36 states. that 38 irrigation, 458 water , where the N6 “A year after we went back, briefing organised by the were set up by the World There are conditions attached supply schemes, and 37 dams billion Otuoke water project it was not in use. It was for 13 Presidential Communication Bank and us. The states had on which basis this money is and reservoirs have been meant to serve 13 communities Team at the State House, Abuja. to meet these eligible criteria. going to be disbursed. completed. of 120,000 people, was locked Continued on page 8 FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 • THISDAY 7 8 FRIDAY, ;˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY PAGE EIGHT WITH PDP ELDERS’ INTERVENTION, SECONDUS LIVES ANOTHER DAY Secondus-led National Senator , and the attendance of Governor "In the light of the foregoing, it to court of law, stressing that, their issues and the issues must Working Committee (NWC) Senator Ibrahim Mantu. They Nyesom Wike of , is very important, therefore, that "Anyone that takes the party be resolved. The reconciliation to ensure a successful national said their goal was peaceful who for the first time, attended the BoT, being the conscience of to court should be seriously committee has been successful, convention, which would usher resolution by disagreements a BoT meeting of the party and the party, must today come up disciplined." so far so good. in new national officers in in the party. had been at the forefront of the with necessary strategy for the He hinted that he had "After the main state December. Other elders of the party, who Secondus Must Go movement. election of the party’s national completed all arrangements congresses, both the public and The PDP elders comprised shared this position, included Chairman of the PDP BoT, leadership based on free and with the governor's forum, our party are looking forward members of the Board of Trustees Senator , Senator Walid Jubrin, while fair election that will produce the National Assembly caucus to a smooth and peaceful (BoT) and the National Executive Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Dr. declaring open the meeting credible and competent officers and forum of state chairmen, convention, which is coming Committee (NEC), governors Ibrahim Dankwambo, Senator yesterday at the PDP national of our party. The BoT is always for effective consultation on the up in December. We believe the elected on the platform of the , Hajiya Zainab secretariat, said, "This meeting ready to listen to any group, way forward for party. preparation is being done in the party, and other prominent Maina, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, is very important at this crucial committee, or any individual, Secondus, on his part, said, office of the National Organising stakeholders. The BoT and Hon. Austin Okpara, Sentor time, because of the numerous who has good intention for "Today's meeting is critical, Secretary. And soon the schedule NEC members at their meeting Biodun Olujimi, Senator Zainab problems in our party especially, the Party. not only for members of the of events, the timetable and the yesterday set up a committee to Kure, Senator Agboola Hosea, lack of cohesion within the party, "Any individual or group, National Working Committee others shall be presented before resolve the crisis in the party. Senator Odion Ugbesia, Chief among major stakeholders that who has good contribution, (NWC) but the entire party. It is the Caucus, BoT, NEC and all Members of the committee Mike Ogiadomhe and Hajiya needs the intervention of BoT therefore, will be nicely critical because a time like this organs of our party for action include 13 PDP governors, Hadiza Adodo. as the highest advisory body accommodated by the BoT is a time that we must brace leading to the convention. three former governors, three Secondus, too, warned that and the conscious of the Party." provided that the intervention up and be able to come out "This is the first time in the members of the National any dislocation in the party now He said with the total disorder is aimed at promoting peace very strong and even stronger. history of our party, regardless Assembly, two former ministers, would do the PDP no good. He and confusion at the recent and unity in our great party as "Because I believe that in every of divergence opinions that all NWC members, all former said the meeting was essential, congresses of APC, coupled with against the APC great threat to human endeavour, where there this current NWC has been senate presidents, all former because “a time like this is a the failure of the government unity, stability and security of are issues, the issues must be in office and nearly three deputy senate presidents, all time that we must brace up and to protect life and property of the nation. At any other business tabled, discussed and come out months to the convention, we former speakers of the House be able to come out very strong Nigerians, it was important for (AOB) in today's agenda, we with solutions. That solution will will be ending this regime in a of Representatives and their and even stronger.” PDP to sit up. will listen to such contribution make our party very strong. smooth transition that will be Deputies. Sources at the meeting said "Now is the right time for from any group or individual" "The state of our party as I taking place without rancour Although the elders of the Secondus was able to survive his PDP to set its house in order to He explained that in order briefed you the last time we or problem. party, including the governors, removal because a majority of prepare for the coming elective to operate effectively as the met here, is that we have on "Let me report to the BoT, at their meeting on Monday the stakeholders held the view convention our national party conscious of the party, the our hands nine state congresses that of truth, based on what the were to consider some of the that the NWC he led should leaders, and preparations for the meeting should deliberate fully that have to be conducted before Chairman of the BoT has said, last options before them. They be allowed to conclude its coming 2023 general election,” on the need to put the collective the convention. And I believe that seven deputies, members of gave the Secondus-led NWC a tenure, which is due to end he said. interest as true PDP members that the reconciliation committee the principal working committee, lifeline of 72 hours, inside party on December 9, 2021. According to him, to achieve ahead of any personal interest has done great work in Plateau resigned. We met with them, sources claimed the worst might They said the removal of a complete success, the party against unity and stability of the State and . And by the first day they brought their have been over for Secondus Secondus would be a bad must do away with personal party, "making sure that new the grace of God, the remaining letters and we also met with and his NWC. omen for the party currently. interest and unnecessary in- leaders emerge only through congresses in the remaining them yesterday. We quickly Some of the PDP elders Those who wanted him out house fighting aimed at killing free and fair election at National state, as we speak, the forms deployed the internal conflict were former Vice President were bent on having him the objectives set by the party. Convention." are being sold for those, who resolution mechanism so that ; former to publicly declare that he The source said, "We must The source said there was want to contest in their various the issues are not escalated to Senate President Anyim Pius would not contest the office look critically at the party’s also the need to take a firm states. the point that our party will Anyim; one of his successors, of the national chairman at the approved organs advising all stand to drastically reduce court "Let me commend the effort of be greatly damaged. ; former Jigawa December national convention, to wake up from the slumber cases by aggrieved members but the reconciliation committee in "You are aware that the State governor, ; for peace to reign. by functioning very well in to always follow the procedure resolving issues arising in states National Youth leader took a The importance of yesterday’s order to fulfil the dreams of enshrined in the constitution and involving the stakeholders Professor Jerry Gana, Dr. Iyochia Continued on page 10 Ayu, Senator , meeting also underscored by our forefathers. before referring any matter they have met. I believe that MASARI TO COAS: KATSINA IS UNDER SEVERE BANDITS’ ATTACKS technology, you can fight your activities under control. State are under severe bandits of blame game and media The purpose of governance in order to restore the roles of war with minimum number "We are not deceiving attacks daily. So, with that entertainment was over, whaat is protecting lives, property, traditional, religious, youths of personnel. ourselves that we will in mind, there is no way the nation needed was to put honour and dignity of people and women leaders in fighting "We, here in Katsina, if we eliminate criminality; it has we can sleep. Our phones necessary machinery in place, but when it’s under attack, insecurity across the state. say we are very happy, we never been done before, it are permanently on to hear to bring back normalcy in then, the entire system is Earlier, Yahaya, told the are not being honest. We are cannot be done today, rather, what is happening in local fragile states that would give under attack". governor that he was in disturbed with this issue of can it be done tomorrow, but governments. Before breakfast, government the opportunity to To stem the tide, he said, Katsina State on operational banditry accompanied with we can bring it under control I am being briefed about rarely do what it was suppose the state government had visit to inspect military units kidnaping, raping of innocent in such a way that it does what happened last night. to be done. amended the local government and forms under 8-division of women, armed robbery on our not disturb the way of life of So, General, we are not in He added: "We are very laws and created a three-tiers the , vowing to highways. I want technology people as we are seeing today. a very comfortable situation much concerned because security structures across the work with other sister security to be properly deployed to "10 out of 34 Local but we thank God". the purpose of governance 34 local government areas agencies to curb insecurity in rarely bring this banditry Governments in Katsina According to him, the era is being seriously challenged. and 361 wards of the state the state.

HAND OVER REFINERIES TO PRIVATE SECTOR AND BE BETTER OFF, PWC TELLS FG The market capitalisation of showed a median pay of 5.17 majority and ended in 1994. all employees are valued and Africa, Julius Berger, Guinness N567 million), Austin Avuru and Nigeria’s stock exchange is $49 million rand ($359,265) for chief The government is finalising rewarded and have equal Nig Plc, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Roger Brown of Seplat Energy billion, compared with South executives across all industries legislative changes aimed at opportunities to grow, develop and Zenith Bank. (who earned N484 million), and Africa’s $1.1 trillion bourse, and 3.34 million rand for chief narrowing the earnings gap and flourish,” he added. Interestingly, except for the Michael Puchercos of Dangote which boasts the biggest listed financial officers, according to between company executives A report released a day earlier CEO of Unilever Nigeria Plc, Cement (whose basic salary for company in Africa, Naspers Ltd. the consultancy. and the lowest-paid workers, by Proshare on the salaries of the entire top 10 rewarded the year was N448 million) – Some of the world’s biggest PwC omitted percentage in a country where the official Nigeria's top 10 CEOs in the 2020 CEOs pocketed more, in terms earned a combined salary of mining companies, like BHP changes in annual compensation minimum wage is about 20 rand financial year showed that the of basic pay, than the average N1.49 billion, an amount that Group Plc, Anglo American due to the unquantified impact an hour. average salary earned by all the CEO salaries paid by their exceeds the combined salaries Plc, and Glencore Plc, have of COVID-19, and its analysis “The time has come for leaders top 10 CEOs was N376.19 million, respective companies in the of the second half of CEOs on secondary listings in South excludes long-term incentives, to step forward, take action with the top five CEOs being preceding years. the list by up to N106 million. Africa and represent more than leaving some South African and actively address fair pay those of MTN Nigeria, Seplat According to the report, "A "The bottom five CEOs which 20 per cent of the total market executives looking poorer. in their organisations,” said Energy, Dangote Cement, GT closer look at the basic salary include those of Airtel Africa, capitalisation of the benchmark South Africa is one of the PwC’s reward practice co-lead, Bank, and Nigerian Breweries. paid to the top 10 most highly Julius Berger, Guinness Nig plc, FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index. world’s most unequal nations, Andreas Horak. The report added that the five remunerated CEOs in the Unilever Nig Plc, and Zenith A separate analysis of a legacy of the apartheid “It is critical for leaders to be company heads who earned year 2020 shows that the top Bank all together earned a total companies listed on the system of racial discrimination seen as committed to creating below the group's median pay three – Ferdinand Moolman of N1.393bn in the year under Johannesburg Stock Exchange that disadvantaged the black working environments in which included the CEOs of Airtel of MTN Nigeria (who earned review." FG: KADUNA, EKITI, 5 OTHER STATES TO BENEFIT FROM $700M WORLD BANK LOAN FOR WATER PROJECTS communities of 120,000 people, has taken a firm decision to in that bill are already existing and learn about River Basin "This is the organisation that they will be answerable to the state government locked regulate the water delivery in four different laws: Water management there. provides licencing, you cannot the people. And the bill it. We asked why, they said system, as no data exists to Resources Act 2004, Nigeria "So on the basis of that, get a licence to have a power provides that the commission they could not afford to pay effectively reform the sector. Hydrological Services Act, powers that were hitherto plant without a water licence. will have members nominated N2 or N3 million a month to According to Adamu, "We River Basin Development vested in the Minister of That is what is happening now by the president, cleared by provide diesel and pay for staff are still working with the Authorities Act, and the Water Resources are being through the Integrated Water the National Assembly, they and chemicals. So what can National Assembly on this National Water Resources devolved to the communities, Management Commission. have to be confirmed by the we do? bill. I think, probably, they Institute Act. to stakeholders within the So this law also, there is a National Assembly and they “That is why we said the were so engrossed with the "The first purpose of bringing basins. And what this means provision within the bill to will be representatives of all federal government is no PIB and the electoral bill, which this bill was to put all these is that whereas on the basis strengthen this agency. the geopolitical zones of this longer going to be a Father are, of course, serious national bills under one booklet, instead of the Water Resources Act "All the people that are country. Christmas by just doing these priorities, and they were not of having four separate laws, that is existing, I as minister mining water have to go there "So we are democratising projects and handing over to able to come to talk about it. just consolidate them into one cannot determine where any to get a water licence and pay a the process of water resources them. We have to see their own "But already, we have done statute. That is number one. project can be put without any tariff, it is gazetted by law. But development in this country. commitment as well. all the things that needed to Number two is that Nigeria, recourse to anybody. Under this right now, they are operating And some people went to town “The state that locked up be done. The issue that was like all other countries in the new Integrated Water Resources on the basis of delegated and say that we want to cheat water project because they raised, the technical issue about world, has adopted the concept Management concept, we will powers of the minister. And people.” could not afford N3 million is gazetting, had been addressed. of Integrated Water Resources have to go down and talk to what we want is for them The minister also clarified, Bayelsa State and the project is So the bill is still before the Management. And that is the communities involved. to stand alone, that means I "This bill, by the way, was Otuoke water supply project.” National Assembly. why today we are enjoying "We have to have their buy can withdraw this delegated drafted in 2006. The Buhari Commenting on controversy "Obviously, I have said so the Category Two UNESCO in, we have to agree. So we powers anytime and apply administration came in 2015. surrounding the National much about this bill, people centre of Integrated River Basin will have to hold town hall them myself." So it is something we met, Water Resources Bill currently have been deliberately Management that is based meetings, we have to set Adamu further explained, just like our on-going project before the National Assembly, misinformed. The bill was in Kaduna. It is a centre of up catchment management "But if we have what we have is exactly what we met. We the minister emphasised that deliberately politicised excellence, funded by UNESCO committees, the Integrated provided in the bill, there will just wanted to continue where the misinformation on the bill unnecessarily, something that to promote integrated River Water System Management be independence, like the others failed. The bill went was deliberately being sent out is good for the development of Basin Management and we are Commission that is saddled National Electricity Regulatory to the Federal Executive for political reasons, insisting, the country. And in any case, getting people from all parts with that responsibility was Commission. They will not be Council and it was approved however, that government 96, 97 per cent of the provisions of West Africa region to come set up in 2007. answerable to the minister; in September 2016." FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 • THISDAY 9 10 FRIDAY, ;˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY NEWS NEITI Seeks FIRS Assistance to Recover $20bn Leakages in Oil, Mining Sectors Solid minerals producing states get N9.8bn derivation Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja the FIRS, Mr. Muhammad it was becoming a challenge to extractive sector. reiterating that Nigeria sold He stressed that it was Nami, in his office in Abuja, retrieve the sum of $20 billion. In addition, the transparency $721 billion oil and gas and important for the FIRS to The Nigeria Extractive Industries the Executive Secretary of the This, he said was why he was initiative requested financial got N507 billion from solid have a transparency desk Transparency Initiative (NEITI) transparency initiative, Dr. seeking the cooperation of the statements, audit reports of minerals between 1999 and where issues relating to yesterday urged the Federal Ogbonnaya Orji, said it was tax authority. covered entities, tax profiles 2019. the extractives industries Inland Revenue (FIRS) to assist important for both government Going forward, NEITI and their capital allowance Orji told his host that with would be attended to, to in its efforts to recover over organisations to work together stated that the organisation schedules as evidence of the digitalisation of the FIRS avoid unnecessary delays $20 billion from government to ensure that revenues would require information remittance of all the statutory by the new management, it in communication. The agencies and the private accruing to government get on the country’s Petroleum deductions, including their tax would be easier to track any NEITI boss said there was sector as a result of leakages to the public coffers. Profit Tax (PPT), Company liabilities. area the country was bleeding, need for the FIRS to support from under-assessment or The NEITI boss further said Income Tax (CIT), Capital Gain According to NEITI, through and requested the timely its contract transparency underpayments of taxes, although attempts to ensure Tax (CGT), Value Added Tax its efforts, over N9.8 billion release of reports by the and beneficial ownership royalties and signature bonuses. monies due to the federation (VAT), Withholding Tax (WT) of 13 per cent derivation has federal tax agency to tighten initiatives and underscored the Speaking when he visited had yielded about $3 billion as well as stamp collection from also been shared to the solid the noose on companies and need for both organisations the Executive Chairman of into the government’s coffers, operators within the country’s minerals producing states, agencies cheating the country. to share data. IBB RULES OUT ATIKU, TINUBU FROM 2023 Obinna Chima has refused to progress and But when asked if the future of their country. They between 1985 and 1993. Born Council, and as military achieve the dreams of the person could emerge victorious created and they destroyed.” in Niger State, he received president after taking over Former Military President, founding fathers was because in the 2023 presidential Reiterating his belief in the military training in Nigeria, power on August 27, 1985, General Ibrahim Badamasi Nigerians no longer believed election, the Minna-born future of Nigeria and urging India, Great Britain, and the he introduced economic Babangida (IBB), might in the future of their own former military leader said, Nigerians to remain patriotic, United States. He rose through policies such as the Structural have ruled out a former country. “I believe so if we can get Babangida, who claimed the ranks and was known for Adjustment Programme (SAP), vice president, Alhaji Atiku The former leader, who him.” to feeling good as he was his courage, having also played that altered the course of the Abubakar and a former accused the Nigerian people of Responding to a question on about to turn 80 years, with a major role in suppressing an nation and liberalise the creating and at the same time, whether or not he still believed gratitude to God for sparing attempted coup in 1976, when economy. governor of Lagos State, destroying their own country, in the future of Nigeria, the his life, advised Nigerians to he walked into a rebel-held At 80 on the 17th, Asiwaju , from identified bad leadership as former military president, go for the person that has radio station unarmed. Babangida is one of the the 2023 presidential run, yet a major reason for the who turns 80 on August what it takes to transform After Murtala Mohammed leaders like Muhammadu because they would be in socio-economic challenges 17, 2021, said: “I do believe the country when the time became the military head Buhari who have dominated their 70s by the next election. facing Nigeria. in the future of Nigeria, but comes. of state in 1975, Babangida Nigeria's political space since Although IBB as Talking about the Nigerians don’t believe in the IBB served as head of state joined his Supreme Military 1966. Babangida is fondly called presidential hopefuls he did not in any way mention had in mind, IBB said they their names as ineligible for were persons in their 6os with the nation’s number one contacts across the nation and seat, he however suggested who had been traversing the that individuals in their geo-political zones marketing 60s should be the focus their acceptability and capacity. of Nigerians as potential Specifically on the presidential candidates in importance of leadership in 2023. nation-building and where he By the next general thought the likes of Atiku and election in 2023, Atiku, who Tinubu no longer fit the bill, is 75 this year would be 77, IBB said: “If you get a good while Tinubu, who marked leadership that links with the an official 68th birthday in people and tries to talk with March, would have turned the people; not talking on top 70 years. of the people, then we would Babangida, who himself will be okay. be 80 on August 17 this year, “I have started visualising was confident that the nation a good Nigerian leader. That is endowed with both human is, a person, who travels and natural resources, hinted across the country and has at a few individuals, whom he a friend virtually everywhere said were in their 60s, had the he travels to and he knows capacity to become president at least one person that he and could effectively run the can communicate with. country. “That is a person, who is Speaking in a sneak preview very verse in economics and of a two-part series of an is also a good politician, who exclusive interview to be aired should be able to talk to on the ARISE News Channel Nigerians and so on. I have this morning, focusing on the seen one, or two or three of COURTESY VISIT TO AYADE... State of the Nation, IBB said such persons already in his Governor, Sir Ben Ayade (left) exchanging souvenirs with the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal one of the reasons Nigeria sixties.” Zubairu Gambo, during a courtesy call on the Governor in his office in Calabar ...yesterday WITH PDP ELDERS’ INTERVENTION, SECONDUS LIVES ANOTHER DAY stand that is outside the conduct from the beginning when the national secretariat of our hope generating solutions to that he was lately involved in the internal method of resolving of our normal process of settling we came in and by the grace great party, we have resolved to our national problems. reconciliation efforts within the issues by our leaders across the grievances and thereafter he on of God, not without an error, issue this press statement urging "On behalf of the elders and party across the country and has length and breadth of Nigeria. his own has been going on, because anyone that has no all party organs, party officers founding fathers of the Peoples backed reconciliation processes "I also wish to state expressly on the wide-scale allegations error is perfect. But as human and party members to remain Democratic Party, we wish to aimed at defusing tensions in that whatever embarrassment and so forth. beings you are aware that the calm, faithful and orderly, use this medium to thank all the party. the resignation has caused the "We believe that issues of convention that took place in as we proceed with urgent Party Members and supporters He called for calm and party, its leaders, members and this nature must be handle Port Harcourt was transparent; consultations and initiatives across Nigeria and in diaspora for the combatants to sheath supporters is highly regretted. quickly and swiftly so that it is a convention that put the to resolve the contending issues. for their commitment, loyalty their swords and give the "Most importantly, in view we can get back to the party together and it was “We wish to firmly reassure and strong support." reconciliation mechanisms of of the fact that the tenure of business of conducting free smooth, free, fair and we aggrieved stakeholders that we Atiku, while responding to the party a chance, noting myself and other members of and fair conventions for a went into that election in 2019. intend to be thorough, objective, the situation in the PDP, called also that the interest of the the present National Working smooth transition, because "I believe that all hands creative and balanced in our on party leaders to unite in PDP far supersedes that of Committee (NWC) will expire any dislocation will cost an must be on deck, because efforts to find lasting solutions to collective interest of the party any individual, confident that in another three months, it is infraction and will result to you are aware that the other the fundamental matters arising. and the country, adding that the party would overcome its my view that the boat should several unknown issues that party is falling apart and Towards this end, we have the party cannot afford to be current travails for as long as not be rocked under any guise. we may come out, we may Nigerians are looking up to initiated moves to urgently divided at this critical point all hands were on deck. "Consequently, I pledge not be able, but God forbid. PDP to come out stronger meet with our governors, the in time when Nigerians were "The PDP is greater than my loyalty and commitment “The intention is to come and prepare themselves for Board of Trustees, the National desperately yearning for change our individual ambitions. We to the party and the Prince out that for three years, eight 2023. And this, by the grace Working Committee and other in the face of their miserable have to consolidate the party Uche Secondus-led NWC, and months now, it has been very of God, we all are willing and critical stakeholders. living conditions. first before we talk about our will continue to play my roles peaceful. Not that no issue, the I believe that the party will “Since we all share the In a statement by his media ambitions. We have to be careful to ensure a successful national issues are usual issues of party come out stronger from this legitimate desires of our loyal aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku said, an not to play into the hands of convention, which will usher – both party administration situation and with strength, we members to offer a credible, opposition that was being the ruling party. We can't afford in new national officers. May and those who know the will match forward to 2023 to effective and productive looked up to as an alternative a one-party system in Nigeria God endow our leaders with running and the power game rescue Nigeria from the crisis alternative, we have no doubt could not afford to be fighting that denies our people a viable wisdom to navigate the ship will understand. I’m happy to APC has taken Nigeria into. that we shall soon find positive, itself and lending its hands to alternative for true change in of the party to a safe harbour. report to you that these are "I believe that members of appropriate, pragmatic and the ruling party for its own 2023", he said. Amen." very critical issues, that the the BoT who have worked so lasting solutions to the problems destruction. The statement He, But Odeyemi’s withdrawal of Meanwhile, Secondus and his conscience of the party and hard from the beginning and facing the party. We shall therefore, urged the party's his resignation letter had signaled NWC are likely to know their another forum will look into. now in collaboration with the emerge from this crisis stronger, faithful to understand that the more hope of reconciliation in fate in the after BoT and the "My opinion is that anything NWC and governors forum better and more united. This price of having a fragmented the party, with speculations that committee set up on the crisis contrary to the smooth running will be able to chart a way is only a temporary challenge. PDP was too high to pay, but more would follow suit soon. had met with the governors of of our party, towards this forward – a way forward that "We assure all Nigerians above all, a betrayal to the The letter read: "I write party on Tuesday. threemonths that is remaining will bring victory to our party." that the Peoples Democratic memories of the founding to withdraw my letter of Mark, who hinted at will not be good enough for In their intervention, a Party is resolute in providing fathers of the party. resignation as the Deputy the development, said the our party.” statement by all the concerned qualitative leadership, sound Dismissing insinuations that National Publicity Secretary of committee’s basic duty was Furthermore, he said, elders of the party stated: "In programmes, effective he was fueling the crisis, the our great party. This decision is to ensure proper reconciliation "Sacrifices have been made view of recent developments at implementation strategies and former vice president explained taken in view of the activation of among all the contending forces. FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 • THISDAY 11 12 FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 •THISDAY FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 • THISDAY 13 14 THISDAY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 2021

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA COMMENT Email [email protected] MEMORIALISING FELA ANIKULAPO-KUTI Uzor Maxim Uzoatu pays tribute to Fela, 24 years after his passing

et’s just begin by stating that Fela the faeces. Metaphorically, the “carrying of shit” has Spirit transformed into a higher spirit progressively led to the corruption of the entire some 24 years ago. There can be nobody cosmos of the African peoples. To underscore the else like Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. The icon is validity of his conviction, Fela had to swear by quite simply indescribable and can never most of the deities across Africa such as Edumare. ever be written about in the past tense. Fela of course does not kowtow to the Godhead of LHe lives forever. Christianity as can be seen in his many songs such Not so long ago, live on Broadway in America, as Shuffering and Shmiling. FELA LIVE!, a musical, set the world stage on fire The local comprador elite would in the course and broke all the records. of time team up with the white colonisers to loot There was a time we were doing a story on their own country as exemplified by Obasanjo the Kuti brothers for the defunct THISWEEK and Abiola whom Fela audaciously named in the magazine, and we asked the eldest Kuti daughter, music. The failure of the society is therefore an- Dolupo, to describe each of her three brothers. She chored on the lack of rootedness to the real values said Olikoye was a gentleman while Beko was a of the traditional society, Fela powerfully argues. diplomat. As for Fela, all she could yell was “yay- It can be said that the great man died for his oyoyooooo!”, because there was no word in English beliefs. Fela was not afraid to dare and die, believ- language to describe the phenomenon! ing that what is not worth dying for is not worth On August 3, 1997 Olikoye Ransome-Kuti ad- living for. dressed a press conference at Fela’s Afrika Shrine Fela can be an uncommon fun to be with. How at Pepple Street, Ikeja to announce to a startled can one ever forget the nightly rides with Fela world that Fela died of AIDS-related complications in his Brother Beko’s ambulance upon his release the previous day. My great buddy and brother, from prison in 1986? Those days, I would always Adewale Maja-Pearce and I decided to take some accompany my friend Abdul Okwechime who of Fela’s band boys who were our friends out to used to live with Fela in Kalakuta Republic to drink. In the course of the drinks one of Fela’s boys visit with the music maestro at the Imaria Close, unaccountably exclaimed: “Na God go punish that Anthony Village place of his younger brother Beko, Fela sef!” We were shocked at his utterance and where Fela had his temporary abode then. Fela asked him to explain what he meant. The dis- would give us a ride in the ambulance all over traught fellow lamented that Fela had no business Lagos at night, before ending up at his cousin, dying thus leaving them, his band boys, stranded Frances Kuboye’s Jazz 38 club on Awolowo Road, on earth. The guy explained that Fela ought to have Ikoyi. At every police checkpoint the policemen taken the Western medicines that could have saved on duty would hail and rejoice once they see who his life; after all, the saxophone he was fond of was behind the steering-wheel! Then Fela would blowing was equally made by the white man! tell them: “Yeye people, una dey here dey suffer I write now against the background of the beats while oga dey deal with una wives for house!” The of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s album ITT, where the policemen would then give him more ovations for iconic musician starts out by stressing that from the insulting them! That’s Fela for you. very beginning Africans never used to “carry shit”. Many of Fela’s ideas are simply out of this The corruption of Africa’s original values that came world. He once told me that Nigeria could win the with the arrival of the white man led to Africans World Cup by placing a very mighty drum behind staining their hands with shit. Fela makes his case IT CAN BE SAID THAT THE GREAT MAN DIED the opposing goalkeeper! I told him FIFA would by giving the names of the original shit-holes used not allow that, and he replied me thusly: “But how by a very diverse range of the ethnic nations of FOR HIS BELIEFS. FELA WAS NOT AFRAID TO would FIFA see it?” I kept my mouth shut, not Africa. DARE AND DIE, BELIEVING THAT WHAT IS NOT knowing how to argue with him any further. The advent of colonialism elicited in its sweep WORTH DYING FOR IS NOT WORTH LIVING Ah Fela, son of Kuti! the abandonment of the old African way of passing FOR Uzoatu is a journalist and poet

THE SENSE IN QUOTA SYSTEM

Stripped of its abuse, quota system is not entirely bad, argues Fredrick Nwabufo

he quota system in Nigeria is to address peculiar disproportions a protected characteristic (eg race, sex Igbo, I understand the concerns of my was conceived to address and to build a more equitable system. or age) more favourably in connection people. But even in our region, there an inequitable system, but In the US, there is the racial quota with recruitment or promotion than are clamours and demands for quota- the prevailing “unjust sys- which was conceived to ensure equal someone without that characteristic ism at the state level and in every tem” betrayed the purpose opportunity for all classes of citizens. who is as qualified for the role. The socio-demographic stratum. In Anam- for which the quota system In France, there has been a series of employer must reasonably think bra State where I come from, some Twas ideated and actioned. The quota racial quotas. And in about 21 EU that people with the protected citizens in certain senatorial zones system, principally, is not an unjust countries, there is a form of gender characteristic suffer a disadvantage allege they are being excluded from system. And it does not confer advan- quota. or are under-represented in that holding political offices by the more tage on the north against the south. So, quotaism is not a northern particular activity. Taking the positive dominant groups. Quotaism addresses Much of what has been said about the contrivance, and it is by and large action must be a proportionate means the human problem of belonging and quota system is jaundiced. a gizmo of national cohesion, if of enabling or encouraging people representation. Quotaism became a principle in effectively and efficiently deployed. to overcome the disadvantage or to In the state, there is a debate and Nigeria in 1958, essentially, as a re- What we have experienced in Nigeria take part in the activity,’’ XpertHR, agitation on why the next governor sponse to fears of marginalisation and over the years since 1966 is an abuse UK says in its article, ‘What positive should not come from a certain zone ethnic domination in education and and disregard of the quota system. action is permitted under discrimina- because that area has had its turn. At government. Rightly so, the system If the quota system, as conceived tion legislation?’ the local government and communal was contrived to resolve the atavistic by Nigeria’s forbears, is righteously In Canada, there is the Employment level, there is also the importunity misgivings. The federal character implemented it will solve some of the Equity Act. In the US, there have been of quotaism. So, if quota system is principle as well was devised -- and country’s immortal problems. several affirmative polices to protect desired at the sub-national level, it became a constitutional provision Z The argument against quotaism blacks and minority groups. In Ger- why is it unacceptable at the national in 1979 -- to manage Nigeria’s diverse is that it encourages ‘’mediocrity and many’s Basic Law, where a man and level? character; so that no section of the indolence’’, and discourages industry, a woman have same qualifications, ‘’Quota system product’’ – this is a country will lord it over others or performance and excellence. This is the woman should be preferred for quotidian ethnic slur often hurled at become overwhelmingly dominant in not exactly accurate. An abuse of the the job. These are chief ingredients of northerners by southerners. But we the public service. It was designed quota system, and not the system quotaism. are all ‘’quota system products’’. Our to ensure inclusive and equitable itself, is what promotes laziness and We cannot run a country without universities and high schools accord demographic/ethnic representation at kills merit. Quota system is designed justice where only the fittest of the special consideration in admission to all levels of government. It was for to give opportunities to the best of majority shall survive. Everyone; all candidates from the region where they socio-political balancing. under-represented segments of society classes of people; the weak and the are located (catchment area). Even in Nevertheless, I am of the view that while not shutting the door to others strong must be accommodated. If some jobs in the private sector, some the federal character principle and in the opportunity pool. we insist only the strong amongst were employed to fill in a quota. the quota system be reviewed when In the UK, there is the Equality us should stand, how have we done Some of Nigeria’s finest minds come sufficiently practicable. Act 2010 which protects people with justice to the weak – people who are from the north. Intelligence is a gift It is sheer ignorance to assume ‘’certain characteristics’’ on job made vulnerable not by their own of the divine which every group and ‘’quotaism’’ is a Nigerian thing or as opportunities. “Section 159 of the disability but by classist designs? class of people have proportionally. some have said a ‘’northern concept’’. Equality Act 2010 allows an employer The south-east is the loudest Let’s stop the prejudice. Quotaism is country specific and it to treat an applicant or employee with antagonist of the quota system. Being @FredrickNwabufo THISDAY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 2021 15 EDITORIAL ACCIDENTS ON ABUJA ROADS

The regulators must do more to ensure safety of commuters

he recent death of five prospec- 2015 (5,400); 2016 (5,053); 2017 (5,049) and in tive National Youth Service the first half of 2018 (2,623). These data clearly Corps (NYSC) members on the show that at least 28,000 lives were sent to their Abaji-Kwali highway has once graves in just 68 months. That is approximately again brought to the fore the fre- 415 people per month, 14 persons daily, and an quency of accidents within the individual every two hours. In May 2017, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) revealed that While we extend our condo- there were over 33 deaths per 100,000 people lences to the families of the deceased, authorities nationally every year. The report made Nigeria Tof the FCT must begin to find a lasting solution to one of the nations with the highest number of these incessant road fatalities. As the seat of the fatalities on the continent. Unfortunately, two federal government and foremost political city, it years after, not much has changed. should not be allowed to live with this paradox. The road network whose master plan was ny real search for solution to this sad modelled after some of the most efficient cities in situation should start with a proper the world must not continue to witness avoidable understanding of its likely causes. The calamities. World Health Organisation (WHO) has The roads in the FCT are the widest and identifiedA some reasons for road accidents. They smoothest in Nigeria. But driving on them is now are not new. They include over-speeding, driving being increasingly undermined by the dangerous under the influence of alcohol and other intoxi- habits of some young boys. In March 2018, an cating substances, non-use of protective gadgets accident in Nyanya, like seatbelts, distractions caused by passengers, THE NATION STANDS TO an Abuja suburb, decrepit or substandard road amenities, unsafe GAIN FROM A CAPITAL involving nine ve- vehicles, inadequate post-collision response, and THAT CEASES TO hicles resulted in 10 poor enforcement of traffic laws. UNWITTINGLY JEOPARDISE deaths, in addition Interestingly, the profile of the offenders is as THE LIVES OF ITS ROAD to many injuries. At THISDAY diverse as the triggers of road mishaps suggested USERS Wuse, Abuja, the EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU by WHO. Some public transport drivers, their DEPUTY EDITOR WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA following month, a MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO private and corporate counterparts, uniformed truck rammed into DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU personnel, chauffeurs of dignitaries and convoys three cars killing four persons. All the crashes CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI are united in unsettling an otherwise tranquil EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN happened at night. Similar disasters have contin- MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI motoring environment. The exuberance of the ued to cause anguish and tarnish the image of a THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE last group of transgressors is traceable to the potential choice business and tourist destination - ubiquity of Very Important Personalities (VIPs) in complete with a pleasurable, memorable nightlife. the city. Understanding the psychology of these classes THISDAY NEWSPAPERS LIMITED On a final note, like what obtains in other of motorists and tackling their excesses frontally EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, aspects of the nation’s life, impunity often leads would be necessary steps towards achieving order ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI to more lawlessness. Punishment of convicted and safety. DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, persons is, therefore, mandatory. Functional ANTHONY OGED ENGBE The figures of related tragedies are indeed DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI streetlights are vital for optimal visibility. Ap- alarming. According to the National Bureau of SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH propriate road signs are also requirements for ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI Statistics (NBS), the record of people lost to road CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI harmonious driving. The nation stands to gain accidents across Nigeria from January 2013 to DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO greatly from a capital that ceases to unwittingly June 2018 is as follows: 2013 (5,539); 2014 (4,430); TO SEND EMAIL: first [email protected] jeopardise the lives of its road users.

TO OUR READERS Letters to the Editor Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details [email protected] . We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (950- 1000 words). They should be sent to [email protected] along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer. NIGERIA’S QUEST FOR CREDIBLE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

he just concluded local government elections in tions and by extension, better local government administration citizens alone, but also from civil society organizations within Lagos and Ogun States are a reaffirmation of the in Nigeria by championing reforms of laws and processes for and outside the states. The lack of involvement of civil society level of apathy in subnational governance despite managing and supervising local government elections that have actors robs our democracy of the crucial oversight, accountabil- local governments are the tier of government closest the potential to reignite citizens’ interest in the process. ity and advocacy roles that they perform and allows the election to the people. This is not unconnected to existing For instance, the law guiding local government elections management bodies, the state government and political parties gaps in the administration of elections by State in was passed, which goes without saying that it to act with impunity in how they organize and participate in the TIndependent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) and the overbearing is long overdue for amendment after 22 years. State electoral elections. influence of state executives on local governments. commissions can work hand- in-hand with the Independent For instance, Yiaga Africa, a leading civil society organisation There is no point regurgitating the abysmal turnout of voters National Electoral Commission (INEC) to develop a robust legal in Nigeria seemed to be the only citizens-led movement on in last week’s election in Lagos, as even the Lagos State Inde- framework that puts citizens at the center of implementation. ground to raise emerging concerns before, during and after pendent National Electoral Commission (LASIEC) is probably There is also a need for the electoral law at that level to the LGA election while the Center for Citizens with Disability too embarrassed to release the statistics for voter turnout for enable the deployment of technology for accreditation of (CCD) complained about inadequate plans for People with the polls. The point of this article is also not to further expose voters, voting and transmission of results to enable credibility Disability to participate in the election. the lack of human and technical capacity, and absence of a legal and transparency in the process in order to inspire citizens’ There is a need for more civil society actors to get involved framework that could guarantee the sanctity of ballots, for these confidence in the process. in the election process at the local government level in order were made glaringly obvious at the elections. There must also be intentional effort to bridge communication to be able to identify lapses and expose electoral fraud and For example, there was inconsistency in the application of gaps between and among all election stakeholders in a bid to malpractices while proffering recommendations and engaging electoral guidelines and poor communication channels between ensure participation of citizens in the process. For instance, the the relevant stakeholders until the recommendations are state electoral commission and election stakeholders, which have list of candidates for the Lagos local government polls was only implemented in order to ensure that citizens feel the impact of been a familiar sight with local government elections in Nigeria. available at the LASIEC headquarters rather than all platforms the government closest to them. Another glaring lack of technical capacity witnessed during including social media for easy access. Early release of crucial Finally, Nigerians must wake up to their civic responsibilities the Lagos local government elections was the contradictory election data across various communication platforms will not as citizens and exercise their rights to vote especially at the information on the number of political parties contesting the only enable access for review but it will also ensure citizens grassroots level as Nigeria’s democracy can only be safeguarded elections and misinformation on accreditation of observers and know their candidates. This will also provide opportunity for if citizens actively participate and hold the government account- journalists. community-based organisations to engage the process as a able. Voting remains a fundamental and the only determinant of However, despite these challenges, the LG polls have also catalyst for voter mobilisation. the representatives who represent the people in government. revealed huge opportunities for better local government elec- The local government elections did not witness apathy from Moshood Isah is the media officer of Yiaga Africa 16 FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 •THISDAY FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 • THISDAY 17 18 FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 •THISDAY FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 • THISDAY 19 20 THISDAY ˾FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG Email: [email protected] POLITICS 08114495324 SMS ONLY A Call to Involve Ebonyi Youths in Governance Nwuruku Ozor Alex, better known as Alex Ozone, a seasoned showbiz promoter challenges Governor David Umahi of to engage the youths more in governance

n a presumed growing com- by looking in the direction of the munity, where the leader does showbiz and entertainment world to not carry, whether deliberately accentuate their staying power in the or otherwise, the youth along in industry they belong. its developmental programmes A typical example is in the corpo- Iand other aspects of governance, rate world, where most emphatically there is bound to be disaffection, and the banking and financial sector, are disgruntlement among the youth and now using the entertainment indus- sundry individuals of the community. try to boost their hitherto stagnant It is a known fact today, whether and traditional banking functions one likes it or not, that the future lies to boost their profit base, through with the youth, and this is no exag- sponsorship of many concerts, geration. This has been proven over events, shows and what have you, time that the youth hold the magic where stars, emerging and budding wand for any nation to progress, are brought on stage to showcase because of the burning desires in their peculiar talents and spectacular them on all frontiers and economic performances, all with the mindset spheres. Ipso Facto. of inadvertently selling their unique This notion has not been so visible edge to the public and their valued in Ebonyi State, going by empirical customers, with prizes and wowing statistics of how the youth are not services and products to the unsus- being deployed or carried along pecting patrons. to exhibit their innate talents and This, in essence, is what entertain- potential. ment can do to an undiscerning Ebonyi State, governed by His government like Ebonyi, and it is Excellency, Dr. David Umahi for obviously not too late to take a cue almost seven years now, has not from this new movement in the looked in the direction of the youth world, where the youth have been on how they can be harnessed to used mutually to remain on course move the state forward for meaning- in whatever they are doing in gover- ful progress in the state, like all other Ebonyi State, being the Salt of the Nation, is blessed with so nance. states have been doing. No one can doubt the fact that The state, blessed with brilliant- many cultural and tourists’ potential; just as the capital city, Nigeria eminently stands tall in the minded and eminently-talented Abakaliki, is the hub of agricultural propensities, to which if comity of youth that are making artistes like Patoranking, Sinachi, waves in the entertainment world, Tekno, Angela Okorie, Nwuruku entertainment, in all its entirety, is used to boost this natural and they have proved this time and Alex Ozone who is a well-known potential, will further increase its GDP in many folds time over, and are still not done, pick- international show promoter and ing laurels, awards, recognitions here events organizer and many more and there from home and abroad. vibrant youths in the film making, Many of these stars, who are now movie, comedy, creative arts, visual the emerging force in the globe, are arts et al, via the fast-evolving show- Ritalori Ogbebor’s Antics being used covertly or overtly to biz and entertainment industry in galvanize the economy of those who general, have virtually been left in to Delay NDDC Board are deploying their talents to better the lurch by their government, much the lots of their sponsors. to the advantage of other states, who Inauguration Must Not Stand Imagine Ebonyi state collaborating have been using the talents of these with some of these talents in many impressive young talents to better the Akpoebide Okotiene and Edet Ekpenyong, President and Secretary of aspects, all these jobless youth now lot of their states. Niger Delta Integrity Group fireback at Chief (Mrs) Rita Lori-Ogbebor variously into cyber-fraud will be These visibly talented youths of for attempting to restrain President from greatly inspired and find something Ebonyi State, who have out of no better to do. This is not even to encouragement or support from their inaugurating the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission mention the number of students in government, single-handed broken tertiary institutions in the state who out of the woods to carve a niche ur attention has been drawn to ing when an audit of a previous period is often crave for concerts and shows for themselves, who majority of the news reports in the Tuesday, Au- ongoing. Certainly, not at this time when that often draw them to socialize and people (youth in particular) in the gust 3, 2021 editions of Thisday the July 31 deadline given by Mr. President wallow in the showbiz euphoria. state now see as their role models and The Vanguard newspapers, for the submission of the forensic audit by But this, without being immodest, is on account of their ingenuity and amongO others, wherein Chief Rita Lori- the Minister of Niger Delta has expired. nowhere to be found in the ready to dexterity, but are not identifying Ogbebor claimed to have filed a court Niger Delta governors, ethnic na- bubble state. with the state, because there is no action to restrain President Muhammadu tionalities, statesmen and civil society Apart from the Abakaliki Concert readily available avenue for them Buhari from inaugurating the Governing organisations have been calling for the which last held in 2015, which had to participate, showcase and tutor Board of the Niger Delta Development inauguration of the Governing Board in many A-list artistes and a mammoth these other yearning youth through Commission (NDDC), pending the compliance with the NDDC Act and to crowd in attendance, nothing of this the fast-evolving multi-million Naira submission of the forensic audit report. ensure full representation of the constitu- nature has been seen or heard of in showbiz and entertainment industry This is without question one more ent states since 2019, with the Honourable the salt of the nation state. in general. instance of Lori-Ogbebor’s meddle- Minister of Niger Delta, Chief Godswill Specifically, Lagos has been most A cue can be taken from states like someness taken too far. Her position is Akpabio, finally promising to have the supportive of notable artistes, and Lagos, Cross River, Enugu, Ogun, against the spirit and aspiration of Niger Board in place by the end of July 2021, the results are there for all to see in Rivers, Edo and a handful of others, Deltans who have asked why a Board by which time he said the forensic audit their giant strides; same for Flavour, who have tapped into the yawning cannot be put in place while the audit of report would have been submitted to Mr Olamide and Phyno, who are not gap created by the mega-bucks enter- a previous period is ongoing. It is clearly President after several postponements. even from , but are tainment industry viz: music, theatre the handiwork of a clique designed to Rita Lori-Ogbebor’s proposal cannot be adding to the good image which the arts, visual arts, cultural exhibitions, perpetuate the illegal interim manage- accepted at this point in time, almost two state now enjoys economically and even when their environments are ment contraptions that has been in place years after the forensic audit started. socially. This is because these states not that conducive to embark on such running the NDDC and utilising its Rita Lori Ogbegbor is clearly acting for created an enabling environment for adventures. Ebonyi State is still far funds totalling about N700 billion since interests whose sole aim is to continue to these artistes to thrive and excel in behind in this movement of youth October 2019 to date, with no develop- foster the illegal and illegitimate interim their various acts, and by extension emancipation and engagement. mental projects in any of the constituent contraptions that have held sway in the projecting the image of the states. Sadly enough, Ebonyi State, being states to show for it. NDDC utilising its funds for close to Ebonyi state, should as a matter the Salt of the Nation, is blessed with Rita Lori-Ogbebor’s action is frivolous, two years now. It is very clear that Lori- of urgency, support and create an so many cultural and tourists’ poten- attention-seeking, and quite in character. Ogbebor is working for persons who want enabling environment for these tial; just as the capital city, Abakaliki, She is clearly acting for interests whose to perpetuate the interim management home-grown and budding stars is the hub of agricultural propensi- sole aim to introduce some confusion into contraption at the NDDC, in opposition to to perfect their acts, thus bringing ties, to which if entertainment, in the legitimate process of government. Her the clearly-stated demands and expecta- an immeasurable awareness of the all its entirety, is used to boost this aim is to frustrate the proper functioning tions of Niger Deltans from across the abundant and abounding talents in natural potential, will further in- of the NDDC in line with its Act, which ethnic nationalities and the nine constitu- the state and by extension a rubbing crease its GDP in many folds. provides for the full representation of ent states. effect on the many potential of the It will interest many that in recent constituent states to ensure accountability, state which will be showcased during time, many sectors of the comatose because there is no law or precedence that NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the many of these proposed concerts and economy of the country, have ac- debars a Governing Board from function- online edition on www.thisdaylive.com shows. One hopes our government is celerated their conscious efforts reading this. THISDAY ˾FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 21

PERSPECTIVE The Education Trap: Our Young People are Falling through the Cracks At 60, Obama Still Boasts Businessman and politician, Iboro Otu draws attention to the increasing frustration of Nigerian Unusual Power of Example youths in their attempt to get quality education Chido Nwangwu, Publisher, USAfricaonline.com and live their dreams commends former American President Barack lease let’s pray for our young Obama for allowing public safety to guide the people. Many of them are falling through the cracks of a broken choice of invitees to his 60th birthday party system. In my time we faced our Pchallenges of inadequacy but the challenges over the past week, the President and confronting our young people today is an Mrs. Obama have decided to significantly existential threat. If we are not careful, we scale back the event to include only family are about to see a multitude of youths with and close friends. He’s appreciative of serious mental challenges as a result of their others sending their birthday wishes from socio-cultural and economic disconnect. afar and looks forward to seeing people I had an experience recently and met soon.” some gifted and wonderful young men At least, one of those “people” that he’s and women I struggled to believe resided not going to see at the party at Martha’s in . In a gathering of less Vineyard will be his former Vice Presi- than 40 people, I met four Asian returnees, dent, now President of the United States young men, who had taken up different Joe Biden. business positions in Akwa Ibom against I think Barack should be commended as the odds. They had sojourned, saw the well as former First Lady, the very pur- world and attracted back home solutions poseful Michelle Obama, as good exam- to a multitude of problems while also ples of sensitive, sensible and responsible trying to make businesses out of them. public figures by their latest decision to One of them founded Plastic Cultured, an massively reduce the scale of the birthday organisation we celebrated for keeping the bash. Especially, these days when most of spirit after three years. Plastic Cultured is a by our side. The mom is a UK educated the Republican Party leadership in the U.S group of young people looking to rid Akwa woman who went through school all the House of Representatives and some of its Ibom state of plastic waste by collecting way to doctorate in a first world country. Governors pretend that there is nothing and recycling them. I sat there listening Imagine such a mom listening while we arack Obama’s election and like Coronavirus. to the audacity of their dreams and their had such a conversation. Imagine her pain leadership as a two-term Presi- Have you not seen the Republican determination to make it happen. They try and powerlessness. A fifty something dent of the United States (January Governor of the state of Florida (former to take advantage of government events year old woman agreeing with her young 20, 2009 to January 20, 2017) have President Donald Trump’s current state of and otherwise public spaces to collect daughter, for mental reasons, to stay home Bsince become significant chapters in the residence) dismiss and deny the value of plastics wastes for free. Unless these guys and self-educate than mess about with continuing quests for a “more perfect wearing masks? are engaged and encouraged in Akwa Nigerian schools. Surprisingly, her mother union.” Have you not read the same divisive Ibom State, all forms of plastic waste will be was herself a lecturer in one of our state Former President Obama was born on and racially polarizing Governor of lumped with others and dumped some- universities, she knew first hand what her August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to a Florida Ron DeSantis attack public safety where in Uyo and thereafter burning them daughter was talking about; the quality of Kenyan father and a Caucasian mother. procedures as an assault on our individu- - both acts destroying our environment and graduates our universities were churning For the avoidance of any doubts and alism? poisoning our soil, however this is a story out alongside the unbearable abuse of for the record, he’s the 44th President of The remarkable an interesting part is for a different day. power by the people in authority over these the United States and therefore the first that his leader, former President Trump One of the other guys has a business in young students. It’s a desperate situation. African-American to be in that historic took his vaccines against Coronavirus. furniture manufacturing but it is of a differ- In their determination to learn, these position. Yes, he did. ent kind. This young man is artfully fusing girls have gone online, they are world Obama’s presidency was the manifesta- Yet, some of the “guy man’s” followers metal with wood and glass, you needed to educated in several areas - thanks to portals tion of the promise of the empowerment in Nigeria — to this day — still argue see what he has done and I can’t wait to visit of free learning but this too isn’t without its achievable through the gradualism foolishly and recklessly that coronavirus his workshop after viewing some pictures of pitfalls. Many online portals don’t offer op- of the power of the ballot even for the does not affect them in Nigeria. his work. Another is into digital art - using tions for Nigeria because of our notorious African-Americans who constitute part What manner of self-debasement and the computer to make different forms of art. global standing as a fraud capital. Often, of the minorities in the United States of ultimately self immolation? Art can’t be explained, you just needed to see one can’t make payment from Nigeria America. There are millions of others in the what this young man has done. unless you have to change country and if Realistically, by the year 2035, if the United States who still make the same Then I met the two ladies aged 20 and by chance you are accosted by the Nigerian population trends and growth profile foolish comments. 21 who happened to sit at my table. While police, they say, you immediately fit their continue, the U.S is not likely to have a It is terrible nuisance and toxic disin- trying to hold a conversation, I realized ‘yahoo-yahoo’ profile. In her determination supervening majority who are Caucasian, formation and misinformation to watch both weren’t in school. Very intelligent, well and plan to leave the country and study White and Anglo Saxon. these folks and their leaders (from any spoken and articulate girls claiming they overseas, one of the girls is fluent in Span- Significantly, the demographics and continent) spit in the face of scientific facts couldn’t find themselves schools in Nigeria. ish, a language she leant online, from Uyo! what constitutes and who constitutes the about Coronavirus and its latest variants. It sounded preposterous until we kept the That is what I call determination. majority population are projected and I recall, therefore, the timeless words of conversation going, clearly they caught my Most of the young people I met probably expected to benefit the Hispanic/Latino the Prophet, Martin Luther King Jr. who attention as I am an education advocate. live in Ewet Housing Estate and Osong- population. said “There is nothing more dangerous One of them had just dropped out of the ama environs, both are postcodes for the Let’s get back to Barack Obama turning than sincere ignorance and conscientious final year Regional and Urban Planning privileged. These are youths armed with 60 years in the age of the pandemic as stupidity.” Department in a federal university because the most dangerous weapon on earth; dangerously seen with the Coronavirus she couldn’t keep up with her mental the internet. They can connect with the and the Delta variant. health as a result of the impossibility of the world and instagram and can see what First and foremost, in the interest of schooling system. It began to make sense to their mates are doing globally and they public safety and the wellness of his Barack should be me when on asking her about her family’s know they could do it too if not better but friends and family, the former president position on the matter; they agreed with for their location on the wrong side of the had to substantially revise the A-List of commended as well her. She said; her department had just one world. This is the depression that can kill. the powerful and influential persons to measuring tape, one GPS machine and four Both ladies mentioned numerous friends the most necessary of only family and as former First Lady, broken computers. To measure, majority of and people they know who had already close friends for an outdoor birthday the students have to imagine three meters! graduated from universities all over the party on Martha’s Vineyard, near Boston, the very purposeful She has never measured a house before. world with decent education to tangible tomorrow Saturday, August 7, 2021. Class blocks are so few that when one level opportunities. My motivational speaking Essentially this was in reaction to the Michelle Obama, as needs to hold lectures, another set has to capability failed me when I needed it. These complaints by many progressives in the sit under the departmental tree and this conscientious young people would rather Democratic Party, epidemiologists and good examples of isn’t a figure of speech - it is a spectacle in self teach than deceive themselves in class health officials who argued that such a a Nigerian federal university! It is endless. blocks listening to antiquated lectures big event will throw the spread of the sensitive, sensible I can’t talk about the living conditions or from irrelevant syllabuses. They are richly Coronavirus and its new variants towards the content of lectures, even the students educated by world standards but are not an upward spiral. and responsible public who brave the endless night robberies to certificated by Nigerian standards. They are It is important that primary consid- figures by their latest study can’t read at night because there is no illiterates here, caught up in a place that’s eration for public health safety come power and the institution, on demand by slowly getting left behind by the rest of the first regardless of who’s throwing the decision to massively students, usually responds by asking them world. party! I think this has been amplified in if they have power in their own homes. the statement from Hannah Hankins, a reduce the scale of the It is what it is. As such she intends to get NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the spokeswoman for the Obamas, that “Due alternative education. online edition on www.thisdaylive.com to the new spread of the Delta variant birthday bash The other lady had her mother seated 22 THISDAY ˾FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021

AUTOGRAPH Tinubu: Die Like a Man Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes that Senator Bola Tinubu may not be in good stead to win his last pitched battle for the Nigerian presidency. He may be hampered by age, a baggage of corruption allegations and rumoured terminal illness

here is no doubt that former and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is Tone of the most talked about Nigerians alive. It is not impossible that long after his death, Tinubu may still be the subject of interest to many including the hoi polloi and the increasing number of persons all over the country who are sitting on a comfortable rung on the lad- der of influence and authority, through his benevolence. That is why Tinubu should not die like a mere mortal. At this point in time, that is, arguably the only factor that can guarantee his elevation into the pantheon of the all-time greats; like Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Alhaji . I know that any attempt to draw a comparison between Tinubu and Awolowo/Jakande will annoy a good number of people; who think it may be demeaning to these late Nigerian leaders. Tinubu’s death should not be passed off as pedestrian news. It should be wrapped in all the magic and charm that will sustain an enduring spell of exaggeration. Till today, many still swear that at certain times of the year when the nights are illuminated from a full moon, an uncluttered image of Awolowo can be seen with the lunar light raising his two fingers in a victory sign, as if mocking a world that denied him of the Nigerian presidency, which he wanted badly; even for one day. That is the kind of stuff that should be wrapped around Tinubu when he is gone to be with His Maker; astonishing stories that will challenge the incredulous. It is already happening, anyway. In the aftermath of the EndSARS protests, the strongman with the vehement and hostile chant that the Lion of Bourdillon does not cap in the presidential ring. This is the of Lagos politics was rumoured to have of ‘Edo No Be Lagos’. At ‘home’ in have the strength and the speed to battle of his life; the battle he stepped “ran” to France. At the same time, he Lagos, ‘insurgents’ like Fouad Oki go after a quarry. Slowed by age, a aside from when he rejected the title was also in Lagos. There were videos and Abdulazeez ‘Jandor’ Adeniran baggage of corruption allegations of Aare Ona Kakanfo because of the and photos of him purportedly in the and his Lagos4Lagos Movement are and rumoured terminal illness, Ti- alleged belief the holder of the title is European country. So, recently when increasingly giving Tinubu sleepless nubu, is not in good stead to fight prone to mysteriously and untimely. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu posted nights. and win his last pitched battle; the The late supposed winner of the June pictures of himself and the APC National Anyone who has weathered the quest for Nigerian presidency. The 12 presidential election, Chief Moshood Leader in a bid to dispel gossip about kind of political storm that Tinubu is array of enemies lined up against Abiola was an Aare Ona Kankanfo. He Tinubu’s health, his evidence was not constantly faced with will naturally him, including those of his kith and died in the bid to actualise his mandate. strong enough to permeate the first layer fall sick; and that is considering kin, are formidable. But they don’t For Tinubu, the quest for the Nigerian of targeted hearsay. the fact that his age is in dispute. call him Jagaban for nothing. He can presidency may just be worth dying for. In this era of photoshop and lip-sync, Is he 69 years, as he claims or in his be trusted to spring a surprise from The legend of the Aare Ona Kakanfo Sanwo-Olu and Tinubu’s Media Aide, mid-70s, according to his detractors? his famed cap, emblazoned with beckons on Tinubu. Go Tinubu! Go, die Tunde Rahman may not need to shout From 1999 when he had to battle the an artistically designed figure ‘8’. like a man! themselves hoarse, admirers of the APC ‘Babas’ in Afenifere, who constituted Some critics who are willing to give A Tinubu in Aso Rock will combine National Leader love him passionately; the Alliance for Democracy (AD). him a chance may be reluctant after the rambunctiousness of President just as those who hate his guts despise He was elected Governor of Lagos the somewhat disastrous tenure of and the wheeler- him fiercely. Trying to explain any State on the ticket of the AD. But President Muhammadu Buhari who dealer attitudes of an Atiku Abubakar. circumstance involving Tinubu may Tinubu had plans which did not lies more on a hospital bed in foreign He has the courage to get things done. not change anything. It is what it is; quite align with the vision of the countries than sit behind his desk And even if he does not know what to unfortunately so. How do they hope AD hierarchy, who queried his at Aso Rock Villa. The thought of do, he is street wise enough to identify to convince those who believe that Ti- dominance of a political vehicle another perennially sick president the person who will deliver excellence nubu “owns more than half” of Lagos? that he was accommodated and is not an option, at all. This is one on the job. How on earth is that possible? They rehabilitated in. The elders of Af- of the factors that makes the idea A veteran of many political battles, call him a ‘clever thief’ because some enifere/AD could not comprehend of a Tinubu presidency a hard sell. one virtue that both foes and friends of of the things they claim are his; like The his overnight wealth and influence While Tinubu himself has not Tinubu agree on is that he is an excellent Nation Newspaper, Oriental Hotel and when he was ‘begging’ them for the expressly said he will run for the talent scout. He has an uncanny ability Continental Broadcast Services, owners governorship ticket, a little while presidency in 2023, the closest ad- to identify the right person for the job. of TVC and Radio Continental can’t be ago. Right before their eyes, Tinubu mission he has made publicly is the He has consistently managed to secure traced to him at the Corporate Affairs had transformed to the ‘Lion of recent statement that he will make good managers for the affairs of Lagos; Commission. To many he is a compas- Bourdillon,’ to be worshipped by up his mind after the APC National that is conceding that he holds all the sionate outlaw, who gives freely from anyone who wanted to move up Convention. But his associates like aces for the choice of Lagos governor. what he is rumoured to have acquired the ladder of Lagos politics. It was Senator Dayo Adeyeye, the National Those who are blaming Sanwo-Olu illicitly. inevitable that he broke away and Chairman of the South West Agenda for taking time out to visit his ‘ailing’ People like former military governor formed the Action Congress (AC). for Asiwaju 2023 (SWAGA) are not political godfather do not know what of and Peoples Democratic Every lion has a lifespan; even the tip-toeing about their plans. The hid they are talking about. Think about the Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Bode human lion that lives at Bourdillon and seek game is close to an end, Lagos governor’s alibi, ‘photo no dey George are riled by his audacious claim in Ikoyi-Lagos. Many will argue Tinubu has to throw his ‘figure 8’ lie’. The meaning of that photograph to indigene of Lagos when in fact his with Tinubu runs deep. So, you think roots have been traced to . Mr. Governor is so idle that he will travel Of late, his “kingdom”, which used to all the way to London for a photo op- cover the entire Western region, has A Tinubu in Aso Rock will combine the rambunctiousness portunity? And Tinubu is not a celebrity shrunk badly. The emergence of Young neither is Sanwo-Olu a bemused fan Turks like Governor of of President Olusegun Obasanjo and the wheeler-dealer who wants a memento from his idol. Ekiti; who has tacitly refused to yield This is an arranged opportunity to take an inch of his state to Tinubu’s control attitudes of an Atiku Abubakar. He has the courage to a photograph of a politician who can has dented the APC National Leader’s get things done. And even if he does not know what determine his political future. Ask ex La- reputation. Of course, he is yet to recover gos governor, Mr. , from backing the wrong horse in 2020 to do, he is street wise enough to identify the person Tinubu can be devious and unforgiving, Governorship election in , just as his vast well of bounteousness where he was forced to beat a retreat who will deliver excellence on the job never runs dry. FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 • THISDAY 23 24 FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 •THISDAY THISDAY ˾FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 25

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Email [email protected] BUSINESSWORLD 08056356325 RATES AS AT AUGUST 5,2021 MONEY MARKET REPO S & P INDEX S & P INDEX EXCHANGE RATE OBB 8.50% CALL 4% INDEX LEVEL 538.76% 1/4 TO DATE 1.08% N411.34 / 1 US DOLLAR* OVERNIGHT 9.00% 1-MONTH 6% 1-DAY 0.17% YEAR TO DATE –19.62% *AS AT LAST FRIDAY 3-MONTH 10% MONTH-TO-DATE 0.28%

ADVANCING QUALITY HEALTHCARE… L-R: Head, Operations, Leadway Health, Dr. Gideon Anumba; Head, Distribution Channels, Mrs Temilade Daniel-Owo; Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Tokunbo Alli; Head, Business Development and Sales, Mrs Oluwatoyin Ogunmoyele; Head, Medical Services, Dr. Temitope Falaiye; and Head, Finance, Mr. Emmanuel Adebayo, all of Leadway Health, during the media launch of Leadway Health, in Lagos… recently PHOTO: KOLAWOLE ALLI Why Cross River Government Planned Airline, Cally Air Failed to Obtain Operating Certificate Chinedu Eze get the approval to operate Aero Contractor, which has sistence of the Directorate of They will have to establish a be ready to go through that scheduled commercial service. aircraft maintenance facility and Airworthiness and Standards company, which is outside the process, ”the inside source told The plan by the Cross River THISDAY investigations can carry out even D-checks (DAS) of the Nigerian Civil state control. They will get Air THISDAY. State government to establish an revealed that the two aircraft, on the aircraft type, known as Aviation Authority (NCAA), Transport Licence (ATL) and An official who was involved airline, Cally Air failed because Boeing B737-300 acquired by Boeing classic. which has recognised the two apply for AOC. Before they in the arrangement told THIS- the state was unable to meet the state government have been It was also learnt that the aircraft as being under the Air will obtain their AOC they DAY that there is no Cally Air; the requirements for operating handed over to Aero Contrac- state government has withdrawn Operator’s Certificate (AOC) will submit their manual and that the aircraft operates under licence, THISDAY findings has tors, which now manages the plan to establish an airline of Aero Contractors. carry out demo flights. They Memorandum of Understanding revealed. them in operate and maintain and to distinguish the aircrafts “It would have been difficult will also get a third aircraft (MoU) with Aero, so the state It was learnt that promoters arrangement. from the Aero fleet, they are for the Cross River State govern- to qualify them to getting the has given the aircraft to Aero of the airline were only able to Industry insider told THIS- called Cally and the word Air, ment to establish an airline now. certification. This process will Contractors. acquire two aircraft instead of DAY that the best decision the which designates it as an airline In trying to establish an airline last from 12 to 18 months or The official said that the state three and was unable to meet state government took was to removed. they will have to go through the longer and I do not think the other conditions required to hand the two aircraft over to This was done on the in- process of obtaining their AOC. current administration will Continued on page 22 NSC, Nigerian Maritime Law Association Moves to Challenge Hamburg Rules on Carriage of Cargo Eromosele Abiodun to repel the Hamburg Rules on Hassan Bello, organised by the a set of rules governing the governance of the waybill for Jime Emmanuel, to look into Carriage of cargo with a view Nigerian Maritime Law Associa- international shipment of goods, a cargo ship being chartered that aspect of the shipping law In a bid to ensure that Nigerian to replacing it with the Hague tion, President of the group, Mrs resulting from the United Nations alongside the liabilities that stand that could further enhance the shippers are treated fairly, the Ni- Visby rules. . Funke Agbo, said the Hamburg International Convention on to be potentially imposed on the capacity and capability of the gerian Maritime Law Association Speaking at a reception in rules must be repelled tbefore the Carriage of Goods by Sea parties agreeing to the charter. Nigerian trading public. (NMLA) in collaboration with honour of the immediate past the Hague rules can become adopted in Hamburg, Germany, Agbo therefore urged the Agbo also called on the new the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Executive Secretary/CEO of applicable. while The Hague-Visby Rules newly appointed Executive (NSC), have commenced moves the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, The Hamburg Rules are stipulates the extent of the Secretary of the NSC, Mr. Continued on page 22 MARKET DATA AS AT THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021 FGN BONDS BILLS OTC FX FUTURES CPs DESCRIPTION Price Yield Change (%) MATURITY Discount Yield Change (%) CONTRACT MATURITY Discount Yield Change (%) TENOR Contract Current (MONTH) Rate ($/₦) 11.668 FGNSB 100.24 2.85 0.01 NTB 26-Aug-21 3.00 3.01 0.00 MREP CP XXXI 8.67 8.69 0.01 15-AUG-2021 1 NGUS AUG 25 2021 420.93 13-AUG-21 10.301 FGNSB 0.01 NTB 9-Sep-21 3.10 3.11 0.00 UNCP CP III 27- 0.01 16-AUG-2021 100.22 2.87 2 NGUS SEP 29 2021 422.38 AUG-21 4.10 4.11 11.150 FGNSB NTB 16-Sep-21 3.15 3.16 0.00 VAAG CP I 27- 11-SEP-2021 100.80 3.16 0.00 3 NGUS OCT 27 2021 423.83 AUG-21 10.03 10.09 0.01 12.364 FGNSB 0.00 NTB 30-Sep-21 3.25 3.27 0.00 TTNG CP II 31- 0.00 12-SEP-2021 100.94 3.17 4 NGUS NOV 24 2021 425.28 AUG-21 4.49 4.50 12.175 FGNSB NTB 14-Oct-21 3.35 3.37 0.00 SIBP CP I 2-SEP- 10-OCT-2021 101.54 3.49 -0.02 5 NGUS DEC 29 2021 426.73 21 4.04 4.05 0.00 26 THISDAY ˾FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 BUSINESSWORLD NEWS WHY CROSS RIVER GOVERNMENT PLANNED AIRLINE, CALLY AIR Toriola: Telcos Maintained Steady Drop FAILED TO OBTAIN OPERATING CERTIFICATE in Service Delivery Cost Since 2001 Governor, Professor Ben Ayade had a good plan but he was Emma Okonji Commission (NCC), Toriola said beginning of the GSM roll-out. that alone is enough testimony Toriola further said. not well advised and wondered it impacted positively on the “Don’t forget that the early on how the enabling environ- Analysing the impact of tele- why the state wanted to obtain Ahead of the 20th anniversary sector in areas of investments stage estimates for potential ment and the initial incentives communications on the Nigerian AOC with only two aircraft. celebration of Global System and infrastructure development. subscriber numbers were very have yielded fruits immensely.” economy in the last 20 years, “Cally Air is not registered. for Mobile Communications Furthermore, he said the NCC small. The MTN business model “I think it’s been transforma- the MTN Nigeria boss said in Their decision to hand over of (GSM) revolution in Nigeria, the took the right decision to grant was built on a target customer tional in so many ways, some Q4 2020, the sector constituted the aircraft to Aero Contractors Chief Executive Officer of MTN five years exclusivity period to base of a few millions. that are clear to all and some 12.2 per cent of the country’s to manage saved the equipment Nigeria, Mr. Karl Toriola, has the early telcos. “The rights and waivers gave that are perhaps less easy for GDP, which he described as because Aero has a maintenance said the sector has witnessed According to him, “It’s very us the confidence to invest more the ordinary person to see. an industry that was virtually facility. The second aircraft was steady drop in cost of service common for new industries to aggressively, and so played an “As I said earlier, I think nascent in 2001, contributing due for C-check on arrival. In delivery since its inception in be offered investment incentives, important role in the subsequent many of the changes in the N1.20 kobo for every N10 the fact, the company that leased it 2001. especially if the government is rapid pace of growth. Today, telecoms sector, have become so Nigerian economy generates. to the state government would Toriola who spoke in an looking to attract new investors, the telecoms sector is the largest embedded that it’s often difficult However, that doesn’t tell not have released it if it was exclusive interview with and that was the case at the single contributor to GDP, and to relate to life without them, the whole story, he said. not coming to Aero, which has THISDAY in Lagos, said: “ In the capability to carry out C- light of the enabling role of the check on the aircraft. The two sector, it will interest you to aircraft were not bought; they note that telecommunications is were leased. probably the only sector where “Right now, only one is consumer prices have dropped operating while the other is consistently year-on-year since on maintenance and it operates 2001.” Lagos, Calabar and Abuja, mak- According to him, the steady ing six landings a day. But what decline in tariffs had been is good about the acquisition of driven by increasing demand the aircraft is that it provided for telecommunication services, jobs for the Cross River state stimulating increasing minutes indigenes. They have been of usage and activities on the trained and they have relevant networks by a growing number qualifications and they are now of people. absorbed as personnel in the Toriola who wondered how operation of the two aircraft,” the Nigerian economy and the the official said. global economies would have The Managing Director of been without telecommunica- Aero Contractors, Captain tions, insisted that no other Abdullahi Mahmood told sector in Nigeria and the world THISDAY that the two aircraft has impacted the economy the under Cally Air are being man- way telecoms did. aged by Nigeria’s oldest airline He gave instances of food and would continue to manage items, manufacturing products, L–R: Vice Chairman SPE Nigeria Council, Prof Olalekan Olafuyi; Chairman SPE Nigeria Council, Olatunji Akinwunmi the aircraft until the Cross River including building materials, and SPE NAICE 2021 Conference Planning Committee, Mr Ere Iyalla at the Society of Petroleum Engineers Nigeria state government was able to whose prices have continued obtain its own AOC. to increase without dropping, Council Conference 2021 closing press briefing held in Lagos... recently PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA He also expressed the hope and compared them with the that the airline can obtain AOC if cost of telecoms services that it meets the given requirements. have continued to drop since Three Suspects Arrested As NCS Intercepts “We are the ones operating the rollout of GSM in Nigeria. the aircraft and they are also According to him, the cost of under our maintenance and SIM card in 2001 was N20,000, N22.3bn Pangolin Scales, Elephant Tusks management, pending when “but today SIM card is N100 the airline will obtain its AOC. and it is as good as free, because Eromosele Abiodun Customs Intelligence Unit and is on the run thinking he can Conversely, he said ever I believe that if they meet the it comes loaded with airtime NCS Headquarters Strike Force. evade the long arm of the law. increasing and relevant requirements of NCAA they of some values.” Nigeria Customs Service He added that the seizures Security agencies at all entry functions of the global Customs will get their AOC. Anyone Speaking on the exclusivity (NCS) has said that it arrested is inline with Section 63 “e” and exit points are on red alert community demonstrate the can obtain it if you meet the period granted early telecoms three suspected smugglers and “g” of Customs and Excise to track and arrest to face justice. necessity of Customs actions requirements,” Mahmood told operators in 2001 by the in connection with different Management Act (CEMA), Cap He is therefore advised in his to raise revenue, suppress THISDAY. Nigerian Communications kilograms of Pangolin scales 45 LFN 2004 as amended, interest to surrender himself to smuggling and intercept and Elephant tusks worth N22.3 adding that it falls under the NCS,” he added. illegal movement of items NSC, NIGERIAN MARITIME LAW ASSOCIATION billion in Lagos. Export prohibition schedule However, he said the suspects that can compromise national While displaying the seizures VI of the extant Common arrested would soon have their security, economy, health and MOVES TO CHALLENGE HAMBURG RULES ON to newsmen, the Controller External Tariff, which prohibits date in court, as NCS would leave environment protection. CARRIAGE OF CARGO General of Customs (CGC), Col. their exportation. no stone unturned to bring them “Deforestation and depletion Hammed Ali, said the 17,137.44 “Nigeria is a signatory to to justice. He said the Service of wildlife especially the management team of the NSC cally, politically, legislatively or kilograms of Pangolin scales CITES convention hence cannot would extend same treatment endangered species have to improve upon the flagship otherwise so that the Hamburg (196 sacks), 870.44 kilograms be used as a transit hub. This to any person or organization been global concern with of the Council, which is the rule can be applicable in of Elephant tusks and 4.60 feast is a testimony of what remotely connected to this or nationals collaboration, sharing annual Maritime Seminar for Nigeria.” kilograms of Pangolin claws sincere collaboration between any illegal wildlife trade. intelligence and expertise that judges for better understanding Speaking in the same vein, were evacuated at a location nations can achieve for our “While thanking our partners, would stamp out indiscriminate of the admiral cases. Hassan Bello said that there on eastern side of Ijeoma Street, world, and individual nations especially the wildlife justice killings of endangered species. According to her, ‘‘Once there should be a denouncement of Lekki, Lagos State after proper in particular. commission, let me give “In line with global best is a previous regime and you the Hague Visby rules and a examination. “Already three suspects who assurances of the Service practices, NCS has been in want to incorporate the new repel of it in Nigeria here was According to him, NCS’s are non-nationals have been determination to treat any robust collaboration with regime, the new law must be not done before we jumped to extensive collaboration arrested. They are Mr. Traore and every information with embassies of US, UK, Germany taken to the depository by the Hamburg rules. yielded credible intelligence Djakonba, Mr. Isiak Musa and utmost confidentiality and swift with other quarterly meetings country seeking the change of He stated: “We have to do that triggered swift and Mr. Mohammed Bereta. The appropriate action(s) to them this that provide platform for shared law. away with Hague and its comprehensive actions by the Kingpin, Mr. Berete Morybinet tide of illegality,” he said. experiences,” he added. “This can be done diplomati- Visby protocol before Hamburg becomes applicable. Now it is the convenience, everybody will take what is convenient. It is NCS, FOU Zone ‘C’ Seizes not elegant at all. ‘‘We are so sold out to international laws, off-course, Containers of Unprocessed Timber we need international laws but Africa needs its own laws. The The Nigeria Customs Service He stated that when tree on credible intelligence trailed He gave the marks and Group Business Editor internationality of shipping has (NCS), Federal Operations felling is not checkmated, the and intercepted three trucks numbers of the containers Eromosele Abiodun been questioned by Covid-19 Unit Zone ‘C’ has intercepted ecosystem and its biodiversity conveying 6×20ft containers to include; MSCU-3470637, and fairness is not a flagship of three trucks conveying six are left to suffer. of logs of rough timber along MSDU-1497355, MEDU-9739916, Comms/e-Business Editor international shipping.” 6×20ft containers of logs of He decried the economic loss industrial road, Port- Harcourt. MEDU-5627573, MSDU-6248794 Emma Okonji He added, “You remember unprocessed timber. brought upon Nigeria with the “We also arrested two and MEDU-6792783. Aviation Editor how we fought the congestion The Zonal Coordinator for exportation of unprocessed suspected smugglers who His words: “NEPC is an Chinedu Eze charges, that was unfair, charges Zone ‘C’, Ag. ACG Olusemire logs adding that employment were attempting to export the agency of Government which Asst. Editor, Money Market slapped on Nigeria and other Kayode while displaying the creation which results from local unprocessed logs but they have takes note of products that are Nume Ekeghe African countries without con- intercepted items at the zonal processing of the logs is vital for been released on administrative meant for exportation so that sultation. Even when you go to headquarters, Port Harcourt Nigeria’s teeming youth. bail. Exportation of rough timber, the proceeds can be repatriated Senior Correspondent restaurants, they will show the on Monday added that two He commended the Controller which contravenes schedule accordingly. Unfortunately Raheem Akingbolu menu and the cost, but that was suspects were arrested in of the FOUC Comptroller Yusuf 6 of the extant CET comes NEPC is not aware of these (Advertising) not done in this case. Anytime connection to the seizure. LAWAL and officers of the Unit with negative economic and logs and have not issued any Correspondents they want they slam charges. Kayode who noted that the for their resilience, doggedness environmental effects and must Nigeria Export Proceeds form, James Emejo (Finance) “So I questioned the inter- exportation of unprocessed and steadfastness in tackling not be condoned, “he said. further confirming therefore, Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) nationality of the International timber contravenes schedule smuggling and cautioned Also speaking, the FOU ‘C’ that the logs were about to be Chineme Okafo (Energy) Maritime Organization that we 6 of the Extant Common against senseless attacks on our controller, Comptroller Yusuf smuggled out.” Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) should reduce emission without External Tariff (CET) added operatives while carrying out Lawal psc+ said that the logs He however urged Nigerians saying who is going to pay the Reporters that deforestation comes their legitimate duties. were about to be smuggled out to assist the service with cost. So we have to design our with negative effects such “On July 16, 2021 at about of the country without clearance relevant information to aid Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) African laws to serve our interest Peter Uzoho (Energy) as desert encroachment and 2.00pm, one of the surveillance from the Nigerian Export its activities for the general the of Africans.” environmental degradation. teams of FOU Zone ‘C’, acting Promotion Council (NEPC). good of the country. THISDAY ˾FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 27 BUSINESSWORLD AVIATION NEWS

Need for Manpower Devt in Aviation Sector Chinedu Eze (CNC) Mechanical workshop equipment, Thales that airlines currently face. Fortunately here in CVOR/DME Navigational Aids equipment for Nigeria the airlines are tremendously picking viation industry stakeholders have over maintenance training, Thales DVOR/DME and ILS up the tempo with an encouraging passenger the years insisted that the best period NAV (Instrument Landing System/ Navigational) turn out,” he noted. of aviation manpower development Aids equipment for flight training and Automated He said the aviation industry would require a in Nigeria was during the period the Fire/Smoke Aircraft Training Simulator. well-orchestrated recovery plan supported by the erstwhile national carrier; Nigerian He said that so far the college has trained 3376 government and external agencies to overcome its AAirways Limited (NAL). The former Chairman graduates in the past five years, bagged ICAO current challenges and expressed the belief that it of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Dr Steve Global Aviation Training (GAT) Awards, recorded is time for the continued financial support for the Mahonwu, would recall with nostalgia how the the highest number of Trained Instructors 2015, industry through direct cash injections, provision defunct airline trained him and others and had 2016, 2017 and 2018, recorded the highest number of credits, offer of deferrals and discounts on noted that it was the crop of NAL trained pilots of ICAO Courses conducted 2015 and 2016 and charges and most especially concessions. and engineers that held sway in the industry had eight ICAO Approved Standardized Training “Governments and donor institutions should and provided the key personnel that pivoted Packages (STPs) developed. provide the funds to ensure the survival and the sector for decades. The Rector said there are efforts to reposition the business continuity of key stakeholders of But after the liquidation of Nigerian Airways, the Nigerian aviation industry for speedy growth the aviation industry as recommended by the there was dearth of technical personnel because to reflect the changing times. African Aviation Industry Group (AAIG) in during the interregnum before the emergence of “No doubt that the aviation industry is facing 2020. Without sounding very conservative, new airlines, many Nigerian pilots and engineers its most challenging period. Globally, airlines are the federal government via the Ministry of left the country and existing airlines began to facing a ’throat-cutting’ competition especially Aviation has been investing in standardising rely on expatriates. Seasoned aviators have said from low-cost airlines amidst dwindling pas- infrastructure across the various airports before variously that it was not only that it costs airlines sengers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The even thinking of privatisation, partnership or hugely to employ expatriates; the expatriates Modibbo pandemic, which affected the financial capacity concession. Aviation operational adequacy and majorly spend six months in Nigeria and six and operational services of airlines, is worst in efficiency will go a long way in boosting air months holidaying overseas. Africa. While the challenges have already exposed travel, which is still the preferred and most safe The airlines pay them more and provide them in 1964 was approved by the Nigerian Civil Avia- the over capacities of certain airlines abroad, it option of mobility that has enormous impact luxurious accommodation and other outrageous tion Authority (NCAA) as an Approved Training is estimated that nearly half of Africa’s seven on economic development in any nation, packs. Yet, airline operators say that best of the Organization (ATO) and is designated by the million aviation and tourism industry-related especially where the other options like speed expatriates do not come to Nigeria or most International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) as jobs have been lost in year 2020. rails are under-developed. African countries. “Those that are good stay in a Regional Training Centre of Excellence (RTCE). “The airlines continue to face unpredictable “It will be unfair not to mention, here that their countries,” said a Nigerian major operator. It is also a Council Member of the Association of cost, due to the devaluation of the local currency the Ministry of Aviation under the dynamic Nigerian College of Aviation Technology African Aviation Training Organizations (AATO) against the international currencies and irregular leadership of the Hon. Minister, Senator Hadi (NCAT), Zaria has always provided the need and a Non-Accredited Educator Member of the availability of aviation fuel, these among others, Abubakar Sirika. This government has and will technical personnel in the aviation industry. But Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI). add up to the dreaded operational cost and continue to upgrade infrastructure and services before its reawaking there was a time the federal “The College also has full and interim accredi- technical input problems. As a result, operational to the Nigerian aviation populace, in terms of government allowed the college to decay. It was tations from the National Board for Technical services deteriorated when normal flight services security, safety and comfort of aviation end abandoned. That was the hiatus that caused Education (NBTE) for the conduct of Higher were resumed, followed by frequent scheduled users,” he added. the draining of airlines funds, as they literally National Diploma (HND) and National Diploma flight challenges and exorbitant ticket prices. This The college still holds the hope that Nigeria can bled their financials paying expatriate pilots and (ND) courses in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering could be a symptom of the larger financial strain train Nigerians to fully man the aviation sector. engineers. NCAT does not only train pilots and Technology, Electrical/Electronics, and Aviation aircraft engineers. They train air traffic controllers, Management. The College is a member of the aeronautical engineers, marshallers, fire fighters ICAO TRAINAIR Plus Steering Committee and others. (TPSC),” the Rector said. Recently the Rector and Chief Executive of Modibbo explained that the college offers the college, Captain Alkali Mahmud Modibbo ab-initio and advance aviation training using discussed the readiness of the school to train state-of-the-art facilities and that the college more technical personnel, the new training has just acquired new training equipment like facilities in the school and the mileage it has the Boeing B737NG Full Flight Simulator, Six gained over the years. Diamond DA40NG aircraft, One Diamond Modibbo said the college, which was established DA42NG aircraft, Computer Numeric Control THISDAY ˾FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 28 BUSINESSWORLD AVIATION ANALYSIS Of FG Policies and Private Sector Investment in Aviation Last week aviation industry stakeholders met in Lagos and brainstormed on how to move the sector forward following Covid-19 economic devastation, which adversely affected air transport. Chinedu Eze who covered the event reports that operators and administrators admit a change is needed in the industry

t the League of Airports and Aviation That should have the expiry date while the the Act that governs NCAT (the Nigerian the House of Representatives is to support the Correspondents (LAAC) seminar on AOC certificate should remain valid unless College of Aviation Technology, Zaria) was industry, “he said. how to rebuild the aviation industry suspended or revoked. If more and only enacted in 1964, whereas all others had On the bailout to save the sector after the with the theme, “Management, Policy qualified technical staff are hired for the been reviewed lately. How come the one devastating impact of COVID-19, Hon Nnaji and Regulation,” held in Lagos last agencies and paid salaries commensurate that affects industry personnel has been said that government did not do much in Aweek, speakers x-rayed the importance of policies with their counterparts abroad. I am of abandoned for decades? It shows that we terms of providing support for the agencies in the growth of the industry and the need to the opinion that the sector will embrace pay very little attention to the workforce and airlines in the sector, compared to what have policies and regulations that are dynamic issues with different approach,” he said. in the industry and that explains why we other countries did to support the air transport and in tandem with global standard practices. more often export that aspect of the aviation sector, noting that the industry is critical and a The Chairman, West Link Airlines, Capt. INTERPRETING POLICIES business. We need to go back to the drawing catalyst to the economy of every nations and Ibrahim Mshelia who was also the chairman of board and make sure that the personnel are therefore serious attention should be paid to the seminar lamented that the Nigerian aviation On his part, the Managing Director of well trained. As at today, we only have 20 it. He added that the industry needed financial industry is battling too many oppressive forces, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria accredited training organisations in Nigeria, support so that thousands of workers in the including processes that lead to the acquisition (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Yadudu called for to serve a population of over 200 million industry would not lose jobs. of Air Operator Certificate (AOC). Mshelia a review of policies but more importantly people. It is not that the people are not “The government didn’t do much in terms of observed that a situation where an operating stressed that those who implement the interested, but there are no enabling laws bailout for the airlines. The cost of the engine airline was compelled to renew its AOC every policies should be sincere and noted that to attract investors into this critical aspect of a Boeing is close to $10 million and what two years was anti-progress and a setback to there is the need for aviation agencies to of the aviation industry. I think we need the government provided for all the airlines is commercial airline business in Nigeria. He work together instead of at cross purposes. to pay more attention to issues that affect about N4 billion, so, when you compare what noted that in Nigeria, irrespective of the mode Fielding questions from newsmen after human factors in the industry,” Bernard said. our airlines got to what other countries did for of operations and specifications, airlines are his presentation, Yadudu said that old their own, you will find out that they didn’t do made to undergo the same rigorous processes, policies and new ones dovetail to guide COLLABORATION much for the industry. The aviation industry stressing that nowhere else in the world are the operations of FAAN, insisting that some is a very expensive business and most people operators given such stringent conditions before of the policies are industry standards, which Speaking on how the agencies, airlines do not break even. What they just succeed in they could commence flight services. means they are what obtain in other parts and others can work effectively together, doing is to just keep the business going because According to him, “With the lopsidedness in of the world. Bernard said that such collaboration is crucial everything about the industry is offshore and the procurement procedures and the operational He said that there are no policy guiding so that there could be seamless cooperation that is a challenge. limits of AOC holders in Nigeria, there is an FAAN’s activities that are in conflict but noted that certain conditions must be “We have succeeded in getting zero duties urgent need to amend our Act and policy in with airlines, noting that there could met for that to be achieved. for the airlines for the purchase of spare parts. this area, to empower the civil aviation to also disagreements, which call for understanding. “For there to be a meaningful collaboration, Another issue that they are battling with is the break down the certification process of our “I believe there is hardly any policy we need to have a central data system. With issue of forex. Since they buy most of their commercial operations. The word AOC has that is in conflict with operators. It is a that I can rely on information coming from stuff abroad, it is important that they have been so over-valued like a village masquerade question of understanding. The policies one agency to another. But when you look access to forex. The planes need to be in the that appears once in five years. This is not and implementation are all the same; it is at it, we have a disintegrated system as it sky all the time because the more you move, supposed to be so. Operation specifications in interpretation that may be different. Usually, were. Until we integrate the system to a the more money you make so that you can this regard are the masquerade and not the it is that interpretation, but you will find point that we all know that the information pay your bills. We would want the Central certificate. that you will all arrive at the same decision that I am getting is factual, then we will Bank of Nigeria to create a window for Forex “Today, we have an unhealthy situation (if the interpretation is right). The same not move forward. We are talking about because it will help reduce the airfare,” he said. where there is a blanket issuance procedure intention is being serviced. But if you have code-sharing and interlining among the of AOC for big, small, or large operations. the wrong interpretation, then we have to airlines, how do you think that will be POLICY IMPLEMENTATION Under this system, the roles of other segments agree when the regulator tells you that your possible when they cannot even rely on of operators that are also entitled, by law, to interpretation is wrong. It will always go information that is available? The information Speaking on policy implementation, the operate commercial operations, unfettered as the way of the regulator. The interpretation available is coming from different sources. Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, guaranteed by the International Civil Aviation and absolute understanding lies with the The earlier we have a central data system Senator , said that the aviation Organisation (ICAO), is not spelt out. By ICAO regulator. So, if there is a conflict, it is for the the better for us; so that agencies, captains industry is very dynamic so there is the need to standard, small, large and medium operations, regulator to clear the misunderstanding. But for the industry and even the reporters can review the policies guiding it and also ensure including; Air Taxi, Air Charter, Cargo Only, there is no fundamental misunderstanding rely on the data that they have gotten,” that there is effective implementation of the nonscheduled and scheduled operations and or conflict between policies and what the he said. policies and regulations in the industry. others are recognised.” stakeholders want,” he said. The House Committee Chairman on “I think generally, when we talk about policy Mshelia said that instead of subjecting airlines But the former President of National Aviation, Hon Nnolim Nnaji stressed the implementation, we would be looking at it from to the rigour of renewal of AOC every two Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies need for good management of the industry. different perspectives. The National Assembly years, the regulatory authority should have (NANTA) and Managing Director of He said that for set objective of moving on one hand and the policy of the government robust and efficient inspection and oversight Finchglow Group, Bankole Bernard said the industry forward to be achieved, there on the other. As I speak, we still have about six team that scrutinises the activities of airlines. that part of the problem with policies is need to have good management of the bills pending in the National Assembly. These “One recommendation which has managed to in the aviation industry is their poor agencies and airlines in the sector. are bills seeking the amendment of some of dodge government action is a thorough overhaul implementation. He said that over the “The success of any industry is the regulations governing the industry. of the inspectorate division of our civil aviation years the sector has been dogged by poor management. If you have the right people Aviation is not a sector that you leave for a agency. This has to be done quickly, to galvanise implementation of the policies and called for in management, it is going to go a long year without looking at the enabling laws. Over the Nigerian aviation industry achievements. The the review and appraisal of these policies. way in achieving good results. Also, once the years, aviation laws have not been revisited, staff of the agencies has done well so far but the “The truth is that policy implementation you have committed people especially like so we have a situation where you have conflict new and desired NCAA will require a change can never be overemphasized. It is something we who are in the legislative arm, we are between the standard of parties, when you talk of attitude as well. The AOC processing takes that has to be on a continuous basis. Over committed to what is happening in the about the standard of parties, you talk about forever against the advertised. Proposals have the years, many policies have been formed executive. It’s not that we are trying to the kind and sophistication of planes that we been offered that need attention. The duration but how well have they been implemented? police the executive, we are not the type have now. They are all interwoven, so, if you of AOC should be valid unless suspended or How has it reflected on the industry and lives that would want to boss the agencies around don’t have enabling laws that would meet the revoked. The Ops Specs (operation specification) of the people involved? I think we have to because we feel that we have the power to standard of the modern day industry passed is the operational document, which should, and shift focus to the impact over the years. As do so, and it’s just that we are committed into law, there would be a new approach to must be over sighted from time to time via audits. I sat there (at the seminar), I realized that to the safety of the industry. Our duty in management and oversight,” he said. THISDAY ˾FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 29 BUSINESSWORLD MARITIME ANALYSIS The POF Controversy Eromosele Abiodun writes that the revelation that the Nigerian Shippers Council may not be in support of the collection of POF by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding means that the controversial initiative may not succeed fter months of planed take off of People will resist you because those people the collection of the controversial who are the beneficiaries would definitely resist Practitioners Operating Fee (POF) you”, he said explaining why some people are by the Council for the Regulation opposed to it. of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria A(CRFFN), the controversy that trailed the initiative CUSTOMS AGENTS REJECT POF has refused to subside. When the Council for However, a large army of freight forwarders the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria plying their trade at the Lagos ports rose against introduced POF early last year, customs agents the payment of Practitioners Operating Fees. across the country vehemently opposed it, decrying The leadership of National Association of the high cost of doing business at the nation’s Government Approved Freight Forwarders seaports. As if the clearing agent’s opposition is (NAGAFF), Association of Nigerian Licensed not enough, it has emerged that the port economic Customs Agents (ANLCA) Association of Registered regulator, the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) Freight Forwarders, Nigeria, (AREFFN), had all is not totally in support that the Practitioners warned their members of the implications of Operating Fee be tied to cargoes leaving Nigerian resisting the collection of the fees. ports. Public Relations Officers, Association of Nigerian Even though the Council supports POF collection Licensed Customs Agents, PTML Chapter, Suleiman as a concept, it however argued that it should be Ayokunle, expressed disappointment at CRFFN, collected as fees from practicing freight forwarders, saying that the Council has not done enough to and not collected on every cargo leaving the port. address operational challenges faced by agents at The port economic regulator argued that the the port but is more interested in the collection cargoes belong to the “Shippers” and not the freight of POF. forwarders as being erroneously implemented “We have series of problems at the ports, by CRFFN. which should be a priority for whoever that Speaking to newsmen at the weekend, a senior thinks well for the country. POF as good as director at Nigerian Shippers Council who do it is being projected, can then come after the not want his name in print said it was wrong for infrastructures have been put in place because CRFFN to issue directives to terminal operators every delay in cargo operation has multiplier not to exited from Nigerian ports without payment effect. The shipping company release that POF is of POF. directly attached to simple means that if POF is He stated that, “I hope this directive is not not paid, you cannot get your cargo release from coming from CRFFN, that cargo should not be shipping companies, and by implication, if there exited without the payment of POF. The cargoes is a five minute delay, it can create a one week belong to Shippers and not freight forwarders. congestion. So we believe that the machinery to In as much as we support the payment of POF, said with the approval from the Finance The laws have been made by government, make things work should be put in place before the payment should not be tied to Cargo. It is Ministry and other government agencies and whoever decides that he or she won’t issue of POF,” he said. practitioners fee for freight forwarders.” at the ports, there will be no going back pay, then such a person will not take his or On his part, an executive member of Tin Can “This is akin to saying that a patient should on the collection of POF. her cargo out of the ports. Chapter of ANLCA, Emmanuel Onyema, said not be discharged from a hospital because the With the new initiative, he said the council “We have written to all the Accredited CRFFN has not made any positive impact to Doctor that treated the patient failed to remit would now be fully equipped to regulate associations. We are done with sensitisation. regulate the freight forwarding practice. membership dues to Medical Association of freight forwarding in the country, adding that We will be publishing the names of freight He added that the POF collection would only Nigeria. Please let us be guided. Cargo can’t be as a noble profession, freight forwarding is forwarders whose subscriptions are up to amount to additional cost of cargo clearance for delayed in port for that. But we encourage all not an all comers’ affair. date very soon on our website.” importers, which in turn, would be passed on Freight forwarders to pay their POF, ”he said. The CRFFN had following the conclusion He added, “As at today, we only have the consumers. The Shippers Council top chief was reacting to of the integration with the Nigerian Ports about 64 freight forwarders whose payments “Ever since the council members were reports of plans by CRFFN to begin collection of Authority (NPA) and the Nigeria Customs and subscriptions are up to date in line with inaugurated, we have not seen any value they the controversial POF by 1st August 2021. Service (NCS) in January this year announced the law regulating the freight forwarding have added to members. We don’t see them in In a notice to port users issued by Grimaldi plans to commence the collection of POF practice in Nigeria. These are the people the port. How can they come up with the issue Shipping, the terminal stated that payment of in all seaports in the country, a move that we can validly call freight forwarders as of money? We expected them to work because CRFFN dues is now a compulsory requirement was held back by fierce protest by freight at today. We will be updating that list as we are having challenges at the port. At the for releasing of cargoes. forwarders and COVID-19. more people pay their subscription to the moment, cost of clearing is high and they are The notice signed by management of the shipping Speaking during the media briefing CRFFN. coming up with POF. With the amount of money company, warned that Terminal Delivery Order Nwakohu revealed that any freight forwarder “On our register, we have 787 names of they want to collect per container that means (TDO) would no longer be signed except POF that refuses to comply with POF payment freight forwarders that are practicing at the cost of clearing will increase and the importer is payment is reflected. will not be allowed to carry his or her cargo ports and borders, but only 64 are practicing the one that will pay but at the end of the day, Under the POF regime, the CRFFN is targeting out of the ports. legitimately as at today.” whatever they spend will be passed to the final between N5 billion to N10 billion annually from According to him, “We are glad to inform He said that contrary to opinion in some consumer,” he said. the collection of the POF. you that following successful integration quarter, POF collection will reduce the cost Another freight forwarder, Emmanuel Njoku, Under the POF regime, importers would with terminal operators in the western of doing business at the Nigerian seaports. also expressed concern over the delay experienced pay N3.5 per tone of cargo imported into the ports, enforcement of POF collection has He said it is mischievous when people in assessing the portal created by CRFFN to make country, N1.5 per kilo for air cargo, N1, 000 on now commenced.” say that that POF collection would add to the POF payment, saying that agents are finding each imported 20-feet container and N2, 000 per This is just as he revealed that only 64 the cost of doing business. it difficult to register on the platform. This, he 40-feet container. freight forwarders out of a total registered He contended, “It will not add to the cost said, would lead to delay in cargo clearance at 787 freight forwarders are currently practicing of doing business rather it will reduce the the port. FG’S APPROVAL legitimately at the nation’s ports and borders cost of doing business in several ways. POF However, the former Chairman, Igbo Maritime The Minister of Finance, Budget and National points. is that service charge that a freight forwarder Forum, PTML Chapter, Mr. Francis Uchechukwu Planning, Zainab Ahmed had in a letter dated He added that the POF, which is derived charges his client. For example, if the service Aniezechukwu said POF is a government order January 6, 2020, and signed by the Director, Home from the provisions of section 6 of the CRFFN charge for 20ft container is N20, 000, we are which makes it a constitutional issue. Finance, Okokon Udo, gave the approval for the Act is a major source of the Council’s internally asking the freight forwarder to pay us N1, He explained that CRFFN was supposed to commencement of the collection of Practitioners generated revenue, first for the government 000 out of that money. From that N1, 000, we veer into capacity building for the betterment Operating Fee at the nation’s seaports by the and second to drive the necessary reforms will be able to train him; we will be able to and welfare of freight forwarders first before Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria. and develop the industry look into other issues. Nothing comes free, venturing into POF matter. The minister stated that freight forwarders must According to him, “Integration with terminal for us to equip you for tomorrow; we need According to him; “The contentious issue henceforth show receipt of payment of POF before operators in the Eastern ports is on-going and some funds to be able to help you. You can’t shouldn’t be whether the money be paid or not. they can exit their cargoes at the ports. we shall communicate to you accordingly go to any school at all without being able CRFFN hasn’t done enough. Let collect the POF To drive home the message, the CRFFN organized with respect to enforcement of same in the to pay for it. but the question is; what will it be used for?” a sensitization workshop in Lagos earlier this Eastern ports. “So, for me, I believe that it will bring On the way forward, Aniezechukwu maintained year. A the forum, the agents lamented that the “The user public is strongly advised to verify down the cost of doing business because that what CRFFN should do is for them to make implementation of the new directive by the Finance the authenticity of the freight forwarder they the man who is the beneficiary, at the end their presence known by the freight forwarders Minister will lead to congestion and increase the wish to engage on the CRFFN website. This of the day will be better equipped on how in the industry because there are so many things cost of doing business at the nation’s ports. is to ensure you are dealing with a registered to go about his business. It will no longer hampering freight operations. According to CRFFN, under the POF regime, freight forwarder. be an all comers affair.” The National Council of Managing Directors importers will pay N3.50 per every ton of cargo “We really want to appreciate the body He further stated that under the sharing of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), had imported into the country, N1.50 per kilo of every of shippers and freight forwarders who formula, a certain percentage would go to in 2019 called on the federal government to halt air cargo, N1, 000 on every imported 20-feet operate under very difficult conditions to the declarant who he said was that man the collection of POF by the dissolved governing container and 2,000 per 40-feet container. keep Nigeria moving. The CRFFN will do her who worked and paid the POF. board of the CRFFN through the Ministry of Meanwhile, after several failed attempts by best to provide the enabling environment for “We also need money to administer Transport. the CRFFN early last year announced that it has the freight forwarding industry, ”the CRFFN ourselves. We are regulatory agency. Let President of NCMDLCA, Lucky Amiwero, in commenced the collection of the controversial boss added. the truth be said, over the period, some a letter to President Muhammudu Buhari stated POF. The CRFFN it was gathered is expected to people have been collecting this money that CRFFN no longer exist. rake in as much as N10 billion annually from the CHALLENGES EXPECTED and putting it in their pockets. Naturally, According to Amiwero, “Federal High Court imposition of these fees on shippers. On challenges expected from operators as you don’t expect them to be happy. Let ruling on Suit No FHC/L/CS/5172 /2008 as At a press briefing to announce the regards the POF collection, Barrister Nwakohu me tell you something, if you have been referred by the Court of Appeal, was delivered commencement of the collection of the POF, the stated, “I did not wake up one morning and sitting on something for a long time and on the 24th of March 2015, which upheld that the agency warned that freight forwarders who fail decided that CRFFN should start collecting that thing is going to the pockets of a group tenure of the Council/Governing Board Expired to comply will not be allowed to exit the ports POF from operators. POF is nine years old, of people, when you want to do it legally, on the 25th of November 2012, that the Council wit their containers. meaning it has been in the Council’s long you don’t expect that everybody will say has vacated office, as there is no existing Council The Registrar/CEO of CRFFN, Samuel Nwakohu, before I became Registrar/CEO of the CRFFN. well done, that you have done well. No! and no Council to deliver judgment. 30 THISDAY ˾FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 BUSINESSWORLD BANKING ANALYSIS Zenith Bank: Proving Industry Mettle Zenith Bank Plc is reaffirming its bold industry leadership, writes Louis Achi

ith his appointment as the statement of account for the first quarter Group Managing Director/ of 2021, the Group’s profit before tax also CEO of Zenith Bank grew from N58.8 billion to N61 billion Plc., in June 1, 2019, Mr. in the same period. Ebenezer Onyeagwu has The profitability was driven by the Wclearly brought to his job astute strategic optimisation of the cost of funds and thinking, inspirational leadership, energetic improvement in non-interest income. and consummate entrepreneurial skills. Tracking back, the appointment of He has demonstrated that a powerful Onyeagwu as GMD/CEO is consistent vision indeed pulls in ideas, people with the bank’s tradition and succession and other resources, despite the tough strategy of grooming leaders from within. challenges. He is a vastly experienced banker and It creates the energy and will to make financial expert, trained in reputable change happen. It inspires individuals, institutions of learning in Nigeria, the diverse stakeholders, complementary and United States of organisations and institutions to commit, America. to persist and to give their best. A graduate of Accounting from Auchi It is then little wonder that this focused Polytechnic where he obtained the Ordinary energy is paying off as mirrored in National diploma in 1984 and Higher Zenith Bank Plc’s recent emergence as National Diploma in 1987, Onyeagwu the Best Bank in Nigeria in the Global qualified as a Chartered Accountant in Finance Magazine’s Best Banks Awards 1989 while he was still undergoing the 2021, retaining the award for a second compulsory National Youth Service Corp consecutive year. (NYSC) post -graduation and was named Zenith was among other banks from a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered 35 countries in Africa recognised as the Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) in 2003. prestigious US magazine, Global Finance He is an alumnus of the prestigious announced its 28th Annual Best Bank University of Oxford, England, from Awards Winners in Africa. where he obtained a Postgraduate Regarded as the industry standard for Diploma in Financial Strategy, and banking excellence, The Banker’s Bank certificate in Macroeconomics. He also of the Year awards is contested by the undertook extensive executive level world’s leading financial institutions, business education in Wharton Business with winners chosen across Africa, School of the University of Pennsylvania, Asia-Pacific, Central & Eastern Europe, Columbia Business School of Columbia Latin America, the Middle East, North University, the Harvard Business School America and Western Europe. of Harvard University (all in the United The editors of Global Finance made all States) and Lagos Business School of the selections after extensive consultations with Pan African University, Nigeria. corporate financial executives, bankers He has nearly 30 years’ experience in and banking consultants, and analysts the banking industry in Nigeria. He worldwide. Global Finance considered joined Zenith Bank Plc in 2002 as a Senior factors that ranged from the quantitative Manager, in the Internal Control and Audit objective to the informed subjective in Group of the bank. His professionalism, selecting these top banks. competence, integrity and commitment The objective criteria considered to the set objectives of the bank saw included: growth in assets, profitability, him rise swiftly between 2003 and 2005, geographic reach, strategic relationships, first, as Assistant General Manager, new business development and innovation then Deputy General Manager, and in products. Subjective criteria included eventually as General Manager of the the opinions of equity analysts, credit Onyeagwu bank. In these capacities, he handled rating analysts, banking consultants and strategies for new business and branch others involved in the industry. their continued support and loyalty. 2020 and Best Corporate Governance’ Zenith Bank Plc has remained a Financial Services’ Africa 2020 by the development, management of risk assets Global Finance’s “Best Banks Awards” portfolios, treasury functions, strategic are recognised amongst the world’s most clear leader in the Nigerian financial Ethical Boardroom. services industry, distinguishing itself Also, the bank emerged as the Most top level corporate, multinationals and influential banking/finance and corporate public institutional relationships, among professionals as the most coveted and through unique customer experience Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria, and sound financial indices. for the fourth consecutive year, in the others. credible awards in the banking industry, As Deputy Managing Director, he with winners chosen in 150 countries The bank is also the pioneer in the Banker Magazine “Top 500 Banking digital space with several firsts in Brands 2021” and Number One Bank oversighted the bank’s Financial Control and territories across Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Strategic Planning, Risk Management, the Caribbean, Central America, Central deploying innovative products and in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital in the solutions that ensure convenience, “2020 Top 1000 World Banks” Ranking Retail Banking, Institutional and Corporate & Eastern Europe, Latin America, the banking business portfolios, IT Group, Middle East, North America and Western speed and safety of transactions. published by The Banker Magazine. It is worth recalling that when Zenith Similarly, the bank was recognised Credit Administration, Treasury and Europe. Foreign Exchange Trading, as well as In the words of Joseph D. Giarraputo, Bank Plc. clinched The Banker’s Bank as Bank of the Decade (People’s of the Year Awards 2020, it significantly Choice) at the THISDAY Awards general administration of the bank, publisher and editorial director of Global among others. Finance, “this year’s evaluations are came on the heels of its awards as 2020, Retail Bank of the year at the the Most Valuable Banking Brand in 2020 BusinessDay Banks and Other He was named Executive Director of more important and valuable than at the bank in 2013, and put in charge of any point in their 28-year history, given Nigeria and the Number One Bank in Financial Institutions (BOFI) Awards, Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital the banker and Best Company in Promotion of Lagos and South-South Zones as well the unprecedented economic conditions as strategic groups/business units of wrought by the global pandemic. Banks are won earlier in the year. Good Health and Well-Being as well as As a testament to its resilience and Best Company in Promotion of Gender the bank including Financial Control playing a key role in economic recovery & Strategic Planning, Treasury and around the world, and as such, our Best market leadership, Zenith Bank recently Equality and Women Empowerment announced an impressive result for at the Sustainability, Enterprise and Correspondent Groups, Human Resources Bank awards highlight the leaders in Group, Oil and Gas Group, and Credit restoring growth and mapping a way the year ended December 31, 2020, Responsibility (SERAS) Awards 2020. with gross earnings rising by 5% to In a clear demonstration of its Risk Management Group, etc. He was forward.” named Deputy Managing Director of the Commenting on the recognition, the N696.5 billion and profit before tax resilience, the bank’s recently (PBT) growing 5% to N255.9 billion. announced unaudited results for bank in 2016. elated bank’s GMD/CEO, Onyeagwu said: He has been on the board of Zenith “This award is a strong indication of Consistent with this superlative the first quarter ended 31st March performance and in recognition 2021, showed that its profit after tax Bank Ghana, Zenith Pensions Custodian our resilience despite a very excruciating Limited, Zenith Nominees Limited and macroeconomic environment exacerbated of its track record of exceptional (PAT) rose to N53.1 billion, from N50.5 performance, Zenith Bank was voted billion recorded in March 2020. African Finance Corporation (AFC) within by the COVID 19 pandemic”. the last six years. In AFC, he serves on He added that the award was made as Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The This was despite a very challenging Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020, macroeconomic environment the Board Risk & Investment Committee possible by the joint contributions of (BRIC) and Board Audit & Compliance the bank’s key stakeholders - the Group Best Bank in Nigeria in the Global aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Finance World’s Best Banks Awards According to the bank’s unaudited Committee (BAAC). At Zenith Bank Chairman, Jim Ovia, for his pioneering Ghana, he chairs the Board Credit and and foundational role in building the Governance Committees. structures and laying the foundation for an As Zenith Bank adroitly firms up its enduring and very successful institution, “This award is a strong indication of our grip on the banking industry’s leadership, the Board for the deep insights and resilience despite a very excruciating against the backdrop of the unprecedented outstanding leadership they provide, the economic conditions wrought by the global staff for their commitment, doggedness, macroeconomic environment pandemic, spearheading economic recovery creativity and very outstanding talents as and watched carefully by its rivals, the well as the Bank’s teeming customers for exacerbated by the COVID 19 pandemic” sky can hardly be her limit. THISDAY ˾FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 31 BUSINESSWORLD PERSPECTIVE Enhanced Financing for Nigerian Small Businesses Chukwuemeka Uwanaka can therefore partner with the CAC to have some level of presence at commercial banks, physical n the last few years, the 27th of June, has or virtual, were business registration services been a day for reflection by governments, can be provided for MSMEs at an affordable stakeholders, policymakers and all those rate. With this in place, small businesses who concerned with small businesses, due to have met loan requirements but lack formal the vital role they play in every economy. registration, should no more have their credit Undisputedly,I Micro, Small and Medium-sized applications declined. Enterprises (MSMEs) play important roles in the A similar approach can be adopted by the global economy. According to the International banks and the three licensed credit bureaus, Trade Centre (ITC) the joint agency of the United which are CRC Credit Bureau Ltd, CR Services Nations and World Trade Organization dedicated Credit Bureau Plc, and XDS Credit Bureau Ltd. to supporting the internationalization of small MSMEs that have not been registered with any businesses, MSMEs account for more than 90 of the bureaux, and therefore have no credit percent of all businesses and around 70 percent history to support their loan applications, can of jobs worldwide. be registered at the credit bureau desks situated This category of businesses also stimulates in commercial banks. This in turn increases their economic growth and provide employment chances of accessing finance. for large sections of society including women, In the rural and semi-urban areas where many young entrepreneurs, and poor communities. MSMEs in Nigeria operate, it is easier to find In recognition of the importance of MSMEs a commercial bank than an auditing firm. This in encouraging innovation, creativity and decent gap can be filled if the banks can partner with work for all, as well as achieving the goals of affordable auditing firms, who can audit the the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, financial records of small businesses after contacts the United Nations General Assembly, in 2017, have been initiated through the banks. The audit declared June 27 to be MSMEs Day by adopting firms can also provide some corporate governance resolution 71/279. advisory to MSMEs. Small business operators The vulnerabilities that small businesses face, with good business ideas, but poorly written especially in accessing international market and presented formal business plans, can benefit opportunities, alongside trade procedures when from a similar business support package. The compared to bigger businesses, are quite known. many Nigerian graduates of business faculties In recognition of their importance, the Sustainable can be mentored and engaged by the commercial Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda banks to render these paid but affordable services, contain a global call for action, towards improving leading to job creation. the access to finance, value chains and markets for As many commercial banks now have insurance MSMEs. The MSMEs Day is therefore dedicated of financial support to MSMEs. in acknowledgement of the important affiliates or partners, the extension of such services to raising awareness of the importance inherent The MSME Clinics is another of such contributions of MSMEs to the economy, to MSMEs at affordable rates, should address in supporting the development of MSMEs in efforts for MSMEs in Nigeria. Launched and the existing huge financing gap they the challenges they may have for small business developing countries, and also a celebration of by Acting President Osinbajo on January are faced with. The 90 percent commercial insurance, and lead to increased lending in the the gigantic contributions they make to the vitality 24, 2017 in Abuja, it is an initiative of the component is given to Participating Financial process. of the global economy. Office of the Vice President, in partnership Institutions (PFIs) at 2 percent interest rate As banks are businesses with shareholders, it Given the rippling socioeconomic effects of with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade for on-lending to MSMEs at a maximum is worth reiterating that these services are to be Covid-19, the theme is for this year’s MSME and Investment and 11 Federal Agencies, interest rate of 9 percent per annum. 10 percent provided at a fee, albeit affordable. The numbers Day is titled “MSME 2021: key to an inclusive to create a platform for Micro, Small and of the fund is devoted to developmental and scale available- over 41 million- mean that and sustainable recovery.” Medium Enterprises to interact with Federal objectives such a grants, capacity building such collaborative efforts not only address the In Nigeria, there are officially 41.5 million Agencies, and obtain practical and on-the-spot and administrative costs. Cottage industries, challenge of financing for 96 percent MSMEs MSMEs, comprising of at least 41.4 million solutions to their business challenges. The agricultural value chain, services, artisans, trade in Nigeria without access to credit, but also micro enterprises; and 73,081 small and medium initiative has access to finance as one of its and commerce and any income generating simultaneously increase the bottom line of the enterprises. Together, they contribute about 50 key objectives. And not to be forgotten is business as may be prescribed by the CBN banks. This approach understandably requires percent of GDP, are responsible for 59.6 million the Bank of Industry (BOI), Nigeria’s oldest from time to time, are the eligible enterprises some modification in approach, from banks and jobs, which represent 86.3 percent of national development financing institution which traces for the fund. credit officials, perfunctorily looking to just ‘tick workforce. They also contribute 7.64 percent of its history to 1964, and has the Ministry of Another effort of the federal government the boxes’ when loan applications are made by export receipts. Finance Incorporated (MOFI) Nigeria (94.79 to increase access to medium to long term MSMEs, to looking at ways in which they can The Nigerian government has overtime been percent), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) financing for MSMEs, was the establishment of support such challenges, through partnerships. This aware of their importance, hence the establishment (5.21 percent) and private shareholders (0.01 the Development Bank of Nigeria Plc. (DBN) modification in approach can also be promoted of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development percent) as owners. The BOI Microfinance in September 2014. DBN was established within the framework of sustainable corporate Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) in 2003, as the Bank Nigeria is a subsidiary of Bank of in partnership with several international social responsibility. This may also require the primary agency of government for the promotion Industry Nigeria that offers a broad range finance institutions such as the World Bank, recruitment of credit officials with entrepreneurial of MSMEs in the country. To underscore its of financial services to MSMEs and various African Development Bank (AfDB), KfW backgrounds, by commercial banks. That way, importance, the agency was once under The low-income earners. Development Bank (Germany), Agence they are more understanding of the challenges Presidency of Nigeria, as against being under The Credit Reporting Act, enacted on the Française de Développement (AfD) and MSME face, especially micro enterprises, and can a Federal Ministry. 30th day of May 2017, is another of such the European Investment Bank (EIB). therefore make more informed credit decisions. The challenges that MSMEs in Nigeria have government efforts. The Act provides a As commendable as these government Credit officials with finance only backgrounds, to contend with, are not different from those statutory framework for the licensing and efforts and intentions for increasing MSME are more likely to quickly reject MSME loan faced internationally; including access to finance, regulation of the operations of credit bureaux access to finance are, 96 percent of Nigerian applications. value chains and markets. A PWC report in 2020 in Nigeria. The law provides legal teeth to the MSMEs still do not have access to credit And there is a role for government in these, as identified obtaining finance, finding customers activities of the Credit Bureaux, which were in 2021. setting lending targets for banks towards certain and infrastructure deficits are the most pressing previously regulated by the “Guidelines for While these government and development sectors does not really work. The absence of titled problems of MSMEs in Nigeria. the Licensing, Operations and Regulation of finance driven efforts are commendable, the documents and proper street identification in Small businesses are the most viable options Credit Bureaux and Credit Bureaux Related fact remains that for a business, commercial rural areas and unplanned urban areas where for addressing some of Nigeria’s most pressing Transactions in Nigeria 2013”. Designed to banks remain the most feasible and preferred many MSMEs operators either reside or do social and economic problems, hence the need promote a credit reporting system, and the source of finance due to various factors such business, makes registration verification more to continuously address the challenges they facilitation of the sharing of credit information, as spread, efficiency of service among others. challenging. While increased town planning and face. With unemployment at 33.3percent and this legislation is expected to address the That the bigger and more thriving businesses government legislation are required, some of the youth unemployment at 42.5 percent, the need challenges that organisations face with which MSMEs aim to become get most of more immediate measures that can be adopted to to address their challenges, and in the process, providing credit history and credit information, their financing from private commercial address these challenges include allowing structured create jobs that reduce the unemployment level in support of loan applications. banks, validates the need for increased notification by local government authorities, in Nigeria, cannot be overemphasized. Nigeria’s The Secured Transactions in Movable access to commercial bank financing, for Traditional rulers or Community Leaders, to GDP declined by 23 percent and household income Assets Act, 2017 that gave legal backing to the small businesses. serve as some form of legal documentation fell by 25 percent, due to Covid-19. In 2021, the National Collateral Registry (NCR) platform, A number of studies have identified meeting for residences of such areas. Google Mapping Credit Bureau Association of Nigeria estimates is also worthy of mention. A 2015 initiative the requirements of the credit policy, as the and other relevant technology can be used to that only 4 percent of Nigerian MSMEs have of the CBN and the International Finance major challenge that MSMEs in Nigeria complement this process, that can unlock capital access to credit. Corporation, NCR registration allows MSMEs face, in accessing finance at commercial for MSMEs in Nigeria. With the understanding of what their primary to convert and register their movable assets banks. In particular, the challenges include For advocacy, SMEDAN can partner with the challenges are, the question then arises- what into collaterals for credit, and still retain control no official registration with the Corporate CBN in getting the Bankers Committee, which other approaches can be feasibly adopted to and use of such assets, thereby increasing Affairs Commission (CAC); lack of credit is the exclusive forum for the chief executives of increase access to finance for MSMEs in Nigeria? their access to finance. So far, lending banks history due to non-registration with any of Nigerian banks and the directors of the different Before attempting answers, there is need for have availed credit amounting to 1.80 trillion, the three licensed Credit Bureaus; absence departments of the CBN, with CBN governor as some overview of previous approaches, so that US$1.36 billion and €10.92 million, to 273,435 of audited financial reports; faulty business chairman, to adopt these propositions. Given the what may be proposed are not simply a repeat borrowers, comprising: 262,904 individuals; plans; and no insurance coverage. limitations already identified with development of previous efforts. 1,421 large, 4,260 medium, 1,433 micro and Are there approaches that commercial financing, the drive by SMEDAN to establish an In Nigeria, Microfinance Banks (MFBs) are 3,417 small businesses under the NCR. Though banks can adopt to increase small business MFB for increased MSME lending, may not be tasked with the provision of financial services commendable, the numbers are a far cry lending, without unnecessarily expanding the most efficient approach. As the Development to micro enterprises, among others. The 900 from the over 39 million MSMEs that lack risk? Yes, there are. Bank of Nigeria is already in place to do the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) licensed MFBs access to credit. Despite the digital presence of the CAC, same thing, SMEDAN could push for a larger tasked with providing financial services such as Another of the more recent efforts by commercial banks still have more presence, role in the activities of the bank. deposits, loans, money transfers and insurance government to increase access to finance and can be better reached by MSMEs in to the poor and low-income household and for small businesses in Nigeria, is the CBN Nigeria. This is also because not all Nigerians their micro enterprises at affordable cost, have MSME Development Fund of 2013. Launched have access to internet, as internet penetration NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the largely been unable to provide the required level on August 15, 2013 with a share capital of stands at 46.6 percent, with over 50 percent of online edition on www.thisdaylive.com N220 billion, the Fund was established Nigerians not having internet access. The banks 32 THISDAY ˾FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 BUSINESSWORLD AVIATION INTERVIEW Sanusi: Special Economic Zones Key to FDI Senior Executive of up coming NG Eagle Airline, Captain Ado Sanusi, in this interview with Chinedu Eze said the recent designation of major airports, as special economic zones will be an incentive to foreign direct investment. Excerpts

Recently the federal government their prices, airlines had already sold tickets designated the major airports in Lagos, at the old fares and now buy fuel at the Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt as increased cost to airlift passengers to their special economic zones. What do you destinations. So the airlines continuous lose think will be the benefits for aviation money. If the marketers notify the airlines in and the country? advance they will adjust their fares, know ow, this is a very, very that they passengers that would be airlifted good gesture from the at certain period in future the cost of aviation federal government. It is fuel will be this or that amount. again a testimony that this I believe that with time Nigerian airlines administration is actually trying will embrace fuel hedging. And I don’t Nto reposition aviation industry to its rightful think also that airlines will make profits place in the growth of the economy of the from sales of tickets. We don’t just increase country. But let us understand first what airfares. We must get approval before we do a special economic zone means. so. Our only hope is that when Dangote’s A special economic zone is an area in a refinery comes on stream it will cushion country that is subject to different economic the effect of the high cost of aviation fuel regulation that other regions within that on airlines. We also hope that government same country don’t enjoy. So, the special will do something on the problem of dollar economic regulation tends to be conducive by helping the airlines access it as lower to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), exchange rate. Hopefully, government will and also attracts local investment. So it also look into that soon. promotes foreign direct investment and also local investment because the laws and the What is your view about the regulations governing that particular zone improvements of facilities at the Enugu are different from what we get. So what airport? are the things that typically that you get I believe that one of the greatest achievements from that? Usually there are tax incentives, of this administration is the improvement of lower tariffs. facilities at the Akanu Ibiam International This means that there are many benefits Airport, Enugu. The most important is the that you can get, which include custom resurfacing of the runway. It is one of the most duty waivers and all that stuff. So they challenging airports in the country because it are very good things about this economic Sanusi had undulating runway so airlines didn’t like special zones. And usually what does it do? coming to the airport. Airlines were afraid It promotes economic growth, it facilitates of FOD (Foreign Object Damage) on their job creation, it increases production in this “I believe that one of the strong and we celebrate them. We aircraft so they wouldn’t like to operate to the country and increases technology transfer. should grow them in our country. We airport more than once a day. This singular So for us these airports, like Lagos, Port greatest achievements should give them the opportunity to act of resurfacing the runway has done so Harcourt, Kano and Abuja designated be quite innovative and start creating much. I remember when I was flying we as special economic zones is a welcome of this administration awareness, right from the secondary used to go to Enugu but with scepticism development. is the improvement of school so that our young children because for the rough runway. But with We just pray that it would be managed coming up can have the opportunity the upgrade more airlines now fly to the well. You know when you say you have facilities at the Akanu to actualize their dreams. It will enable airport and this has galvanized the economy declared Kano or these four airports as us to have young scientists coming up of the state and more people now travel to special economic zones and we leave it like Ibiam International with a lot of innovative ideas about the city. One of the greatest achievements that without following it up and making Airport, Enugu. The space technology. I am really excited of this administration is what it has done sure they perform to the standard of that about the Aerospace University. And in the aviation industry. I think the Buhari economy zones the purpose for setting them most important is again, my prayer is that it should be administration has achieved more than past will be defeated. Then it is going to be implemented to its fullest. administrations in the sector. Enugu airport another white elephant project. But I believe the resurfacing of the is a good example of its achievements in we should have a very strong governance A lot of airlines are coming up the industry. structure, a very strong performance review runway.” and there is this fear that there may structure for these airports when they have become overcapacity that will give With the establishment of more rail been designated as special economic zones its establishment? rise to desperate competition and lines in Nigeria, many believe that it so that they would enjoy all the benefits Again, this is another testimony unprofitable fares. Do you share the will reduce passenger traffic for air that come to it and there would be some of what this federal government has same view? transport. Do you agree to that? investment if the federal government would contributed to the aviation industry. The Well, first of all, you know, we will I don’t think so. Aviation will always be going to invest in these airports. So we Aerospace University will contribute a have to look at the total number of be part of the economy. Each has its own should be reviewing the performance to lot to the development of aviation in aircraft flying in the Nigerian airspace market. I was on a train to Ibadan recently make sure that we recoup the investment. So Nigeria. It is a step in the right direction. and the total number of passengers and I was impressed by what the federal that taxpayers’ money will not go to waste. If you look at the global trend now, that are flying. And if you look at government has done. I commend the And usually, these special economic zones people are longing to go into space. those statistics and those data, you Nigerian railway for what they are doing. that you see, the airlines enjoy from it, the The billionaires are rushing to space. understand that we probably will be They system, the coaches and their service entire economy enjoy from it because there And space is a place where the next bringing averagely between 20 to 30 elevated the rail transport that it looked as will be a lot of development, companies frontier for human beings will evolve. aircraft flying in the country with a if we were in a flight. That is something that come around the airport, to ensure that This is to make Nigeria to be part capacity of about a 120 to 140-passenger to be proud of. But rail transport will not they benefit, especially in the agro allied of the global trend for us to achieve capacity per aircraft, that will be good affect aviation. or agro-industry. the desired goal for our future. If you for the market or the market will become The railway system in Europe is advanced In Nigeria we are blessed with a lot of look at the aerospace technology, it cuts saturated. Now, I don’t think the number but people still travel by air. We are not even agricultural produce, unfortunately we do across all facets of our lives. You look of airlines coming up will saturate the talking about China with those their high not take it all the way to the finish product. at banking, it uses satellite; you look at market. I do not think so. I think what speed trains but people still fly. So even if So for us to participate in the global value even driving, it uses global positioning will happen is that we will grow the the rail system is modernized in Nigeria, chain for the agro industry, I think it is a system. You look at medicine, it uses aviation industry, to make sure that the aviation will still thrive. Their customers are good idea to have the special economic a lot of technology and Internet and strongest and best airlines will survive different. In the next two to three years we zones, so that our agric produce can be all these things have space technology. and will tend to absorb the weaker ones are going to have three major airlines. Even processed to a certain level before exports So aerospace is not only for aviation. It at the end of the day. Because the era with rail lines connecting the country air where they will have it finished to be to is also going to improve the life of a lot of you opening an airline, manage two transport will still be growing and domestic be given to the consumers. Because I think of people, including the common man. or three aircraft for two years is over. passengers will record appreciable increase. we don’t have the technology to do that all It will improve the life of the farmer in You cannot sustain it. This is because there is the growth of the the way to get to the consumer. So we can the village because there will be accurate middle class who have disposable income now participate in the global value chain. environmental condition forecast for him Will the airlines reflect the increase and who can afford to travel by air. There So, these special economic zones is a very, to understand what kind of plants or in the cost of aviation fuel by having is also tourism, which will spur air travel. very good thing to have and I pray that the what kind of crops he is to grow the profitable airfares? There are a lot of places in Nigeria where we federal government will see through to it, next harvest season. So this Aerospace The airlines cannot reflect the actual have tourism destinations. As more people to make sure that it is implemented to the University is a very, very good thing increase of the prices of aviation fuel on visit these places they do most of the travel fullest and also monitor the performance. to have in the country. And Nigeria is the airfares in a profitable sense because by air. So despite insecurity, which I know full of young talented individuals that if they do the fares might be too high. is temporary, more people will travel and What do you think would be the are innovative. Airlines continue to lose money because many more will travel by air, which is safer contribution in manpower development We should not be sending them to of sudden increase in aviation fuel costs. and faster. Rail transport is safe but air of the planned Aerospace University that the United States as they finish and They do not announce it to the airline transport is the safest globally and it is the federal government has kick-started they go to NASA and they become in advance. By the time they increase also the fastest way to travel. NEWS METRO WEEKLY MAGAZINE THISLIFE THIS ART WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi [email protected] WEEKEND 07010510430

Jim Iyke: Nollywood ‘Bad Boy’ Returns 34 THISDAY ˾ ʹ˜2021 COVER Jim Iyke: Nollywood ‘Bad Boy’ Returns Nollywood first-rated actor, Jim Iyke was away from the movie scene for a while but returned suddenly with his debut film, “Bad Comments”, as the executive producer, which he said is deliberately out to make a statement. He spoke with Mary Nnah during a private screening of the film in Lagos on why he was away from the limelight for a while and the inspiration behind his new movie which is to address the menace of online trolls and the consequences

You were away from the limelight for a famous and handling fame. We did a little bit while and then suddenly you came up with too much that earned us the bad reputation, ‘Bad Comments’. Tell us what happened? one, I can say that for myself, that I could not just felt at some point in my life that conduct myself in the best decorum in those as you get older, different opinions and days, but as you get older you understand stands in life take place. I felt at some yourself, your pattern and the people around point in my life that I needed to take a you, the responsibility they entrusted to you, back stage. it’s no small gift to influence people, so you IYou find out that you have lived a certain owe the world a certain responsibility whether life in the pursuit of not only happiness but we like it or not. We refused that responsibility in pursuit of a lifelong career that you would along the way but once you embrace it and not sacrifice for anything, basically. you understand there’s no need to exist in that Of course there was also the narrative of world, and that you come into the world, to do the reality TV Show I was shooting then that what you have to do and go back; it becomes obviously delved into my personal life on a easier. That is basically what I do these days. day to day basis. I had my son at that time, It’s about my businesses, about my family, about and I felt it was grossly unfair to him to expose my mental health at the end of the day, and him to that lifestyle. I also understood that the every time that I have to come here and do demands of the job will not allow me to be what I have to do, I do. I have given about a the kind of father I have always dreamt to be, decade and half of my life. I have been doing so I took two years off the Nollywood scene. this since I was barely 20, so I have earned I have never sacrificed for anything in my the right to come and go as I please. Every life; I just woke up one day and realised that I time I feel that I have a contribution, I have got into this job when I was barely out of my something to say, my voice, I believe, in my teens but one thing that has always been my earnest awareness, is permanent in the sands mantra is leadership. I have been groomed to be of time of this establishment. I come here to a leader; I train myself to be a leader. I attended say what I want to say and go back to the all the leadership conferences I possibly could world that keeps me grounded, that’s how I but I have never really trained myself on how live my life right now. to be a follower. I was totally deficient of what it means to follow or sacrifice for anything. My From the looks of things, “Bad Comments” son taught me how to follow; my kids taught appears like an avenue through which you me how to be attentive to their lives and it’s want to lauder your image because your a full time job. I think you can’t sacrifice a role here is totally different from what better part of all your life without being able people know you for. Or what exactly is to afford two years for the first start to lay the the inspiration behind your involvement foundation for your kids. That’s what I wanted in this? to do. It was one of my visions in life and I felt The inspiration for this is simple. I wanted that I had the resources and the mind space to make a statement. I wanted something that to do it and I did it for my kids. It is really everyone can relate to. That’s the truest and that simple. There was no complicated reason honest answer. In order to make a statement, I for my absence. wanted some things that everybody can relate with. You have always been seen as a tough The common denominator between the old and arrogant character in movies but in Bad and the young is the internet space and so we Comments, you are portrayed differently. wanted to create a story that revolves around Who is Jim Iyke? that lifestyle and that space. I just wanted We are evolving beings. That is what we something that we can all look at from every called revolution in every sense of the word. spectrum and identify with. For me, the person I was two hours ago is Again, I wanted to do this because I came not the same person I am standing with you to a certain point in my life when I begin to right now. My elevation is to constantly seek question where I was heading to in the next knowledge and embrace truth. phase - I didn’t understand where I was heading… I have been totally unbiased about how and no matter how gifted and how good you knowledge comes to me. Many times, I’m are at something, at some point you begin to sitting in a car with my driver - my driver is question if this is the singular purpose you’ve slightly a decade older than me and this man been birthed for. You begin to question if this gives me more advice than some of my business is for you. And I asked myself that question. partners because this is somebody that sees me Is it the space – this art form that I would be when I wake up, he sees me when I leave. He identified with? Is this the legacy I will leave has come to understand my temperament, how on the sands of time for the rest of my life? Is things work, and he is a deeply knowledgeable this what my children will remember me for? person. When he says, you didn’t handle that And truly at that time, the answers were all one well Oga, I take it cool. Sometimes I ignore in the negative. So, I dusted what I went to him, but I find in him far more solid advice school for; I brushed up my contacts and I asked than associates that have ulterior motives telling myself again: As much as you love this, has me what they tell me. this met all the financial needs, dependencies Sometimes I throw tantrums at my house and height that you hope to get to? Again, the keeper, he comes back to me and explains Jim answer was in the negative. So I decided to certain things to me … this is somebody take a bold step, I decided to move forward that deals with my inner caucus, deals with the and I left the industry behind and went into environment that I live in, understands what it offers perspective and I think that’s how Yes, I have had my share of horrible mainstream business. We tried, we failed but is being said about me. So you have to take life should be. press. You cannot make a difference in we succeeded more than we failed and to God advice from different spheres of your life. I think anything in life if you are not open to be the glory, a lot happened that stood us really that is one potent lesson my father taught me. I You have had bad press in the past, criticism. First, don’t forget we are not well in life. have seen my dad listen to business associates how does this make you feel? schooled along what we expect in being So, one day I was coming out of a meeting and to people that worked for us and he never with my sister, who happens to be the managing devalued anybody’s opinion. I think perhaps that director of one of my establishments and she is one of the biggest and most potent weapons said, “Is this it for you?” And said, what do that I have in my life - I’m not discriminative you mean by this is it for me? And she said, of where good advice comes from. Trolling is a horrible experience, some “Acting is done? And I said yes, acting is done. And she said, “Lair!” I knew what she meant You are a man that is highly misunderstood people have lost their lives in this regard. when she said “Liar.” as an actor. How do you feel about that? You see, acting is my first love, my first In misunderstanding me, it also gives me So, I think it is one of those subjects that child, my first million, my first failure, my credence to certain mysteries that I have enjoyed first heartbreak but at the end of the day this over the years. I like being misunderstood. has not been discussed or dealt with was practically the easiest thing that came to I just don’t like being disrespected. Being me. The easiest gift God has given me and I misunderstood is fine, that means we can have enough. People can wake up, because knew that I wanted to do something about it. a conversation. We can change perspective at No matter the kind of cheers and financial any time. Being disrespected is a whole different of their insecurity and their failures in liberty that you enjoy, as you get older, you ball game and I think that’s fine, people are would find out that you are extremely good afraid of being misunderstood, I’m not. I like life, project so much cruelty and hate for at other things as well - something will come it, it drives conversation, it drives narratives, apparently no reason very easy to you and you would be glorified THISDAY ˾ ʹ˜2021 35 COVER

for something. So, this was it. And I decided that I was going to make a statement. “Bad Comment”, is that statement. “Bad Comment”, is simply the best work I have done in my entire career. Bad Comments, depicts the story of a typical everyday life on social media where people come under the pretence of fans to troll celebrities and public figures with negative vibes and bad comments. This is an approach to a narration that it is seemingly every one of us that has passed through. In other words, no one present here has not found themselves in this space either as a troll or a victim. I felt I should tell a story that cuts across every divide and that will affect and touch everybody irrespective of where you stand. Yes, personally of course I have been affected. Nobody tells a story that is not similar or familiar to them. I told a story from my point of view. It’s really uncanny how this started. We were sharing a common experience as individuals while shooting the movie “Merry Men 2” at Hilton, Abuja and we were going back to our rooms and we were sharing something on social media where someone said something really bad about his kid and I thought what kind of person is this that will say something this annoying about a child. That means he was in a horrible state. That was my opinion. I have always thought that there were certain trolls that we all have suffered and believe me, trolling is a horrible experience, some people have lost their lives in this regard. So, I think it is one of those subjects that has not been discussed or dealt with enough. People can wake up, because of their insecurity and their failures in life, project so much cruelty and hate for apparently no reason. And people have taken their lives while other have attempted suicide of all sorts in different nation, as a matter of fact, it is on the rise and yet people think this level of mental illness is something that shouldn’t be discussed. I do not think so. We’ve all dealt with it to various degrees and different divides. So, “Bad Comments”, was what it was about. I wanted the members of the press to have a first look point of view. I am not afraid of criticism as you know. I am not afraid of failure because in failure lies success. What I did was to create the best possible film that I can. It is so good that a certain compatriot of mine chose to take it to Times Square in New York, where it ran for two weeks at the billboard. So, it is beginning to grow in leaps and bounds as we go but it was really important to me. I bring it home first of all for my people to see and appreciate it for what it is. It is a movie that everyone can relate to, even my 6-year old son and my 98-year old grandmother can relate to it. The internet space is a common ground for all of us. So, I needed to create a movie about that space, about that narrative and about that relative experience that all of us can take away. Everyone out there is represented in “Bad Comments”. There is nobody sitting in this room that has not found themselves in this space either as a Jim troll or as a victim. So I felt I should tell a story that cuts across every divide and spectrum that will touch and affect everybody irrespective of One thing I have learnt about life is, You are fond of wearing sunshades. where you stand. Is it a fashion statement? the more you mind your business the Well, I’m a little shy. I think most actors What informed the choice of cast? are. Most creatives are. Once you are removed Basically, we needed to narrow down our more peace you have. And seriously, it is from the space, it’s like fish out of the water. options for the budget, and I had to draw the really not rocket science. Immediately I So, my shades have become far more a coping crew from many parts of the world to make this mechanism than a fashion statement. happen. Being away from the space for a while, became deaf, dumb and mute to whatever I found out that there have been certain grooves You are good looking and you are a in certain sectors that I was very unfamiliar happens around me and focused on my man most women would want to have. with. I brought in four producers to work on family, my friends, my immediate support Tell us, who is the lucky woman? this project for me and they found me who You are delving into a very personal is “Hot Stuff” right now and I said okay. system and most of all myself, my life ground which is okay. Like I said, I don’t Everybody auditioned, I saw it and when we became far less complicated celebrate my personal life. My partner is set forth our vision we decided that the way to also a very quiet, conservative but highly go was to place the square pegs on the round intelligent person. holes. I never did anything that was typical When is Bad Comments hitting the myself, my life became far less complicated. She totally does not have any say in the of any actor that I brought on board. I would market? I’m not trying to knock the guys that like limelight because at some point I understood ask them traditional questions like what have It will go live worldwide on August 27, cliques, that is like the entourage, that like the implicity – I understood that it is simple they done? They showed me the backdrop of 2021. to move in a certain way, I mean, to each, arithmetic. You are out there, the focus is on you; what they have done and I would say switch his own but I’m trying to tell you that if find somebody that there is no focus on but meets it. If you see the movie you would find out What lessons has life taught you as your being different, is what your success is your intellectual, physical and spiritual value; and that a wide array of cast played roles that the a person? totally dependent on, find your peculiarity. settle down. We of the act are out there... Now public space was quite unfamiliar with. It is One thing I have learnt about life is, the My peculiarity is in the quiet space, another I’m not trying to knock anybody’s relationship very interesting. more you mind your business the more peace person’s peculiarity could be in the noise. but I’m telling you, honestly, as a person, how it I thought, creatively, to switch it up a little you have. And seriously, it is really not rocket There are people that thrive in that space worked for me. Someday of course, you are going bit; get people uncomfortable and then in science. Immediately I became deaf, dumb of noise, gathering and so many people; to find us on the covers of magazines; somebody discomfort, you find your place and identity… and mute to whatever happens around me it’s not my mantra, so to speak. I chose my that is smart enough to put one or two together There is nothing usual about Bad Comments, and focused on my family, my friends, my path and made my path comfortably and and figure it out but then you have to cross a I can promise you that. immediate support system and most of all that’s really how life should be. few continents to find out. ͱʹ THISDAY ˾ ʹ˜2021  Moet, Nicole Abebe Launch New Visual Podcast, ’Spill the Tea with the Abebes’

Stories by Mary Nnah personalities; Ehiz, Stephanie L.A.X, amongst other notable minute mashup of the entire visual podcast has aired on because we bare it all, with Coker, Ada, Denrele Edun, Ex personalities. first season of “Spill The Tea the Youtube page; https:// absolutely no filter. We look BBN stars- Mercy Eke, Tolani Guests were thrilled With The Abebes”, as they www.youtube.com/ forward to an amazing first Award winning On-air per- Baj, Lolu, top socialites; Ms. with great performances nibbled on an amazing three watch?v=cEg7Xl9xu_I season while we prepare sonalities and cousins; Moet DSF, music stars; M.I Abaga, from guest artists and the course meal. “We just know people for season 2”, the cousins Abebe and Nicole Abebe, N6, Niniola, Loose Kaynon, highlight of the evening; a 17 The first episode of the are going to love the show remarked. hosted an exclusive dinner party to launch their new brainchild visual podcast recently at the prestigious entertainment hub; LiVE! Lounge, in Victoria Island, Lagos. The dynamic cousins who are known for creating bold and audacious experi- ences, created an amazing at- mosphere that accommodated some of Lagos’s finest crowd, upper crusts, socialites, enter- tainers, and celebrities to a day of merriment and exhilarating moments. The exclusive launch din- ner, which was highly themed with the famous animated fairytale story - ‘Alice in Wonderland’, was held at the striking LiVE! Lounge, and was presented with beautiful aesthetics and an amazing ambience with a rare mix of lifestyle and scenery at its finest. Hosted by Soundcity’s fore- most presenter, VJ Adams and Urban 96FM On-air personal- ity, Ada Ooh, the event which began its unfolding at 7pm, was welcomed by a beautiful music mix by DJ Calix with Martell welcome cocktails presented to guests on arrival. In attendance were, Media Social media comedian, Mr. Macaroni, flanked by Nicole and Moet Abebe 1,000 Nigerian Businesses to Benefit from Elev8 Technical Skills Training Elev8 education, Nigeria’s the path to Nigeria’s knowl- said, the country is cur- tives. thrive in the ever-changing has to be technologically leading technology educa- edge economy, specifically rently recovering from the “While information tech- digital landscape, thereby educated, trained, and up- tional partner and digital the role of digital transfor- economic repercussions, and nology drives innovation, increasing the value chain skilled as the country strives skilling academy for busi- mation and upskilling in that her company recognises and innovation is the path and growing the economy”, to stay up with the rest of nesses and governments, has driving economic growth. that businesses/companies, to business success, elev8’s Egunjobi said. the globe. Failure to do so concluded plans to help to With this, Elev8 aspires to both public and private, are commitment is to help equip She explained further that would be devastating, as train up to 1000 companies in replicate its success in other also trying to recover. IT specialists, business man- across the world, businesses our country and industries technology specialised train- countries in order to help “As we enter the second agers, and leaders in over across all sectors were ac- would be swiftly left behind ing programmes by 2022 to transform Nigeria’s business half of the year, it’s critical to 1000 companies by 2022 to celerating adoption of tech- in today’s global economy. help businesses reach their landscape. reflect, strategise, and ensure upskill and reskill so that nology and digitalisation to “Elev8 aims to be a leading full potential. Speaking at a media event that businesses employ all they can comprehend, adapt, establish a competitive edge, global player for mass digital This announcement comes held at the elev8 education available technology tools and implement these tech- drive growth and ensure skilling and transformative on the heels of the earlier office in Lagos, Country to scale up their operations nological advancements and efficiency. education initiatives”, she release of an elev8 report on Head, Ashim Egunjobi in order to fulfil their objec- tools in a variety of ways and “Nigeria’s workforce added. Pater’s Heritage Workshop for Aspiring Stage, Movie Practitioners The Creative Bank Network budding stage and film en- “In over 20 years of to create a practical learning see acting as their preferred based Non-Governmental (CBN), an initiative of The thusiasts a platform to hone working in the industry, I environment that will equip career path. That is why we Organisation (NGO) that ad- Pater’s Heritage, a social their skills and gain valuable have come across several these aspiring thespians have made the sessions free vocates for positive society advocacy platform, recently experience from interaction prospects with the passion with the necessary skill in order to broaden the pool change using the medium held the third edition of its with key stakeholders within and potential to make a sig- sets they need to unlock and of talents we can reach,” he of the performing arts. free drama workshop for the Nigerian theatre and nificant impact in Nigeria’s grow their potential within added. The organisation has aspiring theatre and movie movie industry. creative space. Sadly, their the industry. According to Chiadika, the produced over 50 skits, practitioners. According to him, the aspirations are limited due “One of the ways we are responses to the workshops short dramas, live plays and Ben Chiadika, President Creative Bank Network is a to their lack of proper train- doing this is through The have been positive with full-length feature movies. of Paters Heritage and social intervention initiative ing and exposure.” Creative Bank Network. more than 100 participants Established in 1995, it has Technical Director of Tinsel, designed to build capacity “At The Pater’s Heritage, We also understand that trained so far. The next edi- become a veritable mentor- Nigeria’s longest running within the Nigerian creative our response has been to le- financial constraints can tion of The CBN will be held ship and training platform soap opera said the event industry, particularly in the verage our experience and be a major stumbling block on August 28, 2021. for youths passionate about was designed to give young, film and theatre space. network across the industry for many young people who Paters Heritage is a faith the performing arts. Anaroke Bags Ikeja Club Excellence Award For Gender Advocacy The Founder of MMS guished personalities will be General Secretary, Olug- this well-deserved honor letter read. celebrates its anniversary Woman of Fortune Hall of conferred the award on Au- benga Ajisafe, titled “Letter of which is an encouragement Ikeja Club was established annually with the induction Fame (WoFHoF) Initiative, gust 27, 2021 when Ikeja Club Invitation and Conferment of for you to do more. We are on July 27, 1966 at the instance of new members and award Mr. Kingsley Anaroke has marks its 55th Anniversary Award”, the club commended hopeful that you will honor of its founding members, who conferment to some distin- bagged an Award of Excel- at its premises, 23 Awolowo Anaroke for the MMS WoF- this invitation and have your realised then, the need to have guished and outstanding in- lence for Gender Advocacy Way, Ikeja, Lagos. HoF Initiative’s strides in family, friends, well-wishers a serene place of relaxation dividuals as well as corporate and Empowerment from the In a letter signed by the bridging gender gaps and and business associates to and socialisation after a hard organisations with excellent prestigious Ikeja Club. Club’s President, Mr. Ayodeji empowering women. felicitate with you on this day’s work. performances in their various Anaroke and other distin- Randle and its Honourary “We congratulate you on occasion of honour,” the As a tradition, the club areas of specialisation. THISDAY ˾ ʹ˜2021 37 MUSIC SHOWBIZ E-TRENDS …Your weekly entertainment delight NOLLYWOOD Who Wins the Ultimate Game of Streaming Numbers?

Leading global music streaming platforms

Iyke Bede per cent while Apple Music secured launched the Spotify RADAR program formed the basis of the Justice at Spotify Globally, the top one per cent of musicians second place with its 16 per cent share. to spotlight new acts, and more recently, protest, where creators demanded an increase on streaming services collectively amass a In revenues, Spotify and Apple Music, for Apple Music revealed Ajebo Hustlers as its in royalty at Spotify offices on March 15. majority of streams. They are established acts. every 1,000,000 streams, pay an average Up Next Artistes. Indeed, these platforms The following month, Apple stated that To offset this effect, streaming companies have rate of US$4,000 (0.4 cents per stream) have helped bolster the careers of the it paid royalties at the rate of one cent. increased focus on new enterprising acts in and US$5,000 (0.5 cents per stream) likes of Teni, Niniola. However, industry experts say the revenue other countries such as Nigeria, but in this respectively. Comparatively, Tidal pays With so much enthusiasm shown rates fluctuate. game of numbers, who is the biggest gainer? US$12,000 for the same number of streams in promoting new artistes rather than Earlier in March, SoundCloud adopted According to RollingStone, its chart database although it controls an insignificant size increasing royalties (an issue affecting ‘fan-powered royalty’ to help less known between January 18, 2019, and July 17 of 2020, of the market. Its high rates barely trickle all), one is compelled to question mo- musicians earn more. It prides itself on revealed that of its 1.6 million artistes, 10 per down the chain. tives. For starters, the same artiste that this move. The model allows for artistes cent (160,000) snatch about 99.4 per cent of In 2020, Billboard reported that Burna is launched into the mainstream ends to get paid when their fans either listen to the streams, leaving the remaining 90 per cent Boy was atop its Top 15 Sub-Saharan up earning meagre pay. their songs or songs of other musicians. of artistes to slug it out for the remaining 0.6 African Artistes with a total of 435,570,000 The initial boost at that point is only That way, the artiste earns more with their per cent streams. But this was not what the streams. This means he would have earned cosmetic. fans’ constant loyalty to SoundCloud. This model revealed initially. about US$2,177,850 on Apple Music, or Arguably, beyond all of that fanfare concept has been lauded by music experts, A walk back to the early 2000s. Upon its US$1,742,280. JoeBoy placed 15 on that list lies the real intention of profit generation. musicians, and fans alike. What’s left now, advent, music streaming’s biggest feature with 106,080,000 streams (US$530,400 on Between Q1 and Q2 of 2021, Spotify global is for other platforms to adopt it into their was its democratised configuration that al- Apple Music). To an extent, it is safe to monthly active users (MAU) rose from 356 model. lowed for all artistes, irrespective of status, say these artistes in the Top 15 represent million to 365 million users. An increase If streaming platforms truly want to help to gain a fair shot at fame and prosperity. the one per cent of artistes amassing a of 9 million. Similar increases in MAU musicians on their platforms, the better thing That happened until it didn’t. It suddenly good chunk of streams in the region. have been marked across most platforms would be to increase royalties. Other than turned into a superstar affair, with big names What the rest 99 per cent earned is left post-COVID lockdown. these, it is a futile effort galvanising creators attracting a majority of revenue, and younger to the imagination. As noted earlier, streaming companies under the pretence of promoting them but acts grovelling for scraps. To redistribute revenue, streaming like Tidal pay artistes better rates albeit at the same ensuring they stay dependent To add salt to injury, the music industry services like Spotify, YouTube, and Apple controlling a smaller portion of the market. on the platform due to poor royalties. started to experience a monopoly at the hands Music, have in recent times, launched With fewer profit margins, less MAU, In the end, tech companies profit the most of streaming giant Spotify. Reports published programs to spotlight new enterprising acts. Tidal yet manages to stay afloat. So it from building an app that streams music. by MiDiA Research, says that in Q1 of 2021, In 2018, Burna Boy was named YouTube’s begs the question: why can’t Spotify or The bulk of the creative work remains the Spotify led global streaming shares with 32 Artiste on the Rise. In March 2020, Spotify Apple do the same? This same question brunt of the artiste to bear. Durban FilmMart AFA Nation 2021 is Back on Track is Here Vanessa Obioha Themed ‘Disrupt! The shape Vanessa Obioha of stories to come’, this year marks the 12th edition and Originally scheduled to take comprises 100 speakers over 40 Top Africa sportswear brand place last July, the Durban Film- sessions. Some of the key high- AFA Sports Apparel has debuted Mart (DFM) was postponed due lights include the DFM Conver- its quarterly publication: AFA to the civil unrest that affected sations, in-depth conversations Nation. The 157-page magazine parts of South Africa. with prominent film industry is a glossy potpourri of text and But the organisers are ready professionals; Durban Does images that details the journey to host the virtual event this Docs will unpack the world of the brand founded by Ugo August. The event will now of documentary filmmaking; Udezue, a former basketball take place from August 13 to 22. Talents Filmmaker Talks seeks player and NBA agent, and “We are glad that we were to interrogate stories, messaging introduces readers to their able to overcome the chal- and filmmaking processes and new luxury products such as AFA Sports fashion models lenges that the riots in parts director of the EbonyLife Film the Afrileisure collection. For of KwaZulu-Natal presented Òlòturé, Kenneth Gyang will be its cover story, the magazine start a basketball league that However, the dream has of the African environment. us to get the Durban FilmMart joining the conversation; while has Ezinne Kalu, a Nigerian would rival the NBA. He started expanded to include athleisure Udezue in a recent chat said back on track so that we can the new feature Animation @ basketball player who plays the African Basketball League wear, footwear and accessories. that he was inspired to start once again showcase the best DFM will explore animation for the national women’s team with six teams in 2017 and The brand today is known for the publication to chronicle the of African filmmaking,” said as a dynamic driving force D’Tigress. Paul Okoye, also rebranded it into the 10-team its originality, conscientious- journey of the brand. Magdalene Reddy, acting within the continent’s creative known as Rudeboy was also Continental Basketball League ness and creativity. Its slogan His new collection Afrileisure General Manager of the Durban industries. The session will featured. It also highlighted its in six African countries. ‘This is Ours’ — which is also incorporates African traditional FilmMart Institute. allow animators to engage latest feat as the first African Through his efforts, the NBA the debut edition’s theme’ — concepts in a modernised way “Despite the disruption with leading professionals sports brand was represented at Africa was born, and recently, speaks to creativity by Africans to suit the athleisure and sports we faced, our programme from organisations such as the Olympics. AFA is the official he was appointed the chairman for Africans. environment. For instance, one for the virtual event remains Toon Up (Nigeria), Kugali apparel sponsor of D’Tigress. of the Anambra Basketball The brand prides itself on can get a Kaftan tee or hijab largely unchanged and we look (Nigeria/Uganda), Na Aap In a recent THISDAY inter- Association. filling the niche to satisfy hoodie. Other styles include CAT forward to providing African Production (South Africa), view, Udezue had disclosed AFA, he said, in that inter- the necessity for sports and (Contemporary, African Tribal), a filmmakers the platform to Katanimate Studios (South that his core objective upon view was born out of necessity athleisure apparel as well as reflection of the unique mosaic network with an international Africa), among others. returning to Nigeria was to to kit his basketball players. shoes that cater to the needs of the African ecosystems. market.” 38 THISDAY ˾ ʹ˜2021 

E-TREND BUZZWORD Welcome to Diddy’s Love Era Wildcard, Wild Card, or Wild-Card? Vanessa Obioha Vanessa Obioha It is official! The Sean ‘P.Diddy’ Combs’ ‘Love’ era is finally upon us. Did you find yourself scratching your head on the correct way to spell ‘wild On Sunday, the rap mogul deleted his card’, the new twist introduced by Big Brother Naija? You are not alone. Instagram posts, ushering his over Not only were fans and viewers perplexed by the meaning of the twist, 18 million followers into the love but they were also confused on how to spell it. Is the term spelt together, era with a single post on Tuesday, hyphenated or as a single word? August 3. The post coincided with On Google trends, the ‘wildcard’ search by regions placed Nigeria in the publication of Vanity Fair’s cover the fourth position with the leading query being ‘what is the meaning story on him. Diddy, who recently of wildcard in bbn?’ changed his middle name from John So, being a wildcard means gaining the opportunity to play in a to Love, spoke extensively on his game when they have not qualified in the usual way. In the ongoing purpose and mission in his new Big Brother Naija Show, Maria and Pere were allowed to play in the dispensation. house provided they masked their pseudo status from being discovered. Arguably, the rapper’s over two Eventually, both wildcards escaped elimination to become eligible decades music career has witnessed contestants, vying for the N90 million prize money with the other 20 three distinctive periods. There was housemates. The live show ended, and everyone in the house moved the Puff Daddy era when Combs on. Well, except for those of us who became confused as to how to fresh-faced was the emblem for bold correctly spell the compound word that was the hashtag of the day: and unapologetic hip-hop millionaire. Wild Card, Wildcard or Wild-card? Then, he said, he was doing it for If you type the three words on your keyboard, you are likely to get a the art and the only thing he knew thumbs up from Mr Autocorrect. But that doesn’t in any way clear the was hip-hop. fog. On the internet, every dictionary site adopted a different iteration By 2001, the music entrepreneur but with the commonly used form being ‘wild card’. As it stood, a wild changed his name to P.Diddy, an ap- card is an amorphous compound word that assumes whatever form pellation given to him by the rapper, it pleases. It just doesn’t care if it’s hyphenated, torn apart, or glued The Notorious B.I.G. together as one word. The other compound words must be seething at “Biggie had called me Diddy this privilege. because of my bop, the way I walk, You can heave a sigh of relief now because irrespective of how you my swagger, and they got something spelt it, you were right. For once, we can be grateful that the term is not as called the diddy bop... it’s not me, it P.Diddy is Vanity Fair’s cover story for September complicated as ‘mothers in law.’ Oops! It’s mothers-in-law. was something before me. That’s the diddy bop,” Combs says. “It’s the just do those things that are kind of renaissance. way a brother would walk around, rooted in personal success but to be However, he is concerned that E-TREND WATCHLIST walk down the street.” able to transfer to we, and do things people are too engrossed with serious Now, 20 years later, Diddy has that are real change and communal stuff that they forgot how to have started a new era which in the in- success.” fun and fun is an integral part of the What to Watch This Weekend terview he described as a mission He continued: “I feel like God sent Love era. and a movement from ‘me’ to ‘we’. me, God, put on my heart, ‘What’s “The fun part [of the Love era] is the Vanessa Obioha “Love is a mission...I feel like that’s your purpose?’ I was looking at music, the beat, the style, the rhythm, one of the biggest missions that will all these things, it’s preachers and the walk, the talk, the fashion, the It’s not summer in Nigeria but it doesn’t stop us from basking in summer actually shift things. But besides that, just different people talking about joy, the travels, the places we have movies. Below is a list of movies you can watch in cinemas or streaming we—the world—is different. We have purpose because I was like, man, never been before.” platforms. the internet, we have the power, we purpose is something deep. Have I Wrapping up the interview, Diddy have a culture, I have us on a five-year really found my purpose? I know I’m disclosed that he was returning to The Suicide Squad plan,” he explained. making money and I’m successful music, but not in the genre he’s The much-anticipated sequel to the DC Comics superhero film ‘Suicide “My people taking time to feel and I’m changing the so-called game, famous for. This time around, he is Squad’ will be premiering in cinemas in Nigeria today. The standalone like it’s all right to love. Take time to but is that my purpose? And then shifting his lens to R&B. sequel sees the most dangerous supervillains in the world — Bloodsport, huddle up your tribe, take time to I really prayed on it and God told “Yeah, all R&B label, because I Peacemaker, King Shark, Harley Quinn — invading the remote enemy- communicate and know your power. me, ‘Your purpose is to play a part feel like R&B was abandoned and infused island of Corto Maltese. Armed with high-tech weapons, they trek Take time to heal. You know what in saving the Black race.’ And then it’s a part of our African American through the dangerous jungle on a search-and-destroy mission, with only I’m saying, [taking care of] yourself I immediately, I was like, I need to culture. And I’m not signing any Col. Rick Flag on the ground to make them behave. The Suicide Squad without feeling like, oh, you’re going talk to Harry Belafonte.” artists. Because if you know bet- parades a star-studded cast that included Sylvester Stallone, Idris Elba, to be labelled a racist now because you Harry Belafonte was Martin Luther ter, you do better. I’m doing 50–50 John Cena, Margot Robbie, Pete Davidson among others. talk about taking care of yourself.” King Jr.’s confidant and known for partnerships with pure transparency. To understand his purpose on earth, using his celebrity status to raise That’s the thing. [The new label is so Are We Done Yet? Combs said he had to reconnect with money for civil rights actions and that] we can own the genre; we don’t It’s a summer of laughs on ARISEPlay. The streaming platform from the Supreme One. organizations. Diddy talked about own hip-hop right now. We have a THISDAY and Arise News Group has an array of movies to keep you in “It clicked in and went from me social responsibilities for artistes and chance to—and I’m going to make a lighter mode this weekend. We advise you to settle for ‘Are We Done to we, that [I] was sent here not to how Black Lives Matter is a Black sure that—we own R&B.” Yet?’, the 2007 sequel to ‘Are We There Yet?’ The family comedy film follows the life of Ice Cube who after learning that his wife Nia Long is expecting twins tries to get a bigger house for Goldberg Takeover Party Crowns New DJ King his family. Crazy Grannies Still in the mood for laughs? Head to cinemas this weekend to watch ‘Crazy Grannies’, directed by Kayode Peters — also the producer — and Tope Alake. The film follows the hilarious adventure of three grandmothers played by Ngozi Nwosu, Shaffy Bello and comedian Princess. The trailer suggests that the grandmas are in for a rollercoaster ride. Sky Rojo The second season of the Spanish crime action TV series premiered on Netflix on July 23. Created by the makers of the popular Spanish heist series ‘Money Heist’, Alex Pina and Esther Martínez Lobato, the action- packed series tells the story of three prostitutes (Veronica Sanchez, Lali Espósito and Yany Prado) fleeing from their pimp (Asier Etxeandia) and his henchmen (Miguel Ángel Silvester and Enric Auquer). We would have advised you to skip the first season but you need to watch it to understand the latest season. The content is for mature audiences. Big Brother Naija DJ Diamond emerged winner,Goldberg Takever Party Watch out for the live eviction show on Sunday when we will discover the housemate with the least votes. During the week, the two wild cards, Maria Vanessa Obioha their potential as the artistry of further contribute pillars of support and Pere were given the nomination burden to choose four housemates disc-jockeying increasingly becomes for unique creatives through healthy each for possible eviction. JayPaul, WhiteMoney, Yerins, Beatrice and Niyi notable in Nigeria. competitions, and we will not relent topped their list. However, Boma, who won the Head of House title for The Goldberg Takeover Party recently “Our tradition at Goldberg neces- our efforts to provide opportunities crowned a new disc-jockey king Ad- the week, was given the power to save and replace one of the nominees. sitates us to remain close enough to and recognition for DJs and other He saved JayPaul and put Yousef in his place. Of the five nominees, eyanju Ridwan Ishola (DJ Diamond) our consumers, to promote their talents whom we recognize as king- at Stalad Hotel, Abule Egba, Lagos. WhiteMoney is likely to garner more votes than others, going by his outstanding talents. It was indeed makers in their own stead.” popularity on social media and among celebrities, particularly Nollywood With playlists that kept the audience a battle of great talents in the enter- The Goldberg Takeover Party active, in between smooth transitions, actors like Yul Edochie. tainment industry, and we are very experience will continue with a Besides the live eviction show, catch up on the brewing relationships in the winner won the votes of the beer happy to be a part of their success; sponsored mentorship for contestants brand ambassador DJ Kaywise and the house and of course, the expected drama on the dedicated channels we have no doubts they will all go far with the show’s top headliner and DStv 198 and GOtv 29. The reality TV show is also available on Showmax. Small Doctor to edge out fellow in the industry,” said Senior Brand judge, DJ Kaywise at his renowned contender, Nwafor Afam Daniel Manager, Olaoluwa Babalola. DJ Academy. In a statement, Kaywise My Village People (DJ Danigee). By bringing enjoyment to millions highlighted the potential impact of DJ Diamond was awarded a In honour of the late Rachel Oniga who passed away a week ago, we of fans and actively supporting the the project. recommend watching/rewatching ‘My Village People’ which she featured N250,000 cash prize while DJ Danigee development of young talents in the Having toured cities like Benin, received N150,000. in. The movie is written by comedian Bovi Ugboma and directed by Niyi country, Babalola further reiterated Warri and now Lagos, the Goldberg Akinmolayan. It stars Bovi, Nkem Owoh, Amaechi Muonagor and Charles The Takeover Party is another way that “Goldberg is always honoured Takeover Party will be making its next the Goldberg brand is nurturing and Inojie in the lead roles. It tells the story of a young man whose weaknesses to initiate a movement in the main- stop at the Federal Capital Territory, for women eventually lands him in a bizarre love triangle with witches. encouraging talents to maximize stream entertainment scene that can Abuja, THISDAY ˾ ʹ˜2021 39

ART WEEKEND…For pure art enthusiasts Duro Ikujenyo Launches New Okediran Unveils Another Album, ‘Divine Union’ Yinka Olatunbosun

Jazz musician and former pianist for Fela’s Africa 70, Duro Ikujenyo War Thriller ‘Madagali’ has launched his latest album titled ‘Divine Union.’ The album was pre- sented at the documentary screening At the just-concluded Nigeria International Book Fair 2021, the award-winning author, medical doctor for ‘Lagos: Fastest Growing City in and politician, Dr. Wale Okediran delivered his latest work of fiction titled “Madagali’’ which is inspired by the World and the Future of Planet Earth’ by produced by Angelbeth true events in North-east Nigeria. Yinka Olatunbosun reports Theuretzbacher and Duro Ikujenyo. The album which is the sixth from Ikujenyo, was conceived and recorded he latest novel- a war thriller- by the during the first and second wave of the Secretary General of the Pan African Covid-19 pandemic between March Writers Association (PAWA) Dr. Wale 2020 and April 2021.The four-track Okediran titled, ‘Madagali: A Skillful album boasts of the retro sound of Fictional Account of Boko Haram Afro-beat with a structural template of TInsurgency’ was recently launched on July 29 jazz elements drawn from the African traditional instrument including the before a gathering of literati. The literary feast once popular ‘Agidigbo.’ was a part of the activities at the 20th edition of the In its entirety, the album mirrors Nigerian International Book Fair festival which the Nigeria’s social realities especially took place at Harbour Point Event Centre, Victoria on matters of global health, social Island, Lagos. and economic experience since the A hybrid event, it was chaired by the Minister of pandemic struck. The tracks in- State for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora clude Divine Union, Mibele (Lagos who acknowledged the contributions of literature Agidigbo Blues), Ibadan and Eye je. to documenting wars in history. With reference The music has a unique traditional to war classics such as Eric Maria Remarque’s and English linguistic vocal delivery account of World War I in the novel, ‘All Quiet and accompanied choruses, melodic, on The Western Front, Margaret Mitchell’s take harmonic horns lines and modula- on the American Civil War in ‘Gone With The L-R: Mr Ernest Oppong, Executive Director APNET; Mr Asare Yamoah, President Ghana Publishers Association; tion arrangements performed in fast Wind,’ and Boris Pastemack’s depiction of the the author, Dr Wale Okediran, SG, PAWA; Mr Ahmed Waziri Hassan, Chief Presenter; Prof Chris Bode, Chairman; Mr and mid-tempos. Ambassador Ayo Russian Revolution in ‘Doctor Zhivago’, the Lukman Dauda, MD Evans Publishers; Dr Abubakar Othman, Book Reviewer; Mr Dapo Gbadega, President NIBF and Olukanni, in a brief speech at the end senator recounted how literary history has been Mr Camilus Ukah, President Association of Nigerian Authors of the performance to herald the new replete with fictional works that captured the album at the Mike Adenuga Centre, paid glowing tributes to Nigeria music temperament of the period. to the border with Cameroon. Madagali is a book for the medical doctors who will be “Nearer home in Nigeria, a plethora of novels and film industry as a vital revenue tale of love and ambush in a time of war told involved in the counselling and treatment earner and positive image maker that have been written on the Nigerian Civil War such through the lead character Bukar, a young of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in persons.’’ as Cyprian Ekwensi’s Divided We Stand, Eddie is necessary for Nigeria’s international lance corporal in the Nigerian army. Born of Furthermore, the scholar of English Literature relations. Iroh’s Forty-eight Guns for The General, Aniebo’s a Nigerian father and Liberian mother, he is added that Madagali shows the politics and Behind the Rising Sun as well as Chimamanda injured in a deadly ambush by Boko Haram. risks involved in the fight against Boko Haram Adiche’s Half of A Yellow Sun, among others. For While in recovery at the hospital, he discovers insurgency in Northern Nigeria. According to the past decade or so, Nigeria has been battling with that the injury has rendered him impotent. him, the narrative in the book peers into how ‘Awo’ and ‘Aremu’ the Boko Haram insurgency which has affected Still, he finds love in a hopeless place- Safiya a the Boko Haram group is organized, spy into Plays Set for Glover many Nigerians however far they were from the humanitarian worker and daughter of a former the Nigerian military, gather intelligence and specter of the crisis. As expected, Nigerian Writers Boko Haram leader. The intrigue that follows other issues such as corruption and the lack of Memorial Hall at home and abroad have commenced the necessary Safiya’s blackmail forces Bakar to make a moral strong political will to tackle the insurgency. and very important duties of documenting the decision between seeking selfish interest via Trained as a medical doctor, the author who Yinka Olatunbosun insurgency in Fiction and Non- Fiction,’’ he said. cure for his erectile dysfunction or defending later became a Member of the Federal House Published by Evans Publishers Plc, the novel his beloved country. of Representatives in Abuja is a writer of great The Duke of Shomolu Productions -set in North-east Nigeria- spotlights the pathetic On his part, the book reviewer, Dr. Abubakar distinction. His award-winning book, ‘Tenants state of Nigeria’s war against insurgency. The has ramped up plans to stage two Othman described the book as “a manual for of The House,’ which captures his experience exciting plays at the prestigious Glover novel, ‘Madagali’ is named after a town and local the study of military intelligence and guerilla at the National Assembly was adapted into a government area in Adamawa, located adjacent Memorial Hall this August. The plays warfare. Madagali serves a s a very useful movie was screened in Abuja in 2019. would parade over one 100 cast and crew members. With support from the Lagos State Government through its Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the plays will light up the Olamide Adams Returns to Roots with ‘Native Tales’ cultural landscape in Lagos. There’s no gainsaying that theatre plays Yinka Olatunbosun of Lagos, he worked as the cultural animator at the French Cultural Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos a central role in the Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s economic rejuvenation He may be tucked away in France with his before leaving to work as a senior executive at the Air France KLM group in Nigeria. plan that targets job creation, youth family but his connection to his Nigerian roots empowerment and infrastructural are palpable through his stories. The France- He has also worked in the recruitment and development. based entrepreneur, teacher, music enthusiast banking sectors in Paris. He refocused on Aremu is a de-politicised depic- and author of Native Tales, Olamide Adams his writing skills and completed five stories tion of the life and times of Chief had always wanted to be a writer as a young for his daughter’s fifth birthday. Olusegun Obasanjo written by Prof. child who was weaned on stories. In his first The book Native Tales: A collection of Short Ahmed Yerima. It would take the year in secondary school, he began writing audience through the mysterious some of the stories in this collection released Stories includes stories such as ‘A Dance birth of its principal, throwing up in October 2020 as a gift to his daughter who to Save the King’, ‘The Old Man’s Potion’, his growing up years, touching the turned five. Having discovered his little girl’s ‘Ayangoke and His Magical Talking Drum’, very deep and rich trado-cultural interest in stories, he decided to complete his ethos that has molded him and writing and publish his stories after being on ‘Journey to Oke Oro’ and ‘Rere Lope.’ The stories teach the values of kindness, courage, guided him through his very colorful a self-imposed hiatus. sojourn in life. Awo is a musical “Storytelling was part of our lives,’’ he wisdom, problem-solving and heroism. For that captures the life of the great said during his recent visit to Nigeria. “My instance, in ‘Journey to Oke Oro,’ the author nationalist, Chief Olufemi Awolowo brothers and I used to enjoy our uncle telling deploys the travel motif that is reminiscent to shape our national outlook, inspire us stories sometimes in the evenings. The of D.O Fagunwa’s ‘A Forest of A Thousand new leadership and serve as a guide most memorable of those childhood years to aspiring arrowheads in nation was when I would be playing with friends Daemons.’ That edge-of-the-seat adventure building. Supported by First Bank in our compound and you’d suddenly hear story will excite young readers and help of Nigeria Limited, Wema Bank, the theme song of Tales by Moonlight start them develop strong imaginative minds. Timekeepers, AIICO Plc, Cruxstone from the neighbour’s television. I would “Initially, I didn’t even want to sell the Development and Investment Limited, book. But now, it is selling on Amazon, scramble to our own living room to put on Book cover all performances would be guided the television to watch one of NTA’s attempts Jazzhole, Terra Kulture and the Narrative by the Covid-19 protocols alongside in preserving the rich Nigerian culture. The the River,’ Cyprian Ekwensi’s ‘The Passport of Mal- Landscape online. My daughter speaks safety marshals from the Lagos State children entertainment programme dramatized lam Ilia’ and Kola Onadipe’s ‘Call me Michael’ fired only French but she understands English Safety Commission. moral-teaching folklores from different ethnic up his interest in storytelling. But as he approached sparingly. My objective is to speak English to Aremu and Awo will be staged groups in the country.’’ his late teens, he stopped writing. But then, he kept her repeatedly. But just to make her happy, from August 22 and run every Sunday In addition to the oral tradition, literary the manuscripts carefully through the years. After I have got the book translated in French,’’ through to September 12, 2021 at the texts such as Chinua Achebe’s ‘Chike and studying Business Administration at the University he said. Glover Memorial Hall Marina, Lagos. 40 THISDAY ˾ ʹ˜2021 

HLF Team duirng one of its visits to Kirikiri Prisons in Lagos Foundation Launches Crowdfunding Platform with Insurance Benefits

over the 36 states of the federation. of life and death, so this crowdfunding as a year donation or more, from a partner, Mary Nnah The funding to be raised will be used to campaign provides an incredible opportunity the foundation will be able to do more for support His Love Foundation’s efforts in for individuals, philanthropists and more people, impact more communities and After impacting over 130million people addressing a wide variety of in-the-moment, corporations to take part in ameliorating transform more lives. spending over N18 Million on a series of CSR on-the-ground needs in six specific areas of the suffering of people across the world In addition, the HLF has entered into activities covering the six points of concern of health, education, feeding, social enterprise, especially in the midst of the global partnerships with four Insurance companies the foundation, His Love Foundation (HLF), rehabilitation and prisons at the local, state, coronavirus pandemic”. in Nigeria to give one-year free Accident the charity arm of Redeemed Christian Church national and international level. He went on to say that there were a Insurance Policy to partners who make lump of God, has announced the launch of a new The crowdfunding campaign was inspired wide variety of urgent demands where sum donations of N12,000 or more at once. crowdfunding campaign. by growing demands of intervention government support will not be available According to Iluyomade, the insurance The aim is to raise and dispense funds in programmes and projects of the church at all or available in time to meet all the partners are: Axa Mansard; Leadway an honourable, transparent, sustainable and through the foundation which are in rapidly-changing needs on the ground, hence Assurance Company Limited; Veritas Kapital structured manner with a view to continue to response to the clarion call of Jesus Christ the need for donations from individuals, and Cornerstone Insurance. deepen her initiatives, spread, and broaden to every believer to be mindful of the sick, philanthropists and corporations to fill The policy provides a worldwide cover on the level of impacts in benefiting millions of the poor, those in prison and the hungry. critical gaps and make a tremendous 24-hour basis and pays prompt compensation Nigerians that are in desperate and dire needs. Intercontinental Overseer, Christian Social difference. in the event of injuries, disability or death In the last three years, the Redeemed Responsibility (CSR) of The Redeemed “We therefore need to bring our resources caused solely by accident, external and visible Christian church of God in Nigeria, has Christian Church Of God, Pastor Idowu together, so that we can make a tremendous events such as road accidents, Motorcycle and spent on various CSR activities over N18, Iluyomade, while taking members of the impact”, he said. Tricycle ( Keke NAPEP) risks are covered, 444,618,335.97, impacting over 130,753,857 press community through the strides of the He further stated that, with as little as however, power bikes or bikes used for racing people in her 43,000 operating centres spread foundation stated that, “CSR is a matter N1000 a month or N12,000 lump sum are excluded.

We Must Ensure Girls of the Future do not Inherit Today’s Inequalities these social norms, which relegate women During the pandemic, women-owned to change entrenched views about women’s Rachel Toku-Appiah to family roles and domestic chores, mean businesses have been more likely to role in society. We must start to see women they have had to take a step back to care close and less likely to reopen. Although as having autonomy over their health, their for their children as measures like school some women have a real desire to open education and their futures. We know that with While many parts of the world are experiencing closures came into effect. their own business, many are driven by greater access to information about reproductive a decline in birth rates, in Africa we see a Women’s employment rates are dropping necessity. They need income to help care health, contraceptives and services, women very different picture. By 2030, a fifth of the faster than average. And with women for their family and run their household, and girls are more likely to stay in school, world’s population will be from the continent. making up 50% or more of the workforce so a home-based or flexible venture helps join the workforce and keep their jobs. As millions of young people join the labour in many African countries, this presents us them juggle these priorities. As a woman with a background in science market every year, governments are struggling with both a huge risk and opportunity. We Women-owned businesses also consistently and technology, I am used to being a minority to create employment to meet the demand for can either take action and change our future earn less than their men-led counterparts. in the system. It doesn’t matter where you jobs. Countries like South Africa, for example, for the better or confine our continent to Female entrepreneurs across sub-Saharan look, there are not many women in STEM to are reporting that three quarters of all youth decades more growth-restricting inequality. Africa continue to make lower profits provide leadership, mentorship and inspiration. are now unemployed. 2021 must be a year of action for gender than men (34 % less on average). While In countries like Nigeria and Kenya, only 1 in These numbers are staggering and reminiscent equality. In bringing together leaders from African women make up almost 58% of 4 women are working in the field. We know of the worst economic downturns of the past. across society, the Generation Equality the continent’s self-employed population, that when women are involved in decision However, unlike many previous recessions, Forum taking place later this month is they are granted less funding, receive less making, they achieve better outcomes for this crisis has a distinctively female face. the opportunity for our leaders to match training, mentorship, start-up advice, and everyone in science and research. The “she-cession” triggered by COVID-19 the urgency of this moment and deliver fewer opportunities to scale. This is the future we want to build. Women is pushing women out of the labour market for women and girls. If we could encourage and incentivise are an untapped and underutilized talent - often with little or no prospect of return. One area where we can be encouraged women’s businesses, we can help them pool. We all make better decisions when By some calculations, women’s jobs are 1.8 is African entrepreneurship. Sub-Saharan grow and accelerate their recovery from we’re working with diverse teams, bringing times more vulnerable to this crisis than men’s Africa has the world’s highest rate of the financial impact of COVID-19. a range of lived experiences and perspectives jobs. In Ethiopia and Uganda, the gender gap women entrepreneurs. Having grown up in Imagine what the continent would look to the table. in employment has now widened by at least Botswana, a global leader in women-owned like if empowering women to succeed in We must tackle gender equality now so 14 percentage points. In South Africa, it is businesses, this isn’t news to me. Whether business was the status quo. It would mean that women are able to live full, healthy and estimated that women have suffered two it is designing, textile manufacturing, food more than half of the continent’s potential productive lives. It is absolutely essential to thirds of the job losses due to the pandemic. processing, wellness products or business workforce in jobs, contributing to their our national – and global – recovery plans. One important reason for this impact on services, women leaders are inspiring new communities and the economy. Empowering Only through concerted action, led by parents, women is that the measures put in place to generations and showing us what is possible. women is simply smart economics. In Niger, teachers and leaders at every level, will we contain the virus significantly increased the The fantastic achievement in African for instance, the World Bank predicts that ensure the girls of the future do not inherit burden of unpaid care. This type of work entrepreneurship points to the vast potential GDP would be over 25 percent higher if this inequality. is disproportionately carried out by women that we can draw on to help our continent gender inequality were reduced. and born from stereotypes that have dictated grow and be more prosperous. But all is To really bring about lasting and t5PLV"QQJBI %JSFDUPS 1SPHSBN"EWPDBDZ women’s place in society for centuries. Some of not as it first may seem. transformative change, however, we need BOE$PNNVOJDBUJPOT "GSJDB THISDAY ˾ ʹ˜2021 41

 Coca-Cola Foundation, AREAi’s Recycle and Win Promo Promise to Reward Sustainability Effort This campaign will reward redeemable points which can Mission Zero Plastic objective, should be paying to recyclable Founder, AREAi, Gideon Nume Ekeghe consumers and households who then be used to buy valuable a program funded by the Coca- waste. It’s why the Recycle Olanrewaju added that, “the bring in their PET bottles for goods, such as airtime, basic food Cola Foundation which aims to and Win campaign presents Recycle and Win promo comes Coca-Cola Foundation, in recycling with exciting gifts and items and other household needs. recover, recycle and repurpose a chance to reinforce a more at a time when Nigerians are partnership with Aid for Rural vouchers. The Recycle and Win campaign 600 tons of plastic over the next environmentally conscious experiencing very high levels Education Access Initiative To participate in the Recycle is aimed at reducing the amount 12 months across six states. world, and an improved of inflation. (AREAi) recently announced the and Win campaign, residents of of recyclable waste that ends up Speaking on the campaign, attitude towards waste “Rewarding individuals who launch of its Recycle and Win Kwara, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, in landfills and neighborhood Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, management. have made environmentally Promo, a three-month campaign Oyo and Ondo states who are drainage systems, while also Director, Public Affairs, “This is in line with Coca- responsible decisions during this with a goal to increase the overall subscribers under the Recycle reducing the increasing risks of Communications and Cola Foundation’s vision time with a valuable household recycling awareness, collection and Win Promo will be expected infectious diseases, flood, and Sustainability, Coca-Cola Nigeria, for enhancing communities, will go a long way to reinforce rate of PET bottles, cans and to exchange their recyclable psychological stress that results stated that, “The recent flood protecting the environment, a sustainability mindset and other plastics across six states items which are counted at the from mismanaged waste heaps. situation globally is an indication and driving behavioural-change develop a better environment in Nigeria. point of collection/drop-off, for This is in line with AREAi’s of how much attention we all initiatives.” for us all to live in.” NAOWA Inaugurates Inter-command Competition for Quality Education among Students

of Nigerian Army personnel they have to read their books, from various command schools. Ikeja, Command Day School Command Children School Rebecca Ejifoma serving within 81 Division area and listen to their parents,” The schools present at Ipaja, Command Secondary Bonny Cantonment, and of responsibility.” she implored the participants the maiden edition were: school Oshodi, Command Command Secondary School The Chairperson of the While noting its relevance including teachers and students Command Secondary school Secondary School Ojo, Yaba. Nigerian Army Officers’ as a credible platform to Wives Association (NAOWA) encourage peer review among 81 Division Chapter, Mrs. the school and to showcase Oghenerukevwe Fejokwu, the inherent talents among recently inaugurated the the students, Fejokwu added inter-command school game that the competition would to promote quality education further array the beauty in for children and wards of the cultural diversity. Nigeria Army serving within Speaking also, the Special 81 Division in Lagos State. Guest and First Lady of Lagos The chairperson said this State, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, at the opening ceremony acknowledged education of the competition held at as the bedrock as well as the Nigerian Army Ikeja paramount to the success Cantonment, as the contest of children. aims to enhance knowledge She added: “The rate at and foster cooperation among which students misbehave the students across command in the society these days is schools. a call for concern and as such Fejokwu said: “It is gratifying I want to use this opportunity that we have this unique to thank the Nigerian Army for opportunity as a platform to not only protecting the lives organise command schools and properties of the citizens, within 81 Division area of but also providing a conducive responsibility for a competition atmosphere of learning for of this nature.” children and communities She emphasised that the around the barracks.” competition is in accordance According to Sanwo-Olu, with her mandate as the represented by Mr. Sobowale chairperson of NAOWA 81 Safiudeen, command schools Division Chapter of providing everywhere in the country are humanitarian service. known for sound teaching and “This competition can discipline which is the bedrock be seen as my humble of the Nigerian army. “This competition is to contribution to promotion Mrs. Oghenerukevwe Fejokwu flanked by other senior officers and members of NAOWA at the opening ceremony of the inter-Clcommand school of quality education for the encourage our children that competition in Lagos benefit of children and wards education pays and as such LEAP Africa Takes Youth Day of Service to 20 African Countries Rebecca Ejifoma in Africa, with focus on the responsibility. Day of Service initiative is campaign portal, www. attention of the international Sustainable Development “The campaign will feature a demonstration that LEAP youthdayofservice.org. The community and celebrate Goals (SDGs). It is also on different projects championed Africa remains committed to registered projects can be their potential as partners In commemoration of the quest to inspire them by young people in various championing conversations on physical projects or active in today’s global society. International Youth Day, LEAP to be active social change communities across Africa.” youth actions for Sustainable virtual advocacy in different The day also gives an Africa is set to impact over agents in society. This was The YDoD 2021 presents Development across Africa. locations across Africa opportunity to celebrate and 100,000 beneficiaries in the according to the Executive a unique opportunity to “The week-long campaign between August 12 to 18. mainstream young peoples’ second edition of its Pan- Director, LEAP Africa, Femi mobilise the energy, creativity, will bring together young Youth Day of Service voices, actions, and initiatives, African Youth Day of Service Taiwo, at a media briefing and agency of young Africans people in different African is personal leadership in as well as their meaningful, (YDoS) campaign across 20 held in Lagos. while collaborating with an countries, and communities to action; intended to empower universal and equitable African countries. “We seek to rally ecosystem of like-minded champion laudable community young people, strengthen engagement. The youth-led social impact young people, corporate organisations to support development projects.” Taiwo communities and trigger While the representative campaign, which is on the organisations, public and and advance efforts towards concluded. collective actions that would of Lagos Food Bank, Favour theme, Youthful and Useful, social sector organisations to localising and achieving the On how people can move the continent closer to Dada, said they were will be held from August 12 become advocates and renew SDGs. participate, participants can achieving the SDGs with 2030 impressed with the impact of to 18 this year. the spirit of active youth “One of our strategic pillars either register their own project, in view. The International the volunteers last year, she The YDoS aims to foster the citizenship with emphasis as an organisation is to raise volunteer for existing projects Youth Day is celebrated added that her organisation spirit of service to community on spreading the culture talents for the actualisation or sponsor the execution of annually on 12th August looks forward to a fruitful and encourage volunteerism of service and collective of the SDGs, the Youth a project as listed on the to bring youth issues to the YDoS this year. among the youth population NIJ Floats Film, Television Academy Ayodeji Ake The academy which academy is in line with NIJ’s particularly. The programme is run in release added. The NIJ film commenced academic activities pursuit of its dual heritage “Aside the rich content collaboration with Ovueta, a film and television academy is this August, offers courses in in academic learning and and practical sessions, the and television company, and will one of the many innovations The Nigerian Institute of screen acting, film directing, professional development, and training comes with internship avail students contemporary introduced in the school by the Journalism (NIJ), has taken its film sound editing and film that experienced professionals opportunities in the film and content in film and media. current management led by an manpower training in media editing, according to a release have already been mobilised to media industry to make its NIJ alumni and current experienced media practitioner, and communication studies to by NIJ Registrar, Mrs Patricia provide cutting edge teaching graduates competent and very students interested in running and former president of the another level by floating a film Kalesanwo. in the film and media industry marketable upon graduation,” the programme are entitled Nigerian Guild of Editors and television academy. “The coming of the generally and Nollywood she said. to fabulous discounts, the (NGE), Mr. Gbenga Adefaye. 42 THISDAY ˾ ʹ˜2021

METRO …Your city life in print Sudden Demise of a Gallant Cop, DCP Kenneth Akubue Dr. Chinedu Idike

enneth Ikechukwu Akubue was born on December 31, 1965 into the family of the Late Chief John Ndubuisi Akubue (an Assistant Commissioner of Police) and late ChiefK Mrs. Grace Oboise Akubue (Nee Jatto Omizegba) and hails from the famous and highly respected Idikwuogu Nweze family of Nua, Aku in Igbo-Etiti LGA of Enugu State, Nigeria. He was the second son in a family of six children comprising three boys and three girls, namely, Innocent Akubue (who passed on in 2017), Kenneth Akubue, Dr. Ifeyinwa (Ify) Nwankwo (Nee Akubue), Lady Chika Ugwu (Nee Akubue), Philip Akubue (JP) and Mrs. Chioma Anifowose (Nee Akubue) (JP). Kene, as he was fondly called by his siblings, had his primary education at St. Patricks Primary School, Maiduguri, Bornu State and completed it in 1974. He started his secondary education in 1976 at Boys High school, Nsukka (now, Nsukka High School, Nsukka), Enugu State and completed his secondary education with flying colours in 1981. At his early education, DCP Ken Akubue already started to show flashes of brilliance and extraordinary intellect which stood him out from his peers. Upon the completion of his secondary education, Kene had his eyes on the university education, scaled all the hurdles and was admitted to the University of Maiduguri to study Political Science. Early in life, he was visionary, displaying a purpose-driven life and wanted to have a successful career in public service. He studied Political Science in the University of Maiduguri where he was one of the outstanding performers in his year and graduated in 1987 with a Second Class Honours, Upper Division. After his impressive academic performance and accomplishments in the University of Maiduguri, he completed his National Youth Service Corps program in 1988 at the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria where he subsequently obtained a Masters Degree in International Law and Relations in the university. His academic sojourns in both the University of Maiduguri and University of Benin formed the core of who he eventually became. He was positively defiant and resilient in his intentions. In line with his natural inclina- tion for public service leading to a distinctive scholarship in Political Science and International Law and Relations, it was only natural he Late DCP Akubue chose the Nigerian Police Force as a dream and career path. Kene was inspired, on the one hand, by Command Swift Operations Squad in Port Adanna Chiemerie Chrystabel Akubue-Kenneth, in Police Staff College, Jos and also undertook his personal vision and ambition to join the Harcourt, Rivers State. a girl and a bundle of beauty and intelligence, a course where he was awarded PSC+. Nigerian His job moved him to volatile areas and twin boys, Kester Chimbudike David He also worked in the Nigerian Federal Police and, on the other hand, by his father’s within the environs and he was part of Akubue-Kenneth and Kayce Chimdiebube Intelligence Bureau (FIB), Force Headquarters very successful career in the Nigerian Police the special police team that engaged the Daniel Akubue-Kenneth, the love of their Annex, Lagos. He had a memorable tenure at Force. He started his career in the Nigerian militants and others in the heat of the daddy who passionately drew comfort and the FIB before he was moved to Oshogbo and Police Force in self-satisfaction of a life ambi- Niger Delta militancy and upheavals of warmth from him endlessly. later, to Okigwe, Police Command. tion and to the admiration of his late mother the year 2000s and assisted in maintaining Overall, his service of the Nigerian Police In the light of his continued brilliant per- and siblings who viewed Kene as a natural peace in the region and stabilising the oil Force was eventful, insightful and remarkable. formance and dedication to his duties, he was replacement for their late dad. and gas business therein for the benefit He was posted to several cities in Nigeria further promoted to the glorious rank of Deputy The Almighty God employed the services of of Nigeria. including Warri, Enere, Agbo, Sapele and Commissioner of Police (DCP). Subsequently, his beloved aunt, Mrs. Elizabeth Azeke, who DCP Kenneth married his lovely and Ekpa. Due to his exceptional performance, he was posted to the Nigerian Ports Authority, through the immense assistance of Mrs. Mary amiable wife, Mrs. Chinyere Akubue (Nee he was promoted to the position of Assistant Eastern Ports Police Command as second in Anegbode, placed his impressive resume before Idike) of the Idike Family of Aku and they Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Police command around May 2021, where he served the relevant authorities and he was quickly were blessed with three amazing children, Command. He also served as a directing staff the Nigerian Police Force until his death on offered a career in the Nigerian Police Force June 19, 2021 after a brief illness. after successfully undergoing rigorous entrance DCP Ken has left enduring legacies on tests and examinations. Kene’s life and career his death upon which societies, families and have been positively impacted and horned by the Police Force should be built on. He was these two wonderful and amazing women, Mrs. His job moved him to volatile areas within hardworking, he was visionary, he was loyal, Elizabeth Azeke and Mrs. Mary Anegbode. he was courageous with a gusty mien, he Kene subsequently attended the Nigerian the environs and he was part of the special was a great leader who believed in serving Police Academy, Course 17, where he also posted others, showing acts of kindness and lifting a great performance and drew respect and police team that engaged the militants others from their challenges. His bravery accolades from his coursemates. and magnificent police display earned him After his program at the Nigerian Police accolades and he was christened “Super Cop” Academy, Course 17, Kenneth Akubue had and others in the heat of the Niger Delta by his numerous colleagues and members his first posting at the Olusegun Obasanjo of the society in appreciation of his stellar Police Station in Port Harcourt, Rivers State militancy and upheavals of the year 2000s security interventions. as a Cadet (ASP). He posted an outstanding Most people knew and called him Akuna- performance demonstrating excellence, gallantry, and assisted in maintaining peace in the takasi, which he always gladly acknowledged heroism and fearlessness in the performance with his calm, beautiful, effective and infectious of his risky public service duties. He quickly region and stabilising the oil and gas business smiles. rose through the ranks as his superiors were Chief Akunatakasi’s achievements and immediately attracted by his sterling qualities therein for the benefit of Nigeria outstandingly positive impact on the world and they elevated him to become the 2nd in stage are longer than 100 years. Super Cop, we will miss you. DCP Ken lives on!!! THISDAY ˾ ʹ˜2021 43



Tivlumun Nyitse: From Bartender to Permanent Secretary ˾ÏÖÏÌÜËÞÓØÑÑÜÓÞ˜ÜÏÝÓÖÓÏØÍÏËÞ;͹ Tunde Olusunle profound manifesto and mission statement of all the aspirants, articulated by intellectuals, technocrats and bureaucrats after several sessions of retreats thought I could articulate a diamond birthday and workshops. He envisioned a state which will tribute to a longstanding, longserving classmate, leverage, maximally on its infinite agricultural friend, brother and confidant, Gabriel Tivlumun potentials, to rewrite its narrative of poverty and Nyitse, on his 60th birthday, July 23, 2020. backwardness. He was equally going to emphasise The COVID-19 scourge, a global menace in education, healthcare, youth empowerment and itsI own right, however, upset not a few plans and infrastructure, in his developmental plan. projections, locally and globally, throwing more He was very easily, the topmost contender than a spanner in the wheels of several calculations for the position. This was until all gubernatorial and conjectures. aspirants were advised to step down for a particular Indeed, he had planned to invite traditional anointed aspirant, on the eve of the primaries. artists to perform *kucha* and *bakka* from the The decision proved calamitous for the PDP as rich repertoire of Tiv indigenous motifs, for his it would subsequently impact negatively on the family and friends in his Makurdi home. Tiv performance of the PDP at the polls. The party performances have always been Nyitse’s strong was roundly trounced by the candidate of the All forte, by the way. For his Bachelor of Arts degree Progressives Congress, APC, Samuel Ortom, one in English programme at the University of Ilorin, of the few PDP governorship aspirants on that he had written about Tiv Oral Poetry for his long occasion, who refused to step down and instead, essay, also called project in other institutions. The moved over to the opposition APC at the time. effort received positive appraisals from the Faculty He remained undaunted and simply moved on because of the originality of the concept and content. with his life. Armed with a doctorate degree in Mass Four full decades ago, when I secured a place Communication from the University, as a direct entry student at the University of Ilorin, BSU, he secured a contract appointment as a lecturer my fellow entrants included Gbenga Ayeni (who at the Bingham University, Karu, Abuja, in 2016. started out as a journalist in (Daily Times, but is Last year, he was elevated to the position of Senior today a professor of communications at the East Lecturer in Mass Communication in the institution. Connecticut University); Dapo Adelegan (entrepreneur Ahead of the 2019 general elections, Nyitse’s and initiator of the *Lekki Sunsplash Carnival* of constituents once more, brought pressure to bear the late 1980s) and Blessing Wikina (who served as on him to run for the governorship of Benue State Director of Press Affairs to former Governor Rotimi on the platform of the PDP. Once again, he began Chibuike Amaechi in Rivers State and has since consultations and subtle campaigns for the top retired from the Rivers State Civil Service). There job. Following the defection of Governor Samuel was of course Bisola Oluwole (better known now Ortom from the APC, to the PDP, however, all as Segilola Oluwole, a dynamic and multitasking aspirants to the position of chief executive of the lady entrepreneur) and Ukeh Useh, amongst we state, were advised to withdraw from the race and new entrants into the institution. to join forces with the incumbent. For the second We went through the mills of the registration, time in five years, therefore, Nyitse was compelled orientation and familiarisation processes together to jettison his political aspirations, against his wish. in what then was the *Mini Campus* of Unilorin Dr. Gabriel Tivlumun Nyitse Tivlumun Nyitse has evolved from that secondary and formed a bond of friendship. Oluwole was the school leaver in 1979, who served as a bartender only lady amongst us, and so we knew we had in Benue Hotels, Makurdi the premier hospitality an obligation to protect our sister. As we settled resort the Benue State capital, to one of the major into our accommodation in the hostels and began opinion leaders in his state, and indeed in the to attend classes, we discovered classmates with Tivlumun Nyitse has evolved from that North Central. He clobbered the obstacles on his whom we shared similar interests and inclinations, path with uncommon grit and resilience. The who got into the university before us as *Jambites* secondary school leaver in 1979, who journalist-technocrat, was born July 23, 1960 and the way students who were admitted as freshmen, hails from Utyondu in Guma local government immediately after secondary school, into the first served as a bartender in Benue Hotels, area in the state. His pursuit of knowledge has year, were called. Those of us who came in at taken him around Nigeria from Benue, through 200 Level, actually carried ourselves with some Makurdi the premier hospitality resort the Gombe and then Kwara States. This is not forgetting haughtiness having survived the furnace, in my own his eye-opening one year stint as a youth corps instance and Ayeni’s, of Higher School Certificate Benue State capital, to one of the major member in present day Akwa Ibom State. He belongs Examination, moderated by the Cambridge University. to several professional groups and associations, We soon discovered several intersections and opinion leaders in his state, and indeed notably the Association of Nigerian Authors, commonalities between us and some older students, ANA; the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ by year of admission, and not necessarily by seniority, in the North Central. He clobbered the and the Association of Communication Scholars and friendships and relationships blossomed between and Practitioners Nigeria, ACSPN. them and us. Gabriel Tivlumun Nyitse, Samuel obstacles on his path with uncommon grit Those who know Nyitse and I have always Mopah Aileku, Tunji Bamishigbin, Kunle Sanni, chosen to label us “five and six,” the numbers were some of these new friends. I will come back and resilience usually emblazoned behind the jerseys of the two to the others, but Nyitse is the focus of this tribute. central defenders in a football team. Both players Nyitse started out as a *French major* in Unilorin, must function as a unit, to keep invaders at bay but made an about turn to English, the year we While Nyitse went back to his home state, official inquest in the matter proceeded. He and to keep their team in the game. were admitted. Together, we took courses in English Benue after the service year, I also returned was subsequently vindicated by the investigative We are almost always together, attending Language; Literature in English, and electives in to the Old , my erstwhile abode. panel set up by the school authorities and conferences of professional media associations or Linguistics. Outside the classroom, we were both Coincidentally, our careers have followed the was recalled in time to write his final exams. creative writers’ summits, across the country. We involved in the same extracurricular activity in same trajectory. He secured an appointment, first With the ouster of the Ernest Shonekan-led were together at the Nigerian Guild of Editors, some instances. Principal among these was the as a classroom teacher in a secondary school Interim National Government, ING, by General NGE Conference in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State in Creative Writers Group, mentored by Professor in Markudi, while I also hired by the Kwara in November 1993, the newly 2015 for instance. We holidayed in the US, UK David Cook, one of the iconic figures in the evolution State Education Management Board, to teach appointed Military Administrator of Benue and Turkey, during the summer of 2015. We of Ngugi Wa’ Thiongo, the famous East African English. In 1987, Nyitse secured a new job in State at the time, Joshua Oluyemi Omoniyi participated in the 2017 annual reunion of the writer, when he, Cook, taught at the Makerere the erstwhile *Concord* newspapers, while I Obademi, appointed Nyitse as his Chief Press Unilorin Alumni Association, in Chicago. Back University, Kenya. joined the *Daily Times* in 1990. From being Secretary. It is a measure of Nyitse’s professional in Baltimore on that visit to the US, we enjoyed The group consisted of creatively-inclined students the Chief Correspondent of the newspaper in competence and the confidence reposed in him, the *Amtrak* train ride to visit our old friend in the university, so it was open to enthusiasts, Benue State, he was elevated to Zonal Editor, that the two successors to Obademi, Aminu and brother, Gbenga Ayeni in Connecticut. He irrespective of course or seniority. Stephen Hesbon in-charge of seven states, including Benue, Isa Kontagora and Dominic Oneya, retained is as much of a very well known face in Isanlu, Lubega, Prayag Tripathi and Olu Obafemi, were Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe, with his office his services and even deployed his expertise in my hometown in , as I am amongst the other lecturers, who shared perspectives with in Jos. He left Concord for the Benue State administrative capacities. He was, for instance his folks in Benue. us at the meetings of the group. Cook, Obafemi owned *The Voice* newspaper in 1992, first deployed to Gwer West local government area He has been married to Mrs Helen Nguper and one of the younger members of the group, as Editor, and then as Managing Editor. as Caretaker Chairman, by the administration Nyitse, incumbent Registrar of the Federal University Wumi Raji, would later co-edit a collection of poetry, Nyitse nearly got fired by Rev. Fr. Moses of Brigadier General Oneya in 1998. of Agriculture, Makurdi, for about 30 years, and written by those of us who were members of the Adasu, who was civilian governor of Benue Following the dawn of democratic governance the union is blessed with children. He is well writer’s group. *Rising Voices: An Anthology of State between January 1992 and November May 1999, Nyitse returned to his original duty travelled and has visited the United States of New Poetry Nigerian Poetry* (1991), is the title 1993. He was deemed too independent-minded post in *The Voice.* In 2001, he was appointed America, USA; the United Kingdom, UK; United of that collection. Nyitse and I were contributors. as Editor-in-Chief of *The Voice,* approving Permanent Secretary by the administration of Arab Emirates; Germany, Turkey, Israel, India, Contemporary writers who have since evolved of the publication of stories and reports in the . He was first deployed to the Malaysia, among others. from the Unilorin Creative Writers Group, include: newspaper, which were deemed inimical to Office of the Head of Civil Service, Benue Nyitse has authored many academic essays Sunnie Enessi Ododo (professor and General Manager the interest of the state. He was twice invited State, where he functioned as Permanent and articles, published in books and journals of the National Theatre); Sola Babatunde (professor to face the Benue State Executive Council, to Secretary in-charge of Service Welfare. He across the world. He has also co-edited a book of English in Unilorin); Abdulrasheed Na’Allah explain why *The Voice* interrogated and was subsequently deployed to the Ministry of on mass communication, (with Tyough Emmanuel (professor and Vice-Chancellor of the University criticised certain actions and policies of the Information and Culture, in the same capacity. Terlumun) titled *Introduction To Mass Media: of Abuja); Mopah Aileku (a public servant) and administration. Following the election and inauguration of An Introduction,*(2010). He has similarly edited a this writer among others. Nyitse, Raji, Aileku and For the avoidance of doubt, though, Nyitse Gabriel Torwua Suswam as governor in 2007, collection of poetry, *Dancing Naked,* (2011). He this writer, were part of that pioneering effort. who ran for election as Secretary General of Nyitse was redeployed to Government House as remains a connoisseur of literature, his primary Upon our graduation, we were deployed to the Unilorin Students’ Union in 1984, had Permanent Secretary in-charge of Administration. acaydemic course, and still desires to study for a different states for the mandatory one-year National demonstrated the radical streak in him in a He served creditably in this capacity for seven masters degree in the subject. This is in addition to Youth Service Corps, NYSC. While he was posted few instances. He once sided with the students years before retiring early 2014, to contest for the educational attainments already in his pouch. to the Old Cross River State, I was deployed to the against the authorities of the university, who were the governorship of Benue State. He has severally attempted to develop his passion Old Imo State. Nyitse came ahead of our departure opposed to the hosting of a zonal conference of Nyitse ran a very well received issue-based for farming by growing yams, melon and rice, back date and passed the night with me in my parents’ the National Association of Nigerian Students, campaign across the 23 local government areas home in his community. Unfortunately, he has home in Ilorin, before we both travelled together. NANS, in 1985. The military administration of the state, on the platform of the Peoples’ barely been able to make a success of the effort. We boarded the same vehicle which took us to of Muhammadu Buhari at the time, resented Democratic Party, PDP. He co-opted me into Onitsha, where we both continued our journeys opposition of any kind and NANS was the think tank for the project and I temporarily * Olusunle, PhD, is a Member of the to our respective destinations. considered an adversarial body. Nyitse was relocated to Benue State, to offer as much Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA. temporarily sent away from school while support as I could. He had perhaps, the most 44 THISDAY ˾ ʹ˜2021 BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE Sanwo-Olu Tasks NAICOM to Assist State in Activating Capital Based Tax Lagos State Governor, Mr. to be a partner in progress. programmes and projects in Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has In the same vein, Sanwo-Olu the State, especially the role he tasked management of the during a courtesy visit by the played to mitigate the effect National Insurance Commission executives of the Conference of COVID-19 pandemic in (NAICOM) on the need to of Auditors-General of Local Nigeria. assist the state in activating Governments in Nigeria He also urged him to sup- the Capital based tax in claims led by its Chairman, Musa port their quest to ensure that as enshrined in the Nigeria Atiku at Lagos House, Ikeja, Auditors in the Local Govern- Constitution. on Wednesday stressed the ment are duly recognised in Speaking while receiving importance of separation of the Nigeria Constitution. the management of NAICOM power among the tiers of Also speaking during led by its Commissioner for government. NAICOM courtesy visit, Insurance and Chief Execu- He said accountability and Olorundare Thomas, com- tive Officer, Mr. Olorundare probity should be a way of mended Lagos State Governor Thomas, who paid him a life for leaders to gain trust for all his efforts in the state, courtesy visit at the Lagos of the citizens. adding that NAICOM is set to House, Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu Speaking during the visit, partner with all the relevant noted that the State has Atiku commended Sanwo-Olu Ministries, Departments and considerably tapped into for being the first Governor Agencies (MDAs) of govern- opportunities available from to sign the new Audit law in ment in the State. the Insurance sector, especially the country. He also informed the for its workforce, pledging to Atiku who disclosed that the Governor on the Commis- collaborate more. Conference of Auditors-General sion’s plan to organise an The governor also tasked the of Local Governments in Ni- interactive session for Small sector on continuous advocacy geria were in Lagos State for and Medium Enterprises, and education of residents on their 26th annual conference, SMEs to create awareness on Sanwo-Olu the benefits of the Insurance commended Governor Sanwo- the importance of Insurance sector to businesses, promising Olu for all his developmental to their businesses. MARKET INDICATORS

Adefarasin, Ekeh, Other Business MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA) Moguls Win Big in Forbes 2021 Awards JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3) 38,779,455.43 Eromosele Abiodun Adefarasin. Other awardees include: Ms. The statement reads in part, Wendy Ackerman,Dr. Rajan -- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors 1,039,129.55 Some of the Africa’s leading “A major highlight of the event Mahtani, Mr. Ken Sharpe, Money Supply (M2) 37,740,325.88 lights in business, politics, which has been described by Claver Gatete and Pastor innovation, leadership and analysts as one of the big- Paul Adefarasin. -- Quasi Money 21,779,302.69 the economy have been slated gest and most prestigious in Other panelists for the event -- Narrow Money (M1) 15,961,023.19 for honour and celebration at 2021, will be the celebration include: Wendy Ackerman, His the forthcoming Forbes Best of important personalities who Excellency Ghadiyali Zuliquar, ---- Currency Outside Banks 2,364,871.13 of Africa Award, which will have and continue to have a multi-faceted technocrat, hold at the Foreign Investment significant influence on the businessman and leading en- ---- Demand Deposits 13,596,152.06 Network (FIN) Leadership business, political, leadership trepreneur in the middle East, Net Foreign Assets (NFA) 7,414,275.50 and Philanthropy round table and economic landscape of Dalith Steiger, co-founder of today virtually. Africa. the award-winning, Start- Net Domestic Assets(NDA) 31,365,179.93 In a statement, the organis- “The Prime Minister of up, Swiss Cognitive; Rajan -- Net Domestic Credit (NDC) 42,916,586.63 ers of the event said the Vice Lesotho, Dr Moeketsi Majoro Mahtani, a Zambian business President of the Federal and the King of Lesotho magnate, Chairman of Finance ---- Credit to Government (Net) 12,304,773.44 Republic of Nigeria, Prof Kingdom, His Majesty Letsie Bank Zambia Limited and Sam ---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA 0.00 Yemi Osinbajo, who will be III, David Mohato Seeiso will Matekane, an entrepreneur and represented by the Minister also deliver good message chairman of Matekane Group ---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA) 0.00 of Trade and Investment Niyi during the event of Companies Lesotho. Adebayo, will deliver the “The awards is coming after The FIN – Forbes Best of ---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS) 30,611,813.19 goodwill message during the months of intense research Africa Award is usually given --Other Assets Net 3,892,112.74 event. The statement added and thorough verification annually in connection with that the Chairman of FIN exercise by FIN and FORBES the Best of Africa event held Reserve Money (Base Money 13,264,585.14 Group, Mrs Olayinka Fayomi, and will be presented by none in New York City around the will deliver the welcome other than Mr. Mark Furlong, United Nations General Award --Currency in Circulation 2,831,167.19 address while the keynote President of Customs Solutions (UNGA) meetings to highlight --Banks Reserves 10,433,417.96 ˾ÙßÜÍÏ̋ address will be delivered by at Forbes.” business personalities with a --Special Intervention Reserves 317,234.17 the Prelate and Metropolitan According to FIN, some of record of creating and building Senior Pastor of the House on the recipients are Mr. Sam great global businesses that the Rock Nigeria and Founder Matekane, Kwame Bediako, have made far-reaching and Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) and President of The Rock Mr. Mahmood Ahmadu and positive contributions to the Month March 2018 Foundation, Pastor Paul Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh. development of Africa. Inter-Bank Call Rate 15.16 Heirs Life, Insurance, Promise Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) 14.00 Efficient Service Delivery Treasury Bill Rate 11.84 Savings Deposit Rate 4.07 Nume Ekeghe Onifade, in the statement confirmed the companies’ explained that the websites stance on technology offering 1 Month Deposit Rate 8.82 Heirs Insurance Limited and were designed to remove the ease and comfort to customers. Heirs Life Assurance, have barrier of accessibility. She said: “We are delighted 3 Months Deposit Rate 9.72 confirmed that customers are He said: “For us at Heirs that customers can now pur- 6 Months Deposit Rate 10.93 now able to purchase insurance Insurance and Heirs Life, chase products via our websites. policies from their websites in our business revolves largely This milestone speaks to the 12 Months Deposit Rate 10.21 mere minutes. around satisfying our customers innovation we are bringing The company in a statement and we understand the impor- into the insurance industry Prime Lending rate 17.35 said the interactive websites tant role technology plays in and more importantly, our Maximum Lending Rate 31.55 ensures that customers have making that happen, as well as commitment to our custom- access to quick insurance, com- widening the scope of our of- ers. Our promise of simple, pleting transactions in minutes fering to underserved markets. quick, accessible, and reliable ˾ÙØÏÞËÜãÙÖÓÍãËÞÏ̋ͯͱϱ wherever they are, without any Presently, our websites offer a insurance service is closer than human intervention. web app feature that allows ever.” OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE  ˜ͯͳ  ͰͮͰͯ The development, it added, customers to buy and pay for The duo of Nwakuche and signals the kick-off of its ambi- policies in just five minutes Onifade have repeated severally The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $73.15 a barrel on Thursday, tion to digitalise insurance and and request for claims within in their series of media engage- compared with $75.29 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. provide a viable alternative for 24 hours. This, we believe, ment that the companies will The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan customers to purchase products is the ease customers truly constantly be at the intersection Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light and request claims without deserve and we are glad to of technology and innovation, (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), delay, as well as learn more be pioneering that.” leveraging the power of both factors to provide for customers, Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and about insurance. Also, the Acting Manag- Merey (Venezuela). The Managing Director, ing Director Heirs Insurance well-tailored, value adding Heir Life Assuance, Mr. Niyi Limited, Dr. Adaobi Nwakuche, products at affordable prices. THISDAY ˾ ʹ˜2021 45

   Stock Market Decline on Profit-taking in MTN Nigeria, Zenith Bank Darasimi Adebisi declared by listed companies. listed stocks, market capitalisation trading. Conoil Plc led the gainers’ On the other hand, Ardova The Nigerian Exchange dropped by N65.82billion or 0.32 NGX Insurance rose by 0.25 chart in percentage terms with topped the laggards’ chart in The Nigerian stock market Limited All-Share Index (NGX per cent to close at N20.216trillion per cent to 195.51 basis points 10 per cent to close at N20.35 percentage terms by 6.25 per depreciated by 0.32per cent ASI) dropped by 0.32 per cent or from N20.282trillion. while NGX Consumer Goods per share. cent to close at N15.00k per yesterday following investors 126.32 basis points to 38,801.51 Sector performances were closed yesterday at 594.8 basis CHI Plc followed with a gain share. profit-taking in MTN Nigeria basis points yesterday from mixed today with the Banking points, 0.26per cent from 593.28 8.93 per cent to close at N0.05, Veritaskap followed with four Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Access 38,927.83 basis points the stock dropping by 0.3 per cent to close basis points. while Sovereign Insurance went per cent to close at N0.24k, while Bank Plc and 13 other stocks. market opened for trading. at 379.33 basis points from 380.46 In addition, the Industrial up by 7.69 per cent to close at AIICO Insurance lost 2.06 per The profit-taking of yesterday With yesterday’s profit-taking basis points, while NGX Oil/ inched up by 0.04 per cent to N0.02k per share. cent to close at N0.96 per share. paused the stock market positive the stock market Year-to-Date Gas index depreciated by 0.04 1,970.95 basis points. Regal Insurance rose by 7.14 Japual Gold lost 1.92 per cent trading in August as investors (YTD) returns currently stands per cent to close at 371.12 However, the market closed per cent to close at N0.03, while to close at N0.51k, while Wapic were reacting to impressive half at -3.65per cent basis points from 371.28 basis negative with 16 losers as Mutual Benefits gained 5.56 per shed 1.92per cent to close at year (H1) unaudited results Consequently, the value of all points the market opened for against 18 gainers. cent to close at N0.02 per share. N0.51per share. PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED AS OF 04/08/2021

MAIN BOARD DEALS MARKET QUANTITY VALUE TRADED MAIN BOARD DEALS MARKET QUANTITY VALUE TRADED PRICE TRADED ( N ) PRICE TRADED ( N )

46  ˾FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 2021 06 August 2021 s

Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index fell by 21bps

The dŚŝƐĚĂLJĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚϰϬ/ŶĚĞdžĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚďLJϮϭďƉƐƚŽƐĞƩůĞ at 1,609.63 points on the back of sell pressure on MTNN (- THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX 1.8%), GTCO (-1.2%), and ZENITH (-0.4%). These stocks Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJĂĐĐŽƵŶƚĨŽƌϮϭ͘ϱй͘ Price Price Previous Current Current Change Change Divindend Earnings Ticker Price ROE ROA P/E P/BV Price Weighting YTD Index to Yield Yield Change Date Local Bourse Records Losses... ASI down 32bps THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 1,609.63 -0.21% 9.7% 61.0% 15.0% 3.5% 5.1x 0.7x 5.6% 14.9% 1 Airtel Africa PLC 650.00 0.0% 26.4% -23.7% -23.7% 12.3% 4.4% 2.3% zĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͕͕ƚŚĞůŽĐĂůďŽƵƌƐĞƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚĂŶĞŐĂƟǀĞƉĞƌĨŽƌͲ 2 BUA Cement Plc 68.00 0.0% 10.9% -12.1% -12.1% 19.1% 11.2% 32.7x 6.2x 3.1% 3 28.00 -1.2% mance due to sell-ŽīƐ in MTNN (-1.8%), GTCO (-1.2%), Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC 8.9% -13.4% -13.4% 26.6% 4.3% 4.0x 1.0x 10.7% 24.8% 4 Zenith Bank PLC 24.40 -0.4% 7.3% -1.6% -1.6% 23.1% 2.9% 3.3x 0.7x 12.3% 30.4% and ACCESS (-1.1%) as the All-Share index declined by 5 Dangote Cement PLC 248.10 0.0% 6.7% 1.3% 1.3% 44.7% 17.5% 12.5x 5.4x 6.5% 8.0% 6 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC 168.00 -1.8% 5.3% -1.1% -1.1% 143.0% 12.4% 13.5x 17.1x 6.3% 7.4% ϯϮďƉƐ ƚŽ ϯϴ͕ϴϬϭ͘ϱϭ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ͘ ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůLJ͕ zd ůŽƐƐ ǁŽƌƐͲ 7 Nestle Nigeria PLC 1,540.00 0.0% 4.5% 2.3% 2.3% 143.5% 17.1% 31.2x 53.4x 4.3% 3.2% 8 Lafarge Africa PLC 22.00 0.7% 3.8% 4.5% 4.5% 9.9% 7.1% 9.9x 1.0x 4.5% 10.1% ened to -ϯ͘ϲйǁŚŝůĞŵĂƌŬĞƚĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶĨĞůůďLJേϲϱ͘ϴďŶ 9 Access Bank PLC 9.10 -1.1% 3.3% 7.7% 7.7% 16.4% 1.4% 2.8x 0.4x 8.8% 36.2% ƚŽേϮϬ͘ϮƚŶ͘dƌĂĚŝŶŐĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞƚƌĂĚĞĚ 10 United Bank for Africa PLC 7.50 0.0% 2.6% -13.3% -13.3% 2.2x 0.4x 6.9% 45.4% 11 FBN Holdings Plc 7.30 -0.7% 2.8% 2.1% 2.1% 10.6% 1.0% 3.4x 0.3x 6.1% 29.4% ĨĞůůďLJϯϮ͘ϮйƚŽϭϯϵ͘ϴŵƵŶŝƚƐǁŚŝůĞǀĂůƵĞƚƌĂĚĞĚƌŽƐĞďLJ 12 Nigerian Brew eries PLC 57.00 0.0% 2.3% 1.8% 1.8% 5.6% 2.2% 47.8x 2.7x 1.7% 2.1% 13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC 41.00 0.7% 2.4% 8.6% 8.6% 20.7% 2.9% 7.3x 1.4x 8.4% 13.7% ϯϭ͘ϳйƚŽേϭ͘ϰďŶ͘dŚĞŵŽƐƚƚƌĂĚĞĚƐƚŽĐŬƐďLJǀŽůƵŵĞǁĞƌĞ 14 International Brew eries PLC 5.00 0.0% 1.4% -16.0% -16.0% -5.9% -2.5% 0.9x -12.8% UBA (16.4m units), GTCO (13.0m units), and ZENITH 15 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC 30.45 1.5% 1.3% 17.1% 17.1% 0.7x 5.4% 16 SEPLAT Energy PLC 770.00 0.0% 2.2% 91.4% 91.4% 3.1% 1.7% 20.5x 0.6x 5.3% 4.9% ;ϭϭ͘ϵŵƵŶŝƚƐͿǁŚŝůĞGTCO ;േϯϲϰ͘ϵŵͿ͕ZENITH ;േϮϵϭ͘ϲŵͿ͕ 17 11 PLC 0.0% -100.0% 7.4% 3.2% 18 Okomu Oil Palm PLC 110.00 0.0% 1.1% 20.9% 20.9% 2.8x 6.4% and UBA ;േϭϮϯ͘ϱŵͿůĞĚďLJǀĂůƵĞ͘ 19 Fidelity Bank PLC 2.40 0.4% 0.7% -4.8% -4.8% 11.4% 1.1% 2.4x 0.3x 9.2% 41.8% 20 Ecobank Transnational Inc 5.35 0.9% 0.7% -10.8% -10.8% 1.5% 0.1% 17.8x 0.2x 5.6% 21 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 17.70 1.4% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 25.5% 12.6% 7.3x 1.7x 8.5% 13.8% 22 FCMB Group Plc 3.12 2.0% 0.6% -6.3% -6.3% 4.8% Mixed Sector Performance 23 Sterling Bank PLC 1.53 0.0% 0.3% -25.0% -25.0% 8.9% 0.8% 3.9x 0.3x 3.3% 25.9% 24 NASCON Allied Industries PLC 14.65 0.0% 0.4% 1.0% 1.0% 22.5% 6.8% 8.5x 3.1x 2.8% 11.8% WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌͲ 25 Transnational Corp of Nigeria 0.93 -1.1% 0.4% 3.3% 3.3% -1.3% -0.3% 0.6x 1.1% -2.3% 26 72.60 0.0% age ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚĂƐϯŝŶĚŝĐĞƐůŽƐƚǁŚŝůĞϯ gained. The AFR- Presco PLC 0.3% 2.3% 2.3% 17.9% 7.3% 13.8x 2.3x 2.8% 7.3% 27 Unilever Nigeria PLC 14.50 0.7% 0.2% 4.3% 4.3% -6.2% -4.1% 1.3x -4.8% /d ŝŶĚĞdž ůĞĚ ƚŚĞ ůŽƐĞƌƐ͕ ĚŽǁŶ ϭ͘Ϭй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůů-ŽīƐ in 28 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC 6.00 0.0% 0.3% 13.2% 13.2% 29 United Capital PLC 6.70 -1.5% 0.3% 42.3% 42.3% 35.5% 4.2% 5.1x 1.6x 10.4% 19.5% MTNN (-ϭ͘ϴйͿ͘ &ŽůůŽǁĞĚ ďLJ ƚŚĞ Banking and Oil & 30 Guinness Nigeria PLC 31.50 0.0% 0.4% 65.8% 65.8% -17.8% -9.0% 0.9x -20.6% 31 Custodian and Allied Insurance 6.20 0.0% 0.2% 6.0% 6.0% 24.7% 7.5% 3.1x 0.7x 8.9% 32.8% Gas indices ǁŚŝĐŚĨĞůůďLJ ϯϬďƉƐĂŶĚϰďƉƐƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJĚƵĞ 32 A IICO Ins uranc e PLC 0.95 -2.1% 0.2% -15.9% -15.9% 20.5% 3.3% 2.9x 0.2x 34.6% ƚŽƉƌŝĐĞĚĞƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶŝŶ ACCESS (-1.1%), GTCO (-1.2%), 33 Total Nigeria PLC 203.20 0.0% 0.3% 56.3% 56.3% 6.5x 2.0% 15.5% 34 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 24.50 0.0% 0.2% 39.0% 39.0% 18.3% 2.4% 4.9x 0.8x 1.6% 20.3% OANDO (-0.2%), and ARDOVA (-ϲ͘ϯйͿ͘KŶƚŚĞŇŝƉƐŝĚĞ͕ƚŚĞ 35 Wema Bank PLC 0.89 -1.1% 0.2% 29.0% 29.0% 11.7% 0.7% 5.0x 0.6x 4.5% 19.8% 36 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC 0.0% 0.0% -100.0% 7.4% 0.9% 5.8x 0.6x 4.8% 17.2% ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ'ŽŽĚƐŝŶĚĞdžůĞĚŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ͕ƵƉϬ͘ϯйĚƵĞƚŽŐĂŝŶƐ 37 Oando PLC 4.60 -0.2% 0.2% 24.3% 24.3% 14.5% 2.6% 2.0x 0.3x 50.5% 38 62.50 0.0% in DANGSUGAR (+1.4%), UNILEVER (+0.7%), and Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% -38.7% -9.5% 2.1x -21.2% 39 Beta Glass PLC 52.95 0.0% 0.1% -4.4% -4.4% 12.8% 8.7% 5.4x 0.7x 2.0% 18.4% HONYFLOUR (3.9%). Similarly, the Insurance and Industrial 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc 3.57 0.0% 0.0% -0.8% -0.8% 0.6x

'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ďLJ ϮϱďƉƐ ĂŶĚ ϰďƉƐ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͕ Top 10 Gainers Top 10 Trades by Volume

ŽŶƚŚĞďĂĐŬŽĨďĂƌŐĂŝŶŚƵŶƟŶŐŝŶ MBENEFIT ;нϱ͘ϲйͿ͕SOV- Ticker Price Price Chg % Ticker Volume Price Chg % RENINS (+7.7%), and WAPCO (+0.7%). CONOIL 20.35 10.0% UB A 16.4 0.0% CHIP LC 0.61 8.9% GTCO 13.0 -1.2%

SOVRENINS 0.28 7.7% ZENITHBANK 11.9 -0.4%

WEMABANK 9.6 -1.1% /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ REGALINS 0.45 7.1% M BENEFIT 0.38 5.6% A IICO 9.4 -2.1% /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ COURTVILLE 0.25 4.2% TRANSCORP 8.3 -1.1% HONYFLOUR 1.60 3.9% FBNH 6.3 -0.7%

;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ to 1.2x from 0.9x JA IZB A NK 0.61 3.4% M BENEFIT 5.7 5.6% recorded in the last trading session as 18 stocks advanced FCM B 3.12 2.0% JAIZBANK 4.2 3.4% VITAFOAM 15.40 1.7% OANDO 3.3 -0.2% ǁŚŝůĞ ϭϱ stocks declined. CONOIL (+10.0%), CHIIPLC Top 10 Losers Top 10 Trades by Value (+8.9%), and SOVRENINS ;нϳ͘ϳйͿůĞĚŐĂŝŶĞƌƐǁŚŝůĞARDO- Ticker Price Price Chg % Ticker Value Price Chg %

VA (-6.2%), VERITASKAP (-4.0%), and AIICO (-2.1%) led ARDOVA 15.00 -6.2% GTCO 364.9 -1.2% ĚĞĐůŝŶĞƌƐ͘/ŶƚŚĞĮŶĂůƚƌĂĚŝŶŐƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ͕ǁĞĂŶƟĐŝƉĂƚĞƚŚĂƚ VERITASKAP 0.24 -4.0% ZENITHBANK 291.6 -0.4% A IICO 0.95 -2.1% UBA 123.5 0.0% ƚŚĞ ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ǁŽƵůĚ ƉĞƌƐŝƐƚƐ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ JAPAULGOLD 0.51 -1.9% M TNN 102.7 -1.8% of ƉƌŽĮƚ-ƚĂŬŝŶŐĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ͘ WAPIC 0.51 -1.9% NESTLE 76.4 0.0% M TNN 168.00 -1.8% WAPCO 47.1 0.7%

UCAP 6.70 -1.5% FBNH 46.1 -0.7%

GTCO 28.00 -1.2% VITAFOAM 36.3 1.7%

WEMABANK 0.89 -1.1% FLOURM ILL 31.0 1.5%

ACCESS 9.10 -1.1% ACCESS 26.9 -1.1% Brokerage Asset Management Investment Research Afrinvest West Africa Limited Adedoyin Allen | [email protected] Robert Omotunde | [email protected] Abiodun Keripe | [email protected]

Taiwo Ogundipe | [email protected] Christopher Omoh | [email protected] 48 FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 •THISDAY FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 • THISDAY 45 MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an ETF are bought by investors. Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. investment vehicle that allows both small and Bid Price: The price at which Investors Investors with similar objectives buy units of the large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total that willl generate their desired return. investments. The assets are divided into shares that return an investor would have earned on An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. his investment. Money Market Funds report of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, Yield while others report Year- to-date Total bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, GUIDE TO DATA: Return. etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 04- NAV: Is value per share of the real estate shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the Aug-2021, unless otherwise stated. assets held by a REIT on a specific date. DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Equity Fund 156.97 158.53 2.97% Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 4.66% GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Nigeria International Debt Fund 310.88 310.88 -22.94% Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Afrinvest Dollar Fund 111.42 111.42 -0.60% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD [email protected] GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.81% AIICO CAPITAL LTD [email protected] Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Vantage Balanced Fund 2.80 2.86 -1.93% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.21% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 151.95 152.23 -2.28% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.24 3.40 -4.59% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.28 1.32 1.75% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected]@anchoriaam.com Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.10 1.10 1.01% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fi[email protected] Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.43 1.45 4.86% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,139.67 1,139.67 4.99% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD [email protected] MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 19.76 20.36 8.96% Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund 38.28 39.43 13.55% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.09 -0.92% Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.96 0.97 -7.94% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.04% PACAM Balanced Fund 1.66 1.69 7.17% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED [email protected] PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.49 11.54 -5.30% Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 5.50% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Equity Fund 1.65 1.67 4.56% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 105.53 105.53 3.76% PACAM EuroBond Fund 112.62 114.39 2.49% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,014.55 1,014.55 1.46% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED [email protected] SCM CAPITAL LIMITED [email protected] Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A SCM Capital Frontier Fund 134.57 137.17 10.02% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD [email protected] CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED [email protected] Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.01 1.01 10.06% CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.00 2.00 -12.09% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.12 2.16 -9.40% Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,281.12 3,316.31 2.17% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 231.88 231.88 3.13% CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.01 1.01 2.16% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.22 1.24 4.24% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 305.37 305.37 3.63% Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 224.88 228.21 3.04% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.00% Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.95% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,356.56 10,506.41 -1.30% Paramount Equity Fund 16.60 16.91 3.81% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.27 1.27 3.25% Women's Investment Fund 137.18 138.77 3.08% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 115.06 115.06 3.58% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 102.76 102.76 - Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.25% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 118.78 119.54 United Capital Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A United Capital Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 107.49 107.49 United Capital Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT [email protected] Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 United Capital Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Wealth for Women Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.08% United capital Sukuk Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund 1.19 1.21 -0.63% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD [email protected] Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.36 1.36 -14.23% Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Zenith Equity Fund 12.95 13.06 9.09% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Ethical Fund 14.27 14.40 16.79% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 8.53% Zenith Income Fund 24.25 24.25 1.12% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 7.22% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.83% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,139.47 1,154.54 -1.08% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] REITS Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS REIT 124.98 10.62% FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,397.69 1,397.69 11.34% Union Homes REIT 51.79 2.65% FBN Balanced Fund 191.92 193.30 2.26% EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS FBN Halal Fund 111.62 111.62 7.78% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.45% Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund 13.49 13.59 2.06% SIAML Pension ETF 40 127.30 130.37 5.83% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 126.46 126.46 3.29% Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund 100.92 103.06 1.68% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 158.33 160.55 4.73% MERGROWTH ETF 17.91 18.01 FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] MERVALUE ETF 18.16 18.26 Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD [email protected] Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.33% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Debt Fund 3.96 3.96 2.36% Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 3.92 3.96 3.92% Legacy Equity Fund 1.59 1.62 4.24% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 5.89 5.97 3.54% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.18 1.18 4.03% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 17.63 17.73 8.62% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.33% Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 19.60 19.80 -4.45% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 151.32 153.32 -30.92% Coral Balanced Fund 3,724.21 3,777.02 -0.57% Coral Income Fund 3,358.16 3,358.16 2.50% INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn Coral Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.45% Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund 107.40 13.11% 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. FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 ˾THISDAY 49 NEWS I Control Zamfara Not You, Yari Dares Buni Says even Buhari can’t deny members their constitutional power Emameh Gabriel in Abuja warning further that APC in national level should play by the by the Buni-led CECPC in June, Matawalle, Buni, who is also insisted that his declaration as Zamfara was too powerful to rules as there was an existing which a subsisting court order the Governor of , had leader of APC in the state would A former Governor of Zamfara be taken for a ride as against gentlemanly agreement earlier has invalidated. He expressed announced the dissolution of the not stand. State, Abdul’aziz Yari, has the case withCross River and proposed by the governor and disappointment over a directive executive council of the party in Matawalle had taken with described any attempt by Ebonyi States. his camp on who takes what issued by the national body of Zamfara and declared Governor him to the APC, all but one his successor, Governor Bello Yari, at a press briefing in and gets what. the party, instructing a committee Matawalle as the new leader of member of the state House of Matawalle and the Governor Abuja on Wednesday night, Yari noted that he summoned said to have been purportedly the party in the state. Assembly, all senators and six of Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker/ where he was joined by the briefing to keep the public set up to open new registers to But Marafa had immediately the seven members of House of Extraordinary Convention Senator Kabiru Mafara, the abreast of the position of his camp commence registration of new said Buni’s pronouncement Representatives from the state, Planning Committee (CECPC) party chairman in the state and after a purported dissolution of members into the party. was not part of the agreement which could be a good ground of the All Progressives Congress other APC faithful, insisted that the existing structure of the party At the defection ceremony of reached before his defection and for horse-trading. (APC) to dismantle the existing he would not accept anything structure of the party in the state below the initial agreement as an effort in futility, because he reached by both sides, which controlled Zamfara and not Buni. exclusively reserved the state He also added that not even party chairman for his camp. President Muhammadu Buhari He said while he would had the power to deny existing continue to open door for talks to party members of the state fortify the party’s chances ahead their power as enshrined in of 2023, Governor Matawalle and the constitution of the party, the leadership of the APC at the Ponzi Scheme: Police Arraign Man for Defrauding 170 People of N10.8bn Wale Igbintade punishable under section 8(a) and 1(1) (a) (c) of the Advance Men of Force Criminal Fee Fraud and other Fraud Investigation Department Related Offences Act 2006. (FCID) Annex, Alagbon- However, the defendant YOUR SUPPORT APPRECIATED… Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday denied the allegations and L-R: Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje (left), receiving an award from the former Senate President, Senator , during arraigned a 22-year-old pleaded not guilty to all the the All Progressives Congress (APC) Press Corps Second Quarter Public Lecture titled, “Sustaining a United and Indivisible Nigeria, a Myth Joshua Adeyinka Kayode counts charge. or Realty,” in Abuja…yesterday for allegedly defrauding 170 Upon his plea of not guilty, unsuspecting investors to the the prosecutor, urged the court tune of N10.8 billion under a to remand him in the custody fraudulent investment. of Nigerian Correctional Lagos Assembly Reduces Pension for Tinubu, He was arraigned on Services (NCoS), pending when 170 counts of conspiracy his bail application would be and obtaining money by heard and determined. Fashola, Ambode, Others by 50 Percent false pretence alongside his Counsel to the defendant, company, Quintessential Mr. Emeka Okpoko (SAN), did Adopts report to stop houses for ex-governors Investment Company Limited. not oppose to the prosecutor’s Segun James that former governors should get for the affected public office just had to intervene in their The Prosecutor, Mr. Williams remand request but asked for two vehicles (a car and a van) holders by 75 percent, others lives because of the situations Tijjani, informed the court that a short date to enable him to The Lagos State House of instead of three as recommended urged that the pension remain they found themselves outside the defendant and others now file a bail application. Assembly on Thursday by the committee. as stipulated in the old law. office. We have also seen at large committed the offences After listening to the approved the report of its He also suggested that the However, Obasa argued that former governors in a very between July 2020 and March submission of parties, Justice committee on establishment amended bill should provide that it should be left at 50 percent, bad situation,” he said. 2021. Tijjani Ringim adjourned the which recommended the the cars be changed every four especially as the report had Obasa noted the argument of Tijani told the court that matter till July 11 for hearing of reduction of pensions to former years instead of the three years recommended the removal his colleagues that the projected the defendant defrauded his the defendant’s bail application. governors and other affected recommended by the report. of houses and reduced other downward review of the pension victims under the pretence Ringim also ordered that the officials by 50 percent. The report had suggested that benefits. for the former governors and of false multiple returns on defendant be remanded in the The committee also expunged a reduction in the number of He recalled the recent murder others could also be affected by investment. custody of the NCoS till the the provision of houses in Abuja vehicles to be made available of the President of Haiti and inflation and other economic He told the court that the hearing and determination of and Lagos for former governors to former governors and their said it was necessary to secure considerations, but reminded offences are contrary to and his bail application. as stipulated in an earlier law deputies. the lives of the former office that the House must meet operated by the state. While some of the lawmakers, holders. the wishes of the people one The Speaker of the House, Dr. at plenary, had suggested for an “By virtue of my office, I have of which is a cut in the cost of Osun Speaker: Animal Grazing Mudashiru Obasa, suggested upward review of the pension seen former Speakers who we governance. Regulation Bill will Control Okowa Calls for Proper Monitoring of Nigeria’s Crude Oil Production Herdsmen’s Activities Goddy Egene The retreat, themed, He called for the reduction in Okowa pointed out that the Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo environment. They said that the “Repositioning Federation delays arising from granting of agreements were formulated bill would control and prevent Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Investment for Enhanced agency permits that often led and signed a long time ago and The Speaker of Osun State House the spread of animal diseases Okowa, has called for proper Revenue Performance” was to high cost of drilling and for did not reflect present economic of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Timothy in the state if passed into law. monitoring of Nigeria’s crude organised to enhance the urgent addressing of security realities, adding that Delta Owoeye, has said that putting They also observed that the oil production to ascertain RMAFC’s revenue generation challenges, including crude government was particularly State Animal Grazing Regulation bill would put stop to herder’s volume, ensure transparency and monitoring strategy for theft, kidnapping, piracy and concerned about agreement and Cattle Ranch Establishment criminal activities and help the and accountability in the oil improved public spending. bunkering. with host communities. Bill in place would reduce clashes economy of the state. and gas sector. The governor said that to He said that it was a He, therefore, urged the between farmers and herdsmen The legislators also said that Okowa made the call ensure effective monitoring of consensus that many oil IOCs/Operators to keep faith in the state. the bill would bring unity among yesterday while opening a two- crude oil production and export, and gas agreements reached with the General Memorandum Owoeye stated this yesterday farmers and herdsmen in Osun day retreat of the Investment there was the need to deploy with International Oil of Understanding with the host during the plenary at House of if passed into law. Committee of Revenue the latest technology such as Companies(IOCS)/Operators communities for meaningful Assembly Osogbo. They said: “The bill will Mobilisation, Allocation and Artificial Intelligence/Robotics had not been closely monitored, infrastructure development and He enumerated the advantages provide job opportunity to Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to guarantee effectiveness and hence the observed low level employment generation for the and disadvantages of the bill the people and curtail spread in Asaba. management of cost. of compliance. purposes of peace and stability. during the policy thrust of the of animal diseases. bill. “The bill, if passed into law, The speaker observed that will reduce sudden accident Kwara, Niger Seek Ties to Fight Insecurity the passage of the bill would cause by herdsmen movements Hammed Shittuin Ilorin the Special Adviser on Political he would reach out to his Niger He lamented the increasing control activities of herdsmen and increase farm products in Communications to Kwara State State counterpart for maximum exportation of firewood and reduce degradation of land the state.” The Kwara State Governor, Mr. Governor, Mr. Bashr Adigun, security collaboration to put an and charcoal from the state in the state. They urged for the speedy AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has and made available to journalists, end to such criminal activities. and stressed that the state He lamented the damages that passage of the bill for the said that Kwara and Niger States stated that the gesture would Governor AbdulRazaq government would deepen mass were caused by open grazing development of the state. are prepared to strengthen existing also boost socio economic disclosed that Kwara and Niger enlightenment on the use of gas in the state and the country at Meanwhile, under the personal collaboration to ensure adequate development of the two states. States accounted for 60 percent in place of firewood and charcoal large while urging for laws that explanation, Hon. Elizabeth protection of lives and properties The governor, who also of Shea butter production in to protect the forest. would guide cattle rearing. Abioye representing Ifedayo in the two states. expressed grave concern the country, regretting that He also said that the Governors’ The Osun State’s lawmakers State Constituency brought In a statement issued in Ilorin with reports of degradation deforestation activities by some Forum might also need to work noted that the bill is a welcome to the notice of the house an on yesterday shortly after the of multi-billion Naira natural of the criminal elements in parts to bring down the cost of cooking development in agriculture attack by herdsmen on Oora State Executive Council (SEC) endowments by some criminal of the state constituted serious gas to make it more affordable sector and would put a stop town where a lady was taken meeting held in the Government elements in parts of Baruten Local danger to the preservation of to the people as a sustainable to open grazing and protect the away by evil perpetrators. House, Ilorin, and signed by Government of the state, said that natural endowments. alternative to fire wood. 50 FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 ˾THISDAY NEWS XTRA Kidnappers Demand N700m for Abducted Bayelsa SSG’s Mother, Night Club Owner

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa confirmation on ransom from Ajanami. Ajanami, an indigene government has vowed to fish that the state in collaboration hiding hole is, and return mama the spokesman of the Bayelsa of Ayamasa town in Ekeremor out the kidnappers of Madam with security agencies were home to her loved ones.” Abductors of the 90-year-old State Police Command was not Local Government Area of Benson, they has not been able committed to pursuing and The statement signed by mother of the Secretary to the fruitful, but a member of the the state was abducted at his to rescue her after 15 days in apprehending the criminals the state Commissioner for Bayelsa State Government family of the abducted club building project site on Otiotio the kidnappers captivity. involved in the condemnable Information and Orientation, (SSG), Hon. Kombowei Benson, owner, who pleaded anonymity, Road in the state capital. A statement issued by the kidnap, “no matter how fast Ayibana Duba, condemned the have demanded the sum of confirmed that the family have Although the state state government had boasted they run or how deep their abduction of the aged woman. N500million as ransom for been contacted and ransom her release. Also demanded demanded. was the sum of N200million “It was shocking when they for the release of Tari Ajanamih, demanded N200million ransom. the owner of a popular night I hope and pray that they release club, Club 64, in the state. our brother unhurt,” he said. It was gathered that The SSG mother, Madam investigators in the two incidents Betinah Benson, was abducted were already looking at the at her residence in the Old possibility that both abductions Assembly Quarters, Yenagoa. were planned by one group. Her abductors were said to have While both abductions been dressed in military fatigue occurred few days from the on July 20, 2021. other, the ransom demand One week later, gunmen also occurred few hours apart. also abducted a popular night Attempts to get the club owner identified as Tari Supreme Court Judgement Validates Buni’s Committee, ECOWAS NEW VISION… L-R: President, ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Jean Claude Kassi; Deputy Director, International Economic Relations Department, Federal APC Govs Insist Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Vivian Nwosu; and Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Eddison Agbenyegah, during the retreat for permanent Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja judgment of the court, which representatives committee on the draft ECOWAS Vision 2050, in Abuja... yesterday KINGSLEY ADEBOYE settled issues conclusively. The governors elected on The forum recalled that on the platform of the All Wednesday, July 28, 2021, the Progressives Congress (APC) Supreme Court pronounced Initiate Poverty Reduction Programmes, have said that the Supreme its split decision on the appeal Court Judgment on Ondo and counter appeals before Sanwo-Olu Charges LG Chairmen State election validated the it in the judgment of Ondo Segun James during a three-day induction the theme: ‘Engendering Peace, Earlier, the state Commissioner Caretaker/Extra Ordinary Gubernatorial Election petition, retreat for the newly-elected Security and Development at the of Local Government and Convention Committee of with the written judgment to Lagos State Governor, Babajide chairmen of the 57 LGs and Grassroots’, in Lagos, the governor Community Affairs, Dr. Wale the party, which is led by be delivered afterwards. Sanwo-Olu, has given a matching LCDAs in the state. called for peace among the council Ahmed, congratulated the the Governor of Yobe State, It added that the written order to local government area Sanwo-Olu admonished the chiefs and the electorate, saying it is elected chairmen, and lauded the Mr. Mai Mala Buni. judgment released on (LGA) and Local Development council bosses, “to think out only under a peaceful atmosphere governor for graciously acceding The Chairman of Progressive Wednesday, August 4, 2021, Council Areas (LCDAs) chairmen of the box and build enabling that jobs can be created. to the actualisation of the retreat Governors, Mr. Atiku Bagudu, the apex court upheld further to embark on projects that will environment for wealth creation He emphasised that it is their “to allow the chairmen add their in a statement yesterday prior the ruling of the Court of have impact on the grassroots among people at the grassroots.’’ responsibility to serve the people, collective contributions towards to the release of the written Appeal that “it is evident and help to alleviate poverty in At the event organised by the adding that: “You have to write the actualisation of the THEMES judgment that delivered by the that the said Governor Mai the area. Ministry of Local Government your names in gold as you work agenda of the government, Supreme Court, said that a lot Mala Buni was appointed only The governor gave the order and Community Affairs, with with your people.” particularly at the grassroots.” of analysis and interpretations in an acting capacity on a had been made, with some temporary basis to temporarily clearly mischievous. carry out and fill in the seat He said that the early of the National Chairman of Robbers Attack Two Banks in Osun, Kill Policeman, Resident release of the written judgment the party pending the elections Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo who were transacting positioned themselves at Unit of The Nigeria Police had availed the public with the of new members.” businesses in the banks when strategic locations within Force. A gang of armed robbers the incident happened took the town while the operation Simply identified as Jelili yesterday evening raided to their heel. The robbers, lasted. Aladeokin, he was said to Electronic Voting Possible two commercial banks in Iree, 15 in number, according to They were said to have later have joined the police as Boripe Local Government Area eye witnesses, entered the made their escape through constabulary not up to six of Osun state, killing one Police town at about 3.50p.m. and Ada, a nearby community. months. THISDAY further in Nigeria, Says Kaduna and resident as well as carting operated for about 20 minutes Among the two persons gathered that the deceased away an undisclosed amount unchallenged. said to have been killed by the was the son of All Progressives of cash in the process. It was gathered the robbers armed robbers was an officer Party (APC) women leader, Deputy Gov Sources said some customers, came in different vehicles of the Special Constabulary ward 10, Iree. John Shiklam in Kaduna council polls “by reconfiguring the electronic voting machines The Deputy Governor of Kaduna to integrate the card reader and Meadow Foods, Premier Feeds Partner to Assist Farmers State, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, has ensure that each voter’s card Meadow Foods Nigeria Limited, Wednesday in Yola, Adamawa farmers face is the numerous and Marketing, Dalyop Austin said the state government has can only be used once.” through its GrowIT Project, has State, the co-founder of Meadow middle men who further shrink Pam, said: “The agreement is proven that it is possible to use The deputy governor said: signed a Memorandum of Foods, Adaku Omidosu said: their already lean profits. key in the efforts of Premier electronic voting to conduct “Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s Understanding (MoU) with “The partnership will provide “What you just witnessed Feeds to empower smallholder elections in Nigeria. administration has demonstrated Premier Feeds, an animal linkages to smallholder farmers today is ground breaking. Our farmers by off taking their Balarabe stated this yesterday its commitment to a viable, feed brand in Nigeria, to so they can have access to off takers are committed to harvests, thus strengthening at a sensitisation programme democratically elected and supply 16,000 metric tonnes premium markets and earn mopping off all the harvests the food value chain. Our organised by the Kaduna responsive local government of maize and soya beans for decent profits”. of the farmer groups in our organisation is happy to work State Independent Electoral system. the 2021/2022 farming seasons. Omidosu noted that one network”, she added. with smallholder farmers to Commission (SIECOM) for “In 2018, the state government Speaking at the event on of the challenges smallholder On his part, Head of Sales ensure a win-win situation. stakeholders ahead of the introduced electronic voting for September council polls. the local government elections In 2018, the state government of May and June 2018. Economic Recession: We Reduced Salary Rather conducted local government “This required considerable elections using electronic voting investments, and we consider machines. it a worthwhile deployment of than Downsize, Says Yobe According to her, the state technology towards ensuring Michael Olugbode in Dama- Mallam Abdullahi Bego, noted some would call it economic responsibility of the government government has invested that votes count and that the turu that the economic recession has recession- in the wake of the to provide basic social services considerably in electronic voting, results that are declared reflect left the state with no other option COVID-19 pandemic the revenue to the people, including water stressing that the deployment of the actual preferences that the Yobe State Government has than to take the harsh decision. receipts up and down the levels supply, medicines and drugs technology is aimed at ensuring voters expressed. explained that it took the Bego said: “Over the past of government are plummeting. in hospitals, clinics, and health that votes count and that the “Across the state, voters found decision to reduce salary of years, the state government “These revenue shortfalls, centres, feeding for students in results reflect the choice of it easy to use the electronic voting workers at the local government has been very prompt-every as you all know, have begun schools and general support voters. machines, thereby proving areas of the state instead of single month-in ensuring that to affect everything-from the for educational development, Balarabe commended the that user interface is not a downsizing. workers receive their salaries capacity of the government to agricultural input to farmers, and State Electoral Commission for problem and that elections in Addressing a press without fail. provide key social services to the the roads that make commerce making efforts to improve on the Nigeria can be safely conducted conference yesterday, the state “In the recent period, however, people to the fare you pay at the and commuting easier. These challenges faced during the 2018 electronically.’’ Commissioner for Information, the global economic downturn- motor park. But it is the basic are facts which we all agree. FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 ˾THISDAY 51 NEWS XTRA Alleged Infractions: Senate Orders BPE to Refund N8.7bn Into Consolidated Revenue Fund Deji Elumoye in Abuja infractions committed by the at plenary recently before the 2015 Audit Report, sustained Government Holdings which back it. agency between 2014 and 2015. Red Chamber went on vacation by the Senate Committee on BPE failed to remit to the The Audit report adopted The Senate has directed the This was sequel to the by the Chairman of the Senate Public Accounts and adopted Consolidated Revenue Fund by the Senate reads: “The Bureau of Public Enterprises adoption of the 2015 Auditor- committee on Public Accounts, by the Red Chamber was (CRF). Committee observed that there (BPE) to refund N8.7 billion into General of the Federation’s Senator Mathew Urhoghide. reported to have committed Although BPE in its was no evidence provided by the Consolidated Revenue Fund (AuGF) report that indicted The upper legislative series of financial infractions response to the query, said all BPE to show that the dividend (CRF) over alleged financial the BPE which was presented chamber had on the strength between 2014 and 2015 financial dividends received on Federal was remitted to TSA of queries issued the Bureau years, to the tune of N8, 757, Government Holdings in the “Consequently, the of Public Enterprises (BPE) by 353, 089.09 billion in violation of year under review totalling N6, Committee recommends that Court Jails 16 Cyber Criminals the AuGF and upheld by the several extant rules of financial 819, 388, 791.00 billion were the Bureau remit the sum of N4, committee directed the former regulations. transferred to Treasury Single 736, 932, 467. 67billion to the in Rivers to remit the said sum into the One of such violations was Account (TSA) in September CRF, evidence of which must be Consolidated Revenue Fund the alleged non - remittance 2015, but the Senate faulted submitted to Auditor General EFCC arrests 41 suspected internet fraudsters (CRF) . of N4, 736, 932, 467.67 billion the submission for lack of of the Federation and Senate Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja intelligence received on The BPE ,as alleged by the dividends received on Federal documentary evidence to Public Accounts Committee”. their alleged involvement in The Benin Zonal Command cybercrime. of the Economic and Financial A seperate statement issued Crimes Commission (EFFC) by EFCC listed the convicts has secured the conviction of as Saheed Ibrahim Odunayo, 16 cyber criminals in Rivers Oduwa Osagieduwa, Ahmed State. Rilwan, Okpodu Samson, They were on Wednesday Abimbola Akinboyejo, Akande convicted and sentenced to Oluwaferanmi, Samson various jail terms by Justice Fadugbagbe and Prince Adamu Tukur Mohammed of Ifeakachukwu Abandi. the Federal High Court sitting Others are Dogo Samson, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Olurunlayo Busayo Adewale, The conviction is coming as Joshua Temiloluwa, Oniye operatives of the Enugu and Damilare, Oluwagbemiga Abuja Zonal Commands of the Blessing, Lucky Morrison, Economic and Financial Crimes Adekolurejo Femi James and Commission, yesterday arrested Alasa Solomon. 41 suspected internet fraudsters The 16 convicts were in separate operations in arraigned on one count charge Owerri, Imo State and Abuja. each for offences bordering on Their arrest was made impersonation and obtaining possible through credible by false pretences. SEEKING BOI’S BOOST... L-R: Member, Board of Trustees, Apparel and Accessories Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (AAMAN), Chief Gabriel Egbule; Vice 175m Nigerians Lack President, AAMAM, Mrs. Folake Majin; Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Olukayode Pitan; and President, AAMAN, Mrs. Folake Access to Clean Cooking Oyemade, during a meeting in Lagos…recently ETOP UKUTT Energy, Says Minister The Minister of State for Power, the issues as energy access is One Dead, Five Injured as Police, Christian Dr. Goddy Jedy Agba, has said the life wire of every sector of about 175 million Nigerians still the economy. lack access to clean, reliable and He maintained that the energy Worshippers Clash in Maiduguri affordable cooking energy. sector is a critical sector for Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri with the task of marking landed force operating with the BOGIS commiserated with families of Agba, who put the global climate change negotiations, property in the state as well as and some worshippers at a the person who died and those figure of people lacking access saying: “As we engage in these One person was killed and collecting revenue for the state branch of EYN Church in injured. to clean cooking solutions at 2.6 negotiations in the run up to five others injured in a fracas government, and members of Maiduguri. He said the governor had billion, stated this during the sixth COP26 and beyond, it is critical between security agents the church last Wednesday. The governor, while meanwhile called the Chairman Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF2021) that we work towards aligning attached to the The confrontation condemning in strong terms the of the Christian Association of held virtually yesterday. on an energy transition outcome Geographical Information degenerated to a situation while firing of gun shots by a member Nigeria, (CAN) in Borno State, Presenting a keynote address that is equitable, inclusive and System (BOGIS) and some the BOGIS staff and the security of the security task force as Bishop Mohammed Naga, to on the theme: ‘Maximising just.” worshippers at a branch of escorts were pelted with stones well as some persons who commiserate with the Christian Nigeria Energy Perspectives While noting that Nigeria, EYN Church in Maiduguri, the while the security operatives hurled stones at the task force community and leadership as at COP26’, the minister also with the help of the United state Governor, Prof. Babagana retaliated by firing gunshots during an encounter yesterday, well as the family of the EYN revealed that about 759 million Kingdom Energy Transition Zulum, has confirmed. with led to death and injuries. lamented that one person was church in the state. people in the world with 90 Council has developed its energy It was gathered that Speaking on the incident, killed and five other persons Zulum also invited the million from Nigeria alone still transition plan, he, however, troubled started when some Zulum ordered the state police injured and were hospitalised, CAN leadership for meeting don’t have access to electricity. added that financing is most members of the church had command to immediately in the confrontation. scheduled for yesterday at The figures, according to him, critical as several reports have confrontation with operatives investigate the violent collusion Zulum’s spokesman, Isa the Government House in pose serious threats to achieving indicated that there’s a huge gap of the BOGIS, who is saddled between a joint security task Gusau, said the governor has Maiduguri. the Social Development Goal between required investments 7 (SDG7) targets; therefore, the and what’s currently being world must find solutions to deployed. Buhari Inaugurates Model Ranching Hub in Nasarawa Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia the federal government for the of Agriculture and Rural 22 states and the Federal SARS: Oyetola Receives pilot of the NLTP to provide Development, Mr. Sabo Capital Territory (FCT) President Muhammadu land for livestock farmers to Muhammad Nanono, on have so far registered for Buhari yesterday inaugurated practice their profession. behalf of President Buhari, has implementation of the plan Judicial Panel’s Report a 22,000 hectres of Awe THISDAY gathered that a capacity of accommodating in their geographical divides. Model Ranching Hub Project the federal government has about 360 households, while “The NTPL will also Yinka Kolawole of the state High Court, Justice in Osogbo (AMRHP), under the National secured €400,000 grant from about 96 pastoralists were said improve the value chain of Akinwale Oladimeji, to look into Livestock Transformation the Netherlands to kick off to be available to settle. animal husbandry better the cases of assault, illegal arrest, The Osun State Governor, Plan (NLTP), in Awe Local the project in five states of President Buhari said the lives of the pastoralists. It will killings, brutality and other forms Adegboyega Oyetola, has Goverment Area of Nasarawa Nasarawa, Adamawa, Plateau essence of the NLTP was to also be a game changer in of rights abuse by the officers and expressed his administration State. and Gombe. stem the tide of insecurity, the history of Nigeria, which men of the disbanded Special resolve to rid the state of all Nasarawa State is one of the The AMRHP, which was not only in Nasarawa State, will confine livestock even in Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of forms of injustice against and states in Nigeria selected by launched by the Minister but across the country as dry season,” he said. oppression of the weak. the Nigerian Police. He called on citizens of Oyetola, who appreciated the state to hold external and members of the panel for Bayelsa Residents Lament Rising Cases of Cult Wars, Robbery internal institutions and other giving their best to comfort citizens accountable in ways the oppressed and strengthen Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa cash, there are other sets of cut in the crossfire, while last The arrival of the cult boys, that public conducts and the weak, assured the people armed robbers who specialise Wednesday, two young men who brandished cut-to-size behaviours conform to the that the government would Palpable fear is presently griping in breaking into cars and stealing were rushed to an unknown guns, axes and cutlasses, caused ethos of Omoluabi. implement the recommendations residents of Amarata community, brain boxs at night. hospital after they were shot in pandemonium as the people took Oyetola stated these yesterday of the panel in a manner that a suburb of the Bayelsa State Over five persons have been the stomach at the Apex area to their heels in different direction when he received the report of will ensure that justice is served. capital, Yenagoa, over the on- feared killed in the last one week of Amarata community. while those who were unlucky the Judicial Panel of Inquiry Oyetola said: “We have going cult war which escalated as the war between the cult Last Wednesday night, were robbed at gun point. against Police Brutality, Human resolved to heal the wounds of last week after a leader of one groups, who some identified as residents in the area were once Some of the residents, Rights Violations and Related those that were hurt among us, the cult groups was killed. ‘Bobos’ and ‘Aiyes’, continues again thrown into panic when including young women who Extra-judicial Killings, at the so as to reintegrate them into our Apart from the rampaging unabated. some of the boys coming back sell food on the street, were Governor’s Office in Osogbo. fold, get the best out of them cultists who use the opportunity Last Monday, a young girl from one of their fights used seriously injured as they fell The governor had constituted and move on as one big, strong to rob residents of their valuables, was said to have been killed the opportunity to rob shops into the gutter while scampering the panel led by a retired Judge family. especially mobile phones and by a stray bullets when she was and people on the street. for safety. 52 FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021 ˾THISDAY 24 HOURS... 45 North-east on the Brink WORLD OF ISLAM of Catastrophic Food Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email [email protected] Crisis, Says UN Remember Who You Are – 1 By: Spahic Omer/IslamiCitA worship Him. It likewise makes us long for Michael Olugbode in Abuja outlook is dire. Without Some 775,000 people are at Him and crave for a reunion with Him. The sustained humanitarian extreme risk of catastrophic This article is about man and how his life is Prophet (PBUH) said: “Every child is born in The United Nations has raised assistance in Borno, Adamawa food insecurity-the worst torn between remembrance and forgetfulness. a state of fitrah, then his parents make him the alarm that North-eastern and Yobe States, millions will outlook in four years. The article shows that man’s primordial origins into a Jew or a Christian or a Zoroastrian, Nigeria is on the brink of struggle to feed themselves It added that the were in Heaven and were pure. His task on just as animals bring forth animals with their catastrophic food insecurity as during this critical 2021 lean humanitarian community, earth is merely to remember who he is, and limbs intact; do you see any deformed one 4.4 million people in the area season.” the United Nations and non- to live accordingly, while constantly fending among them?” (Sahih al-Bukhari). are expected to face critical The statement, relying governmental organisations, off the forces of evil - and of forgetfulness. To most scholars, being born in a state food shortages. on the March 2021 Cadre have joined efforts to address of fitrah is the result of the covenant that Harmonised food security the rapidly deteriorating There is nothing more captivating and more Allah had taken from mankind before their A statement issued actual earthly lives. Fitrah also means the food security situation in the mystifying than human destiny. There is likewise yesterday by the United assessment, lamented that an nothing more exhilarating and promising than sound natural state of a person and his intrinsic Nation Office for theestimated 4.4 million people, North-east region, working human abilities and talents. spiritual and rational urge to believe in his Coordination of Humanitarian including internally displaced closely with the government However - above all - there is nothing more Creator and Master. Affairs (UN-OCHA) said: people (IDPs), are expected of Nigeria at federal and state disappointing and more anticlimactic than Hence the Prophet (PBUH) added in the “In North-east Nigeria, the to face critical food shortages. levels. the ways most people’s lives are lived and said hadith: “just as animals bring forth animals concluded. Most people live their lives – waste with their limbs intact,” which means: just as their only opportunity – perplexed and deluded. people are born physically complete, they, in They are full of illusions, wishful thinking, the same way, are born spiritually sound and Ganduje Calls for Dialogue over buts, and what-ifs. disposed to the truth, i.e., complete. Life has been turned into a tragedy. Both the Qur’an and the Happy endings are getting ever scarce. The Prophet’s Sunnah also refer to this condition as Secession Agitations only thing that keeps people somehow being hanif (plural: hunafa’), which connotes Adedayo Akinwale and Udora the second quarterly public lecture appropriate quarters without going is the eternally-enduring false zest “innately believing in monotheism and snubbing Orizu in Abuja series of the All Progressives perpetrating acts that could be of Renaissance humanism, which is now false creeds.” Congress (APC) Press Corps, in interpreted as an attempt to quickly turning into various forms of post- The Prophet (PBUH) related that Allah had The Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abuja, also opined that discussion enthrone instability and dismember humanism. Consequently, people live their said: “I created all of My servants as hunafa’, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has on the restructuring document the country. lives according to their own constructs and but the devils diverted them from their belief” called on secessionists to embrace currently with the governing He said the leadership of the paradigms, eventually falling out with the (Sahih Muslim). dialogue as secession is not the party is the way to go. groups in the two geo-political truth and life’s actual reality. He stated that the recent regions spearheading the bid Such lives, in essence, signify the acceleration, Progressing versus Returning way out of the current challenges as well as perpetration, of own deaths afflicting the nation. developments by the Indigenous for secession, have gone too far, through hubris (in Greek tragedy: excessive Adam’s and his wife’s temporary stay in Ganduje who spoke yesterday at People of Biafra (IPOB) and inciting followers to acts of violence and even foolish pride, or dangerous self- Oduduwa Republic groups against Nigerian security forces Jannah (Paradise), prior to their descent to confidence, often in defiance of gods and earth, among other things, underlines this CHANGE OF NAME pointed to the fact that lessons and the nation cannot risk another Heaven). have not been learnt from the civil war. fundamental character of mankind. While I formally known and address People are thoughtless, hasty, and in a state of their original and impeccable as ELEKWA IJEOMA KALU, three-year bloody war which Ganduje cautioned that no conceited. They live suicidal lifestyles, glorifying blamelessness and virtue, they were fit to now wish to be known and ad- began in 1967. Nigerian should welcome another their inadequacies and flaws. They do not reside in Jannah. Nonetheless, as soon as The governor noted that dress as NNAMDI-IGWENYI, war, because violent secession know – nor do they care - who or what exactly their condition was affected, they were the unity of Nigeria should be by any part of Nigeria would IJEOMA. All former documents they are. Life is taken for granted, regarding removed from there. Their own and their discussed, but urged the agitators compound the problems of all it as neither known nor knowable. progeny’s lives were thus about instituting remain valid. The general public to channel their grievances to the Nigerians. take note. In the end, one starts wondering if life is and maintaining the highest standards of a tragedy or a comedy. consciousness, goodness, and virtue, in order I, formerly known and addressed as to succeed in this world and so, return to MR. STEPHEN OLADIPO OLAOLU 26,300 Filling Stations The Case of Islam Jannah in the hereafter. BALOGUN now wish to be known A believer’s life, it stands to reason, is as and addressed as MR. STEPHEN In Islam, however, things are not only poles much about progressing towards Jannah as OLADIPUPO OLAOLU KOLA- Risk Denial of Licences apart, but also simple, straightforward, and about returning to it. Similarly, it is as much BALOGUN. All former documents sensible, for there should be nothing simpler, about advancing towards a spiritual perfection remain valid. The general public Renewal by DPR nor clearer, than the truth. as about returning to the primordial self. should please take note. Peter Uzoho involving heads of the agencies, Life is neither a mystery, nor an accident, All this means that a person is born innocent, I, formerly known and addressed which was held at the National Oil nor a bane. It is a gift and a miracle. It is a pure, and on the right path. His existential as DIKE LINDA OJUIGO AND No fewer than 26,300 filling stations and Gas Excellent Centre (NOGEC) perfect example of Almighty Allah’s creative task is just to stay the course and to maintain DIKE LINDA OJIUGO, now across Nigeria are risking their chances in Lagos, the Director of DPR, Mr. will, infinite power, and boundless love as his innocence, purity, and righteousness. A wish to be known and address of having their licences renewed by the Sarki Auwalu, said out of the existing well as compassion. person needs to stay true to himself and his as UGWU LINDA OJIUGO. All Department of Petroleum Resources 33,000 filling stations registered with At the center of the creation, phenomenon inborn disposition. He needs to remember former documents remain valid. (DPR) if they fail to migrate to the the DPR, only 6,700 had migrated stands man as Allah’s vicegerent, to whom who he is and to always act accordingly. He Please public take note. digital tracker put in place by the to its digital products tracker, the everything in the heavens and on the earth has cannot forget. Forgetting who he is rendering a agency before December 31, 2021. Downstream Remote Monitoring been subjected. Man has been greatly honored person isolated from his heavenly association, I, formerly known as BOSE This is just as the DPR again met System (DRMS). and cherished and has been preferred “over disoriented and vulnerable. He becomes easy BOLANLE OJETUNDE now with the leadership of the Economic He said those who were yet to much of what We have created, with (definite) prey for Satan as man’s arch-enemy. For the wish to be known and ad- preference” (al-Isra’, 70). In his capacity as the same reason when a non-Muslim embraces and Financial Crimes Commission migrate to the platform (the 26,300), Islam (the truth), even though technically dressed as BOSE BOLANLE (EFCC), the Nigerian National had been given between now and crown of creation, everything about man has USMAN. All former documents been spectacular, yet dramatic. he converts to it, yet ideally he reverts to it Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), December 31 this year to migrate The Covenant between Allah and Mankind and to his original self. remain valid. General Public Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory or face denial of licence renewal by Allah informs us that before the actual take note. Authority (PPPRA) and the Petroleum the agency. creation of mankind, He brought into existence Man and Forgetfulness Equalisation Fund (PEF) to collectively DRMS also known as e-Station at one and the same time every person that I, formerly known and ad- find ways to combat smuggling and is an inventory and regulatory tool is to be born up to the Day of Judgment. He According to the Qur’anic message, there dressed as UZOMAH NNEKA, other corrupt practices associated with launched in February this year by now wish to be known and ad- did so from the loins of their father and the are two types of forgetfulness: normal and the importation and distribution of the DPR for the purpose of tracking first man, Adam. anomalous. The former is in small and mundane dress as UZOMAH NNEKA refined petroleum products in the product level across retail outlets ULOMA GRACE. All former He then imbued mankind with a suitable matters. It is inescapable and, therefore, country. and depots as well as movement provisional amount of life and intelligence, inconsequential. It is harmless. No human documents remain valid. Speaking yesterday at the of products from depots to retail and having brought them all forth in His being, including the prophets, is exempted from Please public take note. stakeholders’ engagement meeting outlets using a USSD code *7117#. presence, Allah asked them to bear witness of this type of forgetfulness. Prophet Musa, for I, formerly known and addressed themselves that He is their Lord. “They said: example, at one point said to Khidr: “Rebuke as MISS TAIWO OLUWATOYIN ‘Yes, we have testified.’ (This) - lest you should me not for forgetting” (al-Kahf, 73). OSHIKOYA now wish to be known Only Truth Can Unravel the say on the Day of Resurrection: ‘Indeed, we The Prophet (PBUH) has been commanded and addressed as MRS. TAIWO were of this unaware’” (al-A’raf, 172). thus: “And if Satan should cause you to forget, OLUWATOYIN KOLA-BALO- Misery Behind Keren’s Death, Some people think that this verse of the then do not remain after the reminder with GUN. All former documents remain Qur’an is a figurative account. However, there the wrongdoing people” (al-An’am, 68). Satan valid. The general public should Says Premiere Academy is nothing in it that suggests so. as well was given a license to freely operate please take note. Instead, every word and expression therein, in the domains of this type. Four times in Raheem Akingbolu in Abuja organised by the management plus several authentic traditions of the Prophet the Qur’an is forgetfulness related to Satan CONFIRMATION OF NAME to address some recent (PBUH), clearly demonstrate that the recounted as its source and also cause. I, PATIENCE BOLOEBI AGBUD- The management of Premiere developments about the young event of the covenant between Allah and JE is the same person bearing In addition, the Prophet (PBUH) said Academy, Lugbe, Abuja has school girl’s death, in Abuja mankind had actually taken place. If some that Allah pardons what people from his PATIENCE FUNKE AGBUDJE appealed to stakeholders, yesterday, the Lead Director which I used for my BVN. Hence- things appear far-fetched to us, they do not community (ummah) do as a result of sheer forth, I wish to be known and ad- who are directly or indirectly at the Academy, Mrs. Stella to Allah. Allah is Omnipotent and “verily, mistakes and forgetfulness, and under force dressed as AGBUDJE PATIENCE concerned about the death of Oluremi Fawehinmi, said:“It’s when He intends a thing, His command is, or duress (Sunan Ibn Majah). BOLOEBI. All former documents the 14-year-old Miss Keren sad and touching that the death ‘be’, and it is!” (Ya Sin, 82). While believers have been instructed to remain valid. The general public Akpagher, an S.S 1 pupil of of our daughter, our pride is supplicate thus: “Our Lord, do not impose take note. the school, to allow truth and being twisted by 5th columnist The Meaning of Fitrah blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred” I, formerly known aS OLA- justice be the guiding principle to score goals. While we mourn (al-Baqarah, 286). It is human, so to speak, TUNDE AMOS ORILOYE as Police and other concerned the death of our dear student Moreover, every individual is born in a state and unavoidable to be from time to time is the same as OLATUNDE bodies move to unravel the in peace as we pray for the of fitrah (sound human nature and natural afflicted by such forgetfulness. That is why AMOS ORILOYE ITOYAN. misery behind her sudden death. peaceful repose of her soul, it inclination towards the Creator) which is the word “man, or human being” in Arabic Karen was said to have died is very heart-rending that we implanted in every human being’s soul and is insan. It is derived from the word nisyan, All former documents remain on June 22 under a questionable have to respond to controversies heart. which means “forgetfulness.” valid. Please public take note. circumstance. that seem to be generated to It pushes us to know Allah, to believe in and Speaking at a press briefing cast aspersions on the school.” To Be Continued FRIDAY, ;˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY 53 Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: [email protected] FRIDAYSPORTS 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY Messi Ends 21 Years Romance with Barcelona One of the greatest footballers of Lionel Messi having reached the modern era, Lionel Messi, 34, an agreement and the clear has ended his 21-year journey intention of both parties to sign with Spanish La Liga giants, FC a new contract today (Thursday), Barcelona. this cannot happen because of The Catalan club announced financial and structural obstacles yesterday that Messi will not be (Spanish La Liga regulations),” staying at the club "because of the club said. financial and structural obstacles". "FC Barcelona wholeheartedly Messi has been a free agent expresses its gratitude to the since 1 July when his contract player for his contribution to expired. the aggrandisement of the club He agreed a new deal on and wishes him all the very best reduced wages with the club two for the future in his personal and weeks later, but it was dependent professional life." on Barca selling players to afford Messi is Barcelona's record his salary. scorer with 672 goals and has won However, it appears Barcelona 10 La Liga titles, four Champions could not pull through as expected Leagues and seven Copa del Reys, to be able to afford the huge wage as well as claiming the Ballon of the Argentine. d'Or on a record six occasions. "Both parties deeply regret Keeping Messi at the Nou that the wishes of the player Camp had been Chairman Joan and the club will ultimately not Laporta's top priority this summer. be fulfilled," the club said with The Argentine arguably now regrets. becomes the most in-demand Barcelona had said Messi was player in world football. poised to extend his 21-year career Messi has long been linked with the club by signing the new with a move to either Paris deal last Thursday, and blame St-Germain or Manchester City, La Liga for the failure to do so. where he would be reunited with He had reached an agreement his former Barcelona boss Pep to stay with the Catalan side until Guardiola. 2026 - but La Liga said the club America's Major League Soc- must reduce wages before he and cer, which Messi has previously any new players can be registered. considered experiencing, is another "Despite FC Barcelona and option. Tokyo Olympics: Team Nigeria

Lionel Messi...end of an era at Nou Camp Sits at 71st as Games End Sunday Femi Solaja freestyle wrestling 57kg category. She was leading Anastasia Following the dashed hope of Nichita of Moldova 8-0 with just Chukwuebuka Enekwechi to minutes away from picking the win anything in the shot-put remaining two points when the AFN Insists: We Are Not final event in the early hours of unexpected happened. Nichita yesterday and the failure of the defeated Adekuoroye by a pin. country’s women to reach the In the men’s shot put, final of 4 x 100m relay, Team the field was too strong for Aware of Any PUMA Contract Nigeria occupies the 71st position Chukwuebuka Enekwechi as The last may not have been ''The AFN wishes to state Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the on the medals table. he finished last in the final. His the advice and acted as if The Tokyo Olympic Games best throw was 19.74m but he heard on PUMA’s termination unequivocally that it is not aware inauguration of a new executive only two out of 13 members delayed for one year due to the fouled in his opening throw, of its kits deal with Nigeria as of any contract as there was board of the federation, the constituted the former board outbreak of the coronavirus then threw 18.87m on his second the Federal Ministry of Youth no document in the Secretariat Secretary General of the AFN of the federation and must be pandemic in March 2020 is attempt and his final and best and Sports Development backed of the federation pertaining to Prince Adeniyi Beyioku, the only ones allowed to know billed to end on Sunday. throw did not shake the table Athletics Federation of Nigeria any contractual agreement with appointed pursuant to article details of the contract, citing a Nigeria’s standing is seven in the pool of best throws. (AFN) has insisted it never had PUMA,” the AFN said in the 8.7.2 of the federation's non-disclosure agreement. Yet steps better than the final With multiple medals still to any dealings with the German media statement. constitution (2017) and Mr Gusau and Mr Adeleye position attained five years ago be won going into final day of company to warrant ending any Gusau had claimed the last recognised by World Athletics reportedly negotiated the deal at Rio Olympic Games in Brazil competition, Nigeria may still contract. board he was president of had in a letter dated July 19, on behalf of the same board.'' where Nigeria won a solitary drop further in the rankings. In the federation’s official signed the deal with PUMA 2021 requested Mr. Gusau to ''The AFN also wishes to bronze medal from the men’s The Tokyo Games tagged reaction to PUMA’s statement but majority of the board avail the AFN of the contract football event. ‘United by Passion’ played state that the constitution of the host to 205 countries from of pulling out of the deal, Prince members some of whom are details and return whatever had federation states in article 8.7.2, The silver and bronze medals Adeniyi Adisa Beyioku, Secretary in the new board had denied been collected from PUMA to the won by Blessing Oborududu various continents. The African sections 4.4.2, 4.4.3 and 4.4.4 that and Ese Brume in wrestling and continent has about 54 countries General of AFN insisted any knowledge of the contract. Secretariat of the federation at the the Secretary General must not long jump events respectively participating in various events. yesterday that the federation ''Following media reports stadium Abuja only be privy to all decsions, placed Nigeria in that position. On the average, the athletes was not in possession of any of the said contract especially recognised by World Athletics. contractual or otherwise entered The chance of Nigeria to from the African continent have contractual documents signed in the lead up to the ongoing ''Mr Gusau refused to heed into as its chief administrative improve on her ranking was not performed up to expectations between it and equipment and and accounting officer but blown on Wednesday as medal with only three African countries sportswear manufacturer, PUMA must also be the custodian of hopeful, Odunayo Adekuoroye having won one gold medal and cannot be liable for what such documents, records and lost by a pin fall in the women’s each. it knows nothing about. properties. AFN said the federation does “This constitutional provision not know anything about the was flagrantly violated by Mr contract outside what has been Gusau, wielding the power of written in the media space. a emperor that the constitution Beyioku further clarified did not give him. that AFN made attempts to ''The AFN wishes to put on clarify from PUMA, pointing out record that the new board did breaches of the AFN constitution not see any documents indicating by Messrs Ibrahim Shehu Gusau there was an agreement with and Sunday Adeleye who PUMA PUMA and noted that majority confirmed negotiated the deal. of members of the previous ''The attention of the AFN has board, acting on newspaper been drawn to a media statement reports wrote PUMA through signed by Shehu Ibrahim Gusau its lawyer, Oluwole Afolabi confirming the termination of the that they were not aware of agreement he and Mr Sunday the said contract but PUMA Nigeria's Ambassador to Japan, Ambassador Abubakar Moriki Husaini; Adeleye signed with sportswear insisted it signed an agreement Silver medalist, Blessing Oborududu; Bronze medalist, Ese Brume and and equipment company, PUMA with the AFN despite glaring purportedly on behalf of the constitutional breaches which Sports Minister, Sunday Dare at a Grand Reception for the Tokyo 2020 AFN in July, 2019. Tonobok Okowa...AFN President invalidated the said contract. Olympic medalists in Tokyo... yesterday 54 FRIDAY, ;˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY SPORTS Rivers Utd to Play CAF Champions League, End Season as Runners up Profit from NFF’s Disciplinary Committee’s Ruling on Jigawa Duro Ikhazuagbe drop from the topflight. Warri drop with a 1-0 win over Rivers forward, Charles Atshimene task more daunting. NPFL Wolves that was behind 1-0 before United. remained locked at the top of Nwankwo scored in his side’s Rivers United finished the the game was interrupted against In the race for who wins the the chart on 19 points apiece. (Nasarawa United’s) 3-1 loss at 2020/21 Nigerian Professional Committee ruled that C5Rules of FC Ifeanyiubah in Nnewi are Eunisell Boot Award for highest Both players had 18 goals after Abia Warriors, while Atshimene Football League season in second the NPFL “cannot be interpreted the fourth team to drop out of goals scorer, impressive league campaigns and also scored in his side’s (Akwa place yesterday and are primed to make the punishment for the the NPFL. Nasarawa United striker Silas were on the road on the final United) 2-1 loss in Makurdi to to play in the CAF Champions act of fielding an ineligible player Sunshine Stars survived the Nwankwo and Akwa United day of the season, to make their Lobi Stars. League next season. subject to ‘intention’. The Pride of Rivers despite “It is a strict liability offence. conceding a lone goal defeat Intention is established upon against Sunshine Stars in the confirmation that the player Akure, tied on same 66 points was ineligible for the match. The as Enyimba FC. United are only word “intentionally” cannot ahead based on superior goals be interpreted to excuse the difference. negligence or ignorance of the Rivers United yesterday club (Jigawa Golden Stars) in profited from the the decision this case.” of the Disciplinary Committee of The committee therefore the Nigeria Football Federation deducted three points and three (NFF) that awarded them three goals from Jigawa and awarded points and three goals from their them to Rivers United. appeal against Jigawa Golden Based on this ruling, Enyimba Stars who fielded an ineligible that was sure of playing in the player in their Match-Day 34 CAF Champions League have fixture in Kaduna. now dropped to the second tier The LMC had dismissed the Confederation Cup competition case on the ground that it could as the third placed team of the not reach the Jigawa team to rule season. out Richard Christopher from Enyimba defeated Dakkada the clash with Rivers United. 3-1 in Uyo with Anayo Iwuala In deciding in favour of firing a brace in the 11th and 78th Rivers United, the Disciplinary minutes. Musa Bashiru pulled one back for the hosts in the 29th minute, when it was 2-0 following MATCH DAY 38 Samad Kadiri’s second goal for Enyimba in the 25th minute. MFM FC 2 - 0 Jigawa GS Nasarawa United on 65 points Rivers United ...vindicated at last Lobi 2 - 1 Akwa Utd and plus 17 goals will have to wait to play the final of the Sunshine 1 - 0 Rivers Utd Aiteo Cup against Bayelsa on Sunday to know which team AFA Sports Celebrates Nigeria’s Athletes at Tokyo 2020 Athletes Dakkada 1 - 3 Enyimba will join Enyimba in the CAF “To those who have finished for a local kit manufacturer from all good for the Nigerian industry. Rangers 1 - 0 Plateau Utd Confederation Cup next season. AFA Sports, the official apparel In the battle for relegation, two partners of Team Nigeria is their term at this stage we say Aba to Lagos. They visited over Udezue admitted that AFA Abia War’ 3 - 1 Nasarawa teams, Adamawa United and FC celebrating the Nigerian spirit as congratulations and for those 10 operations and AFA stood may not have profited from shown by the country’s athletes at looking forward to Paris 2024, out. That was how we became the transaction but remained Kwara Utd 3 - 0 Katsina Utd IFeanyiUbah had already known their fate going into the final day the Tokyo 2020 Olympics ending we stand by you all the way.” a part of the big dream. determined to empower The AFA CEO is also highly “We did not solicit for this. The Nigerians through his brand. Wikki 2 - 0 Adamawa Utd fixtures. in 48 hours from today. Jigawa’s 2-0 defeat at Agege The wholly Nigerian brand delighted that the continent of administration was determined “We may not all be counting Heartland 1 - 0 Kano Pillars Stadium coupled with the served as the apparel partner to Africa was able to take a huge on using the Olympic platform to in millions of dollars now but the Nigerian contingent. position at the Olympics with promote local brands and this is we are determined to empower *FC Ifeanyiubah 1 - 0 Wolves three points deduction by the Disciplinary Committee of NFF The Chief Executive Officer AFA Sports being the Nigerians in our production, *(Match was interrupted) automatically signaled trouble and of AFA Sports, Ugo Udezue first wholly African distribution, sales and other who spoke on Thursday said manufacturer to kit a opportunities as no foreign as a former national athlete, he national delegation at outfit would do.” could identify with the aspiration the Games. AFA Sports has a long Ex-NFF President, Dominic of those who represented the Udezue said his standing tradition of support country in Tokyo; could feel their company remains to Nigerian teams which first Oneya, Passes on at 73 pains while believing that the grateful to the Minister began with providing apparels future remains still bright for of Sports, Sunday Dare, for D’Tigers and D’Tigress to the Sylvester Idowu in Warri the athletes and Nigeria sports. the Federal Government Afrobasket and the World Cup Udezue said: “They all arrived of Nigeria, the NOC games, then Nigeria’s men and A former President of the Nigeria in Tokyo with the determination and the athletes for women volleyball teams, the Para- Football Federation (NFF), to do the country proud and they daring to support powerlifting federation, the first Brigadier-General Dominic have been able to put in their the growth of the ever African Knockout involving Obukadata Oneya is dead. He best. Every event has just medals indigenous firms. mixed martial arts and down was aged 73 years old. for the top three athletes but the Udezue said, to local athletes. It has all been Oneya was scheduled to be spirit of the Games is to compete “The sports ministry Ugo Udezue...kitted Team Nigeria to fulfilling times with the teams, the Match Commissioner for the spiritedly and respectfully. canvassed the country athletes and the federations. men’s AITEO Cup final between Tokyo 2020 Bayelsa United and Nasarawa United at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Sunday. Family sources confirmed that HiFL 2021: UNIBEN Royals, AAUA Luminaries Qualify for Q’finals Oneya died yesterday morning at his Effurun GRA residence in OAU Giants, UNICAL Malabites bow out the Uvwie Local Government Defending champion of the Higher the second half. the 46th minute through Owoade thereby providing them with an Area of Delta State. Late Dominic Oneya...former Institutions Football Leagues However, the Royals had other Joseph and Aremo Mathew in the array of choices as they grow into The deceased hailed from NFF President (HiFL) UNICAL Malabites have ideas as they stood firmly and 81st minute, but could not get the becoming the better persons they Agbarho Kingdom of Ughelli been knocked out of this year’s defended tenaciously to keep needed equalizer to qualify on the crave”. North Local Government Area revered former military chieftain competition by UNIBEN Royals the Malabites strikers at bay as away goals rule. In other matches, AAUA of Delta. on Wednesday – a matter of hours despite winning their home game the match ended 1-0. The match ended 3-2 on Lumanaries played a 1-1 draw He was a former Military earlier. in Calabar. The Royals qualified on a the aggregate in favour of the against the OAU Giants to qualify Administrator of Kano State “We spoke on Wednesday The Malabites needed two goals 4-3 goals aggregate while Ujah Transformers. on the away goals rule. The first from August 1996 to August because I conveyed to him to edge the Royals and cancel the Christian of the Malabites won In his reaction after the games, leg played at OAU ended in a nil 1998 during the military regime deficit from their 4-2 loss during the StanbicIBTC Man-of-the-Match Chief Strategy Officer at Pace Sports, draw. In Maiduguri, UNIMAID information the first leg in Benin. Award. Mr. Goodness Onyejiaku said “This Desert Warriors defeated BUK of General Sani Abacha. that the NFF had appointed He was also a military After the ceremonial kick-off In the game played in Minna, the fine display of sportsmanship Stallions 3-2 to qualify on a 5-3 him as match commissioner for by the Vice Chancellor of the FUTMINNA Transformers scored gladdens our hearts. goals aggregate. Administrator of Benue State the men’s from August 1998 to May 1999 University of Calabar, Prof. Florence three goals in the first half against “Again, our sponsors, In other matches, AAUA AITEO Cup final coming up Banku Obi, the Malabites showed the LAUTCEH Hunters. StanbicIBTC, Nivea Men, Minimie Lumanaries played a 1-1 draw during the transitional regime of on Sunday in Benin City. their intentions to win the game Abubakar Mahmud got a and Bold have continued to against the OAU Giants to qualify General Abdulsalami Abubakar. “He told me he would prefer to through series of attacks on the brace for the Transformers in demonstrate their love for youth on the away goals rule. The first In his reaction to the news of drive down to Benin from Warri Royals. the 22nd and 41st minutes while development in Nigeria through leg played at OAU ended in a nil his passage, General Secretary of on Sunday morning. He sounded Uloko Simon eventually gave Nda Ogubile scored in the 37th their support for HiFL. draw. In Maiduguri, UNIMAID the NFF, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, healthy and full of life. May his the Malabites the lead in the minute. The Transformers however “While they pursue academic Desert Warriors defeated BUK said he was devastated beyond soul rest in peace,” observed the 45th minute, keeping the team’s got a scare in the second half as excellence, these youths have an Stallions 3-2 to qualify on a 5-3 words because he spoke to the NFF scribe. hope of canceling the deficit in the Hunters reduced the deficit in opportunity to explore other talents goals aggregate. FRIDAY, ;˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY 55 SPORTS

Mpoh Kelosiwaag...one of South Africa’s top golf instructors on duty during the training programme at GGWF in Abuja...recently Runsewe: Golf's Game Changer with GGWF

Duro Ikhazuagbe He further disclosed that am indeed delighted that I must have created my own golf apart from South Africa, no SPORTS PEOPLE my husband agreed that I brand, the OSR brand, which will Golf has always remained an other African nation could studied Golf Management and undertake manufacturing of golf alluring passion for Otunba boast of such facilities that are de-emphasize taking all funds to party for Mpoh which put a Administration so I could bring equipment and golf apparels. I Olusegun Runsewe. For years, in tandem with modern day football alone. Golf is the future wrap on the week-long pro the experience back to Golf really want to create a healthy he remained committed to the digital golfing. and people are already seeing training, the Group Managing Garden”, Olori Runsewe said. synergy, I mean digital golfing sport with Catholic zeal. Wether “This is reason I make bold to it. Even at the Olympics, the Director of the Golf Garden, “ I am happy that I am here synergy, between our Pros in the country or out of this say this man, Otunba Runsewe, honour one man could bring you Olori Adekunbi Runsewe, running things at the Garden. and the ones in Europe and shore, golf destinations are his is a blessing to your country”, through golf would definitely admitted that with the founding But I must tell you what is here America. I have started with places of his first call. It therefore said Mpoh, a man of uncommon surpass what a 23-man football of the digital golf facility by her is quite vast and so I still have to ten of our pros and I will take was no surprise that he opted insight, patience and gentle team could give. Your country husband, it was evident that run to my husband most times those ten to places across the to go further than being mere humour combined with an should start investing on golf Otunba Runsewe was totally for advice so I can run this place world. I want us to really reap player. Those familiar with his unsurpassed knowledge golf. since one man has blessed you committed to the development as smooth as I can.” from goodies world golf would interests in the game were not “Otunba had a dream years with digital golfing facilities,” of the game of golf in Nigeria. Otunba Runsewe who is bring to Africa,” enthused the surprised that he has actualized back and he is living it right observed the top golf teacher. “Even though I am not equally the Director General GGWF patron. his dream of having his own now. I remember 10 years After a fabulous ‘sent forth’ playing the game yet, I of the National Council of Arts A former Nigeria’s No 1 golfer, course where skills to play the ago, he came to South Africa and Culture said he Musa Ayuba, who was part of game can be honed. Welcome to search for a top golf teacher was never on a goose the training disclosed that in to Otunba Runsewe’s posh Golf who could help impact modern chase when he was his two decades of professional Garden Waterfront Golf Club golfing knowledge to Nigeria developing Golf golfing, it was the first time he (GGWF) in Wuse, Abuja! professionals. I never met him Garden for eight would be exposed to digital Penultimate Saturday, a before but I was recommended years now. He said training. week-long digital golf training to him. He invited me to Nigeria he knew it a long Hear Ayuba: “I and other Pros for selected Nigerian golf to see what he had on ground time ago that come who were fortunate to be part of professionals ended on high and the directions of his dreams. 2023, a stunning four this training are really grateful with lots of praises for the club. “When I came around I met billion dollars would to Otunba Runsewe for building Most golfers who attended nothing but just this site of the circulate around golf such digital golfing facility in the programme admitted that Golf Garden. Then he told me in Africa and that he Nigeria. This is what other this novel addition to the game about his dreams of bringing wanted Nigeria to be African Pro golfers pay so much in the country was capable of digital golfing facilities to Nigeria in prime position to to be opened to such facilities taking Nigerian golf to the world and then build a model golf partake from this in Europe and America. And stage in five years time. facility that would be the envy windfall. we have it here in Abuja. This Interestingly, one of South of other African nations. I could “This largesse is incredible. I only pray such Africa’s top golf teachers, Mpoh imagine the type of resources would only go facilities should be replicated Kelosiwaag, was flown into and commitment that would to nations which across Nigerian states. We have the country as an instructor in be needed. I had my doubts. are prepared”, big and passionate golfers like the first golf training Nigerian The project was tasking and I Runsewe revealed. Otunba Runsewe in Nigeria. golf professionals would be didn’t believe it could happen. “By preparation, They should come and emulate opened to since the late sage, And here I am now and I can I mean what we him and do the needful for the Chief Anthony Enahoro, as see all he said he would do on are going to have sport to grown bigger,” concludes Information Minister in Chief ground. This is simply awesome on ground before the country’s former number Obafemi Awolowo Western and unbelievable. that time. Since the one pro golfer. Region sent the country’s first “With these facilities on fund would revolve With such passionate golf five golf professionals for training ground, it is now clear Nigerian essentially around enthusiast as Otunba Runsewe in London. pros would be opened to golf equipment, leading this project, it is just a Mpoh, who is equally electronic golfing. If I add this hotels and logistics, matter of time for Nigerians to an eminent member of the to the golfing talents that abound this is reason I am refocus their attentions to the Botswana Professional Golf in your country, I could see pros ensuring capacity sport awashed with so much Association, said he was amazed here moving toward golf world Otunba Segun Runsewe (left) and Governor, Simon Lalong dressed in the building at the Golf money on the pro circuit. GGWF at the hi-tech golf facilities he met big stages in, say, another five Garden. I can tell you appears the answer to making on ground at the Golf Garden. year’s time. Your country should traditional golf attire designed by the GGWF patron that before that time that dream becoming real.

T RU N TH & REASO

T R N U O Friday August 6, 2021T H & R E AS Price: N250

MISSILE

Mamora to House Offi cers

“House offi cers are undergoing training; they are not full 26 fl edged doctors. They are not and should not go on strike” years – Minister of State for Health, Olorunmimbe Mamara, asking house offi cers undergoing training not to join t Doctors’ strike. AKINOSUNTOKUN DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA [email protected] Igboho and the Ooni Caucus

n the late evening of July 19, 2021, the Adeyeye Ogunwusi, had sent out letters of versus the rest of us. news of the interdiction of Sunday appointment into the membership of a Pan The challenge confronting the Yoruba Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho in Yoruba caucus he has initiated. It reads: “In and the other sub national communities Cotonou, Benin Republic en route order for me to better secure the honour, comprising Nigeria today transcends the the Federal Republic of Germany, safety, integrity and well being of the Yoruba superfi cial divide between the two major brokeI out in the media. I was doubly heritage especially in this challenging and parties. Compelled, nonetheless, to do an disappointed, a disposition that was perilous times, I have decided to exercise appraisal of the frequency distribution of pervasively shared among the Yoruba. You the power conferred on me as the Arole the partisan divide of the membership, we see, one man’s poison is another man’s Oodua, to constitute a caucus of eminent arrived at a perfectly balanced composition cup of tea and the secessionist criminal Yoruba sons and daughters, to support and with a tally of seven members apiece for of one is the freedom fi ghter of the other. advise me in the discharge of the royal the two parties and non-partisan affi liated I am not in the habit of making undue mandate. In recognition of your social 14 members. And then the Alaafi n courtesy concessions to political correctness at the and political esteem regionally, nationally visit controversy ensued. We fi gured that a expense of the naked truth. It is rather late and internationally, it is my honour and Yoruba-monarchy-centred-initiative should in the day for a left handed sixty years privilege to invite you to the membership prioritise goodwill visits with the other old to start learning how to become right of this distinguished caucus. The caucus leading monarchs hence the quick order handed. My initial disappointment had to will serve as a body of primary advisers courtesy call on the Alaafi n. But since there do with his carelessness and recklessness is no good way of reporting the drama of in not adequately anticipating and sensing and companion to me in moving forward the response of the Nigerian state security the institutionalisation of the ancient Oodua the visit from the two confl icting accounts services to his emergence. If Nigeria has stool. We shall hold quarterly meetings at the of what transpired the sooner the whole deteriorated to such a degree that this is Palace court in Ife and as occasion demands. episode is forgotten the better for us all. my perception of Igboho, blame President In view of the prevailing security issues in Regardless, we seize this opportunity to Muhammadu Buhari for making identifi cation the country, it will be the responsibility of reiterate our respect and unqualifi ed goodwill with Igboho a growth industry in the the palace to ensure the safety and security for the Alaafi n. These are trying times for South-west; for taking Nigeria captive to Igboho of members in their ingress and egress to the Yoruba and all other communities who an agenda that is tolerable or benefi cial to and from Ife. It will be the obligation of have found themselves at the short stick some and completely degrading to others. the constitution’. If this is true, that the members to join kabiyesi in hosting major end of the Buhari dispensation. It does If we are getting increasingly powerless to Nigerian constitution, by omission or palace social and cultural events at Ife and not require a soothsayer to predict that, positively infl uence his presidency, we are, commission, condones the perpetration accompany him in attendance at similar in the current trajectory, things are going at least, entitled to the right to repudiate of his unique excesses, then there is no events to which the kabiyesi is invited. to get rougher and tougher for Nigerians. the Nigeria he now personifi es. You can better justifi cation for throwing such a Members shall individually and collectively Monumental efforts and energy are going challenge my position with the argument subversive and destructive constitution to hold the obligation to protect and project to be deployed to divide and dismember that we will be rid of him sooner than later the dustbin. Who would have believed that the goodwill, prestige and power of the our ranks and render us prey to a renewed with the promise of a new beginning. The a presidential dispensation can become so foremost Yoruba monarchy”. bid for internal colonialism. It is a period problem with this mindset is that the kind insufferable as to compel the compliant The inauguration of the caucus was that will test our individual and collective of damage the President has wreaked on Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF), to the scheduled for July 20th and was thus fated resolve to stare down the political menace Nigeria will be diffi cult if not impossible defi ance of becoming the champions of to fall victim to the arrest of Igboho the with which Nigerians are, once again, to reverse- that is even if the country does regionalism! It is the reason why Bishop previous evening; and the propensity of the confronted. not cave-in in the near term, before the Matthew Kukah concluded that if a putative media to speculate and draw correlations I could not resist the urge to pass on the expiration of his tenure. The damage is President of Southern Nigeria origin had between unrelated events. It would have report below: so deep and vastly polarising that any meaningful attempt to reset Nigeria will conducted himself the way Buhari has been clairvoyant of the Ooni to know before provoke the backlash allegation of reverse done, he would have long become toast hand that Igboho would be arrested on discrimination against the constituency he of military take over. Necessity being the July 19th and thereby convene a meeting Vanity and Wastes pampered and promoted under his ruinous mother of invention, it is the same state of (of individuals travelling from different stewardship. He has polluted and poisoned affairs that has produced the Igbohos of parts of the country) on the event for the on Protocol the Nigerian well with the destructive power contemporary Nigeria. It is the reason I feel following day. This clarifi cation is by no politics of the winner-takes-all and the disappointed that Igboho didn’t do enough means a distancing from the responsibility “Normally, the president moves around with genie, so to say, is already popped out of to evade the forces arraigned against his a Pan Yoruba caucus bears for intervening a convoy of 23 vehicles, eight armoured the bottle. Where before, the custodians of freedom of action. How, for God’s sake, in any event that is of active concern to the Mercedes, two BMW 7 series armoured, Northern hegemony thread Nigeria with can a man of his profi le still believes he Yoruba people. Perhaps the coincidence was one Range Rover armoured assorted SUVs stealth and pulled their punches (in the can continue to live a settled normal fam- a way of providence acclaimig the formation with a pick up used by FRSC. The Senate execution of the hegemony), Buhari has ily life? Live and sleep in his well known and cutting out for us our task. It was a President and his deputies use convoys of ripped off the mask, charge furiously ahead family residence after crossing the rubicon responsibility imposed on us by unforseen about 10 expensive vehicles that include with the execution and dared all of us to at Igangan? Letting his guards down in circumstances from which we cannot walk Mercedes S500 armoured, two SUVs, two take it or leave it. He has substantiated this manner certainly bespeaks of the apt away. In the furore that followed, it however security vehicles,and other SUVs for aides. the fears (that people on the receiving end characterisation that “he doesn’t have the became impossible to organically separate The speaker uses two S600 V12 Mercedes, had harboured all along) of a repressive wisdom of the learned nor the tush of the the inauguration of the caucus from the two Land Cruisers, two Hilux for security, northern regionalist thrust and emergent exposed yet he has achieved so much in Igboho development. To boot, the extrac- one Camry LE and Peugeot 508. There are apartheid caste system. He has earned the his liberation struggles”. In the subsequent tion and circulation of the so-called full two despatch riders. Ministers use 4 vehicles, left handed salute to his capacity to boldly event of his arrest at Cotonou, I could not membership list of the caucus went viral Land Cruisers and. Prado SUV, one of them clarify the choices Nigerians are called upon but be reminded of the unenforced earlier on the social media and became a celebrity armoured. The IG of police moves with 22 to make. error of revealing he had a second home cuase celebre attracting applause, cynicism, convoys, two of them armoured BMWs The other day, one of his major Yoruba in Germany and how he generally spews blackmail and the occasional venom. In the 7 series. All state governors, use Toyota enablers returned from Abuja and reported out information for the benefi t of anyone penchant for ignoring the ball to kick the Land cruiser or Lexus (bullet proof) SUVs that ‘a ti wo gàù’ (jocularly attributed as interested in his entrapment. It was against leg, there arose the criticism of lopsidedness in convoys of about 20 vehicles. The nation ‘entering a one chance bus’ with no plausible this background and within this context in favour of PDP. Of course, partisanship does not produce cars, does not produce exit strategy). As he unapologetically trudge that the inauguration not the formation did not feature at all in the composition of tire, does not produce spare parts and does on with his political agenda, Buhari has of the Ooni Caucus took place. the membership and I have argued, for that not produce petrol or diesel (does not refi ne latterly sought refuge in the dubious and On the 28th of May 2021, foremost Yoruba matter, that the partisan divide in Nigeria crude oil), and yet we complain of falling distorted legalism of ‘I have not violated monarch, Oonirisa, Arole Oodua, Enitan is not PDP vs APC as it is Buhari writ large value of the Naira against the Dollar.”

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja . All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: [email protected], [email protected]. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: [email protected]