Okonjo-Iweala Gets More Presidential Push for WTO DG Former finance minister briefs president on bid Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja deploy its entire energy to the President on Media and former Managing Director country, and the world. a hardworking Nigerian. You ensure that she becomes the Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu. (Operations) of the World “I assure you that we will deserve this,’’ he said. President Muhammadu Buhari Director-General of World Okonjo-Iweala is one of two Bank at the Presidential do all that we can to ensure Buhari assured Okonjo- yesterday in Abuja assured Trade Organisation (WTO). candidates contesting for the Villa, Abuja said she deserved that you emerge as the Iweala that he will make Nigeria’s former Minister of This was contained in top position of the multilateral more support to get the top Director-General of WTO, more phone calls, and send Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- a statement signed by the institution. job because of her profile not only because you are a Iweala, that the country would Senior Special Assistant to Buhari, who received the and diligence in serving the Nigerian, but because you are Continued on page 9

CBN, Refugees Commission Collaborate to Restore Livelihoods in Borno... Page 8

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TODAY'S WEATHER ABUJA 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 Culpable Operatives Won’t Escape Justice, Says Buhari as Anti-SARS Protests Spread Many feared killed as march turns bloody in Lagos Sanwo-Olu sues for calm Chiemelie Ezeobi, Segun James in Lagos, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Sylvester Idowu in Warri As the protest of high- handedness of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) deepened yesterday despite the disbandment of the police tactical outfit, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that all those responsible for misconduct or wrongful acts would be brought to justice. The president said the disbandment of the organisation was only a first step to a wholesome reformation of the Police Force. As the president spoke in Abuja, many protesters were feared killed in Lagos with the authorities confirming the death of a policeman and a civilian in Surulere area of Lagos as the #EndSARS protest turned bloody even as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who yesterday threw his weight behind the protest against SARS, narrated how his 25-year-old daughter almost lost her life in the hands of SARS operatives. #ENDSARS: POLICE VS PROTESTERS… Continued on page 9 Young protesters defy police water cannon during an #EndSARS protest in Abuja…yesterday asa

Abdulsalami-led National Peace Committee Hails Ondo Election...Page 9 2 TUESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2020 • THISDAY TUESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2020 • THISDAY 3 4 TUESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2020 • THISDAY TUESDAY, 
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Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike NEWS Email [email protected], 08066066268 Bandits Kill Imam, 12 Others in Katsina, Niger Communities Francis Sardauna in Katsina unaccounted for in the affected cumbersome nature of the place. night. In the face-off between the head of Tungan-Makeri alerted and Laleye Dipo in Minna communities. He said: "The bandits attacked THISDAY learnt that the two bandits and the vigilante, some the security operatives but they He said: "The bandits arrived Shau village and killed eight communities attacked are Tasan of the local security operatives (security) claimed they did not No fewer than 13 persons, at Shau village on no fewer people and destroyed many -Kere and Tungan-Makeri. were killed. have fuel in their vehicles. including children, have than 60 motorcycles with each houses, including the vehicle The bandits according to THISDAY gathered that THISDAY was told that been massacred by bandits carrying three armed men about of the village head. Efforts reports, first attacked Tasan angered by their inability to the angry villagers, yesterday in fresh onslaughts on Shau 6 p.m on Sunday and started are ongoing to ensure that -Kere on Saturday night during escape with the cows, the morning deposited the corpses and Ruwangodiya villages shooting indiscriminately. They the perpetrators are brought which they rustled about 200 same set of bandits reportedly of the slain villagers in front of of Faskari Local Government killed eight people, including the to book." cows. mobilised and launched a the office of one of the security Area of Katsina State, as well as Imam of Shau and his assistant. Meanwhile, three people It was learnt that when the ferocious attack on neighbouring agencies in the town. Tasan -Kere and Tungan-Makeri "The bandits also set ablaze have been confirmed killed cows were being rustled the Tungan- Makeri community on When contacted, the Police communities in Rafi Local the vehicle of the village head with several others injured in local vigilante mobilised to Sunday night during which two Public Relations Officer for Niger Government Area of Niger State. and his entire house and many attacks on two communities in recover the cows from the villagers were killed and several State Police Command, ASP The separate attacks on the other houses in the village. the Rafi LGA of Niger State. bandits leading to the bandits others injured. Wasiu Abiodun, told THISDAY: two villages in Katsina State, “After their successful The incidents occurred abandoning the cows and taking It was alleged that while the "I am in a meeting, I will get according to residents, were operation in Shau village, between Saturday and Sunday to their heels. attack was ongoing, the village back to you." perpetrated on Sunday about they mobilised and moved to 6 p.m. when most of the victims Ruwangodiya village where were returning from their farms. they killed two people there." One of the residents, Mr. He lamented that they Aminu Hamisu, who confirmed reported the arrival of the the incident to THISDAY hoodlums to security agencies yesterday, said the bandits killed but that they did not come to the Imam of Shau village and their aid till after the bandits his assistant. killed their people. He said the bandits in a The state Police Public commando-style operation Relations Officer, Mr. Gambo arrived the villages and started Isah, who confirmed the incident shooting sporadically, killing said the bandits killed eight people at sight and razed persons in Shau village and property and rustled unspecified razed several houses and vehicle number of cows belonging to of the village head during the residents. attack. Hamisu explained that Isah, a superintendent of several villagers sustained police, said combined security varying degree of injuries from operatives were drafted to the gunshots with scores of them, area but the hoodlums escaped mostly women and children, still to the nearby forest due to the Edo Assembly Removes Speaker Okiye Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City hearing of members in order to begin the business of the day. The Edo State House of Okhuarobo was said to have NGOZI FOR WTO... Assembly yesterday removed quickly drawn the attention L-R: Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Chief Adeniyi Adebayo; former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; the Speaker, Mr. Francis Okiye. of former Okiye to a petition and President Muhammadu Buhari during a visit by the former minister to the president in Abuja....yesterday godwin omoigui The state assembly is made against him and reeled out the up of seven members of the removal motion. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) The lawmakers accused Okiye who decamped alongside with of financial impropriety. the governor from the All They also suspended Despite Senate’s Intervention, Progressives Congress (APC) to Okiye for three months and PDP, and three APC legislators. set up a committee headed Okiye represents Esan North- by Okhuarobo to probe him East state constituency in the and submit the report to the ASUU Adamant on IPPIS, Strike state assembly. assembly. Okiye was replaced by the The new speaker, Onobun lawmaker representing Esan upon his election, thanked the Lawmakers ask union, FG to shift ground West state Constituency, Mr. members for his emergence. Deji Elumoye in Abuja platform to IPPIS called UTAS, an alternative payment system how the Senate and indeed Marcus Onobun. Onobun has also dissolved which had since been explained for university lecturers. the National Assembly could The removal of Okiye all the standing committees Despite the intervention of to the Senate leadership. He said: "During our intervene to resolve the issues followed a motion moved by and relieved all the appointees the leadership of the Senate, “We told the Senate last meeting we lodged a that were yet outstanding. the Majority Leader of the of the house of their various the Academic Staff Union of leadership in the course of complaint about the forceful House, Mr. Henry Okhuarobo appointments. Nigerian Universities (ASUU) our meeting today about UTAS, introduction of the IPPIS in Lawan said: "We really don't representing Ikpoba Okha state Onobun also constituted a yesterday insisted that its which is home-grown while the universities, which we need this kind of situation where constituency. three-man committee to look members will not enrol in the IPPIS is foreign; we are talking challenged and have been our Universities are shut. Our Okhuarobo’s motion was into financial records of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel about local content. We have challenging since 2013 children are the victims of this. seconded by the member house under the leadership Information System (IPPIS). shown that we are inventors; because there is nowhere in "Therefore, the government representing Akoko-Edo 1 of the former speaker. The union also said it has we are creators of software the world where it is used in and ASUU ought to find constituency in the assembly, Speaking to journalists at the come up with a home-grown and we are also capable of the university system and we a common ground for our Prince Yekini Idaiye. Government House in Benin alternative payment platform doing what our colleagues promised Nigerians that we institutions, particularly our The member representing City, Okhuarobo said “the for university lecturers called are doing in other parts of the are developing an alternative. Universities to open and Igueben State constituency, Mr. members have compelling University Transparency and world; so, Nigerian scholars are "Sometimes in 2015 when we of course, offer the kind of Ephraim Aluebhosele had earlier reasons to do what they did Accountability Solution (UTAS). not inferior; why should we were engaging government, services that are expected of moved a motion to nominate the and that the house needed to This is just as the Senate be patronising foreigners for and we were going to reach our Universities. new speaker after Okhuarobo wait till now because of political has called on both the federal what we can do in Nigeria?" an agreement with the "We cannot afford, as a raised the issue of a petition reasons and now the process government and the union to he queried. government but suddenly the country, to continue to have against Okiye and was seconded is over. Irrespective of APC or shift ground on the issue of According to him, "and we government did not turn up. this kind of crisis. So I receive by the member representing PDP, we are united in the quest payment of lecturers salaries believe there will be a platform We said we will bring three you on behalf of my colleagues Akoko-Edo II constituency, to move the state forward.” via IPPIS as well as other for us to present UTAS to other members and government will at the Senate and indeed the Mr. Emmanuel Agbaje. THISDAY gathered that outstanding issues. stakeholders". bring three members and we National Assembly. The idea is The Deputy Speaker of the efforts by the state Deputy President of ASUU, Prof. He ruled out the possibility will work together. But for to find out how we can resolve assembly, Mr. Roland Asoro Governor, Mr. Philip Biodun Ogunyemi, who of ASUU calling off its eight- five years we did not hear this issue." presided over the plenary shortly Shaibu; Secretary to the State made the stand of the union month-old strike action while from the government until The Senate President said after the removal process. Government, Mr. Osarodion known to journalists at the negotiating with the government they came back five years even though there were yet Members of the assembly Ogie and immediate past end of a three-hour meeting asking rhetorically: later to say it is IPPIS or many outstanding issues, the unanimously adopted the Speaker and Political Adviser with President of the Senate, "What are we taking back no salary. parties should imbibe the spirit removal motion through a to the Governor on Politics, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, declared to the classroom?". "Based on promises that we of give and take in resolving voice vote. Mr. Kabiru Adjoto to wade that the union leadership had a Earlier in his submission will take up the challenge the dispute. Trouble was said to have into the matter failed as the fruitful deliberation with Lawan before the Senate President, today, I am happy to inform "Government cannot expect to started shortly after the assembly lawmakers had made up their "during which we insisted on ASUU President accused the you that we have it” have it all its way and I believe resumed its plenary when Okiye minds to sack him. our members not being part federal government of reneging In his remarks, the Senate that ASUU shouldn't expect it asked the Clerk, Mr. Yahaya Also, efforts to reach the of IPPIS". on agreements with the union President said the meeting to be that everything it asked Omogbai to read the order of Okiye yesterday for comment He stated that the union has since 2013 including frustrating was a follow-up to the one for must be given,” Lawan proceedings for the day to the on his removal proved abortive. come up with an alternative the plan by ASUU to introduce held in October 2019 to see explained. 6 TUESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2020 • THISDAY NOTICE TO THE BONDHOLDERS OF FIDELITY BANK PLC (RC NO. 103022)

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Dated this 9th Day of October, 2020 TUESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2020 • THISDAY 7 8 TUESDAY, 
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THISDAY NEWS CBN, Refugees Commission Collaborate to Restore Livelihoods in Borno Say Boko Haram inflicts $9 billion-damage in northeast Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja trading, farming and other health centres, mostly primary He explained that all these the plight of displaced persons this Project in Borno State, I businesses. healthcare clinics, dispensaries were in addition to setting in Nigeria, adding that the am extremely proud of the Worried by the magnitude of ‘’The applicant will also and General Hospitals were all ablaze markets, large scale commission is drawing the Governor for his passion and human, economic and physical receive training, a starter pack destroyed. farms and hundreds of trucks inspiration from his love and commitment to the will of the destructions caused by a and startup capital to become ‘’The insurgents also destroyed that evacuated farm produce concern for them. people. Especially in going above terrorist group, Boko Haram, economically self-sufficient726 power substations and for international export to ‘’Our focus on ensuring a and beyond the call of duty to in the North-east, especially under Project Reliance. That is distribution lines and destroyed neighbouring countries, strong lasting solution to the get the job done’’, he added. in Borno State, the National why we are here today for the 1,630 water reticulation systems. saying that today, hundreds of issue of accessible livelihoods The event was attended by Commission for Refugees and verification of over 350, 000 IDPs Across 16 local government renowned successful farmers was borne out of Mr. President’s the Borno State Governor, Prof. Migrants and the Central Bank in Borno State for the launch areas of the state, the insurgents and transporters have become desire that the government Babagana Zulum; the Shehu of of Nigeria (CBN) have initiated of this noble empowerment bombed parks, gardens, extremely poor and dependent alleviates the long-suffering Borno, His Royal Highness, a project towards the restoration project,’’ Mohammed said. orchards, game reserves, Green on food aid. faced by vulnerable people in Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar of livelihoods of all displaced Praising CBN Governor, Mr. wall projects and poisoned He thanked President Nigeria. Garbai El-Kanemi; and the CBN persons and institutions in the Godwin Emefiele, who he said ponds, rivers, lakes and also Muhammadu Buhari for his ‘’It is not only symbolic but Governor, represented by Mr. affected areas. has ‘’tremendously’’ done well stole over 500,000 cattle.’’ unwavering commitment to befitting that we are starting Anthony Ifechukwu. The intervention according in reducing poverty through to CBN and the commission, is development finance in Nigeria, based on the ‘’Post Insurgency the commissioner stated that Recovery and Peace Building Nigeria has more displaced Assessment Report on the persons in Borno State than North-east,’’ which was jointly in any part of the country. validated by the World Bank, the He said: “Precisely, there European Union and the Borno are over 1.5 million IDPs in State Government, suggesting Borno State alone, and another that Boko Haram has inflicted 400,000 plus citizens of the state damages to the tune of $9 who have fled toneighb ouring billion in the North-east. Of countries due to insurgency. this amount, the destructions ‘’As a commission, through in Borno State alone were put our various interventions and at $6 billion. needs assessments, we recognise At the launch of the initiative the pains and challenges each of tagged “Project Reliance” you have endured immensely. yesterday in Maiduguri, Some of you have been in IDP the Borno State capital, the camps for over a decade.” Federal Commissioner, National He said that a total of 956,453 Commission for Refugees, private houses representing 30 Migrants and Refugees, Senator per cent of the total number Basheer Mohammed, said the of houses in Borno State were programme is geared towards destroyed across almost all the making every displaced person 27 local government areas in Nigeria self-reliant. while a total of 665 municipal According to the commission’s buildings comprising ministries, presentation, this includes local government administrative everyone who has lost their buildings, prisons and police home, their livelihood and those stations were destroyed in who have sought refuge in the Borno. country. The commission added: In line with the design of “While 5,335 classrooms and SUCCOUR FOR REFUGEES... the project, which is being other school buildings were Special Adviser to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s governor on Development Finance, Mr Anthony Ifechikwu; Federal Commissioner, sponsored by CBN, every destroyed in 512 primary National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Senator Basheer Mohammed; and selected beneficiary will have schools, 38 secondary schools Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, at the verification for the launch of Project Reliance at the Muna IDP camp, the opportunity to choose from and two tertiary institutions were more than 50 vocational skills, destroyed in the state. Also 201 Maiduguri…yesterday Emefiele: All States to Benefit from CACOVID Food Support NNPC No Longer Afraid James Emejo and Folalumi "as responsible institutions, we Alaran in Abuja have a very important role to play in bringing about the The Governor of the Central much-needed relief to our Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. people. of Scrutiny, Says Kyari Godwin Emefiele, yesterday "We have a programme Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja in the NNPC. our partners and stakeholders. passed will be a major step for gave assurances that the relief for each part of the country To that end, the NNPC GMD “From the unprecedented the nation. materials mobilised under and I can assure you that it The Group Managing Director of said the 2019 audited report publication of our Audited This, he explained, would the apex bank-led private is fairly representative of each the Nigerian National Petroleum of the corporation will soon Financial Statement and monthly make the sector more competitive sector Coalition against environment." Corporation (NNPC), Mallam be released to the public as a financial and operational reports, and attract more investors. COVID-19 (CACOVID) will Emefiele said the initiative Mele Kyari, yesterday said the follow-up to the 2018 statement to crude term contracts and “The process of this bill has be distributed in all the states had been spearheaded by the corporation is no longer afraid recently released, the first in 43 several other bids and contracting been ongoing since 1999, and I of the country. CBN working with the federal of public scrutiny. years. processes. We are not relenting am very sure it will be brought Speaking during the official government to "bring about Kyari also lamented that the According to him, the media until this great corporation attains to a close soon. Through positive flag-off of the CACOVID food the much-needed help to country’s laws were yet to align should henceforth go beyond global excellence.” deliberations by stakeholders, the relief programme for Federal especially the most vulnerable with current realities in the informing and educating the Kyari posited that anything law will be passed,” he assured. Capital Territory (FCT), he in the society." international oil market, stressing audience to asking probing that happens in the oil and gas Kyari noted that the said, "We will make sure this The food items included that the expected passage of the questions in the way the industry industry has a very direct impact corporation will continue to relief goes round and is felt 30,541 bags of rice; 30,541 Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is governed. on the country and implications partner with the media to ensure in every part of the country." cartons of pasta; 61,082 cartons will generally transform the He said: “This is done when for the economy, adding that Nigerians are properly informed He said there had been a lot of noodles; 30,541 sachets of industry. the media asks probing questions it is the reason conversation on the new proposed law, saying of initiatives by the financial sugar; 30,541 sachets of salt Speaking during the Third in the way people are governed around oil and gas is critical. that every Nigerian deserves sector since the emergence and 30,541 bags of Semovita. Annual Value Chain Magazine’s and ultimately by joining forces “We will continue to play to know what the legislation of COVID-19 in the country, Also speaking at the Lecture and Awards in Abuja, with critical stakeholders and our role as key enablers of means for the country and for adding that the food relief ceremony, the Minister of the NNPC boss maintained decision-makers in the society the Nigerian economy and the industry. programme was yet another State for the FCT, Dr. Ramatu that the oil and gas industry toward making life better for our commitment to promoting “It is therefore duty-bound key aspect of its interventions Aliyu, while receiving the food was desperately in need of the common man. transparency and accountability on the media to continue to to moderate the impact of the items on behalf of the FCT reforms, which the corporation is “I have said it times without will remain unshakeable. scrutinise the provisions of the pandemic on particularly administration, expressed embarking upon, to make it more number that the NNPC is never “The petroleum industry, bill to provide validation and vulnerable Nigerians. profound appreciation to the beneficial to its shareholders, the afraid of any scrutiny. We will which has been with us for a even additional value,” the GMD Emefiele added that the entire leadership and members Nigerian people. continue to play our strategic long time, has been transformed said, stressing: “I am optimistic banks had been working of CACOVID for the laudable At the event with the theme: role as a key enabler of Nigeria’s with several modalities globally, that through positive engagement closely with both the federal humanitarian intervention. “The Role of the Media in the economy. but we as a nation has not fully and collaboration between the and state governments to bring She said the initiative in all Nigerian Petroleum Industry “Our commitment toward adjusted to the realities in the executive, the legislature and about the much-needed relief its dimensions is worthy of Reform and Investment,’’ Kyari entrenching Transparency, industry,” he said. other stakeholders, the PIB will to contain the pandemic across commendation, "because it reiterated that the national oil Accountability and best-in- He said the laws in Nigeria smoothly scale through the the country. is contributing significantly company was no longer scared class Performance Excellence have not responded to the remaining legislative hurdles.” Represented by the Executive to reducing the spread of the of being scrutinised by the (TAPE) in all our operations is changes that have happened He said with such legislation Director, First Bank of Nigeria disease and its multifaceted public, explaining that there’s still unshakeable. Since coming in the industry over time, in place, the future of Nigeria’s Plc, Mr. Abdullahi Ibrahim, the consequences especially on the currently a new environment for on board, we have been very adding that getting the PIB that oil and gas industry is certain CBN governor pointed out that vulnerable among us." transparency and accountability open in our dealings with all is before the National Assembly and assured. TUESDAY, 
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THISDAY 9 PAGE NINE Abdulsalami-led National Peace Committee Hails Ondo Election APC, PDP bicker over Akeredolu’s victory Chuks Okocha, Onyebuchi patriotism, which is worthy at the election for signing the emergence of Buni in the in Abuja yesterday that members, as a nullity until Ezigbo and Adedayo of emulation." Peace Accord, he urged all national leadership of his the opposition party won’t the court says otherwise. Akinwale in Abuja Abdulsalami also participants in the election to party is a subject of litigation, congratulate Akeredolu "It will, therefore, be commended the Chairman remain calm with the outcome insisting that Buni’s nomination because the emergence of pathetic for Governor Mai The Chairman of the National of the Independent National of the election with respect of any candidate for the election Buni is still a subject of Buni to attempt to use the Peace Committee (NPC) and Electoral Commission (INEC), to the letter and spirit of the was seen, even among APC litigation. PDP to build something Nigeria's former Head of State, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and Peace Accord that was signed members, as a nullity until the PDP said it was ridiculous on the nothingness of his Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar his team for working tirelessly in the state. court says otherwise. for Buni to be begging it position in his party. The PDP (rtd), has described the conduct day and night, to consolidate Addressing a press to congratulate Akeredolu is too structured as a party of the last governorship on the gains of the Edo State APC, PDP Bicker over conference in Abuja yesterday, for his re-election when to be used by anybody, under election in Ondo State as governorship election. Akeredolu’s Victory Buni commended the the party is also aware any guise, in that regard." worthy of emulation. He said that there is no Independent National Electoral that an unnamed official "Governor Buni is not aware In a statement issued doubt that the commission has Meanwhile, the All Commission (INEC), security of the NNPC made money that information available in yesterday, Abdulsalami been able to replicate the Edo Progressives Congress (APC) agencies, local and international available for the APC to buy the public space and to the congratulated the people State election’s success story. and the Peoples Democratic observers, for being professional the votes in the Ondo State PDP showed that a very top- of Ondo State for the way Abdulsalami further Party (PDP) yesterday traded and ethical in the discharge governorship election. level management official of and manner they conducted expressed the appreciation words over the demand by of their responsibilities during According to the the NNPC, through a North- themselves throughout the of the National Peace the ruling party for the PDP the election. spokesperson of the PDP: west governor elected on the period of the governorship Committee to the Nigerian to congratulate Governor He stated: "It is said, one "It is indeed ludicrous and platform of the APC, diverted election, leading up to the Police, the Inter-Agency Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo good turn deserves another, and completely absurd that huge amounts of money, in announcement of the election Consultative Committee for State on his victory in last just like we congratulated PDP Governor Buni is begging for dollar, from our nation oil results. Election and Security, other Saturday’s governorship in the Edo election, we look endorsement of the election resources to fund vote-buying He said: "Through the security agencies, development election. forward to seeing PDP and the in spite of his awareness in the Ondo election. expression of your exemplary partners, and civil society The Chairman of the other political parties extend that the internal mechanism "While our party will, in sacrifice, decorum, andgroups for their tireless efforts National Caretaker/ similar gesture to us in the that produced his party’s due course, make its official courage, you played your part which led to the success of Convention Committee of spirit of good sportsmanship. candidate, as presided over position on the outcome of in deepening the culture of the governorship election in the APC and Yobe State By so doing, we will make by him, was faulty. the Ondo election known, peaceful elections in Nigeria. Ondo State. Governor, Malam Mai Mala elections in Nigeria healthier "Nigerians already know the PDP urges President "You have once again shown He also commended Buni, yesterday asked the and attractive, rather than that the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari to take Nigerians that your votes traditional rulers who PDP to congratulate the party making elections a do or Governor Mai Buni in the steps that will accelerate the count irrespective of the earlier collaboratively deployed their following its triumph in last die affair." national leadership of his amendment of the Electoral fears, uncertainty, tensions and moral authority in the appeal Saturday's governorship Reacting to Buni’s call, party is a subject of litigation Act, which was stalled anxiety that preceded the for peace and tranquillity in election in Ondo State. the National Publicity and as such his nomination of following his failure to election. Nigerians appreciate the state. But in a swift reaction, Secretary of PDP, Mr. Kola any candidate for the election sign the amended Act of the your conduct and display of While praising candidates the PDP argued that the Ologbondiyan, told journalists is seen, even among his party National Assembly in 2019." OKONJO-IWEALA GETS MORE PRESIDENTIAL PUSH FOR WTO DG letters to some world leaders Nigeria. I am getting so the Koreans and bring this professional/personal also sits on the boards of first woman to hold both for more support. much support from you, to Nigeria by sending a few qualities, international Standard Chartered Plc and positions. “I did the same for Dr. Mr. President, Chief of Staff, letters and placing telephone contacts and impeccable Twitter Inc. She was recently As Finance minister, Akinwunmi Adesina for Ministers of Foreign Affairs calls to some world leaders, records as Nigeria’s former appointed African Union Okonjo-Iweala steered Nigeria President of the African and Ministers of Industry, and also thank others for their Finance minister/Foreign Special Envoy to mobilise through the varying degree Development Bank. Both Trade and Investments. The support.’’ Affairs minister and as international financial support of reforms, particularly on of you served the country ministers have been working “Mr. President put a smile former managing director in the fight against COVID-19, macroeconomic, trade, under the Peoples Democratic around the clock to ensure on my face,’’ she said, “I am of the World Bank, stand as well as Envoy for the financial and real sector Party (PDP). You are both that I succeed,’’ she said. very proud of the country.’’ her high above the other World Health Organisation’s issues. highly qualified. We will The former Minister of Okonjo-Iweala, 66, served contestant. access to COVID-19 Tools As Managing Director continue to support you. I Finance also appreciated as her country’s first female She is a renowned Accelerator. (Operations) of the will immediately make those ECOWAS leaders for their finance and foreign minister, global finance expert, an The Managing Director of the World Bank, her several calls,’’ the president told the endorsement, mentioning, in and has a 25-year career economist and international International Monetary Fund portfolios included oversight former minister. particular, the outstanding behind her as a development development professional (IMF), Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, responsibility for the World In her remarks, Okonjo- contributions of President economist at the World Bank, with over 30 years of recently appointed Okonjo- Bank’s $81 billion operational Iweala, a renowned Mahamadou Issoufou eventually becoming its experience, having worked Iweala to serve as a member of portfolio in Africa, South Asia, development economist, of Niger Republic and number two. in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin her newly-established External Europe, and Central Asia. thanked the Buhari and his immediate past Chairman She is also on Twitter’s America, and North America. Advisory Group. Okonjo-Iweala spearheaded ministers, particularly the of ECOWAS as well as board of directors and is She is presently the Chair In addition, Okonjo-Iweala several World Bank initiatives Ministers of Foreign Affairs, President Alhassan Quattara a special envoy for the of the Board of GAVI, the served twice as Nigeria’s to assist low-income countries and Ministers of Industry, of Cote d’Ivoire. World Health Organisation’s Vaccine Alliance. Since its Finance minister, from during the 2008-2009 food Trade and Investment for She asked the president COVID-19 fight. creation in 2000, GAVI has 2003-2006 and 2011-2015 and crises and later in the trying supporting her staunchly. to “make one final push According to analysts, immunised over 760 million briefly as Nigeria’s Foreign period of the global financial “I feel very proud of within the week to beat Okonjo-Iweala’s high children across the globe. She Affairs minister in 2006, the crisis. CULPABLE OPERATIVES WON’T ESCAPE JUSTICE, SAYS BUHARI AS ANTI-SARS PROTESTS SPREAD In Delta State, the police While regretting the “We deeply regret the businesses,” he explained, Erinfolami Ayodeji, protest. arraigned 14 persons before unfortunate incident in loss of life of the young adding: “Given the success unfortunately, died. The While most motorists made an Ughelli Magistrate Ogbomoso, the president man in Oyo State during of that initiative, we are others are Inspectors Ekein their way to the alternative Court in Ughelli North promised that all those the recent demonstrations. now committed to creating Joshua and Peter Agabi. route, the huge flow of traffic Local Government Area, responsible for the I have directed that the 774,000 jobs across all the “The hoodlums, while soon became an albatross. in connection with last misconduct or wrongful acts circumstances of his death LGAs, through the P-YES escaping, fired into the air. Thursday's #EndSARS protest would be brought to justice. should be thoroughly programme.” A bystander was hit. He also Continued on page 35 in the town. He, however, reminded investigated.” died - sadly.” Buhari spoke yesterday at Nigerians that the majority Speaking on the Many Feared Killed as The police in another the State House, Abuja during of the members of the Police empowerment programme, Protest Turns Bloody statement by its Public the launch of the Presidential Force are carrying out their the president restated his in Lagos Relations Officer, Mr. Muyiwa Youth Empowerment Scheme duties diligently, warning administration’s commitment Adejobi, said three of its (P-YES), aimed at creating that the few bad eggs in the to youth development and Meanwhile, the #End SARS officers were shot by the 774,000 jobs across the local force should not be allowed poverty alleviation. protest turned bloody protesters, explaining that government areas (LGAs) in to tarnish the reputation of He pledged that the yesterday in Lagos as many while one had died, the other TOP GAINERS NGN NGN % the country. the entire force. federal government’s policies protesters were feared killed two were critically wounded The event was attended by He said: “I will like to of social protection and in Surulere area of the state. and were receiving treatment ETERNA 0.36 3.99 9.9 Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; use this opportunity to say people empowerment would The authorities, however, in the hospital. UNIONDAC 0.02 0.26 8.3 Senate President, Dr. Ahmed a word on the recent genuine continue on track, despite confirmed the death of a Thousands of #EndSARS TRANSCORP 0.03 0.65 4.8 Lawan; Governor Abdullahi concerns and agitations by the challenges posed by policeman and a civilian protesters had also converged Ganduje of Kano State; and Nigerians about the excessive COVID-19. in circumstances. While the on the grounds of the ever- CUTIX 0.08 1.80 4.6 Governor Dave Umahi of use of force and in some The president, who police confirmed the loss of busy Lekki Tollgate and SEPLAT 10.00 420.00 2.4 Ebonyi State. cases extra-judicial killings described P-YES as one of their operatives to grounded it to a halt. TOP LOSERS NGN % The president said he and wrongful conduct of the a cornerstone of his the protest, the Lagos State Chanting protest songs, INTERBREW 0.43 4.29 9.1 had directed an immediate men of the Nigerian Police administration’s social and government in a statement they declared that they investigation of the Force. economic development last night said the deaths had declared a compulsory AXAMANSARD 0.11 1.83 5.6 circumstances surrounding “The disbanding of SARS strategies, said it was part of were caused by hoodlums' holiday for all Lagos FLOURMILLS 1.00 21.00 4.5 the killing of Isiaka Jimoh, is only the first step in our the overall policy of ensuring attack on a police facility. residents, hence the blockade REGENCY 0.01 0.22 4.3 one of the #EndSARS commitment to extensive that 100 million Nigerians According to the statement on roads. protesters, who was shot police reforms in order to were lifted out of poverty by the Commissioner for The traffic snarl that PORTPAINT 0.08 2.15 3.5 dead in Ogbomoso, Oyo ensure that the primary duty in ten years. Information and Strategy, ensued from the blockade HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦1,175.00 State on Saturday. of the police and other law “The P-YES is also part of Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, “A spread to both sides of the The Inspector-General of enforcement agencies remain the plan that we adopted in group of hoodlums stormed Lekki Tollgate, spilling over Volume: 369.177 million shares Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed the protection of lives and 2016 in which we empowered the Anti-Kidnapping Unit at to different parts of Lagos. Value: N5.06 billion Adamu, had on Sunday, the livelihood of our people. One hundred youths from Hogan Bassey Street, Surulere, Not only were cars stuck Deals: 4,750 ordered the immediate “We will also ensure that each of the 774 Local to free two suspects standing in the gridlock, commuters dissolution of SARS unit all those responsible for Government Areas with the trial for alleged kidnapping. and pedestrians alike were As at yesterday 12/10/2020 following escalating protests misconduct or wrongful necessary tools to acquire “They shot three officers. stranded, a move that forced See details on Page 33 across the country. acts are brought to justice. skills and establish small One of them, Inspector some of them to join the 10 TUESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2020 ˾
THISDAY NEWS #End SARS: Youths Sustain Protests in Abuja, Jos, Onitsha Storm US, EU, UK embassies PDP urges Buhari to restructure, overhaul police

Chuks Okocha and Olawale in the day. reassignment of SARS officers reported series of extra-judicial “Without mincing words, the “Those who killed, maimed, Ajimotokan in Abuja The protesters were demanding by commencing the profiling, killings, unlawful arrests and PDP insists that no indicted dehumanised and foisted a the immediate release of all arrest and prosecution of the detention, extortion, harassment officer should be reassigned and reign of terror on innocent Despite the disbandment of the arrested protesters, reforms by members of the disbanded and dehumanization of innocent allowed to go unpunished after Nigerians must be made dreaded Special Anti-Robbery the federal government into outfit and other errant police Nigerians, particularly in the last such heinous crime against the to answer for their devilish Squad (SARS) by the Inspector policing, including increment of operatives involved in the five years. Nigerian people. actions.” General of Police, Mohammed police salary so that policemen Adamu, protesters yesterday will be adequately compensated continued in Abuja, Onitsha in for protecting lives and property Anambra State and Jos in Plateau of citizens. State to demand comprehensive Other demands were justice reforms of policing in the country. for all deceased victims of This is coming as the Peoples police brutality and appropriate Democratic Party (PDP) has urged compensation for their families President Muhammadu Buhari to in addition to the setting up an go beyond scrapping the SARS independent body to oversee the to restructure and overhaul the investigation and prosecution of Nigeria Police. all reports of police misconduct The street demonstrators, mainly within 10 days. youths and civil rights activists, The protesters also want the stormed the Force Headquarters, police authority to set up an the Embassies of the United States independent body to evaluate and and United Kingdom and the retrain all disbanded SARS officers European Union Press Centre before they can be redeployed in in Maitama to press home their line with new Police Act. demands. Meanwhile, the PDP also One of the key demands made berated the ruling All Progressives by the activists to the US and UK Congress (APC) for attempting embassies was a call for a visa ban to trivialise the excesses of the on the Oyo State Commissioner disbanded SARS. of Police, Nwachukwu Enwonwu The National Publicity and members of his family for Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Kola GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY... Enwonwu’s role in the human Ologbondiyan, said in a statement L-R: Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Sam Onuigbo; rights violation against protesters in Abuja yesterday that the party Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; representative of Abia State Governor, Mr. Use Okoh; Minister of State for Health, in Oyo State, which resulted in supported the dissolution of the Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora; and the initiator of the project, Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoma, during the inauguration of a 50-bed ultra-modern the death of scores of protesters SARS of the police. medical centre in Umuahia, Abia State…yesterday in Ogbomoso, in the northern The party, however charged part of the city. Buhari to also take immediate Yesterday’s protest was largely steps to “completely overhaul successful in spite of large presence and restructure the entire Gunmen Kill Former Varsity Director in Bauchi of heavily-armed police personnel police architecture to engender Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi Ahmed Wakili who confirmed gunmen attacked him by while the attackers are being that was stationed around the professionalism, adherence to the incident, said that the late shooting him at close range, trailed by the Police” . Eagle Square and the Force rule of law and respect for the Barely 24 hours after two Hassan Sabo Jama’are was seized his Honda Accord car A resident of the area had Headquarters along the Shehu fundamental rights of Nigerians. “ persons were killed in Gundum attacked and murdered by keys and drove away with it” earlier told THISDAY that the Shagari Road to deter the The statement read in part, Hausawa, a suburb of Bauchi his assailants at about 10 p.m The PPRO added that, “he assailants actually trailed him protesters. “Our party also demands that metropolis, gunmen have also on Sunday as he was about managed to crawl into the house from Bauchi metropolis until Different activists groups also the Inspector General of Police, killed a former Director of to enter his house at Tudun and his family raised the alarm, they got to his house before staged protests at Wuse Market Mohammed Adamu, should Works at the Abubakar Tafawa Salmanu. which attracted neighbours to attacking him. and Central Business District later go beyond dissolution and Balewa University (ATBU), Mr. According to him, “the the scene. He was rushed to a He said that the funeral Hassan Sabo Jama’are. assailants trailed the ATBU hospital where he was confirmed prayers were held yesterday The Bauchi State Police Director of works and when dead on arrival. Though no arrest at Ibn Abas Juma’at Mosque, Command Police Public he got to his house and was has been made, Police personnel BRC Quarters, Tudun-Tudun Nigeria’s COVID-19 Cases Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP about to open the gate, the have been drafted to the area Salmanu, Bauchi. Rise By 164 to 60,430 Ejiofor Alike yesterday, the Nigeria Pay-As-You-Go Not Feasible in DSTV, Centre for Disease Control Nigeria yesterday (NCDC), said Lagos MultiChoice CEO Tells House recorded 164 cases of recorded 64 cases; FCT, COVID-19, bringing the 26; Enugu, 20; Kaduna, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja He argued that Pay- Go can only be feasible if and Wilder and Fury II boxing total confirmed cases to 11; Oyo, 11; Plateau, eight; As-You-Go is possible in there is a total and global bouts which were retailed on 60,430, while 51, 943 cases Ondo, seven; Anambra, The Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) telecommunication sector remodelling of the satellite PPV in the United States for were discharged. four; Nasarawa, three; billing model advocated by because it relies on a two-way broadcasting technical and $100 and $79.99 respectively. The country has also Osun, three; Ebonyi, Nigerians is not technically communication system, which billing architecture, adding the “The Mayweather/Pacquiao recorded a total of 1,115 three; Imo, two; Benue, and commercially feasible, enables operators to determine result will be that consumers bout, which was shown on deaths. one; Katsina, one and the Chief Executive Officer of when a consumer is connected, will have to much higher tariffs DStv premium bouquet, would Announcing this Ogun, one. MultiChoice Nigeria, owners the service consumed and to access the service. cost N38,000, which would far of DSTV, Mr. John Ugbe, has duration of connection. “The economies of exceed the cost of any of the stated. He maintained satellite scale model employed by DStv bouquets. Nine Persons Feared Dead in Ugbe, who spoke when he broadcasters, unlike broadcasters mean that “The bouquet or bundling appeared before the House telecommunications firms,subscribers pay less. model is an effective and Osun Tanker Explosion of Representatives Ad Hoc cannot offer pay television “We are yet to see a pay efficient means of providing a Committee investigating the services because satellite TV business anywhere in the large but still manageable variety No fewer than nine people men of the Federal Fire Service non-implementation of PAYG broadcasting is a one-way world that does PAYG in the of choice to satisfy consumer were feared dead in a road had extinguished the fire. subscription model by satellite system and does not enable sense intended here. We do not demand for entertainment, accident that occurred at Also, the Public Relations television operators, said the broadcasters to determine when believe the model is technically at the lowest possible cost to Igbelajewa village, along the Officer of the Federal Fire company does not have the a subscriber is connected and/ or commercially feasible,” Ugbe consumers,” he said. Ilesha-Akure expressway, Service in the state, Adija technology to offer pay as you or watching or what channel declared. Ugbe also addressed yesterday when a truck Basiri, said nine lives were go at the moment. is being viewed. He maintained that Pay-Per- the widespread belief that carrying diesel lost control, lost to the inferno. He explained that Pay-Per- He said: “It is only in View, is however different from MultiChoice adjusted tariffs spilled its content on the read She said, “Our men View (PPV) is often confused instances where there is a two- PAYG and more expensive, on 1 June, noting that what it before catching fire. responded to a distress call with PAYG, adding that the way communication between as it entails a broadcaster did was to implement the new About seven vehicles, this morning after a collision PAYG model used in the the device at the subscriber’s transmitting a single event at rate of the Value Added Tax including an 18-passenger between two trucks at Ilesa/ telecommunications sector home and the head end of the the same time to its subscribers (VAT), as required by law, commercial bus were reportedly Akure Express road in Erin is not the right fit for pay pay-tv service provider, which who have paid to watch the adding the company takes burnt. Ijesha, Osun State resulting television. will enable the provider to event. into account many factors When contacted, in a fire outbreak. According to him, PAYG determine when a subscriber is “A subscriber who wants like inflation, increasing spokesperson for Osun “Nine casualties were in telecommunications, is a connected or not, that a billing to watch an event on PPV is costs of input costs and Command of Nigeria Police recorded with one receiving metered service that ensures system could be designed required to pay an additional technical upgrades, impact Force, Yemisi Opalola, said treatment in the hospital. The consumers are billed only for to take into cognisance the fee besides his subscription. on subscribers as well as the accident occurred around fire affected nine vehicles and the service they consume and subscriber’s behaviour”. “A typical example would be exchange rate fluctuations 11a.m, adding however that two trucks.” not for a fixed period. He said the Pay- As-You- the Mayweather and Pacquiao, to arrive at tariffs. TUESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2020 • THISDAY 11 12 TUESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2020 ˾
THISDAY NEWS Nigeria May Witness Second Wave of COVID-19, Says PTF To seek Buhari’s approval on resumption of work by civil servants

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja and protocols. with the registration of a daily Level 12. on the workers’ resumption and Lagos seven days after arriving “The PTF is glad that the case load of over 65,000 on the The National Coordinator of will take a decision on the issue the country tested positive. The Presidential Task Force on economy is opening up the more, 11th of October,” he said. the PTF, Dr. Sani Aliyu, made over the next few days. He said the affected persons COVID-19 has charged Nigerians but warns that as we continue to He announced the next steps this disclosure yesterday when He also said that in the coming had negative covid result on to anticipate a possible second study developments in Europe in national response efforts would the task force addressed the press. weeks passengers without PCR arrival adding 25 out of the first wave of the outbreak of the virus. and other parts of the world, no be made public during the week Currently only civil servants codes generated via portal will 2,700 passengers or 1.1 per cent The task force has also stated nation can be said to be immune after findings of recommendations from level 12 and above and not be allowed to board flights. that were tested in Abuja were that it would seek the approval of to a possible second wave if the must have been presented to workers on essential duty have He said that decision will be positive. President Muhammadu Buhari guidelines and protocols are not President Muhammadu Buhari. resumed under the ease of communicated to airlines, thus The cumulative number of for the resumption of middle and adhered to strictly. Nigerians need Meanwhile, the PTF said lockdown issued by the federal effectively ending congestion at 105 passengers, out of 5,000 that junior cadre civil servants in the to anticipate this and prepare. Our it would clear with and seek government as precaution against the airports. arrived the country since the Lagos federal civil service below the hope and prayers are that it shall the approval of Buhari for the the spread of COVID-19. Aliyu further stressed that and Abuja airports commenced Grade Level 12. never happen. resumption of middle and junior Aliyu said that PTF is in 80 of the first 2,403 passengers, international flights in September, The Chairman of the PTF and “For our proper information cadre civil servants in the federal discussion with the Office of the representing 3.3 per cent of the and were retested turned Secretary to the Government of and guidance, the picture civil service below the Grade Head of Service of the Federation passengers, that were tested in positive for coronavirus. the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss from around the world can be Mustapha, disclosed this yesterday summarised as follows. Over the during a briefing in Abuja. last few days, global cases crossed According to him, no nation the 37 million mark. In the UK, is guaranteed immunity against cases have been on the increase, resurgence of the virus. and the 5th highest number of He advised Nigerians to daily cases was recorded on be mindful of its possibility, Sunday 11th (12,872). pointing out the only cover is ‘’Similarly, Brazil’s case load strict adherence to guidelines has also continued to increase Ogbomoso Monarch Narrates How Hoodlums Attacked Palace The Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba the needless provocations and Oladunni Ajagungbade III, has ill-treatment meted out to the denied reports that protesters Royal household during the were killed when they attacked violent attack on the Palace, his palace on Sunday. the Paramount ruler and his Ajagundade in a statement household did not retaliate. issued yesterday by the “Kabiyesi, who was with his Principal Secretary to Soun of chiefs and subjects, including SERVICE TO HUMANITY... Ogbomosoland, Mr. Toyin Ajamu, Minister of Youth and Sports L-R: President of Rotary Club of Ikeja, Mr. Alex Abah; Chairman, Club’s Service Project, Mrs. Perpetua Mbanefo; District Governor, said the palace was attacked Development (an indigene of Rotary District 9110, Mr. Bola Oyebade; and Commander, 9 Brigade, Army Cantonment, Ikeja, Brig. Gen. Musa Etsu - Ndagi, during the by “hoodlums” who damaged Ogbomoso), when the hoodlums inauguration of the complete refurbishment/upgrade of a water borehole at the Army Cantonment Ikeja donated by Rotary Club of properties. invaded the palace, advised Ikeja GRA...yesterday He also complained that a chief the palace staff to refrain from was injured during the attack. attacking the hoodlums. The statement, dated October “Hence, none of the miscreants 12, was titled ‘Unprovoked attack and thugs was attacked by the SARS: Training of New Police Unit Begins Next on Ogbomoso Palace: No death palace household but rather a recorded’. chief, who was pelted with stones Week, Says IG Part of the statement read, by the hoodlums sustained serious “The attack was perpetrated injuries. The Inspector General of Police the duties the defunct police unit Adamu said this was the first The general public will be part by hoodlums and miscreants, “The dead bodies being (IG), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, was carrying out, which is fighting time they have decisively taken of the process of getting a new disguised as protesters against circulated on social media were has revealed that the training of violent crimes. to dissolve SARS and called for outfit. the Special Anti-Robbery Squad brought into the palace by the a new police unit that will take He said the new outfit would be calm as they continue to resolve “I’m talking to you so I will (SARS), leading to the wanton hoodlums to cause confusion and over from the disbanded Special intelligence -driven, properly trained all the issues. keep talking to many others and destruction of properties and justify the attack on the palace.” Anti -Robbery Squad (SARS) will and only act on special occasions He said Davido‘s visit to talk get civil societies involved and vehicles at the palace. A chief The monarch, subsequently, commence next week. that require their attention. about the issue was the best way get their input towards the new among other palace officials, implored appropriate authorities Adamu spoke yesterday when He said the unit would be made to deal with the current problem. . unit,” he said. also sustained injuries. to investigate the incident in a popular musician, David Adeleke up of fresh personnel with a fresh He said in the formation of The IG promised to investigate “Contrary to fake news being bid to bring the perpetrators of aka Davido, visited him in office orientation and not officers from the new unit corrections would all cases of brutality and bring disseminated on social media, we the attack to book and avert a over the ongoing #ENDSARS the scrapped unit. be taken from the experience of perpetrators to book. state categorically that despite recurrence. protests. He said opportunities would be SARS. He said the issue of compensation He said with SARS being created for members of the public “We just disbanded yesterday so to the families of those affected by disbanded, there was need to to participate in and make inputs protesters should calm down and SARS’ would be addressed when N’Delta States Should get a new structure to carry out to the formation of the new unit. give us time to fix the problem. investigations are concluded. Manage Crude Oil, Gas, THISDAY Editorial Board Chair Donates Books to Unilorin, Others The Chairman of the Editorial Calabar,150; Edo State University, research for the book started and systems to tackle the Says CoRN Board of THISDAY Newspapers, Iyhamuo, 100; University of in 2018, following the conviction challenge “. Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, has Abuja, 100; and the University of Prof. Richard Akindele at the The author said, “Exposing The Coalition of Riverine Deltans enslaving the core Niger Deltans donated copies of his new of Ibadan, 150. Obafemi Awolowo University, the culture of sex-for-marks, I (CoRN), has demanded that states and Niger Delta at large. Our book, ‘NAKED ABUSE: Sex for Handing over the books Ile-Ife. That was almost a year believe, would not only help in Niger Delta should also control oil is a national cake, while the Grades in African Universities’, to to the Director of Corporate before the BBC Documentary highlight the malaise, it could their oil and gas deposits just as gold in Zamfara belongs to the some universities in the country Affairs, University of Ilorin, on the same issue was aired in also kick-start efforts towards Zamfara State in the north controls Northern people. including the University of Ilorin. Mr. Kunle Akogun, in Lagos September 2019”. curbing predatory behaviour on gold found in the state. “Do they think we are fools While Unilorin got 150 copies; at the weekend, Adeniyi said According to Adeniyi, “in our campuses. Only then can we CoRN in a statement by the in Niger Delta, if Zamfara State Obafemi Awolowo University that the book was informed by writing the book, my main truly begin to make education spokesman, Meshach Bebenimibo, owns the gold , which is a natural (OAU), Ile-Ife, got 300; BAZE his determination to contribute objectives include: raising spaces safe for women and girls said governor of Zamfara State, resource or mineral resource University, Abuja,150; his “voice and platform to the the profile of discourse on in Africa.” Bello Matawalle, made it clear, in their land and government University of Lagos,150; Lagos campaign to end all forms sexual harassment in tertiary Receiving the books, Akogun recently, gold deposits in the state is requesting them to bring State University (LASU), 100; of violence against women, institutions on the continent, expressed the gratitude of the belong to the state and it would N5billion gold, then, the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), including sexual violence”. deepening awareness of the University of Ilorin to the author be supplying N5 billion gold to federal government should Zaria, 100; University of Jos, 100; Adeniyi, who was represented drivers, risks and consequences and multiple award-winning the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). also allow Niger Delta to University of Nigeria, Nsukka, by the Creative Director /Digital of the culture of gender- based journalist, saying that the book It stated: ‘The Coalition of supply it crude oil, whatever 150; University of Maiduguri,100; Publisher of ‘NAKED ABUSE’ violence on our campuses, and would be a valuable addition to Riverine Deltans, frowns at the quantity they want since we Federal University of Technology, on Amazon.com, Mr. Sunny influencing the development the collection of the University Federal Government of Nigeria for own the oil.” Minna, 100; University of Hughes, disclosed that “the and implementation of policies Library. TUESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2020 • THISDAY 13 14 THISDAY ˾
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ͯͱ˜ 2020

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA COMMENT Email [email protected] DEEP SIGHS AFTER SARS There are deep sighs everywhere in Nigeria, writes Matthew Ayibakuro ince the #ENDSARS protests began, I have had all those around the world who demonstrated solidarity, a tab open on my computer to put down my should be proud, but now what? reflections on the movement. Like many young It feels as if, by disbanding the outfit, the Inspector- people in Nigeria, I have had several regrettable General has forcefully put out a fire before it had reached experiences with SARS and the Nigeria Police its crescendo and consumed the many inequities that Force generally. The memory of each experience bedevil the Nigerian youth. On the surface, this protest Sonly brought me deep sighs. I tried writing about the time might have been about ending SARS, but the degree officers of SARS stopped me on the road a couple of days of frustration seen on the streets of Nigerian cities over after burying my mother last year. They claimed a paper the last week or so tells a deeper story. It is a story of issued to me by the Nigeria Police Force was fake and perennial police brutality; of insensitive governance; of demanded N50,000 to let me go. corrupt and ineffective leadership; of poor infrastructure; I could not call the Command of the Force that issued of unemployment and a lack of opportunity; of a broken the paper because they had put up the roadblock at the educational system; of endless deep sighs. one point on the East West Road where there was no Even as the youths return to the depressing realities cellular network. Being in a state of mourning, I could not of their Nigerian-hood, those in public universities muster the strength to fight, so I begged and explained. would be reminded of the grim fact that they have no It was all to no avail though. The intermittent tears in my idea when they would return to school as a result of eyes meant nothing either. After over two hours, I got yet another strike by university lecturers demanding for some bars on my phone and made a call to a senior – and better funding for the broken tertiary education system reasonable senior police officer – before I was allowed to in the country. There are deep sighs everywhere you continue my trip. Deep sighs. look in Nigeria. I tried to write about the time they stopped me on the That is why many young people across the country road and asked for the receipt for my laptop. This was would be waking up to the “is that it?” feeling after the not SARS officers though. There were just another group disbandment of SARS. Is this really it? Do we now all of ineffective mobile police officers. They wanted a hard just take this crumb of victory and go home or is this copy of the receipt. They would not let me look for a soft an opportunity to demand for responsible governance in copy on the laptop. They claimed I was a criminal and Nigeria? said my ID Card stating that I was a lecturer was fake. As for the dissolution of SARS, I am certain we have The beard on my face excluding me from the academic not heard the last of it. The public statement released class, apparently, and my explanations nugatory. This by the Inspector-General’s office leaves many ques- time I had the strength to fight, so I did. We shouted tions unanswered: Will the guilty officers of SARS be and argued for over an hour. It was to no avail though, prosecuted and held accountable for their actions? How and after exhausting my legal vocabulary, I had to make far back would the enquiry into the actions of the guilty another call. officers go and would there be a formal enquiry at all? In Nigeria, you have to always have disposable cash Would the disbanded members of SARS and all other or a number to call, or in some cases, both. Those are ON THE SURFACE, THIS PROTEST MIGHT officers of the Nigeria Police Force be made to undergo the only valuable currencies to engage with the Nigeria compulsory training on respect for human rights? Are Police Force; not your human rights or your complaints HAVE BEEN ABOUT ENDING SARS, BUT THE Nigerians finally going to see its police force reformed? or the crime you have to report. Deep sighs. As the How strategic and inclusive would the reform process memories haunted me and I read about the experiences DEGREE OF FRUSTRATION SEEN ON THE be? of others and the protests on the streets, all I had were STREETS OF NIGERIAN CITIES OVER THE Knowing Nigeria, it would be foolhardy to expect op- deep sighs. timistic answers to these questions. Our only optimism is This morning, as I sit at my table to put down these LAST WEEK OR SO TELLS A DEEPER STORY. that the youths of Nigeria took a stand through peaceful words after reading the news about the dissolution of protests and won, albeit a pyrrhic victory, considering the SARS by the Inspector-General of Police, I can feel my IT IS A STORY OF PERENNIAL POLICE lives lost to SARS operatives and during the protests. It is sighs getting even deeper. I feel no elation whatsoever. BRUTALITY; OF INSENSITIVE GOVERNANCE; a victory that leaves a deep sigh, for the disbandment of No sigh of relief either, just a bitter sense of accomplish- SARS and the many battles ahead. ment. Yes, the main demand of the protests has been OF CORRUPT AND INEFFECTIVE accomplished and for that the youths of Nigeria, and r%S
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4UBUF DOMA’S WRONG NARRATIVE ON KEANA KINGDOM Joseph Adi Keana argues that the Uban Doma’s perspective is flawed he uproar over the paper I am surprised that Osana Emmanuel to put right his error-riddled work. I of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), presented by the Uban Doma/ Elayo who was in the forefront of the recommend a recent book entitled “A he was among the great men who fought Hakimin Keana North, Musa agitation for enforcement of the funda- Million Miles Away: A Bibliography of to restore democracy in Nigeria. Elayo Abdullahi on 2 October mental rights of the Alago since colonial Emmanuel Onyatikpo Elayo – The 33rd Yet, all this meant nothing to my 2020 in Keana, Keana Local time would be so easily forgotten. This Osana of Keana” to him. It is a very brother because his mission was to Government Area of Nasarawa is a man that laboured and paid dearly objective treatise not only on the person impress a given people. He set out to TState has compelled me, as a custodian for protecting the Keana traditional of 33rd Osana but the checkered history warm the heart of a particular audience of the history of my people to write this political leadership. And his concern of our people. It was put together by but a writer is better appreciated when rejoinder. was not just for Keana but for all the scholars who are no indigenes of Keana. he writes for the general public. Abdullahi’s paper which was presented Alago people and their neighbours. He Lest we forget, the same Osana Em- Yes, I believe the Uban Doma is not on the 4th anniversary of 34th Osana was persecuted by colonial authorities manuel Elayo left numerous children, unaware of the great strides of Osana of Keana, His Royal Highness, Alhaji in 1950 when he was arrested and both as Muslims and Christians in all Emmanuel Elayo. I plead with him to Abdullahi Amegwa Agbo III drew the ire detained. walks of life. Some are titleholders in discontinue with this task of impinging of many Alago speakers. As far as I know, we are all de- Keana, so I just cannot see how this name biases on narratives that witnesses Highpoint of the occasion was the of- scendants of what we commonly call escaped the Uban Doma. abound. ficial commissioning of the Palace Juma’at “pagan”. The epic Akanya Adi was Though a Christian, Osana Emmaneul I therefore, urge dispassionate Masjid by a very distinguished guest, neither a Christian nor a Muslim yet he Elayo did not discriminate against professionals (especially of Alago) like the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, occupies a very distinguished position his subjects for their diverse religious historians, anthropologists, sociologists Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III. in the history of our people. There is leanings. He preached love in diversity, to begin to voraciously produce and It was no doubt a colourful event but therefore no need for twisting facts. tolerance and togetherness. He believed circulate works on the people of Alago the presentation by my own brother, The kind of writing the Uban Doma that the palace belongs to all – so-called nation so records will not continue to be Abdullahi robbed the moment of its did has potential for acrimony and ani- pagans, Christians and Muslims. And distorted. grandeur. The glory of that gathering was mosity. Is it not better we avoid things truly that is the philosophy of the people I would like to express my profound vitiated by the Uban Doma’s apparently like this and toe the path of truth? of Keana. Anybody who becomes Osana gratitude to the executive governor of jaundiced perspective on the story of the The Uban Doma weeded an entire can live in that palace. Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule and the very place he hails from. 13-year (2003-2016) history of the Keana Osana Emmanuel Elayo was in the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad His paper entitled, “Growth and kingdom. Curiously, this was the period forefront, fighting for the emancipation, Sa’ad Abubakar III for their commitment Development of Islam in Keana of the reign of the 33rd Osana who was unity and progress of the Alago and to peaceful coexistence among Nigerians. Kingdom” was cockeyed, biased and a Christian. that placed him as the leading star of Since becoming governor, he has brought far removed from verifiable facts on the I cannot place my fingeron what his people. He was the first Alago to be peace– there are no more incidents of ground. The foremost flaw in the Uban made the writer do what he did. One councillor in the days of the old Lafia ethnic strife in Nasarawa State. This is a Doma’s narrative is the flagrant disregard might say he lacked the knowledge. Native Authority. gesture all peace-loving people should for the activities of Christian missionaries However, a writer who embarks on the Indeed, the modern history of Keana emulate and desist from stoking the in Keana. He painted a picture of only mission of chronicling events must have is synonymous with the developmental ambers of anguish and discord. Islam making incursion in Keana, totally studied the tools of historical writing. strides of the 33rd Osana of Keana. The The Sultan of Sokoto came from far leaving out the very vital and functional Had he consulted stakeholders of the major road leading to Keana which away Sokoto with a very strong message footprints of the Christian missionaries Keana kingdom, he would not have was built in the days of Solomon Lar which if imbibed will help us a lot. He whose relics stand side by side those of made these errors. administration in the old Plateau State is was reported to have chastised agents of their Islamic counterparts. In his list of Osana Emmaneul Elayo who traversed a product of his struggles for the good of religious sectarianism, noting that God Osanas of Keana, he left out the fact that the entire Nigerian public service space; Keana. knows why we are of diverse religious Keana has produced an Osana who was a at a time sitting in the topmost chambers In fact, the Uban Doma in his mind groups. He said God would have made staunch Christian. of the lawmaking arm of government, knows well that he is a beneficiary of all human beings to belong to one The 33rd Osana of Keana, His Royal left the throne only four years ago. What the good works and generosity of Osana religion if He so wished, therefore there Majesty, Osana Emmanuel Onyatikpo manner of amnesia would make a writer Emmanuel Elayo just as I am. No Osana is no point stereotyping and segregating Elayo (OON, KSM, JP), a devout Catholic, forget a vital subject of history that left in the modern day Keana is comparable people on the basis of faith. was a descendant of the founder of not quite long? to Osana Emmanuel Elayo whose politi- Keana and the first Osana of Keana, the Well, I would like to help Uban cal and leadership height was quite high. r,FBOB
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legendary Akanya Adi. Doma because it is not too late for him As a founding member and BoT member 6OHXBO
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,BEVOB THISDAY ˾
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ͯͱ˜ 2020 15 EDITORIAL OSINBAJO AND MERIT-BASED SYSTEM The application of quota system is overdue for review onscious of the downside of universities. On grounds of ethnicity and catch- the quota system which holds ment areas, standards are lowered abysmally to certain groups to different admit members of the so-called disadvantaged standards, Vice-President groups, a practice many have characterised as Yemi Osinbajo has consistently unjust and unsustainable. It is worse under the harped on the need to embrace current administration where merit is being merit if we want to make prog- trumped by nepotism. ress as a nation. At a conference The quotas for jobs, in the face of increasing in 2017, he stated clearly that the country must do scarcity, are by far creating more controversies and Caway with sentiments in appointments. At another divisions in the polity than university admissions, workshop earlier in the year, he called for the adop- ironically under an administration in which tion of a merit-based system in the appointment of Osinbajo is a prominent player. The federal gov- judges. Last week at the Nigeria Leadership Initia- ernment and its agencies have flagrantly abused tive (NLI) webinar series, he once again upped the the provisions of the constitution as nepotism, ante, arguing that for Nigeria to attain economic ethnicity and geography have long become the growth and development, the dominant principle major routes to appointments and career advance- in appointing people into public offices should be ment. In a country as diverse as ours, all major merit rather than federal character. appointments in the area of security, for instance, Talk of course is cheap. The real issue is to put are skewed and lopsided as they are done more in practice all the preachments by the number two in favour of ethnicity, religion, family and other man in the current primordial considerations. Many appointments are A PRACTICE THAT administration. done obviously without considerations for integrity The quota system and performance, a policy which has poisoned STIFLES INITIATIVES is a federal gov- the minds of many and indeed, the democratic THROUGH SYSTEMIC ernment policy system. Nowhere is this a serious issue than the DISCRIMINATIONS CANNOT formulated es- Department of State Service (DSS) where its latest ENDURE IN THE AGE OF sentially with the recruitment is abysmally skewed in favour of a best of intentions section of the country. KNOWLEDGE - to bridge the gap THISDAY Osinbajo has said consistently that the values EDITOR
 
  between the edu- DEPUTY EDITOR

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that needed to be instilled among the citizens cationally developed states and the educationally MANAGING DIRECTOR   
  include integrity, dignity, national responsibility disadvantaged states. It encourages balancing and DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR 
  and unity, and patriotism, adding that our public CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD  
  even distribution of opportunities in admissions EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL 
  institutions must be equipped to provide oppor- to schools, appointments to offices, and resource al- MANAGING EDITOR 
    tunities, regardless of tribe, religion or gender. “A location. At inception in the mid-sixties, it worked value system rewards talent and enterprise, and it relatively well with the regions and the states is talent and enterprise that will drive sustainable bringing forth their best, as particularly noticed THISDAY NEWSPAPERS LIMITED growth”, said Osinbajo. “We get arguments around EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN  
  in admissions into federal government colleges. GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS   
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whether the appointment of persons into public Talented people from disadvantaged backgrounds 
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 institutions should be based on federal character. DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS  
  ˜

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were given opportunities to compete and thrive.  

The dominant principle should be merit.” However, for sometimes now, the system has DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR  
 
 Indeed, the application of the quota system in not only been abused, it has increasingly become SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR  
 
Nigeria is overdue for review. Or as the 14th Emir ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS  
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 a tool of controversy, divisions and tensions across CONTROLLERS   
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 of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi delicately put it, it is all strata of the Nigerian society. One area where DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION   
   ripe for a “sunset clause.” For sure, a practice that this has become a source of friction is admissions HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT   
 ̓  stifles initiatives through systemic discriminations into Unity Schools and federal government-owned TO SEND EMAIL: first [email protected] cannot endure in the age of knowledge.

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. AKWA IBOM AND THE 2019 ELECTION WATERING

he major political parties are currently led by bigwigs who dictum in the state is: ‘what money cannot do, more money will do it’. DOWN SCIENCE have ruled Akwa-Ibom for over 18 years. As of the time Unfortunately, what it did not factor into its entire plan is the character Mike Igini, INEC commissioner, was deployed to the state, strength of the REC who on arrival in the state, was quoted as saying: SOUNDS FISHY the bigwigs were in one camp. To be factual, both parties “I am not in Akwa lbom State to count money, but ballot papers.” The allegedly did everything to be in his good books but failed REC’s insistence on this approach exposed the opposition’s weak base. … because they want to take after using all their contacts at home and abroad. But while It did not brook even one opposing or independent voice. Rather, it care of certain little tiny fish that Tthe current leaders of a major party in the state accepted this fact and found every means possible to seize ballot papers and result sheets aren’t doing very well without went back to the people to seek their votes and support, the leaders and thereafter allocated all, yes all, the votes in the local government water…” President Trump (Oct of the opposition appeared to have resolved to get him out of the to itself. The opposition would go on to do same in as many local state ahead of the 2019 elections. That is the background to all the governments polling units as it desired using the protection and 9) false stories against the REC called the “son of man,” with the use of impunity of the police, army, civil defence and other security agencies. Science is hurting when com- social and mainstream media by some desperate politicians and their All the attention and lies about INEC working against the opposition “ments like this are made. Fish are found supporters. One of such assaults was the recent call for his prosecution parties in Akwa-Ibom all point to one thing – the desire to manipulate in water, they like water, they need water simply because the commission was about to arraign some university the outcome of elections. Accounts from NYSC Ad-hoc staff and and fish, big, small and even very tiny lecturers who probably altered election results in their favour. university lecturers who worked in areas dominated by these desperate die when they are removed from water, In a normal electoral environment, a political party will appeal to politicians are filled with tales of woe about how they were held at generally very quickly. voters by acting as the purveyor of the policy options designed to gunpoint, beaten or held hostage and forced to write results that had Trump is wasting the oxygen he is us- make the society a better place. But disconnected from this reality is no bearing with what happened in any polling booth. The account of ing and if he talks to a scientist, he may the Akwa-Ibom opposition, which allegedly relied on the protection some corps members who worked in opposition strongholds was that find out that oxygen is quite popular by INEC and the security agencies to provide it with immunity and as early as 1a.m before election commenced, desperate politicians held with Californians too and everyone else impunity to ‘win’ elections irrespective of what the voters in Akwa- men and materials hostage until constant calls to the area by the state as well. In fact, if he talks to a number Ibom desired. Unfortunately for these desperadoes, the state is blessed REC forced them to release the corps members and INEC staff. Still, a of scientists, he may find out quite a few with a straight-forward REC who publicly declared when he arrived in top politician allegedly directed that all the results to be written to suit things like “Don’t be afraid of COVID” the state that only the duly elected candidates by voters through elec- his whims, forcing the electoral officer and collating officers to either are wrong. Do be afraid of COVID, it’s tion would be declared winners and not by any other means such as do his bidding to avoid harm. killed more people (over 200,000), than pre-writing of election results before election day. Desperate members Officials were allegedly beaten up by thugs while the police looked guns so far this year (almost 33,000). of the opposition went ahead to address press conferences calling for on helplessly because they knew that the regional and state police Pray for a vaccine for COVID and pray the REC’s removal as well as sponsoring demonstrations to the INEC heads were ordered to obey whatever he instructed. It is therefore for the Science that will develop it. office in Uyo, the state capital. imperative that any story coming out of Akwa-Ibom State on election The opposition has not learnt to do things right by following matters must be seen from this backdrop. r%FOOJT
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4UBUF 16 TUESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2020 ˾
THISDAY NEWS RMAFC Recovers N474m Unremitted Taxes into Federation Account James Emejo in Abuja and Fiscal Commission been recovered and paid the need to give adequate the Nigerian Custom government. (RMAFC), Mr. Elias Mbam, into the federation account attention to excise duty Service (NCS) into He further solicited The Chairman, Revenue yesterday disclosed that the from Guinness Nigeria PLC payment by manufacturing the federation account for RMAFC’s continued Mobilisation Allocation sum of N474 million had as unremitted excise duty. industries in order to which is currently inter-agency collaboration He said the development increase revenue inflow recording low revenue in recovering federal was part of the progress to the federal government. generation because of governments unremitted recorded by the He further called for non-compliance by some revenue, urging the Stop Campaign of Calumny commission’s verification the strengthening of manufacturing companies. commission to continue excise on selected collaboration between In his remarks, the its effort in blocking against Amaechi, Rivers manufacturing companies, Nigerian Custom Excise Comptroller General of revenue leakages. which had failed to and RMAFC. NCS, Col. Hameed Ibrahim The RMAFC had pay excise duty to the While commending Ali (rtd), commended recently announced that APC Tells Wike, Sekibo government. the in-house Committee the commission’s effort it was partnering security The All Progressives Congress at unleashing another reign of In a statement issued by on Customs Revenue in the exercise of its agencies to embark on (APC) leaders in Okrika, Ogu/ terror on the Wakirike Nation for the commission’s Public Monitoring, Mbam oversight functions the verification exercise Bolo and Port Harcourt Local the selfish control of its political Relations Officer, Mr. maintained that excise leading to the recovery to recover outstanding Government Areas of Rivers territory thereby returning it to Nwachukwu Christian, duty is one of the major of such unremitted revenues into the State have called on the state another era of ignominy,” they Mbam further stressed revenues collected by revenue accruable to the federation account. Governor, Nyesom Wike, and said. a former Secretary to the State The group stated that the Government (SSG), Dr. Abiye allegation that Amaechi lacked Sekibo, to stop their campaign respect for the traditional of calumny against the Minister institution was incorrect, adding of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi. that it was rather Wike, who had In a communique issued at failed woefully in that regard. the end of their meeting in Port “The forum recalls that during Harcourt, which was signed by the administration of Amaechi as the South-south Zonal Secretary, governor of the state, traditional David Okumgba, a copy of rulers/institutions were highly which was made available respected and accorded their pride to journalists yesterday, they of place. It was in demonstration stated that Amaechi, as a former of this respect for exalted stools, governor of the state, impacted that Amaechi ensured peace was more positively on the people restored in Okirika. than Wike and Sekibo combined. “In furtherance of his respect They noted as leaders of the for traditional institutions and love Wakirike Nation, they could for Wakirike kingdom, Amaechi, attest to the fact that Amaechi, personally attended the coronation as a serving minister, was also ceremony of the Amanyanabo positively impacting their people of Ogoloma in 2014 and and communities in the state. equally built and named a The group added that nobody 44,000 capacity stadium after should portray Wakirike indigenes a respected Wakirike son, as ingrates, noting that they were the prestigious Chief solidly behind the minister, Adokiye Amiesimaka in “As critical stakeholders and Igwuruta-Ali Rivers State. custodians of our traditional and “Therefore, we frown at the democratic ethos, it is therefore shallow comparison of Amaechi incumbent on us to condemn to his successor, Wike, in this regard. CELEBRATING ONDO VICTORY... in its totality, the mischievous Rivers people were dumbfounded a L-R: Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Extra-ordinary/Convention Committee, Senator John James Udoedehe; and self-serving statements fortnight ago watching on national Chairman, APC Caretaker/Exra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee and Yobe State Governor, Mr. Mai Mala Buni; and a member as they were not only untrue television Wike, infamous for his of the committee, Senator Ken Nnamani, during the press conference on the victory of the party in Ondo State governorship election at but unintelligently contrived to ‘Usman Dan Fodio treatment’, the party’s secretariat in Abuja... yesterday ENOCK REUBEN procure an evil alliance with the on Rivers traditional rulers, in Emperor of Rivers State, aimed a saintly obeisance before the Ekiti Amotekun Operatives Nab Suspected Kidnapper Clad Labour Commences in Military Uniform

Indefinite Strike in Kwara Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti coming out from the bush on claimed to be from Kogi State. and other heinous crimes in the Ifaki road, was accosted by When asked about his mission the state. over Minimum Wage The operatives of the Ekiti men of Amotekun, “where he in Ifaki, he said he was coming He solicited for the support Hammed Shittu in Ilorin A. Adegoke and Saliu O. Suleiman State Security Network Agency confessed not to be a soldier, from Ado where he attended of the residents for the success respectively. codenamed Amotekun Corps but a kidnapper. a Man ‘O War interview. Our of the security network by The organised labour in Kwara The organised labour had have apprehended a suspected “We arrested him in Ifaki further investigation shows that cooperating and providing State yesterday declared issued a 14-day ultimatum to kidnapper in Ifaki-Ekiti , Ido/ when we were on routine he resides in Ifaki, and when he useful information towards an indefinite strike to press the state government to sign Osi Local Government Area of patrol. He was dressed in took us to his room, we found ending crimes in the state, home their agitation for the and implement the N30,000 the state. military uniform, and was military items there. He also saying the Amotekun Corps state government to sign and minimum wage which expired The Amotekun Corps coming out from the bush. The claimed that a military officer belongs to the people. implement the N30,000 minimum Monday (yesterday). Commander, Brig. Gen. Joe first name the suspect gave us in Lagos State gave him the When contacted, the state wage for workers in the state. Following the expiration of the Komolafe (rtd), told journalists was Adebayo Damola and later military uniform.” Police Public Relations Officer A negotiation meeting ultimatum, the organised labour in Ado-Ekiti yesterday that said he was Emmanuel Tunde. The Amotekun boss, who (PPRO), Mr. Sunday Abutu, between the government and yesterday resolved to embark on the suspect, who dressed in a You can see the inconsistency revealed that the state Governor, confirmed the arrest, saying the representatives of the organised an indefinite strike beginning from military uniform, was arrested in his statement? He was never Dr. Kayode Fayemi, would be suspect is being detained at labour held last Thursday had Midnight of October 13. during the routine patrol of the a military man but a suspected launching the new security the Criminal Investigation ended in deadlock with the In the meantime, a pan-northern security outfit. kidnapper. outfit on October 19, said Department (CID) at the two parties not agreeing on the Nigeria group, Gamji Members Komolafe explained that “Upon interrogation, the they are ready to combat the state headquarters for consequential adjustment table Association of Kwara State the 23-year-old boy, while vulcaniser residing in Oye Ekiti waves of killings, kidnappings interrogation. which the labour and government (GAMA), has cautioned the team had presented back and forth organised labour in Kwara State since the pre-COVID-19 period. against embarking on the strike. Armed Robbers Attack ZLP National Headquarters Rising from an emergency The group, whose members state executive council (SEC) embrace the ideals of the late Chuks Okocha in Abuja damaging party souvenirs among According to him, “When forced open. Though laptops meeting held at the labour Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of others. the office closed last Friday, and files were removed, an Ipad house in Ilorin yesterday, the northern region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, The national headquarters of Though the Nigerian police we went to monitor the Ondo lying on one of the tables was organised labour, comprising said: “While it understands the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) have visited the scene of the State governorship election, not taken. This is why I said it Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the plights of workers in the was last weekend invaded by robbery and commenced as we have a candidate who may not just be a mere robbery, Trade Union Congress (TUC) state, especially the rising suspected robbers, who allegedly investigation, however, no we were hopeful of making but we believe that the Nigerian and Joint Negotiating Council cost of living, the fact that carted away laptops, televisions arrest has been made. serious impact. But on Saturday police will unearth the reason (JNC-TUS) held at the Labour the government of Governor and some sensitive materials. It was not clear the motive morning, we noticed that one of behind the invasion.” House, resolved to embark on Abdulrahman Abdulrazak The suspected robbery, which behind the intrusion, but the our security doors was broken The ZLP, whose candidate in an indefinite strike. has demonstrated good is believed to have taken place National Secretary of the down, through which they had the Ondo State governorship The emergency SEC meeting faith and commitment to late last Friday night, also saw ZLP, Yahaya Makama, told the access into all our offices. election, Ayoola Agboola, came was jointly addressed by the state the welfare of workers in the willful breaking into all the journalists that the incident “The party’s sensitive third in the election, is among Chairmen of the NLC, TUC and the state is not lost on all security doors and file furniture, could be more than a mere materials were carted away the leading political parties in JNC-TUS, Aliyu Issa Ore, Ezekiel patriotic Kwarans. spilling all the contents and robbery. after all the security doors were Nigeria. TUESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2020 ˾
THISDAY 17 NEWS Prince Sues El-Rufai, Emir Bamalli, Kingmakers over Selection of Zaria Emir

John Shiklam in Kaduna right to the stool of the Emir repeated their recommendation of Zazzau from the date of his of the initial three princes, El- The topmost contender in the race selection henceforth”. Rufai appointed Prince Ahmed for Emirship of Zazzau, Alhaji The kingmakers had shortlisted Nuhu-Bamalli as the new Emir. Bashir Aminu, has dragged three candidates with Bashir A copy of the suit made Kaduna Governor, Nasir El- Aminu, Iyan Zazzau scoring available to journalists in Kaduna Rufai, the newly appointed Emir, the highest marks of 89 while seeks: “An order setting aside the Ahmed Bamalli, and the Zazzau Munir Jafaru, Yariman Zazzau, and purported appointment of the 10th kingmakers to court over the Aminu Shehu Idris, Turakin defendant (Ambassador Ahmad appointment of Bamalli as Emir. Karamin Zazzau scored 87 Nuhu Bamalli) as the Emir of Prince Aminu, who holds the and 53 marks respectively. Zazzau; a declaration that the title of Iyan Zazzau yesterday But El-Rufai jettisoned plaintiff is still the Emir of Zazzau filed a suit before the Kaduna the initial recommendation and is entitled to all rights and State High Court, seeking the of the kingmakers and ordered privileges pertaining thereto. court to remove the newly a fresh process where 13 “An injunction restraining the appointed Emir Bamalli and princes were screened by 1st,2nd,3rd, and 4th defendants declare him (Aminu) the 19th the kingmakers. from acting in the installation Emir of Zazzau. The governor’s move was of the 10th defendant to He said: “Having scored the greeted with allegations that the throne of the Emir of highest number of lawful votes he was attempting to favour Zazzau or presenting to the 10th cast by the kingmakers and thus Bamalli, his alleged preferred defendant with the staff of office selected by the said kingmakers, candidate for the throne. until the final determination of he has thus acquired a vested After the kingmakers this suit; Lagos Govt Directs Primary, Secondary Schools to Resume The Lagos State Government has and managers of all private first by adhering to the COVID-19 approved the resumption of all schools to ensure that they are safety protocols and hygiene classes in pre-primary, primary, cleared by the Office of Education guidelines as instructed by the and secondary schools. Quality Assurance before physical State Government through the The Commissioner for resumption. Ministry of Education. Education, Mrs. Folasade Part of the statement read, “The “The Office of Education Adefisayo, announced this in a physical resumption which is for Quality Assurance will continue statement yesterday. 2020/2021 academic session will to monitor and evaluate She said the remaining classes in now include pupils in pre-primary schools preparedness. both public and private schools in i.e, daycare, kindergarten and The necessary resumption the state can resume from October nursery schools. protocols must be adhered 19, 2020. “All public and private schools to and cleared “satisfactory” She enjoined school owners are strongly advised to put safety by the OEQA.” 18 THISDAY ˾
TUESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2020

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG POLITICS Email [email protected] (08114495324 SMS ONLY) Will the New Police Law End Police Brutality? Udora Orizu writes that following calls across the country for the scrapping of Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigeria Police Force, federal lawmakers have resolved to draft a new legislation as part of efforts to reform the police

Buhari Gbajabiamila IGP Adamu

ollowing the alarming spate of recent introduce an independent, fair and practical process of law. On his part, the Deputy minority leader, Hon. brutality and extra judicial killings approach to ensure that those to whom we God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Toby Okechukwu lamented the loss of promising across the country, by operatives of grant the authority to act in the name of the Republic of Nigeria. lives to the menace carried out by SARS opera- the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad State, are held to the highest standards of Also, the House directed the IG, Moham- tives. He wondered why the police will repay (SARS), members of the House of professional conduct. med Adamu, to take decisive action to stop the efforts of the government to empower them RepresentativesF on October 7 resolved to work ‘’Over the next thirty days, the House of the brutality and human rights violation by by killing citizens in the extra judicial manner with the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and Representatives will work with the Nigeria the SARS and report the said actions to the in which they do. He also reiterated that the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to draft new Bar Association (NBA), with civil society and House within three weeks. erring officers should be held responsible for legislation within 30 days to establish a system with Nigerians of good conscience to draft new The directive of the House was sequel to all such criminal acts. of independent accountability for the Nigeria legislation that establishes a system of independent the adoption of a motion on the need to stop Hon. Shaba Ibrahim adopted the submissions Police Force. accountability that holds erring members of SARS brutality, moved by the Leader of the of early contributors and stressed the fact that Recently, the media has been awash with reports the Police Force to account for their conduct House, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa. Moving the absolute power corrupts absolutely and this of attacks and flagrant violation of the rights in the performance of their duties and imposes motion, Doguwa noted with great concern the seems to be what is making the police behave of the citizens by FSARS operatives. Nigerians civil and criminal liability for violations of the persistent outcry by Nigerians over the brutality in the manner in which they do. He called for have shared stories and video evidence of how Police Code; and also compels the Nigerian and human rights violation by SARS. the expunging of the provisions that enable the members of the unit engaged in murder, extor- Police Force (NPF) to take responsibility for the He said despite repeated announcements Police Act in this manner from the Nigerian tion, rape, unlawful arrests, high-handedness, failures of training and discipline that leads to since 14th August 2018 by Police authorities constitution. unlawful detention, extortion and so on, which such violations. to reform SARS, the problem of human rights In his contribution, the minority leader, Hon. has again led to citizens all over the country ‘’The constitution of the Federal Republic of abuses and impunity still persist within the Ndudi Elumelu stated that the constitution does protesting, calling on the federal government Nigeria in Section 215(5) states that “The question Police Force. not give the police the right to take life in the for the dissolution of the unit. The protests also whether any and if so what, directions have The Leader described as disturbing the alarming extrajudicial manner in which some of them had celebrities come out in their numbers to been given (to the Police) under this section rate of unauthorised raids, extortion, stealing, do, so the law is the best way to hold erring show support for the #EndSARS campaign. shall not be inquired into in any court”. This frame-ups, indiscriminate search of mobile officers accountable. He also expressed sadness In the midst of the uproar, federal lawmakers provision presents a singularly obstinate obstacle phones, and other smart devices and arbitrary that the Police seem to be repaying Nigerians in the House of Representatives are proposing to any system of effective judicial review of confiscation and fraudulent conversion of private that have canvassed for better livelihood of the a new legislation to hold erring officers of the policing in Nigeria. Therefore, any reforms of property of citizens to personal use. Police by terrorizing the same Nigerian public. police accountable for their actions, however the operations of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Contributing to the debate, Hon. Akin Alabi He called for a thorough investigation into there are doubts if the law will help in any way must include a constitutional amendment to expressed shame that in 2020 there is still the the cases of human rights violations and that to end police brutality and stop extra judicial expunge this painfully undemocratic clause need to deliberate on human rights violations the committee should ensure that the officers killings, as previous efforts by the government from our country’s constitution. by the Police who are paid by Nigerians to face the full extent of the law. Elumelu assured aimed at reforming SARS have failed. ‘’This House of Representatives will act to protect them. He called on the Inspector General Nigerians that the House of Representatives is The lawmakers at the plenary on October 7 ensure that those agents of the State to whom of police to rise to the occasion and put a stop fully committed to the protection of human resolved to work with the Nigeria Bar Association we have assigned the duty to protect and serve, to the menace before angry citizens rise against rights of everyone living within Nigeria. (NBA), and civil society organisations (CSOs) are deserving of the faith and respect of the the law enforcement institution. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji on his part called for a to draft the legislation within 30 days. Nigerian people. I ask for the support of all Another lawmaker, Hon. Victor Mela opined reorganization and reorientation of the security The Speaker of the House, Hon. Femi Nigerians as we begin this endeavour. Let us that not all officers are bad, but the effect of the agencies of Nigeria to make them human friendly Gbajabiamila, stated this when he read a short work together to achieve the vision of a nation bad ones has succeeded in painting the whole as is obtainable worldwide. Also contributing, speech on the misconduct and abuse of authority where the citizens trust the police to always force in bad lights. Mela called for strict penalties Hon. Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha called for proper by officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) act in the public’s best interest by respecting against erring officers and compensation for guidelines for the mode of operation for the across the country and the need for additional the rights of citizens and following the due victims of the officers. SARS operatives and that they should be made police reforms. to strictly adhere to those guidelines. Gbajabiamila said unfortunately many of those Hon. Nicholas Ossai proposed a suggestion who have betrayed the trust of the country in this that the committees saddled with oversight the manner are never answerable for their actions. The Force is not oblivious of the ever present need police should ensure they keep the police on He said, ‘’Every day, throughout our country, the track of protecting and serving Nigerians interactions between the police and our citizens to combat armed robbery, kidnapping and other and not be terrorists. While Hon. Abdulrazak result in acts of horrific brutality, extortion, and Namdas expressed sadness and regret at how retribution against the Nigerian people. Too many violent crimes in the country which was before the SARS operatives have allowed themselves of the people we have assigned to protect our now the core mandate of the erstwhile Squad. to acquire such a notorious image. He called citizens have shown themselves unworthy of for a reformation of the manner of operation of that calling. Their actions betray our trust and He assured that a new policing arrangement to the operatives to be more professional and civil. wreak unquantifiable damage on the already However, the #EndSARS campaign is not frayed fabric of our society. address anticipated policing gaps the dissolution the first, as over the years Nigerians have ‘’Unfortunately, many of those who have repeatedly cried out to the government to betrayed our trust in this manner are never of SARS would cause has been evolved and shall be scrap the unit. After a nationwide outcry in answerable for their actions. At the heart of announced in due course. But, the protesters aren’t 2018, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo ordered this fundamental failure lies the unavoidable the total overhaul of the Special Anti-robbery truth that we do not have an independent buying it, owing to similar promises of reforming Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police Force. framework for ensuring that members of the Then in June 2019, President Muhammadu Nigerian Police Force (NPF) are appropriately the unit in the past which failed. The disbelief was Buhari directed the setting up of a three-man held to account when they fail to adhere to the also fuelled by the fact that barely hours after committee to produce a white paper on the policies and laws that govern their operations. recommendations of the Presidential Panel on ‘’We have long expected the Nigeria Police the Inspector General of Police, dissolved SARS, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Reform. Force (NPF) to police itself. It is now abundantly clear that this was the wrong call. For the benefit police brutality continued as policemen assaulted NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the of a functioning system of policing in Nigeria, online edition on www.thisdaylive.com it is now necessary that parliament steps in to protesters and journalists covering the protest THISDAY ˾
TUESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2020 19 POLITICS EndSARS as Pathway to Restructure Nigeria Vanessa Obioha predicts that the success of the EndSARS campaign may bolster the stringent calls by different ethnic groups agitating for separate entities or, at least, to restructure the country

he escalating number of protests that happened in many parts of the country the past week, condemning the long-standing brutality meted out by the Federal Special Anti- RobberyT Squad (FSARS) of the Nigerian Police Force on citizens and placing Nigeria in global focus in the past week finally came to a headway on Sunday. The Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu made a live broadcast to announce the dissolution of the special police unit. “The Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force otherwise known as SARS is hereby dissolved in all the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory.” A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the force DCP Frank Mba was released to further confirm that the special unit force which sparked criticisms and outcry in the country and even across the pond, has been officially disbanded. Since last week when the protest began, scores of encounters by victims dominated social media with accompanying pictures and videos as evidence of the widespread harassment and torture by the special unit. The continual outcry attracted celebrities in the music and film industry, to speak against the indiscriminate actions carried out by the special force unit against the masses. Although there have been claims that a few celebrities leveraged on the protests to gain widespread recognition. However, what is investigations. However, no investigation executive order, a legislative action and a parts of the country, including Lagos where more, intriguing is the confidence — and in or prosecution of perpetrators took place in judicial panel of enquiry set up to prosecute protesters caused traffic gridlock on the Lekki some cases pressure — on these celebrities any of the cases documented in this report, those rogues. Nothing more, nothing less!” Expressway. The protesters insist that the to lead the revolution that Nigerian youths “ noted the global movement. His sentiments were echoed by other President should address the nation and have been clamouring for in a long while. A major criticism of SARS is its attack artistes like Teni the Entertainer, and even corrupt offices should be investigated and Agitations against FSARS is not a new on youths. Often, young Nigerians were clergyman Apostle Johnson Suleman who in brought to the book. thing in the country. It began in 2017 when harassed by operatives for their appearance. his Tweet said that the disbandment of the At the inauguration of the Presidential a group of Nigerian human rights defend- In their quest to arrest cyber fraudsters unit by IGP is not enough and an executive Youth Empowerment Scheme, Buhari ers and activists launched the #EndSARS known in local parlance as ‘Yahoo Boys’, order is needed to that effect. disclosed that the dissolution of the FSARS campaign, in protest of the violations of the special police unit profiled youths who Author and political commentator Reno was the beginning of his regime’s elaborate human rights by the unit. By August 2018, wear dreadlocks, carry laptop bags and dress Omokri in his observation urged Nigerians not plan towards extensive police reforms. The the federal government ordered the unit flamboyantly as suspects of cyber fraud. The to be carried away by the IG’s announcement president also said he had ordered a probe to be reformed and high ranking officers constant harassment of innocent people was as it is not the first time such statements have into the killing of a young man in Oyo State appointed to supervise the actions of the frowned upon by many youths who felt been made. He attached a screenshot of a during the recent protests. squad. The only visible reform to the agitation their freedom of expression were greatly BBC report that showed a similar statement “We will also ensure that all those re- was adding the federal label to the unit. tampered with. Thus, the memes of people made by Adamu on January 21, 2019. sponsible for the misconduct or wrongful However, this is the first time the move- changing their outlooks to avoid the ire of In London, where music superstar Wizkid acts are brought to justice,” he said, adding ment’s resolute stance is yielding results, SARS are ubiquitous. led a protest and broke the news of the that the few bad eggs in the police force even if there are a few who felt absorbing Before the termination of the unit on Sunday, disbandment, the protesters received the should not be allowed to tarnish the image the same officers accused of extra-judicial youths marched the streets to protest their news with excitement and chanted “Buhari and reputation of the force. killings into the system is still ineffective. rights and amplify their voices on social must go!”. While the protests were peaceful Police brutality is not peculiar to Nigeria. The renewed protest against the police media. Their voices reverberated on that in some places, violence was experienced In America, this year has witnessed a surge unit was spurred by the shooting of a young medium and spread across the world such in other places. in protest against the police force, particularly individual reportedly in front of a hotel in that leaders couldn’t look the other way. In Ogbomoso, Osun state, hoodlums following the unjust killings of George Floyd Ughelli, Delta State. From London to New York to Canada, hijacked the protests to attack the Minister of in May and Breonna Taylor in March. All Sparking outrage, young Nigerians took to campaigns were organised and prominent Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare alongside the over the cities of America, protesters stormed social media to condemn the act and share international celebrities like John Boyega, Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi. the streets demanding for the defunding of their ordeal. They also dragged influential Trey Songs went their voices to the cause. The two men were stoned on Sunday during the police force. Likewise in Nigeria, the music artistes to fight their cause like the Although President Muhammadu Buhari a meeting at the monarch’s palace. call for an executive order to cement the musician Naira Marley who initially planned pleaded with the people to be calm and “Hoodlums, thugs and (sic) miscreants dissolution of the squad is growing louder. a protest but called it off after he met with give the police time to address the situa- disrupted stakeholders meeting in Soun’s But SARS is just one aspect of a multifaceted the police. His decision to back out of the tion, activists and protesters wouldn’t be palace now-invading, stoning and breaking problem. The police in Nigeria is notorious protest did not bode well with some of his swayed. They maintained their stance, using doors, glasses. Soun, myself and council chiefs for blatant extortion of the masses. It is a fans popularly known as Marlians. social media to resonate their #EndSARS were scurried into safety by the police and common sight to see the men in black in Notwithstanding, other artistes like Falz campaign. Therefore, it was no surprise DSS. Ogbomoso youth are law-abiding. But daylight demanding bribes from commercial led the protests and it was only a matter of that the protesters didn’t heave a sigh after hoodlums have taken over,” the Minister motorists along major roads unabashed. They time before the number of artistes involved the disbandment of the SARS by the IGP. tweeted. have developed a thick skin such that when increased, including Burna Boy who earlier Artistes like Davido tweeted “we want an Monday morning saw more protests in citizens mutter abuses or express disgust had stayed silent on the issue. at their putrefaction, they hardly feel an Apart from these artistes, Nollywood stars itch. Their souls have become as dark as and even children of prominent Nigerians the colour of their uniforms. Not even the like the daughters of the President and Vice In more ways than one, the protest against SARS new blue shirt could make their souls as President, Zahra Buhari-Indimi and Kiki white as snow. Osinbajo respectively, threw their weight is a testing ground for young Nigerians to call out In more ways than one, the protest behind the movement. their leaders who have short-changed them. The against SARS is a testing ground for young SARS was established in 1992 to identify Nigerians to call out their leaders who have and combat the alarming rate of armed rob- country recently marked her diamond jubilee and short-changed them. The country recently bery incidents in the country at the time. It marked her diamond jubilee and not all gained notoriety in the 2010s when operatives not all commentaries were glowing. Many felt the commentaries were glowing. Many felt the abused their power to extort, torture and country has had more failures than success discriminate the poor masses. country has had more failures than success stories. stories. Nevertheless, optimism was expressed A report by Amnesty International last Nevertheless, optimism was expressed over the over the future of the country. June estimated the number of abuse cases The campaign is coming at a time when dif- by SARS operatives between 2017 and 2019 future of the country. The campaign is coming at ferent ethnic groups are agitating for separate to be 82. entities. For long, calls to restructure the “Findings from our research indicate that a time when different ethnic groups are agitating country were made but the youths feel that few cases are investigated and hardly any for separate entities. For long, calls to restructure the leaders are paying them mere lip-service. officers are brought to justice on account If the #EndSARS campaign delivers the of torture and other ill-treatment. In a few the country were made but the youths feel that the desired change in the police force, then the instances where cases became public knowl- road to restructuring the country will not edge, the police authorities usually promised leaders are paying them mere lip-service be a long walk. 20 THISDAY ˾



ͯͱ˜ 2020

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi FEATURES Email [email protected], 08038901925 One Gas Explosion Too Many Last week Thursday, a gas explosion rocked the Baruwa area of Ipaja Lagos and claimed five lives. While eight others sustained varying degree of injuries, the explosion gutted 89 shops, 47 buildings and 10 vehicles. However, Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that new revelations showing the accident was totally avoidable, has again brought to the front burner the danger of citing gas plants in residential areas

The scene of explosion

n early morning gas explo- on our businesses and economy”. sion on Thursday, October 8, rocked the Baruwa area An Avoidable Explosion of Ipaja, Lagos, leaving five Days after the explosion, the residents persons dead and eight have come out to say the disaster could Aothers with varying degree of injuries. have been totally avoided. A petition Preliminary assessment of the explo- made available to THISDAY showed the sion put the damages at 89 shops, 47 community had written to the Lagos buildings (including a church, school State Ministry of Physical Planning and and event centre), 23 electric poles, two Urban Development in 2018 to complain transformers, gas tankers, one tricycle about the presence of the gas plant in and one motorcycle. a densely populated suburb. According to eyewitness account, the Signed by Femi Agbaje (Esq.), the explosion occurred at about 6.20am at community had written on February Candos Road, Baruwa Inside when an 5, 2018 titled “Humble please to save a LPG tanker, which was in the process our lives and properties of dangerous of discharging at the Best Roof Plant effects of gas station erected/operation Station, exploded. by Best Roof Gas Station at No 618 THISDAY gathered that the source Cardoso Road, Baruwa, Ipaja, Lagos. of the explosion could be traced to In response to their petition, one B.A.A the station generator, which they left Ajayi, ADTPS (TSD) from the ministry, on while the tanker was discharging dated March 15, 2018, acknowledged their products into the storage tank. When letter and indicated the willingness of the explosion happened, it threw those the ministry to evacuate the gas plant, nearby and the discharging LPG tanker but at a cost. across the road, thus exacerbating the Charred remains of the gas plant He wrote: “You are to swear an af- fire. fidavit to bear the cost of removal if Confirming the incident, the South- consumer. As at 9.04am, Farinloye said Commission, and Lagos State Envi- approval is granted. The sum of N689,500 west Zonal Coordinator for the National the fire was put out completely and ronmental Protection Agency, so that is payable to the Ministry of Physical Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the secondary gas leakage from the the government can engage in more Planning and Urban Development. Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye said emergency underground tanker has been put under prevention and precautionary measures N68,900 is payable to the Lagos State services were quickly deployed to contain control as well and damping done. including issuing contravention notices Government.” the inferno. He said five dead bodies However, he said a preliminary as- and sealing up premises to prevent these With the cost of removing the structure have been recovered so far and three sessment has revealed that 44 buildings types of disasters,” he added. placed on the community, they soon gave injured person including a woman and were affected, as well as one school, one One of the residents whose wife's up hope, and status quo was maintained two children has been evacuated and event centre, 89 shops, one church, one three shops were razed to the ground, until their fears were realised when the taken to the intensive care hospital due tricycle, gas tankers, 23 electric poles, former News Editor of TODAY'S explosion finally occurred. to the degree of burns. two transformers and one motorcycle. CHOICE Magazine, Mr. Jide Oshokoya The legal advocate who wrote the He said the destruction was on a According to the zonal coordinator, the said: "Everything in those shops were petition for the community told THISDAY, large scale because the Best Roof Gas gas valve has been opened to release the burnt to ashes. We could not go near " I wrote that petition on behalf of my Plant Station was located in densely gas to avert another explosion while fire the burning shops to rescue even a pin." clients (the Inside Baruwa residents) to populated community. After putting out fighters are blanketing the whole area. He however took consolation in the the Ministry of Physical Planning in the initial fire, he said the stored gas Speaking also, the DG/CEO Lagos promise made by the Deputy Governor Alausa. They acknowledged our letter in the station started discharging the State Emergency Management Agency of Lagos State, Hamzat Obafemi, to see and replied stating that we will need gas but there was no explosion again. (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke- to how to compensate people who lost to bear the entire cost of removing the THISDAY gathered that the gas Osanyintolu, encouraged Lagosians property in the fire. "The deputy governor Best Roof Gas Depot which was put plant has about 30 metric tons of gas to report unsavoury and dangerous was here to assess the situation. He has at over N700,000. in the underground tank and while it practices within their neighbourhoods promised to look into our case. We are " The residents said they don't have was offloading, the staff were also in to the relevant agencies. hoping something is done to ameliorate such money and that the person who the process of dispensing to domestic “Such agencies as the Lagos Safety the pain this destruction has wreaked built the gas depot in purely residential THISDAY ˾


OCTOBER 13, 2020 21 FEATURES

Some of the damaged buildings area should remove it. But barely two killed in a gas explosion at Ajao Estate to end incessant gas plant explosions as gas re-fuelling stations and guidelines years after we raised that alarm, see area of Lagos. The explosion left several was reported by THISDAY in January for the establishment of gas storage what has happened to property and persons injured and properties destroyed. 2018. and utilisation. businesses of people in that neighbor- According to NEMA Zonal Coordinator Stakeholders in the Liquefied Petroleum The Director of DPR, Mr. Sarki Au- hood. Some souls were equally lost in South-west, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, the Gas sector (LPG) sector, under the aegis walu, in a statement by the agency’s that early morning inferno.” explosion occurred at a panel beater’s of the Nigerian Liquefied Petroleum Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Paul Osu, With the explosion, residents of the shop while he was was trying top up Gas Association (NLPGA) had unveiled stated that the guidelines stipulates the area have called on Lagos State to his Oxycytelene flame popularly known measures to end the incessant gas plant minimum requirements, procedures and revoke all approval given to gas and as ‘Cabard’ cylinder. explosions in the country. conditions to be fulfilled before the petroleum stations in residential areas On August 3, 20202, another gas Rising from its emergency meeting grant of approvals or licences for the in the state. Residents of Peace Estate, explosion claimed two lives at the in Lagos, the Safety and Technical construction, installation, modification, New London Estate, Unique, Makinde Orile-Iganmu area of Lagos. One of Committee of NLPGA had issued a takeover, relocation and operations of and Unity Estates have promised to lead the deceased persons, Ajibola Olaoye, communiqué highlighting the need to downstream gas facilities in Nigeria. protests to Alausa seat of government who was an artisan, was said to have address the three overarching industry He said the guidelines were developed of nothing is done immediately. died while working with his welding objectives – safe handling and best to enhance gas penetration and utilisa- "People living in this neighborhood machine on a heavy duty equipment. practises in LPG; loss of containment tion, enhance operational safety as well voiced their fears when gas and pe- According to investigation and eyewit- (prevention of gas leaks); and successful as ease of doing business in the oil troleum stations started springing up ness account, the explosion was as a disaster management. and gas sector, adding that companies around here. See what has happened result of a leak in the supply of gas intending to establish these facilities now. We are going to resist a similar from the cylinder which the artisan was Recent Efforts must satisfy all necessary require- depot the same owner is erecting along using leading to the explosion. Worried by the incessant gas explo- ments stipulated by DPR and obtain Candos Road," warned Ayomide Johnson, On September 24, 2020, another sions, the Nigeria Liquefied Petroleum the underlisted applicable approvals a resident on Unity Street. explosion occurred at Iju Ishaga. The Gas Association (NLPGA) in August – site suitability approval; Approval to Already, the Department of Petroleum explosion was caused by a 30 tonne 2020, again stressed on need for safety. Construct (ATC)/Approval to Install, Resources (DPR) in their preliminary LPG gas tanker that left 30 people According to the association, it was and Licence to Operate. reports from DPR investigations re- severely injured, 15 vehicles razed and imperative to clarify that Oxyacetylene He said necessary amenities and vealed that the facility was operating 23 buildings in gutted. gas is not the same as Liquefied Petro- equipment such as functional auto- without licence and was carrying out According to DG/CEO LASEMA, leum Gas (LPG) because the latter which mated/manual leak tester, functional illegal operations, which resulted in Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, it was is commonly known as cooking gas, is a fire alarm system, and mounted gas the unfortunate incident. discovered that a compromised seal group of flammable hydrocarbon gases detectors, adequate fire water storage device by the truck driver led to gradual that are liquefied through pressurisation and sprinklers, perimeter fence with fire Timeline of Gas Explosions leakages which then ignited when the and mostly used as fuel. wall amongst others must be provided As shocking as it may seem, from tyres burst. “ It is a reliable and affordable source in the facilities. November 2019 to October 2020, not less Barely weeks later, last week Thursday, of clean fuel with its attendant advan- that six gas explosions were recorded the Baruwa explosion occurred and tages to health, environment as well as Standard Procedures in Lagos, each with its widespread claims lived and properties. the economy. A major contributing factor As stipulated by the DPR, there are consequences. to low adoption and/or acceptance of standard procedures that must be taken On November 28, 2019, two children Disaster in Residential Areas LPG as a better and cheaper source of before one sets up a gas plant and they (male and female), were killed while As have been proven with the incessant clean fuel is the safety concerns and include getting land of a minimum size 23 others were injured in the Ajegunle explosions in residential areas, installing several cases of fire incidences associated of 100 by 100 feet, getting DPR regulatory area of Lagos. The incident occurred at gas plants within a residential environ- with use and handling of flammable approvals before even setting up the Adule Street, Off Ojo Road, in Ajegunle ment is a disaster in the making. gases, including LPG. gas plant equipments. area near Apapa. The reason is not far fetched; most of “No doubt, considerable and deliber- In all three steps, the DPR approval The DG LASEMA who confirmed the gas plants do not operate a valid ate steps as to training and awareness is supposed to be sacrosanct. Thus, one the development said at the scene licence and are often not equipped to about LPG (and other flammable must get approval for site suitability, to of the incident, they discovered that handle such enormity of fire disasters. gases) is integral to having a viable, construct and also licence to operate. a gas cylinder store had exploded as Most of these plants lack basic and sustainable LPG businesses operation, The first step, which is site suitability a result of leakage. He said further standard minimum requirements like a safe environment and reduction if approval is key because in this level is investigations revealed that the fire fire extinguishers and detectors, water not eradicated system for cases of fire where the proximity to residential areas, ignited as a result of a phone call by sprinkler, temperature gauge, pressure incidents”, they added. schools, pipelines, public spaces, high an unidentified resident. and volume, among others. Also, stakeholders have advocated tension wires are measured. Also, soil On Sunday, March 15, 2020, nothing With the absence of the above that continuously, gas plants and LPG contamination is measured to ensure gave the residents of Abule-Ado in mentioned basic and essential safety retailers be introduced to the new and underground water will not in any way Amuwo Odofin Local Government area requirements, the consequences are standard minimum requirements accept- be contaminated in any way by waste of Lagos State an inkling that their world enormous. Although operating without able in the industry. The new model products from the gas plants. as they knew it was about to crumble a valid licence attracts a fine while those by government prohibits decanting In the approval to construct, it is like a pack of badly stacked cards. Some that are illegal are handed over to the (transferring from one gas cylinder to expected that site suitability has been were on their way to church, some were security agencies, these gas plants still another). Also, trans-filling is also not approved. This is more of a design stage already in church and others at home thrive in residential areas. allowed (whereby one drops their that involves the pipe architecture. when the loud explosion occurred at empty cylinder and pick another one Lastly is the licence to operate and about 9am. Rules without Sustained Enforce- with gas). again DPR has a say in this even after the The explosion tore down houses, ment other two processes have been fulfilled. destroyed cars and even killed 23 As with each time an explosion oc- New Operational Guidelines Sadly, despite all these processes clearly people including a family of four, a curs, regulatory agencies sprout out Soon after the explosion in Baruwa, stated on the website of the DPR and newly married couple and a pregnant rules that are enforced for a period the Department of Petroleum Resources other relevant agencies, most gas plant woman. The explosion which was heard of time and then relaxed. Countless (DPR) released guidelines for the owners do not bother to fulfill all the as far as Agege, Yaba, Ejigbo and even times, these regulatory agencies have establishment and operations of the standard requirements, which often Okota, was first thought to be bomb carried out enforcement but they are downstream gas facilities. results to the large scale magnitude blast, gas explosion and then pipeline never sustained. The new operational guidelines of disasters. Thus, the onus lies on explosion before reports surfaced that Apart from moves by the DPR, the include- providing guidelines for the government established agencies and it was gas that escaped into the air that civil defence and even the police to establishment and operations of LPG stakeholders in the sector to sustain caused the explosion. enforce these regulations, another move refilling plants and retail outlets, enforcement as the lapses pose greater On July 29, 2020, three persons were was made by cooking gas stakeholders guidelines for establishment of auto risk to lives of citizens. 22 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020 ˾
THISDAY MARKET NEWS Omoluabi Mortgage Bank Changes Name to Living Trust Mortgage Bank Goddy Egene yesterday informed the Nigerian name to Living Trust Mortgage name followed Central Bank of Corporate Affairs Commission had in July 2020, approved the Stock Exchange (NSE) and other Bank Plc. In a notification, the Nigeria (CBN)’s approval and (CAC). change of name to the new one at Omoluabi Mortgage Bank Plc stakeholders of the change in company said the change in the receipt of certification by the Shareholders of the company the annual general meeting (AGM). 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 09- NAV: Is value per share of the real estate shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the Oct-2020, 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 GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 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 GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD [email protected] Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.44% Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Vantage Balanced Fund 2.47 2.52 12.99% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 7.29% ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.98 0.99 8.56% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 152.22 153.02 6.21% ACAP Income Funds 0.85 0.85 10.99% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fi[email protected] AIICO CAPITAL LTD [email protected] Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.02% Lotus Halal Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A AIICO Balanced Fund 3.23 3.34 32.15% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 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 Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 1.32% Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Equity Fund 112.33 112.73 9.26% Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.37 1.37 16.79% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD [email protected] Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 15.91 16.39 3.86% PACAM Balanced Fund 1.38 1.41 13.03% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 364.77 375.77 5.60% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.87 11.84 5.03% ARM Ethical Fund 31.73 32.69 9.11% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 2..80% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.16 1.17 16.22% PACAM Equity Fund 1.20 1.21 ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.10 1.11 10.37% PACAM EuroBond Fund 108.54 111.18 ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.46% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED [email protected] AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS 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 121.66 123.82 -0.28% 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 1.02 1.02 6.62% CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.23 2.23 20.73% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.01 2.05 26.34% Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,521.35 2,532.80 13.56% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 5.53% Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.92% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 10.56% Paramount Equity Fund 13.16 13.41 5.19% Women's Investment Fund 120.03 121.23 8.77% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 6.38% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 13.99% Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.00% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 5.94% Cordros Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.21 1.21 4.30% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 109.86 109.86 5.42% Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Cordros Dollar Fund ($) N/A N/A Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT [email protected] Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.24 1.31 #REF! Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.09% United Capital Bond Fund 1.86 1.86 #REF! Coronation Balanced Fund 1.05 1.07 13.43% United Capital Equity Fund 0.72 0.74 #REF! Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.65 1.65 24.48% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.24% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] United Capital Eurobond Fund 115.16 115.16 5.38% Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.02 1.03 -2.45% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD [email protected] EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 3.66% Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 2.43% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,194.51 1,208.79 7.71% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Zenith Equity Fund 11.10 11.23 7.98% Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Zenith Ethical Fund 12.30 12.41 5.82% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Zenith Income Fund 24.51 24.51 7.91% FBN Balanced Fund 0.00 0.00 -100.00% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.46% FBN Halal Fund 108.95 108.97 8.95% REITS FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.22% Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 120.43 120.90 4.20% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 120.45 120.92 3.71% SFS Skye Shelter Fund 117.93 5.15% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 126.41 128.37 -2.86% Union Homes REIT 53.40 2.59% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund 9.71 9.81 15.99% Legacy Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A SIAML Pension ETF 40 97.70 99.80 3.42% Legacy Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund 74.61 75.98 -0.69% Legacy Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD [email protected] Legacy USD Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 3.52 3.56 3.08% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 4.60 4.68 -21.94% Coral Growth Fund 3,350.68 3,391.94 10.23% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 13.36 13.46 9.84% Coral Income Fund 3,207.77 3,207.77 4.29% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.02% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 4.16% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 12.22 12.42 17.43% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 200.58 202.58 5.96% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.88% Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn Nigeria Entertainment Fund 122.83 123.37 14.28% Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund 108.03 15.02% 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. ALAWYER WEEKLY PULLOUT 13.10.2020

DR. OLISA AGBAKOBA, SAN

WhatWhat NigeriaNigeria Needs:Needs: DevolutionDevolution ofof Powers,Powers, NotNot RestructuringRestructuring 2/DASHBOARD 13.10.2020

What Amounts to Material Contradic- tions in Cases of Armed Robbery PAGE 4

Lawbreed Acad- emy holds 2nd Edition of its Con- versation Series PAGE 5

QUOTABLES Chris Akiri Passes ‘The governing principle should be merit. On Federal Character is essentially, affirmative. PAGE 5 What it seeks to do, is to create a balance; but, if we were to create a balance, that balance should still be based on merit.’ - Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, Professor of Law, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria ‘I got a call from the IG, that I must leave Edo State.....Why should I leave Edo State? I was the Chairman of the Campaign Council...... The Governor of Imo was there. The Governor of Kano was there, he didn’t tell them to leave.’ - Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON, Lawyer, Life A Critical Review Bencher, Governor of Rivers State, Federal Republic of Nigeria of Suit No. NICN/ ABJ/349/2018: Sambo Abdullahi v NBET & 3 Ors PAGE 6

Effect of an Ad- ministration Order on Receivership Under CAMA 2020 PAGE 12 13.10.2020 /3

Buhari and an Administration’s Hypocrisy

‘Òmò gba, je kin simi’ For the avoidance of doubt, Chapter 2 of the better thinks there’s change and traction in Recall that I had said from the onset, that I Constitution, that is, the Fundamental Objectives the right direction? Another palliative/‘òmò did not think anything significant would result and Directive Principles of State Policy has gba, je kin simi’ move! from the Senate’s constitutional amendment assigned the Government of Nigeria multiple Government’s removal of the fuel subsidy, exercise; the body language of the Federal tasks including political, economic, social, which has had a hard effect on Nigerians, Government seems to confirm this assertion. educational, foreign policy and environmental without removing the subsidy on foreign First, the Federal Government’s position on objectives; and any administration that is unable exchange, again shows that Government is the people’s cries for the urgent restructuring to undertake all these tasks simultaneously, more concerned about a privileged few - those of our nation, to avoid the disintegration of is not meeting its constitutional obligations. that get the Dollar at the ‘official’ rate and Nigeria as we know it - a consequence which Section 13 of the Constitution mandatorily sell it to us at the market rate. I believe that not just agitators for restructuring, but many, makes it “the duty and responsibility of all the official rate of the US Dollar to the Naira believe may be the likely consequence if the organs of government, and of all authorities is about N379 to $1 or so, while the actual cries continue to be ignored. I must say that I and persons exercising legislative, executive market rate is about N475 to $1. Who are the found Government’s reaction to the crescendo or judicial powers, to observe and apply the privileged few making profit from the foreign of these cries for restructuring quite bizarre and provisions” of Chapter 2 of the Constitution. exchange margins, margins which should only somewhat outrageous - that President Buhari's Therefore, national integration (Section 15(2) be available to serious manufacturers who administration "would not be intimidated into of the Constitution), harnessing the resources will assist in industrialising our country and making any hasty decisions" about restructuring! of the nation and controlling the economy for creating employment? As usual, our Federal Government, which the maximum welfare and happiness of the is suffering from a chronic case of amnesia citizens (Section 16(2)(a) & (b)), equality of The Water Resources Bill and paranoia, put the agitations of the people rights, obligations and opportunities (Section The reconsideration of the Water Resources down to its enemies attempting to plant seeds 17(2)(a)), are just as important having adequate Bill which was jettisoned when it was first “...... WHETHER IT IS THE of discord and disunity in the country! Re- medical and health facilities for all persons introduced to the Saraki led National Assembly ECONOMY OR THE WATER ally? Correct me if I’m wrong - in 2015, was (Section 17(3)(d) of the Constitution). In simple in 2018, has elicited another outcry from the restructuring Nigeria not high on the list of terms, according to the Constitution, fighting people - those in the affected States do not RESOURCES BILL OR THE campaign promises of President Buhari and Covid-19 (health) and tackling the issue of care for it. The Bill which seems to put certain the APC, only coming on the heels of fighting restructuring (national integration and equality), waters and large chunks of land on the river STATE OF OUR POLITY, THE insecurity and corruption, and revamping the can be undertaken together. banks in the 20 affected States under the economy? Can five years into an eight year ambit of the Federal Government, seems to GOVERNMENT MAY SAY IT IS administration, be regarded as hasty?! I think The 2021 Budget be yet another indication that Government not. By 2021 (in a couple of months), this The scepticism that many are feeling about is not interested in any serious restructuring INTERESTED IN THE PEACEFUL administration will be going into its twilight constitutional reform, is deepened further by or devolution of powers. Au contraire! It is UNITY OF OUR NATION, BUT zone, and yet, it has done absolutely nothing the presentation of the 2021 budget last week. seeking to concentrate more powers in the about this particular campaign promise. The budget is a confirmation that it is business Centre. Section 1 of the Land Use Act 1978 IT’S ACTIONS SAY OTHERWISE. With the reaction of the Federal Government as usual in Nigeria, and that Government is (LUA) which vests State land in their State via Presidential Spokesmen, Garba Shehu mostly concerned about the comfort of its Governors to be held in trust for the use and THIS ADMINISTRATION ON ITS and Femi Adesina, another question that top officials and cronies, and not the welfare benefit of the people, is more in consonance automatically and immediately comes to mind of Nigerians in general. The budget shows with the concept of devolution of powers OWN, CONTINUES TO SOW is: is this Government in touch with reality/ that, just as there will not be any meaningful to the States and Local Governments, as feeling the pulse of the people - the security economic reform in 2021, the same fate will it gives the States control over their land MORE SEEDS OF DISCORD, and welfare of whom is its primary purpose? probably befall the cries for restructuring. and waters, even though subsequently, the DISAFFECTION AND DIVISION (Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Aside from the fact that our budget is still Constitution puts water from such sources Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)(the quite low (only about N13 trillion), the fact that on the Exclusive Legislative List (Item 64) as ON A DAILY BASIS INSTEAD Constitution))? I do not think so. And, this is recurrent expenditure is about one and a half may be declared by the National Assembly one of the reasons why many are sceptical times more than capital expenditure, provides to be sources affecting more than one State. - AND IT DOES SO RATHER (myself included), and of the opinion that the prima facie evidence of a Government that pays Section 2(a) & (b) of the LUA gives Governors Senate calling for submissions from all and lip service to its people and the world - that control over all lands in the urban areas, and CRUDELY AND WITH IMPUNITY, sundry on constitutional amendments, is with it is undertaking sweeping economic reforms the Local Governments, control over all other tongue in cheek, that is, insincere, or as we say for the benefit of the citizenry, while in reality lands in their jurisdictions. It seems that this I MIGHT ADD” in Yoruba, òmò gba, je kin simi” (child take, it is not doing nearly enough. If Government proposed Bill, if passed into law, will achieve let me rest/enjoy some peace). This simply was actually reforming our economy positively, the opposite, that is, it will once again diminish means that a parent gives a troublesome child recurrent expenditure will still not be over the powers of the States, while increasing a palliative to distract him or her, so that the 55%, while capital expenditure is less than 30% that of the Federal Government, contrary to parent can have some peace and quiet, no of the budget. Or would you call economic what those calling for restructuring, desire. matter how temporary. I tar with the same reform borrowing money recklessly to finance Day Lawyer of September 29, and I found brush, the APC’s Restructuring Committee, the lavish lifestyle of government and huge Conclusion it very insightful and compelling. resolutions of which have not been debated cost of governance, while doing one or two The sum and substance of my submissions Although I’m a practicing Lawyer, I’m upon by any groups or the public, nor have things which are visible like the railway, so is that, whether it is the economy or the not very conversant with constitutional law they been implemented. that the man on the street who knows no Water Resources Bill or the state of our pol- issues. Your article has definitely helped my I'm sure that by now, most of us, except ity, the Government may say it is interested understanding, and it has also awakened in Government of course, are all aware of the in the peaceful unity of our nation, but it’s me the desire to quietly start an ‘awareness famous definition of Democracy by American actions say otherwise. This administration campaign’ of sorts among colleagues, regarding President, Abraham Lincoln - "Government on its own, continues to sow more seeds of the need for Lawyers to speak up and lend of the people by the people for the people, discord, disaffection and division on a daily our voices to the constitutional reform being shall not perish from the earth". Sadly, it seems basis instead - and it does so rather crudely proposed by the Senate. to have perished from Nigeria! Because, if and with impunity, I might add. It then, I think as a leading voice on the subject, Government was familiar with this definition, employs high-handed oppressive tactics to you should champion such a ‘campaign’. Ap- it would probably not have responded to the drown the voices of dissent in the country, proaching our new NBA President, Olumide agitations and dissatisfaction of Nigerians, with possibly hoping that they will simply just go Akpata, could be a useful first step, in my statements that evince the fact that, at best, we away. Not likely! The APC may have promised view. But, whether or not you agree, I just are living in a semi-authoritarian dispensation Nigerians that it would restructure Nigeria, think you have a powerful message here, and (according to Learned Senior Advocate, Dr but, more and more, it is looking like it was it needs to be heard by a larger community Olisa Agbakoba in his interview today), a just the usual empty campaign promise which of influencers and it needs to be acted upon. dispensation which as far as I'm concerned, this administration had absolutely no inten- can only be described as ‘Government of the tion of fulfilling - simply a tool to curry the Most respectfully, Government by Politicians for Politicians and support of some zones of the country who a selected few'. are clamouring for restructuring, to secure L.O. To use the Covid-19 pandemic as one of their votes in the election - nothing more. the excuses for not giving attention to the Dear Editor, cries for restructuring, is not only grasping at straws, but lame. In a country of over 200 Dear Editor Salam Alaikum. million people, approximately 60,000 people have so far been diagnosed with the dreaded Your proposals are very realistic, though there virus, a couple of isolation centres have even Dear Editor, are some radical amendments therein. The apparently been shut, yet all of a sudden, Sharia one, has an ice cream lolly’s chance of conveniently, Covid-19 in Nigeria has become Re: Towards an Equitable Constitution surviving in an oven! Nonetheless, an excellent such a catastrophic national emergency, that edition. Loved the Azinge interview. Government cannot multi-task and do anything I read your editorial titled “Towards an else, but tackle it! President Muhammadu Buhari Equitable Constitution” published in This A.A.R. 4/LAW REPORT What Amounts to Material Contradictions in Cases of Armed Robbery Facts and unequivocal, is enough to ground a conviction, it is however, desirable that some evidence outside The Appellant, in company of two others, at about 8:30pm the confession is available . The confession should be on 8th February, 2010, robbed PW1 and PW 2, a husband consistent with other ascertained facts. In this case, the and wife, at their residence in Idanre Gurage, Idanre confession of the Appellant was free, voluntary and Road, Akure. The three men who were armed with in itself fully consistent and probable. The inculpating guns, forced open the gate of the compound. While two statements were corroborated by several facts, including of them went into the house, the third man went back the recovered stolen handset and bullet. It is also clear outside the gate. The sum of N134,000.00, a handset from the evidence led, that there was armed robbery and MTN rechargeable cards were stolen by one of the on 8th February, 2010 at the residence of PW 1 and armed robbers who went into the room with PW 2 (the PW 2. The Appellant was one of the armed robbers wife), while the other one beat up PW 1 (the husband) who took part in the robbery, and all these facts were and members of the family, before locking them up in established beyond reasonable doubt by the Respondent. a room. After the robbery and when the armed robbers Regarding the issue of contradictions and inconsistencies were leaving the house, one of the children escaped and in the evidence of the Prosecution, the court restated the alerted the neighbours about the incident. Two of the trite principle of law that where there are conflicting armed robbers escaped, but the Appellant was arrested evidence which in effect creates a serious doubt in the neighbourhood and handed over to the Police. in a criminal trial, the accused person should be The Appellant was consequently, arraigned before the given benefit of the doubt and acquitted. Evidence High Court of Ondo State, Akure, on a two count Charge are said to be conflicting when one affirms the of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and armed opposite of what the other evidence stated, and robbery. He pleaded not guilty to the counts, and trial not where there is a minor discrepancy between commenced. The couple and two Police officers gave them – EKE v STATE (2011) 1-2 SC (Pt. II) 219. evidence for the State, while the Appellant testified in In R v GOLDER (1960) 1 WLR 1169, Lord Parker, his own defence. Exhibits, including the confessional Chief Justice of England held that: “ When a witness is statements of the Appellant were tendered and admitted shown to have made previous statements inconsistent in evidence, after a trial-within-trial. In its judgement, with the evidence given by that witness at the trial, the the trial court found that the Prosecution proved its Honourable Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, JSC jury should not merely be directed that the evidence case beyond reasonable doubt, and therefore, convicted given be regarded as unreliable, they should also be the Appellant as charged. He was sentenced to death directed that the previous statements, whether sworn in accordance with Section 1(3) of the Robbery and In the Supreme Court of Nigeria or unsworn do not constitute evidence upon which Firearms (Special Provisions) Act. Holden at Abuja they can act.” Aggrieved with the judgement, the Appellant filed an On Friday, the 24th day of April, 2020 The rule above is applicable in Nigeria with slight appeal to the Court of Appeal, which court affirmed the modification, in that if the case is before a trial Judge, decision of the trial court. Still not satisfied, he further Before Their Lordships the witness should be given the opportunity while appealed to the Supreme Court. Olabode Rhodes-Vivour under oath to explain the inconsistency, and it is only Musa Dattijo Muhammad when he is unable to explain the inconsistency that Issue for Determination Chima Centus Nweze the rule is applied – WILLIAMS v STATE (1975) The sole issue considered by the Supreme Court was: Amina Adamu Augie 9-11 SC 139. Paul Adamu Galinje Their Lordships went further to postulate a guide for Whether the Prosecution had proved its case beyond SC.677/2015 determining inconsistency or material contradictions in a case of armed robbery thus: “There must not reasonable doubt, to justify the conviction of the Ap- Between pellant for the offences charged. be contradiction on material facts. Contradictions on material facts in a case of armed robbery such OLUMIDE OPEKE APPELLANT as this, may arise when there are contrasting Arguments And Counsel for the Appellant started his submission by views on issues such as – (a) how many robbers came into the house; (b) how was the robbery observing that there were major contradictions in the THE STATE RESPONDENT extra-judicial statements and oral testimonies of PW carried out; (c) what was stolen and were the stolen goods recovered; (d) how was the robber 1 and PW 2. Counsel argued that, it would be doing apprehended; (e) was there light and about what great injustice to accept any version of the facts of the (Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Olabode time did the robbery occur; (f) were the robbers incident. Counsel argued that the lower court ought to Rhodes-Vivour, JSC) masked, and how were they dressed. Where there have applied the inconsistency rule to the testimony of are contradictions on any of the above, the witness the witnesses, and hold that their testimony is unreliable. ought to have been called to explain, and where He argued further that from the evidence before the no satisfactory explanation is made, the entire court, there was doubt about the identity of the Appellant evidence and testimony of the witness should no as one who robbed PW1 and PW2. With respect to the longer be relied on by the court.” confessional statements, counsel submitted that there was Minor discrepancies other than those mentioned no evidence outside the confession to establish them as above, are allowed in law. In this case, PW 1 made an true. He urged the court to resolve the contradictions “CONTRADICTIONS ON extra-judicial statement a day after the armed robbery and inconsistencies, in favour of the Appellant. at his house. He detailed the facts of the robbery, and Debunking the submissions above, counsel for the MATERIAL FACTS IN A CASE when he gave evidence in court about two years after, Respondent referred to the facts of the case and the his testimony was without major departure from his evidence of PW 1 and PW 2, whereby they gave graphic OF ARMED ROBBERY SUCH AS statement. PW 2 also made an extra-judicial statement and detailed narrations about the robbery. Respond- THIS, MAY ARISE WHEN THERE like PW 1, a day after the armed robbery and gave oral ing to the submission about convicting the Appellant testimony in court about two years after. Comparing based on his uncorroborated confession, it was argued ARE CONTRASTING VIEWS ON the statement with the evidence given in court, there contrariwise that the conviction was not based solely on is no contradiction safe for minor discrepancies which the confession of the Appellant, but also on the evidence ISSUES SUCH AS – (A) HOW are allowed in law, as they did not touch on the salient of eye witnesses. Regarding the issue of identification issues. It follows that, the prosecution proved the case parade, counsel submitted that same was unnecessary, MANY ROBBERS CAME INTO beyond reasonable doubt. as the Appellant was arrested immediately after the Regarding the issue of identification parade, the court incident and promptly recognised by PW 1 and PW THE HOUSE; (B) HOW WAS THE found that there must be real doubt as to who 2. He posited that there was no contradiction in the the witness claims he saw committing the offence evidence, to cast doubt in the mind of the Judge. Finally, ROBBERY CARRIED OUT; (C) before an identification parade is conducted, and counsel urged the court to dismiss the appeal. this is done during investigation of the case by the WHAT WAS STOLEN AND WERE Investigating Police Officer. In this instance, such parade Court’s Judgement and Rationale was absolutely unnecessary, since PW 1 and PW 2 were Deciding the sole issue, the Supreme Court held that, THE STOLEN GOODS RECOVERED; reliable eye witnesses who saw the Appellant clearly, for an offence of conspiracy, it is not necessary for the gave flawless evidence as to what he was wearing, conspirators to know each other. Once the court can (D) HOW WAS THE ROBBER and the fact that he was arrested immediately after infer an agreement between parties or knowledge of the robbery. the existence and intention of the conspiracy, a strong APPREHENDED; (E) WAS THERE presumption of conspiracy is established. The court Appeal Dismissed. went further to hold that an accused person cannot LIGHT AND ABOUT WHAT TIME be convicted of conspiracy to commit an offence on Representation the strength of the accused person’s own confession, DID THE ROBBERY OCCUR; (F) R.A. Aladesanmi with G.A. Okewole for the Appellant. unless there is an independent evidence that at least A. Oladeji for the Respondent. one other person had conspired with him. The court WERE THE ROBBERS MASKED, went on to hold that though a confessional statement Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers which is shown to be voluntarily made, positive, direct AND HOW WERE THEY DRESSED” of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR) 13.10.2020 NEWS/5 Nigeria at 60: Judges Deserve Better Welfare

Former Attorney-General and appointment of more and Commissioner of La- MXGLFLDORIÀFHUVDQGVWDII gos State, Adeniji Kazeem, However, I must be frank SAN, at a media parley that there has not been a with some Judicial Editors commensurate improve- last week, drew the atten- ment in the welfare of the tion of the Government Judiciary, both for serving and stakeholders to the DQGUHWLUHGRIÀFHUV,I\RX plight of Nigerian judicial take a comparative survey RIÀFHUVZKLOHFRPPHQW- RIWKHSHUTXLVLWHVRIRIÀFH ing of Nigeria at 60. for the judicial sector, He said “the Nigerian compared to the executive Judiciary has grown in and legislative arms, you leaps and bounds in the ZLOOÀQGWKDWWKHUHLVD last 60 years. From the huge gap. This gap has great jurists who served led to low motivation, in the Supreme Court and and sadly but inevitably, lower Courts in years cases of corruption in past, till present. These that sector. The quality noblemen and legal giants of life of several of these helped create the neces- MXGLFLDORIÀFHUVHVSHFLDOO\ sary platform for social retired ones, many of engineering, which has whom are corruption free, greatly assisted in giv- continues to diminish ing ordinary Nigerians daily. To make matters greater access to justice. worse, the Judiciary has “Only recently, the slowly become a public Supreme Court made a whipping boy, that is, landmark pronouncement largely overworked and that quelled the contro- RYHUYLOLÀHGVXSSRUWHG versial issue of virtual by sometimes decrepit Adeniji Kazeem, SAN hearings and access to and outdated tools. justice that had arisen, in “At 60, Nigeria has, that we can have the rooms and inevitably judi- say that notwithstanding unjustly begun to hover the course of the recent and continues to produce ÀQHVWXSULJKWPLQGVWR FLDORIÀFHUVPDQQLQJERWK the challenges, the Judi- over both the good and global public health crisis. ÀQH MXULVWV DQG MXGLFLDO dispense justice without FRXUWV RI ÀUVW LQVWDQFH ciary has made remarkable bad eggs in its midst. “One must also concede workers, but there must fear or favour. and appellate courts must progress in many ways “Nonetheless, I remain that, over the years, be a massive overhaul of “There must be more be considerably increased, over the last 60 years, a perennial optimist and there has been massive its remuneration across infrastructural develop- especially in places like and has lived up to its believe the best is yet to infrastructural improve- board. There must also ment, in order to provide Lagos and other major reputation as a just and come for the Nigerian ments with building of be a more transparent for better administration cities to enhance quality fearless last defender of the judiciary, and with the new courts, creation of selection process devoid of justice. For instance, of justice and timing of common man. However, right policies and im- new judicial divisions of bias and prejudice, so the number of court delivery. This will largely we must be truthful that proved attention to the reduce the period in it’s sterling reputation at welfare of both serving between adjournments independence in 1960 has and retired judicial of- Chris Akiri Passes On and workload of the been considerably whittled ÀFHUV LW·V SULGH RI SODFH Honourable Justices. As down by so many factors, as contemplated 60 years Chairman Editorial you know, justice delayed including bouts of military ago can be restored for Board of National Daily is justice denied. dictatorship such that an WKHEHQHÀWRI1LJHULDDQG Newspapers, Chris Akiri, “In summary, I would unwholesome halo has Nigerians.” passed on in Lagos on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 after a brief illness. Lawbreed Academy holds 2nd Chris Akiri who was a contributor to This Edition of its Conversation Series Day Lawyer, showed high degree of innova- Lawbreed Academy tion, articulation, and held its 2nd edition of dynamism in dissecting its Conversation Series, issues within and outside titled “Money Matters and Nigeria in his editorial the Lawyer’s Well Being” responsibilities. on October 3rd October, He was a Lawyer, Teach- 2020. The Speakers for the er, Journalist, Politician, Virtual Webinar were Mrs. Deacon and renowned Toyin Sanni, a Lawyer Public Affairs Analyst. He and Investment Banker, was a frequent guest on Mr. Ajibola Olomola, several television stations Partner & Head, Deal in Nigeria, ARISE TV, Advisory M & A Tax and Channels, and AIT, among Financial Services, and Dr others. While managing Chris Akiri Maymunat Yusuf Kadiri, a KLV ODZ ÀUP KH VHUYHG Nigerian Psychotherapist on the Editorial Board of played a dominant role Chairman, Capstone and Advocate for mental reputable media organisa- as a member of the 0LFURÀQDQFH %DQN /WG health, who spoke on tions in Nigeria, which Think-Tank representing and Legal Adviser, Edi- Wellness/Well being. include The Guardian, Delta State at the 2005 torial Board of the Sun Mr Layi Babatunde, SAN, then, National Daily. National Political Reforms newspapers. He is the CEO of Lawbreed Limited, Authorities in govern- Conference, in Abuja. author of books, including emphasised the need for ment, colleagues in the He was, for almost ten “ Topics in African and the Nigerian Bar Associa- legal profession and years, a member of the European History”, “ The tion to take a second look Layi Babatunde, SAN friends in the media Editorial Board of The British Imperial Factor at Rule 7 of the Rules of will surely miss the exit Guardian newspaper; and African Nationalist Professional Conduct, KHDOWKDQGÀQDQFHVDQG edge that Lawyers need to of Akiri, particularly, his a Board member of the Development in South which places limits on some Lawyers were not create and manage their service to humanity. National Freshwater Fish- Africa: 1871-1931”, “ The the various other business spared of the negative wealth, and lead a more He was Managing eries Research Institute Way It Is” ( Vols. 1 & 2), ventures that Lawyers can impacts. balanced life. Participants Partner of Chris W.A (NIFFRI), New Bussa; a regular television com- venture into, because the The Conversation series included distinguished $NLUL  &R D ÀUP RI Chairman of the Editorial mentator and a columnist Pandemic (Covid-19) threw FDPHLQKDQG\WRÀOOWKH Senior Advocates and legal practitioners. He Board of National Daily; in several newspapers. up a lot of challenges in ÀQDQFLDODQGKHDOWKNQRZO- Learned Colleagues. 6/ 13.10.2020 A Critical Review of Suit No. NICN/ABJ/349/2018: Sambo Abdullahi v NBET & 3 Ors This Case Review by Solomon Okedara is a critique of the decision handed down by the National Industrial Court in Sambo Abdullahi v NBET & 3 Ors; asserting that the decision is disturbing, as among other things, it endorses the insubordination of employees and renders the employer helpless. He concludes by saying that, the judge- ment is not a good decision for our labour law jurisprudence Examining the Limit of an Employee’s Right to Earn Salaries

Background the court had was to construe the contract that governed n recent time, the National Industrial Court (“NIC”) the relationship of the parties, and limit his pronouncement which is the Court set up to hear labour-related dis- on this subject to applicable laws. In any case, there was putes in Nigeria, has been in the news for delivering undisputed documentary evidence on record, that the Board epoch-making judgements involving employees who had been dissolved by the President of the Federal Republic feel aggrieved by the alleged wrongful act(s) of their of Nigeria. A Circular from the Office of the Secretary to the employers. But, just like every other trial Court, the Government of the Federation (“OSGF”) dated 16th July, decisions of the NIC are subject to the right of either 2015 (which was admitted in evidence), expressly directed party to the said decision, to appeal same. However, that all matters requiring the attention of the Board, should what makes the NIC unique is that by Section 243(4) of the be directed to the President. Third Alteration to the Constitution of the Federal Republic It is noteworthy that NBET challenged the admissibility I of the letter containing the alleged ministerial directive, on of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), appeals from the NIC shall terminate at the Court of Appeal as the final Appellate the ground that it was neither pleaded, frontloaded nor Court, for decisions emanating from the Court. certified as a true copy, being a public document. In spite In recent times, rightly or wrongly, there has been a of the that, the Claimant did not make contrary arguments ground swell of opinion at the Bar that too many Judges in support of the admissibility of this document, which in of the NIC see their role as that of protecting the “weak and legal parlance meant that the Claimant conceded to NBET’s vulnerable” employee from the “strong and oppressive” argument on the issue, the court admitted the document and employer. Too often, Lawyers complain that irrespective of relied heavily on it, without even ruling on its admissibility. the merits and demerits of a case, it appears to be a policy The finding that NBET ought to have set up a Disciplin- of many Judges at the NIC to willy-nilly give judgement in ary Hearing Committee (“DHC”) before suspending the favour of the employee. One cannot help concluding that Claimant’s salary, is clearly at variance with the terms of these complaints are a product of poor sportsmanship on the employment contract as set out in Section 6.4.8 of the the part of Lawyers, like the bad student who blames his Employment Manual which the Court appears to have failure on the Teacher. Lawyers are similarly, notorious for misinterpreted. It provides that any employee that absents blaming their loss of a case on everything and everyone himself without authorisation “shall be subject to the provision but themselves. The Judges are, more often than not, the of the disciplinary process and the employee shall not be chief victims. remunerated for such period of absence.” The provision of A recent judgement of the NIC that has caught the at- Section 6.4.8 is conjunctive, and it does not make suspension tention of this writer, is that involving the Nigerian Bulk of salary contingent on the disciplinary hearing. The simple Electricity Trading Plc. (NBET), a key player in the electricity and clear interpretation of the above is that, notwithstanding industry and one of its employees in Suit No. NICN/ the disciplinary process such employee may face, he shall not be remunerated for the period of his absence. One of the ABJ/349/2018 – Sambo Abdullahi v Nigerian Bulk President, National Industrial Court, Hon. Justice Benedict Kanyip Electricity Trading Plc & 3 Ors wherein judgement was exhibits tendered during trial by NBET was the attendance delivered on 11th March, 2020. The facts of the case, as log, which reveals that the Claimant continually absented can be gleaned from the judgement of the Court may be himself from work. There was also evidence that on the summarised as follows: few occasions he went to work, he did not report to his the Company and Allied Matters Act. A company is run redeployed duty post. This was in addition to evidence from at two levels – (i) Management and (ii) Board. Whilst the his supervisor, that he never carried out assignments given Facts Management is responsible for the day-to-day running of the The Claimant, one Mr. Sambo Abdullahi, is an employee of to him. Wages are the reward for working, hence where company, the Board which is the highest decision-making an employee has not worked, what justifiable reason will NBET and was until 13th June, 2017, the Head of Internal organ of a company, is responsible for providing policy Audit at NBET. Sometime in June 2017, the Office of the entitle him to a wage? direction and approving certain decisions of the manage- The Court also strangely decided that annual leave is a Accountant-General of the Federation (“OAGF”) posted ment team. NBET is therefore, not liable to any subjective treasury accountants from its pool to head the finance and statutory right which an employer cannot deny an employee notion of a supervising Minister that has no documentary under the Labour Act, and on which basis the Court held audit departments of NBET. These postings necessitated or statutory basis. certain internal redeployments, to accommodate the treasury that the non-approval of the Claimant’s annual leave, was The relationship between NBET and the Claimant is purely unlawful. This was in spite of evidence that the Claimant accountants. Consequently, the Claimant was redeployed contractual, and the Minister is not privy to that contract. It to the Learning and Development Department. insolently applied for annual leave as “Head of Internal is elementary law that a company has a separate and distinct Audit”, fully aware that he had been redeployed from that The Claimant wilfully refused to report for work at his identity from its shareholders, this is without prejudice to new post, on the grounds that he was being victimised. department. the fact that, the Minister was neither a shareholder nor a The Court in this judgement, erroneously relied on the Furthermore, the Claimant unilaterally seized the two audit director of NBET at the material time. The only business stamps issued to NBET by the OAGF (One for his use Labour Act in reaching this conclusion. The decision is and the other allocated to another staff of NBET), and the inconsistent with Section 91 of the Labour Act, which keys to the audit security safe maintained by NBET. All expressly excludes an employee performing professional directives issued to him by the OAGF to return the audit functions from the operation of the Act. The Claimant in this stamps and keys to the security safe, yielded no result. case was employed as a professional auditor, and from the Consequently, NBET suspended payment of the Claimant’s judgement, he was employed to carry out administrative salary on the grounds of his rendering himself redundant, and professional functions. So, the pertinent question is, by failing to move to his new department and the seizure how did the Court find the Act applicable to him? of audit stamps and keys to security safe. The Claimant commenced this suit essentially seeking an order of court, Disturbing Decision directing NBET and its MD to pay the Claimant’s salaries This decision is quite disturbing in many respects. It ab- and emoluments from 27th December, 2017 when it was surdly, suggests that an employee can wilfully be absent stopped/suspended. from work, without a valid excuse or permission, and the employer would still be liable to pay his salary. It appears Judgement to endorse gross insubordination. It suggests that employee After trial, the court delivered judgement in favour of the “THIS DECISION IS QUITE DISTURBING can arbitrarily disregard lawful instructions, and assignments Claimant on the grounds that 1) NBET by the admission of IN MANY RESPECTS. IT ABSURDLY, of his employer. The employee can also dictate what work its witness has been taking instructions from the Ministry he will or will not do, and that the employer is helpless of Power, and is thus, subject to the Ministry’s directives SUGGESTS THAT AN EMPLOYEE to do anything about this. The decision appears to make to pay the Claimants salaries; 2) NBET ought to have set an employer the prisoner of its recalcitrant and insolent up a Disciplinary Hearing Committee (“DHC”) before CAN WILFULLY BE ABSENT FROM employee. This is a recipe for industrial chaos. suspending the Claimant’s salary; and 3) Annual leave is It is worse in this instance, where a Court has directed statutory and an employer cannot deny an employee of it. WORK, WITHOUT A VALID EXCUSE OR that an employee should be paid with taxpayer’s funds, for work that he has manifestly not done. It is also an Analysis PERMISSION, AND THE EMPLOYER explicit endorsement of indiscipline and unruly acts by The finding that NBET is subject to the directives of the WOULD STILL BE LIABLE TO PAY HIS employees, and a dangerous precedent that gives assurance Ministry, is strange for several reasons. The Ministry was a of judicial protection for clear and gross acts of indiscipline. It party to the suit, duly served with all processes and never SALARY. IT APPEARS TO ENDORSE is important for our industrial courts to understand that they made this assertion. NBET is a limited liability company, were set up to protect both the employee and the employer, jointly owned by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated and the GROSS INSUBORDINATION...... THIS IS in accordance with the law. This judgement is certainly not Bureau of Public Enterprises. The manner of administration a good development, for our labour law jurisprudence. of limited liability companies, are statutorily prescribed by A RECIPE FOR INDUSTRIAL CHAOS” Solomon Okedara, Legal Practitioner, Lagos A

13.10.2020 /7

The Proposed Water Bill: Dispossessing Okon to Give to Abdullahi (Part 1) Introduction is order, rhyme and rhythm. Ordinarily, one would have been tempted to laugh away n July 23, 2020, thed Chairman of the House this ludicrous proposed provision, as impossible and unrealistic. Committee on Rules and Business, Abubakar Fulata, But, the General Buhari-led administration has developed reintroduced the controversial and highly contentious such an uncanny ability to do the impossible, the absurd, Water Resources Bill to the House of Representatives. and the bizarre. It rams the most dreadful of policies, down It is important to note that, this is not the first time the throats of hapless and terrified Nigerians. theO bill is being brought before the NASS, as the Muhammadu The above provisions of Section 98 are not only infuriating, Buhari-led Presidency had done so in 2017. The Bill seeks to but bizarre and freaking. It lends credence to the widely held transfer the control of water resources from the States to belief that this government is hell bent on making life miserable the Federal Government. and unbearable, for the ordinary Nigerian people. The Senate on May 24, 2018, considered the executive bill To fully appreciate the senility and absurdity of the said for second reading, during which, expectedly, Senators were Section 98, it is important to state that this government and divided along the now infamous Nigeria’s regional fault lines. successive governments have failed woefully in the simple task While northern Senators readily supported the proposal and of providing clean potable water for Nigerian citizens, contrary its objectives (why not?), their southern counterparts opposed to the provisions of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution. it (why not?). The controversy the bill generated, frustrated For instance, according to aid agencies, 60 million Nigerians, its passage by both the Senate and House of Representatives. or 33 percent of the population, do not have access to clean After all, Nigeria is all about sharing the national cake. Not water. how it is baked! The proposed law is titled, “A Bill for An Act to Establish More Readons why Section 98 is so dangerous a Regulatory Framework for the Water Resources Sector What this means is that there is water supply deficit in Nigeria, in Nigeria, Provide for the Equitable and Sustainable and virtually all Nigerians have been forced to take up the Redevelopment, Management, Use and Conservation responsibility of not just providing water for themselves, but of Nigeria’s Surface Water and Groundwater Resources also for their communities. Every household is a government and for Related Matters.” unto itself, with its boreholes (water); generators (light); security In summary, if and when passed (God forbid!), the Bill (mai guard); shelter (tenants); hospitals (self-medication) and will concentrate in the hands of the Federal Government, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu schools (children’s lesson classes)! With the knowledge of the control of water resources around Rivers Niger and Benue, above, the Government has now gone ahead to introduce a as well as other water ways which cut across 20 States in the legislation which seeks to limit the ability of Nigerians, to Nigeria. Simply put, the Bill seeks to empower the Federal even provide water for themselves! Government to control all sources of water in Nigeria. The RUGA SETTLEMENT policy, that was framed previously The said Section 98 further implies that the designated Federal Government can simply permit any person or group to enable herdsmen grab lands belonging to communities Government Agency, can arbitrarily decide not to grant a of persons from any part of the country, to go and acquire any and indigenous peoples, and then set up grazing reserves or licence to a person who wishes to embark on a water project water resource without the consent of the local communities cattle colonies. With palpable desertification, horrific terrorism for himself. This also means that the Agency can decide to that own them. Incredible. and mindless violence currently ravaging parts of the North, grant the licence to another stranger, who has no interest in To this end, if this Bill is ever allowed, herdsmen, bandits, this Bill is seen by most Nigerians as a sinister ploy by the the land at all. In a country already clearly polarised along strangers, and other elements who may not be desirable by Federal Government to deprive communities and indigenous primordial ethnic, religious, linguistic, and class lines, this the communities, can with “federal” mandate, take over all peoples of their natural ancestral patrimony, for the benefit of is certainly a dangerous rampaging bull in a China shop. lands adjoining communities, springs, streams, rivers, lakes, non-owners without the voluntary consent of the said original Thus, except aborted in its infancy, the proposed bill may lagoons and coastal precincts which have served as means of owners. If this Bill is passed, herdsmen under the guise of the play up the following ugly scenario: If Emeka, Osaro, Timi or livelihood for such local communities since the dawn of time. so called “Federal Water Resource Law’’, become legally Umukoro builds a house on his land, he must first secure the The States affected by this satanic Bill are Lagos, Ondo, permitted to simply take over all lands adjoining the springs, licence of the designated government agency before he can Ogun, Edo, Delta, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Anambra, Enugu, streams, rivers, lakes, lagoons and coastal precincts which sink a borehole for his own use in his own house and land. Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Taraba, Nasarawa, Niger, Imo, Rivers, have served as means of livelihood for the local communities It also means that, the designated Government Agency may Bayelsa, Plateau and Kebbi states. That is over half of Nigeria since the time of their great grand grandparents. Yes, from decide to deny him such licence to provide his own water on being held down by the jugular, willy-nilly!!! time immemorial (Zebrudaya Okoroigwe Nwogbo alias 4.30 his own land. It further means that the Agency can grant that The proposed reintroduction of the Bill has been met with (Chika Okpala) would say, “from time imoriver”!). same licence to generate water from the land belonging to stiff resistance by well-meaning Nigerians like my humble By this Bill, the Federal Government arbitrarily appropriates Timi, Emeka, Osaro or Umukoro to Usman, Bako, Abubakar or self, Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka; interest groups, such the constitutional powers of State Governors to hold land Abdullahi, who has no stake or interest whatsoever in the said as Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum; the Ohanaeze resources in trust for the people of their States, as provided land. Haba! Is that how to run a Constitutional democracy? Ndigbo and the Middle Belt Forum. for in Section 1 of the Land Use Act. It will be a ready recipe Given the above dire implications, one does not need the Similarly, The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, for disaster. The conflicts and bloodshed that this provocative gift of Nostradamus or clairvoyance to fully appreciate the Ayuba Wabba, has warned the NASS against licensing “dictator- law will likely trigger will be endless, and their ponderous dangerous nepotistic spirit behind these provisions in the Bill. ship” because of the danger the Bill portends to national unity. ricocheting effects are better avoided. Further, Section 104 of the Bill provides that the Bill will In the same breath, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Control of power, land and water resources have always empower the Government to: categorically accused the Federal Government of colluding been the major causes of wars in history. Nigeria will certainly “direct a person who has a supply of water in excess of with its controlled NASS, to allow herdsmen grab lands across not be an exception. There is no doubt that the purveyors of his needs for domestic purposes, to reduce the amount he Nigeria under the thin guise of the water resources bill. these draconian and obsolete laws are enemies of our country, is permitted to abstract under the terms of any licence or Given the swirling dust surrounding the bill, it is important its cohesion and national stability. They must be stopped dead general authorisation.” to know why the Bill is opposed with so much vehemence. in their sinister tracks. The above provision is most vague and nebulous, for want In the same vein, Section 98 of the Bill states: of better words. It fails to state in clear terms how, having Obnoxious Provisions of the Water Bill “the use of water shall be subject to licensing provisions.” supply of water in excess of one’s needs, can be measured. Section 2(1) of the Bill, stipulates: This simply means that anyone that desires to embark on any How will the authorities determine correctly, that a person "All surface water and ground water wherever it water project, or even drinking it, must first obtain a licence has supply of water in excess of his needs? What barometer occurs, is a resource common to all people." from a designated government agency. or yardstick will the Government employ? The implication of this is that anyone who wants to build a Furthermore, the above provision is laden with obvious Oh, really? house on his land, to which he has a valid title (accompanied mischief. This is because in failing to state the metric for Do we then take it that Eastern palm oil, all Zamfara gold, with a valid Certificate of Occupancy and other relevant title measuring “supply of water in excess” of one’s needs, it leaves granite, rocks, bauxite, Edo rubber and timber, Jos coal, cotton, documents) will still not be permitted to generate water from the door wide ajar for government authorities to arbitrarily Northern hides and skin, Western cocoa, Benue yam, Argungu his land without a valid licence from a designated Government reduce the amount of water that a person is permitted to fish, etc, across Nigeria are also “resources common to all Agency. This is madness at its peak! Even in madness, there abstract from the earth, even if such quantity is what he people” in Nigeria, and jointly owned by all? Can we stop this actually needs. huge joke please? Simply put, the Bill seeks to empower the Section 104 (7) of the Bill also subjects anyone who contravenes Federal Government to control all sources of water in Nigeria. the law to prison terms, ranging from two to five years. Did Earlier in 2018, during the Senate’s clause by clause consid- eration of the Bill, the then Minority Leader and former Akwa you hear me correctly? Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, who is currently the The corollary implications of this, are dire. It paradoxically Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, had vehemently kicked against means that, if flowing from Government’s irresponsibility the provisions seeking to empower the Federal Government to and failure to provide clean potable water for the populace, a take over control of all waterways and their banks in Nigeria. citizen decides to sink his own borehole to provide water for The provisions vest on the Federal Government, large pieces himself, his family, or his community without a licence, such of land adjoining the river banks across the country, which “THE CONFLICTS AND BLOODSHED a person would be liable to prison terms, ranging from two have been the exclusive preserve of State governments. It is the to five years! This is most preposterous, exploitative, asinine, same Bill that has now been surreptitiously and nichodemously THAT THIS PROVOCATIVE LAW WILL unconscionable, primitive, and wholly condemnable. (To be reintroduced, albeit, with a different title. If it sails through, it continued next week). will alter the critical provisions of the Land Use Act, which vests LIKELY TRIGGER WILL BE ENDLESS, all ownership of lands in the States in State Governments to THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK own in trust for the people, except lands in the Federal Capital AND THEIR PONDEROUS RICOCHETING “If the law is a bad law, there is always the contingent right Territory (FCT), where the Federal Government holds sway. to take action that you would not otherwise take”. (James This is nothing but another evil push for the roundly defeated EFFECTS ARE BETTER AVOIDED” Callaghan) 8/COVER 13.10.2020 What Nigeria Needs: Devolution For one who had been in the trenches fighting autocratic military dictatorships, it could be disheartening to note that after over two decades, Nigeria has not made much progress in the march towards a free, just, democratic and equitable society. Former NBA President, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN played host to the THISDAY LAWYER team at his Ikoyi Office last week, where he fielded a wide range of questions from Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi. He spoke unabashedly about his Chairmanship of the NBA Board of Trustees, and why they did not overturn the last election of the Association, despite the wide criticisms that trailed the exercise. He also spoke about the nation’s quest for true democracy and federalism, economic challenges, and why he is optimistic that things will soon change for the better

he Board of Trustees of the NBA recently upheld the 2020 NBA elections. What informed this decision, knowing that almost half of the registered voters were disenfranchised and some of the provisions of the NBA Constitution were clearly breached by the ECNBA, like releasing the votersT register a couple of hours before the voting portal was opened, instead of at least 28 days before the election? What was your personal stand on this issue? How do you think the decision of the BOT which seems to go against the rule of law, will impact on how people see the NBA which is supposed to be the upholder and promoter of the rule of law? First of all, you will appreciate that I cannot go into the details of who did what and how, because that is confidential to the Board of Trustees of the NBA, other than to say that we clearly recognise that the elections were not as perfect as it should have been,; we were disappointed about the outcomes. But, we were satisfied that there was no untoward motive which was part of what Dele Adesina, SAN alleged. We felt that rather than untoward motive, the NBA had become so huge that, there was clearly demonstrable ethnical challenges. For instance, when I got elected, it was only 800 votes. This time, it’s 30,000. When the elections opened at midnight, five minutes into the process the entire IT platform collapsed. I think that gave rise to considerable challenges and difficulties. So, part of what we recommended is that, the time has come for the NBA to begin to think through whether it has internal capacity. It was a capacity problem. As Lawyers, we are not election management people. Do we really have the capacity to run a sophisticated election process that is generated by signals, emails and other things? I don’t Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN think so. Whilst a number of Lawyers were unable to lot of Lawyers felt that there was enough number. But, even if there were two, it doesn’t entire election would have created chaos, so vote, I could see from the report of the guys grounds to either allow the 14,000 that excuse their not voting. But, as I said, why did we allowed it to stand, and recommended very who were brought in to take over from the did not vote to vote, while preserving the this 8,000 or 14,000 not vote? Was it because strongly that all these challenges that came out local guys, were from an American election votes of the 15,000 that already did. Then there was some sort of conspiracy, or was it due in the elections, because this is the third time, monitoring outfit. And, these guys are credible; couple up the results. to technical challenges? We clearly established 2016, 2018 and now, that this is occurring; I don’t think they are the type that anyone Again, the evidence before us, because at the that it was due to technical challenges. and it must be dealt with. Otherwise, tha can bribe. I saw that they had done things for end of the day the evidence would be based Of course, we also had problems of Lawyers’ confidence that the NBA can have credible UNESCO, International Organisations. So, it’s on proof of the allegation by the Petitioner. It names sent to the wrong branches. The point elections, will be affected. beyond question that anybody would have was difficult to determine exactly what was the you also make about when the voters’ register reached them to say, ‘rig the election in my should come. There were two versions. One said Kindly, comment on NBA NEC’s favour’. That is why we ruled out foul play; that the verifiable voters register would come disinvitation of Governor El Rufai to but, we established that there were considerable out by July. There was evidence that the ECNBA the 2020 AGC and the fallout therefrom, irregularities. did in fact do so. But, Dele Adesina’s evidence that is, the decision of some Lawyers to On the whole, we felt that overturning the showed that it didn’t come out as required. establish the New Nigerian NBA election would not serve any interests, unless So, there was a difficulty as to who to believe. Personally, I felt it was wrong. You have we could establish the sort of foul play that For all of these reasons, and in particular, when invited somebody to come, then disinvite Mr Adesina had alleged, which we couldn’t we were able to agree among ourselves that him - I didn’t think it was courteous. I then establish. So, I decided that we would go in a there was no fraud, it changed the perspective. called George Etomi to say, ‘I am not sure particular way. But, here are six people on the “...... WE FELT THAT If voters were excluded as a result of conspiracy, that Governor El Rufai should be disinvited’. Board. Som I have received criticisms. Some there would been a lot of concern. But, if voters If the issue is the challenges in Southern said ‘you are the Chairman of the NBA Board were excluded because some Lawyers in Ihiala Kaduna, then I was also in touch with the of Trustees!’ Well, I am only one person. So, OVERTURNING THE ELECTION Branch couldn’t access the platform as a result President of the Southern Kaduna People’s whatever our personal views might have been, of technical challenges, that is a challenge. But, Union - just simply invite him and let him we were sitting as an institutional body. The WOULD NOT SERVE ANY it was very clear to us from the report of this have his say. mandate was to deliver an opinion, not as Body Voters (I hope I’m getting that name right), But, to disinvite someone you have invited, Olisa Agbakoba, but as the Board of Trustees. INTERESTS, UNLESS WE and I say again that Body Voters are absolutely I didn’t think it was a smart thing. As That is what we did. internationally credible organisation that has you can see, in the end I am proved right. a long history. I don’t even know how they Because rightly or wrongly, it gave rise to Learned Silk, you talk about irregularities. COULD ESTABLISH THE were found, but they came in at the right time. the secessionist tendencies we now see. That But, is it a mere irregularity? For instance, They couldn’t have conspired with anybody. is what caused the problem. But, if he had the voters register - the NBA Constitution SORT OF FOUL PLAY THAT Therefore, the principle in Obasanjo v INEC been allowed to come, and say his own part, makes it mandatory that it must be published established by Oguntade when the Electoral that I think is the right he is entitled to. at least 28 days before the election. That MR ADESINA HAD ALLEGED, Act of 2002 was defective; and Oguntade found Whether you like what he says and not, was not done. Is that an irregularity? Then, that it was indeed, defective, but they denied anyone could have countered him, whether also the fact that half of the registered WHICH WE COULDN’T the declaration to cancel the results, because virtually or otherwise. voters, 14,000 out of the 29,000 that of the chaos it would have caused. So, we So, it thought it was a wrong decision . If registered did not vote. Its almost 50%. invoked that doctrine, that clearly there were you muzzle opinion, that strikes at the very Is that an irregularity or fundamental? A ESTABLISH” challenges; but, on the whole, to nullify that heart of free speech. I would have liked to 13.10.2020 COVER /9 of Powers, Not Restructuring

hear what he had to say.

How about the New Nigerian NBA, how “I HAVE ABSOLUTELY do you think that will fare or whether it can stand? And following the Attorney-General’s NO CONFIDENCE THAT deletion of some of the provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct, people are RESTRUCTURING WILL saying that these deletions sort of show that the AGF is aligned with some of these EVER WORK. NOT BECAUSE secessionists and that it paves the way for breaking the monopoly that the NBA has IT’S A BAD IDEA, BUT enjoyed so far. That if you don’t want to use your stamp and seal, or if you don’t BECAUSE IN THIS NATION want to, fine. That you don’t even have to be a member of any NBA branch. So, OF NIGERIA CONSISTING OF people are saying the New NBA can stand. There is no right answer to the question. There ABOUT 400 SUB-NATIONAL is also no one proper answer to what the AGF did or did not do right or wrong. So, I would ENTITIES, THEY HAVE GOT rather approach it from asking ‘is the legal profession and its structures and institutions, not TO AGREE" outdated?’ I think it is. And that’s why when I was NBA President, I started a campaign for a new legislative framework for legal services, not the profession, but legal services. This is because a lot of people now, don’t need to be Lawyers to deliver legal services, but the legal profession, LPA, makes it the exclusive preserve of Lawyers. So, I was very much interested in the Sir David Clementi Report. Clementi was charged with reviewing legal services, prescribing new ways in the United Kingdom. When I read it, I felt this is the new way we should be pursuing in our profession. I submitted a Bill. Part of the challenge is that, the tenure of the NBA President is too short to make lasting and meaningful changes. So, I submitted the Legal Services Bill. If that Bill had gone through, it would have shattered the process and framework of the NBA. First of all, legal education, discipline, all the parameters of the NBA and practice, I found, to my chagrin as Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN NBA President, were controlled by the govern- ment. The NBA President is nowhere near as can take immediate action. But, if we have a press statements, when it doesn’t go down. ‘Concurrent and Exclusive’ and say, ‘Federal important, as people think. It’s a glorified big President who can’t discipline a Lawyer, then There has to be that conversation. So, whenever Representative, where do you want this to name. You can’t as leader of your profession what is he President of? He’s the President of the National Assembly starts this process of be? States, where do you want this to be?’ I prescribe educational standards, like ICAN does nothing! What is NEC? NEC is just a glorified what they call constitutional amendment, I ask can pass a Constitution with devolution of for Accountants. The government controls it talk-shop. The NBA is statutorily, powerless myself ‘do they know what they are saying?’ powers, in exactly one day. But, when you have through the Council of Legal Education, through to do anything about legal education, legal you don’t amend a constitution without first a cacophony of unreasonable voices shouting the Body of Benchers. The Body of Benchers discipline! That is why you have a mess. That determining whether there is a marriage. If you restructure, secession, conservatism and so on, has gone way out of its remit; in the UK, that is is why the AGF can do what he did. read any book on federalism, federalism is best we’ll be here. not what they do. Here, the Body of Benchers But, that is why I sent a text to Olumide adapted when you have a large population of That is why I don’t believe in that word, is concerned with discipline - it’s not their job. Akpata to push that Bill. It is not to clash people who are heterogeneous, and have such restructure. I believe in devolution of powers. The AGF is concerned with discipline, it is not with the AGF and say ‘you can’t do this or spread that there are homogeneous entities There must be cooperation, that is what coopera- his job. The NBA is concerned with discipline, that’. That clash would go on forever. The in the divisions. So, you’ll see the Ibos in the tive federalism means. Unless we understand and it is not their job. structures of the legal profession in Nigeria, South East, Yorubas in the South West and all this, 10 or 15 years down the line, we’ll be at And, this new structure of the Body of Benchers, is completely decayed. We need something that. Those for me, are the building blocks. this restructure thing. is as a result of the problem of Gani Fawehinmi new. Why would ICAN get it right, and we But, they have not had a conversation about How do we go about it? What kind of and his challenges, when he wrote his book and cannot? Why would 10,000 Lawyers cram what they want to be. Do they want to be conversation should we be having towards called himself ‘that famous Lawyer.’ He was into Abuja to lift their wigs! Its crazy! We federalist? Do they want to be confederal? In this cooperative federalism, even if we are indicted for infamous conduct. At that time, it all cram into Abuja for one day? Because, all of this confusion, I wrote a book on this going create do our own homegrown type was only the AGF that could lay charges, but there is governmental control. And we are with George Anderson who is the President of federalism? Because, there is the argument the problem was that, the AGF investigated, still wearing those completely outdated wigs of Forum of Federations, where he breaks the that there is a basic concept of federalism, which prosecuted and determined. So, Gani went to and gowns, whereas the Supreme Court in myth of the so-called True Federalism. There you can adapt to suit your own circumstances court and a strong Supreme Court then said England where we borrowed it from, don’t is nothing like true federalism. Federalism is in your own country. It doesn’t have to be copy “no, no, this is not possible” and recommended wear it anymore. Even when they open their what you want to make it. If you want to and paste of what they are doing in America. that no Lawyer could have fair hearing if this assizes, they don’t wear it. have a strong centre, its up to you. How will it work? structure was maintained. And, that is what led So, I think that is the challenge for Olumide We haven’t had a discussion about what How it will work is that, to the extent that to the Body of Benchers being the Judiciary, if Akpata - to completely overhaul the way the type of federalism we really want. There can you are part of Nigeria, you need to ‘cooperate’. you like, and the NBA being the investigators. NBA works and the way the legal profession be no restructure without the consent of the For instance, let us say we decide on regional That is not what happens abroad. Because, works. two major building blocks - the North and the federalism, then the five Igbo States would even the NBA itself has sometimes been accused What is your opinion of the Senate’s pro- South. For reasons that are unclear, the North need to corporate. Because no State can stand of hiding people. The Clementi Report recom- posed sweeping constitutional amendments? doesn’t want restructure. Period! on its own. mended that for a new legal service, it must be Do you think anything will come out if it? If they don’t want restructure, then I would Look at what happened in the USA on accountable. So, the first thing they did was to What are the major areas which you believe invoke Abiola’s great quote ‘you can’t clap Covid-19; you can see how bellicose this appoint an independent regulator, outside of the require amendment? Or should there be a with one hand’. Who are you restructuring silly man called Trump has been. He gives control of the Attorney-General. This is called new Constitution entirely? Kindly, share your with? Yourself? So, you cant make shout all ventilators to Republican States and denies the Legal Services Board. They do everything thoughts on Restructuring, and explain your you want in the South, its not going to work. people like Cuomo. That’s is not federalism! regulating their own NBA, and because their concept of Cooperative Federalism. You need the North to be on board. Therefored, You must cooperate. own NBA is also a strong organisation, they I think the first mistake that people make, is you need to use diplomatic language. And that The reason why I am lured to the Asian model recognise them as an approved regulator. this. I have tried to explain this, without success. Corporate Federalism, is diplomatic language. sometimes is because, as America is fighting So, the NBA here will be an approved They confuse two notions. The Constitution When I listen to the Northerners and Southern- and Boris Johnson is fighting, the Chinese are regulator, and will have the status and title is as good as a political process. So, every ers, what I seem to hear is that there is too moving forward and building the massive Silk of a self-regulating organisation, which ICAN nation first has a conversation about its marital much power in the centre. So, what I did years Road that will soon enter Mombasa. And America has achieved. So, we don’t wait for the Supreme arrangement. If you are going to get married, ago (but no one listens), I designed an Act owes China $1 trillion in their own currency. Court to disbar an offending Silk. And there you must first discuss how you are going called ‘Constitution Operation Devolution of Do you see China in any of this nonsense? are so many offending Siljs as you well know, to get married, to say ‘look we want this or Powers Act.’ Look at the 98 items of power, They are not there! They are just focused on who qualify to be disbarred. But, they know that - it’s a voluntary union of one man and I actually have it in my office; 68 items are economic development. They use force, I agree. how to find their way round, and the system one woman, to the exclusion of all others’. federal and 30 are concurrent. For the 68, it But, they are getting development going. For is clogged, so the Legal Practitioners Privileges We have never had that conversation. That means that the States cannot have a bite. The us who subscribe to democracy, our leaders Committee never sits. is a problem. 30 that are concurrent, means that the States must understand that unless they cooperate, How can the CJN be Chairman of the Com- The Constitution is merely an agreement. have a bite to the extent that the federal does we can’t release energy to satisfy 200 million mittee, when his full time job is to be CJN? But, unfortunately the argument goes the not cover the field. Therefore, the States have Nigerians. That spirit must be there. But, this So, we need new structures. other way round. ‘Constitution, Constitution, no power. So, you tell the federal, particularly bellicosity I see in Politicians, won’t resolve The ICAN guys appoint their SANs, they are Constitution!’ it will never work, which is why now that money is tight ‘why do you want to the problem. called Fellows, because they know the best. The the argument is so intense on both sides of the issue drivers license? Why do you want to be The recent speech by Pastor Adeboye, welcome ICAN guys prescribe their own educational divide. I have absolutely no confidence that in primary health care and primary education? as it is, had a major retort in the shape of Garba qualities. We don’t need the Council of Legal restructuring will ever work. Not because it’s a Why do you want to be in commerce? Why Shehu, calling him all kinds of names. That’s Education, to do that for us. We don’t need the bad idea, but because in this nation of Nigeria do you want to be in arbitration?’ If we are not what we want; it won’t get us anywhere. Law School. So, that is what the new process consisting of about 400 sub-national entities, sensible, these are things you allow the States says, and because the Legal Services Board they have got to agree. You can’t have Afenifere, to do. All we need to do, is to just to open cont'd on page 10 gives the Bar the authority to discipline, we Ohanaze and PANDEF sitting Lagos issuing the Constitution to the page where it says 10/COVER 13.10.2020 What Nigeria Needs: Devolution of Powers, Not Restructuring cont'd from page 9 non-Nigerians to infiltrate, given the fact that we have extremely weak borders; given the fact Both sides - it didn’t move the argument by that we have crisis in the Arabian countries have one iota. It didn’t help the guy of the streets. collapsed and they have come to Libya, down So, the way to do it, is for both sides to cool to Mali and here. They have mingled, and they down and realise that they need to have a find that this is a place where they can’t be discussion. expelled. They are comfortable and they have If restructure is causing the problem, can’t blended with hitherto peaceful cattle rearers it be presented in a different way? I would that carry sticks, and now terrorise everybody. think that if restructure means, make the central Why is government not doing anything? It government weaker, must be it called restructure comes back again to, if we truly want Nigeria if the guys in the North don’t want it? Isn’t it to go forward, talking about the problem every what comes out in the end that we look for? day is unhelpful; it is practical solutions. So, What I am saying is conduct that exercise its up to these our ethnic nationalities to really of looking at the 98 items of power, and see form a formidable voice. How many of them which one serves our best interest. Nobody have ever been to the North, and sat down will say defence or monetary policy should make their case? I challenge them. Why are be a State issue. It is clear that it is federal. Or they talking to me? I am sold! How many of the Central Bank of Nigeria. But, why should them have traversed the North to say, ‘No, its we have a Federal Ministry of Agriculture? Or not about secession. Its not about breaking up. prisons. Why should have federal run prisons, Its not about anything, other than empowering when they have less than 10 prisoners and the federating units?’ They sit in the South and spend about N15b? I once went to the Prisons make noise. I see them on television all the time, Headquarters in Abuja. I saw more epaulets and I have never really seen any Northerner than prisoners! Do you know what epaulets are? who really sits with them and takes part in Commanders, Generals. I saw more Generals the conversation. Its only Middle Belters. The and cars with flags. It means they are spending tactics needs to change. more money on these Generals and their cars, than food for prisoners. But, if prisons were a You have in the past few years postulated State issue, it will speed up the justice sector and pushed your vision for development process. The Governors will ask ‘why am I law. Kindly, shed light on this, especially spending so much on prisoners? Why are they your idea of freeing and utilising what you in jail for so long?’ But, the Federal Government once called, ‘dead capital’? has no interest. Its like a ‘Kalo Kalo’ machine, Development law is a higher theoretical and throwing out money to epauleted Generals difficult concept to understand. I don’t think who sit in Abuja driving fancy cars. But, they we are up to five in Nigeria that understand it. have no interest. At the heart of development law, is economic The Federal Government has no interest in Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN policy law. So you understand how legal analysis prisons. Some of these Northern States, they and development, can create a good life. That have less than 100 prisoners oooo! Why should is what people are looking for. But, when you it be that the High Court of Lagos State convicts had doubts about whether I should be going that this was they way to go, and soon after don’t have a need for something, you don’t Mr. Adeyemi, and they will send him the prison to Jonathan’s conference. In fact, we already South Africa got independence. That is my best have to look for it. But, when you have a need, in Sokoto? For what?! For a State offence. Why the semblance a good sub-national structure, example. then you look for it. are we throwing prisoners around Nigeria, it like Enahoro used to say. The guys talking now, If one goes down one path and it doesn’t work, This is the right time for development law doesn’t matter where they come from? Why? should be the ones to come forward. And I am switch to another path, so long as the strategy is likely to flourish, so we are putting a major That’s part of the problem sure there are more. Like Afenifere, Ohaneze, is the same and goal is the same. Restructuring webinar on the 22nd and 23rd of October, So, clearly, prisons is a matter for the States. PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum, provided that is not working. Can they consider switching to having been appointed consulting law firm That is what we need to review. And, if both they are not press conference people, that devolution of powers and cooperative federalism to the Attorney-General of the Federation and sides of the argument accept this cooperate they are really carrying their people along. to see f it will work? I guarantee it will work. the Minister of Finance. To be opened by Vice federalism and come around the table, I am For me, the process is already in place, but What I have just said here is simple. There is President Osinbajo. To be attended by senior sure that Garba Shehu would see the point the language is wrong. Process is in place no State Governor in Nigeria, who doesn’t Advisers to the Presidency. that, prisons shouldn’t be on the exclusive list. in the sense that they are saying what they want to be a real chief security officer of his The notion is simple, as your oil receipts And, I am sure Adeboye would see the point should say, except they are like Napoleon and State - so that’s one thing common to them all. dwindle, diversification of the economy is that defence, foreign ministry, foreign policy Hitler who continued an ill-fated war, which In fact Kayode Fayemi said it recently; that all relevant. What are the tools for new revenues, should be the job of the Federal Government. is why they were beaten in the Russian cold. 36 Governors are helpless. That they feel tired. jobs can be created, the economy can grow, Then everything would end. Don’t these ethnic sub-national groups My Governor, Obiano feels tired of seeing the wastage can be removed, cost of governance understand that they have been aggressive River Niger that he has no control over. Whereas, can be reduced? It is law that drives it. We But, if every year, from the first to the without progress? And that its time to do if he had control over River Niger, billionaires are looking at eight themes. Take trade policy 9th Assembly we keep having constitutional like Mandela, and change. Mandela was in from Onitsha to the Nnewi trade axis can silt for instance, we say, no country in the world reforms without success; we have had three prison when he realised that, war would not out and dredge River Niger. If that happens, will ever grow, unless the legal framework major constitutional conferences, one of bring liberation, and he switched and he got all the choked traffic in Apapa will disappear, creates barriers around what is called a trade which I took part. I didn’t want to take the same result. because all the barges will alight at Onitsha. remedies legislation. Otherwise, the Chinese will part; my daughter asked me ‘why are you If Mandela with all his stature, coul sacrifice But, he has no control. keep exporting, and if people import things on taking part in this constitutional conference? his principle that war was the only way to go the cheap, nobody will go to the farms and You want to go and collect money?’ Which after the Rivonia Trials. But, after a considerable What is your opinion of the RUGA and you’ll keep importing. You need tools of law, is why myself and Pastor Bakare said we length of time in prison, he saw that this Water Bill? Is there a connection? What do to generate production. are not going to take money. That N12m, wouldn’t work. And he reached out to the you think of it? we don’t want. Because tomorrow, they will point where his fellows - Mbeki, Sisulu and Its part of the suspicion that I am describing. So, there is a trade remedy currently being say we went to chop money. But, nobody co, doubted him when they came to visit him Don’t forget that, the Water Bill is as old as the proposed. We also say, if people are so un- can accuse me. I took part, but I didn’t in his new prison palace - they wondered if last 30 years. So, there is really nothing new in it. employed and your revenues are challenged, collect any money. But, if I had known that he had betrayed them. He convinced them President Buhari will announce on Thursday President Jonathan wasn’t going to enact But, what does it seek to do? an N8 billion fiscal deficit. So, the government it, I wouldn’t have gone there. So, there It seeks to harness the water resources of Nigeria is technically challenged for revenue. How can was a major opportunity lost by Obasanjo that cross between two States, not locally. So, you the government be technically challenged, if and Jonathan to have passed it. There’s must make sure that we have enough irrigable trade facilitation contributes the second largest another opportunity. But, it would take waters. You put the dams where they are supposed component trade to the GDP after agriculture? a bit more tact. The more Afenifere and to be. You create huge baskets of fertile land that Ohaneze are making noise, it won’t work. water can irrigate. Essentially p, it is harnessing Trade facilitation simply means, how trade The more you are belligerent, the more water resources for the common good of Nigeria. moves. And, there two important vehicles to the North would be too. Nobody believes it, and for good reason. This move trade around - aircraft and ships. Nigeria But, who would be the players? This conversa- point you make, is at the heart of the confusion owns not a single aircraft. A country that wants tion by different groups, who would be there? and suspicion. We are all suspicious of each to aspire to be in the first ten? You are jok- Is it like we had in 2014 were some people were other. Once there is suspicion, even something ing. Nigeria doesn’t own a single ship, when just handpicked to go for National Conference? that is harmless becomes a problem. ARANCO, the equivalent of NNPC has about Because people doubt government’s sincerity 2,000 vessels, VLCCs floating around. ARANCO, about having a conference, like in 2014 when the People think Government wanted to use not a drop of crude leaves the Saudi Arabian government nominated whoever they wanted. RUGA to take land from people, that failed, treasury from the first value chain, which is Gani Fawehinmi for instance, suggested people they now want to use the Water Bill. That what we all foolishly look at. The IOCs are should elect representatives from each of the it is a roundabout way to take land from looking at number 2 to 34. So, they look at law, 774 Local Governments, while another Lawyer, the people for herdsmen. shipping, banking and insurance. These are four Nwobu suggested that 70% should be come We are describing very fast waters. The type trillion Naira assets that we don’t even touch. from each ethnic nationalities to represent their “ THE TYPE OF WATER THAT of water that would benefit herdsmen, are slow So, what you do is that you use law to apply people, while the rest should be picked from waters that you can drink from. You can’t go to to economic policy, to say local content must NASS, religious bodies and civil society groups, River Niger and drink water, or River Benue. be vigorously implemented. So, any law that the NBA and so on. WOULD BENEFIT HERDSMEN, That is not correct. implements local policy, should be welcome Your question belies the ignorance in consti- But, that is not the point. It’s the underlying because you want to trap money in the system. tutional conferences. When all the conferences ARE SLOW WATERS THAT suspicion that is the problem. Because, perception But, if your doors are wide open - that is why I leading to independence were taking place, is 90% of the answer. There is no logic that the support the border closure. Col Ali is trumpeting there were so many distinguished Lawyers, but YOU CAN DRINK FROM. YOU Federal Government can use to explain to people that Customs is making N12 billion extra every they were never invited. My grandfather, the who feel that the herdsmen is the reason behind day. The problem is that,p those who closed second Igbo man to read law wasn’t invited, it, that it is not. the border, have no understanding of trade law. because he wasn’t representing anybody. He CAN’T GO TO RIVER NIGER Its not enough to say that Nigeria is 60, and For those of us who understand trade law, we is not an ethnic representative. we have national parades and all that. That is use the term ‘border enforcement’. Even if you Its so simple. In discussions surrounding AND DRINK WATER, OR RIVER not going to solve the problem. It is leaders are in the EU Zone, and you are coming from the constitution of a country, it is the ethnic resolving to change the way we do things, so that France to enter the United Kingdom, they must sub-nationalities that represent the people, not BENUE” this RUGA thing will not be a problem. RUGA a Lawyer, not NBA, not NUJ. That was why I thing is bad because it has now enabled a lot of cont'd on page 11 13.10.2020 /11 What Nigeria Needs: Devolution of Powers, Not Restructuring cont'd from page 10 “ THE ONLY THINKER I HAVE make sure at the border that you are indeed, a French person. You must make sure at the border, that you show your passport. SEEN IN GOVERNMENT FOR Some these guys who come here and say ‘under ECOWAS Protocols we are entitled to A LONG TIME, IS OKONJO- free access’, we say ‘no, you can’t be entitled, if you are running cargo from Singapore, terminat- ing in Cotonou’. That is the final destination. IWEALA. SHE UNDERSTOOD If you want to bring its into Nigeria, its not allowed, under the ECOWAS Protocol. You have DEVELOPMENT LAW. SHE to understand the ECOWAS Trade Protocol. Unfortunately, Nigeria is not giving good answers because our trade policy and trade laws are LAID THE FOUNDATION, FOR hardly understood, except by a those of us who speak and understand economic trade policy ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE language. So, all that development law is, is with economic policy at its heart, to see how law can enrich economic growth. DOING” A very good example, is the simple enactment of the Finance Act 2020. That was such a brilliant move by the person who did it. It immediately put N4 trillion on the table! That is what it is all about. Then, if you look at the digital economy, all the multinationals in the digital space are trading actively here without paying tax. So, you have Google, Twitter, Facebook carrying out their activities here, and they don’t pay a single Dollar! Not a single one of them pays a dime, and we are still looking for money. My point about development law which I am happy is beginning to catch on slowly, because we are now needed; if you apply it across the board properly, whether in the digital space Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN or arbitration, because arbitration is an aspect of trade. Affairs, I was a Senior Research Fellow on It was fashionable for us to ship off all of our Intelligence. We went to Jaji to write up an arbitration, with great and dire consequences. So, salaries of the Caribbean countries, when he is not signing this Acfta thing, is that now could have used it to build things. we are not strong enough. Why should we architectural framework for Nigeria’s intelligence, if we block all the leakages, using law, then there and it has not changed. That was what formed is a likelihood that the money will stay here. So, it’s a process. I don’t know whether you be signing trade agreements when Britain understand what has happened. The only thinker leaving the EU? When Trump is breaking part of what we now have as the SSS. It use to I am very happy, seeing politicians beginning be Department E of the Nigeria Police Force. to ask me about Crowd Funding. These were I have seen in government for a long time, is all the trade barriers? Okonjo-Iweala. She understood development Anything that will make Nigeria a dependent My point here is that, if you have an outdated the Abuja politicians before. They didn’t see how intelligence architecture there is nothing you that their big farmland can bring revenue. But, law. She laid the foundation, for all these things nation, I don’t support. If I am going to invest we are doing. There was no DMO! Borrowing in a poultry and I know it will give me money can do. now they are saying ‘I have this big farmland, For instance, I just don’t know why the DSS what kind of framework can you advice?’ Its was anyhow. She came in and wiped out to feed me and my family, I will do it. But, not the debts, and established an organisation to when I am investing in a poultry and you are should be involved in private contractual crowd funding. Its development law. But, it arrangements when they are supposed to be took a long time, because its not an oil well that manage the debts. She introduced the Fiscal going to Abuja to get government contract. So, Responsibility Bill, meaning you can’t borrow I now look like a fool. But, if we are realising focusing on intelligence. We have to have the brings money. I don’t blame anybody who would relevant modernised capacity. If you don’t have rather pursue an oil well than development law, more than 3% of your GDP. This obviously has that government contracts are over, now, you challenged the financial resource base, which have to go and till your land. I hope that this it, you can’t deal with insurgency. That is what because its not a profitable venture. is critical. Today we have a Police force that Two things have happened that I am so happy needs to go up to about 7%, otherwise we oil will never come back. can’t get out of this malaria thing. Aba guys, about 20 years ago I advised the Aba even Mike Okiro called ‘extremely well badly about, Covid-19. It has been a massive wakeup trained and illiterate’. They have no equipment. call. We were like mad people. I once went to Malaria means that I have to give you the Business Council and I was very surprised that full dose, not half, otherwise you’ll be sick one of them was actually making underwear So, to modernise security apparatus will suf- a party where the host was proud to announce ficiently advance the cause of containing Boko to a person that wanted water that, ‘nobody forever. We can’t get to where we want to for Marks and Spencer. 20 years ago! I don’t go with a N10 trillion budget. Nigeria needs know what has happened to him now. Haram. Boko Haram. Boko Haram is a ragtag serves water at my party. You must drink the army. I can understand why a ragtag army champagne!’ Now, it is not happening because a budget of not less than N80 trillion every There are skills. But, those skills will just not year. It will only take sense for that to kick in. shine when nobody is protecting you. These can’t be destroyed. We need to modernise our money is drying. When money dries, brains intelligence apparatus. kick in. The government is now obviously very There are three things that indicate the sense government contracts, is what killed initiative. is coming, even though it has gone down very Do you know that there are over 500 oil rigs interested. Because, it seems it can’t balance In 1986, during fiery military dictatorship, its books. badly with people. Fuel subsidy removal is the in Nigerian waters, and they don’t want to most brilliant thing that has ever happened. pay? I know because I am in one of the cases. you mobilised and pioneered human rights In economic language that is what is called, In those days, an oil rig used to be a derrick activism in this country, along with a few But, I don’t think so. Maybe for logical other young courageous people. You were people, the brains kick in. Well, I am not so a technical correction. The second thing is that was fixed. The new oil rigs are called electricity. Although, I think that could be FPSOs, Float, Produce, Store and Offload, they even brutalised and detained. Today, would sure about what is happening in Nigeria. you say those ideals you fought and risked I give you an example. Recently there was adjusted. The consumption of electricity for move. Once you move, you are a cabottaged guys who ride Rolls Royces, should be at vessel, and you must pay 3%. They went to your life for, have been achieved? hue and cry about some loan agreements If they have been achieved you wouldn’t that we have with China. I had looked at premium! Anyone living in Ikoyi should court and we won, but they have appealed. pay premium. If it takes N20,000 a day to run I am advising the AGF to step into the case be here today, and be talking to me. They it, and thought that Nigeria has a lot of haven’t been achieved. On the oscillation of resources that have not been harnessed, the your electricity, provided they can give it to so that we can resolve it quickly, and we can you, you should pay. Then you subsidise at get at least N2 trillion from the vessels. If you the democracy, there are four critical steps. Chinese are even mining our gold. We are Authoritarian, semi democratic, illiberal, and flaring gas. What we are flaring is what the lower end. That is the only problem I find take the N2 trillion and add to our budget, with electricity. But, fuel subsidy, should go! it will reduce the deficit by N5 trillion. There then liberal. So, we probably have moved only makes Trinidad and Tobago number 2 or 4 one step in the last 20 years. We clearly have as an world gas exporter. So, I asked myself, Then there is garri subsidy, and that is not are brilliant ideas, in this country. too difficult to do. If government could remove moved from authoritarian to, if I am being why can we not, as opposed to going to take optimistic and nice..... cash from China, say for instance we want fuel subsidy, no matter how difficult it proved, You once filed an action against the govern- our environment to be clean and therefore, did heavens fall? ment on judicial funding and independence, No. in which you largely succeeded. Since that Be brutally honest harness this low hanging fruit, gas. Let us I might say semi-authoritarian. We are certainly go into some kind of partnership, and we Then electricity, although labour has come to judgement, how far has the government some king of understanding with government. complied, in terms of implementation? not illiberal. Illiberal is when you begin to see start to harness our gas and be sharing the aspects of a liberal system. But, if we are still profit, and once our debts are repaid, take it Then the third one which we overlook, is They have not complied. Rather they have commercialisation of NNPC. I don’t think you appealed. That is why I am looking at what saying, like NyesomWike said ‘ an election over? Why can’t we kill two birds with one is only free and fair, if the Police and INEC stone instead? Oil seems to be going out of guys know what that means. Executive Order 10 means. The NJC that I sat in refused to go to court, and when they wants’. That is horrendous statement! It threw fashion. Meanwhile you are wasting time me apart. and money trying to prospect oil in Lake I don’t think it will ever happen. refused, I said ‘you have to’. Aloma Mukhtar Chad. You want to have that oil in Lake It will happen! It will happen, because the was the CJN. When they refused to go to court, government now finds that it cannot sustain it. I went and I won. These are the people who But isn’t it true? Chad, because maybe Niger-Delta has it. That is what I am saying! I am saying that Why are we wasting scarce and unavailable Do you know that King Ngwenyama Mswati are now suing. The very people who would 11 of Swaziland sent a message here, that he is have gone to court at the time I was suing, what we have is that, we no longer have men resources. Like at the start of Covid-19, oil in khaki. But those khaki boys, are wearing was worthless. Why are we wasting scarce broke. That his sugar factory was not producing. are now the ones going to court. So, I wish Obasanjo invested 10% of NNPC’s money in they lose! Because they are not sincere people. agbada. We have not moved. If you want to be resources prospecting for more, when you charitable you can say they are semi-democratic have available low hanging fruits of gas the company. And I am sure nobody knows about it till today. Almost six and a half years into the Buhari or semi-authoritarian. It oscillates. It moves being flared, make money from it and get between the two. But, we have a long way to go! environment being clean? I don’t think That is why I am happy with the NNPC Administration, how in your opinion have GMD. He is the first to publish the audited they fared in terms of security? How can SARS be brutalising people and brains have kicked in. there is no response, except a lame one from No. You misapprehend the nature of what reports, in 40 years. I don’t care what the On security, I think that the problem is that we motive is. The NNPC was stupendous cesspit need to modernise our security apparatus. You Inspector General of Police? And this is the Professor Rizkid Joseph calls, prebendal system. fourth time in four years that the same statement These are rent seeking countries. All of these have of corruption. Just to cleanse it out will save might not know. I have considerable intelligence Nigeria 40% of revenue. That is a very smart experience. Part of my Masters in the 80s, had is made. ‘oh I disband you’. The next thing happened because of oil, and its stupendous they are back. income. So, the general view was, in Nigeria, move. That indicates to me that right from the to do with Intelligence Studies. Obasanjo administration to now, when they There are several components of an intelligence So, that tells you that we are in a society that unlike other places, with so much money we can’t be anywhere near where we wish. All got mad. Whereas with a lot of money you regarded NNPC as their cash cow, that takes architecture. One is humins, Human Intelligence. some courage. Business is coming. This thing Another is Comins, Communications Intelligence these things that we fought for, are still very invest. Even General Gowon said back then, much present. It is still work in progress. that he didn’t know what to do with money. you are seeing will escalate. and then there is Photins, photographic Intel- ligence, Signins, Signals Intelligence. It’s a long standing problem, since 1974. At Thank you, Learned Silk a time he went and paid all the outstanding What I see as a policy and why Nigeria When I was at the Institute of International 12/ 13.10.2020 Effect of an Administration Order on Receivership Under CAMA 2020 This article by Emmanuel Bassey examines what he refers to as the innovative provisions under the new Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020, which he believes will disrupt the way that companies operate in Nigeria, and also create an enabling environment for the survival and sustenance of businesses

t is no longer news that the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 (“2020 CAMA”) was recently signed into law, to repeal and replace the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990 Cap. C20, LFN 2004 (“1990 CAMA”). Some Innovative Provisions of 2020 CAMA: One of the innovative provisions of the 2020I CAMA, is the business rescue scheme of administration. The scheme allows for the appointment of an administrator to run an ailing company, with the primary aim of rescuing the business and ensuring its survival. This scheme is quite similar to the scheme of appointment of a receiver by the creditors of a company, with the fundamental difference being that receivers are appointed with the primary aim of realising the assets of the company for the purpose of satisfying the debt owed to their appointors. Administrator v Receiver Section 449 of the 2020 CAMA states that an administrator would be appointed over a company, where the company is or is likely to become unable to pay its debts, and administration order is likely to achieve the purpose of administration. The purpose of administration is stated in Section 444(2) of the 2020 CAMA, which provides that the rescue appointed of aircraft G-LOVB at the instance is in pari materia with Section 480(2)(a) of taking of steps to enforce that security. The court of the company is the primary objective of of a secured creditor. The receivers had been 2020 CAMA. The court stated that where a therefore, held that “You are not taking steps the administrator in the performance of his appointed on 29th March, 2000. In the administra- receiver had been appointed prior to the to enforce a security unless by relying on the functions, except where he is of the opinion tion order, the administrator acknowledged application for an administration order, security you are preventing the administrator that it is not reasonably practicable, or a bet- that on the making of the order, he would the receiver would not need the permission doing something to [the security] in which he ter result can be achieved for the company’s consent to the secured creditor continuing to of the court to carry out his functions. The has an interest which he would otherwise be creditors by pursuing some other course. On enforce its security over the aircraft belonging court held that the relevant step to enforce entitled to do”. On the condition for the grant the other hand, Section 556(1)(2) of the 2020 to the Petitioner. security was the appointment of a receiver, of permission by the court, the court in Re CAMA provides that the primary function of which took place before the application Atlantic Computer Systems Plc [1992] Ch a receiver is to take possession of and realise 2020 CAMA and England’s Insolvency for administration order. The court went 505 at page 542 stated that the moratorium the relevant security, for the benefit of those Act 1986 further to interpret Paragraph 43(6) of Schedule is intended to assist the company, under the on whose behalf he was appointed. He does Section 480 provides a moratorium, against B1 of the Insolvency Act, 1986 of England, management of the administrator, to achieve not have a primary duty to rescue the ailing any legal process being commenced against a which is in pari materia with Section 480(4) the purpose for which the administration order company, unlike an administrator. Therein company in administration. Section 480(2)(a) of 2020 CAMA, which provides that no legal was made. Thus, if granting leave to a secured lies the difference, between administration of 2020 CAMA states that where a company process, including legal proceedings, execution, creditor is unlikely to impede the achievement and receivership. is in administration, no step shall be taken to distress and diligence shall be instituted or of that purpose, leave should normally be given, Although, the provisions on receivership under enforce security over the company’s property continued against the company or property while in other cases, the court has to carry out the 2020 CAMA have been left substantially as except with the consent of the administrator, of the company, except with the consent of a balancing exercise, balancing the legitimate they were under the 1990 CAMA, insolvency or the permission of the Court, while Section the administrator or permission of the court. interests of all the creditors of the company. practitioners in Nigeria are keen to learn what 480(4) CAMA provides that no legal process, The court stated that the appointment of the Note should however be taken of Section would be the interplay between administration including legal proceedings, execution, distress receiver in that case, which preceded the 481(5) of the 2020 CAMA, which provides and receivership, and the effect of one on the and diligence shall be instituted or continued application for administration order, was not that if there is a receiver of the company ap- other. These issues will be examined anon. against the company or property of a company caught by Paragraph 43(6) of Schedule B1 of pointed by the holder of a floating charge, the If there was any apprehension in the minds that is in administration except with the consent the Insolvency Act, 1986 of England (which is provisions of Section 480 of the 2020 CAMA, of existing receivers upon the coming into force of the administrator, or the permission of the in pari materia with Section 480(4) of CAMA) which provides a moratorium against other of the 2020 CAMA, as to how an administration court. In SS Agri Power Limited v (1) Mr. as a matter of timing. The court held that, the legal process being commenced against a order might affect a company in receivership, Dorins and (2) Privilege [2017] EWHC subsequent steps taken by the receiver are not company in administration, shall not apply Section 454(c) of the 2020 CAMA was made to 3563 (Ch), the Court was called upon to the continuation of a “legal process” within the until the appointor of the receiver consents to allay those fears. It states that an administrator interpret Paragraph 43(2) of Schedule B1 of meaning of paragraph 43(6). The appointment the making of an administration order. What shall not be appointed under the Act, if prior the Insolvency Act, 1986 of England which of the receiver, the court stated, gave rise to this means is that, even while an administration to the commencement of the Act, a receiver an agency relationship between the company application is pending, a receiver appointed by was already in office. This is a very significant and the receiver, and that the acts which the the holders of a floating charge, whether before provision, as it gives assurance to receivers who receiver subsequently performed, were acts or during the pendency of an administration were appointed whether by the holders of a carried out pursuant to that agency relation- application, can still continue to perform their fixed charge or holders of a floating charge, ship, rather than pursuant to any legal process. functions unhindered, as per Section 481(6)(d) that their appointment would not be prejudiced The court cited with approval the decision of of the 2020 CAMA, until an administration in any way by the coming into force of the Norris J in Re: Frankice (Golders Green) order takes effect, after which Section 478(1) provisions of the 2020 CAMA on administration. Limited [2010] Bus LR 1608 in which Norris will apply. Also, Section 476(1) of the 2020 CAMA provides J considered the meaning of legal process under Section 478(1)(2) of the 2020 CAMA provides protection for receivers appointed by holders paragraph 43(6) and held as follows: "I think that when an administration order takes effect in of a fixed charge, after the 2020 CAMA had the word 'process' suggests something with respect of a company, a receiver of the company come into force. It says that where there is a a defined beginning and an ascertainable appointed by a holder of a floating charge or by receiver of a company based on appointment final outcome and which, in the interim, the court shall vacate office. But, before then, a by a holder of a fixed charge, the Court shall “...... EVEN WHERE is governed by a recognisable procedure. holder of a floating charge can still appoint an dismiss an administration application in respect I think the word 'legal' indicates that that administrator (see Section 481(6)(c)(d) of the 2020 of the company unless, among other conditions, A COMPANY IS IN process must in some sense invoke the CAMA), and such an administrator whether the appointor of the receiver consents. compulsive power of the law, and it suggests appointed before or during the pendency of Section 478(2) of the 2020 CAMA further pro- ADMINISTRATION, THE 2020 that the procedure must be quasi-legal in an administration application, can continue to vides that where a company is in administration, nature". The court therefore, concluded that perform the functions of their office unhindered, any receiver of part of the company’s property CAMA PROVIDES DIFFERENT although the conduct of the receivership must until an administration order takes effect. appointed by a secured creditor shall vacate of course be conducted according to law, it From the foregoing provisions, it is obvious office, if the administrator requires him to do so. REGIMES OF PROTECTION is not governed by a recognisable procedure. that, even where a company is in administration, This section appears to give an administrator Rather, it will take a course dictated by the the 2020 CAMA provides different regimes the discretion to allow a receiver appointed by TO A RECEIVER APPOINTED particular commercial decisions taken by the of protection to a receiver appointed before secured creditors over a part of the properties receiver, in order to realise the charged assets. and after the coming into force of the Act, of the company, to continue to act while the BEFORE AND AFTER THE Furthermore, in Bristol Airport Plc v or the making of an administration order. It company is in administration. See London Powdrill and Others [1990] 1 Ch, 744 the now behoves insolvency practitioners to take Flight Centre (Stansted) Ltd (Acting by COMING INTO FORCE OF THE UK Court of Appeal stated that, it is not the advantage of these provisions, to ensure the its Administrator) v Osprey Aviation Ltd creation of the security without the consent realisation of their security. (2002) BPIR 1115 where at the date of the ACT, OR THE MAKING OF AN of the Administrator or the leave of the court Emmanuel Abasiubong Bassey, LL.M, administration order, receivers had already been ADMINISTRATION ORDER” which is prohibited by the provision, but the Mike Igbokwe SAN & Co., Lagos 13.10.2020 / 13 14/ 13.10.2020 13.10.2020 / 15 16/ 13.10.2020

Call To Glory

It is with heavy hearts that the Governor, Management and staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria, announce the demise of Professor Matthew Olufemi Kayode on Monday August 10, 2020.

Professor Matthew Olufemi Kayode was a member of the Non-Executive director of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from 22nd November, 1999 to 21 st November, 2002.

Celebration of life- Service of Songs/ Night of tributes and launch of Femi & Dupe Kayode Foundation. Date: Tuesday, October 13th , 2020: Time : 4.00pm, Venue: International Conference Centre, Micheal Omolayole Hall, University of Ibadan. University Commendation Service Date: Wednesday, October 14th , 2020 Time: 8.00AM Venue: Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan Church Commendation Service Date: Thursday, October 15th , 2020 Time: 8.00AM Venue: Bodija-Ashi Baptist Church, Ashi, Ibadan (Corpse Departs Immediately after for Egbe, Kogi State) Christian Wake -Keep Date: Thursday, October 15th , 2020 Time: 7.00AM Venue: Prof Kayode's Residence, Amokele Street, Egbe, Kogi State Interment/Burial Service Date: Friday, October 16th , 2020 Time: 10.00AM Venue: 1st ECWA Church, Egbe, Kogi State. Thanksgiving Service Date: Friday, October 16th , 2020 Time: 10.00AM Venue: 1St ECWA Church, Egbe, Kogi State

He is Survived by Mrs Olufunlola Afolabi Oladiran and Mrs Olutomilola Miriki (Daughters), Dr Adefemi Oladiran and Mr Dakore Olusegun Miriki (Sons), Siblings and Grandchildren. Please note that COVID-19 protocols shall be dully observed at all events and virtual participation is encouraged.

Management THISDAY ˾

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Group Business Editor Obinna Chima Email [email protected] BUSINESSWORLD 08152447875 RATES AS AT OCTOBER 9, 2020 MONEY MARKET REPO S & P INDEX S & P INDEX EXCHANGE RATE OVERNIGHT 4.88 CALL 4 INDEX LEVEL 641.80% 1/4 TO DATE 2.41% N379/1US DOLLAR* OBB 4 1-MONTH 5 1-DAY 2% YEAR TO DATE 33.39% ̩


  3-MONTH 7 MONTH-TO-DATE 2.41% Quick Takes Council Chairman Establishes Radio Station Langtang North Local Government Chairman, Ubandoma Laven, has lamented that the council is cut off from the happenings in the state due to its remote location from the state capital. Speaking to journalists recently in Jos, the state capital, Laven said the dire situation informed his establishment of a radio station, Star FM, in Langtang to give his people a sense of belonging, and to ensure that they don’t depend on hearsay. The council chairman further stressed that information was vital, adding that for such an old local government in the state, it has been unfortunate that the council is cut off from first-hand information. “It seems like a dungeon situation. But I thank God; I have been able to build a Radio station, Star FM, Langtang which commences operation any moment from now,” he stated. He revealed the council’s intention to employ experience hands in running of radio stations. Laven further explained that though it’s a community-based station, the running would be handled by consultants that understand the rudiments of radio stations in order to derive maximum professional services. According to him: “With the station, the people including the youths and children will be more educated. Local advert on the station will STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIP help generate some revenue too. Locals will be employed to do one R-L: Minister of States for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo; Regional Executive, Abuja & North, Heritage Bank, George Oko-Oboh, or two jobs in the station. Enlightenment on issues such as COVID-19 and DG, NDE, Dr Ladan Mohammed, during the issuance of federal government’s letter of engagement to Heritage Bank and 5 other banks to will be better. It will generally change the orientation of the people. open 774, 000 SPW beneficiaries’ accounts, held in Abuja…recently IPMAN Seeks Protection of National Assets The National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chinedu Okoronkwo has called on NEITI: Oil Producing States stakeholders and youths in Niger Delta to listen to voice of wisdom and ensure the protection of National Assets in the region. Okoronkwo spoke when the Senior Special Adviser to IPMAN on Product, Pipelines Monitoring and Special Assignment, Ibrahim Haliru visited the Delta Received N9.53tn in 18 Years water ways in company of a team of security led by the Sector A Operating Officer, Delta State, Joshua Abata. Stories by Chineme Okafor ENERGY Office (DMO) puts Akwa Ibom’s Niger Delta hovers in 12 digits.” The IPMAN President commended the Nigerian security outfits for in Abuja debt profile at N237.4 billion, “Ondo State’s debt overhang their cooperation and civil- military collaboration which has yielded Cross River has ceased to Bayelsa at N127.2 billion, Delta as of September 2019 stood at expected positive results. He urged the youths to be aware of the grave A new report by the Nigeria be an oil-bearing state but was at N230.57 billion and Rivers N56.4 billion, despite earning danger associated with illegal oil bunkering and Pipelines vandalism. Extractive Industries Transpar- amongst the states in the region at N266.9 billion,” adding that N272.88 billion as 13 per cent Okoronkwo advised the youths in the region, especially those in Delta ency Initiative (NEITI) has which earned N9.53 trillion over figures showed that the 13 per oil derivation revenue from State to form clusters as their services would be needed when the revealed that crude oil-bearing the 18-year period. cent oil derivation fund allocated 2001-2018. Within the same proposed modular refineries eventually come to life. states located in the south-south According to the NEITI to Niger Delta states from 2000- period, Imo State earned a total Also, Emmanuel Boru, Head of Surveillance, Waterways, IPMAN, region of Nigeria earned N9.53 research, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, 2018, and the debt profile of all of N623.1 billion – with N83.29 stressed that it was the mandate of President Muhammad Buhari to trillion as their share of revenue Delta and Rivers states received subnational governments and the billion as 13 per cent derivation stop the spate of illegal oil thefts and Pipelines vandalism. He expressed from oil revenue between 2000 N1.60 trillion, N1.20 trillion, Federal Capital Territory reveal fund; however, the state owes appreciation and acknowledged the leadership qualities of the National and 2018. N1.38 trillion and N1.54 trillion, the antinomy of the affluence and N148.9 billion; while Edo State President of IPMAN Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo with the believe that Notwithstanding, four of the respectively from 2001 to 2018 the affliction of oil wealth in the earned N114.3 billion during the with him at the helms of affairs, IPMAN will achieve his goals. states are said to be among top and are classified as the top four region. 18 years, but presented a debt indebted states in the country. subnational oil producers and The report stated that com- profile of N83.1 as at September IFAD Gets Positive Credit Rating The states according to NEITI’s revenue earners in Nigeria. munity folks in the states were 2019,” it further said. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has recent ‘Occasional Paper’ which Despite earning so much, the unsatisfied with the application of The NEITI stated that this real- received its first public credit rating. This sets the stage for increased examined the perception of NEITI report noted that four of the oil revenue by their governments, ity, added to the deepening social investments in food security, employment, and rural economic growth, communities on the 13 per cent states are also among the highest adding that, “it is obvious that and environmental consequences and is an important step towards the achievement of the Sustainable oil derivation income to them indebted states in the country. aside Ondo, Abia and Edo (in of extraction, “has turned the Development Goals (SDGs). included Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, It explained that: “As at Sep- that order), the debt profile of all IFAD, disclosed that it is the first fund in the United Nations system Delta, Edo and Rivers. tember 2019, Debt Management the oil producing states in the Continued on page 2424 to receive a public credit rating. The AA+ (stable) rating was announced by Fitch Ratings, which also assigned IFAD a short-term rating of F1+. “The strong rating comes at a critical time when the impacts of COVID-19 threaten to push millions more rural people into hunger FG: One Million Vehicles to Run on Gas by 2021 and poverty. This rating will allow IFAD to strengthen and diversify its resource base, and build global resilience to future shocks,” President The federal government has ENERGY that about one thousand conver- expected to run on Autogas.” of IFAD, Gilbert Houngbo said. expressed its plan to have up sion kits for trucks and smaller He stated that the government As the only global development organisation exclusively dedicated to to one million vehicles - mostly vehicles would be deployed recognised that infrastructure transforming agriculture, rural economies and food systems by making passenger and haulage vehicles Implementation to the Minister nationwide by third parties in deficit such as inadequate them more inclusive, productive, resilient and sustainable, IFAD plays that run on Nigerian roads to of State for Petroleum Resources, the programme while 50 conver- public recharging and re-fuelling a central role in the fight against extreme poverty and food insecurity. start using gas instead of petrol Mr. Timipre Sylva, said Nigeria’s sion centers are currently been locations, consumers’ lack This credit rating adds momentum to international efforts to catalyze or diesel by the end of 2021, in switch to gas as a transport fuel upgraded for mass conversion of awareness of the benefits additional financing to achieve the SDGs by 2030 and ensure no one its new push to enthrone gas as has gained a steady momentum. and trainings. using gas as transport fuel as is left behind. a preferred fuel for the domestic Derefaka who doubles as the According to him, there are well as inadequate capacities economy. Program Manager (PM) in charge also auto assemblers supported for conversion and financing To accomplish this, it explained of the Autogas sub-committee in the country to produce fit- acquisition of conversion kits that it is optimistic that the N250 in the NGEP, explained at a for-purpose dual fuel vehicles, could derail the programme billion financial facility recently TEDx meeting that so far the with over 30,000 vehicles already and as such continued to find earmarked by the Central Bank government working with running on dual fuels in Nigeria. solutions to them including the “Given the record dividend of Nigeria (CBN) to fund the Au- key stakeholders such as gas While the government equally N250 billion CBN facility. yield available in the Nigerian togas programme amongst other processing companies and targets to create two million Speaking on the expected market and given the strong gas initiatives in its National Gas transport unions, have identified new jobs per annum from the benefits of the switch, Derefaka fundamentals of a number Expansion Programme (NGEP) 9,000 service stations across the programme, Derefaka explained noted that a price comparison would help fast-track vehicle country to co-locate Autogas that by the second quarter of 2021, analysis done by the NGEP put of companies that are listed conversion and deployment of dispensing facilities. Forty six of 600 NNPC-leased and affiliate Autogas at N75 litre while petrol on the Exchange, it makes required infrastructure for the these, he noted are owned by co-location stations would have is at N161 per litre. sense that as investors try initiative. the Nigerian National Petroleum been brought into the scheme. He also said that: “It allow to rebalance their portfolio, Speaking on the progress of Corporation (NNPC) and will By then, he said that, “about drivers and fleet managers to they would look at equities” the plan, the Justice Derefaka host the dispensing facility by 1 million conversion kits for reduce PMS use, minimise emis- who is the Technical Adviser the fourth quarter of 2020. trucks and smaller vehicles CEO, NSE (TA) on Gas Business and Policy Furthermore, Derefaka stated will deployed, 1 million vehicles Continued on page 24 Mr. Oscar Onyema 24 THISDAY ˾

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2020 BUSINESSWORLD NEWS

NEITI: OIL PRODUCING STATES RECEIVED N9.53TN IN 18 YEARS NNPC, IDSL Chart Path to Achieving $10 Niger Delta into an epicentre of unmatched contradictions.” “On the one hand the region Production Cost by 2021 is home to highest subnational revenue earners from the Fed- Stories by Emmanuel Addeh “There have been significant adding that the NNPC has now and accountable, which he said entrench transparency. To do eration Accounts, while on the in Abuja efforts to reduce unit cost over taken the bull by the horn to it’s already doing. this, there must be process other hand it shows very limited the years and we have had as remain afloat in business. Tombomieye, maintained that transparency and efficiency, high impacts in terms of the real value The Nigerian National Petroleum high as $41 per barrel as far as He added that the unit cost the downturn has afforded NNPC performance system as well as realised from the huge revenue Corporation (NNPC) and 2014 and it went to $28 in 2019. target remains $10, stressing the opportunity to re-strategise, attention to usable assets,” he allocation and disbursement to its subsidiary, the Integrated Today, the industry average cost is that with the use of technology, and centre its operations around stated In his contribution, the its component states. Data Services Limited (IDSL) about 21 per cent above the global resource sharing promotion and data and remote monitoring IDSL MD reiterated that the mis- “Worse still is that despite said they are continuing the average in 2019 from available reconsidering asset security technologies. sion of the company was to do being the epicentre of several search towards attaining a data,” Tombomieye noted. architecture and renegotiation “This real-time solution will any job given it transparently and development policy initiatives $10 per barrel production cost He said that the recent fall in of contracts, the NNPC will hit eliminate bottlenecks in accessing make sure it exceeds expectations, tailored to respond to the eco- with the deployment of several the international crude oil prices and exceed the target. quality data and creation of a including in acquiring, processing logical needs and the negative cost-cutting measures. calls for a drastic approach in To achieve this, he said that the centralised storage of data to and interpreting data and its consequences of oil extraction, The Chief Operating Officer, appraising cost of doing business, corporation must be transparent enhance decision making and application. the development outcomes from Upstream, NNPC, Mr Adokiye those initiatives have met only Tombomieye and the Managing minimal expectations,” it added. Director of IDSL, Mr Ayebateke The report listed the various Bariwei, both spoke during a government-led developmental webinar, the third in the series interventions initiated for the organised by the NNPC subsid- Niger Delta with minimal iary, tagged: “Leveraging Digital impacts to include the Niger Technology to Improve Asset Delta Development Board, the Management Efficiency.” They Niger Delta Basin Development agreed that the efficient use of Authority, the Presidential Com- technology was one inevitable mittee on 1.5 per cent Derivation way to achieve the target by Fund, the Oil Mineral Producing next year. Areas Development Commission, The COO noted that in the the Niger Delta Development last decade, lack of effective Commission and the Ministry technology solutions and of Niger Delta. uncertainties surrounding the “The interventions in the fiscal and rising operational Niger Delta are yet to reverse costs had continued to impact or significantly improve the on hydrocarbon exploitation, but conditions of poverty and said that the current downturn in underdevelopment of citizens the global market will fast-track of the region”. its adoption. “In order to become more FG: ONE MILLION efficient, the call for digital VEHICLES TO RUN ON revolution in both the digital GAS BY 2021 and commercial area has become sions, decrease of greenhouse very evident. We need to look at AWARD WELL DESERVED gas (GHG) emissions. Better fuel our unit operating cost in terms L-R: Digital Brand Manager, Seven-Up Bottling Company (SBC) Ltd, Justin Essien; Pepsi BBNAIJA Turn Up Task winner, Ozoemena Chukwu; Brand Manager, price stability and reduced fuel of producing oil among all other SBC, Abigail Okala, and National Marketing Manager, Segun Ogunleye, during the presentation of Pepsi BBNaija Turn Up Task prize award to the winner at costs in the long run, displace producers across the world. an event held in Lagos…recently gasoline and diesel use, which reduces reliance on PMS.” “Shifting from PMS to REA Seeks FG, NASS Support to Power 80m Nigerian Homes Autogas gas provides increased flexibility for an oil-dependent The Managing Director of the lawmakers about activities of the Programme (EEP), he noted that play a critical role in the path option as the primary option for transportation system. [It is] Rural Electrification Agency agency and collaborate in terms 37 federal universities and seven towards achieving nationwide electricity access in Nigeria, the highly economical to run. Saves (REA), Mr Salihijo Ahmad, has of legislation, implementation university teaching hospitals had access to electricity, stressing federal government of Nigeria running cost by up to 40-50 per said the agency would need and sustainability of the rural been achieved and the training that power remains one of the is also aware of the need for cent than that of petrol. $2.482 billion to provide access electrification programmes. 180 interns from nine universities enabling components of national decentralised deployment of “The total cost of the conver- to electricity for majority of the Ahmad added that from the with the construction of 1,052 development. electricity infrastructure to sion can be recovered easily from 80 million Nigerians who are estimation of the REA, 72.7 mil- projects. “Though we have recorded serve our constituents across the the savings accrued by use of currently without electricity lion people would have access to “There is a need for better successes, I must confess that country using off-grid solutions,” Autogas in lieu of petrol. There in the next 10 years. electricity through 23,457 power funding of the agency, as well we are still quite far from our he stated. is no spilling when filling the Speaking during a workshop grid projects, 7,882 mini-grids, as the strengthening of financing desired destination with millions In his remarks, Jedy-Agba, pos- tank and no possibility of theft or organised in Abuja for members and 14,117 SHS units with the and business models,” he stressed. of Nigerians having no access to ited that President Muhammadu pilfering. Complete adulteration of the Senate, tagged: ‘Electrifica- work its currently doing. In their separate remarks, the reliable electricity,” Lawan stated. Buhari was strategically targeting free fuel as compared to petrol tion Programmes: Legislation, He listed some of the agency’s Senate President, Mr. Ahmed Lawan added that the fed- more policies and interventions or diesel. Reduce dependence Implementation and Sustain- achievements as the energising Lawan and the Minister of State, eral government as well as the in the power sector, especially on foreign exports and create ability’, Ahmad who listed the of 13,000 shops across economic Power, Mr Goddy Jedy-Agba, members of the ninth national with the recent announcement of a more stable energy market achievements of the agency, said clusters in four states under Ener- noted that off-grid solution assembly had exemplified the the president to deploy 5 million less susceptible to supply price that with better funding and gising Economies Initiative (EEI); remains the best way to reach the willingness as well as the capacity solar-based connections across volatility.” collaboration, the REA can do 12 communities with 19,000 Solar unserved in Nigeria’s rural areas. to deliver on the objectives of Nigeria through the Nigerian a lot more. Home Systems (SHS) through Lawan, who was represented by nation-building as it concerns the Economic Sustainability Plan The programme, according REF and the senate Chief Whip, Senator supply of power to all Nigerians. (NESP). to Ahmad, was to intimate the Under the Energising Education Orji Uzor Kalu, noted that laws “While we optimise the on-grid OPEC: Global Crude Oil Demand to Peak in 25 Years The Organisation of Petroleum oil-producing countries in Africa energy. It projected that world- wind and geothermal energy as demand catching up in the Exporting Countries (OPEC) remains their high sovereign debt wide oil demand was expected was expected to grow by 6.6 sectors hit most by the pandemic, has projected that despite the obligations and cost of debt servic- to increase by about 10 million per cent per year on average including aviation, road transport growing need for renewables ing coupled with geo-political barrels per day (b/d) over the through to 2045, faster than any and industry. Group Business Editor as a source of energy, crude oil issues, which it said would have long term, rising to 109 million other energy source. The forecast would suit OPEC ÌÓØØË
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and its associated products will serious negative impact if allowed b/d in 2040, and peaking at 109.1 The report further indicated members, including Nigeria, Capital Market Editor remain the largest contributor to worsen in the continent. million b/d around 2045. that world crude demand will which will be required to fill Goddy Egene to the energy mix in the next The report agreed with the The latest figures indicated make a strong post-Covid-19 the gap and increase their oil Comms/e-Business Editor 25 years. In its annual World Oil authorities in the Nigerian oil a downward revision of over recovery in 2021-2023 but will market share as non-OPEC supply ××Ë
ÕÙØÔÓ Outlook (WOO) 2020, released and gas industry that natural gas 1 million b/d when compared peak somewhere around 2040 declines in the long term. Senior Correspondent by the cartel’s Secretary General, will be the fastest growing fossil to the 2040 levels projected in and 2045. OPEC added that it Non-Opec crude supply growth ËÒÏÏ×
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(Energy) the energy mix through to 2045, the power generation mix. Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) accounting for more than 27 per OPEC described the impact of recession has resulted in the 1.5mn b/d in 2022 and 2023, spending in upstream oil will cent, followed by gas (roughly the covid-19 pandemic faced by sharpest downturn in energy and respectively. need to average $380 billion/ Reporters 25 per cent), and coal (nearly the industry, especially earlier in oil demand in living memory,” The cartel said its position was yr in 2020-2045 in order to meet ß×Ï
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(ICT) 20 per cent). the year as “an existential threat”, OPEC said in the report yesterday. based on the restored economic demand, with spending dropping Peter Uzoho (Energy) The organisation stated that saying that climate policies will According to the organisation, growth, especially in the major by 32 per cent this year from a major economic constraint for continue to shape the future of the contribution from solar, developing countries, as well 2019, to around $225 billion. THISDAY ˾

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AS NNPC Joins Global EITI Orji Ogbonnaya Orji

The international development community was excited by the recent decision of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to join the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) as a supporting company. The decision followed a request by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and its international partner (the EITI) arising from series of engagements with the company for reforms under the Mele Kyari leadership as Group Managing Director. Kyari, a known technocrat, industry profes- sional and good governance advocate was indeed attending the EITI global conference in Paris, France in June last year when President Muhammadu Buhari surprisingly offered him the job. And so to the EITI community, he was an ally, champion of its principles and standards. Industry watchers therefore received the news as progressive, bold, remarkable development and a window of opportunity to improving governance in the industry. By the decision, the NNPC became the first within the sub Saharan Africa to join a group of over 65 other reputable lead- ing extractives companies. Already, many state-owned enterprises (SOEs), commodity traders, financial institutions and industry partners around the world are within the EITI supporting group. And unknown to many, becoming an EITI supporting company can Mele Kyari help state-owned companies make progress on the journey to transparency. A recent example supporting company aligns with NNPC’s automatically translate to accountability. And on-going dialogue for which NEITI continues is Qatar Petroleum, which became an EITI corporate vision and principles of transparency, that both would instantly result to visible to invest time, energy and resources. supporting company since October 2019. accountability and performance excellence.” impacts in improved infrastructure, creation NEITI’s engagements with the state oil And this has brought fundamental positive “Our partnership with NEITI and EITI of jobs, and poverty reduction. company, the (NNPC) on remediation were in changes in their business modules, boosted the strengthens our commitment towards Looking back, sixteen years after, (2004 -2020), the past characterised by mutual suspicion. It company’s investment profile, and corporate commodity trading transparency, contract the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency has been quite a huge challenge securing the reputation in the global oil, gas and mining transparency and systematic disclosure of Initiative (NEITI) strongly believes that the buy-in of the NNPC into the NEITI process industry. But the new status has put varied revenues and payments. We are on a journey cup is more than half full than half empty as a key partner in the EITI process. And responsibilities on the shoulders of NNPC towards greater transparency and look forward in spite of challenges. Although a lot has the bulk of issues for remedy lie on the in several ways. to deepening our collaboration with the EITI been achieved but a lot more needs to be door-steps of the NNPC. However, under One of the demands would be for the NNPC and NEITI to further this work,” he added. done. One major break-through is in the the new leadership of the Corporation, a new to comply fully to EITI’s supporting company Nigerians are aware that prior to Nigeria’s area of timely availability of current reliable engagement approach based on regular but requirements. These are public disclosure, membership of the extractive industries information and data in the public domain. effective –round-table-communication has transparency, accountability and corporate transparency initiative (EITI), the oil and The gamut of information include but not emerged. responsibility in its operations. Notably, since gas industry in Nigeria was opaque with limited to company payments and government Under new approach, NEITI and the NNPC that decision was made, the global image that information and data from the sector shrouded receipts, crude production, data on lifting, recently established a joint committee on the NNPC instantly attracted to itself and in ingrained secrecy. During this era, Nigerians export and on local consumption. NEITI reports remediation. The committee examined all the country within the oil and gas industry were in no position to ascertain easily either also disclose information on crude theft, loses issues outlined for remedy in NEITI Reports around the world is more than phenomenal. the quantity of crude produced, sold, exported, and the cost to the economy. NEITI reports and advised on a plan to implement them For instance, within the EITI community revenues earned or quantity of crude reserved have so far disclosed huge revenue earnings. within the short, medium and long term. of 54 member countries spread across under- for domestic consumption. The attendant For instance, between 1999 to 2018, NEITI This development helped to restore insti- developed, developing and developed nations, consequences were visible in frustration on reports show that Nigeria earned $666.22 tutional trust, opened fresh opportunities for the NNPC is now seen to be wearing a new the part of the citizens, the media and the civil billion as revenues from oil and gas alone sustained dialogue, inter-agency partnership cap of an institution ready and willing to society through poor access to information, and about $1.18billion from solid minerals and stakeholders’ collaboration. The report reform and conform to global best practices. data and crucial facts required to hold the between 2007 and 2018. of the joint committee is on its final stage of For instance, reacting to the development, companies and the government accountable. NEITI reports go further to breakdown approval for implementation. NEITI’s hope the EITI global chair and the former Prime The situation equally narrowed civic space for the revenue earnings in aggregated and is that the impact of the joint initiative on Minister of New Zealand Rt. Hon. Helen constructive debate and engagement required disaggregated formats. It also breaks down the ongoing reform in the industry will be Clark remarked “NNPC plays a vital role to promote demand for reforms. the data in info-graphics that speak directly quite huge. in Nigeria’s economy. Joining the EITI as a When Nigeria joined the global extractive to physical and governance processes and It is also on the strength of the new approach supporting company is a welcome step in the industries transparency initiative in 2003, the wider implications to poverty issues in that NEITI requested, the NNPC to publish NNPC’s journey towards achieving greater began implementation in 2004 and became the country. its audited accounts. Notably, in June this transparency to ensure that Nigeria’s citizens the first country in the world to support the NEITI has also made information easily year, the NNPC released its audited financial benefit from their natural resource wealth.” initiative with a specific law in 2007, the public available on contracting and governance statement for the first time in 43 years. For us Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Budget and expectations were quite high that enthroning arrangements, commodity trading, beneficial in NEITI, it was` a major milestone in efforts National Planning and former member of the transparency and accountability in the sector ownership, revenue remittances, process, to enthrone transparency and accountability EITI International Board, Zainab Shamsuna would be achieved immediately. physical and fiscal issues that govern the in operations of the Corporation. Ahmed also hailed the decision “increased Nigerians also expected that under the sector. As a result of NEITI interventions, As an EITI member and supporting company, transparency of Nigeria’s national oil company EITI regime, transparency in the sector will Nigerians and investors now easily access the NNPC is required to widen its doors for revenues will contribute to improvements in information on commodity trading, beneficial public scrutiny. This involves commitment the country’s domestic resource mobilisation ownership and other merging issues. NEITI’s to timely and regular publication of its an- efforts” Ahmed who was the immediate past renewed focus on emerging issues is in line nual audited accounts, contract transparency, NEITI Executive Secretary and EITI National with EITI 2019 revised standards. beneficial ownership disclosures, open, fair Coordinator in Nigeria added, “The NNPC NEITI reports have also helped to recover and competitive process in commodity trad- decision is a landmark development in the The NNPC needs revenues to the tune of over $2.3 billion and ing, care for the environment as well as full implementation of EITI in Nigeria”. to urgently initiate disclosed potential recoverable revenues of commitment to corporate governance. The NEITI Executive Secretary, Waziri over $20 billion. The NNPC needs to urgently initiate Adio remarked: “NNPC joining the EITI as remarkable Another major striking feature of NEITII remarkable transformation programmes to a supporting company is a major inflection transformation reports over the years is on identification and meet the new global standards. This will point in the quest for transparency – for the programmes to meet the public disclosure of key remedial issues. A require redefining its strategies and corporate company, for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, plan to support relevant covered entities to values in the areas of operational efficiency, and for the country as a whole. new global standards. fix the problems has also being developed integrity, responsibility to Nigerian laws and her “This is so given how critical NNPC is to This will require and currently a major tool for civil society citizens. It would also involve comprehensive the sector and to the country. NEITI welcomes engagements with relevant companies and review of its corporate institutional ethical this bold commitment. We will continue to redefining its strategies relevant government institutions. behaviour. In this process, the NNPC can work and walk with NNPC to translate its and corporate values in Sixteen years of EITI in Nigeria has shown be assured that NEITI and the global EITI espoused commitments to transparency and that improved citizen’s access to reliable are ready, willing and available to provide accountability into concrete and sustained the areas of operational information and data is key in promoting vital guides. actions and results.” efficiency, integrity, and shaping public debate. It also galvanizes The Group managing Director of NNPC responsibility to Nigerian public demands for reforms of the sector in t%S
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Implications of Nigeria’s CAMA Law on Extractive Sector Ownership Disclosure Obiageli Onuorah

n 2013, Nigeria began its journey towards revealing the real owners of its assets in the extractive industries. By 2016, at the anti-corruption summit which took place in London, President Muhammadu Buhari made Ia pledge alongside other world leaders to work together towards revealing real owners of companies doing business across jurisdictions in the world. A communique issued at the end of that summit highlighted the key role that beneficial ownership (BO) disclosure will play in the fight against corrup- tion and illicit financial flows especially in resource rich and developing countries like Nigeria. “We will enhance transparency over who ultimately owns and controls them, to expose wrongdoing and to disrupt illicit financial flows. As recent events have shown, we need to take firm collective action on increasing beneficial ownership transparency,” an excerpt of the communique read. Further, the communique spelt out how partner- ships between local and international jurisdictions will enhance and facilitate the use of BO to track incidences of corruption among collaborating countries. It specifically said: “We will support developing countries to collect beneficial ownership information and use it in public contracting and CAMA Law 2020, Nigeria has once again blazed “The multi-stakeholder group (MSGs) should assess 2 (e) and (1) of the NEITI Act and Sections 119-123 other sectors work.” the trail of few countries with legal framework any existing mechanisms for assuring the reliability of the CAMA Law. In its earliest policy brief published in May 2016, for beneficial ownership disclosure not only in of beneficial ownership information and agree Furthermore, other sunshine laws in Nigeria NEITI highlighted the dangers of secrecy in the its extractive sector, but for every company doing an approach for corporate entities to assure the could aid ownership transparency. They include ownership of extractive sector assets in Nigeria. In it, business in the country. accuracy of the beneficial ownership information.” the Nigerian Code of Conduct and Tribunal Act the NEITI called on the government to implement The EITI in its 2019 Standards required imple- Though CAMA 2020 does not set any specific 1990 which requires senior government officials and institutionalise ownership transparency as a menting countries to, “document the government’s penalty(ies) for a breach of the provisions of including politically exposed persons to disclose “systematic and more sustainable way of fighting policy and multi-stakeholder group’s discussion Sections 119-123 of the law, it gives bite to the their assets and interests in companies; the Public corruption” on disclosure of beneficial ownership.” EITI requirement 2.5 which recommended that Procurement Act and the Money Laundering Preven- On the fringes, work went on towards getting The global body further recommended that MSGs should require companies to attest to the tion Act which mandate banks and designated a register containing real owners of companies in implementing countries should, “maintain a beneficial ownership declaration form through non-financial institutions to identify and verify Nigeria’s extractive industry in place by January publicly available register of the beneficial owners a, “sign-off by a member of the senior manage- identity of BO of accounts of legal entities carrying 1, 2020, the deadline given by the global Extrac- of the corporate entity(ies) that apply for or hold a ment team or senior legal counsel, or submit out financial transactions. tive Industries Transparency Initiatives (EITI) for participating interest in an exploration or production supporting documentation.” The Bank Verification Number (BVN) requirement all implementing countries to comply with the oil, gas or mining license or contract.” Although recent cases like the OPL 245 (Malabu by the federal government has also put faces to requirement. By December 2019, NEITI’s beneficial Beneficial Owners of extractive assets according oil) are signals that where the intention is anything corporate and private accounts through the use ownership register was in place. The register is to the NEITI are the natural person(s) who directly but noble, entities will hide or misrepresent facts of bio-metric data. publicly accessible on a portal linked to the NEITI or indirectly ultimately owns or controls at least and politically exposed persons and government For now, Nigeria joins the league of countries with website on bo.neiti.gov.ng. five per cent of a corporate entity. officials may use proxies as fronts, the NEITI a specific law on beneficial ownership disclosure. The ultimate game changer, however, is the By the CAMA Law 2020 and the NEITI register Act 2007 in sections 16 Subsection 3, 4 and 5 With the support of the monitoring and whistle new Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 of beneficial owners of companies, Nigeria has have envisaged some of these challenges and blowing role of the media, professional bodies and (CAMA 2020) signed into law by the President met the above requirements demanded of it by provided sanctions for misrepresentation of facts. the civil society, beneficial ownership disclosure in August 2020. CAMA 2020 specifically required the EITI, a milestone for the country and NEITI. This ranged from the fine of N30 million, will deepen and strengthen transparency and individuals and companies in sections 119-123 As NEITI and indeed Nigeria celebrate the to the revocation of the operational license of accountability in Nigeria’s extractive sector, a (Pages 70-73 of the new Act) under the caption: opportunities provided by the provisions of the company, including jail terms and fines key mandate of NEITI. ‘Disclosure of persons with significant control’ to CAMA 2020, implementing sections 119-123 of for directors or other persons involved in the declare their ownership interests and structure. the Act and the Requirement 2.5 (e) of the 2019 management of the company. NEITI should t
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POVPSBIP!HNBJMDPN Abiru’s Bold Imprints on Nigeria Financial Services Sector Mobolaji Olaleye institutions. He also served as the Lagos State Bank with his head high. He had built the bank Commissioner for Finance. into a strong financial institution delivering very Mr. Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru popularly called Until his recent retirement from the banking strong and positive outcomes. For instance, Polaris Tokunbo Abiru’s calm disposition, gentle mien system, Abiru was a star in the financial services Bank 2019 financials reflected Profit Before Tax and unassuming nature can easily give him away galaxy not only in Nigeria but in some African (PBT) of N29.6 billion, very good return ratios as an under-dog. But up his sleeves are winning countries including Sierra Leone. and a modest operating expense ratio in the first aces that have earned him laurels and medals. Owing to his resourcefulness and forthright- full year of operations. From a career which started as a management ness, Abiru was appointed by the Central Bank All income lines net interest, fees and commission, trainee to becoming a boardroom strategist and of Nigeria (CBN) as the Managing Director/ and investment/other income also performed reaching the career pinnacle as the Managing Chief Executive Officer of Skye Bank Plc in July creditably especially in the context of the bank’s Director/CEO of Polaris Bank Limited, he has 2016 with a mandate to execute one of the most birth and transition. The bank’s balance sheet for proved to be someone that cannot be ignored. challenging corporate turnarounds in the history its inaugural year was N1.143 trillion, reflecting Among his peers and those afar, he is a highly of Nigeria’s financial services industry. strong liquidity and improving capitalisation. celebrated economist, chartered accountant, con- He successfully accomplished the task with Among others, Abiru has also served on the summate banker, financial analyst, risk manager, the transition of the defunct Skye Bank Plc into boards of several notable companies including turnaround strategist and transformation leader. Polaris Bank Limited in September 2018, leading Airtel Mobile Networks Limited, FBN Capital He is the candidate of the All Progressives to his re-appointment as the Managing Director/ Limited (now FBN Merchant Bank Limited), FBN Congress (APC) for Lagos East Senatorial bye- Chief Executive Officer of the new bank. Bank Sierra Leone Limited and Nigeria Inter-Bank election holding on October 31. Abiru A transformational leader, who is passionate Settlement System (NIBSS) Plc. Abiru is a corporate giant whose meritorious about efficient deployment of resources and service He is also well decorated with academic and service and contributions to the financial sector He added that, “a deep desire to contribute delivery, Abiru has etched his name in gold for professional honours. These include a B.Sc. (Hons) and national economic growth, across the private towards improving national economic performance saving the country which could have triggered Economics from Lagos State University (LASU), and public sectors in and outside Nigeria, are including in particular national revenue generation, a new wave of distress in the banking sector. alumnus of Harvard Business School and Lagos legendary. industrialisation, infrastructure development, finan- Through the interventionist mission of Abiru Business School respectively, Fellow of the Institute Desirous of another platform and opportunity cial deepening and inclusion, national broadband as MD/CEO and Mr. Muhammed Kabir Ahmad, of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and to serve the people, he has once again raised the coverage, employment generation and poverty a seasoned technocrat as Chairman, Board of Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of stake by putting himself forward to represent the reduction”, would also be a cardinal agenda that Directors respectively of the defunct Skye Bank Bankers of Nigeria (FCIB). good people of Lagos East Senatorial District at he would advance, if elected to the Senate. Plc, and efficient transitioning of the defunct entity His deep knowledge of financial and economic the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly. With about three decade experience, Abiru to new Polaris Bank, hundreds of jobs that could matters as well as corporate governance is a valuable Abiru has assured the people of his constituency parades a rich vast array of dynamic experience have been wiped across the 370 branches of the asset that would impact the quality of legislation that he would leverage his wealth of experience having climbed through the ladder by dint of hard defunct bank were saved. No single employee at the National Assembly. to ensure qualitative representation, facilitate work, dedication, focus and brilliance. He has was laid off, no branch was closed down and infrastructure and human capital development, served in many strategic senior management and no depositor lost money. t0MBMFZF
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social welfare and good governance among others. directorate positions in many foremost financial At the point of departing, Abiru left Polaris -BHPT THISDAY ˾

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FMBN: Institutional Tool for Affordable Housing Delivery

Terungwa Isaac Construction Loan, which is designed to help contributors to the NHF scheme to access elivery of affordable housing is a affordable, long-term housing construction major problem in Nigeria. With finance to build their own homes. Key features a projected population of 263 of the loan comprise a maximum loan amount million by 2030, the current slow of N15 million that can be accessed and paid pace of housing stock develop- back over 15 years at single-digit interest rate Dment, low levels of mortgage penetration and per annum of seven per cent. inadequate access to affordable housing finance The third product is the home renovation loan indeed calls for an “emergency response.” that provides up to N1 million to contributors According to the 2019 Center for Affordable to renovate or carry out improvements on Housing Finance (CAHF) in Africa report, their existing homes and pay back over five housing affordability in Nigeria for most of years at a single-digit interest rate of seven the populace is almost impossible without per cent. a deliberate, concerted, and sustainable The innovative product specifically targets involvement of government. contributors to the National Housing Fund The report further highlighted three key (NHF) who already own their homes and facts: One, that even if private investors are are not seeking mortgage loans to build or willing to partner with the government, the purchase new ones. Because of the ease of investment climate specifically for housing and accessing it, beneficiaries living in rural areas housing finance needs to improve significantly. and own land have been reported to deploy Two, that robust public funding is required the funds to building complete homes using for housing programs to fulfill and target the local building materials. needs of low-income households. The third Yet another innovative affordable housing fact is that the combination of the Federal product is the rent to own scheme. Introduced Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and the by the Dangiwa-led management team, the Family Homes Fund (FHF) provides a major rent to own scheme boasts convenient features route for affordable housing for most low- and that further reduce the financial burden on middle-income earners. homeownership on Nigerian workers. The These conclusions remain valid and relevant FMBN Rent-to-Own housing scheme provides today. Recent positive government housing an easy and convenient payment plan towards policy developments and the visible excitement home ownership for Nigerian workers. they have stirred in the Nigerian housing Specifically, the scheme makes it possible sector lend much credence to their viability. for Nigerian workers to move into FMBN At the core is the Mass Housing Strategy homes – located nation-wide - as tenants, pay envisioned by the National Economic Sustain- for and own the properties through monthly ability Plan (NESP) and recently approved or yearly rent payments spread over periods by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The of up to 30-years. scheme projects to create 1.8 million jobs starting The scheme is available at a single-digit with the construction of 300,000 homes in interest rate of nine per cent per annum on the next 12 months. the price of the property. Properties with a The strategy is hinged on a two-track ap- maximum value of N15 million are eligible proach. The first is to ease bottlenecks in the under the program. Other features include delivery of social housing while the second Dangiwa immediate access to a home for beneficia- track is the delivery of affordable homes ries, early/advanced payment allowable, through direct government interventions in to June 2020. to 2016 (i.e. a total of 20,435 housing units and elimination of equity down payment house construction. First, the bank revealed that it disbursed within the period). requirements and savings of costs related What is notable is the lead roles that the loans totaling over an N100billion. This implies Additionally, a greater number of Nigerian to a mortgage transaction FMBN and the Family Homes Fund are that on average, they were able to successfully workers are benefitting from the FMBN afford- From the NHF Mortgage loan to the structured to play in the execution of these process and disburse loans worth N33bn per able suite of housing loans, at a scale that is rent-to-own scheme, the recurring decimal is bold initiatives. While Family Homes Fund year. This is a major improvement in the unprecedented in its history. According to the affordability: single-digit interest rates, longer is the lead in the track one of the programs speed of delivery. To better appreciate the performance report, the bank provisioned a total terms for payment, zero or minimal equity – which is delivery of social housing to significance of this performance index, it is of 51,608 housing loans – this comprises 4,095 requirement amongst others. By sustaining low-income earners- the Federal Mortgage important to recall that between 1992 and mortgage loans and 47,513 home renovation the momentum of ongoing reforms of the Bank of Nigeria is also given a key role in 2016 – a 24-year period – FMBN averaged a loans within the period. NHF scheme, boosting its financial resilience track two which seeks to deliver 10,840 units paltry N6 billion per year posting a meager These astonishing improvement recorded and ensuring that a greater number Nigerians of the low, medium, and high-income units N153billion in total loan disbursements. To by the Dangiwa-led team within these three that can access these loans, the Dangiwa-led across the six geopolitical zones. stretch the comparison further, the performance years are significant in the history of housing management of the FMBN is providing practical Additionally, the Federal Mortgage Bank of the current management in three-years development in Nigeria at two fundamental proof of how the NHF scheme can directly is also to provide construction financing, trumps that of 14-years performance pre – 2017 levels. One, they provide solid proof that the impact Nigerian workers. for up to 2,667 housing units per year with corporate statistics. often-criticised National Housing Fund (NHF) Yet that is but one level. Another is powering arrangements for off-take being organised Second is the rapid increase in the bank’s Scheme, despite its sub-optimal impact in FMBN’s financing windows for real estate through a Cooperative Housing Development financing of affordable housing stock develop- the first two decades of its establishment, is construction through products such as the Loan Scheme and a National Affordable Work- ment projects across the country. indeed, a good and viable scheme for catalyzing FMBN Estate Development Loan (EDL) with ers’ Housing Scheme. The approved NESP Out of the total figure of 28,175 housing affordable home delivery. Two, they show maximum loan amounts of up to N500 million. document also states that an Executive Order units that the bank has funded since 1992, that the scheme possesses great potential to FMBN uses funds pooled from the NHF to to implement the National Public Buildings about 7,740 units – representing over 27 per act as impact as an institutional enabler of provide affordable loans to reputable private Maintenance Policy will be issued to facilitate cent of the total - fall within the past three affordable housing delivery and above all, developers, state housing corporations and the survey and maintenance work on public years. This indicates that the current FMBN under the right type of leadership. housing cooperatives at single-digit interest buildings. management team delivered an average of The strides signal what is possible. As the rates of 10 per cent per annum to help bridge The top-level recognition of the importance 2,580 housing units per year versus the meager main fulcrum of FMBN’s activities, the NHF the housing deficit through mass production of the FMBN in the execution of the federal 851 yearly average figures for the period 1992 supports the bank’s suite of affordable housing of decent, quality and affordable houses for government led historic housing program is loans that target a critical segment of the ownership by NHF contributors. noteworthy. It serves as a testimonial for the population i.e. workers who fall within the As a result, houses built through the EDL remarkable turnaround that the FMBN has low- and medium-income brackets. Provisioned window are built based on designs that are witnessed in the past three years under the at terms and conditions that are unrivaled in approved by FMBN, do not exceed N15 million leadership of Ahmed Musa Dangiwa and the market, FMBN’s products currently stack in price, and are sold only to NHF contributors. the increasing confidence in the government Additionally, a greater at the top as the average Nigerian worker’s The bank finances infrastructure facilities up in the ability of the management team to best route to affordable housing. to 70 per cent for private developers only deliver on set expectations. number of Nigerian First, consider the FMBN NHF Mortgage while housing corporations and Government Long perceived as a byword for sub-optimal workers are benefitting Loan for one. FMBN leverages funds pooled own development projects are to provide 100 performance, the country’s apex mortgage from the FMBN from the NHF scheme to grant wholesale per cent infrastructure. Another product is institution is building an impressive track loans at four per cent interest rate per annum the Cooperative Development Loan (CDL) to record of high performance. This positive shift affordable suite of to its accredited Primary Mortgage Banks encourage members of cooperatives to access is helping to redefine the government-owned housing loans, at a scale (PMBs) for on-lending at six per cent to NHF funds to build homes for their members. entity as a more effective, innovative, and contributors over a maximum tenor of 30 The key role that the government has given reform-friendly tool for affordable housing that is unprecedented in years. The loan is secured by the mortgaged the FMBN in the delivery of its historic housing delivery to Nigerian workers within the its history. According to property. program is commendable. The turnaround low- and medium-income bracket A contributor to the National Housing Fund reforms initiated by the Dangiwa-led manage- At the heart of it, all is leadership. The the performance report, (NHF) can access up to N15 million through ment team and the results that are already current management of the bank under the the bank provisioned a the licensed PMB of his choice as a mortgage visible as evidenced by latest corporate direction of Dangiwa has championed and total of 51,608 housing loan to build or purchase a home after six performance indicators show that the bank sustained implementation of a reform roadmap months of continuous contributions to the has the right team, is tackling systemic that is delivering remarkable results. loans – this comprises scheme. Loans of up to N5 million attract institutional challenges and is ready and Let us look at the corporate performance 4,095 mortgage loans and zero equity contribution, while those from primed to deliver expected results. results which the bank made public recently N5 million to N15million attracts only a 10 – with a focus on the period from April 2017, 47,513 home renovation per cent interest rate per annum. t5FSVOHXB
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COVID-19: CSR and Healthcare Reforms in Nigeria Chukwuemeka Uwanaka the health insurance pool. The informal sector is mostly found in agricultural production, he socio-economic lockdown that mining, quarrying, small-scale building and took place in Nigeria due to the construction. outbreak of COVID-19 has further The management expertise of the big highlighted to the public and private banks can also be deployed to stemming the sectors, the importance of a good outbound migration of healthcare workers healthcareT system. With average life expectancy that are most needed. That these banks have of 53.95 years, which is below the Sub-Saharan proved adept at not only making significant average of 56 years, the World Health Organisa- financial returns, but also retaining well tion (WHO) ranks Nigeria 187 out of 190 in the trained staff, is a pointer to their ability to quality of healthcare system, translating to one provide management support that can reverse of the fifth worst healthcare systems in the world. the trend of migration among health workers. Average spending and out-of-pocket While some will question the relevance of payment is $6 per person and 72 per cent the management knowledge and experience respectively, compared to $3,235 per person in the financial sector being applicable to and 10 percent respectively in the United the health sector, it is important to note that Kingdom. For example, there are only 100 managers and Ministers of Health in many psychiatrists in Nigeria i.e. 1 to 1.7mil as developed countries with high average life against 1 to 8400 in Canada. This is as one in expectancy, do not have medical background, five will need a psychiatrist at some point in but management backgrounds. Jeremy Hunt, their lifetime. Medical tourism, which costs the longest serving Health Minister in British Nigeria over $1 billion annually, is another political history as well as Andrew Lansley, his outcome of the poor state of healthcare in the predecessor and Matt Hancock his successor, country. who do not have any medical background, The first confirmed case in the country come to mind. The United Kingdom (UK) on February 27, 2020 and subsequent cases, remains one of the main medical tourism exposed a lot more, the vulnerabilities of the Buhari destinations, as well as destination for migrat- country’s healthcare system. The economic ing Nigerian medical professionals, especially effects of the virus were responsible for the possibly provide a good fit. The private sector healthcare, particularly for the poor and the under the recently introduced ‘Health and significant intervention of the private sector in being referred to here are the major financial vulnerable, alongside Primary Health Care Care Visa’ policy that makes it cheaper, Nigeria’s healthcare system, with the provision institutions in Nigeria such as United Bank Under One Roof (PHCUOR), has not yielded quicker and easier for healthcare professionals of isolation centres by THISDAY Newspaper for Africa (UBA), Zenith Bank, GTBank and the desired results, six years after. to migrate to the UK. Indeed, it was during at THISDAY Dome and GT Bank alongside Access Bank, who also stand out as some of The outcome of these poor choices and the tenure of Prof. Eyitayo Lambo, an econo- financial donations and medical support such the largest contributors to government’s effort management approaches also reflects in vital mist, as Nigeria’s Minister of Health that very as N5 billion by UBA Foundation, N1.35 in managing COVID-19. The financial sector human resource migration, with less than significant improvements were made in health billion by BUA, and N1.5 billion by Dangote is one of the few sectors that have remained 20,000 out of the 33,000 registered doctors insurance coverage through the implementa- Foundation, among others. Some went a step resilient despite GDP decline, as the sector’s in Nigeria practicing, while a staggering 40 tion of the National Health Insurance Scheme further to begin the provision of permanent contribution to GDP in Q2-2020 increased by percent have migrated, due to lack of required (NHIS), about 40 years after conception. health structures, such as the 200-bed Infec- 28.4 percent. It should also be mentioned here investments. Another 4,000 doctors might To be clear, the PHCs are not being tious Disease medical centre at Imo State Uni- that some of these banks have in recent years, leave Nigeria between August and December converted to full blown bank branches. The versity Teaching Hospital by Seplat Petroleum. been publishing Annual Social Responsibility of 2020 according to the Vice-President of economic activities in rural locations where A lot of these private sector contributions, Reports in line with Nigerian Sustainability Resident Doctors, even as Nigeria struggles to many of these health centres are located do which by some estimates surpass the provi- Business Principles (NSBPs) and the Global manage not only COVID-19, but also existing not make a business case for full branches. sions of government, can be characterized as Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards. healthcare challenges. The recent Nigeria However, sufficient banking presence for cash a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility Financing stands out as the main problem, Health Workforce Country Profile shows an and other financial transactions will compel (CSR). These actions are their philanthropic as the national budgetary allocation for health increase in the number of doctors seeking the banks to make the necessary investments responsibilities, given that are under no legal in recent years has consistently been below migration from 656 in 2014 to 1551 in 2018. in the environment of the health centres, obligation to do so. However, the realization the 15 percent recommended in the African What then can both the government and even as they have to maintain their brand of what poor response to the virus will mean Union’s ‘Abuja Declaration’ of 2001. In federal private sector do, practically? image. The banks will deploy their expertise to the economy where they do business, was budget estimates for 2020, allocations to basic As these big banks have demonstrated in rural and agent banking, in not only also a motivating factor for their responses. healthcare delivery and capital expenditure capacity in managing many branch networks improving health insurance coverage, but A lot of these contributions were through the declined, when compared to the budget and agents across the 36 states, FCT, 774 LGAs also supporting primary healthcare. PHCs Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)-led private of 2019. This is as Nigeria records annual and foreign countries, such expertise should be can become payment locations for health sector Coalition against Covid-19 (CACOVID). population growth of 3 percent, and therefore deployed in the management of PHCs. A lot insurance subscriptions and agent banking, As countries shut their borders and restrict- requires a growing health budget, not a of their CSR activities can be streamlined into as most of the big banks have insurance ed support to other countries, the realisation reducing budget. N46 billion was allocated for PHCs, which will also serve as contact points arms which can also play the role of Health that countries should attain self-sufficiency in capital expenditure, compared to N47 billion for state and community health insurance Management Organisations (HMOs). critical sectors such as healthcare became more in 2019, representing a 2.13 percent reduction. scheme contributions. In return, the PHCs What is also envisaged is that with a pronounced. Indeed, Nigerians marveled at Similarly, the Basic Health Care Provision can serve as part of the branch networks solvent health financing sector in place, the speed with which private sector driven Fund (BHCPF) decreased by 13.12 percent for the banks, a win-win situation. These financial institutions can be encouraged intervention in healthcare infrastructure from N51.22 billion in 2019 to N44.50 billion in banks therefore will have the responsibility of to invest in the education and training of were quickly developed. Working together, 2020. With these, Nigerian prosperous financial providing clean and maintained environments medical professionals and health economists, it demonstrated the quick goals that can be institutions may just be best positioned to that they are known for, with a real estate who are required for Nigeria’s growing attained when the private sector works closer contribute in resolving some of these financial agreement that will ensure equitable owner- population. They will as well support vac- with government. problems, as will be explained in later in this ship. While it provides a cost effective means cine production and manufacturing of medical As no crisis should be wasted, the question essay. for bank expansion and financial inclusion equipment. therefore arises - what new approaches can The foundation of every good healthcare as part of the National Financial Inclusion Quite a significant portion of Nigeria’s be explored by government in partnering the system is Primary Health Care (PHC). Nigeria Strategy (NFIS 2012), it will also lead to a health professionals in the diaspora are private sector towards improving Nigeria’s has 30,000 PHC facilities across the 774 local drastic reversal of the eyesore that are many desirous of contributing to Nigeria, as exempli- healthcare system in a sustainable manner? governments of the country. A lot of these PHCs in Nigeria. Communities where traction fied by the number of medical missions they The challenges of healthcare in Nigeria are PHCs are in a state of disrepair with only on community health insurance subscription conduct. The involvement of these financial many, though a few stand out. They include 20 percent of them in working condition, has been hindered by trust issues will feel institutions can provide them with more insufficient financing, management and thereby restricting access to healthcare for the more comfortable with depositing their health confidence and structure to optimize their human resource shortfalls, insufficient drugs, populace, and putting undue pressures on the insurance contributions at PHC located banks. interventions. lack of sufficient personnel, poor treatment of secondary and tertiary healthcare institutions. This will therefore reduce out-of-pocket patients and infrastructure and poor hygiene. With 75 per cent out-of-pocket spending payments and contribute to increased financ- Uwanaka, a policy analyst, writes With insufficient financing and human rate and 4 percent health insurance coverage, ing for the healthcare system. The increased through [email protected] resource shortfalls being the most prominent the National Health Act (NHA) of 2014 which presence of banks at rural areas that will come challenges in the healthcare sector, sections of led to the establishment of the Basic Health with this proposition also allows for a more NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the the private sector that have excelled in financ- Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) that aims to structured approach in enrolling the informal online edition on www.thisdaylive.com ing and human resource management could remove financial barriers to accessing primary sector of Nigeria, estimated at 65 percent, into Huggies Gets New Distributor for Nigeria country. Clark, Ehab Abou-Oaf, said: “We and we firmly believe that MCPL, of products to consumers across mitted to delivering essential Dike Onwuamaeze The KCN in 2019 commenced are committed to our investment with their far-ranging presence the country. products to its consumers in the building of a manufacturing and expansion plans in Nigeria and decades of experience, are the “Our partnership with MCPL Nigeria. We use sustainable The Multipro Consumer Products facility in Ikorodu, Lagos State, and we’re very excited about right partners to help us achieve will not only allow us to benefit practices that support a healthy Limited (MCPL) has been nomi- which would begin operations where we are heading. We have that nationwide.” from a stronger distribution planet and build stronger com- nated as the exclusive national during the first half of 2021 as been hard at work for some time This partnership with MCPL, network across the country,” munities. distributor of Kimberly-Clark part of its accelerated growth now to strengthen our presence according to Abou-Oaf, repre- says Abou-Oaf, adding that “it The MCPL is reputed to Nigeria (KCN) brands such as plans in the country and in the Nigerian market and be sented one of the core pillars is a culmination of our ongoing be the largest and strongest Huggies and Kotex in Nigeria, as increased investments in the part of the country’s dynamic of Kimberly-Clark’s long-term plans to accelerate our invest- distribution company in Nigeria, part of the KCN ongoing growth manufacturing sector and job and fast growing economy. strategy of contributing towards ments behind our brands and which started its operations with plans in Nigeria that would pave creation. “A big part of our ambitions the growth of the Nigerian to build our capabilities so we a single product (Indomie) in 1996 the way for their products to The Vice President of Middle is to establish faster, better and economy through increased local can serve consumers better.” and made Indomie a household reach more consumers in the East and Africa at Kimberly- closer routes to our consumers manufacturing and distribution Kimberly-Clark said is com- brand in Nigeria. THISDAY ˾



ͯͱ˜ 2020 29

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L-R: Deputy Director, Women Development, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Adamu Samaila; Representative L-R: Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi and National Security Adviser to the President, of the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Oladipo Funke; and the Publisher, Phenomenal People Magazine, Evelyn Maj-Gen Babagana Mongonu during the e-FEC Meeting held at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja... Oyilo, during a media training on reporting violence against women and girls in Abuja...recently recently PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

L-R: CEO, RED For Africa, Adebola Williams; Managing Director, Sterling Bank, Abubakar Sulieman; Managing Director, MedPlus Pharmacy, Mrs. Joke Bakare; Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouk; Co-founder, Project Ark, Mrs. Alero Ayida-Otobo, and CEO 9mobile, Alan Sinfield, during a meeting with the Minister and stakeholders in the private sector in Lagos..recently PHOTO: DAN UKANA

L-R: National Industrial Relations Officer, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Comrade Kelechi Ogwulo; Branch Secretary, Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Agency ( NNRA), Comrade Olatunde Malik-Agbalaya; PENGASSAN Chairman, Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) Branch, Comrade Ifreke Udeme; and the Branch Chairman, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, Comrade Ojede Wife of Kogi State Governor, Mrs Rashida Bello; distributing relief materials to flood victims at the Internally Ayodele addressing newsmen, during a protest on IPPIS infractions and shortfall in salary in Abuja...recently Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Koton Karfe, Kogi State...recently

L-R: Special Adviser to the Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Mufutau Ogo; Head of Marketing of NAN, Mrs Margret Iroha; NAN Managing Director, Mr Buki Ponle; Commandant General, Nigeria Some electorates waiting patiently after voting to make sure their votes count during Ondo 2020 Governorship Security and Civil Defence (NSCDC), Abdullahi Mohammed and Editor-in-Chief of NAN, Mr Idonije Obakhedo, Election in Akure...recently during the NAN Managing Director’s visit to the NSCDC Headquarters in Abuja...recently 30 THISDAY ˾
TUESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2020 PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT Lekki Gardens Upgrades, Beautify Estates to Delight Clients Bennett Oghifo wealth for its investors with ing thoughtfulness and care a transformational approach to to all its residents. Buying a Lekki Gardens, Nigeria’s the Nigerian real estate market. home with Lekki Gardens is premier pan-African property The Chief Engagement by far the best decision I have investment company is upgrad- Officer of Lekki Gardens, ever made.” ing and beautifying some of its Akinwande Romeo said, “At Since the upgrade, residents estates in a bid to continually Lekki Gardens, a renewed in those estates now enjoy satisfy its clients. drive for excellence and quality the ultimate luxury living The company took its cus- has birthed an unending quest experience with the best in tomer service and satisfaction for precision and impeccable class construction technology, a step further by going back to delivery. This sets her apart pristine finishing options, lav- some of their estates in Lagos from others in the industry, ish and luscious living and and Port Harcourt, renovating delivering your home is not dining areas, as well as state them at no cost to residents. the end of the journey for us of the art residential amenities. This laudable and highly in this case, we revisited a Giving reason for the uncommon act provides high couple of our projects which upgrade and beautification of economic value to its customers, have been completed for about their estates, the company’s as it increases durability and five years now and we gave Technical Special Adviser, Mr. thus the value of their homes, them an upgrade and facelift.” Damilola Suara, said, “For us at while saving cost for them. They quoted a home owner, Lekki Gardens, our customers Lekki Gardens, which is Mr. Yomi Adelabu as saying, are at the center of all we do renowned for hands-on ap- “My friends couldn’t stop and this commitment fuels our proach to putting the needs congratulating and commend- resolve to continually serve and of its customers first, said in ing me for an upgraded and deliver excellence to them. We a statement it would continue more beautiful space at our will not relent, as our primary Lekki Gardens 1 innovative practices, customer- last Friday Games Night. I goal here at Lekki Gardens centric culture. appreciate the Lekki Gardens is to build trans-generational on value of their property. committed to delivering value Gardens, we do not deliver The company added that Management for this highly wealth for our clients so we “From our inception in 2012, to our customers and this is and leave, we are with you it would continue to build generous act and their unend- continue to help them improve we have been unwaveringly evident in all we do at Lekki every step of the way.” Fashola Commends Lagos’ Residents for Patience During Road Rehabilitation Fadekemi Ajakaiye and the Lagos State Govern- Programme, which has been till Sunday midnight in order the inconvenience. This is the The closing of the Alaka-end ment for their understanding the focus of the Mohammed to allow for curing of the first closure which is coming of the bridge was to prevent Minister of Works and and forbearance during the Buhari administration,” he concrete,” he said. after 3 joints. We will be back accident as a side of the bridge Housing, Mr. Babatunde bridge maintenance and reha- said. He stated that the bridge again when it is time to close, was already collapsing. The Raji Fashola has commended bilitation program, which is “On this Third Mainland will be opened to users by but we will try and work with current maintenance work Lagos’ residents for their one of many being undertaking Bridge, we have seen the joint Monday, and the diversions what we think is the most undertaken to fix the expan- cooperation and tolerance so nationwide,” he said. and bearing replacement at will return, as work has not optimal time, that is, Friday sion joint at the bridge has far as the ministry undertakes “We have over 50 bridges different stages, the freshly finished. “We are going to to Sunday,” he stated. already reached 83 percent the maintenance and rehabilita- receiving national maintenance, drilled, replacement, jet spray- finish this program in January Fashola stated that part of completion stage, he said. tion of the state’s roads and repair, and refurbishment ing for effective binding, and next year,” he said. the National Asset Mainte- He enjoined all that after bridges. across the country in con- lastly the pouring of concrete “We are going to have some nance Programme approved the project is completed, that He stated this during his formity with the National to protect the work done. We more closures, until we get by the Federal Executive the assets should be protected tour of the Third Mainland, Infrastructure Maintenance regrettably have to close down to the end of the project. Council, is not just to restore and traders be prevented from Eko, and Marine Beach bridges Programme and the National the bridge between Adeniji Ideally, we are supposed to national infrastructure but selling under these bridges as in Lagos, recently. Infrastructure Renewal, Ex- Adele and Adekunle for 48 close every time we get to each also to provide employment their activities cause damage “I want to thank the people pansion, and Development hours, that is, Friday midnight joint, but we have minimised opportunities for the people. to them. NIOB Embarks on Building Materials Research, Development Fadekemi Ajakaiye The President of the NIOB, eco-crete blocks.” on some pre-independence ing in Nigeria was built in Nigerian, underscored the Bldr. Kunle Awobodu said the He said the conference buildings in Nigeria. 1845 at Badagry. He inferred importance of building Research and utilisation of lockdown occasioned by the presented the best opportunity He stated that such survey that these buildings which development as a reflection research results into local COVID-19 pandemic exposed for actors in the building ma- was done on Da Rochas were subjected to scientific of the level of development building materials remain the the weaknesses and challenges terials ecosystem to meet and house, which was built in 1874 tests were products of good of society. He enjoined frank- key to resetting the building in the building construction ultimately actualise research in the Lagos Island. Of equal materials and workmanships. ness and truthfulness among industry and preventing it value chain, especially with reports, and restated the ef- importance was the Shitta-Bey Meanwhile, the Minister stakeholders in the building from shocks and vulner- respect to the materials that forts of the NIOB to conduct Mosque built in 1892. The of Interior, who spoke in delivery process to address abilities. were being imported. building condition survey first two- storey church build- his personal capacity as a its challenges. This is one of the key points He said, “The lockdown of the just concluded 50th thus affected the continuation Annual General Meeting and and completion of projects Regulatory Bodies to Engage FG on Local Content Law Conference of the Nigerian when material inputs were Institute of Building, with the not readily available. The Bennett Oghifo Arc. (Sir) Dipo Ajayi, President of the Murtala M. Aliyu, President, QSRBN, theme, ‘ Building Materials: NIOB thus decided to turn the forum, who condemned lack of local advised that the forum should consider Research, Creativity and challenge to opportunity for The Forum of Regulatory Bodies of Built content in projects across the country, enforcement as a key issue and courtesy Development’. looking inward with respect Environment in Nigeria (FORBBEN) has urged members of the group to work visit should be paid to the Minister of The two-day conference, to sourcing of materials which resolved to engage the federal govern- towards eliminating their differences State, the Minister and Chief Justice of which was a mixture of would align with the local ment on the nation’s local contact law. scale up professionalism within the the Federation and Inspector General virtual and physical modes, content policy thrusts of the FORBBEN, an umbrella body of heads sector. of Police. attracted participants from government.” of built environment regulatory agen- Ajayi also noted that no nation thrives Aliyu, who lamented how all layers of various parts of the world. The NIOB, he said has cies in Nigeria, said it is committed to mainly on importation of either the government import all kinds of projects The participants included top a crop of builders who uplifting professionalism in the industry. materials or the services, saying, it with all sort of conditions, charged government functionaries, are researchers in building The Forum consists Architects Reg- was high time they ensured the law his colleagues to step their game on private sector organisations, materials and whose research istration Council of Nigeria (ARCON); on local content was implemented to regulations of the profession and the professional associations in the works and outputs can make Estate Surveyors And Valuers Registra- the letter. sector to prevent total collapse. built environment, academics a difference in building project tion Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON); Umar Murnai, ARCON Registrar Prof. Kabir Bala, Chairman, CORBON, and researchers. implementation in Nigeria. Town Planners Registration Council of urged the sector’s regulatory bodies charged FORBBEN to take charge of The Minister of Interior, “Some of the research works Nigeria (TOPREC); and the Council to always come together, make collective the activities of the built environment Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who focused on using rice husks, for the Regulation of Engineering in pronouncements by constantly advising and professionally respect one another. is also an engineer, chaired corn cob ash as partial replace- Nigeria (COREN); Council of Regis- governments at all levels in Nigeria, Ahmad Yabagi, who represented the occasion. The Director ment for cement, the use of tered Builders Of Nigeria (CORBON); enforce the content and spirit of the COREN President, urged the group General of the Nigerian nut oil in cement mortar, Council Of Registered Builders Of Local Content Act and appraise the to be in control of the local content Building and Road Research turning of used tyres into Nigeria (CORBON) and Surveyors younger colleagues on the need to statute and other laid down rules and Institute, Professor Samson bituminous products for Council of Nigeria (SURCON) met always respect other professions. regulations. Duna attended virtually. The construction of flexible pave- recently in Abuja during which they He said there was need for all the Isyaku Kura, President TOPREC, Presidents of the professional ments or roads, the use of discussed sundry issues confronting nation’s built environment regulatory noted that all professions in the country bodies in the built environ- plastics in the production of the real sector. bodies to be on budget line. are presently bastardised. ment were present. building materials especially THISDAY ˾
TUESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2020 31 PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT Banuso: Government Should Create Policies to Govern Use of Technologies The Country Manager for Microsoft Nigeria, Akin Banuso says in this interview that government’s role should be to create policies and strategies that govern the generation, acquisition, adaptation, diffusion, and use of technologies and technological knowledge in the country. He also discusses other developmental issues

hat has been ensuring your ability to adapt cloud provisioning allows for ing with complex regulations, the effect of to the current challenges and other technology infrastructure Microsoft is uniquely positioned COVID-19 how it has been leveraged deployments. Information and to help you meet your compliance on businesses to rise above them. Think of communication are two key obligations. and how has Microsoft as the producer of aspects of governance. The cloud WMicrosoft been coping in the building blocks of software allows government to protect What is your view about terms of business sustain- development. By partnering with the data and information of its digital inclusion in Nigeria? ability? government and business, we citizens, innovate on services and To what extent has it helped COVID-19 is impacting are able to support their use of improve service delivery, increase the economy to grow? everyone around the world these building blocks to create their agility and productivity. An inclusive digital economy and every aspect of our daily the software and tools to meet For Nigeria, cloud computing ensures that the most vulnerable lives: our social interactions, our their specific needs. We can look migration will catalyse the digital of society, those in poverty, those family life, our communities. At at the many ways digital can transformation of public institu- with disabilities and those with Microsoft, we’re working to do improve on governance alone. For tions leading to more efficient inadequate skills are able to create our part by ensuring the safety example, imagine you are able to e-governance models that will better lives for themselves and of our employees, striving to report potholes, electrical faults maximise citizen welfare. Cloud their families. Ensuring inclusion protect the health and well-being or other similar issues to your allows organisations to “rent” is critical for the development of of the communities in which we local government as it happens the time they need only for the any economy. But, besides the operate, and providing technol- from your phone, response time time they need it and therefore moral and social obligations to ogy, tips and resources to our to these issues would quicken. can enable the horsepower of inclusion there is also the simple customers to help them do their technologies such as AI with math of the matter. If more best work while remote. Nigerian government is Banuso significantly less costs than it people are able to meaningfully keen at digitizing the public would normally require while participate in the economy, more COVID-19 has brought and private sector in line with Having realised the need such as ensuring access to edu- having access to the same level people are able to make money about a new normal for global digital transformation. for economic diversification, cation for all, creating a better of capabilities. and therefore more are able to businesses and governance. How will Microsoft assist government is exploring new healthcare system that all citizens spend money, contributing to What are the best strate- government in achieving avenues outside of oil and have access to, creating new job What is the level of public the economy and fostering its gies for organisations and digital Nigeria? gas to keep the economy opportunities for the significant cloud adoption in the country, growth. government to survive Microsoft’s mission is to running. How do you see youth population, and all in all and how has Microsoft been post-COVID-19 era? empower every person and software technology as the creating a world where everyone able to assuage business Microsoft has been op- Making use of the tools and organisation on the planet to game changer for economic can pursue a future of health owners of the perceived erating in Nigeria for quite resources available is key to help- achieve more, and since estab- diversification? and happiness. fear about cyberattacks on some years. To what extent ing address the challenges faced lishing a presence in Nigeria in Nigeria must pursue every Digital transformation can organisations’ data? has Microsoft supported local by businesses and governments 2000 this has been the ultimate opportunity for economic not only diversify the country’s Cloud adoption in Nigeria has software development in the alike. If the right technology is goal. Technology solutions and growth. Technology presents economy, but also increase been sub-optimal. Bridging these country? used effectively, they can do more human capacity building are several opportunities for growth its national competitiveness, services closer to public sector As highlighted in the than just survive, they can thrive. two keyways we have been in Nigeria without being tied productivity, and innovation. is imperative for modernising whitepaper, we have launched Both organisations and govern- working to do this, but this down to finite resources. Creating Nigeria’s digital potential doesn’t governance and maximising several initiatives and introduced ments must take advantage of alone is not enough. To ensure a digital Nigeria will help the lie within technology itself but the benefits of e-governance. programs that support with the opportunities presented by that the benefits of technology country achieve its social and can be found within its abundant Microsoft is working with govern- skilling, employment, funding to the Fourth Industrial Revolution reach those who need it most economic development goals human capital. We need to take ment to help develop the right support novel projects that create to create a digital Nigeria. The it is important for government by ensuring financial inclusion steps to leverage that resource policy frameworks and legislation and deploy AI tools to improve creation of a digital Nigeria to take deliberate action and and increasing the number of to act as a catalyst for Nigeria’s that ensures that technologies the way we monitor, model, will help the country achieve develop clear strategies that citizens who can meaningfully transformation by ensuring that are not misused and remain understand, and ultimately social and economic growth and will allow them to use technol- participate and hold a stake in the everyone is able to take part trusted. Microsoft has extensive manage Earth’s natural resources development. The recommenda- ogy to support socio-economic economy. The country will be of the digital economy we are expertise in protecting data and for a more sustainable future and tions laid out in the Microsoft development in the country. This able to claim its share in the $11.5 looking to create. This inclusivity championing privacy and our most importantly transforming position paper – Enabling a is why Microsoft has created this trillion global digital economy can only be facilitated through the trusted cloud is built on the businesses in Nigeria to acceler- Digital Nigeria – are steps that positioning paper, to outline the while also supporting the better- erection of the right infrastructure foundations of security, privacy, ate their digital transformation will enable the country to meet concrete steps that government ment of sectors such as healthcare, along with knowledge and skills and compliance. Driving cloud journey. Those include: economic development goals by needs to take to drive Nigeria’s service delivery, and education. development. Additionally, the adoption in the country requires r
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sectors? economic development in ecosystem whereby people will digital economy across all levels assuage concerns surrounding responsible innovation Government’s role should be to Nigeria. We are working with not only be able to participate in of governance. Microsoft offers safety and security and help to *Ditigal economy series in create policies and strategies that government to execute these the country’s economy but at a a number of solutions to help drive up cloud adoption. (partnership witrh the Lagos govern the generation, acquisition, recommendations to ensure global level as well. As technology with enterprise and public sector Business School) adaptation, diffusion, and use that Nigeria is able to create a is already a significant part of transformation including, but What is Microsoft’s position *Government AI summit of technologies and technologi- sustainable and inclusive digital all most aspects of life and will not limited to; Azure for all on data generation, storage r$MPTJOH
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cal knowledge in the country. ecosystem that all are able to increasingly become a part of our AI, machine learning, and IoT and protection, in line with enhancing empployability Setting and implementing the benefit from. work, schooling and more, the needs, 365 Dynamics which NITDA’s Data Protection *Coding for Employment (In right policy helps to remove skills developed within the digital helps build intelligence into Regulation? Partnership with the African red tape while at the same Survival of SMEs is essen- economy will open up many decision-making, and PowerBI, The generation, storage and Development Bank) time ensuring that technology tial for national development. new doors and opportunities. a powerful analytics tool which protection of data should be *DigiGirlz is safely and sustainably used, How will Microsoft leverage can be used to provide insights regulated so as to ensure the *Accelerate Labs thus driving investment. technology to drive small What is your view about on connected data. right to privacy for each and *Basic Digital Education businesses in Nigeria? digital transformation, and every citizen. Microsoft has Initiative As a software company, how Technology is a key driver what are some of the solu- Microsoft has been promot- robust security and compliance *Imagine Cup will you encourage software of business growth for SMEs. tions from Microsoft that can ing cloud adoption among programs which allow our *AppFactory development at this critical In fact, emerging technologies quicken digital transformation organisations. How will cloud customers to assess Microsoft *Tek Experts period where organisations such as AI and cloud computing in Nigeria? computing help in achieving services against their own legal *Nigerian Women Techsters are struggling for survival and are able to help SMEs level the I believe that digital transfor- e-governance? and regulatory requirements, r$SFBUJOH
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what value can software bring playing field with larger organ- mation is not only about bringing Public cloud adoption provides including the NITDA’s Data impact to the table at this time? isations and remain competitive people, data and processes government with critical savings Protection Regulation. Our *Device Donation Digital technologies have across all levels of business. together into one space, but on IT infrastructure, operational team of compliance experts *Employee Volunteering always been touted as a critical Promoting digital services also effectively harnessing the and maintenance costs, and even also works with Microsoft Program element for the public and private across Nigerian SMEs is a transformative power of disrup- lower energy costs. This frees engineering and operations *AI for Earth Grant sector in the same way, but the key pillar under the Nigerian tive technologies to empower up budget funds for investment teams across all cloud services, *Cloud & Software Donations current environment has really government’s National Digital people to become, and do, more. in other pressing areas for as well as external regulatory to Nonprofit shone a spotlight on how vital Economy Policy and Strategy, It is about using the advanced socio-economic development. bodies, to help customers meet *Cash & Technology Grants they are. We have seen how one we aim to support. resources available in the world Additionally, the economies- their compliance needs. With its *Grants: Cash, Technology critical technology has been in to help address social challenges, of-scale efficiencies that public extensive expertise in comply- and Airband 32 THISDAY ˾

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2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE DPR Upbeat about Oil Reserve, FDI Inflow Peter Uzoho billion barrels oil condensate the country’s vast human and reserve by 2025 was realistic natural resources put it in a The Department of Petroleum and achievable. vantage position as Africa’s Resources (DPR) has restated He hinged the agency’s largest economy. its belief in a brighter future for optimism on the policies and “Nigeria is positioned to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. programmes being churned optimally develop its oil and The agency also expressed out and implemented by the gas resources for the benefit optimism about the realisation of federal government, including of stakeholders who are the the anticipated 40 billion barrels the ongoing bid rounds for ordinary Nigerians. oil reserves and increased Foreign marginal oil fields, construc- “Reforms in the oil and gas Direct Investments (FDIs) to the tion of gas pipelines across the sector are geared toward realising country. country as well as refineries and government’s aspirations. Speaking recently at the Society petrochemicals development. “Government’s target to of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Auwalu, said Nigeria was increase our oil condensates Abuja Section 199 Independence also planning to increase its and gas reserves by 2025 is Day Virtual Lecture, the Direc- gas reserve to 210 trillion realistic and achievable with tor of DPR, Mr. Sarki Auwalu, cubic feet (TCF) by 2025 and the programmes and policies said that Nigeria’s target of 40 220TCF by 2030, adding that being put in place,” he said. UN Water Mandate Launched in Nigeria The United Nations CEO said it marked a significant have endorsed the mandate,” Water Mandate in Nigeria milestone for the NESG, saying it he added. In his keynote ad- has been launched by the underscored the group’s mission dress, the Federal Minister for Nigeria Economic Summit to be an enabling platform for Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Group (NESG), as part of mobilising the private sector to Hussein Adamu, said there had pre-summit events leading up tackle challenging economic and been a decline in investments to to the 26th Nigerian Economic social issues which confront our water supply infrastructure by MARKET INDICATORS Summit (NES). nation. the state governments, “therefore, The initiative was to galvanise “This mandate is a UN Global there is a need for private sector MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA) the private sector to actively com- Compact initiative that mobil- participation.” mit to improving water resources ises business leaders on water, On the need for private sector JULY 2020 management for sustainable use sanitation, and the Sustainable participation, working with the Money Supply (M3) 36,822,751.47 for businesses and individual Development Goals. Endorsers of government agencies, the CEO, consumption. the CEO Water Mandate commit NESG, Mr. Laoye Jaiyeola, af- -- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors 3,476,121.25 According to a statement, to continuous progress against firmed that Nigeria would need Money Supply (M2) 33,346,630.22 the CEO Water Mandate was six core elements of stewardship to invest at least 1.7 per cent of officially launched by the Chair- and in so doing understand and its GDP, annually, to prevent the -- Quasi Money 120,764,479.02 man, NESG, Mr. Asue Ighodalo. manage their own water risks. country from becoming water -- Narrow Money (M1) 12,582,151.19 Speaking at the event, he Presently, 175 companies, globally, stressed. ---- Currency Outside Banks 2,002,026.89 Winners Emerge in Wema Bank’s Royal Kiddies’ Award ---- Demand Deposits 10,580,124.31 Net Foreign Assets (NFA) 7,637,137.23 Wema Bank has disclosed that Royal Kiddies annual award Royal Kiddies Award is here to it has rewarded 20 of its Royal demonstrates the banks unwav- stay and urged parents who are Net Domestic Assets(NDA) 29,185,614.24 Kiddies account holders through ering support for its customers yet to open the account for their -- Net Domestic Credit (NDC) 39,711,115.95 an announcement made during especially at a time when most children between the ages 0-12 the virtual selection held recently. families are facing the financial years to do so. ---- Credit to Government (Net) 19,521,851.08 According to the bank, a total hardship posed by the global Similarly, Head Brands & of 20 winners emerged with six outbreak of COVID-19. Marketing Communication, ---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA 0.00 winners from the Lagos region, “We also know its ‘back to Wema Bank, Funmilayo Falola ---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA) 0.00 five from south-west region and school’ season and we believe this said: “The bank prides itself three each from the south-east, will contribute to the educational in constantly devising means ---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS) -130,189,264.87 south-south and northern Nigeria. needs of the winners as they go of rewarding customers across --Other Assets Net 3,472,017.70 Speaking during the selection back to school.” all segments and the annual which happened virtually, the He further stated that because Royal kiddies Award goes a Reserve Money (Base Money 13,421,827.07 Divisional Head, Retail Banking, of the cash prize, many parents long way to show this. As Wema Bank, Dotun Ifebogun, now look forward to the annual a bank we believe children --Currency in Circulation 2,395,917.03 commended the efforts put in award with the expectation of are the future leaders of any --Banks Reserves 11,025,910.04 ˾

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 by customers of the bank’s Royal having their wards among the nation and the need to invest --Special Intervention Reserves 317,234.17 Kiddies Account. lucky winners. in their education cannot be According to Ifebogun, “The He went on to say the annual overemphasised.” Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month March 2018

Redstar Express Reports N10.5bn Turnover Inter-Bank Call Rate 15.16

Oluchi Chibuzor closed at the 27th Annual General always. Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Meeting(AGM) of the company “I am glad to inform you that Redstar Express Plc has posted held recently in Lagos, as the the last financial year was suc- Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) 14.00 a turnover of N10.5 billion for Chairman, Board of Directors, cessful as the company reported Treasury Bill Rate 11.84 the year ended March 31, 2020. Redstar Express, Mr. Suleiman impressive figures across all our This, according to the firm Barau, expressing delight about performance indicators,” he said. Savings Deposit Rate 4.07 represents a five percent increase the performance. The financial statement for over the preceding year figure of “I am particularly delighted the year ended March 31, 1 Month Deposit Rate 8.82 N10.067 billion that was recorded because the lockdown necessitated 2020, also showed that Cost in 2019, prompting the board by the COVID-19 didn’t affect the of sale stood at N7.864 billion 3 Months Deposit Rate 9.72 of directors to recommend the financial year and its reports so compared with N7.290 billion in 6 Months Deposit Rate 10.93 payment of 35 kobo per share much. We thank all stakehold- 2019. Administrative expenses as dividend. ers for their usual support and increased from N2.131 billion 12 Months Deposit Rate 10.21 The announcement was dis- pray this will continue now and to N2.164 billion. Prime Lending rate 17.35 Banire Urges FG to Create Postgraduate Maximum Lending Rate 31.55 Employability Programmes ˾
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ͯͱϱ OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE 

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ͰͮͰͮ Ugo Aliogo Leadership Programme of UAC institutions are equally challenged with the theme: ‘The Future of there.” The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $41.61 a barrel on Friday, compared The Convener, United Action Nigeria Youth in a New Normal According to him, “Govern- with $41.06 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. for Change (UAC), Dr. Muiz World.’ ment needs to create postgradu- The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Banire has advised the federal He urged tertiary institutions ates employability to build the Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light government to create postgradu- in the country to place more capacity of the youths in various (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), ate employability programmes emphasis on practicability than areas of white and blue collar Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and in tertiary institutions in order to theoretical approach in their jobs. To a large extent, we are Merey (Venezuela). improve employability skill sets. teaching methods, saying, “we too theoretical in our approach Banire disclosed this in Lagos rely heavily on paper qualification to issues in this country. People SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna recently, at the Annual Youth and unfortunately, our tertiary need to be more practical oriented. THISDAY ˾

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NSE All-Share Index Falls Further as Profit Taking Extends Goddy Egene before profit taking set in last investors to trade only in fun- price losers were led by Interna- by 2.2 per cent and 1.6 per cent existing shareholders. Wednesday. Despite the profit damentally justified stocks as tional Breweries Plc with a decline respectively among others. The leading hospitality group The equities market opened taking, the market ended last the weak macro environment of 9.1 per cent, trailed by AXA On the positive side, Eterna had explained that rights issue the week on negative note as week with a gain of N777.9 remains a significant headwind Mansard Insurance Plc with 5.6 Plc led the price gainers with would empower it to look to profit taking entered its fourth billion. for listed companies. But trading per cent. Flour Mills shed 4.5 per 9.9 per cent, trailed by Union the future with confidence despite day. Consequently, the Nigerian Analysts at Cordros Research resumed on negative note as cent, just as Regency Insurance Plc Diagnostic and Clinical Services the current harsh operating Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share had said they expected the highly capitalised counters such and Portland Paints and Products Plc with 8.3 per cent. Transcorp environment. Index (ASI) fell 0.31 per cent to market might continue to ben- as MTN Nigeria Plc, BUA Cement Plc and Honeywell Flour Mills Plc appreciated by 4.8 per cent. According to the Managing close at 28,337.49, while market efit as domestic investors seek Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Guaranty Plc went down by 3.5 per cent A subsidiary of Transcorp Director/CEO of Transcorp Hotels capitalisation shed N40.7 billion alpha-yielding opportunities in Trust Bank Plc and Flour Mills and AIICO Insurance Plc shed Plc, Transcorp Hotels Plc, last Plc, Mrs. Dupe Olusola, their to close at N14.8 trillion. the face of increasingly negative of Nigeria Plc recorded price 3.5 per cent apiece. week opened its rights issue of track record of excellent service The market had witnessed a real returns in the fixed income depreciation yesterday. NAHCO Plc lost 2.3 per cent, 2.659 billion ordinary shares of delivery has positioned them as rally that lifted the NSE ASI to market. In all, 16 stocks depreciated while African Prudential Plc 50 Kobo each at N3.76 per share the first choice for international a five-year high last Tuesday, They, however, advised while stocks appreciated. The and Jaiz Bank Plc went down to raise about N10 billion from and local guests alike.

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED AS OF 10/10/2020

MAIN BOARD DEALS MARKET QUANTITY VALUE TRADED MAIN BOARD DEALS MARKET QUANTITY VALUE TRADED PRICE TRADED ( N ) PRICE TRADED ( N ) 34 TUESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2020 ˾
THISDAY INTERNATIONAL Trump’s Nominee Testifies in Tense Supreme Court Hearing

US Supreme Court nominee, to fill Justice Ginsburg’s to abortion and campaign Democrats demonstrated Americans who have hearings to be business as Amy Coney Barrett, has seat, but no one will ever finance. that they want Amy benefited from “Obamacare” usual. They know it will be said she is “honoured and take her place,” Mrs Barrett Supreme Court Coney Barrett’s hearings on easels around the room a partisan brawl, but they’ve humbled” to be President told senators in her opening confirmation hearings are to be about the Republican as the Democratic senators already won two Supreme Trump’s pick for a place statement on Monday. “I always high political drama. rush to seat a new justice began speaking. Court confirmation fights in the top court during a will be forever grateful for With a presidential election before the elections and the Democrats are avoiding during Donald Trump’s tense Senate confirmation the path she marked and just three weeks away and possibility that she could the divisive topic of presidency. hearing. the life she led.” the coronavirus pandemic be a deciding vote to strike abortion, which motivates The circumstances may be The 48-year-old However, conservative still upending American down the increasingly political adversaries as much unusual, but if they stick conservative jurist vowed to views and decisions from life, however, the current popular healthcare reforms as it rallies allies, for what together - and focus on judge legal cases impartially. the bench she has delivered environment in the US passed under Democratic they feel is more favourable Judge Barrett’s professional But her selection so as a judge on the Seventh Senate Judiciary Committee President Barack Obama. political ground. and personal qualifications close to the November 3 Circuit Court of Appeals - of is particularly volatile. To drive this point home, Republicans, for their part, - they feel confident they presidential election has which much can be seen as During opening remarks, aides placed photos of want these confirmation can prevail. sparked a fierce political opposing to the views of the battle. late Justice Ginsburg - will The panel’s Republican be heavily scrutinised by chairman has predicted Democrats who oppose her a “contentious week” of confirmation. questioning ahead. The Republicans - who Judge Barrett’s approval currently hold a slim would cement a 6-3 majority in the US Senate, conservative majority on the the body that confirms nine-member court, altering Supreme Court judges - the ideological balance of are trying to complete the the court for potentially process before Mr Trump decades to come. takes on Democratic rival Mr Trump picked Judge Joe Biden in the election. Barrett to replace liberal The court’s nine justices Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, serve lifetime appointments, who died last month aged and their rulings can shape 87. public policy on everything “I have been nominated from gun and voting rights UK PM Not in Support of National Lockdown Says it will harm the economy UK Prime Minister, Boris lockdown in March, says Johnson, yesterday said he NHS Medical Director, INVESTORS IN CALABAR... was taking a “balanced Stephen Powis L-R: Director, Port Projects, Port of Antwerp, Mr. Philippe Droesbeke; Director, Port of Antwerp International Belgium, Mr. Stefan Cassimon; approach” to managing the Top UK scientific and Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade, during a site tour of the Bakassi Deep Seaport location with the Belgian team, on Calabar high COVID-19 pandemic, adding advisers have said NHS sea…yesterday that he was not in favour of Nightingale hospitals are another national lockdown on stand-by in Manchester, “right now” because it would Sunderland and Harrogate harm the economy Most A-level and GCSE Opposition Seeks ECOWAS, Buhari’s Intervention Johnson told the Commons exams in England will be there would be a new delayed by three weeks three-level alert system for in 2021 in Côte d’Ivoire Crisis England - medium, high and In China, Qingdao’s The presidential candidate of the Abuja on Friday, Koko called on and international bodies to avert for him, we would encourage very high population of nine million L’Alternative-CI and leader of President Muhammadu Buhari violence and bloodshed in his civil disobedience and would Liverpool will be on the will be tested for Covid-19 the opposition parties in Cote and the Economic Community of country, noting that the opposition not recognize him as president. highest level of alert, the PM over five days after 12 D’Ivoire, Mr Seth Koko, has West African States (ECOWAS) parties and the civil society would “We are going to make the said, adding that he does cases said the opposition parties to prevail on Ouattara to step not allow the president to rule country ungovernable for him if not want a new national There are more than 37 would make the West African down to avoid plunging the beyond October 31 when his he insists on contesting because lockdown million confirmed cases country ungovernable if the country into a civil war. tenure would lapse. he ceases to be the president from More people are in hospital globally with more than incumbent President Alassane The presidential candidate He stated, “The opposition October 31. We will defend the with Covid than before 1.07 million deaths Ouattara contested the October called for the dissolution of the parties are appealing to constitution of Cote D’Ivoire. 31 presidential election. Independent Electoral Commission international bodies to stop “If we allow him to violate He said Ouattara, who was which he said was subservient Ouattara from seeking a third the constitution; even, if he elected for the second term in to the ruling party, Rally of term which is a violation of the stays for 100 years, he would 2015, was not eligible to seek Houphouëtists for Democracy constitution. continue to stay in office. This is Liberia Asks for a third term, insisting that his and Peace, and the postponement “His tenure ends on October the time for all those who have ambition was a violation of the of the election. 31 and we will not allow him an investment in Cote D’Ivoire US Help to Probe constitution. Koko strongly canvassed to extend his tenure behind that like Nigeria and others to stop Addressing journalists in for the intervention of regional date; we will not make it easy Ouattara.” Mysterious Deaths Liberia’s President, George The other two worked Weah, has asked the US to for the Liberia Revenue Debt Burden of Least Developed Countries help with investigations Authority, but LINA did into the mysterious deaths not name them. Climb to a Record $744bn in 2019, Says IMF of three senior officials AFP news agency reported in finance-related posts, that four - not three - The total external debt for by the COVID-19 pandemic. middle-income countries in of Debt report published the state-linked Liberia officials had died in just the Debt Service Suspension According to the latest 2019. in December 2019. News Agency (LINA) has over a week. Initiative (DSSI) countries edition of the International IMF stated that before Responding to a call reported. They were: Mr Nyeswa, climbed 9.5 per cent to a record Debt Statistics (IDS) report the onset of the COVID-19 from the World Bank and The deaths had sparked who was found dead in his $744 billion in 2019 from the released by the International pandemic, rising public debt the International Monetary rumours of an assassination apartment in the capital, previous year highlighting an Monetary Fund, IMF on levels were already a cause Fund, the G20 endorsed DSSI campaign, AFP news agency Monrovia, on Saturday; urgent need for creditors and Monday, the pace of debt for concern, particularly in April 2020 to help up to reported. An official at the Liberia borrowers alike to collaborate accumulation for these in many of the world’s 73 of the poorest countries LINA quoted Weah Revenue Authority who died to stave off the growing risk of countries was nearly twice poorest countries as manage the impact of the as urging people not to in a car crash in Monrovia sovereign-debt crises triggered the rate of other low- and discussed in its four Waves COVID-19 pandemic. speculate, and to await the on 4 October ; Two more outcome of investigations. officials at the tax-collection Weah had instructed agency who were found Africa COVID-19 Cases Hit 1.5m, Says WHO Justice Minister Frank dead in a car in the city Musa Dean to coordinate the next day The World Health Organisation on Monday. the highest number of newly cumulative cases while Kenya his efforts with partners of AFP quoted Mr Weah as (WHO), Regional Office for Africa WHO stated on its dashboard reported cases. has 388 new reported cases the government, including saying that the US embassy located in Brazzaville, Congo, has that there were over 1.5 million According to the dashboard, with 41,546 cumulative cases. the US, LINA reported. in Monrovia had been said there are over 1.5 million confirmed COVID-19 cases on South Africa reported 1, 575 Meanwhile, the UN It named one of the asked to help, including confirmed COVID-19 cases on the African continent- with more new cases as of October 12 health agency said Nigeria officials who had died as in finding a pathologist the African continent. than 1.3 million recoveries and with 692,471 cumulative had new 163 cases of the head of the Internal to examine the corpses to The UN health agency gave 38,000 deaths cumulatively. cases. COVID-19, bringing the Audit Agency, Emmanuel determine what caused the update on its regional official South Africa, Ethiopia, and Ethiopia has 866 new country’s confirmed cases Nyeswua. the deaths. Twitter account @WHOAFRO Kenya were countries with reported cases with 84,295 to 60,266. TUESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2020 ˾
THISDAY 35

NEWSEXTRA Malami Tasks Legal Aid Council on Equal Access to Justice Alex Enumah in Abuja of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, means, as well as ensure that the council to keep themselves of free, qualitative and timely of the Federal Government of has charged the Legal Aid constitutional rights of citizens abreast with the extant laws, legal aid services in Nigeria, Nigeria and the Federal Ministry The Attorney General of the Council to ensure equal access are respected, protected and adding that the policies of the ensuring social justice and the of Justice in supporting activities Federation (AGF) and Minister to justice for all irrespective of defended. council must retain the force of emancipation of the oppressed, of the council aimed at providing Malami gave the charge facilitating its core objectives, reprieve to the weak and strategic direction in achieving yesterday, in Kano, while which includes the provision vulnerable, thereby giving voice its mandates. FG, Govs to Fix Gas Supply, declaring open a two-day of pro-bono legal services to to the voiceless,” he said. Malami said his office Legal Aid Governing Board indigent, economically deficient According to Malami such in conjunction with the Retreat with the theme: ‘The and less-privileged Nigerians. steps would enable the board Management of the Legal Utilisation Challenges in Role of the Governing Board He said the services of Legal to bear allegiance to the motto Aid Council have duly in the Corporate Governance: Aid Council are geared towards of the Council “Giving Voice to concluded all the requisite South-east Providing Strategic Direction reducing, to the barest minimum, the Voiceless” while maintaining legal arrangements for the towards Achieving the Mandate incidents of human rights abuses the council’s Mission mantra: launch of the “Access to Chineme Okafor in Abuja accentuate the potentials of gas for of the Legal Aid Council’. perpetrated against nation’s “To ensure free, effective and Justice Fund”, duly provided the development of their region In a statement issued citizens. efficient legal aid services to for under the Legal Aid Act, The federal government and and Nigeria’s economy. yesterday by his media aide, “The board’s policies must indigents in Nigeria.” 2011, aimed at raising funds governors of the five south eastern Similarly, it stated that the Dr. Umar Gwandu, the minister assist the council to remain the The minister assured the for the assistance of legal aid states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Minister of State for Petroleum advised board members of the leading and pro-active provider council of the commitment works in Nigeria. Enugu and Imo will work together Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva will to fix existing challenges, which attend the workshop to emphasis on make it difficult for the region’s its economic benefits to the region. industries and homes to transit to The Nigerian National Petroleum gas as a preferred source of fuel, Corporation (NNPC), the GACN the Gas Aggregation Company of noted has equally showed its Nigeria Limited (GACN) has said. support for the workshop, and will GACN said in a statement that it have its Group Managing Director, will hold a gas utilisation workshop Mallam Mele Kyari lead oil and for the south eastern region this gas industry stakeholders in the week in Owerri, capital of Imo State. country to participate in it. The statement explained that The chairman of GACN, about 500 industrial outfits have Mansur Sambo who also doubles signed up to participate in the as the Managing Director of the workshop which will seek to Nigerian Petroleum Development facilitate optimal use of natural gas Company (NPDC) also noted in to drive industrial and economic the statement that the forum will growth of the region. enable industry players to proffer It noted that Senator Hope practical end-to-end energy solutions Uzodinma who is the governor to industries in the region as well as of Imo State will be joined by the unlock additional investments for four other governors of, Anambra, gas development and gas pipelines. Mr. Willie Obiano; Ebonyi, Mr. The Managing Director of David Umahi; Enugu, Mr. Ifeanyi GACN, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye Ugwuanyi; and Abia, Dr. Okezie said in the statement that, “the Ikpeazu, to host the workshop. GACN is very pleased with this According to it, in line with opportunity to collaborate with the ALUTA CONTINUA... the federal government’s push south east business communities L-R: Immediate past President of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) , Prof. Nasir Fagge; ASUU President, Prof. Biodun to make gas a preferred source and stakeholders to further Ogunyemi; and Vice President ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, during a meeting between ASUU and the leadership of the Senate on the of fuel in Nigeria, the governors boost economic development ongoing strike of the union in Abuja... yesterday will work with the GACN to in Nigeria.

CULPABLE OPERATIVES WON’T ESCAPE JUSTICE, SAYS BUHARI AS ANTI-SARS PROTESTS SPREAD

According to the protesters, their (UNILAG) gate from where they demonstrators that their protest Ooni Narrates How SARS to demand more, but plead with Corporal, Mr. Stanley Etaga, and demands, tagged “5 for 5” were kicked off the protest. was legitimate, but pleaded with Almost Killed Daughter you to do so in a peaceful manner, an unidentified protester. simple; immediate release of all Other areas with protests them not to block the roads while as anything outside of that will Also, a Police Sergeant, Mr. protesters; justice for all deceased include Ebute Metta, Oshodi, passing on their grievances to the In a related development, cause unnecessary havoc for all.” Patrick Okuone, attached to victims of police brutality and Epe/Ita-Opo, Mushin, Ketu, authorities. the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye The monarch, who said he the Eagle Net Squad of the state appropriate compensation for their Ikosi, Magodo, Shangisha and also Sanwo-Olu said he identified Ogunwusi, yesterday threw was aware that some protesters command sustained a critical families; setting up an independent Ogba, Maryland, Ikeja, Chevron, with the #EndSARS campaigners, his weight behind the protest had been unjustly arrested by injury, just as a police patrol vehicle body to oversee the investigation Airport Road, Ajah bus stop, noting that their agitations touched against SARS, narrating how his the police, urged the police to was damaged the following day. and prosecution of all reports of Alausa (Secretariat), Ago Palace the essence of democratic freedom. 25-year-old daughter almost lost understand that the protests would In suit number MU/193C/2020, police misconduct (within 10days); Way, Festac, Agege, and Ajegunle. He said citizens must never her life in the hands of the SARS also improve the welfare of men six of the accused persons were in line with the new Police Act, While the police allowed be denied the rights to protest operatives. and women of the Force. arraigned yesterday on a one-count psychological evaluation and the protesters to exercise their but urged the protesters not to Ogunwusi, who said on Twitter He said: “I have been informed charge of breach of peace by re-training (to be confirmed by fundamental right in most areas, employ wrong methods to drive that he was happy that the youths of many innocent souls that were constituting themselves into a an independent body) of all some policemen brutalised and home their message. of Nigeria were finally standing arrested and currently being nuisance. disbanded SARS officers before arrested protesters in Surulere. He said: “Your voice has up for their rights, disclosed that detained, be rest assured that I The six accused persons were they can be redeployed; and The peaceful protests, according been heard clearly and a clear his 25-year-old daughter once had am pursuing the matter and they Precious Mudiaga, Onome Ovie, increase of police salary so that to eyewitnesses, soon turned pronouncement has been made a nasty experience with SARS will be set free. Ovie Brume, Umukoro Joshua, they are adequately compensated violent after a protester was shot on the activities of SARS. The operatives that almost cost her life. “To the men and women of the Duku Evans and Oroghodo Friday. for protecting lives and property dead while others were shot with operation has been dissolved by Tweeting through his handle, Nigerian police force, be assured The other eight were arraigned of citizens. rubber pellets. the police leadership and just @OoniAdimulaIfe, he said: “I that this movement is also for on a five-count charge bothering Rejecting the announcement by The angry protesters were said a moment ago, Mr. President understand your plight; my you, we know you are humans on felony and murder in suit the Inspector-General of Police, to have carried out a reprisal on addressed the nation on the 25- year- old daughter had a also and your reality is as a result number MU/194C/2020. Adamu, who said the police Area C Command, where they issues you have raised. nasty experience with SARS, of your environment. The accused persons included unit had been dissolved, the reportedly killed three policemen “The president has said almost losing her life. On her “This movement demands Iboyi Emmanuel, Umukoro protesters said it must be backed to avenge the death of their fallen all SARS officers that are way to the airport, she was better on your behalf and is aimed Rukevwe, German Oghenekevwe, by a Presidential Executive Order colleague and the injured. involved in the killing stopped and terribly ransacked at pushing the government to Moses Eduwekon, Oke John, before they would stop the protest. The Lagos State Police of innocent people and and surrounded by fully armed do better for you and elevate Ogbonna David, Prosper John According to the protesters, Command, which earlier in the engaging in human rights plainclothes policemen in a bus, your standard of living. Do not and Akpovwigho Eloho. the police only changed the day confirmed the shooting of the abuses will be brought to detained for close to 30 minutes persecute your advocates. God The court, which adjourned the nomenclature as they did in 2015, three policemen but was silent on justice. of thorough questioning. bless Nigerian youths and God case to October 29 for mentioning, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 with the alleged killing of four protesters “My stance on this “Imagine a young female for bless the Federal Republic of granted the first six defendants words like reformed, restructured, by the police, however, updated #EndSARS is unmistakable and that matter; all her belongings Nigeria.” bail in the sum of N50, 000 each reorganised, reformed, and the narrative last night, confirming I have told you that we identify completely searched all because In Ughelli, the police yesterday with one surety in like sum. disbanded respectively. one death apiece of the police with this protest because you she was with a laptop on an arraigned 14 persons before an The court ordered the other In the Oyingbo area of Lagos, and civil populace. have legitimate concerns. I am official assignment from her office Ughelli Magistrate Court in Ughelli eight to be remanded at the the protesters formed in front of Meanwhile, Lagos State saying it again here that this in Lagos. I can only imagine the North Local Government Area Federal Custodial Centre in Tantalizers fast food while in Ojo, Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo- protest is in good faith. But, countless ones that have lost their of Delta State, in connection with Sapele where they would be the protest began in Lagos State Olu, had earlier in the day left we must not be unruly when lives from such ordeals, may their last Thursday’s #EndSARS protest quarantined for 14 days before University (LASU). the weekly meeting of the State going out on a protest like this. souls rest in peace. in the town. being transferred to Warri In Surulere, the protesters Executive Council to address the We want you to be peaceful “I assure you that this is the Last Thursday’s #EndSARS Correctional Centre pending converged in large numbers, and protesters. and decorous in expressing beginning of greater things to protest which turned violent led advice by the Department of also at the University of Lagos The governor told the yourselves.” come in Nigeria. I implore you to the alleged killing of a Police Public Prosecution. 36 TUESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2020 ˾
THISDAY 24 HOURS... 24 HOURS... APC Gets 14-day Ultimatum to Release Timetable for National Convention You lack power to issue ultimatum, party tells aggrieved members Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja (NEC) of the party. following the sack of Adams of the APC Caretaker Committee registration of members which not present at the Edo State rallies But in a swift reaction, the Oshiomhole-led National Working to provide direction for the party was not part of the resolution if they had not compromised the A group, Concerned Members Deputy National Publicity Committee (NWC) of the party and set up timetable for December of the last NEC. election? We observed that Governor of the All Progressives Congress Secretary of the party, Mr. Yekini at an emergency NEC meeting elective convention. It, therefore, called on the Kayode Fayemi said he did not (APC), have given the Caretaker Nabena, said the group lacked held at the Presidential Villa on The group said: “We are committee to let legally elected attend the rallies because as the Committee of the party a 14-day the power to issue ultimatum to June 25, 2020. aware that the composition of and constituted NWC to come in chairman of governors’ forum, there ultimatum to come up with time the committee. The committee was inaugurated the committee is illegal and alien and conduct the new membership exists a silent rule not to campaign table for the national convention The committee led by the to carry out two critical challenges, to our party’s constitution, and we registration for the party. against another governor of another slated for December as directed Governor of Yobe State, Mai which included reconciling are aware that some members are The group also wondered why party. This shows Fayemi is more by the National Executive Council Mala Buni, came into being aggrieved members and to in court already as regards that the Caretaker Committee was loyal to PDP than APC who gave conduct a National Convention anomaly, but due to our respect planning to extend its tenure, him the platform to be a governor by December 2020. for the president, we allowed the adding: “To what end? Governor in the first instance. Tinubu, Gombe Gov But the spokesperson of the process as a child of necessity Buni is elected to govern the people “We are giving the Caretaker group, Mr. Dauda Abdullahi, and supported it, but the present of Yobe State not to jettison his Committee a 14-day ultimatum while addressing a press action and body language of the constitutional responsibility to be to roll out plan of action/ Congratulate Akeredolu conference in Abuja, said the committee necessitated our press arranging a sit-tight regime in the timetable for the party’s December concerned members of the party conference today (yesterday).” party. A word is enough for the wise! elective convention or face mass on His Re-election have watched with amazement for The group said it was aware “Why were the caretaker demonstration of party members several months over the inability that the committee was planning members and all the governors nationwide.” Segun Awofadeji in Gombe of the APC in Ondo State and beyond. I wish, also, to congratulate The National Leader of All Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Chairman of our party’s National Bola Tinubu, and the Gombe State Campaign Council for the Ondo Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa election, for his excellent work in Yahaya, have congratulated his Ondo support of his brother-governor’s State governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi campaign.” Akeredolu, on his victory in the Tinubu added that Akeredolu’s October 10 governorship election re-election has demonstrated what a in the state. united and cooperative APC can do In his congratulatory message, when working together to advance Tinubu said Akeredolu’s victory in our party’s progressive agenda. a peaceful, free, and fair process is a “The reconciliation we spearheaded testament to Akeredolu’s sterling first- ensured we had a united APC, which term performance and an affirmation worked towards achieving victory in of the confidence reposed in him by the election. I would be remiss if I fail the people of Ondo. to thank Baba Ali Olanusi and other Tinubu noted that in his first members of the now defunct Unity term, Akeredolu erected important Forum for their commitment to the structures, embarked upon road party and for so firmly believing in infrastructure and focused on projects what we stand for. I also commend like the Ore Industrial Hub in a bid to all the governorship aspirants who create empowerment and employment came to endorse Governor Akeredolu for the people. for a second term including Chief “It is now incumbent on him to Olusola Oke, Mr. Isaac Kekemeke, repay the people’s faith by building Dr. Segun Abraham, Chief Ifeoluwa DEEPENING COOPERATION... on the achievements of his first Oyedele, Chief Olubukola Adetula, French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jerome Pasquier (left), and Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, during the envoy’s courtesy visit term and bringing further tangible Jimi Odimayo, Ambassador Olusola to the governor at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan...yesterday improvement to the lives of the Iji, Mr. Olaide Owolabi Adelami, Mrs. people of his state. Jumoke Anifowose and Mr. Nat “I also congratulate President Adojutelegan. I elected to mention NHRC Seeks Prosecution of Culpable SARS Operatives Muhammadu Buhari, our party’s them by name for they deserve our governors and all the members accolades and even more. Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri book. SARS, as well as other police units public, including law enforcement The Executive Secretary of across the country. personnel. The National Human Rights NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, in a “The commission is equally “You will recall that earlier, the FrieslandCampina WAMCO to Commission (NHRC) has statement issued yesterday, said aware of the public outcry to federal government responded commended the Inspector the action was courageous and scrap SARS so as to put an end to public outcry against human Launch Centre for Dairy Devt General of Police (IG), Mohammed a display of mark of a listening to these violations which has now rights violations by SARS in Adamu, for the disbandment of government. been met by the federal government constituting a special presidential Vanessa Obioha sides of the chain,” he said in a the Special Anti-Robbery Squad According to the statement, “In as a mark of its commitment to investigation panel with a broad- statement. (SARS) following mass protests line with its mandate of promoting, the promotion and protection of based membership, including To help drive productivity The CNDDD will be the expert by Nigerians. protecting and enforcing human human rights of Nigerians.” the civil society, to investigate these and sustainability in the dairy research and training institute for The commission insisted that rights in Nigeria, the NHRC has The statement added that: “The allegations and make appropriate industry, Dutch dairy company, dairy development in Nigeria every member of SARS and the been monitoring reports from right to protest is a constitutionally recommendations to sanction any FrieslandCampina WAMCO focusing on breeding, farming Nigeria Police Force involved in individual victims and the media protected right as long as it is SARS operatives found to have Nigeria Plc, has entered into and feeding management, as well the dastardly act of violation of with respect to human rights carried out responsibly and violated human rights of members a partnership venture with as quality control and productivity fundamental human rights of violation of innocent members without resulting in the violation of the public and to also suggest key stakeholders to launch (yield per cow). Nigerians should be brought to of the public by operatives of the of the rights of any member of the measures to reform SARS. Nigeria’s first expertise centre Putting things in perspective, for dairy development, the Langat also explained that the Centre for Nigerian Dutch Dairy Nigeria dairy sector presently Development (CNDDD). faces major challenges, adding: Experts Call for Stronger Economic Regulation of Airlines Positioning the industry on a “However, FrieslandCampina pedestal to compete with dairy WAMCO in partnership with the Chinedu Eze since the Act was passed into law, regulation of NCAA was key to the business and start running companies around the world, the federal government is determined however, the existing Act has not the survival of airlines and growth an airline without structure or initiative will be based on best to transform the sector from its Experts in the aviation industry really empowered the agency to of the sector. business plan, and of course, it practices that have helped the current subsistence phase to have called on the National enforce the economic regulations Ogochukwu, a licenced Air is bound to fail. Dutch dairy industry stand out a commercial quality-focused Assembly to amend the 2006 of the industry especially on the Traffic Safety Electronics Specialist, “Also, NCAA should have as one of the best in the world model.” Civil Aviation Act to empower airlines and other organisations said the regulatory agency should more power to regulate charter for decades. Relying on data projecting the Nigerian Civil Aviation in the sector. be empowered more to effectively services in the Act. A lot of According to Managing Director Nigeria’s population Authority (NCAA) to carry out They also enjoined the National carry out oversight functions of people in government are using of the company, Ben Langat, the growth, FrieslandCampina effective economic regulation of Assembly to ensure the retention the entire industry, including charter services to do some shady new Centre will foster cooperation WAMCO is hopeful that the domestic airlines in order to save of the 5 per cent Ticket Sales charter operators. business in the industry. NCAA among dairy stakeholders. establishment of a strong them from going under after 10 Charge/Cargo Sales Charge “The economic regulation is should have the regulatory authority “The Centre for Nigerian Dutch agriculture sector is one of years of operation. (TSC/CSC), which were the main key for NCAA to continue to to effectively regulate the charter Dairy Development will engage the pillars that will bring They made the call in response sources of NCAA revenues before discharge its duties in the sector. services,” Ogochukwu said. and promote cooperation among economic and social stability to the plan by the National other agencies were included in NCAA must have the authority Speaking in the same vein, the the government, private sector, in Nigeria. Assembly to commence a review the sharing formula. to enforce and implement Director, Centre for International academics, students and dairy This requires a fundamental of Civil Aviation Act 2006 next Industry analyst and former compliance of economic regulation Advanced and Professional Studies farmers. It will undertake activities long term development of all week. senior official of the Nigerian of the industry. It is obvious that (CIAPS), Prof. Anthony Kila, said that will improve the dairy chain areas needed to create an The experts noted that while Airspace Management Agency most of the airlines don’t have NCAA as a critical agency in the sector in Nigeria, focusing on both effective and efficient dairy NCAA has performed well to (NAMA), Ifeanyi Ogochukwu, a bigger plan, as some people should be empowered to discharge the upstream and downstream sector, it stated. improve safety in the industry said strengthening of economic who have money just go into its duties without interference. TUESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2020 ˾
THISDAY 37 24 HOURS... 24 HOURS... W’Bank Earmarks $160bn to Assist Poor Countries Dike Onwuamaeze grants and highly concessional borrowers alike to collaborate in least developed countries, debt-service payments owed to 73 of the poorest countries manage loans. order to stave off the growing risk The bank said that the them through 2021.” the impact of the COVID-19 The World Bank has stated that it The bank made this statement of sovereign-debt crises triggered latest edition of the IDS report The global lender stated that the pandemic. would deploy up to $160 billion in in press release it issued yesterday by the COVID-19 pandemic provided more detailed and acknowledgement of the rising The World Bank said that financial support over 15 months in Washington DC. disease. more disaggregated data on public debt levels as a matter of the debt stock of DSSI-eligible to enable more than 100 countries The statement also disclosed This disclosure was contained external debt than ever before concern even before the outset of countries to official bilateral to protect the poor and vulnerable, that the Debt Service Suspension in the International Debt Statistics in its nearly 70-year history by COVID-19, prompted it and the creditors, composed by mostly support businesses and bolster Initiative (DSSI) of eligible (IDS) report of the World Bank, “including breakdowns of what International Monetary Fund (IMF) G-20 countries, reached $178 economic recovery. countries grew by 9.5 per cent which stated that more detailed each borrowing country owes to make a call that was welcomed billion in 2019 and accounted This initiative, according to the in 2019 to hit a record of $744 and more disaggregated data to official and private creditors by the G20, which endorsed the for 17 percent of long-term net bank, would include $50 billion billion from the previous year. on sovereign debt will help in each creditor country, and Debt Service Suspension Initiative debt flows to low- and middle of new IDA resources through It called on creditors and implement debt relief efforts in the expected month-by-month (DSSI) in April 2020 to help up to income countries. Kano to Engage 48,000 Adhoc Staff for LG Election Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano and fair election in the state. Although the commission The Kano State Independent is mindful of the dwindling Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) economic fortunes of the state as a has fixed January 16, 2021, for result of the COVID-19 pandemic, its local government elections in he said a lot of corrections would the state. be made in order to reduce cost. The commission also stated “In fact even the allowances of that it would also employ 48,000 the electoral staff recruited will be ad-hoc staff, including Electoral reduced to the barest minimum Officers (EO), who will be trained in order to lessen the burden of and dispatched to the local financial commitment on the state government areas to carry out government,” Sheka said. the electoral functions effectively. The KANSEIC chairman said Announcing the date for the he has just finished meeting with election, the Chairman of the all the stakeholders, including commission, Professor Garba leaders of political parties, Ibrahim Sheka, made the yesterday, and intimated them disclosure at a press briefing held of the 96-day notice for the at the commission conference hall proposed election so that they yesterday, saying the date was could conveniently plan on how fixed based on the expiration of to put their houses in order before the local government chairmen the election period. tenure across the 44 local “We are going to conduct WALK FOR LIVE... government councils, who were a free and fair election where L-R: Committee member, Arise Women, Doyin Arueyingho; Founder, Arise, Siju Iluyomade; Director, Charge Affair, Arise, Iyabo Ladipo; and elected on February 10, 2018. no lizard will be hurt let alone 2020 Chairperson, Arise, Lolade Wakama, at a press conference of 2020 Arise Walk for Life in Lagos... yesterday ETOP UKUTT Professor Sheka said KANSEIC human beings at the end of the was going to be strict in the exercise,” he added. process of the election “so that Sheka said all the sensitive and Kano’s Tertiary Institutions to Reopen October 26 there could be justice to every non-sensitive materials would be participating political party.” printed locally in order to avoid Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano the public and private schools’ Naisa. commended the efforts of the He added that the state the problems encountered in the resumed for the third term. According to the statement, heads of tertiary institutions Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar past, where the commission Kano State Government has The state Commissioner for the state government has already to actualise the government’s Ganduje, recently appointed received the materials lately announced that the state tertiary High Education, Dr. Mariya provided all safety kits against desire. additional electoral commissioners from South Africa just a day to institutions will be reopened on Bunkure announced this the spread of the coronavirus, The state government had in order to assist in ensuring free the election. October 26. yesterday in a statement by the including hands sanitizers, on April, 2020 closed all the The government announcement Public Relations Officer of the facemasks among others. schools in the state as a result came less than 24 hours after all ministry, Mr. Sanusi Abdullahi The statement also of coronavirus pandemic. ‘Disbandment of SARS Will Enhance CSO Urges Buhari to Intervene in 10,000 Constables Collaboration with Police’ Recruitment Battle Emma Okonji economy. Alex Enumah in Abuja Abuja challenging the powers of the powers to recruit constables curtail. Nigerians are regularly The ISPON, the industry the IG to recruit 10,000 constables for the police. kidnapped and maimed by The Institute of Software professional body for A civil society organisation, the for the force, arguing that it is the However, speaking with criminal elements in the country Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) indigenous software developers Civil Society Legislative Advocacy commission that is constitutionally journalists over the development, with little response from the police. has said the disbandment of and practitioners in Nigeria, has Centre (CISLAC), yesterday saddled with such responsibility. CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal “The IG, as well as the PSC, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad been concerned by the actions appealed to the presidency and While the trial court held that Musa Rafsanjani, said: “Without should kindly consider the plight (SARS) by the Inspector General of SARS operatives, especially the National Assembly to, in the the recruitment of the constables prejudice to the ongoing legal of Nigerians and make a U-turn of Police (IG), Mohammed as the people targeted make interest of peace and security of is the responsibility of the Police interpretation that is before the on the legal tussle,” he said. Adamu, will not only put an up the largest segment of its Nigerians, intervene in the current Management Team led by the apex court, we strongly observe Rafsanjani further said: “An urgent end to the notoriety of SARS membership in the workforce Inspector-General of Police (IG) IG, Mohammed Adamu, the that the current legal tussle will reconciliatory structure should be unit but also an opportunity to of its member companies, as and Police Service Commission Court of Appeal in Abuja in bring a lot of disadvantage to the put together by the presidency and work with the Nigeria Police well as the largest segment of (PSC) face-off over the recruitment a recent judgment held that country.” National Assembly to resolve the Force on the much-needed the consumer base. of 10,000 constables for the Nigeria the responsibility was that of While noting that this is not the lingering but dangerous trend that reform to re-orientate the “The devices that are used to Police Force. the police, and consequently time for fighting over who should might be a bad template for future police force. profile the youth as fraudsters are CISLAC said the intervention nullified the recruitment of the recruit, Rafsanjani urged the warring reference or an enemy from within. It stated that the disbandment devices that form the basic work is necessary because the police 10,000 constables by the IG. parties to shield their swords and “We urge the federal government would also incentivise and tools of our industry. We find it are currently lacking adequate Not satisfied, the IG, however, work hand-in-hand to tackle the to weigh in to have an amicable discipline the Force in its function baffling and unconscionable that number of personnel to tackle approached the Supreme Court myriad of security challenges impasse between the PSC and as the protector of the people the young coders and creative the increasing security challenges to set aside the judgment of the bedevilling the country. the Police Management Team in while carrying out its duties minds we should be celebrating in the country. Court of Appeal and hold that “There is already a tower of ensuring that the recruitment with wisdom and dignity. and encouraging are the ones The PSC had dragged the IG it is not the commission but the insecurity in the country which this of 10,000 constables is not In a statement issued by that are being hounded and before the Federal High Court in Police Management Team that has recruitment ab initio was set out to dislodged.” ISPON and signed by its Admin brutalised. Secretary, Mr. Paul Uzoechina, “All over the world, it is the Institute said the police force recognised that development PDP Mourns Zamfara State Chairman, Ibrahim Mallaha should not be an institution in the 21st century is despised by young people or disproportionately influenced Chuks Okocha in Abuja The PDP described Mallaha issued by the National The party said it deeply looked upon with trepidation, by the power of information and as a patriotic Nigerian, an Publicity Secretary, Kola commiserated with the state but with honour and respect. communication technology The Peoples Democratic Party excellent grassroots mobiliser Ologbondiyan, PDP said Governor, Bello Matawalle, According to the statement, (ICT). The world’s greatest (PDP) yesterday expressed and outstanding democrat, Mallaha was a loyal party the Mallaha family, the state “ISPON will work with the and most powerful countries grief over the death of the who dedicated his life to man, who made huge government and people of the government and the Nigeria are today, not only Chairman of its Zamfara the service of the country sacrifices for the unity, state as well as the PDP fold Police to better understand industrialised, but more State chapter, Alhaji Ibrahim and the advancement of stability, development of in the state for the irreparable their challenges in effective importantly, are leaders Mallaha, describing the sad humanity, for which he Zamfara State, as well as loss, and prayed that the policing in the digital age, in the development, use development as a huge loss will be remembered by the success of the party not Almighty Allah should grant which is the hope for a 21st and commercialisation of not only to the PDP but also generations yet unborn. only in Zamfara State but also eternal rest to the faithful century technology-driven technology. to Nigeria in general. In a statement at the national level. departed. 38 ˜

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THISDAY

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email [email protected] TUESDAYSPORTS 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY Rohr Demands Victory as Nigeria, Tunisia Set for Battle of Eagles )UHVK&RYLGWHVWVIRU6XSHU(DJOHVSOD\HUVDQGR΀FLDOV Duro Ikhazuagbe in Nigeria’, with most pundits admitted that the absence of Nigeria capped four new and midfielder Samson Tijani who thumped Sudan 3-0 in and fans arguing that the bunch a number of first-team honchos players against the African also earn their first senior Tunis on Friday. After Super Eagles 0-1 defeat of new players tried out by the somewhat weakened the texture champions, with midfield caps, the Eagles huffed and All 26 Super Eagles in camp last Friday by African champions Franco-German coach failed to of his band, but has challenged dependables Wilfred Ndidi, Joseph puffed and strove hard to were involved in Monday Algeria, Coach Gernot Rohr has live up to the standard the senior the squad to up the ante and Ayodele-Aribo and Oghenekaro find cohesion and some sort evening’s training session, told his players they need to national team has created. show vibrancy especially in the Etebo, as well as forward Victor of solidity, but failed to match and are available for selection. step up their game to get a win Now, Rohr has sounded it fore against the 2004 African Osimhen unavailable. the mentality and organization Goalkeepers Dele Alampasu against Tunisia this evening in loud and clear that to make champions. In their absence, Rohr had of the Fennecs. and Matthew Yakubu, the international friendly at the Nigerians happy this evening, “We definitely must put to start first-cap Frank Onyeka Tonight, the three-time defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Jacques Lemans Arena in the Super Eagles must come out up a greater effort against the along Alex Iwobi and defender African champions come across Chidozie Awaziem, Olaoluwa Austrian city of St. Veit an der smoking to emerge the better Tunisians. It is an opportunity for Oluwasemilogo Ajayi in the same team they defeated Aina and Jamilu Collins and Glan. team in the clash of Eagles. some of the players to rise up to midfield, and Paul Onuachu to clinch bronze medal at last forwards Cyril Dessers and That lone goal loss to Algeria The Tunisian are known by the occasion, stake a claim. They as the lone striker. year’s AFCON finals in Egypt, Chidera Ejuke were not part caused a buzz in football circle the sobriquet Carthage Eagles. are ready to go and I believe we In a match that also saw and have no illusions they of the run-out with Algeria The Super Eagles tactician would see a much better game wing back Zaidu Sanusi, must be at their best against and could be considered for on Tuesday,” Rohr pledged. centre-back Kevin Akpoguna a motivated Carthage Eagles action this night. New Super Eagles Defender, Akpoguma, to Start against Tunisia the one to lose his starting place Hoffenheim defender, Kevin should coach Gernot Rohr stick Akpoguma, looks set to start to the 4-2-3-1 formation. for the Super Eagles against Akpoguma could also play as Tunisia this evening after he one of three central defenders made a brief debut against should Rohr opt for a 3-5-2 Tunisia at the weekend. formation. Akpoguma was only last Meanwhile, reports out of week cleared by FIFA to play for Tunisia have suggested that at Nigeria after he had played for least two players will miss today’s Germany at various age-grade friendly against the Super Eagles levels including the U20s. because of positive Coronavirus Coach Gernot Rohr has tests, while visa problems described Akpoguma, whose accounted for another player. father hails from Benin City, as Vancouver Whitecaps defender “very important new player” Jasser Khmiri will not be in Austria after he had tracked him for after he did not get an entry visa. the past two years. Ferjani Sassi and Seiffeddine The 25-year-old is a typical Khaoui will also not be available. German centre-back – strong and physically imposing defender who takes no prisoners. He has played every Super Eagles have been tasked to get an outright win against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia tonight minute of his team’s first three Bundesliga matches this season after he made 18 league appearances this past Onazi Aiming to Get His Career Back on campaign. On his debut Friday night against Algeria, the Track in Denmark commanding central defender was played at rightback in place Danish Superliga club things and believes the Danish to limelight at Italian side December 2016. of Tyronne Ebuehi after 67 SønderjyskE has offered Nigeria club are the ideal platform to Lazio before breaking into his What followed were four minutes of action. international midfielder Ogenyi revive his career. country’s senior side by winning fraught years as he attempted Captain William Troost Ekong evin Akpoguma has been tipped Onazi a new way forward after a “Injuries are inevitable because the African Cup of Nations in to find a way back from the was far from his best against the to be in the starting line up for four year spell in Turkey blighted it’s something that happens a lot 2013 and playing at the 2014 Achilles injury that became the African champions and will be Nigeria tonight by injury. in football, but it’s not been fair to World Cup. bane of his existence. Injuries have seen Onazi’s me,” Onazi, who has just signed But his brilliant run in Brazil His career has never been the career look like it has been a one year deal, told BBC Sport was ended by a late tackle from same and revealed the nightmare thrown into reverse - moving Africa. Blaise Matuidi during France’s including muscle and calf problems Kalu, Kida Fashion Way from Lazio in Italy’s Serie A to “At the most important time win over the Super Eagles in the has made him “more hungry and Turkish sides Trabzonspor and in my career is when it happens round of 16. determined to do well”. then Denizlispor and now onto to me and I have no proper It started a litany of injuries in “Coming from where it all Forward for Nigerian Basketball Denmark.. explanation for this.” his career and came to the fore started I believe I’ve seen the Senate Chief Whip, Senator successes being recorded by our Despite the issues the 27-year- Onazi was tipped as next when he ruptured his achilles worst that life has to offer on Orji Uzoh Kalu has identified national teams as well as grassroots old remains philosophical about big thing when he first shot at Turkish side Trabzonspor in and off the pitch,” he said. with the Nigeria Basketball programmes being organized by Federation (NBBF) following your federation,” observed the its recent achievements which former Pillar of Sports in Nigeria. LA Lakers Pay Tribute to Kobe Bryant after NBA Title Victory have reinforced Nigeria as one In his response, NBBF President, of the emerging powerhouses in Kida who recently retired as the The Los Angeles Lakers paid of confidence in our team. He take away the sting of the loss, and this Lakers championship the world. Deputy Managing Director of Total glowing tribute to Kobe Bryant had a lot of confidence in our but what it does is it helps us in 2020 is partly to build on While hosting the President of Nigeria thanked Senator Kalu for after winning their first NBA organisation to go out there and add to their legacy. that legacy and honour them. the NBBF, Musa Kida in Abuja his kind and inspiring words. title in a decade Sunday night. win it this year.” “Kobe and Gianna’s legacy will The moment couldn’t be any recently, Sen. Kalu said that “Words like these inspire us Five-time NBA champion On several occasions during last forever. It will impact lives more special to do that for the recent achievements of the to double our efforts to achieve Bryant was killed in a helicopter the play-offs, the Lakers competed around the world in positive ways, them. federation cannot be overlooked more despite all the challenges crash in January alongside his in ‘Black Mamba’ jerseys - a strip which is an indication that Nigeria associated with sports in Nigeria. 13-year-old daughter Gianna themed on 18-time NBA All-Star can rule the world. With better funding, support and seven others. Bryant’s self-styled nickname. The former Governor of Abia from individuals, government He spent his entire career Before their defeat in game five State who masterminded Enyimba and corporate organizations, we with the Lakers and led them of the finals, the Lakers had won FC of Aba to a back-to-back CAF can definitely do more.” to their last NBA title in 2010. all four play-off matches they Champions League triumph said, Kida reaffirmed his commitment “Kobe, I know he’s looking had contested when wearing the “I must commend you, members to bring more laurels to Nigeria. down on us super proud,” said strip, which was co-designed by of your board and all stakeholders “We have so many plans Lakers forward Anthony Davis. Bryant and released in 2017. for what you have achieved so far and lofty programs at the “We miss him, and this is “I think Kobe and Gianna since you came on board in 2017. grassroots level where talents definitely for him.” have guided this team the entire “It has been an exciting journey can be discovered and the The Lakers beat the Miami year,” said Lakers General with many Nigerians really proud next generation of stars can be Heat 106-93 to seal a 4-2 series Manager, Rob Pelinka. of what you have done in such discovered. Sports is a multi-billion victory and tie with the Boston “Kobe’s voice is always in my a short time. naira sector in Nigeria which can Celtics for the most NBA head, always, every day, every Nigerian born Greek LA Lakers player, Giannis Antetoukounmpo “Recently, the basketball culture be well harnessed to create jobs championships on 17. minute. For us to be able to (draped with Nigeria and Greece flags on the right) celebrating Davis added: “He had a lot win this championship doesn’t is growing in Nigeria thanks to the for millions. the NBA victory on Sunday night ˜


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THISDAY 39 TUESDAYSPORTS UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE Timo Werner Fit, Trio Doubtful as Germany Takes on Switzerland on Monday. Germany striker Timo Werner Germany will need all the recent weeks and have just criticised for his team’s recent “There are different he expected his team to be is fully fit for their UEFA attacking power they can one win in their three group performances and especially opinions in football,” Loew more aggressive against the Nations League game against get after narrowly beating matches so far. the defensive operation. said. “The experts have to Swiss. Switzerland tonight but there Ukraine 2-1 on Saturday for They had also led three Among those vocal critics express their opinions and “I expect concentration, are still doubts about Julian their first win in the last four times against Turkey to settle is 1990 world champion that is completely fine and more precision, courage and Draxler, Lukas Klostermann internationals. They drew the for a 3-3 draw in their friendly Lothar Matthaeus who has certainly not lacking respect. the right attacking accents,” and Marcel Halstenberg, previous three games after match. claimed Loew’s tactical “What is important is Loew said. “It will be a coach Joachim Loew said leading in all of them. Victory against the Swiss, in errors, including a three-man that we criticise ourselves completely different game “Timo Werner is back to last place on one point, would backline instead of four, have internally and we do that.” than against Ukraine. The full strength and there are take some of the pressure off been to blame for their poor The coach, who has been Swiss can defend extremely no weaknesses,” Loew said Loew, who has been sharply performances. in charge for 14 years, said well.” of the Chelsea forward, who had only managed a brief appearance against Ukraine after missing their 3-3 draw against Turkey last week with flu. “He is available. “But we have small question marks. Draxler has Achilles problems, Halstenberg is dealing with adductors and Klostermann has knee problems.” Germany’s Timo Werner is The Germans, in second back to full fitness for the big place in the group on five game on Wednesday points, two behind leaders Spain, have struggled in LA Lakers Coach, Vogel, Tags LeBron James the Best Ever NBA Player LeBron James became the While many still consider first player to win NBA Finals Jordan as the sport’s best MVP honours with three player of all time, Vogel put different teams on Sunday and James above him. for LA Lakers coach Frank ‘He’s the greatest player the Vogel the Ohio native has basketball universe has ever cemented his status as the seen,’ Vogel told reporters. best player ‘the basketball ‘And if you think you universe has ever seen’. know, you don’t know, okay, LeBrone James (left) holding his fourth MVP trophy after LA Lakers won the 2020 NBA finals on Sunday night James’ fourth NBA until you’re around him championship, which came every day, you’re coaching after he led the Lakers to a him, you’re seeing his mind, Pulev Confirms Fight with Joshua Fixed for December 12 106-93 win over the Miami you’re seeing his adjustments, Kubrat Pulev will fight have signed their contracts for almost three years after It is not clear if the fight Heat in Game Six, also saw seeing the way he leads the for the fight. a shoulder injury forced him will be behind closed him take home his fourth group.’ champion Anthony Joshua in a world heavyweight Pulev has been waiting out of their planned world doors because of Covid-19 Finals MVP award. Lakers team mate Kyle for a chance to face Joshua title bout in October 2017. restrictions. He trails only Chicago Bulls Kuzma said James was a title bout in London on 12 great Michael Jordan, who driving force on the court December, the Bulgarian won six to go with his six and off it. claimed yesterday. NBA championships. ‘He’s one of the greatest Sagamu-born British The 35-year-old James, leaders in sports, not just the boxing champion Joshua was who also won the award NBA,’ said Kuzma. originally scheduled to fight during two championship ‘He’s always rallying the Pulev, 39, on 20 June but it runs with Miami and one troops, talking in group chats was postponed because of with Cleveland, averaged and making sure everybody’s coronavirus. 29.8 points per game on 59 fine. Holds everybody to “It’s official: Pulev vs. per cent shooting in the Finals a high standard. Makes Joshua on 12 December in while leading a defensive everybody accountable. London,” Pulev posted on his effort that handcuffed the Everything you want in a official website on Monday. Heat offense in Game Six. leader.’ “There is no way back, no postponement, no rescheduling! Let the better one win!” he added on EndSARS: Oshoala’s Twitter Rant Facebook. Joshua, 30, beat Andy Ruiz on Protests Divide Nigerians to regain the WBA, IBF, WBO outraged by her choice of words and IBO heavyweight titles Femi Solaja in Saudi Arabia in December. in describing Nigeria as a jungle, called on the Nigeria Football Pulev, the IBF’s mandatory THE CHAMPION AND THE CHALLENGER... Super Falcons’ Captain and challenger, said both fighters Anthony Joshua (left) have a December 12 date to Keep with Kubrat Pulev FC Barcelona Femeni forward, Federation (NFF) to strip her Asisat Oshoala, may have found of the captain’s armband and herself on the wrong side of at the same time make a public some Nigerians over the ongoing apology. West Ham Against Radical Plans to Reform Premier League However, some other users protests calling for the sacking of West Ham have announced that domain on Sunday. Covid-19 and we know they would be negotiated jointly, plus the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the medium, came to her defence, insisting that if Nigeria they are against radical plans The source said they were of have the means to prevent the £250m bail-out many clubs (SARS) of the Nigeria Police. by Liverpool and Manchester the view Liverpool and United that from happening within have been demanding since May. Oshoala joined several past is not a jungle men of the SARS will not resort to inhuman tactics United to reform the English were the instigators but that they existing mechanisms. This is the fourth season in a and present sports personalities football pyramid, according to had been told talks have been “We strongly urge the Premier row where the ‘big six’ have all to tweet her solidarity with the in dealing with most youths in the country. a club source. going on since January and what League and EFL to continue to qualified for European football. present struggle to put an end to The Project Big Picture has emerged is the 17th version work constructively to come up In the past 10 seasons, one of constant harassment and killings In the early hours of yesterday, precisely at 00:30, the Nigerian proposals have been put together of the proposal. with a package of support for them has missed out on only by the security agency. by Liverpool owner John Henry The plans also include the whole football family.” four occasions. But the four-time African star, probably due to pressure from her admirers retraced and United co-chairman Joel special status for Arsenal, The Hammers feel the Over the past decade, West Footballer of the Year recipient, Glazer. Chelsea, Manchester City and obvious negatives - the loss Ham have had two European however “scored an own goal” her step with a fresh tweet, explaining her earlier post. Everton, Southampton and Tottenham. of two home games - will hit campaigns, both of which when she described the country West Ham would be granted A spokesman for Prime their finances, while at the ended during the qualifying as a jungle in her tweet. “I love Nigeria, Nigeria has given me everything even if it special status in the plans, along Minister Boris Johnson said same time creating space for rounds. Southampton and Last Saturday at 9:05 pm, the with the so-called ‘big six’. on Monday the plans would more European games and Everton have also qualified Super Falcons captain who is one of wasn’t in the easiest way, that the most active female footballers on is why I will also give my all in However, a Hammers insider “undermine the trust in lucrative pre-season friendlies, for Europe twice in the same social media tweeted on her verified my own little way…make it easier has told BBC Sport they are “very football’s governance”. which would disproportionately period. handle: “#Nigeria is a JUNGLE!!! for the next generation. Na all of much against” it. “In terms of support for clubs benefit the ‘big six’. “The big six are using #EndSARS, EndPoliceBrutality.” us gather love this country but It is understood the club were we have been given assurances The plans include reducing Covid-19 for a power grab,” Unfortunately, her tweet became not happy #SARSMUSTEND unaware of the proposals, even by the Premier League and the Premier League to 18 clubs said the West Ham source. “If a subject of discussion with #EndPoliceBrutalityInNigeria,” she though they were named in English Football League that and scrapping the EFL Cup. this goes through, over time many Nigerians sharply divided. tweeted to soften frayed nerves them - and were shocked when they have no intention to let In return, the EFL would get they will just use more and Some of those who felt on the social media. they emerged into the public any EFL club go bust due to 25% of all future TV deals, which more for themselves.” T RU N Tuesday October 13, 2020TH & REASO Price: N250 MISSILE PDP to APC “SARS was created in 1992, far before the coming to power of the PDP, it turned monstrous within five years of the command of APC administration, under which our nation has witnessed horrific cases of arbitrary and extra-judicial killings, illegal arrests, arbitrary detention” – The Peoples Democratic Party holding the All Progressives Congress responsible for SARS’ arbitrariness. TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI [email protected] #EndSARS: Almost A Revolution he increase in the pump price of fuel, can’t keep blaming the past. My take, in fact have shown up from the most unlikely quarters. in 2020, a fall-out of the deregulation is that the colonial police master is much better Their protest goes beyond police brutality. It of the downstream sector, did not than the post-colonial police masters we now demonstrates the power of technology and the compel the youths of Nigeria to troop have. Present day internal colonialists are far nature of a modern revolution and its potency. out onto the streets. The additional less human than the British colonialists. There The Arab Spring was triggered off in December hikeT in electricity tariffs was not enough to ignite are many Nigerians who will readily argue that 2010, by an act of self-immolation by a Tunisian their anger either. The government of the day colonialism had its good sides, highlighted youth in protest over police corruption and explained to the people that the additional burden ironically by the wickedness of a generation brutality. In Nigeria, a Revolutionary Spring of higher prices was part of the sacrifice they had that inherited independence and subverted it. has been afoot for days. Well, almost. to make as citizens. The impact of COVID-19 was Too many panels and committees have been Nigerian youths took over not just the streets hobbling the country: loss of revenue, inflation, a set up to reform the Nigeria Police: why has of Nigeria, they possessed the international social weak national currency, foreign exchange crisis. that not worked? For more than 40 years, civil media space. They ignited the fire of patriotism The people showed understanding. The strongest society groups in Nigeria and the International at home and in Diaspora. There have been point about the average Nigerian is that he or Community have been drawing attention to protests by Nigerians across the world- in Paris, she is resilient, long-suffering, yet ever ready human rights abuses by the Nigeria Police: London, Johannesburg, Monrovia, Dublin and to give up a little comfort for the country’s why has nobody listened? Every Inspector elsewhere. On Twitter, a dedicated team called sake. Nigerian leaders do not show as much General of Police since the 1990s has talked out international celebrities and governments readiness or patriotism in the same manner. about Police Reform, Police decentralization, to help defend the rights of Nigerians to live Nonetheless, Nigerians continue to endure, but Police restructuring, but that has also not worked. in peace in their country. Within 24 hours, the lesson of the #EndSARS crisis that has now The current #EndSARS protest is a response to the #EndSARS campaign became the Number engulfed the country is that it is not good to years of inaction and the deafness of the Nigerian one trending topic on social media worldwide. take the people’s patience for granted. state. The argument is not about a colonial Governments and embassies joined the protest, calling on the Nigerian government to address Last week, it took an encounter between a IG, Adamu heritage. It is about the failure of leadership. young man and the notorious Federal Special This is worsened by the fact that the protesters the grievances of its angry citizens. I saw Drake, Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) in Ughelli, Delta Nigerian Mobile Police (MOPOL) Nigerians do not trust the Nigerian government anymore. Cardi B, John Boyega, Trey Songz, Chance State, for the people to cry out and show their were finally confronted with the spectre of There is nothing new about police brutality and the Rapper, Estelle, global cultural figures outrage over unending cases of police brutality. police brutality in full force. It was a para-military the violation of human rights by the Nigerian asking questions about Nigeria. It was in the A young man by name Ochuko, was first said police unit. It would eventually distinguish itself State, but the people have seen that it may government’s interest to respond. The IGP has to have been killed by the men of the FSARS. internationally and bring laurels to Nigeria in never end. For the past four years, there have now announced a complete disbandment of the It was later established that he did not die. He UN, AU, ECOWAS international peace-keeping been similar protests and demands. This is not Special Anti-Robbery Squad, but two days later, was brutalized. His vehicle was seized by the operations. But locally, the MOPOL, as it was the first time Government will restructure the nobody trusted him. Nigerian youths shouted police. He ended up in hospital. The Minister called, was known for its human rights abuses. notorious SARS or direct that checkpoints should “AU-DI-O”. They have remained on the streets. of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Under Inspector-General of Police, Sunday be disbanded. In 2017, 2018, 2019, the police They have asked that the President of Nigeria Keyamo, SAN who was born in Ughelli intervened Adewusi (1981- 1983), the MOPOL became so hierarchy gave the same directives. The police Muhammadu Buhari must address the nation. and tried to explain. He said the victim was notorious, so evil, that it was called the “Kill simply went about their duties and punished the He has now done so. It was in his interest to alive and that in fact, the outfit involved in the and Go Police”. people even more. It is tragic to have a Police do so. Every step that has been taken by the encounter was not SARS, but Operation Delta After dismissing the civilian Shehu Shagari system that the people do not trust. Nigerian government in the last three days Safe. These were policemen all the same. The administration in 1983, the military rulers that After the aforementioned Ughelli incident, is not because the government listens, but a youths of Ughelli therefore turned their anger came after had to whittle down the influence the Inspector General of Police - Mohammed response to a desperate situation. #EndSARS on the police. Whether it was Operation Delta of the MOPOL. It had become a threat not just Adamu announced that SARS officials had been was beginning to graduate to an #EndNigeria Safe or SARS did not matter, the truth is that the to society but also the military. MOPOL may ordered off the streets, checkpoints banned and campaign. Even the Vice President and one Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad established have been bad but SARS is worse. Nigeria’s that every SARS official must wear a uniform. of his daughters joined the campaign. One of in 1992 has over the years become synonymous Special Anti-Robbery Squad inherited the “Kill The public laughed. They dismissed the directive the President’s daughters, Zahra Buhari also with impunity and brutality. and Go” label and turned it into a shameless as “an audio directive.” AUDIO used in that tweeted on the side of the people. The children CSP Simeon Danladi Midenda (assisted by brand. Nobody is spared. You only need to context in Nigeria’s street talk means mere sound, of both billionaires and the poor are united. DSP Taiwo Lakanu) who helped to set up the drive a good car, wear dreadlocks, look like nothing of substance, it can be heard but there is One of them, DJ Cuppy, has said she had to unit as a default strategy at the time, is on you had just returned from an overseas trip, nothing to it because it is deceptive and dishonest. defy other people’s counsel but as a young record as having said that the unit, one of 14 speak with a foreign accent, or look like the The people have been proven right. When a Nigerian she felt obliged to speak up. in the Nigeria Police Crime and Intelligence son or daughter or wife of a rich man, or make people begin to call those who are supposed The #EndSARS campaign has produced new Division, has “deviated from the original the mistake of being seen with an expensive to protect them liars and hypocrites, something heroes. We have seen an expression of youth concept.” The exact nature of that deviation phone or tablet, and you automatically become has gone crazy in that society, and a bomb is anger and patriotism that we never expected is that over the years, Nigerians concluded a target. Walking too confidently on the streets ticking. Indeed, within 24 hours after the IGP’s was possible. Omoyele Sowore, the activist that FSARS had transformed from being a of Nigeria is now regarded as a crime by SARS mollifying directives, SARS officials were seen who ignited the fire that now burns, must be crime-fighting unit of the Nigeria Police into policemen and yet, the Nigerian Constitution again on the streets, acting like emperors as pleased. The other hero is Aisha Yesufu, the a criminal unit, granted automatic immunity guarantees the freedom of movement. SARS usual. The people then resolved that “Enough is foster daughter of the North, who has emerged by official status and the guns that they wield. officials pry into people’s bags, enter their houses Enough”. In Ughelli, Lagos, Osogbo, Abuja, and as a symbol of the protest. There is Rinu, the Rather than fight armed robbery, SARS officials and look into soup pots and refrigerators, and elsewhere, they confronted the SARS officials. young lady who acted as spokesperson at the spent more time terrorizing Nigerians. The ask for a share of family assets or else, they will The Police fought back. Nigeria now looks like a Lagos State House of Assembly. And Segun many stories that have been written about “kill and go” and as they often say, “nothing scene out of William Shakespeare’s Coriolanus. Awosanya, the #EndSARS architect and spirit. this unit of the Nigeria Police convey a picture will happen.” And indeed, often, and always, “Na on top that matter we dey since oh” as Deji Adeyanju. Dipo Awojide. Reno Omokri. of how Nigeria itself has deteriorated and nothing happens, and if anything happens at the people say. There are others: those who lived, those who how institutions of state can be easily used all, such policemen are protected by the police The people standing up to the Nigeria Police are died, the living ancestors, and members of to condone and promote impunity. In 1971, and subsequently rewarded with promotion to be exact, the youths of Nigeria. The #EndSARS Corporate Nigeria who stood up to be counted. Nigerian policemen killed Kunle Adepeju, a and better postings. They are not answerable to campaign is an expression of youth power. What The Nollywood and Creative Industry team promising Nigerian student at the University anybody in the state to which they are deployed. we have seen is a whole generation speaking up. gave verve to the protest: Falz the Bad Guy, of Ibadan, who was not even involved in a They operate as a Federal Force! This is exactly Their protest goes beyond police brutality. It is Wizkid, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Paul Okoye, Rema, protest about the inefficiency and incompetence the problem. A Police system that is supposed an outflow of pent up anger about how Nigeria Don Jazzy, Mike Edwards, Genevieve Nnaji, of a University catering manager. to protect the safety of lives and property but has been mismanaged over the years. It is a Toke Makinwa, too many to mention… and In April 1978, the police killed Nigerian which operates like an enemy of the people, protest about the failure of the state, the reign the BBNaija queen – Tacha showing that far students for daring to query the then Olusegun and the state lacks the will to do what is right, of impunity and the abuse of uniform, not just beyond beauty and brains, conscience matters… Obasanjo military regime. The government is a threat to everyone. by the police, but Customs, Immigration, Civil Notably, there is no single hero. The youths of had increased the cost of meal on campuses It has been argued that we should never have Defence, Road Safety officials, and anyone who Nigeria led themselves. They blocked politicians by 50k per day. The students revolted. The expected, and should not expect much from the wears an official uniform and thinks he or she from hijacking the protest, and therein lies the Nigeria Police, this same one, joined by soldiers Modern Nigeria Police. It was established by has been empowered to humiliate and oppress strength of this unfolding Nigerian story. We who were called out to quell the protests, the colonial authorities as a force of domination, less privileged Nigerians. But the Phoenix has have not yet seen the end of it. It is a much littered every campus from Zaria to Lagos division, suppression, and control, and so the risen. Before now, many young Nigerians kept bigger story: the story of how a strategic police with corpses. In 1981, they killed Dele Udoh, argument goes, we should expect the Modern calling on the older generation of activists to speak unit that used to be known as the “Scorpions” a 24-year old, award winning athlete. He Nigeria Police Force to remain true to its up for them about contemporary issues. The ended up as a group of “Monkeys”, looking for was gunned down for having the temerity to antecedents. The weakness of that argument majority actually thought the duty of liberating “Bananas”, so badly they became involved in argue with a policeman. With the emergence is that it props up colonial determinism. It Nigeria should be carried out by the same set of land matters, snatched ATM cards, and became of a unit of the Nigeria Police Force called has been 60 years after independence. We old actors. This time, new heroes and heroines “AsSARSins.” Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. 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