FG Mulls Extension of Petrol Parity Fund to Gas Supply Nationwide Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja more available and accessible when the policy becomes stations anywhere in Nigeria. He noted that 2021 to 2030 of the Petroleum Industry to Nigerians. functional, it will help tackle The executive secretary had been declared as the Bill (PIB) which will clearly The federal yesterday indicated Speaking yesterday during inflation associated with stated that the scheme had “Decade of Gas”, explaining spell out the new functions that it is considering extending an interactive session with increases in gas products. yet to fully take off because that a lot of consultations were of the PEF, stressing that the current equalisation energy correspondents in PEF's main function is to the government was still still ongoing with all relevant whatever role is assigned scheme in the petrol supply Abuja, the Executive Secretary, ensure price uniformity of propagating the use of gas agencies to make the proposal the petrol equalisation board system in the country to the Petroleum Equalisation Fund petroleum products via the as an alternative fuel and was become a reality. will determine the next line movement of gas across the (PEF) Management Board, Mr reimbursement of marketers yet to get its full adoption by Bobboi stated that the policy country to make the product Ahmed Bobboi, noted that for trucking products to filling the majority of Nigerians. was also awaiting the passage Continued on page 11
APC, PDP Trade Words over Review of Payroll... Page 10
Monday 10 May, 2021 Vol 26. No 9527. Price: N250
www.thisdaylive.com T RU N TH & REASO FG, Govs Table Revenue-sharing Model to End Financial Autonomy Dispute States to set up revenue allocation committees New system takes effect 45 days after agreement Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja to resolve the raging dispute workers, who have been on funds from the Federation was given to the leadership meeting last Thursday in over the full implementation a strike for over one month Account due to each state are of both the Judiciary Staff Abuja, seeks to replicate The federal government and of financial autonomy for state to press home their demands to be jointly shared among Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) the federal revenue-sharing governors of the 36 states of judiciaries and legislatures. for financial autonomy for the the executive, legislature and and Parliamentary Staff structure in the states. the federation have agreed If the agreement is accepted two arms of government in judiciary in each state. Association of Nigeria on a revenue-sharing formula by judicial and parliamentary the 36 states of the federation, The new proposal, which (PASAN) at a conciliatory Continued on page 11 Buhari Mourns Victims of Insecurity, Condemns Nationwide Bloodletting Bandits kill 11, injure three in Kaduna, Katsina Deji Elumoye in Abuja, John result of the global COVID-19 Shiklam in Kaduna, Emmanuel pandemic said: "As Muslims in Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia and Nigeria join others globally in Dike Onwuamaeze in Lagos preparations towards Eid al-Fitr, a day that is celebrated to mark President Muhammadu the end of Ramadan, the month Buhari yesterday bemoaned of fasting, President Buhari has the killings in the country that directed that all celebrations have worsened the nation’s are limited due to the global security challenges. Coronavirus crisis. The president, in a statement "To this end, the president, by his spokesman, Mallam first family, his personal aides, Garba Shehu, condoled with members of the cabinet and the relatives of those who lost service chiefs who choose to their lives in what he called remain in Abuja will congregate madness going on nationwide. in full compliance with The killings continued at the COVID-19 protocols at the weekend as bandits murdered forecourt of the Presidential no fewer than 11 persons in Villa, Abuja to observe the Katsina and Kaduna States. Eid prayers by 9:00 am. Also, gunmen sustained their "Thereafter, there will be attacks on police facilities in the no traditional Sallah homage South-east as they hit a police to the president by religious, station in Umuahia, Abia State community and political leaders capital. as was the case last year, the Buhari, who called for a low- key Eid al-Fitr celebration as a Continued on page 11 FOR SAFER ROADS... PDP Consults Babangida, to Meet L-R: Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); and Obi of Owa Kingdom, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II, during the inauguration of the Federal Road Safety Corps Marshall Inspectorate Training School in Obasanjo, Jonathan, Others...Page 8 Owa-Alero…recently 2 MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 • THISDAY MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 • THISDAY 3 4 MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 • THISDAY MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 • THISDAY 5 6 MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 • THISDAY MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 • THISDAY 7 8 MONDAY, ˜ͺͺ˾THISDAY
Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike NEWS Email [email protected], 08066066268 PDP Consults Babangida, to Meet Obasanjo, Jonathan over National Issues Chuks Okocha in Abuja communication on the outcome from collapse. Our country guerrilla warfare and the very the PDP is leading the charge been plunged into by the All of the meeting between the PDP is threatened and this is not a foundation of our country is in seeking a solution to the Progressives Congress (APC),” Members of the National Working leadership and Babangida, joke. We are confronted with being threatened. That is why ugly situation our nation has he said. Committee (NWC) of the Peoples THISDAY gathered that the Democratic Party (PDP) have met state of insecurity in Nigeria with a former military President, dominated the discussion. General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), It was also learnt that another on the state of the nation. issue discussed was what a source The party chiefs are also privy to the meeting described billed to meet former Presidents as the internal affairs of the PDP Olusegun Obasanjo and as a political party. Goodluck Jonathan, as well as THISDAY was further told a former President of the Senate, that the PDP leadership will Senator David Mark. this week meet with Obasanjo The party had last week said it and Jonathan as well as Mark. would commence consultations The party has also slated to with critical stakeholders across meet former senate presidents, the six geo-political zones in Dr. Bukola Saraki and Anyim furtherance of its democratic Pius Anyim. efforts to rescue the nation from It was not certain if the meeting misrule. between Babangida and the PDP The party had added that it leadership discussed issues on was working on templates that how the presidential candidate of would enable it to, within the the PDP would emerge as well ambits of laws, further harness as the report of the committee suggestions from Nigerians on led by Bauchi State Governor, democratic means to tackle the Senator Bala Mohammed, that festering insecurity, guarantee the threw open the PDP presidential safety of lives and property as ticket to all zones. well as restore national stability While receiving former and cohesiveness. Minister of Information and THISDAY gathered that it National Orientation and was in line with this pledge founding National Secretary of that the NWC led by the PDP the PDP, Prof. Jerry Gana, who National Chairman, Prince Uche recently returned to the party, Secondus, met with Babangida Secondus had said the main on the state of the nation in his objective of the PDP was to residence in Minna, Niger State rescue the nation from misrule. MENTORING THE DIASPORA... at the weekend. “The main objective of the L-R: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zuberu Dada (left), and Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Though there was no official PDP is to rescue our nation Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at the inaugural Diaspora Quarterly lecture Series Webinar in Abuja…weekend el-Rufai’s Allegation of Persecution Unfounded, Says Jonathan Accuses gov of becoming bitter after losing vice presidential bid Chuks Okocha in Abuja Yar’Adua died. He returned “After the then President false and provocative comments order el-Rufai's arrest and is senior to him in age.’ because he believed that under named Mr. Namadi Sambo as that were injurious to Nigeria’s subsequent prosecution in order “Malam el-Rufai was also Former President Goodluck then-President Jonathan the his vice president, two days later peace, unity and progress, as not to heighten political tension. exposed as a pathological liar on Jonathan has described the atmosphere was more conducive on May 13, 2010, Mr. el-Rufai well as to our good relations It said: “Mr. Nasir el-Rufai page 272 of ‘Power, Politics and allegation of persecution made for him. This is borne out by a became very bitter and made with neighbouring nations, worked closely with then- Death: A Front-row Account of against his administration by Wikileaks’ cable, in which Mr. plans to leave the Peoples including that then-President President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria Under the late President Kaduna State Governor, Malam el-Rufai admitted that former Democratic Party and began Jonathan founded and funded who has described him in his Umaru Musa Yar’Adua,’ written Nasir el-Rufai, as a mere figment President Jonathan is ‘clean and to undermine the Jonathan Boko Haram to the tune of N50 book, My Watch Volume 2, as by former THISDAY Editor of his imagination and concocted honest.’ administration." billion to give Islam a bad name, follows: ‘Nasir’s penchant for and spokesman to President to attract cheap attention and “After this diplomatic cable The statement said despite which Mr. el-Rufai made on reputation savaging is almost Yar’Adua, Mr. Segun Adeniyi. undeserving popularity. was published by local and the governor's anti-government September 8, 2014. pathological. Why does he do “Finally, Mr. el-Rufai has been Jonathan, in a statement by his international media on October activities, Jonathan declined to “That then President Jonathan it? I recognised his weaknesses; described as ‘a liar’ and fetish spokesman, Mr. Reno Omokri, 8, 2011, Mr. el-Rufai admitted move against el-Rufai. had gone to the Republic of Chad the worst being his inability to person by his former political said the allegation by el-Rufai that he indeed made those He said in keeping with the to plan Boko Haram attacks with be loyal to anybody or any issue patron, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, that he was to be arrested in comments. Jonathan doctrine of having no the late President Deby, which consistently for long, but only who he credits with bringing him furtherance of the second term “Exactly six days after his enemy to fight, he refused to he made on November 25, 2014. to Nasir el-Rufai. into the Obasanjo administration. bid of the former president was return, Mr. el-Rufai visited move against el-Rufai. And that he el-Rufai, along “He barefacedly lied which he “With such testimonials untrue. then President Jonathan at the According to the statement, with [now president] Buhari, did to me against his colleagues about his character from people He said: “Nigerians may Aso Rock Presidential Villa, on “Security reports received by and several other prominent and so-called friends. I have with initiate knowledge of his recall that Mr. el-Rufai was on Tuesday, May 11, 2010, and then the then president indicated Nigerians were on a hit list of heard of how he ruthlessly personality, Nigerians should not a self-imposed exile during the held a press conference outside that Mr. el-Rufai was engaged people to be shot and killed by savaged the reputation of his be surprised about Mr. el-Rufai’s administration of the late great the then president’s office, where in provocative activities in order the Jonathan administration, uncle, a man who was like, in most recent assertions.” President Umar Musa Yar’Adua. he made unsolicited comments to instigate his own arrest, which he made on January 5, the African setting, his foster He urged Nigerians to ignore “Mr. el-Rufai only returned asking Dr. Jonathan to contest because he felt it would boost 2014." father. I shuddered when I heard el-Rufai, but to pray for peace, to Nigeria on May 5, 2010, the the 2011 elections and said that his popularity. According to the statement, the story of what he did to his progress and stability of the very same day that President he would support him. “As such, he made several Jonathan resisted the urge to half-brother in the Air Force who nation. Coalition of Civil Societies Call for Mass Action against Buhari May 26 Gboyega Akinsanmi in Lagos Human Rights, Centre for and Remembrance of Victims proceedings against him on and the welfare of all Nigerians, carrying out mass murder, rape, and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Democracy and Development of Mass Atrocities on May 28 as grounds of gross misconduct and pull the nation back from maiming and kidnapping on (CDD), West Africa, Action Aid, well as boycott all Democracy as provided for in Section 143 the path of destruction,” the women and children were feted, The Joint Action Civil Society African Centre for Leadership, Day activities on May 29, 2021, of the 1999 Constitution of the coalition demanded. granted amnesty and paid by Coalition/Nigeria Mourns has Strategy and Development in protest against the deplorable Federal Republic of Nigeria. It noted that insecurity has the government. called on Nigerians to participate (Centre LSD), African Centre for state of democracy in the country. “We are appalled to note that continued to pervade the country The civil societies coalition in a series of mass action across Media and Information Literacy The statement was a follow up despite our strongly-worded after a sharp increase of 43 per also pilloried the government the country on May 26 against (AFRICMIL) Alliances for Africa, to the coalition’s last joint statement statement, President Buhari’s cent in mass atrocities in 2020. for failing to bring to justice the administration of President Bimbo Odukoya Foundation issued in February 2021, where government has failed to heed The coalition noted that: “In the herdsmen and their financiers, Muhammadu Buhari to indicate (BOF), Cece Yara Foundation, it catalogued the assortment our call to fulfil his role as first quarter of 2021 (January to who are perpetrating an onslaught their disavowal with the insecurity Centre for Transparency Advocacy of mass atrocities plaguing the Commander in Chief of the March), we recorded an all-time on unarmed farming communities sweeping across the country. (CTA), Centre for Women's Health country, in particular: the unending Armed Forces and Nigeria’s quarterly high of almost 2,000 while also downplaying the The coalition of 127 civil society and Information (CEWHIN), insurgency in the North East democratically elected President. fatalities from mass atrocities criminality of the large scale groups issued the statement CITAD, TAP N’Itiative, Women with the military often bearing We are therefore left with no incidents across the country. This terrorist attacks in the North-west. yesterday titled: State of the Nation: in Media and Communications the brunt of the government’s other option than to take action week, across the six geopolitical It alleged other forms of A Call to President Muhammadu Initiative and Women's Crisis security failures. to drive home our call to the zones, there were escalated insecurity to include industrial- Buhari to Stop the Bleeding and Centre, Owerri. In the last statement, it had government. “We again call on combustions of violence resulting scale kidnappings all across the Take Action to End the carnage. They also urged the public demanded that the President the Muhammadu Buhari led in even more deaths.” It accused country, extrajudicial killings by Some of the notable signatories to participate in solemn should step aside if he is not able national government and the state the government of meting out state security agents in various of the statement with hashtag assemblies across the country to fulfil his constitutional duties governments to rise up to their attacks and gross injustices against forms, inter-ethnic violence and #NigeriaBleeds included Yiaga to commemorate the 4th or, that the National Assembly constitutional duties as enshrined peaceful protesters by the security menace of political cult gangs Africa, Baobab for Women’s National Day of Mourning should initiate impeachment in S14(2)(b), to ensure the security agents while terrorists who were and ethnic militia. MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 • THISDAY 9 10 MONDAY, ˜ͺͺ˾THISDAY NEWS APC, PDP Trade Words over Review of Payroll Chuks Okocha and Adedayo looting in the integrated claim on the purported plan was proud of its credentials APC added that thousands, the present Akinwale in Abuja payment system, where trillion to slash workers' salaries as as a truly progressive and from President Buhari government's commitment of naira are being siphoned a comical tales. people-centred political party. administration's several social to the welfare of Nigerian The All Progressives Congress through non-existent workers The National Secretary of "The Peoples Democratic investments programmes workers had been tested, (APC) and the Peoples and overheads," it said. the Caretaker/Extraordinary Party (PDP) is up to its targeted at citizens living on proven and unmatched. Democratic Party (PDP) The main opposition Convention Planning comical tales on what it terms the margin; implementation of The ruling party stressed yesterday engaged in a war party said the APC and its Committee, Sen. John ‘intelligence at its disposal’ to the improved minimum wage; that its administration would of words over the plan by the administration should return Akpanudoedehe, said in a slash the salaries of workers the Economic Sustainability continue to match words with federal government to review the over N15 trillion stolen statement issued yesterday in in the country. Clearly only Plan to the mass housing actions in line with its electoral the workers’ payrolls in order by APC leaders from various Abuja that the ruling party the PDP believes its tales." programme benefittingpromises. to cut costs. agencies of government and While the PDP said that channel same to governance. intelligence at its disposal It further said that it was indicated that the leaders of distasteful that the APC and the APC recommended the the Buhari’s administration widely condemned move to were contemplating a salary slash workers’ meagre salaries, cut in a country with a paltry the APC described the claim N30,000 monthly minimum by the main opposition party wage. as comical tales. The PDP said that it found it The PDP in a statement by appalling that at a time leaders the National Publicity Secretary, of other countries were seeking Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, ways to provide economic described as wicked and stimulus and incentives for completely unacceptable that their citizens, the APC and APC leaders could go after the Buhari were rather seeking workers’ salaries even after to cut salaries in a country their party had endorsed the with frightening 33.3 per cent increase in the cost of fuel, unemployment rate; where electricity and other tariffs, over 60 million citizens had leading to the steep rise in the lost their jobs while over 40 cost of food and other essential million businesses were closed commodities beyond the reach within six years of the APC of millions of Nigerians. administration. According to the PDP, "Our "Our party cautions that party rejects the baseless APC and its administration argument that the move to against the proposed salary cut salaries is necessitated by cut as it will trigger an dwindling revenue to finance immediate negative spiral the national budget. effect, particularly with the "Rather than impose more escalated cases of terrorism hardship on our workers, the and other social vices, APC and its administration confronting our nation," the should realign the budget by PDP said. FROM EAST TO WEST... removing their padded figures But in a swift response, the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (left), and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, during the burial of former as well as end the exposed APC has described the PDP Commissioner of Police, Chief Benjamin Olatise (rtd), in Aisegba-Ekiti…weekend Senate: 60 Agencies Failed to Remit N3tn into Federation Account Ahmed: Affected parastatals now paying back Deji Elumoye in Abuja THISDAY findings revealed MDAs between 2014 and 2020. the so-called 80 per cent General of the Federation. Fund (CRF). that almost all the revenue- According to him, from of operational surplus the “There is no gainsaying The minister, in her The Senate has disclosed generating agencies of the submissions already made and agencies refer to, many the fact that if these revenues contribution, confirmed that no fewer than 60 federal government failed to remit calculations from the Fiscal of these agencies proved are paid to the Consolidated that in recent times a good government agencies failed generated fund into the coffers Responsibility Commission, frivolous expenditure and Revenue Fund (CRF) for number of agencies have been to remit over N3 trillion of the government. about 60 Government Owned they have taken advantage proper appropriation by the directed to pay back revenues generated revenue into the Adeola explained that Enterprises (GOEs), may have of the current system and parliament during budget collected on behalf of federal Federation Account from 2014 over N3 trillion of generated about N3trillion of government refuse to remit this amount considerations, we are going government as required by to 2020. revenue of the government revenue still unremitted in as at when due. We tried to reduce dramatically the size the law. This is just as the Minister of were trapped with the MDAs, their coffers or already spent to audit the account of these of our deficit and hopefully, Ahmed added that the Finance, Budget and National which might have spent them on frivolous expenditure agencies year in year out for minimise our borrowing. executive arm of government Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, on frivolous expenditures contrary to the Constitution the past five years and some “We cannot continue to run is also scrutinising the said that some of the affected contrary to the provisions and Fiscal Responsibility Act, of the revelation are scaring. government business as we application of the template parastatals have started of the 1999 Constitution 2007. How do we explain that an used to do in this time when of calculating and deducting crediting government coffers of the Federal Republic of He said: "The reconciliation agency of government that there are huge demands for operating surpluses by with the outstanding revenues Nigeria (As amended) and done so far by the Office of has a provision in the budget government to fund needed agencies of government to they generated in the last six the 2007 Fiscal Responsibility Accountant General of the for Capital, Overhead and infrastructure and other socio- ensure that the right amount years. Act (FRA). Federation is in excess of over Personel, in their audited economic programmes”. is paid to the government. The Senate Committee on The ranking Senator spoke a trillion naira going to like account, they have gross Adeola stressed that the On his part, the DG, Budget Finance headed by Senator at the weekend when the two, three trillion Naira or revenue of N500 million minister and other top Office, Akabueze clarified Olamilekan Adeola made Minister of Finance, Budget thereabouts and these monies and they are asking for N200 officials were invited to get that the issue of operating the allegation in the course and National Planning, Mrs. are still hanging in the hands million?". their full buy-in and also surpluses does not apply to of investigating revenue Zainab Ahmed; Director- of these agencies and we have He added that since brief them on the revelations any government agencies remittances by MDAs between General of Budget Office, asked the office of Accountant the commencement of the unearthed by the over four- that are fully funded by 2014-2020 and payment of one Mr. Ben Akabueze; Auditor General to get the money into investigations some agencies week-long investigations with government, stressing that per cent Stamp Duty on all General of the Federation, the government coffers and have complied with the many agencies committing all revenue generated by contract awards by the MDAs Mr. Idris Ahmed and other we discovered that they are committee's directive with all manner of illegalities such agencies must be paid within the same period. heads of agencies appeared giving them a payment notice some of them paying back relating to the expenditure in full into the CRF as it is Although the committee before the committee over without necessarily following tens of millions of Naira of government funds that illegal to spend out of such did not categorically mention the ongoing investigation up this process. with receipts to show from should rightly be paid into money without appropriation the agencies involved but into revenue remittances by "We have noticed that in the Office of the Accountant the Consolidated Revenue by the National Assembly. NASU Urges FG to Halt Planned Slash of Workers’ Salaries Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja NASU, Prince Peters A. of policy will only provoke The union said the Minister to reduce cost of governance. continued to urge him to Adeyemi, it pleaded with Nigerian workers and incite of Finance Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, She was further quoted to retrench workers. The Non-Academic Staff Union President Muhammadu Buhari them towards negative actions was reported to have said on have stated that the National It also noted that the of Educational and Associated to have a rethink on the policy that may lead to unintended May 4, 2021, at a ‘National Salaries, Incomes and Wages administration had continued Institutions (NASU) has direction of his government. outcomes,” he said. Policy Dialogue on Corruption Commission (NSIWC) has to pay salaries regularly described the decision of the It said embarking on a NASU said it viewed the and Cost of Governance in been directed to review salaries despite challenges, adding federal government to reduce pay-cut at a time, when for recent pronouncement by Nigeria’, organised by the of civil servants and some that the act is commendable. salaries of civil servants as the same economic reasons, the federal government that Independent Corrupt Practices federal agencies. The group said the reason insensitive, provocative and the United States of America the government has decided and Other Related Offences NASU observed that given by the Minister of inciting. is considering raising its to reduce salaries of federal Commission (ICPC) in Abuja President Buhari had refused Finance for the policy In statement issued minimum wage to 15 dollars civil servants as an act of that the review of salaries of to yield to the pressure from statement is the desire of the yesterday by the General an hour, is not desirable. insensitivity, provocative and civil servants and some federal some individuals in his government to reduce cost of Secretary of “To continue on this line inciting. agencies was part of measures administration, who have governance. MONDAY, ˜ͺͺ˾THISDAY 11 PAGE ELEVEN Army Arrests 13 Suspected Boko Haram Members in Kano Mosque 400 killed in April, says report Dike Onwuamaeze in Lagos and to flee the area,” the source said. predicted that Nigeria’s Gross in Q1 due to the base year effect. to acquire raw materials. Inflationary pressure will Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano It was gathered that the Domestic Product (GDP) might But Q2 GDP is estimated at “Total value of transactions fell continue to weaken disposable targeted mosque belongs to some improve in the second quarter 3.7 per cent mainly due to the by 6.3 per cent to N23.19 trillion income and manufacturers' Troops of the 3rd Brigade of the indigenes of Borno State, who of 2021, while revenue available resilience of the informal sector, in April 2021 from N24.75 trillion profitability and will be beyond Nigerian Army in Kano have fled the North-east following the for sharing by the three tiers massive vaccination and herd in March 2021. However, the the monetary phenomenon in raided Filin Lazio in Hotoro intensity of the nefarious activities of government may hit N700 immunity,” he added. value of transactions is expected Nigeria. quarters of Nassarawa Local of Boko Haram insurgents. billion in May. He based his projection on to rise towards N25trillion in “It is also episodic and will Government Area of Kano According to the source, the The report also stated that historical facts that showed May 2021. be driven by factors specific to a State and arrested 13 suspected troops also took away some items Nigeria went up on the global that economic booms follow “Also, on the backdrop of particular period. These factors members of Boko Haram. from the surroundings of the ranking of terrorist attacks from each post-pandemic era. increasing economic activities are 42 per cent structural, 25 per The arrest came just as the mosque before whisking away the fourth position in 2018 to He said: “Pandemic occurs the FAAC allocation will go up cent monetary and 30 per cent Managing Director and Chief the suspects. third position in 2020. once in every 100 years. But by 12.5 per cent to N681.3billion transient. Executive Officer, Financial The army spokesperson, Rewane said: “The economic GDP tends to bounce back after in April 2021 from N605.59 billion “Interest rate on treasury bills Derivatives Company Limited, Captain Njoka Irabor, who losses the country might suffer a period of disruptions such as in March 2021 and might hit will continue to rise as 364-day Mr. Bismarck Rewane, has confirmed the operation, said as a result of the worsening wars and pandemics. Evidence N700 billion in May 2021. It will t/bill rates fast approaching 12 estimated that 400 Nigerians he could not give the exact insecurity would include from earlier pandemics suggests be supported by exchange rate per cent per annum in Q2. were killed in April by suspected number of suspects arrested. escalating food crisis as farming that people accumulate savings as gains, VAT and Company Income “Our view is that a $4 billion Boko Haram insurgents, bandits, Meanwhile, the Managing activities decline, spiralling spending opportunities decline. Tax revenue, imports and excise to $5billion disbursement to the herdsmen and other non-state Director and Chief Executive inflation, loss of new investments “The great lockdown during duty. The rise in the FAAC will market by the CBN will reduce actors. Officer, Financial Derivatives and increase in capital flight, no COVID-19 pandemic is not temporarily support state and external reserves by $2 billion A source, who spoke on Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck hub status as African Continental any different. As the economy local governments’ financial to $3billion. It will allow the condition of anonymity, told Rewane, has estimated that 400 Free Trade Area agreement recovers and activities increase obligations,” he added. parallel market to converge journalists yesterday that the Nigerians lost their lives due to progresses, squeeze incorporate spending rises, leading to a Yet, headline inflation,towards N470/$ and reduce naira military operation in Kano was the activities of the Boko Haram, gains and displacement effect post-pandemic boom.” according to him, could hit 20 liquidity in the system and push carried out while the Muslim bandits, herdsmen and other and rise in emigration.” Rewane also predicted that the per cent in May but would be interest rates up at the interbank faithful were breaking their forms of insecurities in April. He also projected a potential Purchasing Manager Index (PMI) expected to taper down slightly market by 300-400bps.” Ramadan fast. Rewane, in a report, which rise in Nigeria’s GDP in the could climb to 55 points in May in Q3 to 17.5 per cent. He stated that “an approach "The sudden operation took he presented at the monthly second quarter from 2.5 per as economic activities improve He said: “Inflation isto the Eurobond market would the residents by surprise and Lagos Business School’s executive cent to above three per cent. and would be supported by currently100 per cent above make Nigeria move towards that compelled many of them breakfast session for May “The GDP growth could stall better access to foreign exchange CBN’s nine per cent threshold. exchange rate correction.” FG, GOVS TABLE REVENUE-SHARING MODEL TO END FINANCIAL AUTONOMY DISPUTE THISDAY gathered that under reassurance that state governors from the federal and the He said the same template But if you are doing all that autonomy for the two arms of the new template, the governors are committed to implementing Internally Generated Revenue used by the National Judicial is provided in the proposed government in the 36 states of will establish, within 45 days of full financial autonomy for the (IGR), the State Fund Allocation Council (NJC) at the federal template, there will be no need the federation as guaranteed the agreement, States Accounts two arms of government. Committee will now convene level would be adopted in to invoke the Executive Order," by the constitution before the Allocation Committee (SAAC) "They also agreed that they the State Accounts Allocations disbursing funds to the judiciary he said. strike would be called off. to share revenues among the will set up all the structures Committee (SAAC), which will in the states. The striking judicial and The federal government had executive, the judiciary and the necessary for the implementation now oversee the disbursement He said under the new legislative workers had earlier also pleaded with the unions legislature, the same way the of the financial autonomy, of money to different arms of arrangement, state Fund vowed not to compromise to consider the efforts being Federal Accounts Allocation including the budget committee government," he stated. Allocation Committee would on their demands for the made to resolve the dispute and Committee (FAAC) shares where the judiciaries and state He added that each state be headed by the state implementation of 1999 suspend their strike to enable revenue between the federal, legislatures will forward their will ensure that it establishes Commissioner for Finance. Constitution as altered. the court and legislatures to states and local government expenditure estimates. That Fund Allocation Committee for Also, state Houses of The workers said last reopen. councils. will be based on the budget its legislature and judiciary to Assembly will be allocated week at a meeting with a Ngige had said last week The proposal also stipulates envelope of the projected annual be headed by the head of the funds in the same manner that federal government team, that progress had been made that the Accountant General of revenue earning for the arms of courts and the legislature. the National Assembly receives led by Minister of Labour in about 90 per cent of the issues the Federation (AGF) will invoke government as is being done "The two arms of government its allocation after the budget and Employment, Dr. Chris in dispute. Executive Order 10 against any at the federal level," he said. will also be expected to set up approval. Ngige, that the issue of However, the meeting state that fails to abide by the According to the source, a tenders’ board to be headed "So, if there is a breach on the financial autonomy for state between the federal government terms of the agreement. when the executive, judiciary by the court registrar and clerk part of the state government legislatures and judiciaries was team and the leadership of A presidency source told and legislature prepare their of the state Houses Assembly,” that will trigger off Executive a constitutional provision that the unions had ended with THISDAY at the weekend annual budget estimates, they he said. Order 10, which empowers did not warrant any negotiation an agreement that the unions that among the new offers will forward them to the He added that the same the Accountant-General of with governors. should go and study the made to the judiciary and state House of Assembly for structure at the federal level the Federation to remit funds JUSUN and PASAN had government’s proposal before legislative workers by the federal consideration and approvals. would be transposed down to directly to the state judicial and also insisted that the governors the next meeting, billed for and state governments was a "So when the revenue comes the states. legislative arms of government. must fully implement financial tomorrow. BUHARI MOURNS VICTIMS OF INSECURITY, CONDEMNS NATIONWIDE BLOODLETTING president encouraged such by bandits in a fresh reprisal by One of the informants community, Jama’a Local outfit “Operation Safe Haven.” roof did not catch fire when leaders to be content with suspected bandits at Tsatskiya was said to have been killed Government Area of Kaduna Also yesterday, gunmen torched. modest celebrations at home community in Safana Local four days ago in a nearby State. attacked a police station, However, he said the in view of the pandemic." Government Area of Katsina community called Hakon However, his son, Mr. named after a former Inspector- hoodlums invaded the offices Buhari thanked Islamic clerics State and another separate Kartakawa. Clement Madaki, was only General (IG), Mr. Mike Okiro, and gathered files, documents and other religious leaders attack by gunmen in Kaduna. The Police Public Relations injured. in Umuahia. and furniture and set them who continue to pray for the A retired army sergeant, his Officer in the state, Mr. Gambo Kaduna State Commissioner The news of the attack caused ablaze. Also, two vehicles wellbeing of the nation and wife and daughter-in-law were Isah, a superintendent of for Internal Security and Home pandemonium in the town as and two motorcycles on the its people. killed in the Kaduna incident. police, confirmed the incident Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, churches abruptly ended their premises were burnt. The president called on The bandits who attacked yesterday. confirmed the killings in a services to enable worshippers The attack on the Mike all local leaders to talk to Katsina community on Saturday “During the attack, two statement yesterday in Kaduna. flee to safety. Okiro Police Station was the their youths and warn them were believed to be avenging people were equally wounded Aruwan said the killings took The Police Public Relations first such incident in Umuahia against being used to incite a mob action against two of and are still receiving medical place on Saturday night when Officer (PPRO) of the state although no fewer than four and foment violence, saying the bandits’ informants who attention at Dutsinma General bandits invaded the community. command, Mr. Geoffrey police stations have been razed that "if we attack institutions were reportedly killed by some Hospital,” he said. The commissioner also said Ogbonna, confirmed the in the state this year. guarding us, who will protect people in the community. Following the attack, a breakdown of law and order incident while speaking with us in future emergencies?" The bandits, who were the residents of Tsatskiya was averted in Kachia town, THISDAY on phone. said to have invaded the community and other headquarters of Kachia LGA He said the attack occurred Bandits Kill 11, community in the afternoon, neighbouring villages fled the following the alleged killing at 9.45 am, adding that the also wounded three others who village to Dutsinma town for of one Hamidu Nura by one attackers came in a bus and Injure Three in are currently receiving treatment safety. Abba Muhammad. two Sienna SUVs. Kaduna, Katsina at a Dutsinma town hospital. In another incident, a retired Aruwan said the killings He stated that a police officer Residents confirmed that army sergeant, Christopher in Golkofa were reported to was shot and wounded in the TOP GAINERS NGN NGN % Meanwhile, no fewer than 11 the bandits were on a reprisal Madaki, his wife and daughter- the state government by the leg during the attack. LINKASSURE 0.06 0.69 9.5 persons were confirmed killed over the recent killing of their in-law were killed by bandits Kaduna State Police Command According to the PPRO, the while three others were injured informants. following an attack on Golkofa and the Defence Headquarters building was not burnt as the JOHN HOLT 0.05 0.59 9.2 UNION BANK 0.45 5.40 9.0 FG MULLS EXTENSION OF PETROL PARITY FUND TO GAS SUPPLY NATIONWIDE CHI PLC 0.03 0.39 8.3 of action on the proposed businesses would have been also eliminate the health Bobboi who took time to He stressed that the original ROYALEXCH 0.05 0.65 8.3 scheme. adversely affected. hazards associated with the break down the continuing reason for the bridging the TOP LOSERS NGN % “This is the (equalisation) “If it’s working well for use of high carbon fuels like relevance of the petrol policy was to act as a buffer scheme that we are trying petrol and government wants firewood, especially in rural equalisation fund noted that on consumers during turn- NEMINSURE 0.19 1.81 9.5 to extend to gas because the to promote the use of gas, if and remote areas. government was not paying around-maintenance, adding COURTVILLE 0.02 0.20 9.0 government has declared the we can take the practice to “This will make the product a dime in ensuring parity of that even the existing depots SUNUASSURE 0.05 0.54 8.4 decade of gas and we have gas, we believe that it will available because we have petrol price in the country, have not been functioning seen that this has been add value to the economy in a lot of gas in the country, adding that the consumer properly. INITIATES 0.03 0.40 6.9 working for the economy so many ways in the value it will make it affordable pays for it. “The pipelines have been ETERNA 0.43 5.81 6.8 for over 45 years effectively. chain,” Bobboi argued. which will incentivise the The executive secretary vandalised, now instead of 30 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦1,420.00 “Because things are much He maintained that when marketers to take it to the emphasised that “bridging” per cent maximum bridging, better and if you want to see the government extends the last mile, the consumer will had become even more it is now about 100 per cent. Volume: 238.938 million shares the benefits, then look at it practice to the gas sector, it will also be incentivised because relevant because most of the The cheapest we can have Value: N2.953billion that in the absence of this help many Nigerian homes the marketer will bring down pipelines that were supposed is 98 to 99 per cent because Deals: 3,947 scheme what happens to other abandon the use of firewood his price. This will do a lot of to take the products to many the movement through the commodities, the economy, and reduce deforestation. good to the economy. This is parts of the country had been pipelines is very low,” he As at Friday 7/5/2021 to inflation and then many According to him, it will our view,” he noted. vandalised. stated. See details on Page 37 12 MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 • THISDAY MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 • THISDAY 13 14 THISDAY • MONDAY, MAY 10, 2021
Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA COMMENT Email [email protected] SYLVA, ADDAX PETROLEUM LICENCE AND FAIRYTALES Ojie Ejemhen writes that the attack on the minister of state for petroleum resources is unfortunate
n the past one month, the Nigerian media space has been promotion of falsehood. awash with incredible news primarily about the politics of the One would have been surprised if Sylva was praised by industry recent revocation and reversal as well as the restoration by the players or some Nigerians who never see anything good in govern- Presidency of Oil Mining Licenses (OMLs) 123, 124, 126 and 137, ment for the revolutionary steps he has taken since coming on board operated by Swiss-based Addax Petroleum and run by Sinopec, a as minister of state for Petroleum Resources in about two years now. Chinese oil firm, in joint Production Sharing Contract (PSC) with The principled push for the passage of the PIB into law; the Ithe Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). determination to remove fuel subsidy, as well as the gas revolution Originally, the asset was projected to produce 130,000 barrels of crude embarked upon by the Buhari government are key enough to draw daily. the ire of naysayers and those who think it is still business as usual in However, due to poor management by Sinopec and NNPC its opera- the petroleum and gas sector. tion resulted in a major shift in the original production arrangement. Or do you think those who failed to win the marginal oil field bids The federal government was deeply upset with Addax Petroleum would sit in the comfort of their rooms and cry? Hell no! proxy over the poor management of the assets. Besides, the government The attacks on Sylva and the others are the handiwork of those who was equally upset by the fact that Addax Petroleum leased the assets to do not want progress in the oil and gas sector. It is the handiwork Sinopec without following due process and without the knowledge of of those who still want the sleaze and financial malfeasance in the the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. oil and gas sector to continue. They are the ones fighting back and Those familiar with the details of the contract said Addax Petroleum smearing Mr. Sylva. It is sad that despite the well-intentioned policies behind the scene dealing over the oil concession robbed Nigeria of and programmes of the present administration to reform the nation’s billions of dollars in royalty that have been paid to the government. oil and gas sector in particular and the entire petroleum industry in As specified in Section 24 of the Petroleum Act, the Ministry of general, Nigerians have continued to criticize and engage in needless Petroleum Resources is empowered to revoke any license that contra- controversies. venes the law against the interest of the country. If it is true we cannot make an omelet without breaking an egg, then Clearly, the Addax Petroleum underhand dealings with Sinopec was is it possible to have a turnaround in the oil and gas industry without a violation of the laid down Petroleum law. making some painful sacrifices? And since the revocation of the licenses, Chief Timipre Sylva, the It is understandable that most of these criticisms and controversies Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, has been the subject of are generally as a result of deep-seated negative perception about strident vilification by agents of those who have interest in the deal. The policies and programmes borne out of years of cynicism about their minister has been buffeted on all sides with all sorts of insults and innu- approach and handling by the previous administrations. endos. He has been accused of allocating the Addax Petroleum-Sinopec However, there must be a counter-poise to avoid the derailment of oil mining leases (OMLs) to his friends, cronies and family members the objectives of these policies and programmes, which by all intents until the revocation was reversed a few days ago by the president. and purposes, could be disastrous for the country and the economy if Sadly, Sylva has even been accused of sharing a whopping $100 million the critics succeed. bribe from the winners of the new marginal fields with other Nigerians. A careful analysis would reveal that there is no viable alternative Incredible! This unfounded allegations and smear campaigns against the to the issue of deregulation of the downstream sector of the nation’s ex-Bayelsa State Governor smacks of sheer wickedness by the men with petroleum industry and continued overhaul of the rotten oil and gas the tar brush. It is nothing other than to frustrate the reform agenda of sector, which previous administrations attempted and failed, because the government in the oil and gas sector spearheaded by the minister. they lacked the political will to pursue it to logical conclusion. In the first place, where can one possibly hide such a whopping For the nation to end the years of economic haemorrhage through amount of money without trace by the anti-graft agencies? But in a the corruption-infested fuel subsidy regime, it is inevitable for the society where truth is scarce, anybody can believe anything. What do government to take the hard decision of deregulation, without which you expect in a country where no one trusts anything and anybody in the nation would continue to enrich a few individuals to our collective government? detriment as a nation. One thing that these fairy tale bearers are doing is hurting the For those who believe in changes, there is no credible fallback psyche of our nation. They may think they are hurting Sylva or the position on the issue of rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries, since it President with their virulent attacks. They are destroying the investment is clear that the nation cannot afford to either continue to spend its lean foundation of Nigeria. resources on the importation of petroleum products, or building a new With the growing false and negative media narratives, no sensible refinery at this time. The government has assured the rehabilitation of business man or IF IT IS TRUE WE CANNOT MAKE AN OMELET the refineries would be different from similar programmes embarked country would want to come to Nigeria to invest or bring his or her upon by previous administrations. hard-earned money to a country where those in position of authorities WITHOUT BREAKING AN EGG, THEN IS IT The sane thing to do is not to criticise, but to bend backwards and have been labeled thieves. No sensible businessman would do that. POSSIBLE TO HAVE A TURNAROUND IN THE support Sylva and the government’s effort to fix the industry for the On the long run who suffers? It’s not Buhari or any other Nigerian, OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY WITHOUT MAKING benefit of all Nigerians. but the Nigerian state. It will bleed for this callous and wicked SOME PAINFUL SACRIFICES? Ejemhen wrote from Garki, Abuja LEADERSHIP ABOVE THE NOISE Okowa embodies peace, temperance and fairness, writes Jackson Udema eadership is in doing, not in talking. All majors prospecting for crude oil. inertia of non-performance. They did not only fulfil performance of the state in recent National Sports great leaders act. No pontification. No But Okowa has restored calm to the once febrile their recurrent obligations, they also were not held Festivals attests to this. Okowa’s passion for sports story-telling. They brace up to confront and volatile communities. And it’s down to his back in executing significant quantum of capital and his zeal for sports development have revived situations knowing that challenges are leadership style. He believes that two wrongs cannot projects. Okowa is a stand-out member of this sporting competitiveness in the state exemplified in not fixed by mere words or sophistry make a right. He is a protagonist of equity, fairness class of performing governors. The reason for his the ascendancy of inter-school sports championships of language. Delta governor, Dr. Ifeanyi and justice. He preaches peace and lives it. Former outlier performance is down to fiscal prudence and among other grassroots competitions. LOkowa, belongs to this class of leaders who lead by president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, himself a man strategic prioritization of projects. It’s not for nothing that Okowa is called the action, not by words. He leads above the noise. of peace, in referencing the politics and campaign Thus, with a lean purse compared to pre-2015 era, Road Master. Even his most acerbic critics agree Unfortunately, the Nigerian public space is full messages of his then main challenger in the 2015 he has distinguished himself as a miracle worker, that he has been bullish with road construction of noise. A cacophony of the absurd, the jesters election, Mr. Muhammadu Buhari, and his All road master, promise-keeper (Ekwueme) among and opening up the state and inter-linking remote and the downright whimsical. Delta is one of the Progressives Congress (APC) once said “you cannot other monikers. Coming into office on the wave communities to boost agriculture, investment and top states with the highest noise pitches. It’s the give peace if all that is in you is bitterness.” Okowa of a SMART agenda, Okowa’s transformational trade. No governor in the history of the state has theatre of hate politics, ethnic jingoism and road-side embodies peace, calmness, temperance and fairness. leadership has birthed a new Delta in road infra- constructed more bridges and roads than Okowa gossip of unfounded tales. Delta is the nursery of And he acts peacefully with calm temperance to structure, healthcare, sports development, education, including roads within the littoral communities in empty-headed critics and cheap jobbers whose lot beget fairness and equity. It’s little wonder that agriculture and human capital development through Ijaw heartland such that for once, persons from is to sling mud and deliberately plot mischief as a under his tenure, the state has remained largely skills acquisition, improved formal and technical these riverine communities can drive their vehicles routine. It’s within this maddening ambience that calm. The edgy frontiers in the creeks have relapsed education. to their villages, something never before thought Okowa thrives as governor. But the man who set a to a calm mode. The implication is that Nigeria Delta, the other half of the old Bendel State (Mid- was possible. record of qualifying as a medical doctor at 22 from is able to meet its crude oil production capacity Western Region) famed for sporting excellence and In his six years in office, it’s fair to say that the University of Ibadan in 1981 has learnt to silence barring OPEC recommendations. Just for a moment, peerless academic distinction, at a time lost its lustre. Okowa has out-performed expectation, lived up to the garrulous mob with his trademark imprimatur imagine that conflicts in the creeks hampered crude But Okowa is restoring the old order, resetting the his campaign promises, and brought development of development. production in this season of low oil prices. Imagine state to its default mode as the birthplace of sports closer to all Deltans in line with his slogan – Those who had been to Delta State or who lived the creeks in feisty conflagration such that Nigeria legends, tech whizzes, successful farmers, thriving Prosperity for all Deltans. All this in a period of in the state before May 29, 2015 when he was is not able to meet her OPEC production quota. The cottage industries and academic prodigies. Reviving economic strangulation occasioned by dipping oil inaugurated as the democratically-elected governor picture would have been scarier. It would mean the Stephen Keshi stadium in Asaba, a historical prices and a treacherous pandemic. of the state always testify to one truism: The even poorer dollar receipts for the nation. It would monument that has unjustly suffered decades-long Yet, in spite of his remarkable accomplishments, transformational leadership of Okowa which has mean more oil majors invoking force majeure. And neglect, was a major step in attracting major Okowa has remained coy and quiet, preferring his birthed several infrastructure from roads, healthcare, then, the nation loses. international sporting engagements to the state. The works to speak for him rather than trumpeting his agriculture, industry, education among others in It is no longer news that the pandemic has dealt Senior African Athletics Championships which held achievements. This is despite the madcap noise different parts of the state. Delta has a history of a deadly blow to global economy. Nigeria and other in Asaba in 2018 during which athletes from about and vainglorious criticisms laced with venom and intermittent upheavals; if it’s not inter-communal nations that depend chiefly on crude oil export for 50 African countries converged on Asaba spoke marinated with mischief being thrown at him by crisis, it’s a group of young men fighting, justifiably, revenue suffered the most. This meant low revenue volume of the restoration of the state’s sporting the opposition and their cheap recruits. This is the with the feudal lords from the centre to push for allocations to states far less than they used to receive glory. The reality that Delta could boldly throw its stuff of good leaders. They stay demurred even in resource control or at the very least compensation from the Federation Account. And that was the door open for the national team, the Super Eagles, the midst of banal provocation typified by noise and for the despoliation of their environment and by perfect alibi trot out by some governors to justify to hold their matches in Asaba is evidential of the boastful clatter. It’s called leadership above the noise. extension their farmlands, fish ponds and their their non-performance. But in the midst of this march of Delta to its old glory of being the theatre Okowa is a master in this turf. other sources of livelihood rendered unusable by oil low revenue, a few governors have overcome the of sporting activities in the country. The outstanding Udema wrote from Warri THISDAY • MONDAY, MAY 10, 2021 15 EDITORIAL ABSENCE OF GOOD GOVERNANCE
The Chandler good governance ranking is another wake-up call
anked 102nd out of 104 countries Transparency International. Nigeria occupies the 149th captured in the inaugural Chandler position out of the 180 countries surveyed and was Good Governance Index (CGGI) scored 25 out of 100 points. With the current ranking, which classifies countries in terms Nigeria is now the second most corrupt country in West of government capabilities and Africa with Guinea-Bissau the only country rated worse outcomes, Nigeria has again attracted in the sub-region. On the standards of living, Nigerians another emblem of shame. With the are living under extreme poverty, amidst serious data aggregated to produce a score security challenges. The nation has been branded the on a scale of 0 (lowest) to 1 (highest), Nigeria scored headquarters of poverty in the world, taking over from R0.319 points. The only countries behind Nigeria were India. This is also not a surprise given the current Zimbabwe and Venezuela, while Mauritius, at number reality. Insecurity in the 36 states of the federation has 38 on the log, remains Africa’s best performer. But the decreased the quality of life for citizens. In a report report did not come as a surprise. A cursory glance by Doctors Without Borders, many in the northeast, at how citizens access the good life in terms of basic northwest and northcentral states are said to have amenities and the rule of law shows that governance been cut off from all humanitarian aid due to fighting is far removed from most Nigerians. In its place, crass between the Nigerian military and bandits, insurgents, opportunism, hurriedly formulated and wrongly violent herders, and sundry criminal cartels. implemented policies and a preference for mediocrity have become the norm. n most global rankings, Nigeria leads from behind. With headquarters in Singapore, the Chandler Insti- Our country has an unemployment rate of over 30 tute of Governance (CIG) is an international non-profit per cent. Nigeria’s job scarcity is exemplified by the organisation, founded on the notion that prosperous fact that nearly one million people applied for 10,000 nations can only be built by good government. Its index Ipositions in the Nigerian police force recently. Nigeria focuses on seven is at the bottom of countries in terms of happiness. A IN THE PAST DECADE, pillars: leadership recent study ranks happiness by combining statistics on WHATEVER THE THISDAY and foresight; robust EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI per capita GDP, freedom to make life decisions, healthy PARAMETERS USED AND laws and policies; DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI AJAYI, DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN, life expectancy, generosity, social support, generosity, MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO REGARDLESS OF THE strong institutions; DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE and perceptions of corruption. SECTOR PREVIEWED, financial stewardship; CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI The CGGI ranking speaks volumes of the quality of attractive marketplace; EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN governance in our country. Yet, the reality is that, even NIGERIA’S RANKING HAS MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE BEEN ON A FREE FALL global influence without these figures, it is apparent that governance is and reputation; and at its lowest ebb and that most of the people in charge helping people rise. Meanwhile, the features of a good THISDAY NEWSPAPERS LIMITED at practically all levels have not lived up to expectations. government, according to the United Nations, include EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA And although there is a semblance of government in being transparent, accountable, responsive, equitable GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, place, real governance is seriously absent. What many ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI and inclusive, participatory, in addition to the rule of law, DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, discerning country men and women now do is inde- consensus building, efficiency and effectiveness. These ANTHONY OGEDENGBE pendently provide for themselves. While the report may DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI attributes are considered deficient in our country today. SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH therefore not have come to many as a surprise, it should In the past decade, whatever the parameters used ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO be another wake-up call for those in authority. There and regardless of the sector previewed, Nigeria’s CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI should be a total attitudinal reorientation in government DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO ranking has been on a free fall. Take, for instance, the HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA circles as Nigeria is gradually becoming the cynosure for Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2020 published by TO SEND EMAIL: first [email protected] the wrong reasons.
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. AS LAGOS LIFTS WATER TRANSPORTATION…
The current traffic situation indicates that 95 per cent of However, the need to exploit alternative means of transportation navigable ferry routes have been opened up to complement existing transportation is done by road in our state of over 22 million mode cannot be over-emphasized given the megacity status of the routes. people with about 25 per cent of the landmass consisting of state. One of such other alternatives being exploited by the current The channelisation, which involves dredging of ferry routes, creating waterways.’’ – Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration is water transportation. a path of 40-metre width and four-meter minimum depth to accom- Over the last 725 days, addressing the transportation and In February, 2020, Governor Sanwo-Olu formally kicked off modate bigger boat movement includes the channelisation of 4km ferry traffic challenges of Lagos State has been a major preoccupa- commercial waterways’ transportation with the official launch of eight route from Mile 2 to Marina already in use, channelisation of 6.4km “tion of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu Administration. In realization of the new modern speed boats. Three of the boats have the capacity to carry ferry route from Ebute (Ikorodu) – Ilaje (Falomo), 10.3km route from strategic role of transportation as a key driver of economic develop- 60 passengers, two were built to carry 50 passengers, while two others Ojo to Badagry and 4.10km Ilaje (Bariga) to white-sand in Oyingbo ment, the Sanwo-Olu-led government made Traffic Management and have capacities for 40 passengers. Also, three others could convey which are almost completed”. The new routes are to complement Transportation a foremost part of its T.H.E.M.E.S (acronyms for Traffic 30 passengers, four will carry 25 passengers while two will carry 25 the existing ones, namely, Ipakodo (Ikorodu) to Addax/five cowries Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education passengers. in Falomo; Ipakodo (Ikorodu) to CMS/Marina; and Badore (Tarzan) and Technology, Making Lagos a 21ST Economy, Entertainment and The six routes the boats have been plying include Ikorodu to to Ijede; Ebute Ojo to Liverpool to CMS/Marina. Others are Mile 2 - Tourism and Governance and Security) Developmental Agenda. Falomo; Ikorodu to Ebute Ero and Marina; Ebute Ojo to Ijegun Egba, Liverpool- CMS/Marina, Baiyeku (Ikorodu) to Oke-Ira Nla to Badore in Since his inauguration on May 29th, 2019, Governor Sanwo-Olu has Apapa and Marina; Bayeku to Oke Ira Nla and Falomo; Mile 2 to Ajah and Ilaje to Bariga to Ebute Ero and CMS. made the attainment of enhanced transportation system a major focus Marina, and Badore to Ijede. To further improve safety on the waterways and also free the of his administration. Consequently, roads are being expanded and With this renewed impetus, the narrative of water transportation waterways of wreckage and debris, prevent erosion and degradation of rehabilitated across the state. in Lagos is already changing for good. On 7th September, 2020, the the shorelines, the government has removed four abandoned wrecked This led to intense road construction projects across the state. Some of Sanwo-Olu administration recorded a major milestone in its quest ships, debris and unwanted objects found on the waterways. the critical highways and roads being constructed include the Lagos- to deliver an effective and integrated intermodal transportation as Similarly, 15 new reinforced concrete jetties, located at various Badagry Expressway, Pen Cinema Bridge and adjoining roads, Ojota LAGFERRY celebrated its 100,000th passenger at the Ipakodo Terminal, riverine areas of the state, would soon be commissioned for the use stretch of the Ikorodu Road, Motorways-Kudirat Abiola Way, Agric/ Ikorodu, since the commissioning of new ferries. of Lagosians before the end of the year. This is expected to raise the Ishawo Road and Ijede Road in Ikorodu, and Lekki-Epe Expressway This is coming on the heels of the celebration of the 60,000th capacity of LAGFERRY to move 75,000 to 100,000 passengers daily. from Abraham Adesanya to Eleko Junction. passenger on 30th June, 2020 immediately after the resumption of With the current level of investment in water transportation, Lagos, Others are Cele-Ijesha Link Bridge, 31 network of roads in Ojokoro, services due to the coronavirus pandemic. The milestone is, no doubt, no doubt, stands to experience appreciable upsurge in socio-economic Oniru network of roads, in Victoria Island, Ijesha-Lawanson Junction a good indicator that shows that Lagosians are beginning to embrace activities. For instance, the expansion of trade to the Lekki Free Trade by Otun Oba Bus-Stop and Ishaga road by LUTH, Ondo Street, water transportation. Zone will be easy to access by water from international waterways to Ebute-Metta, Agbado road, Ifako-Ijaiye to name a few. Similarly, the However, the government is not resting on its oars as LAGFERRY local inland waterways. government embarked on junction improvement works as well as has deployed more boats and increased daily trips in order to provide a Bolaji Odumade, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, construction of roads across all wards in the state. safe, fast and reliable alternative mode of transportation. Also, four new Lagos 16 MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 • THISDAY THISDAY ˾MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 17
Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG Email: [email protected] POLITICS 08114495324 SMS ONLY MONDAY DISCOURSE Merry-Go-Round at NDDC: Heading for a Break? Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes that the predictable gimmick of interim management committees and forensic audit reports deployed by Senator Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to delay inauguration of the Niger Delta Development Commission Board is about to run its course
Buhari Lawan Gbajabiamila Akpabio
enator Godswill Obot Akpabio, may be the reason he did not play his role as powerful Akpabio at the centre of power in to pair with Akpabio as Minister of State Minister of Niger Delta Affairs is Senate Minority Leader well. He remained Abuja. Accusing fingers have been pointed in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. The used to having his way. As Governor passive in that office throughout his tenure, at the former National Chairman of the combination spelt trouble for Akpabio and of Akwa Ibom State between 2007 markedly refusing to criticize the government APC, Adams Oshiomhole and Minister of he knew it. With his strong links to the and 2015, things had to be done his in power or turn the fire of the opposition Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who were human rights community and friendship Sway or no way. He ruled when the Naira against them, as he was already nursing the alleged to be uncomfortable with the idea with the media, Keyamo would not be a was relatively strong, compared to what idea of switching political party loyalty from of another powerful figure from the South- docile accomplice to the dishonest financial we have today. At the peak of his power in the PDP to the All Progressives Congress south. However, the tragedy of the APC in the activities which Akpabio was planning. He 2013, former Minister of Finance and now (APC). In his time as governor, Akpabio 2019 national elections was also self-inflicted, pressured to have Keyamo re-assigned. His the Director General of the World Trade was generous to many, Akwa Ibomites and because some influential personalities who wish was granted. Keyamo was made to Organisation revealed that revenue allocation non-indigenes alike. It was widely known found themselves in the same political camp swap places with Senator Tayo Alasoadura to Akwa Ibom State was far in excess of the that Akpabio suffered from Oniomania, for the first time could not bury their ego and in the Ministry of Labour and Employment. national budgets of countries like Ghana sometimes called compulsive buying dis- self interest to work for the collective good. On October 18, 2019, President Muham- and Liberia. Akwa Ibom State got about order, that is, spending far beyond what is At the time, Akpabio defected to the APC, nadu Buhari had requested the Senate to USD1.7 billion (N260 billion) from the Fed- necessary. Some of the advertised edifices Akpabio’s arch-rival, Senator John Akpan confirm appointment of a 16 – member board eration Account in 2013. In one of his brash initiated by his administration were not only Udoedeghe, Secretary of the APC National of the Niger Delta Development Commis- statements, Akpabio was famously quoted haphazardly done, but commissioned at Caretaker and Extra-Ordinary Convention sion (NDDC). Buhari sought the Senate’s saying that “what money can’t do, more outlandish ceremonies, even when they were Committee, Obong Umana Okon Umana, confirmation for Dr Pius Odubu, former money can do.” But the former governor incomplete. The story profligacy can be seen the party’s governorship candidate in the Edo state deputy governor as chairman of found out in the 2019 national elections, in in the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, the Ibom 2015 election, Obong Nsima Ekere, who the NDDC, Chief Bernard Okumagba as which he made a bid to return to the Senate Specialist Hospital, e-library, Ibom Tropicana carried the APC governorship flag in the 2019 Managing Director and 14 others as members to represent Akwa Ibom North West, that and the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot election, Group Captain (rtd.), Sam Ewang, of its board. he was wrong. He had left office in 2015 Ekpene. They all had an outer casing that a former military administrator of Rivers The president’s letter read: “In accordance as executive governor and descended to were nicely done to cover a crude and rough State and Senator Ita Enang, presidential with the provision of Section 2(2)(a) of the the position of a Senator where he had no skeleton; more like a painted sepulcher-a aide on Niger Delta Affairs were already Niger Delta Development Commission executive power and his jurisdiction was decorated tomb filled with bones of the dead. in the party. But Akpabio shoved them all (NDDC) (Establishment) Act, 2000, I write limited to representation of one-third of the It is the current administration of Governor aside and assumed the position of the leader to forward, for confirmation by the Sen- state in the federal legislature. Even this Udom Emmanuel that has concealed his of the APC in Akwa Ibom State, thereby ate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the section, that are clearly, his kith-and-kin infamy by retooling the projects and getting clinching the ministerial slot for the state. under listed nominees for appointment into rejected him in the 2019 senatorial election them to work properly. Once he was made Minister of Niger Delta the NDDC board, to occupy the positions for taking his leave of the Peoples Democratic Akpabio’s loss in the February 23, 2019 Affairs, it was payback time for the likes of indicated against their names.” Party (PDP) and pursuing a personal agenda National Assembly elections was incon- Oshiomhole and Amaechi. The written request was read on the floor to play big on the national political scene. ceivable to many. Although he devoted of the Senate on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 by The scandal of the 2019 Akwa Ibom huge sums of money to the campaign, his Akpabio Takes Pound of Flesh Senate President Ahmad Lawan. The upper North West senatorial continues to haunt efforts were thwarted by diverse interests When President Muhammadu Buhari legislative chamber went to work quickly, Akpabio. Two months ago, a High Court in within and outside Akwa Ibom who worked constituted the cabinet for his second tenure, with a directive to its standing committee Akwa-Ibom State sentenced Professor Peter against the emergence of an increasingly Chief Festus Keyamo (SAN) was announced on NDDC to screen the nominees and file Ogban to three years in prison, for election a report under one week. fraud. He was found guilty of fraudulent Headed by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (PDP manipulation of election results, publishing Delta North), the committee reported back and announcing of false results. He was In his time as governor, Akpabio was generous to on 15 out of the 16 nominees on Thursday, also asked to pay N100,000 fine. Ogban October 31, 2019. Based on this, the Senate was the Returning Officer in the 2019 gen- many, Akwa Ibomites and non-indigenes alike. It was confirmed their appointments on Tuesday, eral elections in Akwa Ibom North-West widely known that Akpabio suffered from Oniomania, November 5, 2019. District, was charged for manipulating the But members of the NDDC Board duly election results to put the APC ahead of sometimes called compulsive buying disorder, that is, nominated by the President and screened its main rival, the PDP. Akpabio was the by the Senate are yet to be inaugurated. APC candidate in the election. The PDP spending far beyond what is necessary. Some of the The NDDC rose from the ashes of the candidate was Obong Chris Ekpenyong, advertised edifices initiated by his administration Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development a former deputy governor in Akwa Ibom Commission (OMPADEC). The nine states State, who was declared winner. were not only haphazardly done, but commissioned that makes up the Niger Delta region include Akpabio’s shameful defeat in that election Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River, was one of the most talked about upsets. at outlandish ceremonies, even when they were Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers. Many within and outside Akwa Ibom Mr. Pius Odubu, chairman of the NDDC thought, albeit wrongly, that the state was incomplete. The story profligacy can be seen in Board in-waiting had served Oshiomhole wrapped around Akpabio’s little finger; the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, the Ibom Specialist as Deputy Governor of Edo. Allowing a that all the former Senate Minority Leader Chairman with known links and loyalty to needed to do was sneeze and the oil rich Hospital, e-library, Ibom Tropicana and the Four Points Oshiomhole is not an option Akpabio is will- state would catch cold. The Akpabio plan ing to consider; so the forensic audit which was to return to Senate and fight to become by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene. They all had an was not originally his idea has become a very Senate President and if he couldn’t get it, outer casing that were nicely done to cover a crude useful gimmick to delay the inauguration of settle for Deputy Senate President, which he the NDDC board until Akpabio can achieve was assured was zoned to the South-south and rough skeleton; more like a painted sepulcher-a his ultimate aim to disband the Odubu-led (that position is now occupied by Senator board and have the board reconstituted. Ovie Omo-Agege from Delta State). That decorated tomb filled with bones of the dead His plans appear to be working, so far, as 18 THISDAY ˾MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 MONDAY DISCOURSE
Alasoadura Akwa Pondei Nunieh
the Presidency and federal legislators who has not submitted his committee report to for public officers by the law.” Delta Affairs as a fraud. According to him, should normally insist that the right thing the House neither has any mention of it Governors of the South-south states have the NDDC Act 2000 does not recognize an is done have entered into a conspiracy of been made. also stated clearly that the current interim Interim Management Committee, not to silence, allowing Akpabio to have a free While Pondei was lucky to be brought management system in NDDC does not talk of Sole Administrator. “Of course, we reign to run the affairs of the NDDC as he back to life, Ibanga Bassey Etang, acting represent the interest of the people. ‘We are all witnesses to the fact that under the pleases. Executive Director, finance and administra- believe that it is best for both the country, interim management committee, N87 billion tion of the NDDC died under mysterious for the states of the Niger Delta and for the allegedly grew wings and flew out of the Unending Cycle of Interim Admin- circumstances that got the Akwa Ibom State people of the Niger Delta when the due coffers of NDDC. A budget of about N500 istration Governor Udom Emmanuel, saying that process is followed by the reconstitution billion has been passed for the NDDC for Akpabio is not a stranger to NDDC affairs. he will ask questions about his death at of the board.” an individual to superintend. The Idjerhe As Governor of Akwa Ibom State between the right time. Chairman of the South-south Governors clan in Delta State is a major oil-producing 2007 and 2015 he nominated a chairman, When he sold the idea of an Interim Man- Forum and Governor of Delta State, Senator community and for two years, NDDC has a managing director and NDDC state rep- agement for the NDDC in October 2019, Ifeanyi Okowa made this assertion at the not done anything here because there is resentatives. He nominated Mr. Bassey even after the names of the Governing Board end of the forum’s meeting which held at no structure. From the happenings we are Dan-Abia, a former MD of the NDDC. As had been sent by the President to the Sen- the Government House, Port Harcourt. beginning to think that the Federal Gov- the only agency of government under the ate for statutory screening and the Senate Okowa said, “The NDDC is actually run ernment is collaborating with the Minister Niger Delta Ministry Affairs and one that subsequently screened and confirmed them, in such a manner that it is actually not truly to undo the Niger Delta people and one was conceived to address the neglect of Akpabio said his illegal Interim Management beneficial to our people, because there is of these days they will wake up to scrap the Niger Delta, the region of the country Committee will only stay in office for six no stakeholders input in the running of the commission. It is now very clear that that produces her oil and gas wealth, the months to supervise the audit after which the affairs of the NDDC. We do know that the Forensic Audit of the commission is a huge funds committed to development of the Board will be inaugurated. there is a forensic audit taking place and scam. Nothing is going on there. As a major infrastructure and human capital does not As the appointed time of March 2020 was if that is the reason the board has not been oil-producing region, nobody has come to reflect the glaring abject poverty in the region. closing in, Akpabio sacked his first IMC constituted, our advice is that monies being my domain, Idjerhe, to say they want to In 2014, the Senate approved a budget acting Managing Director Ms Joi Nunieh and sent to the NDDC should be put in an escrow verify the project of NDDC in the region. of N322.6 billion for the NDDC. The Sen- appointed a new acting Managing Director, account until a board is constituted and With over 50 communities in my domain, ate has approved N241 billion as the 2016 Prof Pondei and extended the stay of this then proper processes are followed in the there are abandoned NDDC projects, so, if NDDC budget. IMC to December 2020, by which time he said expenditure of the money in such a way they are carrying out forensic auditing they The House of Representatives passed an the audit will be concluded and the Board it will be visibly accountable in the best would have visited some of the projects, Appropriation bill of N346.388 billion for put in place. Again, he sacked the Interim interest of the peoples of the Niger Delta.” but they have not come here.” the 2019 operations of the NDDC. However, Management Committee and appointed Boma Ebiakpo, National Chairman of Damian Nwikinaka, National Chairman their counterparts in the Senate waited till his close ally, Mr. Effiong Okon Akwa, as Niger Delta Peoples’ Forum, warned that of Niger Delta Renaissance Coalition, won- 10 days to the end of the year to approve the Interim Sole Administrator with a promised the Niger Delta region was on the verge of ders why President Muhammadu Buhari 2020 budget of N453.2 billion for the NDDC. forensic audit completion date of March 2021. being engulfed in major crises instigated by and the National Assembly are quiet while The Senate reneged on its promise to decline Akpabio has shifted the goalpost yet again, the refusal of Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sena- approval of a budget for the commission promising a new completion date in July Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to inaugurate tor Godswill Akpabio runs the Niger Delta until its board is constituted. 2021. But stakeholders in the Niger Delta the Board of the Niger Delta Development Development Commission in contravention The Interim Management Committee do not believe him anymore. They know Commission of the laws establishing the agency.” (IMC) of the NDDC had a hard time trying Akpabio is capable of coming up with the He said it was important that the peace of to defend financial anomalies and other most ludicrous excuse to keep the NDDC the Niger Delta is not troubled at this time Ajulo Goes to Court allegations of fraud and embezzlement of Board from resuming its work until he can when Nigeria is facing multiple conflicts Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja funds which federal lawmakers observed find a reason to have it reconstituted. across the country. “The IYC, various socio has granted leave to a Constitutional Lawyer in the 2019 budget performance. political groups in the region, and indeed and Right Activist, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo to A former acting Managing Director of Niger Deltans Reject Illegality the governors of the constituent states and file an Originating Summons against the the NDDC, Dr. Joi Nunieh opened the can Joseph Ambakederimo, Lead Executive stakeholders have demanded an end to the Niger Delta Development Commission for of worms at the NDDC in her bid to ensure Director, Global Forum for Accountability appointment of illegal Interim Managements failure to grant his requests pursuant to the a thorough forensic audit of the over N2 and Transparency has made a strong case for the NDDC by the Niger Delta Minister provisions of the Freedom of Information trillion alleged indebtedness of the NDDC. for the removal of Mr. Effiong Akwa, Sole Chief Godswill Akpabio. Akpabio who has Act (FOI) which among others include the In order to forestall exploitation of the pro- Administrator of the Niger Delta Develop- been employing every excuse to run the publication of the budgetary appropriations cess, she wanted the Financial Intelligent ment Commission. According to the group, NDDC like his personal property,” he stated. made by the National Assembly to the Niger Unit and the World Bank to supervise the “From emerging and confirmed reports in The Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, Delta Delta Development Commission from 2010 audit of the. But powerful interest groups the media, the NDDC Sole Administrator State, His Royal Majesty, King Obukohwo to 2020 and the names and designation of including persons from The Presidency and deliberately refused to abide by extant rules Whiskey Udurhie I, described the ongo- members of the National Assembly who federal legislators who have been feeding fat in the declaration of his assets as mandated ing forensic audit by the Ministry of Niger have been awarded contracts by the NDDC from the corruption at the NDDC used the or who have otherwise benefitted in any excuse of an alleged insubordination against manner howsoever from the budgetary Akpabio to throw Nunieh out. Her strong funds of the Commission from 2010 to 2020. allegations, with documentary evidence, Moving the motion exparte, a lawyer in against the Minister were ignored. No one When he sold the idea of an Interim Management for the NDDC the law firm of Messrs. Kayode Ajulo & Co.- cared to know why she slapped the Minister, in October 2019, even after the names of the Governing Board Castle of Law, Ifunanya Okeke Esq, who led an incident, Akpabio did not deny. Eme Jackson Esq. and Glory Uhunmwangho Nunieh was replaced with Professor had been sent by the President to the Senate for statutory Esq. noted that Dr. Olukayode Ajulo had Kemebradikumo Pondei. Again, it was screening and the Senate subsequently screened and confirmed written to the NDDC requesting same to another scandal filled phase that ended with fulfill its statutory obligations under the an unfortunate drama of infamy on live them, Akpabio said his illegal Interim Management Committee FOI Act and to comply with the provisions television. A skilled mudslinger, Akpabio will only stay in office for six months to supervise the audit of Section 2(3), (4) and (5), Section 29(1) climbed back from the pit into which he was and (2) and Section 13 of the Act. She fur- being buried by a House of Representatives after which the Board will be inaugurated. As the appointed ther noted that since NDDC received and committee headed by Hon. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo time of March 2020 was closing in, Akpabio sacked his first acknowledged receipt of the letters dated (APC-Ondo) probing allegations of financial 2nd September, 2020 and 29th September, fraud at the NDDC. Under pressure from IMC acting Managing Director Ms Joi Nunieh and appointed 2020 respectively which were also copied the probe panel, the former Governor of a new acting Managing Director, Prof Pondei and extended to the Attorney General of the Federation Akwa Ibom had fired back that most of the and the National Assembly, it has refused contracts at the NDDC were executed by the stay of this IMC to December 2020, by which time he to comply with the requests contained in federal legislators. It was a shocking revela- said the audit will be concluded and the Board put in place. the letters. tion that many were not prepared for. Fully Justice A. I Chikere accordingly granted aware of the implication should he allow Again, he sacked the Interim Management Committee and Dr. Olukayode Ajulo leave to apply for Akpabio to continue, Tunji-Ojo, pleaded appointed his close ally, Mr. Effiong Okon Akwa, as Interim judicial review of the actions of NDDC with the Minister to “off his mic.” For full and its officials under the FOI Act and impact, Pondei slipped into unconsciousness Sole Administrator with a promised forensic audit completion claim the reliefs he is seeking. However, and had to be resuscitated. The activities of date of March 2021. Akpabio has shifted the goalpost yet the ongoing strike by the Judicial Staff the committee ended abruptly that day and Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has stalled has since not resumed. Till today, Tunji-Ojo again, promising a new completion date in July 2021 continuation of the case. THISDAY ˾MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 19
POLITICS For 74 Deregistered Political Parties, the Battle is Finally Lost The Supreme Court agrees that the Independent National Electoral Commission was right and acted within its powers when it deregistered 74 political parties last year, writes Chuks Okocha
Sonaiya, ex-Presidential candidate, KOWA Muhammad Yakubu Fasua, Founder, ANRP Party
he main function of a political Party (YPP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). All Grand Alliance Party (AGAP), Fresh future,” he added. party is to spur members to contest But some political parties went to court to Democratic Party (FDP) and Alliance for Prior to INEC decision that was ratified by elections. Apart from contesting challenge the decision of INEC to de-register Democracy (AD) cried foul and accused the the apex court, many Nigerians had at various election, political parties canvass them. There were conflicting judgments, one electoral umpire of illegality. times called for the whittling down of the various policies and programmes in favour of the de-registration and the other On their part, KOWA Party, Abundant number of parties in the country. forT the people as a pressure group. They play against the exercise. This forced INEC to seek Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), and the So- For instance, former Senate President in the an important role in decision-making to help the Supreme Court decision. cialist Party of Nigeria criticized the judgment aborted Third Republic, Chief Ameh Ebute, legislation and execution of policies. These The hopes of the 74 political parties that wondering why the Supreme Court should stop expressed concerns over the existence of 68 political parties, when successful in elections, were deregistered by INEC in February 2020 Nigerians from associating with one another. registered political parties in the political form and run the government. for failure to win in any contest after the 2019 A legal practitioner, Emeka Udeh wondered terrain, saying they were unwieldy for the So, the function of a political party is not general election to be re-listed on the ballot how the apex court could rule against freedom nation’s democracy to make any meaningful limited to winning elections. Be that as it may, box has been permanently dented by the of association as enshrined in the constitu- development. Nigeria has witnessed a proliferation of political Supreme Court. tion. He opened that political parties are not Ebute had argued that registration of multiple parties since the return to democratic rule in The commission had said its decision fol- necessarily meant to win elections but to also political parties without firm ideology was the Fourth Republic. lowed a comparative review and court-ordered canvass opinions on policies of government. counter-productive to flourishing partisan Three parties: The Peoples Democratic Party re-run elections arising from litigations on Though, he said, “as the court pleases, I can’t politics. (PDP), Alliance for Democracy (AD) and the political parties in the last elections. fault the Supreme Court but I hold the opinion He explained, “On the issue of political All Peoples Party (APP) were registered by It further said the political parties performed that it is against the spirit of association by parties, it is my view that there is no politi- the military government for the elections in poorly and failed to win at least one seat in individuals to freely meet and hold opinions.” cal ideology for politicians to consider before 1999. But in the 2019 general election (20 years the last general election. INEC also said the Taking a stance, the Youths Alliance for jumping from one party to the other. The only later), a record number of 91 political parties parties breached the requirement for registra- Democratic Advancement also supported ideology for now is fighting for access to the fielded over 23,000 candidates. tion of political parties under section 225 of the decision of the Supreme. Court. The national cake so as to have a share of it. I am This was absurd and the chairman of the the Nigerian constitution. organization issued a statement advancing in support of a two-party system. This will Independent National Electoral Commission Expectedly, the exercise sparked public reasons for standing with the apex court. enable politicians choose whether to be a (INEC) Prof. Mahmood Yakubu in explaining debate as to whether the electoral umpire has “The country’s electioneering process would progressive or a conservative.” how the decision to delist none performing the constitutional power to make such a move. continue to suffer retrogression with the long Also last year, the Director-General, National parties said that the commission reached the Reacting to the judgment, the President of list of political parties on the ballot, which Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies conclusion after the 2019 general election, in- the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. constitutes confusion and accounts for a high (NILDS), an arm of the National Assembly, cluding court-ordered re-run elections arising Leonard Nzenwa hailed the judgment and number of void votes, was allowed to remain. Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, said 91 registered from litigations, saying, the Commission was said the judgment had ended all speculations The Ekiti State Coordinator of the NGO, political parties were too unwieldy for the able to determine the performance of political and as it will aid INEC to now focus on critical Michael Ogungbemi, had said, “the idea that 91 country. parties in the elections. issues in preparation for delivering credible, parties participated in the general election was Sulaiman, who served as National Planning He added that the political parties were also free and fair 2023 general election. not good,” adding that registering 91 political Minister under former President Goodluck assessed on the basis of their performance in the He explained that the judgment of the parties in a developing country like Nigeria Jonathan’s administration, argued that Nigeria Area Council elections in the Federal Capital apex court will help INEC in planning. He with high level of illiteracy would not help requires just three functional political parties to Territory (FCT), which coincided with the wondered how the commission fared with the electoral system. deepen democratic culture among the citizenry. 2019 general election to arrive at the decision. 23,000 candidates that contested the 2019 “Instead, INEC should tentatively register He said that “Some political parties today He further rationalized the action, saying, general election. most of these parties for local governments don’t even have offices in various states across “Prior to the Fourth Alteration, the Electoral Also speaking, the Council of Nigerian and state houses of assembly elections with the country, but then, they occupy space on Act 2010 (as amended) had provided for Ethnic Youth Leaders called on the National performance benchmarks or criteria that if they the ballot paper, thereby causing confusion. deregistration of political parties. Based on Assembly to quickly amend the Constitution score certain percentage of votes, they would When you talk about the inconclusive elec- this provision, the Commission, between 2011 and Electoral Act to stop further registration of qualify to participate in the governorship and tion, over-voting, some Nigerians in the rural and 2013, deregistered 39 political parties more political parties saying the 18 remaining National Assembly elections and up to the areas could not differentiate between certain As a regulatory body, the 1999 constitution parties should be enough to satisfy all political Presidential election. symbols because we have a ballot paper that as amended in section 225A empowers INEC tendencies in the country. “If not checked and controlled, INEC may is as long as one kilometre. So, the earlier we to carry out its regulatory duties. But some of the affected parties kicked register up to 300 political parties before 2023. have a ‘guided democracy’ the better for us,” The section provides that INEC shall have against INEC’s action, insisting that it acted Apart from these, INEC would not be able to he said. power to deregister a political party for (a) against them illegally. manage this number of political parties in the What many Nigerians say for now is the breach of any of the requirements for registra- abuse of every process, explaining that the tion (b) failure to win at least 25 per cent of Supreme Court judgement was an extreme to votes cast in (i) on state of the federation in a curb the abuse by Nigerians. Though, they presidential election or (ii) one local govern- On their part, KOWA Party, Abundant Nigeria Renewal accepted that there could be further roles that ment of the state in a governorship election political parties could play in a democracy. (c) failure to win at least (i) one ward in the Party (ANRP), and the Socialist Party of Nigeria criticized Along this line of thought, some Nigerians chairmanship election (ii) one seat in the have called for a halt to further registration national or state House of Assembly election the judgment wondering why the Supreme Court should of political parties to enable INEC adequate or (iii) one seat in the councillorship election. stop Nigerians from associating with one another. A legal time for the 2023 general elections. With the action, only 16 political parties now An INEC official told THISDAY that the exist in the country as against 92. They are Ac- practitioner, Emeka Udeh wondered how the apex court Supreme Court judgment may not stop the cord Party (AP), Action Alliance (AA), African could rule against freedom of association as enshrined in commission from registering more political Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic parties as at the last count there are more than Congress (ADC), African Democratic Party the constitution. He opened that political parties are not 100 request from groups seeking for registration (ADP), All Progressives Congress (APC), All as political parties. Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and necessarily meant to win elections but to also canvass He said, “the only thing that could stop Allied Peoples Movement (APM). opinions on policies of government. Though, he said, “as INEC from registering more political par- Others are Labour Party (LP), New Nige- ties is a legislation and amendment of the ria Peoples Party (NNPP), National Rescue the court pleases, I can’t fault the Supreme Court but I constitution, less the commission would be Movement (NRM), Peoples Democratic Party hold the opinion that it is against the spirit of association accused of blocking the political space where (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Social politicians can ventilate their views, when Democratic Party (SDP), Young Progressives by individuals to freely meet and hold opinions they are choked.” 20 THISDAY ˾ͯͮ˜ͰͮͰͯ
Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi FEATURES Email [email protected], 07010510430 The Intractable Apapa Gridlock Are truck and tanker drivers and their owners bigger and more powerful than the federal and state governments? Why then is it difficult to tame them in order to ease movement in and out of Apapa? Asks Davidson Iriekpen
Gridlock caused by the dilapidated Oshodi-Apapa Expressway
Ijora bridge locked Failed portion of Tin-Can Gate
or residents of Apapa and those to indicate the movement of their trucks law enforcement agents who were seri- headed by Osinbajo, which was set up who transact business in the towards the ports. The ports authority ously benefitting and profiting from the following the meeting immediately swung area, the last two weeks have would then give the necessary approval confusion, were beginning to feels the into action. The terms of reference of the been horrendous. The traffic to ensure that the inflow and outflow heat. Their bribes were dwindling. taskforce, which was to report directly to situation into the port city has of trucks is orderly. But with the collapse of the e-Call the president, included the development of Fbeen an abiding source of heartache and Under that framework, the Nigeria Ports Up system, the trucks and tankers have an efficient and effective management plan nightmare. Everyday of last week, they Authority has provided 17 designated returned with much ferocity, frustrating for the entire port area traffic, including spent three to four hours to get to their and approved truck parks where trucks movement in and out of business district. fuel distribution and business district destinations, which is very dangerous to are required to wait before they are given This has left many observers and analysts traffic; enforcing the permanent removal of their mental health. The usually one-lane what is called truck pass. It is a pre-gate wondering if anything can ever work in all stationary trucks on the highway and access left for commuters and cars have system. You are called up. You wait at Nigeria? They also wonder if the tanker the development of an effective manual been taken over by trucks and tankers, the provided pre-gate location. When and truck drivers and their owners are call-up system, pending the introduction leaving them into total disappointment it is your turn you approach the ports, bigger than the government? of the electronic truck call-up system. It and frustration. or exit. Cargo owners are also required Recall that following public outcry also included the implementation of a The electronic e-Call Up platform, to stop returning empty containers to over the intractable gridlock in Apapa, workable Empty Container Truck handling an innovative approach initiated by the ports. President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 policy, among others. the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) and For the two weeks that the electronic gave an ultimatum to the trailer drivers This was followed by the withdrawal the Lagos State government, which had call-up system lasted, truckers had gently to vacate Apapa roads and bridges within of the Nigerian Navy personnel and all breathed relief for residents and motor- filed into the seaports without any 72 hours. Before then, Governor Babajide other military formations from traffic ists plying the corridor, has collapsed. hindrance to relief of other road users. Sanwo-Olu had reportedly vowed to end management duties in the Apapa area, The innovation which had substantially The ever-busy Wharf road, leading the Apapa gridlock within 60 days of his while military and paramilitary check- decongested major access roads into the to Apapa Port was vacated by deviant administration, though he later denied points in front of the ports and environs port city has failed abysmally. trucks that used to clog the roads, streets the claim. were to be dismantled. The significance of the e-Call Up System and bridges. Sanity was thought to be The presidential directive followed an In their place, the police and Lagos State is that instead of queuing up on the gradually returning to the Apapa corridor. emergency meeting convened by Buhari Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) roads leading to the ports, importers and Even the police, operatives of the and chaired by Vice President Yemi were authorised to move to the area as exporters are supposed to log in online Federal Road Safety Corps and other Osinbajo on April 25, 2019. A taskforce the lead traffic management agency, while THISDAY ˾ͯͮ˜ͰͮͰͯ 21 FEATURES
Confusion at ijora the NPA was asked to commence the immediate use of the Lilipond Terminal and Trailer Park A as truck Transit Park. The taskforce had two weeks to complete its assignment. By December 2020, when the taskforce ended its assignment and declared that 95 per cent of its job had been done, commuters, motorists and stakeholders did not see any significant improvement. Instead allegations of extortion and cor- ruption trailed its activities. From then till now, the chaos and confusion in and out of Apapa have never ceased. Instead of leaving at least one lane for cars, truck and tanker drivers with the assitance of policemen and others have virtually taken over the link roads, thereby, making life hellish for residents, workers and commuters. Meanwhile, the endless construction works around the Liverpool Roundabouts and the Mile 2-Tin-Can axis of the Oshodi- Apapa Expressway have worsened the situation, making the gridlock to defy all known logic. Currently, what road users see are truck drivers parking recklessly at the middle of the roads without respecting the rights of other road users. Amidst the chaos, uniformed personnel on duty reportedly fleece the truck drivers. All that is needed to jump the queue is to bribe the uniformed personnel. From Congestion on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway Eko Bridge to Creek Road in Apapa, there are over 18 checkpoints where truck and gridlock in Apapa, as well as having a and Association (COMTUA) absolved of our lives in Nigeria, the one in Apapa trailer drivers cleared after parting with more efficient, effective port operations the police and the taskforce, accusing is really appalling. One does not always bribes not less than N1,000 in the full in the general interest of the publics. COFFAMAT, truck drivers and other see government presence in the area. glare of people day and night. If they The outcome of the meeting was the stakeholders of not playing by the rules. Everything is just in complete disarray. want the policemen to escort them, the e-Call Up System that failed woefully. As a way out of the melee, a former The police and other traffic officials that bribe increases to as much as between The governor even went ahead to is- National Publicity Secretary of the Associa- are in charge of bringing sanity to the N5,000 to N10,000. sue a stern warning to individuals and tion of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents area are always helping themselves.” Many believe that the chaos on Apapa maritime operators that want to reverse (ANLCA), Joe Sanni, suggested the need Another stakeholder, Olarenwaju roads is certainly a national embarrass- the progress being recorded along the for stakeholders in the maritime industry Adewale, expressed concern for the ment. They believe that there are readily Apapa corridor. He vowed that the state to come together to form a committee bridges which the truck and tanker no solution available on hand to address government would resist any attempt of relevant players in the sector to bring drivers constantly park on everyday the problem. Even hoodlums and traffic from any quarters to bring back the sanity to the area. He said being victims and everynight without anybody raising armed robbers have cashed in on the situ- problem. He threatened to publish the of the effect of the gridlock in terms any eyebrow. According to him, this is ation to unleash their nefarious activities names of uncooperative stakeholders of economic and health concerns, they a threat to lives and infrastructure. on innocent citizens by dispossessing who do not want the Apapa gridlock would take the issue seriously. “For about eight years consecutively, them of their valuables and sometimes to ease off. All the threats have come Sanni added that the best way out is the truck and tanker drivers have constantly maiming their victims. to nothing but mere words. formation of a stakeholders’ committee parked on the bridges everyday and Last December, following public outcry, Even stakeholders operating within with a definite rule of engagement to everynight, every week, month and the Lagos State government vowed to and around the seaports frequently manage the traffic situation in and around year without anybody saying anything. set up a special team to takeover traffic indulge in blame game, accusing each Apapa. He pointed out that once the This, in my opinion is a huge threat to management from the PTT. Governor other of responsibility for the confusion rules of engagement are agreed upon by human lives and infrastructure. I am not Babajide Sanwo-Olu, after an unscheduled in the port city. While the Committee all, offenders cannot only be sanctioned pessimist but I believe that this could inspection of the roads to have a first of Freight Forwarders and Maritime but can also be taken to court. be danger waiting to happen.” hand assessment of traffic situation at the Truckers (COFFAMAT) blamed the NPA While that is still in the pipeline, a While businesses, mental health and ports and its environ, said a stakeholders' officials, Presidential Taskforce on Port businessman, Justice Okeke, who has the neighbourhood are being left to meeting, involving the NPA, haulage Decongestion and the police for the often been frustrated over the traffic suffer, Nigerians are anxiously waiting transport unions, port operators, among corruption that allowed truck drivers crisis in Apapa, said: “Apapa is just an for the federal and state governments others would be convened to work out to park indiscriminately on the road, the ungoverned territory. Even though there to urgently act to save the country from means of solving the protracted traffic Council of Maritime Transport Union is absence of government in every aspect what is happening in Apapa. 22 MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 • THISDAY THISDAY ˾ͯͮ˜2021 23
Group Business Editor Obinna Chima Email [email protected] BUSINESSWORLD 08152447875 ͵˜ͰͮͰͯ MONEY MARKET REPO S & P INDEX S & P INDEX EXCHANGE RATE OVERNIGHT 15.25 CALL ͯͲ˛͵ͳ INDEX LEVEL 506.41% 1/4 TO DATE ̋ͷ˛ͱ͵ϱ ͱ͵ͷ˹ͯ ̩ OBB ͯͲ˛͵ͳ 1-MONTH 16.50 1-DAY -0.15 YEAR TO DATE -24.45% ̩ 3-MONTH ͯ͵˛ͳͮ MONTH-TO-DATE -1.16% Quick Takes CIBN Holds 2021 AGM The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has concluded ar- rangements to hold its 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, May 15, 2021. The hybrid event will hold online via the zoom platform and physical venue at its Lagos office. The meeting which will be presided over by the President/Chairman of Council, Dr. Bayo Olugbemi, is expected to be attended by top bankers and other distinguished dignitaries from other sectors of the economy such as Chairmen of banks; MD/Chief Executives of banks, past presidents of the institute, Presidents of other professional bodies, top government functionaries, fellows, honourary senior members, associates, microfinance certified and among others. According to a statement, the annual reports, accounts, auditor’s report, adoption of the minutes of last year’s AGM and other important matters affecting the institute and the welfare of members would be considered at the meeting. It is expected that members of the institute all over the world will join via ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING zoom and youtube platforms as well as participate actively at the discus- L-R: Executive Secretary, Bank Directors’ Association of Nigeria (BDAN) Ms. Adebukola Orenuga ; President, Mrs. Osaretin Demuren; Council Member, Mrs. Funke Feyisitan Ladimeji sions for the interest of the banking profession and industry in the country. and General Secretary, Dr. Jude Monye, during the association’s 24th annual general meeting held in Lagos...recently Nigerian ipNX Gets Global Ranking ipNX, Nigeria’s broadband internet service provider, has been recognised by Ookla, a global player in broadband network testing applications as the fastest fixed broadband provider in Nigeria for Q1 2021. Investors Stake N16bn on According to Ookla Global Intelligence report, ipNX was also ranked as the provider with the highest consistency score in Nigeria for Q1 2021. The results were based on analysis by Ookla taken from January through March 2021 1.4 Billion Shares With over nine million tests each day, Ookla Speedtest has the most comprehensive view of worldwide internet performance. Goddy Egene tain dominance as the absence shares worth N2.005billion The Speedtest award for top network provider is determined using a INVESTMENT of positive triggers will limit in 1,070deals. The third ‘Speed Score’ that measures each provider’s network download and upload The Nigerian equities market buying interest from the bulls. place was Consumer Goods speeds to rank its network speed performance. Ookla’s Consistency attracted investment inflow recorded in the month April. Notwithstanding, we advise Industry, with a turnover of Score measures the percentage of a network provider’s sampled data of N15.918 billion last week Some of the stocks that suf- investors to take positions in 57.023 million shares worth that equals or exceeds the threshold, which best supports the applications staked on 1.419 billion shares fered profit taking included only fundamentally justified N1.029billion in 2,831deals. and experiences consumers use the most for fixed network threshold in 18,459 deals. Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, stocks as the weak macro story Trading in the top three of 25 Mbps download. This indicated an increase MTN Nigeria Plc and Dangote remains a significant headwind equities namely Access Bank Analysing the report, the Divisional CEO, ipNX Retail, Kene Eneh, said: by 46.3 per cent from the Cement Plc. for corporate earnings,” they Plc, FBN Holdings Plc and “The results released by Ookla show that our customers are experiencing N10.883 billion invested in Analysts at Cordros Securi- said. An analysis of the per- Zenith Bank Plc accounted for the fastest internet speeds that they need for today and for the future. 1.441 billion shares in 19,614 ties said the bears would likely formance showed that the 609.988 million shares worth “Over the past several years, we have invested significant resources into deals the previous week. remain in control of the market Financial Services Industry N6.593billion in 4,870deals. expanding our capacity and delivering unrivalled service quality on our However, the Nigerian Stock in the new month. led the activity chart with The price movement chart Fibre Optic network and services respectively. Exchange Limited (NGX) All- “With the first quarter (Q1) 1.069 billion shares valued showed that 31 equities ap- “With the launch of our FOS Xtreme Series with 200Mbps speed offering, Share Index (ASI) depreciated of 2021 earnings season now at N9.531billion traded in preciated in price lower than we currently provide the fastest internet speeds for homes and busi- by 1.6 per cent to close at out of the way, we believe a 10,907deals; thus contribut- 36 in the previous week, while nesses in the country and this is enabling richer digital experiences for our 39,198.75, while market capi- “choppy theme” will be the ing 75.34 per cent and 59.88 37 equities depreciated lower customers”. In 2020, ipNX was also awarded the best Broadband Service talisation declined to N20.431 order of the day as investors per cent to the total equity than 41 equities in the previ- Provider and Internet Service Provider by Nigeria Technology Awards trillion. Market analysts at- keep their gaze on yield move- turnover volume and value ous week. Royal Exchange Plc (NiTA). This is yet another significant milestone for ipNX, and builds on tributed the depreciation to ments in the fixed income (FI) respectively. led the price gainers with 22.6 her strong legacy of technology leadership and innovation in the industry. profit taking in bellwether market. The Industrial Goods Indus- stocks following some gains “The bears will likely main- try followed with 60.762million Continued on page 24 Firm Reaches Safety Excellence Level Century Group, one of the promoters of the annual HSE Summit has hit a major safety milestone in one of its operations. Specifically, the field development and production activities on going at African Oil, Gas Refiners Seek Action on Clean Energy Transition OML 113, Aje Field which is the asset that formally inducted Lagos State into the league of oil producing states. Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja ENERGY for reducing carbon emissions of LPG”, he stated. According the company’s QHSE Manager, Mr. Idonbaa Egberipou, and against polluting solid fuels. Kragha disclosed that ARDA content in circulation through the official social media accounts of the The African Refiners and He stressed that health chal- is currently working with the company, it on Thursday the 29th day of April, 2021 reached a new level Distribution Association (ARDA) expert emphasised that without lenges loom in Africa if steps are African Union (AU) to reduce of safety excellence on both process and personnel safety. The company has called for a consensus by all strategic efforts towards energy not urgently taken to transition sulphur content in fuels, stress- clocked 1,862 days (5 years) LTI free man-hours on board the FPSO Tamara stakeholders on the need for the transition, especially for cooking, into cleaner fuels in line with ing that other workshops on Nanaye. The company which is associated with the annual HSE Summit continent to quickly take visible solid fuels may continue to kill the United Nations Sustainable storage and distribution, refining “HSE in our DNA,” through this achievement said it has proven that its steps as the rest of world moves over 600,000 Africans yearly due Development Goals (SDGs). and specifications, human commitment to safety is not a gimmick. towards cleaner and renewable to household air pollution. He posited that the continent capital, sustainable financing CG has grown to be one of the largest indigenous operators of Floating, sources of energy. Also present at the event must aim at fostering collabora- and regulation were being Production, Storage and Offloading Vessels (FPSO’s) and flow stations The ARDA joined by were industry majors, including tion and sharing of best practices lined up. in Sub-Saharan Africa. other experts in the Liquefied Global LPG Partnership (GLP- to mitigate projected challenges In his comments, the Chair- Petroleum Gas (LPG) industry GP), World LPG Association that could undermine energy man of GLPGP, Kimball Chen, maintained that there’s a (WLA), Clean Cooking Alliance transition on the continent. said LPG for clean cooking in looming danger if Africa is (CCA), Shell Foundation and “The deployment of the Africa remained a priority for left behind in the new energy Oryx Energies. planned Africa LPG sector the international community, “We have identified Africa to be transition milieu. Against the backdrop of the development fund to finance governments and various insti- a vast pool of opportunities with Executive Secretary of the continent’s growing population, national LPG ecosystems at tutions as well as private sector association, Mr. Anibor Kragha, the stakeholders insisted on the country-level will ensure a capital providers as shown by over 370 million unbanked adults, explained that it has become need for energy transition in robust, full value chain approach recent LPG feasibility studies in $9.2 billion in remittances and more important for Africans to the face of projected growing to drive sustainable investments Kenya, Rwanda, Sierra Leone cross border payments, 89 cities of embrace modern clean energy energy demands, noting that and accelerate LPG adoption and Uganda. now as over 850 million Africans it remains sacrosanct. across the continent. Also speaking, the Global over 1.3 billion inhabitants by 2025 still depend on solid fuels or At the meeting, Kragha “An integrated ecosystem Head, Oil & Gas Coverage at and the overall African financial biomass for cooking. who insisted on the need for approach for deploying sustain- Standard Bank, Mr. Dele Kuti, ecosystem” Speaking during a workshop the development of a robust able investments across the said there was need to ensure organised by ARDA on the African LPG value chain, LPG value chain is essential an enabling environment for need for the adoption of clean highlighted the commodity as in Africa’s drive towards world- GMD/CEO, Access Bank, cooking fuels, the petroleum a credible near-term solution class per capita consumption Continued on page 24 Herbert Wigwe 24 THISDAY ˾ͯͮ˜ͰͮͰͯ
BUSINESSWORLD NEWS
INVESTORS STAKE N16BN ON 1.4 BILLION SHARES ‘Nigeria’s Contract with Canadian Firm per cent, trailed by Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc with 17.3 per cent. Access Bank Plc Pulled Power Sector’ chalked up 11.6 per cent, just as Union Bank of Nigeria Plc of TCN for better management first place because, to procure any generate, they transmit and some Asians from wherever garnered 10.2 per cent. Conoil Peter Uzoho and performance as a key arm services by government, parastatals they distribute, which was they could get them.” Plc and LASACO Assurance of the Nigeria power sector. and agencies of government ought what the old NEPA, the old The erstwhile executive direc- Plc chalked up 10 per cent A former Executive Director in He argued that MHI was given to go through the due process PHCN was. When we re-phased tor of TCN noted that the MHI and 9.8 per cent respectively. charge of Finance and Accounts the contract despite the fact that it commission which was done. and unbundled PHCN to 18 team was not found competent Conversely, Linkage Assur- at the Transmission Company of did not emerge as one of the top “And to be honest with you, companies, that is 11 Discos, at all and that there was always ance Plc led the price losers Nigeria (TCN), Mr. Sonny Iroche, companies deemed qualified for Manitoba did not feature top, six Gencos and one TCN, you clashes between the Manitoba with 18.8 per cent, followed has said the contract entered into the contract by the procurement it was actually another foreign didn’t need to bring a company executives and the Nigerian by Courtville Business Solu- between Nigeria and Manitoba commission. company. But be that as it may, that is in your old mould to executives during the time the tions Plc with 13 per cent. Hydro International (MHI), a He noted that MHI was also Manitoba got the management come and be a management contract lasted. NEM Insurance Plc declined Canadian power company, caused operating in the mould of the contract and I worked with them contractor.” He revealed that throughout by 10.8 per cent, while B.O.C regression in the country’s power defunct National Electric Power and I was one of those who op- “Manitoba didn’t do a good their stay at the Abuja headquar- Gases Plc and SCOA Nigeria sector. Authority (NEPA) and the PHCN posed them because Manitoba job. Manitoba pulled Nigerian ters of the TCN, the Manitoba Plc shed 9.9 per cent and 9.6 Iroche, described the contract with their analogue systems. is a little local government in power sector back. By the four team never left Abuja on an per cent in that order. which was for the Canadian firm He said: “The Manitoba Canada that at best, generates years that they were there, we inspection visit to agency’s substa- to efficiently manage the TCN, as management contract was one 5,000 megawatts. were paying them in dollars tions and work centres located AFRICAN OIL, GAS one of the weird contracts that of those weird contracts that we “And it’s a vertically integrated and they were really not staff of all over the country, adding that REFINERS SEEK ACTION should not have happened in the shouldn’t have gone into in the power system, which is, they Manitoba Canada. They hired the contract was a bad marriage. ON CLEAN ENERGY power sector. TRANSITION Iroche, who is currently the financing of LPG projects. Executive Chairman of Strategic He stressed that population Alliance Promotion Company growth, new product lines based in Lagos and Abuja, said and the drive for cleaner this during an interview on ‘The energy supply in future make Morning Show’, a flagship pro- has made LPG investments gramme of Arise News Channel, a viable option. THISDAY’s broadcast station. President Muhammadu Bu- Sequel to the privatisation hari recently underscored the of generation and distribution need to drive the country’s companies under the defunct economic development by Power Holding Company of tapping Nigeria’s enormous Nigeria (PHCN), the federal gas resources. He had said government in line with the power given the country’s poten- sector reforms, had contracted MHI tial of about 600 trillion to manage the TCN for an initial cubic feet of gas, the com- period of three years. modity has the capacity to The contract which was first diversify Nigeria’s economy signed in 2012, for a period of if deployed appropriately. three years, expired in 2015, and He pledged that his was subsequently renewed for administration would another term of one year before fully utilise the enor- it eventually expired in 2016, and mous gas resources in was not renewed. SPECIAL RECOGNITION the country to grow Iroche spoke on the heels of L-R: MD, CAP Plc, Mr. David Wright; Marketing Director, Monument Distillers Nigeria Mr. Ajiborode Abiodun, and Managing Director, BusinessDay, Mr. Ogho Okiti, the economy and drive frequent calls by some stakeholders at the Nigerian Investor Value Awards where CAP received an award for the most profitable company industrial goods, building materials chemicals and paints industrialisation within and analysts for the unbundling sub sector, held in Lagos... recently 10 years. According to him, the rising global demand for cleaner energy sources Insurance Commissioner Tasks Operators on Disruptive Innovations has offered Nigeria an opportunity to exploit Dike Onwuamaeze much reactive thinking and now for a new market and value disruptive to create the needed today and the future by breaking gas resources for the embrace disruptive innovation network. It, therefore, means market. Therefore, we must have existing barriers in the insurance good of the country and The Commissioner of Insur- since the things the industry have that to break new frontiers is a mindset that is disruptive.” sector because, “we (NAICOM) the government intends ance, Mr. Sunday Thomas, been leaning on might not sustain to at least be an inch ahead of He said it was expected that are concerned about our service to seize the opportunity. has charged practitioners in it in the nearest future. unavoidable disruptions of our companies should ensure that delivery and it is important for He said his adminis- insurance sector to embrace He said: “We are living in an business models, markets etc. capital management in ways us to focus on it.” tration had prioritised disruptive business models in age of disruption. The insurance So, it is not just innovating but that would create value in the He also added that the new gas development and order to be able to build an sector is facing significant waves rather disruptive innovation.” face of the new market frontiers, insurance bill, which is before recorded remarkable industry that would withstand of disruption and important He said the quest for talent while, “its primary objective must the National Assembly, would progress, adding that Nigeria future changes in the sector. decisions about market posi- development and disruptive be to optimise capital structure, introduce improvements in the is a gas nation with a little oil, Thomas, gave this charge tioning, ecosystem relationship, innovation would enable the performance and adequate for legal regulatory framework of but the country has focused recently, when he spoke at the technology, investments in skills industry to move from the risk undertaken.” the Nigerian insurance industry. on oil over the years. Lagos Chamber of Commerce requirements need to be taken,” status quo, adding that, “one Thomas, noted that the prevail- The President of the LCCI, and Industry’s (LCCI) 2021 Insur- adding that, “key drivers of assurance I can give is that ing low insurance penetration Mrs. Toki Mabogunje, in her ance Stakeholders’ Consultative change include the changing the NAICOM will never go in the country, “is a sign that opening remarks said the Forum with the theme “Nigeria’s nature of risks which are now against any great idea that will there are more grounds to be essence of the forum was to Insurance Industry: Breaking too complex to fit into the insur- create desired result. Let all of tilled and more harvests to be facilitate exchange of ideas New Frontiers,” which was ance industry’s traditional lines us come together and look for made.” that would move the insurance hosted virtually in Lagos. of business structure. ways we can create a future for He said there was need for sector forward and enable it to He said insurance operators “The time for talent develop- our industry. regulatory reforms that would play its sustainable role in the
in the country should avoid too ment for disruptive innovation is “We want innovations that are reposition NAICOM for both Nigerian economy.
Group Business Editor Obinna Chima FG Reaffirms Support for Entrepreneurs Capital Market Editor James Emejo and Folalumi (NEF), Dr. Sidney Inegbedion, In a statement by the Assistant told the minister that the ministry of Industry, Trade Goddy Egene Alaran in Abuja, noted that the present Director, Information, FMITI, Mrs. purpose of their visit was to and Investment as part of Comms/e-Business Editor administration had put in place Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa, the brief her on the modalities for its contributions to national Emma Okonji The Minister of State for Indus- various programmes, including minister, further urged the implementing the Memoran- economic development. Asst. Editor, Money Market dum of Understanding (MOU) He added that the body had Nume Ekeghe try, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Export Expansion Grant EEG, entrepreneurs to take advan- Mariam Katagum, has reaffirmed MSMEs Survival Fund and the tage of its various laudable signed between NEF and OWIT. also implemented effective man- Senior Correspondent the commitment of the federal National Diaspora Policy as part of programmes on micro, small He said the organisation agement and leadership training Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) government towards sustain- efforts aimed at encouraging the and medium scale enterprises which was established since towards Nigeria engagement in Correspondents able development of Nigerian growth of small scale businesses (MSMEs) to enhance their 2010, is a private sector driven AfCFTA, among others. Chinedu Eze (Aviation) Eromosele Abiodun (Maritime) entrepreneurs. in the country. productivity. with focus on stimulating the On her part, President of OWIT James Emejo (Finance) Katagum, during a meeting She, therefore, advised NEF She expressed the ministry’s economic development of the Nigeria, Blessing Irabor, said the Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) with a delegation from the Nigeria and OWIT to take full advantage readiness to collaborate and country. organisation was in partnership Chineme Okafor (Energy) Entrepreneurs Forum (NEF) and of the African Continental Free support the associations in He added that NEF had over with NEF and other relevant Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) the Organisation of Women in Trade Area (AfCFTA), which realising their mandate most, the years been providing capac- stakeholders to advance Nigeria’s Reporters International Trade (OWIT) commenced in January to enhance particularly in the area of youth ity building and competency commitments to gender equality Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Nigeria, led by the President their business activities and boost and women empowerment. based leadership training through international trade and Peter Uzoho (Energy) Nigeria Entrepreneurs Forum the economy. However, Inegbedion had for some departments in the investments. THISDAY ˾ͯͮ˜ͰͮͰͯ 25
‘Plant Variety Protection Bill Will Improve Food Security’ Lagos Commodities Exchange Ugo Aliogo of Sahel Consulting Agriculture Set to List First Gold and Nutrition Limited, posited The Director-General, Na- that without access to alterna- Goddy Egene for supporting trading of gold development of rural areas regulation, funding and data tional Agricultural Seeds Council tive sources of food or income, in Nigeria, saying this remained anywhere it is located. There collation (NASC), Dr. Philip Ojo, has stated smallholder farmers are highly The Lagos Commodities and one of the ways to diversify must be constant power supply, “ Nigeria’s International that the Plant Variety Protection vulnerable to fluctuations in Futures Exchange (LCFE) is Nigeria’s sources of foreign good road network and other Trade in Solid Minerals and (PVP) Bill will provide intellectual weather patterns, changes in set to admit Dukia Gold‘s exchange at this critical period social amenities, apart from commodities is behind par property protection to breeders government support and shifts diversified financial instru- of Nigeria’s economy. employment opportunities for and the absence of a listed and improve food security in in both local and international ments, backed by gold as the He said: “We are proud to be the rural dwellers,” Fagbemi said. gold investible instrument Nigeria. markets. underlying assets in a sector the first Gold company whose Speaking in the same vein, the on a commodities exchange Ojo, disclosed this during a She said there was a need worth over N300 trillion. products would be listed on the MD/CEO of Heritage Bank Plc, limits export potential for the virtual meeting organised by for all stakeholders to work Addressing journalists at the LFCE. The listing shall enable Ifie Sekibo, who was represented exploration of solid minerals in the Nigerian Economic Sum- collectively to transform Nigeria’s pre-listing media interactive us facilitate our infrastructure by the Divisional Head, Strategy Nigeria, particularly Gold. The mit Group (NESG) and the food ecosystem. session in Lagos, the Dukia development, expand capacity and Business Solutions, Heritage need to harness the potential National Agricultural Seeds During the panel session, Gold’s Chairman of Dukia and create fungible products. Bank and only licenced gold growth in the Nigerian Solid Council (NASC) in collaboration Trade Expert, Trade Law Centre Gold, Mr. Tunde Fagbemi, This has potential to shore up settlement bank in Nigeria, Mineral/ Gold sector and with the Alliance for a Green (TRALAC), Western Cape region said that the instruments Nigeria’s foreign reserve and Mr. Olusegun Akanji, stated commodity trades justifies Revolution in Africa (AGRA) of South Africa, Dr. Olumuyiwa which would be in form of create an alternative window for that the bank had created a the timely establishment of with the theme: ‘Expert review Bamidele Alaba, posited that Exchange Traded Notes (ETN), preservation of pension funds. buying centre for verification a gold trading platform and of the Plant Variety Protection the World Trade Organisation Commercial Papers (CP) and A gold-backed security is a of quality and quantity of gold the objectives of the promoters Bill: Significance and Constraints.’ (WTO) does not have specific other gold-backed securities hedge against inflation and and reference price to ensure of Dukia Gold,” he said. He said the NASC and other laws around PVP. would enable the company convenient preservation of price discovery in line with According to him, LCFE stakeholders have helped facilitate He charged countries to interact deepen the commodities market capital.” the global standard. According is ready to support all the the PVP bill which is currently and sign negotiating treaties in Nigeria, increase capacity, According to him, they have to him, every transaction is stakeholders in the Gold awaiting Presidential assent. among each other, “and that generate foreign exchange for refinery services to smelt metals auditable to protect investors. Sector in the areas of market Delivering his presentation there are international laws that the government to diversify with capacity to meet local and The Managing Director, creation, dissemination of titled: “Significance of the PVP espouse Protection of breeders’ external reserve and create international demand. LCFE, Mr Akin Akeredolu- market information, price Act to the Seeds Subsector and right and that of locals and the massive employment across “As a global player, we Ale, who commended SEC risk management, reduction of the Nigerian Food and Agriculture investors.” the metal production value comply with the practices and for issuing the exchange a counter party risk for trades, Ecosystem,” Ojo said the bill is a Director of the Ecological chain. procedures of London Bullion licence to trade gold said price discovery and transpar- legal designation to protect plant Think-Tank, Health of Mother Fagbemi hailed the Ministry Market Association (LBMA) commodities exchanges play ency, standardisation, facilitation breeders and help encourage Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Mr. of Mines and Steel Develop- and many other international strategic roles introducing of commodity finance and breeders to get incentives from Nnimmo Bassey, revealed that the ment and the Securities and bodies. Our refinery will also structures into the ecosystem innovative applications for their inventions. productivity of small-scale farmers Exchange Commission (SEC) have multiplier effects on the which was in urgent need for an exchange mechanism. In her opening remarks, is always underestimated and NESG Board member, Dr. more support should be given to Ndidi Nwuneli, disclosed that them as opposed to transnational the PVP bill has an important corporations. role to play as it would unlock a He revealed that farmers have lot of potentials across Nigeria’s over the years successfully selected Agricultural ecosystem while the best seeds and research has protecting farmers. shown that the future of food Nwuneli, who is also the production is reliant on small-scale Co-Founder/Managing Partner farmers. FG Assures NSC of Support on Harness Solid Minerals Seriki Adinoyi in Jos resource centre that the council was promoting is a project with The Minister of Transportation, tremendous economic potentials Mr. Rotimi Amaechi has given for the state in terms of employ- the assurance of the federal ment, tourism, and intellectual government’s support to the development. Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) “Our vision is to re-engineer by collaborating with the agency the economy by establishing SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP and Plateau State to harness the modern transport infrastructure L-R: People Director, International Breweries Plc, Marilyn Maduka; Chairman, Advisory Board, International Breweries Foundation, Peter Bamkole; Director state’s rich solid mineral resources that will strengthen the nation’s for Employment, Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs Iyabo Seriki-Bello; and Finance Director, International Breweries Plc, Bruno potential in order to achieve the logistics value chain and support Zambrano, at the launch of the 2021 Kickstart entrepreneurship programme by International Breweries Foundation in Lagos...recently ETOP UKUTT much needed diversification of the development of the non-oil Nigerian economy. sector.” According to him, Plateau Also speaking, the governor of state is known for solid mineral Plateau state, Mr. Simon Lalong ALTON Challenges African Youths on Nation-building resources such as tin, Platinum, said having the North-central zinc, and iron ore, even as the coordinating office in Jos will Emma Okonji the West African region. In leaders of TAYI to encourage the African youths. temperate climate of the state add a lot of value to the general Nigeria, the challenges of its members and other youths Country Representative of supports certain agricultural development of the Inland Con- The Association of Licensed kidnapping and banditry across Africa to remain in TAYI, Ambassador Bakare produce. Speaking on Friday tainer terminal, and will facilitate Telecoms Operators of Nigeria are on the rise, and ALTON Africa to rebuild the African Luqman, who led the delega- during an inauguration ceremony the economy. (ALTON), has called on African is vey concerned about these economy, which includes the tion of TAYI to present the of the NSC North-central zonal He recalled that Plateau state youths, Nigeria inclusive, to African challenges. Investment Nigerian economy. awards, said the decision to coordinating office complex in Jos, has been a centre for economic rise up to the challenge of re- thrives where it is welcomed “There are influx of for- present the wards to Adebayo Amaechi said the resources would and socio political activities in building African nations, saying and if there is no stability eign goods into Africa and and ALTON, was taken at its need access to both domestic and Nigeria right from colonial times the future of any economy lies in the African economies, if African youths continue national executive meeting held international markets, and the because of its serenity, centrality, in the hands of youths. investors will not come to to migrate out of Africa, at the United Nations Youth dry port in Heipang, Jos, will easy access, good weather, min- ALTON Chairman, Gbenga invest. Today the African time will come when Africa Assembly, in New Portein, provide such access. ing and agricultural activities, Adebayo, said instead of mi- region is losing its population can not produce local goods South Africa. He added that the strategic hospitality and tourists attraction. grating to other continents of to other economies because for African consumption, “Indeed, the recipients have location of the North-central While appreciating the Min- the world in search of greener the youths are migrating in thereby leaving the African won the hearts of African coordinating office was to ensure ister of Transportation and the pastures, adequate security and search of better socio-economic economy in the hands of Youths by their conducts and delivery of council’s services in Governor for their support, the economic stability, African guarantees. ALTON therefore foreigners,” Adebayo said. credentials as distinguished the North-central zone. Executive Secretary/CEO of the youths must look inwards and challenge African youths to He used the occasion leader and dogged administra- “I therefore implore the good NSC, Mr. Hassan Bello said that remain in Africa to develop take responsibility now and in of the awards to thank tor, and Adebayo has publicly people of Plateau state to put the NSC has a dream of building the region. the future because the future the Trans-African Youth showed that he is a bastion it in optimal and beneficial use an international resource centre Adebayo gave the advice is in the hands of the youths. Initiative for the recogni- of hope and a statesman per when completed.” which would cost N15,000, 000 at the weekend in Lagos, African youths must remain in tion bestowed upon him as excellence,” Luqman said. Amaechi went on to say in Jos. while receiving the Nelson the African region to rebuild “African Patriotic Leader” Trans-African Youths that the Federal Ministry of According to him, “This is Mandela African Patriot the economies of the region.” as well as the recognition Initiative is the voice of 1.2 Transportation, through the NSC a massive and magnificent Award of Excellence, presented He further said if all youths of ALTON as “Most Produc- billion young people of the activities, highlights the benefits monument that will include to him by the Trans-African in the region decided to mi- tive Telecoms Association Commonwealth. It is the of the maritime sector as the best a 5-Star hotel, shopping mall, Youth Initiative (TAYI). The grate to other regions, “who in Africa.” largest youth-led organisation alternative for economic diversifi- restaurant, multipurpose halls, body also recognised ALTON would then rebuild the Africa ALTON’s Publicity Sec- in Africa, which plays the cation. “Let me state categorically conference center (automate) with as Most Productive Telecoms region.” retary, Mr. Damian Udeh, integral role of advancing that the transportation sector has a capacity of 2,500 persons. The Association in Africa. “African youths therefore also thanked TAYI for the youth development agenda the potential for employment, project will be delivered through According to Adebayo, have a duty to remain in recognitions, and advised and co-ordination of activities investment, and growth of our Public Private Partnership (PPP) “Africa is faced with many the region through thick and the youth leaders to always and policies of the 54 Com- nation’s international trade.” and supported at all times by challenges such as insecurity thin to rebuild the region, he inculcate the right values monwealth nations in the field The Minister said the maritime the NSC.” and emigration of youths across added, and advised the youth among its members and of youth. 26 THISDAY ˾ͯͮ˜ͰͮͰͯ
Ekechukwu: Subduing Insecurity, Corruption Will Spur Economic Growth Managing Director/Chief Executive, Dignity Finance and Investment Limited, Dr. Chijioke Ekechukwu, in this interview says with growing insecurity as well as policy inconsistency, it would be difficult for the government to persuade foreign investors to commit resources to the country. The former Director General of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry also proffers solutions to the rising inflation, high cost of funds and unemployment among other economic challenges. James Emejo brings the excerpts: What’s your assessment of the economy factors actually affecting investments in Nigeria. particularly amidst the COVID-19 pandemic? Availability of funds is also not there. Most of the For an economy to grow, there has to be funds we have in Nigeria are usually short-term concerted efforts from the monetary and fiscal funds. And the conditions that will even make authorities and from other major government it possible for you to attract long-term funds and private sector areas. are very stringent and makes it difficult for a Many times, we concentrate our efforts around beginner or small business owner to access long the monetary policy and whatever efforts that term funds. I know that certain development they must have gained would be dissolved by banks have been providing opportunities for activities of the fiscal policy. And of course, when people to access long term funds but many all these policies are put in place, it is expected times the conditions are such that they cannot that situations like corruption, nepotism, and afford and so we need to have other things that situations that are adverse to the growth of will make it possible for businesses to access any economy would not be existing. funds at very cheap interest rates. So these are And so, we expect that when knowledgeable all the things and there are so many of them policy making takes place in the fiscal and but each of these is contributing to the hardship monetary policy, we expect that the system is of doing business in Nigeria. supposed to start building from there and with all the supports of the federal government policies Amidst rising public debt stock and on their own, having to do with growing and dwindling government revenues and issues expanding the frontiers of business that would around repayment, how does this impinge actually drive the revenue base of the country on investor confidence in the country? and grow many sectors of the economy. Countries Yes, for other government to government that have done well have taken advantage of relationship and business to government re- areas of their strengths and for many years, lationship and business to business relationship oil became an area of our strength but also coming from outside the country, they’ll look at became one if the things killing our economy a lot of things. They’ll look at our debt burden because we lost every bit of processing and and the size of our local and international debt refining of oil while we send out our crude, we and they’ll also look at the percentage of our are also supposed to be refining our oil locally budget used to repay our loans. When they in order for us to reduce the consumption of look at all these things you see that the credit foreign currency. If that was not enough, we ratings that they may give to our country also should have developed many other sectors would drop basically. And when the credit that we considered more profitable and that will rating drops, the interest rate they are going have competitive advantage over many other to charge the country will increase and so you countries. The mining sector has been neglected see that countries with good, high credit rating or overlooked for many years. A single item in Ekechukwu receive funds at very cheap rates. that sector could actually sustain this particular But for Nigeria with very high risk of bor- country and here we have a lot of them and we and means of actually spending just to spend about the foreign direct investment not going rowing, you see that interest rates are usually are not doing a lot about them. I can tell you out of recession and that’s actually what the like other African countries, we know the reason. very high. There are several things international that if we have a very sincere purpose to grow CBN did to be able to take us out of recession. Once we are able to solve the insecurity in this development banks look at before they give facili- the solid minerals sector, we don’t even have to But we need to sustain the growth that we country, all the other indicators are going to ties to the country including the unemployment mine half of them to actually turn around our have experienced in all the sectors and the fastest start looking positive. For emphasis, the first rate, per capita income as well as the growth of economy. The agricultural sector is one sector means to grow and sustain this growth is to fear of an average investor into Nigeria is the your population. When they look at all these that is doing well right now - but of course, eliminate the level of insecurity that is bedeviling level of insecurity. Inconsistency of policy is things, they’ll now look at the size of your it’s also experiencing its downturn considering the country today. So, these and other things another factor that is actually a bane in the budget and see whether it’s even something the insecurity in the various farms. And so, we put together should be able to take us out of growth of investments in Nigeria. You see, for you can possibly pay back if you borrow and need to address our economic growth sector the hard economic crisis. an investor to come into Nigeria, there are so over a period of time. by sector. Now, today, we are seeing how well many things to they are going to be looking Relationship of the country with the interna- we are growing in the ICT world and in that There have been reported capital flight at; the stock market, and money market, how tional body also counts and these are the things space, we can sustain to this growth and use from Nigeria in recent times, what are really well are they doing? How stable are they? You you can always get when you have contact it to cover the lapses we are having in some the investors’ concerns about the economy? know in all the ease of doing business areas, people who believe in what you ate a doing. other sectors. But the level we have grown No investor would want to come into a country government has tried to highlight many of in the ICT, we can also grow in many other where there’s insecurity, even when they are the areas that they would want to reduce the Today, inflation constitutes a major risk sectors; manufacturing is one other sector that secure, you will see the policies are not stable burden of doing business. But, there are so to the macro-economy, much higher than will continue to create employment and lack of and consistent. Insecurity has held back a lot many areas that government has not been able the MPR. What is really is the way forward it will also create a high level of unemployment. of developmental programmes that we should to address - areas of corruption, somebody for Nigeria? It will also drive the revenue base of the country. have expected in this country and once we are having to come into this country and has the Yes, because there are external factors away Imagine that there are 50 new factories or old able to address insecurity, many other indicators wherewithal to do business in this country but from the monetary policy, which are affecting factories that have been resuscitated and are are going to be looking well. When we talked cannot do it because the level of corruption inflation rate. Actually it is the MPR that is doing very well. From the 50 companies we is so high and so you need to get something usually determined by the level of inflation. are going to be having value added tax, and processed and fo you to get something processed Usually when inflation goes up and down, it will personal income tax, and so you will see the it is so difficult because someone wants to take affects the MPR. But the monetary policy body revenue base we are losing for not having this certain gratification before he does them. So we has refused to allow the MPR to move along real sector producing at even half the capacity. For an economy to need to fight corruption head-on in order for the same correlation with the inflation rate. The So, it’s important that we make the manufactur- us to invite the kinds of investors to that we reason is that the CBN has done everything to ing sector grow again. A lot has been said about grow, there has to be want to have. Cost of fund is another thing bring down interest rate. In other words, they it but I have not seen enough efforts to match concerted efforts from to that is a problem in this country. Cost of want both the borrowing and lending rates to the things said towards growing this sector. fund is very high and cost of doing business be as low as possible. Now, if the CBN now Given that the agricultural sector is growing the monetary and fiscal is also very high. When we talk about cost decides to follow the high rate of inflation to as I said, and if we add the manufacturing authorities and from of doing business we are taking about cost of influence how high the MPR would go, then sector to it and some other sectors to what electricity in order words, cost of power and all the efforts they made in the past to be able we already have today, you will see that the other major government energy which are very high. We are talking about to reduce interest rate would go lost. So CBN unemployment rate that is already as high as 33 and private sector exchange rate of the naira to other currencies has retained MPR irrespective of high the per cent and other vices affecting our economy areas. Many times, we which is also very high. We are talking about inflation rate has gone just because it wants would obviously be reduced drastically. So, other costs of doing business, the fact that you to achieve low interest rate for to there to be having survived the economic recession recently, concentrate our efforts must own your own electricity, you must own flow of funds into the system. Now, when the and of course, we survived it so quickly - many around the monetary your own security - the fact that you cannot interest rate is very high, very few people will people are asking what happened and how protect yourself and so for any movement you access funds and when interest rate is as low did it happen - but I can tell you that what policy and whatever do, you have to involve the police. These are as possible, more people will access funds and happened was the fact that the government efforts that they must all the things increasing the cost of production the more the people access funds, the more kept on spending probably far beyond the have gained would be and the cost of doing business in Nigeria. Now, the stimulation of the system. It also affects budgeted amount. How did such amounts it makes it difficult for products manufactured come, we do not know but I know that in the dissolved by activities of in Nigeria to compete favourably with products monetary policy system, there’s always ways the fiscal policy that are imported and so there are too many CONTINUED ON PAGE 27 THISDAY ˾ͯͮ˜ͰͮͰͯ 27
EKECHUKWU: SUBDUING INSECURITY, CORRUPTION WILL SPUR ECONOMIC GROWTH Greenage Restates Commitment to adversely the exchange rate because when there Sustainable Student Housing Financing is so much access to funds locally, there’ll be so much demand for exchange rate and for Hamid Ayodeji initial ticket size of $50 million Department, Mr. Vivek Pathak, foreign currency and when that happens it puts for its first phase of delivery. said, “Through the adoption of the foreign reserves and exchange rate under Greenage Development The Greenage student housing EDGE, Greenage has been able serious challenge. Managers, a private equity- programme is a private sector to unlock new sources of invest- You’ll see that many times, the tools of driven fund and provider initiative that consists of a 10-year ment for universities that will monetary policy work against themselves, of on-campus student and plan to provide modern, secure, help address the student housing many times. As you are trying to focus on faculty housing projects, affordable and green accommo- gap in Nigeria, while controlling a particular one, it’s affecting the other one has announced a long-term dations to complement campus the use of natural resources.” adversely. All that is necessary for the CBN commitment to the IFC’s architecture across Nigeria. Greenage will work with local to do is to concentrate on the particular one EDGE (Excellence in Design Speaking at the groundbreaking vendors, suppliers, consultants they want to achieve. So, right now we are for Greater Efficiencies), an ceremony, the company’s director, and subcontractors to procure talking about interest rate being low, they’re international green building Mr. Marcellinus Nnaedozie, said materials and equipment to not bothered whether inflation rate is very high certification system. the Greenage approach to student produce high quality, durable, because even if they do everything they can Greenage Development housing offers the most affordable, resource-efficient buildings. By do within the monetary policy, there are other Managers are also leveraging sustainable and desirable strategy working collaboratively with factors affecting the high inflation rate. So it the institutional mechanism to meet the housing objectives institutions to carefully design is good for them to concentrate on what the provided by the Infrastructure of higher institutions in Nigeria. and build new on-campus hous- interest rate is, as low as it is today. But I am Bank Plc in Nigeria to ensure “Supported by our private ing, Greenage can fully meet the still not satisfied on how the CBN has handled sustainability of the Green Student equity partners and and The demands, needs and preferences the interest rate regime because I expect that if Housing Projects. The aim is to Infrastructure Bank Plc alongside of university communities in deposit rates are as low as we’ve seen today, I transform the student housing other multilateral institutions, Nigeria, while limiting impacts expect that CBN should put a cap on lending Ekechukwu sector by delivering purpose-built, Greenage is highly confident in on the environment. rates to the extent that there shouldn’t be more resource-efficient student hous- its ability to deliver its proposed The Acting MD/CEO, than three per cent spread between deposit year we stop the importation of petroleum ing in higher institutions across 10-year programme starting with Infrastructure Bank Plc, Mr. and lending rates. If that is done, you will see products, that particularly year, we will start Nigeria with Greenage’s $150 the groundbreaking development Ross Oluyede, stated that they that a bank that accepts deposit at the rate of having improvement in the rates. So until that million sustainable housing fund. of 500-1,000 bed spaces at Veritas were proud to partner Greenage say five per cent per annum, should not give happens, we are not likely to have improvements The fund is committed to University, Bwari Abuja,” Nnae- towards changing the housing out facility beyond eight per cent per annum in that rate and except the price of crude oil develop 100,000 bedspaces across dozie said. experience for students in if there’s a cap. rises so much that we are going to have enough Nigeria over 10 years, with an IFC’s Director, Climate Business Nigeria. But CBN has allowed the lending rate to revenue to supply enough into the market, it be floating and to that extent, what they have will still remain so. It has not much to do with achieved in deposit rate is not giving us the the management of foreign exchange regime, International Breweries to Reward desired results in lending rates. So, I do not know but has to do with the demand and supply of why they allowed it to float, they obviously it. Once we have enough, we are going to have have their reasons but the actual result would enough to go round and vis-a-vis. Young Entrepreneurs come when there’s a cap to what lending rate would be based on what the deposit rate is. Unemployment remains a challenge to the Nume Ekeghe among young people through set out to be the nursery of When we achieve that, then we know that rates present administration. As an investment training, provision of capital and innovation in business where are forced down by regulation by the regulation and finance expert, what recommendations As part of its commitment to mentorship,” Rocha said. budding enterprise managers of the CBN. would you put forward to policy makers? bringing people together for Rocha stated that, “as Inter- are groomed—held by the hand The mistakes that various successive govern- a better world and its objec- national Breweries celebrates its and taken through the rigour of Do you see inflation moderating in the ments and politician make is to think that when tive of delivering impactful, 50th Anniversary this year, I am entrepreneurial work. We aim to near future? they say they will create employment, they developmental and sustainable pleased that the results of a 3-year produce well-rounded entrepre- Only few things can either stabilise inflation are going to be employing people in different projects, the International impact assessment study that neurs who understand and are rate or bring it down. Of course, you know the departments of government. That’s a very big Breweries Plc has launched the we commissioned on Kickstart prepared to put in the work it uptick in the food inflation is what is affecting mistake. Now, what the system actually needs is sixth edition of its Kickstart came out positive and gives us takes to do business successfully the headline inflation adversely. So, once we an enabling environment for the private sector entrepreneurship programme. the confidence to continue to in a unique climate like ours.” identify that one that is causing the uptick, to thrive; if today the government builds a rail The initiative is targeted at support young people to achieve Bamkole said. which is the food inflation, it will obviously system from the west to the north, there will be enterprise growth and develop- their dream of entrepreneurship. Over the past five years, the bring the average down so the headline is going a lot of employment opportunities that would ment for young entrepreneurs We remain steadfast in our com- Kickstart initiative has provided to be minimal. What is even causing the food be created not just by the government but by between the ages of 18 and 35. mitment towards the economic training, mentoring, and seed inflation is the same insecurity we talked about, all the services that have been rendered right Speaking during a media brief- development of Nigeria” capital of N325,136 million (in it’s the same difficulty in moving goods from from the start of the journey to the end. Even ing recently, Managing Director, Also speaking at the media total) for 274 grantees; 708 direct one place to another. Many farmers have left as we are talking about food scarcity today, if International Breweries Plc, Hugo briefing, the Chairman, Advisory beneficiaries and 2,832 indirect their farms, many products rotten in bushes we have every state government decide to have Rocha expressed delight that the Board, International Breweries beneficiaries across a wide range and are destroyed in various farms and so it a greenhouse farm to the extent that you make Kickstart Initiative had evolved Foundation, Peter Bamkole of business sectors; with the result becomes difficult for us to have enough to go sure that every empty land is converted to a from the regional programme it explained that International of the creation of about 571 jobs round the country. greenhouse farm, you will see that we are going used to be, to an inclusive national Breweries Plc and its foundation and 1,392 new jobs projected The only way right now to solve that problem to have food sufficiency so much that nobody programme that reaches the six was dedicated to continuing to across the six geopolitical zones is to open our borders to importation of these will be moving food from north to south as geopolitical zones and 36 states of contribute its quota towards of Nigeria. food items and once we open our borders to the case may be. So, when you have all state Nigeria. “Over the years, we have tackling the twin challenges of Speaking on the mechanics of importation of food items to the extent that governments for example having their greenhouse held the conviction that the energy, unemployment and poverty the award, Legal and Corporate thing would come in and force the local prices farm producing the peppers, tomatoes, okro... zeal, and brilliance of the youths while promoting Decent Work Affairs Director, International down so when the demand and supply of these you will see that jobs are created everywhere. of Nigeria who constitute about and Economic Growth in line with Breweries Plc, Temitope Ogun- goods are competing with themselves, you will Now, if we ensure that the things that are 70 percent of the total population Goad 8 of the United Nations tokun revealed that the award is see that these prices would go down and that making factories to shut down are corrected, that’s should be tapped and channelled Sustainable Development Goal in three phases: the application would force the food inflation down. Once the just the way to create employment because the to productive use. This is the logic (UNSDGs). phase, the training phase and the food inflation goes down, the headline inflation more the factories are shut down, the more banks behind Kickstart – to promote “By creating Kickstart, Inter- pitch fest phase which is the final will also go down. I am thinking that if we are shutting down, the more the unemployment a culture of entrepreneurship national Breweries Foundation selection of grantees by judges. have shortfall in supply of food items, we need rate increases. So, we need to identify those to open our borders for food to be imported things that are making these factories to shut in order to force the prices down and that’ll down and solve them and make frantic efforts bring down the inflation rate. to say this period, we are going to concentrate Finalists Emerge in JCI Nigeria Award on why factories in textile industry shut down What is your opinion on the current and you address all their problems and make The list of the finalists for the at the global JCI TOYP event in Arinze Madueke and Amina foreign exchange regime? them all functional again. You go from sector 2021 Ten Outstanding Young Johannesburg, South Africa in Yahaya will vie for honour in The issue with the exchange rate in Nigeria to sector. You will see that by the time 10 Persons (TOYP) Award of the November 2021.” the Humanitarian and Voluntary is also an issue with demand and supply of different factories that has closed down say Junior Chamber International Irinoye noted that the finalists Leadership while Adereti Francis, the foreign currency. The exchange rate is as in Kaduna, start working again, the number (JCI) Nigeria, has been released would now go into the voting Olivia Onyemaobi and Osahon high as it is just because there’s short supply of jobs that would be created will be mas- by the local planning committee. phase by the general public for Micheal will contest in the Medical of same. If we have so much supply of foreign sive. Michelin Nigeria Limited was where Speaking on the list of the honours in the 10 categories of Innovation category. currency in the country, you will see that people I did my youth services. Michelin notified finalists, the Chairperson, 2021 the award. According to the list, In the Moral and Environmental who stockpile will even bring out the ones government about the problems they were JCI Nigeria TOYP Award Planning Olumide Adeleye and Mariam Leadership category, Olalekan Si- they have and everybody will have it. And going through, but government didn’t listen Committee, Oluwakemi Irinoye, Akpaokagi were shortlisted in the pasi, Kelo Uchendu and Olufunto because our revenue base is limited, and export to them and the company shut down and was quoted in a statement to have Cultural Achievement category; Boroffice will compete. Nigeria’s sector is not doing so well, we do not have well over 3,000 staff were laid off. And the disclosed that the finalists were the trio of Samirah Isa Modibbo, female football superstar, Asisat the size of foreign inflows that we expect to same thing happened to Dunlop tyres in this selected by the Award Panel of Zuriel Oduwole and Gideon Oshoala is up against her fellow have. If we had it, the country would have been country. So, once we identified the problems Judges out of the shortlisted 50 Olanrewaju were shortlisted for the teammate Desire Oparanozie and awashed with foreign currencies and of course, why these companies are shutting, we solve from the initial total of 1027 entries Contribution to Children, World Eyitayo Ogunmola in the Personal everybody will have access to it. Because we the problems and then employment will start received for the 2021 edition of Peace and Human Right category; Achievement category while don’t have enough of it, there’s scarcity and rising sector by sector, that is the way to the global award. while Alexander Ezenagu was the Hamzat Bala Lawal, Joana Nnazua that’s what is making the demand to rise. I grow employment not by announcing that “The process of determining only nominee for the Academic Kolo and Ayotunde Adenuga are expect that whenever oil prices rise and we you are going to create jobs- how are you the final honourees is rigorous Accomplishment category. the finalists in the Political, Legal sell up to our installed capacity, then we are going to create jobs when there’s no private because of the commitment of JCI For the Business, Economic or and Government. In the Scientific going to be having these rates come down. I sector driven efforts being made. You don’t Nigeria to sustain the integrity of Entrepreneurial Accomplishment, and/ or Technical Development, also expect that any particular period we stop create jobs by creating new ministries and the TOYP Award. Some of the Uche Eze will contend with Amanda Obidike, Shola Akinlade importation of petroleum products, the biggest parastatals because you can’t afford to pay successful nominees also stood a Abiodun Adereni and Sijibomi and Oreoluwa Shomolu Lesi will consumer of foreign currency, any particular them as a government. chance of emerging as honorees Ogundele. Omotola Fawunmi, battle for honour. 28 THISDAY ˾ͯͮ˜ͰͮͰͯ
How Failure to Deregulate Downstream Sector Bleeds Economy Patrick Atuanya macroeconomic environment is getting significantly worse. eregulation. How this one word Inflation has accelerated to a four-year high of remains an enigma with regards to 18.17 percent in the month of March 2021, with the downstream oil and gas sector in food inflation (22.95%) at levels never seen since the Nigeria must be one of the wonders National Bureau of Statistics started collating data. of the world. The jobless rate in Nigeria rose to 33.3% in the DHow can it be that something so glaringly and three months through December 2020, according to clearly the best way to go for Nigeria is not being the NBS. A third of the 69.7 million-strong labour adopted – especially when short term fixes like force in Africa’s most-populous nation either did subsidies and pseudo deregulation policies have nothing or worked for less than 20 hours a week, failed to make any impact? making them unemployed, according to the Nigerian The billions of naira Africa’s largest oil-producing definition. Another 15.9 million worked less than country commits to subsidising petrol is no longer 40 hours a week, making them underemployed. news, but what is more infuriating is the opportunity cost forgone in a slow growing economy that could The need for deregulation is now use more private sector investments for job creation Most stakeholders say deregulation will bring and growth. succor to Nigeria’s downstream sector as well as The situation concerning the opaque petrol subsidy to consumers of petroleum products, who have is having such a negative impact on the Nigerian Buhari Senate President, Ahmed Lawan had to bear the brunt of induced scarcity and the economy, that despite a 62 per cent increase in oil opportunity cost spent on oil subsidy that could prices compared to the 2021 budget benchmark, writing from Emerald Energy Institute, University higher petrol prices, but the pain is less compared have been used in the health sector or provision every gain from oil exports is now almost entirely of Port Harcourt estimated the construction cost of to the huge pain of paying for petrol subsidy.” of infrastructure services to the citizenry. cancelled out by the costly subsidy regime. a 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) refinery plant at A professor of economics and former president Other experts explained that deregulating the Analysts have called several times for full $2 billion (about N758 billion using Central Bank of Nigerian Association for Energy Economics downstream sector is the only way petroleum deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector of Nigeria’s (CBN) official exchange rate of N379 (NAEE), Wumi Iledare said payments of subsidy products coming into the country will stay and because subsidies on fuel are no longer sustainable. as at April 30, 2021). is a gorilla that has swallowed Nigeria’s economy not find their way to neighboring economies. Unfortunately, the government has yet to muster This means the N10.7 trillion spent on fuel despite benefiting the elites more than the populace. “Liberalisation of the sector will quickly facilitate the political will to effect this change even when subsidies in the last 10 years, could have helped “Beyond the removal of subsidy, the government the development of the oil industry as it will oil prices were near $10 a barrel last year. the country construct at least 14 of such refineries needs to be more decisive about the Petroleum encourage competition and the government task The federal government is currently in protracted instead of importing light petroleum products. Industry Bill (PIB) and act fast because time is is to act as a regulator by preventing monopoly,” talks with labour unions who have threatened to running out,” Iledare said. Huub Stokman, managing director of OVH Energy shut down the country if the government deregulates Primary health center & Education While it is important to pass the PIB speedily, said at an industry event. without fixing the refineries. Using Freedom of Information requests and analysis Wale Ajayi, a partner, Tax, Regulatory and People Stokman believes that government understands However, the petrol subsidy regime and the by transparency campaign group Public Private Services at KPMG recommends that the government that it’s in the best interest of Nigeria in the long accompanying endless corruption, smuggling and Development Centre, it would cost an estimated and industry operators should periodically engage term to liberalise the downstream petroleum dearth of investments in the downstream sector N28 million to build one primary health care centre an independent consulting firm to evaluate the sector so it can free itself from the burden of are indicative of an urgent need to end subsidies and N 17 million for a 3-block classroom. issues and concerns raised by the operators. under-recovery, subsidy – monies that can be and implement deregulation fully. This means N10.7 trillion is capable of build- “This will greatly help to narrow the differences reinvested into infrastructural development, If the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation ing 382,142 primary health centers or 629,411 and enhance transparency and trust between both education, and health care among others to (NNPC) does not make any contribution to the classrooms (3-block) needed across Nigeria’s 774 parties,” Ajayi said. enhance the living standards of the average federal purse in May, it would be the first time it local governments. Nigerian. has happened in decades and would be a blow to Unsustainable Before now, Nigeria’s downstream sector was the federal, state, and local governments that rely Housing The latest development serves as a timely reminder the darling of all either to the government, inves- on cash from the state oil company for a significant The N10.7 trillion is capable of building at least of the opportunity that Nigeria missed in 2016 to tors, or the public, however in the last 10 years, chunk of their revenues. What this portends in an 713,333 3-bedroom homes valued at N15 million abandon the wasteful practice, which richer countries investors in the nation’s capital market have increasingly fractious state of the nation can only each, a development that can play a big role in began to embrace during the global oil price crash. continued to demonstrate low appetite towards be better imagined. reducing Nigeria’s housing deficit projected at 20 Contrary to the perception of many Nigerians, shares of downstream companies listed on the Financial experts have raised concern about the million homes. Nigeria is neither oil-rich nor is it able to afford the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). opaque system that is bleeding Nigeria’s economy subsidy. Oil production in Nigeria is lower than Nigeria’s inability to refine adequate petroleum considering the high level of life-threatening hunger Water supply during the 1970s even as its population has nearly products domestically to meet local demand in a country with over 95.9 million people living Also, N10.7 trillion can construct at least 17.83 tripled, and even though Saudi Arabia, which can has continued to render the downstream sector in extreme poverty, overtaking India according to million boreholes at N600,000 each across the be considered oil-rich, produces five times more vulnerable to foreign exchange volatility, particularly a 2018 Brookings Institution report, despite having country, this could have reduced the challenges oil than Nigeria and exports 27 times more per for petroleum independent marketers. only a fifth of India’s population. of proper sanitation caused by acute water scarcity person, Saudis pay more for petrol than Nigerians. Since 2015, Africa’s biggest oil-producing country According to a Department of Petroleum Resources in Nigerian communities, especially rural areas. has prioritised fuel subsidy spending over N1 trillion (DPR) report on 30 September 2020, Nigeria had The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, per annum, which is higher than funds allocated spent N10.7 trillion on fuel subsidies in the last What Experts are saying Mele Kyari said recently that the current system to education, health, and Defense and Agricultural 10 years. Joe Nwakwue, a former council chair at the was temporary, and the government was working and rural development that would have increased The NNPC could have saved on these costs Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) said the on a permanent mechanism to enable market-based the economic growth or standard of living of its and passed on such savings as extra income on cost of subsidy since inception is far higher than prices, and private sector imports, while protecting over 200 million people. to the three tiers of government if customers paid the estimated N10.7 trillion, however recent events consumers. Although, for a vast majority of its 200 million market prices for gasoline, supporters of deregulation show Nigeria is still not learning. “It has become more confusing,” said Bello people, cheaper fuel is the only benefit they see have argued. “Every concerned Nigerian including labour unions Rabiu, a former NNPC chief operating officer and from a state that built no social-safety net for its What N10 trillion can do for the Nigerian economy need to understand the opportunity cost of the group executive director. “Any time there is no citizens during the oil boom. current lower price of petrol, which is cancerous transparency, definitely there will be corruption.” Refineries to the economy,” Nwakwue said. Other experts noted that the situation is becom- t"UVBOZB UIF QVCMJTIFS PG .POFZ$FOUSBM Dr Chijioke Nwaozuzu, a petroleum policy expert He added, “Of course things will be tough with ing unsustainable especially at a time Nigeria’s /FXTQBQFS XSPUFGSPN-BHPT Revisiting OMLs’ Revocation, Reversal Saga Kema Maxwell 126 and 137 to the Nigeria National Petroleum President Buhari noted that the actions of Addax/ reallocate the assets. Corporation, NNPC which is in production sharing Sinopec had put over 3,000 Nigerians out of work. In 1998, the NNPC entered into a 20-year PSC President Muhammadu Buhari had in March contract with Addax Petroleum, a company wholly The report of the Committee headed by Senator (Production Sharing Contract) in respect of certain approved a decision to revoke the Oil Mining Licences owned by Government of the People’s Republic Magnus Abe stated that, “Over one billion dollars oil mining leases (OMLs) with Addax Petroleum, of Addax Petroleum being managed by Sinopec of China on the blocks.” have been invested in this. Addax Petroleum called a company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and domicile same with the Nigerian National Interestingly, before the reversal of the OMLs off the project over an issue that was totally unrelated (TSX), which was to expire in 2018. Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for allocation to license revocation, President Muhammadu Buhari to this project. That action put over 3000 Nigerians The PSC was subsequently extended for a further new operators. had also set up a committee to investigate alleged out of work. It wasted millions of dollars of the four years, until 2022. By 2009, Addax had increased The industry regulator, the Department of Petro- “breach” of agreement by Addax Petroleum. hard-earned currency that this country earned.” production in these OMLs to about 130,000 bpd leum Resources (DPR) announced the revocation The committee headed by a former senator, Government should consider the concluding (barrels of oil per day). In 2009, Sinopec (a Chinese of the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) of four Magnus Abe, while submitting its report to the comments of the Magnus Abe Committee which state-owned company) purchased Addax Petroleum. Oil Mining Licences (OMLs) previously managed Minister for State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre investigated the breach of agreement by Addax As a result, Sinopec obtained the rights to these by the Chinese oil company Sinopec and assigned Sylva, in Abuja, had accused the company of causing that “we felt that the public should be aware of the assets. No payments were made to the Federal the rights to an indigenous consortium. the country a huge economic loss. extent of damage that was done to waste indigenous Government during the purchase by either party. Our Group, Good Governance Advocates, which But in the face of the seeming uncertainty sur- resources, the economic waste, not only were the From a high of about 130,000 bpd in 2009, daily is committed to transparency in government was rounding the revocation, restoration of Addax OML workers affected but other projects.” production dropped to 25,000 bpd in 2021, more enthusiastic that it was not just a well thought-out License, and the report of the Committee set up Moreover, the choice of consortium is also in than 80 percent decline. In addition, large gas decision based on the economics of the Production by President Muhammadu Buhari on the issue, accordance with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry resources in the assets remain undeveloped, and Sharing Contract but a pragmatic one that is necessary which allegedly indicted Addax for wasting millions Content Development (Local Content) Act which was no effort had been made to recover associated gas, in view of the dire state of our national assets. of dollars, the DPR still need commendation for enacted in 2020 to promote indigenous operation which is flared in contravention of the Federal However, few weeks later President Buhari, again taking concrete steps to boost the revenue accruing of Nigeria’s oil and gas assets. Under the Act, Government’s policy and international best-practice. ordered the DPR to restore the four Oil Mining to the Government in underperforming assets. seasoned Nigerian independent operators are to Licenses revoked from Addax Petroleum. It is widely acknowledged that Nigeria and China be given first consideration in the award of oil t.BYXFMMJTUIF/BUJPOBM1SFTJEFOUPG(PPE In a statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special continue to enjoy cordial economic, political and blocks and oil field licenses. (PWFSOBODF"EWPDBUFT Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, social ties, and support the mutual development It is important to understand the history of the it said: “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved of both countries. four oil blocks (OMLs 123, 124, 126 and 137) and NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online the restoration of the leases on OMLs 123, 124, However, the Magnus Abe Committee set up by why the federal government took the decision to edition on www.thisdaylive.com MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 • THISDAY 29 30 MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 • THISDAY MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 • THISDAY 31 32 THISDAY ˾ͯͮ˜ͰͮͰͯ
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L-R: Chairperson, LOC Benin Law Week, Mrs Benedicta Okoduwa; Immediate past LOC Law Week Chairman., Mr Nosa EDO-OSAGIE; Mrs Patricia Iyomon; Past NBA Benin Chairman, Mr George Igbokwe SAN; Member Judicial Service Commission, Mr Dele Edokpayi; NBA Benin Secretary, Mr Lawani Andrew and NBA Benin Chairman, Mr Pius Oiwoh, during the Opening day of the NBA Benin Law week ceremony in Benin...recently
L-R: Protem Council Member, Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Professionals of Nigeria L-R: Agbaoye ,Aare Onakankafo, Chief Femi Arowoshola; Special adviser to Oyo state governor on culture (CIFIPN), Dr Jerome Agi; Protem President of CIFIPN, Dr Victoria Enape; Admin Secretary, CIFIPN, Mr and tourism, Hon. Hakeem Ige; Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams and kogi state Deputy Governor, Edward Onoja at Eddybrown Okoro; and Director of Examinations, Dr Gbenda Joseph, during the training and induction of new Aare Onakankafo’s 51st Birthday celebration in Lagos...recently members of CIFIPN, in Abuja... recently
L-R: State Project Officer,Non-Communicable Diseases, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Olatunde L-R: Legal and Corporate Affairs Director, International Breweries Plc (a member of the BSG); Temitope Yewande; Coordinator, WHO, Ogun State, Dr. Abidoye Dele David; Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor Oguntokun, Corporate Relations Director & Company Secretary, Guinness Nigeria Plc (a member of the BSG), on Health, Dr. Tayo Lawal; Representative of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adesanya Ayinde; Marketing Rotimi Odusola, and Chairman Beer Sectoral Group (BSG) of MAN & MD/CEO Nigeria Breweries Plc, Jordi Director, Reckitt Nigeria, Mr. Tanzim Rezwan and Senior Brand Manager, Hygiene, Reckitt Nigeria, Mrs. Borrut Bel at the Relaunch of the BSG’s SMASHED Project (Campaign against Underage Drinking) in Calabar, Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh, at the 2021 World Malaria Day press briefing between Ogun State Ministry of Health Cross River State...recently and Reckitt Nigeria in Abeokuta,Ogun State...recently
R-L: Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen; Mother of MIWA, Hajiya Maryam L-R: Ekiti State Governor/Keynote Speaker, Dr Kayode Fayemi; wife of the Bishop, Prof. Motunrayo Olumakaiye; Ibrahim and President of Military Widows Association (MIWA), Mrs Veronica Aluko during the presentation of Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Lagos, Rt. Revd Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye; and a Guest Speaker, Rt. Rev Prof empowerment materials to the military widows, orphans, ex-service men and commissioning of stickers and Dapo Asaju; during the opening session of the 2021 Pre-Synod Nehemiah Summit at the All Souls’ Anglican ticket 2021, in Abuja...recently Church, Lekki, Lagos State...recently MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 • THISDAY 33 34 THISDAY ˾ͯͮ˜ͰͮͰͯ
Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi CITYSTRINGS Email [email protected], 07010510430 Impact on Humanity through Philanthropy and Service With a remarkable milestone since it was Chartered in 1961 in Nigeria, the Rotary Club of Lagos has undoubtedly made enviable impact on the communities in Lagos and Ogun States Rebecca Ejifoma, who spoke with the club President, Rotarian Dare Adeyeri, writes that as they gear to mark its Diamond Jubilee on May 30, philanthropy and acts of service would continue to be the ethos on which they operate
otary is a perfect description even before we die, we are already of philanthropy and service beginning to shut our own lifestyle; to humanity. It is a leading hence, this area of focus in supporting non-governmental organisa- our environment". tion that has distinguished itselfR in Nigeria and the world. Tree Planting Chartered in 1961, the Rotary Rotary club of Lagos is synonymous Club of Lagos currently has over for tree planting and protecting the 100 members. The first meeting of environment. Today, it has planted the new Club took place in May trees at Lekki Conservation Centre, 30 1961 with Chief S.L Edu as its with Bowen College in line with this Charter President. Other charter vision. Adeyeri adds, “We are also members included distinguished involved in projects that clean our Nigerians such as Sir Adetokunbo environment and make people's lives Ademola, Sir Mobolaji Mark Anthony, better.” C.P Leventis, Sir Adeyemo Alakija, To achieve this, he admitted that Ambassador Joseph Palmer the very the Rotary Club of Lagos acquired first United States Ambassador to some acres of land to build a primary Nigeria, among others. school for the Itamarun community. With such illustrious names, there is “We are working with the Lagos State no doubt that the story of the Rotary government to make that a reality.” Club of Lagos is synonymous with the history of Nigeria. International Outreach Giving more hints during this While counting its numerous strides, interactive session with newsmen at Adeyeri enthused that in 60 years, the Micasa Haven in Lekki Lagos, the Rotary Club of Lagos has done the President of the Rotary Club of a lot to alleviate poverty, make life Lagos and Captain of all the Rotary easier for a lot of people both at Presidents in District 9110 (Lagos and home and abroad. Ogun States), Rotarian Dare Adeyeri, Last year, Rotary took a tour to expressed positively how far the club Ghana, made donations to motherless has come. babies homes, and gave financial “I was not around when the Rotary assistance to support them. It also Club of Lagos was founded. A couple partnered a Rotary Club of Kigali of years later, I came along. From what Virunga in Rwanda during an Ex- I have gathered, the Rotary Club of change programme. Lagos is the pre-eminent Rotary Club “We also partnered a Rotary Club of Nigeria. It has always attracted in Germany. We are partners in the men and women who have paved the water project all over the world,” way for others in their professions he stated. in business and in community,” he reminisced. Creating Impact In an unbroken history of 60 years, Speaking of his emergence as the Adeyeri gushed about how the club president on July 1 last year, Adeyeri is not just parading prominent men announced that his tenure will end and women in the society, but that it on June 30, 2021. has carried out projects which have “Babawale Agbeyangi, a financial significantly impacted lives in urban services advisor, will take over from and rural areas of our communities me as President of the Club on July in Lagos and Ogun States. 1 this year and I know he can’t wait He further listed seven areas that to start,” he chuckled. have benefitted from its philanthropic The president emphasised on the gestures. He said these are areas need to create an impact on lives as where they perceived a need, with Rotarians. “I’m happy to say that as underprivileged or disadvantaged president at the end of this month, people. “Especially at these times we would have done 38 projects where we all need to come together this Rotary year. I don’t think in and support the efforts at all levels Rotarian Dare Adeyeri the history of the Rotary of Lagos of our country in fighting diseases.” we have done this much number in According to the president, “Now Supporting Education programme. We bought a palm kernel a year,” he said. that we have COVID-19, Rotary is Among its achievements, Adeyeri crusher in Itamarun market to assist doing its best. It has done that in the talked about the club's support for their trade.” 60th Anniversary in View past 60 years providing clean water, four schools: Kuramo Junior High The drums will soon be rolled sanitation and hygiene.” School; Victoria Island Junior High Championing the Environment out to celebrate the Rotary Club of Recalling some of their projects, School; Lafiaji Junior and Senior High Indeed, the club passionately cham- Lagos at 60. The event will hold at Adeyeri said in 2016, they provided schools "where we are building a pions programmes that are healthy the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, water to Lafiaji Junior and Senior laboratory – a science technology for the environment worldwide. “We Lagos on May 30. Adeyeri confirmed High schools; provided potable water and mathematics laboratories. are saying that the environment is that Lagos State Governor, Babajide for the Sandgrouse Market; creating "We donated books to Igbobi College, changing as a result of human activi- Sanwo-Olu, would grace the occasion major water project in Coker Town planted 30 trees as part of our tree ties. Business schools and researchers as the special guest of honour. in Ogun State which it just finished planting campaign and sponsored are telling us that we are consuming We expect 200 guests at the gala drilling. three of their students to the District 50 per cent more than what the earth nite, while others from around the Some of its recent projects included Interact Conference this year." can produce. world will connect virtually. “This is the provision of water, street lights like “That means we are consuming 150 like a celebration of Rotary in Nigeria. solar lamp to each home in the entire Boosting Economy per cent of what we are producing. This may be the only anniversary Itamarun Community in Lekki. “We More so, the Rotary Club of Lagos This means we are beginning to eat celebrated in Nigeria this year and provided millions of naira in micro is enthusiastic about growing local the food that belongs to our future therefore becomes a celebration of credit interest free loans repayable economy, helping people who would generations and that is causing a lot Rotary in Nigeria. and renewable every six months. not ordinarily be able to attract loans of pressure on the earth.” A large number of Rotary clubs from banks to be able to do that in Adeyeri soon bemoaned the effect of around the world will witness this Basic Amenities three markets. climate change. “It is because of the grand celebration. “Already, we have “At Itamarun, we gave the com- He explained: “We have a portfolio way we use energy. We see the effect received solidarity and messages of munity health kits because, just last of N5.2 million used for interest-free of dessert encroachment, therefore, goodwill from Rotary Clubs all over year, we found that out of 10 births, micro loans. Over 30 beneficiaries we have to be serious about our the world, including from Rotary seven children died and are thrown in Itamarun Community; over 28 environment.” International President, Holger Knaack; into the Atlantic", according to the in Sandgrouse market, and over 20 Now for the president, if 150 per past Rotary International President, Jon Matron. in Oke Arin market under the com- cent is consumed today, 300 per cent B. Majiyagbe; and District Governor munity and economic development would be consumed tomorrow. “So, Bola Oyebade, amongst others. THISDAY ˾ͯͮ˜ͰͮͰͯ 35 CRIME&SECURITY Mounting Outrage over Murder of Akwa Ibom Job Seeker Chilling revelations and growing outrage have trailed the tragic death of Ini-Ubong Umoren, a job seeker lured to a purported job interview by an alleged serial rapist and ritualist. Yinka Olatunbosun reports
University of Uyo students in a procession for late Ini-Ubong Placard-carrying protesters on their way to the governor's office in Akwa Ibom
ni-Ubong Umoren, 26, a philosophy she revealed. graduate from the University of Uyo, On May 7, the list for the next NYSC batch Akwa Ibom needed a job so badly. She was finally released with Ini-Ubong toping her had been marketing skin care products department with a CGPA of 4.12, causing more while awaiting her letter of deployment to pains and anguish for her friends and family. proceedI for the one-year mandatory National The human right community has risen to Youth Service Corp Programme. the call for justice for Ini-Ubong. Students Her friend, Umoh Uduak had just moved of the deceased’s alma mater marched to to Lagos earlier that week to start a job. After the government house in Uyo to demand making a post on Twitter seeking for a job, for thorough investigation and speedy trial. she was reached by a stranger who would Their demand had also compelled members of later invite her for an interview. On Thursday House of Reps to call on the Inspector General April 29, while chatting with Uduak, Ini-Ubong of Police to take over Ini-Ubong Umoren’s revealed why she didn’t want to go for the murder investigation. interview. While also reacting to this, an advocate for “She said she didn’t have money,’’ Uduak women’s right and Director, Chief Communica- recalled in a televised interview. “So, I sent tion Officer, Red Eye Development Initiative, her N2,000 and told her that before leaving Ekaette George condemned the cycle of impunity she should tell someone around her where that has emboldened criminals in Nigeria. she was going. She said she was going to “This case is another sad commentary on forward the phone number of the person that our social system. First, a young man who invited her for the interview to her sister so has confessed to being a serial rapist, that has that she won’t get lost. She said it jokingly.’’ successfully targeted young women and sexually When Ini-Ubong sent another message assaulted them, was left roaming the streets. regarding the long distant to her destination, He had become so emboldened that he was her friend advised her to return home but The deceased luring his victims on cyberspace. Secondly, then it was too late. She had arrived at the young people are desperate to make positive uncompleted building. At about 4:16pm, physically and thereafter, he confessed and was not get justice. contributions to society but opportunities are Ini-Ubong attempted to send a video to her able to take us to the shallow grave where he Meanwhile, the social media had been set agog almost non-existent. Uduak who promptly called back. Agonising buried her. We were able to exhume the body. by disturbing images and videos taken from the "But what is worse, for young women, the screams came from the other side of the line As we speak the body has been deposited at crime scene at Unung Ikono Ufok, Uruan Local horrors of accessing scarce opportunities are that jolted Uduak’s senses. Uyo General Hospital. The essence of doing that Government Area. In a virtual tour on May unspeakable. Many who are getting raped, Frustrated after futile efforts to reach her, is so that autopsy can be conducted,’’ Odiko 7, posted by a BBCPidgin Correspondent, the assaulted and harassed are swallowing hard she reached out to someone who knew Macdon, the Police Public Relations Officer, reporter described the compound as stinking, and moving on albeit broken. Unfortunately, Ini-ubong’s sister, Ifiok Umoren, who took Akwa Ibom State revealed in a press briefing. with offensive smell. “There are shallow graves Ini- Ubong was not spared to live and tell. immediate action upon the knowledge. She The outpouring of sympathy was no match everywhere,’’ he said, repeatedly. Her family was not given a chance to have reported the case at a police station. The police to the outrage that followed. The hashtag Some of the exhibits found in the building their daughter grow and fight -with their asked her to wait for 24-hours before a search JusticeforHinnyUmoren was raging on. Top include exercise books, certificates, textbooks, support - to survive the extreme blood sport party would be launched. There is a general celebrities and politicians joined the movement. mostly female shoes, NYSC boot, a large that is being a woman in Nigeria. misconception that a person must be absent For instance, the former Vice-President and soakaway with six deep partitions. While it “As insecurity worsens in the country, for at least 24hours before being legally classed Presidential Aspirant, Atiku Abubakar tweeted: is not clear why the crime scene had not been women are paying not just the collective as missing. Perhaps, this should not be the “Over the past two days, I saw how Ini-Ubong cordoned off by the police, or the exhibits fear but also with their bodies being taken case in a suspected criminal abduction matter. Umoren united Nigerians in a way that was taken into custody to aid further investigation, as spoils of war. And some with their lives. Still, Ifiok returned the next day at 8:30am admirable, yet tragic. This is heart-rending.’’ IniUbong’s friend, Umoh tweeted: “To speed No! No young woman should have to suffer and the police reportedly asked her to hire a Following the rumours that the suspect may up the decay process, he would pour acid these atrocities. We create monsters that will van and fuel it. Umoh, who had raised alarm have some political affiliations, the Chairman, on his victims’ body after killing them before consume us when we condone violence against on the social media rallied for contribution that Uruan Local government, Iniobong Ekpenyong burying them. Several containers of raw acid women. We should all resolve that if we have was sent to Ifiok to assist the police with the had promptly released a press statement were found in the crime scene.’’ a neighbor, a friend, a relative, a brother, a investigation. Meanwhile, citizen intervention debunking any report of being contacted She also claimed to have been reached by son, a husband that we know is a rapist... proved to be very proactive in this investigation. by Uduak Friday Akpan or listening to any previous victims who escaped from the suspect we will expose them as soon as we know it. The suspect, named Ezekiel Uduak Akpan had confession from him. but had not reported the matter to the police. "Then, we will have saved someone's life. been traced on social media. He had deleted Protesters in Uruan local government had She described her late friend as intelligent and We must, as a matter of urgency begin to all his social media accounts as soon as the destroyed and attempted to raze down the hardworking. make the rapists uncomfortable rather than public outrage mounted. By Sunday, May 3, building at the crime scene. According to “She was an orphan. Sometimes, she didn’t victims. There is no reason a woman who the news of Ini-Ubong’s death has spread like reports, the suspect allegedly carried out the make it to class because she was somewhere has been raped should hesitate to seek help wildfire and was number one trend on Twitter. criminal act alongside his family members and teaching. Ini Umoren didn’t keep late nights. She and justice. We should stop assigning blame “Indeed, he assaulted her both sexually and there are fears that the Umoren family may tells me whenever she had to go somewhere,’’ to victims,’’ she said. 36 THISDAY ˾ͯͮ˜2021 BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE Fitch Affirms FBN Holdings’ Ratings at ‘B-’ Negative Ȋ¢Ȃȱȱ ȱȂȱȱ Goddy Egene replacing the CEO, without prior group’s corporate governance notice or approval of the regulator. weaknesses highlighted by the Fitch has affirmed its Long-Term The CBN also highlighted CBN. These could put pressure Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) of corporate governance failings on the ratings,” it said. FBN Holdings Plc (FBNH) and pertaining to long-standing According to Fitch, rating its primary operating subsidiary, and problematic related-party considers the group’s exposure First Bank of Nigeria Limited exposures, and failure to comply to Nigeria’s volatile operating (FBN), at ‘B-’with a Negative with regulatory directives. Owing environment and also factors Outlook. to this, Fitch stated: “We have invulnerability in its capital This is just as Moody’s assessed the near-term financial position in the context of mod- Investors Service has placed all impact of these actions on FBNH erate earnings generation and long-term ratings and assessments and FBN and believe this is asset-quality pressures, where of First Bank of Nigeria Limited tolerable at the rating level, headroom above the minimum on review for downgrade. even though the final outcome regulatory capital requirements According to the Fitch the is uncertain. is also moderate. affirmation reflected its view that “In our view, any remedial “Capitalisation is a factor of the impact of the Central Bank of actions imposed by the CBN, high importance to the Viability Nigeria’s (CBN) replacement of including a potential reclassifica- Rating (VR). The new boards FBN Holdings and First Bank’s tion of related-party exposures appointed to FBNH and FBN boards, the identification of corpo- as impaired, will not have a comprise individuals with suf- rate governance failings and the material effect on the group’s ficient experience and expertise. imposition of corrective measures asset quality, profitability and “However, we view such are tolerable at the rating level. capitalisation.” major change as hugely dis- The CBN last month removed Fitch said this does not consider ruptive. There are no changes the non-executive directors on any possible additional actions in FBNH and FBN’s executive the boards of FBNH and FBN –a by the CBN, especially if FBN management team. We believe the domestic systemically important fails to implement the regulator’s governance shortcomings cited bank- and replaced them with corrective measures or if there by the CBN reflect poorly on MARKET INDICATORS its own appointees. were any further uncovering of FBNH’s reputation and on the The CBN said its actions were corporate governance irregulari- group’s governance and control MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA) in the interest of financial stability ties. practices. and minority shareholders. It “The outlook remains negative, “As a result, we have revised JANUARY 2021 also said it acted because FBN reflecting FBNH’s pre-existing down our assessment of FBNH’s Money Supply (M3) 38,779,455.43 had made significant executive asset quality and capitalisation Management and Strategy score management changes, including weaknesses as well as the to ‘b-’ from ‘b’. -- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors 1,039,129.55 Money Supply (M2) 37,740,325.88 More Winners Emerge in UBA Savings Promo -- Quasi Money 21,779,302.69 -- Narrow Money (M1) 15,961,023.19 Nume Ekeghe said there was no better time to grow as well, because we are give back and delight customers aware that they are invaluable to ---- Currency Outside Banks 2,364,871.13 United Bank for Africa (UBA) than this challenging economic all that we do;” Ede explained. Plc has rewarded 10 of its loyal period where people need all the A representative of the Na- ---- Demand Deposits 13,596,152.06 customers with a total sum of support, they can get to make tional Regulatory Commission, Net Foreign Assets (NFA) 7,414,275.50 N10 million in the quarterly life more meaningful. Peace Ibadie, who witnessed draws of its ongoing savings He said, “As a bank, UBA has the draws, congratulated the 10 Net Domestic Assets(NDA) 31,365,179.93 promo. been rewarding customers, we winners and commended the -- Net Domestic Credit (NDC) 42,916,586.63 This promo, which is held have been doing this for several bank for its efforts at rewarding every quarter, is intended to years now; from the Wise Savers loyal customers especially in the ---- Credit to Government (Net) 12,304,773.44 appreciate loyal customers of Promo, Bumper Draws, and tough economic and business ---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA 0.00 the bank, who have stayed now this. We have been doing environment. with the bank over the years, this to touch lives and to show The winners who cut across ---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA) 0.00 and offers fresh opportunities appreciation to our customers all the zones of the country for potential and intending to tell them we are grateful for were: Emeka Onyemauche; ---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS) 30,611,813.19 customers to join the growing their business. This is also an Ezeigbokwe Oluebube Purity; --Other Assets Net 3,892,112.74 number of UBA millionaires opportunity to reward them for Omoniyi A Jaiyeola; Olawale who have in the past benefitted their loyalty to the bank.” Omotayo Idowu; Zaharadeen Reserve Money (Base Money 13,264,585.14 from several Promo. The virtual Ede added that the promo was Yandaki Umar; Aliyu Yaro Bakari; and transparent electronic draw also a way of encouraging sav- Samuel Enan Esua; Joseph Eze; --Currency in Circulation 2,831,167.19 which was held on Friday, was ings in a bid towards promoting Deborah Folusho Adebayo and --Banks Reserves 10,433,417.96 ˾ÙßÜÍÏ̋ transmitted live via zoom and financial inclusion, as statistics Lucia Chinyere Adim. --Special Intervention Reserves 317,234.17 the Facebook platform in strict show that a lot of Nigerians are When contacted via their compliance with social distancing still largely under-banked. mobile phone, the winners rules as directed by the federal “Our key objective is to expressed gratitude to the bank Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) and Lagos State governments. encourage our customers to as they said the winnings would Month March 2018 UBA’s Head Personal Bank- save regularly. We are here to go a long way in meeting their Inter-Bank Call Rate 15.16 ing, Osita Ede, who addressed support them and encourage pressing needs especially in these participants just before the draws, them to save and ultimately trying times. Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR)
Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) 14.00
Heritage Bank Partners Road Transport Workers Treasury Bill Rate 11.84
Heritage Bank in partnership or severe injury which was in his remarks said the scheme Savings Deposit Rate 4.07 with the Road Transport compounded by the harm to aims at promoting the welfare Employee’s Association of families, social networks, and of passengers, while ensuring 1 Month Deposit Rate 8.82 Nigeria (RTEAN) has launched national economies. security for passengers’ property. the Travelers’ Accident Insur- According to him, the He explained that the scheme 3 Months Deposit Rate 9.72 ance Scheme (TAIS) to assist majority of victims are part would provide support to pas- 6 Months Deposit Rate 10.93 road accident victims across of the working-age population sengers who may be involved the country. (between 15 and 64 years old). In in accident at the course of their 12 Months Deposit Rate 10.21 The scheme which was fact, road crashes have become journeys. launched on Friday, aims to the #1 killer of the young “This scheme covers all Nige- Prime Lending rate 17.35 address deaths associated with worldwide. rians involved in accidents that Maximum Lending Rate 31.55 inability of travelers involved in He pledged the continued require medical attention while accident to offset hospital bills. support of the bank in ensuring on a road trip. This is part of The Regional Executive, Abuja the success of the scheme. effort to assist and improve the ˾ÙØÏÞËÜãÙÖÓÍãËÞÏ̋ͯͱϱ and North, Heritage Bank Plc, Okoh-Oboh said, “At Heritage Nigerians transport system,” OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE George Okoh-Oboh, while Bank, we believe in this project he added. AS AT THURSDAY, 6 MAY 2021 speaking at the launch of the and we are ready to support it According to him, the scheme The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $67.49 a barrel on Thursday, scheme in Abuja, commended as it seeks to address accidents will cover only parks owned and operated by members of compared with $68.20 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. the thoughtfulness of the as- on the road. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan sociation in coming up with “This project will save lives the Road Transport Workers such program to save the lives of many Nigerians, so we are Association. Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light of accident victims. not just here to see what comes He further stressed the (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), He stated that the partnership in but we are here to add value need for the government to Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and would help address the road and ensure that it succeeds.” deepen investments in road Merey (Venezuela). safety crisis due to the tragic The National President of infrastructure, while ensuring SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna loss from a road crash death RTEAN, Musa Muhammed, security along the major road. THISDAY ˾ͯͮ˜ͰͮͰͯ 37
Ardova Grows Profit Before Tax by 107% to N1.2bn in Three Months Goddy Egene N2.6 billion to N1.9 billion. spirit (PMS) supply challenges through the efficient distribution per cent from 5.0 per cent also achieved a positive gross PBT printed at N1.2 billion, that impacted product volumes of our white products across our reported in Q1 2020. Working margin of 43 per cent within the Ardova Plc has reported a growth from N0.58 billion, while profit and top line revenue across the value chain and a stronger focus capital position remained healthy first three months of the year, of 107 per cent in profit before after tax (PAT) improved from downstream sector. Ardova Plc on growing revenue from our with a debt coverage of 21.1 reflecting our drive to build tax (PBT) to N1.2 billion in the N0.49 billion to N0.85 billion in delivered significant improve- non-fuel businesses.” per cent at the company and a viable and well-diversified first quarter (Q1) ended March 2021. Earnings per share jumped ment in margins and continued According to him, margins 37.6 per cent at the group. business. The performance of 31, 2021, up from N0.58 billion from 38 kobo to 65 kobo, thereby its steady track towards core came in higher at 7.7 per cent The improved capital position this business within a short in the corresponding period of raising the hopes of higher asset optimization and improved from 5.4 per cent in the corre- further reflects the strength cycle also serves as a pointer 2020. dividend payout. operational efficiency. Our resolve sponding period, while operating of our balance sheet as we to the sustainable returns The unaudited results indicated Commenting on the results, the to build a resilient and agile expense declined by 24.3 per drive our growth aspirations we intend to achieve once that the firm recorded revenue Chief Executive Officer, Ardova enterprise was evident in the cent amidst a high inflationary with investments made in clean our liquified petroleum gas of N41.6 billion as against N52 Plc, Olumide Adeosun, said: “We sterling growth of 108 per cent pressured environment. energy solutions. The group’s and renewable energy projects billion in 2020. Operating had a good start in the Q1 of in PBT achieved by the firm. “Our operational efficiency haulage and transportation commence full operations,” expenses fell 24 per cent from 2021 despite the premium motor We delivered this performance ratio further improved to 4.7 business, Axles and Cartage, Adeosun said. PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED AS OF 07/05/2021
MAIN BOARD DEALS MARKET QUANTITY VALUE TRADED MAIN BOARD DEALS MARKET QUANTITY VALUE TRADED PRICE TRADED ( N ) PRICE TRADED ( N ) 38 MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 • THISDAY MONDAY, MAY 10, 2021 ˾THISDAY 39 MARKET NEWS
A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an ETF are bought by investors. Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. investment vehicle that allows both small and Bid Price: The price at which Investors Investors with similar objectives buy units of the large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total that willl generate their desired return. investments. The assets are divided into shares that return an investor would have earned on An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. his investment. Money Market Funds report of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, Yield while others report Year- to-date Total bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, GUIDE TO DATA: Return. etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 06- NAV: Is value per share of the real estate shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the May-2021, unless otherwise stated. assets held by a REIT on a specific date. DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Equity Fund 151.91 153.40 -6.10% Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 3.53% GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Nigeria International Debt Fund 299.89 299.89 -24.48% [email protected] Afrinvest Dollar Fund 110.48 110.48 -1.43% Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD [email protected] Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO CAPITAL LTD [email protected] Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.71% Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Vantage Balanced Fund 2.72 2.79 18.78% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.27% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 148.06 148.49 -4.73% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.33 3.49 -6.10% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.20 1.24 26.71% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.08 1.08 5.83% Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fi[email protected] Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 1.40% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Equity Fund 126.67 128.14 -4.77% Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.37 1.39 0.69% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.06 1.06 -20.32% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,131.98 1,131.98 2.52% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD [email protected] MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 18.86 19.42 3.97% Meristem Equity Market Fund 10.61 10.6784 - ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 412.04 424.46 2.91% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 4.82% ARM Ethical Fund 36.82 37.93 9.23% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.20 1.20 -1.80% Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.02 1.03 -8.70% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.87% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED [email protected] PACAM Balanced Fund 1.62 1.64 7.36% Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.38 12.44 2.05% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 2.38% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 103.97 103.97 2.22% PACAM Equity Fund 1.56 1.57 -1.23% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED [email protected] PACAM EuroBond Fund 110.55 113.47 1.14% Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 SCM CAPITAL LIMITED [email protected] Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A SCM Capital Frontier Fund 127.58 129.71 8.01% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED [email protected] SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD [email protected] Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 1.96 1.96 -26.18% SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.01 1.01 2.49% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.17 2.21 -9.08% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,106.62 3,130.99 -3.41% CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.01 1.01 0.73% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 228.87 228.87 1.79% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.15 1.17 -1.69% Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 299.99 299.99 1.81% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 213.83 216.43 -2.16% Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.36% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.29% Paramount Equity Fund 15.87 15.59 -2.54% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,069.08 10,195.61 -4.13% Women's Investment Fund 130.53 131.89 -1.97% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.25 1.25 1.92% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 113.40 113.40 2.09% Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 100.79 100.79 - Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.58% Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 113.59 114.29 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A United Capital Balanced Fund 1.33 1.35 -2.72% United Capital Bond Fund 1.93 1.93 2.18% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 106.31 106.31 United Capital Equity Fund 0.88 0.90 1.92% CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT [email protected] United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.89% Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 United Capital Eurobond Fund 120.07 120.07 2.55% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.51% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.07 1.09 -1.49% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.16 1.17 -3.37% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.04 1.04 4.15% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.36 1.36 -14.41% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD [email protected] EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 12.01 12.11 1.18% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 3.16% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.29 13.41 8.80% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 2.51% Zenith Income Fund 24.32 24.32 1.41% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,161.07 1,167.36 -3.10% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.08% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] REITS Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,363.13 1,363.13 8.42% SFS REIT 122.84 1.74% FBN Balanced Fund 184.11 185.36 -1.90% Union Homes REIT 53.12 1.37% FBN Halal Fund 109.23 109.23 5.14% EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.38% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn -- -Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund 12.49 12.59 -5.47% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 124.56 124.56 3.32% SIAML Pension ETF 40 121.53 121.53 -0.17% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 150.12 152.18 -0.70% Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund 95.55 97.30 -3.86% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD [email protected] Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.37% Legacy Debt Fund 3.93 3.93 1.54% Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 3.62 3.66 -3.97% Legacy Equity Fund 1.57 1.60 3.00% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 5.58 5.66 -2.00% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.16 1.16 1.69% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 16.83 16.93 2.99% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.66% Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 19.09 19.29 -6.94% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 159.45 161.45 -27.07% Coral Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn FSDH Treasury Bills Fund N/A N/A N/A Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund 107.52 13.11% The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only. 40 MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 • THISDAY MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 • THISDAY 41 42 MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 ˾THISDAY NEWSXTRA Gunmen Kill Two Policemen, Five Others in Akwa Ibom, Anambra hours after five police officers hoodlums. to the affected areas. casualties. Okon Bassey in Uyo killed 12 cows in a coordinated and a police officer’s wife were Akwa Ibom Police spokesman, In a related development, no ”Yes, there was an attack attack that took place around killed in an attack on Idoro Ikpe Odiko Macdon, who confirmed fewer than five persons have been on Ozubulu but not the police Unknown gunmen have 5p.m. in Akwa Ibom State police station in Ini LGA on the attacks, however said he reportedly killed by gunmen in station but vigilante office by reportedly killed two policemen yesterday. Saturday. was yet to get official reports, Ozubulu, in the Ekwusigo Local the hoodlums and razed a police station at The gunmen were also said The officers were killed in adding the police are following Government Area of Anambra State “They came in Sienna vehicles, Mkpatak, Essien Udim Local to have attacked a police station Ukana Ikot Ntuen while the the trend. The office and vehicles belonging motorcycles and attacked the Government Area of Akwa in Abak LGA area. cows were killed at Afaha Ikot He said the command has to the vigilance group in the area office of the vigilante. Security Ibom State. It was gathered the burning Ebak in the same LGA. demanded for an update on were set ablaze. operatives have been deployed This is coming as no fewer of the police station at Mkpatak, According to the source, one the incident. The State Police Public Relations to the area and normalcy has than five persons have also been the killing of the two officers of the officers was burnt inside He said the Commissioner of Officer, Ikenga Tochukwubeen restored.” killed by gunmen in Ozubulu, in and 12 cows were carried out his car while the other officer Police, Andrew Amiengheme, has confirmed the incident but did He said the incident happened the Ekwusigo Local Government in coordinated attacks in three on motorcycle was shot by the ordered deployment of tactical team not disclose the number of around 7pm yesterday Area of Anambra State different locations of the LGA. The hoodlums also reportedly The attacks came barely 24 NDLEA Uncovers Online Drug Trafficking Cartel, Arrests five in Abuja Intercepts 75.8kg skunk in Ondo, Rivers
Operatives of the National While Queen Nvene, a graduate Drug Law Enforcement Agency of Business Administration, (NDLEA), at the weekend produces drug cookies and brownies uncovered an online drug trafficking and sells same on Instagram, Collins cartel that sells drugged cookies, Ozoemena sells all types of illicit cakes, brownies and all sorts of illicit drugs, especially Loud and Skunk WE SHARE YOUR GRIEFS… substances to residents of Abuja online. Samson Peter on the other L-R: Webmaster and Head of Technical Services, ARISE NEWS Channel, Mr. Fred Ojeh; Group Executive Director, THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. and beyond, using the cyber space hand, is the manager of SK Express Israel Iwegbu; a family friend, Mr. Nduka Omodon; Senior Associate Director, THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Eric Ojeh; and a family friend, Mr. as its platform. Courier Company, who manages Fidelis Elema, at the final burial of the late Mrs. Ezinne Anna Ojeh, in Agbor, Delta State…weekend AYO AJAYI As a result, five members of the motorcycles and dispatch riders to organised drug criminal group were deliver illicit drugs from Collins arrested during sting operations and drugged edibles (cookies, cakes Military Begins Operation to Rid Benue, Nasarawa, carried out between Friday, May and brownies) from Queen and 7, and Saturday, May 8, 2021 by Chika, both sisters. Members of Taraba of Bandits officers of the FCT Command the cartel operate from different of the agency during which locations within the FCT but operate George Okoh in Makurdi across the states, which had revealed that the operation communities of the three states to different brands of illicit drugs as a network. resulted in the death of so many was to cover the Sankera axis enable farmers go to their farms were recovered from them. The Their arrest followed online The Nigerian military has people. of Logo, Ukum and Katsina-Ala and return in peace. nabbed drug dealers include Queen orders of drug-based edibles commenced a seven-day operation He disclosed that the clearance LGA to Yoyo River and Kwente He noted that the outcome Nvene, Collins Ozoemena, Samson by undercover agents. Supplies with the codename: Operation operation covers some islands in Kwande LGA of Benue State, of the operation, which is still Peter, Chika Nvene, and Habila of brownies and cookies were Whirl Stroke (OPWS) to clear behind NASME barracks in where the militia, led by one ongoing, would be made known Musa. delivered and received from Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba Makurdi and Gbajimba in Guma Chekere also known as Azonto, by the military high command According to a statement by different SK Express dispatch States of bandits’ activities Local Government Area of Benue terrorise locals. at the appropriate time. the spokesman of the agency, riders at various times by narcotic This was disclosed yesterday State, where it is believed that He urged members of the Residents of Makurdi Mr. Femi Babafemi, the group operatives before the final sting by a military source in Makurdi, the bandits, who normally come public to remain calm and go town woke up yesterday specialises in clandestine production operation. the Benue State capital. from Nasarawa State, have their about their legitimate business morning with military of drug based cookies, brownies According to the Commander, The source said the operation hideouts where they launch attacks without fear, saying the operation helicopters hovering around and other edibles; markets and FCT Command of the Agency, was sequel to the incessant bandits’ on innocent people. targets specific locations and is the town and driving them sells same online, through their Mohammed Malami Sokoto, operations in some communities The military source further meant to bring about peace in all into panic. Twitter and Instagram handles. follow-up raids of their various They also market and sell all types locations in Gudu, Kubwa, of marijuana; Arizona, Colorado Lokogoma, Apo and Damangazo Truck Conveying Ammunition Falls in Onitsha, and Loud, among other illicit all in Abuja, led to the seizure of drugs, online. some illicit substances. Spills Bullets on Street David-Chyddy Eleke in to church. According to him, “The before the truck was finally Insecurity: Emir of Daura Awka A source, who confirmed the incident attracted heavy security towed out of the ditch.” incident, said: “The truck fell, presence in the Awka Road area When THISDAY contacted A fully loaded truck with and the entire streets were filled and Shoprite axis of the city the state Police Public Relations Suspends Sallah Activities cartons of bullets yesterday with bullets. Some boys even this (yesterday) morning. The Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, The Emir of Daura, Dr Faruk on that day. morning fell into a ditch in scooped some with their hands police first arrived in the area he denied any knowledge of Umar, has suspended activities The directive was contained Onitsha, Anambra State, spilling and ran away, before security before soldiers came. They later the incident. marking the end of the Ramadan in a circular dated May 6, 2021, its content in the street of the agents arrived at the scene.” brought a tipper, and used pay He said: “I have received fast in the emirate council, and addressed to the district heads commercial city. The source said the driver loader to scoop the scattered a report of a fallen truck in citing security reasons for the in the emirate. THISDAY gathered that of the truck and his truck bullets into the tipper. that area, but I was not told development. The circular was signed by the incident happened I the conductor abandoned the truck “The tipper had to make the content of the truck. If I The royal father instead Danejin Daura, Alhaji Abdulmimin i morning on Awka Road as after the accident occurred, three trips to carry all the get to know anything new, I directed district heads in the Sahihu. worshipers made their way disappearing into thin air. bullets to unknown destination will let you know.” council to join the people in their It read in part, “The domains to pray for peace in Emir instructed me to Nigeria. inform you that, due to the Fate of Other Abducted Passengers Uncertain as ABSU Among the affected activities insecurity in the country, is the procession (Durbar) to the kidnappings for ransom Students Regain Freedom Emir’s Palace on Sallah Day. The and other threats to national Emir has also directed that no stability, the usual Sallah Durbar Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in among those abducted by the held by the hoodlums. some people few days ago district head should visit him will not hold this Eid-el-Fitr.” Umuahia hoodlums. Ikpeazu broke the news via on the Okigwe-Uturu road But so far, the exact number his official Twitter handle @ has been freed.” CORRIGENDUM Five days after their abduction of people in the captivity of Governorikpeazu, saying he Though Ikpeazu said by gunmen on Okigwe-Uturu the criminal gang remains was exceedingly happy at the he had spoken with the In a letter, ‘How the media can get its grove back,’ published road, Abia State, nothing has unknown, and no information development, as he vowed freed student and her yesterday, Sunday, May 9, 2021, we mistakenly published been heard about the passengers has come out concerning their that he would “surely take mother minutes before he the photograph of Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Publisher of who were kidnapped along fate. justice to those involved in the announced her release, he THISDAY, as President of the Nigerian Newspapers’ Proprietors with students of the Abia State The Abia State Governor, kidnap and will not cohabit was not forthcoming with the Association (NPAN). That is not correct. Prince Obaigbena’s University, Uturu (ABSU). Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, had late with criminal elements. circumstances that made the tenure as President ended last December. Mallam Kabiru Apart from the passengers Saturday night announced the “It is with a great joy and criminal gang to free the student. Yusuf, Chairman of Trust Media Limited, is the current of the minibus on which the release of the only student in a very pleasant sense of relief However, he expressed gratitude President of NPAN. students were travelling, the custody of the abductors. that I announce that the only to God and lauded security agents The error is regretted. occupants of two other Two other students had kidnapped ABSU student and the management of ABSU -Editor vehicles, a Toyota Camry and escaped, though they were who was still in custody of “for a job well done leading to Sienna, were said to have been initially thought to have been the hoodlums that abducted this good news.” MONDAY MAY 10, 2021, ˾THISDAY 43 NEWSXTRA Akwa Ibom Community Petitions DSS over Beheading of Natives
Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Enwang. However, the police invaded Enwang, damaged at a meeting with officials of of the DSS to use his good the only way to bring about did not prosecute the case and burned several buildings Akwa Ibom State Government, office to direct a thorough closure of this sad event The people of Enwang further, as they alleged that on the same day.” who had intervened in the investigation into the matter and the ugly scars it community, headquarters ‘the big men’ of Uko Nteghe The petition added that the matter. with the aim of bringing has left in the psyche of Mbo Local Government Uda have intervened and ‘killed militants launched another “We hereby most the perpetrators and their and memory of Enwang Area of Akwa Ibom State have the matter’,” they stated. attack on the community while respectfully appeal to the DG sponsors to justice. This is people,” it stated. petitioned the Director-General The community said of the Department of State militants from the neighbouring Services (DSS), Mr. Yusuf community launched the first Magaji Bichi, over the alleged attack on farmers, who were gruesome killing of members cultivating their farmland. of the community by attackers According to the people, from a neighbouring community, “As this is the time of the year Uko Nteghe Uda. when our people normally The petitioners alleged that prepare their farmlands for the victims of the attack were cultivation, on January 19, beheaded and their heads taken 2021, a section of the Enwang away by the attackers. community, notably Eyo Evai, They said the attackers Eyo Ukut, Eyo Udombo and completely destroyed 14 houses part of Uko Akpan villages and set other houses ablaze, who have over the years including the residence of former exclusively farmed Uko Ateni, Inspector-General of Police, late went to the said farmland Mr. Etim Inyang. to clear and prepare it for In the petition titled: ‘A cultivation. Petition and Passionate Appeal “For the avoidance of doubt, for the Investigation of part of this farmland has been the Unprovoked Invasion a cause for legal disputes for FIFTY-NINE HEARTY CHEERS… and Attack of the People many years between Uko Akai L-R: Executive Director, Institutional Banking, Sterling Bank, Mr. Emmanuel Emefienim; Non-Executive Director, Mrs. Folasade Kilaso; of Enwang Community, Uko Akpan in Enwang and Headquarters of Mbo LGA Uko Akai Uko Nteghe in Uda. Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman; Chairman, Mr. Asue Ighodalo; Company Secretary, Mrs. Temitayo Adegoke; and Executive of Akwa Ibom State by their “It needs be emphasised Director, Corporate and Investment Banking, Mr. Yemi Odubiyi, at the bank’s 59th Annual General Meeting in Lagos…yesterday Uko Nteghe Usa neighbours’, here that villagers of the the people said four members Enwang community, who of the Enwang were beheaded went for the clearing of SERAP Urges Buhari to Probe N39bn Duplicated, while the attackers made away Uko Ateni did so on the with heads of the victims. strength of the Oron High Mysterious Projects by MDAs The petition signed by the Court judgement in suit No: National Coordinator of the HOR/1/2013 delivered by Udora Orizu in Abuja agencies to investigate 2021, and signed by SERAP rights through developing Society for the Promotion of Hon Justice Theresa E Obot government Ministries, Deputy Director, Kolawole and implementing well- Human Rights and Justice, on February 19, 2020, which Socio-Economic Rights Departments and Agencies Oluwadare, the organisation thought-out policies, plans, Mr. Udo Eke-Okon, said the ruled that the communities and Accountability Project (MDAs) and members of said the misallocation of and budgets. invasion of the community should restrict themselves to (SERAP) has urged President the National Assembly public funds for duplicated SERAP expressed concerns was triggered by the rape of their ancestral boundaries.” Muhammadu Buhari to direct suspected to be responsible and mysterious projects has that the N39.5 billion a 50-year-old woman in the The petitioners noted that the Attorney-General of the for inserting N39.5 billion for seriously undermined the duplicated and mysterious community. the judgement was never Federation and Minister of 316 duplicated and mysterious ability of the indicted MDAs projects may have been used “The prelude to the organised appealed by the people of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and projects in the 2021 budget. and the government to ensure as a ploy to divert and steal vital invasion of Enwang community Uko Nteghe Uda. appropriate anti-corruption In the letter dated May 8, respect for Nigerians’ human resources from MDAs. happened in the morning of The judgement declared January 6, 2021, when an Uko in part: “That the Uko Akai Nteghe Uda carpenter, Mr. Uko Akpan people and Uko Eteka Edet John, accosted a Akai Uko Nteghe people Oshiomhole: I Would Have Been an Ex-convict 50-year-old, Mrs. Arit Asuquo shall continue to share and A former National Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress Agbonmhere, said Nigeria cannot guest speaker in which the issue of Eyo Atabia Ufiok in Uko cultivate their communal of the ruling All Progressives (NLC) during the administration afford to negate the rule of law of the rule of law will take Akpan Enwang, who land as they have been doing Congress (APC) and former of President Olusegun Obasanjo, in its dealings. centre stage knowing very went to fetch firewood and since time immemorial.” Governor of Edo State, Comrade he still rallied the labour union The association had informed well that I am not a lawyer mercilessly raped her, after The Enwang natives said: Adams Oshiomhole at the against the planned removal of Oshiomhole of its decision to invite even though in the course of thoroughly beating her to “The unexpected and bloody weekend recounted how he would the then president from office him as a guest speaker to its rule my journey in life, I realised submission. attack did not stop in the have been an ex-convict in Nigeria in 2002. of law conference slated to hold that I wished I had read law “This matter was officially farmland, as many heavily were it not for the courage of the Oshiomhole who was speaking later in the year. but I know it is too late for reported at the Divisional armed Uko Nteghe militants Nigerian judiciary in upholding when he received the leadership Addressing the delegation, me now. I know nothing is Police Headquarters in and their mercenaries also the rule of law. of Law Students Association Oshiomhole said; “I am delighted ever late but I didn’t want He explained that in spite of his of Nigeria (LAWSAN) led to welcome you. I thank you for to read law for reading sake traumatic experiences as President by its president, Mr. Blessing considering me worthy to be a but that I can practice. Niger Explains Death of 28 Passengers in Boat Mishap Enugu First Lady Calls for Prayers over Nation’s Security The wife of Enugu State Governor, the country, enjoined women to maintained that their contributions praying as well as have prayer Laleye Dipo in Minna and buried. Mrs. Monica Ugochi Ugwuanyi, pray hard and watch over their and dedication to God through partners, expressing optimism that The director general yesterday participated in the state’s homes, especially the conduct of prayers and promotion of good “with prayers, Nigeria would be The Niger State Emergency commiserated with families monthly prayer session at Michael their children at all times. virtues would go a long way to restored to its glories”. Management Agency of the deceased and urged Okpara Square, Enugu, where “We have to sit up. Women are bring permanent solutions to the The religious event witnessed NSEMA has stated that 28 them to take the losses as she called on women to pray for prayers, some of our husbands nation’s challenges. prayers, praise songs and passengers have died in a an act of God. fervently for God’s intervention do not have time. Women are Also speaking, the Permanent distribution of items to women boat mishap that occurred It will be recalled in the security and economic agents of peace,” she said. Secretary, Enugu State Post by Enugu State First Lady, who last Saturday in the state. that the boat was said challenges confronting the nation. Reminding the women of Primary Schools Management also reiterated her advice on strict The Director General to be conveying Tijana Mrs. Ugwuanyi who stressed their noble role in the family in Board (PPSMB), Evangelist adherence to COVID-19 protocol of the NSEMA, Mr. villagers in Munya Local that prayer was key to stemming particular and society in general, Favour Ugwuanyi encouraged for the containment of the spread Ibrahim Ahmed Inga, told Government from the the tide of security challenges in the Enugu State Governor’s wife women to intensify efforts in of the virus. THISDAY on Sunday that popular Zumba market on the bodies of the deceased Saturday when the accident have been recovered and occurred at about 6 p.m. Akeredolu Reviews Curfew Imposed on Ondo Community buried. Unconfirmed reports Inga also said that seven claimed the affected James Sowole in Akure be effective from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. four persons while several others “It must, however, be noted passengers in the boat are people were trying to The partial relaxation of curfew were injured with many property that any further breach of the still missing. return to their ancestral The Ondo State Government was contained in a statement destroyed. peace shall attract more stringent According to him, the homes after relocating to has reviewed the 24-hour signed by the Commissioner for Ojogo said: “The state government measures from the government boat carrying about 100 safer grounds as a result curfew imposed on Ikare, the Information and Orientation, Mr. had monitored developments in the to achieve peace. The government passengers broke into of bandits’ attacks. headquarters of Akoko North Donald Ojogo. town since the imposition of the curfew shall be most decisive than ever. two after running into a The Head of the Zumba East Local Government Area The governor had last week just as security agencies diligently and “All residents of the town are tree’s trump 50 meters to market traders, Mr. Ahmed of the state. imposed a 24-hour curfew on professionally enforced the order to enjoined to abide by this fresh its destination. Adamu, confirmed the Consequently, the state the Ikare community following restore peace in the community. directive and take maximum He said that 68 people story and put the death Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi violence that rocked the town over “The review of the curfew order advantage of this window to deepen survived the mishap while toll at 15 with 17 others Akeredolu, has directed that the chieftaincy title of Olokoja. is, therefore, the outcome of the harmony and brotherliness among 28 corpses were recovered rescued. from May 10, 2021, the curfew The violence led the killing of assessment of the situation so far. one another. 44 MONDAY MAY 10, 2021˾THISDAY NEWSXTRA Babangida, Secondus, ACF Console Adeboye over Son’s Death FEC, SGF, PDP chairman commiserate with Taraba gov
Chuks Okocha in Abuja and point in time. It is not a thing spokesman of the ACF, Mr. commiserated with the governor over and described his death as a consoled in the exemplary life John Shiklam in Kaduna we have any control of, once it is Emmanuel Yawe, said the forum the death of the former minister. huge loss. Dare lived that may merit him time, only God has the ultimate mourned with the family and The SGF extolled the virtues of Secondus in a statement by eternal rest. Former Military President, decision, irrespective of age. the entire RCCG over the painful the former minister. his media aide, Mr. Ike Abonyi In a similar letter to the Taraba General Ibrahim Babangida “But the death of a young man incident. “Her selfless devotion and regretted that death came too State governor, Secondus said (rtd); National Chairman of the would naturally hurt us, as one On his part, the National patriotism to the growth of Nigeria early to such resourceful and Hajia Al-Hassan’s death came Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would expect our children to be Chairman of the PDP, Secondus and furtherance of democracy is hardworking young man. as a huge shock and described and the Arewa Consultative around to organise our funeral. has sent messages of condolence inarguable and highly commendable. He however noted that God her as a woman of substance who Forum (ACF) have commiserated It is painful and very agonising to Ishaku and Adeboye on the She will not be soon forgotten for his creator knows best and cannot contributed immensely to the state with the General Overseer of the to hear of this sad loss.” death of the former Minister of her deeds and memory will remain be questioned by man. and national development. Redeemed Christian Church ACF has also commiserated Women Affairs, Hajia Aisha Al- with us for eternity and serve as He however said that having Secondus urged the people of of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch with Adeboye over the death Hassan and Pastor Dare Adeboye, a source of encouragement and died in Jesus Christ, the young Taraba State and Senior Pastor Adeboye over the death of his of his son. respectively. inspiration,” Mustapha explained. Pastor will make heaven to the Adeboye to take solace in the son, Pastor Dare. The ACF, in a statement issued In his letter addressed to In a separate letter to Adeboye, joy and satisfaction of all. fact that they died leaving The Federal Executive yesterday in Kaduna, said it was Ishaku, the SGF, on behalf of the Secondus expressed sorrow over He urged the Senior Adeboye behind huge legacies and Council (FEC); Secretary to the shocked by the news of Dare’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) the loss of the young Adeboye and the entire family to be achievements Government of the Federation death. (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha and “We of the Arewa Consultative Secondus have also consoled Forum, received with shock, Insecurity: Christ Embassy Organises Global Ministers’ the Taraba State Governor, Mr. news of the death of Pastor Darius Ishaku on the death of Oluwadamilare Temitayo Classroom for Religious Leaders the former Minister of Women Adeboye a few days ago. Affairs, Hajia Aisha Al-Hassan. “We were more shocked by Following the spate of insecurity Coordinator, ISM Abuja, Princess for the amazing vision of the ministers of the Gospel, under the In a statement he issued the news that the deceased son of across the federation, the Nkoyo, said that the conference International School of Ministry, auspices of International School yesterday, Babangida said that the revered General Overseer of Loveworld Nation, a.k.a Christ would hold between May 21 and which is to train and equip of Ministry. This year is the 3rd it was with a heavy heart that he the Redeemed Christian Church Embassy, has planned to organise 22, with participants drawn from ministers of the gospel of edition of this historic and life conveyed his condolence message of God was not sick at the time the 2021 Global Ministers’ states across the federation and Christ. transforming conference, with to the RCCG general overseer he died but passed on peacefully Classroom (GMC), under the around the world. “Over the years, the ISM ministers of the gospel around over the death. in his sleep. International School of Ministry he said: “I am delighted and has given thousands the the world.” Babangida said the death of “We are sure that as a man (ISM), to train and equip religious honoured to welcome you to opportunity of being tutored She added that the conference Dare came to him as a rude of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye leaders on winning souls for Christ this special Press Conference by our Man of God, Rev. Chris would be a very special meeting, shock, adding that one could not has taken the death of his third and to help combat insecurity for Global Ministers’ Classroom Oyakhilome and be imparted where ministers of the Gospel question the Almighty God for son whom he fondly called a in Nigeria through advocacy for with our Man of God, Rev. with the peculiar grace at work all around the globe would be his decisions in the lives of men. miracle child in good faith”, the repentance. (Dr) Chris Oyakhilome. in His ministry. impacted with the revelatory “As mere mortals, we await forum said. Speaking at a press conference Firstly, we’d like to thank “Global Ministers’ Classroom is knowledge of God’s words on our appointment with God at any The statement signed by the in Abuja, weekend, the our Man of God, Pastor Chris, a specialised training program for evangelism in these last days. NEITI Seeks Ties With CAC to Unveil Real Owners of Oil, Mining Assets Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja held in Abuja. “The knowledge repository Speaking during the meeting, in the two agencies makes The Nigeria Extractive Industries the Executive Secretary of NEITI, it important for us to work Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji described together to ensure that the yesterday disclosed that it was the CAC as a dependable ally in commitment made by Nigeria forging closer ties with the Nigeria’s implementation of the to the international community Corporate Affairs Commission global EITI’s beneficial ownership on effective implementation of (CAC) to unravel the actual disclosure requirements. beneficial ownership in the extractive owners of oilfields and other The NEITI executive secretary industry is realised,” Orji explained. assets in the country. explained that the documentation He described access to information NEITI disclosed that both of the owners of the assets would by the citizens as the power to hold organisations have resolved to help to check illicit financial flows, government and companies doing establish a joint coordination terrorism financing, tax evasion business in Nigeria accountable. committee to identify, document and diversion of government “The exclusion of information and disclose the owners under revenues. about our natural resources was at a the country’s implementation of “The CAC has the institutional huge cost to the Nigerian economy “Beneficial Ownership” policy of responsibility of keeping the and affected Nigeria’s optimisation the global Extractive Industries register of all companies doing of revenues from its natural resource Transparency Initiative (EITI). business in Nigeria while NEITI wealth. A statement by the NEITI’s sits on information and data on oil “With your cooperation and Head of Communications and assets, key players and investors reputation, we can help our Advocacy, Mrs. Obiageli Onuorah, in the extractive industries. We government fight the resource noted that the decisions were therefore need each other to curse which is the reason taken at a meeting between the build a consolidated data base on the EITI and NEITI exist,” management of the two agencies beneficial ownership disclosures. Orji said. UTM Offshore Signs Contracts with Japanese, American Firms on LNG Floating Plant Peter Uzoho out a third-party review of the Auwalu, had stated during the Pre-FEED deliverables from JGC presentation of the licence to UTM Offshore, an indigenous oil on its behalf. the company in Abuja that and gas company, has commenced UTM Offshore disclosed this the licence signified a major the development of its 176 million in a letter signed by its Managing milestone and a reinforcement cubic feet per day Liquefied Natural Director/Chief Executive Officer, of the promise and commitment of Gas (LNG) floating plant with Mr. Julius Rone, and addressed President Muhammadu Buhari to the Pre-Front End Engineering to one of its partners, a copy of Nigerians to promote indigenous Design (Pre-FEED) contract of the which was seen by THISDAY. participation in the oil and gas facility billed for signing tomorrow It said the signing ceremony sector. (Tuesday) between the Nigerian for the two contracts would be He had also stated that firm and its foreign contractors, done virtually in Lagos. the move was to ensure that JGC Corporations, a Japanese The Department of Petroleum companies come to Nigeria and engineering company. Resources (DPR) had in February do business in an equitable way, to UTM said it would also on the issued Licence-to-Establish stimulate the economy and create said date, sign a contract with (LTE) for the first floating LNG jobs for Nigerians, adding that the Kellog Brown & Root –KBR production plant for the processing licence was a demonstration of Engineering Company, a US-based of 176 million cubic feet per day governments resolve to harness Engineering, Procurement and of natural gas and condensate to safe and reliable technology for Construction (EPC) company, UTM Offshore Limited. the development of the oil and as owners’ engineer, to carry The Director of DPR, Mr. Sarki gas industry. MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 ˾THISDAY 45 24 HOURS... 24 HOURS... Anambra Communities Allege Killing of Three Persons By Herdsmen No fewer than 10 communities in persons and injured many in the Addressing journalists Jideofor, who hails from Amanuke on the same Urum-Achalla Road when my wife paid N1million Anambra State have alleged that Awka North Local Government yesterday, the representatives of community, alleged that he was in a vehicle with a certain woman ransom.. suspected herdsmen killed three Area of the state. the 10 communities in the area shot by the suspected herdsmen from Mgbakwu community “They killed a man from lamented what they called the on his way to a neighbouring whom he called Ikemfuna’s wife. Achalla. His people raided criminal activities of suspected Achalla community on Saturday. He said, “That woman that the bush to avenge his death Makinde Condoles with herdsmen operating in their forests Jideofor who had bandage and was killed, I was with her in but the suspects ran away.” and farmlands. plaster on his heads, hands and the same vehicle. My right The state Police Public Adeboye over Son’s Death They alleged that a number of legs, said, “The people shot me hand is paralysed because of Relations Officer, Ikenga their people had been kidnapped on my way to Achalla. They were the injury I sustained. Tochukwu, said the state Oyo State governor, Mr. Seyi Pastor Dare came as a shock for ransom, while others have about three in number.” “The woman was beaten police command had not Makinde, has expressed his and it broke my heart. But as been killed. Another victim, a native of to death. They dragged me received any official report condolences to the General believers, bound to demonstrate One of the victims, Oke Isuaniocha, said he was attacked into the bush. I was released on the incident. Overseer of the Redeemed absolute trust in God and faith for Christian Church of God, Pastor all times, we accept the passage Enoch Adeboye and his wife, on of our brother and pray God to the demise of their son, Pastor grant him rest. Dare Adeboye. “I condole with my father, Papa Makinde, who described E.A. Adeboye and Mama, Pastor the young Adeboye’s death as Dare’s wife and his siblings as shocking and sad, encouraged the well as the RCCG family. family and the RCCG to continue “Assured that the family will to draw strength from God, who continue to draw strength knows all things and cannot be from God, who remains questioned. unquestionable and all-knowing, A statement by the Chief Press I pray God to continue to be the Secretary to the governor, Mr. source of comfort for everyone Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor and to give them the strength as praying to God to grant the to go through this period. family the strength and grace for “Please accept my this period. condolences with the highest “The news of the death of of regards.” Akwa Ibom APC Tasks Emmanuel on Insecurity FOURTEEN HEARTY CHEERS… L-R: Group Head, Human Resources, Resort International Limited (RIL), Mr. Ola Azeez; Group Head, Plant and Facility, RIL, Mr. Adebola The Akwa Ibom State chapter advised its citizens not to visit Adebanjo; Managing Associate, Babalakin & Co; Mr. Kubi Udofia; Group Head, Finance, RIL Ms. Yosola Popoola; Acting Head of Business, of the All Progessives Congress Akwa Ibom State and a few Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, (BASL), Mr. Ralph Uchegbu; and Group Business Development Manager, RIL, Ms. Adekunbi (APC) has charged Governor other states like Borno, Yobe Udom Emmanuel to rise up and Zamfara. Ademiluyi, cutting the cake to mark the 14th anniversary of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two, Lagos (MMA2), operated by BASL, the challenge of insecurity “Similar destructions and in Lagos…weekend facing the state. killings are also going on in In a statement issued Port Harcourt, Rivers State INEC: New Settlements, Other Areas Get 770 Additional yesterday, the main opposition where policemen and soldiers party in the state urged the are also murdered and police Polling Units in Gombe governor to show leadership stations set alight on a fairly by speaking to Akwa Ibom regular basis. Governor Segun Awofadeji in Gombe which was last created over 25 According to him, “It is worthy exercise which took staff of people urgently on the security Nyesom Wike has blamed years ago. to note that the current polling the commission into the field, challenges in the state. the killings of policemen and The Independent National The meeting was on the unit structure used by the Gombe State would now have The statement signed by military officials in his state on Electoral Commission (INEC) expansion of voters’ access to commission was created since an additional 770 polling units the Publicity Secretary of the those he calls ‘secessionists,” in Gombe State has said it is polling units held at the conference 1996, which is almost three more to the existing 2,218 party, Nkereuwem Enyongekere APC explained. expanding its electoral polling hall of the Federal Secretariat in decades now.” making a total of 2,988 noted that in the last couple The party described it as units with an additional 770 Gombe. He explained that polling units in the state. of months, no fewer than disturbing and ominous that new ones across the state. He said the expansion became during these three decades, He said: “This represents a five police stations had been Emmanuel had never uttered The Resident Electoral necessary following embarrassing stakeholders have witnessed percentage increase of about ravaged and 15 policemen a word of condolences and Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Umar challenges that included congestion a number of embarrassing 35 percent which comes killed in Essien Udim, Ika, Ini sympathies to the security Ibrahim, stated at the weekend at polling units due to growth in challenges that affected very timely and handy as and Abak local government agencies or assurances to the during a stakeholders’ meeting population; long distance between health and safety of voters the commission plans to areas in Akwa Ibom State people of the state since the that new settlements are among polling units which affects voter and election officials. roll out Continuous Voter by gunmen suspected to be destruction of police stations areas that would mostly benefit turnout among other reasons The REC stated further that Registration (CVR) early members of Indigenous Peoples and killings of policemen from the creation of the new units during elections. after a successful expansion next month.” of Biafra (IPOB) and their started in the state. militia wing, Eastern Security “Our governor has been Network (ESN). muted, silent and absent as DSO Not Backed By Law, Lacks Coherent Strategy, Says Lawyer APC stated that by targeting insecurity envelops the state. the security forces, the gunmen When the US ambassador to A United Kingdom-based before going to study law, is of the strategy development, to technology during last year’s review of the were deliberately planning to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, Nigerian lawyer, Mr. Timothy E. view that the completion rests on implementation, to managed National Broadcasting Code. weaken the people’s defence visited Gov Udom Emmanuel Agbo, has described the country’s hope rather than expectation, as services. “We wasted the opportunity and overrun the state. last week in Uyo, the governor country’s digital switchover (DSO) the programme is not backed by “In the UK, they had the because the review was rushed and “IPOB intends to make was heard begging the programme as having neither a legal any law and its implementation Transition Act, the legal framework the amendments failed to address our state part of Biafra. Our diplomat to help get Akwa backing nor a coherent strategy. is incoherent. He explained that enacted by parliament on which the digital switchover programme. people therefore feel terrorised Ibom delisted from the advisory The programme, which began in countries that have completed the programme was based. We This has created uncertainty, which and traumatised. The sense list. The governor’s request 2012, has largely been marked by the DSO programme had digital have no such here. What we have will affect investor confidence in of insecurity enveloping the shows how ignorant he is on unsteady implementation, resulting transition legislations in place. is murky and means, for example, the envisaged digital broadcasting state is so overwhelming that the intricacies of US national in two missed deadlines and a halt These, he said, guided the that content owners who wish to ecosystem. the US Embassy in Abuja has security,” APC added. in 2018. programme in terms of financing establish new television platforms “It is unclear what the new digital However, it was on 30 April and milestones. He noted that are unaware of the licensing platform or channel application and restarted in Lagos State and is such legislations focused on framework,” Agbo said. licensing processes are. What the Bauchi Kills 27,000 Birds to expected to be completed in industry-specific challenges and He argued that the country lost Federal Government is harping three years. assisted in the delivery of end- an opportunity to draft a new body on is the 2014 DSO Whitepaper, Curb Spread of Avian Influenza Agbo, who was a broadcaster to-end digital capabilities—from of regulations and digital licensing which is no law. “
Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi and Toro Local Government Areas were badly hit by the bird flu. Avian Influenza (bird flu) outbreak He, however, called on poultry Two Fake Military Officers Nabbed in Delta has killed no fewer than 50,000 farmers to adhere strictly to Sylvester Idowu in Warri last week in a hotel in Effurun operatives in conjunction with camouflage uniforms; six T-shirts; birds in Bauchi State, as 27,000 of the guidelines on marketing, with military uniforms and other military personnel arrested them.” jungle caps; one T-shirt and one them were deliberately slaughtered movement of poultry products, The operatives of the Delta State accessories. The arrest of the suspects was singlet, all of military camouflage by poultry farmers to prevent the general hygiene, consumption of Police Command have arrested A security source said: “The confirmed by the Delta State Police were recovered. spread of the disease in the state. wholesome poultry and poultry two persons, including a woman, suspects with the camouflage Public Relations Officer (PPRO), “The lady suspect confessed The state Commissioner products. for allegedly parading themselves uniforms had lodged at Beji DSP. Bright Edafe, who said that that she bought the said uniform for Agriculture and Rural Burga said seven states, as military officers. Court Hotel in Bendel Estate, Jemilia hailed from Plateau State in the market and used it to earn Development, Sama’ila Adamu including Bauchi, are suffering The suspects, Ms. Jemilia Off Airport Road, Effurun, while Monagor is from Ndokwa a living. Investigation is ongoing,” Burga, who made this known to from the disease from January Suleiman, (48) and Mr. Monagor Uvwie Local Government Area in Delta State. Edafe added. journalists yesterday, said Bauchi this year to date. Charles (61), were apprehended of the state where surveillance Edafe said that 10 pairs of army 46 MONDAY MAY 10, 2021 ˾THISDAY 24 HOURS... 24 HOURS... Insecurity: South-west Speakers Urge Govs to Strengthen Forest Rangers, Buy Drones, Choppers The speakers of the states’ houses to fight the growing insecurity Ibadan, Oyo State, the speakers to take more proactive steps to aerial surveillance of the entire be strengthened to give room for of assembly in the South-West in the area. also asked the governors to urgently restore peace to the region. the recruitment of able-bodied states have asked governors in the In a communiqué issued after empower forest rangers in troubled spots as well as the “They should adequately unemployed youths, as this will geopolitical zone to jointly acquire their meeting, which was signed their states to begin aggressive entire country. It is also imperative empower the forest rangers help in surveillance, information security drones and helicopters by the Chairman of the conference, combing of forests to dislodge that government should mete out in their states to embark on and intelligence gathering. for surveillance purposes in order Hon. Bamidele Oloyelooun, in criminals occupying the areas and appropriate sanctions and send aggressive patrol of the forest “The present Nigeria police are perpetrating criminal activities strong warning to people behind areas. This step will no doubt doing their best in securing from there. the various dastardly acts. change the security architecture the nation, but the Conference Suspended FUOYE “The efforts of the state “The forum noted further and of the South-West states. insists on the establishment governments in the region in advocated that the governors of “The laws establishing the of state police to complement Bursar Accuses School of addressing the security challenges the South-West states should come Western Nigeria Security Network the efforts of the security are yielding positive results, while together to procure drones and (Amotekun Corps) as passed by agencies,” the communiqué Harassment, Humiliation calling on the Federal Government at least three helicopters for the the Houses of Assembly should explained. Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Media Matters to the Vice Chancellor, Wole Balogun, Few days after the Registrar denied the allegation, saying all of the Federal University Oye the security men deployed were Ekiti (FUOYE), Mr. Olatunbosun at the gate and could not have Odusanya, was sacked, the prevented anyone from entering Bursar of the institution, Mrs. her office. Bolatito Akande, has accused the Addressing journalists management of the university of yesterday, Akande explained allegedly chasing and harassing that the personal assistant to the her with security agencies after vice-chancellor sent a message being ‘illegally’ suspended. to her last week inundating her Akande, who was until May 7, of a petition written by the Joint 2021, the bursar of the university, Action Committee against her, regretted how the security agents and that a panel has been set up deployed by the school Vice by the management to probe all Chancellor, Prof Abayomi Fashina, the allegations raised. had last Thursday prevented her Akande said she found it from entering her office ‘despite demeaning, humiliating not being found culpable of any and dehumanising that she offence’. was harassed by security Odusanya, who was the agencies while trying to immediate-past registrar, was last gain access to her office ALL EYES ON MINES… week sacked by the Governing last Thursday, saying such L-R: Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals, Mr. Charles Udoh; Minister of State for Mines and Steel Council of the university over brigandage shouldn’t exist Development, Mr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah; and the Managing Director of ALSCON, Mr. Zavalov Dmitry, during the minister’s tour of alleged gross misconduct. in any higher institution the ALSCON facilities in Ikot-Abasi, Akwa Ibom State…weekend KASIM SUMAINA But the Special Adviser on of learning. Gbajabiamila Condemns Violence against Policemen Ekiti Receives 40,000 Doses Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja the National Institute for Policy is that all lives matter. For you to the police and the IG to let us of COVID-19 Vaccines Studies, Jabi, Abuja, said Nigeria do your job well, you must be know where we can come in The Speaker of the House of could not afford to be losing police properly equipped. I would like as legislators.” Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti quality and accessible health-care Representatives, Hon. Femi personnel in a war they were not to say on behalf of the Speaker, Also speaking at the for our people. Gbajabiamila, weekend fully equipped to contain. Femi Gbajabiamila; Chairman event, the Senate Committee Ekiti State Government has taken “The state would leave no condemned the growing violence He also said one of the major of the House Committee on Chairman on Police Affairs, delivery of another 40,000 doses stone unturned towards ensuring unleashed against personnel of challenges facing the Nigeria Police Affairs and the House Senator Haliru Jika, who of AstraZeneca vaccines from the that people in the state are aptly the Nigerian Police by criminal Police in the current insecurity of Representatives that we will represented President of the National Primary Health Care vaccinated against COVID-19. elements and called for adequate bedevilling the country was lack of always be ready to support Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, Development Agency (NPHCDA). “I advise residents of the state to funding for the security agency adequate and modern equipment you. tasked the graduating officers In a statement made available take advantage of the government in order to tackle insecurity. to prosecute the war. “If people are not well “to know that their opinions to journalists in Ado Ekiti, gesture to get vaccinated, because The Speaker, who was According to him, “We all know equipped, there is no way you and interpretations matter, though yesterday, the state Commissioner getting immunised remained the represented by Hon. Lynda that right now in Nigeria is not the can send them out there to go what matters most is the action for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, most effective way to check the Ikpeazu at the inauguration of best of times for us. There are lots and fight and be killed. So, it they take to make the world a said the delivery of the second virus. Course 2 Participants 2021 of of security challenges. My point becomes the responsibility of safer place”. consignment of the 40,000 doses of “I also appeal to the people COVID-19 vaccines would enable to continue adhering to required the state to continue inoculating public health and social measures its residents against the virus. outlined by the government to Nigeria will Remain One Despite Challenges, Says Na’Allah The commissioner said the curtail the spread of the virus. consignment would be deployed “It is still necessary and Deji Elumoye in Abuja Committee on Air Force, who every responsible Nigerian should the involvement of the citizens in the 16 local government areas sacrosanct to wear facemask spoke at the weekend with understand this and kowtow to in the fight against insecurity, saying: of the state to give those at the in public gatherings, maintain A member of the National journalists after a visit to President it as well as make sure that he “Every responsible individual in this hinterlands to have access. hand hygiene through proper Assembly, Senator Balla Ibn Muhammadu Buhari at the State gives his or her own contribution country has a responsibility to key He noted that “52,960 doses hand washing, use of alcohol Na’Allah, has stressed that House in Abuja, emphasised that to ensure that we have a very into this trying moment because of the vaccines earlier delivered based sanitizers and social despite myriad of problems facing what was binding the country formidable and resilient country, we all must have a country first to the state were duly utilised. distancing even after receiving Nigeria, the country will remain together was far greater than the where we can at least begin to before we begin to talk about our We are committed to providing the vaccines.” one indivisible entity. one that can divide it love one another, do justice to differences or whatever our concerns He also canvassed for the “Whether anybody likes it or ourselves, and build a society that are that are private.” support of the citizenry towards not, the truth is that this country every citizen of this country will He added that the people who Aisha Buhari Donates Food government’s efforts to fight will remain one because the factors be proud of, and that is a collective see Nigeria as a country worth living security challenges facing the that bring the country together responsibility,” the lawmaker said. in should equally accept the fact Items to IDPs in Niger country. are stronger than the ones that Na’Allah, a former deputy that a country worth living in is The chairman of the Senate seek to divide it, and I think that Senate leader, canvassed for a country worth dying for. Laleye Dipo in Minna Ahmed Inga, at the Gwada IDP camps. The wife of President In a brief remark, Inga FG to Connect ALSCON Plant to National Grid Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha, appreciated the gesture of the yesterday donated some food first lady, saying the donations Kasim Sumaina in Abuja This was disclosed by the great economic potential that plant is up and running. items to the Internally Displaced will go a long way to ameliorate Minister of State for Mines would benefit not just Nigeria The minister called on Persons (IDPs) in Gwada town the sufferings of the IDPs. President Muhammadu Buhari and Steel Development, Dr. but Africa. stakeholders and operators to of Niger State. Inga, who said the materials has approved the supply of Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, Ogah, in a statement that was ensure they always obtain the The items donated included would be distributed judiciously, power to the the Aluminum during his extensive tour of the issued yesterday by the Director relevant licences and pay due 1,000 bags of 5kg bags of rice; recalled that the Niger State Smelter Company of Nigeria ALSCON facility in Ikot-Abasi, of Press, Ministry of Mines and royalties to the Federation Account 1,000 packaged food items; 150 Government had also recently (ALSCON) as a demonstration Akwa Ibom. Steel Development, Mrs. Etore in order to enable government cartons of noodles among others. donated some food and non- of his administration’s resolve Ogah stated that the Federal Thomas, stated that the company meet its obligations to the citizens. The wife of the Governor food items to the IDPs. to resuscitate the company and Executive Council (FEC) described could employ about two thousand Ogah noted that the mineral of Niger State, Dr. Amina Sani He solicited more support return it to full production capacity. the approval to connect the Nigerians when it began full resources in the state could create Bello, handed over the items to from public-spirited The move, according to Buhari, company to the national grid as a operations. wealth for the people of Akwa the Director-General of the Niger individuals and organisations is to ensure that the nation’s sign that Buhari’s administration He added that the federal Ibom if the operators would be State Emergency Management to enable the IDPs live near- economy is revamped through is committed to ensuring that the government would provide all willing to work together and Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Ibrahim normal lives the mineral and metals sector. ALSCON is functional due to its necessary support to see that the synergise. ˜˜ͺͺ˾THISDAY 47
Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email [email protected] MONDAYSPORTS 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY D’banj Appointed Nigeria’s Captain to FIA Motorsports Games in France Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja He also added that his reinforce its support to the whether organised by the FIA aspiration for Nigeria to be On his part, Aliyu who involvement in motorsport would development of motorsport or affiliate clubs, except where represented on the global stage described racing as a Musical icon Mr Oladapo Daniel ensure that the sport receives in Nigeria, FIA has appointed it is for individuals. one is coming to fruition. magnificent sport said the Oyebanjo, better known with positive vibes, right exposure, Emirates Motorsport In his keynote address, the He expressed optimism that unveiling is a milestone for stage name, D’banj has been funding and required investment. Organization (EMSO) as the Deputy Governor of Zamfara Team Nigeria will do well in motorsport and the youth of appointed the team captain Bamaiyi said that Dbanj regional training provider to State, Aliyu Gusau, described international competitions the country. and spokesman for Nigeria to ticked all the requirements set train Nigerians. He added the appointment of D’banj as and urged the management He challenged the youth to the 2021 FIA Motorsport Games by Federation International de that the Festival of Motorsport team captain as merited. of ATCN to partner with use motorsport to showcase in Marseille, France. I’Automobile (FIA) as he is a will be the platform to train Gusau, a former winner of the federal government and the potential of Nigeria as a The President of the motorsport enthusiast, an icon Nigerians and prepare them 2014 Motor Treasure Hunt the corporate world for best country that is relevant on the Automobile and Touring Club of and a popular figure in the for international competitions expressed delight that the outings. global stage. Nigeria (ATCN), Ishaku Bamaiyi, country. announced the appointment over He noted that the inaugural the weekend at the unveiling Festival of Motorsport, which of the FIA sanctioned Racing holds in Abuja from June 16 to 19 Nigeria Motorsport Games in 2021, will serve as the qualifying Abuja. series for the FIA Motorsport The unveiling was attended Games to give everyone the by the Deputy Governor of opportunity to try out his/her Zamfara State, Madi Aliyu skills. Gusau and the Director-General He listed the disciplines National Automotive Design and that will be competed for at Development Council (NADDC), the Festival billed for Baze Jelani Aliyu. University and Central Park, D’banj expressed excitement Abuja to include Karting (junior for the opportunity to lead and senior), Karting endurance, the Nigerian team. He said Karting Slalom, Auto Slalom, motorsport would provide a Digital Games, Drifting and massive opportunity for the Rally 2. Nigerian youth to be engaged. According to Bamaiyi, to NPFL: Akwa Utd Leapfrog Kwara Utd to Summit Akwa United stepped up to the oriental derby. top of the Nigerian Professional Both goals came from the spot Football League (NPFL)table in with Christian Nnaji scoring the place of Kwara United yesterday first in the 57th minute and Elijah as the Ilorin team dropped to Ani converting the second on 90 third spot. minutes. Both Akwa United and Kano Heartland recorded the only Mr Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo (D’banj) (left) and the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Madi Aliyu Gusau at the unveiling ....over the Pillars are a point ahead of Kwara away win of the day with Kingsley weekend United but the former have goal Maduforo scoring the winning goal difference in their favour. in the 1-0 victory at Adamawa Rivers United are fourth, while United. Rangers topple Enyimba at fifth; In Port Harcourt, Sunday Adetunji Oshoala Joins Barca Femeni to the People’s Elephant stepping scored for the second consecutive down to seventh. game as Rivers United beat Dakkada Warri Wolves move out of the 2-0. Celebrate Retaining Primera Iberdrola bottom four, replaced by Sunshine Kano Pillars missed the chance to Femi Solaja with agency report with 26 wins from 26 games, titles. 78 points, scoring 128 goals while Stars. secure top spot after they conceded a while their immediate pursuers, They now surpass Athletic only conceding five. The other occupants of the late equaliser in the 1-1 draw against With one step away from Levante, stumbled at Espanyol. Club (5) and lead the all-time They are 16 points above relegation zone are unchaged: Warri Wolves in Ozoro. becoming European Women’s The combination of results has list for the first time. second-placed Levante with Katsina United, FC IfeanyiUbah Auwalu Usman put Pillars football champion, Super Falcons’ mathematically given Barça their It was Bruna Vilamala’s against three games in hand. They are and bottom-placed Adamawa ahead two minutes before the Captain and Barçelona Femeni second consecutive title and sixth goalie Granadilla late first half also unbeaten in the league since United. hour mark, while Mark Daniel colleagues have retained the in their history (2012, 2013, 2014, that was that settled the match. February 2019. At the Nnamdi Azikwe levelled scores for Warri Wolves Primera iberdrola league title 2015, 2020 and 2021). The Catalans won last year’s Lluis Cortes’ side will meet Stadium, Enugu, Rangers from the spot four minutes from last night. This is a record-breaking title when the season was ended Chelsea in the Champions dispatched Enyimba 2-0 in an time. The UEFA Women Champions Barça team. Never before had prematurely due to the Covid-19 League final on May 16, hoping League finalists last term, won they won 26 straight games in pandemic. to win the tournament for the the title in grand style after a the championship. It has long seemed a case of if first time in their history. lone goal away win at Tenerife. Now, they have 30 (25 + 5) rather than when they were going Current ‘African Footballer Eberechi Eze Not for Although the Nigerian star across the last two seasons, to clinch the title this campaign of the year’ winner, Oshoala, player was not featured in the equalling Levante’s record after making a breathtaking start scored Barcelona’s only goal Sale, Crystal Palace’ Boss, match, her sterling performance between 2000/01 and 2001/02. and never relenting. in the 1-4 loss to Lyon in the in the season stands her out as Another mark that the Catalans They have won all 26 of their final of the tournament three Hodgson Warns one of the heroines of the season have beaten is that of most league games to lead the standings on seasons ago. Crystal Palace manager Roy On potential suitors trying to Hodgson has insisted that Eberechi prise Eze away from Selhurst Chioma Ajunwa’s Grassroots Sports Project Takes off in Lagos Eze will remain at the club in Park come the end of the season, summer. Hodgson said: “It has not really The first in the series of the participate in the talent Prince Henry Amike of the events to mark Eze has caught the eye with occurred to me as we’ve only just Chioma Ajunwa Foundation hunt programme for athletics, who is director general the 25th anniversary of a number of impressive displays signed him. grassroots sports initiative football and taekwondo. of the Chioma Ajunwa Chioma Ajunwa winning for the Eagles following his arrival “It was quite an investment for our is expected to take off “We are expecting a big Foundation. the 1996 Olympics women’s from Sky Bet Championship club to pay 15 (million pounds) and today at the Yaba College of turn out of pupils for the After Lagos, the train long jump gold. It was club Queens Park Rangers last then five (million pounds) in add-ons Technology Sports Complex event. will move to Abia, Edo, the first of it’s kind in summer. – that’s quite a big investment for us. in Lagos. “We have 35 kids from Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Africa. The 7.12m remains The midfielder scored a I wasn’t contemplating that it was Over 700 kids drawn 20 schools participating Imo and Abuja. the African and Nigeria sublime goal and provided an investment that would only last from 35 schools will in the sports drill,” said The programme is part record to date. an assist in the side’s 2-0 win one season and then he would against Sheffield United at the move somewhere else, so I hope Bramall Lane on Saturday. that is not the case. Sports Minister Charges Para- Athletes team to Be worthy “I am pretty sure the club will work very, very hard to make sure Ambassadors of the Country any interest in him will be warded off because we bought him into Minister of Youth and charge when he bade have always proved over disappoint this time by the football club to play for us Sports Development, Mr farewell to the team for the years. You must be reaching the qualification and to make us better, we didn’t Sunday Dare, has charged the Qualifiers on Sunday worthy Ambassadors of our threshold. We have done bring him into the club to make Nigeria’s Para-Athletes through the Nnamdi dear country by conducting our bit, now the ball is in some small profit on a transfer at to Notwil, Switzerland to Azikiwe International yourselves very well to your court to ensure that the end of the first season. be worthy Ambassadors Airport, Abuja. “Nigeria attain the best standards Nigeria’s flag flies high” “It is his first season since coming of the country as they is solidly behind your bid for Qualifiers. 10 Athletes will be from the Championship and you seek to qualify for the for qualification for the “Dont be distracted, seeking to qualify in expect people to need a bit of time 2020 Paralympics taking Para- Athletics event in Nigerians are solidly the Para-Athletics event to get fully adjusted to play at place in Tokyo later in Notwil, Switzerland. behind you. You have always taking place from 11th Eberechi Eze...not for sale this level, and we are delighted the year. “There is no doubt about made us proud and we are -17th May 2021 at Notwil this summer with him.” The Minister gave the your abilities which you confident thatyou will not Switzerland. T RU N Monday May 10, 2021 TH & REASO Price: N250 MISSILE Book Your Ortom to El-Rufai COVID-19 Tests & Vaccinations “El-Rufai is one of the real enemies of this country who do not hide TEXT‘COVID’ TO58123 their divisive tendencies by elevating nepotism and ethnicity above the good values that have held Nigeria together over the decades” – Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, describing his Kaduna State counterpart, Nasir El-Rufai, as one of the persons This service is provided in association with accredited service providers misleading President Buhari. ALEXOTTI OUTSIDE THE BOX [email protected] Gates, Windows and Exits “Now I understand why he called it picture. In the case of Jeff Bezos, a certain Lauren Microsoft”- An African American Lady Sanchez was alleged to be having an affair with the billionaire which contributed to the crash of omeone told me this interesting story a the marriage. Then enter the Tesla wizard Elon few years back which I cannot confi rm Musk, who has been divorced 3 times, twice from its veracity. It was several decades ago Justin who had 5 children for him. The other one that Bill Gates met this young beautiful Riley received a tidy $20m settlement from Musk. African American and immediately fell Another shocking divorce was that of the 45th inS love with her. They speak for few moments Vice President of the Unites States, the urbane and Bill invited her to a date. The young woman Al Gore and his wife Tipper who separated after was excited to meet Bill and was particularly 40 years of marriage with 4 children. enamored by his intelligence. She would want Sequel to the Bill and Melinda Gates divorce the date to happen yesterday. To her shock, Bill announcement, nothing prepared the world for proposed that the date held in a week’s time. this separation. They seemed to have deceived Well, what could she do? She agreed and on everyone in their public pronouncements, expressing the set date, she had a very good time with deep love for each other and demonstrating how Bill. Fast forward to the day that the lady was they complemented each other. In Bill’s own visiting Bill Gate’s house for the fi rst time. She words, “some people see Melinda as the heart was happy with the level of organisation and of our Foundation, the emotional core, but as she after meals, they retired to the bedroom. Not too knows, I’m more emotional than people realise, long after, the lady stormed out of the bedroom I know she’s more analytical than people realise. looking very disappointed. She was speaking to When I get really enthusiastic about something, no one in particular, but was heard saying, “now, I count on her to make sure I’m being realistic. I understand why he named it Microsoft”. That She helps me understand when I can push our was obviously years before Bill met Melinda. teams harder and when I need to ease off. On The Bill and Melinda Gates divorce saga is the her own part, Melinda had these to say “Bill is dream of comedians and satirists. In the world Bill and Melinda Gates very open-minded which isn’t necessarily how of divorce, nothing can top this unless maybe people perceive him. I love Bill because he has when it involves the Royal House of Windsor. of wealth and fame. For years now, he has communicable diseases around the world and a kind heart, listens to other people, and lets They haven’t disappointed as they have walked been listed as one of the wealthiest people in supported access to vaccines to the poor in Africa himself be moved by what they say. When I all over the matter lampooning poor Bill and the world. His net worth is put at over $145b. and elsewhere. One of its major goals is to provide tell a story about what I have seen, he feels it. Melinda from all angles. It is the price of fame Besides Microsoft, he was a major investor in 120m women and girls, particularly in poor nations He might ask me to gather some data for good and fortune and I believe that they knew from Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway where he with contraceptive services. Bill Gates believes measure, but he doesn’t doubt the reality of my day one that it goes with the territory. sat on the board until 2014, amongst a lot of strongly in population control and this has attracted experiences or the soundness of my judgement.” William Henry Gates III was born on October 28, other investments. His leadership style is said criticisms from pundits who have associated him These statements were made barely three years 1955 in Seattle, Washington. As a child, he started to be combative, and he is also said to have a with all sorts of conspiracy theories, particularly ago. Just last year, Bill posted a message on his showing signs of a genius such that he wrote his caustic tongue, particularly with non-performers. with the outbreak of Covid-19. In 2010, Bill Gates Instagram to the effect that he couldn’t ask for fi rst software program at the age of 13, when he Melinda Ann Gates, nee French, was born on and Warren Buffet set up “The Giving Pledge” a better partner on this journey of life and on was in Preparatory School. He was so brilliant that August 15, 1964 in Dallas Texas. Like Bill, she where they and other billionaires pledge to give their 26th wedding anniversary, Melinda had he provided technology solutions for his school was a very brilliant student. At age 14, she had out no less than 50% of their wealth to charity. At posted “I’m still marveling at just how full a even at that tender age. He became a National already been introduced to computing by her the last count, more than 170 billionaires around heart can get. Happy anniversary to the man Merit Scholar and graduated from high school in father. She was on top of her class at St. Monica the world have signed up to the pledge. who keeps me dancing through life.” 1973. He emerged with almost a perfect score in Catholic School and was best graduating student On Monday, May 3, 2021, the world woke One theory is that the lockdown following Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) garnering 1590 out and Valedictorian in her high school at Ursuline up to a shocking divorce announcement from the pandemic, which had most people holed up of the possible 1600 marks and was expectedly Academy, Dallas in 1982. She proceeded to Duke this otherwise wonderful couple. I have, in the in their homes could have been responsible for admitted into Harvard University same year. Two University from where she graduated with Honours past, heard people reference Bill and Melinda this breakup. The veracity of this claim is not years later, Gates voluntarily dropped out from in Computer Science and Economics in 1986. A Gates as the ideal couple and role model. In farfetched as a lot of marriages were reported Harvard to pursue his dream of setting up a year later, she received an MBA from the same the announcement, they claimed that they no to have hit the rocks owing to the long stay of technology business. While at Harvard, he met University. She took a job as a mathematics and longer believed they could grow together as a couples together as against what it was in the and became friends with another equally brilliant computer engineering teacher from where she couple in the next phase of their lives. “After past. Couples who hardly had time to stay at student, Steve Ballmer. As Bill left Harvard, Steve joined Microsoft as a Marketing Manager in 1987. a great deal of thought and a lot of work on home suddenly had time in their hands and continued and graduated Magna Cum Laude That same year, she started dating her CEO, Bill our relationship, we have made the decision things that were hitherto ignored or were not (Second Class Honours, Upper Division). As fate Gates after meeting at a fair in New York. They to end our marriage. Over the last 27years, we observable assumed prominence. This is even would have it, Steve was to join Microsoft years got married in 1994 and two years later, she have raised three incredible children and built a truer for someone like Bill who had worked later and actually succeeded Bill Gates as CEO left Microsoft to focus on family. As if to give Foundation that works all over the world to enable round the clock for several decades and only in the year 2000. credence to the story of the African American lady all people to lead healthy, productive lives”. What took a retirement just around the outbreak of the Bill Gates founded Microsoft with his school cited above, after the overtures by Bill, he had could have gone wrong with this marriage after pandemic. Some theorists had naturally blamed friend, Paul Allen in 1975 in New Mexico, United proposed a dinner date two weeks in advance. such a long time with three grown up children? the strange woman, in this case, Ann Winblad. States. He is reputed to be one of the major brains The shocked Melinda declined the offer and Many theories are being propounded as their The story had surfaced in the media that Bill behind the microcomputer revolution of the century. requested that he asked her closer to the time! joint statement left a lot of gaps. got Melinda’s consent to spend long weekends He led Microsoft to become the largest software This pointed to how full Bill Gates’ diary had Ordinarily, divorces and break up of marriages every year with his ex-girlfriend Ms. Winblad, company in the world and stepped down as CEO always been. Their marriage is blessed with three are a daily occurrence in the Western world and 70, before they got married. This arrangement in 2000, even though he remained as Chairman children, Jennifer, 25; Rory, 21; and Phoebe, 18. should not generate the kind of interest that the as much as it sounds interesting doesn’t look until 2014. He, however, chose to support the In the year 2000, they set up what is known today Gates are generating. However, because of their like a plausible reason for the breakup as it had company by assuming the role of technology as the largest charity outfi t in the world, The Bill position and what they represent, the dust raised been in place for 27years without any issues. adviser to the company and completely retired and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Foundation by this separation and eventual divorce would The question is, why should it be an issue now? from Microsoft in March 2020 to pursue his new has spent over $50b in philanthropic work and not settle very soon. Some other divorces that had Some people have argued that the foundation interest in philanthropy on the platform of the has assets valued at about $35b. It must be noted attracted this kind of interest included those of of the relationship was faulty in the fi rst place. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. that while it is said that the charity side of the Prince Charles of England decades ago, and of Jeff The argument is that Melinda came to work at Amongst his several other inventions, one of Gates is Melinda’s passion while the ‘techy’ side Bezos and Mackenzie Scott who packed up their Microsoft and that it was fundamentally fl awed his most successful was the Windows. It was is Bill’s passion, Bill had another Foundation that marriage after 25 years and four children. This for the CEO to begin to chase around his staff fi rst released in 1985 as a graphic user interface was set up in 1994 which was rolled into the Bill divorce ended up with a 4% stake in Amazon, or for the staff to begin to chase around her software solution. He subsequently released the and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Foundation’s amounting to over $38b as divorce settlement. CEO. While this argument is in the realm of earth-shaking Windows 95, a decade later making goal initially was to provide laptops to every Mackenzie in return said she was giving up 50% morality, Melinda’s mum was one of those who Microsoft the undisputed leader in the fi eld of classroom and support education around the world. of the wealth through ‘The Giving Pledge’ to stood against the relationship in the early stages personal computing. Many other versions and Subsequently, other areas like climate change, charity. and advised her daughter to avoid the offi ce improvements were made to Windows over global health and development, became major As the French would say, ‘Cherchez la femme’ romance. They still went ahead, and the rest time, the latest being Windows 10, released in areas of focus for the Foundation. The Foundation – Always look for the woman! Somehow, there is now history. May be there is something to 2020. With his success in business came a lot has made a strong impact in the eradication of is always the story of another woman in the learn here. Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja . All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: [email protected], [email protected]. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: [email protected]