Ihekweazu Named WHO Assistant DG, Heads Global Pandemic Hub As world health body launches disease intelligence preparedness initiative Governor Uzodinma, Moghalu hail appointment Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja has been appointed Assistant takes effect from November 1, Ihekweazu would lead the work Intelligence in Berlin, which was of Nigeria, Professor Kingsley Director-General of the World 2021. on strengthening pandemic and launched yesterday. Moghalu, lauded the appoint- Director General of the Nigeria Health Organisation (WHO) A statement by WHO Director epidemic intelligence globally, Governor Hope Uzodimma of ment, calling it well-deserved. Centre for Disease Control in charge of Health Emergency General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreye- including heading the WHO Imo State and a former Deputy (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Intelligence. The appointment sus, yesterday, explained that Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Governor of the Central Bank Continued on page 10

Matawalle Imposes Curfew in 14 LGAs After Bandits Abducted Over 100 Students from Gov’s Domain... Page 8

Thursday 2 September, 2021 Vol 26. No 9642. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com T RU N TH & REASO Court Restrains Buni, Others from Parading as APC Caretaker Committee Members Halts party’s local government congress in Delta Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba and other members of the All of a substantive suit before congress scheduled for Delta APC, had approached within the party in the state. and Sylvester Idowu in Warri Progressives Congress (APC) the court. Saturday, September 4, 2021 the Court, following the July In the ex-parte motion by from acting or parading The court, presided over in Delta State. 10, 2021 controverted Ward the Claimants/Applicants, lead A High Court sitting in Asaba themselves as the National by Justice Onome Marshal APC Deputy Chairman, Congress, which many mem- counsel, Daubry Ebipade Rich- yesterday restrained Governor Caretaker Committee of the Umukoro, also put on hold, Olorogun Elvis Ayomanor, bers of the party claimed was Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State party until the determination the APC local government leading other officials of the hijacked by certain elements Continued on page 10 In Surprise Move, Buhari Rejigs Cabinet, Fires Agric, Power Ministers Redeploys two others Abubakar replaces Nanono, Aliyu replaces Mamman Says changes part of his government's ‘tradition of subjecting projects and programmes implementation to independent, critical self-review’ Don’t use sacked ministers as cover up for your failure, PDP tells president Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos For the first time in the over six years old administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, a minor cabinet reshuffle was effected yesterday, with two ministers losing their jobs and two others redeployed. Those sacked were Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Sabo Nanono, and Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman. Minister of Environment, Continued on page 10 Ahmed: NSIA Assets Grew by 250% to $3.5bn BOARD OF NSIA INAUGURATED... in Six Years...Page 5 L-R: Non-Executive Board Chairman, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Farouk Gumel; Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika; Chief Executive Officer, NSIA, Uche Orji and Board Member, NSIA, Babatunde Sobamowo, at the board's inauguration during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja...yesterday PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI 2 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • THISDAY THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • THISDAY 3 4 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • THISDAY THURSDAY, 

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Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: [email protected], 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322 NEWS Ahmed: NSIA Assets Grew by 250% to $3.5bn in Six Years Buhari inaugurates new board, charges members on increased investment Deji Elumoye in Abuja cies and framework to ensure happens, whether you are ready and, indeed, all Nigerians will Buhari stated. best of their abilities to oversee that the mission of the institution for it or not. As representatives of be unflinching in their support He added, “The new Board the affairs of the authority on The Minister of Finance, Budget is delivered in a transparent, the federation, you are required to for you." we assembled has a crop of behalf of the nation over the and National Planning, Zainab sustainable and inclusive manner." continue to drive the performance The president recalled that the seasoned, eminently qualified, last four years.” Ahmed, has revealed that the Speaking while inaugurating the of the authority to deliver benefits NSIA, which is one of Nigeria’s and experienced professionals. The president stressed that the assets of the Nigeria Sovereign nine-man board, Buhari reaffirmed to all Nigerians. premier economic institutions, We expect these individuals to immediate past board guided the Investment Authority (NSIA) his administration’s commitment “You must bear in mind that was conceived to be a store of bring their wealth of experience to organisation through a critical increased from $1 billion in to implementing long-term projects the National Economic Council, wealth that might be drawn upon bear, in the next phase of NSIA’s stage of its existence and left it 2015, to $3.5 billion in 2021. This and programmes that create jobs your Governing Council, and in times of economic challenge, journey.” standing as a credible world- was as President Muhammadu for Nigerians. Nigerians as a whole will hold thereby encouraging external Buhari also appreciated the class institution that turned out Buhari charged the new board The new board members are you accountable for this mandate. investors and lenders. last Board of Directors whose consistently good results. of the authority to make more Farouk Mohammed Gumel Periodically, you will be required He expressed delight that so tenure ended in May 2021. According to him, "This investments to boost the country's (North-west), Non-Executive to provide evidence of your far the institution had discharged Acknowledging their administration took the very economic diversification drive. Chairman; Ike Chioke (South- stewardship at the Governing its mandate dutifully. commitment, dedication and difficult decision to invest for Zainab spoke yesterday at the east), Non-Executive Director; Council Meetings where your "This is why we prioritised the contributions to the implemen- the long term. We avoided taking inauguration of the third board Babatunde Sobamowo (South- performance will be assessed. appointment of a new Board to tation of the objectives of the short cuts, knowing very well of NSIA at the State House, west), Non-Executive Director; “The bar before you is very ensure that the Authority does authority, the president said, that the full impact of most of Abuja. She said from a base Isiekwena Ikemefuna Louis high and all of us are counting not lose steam and can continue “This distinguished group of the projects we started will only position of $1billion, when the (South-south), Non-Executive on you to deliver. If you do, I to benefit from the oversight it patriotic Nigerians heeded the be felt long after we have left Buhari administration assumed Director; Ali Goni Kadugum assure you that government needs to deliver on its mandate,” call to serve and deployed the office.” office in 2015, the NSIA now had (North-east), Non-Executive about $3.5billion in assets. Director; and Oniyangi Kabir The minister explained that Sulaiman (North-central), Non- the board would, on behalf of Executive Director the Nigerian people, guide and Buhari stated that the full oversee the NSIA management’s impact of most of the strategic activities towards delivering projects started on his watch outcomes that would transform would only be felt long after the fortunes of the country. he had left office. The president She stated, "Using the NSIA described the appointment of the Act as its guide, the Board will be board as a call to duty, action and required to superintend initiatives performance, adding that they are that meet the current and future eminently qualified for the job. needs of Nigerians. He said, "This government “On our part as a government, operates on the agenda for we will continue to support the long-term change, which we authority with the necessary poli- all agree is inevitable. Change Labour Threatens Industrial Action to Halt Electricity Tariff Hike Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Tariff agreed to freeze further increases in electricity tariff until Organised labour, under the aegis the committee concludes its work of the Nigeria Labour Congress and its report adopted by all the (NLC), has warned that it would principals in the committee. embark on an industrial action if "It is in light of this that we the speculation about an increase dismiss the on-going speculation in electricity tariff becomes a on increase in electricity tariff as reality. mere speculations. We, however, NLC stated this in a letter find it prudent to put you on titled, "Notice on Speculations notice that should government on increase in Electricity Tariff," make true the swirling speculation signed by its president, Ayuba by approving an increase in Wabba. electricity tariff, oganised labour The current electricity tariff would be left with no option IHEKWEAZU GOES GLOBAL... charged for residential areas in than to deploy the industrial Director General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu (left) and President Muhammadu Buhari, when the NCDC boss both Abuja and Lagos ranges mechanisms granted in our laws visited the President to brief him about his appointment as the Assistant Director General of WHO in charge of Pandemic and Epidemic Response from N36 to N47.09 per kilowatt. for the defense of workers’ rights." The federal government Hub in Berlin, Germany…recently. approved the last increase in electricity tariff in January 2021 following complaints by the operators of the distribution FG Okays N86.6bn Projects for Aviation, Works Ministries companies that low tariff was adversely affecting their business. However, there have been Approves national policy on IDPs Fashola harps on road maintenance contingency fund speculations that the Nigeria Deji Elumoye in Abuja presented the memorandum for He said: “Okay, first of all, from days. So, again, it's a work Also briefing, Special Adviser Electricity Regulatory Commission the completion of the dualisation it's important for us to have a in progress. to the President on Media, Femi (NERC) was planning to grant The federal government has of the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene common understanding of the “We're still challenged by Adesina, who stood in for Avia- fresh approvals for an increase approved the execution of N86.6 road. And this is in relation to area, that is the rain forest area resources. What we can mobilise tion Minister, Hadi Sirika , stated in tariff by commencing the billion worth of contracts in the the section from Oku Iboku of Nigeria, mangrove areas, very there when you look at the that the Ministry of Aviation processes for the Minor Review ministries of Aviation as well as Power Plant to Abak of about high water table and rains in contract amounts is about N54 brought the memo for award of of the Multi-Year Tariff Order Works and Housing. 26 kilometre stretch. seven, eight months of the year. billion, as you rightly pointed contracts for the Murtala Moham- (MYTO-2020). It also approved the draft “Council approved the award “So, when we awarded the out, we have about N4 billion, med International Airport, Lagos; According to reports, NERC national policy on Internally to Messers Sematech Nigeria first section, from Odukpani-Itu N5 billion in the Suku. And if Nnamdi Azikiwe International is considering the inflationary Displaced Persons (IDPs) just as Limited for N79.649 billion to to Julius Berger in 2016, they you look at this year's budget Airport, Abuja; Aminu Kano pressure, foreign exchange, gas the Works and Housing Minister, be executed over 16 months. could not move to site because for the whole area, the amount International Airport, Kano; prices and available generation Babatunde Fashola yesterday So, this will help complete the of the limited budgetary requisi- approved by parliament was and Katsina Airport in Katsina. capacity as part of the reasons canvassed for the setting up of dualisation gaps between the one tions. N100 million. He said for Lagos, it was for for the proposal tariff hike. road maintenance contingency awarded to Julius Berger and “So, that slowed down work in “So, again, we're hoping that the expansion of terminal building However, there have been fund to cater for the repairs of the section awarded to CCECC. that area and they didn't move to we can fund this one, because at domestic terminal GAT at negotiations between the federal federal highways across the “When this is done, motorists site until 2018. And the second we've proposed it for this year’s the sum of N2,817,579,271.99. government and organised labour country. in that area will now have an section, which was from Abak to Sukuk. So, these are the challenges For the Katsina Airport, it was on modalities to use in arriving The Federal Executive Council option of the dual carriageway Ikot Ikot Ekpene was awarded that we face. for the expansion of the Katsina at a tariff mechanism acceptable (FEC) gave the approvals at its instead of the existing single in last year, February 2020. We We mobilised the contractors. Airport Apron, awarded at to both parties. Wednesday's weekly meeting carriageway. have had to mobilise some Suku Now is to keep them resourced N527,353,693.12. In the letter, NLC dismissed presided over by President “And this is in recognition resources to the area. and financed so that they can do According to him, there were reports of an on-going plan to Muhammadu Buhari at the of the heavy cargo that passes “Sometimes last year, you the work, especially during the also the expansion of Lagos increase electricity tariff as mere State House, Abuja. through that area from the South- might recall that I was there forthcoming dry season.” Cargo Apron Area awarded at speculation. Fashola, who briefed news- south through to the North visiting with the governor, I He added: “So, when you see N1,982,943,242.81, expansion of The letter read, "We wish men after the FEC meeting, central, Benue through Katsina actually went twice and we the Minister of Finance, talking Abuja Domestic Apron Area at to draw your attention to the said Council approved for the Ala through to the South east focused first on the link road about the deficit that needs to N795,976,947.94 and the expan- wave of speculation, especially Ministry of Works and Housing, to Abia. It is a very important from Alese Ugep area because be financed by borrowing, this sion of Kano Apron Area at as widely reported in the media, contract for the dualisation of the trade link for the country.” that was a very big bad one, that is what is largely deployed to. N1,059,120,234.37. that there are fresh plans to grant Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene road Part of the road project had one use to take like, three, four But it’s just not enough because On her part, Minister of approval to Electricity Distribution at the cost of N79.649 billion. in 2020 been awarded at the days to traverse a 70 kilometer almost all of what was left undone Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Companies to hike electricity tariff. He explained that the contract N54 billion. road. for about two decades, we've Management, Social Develop- "We write to remind the was for the section from Oku Giving an update on the 2020 “Now, we have that under inherited it, and we ask for the ment, Sadiya Farouk, said the minister that organised labour Iboku Power Plant to Abak of contract award for the same control, resolved, motorable in job and we commit to doing it.” council approved a memo for on September 28, 2020 through about 26 kilometre stretch. project, Fashola regretted that the first phase to Odukpani. Fashola blamed the collapsed the approval of the draft national the federal government-organised According to him: “The there had been paucity fund That has reduced the journey of a section of the Lokoja-Kabba policy on internally displaced labour committee on Electricity Ministry of Works and Housing to implement the project. time there to less than two hours, road on natural causes. persons in Nigeria. 6 THURSDAY, 

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WE FEEL YOUR GRIEF... L-R: Senator Adamu Aliero; Senator Abdullahi Adamu; Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Senator Ibn Na’Allah during a condolence visit to the latter in Kaduna over the death of his son, Abdulkareem Na’Allah, who was killed by unidentified criminals... recently. Crisis Looms Over Planned Recall of 11 DPR Deputy Directors Action capable of destabilising Nigeria’s oil sector regulator Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja retirement from service was upon In addition, the rules may and authority given to proceed. It was learnt that except for the way for realignment of the attainment of 60 years of age be applied in instances where “The HoS directive questions one of the affected staff, all the job functions, creation of new The gains recorded by the or 35 years of service. fraud or dishonesty and disloyalty the power of Mr President/ 10 other retirees had duly signed strategic business units, as well Department of Petroleum The Head of Service (HoS) was through divulging official secret Minister of Petroleum Resources for and collected their terminal as promotion of deserving staff Resources (DPR) as the regulator alleged to have investigated the or classified documents at the to authorise the reorganisation benefits worth over N2 billion to various positions. of the oil and gas sector may be matter, prompting the decision detriment of the organisation, is of the department to reflect the since April 2021. According to the DPR, the wiped out soon if the move to to recall them to the oil and found to be true. aspirations of the petroleum In addition, four of those reorganisation had brought a recall some directors who were gas sector regulatory agency, a THISDAY further learnt that industry, which is unprecedented. already laid off were said to be new lease of life to the affairs recently retired by the agency is situation that is causing tension in a substantive director of the “The affected staff in addition among the five claimants in the of the agency given the successes not handled properly, THISDAY the important government agency. organisation was empowered to resorting to superior influence deposition at the NICN, Abuja, recorded in the oil and gas learnt yesterday. But THISDAY learnt from to reorganise the structure to through the HoS also have sought seeking additional N100 million industry value chain in the It was gathered that the DPR sources in the Federal Ministry fit into the vision of the federal legal relief through the National for wrongful retirement, it was last few months, including the had been directed to recall 11 of Petroleum Resources that a government of an effective and Industrial Court of Nigeria gathered. successful conclusion of the deputy directors who were asked crisis might ensue if the directive efficient industry regulator. (NICN), thereby effectively In a statement on Monday, DPR marginal field bid round award to proceed on retirement in March takes effect, as offices of the While the reorganisation suing Mr President who is the said the restructuring process and inauguration of the National this year, after a petition by the retired staff are now occupied was usually done with the substantive Minister of Petroleum necessitated the retirement of Oil and Gas Excellence Centre affected directors. by others who have moved up the exigencies of the job and set Resources.” the management staff to pave (NOGEC). The DPR had in what it termed: ladder and may sour the smooth goals for achieving the corporate “Reorganisation of the Department relationship between the unions mission and vision, the source of Petroleum Resources-Retirement and the management. noted that the movement or from Service,” retired some top A source, who spoke on the redeployment of staff was usually NDA: Army Chief Vows to Track management staff, including Dr. condition of anonymity, stressed carried out as the need arises M.M. Zagi, Sani Hassan, A.Buba, that the position of the affected to achieve set goals, including E.Amadasu, A.R. Shakur U.B. staff that they had not reached the the retirement of staff that fall Down Killers of Military Officers Nkanda, M.A. Alaku, A.E. Antaih, age of retirement was untenable short of expectations. Bassey Nkanga, Isa Tafida, and since with or without attaining He stated, “Approval for such J.M Ajewole. the statutory retirement criteria, reorganisation was duly obtained Security forces intensify search for abducted personnel The affected directors were said the appointment of staff found from the president, who is also the Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja killers of military officers at Command, and heads of other to have sought the intervention of liable under Section 18.10.6 (Vi Minister of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Defence Academy security agencies in Kaduna the authorities in a March 30, 2021 & Viii) Corporate Policy and which was conveyed via a letter The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. (NDA). Yahaya said the State in the ongoing efforts to petition, and called for rescind of Procedure Guide (CPPG) may from the Chief of Staff (CoS) to the Gen. Faruk Yahaya, yesterday security agencies had launched ensure the safe return of the the decision. They argued that be terminated. President to the Minister of State, vowed to track down the a manhunt for the abductors abducted officer. He assured of the military personnel. the academy that the Nigerian Some unknown gunmen Army would also provide the recently breached the security it with additional operational of the military institution and enablers to further enhance MMA2 Driver Turns in Bag Containing killed two military officers and the security of the institution. abducted one other. The COAS appealed to Speaking during a visit to the staff of the academy to Money, Jewellery worth Millions of Naira the institution, Yahaya said the remain loyal to the country Chinedu Eze "About 1510hrs of 30th August one eyeglasses in a yellow bag, MMA2 instructed his protocol perpetrators of the act would and not allow the unfortunate 2021, a black bag that was pieces of jewellery in two golden officer to collect the bag on his be brought to book. incident to deter them from A bag containing bundles of forgotten inside a Coaster bus, purses, four bank cheques, eye behalf. A statement by the Nigerian their ultimate objective of local and foreign currencies, used for conveying passengers drop, envelopes of different “The owner of the bag initiated Defence Academy said the grooming officer cadets for jewelry and other valuables at the airside, with the number sizes, bundle of the Business a video conversation with army chief "vowed that no the Armed Forces of Nigeria. worth millions of naira that was plate BDG 689 GW, was picked cards belonging to the owner Adelakun (Security Supervisor) matter how long it takes, the Yahaya enjoined officers, forgotten inside one of the buses up by the driver of the bus, Mr. of the bag (names withheld), an affirming the identity of the perpetrators of this heinous act soldiers and civilian staff for conveying passengers at the Emmanuel Eluu and brought to identification card and a Samsung protocol officer and thanked would be brought to justice". in the academy to remain Airside of Murtala Muhammed the Aviation Security (AVSEC) Note 20 Ultra. the management and staff of It said the COAS visited the vigilant because the fight Airport, Lagos, Terminal Two Airside Supervisor, Mr. Taiwo Mumuni added, “The items MMA2 for the honesty and academy to get a first-hand against insecurity must be a (MMA2), has been returned Adelakun. were kept in security custody by professionalism displayed by brief on the incident and collective effort. to the owner by Bi-Courtney “Eluu was accompanied Adelakun as instructed by the them.” to commiserate with the The army chief vowed Aviation Services Limited (BASL), by Gbadamosi Olasunkami AVSEC Manager, Mr. Okeowo Mumuni recalled that an Commandant of NDA, Maj that no matter how long it operators of the terminal. (Operations, Airside Supervisor) Olatunbosun and confirmed by AVSEC staff of MMA2 had in Gen. IM Yusuf, and the NDA might take, perpetrators of the The Group Corporate Affairs and Oluwole Alonge (Operations, Gbadamosi Olasunkanmi.” April found the sum of N2.3 community. heinous act would be brought Manager of BASL, Mikail Airside Head of Shift) to ascertain He said the bag owner million misplaced by an Uyo- He reassured the to justice. Mumuni, disclosed this in a what was kept in the bag and was contacted by the security bound passenger on Ibom Airline, commandant and staff of He urged the commandant statement. Mumuni explained that for safe keep.” supervisor on the instruction and the money was returned to the academy of the Nigerian not to be deterred, but remain the bag belonged to a prominent The BASL spokesman added of the AVSEC Manager based him. Army’s support and solidarity focused on the good job he Nigerian (names withheld) who that items found in the bag on the phone number on the "All these actions are consistent in the fight against insecurity. was doing in the academy. boarded an Arik Air flight from were: $20,000 in two bundles; business card. Upon arrival at with MMA2’s position of He further commended the The COAS also undertook MMA2 to Port Harcourt, Rivers N500,000 in five bundles; nine his destination (Port Harcourt), delivering the best services in Commandant, NDA, the GOC an on-the-spot assessment of State on August 30, 2021. wristwatches in black and yellow the owner of the bag who had the Nigerian Aviation Industry," 1 Division, the Air Officer the scene of the incident before According to the statement, pouches, a bead in a yellow bag, boarded an Arik Air flight from he added. Commanding Air Training departing the institution. THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • THISDAY 7 8 THURSDAY, 

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MORE HOUSES FOR ALL... L:R Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr. Babangida Hussaini; Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN, and Managing Director/CEO, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Senator Gbenga Ashafa, during an inspection tour of the 764-Units of the Federal Housing Authority Residential Layouts (Abuja Mass Housing Scheme) in Zuba, Abuja... on Tuesday Matawalle Imposes Curfew in 14 LGAs After Bandits Abducted Over 100 Students from Gov’s Domain Shuts down primary, secondary schools Police confirm 73 kidnapped, commence rescue operations Tambuwal issues executive order, places restriction on movements Francis Sardauna in Katsina and people and their properties in measure had become necessary suspension of the sale of all Sabon Birni, Shagari, Rabah Governments Areas Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto the state. in view of the incessant abduc- animals at the markets of Gada, Tambuwal, Tangaza, Tureta, The order, however, authorised But the state’s Police Com- tion of school children in the state Goronyo, Gudu, Ilela, Isa, Kebbe, Achida, Gande, Gwadabawa only essential workers, which The Zamfara State Govenor, Bello mand has later put the number In Sokoto, the Commissioner Sabon Birni, Shagari, Rabah, and Wurno Markets. included health personnel, Matawalle, has imposed curfew of abducted students at 73, as for Information, Culture and Ori- Tambuwal, Tangaza, Tureta and He explained that the order security personnel and Joumalists in all the 14 Local Government against the initial 100. entation, Isa Bajini Galadanci,said Wurno Local Governments Areas. prohibited the operation of com- as those, who could use tricycles Areas of the state, following the In a different statement by Tambuwal, in the exercise of The commissioner explained mercial tricycles and motorcycles and motorcycles beyond the abduction of over 100 students the public relations officer, a powers conferred upon him by that as part of the measure to from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am in the banned periods. of Government Day Secondary Superintendent of Police, Muham- subsection (2) of Section 176 of contain insecurity in the state, the state capital, and 6:00 p.m 6:00 Tambuwal urged the people School in Kaya, Maradun Local mad Shehu, said the Command the Constitution of the Federal governor has equally approved a.m in Gada, Goronyo, Gudu, of Sokoto to adhere to the Government Area, the governor’s has deployed search and rescue Republic of Nigeria 1999, issued the prohibition of transportation Gwadabawa, Illela, Isa, Kebbe, provisions of the order, which home town. team to work with the military the order to be known as Security of cattle using trucks/lorries in Sabon Birni, Shagari, Rabah, was passed after wide consulta- The governor also ordered the and ensure the safe rescue of Challenges (Containment) Order. Gada, Goronyo, Gudu, Illela, Isa, Tambuwal, Tangaz, Tureta and tion with all stakeholders and immediate and total closure of all the abducted students He said the order took imme- Kebbe, Sabon Birni, Shagari, Ra- Wurno Local Governments Areas. constituted authorities as well primary and Secondary schools The statement appealed to diate effect yesterday, September bah Tambuwal,Tangaza, Tureta, Further to that, the statement as security and law enforcement across the State to prevent future the public, especially, parents 1, 2021 and directedimmediate and Wurno Local Governments announced the prohibition of agencies. occurrance of the incident. and relatives of the abducted and total closure of Isa Marnona Areas. the sale of petrol in jerrycans He said government had But the state police command students to exercise patience and Road to all motorists until further He said the governor has ap- at filling stations, adding that taken the measure out of the has confirmed the abduction of continue to pray for the success notice,advising travelers plying proved the prohibition of carrying only designated filling stations need to introduce additional 73 students, even as it has im- of the ongoing rescue operation. that road to go through Goronyo- three persons on motorcycles and are allowed to sell petrol and countervailing measures in the mediately commenced a search Gunmen Suspected to be Sabon Birni axis. more than three passengers in diesel of not more than N5,000.00 affected areas in order to contain and rescue operations. bandits abducted scores of Also, he prohibited lorries/ a tricycle throughout the State. to motorists in Gada, Goronyo, the banditry and mitigate the Relatedly, the Sokoto State students at Kaya Day Second- trucks or other vehicles carrying The order prohibited the sale of Gudu, Ilela, Isa, Kebbe, Sabon damages it was causing to social Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, ary School in Maradun council firewood from the forests. second-hand motorcycles at Gada, Birni, Shagari, Rabah, Tambuwal and economic activities, as well has also issued an order, restrict- area, after invading the school at Bajini further announced the Goronyo, Gudu, Ilela, Isa, Kebbe, Tangaza, Tureta and Wurno Local as to preserve peace. ing movements in certain local about 11am yesterday and took governments and areas of the the students to an undisclosed state in obvious response to the location. increasing banditry in that part A resident of Kaya, Musa of the country. Kabiru, while confirming the CBN Faults Senate's Position on Alleged The Commissioner of abduction to THISDAY in a Police in Zamfara State, CP telephone interview, said the Ayuba Elkana, who disclosed bandits stormed the school Unremitted Operational Surpluses Matawalle's directives while premises around 11:15am on addressing journalists shortly after Wednesday when school was a closed-door security meeting at in progress. Says 80% of excesses remitted yearly the Government House, said all "As soon they entered the Deji Elumoye in Abuja surpluses into the CRF as required His words: "With all due respect Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal primary and secondary schools school, they began to shoot by the Fiscal Responsibility Act. to the Senate and in particular Strategy Paper being considered in the state remained closed till sporadically and kidnapped The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) "Specifically, the Central Bank of this committee, the CBN as a by the committee. further notice. over 100 students and dozens yesterday disagreed with Senate Nigeria which has yearly budget law abiding government agency, According to him: "He who He said: "Following a security of teachers on the spot,” he said. over allegation of unremitted 80 of N2.3 trillion has not remitted had not at any time, defaulted in comes to equity must come threat, the governor has directed Another source claimed the per cent of operational surpluses any revenue from its operational the remittance of its operational with clean hands. Since you the closure of all primary and bandits, who stormed the school into the Consolidated Revenue surpluses into the Consolidated surpluses. have declared before the whole secondary schools with a view on motorcycles, started shooting Fund (CRF) since 2016. Revenue Fund within the last five "We do this on yearly basis as world that CBN has been remitting to ensure safety of citizens in sporadically to scare people away The Chairman of the Senate years." required by the Fiscal Responsibil- 80 per cent operational surpluses the state. and later abducted students and Committee on Finance, Senator But in a swift reaction, the ity Act despite the fact that the into CRF, it is necessary that we "In Gusau, the state capital, the some teachers in the said school. Adeola Olamilekan had at an Deputy Governor of CBN in CBN Act requires us, to remit see the documentary evidence as lockdown would start from 8pm The abduction is coming barely interactive session with revenue charge of Economic Policy, Dr. 75 per cent only." that would lay the controversy to to 6am, while the remaining 13 a week after students and staff generating agencies accused the Kingsley Obiora debunked the The Chairman of the committee rest. Let's have these documents local government areas would of the college of Agriculture and CBN of not remitting its opera- allegation, saying 80 per cent of the however directed the CBN to latest by 11:00am on Friday." be from 6pm to 6am”. Animal Science were released. tional surpluses within the last central bank's operational surpluses produce documentary evidence Attempt by the committee The state police chief explained The state government has also five years. have always been remitted to the of its remittances in the last five chairman to get the Director that all security personnel were rolled what it called proactive The ranking Senator in making CRF annually. years unfailingly by Friday. General of Budget Office, Mr. directed to ensure the total security measures aimed at flush- the allegation had said, "Nigeria The remittance, he explained Adeola also told the apex bank Ben Akabueze, to confirm or compliance of the governor's ing out the criminal elements wouldn't have been having was usually done in line with to produce its Audited Account dispute the claims of the CBN order, even as he called on the and restore peace in the State. problem of inadequate revenue to the provisions of the Fiscal in the last five years as well as proved abortive as Akabueze said public to remain calm and law A statement by the Director fund its annual budget if revenue Responsibility Act and not that its position paper on monetary verification to that effect would abiding as well as support the of Press to the governor, Yusuf generating agencies, were remitting of the CBN Act which stipulates policy point of view on the 2022 be determined by an ongoing security in their bid to protect Idris Gusau, also stated that the 80 per cent of their operational 75 per cent remittance. - 2024 Medium Term Expenditure process. THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • THISDAY 9 10 THURSDAY, 

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THISDAY TEN

IN SURPRISE MOVE, BUHARI REJIGS CABINET, FIRES AGRIC, POWER MINISTERS Mohammed Abubakar, was rede- to speed on the accomplishments, wish them the best in all future block in the system. The president to tame inflation. Federation and Minister of Justice, ployed to Ministry of Agriculture challenges and lessons drawn endeavours. told him to set up a board for Abubakar Malami; Minister of and Rural Development, while from my first term in office and "Finally, I wish to reiterate once the Transmission Commission PDP Tackles Buhari Defence, Major General Bashir Minister of State for Works and to emphasise the nine priority more, that this process shall be of Nigeria, but he was just Magashi (rtd); as well as the Housing, Abubakar Aliyu, was areas of government for the continuous.” foot-dragging. Also he wasn’t on Ministers’ Sack National Secretary Adviser, Major elevated to Minister of Power. second term. However, reacting to the willing to support Siemens and Meanwhile, PDP described the General Babagana Monguno (rtd.). It was the first midstream "Two years and some months president’s decision to sack the he kept foot-dragging as well. sack of ministers as an attempt According to the group, the cabinet reorganisation by into the second term, the tradition two ministers, some operators in “We hold regular meetings to cover the president’s failure three ministers have failed in Buhari since the inception of of subjecting our projects and the power and agriculture sectors with the Central Bank of Nigeria in office. terms of containing the security his government in 2015. programmes implementation said both men added no value to (CBN) on the power sector, where In a statement by the PDP challenges plaguing the nation. The president said the changes to independent and critical the respective sectors they were we always have top officials of national publicity secretary, Kola National Coordinator of were part of his administra- self-review has taken firm roots overseeing. the central bank, but he hardly Ologbondiyan, the party said it HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, tion’s strategy of independent through sector reporting during National Coordinator, All attended. was investigating the real reason disclosed this in a statement made self-review. cabinet meetings and at retreats. Nigerian Electricity Consumers “We also met with the Minister behind the ministers’ sack given available to newsmen in Abuja But the main opposition "These significant review Protection Forum, Mr. Adeola of Finance and officials of the the president’s public approach According to the HURIWA Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) steps have helped to identify Samuel-Ilori, told THISDAY, with Debt Management Office, but to fighting corruption by “easing coordinator, "The Minister of described the president’s sack of and strengthen weak areas, regard to Mamman’s sack, that he was hardly in attendance. All out” the culprits. Defence and the NSA to the the two ministers as an attempt close gaps, build cohesion and consumers were indifferent to our challenges, he is not the one PDP asserted that the ineffi- President should be sacked. to mask his failure in office. synergy in governance, manage his discharge because they never resolving them, it is either the ciency of the Buhari administration There is no doubt that students Buhari broke the news of the economy and improve the felt his impact throughout his CBN Governor or Minister of was a product of his myopic and are constantly kidnapped and the the cabinet reshuffle at the delivery of public good to time in the saddle. Finance.” divisive approach to governance security situation in Nigeria has weekly virtual Federal Executive Nigerians.” Samuel-Ilori said there was Similarly, commenting on the as well as the impunity and cor- become like a war situation and Council (FEC) meeting at the It added, “I must commend hardly anything that portrayed sack of Nanono, an operator in ruption deeply embedded in his deteriorated almost to a point that State House, Abuja. He hinted this cabinet for demonstrating him as being in-charge of the the agriculture sector said he government and party, the All the president is openly accused that more ministers would be unparalleled resilience that helped power ministry. He alleged that was never fit for the role. The Progressives Congress (APC). of undermining national security. shown the way out in an urgent the government to navigate the Mamman was merely interested source also preferred to remain PDP said even if the best hands “The NSA should have been need to reinvigorate his cabinet. disruption to global systems and in protecting some interests in anonymous. were recruited, they would be sacked about two years ago… Special Adviser to the governance occasioned by the the sector. The source also noted the contaminated by “incompetence, “The country has never had President on Media and emergence of COVID-19 shortly Samuel-Ilori alleged, “The recent stockpiling of some impunity, disregard for rules, it so bad in terms of security Publicity, Femi Adesina, who after inauguration. The weekly consumers’ feeling cannot be agricultural produce by the divisiveness and corruption that threats. Borno, Katsina, Zamfara, read the president's statement to FEC meetings were not spared different, we are indifferent, and Federal Ministry of Agriculture have become the hallmark of the Kaduna are all under the control newsmen after the FEC meeting, because the traditional mode was you know why, while the man and Rural Development under APC and its administration.” of terrorists and even Nigerian quoted Buhari as saying that altered. held sway, there was no feeling Nanono, which contributed to The party called on Buhari Defence Academy was not spared the cabinet rearrangement was "As we are all aware, change of his presence in that office. inflationary pressure in the and APC to note that Nigerians of the disgraceful attacks by part of measures to identify is the only factor that is constant There was nothing he did that country. were not swayed by the sack of terrorists. and strengthen weak areas, in every human endeavour and showed that he was in charge Nanono had awarded contracts the ministers but “are eagerly “The fact that the justice close gaps, build cohesion and as this administration approaches of the ministry or that he was to some organisations to mop awaiting the exit of the Buhari minister justified the illegal synergy in governance, manage its critical phase in the second overseeing either TCN or NERC up some commodities, includ- presidency and the APC come rendition and abduction by the economy, and improve term, I have found it essential and every other person. So, I ing maize, sorghum and rice May 29, 2023, as there is no hope government of the leader of the the delivery of public good to to reinvigorate this cabinet in don’t see any reason why the and the move led to increase in sight under their purview.” proscribed Indigenous People of Nigerians a manner that will deepen its consumers should feel anything in the price of maize and rice. On its part, a civil rights Biafra, (Nnamdi Kanu), from Adesina also revealed that capacity to consolidate legacy about his absence. The arrangement, which was advocacy group, the Human Nairobi, Kenya, means that the president would fill the two achievements.” “If you go back to how the termed, “Emergency Procure- Rights Writers Association of the justice minister is grossly vacant ministerial positions soon The president pointed out man emerged, it would tell you ment”, had contradicted efforts Nigeria (HURIWA) urged Buhari incompetent and unfit for that after confirmation of substantive that he had personally met with that the man came for a purpose by policymakers in the country to sack the Attorney General of the high office.” nominees to be sent to the Senate the sacked ministers to thank and I’m sure that the purpose in line with the provisions of the them for their contributions to must have been fulfilled.” 1999 Constitution, as amended. discussions in cabinet as well An operator, who pleaded to IHEKWEAZU NAMED WHO ASSISTANT DG, HEADS GLOBAL PANDEMIC HUB The president’s statement read, as the invaluable services they remain anonymous, also alleged The WHO Hub for Pandemic and epidemic risks as quickly experience working in senior "On Wednesday 21 August 2019 rendered to the nation. that the sacked power minister and Epidemic Intelligence is a as possible. public health and leadership the current FEC was sworn-in He stated, “Today, effectively never added value to the sector. global platform for creating Spahn stated, "For that aim, positions in several National after a rigorous retreat to bring marks their last participation The operator said about Mam- shared and networked access to we need to strengthen the global Public Health Institutes, includ- returning and new members up in the FEC deliberations and I man, “He was just a stumbling vital multi-sectoral data, driving early warning surveillance system ing the South African National innovations in data analytics, with improved collection of Institute for Communicable COURT RESTRAINS BUNI, OTHERS FROM PARADING AS APC and building the communities health-related data and inter- Diseases (NICD); the United of practice needed to predict, disciplinary risk analysis. Kingdom's Health Protection CARETAKER COMMITTEE MEMBERS prevent, detect, prepare for, and “Germany has consistently Agency; and Germany’s Robert ard, prayed the court to grant junction of this Honourable other Congresses of the APC respond to worldwide health been committed to support Koch Institute (RKI). the seven-point reliefs sought, Court restraining the 2nd to in Delta State, or parading as threats. WHO’s work in preparing He has led several short-term adding that going ahead with 14th Defendants/Respondents National Caretaker Commit- In addition, the WHO Hub for and responding to health engagements for WHO, mainly the Saturday, September 4, 2021 from further acting or parading tee of the party, pending the is a new global collaboration of emergencies, and the WHO Hub in response to major infectious local government congress in themselves as the members hearing and determination of countries and partners dedicated is a concrete initiative that will disease outbreaks around the the state, would cause more of the Caretaker/Extraordi- the Motion on Notice already to driving innovations to increase make the world safer." world. damage to the persons and nary Convention Planning filed and served. availability and linkage of The minister assured that the Ihekweazu, a Nigerian, was interests of his clients. Committee (CECPC) of the Umukoro also granted that diverse data; developing tools WHO Hub would work with born in Germany. He is a gradu- Principal among the reliefs 1st Defendant pending the Governor Buni and others at and predictive models for risk partners globally to achieve a ate of the College of Medicine, sought was "An order of hearing and determination of the National leadership be analysis; and monitoring disease scale-up in innovation for existing University of Nigeria, Nsukka, interim injunction of this the Motion on Notice already served Originating Summons control measures and infodemics. forecasting and early warning and holds a Master in Public Honourable Court restraining filed and served in the suit." "by means, to wit, by serving The WHO Hub would enable capacities in WHO and member Health (MPH) degree from the 2nd to 14th Defendants/ Lead counsel to the same on any officer or staff of partners from around the world states. the Heinrich-Heine University, Respondents from further act- Defendants/Respondents, the All Progressives Congress, to collaborate and co-create He also said the WHO Hub Dusseldorf, Germany. ing or parading themselves as Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN, at the All Progressives Congress the tools and data access that would accelerate global col- In 2003, he was awarded a the members of the Caretaker/ had initially challenged the National Secretariat at No. 40 all countries need to prepare, laborations across public and Fellowship for the European Extraordinary Convention Plan- jurisdiction of the court to Blantyre Street, Wuse, Abuja, detect and respond to pandemic private sector organisations, Programme for Intervention ning Committee (CECPC) of entertain the suit but later and deeming such service in and epidemic risks. academia, and international Epidemiology Training (EPIET) the 1st Defendant pending the on sought that certain parties the circumstances of this case.” The statement by the WHO partner networks. and, subsequently, completed his hearing and determination of be joined as co-Defendants/ While also "granting Leave director-general said, "I am According to Spahn the Public Health specialisation in the motion on notice already Respondents. to the Claimants/Applicants to pleased to welcome Dr. Chikwe pandemic intelligence hub would the United Kingdom. He is filed and served in the suit. However, counsel to the serve the Originating Summons Ihekweazu as an Assistant help countries to collaborate and widely published in medical "Alternatively, An order Claimants/Applicants, Richard, and all other processes in this Director-General for Health co-create the necessary tools for peer-review journals. of interim injunction of this guided the defence counsel to suit on the 15th Defendants/ Emergency Intelligence from managing and analysing data Meanwhile, Uzodimma lauded Honourable Court restraining the fact that the matter before Respondents by substituted November 1, 2021. He will lead for early warning surveillance. the appointment of Ihekweazu as the 2nd-14th Defendants/ the court was an ex-parte mo- means to wit by serving same the work on strengthening pan- Ihekweazu, while speaking WHO Assistant Director-General. Respondents from conducting tion, which does not require on any officer or staff of the demic and epidemic intelligence in an exclusive interview with The governor said in a state- the Local Government and parties' consideration. Delta State Chapter of the All globally, including heading the THISDAY, said the decision to ment by his Special Adviser (SA) State Congresses slated for In his brief ruling, Justice Progressives Congress at the WHO Hub for Pandemic and appoint him to lead the global Media/Chief Press Secretary, September 4, 2021 or any other Umukoro granted seven (7) All Progressives Congress Delta Epidemic Intelligence in Berlin. initiative was a recognition of Oguwike Nwachuku, he wasn’t date, and other Congresses of days order of interim injunction State Secretariat, Asaba, Delta "I am confident that Dr. the work the NCDC under his surprised over the appointment the 1st Defendant in Delta restraining Governor Buni and State and deeming such service Ihekweazu’s appointment will leadership. because Ihekweazu demonstrated State, pending the hearing and the CECPC from conducting proper in the circumstances help further accelerate WHO’s Ihekweazu said, “It is in capacity and exhibited profes- determination of the Motion the local government and of this case". work in health emergencies. recognition of what we have sional competence as DG of on Notice already filed and state congresses in Delta State Meanwhile, further hearing “Please, join me in welcoming done in Nigeria with the NCDC, NCDC. served. scheduled for September 4, on the suit was adjourned till him to WHO." the Federal Ministry of Health, “Ihekweazu is one of Imo "An order of interim in- 2021 or any other date, and September 7, 2021. Speaking on the need for the and the Presidential Steering State’s best and brightest and new global initiative, German Committee in responding to that the state is proud to be part Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel, this pandemic in Nigeria; in of the human capital contributing was quoted as saying, "The responding to many other towards the wellbeing of the current COVID-19 pandemic infectious disease threats that global family,” the governor CBN Announces New Appointments has taught us that we can only have happened over the last few stated. fight pandemics and epidemics years - monkey pox, Lassa fever Uzodimma reiterated that Confirms Nwanisobi as director of corporate communications together. The new WHO Hub and the rest of them. Ihekweazu’s pick was funda- will be a global platform for “Also, it is in recognising that mental because, “it will help to James Emejo in Abuja Also appointed Directors is now the Director, Human pandemic prevention, bringing in order to have a global initiative further bring Imo State into global were Mrs. Elizabeth Omolara Resources Department; Dr. Blaise together various governmental, to respond, there is need to have focus, particularly Amaigbo in The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Fasoranti, who steps in as the Ijebor, Director, Risk Management; academic and private sector deep knowledge about how local Nwangele Local Government yesterday confirmed the appoint- Director, Branch Operations; Mr. Chibuzo Anthony Efobi, Direc- institutions. systems work. So, I think it is a Area of the state where the ment of Mr. Osita Nwanisobi as the Dr. Abdulkadir Abdullahi Jibril tor, Financial Policy and Regulation “I am delighted that WHO recognition that the work that NCDC DG hails from.” Director, Corporate Communica- as Director, Medical Services and and Mr. Benjamin Nnadi, who chose Berlin as its location and we have done over the past five The governor urged Ihekweazu tions Department, with effect from Mrs. Rashidat Jumoke Monguno, assumes the position of Director, invite partners from all around years to develop this system will to continue to do the state proud, August 25, 2021. who now directs affairs in the Reserve Management. the world to contribute to the have a big contribution in the and assured him of the support Nwanisobi had acted in acting Consumer Protection Department According to a statement issued WHO hub." global context.” of the government and good capacity since October 2020, when (CPD). Wednesday by the bank, all the The German Minister of The NCDC boss was trained as people of Imo State to ensure his predecessor, Isaac Okorafor Other appointments included appointments became effective Health, Jens Spahn, said there an infectious disease epidemiolo- that his outing at the WHO is retired from service. those of Mrs. Amina Habib, who from August 25, 2021. was need to identify pandemic gist, and he has over 20 years exemplary. THURSDAY, 

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THISDAY 11 NEWS

STRENGTHENING THE EU PARTNERSHIP... L-R: Political Officer, EU, Mr. Paulo Barroso Simoes; EU, Charge d’ Affairs, Mr. Alexander Borges Gomes; Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; Head of Section, Democracy, Governance and Mitigation, Mr. Clement Boutillier and Programme Officer, Democracy, Governance and Migration, Mrs. Laolu Olawumi, during a visit by officials of the European Union Delegation (EUD) to Nigeria and ECOWAS to the INEC headquarters, Abuja... yesterday. NBA Calls for Total Overhaul of Judges’ Recruitment Process Emma Okonji and should always be considered Democratic Party (PDP), "I don’t see the reason NBA, under the leadership contradicting rulings that have Nosa Alekhuogie before the appointment of Ubani said it was curious why a judge who knows of Mr. Olumide Akpata, been given by those various judges." that a judge could remove the jurisdiction, hierarchy would ensure that things courts in order for us to make The Public Interest and Speaking about the abuse a substantive chairman of a and issues of court will keep were done properly within appropriate recommendations, Development Law section of of ex-parte orders by judges, political party by ex-parte giving orders that sound the legal profession. with regards to if there are the Nigerian Bar Association Ubani said there had always order, insisting that it was strange even in the ears of "The NBA is taking the disciplinary measures to be (NBA) has called for the been a directive by most a mere show of madness. common men who are not lead, we have agreed that taken against any of our complete overhaul of the of the chief judges of the "The proper thing to do learned. the legal profession must start erring members. I think that recruitment process for judges various courts of jurisdiction is that, if the order was “It only makes a mockery by disciplining its members is the way to go. in the country. that caution and restraint procured wrongly, then it of the entire system and in terms of violations of our “To me, the process has just Chairman of the section, in issuing ex- parte orders should be appealed and to end this mockery, we norms, ethics, and I think begun and we want to set Mr. Monday Ubani, who should be exercised. have it set aside or even must begin to look into what the NBA President has examples in this country as made the call, said the total He said issue of fair hearing approach the same court our professionals who in done by raising the alarm and a profession that we will not overhaul of the recruitment which is a constitutional issue to set aside that order on the course of doing their decrying what has happened allow some of our members to process for judges became must always be accorded to the ground that it may have duties, are used by politicians so far with some of these derail our democratic system. necessary, following the everybody. been given clearly in error whose intention is to derail ex-parte order, is something I am totally in agreement with conflicting judgments on Citing the recent Port- probably because of some the political process,” Ubani that is commendable. the process and procedure political matters, passed by Harcourt judgment on the wrong information that was said. “We have also started by taken by the NBA President judges whom he said had leadership of the Peoples given to that judge. He, however, said the looking at those processes and so far,” Ubani further said. no interest in the judiciary system, but found themselves in such position by proxy. Ubani, who spoke yesterday COVID-19: Obaseki Insists on No Vaccination, No Access to Public Places on the ‘Morning Show’ on Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City everything legally possible to date for the commencement of at risk the safety and health of He reiterated that the ARISE NEWS Channels, the challenge the injunction in the the enforcement of the directive the larger population. directives on vaccination broadcast arm of THISDAY In spite of the restraining order appellate court, stressing that by the state government is the "Government owes a sacred stands, adding that, “people Newspapers, said: “I think of a Federal High Court in Port he owed it a responsibility to second week of September, 2021. duty to the populace to take all who are planning social, the National Judicial Council Harcourt stopping compulsory protect the larger population "It must be stated that there actions necessary to protect the religious, political or business (NJC) must be bold enough vaccination in Edo State, against a very few who felt no is an obvious misconception health of the majority of the events after the second week to take decisions against Governor Godwin Obaseki has need to take the vaccination. that the directive issued by citizens and in this connection, of September should ensure some of these judges who vowed to deny unvaccinated He hinged his insistence government was to make an even greater quantity of that both themselves and their have erred gravely to face the persons access to large crowd on denial of access to large vaccination compulsory for vaccines is being secured for guests are not only vaccinated law. Also, the NBA itself as a in the Edo from the middle of crowd and public places to all citizens. the use of the people of Edo but possess vaccination cards as body must begin to discipline this month. unvaccinated persons on the "Although the State Governor, State.” proof of vaccination, as anyone some of our erring members, Obaseki, who reiterated his alarming rate of the third phase in truth, has the power to According to Obaseki, the Edo without this proof will not be especially senior lawyers. last Friday's directive on the of the virus ravaging the state, make such an order under State Government has instructed granted access to crowded “Most people who are issue maintained that while disclosing that within a spate of the Gazetted Quarantine its lawyers to vigorously pursue facilities." judges in Nigeria today do nobody would be forced to take two days, one of the front line Regulations, this directive is and challenge all such orders Additionally, he said that the not have interest to be judges the COVID-19 jabs, those who doctors working with the state's actually only a denial of access in the courts from where they government was commencing but they get nominated by chose not to be vaccinated would COVID-19 team, was rendered to public places of persons who emanate and if necessary, at the intensive enforcement of the Governors, Emirs, and not be allowed access to large orphan by the pandemic as the chose not to be vaccinated. appellate level, while affirming use of Non-Pharmaceutical Obas. We need to review our public gatherings, insisting that medical personnel lost both "We believe government’s its position as a law-abiding Interventions (NPIs) to curb recruitment process of justices the government would enforce parents. overriding concern is the safety government. the current spike in COVID-19 in all the various courts." the earlier directive in the overall Obaseki added that at best, and health of its citizens." "It must be made clear infections and deaths. Speaking further, he said, interest of the people of the state. the court injunction, asking the He further added: "We are that the government shall These measures he reiterated, “We are not even engaged He also threatened that state government to maintain currently confronted with a continue to pursue all legal include compulsory wearing of in disciplinary action, we the state might be forced to the status quo was at best, situation wherein the Case and administrative options facemasks, regular washing of implement a lockdown if "speculative and preemptive," Positivity Rate (CPR) for available for the protection of hands under running water and/ are currently looking at there was a failure to follow saying the directive would not COVID-19 hovers between 15 the best interest of the good or use of hand sanitisers, and the act and conduct of our the directives for vaccination become effective until the middle and 25 percent as deaths are people of Edo State. maintenance of recommended colleagues. I am a chairman and compliance with the Non- of September. consistently being recorded “The Edo State governor social and physical distancing of this section and it is a very Pharmaceutical Intervention According to him, "The daily from COVID-19, with appreciated all leaders in in public places, among others. important section in the NBA. (NPIs) in order to halt the attention of the Edo State unvaccinated persons accounting various spheres within the Obaseki warned,/"Consequent Akpata is the president of the spread of the Delta variant of Government has been drawn for 100 percent of deaths in the state for their support so far on the rapid rise in infections NBA and he is the number COVID-19 which is currently to an order by a High Court third wave of the COVID-19 for the vaccination exercise and death from COVID-19, one lawyer in this country. raging within the state. sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers pandemic in the state. which, he noted, had resulted government may be forced to “There is no provision in the The governor, while State, directing the Government "Government, therefore, finds in unprecedented uptake of the implement a lockdown if there is law that says for you to be a addressing a media briefing to maintain the status quo on it strange that some persons vaccines by Edo people." a failure to follow the directives president or for you to vote yesterday, described the litigants the purported compulsory in purported pursuit of their Nevertheless, the governor for vaccination and compliance any position in Nigeria within in the Port Harcourt court vaccination of its citizens with fundamental human rights thanked religious bodies, hotels, with the Non-Pharmaceutical the bar, you have to be a as embarking on, "litigation the COVID-19 vaccine. would embark on litigation banks, event centres, restaurants Intervention (NPIs) in order Senior Advocate of Nigeria tourism." "To the best of our knowledge, tourism outside of our state, and bars, among others, that to halt the spread of the Delta (SAN). The issues of seniority He vowed that his the order is at best speculative seek to become a source of had volunteered their premises variant of COVID-19 which is and experience at the bar, administration would do and pre-emptive as the scheduled public health danger and put for use as vaccination posts. currently raging within the state." 12 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 ˾
THISDAY NEWS Corporate Earnings, Others Lift Stock Market by N350bn in August Darasimi Adebisi The analysts added that performance for August, the According to him, the conditions are improving with On his part, the Managing the recovery in the country’s Vice President of Highcap marginal increase is a factor increasing GDP and drop in Director, Enterprises Despite the economic headwinds economic position, offering an Securities, Mr. David Andori of released results. He explained inflation rate. Stockbroker Limited, Mr and relative low patronage by insight into what the future said the stock market regained further that the stock market is “The crude oil price is also Rotimi Fakayejo, attributed foreign investors, the Nigerian holds for the stock market lost ground and it replicated expected to maintain the same high and government visits the the stock market marginal equities market recorded and economy in general. the recovery that started in the trend in September considering market for more bond issuance, growth to improved results improved performance in the Speaking on market last quarter. the fact that the macro-economy “he said. by listed companies. month of August as investors’ worth appreciated by N350 billion. Analysis of trading data for August obtained at the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), revealed that the market capitalisation rose from N20.084 trillion at the end of July to N20.434 trillion in August. Also, the NGX All-Share Index (ASI), which opened the month of August at 38,547.08 basis points, appreciated by 1.74 per cent to closed the month at 39,219.61 basis points on August 31, 2021. Capital market operators attributed the improved performance of the market to the strong first half (H1), 2021 corporate earnings and improving macro-economic indices shown in the second quarter (Q2) GDP quarter-on- quarter growth of 5.01 per cent. HONOUR FOR SECURITIES MARKET GURUS… The likes of Zenith Bank, Total L-R: Director, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Isyaku Tilde; former Director General, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Professor Ndi Okereke- Nigeria Plc, among others have released half year (H1) 2021 Onyuike; President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr. Omotunde Amolegbe; Founder, FCMB Group, Otunba Olasubomi Balogun; Chairman, NASD Plc, Mr. results with interim dividend Tola Mobolurin; Chairman, Coronation Capital Limited, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; and Group Chief Executive Officer, NGX, Mr. Oscar Onyema, at unveiling Roll of pay-out to shareholders. Honour and inauguration of Special Facilities by CIS in Lagos… yesterday Akpabio Submits Police to Upgrade Forensic Investigation Laboratory Chiemelie Ezeobi and Precious this disclosure yesterday during for criminal investigations. responses to citizens’ and media Ugwuzor the three-day residential training The workshop with the theme enquiries into matter of forensic NDDC Forensic for Police Public Relations Officers “Crime Scene Management and evidential nature connected The Nigeria Police Force has (PPROs), noted that the needed and Conclusive Criminal to ongoing criminal investigations. Audit Report Today revealed plans to upgrade its boost is underway. Investigations- The Role of Speaking at the event which forensic laboratory to aid criminal This is just as he lauded the Police Spokespersons”, was held in Lagos, the IG noted Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja scheduled to receive it. investigations and intelligence training of police spokespersons, organised in collaboration with the importance of forensics Akpabio had on June 23, 2021 gathering. which is targeted at equipping the Nigeria-German Development department in crime fighting, The Minister of Niger Delta at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, The Inspector General of Police them with effective and strategic Cooperation (GIZ), to avail PPROs acknowledging there was room Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio assured that the final audit (IG), Mr. Usman Baba, who made communication skills necessary relevant skills for appropriate for more improvement. is billed to submit the much- report would be submitted awaited forensic audit report of to President Muhammadu the Niger Delta Development Buhari for implementation by Commission (NDDC) to the July ending. Gunmen Kill Nine Persons, Injure Others in Kogi Attorney General (AGF) and The minister had on August Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja fire killing four persons on the spot staff of the Local Government of his sales boy, Bashir Sule and Minister of Justice, Abubakar 11, 2021 received the report from on Tuesday evening. Health Center at Ogba, residing three other customers, while scores Malami, today (Thursday). the field auditors who scrutinised At least nine persons have been Sources said that the attackers in Bagana. sustained various degrees of injury. The submission is expected to over 12,000 projects handled in allegedly killed and several others then went on shooting spree in Confirming the incident, the He added that on receipt of the hold at the AGF’s office in the nine states of the Niger Delta received varying degree of injuries which many people who were Force Public Relations Officer of distress call, the DPO mobilised his Central Business District, Abuja region by the NDDC between when unknown gunmen attacked running to escape were hit by the state command DSP William men to the scene and evacuated by 10 am. 2001 and 2019. Bagana community in Omala Local stray bullets. Aya, said, one Usman Salifu called some of the injured to the Hospital The Director, Press and Public The audit activities commenced Government Area of Kogi State. He disclosed that he counted the District Police Officer (DPO) on for treatment, adding that the Relations, Ministry of Niger Delta in March 2020. THISDAY gathered the gunmen five dead bodies from his hiding phone around 9.30pm on Tuesday force has commenced manhunt Affairs, Patricia Deworitshe, The Federal Executive Council invaded a provision shop located in which included one Alias Barrister, that his shop had been attacked to bring the perpetrators to confirmed this to THISDAY (FEC) had in August 2020 the heart of the village and opened an diesel oil dealer and a dispensary by gunmen leading to the death book. last night. approved N722.3 million for It is not clear why the audit eight auditors besides the N318 report is now being submitted million earlier approved for some FCT Demolishes Gwarimpa Tipper Garage to Malami as against President lead auditors who mobilised to Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja operations, said the exercise would exercise even more important, as Act and the Urban and Regional Muhammadu Buhari earlier the region in March. be sustained for days. it had corrected the contraventions Planning laws, “ he said. The Federal Capital Territory He lamented that the illegal of both AEPB and FCT Urban He said notices and warnings Administration has demolished markets and Tipper garage had and Regional Planning laws, being about the demolition were given No Plan to Sack Lalong, illegal markets and the Tipper been turned into hiding places for committed by residents. in January before final notice was garage in Gwarimpa Estate as criminals and other hoodlums. “We are removing illegal issued last week. part of the ongoing sanitation He also stated that the shanties markets and Tipper Also speaking, AEPB Says Plateau Speaker exercise to rid the city of slum perennial traffic gridlock in parts garage. The most painful thing is Enforcement Leader, Kaka Bello, Seriki Adinoyi in Jos interpreting it to mean an and criminals. of Gwarimpa was as result of that the transit corridors have been said that measures had been put attempt by the House to The Chairman, FCT Ministerial the activities of the illegal tipper taken over by shanty squalors. in place to secure the reclaimed The Speaker of the Plateau State oust the Governor over his Committee on City Sanitation, garage operators. “It is contravening Abuja area, so as to avoid a return of House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. perceived weak handling of Ikharo Attah, who led the He added that the sanitation Environmental Protection Board the nuisances. Abok Ayuba, has allayed fears the crisis in the state. emanating from some quarters But the Speaker’s reassurance that the House was plotting yesterday calmed fray nerves. Finally, Anambra Joins League of Oil-producing States to impeach Governor Simon Ayuba, who spoke with To benefit from 13% derivation fund Lalong, reassuring that there newsmen in Jos said as was no such agenda. representatives of the people it Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja henceforth be eligible to benefit pre-conditions to be added prospecting to oil mining lease. The governor and the was only incumbent on them to from the 13 per cent derivation to the list. But in the approval which lawmaker recently had get worried about the persistent Anambra State has officially fund, which minerals-producing Two years ago, the DPR was contained in a letter a strenuous relationship killings and mowing of crops joined oil-producing states in states in Nigeria are statutorily when confronted by the signed by the Secretary to following persistent attacks across the state, saying he had Nigeria, following an approval entitled to. Senate on why the state had the RMAFC, Mr. Mohammed and killings in the state. This to call on the state Governor granted by the Revenue For the state, it has been a not been recognised, insisted Shehu, and dated August 24, culminated in the lawmakers and the federal government Mobilisation Allocation and long-drawn-out battle to be that Anambra, Enugu and 2021, the commission stated issuing the governor a two- to act fast. Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), recognised as an oil-producing Kogi States could not be that Anambra will be eligible week ultimatum to stop the He said the House has which has ratified the attribution state, but with the Department declared oil-producing states for the 13 percent derivation carnage. respect for the governor, of 11 oil wells to the state. of Petroleum Resources until the company prospecting fund immediately it begins to Lalong and his men possibly and would not contemplate With the approval, the South- (DPR) insisting for years that for the commodity scaled up contribute to the federation got agitated by the ultimatum, impeaching him. eastern state is expected to the state has not met all the its operations from an oil account. THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • THISDAY 13 14 THISDAY • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA COMMENT Email [email protected] DOES AFRICA NEED CUBA? The continent has a duty to promote Cuba’s friendly visibility among African peoples, writes Okello Oculi

n 1996 Nelson Mandela’s post-apartheid government government to take medical care to the masses of the people. adopted a policy of ensuring that his government It is puzzling that the ANC lacks the vigilance against would serve the vast majority of African citizens who predictable sabotage. Cuba owes Africa resilient broadcast of had been denied medical care by decades of racist Primary Health Care scheme; and teaching African peoples governance by European immigrants. Accordingly, the virtue of vigilance. Mandela chose to focus on providing ‘’Primary Health Fidel Castro boasted, justifiably that his bold policy of ICare’’ as opposed to ‘Secondary Curative Health Care’. sending Cuban troops to defeat and drive back South In Nigeria this policy was initiated by Professor Beko African troops from Angola ensured the collapse of the myth Ransome-Kuti during General Ibrahim Babangida’s of South Africa’s military superiority in Africa. Bitterness administration despite opposition by the leadership of the towards Cuba runs deep among white South Africans. Nigerian Medical Association. Curative care is popular with Cuba has trained thousands of medical doctors and companies that sell medical drugs; medical equipment to be nurses for export to support medical needs in countries in housed in medical wards and theatres; employing medical Asia, South America and several African countries despite doctors located in urban areas and serving patients with diplomatic opposition from Euro-American corporations who high-income. find that Cuba’s gospel of promoting ‘’Primary Health Care’’ Future South African doctors and nurses trained to provide denies them markets in poor countries with predominantly ‘’Primary Health Care’’ had to go to Cuba whose leaders rural populations. It prevents piling debts for importing remained highly indebted to poor rural communities from medical drugs and expensive medical technology. whom they recruited fighters for their guerrilla war against America’s use of its global financial power to intimidate the American-backed government of Batista. Accordingly, rich European and oil-rich Arab Gulf states from trading the ‘’Nelson Mandela-Fidel Castro medical collaboration’’ with, and investing in, Cuba forced them to turn to inten- programme was launched. sive research to produce what they could not import. The programme sent 800 South African students annually Despite Cuba’s invention of medicines from herbal to study medicine in Cuba. By 2017 a total of 4000 medical materials, they are denied markets. In 2021, its invention of a graduates had returned to South Africa. As a liberation move- vaccine that is 92 per cent effective against COVID-19, more ment which had anchored its strength in promising a better expensive and less effective American vaccines are imposed life for oppressed and neglected Black people, the African on African governments. The African Union must give Cuba National Congress had chosen an appropriate strategy for publicised diplomatic support against this economic terror- building a cadres for supplying a democratic medical health ism; and prevent a COVID-19 debt burden. A Cuban-African care for this constituency. Research collaboration is imperative. Buhle Maud Donda has reported that: ‘’South African America’s high-cost of medical care would lose billions of medical students returning from five years of training Dollars if ‘’Medical Tourism’’ to Cuba is allowed to American in Cuba were ‘’seen as foreign and incompetent’’ by the people. Cuba eliminated MALARIA through disciplined Boer-controlled medical establishment. The University of community cleaning the environment; NOT with money KwaZulu Natal Medical School provides ‘’one to three years for buying millions of anti-malaria drugs. African medical of extended medical school training when they return’’. A tourists would gain cheaper high quality services. total of eight years of medical school attendance delayed Japan, China and Cuba have built national strength on free access to needy populations, while seducing them with universal elementary education; and high quality university curative urban-based care, and Specialisation fields, notably research and publications. Africa has over 80 million surgery, which yield lucrative income. unemployed youths who experience violence as income and In the early years of independence, most British-trained religious barbarism. Paul Kagame has condemned African Nigerian/Ugandan/Ghanaian/ Kenyan officials treated with leaders who travel to Paris to be told about problems they loud contempt the quality of degrees awarded by American, FOLLOWING HIS WINNING POWER IN 1959, see in their own countries. Indian and Soviet Union universities. When the Soviet Union FIDEL CASTRO SHIPPED MILITARY WEAPONS Following his winning power in 1959, Fidel Castro was the first to put Satellite SPUTNIK into space and the shipped military weapons to support Algeria’s liberation astronaut Yuri Gagarin into space, they swallowed their TO SUPPORT ALGERIA’S LIBERATION war; and trained Tunisian fighters. Somalia, Ethiopia, foolishness. WAR; AND TRAINED TUNISIAN FIGHTERS. Angola, South Africa, Tanzania, and Namibia also received South Africa’s medical gatekeepers also subject Cuban SOMALIA, ETHIOPIA, ANGOLA, SOUTH Cuban military support. They have obligation to promote graduates to “education with humiliation’’ and high rates of AFRICA, TANZANIA, AND NAMIBIA ALSO Cuba’s friendly visibility among African peoples. And failures; thereby, brutally undermining the goal of the ANC RECEIVED CUBAN MILITARY SUPPORT combat hostile Euro-American propaganda. CURBING ILL-TREATMENT OF NIGERIANS ABROAD Paul Ejime urges deliberate measures by the authorities to correct the negative perception of Nigerians abroad

he mistreatment of Nigerian commitment to performing its duties as a host appears to be a disturbing silence even on the citizens abroad? It is a diplomat today; it could be citizens abroad is nothing new. But country as per Vienna conventions on diplomatic diplomatic front regarding the incident. Both govern- anybody else tomorrow. Some analysts have called the 7th August, 2021 man-handling relations,” he said, adding: “the law and human ments might be working behind the scenes using for a review or overhauling of the country’s foreign of a Nigerian diplomat in Jakarta by rights ministry had launched an internal investiga- back-stop channels, but the Nigerian government policy architecture. But the challenge lies more with Indonesian Immigration agents was so tion as a follow up to that incident.” owes it a duty to keep concerned Nigerians duly the political will of those in authority to provide the ruthless, appalling and undiplomatic, to Apparently unimpressed by the explanation by and consistently abreast on the incident. required leadership for the restoration of Nigeria’s Tevoke public outrage. the Indonesian government, sections of the Nigerian Such matters, even when resolved secretly or glory days. In a video of the incident, widely shared on social population, from lawmakers to civil society, weighed in private, the public must be in the know of key Nigeria used its resources to energize the media the visibly distressed Nigerian diplomat, in on the matter, all condemning and describing the elements of the resolution. For instance, an effective emancipation of Africa and contributed enormously Mr. Abdurrahman Katsina Ibrahim, was forcibly Indonesian incident as one too many. public communications strategy would recommend to the independence of several African countries, restrained inside a vehicle by several men. Many public commentators also recalled several openness, follow-ups and sensitization to ensure including by providing military training to freedom “I can’t breathe,” he yelled, in the video, with his recent mistreatments of Nigerian citizens in other that the general public is carried along, not only to fighters and education scholarships to political exiles. head pinned to the seat. countries including in Ghana, Malaysia and South assuage the anger but also to ensure that there is no The country, which set up a widely acclaimed The Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama Africa and called for concrete remedial measures repeat of such an ugly incident. Technical Aid Corps (TAC) scheme that provided strongly condemned the incident, describing it as from the government. Generally, the recurring mistreatments of skilled manpower to a number of developing “an egregious act of international delinquency by The Association of Retired Career Ambassadors Nigerians abroad have to do with the wrong countries cannot now watch its own skilled person- Indonesian state actors.” of Nigeria (ARCAN) was very emphatic in its perception that Nigerians are corrupt or criminally nel including medical doctors troop out, with others In an unusual but largely popular move by condemnation of what it called “unprovoked minded, which is not only false, but grossly unfair queuing up regularly in front of foreign embassies an administration often criticized for lethargy on attack by Indonesian Immigration Officials on a on the overwhelming majority of Nigerians who are or undertaking desperate perilous journeys through public policy matters, the government summoned Nigerian diplomatic agent. The attack was not contributing to development in various parts of the the hostile desert and the Mediterranean in search of the Indonesian ambassador to protest the apparent only unprovoked and unwarranted, but it was world. so-called greener pastures abroad. mistreatment of the Nigerian diplomat. The Foreign also a glaring abuse of established conventions and This unfortunate profiling which has persisted In 2001, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Nigeria’s World- Ministry also demanded “appropriate sanctions international norms and conduct as enshrined in the over time must, therefore, be rectified, both through renowned playwright and Nobel Laureate for against the relevant (Indonesian) officials,” and Vienna Convention (1961), on Diplomatic Relations,” the conduct of Nigerians everywhere and the actions Literature had threatened to turn down all British in- recalled Nigeria’s ambassador in Indonesia for the Association said. It supported the “interim and body language of the government at home. vitations because of “routine obstruction and delay” consultations, warning that the sanctions could steps so far taken by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora have at that country’s immigration checkpoints. He said include “a review of bilateral relations” between the and the Ministry by summoning the Indonesian a responsibility to conduct themselves as worthy then that he suffered “unbelievable questions and two countries. Ambassador to Nigeria to protest the actions of ambassadors of their country. It is a collective degrading treatment” at airports and the Channel Indonesia’s immigration office initially defended the unruly Indonesian Immigration Officials and responsibility on the part of the government and citi- tunnel terminus. the actions of its officers, saying the Nigerian dip- recalling, for consultation, the Ambassador of zens to ensure that the country enjoys international In one of the incidents at the Manchester airport lomat had been “uncooperative” when questioned Nigeria to Indonesia.” ARCAN goes further to goodwill and positive public image. There must be en route to make a speech at Leeds University, during what an official called routine checks on the express “the hope that …other rogue officials in a deliberate public policy commitment and efforts where he had studied, Soyinka said he was officially validity of permits held by foreigners in Indonesia. Indonesia and elsewhere in the world would have by both government and the citizens to ensure that detained and “aggressively questioned” after all However, the Indonesian foreign ministry learnt the necessary lessons and ensure that this type Nigeria and its nationals command respect at home other passengers on a flight from Los Angeles via spokesperson Teuku Faizasyah later said the of clear breach and barbaric behaviour never rears and abroad. Milan had been let through. ministry regretted the incident, and was continuing its head again.” The Indonesia incident is a reality check and a call Ejime, an Author and former Diplomatic/War to communicate with the Nigerian government on There has been no escalation and it might be on all Nigerians to wake up to their patriotic duties. Correspondent, is a Consultant on Commu- the matter. “That incident was an isolated incident unwise to canvas the extreme measure of severance If a Nigerian diplomat can be man-handled in a nications, Media, Elections and International and does not have anything to do with Indonesia’s of diplomatic relations, but three weeks on, there foreign land, what is the fate of ordinary Nigerian Affairs THISDAY • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 15 EDITORIAL FOR UWAIFO, THE BEAT GOES ON

Victor Uwaifo, sculptor, visual artist and ‘guitar boy’ of highlife music, dies, aged 80

hen a great musician tions and arrangements gave us such classics as ‘Guitar passes on, the music Boy’ and ‘Joromi’, tunes that were instant hits in their does not stop. Instead, time and have remained timeless and classical features the beat often gets louder of Nigeria’s highlife lore. In addition, he was a flutist, a and resonates more in its saxophonist, pianist, and percussionist. timelessness. This much can be said of Sir Victor s a song writer, Uwaifo combined the poet’s Efosa Uwaifo, the great attention to thematic relevance with a certain high life artist who died last week. Born in Benin city on attention to the musician’s ear for cadence 1stW March 1941, Uwaifo was among Nigeria’s highlife and audience appeal. Above all else, he was greats of all times. His passage, not long after Victor aA vocalist whose youthful voice combined with his Olaiya, marks the beginning of the end of the musical stirring string arrangements which energised both tradition which featured the likes of Rex Jim Lawson, listeners and live concert audiences. He sang in Edo, Stephen Osadebay, Victor Olaiya, Bala Miller, Bobby English and Pidgin. In live performances, Uwaifo came Benson, Eddy Okonta and a host of others. This was an across as youthful, vibrant, and energetic. That youthful authentic African genre that united the whole of West energy earned him the followership of a younger fan Africa in a fluid cultural canvas. base as distinct from the usual ageing audience of the Throughout his glorious career, Uwaifo struck his traditional highlife genre. Uwaifo quickened the pace of distinctive identity by bringing into the thriving highlife highlife and in the process made it less predictable and tradition an authentic streak. His authenticity derived trans generational. from his instant ability to fuse his Edo ethnic tradition What particularly stood Uwaifo apart from the rest with the prevailing was that his creativity transcended the various artistic THROUGHOUT HIS African urban rhythm genres. He was a sculptor, visual artist, fabricator, and GLORIOUS CAREER, that resonated across inventor. He invented a personalised guitar which he UWAIFO STRUCK HIS the continent from the went ahead to construct and produce a prototype. He mid-1950s to the 1970s. insisted on adding his personal creative touch to both DISTINCTIVE IDENTITY THISDAY BY BRINGING INTO THE Within that musical EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU the design of his home and even his automobiles. In tradition, Uwaifo’s DEPUTY EDITOR WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA recognition of Uwaifo’s versatility, the University of Benin THRIVING HIGH LIFE MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO TRADITION AN AUTHENTIC electric guitar and very DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU appointed him a professor of creative arts to give him the contemporary themes CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI opportunity to share his creative talents and insights with STREAK EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN struck an electrifying MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI the younger generation and the academic community. immediacy that THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE Similarly, the Edo State government once appointed him brought in a younger segment of the audience. Unlike his a Commissioner for Arts and Culture to give the wider older contemporaries, he subjected the leisurely pulsating community the benefits of his artistic vision and spirit of rhythm of the highlife tradition to constant experimenta- THISDAY NEWSPAPERS LIMITED service. tion and innovation. In the process, he was restlessly EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA Victor Uwaifo never really retired from either his music GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, expanding the frontiers of the original highlife tradition. ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI or his multiple creative undertakings. Even in his late 70s, The creative restlessness and experimentation by DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, he occasionally collaborated with younger musicians in Uwaifo were the expression of a certain inner versatility. ANTHONY OGED ENGBE ventures that led to very contemporary tracks that became DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI As a musician, he was a multi-talented instrumentalist. SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH instant hits. As news of his demise spread across the na- He was first and foremost a distinguished electric guitar- ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI tion, the air waves announced his passing with nostalgic CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI ist, the indisputable ‘Guitar Boy’ of Nigerian highlife DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO musical tributes of his trademark tunes and tracks. music. His exhilarating and distinctive string composi- TO SEND EMAIL: first [email protected] May God comfort the family he left behind.

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. THE TRAMADOL PLAYING WITH TACKLING SEXUAL AND GENERATION OUR SANITY GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

Continued from backpage s we, in Melbourne exual and gender-based violence is a contemporary misdemeanour, a nauseating menace any of the smaller countries on the Australia, enter into manifested as rape, female genital mutilation, human trafficking, and child marriage, to continent, including neighbouring Chad, day 213 of lockdown, mention but a few. Characterized by gender inequality, power domination and exac- have been more serious in dealing with the broken into six separate erbated by cultural and religious biases which limit capabilities of women and girls to supply side of the problem. On 24th July occasions, there has care as well as absence of economic opportunities, gender-based violence makes women 2020, 10 Chadians, including two army finally been one eased and girls susceptible to antics of sexual predators. Gender-based violence continues to generals and a colonel, were sentenced restriction,A access to playgrounds. They Spersist due to silence, shame and stigmatization as victims are shamed and stigmatized in their Mto various terms of imprisonment for their involvement in will reopen tomorrow night for children communities for daring to speak up about their abuse. This is also worsened by weak judicial transnational tramadol trafficking. A year before, in July 2019, under the age of 12. The child can be structure which does not treat cases of sexual and gender-based violence with utmost urgency two senior officials of their Ministry of Foreign Affairs were supervised by only one person who coupled with unprofessional attitude of law enforcement officers who blame victims for injustice also arrested for tramadol trafficking from India through must check in with a QR code, wear a melted on them by abusers. In my view, sexual and gender-based violence is exacerbated by the Benin Republic capital, Cotonou. They were tried and mask all of the time which means no patriarchy which promotes toxic masculinity and submissive femininity. This ensures that women imprisoned. We hope the Nigerian authorities will learn from eating or drinking. and girls are subservient to dictatorial tendencies of the male gender. The school curriculum outlines Chad! I thought the world had gone crazy roles such as work to provide basic necessities such as food, clothing and shelter for men and going Literature abounds regarding how consumption of psycho- when Trump was elected as president to the market to buy foodstuffs for women. Inability of men to meet these responsibilities imposed active substances promotes the kind of mindless violence that but now, I know the world is crazy on them by culture and religion oftentimes due to unfavourable economic situations results in we see all over Nigeria today. Understanding this relationship and I don’t think everyone is playing aggressive behaviour and assault on their female partners. and agreeing that we do have a serious social problem with with a full deck of cards. Hopefully the A strategic way of tackling sexual and gender-based violence is needed for a school curriculum dire implications for our national security will help to design Martians will abduct me and bring me which promotes shared responsibility in not only the household but also the importance of gender appropriate responses. We must commend Marwa for his back in a few years when the world equality and its link to rapid socio-economic development. Religious and traditional leaders also campaign against substance abuse that is now prevalent in the gets rid of the COVID pandemic and need to change their biases about the cultural role of women but instead champion their inclusion country and hope the authorities in Abuja and all the states returns to normal. in religious and cultural programs as well as political leadership while also promoting mutual can see the clear and present danger it poses to the future of Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, submission between men and women in households. our country. Australia Oluwatoyin Olabisi, Executive Director, Women & Girls Capabilities & Empowerment Olusegun Adeniyi, Abuja Organisation 16 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
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THISDAY SPECIALINTERVIEW

CHIKWE IHEKWEAZU: NEW PANDEMIC HUB TO DEVELOP CAPACITY TO TACKLE EMERGING DISEASES The World Health Organisation yesterday unveiled a global Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, a platform for creating shared and networked access to vital multi-sectoral data, driving innovations in data analytics and building the communities of practice needed to predict, prevent, detect, prepare for and respond to worldwide health threats. Interestingly, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, was yesterday named Assistant Director General World Health Organisation, WHO, and Head of the newly created Global Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, situated in Berlin, from November 1, 2021. In this interview, Ihekweazu and Mirjam Jenny, who leads the Science Communication Unit at the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, spoke about the initiative as well as its role in the quest to develop capacity against pandemic. Obinna Chima and Onyebuchi Ezigbo bring the excerpts:

What is the whole idea about a global hub for countries, within academic institutions, within regions to collect, synthesis and quickly use information. infectious disease threats that have happened over the World Health Organisation (WHO) global hub and there isn’t enough capacity to pull all of this The world is now global village. So that is a bit the last few years - monkey pox, Lassa fever and for pandemic and economic intelligence which together in a collaborative way so that if there is a of what the hub is going to do and it will start in the rest of them. Also, in recognising that in order was inaugurated yesterday all about? new emergent incident somewhere in the world, Berlin and Geneva, working collaboratively but to have a global initiative to respond, there is need irstly a little bit about the hub so that it provides whether it is in South East Asia, Europe, Africa or primarily out of Berlin and pulling together the to have deep knowledge about how local systems context and why this has become necessary. China, how do we collect this information in an word’s resources to support the different governments work. For instance, when a report comes in the Obviously we have seen an increasing number effective manner to analyse it and then use it to in the world to make the decision. So that is the newspaper that there were XYZ number of deaths of new emergent infectious diseases globally define a public health response. So, this has really summary of this new initiative which will kick in a certain local government, someone needs to over the last 50 years and we are all witnesses been the thinking that has been going on over the off on Wednesday and which will be launched go there, collect these data and samples and report toF the largest pandemic of our lifetime. In reviewing last few months and in response to this, WHO by the Director General of WHO together with and we need the system to do that, which is the all these incidents that had happened, WHO set up and its partners and member states have come up the German Chancellor. same thing that happens all over the world. So, I several partners to look at the causes and how the with a concept of a new pandemic preparedness think it is a recognition that the work that we have world can actually come together to mitigate the impact hub or pandemic intelligence and preparedness So where does Nigeria fit in this global health done over the past five years to develop this system of this to protect everyone from similar occurrences hub. But basically the concept is around getting pandemic intelligence preparedness hub? will have a big contribution in the global context. I happening in the past and also to be able to respond better data, analysing it quicker and better and I think where Nigeria fits in is for instance the think the choice of the leader of the NCDC to work quicker to incidents when they happen. So there have using it to make decisions to support the world in choice of the leader of the NCDC to lead this along with the global initiative is something that been a lot of thinking on how to do this and one of the decision making. So, this is a new exciting project global initiative is probably a recognition of the needs to be celebrated in Nigeria as a recognition biggest consensus area is that there is a lot of capacity that would be carried out led by WHO but with work we have done in Nigeria with the NCDC of the work that has been done so far. in the world to detect, prevent and respond, but a lot active collaboration with many countries in the and the Federal Ministry of Health led on by the of that capacity is not aligned in a way that makes world working together with them in a way. If presidential staring committee in responding to this How would this initiative improve our data the best use of it and these capabilities are within you can imagine some group that have the ability pandemic in Nigeria; in responding to many other reporting and collection challenges in Nigeria? THISDAY ˾
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 17 SPECIAL INTERVIEW Mirjam Jenny: WHO is Committed to Increasing Access to Healthcare Globally Yes, we struggle with our system, but we have care that they need. I think at this stage, all of us made a lot of progress in Nigeria. We have built up have a responsibility to that this is not only for health a digital surveillance system for infectious diseases workers, we all have to continue educating our people called SORMAS, which has now been deployed that God has given us a brain for a reason, to be across all the 774 local government areas to report able to help those that don’t really understand how the cases of infectious diseases from the local level to viruses lead to diseases and make that as simple as the national level. In developing this system we have possible and educate them on how they can prevent learnt a lot about what works in Nigeria and to make themselves from contacting the diseases. a system work in Nigeria you can probably get it to work anywhere in the world. So, the recognition that Don’t you think that politics or political decisions yes, we work in a very tough context which is not by heads of governments of member countries just about health, but agriculture, insecurity, internet might affect the smooth operation of this initiative? and so on. If we can deliver a system that works in Jenny: I think you are raising a very hard issue there Nigeria then we may be have a chance of delivering and that is going to be one of the biggest challenges as systems that work across the world. In many parts I mentioned earlier to make politicians think globally of the world, when you are thinking about building and make them realise that some of the local actions a new architecture survey system, you’re not think can get them re-election but global actions can clear about electricity, transportation or internet. A lot of all from future pandemics. Nigeria is a federated state these things are taken for granted because they work where you have compromise and talk to people, learn at the background. But in Nigeria, we have to think from and collaborate with climate scientist because of all these things properly, same as in many other they have similar challenges because if we must fight developing countries in Africa, in South East Asia and the climate challenges globally, then you have to work many other countries. This is what is translating to together to fight it and emerging diseases are part of the the local challenges that we have. Taking that into climate crisis. This would be very hard but we have no consideration and recognising that they are important other chance but to try and the WHO of course is the and for someone to lead a new global initiative, you one you need which is the organisation that can tackle have to really understand the difficulties, challenges and this because it is a member of aid organisation and impediment of making these things work in context because it has the mission of keeping the world safe. in order to implement it at a global level. The time to act is now; like I can speak for Germany where the funds for healthcare has increased and take Earlier you said the WHO came up with the this thinking to a global and how people understand initiative in active collaboration with countries, and again at the end it is important to find global so is there a role for the private sector to play solutions because viruses will always fight back. In in this arrangement? a way it is a question of continuous campaigning. When we say WHO, it is the organisation and its By the way, about this earlier question on what you member-states. Now, the whole concept of the hub is say to someone who doesn’t believe there is COVID based on the recognition that we have to work with every 19, of course one of the reason could be you have a sector to bring in the data that they have. So, whether person that doesn’t know much about medical illness it is the not-for-profit or academia institution – a lot of and infections but sometimes you also have some data are in academic institutions; the private sector, if persons that actually know quite a lot about this but you think about global travel, the airline industry how are derailed by conspiracy theories which are very much data they have in terms of passenger transport. hard to erase from people’s mind. If you have that If you think about sea transportation, which is localised kind of situation where the person has been convinced in cruise ship which collect data on people travelling; Ihekweazu by conspiracy thinking that COVID-19 doesn’t exist, and that data is not in any way systematically included usually it is better to talk to them about what kind of in the analysis that is required to be done. If you think effective of vaccine deployment efforts. So you defensives and prevent this globally? You will benefits do they get from joining such conspiracy theory about the animals, remember, most infectious diseases asked two questions in one: The first one which find out that the dollar spent on this particular and thinking, how does it make them feel better and jump from animals to humans and we are still looking is access to vaccine and I think this hub will do a threat is minimal. kind of address those issues that the person has and for the primary animal host for this new coronavirus lot of things that are being done by small groups So, what I think the main benefit of this give them some sense of security and not trying to because everyone agrees that it is most likely to have around the world, in an evidenced-based way. initiative would be to raise the profile of a threat discuss the details of the illness because that is usually come from an animal host. So, we need to understand When the analysis and presentation is done by an that affects all of us globally to the level that our much harder because what helps is usually to think that we need data from agriculture, data from travel initiative that has the authority and credibility to politicians will have to listen and once they start with them on a personal connection. and that is really our engagement with the private do so, hopefully that will help in making better listening the next step is to invest in the healthcare sector. Once we get this started, we will demonstrate decisions in terms of where to deploy the vaccines. infrastructure that we need to do this because Why is it difficult to convince political leaders to the world that they must be a part of this and So, I think we are undergoing a third wave in no matter how good WHO is or even National in Africa to develop the health sector? there is a lot of prediction that there would be a lot of Nigeria but for the first time in a long time we Public Health Institute is, ultimately what we You know we are faced with many challenges, support from the private sector. Remember, as much have some substantial amount of vaccine and need is a well-functioning healthcare delivery security, basic infrastructure, among others and very as there have been incredible human consequence of a good number of that will come in between infrastructure in countries such that if you are often health is not present in our day to day discussion. this pandemic if you think about up to five million now and the end of the year. We have started ill, a patient will have the confidence of going People are not talking about health, so it won’t be on lives lost, the human impact has been incredible, but receiving the Moderna vaccine and many other to that primary healthcare centre, saying I have the political agenda and the reason I think is that we the impact of this pandemic on the global economy is sets of vaccines will come in between now and a fever, the sample would be collected from that all take health for granted until we lose it and when unprecedented. So, I think it would be to everyone’s December and I believe before the end of the individual, test can be done quickly if it is one of we lose it we are not in the best place to ask for it best interest to invest in supporting the emergence of year we will be in a much better position to the common cause of fever, will treat the patient because we are either very ill or we are gone. If you a hub that can warn us on time about the prevention respond to this. but on a rare occasion that it is one of something read about development of modern society you will of a new infectious disease threat so that we can all new that the system will work in order for that see that relationship between the role of health and prepare and make sure we can prevent it if possible, There has been this vaccine inequity and information to be taken up to a level that require reducing health challenges and health inequalities really but if not, reduce its impact on human life and also Africa has really lagged behind in vaccination. a response to health. played a big role in the development of societies in on the economies of our countries. How will this hub help to tackle this aspect So, for all of that to work, for the system to work countries. This question demonstrates that at least you of the whole pandemic campaign and the in every country, we need a significant amount are aware of this, the issue then is how do we, at least Considering the fact that Nigeria and the rest vaccine inequity which is a major issue? of investment in healthcare and that investment from the point of view of the media, put it more in of Africa share a common experience in terms of Jenny: WHO has a general mission to increase hasn’t happened because I think the threat that the national consciousness of all. many unreported epidemic or neglected epidemic equity in access to all healthcare materials, not just we face are not positioned in a way particularly I hope this new hub will have a role to play with cases, do you think this initiative will be of great vaccine and of course during this crisis vaccine is to enable our government to pay attention. But that by providing the world and Africa as a big part assistance to address this problem? the biggest and most important equity that we have if we don’t use it in a way the opportunity that of it the information in a way that we can use it for I think this is a point that really demonstrates that because it is the most powerful tool against the the global pandemic has provided for the health running these organisations in our communities and there is recognition by the DG of WHO that every virus and I think a lot of people have being raising sector to make this investment, they would never drive the conversations with our political leaders in part of the world is important and Africa is just as awareness in the political world on a policy level be made. So one of the drivers of this initiative other for them to find a link between investment in important as every other continent in the world. It globally in supporting WHO’s ongoing campaign is to really use the momentum of the attention health and economic development of country and is in that context of wishing for a more equitable to promote vaccine equity, access to vaccine around right now on this infectious disease threat to once we can achieve that narrative I think we will world and working towards it, that Africa is now the world in terms of more logistical detailed build the systems that we need for the future have a better position and chance of convincing them being recognised as the front and centre of the work solutions. We don’t know exactly, but there is a so that we don’t lose the attention span of our because ultimately politics is the same globally. We that needs to happen moving forward. So, I think that lot of political convenience that we are negotiating political leadership if we don’t act now that this have to offer them a link between health and political yes, there are many challenges on the continent but to do in upcoming convention. So WHO is the is very present. sustainability like I call it now. If we sell health as no doubt about it we have many human resources convener of getting people together on one table something you just do as an altruistic activity for the like many other continents in the world that focuses to discuss these things as Dr. Chikwe already I still have a lot of people who don’t believe people it doesn’t have political value, it doesn’t have on the goals we set for ourselves in the continent but mentioned to discuss the evidence that people that there is COVID-19, what message do value. So, we have to change the narrative a bit and I think it is in recognition of the role that we need to need to see more and have a global solution which you have for such persons? I am hoping this hub will provide not only the data play and the fact that we can’t continue to be recipient is more effective, distribute vaccine equitably and So, five million have died from this disease but also the interpretation and presentation in order of solutions, but that we have a part to play in the that is basically the work that the hub is set to and because one of those people are not within for our politicians to understand why they need to creation of these solutions that will make the world a do. I think in away science is in a haste in terms our immediate family network doesn’t mean that increase investment. safer place. In that recognition, I think that Nigeria and of what works globally and the way scientists each of the five million doesn’t have a family, Africa is going to play a big part in this new global communicate and we have to find a way to get friend, loved one that their lives has been torn I don’t know if we have touched on the issue initiative and I think we will make Nigeria, Africa that global thinking and make them understand apart by this loss. We have been fairly lucky of funding of this initiative, are there any form of and ultimately the world a safer place. that it is in their own interest. in Nigeria so far and with fingers crossed that assistance to member countries on this initiative? we haven’t been hit as hard as many other At this stage that the German government has We can see that the third wave is ravaging How would this global effort or new initiative countries. In my work around the country, part provided an initial $100 million grant for this hub countries globally even countries that have achieved also encourage heads of government to look of it includes international work, the impact has and ultimately the hub will attract the support which 60 percent vaccination. Where does that leave Nigeria towards the direction of improving the health been devastating. Just last week, I was speaking will not just go and sit in the hub, the hub will work that is still around two per cent vaccination rate? budget? to a colleague who works in the main national with countries around the world and once it delivers, There is a lot that we are still learning about this What this new initiative will do is really raise the hospital in Nairobi, I don’t want to use a more it will attract more funding to them and all the other virus and the emergence of new variants and one of profile of what we need to do protect the world. distant example because sometimes it appears countries, WHO member states and deliver on what the key part is the ability to get information and this Of course, you think about the investment made too distant. But this colleague works in the main it needs to succeed. Really, this hub will be linked to happens when we work with academics that have in military interventions globally and you think National Hospital in Nairobi. countries and work together with countries to develop information on the virus in other to then understand about the threat that it poses which you can’t He was completely exhausted because literally the data and resources needed in making decisions. the impact it has, the tools we need to respond, one equate with the threats of an infectious disease. for the past five months he hasn’t had a day of While the initial funding in the beginning we are hopeful of which are the vaccines. Now, the hub in itself will I mean what else can lead to five million deaths rest as their hospitals have been overwhelmed; that there would be a lot more funding as soon as not overnight change the access to vaccine, but will globally in one and half years? There is very little he has lost colleagues that he worked with every we demonstrate the value of collaborative thinking, clearly, in an evidenced-based means demonstrate that can do that other than a virus. What else day; doctors, nurses and still their wards are full collaborative working, collaborative decision making the link between the emergence of new variant and can be done in preparing the world to mount and they are struggling to provide patients the in tackling the world’s hardest problems. 18 THISDAY ˾THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG POLITICS Email [email protected] (08114495324 SMS ONLY) Maduka: I’m One of Anambra’s Godfathers Accord Party governorship candidate in Anambra State, Dr Godwin Maduka, tells Nseobong Okon-Ekong that given the opportunity to govern the state, his administration would go beyond perfunctory tasks to executing transformational projects in all spheres. Excerpts: ow did you become the re- in this town. So I joined PDP, and I won the nowned physician that you primary election going by the nomination, are today? anybody can check it out, I had the majority Upon completion of my course, of the adhoc statutory delegates. We bonded, I went to Las Vegas where I was they loved the Okonkwo in ‘Things Fall Apart’ workingH as a Physiologist and doing minor by Chinua Achebe. I made sure that I continued surgeries. I had to leave after one year and a my philanthropy using the statutory adhoc half to open my own practice called Las Vegas delegates. I enlightened them on what I intend Pain Institute and Medical Centre. I was do- to do when I become governor. ing most of the minor surgeries, which entails pharmaceutical as well as surgical intervention What are some of those things you intend to pain management. I ended up building six to do as governor? pain hospitals. From building pharmaceutical industries One of the things that helped me is that, when without sugar pills to building roads and I was practising, I was gaining results. One bridges, modernising and upgrading the air- thing that doesn’t discriminate in human beings port, bringing the seaport to Onitsha, from the is health. If you have to get good healthcare Atlantic Ocean straight into Onitsha so we can from anybody, you don’t need to don’t care clear our containers easily; no more Tincan or about the caregiver’s skin colour. So it was Apapa. I’m also going to build 21 emergency a zeal and I did it very well. At one point, I rooms in 21 Local Government areas. So that had to think of home. I decided to embark on whenever you have an emergency like, heart developing this place. attack or stroke you would not have to run helter-skelter, you would have a place to run How did you start? to where they would recognise the signs and I started with my home, my brothers and symptoms that would save your life, because sisters. All of us were living in a five-story build- nobody is free. If you have a cut in America, they ing, which at that point was the tallest in the would get the wound and patch the ruptured whole local government. Upon completion vessels. In America, if you have a stroke, there of that, I embarked on building homes for the is an emergency centre that would take care of homeless, the widows and widowers and all it and you would be free. All you need to do is the less privileged of this town. When I see a manage and get to the nearest local government thatched house it has to come down. We gave emergency centre where there are 24 hours them a new home. In two weeks they have a running staff. That is what I plan to do in terms five-bedroom house. Also, I had to go into the of medicine with all other kinds of stuff that I educational system. At that time, we didn’t have been doing. In terms of education, I also have a primary school, so we built a primary promised to build 21 university campuses in school and a secondary school and we gave it 21 local governments in the state by looking to a church to manage. We also built a hospital, at what the local government is known for. which we also gave to a church to manage. For instance, in Onitsha, I would build the We embarked on building a civic centre for department of Legal Studies; they have more assembly and worship. We also built homes for lawyers than any other town in Anambra State. resident priests for the Anglican Church and So, since that’s what they are known for we the Catholic Church in the town. We embarked would build it for them. We can build a Marine on building the roads and bridges. We took a Biology campus for people in Ogbaru Area while to build this, but from 2016 to 2018, it was Maduka such that ‘keke’ drivers can go for their formal a serious development. We started building routine in the morning and in the evening that 17-floor pain centre about 16 years ago. they go to a class. I promise to increase the While I was building it, something came up For some of us that were born around start? percentage of literate people in Anambra to and I had to stop, do what I had to do and that time, we didn’t start school till age I used to be an APGA sympathiser. I a level that surpasses any other state in this continue. It was like one year, one block but 11. I migrated to America after gaining was never a member. I watched them over country, after all, that is what I’m known for. I within that period, we were able to finish the a scholarship and I was lucky enough the years. I saw the trend of APGA when also told them we are going to bring technology. 16 floors. We were also able to build the police to finish a four-year course in one year they used to take Certificate of Return Anambra would probably be the first state to stations with their barracks, the only one we and six months. from people that won an election and give build a phone. We all know that if you need have in Anambra State. it to somebody else. At that point, I was a phone it is possible to go to Aba and get a We went on to the Magistrate Court, but the You finished a four-year course in like this is not happening. So, some of the phone coupled for you. But, why is it that our place where it was so difficult to deal with is one year and six months? people I helped during their campaign people would not do that? It is all greed-driven. the High Court. Nobody ever told me that you Yes. Because then, for WAEC, GCE, that were supposed to make it, didn’t. I also promised that we would have religious have to build a high court at the headquarters. we used to read above and beyond the That is one of the things that made me tolerance. The white people came here and I was designing a city, so I had to build the course of study. Upon migrating to the start looking into this politics. At that taught us that instead of going to the Umo, the high court in the town of Umuchukwu and it US it was so easy to go to class and they point, I decided that PDP is the next shrine, instead of circumcising women, and caused crisis. The neighbouring town that was were able to test me from freshman to thing. I entered PDP, and when it was other similar kinds of stuff, like ‘juju’, there supposed to be the headquarters said “how sophomore and junior. In the middle of time, I started running for the position are better ways of doing things. Our people dare you build a high court in your town.” It my junior year, that was when I stopped. of Governor of Anambra State. I had to went through all that and I feel that we need took almost two years to open. Can you imagine So within two weeks of being in the US, overcome the stereotype about being from to change this country for the better. More so, I spending close to N4 billion, to build a high I’d already read two and half years. the US, but what happened is that they don’t like the fact that black is being painted as court with majestic looking building for the After that I was lucky enough to enter forgot the fact that I grew up here in the inferior. In as much as I attended college in the judge? With the panelling, the US procured for Doctorate programme in Pharmacy village. They also forgot the fact that I’ve US, when George Floyd was killed like a little items of furniture, it is still the best high court and in 1988, I got my Doctorate in Phar- been a philanthropist for more than 20 bird on the streets, our people should have to in Anambra. It’s just like what happened to me macy. In 1989, I entered the Doctor of years. I had to come home more often take note of that so that we can develop our now in the governorship race, I was humbled. Medicine programme and finished. In than ever. I think I come home more often own country. So religious tolerance should be Lucky enough, we were able to open it after 1992-1993, I finished my internship. I was than people that live in Abuja or Lagos there. You don’t have to be Catholic, Anglican, some months. I lost my mind because I was lucky enough to enter Harvard School because sometimes I come home two or Deeper Life or traditional worshipper. As long trying to do good; they have congestion at of Medicine to study Medicine, which three times a year and sometimes, I stay as you are praying to God, it is all fine and Ekwulobia, cases are not being dispatched fast, was where I did my four-year course in for one month. I started coming home in one shouldn’t touch that part. There should be so I thought it wise to build a high court to Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain 1997 and there has always been construc- women and youth empowerment but how many ease the workload but unfortunately, it became Management. tion or something important going on. other women and youth get that? Sometimes political. Anyway, it has been opened. We built That is what made it possible for me to you feel bad for our graduates something has the magistrate court too. We built homes for How did your sojourn into politics coordinate this level of development to be done. The next mass protest would be the monarchs both the dead one and the new worse than ‘EndSars’. I’m telling you. If we one. They are very happy about it and now don’t intervene now, this nation is going to we have 82% of graduates in this town. I grew I can tell you that 30-40 percent of that Internally explode. What is bothering me more is the up in a town where the majority of us were women, they go to school do the NYSC and underprivileged. Funny enough, where I built Generation Revenue in Lagos is from the Igbos. The there is no job. What do you expect her to do? our monastery was where I fell from a palm tree. It bothers me a lot. The wastage in this country point is that our people that are the Igbos are taking is beyond imagination. That is why I’m here Can you walk us through your early life over the trade in Lagos. That’s why I am trying to to change things. and educational background? I grew up in this village, Umuchukwu in encourage our people to come home here and start NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the Anambra State. I was born in 1959, and in 1982, online edition on www.thisdaylive.com I migrated to America. I had a rough childhood. building the factories. Let’s start building Anambra THISDAY ˾
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 19 POLITICS Okonkwo: Anambra’s Biggest Problem is Abandoning Her Values Following his recent move to Zenith Labour Party as its governorship candidate, Obiora Okonkwo, a former card-carrying member of Peoples Democratic Party, who declined a senatorial ticket in 2019 to pursue his governorship aspirations, is concerned about restoring the values of Anambra State. He spoke to Vanessa Obioha. Excerpts:

ill you consider yourself eventually decided that I was the candidate lucky that you were not and actually ordered that I should be given a announced winner of the certificate of Return and sworn in as senator. primary due to the con- The Appeal court later ruled otherwise. In 2019, troversy in PDP, with Val the PDP offered me a ticket to go to the Senate WOzigbo and Ugochukwu Ubah emerging for Anambra Central. I looked at it and felt that from parallel primaries, particularly now my political ambition should be better realized that other parties like APGA and APC, are on a platform like the governorship where you also having problems? are responsible for your actions. It is a platform Yes, there are problems in all the major political where you take initiatives and carry it out. I parties. Litigations are endless in PDP because offered to work with a candidate that the party they have two major things to contend with. would provide. That was how Uche Ekwunife They are already saying that the product of that is the senator today from Anambra Central. We exercise is null and void. That means that the had an understanding that she would go to the PDP might not have a candidate in that election. Senate and I would go for the governorship seat. APC also has its own issues and the problems Immediately after the election, we embarked are still there coupled with the latest Supreme on the process of putting the party together to Court judgment that may have made it null deal with all the issues that are common with and void for any primaries conducted by the political parties in Anambra State. God helped national chairman of the party. Then the other us to bring it to the level that we had until 48 party is APGA, which is going from one crisis hours to the governorship primaries on June 26, to the other. 2021 and the party, in its own wisdom, dissolved It looks like a good number of the people the executives for what they termed conflict of of Anambra have realised that our state is in a interests. We were concerned initially because total political quagmire. There were concerns we knew that with that singular action, they that we might fall from frying pan to fire and had breached the constitution of the party. The that people might wake up one day and an constitution of the party is very clear, that the unexpected person might just be declared the state congress should elect the gubernatorial governor of Anambra State. So, I hearkened candidate of the party; and that state congress to the voice of the people and decided to take was very specific –the state exco, Local Govern- up this project with full knowledge that this ment excos and the five man per ward and three is a difficult task. This is because anyone that ad-hoc members. The constitution went further hears that I am from a known party to one that to say two third of that number shall form a is relatively not well-known, will wonder what quorum. What it means is that in any business happened. If the person does not have the other of the party, if you do not form that quorum, details, one may conclude that one is going on Okonkwo that business is null and void. The party went a suicide mission. I would not blame anybody. I ahead to conduct that exercise. would have thought so myself. However, there Eventually, the primary was conducted. When is prospect in this venture. prime minister has the capacity with drone in the major parties will work help that result was announced many people were We decided to agree to this call because the technology to determine the type of soil in parties like ZLP show their political disappointed. I did not know that for the short people who were with us in PDP are still with a farm and use the same drone to correct stamina? period we were marketing ourselves and the us today. We decided to seek the governorship whatever is in that soil without going The winner of this election will be programme, we had been able to build a silent, on the platform of the Zenith Labour Party there physically. If Americans would stay determined by the personality and committed followership that has turned into (ZLP). There was a window for substitution in Washington and pick the enemy one antecedents of individual and then the a movement. There were calls that this project of candidate and we took advantage of it. I by one in Iraq or Afghanistan without stability of your own ticket. If you are should not just end like that. I recall the com- have looked at the advantages. As we speak putting foot on ground; even pick those the best candidate and you are in a good mitment of those who decided to work with today, I am the only governorship candidate inside an armoured car, then what are party with a large number of litigations, us that they would not be behind me but with from Anambra Central, which has the highest we talking about? That is the world of you know what it means. I know that the me. This is because if somebody is behind you, number of registered voters. Apart from that, I the future and the brain power is there people wanted us and what we need to you might be moving forward and he might am from Idemili Federal Constituency that has in Anambra State. I do tell people that do is just to remind them that it is no more be moving backwards. So, remembering that over 600,000 registered voters. So, that flank is what makes the difference is leadership about party anymore but the individual it was a commitment we made to one another, open. There is the North, which has the second and you do not need all the people; just candidate. I was not flattered when they made that appeal largest number of registered voters and they one or two people, to drive the process. I It might interest you to know that that we should not just stop. It took a while to were compensated with Governor Willie Obiano. studied in Russia; had my PhD in political there is an organisation called Save decide what to do next. I made some further Many people from the North are angry, having science, Masters in Economics and first Anambra Group, which was set up by consultations and I saw that genuine and honest thought the PDP could pick a running mate from degree in Economics. I have what it takes a good number of politicians in the state confidence that we have something to offer; that there, which didn’t happen. We have taken care to be Anambra governor. who are unhappy with what has become somebody like me with the 10-point agenda of this in my candidature. the outcome of the primaries in various will be needed for Anambra State and even Strategically speaking, we thought that With your recent move to Zenith political parties. They are also desirous the South East, and that we could be a source with my strength in Idemili, and my reach in Labour Party (ZLP), what political of having a consensus candidate and I of inspiration for Nigeria at large. the Central and a partnership with the North, structure are you taking to the polls happen to be their choice. We are inherit- we could make a difference. There is work of on November 6, considering the time ing about five other political parties. We Do you think the issue of zoning would mobilisation and sensitisation to be done. We constraints? are moving with a lot of people and we affect your chances? will do our best. The choice of ZLP is strategic. It The essence of structure is about ser- have chosen our deputy, Mrs. Balonwu. We have come to the end of that agitation. is the last party on the ballot paper. We will tell vicing them. We are relying on what we With that, we think we should be able to Like I have always said, in the first place, the voters to go vote for the last party on the ballot built as personal structures. The Zenith get votes from the North because she is agitation was unfounded. It was for the simple paper, instead of leaving them to start looking Labour Party may not have all their cells quite acceptable. reason of some people who wanted to eliminate for our logo in the midst of so many others. right now, but we can populate the entire me from the race without reasons. Anambra It is not going to be easy, but I believe that it is structure in 48 hours. My team is already Can you take us through your has never zoned the governorship seat. And only people that can make things easy. Political having an audit of the party in the state. political trajectory? it might interest you to know that the biggest structure is human and not spirit. Anambra We controlled 80 per cent of PDP structure. I have been involved in politics as a propagandist of that zoning was APGA. One people are already in the kind of mood that what Nobody has left our structure. ZLP is the member of the Peoples Democratic Party wonders, if APGA had zoned its ticket to south, would determine the outcome of this election latest talk in town and I am happy about it. (PDP). In 2015, I contested for the Senate why are they pushing other political parties to is individual and not political party. Internally, and there were issues about who was the go to south? The only reason you were hearing political parties are flawed and the best, most So you are confident that the crises valid candidate of the party. The court about zoning was because I am in the race. They times, does not emerge. I am not in this race did not want me to be in the race because they by my strength, but I believe that with God, knew that I would win. Inside the PDP, you everything is possible. Human beings have heard about 14 aspirants from the South talking spoken but God would always have the final That is why we are planning to have a special Ministry about zoning then. If they had the strength to say. We have something to offer in Anambra. It for Diaspora Affairs. We need to engage our people win, they would not have been agitating for would only take a good person on a platform zoning. But talk about zoning has ended. Even of governance to be able to influence what is wherever they are. Those people who are in China, those who were talking about zoning before happening. With my background and exposure, now would tell you that it ended during the we will give Anambra the best. I am in this we do not have to ask them to come back. We will primaries. It is not an issue now and nobody because I believe that the greatest resources are talks about zoning. available in Anambra State and human resource encourage them to set up things in Anambra. The is more important than anything. The world world is a global village. I will just set up a liaison NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the today is knowledge driven. online edition on www.thisdaylive.com I was telling a group of people that the Israeli office in China and direct them 20 THISDAY ˾
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 POLITICS Lessons from the Life and Times of Baba Joda The death, recently, of Baba Ahmed Joda, one of Nigeria’s most acknowledged ‘super’ permanent secretaries, should galvanise the leadership of the country towards a worthy legacy, writes Ladi Thompson

y gaze settled on him understand why an Ahmed Joda would while he was expound- be kept on a farm instead of a university ing on the security situa- environment where his brains should tion in Nigeria and I just be picked until his legacy is stored in a marveled at the acuity of digital format. What a tragedy! I smile hisM cogitations and the precision of his every time I recall our conversation delivery, taking note of his frail frame about his days in Ibadan and his recol- and the fact that the ravages of time had lections of the native authority police deepened since our last meeting. We era when we discussed the issue of were at a session of the Burdened Elders state police. Off course, I amended my of Nigeria and Professor Anya was opinion about the introduction of state seated to his right, somewhere to his left police structures in Nigeria after his Dr. Christopher Kolade sat relaxed with submission. that signature inscrutable expression Sadly there are two major components on his face. Engineer Shyngle Wigwe, to the Nigerian problem, one portion is Professor Joe Irukwu, and the brainiac a brilliant ancient colonial construct that Philip Asiodu were also in attendance. has remanded us in the kindergarten of Quietly tapping his fingers on the independence when we should all be table, Professor-double Ambassador thinking interdependence! The second George Obiozor’s eyes peered from portion is a modern maze that we have behind the facial mask he wears to hide not yet mastered. The key to unlock the acute brilliance of his brain. the prison of “independence” thinking My presence at the table was by was in the heart of Ahmed Joda and a default since 60 year olds in the Africa few other true elders like himself. We hardly qualify as elders’ talk less of need to treasure those who are still those who were a few months shy of 60 alive and extract that wisdom. Finally but my elders had chosen to be gracious. Ahmed Joda is now gone and the loss Every time these elders met, it was is irreplaceable, he was an exemplar obvious that deep was calling to deep! of what the Fulani leadership heritage They collectively represented a quality could contribute to national progress and quantity that is melting away in when it is properly harvested instead of the Nigerian narrative. These were true this cattle herders’ nuisance that is being elders and I dare say that Baba Ahmed projected. My hope and prayer is that Joda was one of the deepest elders Late Joda President Muhammadu Buhari heard seated at the conference table. There are and understood the counsel that Baba three definite assets he had besides the Ahmed Joda gave to him. obvious that stood him out. A nation that does not recognize the to Yola where he was retired as a First, Baba Ahmed Joda had a rare gifts God has given to her should farmer and he instructed me to call -Reverend Ladi Peter Thompson , a grade of humility that was difficult to be mourned. Sometime last year we from the airport so he would ar- clergy and security expert is a member of detect as most brilliant personalities had agreed that I would come over range for my pick up. I could never the Burdened Elders of Nigeria have a challenge serving under less gifted people but this man could serve and in the course of his brilliant career had served under diverse personalities Good Governance as Key Factor to Dream Africa of varying intelligence grades without giving or taking offence. Even in his old Sharing his thoughts at a recent Africa Advancement Forum Global Summit in Accra, age, Ahmed Joda had something that is described as “quick grasp” yet he tamed Ghana, Noah Dallaji harps on the leadership question in Africa it with patience and would not move a he challenge of development in values that make it a potent force of discussion forward until everyone had Africa really calls for an urgent development, that is, a people- centred caught up. For the second virtuous trait, action towards breaking from political enterprise. The bulk of the issues the recurring dilemma we find here, I think, reside with the young and as an old school Fulani, Ahmed Joda ourselves. COVID-19 pandemic vibrant individuals, who should take had an instinctive mantle of leadership hasT had a serious effect on economies, we their destiny into their hands by being but his leadership style went far beyond know, but the situation in critical terms patriotic during elections. The young the stoicism of sheepherder encultura- predates the pandemic. It is becoming people should be credible enough to tion. He was a model of steward leader- more and more expedient to take neces- herald the necessary change and develop- ship that believed in promoting others sary action and we have no choice but ment in the continent. take the bull by the horn. However, I am not oblivious of the above himself if it was in the national This is why my attendance at this sum- reality that achieving the Africa we want interest. mit is important to me and the organiza- or deserve would be a collective responsi- On the third point, I was privileged tion I represent. At the African Children bility by first changing at individual level, to see the old man espouse a national Talent Discovery Foundation (ACTDF), to that of country and then the continent. success progression that many younger we are quite Afrocentric in the sense that I am optimistic that we would get there generation leaders are struggling to the plight of the African children and the and the time to think and act that way is young people remains our focus, even now. Yes, Africa deserves the best because learn. Like babies, nations may be as we are a part of the global community it has the best of all things, from the abun- born dependent but they soon grow going by the larger view of our activities. dant resources, weather to healthy food, to become independent when they are Attendance is thus a matter of passion intellectual capacity and creativity, span- weaned properly. From the second to see what we can do as Africans for the ning the music, arts and entertainment, phase of independence the wise na- greater good of the continent. Dallaji we are blessed. But in spite of all this, one tion learns that interdependence is So when I got the invitation to this begins to wonder why government and summit, I felt a sense of obligation to much more profitable. Ahmed Joda governance have been too lethargic to the attend, hoping that the basic issues of addressed which, arguably, is at the heart detriment of the people in the continent. understood that both northern and development would be discussed and I of the matter and that is the challenge Of course, the simple answer is that we, southern Nigeria would be better off if am happy to see such a broad network which this summit has to tackle, thereby the people, failed in our duties to elect the we learned how to be interdependent of like minds gathered at this event paving the way for a new Africa we really right leaders. but he also knew that interdependence organized by the Africa Development want. So that’s the responsibility we have. We requires a lot more intelligence to oper- Forum. I have so far listened to some But this won’t happen by accident, we must choose our leaders wisely. We have ate than independence. good conversations on “The Africa We have to work for it, especially through to decide the kind of leaders we want. We Want” being the theme of this summit. advocacy and platforms like this to raise surely need a new Africa where there’s Awhile back we had a private dinner The various views have also been reveal- the bar of leadership. Just as we do at the political stability, deepened democracy, in the Lagos home of one of his many ing and in some cases challenging to our ACTDF, we must necessarily engage the equity and justice and economic prosperity. protégés, a brilliant Fulani banker of hopes and aspirations as a people and a youths and prepare them to be active But all this will only materialize when note and I was amazed that Ahmed continent. participants in this crucial conversation, we could attain a position of self reinven- Joda was carrying a deep burden for In all of this, I think one major concern adding value not only for personal tion imbued with vision, which I usually the legacy of President Muhammadu we should address more seriously is the development but that of their countries. refer to as a ministry because of the leadership question in Africa, a situation It is for this reason that one would call intrinsic values, inclusive government, Buhari. Devoid of any guile Ahmed Joda which I believe has had its impact on the for a new thinking that focuses on renewal leaders with capacity and competence agonized over the plight of the average level of development in the continent. I of values and attitudinal change in African and altruistic enough to be servant citizen and voiced his opinion that think leadership, an effective leadership, leadership towards creating a new Africa leaders. the current president deserved better is the foundation upon which every other that works for all. And on the sub-theme of this summit, I counsel than whatever he was receiving factor rests upon as we hope to have an The truth is that there is still much to do believe Africans must now tell their own at the moment. Africa that works for all. For without a to change the situation towards a more stories more favourably rather than just credible and patriotic leadership, the new dedicated and altruistic leadership that accept the narrative as told by Western When I was informed that Baba Africa which this summit wants us all to serves the greatest good for the greatest media which is anti-Africa and mislead- Ahmed Joda had departed, my friends see would still be a mirage, even as I rec- number where good governance and ing. thought I would break down and weep ognize the strides some of the nations in vibrant leadership constitute the basic knowing how much I respected his the continent are making and as reflected ethos of our governance culture. In this -Noah Dallaji, an engineer is the words. I cannot weep for a man who in their socio-economic indices. regard, we also have to look at our politics Founder of African Children Talent lived an impactful and fulfilling life be- Thus the leadership question has to be which should be redefined to focus on Discovery Foundation cause my tears are reserved for Nigeria. THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • THISDAY 21 Advertorial 22 THISDAY ˾
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 2, 2021

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi FEATURES Email [email protected], Tel: 07010510430 Green Building Pioneers Delivering Business Value in Nigeria

Mark Chieshe

lobal trends indicate that green buildings will eventu- ally transform the real estate market. World leaders are fast adopting sustainability policies and setting ambitious net-zeroG emissions goals to mitigate climate change in alignment with the UN SDGs and Paris Agreement. In response, international finance institutions and leading investors are re-orienting finance towards more sustainable investment portfolios. The growing shift towards sustainable financing is evidence of the significant benefits of investing in green in lieu of conventional buildings. Lower interest rates, extended loan terms, and other benefits can be realized by green developers and tenants. Statistics show that inefficient buildings risk a loss in value as regulatory authorities enforce stronger building regulations and policies mandating energy- efficient structures and more tenants become aware and knowledgeable about the impact of climate change and the utility savings and comfort that green buildings offer. In contrast, real estate developers who build sustainably have better access to financing and attract investors and partners that help them scale operations in an evolving market to Bluewaters, an EDGE-certified building in Lagos meet changing tenant preferences and building regulations. In their design, construction, or use, sustainable and net-zero carbon buildings a construction and civil engineering firm, building incorporates a range of climate-smart produce minimal negative impacts on the the Arthur Jarvis University in Calabar, solutions that guarantee comfortable spaces University of Abuja, and the University to develop Blue Waters. Located in Lekki environment and climate. According to the Phase 1, an affluent area on the south for occupants, a sense of prestige, and lower requirement set by the Paris Agreement, all of Nigeria, Nsukka Enugu, are all on the utility operations and maintenance costs. line as potential clients of Greenage. of east of Lagos city, Blue Water is an new buildings should be carbon zero by 2030 imposing architectural masterpiece that By optimizing the building design using while existing buildings need to meet this dots the Lagos skyline. the EDGE software, the developer achieved challenge by 2050 to prevent a 2 degree rise in Pioneers of "Green" Residential 31% energy savings by using a reduced Buildings The first phase of the project, named temperature. Furthermore, sustainable buildings Sapphire, is a 17-story 124-unit residential window to wall ratio, insulated roof, higher preserve natural resources and improve the In the residential building segment is thermal performance glass, lighting controls Echostone, an EDGE pioneer that uses its tower. The modern building has thermal quality of life. performance glass, energy-efficient lighting, for corridors, staircases, and occupancy sensors. As sustainable building pioneers, developers innovative building technology to deliver The building would also use 53% less water resource-efficient buildings that target the and cooling systems to reduce energy leverage a historic opportunity to play vital use by 27%, low-flow faucets, and dual- owing to fixtures such as low-flow faucets, roles towards the emergence of a new housing mass market in Nigeria. The firm has an dual-flush water closets, and water-efficient ambitious plan to build 100,000 EDGE- flush water closets that minimize water industry that is good for the environment and use by 28%. For occupants, this means urinals. This saves both the building owner good for the bottom lines of their stakeholders. certified homes across Nigeria over the and the tenants money. next five years. With Peridot Parkland lower utility costs while owners have the Sound industry facts underpin this trend. room to charge premium rates. The project Africa Capital Alliance is not the only big International Finance Corporation (IFC) estimates Estate, Echostone partnered with the Lagos player in Lagos's emerging "green" luxury office State Government to deliver 252 affordable received a preliminary design stage EDGE green buildings will represent a $24.7 trillion certification. accommodation. ITB, a leading construction investment opportunity across emerging markets homes. The green homes incorporate company specializing in designing and building resource-efficient features that give 53% by 2030, one of the biggest opportunities of the Green EDGE Office Buildings high-rise structures, is also leveraging EDGE decade. A recent report by Market Research energy-savings home, 42% Water Savings certification to map a more sustainable future and 35% Carbon Savings. The global trend also indicates that Future, a global market research company green office buildings are the wave for its investments. The company is developing based in the United Kingdom, anticipates that Alpha Mead Development Company, Alpha 1 – Eko Atlantic City, a 14-floor structure another EDGE client, has pioneered the of the future. Beyond climate-change the green buildings market would grow at mitigation, sustainable office buildings with modern, tastefully furnished offices in the 14.3% between 2020 and 2027. construction of climate-smart residences Marina District of the new Eko Atlantic City. that target the mid-to-high-end segment emphasize health and wellness – both key In Nigeria, the green building movement has to increased employee productivity. Africa The EDGE-certified building has climate-smart gained some housing industry traction within the of the Lagos elites with the Lekki Peal features such as smart metering and building Estate. The estate comprises 112 units of Capital Alliance (ACA) has recognized this past three years. Reputable developers in key segment's investment value and partnered management systems that save energy and water sectors of the built environment are leveraging flats, contemporary terrace units, stylishly while lowering the impact on the environment. designed semi-detached & luxurious with Samges Investment Limited to build EDGE, a global green building certification Alliance Place. This high-performance office system currently available worldwide to build apartments. Time to Scale With 40% energy savings and 30% accommodation is in Ikoyi, Lagos. green. An innovation of the International Finance The building plan considered the benefit The green building space in Nigeria now Corporation (IFC), a member of the World reduced water consumption, Pearl is mainly concentrated in Lagos, the nation's Estate has received an EDGE Advanced to the environment and employees' comfort Bank Group, EDGE (Excellence in Design for and well-being. Some of the green solutions commercial capital. Most of the buildings Greater Efficiencies), is helping developers Certification. Despite the premium prices are in strategic city areas such as Victoria for its residences, occupants are happy to used include features that allowed natural to champion eco-friendly change in different daylight and well-ventilated spaces. As a Island, Lekki, Ikoyi, and Marina. For a building sectors. The scope of adoption cuts live there because they enjoy lower utility start, this welcome and understandable. bills and the comfort that green solutions result of its impressive green credentials, across critical segments such as residential, Alliance Place has attracted international However, more Nigerian developers need office buildings, and hostel accommodation. provide make it all worth it. Also, the to start building more sustainably to play construction costs are not significantly higher tenants that are sensitive to the impact The EDGE assessment tool is accessible and of buildings on the environment and their part as responsible corporate citizens usable for all free of charge at edgebuildings. as some developers believe. Savings can in the global rally to defeat climate change be seen with an incremental cost increase value the benefits that sustainable office com. buildings have on staff productivity and and build future-proof business portfolios. Greenage: Championing Green Hostel of as little as 0.5% up to about 3% with Sustainable buildings have proven to make reasonable improvements. Therefore, it utility payments. They include the ACA Accommodation for Universities and IFC, a member of the World Bank remarkable business sense for investors. They A recent example is Greenage Development is appropriate for both affordable and attract premium tenants and have higher future luxury buildings. Group. Alliance Place has received the Managers, a private equity-driven fund and final EDGE certification from Sintali-SGS. value because of their inherent capacities to on-campus student and faculty housing projects lower utility, operations, and maintenance costs. provider. Greenage aims to transform the ACA – A String of Green Partnerships The resale value of a sustainable building is Another prominent real estate investor Cornerstone Tower student housing sector by delivering EDGE- African Capital Alliance (ACA) has also also significantly higher. The premium for certified student housing in higher-education that has invested heavily in green buildings going green pays off several times over in in Nigeria is African Capital Alliance partnered with Cornerstone Insurance institutions across Nigeria. With over 170 to build Cornerstone Tower, a premium the short to medium term of a building's life universities, 43 polytechnics, and an annual (ACA). ACA has formed several strategic cycle, a fact that validates the business case partnerships to deliver premium and resource-efficient office accommodation in enrollment of over 2 million, Nigeria has Victoria Island, Lagos. An architectural for climate-smart portfolios. a massive deficit of quality and affordable resource-efficient residences in Lagos, More so, the world is moving towards a Nigeria's biggest city. masterpiece that has at its design core respect student accommodation. Greenage plans to for the environment, the EDGE-certified green economy, and companies and investors leverage green building solutions and EDGE ACA has teamed up with Elalan Group, that move in another direction run the risk of certification to unlock innovative financing to being left behind. The time for action is now. lead in this segment on the back of its $150M The confluence of government and business Student Housing Fund. bolsters the case for developers to go green, Greenage will use the fund to deliver The world is moving towards a green and for a good reason. It is time for more 100,000 bed spaces across Nigeria over ten developers in Nigeria to get on board – for years. The first phase kicked off in May with economy, and companies and investors that business and the environment. the groundbreaking ceremony to develop 500-1,000 bed spaces at Veritas University, move in another direction run the risk of t$IJFTIF
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#THISISNIGERIA-Kingsley Ekejiuba GOING GREEN OR BURNING OUT

ow carbon, sustainability, social and introduction of measures to reduce waste. of global warming are gradually creeping into plastics) are options that players in the packaging inclusiveness and resource effi- According to the National Oceanic and the green land and we must take proactive industry must explore to provide products that are ciency - keywords that characterise Atmospheric Administration (NOOA) annual measures to prevent more loss. Wole Soyinka’s sustainable and environmentally friendly. the United Nations definition of a green Climate Report 2020, the combined land and brilliant mind once stated that “Looking at Demand and supply characterize the basics of economy. A lucid description refers ocean temperature has increased at an aver- faces of people, one gets the feeling there’s human economics but between the inverse relation- to an economic model that ‘results in age of 0.32oF per decade since 1981. In that a lot of work to be done.” ship of demand and supply lies a critical factor in Limproved human well-being and social equality, report, 2020 ranked as the second-warmest Extensively, looking at the “face” of Nigeria, the quality of supply. The World Bank recorded while significantly reducing environmental risks year in 141 years. In the article, Act Now or it is obvious that there’s a lot of work to be a total of $53,617,812.19 in exports for Nigeria in and ecological scarcities’ as the benchmark for Face Costly Consequences (OECD 2012), the done and we are lagging. 2019 with crude contributing about 84% of the a green economy. David Pearce, in his exciting Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Government must go beyond the usual proceeds and other products (433) contributing just work on green economics, opined that a green Development (OECD) exposed prospective media gimmicks to facilitate policies that over 15%. The quality of our export commodities economy has the capability of replicating itself irreversible damages that could be done to synchronize with the green concept. It is plays a huge role in determining the demand on a sustainable basis. our environment in the long term if neces- not enough to have the Vice President drive for our products. Over time, Africa depended on The concept of a green economy, though alien sary, and proactive measures are not taken. an electric car within the villa or a group of the export of raw materials to survive but the to most third world countries, is not entirely In that article, OECD stressed that without students assemble an electric vehicle in a school rising population of youths and the need to create new. ‘Blueprint for a Green Economy’ written new environmental-friendly policies: whose research apparatus is underfunded. We jobs means that African leaders must wear their by the trio of foremost environmental economists World energy demand in 2050 will be 80% must move beyond the usual, into a realm of thinking caps and think beyond simple export. Pearce, Markandya and Barbier (1989) captures the higher and 85% reliant on fossil fuel-based intentional action where policies are driven by We must transition from exporting raw materials essential pillars of a green economy. Expansively, energy. This could lead to a 50% increase in an environmentally friendly agenda that will to exporting finished products. We must these strategic pillars hinge on climate change, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally and sustain the current generation and preserve resource-saving and management, circular worsening air pollution. Urban air pollution is the next. INDUSTRIALIZE AFRICA for Africa to survive. economy, environmental protection, ecosystem set to become the top environmental cause of Diversifying our energy sector to include To export finished products, we must ensure protection and recovery, water conservation and mortality worldwide by 2050, ahead of dirty wind and solar power whose major resources that our products meet the best global standards natural disaster prevention. water and lack of sanitation. are renewable as primary energy sources should in sustainability and content; a green economy is But how does a green economy affect me as On land, global biodiversity is projected to be a foremost step in meeting rising demands a necessary condition for a globally-acceptable an individual? How does a green economy affect decline by a further 10%, with significant losses for electrical energy and cutting down on carbon African finished product. the average Nigerian who is most interested in Asia, Europe and Southern Africa. Areas of emissions. World Data Info (WDI) recorded a Bearing in mind the significance of the green in putting food on the table at all costs? What mature forests are projected to shrink by 13%. total of 130.57mt of CO2 emissions in Nigeria economy and its prospective impact on international economic rewards await me in a green economy? About one-third of biodiversity in rivers and (2018) with projections indicating a potential trade, FDI and local businesses, Nigeria as an The need to illuminate to a point of effervescence lakes worldwide has already been lost, and significant rise in CO2 emissions in 2022. 80% influential market in Africa must rise to meet the enormous potentials of a green economy further losses are projected to 2050. Global of our electrical energy is produced with fossils the best global standards in making eco-friendly and dire consequences of an irresponsible one water demand will increase by some 55%, aiding the significant rise in annual carbon policies. Globalization and ease of fortune transfer (not green) motivated this exposition that aims due to growing demand from manufacturing emissions which contributes to the greenhouse mean that what affects the world affects Africa, to inform and create a vivid distinction between (+400%), thermal power plants (+140%) and effect. An expected demand of 15GW by 2025 what affects Africa affects Nigeria, and what affects the facts and fiction around green economics. domestic use (+130%). poses more threats if we don’t change our Nigeria stays Nigerian. In a country where little attention rests on current energy framework. It is on this premise that we must make the actions that deplete biodiversities, and in a system GOING GREEN With the consumption of about 1.5 million unavoidable choice of ‘practically GOING GREEN’ with maximum focus on ‘constantly taking from 27th largest country in the world in terms tons of plastics in Nigeria in 2020, an estimated to preserve our ecosystem and secure not just a the environment’ to satisfy homo-economicus- of nominal GDP, 24th largest in terms of 45% increase in 2025 and about 1.125 million life but a good, sustainable life for the next genera- driven desires, one should think that it will be purchasing power parity (PPP), undoubtedly tons (75%) ending up in landfills, dumpsites, tion or risk BURNING OUT (creating avoidable naturally beneficial to seek ways of preserving the largest economy in Africa with an estimated waterways and rivers, Nigeria is sitting on a environmental problems for us and ours). this environmental space that has harboured population well above 210million people, keg of gunpowder. 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THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 25

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Email [email protected] BUSINESSWORLD 08056356325 RATES AS AT SEPTEMBER 1,2021 MONEY MARKET REPO S & P INDEX S & P INDEX EXCHANGE RATE OBB 15.50% CALL 4% INDEX LEVEL 558.25% 1/4 TO DATE 4.74% N411.00/ 1 US DOLLAR* OVERNIGHT 15.75 % 1-MONTH 6% 1-DAY 0.43% YEAR TO DATE -16.71% *AS AT LAST WEDNESDAY 3-MONTH 10% MONTH-TO-DATE 3.91% How Agriculture, ICT Sectors’ Contribution in Q2 2021 Accelerated Nigeria’s GDP by 5.01% Year-on-Year

Emma Okonji quarter (Q2) of 2021 released by per cent to GDP during the growth rates of -6.10 per cent and from 22.35 per cent in Q1 2021. (ICT) sector contributed 17.92 the National Bureau of Statistics period, the Information and -3.62 per cent in Q2 2020 and Q3 A further breakdown of the per cent to GDP in Q2, 2021 As investors continue to bet (NBS), showed that both sectors Communications Technology 2020 year-on-year respectively. figure from the agricultural sector, compared to 14.91 per cent in on the nation’s as Agriculture led the non-oil sector to drive (ICT) sector alone, contributed Analysis of the NBS numbers showed that real contribution of Q1 2021 and 17.83 per cent in and the Information and the growth in GDP. 17.92 within the same period, showed that the oil sector the manufacturing sector to GDP the previous year. Communications Technology Specifically, the ICT sector its highest ever contribution to contributed 7.42 per cent to total in Q2 2021 stood at 8.69 per cent, Giving insight to ICT (ICT) sectors, it has emerged has since the ease in Covid-19 Nigeria’s GDP. real GDP in Q2 2021, compared lower than the 9.93 per cent in contribution to GDP, the that the sectors contributed the lockdown witnessed massive GDP, according to the NBS with the 9.25 per cent seen in Q1 2021 and 8.82 per cent in Q2 Minister of Communications most, to accelerate Nigeria’s Gross outlay of investment in tech statistics, grew by 5.01 per cent Q1 2021 and 8.93 per cent in Q2 2020. The contribution of trade and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Domestic Product (GDP) by 5.01 startups raking in about $500 (year-on-year) in real terms in 2020, while the non-oil sector to GDP increased to 16.66 per Ibrahim Pantami, said the ICT per cent in second quarter 2021, million. Q2 2021, compared to the -6.10 contributed 92.58 per cent to cent in Q2 2021 from 15.61 per sector contributed 17.92 per cent the highest quarterly growth According to the NBS numbers, per cent recorded in Q2 2020. GDP in real terms in second cent in the preceding quarter as to the total real GDP in Q2 2021, since 2014. while agriculture, which is a This, according to NBC, quarter 2021. well as 14.28 per cent in Q2 2020. 20.54 per cent higher than its The recent statistics on the 5.01 combination of Manufacturing marked three consecutive quarters Agriculture’s contribution to Also, the Information and per cent jump in GDP in second and Trade, contributed 23.78 of growth following the negative GDP grew to 23.78 per cent in Q2 Communication Technology Continued on page 26 Repealing of NITDA’s ACT Necessary to Strengthen National Digital Economy Policy, Says Abdullahi Emma Okonji IT Policy, 2000. the enactment of the NITDA Act all. This current reality has through the development of a need to update NITDA’s legal President Mohammad Buhari 2007, NITDA had operated as necessitated the re-imagination stakeholder-led robust regulatory framework for regulating and The Director General, National in Abuja launched NDEPS last the catalytic government agency for the establishment of NITDA. architecture to enable Nigeria to developing a digital economy Information Technology year in Abuja. for developing and regulating It is a known fact that digital maximise the benefits of such for Nigeria. The Agency’s current Development Agency (NITDA), NITDA, in its efforts to the Information Technology technologies have created new technologies and mitigate establishment law is outdated. Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, ensure that Nigeria benefits sector, and the Act had not been forms of economic activities that the negative consequences, It cannot meet the needs and has said the planned repealing maximally from the global reviewed have been beneficial to the global ”Abdullahi said. requirements for supporting and re-enacting of the National digital economy, has drawn the “In the light of recent economy. He emphasised the need for a a digital economy as well as Information Technology attention of stakeholders in the advancements in Information “However, these digital more agile and practical approach effectively protect the rights and Development Agency (NITDA) Information Technology sector Technology and the paradigm technologies comes with their to regulations, standards-setting, interests of stakeholders in the Act, 2007, is necessary in order to and the general public to its plan shift in the global economy, promises and perils such as and guidelines development for digital world. The review of the strengthen the National Digital on how to commence the process the NDEPS was envisioned to cybercrimes, privacy invasion the country, with a focus on NITDA Act 2007 aims to address Economy Policy and Strategy of repealing and re-enacting the transform Nigeria into a leading and other social problems. digital and emerging technologies. contemporary digital issues, (NDEPS), which effectively NITDA Act 2007. digital economy, providing quality This necessitates the need to According to him, “Based on replaced the Nigerian National According to Abdullahi, since life and digital economies for proactively manage their adoption the foregoing, we identified the Continued on page 26 MARKETMARKET DATA DATA AS AS AT AT WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER AUGUST 11, 1, 2021 2021 FGNFGN BONDSBONDS BILLS OTC FX FUTURES CPsCPs DESCRIPTION Price Yield Change (%) MATURITY Discount Yield ChangeChange (%) (%) CONTRACT MATURITY Discount Discount Yield Yield ChangeChange (%) (%) DESCRIPTION Price Yield TENOR Contract Current (%) TENOR Contract Rate ($/₦) 11.15011.668 FGNSB (MONTH)(MONTH) UNCPMREP CP CP III XXXI 27- 100.36100.09 3.303.16 0.450.00 NTB 9-Sep-2126-Aug-21 2.803.00 2.803.00 0.000.00 9.024.42 9.03 4.42 0.000.78 11-SEP-202115-AUG-2021 1 NGUS SEPAUG 29 25 2021 2021 420.93 AUG-2113-AUG-21 10.301 FGNSB UNCP CP III 27- 12.364 FGNSB 100.10 3.16 0.00 NTB 16-Sep-219-Sep-21 2.963.10 2.963.11 0.000.00 VAAG CP I 27- 4.2610.40 4.27 10.40 0.000.78 12-SEP-202116-AUG-2021 100.44 3.30 0.43 2 NGUS OCTSEP 2729 2021 422.38 AUG-21 11.150 FGNSB TTNGVAAG CP III 27-31- 12.175 FGNSB 100.67 3.13 -0.240.00 NTB 30-Sep-2116-Sep-21 3.273.15 3.283.16 0.000.00 10.204.76 10.25 4.76 0.000.69 10-OCT-202111-SEP-2021 101.10 3.30 3 NGUS NOVOCT 2724 2021 423.83 AUG-21 12.364 FGNSB SIBPTTNG CP CP I 2-SEP-II 31- 11.244 FGNSB 100.80 3.12 -0.380.00 NTB 14-Oct-2130-Sep-21 3.593.25 3.603.26 0.000.00 4 NGUS NOV 24 2021 425.28 4.594.30 4.60 4.30 0.000.66 16-OCT-202112-SEP-2021 101.11 3.31 4 NGUS DEC 29 2021 425.28 21AUG-21 12.175 FGNSB NBRPSIBP CP CP I XIII2-SEP- 10.296 FGNSB 101.47 3.08 -1.020.00 NTB 28-Oct-2114-Oct-21 3.903.35 3.933.37 0.000.00 5 NGUS JANDEC 26 29 2022 2021 426.73 4.134.98 4.14 4.98 0.000.66 13-NOV-202110-OCT-2021 101.51 3.31 2-SEP-2121 26 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2,
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THISDAY BUSINESSWORLD NEWS

EMPOWERING WOMEN IN TECH… L-R: Chief Digital Officer, Sterling Bank, Olayinka Oni; Co-founder and Executive Director, Tech4Dev, Oladiwura Oladepo; Talent Acquisition Partner, Sterling Bank, Oluwakunmi Idowu; Head, Organisation Development and Talent Acquisition, Sterling Bank, Dipo Adebajo; Women Techsters Programme Associate, Tech4Dev, Joy Uche and Team Lead, Organisation Development and Change Management, Oluwafemi Ehindero, at the MoU signing between Sterling Bank and Tech4Dev to provide employment opportunities for women in tech, which held in Lagos... recently NCC Reaffirms Nigeria’s Readiness for 5G Rollout, Lauds Industry’s Competition The Executive Vice Chairman of which he said contributed to Communications and Digital to go ahead with the auctions,” comprising NCC’s 8 agenda enable the industry to continue the Nigerian Communications the reduction in the prices of Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Danbatta said. items. The SVP has come to to grow and prosper. Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar data in the country, further said Pantami has spoken about the His presentation at the the end and we have written “The commission will continue Garba Danbatta, has said the the reduction in the cost of data federal government’s position reception ceremony, touched on a book providing documented to put in its best in the discharge commission is ready for the would help drive faster adoption to deploy 5G network as the enabling laws and mandates progress we have made while of its mandate, especially in implementation of government’s of 5G, when it is eventually soon as possible. Our state of of the commission, its structure implementing it. I am pleased facilitating the deployment of decision to roll out 5G across rolled out. readiness is very high. There’s as well his scorecards among to inform you that the book will broadband infrastructure, which the country. Danbatta who spoke during an auction committee for 5G others. be unveiled on 7th September, is central to diversifying the NCC’s reaffirmation isthe reception of the newly posted with a deployment plan ready. Intimating the new Permanent 2021,” Danbatta disclosed. Nigerian economy and national coming after the Minister of Permanent Secretary of the As you know, without a plan Secretary on the forthcoming While commending the development. Communications and Digital Ministry of Communications you cannot have a successful book launch of the commission minister for his efforts toward “It’s our belief also that the Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim and Digital Economy, Mr. Bitrus deployment. scheduled to take place next resolving some of the perennial communications industry, under Pantami, recently revealed the Bako Nabasu, in Abuja recently, “All we are asking is additional month, Danbatta noted that challenges in the industry the leadership of the Ministry federal government’s position on said the commission as a federal spectrum to be allocated by the the book, which is technical in especially the Right of Way of Communications and Digital the deployment of 5G networks government agency, had always National Frequency Management nature, would provide more (RoW) charges, Danbatta urged Economy, will experience more in Nigeria. aligned its position and plan with Council (NFMC). Of course insight into the workings of governments at every level to quantum leap and retain its Danbatta who also lauded the the federal government. some of these spectrums are NCC under his watch. respect the resolution of the current flagship role in the thriving healthy competition in According to Danbatta, ready but we have to get the “I have spoken about the National Economic Council on telecommunication space,” the telecommunications industry, “On the 5G, the Minister of federal government’s approval first Strategic Vision Plan (SVP), the harmonised RoW charges, to Danbatta said. OPEC Leaves Oil Output Unchanged, Forecasts Higher Demand Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja record output cuts by adding videoconference, noted that “In view of current oil market and the decision to adjust upward importance of adhering to 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) while the effects of the pandemic fundamentals and the consensus the monthly overall production full conformity and to the The Organisation of Petroleum of oil a month, continuing in continue to cast some uncertainty, on its outlook, the meeting by 0.4 mb/d for the month of compensation mechanism, taking Exporting Countries (OPEC), led October. market fundamentals have resolved to reaffirm: The decision October 2021. advantage of the extension of the by Nigeria’s Sanusi Barkindo The oil cartel expects demand to strengthened. of the 10th OPEC and non-OPEC “Extend the compensation compensation period until the end and its allies known as OPEC+, grow by 5.95 million bpd after a The meeting welcomed ministerial meeting on 12 April period until the end of of December 2021 and fixed the yesterday agreed to adhere strictly record drop of about nine million the positive performance of 2020 and further endorsed in December 2021 as requested next meeting for 4 October, 2021. to their existing policy of gradual bpd in 2020 due to the COVID-19 participating countries in the subsequent meetings, including by some underperforming Earlier, Barkindo had said oil output increases in the coming pandemic. But demand only rose Declaration of Cooperation (DoC), the 19th ONOMM on 18 July countries and request that that as a result of the wisdom months. by about three million bpd in the noting that overall conformity to 2021. underperforming countries submit of OPEC decisions, the market However, the oil producers’ first half of 2021. the production adjustments was “Reconfirm the production their compensation plans by 17 rebalancing process had group revised its 2022 demand A release after the 20th OPEC 110 per cent in July, reinforcing adjustment plan and the monthly September 2021,” the organisation continued, while the market outlook upwards, even as it and non-OPEC Ministerial the trend of high conformity by production adjustment mechanism stated. outlook appeared generally stated that it was sticking with Meeting (ONOMM), held via the countries. approved at the 19th ONOMM OPEC reiterated the critical robust. its decision in July to phase out REPEALING OF NITDA’S ACT, NECESSARY TO STRENGTHEN NATIONAL DIGITAL ECONOMY POLICY, SAYS ABDULLAHI revamp Nigeria’s economy, to include creating a framework cybersecurity measures aimed technologies, including social implementation of the IT Project build trust and protect the rights for: promoting the startup at building trust in Nigeria’s media, for the attainment of Clearance initiative that supported and interests of players in the ecosystem; promoting indigenous digital economy. national objectives. the federal government’s fight ecosystem.” products and services through Others areas include The NITDA boss said the against corruption, that resulted Abdullahi added that the standardisation; collaborating facilitating capacity building introduction and implementation in over N22.45 billion savings review of the NITDA Act 2007 with the requisite public and through the digital literacy of the Nigeria Data Protection with significant increase in local would serve as an enabler for private sector partners to carry and skills initiative; entrenching Regulation (NDPR) by content consumptions by over 300 Group Business Editor the growth and development of out activities that would assist stakeholder participation in NITDA, which is a subsidiary per cent in four years, were some Eromosele Abiodun Nigeria’s digital economy. He in electronic waste disposal; and developing regulations through legislation enshrined to ensure of the achievements of NITDA, Comms/e-Business Editor highlighted some areas that the fostering collaboration to facilitate the rule-making process; and data protection and privacy despite the limitations posed by Emma Okonji planned repeal would address the implementation of robust promoting the safe use of digital of Nigerian citizens; and the the current NITDA Act. Aviation Editor Chinedu Eze HOW AGRICULTURE, ICT SECTORS’ CONTRIBUTION IN Q2 2021 ACCELERATED NIGERIA’S GDP BY 5.01% YEAR-ON-YEAR Asst. Editor, Money Market contribution a year earlier and the digital economy. The 16 be attributed to the dynamic the commitment to diversifying would enhance the output of Nume Ekeghe in the preceding quarter, in National Policies developed by and results-oriented leadership Nigeria’s great economy through all the sectors of the economy which it accounted for 14.91 the ministry, the 1,667 projects of the sector, which has been digital technology and innovation. and further boost Nigeria’s GDP. Senior Correspondent per cent, adding that it is the and programmes, the large scale acknowledged and appreciated Pantami further said the Industry analysts have Raheem Akingbolu highest contribution ever of ICT digital skills and general capacity by a wide spectrum of the recent GDP report showed however attributed the (Advertising) to Nigeria’s GDP. building efforts, stakeholder stakeholders in the sector, both how critical the ICT sector is to GDP performance to some Correspondents Pantami said this in a statement engagement and creation of an locally and internationally.” the growth of Nigeria’s digital interventions put together by James Emejo (Finance) released by his Technical Assistant enabling environment, have all Pantami said the Secretary economy and, by extension, the the federal government to Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) on Information Technology, played an important role in this General of the International general economy. The minister reposition the economy after Chineme Okafo (Energy) Dr. Femi Adeluyi. According achievement.” Telecommunications Union therefore called on all other the devastating effects of the Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) to Pantami, “The growing He added, “The support of (ITU), Mr. Houlin Zhao, had sectors of the economy to COVID-19 pandemic. contribution of the ICT sector President Buhari has contributed commended him for Nigeria’s take advantage of the federal The analysts however noted Reporters to the GDP is as a result of the immensely to the impressive accelerated digital transformation. government’s new focus on the that the GDP growth does not Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) commitment of the administration developments in the sector. The He also said the Chairman of the digital economy to enable and necessarily indicate that the Peter Uzoho (Energy) of President Muhammadu unprecedented contribution of United States-Nigeria Council improve their processes through challenges confronting the Ugo Aliogo (Development) Buhari, to the development of ICT to Nigeria’s GDP can also (USNC), also commended him for the use of ICTs, which he said, economy were over. THISDAY ˾
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 27 BUSINESSWORLD BRANDS AND MARKETING Leveraging on Youth-focused Initiatives Raheem Akingbolu harps on the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), to Return on Investment (RoI), citing the example of how the Coca Cola brand has, over the years, leveraged youths focused initiatives to drive sales and win more consumers

ugust 12 is a date set aside to close by employing several innovative include Copa Coca-Cola – an under-15 build life skills, business skills, transition annually by the United Nations initiatives to drive the engagement and grassroots football development to meaningful employment & long-lasting as “International Day of the empowerment of the Nigerian youth. Its programme launched in 2009, providing networks. These programs complement Youth,” to acknowledge and management recognises the significance an opportunity for young football players each other: while YES! Nigeria targets more celebrate the role young men of International Day of the Youth as it and aspiring football professionals to vulnerable youth, the Youth Empowerment andA women play in creating change in society raises awareness on the need for young develop and showcase their talents in targets university graduates. Under the by tackling global issues with sustainable people to have access to education, competitive matches. More than 10,000 YE framework, over 30,000+ Graduates solutions. healthcare, employment, empowerment, players, from 500 schools and 50 celebrity of tertiary institutions have benefited Today, young people all over the world and complete participation in public football coaches have participated in from training programmes designed to hold vital and insightful positions working life. These rights are being upheld and the programme reaching the 36 states boost entry-level job linkages to multi towards the implementation of the Sustainable emphasised in the company’s sustainable including the Federal Capital Territory corporations for beneficiaries across 10 Development Goals (SDGs) and related empowerment projects. This is a culture (FCT), Abuja for eight years. states of the federation including FCT, frameworks. This can be seen in the zeal that has been enshrined in the company’s In Nigeria, the brand is also one of the Lagos, Oyo, Edo, Kano, Kaduna, Rivers, in which the young generation optimises corporate strategy and sustainability longest-running corporate sponsors of Enugu, Ogun (Abeokuta) and Cross River every opportunity available to create value. journey which started as far back as Special Olympics Nigeria (SON) since (Calabar). The international community bears witness 1917 when the company partnered with the initiative was launched in Nigeria in Other youth-focused programs funded to this unprecedented mobilization around the Red Cross. This is a partnership that 2006. This follows the footsteps of The under The Coca-Cola Foundation and the world, which has shown the measure has grown into a commitment of more Coca-Cola Company that has remained implemented by multiple NGOs includes of power and influence the youth can wield than a decade, supporting underserved a founding Partner of Special Olympics Youth ICT and Skill Acquisition Project in holding decision-makers accountable for communities in need through blood since 1928 creating smiles and making (YISAP), Recycling Scheme for Women and the transformation required. drives, volunteering, disaster relief and a difference in the lives of these special Youth Empowerment (RESWAYE), Waste in Gitanjali Rao was only 11 years old when much more. and unique people. the City, Waste to Wealth, Trash to Cash, she invented a lead detecting device to help The Coca-Cola System – through Youth Empowered for Success! Nigeria SHAPE and many other environmental- with the Flint water crisis. She is currently several impactful projects that cater (YES! Nigeria) is another equally laudable driven initiatives. These projects are 15 and has been recognized by Time, BBC to wellbeing, climate action, recycling initiative funded by the philanthropic targeted at building a new generation of and Forbes for creating devices to solve and waste management, women and arm of the company, The Coca-Cola sustainability changemakers to drive the world problems and inspiring others to do youth economic empowerment, among Foundation and implemented by WAVE required behavioural change to create a so. Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzi are others – have continued to lead the way academy and Mercy Corps. YES! is a better-shared future. A total of over 10,000 world influencers and voices to respect in with regards to youth development in social enterprise preparing and matching youths and women are to be economically the areas of climate activism and education Nigeria. young people to entry-level jobs in empowered under these initiatives thereby advocacy respectively. Betta Mussa and her The system has launched several the retail and hospitality sectors. This closing the unemployment and poverty team of accountability advocates in Tanzania, youth-focused initiatives which have programme was implemented across 96 gap in Nigerian society. are using data to influence local leaders to recorded giant strides, some of which hubs, established in five (5) countries The company has a lasting commitment engage young people in decision making. including Nigeria impacting over 25,000 to building sustainable communities. It has Nigeria is not alien to this transformative youths who were engaged, trained over undoubtedly set itself apart as a company disruption and has visibly seen the laudable “Through youth 20,000 youths with 2,800+ opportunities focused on initiatives that promote the efforts and recorded accomplishments of some created for 3 years (2015- 2018). wellbeing and economic development of young Nigerians, which have contributed education and YES! was a testing path to scale communities across the world. both directly and indirectly to the growth engagement, the for formal entry-level job placement Through youth education and engagement, of the country’s social and economic capital. through partnerships with replicators, the company has continued to provide However, in a country with a population company has continued including the National Youth Service platforms for youth to excel while gaining of about 200 million people, of which 53.7 Corps and Ministries of Education in the momentum requiredto make their per cent are aged 15 to 65, the level of to provide platforms Kano and Lagos. impact in society. The company recognises unemployment is currently at an all-time for youth to excel while There are strong synergies between the relevance of prioritising the Nigerian high at 33 per cent. There is a vacuum in YES! and the brand’s bottling partner, youth as fundamental contributors and the utilisation of human capacity available gaining the momentum Nigerian Bottling Company’s existing partners of change, and this is evident in in the country. requiredto make their Youth Empowerment project (YE) which its commitment to making a difference of This gap is what the Coca Cola brand seeks impact in society.” targets young graduates to support them one project at a time. 28 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • THISDAY THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • THISDAY 29 30 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2,
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THISDAY BUSINESSWORLD DEVELOPMENT Taming Banditry in Schools Ugo Aliogo examines the level of destruction in the country’s educational system due to the continuous kidnapping of school children and the demand for ransom by bandits, with possible solutions on how to address the menace

he continuous kidnapping of school children Nigeria has been grappling with for many years, terrorists and bandits have specifically targeted girls by criminal elements.” and the demand for ransom have been viewed noting that the most prominent was the kidnap of vulnerable school children. He revealed that many schools have been affected as an indication of government’s failure to 276 Chibok Girls in 2014 by Boko Haram, “and Since December 2020, when suspected gunmen and 137 pupils/school children have been abducted address the insecurity problems in the country. since then it has expanded to become a bigger attacked the Government Boys Science Secondary mainly in the north-west, and it is due to ransom, No doubt, this ugly development poses a huge issue with multiple reasons behind it.” School in Kankara, Katsina State and abducted “the target is secondary schools because they have Tchallenge to children in actualising their dreams. It also Hawkins disclosed that in the North-east, there over 300 students, the payment of ransom has the profile that the kidnappers are looking for and threatens the fabric of growth of the education sector, were five million children who needed to attend remained a key motivation to driving the illicit a lot of these schools are girls’ schools.” especially in a country where the number of out of school, pointing out that the situation of education activity. In lending her voice, Giwa espoused that the school children is currently at 10.19 million according in the North-east has improved when compared Two months after the Kankara incident, demand for ransom is one of the major reasons for to recent statistics. with Maiduguri in 2015, where few children were on February, 17, suspected bandits abducted the abduction of school children, stating that the There are myriads of challenges facing the education going to school. 27 students and 15 others from Government collection of ransom has continuously financed their sector in Nigeria which government at all levels seems “Presently, in Maiduguri more children are going Science School, Kagara in Niger State. Less activities and ensured that they unleash terror on not to be addressing from infrastructural decay to poor to schools now. It is a fantastic situation, but it than 10 days, bandits kidnapped 317 female schools, thereby weakening the educational system funding, incessant strikes, and now kidnapping of hides the fact that over one million children are students at Government Girls Secondary School in the northern region. school is the new unpleasant development that has unable to go to school as a result of the conflict. Jangebe, Zamfara State, in an early morning reared its ugly head. For them, it is imperative that we ensure that raid. Then, in late May, heavily armed men on IMPACT OF KIDNAPPING The arguments from Civil Society Organisations they do go to school. The issue of attacks in the motorcycles attacked the town of Regina in the Hawkins decried the kidnapping of children in (CSOs), affected parents, human rights organisations, northeast on schools is more around availability Rafi local government area of Niger State, shot schools across the country, noting that the unpleasant and International Non-Governmental Organisations and access to schools, and quality of education. indiscriminately, and abducted about 150 children development has a profound impact on children’s (INGOs) are that there is a lackadaisical attitude on the UNICEF is doing everything it can to expand the of Salihu Tanko Islamic School. education, and it is believed that 1.3 million have been part of the government in tackling the challenge. While availability of classrooms, teachers and working impacted in the last academic year by the abduction some contend that there is a need to beef up security with the government to ensure that those teachers DRIVING FORCE FOR or attacks on schools. in schools in the North, others are of the opinion that are able to go places where the children are, not KIDNAPPING He affirmed that the impacts are in three folds; there is a need to implement the recommendation just Maiduguri. But go to the wards and Local It has been argued by security experts that one one directly on the children because it is traumatic of Safe School Initiative (SSI) setup in 2014 in the Government Areas.” of the driving forces for kidnapping of school and shows lack of value for their personality, the aftermath of the kidnap of the 276 Chibok Girls in Providing deeper insight into the discourse children is the proliferation of small arms and second impact on the parents of these children who 2014. According to the BBC report, authorities in Kano is the Education Project Coordinator, Actionaid overstretched security forces which makes it begin to have doubts if they are going to send their and Yobe states ordered more than 20 schools to be Nigeria, Kyauta Giwa, maintained that since the difficult for the government to maintain control, children to school especially the girl-child. shut down recently because of the insecurity. Some abduction of the Chibok girls in 2014 and the while peace deals and huge ransom payments The CISLAC Executive Director lamented that schools were also recently closed in Zamfara and Niger Dapchi girls in 2018, the attacks have continued create perverse incentives that encourage more kidnapping activities constitute a serious setback states. In Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states, dozens to spread to other parts in Northern Nigeria. kidnappings. Blanket amnesties have recently to the country’s educational system with potential of schools have been shut for years because of the She also noted that more than 100 girls are still gained even more traction through the support of impact on literacy level. Boko Haram insurgency. missing from the Chibok incidence, stating that this Sheik Gumi, a leading Islamic cleric in northern He maintained that education is a fundamental To broaden the perspective of the discourse, THISDAY has huge implications on the number of children Nigeria who appointed himself as a negotiator human right that should be availed to all citizens spoke to Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative who are out of school, and “being that the zone working to secure the release of victims of irrespective of age, sex, and nationality. Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Rafsanjani, who is already disadvantaged in terms of enrolment, kidnapping. He further stressed that there should be no frowned at the the growing rate of kidnapping for retention, transition, and completion of school.” In his view, Rafsanjani explained that aside discrimination as to who goes to school and who ransom and banditry, said the situation would continue from increasing poverty and unemployment does not, hence education recognizes and helps to to escalate, if not addressed by government. SAFE SCHOOL INITIATIVE rate that enhanced the nation’s susceptibility unlock the potentials in every child. He argued that the kidnapping was still taking place PROGRAMME to kidnapping and banditry, the recent counter- “To educate means to train the mind, character, and in spite of huge budgetary allocation to the defence and The Safe School Initiative programme was productive strategy like habitual ransom payments abilities of individuals. The importance of education in security, rising investment in intelligence gathering to launched in May, 2014 after the Chibok girls employed by government at all levels have the life of an individual can never be overemphasized. get advance information to nip their activities in the were abducted to strengthen security in schools paved way for sustained engagement of the As a result of this and related development, low bud, and the formation of the various special task forces. in north-eastern Nigeria by building fences around unwary activities, “instead of critical diagnosis enrolment of the girl-child in school is evident and Rafsanjani expressed his worries that kidnapping for them. with holistic solutions to the fundamental issues already widening the educational and socio-economic ransom and banditry still strives despite persistent public At least $20 million was pledged for the three- that trigger the menace.” gaps in Nigeria. outcries over their unbearable impact including killings, year project, which was supported by the United He observed that from the cases of kidnapped “Addressing the challenges of the kidnapping of physical and psychological trauma, and socio-economic Nations Special Envoy for Global Education, and students of Chibok, Dapchi, and Chikun, the school children in the country has become paramount setback suffered by the victims and their families. He former UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. Many perpetrators inflict sufferings on innocent school in view of not only the ignorance of rural dwellers on said: “Apart from paying huge ransom, many of the container schools were built as temporary learning girls primarily to pressurise the system or the importance of education but also the dehumanizing victims did not live to tell their stories.” spaces as part of the scheme, but it is not known traumatised parents to fulfill certain demands. impact of keeping children out of school,” he asserted. He added: “More recently, the recurring kidnapping if any fences were built in communities affected. According to him, “At community level, The ActionAid Nigeria Education Coordinator of school children constitutes a serious setback to There is also the Safe School Declaration (SSD) the lack of an appropriate monitoring system bemoaned that the impact is on the education of the our literacy level and the nation’s development. which Nigeria ratified in 2020 among other 105 and inadequate protection for whistle-blowers girl child, where data has shown that the girl child While security of lives and property constitutes the countries. But Nigeria has not done much from activities have discouraged vigilance and a sense is disadvantaged in the northern region compared fundamental purpose of government, it is worrisome commitment to accountability, and she will be of responsibility to proactively report or take to the southern region. that banditry and kidnapping for ransom as a critical hosting the Safe School Declaration Conference lawful action on suspected persons or a group She admitted that though no current statistics have part of the evolution of crimes in Nigeria and direct in October 2021. of persons.” been provided in terms of the number of children threat to the constitutional right to live and freedom of Hawkins’s stance is that the factors responsible who have dropped out due to the kidnap of school movement of the people have received little concern KIDNAPPING OF SCHOOL are insurgency conflicts mainly in central and children, but certainly, there will be an increase on from the Government of Nigeria.” CHILDREN north-central areas between farmers and herders, the already existing figures of 13.2 million in Nigeria. However, the Country Director, United Nation Children adding that the crisis has affected schools and From the 2014 incident of the Chibok girls NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the Education Fund (UNICEF), Peter Hawkins, said the to the mass abduction in Dapchi in Yobe State, education, “what we have seen in the last six issue of kidnapping of school children is something that months is the kidnap of school children especially online edition on www.thisdaylive.com THISDAY ˾
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 31 BUSINESSWORLD E–BUSINESS As Computer Professionals Chart New Course At the inauguration of the 2021-2023 national executive council members of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) in Lagos recently, the body promised to inject fresh campaigns into its advocacy programmes that will guide Nigeria in achieving her digital transformation drive, writes Emma Okonji

ith the successful completion of national conference in Uyo, said over 900 promised collaboration between NCS and their well-being. He said the Tribal leader is only its national conference and annual persons attended both online and physical. the federal government in mitigating national concerned about people from his ethnic group general meeting (AGM), held He promised to leverage on the large number security threats. and friends, with less affection for others, while last month in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom of NCS members to make future conferences, He revealed that NCS had already the Ideal leader is someone that has developed State, which produced a new set the largest body of IT professionals across developed a document on national security the skill and knowledge to live a public life, and Wof national executive council members of the Africa. He also stressed on the code of challenges and solutions, which he said would strives for the common good of others, especially Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), the body, last conduct document of NCS, that spells out soon be submitted to the federal government, the oppressed and the minority groups. week in Lagos, held an inauguration ceremony the rights and privileges of members of the through the Office of the National Security Ogunneye therefore charged the new NEC for its newly elected council members who will computer society and what is expected of Adviser (ONSA). members, especially the president, to demonstrate drive the computer society in the next two years, IT professionals, which he said, would be He listed some of the recommendations in the attributes of an Ideal leader, in order to lead from 2021 to 2023. infused into the constitution of NCS. the security document developed by NCS, members of NCS in the right direction, and The newly elected national executive council to include the use of drones for surveillance without rancor. members, during the swearing-in ceremony, ADVOCACY and the use of sensor-based monitors for the The past Provost, College of Fellows at NCS, promised to work with the local, state and federal Sodiya who reiterated the essence of the tracking and location of bandits. “Technology Dr. Abimbola Salako, advised the new council governments, through its advocacy programmes, formation of NCS as an advocacy group, can address so many societal ills and it takes members to make the constitution of NCS to chart a new course that will assist government said the body would continue to ensure that the will and commitment of government to available on the website, to enable all members to achieve faster digital transformation across government at all levels, do what they were implement technology solutions that will have knowledge of the constitution. the country. supposed to do to improve national security address societal issues,” Sodiya further said. “We are in a global world where distance In his acceptance speech, the re-elected president and the well-being of Nigerians. He said NCS is no longer a barrier to communication. We of NCS, Prof. Adesina Sodiya, promised to raise would leverage on IT devices and emerging REDEFINING LEADERSHIP must therefore populate our website with all the bar through renewed advocacy that would technologies to create awareness on the need Elders of the NCS profession who were the activities of NCS, including conferences. The address key issues like electronic voting during for technology adoption and practice that present at the inauguration of the new NEC history of NCS, where it is coming from, should general elections, appointment of professionals would benefit Nigeria and Nigerians. members, charged them with sustainable also be uploaded on the website for all to see into technical positions in government, the use “We are all stakeholders in the IT leadership roles that will redefine the and learn, especially those outside of Nigeria,” of Information Technology (IT) professionals in development of Nigeria and we will continue leadership of NCS. Salako said. executing government projects, quackery in IT to advocate the use of technology to address The fifth president of NCS, who ruled He also spoke on the need for NCS to collaborate profession, national security issues and the need national security issues in Nigeria. The security between July 1993 and June 1995, Mr. Samuel with FinTech players in developing technology to apply technology in addressing banditry in architecture in Nigeria has collapsed and Ezechi, advised the new council members on solutions that will address all the identified needs Nigeria, among others. this is evident in the rising cases of banditry the need to strengthen the NCS Secretariat, of the country. and kidnapping. We are even more worried its members and to promote professionalism REPOSITIONING NCS that bandits could break into the security among members. He equally advised council CHANGE OF BATON Speaking about the repositioning of NCS architecture of the Nigerian Defence Academy member on the need to generate funds that One of the highlights of the inauguration for the greater task ahead of its newly elected to kill and kidnap the military. These are some will help them execute programmes across ceremony was the official handover, which council members, Sodiya said the new National of the reasons why the new NEC members Nigeria. He reminded the new NEC of their symbolised the change of baton from the past Executive Council (NEC) members of NCS, would of NCS will intensify efforts in its advocacy roles to serve the national community and not council members to the newly elected council build on the existing structure of the past NEC, campaigns in order to compel government to their immediate community. He challenged members of NCS. complete on-going projects and programmes of adopt and deploy the right technologies that them to always uphold truth, fairness, goodwill Former heads of committees like the Innovation NCS, and introduce new initiatives that would will address insecurity across the country,” and other ideas that will be of benefits of and Research Committee, among others, handed further drive NCS advocacy campaigns. Sodiya said. all members. over to the new committee members and all the “We will set up various working groups and He charged government to do more to Another past leader of NCS, who is the newly elected council members were sworn-in committees that will help complete existing projects, address national security challenges, and eight president of NCS, Alhaji Ladi Ogunneye, by the legal officer of NCS, Olusoye Obiyomi introduce new projects and expand the scope of stressed on discipline, timeliness to meetings Akerele, who administered the oath of office NCS. We are national IT body and we will discuss and ethics of the NCS profession and advised to all council members. They all promised to about collaboration with Financial Technology “We are all stakeholders the new council members to abide by their preserve and defend the constitution of NCS (FinTech) players and cybersecurity professionals, rules. and they also promised that they will not allow including blockchain group. The idea is to form in the IT development He spoke on leadership styles and advised their personal interests to influence their official a formidable team that will help address our council members to be more open to all and conduct and decision. They promised to abide national issues that relates to IT and cybersecurity,” of Nigeria and we will give listening ears to all complaints. by the contents of the NCS constitution in all Sodiya said. He further explained that the new Ogunneye spoke on leadership types, circumstances, according to law, without fear NCS NEC would come up with solutions through continue to advocate styles and roles, and identified three types or favour. strong advocacy that would help achieve faster of leadership, which he listed to include The newly elected Deputy President of NCS, digital transformation in the areas of smart city, the use of technology to Self-centred leader, Tribal leader and Ideal Dr. Seraju Aliyu, who gave the vote of thanks, national security and the adoption of emerging leader. He said the self-centred leader, also thanked the past presidents of NCS, and its technologies that would further drive the ease address national security known as ‘idiot’ or ‘upgraded barbarian’, members for attending the inauguration, which of doing business in Nigeria. is a kind of leader that does not have the he said was a success and an avenue for council Sodiya, who spoke about the recently concluded issues in Nigeria.” feelings of others and do not care about members to state their commitments. 32 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2,
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THISDAY BUSINESSWORLD INTERVIEW Akinola: More FinTechs, Banks’ Partnership Underway In this interview with Nosa Alekhuogie, the Director, Abeg Technologies, Mr. Ayo Akinola who is the headline sponsor of reality show, BBNAIJA 2021, talks about the emergence of Financial Technology (FinTech) innovation, the future of financial system in Nigeria, as well as other issues in the FinTech space. Excerpts:

FinTech players brought lots of innovations use it versus the number of people in Nigeria as that made the financial space very competitive. a whole, you will be surprised. A lot of FinTechs What stands you out and what are you doing still operate in bubbles. In five years, we will differently from the banks? definitely be closer than we are today but definitely anks are very good in what they do which not anywhere near full. What can be done to is basically holding customers’ money achieve digitalisation is more inclusion, more in a safe space and helping customers FinTechs, more customer specific products, as move it around but for the future, we there are lots of agency networks and agency need to go beyond traditional methods, banking happening outside. You see a woman weB need to think more of the users and customers that has a shop who is actually a human POS than just the business and I think that’s what system or human ATM machine, you see that traditional banks don’t do. because a lot of people in that area don’t have Specifically for one, we’ve been able to digitise access to apps. They go to her, we need a lot alms giving and it’s part of our culture as Nigerians more of that and it’s happening a lot. A lot of to give alms. At every point in time, everybody FinTech products are becoming so simple that if is giving somebody something. We all do it on you can use WhatsApp, you can use the products. every level and it’s a favorite for some people. They will grow to even become much easier. A Also, we have made it a step easier to be able to lot of FinTechs will be doing this and there will spend money. You have your ATM cards, but be more digital penetration. what happens when they fail, those weekends when you go out, and when you try to pay but What advice do you have for startups looking you can’t leave the place because it keeps declining to come into the FinTech space? or you want to do a transfer and they say they We are also a startup as we came onboard have to confirm from the manager? These are about a month ago. My advice will be to have a practical issues that we all face, but with Abeg you good team; you can never substitute or discount don’t have those problems anymore. Businesses this. If you have a great team and a working don’t need to worry about confirmation of credit product, you will make it with a sprinkle of alerts ,customers don’t need to worry about the grace and luck here and there. I’ll want more fear of being debited twice in a single financial startups to come onboard and they need to be transaction. So all those things are things of the more audacious. They should stop hiding and past and those are some practical issues we have shouldn’t be afraid of regulations, because there been able to solve with our solution. FinTech has are so many partnerships you could do to cover always been a thing and it has always been there, yourself even if you don’t have the financial capacity it’s basically just financial technology and the banks to stand on your own. There are so many ways have technology too but those things have always to survive the first growth level. We need more been sitting at the back end of the banks. But startups not just in the FinTech space but in the with the rise of new FinTech companies, they are medical field, transportation and every sector of bringing all those solutions to users themselves the economy. where they can do all those things without having to go and line up in the banks. So now with your Akinola What is the correlation between FinTechs phones, you can do things that people in the and Banks in terms of service delivery in back end of banks are doing. I think we are just and not everybody can do it easily but as your hand, take you, kick down doors that the financial sector? doing it faster, better than the traditional banks I have said before, we have had experience you cannot do. Apart from giving you cash, What has happened with the FinTech companies and we can move in ways that they can never with this for over five years and with that if you are not sitting down on the right table, is that they are more consumer-centric. So, move, that’s why you can’t see banks trying to experience, we have put all that; Security, you will be spending money outside the club. you as a user can take your app and do your compete with FinTech companies, maybe what marketing, branding into this one product so If you have the right investor, it has to be investments yourself. You can put money and they want to do is either partner or try to take yes, we do have bank level security and we very strategic and not just financials. buy an investment, security or whatever it is. down because they can’t do it. are adding so many other things to make sure So anybody trying to come into the space, Before, you couldn’t do that, you had to got to Moving forward, we will see a lot of partnerships your profile on Abeg is completely secure. should as much as possible try to get a lot of a bank or company to do this, so now, FinTechs between these FinTechs and banks because the banks Regardless, everybody needs to be safe and traction on their own and then you will have are just more consumer-centric. It helps banks as are needed. We will also see a lot of partnerships careful. more bargaining power in terms of when you well because at the end of the day, the money among FinTechs themselves because I believe Also, there are lots of things that are are trying to raise money. Many people get still sits somewhere but there will always be that collaboration is the new competitive advantage. encrypted on the servers and anyone in the discouraged because they think they wouldn’t relationship between the two. Even when you We have a vision for Abeg to not just be a tool space will know that’s priority and for our be able to get the money they need and also, have virtual banks, you might be looking at your but also a major financial tool in the ecosystem engineers and company, that’s also priority. so many people get too cocky due to over app and you will see N50,000 there in words but as a whole. We have taken that whole wealth of confidence and it doesn’t work that way. If it’s still actual money so there will always be that There is enough space for everyone to be honest experience to make sure we are completely you’ve been able to sit down and prove that relationship between them. and I sincerely believe that there will be a lot in line security wise. the product is doing what it’s saying it will more collaborations than competitions in the next do, put it together, there are people willing Who are your target audience? three to five years. Being the Headline sponsor of the Big to bet on not just the product but the team. Primarily, generation Z (Gen Z) and the millennials Brother Naija 2021 reality show, how It’s important to get a good partnership are our target market. So, I’ll say between the ages What is your projection of FinTechs in the were you able to get funding? going amongst yourself as a team, work on of 20-45 years old. In that age bracket, you have next five years? So our parent company is PiggyTech and the product that solves a problem and then different groups. There are equally older people First of all, we are going to see a lot of investments they own PiggyVest, which is a big player go for investors that are also sponsors. who are equally tech savvy as well. Definitely, we in that space. Five years ago, raising money was in the financial space and has been around are going to have a spill into the older generation very hard, people were skeptical about putting for over five years with over three million Since the rise of FinTechs in Nigeria, and we are doing our best to make it as saturated money into FinTech but we have had companies users. Last year alone, they paid about N90 there are fears that they are beginning to as possible where you’ll be able to go to the market, who have already set the pace, opened the doors, billion back to users. Having a parent like take over some financial services roles of buy fish, pay using your Abeg and the sellers will and exited the FinTech space in this country so that, money really isn’t an issue in the sense. the banks. Is this statement correct and receive payment using Abeg as well. The goal we’ll have a lot more investments in that area So being on Big Brother, yes the money is what is your view on this? is that, majority of your spending, you should over the next couple of years, we have more now huge but we have a parent company that This statement is not correct. FinTechs be able to use Abeg to pay. If you go to Kenya, than we had before. can easily get that done. We are very much cannot take over the banks, banks still and M-Pesa is widely used no matter what you are Also, regulatory wise, we will have a lot more fully funded and are not afraid of anybody will always exist. What we will have is a buying. In Ghana, you have MoMo. They have clarity because the FinTech space wasn’t as much coming to use money to threaten us. lot more collaborations between banks and saturated into the economy so much that people regulated before as it is now. We are also in partnership with VFD Micro fintechs. There have always been FinTechs, who sell on the roadside will collect money with We do question the regulation, but those are finance bank as they power the product right just that now, it is more consumer facing. their MoMo or M-Pesa. Abeg is going to do the things that are needed to ensure that we are in now. Do I see some FinTechs being bigger than same and do it a lot better. line with the financial directives of the country. I Through this, we’ve been able to fund Abeg banks? Definitely. There are already some For more clarity, for a start, the people that believe the government is going to do a lot more as a platform and product. A lot of investors, FinTechs that are bigger than some of our are going to be making all of these payments, in that space to make sure everything is in check, even in the international community are trying commercial banks but will that take that go out, buy all these things right now, are the that’s what I see happening in the next three to to get in on Abeg. I cannot reveal who we are bank space, probably not. We will see more millennials and Gen Z. The older people are five years. I also think we will see much more in bed with currently, but over the next couple partnerships because FinTechs will want to more at home, you wouldn’t find them in the international companies coming to Nigeria and of weeks, we will make some announcements remain in the line at which they are going. Will clubs. Those that have that spending power also, we going out of Nigeria. A lot of Nigerian to see who we’ve tied hands with. there be more digital banks? Most definitely. right now are the millennials. The Gen Z are companies will also be playing globally as opposed coming up to meet them so, that bracket is our to playing just in Nigeria. How can people protect themselves from Nigeria is known to be a leading player target market. Any other person that comes selfish investors who try to takeover the in the digital space in Africa. Do you on board is most welcome to the party. We Cyber security and data protection is very entire business of startups in the long run? think we will achieve full digitalisation have to look at the bigger picture, in the next important. How do you protect people’s information The first thing I’ll say is, if you don’t need to in the next five years, given that digital 10 years, who is going to have the spending from cyber attacks? raise money, then don’t, if you can bootstrap penetration is still very low in some parts power, who is going to be in control of the To be able to play in this space, there is a level all the way, then keep it that way. of the country? money, those are the people you have to look of protection that you need to have and to be The kind of investors that you are looking at Five years?, definitely not, there is a lot at and catch out for now. honest, the highest level is the bank level of security are not just investors that have cash, because of work to be done. As popular as some systems. So, if you are a small FinTech company, you need people that are what we call, your banks or products are, you will find out that NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the security is the biggest thing you have to tackle sponsor. A sponsor is someone that will hold if they mention the number of people that online edition on www.thisdaylive.com THISDAY ˾
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 33 BUSINESSWORLD NEWS Federal Govt Mulls Fresh Technology Partnership with Japan Emma Okonji the economy thereby enhance infrastructure development development through the open cyber environment to areas of cooperation would economic growth, create for building a digital society; spread of digitalization; and ensure Nigeria’s ownership include existing projects and The Federal Government, employment especially for supporting spontaneous developing a secure, free and of data. He added that other future plans. through the Ministry of its teaming youths and bring Communications and Digital about better life for the people Economy is considering entering generally.” into a fresh partnership with He reiterated that to partner Japan in the area of technology with Japanese companies on that will boost local content technology development, development in Nigeria. particularly in the area of The Permanent Secretary, digitalization of Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications economy, would be a very and Digital Economy, Mr. welcome development. Bitrus Bako Nabasu, gave the According to Nabasu, hint in Abuja recently, while “Nigeria is a mono economy receiving the Ambassador- of which its main source of designate of Japan, His revenue is oil and the price of Excellency, Mr. Sadanabu crude oil is no longer attractive Kusaote Umer and his in the global market. Therefore entourage in his office, during Nigeria can no longer depend a courtesy call. on oil alone to advance as Nabasu, who received the a nation. Time has come to Japan Ambassador and his “think out of the box” by entourage on behalf of the diversifying our economy in Minister of Communications the area of digitalization of and Digital Economy, Dr. the nation’s economy.” Isa Ibrahim Pantami, said He added that the ministry it was a pleasure to have was looking forward to a the Ambassador to interact stronger partnership with the INDUCTION CEREMONY… with the Ministry of Japan technology companies L-R: Chairman, Planning and Resources Committee, Institute of Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Corporate Governance Communications and Digital for employment generation Economy at a time like this for its people who are (INSLEC), Prof. Ayandiji Aina; Chairman,Media and Public Relations Committee, INSLEC, Prof. Iyabode Kehinde; when the ministry is working unemployed, especially its Representative of Board of Governors, INSLEC, Dr. Mercy Ogbari; President, INSLEC, Prof. Gabriel Emecheta and Registrar, assiduously towards digitizing youths. Nabasu noted that the Mrs. Chioma Onagiyama, at the INSLEC induction ceremony for new members in Lagos recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT the country’s economy. minister was very passionate According to Nabasu, about the digitalization of the “The economy of Japan is Nigerian economy and had being driven by modern been working assiduously to Event Management App, ‘eSprayMe’ Goes Live technology, which will be actualise it. of immense benefit for The Japanese Ambassador- Emma Okonji eSprayMe platform. a first-of its kind Hologram virtually spray money at events. Nigeria to collaborate with designate said the purpose All event hosts on the Technology, which means that Speaking about the benefits the government of Japan to of Japan’s cooperation with A new event management mobile platform will have a unique a three-dimensional projection of the mobile app and web develop her digital economy Nigeria were numerous; app and website, known as QR-Code that attendees can of guests, hosts and performers solution, Olamigoke said: sector, which will in turn first; for the realisation of a eSprayMe that will revolutionise scan to virtually spray monetary would appear on the virtual “eSpayMe enables subscribers increase her Gross Domestic digital Society in the country; the world of event management gifts. This virtual platform platform as though they were all hold social and corporate events Product (GDP). introducing digital technology through virtual conferencing, is adheres to national policies in the same room on eSprayMe. online via hologram technology. “The Digital Economy that for more effective and efficient set to launch in Nigeria. on currency use. Pictures of guests can also The solution ensures security was added to Communications development cooperation eSprayMe is a product The eSprayMe platform be taken together using this by eliminating the need to Ministry, is to enable it digitize in various areas, through of eSprayMe Incorporation, offers time and cost savings technology. carry large sums of cash at headquartered in Texas, of organising and attending eSprayMe presents job event locations, and prevents USA, and invented by events, as users can navigate opportunities for merchants money laundering. The platform Nigerian-American Information from one event to another on trading in goods and services, creates jobs for eSprayMe event Foreign Investors Technology expert, Fisayo the eSprayMe web and mobile event engineers, managers, engineers to manage and set Olamigoke. app. Users would be notified advertisers, speech writers, Disk up the holographic equipment eSprayMe is designed for of public events holding within Jockeys, Master of Ceremonies, at different event locations Renewing Confidence in event hosts and attendees of their location, and would have among others. worldwide, and also presents social and corporate events to the option to attend virtually. Corporate bodies, small and more business opportunities for meet, network and celebrate Celebrants have the option medium enterprises as well merchants selling goods and Economy, Says Adebayo seamlessly. of holding events that are as individuals can advertise services and shoppers buying By signing up on the open to the public, or creating their products on services on from eSprayMe e-Store.” James Emejo in Abuja towards a collective objectives eSprayMe app and website, a personalised invite link to eSprayMe, during and after Local and foreign currencies of attracting more investments subscribers can plan events, selected guests only. events. can be sprayed on eSpayMe, The Minister of Industry, to the nation’s economy. distribute invite links on their eSprayMe is synchronised The eSpayMe platform and the platform gives hosts Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebayo said,”I would social media platforms, remotely with the social media pages ensures adherence to the option to customise their Niyi Adebayo yesterday said like to reiterate my ministry’s engage the services of workers of subscribers to easily share government regulations on event based on themes. It also the economy was coming commitment to the strategic in the events industry, host it invite links to guests and live war against defacing and allows merchants sell new and back strongly adding that relationship that exists with virtually on eSprayMe, and stream events. abuse of currency, while giving used event items and services, foreign investors are making the chamber and to continue receive cash gifts all on the The innovative app deploys subscribers the opportunity to Olamigoke further said. a commitment to invest in the working with the leadership country. towards our collective Adebayo, during a meeting objectives. with Nigerian Association “This is even more germane of Chambers of Commerce, with the implementation of the NEPZA, NIPC Partner to Facilitate Industry, Mines and Agriculture Africa Continental Free Trade (NACCIMA in Abuja, said, Agreement (AfCFTA). “Nigeria is open for business “AfCFTA will enhance Investments’ Migration to Economic Zones and our investment climate is Africa’s capacity to unlock continually improving. growth and create jobs by James Emejo in Abuja economic activities across professionals abroad. Communications, NEPZA, “The year 2020 was building our industrial capacity, the country, adding that a The Authority has in the Martins Odeh, he said all the challenging for all economies enlarging our productivity and The Nigeria Export Processing synergy with NIPC would help last one year under my watch agencies with direct affiliation but Nigeria is coming back making us more competitive Zones Authority (NEPZA) to migrate the desired local adopted a few innovations to to execute the country’s lofty strong.” globally. and the Nigerian Investment and international investments assist the workforce to execute economic programmes must He said investments According to him, NACCIMA Promotion Commission to those zones. our mandate. engage in frequent cross announcements totalled $10.1 remained pivotal in ensuring (NIPC) are currently seeking The NEPZA boss said that “These include restructuring fertilisation of ideas as doing billion in first half of the year, Nigerian businesses remain partnership to stimulate the the three new zones which of the directorate cadre; so will help to expand the representing an increase of 100 competitive in the new migration of huge investments were approved as medical, establishment of Health and country’s investment horizon. per cent in 2020. environment. to the newly approved Special agro-allied and cotton clusters safety unit; establishment Sadiku on her part, But investment The minister also highlighted Economic Zones (SEZs) in respectively would help to of NEPZA security outfit; expressed satisfaction in the announcements don’t necessarily efforts being made by the Lagos, Kwara and Katsina. boost production linkages establishment of special way and manner the NEPZA translate to actual investments. federal government to create The federal government required for economic growth. economic zones’ association; boss had repositioned the He said,”Investors from an enabling environment for last year approved six SEZs He said the partnership establishment of Alternative agency and promoted the Europe, China, Morocco and foreign direct investment. to be evenly sited in the six would also significantly spur Dispute Unit among others.” special economic zones model the UK are making strong These according to him geo-political zones. Three have the interest of international He added that President across the country. commitments and this include the Executive Order already been earmarked for investors on the medical free Muhammadu Buhari had great The NIPC boss had administration is working 001, which is a directive that development in 2021 while zone to be sited in Lekki, expectation of the authority described Adesugba as an tirelessly to ensure that these promotes transparency and work on the remaining zones saying that the zone would to fast track the country’s investment promotion guru commitments turn into projects efficiency in the business were deferred till 2022. drastically reduce the country’s industrislisation, stressing that with long years of experience. that positively affect our nation.” environment and facilitates Managing Director/Chief capital flight through medical the management team and the She said,”I am not surprised In a statement by his media timely obtainment of Executive of NEPZA, Prof. tourism abroad. entire workforce appreciated with the high level of successes aide, Ifedayo Sayo, the minister government approvals for Adesoji Adesugba and the Adesugba said,”We are the huge investment the recorded so far within your said the federal government businesses in areas such as Executive Secretary of NIPC, also hopeful that the medical federal government had so far 12 months of being the MD of recognised the importance of visa processing and business Ms Yewande Sadiku, both free trade zone will be a made to upscale the potentials this important establishment.’’ attracting and retaining patient registrations. agreed on the partnership convergence of world-class of the agency. She said that the commission investment into economy, Others are the revised to boost investments into hospitals, pharmaceutical He said,”This visit is aimed was prepared to partner with adding that this accounted for Bilateral Investment Treaty the economic zones during companies, aged homes, hotels at seeking more investment NEPZA to accelerate economic his ministry’s commitment to (BIT) model to include specific a meeting in Abuja. and medical based research information and direction from development, adding that the the strategic relationship that provisions for investment Adesugba explained that institutes. the commission so that we three new special economic exists with the chamber. facilitation and to support efforts were underway to “This enclave when can jointly deliver on our zones would be used as He said both parties will investors in actualizing their use the special economic operational would retard mandates.” pilot scheme for vigorous continue to work together investments among others. zones to stimulate genuine the migration of medical Head, Corporate investment drive. 34 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2,
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THISDAY BUSINESSWORLD NEWS Agroecology, a Viable NITDA Highlights Importance of Solution to Climate Change, Says Group SMEs to Economic Growth, Stability Emma Okonji Clinics, organised by the Abuja than 50per cent of employment innovations, were all important Enterprise Agency (AEA). globally, the NITDA boss also for enterprise productivity while Blessing Ibunge in Port Climate and Food Crises, food Small and Medium Enterprises In his address titled: ‘Leveraging quoted the recent report by laying emphasis on technology Harcourt sovereignty Activist, Mariann (SMEs) are predominantly the on Technology and Innovation Pricewaterhouse Coopers, which as a driving force in achieving Bassey-Orovwuje explained that backbone of economic growth for Enterprise Productivity’, said SMEs contribute 48 per cent success. A Non Governmental Agroecology is a bottom-top in any country and they have Abdullahi described the topic as of the National GDP and account The NITDA DG mentioned that Organisation, Health of Mother approach, which harness local/ accounted for the successes of apt and timely. He affirmed that for 96 per cent and 84 per cent NITDA had always been at the Earth Foundation (HOMEF), has traditional knowledge as well most businesses globally, with innovation and entrepreneurship of businesses and employment forefront of supporting SMEs noted that agroecology is a viable as scientific innovation in ICT being a major driving force were essential for long-term respectively. and disclosed how the agency solution to climate change. Agriculture. for enhancing efficiency, according economic gains and prosperity. “SMEs are therefore key through one of its subsidiaries, has The group noted this at According to her, Agroecology to the the Director General, “SMEs provide cornerstones on contributors to employment, supported over 200 local startups a workshop to examine the uses a range of practices National Information Technology which economic growth and economic and export growth to that leveraged on technology as importance of Agroecology including mixed cropping, Development Agency (NITDA), stability of any country solidly the Nigerian economy” Abdullahi tool for entrepreneurship. in climate change mitigation/ crop rotation, composting, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi. depends,” he said. said. He also explained how the “You may be aware that, as part adaptation as well as in agroforestry, biological pest He highlighted the importance Citing the World Bank Report increase in revenue, operational of our 20th anniversary celebration, ensuring food sovereignty, control, cover cropping, biomas of SMEs recently, when he on Finances, where SMEs were cost reduction, customer service we launched and unveiled a featuring researchers, policy recycling, which do not only delivered a keynote address at pronounced to represent 90 per improvement, employee experience four-year Strategic Roadmap and experts and representatives from help to optimize and improve the 8th edition of Business 360 cent of businesses and more improvement and constant Action Plan (SRAP 2021 – 2024). the Ministry of Environment yields but help with resilience as well as the Ministry to the impact of climate change. of Agriculture and Rural She added that Agroecology Development. promotes biodiversity, which In his address, Executive is a key principle in climate Tech4Dev Partners Sterling Bank to Director of HOMEF, Rev change mitigation. Nnimmo Bassey stated that “Agroecological initiatives to successfully address the aim at transforming industrial Enhance Women Employment in Tech challenge of climate change agriculture by transitioning there is need to change the existing food systems away Emma Okonji an experiential learning partner Oladepo reiterated the importance The Chief Digital Officer at way people relate with the from fossil fuel-based production for its Women Techsters initiative. of the partnership with Sterling Sterling Bank, Olayinka Oni, ecosystem; the way natural largely for agro-export crops and Building on its quest to grow The Women Techsters is an Bank. spoke on the company’s desire resources are exploited and biofuels towards an alternative a diverse and inclusive team, initiative of Tech4Dev aimed According to Oladepo, to build a diverse team. “Diversity consumable food are produced. agricultural paradigm that Sterling Bank has signed a at bridging the digital divide “Gender equality is at the heart is not a compliance agenda, it is “Climate change increases encourages local and national Memorandum of Understanding between men and women in of what we do at Tech4Dev and an intentional strategy. Internship the vulnerabilities and food production by small and with Technology for Social Change the technology ecosystem, with is a huge part of our Women for us is also intentional. We are uncertainties of Nigerian family farmers based on local and Development Initiative plans to empower five million Techsters initiative. We are interested in any project that farmers while agroecology innovation, resources and solar (Tech4Dev), a non-profit social women across Africa with digital delighted about forward-thinking grows the ecosystem like the reduces environmental footprint energy. This implies ensuring enterprise, working to provide and deep tech skills by 2030. organizations like Sterling Bank, Women Techsters initiative,” of agriculture as opposed to the access of peasants to land, access to decent work for Africans The organisation is currently who are thinking of what the Oni said. fossil-fuels driven industrial seeds, water, credit and local through digital and technology in partnership with Microsoft workforce will look like in the Some of the Women Techsters agriculture. We must desist markets through the creation skills empowerment and advocacy. to empower 10,000 women in next two, three, five years and Fellows across the five countries form production measures which of supportive economic policies, At the signing ceremony 2021 across five African countries, the importance of gender balance are presently in the final week disrupt ecosystem balance and financial incentives, and market held recently at the Marina which include Nigeria, Ghana, within the ecosystem. At the of their intensive training and which pump greenhouse gases opportunities; as well as the Headquarters of the financial Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt. end of the internship period, will be direct beneficiaries of this into the atmosphere.” He added. scaling up of agroecological institution in Lagos, Sterling Speaking at the signing we want Sterling Bank to be partnership with Sterling Bank Speaking on Agroecology technologies, ”she further Bank officially committed to ceremony, Tech4Dev’s Co-founder able to say they got value from on a six-month internship period as a Viable Solution to the explained. partner with the Tech4Dev as and Executive Director, Oladiwura the interns.” with the company. Niteo CEO Tasks Architects, Builders on Power Solutions Emma Okonji curtain walls of buildings. With BIPV, He noted that the real every available space on building advantage of the BIPV is that it To boost access to power, improve wall claddings, rooftops, bus shelters, can be customized based on the building aesthetics and increase factories and warehouses now can customer’s application, specifications national productivity, architects and generate power.” and available space. The bespoke builders in Nigeria have been urged He stated that while challenges are product can be designed based on to embrace the Building Integrated a part of life, the secret of progress the size and shape of the available Photovoltaic (BIPV) solution. BIPV is is to understand how to spot and space, or the colour preferences of an innovative customized renewable take advantage of the opportunity the customer. energy solution that enables the inherent in challenges. Nigeria, he The solar power startup expert integration of solar modules into noted, has power challenges which explained that BIPV is flexible, so building facades, rooftops, wall solar solutions could tackle effectively much so that the customer’s goals cladding, bus shelters and gatehouses because of the sheer amount of and ideals can be integrated into the among other facilities producing sunlight available everyday. With design to improve the outlook. BIPV electrical power in addition to climate change as a growing source is a multifunctional product with aesthetic enhancements. of concern, the increasing use of solar constructive, architectural, aesthetic Managing Partner, Niteo Limited, solutions, particularly BIPV, will help and power generation functions and Adedayo Afolabi, who made the call Nigeria positively reduce its carbon capabilities. He revealed that another while speaking at the inaugural BIPV footprint and avert environmental advantage of the BIPV is that it is fire seminar in Lagos recently, revealed disaster. Co-CEO, Green Glass Africa, resistant class A, making it a good that solar solutions were all about Kevin Noukam Tiangueu, in his construction material for buildings. harnessing the power of the sun to presentation, provided an in-depth Co-CEO, Green Glass Africa, produce electrical energy. exposition of the BIPV technology, Igor Mbakom Tchiengang, noted According to Afolabi, “The BIPV its application in real-life projects, that BIPV would be the solution for solution, deployed in partnership with relevant case studies and ROI Africa. He said: “BIPV is versatile, with German-based Green Glass calculations. with immense potential and suitable Africa, is a welcome development According to Noukam, “With for a variety of projects. BIPV can especially in urban areas such as State BIPV, the target is to transform every completely or partially replace Capitals where there is a reduction building to a power generating set building material in addition to in space availability and a growing so that each building or structure generating power, improving current trend of utilizing glass for essentially powers itself.” transparency and efficiency.” PIA: N’Delta Activist Insists 3% Fund be Managed by HCTF as Specified by Act

Sylvester Idowu in Warri issues affecting the oil and gas 3 per cent fund, it might be Producing host communities in mismanaged the same way the A Niger Delta based activist and the country. 13% derivation fund allocated National Coordinator of Center for The environmental activist to oil and gas producing States Peace and Environmental Justice condemned the idea being for the development of oil and (CEPEJ) Chief Sheriff Mulade has muted in some quarters that gas host communities, was called on the federal government the Minister of Niger Delta misappropriated. to establish and inaugurate the Affairs or the Governors of oil Mulade recalled that the 13 per Host Community Trust Fund and gas producing States should cent oil derivation fund, and the (HCTF) provided for by the control and manage the 3 per cent PIA fund are meant to address PIA, to manage the Petroleum allocation provided for in the PIA, the environmental, ecological and Industry Fund. based on the oil and gas resources infrastructural development issues Mulade in a chat with derived from, and the degradation of oil communities insisting that Journalists maintained that the effects of oil activities in the host the 3 per cent PIA fund should be 3 per cent fund, if properly communities. managed by the Host Community managed by HCTF, will address He warned that if the Minister Trust Fund as stipulated by Section environmental and infrastructural or State Governors control the 2 of the PIA. THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • THISDAY 35 36 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • THISDAY THISDAY ˾

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 37

Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala IMAGES Email [email protected]

L-R: Vice President, Queen of the Rosary Old Student Association (QROGA), Jennifer Igoh; Mrs. Akpagher Vihimga Vivian (Karen Mother), and Executive Director, Men Against Rape Foundation, Lemmy Ughegbe, at L-R: Otu of Igarra, High Chief Joseph Apeji Mayaki; the New Oshemi Onayinmi of Igarra, His Royal Highness a press briefing on revelations related to Karen’s death and the position of the school, Premiere Academy in Samuel Sunday Mayaki; and his wife, Mrs. Grace Mayaki, during the installation of Oshemi Onayinmi of Igarra Abuja…recently PHOTO: AYO AJAYI in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State...recently PHOTO: DAN UKANA

L -R : Pioneering Mission , The Church of the Lord Worldwide (TCLAW) , Archbishop Amos Ajibola ; Administrator - General and Provincial Head of Nigeria , TCLAW , Archbishop David Fabusoro ; Special Adviser 2021 Tabieorar Planning Committee, Senior Prophet Funso Fadayini; the host , His Holiness , Primate of TCLAW, Most Rev L-R: Founder/Director, Drinks NG, Lanre Akinlagun; Country Manager, Nigeria, William Grant and Sons, Rufus Okikiola Ositelu ; and Secretary -General , TCLAW, Archbishop Emmanuel Kolawole ; during the 85th Frances Nwosa; and Nollywood actor and producer, Eyinna Nwigwe, at the official launch of Balvenie Whisky annual Mount Tabioerar anniversary celebration at Ogere in Ogun State…recently in Lagos…recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

L-R: National Technical Secretary, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Dr. Imhade Okokpujie; Chairman, Planning Committee of the third edition of Mayen Adetiba Technical Boot Camp for Girls, Laolu Adedapo-Aisida; Founding member, APWEN, Mayen Modupeola Adetiba; President, APWEN, Funlola Ojelade; the eighth APWEN President, Dr. Patricia Ogene-Odili; and the fourth APWEN President, Idiat Amusu, during the third edition of Mayen Adetiba Technical Boot Camp for Girls organised by APWEN in Lagos…recently PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA

L-R: Vice President, National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB), Joshua Nkute; Chief Executive L-R: Nigerian Ambassador to Russia, Professor Abdullahi Shehu; Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Officer, New Women Microfinance Bank (MFB), Esther Adeola Balogun; CEO of Mainstreet MFB, Adegoke Magashi (rtd); Defence Adviser, Nigerian Embassy in Russia, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya; and Adegbami; National President, NAMB, Yusuf Gyallesu; CEO of Accion MFB/Chairman, NAMBLAG, Lagos State, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, at the International Military-Technical Forum tagged: Taiwo Joda; and CEO of Richway MFB/Vice President, NAMBLAG, Adenrele Oni, at the NAMBLAG retreat held ‘Army-2021’, in Russia...recently in Ibadan, Oyo State…recently 38 THISDAY ˾
 , SEPTEMBER 2, 2021

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[email protected], HEALTH & LIFESTYLE Tel: 07010510430 NSSF to Vaccinate One Million Nigerians The Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund, a non-for-profit institution established as a partnership between the Global Citizen and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, is set to vaccinate one million people in Nigeria while solving vaccine hesitancy, writes Rebecca Ejifoma ince the chaotic outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe last year, getting people vaccinated became the solution “The NSSF decided to towards mitigating the spread of Sthe virus following the non-pharmaceutical assist in vaccinating interventions like wearing of nose masks, handwashing, and physical distancing. one million Nigerians, Bridging the Gap of course it has to be Several organisations like the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) made it a priority the most vulnerable to bridge the gap of vaccine shortage and hesitancy as some of the factors that may Nigerians that will affect the country’s goal to achieve COVID-19 herd immunity, the post impact of COVID-19 otherwise not be on the health and economic sector of Nigeria among its other focus for this year and next vaccinated. And we year. These were the words of the General Manager of NSSF, Dr Fejiro Chinye-Nwoko, have a two-approach at a webinar with newsmen in Lagos State. According to Chinye-Nwoko, the NSSF for it. The first is has three major quests off its sleeves for this year and next year. Among them is to collaborate with vaccination. “NSSF was on to solve the post impact of COVID on the health and partner organisations economic sector of Nigeria. The first was to assist vulnerable populations in Nigeria, to purchase more that is those who would be most hit from the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. vaccines for Nigeria, “The NSSF decided to assist in vaccinating one million Nigerians, of course it has to and the second is be the most vulnerable Nigerians that will otherwise not be vaccinated. And we have a to solve the vaccine two-approach for it. The first is to collaborate with partner organisations to purchase more hesitancy in Nigeria” vaccines for Nigeria, and the second is to solve the vaccine hesitancy in Nigeria.” While conceding that a lot of people are quite reluctant to get vaccinated despite availability, Chinye-Nwoko said this is owing to the fact that these people are simply either not willing or they don’t know the benefits of the vaccine. “So we are going to be doing a bit of advocacy to promote the uptake of the vaccine so that we can get hold of this pandemic once and for all”. Benefits In the words of the GM, one benefit that a lot of Nigerians overlook is that getting the vaccine not only protects them, but it also protects vulnerable populations. “We know that by vulnerable population, the elderly are more vulnerable in terms of getting adverse effects of COVID-19, death is the last spectrum. There are several adverse effects like permanent lung damage that a lot of clinicians are noticing with the COVID. “So even after people have recovered they still have lung damage that lead to other lung disease in the future and so a person not taking the vaccine is not only because your immunity is strong, what of other people whose immunity isn’t that strong, people living with comorbidities, sickle cell patients or diabetics or people with hypertension, even children are beginning to come down with symptoms of COVID-19.” Meanwhile, Chinye-Nwoko is worried about the Delta variant, which is beginning to affect a lot of children. “A lot of children under 12 are not taking the vaccine yet. So, we are exposing the children that already have comorbidities like cardiac diseases, holes in the heart or sickle cell anemia. We are exposing them because we will be in contact with them. So the vaccine is not only saving your life, if we look beyond ourselves and Dr Fejiro Chinye-Nwoko say, ‘I don’t have a low immunity my body can fight it’, what about the people that are susceptible?” COVID-19 to regain economic stability. have a lot of ability because of social the 36 states.” For the GM, when they get about 80 to 90 Accordingly, the GM acknowledged that media) to influence peer behaviours. So And in terms of procurement of the one per cent of the population vaccinated, the during the pandemic a lot of people lost if we target the youths we have more million vaccines, Chinye-Nwoko assured remaining 10 or 20 per cent that are skeptical their means of livelihood. Thus, NSSF influence over the information.” newsmen that the NSSF would work with are protected. However, she cautioned, “We came up with the aim to re-skill the the federal government to see that they get need to get there right now. We are one per youth to make them more economically Complimenting Government’s Effort these one million doses. cent nowhere near that”. competitive in the post COVID-19 world, When the NSSF was created, the knowing that the skills that were required GM said one of its statements is to Call to Nigerians Strengthening Health System pre-COVID-19 may not be the skills that add to what the federal government With some Nigerians yet to accept the Beyond vaccination, the NSSF has also will be required post. is doing. “Our help is additional, not idea of vaccination, the NSSF boss urged mapped out plans to strengthen the health She emphasised: “The activity we plan supplementary. We are not working everyone to get vaccinated. “Get vaccinated. system. “We know that out of all the sectors is a youth-focus campaign. It’s going to in silo, we are working with the If you haven’t, join the train of believers, get that were impacted by COVID-19 the health focus on artistic expression of Nigerian federal government. We are already vaccinated, encourage your colleagues, and sector is the first. So, making the health sector youth using readily available digital tools. in conversations with the National family members to get vaccinated. COVID-19 recover from the assault of the pandemic We know that a great proportion of our Primary Healthcare Development Agency is real. I think we are moving out of the was our second objective while our third population is the youth, and we also and they have done a fantastic job in denial phase. So yes, jump on this moving objective is to re-skill the youth to help post know that the youth are influencers (they terms of storage and distribution to train and get vaccinated.” THISDAY ˾
 , SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 39 NEWS [email protected]; FERTILITY Website: lifelinkfertility.com Fidson Rewards 08033083580 Academic Excellence DANGER SIGNS IN PREGNANCY (PART 1)

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 , SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 NEWS Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund Partners Global Citizen to Ensure Vaccine Equity Rebecca Ejifoma distribution of and education about COVID-19 with the The Nigeria Solidarity Support urgency it deserves. Fund (NSSF or the Fund), has The Vice Chairman of Global partnered Global Citizen, at the Citizen Nigeria, Aigboje Aig- Global Citizen Live event to call Imoukhuede, on world leaders, corporate “There is only one way of organisations, and foundations dealing with this pandemic, on COVID-19 Pandemic, vaccine which is the vaccines and as equity, and vaccine hesitancy. we well know, to get the type As an advocate for impact, of herd immunity that makes a the NSSF is one of the partner nation safe, there is a minimum institutions headlining the event percentage of the population that alongside Global Citizen, an needs to be covered, typically international advocacy organ- well above 60 per cent. Some of the participants isation. “In Nigeria, we are way below Established as a partnership that with only about one per between Global Citizen and the cent of the populace having Nigeria Sovereign Investment received at least one dose of Authority (NSIA), the NSSF is an the COVID-19 vaccines.” Kerrygold Avantage Milk Promotes innovative platform for resource According to him, considering mobilisation primarily created to the scary statistics and the need complement government’s efforts to act fast to save lives, we are Smoothie as Key to Healthier Life to mitigate the adverse effects putting necessary mechanisms in of the COVID-19 pandemic on place to enable us to mobilise the Chiamaka Ozulumba breakfast milky rice, soups, des- to make a milkshake with the into nutrient-rich, premium Nigerians. required resources to get at least serts as well as making excellent Kerrygold Avantage Milk. quality products. The objective of The Fund has set its strategic one million Nigerians vaccinated Two malls in Lagos, namely smoothies. After working through all the the promotions was to highlight priority for 2021/2022 to ensure before the end of 2022. the Ikeja City Mall and the One of the highlights of the submissions from entrants who the benefits of milk to Africa and that one million Nigerians are He further added, “The Global Leisure Mall Surulere, recently day’s activities was the Blender participated in the Milkshake to drive consumption of Irish vaccinated against COVID-19 Citizen Live event affords us the saw lots of activity as shoppers Bike, where participants dem- challenge, the judges identified milk beyond the use of cream. and is partnering Global Citizen opportunity to tell our impact “set the wheels in motion” onstrated their fitness levels by fifteen winners who were re- “Our aim with this campaign to amplify this call on global story and get the support we participating in the Blender Bike riding a stationary bicycle that warded with Kerrygold products, is to create new consumption organisations and world leaders need to end this pandemic in challenge and other activities at had a blender attached. The branded items, and shopping patterns for milk with the to address the issues of equitable the quickest time possible. the Kerrygold Avantage Milk blender spun as the bike was rid- vouchers. consumer outside the regular activation. den allowing the participants to Besides the health benefits creamer pattern that is currently This promotion took place in make their favourite milkshakes of milk, Kerrygold Avantage predominate pattern irrespective conjunction with Bord Bia (The and smoothies. from Ireland is premium fat of the consumption occasion.” 4-year-old Boy Needs N13m Irish Food Board), who hosted Adding glamour to the occa- filled milk powder, meaning says Ese Okpomo, Bord Bia’s a series of in-store and online sion were celebrity influencers that it has extended shelf life West Africa Manager. for Cerebral Palsy Surgery campaigns throughout Africa in Ufuoma Mcdermott and without needing refrigeration and Bord Bia works to enhance the recognition of World Milk Day, Adedimeji Lateef as well as Ify is suitable for the whole family. reputation of Irish food, drink Rebecca Ejifoma Palsy secondary to Neonatal celebrated on Tuesday 1 June. Mogekwu of Ify’s Kitchen and The powder is produced from and horticulture, to develop Jaundice. He was born Preterm World Milk Day is an annual nutritionist, culinary expert and natural, fresh skimmed cow’s markets for Irish suppliers and Four years old Jeremiah Ilori with G6PD deficiency through event that is held to promote talk show host Jamila Lawal, who milk, vegetable fat and fortified bring the taste of Irish food to needs N13 million naira to help Cesarean Section at the Lagos global awareness around the created their own milkshakes with vitamins to provide essential more tables world-wide. With him walk after he was diagnosed University Teaching Hospital benefits of milk. and encouraged their followers nutrients. its headquarters in Dublin, Bord with Athetoid Cerebral Palsy (LUTH),” she added. Milk is packed with nutrients, to do the same. Some fortunate A rich heritage of fam- Bia’s extensive overseas pres- secondary to Neonatal Jaundice. Narrating further, she said Ilori is a good source of quality shoppers met the celebrities and ily farming in Ireland, passed ence, coupled with authoritative Since he was diagnosed with had received three exchange blood protein, it is associated with collaborated on the milkshake from generation to generation, strategic insight, enables Bord the disease at three days old, transfusions. While on admis- healthy bones and is a versatile making! For those with a creative combined with lush green fields, Bia to pursue emerging op- baby Ilori has neither crawled sion, he contracted Meningitis ingredient that in addition to flair, there was the opportunity clean air and plentiful rain create portunities and actively respond nor walked like his age mates. and other infections, but was being a wholesome drink, can be to share a video on social media the perfect environment for dairy to significant market issues that He cannot speak or hear either. discharged after two months used in meals such as oatmeal, demonstrating creative ways farming, which converts grass affect the industry. Hence, the surgery is recom- of intensive treatment. mended to help improve his The family, therefore, desper- quality of life to walk, talk, ately called on Nigerians home and hear. and abroad to help give baby Stakeholders Commend CBN’s N100Bn According to the mother, Mrs. Ilori a normal life. Elizabeth Ilori, the family has been Donations can be made to Intervention Fund for Health Sector able to raise N2.4m and have 3017004809 First Bank, Elizabeth a number of promissory notes. Ilori. And the family can be Rebecca Ejifoma beneficiaries and serious positive Some of the impact can already the New Nigeria Group (NNG), “He has Athetoid Cerebral reached on 07060902624. impact has also been felt in the be seen in the financial perfor- Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, said: “I Stakeholders have commended private sector, as envisioned by mance of the early recipients of have said it over and over. The the progress made by the Central the apex bank. the loans.” CBN and COVID-19 intervention 28-year-old Sickle Cell Winnie Bank ofNigeria’s (CBN) N100 The intervention was with a Speaking also, President, funds, a laudable idea as it is, billion Pharmaceutical Interven- view to strengthening the sector’s Nigerian Association of Resident is yet to achieve its objectives. Urgently Needs N2m from tion fund for COVID-19 which capacity to meet potential increase Doctors (NARD), Dr. Uyilawa The impact of difficulty in forex was part of proactive measures in demand for healthcare products Okhuaihesuyi, explained that access is that it portends grave to cushion the impact of the and services. the federal government, through danger and may undermine Decaying Limb, Amputation pandemic on the economy. Specifically, the scheme was the CBN, offered pharmaceuti- the noble objectives. They said most local pharma- to provide credit to indigenous cal companies and medical “First, the longer it takes to Rebecca Ejifoma my crisis stopped coming in ceutical industries, with the help pharmaceutical companies and practitioners low interest rate get the machines and equip- frequently, I had already become of the fund, have been able to other healthcare value chain loans up to N100 billion from ment in, the longer it will Winnie Onuoha-Momodu, 28, addicted to taking the injection. boost their production capaci- players to build or expand March last year as intervention be for Nigeria to begin to see urgently needs over N2 million So I continued getting it and ties to manufacture facemasks, capacity.It is expected to increase to improve local manufacturing an enhanced local production. to save her left arm from total injecting myself.” personal protective equipment private and public investment and increase their capacities to Second, the longer it takes, the decay and possible amputation. Lamenting, Winnie said the (PPP), hand sanitisers, gloves, anti in the healthcare sector, facilitate combat the ravaging COVID-19 more difficult it will be for the Winnie, who was a janitor reaction started as a result of viral drugs, ventilators, medical improvements in healthcare pandemic and other related health benefitting companies to begin at a private firm before the excessive intake of the injection supplies, and vaccines. delivery, and reduce medical challenges. “It is commendable.” production and generate cash flow unfortunate situation began last year. “It began like a blister, In response to COVID-19 tourism to enhance foreign A Consultant Pharmacist and to meet the interest and repayment last April, is reacting to excessive then snowballed into what I pandemic, CBN last April exchange conservation. Medical Director, Merit Health- obligation, as the moratorium intake of pentazocine injections. can’t even describe just this took measures to extend credit Chairman, Pharmaceutical care, Dr. Lolu Ojo, noted: “I know is fast approaching.” Pentazocine injection, according year.” facilities of up to N100 billion Manufacturers Group of Manu- some big companies that got the He also highlighted that with to research, is a pain reliever used Sadly, the severe skin dam- to support intervention efforts facturers Association of Nigeria money. Many companies have forex at rates higher than the to treat or moderate severe pain age has eaten up her flesh geared towards the healthcare (PMG-MAN), Dr. Fidelis Ayebae, offers but funds were released planned or forecasted rates in during childbirth or surgery. to the bones, which are now sector. hinted that every company that late. Although there were chal- the business plan, the money And it is highly addictive and uncovered. “It’s decaying daily It was to stimulate eco- met the loan requirement got it. lenges, the intervention fund has received in Naira may no longer imperious to sickle cell patients, and my bones are breaking nomic activities locally within the “We are happy with CBN for made huge impact.” be sufficient to meet the stated experts have warned. right before my eyes; it hurts healthcare sector while making the initiative and the way it was Now, pharmacists under the needs. “And fourth is that the Winnie narrated: “This incident so much,” she bemoaned. products and services readily implemented. aegis of the Pharmaceutical longer the Naira is left in the started when I began to have Having been to the Federal available to service Nigerians, “Members that are yet to Society of Nigeria (PSN) have banks awaiting piecemeal alloca- sickle cell crises back to back Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba thereby building, diversifying, access it are working with the confirmed that they have accessed tion of forex, the faster the value last year. I couldn’t breathe, had to treat Pentazocine addiction, and expanding the capacity of commercial banks with whom over 90 per cent of the N100 bil- depreciates by growing inflation constant pain, and a blood clot. she was referred to the Nigerian the Nigerian healthcare sector. they have a relationship to close lion COVID-19 intervention fund and the fewer the number of “So I got a nurse who started Army Hospital in Yaba to see an However, it was learnt from the up documentation gaps before for the healthcare/pharmaceutical machinery and equipment or treating me at home. She used orthopedic surgeon for further CBN that N93 billion of the fund moving on to CBN. Overall, it industry. even raw materials that can be Pentazocine injection on me. After treatment. has already been disbursed to is success in intervention. President, PSN and Convener, bought.” THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • THISDAY 41 42 THISDAY ˾
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 2, 2021 BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE Sylva to Launch $50m Oil Industry Research, Development Initiative Peter Uzoho conference. throughs to products for industry He said the R&D fair was application; and the fact that The Minister of State for intended to bring together over 20 researchers are benefiting Petroleum Resources, Chief industry stakeholders, academia, from the board’s intervention. Timipre Sylva, will next week and researchers towards achiev- He mentioned other progress launch the oil and gas Research ing a common agenda on R&D recorded from the R&D fair and Development (R&D) Fund as a pillar for sustainable local as the creation of $50 million Utilisation Protocol put in content Research and Development place by the Nigerian Content Wabote added that the maiden Fund; inauguration of the Development and Monitoring edition of the fair organized in Technical Advisory Board on Fund (NCDMB). 2017 witnessed exhibition of Nigerian content Research and Sylva will also inaugurate the research breakthroughs and Development Fund; the signing R&D 10-Year Strategic Roadmap facilitation of linkages between of Memorandum of Understand- as well as the Technology In- researchers and end-users in the ing (MOU) to establish R&D novation and Incubation center oil and gas Industry. Centers of Excellence in five established by the NCDMB According to him, since the universities. to facilitate innovation and successful hosting of the maiden “The Board has concluded incubation of ideas for market edition, significant progress had plans to host the 2nd edition adoption. been made in elevating the of the NCDMB Research and The minister will be perform- industry collaboration on R&D. Development Fair and Confer- ing the three functions at the Wabote listed the progress ence with the theme: “Creating second edition of the NCDMB’s recorded through the R&D fair Sustainable Collaboration in R&D Fair and Conference to include the establishment of Research and Development“, slated for September 9, 2021 in Nigerian Content Research and through hybrid participation Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, with the Development Council, with a in compliance with COVID-19 theme, “Creating Sustainable mandate to advise the board protocols. Sylva Collaboration in Research and on matters relating to research “It promises to feature presen- Development for the Energy and development in the oil and tation of Research breakthroughs, Sector.” gas industry. panel discussion on R&D pillars The Executive Secretary of Others, he said, included of success and a special feature MARKET INDICATORS NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote, Development of the R&D on how Nigeria can adopt a sus- disclosed this in Lagos at a 10-Year Strategic Road Map; tainable acceleration programme MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA) press conference to herald development of frameworks for launching innovative ideas the upcoming R&D fair and for supporting research break- into the market,” Wabote said. JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3) 38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors 1,039,129.55

Unity Bank Builds Office Complex Money Supply (M2) 37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money 21,779,302.69 for Borno SUBEB -- Narrow Money (M1) 15,961,023.19 Michael Olugbode ÓØ
ËÓÎß̋ educational infrastructure for the and the Bank have enjoyed over ---- Currency Outside Banks 2,364,871.13 ÑßÜÓ

benefit of our people, we are the years.” indeed delighted that this has She said she was happy that ---- Demand Deposits 13,596,152.06 Unity Bank Plc has built and added one more fruitful step to signs of the end of the scourge of Net Foreign Assets (NFA) 7,414,275.50 handed over an ultra modern reaching our goal.” the insurgency that has affected office complex to Borno State He added that: “I, therefore, the development of education Net Domestic Assets(NDA) 31,365,179.93 Universal Basic Education. thank the Board, Management over the past decade are clearly -- Net Domestic Credit (NDC) 42,916,586.63 Speaking at the handing over and Staff of Unity Bank Plc for seen. Promising that: “As the ceremony in Maiduguri, Borno donating the office complex to state Government embarked ---- Credit to Government (Net) 12,304,773.44 State Governor, Prof. Babagana Borno State in a bid to promote on massive rebuilding of the ---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA 0.00 Zulum said the completion and education in the State and support sector, we remain committed subsequent handover of the our laudable programme in the to lending a hand of support ---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA) 0.00 office accommodation stand as sector.” in the best way we could.” a testament of the commitment Earlier in her speech, the She said: “At Unity Bank, we ---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS) 30,611,813.19 of Unity Bank Plc to support Managing Director of the bank, understand the critical role of edu- --Other Assets Net 3,892,112.74 the aggressive mass literacy Mrs. Tomi Somefun said the cation in driving developmental programme of the State and SUBEB Office building stand as aspirations of both individuals Reserve Money (Base Money 13,264,585.14 federal Government. a symbol of the bank’s resolve and the state as an entity, so we He said: “Given the effort and commitment to education in are determined to continue to --Currency in Circulation 2,831,167.19 made by my administration to the North East and in Nigeria/ work with the state to provide --Banks Reserves 10,433,417.96 ˾

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 significantly boost school enrol- The effort, she added, is also a the critical infrastructure that is --Special Intervention Reserves 317,234.17 ment of every child of school demonstration of Unity Bank Plc’s needed to support this goal.” age as well as the educational Corporate Social Responsibility She however disclosed that: infrastructure through support (CSR). The Managing Director “Long before the intervention Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) and encouragement of develop- who was represented by the to aid the resettlement of the Month March 2018 ment partners and the organised bank’s Zonal Head, Abuja IDPs, the Bank had donated Inter-Bank Call Rate 15.16 private sector, this gesture counts and North central, Nuruddin N25 million in support of the as an act of corporate magnanim- Mohammed Bashir said: “This State’s University projects in 2014. Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) ity with meaningful impact for (the project) was thus conceived Furthermore, the bank through uptake of SUBEB activities in as a long standing partner to the Corporate social responsibility Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) 14.00 Borno State.” Government and people of Borno initiative supported the SUBEB Treasury Bill Rate 11.84 The governor said: “Our case State not only committed to sup- with a utility vehicle to ease their in Borno State is a peculiar one, porting initiatives for revamping logistics for project supervision. Savings Deposit Rate 4.07 but with Unity Bank Plc showing education, but also a significant All these gestures buttress the a good example of multi-sectoral gesture of appreciation of the Bank’s commitment to education 1 Month Deposit Rate 8.82 participation in providing critical cordial relationship that the State in the State.” 3 Months Deposit Rate 9.72 ‘NGX Aims to Leverage on Technology 6 Months Deposit Rate 10.93 12 Months Deposit Rate 10.21 to Digitise Trading’ Prime Lending rate 17.35

Darasimi Adebisi has been few challenges, NGX the activities of players across Maximum Lending Rate 31.55 has experienced strong track of the entire investment value chain The Chief Executive Officer, growth whether from the view of to create an experience where Nigerian Exchange Limited the number of securities listed within the space of minutes, a ˾
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ͯͱϱ (NGX), Mr. Temi Popoola now, the types of securities transaction can be initiated and reiterated the Exchange listed and types of business completed. OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE 

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ͰͮͰͯ commitment to leverage activity. “This is particularly important technology to digitize securities According to him, “The Ex- given that the next generation of The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $71.88 a barrel on Monday, investment and other market change is in sync with the apex investors are typically on their compared with $71.48 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. related transactions. regulator, the Securities and mobile phones, and until we can The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Popoola, disclosed this during Exchange Commission (SEC) meet them there the value we can Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light the Business Morning Show on to digitalize the market and deliver to them will be limited. (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Channels Television on Tuesday. make sure that investors can Over the next few months, we Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Popoola who spoke on the buy and sell securities easily. expect to deliver some positive Merey (Venezuela). journey of the Exchange in 60 “The Exchange on its part structural changes building on our years, said that even though there is doing its bit to coordinate existing activities in this regard.” THISDAY ˾
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Profit-Taking Persist as Stock Market Drops by N18bn Darasimi Adebisi basis points. Similarly, the overall capitalised stocks amongst which Healthcare went up by 2.80 per Company (UPDC) lost 4.84 per the activity chart with 28.537 market capitalisation value lost are; Nigerian Breweries, UAC cent to close at N6.25, per share. cent to close at N1.77, per share. million shares valued at N25.756 Transactions on the Nigerian N18 billion to close at N20.416 of Nigeria (UACN), Honeywell Fidelity Bank rose by 2.55 Jaiz Bank lost 4.76 per cent to million. equities market yesterday closed trillion. Flour Mills, Morison Industries per cent to close at N2.41, close at 60 kobo, while Wema Zenith Bank followed with on a negative note, taking the On sectors, the Consumer and Dangote Sugar Refinery. while Livestock Feeds gained Bank shed 4.65 per cent to close 16.592 million shares worth trading losses to the third Goods (-0.6per cent), Banking Furthermore, the market 0.95 per cent each to close at at 82 kobo, per share. N398.197 million, while Hon- consecutive day as investors’ (-0.2per cent), Insurance (-0.2per breadth closed negative, N2.13, per share. The total volume of trades eywell Flour Mills traded 13.234 profit-taking down market by cent), and Oil & Gas (-0.1per recording 17 losers as against On the other hand, FTN Cocoa declined by 60.23 per cent to million shares valued at N54.949 N18 billion. cent) indices declined while nine gainers. AIICO Insurance Processors led the losers’ chart by 169.297 billion units, valued at million. United Capital traded The Nigerian Exchange Lim- the Industrial Goods index recorded the highest price gain 8.77 per cent to close at 52 kobo, N1.424 billion, and exchanged 12.798 million shares valued at ited (NGX) All-Share Index (ASI) closed flat. of 4.04 per cent to close at N1.03, per share. Morison Industries in 3,449 deals. N91.393 million, while Mutual dipped by 35.43 basis points, The market negative per- per share. Custodian Investment followed with a decline of 5.42 Transactions in the shares Benefits Assurance transacted representing a decline of 0.09 formance was driven by price followed with a gain 3.15 per cent per cent to close at N1.92, while of Transnational Corporation 8.322 million shares worth N2.523 per cent, to close at 39,184.18 depreciation in large and medium to close at N6.55, while Fidson UACN Property Development of Nigeria (Transcorp) topped million. PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED AS OF 01/09/2021

MAIN BOARD DEALS MARKET QUANTITY VALUE TRADED MAIN BOARD DEALS MARKET QUANTITY VALUE TRADED PRICE TRADED ( N ) PRICE TRADED ( N ) 44 THURSDAY, 

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THISDAY THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021• THISDAY 45 MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an ETF are bought by investors. Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. investment vehicle that allows both small and Bid Price: The price at which Investors Investors with similar objectives buy units of the large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total that willl generate their desired return. investments. The assets are divided into shares that return an investor would have earned on An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. his investment. Money Market Funds report of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, Yield while others report Year- to-date Total bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, GUIDE TO DATA: Return. etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 31- NAV: Is value per share of the real estate shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the Aug-2021, unless otherwise stated. assets held by a REIT on a specific date. DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Equity Fund 160.73 162.08 -0.72% Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 5.15% GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Nigeria International Debt Fund 323.99 323.99 -16.01% Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Afrinvest Dollar Fund 110.37 110.37 -1.52% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD [email protected] GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.82% AIICO CAPITAL LTD [email protected] Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Vantage Balanced Fund 2.79 2.85 -2.42% 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 7.23% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 152.73 153.01 -1.78% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.30 3.46 -2.87% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.28 1.32 1.52% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected]@anchoriaam.com Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.10 1.10 0.62% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fi[email protected] Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 7.73% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Equity Fund 138.51 140.18 4.13% Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.43 1.45 4.86% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.14 1.14 -13.98% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,147.23 1,147.23 5.65% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD [email protected] MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 19.54 20.13 7.72% Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.96 12.00 9.48% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 431.44 444.45 7.76% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 9.16% ARM Ethical Fund 38.17 39.33 13.24% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.10 -0.65% Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.97 0.98 -7.24% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.31% PACAM Balanced Fund 1.66 1.69 7.17% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED [email protected] PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.56 11.56 -4.96% Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 6.10% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Equity Fund 1.64 1.65 3.58% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 105.97 105.97 4.19% PACAM EuroBond Fund 112.99 114.87 2.87% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,030.42 1,030.42 3.04% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED [email protected] SCM CAPITAL LIMITED [email protected] Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A SCM Capital Frontier Fund 131.60 134.17 8.84% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD [email protected] CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED [email protected] Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.05 1.05 10.02% CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.04 2.04 -8.41% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.13 2.17 -7.81% Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,290.31 3,325.07 2.44% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 232.61 232.61 3.45% CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.01 1.01 2.83% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.22 1.24 4.24% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 306.56 306.56 4.04% Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 226.18 229.52 3.63% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.65% Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.14% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,436.26 10,583.52 -0.56% Paramount Equity Fund 16.43 16.74 2.76% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.27 1.27 3.64% Women's Investment Fund 136.14 137.71 2.30% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 115.46 115.46 3.94% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 103.39 103.39 - Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.63% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 118.31 119.06 United Capital Balanced Fund 1.31 1.33 2.36% Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A United Capital Bond Fund 1.91 1.91 4.43% United Capital Equity Fund 0.87 0.89 9.57% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 108.05 108.05 United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.16% CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT [email protected] Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 United Capital Eurobond Fund 120.03 120.03 4.86% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.06 1.07 3.94% Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A United capital Sukuk Fund 1.06 1.06 6.10% Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD [email protected] Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Zenith Equity Fund 12.85 12.96 8.28% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Ethical Fund 14.27 14.42 16.92% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 8.35% Zenith Income Fund 24.32 24.32 1.41% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 7.68% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.28% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,157.48 1,174.01 0.48% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] REITS Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS REIT 125.54 11.09% FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,409.20 1,409.20 11.27% Union Homes REIT 51.92 2.90% FBN Balanced Fund 191.84 193.15 2.22% EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS FBN Halal Fund 112.21 112.21 8.37% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.11% Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund 13.29 13.39 0.56% SIAML Pension ETF 40 121.00 124.02 0.63% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 126.97 126.97 3.48% Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund 96.42 98.53 -2.82% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 158.21 160.43 4.65% MERGROWTH ETF 17.42 17.52 FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] MERVALUE ETF 18.30 18.40 Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD [email protected] Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.80% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Debt Fund 3.97 3.97 2.52% Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 3.89 3.93 3.04% Legacy Equity Fund 1.59 1.62 4.29% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 5.48 5.56 -3.63% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.19 1.19 4.38% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 17.37 17.47 7.04% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 0.00% Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 19.39 19.59 -5.50% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 157.50 159.50 -28.37% Coral Balanced Fund 3,740.91 3,795.85 -0.11% Coral Income Fund 3,358.16 3,358.16 2.50% INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn Coral Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.96% Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund 107.40 13.11% The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only. 46 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • THISDAY THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 ˾
THISDAY 47 NEWS XTRA Presidency Accuses IPOB of Stockpiling Arms, Bombs Nationwide Deji Elumoye in Abuja ignored”, the Presidency in to hear Amnesty’s full-throated reaction to Amnesty International’s defence of their actions. Instead, The Presidency has accused the recent defence of IPOB activities there would be silence or mealy- Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) declared that, “Amnesty mouthed justification of western of stockpiling substantial quantity International’s latest salvo at governments’ action to check the of arms, ammunition and bombs Nigeria is but more of the same.” spread of ‘terrorism’. across the country. It stated that, “IPOB murder “Despite Amnesty’s The allegation was contained Nigerian citizens. They kill police self-proclaimed mandate to in a statement issued Wednesday officers and military personnel impartially transcend borders, in Abuja by the Senior Special and set government property on unfortunately in Nigeria, they Assistant to the President on fire. Now, they have amassed a play only domestic politics. The Media and Publicity, Mallam substantial stockpile of weapons international NGO is being used Garba Shehu. and bombs across the country. as cover for the organisation’s In the statement titled, “Why “Were this group in a western local leaders to pursue their Amnesty entreaties should be country, you would not expect self-interests.” Ortom to Sue Akume over Allegation of N500bn Fraud Accuses ex-gov of plotting with Miyeti Allah to attack state George Okoh in Makurdi At a press conference yesterday (PDP) has defended theOrtom- at the Government House, led administration, saying the Benue State Governor, Samuel Makurdi, Ortom too accused government did not hate President Ortom, has hinted at the possibility Akume of plans to incite the Muhammad Buhari as being of suing the Minister for Special federal government to declare a insinuated in some quarters. Duties and Intergovernmental state of emergency in the state,but Chairman of PDP in the state, Affairs, Senator George Akume expressed confidence the move Sir John Ngbede, who stated this over accusations of fraud labelled would fail. during a press conference at the against him. “He attempted to impeach me party secretariat in Makurdi, said The governor, who chided in the past but it didn’t work, and the govermor has tremendous Akume, revealed that he might now, he wants Buhari to declare respect for the presidentas a sue Akume to seek redress over a state of emergency on Benue. person. Ngbede was reacting to the allegation while stating that That too will fail,” he stated. the statement credited to Akume, his records on the finances of the Meanwhile, the state chapter who accused the governor of state were open and clean. of the Peoples Democratic Party disrespecting the president. Ekiti Residents Protest as Kidnappers Abduct Four, Demand N10m Ransom Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti a.m. yesterday, which triggered economic and social activities serious traffic in the area. paralysed in that area-shops Irate residents of Ajebamidele They bore placards and business centres remained area of Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State which read: ‘Save Us from closed yesterday morning. capital, yesterday stormed the Kidnappers’; ‘We Are No The protesters disclosed that streets in protest over the Longer Safe, Government Come a couple, whose names were kidnap of four residents by to Our Rescue’; ‘Ajebamidele given as Mr. and Mrs. Falomo, the suspected gunmen. On Fire, Kidnappers Have and a man said to be a pastor, The incident, according to Taken Over’; ‘No Movement were among those kidnapped. the protesters, happened last on the Road Until Government Mrs. Falomo was said Tuesday evening, even as the Stops Kidnapping’; ‘Citizens to have been trailed to her criminals yesterday demanded Are No Longer Safe, What is residence by the kidnappers N10 million ransom from the Happening’, among others. who were said to be armed victims’ families. The incident, which took with AK-47 rifles, while her The protesters blocked the place in Goshen Land husband who came out on Ado-Ikere highway during the community in Ajebamidele, a rescue mission was also protest that started at about 7 had left residents in shock with abducted. Don’t Waste Party’s Ticket Again, PDP Group Tells Atiku Chuks Okocha in Abuja But, this is as Atiku has Dr. Rufus Omeire, said the intensified consultations with group frowned at Atiku for The struggle for the presidential the PDP governors over his abandoning PDP members and ticket of the Peoples Democratic presidential aspiration in 2023. running away to live in Dubai, Party (PDP) has begungather He has so far taken his after the elections, shielding speed as a pressure group presidential consultations to himself from PDP members, within the party, the PDP states like Rivers, Oyo, Akwa only for him to re-surface now Action 2023, yesterday, Ibom, Delta and Benue State. that the presidential primaries warned that to give former However, the group has are at hand. Vice President Atiku Abubakar further admonished that the “In his response, we are another chance as the party’s former vice-president not surprised Alhaji Atiku claimed presidential candidate was to to deceive PDP members a that his absence from Nigeria for ensure a clear defeat for PDP second time. so long was to acquire a degree in 2023. Chairman of the group, from Cambridge University. Policemen Teargas Commuters, Protesting Handicapped Persons in Bayelsa Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa persons over the alleged of the state and other neigbouring suspension of a deputy bursar, states were stranded for hours An otherwise peaceful protest who was their member by the along the Edepie corridor as the by a group of Persons Living authorities of the state owned protest lasted. With Disabilities (PLWD) in the Niger Delta University (NDU), THISDAY, however, gathered Tombia roundabout in Yenagoa, had grounded vehicular and that the protest by the disabled the Bayelsa State capital, left many commercial activities in the Tombia persons was that the deputy Bursar commuters, travelers and the area before the policemen came (a physically challenged person) disabled persons in pain and in many vans. of the institution was allegedly anguish as policemen released Commuters traveling to the barred from contesting for the multiple teargas canistersin the air, university town of Amassoma, vacant position of a substantive causing pandemonium yesterday. Tombia in Southern Ijaw and Bursar of the institution on account The protest by the disabled Yenagoa Local Government Areas of his physical disability. 48 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • THISDAY THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • THISDAY 49 50 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 ˾
THISDAY NEWS XTRA Zulum Visits Pastor Whose Son was Killed in Church Demolition Saga Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri to stop a task force by BOGIS Zulum, who had earlier sent family and some officials of deceased family had also met sent a delegation to explain from demolishing their worship his deputy governor to the Christians Association of with Christian leaders in the this to you. We deliberately The Borno State Governor, centre but their action was family of the deceased, in order Nigeria, CAN, led by the state and directed the police delayed because of the tension Professor Babagana Zulum, suppressed by security men in to appease the family and the association’s chairman, Bishop to thoroughly investigate the in town. We thought it was has visited the family of Pastor the demolition team who shot entire Christian community in Mohammed Naga. incident and report to him. not a good time to pay you Bitrus Tumba whose son died bullets that killed the pastor’s the state and douse the tension, The governor had apart Zulum addressed his a visit then. I am here to in reaction to an attempted son and injured several others. personally on Tuesday night from sending the Borno host and said: “Let me start commiserate with your family demolition of a branch of EYN The Christian community in paid a visit to Pastor Tumba State Deputy Governor, by apologising for delaying over the unfortunate death of Church in Maiduguri on August the state subsequently took the where he was received by the Mr. Usman Kadafur, to the my visit even though I had our brother, Ezekiel Bitrus. 5, 2021, by the Borno Geographic case up with the governor and System (BOGIS). staged protest against what they Worshippers at the church alleged was a persecution of Kano Allocates 100 Hectares of Land for Naval Base were alleged to have attempted their faith. Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano he paid a courtesy call to the the governor’s effort and support contribute to showcasing the governor at his office. by allocating 100 hectares of land effort of the Nigerian navy As a response to the Kano The CNS is in the state for for our new naval base in the in keeping Nigeria as one Lagos Records over 10,000 State Governor, Abdullahi the Chief of Naval Staff Annual state,” the CNS said. indivisible country.” Umar Ganduje’s request for the Conference 2021, between He further explained that: While speaking, the governor Sexual Violence, Abuses in presence of Nigerian Navy in the September 1 and 4, 2021. “We have already appointed commended the Nigerian navy state, to strengthen the security “Your Excellency, I am glad the acting Commander of the for choosing Kano for their Two Years of the state, the Nigerian Navy to inform you that the Nigerian base, Captain Muhammad conference, appreciating that: Segun James (DSVRT), while briefing has approved the establishment Naval Board has approved the Abubakar Alhassan, who should “Your choice of Kano State journalists as part of activities of Kano State Naval Base. establishment of naval base in henceforth be part of the security shows how confident you are Kano, and this falls among other architecture of the state.” concerning the security and Lagos State Government has to commemorate the 2021 The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal naval bases approved by the According to the Chief of safety of the state. It also tells disclosed that 10,000 cases of Domestic and Sexual Violence Zubairu Gambo, disclosed board in some selected states. Naval Staff, when the base others that Kano State is safe, domestic violence, including Awareness Month, said this yesterday in Kano when “We are equally thankful to has been established, “it will secure and peaceful. sexual abuse, have been despite the team’s initiatives perpetrated against adults as well as the zero-tolerance and children between May declared in the state, it has 2019 and August 26, 2021. continued to experience a FCT Minister Decries Dearth of Infrastructure in Area Council The state Attorney-General steady increase of formal Six area councils share N4.1bn allocation and Commissioner for Justice, reportage of domestic Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, violence daily. Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja she presided over the 156th Joint should begin to initiate projects While calling for more disclosed this in Alausa, The commissioner stated Account Allocation Committee that will benefit the rural people. commitment on the part of Ikeja, lamenting that over that “under Governor The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) (JAAC) that allocated N4, 119, The infrastructural dearth in all stakeholders, she, however, 150 cases are being recorded Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani 421,409.95 billion to the six the area councils and satellite commended them for showing daily as against less than 50 administration, DSVRT, Aliyu, has decried the dearth FCT Area Councils and other towns does not speak well of understanding in the distribution of infrastructure in the six Area stakeholders, as share of statutory the administration. of monthly allocation to the area previously. from May 2019 till August Councils of the territory, charging disbursement for the month of “Much has been achieved councils and other stakeholders. Onigbanjo, who is also 26, 2021, has handled 10,007 the chairmen of the councils to July 2021. in the city, but regrettably we The latest allocated figure the chairman of Lagos cases, which are into two initiate projects that would benefit The minister said: “With the have seen much in the suburbs. represented an increase from the State Domestic and Sexual categories of adults and the rural communities. improved revenue allocation Use what you have now to do N2,660,740, 632.40 billion that was Violence Response Team children. She made the charge when to your various councils, you something for your people.” disbursed in June. THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 ˾
THISDAY 51 NEWS XTRA PwC Disagrees with Tribunal’s Order for Multichoice to Deposit N900bn Dike Onwuamaeze in this case did not provide FIRS attempt to cite this ruling statutory deposits, and duly The law provided, according failed to file tax returns for the insights into how they reached as a precedent to argue that exercise its discretion under to the PwC that the tribunal year of assessment concerned; The PwC Nigeria, in its review of the conclusion that a deposit was taxpayers must make a statutory the provision in good faith. would make an order “if the that the appeal is frivolous or the Tax Appeal Tribunal’s ruling required based on the three deposit prior to filing an appeal. Not doing this may result in representative of the FIRS constitutes an abuse of court in MultiChoice Nigeria Limited conditions in the law. “It is advisable for the tribunal indiscriminate assessments and proves to the satisfaction of the process, and, three, that it is vs. the Federal Inland Revenue “Therefore, there is room for to carefully consider the requisite a decline in taxpayer confidence tribunal…” at least one of these expedient to require the appellant Services (FIRS), has stated that taxpayers to challenge it if the conditions for ordering the in the appeal process.” three conditions: that the appellant pay the statutory deposit. it was wrong for the tribunal to order the MultiChoice to deposit half of the disputed N1.8 trillion before it could hear MultiChoice’s appeal against the FIRS. The FIRS had alleged that MultiChoice had under-remitted about N1.8 trillion in taxes, and directed banks with which the MultiChoice had accounts to freeze such accounts, recover the said sum and pay over to the FIRS. But the PwC pontificated that based on the provision of the law, it would be perceived that “it is not mandatory for the tribunal to make the order for the statutory deposit.” The PwC also stated that it would be arguable that even if the FIRS ccould prove at least one of the conditions listed in the provision, the tribunal might still exercise a discretion on whether to order the appellant to make a statutory deposit or not because the provision stated that “the tribunal may adjourn the hearing SUPPORTING ORPHANAGES… of the appeal to any subsequent L-R: Head of Retail, Dashme Store, Ms Dedun Fabikun; Head of Corporate Communications, Oando Plc, Mrs. Alero Balogun; General Manager, Corporate Services, Oando Plc, day and order the appellant to deposit with the FIRS.” Mr. Demola Ogunbanjo, and Chief Operating Officer, Dash Me Foundation, Ms Morinsola Arogundade, during the commencement of a donation programme to orphanages It said: “The tribunal’s ruling by Oando Staff in support of Dash Me Store, held in Lagos… yesterday Abductors of Kogi Poly Sule Seeks Catholic Bishop’s Support for Students, University Peaceful Coexistence in Nasarawa Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia hosted the Lafia Catholic Bishop, religious tolerance and peaceful space to govern.” Staff Demand N3m who was on a thank-you visit in coexistence among different religious The governor, therefore, Nasarawa State Governor, the Government House, Lafia, just beliefs. “No governor will like to dismissed claims that certain Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja as Christiana and Kemi, and Abdullahi Sule yesterday sought as the governor assured the cleric ignite violence, as that will not only governors are inciting violence in a staff of CUSTECH working the support of the Bishop of the of his total support to the church. be a distraction but will hinder their state, stressing that governors Abductors of two female with in the ICT department, Catholic Diocese of Lafia, Most The governor assured the developmental initiatives. If there are the last people to seek violence students of the Kogi State Joseph Arome Simeon, who Rev David Ajang, for peaceful bishop, saying: “The doors of is any person that requires peace, as such will distract them from Polytechnic (Itakpe campus) was abducted alongside the coexistence in the state. my administration remains open, it is the state governor because carrying out developmental and a non-academic staff of two girls. Sule made this known when he especially towards encouraging without peace, there won’t be initiatives. the Confluence University It was learnt that the of Science and Technology kidnappers initially demanded (CUSTECH) have demanded a ransom of N30 million to 2023: Akeredolu Dissociates Self from Pseudo Presidential Campaign secure their release, N10million N3 million ransom for their James Sowole Richard Olatunde, declaring that Progressives Congress (APC) Even though the governor’s for each of them. After much in Akure freedom. his principal has nothing to do ticket. Alhaji Mai Mala Buni is constitutional right, qualification The victims were kidnapped pleading, the abductors reduced The Ondo State Governor, with the pseudo campaigners. the governor of Yobe State and the and competences are not in doubt, last Sunday at a Living Faith the ransom to N3 million. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), In the last two weeks, chairman of the APC Caretaker/ this particular campaign does not Church located in Osara A relative of one of the has dissociated himself from campaign posters and fliers Extraordinary Convention represent in any manner his community in Adavi Local abducted students, who craved promotional activities linking urging Akeredolu to contest Planning Committee. immediate political disposition. Government Area of Kogi anonymity, told journalists that him with the 2023 presidential the next presidential election in But Akeredolu’s spokesperson “For emphasis, Akeredolu, State during a night rehearsal. the kidnappers have been in election. 2023 have dotted a section of the described the development as a who has just been re-elected for The female students of touch with family members Akeredolu’s position was social media. “needless distraction. his second term in office, wishes the Kogi State Polytechnic of the abducted student and expressed in a statement signed The latest poster had depicted “Undoubtedly, the development to be left to focus on deepening kidnapped were identified university staff. by his Chief Press Secretary, an Akeredolu/Buni joint All is no less a needless distraction. good governance in Ondo State. Journalists Tasked on PDP Chieftain Wants Big Brother Naija Banned Sylvester Idowu in Warri the programme for promoting in Warri yesterday lamented that recklessness. We are encouraging Gender Based Violence indecency, immorality and the show is eroding the norms it so badly that we allow it to be Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt focused and move with Former Delta State Governorship corruption. He equally appealed and values of the Nigerian society. displayed openly on television. the trend if they want to be aspirant in Delta State, Chief to religious leaders, including He noted that allowing It is an invitation to chaos and Female journalists have distinguished in the profession. Sunny Onuesoke, has expressed Muslims and Christian clerics, “immoral” shows like the ‘Big exhibition of nudity. We now been charged to step up the Addressing the participants, worries about the benefits to add their voices to put a halt Brother Naija’ to be broadcast in idolize idleness and immorality. reporting of issues of sexual and the organiser of the training, of the ongoing TV Reality to the programme on Nigeria Nigeria is corroding the minds of What do we gain from open gender based violence, (SGBV), Mrs. Godwin, said, she was Show Big Brother Naija (BBN) televisions. the younger generation, especially vulgarity, open nudity, the spread with intent to encourage the spurred to transmit what she Naija and has called on the Onuesoke, who made the teenagers. of shamelessness? For me BBNaija elimination of violence in private learnt during her training at the federal government to ban appeal while addressing newsmen “BBNaija is an exhibition of is “an abomination”, he said and public life. FRLP in Lagos to her colleagues Speaking in Port Harcourt in the state so that together yesterday, during the launch female journalists in Port Customs, NDLEA, DSS Uncover Prohibited Hard Drugs at Apapa Port of the ‘Report Women Project Harcourt can work together Nigeria Customs Service concealed inside an imported he said. and infractions. “One suspect of Wole Soyinka Centre for and give more voices to issues (NCS), National Drug Law machine at Apapa Port, Lagos. Yusuf noted that he and in connection with the seizure Investigative Journalism’ of SGBV, cross more frontiers Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) He noted that the discovery, Mr. Samuel Bashir Gadzama, was arrested while further organised by Mrs. Ann Godwin, and give spaces to women in and Department of State Service which was made in a joint Commander of NDLEA, Apapa examination and counting are WSCIJ 2021 FRLP Cohort, the various sectors of the economy. (DSS) have uncovered and seized operation by the three services and the Officer in charge of ongoing before more details will Executive Director of Media Godwin charged the reporters hard drug named Captagon Pills. lasted for about a week, following the DSS at the port were in be released,” he said. Career Development Network, who were mainly women Area Controller of Apapa intelligence and painstaking the forefront of the weeklong According to him, the Lekan Otufodunrin, also charged not to limit themselves in the Command, Comptroller Malanta dismantling of the machine operation. long-term use of the drug led the female journalists to adopt profession but to step up and Yusuf, said this in a statement involved, deployed service “Further dismantling of to serious side effects, the most qualities that can enable them build their professional carriers signed by the Public Relations personnel and sniffer dogs cylinders in machine is ongoing. common of which are extreme stand out in the media industry. by utilizing what they learnt in Officer of the command, “The seizure is a fallout The operation which involved depression, lethargy, insomnia, Otufodunrin, who spoke seminars, trainings workshops to Abubakar Usman, in Lagos of renewed synergy and heads of the three services occasional palpitation of the virtually, further advised the enable them fill the leadership yesterday. cooperation aimed at curbing any will be sustained in the fight heart, blood vessel toxicity and reporters to be intentional, spaces in newsrooms. Yusuf said the drug was form of port related lawlessness,” against all forms of smuggling malnutrition. 52 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 ˾
THISDAY NEWS XTRA Veterinary Doctors Seek Recognition to Fight COVID-19 Pandemic Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City experts as far back as 40 - 50 “So we should be brought policy trust of the government a disciplined body, the members as they come and attend to years. But the people just know into the fold so that we all can among others have not served must continue to do their best them.” The Nigeria Veterinary Medical of it with this pandemic. collaborate and save humanity as an encouragement to the to lift humanity. He also justified the incessant Association (NVMA), has asked “All the theory of the current together.” veterinarians. He said: “Veterinary doctors strike by medical professionals for recognition that would enable pandemic is that it came from On his part, Alile who served Alile, who was a former are very responsible and and urged the government not its members to collaborate with animal and we are authority as the President of NVMA from Secretary to State Government of disciplined people who will to renege on its agreements with other medical personnel in the in diseases of animals. 1983 to 1985, noted that the Edo State, however said that as rather take these challenges unions or associations. country in the fight against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. The association made the appeal in Benin yesterday when its leadership paid a courtesy call on its former National President, Dr. Clement Alile, ahead of the association’s national convention slated for Benin City from October 25 to 29. The acting National President of the NVMA, Dr. Ibrahim Ado, regretted that their expertise in animals and associated diseases has not been utilised in the efforts to combat the ravaging pandemic disease. Ado said: “Veterinarians are noble professionals that stand out among others. But sadly in this country, our roles as veterinarians are not duly recognised by the government. “However, we are making conscious effort to let the public know who we are and what we do. We are pushing hard to see that things are done the way they should so that our roles will not be neglected. “If you take a look at the COURTESY VISIT… current COVID-19 pandemic, L-R: Chief Commercial Officer, AirSmat, Olasunkanmi Alabi; Chairman, HighHill Group and Founder of Gogreenafrica Initiative, Sola Bunmi Adeniyi; Chief Product Officer, Uche we have veterinarians that are Olukoju and Lead Agronomist, Isaac Akande, during the visit to HighHill Farms in Abeakuta, Ogun State...recently Ekiti Anti-land Grabbing OML 150: Oil Workers’ Protest Threat to Conoil Production in Delta Sylvester Idowu in Warri claim to leadership of OML 150 to the crisis, which started However, the indigenous Law Checkmating Community Trust Committee by in December 2020, the state Oil Workers’ Union in a Workers under the auspices one Monday Agbeyi group on government had penultimate statement issued yesterday Racketeers, Says Expert of Indigenous Workers Union one hand and Charles Omadeli- Monday set up a seven-man and signed by its Chairman, of OML 150 field, operated led executive on the other has committee to oversee the Mr. Ebamije Edemeko, said the Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti He said this yesterday in by Conoil Producing Limited, been threatening their work affairs of OML 150 field and continued leadership claim of Ado Ekiti during a pre-launch yesterday protested against as staff of Conoil Producing interface with Conoil Producing Agbeyi despite the government The Chairman of the T. Pumpy press conference that would prolonged leadership crisis in Limited despite the Delta State Limited on behalf of the seven intervention is threatening the Concept Limited (TPCL), Mr. herald the official take off of the 14 Itsekiri host communities Government intervention in the host communities, but Agbeyi operations of the oil company, Akintayo Adaralegbe, has the operations of the TPCL, to the oil company in Delta State. crisis. has allegedly been resisting the which in turn might affect their described the Ekiti State Anti- a real estate developing firm, They alleged that the sustained In an attempt to put a halt move. continued employment. land Grabbing Law 2019 as a in Ekiti. catalyst that would promote The real estate guru said estate developing business in that the existence of the 30th Anniversary: Osun to Honour Ajiborisha, the state. law has ensured the ease Aderalegbe said the law has of doing business in Ekiti, ensured proper protection of which has helped his firm Akande, Adeboye, Others landed property of people and to take off smoothly without Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo yesterday while addressing like former state Governor, be a hybrid event, organised warded off illegal occupation encumbrances in estate journalists at a press conference Chief Bisi Akande; Sultan both in the physical and virtual and sale of lands by racketeers business. As part of activities lined up to on the imperatives of the Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar spheres, adding that the decision and grabbers under the facet Adaralegbe disclosed that the celebrate the 30th anniversary of anniversary celebration. (Sultan of Sokoto), former Special was necessary because of the of ‘Omo Onile’ (land owners). TPCL, which began operations the creation of Osun State, the According to Akinola, the Adviser to President Goodluck peculiarity of the season. The law prescribed four- in 2016, has over 40 estates in state government has unveiled celebration, which began last Jonathan on Media and Publicity, He said: “This is an anniversary year jail term for those who Abuja, and added that he is plans to honour 28 distinguished week with the governor featuring Dr. Reuben Abati, and former worth celebrating because of the fraudulently occupied or sell in Ekiti to add value in the and prominent citizens of the on special television and radio Nigerian Ambassador to the illustrious struggles and successes lands belonging to others in provision of infrastructures in state. interview sessions, will on Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, the state has recorded in its Ekiti . the real estate sector. The Chief of Staff to state September 9, 2021, feature an among others. journey, and also an opportunity Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, anniversary colloquium fielding According to Akinola, the to catalogue milestones recorded Insecurity: AIG Pledges Dr. Charles Akinola, stated this high-profile resource persons anniversary colloquium will in the journey so far. Enhanced Synergy with NNDC to Pay N100m As Dividends to Shareholders John Shiklam in Kaduna Directors of the NNDC, Mr. dividend of N100 million at were also approved. Other Security Agencies Tanimu Yakubu disclosed this the rate of 20 kobo per share He noted that the progress Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto He further explained that Shareholders of the New while presenting the company’s based on earnings per share achieved by the company in spite of the fact that police Nigeria Development Company financial statement at its 52nd of 55 kobo. during the year under In continuation of his tour in were the lead agency in the (NNDC) Limited, jointly owned Annual General Meeting in Yakubu added that another review yielded a turnover the zone, the Assistant Inspector maintenance of internal security, by the 19 northern states, Kaduna. additional appropriation of N15 of N854.13 million against General (AIG) of Police Zone the current circumstances require would receive dividends from Yakubu said that the million each for the Young the corresponding period 10, Ali Aji Janga, yesterday the support of other agencies. their investments after a very directors of the company Professional Development of N637.24 million, which visited the Sokoto State Police According to him, “I need to long time. has proposed for approval Trust (TPDT)and Musa Bello represented an increase of Command. come here and encourage you The Chairman Board of the appropriation of gross Learning Resource Centres N216.90 million or 34 per cent. Addressing men and officers to continue the good works you of the command, Janga pledged are doing. I’m proud of you.” to ensure enhanced synergy The police boss assured Suspected Kidnappers Shot Police Officer in Edo between the police and other the men and officers of the Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city witness account, occurred last did not disclose his name, said suspected kidnappers (Yahoo sister security agencies to command that he would always Tuesday at 7 p.m., and made the DPO was shot in the eyes, boys) constituted nuisance. effectively address the prevailing work with them in whatever The Divisional Police Officer commuters stranded until the arm and stomach. “Later, around 3 p.m., he told security challenges in the zone. way that would make the (DPO) of Igarra Police Division, local vigilante group came to He added that he may have us that these suspected kidnappers The AIG said his visit was zone peaceful and enable the Headquarters of Akoko-Edo Local evacuate the seriously injured been shot with AK-47 riffle, as were blocking the road, so we coming against the backdrop of residents to go about their lawful Government Area of Edo State, officer, whose assailant’s had they recovered bullets and other went there and chased them the current security challenges businesses. Suleiman Muhammed, was thought was dead, and cleared cartridges from the scene of the away. I was told that later in in different parts of the zone, The AIG warned them not reportedly shot by suspected the road. attack. the evening after inspecting the stressing that the police needed to connive with illicit drugs kidnappers on the Auchi-Igarra- Narrating the incident According to the vigilante, “The change of guard, the DPO left in the support of other security peddlers, saying if caught, the Ibillo road in the state. yesterday, a member of the DPO had earlier called us in the his Toyota Camry car to Auchi agencies to tackle them. law would be applied. The incident, according to eye vigilance group from Igarra, who morning to a place where some where his family resides. THURSDAY, 

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THISDAY 53 Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: [email protected] THURSDAYSPORTS 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Cape Verde, CAR Draw in Douala to Leave Room for Eagles’ Ascendancy of Group C

Super EaglesEagles defender, William Troost-EkonTroost-Ekongg (left) tacklintacklingg forward,forward, VictorVictor OsimhenOsimhen atat trainintrainingg yesterday.yesterday.

Femi Solaja Star of Liberia at the Teslim players will not be on the the equaliser in the 53rd with agency report Balogun Stadium in Lagos 2022 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS chartered plane to Praia on minute when his low drive on Friday. Tuesday. beat goalkeeper Vozinha. The one-all result posted CAR who were the home the game. They feared that a to the Island nation with an Therefore, the possibility of Nigeria will face Liberia by Cape Verde and Central team played ‘away’ in Douala resolute win for Cape Verde under strength team as all Cape Verde having six points in Lagos on Friday and will African Republic (CAR) in the yesterday due to the political was going to create advantage the English Premier League after two games would have attempt to leapfrog ahead opening Group C fixture of situation of Banjui. And Cape for the Blue Sharks whom refused any player from the loomed large. of the trio of other Group C the 2022 FIFA World Cup Verde took advantage of the Super Eagles are playing on league traveling to any of the However, CAR redeemed teams and look forward to qualifying match yesterday Central Africans not having Tuesday just four days after countries on UK’s Covid-19 the situation by equalizing consolidate when they face afternoon in Douala, Cameroon their fans rooting from the taking on Liberia. high risk list. Cape Verde is in the 53rd minute through Cape Verde on Tuesday in a has opened a leeway for stands, to race to the lead in Nigeria will be heading on the list and 10 Nigerian Tresor Toropite who scored potentially explosive encounter. Nigeria’s Super Eagles to the 36th minutes when Julio take control of the pairing. Tavare put the ball beyond The Nigerian senior national goalkeeper Prince Samolah team will open their campaign in goal for CAR. in the race to Qatar 2022 with a That early strike created Uzoho Rejoins Omonia Nicosia home fixture against the Lone anxiety for Nigerians watching on Three-year Deal Pinnick: Beat Liberia and Francis Uzoho and Apoel FC for his futurefuture. have parted ways by mutual “The company Apoel Get Your Bonuses Instantly consent, the Cypriot First Football (public) limited Division club announced announces the completion of In his determination to see by when they will get their yesterday. its cooperation with goalkeeper Super Eagles begin the race money. The 22-year-old goalkeeper Francis Uzoho,” a statement on to the 2022 World Cup with “I like the spirit in the camp rejoined AC Omonia despite the club’s website announced maximum points against and this is the spirit to qualify having two years left on his yesterday. “We wish Francis Liberia on Friday, President of for the World Cup,” Pinnick current contract at Apoel. the best of luck.” the Nigeria Football Federation started. After completing his loan Currently, he is in Gernot (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick, “I will be sitting down with spell at AC Omonia, the Rohr’s squad ahead of this guaranteed the team instant the leaders of the team to Nigeria international joined month’s 2022 FIFA World Cup payment of their winning discuss the World Cup bonus. the Legend in July 2020 on qualifiers against Liberia and bonus. We must qualify for the World a three-year contract for an Cape Verde. Speaking when he met with Cup. You win on Friday and undisclosed fee. He would be looking the players and coaches on you get your bonus.” His maiden game for Apoel forward to displacing Maduka Tuesday in Lagos, the NFF He further revealed that talks was a 3-0 triumph over Ermis Okoye and Daniel Akpeyi to president who also doubles as are ongoing with an unnamed Aradippou before injury man the post of the 2013 Africa a FIFA Executive Committee insurance company to insure crept in to make him miss Cup of Nations winners when member, also promised to seat the players. the crucial games which his they square up against Peter with the leadership of the team “We have an insurance deal team lost. Butler’s Liberia on Friday at to iron out issues relating to we are working on, about N17m During the 2020-21 the Teslim Balogun Stadium. match bonuses and camp per player. Once you are in the campaign, Uzoho, a former Uzoho was shown a straight allowances. They are likely Eagles you have an insurance.” Deportivo La Corunna red card for the first time in to meet after this evening’s “We are not just looking at featured in 18 league matches his career on April 2, 2019, light work out. finance but the value in kind as Sofronis Avgousti’s men during his spell at Anorthosis He disclosed that talks were that will enhance you talk less finished third on the log. Famagusta. underway to guarantee the and act more on the pitch. I’m While no reason was given Even at that, his team welfare of the team to ensure very proud of you guys; we for the mutual termination of cruised to a 3-0 win over the boys focus on the task fight, argue but importantly the contract, the club wished Alki Oroklini in a Cypriot ahead and not be bothered we settle,” Pinnick stressed. Francis Uzoho...rejoins Omonia Nicosia the African star all the best First Division fixture. 54 THURSDAY, 

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THISDAY SPORTS Mane Helps Senegal Sink Togo as African Qualifiers Resume Sadio Mane opened the scoring Mane was lively throughout in a as Senegal beat Togo 2-0 on home game wrapped up when Abdou place in Mauritania. RESULTS soil to earn three points in their Diallo lashed home nine minutes WORLD CUP 2022 QUALIFIERS An available Liverpool opening Group H encounter as from time. player was again in the thick Africa's second round of World The victory represents a Elsewhere, it ended 1-1 as The game should have been of the action as Naby Keita AFRICA Cup qualifying began yesterday. modicum of revenge for the neighbours Guinea-Bissau played in Bissau but as the teed up Francois Kamano for After blazing over the bar in Senegalese, who could not and Guinea met in a World stadium there was deemed unfit Guinea's opener before Joseph the first half, Mane played a neat beat Togo as the Sparrowhawks Cup qualifier for the first time by the Confederation of African Mendes earned both sides a CAR 1-1 Cape Verde point in Group I. one-two before poking home just pipped them to the 2006 World in 25 years. Football (CAF) last month, it took Senegal 2-0 Togo before the hour as the Liverpool Cup when they last met at this star took full advantage of his stage. G’Bissau 1-1 Guinea ability to represent his nation. Senegal will travel to Congo Egypt 1-0 Angola Unburdened by the threat on Tuesday, while Togo seek their of having to quarantine for 10 first points at home to Namibia Libya 2-1 Gabon days upon his return to England, on Sunday. Mali 1-0 Rwanda How Queen Idris Inspired EUROPE Lux’bourg 2-1 Azerbaijan Omolayo to Win Gold Medal Portugal 2-1 Rep. Ireland TOKYO 2020 PARALYMPIC Kazakhstan 2-2 Ukraine France 1-1 Bosnia & Herze. The timely intervention of Omolayo broke the World Denmark 2-0 Scotland Former President of Nigeria Record and landed Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation her second gold medal in the Moldova 0-2 Austria (NPPF), Queen Idris provided the Para-Powerlifting event, “I had Norway 1-1 Holland needed push and encouragement to motivate her psychologically that saw Bose Omolayo win a and promise her $500. It gave Turkey 2-2 Montenegro gold medal at the ongoing Tokyo me great joy when she broke 2020 Paralympics Games. the World Record because the Russia 0-0 Croatia Queen Idris who is a special only language Bose Omolayo Slovenia 1-1 Slovakia guest of the World Para-Power- understands Is Para-Powerlifting. lifting Federation had promised “Bose Omolayo is an orphan. to give Bose Omolayo $500 if She cannot read nor write and the she delivered a gold medal at only language she understands the Games. is sports,” revealed Queen Idris. Speaking after the victory, Idris The former NPPF president said the morale of Bose Omolayo further revealed: “She had chal- was low before she participated lenges catering for her children in her weight class adding that before the Tokyo Paralympics. I she had to cheer her up with her informed her that winning a gold local dialect. medal is a plus for her and she She said, “I am in Tokyo for will be able to cater for the needs the Paralympics Games on a of her children. special invitation from the World “Most of the athletes know that Para-Powerlifting Federation. They I have special love for them. I am knew the role I played when I willing to make more sacrifices Sadio Mane helped Senegal secure maximum points in opening game with Togo was President of Nigeria Para- for them and that is why I am Powerlifting Federation,” observed currently in Tokyo to cheer the the former sports chief. Para-Powerlifters to victory,” Idris She stressed that before Bose added. Afrobasket: South Sudan Targets Fairytale S’final Spot South Sudan coach Royal Ivey has Sudan's biggest challenge so far, Ivey, an assistant coach for the went through - is something that praised the bond within his squad with the Tunisians not only the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA, took you cannot control and as life goes as the Afrobasket debutants try to defending champions but also one charge of South Sudan earlier this on, a lot of people never get an book a shock place in Saturday's of three sides yet to taste defeat year after previous coach - and opportunity to come back home, semi-finals. at the tournament in Rwanda. former NBA star Luol Deng - let alone to wear a jersey and Today in Kigali, Rwanda, a "These guys are great, they do stepped down. represent the nation. team that only joined world all the right things and the biggest Deng is now president of the "For them it is more than just body FIBA in 2013, two years thing is the brotherhood - it is South Sudan Basketball Federa- a game, it is really emotional, to after the country's independence, family," head coach Royal Ivey tion and has repeatedly stressed just be recognized by their own could become one of Africa's four told BBC Sport Africa. the importance of the sport to a people and to be known even best if they beat Tunisia in the "The way they care about each country which celebrated its tenth for the game. quarter-finals. other is really love in that room. year of independence in July. "I really believe that sport can On Wednesday, Senegal and And I am so fortunate to be their "We come from a country turn a lot of things around for Ivory Coast set up a semi-final head coach. They are teaching that has been through a lot," the us - for us just to see us in the news clash against one another when me day in, day out how to be two-time NBA All-Star told BBC and see others things besides the beating Angola and Guinea a better coach and how to be a Sport Africa. conflict and what is going and the respectively. better person. So I want to thank "Some of these kids - what they difficult times people are having." Bose Omolayo and her teammates are expected back in Lagos today Thursday's game will be South them." Dallaji Foundation Awards $4.2m US Scholarship to 14 Basketball Talents Olawale Ajimotokanin Abuja Eagles Stars, Daniel Amokachi In the same manner, Ominu upright saying the foundation and one time Newcastle United will be going to Bridgton would not hesitate to withdraw The African Children Talent striker, Lomana Tresor LuaLua. Academy in Washington DC, the scholarship from the students Discovery Foundation (ACTDF) The first batch of the discovered with full yearly sponsorship in the event of abuse. has awarded $3.6 million talents, comprising five students package of $120,000 due to be Also speaking LuaLua scholarship in some U.S colleges were each presented with the provide by the sponsor. described the gesture by Dallaji for 14 talented basketball players awarded $300,000 which will Dallaji said in two weeks’ time, as unprecedented by anybody discovered in Kano during cover the cost of scholarship the remaining nine unearthed in Africa. the recent Noah Dallaji U-17 and living expenses. talents will be unveiled and will Lualua, who stayed in Nigeria Basketball Tournament. The include; Emmanuel Peter be on their way to the U.S. for about months while running The facilitator of ACTDF, (Bauchi State), Taiwo Ibrahim “The platform we are given from conflicts in DR Congo in Engr. Noah Dallaji announced (Kebbi State), Alphonso Samuel you is to take you out of the the early 1990s, before arriving the package on Monday in Abuja (Kaduna State); Daubunachule street so that you can be of use UK, advised the talents to give at an elaborate ceremony that Ibrahim (Kaduna State) and to yourselves, families, states and their best and improve on their was attended by former D’Tigers Solomon Ominu also of Kaduna country,” Dallaji said. potential and see themselves as South Sudan will be aiming to reach the Last Four of the 2021 Afrobasket Captain, Olumide Oyedeji, Super State. He warned the students to be ambassadors of Nigeria. Tournament in Kigali, Rwanda when they file out against Tunisia... today THURSDAY, 

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THISDAY 55 SPORTS Incredible Ronaldo Breaks

Men’s Football ThisWorld is the latest landmark World Cups combinedRecord (21). first half and 12 in the opening Cristiano Ronaldo broke the held the record which Ronaldo Ronaldo, who rejoined United world record for goals scored equalled with a double against from Juventuson deadline day, to push the argument for the Almost half of Ronaldo's 15 minutes of the second half. in men's international football as France at Euro 2020. and Daei are the only two male Portuguese to be considered an goals have come in the final Some 91 of his goals have he hit his 110th and 111th goals The Manchester United players to score 90 or more all-time great. 30 minutes of games. been inside the box with 20 for Portugal in their dramatic forward has also equalled international goals. He is already the top scorer in He has netted 33 times in from outside. He has scored 2-1 World Cup qualifying win Sergio Ramos' European record "I'm so happy, not only club football's top tournament, the final 15 minutes - including 14 penalties and nine free-kicks. over the Republic of Ireland. for men's caps - with his 180th because I beat the record, but the European Cup/Champions twice against the Irish - and Lithuania and Sweden - seven The 36-year-old scored two late Portugal appearance. for the special moment that we League, a trophy he has won 22 times between the 61st and each - are the sides he has scored headers - to break and extend the The world record - only had," he told RTE. "Two goals at five times. 75th minute. the most against. He had not record - after he had a penalty ratified by FIFA this summer - is the end of the game. I have to The former Real Madrid Ronaldo has scored 17 times scored against the Republic of saved by Gavin Bazunu. the 195 Malaysia caps won by appreciate what the team did, forward is also the top scorer between minutes 16-30 and 16 Ireland before Wednesday's game Ali Daei, who scored 109 goals Soh Chin Ann between 1969 we believed until the end. I'm in European Championship times between 31-45, with 11 in in the Algarve. for Iran between 1993 and 2006, and 1984. so glad." history (14) and in Euros and the opening 15 minutes of the There is no official database for top men's international goalscorers which makes it hard to say exactly who ranks where. Ronaldo is top on 111 and FACT FILE OF HIS Daei is next on 109, of that there is no doubt. INTERNATIONAL GOALS Iran's Daei, who played for Bayern Munich, was said to 33 - World Cup qualifiers have broken Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas' record in 2003 31 - European Championship with his 85th international goal. qualifiers That is the year Ronaldo made his international debut. 19 - International friendlies Cynics could argue that Daei's goals were against easier 14 - European Championship opposition - with 95 against fellow Asian sides. 7 - World Cup He scored eight against the Maldives and Laos and six 5 against Lebanon. - UEFA Nations League But Ronaldo has also 2 benefitted from facing weaker - Confederations Cup nations including six against Andorra and Luxembourg each. The only question is who ranks below them? Mokhtar Dahari of Malaysia - who played in the 1970s and 80s - is credited as being third in some places with 89 goals. A Fifa tweet this summer seemed to confirm thatdespite it never being officially validated. Puskas is definitely next, with 84 goals in 85 caps for Hungary. He was the top-scoring European before Ronaldo. Zambia's Godfrey Chitalu scored 79 goals between the 1960s and 1980s - again not certified but also mentioned on that Fifa tweet. Ronaldo is unlikely to beat the world record, including women's football, of Canada striker Christine Sinclair. She has scored 187 goals in 304 caps and has not yet retired. In the strange modern-day phenomena of Ronaldo and Lionel Messi fanboys, this is another tick in the Ronaldo column. Ronaldo's 111 goals in 180 games is well clear of Messi's Cristiano Ronaldo has become the world’s all time leading scorer in the men’s game 76 in 151 - roughly 0.6 goals a game compared with 0.5. Messi - the joint eighth top scorer in the world - is 34 and on current form would need to Atiku, Akeredolu, Others Hail Makinde at play into his forties to reach 111 international goals. The highlight of Ronaldo's Inauguration of Remodelled Lekan Salami Stadium international career was undoubtedly winning Euro Former Vice President and of Oyo State Gen. David Seyi Makinde has made in this in the state. moso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi 2016, although he went off Peoples Democratic Party Jemibewon who constructed state. I have gone round the He said the inaugurated Ajagungbade was represented, injured early in the final. (PDP) chieftain, Alhaji Atiku the stadium in 1976, the Oyo city of Ibadan and I have seen complex was a first phase, the Aseyin of Iseyin Oba He has scored in two Euros Abubakar, yesterday applaud- State Deputy Governor, Engr. that a massive infrastructural noting that the other phases Abdulganiyu Ajinase, the semi-finals too, 12 years apart - ed the Oyo State Governor, Rauf Olaniyan, among others. development is taking place will soon be completed in Onpetu of Ijeruland, Oba against the Netherlands in 2004 Engr. Seyi Makinde over The event was kick started in this city. I congratulate the spite of some challenges being Sunday Oyediran, and Olu and Wales in 2016. the massive infrastructural by Governor Makinde with governor for performing faced by the administration. of Igboora, Oba Jimoh Olajide His finest hour at a World developments he has been a Novelty Match between wonderfully well". The Governor thanked Titiloye, were present. Cup was a hat-trick against able to put in place in the former Super Eagles players Similarly, Governor Ak- the people of Oyo State and Other dignitaries present Spain in the group stages three past two years. and ex players of 3SC. The eredolu said: "Seyi has done the different officials of his included: Chief Festus Adeg- years ago in Russia, including Alhaji Abubakar said this governor himself was among well. Let us give him a round administration for keeping boye Onigbinde (former Head a late free-kick. That is one at the inauguration of the the players with his OYSG- of applause. This stadium is the flag flying, promising that Coach of Shooting Stars Sports of his nine international hat- remodelled Lekan Salami inscribed blue jersey worn seriously beautiful. Ibadan "we shall not let you down". Club and Super Eagles), tricks - including one against Switzerland in the 2019 Uefa Stadium, Adamasingba, on ox-blood track trousers. is home and I am happy to Alaafin of Oyo, His Impe- the South West Deputy Nations League semi-finals. Ibadan, Oyo State. Among the popular play- witness this". rial Majesty, Oba Lamidi National Chairman of PDP, He has also scored in all nine In attendance were also ers on the pitch were: Ike Otunba Adebayo Alao- Olayiwola Adeyemi III and Ambassador Taodeek Arapaja, major tournaments he has played many dignitaries including Shorunmun, Victor Ikpeba, Akala also commended Gov. the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, in - World Cups and European Governor Oluwarotimi Taribo West, Felix Owolabi, Makinde for the massive turn Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola Championships. Including the Akeredolu (SAN) of Ondo Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Tijani around of the stadium, say- Ogungunnoso I were pre- (former Osun State Governor Confederations Cup and Nations State; Governor Godwin Babangida, Mutiu Adepoju, ing that the past governors vented from entering the and Chairman, Reconciliation League, he has scored in 11 out Obaseki of Edo State, former among others. were happy to witness the stadium by some overzealous Committee of the PDP in the of 11. Governor Rasheed Ladoja In his goodwill message epoch-making event. security operatives and both South West), among many He won the Golden Boot at of Oyo State; his successor on the occasion, Abubakar In his remarks, Makinde monarchs had to turn back others. 3SC played Tabor Euro 2020 with five goals in Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, said that "it is no means said he will fix the other and left. Sezana of Slovania to wrap four games, beating five-goal former Military Governor achievement that Governor Stadia in the different zones While the Soun of Ogbo- up the inauguration. Czech Patrik Schick on assists. T RU N Thursday, September 2, 2021TH & REASO Price: N250 MISSILE Bello-Koko to Police/Navy ”There are multiple checkpoints in the ports extorting people. You have multiple checkpoints that are just springing up. These checkpoints are manned by police officers. At times you find men in Naval or military uniform, escorting vehicles illegally” —Acting Managing Director, Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, accusing Naval personnel and Police officers of hampering ports operation through corrupt practices. OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT [email protected] The Tramadol Generation he revelation by the National vulnerability index analysis showed that human the market where they had gone to hawk Law Drug Enforcement Agency trafficking is endemic in Kano. Out of the dairy products, and one of them ran away. (NDLEA) Chairman, Brigadier- 482 convicted persons by the agency from He asked what the problem was and was told General Buba Marwa (rtd) that close inception, 110 are from Kano zonal command that she (the woman who ran away) wasn’t to two million Kano residents abuse of NAPTIP, representing the highest in the carrying dairy products in her calabashes but tramadol,T codeine, and other cough syrups, country.” drugs,” Tambuwal recounted. “My colleague should concern not only state authorities but I doubt if anybody is connecting the dots. told me that much of the drugs used by the all stakeholders in the Nigeria project. While Who in their right mind would engage in kidnappers and violent marauders get to the figure may not be as high in other places, such criminal enterprises? As I have argued them this way.” it is a notorious fact that substance abuse is a in the past, even without available statistics From the foregoing, it is clear that tackling national problem today. Kano also presents to prove the point, there must be a correlation insecurity in Nigeria requires more rigour a peculiar challenge. “In Kano State, drug between substance abuse and most of the than what we are seeing from the authorities. abuse prevalence is 16 per cent. That is, in prevalent heinous crimes we now contend Apparently thinking throwing money at every six persons, one is a drug addict; and with in Nigeria today. Incidentally, many every problem offers a solution, you hear of they are between the ages of 15 years and 64 of our top government officials share that some ‘Safe Corridor’ operations anchored on years,” said Marwa during a courtesy visit to viewpoint without doing anything to address empowering ‘repentant’ insurgents who are Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on Monday. “Drug the problem. In their communique following then returned to the communities. But when abuse has gone to the level of destroying our a meeting in Jalingo last month, the North- most of these people are already hooked on families unless it is tackled with all seriousness east Governors’ Forum proffered no solution drugs, is it not obvious that they will be back it deserves,’’ he added. beyond the usual lamentation despite noting to crime the moment they no longer have As shocking as the revelation may seem, “the negative impact of drug and narcotic the means to fund the habit over which they Marwa is not the first person to raise this alarm. substances in the region and the extent to have no control? In September 2015, Mr. Ali Baba Mustapha, then which it fuels the insurgency and other forms In the past, some NDLEA officials have the assistant superintendent in charge of exhibits of criminality.” spoken about how these illicit drugs were at the NDLEA Sokoto State Command, spoke This idea of highlighting what ails us without usually transported in heavy duty vehicles and about the increasing number of married women concrete efforts on how to address such problem stuffed between other commodities in what is taking cough syrups that contain codeine. At is fast becoming a national ideology to our clearly an organized crime. But nobody has about the same time, Daily Trust newspaper collective detriment. Following the 2018 British ever been brought to book in Nigeria because published a lengthy feature which revealed Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) documentary, the security agencies as well as the institutions how Benylin, Emzolyn, and Asad as well as ‘Secrets of Nigeria’s illicit codeine trade revealed’, responsible for control and regulation are weak Rohypnol and Tramadol tablets were destroying Marwa by Ms Ruona Meyer, the then Senate Leader and most often compromised. families in the region. “There is the case of a (now Senate President), Ahmed Lawan lent NOTE: This piece is concluded on Page 15 new bride whose husband discovered under malaria to cancer. Yet, given the national security credence to the nexus between substance their bed, a carton of Tutolin, usually abused challenge we face, the implication of having abuse and Boko Haram insurgency. “The to induce intoxication and supposedly boost our young people hooked on drugs needs to information I got this morning is that 70% sexual drive,” the newspaper wrote. “Even be properly interrogated. of this codeine that comes into Nigeria finds before then, during the wedding, the loss of Anybody who has paid attention to the its way into Sambisa forest and what that On Abdulkareem a necklace had prompted a search that led to experiences shared by victims of kidnapping/ tells us is that we have Boko Haram elements the astonishing discovery that women at the abduction must conclude that these criminal who are using this,” said Lawan. “We may occasion, mostly housewives, had varieties elements are acting under the influence of even have some of our security agents who Na’Allah’s Murder of cough syrup containing codeine in their drugs to be as bestial as they reportedly are. are under the influence of drugs.” he murder, last Sunday, of Abdulkareem handbags.” On Tuesday, the National Agency for the Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto Na’Allah, son of Senator Bala Na’Allah, Even the Senate has had to wade in on Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) State recently argued along similar lines. While Tis another sad reminder of the level of the problem. In October 2017, Senator Baba Director-General, Basheet Mohammed added receiving the Sheikh Ahmed Gumi-led Bandits insecurity in the country. The killers, according Kaka Bashir Garbai led 37 colleagues to move a more sinister dimension by linking the Repentance Initiative in February this year, to a statement by the Senator, “simply gained a motion on the “increasing abuse of cough endemic human trafficking in Kano to organ he shared a story. “A counterpart of mine, access to his (Abdulkareem) house through the and prescriptive drugs among the youth and harvesting. “Organs like eyes, kidneys, and a serving governor, once narrated to me an roof and strangulated him to death.” Nothing women across the 19 northern states” which lungs are harvested to service the medical incidence. He visited a hamlet and wanted to can be more tragic for any parent than to lose he argued “has devastated many upper- and needs of Europe,” said Mohammed. “NAPTIP patronise the local women coming back from a child in that circumstance. More depressing middle-class families in the region.” Available when that child happens to be a successful statistics, according to Garbai, revealed that one in his thirties. But Na’Allah has taken the Kano and Jigawa states consume more than tragedy with uncommon grace and a strength three million bottles of codeine syrup daily, Ihekweazu Goes to Berlin that can only come from total submission to while “young girls in tertiary institutions have the will of the almighty. His public posture ne of the understated ladders to success that in the two months that he has left before is no different from what he has been saying taken to an alarming abuse of the codeine cough in professional life in this increasingly resuming at WHO, President Muhammadu syrup, which is often mixed with soft drink.” privately to his friends. Ocompetitive world is allowing one’s Buhari who appointed him will find a similar While I commiserate with Senator Na’Allah The problem, Garbai added, “is destroying work to speak for them. And because of that, replacement at the NCDC. even mothers in homes, as they use same and his entire family as I pray God to grant I have always known that at some point, a global Meanwhile, the infectious disease them the fortitude to bear this huge loss, the codeine and other drugs as an escape from institution would tap from the expertise and epidemiologist, according to the WHO Director their abusive relationships and invariably get authorities must get to the root of this murder. strength of character of the Director General of General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, will “lead the Anybody that would go through the roof of a hooked on them.” the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), work on strengthening pandemic and epidemic Sadly, these revelations have not led to house to get at their victim before subjecting Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu. Incidentally, I told him intelligence globally, including heading the WHO him to such a gruesome death must have a concrete measures to address a problem so in a lighter mood chat in 2019 at Kotoka Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence that threatens the future of our country. The motive. And this kind of murder is becoming International Aiprort, Accra, Ghana, shortly before in Berlin.” Ihekweazu will be at home not only all-too frequent, perhaps because culprits are economic desperation of the times we live he was reappointed for a second term. Now that because he was born in Germany but also because in and the spread of a mass psychology of never brought to book. the moment has come, I have mixed emotions he has in recent years led several short-term The essence of crime investigation and diligent hopelessness have combined to create a ready over his appointment as the Assistant Director assignments for WHO, including being a member market for illicit substances for a generation prosecution of culprits is not only to ensure General of Health Emergency Intelligence at of the WHO-China Joint Mission on COVID-19. justice for victims but also to deter other potential of young Nigerians, especially those without the World Health Organisation (WHO). While At home, he has helped to make the NCDC education or skills. The problem is compounded criminals. And in the past, in this same country, I am happy that the global health institution more alive to its responsibilities. It is indeed no matter how clever they thought they were by the fact that we live in a country where recognized and is rewarding his talent, I am to his credit and that of others that Nigeria amphetamine-type stimulants and dangerous (like Jimoh Ishola Adeyemi aka Ejigbadero and also quite aware that this is a huge loss for has managed the pandemic better than most others), the authorities always got and brought over-the counter (OTC) drugs are available on our country. By every standard, Ihekweazu has countries despite our glaring shortcomings. As demand. Even the neighbourhood tailor and them to justice. Conversely, where criminals been one of the brightest stars of the Nigerian he therefore goes to Berlin, I wish Ihekweazu know they can easily get away, as it is the security guards who run kiosks openly prescribe public space in the past five years. It is my hope all the best in his new assignment. and sell drugs for all types of ailments—from situation today in Nigeria, nobody is safe! 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]