Coup in Guinea as Soldiers Oust President Condé Nigeria, UN chief condemn development Michael Olugbode in Abuja and coup d'etat, seized power from looking somewhat rattled and takeover were alleged to be from “until further notice” as well as other top officials at 11:00 am Sunday Okobi with agency report the country’s democratically disorganised. the country's Special Forces, an the replacement of governors by (1100 GMT) Monday in the elected President, Alpha Condé. The soldiers also quickly elite unit of the Guinean Armed the military. capital Conakry Democratic gains recorded on As at press time, the fate of the announced the dissolution of Forces. The junta also said in a state- But, in an earlier rebuttal, the continent, yesterday, suffered Guinean leader was still unclear the government on national TV. After capturing President ment read out over national the defence ministry said the another tragic setback, when after an unverified video showed The group of soldiers respon- Conde and detaining him, they television that it would convene soldiers in Guinea, in an apparent him surrounded by soldiers and sible for the unconstitutional announced a nationwide curfew Conde’s cabinet ministers and Continued on page 55 Atiku: Voting APC Was Nigeria’s Biggest Mistake ... Page 8 Monday 6 September, 2021 Vol 26. No 9646. Price: N250 www.thisdaylive.com T RU N TH & REASO TODAY'S WEATHER ABUJA MAIDUGURI ENUGU KANO LAGOS PORT HARCOURT 25°C-33°C 31°C-31°C 25°C-28°C 27°C-33°C 24C-27°C 20°C-30°C Why PDP May Lose All Southern States if It Zones Presidency to North Delta, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Oyo vulnerable to APC take over Party still weak in most Northern, Middlebelt states, unlikely to make appreciable gains Chuks Okocha in Abuja field that the decision could cost PDP the elections in practically all There is a high possibility that the southern states, the presidency the main opposition Peoples and governorship inclusive. Democratic Party (PDP) might Findings also revealed that pick its presidential candidate for the PDP might not make any the 2023 general election from the appreciable gains in the north and North, as stakeholders are set to Middlebelt states either, as the All zone the chairmanship position of Progressives Congress (APC), is the party to the South in a matter still likely to sweep the north even of weeks. with a Southern candidate. This, however, appears contrary One key reality of the current to the survey by the THISDAY state of play is that the PDP is Economic Intelligence Group (EIG), which gleaned from the Continued on page 55 Buhari's Administration Has Broken Many Jinxes, Says Presidency Lists achievements Deji Elumoye in Abuja the Petroleum Industry Bill, signed into law in 2021 after almost two The Presidency yesterday listed decades in the works, as one of policies, legislations, and projects the major feats of the president. completed by President Muham- According to the statement, madu Buhari since he came into the Nigerian National Petroleum power in 2015 to include signing Corporation (NNPC) also recently of 15 bills into law and completion announced its first profit in its of 17 major projects across the 44-year history under Buhari, who country. doubles as Minister of Petroleum WITH LOVE FROM NIGERIA... Buhari’s media adviser, Femi Resources. Adesina, in a statement, titled, Chairman, Heirs Holdings and Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Mr. Tony Elumelu (left) and President Patrice Talon of Benin “Jinxes broken by Buhari,” listed Continued on page 55 Republic, when Elumelu paid a visit to the President in Cotonou... on Friday Doctors' Strike: FG Gives Conditions to Withdraw Suit Before Industrial Court... Page 10 2 MONDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • THISDAY MONDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • THISDAY 3 4 MONDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • THISDAY MONDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • THISDAY 5 6 MONDAY, ;˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: [email protected], 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322 NEWS DEDICATION OF LOVE OF CHRIST GENERATION... L-R: Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Gbolahan Lawal; Founder, Love of Christ Generation Church C&S Cathedral, Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi; her husband, Pastor Ademuyiwa Ajayi; wife of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Mrs. Foluke Adeboye; General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, at the Grand Opening and Dedication of Love of Christ Generation Church C & S in Lagos... yesterday PHOTO: MUBO PETERS OGFZA Attracted $16.6bn FDIs in 20 Years Records N255bn local investments, generates 200,508 jobs James Emejo in Abuja N453.98 million, respectively. Umana said, currently, about N6.1 for delivery of our services. to issue a new license when all within zones, meaning that when Commenting on the develop- billion worth of investments were "For example, in the past, we the requirements have been met." they move items from the zone The Oil and Gas Free Trade Zones mental role of the agency, Umana being expected to materialise in did not have a specific timeline In terms of job creation however, to any other place, all the taxes Authority (OGFZA) said it had said within the last few years, there the Liberty Oil and Gas Free Zone. for renewal of licence or to reissue the OGFZA boss stated that the will be applied. attracted $16.6 billion in foreign had been great improvement in The managing director said, new licenses or even to process investments had been able to "Between 2005-2015, the author- direct investments (FDIs) into the operations of the free zones. "To grow investment also meant cargos. unlock many direct and indirect ity has created 40,508 direct jobs the economy between 2001 and He said this was achieved through looking at the structures within "We came up with specific jobs, thereby empowering many and indirect jobs, with conservative 2020. Managing Director/Chief dedicated leadership as well as our zones because, as I said, you timelines – we say, for example, Nigerians. He pointed out that estimate it is about 160,000.” Executive Officer of OGFZA, Mr. the commitment and exceptional can only attract foreign direct that we will take only 48 hours between 2005 and 2015, the author- Umana said considering the Umana Okon Umana, disclosed quality of members of staff of the investment if you are globally to clear cargos, if the cargos were ity created 40,508 direct jobs and number of individuals that had this to journalists in Abuja at the authority. competitive. consigned in free zones. It will indirect jobs with a conservative been trained by expertise and weekend. This, he stated, had resulted in "We took a number of steps, we take seven days to renew licence estimate of about 160,000. various companies that came Umana also said a total of 200, the huge interests by both local reviewed our standard of operation, when all the requirements have According to him, "These in, the actual figure from 2010 508 jobs had been created by the and foreign investors in the zones. and we came out with timeline been met and it will take 21 days incentives are applied for activities to 2020 was 35,170. authority. He said during the same period, the authority also attracted N255.33 billion in local investments into the country. NIRSAL: We Released N128bn for Agribusiness in 10 Yrs The managing director pointed out that between January and May this year, the sum of N9.41 billion N232m for poultry production, cocoa export in Cross River was generated as revenue by Bassey Inyang in Calabar so far disbursed over N128 billion Akwa Edem Umo in Akpabuyo segment, and consumers of eggs Limited, Mr. Vincent Egbona, OGFZA through the free trade for agriculture and agribusiness Local Government Area of Cross and spent layers in the downstream revealed that it would have been zones. The Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk activities in the country since it was River State. segment.” difficult to service the loan they Further breakdown indicated Sharing System for Agricultural established about 10 years ago. This Speaking at the event, Managing He said a few weeks ago, NIRSAL received from Union Bank but that N2.1 billion was generated in Lending (NIRSAL Plc.) has said was disclosed at the weekend during Director of NIRSAL Plc, Mr. Aliyu supported ADT Russet Limited for NIRSAL’s Interest Drawback January, while February, March, with the release of N232 million to the official release N232 million to Abdulhameed, said, “This huge in Lagos with 50 per cent credit (IDB) scheme. April and May had N1.45 billion, Gbagolo Integrated Farms Limited Gbagolo Integrated Farms Limited investment translates to the creation guarantee on a N1.15 billion facility The company’s poultry depart- N4.39 billion, N1 billion, and and TOAJ Nigeria Limited, it had and TOAJ Nigeria Limited at Ikot of jobs, driving the growth of rural to source and export cocoa beans. ment, which received the credit economies, and positively impacting Abdulhameed said both projects support, has 60,000 birds and runs Nigerian lives.” were testaments to the fact that an on-farm feed mill with four tons Abdulhameed said the N232 NIRSAL in its bid to realise its capacity mixer per hour. million for Gbagolo Integrated vision of “transforming the economy, Egbona decried the high cost of Conflicting Court Orders: Delta CJ, Six Farms Limited and TOAJ Nigeria delivering inclusive growth and raw materials and other agricultural Limited, for investment in poultry positively impacting the lives of inputs in the country. Others to Appear Before CJN Today production and cocoa export value Nigerians” supported all sizes of On his part, Managing Director, chains in Cross River State, were businesses, whether small, medium TOAJ Nigeria Limited, Mr.