IMF Holds Nigeria’s 2020 Growth Projection at 2.5% Obinna Chima predicted in its October 2019 3.3 per cent in 2019). and deteriorating public that in emerging market and profile for the group WEO. “The projection is 0.1 finances are holding back developing economy group, reflected a combination of The International Monetary The multilateral institution, in percentage point lower than business confidence and growth was expected to increase projected recovery from deep Fund (IMF) in its World its latest WEO titled: 'Tentative in the October WEO for 2020 private investment) and for to 4.4 per cent in 2020 and 4.6 downturns for stressed and Economic Outlook (WEO) Stabilisation, Sluggish Recovery,' and 0.2 percentage point weaker Ethiopia (where public sector per cent in 2021 (0.2 percentage underperforming emerging released yesterday, has projected however, predicted that in for 2021. consolidation, needed to contain point lower for both years than market economies and an that the Nigerian economy will sub-Saharan Africa, growth “This reflects downward debt vulnerabilities, is expected in the October WEO) from an ongoing structural slowdown grow at 2.5 per cent this year would strengthen to 3.5 per revisions for South Africa to weigh on growth),” it stated. estimated 3.7 percent in 2019. and next year, same as it had cent in 2020 and 2021 (from (where structural constraints The report anticipated It stated that the growth Continued on page 8 Buhari Pleads with Nigerian Neighbours to Endure Inconveniences of Border Closure... Page 5 Tuesday 21 January, 2020 Vol 24. No 9052. Price: N250 www.thisdaylive.com T RU N TH & REASO S’Court Retains Four Govs PDP protest grounds Abuja Chuks Okocha, Alex Enumah in Abuja, Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi, Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto, Seriki Adinoyi in Jos and Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano A peaceful protest yesterday by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the Supreme Court’s sacking of its candidate in the last 25 YEARS OF ROBUST JOURNALISM governorship election, Hon. L-R: Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank, Mr. Segun Agbaje; President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Chairman, Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia and Emeka Ihedioha, as Imo State Chairman/ Editor-in-Chief, THISDAY Newspapers & Arise TV, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, during the presentation of the CEO of the Decade Awards to Dangote Continued on page 8 and Agbaje as part of activities marking THISDAY Newspapers’ silver jubilee in Lagos… yesterday abiodun ajala Night of Tributes, Pomp, Colour as THISDAY Marks Silver Jubilee Holds world premiere of Africa’s first global streaming service, Arise Play Jonathan, Dangote, Adenuga, GTBank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, others honoured John Legend, Asa serenade guests Nseobong Okon-Ekong, to celebrate THISDAY Technology Group’, was to24 people and organisations, Adenuga; GTBank, Access THISDAY Awards of the Chiemelie Ezeobi, Newspapers as it marked witnessed by governors, both including President Goodluck Bank, Zenith Bank, Tony Decade. Eromosele Abiodun and 25th year of robust journalism. serving and former; captains Jonathan; Minister of Elumelu Foundation and All the speakers took turns Vanessa Obioha The silver jubilee celebration, of industry, technocrats and Transportation, Mr. Rotimi the Economic and Financial to salute the vision, boldness, themed ‘A Gala Evening politicians. Amaechi; President, Dangote Crimes Commission (EFCC). drive and the creativity of the Dignitaries gathered yesterday, to Celebrate Africa’s Most A key part of the programme Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; They were honoured under amid pomp and ceremony, Authoritative Media and was the presentation of awards Chairman, Globacom, Dr. Mike the various categories of the Continued on page 8 It’s Turn of Igbo Presidency in 2023, Says Yakasai... Page 5 2 TUESDAY JANUARY 21, 2020 •THISDAY TUESDAY JANUARY 21, 2020 • THISDAY 3 4 TUESDAY JANUARY 21, 2020 •THISDAY TUESDAY, ͺ͹˜ͺ͸ͺ͸˾THISDAY 5 Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike NEWS Email [email protected], 08066066268 Buhari Pleads with Nigerian Neighbours to Endure Inconveniences of Border Closure Vows not to reopen boundaries until committee submits report Ghanaian president pleads for reopening, says Nigerian market strategic for Ghana's products Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Ghanaian President, Mr. Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, not keep his eyes open and “negative economic impact on out. Our farmers, especially Nana Akufo-Addo, that said in a statement that Buhari, watch youths being destroyed our neighbours, we cannot those who grow rice, now have President Muhammadu Buhari Nigeria should reopen its land at a meeting in London with through cheap hard drugs as leave our country, particularly a market and are happy and yesterday urged Nigerian borders, expressed regrets that Akufo-Addo, explained well as allow a compromise of the youths endangered.” we are also concerned about neighbours to bear with the the partial border closure was that the borders were not the country's security through Buhari noted that the Sahel hard drugs and weapons. country over the closure of having a “negative economic closed mainly to forestall the influx of small arms with region had been saturated with "Once the committee comes the nation’s land borders. impact on our neighbours.” the smuggling of only food impunity. small arms, which accounted up with its recommendations, The president, while Special Adviser to the items, notably rice, but to “When most of the vehicles for severe security challenges we will sit and consider them,” responding to pleas by President on Media and fight the influx of arms and carrying rice and other food in Mali, Chad, Burkina Faso, he said. ammunition, and hard drugs products through our land Niger and Nigeria. Earlier, Akufo-Addo had into the country. borders are intercepted, you “We are in fact the biggest called for "an expedited The two leaders held the find cheap hard drugs and victims,” he stated. process because the Nigerian Malabu: FG Files Fresh bilateral meeting on the small arms under the food Buhari vowed not to reopen market is significant for certain sidelines of the UK-Africa products. This has terrible the borders until the committee categories of business people Investment Summit 2020 in consequences for any country,” set up on the matter submits in Ghana.” the United Kingdom. Buhari stated. its final report and decision Akufo-Addo also spoke 42-count Charge against Buhari told his Ghanaian He added that although the taken on it. on the need for Nigeria to Adoke, Six Others counterpart that he could border closure was having a “We will get things sorted protect its citizens. Alex Enumah in Abuja punishable under Section 319A of the Penal Code, Cap. The federal government has 532 Laws of the federation filed a fresh 42-count charge of Nigeria 1990. against former Attorney- The federal government’s General of the Federation charge signed by one Bala and Minister of Justice, Mr. Sanga on behalf of the Mohammed Bello Adoke EFCC Acting Chairman, Mr. (SAN), Shell, Agip, Malabu Ibrahim Magu, added that Oil and others over their one of the accused persons, alleged complicity in the Rasky Gbinigie conspired $1.1billion Malabu oil deal. with Munamuna Seidougha It alleged in the fresh charge (at large), Amaran Joseph (at with number CR/151/2020, large) and Dauzia Etete (at filed at an Abuja High large), in 2013, in Abuja, and Court, that Adoke and dishonestly used as genuine other respondents received the forged form CAC 7 and gratification to carry out a board resolution of Malabu fraudulent oil deal. Oil and Gas Limited and the According to the federal letter of resignation of one government, as attorney- Mohammed Sani to open a general, Adoke mediated bank account No. 2018288005 controversial agreements that with First Bank of Nigeria ceded Oil Prospecting Lease Plc to receive $401,540,000. (OPL) 245 to Shell and Eni, According to the charge, who in turn paid about $1.1 the accused persons billion to accounts controlled committed an offence GROWING PARTNERSHIP... by a former Petroleum contrary to section 366 of the Minister, Mr. Dan Etete. Penal Code and punishable President Muhammadu Buhari (left) and British Prime Minister, Mr. Boris Johnson, at a meeting in London... yesterday Since he left the country under the same section of after the administration of the Penal Code. former President Goodluck In count seven, Adoke Jonathan, Adoke only was said to have in It’s Turn of Igbo Presidency in 2023, Says Yakasai returned on December 19, September 2013 knowingly 2019 from Dubai, United and unlawfully obtained Insists voters elect leaders, not courts Arab Emirates, only to be the sum of US dollars arrested by operatives of equivalent to N367,318,800 Dike Onwuamaeze not. The elder statesman also the country. the Economic and Financial and thereby committed an “They (the Igbo) deserve the commented on the recent “My opinion is that the Crimes Commission (EFCC) offence punishable under An elder statesman, Alhaji sympathy of all Nigerians for controversial ruling of the constitution is supreme and on arrival at the Nnamdi Section 319A of the Penal Tanko Yakasai, has declared them to get it in 2023 or later. Supreme Court of Nigeria laws made by the National Azikiwe International Code, Cap.532 laws of the unequivocally that it should be My opinion is that this is not a on the Imo State governorship Assembly should be subordinate Airport, Abuja. Federation of Nigeria 1990. the turn of the Igbo to produce matter that one will lie down election that turned the table to the provision of the Adoke who fled the In the charge, Gbinigie, the the next President of Nigeria and think that it will come to against the former Governor constitution. The intention of country in 2015, has pending company secretary of Malabu in 2023.