FG’s airports Withheld ASUU members’

concession plan -Pg13 salaries to be subjected-Pg36

in murky waters to special waiver —FG
•Key players in the dark over $500m Chinese loan •As lecturers want children of public office
•Massive cleansing may frustrate concession plan holders banned from studies abroad

NIGERIAN

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SINCE 1949

17,676 MONDAY, 23 NOVEMBER, 2020 NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER N200

www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng

UBA grows gross -Pg14 Zenith Bank shows ‘Jimoh Ibrahim

earning to N454.4bn, resilience as profit doesn’t own majority
delivers N90.4bn profit tax rises by 1% in of assets taken over
before tax in Q3 2020 Q3 2020 -Pg7 by AMCON’ -Pg34

APC govs’ meeting with

Jonathan stirs controversy
•Visit is APC’s apology over power grabbing —PDP -Pg30
•PDP rattled, disoriented —APC
Uncertainty Recession: Atiku
over rail wants borrowing
stopped, taxes
connection raised on luxury
to N6bn goods
Lekki Port •Says 2021 budget
-Pg5 no longer tenable
Leon Usigbe | Abuja

MDAs: Why Former vice president, Alhaji Atiku

Abubakar, has said now that reces-
bickering over sion has returned, necessary actions
must be taken, including some pain-
FG’s inability ful measures.
Atiku noted that the 2021 budget
to pay workers’ being considered by the National
Assembly was no longer tenable, be-
salaries may cause there would be no money to
fund it.

linger -Pg2
Atiku, therefore, spelt out various
measures that could be taken to rescue
the situation, including expanding all
line items from the budget and raising
COVID-19: US taxes on luxury goods, among others.
Some of the 11 kidnap victims rescued by the government of Zamfara State at the Government House in Gusau following
the peace initiative between the government and repentant bandits. Photo: NAN CONTINUES ON PAGE 3
FDA approves
emergency use
of drug Trump Kidnapped Nasarawa APC chairman found dead
received •Bandits kidnap Imam, 17 worshippers in Zamfara -Pg9,35
-Pg32 •9 abducted ABU students released
 2 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
monday,
23 NOVEMBER, 2020

news
MDAs: Why bickering over FG’s inability to
pay workers’ salaries may linger

F
Chima Nwokoji | Lagos other option than to base to head the Federal Govern- “For instance, a governor of desperate to raise more tax what is needed to take care
the 2020 personnel budget ment’s Committee for De- a state in Nigeria takes N1.6 revenues. of the increase for money to
ollowing disagree- for MDAs on the old salary velopment of National Arbi- million as security vote that “As a result of this, the tail be paid from what has been
ments over duplica- structure. tration Policy, said bickering is unaccounted for by law is wagging the dog. At a DFID set aside and all salaries will
tion, waste and bick- The federal civil servants over salary payment would unless he misbehaves. Only presentation, I once sug- be paid,” she said.
ering over passage of had trooped to the office of continue because a lot of then will he be asked to ac- gested that since there are To underscore the wastage
2020 personnel bud- the Head of Service to de- money government raises, count for the security vote. too many people doing noth- in most MDAs, Nigerian Tri-
get for Ministries, Depart- mand payment of their sal- go into payment of salaries. “A state that is receiving ing other than carrying files in bune investigations revealed
ments and Agencies (MDAs) aries amid speculations that According to him, there was N1.6 million can do a lot with government agencies, there that N64.75billion is allo-
based on the old salary struc- the Federal Government is duplication and waste in the it if it is put in the system, is the need to train and de- cated in 2021 budget for the
ture before implementation broke. ministries and if government but they see it as free money ploy them to some local gov- construction of government
of N30,000 minimum wage, A source in the office said continues to spend 40 to 60 that comes from the centre,” ernment areas where their buildings across all MDAs
salaries of workers in most the core ministries were per cent of its budget paying he said. services are mostly needed. whereas nearly 135,000 ki-
Federal Government minis- being owed October sal- just one million Nigerians, Similarly, a professor of po- Or they can be trained on en- lometres of roads in Nigeria
tries may not be paid for the ary, while workers in some who are in public service, litical economy and manage- trepreneurship and empow- are untarred, obstructing
rest of the year. parastatals, departments then there is imbalance. ment expert, Pat Utomi, in ered to be more productive the movement of goods and
Just recently, the Direc- and agencies had not He suggested that the a telephone interview with in the economy,” the political people.
tor-General of Budget Of- been paid for two to three workforce be reduced. the Nigerian Tribune, said al- economist suggested. Also, about N24 billion was
fice, Mr Ben Akabueze, months. His words: “Government though one does not have all But differing from Aka- allocated as security votes
disclosed that about 428 Although there are insin- needs to implement the the parameters to conclude bueze’s position, the Director across 122 MDAs, whereas
out of the over 700 Fed- uations that funds meant Arasanya report so that it can that the Federal Government of Information, Olawunmi 93 of the MDAs already
eral Government agencies for personnel costs are do- shrink the workforce and re- is broke, emerging trends Ogunmosunle, was quoted have allocations for security
would not be able to pay miciled in an account over- lease money for appropriate suggest that the cost of run- to have said that enough charges in the 2021 budget,
workers’ salaries by the end seen by the Integrated Per- sectors.” ning the government is too provisions were made for just as N18.91 billion was
of November. But barely 48 sonnel Payroll Information Agbakoba expressed con- high. salaries for 2020 in line with allocated for the purchase
hours later, Akabueze de- System (IPPIS) department cern that governance in the According to him, part of government tradition. of motor vehicles across all
nied he ever said Nigeria in the Office of the Accoun- country was at its lowest ebb the reasons government was “A percentage was also set MDAs.
was broke to pay salaries, tant-General of the Federa- and only leaders who were handicapped was that a lot aside to take care of salary Analysis by BudgIT, a civil
clarifying that at the time tion (OAGF), the ministries critical thinkers could make a of money goes into mainte- increase. society organisation that
the 2020 budget was being were said to have overem- change, stressing that rebal- nance of presidential fleet, “The provisions made applies technology to inter-
prepared, negotiations for ployed workers. ancing Nigeria would release protocol and running of the based on previous salary sect citizens engagement,
the minimum wage were Reacting to the develop- a lot of financial energies that National Assembly, and be- have been exhausted. The showed that personnel cost
ongoing and being finalised, ment, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, would take care of a lot of is- cause recurrent expenditure Budget Office has, therefore, which as of 2018 was an
leaving authorities with no who was recently appointed sues. is high, MDAs are getting asked each MDA to work out CONTINUES ON PAGE 3

No winner, no loser in
LAUTECH joint ownership
dissolution —Osun govt
Tunbosun Ogundare of the current status of
| Lagos LAUTECH, adding that both
states were satisfied with it.
Osun State government He restated that the Oyo
has said there is no winner State government is now
or loser between Osun and the sole owner of LAUTECH
Oyo states over the final main campus in Ogbomoso,
ceding of ownership of the while the College of Health
Ladoke Akintola University Sciences situated in Osogbo
of Technology (LAUTECH) to now solely belongs to the
Oyo State. Osun State government.
It said all was done in the He said the representa-
interest of students of the tives of Osun State in the
institution, the education determination of sharing Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila (middle); spokesperson, House of Representatives, Honourable Benjamin
sector as well as the people formula of both assets and Kalu (fourth right) with leaders and members of the Abuja Newspapers Distributors Association (ANDA) and the Newspapers Vendors Associ-
of both states. liabilities of the university ation, Abuja (NVAA), during the speaker’s condolence visit to the two associations over the death of their colleague, Ifeanyi Okereke, at their
Centre in Area 1, Abuja, on Sunday.
Chairman of the Osun were experts and credible
State Reconciliation Com-
mittee on LAUTECH, Emeri-
people, adding that they
made a good deal for both N25bn promissory note: Anambra gov, Ubah in faceoff
tus Professor Olu Aina, gave states, with no state cheat- •You can’t discount public fund —Ubah •Your claim is spurious —Obiano
this position at a virtual ing the other.
Taiwo Amodu | Abuja Federal Government. The money? What did he do with for promissory notes. The
media conference via Zoom On whether the sharing former and the latter with the cash realised?” he asked. amounts and proceeds of the
platform with the state also involved money, he said The N25 billion promissory maturity dates of December Senator Ubah gave Gover- promissory notes are cap-
Commissioner for Educa- forensic audit of the univer- note issued to the Anambra 28, 2020 and April 1,2022 nor Obiano 72 hours to pro- tured clearly in the report of
tion, Mr Oladoyin Folorunso sity is ongoing, after which State government by the were to the tune of N10.097 vide convincing explanation the Accountant-General with
and the Special Adviser to financial obligations of any Debt Management Office billion and N15.146 billion, to the people of Anambra financial statements for the
the Governor on Educa- state to the other would be (DMO) is the cause of a cold respectively. State on what was done with year ended 31st December,
tion, Mr Jamiu Olawunmi determined, if any. war between the Anambra Addressing newsmen in the money or face court ac- 2019.”
Babatunde, at the weekend. “So, it was a fair deal, with State governor, Willie Obiano Abuja on Sunday, Senator tion. He maintained that the
Professor Aina gave a no winner or loser between and a senator representing Ubah accused Governor Anambra State Commis- money in question was nei-
background information on the two states,” Professor Anambra South on the plat- Obiano of discounting the sioner for Information and ther a loan nor bond.
the joint ownership of the Aina said. form of the Young People’s N25 billion promissory notes Public Enlightenment, Mr C. According to him, before a
30-year-old institution and When also asked about Party, Ifeanyi Ubah. to the tune of N9 billion in Don Adinuba, had, however, bond could be issued a state
the subsequent crisis which the plan of the Osun State Investigation revealed that certain banks in order to cash dismissed Senator Ubah’s government in Nigeria, the
led to dissolution on Friday. on the College of Health Sci- the promissory notes were out the money ahead of the claim as spurious. state House of Assembly, the
He said all the terms and ences in Osogbo, he said it issued by the DMO in De- maturity dates. In a statement issued in DMO, the Federal Ministry
references as made public would serve the 14-year-old cember 2018 and April 2019, The deputy chairman of the Awka, the state capital, Hon- of Finance, Budget and Eco-
by the National Universities Osun State University. respectively, to the tune of Senate Committee on Petro- ourable Adinuba said the fact nomic Planning, the Central
Commission (NUC), which He also said the state gov- N25 billion. leum (Upstream) further al- that the state government Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and
served as a mediator be- ernment had no plan to es- It was also gathered that leged that the governor had collected promissory notes the Securities and Exchange
tween the two states and tablish a new university but both promissory notes is- since collected the sum of was an open secret. Commission (SEC) must be
sued in 2018 and 2019 were N16 billion, instead of N25 He said: “Given the fact that involved, adding that every
also announced the dissolu- to improve on the existing
reimbursement to state billion. the Federal Ministry of Fi- bit of the transaction must
tion of the joint ownership Osun State University for government for projects “The question is ‘why did nance did not have the cash not only be transparent, but
were the correct position better service delivery. executed on behalf of the Obiano discount Anambra to settle the debts, it opted also be of public knowledge.
 3 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
monday,
23 NOVEMBER, 2020

news
Recession: Atiku wants borrowing stopped, taxes raised on luxury goods
•Says 2021 budget no longer tenable
CONTINUED FROM tration taken heed to patri- we do not earn commensu- most likely to be impacted by ria and on all other luxury rowing to pay salaries or to
FRONT PAGE otic counsel given by myself rately, we would go from be- the effects of the recession, goods, either manufactured engage in white Elephant
and other well-meaning Ni- ing a broke nation to being a the poorest of the poor. As or imported, with the ex- projects is not an essential
He also advised the Fed- gerians on cutting the cost broken nation. well as stimulating the econ- ception of goods made for need.
eral Government to “swal- of governance, saving for “As a matter of importance omy, this also ensures that export. “This is particularly im-
low its pride,” acknowledge the rainy day and avoiding and urgency, every non-es- they do not slip further into “The proceeds of this tax portant as we need cash at
its limitations and accept profligate borrowing. sential line item in the pro- extreme poverty. should be exclusively ded- hand, because the world
quality ideas to end the lat- “Yes, the COVID-19 pan- posed 2021 budget must be “For example, a stimu- icated to a Poverty Erad- and our economic and de-
est round of recession. demic has exacerbated an expunged. For the avoidance lus package, in the form of ication Fund, which must velopment partners are also
In a statement he person- already bad situation, how- of doubt, this ought to in- monthly cash transfers of be managed in the same focused on helping their
ally issued in Abuja, on Sun- ever, we could have avoided clude estacodes, non- emer- N5,000 to be made to every manner as the Tertiary Ed- home economies overcome
day, entitled ‘We Must Exit this fate by a disciplined gency travel, feeding, welfare bank account holder, veri- ucation Trust Fund or the the effects of COVID-19. We
This Recession With Preci- and prudent management packages, overseas training, fied by a Bank Verification Ecological Fund. must be our own saviour.
sion’, he said the country of our economy. new vehicle purchases, office Number, whose combined “I further propose that “The more we borrow, the
required critical leadership “Be that as it may, it serves upgrades, non-salary allow- total deposit in 2019 was a one per cent poverty more we will need cash to
to guide back to the path of no one’s purposes to quar- ances, among others. lower than the annual mini- alleviation tax should be make interest and principal
economic sustainability. rel over the fact. We must “Until our economic pros- mum wage. legislated by the National payments and the less cash
The 2019 presidential focus on solutions. Nigeria pects improve, Nigeria ought “Now, how will this be Assembly on the profits of we will have to make nec-
candidate of the Peoples needs critical leadership to to exclusively focus on mak- funded? By more profligate every international oil com- essary investments in our
Democratic Party (PDP) guide it back to the path of ing budgetary proposals for borrowing? No. I propose pany operating in Nigeria economy and our people.
said the new recession economic sustainability. essential items which include a luxury tax on goods and and international airlines If we keep borrowing, we
could have been averted “We cannot afford reasonable wages and sala- services that are exclusively doing business in Nigeria, stand the risk of defaulting
if the Muhammadu Bu- hand-wringing and na- ries, infrastructural projects accessible only to the super which should also go to- and that will make reces-
hari-led administration had vel-gazing. We must act and social services (citizen- wealthy. A tax on the ultra wards the proposed Poverty sion a child’s play, because
listened to him and other now, by taking necessary ry’s health and other human wealthy to protect the ex- Eradication Fund. we will lose some of our
well-meaning individuals, and perhaps painful actions. development investments). tremely poor. “It is inhumane for us as a sovereignty.
who advocated reduction of “For a start, the proposed “Additionally, we have to “A practical approach nation to increase the cost “I urge the administration
the cost of governance. 2021 budget presented to stimulate the economy by to this is to place a 15 per of goods and services that of President Muhammadu
The statement read: “It is the National Assembly on investing in human develop- cent tax on all business and affect the poor, while keep- Buhari to swallow its pride
with a very heavy heart that Tuesday, October 8, is no lon- ment and increasing the pur- first-class tickets sold to and ing the cost of luxuries fairly and accept its limitations
I received the confirmation ger tenable. Nigeria neither chasing power of the most from Nigeria, on all luxury stable. We must flip this, so that they can open their
that for the second time in has the resources nor the vulnerable of our population. car imports and sales, on all and flip it immediately. minds to ideas without car-
five years, Nigeria has en- need to implement such a Only a well- developed pop- private jets imports and ser- “And above all, Nigeria ing who the messenger is.
tered into another reces- luxury and heavy budget. The ulace can generate enough vice charges, on all jewelery must stop borrowing for For as Deng Xiaoping said
sion. Heaviness of heart be- nation is broke, but not bro- economic activity for the na- imports and sales, on all de- anything other than essen- ‘It does not matter whether
cause this could have been ken. However, if we continue tion to exit this recession. signer products imported, tial needs. Again, for the the cat is black or white, so
avoided had this adminis- to spend lavishly even when “We must invest in those produced or sold in Nige- avoidance of doubt, bor- long as it catches mice’.”

MDAs: Why bickering over

FG’s inability to pay workers’
salaries may linger
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 the Senate, Ahmad Lawan,
estimated 400,000 -strong on November 19, accused
civil service, representing some banks of conniving
about 0.2 per cent of the with certain category of
total population of Nigeria, workers in government
will gulp almost 27 per cent agencies to divert public
of the national budget for funds to private pockets.
the 2020 fiscal year, assum- He has, therefore, tasked
ing retirements offset new the anti-corruption agen-
recruitments till date. cies to focus more on the
More worrying is the fact activities of the banks, es-
that the federal civil service pecially their handling of
is plagued by various anom- government funds.
alies, especially the issue This was at a brief cere-
of ghost workers, which mony in his office where
remain unsolved, despite the executive officers of the
attempted solutions. Chartered Institute of Fo-
From left, Olori Rasheedat Adetunji; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, This is also coming at a rensic and Investigative Pro-
Senator Bola Tinubu, when the Olubadan and his wife visited him in Lagos, on Sunday. time when the President of fessionals of Nigeria made
him their patron.

Second recession proof Buhari lacks competence to run economy —PDP

Leon Usigbe | Abuja our nation from an imminent claims when they know that change controls and monetary centives and support as well productive sectors and bring
economic collapse.” they have, in a space of five policies that impede growth, as high taxes and levies.” the economy back to its feet.
The Peoples Democratic A statement issued in Abuja years, wrecked and plun- an over-bloated public sector The PDP pointed out that The PDP also pointed out
Party (PDP) has affirmed on Sunday by Kola Olog- dered our economy, which that encourages waste and this had crippled domes- that presently, over 60 million
that two recessions under bondiyan, National Publicity was rated as one of the fast- incurable corruption, reckless tic production and compe- hard working Nigerians had
the present dispensation is Secretary, asserted that the est growing economies of the treasury looting and failure to tiveness, eroded investors’ been rendered redundant by
an indication of the lack of report by the National Bu- world, when they took over decisively deal with the esca- confidence and occasioned the harsh economic policies,
competence on the part of reau of Statistics (NBS) that from the PDP.” lated insecurity, which has de- a dearth in foreign direct in- including cumbersome pro-
President Muhammadu Bu- the nation’s economy had It added: “Indeed, Presi- stroyed economic activities in vestment, leading to the eco- tocols and high taxes foisted
hari to manage the Nigerian plunged into another reces- dent Buhari will be the first most parts of our country. nomic contraction we have by the APC administration.
economy. sion “confirms ours stand President, in our history, to “While the Buhari Presi- continued to witness under The main opposition party
The party has therefore that the Buhari Presidency score a hat-trick, in plunging dency pretends to be running Buhari’s watch. further stated: “The failure
called on him and his All and the APC lack the compe- his nation into economic re- a free market economy, it is It admonished Buhari to by the Buhari administration
Progressive Congress (APC) tence and integrity to run a cession, both as military and in reality, running a corrupt end the corruption and di- to heed to demands by Ni-
to hands off the economy national economy.” civilian leader. exclusionist market economy visive tendencies of his ad- gerians to rejig our security
“accept his failure and allow According to the party, the “The economic recession we tailored to service the inter- ministration and allow a free architecture has also wors-
competent, transparent and report shows that “the Bu- face today is a fallout of Presi- est of a selfish few while frus- market economy so that ened the level of insecurity
honest hands to effectively hari administration and the dent Buhari and APC’s restric- trating millions of hard work- more Nigerians will actively in many parts of our country
manage our economy, as APC have been lying to Ni- tive, vindictive and anti-trade ing Nigerians with restrictive participate in the economic leading to the closure of mil-
that is the only way to save gerians with performance policies, bizarre foreign ex- policies, lack of access to in- space to boost the nation’s lions of businesses.”
4 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
MONDAY
23 novemBER , 2020

Jul - Sept Jul - Sept

30/09/2020 30/09/2019 2020 2019
N’000 N’000 N’000 N’000

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 30TH SEPTEMBER 2020
UNAUDITED AUDITED
30/09/2020 31/12/2019
N’000 N’000
 5 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
Monday,
23 NOVEMBER, 2020

business news
Uncertainty over rail connection to N6bn Lekki Port
FG gives 2022 deadline

U
Tola Adenubi | Lagos contract talks for this facil- force majeure issues or if ther am I the Lagos State you don’t need to destroy “Under Nigerian laws, it is
ity was launched. Yes, they anything goes wrong with Government, so whether people’s properties. legitimate to protest but the
NCERTAINTY cur- have had glitches, including the contractor. That is why there will be rail connection “I was once a student, law does not allow for the
rently looms over the impact of the Covid-19 we need to tie them to a ver- to Lekki port by 2022 is not and we never took laws burning of properties or to
the connection pandemic and a lockdown, bal and written agreement what I can talk on.” into our hands even when close highways because there
of the N6bn Le- but it is important that this that by 2022, Lekki port Earlier in the day, the we were protesting. If you are other road users who
kki deep seaport project becomes operation- must become operational. Minister, while touring the remember in 1983, during want to use the highway.
to rail services for seamless al by 2022. “With Lekki, Bonny and premises of the Nigerian the time of Major General “I think this should not
evacuation processes of “Am I impressed by the Ibom deep seaport all ex- Ports Authority (NPA), ex- Buhari and Babagida, we just end here because if
cargoes. This is even as the pace of work? As a layman, pected to come up stream pressed shock at the level of were always on the street some people are not pun-
Federal Government has my.views might.not matter, very soon, the issue of too destruction carried out on as students. We never took ished, some others might
given the promoters of the however, we must tie them many river ports with shal- the agency’s headquarters laws into our hands and want to repeat it in future.”
Lekki deep seaport a 2022 to a written agreement that low draft will become a by unknown persons. we never destroyed public Hoodlums who purport-
deadline for commence- it must be commissioned by thing of the past in Nigeria’s “I have made decisions property. edly hijacked the EndSars
ment of cargo operations at Mr. President in 2022. maritime sector.” that with the level of dam- “During the time of Tai protests, on Wednesday,
the port. “There are so many things When asked if by 2022, age done here, NPA should Solarin, there was a nation- October 21, 2020, set ablaze
Addressing newsmen on tied to a port construction. the Lekki port will already be able to come forward al protest that we partook the headquarters of the
Sunday when he paid an As a lay man, I might not be connected to rail, the to cabinet to ask for the in, and we never took laws NPA at Marina, Lagos, and
on-the-spot-inspection ex- be able to say categorically Honourable Minister of reconstruction depending into our hands. It is legiti- vandalised different offices
ercise to the facility, Minis- that by 2022, Lekki port will Transportation declined to on integrity. The damage is mate to protest, but it is il- located within the six sto-
ter of Transportation, Roti- be operational. There are speak on the issue. disastrous. No matter how legitimate to hide under the rey building, carting away
mi Amaechi stated that, “It so many factors that could In his words, “I am not you want to vent your an- guise of protest to destroy laptops, photocopying ma-
was in March 2018 that the work against that date like the Minister of Works, nei- ger over police brutality, public properties. chines and water dispensers.

Schneider Electric unveils

new distributor in S\South
By Paul Omorogbe centre and oil and gas.
With a new distributor lo-
ENERGY management gi- cated in Nigeria’s oil and gas
ant, Schneider Electric, has hub, residents in Port Har-
signed up a new distributor, court and neighbouring cit-
Okelco Global Resources ies will have faster access to
for its products in Port Har- Schneider Electric products.
court, Rivers State. Resellers in this region will
The distributor is expect- enjoy proximity to a state-
ed to cater for the distribu- of-the-art wholesale facility.
tion of Schneider Electric’s “This is also a deliberate
products in the South-South attempt to combat fakes
and South-Eastern part of and imitations as our dis-
the country. tributor shall ensure prompt
In a chat with pressmen supply for every demand of
recently, the Marketing original product range from
Communications Manager Schneider Electric and its
of Schneider Electric, Vivi- partners,” she quipped.
ane Mike-Eze said that the Schneider Electric drives
inauguration of the distribu- digital transformation by
tor, which was witnessed by integrating world-leading
representatives of Nigerian process and energy tech-
Content Development and nologies to realise the full
From left: Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina; Chairman of Energy Correspondents Asso- Monitoring Board (NCDMB) efficiency and sustainability
ciation of Nigeria, Mr Olu Phillips; Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari; and among others, will ensure opportunities for business-
Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Dr Kennie Obateru, after a briefing by the NNPC in Abuja, on Friday night. easy access to the company’s es. It provides end-point to
products in the zone, includ- cloud integration connect-

ICNL bemoans absence of electronic ing for oil and gas companies.
She added that Okelco’s
ing products, controls, soft-
ware and services. It also

stacking of containers at seaports

activity goes beyond distribu- enables lifecycle solutions
torship and into panel build- from design and build to op-
ing and assembly. According erate and maintain phases
Tola Adenubi | Lagos fore a container is located the containers are stacked Presently, as I am talking to her, the increased avail- through digitalisation.
because the containers are and pick it up. Compared to you, we do road evacu- ability of Schneider Electric Schneider Electric’s inte-
THE Inland Containers Ni- scattered everyhere. to Nigeria where containers ation of cargoes from La- products and solutions would grated solutions are built
geria Limited (ICNL) has “There is much more are scattered everywhere.” gos to Kano and Kaduna. If positively impact the differ- with safety, reliability and
bemoaned the poor and to do for our regulators in On how ICNL evacuates the rail comes back due to ent segments of application, cybersecurity for homes,
shoddy manner containers terms of proper arrange- cargoes from the ports in recent efforts of the pres- namely buildings/real estate, buildings, data centres, in-
are stacked at Apapa and ment of containers inside Lagos to Kano and Kaduna, ent administration of Presi- industry, infrastructure, data frastructure and industries.
Tin-Can ports, calling for an the port terminals. Many of the ICNL MD explained dent Muhammadu Buhari,
electronic stacking regime the containers are not prop- that, “When the hinterland we will shift back to rail Nigerite appoints Oladoja as
at Nigerian seaports. erly arranged for easy loca- container terminals were because it is cheaper and
Speaking to the Nige- tion and carriage. This is not established in Kano and Ka- more efficient. finance committee chair
rian Tribune in an exclusive so in saner climes. duna, the best practice of “On a daily basis, we By Nurudeen Alimi Before his appointment,
interview, the Managing “We were in South Af- cargo evacuation from the move about fifty contain- Oladoja, a retired Customs
Director of ICNL, Ismail Yu- rica; I did not even see any ports in Lagos has always ers from the ports to Kano NIGERITE Limited, a sub- officer was a member of
suf explained that locating Customs officer inside the been through the rail. That and Kaduna. In a week, we sidiary of Odu’a Investment board of Directors of the Ni-
containers inside the ports ports. When I asked them is what we started with in move about 300 to 400 con- Company Limited has ap- gerite Limited.
is always difficult for cargo how they pay duty, they said the 80’s when the hinter- tainers up North from La- pointed a two-time director A statement signed by
owners due to the way con- duty is paid electronically land terminals were estab- gos. On a monthly basis, we of Odu’a Investment, Chief the chairman, board of di-
tainers are scattered inside even before the cargoes ar- lished by ICNL in Kano and move about 1000 and 1,200 Wale Oladoja as the chair- rectors of the company,
the port terminals. rive the ports in South Afri- Kaduna. containers from the ports in man finance committee of JMK Ogunkeyede, indicated
According to the ICNL ca. The only people we met “However, due to capac- Lagos up North. It’s cheaper the company. that his appointment take
Managing Director, “ A ma- inside the ports in South ity challenges that bedev- if this is done through rail, Oladoja was appointed immidiate effect.
jor problem at our ports in Africa are the truck driver iled the nations rail sector but as I said, the rail sector chairman at the end of the Oladoja, a public ad-
Lagos is the way and man- and the terminal opera- over the years, we began currently lacks the capacity 2020 Annual General Meet- ministrator holds a Higher
ner operators stack contain- tor. All the containers were to tilt towards more of road to meet with our demand, ing (AGM) of the company, National Diploma in public
ers. When a truck gets into stacked electronically. The evacuation of cargoes from so we currently do all this held at the company’s cor- administration from The
the ports, it takes hours be- driver will just go to where the Lagos ports than rail. through the roads.” porate office, Ikeja Lagos. Polytechnic Ibadan.
 6 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
monday
23 november, 2020

business news
Equities market records 1st WoW loss after 8 weeks
•Investors lose N470.6bn
Kehinde Akinseinde- week, to close at 34,136.82 clined by 10 per cent. Dan- index that closed marginally N35.89 billion in 39,265 losers led by Wapic Insur-

T
Jayeoba | Lagos basis points, just as investors gote Sugar shed 7.7 per positive by 0.5 per cent. The deals was traded last week ance and Oando.
lost N470.61 billion as the cent, Flour Mills of Nigeria Banking, Oil and Gas, Con- by investors on the floor of In the week ahead, ana-
HE Nigerian equit- market capitalisation settled declined by 7.4 per cent, sumer Goods, and Industrial the Exchange. lysts expect a mixed market
ies market closed at N17.84 trillion. while Stanbic IBTC lost 6.5 indices closed in the red, The most traded stocks by performance due to contin-
the week negative Profit-taking held sway on per cent. Also Zenith Bank after it recorded a weekly volume for the week under ued profit-taking activities
on Friday. The first the capital market, most par- declined by 5.7 per cent decline of six per cent, 4.4 review were UAC-Properties, and positioning by early
weekly decline after ticularly amongst banking while Dangote Cement de- per cent, 4.3 per cent and Transnational Corporation, birds in dividend-paying
eight weeks of consecutive stocks as investors took posi- preciated by 3.4 per cent. 0.7 per cent, respectively. and Jaiz Bank, accounting stocks ahead of Full Year
gains as investors book on tions in the market to sell-off Thus the Month-to-Date Activity level was how- for 9.26 billion shares worth 2020 dividend declarations,
profits on the local bourse. their stocks while depressed (MtD) return moderated to ever mixed, as volume grew N6.64 billion in 1,958 deals, therefore reiterating the
Consequently, the All- yields in the fixed income 27.2 per cent while the Year- strongly by 153.8 per cent contributing 81.22 per cent, need for positioning in only
Share Index (ASI) of the Ni- market still loom. to-Date (MtD) return for in- Week on Week (WoW) while respectively. fundamentally sound stocks
gerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Notably, over the 5-day dex declined to 27.2 per cent. value declined 38.7 per cent Market breadth closed as the weak macro environ-
shed 2.6 per cent having trading session, investors Performance across sec- w/w. negative for the week with ment remained a signific-
settled below the 35,000 sold down shares of United tors was all broadly negat- Basically, a total turnover 21 gainers led by BOC Gas ant headwind for corporate
mark recorded in the prior Bank of Africa, thus it de- ive, save for the Insurance of 11.4 billion shares worth and Tripple-G as against 55 earnings.

9PSB board appoints Branka

Mracajac as CEO
The board of directors of 9 competent and committed
Payment Service Bank (9PSB) board of directors, 9PSB is
has announced the appoint- set to deliver high-end digital
ment of Branka Mracajac as banking and financial inclu-
the CEO designate. sion services that will make
A seasoned Enterprise Re- transactions easier, conveni-
source Planning expert, Branka ent and accessible for people
brings on board, an enviable of all social classes in Nigeria.
record of accomplishments in Speaking on the appoint-
digital financial services and ment of Branka, the Chairman,
risk management. Board of Directors, 9PSB, Chief
Prior to her appointment Ikenna Kevin Okafor, stated
by 9PSB, Branka demon- that, “Branka is experienced
strated her ingenuity during in business strategy, corporate
her stint at Digital Finance finance, policy implementa-
International in Russia and tion and risk management.
other markets. She is a ver- I am certain that she will
satile professional with top provide strategic leadership
From left, Executive Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Wahab Olawale Alawiye-King; Chairman, House Com- management experience of which will facilitate financial in-
mittee on Education, Lagos State, Oluyinka Ogundimu; Head, Corporate Communications, Ikeja Electric, Mr. Felix Ofulue, and Deputy
Governor, Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Kadri Hamzat, during the launch of Project Zero in Lagos, recently. over 15 years in digital fin- clusion and increase financial
ance across 30 markets glob- payment across all market seg-
ally. ments in the urban and rural
Work to commence on Port Harcourt refinery The Serbian national has
worked in accelerating the
areas of Nigeria.”
Responding to her ap-
by Q1 2021 says Kyari adoption of digital payments
and facilitated financial in-
pointment, Branka stated
that “The pace of change in
Adetola Bademosi | Abuja ised to deliver by 2023. to announce that the funding Covid-19 pandemic and the clusion for various markets today’s Fintech industry is ex-
He stated that the funding challenge which had stalled subsequent OPEC+ agree- across Europe and other ceptional and I am delighted
THE Group Managing Director challenge which had stalled the second phase of the rehab- ment to cut production has emerging markets around to be offered the opportun-
Nigeria National Petroleum the second phase of the ilitation of the Port Harcourt impacted its plans towards the world. ity to lead 9PSB at this early
Corporation (NNPC), Mallam rehabilitation has been re- Refinery has been resolved. production growth. The Central Bank of Ni- stage in its development.
Mele Kyari at the weekend, solved adding that the con- The contract for the second As a result, the GMD geria recently granted final I look forward to using my
disclosed that rehabilitation tract for the second phase phase will soon be awarded stressed that the Corporation approval to Nigeria’s digital experience to launch the
works would commence on will be awarded soon. and work will commence in Q1 is taking advantage of the en- lifestyle bank, 9PSB, to com- 9PSB brand into the Nigerian
the Port Harcourt refinery by “We are in the process of of 2021,” he said. ergy transition by investing in mence operations in foster- Fintech market. The goal is
2021 first quarter. strengthening the products In view of this, he said the gas so as to prepare Nigeria ing financial inclusion in Ni- to ensure that we are at the
This was even as he assured distribution system by re- Corporation is supporting for the future in the face of geria’s banking ecosystem. forefront of financial inclu-
Nigerians of zero queues dur- vamping our pipeline net- private sector investors who the dwindling fortunes of With Branka’s leadership sion using the most innovat-
ing and after Christmas and work through a Build, Oper- are driving refinery projects petroleum liquids. and experience backed by a ive offerings.”
New year celebrations. ate and Transfer (BOT) model across the country to pro- Similarly, the GMD warned
Kyari who made the disclos- whose process is already at mote local refining. that with the new lockdown $500m spent annually importing
ure at a media parley with En- an advanced stage. According to him, this is with orders due to resurgence of
ergy correspondents in Abuja, “The vision of revamping the a view to attaining self-suffi- COVID-19 in Europe and other oil palm —Stakeholders
said NNPC’s vision of revamp- pipelines is in tandem with the ciency in refining and trans- industrial Nations, the estim- Collins Nnabuife | Abuja Ogallah who is also the
ing the pipelines is in tandem Refineries Rehabilitation Pro- forming Nigeria into a net ex- ated revenue shrinkage may Country Technical Lead, Ni-
with the Refineries Rehabilit- ject which we have promised porter of petroleum products. likely grow above Rystad Energy Stakeholders in the agri- geria, said the $500 million
ation Project which it prom- to deliver by 2023. I am happy Also, he noted that the estimates by the close of 2020. cultural sector have said that the country spends annually
Nigeria is currently spending shows there is a huge gap in
NEPC, MDAs working to clear N124bn backlog of export claims —Director about $500 million importing
oil palm annually.
meeting the demand.
“In the early 1960s before
The Nigerian Export Promo- EEG scheme was estab- EEG claims between 2007 maining 38 companies out The stakeholders made this the oil boom, Nigeria was
tion Council (NEPC) said it is lished through the Miscel- and 2016 had been cleared, of the 308 companies have known at the National Work- exporting oil palm, but after
working with relevant minis- laneous and Export Incentive adding however that the N124 billion. shop on Oil Palm organised that oil boom we started im-
tries, departments and agen- Act of 1986 as one of the backlog from 2017 till date “We have gotten a positive in Abuja by Solidaridad, an porting and all forms of oil
cies for payment of N124 bil- Federal Government’s pro- were being reviewed under response that the Ministry international NGO. palm are finding their way
lion backlog of claims under grammes aimed at increas- the scheme. of Finance, Budget and Na- The stakeholders agreed to to the Nigerian market”, he
the Export Expansion Grant ing the volume and compet- He said that 1,415 export- tional Planning is actually partner to reduce the contin- said.
(EEG) scheme. itiveness of Nigeria non-oil ing companies were shortl- working to secure approval ued import of the commod- Ogallah said the workshop
Mr Lawal Dalhat, the exports through incentives isted, 308 companies were by the Federal Executive ity. was for stakeholders to have
Deputy Director, Incentives, granted to exporters. qualified, while 270 were Council (FEC) and hopefully The Senior Climate Special- a conversation around oil
NEPC made this known on While reacting to the agita- approved by the National move it to the National As- ist for Africa at Solidaridad, palm production in Nigeria,
Sunday in an interview with tion by some non-oil export- Assembly with N195 billion sembly to settle debts for Dr Samuel Ogallah, said Ni- especially as it relates to pro-
News Agency of Nigeria ers and manufacturers on the claims. the remaining companies,” geria was not meeting its do- ducing oil palm in a changing
(NAN) in Abuja. backlog of claims, Dalhat said According to him, the re- he said. mestic demand for oil palm. climate.
7 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
Monday,
23 NOVEMBER, 2020

business news
How non-constitution of APCON board has slowed down
nation’s advertising growth in six years

T
Akin Adewakun | Lagos replace the one dissolved on we saw how APCON was go- awards in the past six years. inars that usually attracted towards this area to adver-
assumption of office in 2015. ing about it in the past and Reacting to the develop- the crème de la crème of tise. But unlike the regular
hese are definitely Checks by the Nigerian Tri- we could see result. For in- ment, recently, the Group the advertising profession. ads, that must be certified
not the best of bune among practitioners in stance, when Chris Doghudje Chief Executive Officer, Of such is the annual Adver- by APCON, how many of
times for practi- the industry revealed that was there, the issue was top Noah’s Ark, Mr. Lanre Adisa, tising Day, usually organized these ads are being certified
tioners in the na- the refusal of the federal on his agenda, and that was described the development by the body, and which nor- by the agency before being
tion’s marketing government to constitute a why he set up APCON Special as not too good for the na- mally offers practitioners the published. You’ll agree with
communications space. Be- new board is without doubt Committee on Media Debt tion’s advertising industry. opportunity of quality inter- me that the agency will con-
sides the declining fortunes holding down the growth of Issues (ASCOMDI). And this “What it simply means actions and networking. But tinue to lose money if it is
of the nation’s economy, and the industry. was continued by his prede- is that the industry is not such programmes are absent not looking in this direction.
the advent of the COVID 19 A source, who spoke with cessor, Lolu Akinwunmi. growing; since it has not now. There is no council to And, unfortunately, I doubt
pandemic, the non-consti- NT noted that the contin- “It was Akinwunmi’s time produced more fellows in give teeth to it,” lamented if it will be able to give this a
tution of the council of the ued delay in constituting the APCON’s reform was pursued the past six years. APCON is another practitioner. thought if there is no coun-
apex regulatory body in the council has begun to reverse with vigour. That was the pe- the only body that can confer Besides, social media ad- cil in place,” argued another
sector, the Advertising Prac- those gains recorded during riod the entry conditions into such honour, and without a vert regulation remains an- practitioner, who would not
titioners Council of Nigeria Akinwunmi’s regime. the advertising profession council, it can not embark on other issue that has contin- want his name in print.
(APCON), is definitely taking The source, who is also a were reviewed, regarding such task,” he stated. ued to give practitioners in But, if the words of the
its toll on the multi-billion practitioner, argued that the both foreign and local prac- More revealing is the fact the sector goose pimples. For newly-appointed Chief Exec-
naira sector. issue of industry debt, run- titioners. But now all those that non-constitution of AP- instance, not a few believe utive Officer/Registrar, of the
For instance, since the exit ning into billions of naira, is gains seem to have gone CON board has also contin- the industry is losing a fortune agency, Dr. Lekan Fadolapo, is
of the Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, gradually becoming intracta- down the drain,” he added. ued to deny practitioners, the in this area, since there seems anything to go by, the end to
Group Chief Executive Officer ble, despite attempts at the NT also discovered that be- opportunity of manpower to be no law in place, seeking all these seem in sight.
of Prima Garnet, in 2014, as sectoral level of the industry sides some sectoral bodies, development and neces- to ensure that adverts on so- In an interaction with a
the chairman, and the brief to address this. within the industry, that have sary networking, needed by cial media are endorsed by select media in his office,
stint of Mr. Udeme Ufot, “If a council had been in been conferring members members to navigate the the body before exposure. recently, Fadolapo assured
the Group Chief Executive, place, the issue would have with their fellowship awards, topsy turvy landscape of the “We can all see that the so- that ‘very soon’ the council
Officer, the federal govern- been tackled centrally, and no new advertising practi- nation’s advertising terrain. cial media has become the would be in place, and the
ment has not been able to not sectorally, as we are tioner has been conferred “In the past, there used to in-thing and brands, desir- agency would be able to per-
constitute a new council to seeing now. For instance, with the industry’s fellows be quality trainings and sem- ous of publicity, are drifting form optimally.

Sterling Bank grows trading

income by 265% in Q3 2020
Kehinde Akinseinde- nation due to the protracted
Jayeoba | Lagos lock down was moderated
by a 264.7 per cent spike in
Sterling Bank Plc, a full trading income.
service national commercial He said growth in balance
bank, has reported a trading sheet was driven by a 26.5
income of N7.1 billion for per cent growth in low cost
the third quarter ended Sep- funds, which saw the bank’s
tember 30, 2020 compared CASA mix improve to 71
with N1.9 billion for the cor- per cent from 60 per cent,
responding period of 2019, delivering a 6.6 per cent
representing an increase of growth in customer depos-
264.7 per cent. its. Our cash and short-term
In his remarks on the im- balances increased in line
pressive performance, Mr. with the higher regulatory
Abubakar Suleiman, Man- reserves while interest in-
aging Director and Chief come also declined by 6.7
From left, Osun Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye, Regional Business Executive of Sterling bank, Ademola Adeyemi and Governor Executive Officer (MD/CEO) per cent, which was offset
Gboyega Oyetola unveiling the Osun Sterling Tourism Vision 30:30 in Osun state, recently. of the bank said, “With eco- by a 17.0 per cent decline in
nomic activity picking up interest expense. This deliv-

Zenith Bank shows resilience as Profit

in the third quarter, follow- ered a 120 bps drop in cost
ing the gradual ease in the of funds and, consequently,
nationwide lockdown, we a 100-bps increase in net in-
Before Tax rises by 1% in Q3 2020 continued to leverage on
our existing remote work
terest margin.
Suleiman noted that in
Zenith Bank Plc has an- 173 billion from ¦ 157 billion terest income from ¦ 322 bil- to 4.80% (FYE 2019: 4.95%), policy to enhance workforce terms of asset quality, “We
nounced its unaudited re- recorded at the end of Q3 lion to ¦ 319 billion. Interest despite growing loans and productivity while ensuring proactively increased our
sults for the third quarter 2019, reflecting the Group’s expense and cost of funds advances by 17 % from ¦ 2.5 uninterrupted service deliv- cost of risk by 100 bps to 1.9
ended 30 September 2020 increasingly diversified busi- were down 13% and 27% to trillion as at December 2019 ery to both existing and new per cent, while recording
with with a Profit Before Tax ness model. Profit After Tax close at ¦ 94 billion and 2.2% to ¦ 2.9 trillion at the end customers. a marginal increase in NPL
(PBT) of N177 billion, repre- (PAT) grew by 6% to N159 respectively, reflecting the of Q3 2020, affirming the Our performance contin- ratio to 2.9per cent, well
senting a 1% growth over the billion from N150 billion in Group’s robust treasury and Group’s prudent credit risk ues to reflect positive results below our target of five per
¦ 176 billion posted in the the corresponding period last liquidity management. management. The liquidity of strategic decisions and cent ”
same period in the previous year. The growth was driven and capital adequacy ratios investments in our focus He explained that the de-
year. by non-interest income Total deposits closed at ¦ (CAR), at 67.4% (Bank: 52.5%) areas as we continued to cline in OPEX was achieved
This performance dem- which grew by 11% to ¦ 173 5.2 trillion at the end of Q3 and 21.5% respectively at record significant improve- by moderating adminis-
onstrates the Group’s resil- billion from ¦ 157 billion 2020 up from ¦ 4.3 trillion in the end of Q3 2020, remain ment in both funding and trative expenses despite
ience against the backdrop recorded at the end of Q3 December 2019, dominated above regulatory thresholds operational costs. Overall, growth in other operating
of a challenging macro-eco- 2019, reflecting the Group’s by low-cost deposits. Retail of 30.0% and 15.0%. we delivered a 7.2 per cent expenses, including AMCON
nomic environment brought increasingly diversified busi- deposits grew impressively Zenith Bank Plc has con- increase in operating in- and insurance fees
about by the Coronavirus ness model. by 58% to ¦ 1.7 trillion at the tinued to demonstrate re- come and a profit after tax The CEO said the bank was
(COVID-19) pandemic. The result also demon- end of Q3 2020 up from ¦ 1.1 silience and industry lead- of N7.37 billion despite pre- able to maintain a strong
According to the unau- strates the Group’s ability to trillion as at December 2019, ership. In recognition of its vailing uncertainties around capital and liquidity posi-
dited account which was deliver optimal pricing for its underpinned by the continu- track record of excellent the COVID-19 pandemic and tion of 16.1 per cent and
presented to the Nigerian interest-bearing assets and ous expansion and improve- performance, Zenith Bank recent fiscal reforms.” 32.5 per cent respectively
Stock Exchange (NSE), gross liabilities in a declining yield ment of the Group’s digital was voted as the Best Com- The CEO said, a 26.2 per above regulatory bench-
earnings were up 4% year- environment, as net interest platforms. mercial Bank in Nigeria 2019 cent dip in fee income oc- mark, adding that overall the
on-year (y-o-y) to ¦ 509 bil- income grew by 5% Year-on- In terms of asset quality, by the World Finance and the casioned by the downward bank delivered a profit after
lion, driven by non-interest Year (y-o-y) to ¦ 225 billion the Group’s Non-Performing Best Digital Bank in Nigeria review of electronic banking tax of N7.37 billion for the
income which increased to ¦ despite the drop in total in- Loan (NPL) ratio improved 2019 by Agusto and Co. fees, and slower loan origi- 9-month period.
8 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
MONDAY
23 NOVEMBER , 2020
 9 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
MONDAY,
23 NOVEMBER, 2020

metro
How police are preventing resignation Kidnapped
Nasarawa APC
chairman found
of personnel in Lagos dead
Chuwang Dungs | Lafia

T
Olalekan Olabulo | Lagos from the fact that heads of their morale. accept any resignation let- been pardoned because we
units and formations have A senior police officer ter from any personnel.” know what is going on else- THE Nasarawa State police
HE police in Lagos relaxed the operational from the state police com- The senior police officer where.” command has confirmed the
State have begun schedule of their personnel, mand who spoke with the added further that, “in La- On what he thinks is re- death of Phillip Shekwa, the
moves to discour- policemen are also being Nigerian Tribune under gos, we have made them sponsible for the mass res- kidnapped chairman of All
age personnel in encouraged with the prom- the condition of anonymity, (policemen) realise all the ignation, the police boss Progressives Congress (APC)
the state com- ises from the state gov- said: “It is true that police- good things that the Lagos said: “I cannot say it is mass in the state.
mand from resigning from ernment and the Inspec- men are submitting resigna- State government and the resignation, but the public The state’s Police Public
the Force. tor-General of Police (IGP). tion letters.” IGP have promised to do for is responsible for this. Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP
Nigerian Tribune gath- It is clear that policemen The senior police offi- them. “Apart from the attacks Rahnam Nansel, on Sunday,
ered that though the state have refused to return to cer, however, pointed out “Except in some places, on their lives and family said the body of the APC
command had not received full duties following the that, “it is minimal in Lagos, most of the policemen have members, police person- chairman was found a metre
many resignation letters, #EndSARS protest despite unlike at the Force Head- not been doing much work. nel in Nigeria feel betrayed away from his house around
unlike the Force Headquar- the calls from the police hi- quarters in Abuja, where a This is not the best time to by the country despite Kurikyo Road in Lafia, the
ters in Abuja, the leadership erarchy. number of policemen have overwork them and this is a their efforts to maintain state capital.
of the police is, however, Nigerian Tribune gath- submitted their resignation strategy to discourage them peace. He said investigation was
not taking any chances from ered that the police lead- letters.” from resigning. “Many stations have been already ongoing into the ab-
personnel who may want to ership in the state had “The IG has refused to ac- “Ordinarily, many of razed and vandalised and duction and killing, just as he
exit the Force following the decided not to sanction ab- cept the letters and I don’t them that would have we still want these people added that the body of the
#EndSARS crisis. sentee officers for now so expect any Commissioner been disciplined for der- to work as if nothing hap- deceased had been depos-
It was gathered that apart as not to further dampen of Police or head of unit to eliction of duty have also pened?” ited for post-mortem exami-
nation.
9 kidnapped Nigerian Tribune had
reported earlier that Mr
ABU Shekwo was kidnapped in
the late hours of Saturday at
students his residence.
Meanwhile, the state gov-
regain ernor, Abdullahi Sule; Sena-
tor Tanko Al-Makura, Speaker
freedom of the state House of As-
sembly, Abdullahi-Balarabe
Muhammad Sabiu Ibrahim; the Commissioner
| Kaduna of Police in the state, Bola
Longe; government officials,
THE nine students of the party faithful and sympathis-
Department of French of ers have visited the residence
the Ahmadu Bello Univer- of the late party chairman
sity (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna to commiserate with family
State abducted by hood- members over the incident.
lums have regained their
freedom. Task Force
This was disclosed by the
university’s Director of Pub- arrests
lic Affairs, Auwal Umar, in suspected
an interview on Sunday. hoodlums in
According to Umar, the
students, who were kid- Edo raids
napped while on their way ‘Suyi Ayodele | Benin
to Lagos for a field trip,
were released from the kid- IN a bid to stop cult killings
nappers’ den on Saturday Some suspected kidnappers arrested by the Edo State Joint Security Task Force at the weekend and other related security
night. situations in Edo State, the
On whether ransom was
paid, Umar said: “All that I can One dead as policemen state’s Joint Security Task
Force, over the weekend,
raided Upper Sokponba in
shoot football fans in Ekiti
say is that our students who
were kidnapped some days Benin City, the epicentre of
ago have been released.” the killings, just as it combed
Confirming the release, •We won’t shield culprits from prosecution —Police riverine communities where
suspected kidnappers were
a brother of one of the
victims, Julius Mutum, ‘Yomi Ayeleso | Ado-Ekiti ered that the policemen in their Hilux van, but es- ond man is receiving treat- arrested.
tweeted that his sister had were in the state with a caped for fear of being at- ment in the hospital. The suspects, who were
been freed. TWO unidentified police- retired Assistant Inspec- tacked by angry youths who “The policeman that was believed to be responsible
Mutum wrote: “Some of men on Saturday night shot tor General of Police (AIG) stormed the hospital. responsible had been ar- for the kidnappings in the
the #ABU 9, including my football lovers in Ekiti State, when the incident occurred. When contacted, the rested and now in our cus- state, were arrested some
sister, have just regained which then led to the death A source who was at the state’s Police Public Rations tody. 24 hours after the Task Force
their freedom. Strictly by of one person, with another scene when the incident Officer (PPRO), ASP Sunday “The Commissioner of kicked off its operations at
family efforts. is currently critical condi- happened said: “We were Abutu, who confirmed the Police, Tunde Mobayo, had Ogbemudia Oil Palm Planta-
“Thank you @TheAbusite tion in the hospital. here as always to watch a incident, said the affected ordered a thorough investi- tion on Saturday.
for lending your voice when The deceased, who was football match and it was policeman was not from the gation into the shooting and Prior to the operation, the
everyone, including govt identified as Olaoye Ayo- the game between Man- state command. that we have commenced General Officer Command-
and security agents, didn’t bami, and others, were said chester United and West Abutu said that he had with the assurance that ing (GOC), 2 Division, Nige-
care.” to be watching a live English Brom, when the incident been arrested by the state justice will be served. rian Army, Major-General
Also, one of the students Premier League match at occurred. police command, disarmed “We are not going to hide Anthony Bamidele Omozoje,
who escaped with gunshot about 8:00 p.m. on Satur- “Everybody was running and detained for investiga- anything. Though those had intimated the state gov-
wound, Dickson Oko, said day at a hotel in Ado-Ekiti, to safety and in the process, tion and proper disciplinary involved are not from our ernor, Mr Godwin Obaseki,
the kidnappers had con- the state capital, when the the bullets hit two persons. action. command, the incident is on their activities in the
tacted families of the stu- incident occurred. One died immediately and The police spokesperson within our jurisdiction and state, promising to bring
dents and demanded for The other victim, iden- the other is in critical condi- said: “We have been able to we promise that whoever is to an end the recent rise in
N30 million ransom on each tified as Idris Ismaila, was tion now.” establish that there was a found culpable will be pros- criminality and lend support
one of them. said to be at the emergency It was learnt that the said shooting on Saturday night ecuted accordingly.” to efforts at capturing flee-
He, however, said N1 mil- unit of a private hospital in policemen rushed the two at one hotel in Ado Ekiti. Abutu said the corpse of ing escapees from the two
lion ransom was paid on the state capital. victims to the Ekiti State Two persons were hit and the deceased had been de- federal correctional facilities
each student. Nigerian Tribune gath- Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) one had died, while the sec- posited in the morgue. in Benin City.
10 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
monDAY,
23 november, 2020

editorial
Labour movement at the lowest
ebb

T
ODAY, not a few Nigerians are nostalgic about ernment hardly consults with Labour before coming out
the good old days when the labour move- with policies that impact workers and ordinary Nigeri-
ment in the country was strong and vibrant ans directly because it does not expect any stern resis-
and represented not only the interest of tance from it, having pocketed its leadership as it were.
workers but also that of ordinary Nigerians. And unsurprisingly, oftentimes the movement’s feeble
That was when the movement participated actively in reactions to anti-people policies are usually in tandem
shaping the political and socioeconomic trajectories of with the official expectations. These days, it is custom-
the country via effervescent but patently altruistic so- ary to see labour leaders putting up a show of resistance
cioeconomic activism. Not even the persecution in the to harsh policies, threatening fire and brimstone, but at
of the dark days of the military era was able to cow La- the end of the day, this is mere posturing devoid of any
bour: the movement in liaison with the civil society or- potent interrogation or confrontation. Given this kind
ganisations, and in particular the Fourth Estate of the of deplorable background, Labour cannot be expected
Realm, effectively represented the major voice of dis- to effectively find its voice even amidst government’s
sent to the unelected officials and their draconian de- endless punitive policies. For instance, in September,
crees. there was a hike in electricity tariff and Labour told Ni-
But that was then; the labour movement has been gerians to prepare for a strike. It even vowed that in the
delegitimised in the country and has become a shadow unlikely event that the government reversed the tariff,
of its old self. It has lost the confidence of the govern- the protest would still go on to address other salient
ment and, more importantly, the people. Nobody takes grievances. But the government only put the increased
the movement seriously anymore, especially when it tariff on hold for two weeks to allow for further dialogue
In a clime like Nigeria comes up with the impotent and usual refrain of ‘we
won’t accept’ following official policies and propos-
and by midnight, Labour had suspended the strike that
would have attracted many protesters because of the
where partisan als. Labour has largely become a laughing stock. While
this sordid state of affairs has persisted for a while, it is
palpable privations in the land.
There is a sense in which the betrayal by Labour could
politics is largely believed to have reached its zenith under the present be adduced as part of the reasons for the #EndSARS
leadership. Division arising from selfish and sectional protests and their unintended consequences such as
limited to contestation interests is considered as the bane of the unity of labour the carnage that ensued after the peaceful protest was
for power, but where and by implication one of the causes of its lacklustre
performance in terms of workers and ordinary Nigeri-
hijacked by hoodlums. It would appear that the youths
decided to take their destinies in their own hands be-
amity is easily ans’ expectations. cause the organised labour had more or less chosen to
For instance, the current leadership of the Nigeria La- be receptive to inconsiderate official policies instead of
achieved across bour Congress (NLC) under Ayuba Wabba is said to be putting the government on its toes. It is axiomatic that
party lines when it suffering from a legitimacy problem because it emerged
from the public sector when it was the turn of the pri-
Labour is currently at its lowest ebb and risks being con-
signed to the oblivion if it does not retrace its steps to
comes to plundering vate sector to produce the leadership of the organisa- swiftly combat the challenges, both internal and exter-
tion. The alleged disruption of the succession plan re- nal, that are impeding its vibrancy. In a clime like Nigeria
the collective portedly led to the exacerbation of the fissures in the where partisan politics is largely limited to contestation
patrimony as spoils NLC, which hampered its ability to deliver on its man-
date. Another veritable issue dampening the vibrancy
for power, but where amity is easily achieved across
party lines when it comes to plundering the collective
of office, Labour must of labour is the official interference in its affairs. The
owners of capital would do anything to impair the unity
patrimony as spoils of office, Labour must necessarily
stand up to be counted as a veritable opposition.
necessarily stand up of labour; so does the government. It is common knowl- The labour movement should address the intractable
edge that the government sometimes influences rifts in issue of division in its fold. It must ensure that its lead-
to be counted as a labour organisations and also endorses and provides ership recruitment process throws up committed and
veritable opposition. support for some candidates aspiring to leadership po-
sitions at the expense of other members. It therefore
dedicated leaders who are prepared to render selfless
service, not the type that will gravitate towards those
becomes difficult for the leadership that emerges with who are in charge of the Pot of Porridge at the slightest
its support not to be beholden to it. That is why the gov- of opportunity.
11 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
monDAY,
23 november, 2020

monday lines with Lasisi Olagunju

08111813053 | [email protected]

Igbo presidency in 2023

T
he Fulani have many intriguing proverbs. ‘If a man asked to carry out. and mentioned the one clutching deleterious baggages and
says he will swallow an axe, hold the handle for Is it that Umahi wants to be president of Nigeria for his the one who carried no baggage. He spoke as if the north
him.’ That is one of the proverbs. If you want to Igbo people or he wants to serve the owners of Nigeria to has ever considered cleanliness as being next to godliness.
understand the full import, then listen very well to undermine his people? The Fulani have only one ‘juju’ with From the north, he offered no names even for any contest.
Alhaji Buba Galadima who professes to be Buhari’s which they have ruled Nigeria since they crossed the borders The wise don’t play by displaying their cards on the table.
enemy. He was in the news a few days ago responding to the to here. And that is that they know how to convince the The professor gave those conditions at a time his leaders are
call for an Igbo president for Nigeria in 2023. He declared enemy to slaughter his brother for their sake.The physical believed to be luring former President Goodluck Jonathan
that the South East could produce the next president but representation of that ‘charm’ is the herdman’s stick. It has to come out again for the presidency, and at a time Igbo
the person would not be ‘Igbo president.’ What did he never failed them. There are always victims on the queue politicians like Umahi are being promised the top job. Now,
mean? Strategic obfuscation is same in business, politics for the Fulani to use as swordsmen against their own what are the implications of those moves and statements for
and in war. The neutralising objectives are the same too. homestead. Look at the Lekki shooting controversy and the the unity of the south? The southern sea may soon erupt
If you are brilliant and brave and talented and you think men doing the talking now whether for the military or for in a turmoil which only the emergence of a northern caliph
you can sing, the Fulani won’t stop you from singing but the government. Where are they from? This government of would calm. Again, what is the implication of playing the
the song must be theirs. That is the meaning of Galadima’s the north is adept at using southern palms to quench the Lagos ‘father’ against the Ekiti ‘son’ to the unity of the ACN/
deep-structure politics. In the coming 2023 contest, if there fire of its misrule. A little back in time, M.K.O Abiola won APC tendency in Yoruba politics? There is a feeling of deja vu
is a contest at all, the Hausa-Fulani of northern Nigeria will an election in June 1993 but had that mandate annulled by here. Yoruba’s disunity has always been that race’s undoing.
use the tortoise’s sword to kill tortoise. They always do. a General from the north. The annulment flowed directly And it is historically linked to their engagements with the
The Igbo of South East Nigeria want to be president of from a court restraining order on the election issued Fulani. All major intra-Yoruba wars of the 19th century had
Nigeria. A governor said so last week as he moved to the by a southerner, Justice Bassey Ikpeme, for a southern Hausa/Fulani content. The historical Yoruba never fought
party of the north. The Igbo will be taken seriously by applicant, Chief Arthur Nzeribe. When Abiola felt that his his brother without forming an alliance with the common
Nigeria only when they know what they want with (and life was in danger and he escaped abroad on August 4, enemy outside. The moment the Fulani realised the efficacy
from) Nigeria. Is it not very confusing to feel them fighting 1993, it was Igbo’s Uche Chukwumerije that was asked to of playing one Yoruba group against the other, they stopped
for their Biafra and at the same time seeking to rule Nigeria use his University of Ibadan education to mock Abiola as losing sleep over their ambition to conquer the whole land.
by defecting from ‘their’ party to the party of the ‘enemy’? “the first Aare Onakakanfo to run away from battle.” When The Jalumi war of November 1, 1878 was between the
Again, you cannot become the president of Nigeria by Sani Abacha’s five leprous parties were to adopt him as Ibadan army and the allied forces of the Ekiti, Ijesa, Ila and
worshipping the north. It does not work that way. If it did, their sole presidential candidate, it was a Yoruba minister the Hausa Fulani of Ilorin. Even in the various earlier civil wars
grand old Zik would have ruled Nigeria immediately after that was directed to move the motion. fought in Oyo Empire, the Fulani were always there, helping
independence. Others who sold their souls to the presumed Someone told me last week that the best bet for the one side against the other. The most popular was Afonja’s
owners of Nigeria would have been president too. The Yoruba in 2023 is to back an Igbo presidency. I said an Igbo revolt of c.1817 and his recruitment of Shehu Alimi and the
Yoruba deprecate such fawning acts with an unflattering presidency, if it ever happened, would work for the north and Jamaa into his army. All the subsequent attempts to reclaim
dismissal of cows as unfit for their worship. And that has fight the Yoruba. It may even be utterly useless to the Igbo Ilorin failed because there was always a Yoruba General in
made a lot of difference in Hausa-Fulani versus Yoruba people. It is strange that Governor Umahi said he defected to a secret alliance with the Fulani. Between 1823 and 1826,
engagements. In 1998/99, all the political parties were the APC last week so that an Igbo man would be president in there were four wars with the objective of retrieving Ilorin
made to field Yoruba presidential candidates for a reason. three years’ time. Who told him the north is fastidious about from the vice grip of the Fulani. There was one in 1823. There
In 2015, a Yoruba emerged the Vice President of Nigeria platforms and won’t kill the APC if it toys with what Umahi was another from October to December 1824. There was
eight years after Olusegun Obasanjo’s presidency, again talked about? And why would that Igbo governor not think the Kanla war of 1825. There was the Eleduwe war of the
for a reason. There are frenzies again around some Yoruba that the north could contest the 2023 presidential election following year. Each of those wars was lost to jealousy, petty
who want to be president in 2023. These occurrences on any platform and on its own terms? The north is already rivalry and treachery among Yoruba leaders. It was either
were/are not a product of slavish flagellations at the feet gathering the ingredients. Kakanfo Toyeje, or Adegun, the Onikoyi, or Edun of Gbogun
of the ‘owners’ of Nigeria. The past was rather a surrender There was a northern conference in Abuja recently. They or Prince Atiba of Oyo or a Timi of Ede in a secret pact with
by Nigeria’s kidnappers to the consistency of Yoruba’s called it Islamic but it appeared more political than religious. the Fulani. They always showed the way to the outsider in
demands for justice and equity. Today, between ‘them’ and Reportedly present at the conference were Islamic sheiks, the thick of battle, deliver victory to the enemy and start
the Yoruba, there is a balance of respect, even of ‘terror’ traditional rulers, Imams from the northern states and the preparing for the next war. The Fulani is not a horse to be
- which is the language of engagement understood by the FCT and leaders of Islamic movements across the north. mounted to battle. It is a tiger looking for greedy, ambitious
Nigerian establishment. After the conference, one of the participants, Sahabi Danladi riders to eat. A majority of those Yoruba war leaders ended
Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State left the PDP for the APC Mahuta, a professor of Environmental Biochemistry and up in the belly of the Fulani.
last week because his former party cheated and would chairman, Kebbi Development Forum, told the media in an There was nothing that happened in the 19th century
continue cheating his Igbo people. That is what he was interview what the north would not accept about the 2023 Yoruba wars that is not happening now in the 21st century
asked to say and he is saying it stridently. And he had to presidential election contest. He said a southern Muslim politics of Nigeria. Nothing has changed despite the benefit
jump from his party to a party of angels who can make could aspire to be president in 2023 only if Christians wanted of 200 years of experience. The Fulani has not changed their
kings out of slaves. If you frown at his ways, his supporters a Muslim-Muslim ticket. Hear him: “What is, however, not tactic of instigating strifes and rebellions for the discomfort
would point at mercurial Winston Churchill and his politics acceptable to us in the north is a southern muslim picking of their foes, and recruiting allies in the bedroom of the
of serial ratting from one party to another and to another. a northern christian as his vice presidential candidate... enemy. The disparate south has also not weaned itself
Just as Umahi declared his PDP of 21 years as a party of if people of the south are comfortable with a Muslim- of the curse of betrayal and of seeking deliverance from
injustice, conservative Churchill in 1903 looked at his own Muslim leadership, they can present a Muslim presidential doctors of death. The result has been the same for both
party and declared that he “hated the Tory Party, their candidate, but the one coming from the north must be a sides. The north will contest the coming presidential poll
men, their words and their methods.” That hatred did not northern Muslim. That is not negotiable.” What he said here but not before playing a Jonathan against his ‘friends;’ the
stop Churchill from going back to the Tory Party in 1925 is that with the north, you can’t have both a chick and a calf. Yoruba against the Yoruba; the Igbo against the Igbo; the
while lamenting that the years he spent outside the party The professor was very articulate as he went on to narrow Igbo against the Yoruba, and the Yoruba against the Igbo -
were the “wilderness years” of his political life. Umahi will the coming contest to one between Senator Bola Tinubu and and neutralising all. That Kebbi professor has sounded the
go back to his vomit after fulfilling the mission he has been Governor Kayode Fayemi, both of the south west. He knew trumpet already.

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Need for LG election in Katsina

The ascendency to the position because of the local government today have not even thought of it. of support for local government and empowering local councils
of Katsina State Government election conducted few weeks ago What is the problem? It will autonomy the reason they are will make life easier for people at
by Aminu Bello Masari is now in Bauchi and Kano state. be recalled that Katsina state reluctant to hold local government the grassroots and may ease the
five years if we go back to his What comes to mind is how a government had only caretaker elections? suffering at the local government
inauguration of May 30, 2015. state like Bauchi, whose Governor chairmen and had on March Katsina state has been ravaged level. It is indeed going to be of
He then won a second term in Bala Muhammad just got sworn 27, 2020 sworn in caretakers by activities of armed-bandits advantage to the state as a whole
2019. Since the governor on into office as recently as last year chairmen for 34 local government for over years now in addition if local government election is
board, he has not conducted local has conducted local government of the state. This shows why many to effects of inflation, economic held.
government election in the state. election while those who have governors are opposed to local hardships and other difficulties, Umar Babangida,
I felt compelled to write this been in office for about five years government autonomy. Is it lack holding local government election Kano.
12 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
MonDAY
23 november, 2020

opinion
Imperative of restructuring and true federalism
– because it was becoming more and more enlightened and

A
By Adelegan Adegbola
articulate. In the main, language lay at the root of racial differ-
ences: be they differences in culture and custom, in philoso-
LL people have the right of self-determination. By
phy of life and political institutions, in national characteristics
virtue of that, they freely determine their politi-
and social concept and practices. For example, Obaship and
cal status and freely purpose their economic, so-
chieftaincy or chiefships has been established from time im-
cial and culture development. It has become an
memorial in yorubaland the Northern people who has been
axiom that, in a democracy, the people get the
living their live as the traditional institution of Emirship. The
kind of government they deserve. There can be no peace or
system is different in the Eastern part of Nigeria where the
security in Nigeria without political freedom. Nigeria is pres-
British had experimented with varying degrees of success and
ently on wrong principles. As long as one group dominate oth-
failure with “Warrant Chiefs”
ers. As long as one group oppressed the others there would
Ethnicities and people’s diversities is the cultural pride in Af-
be strife and conflict. Man is selfish, the ideals of selfish inter-
widely different origins, beliefs and interests. All the linguis- rican. The world itself in cluster analysis, is an assemblages of
est and domination was begin to perpetrated by man against
tic groups in Nigeria lived in harmony with one another and numerous ethnic groups of people clustered together on the
man. Therefore living together with peace, there must be an
linguistic distinctions posed fundamental questions on how planet to form a global village for the purpose of human kind.
acceptable agreement by the people for the people to follow.
to live with one another, sharing natural resources with one Nigeria’s project is a donation and contribution of numerous
Hence it is imperative to restructure the country to enable her
another, sharing political power and authorities with one an- of ethnics, different cultures and different peoples lived in
move forward. Humanity cannot stands on one leg. All forms
other, minority suspicious majority because nobody can like around themselves. And later parts of their lives were “forced
of domination, exploitation of one section over another must
you more than yourself. Hence, Nigeria’s patriotism was not together by foreign influence and forces simply for their eco-
be abolished. And new productive relations must be estab-
love of the country or nation but, loyalty to tribe or commune. nomic gain.” The Amalgamation of the North and South of
lished. “Our effectiveness is predicated upon certain inviolate
The gentry and peasantry hated and feared one another and Nigeria together without their knowledge, the European just
principles of natural laws in the human dimension that are
even the peasants were suspicious of each other. negotiated the destinies of people without the conscience of
just as real as unchanging as laws such as gravity are in the
Nigeria should have as many provinces or zones, regions of the people. The arrangement were against the ethos of the
physical dimension.
states as there were linguistic or ethnic groups in the country, people. It was full of awkwardness, tangled, awry to the fun-
These principles are woven into fabric of every civilized so-
and each region should have a legislature and government damental social life of the people. Unitary constitution with
ciety and constitute the roots of every family and the country
of its own. There would be a central or national parliament only one central government would only result in frustration
that endured and prospered. Fundamental moral principles
and government on which the various linguistic groups in the to the more pushful and more dynamic ethnic groups, where-
are the laws of God. Principles are not invented by man or
country would be represented. Under these arrangements, as, division of the country into ethnic lines would enable each
any society, they are the laws of the universe, that pertain to
each ethnic groups could develop its own peculiar culture and linguistic group to develop its own peculiar culture and insti-
human relationships and human organizations. Federalism is
institutions in accordance with its wishes and the inter-tribal tutions also to move forward at its own pace without being
the distribution of power in an organization (as a government)
acrimony and jockeying for leadership which were rearing unnecessarily pushed or annoyingly slowed down by the oth-
between a central authority and the constituent units, to
their heads would cease. The government of each linguistic ers. The assumption that the present standards of common
unite in or under federal system. Federation is a united in alli-
group would be led by one of their members and Nigeria leadership which has been the “bone of contention” has been
ance. A union of organizations. Federalism is a “unity through
would be led by any Nigeria acceptable to all or to the major- the basis of Nigeria nationalist activities and was grossly mis-
federation”, principles and practice of true federalism. It al-
ity of the country. conceived. Nigeria need a system of which the various linguis-
lows every ethnic group to live together without jeopardize
The colonial governments were pre-occupied with day-to- tic units will federate to form a single nation that was the way
their cultural settling and allows different people to develop at
day concerns of administration of commercial interests. From it was when Chief Obafemi Awolowo paid minimum wage of
their own space. The sheet territorial size of Nigeria necessi-
their perspective, social change involved the adjustment five shillings in the Western Region but in the East, they paid
tated the adoption of “federal form of constitution”and hence
of conquered people of life under colonial rule. The British, three shillings and six pence, while they paid three shillings in
the division of the country into regions, even if the inhabit-
who had not given much thought to the heterogeneous char- the North. But it is now we are saying everybody must do the
ants of Nigeria were linguistically or ethnically homogeneous.
acter of Nigeria peoples in formulating their administrative same thing. That is not a “federation”. (See the rest on www.
The great diversity of the country was a formidable obstacle
arrangements, had been compelled to divide the Protector- tribuneonlineng.com)
to unity without federal constitution.
ate of Southern Nigeria into two for administrative purposes •Prince Adegbola, FCPA, is founder and president, Odudu-
The people who are controlling the government were of
wa Cultural Foundation.

On reconstruction of Lekki-Epe expressway

By Bolaji Odumade Considering economic viability of the axis, the reconstruc-
tion of the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway would certainly
INFRASTRUCTURE development is critical to achieving hu- aid socio-economic activities in the zone, thereby giving
man capital development in any society. The economic investors better value for their money. That the State gov-
impact that infrastructure improvement has on nation ernment is embarking on such project in-spite of the eco-
building cannot be over-emphasised. The growth of any nomic recession, dwindling financial resources occasioned
country’s economy hugely depends on the status of its in- by the COVID-19 pandemic and the most recent unwar-
frastructure. The dearth of needed infrastructure in a given ranted violence unleashed on government infrastructure by
society places serious limitation on human capital develop- the hoodlums during the #EndSARS protest, testifies to the
ment. It is in view of its crucial role to achieving rapid eco- unalloyed commitment of the Sanwo-Olu administration to
nomic growth that advanced nations of the world commit the provision of sustainable road infrastructure throughout
huge investment to infrastructural development. J.F. Ken- the State. Speaking during the flag-off of the first phase of
nedy, a former President of the United States of America, the road project at a ceremony held recently at the Pan
USA, once put the relationship between infrastructure de- African University in Eleko, Ibeju Lekki area, Governor San-
velopment and economic prosperity into a proper perspec- wo-Olu said that the phase, which will be completed in 20
tive when he affirmed that: “America has good roads, not Mainland Bridge is getting brighter as eight out of the over months, covers 18.75 kilometers, stretching from Eleko to
because America is rich, but America is rich because it has 30 firms that expressed interest in the project have been T-Junction in Epe.
good roads”. Where it is readily available, infrastructure, shortlisted, while a stakeholder forum was recently held on The road was constructed in 1981 as a single carriageway,
especially roads and bridges, ease the pace of economic the project. Also, the Oshodi-Abule-Egba BRT Corridor has but underwent an upgrade to a two-lane carriageway in
development and social interaction. This explains why the been completed and commissioned for public use, while 2006. Its condition, however, became deplorable as a result
World Bank, since 2002, has been prioritizing the construc- the Pen Cinema Bridge is nearing completion. of population growth and increased vehicular traffic. With
tion and rehabilitation of over 260,000km roads above Similarly, the junctions’ improvement projects at Allen Av- the latest intervention by the Sanwo-Olu administration,
other vital sectors such as education, health and social enue, Maryland, Ikotun and Lekki among others have been the entire stretch of the road from Eleko to Epe would be
services. In truth, the sustainability of other sectors largely completed. A major highlight of our intervention in roads dualised on rigid pavement, with three lanes on each side.
depends on the quality of roads in a given society. was the commissioning of 31 network of roads at Ojokoro A lane on each side will be dedicated as toll weighbridges
It is in view of the indispensability of quality and accessi- area of the State. The Sanwo-Olu administration promptly only for heavy-duty vehicles. As earlier affirmed, the Eti Osa-
ble roads to social-economic development that the admin- moved to complete the roads in order to relieve residents Lekki-Epe corridor is strategically important to the State’s
istration of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu in Lagos State of the agony brought about by perennial traffic gridlock in economic prosperity, hence the completion of the project
has accorded road construction and rehabilitation utmost the area. The street lightings were resuscitated and have would further strengthen his administration’s commitment
consideration in the scheme of things. This, of course, is not started making positive impact on security, night life and to inclusive development. In view of current development
surprising since a major pledge of Governor Sanwo-Olu is the local economy. The opening of the roads has greatly and realities, especially ’Alaro City’ Lekki Free Trade Zone
to attain a ‘Greater Lagos’ through infrastructure develop- helped in reducing travel time along Lagos-Abeokuta cor- among other Public Private Partnership projects going on in
ment. In realization of the strategic role of transportation ridor. In a bid to sustain current efforts at improving road the area, there no doubt that a new Lagos is sure to birth
as a key driver of economic development, the Sanwo-Olu infrastructure across the State, the Sanwo-Olu administra- from Epe division of Lagos State. Meanwhile, residents and
administration made Traffic Management and Transporta- tion recently flagged-off the reconstruction and upgrade of commuters are urged to give the state government and the
tion a foremost part of its T.H.E.M.E.S (acronyms for Traffic the 40-year-old Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway. No doubt, contractors handling the project maximum cooperation in
Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, the Lekki axis has become a major industrial and commer- ensuring that it is completed ahead of the 20month dead-
Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21ST Economy, cial hub in the State and, indeed, the country. The Lekki line for the first phase.
Entertainment and Tourism and Governance and Security) Free Zone, the Dangote Refinery, the Lekki Dry Seaport to •Odumade is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Informa-
Developmental Agenda. Presently, the prospect of a 4th mention but a few are all sited at the zone. tion and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja
 13 Monday,

BUSiNESS
www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng 23 november, 2020

Group Business Editor Sulaimon Olanrewaju m:08055001708 e:[email protected] t:@lanresulaimon

5 banks record N2trn CBN clarifies destination Q3: Zenith Bank

gross earnings in 9 payment for Form M, increase PAT to p14
months letters of credit, other N159.3bn
p27 forms of payment p28

FG’s airports concession plan in murky waters

•Key players in the dark over $500m Chinese loan
•Mezzaine clause may frustrate concession plans

A
Shola Adekola | Lagos tion unions on the other hand are kicking against the conces-
sion plans which they described as anti-Nigerian.
diplomatic tussle may be brewing between the The minister while describing the concession as part of the
Federal Government of Nigeria and China over the reforms in the aviation sector and claimed it would rather cre-
ongoing plan to concession the most viable four in- ate more jobs, equally maintained that the concession of the
ternational airports across the country. airports would generate higher economic value and open the
The Chinese and Nigerian governments had in sector for more investment.
2013 entered into a loan deal of $500 million to build four new But aviation workers under the aegis of the National Associa-
airport terminals for four Nigerian airports at the Murtala Mu- tion of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, (NAAPE), Association of
hammed International Airport, Lagos, Nnamdi Azikwe Interna- Nigeria Aviation Professionals, (ANAP), National Union of Air
tional Airport, Abuja, Malam Aminu Kano International Airport Transport Employees, (NUATE), and the Air Transport Services
and Port Harcourt International Airport. Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, (ATSSSAN) say the move
The huge financial deal signed during the tenure of Princess is ill-motivated. They have vowed to frustrate the concession
Stella Oduah as the Minister of Aviation was for the remodel- plan.
ing of the airports terminals which before then had become According to the unions: “We totally reject the concession
so dilapidated that they fell below the standard of being re- because it is not transparent. If the four viable airports are
garded as international airports for a country of over 200 mil- concessioned, the remaining 18 airports will die because these
lion people. four airports sustain the other airports. It is a disaster waiting
Under the agreement, China was expected to offer the loan to happen and definitely jobs will be lost. The Lagos airport
of $400 million at 2.5 per cent interest rate, while the Nigerian alone can sustain the 22 airports so why the concession?”.
government was to pay a counterpart fee of $100 million for While the cat and mouse relationship between the minister
a project scheduled to run between 12 and 18 months then. and the aviation unions continue with the government still re-
Seven year after the deal was signed, while passengers have fusing to shift ground amidst the obvious flaws, the latest un-
been enjoying the new terminals at Abuja and Port Harcourt certainty of the Mezzanine Clause has further tainted the con-
airports, the remodeling of Lagos and Kano airports is yet to cession plan as a policy that once again put a question mark
be completed. on the credibility of the government in terms of respecting
It is not yet clear to many key players in the sector if the loan agreements.
has been fully repaid or not, even as controversy has continued Investigations have revealed that the status of the $500 mil-
to reign over the government’s plan to concession the four air- lion loan is not clear to many across the sector even as it has
ports in question, which key players fear may become another been revealed that the loan at a point increased due to logistics
good financial deal gone awry. reasons with key players calling for investigations to unravel
Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation
Following the latest events that have and are still unfolding the actual position of things.
with regards to the concession plans, fears are being nursed tures of debt and equity financing that provides lenders the Suggesting how the loan could be repaid if not yet fully re-
that any efforts to go ahead with the plan without the full pay- right to convert its loan into equity in case of a default (only paid, the Managing Director of Centurion Aviation Security,
ment of the loan as signed between Nigeria and China, may after other senior debts are paid off). Group Captain John Ojikutu (retired), said the recovery or the
transfer the management of the four airports to China to en- The latest alert raised over the Mezzanine Clause and the repayment of the $500 million Chinese loan should not be a
able it recover its money. insistence of the federal government through the minister of problem for FAAN if the landing and parking charges and the
Many of the key players who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, to go ahead with the concession passengers service charges (PSC) on the international flights
alerted the government to an analysis of the way the East Afri- plan has elicited criticisms across the sector with many calling and passengers alone for only two years are tasked.
can countries which defaulted in the payment of similar loans for the stoppage of the concession on the premise that such His words: before the COVID-19, the average passengers
were treated by the Chinese investors. plans may lead to the application of the Mezzanine Clause by traffic on the international route had been between five mil-
According to the head of administration and human resourc- China. lion and 2.5 million through where FAAN could have earned
es at 7Star Hangar, an aircraft maintenance firm at the Lagos Aside the Mezzanine Clause and with the clear status of the $125 million from the $50 per passenger charge. COVID-19
airport, Mr Ayuba Kyari: “As regards the loans from the Chinese loan shrouded in secrecy, the airport workers led by the avia- could have dropped the outbound to 1.5 million and the new
firms, Nigeria should have taken a deep analysis of the way the rate would retain the FAAN earnings on PSC to $150 million
East African countries were treated by the Chinese investors in one year or $300 million in two years. Similarly, there are
and secure such loans very well. about 40,000 international flights annually; that too could have
“Furthermore, depending on how we secured these loans, dropped by 50 per cent to 20,000 in a year or 40,000 in two
especially what was used as guarantee for the loans. If the air- years. The average charges on landing and parking for each
ports were used, then it would be difficult to concession the flight is about $5,000 or $200 million. These earnings do not
airports. But if it was only the projects that were financed by include earnings on all the domestic flights.
the loans, the investors will not allow such projects to be con- “Whatever clause is hanging, except we have decided to pro-
cessioned.” Following the latest events that have long the dying day. The loan is $500 million not $500 billion,
The tension over the confused concession further became and still unfolding with regards $50 billion or N5 billion. The loan should or can be offset be-
aggravated with the latest feelers spreading through the sec- fore the expiration of this administration from the earnings on
tor over the ‘Mezzanine Clause’ synonymous with such deals in to the concession plans, fears are the international flights and passengers alone. By the way, ad-
all Chinese sponsored infrastructure including the ones in the being nursed that any efforts to go ditional money can and should be obtained from the Bilateral
country’s aviation sector. There are fears that the clause may Air Service Agreements (BASA) fund to augment the earnings
be evoked if Nigeria fails to fully comply with the terms of the ahead with the plan without the for the repayment within a year to two years except there are
loan. full payment of the loan as signed other factors.”
The Mezzanine clause allows China to take over the financed between Nigeria and China, may As controversy over the concession plans rages with the
infrastructure projects should Nigeria or any affected country minister assuring that workers not required by the probable
default in payment. In other words, if Nigeria should default in transfer the management of the four concessionaire would be allowed to return to FAAN, the gov-
paying back such loans at the agreed time, China would seize airports to China to enable it recover ernment is however silent on the status of the $500 million
the infrastructure, administer it and recover its investment. Chinese loan and the uncertainty over the Mezzanine Clause
Mezzanine financing is a kind of financing that has both fea- its money. and its subsequent impact on the concession plan.
14 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
Monday,
23 november, 2020

capital market with Kehinde Akinseyinde-Jayeoba m: 08057336640 e:[email protected]

Stanbic IBTC
UBA grows earnings to N454.4bn embraces Pension
Transfer Window as
•Bank’s model provides sufficient resilience —CEO AUM hits N3.5trn
Stories by Kehinde Plc, Kennedy Uzoka, said, “In spite of impacted, and donated generously reserve for impaired loans, which STANBIC IBTC Pension Manag-
ers has expressed its enthusiasm

U
Akinseinde -Jayeoba | Lagos the current turbulence in the operat- to governments and communities to should help moderate the need for
ing environment, occasioned by the help catalyse a comprehensive pan- further reserves later in the year. towards the official launch of the
NITED Bank for Africa global pandemic, we have continued African response to the fight against NPL ratio and cost-of-risk settled at Retirement Savings Account trans-
(UBA) Plc, the Pan African to record significant progress in our the COVID-19 Pandemic.” 5.2 per cent (5.3 per cent in FY 2019) fer system, just as the assets under
financial institution, has business segments. Notably, our in- Speaking on the expectations and 0.64 per cent (0.9 per cent in FY management (AUM of the compa-
announced commend- novative financial inclusion proposi- for the rest of the year, Uzoka said, 2019) respectively. ny hits N3.5 trillion.
able performance in its tions have helped us moderate cost- “whilst the outlook for the rest of “As we deploy rigorous balance Eric Fajemisin, Chief Executive,
unaudited 2020 Third Quarter Finan- of-funds to 3.2 per cent, as low-cost 2020 is expected to remain challeng- sheet management strategies to pro- Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers re-
cial Results, with impressive growth deposits, which accounts for 76.2 per ing, our diversified model provides tect our margins, we will sustain cost vealed at a media parley held virtu-
in Gross Earnings, which rose to cent of our customer deposits grew sufficient resilience, enabling us to discipline to push cost-to-income ally, while noting that the company
N454.4 billion, up from N428.7billion 40.8 per cent by the end of the third continue to delight our customers ratio to our desired sub-60 per cent was well prepared to welcome new
recorded in September 2019. quarter. Our Direct Sales Agents, with innovative banking products target in the short-term. The Group customers.
According to the report filed with Agency Banking Network, and Digi- within our robust risk management continues to target 15 per cent loan Fajemisin restated the company’s
the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), tal Banking propositions have posi- framework.” growth, a NIM of >6.0% and ROE of commitments towards ensuring a
UBA reported a Profit Before Tax of tioned us at the forefront of financial Also throwing more light on the >16% for the 2020 financial year, but healthy retirement, noting that as a
N90.4 billion compared to N98.2 bil- inclusion across geographies where Bank’s financial performance and targets remain subject to the evolu- leader in the pensions industry, the
lion recorded at the end of the third we operate,” Uzoka stated. position, the Group CFO, Ugo Nwag- tion of the COVID-19 pandemic and company had awaited the Transfer
quarter of 2019. Similarly, the Bank He pointed out that during the pe- hodoh said: “we achieved substan- its implications on the operating en- Window because of its importance
recorded a Profit After Tax of N77.1 riod under review, the Bank was able tial growth in the underlying busi- vironment”, the GCFO explained. in driving choice and ensuring that
billion, thus putting its annualised to provide support to customers ness, having grown loans by 15.6 per The Bank continues to maintain a customers can demand optimal
return on average equity at 16.4 across its footprint, assisting them cent to N2.4 trillion and deposits by very strong balance sheet, with To- service delivery and long-term, effi-
per cent. Operating income also im- to navigate the negative impact that 35.7 per cent to N5.2 trillion within tal Assets of N7.1 trillion, a 26 per cient management of their pension
proved by 10.4 per cent year-on-year Covid-19 pandemic has had on live- the period as interest and fee in- cent increase over the N5.6 trillion contributions.
to close at N293.7 billion, up from lihoods, businesses and social life, come from loans settled at N172.9 recorded at the end of December He explained that the Transfer
N265.9 billion achieved in the corre- adding that “since March 2020, we billion and N8.9billion respectively. 2019. UBA benefitted largely from its Window offered a unique opportu-
sponding period of 2019. have provided transaction fee waiv- “Credit impairment charges in- technology-led initiatives targeted at nity for contributors in the Contribu-
Commenting on the results, the ers to customers, rescheduled loans creased by N4.8 billion YoY to improving customer experience over tory Pension Scheme (CPS) to move
Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA where business cashflows have been N11.5billion, providing adequate the past few years. from one Pension Fund Administra-
tor (PFA) to another, while adding
that the window was one aspect of
Parent company buys the pension Reform Act 2004, that
additional shares of was amended in 2014 and has now
been implemented by the National
Nestle Nigeria Pensions Commission (PenCom).
NESTLÉ Nigeria Plc, has notified the
investing community through the
Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE) that Tetra Pak launches
its parent company, Nestlé S.A.-
has acquired 331,045 additional
2020 Sustainability
units of its ordinary shares, worth Report
N463.46 million over two transac- •Highlights commitment to
tions in a week. food, people and futures
According to Insiders dealing
report submitted to the Nigerian TETRA Pak published its 2020 Sus-
Stock Exchange (NSE), signed by tainability Report, celebrating
the Company’s Secretary, Bode the many ways the company has
Ayeku Nestlé S.A acquired the ad- worked to protect food, people and
ditional 331,045 units of Nestlé Ni- futures in the past year. An annual
geria Plc shares over two transac- tradition since 1999, this year’s re-
tions, at an average share price of port is especially poignant amid a
N1400 per share. global pandemic, while the world’s
This put the total consider- From left, Mr Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), The Nigerian Stock Exchange; Mr Bode Ayeku, President and Chair- focus on planet and the environ-
ation for the shares purchased man of Governing Council, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN); and Mrs. Taiwo Ganiyat ment is being challenged.
by the parent company at Olusesi, Registrar/CEO, ICSAN at the 2020 conference, luncheon and awards of ICSAN in Lagos, recently. “The pandemic has changed
N463,463,000.00. how we live and work, giving even
The purchase of the shares of deeper meaning to our promise to
Nestlé Nigeria further cements
Nestlé S.A’s position as the major-
Q3: Zenith Bank increases PAT protect what’s good,” said Aruna
Oshiokamele, MD Tetra Pak Nigeria
ity shareholder of the company.
In line with the information con- to N159.3bn “Now more than ever, we remain
steadfast in our commitment to
tained in the financial statements ZENITH Bank, in the financial state- Revenue from the branches of the N107.3 billion in the same time of protect food, protect people and
of the company as of 30th Septem- ments released today, declared a financial institution in other African 2019 helped the net interest income protect the future of the planet.”
ber 2020, the company had exactly profit before tax of N177.3 billion as countries contributed N53.9 billion, to close higher at N225.2 billion as at Tetra Pak West Africa is focused
792,656,252 shares outstanding, against the N176.2 billion achieved higher than N53.0 billion in 2019, September 30, 2020, compared with on leading with low carbon circu-
with Nestlé S.A being the major- in the same period of last year. Also, while Europe accounted for N17.8 N214.6 billion in the corresponding lar economy solutions, focusing on
ity shareholder with 525,537,201 the profit after tax increased to billion, lower than N18.0 billion a period of last year. increasing the use of responsibly
units, representing 66.30 per cent N159.3 billion from N150.7 billion, year ago. Also, the trading income in- sourced renewable materials, re-
of the total shares of the company while the earnings per share (EPS) In the period under review, the creased to N89.8 billion from N66.9 ducing the water and energy us-
outstanding. improved to N5.07 from N4.80. interest income reduced to N318.8 billion as the other income jumped age of equipment, and increasing
Hence, with the previous pur- On the topline, according to the billion from N321.9 billion, mainly to N24.6 billion from N16.1 billion capacity to recycle used beverage
chase of 214,924 additional units results, the gross earnings increased because of earnings from treasury as a result of the loan recoveries of cartons.”
on November 10 and the recent to N509.0 billion from N491.3 bil- bills and this was due to low yield en- N2.6 billion, which was not there Speaking at the launch Rodney
331,045 units acquired by the par- lion, with the Nigerian operations vironment in Nigeria. last year as well as the N891 million Reynders, GMEA Cluster leader, Sus-
ent company, Nestlé S.A’s owner- contributing N441.6 billion to the However, the lower interest ex- from the gain on disposal of equity tainability said ‘Sustainability has
ship percentage of Nestlé Nigeria is figures, higher than the N425.8 bil- pense of N93.6 billion in the first nine investment, which was also absent long been at the heart of our busi-
now put at 66.37 per cent.. lion last year. months of this year as against the in 2019. ness Strategy and our operations
27 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
Monday,
23 november, 2020

MONEY market with Chima Nwokoji m: 08032637535 e:chimatitus@yahoo,com

CBN Exchange Rates as at 11/20/2020 NIBOR as @ Thursday, November 18, 2020 Treasury Bills as @ Friday, November 19, 2020
Currency
SWISS FRANC
Buying(NGN)
415.8894
Central(NGN) Selling(NGN)
416.4381 416.9867
Tenor
O/N
Rate (%) Change (%)
1.0000 0.00
Maturity Discount Yield
NTB 31-Dec-20 0.05
NTB 14-Jan-21 0.06
0.05
0.06
(%)
0.00
0.00
Weekly Review
US DOLLAR
POUNDS
379
503.1983
379.5 380
503.8622 504.526
1M
3M
0.2525 0.00
0.2705 0.00
NTB 28-Jan-21 0.06 0.06 0.00 MONEY MARKET
6M 0.3186 0.00
NTB 11-Feb-21 0.07
NTB 25-Feb-21 0.07
0.07
0.07
0.00
0.00
THE Nigeria Treasury True Yield (NITTY) continued its
EURO 450.0246 450.6183 451.212
SWISS FRANC 415.7525 416.301 416.8495 FGN Bonds as @ Friday, November 19, 2020
southward trek – and briefly fell in the negative zone for
NITTY as @ Thursday, November 18, 2020 Description Price Yield Change (%) most maturities last week.
YEN 3.6509 3.6557 3.6605 Tenor Rate (%) Change (%)
CFA 0.6645 0.6745 0.6845 1M -0.0064 0.09 12.402 FGNSB 12-DEC-2020 100.75 0.04 0.00 Dealers from Cowry Assets Management Limited said
WAUA 538.7171 539.4278 540.1385
3M -0.0137 0.07 12.738 FGNSB 13-DEC-2020 100.80 0.04 0.00
that amid sustained demand for short term treasury bills.
6M 0.0268 0.07 12.125 FGNSB 16-JAN-2021 101.87 0.06 0.00
Yields for 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months
YUAN/RENMINBI 57.7031 57.7797 57.8563 9M 0.1498 0.17
maturities fell to 0.01 per cent (from 0.21 per cent), 0.06
12.098 FGNSB 17-JAN-2021 101.90 0.06 0.00

RIYAL 101.0532 101.1865 101.3198 12M 0.0870 0.06 12.050 FGNSB 13-FEB-2021 102.77 0.07 0.00
per cent (from 0.49 per cent), 0.14 per cent (from 0.38 per
cent) and 0.15 per cent (from 0.24 per cent), respectively.
Meanwhile, treasury bills worth N269.43 billion which
matured via the Open Market Operation (OMO), as against
the N70 billion worth of auctioned OMO bills, resulted in a
financial system liquidity ease – in the absence of auction
of T-bills at the primary market.
Hence, sealers saw a boost in the financial system liquid-
ity and a resultant drop in Nigeria Interbank Offered Rate
(NIBOR) for most tenor buckets.
NIBOR for 1 month, 3 months and 6 months plummeted
to 0.33 per cent (from 0.50 per cent), 0.79 per cent (from
0.93 per cent) and 0.56 per cent (from 1.71 per cent), re-
spectively.
However, NIBOR for overnight funds rose to 2.50 per
cent (from 1.00 per cent).
In the new week, T-bills worth N273.65 billion will ma-
ture via the primary market which will offset T-bills worth
N150.59 billion to be auctioned via the primary market;
viz: 91-day bills worth N20.37 billion, 182-day bills worth
N19.15 billion and 364-day bills worth N111.07 billion.

FOREX MARKET
IN the just concluded week, Naira depreciated against
the US Dollar at the Bureau De Change (BDC) and paral-
lel (“black”) markets by 3.04 per cent and 2.13 per cent,
respectively, to close at N474/$ and N480/$ respectively.
However, the Naira appreciated at the Investors and Ex-
porters Window by 0.04 per cent to close at N385.83/$
Godwin Emefiele, Herbert Wigwe, amid rising crude oil prices at the international market.
CBN gov CEO, Access Bank Similarly, NGN/$ closed flat at N381/$ at the Interbank
Foreign Exchange market amid weekly injections of $210

5 banks record N2trn gross million by CBN into the forex market.
According to dealers, $100 million was allocated to
Wholesale Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS),

earnings in 9 months $55 million was allocated to Small and Medium Scale
Enterprises and $55 million was sold for Invisibles. Else-
where, the Naira/US Dollar exchange rate appreciated for
Stories by Chima Nwokoji erating the enlarged franchise by non-interest income which cial institutions in the industry most of the foreign exchange forward contracts: 1 month,

F
| Lagos and an increase in net impair- grew by 11 per cent to N173 recorded growth in its top and 2 months, 3 months and 6 months rates fell by 0.13 per
ment charge, Profit Before Tax billion from N157 billion re- bottom-line earnings as well cent, 0.14 per cent, 0.15 per cent and 0.20 per cent, re-
IVE top Deposit Money (PBT) stood at N116.6 billion. corded at the end of Q3 2019, as witnessing a bulking up of spectively, to close at N385.59/$, N385.78/$, N386.08/$
Banks (DMB) namely: Customer deposits also grew reflecting the group’s increas- its statement of financial posi- and N386.11/$, respectively.
Access Bank Plc, United by 24 per cent year to date ingly diversified business mod- tion. However, the 12 months forward contract rose by 0.20
Bank for Africa Plc, Ze- (YTD) to N5.26 trillion in Sep- el. The group’s Profit Before Gross earnings grew by 3.61 per cent to close at N388.12/$; while the spot rate closed
nith Bank Plc, Guaranty tember 2020 with strong sav- Tax (PBT) rose marginally to per cent, from N117.15 billion flat at N381.00/$.
Trust Bank and Union Bank ings account deposits of N1.23 N177 billion at the end of Q3 to N121.38 billion
Plc have surprised the market trillion. 2020, representing a one per Profit before tax for the BOND MARKET
with cumulative gross earnings United Bank for Africa Plc re- cent growth over the N176 bil- group declined by 1.34 per THE Debt Management Office (DMO) sold federal govern-
record of over N2 trillion in corded gross earnings of N454 lion posted in the correspond- cent from N15.64 billion to ment of Nigeria (FGN) bonds worth N80.00 billion at the
nine months in 2020. billion which is a six per cent ing period last year. N15.44 billion in nine months primary market auction, viz: 15-year, 12.50 per cent FGN
This is contained in their vari- growth from N429 billion in Guaranty Trust Bank Plc re- 2020, just as profit after tax March 2035 paper worth N40.00 billion and 25-year, 9.80
ous third quarter (Q3) 2020 the previous quarter. leased its Q3 2020 unaudited declined by 0.81 per cent per cent FGN July 2045 bond worth N40.00 billion, respec-
unaudited results for the peri- It recorded an eight per cent results for the period ended from N15.64 billion in the cor- tively.
od ended September 30, 2020. decline in profit before tax to September 30, 2020. responding period in 2019 to Surprisingly, stop rates moved in mixed directions for the
The banks delivered strong N90.4 billion as well as profit Key highlights show that N15.44 billion. two maturities auctioned: while the stop rate for 15-year
top-line figures despite a chal- after tax decline of 5.5 per cent gross earnings grew by 1.3 per Total assets grew signifi- bonds rose to 5.00 per cent (from 4.97 per cent), that of
lenging and fast-changing to N77.1 billion. cent to N328 billion from N324 cantly by 24.13 per cent from 25-year further mellowed to 5.79 per cent (from 6.00 per
macro and banking landscape, The bank’s net assets grew billion in the previous quarter. N1.80 trillion in nine months cent). Also, the values of FGN bonds traded at the second-
occasioned by the COVID-19 by 9.6 per cent from N598 bil- Profit before tax declined by 2019 to N2.24 trillion in nine ary market moved in mixed directions.
pandemic and the consequent lion to N655 billion. 1.9 per cent to N167 billion, months 2020. Specifically, the 5-year, 14.50 per cent FGN July 2021
decline in oil price. Similarly, another top lender, just as profit after tax declined PBT for nine months 2020 bond and the 10-year, 16.29 per cent FGN March 2027
Access Bank recorded gross Zenith Bank Plc announced its by 3.2 per cent to N142 billion. slumped by 1.34 per cent from debt lost N0.31 and N1.05 respectively; their corre-
earnings of N592.8 billion unaudited results with gross The lender’s net assets grew N15.64 billion in nine months sponding yields rose to 0.23 per cent (from 0.18 per
(+15% y/y), on the back of a earnings rising by four per cent by 9.9 per cent from N687 bil- 2019 to N15.44 billion in nine cent) and 3.77 per cent (from 3.66 per cent) respec-
100 per cent year on year (y/y) to N509 billion from N491 bil- lion to N756 billion. months 2020. tively.
growth in non-interest income lion posted in the same period The advent of COVID-19 According to the bank, the However, the 7-year, 13.53 per cent FGN March 2025
to N217.5 billion, buttressing in the previous year. pandemic created a challeng- marginal decline in PBT was note and the 20-year, 16.25 per cent FGN April 2037 paper
the effectiveness of its strategy According to the unaudited ing operating environment for driven by a 0.34per cent in- appreciated by N0.54 and N1.83 respectively; their corre-
and capacity to generate sus- account which was presented the banking industry, however, crease in operating expenses sponding yields fell to 2.24 per cent (from 2.38 per cent)
tainable revenue. to the Nigerian Stock Exchange Union Bank of Nigeria Plc one despite the 1.86per cent in- and 5.00 per cent (from 5.10 per cent) respectively.
Despite the high cost of op- (NSE), this growth was driven of the longest-standing finan- crease in operating income.
28 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
Monday,
23 november, 2020

money market
CBN clarifies destination payment for Form Allow Naira to
float, find its
root, Agbakoba
M, letters of credit, other forms of payment advocates
THE Senior Partner at OlisaAg-
Stories by Chima Nwokoji M, letters of credit, and other by its Director for Trade and party selling the goods to it is unavoidable that an im- bakoba Legal and cerebral Se-
nior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN),

T
| Lagos forms of payment should be Exchange, Dr. O. S. Nnaji. the importer, irrespective of porter chooses to use a buy-
made directly to the ‘Ulti- The circular is a follow up to whether the party involved ing company, other than the Dr.OlisaAgbakoba has called
HE Central Bank of mate Supplier of Products’; the one earlier issued by the is the manufacturer or inter- primary manufacturer, the on Nigeria’s monetary au-
Nigeria (CBN), in a it gave conditions that must apex bank on the same sub- nationally recognized buying importer shall make available thorities to allow the Naira ex-
new circular, has be met by importers if they ject matter in August 2020. company/supplier/agent. the following documents as change rate to be determined
clarified its position choose to use a buying com- According to CBN’s earlier The circular from CBN applicable, for consideration by market forces so that it will
on the removal of pany other than the primary directive, the name of the ul- states that the authorized and approval by the CBN be- find its true value.
third parties from buying manufacturer. timate supplier of products dealers should ensure that fore opening Form M. According to him, when the
of foreign exchange routed This was disclosed in a cir- should be the beneficiary on payments are made only to “All authorized dealers are naira was exchanging at N305
through Form M, letters of cular with reference number the Form M, invoice, bill of ex- the beneficiary whose name to ensure that the list of eli- to dollar, he suggested that it
credit, and other forms of TED/FEM/FPC/GEN/01/009, change, letter of credit instru- appears on the Form M, in- gible third parties that meet should be allowed to market
payment. which was issued by the CBN ment, and any other relevant voice, bill of exchange, letter the requirements above are forces, but today it is about
While reiterating its ear- to all authorized dealers and document to the transaction. of credit instrument and any submitted to the bank for au- N480 to the dollar with all the
lier directive that destina- the general public on No- The ‘Ultimate Supplier of other relevant document. thentication before onboard- defense from the authorities.
tion payment for all forms vember 18, 2020, and signed Products’ means the direct It further states that where ing,” it stated. Allowed to market forces,
Agbakoba said, it might hit
N600 to a dollar, but it will
Unity Bank come down like the SIM cards
grows assets that used to cost N25,000 but
base by 44% in now free.
His words: “The Central Bank
9 months of Nigeria is being forced to
defend the Naira. There is no
UNITY Bank Plc has declared
point defending the Naira be-
gross earnings of N33.906 cause if it is allowed to float,
billion for the nine months’ the real demand will come out
period ended September 30, and this will help the inflation
2020, and also recorded a 44 figures and other economic
per cent asset growth during indicators that have remained
the period. low for a number of years now.
A review of the unaudited “That is not to say that we
third quarter (Q3) 2020 re- will not cater for those who
sults released to The Nige- could not cater for them-
rian Stock Exchange showed selves.”
that the gross earnings of He, therefore, decried con-
N33.906 billion represent tinuous neglect of the poor
eight per cent growth from and vulnerable people in Ni-
N31.256 billion recorded in geria especially in budget al-
the same period in 2019. location and challenged the
The lender’s total as- Federal Government (FG)
sets rose significantly to to reduce the cost of gover-
N420.870 billion in the Tomi Somefun, nance.
Uche Ike, Executive Director, Risk Management, Agbakoba who was recently
nine-month period ended CEO, Unity Bank Government and Compliance, UBA
September 30, 2020, from appointed to head of the fed-

Compliance officers sweat as banks

eral government’s Committee
N293.052 billion in the cor-
for the Development of Na-
responding period of 2019, tional Arbitration Policy made
representing a whooping
growth of 44 per cent suffer another N226 billion in CRR debits the call during the monthly
forum of the Finance Corre-
This is even as the bank EXECUTIVE Compliance Offi- debit occurred in the week had risen by about N3.7 tril- for the top five banks are; GT spondents Association of Ni-
grew its bottom-line by six cers (ECO) and Chief Compli- ended November 20, 2020. lion relative to its level in May Bank (N59.5 billion), Zenith geria (FICAN) held in Lagos on
per cent as Profit Before Tax ance Officers (CCO) of Deposit This follows a whopping 2019, when the LDR policy Bank (N30 billion), FBN (N20 Friday.
(PBT) moved up to close at Money Banks (DMBs) are not N917.5 billion debit recorded was introduced. The outlook billion), Access (N18 billion), Speaking on the topic: ‘Dis-
N1.710 billion from N1.611 finding it easy as their various a month ago. for credit to the economy and UBA (N10 billion). cussion with Agbakoba on
billion in 2019. institutions keep suffering In its September monetary remains positive given that CBN had earlier increased 2021 budget and the econo-
Profit After Tax (PAT) equal- regulatory penalties. policy communique, the bank these policies are still in place the CRR in January by five my,’ the former president of
ly grew by six per cent to The latest is that some lend- claimed its policy measures and, importantly, that the per cent to 27.5 per cent to the Nigerian Bar Association
N1.573 billion compared to ers have again collectively suf- have led to increased lending banking industry continues to address monetary-induced gave an instance of the current
the N1.482 billion recorded fered a debit of N226 billion in the economy, emphasizing be resilient.” inflation, whilst retaining the American budget with 50 per
in the same period in 2019. in compliance with the Cash the need to double down on Records show that out of benefits from it’s LDR policy. cent allocation to benefits.
Reserve Requirements (CRR) it. the N226 billion debited for CRR is a specified minimum He wondered why there is
This performance comes
fixed by the Central Bank of “The Differentiated Cash November 2020; top five fraction of the total deposits no such allocation meant for
on the heels of the unmiti- Nigeria (CBN). Reserves Requirement banks in Nigeria bore the big- of customers, which com-
gated impact of the global the aged, vulnerable people
The responsibility of ECOs (DCRR) and the minimum gest brunt, with a combined mercial banks have to hold in the country’s budget. The
pandemic on the economy, and CCOs of deposit money Loan-to-Deposit Ratio (LDR), debit of N137.5 billion, imply- as reserves either in cash or
which lingered throughout country according to him is
banks is to ensure that the have ensured a significant ing that the top five banks ac- as deposits with the central structurally damaged and it
the quarter with its atten- banks comply at all times to stream of credit to the real counted for 60.8 per cent of bank. CRR is set according to can only be fixed by massive
dant headwinds that slowed regulatory guidelines. economy. As of end-August the total debit for this month. the guidelines of the central political and economic rejuve-
down economic activities Industry sources said the 2020, aggregate bank credit The breakdown of the debit bank of a country. nation.

Sterling Bank launches SWAY-AgFin

STERLING Bank Plc has Group Head, Agric Finance businesses in Nigeria with an ing that the opportunity will ness financing, noting that has not only restricted access
launched a new product, and Solid Minerals Financing overall focus to impact local equip beneficiaries with the Sterling Bank’s various inter- to sufficient and nutritious
Sterling Women and Youths for Sterling Bank, who dis- production, improve employ- requisite knowledge and ventions within the sector sources of food but has also
in Agriculture Finance code- closed this in a statement in ability for young entrepre- skills in financial manage- “have been made possible slowed down cash flow to
named SWAY-AgFin. Lagos, explained that SWAY- neurs and ultimately grow ment and good agricultural with the support of part- farmers and food suppliers.
The product is meant to AgFin was designed by Ster- the economy. practices while generating ners such as the MasterCard There has also been a short-
provide low-cost financing ling Bank in collaboration Awosanya noted that direct and indirect employ- Foundation.” age of labour for production,
at single-digit rates to young with MasterCard Founda- the SWAY-AgFin offering is ment. The Group Head said, harvest and post-harvest ac-
men and women entrepre- tion. available to entrepreneurs She also added that the “SWAY AgFin has become tivities. All of these have re-
neurs in the agribusiness val- She added that the facility who are earnestly seeking SWAY-AgFin offering is a tes- imperative because the ef- sulted in higher costs of food
ue chain across the country. has a maximum tenor of two to scale the output of their tament of the bank’s continu- fect of disruptions caused by prices and disruptions in crop
Mrs Bukola Awosanya, years and aims to grow agri- agribusiness offerings, add- ing commitment to agribusi- the coronavirus pandemic production cycles.
30 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
MONday,
23 noveMBER, 2020

politicsnews
2023 Presidency: APC govs’ meeting with Jonathan sparks controversy
•Govs’ visit is APC’s apology over power-grabbing lies — PDP
•Jonathan’s visit: PDP obviously rattled, disoriented —APC

T
Kunle Oderemi and Leon Usigbe But in an official reaction on Sunday, the
PDP said that the visit amounted to an apol-
he surprise visit made on Friday ogy by the APC to the opposition party for ly-
night by the leaders of the ruling All ing in the desperate move to grab power.
Progressives Congress (APC) to for- According to a statement by the national
mer President Goodluck Jonathan publicity secretary of the PDP, Kola Olog-
at his residence in Abuja triggered a bondiyan, the visit affirms the success of the
stir in the major political camps, resulting in at PDP while in government in the country for
least four possible theories as the buildup to 16 years.
the2023 presidential race begins to crystalise. “The visit, which is a clear endorsement
The visit, which coincided with the 63rd of the acceptability of the PDP administra-
birthday of Jonathan, who governed Nigeria tion, also indicates that the APC, in 2015, only
from 2009 to 2015, was led by representa- created artificial symbols of misgovernance,
tives of major tendencies in the APC. corruption and other alleged misgivings just
They are generally regarded as close politi- to discredit our party and grab the levers of
cal allies and associates of former Lagos State power to achieve their selfish desires.
governor, Senator Bola Tinubu. “It is evident that the Jonathan administra-
Jonathan has been featuring prominently tion succeeded in office basically because our
in the public space through collaborating and party understands the nuances of our nation,
handling of international engagements on be- which we translated into people-oriented pol-
half of the Federal Government, especially in icies and programmes, in line with the mani-
dispute resolutions in parts of Africa and the festo of our party, to make life comfortable for
world. Nigerians.
He led the African Union Election Monitor- “This visit to Jonathan by the APC gover-
ing delegations to Mozambique and Tanzania, nors is a direct acceptance of the successes
as well as West African envoys to Mali to meet recorded by our party in building a strong na-
with the leaders of the coup that ousted Pres- tion with a virile economy that was rated as
ident Ibrahim Boubacar Keita from power. Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with former President Goodluck Jonathan during their
visit to his private residence in Abuja last Friday. one of the fastest growing economies of the
The collaboration of the former president world.
with the Nigerian government is in spite of to be averse to and kicking against any over- Some also contend that the ongoing dis- “The visit is, therefore, a subtle step by APC
the initial umbrage that characterised the tures to Jonathan on the subject matter, just creet political manoeuvring should be ration- governors into the corridors of the PDP in
relationship between administration of Presi- as there are indications of a disquiet in the alised on the imperative of a bridge-builder in agreement that our party holds the solution
dent Buhari and the camp of his predecessor. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as it battles the country because of the prevalent parlous to the myriads of problems brought to our na-
Last Friday evening, the APC governors, with whether to retain its presidential ticket times, gulf and disparate positions of groups tion by their APC and President Muhammadu
led by Mai Mala Buni, governor of Yobe State for the next election in the North. and individuals on issues of national cohesion Buhari.
and acting national chairman of the APC, with Another theory already thrown up by the and stability. “The PDP, therefore, receives the visit by
other party stalwarts met with Jonathan fu- APC governors’ visit to Jonathan is the per- The groups are involved in different issues APC governors as an apology by the APC to
eling wide-ranging speculations bordering on ceived need to assuage the South-South over and campaigns which many observers believe our party and Nigerians over the lies, beguile-
the next political dispensation. . the circumstances that led to the exit of Jona- tend to undermine national oneness, due to ments and other irresponsible allegations de-
Other members of the entourage include than from power more than five years ago. perceived gross injustice and lack of fair deal ployed by the APC to grab power, only to lead
the governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, Coupled with this was said to be the ne- in the Nigerian project in recent times. our nation on a journey to nowhere.”
who has just dumped the PDP for the APC; cessity to appreciate Jonathan for his display They cited the outcry over imbalance in The party urged Nigerians to be wary of
his Kebbi State counterpart, Atiku Bagudu, of brinkmanship, statesmanship and sports- federal appointments, allocation of resourc- the antics of the APC that had failed in gover-
and chairman of the Progressives Gover- manship after it became apparent that he es, distribution of key projects and signs of nance and the management of its own affairs.
nors’ Forum; Abubakar Badaru, governor of had lost the 2015 presidential election and nepotism. “For us in the PDP, the unity, stability, prog-
Jigawa State; as well as a former President of conceded defeat even before the Indepen- There are, however, concerns in other ress and development of our dear nation
the Senate, Chief ken Nnamani and a former dent National Electoral Commission (INEC) political quarters that the olive branch and remain paramount and as such, we will not
presidential liaison officer to the National As- officially announced the results. Greek gift from a section of the largely north- allow the failed APC and its pranksters, who
sembly, Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim-Imam. There is also the thinking in some circles ern political establishment could be a ploy to have betrayed the trust of Nigerians, to mis-
Shortly after the governorship poll in Bay- that the Jonathan/APC leaders’ agenda could divide the South and weaken its collective will lead them once again,” the party stated.
elsa in December 2019, Governors Bagudu be designed at achieving a paradigm shift in to build on a consensus over the succession
and Badaru made a similar visit to the former the political space by tactically cleaning up contest in 2023. Jonathan’s visit: PDP obviously rattled, dis-
president at his residence in Otuoke, Bayelsa the political arena by paving the way for a Those who belong to such school of oriented —APC
State to appreciate him for his support in the new political order based on contemporary thought corroborated their argument with The All Progressives Congress (APC) has de-
victory of David Lyon, the APC candidate in realities within and outside the country. the emergent struggle and rivalry among the scribed the outcry by the Peoples Democratic
the 2019 governorship election in the state. In other words, a number of politicians, be- three political zones in the southern part of Party (PDP) over its visit to former President
Lyon was eventually sacked by the Su- lieved to be holding the nation’s political hos- the country for the presidency in the next po- Goodluck Jonathan as showing that the op-
preme Court while Douye Diri of the PDP was tage could be tactically eased out and allow a litical dispensation. position is rattled and disoriented.
declared winner of the election. gradual evolution of focused leadership with The Igbo believe that it should be their turn Contained in a series of tweets credited
altruistic mission and vision emerge. to produce the president as it is the only ma- to deputy National Publicity Secretary of the
Buhari, Northern governors’ birthday The feeling is that the political process and jor and dominant ethnic nationality that is yet APC, Yekini Nabena, on Sunday, the party
messages system had, for too long, been ridden with to occupy the post since Nigeria restored civil asked the PDP and its leadership to rather fo-
The visit also came on the heels of a congrat- gross abuse, corruption and impunity, result- rule on May 29, 1999 after a prolonged mili- cus on picking up from its crisis of confidence.
ulatory message from the Northern Governors ing into unending seamless tension and injus- tary interregnum. Describing the PDP as a failed opposition,
Forum to Jonathan on his birthday, in which he tice in the land. Thus, leading pan-Igbo organisations such the APC, via the twitter handle, @APCNigeria,
was described as a true democrat whose “pas- The other theory in some political circles is as the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, as well as eminent said it rather remained focused on consolidat-
sion for the growth of democracy is reflected that Jonathan deserves to be appreciated by individuals from the South-East have led a ing on its national appeal and acceptance.
not only in his records while in office but also the APC — regardless of whatever perceived campaign designed to ensure the choice of a Titled, “Why is PDP rattled by APC Gover-
of his current engagements where he has trav- indiscretion and weakness he might have ex- president of an Igbo extraction in 2023. nors’ Visit to Jonathan?”, the APC said, “The
elled round the world to monitor elections and hibited in the past — because of his tacit sup- Though President Olusegun Obasanjo, who Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is obviously
also engage with stakeholders.” port that contributed in the good showing of governed from 1999 to 2007, hails from the rattled and disoriented by the recent courtesy
President Muhammadu Buhari had also, the APC during November 2019 governorship South-West, stakeholders from the zone are visit by some governors of the All Progressives
in his congratulatory message to Jonathan, poll in Bayelsa, his country home. also keen to have one of their own succeed Congress (APC) to former President Goodluck
observed that the ex-president had brought This, they claim, was notwithstanding the Buhari in office because of the massive sup- Jonathan.
honour to the country. fact that the ‘victory’ of the party’s standard- port the Yoruba gave Buhari to realise his bid “Chairman, APC Caretaker/Extraordinary
bearer, David Lyon, was later upturned by the to be president after three failed attempts in Convention Planning Committee and Gover-
What does APC want? Supreme Court on the ground of ineligibility of the past. nor of Yobe State, Mail Mala Buni led the APC
However, there seems to be no consen- the running mate of the party in that election. Before now, there were speculations about delegation.
sus among members of the powerful caucus The argument in other quarters is that Jon- governors, ministers, serving senators and “At a time when the PDP and its leadership
within the corridors of power on what many athan appears to have reflected on core is- other eminent politicians from the South- is grappling with the crisis of confidence, one
regard as the seeming emerging political un- sues that characterised his tenure from 2009 South and the South-East zones waiting in the would expect the failed opposition to focus
dercurrent in the fresh political understand- to 2015 and learnt some useful lessons that wings to contest the presidential race. on picking itself up.
ing and cooperation as politicians step up could serve as a veritable compass if he has “As a party for all progressives, the APC on
horse-trading ahead 2023. an opportunity to return to power through Evidence that Jonathan administration its part will continue to consolidate on its na-
Some powerful blocs in the APC are said the ballot. was a success —PDP tional appeal and acceptance.”
31 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
Monday,
23 November, 2020

politicsnews
Lagos bye-election: APC, PDP candidates reinvigorate
campaign structures

C
Bola Badmus | Lagos had on October 13 an- structures at all levels) had sary activities were going on coupled with the fcat that we had resolved to ensure vic-
nounced the new date for been reactivated for massive simultaneously because in have structures of the party tory for the PDP.
andidate of the the poll earlier scheduled to mobilisation for the poll. the district because of the in the nook and cranny of the He said that the leadership
ruling All Progres- October 31, 2020, follow- Lagos East is comprises five widespread presence of the senatorial district,” Olusanya crisis currently rocking the
sives Congress ing the #EndSARS protests Local Government Areas; 11 APC in the state. said. South-West caucus of PDP
(APC), Mr Tokunbo and the attendant security Local Council Development He promised that the party Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, would not stop Gbadamosi
Abiru and his Peo- breaches in the state. areas, 98 wards and 2957 would win the election based spokesperson of ‘Gbadamosi from winning the election.
ples Democratic Party (PDP) The seat became vacant polling units. on the record of the APC in for Senate 2020,’ while also “There is unity for that to
counterpart, Mr. Babatunde due to the death of Senator Chairman, Tokunbo Abiru infrastructural development confirming that all the cam- happen because nobody in
Gbadamosi, have revved Bayo Osinowo, representing Campaign Committee, Chief of the district under Gover- paign structures for PDP can- the party is opposed to him
their campaign structures the district in the ninth Na- Kaoli Olusanya, who doubles nor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and didate had been reactivated, (Gbadamosi). We are still
across the Lagos East senato- tional Assembly. as the APC vice- chairman for the pedigree of its candidate, assured that of victory for working hard because ev-
rial district towards gaining The campaign headquar- Lagos East, said that canvass- who, he said, would ensure Gbadamosi on December 5. erybody wants the party to
superior advantage at the ters of the candidates con- ers and mobilisers belonging quality representation in the Pearse said that leaders win at least one Senate seat
bye-election on December 5. firmed to the Nigerian Tri- to various committees, were Senate. and members of the party in Lagos so that we can rattle
The Independent National bune in separate interviews, on the field. “I am confident of victory across the state were fully the APC and its leaders,” he
Electoral Commission (INEC) stating that all the party He said that all the neces- for our candidate, Abiru, behind the candidate and said.

Ebonyi: Egwu, other leaders

not suspended — PDP
Leon Usigbe | Abuja executive in the state.
“Moreover, a check at
The national leadership of the records of our party in
the Peoples Democratic Par- Ebonyi affirms that no such
ty (PDP) has dismissed what meeting as purported in the
it observed as the mislead- said document was held to
ing publications suggest- take any such decision at
ing that some key leaders any time.
in Ebonyi State, including a “However, we have been
former Governor of Ebonyi made aware that the fabri-
state, Senator Sam Egwu cated document emanated
and 23 other leaders were from a former leader of our
suspended from the party. party in Ebonyi state who
A statement issued in left on a personal voyage
Abuja on Sunday by Kola to another party, but seeks
Ologbondiyan, national to cause confusion in the
publicity secretary stated state, having failed to pull
that no PDP leader in Eb- our leaders and members in
onyi had been suspended, his expedition.
adding that the document “It is indeed pitiable that Former President Olusegun Obasanjo exchanging greetings with Chief (Mrs) Comfort Olalonpe Akande, at the funeral service for Reverend (Dr)
purporting the suspension such individual will descend S.T Akande, at Oritamefa Baptist Church, Ibadan on Saturday. Photo: Tommy Adegbite
was fictitious and did not to the level of resorting to
emanate from the Ebonyi fabrications and calendar-
chapter of the party as sug-
gested.
doctoring in desperation for
political redemption.
Enang carpets N’Delta govs over violence in oil communities
The statement said: “For “We counsel anyone be-
Iniobong Ekponta | Uyo Some youths of oil com- Etetor, who currently lives ple”, the monarch laments,
the avoidance of doubt the hind such a publication to
munities in Ibeno, Oron, in Uyo, the state capital be- saying all entreaties for gov-
PDP does not have a state steer clear of our party and
Apparently worried by Eastern Obolo, Eket, have cause of insecurity and envi- ernment intervention failed
working committee in Eb- face the challenges already
the rising violence in oil-rich been up-in-arms against the ronmental pollution caused one after the other.
onyi state as presented by confronting him in his new
communities of Niger Del- local and international oil by gas flaring, alleged that But Enang alleged that the
the said fictitious docu- political family as well as
ta, Senior Special Assistant companies prospecting for his domain had been fouled Niger Delta governors had
ment. As such, any such the queries coming from
(SSA) to President Muham- crude in their waters with by the oil companies with- elevated politics and other
body said to have met to the people of Ebonyi state
mdu Buhari on Niger Delta attendant oil spills without out adequate development personal interest above the
arrive at any decision or any who have been betrayed by
Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, commensurate compensa- and compensation. major issues of human and
action claimed to have been his action.”
has identified challenges of tion package. “My people are living in infrastructural develop-
taken by such non-existent The PDP urged Nigerians
development as the major Recently, restive youths of hell because our source of ment, creating tension in
body is at best imaginary. to disregard the purported
cause of restiveness bedev- Ibeno shut down operations livelihood, fishing and farm- the polity.
“The public is already suspension of 24 of its lead-
iling the zone. at Qua Iboe Terminal (QIT), ing has been destroyed He claimed that apart
aware that the body vested ers in Ebonyi, as there was
Speaking in an interview in accusing an American oil gi- by the activities of the oil from the statutory alloca-
with the task of piloting the no substance in the claim.
Uyo, the state capital at the ant of deliberate marginali- companies. We have about tion from the Federation
affairs of our party in Ebonyi In the same vein, the par-
weekend, Enang, heaped sation of host communities five oil companies operat- Account, the governors had
state is the State Caretaker ty assured that its structure
the blame on the governors, in the areas of jobs and fair ing in this small commu- not been able to effectively
Committee, which has since in Ebonyi was intact and
alleging that most of the compensation for oil spill, nity of Eastern Obolo that utilised the 13 percent spe-
assumed its mandate to the that the party had become
funds drawn from the cen- gas flaring and environmen- is bounds by the Atlantic cial funds meant for the
approval and delight of the stronger, more united and
tre were not being properly tal pollutions. ocean and yet, no meaning- development of the oil-
leaders and members of our enjoying the support of the
utilised for the development The paramount ruler of ful development and proper bearing communities of the
party in Ebonyi state since people of Ebonyi state more
of the oil communities. Eastern Obolo, Chief Harry compensation to the peo- Niger Delta.
the dissolution of our state than ever before.

ANEEJ, CRPP criticise Obaseki over stoppage of NDDC projects in Edo

The African Network for Sunday, described gover- gion in the discharge of its governor, saying the “gover- we have not seen them. We On his part, the Executive
Environment and Economic nor’s decision as a disser- responsibilities. nor cannot dictate to a fed- appeal to the NDDC not to Director of ANEEJ, Reverend
Justice (ANEEJ) and the vice to the people of Edo. The governor said that the eral agency. The one that is listen to him. He should go David Ugolor, said the gov-
Coalition of Registered Po- At the weekend, Obaseki state government would ap- under his jurisdiction which to the National Assembly to ernor should adopt political
litical Parties (CRPP) have said he had ordered con- proach the court to seek an is Edo State Oil and Gas say he wants to take charge means.
criticised the decision of tractors of the NDDC to order stopping the Federal Producing Areas Develop- of NDDC so that they can According to him, “I un-
Governor. Godwin Obaseki immediately stop execut- Government agency from ment Commission (EDSOG- change the Act. There is a derstand the genuine pains
to stop the Niger Delta De- ing projects or undertaking embarking on any project in PADEC), he has not done channel of communication that the governor is feel-
velopment Commission contracts in the state. the state without the con- and he is talking about how which I think he should use ing, particularly going by
(NDDC) from executing Speaking when he re- sent of the state cxecutive to take over NDDC. and not this authoritar- the background that the
projects in Edo State. ceived the management Council. “We as Edo people are ian way he is adopting, we NDDC is associated with a
The organizations, which team of Seplat Petroleum But the chairman of CRPP, not in line with that posi- are in a democracy which lot of corruption and bad
made their positions known Company Ltd., he said that Dr Samson Isibor, con- tion. The things he said he bedrock is dialogue,” Isibor jobs that it had carried out
to newsmen in Benin on the NDDC had failed the re- demned the position of the has been doing in Edo state, stated. across the country.
 32 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
monday,
23 November, 2020

news
Ban children of public office holders from
studying abroad — ASUU

T
Hakeem Gbadamosi | Akure Coordinator, Professor Olu government appointees to ment to attend to issues “We have lost a lot of good “Having laid this founda-
Olufayo and the Federal Uni- have their wards educated in apolitically and objectively brains to more organised tion, it is shameful, irrespon-
he Academic Staff versity of Technology, Akure Nigeria public schools from to get the system running ef- and purposeful countries sible, callous, demeaning
Union of Univer- (FUTA), ASUU branch Chair- primary to tertiary level. ficiently and effectively.” over pittance paid to the and conceiting of our leaders
sities (ASUU), man, Dr Olayinka Awopetu, “Secondly, an act to com- ASUU explained that the academia in Nigeria as well to sway the public away from
Akure branch, has saying such policy would pel all political office holders, union has been on strike for as poor funding of research the truth about the very rea-
advocated a ban help to rebuild the nation’s appointees and their depen- the past eight months over and patronage of research in sons ASUU is on strike.”
on public office holders from educational and health sec- dents, prohibiting them from issues which had been ig- our universities that serve as The union said rather than
sending their children/wards tors. seeking medical intervention nored by successive govern- solution centres globally. attending to the rot in the
to study in tertiary institu- The union stated in the outside Nigeria. ments in the country, saying “Developed countries (as schools, policy makers were
tions abroad, saying such statement that “members “When these two laws the deplorable situation of so labelled) achieved this busy feeding Nigerians with
policy would reduce the dec- of the ruling class and their are enacted, perhaps we universities had grown from status through research out- lies and advising academics
adence in the nation’s edu- cohorts have their wards will gradually see the end of bad to worse since then. put from their ivory towers, to take to farming.
cational sector. schooling abroad, so they needless ASUU strikes in the “Lecture rooms are over- which is why till date, Univer- “We have read with dis-
Apart from this, the union have no commitment to end country. crowded and dilapidated, sity education and funding is may, watched with exasper-
also called on the Federal ASUU strike since political “Until such a time when students hostels deplorable, not toyed with or mocked as ation as appointed ministers
Government to compel office has become occupa- government does the need- departments are starved of we have in our dear country and technocrats of the fed-
member of the ruling class tional rather than public ser- ful, the struggle continues. operational requirements, Nigeria. eral republic feed the popu-
and their dependants from vice. “For the patriotic and physical structures are insuf- “The only voice that has lace with lies.
seeking medical intervention “Until we domesticate two hardworking Nigerian who ficient and no vote for capital consistently risen against “The scenario has become
outside Nigeria. very important practices as desires a future for his/her projects. Of a fact, the trajec- this onslaught overtime is comical as three leading
The submission of the laws in Nigeria, we may not children as well as building tory of the public universities ASUU and we shall continue government representatives
Akure zone of ASUU was get out of this doldrums and developing this nation, is negatively skewed and for to resist the intentional dec- gave three different update
contained in a statement is- -first, an act to compel all it becomes imperative that those who understand, this imation of university educa- versions to the public,” the
sued and signed by the zonal public office holders and you all call out the govern- is ominous tion in Nigeria. Union stated.

COVID-19: FDA approves

emergency use of drug Trump
received
By Wale Akinselure through a federal government
allocation program, such
Momentum continues to that the patients will not be
be gained in the fight against charged for the drug but may
COVID-19 as the Food and have to pay part of the cost of
Drug Administration (FDA) giving the intravenous.
in the United States has ap- Initial supplies will likely be
proved of the emergency use vastly outstripped by demand
of a second antibody drug to as the US has surged past
strengthen the immune sys- 12 million reported cases,
tem to fight the virus. with the country facing what
The antibody drug which health experts say will be a
is produced by Regeneron dark winter due to the uncon-
Pharmaceuticals Inc. is ad- trolled spread of the virus.
ministered to try to prevent There are also persons with
hospitalisation and worsening arguments that there is no
disease from developing in way to know whether the Re-
Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite (second right), with former chairmen of Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun patients with mild-to-moder- generon drug helped Trump
State, Mr Folarin Suraj (left), Mr Olabode Taofeek (second left) and Mr Salami Taoreed (right), during a town hall meeting in Ijebu-Ode, on Sunday. ate symptoms of COVID-19. recover noting that the US
According to CBN News, President received a host of
Blame N’Delta govs for violence in oil communities US President, Donald Trump treatments and that most
— Buhari’s aide received the antibody drug,
among others, when he was
COVID-19 patients recover on
their own.
Iniobong Ekponta | Uyo not being properly utilised for alisation of host communities But Enang explained that down with COVID-19 last Suffice it to note, however,
the development of the oil in the areas of jobs and fair the Niger Delta governors had month. that FDA regulators autho-
Apparently worried by the communities. compensation for oil spill, gas elevated politics and other The FDA allowed use of the rised the Regeneron drug, us-
glowing violence in the oil Angry youths of the ne- flaring and environmental personal interest above the drug in adults and children ing their emergency powers,
communities of Niger Delta, glected oil communities in pollutions. major issues of human and of 12 years and above who to quickly speed up the avail-
Senior Special Assistant (SSA) Ibeno, Oron, Eastern Obolo, The paramount ruler of infrastructural development weigh at least 88 pounds (40 ability of experimental drugs
to President Muhammdu Bu- Eket, have been up-in-arms Eastern Obolo, Chief Harry to the highest rung of their kilogrammes and who are at and other medical products
hari on Niger Delta Affairs, against the local and inter- Etetor, said “My people are policies and programmes, high risk of severe illness from during public health crises.
Senator Ita Enang, has iden- national oil companies pros- living in hell because our thereby creating tension in COVID-19. Emergency authorisation
tified challenges of develop- pecting for crude in their source of livelihood has been the polity. The drug is given as a one- allows use of the drug to start
ment as the major cause of waters with attendant dev- destroyed by the activities of He revealed that apart from time treatment through an while studies are continuing
restiveness bedevilling the astation by oil spills without the oil companies. We have the statutory allocation from intravenous therapy. to establish safety and effec-
zone. commensurate compensa- about five oil companies op- the Federation Account, the Early results suggest the tiveness.
Speaking in an interview in tion package. erating in this small commu- governors had not been able drug may reduce COVID-19- In normal times, the FDA re-
Uyo, the state capital at the Recently, restive youths of nity of Eastern Obolo that is to effectively utilise the 13 related hospitalisation or quires ‘substantial evidence’
weekend, Enang heaped the Ibeno had shut down oper- bound by the Atlantic Ocean per cent special funds meant emergency room visits in pa- to show that a drug is safe
blame on the governors, al- ations at Qua Iboe Terminal and yet, no meaningful devel- for the development of the tients at high risk for disease and effective, usually through
leging that most of the funds (QIT), accusing the American opment and proper compen- oil producing communities of progression. one or more large, rigorously
drawn from the centre were oil giant of deliberate margin- sation to the people.” the Niger Delta. The Regeneron drug is a controlled patient studies, but
combo of two antibodies to during public health emer-
Wike imposes 2-week curfew on Rumuoko, Rumuodomaya areas of PH enhance the chances it will
prove effective.
gencies, the agency can lower
those standards and require
‘Suyi Ayodele | South-South community. the curfew became neces- around the adjoining areas Antibodies are proteins the only that an experimental
Bureau Chief In a state wide broadcast sary after after the State of the Okoro-Nu-Odu flyover body makes to target and treatment’s potential benefits
on Sunday, the governor Security Council met and in Obio/Akpor Local Govern- help eliminate viruses. outweigh its risks.
Governor Nyesom Wike warned that government reviewed the security sit- ment Area of the state. The drugs are concentrated The emergency authorisa-
of Rivers State has imposed would not spare any efforts uation on Sunday in Port He regretted that despite versions of ones that proved tion functions like a tempo-
a 24-hour total curfew for at dealing with anyone who Harcourt. the state government’s re- best able to do this in lab and rary approval for the duration
two weeks on the entire decided to disturb peace The Rivers State Govern- peated warning that engag- animal tests, and in theory, of the COVID-19 pandemic.
area around the Okoro-Nu- and security of the state ment, the distraught gov- ing in cultism had anti-social help the body start to fight To win full approval, Regen-
Odu flyover in Rumuokoro, with cult activities and asso- ernor added, was seriously effects on the society, some the virus right away. eron will still have to submit
in a bid to arrest the drift ciated violence and killings. disturbed by the recent up- misguided youths continued Regeneron said that initial additional research to fully
in cult related clashes and Governor Wike explained surge in cult activities and to engage in the unwhole- doses will be made available define the drug’s safety and
other violent crimes in the that decision to impose related violence and killings some activity. to roughly 300,000 patients benefit for patients.
33 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
MONDAY
23 novemBER , 2020

Ondo to meet with workers’ leadership

over looming strike

F
Hakeem Gbadamosi Akure who disclosed this also 27, 2020 or face industrial The Unions however face industrial action. reached over their demands
assured the union of action by the workers. issued an eight -day The Chairman, Joint on salaries and deductions.
ollowing the government’s readiness to According to the workers, ultimatum to the state Negotiating Council (JNC), Fabunmi said the
ultimatum issued meet with the leadership of the state government had government to settle Niyi Fabunmi said the state Organised Labour had a
by the Organised the union in order to find a failed to honour various workers’ accumulated government had failed to duty to protect the interest
Labour in Ondo lasting solution to the issues previous agreements salaries and deductions or honour previous agreements of the state workers
State last Thursday, raised by the workers. reached with the Union
over non payment of The labour movement over their demands on
accumulated salaries and which include the Nigerian , SALAMI , KAREEM , OLUWATOBI
salaries and deductions CORRECTION OF NAME AND I, formerly Miss Kareem I, formerly Oluwatobi
deductions of workers Labour Congress (NLC), payment, noting that this DATE OF BIRTH: I, formerly
in the state, the state Trade Union Congress (TUC) Salami Onoja Ezekiel now Halimat Folashade now Busayo now ADEBAGBO
has also been affecting the SALAMI ONOJA. My correct date MRS ALLI HALIMAT BUSOLA TUNRAYO. All
government has agreed to and the Joint Negotiating state tertiary institutions. of birth is 18th June, 1994 and former documents remain
FOLASHADE. All former
meet the workers’ union Council (JNC), had written The labour unions said the not 18th June, 1989. All former
documents remain valid. valid. Banks and general
documents remain valid. General
today, Monday November to the state government to state government had failed public take note. General public take note. public take note.
23. urgently convene a meeting to honour various previous , AKINMADE , ALUKU , GBOLAGADE
The state Head of Service with the Labour leaders on agreements reached with CORRECTION OF NAME: I, Akinmade I, formerly Mr Aluku I, formerly Gbolagade
Olabode Franklin, my name was
(HoS), Mr Dare Aragbaiye, or before friday November the state governments over mistakenly written on my BVN details as Samson Olorunjuedalo now Habibat Adeola now AJAO
Akinmade Olabodun Franklin instead of MR OLUSOLA SAMSON KAOSARAT ADEOLA. All
their demands on salaries Akinmade Olabode Franklin. Henceforth,

OYSCATECH beckons on and deductions payment.

I wish to be known and addressed as
AKINMADE OLABODE FRANKLIN.
All former documents remain valid.
OLORUNJUEDALO. All former
documents remain valid. General
former documents remain
valid. General public take
investors, collaborates with , MORUFUDEEN
General public take note.

, BELLO
public take note.
, MUHAMMED
note.
, TOMORI
organisations I, formerly Morufudeen I, formerly Bello Aminat Bisola I, formerly Muhammed I formerly Miss Tomori
Omolara Rukayat now MRS
Motiyat now JINADU now RAJI AMINAT BISOLA. Bukola Oluwakemi now
World over, tertiary the Federal Government on MUTIYAT AYOKA. All AKINMUSAYO BUKOLA BABATUNDE RUKAYAT
All former documents remain
institutions have tripartite the training of FADAMA guys former documents remain OLUWAKEMI. All former OMOLARA. All former
valid. General public take documents remain valid.
roles of teaching, research and Oyo State Government valid. General public take documents remain valid.
and community service. under Agricultural Initiative note. note. General public take note General public take note.
The Oyo State College (OYSAI). , ADEBIYI , ADEPOJU , HASSAN , OLABISI
of Agriculture and Having recorded the I, formerly Mrs. Adebiyi I, formerly Adepoju Bukola I, formerly Hassan Ikimat I, formerly Miss Olabisi,
Technology, Igboora, as aforementioned feats, Oluyemisi Christianah now Stella now OMOLE BUKOLA Opeyemi now RABIU Iyanu Christianah now
an agriculture-based the Oyo State College MRS OKE CHRISTIANAH STELLA. All former documents HIKIMAT OPEYEMI. All MRS ADENIYI, IYANU
institution, established of Agriculture and OLUYEMISI. All former remain valid. Teaching Service former documents remain CHRISTIANAH. All former
to raise middle-level Technology, Igboora has documents remain valid. Commission, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti valid. General public take documents remain valid.
manpower in agriculture decided to align itself with General public take note. State and general public take note note. General public take note.
migrated to become a the current realities of , TAJUDEEN , OWOLABI , CHUKWUNWE , OJO
polytechnic, such that the commercialising some of I formerly Tajudeen I, Owolabi Taiwo Afeez, my name was I, formerly Chukwunwe I, formerly Miss Ojo
erroneously written on my BVN details as
educational training at its activities, with a view Ojolowo now TIAMIYU Ramoni Taiye Afisu instead of Owolabi
Chinedu Ifeanyi now Olayinka Deborah now MRS
the institution now covers to boosting its internally- Taiwo Afeez. Henceforth, I wish to be NKWONWE CHINEDU AYELEHIN OLAYINKA
TAJUDEEN. All former known, called and addressed as OWOLABI IFEANYI. All former DEBORAH. All former
management, technology generated revenue (IGR). documents remain valid. TAIWO AFEEZ. All documents bearing
documents remain valid. documents remain valid.
and agriculture. It is in this light that General public take note.
these names remain valid. First Bank Plc
and general public take note. General public take note. General public take note.
The Oyo State College it intends to invest in
of Agriculture and the production of high- , ABDULRAMAN , TOLUWALOPE , SANDRA , ONASANYA
Technology, Igboora, like quality cassava flour for I, formerly Abdulraman I, formerly Toluwalope I, formerly Miss Sandra I, formerly Onasanya
Abdulkabir Olasunkanmi Oluwabusayo Gbadamosi Boyo Wujum now MRS Jumoke Bisi now
its counterpart has not exportation, cattle rearing now TOLUWALOPE
reneged in providing for sales and fattening, now ABDULKABIR
OLUWABUSAYO MAFE. All SANDRA ARULEBA. All ADEBANJO JUMOKE
excellent and qualitative block making industry,
ABDULRAHMAN OLALEKEN. former documents remain former documents remain BISI. All former documents
training for youths in sachet and bottle water
All former documents remain valid. General public take valid. General public take remain valid. General
valid. General public take note. note. note. public take note.
agriculture, management production, ambulatory
and technology. and consultancy services , TANIMOLA , OMolARA , ABDUL-LATEEF , OGUNDIPE
Since the inception of the for livestock owners in
I, formerly Tanimola Rafiyat I, formerly Omiara Elizabeth I, formerly Abdul-Lateef I, formerly Miss Ogundipe Monsurat
Oladayo now MRS POPOOLA
Bolaji now MRS ADELAKUN Okepefi now OMOLARA Musibau Oke now ABDUL-
institution in 2006, it had Ibarapa region. ELIZABETH OKEPEFI. All LATEEF MUSIBAU. All
MONSURAT OLADAYO. My
RAFIYAT BOLAJI. All former correct date of birth is 31/07/1984.
become a special brand The question that readily former documents remain former documents remain All former documents remain valid.
that is strategically located comes to mind is, how documents remain valid. valid. General public take valid. General public take Access Bank Plc, First Bank Plc and
in an agrarian environment does OYSCATECH intend General public take note. note. note. general public take note.
of Igboora, Oyo State to achieve this investment , AMOGU , MOHAMMED , OLAIYA , ANURUKEM
with state-of-the-art plan? I, formerly Amogu Michael I, formerly Mohammed I, formerly Olaiya Iyabo I, formerly Miss Uzowuru
facilities and excellent and To carry out these special Precious Chukwuebuka Amaha Johnson now ODEY Oluchi Assumpta now MRS
dedicated teachers. projects, the Oyo State Maria now ODERINDE
now OKEREKE MICHAEL AMAHA JOHNSON. All ANURUKEM OLUCHI
Graduates of the College of Agriculture and IYABO MARY. All former ASSUMPTA. All former
PRECIOUS CHUKWUEBUKA. former documents remain
institution, who are Technology, Igboora needs All former documents remain valid. General public take documents remain valid. documents remain valid.
churned out annually, are the support of investors valid. General public take note. note. General public take note. General public take note.
widely dispersed in various who are willing to partner , OLAITAN , KOMOLAFE , MUSBAU , OBIJESUS
farms, organisations and with the institution in the I, formerly Miss Moromoke CORRECTION OF NAME: I hereby I, formerly Musbau Bola I formerly Obijesus Henry
declare that my correct name is Komolafe
universities of higher following areas - sachet and Nafisat Adeyemi now MRS Olayemi Juliana and not Olayemi Afusat now YUNUS Asochukwu now OBINNA
learning where they are table water production, OLAITAN ROMOKE BOLA. Komolafe as mistakenly written on some
HENRY ASOCHUKWU. All
doing the institution proud. cattle rearing, block making
of my documents. Henceforth, I want to BOLA AFUSAT. All former
All former documents remain be known and addressed as KOMOLAFE former documents remain
Some of the facilities industry and high quality valid. General public take
OLAYEMI JULIANA. All former
documents remain valid. General public
documents remain valid. valid. General public take
available for training and cassava production. note. take note. General public take note. note.
research farm include Interested investors are , ISAIAH , ALADE , OYEDEJI , OGUNKANMI
piggery, poultry, rabbitry, free to communicate their ADDITION OF NAME: I, Olanrewaju I, formerly Miss Elizabeth I, formerly Oyedeji Olaitan I, formerly Opeyemi
cattle kraal, sheep and intention in writing to the Sunday am the same person bearing Bosede Alade now MRS Busayo now OYEDEJI Gbemisola Olukemi now
Olanrewaju Isaiah Sunday. Henceforth,
goats pen, fish farm, feed Registrar and Secretary I wish to be known and addressed as ELIZABETH BOSEDE BUSAYO AZEEZAT. All OGUNKANMI GBEMISOLA
mill and modern garri to the Governing Council OLANREWAJU ISAIAH SUNDAY. ISENIYI. All former documents former documents remain ESTHER. All former
processing factory. Others of Oyo State College of All former documents remain valid. remain valid. General public valid. General public take documents remain valid.
General public take note. take note. note. General public take note.
are engineering workshops, Agriculture and Technology,
glass-blowing workshop, Igboora or interact with , PUBLIC NOTICE , JIMOH , MUSLIYU , AJADI
laboratories for analysis, the Investment Committee This is to inform the general public I, formerly Jimoh Kaseem I formerly Musliyu Lawal I, formerly Miss Ajadi
food processing laboratory, of the Governing Council, that one scrap payloader, scrap now MUSLIYU OWOLABI Oluwabunmi Lydia now
excavator and scraps iron have been Ola now JIMOH KAZEEM
hairdressing and tailoring OYSCATECH, Igboora. abandoned at Ifewara and Aruwa LAWAL. All former MRS. GBADEGESIN
ALANI. All former documents
workshops, among others. The beauty of this Area, Ife, Osun State for over ten documents remain valid. OLUWABUNMI LYDIA. All
years. remain valid. General public Stanbic Bank and general former documents remain
OYSCATECH Igboora has investment drive is the These abandoned items have been
causing serious environmental take note. public take note. valid. General public take note.
collaborations with various opportunity to sit down hazard, security, health and ecological
organisations, such as with the institution’s problems to these communities. , oketoobo , amodu , WALIYULAHI
Niji Farms, Ilero, Psaltry representatives on the Notice is hereby given to the general I, formerly Miss Oketoobo I, formerly Miss Amodu I, formerly Waliyulahi Silifat
public or whom it concern to remove
International, Ado Awaye, profit sharing formula. them within 7 days of this publication Olutola Oluwatoyin now Omolara Olaoluwa now MRS Omolade now WALIYU
CORAF/WECARD, IITA, Indeed, OYSCATECH is an or forfeit them for auction sales. MRS AYOOLA OLUTOLA OKETOOBO OMOLARA SILIFAT OMOLADE. All
Michigan State University, investment destination for SIGNED: OLUWATOYIN. All former AMODU. All former former documents remain
USA, Winrock International, would-be investors. MINISTRY OF NATURAL AND documents remain valid. documents remain valid. valid. General public take
MINERAL RESOURCES General public take note. General public take note. note.
34 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
MONDay,
23 november, 2020

News
'Jimoh Ibrahim doesn’t own majority of property
taken over by AMCON'

F
Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare of the belief that AMCON Others include Abuja In- same institution was dis- “Accordingly, the lone issue that the proceedings in the
deceived the court to se- ternational Hotels Limited charged in the ongoing case formulated for determina- suit are stayed pending the fi-
ollowing the cure the interim injunction building located at No. 3, between AMCON against tion by the court is hereby nal determination of case no:
takeover of assets wrongly as Union Bank and Hospital Road, Lagos; an- NICON Investment and him- resolved against the plaintiff LD/1074/2010 before Hon.
belonging to busi- AMCON cannot be pursuing other property at Plot 242, self. (AMCON) in favour of the Justice Oyefeso of the Lagos
nessman and politi- the same matter simultan- Muhammadu Buhari Way, “How did AMCON secure defendants (NICON INVEST- High Court whether the said
cian, Jimoh Ibrahim eously in a different court, Abuja; the former Allied Bank a second interim injunction MENT), and relief 2 is gran- court is not functus officio?
by the Asset Management It will be recalled that the Building on Mile 2, Oshodi when the first one obtained ted as prayed. In effect, the According to him, Union
Corporation of Nigeria (AM- court had given the order ExpressWay, Apapa Road, by the same institution was proceedings in this suit are Bank also acknowledges an-
CON) last week, based on for the seizures of his prop- Lagos; Energy House located discharged and again when hereby stayed pending final other deposit of £125m from
an order granted by Justice erties in a suit delineated on No. 94, Awolowo Road, on October 2, Justice Ogun- determination of suit no: his second company, global
R.M. Aikawa of the Federal FHL/L/CL/776/2016, filed Ikoyi, Lagos; NICON Building toyinbo J. of the Federal LD/1074/2010 before Hon. fleet oil and gas limited, mak-
High Court sitting in Lagos, by AMCON on allegations at No. 40, Madeira Street, High court Lagos in a matter Justice Oyefeso of Lagos High ing a total deposit of over 250
people close to the busi- of N69 billion debt and the Maitama, Abuja; a residential bought by AMCON against Court.” million pounds 10 years ago
nessman at the weekend, order covers 12 properties apartment at Road 2, House NICON investment and oth- So how did AMCON secure and running at a five per cent
said there is serious misrep- which includes the NICON A14, Victoria Garden City, ers held that “in view of the another interim injunction interest rate since NICON in-
resentation in the case as Investment Limited building Lagos; NICON Hotels Build- facts and a consideration of when the same court stays vestment admitted borrow-
he does not own majority at Plot 242, Muhammadu ing at Plot 3, Road 3, Victoria the fuller facts contained in the said matter? How did ing N26 billion, to which £137
of the property attached to Buhari Way, Central Business Garden City, Lagos as well the affidavit before the court, Justice Aikawa grant a tem- million was used to secure
the interim order granted to District, Abuja; NICON Hotels as the NICON Luxury Hotel’s that this honorable court is porary order of injunction? the bank’s said loan.
AMCON Limited building at Plot 557, Building, Garki I, FCT, Abuja. minded to stay proceeding Did AMCON’s lawyer inform They asked further whether
They expressed the opin- Port-Harcourt Crescent, off They said the question that in this suit pending the out- the court of the Justice Ogun- AMCON could sustain the in-
ion that the coming week Gimbiya Street, Abuja and needed to be asked was how come of the suit before the toyinbo order?” he queried. terim order in the face of the
would be interesting as the building of NICON Lekki AMCON secured a second state High Court. I believe He asked further whether apparent facts because there
the judiciary integrity is Limited also at No. 5, Cus- interim injunction when the that is just the best thing when Justice Oguntoyinbo is no returnable date in the
being put on trial because toms Street, Lagos. first one obtained by the to do in the circumstances ruled on October 2, 2019, court file.

Fashola warns trailer drivers over Rotary Club donates to UCH

Lagos-Ibadan road construction By Faith Adeoye Jericho-Metro, Seyi Alaba,
stated that the decision to
positively to maternal and
child health which is one of
Dayo Ayeyemi | Lagos leaders, truck drivers, Fed- you want to own a fleet, you The Rotary Club of Ibadan, donate the items was ne- the areas of service for the
eral Controllers of Works in must build park. Jericho Metro, has donated cessitated by the need to Rotary Club.
Apparently disturbed by Lagos and Ogun, Mr Kayode "Parking indiscriminately and 10 baby cots worth over N1 contribute positively towards "We discovered that UCH
various abuses ongoing in Popoola and Umar Bakare, pouring diesel and changing million to the special care maternal and child health is a big hospital and they
the highway, the Federal and official of the Federal petroleum on the road will baby unit of the Univer- which is one of the areas of handle a lot of health cases
Government has called on Road Safety Corps (FRSC). damage the expressway. It is sity College Hospital (UCH), service for the Rotary Club. when things get out of hand
truck drivers not to scuttle the The contractors alleged an abuse of the road." Ibadan, Oyo State. "There are two reasons in private hospitals or state
speedy delivery of the recon- that most truck drivers, who "If oil is dropped on the as- Speaking during the we are doing this, one is to hospitals they still bring
struction and expansion of parked indiscriminately and in phalt, it will be damaged," he presentation, the president mark the family health day in the patients here for treat-
N300bn Lagos-Ibadan High- multiple lanes occupied more reinstated. of Rotary Club of Ibadan, Rotary and also to contribute ment."
way project. than one shoulder of the As the Christmas approaches,
According to the Minister of road, thereby slowing down Fashola also enjoined the
Works and Housing, Mr Baba- construction workers. contractors to speed up their
tunde Fashola, the appeal has Besides, they said the truck works and carry out palliative
become imperative following drivers also leaked engine oil repair on bad portions of the
complaints by the contractors and petro on the highway. highway to allow easy move-
handling the 127.6 kilometre - This practice, they said had ment of motorists, who would
highway, Messrs Julius Berger contributed to the damage of be traveling for celebration.
Plc and Reynold Construction section of the road already re- Fashola assured Nigerians
Company, on the manner at constructed. that President Muhammadu
which truck drivers parked Appealing to the truck Buhari was committed to
indiscriminately on the com- drivers, Fashola urged truck the completion of critical
pleted shoulders of the road, owners to come together and road infrastructure such as
thereby destroying them. build truck park for their fleet. Lagos-Ibadan expressway,
The contractors had earlier He appealed to them to Abuja -Kano highway, Second
made their challenges known move their trucks away from Niger Bridge and others.
to the minister during a stake- the highway , assuring that Both Julius Berger and RCC
holders' meeting at Ogere, government would help to pledged to complete the ex-
Ogun State, at the weekend, fix the existing trailer park in pressway as scheduled by
in the presence of official Ogere temporarily, which the 2021
from the Nigerian Soveriegn truck drivers alleged was in They disclosed that more
Investment Authority (NSIA), terrible state. than 4,000 people have been
Uche Orji, Governor Dapo The minister said: "Trailers' employed through the road
Abiodun, Obas, community operation is a business. If project.

Dakuku Peterside's book on Govt Agency

for release in January
Safari Books Limited will government agencies. agencies work and the com-
release the long-expec- The book explores lead- plexities of achieving an ex-
ted book, Strategic Turn- ership and management traordinary result in the face
around: Story of a Govern- principles, both theoretically of the challenge of bureau-
ment Agency, by Dr Dakuku and practically, in a public cracy and multiple stakehold-
Peterside, a former Chief sector setting, which any- ers with varied interests.
Executive Officer(CEO ) of the one serious about improving Strategic Turnaround: Story
Nigerian Maritime and Safety performance in governance of a Government Agency,
Agency (NIMASA), in January must pay attention to. More is equally a detailed piece
2021. than a story of successes and about excellent goal setting
The book will be released failures, the book highlights in parastatals and agencies
in hardcover, paperback, critical lessons for those de- and how to achieve the set
digital and audio book edi- sirous of renewing, reposi- goals. Every chapter gives the
tions. The 300-page book is tioning public sector organ- reader ideas on how to move
a straightforward narrative of isations. from goals to results.
events, and turnaround initi- This 13-chapter book ex- The book will not only
atives embarked upon in the pounds on strategic turn- heighten readers’ curiosity
agency in the four years of around and performance from the first page, but will
Dakuku’s management that optimisation in public sector leave them with lessons that
changed NIMASA from a lag- settings. Readers will gain will make them think dif-
gard institution to one of the unusual insight into how ferently at the end of every
most respected and admired government and regulatory chapter.
35 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
MONDAY,
23 NOVEMBER, 2020

news
Disbanded SARS operatives killed one of my lodgers,
Osun guest house owner alleges

T
Adeolu Adeyemo | Osogbo operatives murdered a fected my standard of living.” house free of charge after rooms given to them.” operatives shot and killed a
lodger in his guest house. The petitioner said he de- a community leader in Iwo Alhaji Adigun then al- lodger, Ismail.”
HE Osun State Adigun, who revealed liberately instituted the pe- introduced them to me. leged that, “the other team Chairman of the panel,
Judicial Panel of that the SARS operatives tition before the panel due “The community leader, of SARS operatives who Justice Akin Oladimeji
Inquiry on Police were given free accommo- to the confidence he had in who owns a hotel in Iwo, lodged in the guest house (retd), expressed satisfac-
Brutality, Human dation in his facility, won- it to dispense justice, just as said the operatives were shot and killed a guest, Is- tion in the proceedings so
Rights Violations dered why they would kill he prayed the panel to grant in the town and that they maila, on July 18, and the far and and granted ad-
and related Extra-Judicial someone in the guest house him N6 million as compensa- should be allowed to lodge body of the deceased was journment prayers of the
Killings, at the weekend, where they were well-ac- tion for the loss of his busi- free of charge. found in between the two parties involved.
heard seven different peti- cepted. ness reputation caused by “By the end of May 2020, rooms that the SARS opera- Justice Oladimeji (retd)
tions filed before it, out of He disclosed that the in- the SARS operatives. the SARS operatives came tives lodged in. further hinted that the
which one was a case of a cident had affected his busi- While being led in witness to thank me for accom- “I was asked to accom- panel had received 11 peti-
guest house owner in Iwo, ness, as people no longer by his lawyer, F.O. Ajani, Al- modating them; they also modate the SARS opera- tions from members of the
Alhaji Ayo Dauda Adigun, patronise his guest house. haji Adigun said that: “The informed me that another tives in my guest because I public on various claims,
who alleged that members Alhaji Adigun said: “The in- SARS officers, numbering team of SARS operatives was told they were in Iwo to just as he assured of accel-
of the disbanded Special cident has caused serious eco- eight, had in November was coming from Osogbo protect us. But on July 18, I erated hearing on all the
Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) nomic loss to me and has af- 2019, lodged in the guest to replace them in the two was called that these SARS petitions.

Recession: SERAP asks Buhari

to cut cost of governance, not
public services
SOCIO-ECONOMIC Rights geria invests in essential
and Accountability Project public goods and services
(SERAP) has sent an open that would benefit ordinary
letter to President Muham- Nigerians can be partly ex-
madu Buhari urging him “to plained by the high spend-
put the country’s resources ing of public funds to fi-
at the service of human nance a life of luxury for
rights, and to support the members of the National
less well-off to enjoy an Assembly, state governors,
adequate standard of living and other powerful politi-
through cutting the cost cians.
of governance and imple- “The country’s resources
menting bold transparency appear to have been used
and accountability mea- almost exclusively for the
sures in your government’s benefit of the political elite
response to Nigeria’s sec- rather than on projects that
From left, chairman, Public Account Committee of the House of Representatives, Honourable Oluwole Oke; deputy chairman of the com- ond recession in five years.” would ensure the right to
mittee, Abdulkareem Sa’ad and Kabiru Idris, during the investigative hearing on audit query raised by the Auditor-General of the Federa- In the letter dated No- an adequate standard of liv-
tion against government agencies and parastatals at the National Assembly in Abuja at the weekend. Photo: Sunday Osunrayi vember 21, 2020 and signed ing, the maximum welfare,
by SERAP’s deputy director, prosperity, freedom and
Kolawole Oluwadare, the happiness of every citizen
I was abandoned by police after being forced to write that organisation said: “This on the basis of social justice
I was shot by gunmen, victim alleges in petition to panel economic crisis provides
an opportunity to prioritise
and equality.
“SERAP is seriously con-
access of poor and vulner- cerned about the adverse
Subair Mohammed | Lagos He said: “On March 16, because there was no bed ment for them to pay my able Nigerians to basic so- consequences of the eco-
2012, there was an accident space. I was operated upon bills at the hospital. cio-economic rights, and to nomic crisis on the human
A victim of alleged police involving a Honda car and at Igbobi. “Since I couldn’t afford genuinely recommit to the rights of poor and vulner-
brutal assault, Abayomi Lik- a motorcycle around Akin- Five days after I was ad- the surgical and hospital fight against corruption. able Nigerians, including
inyo, who said he was shot yemi Thompson Street, La- mitted at Igbobi, The po- bill, I decided to change The country cannot afford denying them access to
by police officers from the wanson. Then, I was return- liceman who led the team my statement and he paid getting back to business as essential public goods and
Itire police station, said the ing from work and people to the accident scene, with N100,000 into the hospital’s usual.” services such as healthcare,
police forced him to write in were gathered at the scene. some unidentified police- account for them to com- SERAP said: “Implement- education, clean water, and
his statement that he was The police officers from men from the Itire police mence the operation, with ing human rights, trans- regular electricity supply.
shot by unknown gunmen the Itire police station vis- station, visited me. They a promise to balance up im- parency and accountabil- “We would be grateful
and not by them. ited the scene and started told me to withdraw my mediately after the surgery. ity measures would save if your government begins
In a two-page petition shooting. They shot me in earlier statement that I had “Weeks after a successful money, address projected to implement the recom-
submitted on Saturday at my right leg and they left. written which indicted the operation, I didn’t see the adverse human rights im- mended action and mea-
the Lagos State Judicial “I was rushed to a nearby police. They said I should policeman, so I decided to pacts of the recession, and sures within 14 days of the
Panel of Inquiry sitting at the hospital by some Good Sa- write that I was shot by call him to inform him that fast-track the economic re- receipt and/or publication
Lagos Court of Arbitration maritans. The hospital re- some unknown gunmen the hospital had asked for covery process. of this letter. If we have not
in Lekki, Likinyo said he was quested for a police report and not by the police. more money to continue “It is not too late to take heard from you by then as to
shot at an accident scene in before I could be treated. “He said I should write with my treatment. He paid urgent measures that would the steps being taken in this
Lawanson by police officers. My brother went to the Itire that there were no police N50,000 to the hospital and put the country’s wealth direction, SERAP shall take
He stated that they prom- police station to lodge a officers at the scene of the another N10,000 through a and resources to work for all appropriate legal actions
ised to pay for his surgical complaint and he was given accident and that if I could police officer, with the total the common good of all Ni- to compel your government
operation, as well as com- the police report and I was do that, he would ensure being N160, 000. gerians.” to implement these recom-
pensate him for the gun in- referred to the Lagos State that the police foot my sur- “But since after the pay- According to SERAP, “de- mendations for the sake of
jury he sustained. University Teaching Hospi- gical bill and compensate ment, I was abandoned to cades of mismanagement human rights, transparency
Once he had changed his tal (LASUTH). me for the injury sustained. source for the balance and and corruption, and deep- and accountability.
statement, he said the po- “At LASUTH, I was given a “He said the police had pay for the last round of my seated deficiencies in pub- “Nigeria has been poorly
lice reneged on their prom- first aid treatment and was taken responsibility for the operation. He stopped visit- lic financial management governed for many years,
ise as he was abandoned at referred to the National Or- shooting but that I would ing me at the hospital and have directly contributed to with systemic and wide-
the hospital. thopaedic Hospital in Igbobi need to withdraw my state- stopped picking my calls.” higher levels of borrowing spread corruption at all
and public debts, and con- levels of government, con-
Bandits kidnap imam, 17 mosque worshippers in Zamfara sequently, the economic tributing to failures by suc-
BANDITS on motorcy- The attack occurred at munity during the attack. that efforts were already recession. Successive gov- cessive governments to de-
cles, last Friday, attacked a Dutsen Gari, a farming com- Speaking to PRNigeria, being made to rescue them. ernments have squandered liver essential public goods
mosque while Jumat prayer munity in Kanoma District the state’s Police Public The attackers ensured that the promise afforded by the and services to Nigerians,
was ongoing and abducted of Maru Local Government Relations Officer (PPRO), worshippers were seated country’s natural wealth contrary to the country’s
the imam and some wor- Area of the state. Mohammed Shehu, said 18 and listening to the sermon and resources.” constitution and human
shippers in a community in The gunmen also killed persons were kidnapped from the imam before they The letter, reads in part: rights and anti-corruption
Zamfara State. some members of the com- during the attack, adding invaded the mosque. “The paltry resources Ni- obligations.”
36 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
monDAY,
23 november, 2020

news
COVID-19:
“No work no pay” clause: Withheld ASUU members’ Students still
salaries to be subjected to special waiver absent two
months after
reopening

T
Soji-Eze Fagbemi | Abuja bers of ASUU had not been to a ‘special waiver’ approval not on IPPIS did not get their February. ASUU declared the

HE Minister of La-
exempted from the Inte-
grated Payroll and Personnel
before payment.
He explained that ASUU
February and March salaries
because IPPIS did not pay all
strike in March, so those who
were not enrolled never got
—Investigations
bour and Employ- Information System (IPPIS) started the strike in March, public servants who were not salaries.” Tunbosun Ogundare
ment, Dr Chris platform; as the University and that the government in- enrolled on it starting from He, however, added that by | Lagos
Ngige said on Sun- Transparency and Account- voked the “no work no pay” February. presidential approval, gov-
day that the “no ability Solution (UTAS) an al- clause in June, adding that However, he revealed that ernment agreed to pay them STUDENTS in their thousands,
work no pay” clause regard- ternative platform designed those who were not enrolled all ASUU members on IPPIS “compassionate salaries” especially in nursery and pri-
ing strikes and industrial ac- by ASUU was undergoing us- on IPPIS and those on strike received their salaries as and due to Covid-19. mary schools in Lagos State,
tions has been invoked by ability test until declared us- were not paid. when due. To get the compassionate have not shown up in schools
the Federal Government on able and operable by all rel- The “no work, no pay” is a The minister said: “ASUU salaries paid, he explained two months after resumption
the striking members of the evant government agencies. clause as stipulation in Sec- members who were not on that the Accountant-General from the general lockdown
Academic Staff Union of Uni- The minister told the Nige- tion 43 of the Trade Disputes IPPIS didn’t get their Febru- of the Federation (AGF) of- caused by COVID-19 pan-
versities (ASUU) since June, rian Tribune on Sunday that Act Cap T8 Laws of the Fed- ary and March salaries be- fice designed a hybrid hand- demic.
this year. the withheld salaries of the eration of Nigeria (LFN) 2004. cause IPPIS did not pay all shake system of IPPIS/NIMC Ladipo Samuel, a seven-
Ngige gave this explanation period of strike since June 20 Ngige stated further that public servants who weren’t and paid the February to year-old pupil at Oniwaya in
while insisting that the mem- to date, would be subjected all ASUU members who were enrolled on it starting from June salaries. Agege and Obinna Amadi, a
six- year-old pupil at Ikotun in
Plateau Alimosho Local Government
Area are among this number,
gov signs to mention but a few.
This development is partic-
consolidated ularly worrying because Nige-
revenue law ria is one of the countries with
the highest burden of out-of-
Isaac Shobayo | Jos school children globally, cut-
ting across both public and
PLATEAU State governor, Si- private schools in the state.
mon Lalong, has signed into According to investigations
law two bills passed by the by the Nigerian Tribune, stu-
Plateau State House of As- dents across genders and
sembly aimed at strength- classes and even from poor
ening the economy of the homes were mostly in this
state. fold.
While signing into law Leadership of various pri-
the Plateau State Revenue vate school owners including
(Consolidated) Law 2020 the National Association of
and Plateau State Debt Proprietors of Private Schools
Management Department (NAPPS), Association for For-
(Amendment) law 2020, midable Educational Develop-
the governor explained that ment (AFED) and the League
with the Consolidated Rev- of Muslim School Proprietors
enue Law in place, Plateau (LEAMSP) confirmed this to
State was set to ensure uni- the Nigerian Tribune in a sep-
formity, certainty and con- arate exclusive interview
cord in revenue collection National President of
through a single machinery NAPPS, Chief Yomi Otube-
coordinated by the Plateau la and his counterparts in
State Internal Revenue Ser- The scene of an accident where six people died at Nwelle junction, along Nteje-Onitsha Expressway, on Sunday. charge of AFED and LEAMSP,
vice. Messrs Orji Kanu and Abdul-
He said with this develop- wahid Obalakun, respectively,
ment, the government ex-
pected its revenue to grow
Zamfara gov rescues 11 kidnapped victims said the situation virtually
cuts across their members’
as it would block leakages Muhammad Sabiu | Kaduna Saturday night at the Gov- that the peace accord and Dauran, told the governor schools.
and also ensured that all ernment House, Gusau, the reconciliation process with that the victims were released They linked the develop-
revenue collection was au- THE government of Zamfara state capital, in furtherance repentant bandits would be as a result of the Metawalle’s ment majorly to COvid-19
tomated. State has announced the to ensuring lasting peace and sustained in the state, but peace initiative and following pandemic which they said
Governor Lalong further release of 11 kidnapped vic- tranquility in all parts of the added that the unrepen- a stakeholders meeting sum- caused many parents to lose
pointed out that the state tims. state and beyond. tant ones would face the full moned by the governor with their sources of income, say-
had engaged a reputable In a statement issued by The victims comprising 10 wrath of the law. all the critical stakeholders ing the affected parents had
revenue firm to facilitate the press secretary to the males and a female are from He directed that the vic- from Bukkuyum Local Gov- still not recovered till date nor
the harvesting of revenues Governor, Jamilu Iliyasu Bukkuyum Local Govern- tims be taken to a hospital to ernment Area which held last is quick recovery foreseen.
from sources that had been Birnin Magaji on Sunday, said ment Area of the state. ascertain their health status Thursday. Another factor, accord-
neglected over the years, the release of the kidnapped While receiving the kid- before their final release to The rescued victims ex- ing to them, was the recent
adding that the new law victims was possible through napped victims, he assured their respective families. pressed delight and gratitude nationwide #EndSARS pro-
would equally address mul- the carrot and stick approach that his administration would Earlier while presenting the to Matawalle whom they de- tests that claimed the lives
tiple taxation which had of the Governor of the state,, not rest on its oars until total kidnapped victims to the gov- scribed as the peacemaker of some parents while some
been a major concern for Bello Matawalle. peace was achieved in the ernor, the state Commissioner and bridge builder between were wounded, others lost
businesses and other tax Governor received the res- state. for Security and Home Affairs, all categories of people in the all their investments to ar-
payers. cued kidnapped victims on The governor explained Alhaji Abubakar Muhammed state. son by hoodlums.
They said parents of those
students, particularly in the
Abrograte pensions for ex-govs, deputies, YCE charges five South West governors pre and nursery sections
By Oluwole Ige ties. While lauding Sanwo-Olu Samuel Adeleye Agbede, Ogun states to replicate the because of the delayed re-
They gave the charge after for taking the bold step, Prof Adetokun Ogunsheye good move by Governor sumption, categorically re-
Senior elders forum of the rising from a meeting held they tasked other governors and the secretary and Chief Sanwoolu because they are fused to bring their children
Yoruba Council of Elders on at Bodija residence of Pro- in Ekiti, Oyo, Ondo, Osun Mike Omoleye, YCE con- not economically buoyant. back to school on the prem-
Sunday charged governors fessor Toun Ogunsheye. and Ogun states to take a tended that the treasury of We can’t really afford the ise that they did not have
in the five out of the six According to YCE, this cue from their counterpart the zone was too meagre to amount that these people school fees.
states in the South West to development became im- in Lagos and quickly stop accommodate such costs, who have been there for According to them, some
emulate the steps of Gover- perative with a view to the payment of pension al- considering the challenges four, eight, 10 years having parents even complained of
nor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of reducing the cost of gov- lowances to former gover- facing the economy. sumptuous life to continue not having money to feed
Lagos State by abrogating ernance and addressing nors and their deputies. According to YCE, “we collecting pensions. Their their families let alone to pay
the pensions paid to former unemployment of youths Speaking through its for- expect other governors in pensions are looting the school fees or buy textbooks
governors and their depu- in the South West. mer presidents, Dansaaki Ekiti,Ondo, Oyo, Osun and coffers of these states”. and other necessary items.
37 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
MONDAY,
23 NOVEMBER, 2020

community news
Ogun assembly, traditional council parley on
new chieftaincy law

T
By Gbenga Olumide makers as well as the need legal tussle in the institu- the trail by setting the pace authority for monarchs. described the assembly’s
for chieftaincy tribunal. tion, thereby creating un- for improved standard to Responding, the repre- move as a right step de-
HE Ogun State The meeting was prepara- necessary distractions and give a well-defined role to sentative of the chairman serving commendation, as
House of Assembly tory to setting the pace for expenses for government. traditional rulers, especially of the state traditional it would address the short-
has met with rele- the process of putting in Decrying the numerous on how to strengthen secu- council and the Awujale comings being experienced
vant stakeholders, place a new law aimed at court cases relating to in- rity in their respective do- of Ijebu land, who is also in the existing law, which
including the Minis- repelling the existing legis- stallation of monarchs and mains, while putting in place the Dagburewe of Idowa, they described as “being
try of Local Government and lation for a more compre- land related matters filed measures towards maintain- Oba Yinusa Adekoya, his too cumbersome”.
Chieftaincy Affairs as well as hensive law that would help before the different courts, ing hierarchy within the tra- Egbaland counterpart, rep- Highlighting causes of
paramount rulers and the to reform the traditional in- the speaker said that the ditional system. resented by the Bantuu of litigations, petitions and
council of baales on the pro- stitution in the state. traditional institution were In his remarks, the Com- Egbaland, Chief Kehinde disputes to include undue
posed Chieftaincy Law. The speaker of the state supposed to be exemplary missioner for Local Gov- Sofenwa, the Olu of Ilaro interference in the process
The meeting is meant to House of Assembly, Hon- and dignified, hence the ernment and Chieftaincy and Paramount Ruler of Ye- of filling vacant stools, the
review the state chieftaincy ourable Olakunle Oluomo, need for the traditional rul- Affairs, Afolabi Afuape de- waland represented by the monarchs recommended
law with a view to address- who presided noted that ers to be apolitical being scribed the proposed legis- Oloke-Odan of Oke-Odan, the review of the approval
ing incessant litigation in the session was meant to the custodians of the rich lation as laudable and long Oba Oluwarotimi Fagbenro of regency council and
chieftaincy matters, ensure parley the monarchs with culture and tradition of the overdue, saying it would and the representative of that of the roles of warrant
adherence to due process in a view to putting in place people. put an end to the age long Akarigbo and paramount chiefs; canvassing that the
the installation, promotion, an all- encompassing leg- Oluomo expressed the disputes in the process of ruler of Remo land, who is supervisory and moderat-
burial rites, composition islation towards resolving readiness of the ninth leg- installation, elevation, rank- also the Elepe of Epe Sag- ing role be reserved for the
and the activities of king- issues creating avoidable islature in the state to blaze ing and area of prescribed amu, Oba Osiberu Adewale, traditional council.

FMC Abeokuta MD
decries state of community
health centres
Olayinka Olukoya | Abe- tax from the people, then
okuta it must take care of them.
There’s need to strengthen
The Medical Director, Fed- the primary health centre by
eral Medical Center (FMC), providing adequate drugs,
Abeokuta, Ogun State, Dr competent work force, give
Adewale Musa-Olomu, has workers incentives.
decried the state of primary “The primary health facil-
health centres across the ities in the state, especially
state, calling for the need to in Egba land are not in good
restrengthen them condition. There is need to From left, the Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission, Oyo State, Dr Eyitayo Oyetunji; representative of the United
He stated this at this do a lot for the people in Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF), Tari Akpandara; state director of NPC, Mrs Nucy Adeyinka and the representative of the
year’s Roundtable Dialogue terms of health facilities. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Aisha Oyebusola Abdulsalam, during the VASA dissemination report in
on Strengthening Commu- We need to develop good Ibadan. Photo: Adewale Oshodi
nity Healthcare System of health system and it be-
Egba land, organised by gins with good governance,
Wellness Africa Foundation
(WAF), in conjunction with
Olomu added.
The medical expert, how-
Oyo lawmaker trains youths through TVET in Afijio
the Alake of Egbaland, Oba ever, called on religious By Olawale Olaniyan more laudable programmes to give them the opportu- that TVET programme helps
Adedotun Gbadebo Health- leaders to support the gov- to the people of his constit- nity and I hope with the our young people to add
care Initiative in Abeokuta, ernment in funding the pri- A member of the Oyo State uency. opening of the facility, we values to society at large.
the state capital. mary health system, insist- House of Assembly, Hon- “We are launching our will create a platform to re- “Batch one is 50, we are
Olomu urged the state ing that government alone ourable Seyi Adisa, has Technical and Vocational ally train them to express working towards 250 but
government to revitalise could not tackle the chal- launched Technical and Educational Training (TVET) their talents to the fullest. the facility can only ac-
the healthcare centres, sub- lenge. Vocational Educational programme with different “This is facility that would commodate 50 because
mitting that many had lost In his speech, the Exec- Training (TVET) programme courses of which five out continue to run even after of COVID-19 and we have
their lives as a result of the utive Director of Wellness where no fewer than 250 of it, supply chain man- this programme for them to to ensure we restrict the
decaying health centres. Africa Foundation (WOF), youths in Afijio community agement, healthcare and continue to come here and numbers that are coming in
He attributed increase in Akintunde Akinmolayan, are expected to benefit. beauty, care-giving and demonstrate the skills they and out, so we have to start
child birth mortality rate to stated that the focus of The students will be hospitality while the other have learnt. with 50 at this point,” Adisa,
poor condition of various the foundation was to fa- trained on how to turn raw two are agricbusiness while “Youth engagement is former Principal Private
primary health facilities in cilitate community health materials into businesses those of the ICT are sched- very important. When you Secretary to the late former
different local government outreaches and to promote during the four-week long uled for next year. have people who are ready Oyo State governor, Senator
areas of the state. adolescents and youths re- programme. “The essence of the pro- to work but there are no Abiola Ajimobi said.
Olomu, therefore, urged productive health services. Speaking at the flag-off gramme is to empower our jobs, we are hoping that The Programme Associ-
the state government to He appealed to all in Awe, Oyo area, Adisa youths because I believe with this, we would engage ate for Edu Tech Advocate,
provide drugs, competent well-meaning Ogun citizens who is representing AFIJIO very strongly that we have the youth meaningfully and Oluwaseun Adeyemo, said
workforce and give incen- and other non-government state constituency said the talented young people in empower them to become the aim of the programme
tives to health workers to organisations to support idea was to create a plat- Afijio Local Government productive and employers was to eradicate poverty
enable them to perform op- the quest for a healthy Eg- form for youths to exhibit Area, what we have been of labour. through informal education
timally. baland and Ogun State at their taents, as he promised looking for is the platform “We want to make sure (TVET) programme.
“If government is taking large.

Data on community households ‘ll help govt plan for citizens —NPC boss
By Adewale Oshodi Dr Oyetunji stated this Affairs, among other agen- in proper stakeholder en- “Therefore, data from bau Ayoola, commended
during the dissemination of cies, sought to ascertain the gagement, policy and pro- the 2019 VASA survey will the NPC for the data, add-
THE Federal Commissioner the 2019 Verbal and Social causes and determinants of gramme implementation. ensure that planning in ing that the survey would
of the National Population Autopsy (VASA) study re- under-five mortality in Nige- “From the study, govern- the health sector is evi- help direct the government
Commission (NPC), Oyo port of the state, at the NPC ria between 2013 and 2018. ment and stakeholders will dence-based and will en- on steps to take for the
State, Dr Eyitayo Oyetunji, office in Ibadan. “The 2019 VASA survey understand that beyond the sure maximum utilisation of well-being of residents of
has said the agency’s data He said the 2019 VASA, will, therefore, provide pol- medical causes of under-five resources in that sector,” he the state.
on households would help conducted by the NPC, in icy makers with accurate deaths, there are socio-cul- said.
government and policy collaboration with the Fed- and timely data to formu- tural factors that also affect In his remarks, the Perma-
makers plan for the health eral Ministry of Health, late courses of action de- neonatal, infant and child nent Secretary, Oyo State
needs of the people. Federal Ministry of Women signed to guide government mortality in Nigeria. Ministry of Health, Dr Mus-
38 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
MONDAY
23 NOVEMBER, 2020

sport
Eriksen may return to Premier League
INTER Milan are still trying to cast in Antonio Conte’s plans and Devils are not eager to lose their League replacement that has
find a new club for midfielder often left on the bench. Brazilian midfielder in a swap caught Inter’s eye is Arsenal’s
Christian Eriksen, with a possible Inter are hoping to find a swap- deal. Granit Xhaka, but they are also
return to the Premier League on deal for the Danish international The 27-year-old has become not very enthusiastic about a
the cards. in January, according to Corriere an important figure in Ole Gun- swap for the former Spurs man.
The former Tottenham star, dello Sport. nar Solskjaer’s side this season The Swiss midfielder remains
who signed for £17.5 million, Manchester United midfielder after previously coming in and a key part of Mikel Arteta’s
has not settled in well to life in Fred has come onto the Italian’s out of the team. plans despite the new signing of
Serie A as he finds himself out- club radar, however, the Red Another potential Premier Thomas Partey in midfield. Christian Eriksen

Newcastle, Ian Wright calls

on lawmakers to
4 others ban Fernandes
want penalty tactic
Ahmed
Musa Chelsea IAN Wright believes football’s law-
makers should prevent penalty
takers such as Bruno Fernandes
from jumping in their run-ups.

must
AHMED Musa is reportedly look- Manchester United midfielder
ing for a return to the English Pre- Fernandes is an infamous advo-
mier League after leaving Al Nassr. cate of the tactic, often to great
According to Teamtalk, the Ni- success.

remain
geria international has been of- But while the method often
fered to Newcastle United, West works, Wright has suggested that
Ham United, Crystal Palace, Shef- it also causes confusion for goal-
field United and Burnley. keepers. Fernandes had to retake

humble
The 28-year-old is a free agent his first effort against West Brom
after bringing his two-year stay in on Saturday because Sam John-
Saudi Arabia to an end in late Oc- stone stepped off his line.
tober. Musa scored 11 goals in 57 However, former Arsenal strik-

—Lampard
games for the Riyadh-based club er Wright feels that goalkeepers
but requested a termination of have it difficult in the face of the
his contract after stating his desire uncertainty posed by penalty tak-
to play at the top level in Europe ers.
once again. It is [difficult for goalkeepers],
Musa starred for CSKA Moscow Wright told Match of the Day (via
after joining the Russian club from the Manchester Evening News).
VVV-Venlo in 2012 and a move And then you’ve got forwards
to Leicester City duly followed. jumping up, doing this, doing that
He failed to find his feet at the sort of stuff and the goalie can’t
Premier League club, netting five move his foot off.
times in 33 matches before re- They should stop people jump-
turning to Moscow on-loan. ing and that, they should have to
A permanent move away from make a full just run at the ball and

M
the Foxes followed after the 2018 hit it. If they can move and the
FIFA World Cup and having spent goalies can’t, that’s not fair.
ANAGER Frank overnight leaders Leicester on defender poking the ball over his Match of the Day presenter
the last two years playing in the Lampard says goal difference, before Totten- own line while under pressure
Saudi Professional League he now Gary Lineker then asked: Are you
Chelsea need to ham moved two points clear at from Ben Chilwell. going to have a law that says you
yearns for European club football “remain humble” the summit after beating Man- Chelsea oozed quality, Newcas-
once again. can’t jump?
after moving sec- chester City later on Saturday. tle keeper Karl Darlow producing
Apart from England, Musa is Wright said: Yeah, you have to
ond in the Premier League table “I know we are top of the excellent saves to deny the ex-
also understood to have attracted following a solid win over New- league for five minutes but we cellent Timo Werner as well as a go straight through your penalty
interest from clubs in Spain, Italy castle. have to think about the big pic- close-range Abraham header. run-up, no jumping.
and Russia according to the re- An own goal by Federico Fer- ture,” Lampard said, speaking be- But Abraham made sure of the Fernandes arrived at United
port. nandez and a Tammy Abraham fore the Tottenham game. points with a smart finish follow- with a spectacular record from
The Super Eagles captain start- strike secured a fifth successive “We know that there is im- ing Werner’s pass after Newcas- the penalty spot. But while he
ed both of Nigeria’s 2022 Afri- victory in all competitions. provement and work to be done. tle had threatened through Isaac continued that run in the first few
ca Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifer- Chelsea’s fifth league win of We have to remain humble.” Hayden and Joelinton, while Sean months of his Old Trafford career,
sis versus Sierra Leone this month. the season had left them briefly Fernandez’s own goal set the Longstaff hit the bar for the hosts the 26-year-old has missed two
on top of the table, ahead of Blues on their way, the Argentine towards the end. this season.
As well as the one against the

Ancelotti surprised by Calvert-Lewin Baggies, he had a spot-kick saved

by Newcastle’s Karl Darlow in Oc-

goalscoring streak tober.

Nevertheless, Fernandes has
continued to be his club’s catalyst
CARLO Ancelotti admitted even “Now in this moment he is re- “The target is not this for him, in attack.
he is surprised by Dominic Cal- ally focused in the box,” Ancelotti the target is to score goals to help
vert-Lewin’s consistency after the said. “Every ball that arrives from the team be at the top of the table.”
Everton forward scored twice in a crosses, he is ready and is there. After three consecutive de-
3-2 win at Fulham. “He is doing really well, honest- feats, the five-goal thriller at Cra-
The 23-year-old grabbed the ly I didn’t expect him to have the ven Cottage got Everton back to
opener at Craven Cottage after consistency he has in this period.” winning ways and returned them
just 42 seconds and followed it Asked if the one-time Sheffield to the top six. But Ancelotti in-
up with another first-half effort to United youngster could continue sisted: “In this moment we don’t
reach double figures in the Pre- his form and challenge for the have to look at the table.
mier League this season. golden boot, Ancelotti did not “We started really well and had
The double put Calvert-Lewin, play down his chances. a difficult period, now the diffi-
who has recently established himself He added: “I hope for him be- cult period is gone, and we need
as back-up to Harry Kane with Eng- cause it would be good for us! To to have consistency in our results.
land, top of the scoring charts and up win the golden boot it would mean Every game will be a test, but our
to 13 overall for the Toffees this term, he is scoring lots of goals and good target is to fight for the top of the
Ahmed Musa and his Italian manager is delighted. also for the club, but I don’t know. table, not the bottom.” Bruno
39 www.tribuneonlineng.com @ Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
MONday,
23 november, 2020

sport

Spartak boss
warns Victor
Moses
F
ormer Nigeria interna- the required level. This applies not
tional, Victor Moses needs only to Victor, but also to the
to improve his match fitness
according to Spartak Mos-
others,” Tedesco was quoted
as saying by Sport Express. NWFL urges Premiership
cow head coach Domenico “Yes, I am satisfied with
Tedesco. [Aleksandr] Kokorin’s clubs to meet Club
The versatile player made his fifth performance. We did
appearance of the season in the Rus- not have the opportuni- Licensing procedures
sian Premier League as Spartak were ty to involve [Aleksandr]
held to a 1-1 draw by Dinamo Mos- Sobolev. By Niyi Alebiosu postponement from the
cow on Saturday. “Today we saw the December 9, 2020 sched-
Moses missed pre-season training strengths of Alexandr. The management of the uled kick off date.
with the Russian giants with the club But Kokorin, like Moses, Nigeria Women Football She added that, all the six-
busy looking to secure a loan deal did not pass the winter League, headed by Aisha Fa- teen clubs for the 2020/21
with his parent club, Chelsea. training camp, and we lode, has urged the eight re- season were duly informed
The two teams reached an agree- need to get them back maining clubs in the NWFL about the club Licenc-
ment on October 25 and Moses in shape.” Premiership that are yet to ing procedures and given
joined Spartak on a season-long loan Moses has hit the complete their Club Licens- enough time to plan for the
deal from the English giants with an back of the net ing and registration for the new season including the
option to buy. once and pro- 2020/2021 season to do so, clubs’ remunerations guar-
Tedesco has provided an update vided one assist as a matter of urgency as antee for players, coaches
on Moses, who retired from inter- for Spartak, who the date for the league re- and club managers.
national football in August 2018 in are placed third sumption is around the cor- She however commended
order to focus on his club career. on the Russian ner and may not be shifted. the eight clubs that had al-
“Victor Moses is not yet at the Premier League The clubs yet to com- ready concluded their Club
level that I want to see him. We will standings with 29 plete their Club Licencing Licencing and Registration
need time to get the players back to points. and Registration process processes. The clubs are FC
include; Adamawa Queens Robo of Lagos, Edo Queens
of Yola, Ibom Angels of Uyo, of Benin City, and Nasarawa
Confluence Queens of Lo- Amazons of Lafia that were
koja, Pelican Stars of Cala- the first three to complete
bar, Dream Stars of Lagos the process. She was full of
NFF chief predicts brighter days for national teams and plaudits for the five second
Delta Queens of Asa- batch clubs that followed
By Niyi Alebiosu petitions billed for 2020 and two years ago in Ghana as ba. Others are Sunshine suit in the registration pro-
2021 by the Federation of In- the Confederation of Afri- Queens of Akure and Heart- cess; Bayelsa Queens of
The Nigeria Football Federa- ternational Football Associa- can Football (CAF) has since land Queens of Owerri. Yenagoa, Osun Babes of
tion (NFF) Head of Interna- tion (FIFA). postponed the competition Falode, noted that, there Oshogbo, Abia Angels of
tional Competitions Depart- Nigeria’s U-17  (Flamingos) to 2022. is a likelihood that the Umuahia, Royal Queens of
ment, Ruth David is optimistic and U-20 (Falconets) dreams Inspite of the hiatus, Da- board of the NWFL may Warri and Rivers Angels of
of brighter future for the of playing in the two age- vid who was appointed NFF not encourage any form of Port Harcourt.
Nigerian national teams  in- grades FIFA Women’s World Head of International Com-
spite of the long inactivity Cup in India and Costa Rica
occasioned by Coronavirus  and Panama respectively
petitions Department late
last year, a new position
Ex-Eagles defender Andrew
(Covid-19) pandemic. have all been postponed to which confers more responsi- Uwe returns to Nigeria, gets
In a WhatsApp interview 2022 due to the devastating bility to supervise both male Vandrezzer academy job
Sunday, David who was the effects of Covid-19 pandemic and female national teams,
immediate past NFF Head on football activities. believes that Nigerian teams By Wale Emosu He added that he will be
of Women’s Football Unit The Super Falcons could will bounce back to interna- working with a consortium
spoke against the backdrop not also defend their African tional reckoning any time Former Nigeria interna- of coaches at the academy,
of the recent cancellation of Women’s Cup of Nations football activities resume tional Andrew Uwe has been and among these is former
all the women’s football com- (AWCON) trophy they won across the world. appointed head coach of junior international, Patrick
Vandrezzer football academy Udoh. Udoh was Nigeria’s
Kenyans dominate Kaduna marathon based in Uyo, Akwa Ibom second choice goalkeeper
plateau State. State. to the 1983 FIFA U-20 World
Kenyan Runners shared
The women’s version Until his new appointment, Cup in Mexico, after Wilfred
the podium at the Kaduna
went to Vera Yohanna. Uwe, captain of the Nigeria Agbonavbare.
marathon which took place
Hudu Gyang finished second team to the FIFA U-20 World Uwe, a member of the
admist pomps and pagean-
ahead of Nancy Matthew Cup in USSR in 1985, was the Green Eagles team to the
taries on Saturday where
who came third. coach of the German sixth 1988 Africa Cup of Nations
John Mburu won the 21
The top three in Nigerians tier clubside, BV Essen. in Morocco and the Olympic
kilometres with a time of
men’s and women’s shared The former Leventis Unit- Games, also later that year
1:04:02.
the sum 13 million naira. ed FC of Ibadan defender in Seoul, South Korea, is al-
Second position went to
Meanwhile majority of took charge of BV Essen six ready in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom
Phillip Taurus also of Kenya
Kaduna state governor (left) Nasir el-Rufai presenting a cheque to the foreign athletes have months ago when he was State capital, to assume du-
with a time 1:05:20 while
Kenyan John Mburu. commended race organisers signed in a one-year deal. ties.
Josphat Chobe settled for
Mwetich was second with a and female athletes got Nilayo Sports management Speaking to Tribunesport “I just did my COVID test
bronze.
time of 1:15:26while Lilian same prize money. and the Kaduna State gov- on Saturday, Uwe said as the [having just returned to the
The trend continue in the
Chemweno claimed time Gyang Emmanuel was the ernment . head coach of Vandrezzer country to determine his sta-
women’s version which was
with a time of 1:15 :32. first Nigerian to cross the The men’s champion, said academy, he will also be as- tus] and I just want to hit the
again won by the East Afri-
The winner got 10,000 line in the men’s half mara- he will be back to defend his sisting the coach of Vandrez- ground running,” the former
cans.
dollars, silver 7,000 while thon as he finished ahead of crown and will bring some zer FC. The club currently VfB Oldenburg of Germany
Caren Maiyo ran a time
bronze medalist received Jigak Auta and kiyango Giang of his training mates come play in the Nigeria National player told Tribunesport by
of 1:12:43 to win the wom-
5,000 dollar as both male as they top three are from 2021. League (NNL). phone.
en’s race, Cheptoeck Caren
 NIGERIAN SINCE 1949

The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the arrest of a 34-year-

old pregnant woman allegedly linked with the roasting and
eating of the flesh of two police officers burnt in Ibadan during
the #EndSARS protests. A pregnant woman? Unfortunately, the
unborn child, right from the womb, is already suffering. What
www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
torture for an innocent unborn child.
no 17,676 MONDAY, 23 november, 2020 n200

VERITATEM
with Obadiah Mailafia [email protected]

G
HANA’S longest serving leader, totally healed.

Rawlings and
Jerry Rawlings, passed away on He was eventually persuaded to embark
Thursday 12 November, aged 73. upon a programme of structural reforms
He had been a fixture in Ghana’s under the tutelage of the Bretton Woods
politics for four decades. Institutions. The ensuing Economic Recovery

the verdict
Jerry John Rawlingswas born on 22 June Programme (ERP)led to deregulation of
1947 in Accra, the son of a Scottish chemist, the economy and devaluation of the cedi.
James Ramsey John, and an Ewe mother, Inevitably, there were gainers and losers.
Victoria Agbotui. She died just weeks before Strikes and insurrections were rife. Several

of history
him, on 24 September, at the grand old age of complots were foiled. For more than a
101. The image of him weeping at her funeral decade, Rawlings kept a distance from his
was touching. own children. He said he did not want them
His white father never identified with him to suffer too much trauma if he perished in
as ason. This must have cast a shadow over this game of Russian Roulette.
his life. He once told an Italian journalist: The reforms seemed to work. The
“Christianise me, if you may, but please don’t government proved adept at steering the
Europeanise me”. He attended the famous ship of state through the stormy waters of
Achimota College, where he was known more economic reform. Dollars flowed in from
for pulling stunts than for intellectual effort. A abroad. Western donors were determined
former British schoolmaster described him as to make Ghana the new “poster-boy” for
one of his “headaches” at Achimota. neoliberal reforms in West Africa.
Young Rawlings was suitably impressed Political scientist Donald Rothchild
when he met President Kwame Nkrumah described Rawlings as a “pragmatist with
as a schoolboy. Nkrumah’s fall from power populist rhetoric”. The combination of
in February 1966 was a shock to many authoritarianism and charisma proved
progressive youths like him. He left Achimota effective. Bringing in technocrats such as
in 1967 and was soon enrolled at the Military Jonathan Frimpong-Ansah, Kwesi Botchwey
Academy at Teshie. He graduated in 1969, and Tsatsu Chikata obviously boosted the
winning the Speed Bird Trophy for the best credibility of the government. Although there
graduating flying officer. were grumblings about Ewe domination of
In January 1977, he married his childhood the government, Jerry Rawlings was not at
sweetheart, Nana Konadu Agyeman. A union heart an ethnic chauvinist. On the contrary,
of destiny, she was his soulmate, companion, he gave Ghanaians a new sense of identity as
sounding-board, and, some would say, Lady one people with one destiny.
Macbeth. They are blessed with four children, Following the ending of the Cold War, he was
one of them being Zenator Agyeman- persuaded to implement political reforms.
Rawlings, the MP representing Klottey-Korle. A new constitution was drafted while a
Rawlings began his air force career at a programme was drawn up for transition to
time when the military were already deeply On 15 May 1979, barely five weeks to the homes and brutally murdered. Hundreds of multiparty democracy. Reinventing himself
embedded in national politics. General handing-over to a civilian administration, lesser-known soldiers and civilians perished. as a latter-day democrat, Rawlings and
Joseph Ankrah ruled from 1966 to 1969. He Rawlings and his colleagues staged a coup. The press was muzzled. Trade unionists and his National Democratic Congress (NDC)
was forced to resign over a bribery scandal It however failed. The conspirators were intellectuals who criticised the regime were contested and won the elections of December
involving, wait for it, a Nigerian businessman rounded up and court-martialled. Whilst incarcerated. 1992. He won a second term in 1996.
and arms dealer by the name of Chief Arthur awaiting execution, mutinying soldiers On the external front, Rawlings cosied up It is to his credit that he never succumbed
Nzeribe. Ankrah was succeeded by General invaded the prison and set the captives free. to Cuba, Nicaragua, Libya and other radical to the temptation to stay beyond the
Akwasi Afrifa, who served for barely a year Akuffo was toppled. One of the casualties regimes that were considered anathema by constitutional limits of two terms. The NDC
before handing over to a transitional civilian was Sandhurst-trained Army Chief General Western powers. He also developed closer and his anointed successor John Atta Mills lost
administration that ushered in Prime Minister Odartey Wellington; a gallant officer who ties with Nigeria and was a strong partner in in the subsequent elections to John Kufuor
Kofi Abrefa Busia in October 1969. was gunned down for attempting to quell the the ECOMOG peacekeeping machinery that and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2001.
A highly erudite scholar and aristocrat, rebellion. ended civil war in Liberia and Sierra Leone. In life as in death, he remains a polarising
Busia turned out to be a big disappointment. On 4th June 1979, Rawlings took over as Believing that the economic challenges figure among Ghanaians.
The economy was in ruins. The country was Head of State and Chairman of the Armed facing Ghana were down to “greedy He has his fanatical devotees. But there are
adrift. His decision to commence dialogue Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC). He was capitalists” and “kalabule”women, draconian also many who loath him. Love him or hate
with Apartheid South Africa showed poor only 32. He promised that his administration repressions were slammed on economy and him, there is no disputing that he was the
judgment. The expulsion of 140,000 Nigerians was merely a revolutionary house-cleaning society. Price controls were imposed on most architect of the New Ghana. If the country
in November 1969 did much damage to exercise. He embarked upon gruesome goods. Workers’ Defence Committees (WDCs) today is considered a stable, forward-looking
the country’s image. In January 1972, the purges that would have impressed Soviet were created to browbeat all those who democracy, it is thanks to the foundations laid
government was overthrown in a coup strongman Joseph Stalin. Top echelons of the would not fall into line. by him. Ghanaians will be going to the polls
led by Colonel Ignatius Kutu Acheampong. military were executed, three of them former The results were disastrous. The this December. His looming shadow will not
But he himself was no better. In July 1976, Heads of State: Ignatius Acheampong, Fred economy collapsed. The treasury became go away.
Acheampong was overthrown by General Akuffo and Akwasi Afrifa. More than 300 empty; inflation, debt and other financial He was not by any chance a paragon of
Fred Akuffo, who ruled until June 1979. others were also executed. fundamentals worsened. Life became a Gladstonian virtue. Those who knew him
In April 1978, Rawlings was promoted to In September 1979, the junta handed Hobbesian nightmare for the masses. Millions said he could be vindictive. Was so much
the rank of Flight Lieutenant. This gave him over peaceably to a democratically elected voted with their feet. In 1983, Nigeria was blood necessary for the revolution?I have my
an entrée into the gilded world of the elites. government headed by Hilla Limann, a mild- facing a major oil crunch which necessitated doubts. I have met Ghanaians who are yet
What he saw was unsettling. He began reading mannered career diplomat. Limann turned drastic economic austerity measures by to recover from the trauma of those years.
widely while hobnobbing with intellectuals out to be an ineffectual wimp. the Shagari administration. In an election Perhaps that was the price that had to be
at theuniversity campus at Legon. He joined Rawlings and his group struck again in year, Shagari took the disgraceful decision paid.
the New Africa Movement, a leftist collective December 1981. Limann was shoved aside. to expel over two million Ghanaians. It was Rawlings pulled Ghana from the brink
committed to Pan-African liberation. For the The purges resumed. In June 1982, three the ultimate humiliation for Ghana. Rawlings through the baptism of fire – through blood,
first time, he visited the rural countryside Supreme Court justices– Cecilia Koranteng- struggled hard to resettle the returnees and sweat and tears.
and was shocked by the spectre of grinding Addow, Frederick Sarkodie and Kwadjo to restore hope to a broken people. The Despite his sins, I believe history will absolve
poverty. Agyei Agyepong – were abducted from their wounds between our two nations have never him.
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MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: DEBO ABDULAI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 23/11/2020.