#EndSARS Protesters Not Banned from Foreign Trips – FG

FG Generates N424.71bn VAT in Q3 2020 – NBSBy Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), has said the Federal Government generated N424.71billion Value Added Tax (VAT) in

the third quarter of year 2020 when compared with N327.2 billion generated in the second quarter, showing an increase of N97.51billion.

The NBS disclosed this in its “Sectoral Distribution of Value

Added Tax Data for Q3 2020” report.

According to the report N275.12 billion was generated in Q3 2019, indicating that the 2020 figure represents 29.80 per cent increase Quarter-on-

Quarter and 54.37 per cent increase Year-on-Year.

It said that manufacturing generated the highest amount of VAT with N47.07 billion, closely followed by professional services

generating N44.01 billion.It said that commercial

and trading generated N21.18 billion, while mining generated the least with

www.dailyasset.ng ISSN: 2616-1036 Vol. 2 No. 226@DailyAssetNG facebook.com/dailyassetnewspaper4:11:2020wednesdayFIRST PUBLISHED: JUNE 12, 2017

N200

Nigeria Approved US Rescue Operation – Magashi Pg 4

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Adighije, further revealed that the process to appoint a new VC had commenced with a selection committee already put in place adding that the successor to the Vice Chancellor

sowore accused of Hijacking Rallies Govs Meet over security, COVId-19 Palliatives

Benue declares Friday work Free days senate Queries Lai Mohammed Over n19m Foreign Trip spending

Jigawa Targets 1.7m Children for Polio Immunisation

again, Boko Haram attacks Chibok, Kills 11

2021 Budget: Reps Cancel TCn new Capital Projects

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By Martin Paul, Abuja

The Federal Government said yesterday that it has not banned any participant in the recent #EndSARS protest from travelling out of the country.

It said there was ‘no-fly list’ of youths who participated in the #EndSARS protests, as stated by report circulating in the social media.

Ministry of Interior stated this in a tweet @MinOfInteriorNG, yesterday that: “The Ministry of Interior did not, has not and will not generate any no-fly list” and urgd the general public to

President Muhammadu Buhari (r) and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha during a meeting on Maritime Security at the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO BY SH/ICE/NAN

80 Professors Jostle for Federal University Lokoja VC Job

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By Jude Opara, Abuja

No fewer than 80 professors as vying for the position of the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja, Kogi

State. Already the Governing Council of the University has commenced the processes of selection.

P r o - C h a n c e l l o r and Chairman of the Governing Council of

the University, Senator Chris Adighije, told newsmen in Abuja that the tenure of the current Vice Chancellor, Prof. Angela Freeman Miri would expire in February next year.

• Dr Yemi Kale

would be announced first week of December.

“We have about 80 applications and we will soon be in the process of short listing. A date has been fixed for that and a five-man Committee is saddled with that responsibility. After that, we will now go on to the

N64.50 million, closely followed by textile and garment industry with N346.27 million and pharmaceutical, soaps and toiletries, which had N386.16 million.

“Out of the total amounted generated in Q3 2020, N214.66 billion was generated as Non-Import VAT locally, while N115.34 billion was generated as Non-Import VAT for foreign.

The report said the balance of N94.70 billion was generated as

Nigeria Customs Service-Import VAT.

VAT is a consumption tax which is administered by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

It was introduced in Nigeria with the enactment of VAT Act No. 102 of 1993, which replaced the Sales Tax, which had been in operation since 1986 by virtue of the Federal Government Decree No. 7 of 1986. VAT used to be five per cent, but was reviewed upward to 7.5 per cent after President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Finance Act 2020 into law.

#EndSARS Protesters Not Banned from Foreign Trips – FG2 COVER DAILY ASSET

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

80 Professors Jostle for Federal University Lokoja VC Job

FG Generates N424.71bn VAT in Q3 2020 – NBS

ignore the story and grade it as “fake news”.

An #EndSARS mobiliser, Modupe Odele, was stopped from travelling by the Nigerian Immigration Service on Monday.

Though there was explanation for the action, it was believed to be related to her mobilisation for the protests.

Odele, through her Twitter handle, @Mochievous, canvassed support for the protests, spurring on her 219,000 followers.

She offered free legal aid to persons who were unjustly arrested during the demonstrations, aside from giving details of support for protesters.

The lawyer said she was on her way to the Maldives to celebrate her birthday when she was accosted by immigration officers.

Odele said she was detained, while her passport was seized by the officers, forcing her to miss her flight.

Sowore Accused of Hijacking Rallies

In a related development, the Body of Genuine #EndSARS protesters yesterday raised the alarm over the attempts by the #RevolutionNow convener and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, to hijack the agitation to pursue his agenda.

The group drew attention to Sunday, November 1, 2020 event in Abuja, where some persons were seen protesting under the auspices of #EndSARS, as an indication of a selfish ploy to revive the now-rested nationwide protests.

Recall that the said protesters, with Sowore assuming a prominent place, had besieged the precincts of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, as well as the Force Headquarters, where they left the “#EndSARS” inscription boldly on the roads.

This attempt to revive the demonstrations, however, had been greeted by angry reaction from the original promoters of #EndSARS protests, who have called on the youths in the country, to disregard the revivalist agenda.

The Genuine #EndSARS protesters, in a statement yesterday by Dr Orji Nwakocha (South East); Dr Aremu Babatunde (South West); Comrade Frank Jaja (South South); Alhaji Ibrahim Dan Iya (North West); Sheik Mohammed Adamu (North East); Mr. Dakwohi Samson (FCT); and Comrade Peter Yohana (North Central), accused Sowore of a deliberate attempt to blackmail President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the group, the need for citizens to give government’s at all levels the chance to address the concerns that necessitated the

• Boss Mustapha

main selection.“There is a selection board

that would be made up of two external members of the Council, two members of the Senate who are not members of the Council while the committee would be chaired by the Chairman of Council. There will be five members of the selection board,” Adighije said.

He also revealed that the new University was undergoing some teething problems but assured that the institution would ensure that it does what needs to be done.

“Of course, you know that the tenure of the present Vice Chancellor will expire on 21st February 2021. By law and convention we are in the process of selecting a successor and in doing that we are insisting on due process. It is taking a lot of our attention and the applications closed on 16th October.

“Shortly after that, proper compilation of applications which include; LGA, age, qualification and other such requirements would be done according to the advert that was put out.

“The management team has compiled that as supervised by a member of the Council.

“The plan and proposal the Council has accepted is to ensure that the new VC would emerge by 4th December, this year. This will create room for transition because the current VC will be leaving by the middle of February, 2021.

“This is a federal University and we have received applications from a cross section of Nigerians who want to occupy the exalted office.”

Asked if it was done in line with Federal Character, he said, “definitely. We had a representative of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) who was there with us throughout the process. They were present.”

On whether the Council was facing any challenges on the selection or where the VC must come from, Senator Adighije said, “well, as far as I am concerned, you know there must be side talks but there has not been any official protest or official petition for that matter but naturally, people must be saying that this University must be staffed by indigenes but that is well taken care of.”

<< FRom covER

<< FRom covER

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#EndSARS demonstrations, had become compelling, moreso that commitments had already been made.

It submitted that the antecedents of Sowore, who had led a failed “revolution” attempt, could not inspire meaningful followership, hence the need to disown him.

“The attention of the Genuine #EndSARS protesters has been drawn to the Sunday, November 1, 2020 attempt in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, to relaunch the now-rested nationwide demonstrations demanding an end to the dreaded police squad, and general reform of the Nigeria Police.

“Leading this unpopular move is one Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of the controversial online news platform, Sahara Reporters.

“Ordinarily, the Genuine #EndSARS protesters would not have dignified this latest development, but for the character, disposition and antecedent of the person at the centre of this, whose infamy remains unparalleled in contemporary Nigerian politics,” the group said in the statement.

The organisation further chronicled the recent events that characterised the person of Sowore, culminating in his ongoing trial before a competent court of jurisdiction.

According to the statement, “Nigerians will recall that Sowore had, sometime in 2019, attempted to lead a failed ‘revolution’ against the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, leading to his arrest and ongoing trial on a 7-count criminal charge bordering on treason, money laundering and cyber-stalking, before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

“It may be further recalled that, owing to the entrenchment of democratic tenets under the current administration, which adheres strictly to the principle of rule of law, institutional independence/non-interference, the court graciously granted Sowore bail, with conditions attached therein.

“One of such conditions was a restriction on addressing public gatherings, until the criminal trial was concluded.

“In his characteristic disobedience to law and properly constituted authorities, Sowore has continued to observe that aspect of his bail conditions in the breach.

“We have taken the pain of articulating these points, to show to the world who this man truly is,

as a prelude to the obvious attempt to hijack a worthy cause initiated by patriotic youths with genuine agitations.

“Having said this, we wish to unequivocally dissociate ourselves from the attempt by Sowore and his few co-travellers, to re-launch the #EndSARS protests, which have since been rested by the original promoters, to allow action from governments at the various levels.

“We make bold to say that, considering the aftermath of the nationwide protests – as seen in the hijack by hoodlums and attendant deaths, destruction of public and private property – no responsible citizen would want to re-ignite the event.”

It concluded thus: “Clearly, this move – to all intent and purposes – is manifestly tendentious, overtly self-serving and anything but altruistic.

“It is designed to further his selfish agenda of blackmailing the federal government, and we completely dissociate ourselves from this move by a man seen in many instances as a meddlesome interloper, who seeks to hijack noble causes, for premeditated ends.

“We, hereby, call on millions of our articulate, ever-conscious and responsible youths across the 36 states of the federation, and the FCT, to resist these latest antics by Sowore, as it will not only threaten the relative peace being enjoyed today, but disturb the socio-economic fabric of a nation negotiating recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Govs Meet over Security, COVID-19 palliatives

Meanwhile, the governors of 36 states are meeting today in Abuja to review the effects of the just- ended #EndSARS protests in relation to internal security, the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives and other related issues.

The Head, Media and Public Affairs, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday, said the issues would form the main focus of the 21st NGF teleconference scheduled for 2pm today.

Bello-Barkindo said, “by the invitation sent to NGF members by the Director General, Asishana Okauru, the governors would be reviewing the internal security situation in the country and the status of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) whose activities in some parts of the country, led to the recent nationwide demonstrations.

“Along with this is the overview from different quarters arising from the CACOVID palliatives flag-offs cum distribution and the subsequent indiscriminate looting of various warehouses throughout the country, which resulted from the demonstrations.

“As usual, the Chairman of the

Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr John Kayode Fayemi, will give a remark on the most contemporary issues affecting the country since the last (20th NGF Teleconference) meeting.

“In this regard, the Ekiti State Governor will be addressing his colleagues on several issues including a feedback from the villa on the UBEC counterpart funding as schools are reopening nationwide and the 50th anniversary of Arewa, which took place in Kaduna at the weekend, where the Chairman and a host of northern governors were in attendance.

“Only one presentation is on the

schedule for today’s meeting. It is the Digital Curriculum Initiative for Basic and Secondary Education ingeniously tagged the e-Gamma solutions ltd.

“Before the floor is open for any other business, the regular updates on the States’ Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) programme and the Governor Okowa Committee which liaises between the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID19 and the NGF will both provide an update.

“Governors are expected, according to the NGF Director General, to join the virtual meeting at 1pm as proceedings commence at 2pm prompt.”

3DAILY ASSETWednesday, November 4, 2020

EDITORIALExpectations were high on the side of students of Nigeria’s universities, and their parents, that they would resume normal academic activities like others after the lifting of the lock down placed on the nation’s economy for more than five months as a result COVID-19 pandemic. Their expectations were however dashed as a result of the decision of the Academic Staff Union of Universities [ASUU] to continue with its nation-wide strike, with a number of demands including an objection to university lecturers to be placed on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System[IPPIS] platform. ASUU’s preferred platform, is the University Transparency and Accountability Solution[UTAS].Towards ending the strike, the Federal Government through its appropriate agencies has tried to resolve the issues. Sadly the recent meeting between the Federal Government and ASUU deadlocked again last Wednesday, and Monday following disagreements over the payment platform that would be used in disbursing the salary arrears, and the N30bn Earned Allowances of the university lecturers which the Federal Government has agreed to pay. The Federal Government team led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, had offered to pay the salary arrears and the N30bn earned allowances of the university lecturers through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System platform pending the roll-out of

ASUU’s preferred platform, the UTAS. ASUU delegation led by its National President, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, reportedly maintained that the university lecturers would not enroll on the government salary platform. The Federal Government had agreed that out of the amount, the N30bn in question would be paid on or before November 6, while the remaining N10bn would be spread equally over two tranches to be paid in May 2021 and February 2022.The two parties equally agreed to the planned release of N30b for the revitalisation of the education sector.

On the contentious payment platform, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, had appealed to ASUU to receive their salaries through IPPIS platform, pending when UTAS will be ready after integrity test, but members of the Union rejected the plea. ASUU however argued that IPPIS was not demonstrated to them before government started using it for workers, wondering why demonstration of UTAS should be a requisite for their salaries. The Federal Government has nevertheless insisted that ASUU must be on IPPIS. The Union in buttressing its position has directed its members to reject IPPIS officials reportedly coming to various campuses for biometric data capturing of its members. An official letter, signed by ASUU President, Prof. B Ogunyemi, sent to all zonal coordinators and all its members, reiterated that the Union will not jeopardise the ongoing critical engagement with Federal

Government. While we commend the two parties in dispute for engaging in dialogue, we are nevertheless surprised and even shocked that an elite body like ASUU should squabble over the payment platform like the IPPIS which has received commendation for saving the government and the nation billions of Naira of funds which in the past were siphoned through dubious arrangement like ghost workers, inflation of staff and other questionable arrangements. We are equally shocked that ASUU is not ready to subjects its preferred platform UTAS to integrity test. Of course this could be an indication that the university system may want an arrangement that will give them room to perpetuate some cover up in the payment of their salaries and other allowances. If the Universities have nothing to hide, they should come out clean and subject their new platform to integrity test and with appropriate data capturing of their relevant staff. ASUU’s demand on payment platform to us amounts to sheer blackmail and it is unacceptable, especially for the salaries they did not generate a dime . The Federal Government may have its challenges, but we are advising it not to budge on this attempt by ASUU to blackmail it and keep the students perpetually at home. We are advising ASUU to either enjoin its members to enroll on the IPPIS system as done by government ministries and agencies or subject its own initiative, UTAS, to integrity test and call off this needless industrial action without delay.

Another FG, ASUU Face-off

Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Cletus AkwayaDeputy Editors-in-Chief:

Danusa OcholiCatherine Agbo

Editor: Martin PaulNews Editor: Orkula Shaagee

Politics Editor: Jude OparaSports Editor: Ben Nwachukwu

State House: Mathew DadiyaBureaux:

North East: Mathew OnahSouth-East: Marcel Duru

South-South: Mike TayeseHead, Finance & Administration: Abdulrasheed Olaloko

Head, Advert & Classified: Annie IgbaHead, Circulation: Chekube OjehICT Adviser: Abdulrahman Obaje

OUR MANDATEDAILY ASSET promises to be a national newspaper, providing quality information to the people in the time- honoured tradition of truth, objectivity and fairness that has been the distinctive feature of the

Nigerian press.We shall be responsible, decorous, factual, just and fair in the reportage of people, private and public institutions, processes and procedures believing that truthful

and timely information is an asset to decision makers at all times.We shall always be guided by the patriotic duty to promote, support and defend

the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria.We shall support the effort to build a society where citizens live peacefully

and are availed the opportunity to tap their God-given talents and acquired skills to improve their living conditions and more importantly,

attain the highest possible heights in their chosen vocations and endeavours.

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Need for Harmony between Primary, Secondary Healthcare GiversDear Editor,

Many Nigerians may not be aware of how unsavory the relationship is between the primary healthcare givers and secondary healthcare givers, the cold war is caused by professional rivalry, even as training differs as the primary healthcare was introduced to take health services to the door doorsteps of the downtrodden who for economic reasons cannot afford the services of advance care givers, they were trained to treat minor illnesses and immediately refer complicated cases to the next level of healthcare, the intent being to reduce pressure for the urban heatlh facilities to be able to attend to more serious cases like surgeries and complicated issues.

The raging cold between the two have claimed several lives due to the attitudes of doctors and nurses usually consumed by ego and arrant rivalry as they operate in the hospitals across the country.

Some basic drugs and injections still being used by primary healthcare givers have been banned and condemned by doctors and nurses even as they still have proven effective in the treatment. Reason behind is to belittle the primary healthcare worker before the patients as one who knows nothing about drugs.

Professionally, the work of nurses in the hospitals are limited to patients care, which include drug administration, bed dressing and oral therapy on weak patients, but sadly in Nigeria, nurses now prescribes drugs without lawful stand.

The primary healthcare giver is mandated by a book named: “The Standing Order” to prescribe drugs to patients and how to administer it, poor or none recognition of existing health laws has set the hospitals on fire with patients as victims.

However, for a coherent

healthcare system to thrive one that will benefit all and sundry, the two rival health gurus must see each other as partners in progress not in competition to prove who is bigger.

Doctors and nurses must hands-off on issue of primary healthcare if the country hopes to achieve affordable health services for all.

In advanced countries, the primary healthcare is so important because it’s a preventive medicine designed through community data which will be used to plan for the population particularly on issues of immunization.

Our nation will be at risk when it fails to draw the needed line between the two for effective healthcare delivery in the country.

This is why the federal government must act to save the primary healthcare sector from collapse.

From Haruna Aliyu Usman, Birnin Kebbi

4 DAILY ASSETWednesday, November 4, 2020

NEWS Editor: 08033359910NEWS Editor: 08111845063

Senate Queries Lai Mohammed over N19m Foreign Trip Spending

US Rescue Operation Not Violation of Nigeria Sovereignty – Minister

Nigeria Approved US Rescue Operation – Defence Minister

The Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, yesterday asked the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed to explain how the ministry expended N19 million on international travel during the COVID-19 lockdown.

This was even as the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Danladi Sankara (Jigawa North-West), called on the Federal Government to increase the annual budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Information and Culture in view of its numerous critical schedules.

Senator representing Imo East, Ezennwa Onyewuchi, had during the ministry’s budget defence raised questions on how N19 million was expended from the N43 million meant for international travels whereas the period coincided with the COVID-19 lockdown.

“Let me take you on this 2020 overhead. You have here on local travels and transport appropriated is N30 million you expended N23 million on local transport you received N96million as appropriated as released and you expended N90 million.

“On International travels and transport you had N43 million and you expended N19million.

“So, I am wondering this period of lockdown where nobody was able to go to any country during the 2020 appropriation, how were you able to embark on international travels and you expended N19 million.

“So we need to look at that critically and you should also tell us here in parliament how you were able to do that.

“Most part of the year we had travel restrictions. I am sure you will remember you did a lot of enlightenment programmes on this and I am sure you will remember that most of us were prevented from moving into other states.

“So I don’t know how you also had the luxury of spending the entire amount that was appropriated on those travels so those are the information we need to get from your expenditure,” Onyewuchi queried.

The Minister in his response said the international travels were undertaken before the COVID-19 lockdown.

“You will notice that N43 million was budgeted but less than 40 per cent was spent precisely because of the COVID-19 and before then remember that we had travelled to attend several international summits starting UNWTO conference, UNESCO in Spain and in the UK. We also did advocacy in the UK at the same time. These were all before the lockdown.

From Vincent Nyinongu, Makurdi

The Benue State Executive Council has approved Friday as work free days for all civil servants in the state.

Briefing newsmen after a meeting of the State Executive Council at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi, the

Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Rt. Hon. Ngunan Addingi said the Friday work free days would take start from this Friday, 6th November, 2019 and run through January.

Addingi said the decision was arrived at to give civil servants

ample time to harvest what they have cultivated during raining season when the state government gave them same concession.

She said the essence is to augment what they were paid for enhanced standard of living, and also to brace up against impending food

shortage.Mrs. Said, due to harsh economic

realities of the day, coupled with the pandemic the world was going through, there was every need for people to turn to agriculture which she noted was our mainstay to survive the storm.

By Gom Mirian, Abuja

The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Fire Ball have eliminated 75 Boko Haram/Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists within one month in North-East.

The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Benard Onyeuko, disclosed this while giving update of the activities of the troops between Sept. 28 and Oct. 31 yesterday.

Onyeuko said that Operation Fire Ball was a subsidiary operation under Operation Lafiya Dole meant to clear the remnants of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists from their identified enclaves in the North-East.

He added that several war

equipment including four gun trucks, one Bedford truck and three anti-aircraft guns were destroyed during the period.

According to him, other weapons captured include six fun trucks, four anti-aircraft guns, one PKT gun, four GPMG, one automatic grenade launcher, Dushka gun, one LMG, 48 AK47 rifles, one locally made pistol and 10 AK47 magazines.

He added large cache of ammunition including 36 hand grenades, 567 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 448 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 50 rocket propelled grenade bombs and 17 locally manufactured rounds were recovered.

According to him, three shells for making Improvised Explosive Device

(IED), one smoke grenade and two belts of PKT rounds as well as assorted non-lethal items were also captured from the criminals.

Onyeuko further disclosed that one officer and two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price while four other soldiers were wounded in action over the period.

He added that the wounded soldiers were currently responding to treatment at a military medical facility.

According to him, the operation has recorded tremendous successes within the short period from its existence with the last week of the preceding month proving to be the deadliest against the criminals.

“The troops in the various sectors of the theatre have continued to carry out their tasks relentlessly.

“The successes so far achieved wouldn’t have been possible without the sacrifice, commitment and gallantry exhibited by the well-motivated troops some of whom have paid the supreme sacrifice.

“The troops of Operation Fire Ball are hereby commended for their resilience, doggedness and commitment exhibited since the beginning of the operation.

“They are equally encouraged not to rest on their oars but build on the successes recorded so far.

“The entire populace of the North-East are hereby assured of the Nigerian military high command determination to finally rout the remnants of BHT/ISWAP criminals from their enclaves in this zone,” he said.

Minister of Defence Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd), yesterday said Nigeria approved of last weekend’s rescue operation carried out by the United States Special Forces.

Magashi also said the operation to rescue a kidnapped American was not a violation of the nation’s

sovereignty.He said the Federal Government

granted the US all the needed support and permission to carry out the military operation.

The United States Special Military Force rescued an American citizen kidnapped by bandits in the northern

part of Nigeria.In an interview with newsmen

shortly after he defended his Ministry’s budget at the Senate yesterday, the Minister said Nigeria gave permission to the United States “as a friendly country” almost as soon as it was contacted by the

government.He ruled out theories that the

United States might have violated Nigeria’s sovereignty.

Magashi said the country was doing the best it could with what was available to the military to deploy adequate technology in its operations.

Benue Declares Friday Work Free Days From left: Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gem Bashir Magashi; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari and Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Amaechi during a meeting on Maritime Security at the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO BY SH/ICE/NAN

5 newsDAILY ASSETwednesday, november 4, 2020

DSS Pledges Support for Peace, Security in Bauchi

Jigawa Targets 1.7m Children for Polio Immunisation

High Drugs Cost Blamed on Failure to Manufacture Locally

From Mohammed Muktar Umar, Bauchi

The Bauchi State Command of the Department of Security Services (DSS) on Monday reassured of its unflinching support for peace and security in the state.

State Director of Service, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi Yeldu gave the assurance while speaking at a town hall meeting on the engagement of youths and communities on security issues organised by the state government.

The Director, who described the conduct of the town hall meeting as timely, observed that, it will go a long way in identifying the security challenges with a view to addressing them amicably.

“On behalf of the Director General, Department of State Services, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, we want to pledge our unflinching support for the peace and security of Bauchi state.

“We are aware that, youths are the leaders of tomorrow and therefore this town hall meeting is timely and it is on this point that we call on youths and their leadership that, if there is anything on security, they should reach to us for prompt action,” Yeldu said.

Alhaji Umar Yeldu who raised an alarm over increased of cases of kidnapping, banditry and rape, as well as cattle rustling, solicited for continued support of critical stakeholders to the service for minimizing the menace.

“Your Excellency, other high profile personalities, we are aware that, Bauchi state is currently recording and increased in criminal activities but we appreciate our Royal Fathers, Imams and Pastors for the roles they played in ensuring security is maintained in the state. We thank you very much on that regard.

On his part, the State Commissioner of Police, Lawal Tanko Jimeta said his command is working in active synergy with youth groups to tackle and reduce their involvement in criminal activities and other social vices.

CP Lawal Jimeta promised that, security agencies in Bauchi state would redouble their efforts towards ensuring the maintenance of peace and security across the state.

The event was attended by Governor Bala Mohammed, Ministers of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu and that of State, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Maryam Yelwaji Katagum.

From Alfred Babs, Ilorin

The Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Kwara State, Dr Aderibigbe Ayodele has explained the expensive cost of drugs in the country was the failure by manufacturers to produce locally.

Dr Ayodele, who stated this at the 2020 Press Week of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Kwara State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin yesterday, also called for the collaboration of opinion leaders, associations and pressure groups to demand necessary things from government.

“Nigeria cannot make drugs. The

vaccine we gave those children in government hospitals is donated to Nigeria for free. That is why they say in hospital they don’t charge you for vaccine but they still charge you for cotton wool and spirit. Can’t Nigeria manufacture these drugs?

“Unless Nigeria government engaged pharmaceutical companies to produce those drugs in Nigeria, the drugs will be expensive because those drugs are imported. It depends on exchange rate. It depends on dollars. It depends on global oil prices. Those are some of the factors that account for the high cost of drugs, especially, drugs for non-communicable diseases. It is beyond the scope of what NMA can do. What we must continue to do

is to beg the government,” he said.Dr. Ayodele, who said that

pharmaceutical companies would produce drugs at more affordable prices when government created enabling environment for drug manufacturers, added that government must also strengthen regulatory bodies to ensure that drugs manufactured in Nigeria contain advertised ingredients.

“Most of the drugs you see in Nigeria apart from being fake, they are substandard. You go to hospital and they give you 500mg paracetamol. But some people went back to the labs and you will find out that it does not contain 500mg. It contains only 200mg but they wrote 500mg on it. How can

it work? How will the person get better despite paying money for it? The ones produced in Nigeria are not produced properly they are fake. Those are the problems we have.

“So, government should also ensure that our regulatory bodies do the needful. Sanction any drug manufacturing company that is putting lesser quantity in drugs and sell to people. Government should give the manufacturer enabling environment. All the raw materials are in this country. It is just the failure of leadership. That is why we cannot manufacture those things and the only way we can get drugs cheap is for the drugs to be produced in Nigeria,” he said.

The Jigawa Primary Healthcare Development Agency (JSPHCDA) says it is targeting no fewer than 1.7 million children in the ongoing polio immunisation campaign in the state.

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr Kabir Ibrahim, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse yesterday.

Ibrahim said that the National

Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) had provided the state with enough oral polio vaccines (OPVs) to ensure smooth conduct of the exercise.

He explained that trained personnel were simultaneously conducting the exercise in all the 27 local government areas of the state.

The executive secretary, who described the ongoing campaign as the best during the COVID-19

pandemic, said reports reaching the agency indicated that the five-day exercise, which commenced on Oct. 31, was going on smoothly.

“However, one of our challenges is that we still have pockets of caregivers who will tell you that they want this and don’t want that.

“But over a period of time, traditional and religious institutions have played significant roles, which had led to huge reduction in

rejection by caregivers.“The exercise has been successful

since its commencement on Saturday, with regards to the turnout of children and there has been no record of rejection so far.

“The vaccines are in good condition; the weather is favourable; ice packing is optimal and vaccinators were fully mobilised. In fact, this is the best outing since the outbreak of COVID-19,” he said.

A scene of an accident in front of the National Theatre at Iganmu in Lagos yesterday. PHOTO BY BABATUNDE ATOLAGBE/BJO/NAN

DAILY ASSETWednesday, November 4, 2020 NeWs6

IGP Deploys DIG, AIG as Heads of Operations, Administration

Nasarawa NSCDC Parades Three for Gang-rape, Eight for Vandalism

7% Kebbi Urban Population Diabetic - Dr Lawal

Shelve Planned Second #EndSARS Protest, CSOs Beg Youths

By Gom Mirian, Abuja

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Adamu, has approved the posting of Mr Sanusi Lemu, a Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), as Head, Department of Operations of the Nigerian Police Force.

The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr Frank Mba, made the disclosure in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja.

He said that the posting of Mr Usman Baba, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), as Head of the Department of Finance and Administration of the Force, had also been approved by the IGP.

Mba said that the postings of the senior officers followed the recent retirement of the two DIGs heading the departments, Abdulmajid Ali (Operations) and Abduldahiru Danwawu (Finance and Administration).

He said that the two erstwhile heads of the departments retired after the completion of their statutory years of service.

According to him, the new DIG (Operations) holds a Bachelor of Education (B.A. Ed.) in Political Science and has attended several professional courses, including intermediate command course, senior command course and peace keeping training course.

“A distinguished member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Lemu has held many command positions, including the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna and Bauchi Police Commands.

“Until his new posting, he was the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Zone 12 headquarters, Bauchi,” he said.

Mba also said Baba, had also held several strategic positions, including Assistant Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Zone 5, Benin, Zone 4, Makurdi, Zone 7, Abuja and Commissioner of Police, FCT and Delta Commands.

He was, until his new posting, the Force Secretary.

Mba added that the IGP had also approved the posting of Mr Mustapha Dandaura, an AIG, as the Force Secretary and member of the Nigerian Police Force Management Team.

He said that the posting of Dandaura followed the vacuum created by the posting of Baba, who was the former occupant of the position.

From Haruna Aliyu Usman, Birnin Kebbi

A consultant endocrinologist at the Federal Medical Centre Birnin Kebbi, Doctor Amina Lawal, has disclosed that about seven Percent of urban Population in Kebbi state are living with diabetes type2.

Dr Lawal made the disclosure at her office in Birnin Kebbi, she said the prevalence of the non-communicable disease is about four percent in the

rural areas, according to her in 60s and 70s there was almost zero cases of diabetes but urban life styles of eating processed foods pushed up the number of cases in cities who drinks lots of soft drinks and eats carbohydrates without regular exercise

She stated that individuals whose sugar level passes four percent are at risk of diabetes, she recommends at least medical check-ups yearly because many are diabetic but do not know especially in Africa, she added that,

diabetes unit under the world health organization raised the alarm that in every ten persons one is diabetic while it projected that in the coming years it will be at least two in ten persons.

She explained that, diabetes type2 usually for adults is not a death sentence as many thought, the patients should maintain their sugar levels by observing their dietaries and exercising regularly, doing that she said will guarantee long life, as the state chairperson of diabetic patients

with at least one thousand members Dr Lawal said they have held series of free medical outreaches in Gwandu, Yauri Argungu and Zuru Emirates where they conduct free test and enlighten the populace on the need for them to know their status on diabetes with support from the NMA .

Lawal further said that not only those with hereditary cases are at risk of diabetes even those with obesity and continue the intake of processed foods risk diabetes.

The Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness in coalition with 62 CSOs and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), yesterday appealed to youths to step down plans for a second #EndSARS protest.

Dr Nwambu Gabriel, who spoke on behalf of the coalition, made the call at a news conference tagged “#EndSARS Protest: Reading between the Lines,

Truth, Facts and Fantasies” in Abuja.“We want to appeal to the very

articulate and hardworking Nigerian youth to dissuade all attempts by clandestine groups to make them return to the streets a second time.

“We urge them to embrace dialogue with government for a long lasting peace in Nigeria.”

Gabriel said the group decided to

conduct an inquest on the #EndSARS demonstration and the climax of the #EndSARS protest.

He said that the call became imperative because of the allegation that the #EndSARS protest was politically motivated and funded both locally and internationally.

He alleged that the sole aim was to spur sentiments from citizens with

the ultimate goal of destabilising the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“We would want to reemphasise that our coalition believes in the sanctity of the human life and the fact that every life is equal before our Creator.”

He also urged citizens to thread with caution on the narrative of the Lekki Toll Gate killing.

From Beauty John, Lafia

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC ), Nasarawa State Command has paraded three suspects for allegedly gang raping a twelve year old girl in Bakin Rijiya, and 8 others for vandalizing rail line in Aridi-Ajega, both in Lafia local government area of the state.

Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mohammed Suraj made this known while parading the suspects in Lafia yesterday.

The victim, 12 year old Aisha Ibrahim who was said to be repeated raped by the suspects; Abdullahi

Aliyu (M) 35, Mustapha Jibrin (M) 25 and Umar Ali Aso(M) 35, was rushed to Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) for urgent medical attention.

“We call you here today to address you on the remarkable achievements we have made again. We have here three defilers who have gang raped a 12 year old girl, one Aisha Ibrahim at Bakin-Rijiya. Two were arrested in Bakin-Rijiya, one was arrested in Wakwa.

“Even the doctor, when Aisha was taken for medical examination, he reconfirmed that yes, all of them went three rounds each on her” he added.

One of the suspects, Umar Ali Aso, a 35 year old commercial driver denied his involvement in the act.

According to the suspect who pleaded leniency, he was going about his daily activities when the NSCDC personnel apprehended him.

The PRO revealed that eight suspects ; Sani Isa, Moses Sakpa , Zakari Ayuba, Allahnana Kabiru, Zakari Sabo, Idris Haruna , Salihu Ayuba , Zakari Yusuf were arrested at Aridi-Ajega at around 1:00am, vandalizing rail line.

According Suraj, the suspects were caught in the act with welding equipments which they used to cut

the rail way irons and sleeper so as to easily convey them to their desired destination.

One of the suspects, Idris Haruna (M) claimed that they were instructed by one Muazu Ayuba who is currently at large, to load the rail line equipments in his vehicle.

“He told us to go and load scrap, when we went, we saw rail line irons. Just as we were done loading, vigilante arrested us, then the owner of the property ran and left us,” he said.

Mr Suraj assured that the suspects will be charged to court while calling on residents of the state to stay clear of criminals activities.

Eights suspected of vandalizing rail line

7 newsDAILY ASSETwednesday, november 4, 2020

2021 Budget: Reps Cancel TCN New Capital Projects

…10m Household Not Metered - NMMPThe House of Representatives has

cancelled all new capital projects planned by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

The House Committee on Power reached the decision via a motion at the resumed budget defence session with TCN yesterday in Abuja

The agency had appeared before the Committee to defend its 2021 budget proposals totalling N165, 89,532,680.00 and proposed 14 new projects in next year’s budget.

TCN Managing Director, Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, had told the Committee that there were numerous projects unexecuted and that it was counterproductive to introduce new ones when many previously awarded ones had not been attended to.

The committee, therefore called for an urgent action to reverse what was perceived

as an abnormal situation.In a motion moved and seconded, with

the consent of the majority of the committee members, the Chairman, Hon. Magaji Aliyu from Jigawa State ruled in the affirmative to shut down the projects.

10m Household Not Metered - NMMP

Meanwhile, with over 10 million households yet to be metered for electricity supply, the Federal Government has given the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) the matching order to roll out six million meters for all connection points over the next 18 to 24 months.

The connection is expected to cover about 30 million consumers nationwide and would reduce the metering deficit in the country by 66.7 per cent.

Under the programme, the Federal Government would make funds available for

the payment of the prepaid meters and the DISCOs would distribute to households free, while customers would pay back the cost of the meters over a period of time.

Speaking during the NMMP launch in Lagos, the Commissioner for Energy, Lagos State, Mr Olalere Odusote, said the essence of prepaid meters was to ensure that everyone understand the energy they are consuming and pay for it.

“One of the major concerns of consumers is that the bills they are charged is not reflective of their power consumption.

“What the state government is doing is to ensure that it underwrites the metering programme it is providing, so instead of having consumer pay for meters that they need immediately, the state government will prepay and consumers would repay overtime.

“The meters would be available and your inability to afford a meter would not stop you

from getting a meter”.Group Managing Director, Mojec

International Limited, Chantelle Abdul, said the metering programme is an initiative of the Federal Government to ensure that Nigerians get meters fast and close the metering gap.

“I think the difference here is that the government has provided the funding necessary so that the Discos will not have to do so much to afford the meters. The government has intervened with some financing to ensure that Discos are able to acquire the meters,” she said.

She added that a “meter doesn’t exist by itself, there are so many accessories. So, all of these are included in that price. The difference with this national metering programme is the customer doesn’t have to pay for the meter upfront anymore. The payment is borne by the government and the Discos. The only thing is that the cost of the meter is embedded in the tariff”.

From Christopher Tom, Uyo

The Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, has commended the peaceful conduct of the local government poll in the state, describing the exercise as a huge success.

Dr Ekuwem, who stated this on Saturday after voting in his Udung Inyang Unit in Mbo Local Government Area, said the large turnout and enthusiasm expressed by voters during the exercise was impressive.

He attributed the peaceful and

orderly conduct of the elections by the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) to the peaceful nature of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

“The peaceful nature of this exercise depict, manifest and show vividly who the Governor is. Since the State Chief Executive is peaceful, everybody is peaceful.

“My father used to say that no household, family, village, town, local government, state and country can be greater than whoever is at the top. So, since the governor is a man of peace, you can see peace radiating in the entire exercise. So, the people

should continue to be law abiding, peaceful, orderly and be harmony-centric and continue to support His Excellency, the Governor in his Completion Agenda,” Ekuwem stated.

He, however, used the opportunity to call on Mbo people to continue to support Udom Emmanuel-led administration in view of many developmental projects in the area.

The state chief scribe listed the projects to include Ibom Deep Seaport, Ibom Industrial city, Etebi-Enwang road, the NNPC oil and gas logistics centre and tank farms.

Also speaking with newsmen after

casting his vote in his Uko Akpan Unit, Enwang Ward 1, Mbo Local Government Area, the re-elected Chairman of Mbo, Hon Asukwo Eyo thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for making sure that the local government election is conducted and not the usual practice where elected officials used to handover to a transition administration before another election is conducted.

Eyo assured that the prevailing peace and security in Mbo would be sustained to ensure the completion of all the developmental projects in the area as no development thrives in an atmosphere of rancour.

COVID-19 Brings Radical Transformation in Arbitration Procedure - DambefoFrom Tayese Mike, Yenagoa

The advent of COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged the world has necessitated innovations in court proceedings and that the innovation has brought digital litigation and digital case management systems to the fore in the administration of justice in Nigeria.

In a paper presented by Professor Damfebo K. Derri during a seminar organised by the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators in Yenagoa, titled, “The Effect of COVID-19 on the Dispute Resolution Processes in Nigeria”, said COVID-19 has also brought a radical transformation in arbitration procedure.

He said unlike court proceedings, no special guidelines or practice or directions are needed to proceed with virtual arbitration hearing in Nigeria. Saying the future is bright for digital dispute resolution.

He further said the COVID-19 will not bring an end to litigation. “The sources and causes of dispute have not and will not dissipate as a result of the pandemic”.

According to professor Damfebo, parties must embrace the reality of dispute resolution in a virtual world and actively consider in engaging in virtual mediation/negotiation and not be afraid to consider proposing procedural solutions that will assist courts in conducting matters online or through virtual hearings.

He therefore proposed that more resources should be allocated to developing technologies for use in dispute resolution proceedings. He said this includes, having up-to-date software to facilitate remote video evidence and investing in secure cloud-based solution that will enable swift and seamless sharing of large quantities of data.

He also said greater cost of budget allocation should be allowed for the digitalization of resources in order for parties to be equipped for remote dispute resolution.

“Key documentations should be managed more efficiently. Contracts/commercial documents should be extracted, achieved and stored, ready for use in remote dispute resolution in the event that this becomes necessary.”

Professor Damfebo who is also the District chairman of Bayelsa state Institute of Chartered Arbitrators, said cloud storage should be utilized more effectively. Saying the security and protection of such data should be of central importance.

A’Ibom SSG Lauds Turnout, Peaceful Conduct at LG Poll

From left: Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Coordinating Committee on National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) emergency meeting, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar; Amayanabo of Twon-Brass Kingdom, King Alfred Diete-Spiffis; Minister of FCT, Muhammad Musa-Bello; Ooni of Ife and Co-Chairman of NCTRN, Oba Adeyeye Enitan-Ogunwusi, Ojaja II; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha; and Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of NCTRN, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, during the emergency meeting of the NCTRN’s National Executive Committee on EndSARS protest, in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO BY JIMAH SULEMAN/BJO/NAN

By Gom Mirian, Abuja

Some indigenous environmental experts have called on the government and oil companies in the Niger Delta region to step up efforts towards ensuring environmental restoration in order to cushion challenges occasioned by oil pollution on rural livelihoods and occupations.

The Executive Director, Kebetache Women Development and Resources Centre, Mrs. Emem Okon made the call while delivering a public report of the assessment of women livelihood needs in Ogoniland.

Speaking at a webinar organised by the organization in partnership with CORDAID, Okon said the study carried out in four LGAs in the region was to promote women’s inclusion

in livelihood decision making for sustainable development in Ogoni

She said the study had identified the livelihood preferences, priorities and existing opportunities to enhance women economic development in the area, said is key to a successful clean-up process that is inclusive and participatory.

According to her, there is need for the government and other key players in the region to complement the interventions, other capacity building initiatives by the civil society organizations among other advocates to empower and strengthen women who are mostly hit by the environmental pollution in the region.

She noted that, findings have shown that the level of education, duration

of occupation, and monthly income were significantly associated with lack of capital being faced as a livelihood challenge.

“A higher proportion of those who had primary level education (83.9%) compared to those who attained at least secondary school education (78.1%) reported lack of capital as a livelihood challenge.

“Women who engaged in the occupation because of finance being the available option were more likely to face lack of access to loans as a challenge compared to those who are engaged in the job because of their skills or passion.

“With the data so far, changing or searching for livelihood alternatives hold little promise given the absence of opportunities or the required

economic structures to support opportunities.

“38.3% of respondents are engaged in trading – buying and selling of clothes, provisions, drinks, food spare parts, building materials, woods etc, 20% of respondents are into farming, fishing and poultry, 80.1% of respondents like farming and fishing, 17.5% of respondents are artisans – bakery, hair-dressing, bead making, videography, fashion designing livelihood Challenges,” she explained.

Other collective recommendations presented by the experts going forward among others include; to upscale interventions around improving rural market support systems to aid improved income from farming and fishing.

From Beauty John, Lafia

Ahead of the forthcoming local government elections in Nasarawa State scheduled for 2021, Majority Leaders of the 13 local government areas in the state have appealed to the State House of Assembly intervene by ensuring they are granted automatic tickets in the forthcoming elections.

They made the appeal in Lafia during a courtesy call on the Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Umar Tanko Tunga.

Other demands made by the 13 local government council legislators include

training, gratuity.The Majority Leader of Lafia Local

Government legislative council, Yakubu Tunga said they were in the visit was to identify with the Majority Leader and also tap from his experience.

In his response, Hon. Tunga emphasised the need for quality service delivery and representation as he addressed their demand on continuity.

According to Tunga, the beauty of democracy is where people decide their leaders as he advised them to do their best so that their stewardship

will stand for them as the election approaches.

Tunga while noting that the tenure of the current Local Government officials ends in April next year, stated that the law is clear on the duration of both state and local government legislators as he reiterated that that the state assembly as a law making body would continue to adhere strictly to the rule of law.

The Majority leader debunked speculation that Governor Abdullahi Sule is seeking the approval of the House to reduce the tenure of the local government elected officials.

“We cannot break the law we made. The house under Speaker Balarabe Abdullahi is focused and committed.

“There was never a time we get signal from executive to terminate your tenure, no any signal in that respect,” he said.

He emphasized the need for adequate administrative arrangement to be put in place for training and retraining of Local Government lawmakers, especially before their inauguration to enable them get the basic knowledge of law making and other legislative practice and representation for good governance at the grassroots.

The Nigerian Medical Association has condemned the widespread attack on health facilities and the looting of medical consumables across Nigeria.

The association said it is painfully disturbed by attacks on health facilities, burning of hospitals and clinics as well as looting and vandalization of medical and hospital

supplies, consumables and vaccines.The medical body described the

activities of hoodlums as barbaric, primitive and wanton, a situation it warned is capable of endangering the health of Nigerians and creating an irredeemable negative impact on the health system.

“One of the immediate effects of this unbecoming behaviour of the

hoodlums is the danger the public is exposed to. This may have long life effects not only on human beings but also on the environment.

“NMA feels very embarrassed and disappointed that health workers, facilities and equipment were not secured nor protected by Security Agencies to forestall the monumental nationwide looting

and vandalisation of government and private properties.”

The NMA said the looting of health facilities will further weaken the delivery of health services in an already near-comatose health system and set Nigeria back on its quest to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

‘‘The vaccines carted away are to

help prevent diseases but the action of the hoodlums may lead to the resurgence of vaccine-preventable childhood diseases.

The body has now called on looters of medicaments and hospital equipment to return them or destroy them professionally as some of the medicines could be very harmful to the human body.

Obaseki Begs Policemen to Resume

DAILY ASSETWednesday, November 4, 2020 NeWs8

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, yesterday, pleaded with the state Commissioner of Police, Johnson Babatunde Kokumo to allow officers and men of his command to return to their duty posts and make their presence visible to secure lives and property of the citizens of the state.

The governor made the appeal yesterday, when he paid a solidarity visit to the command in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protest that led to the destruction of lives and property, including the burning down of the police stations in the state.

Obaseki said their absence on the roads and some conspicuous places in the state could easily be interpreted by the hoodlums who hijacked the good intentions of the #EndSARS protest as weakness and cowardice on the part of the police, adding that the police should do everything within their powers to quickly correct that wrong impression.

He said the government and people of Edo State are solidly behind the police command and to give them the needed support and encouragement that they needed to move on and get rid of all the criminal elements in the state.

The governor said as part of his concern and sharing in their plights, he has ordered for patrol vans to be supplied and given to the police to aid their operations in the state, while the medical bills of the injured officers would also be taken care of by the government just as he said he would rebuild the burnt police stations.

“Edo State government will now proceed immediately to begin to rebuild your destroyed building. We have already ordered for some patrol vehicles and we hope it will be delivered in the next few weeks. We will be responsible for the hospital bills of officers who have been hurt in the last few weeks,” he said.

The governor however, vowed that the inmates who escaped will not celebrate the Christmas with other citizens of the state and that they will certainly be rearrested while those who saw the prison gates flung opened and chose to stay back, will have their cases reviewed.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Kokumo, said the presence of the state governor in their midst has boosted their morale to resume and reclaim the state from the hoodlums after the #EndSARS protest.

Experts Seek More Efforts for N’Delta Environmental Restoration

Nasarawa Councilors Seek Automatic Tickets in 2021 Election

NMA Warns Childhood Diseases Will Surge if Looted Vaccines Not Returned

Construction workers working on Ojota Bridge in Lagos yesterday. PHOTO BY BABATUNDE ATOLAGBE/JMH/BJO/NAN

ASUU Vows to Continue Strike if FG Insist on IPPISThe Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has pointed out why it won’t call off the industrial action embarked upon by its members.

The Coordinator of the Calabar Zone of ASUU, Dr. Aniekan Brown said the industrial action would continue as long as the government insists on the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System, IPPIS.

Addressing journalists yesterday in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, Brown described IPPIS as a cesspool of corruption.

He also dismissed claims by the Government that 71,000 ASUU members had already accepted to register with the IPPIS.

Describing the claim as incorrect, Brown insisted that such was a distraction to the academic body.

He said: “The distraction known as IPPIS is a cesspool of corruption and Federal Government’s illicit commitment, hard-work, determination and treachery to forcibly migrate employees of Federal universities to the IPPIS platform.

“Government’s claim is not true. We challenge the authorities to the fact that we are not up to 71,000 members. The Minister for Finance, Budget and National Planning had earlier said 71,000 members of ASUU had accepted to register on the IPPIS platform. So, the Government’s statistics are faulty and mere propaganda.

“We will not resume work until Government addresses our demands, ASUU members have not been paid for between four and nine months. We are still in the trenches.”

“We argued that it is a case of economic waste, because ASUU has been rejecting the IPPIS since 2013 and Government challenged us to produce an alternative. We took up the challenge and came up with UTAS.”

L-R: Commandant, Crisis Management Directorate, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Commandant Dan Samuel Okon; Chief Superintendent of Corps, NCSCDC, FCT Command, Godwin Ekang; Imman II, Sarkin Bwari Palace Masjid, Abubakar Muhammad Muhammad and representative of HRH, Sarkin Bwari, Dantani Usman Dantsoho (Sarkin Hausawa Bwari), during the Men’s Summit Against Sexual and Gender-based Violence organised by YouthhubAfrica in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO BY ADAMS SAMUEL

9news DAILY ASSETwednesday, november 4, 2020

Takulashe village of Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, Northeast Nigeria came under Boko Haram attack on Sunday evening with casualty figure of about 11 persons.

The village was attacked at about 10:00pm, an attack which lasted for over three hours before military arrived to repel the attackers, a resident of the village told newsmen on Monday evening.

The insurgents were believed to have made an in-road into the village through the Sambisa Forest, and “Local rescue team are still searching for victims that fled

into nearby bushes and farmlands,” Ishaku Musa said

He noted that Takulashe village is prone to attacks, as the community is located on the fringes of the forest. “The insurgents launched their attacks from forest on motorcycles that maneuvered the footpaths to the farming and herding community.

“Troops have been stationed in Chibok town since the abduction of 276 Chibok schoolgirls on April 14, 2014 by Boko Haram. But surrounding villages have continued to suffer from attacks, which happens unchallenged as the

attackers always perpetrate their evils and leave before the arrival of security operatives,” he added.

The insurgents came with six gun trucks, three other vehicles and some heavy weapons. They also killed some vigilantes who first engaged them and had collected their Hilux vehicle,” another source said.

According to our source, the head of the vigilante group in Takulashe village immediately called the army brigade. From the information he gave, the army brigade called on the Air Force for air support as soldiers from the

117 battalion under the brigade were mobilized to advance to the area. But the air force could not respond, a situation which led to the insurgent bringing the whole village to ashes.

There was no response from Major General John Enenche, Media Coordinator in the Defence Headquarters on the attack on Chibok village.

The over a decade long insurgency has claimed over 36,000 lives with property worth N3.42 trillion lost in the north-eastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe since 2009.

From Tayese Mike, Yenagoa

Prominent personalities, including Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; former President Goodluck Jonathan; General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye and a former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson, graced the 9th Bayelsa State Thanksgiving Day on Monday.

The event which was held at the magnificent 15,000 capacity Ecumenical Centre at Igbogene near the state capital, Yenagoa, also had in attendance National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, members of the party’s National Working Committee, clergymen as well as captains of industry.

At the event, which was the first for his administration, an elated Governor Douye Diri, again, extended his hands of fellowship to political opponents, calling on them and Bayelsans to join forces with his government in building bridges of unity, peace and development of the state.

Senator Diri said it was time for the political class in the state, regardless of party affiliation, to jettison their differences and discontinue the endless litigations against the government of the day in order to distract it.

According to Diri, they should be building bridges in the state and not to burn them, saying before APC and PDP, Bayelsa was there. “Like I have said over and over, our arms are open for all of our brothers whether

in APC, PDP or whatever party. It is time to build Bayelsa State.”

Expressing gratitude to all who graced the event, particularly former President Jonathan, the Vice President, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Christian Religious Matters, Pastor Seyi Malomo, Diri assured of the state government’s willingness to accommodate genuine ideas aimed at fast-tracking the socio-economic development of the state.

“This is not the time for us to continue in litigations. This is the time for us to build and bring our ideas to the table. If you have the idea of a blue economy, bring it to the table. We are ready to accept it. If you have an idea of a green economy, bring it to the table.”

According to him, although the

world was experiencing serious economic crisis, he believes Bayelsa would surmount the challenges if the people spoke with one voice in order to move the state forward.

Former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, in his speech, urged political players to take a cue from the examplary conduct of Christians that worship one God under various religious organisations.

“We the political class should really learn from the Christians; the body of Christ. For those of us in Bayelsa, that is my only message today.

“There are so many religious organisations but one thing I will tell you is that they all believe in one God and that brings them together always.”

Dr. Jonathan reminded politicians that the primary objective of their

involvement in politics was to serve the interest of the people, urging them to unite after elections to achieve greater things for the common good of all.

“In Bayelsa State, the political class should know that we get into politics primarily in the interest of the state and the people.

“So, no matter the political parties we belong, let us put politics aside and unite for the greater good of the state. At the end of elections, the remaining thing is governance and supporting those who by divine providence emerged as winners.

“The common interest of Bayelsa must be maintained irrespective of our political differences. We must work together and put the interest of Bayelsa before any other interest and surely the state would develop.”

Again, Boko Haram Attacks Chibok, Kills 11

Osinbajo, Jonathan, Adeboye Grace Bayelsa 9th Thanksgiving Day

Northern Govs Back Social Media RegulationThe Northern Governors Forum has expressed support for the ongoing efforts to regulate the social media in order to check the spread of fake news in the country.

In a communiqué issued by its Chairman and Governor of Plateau, Mr Simon Lalong, after its meeting in Kaduna with traditional rulers and other key stakeholders in the region on Monday, the Forum called for major control mechanisms and censorship of social media practice in Nigeria.

The meeting, which took note of the devastating effect of the uncontrolled social media in spreading fake news, also expressed support for the reform of the police to strengthen their capacity.

“Forum appreciates the major reforms going on in the Police Force and pledges to support Mr. President on this course.

“The meeting resolves to support the Nigerian Police Force to serve the country better and calls for the strengthening of trust between the people and the Police,” it said.

The Forum set up two committees to push for statutory roles for traditional rulers and engagement with youths and civil society organisations.

The Committee on Roles of Traditional Rulers is headed by the Emir of Lafia, Sidi Bage, with two representatives from the National Assembly and a minister as members.

The Committee on Youth and Civil Society Organisations has the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmad Bamalli as Chairman.

The forum has representative of elders, youths, women and persons with disability as members from each of the three zones.

Others are representatives of Muslim and Christian clerics, business community and police.

“These engagement committees are to commence work immediately,” it said.

It appreciated the roles traditional rulers played in containing the #End SARS protests in the region, and collectively agreed that traditional rulers be given formal roles in the govemance architecture of the country.

The meeting rejected and condemned the subversive actions of some #End SARS protesters and endorsed “the indivisibility, indissolubility and oneness of the nation.”

It commended the National Assembly and the Presidency for being proactive in addressing the issues of protests across the country.

The governors also called for an amicable resolution of the ASUU strike to enable students resume their studies.

The forum agreed to hold the meeting regularly and expand it to involve other critical stakeholders such as religious leaders, business community and youths leaders.

It appreciated the roles of religious groups, JNI and CAN, for their positive interventions in resolving the #EndSARS conflicts.

The forum called for collective efforts in addressing the lingering challenges of the region, such as Almajiri system, insecurity, illiteracy and poverty. (NAN)

From Beauty John, Lafia

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on Public Complaint, Petition and Security has given six weeks to the governing council and management of College of Agriculture, Science and Technology Lafia to revisit the demands of some of its engaged staff who were demoted, particularly those of the defunct

College of Agriculture Nursery and Primary School Lafia.

Hon. Danladi Jatau, the Minority Leader of House, who doubles as the Chairman of the committee gave the directive when the management, Governing Council and the Demoted Staff appeared before the committee to defend a petition written by the affected staff in Lafia on Monday.

Hon. Jatau said the appeal has become necessary considering

their period of service and experience and to also ensure that peace reigns in the institution.

In the petition titled “Demotion of Absorbed staff of Defunct College of Agric Nursery and primary School Lafia” the leader of the affected staff, Mr Mark Iyimoga lamented that some of the college staff on grade level 14 and 13 were demoted to level 9 and 7 without considering their additional qualifications and years

of service.Responding, the Acting

Chairman of the Governing Board Dalhatu Manman and the Provost Ahmed Maikeffi said the decision was taken based on recommendations of the screening committee of the institution.

The chairman and provost appealed to the house to give them between now and second week of December to revisit the matter as instructed.

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Kogi State Government has inaugurated committee on Education for All Project (EDUFAP), aimed at developing and improving public schools, especially the secondary school system across the 21 local government areas of the state.

The committee members were inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr (Mrs) Folashade Ayoade Arike at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Lokoja yesterday.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the inauguration, the State’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Wemi Jones, said that EDUFAP was an initiative of Kogi MOEST, which had full approval and support of the education loving Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

According to Jones, EDUFAP is an initiative designed to raise donations in cash and kind to enable the renovations, constructions, furnishing and equipping of

schools, classrooms, science laboratories and school libraries across schools in the State.

He restated that EDUFAP was aimed at renovating dilapidated school buildings, furnishing and equipping laboratories and libraries of public schools particularly secondary schools.

The Commissioner stressed that EDUFAP would focus on the 285 secondary schools in the state which have no support from Universal Basic Education (UBEC) and TETFUND which catered for primary and tertiary school systems respectively.

“EDUFAP aims at sourcing for resources and materials, and using them judiciously for schools in the state.

“EDUFAP is to enlighten, inform, and encourage stakeholders, organisations, institutions, donors, philanthropists and well-meaning individuals to support education like it is done in other States,” he said.

“In view of the dwindling revenue that accrue to state on

account of Covid-19 pandemic and other economic challenges; it is reasonable to think of other way to critically address that very important part of our education system

“The state government is ready to do what it can for the purpose of taking care of the secondary schools, but government effort will not be enough in view of the number of secondary schools that we have and present challenged situations of those schools.

“The government is willing and ready to address these issues very squarely but it will be easier if we have the support we are requesting from corporate and individuals.

“By the time we are done, other States will come to learn from us how we were able to transformed the secondary schools system in Kogi Stat”, he said.

The commissioner noted that many schools buildings had been destroyed by rain storms, flood and others which occurred at a time we were battling with Covid-19 pandemic.

He, therefore, called on corporate organisations and private individuals to come to the aid of the state government in solving the problems facing secondary school system in the state.

The SSG also inaugurated Strategic Committee, Core Committee and Expanded Committee.

The Strategic Committee has Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Wemi Jones as the Chairman, while the Permanent Secretary Education, Pastor Emmanuel Idenyi is to serve as Secretary.

Other members include: Commissioners for: Finance, Budget and Planning; Information and Communications; Women Affairs & Social Development; Youths and Sports; Commerce & Industry; Solid Minerals; Water Resources; Local Govt. & Chieftaincy Affairs; Rural Development; Works; and Culture & Tourism, Chairman and Members State House of Assembly Committee on Education; Chairman STETSCOM; and Chairman ANCOPS.

Nasarawa School Gets Six Weeks to Reverse Staff Demotion

10 news DAILY ASSETwednesday, november 4, 2020

Osun workers during a surprise ‘Thank-You’ visit to Gov. Gboyega Oyetola, at the State Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo to appreciate him for fulfilling his promise to them. PHOTO BY BJO/NAN

Kogi Inaugurates Committee on Education for All Project

11 news DAILY ASSETwednesday, november 4, 2020

Air Peace Receives Second ERJ-145 from C-checkThe Management of Air Peace has announced the arrival of another aircraft ERJ-145 after undergoing C-Check abroad.

Mr Stanley Olisa, spokesman for Air Peace, confirmed the development in a statement in Lagos yesterday.

Olisa explained that the aircraft, with registration number 5N-BVD, arrived Lagos on Monday night.

“Most of our aircraft were out on C-Check during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they have started arriving one after the other.

“It will be recalled that just a couple of weeks ago, we received a new aircraft bringing our current Embraer 145 fleet to 8,” he said.

Olisa said that the airline was expecting two more aircraft from C-Check in a few days time. (NAN)

Govs Told to Embrace Agriculture, Industrialization

Bauchi Gov Assures Timely Release of Counterpart FundsFrom Mohammed Muktar Umar, Bauchi

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on Sunday assured development partners of his administration’s timely release of counterpart funding for the fulfilment of all agreements and commitments signed.

The Governor gave the assurance at the commissioning of an upgraded hospital sanitation facility at the Specialist Hospital Bauchi executed by the state government in partnership with Water is Right Foundation, a German based organisation.

He also assured development partners and other stakeholders in the health sector that the state government will not relent in its

effort of providing safe and habitable environment in hospitals across the state.

Governor Mohammed, who described upgrading of the sanitation facilities as timely, said his administration in collaboration with the foundation, will extended the project to cover the remaining facilities at the primary healthcare levels.

“The activities executed in the project are, connecting and repairing water pipes, tanks, connecting and repairing sewer pipes, soak pits, adding necessary drainage for hand washing, repairing or installing missing toilets and sinks and tiling and painting interior to create cleanable surfaces.

“Sanitizing or repairing existing tiling and grouting, repairing or installing doors and latches, repairing or installing flushing systems or tanks, installed signages for hand washing and hygiene education for the staff and local community.”

According to him, with the commissioning of the sanitation facility at Specialist Hospital Bauchi, two out of the many MoUs and cooperation agreements signed during his official visit to Germany have now been fully executed.

Governor Bala Mohammed said the visit to Germany has attracted numerous German NGOs and investors resulting in the signing of several MoUs in the areas of Agriculture, Solid minerals,

renewable energy, waste management, education and health.

The Governor said the interventions will compliment the ongoing efforts of his administration to stimulate economic growth and provide jobs for the teeming numbers of unemployed youth among others.

He urged the benefiting communities and medical officers in charge of the affected upgraded hospitals to jealously secure and maintain the newly installed facilities.

“Let me acknowledge the efforts of Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, His Excellency, Yusuf Maitama Tugga who facilitated my working visit to Germany in March 2020.”

Governor Bala Mohammed at the commissioning ceremony said

the state government has already set up machinery in motion for the implementation of the resolutions of the just concluded Bauchi State Health Summit which would result in the comprehensive upgrading and re-equipping all hospitals and clinics throughout the state.

On her part, the Coordinator of the NGO, Mrs Nancy Musa assured Governor Bala Mohammed of continued partnership with his administration for the welfare and wellbeing of the citizens of the state.

Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of the Specialist Hospital Bauchi, Dr Ya’u Hamid said the project has come at a good time when the hospital is in need of rehabilitation of all its sanitation facilities.

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Vice President Global Industrial Labour Union, Comrade Isah Aremu has charged State Governors to work assiduously to develop agriculture and to industrialise their states conducive for investment rather than depending on federal allocations that cannot meet their needs.

Comrade Aremu gave the charge in Lokoja while fielding questions from Journalists at a one day interactive session with stakeholders, organised by labour activists on the 5 year policy thrust of the Central Bank of Nigeria 2019-2024 in Lokoja Monday.

According to the labour Activists

“It is time the governors should emulate the industrial revolution of our great leaders such as Sir Ahmadu Bello , Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo who have done a lot to established many industries in the country.

“Governors must be seen to be on duty to industrialize and create jobs for their citizens through skills acquisition” he said.

Comrade Aremu while commending CBN for the long term intervention in rice and textile production, the labour leader charged security agencies in the country to be alive to their responsibility, saying no investor would come to Nigeria

if the security challenges remain unsolved.

In his speech, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele reiterated his commitment toward building a robust economy through interventions in agriculture and industrial revival.

The CBN Governor who was represented by Acting Director Corporate Communications, Osita Nwanisobi, said the 5-year policy thrust of the apex bank which covered 2019-2024 initiated by the CBN Governor would grow the real economy for the country.

He noted that the policy which centres on establishing a firm and stable micro economic

environment would pave room for low inflation, financial stability, exchange rate stability and efficient payment system.

He however, lamented that the country cannot continue to import items and consumables the nation has the capacity to produce, adding that through Anchor Borrower financial intervention of the Central Bank of Nigeria minimum of 10 commodities would be produced to make food readily available for Nigerians.

According to him “There must be a limit to importation of goods. We can grow tomatoes, rice, wheat, cotton and other consumable and CBN will continue to provide finance for farmers to grow those

commodities and create jobs for the Nigerians”

Speaking on the revival of the nation’s economy, he said the Apex bank is making concerted effort to see a double digit economic growth where the inflation rate would be single digit, adding that the bank would also looked at issues of power, industries and the country’s reserve.

Earlier, the Chairman , Nigeria Labour Congress , Kogi State chapter, Comrade Onuh Edoka appealed to CBN to step up their effort in checking and monitoring of commercial banks in their dealings with customers, saying their abnormal charges calls for concern.

From Left: Executive Secretary,Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Prof. Suleiman Bogoro; Acting Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola; Chairman, Board of Trustees, TETFUND, Alhaji Kachim Ibrahim-Imam; Member of the Board of Trustees of TETFUND, Mr Ganiyu Solomon and other officials, during the visit of TETFUND Board to Academic Publishing Centres, in Lagos recently. PHOTO BY SUPO OLOSUNDE/BJO/NAN

12 news DAILY ASSETwednesday, november 4, 2020

NCDC Announces 72 New COVID-19 Infections

NGO to Train Women, Youths on Oil Palm Nursery Agribusiness

Three Commissioners Test Positive to COVID-19 in Niger

Ijaw Youths Lament Govt Failure to End Gas Flaring, Others

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 72 new infections of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

The NCDC made this known on its verified website on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria has continued to report new cases of infections on a daily basis, despite the measures put in place to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

It said that Lagos State, the epicentre of the virus in country recorded the highest number of confirmed cases, with 51 new infections.

Ogun and Kaduna States, as well as the FCT recorded six, four and three new cases respectively.

Niger, Ondo and Plateau had two each, while Katsina and Oyo States had one each.

According to the NCDC, while there were 72 new confirmed cases, a death was recorded.

It stated that 441 patients COVID-19 patience were discharged from isolation centres across the country.

The NCDC urged individuals, who intend to visit Nigeria, to take a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test and have a negative result before embarking on the journey.

“Stay in self-isolation for seven days on arrival in Nigeria.

“Take another COVID-19 PCR test on day seven,” it advised. (NAN)

From Dan Amasingha, Minna

There is palpable fear and anxiety in Niger state as three cabinet members of the state executive council have reportedly tested positive COVID-19.

This is coming almost nine months after the index case was reported in the state around March this year.

DAILY ASSET gathered that

despite reported low infection rate in the state occasioned by the lack of testing capacity, the recent inauguration of a molecular testing centre at the General Hospital has led to increase number of infections.

The increase number of reported cases has led people to suspect that there is a resurgence of the Coronavirus pandemic in Niger state following reported cases of

three members of the state executive council testing positive to the virus.

The development has created tension among other members of the executive council and staff of the ministries concerned.

A source disclosed that two of the commissioners reported to have tested positive are from the Niger south Senatorial zone while the third is said to be from Niger East

senatorial districtThe discovery, it was gathered

was made mid last week when the affected commissioners showed symptoms of the disease.

According to the findings the three commissioners have already gone into isolation while a directive has been issued to others to present themselves for testing.

“All those that attended the last

State Executive Council Meeting, including the supporting staff are to be tested.”

Confirming the incident, Chairman of Niger State Task Force on COVID19 and Secretary to the state Government Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane when contacted confirmed the story saying all the Commissioners have been directed to subject themselves to test.

From Tayese Mike, Yenagoa

President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Comrade Peter Igbifa has bemoaned the failure of governments to end the lingering effects of gas flaring, climate change, perennial flooding, constant exploitation and exploration of oil in

the Niger Delta region.Igbifa stated this while speaking

to newsmen in Yenagoa after an enlarged consultation with critical stakeholders comprising all past leaders, present officials drawn from three zones of IYC.

He declared that they are no longer comfortable with the current

sufferings inflicted on the Ijaws by the lopsided constitution of Nigeria “a constitution which is set to heighten our marginalisation and oppress the Ijaw people.”

He said unlike the Niger Delta region that is not in control of its resources, Zamfara State is being licensed to mine her gold and bring to

the market place for sale to benefit the state and remuneration to the federal government.

“This has brought light and reawakening the consciousness to the fact that the struggle for resource control of the Niger Delta is overdue. We want to control what nature has blessed us with and it is not difficult

to do, if Zamfara can do it, we are more than capable to control ours,” he said.

He also reaffirmed that consultations are still on going and that in less than no distant time, Congress of IYC will be called in order to unanimously roll out its action plans.

By Danusa Ocholi, Abuja

To tackle the challenges of low yield due to aged oil palm trees, Solidaridad West Africa has trained 48 women and youths on oil palm nursery establishment, management, and Agri-business academy. The training was conducted in Enugu, the capital of Enugu state.

The benefiting women and youths are from different communities in the four states where Solidaridad West Africa is implementing the National Initiatives for Sustainable and Climate-Smart Oil Palm Smallholders (NISCOPS).

They will in turn step-down the training to farmer groups in their communities. These efforts will ensure

aged oil palms in the implementing states are replaced with hybrid seedlings. On the agribusiness academy, Solidaridad will build the capacity of the women and youths on entrepreneurial skills.

This is to enable them take advantage of the numerous opportunities in the oil palm value chain in their communities. The aim is to enhance income and livelihood of smallholder oil palm farmers.

Matthew Idu, Commissioner for Agriculture, Enugu State, who declared the training opened, said Solidaridad’s effort will return Nigeria to its glory days in the production of palm oil where the crop contributed much to the gross domestic product of the country.

He said that oil palm used to be one of the major sources of revenue for the government but was neglected after the discovery of crude oil. According to Idu, Solidaridad has brought hope, education and wealth to us through its interventions in the agriculture sector in Nigeria.

“This is a laudable project that will improve the livelihood of smallholder farmers, women and youths, as well as contribute to the growth of the Nigerian economy. I am happy that Solidaridad West Africa is taking Nigeria to its previous position to become one of the leading palm oil producers in the world. From what Solidaridad have started, I see a difference in the Nigerian oil palm sector in the next few years,” said Mr

Idu.The 48 women and youths will in

the next few weeks begin the transfer of the knowledge on oil palm nursery establishment, management, and agribusiness academy to farmers groups in all the NISCOPS communities in the four states. Solidaridad’s target is to raise over 40,000 seedlings this year in the four states and more will be raised as the oil palm intervention continues.

In his remarks at the event, Dr. Samuel Ogallah, Solidaridad Senior Climate Specialist for Africa and Country Technical Lead for Nigeria stated that Solidaridad is committed to the transformation of the agriculture sector in Nigeria through its programmes.

Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara (L), and the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, during an Emergency Meeting of Northern Governors with traditional rulers from the Northern Region, at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna recently. PHOTO BY IBRAHIM BISHIR/BJO/NAN

BUSINESS13DAILY ASSET

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

New Research Shows Nigeria with Highest Entrepreneurs Globally

By Joy Okeke, Lagos

Latest report by the Economist Pocket World in Figures 2020 said that 39.9 per cent of owner-managers in the world are Nigerians making its the country with the highest number of owner-managers and nascent entrepreneurs in the world.

Responding to the development, Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives (FDC) Limited, Bismarck Rewane, said, that the alleged Lekki massacre that led to the looting of several stores in the country, has made most entrepreneurs skeptical about having a physical store.

However, he said, “even with an online store, access to adequate finance could be a problem especially if one doesn’t have a stellar business plan. “Unfortunately, a business plan drawn pre-COVID is not reflective of current realities,” he added.

He said, “So now is the time to pull the bootstraps and re-strategize to navigate these murky times”, said FDC in its Lifestyle section of the Unity Bank digest.

Just when the Nigerian economy started to recover from the aftermath of the pandemic, Nigerian youths began a nationwide protest opposing police brutality in early October. The youth called for the ban of the notorious

police unit – the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) - which has long been accused of violent and criminal activities. After two weeks, the pro- test escalated to violence when Nigerian soldiers opened fire on peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll gate. The decision to use military force to quell protesters led to the deaths of at least 12 protesters. This was met by an outburst by protesters, hoodlums and thugs. The current situation is ex- pected to heighten insecurity in Nigeria, discourage foreign investments, reduce economic activity, especially in the Lagos metropolis, and thereby lead to a lower economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Stock Market Rebounds, Gains N132bn

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama (L) with Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Anthonia Ekpa, during their 2021 Budget Defence before the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, yesterday. . photo by hogan bassey/nan

By Joy Okeke, Lagos

One of the leading telecommunications in Nigeria, 9mobile has rewarded three of its customers Florence Aaron, Ekene Azubuike, and Ramila Shehu with one million Naira each in Kano State as part of the ongoing 9mobile Mega Millions Promo.

The promo, which started in August, has rewarded customers with the sum of N74 million and 3, 552 smartphones across the country.

The Manager of the 9mobile Experience Center in Kano, Abdullahi Ibrahim, who spoke during the presentation ceremony, congratulated the winners adding that apart from the Mega Millions Promo, the telecommunication outfit is committed to delivering excellent services to customers.

He said, “Lots of happy customers have won either cash prices or smartphones in this promo, and we encourage more people to participate. At 9mobile, we design products and services with our customers in mind. We have affordable internet services to help our customers communicate effectively. Our voice and internet tariffs are the most competitive and affordable in the market, and we constantly ensure that we meet our customers’ communication needs.”

Mrs. Florence Aaron, an indigene of Kaduna State, said she stuck to 9mobile because she was not satisfied with her previous service provider. “I learned of the 9mobile Mega Millions Promo through different channels, but I never imagined that I would win one million Naira. I will invest my one million to my existing business to boost it. I appreciate 9mobile for this life-changing promo. It is real.”

Similarly, Mr. Ekene Azubuike from the Sabon Gari area of Kano has been with the 9mobile brand since it commenced operations 12 years ago. He said, “I always recharge my 9mobile line every week with over two thousand Naira for my business. So, when I received a call from 9mobile that I won, I thought it was scammers on the prowl. Now I can confirm that the promo is real. I never thought I would win one million Naira. I will use the one million to boost my business. One million Naira is not easy to come by, especially during this challenging business climate”.

The third million-naira winner, Mrs. Ramila Shehu, was excited when she received the one million Naira Mega alert. “I never knew about the Mega Millions promo until I received an SMS from 9mobile that I have won one million Naira after recharging 1000 Naira. I will use my winning to shore up the operations of the charity organization I currently run”.

To participate, “customers can recharge their lines with N200 or more to win a smartphone every hour or top-up N1000 and above to win the N1million daily prize. A cumulative recharge of N10, 000 monthly over the 90 days duration of the promo qualifies customers for a chance to win the N10, 000,000 grand prize,” Abdullahi explained. “Participants can increase their chances of winning with rapid and frequent recharges. New customers will also get up to 100% data bonus for 12 months with free 1GB and N500 airtime,” he added.

By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

The Nigerian equity market Tuesday regained its positive trend as it returned to bullish trend, crossing N16 trillion marks, earning N132 billion.

Trading result from the Nigerian Stock Exchange showed Market Capitalisation of listed equities appreciated by 0.83 per cent to N16.063 trillion from N15.931 trillion reported the previous day.

The All Share Index also appreciated by 254.08 basis points to 30733.47 points from 30479.39 points traded on Monday.

Investors traded 336.094 million shares valued at N3.890 billion in 5575 deals against

376.653 million shares worth N3.802 billion in 6050 deals.

An analysis of the investment showed that Dangote Cement led gainers table during the day, increasing by N9.00 to close at N169.00, Cap Plc followed with a gain of N1.95 kobo to close at N22.30 kobo, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc gained

N0.35 kobo to close at N6.75 kobo, Dangote Sugar Refinery Nigeria Plc added N0.25 kobo to close at N15.40 kobo, Oando Plc gained N0.18 kobo to close at N2.75 kobo.

Guaranty Trust Bank topped losers chart, during the day, declining by N0.50 kobo to close at N32.00, Stanbic IBTC trailed with a loss of N0.50 kobo to close at N46.00,

Guinness Nigeria Plc dipped by N0.45 kobo to close at N16.55 kobo, Custodian Investment dipped by N0.45 kobo to close at N5.60 kobo while Flour Mills Nigeria Plc sheds N0.45 kobo to close at N28.40 kobo

The result further showed that Zenith Bank was the toast of investors accounting for 41.102 million shares valued at N895.649 million, FBNHoldings followed with a gain of 40.621 million shares worth N258.041 million, United Bank for Africa traded 32.132 million shares cost N242.861 million, Fidelity Bank sold a total of 31.923 million shares cost N77.984 million while Access Bank exchanged 28.885 million shares valued at N232.046 million.

9mobile Rewards More Customers in its Mega Millions Promo

By Joy Okeke, Lagos

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said that 59.6 per cent of electricity consumers “are still on estimated billing as at March 2020.”

The Commission disclosed this in its First Quarter 2020 Report.

NERC noted that the huge metering gap for end-use customers remained a key challenge in the industry.

The report states: “The records of the commission indicate that, of the 10,477,856 registered electricity customers as at the end of the first quarter of 2020, only 4,231,940 (40.39 per cent) have been metered.

“Thus, 59.61 per cent of the registered electricity customers are still on estimated billing which has contributed to customer apathy towards payment of electricity bills.”

Compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, the number of registered and metered customers increased by one per cent and eight per cent respectively.

The agency said that the increase in registered customer population was due to the ongoing customer enumeration exercise by electricity Distribution Companies (DisCo).

The regulator said that through the exercise, unregistered consumers of electricity were brought unto the DisCos’ billing platform.

It also attributed the increase in metered customers to the rollout of meters under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme.

The regulatory agency said all the DisCos recorded progress in the metering of their electricity customers as at March 2020, compared with December 2019.

According to the agency, the metering status of the DisCos as at March 2020, areas follows: Benin DisCo, 54.23 per cent; Abuja, 52.73 per cent; Eko, 50.71 per cent; Ikeja, 45.47 per cent and Enugu, 44.85 per cent.

Others are: Port Harcourt, 38.52 per cent; Ibadan, 37.11 per cent; Jos, 31. 80 per cent; Kaduna, 23.60 per cent; Kano, 21.11 per cent; and Yola, 20.44 per cent.

NERC said it would continue to monitor the DisCos’ implementation of the MAP scheme in order to meet the target of closing the metering gap in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) by December 2021.

The commission added that it had, during the quarter under review, approved more preferred MAPs for DisCos that had finalised their MAP’s procurement processes, thereby increasing the number to 29.

59.6% of Electricity Consumers Still On Estimated - NERC

PIB: Minister Gets Power to Revoke

Plateau Recorded N16.4bn IGR from Q1 to Q3 2020

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The new Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) before the National Assembly is proposing the revocation of licences for oil and gas companies who neglect their obligations to the host communities.

The bill revealed that the power to revoke the licences is vested on the Minister of Petroleum Resources in the new bill.

According to the bill, the action will be taken with the recommendation of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, among other powers.

It defined host community as “any community situated in or appurtenant to the Area of Operation of a Settlor (oil company), and any other community as a Settlor may determine.”

It noted that any oil and gas company that failed to incorporate the Host Communities Development Trust would have its license revoked.

It stated that on its constitution, the

Host Communities Development Trust would be empowered to manage and supervise the administration of the annual contribution of the settlor (oil companies) contemplated under the Act and any other sources of funding.

The bill further proposed that the objectives of the trust shall include financing and executing projects for the benefit and sustainable development of the host communities.

“It will undertake infrastructure development of the host communities within the scope of funds available to the Board of Trustees for such purposes; and facilitate economic empowerment opportunities in the host communities, among others,” it said.

Other powers granted the Minister of Petroleum in the new bill, include the revocation and assignment of interests in the petroleum industry; approve the fees for services rendered by the upstream, midstream and downstream regulatory authorities.

The bill is also proposing to empower the minister to order a cutback of the levels of crude oil or condensate production in the context of international oil pricing agreements supported by Nigeria.

“The minister is also empowered to, upon the recommendation of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, or the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, direct in writing the suspension of petroleum operations in any area.

“The suspension, the bill will persist until arrangements to prevent danger to life or property have been made to his satisfaction, or where in his opinion, a contravention of the Act or any regulation made under the Act has occurred or is likely to occur,” it added

The the bill has passed second reading at the senate and a committee was constituted to work on the bill for further deliberation.

The committee has 8 weeks to work.

By Jude Dangwam, Jos

The Plateau State Board of Internal Revenue Service, Tuesday disclosed that it has recorded N16,4 billion naira in its first, second and third quarter Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) performances in the State.

Chairman of the Service, Mr. Ar’lat Dashe made this known on Tuesday during their third quarter media briefing on the performances of the Service on revenue generation held at the Board Room of the Revenue Service in Jos the State capital.

Mr Dashe said that the Service was able to generates N7,203,329,641.61 billion in the first quarter(January, February, March). With

N2,196,735,606.1, in its second quarter Q2 (April, May, June) as a result of COVID-19. While the third quarter (July, August, September) 2020 has N7,046,895,357.27 billion IGR respectively.

Mr. Dashe disclosed that delibrate measures were taken to enabled the Service suppases it’s target of N16 billion naira in the 2020 appropriation bill (budget) earlier on signed by Gov. Simon Lalong with an increment of N500 million on it’s annual target.

According to the Chairman, between January to March 2020 alone, the Service embarked on aggressive Tax audit and investigation of all organizations in and

outside Plateau State recording remarkable recovery of over N3.8 Billion from Federal MDA’s alone.

“The Service is working hard to continuously embark on ways to ensure effective compliance of individuals, corporations and government agencies which could lead to establishment of huge liabilities of at least N30 Billion.”

He said that some of the measures taken were the enhancement of data collection across the state and the aggressive enforcement of tax defulters between January to March this year amongst other things which contributed to the landmark achievements recorded by the Service.

L-R: Member, House of Representatives Committee on Poverty Alleviation, Rep. Ofor Chukwuegbo; Clerk of the Committee, Comrade Bawa Muhammed; and the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Abdullahi Salame, during a public hearing on the need to eradicate child destitution and remove beggars from Nigerian Street through provision of standardized education system, at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on, yesterday. phOTO By hOgAn BAssey/nAn

14DAILY ASSETWednesday, november 4, 2020 BUSINESS news

15DAILY ASSETWednesday, November 4, 2020 BusiNess news

Aisha Buhari Tasks Kwara Women Health

AIB Releases 4 Aircraft Accident Reports737-282 aircraft owned and operated by Chanchangi Airlines Ltd with nationality and registration marks 5N-BIG, which occurred at Port Harcourt International Airport on 14th July, 2008 and a Boeing 747-200 Aircraft operated by Veteran Avia Airlines Limited with nationality and registration marks EK-74798, which occurred at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on 4thDecember, 2013.

The last one was the report on the Accident involving a Beechcraft C90 aircraft with nationality and registration marks N364UZ owned and operated by Shoreline Energy Intl Ltd, which occurred at Barakallahu Village near Old Kaduna (Military) Airport on 24th May, 2011.

According to Olateru, the purpose of accident investigation, however, is not to apportion blame or liability but to prevent future recurrence of similar incidents.

Olateru stressed that the these reports are the strong foundation on which the safety of the aviation industry is built and timely release of these reports is as critical as accident investigation itself.”

“with the release of four additional reports, AIB-N has so far released a total of 54 final reports since its establishment in 2007 and a total of 35 final reports have been released since the inception of the current administration of the Bureau.”

“Inclusive in the final reports we would be releasing today are 9 Safety Recommendations, which are very important towards preventing recurrence of such accidents or serious incidents when the recommendations are implemented.

“These 9 safety recommendations make a total of 196 Safety Recommendations released since the inception of AIB-N and a total of 115 Safety Recommendations released under the current administration,” he said.

L-R: ; Permanent secretary of the Ministry, Mr Nebeolisa Anako; and the Minister of information and Culture, Alhaji Lia Mohammed, during their 2021 Budget Defence before the senate Committee on information, Media and Publicity, at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY /HOgAN BAsseY/NAN

By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

First Lady of Nigeria, Dr. Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has reminded women on importance of their health to the development of their children.

The First Lady made the call on Tuesday at an advocacy event at Ilorin , Kwara State.

Mrs. Buhari, who was represented at the event by Director of Information in the Office of the First Lady, Suleiman Haruna, highlighted the need for mothers to embrace breastfeeding, nutrition and hygiene in order to raise healthy children, calling on them to

do regular personal health checks to avoid killer diseases like diabetes, high and low blood pressure and cancer.

Mrs. Buhari averred that as a mother to other young women, she has a duty to advise, support and protect them, which she does through the Aisha Buhari Foundation (ABF) and Future Assured, with focal areas in health, education, empowerment and protection from abuse.

The ABF, she said, has done a lot in these four areas through partnerships with various stakeholders, especially First Ladies at the state level and singled out the First Lady of

Kwara state for commendation over her work in these areas.

In her remarks at the event, First Lady of Kwara state, Dr. Mrs. Olufolake Abdurrazak, who attended virtually, commended the women of Kwara state for their responsiveness whenever there is a call for action, especially over their health. She called on them to attend the forthcoming states immunization weeks and register with the recently introduced State Health Insurance Scheme.

Dr. Abdurrazak commended Mrs. Buhari for being at the forefront of the campaign on

the health of mothers and children, thereby complementing the efforts of governments in the provision of efficient health care delivery.

Highlight of the event were the distribution of maternity items including baby care products to hundreds of mothers and their babies at the event, which was witnessed by the Commissioners of Health and Women Affairs, Dr. Raji Rasak and Mrs. Deborah Aremu respectively as well as the Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Mrs. Nusiat Alelu and Executive Director of Ajike People’s Support Center, Mr. Abdulganiu Opeloyeru.

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja The Accident Investigation Bureau

Nigeria (AIB-N) on Tuesday, released four final accident and serious incident reports and promised to adhere to timely investigation and release of the findings of any occurrence in the aviation industry.

Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of AIB, Engr Akin Olateru said that timely release of reports have been crucial to the delivery of the agency’s mandate of investigating air accidents and serious incidents with the aim of forestalling such occurrence from reoccurring.

The reports made public include that of a Tampico TB-9 aircraft owned and operated by Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) with nationality and registration marks 5N-CBJ, which occurred at Zaria Aerodrome, Kaduna State on 26th September, 2018; that of a Boeing

By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has said that the development and sustenance of viable enterprises is no longer dependent on the size of the corporation and related factors but sound ethical practices imbibed by all stakeholders,

The Vice President stated this on Tuesday at the virtual 2020 Conference of the Institute of Directors in Abuja.

According to Prof. Osinbajo, “The frequent clashes between conscience and wrongful behavior will eventually create a toxic work environment and destroy corporate objectives and visions.

He said that there was also enough history of how cutting corners and dishonesty ultimately bring down the whole enterprise.

“This we have seen in the facts behind the collapse of many Nigerian financial institutions from the nineties to the more recent occurrences in 2009. Yes, it took a while for the institutions to unravel but the point is made that on the long run, unethical practices are unsustainable.

“Besides for quoted companies, the dangers of unethical behavior are much graver. Local and international investors have greater access to information and more options than ever before, the slightest whiff of scandal or malfeasance can destroy value built up over the years.

“The local and especially the international examples of the collapse of companies thought to be too big to fail and brand names that had even once been associated with integrity and strong business ethics is a strong reminder of just how brittle edifices built on weak business ethics are.

“Today, every company’s stakeholders are far more than investors, management, or employees. They now include customers, clients, trade partners, suppliers, media, the general public, government and now, the environment,” Osinbajo said.

The event featured presentations personalities including Prof. Marc Le Menestrel, a professor of Decision Sciences; Chairman of Governing Council, Institute of Directors, Chief Chris Okunowo; and Dele Alimi, DG/CEO, Institute of Directors.

Sound Business Ethics Crucial to Building Viable Enterprises - Osinbajo

Health16DAILY ASSET

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

All You Need to Know About COVID-19 Pandemic

Coronavirus

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious respiratory and vascular disease, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for an ongoing pandemic.

Common symptoms include fever, cough, fatigue, breathing difficulties, and loss of smell and taste. Symptoms begin one to fourteen days after exposure to the virus. While most people have mild symptoms, some people develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which can be precipitated by cytokine storms, multi-organ failure, septic shock, and blood clots. Longer-term damage to organs (in particular, the lungs and heart) has been observed, and there is concern about a significant number of patients who have recovered from the acute phase of the disease but continue to experience a range of effects—known as long COVID—for months afterwards, including severe fatigue, memory loss and other cognitive issues, low grade fever, muscle weakness, and breathlessness.

COVID-19 mainly spreads through the air when people are near each other long enough,[a] primarily via small droplets or aerosols, as an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes, sings, or speaks. Transmission via fomites (contaminated surfaces) has not been conclusively demonstrated.[20] It can spread as early as two days before infected persons show symptoms (presymptomatic), and from asymptomatic (no symptoms) individuals. People remain infectious for up to ten days in moderate cases, and two weeks in severe cases. The standard diagnosis method is by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) from a nasopharyngeal swab.

Preventive measures include social distancing, quarantining, ventilation of indoor spaces, covering coughs and sneezes, hand washing, and keeping unwashed hands away from the face. The use of face masks or coverings has been recommended

In response to the flash floods that have hit parts of Nigeria, the European Union is providing €80,000 (N35.5 million) in emergency humanitarian funding to assist the most vulnerable people in the worst affected states.

In a statement issued by EU, said the funding is aimed at supporting the Nigerian Red Cross Society in delivering much-needed relief, including cash grants to enable households to acquire goods for their basic

needs, to ensure access to safe drinking water, to provide sanitation services to affected communities, and to promote best hygiene practices despite the emergency context.

The statement reads, “The assistance receiving EU support will be focused on helping vulnerable people affected by the floods in the states of Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara, Sokoto and Zamfara.

“The funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Relief Emergency

Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

“Over 150 people have died, and around 25,000 are displaced as a result of the heavy rainfall in Nigeria that began in September.

“Some of the worst flooding occurred in early October, caused by the bursting banks of the Benue and Niger rivers. Affected communities have lost their homes, essential belongings, and cropland. Floodwaters are

also exposing communities to the risk of waterborne diseases”.

The European Union and its Member States are the world’s leading donor of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity with people in need all around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and man-made crises.

EU Approves N35.5m for Nigeria Red Cross Society

in public settings to minimise the risk of transmissions.

There are no proven vaccines or specific treatments for COVID-19 yet, though several are in development. Management involves the treatment of symptoms, supportive care, isolation, and experimental measures.

Coronaviruses are a type of virus. There are many different kinds, and some cause disease. A newly identified coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has caused a worldwide pandemic of respiratory illness, called COVID-19.

As of now, researchers know that the new coronavirus is spread through droplets released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The droplets generally do not travel more than a few feet, and they fall to the ground (or onto surfaces) in a few seconds — this is why physical distancing is effective in preventing the spread.

COVID-19 appeared in Wuhan, a city in China, in December 2019. Although health officials are still tracing the exact source of this new coronavirus, early hypotheses

thought it may be linked to a seafood market in Wuhan, China. Some people who visited the market developed viral pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus. A study that came out on Jan. 25, 2020, notes that the individual with the first reported case became ill on Dec. 1, 2019, and had no link to the seafood market. Investigations are ongoing as to how this virus originated and spread.

Incubation period for COVID-19It appears that symptoms are showing up

in people within 14 days of exposure to the virus.

What are symptoms of COVID-19?SymptomsCOVID-19 symptoms include cough,

fever or chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle or body aches, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, headache, new fatigue, nausea or vomiting and congestion or runny nose.

In rare cases, COVID-19 can lead to severe respiratory problems, kidney failure or death.

If you have a fever or any kind of respiratory difficulty such as coughing or shortness of breath, call your doctor or a health care provider and explain your symptoms over the phone before going to the doctor’s office, urgent care facility or emergency room.

How is COVID-19 diagnosed?Diagnosis may be difficult with only

a physical exam because mild cases of COVID-19 may appear similar to the flu or a bad cold. A laboratory test can confirm the diagnosis.

How is COVID-19 treated?As of now, there is not a specific treatment

for the virus. People who become sick from COVID-19 should be treated with supportive measures: those that relieve symptoms. For severe cases, there may be additional options for treatment, including research drugs and therapeutics.

Does COVID-19 cause death?As of November 2, 2020, 1,201,833

deaths have been attributed to COVID-19. However, 31,129,604 people have recovered from the illness.

But in Nigeria as of 2nd of November 2020, 72 new confirmed cases and 1 death was recorded in Nigeria.

Till date, 63036 cases have been confirmed, 59328 cases have been discharged and 1147 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

72 new cases are reported from 9 states- Lagos (51), FCT (6), Ogun (4), Kaduna (3), Niger (2), Ondo (2), Plateau (2), Katsina (1), Oyo (1).A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities.

It’s crucial to practice good hygiene, respiratory etiquette and physical distancing.

17 DAILY ASSETWednesday, November 4, 2020health

Stop Using Insecticide for Food Preservation - NAFDAC

HIV/AID Patients Can Now Get Three Months DrugsFirst Co-chairman, Coalition of Civil

Society Networks on HIV and AIDS in Nigeria, Mr Ikenna Nwakanma, has revealed that many hospitals in Nigeria now dispense drugs that will last for three months to people living with HIV.

Explaining further he said, that this was due to Covid-19 challenge and concerns over supply chain informed the decision.

“With COVID19, most of the hospitals were forced to do multi-months dispensing

of drugs like we have long advocated, and it has worked perfectly,” he said.

Nwakanma explained that the practice would go a long way in reducing the pressure exerted on frontline health workers who were forced to see patients that had no complaints.

The co-chairman said that the practice had reduced the rate at which patients spent money not just on drugs, but on transportation to and from hospitals.

He commended hospitals for adopting the

new effective and frugal approach.“This learning from the COVID19

experience should be well utilised in shaping our HIV treatment plan, going forward.

“There is the need to now start thinking on how to make treatment flexible and to provide comprehensive care outside the hospital.

COVID-19 brought some important learning relevant in our fight against HIV and healthcare generally. For some time, we had advocated for differentiated care model

in HIV management that is patient-centred,” he said.

Nwakanma explained that different HIV patients with different needs were attended to base on their conditions and needs with the client as a partner in the treatment program.

“For Instance, a stable person living with HIV who has a low viral load and is experienced enough to manage his or her HIV treatment does not need to go to the hospital every month.

From left: Secretary, Presidential Committee on Correctional Services Reform and Decongestion, Mrs leticia ayoola-Daniels; Chairman of the Committee and Chief Judge of FCt, Justice Ishaq Bello; Minister Justice and attorney General of the Federation. abubakar Malami; Judge of FCt in-charge of Court 2, Justice Salisu Garba and Director of academics, Nigerian law School, Chibueze Okorie, during the signing of FCt Custodial and Non- Custodial Sentencing Guidelines and Practice Direction 2020 in abuja on Monday . PhOtO By Be JOhNSON UDeaNI/NaN

Keep Observing COVID-19 Protocol, Stakeholder Urges NigeriansIn view of over four countries - United Kingdom, Spain, Germany and South Korea, Initiative for Leadership Development and Change (ILDC), has warned that Nigerians should not stop following the COVID-19 protocols as instructed by the Federal Government.

The President of the group, Chief Ugochukwu Nnam, gave the warning in an interview with the in Abuja, recently.

Nnam, who said he observed that many Nigerians had abandoned the COVID-19 protocols and were going about their activities without any caution, urged all not to lose the guard against the deadly disease, which he said could escalate community spread of the virus.

He said that the ENDSARS protesters who went about their activities mingling with one another without observing the protocols could infect many.

He lamented, “As we speak, a lot of us no longer use face mask or hand sanitiser or even wash our hands as often as we should.

“Many of us no longer observe the safety protocols, while others keep having the misconception that COVID-19 is over.

“COVID-19 is very much around and not yet over; some countries which recorded a second wave are even going for a second lockdown; everyone must be cautious and must maintain the protocols as no cure is found yet.”

The ILDC boss reiterated the need for Nigerians to embrace all the precautionary measures, especially now that schools had opened, to prevent community spread.

According to him, the disease can be passed on from children to older parents or grandparents without them knowing.

“The belief that children are asymptomatic does not imply that they cannot transmit it to their aged parents or grandparents who we know are at very high risk.”

Nnam explained that data suggested that children under the age of 18 years represent about 8.5 per cent of reported cases, with relatively few deaths compared to other age groups.

He said that preexisting or underlying medical conditions had been identified as risk factors for severe disease and intensive care admission in older persons.

He also noted the imperatives of contact tracing in efforts to contain the spread of the deadly disease.

Stories by laide akinboade

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control,

(NAFDAC), has raised alarm over use of insecticide and other brands of “Dichlorvos” (DDVP) as food preservatives.

Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, who gave the warning recently, said the continuous misuse and misapplication of insecticide and other brands of Dichlorvos by the general public, especially grain merchants, beans aggregators and dried fish sellers, could lead to health implications and even death.

Adeyeye said the misuse of the dangerous Agrochemicals in the preservation of foodstuffs is replete with health implications with

symptoms such as weakness, headache, and tightness in the chest, blurred vision, salivation.

Others are sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, eye and skin irritation, eye pain, runny nose, lack of appetite, dizziness, convulsions, low blood pressure and possibly death.

She said this necessitated the Agency putting in place some regulatory measures which include the immediate ban on the importation and manufacture of insecticide and all other Dichlorvos in 100ml pack size only, which was found to be the product readily available in unauthorised places.

She disclosed that the Agency has put in place measures against misuse and misapplication of these hazardous agrochemicals, which include

a ban on hawking and prohibited sale of Crop Protection Products in the open market and supermarkets nationwide.

Adeyeye said the Agency had also embarked on massive sensitisation workshops in collaboration with relevant stakeholders on the safe and responsible use of Crop Protection Products on agricultural commodity storage, conducted for farmers, grain merchants and aggregators in seven locations across the country.

“NAFDAC, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, organised two sensitisation workshops for agro-input dealers on a safe and responsible use of Crop Protection Products in Kano and Oyo states prior to the outbreak of COVID-19.

We Determined to Discourage Emigration of Nigerian Doctors - FGThe Federal Government has vowed in discouraging brain drain in the medical sector by making emigration unattractive for doctors.

According to the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, the Federal Government will do everything possible to discourage “physicians’ brain drain” from the country.

“I have heard the challenge of doctors leaving the country. We have plans to provide

better funding for our hospitals in Nigeria and make such migration unattractive,” he said.

Ehanire said this in Abuja after inspecting work on the new cancer centre at the National Hospital.

He said the hospital performed well during COVID-19 pandemic, pledging that the government will do everything possible to ensure that doctors will prefer to remain and work in the country.

His statement was corroborated by the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Jaf Momoh, who indicated that the hospital has introduced incentives to encourage medical personnel to stay in the country.

On the new cancer centre, the minister advised the hospital management to spend wisely, properly maintain the facilities when completed and seek alternative sources of funding.

METRO18DAILY ASSET

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Minister Urges Youths to Leverage on Govt Effort in Job Creation

By Laide Akinboade Abuja

The unit commander Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Central Business District, Mr. Chukwuma Owoechukwu has said the unit has put in place measures that will curb gridlock and road crashes in the Federal City Centre (FCC).

He said relevant stakeholders have been engaged on the need to support the corps do more before, during and after ember months.

Owoechukwu during an interaction in Abuja, called on the motoring public to abide by the traffic rules and regulations to

safeguard their lives against road crashes.He noted that this year’s special patrol

operation had commenced with a flagged off of the ember months campaign by the Corps Marshall titled: “ Drive safe, stay safe”.

The Assistant Corps Commander said the Command under him is preparing for an advocacy sensitisation campaign for ministries staff, agencies and departments in the Secretariat.

According to him, “it is not only the people driving that need FRSC sensitisation, everyone needs it and if we can be correcting one another the danger of road crashes would be minimised” he said.

He asked workers in the Secretariat to be using the parking lots with a view to preventing indiscriminate parking that would be causing gridlock and related road infractions in the area.

Owoechukwu cautioned motoring public to desist from using phone while driving as well as beating traffic just as he warned that offenders would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

The Unit Commander enjoined motorists on the need to renew their vehicle particulars as at when due to avoid facing embarrassment and obstruction of movement.

FCT FRSC Outline Measures to Curb Gridlock, Road Crashes

L-R: I-G Mohammed Adamu; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Minister of FCT, Muhammad Bello; Gov. Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger; Gov. Muhammad Yahaya of Gombe State; and Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, during an Emergency Meeting of Northern Governors with traditional rulers from the Northern Region, at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna on Monday. PHoTo BY IBRAHIM BISHIR/BJo/NAN.

By Laide Akinboade

As part of activities to celebrate youth day, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has called on Nigerian youths to leverage on the federal government social investment schemes and several other soft loan schemes available to youth entrepreneurs to enhance job creation.

The minister, who made the call on the occasion of the maiden edition of Nigeria National Youth Day celebration, also identified poverty and unemployment as prominent factors that drive youths to violent, extremism and crime.

Aliyu, however, stated that as part of measures to mitigate these ugly trends, the federal government since 2015 has initiated programmes to reach out in other to ameliorate the vulnerabilities of youths in the country.

She revealed that as a demonstration of

President Muhammadu Buhari’s sensitivity to youth affairs the federal government has established the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) with the sum of N75 billion for a period of three years as economic empowerment intervention initiatives.

“It is also of note that the federal government in its bid to show concern to the plight of the youths create new N25 billion youth fund, in addition to the earlier N75 billion (NYIF) after the #EndSARS Protest”.

The minister, also revealed that the Federal Capital Territory Administration has been contributing its best to support the federal government initiatives, adding that the administration has been generating a couple of peculiar intervention programmes to assist young people, their families and communities on a sustainable routine basis.

In her words; “The FCTA through the Youth

Development Department of the Social

Development Secretariat has trained youths in various viable economic skills at the FCT Youth Support Centre, Nyanya.

“We are in active collaboration with the African Union (ECOSSOC) to establish a youth outreach mini centre at the Social Development Secretariat, where young people can meet our social services expert to engage and discuss their problems for positive solution”.

In his address, the Ag. Secretary of Social Development Secretariat, Dr. Kelvin Ike, stressed that no nation could witness any meaningful progress and development in an atmosphere of persistent restiveness due to neglect of the youths.

He, however, stated that every steps must be geared towards efforts to ensure a meaningful life for young people, stressing that it was in this light that the administration has put measures in place to support the youths despite the unfriendly economic challenges.

Stakeholders, AMAC Officials Brainstorm on End to Unrest By Laide Akinboade

Stakeholders in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and the council’s officials have met and renew their commitment on ways to address the unending youths unrest.

During the meeting, the chairman of AMAC, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido urged the stakeholders to support government’s efforts to calm down the rising violence especially looting of warehouses.

This is coming shortly after the chairman’s meeting with traditional rulers recently on the need to talk to their community members against crises.

Candido stated that with the current situation of things people must engage relevant people as well as go closer to God in prayers especially the religious leaders.

He said as leaders there is the need to engage key stakeholders on the wayforward when things are no more going well.

The chairman who was represented by his vice, Hon. Lawrence Onuchukwu explained that involving the opinion leaders was to identify areas that have to be reappraised.

He said: “What is happening in Nigeria or in Abuja is not good, no sincere person in AMAC will say he or she is happy, but we will continue to liaise with stakeholders especially religious leaders to tackle the challenges”

On the way forward, both religious and youth leaders took turns to suggest ways out of the present uneasy calm in the municipal.

The Director Youth Education and Women Development FCT Christians Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. David Amos called on the political Office holders to deliver the desired services to the that they rule.

He described the incessant looting of warehouses as criminal, calling on the youths to steer clear of the act.

Yahaya Garba Yolawi, Chief Imam Area 10 Juma’at Mosque FCT Imams, advocates for adequate security at all levels.

He urged the council officials to always carry the people along in taking decisions that have direct impact on the residents.

19 DAILY ASSETWednesday, November 4, 2020metro

FCT Secondary School Teachers to Embark on Solidarity Strike

Ember Months: DPO Provides Security Tips to FCT Residents

By Ateed Yusuf, Abuja

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Federal Secretariat, CSP Emega John has called on the members of the public to be vigilant during the period of ember months aimed at securing their environment against nefarious acts of criminal elements.

He disclosed this when a delegation of community leaders paid him a courtesy call in his office soliciting the support of the police towards tackling crime headlong in the Central Business District (CBD).

The Chief Superintendent of Police

tasked members of the public to put on security light, acquired qualified private security guards and get police response number among others.

The DPO further warned residents against exposing their belongings, especially expensive items just as he reiterated commitment to enhance surveillance and foot-patrol for the coverage of Federal Secretariat and environs.

He enjoined members of the public to alert police with useful information whenever they suspected strange movement in their surroundings noting that the police would respond to distress call within five minutes.

CSP Join cautioned the general public against taking laws into their hands encouraging aggrieved individual or group to channel their complaints to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.

The DPO stated that the division would deploy patrol officers during the forth-coming yuletide with a view to protecting the three arms Zone, offices and companies from vandalism and theft.

He warned hoodlums perpetrating criminal activities in the area to change a new leaf or when caught should be prepared to face the full wrath of the law.

By Ateed Yusuf, Abuja

The leadership of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has directed its members in the Secondary Schools to embark on a solidarity strike over non-payment of primary school teachers’ new minimum wage.

The decision is contained in a communique signed by the FCT NUT Chairman Comrade Stephen Knabayi and acting Secretary, Comrade Margaret Jethro and made available to DAILY ASSET at the end of an emergency State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) meeting held at the

teachers’ House Gwagwalada.According to the release, the

strike which is a warning strike will commence on Monday 9th to Wednesday November 11th, 2020.

The communique further noted that the strike action embarked upon by the primary school teachers should continue since government has refused to acknowledge or invite the Union for any form of meeting or dialogue since three weeks ago when the strike commenced.

“ In view of the fact that all teachers irrespective of their place of assignment are one people, one body and an injury to one in the profession is

an injury to all. Therefore, a solidarity strike by FCT Secondary School becomes inevitable,” the communique added.

In another development, the non-teaching staff working under the Local Education Authority (LEA) in the Six Area Councils have embarked on an indefinite strike on Monday this week to press home the implementation of the new National minimum wage.

A visiting by our correspondent to Gwagwalada, Kwali and Kuje Area Councils revealed that LEA Secretariats were under lock and key with presence of some officials enforcing compliance.

L-R: Representative of the Director-General, National Youth Service Corps Muhammed Momoh; Project Coordinator, African Scholars Care Initiative (ASCI), Onumajiru Osomiamhe-Joy; Regional Administrator, OSHAssociation, Emmanuel Uwalaka; and Technical Director, Occupational Safety and Health Association UK, Nigeria Chapter, Adedoja Taiwo, during a conference on Youths in Health and Safety organized by ASCI in Abuja. PHOTO bY JIMAH SULEMAN/ALbERT OTU/NAN

Air Peace Receives Another ERJ-145 from C-Check

The Management of Air Peace has announced the arrival of another aircraft ERJ-145 after undergoing C-Check abroad.

Spokesman for Air Peace, Mr Stanley Olisa, confirmed the development in a statement in Lagos yrsterday.

Olisa explained that the aircraft, with registration number 5N-BVD, arrived Lagos on Monday night.

“Most of our aircraft were out on C-Check during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they have started arriving one after the other.

“It will be recalled that just a couple of weeks ago, we received a new aircraft bringing our current Embraer 145 fleet to 8,” he said.

Olisa said that the airline was expecting two more aircraft from C-Check in a few days time. (NAN)

Travel Agent Blows Client’s N1.7m, Forges Visa, Ticket

A travel agent, Alao Ganiyu, is in trouble for failing to deliver on a job after he was fully paid.

He appeared before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kaduna for allegedly swindling a traveller of N1.7million.

The police charged Ganiyu, 35, with criminal breach of trust, cheating and forgery.

NAN reports that the defendant pleaded not guilty to all counts.

The prosecutor, Sunday Baba, said the complainant, Lawal Salami, petitioned the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal and Investigation Department on October 25.

The police inspector told the court that in 2019, Ganiyu promised to secure a visa to the Bahamas for Salami but converted N1.7million he collected to personal use.

Baba said the defendant then gave forged visa and ticket to the complainant. Salami was turned back at the airport.

The Magistrate, Aisha Danja, admitted Ganiyu to bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum.

The sureties must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court with fixed residential addresses.

aThe case was adjourned until November 25.

in Rivers State, where the people and the military are locked in a potentially explosive situation, following the killing of six soldiers within the community by persons said to be militants of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra Movement (IPOB) and the imposition of a 24-hour curfew on the community by the Rivers State government.

A “revolution” is like the spoken word – a word is like a seed, it germinates and in actuality, its embodied meanings could take on a utilitarian and practical edge. Kinjekitile in Ebrahim Hussein’s play of the same title, on the 1905-7 Maji Maji War against German colonial rule in Tangayika (modern day Tanzania), makes the point about the potency of the word: a word once spoken may be difficult to recall or control. Kinjekitile, the seer, energised the people with a word of hope about their own invincibility but even if he did not command the next line of action, the people were driven by their own emotions and enthusiasm. The #EndSARS protest was a spoken word which assumed a life of its own. The protesters in Kinjekitile thought water, as directed by the spirit, Hongo, would protect them against German bullets. The protesters at Lekki Toll Gate and other parts of Nigeria believed that the Nigerian flag and the singing of the national anthem would offer them immunity from the same state brutality that they were revolting against. Many ended up as casualties. The state and the innocent have also suffered. The culture of hate that has been promoted thereby, the Nigerian fault lines that have now been further widened, and the gulf of alienation between the people and their leaders that has been further stretched, point to one fact: the need to save Nigeria from an avoidable blow-out between the people and the state that could prove costly. This will require a sober and detached reflection over the meaning and implications of the #EndSARS protests in terms of lessons, gains, loopholes and possible options.

One major lesson is about people power. Both #EndSARS protests in the South and the #Endinsecuritynow protests in the North were about the power of the people to insist on their own truths, hold their leaders accountable and ask questions.

#EndSARS: The Aftermathopinion

20

Nigeria is a divided

country across all lines: ethnic, demographic, religious, and geographic, with tension and entropy sewn into the national fabric. Nigerian youths constitute more than 60 per cent of the country’s population but they are the most neglected

By Reuben Abati

The #EndSARS protests, which lasted for about two weeks until the crisis in Lagos on October 20, now known as the Black Tuesday in Nigeria’s contemporary history, may have abated, with the disappearance from Nigerian streets of the horde of protesters, looters, hijackers and miscreants, who together lent a new dimension to the protests. But essentially what we are now witnessing is best described as the “silence of the graveyard.” It is at best “a temporary reprieve”. The embers of the youth revolution that resulted in death, arson, wanton destruction and expansive alienation, are still smouldering.

The extent to which this is true can be seen in (1) the renewed attempt in the Federal Capital Territory to loot a freshly discovered COVID-19 palliatives warehouse, (2) the threat by some civil society groups that if the federal government does not address the demands of Nigerian youths on police brutality and good governance, nobody should rule out the possibility of another round of protests, and (3) the reported state of anomie in Oyigbo Local Government Area

We often talk about the coercive powers of state, and how the control of such powers places Nigerian leaders in a superior position over and above the people. In the face of the people’s anger, the vulnerability of those powers was exposed and the true location of power in a state, nation and country was revealed. Power rests with the people. The youths of Nigeria coalesced around a word – #EndSARS. That word soon became a signifying coda, adopted and translated into different strands by even those who did not understand what it represented, other than an opportunity for rebellion against perceived enemies – from the police, to political leaders, to the rich and affluent, business owners and the ordinary man or woman riding a flashy car.

What began as a protest by young men and women in the privileged quarters of Lekki, Ikoyi, Ajah, Banana Island, Victoria Island, later joined by celebrities and social media influencers taking photographs, making speeches and eventually, playing music, eating shawarma, pizza, delicious rice and puff puff, soon degenerated into chaos. Even before Black Tuesday, the protests had spread across the streets of Lagos, from Lekki Toll Gate to Agege, Iyana Oworo, Ikorodu, Iyana Ipaja, Oshodi, Fagba, Mushin, Alakuko… The youths in these parts and their cousins in Benin City, Osogbo, Federal Capital Territory, Onitsha, Oyigbo, brought a new dimension to the protests. In Benin, they attacked two prisons. In Ogbomoso, they went after the Soun’s palace. In Abuja, Lagos and elsewhere, they pulled down traffic lights and public infrastructure. These other protesters have been dismissed as miscreants and hoodlums, but no one has been able to deny that they are Nigerian youths. The sad news is that they are in the majority. With #EndSARS, Nigeria began to pay the price for its failure to provide for the future of its youths, to train its young persons and to empower them beyond slogans and rhetoric. The big lesson lies in the solidarity that we saw between the educated puff-puff and pizza eating crowd at Lekki Toll gate who spoke fine English and sang the National Anthem and carried placards, and the stick-wielding, “we-die-here” youths who went

coNtiNue oN pAge 21 >>>

after public infrastructure and anything that looked rich. They were both united by one word, #EndSARS, which had become a catch phrase for youth frustration.

Nigeria is a divided country across all lines: ethnic, demographic, religious, and geographic, with tension and entropy sewn into the national fabric. Nigerian youths constitute more than 60 per cent of the country’s population but they are the most neglected, and of course the most divided: North and South, rich and poor. The children of the rich live in privileged places. They go to the best schools abroad. They acquire vertical education, and the kind of exposure that money can offer. But when they return to the country, they don’t get jobs. They have no hope of self-actualisation because the country itself is bleeding. And so they are angry and disillusioned. On the other side are the children of the poor: the products of Nigeria’s warped system. This other group has not enjoyed the opportunity to go to school. A few may have had the opportunity, but these are mostly school drop outs whose little education is of no use. The only toys that they have ever played with in their lives are a wrap of marijuana, a shot of cocaine, tramadol, a gun and a bullet. They speak the language of the streets. We saw them at work during the #EndSARS protests. In the South, they took over the protests. In the North, they became hired agents of their oppressors and attacked the protesters. Lesson: A country that fails to invest in the future of its youths is bound to count the cost in the shape of anarchy. Nigerian youths – whatever label we give them – protesters or miscreants – have spoken up. They have shown that they have a voice that must be heard. When some funny lawmakers in the Lagos State House of Assembly – Mudasiru Obasa, Mojisola Alli-Macaulay and Desmond Elliot – tried to reconstruct the nature of the #EndSARS protests, the same youths dragged them like dirt on environmental sanitation day! Those lawmakers must have now learnt that it is better to think before uttering a word!

DAILY ASSETWednesday, November 28, 2020

21 OpiniOn DAILY ASSETWednesday, november 4, 2020

US Puts Spanner in WTO-DG ShipBy Reuben Acka

Nigeria likes doing things in a haphazard manner. Successive Nigerian governments from the Local to Federal, that is what I mean. They do things wrongly, illegally and expect a successful outcome. No wonder many other countries in the world neither take Nigeria nor Nigerians seriously. Yet those who have been leading us don’t learn, nor are they ready to learn.

I wrote on this page copiously and was reported in some local papers about the way and manner Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was steamrolled into the contesting arena for the DG ship of the WTO.

To get a new WTO there is a clear cut procedure and time limit reserved for this process to take its course.

This process was scrupulously followed by ECOWAS, African Union and the Afrcan group. It took place for years. That is how Ambassador Yonov Aga emerged as a candidate for the Africa group to replace the sitting WTO DG, who was due to resign. His resignation was precipitated by the antagonism against his leadership by the US. He was half way into his first term.

Even the resigning DG, WTO, favoured his deputy, Ambassador Yonov Fred Agah, a veteran of the WTO for over 30 years. And that is how it should be.

Before the death of Abba Kyari who worked closely with Ambassador Yonov Fred Agah in Brussels and Geneva, the Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Geoffrey Onyema worked together with the Minister of Industry Trade & Investment to present a memo formally nominating Ambassador Yonov Fred Agah to the DG ship of WTO.

President Buhari actually approved that memo, which decision was conveyed to both Ministers referred to above for subsequent formal presentation to the WTO headquarters in Geneva. This was done before the time given for the process elapsed.

Then Abba Kyari died. Then Foreign Affairs Minister raised a fresh memo to president Buhari nomination Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to the same position. Please note that this is the responsibility of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, not Foreign Affairs.

Please also note that the process and procedure for such nomination had long lapsed. But Nigerian leaders like to do things in a haphazard manner.

Then Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala became Nigeria’s official nomination for the DG of WTO replacing the validly nominated Dr Yonov Fred Agah.

But Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had renounced her Nigerian Citizenship for American Citizenship. The Article I had written here covered these details. The constitutional implications of becoming a citizen of America by renunciation of her country of birth is that Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala can spy, wage war undermine Nigeria’s interest if such interest conflicts with the

Interest of US in whatsoever matter. Geoffrey Onyema should know this.

Nigerian 1999 Constitution makes provision for dual citizenship by Nigerians. Dr Geoffrey Onyema, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala all knows this. Why did Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala during this time of seeking for DG ship suddenly renounce her citizenship of Nigeria? Was she pressured by US authorities to do so for their support?

So as a Citizen of the US and as a non-citizen of Nigeria (that is what it is because she has completely and exhaustively renounced her Nigerian Citizenship), why did the Nigerian govt not withdraw her candidacy and insist of the one earlier legally submitted to WTO, that is Dr Yonov Fred Agah? Why did Nigeria continue upto now to support the candidacy of a foreigner to that of her citizen?

Now her own country, the US has told her it will not support her candidacy because “she does not possess the necessary experience in WTO”. And this is true, because she has never worked or served in the WTO nor does she have any qualification directly or indirectly related to Trade, commercial, International Trade matters.

Why then did Geoffrey Onyema jettison a well-qualified, a career expert who rose through the ranks within the WTO system or a Deputy DG of WTO for novice in this area? The US has exposed and is using this mess created by Nigeria to support her opponent from South Korea, who was in a

distant position to Dr Yonov Fred Agah.

The US precipitated the resignation of the former WTO DG. The US again is against the candidacy of her own citizen. Assuming she even gets the position, which I doubt, she may likely have issues with her country. Why is this so?

And yet I don’t hear any commentary from any Nigerian drawing attention not only to this clear injustice to Ambassador Yonov Fred Agah, but also the ridiculous manner in which Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was steamrolled into this, at a very late hour.

What is it that Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala looking for from an area she is not competent in? She already has three top level jobs, one from South-Africa. I am worried because the injustice done to Dr Yonov Agah is a reflection of the way a manner which several injustices has been done to so many in Nigeria.

I did not speak to Yonov Agah before writing this second Article on this. I am just worried the way and manner we do things in Nigeria. What happens to Nigeria if she loses this battle? And how will she go with her job at the WTO assuming she gets in with her own country, US against her?

As the 9th of November approaches when another meeting to discuss this leadership tussle, which was pushed forward at the behest of the US, let us note that it is the best thing in human endeavours to strife for justice, fair play and equity for yourself or for a country.

#EndSARS: The AftermathfROm pAge 20

Our youths need jobs. They need to be taken seriously. The challenge of poverty and hunger also needs to be addressed if Nigeria must have peace. Political leaders and government officials must also learn to be accountable. As it happened, the protests moved beyond a revolt against police brutality, to an attack on warehouses where COVID-19 palliatives had been hoarded, organised attacks on the homes and properties of politicians, even innocent entrepreneurs. It was shocking to be confronted with the ugly truth that Nigerian politicians had converted COVID-19 palliatives for personal use to be distributed as birthday souvenirs. One of such persons even had

the effrontery to confess that he was saving the materials for his birthday anniversary. He wasn’t intelligent enough to figure out his own folly. The angry youths who attacked COVID-19 palliatives warehouses across the entire country were not alone. They were joined by ordinary people, pregnant women, and the army of poor Nigerian masses. What has been labelled as looting and criminality is subliminally an expression of the people’s frustration with government. Why hoard palliatives when the people are in need? To further show the rise of the lunatic fringe in high places, there has been a report that COVID-19 palliatives provided by the private sector coalition, known as CA-COVID are now actually on sale in some stores, locally and in London!

Nigerian policemen and women suffered a lot: 22 policemen were killed, 205 police formations and stations were set ablaze, operational vehicles were destroyed. We sympathise with the Nigeria Police, and all the families who lost their loved ones in the course of the protests. Nobody deserves to die in such manner. There will be need for healing and reconciliation at all levels. However, in an attempt to rebuild trust and confidence among his men, the inspector general of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has been quoted as saying that policemen have a right to defend themselves and that any policeman that is assaulted by anybody has a right to fight back. The IGP should talk more about peace building

strategies, rather than the politics of vengeance and confrontation. There is a federal government committee in place to work out the processes for giving effect to the 5-for-5 demands. The Committee should conduct its work with the speed of light. States of the federation have agreed to set up panels of Inquiry; about 13 states have done so, the others should hurry up. Nigerians need to know the truth and they need to know that justice will be done. The Nigerian military stands accused. Its leaders must stop talking as if the military is above the laws of the land. Thy must learn to be humble and accountable.

Reuben Abati, a former presidential spokesperson, writes from Lagos.

EDUCATION22DAILY ASSET

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

COVID-19: Ebonyi Govt. Slashes EBSU’s Tuition FeesThe Ebonyi Government on Monday announced a slash in the students’ tuition fees in the Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki.

The review, which took immediate effect, was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Dr Kenneth Ugbala.

According to the statement, the reduction is aimed at mitigating the hardship caused by the novel Coronavirus pandemic, which affected global and local economies.

Ugbala stated that the governor had graciously approved N20,000 and N10,000 reduction of EBSU’s tuition fees for indigenes and non-indigenes, respectively.

He further stated that government was aware of the impact of the pandemic on the world economies “of which Ebonyi was highly affected.

“We know that the finances of our people are highly affected, which will in effect, affect the education of our children.

“To lessen the burden on parents, especially in catering for the students of EBSU and encourage more of our students to go to university, the governor has approved reduction in school fees for the students.

“The reduction is effective from the 2020/2021 academic session and is from Year one to the Fifth year.

“All non-indigenes will have their tuition fee reduced by N10,000, while all indegenes in the university will have their fees slashed by N20,000.

“This amount will be aggregated and paid directly to EBSU’s management sometime in 2021,” the statement added.

The SSG further stated that government had earlier released all monthly subventions owed to the university.

He added that additional N200 million salary intervention fund, totalling N500 million, was also released to assist in the payment of staff salaries.

“This sacrifice will be affecting some other government programmes, like infrastructure development and provision of medical services, which have become opportunity cost.

“We request our young ones to start registering for the 200 youths per Local Government Area to benefit from the #EndSARS Empowerment Fund to be launched in November,” Ugbala added. (NAN)

representing 65.24 per cent obtained credits and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

To check the results, candidates were asked to visit the website of WAEC.

Earlier, WAEC postponed the release of the results due to attacks on some of its offices and operations nationwide by hoodlums during the #EndSARS protests.

On his part, NECO Head Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday.

It would be recalled that NECO Governing Board had after its Special Meeting on Oct. 21 reviewed the postponement of some papers in the 2020 SSCE (Internal) nationwide.

The Council had also in a press release

on Oct. 25 informed the general public of indefinite postponement of the examinations due to the EndSARS protest.

“The Council was constrained to postpone the examinations indefinitely on Monday 25th October 2020 due to security challenges occasioned by the EndSARS protests which disrupted the smooth conduct of the examinations in some parts of the Country.

”Following the return of normalcy in the states and FCT the examinations will now continue with a new time-table from Monday 9th November, 2020 to Saturday 28th November, 2020.

”This new time-table will be made available to the general public, schools and candidates from Wednesday 4th November, 2020. The Time-Table can also be seamlessly downloaded from the NECO official website: www.neco.gov.ng”.

The leadership of Academic Staff Union of Nigeria, ASUU, Owerri Zone, has accused the Federal Government of idling away the time and future of this great nation, while the current crisis is deepening.

The Zonal Coordinator, ASUU Owerri Zone, Comrade Uzor Onyebinama, who made the accusation at a press conference also disclosed that the struggle is in its eight-month.

In his words: “The Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System, IPPIS, has become an obnoxious instrument for stripping the governing councils of universities of their

powers, responsibilities, as well as removing the hard won autonomies of universities.

“The issue of autonomy is critical to the survival of our universities, as institutions for intellectual freedom and development of our dear country.”

: “In the light of the provisions, the purported directive of Mr President and the subsequent circulars to the Vice Chancellors on enrolment on IPPIS, the compulsory migration of academic staff to IPPIS, using the seizure of salaries as a hunger weapon.

“The compulsory change of effective date of annual salary increment of salaries of

academic staff, from October 1, to January 1, are, by this provision, illegal, null and void.” On the issue of alleged payment of salaries to ghost workers, ASUU insisted that they were paid and received by someone, who definitely is not a ghost.

“We challenge the Accountant General of the Federation to, as a matter of urgent national importance, release with immediate effect, the names and amounts previously paid to each and every one of the over 60,000 ghost workers, eliminated as at 2014, and subsequently, and also show evidence of recovery and prosecution of the ghost workers

WAEC Releases 2020 Results, as NECO Resumes Postponed SSCE Exams

Representative of the Director-General of NYSC, Muhammed Momoh (R), presenting certificate to a graduate of Information and Communication Technology on Digital Marketing, Obafemi Kenhide-Agbesusi, during a conference on Youths in Health and Safety organized by African Scholars Care Initiative in Abuja on Monday (2/11/20). With them is: General Manager, Abuja Firm Village International, Badewa Adejugbe-Williams. PHOTO BY JIMAH SuleMAN/AlBeRT OTu/NAN

FG is Wasting Future of Nigerians – ASUU

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the results of the 2020 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

This was even as the National Examinations Council (NECO) said it will resume the postponed 2020 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) in all states and the FCT from Monday, Nov. 9.

WAEC’s head of national office, Patrick Areghan, said a total of 1,549,740 registered for the examination.

Areghan said 1,338, 348 representing 86.99 per cent obtained credit and above in a minimum of any five subjects – with or without English Language and/or Mathematics.

He said 1,003, 668 candidates

politics news analysisinterview

23DAILY ASSETWednesday, November 4, 2020

The Ondo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has granted an ex-parte motion filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just held governorship election, Eyitayo Jegede for substituted means of service on Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Umaru Abubakar granted the order at the tribunal’s

inaugural sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Jegede had filed a petition at the Tribunal challenging the outcome of the October 10 governorship election, which was won by Akeredolu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP candidate is seeking the nullification of Akeredolu’s victory on four

grounds. According to Jegede, the election was

marred by irregularities, pockets of violence and intimidation, as well as faulty emergence of Akeredolu at the June 20 APC primaries.

Counsel for Jegede, Jamiu Makinde had in the motion exparte sought an order to serve the defendants through substituted service by pasting the petition on the notice board of the

tribunal. The petitioner had sought an order allowing

him access to materials used for the conduct of the election and in custody of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Chairman of the Tribunal also allowed the petitioner access to election materials in custody of INEC within the hours of 8am and 4pm for a period of five working days.

By Orkula Shaagee, Abuja

Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator Dr. George Akume has distances himself from those claiming they are his anointed candidates for various elections positions in the 2023 general elections in Benue State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement signed by his Media and Public Affairs Consultant/Adviser, Dr. Aondona Mkor, Akume warned such people to stop the rumours henceforth or face his wrath.

“It has come to our notice that some intending aspirants and politicians who are seeking for elective positions in 2023 elections are misleading unsuspecting members of the public and the good electorate of Benue State by using the name of the Honourable Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator Dr. George Akume falsely claiming that they are his prospective nominee (s) or choice(s) or anointed candidates for such positions they intend to contest elections under the All Progressives Congress in Benue State.

“On the strength of the above falsehood, we wish to emphatically state that Senator Dr. George Akume, the Honourable Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, and the APC Leader in Benue State has warned all those who are dubiously and mischievously involved in such political deeds and campaigns to desist henceforth, or they will be decisively sanctioned,” the statement said.

The statement added that Senator Akume, who is determined in setting a newer, greater and better agenda for the party’s victory in future elections in Benue State and Nigeria is totally committed to ensuring that the tenets of internal democracy and the voice of the people takes precedence in the emergence of nominees in APC for elective positions in 2023.

The former Governor of Benue State therefore called on all well-meaning Nigerians to join hands and support the APC and government of President Muhammadu Buhari, whose visionary leadership and commitment to lifting over 100 million Nigerians out of poverty remains a historic demonstration of true leadership in the history and political economy of Nigeria.

Certainly the last may not have been heard of the crisis that rocked Port Harcourt, Rivers State after the #EndSARS protest in the state turned violent as two Igbo Socio-cultural organizations, Igbo Peoples Assembly, (IPA) and Igbo Aborigines, yesterday took a swipe at Governor Nyesom Wike over the outbreak of mayhem at Oyigbo.

The Igbo groups further described Governor Wike as an enemy of Ndigbo for allegedly inviting the Army to Obigbo in Rivers State.

Spokesmen of the groups, Vincent Ekejiuba and Don Ikpe in a joint statement alleged that Governor Wike invited the ‘genocidal Nigeria Army’ to show that he is a paid agent of forces opposed to Igbo existence.

They wondered why the government would call in the Army to the area while ignoring the alleged menace of bandits and killer herdsmen ravaging parts of the country including Governor Wike’s village.

They therefore called on the members of the international community to intervene to save the people form extermination.

“Wike is among the elements trying to erase Igbo natural ownership of Obigbo and other towns in Rivers state thus giving credence to the sordid past when Igbos were dispossessed their properties in Port Harcourt. Boko Haram and Bandits are ravaging the north and Fulani herdsmen are doing same even in Governor Wike’s village and that has not attracted the kind of genocide Wike is leading now in Obigbo.

“We call on the international community to intervene now before it’s too late. Igbos are not begging anybody to be Igbo and if Wike decides to be Rivers or Niger Delta man, that is his business,” they said.

In a related development, the Ikwerre Youth Consultative Forum,(IYCF) and the Niger Delta Unity Forum, (NDUF), have called on the federal government to fish out the soldiers behind the invasion.

Buni

By Jude Opara, Abuja

Despite insinuations in certain quarters that the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is secretly pushing for a possible tenure elongation, the committee met on Tuesday to review the implementation of the three months action plan.

A statement issued at the end of the meeting which held at the National Secretariat of the party, Acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekinki Nabena said the Caretaker Committee is right on track on kits implementation of the action plan.

The statement further stated that on the issue of Registration, update and revalidation of the Party’s nationwide membership register was still ongoing.

On the resolution of the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) that all aggrieved party members who had gone

to court to withdraw cases: the Committee again reiterated the call on affected parties to fully comply with the directive in true spirit of peace and reconciliation.

However, the Committee said it had substantially succeeded in reconciling various factions in some affected states, inclusing: Bauchi, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, , Ekiti, Enugu, Zamfara, Ondo, Oyo States.

Furthermore, the Caretaker Committee noted that it has been meeting with identified stakeholders/elders, state governors, state chairman, National Assembly caucus, identified youth & women group, ministers and heads of parastatals.

The statement while reacting on the Mid-term Report said the Buni Committee is constantly briefing the President, Chairman Progressives Governors Forum, Senate President and Speaker, House of Representatives with a mid-term report which will enable the CECPC to take all inclusive decisions.

Buni-led Apc caretaker committee Reviews 3-Months Action plan

Ondo poll: Tribunal Grants Substituted Service on Akeredolu

Akume Denies Anointing Candidates for Benue Elective Offices

Oyibo Mayhem: Igbo Groups Describe Wike, Enemy of Ndigbo

24DAILY ASSETWednesday, November 4, 2020 POLITICS analysis

By Jude Opara

Since last week when President Muhammadu Buhari reappointed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu for another term in office, many stakeholders have been speaking on their expectations from the chief electoral umpire.

No doubt, this appointment which has been hailed by many interest groups including the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) amongst others is a right step in the right direction because if not for anything, it will afford the professor of History to make another history of conducting an election that will be generally accepted by everybody.

In fact, it is said that apart from the President of the country, no other Nigerian could be as popular as the chairman of the electoral body. Their names are always on the lips of every Nigerian.

This is because INEC as the body that is saddled with the conduct of elections is seen as a very important agency because by the electoral laws of the country, whoever the commission announces as the winner cannot be changed except by the court of law.

This has over the years made it very easy for INEC and its officials to come under severe criticisms especially by politicians of the opposition parties who always accuse them of manipulating the outcome to favour the ruling party.

Unfortunately, given the desperate attitude of the average Nigerian politician, everybody who losses election will never accept defeat without casting aspersion at the electoral system.

Yakubu is really set to make history because in the history of the

Mahmood Yakubu: Another Opportunity to Make History

Commission, no chairman had had the opportunity to lead it back-back. Jega, would have been the first after the 2019 election, but he declined the offer probably following the criticism that greeted the conduct of that election which saw the defeat of President Jonathan.

Also, he would be the first INEC boss to preside over two presidential elections in Nigeria’s political history. Given what and how we view elections in Nigeria, this is not a mean achievement by all means.

Interestingly, since the country returned to constitutional democracy in 1999, there is no chairman of INEC that has not be faced with all manners of criticisms especially by politicians and their followers. Due to the nature of politics in Nigeria where politicians usually manifest an unparalleled thirst for power, the loser usually find solace in blaming and castigating the electoral umpire for their defeat. The only INEC Chairman that could be said to have had it a lot easier was Prof. Attahiru Jega who conducted the historic 2015 elections, where the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan lost to his challenger, General Muhammadu Buhari. While it is also important to note that Jega had a little dose of the harassment and intimidation, he largely had it easier given the mantra of Jonathan who said that his political ambition does not worth the blood of any Nigerian.

For the man of the moment, Prof. Yakubu, he has also had his fair share of the bullying and name calling. I recall that when the 2019 elections were first postponed, the powers that be in the ruling APC did not take it easy with him, they threatened fire and brimstone but when eventually they won the election, nobody heard anything about the so-

general elections, and from the look of things, the device has come to stay.

What is the main style of manipulation today is the buying of votes by politicians. Honestly, this may be a little too difficult for INEC to address because both the seller and the buyer usually conduct their trade outside the purview of the commission. But it can never be worst than what was obtainable before the introduction of the Z-Pad.

The National Assembly has promised to expedite action on the passage of the Electoral Amendment Bill. The Bill which was passed by the 8th Assembly did not sail through because the President declined assent claiming it was too close to the 2019 elections.

When signed into law, the Bill will make it official for the introduction of electronic voting. Also, it will make it possible for election results to be transmitted real time from the polling units to the central INEC saver.

Most importantly, with the fact the incumbent president will not be contesting the 2023 election; there will be little or no overbearing pressure on him to ensure the return of the candidate of the ruling party. Many people especially members of the opposition PDP believe that the electoral umpire was forced to conduct the 2019 elections in such a way that it would be easier for the incumbent to win.

For instance, the PDP had alleged that they won the election given the results collated by their numerous polling agents. They claimed that the results were manipulated in favour of President Buhari and his APC at the local government and state collation centres.

It is expected that the INEC boss who is already being rated high for the manner the last two governorship elections were conducted would like to leave on that high note by ensuring that the next election will witness some remarkable improvement from the previous ones.

The greatest motivation Yakubu needs to ensure that the next election would be free and fair is the fact that the fate of millions of Nigerians especially the young people will be resting on his shoulders. He must ensure that he delivers an exercise that would be generally acceptable by Nigerians.

To pave this way, the next governorship election in Anambra State in 2021 will largely prove whether the successes in Edo and Ondo were mere fluke or as a deliberate action to do the right things. Also, INEC should as a matter of urgency begin to conduct the Continuous Voter Registration exercise because many people may have turned 18 as well as those who could not register prior to the 2019 general elections.

called probe they were touting. One reason I am thrilled with this

reappointment is because experience comes from practice and so may be apart from the former chairmen of the commission, there is nobody else who could be said to have the experience the Chairman presently possesses. He has made his mistakes and possibly learnt from them and the subsequent elections will prove where we are with him. Certainly, there is no way he could be compared to a new comer who will also start with his or her own teething problems.

Recall that earlier in his attempts, there were a lot of inconclusive elections. His initial blunders were very manifest so much so that many people began to make a caricature of the commission as an umpire of inconclusive elections. Out of the 163 elections conducted by the Commission, over 26 were declared inconclusive.

Apart from the Kogi State governorship election where former governor, Abubakar Audu was leading before his sudden death, the exercises in Ekiti and Osun where even international observers and CSOs condemned the conduct were anything but free, fair and credible.

But today, Prof. Yakunu is gradually stamping his authority. He has seen and understudied the average Nigerian politician and possibly known how to engage them.

I have always maintained that the politicians rather than INEC are to blame for most if not all our electoral crisis. The level of desperation usually displayed by the politicians in an attempt to win elections is unequalled. In fact, the average Nigerian politician can do ANYTHING just to emerge victorious. They are the ones that use all manners of tactics to get results in their favour. They beg, bribe, manipulate and even threaten the electoral umpire and their officials to get what they want. Ironically, when they succeed they will blame INEC and the system to high heavens and when they lose, the commission and its officials are there to take the blame.

However, hope is gradually rising with the manner the Edo and Ondo States governorship elections were conducted recently. Most of the people who witnessed the two elections attest to the fact that the incumbent governors who were declared truly won their seats back. Yes, there are still electoral manipulations but INEC has gone a step further in deepening the sanctity of the ballot by introducing the Z-Pad which makes it easy for results to be monitored real time right from the polling units. This system has to a large extent taken care of the falsification of results that used to happen at the local government and state collation centres.

Interestingly, the law that empowered the electoral body to use this device has been in existence even before the 2019

hope is gradually rising with the manner the

Edo and Ondo States governorship elections were conducted recently. Most of the people who witnessed the two elections attest to the fact that the incumbent governors who were declared truly won their seats back.

Yakubu

DAILY ASSETWednesday, November 4, 2020POLITICS OpiNiON25

Adamu Adamu

a protest over a wage increase which led to the suspension of the union and then reinstated in 1990. Others are of the opinion that it amounts to indiscipline/insubordination on the part of ASUU to be at loggerheads with the government just because its members were directed to enroll in the Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System (IPPIS) which the government made compulsory for all civil servants.To the rest, strike action to some extent poses problems to liberal societies.As it in some ways involve violence, threaten public order itself, often violate some basic liberal liberties, and appear to involve group rights having priorities over individual ones.

Despite this flood of argument, the question may be asked; what prevented the Federal Government from abiding with the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding entered with ASUU since 2019? Why has FG demonstrated a very high level of timidity in implementing such accord and similar ones in the past? Why is FG unwilling to adopt the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as suggested by ASUU while insisting that ASUU should first migrate to IPPIS before returning to UTAS which the group believes makes no economic sense? Why has it become difficult for the FG to listen to the argument by ASUU that the much orchestrated IPPIS is not in line with the best global practice and capped with capacity to further reduce the ranking of Nigerian universities?

As the strike rants and raves and the youths continue to stay at home of which we all understand its negative socioeconomic implications,one point the Federal Government must not fail to remember is that globally; ‘the relationship between employers/employees is always strained, always headed toward conflict. It is a natural conflict built into the system. Unions

ASUU Strike and Odds Against Education SectorThe Earth cools after volcanoes erupt. Now some researchers now think we should mimic those effects to reduce global warming. What could possibly go wrong? By Tim Smedley

By Jerome-Mario Utomi

Nigeria is recognized globally as the most populous black nation in the world. This enormous population naturally bestows socioeconomic advantages such as large and abundant human capital. Yet, over the years, myriads of sociopolitical contradictions have conspired directly and indirectly to give the unenviable tag of a country in constant search of leadership. Its inability to manage her population and harness its God given natural resources has become an embarrassment of the sort before the international community.

More specifically, available information points to reality that the nation’s education sector which supposed to be the major and fastest agent of change and civilization is presently burdened and overwhelmed. With the nation’s current population of over 195.9 million, 45 per cent of which are below 15 years, there is huge demand for learning opportunities translating into increased enrolment which has created challenges in ensuring quality education since resources are spread more thinly, resulting in more than 100 pupils for one teacher as against the UNESCO benchmark of 35 students per teacher and culminating in students learning under trees for lack of classrooms. This is of sincere concern to this piece.

But of greater worry to the present discourse is the government payment of lip service to the development of the nation’s educational sector. Observably, in recent times there have been no concerted efforts that could be characterized as sustainable to increased funding of education which is needed for Nigeria to join the comity of Nations in achieving the 2030 agenda.

Good example of how the government has recently defined learning too narrowly in a manner devoid of process and outcome fairness, is the handling/management of the ongoing strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), to kick against government directive on the Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System (IPPIS), press for the revitalisation of universities; renegotiate 2009 agreement and of course push for the Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) of members.

The strike aside truncating academic calendar, and happening at a time when other countries are re-doubling their investments in education, and finding traditional progressive solution to education as extremely valuable strategy for solving society’s problems, there are in fact, more natural reasons why what is happening in the nation’s education sector under the present administration rings apprehension.

First, going by media reports,

the All Progressive Congress led federal Government (APC) during its electioneering in 2015, promised to carry out a thorough review of the Education sector and tackle the main causes of the sectors’ decline, implement fully and enforce the provisions of the Universal Basic Education Act with emphasis on gender equity in primary and secondary school enrolment while also improving the quality and substance of the schools.

The party also promised that it would reinstate the now abandoned Teacher Training Colleges to train teachers, make substantial investments in training programmes at all levels of the educational system, re-introduce technical and vocational education nationwide by giving adequate material support to such institutions. Further, it wants to energise the inspectorate divisions of education ministries nationwide, and offer free and qualitative primary and secondary education to all and up to tertiary level for women among others. The APC says up to 10% percent of the annual budget would be for the sector.

Today, Nigerians have matched for over 5 years with the Government formed by the same party without appreciable departure from the traditional marginalization of the sector. Even the Federal Ministry of Education is in agreement that the funding of education by the present administration at all levels is below the benchmark recommended by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) which pegged funding of education at 26 per cent of the national budget or 6 per cent of the gross domestic products (GDP). But contrary to these directives, Nigerian government allocates currently about 6 per cent of the national budget to education.

As an illustration, in the 2017 Appropriation Act, N448.01 billion representing 6.0 per cent of the N7.30 trillion budgets was allocated to education.

Similarly, the budgetary allocation for education in 2020 is N671.07 billion constituting 6.7%. Of the N671.07 billion allocated to the Federal Ministry of education, the sum includes the statutory transfer allocated to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) which is N111.79 Billion. UBEC intervention funds as we know are focused on collaboration with other state actors towards improving access to basic education and reducing Nigeria’s out of school children.When compared with 2019, there is however a 44.37% increase in capital expenditure.Yet, a short fall in the UNESCO’s benchmark.

On ASUU strike, many argue that the present administration should be excused as strike and other rots in the Nigerian education system did not just start today but dates back to 1988 when the union’s officials started

Despite this flood of argument, the question

may be asked; what prevented the Federal Government from abiding with the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding entered with ASUU since 2019? Why has FG demonstrated a very high level of timidity in implementing such accord and similar ones in the past?

do not strike on a whim or use the strike to show off their strength. They look on strikes as costly and disturbing, especially for workers and their families. Strikes are called as last resort. And any government that fails to manage this delicate relationship profitably or fails to develop a cordial relationship with the workers becomes an enemy of not just the workers but that of the open society and, such society will sooner than later find itself degenerate into a chaos.

Another important point that the present administration must ponder on to help it understand the need for truce is that ‘lecturers/teachers not only teach errant students, they parent them, pamper them wherever that is called for, discipline and guide them, take the worst attitude in them and turn it into something more engaging and productive, yet, they are barely acknowledged by society, let alone giving them their just rewards. Many suffer from depression, psychological trauma and even suicidal tendency out of a sense of inadequacy at various intervals. They work so hard for so little’

Finally, while this piece admits that the nation educational sector has in the past produced excellent graduates in different fields of human endeavors, the truth must be told to the fact that the sector needs to be adequately funded, its policies reworked to meet the 21st century demands and consolidates on the gains of the present, with entrepreneurial programmes/studies integrated from the primary schools to the university levels.

Jerome-Mario Utomi is the Programme Cordinator (Media and Public Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), A Lagos-Based Non Governmental Organization.

DAILY ASSETWednesday, November 4, 2020news extra26

#EndSARS: Foundation to Partner Civil Society, Youths

Detention of 72 Year Oga Uhia: Journalists Forum Calls on Buhari for InterventionBy John Onah, Abuja

Journalists forum yesterday called on President Mummad Buhari to prevail on his Minister of State for power, Jeddy Agba to unconditionally release a 72 year old Journalist, Pa Oga Tom Uhia, whom he held in secret detention for three weeks after he was arrested in a Gestapo style by the agents of state.

The call came a day after the world celebrated an International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.

According to the forum, it was a day set aside globally to raise a banner in ending all forms of impunity against Journalists and to safeguard the constitutional guarantee of the media to hold government and its officials accountable.

“Unfortunately, as in the case in Nigeria, there should not be any special day to call on the

government and its agents to end impunity against Journalist, as harassment, intimidation, arrest, detention and gagging of Journalists continue unabated, on daily basis, and shamefully too, to the consternation of the international community”.

“As we speak, a 72-year old Journalist and Publisher of Power Steering Magazine, Pa. Oga Tom Uhia is still languishing in a secret detention by the Nigerian government, 3 weeks after he was arrested in a Gestapo style by the agents of state”.

At World press briefing yesterday, the leader of Concerned Journalists Forum Comrade Yemi Itodo noted that the only crime this Septuagenarian committed was that, as an investigative Journalist, he dared to uncover a lot of frauds and alleged shady deals of a much younger Nigeria’s Minister of State for Power, Mr. Goddy Jeddy Agba, while he was a top management

member of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the last dispensation.

“Pa. Uhia was arrested and being detained on the order of Mr. Agba. The Nigeria Union of Journalists, both national and FCT Council have visited the Honourable Minister repeatedly and pleaded that the old man should be released or charged to court. But the Minister has refused to let go”.

He is currently being held at the Force CIID, area 10 Garki Abuja, where the immediate younger brother to Mr. Jeddy Agba’s mother, Anthony Ogbizi is holding sway as the Deputy Inspector-General of Police.

“At first, the DIG requested for a deposit of two million naira (N2m) and a level 16 officer in the Federal Civil Service as conditions for his bail. The bail conditions were met within 2 days, yet, the DIG has refused to let Pa. Uhia go”, he added.

As a man with underlying health issues, due to age and fatigue, Pa. Uhia has been severally denied medical attentions while his health continues to deteriorate and he is being perpetually traumatized as he is kept alongside hardened criminals awaiting trials.

“At a time that Nigerians, all over the world are clamouring for a reform of the Nigeria Police Force, it is very appalling that the leadership of the Force is not ready to embrace civility or any form of reform”.

“More appalling, too, is the hypocrisies of Nigerian government. Instead of learning from the ugly scenarios that engraved the whole of October 2020 across the country, the Nigerian government is still paying lip service to ending Police brutality. The government claimed it has ended SARS but the brutality and impunity of the Police remains unchecked”.

Sub-Sahara Peace and Awareness Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) said it will partner civil society organisations to avert further protest by youths in the country.

The Chairman of the NGO, Mr Akibu Dalhatu, disclosed this at a news conference yesterday in Abuja.

He said that the foundation was not unaware of the genuine intention of the protest, adding that it was aimed at calling on government to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigerian Police Force.

Dalhatu stated that aim of the partnership was to discuss the

post #EndSARS protest and proffer solutions to avert future occurrences.

He said that the meeting would also discuss the issue of sensitisation of youth organisation on the need for ideological based protests, aimed at advocating for an egalitarian society.

He added that it would also

meet community leaders, traditional rulers and youth group in communities to synergise for harmonious peaceful-coexistence.

Dalhatu said that it would involve public and private bodies on the importance of their corporate social responsibilities aimed at assisting the large unemployed youth’s populace.

He also commended the Nigerian Police Force for putting the interest of the nation and its citizens first in ensuring that its officers were more civil and professional.

“We also recognise the success in tackling violent crimes across the nation and ensuring peace reigns in our land.’’. (NAN)

Court Remands 51-Year-Old man for Raping, Injuring 14-Year-Old StepdaughterAn Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court yesterday ordered that one Jayeoba Oluwafemi, 51, be remanded at the Correctional Centre, Ado Ekiti, for allegedly raping his 14-year-old stepdaughter.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Police prosecutor, Insp. Caleb Leramo, said the offence was committed on Oct. 4 at Ado-Ekiti.

He said the defendant unlawfully raped his stepdaughter when her mother went out, injuring her in the process. According to him, the offence is punishable under Section 2(2) of the Ekiti State Gender-Based Violence Prohibited Law, 2019.

He added that he had duplicated the case file and sent a copy to the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

Lead Counsel to the defendant, who pleaded not to be named, requested for a short adjournment pending the outcome of the case from the DPP’s office.

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Abdulhamid Lawal said the wife of the accused allegedly cast aspersion to her husband’s character.

“She said her husband is not a responsible man and this led to his suspension from work,” Lawal said.

“It is in the interest of social justice to order the man to be remanded and I hereby so order,” the Magistrate declared and adjourned the case to Dec. 2 for mention.

Some Catholic faithful participate in the Holy mass in commemoration of the All the Faithful Departed (Dead souls), at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gwagwalada in Abuja recently. PHOTO BY BJO/NAN

OPINION 27

Tussle for Attah Igala Stool: A Return to SanityBy Faruk Adejoh-Audu

Time Tested TraditionNotwithstanding the glory, reverence

and extreme privilege bothering on deification that comes with ascending the throne of the Attah Igala, the contest for the stool has over time been devoid of the desperate, acrimonious and cutthroat competition that is often associated with the tussle for royal stools in other lands . The reason is not far fetched. In the close to 700 years existence of the stool, Kingmakers had always followed laid down traditional processes and procedures in arriving at who becomes the divine ruler of the Igala people .

The stool is to be rotated among four ruling families(house) of the Ayegba Oma Idoko Bloodline in the order of seniority. To wit ; Aj’Ameacho, Aj’Aku , Aj’Akogu and Aj’Ocholi. Thus after the reign of one family, the next family to assume the throne is already known. Again in each family there’s a preference for the eldest prince among the sons of the last person to occupy the stool granted that he’s screened and considered qualified and then presented by the Ruling House he belongs as their choice.

It is noteworthy that in the race for succession in the Kingdom, whatever modern religion a candidate professes neither counts for nor against his chances. This is because it is assumed that the religion of the Attah is the worship of and communion with his forefathers. Besides, he’s a divine priest-king. This attitude of de-emphasising religion as a factor of interaction has permeated the entire Igala nation up to political contests with religion never determining the fortune of a candidate.

Before the commencement of the in-house family screening process, The Achadu, who is the Prime Minister of the Kingdom at the completion of the rites of passage after the death of the Attah will declare the stool vacant . The Ruling House in line is expected to immediately constitute what can be regarded as a screening committee under the headship of the oldest man in the House who will liaise with principal stakeholders of the extended family to interview and screen the eligible princes. The choice of the House will then be presented to the three other Ruling Houses, who will then jointly present the candidate to the King Makers known as the IgalaMela Council headed by the Etemahi, a First Class traditional ruler. In all likelihood, a candidate so presented is expected to become the next Attah Igala.

Spanner in the WorksBut there was one major deviation

in recent history, when the British Colonial Administration in 1956 ignored the time tested process that had worked smoothly for over 600 years and turbaned a prince, Aliyu Obaje, whose Ruling House was not even in contention and escorted him to Idah, the Capital of Igala Kingdom to forcefully install as the Attah. This was to all intent and purpose a coup d’etat executed by the British against the Igala Kingdom. At the time, the rites of coronation of a new Attah in the person of the Late Opaluwa Oguche had all but been concluded. As a matter of fact, he was only a few steps away from ascending the throne of his forefathers.

The colonial government was said to have included the requirement that makes it mandatory for any aspirant to the throne to have undergone some measure of formal western education and decided that the Prince who best satisfied their requirements was the Late Aliyu Obaje.

It is believed that this interference may have been as a result of their frustrating experience with the then Attah Ameh Oboni who it was said resisted being subordinated to the powers and controls of the colonial administration’s indirect rule. The Attah by that arrangement was an inferior King to the Sultan of Sokoto who is the Chairman of the Northern House of Chiefs. Oboni, who would take none of that, was considered cantankerous and his intransigence adjudged to be as a result of his illiteracy. After his deposition and eventual transition, it was thus resolved that only an educated prince who understands and can recognise authority will be allowed to ascend the throne.

This development effectively threw spanners into the works with Opaluwa Oguche who was already an Attah in waiting rejecting the imposition and heading to court. This was the first time the contest for the stool would assume such a belligerent dimension. He was equally trenchant in trying to undermine the reign of Aliyu Obaje for years until a reconciliation was finally achieved through the efforts of the stakeholders of the Kingdom in 1972. Oguche withdrew his suit from the Supreme Court and returned to his pre-nomination position as the District Head of Ugwalawo.

Though Oguche succumbed to the pressures to let peace reign, the distortions introduced by the anomaly of imposing a turbaned Attah against tradition has continued to endure.

For instance, the contest that brought in the departing Attah His Royal Majesty, Idakwo Oboni for the first time became a free for all among

the four ruling houses, with each of the clans presenting candidates. In some cases, some individuals even made independent bids for the stool.

When eventually Idakwo Oboni of the Aj’Ocholi Ruling House was chosen on the grounds that his father had occupied the throne (which is a requirement), at least two ruling houses, the Aj’Ameacho who produced Opaluwa Oguche (the Attah in waiting that was supplanted by the British) and the Aj’Akogu whose turn was also compromised were unhappy and were believed to be spoiling for a judicial showdown.

The Law that Restored Sanity

However, the then Governor in Office, Captain Idris Ichalla Wada, deftly saved the situation with the enactment of the Igala Area Traditional Council (Modification of Native Law and Customs) Order, 2015 Procedure and Regulation for the Ascension to the Stool of the Attah Igala Act.

The law amended the tradition that restricts succession only to the direct sons of persons who had occupied the stool. To sustain the tradition would have meant that the Aj’Ameacho and the Aj’Akogu would have expired as ruling houses as a result of the injustice of the British in 1956. The law equally prescribes that the restoration of the rotation will commence from the Aj’Ameacho.

The law now qualifies grandsons and nephews and grandnephews of an Attah to be eligible where there are no more direct sons. This was to cure the injustice against the two ruling houses whose last Attah’s were Oguche Akpa of Ameacho House, (father of Opaluwa Oguche) who reigned from 1911 to 1919 and Atabo Ijomi of Akogu House who ruled from 1919 to 1926. No direct sons of these Attah’s are still alive particularly after over a century of their demise.

Return to RotationThe Wada Law has effectively

doused the tension and with the rites of passage of the last Attah Agabaidu Michael Idakwo Oboni over, the Aj’Ameacho Ruling House, it is gathered, has been deliberating to pick its best among the qualified contenders. Already, in the spirit of unity and submission to higher family interests that had hitherto characterised the contest, some major contenders like Professor Armstrong Idachaba, Harvard trained intellectual, Professor of Mass Communication and presently the Acting DG of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) have, against pressures and popular demand to participate, withdrawn from the

contest to give the direct sons of the Late Opaluwa Oguche, the Attah that was halted on his way to ascension, the privilege to vie.

There are speculations that each of the two sons of the Late Aliyu Obaje, the late King who was imposed by the British in 1956, are also individually interested in the contest and may be lobbying for the Wada Law to be jettisoned. This cannot be independently verified but many fear that such a predacious ambition at a time when the Igala Nation is reveling in the return of order and sanity to the succession process could force a review of the legitimacy of their father’s reign as Attah, having never been subjected to any of the rites required of an Igala King of the Ayegba Oma Idoko Dynasty.

It’s an Aj’Ameacho AffairThe contenders initially included

James Ufaruna Opaluwa, the eldest surviving Prince of the Opulawa family; Samuel Opaluwa a retired Central Banker and an alumnus of the prestigious Kings College, Lagos, who is second in seniority; Matthew Alhaji Opaluwa. A director at the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC); Ocholi Opaluwa, a very Senior Customs Officer. Others are Wada Adaji Oguche, a successful business man and Dr Mike Idachaba an American trained scientist. The last two have withdrawn just like NBC’s Prof. Idachaba, based on the consensus to allow the direct offspring of Opaluwa Oguche who was unjustly supplanted to remedy the injustice to their late father.

Each of the contenders of the Ameacho House are considered qualified but it is expected that the Kingmakers will equally consider the sentiments and desire of the people of the Kingdom for an agile and virile candidate capable and competent to handle the office in a manner that the interest of the Kingdom will be well protected.

However, Samuel Opaluwa, the former executive of the Central Bank would appear to be the favourite as James Ufaruna the eldest son has withdrawn from the contest and endorsed Samuel. The endorsement is considered a submission of his right of ascension to his younger brother. Thus, this now effectively leaves three of the Opaluwa Princes in the race. Samuel, Mathew Alhaji and Ocholi.

All attention has shifted to Aj’Ameacho Ruling House to know the choice of the family. Baring any last minute hitch, the successful prince among the contenders will be declared in a matter of days .

Adejoh-Audu a journalist and politician writes from Lokoja

DAILY ASSETWednesday, November 4, 2020

NEWS ANALYSISFOREIGNUS Election 2020: ‘Strange’ events in Trump’s America

28DAILY ASSETWednesday, November 4, 2020

Three-year-old Rescued Four Days After Turkey EarthquakeExhausted rescue workers had

reason to cheer for a moment as a 3-year-old girl was freed from the wreckage of a collapsed apartment building in Turkey on Tuesday, 91 hours after a deadly earthquake rocked the country’s western coast.

The child was extracted safely, disaster management agency AFAD tweeted, from a building in the city of Izmir.

Rescue workers cleared the

debris around the toddler trapped in a tiny gap yet looking calm, an AFAD footage on Twitter showed. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca identified the girl as Ayda Gezgin, sharing footage of her talking to a health officer on an ambulance. State media initially identified her as Ayla. She tells her name and says she does not feel pain. “A new miracle,” state broadcaster TRT described her rescue, which comes

almost 30 hours after the rescue of another girl of the same age from the wreckage in Izmir city. “I heard a child’s voice,” rescuer Ahmet Celik told reporters.

“I put my head through the hole,” Celik said, his voice quivering. He recalled her saying she was very thirsty and requested water and ayran, a yoghurt beverage. An earthquake centred in the Aegean Sea hit both Turkey and Greece

on Friday. “We are very happy. I can not describe the moment she stared at us,” another rescuer told TRT, describing how he gave her blood serum and covered her in a blanket.

An image from the first moments of the rescue on TRT showed one rescuer kiss her and her holding the rescuer’s thumb. The girl is in good condition in hospital, state news agency Anadolu quoted

Environment and Urbanization Minister Murat Kurum as saying in Izmir.

The death toll in Izmir reached 102, while as many as 8,000 rescuers continued their efforts at four collapsed buildings, Kurum added. TRT said rescue efforts were underway for the mother who is also believed to be trapped, while the father was safe outside when the quake hit.

...Fani-Kayode Prays for US President

As the Americans go to polls to choose their next president under an unusually tense political cloud, some strange occurrences have marked out this particular US election. We outline some below:

*An eight-foot-high “non-scalable” fence has appeared around the White House *Trump’s supporters are intimidating voters, threatening violence moving about in convoys on the streets of Texas and Georgia *About 100 million had already voted before voting day in the US election. *Trump has said there would be violence if he loses.

*A judge has rejected his application to void 122,000 votes in Texas. *Trump described the Supreme Court judgement to allow early voting in Pennsylvania as dangerous and said it would give room for cheating. *Drive-through voting also tried in view of the Covid-19 pandemic *In US elections, early voting has been in practice for years. *Democrats are on TV calling on people to come out and vote in spite of the intimidation.

*Prayers ongoing in the White House for Trump Dear reader, do you know any other ‘strange’ thing about US election we can add to the list?

Fani-Kayode Prays for Him

Meanwhile, former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, yesterday prayed for God’s intervention, asking him to make his friend President Donald Trump victorious in the ongoing election.

Trump who is a Republican is contesting against, former Vice-President Joe Biden, a Democrats. Biden according to yesterday’s report was leading by a narrower margin in many key states and has multiple paths to victory. Trump’s route to the required 270 votes is thinner but still viable, meaning either candidate could win.

However, Trump’s campaign is counting on a surge in Election Day turnout from his supporters to fuel the President’s path to reelection. Biden is ahead in sufficient swing states to allow multiple routes to the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House, including through the Sun Belt and the Midwest.

World Leaders Condemn Vienna Attack

The attack scene

World leaders, including the Muslim world, have condemned a suspected Islamist attack that claimed the lives of four victims in central Vienna.

The attacker, who according to Austrian Interior Minister, Karl Nehammer, was a sympathiser of the extremist militia ̀ Islamic State’, was shot dead by police after the attack in the city centre on Monday evening.

“Terrorism is our common enemy. The fight against these murderers and their instigators is our common fight,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a message issued by her spokesperson.

“The US stands with Austria, France, and all of Europe in the fight against terrorists, including terrorists,” U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter.

“We must let our enemies know

what they are up against. We will not give in,” said French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday evening, after France also suffered lethal attacks in the past month.

“Civilised peoples everywhere must unite to defeat the savagery of resurgent terrorism,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote.

Iran has condemned the terrorist attack in central Vienna and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

“This attack has shown again that terrorism and extremism know no bounds and are to be condemned, for whatever reason,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh said in comments carried by news agency ISNA.

An end to Islamophobia in the West could also bring an end to terror, Khatibzadeh added.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the attacks in Afghanistan and Austria, both found to have links to the extremist militia group Islamic State.

In Vienna, an alleged Islamic State sympathiser shot four dead on Monday evening. Also on Monday, an attack on a Kabul University, claimed by Islamic State, killed at least 19 people.

Horrified by the terror attacks in Afghanistan and Austria,” Stoltenberg said on Twitter on Tuesday.

“A reminder that terrorism affects all and the importance of continuing the fight against [Islamic State]. My condolences to all those affected.”

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz delivered a message of national unity as he addressed his country after an attack in Vienna.

“We will never allow this hatred

to gain ground,” Kurz said in a televised speech.

“We must be aware that this is

not a conflict between Christians and Muslims or between Austrians and migrants,” he added.

DAILY ASSETWednesday, November 4, 2020

NEWS ANALYSISINTERVIEWSP RTS

Dessers Takes Positives from Nigeria OmissionCyriel Dessers hopes to be at his best for Genk in order to get a recall to the Nigeria national team after he was left out of the Super Eagles squad against Sierra Leone.

The centre-forward was handed his Super Eagles debut against Tunisia in October in a friendly after his eye-catching performances for Heracles Almelo.

Dessers bagged 25 league goals to emerge as the 2019–20 Eredivisie joint top scorer before teaming up with Genk in the summer.

The centre-forward has, however, been omitted from the Super Eagles squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game against the Leone

Stars scheduled for November 13 and 17.

The Belgian-born player has expressed his disappointment for his failure to make the 24-man squad but has taken positives from the situation.

“On not getting a call up for the National team for games against Sierra Leone, personally I was not happy after knowing I did not make the cut,” Dessers told AOI.

“But then again, it shows I have to play more at club level and hopefully tries to always be at my best week in week out.”

On Saturday, the forward bagged his third goal in eight Belgian First Division A games to help his side secure victory over KAS Eupen.

Paul Onuachu, who has been drafted in for Nigerian’s game against Sierra Leone as Moses Simon’s replacement, set up Dessers for his strike.

“It was nice to be on the score sheet again this weekend,” the 25-year-old continued.

“I felt it’s been a long time coming for me and I hope to build on this goal in my subsequent matches.”

Dessers will hope to add to his tally when Genk take on Sint-Truiden in their next league game on Saturday to boost the chances of a recall to the Super Eagles.

Nigeria currently lead Group L with six points after victories against the Republic of Benin and Lesotho.

29

Mbappe Misses PSG Trip to Leipzig

Maradona Recovering after Anaemia - Doctor

Atletico Madrid Sign Kondogbia from Valencia

Paris St Germain forward Kylian Mbappe will miss Wednesday’s Champions League clash against RB Leipzig due to a hamstring problem, the French champions said yesterday.

Mbappe, 21, sustained the injury during Saturday’s 3-0 Ligue 1 victory against Nantes and was withdrawn towards the closing stages of the match.

“After going off during the game against Nantes with a right hamstring problem, Mbappe’s not available for the trip to

Germany and the situation will be reassessed in 48 hours,” PSG said in a statement.

Coach Thomas Tuchel will also be without the services of Neymar and Mauro Icardi due to injuries, with the duo expected to return only after this month’s international break.

PSG, who followed up a 2-1 home defeat by Manchester United with a 2-0 victory at Istanbul Basaksehir, are second in Group H of the Champions League with three points.

Atletico Madrid have signed French midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia from Valencia for an undisclosed fee, both La Liga clubs said yesterday.

The 27-year-old has signed a four-year contract with Atletico and replaces Thomas Partey, who joined Arsenal just before the transfer window closed.

Arsenal had activated his 50-million-euro ($58.52 million) release clause.

La Liga rules allow clubs who have lost a player after their release clause was triggered to sign another player within a month provided they play in Spain or are out of contract.

“Atletico Madrid and Valencia CF have reached an agreement over the transfer of Geoffrey Kondogbia,” Atletico said in a statement.

“The box-to-box footballer is a strong presence in midfield and contributes defensively and offensively,” the statement said.

Kondogbia began his career

with French Side Lens before moving to Sevilla and had an ugly confrontation with Atletico striker Diego Costa in a 2013 Copa del Rey tie.

He later moved to AS Monaco and Inter Milan, joining Valencia on loan in 2017 before completing a permanent move the following year.

Planky paceman Blessing Muzarabani took career-best figures of 5-49 as Zimbabwe beat Pakistan in a thrilling super-over finish in the third and final one-day international yesterday.

The actual match finished in a tie after Pakistan skipper Babar Azam hit the final delivery of the 50th over from Richard Ngarava for a boundary to level the scores

at 278. In the super over, man-of-the-

match Muzarabani dismissed Iftikhar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah for two runs on four balls. Zimbabwe scored off just three balls, without any loss.

Despite the defeat, Pakistan won the three-match series 2-1.

Azam, who finished with a run-a-ball 125 with 13 boundaries and

a six, led Pakistan’s fightback and stood firm after Pakistan were set a daunting 279-run target.

He added a match-turning 100 for the seventh wicket with Wahab who made 52.

With 28 needed, Riaz held out off Muzarabani, Babar took the fight by smashing a six in the 49th over to reduce the target to 13 off the final over.

Argentine soccer great Diego Maradona was anaemic and dehydrated but is recovering well in hospital, his personal physician said yesterday.

Maradona, 60, is still undergoing tests after he was admitted to the Ipensa clinic in La Plata, Argentina on Monday, according to his doctor Leopoldo Luque, who said his condition is not related to Covid-19.

“He is evolving as we wanted. I hope he will want to stay until tomorrow,” Luque told reporters. “He will have to do long-term treatment.”

Luque said on Monday that Maradona was “not well psychologically” and it had impacted his physical health. He is expected to be under observation for at least three days.

Maradona, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986 and is widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time, coaches local club Gimnasia Esgrima.

He last appeared in public on his 60th birthday last Friday before his side’s league match against Patronato.

Muzarabani Stars as Zimbabwe Beat Pakistan in Super Over

Cyriel Dessers

Geoffrey Kondogbia

30DAILY ASSETWednesday, November 4, 2020 SPORTS NeWs

Okolie Gets World Title Shot on Joshua UndercardLawrence Okolie will fight Poland’s Krzysztof Glowacki for the vacant WBO cruiserweight title on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s bout with Kubrat Pulev in London next month, promoters announced

on Monday.British boxer Okolie will bid

for a maiden world title in his home city on 12 December when Joshua puts his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight belts on the line against Bulgaria’s Pulev

at the O2 Arena. The 27-year-old Okolie,

unbeaten in 14 professional fights including 11 knockouts, won the European cruiserweight title with a seventh-round stoppage of Yves Ngabu in October last year.

Ronaldo Named in Juventus Squad for FerencvarosCristiano Ronaldo is set to make his first Champions League appearance of the 2020-21 season after being named in Juventus’ latest European squad.

Ronaldo took in a frustrating spell on the sidelines after testing positive for coronavirus while away with the Portugal national side during the last international break.

Juve were held to back-to-back 1-1 draws against Crotone and Hellas Verona in Serie A without the forward, who also missed their first two games of the Champions League group stages.

Andrea Pirlo’s side beat Dynamo Kiev 2-0 in their Group G opener, but suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Barcelona on Matchday two, as Ronaldo was denied the chance to face off against Lionel Messi for the first time since 2018.

The 35-year-old made his long-awaited return to action when he came on as a second-half substitute against Spezia on Sunday, and made an instant impact on a game which was tied at 1-1 before his introduction.

Ronaldo produced a trademark run and finish to put Juve ahead two minutes after entering the fray, before doubling his account from the penalty spot 14 minutes from time.

Pirlo’s men went on to win the match 4-1, with Alvaro Morata and Adrien Rabiot also getting on the scoresheet, and will be expected to pick up another three points when they travel to Hungary to take on Ferencvaros on Wednesday.

Ronaldo has been included in Juve’s 21-man squad for the continental clash, meaning he could be line to feature in Europe’s elite competition for the first time since the team’s shock last-16 exit at the hands of Lyon last season.

Captain Giorgio Chiellini will feature against Ferencvaros but Juve coach Pirlo says Paulo Dybala might be rested for the

Stan Wawrinka said he is hoping to produce a “last push” in his career to challenge for tennis’ biggest titles again, after beating Britain’s Dan Evans to reach the Paris Masters second round yesterday.

The 35-year-old won the last of his three Grand Slam titles at the 2016 US Open but was then hit by multiple injuries and is now ranked 20th in the world.

But the Swiss thinks he can still rediscover past glories in his final years on the ATP Tour.

“I’m close to the end of my career,” he said after beating Evans 6-3, 7-6 (7/3).

“But I also believe I have one last push that I really want to, again, one more time push myself to the limit, make the sacrifice that you need to make to be at my top,

and I’m trying to do that. “I’m going to try to even push it

more during the off-season and see what next year brings.”

Wawrinka, whose only Masters title came in 2014 at Monte Carlo, has not won an ATP event for more than three years.

“I think in general my form has been going okay. It’s been going well. I’m playing well,” he added. “I still need to work on many, many aspects.”

Wawrinka will face either Frenchman Gilles Simon or the US’ Tommy Paul next.

Former Wimbledon runner-up Milos Raonic also booked a second-round place, beating Aljaz Bedene 6-3, 6-2, while Richard Gasquet won a match for the first time since the US Open by edging out Taylor Fritz in three sets.

Wawrinka Ready for ‘Last Push’ in Tennis Career

A member of Governor Wike Pre-Season Football Tournament Organising Committee, Chuks Ezeji, has said Sharks Stadium, the venue for the event, would be ready in time for the competition.

Ezeji gave participating teams the assurance on Tuesday in Port Harcourt while inspecting works being carried out to put all facilities in place for the competition which kicks off on Nov. 6.

He was emphatic that the venue of the 2nd edition of Governor Wike Pre-Season Football Tournament would be ready for what is regarded as the most star-studded preparatory competition in Nigeria.

According to Ezeji, Sharks Stadium has hosted several local and international football competitions in the past and as such, the pre-season football tournament would not be an exception.

“Everything is being done to put all the facilities in place for a successful competition.

“I can assure you that the stadium will be ready for the competition; Port Harcourt has

always been a good host and we will make sure this is no exception.

“The ministry of sports has provided the needed funds and logistics, so we are putting finishing touches to all areas to ensure a good job,” he said.

The committee member disclosed that the pitch was in great shape and would be ready for football action.

Also, Chairman of the Organising Committee, Bashir Badawiy, said he was impressed with the level of interest from clubs across Nigeria.

“I am impressed with the level of interest shown from clubs across Nigeria till this moment, clubs are still contacting me, but unfortunately we cannot accommodate all the clubs.

“The teams coming to Port Harcourt will have a great time and we are happy to welcome them. We are ready and we expect to have an exceptional tournament,” he said.

Badawiy restated that all COVID-19 protocols would be observed throughout the competition. (NAN)

Sharks Stadium Will Be Ready for Gov Wike Tournament

Stan Wawrink

game. “Yes, Chiellini has trained

well,” Pirlo told Sky Sport Italia. “He recovered from his injury and he’ll be available tomorrow night.

“Dybala is fine, I spoke to him again this morning. It’s normal

that after three games, a bit of physical and mental fatigue builds up.

“The lad is fine, he needs to work and keep his physical level up. He’s important and will be useful for the rest of the championship.

Cristiano Ronaldo

31DAILY ASSETWednesday, November 4, 2020 SPORTS NeWsSolskjaer Dismisses Keane’s Criticism

Club Chairman Identifies Peace as Best Legacy for Nigerian YouthsBy Francis Ogar, Calabar

A society building and humanitarian service sport club in Calabar the Cross River State Capital has said that peace is the best legacy to bequest on the youths for the better progress and future development of Nigeria.

The Chairman of Tinapa Sport Club, Mr. Richard Uzor spoke in Calabar during the birthday celebration of her former chairman.

He said that the future of Nigeria is in the hands of the youths and that it is extremely important to inculcate the spirit of peace in the minds of the youths for tomorrow.

According to Mr. Uzor, peace is the pivot which the development of any society revolves around and urged the youths in the country to exercise restraints in what they do stressing that violence is destructive and that it retards development.

The chairman disclosed that Tinapa Sport Club was formed about 30 years ago principally to help the society to grow and to ensure that her members were physically sound and healthy.

Mr. Uzor further said that the club uses every Saturday of the week to play football, do other exercise to keep the body fit and to socialize with members.

Tinapa Sport Club said further that it has made some remarkable achievements since its establishment 30 years ago including the visitation to the less privileged in the society and presentation of gifts to orphanage homes once in every year as part of the club objectives.

“Nigeria is our country and we have no better place than Nigeria. We must not use violence to destroy this country but dialogue to discuss our challenges,” Uzor said.

Gunnar Solskjaer

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he is satisfied with the options available for every position in his squad after former captain Roy Keane described the current group as “nowhere near good enough”.

After United lost 1-0 at home to Arsenal on Sunday, Keane, who captained United for over eight years, said: “Ole will lose his job working with these players - that’s what is going to happen.”

United have now suffered defeats in three of their opening six Premier League matches and sit 15th in the table but Solskjaer said he has enough quality to turn things around.

“Roy has always been outspoken. I’m very glad that I’ve got the players that I have here with us,” Solskjaer told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s match away to Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League.

“We’ve got different jobs. Roy’s job is to give his opinion. I always listen to Roy but we move on here with a great group of players, a

A WBC interim heavyweight rematch between Alexander Povetkin and Britain’s Dillian Whyte has been postponed to January after the Russian was admitted to hospital with COVID-19, promoter Eddie Hearn said yesterday.

‘Body Snatcher’ Whyte was knocked out by 41-year-old Povetkin, the 2004 Olympic super-heavyweight gold medallist, in the fifth round of their fight in London last August.

The rematch was scheduled for 21 November behind closed doors at London’s Wembley Arena.

“Unfortunately we got the news today that Alexander Povetkin is in hospital after testing positive for

Russian Heavyweight Povetkin in Hospital with COVID-19

The Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), yesterday in Kaduna, commenced the training of 42 grassroots football coaches drawn from states in the North-West.

Abdulrazak Usman, the National Organising Secretary of YSFON, said the training was aimed at improving the technical ability of the coaches, and adding value to grassroots coaching.

Usman also said that it would equip them with modern techniques and

knowledge on talent hunt and management.

He said that the programme would take place in the six geo-political zones of the country.

“We found out that for us to get it right, we need the coaches in the grassroots because some of them have no idea of the coaching system.

“If the foundation is wrong, we will all get it wrong and that is why we are doing this training under our programme tagged `train the trainer,” he said.

Usman said the programme would add value to grassroots coaching in the zone, adding that certificates of participation would be given to participants at the end of the training.

He said the training would focus on the principle of coaching, emphasis on grassroots coaching, talents identification and management, laws of the game, psychology of coaching, first aid and nutrition, among others. (NAN)

YSFON Trains 42 Football Coaches in North-West

Alexander Povetkin and Britain’s Dillian Whyte

French tennis player Corentin Moutet has tested positive for coronavirus and withdrawn from the ongoing Paris Masters tournament, the ATP announced yesterday.

The 21-year-old Moutet had been set to face Marin Cilic in the second round after beating Italian Salvatore Caruso on Monday, but instead, the former US Open champion has been given a

walkover into the last 16. “After confirmation of a positive

Covid-19 test on 3 November, Corentin Moutet has been removed from the draw and placed in isolation,” the ATP said in a statement.

Several French players have tested positive for the virus in recent months, including Benoit Paire, Lucas Pouille and Fiona Ferro.

COVID-19 Rules France’s Moutet Out of Paris Masters

strong group of players. “I’m sure we’ll see a response.” Solskjaer also defended Paul

Pogba’s recent struggles on the pitch, saying the Frenchman remains on the right path to finding his best form at Old Trafford.

Pogba, who tested positive for Covid-19 at the start of the season, conceded a penalty for a foul on Hector Bellerin on Sunday before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang converted the spot-kick for the visitors.

“Every player is frustrated after the defeat. We need consistency from every one of our players,” Solskjaer said.

“Paul has had a difficult period with injury, with COVID, so I think we have seen plenty of positives.”

Despite their poor domestic run, United are enjoying a bright start in the Champions League, winning their opening two matches against Paris St Germain and RB Leipzig in group H.

Covid-19. The fight will now be rescheduled to a target date of Jan 30,” Hearn said on Twitter.

Povetkin fought Britain’s

Anthony Joshua for the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles at Wembley stadium in 2018 and was stopped in the seventh round.

One of the major concerns of consumers

is that the bills they are charged is not reflective of their power

consumption.What the state government is doing is to ensure that it underwrites the metering

programme it is providing, so instead of having consumer

pay for meters that they need immediately, the state government will prepay and

consumers would repay overtime.

The meters would be available and your inability to afford a meter would not stop you from getting a

meter.

Lagos Commissioner for Energy, Olalere Odusote

to their very narrow uses. It has become the lot of the country at all levels of governance: local government, state and national levels. Time

The reality is that most graduates after years of graduating

roam about the streets of our towns and cities looking for jobs, while the few lucky ones get palliatives from governments to establish their companies. This is the area the government should do more, to make a deliberate policy, especially in the agro-allied industries to boost the nation’s food production and in the process create jobs for its teeming youths

I do not share in the destructive manner the Nigerian youths who went on the streets to protest police conduct under the aegis of #endSARS and other issues went about their actions recently. Especially as what commenced as peaceful protests took very ugly, destructive and violent dimensions in Lagos, Benin City, the FCT, and Jos in particular. But the protesters advanced some salient points which will help our leaders and others in authority to administer the country better for all of us. They raised the issue of the hydra-headed monster, corruption, which has done incalculable damage to the nation, rendering our youths and the rest of the citizens miserable and unable to attain their potentials in the scheme of things. Corruption permeates many levels of the society.

It is corruption that will make the nation’s youths pay their way, at times in millions of Naira before getting jobs in most Federal Ministries and Agencies and blue chip companies, and has widened the gap between the rich and the poor, as in most cases, only the children of top politicians, civil servants, and the well to do can get employment in lucrative Ministries and Departments in governments today. Government establishments like the NNPC, CBN, FIRS, Customs, Minstry of PatroleumA etc,are priced out of reach. The children of the very poor Nigerians whose parents toiled to see them through their education have literally been shut out o employment at the Federal level. It may not be official but the permanent secretaries, directors and head of agencies and departments have created cartels for employment and it is no secret of the ordeal they subject job seekers today. Sad. It was not like this some years ago. The reality is that most graduates after years of graduating roam about the streets of our towns and cities looking for jobs, while the few lucky ones get palliatives from governments to establish their companies. This is the area the government should do more, to make a deliberate policy, especially in the agro-allied industries to boost the nation’s food production and in the process create jobs for its teeming youths. Sincerely, nothing is as debilitating to the psyche of an ordinary Nigerian than the impunity with which those they elected to govern them convert their commonwealth

www.dailyasset.ng

Before Corruption Consumes Nigeria

wednesday, november 4, 2020 ISSN: 2616-166 Vol. 2 No. 226 N200@DailyAssetNG facebook.com/dailyassetnews

his party, the the All Progressives Congress, APC’s campaign to be enthroned as the leader, Nigerians were thrilled when he made the war against the vice a front burner of his manifesto. Most Nigerians who were tired of this monster saw a savior in Buhari, and hence the overwhelming support he got from them to be elected the nation’s leader. He no doubt took some far reaching measures like the introduction of tough finance measures like Treasury Singles Account[TSA] and the Integrated Payroll and personnel Information System[IPPIS] which have safed for the nation billions of Naira lost previously through leakages. While commending the nation’s leader for these bold measures, Nigerians are worried that the crusade against corruption is losing steam, and very fast. What has become of the EFCC probe as well as that of the Niger Delta Commission? These are celebrated cases for which Nigerians want to know of their outcome. And other high profile investigations and probes that appear to have been swept under the carpet. Buhari

and again corruption has occupied the front burner of national discourse. It is one malaise that Nigerians know is the monster tying their nation from attaining its desired greatness. It is responsible for the gross inequality in the distribution of the nations resources, with less than three percent of the citizens accounting for more than ninety per cent of the wealth of the nation; accounting for this great country as the poverty capital of the world, for infrastructural deficits, for Nigeria remaining a slumbering giant of the continent and failing to take its rightful place in the committee of nations. There is hardly any government in Nigeria, from independence in 1960 to date that has not made pronouncement about tackling the monster, Three regimes stand out in the crusade against corruption in the real sense of the word, and in various degrees since the country attained independent in 1960:General Murtala Ramat Mohammed: from 1975-76; Olusegun Obasanjo from 2009- and Muhammdu Buhari from 2015 to date. Briefly Murtala Mohammed[May God Almighty have mercy on his soul] confronted corruption as no regime before him ever did , like a volcano, and although he was in office for barely six months, he left lasting impression in the minds of his country men and women, and to a great degree remains the reference point in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. For Olusegen Obasanjo, credit should be given to him for taking measures to establish institutions that would tackle the monster. The establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, were his brainchild. Nuhu Rabaidu’s era remains a golden one in the fight against corruption in the history of this country and it will take a very long time to have a genuine and dogged fighter against the vice like him. Buhari is hailed for making the fight against corruption a cardinal principle of his administration .In the course of

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