All Posts in "Day: May 1, 2021"

 Managing  Insecurity in Nigeria.

By Kayode Olasekun.
Crime, according to traditional theorists is caused by three  factors-poverty,  ethnic heterogeneity and residential mobility, single parenting,structural density and urbanization.
Suffice to say that these factors increase social integration, informal social control, isolation from economic and political forces..
Besides,it’s believed that  many environmental factors such as poverty,  unemployment,  the weak  family fibre,  drugs and alcohol abuse are harbingers of  criminality.
In view of  all these, it’s advisable for government at all level to jettison or rather stop playing politics with security of life and property of the civil populace and urgently  rise up to their responsibilities by reaching out to all the aggrieved party members,  traditional rulers,  religious groups,and  others critical stakeholders  for their inputs .
These inputs would guide the design of workable and enduring solutions to their  grievances.
Government  should  see security  security as a collective responsibility of all and sundry  as well as encourage citizens to be in the vanguard of promoting safety in the society.
State Governors  should encourage security personnel in their states  with befitting rewards  against the odious reduction in their monthly allowance which encourage them to let loose.
There should also be harmonious working relation  among security agencies in the country. They should adopt feedback mechanism,as most times,  their Chief Security Officers scarcely deliver most Governor’s   package to the security personnel  attached to them.
This should be taken more seriously since security agencies are meant  to safeguard  lives and properties of the entire citizenry in the country..
The unholy relationship among the  security agencies should also be addressed..This is very important as a nation that is adequately secured makes life worthy to live for its citizenry in terms of socio-economic well  being and freedom from fear in all ramifications.
 Social  vices such as terrorism, kidnapping, militancy, insurgency, are the low points of every society.
Historically,  Nigeria as a nation right from independence is well known to be bedevilled with legions of crises rooted in politics, ethno religious crises, among others.. Procurement of arms and ammunition is good ,but not necessarily the  best for now, rather, massive investment should be directed on security technology’s  devices such as drones.  I mean drones that can fly for many hours, etc.
Kayode Olasekun,a security expert,is based in Abuja
Online Editor by — May 1, 2021 in Opinion 0
Buhari Excites Over Ogunsanya’s Appointment As Airtel Africa Boss

Ogunsanya's appointment as CEO Airtel Africa excites Buhari
Meanwhile, the elevation of Ogunsanya to MD/CEO of Airtel Africa Plc, has received plaudits from
President Muhammadu Buhari, has hailed the appointment of Olusegun Ogunsanya, as the Managing Director and CEO Airtel Nigeria,saying the development shows Nigeria has a surfeit of quality professionals, who can hold their own in any part of the continent, and even beyond.
President Buhari assured thatb with the cognate experience of the new MD/CEO for Africa, which spans consulting, banking, fast moving consumer goods, and telecommunications, he would acquit himself creditably in his new role, and repeat the strides that made him position Airtel Nigeria as the second largest telecommunications company by revenue, serving over 50 million customers.
Airtel Africa Plc,had  announced  that Olusegun Ogunsanya, Managing Director and CEO Airtel Nigeria is to succeed Raghunath Mandava, as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer following Raghu Mandava’s informing the Board of his intention to retire.
Segun Ogunsanya will join the Board of Airtel Africa plc with effect from 1 October 2021.
Segun Ogunsanya joined Airtel Africa in 2012 as Managing Director and CEO Nigeria and has been responsible for the overall management of our operations in Nigeria, our largest market in Africa.  Segun has more than 25 years’ business management experience in banking, consumer goods and telecoms.
Before joining Airtel in 2012, Segun held leadership roles at Coca-Cola in Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya (as MD and CEO). He has also been the Managing Director of Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd (Coca-Cola Hellenic owned) and Group head of retail banking operations at Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, covering 28 countries in Africa. He is an electronics engineer and also a chartered accountant.
Raghu Mandava will be retiring as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, as a Director of Airtel Africa plc and as a member of the Market Disclosure Committee on 30 September 2021. Arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities. Following his cessation of employment at Airtel Africa, Mr. Mandava will be available to advise the Chairman, the Airtel Africa Board and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for a 9-month period.
Online Editor by — May 1, 2021 in IT&Telecoms 0
Power Minister  Promises Increased Efficiency,Tariff Reduction 

Minister Of Power Engr. Mamman Sale: Shenaniganry Taken Too Far
Engr. Sale Mamman, the Minister of Power,
has implored Nigerians to  expect an increase efficiency in the sector to reduce tariffs while managing headwinds from foreign exchange and inflation.
He also dismissed rumours of a major hike in electricity tariff, saying the current government would not attempt significant increase in tariff to endanger Nigerians .
He  explained that the order issued by NERC on the 26th of April 2021 titled “Notice of Minor and Extraordinary Review of Tariffs for Electricity Transmission and Distribution Companies” was a routine procedure.
According to him,the review planned by NERC  is in accordance with Section 76 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act of 2005.
He added:“The tariff for customers on service bands D & E (customers being served less than an average of 12hrs of supply per day over a period of one month) remains subsidized in line with the policy direction of the Federal Government”.
The minister said Section 76 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act of 2005 provides clear guidelines for the periodic review of tariff (based on market data and submissions from licensees). The guidelines include the provision that the Commission shall give notice of activities related to tariff “in the Official Gazette, and in one or more newspapers”.
“The Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) per NERCs regulation obtains inputs from operators in the market every 6 months to perform minor reviews and a major review is required every 5 years. Thus, as in January a minor review will occur in June. Given the timing for the Extraordinary review has also elapsed, a review will occur for consideration in January 2021,’ the statement said.
He assured thatb the Buhari administration remained faithful to the adopted resolutions from the Joint FGN-NLC/TUC Technical Committee on Electricity Tariffs which makes recommended for “NERC to conduct an extraordinary review of the MYTO to further review factors and align them with current evolving realities.” The reason this recommendation was posited by the Committee was to ensure that efficiencies could be derived from an extraordinary review to further reduce tariff.
He said government was committed to increasing supplied energy to the grid through rapid expansion of infrastructure through the various facilities for the sector either to the DISCOS under strict terms or to the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
“Furthermore, the National Mass Metering Program is on course to reduce losses. To date more than 500k meters have been delivered to DISCOs in phase 0 of the program in 5 months (this exceeds the progress done for the entire MAP scheme). We will eliminate the metering gap during the life of the administration,” he added
Online Editor by — May 1, 2021 in Power 0
FG  Endorses Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine

Nigeria Health Watch no Twitter: "1. Nigeria: @WHONigeria endorses Pfizer vaccine for Covid-19 immunisation in Nigeria. Details here: https://t.co/A7u1TmxghH #NHWTop10… https://t.co/U9gnKl13MI"
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control  (NAFDAC) has endorsed the use of pfizer-Bio Tech  COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria.
Professor Mojisola Adeyeye,the  Director-General of the agency, who  announced this in Lagos,said  that the pfizer-Bio Tech vaccine was for emergency use only.
Adeyeye said based on new development from the manufacturers, the vaccine can now be stored between -15% to -25%, which is equivalent to freezer temperature.
She added that the National Primary Health Care Development  Agency (NPHCDA) has capacity to store the doses of the vaccine.
The NAFDAC boss said in Nigeria the vaccine can only be procured through the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH).
She added that the vaccine would be brought to the country through the COVAX facility, which ensures that poor and developing countries have access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Adeyeye, while explaining that NAFDAC considered a lot of factors before the approval was given, revealed that the agency  has put place machinery to tackle any post vaccination effect.
On the emergency use authorisation, she explained that it is not a full approval.
“Emergency approval is only used during a pandemic like this and not full approval.
“It is within the period of getting people vaccinated and gathering data about the adverse events following immunisation.”
According to her, such adverse effects could be slight fever; it could be pain at the site of injection; there are so many of them which will all be documented.”
“It is after that approval for emergency use that we start gathering data. And then data gathering is not limited to NAFDAC alone. NAFDAC belongs to an organisation called international coalition of medicine regulatory authorities (ICMRA), which is a global gathering of regulatory agencies across the world.
“We share our experience and such information is subsequently disseminated to manufacturers of the vaccines which they act upon to improve the vaccine in subsequent production.
“We share our experiences, for example, for the AstraZeneca vaccine that the first phase got finished following immunisation. NAFDAC launched med safety app last year. It is an app that can be downloaded on the App Store iPhone or Android And it is through that app that we got a lot of data and in areas where the internet connection was not good enough, there is what we call the yellow form.  We have surveillance staff from different agencies, our pharmacovigilance staff to use the app to collect the events and follow up because we want to be sure that all the facts that follow immunisation of data.”
Online Editor by — May 1, 2021 in Health 0
HEDA Seeks Amendment Of Lagos  Anti-corruption Law

HEDA: Nigeria Loses $18bn to Illicit Financial Flows AnnuallyTHISDAYLIVE
 The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre),has implored  the Lagos House of Assembly to  review and amend the
Lagos State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law 2021’ which was recently signed into law by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
The group said the development was necessary  in order to ensure that the llaw has   inputs of citizens and civil society.
The law establishes a new anti-corruption agency in Lagos, namely, Lagos State Public Complaints and Anticorruption Commission, which will have the exclusive rights to investigate financial crimes and corruption cases involving the finances of the Lagos State Government.
Olanrewaju Suraju, the Chairman of HEDA
commended the idea  behind the  anti-corruption agency in the state ,but regretted that the bill was passed without public hearing by the Lagos  State House of Assembly .
was eventually signed into law, that it was just a Trojan horse, an attempt to crookedly weaken the fight against corruption, rather than complement it.
Suraju  punctured Section 13(3) provides that the commission shall upon the commencement of this law take over the investigation of all anti-corruption and financial crime cases involving the finances and assets of Lagos State Government being investigated by any other agency.”
According to him,the development  was an unscrupulous attempt by the ruling elite of Lagos State to cover up serious cases of corruption in Lagos especially considering that three former governors as well as other top politicians in Lagos are undergoing various investigations or cases of corruption with the federal anti-corruption agencies, particularly the EFCC.
He  wondered how the new Lagos Commission will be able to prosecute some of the politicians when those politicians are suspected to be richer than the State and play critical roles in the electoral successes of the State’s Governor and members of the House of Assembly who will appoint the Commission’s Chairman and other board members.
He added that it is even unconstitutional by virtue of Section 4(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended) for Lagos State to enact such law to empower a Commission to take over cases from the federal anti-corruption agencies when the agencies are established by an Act of the National Assembly for a purpose which ordinarily “covers the field.”
“Such taking over can only be valid based on mutual consent between the agencies in accordance with the provision of the Act establishing the Federal Agency, not in accordance with the State law,” he said.
Section 13(5) of the Lagos law states that: “The commission shall have the power to the exclusion of any other agency or body to investigate and coordinate the investigation of corruption and financial crimes cases involving the finances and assets of the state government.”
Arrogating such exclusive power to its own agency is a blunt expression of lack of shame, dignity and integrity by the Lagos State Government and the Lagos House of Assembly,”he said.
Online Editor by — May 1, 2021 in Law/Human Rights 0
Defilement :Lagos Considers  Four Charges Against ‘Baba Ijesha’ 

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The Lagos State Domestic And Sexual Violence Team, DSVRT,says it will likely press four charges against the embattled actor,Olarenwaju Omiyinka,popularly known as Baba Ijesha who had been a guest of the Police for alleged defilement of a minor.
The agency also said Omiyinka’s case file has case file been handed overb to the Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP for legal advice.
The agency stated that it is in touch with the complainant with a view of providing the necessary support,just as it confirmed that four major charge of sexual assault are likely to be pressed against Baba Ijesha, one of which attracts life imprisonment, the charge of Sexual Assault by penetration contrary to Section 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The second charge which is Attempted Sexual Assault by Penetration – Section 262 of the Criminal law is punishable by 14 years imprisonment.
The third one is Sexual Assault – Section 263 of the Criminal Law, punishable by 3 years imprisonment,while the  fourth charge is indecent treatment of a child – Section 135 of the Criminal Law punishable by 7 years imprisonment.
The agency in a  statement reaffirmed confidence in the criminal justice system, as well as social support structures in Lagos State in ensuring justice is served in this matter and most importantly, it added that the survivor will receive the relevant support on her journey towards healing.
It also assured that the Lagos State Government’s position of zero tolerance to all forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and firm commitment in ensuring justice for survivors.
Online Editor by — May 1, 2021 in Crime/Metro 0
 Insecurity : Ekiti Monarchs To Recruit  Traditional War Chiefs

Insecurity: Ekiti Obas To Recruit Traditional War Chiefs – Independent Newspapers Nigeria
The Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers has resolved to seek the  support of traditional  war chiefs to confront insecurity challenges in their respective localities.
The monarchs said the decision was taken at the last statutory meeting held in Ado-Ekiti .
The council maintained that the time had come for the monarchs  to  deploy war strategies adpoted by their forebears in securing their communities.
Besides,the  monarchs resolved to complement the government’ s efforts by setting up  community- based security mechanism in the various communities throughout the state which will involve the local hunters, traditional war chiefs and vigilantes with the  participation of local government chairmen to address security challenges in our localities.
 “We will also not discountenance other  methods employed by our forefathers in ensuring security in our communities in the days of old “, the  Chairman of the traditional Council ” the monarchs added.
Online Editor by — May 1, 2021 in Oduduwa 0
Rape:Kano Health Management Board Dismisses Four  Staff 

Kano dismisses 4 civil servants over rape, fraud, abortion - Saheliantimes
 No fewer than  four staff of  Kano Primary Health Care Management Board on account  of rape, and illegal abortion.
Maikudi Muhammad Marafa, the Board’s Public Relations Officer said  the affected staff were found guilty by a disciplinary panel.
Muhammad Marafa,in a statement, identified the staff via their civil service number to include KNLG 32323 from Dala who was found guilty of committing rape in one of its facility at Kurnar Asabe Primary Health Care.
He added that two other sacked staff with service numbers KNLG 09068 and KNLG 018423 from Gezawa Local Government were said to specialize in using staff Information to obtained loan without their consent , while KNLG 04608 from Gwarzo local governments was found guilty of conducting private practice and abortion.
The signed statement warned that “PHCMB under Dr. Tijjani Usman will not condone any misconduct from any staff. Staff are expected to carry out their responsibilities diligently, effectively and in accordance with the civil service rules and regulations”.
He disclosed  that the recommendations, and decisions by the Governing Board and the Disciplinary Advisory Committee constituted to investigate the affected staff has been upheld by the board.
Online Editor by — May 1, 2021 in Crime/Metro 0
 First Bank  Assures Customers Of Safety Of Investment

FirstBank Assures Customers of SafetyTHISDAYLIVE
First Bank of Nigeria Limited has  reassured depositors and shareholders of the safety of their funds and investment.
It also  embraced the board changes effected by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), just as the financial institution disclosed that Dr. Adesola Adeduntan has resumed as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.
It explained: “Dr. Adesola Adeduntan has since resumed work as CEO in line with the directives of the CBN. We can confirm that the bank is cooperating with the CBN and other regulators while the operations of the bank are not hampered or hindered in any way and are in fact running smoothly.
“We further wish to reassure the public, our esteemed customers and stakeholders in the words of the Governor of the CBN in concluding his press conference, ‘The CBN hereby reassures the depositors, creditors and other stakeholders of the bank of its commitment to ensuring the stability of the financial system. There is therefore no cause for panic amongst the banking public, given that the actions being taken are meant to strengthen the bank and position it as a banking industry giant.’
The CBN had on Thursday removed all directors of First Bank Nigeria Limited and those of its parent company, FBN Holdings Plc to stave off a boardroom crisis that led to the short-lived retirement of Adeduntan, on Wednesday. However, the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had announced the reinstatement of the bank CEO.
He also announced the appointment of a former Minister of State for Finance and former Executive Director of First Bank, Mr. Remi Babalola, as chairman of FBN Holdings. He took over from Mr. Oba Otudeko who was sacked by the banking sector regulator. Other new directors on the FBN Holdings’ board are Fatade Oluwole, Kofo Dosekun, Remi Lasaki, Alimi Abdulrasaq, Ahmed Modibbo, Khalifa Imam and Peter Aliogo.
Mr. UK Eke retained his position as Managing Director of FBN Holdings.
First Bank Nigeria Limited’s new Chairman is Tunde Hassan-Odukale, who replaced Mrs. Ibukun Awosika.
Other board members are Tokunbo Martins, Uche Nwokedi, Adekunle Sonola, Isioma Ogodazi, Ebenezer Olufowose, Ishaya Elijah B. Dodo and Adeduntan.
Gbenga Shobo, deputy managing director; and Remi Oni and Abdullahi Ibrahim, executive directors, are members of the reconstituted board.
Emefiele told journalists that with the changes, the bank must assume its leadership position in the industry, adding that the central bank will be looking into allegations of insider abuse in the bank and will ensure that corporate governance is restored.
According to him, the CBN will insist on proper re-capitalisation of the bank to restore its capital adequacy ratio.
He stated that the CBN took the action because it considered itself a stakeholder in management changes involving First Bank due to the forbearance and its close monitoring of the bank over the last five years.
Online Editor by — May 1, 2021 in Banking&Finance 0
Union Bank Promises To Drive Growth With Digitization

Okonkwo, New Union Bank Boss Promises to Reposition Bank - Nigerian CommunicationWeek
Union Bank Plc has  promised to deepen its  focus on accelerating digitization to drive customer acquisitions and transactions in the country.
Emeka Okonkwo, the Chief Executive Officer of the bank who disclosed this in his reaction to the bank’s performance in the first quarter of the year,said its  business and operating model are being enhanced to deliver on revenue and product penetration targets across geographies and segments where we have identified opportunities.
The bank’s  Profit before tax went up by 12% to ₦6.9bn driven by higher non-interest income and lower operating expenses,gross earnings down by  15% to ₦36.4bn on account of lower interest environment in the Nigeria financial sector,while net operating income after impairments went  relatively flat at ₦24.3bn
Non-interest income increased by  10% to ₦14.1bn due to successful debt recovery efforts,  operating expenses down by  4% to ₦17.3bn because of  outcome of sustained cost optimisation efforts,gross loans, up by  3% at ₦757.4bn,customer deposits flat at ₦1.1trillion and  non-performing loans ratio flat at 4%
Speaking on the Q1 2021 numbers, Chief Financial Officer, Joe Mbulu said:
“We have continued to deliver improved efficiency, enabling growth in PBT, which grew by 12% to ₦6.9bn. We are continuing to partly mitigate the impact of a lower interest margin and high inflation environment by maintaining a focus on cost which drove a reduction in operating expenses by 3.4% from N18bn to N17.3bn and an enhanced cost-income ratio of 71.4%, from 74.3% in Q1 2020.
The 10% growth in non-interest income recorded during the quarter was supported by strong growth in recoveries as well as an improvement in net income from other financial instruments which rose by 109% to ₦3bn from ₦1.4bn.
Our capital position remains strong, with a capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of 17.3%, while our non-performing loan ratio remains good at 4%. These are critical enablers to deliver our 2021 strategic priorities.”
Online Editor by — May 1, 2021 in Banking&Finance 0