NSE

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Trading at the nations bourse closed flat on Wednesday with the All-Share Index (ASI), which opened at 24,174.45, closing at 24,173.53.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ASI dropped by just 0.92 points or 0.004 per cent.

Similarly, the market capitalisation lost one billion naira to close at N12.610 trillion against N12.609 trillion recorded on Tuesday.

The marginal downturn witnessed in the market was due to losses in GlaxoSmithKline, Africa Prudential, Caverton, Sterling Bank and Consolidated Hallmark Insurance.

Analysts at APT Securities and Funds Limited urged investors to position in fundamentally justified stocks.

They noted that the market was set to rally in response to impressive half year earnings results.

Eterna dominated the gainers chart in percentage terms, gaining 8.89 per cent, to close at N1.96, per share.

May and Baker followed with 7.91 per cent to close at N3, while NPF Microfinance Bank grew by 7.58 per cent to close at N1.42, per share.

Neimeth International appreciated by 7.14 per cent, to close at N1.50, while Cutix improved by 3.90 per cent to close at N1.60, per share.

Conversely, GlaxoSmithKline recorded the highest loss to lead the laggards table in percentage terms, dropping 9.52 per cent, to close at N4.75, per share.

Consolidated Hallmark came second with 8.16 per cent to close at 45k, while Prestige Assurance declined by 6.12 per cent to close at 46k, per share.

Africa Prudential dipped 4.07 per cent to close at N4.01, while Sterling Bank shed 3.28 per cent to close at N1.18, per share.

However, the volume of shares transacted inched higher by 32.36 per cent as investors staked N4.55 billion on 402.64 million shares in 3,252 deals.

This was in contrast with 304.19 million shares worth N3.27 billion achieved in 3,500 deals on Tuesday.

Transactions in the shares of UAC of Nigeria topped the activity chart with 136.72 million shares valued at N786.72 million.

Nigerian Breweries followed with 52.62 million shares worth N1.63 billion, while Multiverse accounted for 50 million shares valued at N10 million.

Sterling Bank sold 29.20 million shares worth N35.73 million, while FBN Holdings transacted 18.42 million shares worth N91.19 million. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

who

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, says Africa recorded over 15,000 COVID-19 deaths.

The UN health agency gave the update on its regional official Twitter account @WHOAFRO on Wednesday.

WHO stated on its dashboard that there are over 748,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa, with more than 409,000 recoveries and 15,000 deaths.

The regional office noted that South Africa had 381,798 cases and 5,368 deaths, followed by Nigeria with 37,801 confirmed cases and 805 deaths, while Ghana had 28,969 confirmed cases and 153 deaths.

It added that Seychelles, Gambia and Eritrea were countries currently with the lowest confirmed cases in the region.

Seychelles, the office said, had 108 confirmed cases with zero death, Gambia; 132 confirmed cases with five deaths, while Eritrea had 251 reported cases with no death.

Meanwhile, a statement posted on the offices website shows that Sierra Leone International Airport will reopen to commercial flights from July 22, four months after closure to international passenger flights due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some of the initial measures before the closure of the airport included travel restrictions and mandatory quarantining of passengers arriving into the country.

The measures helped to delay importation of the virus until March 31 when Sierra Leone reported its first positive COVID-19 case.

Preparations are now underway and the aviation authorities and partners are getting ready for the commencement of full operations at the Lungi International Airport, the main gateway in and out of Sierra Leone.

Reopening of the airport is part of the recent actions taken by the Sierra Leonean authorities to ease some of the restrictions instituted as part of the COVID-19 response.

Schools are now partially opened for examination candidates, and bans have been lifted on inter-district travels and places of worship, but with requirements to observe preventive measures remain.

Evans Liyosi, the WHO Representative in Sierra Leone, said reopening the country is a welcome development.

However, ensuring that all the appropriate public health measures are in place and are fully implemented will help to safeguard lives and prevent further spread of the epidemic.

According to WHO, Sierra Leone recorded 1,727 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 66 deaths.

Source: NAN News

Dr Chikwe Ikekweazu NCDC Boss

By Nefishetu Yakubu

Edo Government says the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has accredited Edo Specialist Hospital as one of its laboratory network to conduct COVID-19 test.

This is contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to Gov. Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie on Wednesday in Benin.

Osagie stated that the feat came in the wake of reforms by the state government, which procured three Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)machines for three designated hospitals for COVID-19 test in the state.

He noted that the development had raised the states capacity to test for coronavirus and to properly manage the spread of the virus.

He said we have just received the news that after necessary vetting and inspection, NCDC has accredited Edo Specialist Hospital, Benin, to conduct COVID-19 test.

This followed the installation of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machines at the facility by the state government in its proactive response to containing the pandemic.

The Director General of NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, visited the state and severally at the briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, he mentioned how Edo was leading the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Osagie said that the state government would continue to prioritise the health and safety of the people.

He added that the state government would spare no resources in facilitating effective and efficient health services to Edo people.

According to him, the increased number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state is as a result of an efficient response system which allows for more testing of samples to get a good picture of the spread of the virus. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NHRC

The Executive Secretary of NHRC , Mr Tony Ojukwu, made the call in Abuja during a stakeholders webinar meeting on access to clean water and sanitation.

Ojukwucalled on all actors, including governments to commit to measurable action at the community level to increaseaccess to clean water.

No responsible government can afford to play politics with such essential commodity.

Our engagement today is to start the process of continuous creation of awareness about the citizens right to clean water and sanitation.

We are all aware there is a nexus between clean water and sanitation. The lack of clean water and sanitation impacts on the wellness and wellbeing of citizens, he said.

He stated that the stakeholders meeting was aimed at strengthening and reinforcing the right to clean water and sanitation in Nigeria, through collaboration with the Commission.

This situation needs to be urgently addressed especially in the wake of the COVID 19 pandemic which necessitates good practices relating to the use of clean water, sanitation and general hygiene.

Also speaking, theHead, monitoring department of the NHRC, Mr Benedict Agu reiterated the need to continue to involve Community Gate Keepers.

This he said are the traditional rulers, religious leaders, CSOs, LGAs), concerned MDAs and International Development Partners.

This will help to create awareness for improved (WASH) policies, guidelines and strategies in order to mainstream human rights norms and tenets into Nigerias water resource and sanitation management he said.

Speaking on the theme Unsafe water , sanitation and hygiene in Nigerias public spaces: its effects on the COVID 19 pandemic on human rights, Mrs Oluwayemisi Akhile , Assistant director, legal in the commission tasked governments at all level to provide access to clean water.

Theprimary responsibility of the Federal, State and Local governments in times like this is to ensure safe water, basic sanitation, and waste management disposal in communities, healthcare facilities and quarantine centres.

There is the need to ensure that water utilities have the required financial and safe operational conditions to continue to deliver services in Public Spaces thereby promoting and protecting the rights of its citizens.

Any action short of this, goes contrary to the core human rights principle of non-discrimination.

This will in turn expose a certain section of the population to health risk and probably death based on their economic status or because of the community they reside in she said.

Also speaking,Dr Bala Yunusa from the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said that the Nigerian government has shown commitment towards provision of safe water and sanitation.

The Nigerian government has demonstrated strong commitment towards the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and the SDG.

Institutional frameworks have been established at the national and sub-national levels to support effective implementation of the SDGs.

The SDGs, cannot be achieved with stand-alone programmes and project rather, must be carefully integrated into national and sub-national policies and development plans he stated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was organised by NHRC and other stakeholders (NAN )

Source: NAN News

Hameed Ali, NCS Boss

By Mustapha Sumaila

The Customs Service Board (NCSB) has approved the the appointment of five Assistant Comptrollers- General (ACG) of Customs and promoted 2,634 Officers.

Mr Joseph Attah, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the service, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

Attah said the newly appointed ACG of Customs were Mohammed Boyi, Training and Coordination, Adewale Adeniyi, Commandant C

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Thursday depart for Bamako, Republic of Mali on a one-day visit, following the briefing by the ECOWAS Special Envoy to the country, former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Mr Femi Adesina, the Presidents Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, confirmed this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

The Nigerian President and some ECOWAS leaders led by the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the sub-regional organisation, President Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger Republic, agreed to meet in Mali to engage in further consultations towards finding a political solution to the crisis in the country.

Host President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Presidents Machy Sall of Senegal, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and Alassane Ouattara of Cote dIvoire are expected to participate in the Bamako meeting, Adesina stated.

Former President Jonathan was at the State House in company of President of ECOWAS Commission, Mr Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, on Tuesday to brief President Buhari on the unfolding situation in Mali.

The briefing, according to Adesina, has necessitated the visit of ECOWAS leaders to consolidate on the agreements reached by various parties.

We will ask the President of Niger, who is the Chairman of ECOWAS to brief us as a group, and we will then know the way forward, President Buhari had said during the Jonathans briefing.

President Buhari thanked Jonathan for his comprehensive brief on the situation in Mali, which you had been abreast with since when you were the sitting Nigerian President.

The former President had briefed President Buhari on his activities as Special Envoy to restore amity to Mali, rocked by protests against President Keita, who has spent two out of the five years second term in office.

A resistance group, M5, is insisting that the Constitutional Court must be dissolved, and the President resign, before peace can return to the country.

Crisis erupted after the court nullified results of 31 parliamentary seats in the polls held recently, awarding victory to some other contenders, which the resistance group said was at the instigation of President Keita.

Riots on July 10 led to the killing of some protesters by security agents, causing the crisis to spiral out of control, hence the intervention by ECOWAS.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday in Abuja approved the establishment of a N75billion Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) to support enterprise among Nigerias 68 million youth between 18 and 35.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, made this known when he briefed State House correspondents at the end of the Council meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to Dare, the fund is meant to assist qualified candidates with genuine business ideas, and can approach any of the 125 micro credit banks across the country to access it.

He said: For the first time in the history of Nigeria, the Federal Executive Council today approved the establishment of the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) to the tune of N75 billion.

This fund is meant to create a special window for accessing credit facilities and financing on the part of our youths that will help to fund their ideas, innovations and also support their enterprise.

The best way to call it is that for the first time the country will have a youth bank.

A fund that will cater specifically for our youths within the stipulated age bracket which is going to be between 18 and 35 years.

Dare assured that the scheme would not be hijacked by politicians as only genuine candidates would benefit from the funds.

He stated that his ministry would play a lead role in working on necessary steps needed to be taken in terms of legislation, organisation and other aspects of financing of the scheme.

The Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning will take the lead when it comes to the aspect of financing, working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and other relevant MDAs.

A couple of other details will be released later, but I think the most important thing is that the N75 billion Nigerian Youth Investment Fund, to cater specifically for this target group, a population of over 68 million, got the attention and support of the Federal Executive Council today.

This fund will be assessed by our youths, once they are able to present their ideas, they can assess this fund directly, he further explained.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The Government of Norway is the latest contributor to the One United Nations COVID-19 response with a donation of 9.9 million Norwegian Kroner (420 million Naira) in support of the Nigerian Government.

The UN made this known in a statement jointly issued by Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Federal Government of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.

The statement said the donation would bolster support to the Nigeria COVID-19 Multi-Sectoral Pandemic Response Plan and help the government to sustain its efforts in addressing critical issues of the on-going pandemic.

It quoted the Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Jens-Petter Kjemprud, as saying: Global solidarity is our only option.

The coronavirus pandemic requires that we join forces for urgent action and coordinated efforts to mitigate its short- and long-term effects.

Through the UN Basket Fund, Norway is partnering with Nigeria in this time of crisis to address the multifaceted nature of the pandemic and its unprecedented implications on the healthcare system, as well as the socio-economic impacts.

According to the statement, the Nigeria One UN COVID-19 response reflects the United Nations in Nigerias support to an inclusive and nationally owned COVID-19 response through a shared vision and a common strategy.

Its purpose is to coordinate and align UNs efforts and leverage partnerships with the government, development partners, foundations and CSOs as well as the private sector.

It will leverage partnership to increase the availability, accessibility, affordability, adaptability and acceptability of COVID-19 response services in Nigeria.

The statement also quoted Edward Kallon, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, as saying: The unfolding COVID-19 pandemic calls for global solidarity in time of crisis.

The UN appreciates the financial contribution from the Government of Norway to the Nigeria One UN COVID-19 response.

This will support efforts aimed not only at scaling up the COVID-19 health response, but to support the Government of Nigerias socio-economic interventions for vulnerable populations, including water, sanitation, hygiene and interventions to address food insecurity.

The One UN COVID-19 Basket Fund managed by UNDP aims to further strengthen Nigerias response and the management of the crisis, through socio-economic analytics, and proactive early recovery and social protection interventions, targeting the poorest and most vulnerable groups.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the UN, in collaboration with the Federal Government, launched the One UN COVID-19 Response Basket Fund on April 6, 2020.

The Basket Fund serves as the One COVID-19 Financing and Investment Platform, through which different stakeholders can channel their financial support to the multi-sectoral efforts of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Response.

The overall management of the One UN COVID-19 Response Basket Fund is led and coordinated by the Project Board.

The Project Board has representation from the Presidential Task Force; Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), relevant government departments, fund contributing donors and the UN.

Source: NAN News

Tussle for Imo leadership: Group sues for truce, stability

By Ikenna Osuoha

Members of Initiative for Leadership Development and Change (ILDC), in Imo on Wednesday demanded an end to the ongoing court actions to sack Gov. Hope Uzodimma.

Chief Frank Ebere-Njoku, Deputy National Coordinator of the group, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja.

Ebere-Njoku decried the calls for the removal of elected governors in the state through court orders which he said had brought economic and political instability upon the state.

The immediate past PDP government of Emeka Ihedioha could not complete his projects, policies and programmes before he was sacked by the court leaving unpaid pensions and salaries behind.

Uzodinma on assumption of office introduced new cabinet members and policies without continuing from where his predecessor stopped.

Such change of batons or irregularities in governance is adversely affecting Imo people especially workers and pensioners, he said.

The ILDC Deputy Coordinator appealed to leaders of thought in the state to rally round to prevent a reoccurrence of governors vacation of office to avert further hardship on the people.

He called for a concerted efforts of both the federal government and lovers of democracy to help save democracy in Imo by ensuring that the matter was withdrawn from court.

According to him, if our leaders of thought cannot do anything to settle this out of court, we will instead prefer a fresh election by INEC where we will have a say than court order.

He explained that the position was taken after a wider consultation with Imo people aimed at charting the way forward for the state.

Ebere-Njoku, who reiterated the call for stability, described as abuse of judicial process the call for the removal of elected governors in the state by courts.

The ILDC is calling on all Imo people both home and abroad to join this campaign for stable governance and enough of the abuse of judicial system.

NAN reports that Mr Kingdom Okere of the Reformed and Advanced Party (RAP), is currently asking the court to sack Gov. Uzodimma for occupying the position illegally.

Okoye had alleged that he was not the legal flagbearer of APC in the 2019 gubernatorial elections. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Air peace

By Yunus Yusuf

The management of Air Peace on Wednesday said its pilots were not on strike as insinuated in the social media.

Mr Stanley Olisa, the Media Executive of Air Peace made this known in a statement in Lagos.

The attention of Air Peace has been brought to a publication which is circulating on social media, purporting that our pilots are on strike.

The information is not only unfounded but also mischievously orchestrated by its source to portray the airline in bad light.

This is to categorically state that our pilots are not on strike and nothing can warrant such development.

The members of the public are advised to ignore such publication as our pilots have not downed tools, he said

He said that Air Peace would continue to provide best-in-class flight services while observing the highest safety standards.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Maritime agency, Customs collaborates on importation, waterways insecurity

By Lucy Ogalue

Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have agreed to collaborate to tackle issues of Temporary Importation Permit (TIP) and waterways insecurity in the country.

The NIMASA Director-General, Mr Bashir Jamoh, said this during a visit to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to Jamoh, the biggest challenge of the maritime sector is the temporary importation which makes importers avoid paying necessary duty fees.

Those that are benefiting from this temporary importation, they bring in their own ship and then after one year they will take it back to their own country and import back with a different name.

So they do it constantly and this is to the disadvantage of our Nigerian Ship Owners.

On the part of the agency, we are losing much because we are benefiting from the cabotage.

They are doing international trade, but cabotage trade is suffering so at the end of the day, indigenous ship owners have a very big problem.

The NIMASA boss noted that the Merchant Shipping Act, Sections 19, 20 and 30 provides that whenever you have such facility it should be registered with the Nigeria Ship Registry.

According to him, the laws in the Custom Act and the Merchant Shipping Act can stand and work alone but it will work more effectively together.

Responding, the Comptroller-General of Customs pledged the commitment of the service to pulling forces with NIMASA to drive the sector.

It is my hope that we will strengthen the relationship and increase the synergy between us as maritime operators.

And most importantly to ensure that not only revenue aspect of it but to secure our waters, because it is very important.

The security of our people is more important than the revenue, because no matter how much you collect, if our people are not settled, or not in peace, then the whole essence with revenue is bastardised, he said.

On the TIP, he said it was important for the NCS and NIMASA to develop a technology platform that was in synergy.

We should have more identity of the ship beyond the name, as name can be erased and another name used.

We must now collectively get some identity of the ship that goes beyond name that should be registered in our records and yours so that if there is recycling of the ship, using that platform, we should be able to identify the ship and be able to apply the law as it is, Ali said.

The customs boss said that the Service was in the process of launching two patrol boats which would go beyond the creeks.

He said: We have mounted the necessary machine guns, one had an accident but it has been repaired and very soon we will launch them into operations. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a new policy on local production of bitumen to further diversify the nations economy.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday approved a new policy on local production of bitumen to further diversify the nations economy.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, disclosed this at the end of the Council meeting which lasted for over eight hours.

He said the policy was approved to develop strategies to enhance, stimulate, and encourage local production of bitumen in the country.

He expressed optimism that the policy, when fully operational, would enable the country save millions of dollars from importation of bitumen, which is a raw material used in road construction, worldwide.

The Ministry of Works and Housing presented a memorandum on the initiative of the President as to our source of bitumen which is used in road construction.

It was a policy memorandum which revealed that a significant amount of bitumen we used in road construction in Nigeria is imported, therefore creating jobs abroad and recommended to council to approve a directive to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to develop strategies to enhance, stimulate, and encourage local production of bitumen.

Essentially, that policy recommendation was approved by the council today to encourage bitumen production locally in Nigeria.

This will of course help to further diversify the economy and open another sub-sector of the extractive and hydro-carbon industry for local opportunities, he said

According to Fashola, theres a demand of 500,000 metric tonnes of bitumen locally in Nigeria per annum.

The minister, therefore, called the private sector to take advantage of the new policy by investing heavily in local production of bitumen.

We encourage those who can manufacture and produce bitumen locally to tap into this demand.

We see the opportunity for thousands of jobs to be created directly if this is done, and government intends to give encouragement and support to all those who take up this opportunity.

We expect Kaduna Refinery to also raise its game by participating in this sub-sector of hydro-carbon industry.

We expect that it will improve the quality of bitumen that is produced and goes into our road construction; just as we are now able to control the quality of cement that goes into local construction, he said.

The minister revealed that the federal government was also promoting the use of more cement, stones, and rocksin road construction.

He said: Our ministry is now developing a design manual for rock and stone in road construction in the country.

These are the framework of policy documentations that we presented to council today and they were approved.

So, we expect the Nigerian entrepreneurial community to now respond to all of the existing government policies for setting up businesses and embracing this policy as part of ways to develop our made-in-Nigeria capacity,

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, also revealed that the Council approved a variation of 18.12million dollars and additional N3.25billion for the supply and installation of three numbers Rapsican mobile Cargo Scanners.

Today at council, we presented two memos, the first memo was for seeking councils approval for the revision of a contract that was previously approved by council in 2018 for the supply and installation of three numbers Rapsican mobile Cargo Scanners.

These are large size cargo scanners that will be placed in Onne port, Port Harcourt and Tin Can port. They are scanners that can actually drive containers through.

This contract is awarded to a company that is named Messrs Airwave limited and the contract is in the sum of .12 million of foreign component, there is also local component of N3. 255 billion inclusive of five per cent VAT, he said.

The minister maintained that the review became necessary in order to accommodate VAT which was not included in the initial contract,and also due to dispute arising from exchange rate differential.

She said: So, we have now a resolution and an understanding and FEC approval for this contract to go on.

According to her, the scanners are designed to aid effective revenue collection, the features that will screen for narcotics, weapons and undeclared items, saying they can also detect arms and ammunition, illegal importation and possession of arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria.

She further disclosed that the Council approved N280.9million for the design, construction and supply of five numbers of fast ballistic reverie assault boats and five numbers patrol boats with all associated accessories to the Nigerian Customs Service

The second memo we presented to council today is also for the Nigerian Customs Service.

It is for the design, construction and supply of five numbers of fast ballistic reverie assault boats and five numbers patrol boats with all associated accessories in favour of Messre CY West African limited in the sum of N280, 992, 888,75 inclusive of 7.5 VAT.

The Nigerian Customs Service needs these boats to enhance its operational efficiency and combat smuggling activities on our waterways, she added.

The minister expressed the hope that the boats would also significantly boost revenue collection and other core duties of maritime unit of the Nigeria Customs Service.

Source: NAN News

Alhaji Isa funtua,

By Funmilayo Adeyemi
The International Press Institute (IPI), said it received with shock and profound sadness, the news of the sudden death of Nigerian statesman, media icon, and IPI Patron, Malam Ismaila Isa Funtua.

Mr Kabiru Yusuf, Chairman, IPI Nigeria in a statement made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday, said Isas colossal influence and contributions to national development had transversed the fields of public service, business, politics and the media.

Yusuf said the icon would be most remembered as the arrowhead of Nigerias successful hosting of the historic 2018 IPI World Congress and General Assembly in Abuja.

IPI mourns the departure of this patriot and international media figure. We commiserate with his family, the Government and People of Nigeria and the media community.

We beseech the Almighty Allah to grant Malam Ismaila Isa, Aljanah Firdaus.

He added that Isa was a man of immense international stature and a life patron of IPI- the global network of editors, senior journalists and media executives, with a lifetime devotion to a free press.

He further said that the deceased led Nigerian delegation to IPI events outside Nigeria and as well an elected member of the IPI Executive Board and a major financier and sponsor of the Vienna- based global body.

The statement was co signed by Alhaji Wada Maida, Member, IPI Executive Board and Alhaji Raheem Adedoyin, Secretary, IPI Nigeria.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19 updates by NCDC

Death Rate, 2.13 per cent.

Source: NAN News

By Oluwafunke Ishola/Florence Onuegbu

Lagos State Government has discharged 29 Coronavirus patients, comprising 24 Nigerians and five foreign nationals, from its isolation centres.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said in a statement on Tuesday that the patients were discharged after testing negative twice to the disease.

Good people of Lagos, today, 29 #COVID19Lagos patients; 7 females and 22 males, including 5 foreign nationals were discharged from our Isolation facilities to reunite with the society.

The patients; six from Gbagada, one from Agidingbi, seven from Eti-Osa (LandMark), nine from Onikan and six from Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital Isolation Centres were discharged after full recovery.

Dont be caught off guard! #TakeResponsibility against #COVID19 by wearing #facemasks, observing #PhysicalDistancing, practicing #handhygiene

The Oyo State Executive Council has approved the issuance of a N100 billion private bond tagged Oyo Prosperity Bond to facilitate the execution of priority projects that will further drive economic development.

In a statement issued in Ibadan by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, the council gave approval for the bond during its weekly virtual meeting.

The fund would be raised in two tranches of N50 billion each for the construction of the 50km- Iseyin-Ogbomoso road, the Ibadan Circular Ring-Road and Ibadan Airport upgrade.

The fund will also covered the development of Ibadan dry port and rail corridor that will serve as economic hubs of the state.

Also with the fund; the state will construct and upgrade one government hospital with modern equipment, in each of the three senatorial districts of the state.

In addition, the 21km Ibadan Airport to Ajia along New Ife Express Road with a spur to Amuloko in Ibadan will also benefit from the alternative project funding approach of the state government. the statement read.

The Information commissioner further stressed the construction of Iseyin Ogbomoso road is very important because when completed, it will serve as a link road and help to save many hours spent on traveling and the lives of commuters, who daily experience vehicular accidents on various roads that link the already dilapidated Ogbomoso road.

The 21km airport Ajia New Ife Express road with a spur to Amuloko will be executed by Messrs Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Ltd at a total cost of N8.5 billion.

The project funding, will be in form of Alternative Project Funding Approach (APFA), which allows for Public-Private Partnership for funding of infrastructural projects in the state.

With this approach in place, there will be transfer of projects risk to private entity while the hassle of debt management office (DMO) approval would be avoided and the quality delivery as well as quick completion of project would be ascertained, Olatubosun explained.

The statement further indicated that the executive council also approved the establishment of the Oyo State Development Agency for Socio-Economic Advancement (OYODASA).

According to the statement, the agency will give room for the residents of the state to have better understanding of governments goals and help establish a shared vision between communities within the State and the State administration.

The purpose of the agency was to booster participation in governance at the grassroots levels, and government will establish offices for the agency in seven zones and in all the local government areas of the state.

The agency will ensure governments programmes and policies are better understood by the general public, mobilise favourable opinions for such programmes and policies, encourage informal education through public enlightenment activities and publications.

Also the agency will establish appropriate framework for educating and orientating residents of the state towards developing socially desirable attitudes, values and cultures.

It will also encourage the people to take part actively and freely in discussions and decisions affecting their general welfare while promoting new sets of attitude and culture for the attainment of the goals and objectives of the state.

OYODASA will work to instill in the populace, a sense of loyalty to their fatherland, ensure and uphold leadership by example and foster respect for constituted authority, the commissioner stated.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Sheyi Makinde

By Ibukun Emiola

Oyo State Government has cancelled Third Term for the 2019/2020 school session and released 2020/2021 academic calendar.

promotion of students will be determined by 1st and 2nd Term Continuous Assessments.

Oyo State Government says it has cancelled Third Term for the 2019/2020 school session, as promotion of students for all affected classes will now be determined by First and Second Term Continuous Assessments.

MrOlasunkanmi Olaleye, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, announced the decision after the State Executive Council meeting in Ibafan on Tuesday.

He said the state government has also approved the academic calendar to guide resumption of schools and other associated educational activities for the 2020/2021 session in the state.

According to the commissioner, Pry-6, JSS-3 and SSS-3 students will proceed on holiday from July 30 and resume for their examination as would be announced.

He said Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) would hold between August 10 to 18.

The commissioner added that: Competitive Entrance Examination into the Schools of Science- 19th August.

Placement/Screening Test to JSS one- 20th August.

Placement Test into Technical Colleges- 28th August.

The SSS-3 will resume for their Examination as soon as WAEC announce the date.

He said the 2020/21 academic session, as approved by the State Council, is:First Term- 21th September to 18th December.

Second Term- 11th January to 9th April 2021.

Third Term- 3rd May to 30th July 2021.

The commissioner enjoined all stakeholders and members of the public to take note of the details of the academic calendar.

Source: NAN News

FIRS

By Mustapha Sumaila

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has published detailed information to guide taxpayers and the general public on rates payable as stamp duty.

Mr Abdullahi Ahmad, Director Communications and Liaison Department of the FIRS, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ahmed said that the clarification was made following several requests by taxpayers seeking such on the current administration of Stamp Duties Act in the country.

He stated that the clarification guide was contained in a Public Notice signed by Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mr Muhammad Nami and was published on the official FIRS website, www.firs.gov.ng.

He quoted Nami as saying stamp duty is a tax payable in respect of dutiable instrument as provided under the Stamp Duties Act, CAP S8, LFN 2004 (as amended).

Such instruments include Agreements, Contracts, Receipts, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Promissory notes, Insurance policies and others stipulated in the Schedule to the Stamp Duties Act.

Stamp Duty is chargeable on both physical and electronic instruments in two ways i.e. Ad-valorem, where duty payable is a percentage of the consideration on an instrument; or Flat Rate, where a fixed sum is chargeable irrespective of the consideration on dutiable instrument or document he explained.

Nami listed no fewer than 50 types of chargeable transactions which require stamp duty.

He explained that some of the chargeable transactions were bank deposit or transfer, loan agreement, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) related to land, sales agreement, will, tenancy/lease agreement and all receipts.

Nami clarified that the recently inaugurated FIRS Adhesive Stamp was not the same as postage stamp administered by NIPOST for the purposes of delivery of items and documents.

He said that such was therefore not a substitute for the FIRS adhesive stamp, which was produced for the sole purpose of stamp duty payment.

The burden of payment of stamp duties whether fixed or ad-valorem is that of the beneficiaries of a contract, or Money Deposit Banks customers who transfer an amount of N10,000 and above from his account to another customers account.

It is the responsibility of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Money Deposit Banks (MDBs), Companies, Landlords, Executors, among others to ensure that service providers, contractors and tenants pay stamp duties due on agreements, receipts and other dutiable instruments.

Failure to deduct or remit stamp duties into the Federal or State Stamp Duties Account attracts relevant penalties and interest as stipulated in the Stamp Duties Act, Cap S8, LFN 2004 (as amended) Nami stated.

Source: NAN News

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)

By Jessica Dogo

The Nigerian Communications Commissions (NCC), has started its Accounting Separation Framework (ASF), in Nigerian Telecoms Industry.

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said this in a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

Danbatta said that the ASF, which took effect from July 15, was in order to further ensure transparency and accountability in regard to effective regulation and prevention of anti-competitive behaviour.

He explained that NCC was committed to create an enabling environment for competition among operators to ensure the provision of qualitative and efficient telecoms services as stipulated in Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003.

According to him, determination on the Implementation of an ASF for the Nigerian Telecoms Industry, was developed via a consultative process in 2015.

It has undergone a comprehensive review by the regulator in collaboration with telecoms licencees and other critical industry stakeholders, he said.

He called on telecoms licencees to henceforth submit their Regulatory Financial Statement (RFS) to the commission in line with the new ASF, within seven months after the end of the lincencees financial year.

The six licencees include Airtel Nigeria, MTN Nigeria, Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited (9Mobile), Globacom Nigeria, Main One Cable Company Limited and IHS Nigeria.

Danbatta expressed optimism about the framework noting that the new ASF would promote an industry environment that fosters open and transparent financial reporting, while ensuring that charges for telecom services were cost-based and non-discriminatory.

With the commencement of the implementation telecoms licencees are henceforth obligated to submit their Regulatory Financial Statement (RFS) to the Commission in line with the new ASF, within seven months after the end of the licencees financial year.

The submission of RFS, in line with the new framework, is currently limited to and mandatory for only six telecom licencees.

This will subsist for an initial period of two years after which the regulator may review the list to include other operators, he said.

Stating reasons for limiting compliance to six operators for now, the EVC said the decision was taken to ensure necessary structure was in place to review and analyse the accounts before applying the new framework to all licencees in the industry.

He also stated that any other licencee willing to prepare its financial statements in line with the new framework was allowed to voluntarily do so.

He noted that the Commission might exercise its discretion to demand that a licencee should prepare and submit separated account where it was determined that the activities of such a service provider were deemed critical to the overall well-being of the Nigerian telecoms industry.

He advised that for full and effective implementation of the Framework, every operator under the ambit of accounting separation is required to prepare an Operator-specific Accounting Separation Manual (OASM).

He, however said that the OASM contained policies, principles, methodologies and procedures for accounting and cost allocation, which must be submitted to the Commission on or before October 30, for regulatory approval.

He said that licencees would also be required to prepare their financial and non-financial reports in line with the guidelines for the ASF while reports shall be furnished by the licencees for every account year beginning from the 2020 financial year end.

Danbatta said that as part of operators licencing conditions, the Commission required licencees to prepare, in respect of each complete financial year or of such less periods as might be specified, separate accounting statements for all their activities.

The commission considers the ASF as an effective, least evasive and less costly solution to implement and meet its regulatory objectives.

The implementation of the Framework is also a key deliverable for the Commission in the new National Broadband Plan (NBP), 2020-2025, he said.

The EVC informed that the commission took into consideration the inputs from industry stakeholders and had provided capacity-building for operators and for relevant staff of the commission to ensure seamless implementation of the Framework.

He reiterated the commitment of the commission towards continually developing policies, initiatives and programmes aimed at boosting healthy competition among telecoms operators in the country.

He said that the commission was also to ensure that consumers continued to enjoy efficient and affordable telecom services.

Source: NAN News

Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health

By Cecilia Ologunagba

Nigeria has received million grant from Global Fund to reduce the burden of HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria over an implementation period of three years, beginning from 2021 to 2023.

Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health, announced the receipt of the grant at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GF) is an innovative international financing mechanism established by the United Nations in 2002, with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

It is a global partnership of governments, civil society and private donors.

It was established for the purpose of attracting, leveraging and investing resources to fund public health interventions to accelerate the eradication of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria in affected high burden countries, towards Sustainable Development Goals.

Ehanire said that the fund was the largest made to any country in the funding cycle, attributing it to the successful funding request made by the Nigeria Country Coordination Mechanism (CCM).

CCM Nigeria, the custodian of Global Fund (GF) grant, is a body of representatives of government, bilateral and multilateral organisations, Civil Society Organisations, patients, communities, the private sector and academia.

The mandate of CCM is to oversee the delivery of Global Fund HIV, Tuberculosis, Malaria and Resilient Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) grant.

According to him, the CCM, Country Coordinating Mechanism Nigeria is the official national establishment, through which The Global Fund relates with Fund recipient countries.

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health, facilitated the establishment of Nigerias CCCM in March 2002 as the recognised entity with the mandate to receive Global Fund grants on behalf of the country.

The minister said the Global Fund raised and invested nearly four billion dollars a year to support programmes in countries and communities that are most in need.

Ehanire said Nigeria ranked among the largest recipients of Global Fund investments in the world.

Since inception in 2002, The Global Fund has committed the sum of USD,585,537,824 to operations in Nigeria, which are split into four programme areas: (a) HIV/AIDS, (b) Tuberculosis, (c) Malaria, (d) Resilient Systems Strengthening for Health, (RSSH).

Of that amount, Nigeria has, as of date, accessed US,436,371,946, representing 94 per cent of the committed amount.

Key achievements of the Global Fund investments in Nigeria are as follows:

For the HIV/AIDS component, the Fund investment has contributed to placing 1.04 million people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) on treatment in Nigeria. With the support of the Fund, Nigeria has provided life-saving ARVs for 194,900 PLHIV on ART.

In addition, the fund supported the 2018 NAIIS survey which provided precise data on the epidemic in Nigeria, confirming HIV prevalence of 1.3 per cent, he said

On the TB programme, the minister said with the support of the fund, about 120,000 TB cases were identified and treated annually since the inception while TB services provided in more than 12,000 health facilities.

We have provided 398 GeneXpert machines in 36 states and FCT.

For malaria, he said the Global Fund had contributed to a decline in malaria prevalence from 42 per cent to 23 per cent from 2010 2018.

Eleven million Long Lasting Insecticide Treated mosquito nets are distributed annually through mass campaigns.

At least 4 million confirmed malaria cases treated annually at public health facilities in 13 states supported by the Global Fund.

The Fund has also built six Pharma grade medical warehouses, supported procurement of three X-ray mobile vans for screening of tuberculosis in Lagos.

This is in addition to infrastructural upgrade of health facilities and laboratories and capacity building for frontline health care workers under RSSH.

According to him, Global Fund conducts fund replenishment meetings every three years, where it mobilises contributions from governments, private sector and philanthropists to support its public health programmes around the globe.

Nigeria also contributes as these events and has so far contributed a cumulative sum of 28.62 million dollars to the Global Fund since its inception, including 10 million dollars pledged at the replenishment in Montreal, Canada, in September 2016.

At the last replenishment conference in Lyon, France, in October 2019, Nigeria increased its contribution to the Global Fund by 20 per cent with a pledge of 12 million dollars for the period 2021-2023.

In addition, the minister said the amount approved (890 million dollars) would be to support Nigerias HIV, TB, Malaria and Health Systems Strengthening Programmes.

With this amount, Nigerias grant is reportedly the single highest allocation to any country and a demonstration of The Global Funds confidence in the administration and programmes of President Muhammadu Buhari.

This grant will complement the investment of the Government of Nigeria and of other Development Partners in HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria programmes, including the Resilient and Sustainable System for Health, over the period 2021-2023.

The approval of this grant came following the review of the proposal that CCM Nigeria submitted on 23rd March 2020, which was adjudged to be technically sound and strategically focused by the independent Technical Review Panel of the Global Fund, he said.

Ehanire further said with regard to Nigerias COVID-19 response effort, the Global Fund gave approval to repurpose the sum of 6.2Million dollars out of our on-going grants for HIV, TB and malaria, to support implementation of our initial Incident Action Plan (IAP) for COVID-19.

This Fund was used to support rapid expansion of Nigerias diagnostics capacity for COVID-19 through decentralisation of testing to all 36 states and FCT, using existing TB diagnostic instrument the GeneXpert Machine.

It was also used for the procurement of Biosafety Cabinets for the GeneXpert Laboratories to be able to conduct COVID-19 tests, without exposing the laboratory scientists to risk of infection, mass campaign of test kits and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for frontline health workers.

Similarly, the minister said the Global Fund also approved a grant of 21.9 million dollars to support Nigerias COVID-19 response, the new grant being the result of a proposal Nigeria CCM submitted to The Global Fund few weeks ago.

The new grant will be specifically used to procure test kits to support COVID-19 testing with the GeneXpert machine and other molecular laboratory equipment.

Overall, The Global Fund grants for COVID-19 will support testing for about one million Nigerians over the next 12 months.

On behalf of the President of the Federal Republic and the people of Nigeria, I extend appreciation to The Global Fund for the generous donations to Nigeria over the years, he said.

Source: NAN News