Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says recent media reports that motorists had abandoned the Abuja-Kaduna highway because of insecurity is misleading.

DHQ had on Saturday led journalists on tour of the road from Abuja to Kaduna to ascertain the validity of the claim.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was normal movement of various types of vehicles on the road from Zuba to Kaduna.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, said the tour was to enable the journalists have first hand information on the security situation on the road.

Enenche said the tour was to also correct the purported desertion of the road and assure motorists of their safety.

People are being misinformed and there is no truth whatsoever that the road is deserted.

We are telling the general public that they should have confidence in the armed forces and the operation that is going on here and go about their normal business.

We are there to protect you and to continue to take the criminals out of their enclaves and just be waiting for them on the road, he said.

Maj.-Gen. Usman Mohammed, General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, said that the troops of Operation Thunder Strike had continued to provide security on the highway.

Mohammed, who also doubled as the Commander of the Defence Headquarters led Operation Thunder Strike, said that successes have been recorded in the fight against kidnapping in spite of the recent incident.

Quite alright there is threat on this road sometimes as you are aware of the incident that happened here last Sunday.

Even though some people were kidnapped, some were rescued while efforts are on to rescue the remaining ones, he said.

The GOC said the operation was organised into six sectors covering the entire stretch of the road from Zuba to Kaduna to carry out mobile patrol and respond to security threats on the road.

He said the troops also carry out clearance operations to identified hideouts of the criminals with minimal presence of the troops on the highway.

He said that the strategy was for the troops to go after the criminals in their enclaves so as not to allow them have any opportunity of coming out to the road in the first place.

Mohammed said the military had put in place adequate measures to keep the road safe and free for traffic flow.

After the last incidence, we have increased the number of troops on this road and we have added additional logistics so that people can be seeing their presence on the road.

We are going to also police the hot spots and I want to use this opportunity to reassure members of the public that we are doing our best.

Contrary to the report that the security were not on the road, we are doing our best to ensure that there is peace and security on the road, he said.

Mr Umar Jere, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Jere Branch, said the security agencies had been doing their best to secure the road.

Jere said that his members had confidence in the ability of the military and other security agencies to keep the road safe and secure from criminals.

He called on the security agencies to sustain the tempo of their operation to deny the criminals any freedom of action. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Rev Ola Akande

By David Adeoye

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Saturday, extolled the virtues of a former General Secretary of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), the late Rev. S. T. Ola Akande.

They both described the late cleric as a courageous and fearless preacher.

Obasanjo was among other dignitaries who attended the funeral service of the late cleric, held at the Oritamefa Baptism Church, Ibadan, while Osinbajo was represented.

The former president noted that the late Akande would be remembered for always preaching against societal ills as well as cultism and secret societies.

He recalled how the late cleric, as his home pastor at Owu Baptist Church, Abeokuta, from 1962 to1965 and Ebenezer Baptist Church, Lagos between 1966 and 1969, became a friend and pastor whom he held in high esteem.

Obasanjo reminded the congregation about the involvement of the deceased in Nigerian politics, recalling that he was once a member of the Electoral Commission but that he refused to be compromised.

The late Akande also participated in the presidential primaries of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in 1991and won in the old Oyo State but lost at national level.

He will be remembered for his forthrightness, doggedness, dynamism, welfarism, anti-corruption discourse, courage, commitment to ethical values, uprightness, unwavering Christian testimony and purposeful leadership, he said.

The former president urged the deceaseds children to be comforted by the fact that their father left a good name and heritage.

Also, the vice president, who was represented at the occasion by Pastor Seyi Malomo, said that the late Akande was an exemplary preacher whose selflessness and broad-mindedness should be emulated by all Christians.

He said that the deceased, during his life time, provided the right leadership to Baptist Church and ensured that the fold remained as one spirit-filled family, even after his retirement.

The President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr Samson Ayokunle, described the late cleric as a man of many parts, stressing that he was a gifted, courageous and fearless preacher as well as an astute and tireless pastor.

He was a forthright theologian, an able and accomplished administrator, committed and uncompromising leader, and an unwavering Christian gentleman, he said.

Ayokunle, who is also the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, said that the late Akande served the Baptist community from 1952, when he answered the call into the ministry, up till when he retired as the General Secretary of the Convention in 1991.

In his sermon, entitled: Celebrating Gods Extraordinary Grace, the CAN Chairman, North-Central, Rev. Israel Akanji, described the late cleric as a product of Gods extraordinary grace.

Akanji said that the effects of Gods extraordinary grace upon the deceased were courage of Caleb, leadership of Moses, faith of Abraham, boldness/excellent spirit of Daniel, the wisdom of Solomon and the vision of Joseph, among others.

He, however, called on the congregation to emulate the Godly lifestyle of the deceased.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Akande, who died on Sept 10 at his Ibadan residence at the age of 94, is survived by wife, Mrs Comfort Olalonpe Akande five children and grandchildren. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

Unity Bank Plc has declared gross earnings of N33.90 billion for the nine months period ended Sept. 30, as against N31.25 billion recorded in the same period in 2019.

Mrs Tomi Somefun, the banks Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer disclosed this in its unaudited results representing Q3 sent to the Nigerian Stock Exchange in Lagos.

The increase in gross earnings represents an eight per cent growth from the corresponding period last year.

Also, the banks total assets rose significantly to N420.87 billion in the nine-month period ended Sept. 30, from N293.05 billion in the corresponding period of 2019.

This represents a 44 per cent asset growth.

The bank also grew its bottom-line by six per cent as profit before tax rose to N1.71 billion from N1.61 billion in 2019.

Profit after tax equally grew by six per cent to N1.57 billion, compared to N1.48 billion recorded in the same period in 2019.

The bank substantially grew its customers deposit portfolio to N332.36 billion, from N257.69 billion for the same period in 2019, creating a 29 per cent increase.

Unity Bank had, earlier, rolled out massive customer-centric products to the public, especially in the retail space, which accelerated the banking patronage during the period.

Somefun welcomed the steady growth of the balance sheet, especially from both assets and liability side of the business and across key performance indices.

She said that this had sustained impact on the bottom-line, even as the bank continued to innovate in its e-business product bouquet to target and support value chain business with robust technology and thus diversify its earnings base.

One of the areas that will define our strategic direction going forward is investment in alternative channels leveraging further deployment of resources in technology.

COVID-19 gave us a chance to test the integrity and scalability of our technology, the IT infrastructure, and the electronic banking channels.

This provided us an opportunity to see where we needed to improve and strengthen, knowing that the future of sustainable banking business is in alternative channels.

The results can also be attributable to the banks growing brand profile and leadership in agribusiness, especially having provided loans and financing to over one million smallholder farmers, especially those in primary production and other value chain businesses in the agricultural sector, she said.

According to her, during the period under review, the bank enhanced and deepened its collaboration and partnership with major commodity associations.

These include the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Maize Farmers Association of Nigeria and the National Cotton Association of Nigeria.

The partnership is to finance over 400 smallholder farmers crop production with the overall strategic intent of fostering food security, employment generation and aggregate economic welfare of citizens across the value chains.

The bank also worked with processors and members of Millers Association of Nigeria to provide working capital through the CBNs various intervention funds, while providing credit facilities to large number of input suppliers and vendors through the Anchor Borrowers Programme.

Somefun said that the bank would continue to focus on agriculture, while deepening business in various new markets that had been developed alongside to pull more resources and enhance multiple streams of income. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Yemi Kale NBS Boss

By Folasade Akpan

Nigerias Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contracted by 3.62 per cent (year-on-year) in real terms in the third quarter of 2020, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), says.

It said this in the Nigerian GDP Report (Q3 2020) released on its website on Saturday in Abuja.

According to the report, cumulatively, the economy has contracted by -2.48 per cent.

While this represents an improvement of 2.48 per cent over the 6.10 per cent growth rate recorded in the preceding quarter (Q2 2020), it also indicated that two consecutive quarters of negative growth have been recorded in 2020.

Furthermore, growth in Q3 2020 was slower by 5.90 per cent when compared to the third quarter of 2019 which recorded a real growth rate of 2.28 per cent year-on-year.

The NBS said that the performance of the economy in Q3 2020 reflected residual effects of the restrictions to movement and economic activity implemented across the country in early Q2 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It added that as these restrictions were lifted and businesses re-opened and international travel and trading activities resumed, some economic activities returned to positive growth.

It also said that a total of 18 economic activities recorded positive growth in Q3 2020, compared to 13 activities in Q2 2020.

During the quarter under review, aggregate GDP stood at N39,089,460.61 million in nominal terms.

This performance was 3.39 per cent higher when compared to the third quarter of 2019 which recorded an aggregate of N37,806,924.41 million.

This rate was, however, lower relative to growth recorded in the third quarter of 2019 by 9.91 per cent points but higher than the proceeding quarter by 6.19 per cent.

The NBS classified the Nigerian economy into the oil and non-oil sectors.

For the oil sector, it said that the average daily oil production recorded in the third quarter of 2020 stood at 1.67 million barrels per day (mbpd), or 0.37mbpd lower than the average production recorded in the same quarter of 2019 and 0.14mbpd lower than production volume recorded in the second quarter of 2020.

It added that real growth for the oil sector was 13.89 per cent (year-on-year) in Q3 2020, indicating a sharp contraction of 20.38 per cent relative to the rate recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2019.

Furthermore, real oil growth decreased by 7.26 per cent when compared with oil sector growth recorded in Q2 2020 which was 6.63 per cent.

Quarter on quarter, however, the oil sector recorded a growth rate of 9.64 per cent in Q3 2020.

The sector contributed 8.73 per cent to total real GDP in Q3 2020, down from 9.77 per cent and 8.93 per cent respectively recorded in the corresponding period of 2019 and the preceding quarter, Q2 2020.

For the non-oil sector, the NBS said it grew by 2.51 per cent in real terms during the reference quarter, which is 4.36 per cent lower than the rate recorded in Q3 2019 but 3.54 per cent higher than in the second quarter of 2020.

According to the report, the non-oil sector was driven mainly by Information and Communication (Telecommunications), with other drivers being Agriculture (Crop Production), Construction, Financial and Insurance (Financial Institutions), and Public Administration.

It added that in real terms, the non-oil sector contributed 91.27 per cent to the nations GDP in the third quarter of 2020, higher than its share in the third quarter of 2019 (90.23 per cent) and the second quarter of 2020 (91.07 per cent).

For the performance of major economic sectors, in real terms, the mining and quarrying sector grew by 13.22 per cent (year-on-year).

Compared to real growth rates recorded in the same quarter of 2019 and the second quarter of 2020, this was lower by -19.41 per cent and 6.62 per cent respectively.

The contribution of mining and quarrying to real GDP in the quarter under review stood at 8.91 per cent, lower than the rate of 9.90 per cent recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2019 and the 9.08 per cent recorded in the second quarter of 2020 respectively.

However, crude petroleum and natural gas was the main contributor to the sector, accounting for 93.10 per cent of total sector output in Q3 2020.

For agriculture crop production, livestock, forestry and fishing make up the four sub-activities of the sector.

The sector grew by 13.52 per cent year-on-year in nominal terms, showing a decline of 1.36 per cent from the same quarter of 2019.

Compared to growth in the preceding quarter (19.90 per cent), this represented a drop of 6.38 per cent.

Agriculture contributed 28.41 per cent to nominal GDP in the third quarter of 2020.

This figure was higher than the rates recorded for the third quarter of 2019 and higher than the second quarter of 2020 which recorded 25.88 per cent and 23.92 per cent respectively.

The manufacturing sector contracted by -1.51 per cent in Q3 2020 from -8.78 per cent in Q2 2020 and 1.1 per cent in Q3 2019.

In nominal terms, manufacturing sector GDP growth, in the Q3 2020, was recorded at 13.54 per cent (year-on-year), -26.15 per cent lower than the figure recorded in the corresponding period of 2019 at 39.69 per cent and 13.68 per cent points higher than the preceding quarters figure of -0.14 per cent.

Quarter-on-quarter growth of the sector was recorded at 32.13 per cent, the report said.

It added that the contribution of manufacturing to nominal GDP in Q3 2020 was 13.56 per cent, higher than in the corresponding period of 2019 (12.34 per cent) and the second quarter of 2020 (11.79 per cent). (NAN)

Source: NAN News

A sanitary towel

By Ruth Oketunde

Three Non-Governmental Organisations said they have trained no fewer than 150 women and young girls on the production of reusable sanitary pads in Sabon Wuse community of Tafa Local Government Area of Niger.

They are Lola Cater for the Needy Foundation, Every Child is a Star Foundation and WaterWide organisation.

Miss Ololade Ogunnubi, Founder, Lola Cater for the Needy Foundation announced this on Saturday at a workshop organised by the organisations to promote menstrual hygiene among the women and girls in the community.

She added that the initiative was born out of preliminary research earlier carried out to ascertain the needs of the community.

Ogunnubi added that findings from the research revealed that large number of women and girls lacked adequate information on water, sanitation and hygiene practices.

We found that they do not have adequate knowledge on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) practices as well as how to take care of themselves during menstruation.

We decided to come to the community to put them through and let them know that unsafe hygiene practices can put them at risk of contracting all forms of diseases.

We are going to be talking with them on gender based violence and how to report such cases when they are violated, she said.

Mr Wilson Atumeyi, Chief Executive Officer, Water with Development (WaterWide), noted that it is necessary to enlighten women and young girls in rural communities on how to purify their water and how to maintain menstrual hygiene.

We want them to understand what best WASH practices mean, as it is in line with the current coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world.

As we all know that washing ones hands with water and soap is the first line of defence to combating the spread of the pandemic.

He however called on the local and state governments to provide functional boreholes in rural communities in the state.

If we keep on preaching WASH practices and the people do not get access to clean water, our campaigns will just be in vein,he said.

The Community Head, Mr Hashimu Lawal, appreciated the organisation for their kind gesture, which he said, would go a long way in improving the health of women and girls in the community.

A beneficiary, Miss Zainab Yusuf, said the training on reusable pads had exposed her to things she did not know about menstrual hygiene.

I now know how to take care of myself when I am having my periods, she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured pep talks on gender-based violence and also the distribution of reusable sanitary pads to the women and young girls in the community.

The theme for the workshop is Rural Women and Girls building resilience.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane

Frustrated Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane insisted through gritted teeth that his side had deserved more from their 1-1 draw with Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday even after they were out-played for most of the second half.

Madrid, who were missing seven players including captain Sergio Ramos and lead striker Karim Benzema, went ahead in the second minute through Mariano Diazs diving header but failed to get any more shots on target in the game.

Villarreal dominated the second half and although they also had one shot on target Gerard Morenos converted penalty they had 13 strikes at goal and should have snatched a winner when Takefusa Kubo fluffed a glorious late chance.

Zidane, however, saw things differently.

We deserved much more given how we played today, especially in the first half, and Im annoyed we could only get the point given how much of an effort we made.

Zidane, who also denied reports that midfielder Isco has asked to leave the club in January, looked visibly annoyed with the questions he faced but the Frenchman said Madrids rusty form had not affected his spirits.

I have the same enthusiasm for this job as always and Ill continue to feel this way as long as Im here, dont you worry, he added.

You (the media) keep focusing on your jobs

Source: NAN News

Gov. Mai-Mala Buni of Yobe

By Salisu Sani-Idris

A former Interim National Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Tijjani Tumsah, has felicitated Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe and Chairman, National Caretaker Committee of the party on the occasion of his 53rd birthday.

Tumsah, in a congratulatory message issued on Saturday in Abuja, joined the family, friends and political associates of Buni as well as the entire people of Yobe in celebrating the occasion.

The APC chieftain commended Bunis humility, simplicity and discipline in providing exceptional leadership for the people of the state.

According to him, Buni has been diligently bridging the gap and creating a harmonious atmosphere for APC and exchange of ideas for national development.

He affirmed that the governors personal attributes of selflessness, maturity and friendliness had substantially eased the relationship between some aggrieved members and the party.

I am very proud of your patriotic leadership and sacrifice towards developing our democracy.

I am also proud of your commitments and careful initiatives towards sustaining and consolidating the achievements of our great party, Tumsah said.

The APC chieftain prayed God to grant Buni long life, good health and wisdom to continue to serve the people of Yobe and humanity. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

#EndSARS protesters at Lekki Tollgate, Lagos

By Emmanuel Afonne

A political interest group, No Alternative To Buhari-Osinbajo 2019 (NATBO 2019), has described the Cable News Network (CNN) acclaimed investigative report on the #EndSARS protests at the Lekki Tollgate, Lagos, as lopsided and unbalanced.

A statement issued by the group on Saturday through its National Coordinator, Vincent Uba, noted that there were lots of unanswered questions in the CNN report which made it to be lopsided.

Uba stated that the group was totally against the activities of some Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) personnel, but wondered why the EndSARS protesters continued with their agitation even after President Muhammadu Buhari acceded to their requests.

The NABTO Coordinator added that CNN would have gone further to investigate if there were other motives behind the protests other than the call for the disbandment of SARS.

The questions now are, why restrict the investigations on the Lekki saga? Why did CNN not investigate what happened in other parts of the country, where prior to the Lekki episode, witnessed lootings, destruction of lives and property by the protesters?

Why didnt CNN investigate the activities of the protesters who were ironically doing what they were protesting against prior to the Lekki issue?

Did CNN not know that innocent persons were denied their fundamental freedom of movement and prevented from carrying on with their businesses to fend for their livelihood?

Allegations abound that the protests were sponsored and financed by persons who wanted to destabilise the government. Why didnt CNN beam its investigative searchlight in this direction?

Corporate organisations facilities, government parastatals and individual property destroyed, run into trillions of naira and a lot of persons rendered jobless as a result.

Couldnt CNN have investigated this aspect as part of its corporate civic responsibility? They should conclude their investigations, the statement quoted Uba as saying.

According to Uba, the Federal Governments swift disbandment of the SARS outfit and its promise of a comprehensive police reform, in response to the demands of the protesters should have earned the government applauses rather than condemnations.

Uba added: NATBO 2019 takes is that CNN should have undertaken a thorough and in-depth investigation of the #EndSARS protests across the country with a view to unraveling the real motives of the protesters.

Again, CNN only relied on the information supplied by some of the protesters with videos that are difficult to ascertain their authenticity.

Being in a hurry to broadcast such information could be interpreted as a ploy by CNN to smear the government and pitch the citizens against it, thus worsening the already precarious situation.

He urged the CNN to always see itself as an unbiased media watchdog of the society and should also try not be seen as one of those outfits that take pride in half-baked investigations. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ebonyi Gov. Dave Umahi

By Chukwuemeka Opara

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has sacked four of his technical assistants for dereliction of duty.

The sack is contained in a statement signed by Dr Kenneth Ugbala, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday.

The affected officers, according to the statement, include Cletus Ogbonna, John Osi, Tochukwu Ali and Olachi Arua.

All affected officers are directed to handover all government property in their possession to the SSG before the close of work on Monday, Nov. 23.

The officers are to comply strictly with this directive, the statement said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor had on Nov. 20, sacked categories of aides from Ohaukwu LGA, in order to ensure greater participation of Ebonyi people in governance.

The affected officials included all LGA development centre coordinators, executive assistants, senior technical assistants, technical assistants, liaison officers and management committee members of development centres. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi

By Remi Koleoso

The Ekiti government has terminated the appointment of Mr Isaac Ayodele as the Chairman of the state Sports Council with immediate effect.

This was contained in a letter exclusively obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Ado-Ekiti.

The letter, dated Nov.19, was signed by the Secretary to Ekiti Government (SSG), Mr Biodun Oyebanji, but was dispatched to Ayodele on Nov. 20.

I wish to inform you of the directive of Gov. Kayode Fayemi that you should be relieved of your post as Chairman, Sports Council with immediate effect.

You are to hand over government property in your custody to the General Manager, Sports Council, Chief Deji Samo, immediately, the letter stated.

It, however, wished Ayodele best of luck in his future endeavours.

The development was further confirmed by Samo in a telephone interview with the NAN on Saturday.

NAN recalls that Ayodele was re-appointed as chairman of the sports council in June, having served in the same capacity towards the final lap of Fayemis first term in office. (NAN)

Source: NAN News