Buhari swears in 4 Permanent Secretaries, presides over virtual FEC

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhmmadu Buhari on Wednesday swore in four newly appointed federal Permanent Secretaries at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the swearing-in was held shortly before the commencement of the weekly virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The affected permanent secretaries include Mr James Sule from Kaduna State; Mr Ismaila Abubakar from Kebbi State; Mrs Ibiene Patricia Roberts from Rivers and Mr Shehu Aliyu Shinkafi from Zamfara.

NAN reports that those who joined the president for the Council meeting at the chamber include the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and the National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.- Gen. Babagana Monguno.

Others physically in attendance of the meeting include four ministers, namely; the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mr Clement Agba.

Others cabinet members including the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Folashade Oyo-Esan are participating from their respective offices in Abuja via video conferencing.

Source: NAN News

NAFDAC to phase out production of alcohol in sachets

By Aderogba George

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it will totally ban production of alcohol drink in sachets by 2023/2024.

Its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that banning of the product would come in phases.

Adeyeye said that alcohol drink in sachet would be phased out by 2023 ending or first week of 2024, when it would no longer exist in the society.

NAN reports that Adeyeye, had earlier expressed worry over the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small volume glass and Poly-Ethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles.

She also decried the negative effects of irresponsible alcohol consumption on public health and on the safety and the security of the public.

Adeyeye said with the support of the Federal Ministry of Health, the concern also relates to the fact that alcohol is also a toxic and psychoactive substance with dependence producing properties.

According to her, uncontrolled access and availability of high concentration alcohol in sachet and small volume PET or glass bottles have been put forward as a factor contributing to substance and alcohol abuse in Nigeria with its negative impact on the society.

She said the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that alcohol consumption contributes to three million deaths each year globally as well as to the disabilities and poor health of millions of people.

Adeyeye said that stakeholders had already met on this to outline the negative impact of the product on the society, particularly on youths.

NAFDAC and the Federal Ministry of Heath met on this issue with the distillers association, a couple of days ago.

We let them know that they can think of business because there is nothing wrong about that.

NAFDAC and Federal Ministry of Heath also have to think about the society, we had series of meetings at the ministry.

We all agreed that we are going to carry out the ban in phases, she said.

The director-general also said that, pending the time lapse, the distillers association were told to reduce the level of alcohol drink in sachets, and that they have agreed to do that.

Adeyeye said the distillers association had also been tasked to run a social responsibility campaign against underage drinking, adding that a jingle would soon be on air in this regards.

She, however, called on Nigerians to always do things that would depict the moral values enshrined in the nations system.

Source: NAN News

Divorce decree

By Olawale Akinremi

A foodstuff merchant, Sadia Hassan, on Wednesday prayed a Customary Court sitting in Mapo in Ibadan to dissolve her 16-year-old marriage to estranged husband, Jelili on grounds that he was an unrepentant womaniser and am adulterer.

Testifying, Hassan a mother of one, accused her husband of sleeping with her best friend.

My husband nearly sent me to an early grave.

My lord, I am not a troublesome wife as Jelili claims. His problem with me is because I got to know about his unfaithfulness to me.

I was reliably informed that he was having an extra-marital affair with a close friend and I traced both of them to their meeting point.

I confronted my friend and she apologised to me promising to stop seeing Jelili.

Jelili grabbed me by the neck and nearly killed me. On another occasion, he dragged me by the hair on the bare floor around the room for going to visit my niece who was ill, she said said.

Earlier, Jelili alleged that his wife was too jealous, describing her as a troublemaker.

My lord, she cannot produce any evidence to prove that I have been unfaithful. Her accusations caused an innocent woman to leave her matrimonial home.

Chief Ademola Odunade, the President of the court, consequently dissolved the union in the interest of peace.

He granted custody of the child to Hassan and ordered Jelili to pay N5,000 as the childs monthly feeding allowance. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Personnel of Nigeria Immigration Service

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Civil Defense, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Board (CDCFIB) has approved the promotion of 8,999 officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to enhance efficiency in service.

The Comptroller General, NIS, Mr Muhammad Babandede disclosed this in a statement issued by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Mr Sunday James, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Babandede directed that all the promoted officers be decorated immediately, adding that the promotion was part of the on-going developmental activities and reforms in the Service.

He urged the officers and men across board on the need to maintain high level of discipline, commitment to their duties and absolute loyalty to the nation and the Service in their day to day activities.

The 2019 promotion exercise released on 28th September 2020, consists of 5,351 successful officers.

The list comprises officers from the ranks of Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCI) to Senior Inspector of Immigration,(SII) as approved by the CDCFIB, vide letter referenced CDCFIB/NIS/DTS/CORR/503/VOL.1/157 and dated 25TH September, 2020.

It can be recalled that the Service had earlier decorated 100 senior officers, 3,548 junior officers and 118 converted officers on 5th August 2020.

This recent promotion list brings the total number of promoted NIS personnel in 2019 to 8,999. A breakdown of the total number of senior officers promoted is as follows

29 CIS ACG ,71 DCI CIS, 270 ACI DCI, 726 CSI ACI, 529 SI CSI, 363 DSI SI, 78 ASI1 DSI, 32 ASI2 ASI1, 403 CII CII tech, 378 DCII CII, 336 ACII DCII, 295 PII ACII, 1496 SII PII, 445 II SII, he said.

Babandede, who congratulated all affected officers, reiterated that the promotion was to re-energised the beneficiaries toward the discharge of their task and responsibilities. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Lagos Govt. cancels Independence Day Parade

By Florence Onuegbu

The Lagos State Government has cancelled the planned Nigeria 60th Independence Day Parade due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave the directive in a statement signed by the states Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso in Lagos on Wednesday.

Sanwo-Olu said that the parade and other activities that involved the gathering of more than 50 people had been cancelled.

He said that the state has opted for a low key celebration of the anniversary because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor congratulated residents of the state on the auspicious occasion and strongly advised that they should celebrate quietly at home and pray for the country.

He urged them to also observe COVID-19 protocols, including wearing of facemasks to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Sanwo-Olu advised them not to relax their vigilance against COVID-19, so as not to reverse the gains made in the fight against the disease.

He urged them to keep embracing social distancing and washing of hands with soap and water, advising individuals who felt sick to stay indoors and contact health authorities.

Sanwo-Olu said that the police and other security agencies have been directed to ensure that nobody flout the directives in the interest of the state.

Source: NAN News

House of Reps at plenary

By EricJames Ochigbo/Femi Ogunbusola

The House of Representatives at its plenary on Tuesday withdrew the Water Resources Control Bill which it passed two months ago.

Sequel to the adoption of a Matter of Privilege raised by Rep. Benjamin Mzondu (PDP-Benue), the House unanimously resolved to gazette the bill for reconsideration.

Mzondu argued that the bill was not gazetted and that clear copies of the bill were not circulated to all members.

The lawmaker said that a 2020 bill should have passed first and second reading, be subjected to public hearing before its consideration at the Committee of the Whole and passed.

My privilege has been breached because I was denied the opportunity of seeing the bill before it passed.

The House Rules is clear and unambiguous, Order 12 Rule 16, 17 and 18 is expressly clear on the gazetting Bills.

I therefore, move that the bill be completely expunged or be gazetted and subjected to public hearing, he said.

In his contribution, Rep. Nkem Abonta (PDP-Abia), said that the procedure contradicted the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He argued that rule of the House was also breached in the way and manner it passed, saying that it should be withdrawn.

However, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Water, Rep. Sada Soli (APC-Katsina), said that the right process was followed before the bill was passed.

He said that clean copies of the bill were distributed to members who were at the plenary.

According to him, the bill is a consolidation of four laws which had existed for 35, 34, 27 and 10 years.

Also, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Rules and Business, Rep. Abubakar Fulata (APC-Jigawa), said that the bill was first read on Dec. 19, 2018 in the 8th Assembly.

He said that the bill was introduced by the Executives in the 9th Assembly and was subjected to the House rules.

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Idris Wase (APC-Plateau), recalled that the bill was stepped down when members complained that they had not seen the bill.

He said that the bill was returned and members were all given clean copies before it was considered at the Committee of the Whole.

In response, members of the House, however, shouted aloud in disagreement with the position that clean copies were circulated.

In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabimila, said that the bill be withdrawn and gazetted for fresh consideration.

NAN recalls that the bill seeks to provide for management, equitable and sustainable use of surface and underground water across the country.

The bill seeks to provide a legal framework for the management and use of water resources in the country with the view to generate revenue for government at all levels.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

NSE

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

The Nigerian Stock Exchange key market indicators on Tuesday sustained positive posture for the eighth consecutive trading session.

Specifically, the All-Share Index appreciated further by 0.39 per cent or 104.12 points to close at 26,611.96 from 26,507.84 achieved on Monday.

Similarly, the market capitalisation inched higher by N54 billion or 0.39 per cent to close at N13.907 trillion against N13.853 trillion on Monday.

The upturn was impacted by gains recorded in large and medium capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Seplat, BUA Cement, MTN Nigeria Communications, Dangote Sugar and Zenith Bank.

Market breadth closed positive with 16 gainers in contrast with 11 losers.

University Press led the gainers chart in percentage terms, gaining 7.55 per cent to close at 57k per share.

AIICO Insurance followed with 6.33 per cent to close at 84k, while Africa Prudential rose by four per cent to close at N4.68 per share.

BUA Cement gained 3.34 per cent to close at N41.75, while AXA Mansard Insurance appreciated by 3.26 per cent to close at N1.90 per share.

Conversely, eTranzact International led the laggards chart in percentage terms, losing 9.96 per cent to close at N2.35 per share.

Cornerstone Insurance followed with 8.45 per cent to close at 65k, while Lafarge Africa dipped 6.25 per cent to close at N15 per share.

Learn Africa lost 6.14 per cent to close at N1.07, while UACN Property Development shed 3.33 per cent to close at 87k per share.

Transactions in the shares of Zenith Bank topped the activity chart with 90.88 million shares valued at N1.59 billion.

Sterling Bank followed with 82.32 million shares worth N98.84 million, while United Bank for Africa sold 56.68 million shares valued at N344.36 million.

FBN Holdings traded 34.62 million shares worth N183.01 million, while FCMB Group accounted for 24.46 million shares worth N51.33 million.

In all, the total volume of share traded rose by 22.64 per cent as investors bought and sold 413.10 million shares worth N4.53 billion in 4,681 deals.

This was in contrast with 336.83 million shares valued at N4.03 billion exchanged in 4,602 deals on Monday. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Victims Support Fund (VSF) Task Force on COVID-19 donates Information Technology (IT) equipment to Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) to boost its service delivery in fight against Coronavirus pandemic

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The Victims Support Fund (VSF) Task Force on COVID-19 on Tuesday donated Information Technology (IT) equipment to Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) to boost its service delivery in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Chairperson of the task force, Mrs Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, who presented the equipment in Abuja, said that VSF considered it imperative to support the ministry as the epicentre carrying out the pandemic action plan of the Federal Government.

Akerele-Ogunsiji said that VSF provided technical equipment to the ministry and promised to renovate elevators to aid movement in and out of the ministry.

She said we are also providing support for the development and management of the national pandemic action plan, providing support for the secretariat; paying for zoom meetings, subscriptions and covering the cost of Wi-Fi.

According to her, health is not just about providing drugs; the quality of human capacity determines the success that the ministry will achieve in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

She added that as part of our activities today, we are providing technical equipment to the ministry of health, we are also renovating the elevators within the ministry because of the increase in the number of staff that come in and go out on daily basis.

In the very beginning, we made sure that our interventions align with Federal Government response strategy and also ensure that we are enhancing what we are learning from the government.

She said that VSF had at the two phases of the interventions distributed a unit each of 10 kg bags of rice, beans, maize, garri, four litres of vegetable oil, 2kgs of salt and medicals to 12 states.

She added that the next phase of the intervention would be to provide WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) facilities in schools to support and encourage the gradual reopening of schools as well as the safety of children.

She said that the intervention was crucial to the health of the children, especially the nursery, primary and secondary schools, saying that we want children to be able to wash their hands regularly.

We are going to donate hand sanitisers, wrist band hand sanitisers that children can press and constantly sanitise their hands, we are equally going to support teachers.

We know that education is important, and we cannot stall the education of children, but what we must do as responsible organisation is to set in motion things that will guarantee the health and safety of children.

She further said that the exercise was to mitigate the hardship that Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable, were experiencing at this period of the pandemic.

According to her, VSF is committed to sustaining efforts in the global fight against the devastating Coronavirus pandemic.

She reiterated the funds commitment to continue to work to provide succour to victims of insurgency and armed conflicts in Nigeria, especially in the areas of livelihood, recovery, education, protection, infrastructure development, as well as research and peacebuilding.

The taskforce chairperson said that VSF had so far reached out to relevant stakeholders with medical consumables, WASH facilities and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in a bid to curtail the spread of the virus.

She said that the fund was also working with the vulnerable, institutions and agencies supporting the government as part of its contribution to national efforts in the fight
against COVID-19.

She noted that the Chairman of VSF, Retired Gen. T.Y. Danjuma, inaugurated the VSF Task Force on COVID-19 to provide palliatives to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and other vulnerable groups around the country.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, while responding, appreciated VSF for the donation and encouragement toward the fight against the pandemic.

Ehanire noted that the support would help the ministry toward attending to the tasks assigned to it.

He said we are still concerned about the impact of reopening schools, so we are getting ourselves ready for the effect that will follow.

So, the journey is not yet over at all, and we are very grateful to have groups and organisations that give us the support and confidence that we are not working alone. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

FrieslandCampina WAMCO

By Oluwafunke Ishola

Dutch owned multinational dairy products company, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, says it has completed the purchase of Nutricimas dairy business in Nigeria.

Mrs Ore Famurewa, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria, made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

Famurewa said that FrieslandCampina and PZ Cussons signed an agreement regarding the acquisition in March, noting that Nutricimas dairy business would be integrated into FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC.

FrieslandCampina WAMCO has acquired the companys production facility in Ikorodu, Lagos State, and the brands Olympic, Coast and Nunu, a range of powdered, evaporated and ready to drink milk products.

These brands have a good presence across the Nigerian dairy market, Famurewa said.

Famurewa said that the acquisition underlines FrieslandCampina WAMCOs continued commitment to contribute to the development of the Nigerian dairy sector.

She added that the acquisition satisfies the need for additional production capacity for FrieslandCampina WAMCO to meet the growing demand for locally produced evaporated and powdered milk by Nigerian consumers.

Having fulfilled all requirements including requisite shareholders and regulatory approvals, FrieslandCampina WAMCO has commenced operations at the newly acquired plant, she said.

Famurewa in the statement quoted Roel van Neerbos, President, FrieslandCampina Consumer Dairy, as saying, FrieslandCampina WAMCO has been a key player in Nigeria since 1954.

With this acquisition, we demonstrate our strong commitment to Nigeria and its dairy market.

Also, Ben Langat, Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria, said: It is our mission to bring affordable and attainable quality dairy products to all Nigerians and meet the growing demand.

Thats why we are pleased with this acquisition.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria is an
affiliate of Royal FrieslandCampina of The Netherlands, one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the world.

It is the makers of Peak and Three Crowns brands of milk in Nigeria. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Business

By Oluwafunke Ishola

The Business Founders Coalition has urged the Federal Government to evolve policies that would disallow foreign investors from having controlling rights in Nigerian businesses.

Dr Richardson Ajayi, Founder, Synlab Nigeria, made this assertion on behalf of the coalition during a media briefing in Lagos, on Tuesday.

Ajayi, who is also the Executive Vice Chairman of Bridge Clinic, said that the government, through such policies and laws, would be protecting Nigerian entrepreneurs and ensuring that the investments ultimately drive national development.

According to him, most local businesses, due to unfavourable or unavailable access to local finance to upscale their businesses, resort to approaching foreign investors and venture capitalists.

As progressive as this appears on the surface, they usually seek for controlling rights as one of the conditions to invest.

Against the spirit of the letter, they often use this to wrestle control from the founders and force their positions which can be inimical to the growth of the business and overall national development.

You will agree with us that the issue and conditions of controlling rights is exceedingly difficult to fight when looking for vital investment, he said.

According to him, these foreign investors make lots of promises beyond funding, capacity, processes, only to renege at the most crucial time of the growth.

The most recent case in hand is that of our member, Mrs Bukky George of HealthPlus, and the on-going attempt by the primary investor to take over her business.

Nigeria belongs to us all and the reasons why our economy is not growing at the desired pace has to do with issues such as this.

If we continue like this, the stagnation and all its attendant fallouts will continue to bedevil us, he said.

Ajayi said that the coalition have no objection to foreign investment, adding that there were good private equity companies and many successful private equity transactions that have contributed to national growth.

He advocated that all legal contracts to guide these transactions should be domiciled in Nigeria, and on exit, the investors must give the entrepreneur the right of first refusal to purchase the shares of the business.

Ajayi urged the government to look into the development of a Nigerian venture fund that would support the growth of local businesses.

He urged Nigeria to emulate many developing countries which used foreign direct investment protectionism linked to strategic sectors and national champions to protect local entrepreneurs.

Commenting, Mrs Bukky George, Founder, HealthPlus, called for evolution of policies that would regulate activities of private equity firms.

The HealthPlus boss added that founders and businesses must be protected from pitfalls associated with private equity firms.

According to her, bringing a private equity firm into the operation of HealthPlus was to enable the company to meet demand for high quality yet affordable healthcare and beauty supplies through distribution centres in Nigeria.

Unfortunately, the pledged funds were never fully disbursed in order to implement our strategic objectives.

Our partnership has been fraught with serious challenges and unmet expectations, jeopardising operations and relationships with our stakeholders, she said.

George urged Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) make flexible loan available to the health sector such that cash flows of companies would be considered as against only collateral.

She said that doing so would enable businesses scale up in order to achieve their potentials, enhance the economy and development of the health sector.

Also, Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, Managing Director, CMC Connect Ltd, said that the coalition was not about a single organisation, but about changing policies to assist businesses thrive and boost investment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other members of the coalition include Obinna Ekezie and Ralph Tamuno, Founders of Wakanow, Deji Akinyanju of Chicken Republic and Kene Mkapru of Filmhouse Cinemas. (NAN)

Source: NAN News