Policemen on duty

By Chijioke Okoronkwo
The National Economic Council (NEC) says President Muhmmadu Buhari has approved N13 billion for the implementation of Community Policing in the country.

The approval was disclosed at the virtual NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday in Abuja.

The virtual meeting was anchored from the Presidential Villa on Thursday in Abuja.

Osinbajos spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement said the presidents gesture was borne out of his resolve to rejig the security architecture in the country and deliver a more effective policing.

At todays NEC, Osinbajo, asked governors, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Finance Minister and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to work out modalities on how the funds would be well utilised to ensure an effective implementation of Community Policing in Nigeria, and then report back to NEC.

Specifically, the governors will be represented at this consultations by the Nigeria Governors forum Chairman and two others.

There is no relenting in effort to secure lives and property across Nigeria, he said.

Source: NAN News

WTO

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has issued an information note outlining where and how trade costs may increase due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report highlights transport and travel as having the most significant singular impact on international trade during the pandemic.

The report titled, Trade Costs in the Time of Global Pandemic, identifies three major sources of increased trade costs in the COVID-19 era: transport and travel; trade policy; and uncertainty.

Other determinants of trade costs identified in the report include information and transaction costs, information and communication technology (ICT) connectedness and governance quality.

Transport and travel, the report note, accounts for an estimated 15 to 31 per cent of trade costs by sector 15 per cent in agriculture, 31 per cent in manufacturing and has been seriously impacted by actions taken in response to COVID-19.

Travel restrictions and border closures, for example, have directly affected trade in goods and services.

These types of restrictions, the report emphasizes, will constitute a substantial increase in trade costs as long as they remain in place.

Impacts extend to both land and maritime shipping, and include major disruptions to air cargo capacity, which, the WTO notes, decreased by nearly 25 per cent in March 2020.

Trade policy barriers and regulatory differences also represent a significant portion of costs across sectors, accounting for approximately 10 per cent of total trade costs in each.

These barriers include tariff and non-tariff measures, temporary actions, and the costs of crossing borders, among other policies that impact trade, such as intellectual property protection.

The report notes that, in spite of several trade facilitating measures aimed at ensuring provision of personal protective equipment and other medical equipment, essential supply shortages due to COVID-19 prompted many governments to impose export-restrictive measures.

It added that general uncertainty and risk aversion have amplified trade costs during the pandemic.

The report underscores firms reduced appetites to invest in new trade relationships as seen in recent financial and geopolitical crises as well as reduced availability of trade finance, each of which stand to have a disproportionate impact on developing and emerging economies.

The WTO concludes that changes in trade costs are expected to revert once the pandemic is under control, but cautions that policy shifts and market dynamics may cause continued disruption.

The report identifies selective government-imposed travel and air restrictions and reduced airline competition as potentially causing higher trade costs, to persist until the virus has been eliminated.

Source: NAN News

By Taiye Olayemi

The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) on Friday said it had lost over N6billion in the course of the lockdown caused by the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Patrick Lee, the Chairman of the Assocation, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said that since the lockdown in March, the industry kept losing N1billion on a monthly basis rendering most of the staff jobless.

We are appealing to the state and Federal Government to work together and allow us open our businesses, we have lost over N1billion every month that we have been locked down and it is over N6billion now in six months.

Most of our staff are currently unemployed and there are also over 20,000 people that depend on the industry in terms of supplies to the industry and those who work with Nollywood and artisans.

We are at the point of bankruptcy, we want government to help us to reopen because we have been locked down for six months now and it is really disheartening.

We have seen some other aspects of the economy that are already opened and we have put enough safety protocols in place to ensure that when our customers return to watch movies at the cinemas, they are safe.

We promise to give room for social distancing, 50 per cent hall occupancy, use of facemask, hand sanitisers and we have made provision for air conditioning systems that would pump in oxygen frequently, he said.

The CEAN Chairman expressed displeasure over cinemas classification under the creative industry, insisting that the industry was a media-based platform.

He said cinemas were channels through which creative industrys content were showcased to the public and should be classified as media platform.

People classify us as being under the creative industry but we are a media platform as well because we exhibit movies that are being done by the creative industry.

We dont necessarily create movies but we give them a platform to exhibit those movies, so to have been classified with night clubs and restaurants is a wrong classification.

We are a media platform and we are using that platform to ensure that the creative industry has somewhere it can exhibit its shows.

We do not have a situation whereby we have 100, 200 or 500 people in the same place at the same time because of the nature in which cinemas operate, he said.

Lee explained that if five shows were to be exhibited in a cinema hall in a day, only about 20 to 30 people were usually accommodated in a 100-seater hall for each show, so this had already paved way for social distancing.

He said that there were 58 cinemas and 200 screens across the country, with Lagos recording the highest number of cinemas.

Lee, however, called for more investment into the industry for a more robust industry.

With 58 cinemas and 200 screens across the nation, 800 screens in South Africa, 4,000 screens in the United Kingdom, 10,000 screens in India and China, Nigeria needs lots of investment in the cinema industry.

We do not have enough screens to exhibit the content that we are creating in this country and we want more investment, help from government to put investments in place and have a very vibrant industry, he said.

Source: NAN News

Former Super Falcons midfielder Maureen Mmadu

Former Super Falcons midfielder Maureen Mmadu says the negative toll of the coronavirus pandemic on football activities has greatly affected female football.

Mmadu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that a number of professional players have stayed back in Nigeria because of the lull in football abroad.

The former Super Falcons Assistant Coach said it was painful that those who were in the country had continued to train without any form of competitive matches or tournaments.

Even though I have been trapped in Nigeria for now, but I am hoping that the pandemic will soon be over so that I can return to my base in Norway.

I came back from Norway when I had the assignment of coaching the Super Falcons, and that assignment finished last year.

I dont know what will happen in the next few months but I hope to return to my base to continue my coaching job.

COVID-19 has affected football activities generally and female football particularly.

But there are some of our players that are supposed to go back to their clubs and there are those in Nigeria training without any competitive game or tournament in sight, Mmadu who was recently made female football ambassador in Anambra said.

The pandemic has affected football negatively, but I hope and pray that the situation normalises so that we can go back to doing what we love to do best, she added.

Mmadu however said she was elated by the attention female football was receiving in Anambra and expressed readiness to partner with the state government in developing the game.

I am happy that the state government is working to make us enjoy female football again.

I was born and bred in Anambra and I must say I am happy with the efforts to bring back female football in the state.

It is not too good that since my generation finished playing, nobody has taken over from us.

But I want to thank the Anambra State Football Association (AnSFA) caretaker chairman for bringing me to come and see what they are doing.

The former midfielder who last appeared for Avaldsnes IL in Norway however assured that if all worked out well, she was willing to bring her wealth of experience into Anambra football.

I am ready if and when called upon. Because I am hopeful that Anambra will be among the best female football states soon, she said.

Source: NAN News

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, has enjoined journalists to emulate the passion, commitment and self-contentment of Malam Wada Maida, the late News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Board Chairman.

The minister stated this on Friday in Abuja when he paid condolence visit to NAN headquarters and signed condolence register opened in honour of Maida.

You dont measure greatness by how fat your bank account is or by what position you occupy. You measure greatness by how much you impact positively on the lives of those you come across.

From the testimonies after his death, people said that while his colleagues opted for a life of luxury and vanity he remained committed to his profession; I think that is something to emulate, he said.

The minister added: Malam Maida has clearly shown us that at the end of the day, what is important is passion, commitment and self-contentment.

He dedicated his life to his chosen profession. He lived it and earned greatness which the upcoming journalists should emulate, he said.

The minister noted that in any chosen profession, if one remains committed, diligent and faithful one will achieve greatness.

In the condolence register, the minister wrote: Malam Wada Maida. I wish you could read and hear the beautiful testimonies of friends, associates and the ordinary people whose lives you have touched very positively and you will realise how great a man you were.

May Allah forgive your sins and admit you to Aljanah Firdausi.

The Acting Managing Director of NAN, Mr Dele Ojo on behalf of the management and members of staff welcomed the minister to the Agency.

We thank you for this visit and we want to assure you that the dreams and legacies of Malam Wada Maida will not be in vain.

We will do everything to sustain his dreams and take NAN to the greatest level while counting on your support, he said.

Maida who died in Abuja on Monday at the age of 70 was a former Editor-in-Chief and later Managing Director of NAN.

He was one of the pioneer editors of the agency and served as various times as its Regional Editor in Kaduna, Political Editor and London Correspondent.

He was Chief Press Secretary to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari when he became military Head of State on Jan. 1 1984.

After the Babangida coup in July 1985, Maida returned to NAN to become its Editor-in-Chief for eight years.

Until his death, he was a member of the Executive Board of the International Press Institute and also a shareholder of Media Trust Limited.

Source: NAN News

The engagement is still necessary because terrorism remains a great threat, including for us here, German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said in the southern district of Dilligen.

Kramp-Karrenbauer made the statement where she hosted her British and French counterparts for talks.

According to Kramp-Karrenbauer, the trio called on the soldiers who led the revolt to implement what they have promised as soon as possible, namely, the return to constitutional order.

We will continue the fight against terrorism because it is far from over, French Defence Minister Florence Parly said, referring to a security challenge for the Sahel region, but also for the whole of Europe.

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace also called for a return to stability in Mali.

Several armed groups are active in Mali and other countries in the Sahel region, with some having sworn allegiance to the Islamic State or al-Qaeda terrorist groups.

The military coup, which took place on Tuesday, led to the arrest and forced resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

The soldiers have vowed to take power on a transitional basis and announced the formation of a committee to lead the country until elections are held. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

The National Population Commission (NPC) on Friday reiterated its readiness to conduct a reliable and accurate census.

Dr Eyitayo Oyetunji, Acting Chairman, NPC, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Oyetunji asserted that the Commission had been ready with qualified personnel and facilities for census since 2016.

We have the census strategic document as well as accurate budget and timeline for census if government makes proclamation.

We have also covered 228 local governments in our Enumeration Area Demarcation (E.A.D) out of the 774 local governments in the country, he said.

Oyetunji, who canvassed for support of Nigerians, said that the Commission has the most advanced technology to conduct the census if given a go ahead.

According to him, this is the best time to conduct census for us because we will use satellite images for Enumeration Area Demarcation as well as Global Positioning System (GPS), to help us locate exact positions of localities and villages.

The NPC boss decried the inability of the country to have census, saying that it had affected national planning negatively.

He particularly expressed concern over the impact of COVID-19 on the countrys population which had affected the harnessing of Demographic Dividends adversely.

Hospitals cannot be easily accessed because of lockdown and restrictions on movements.

Many of our services hindered and there are speculations that child bearing will increase because couples are locked inside, he said.

Oyetunji expressed optimism in the transition of Nigeria from dependent population to independent population for a prosperous and stable economy.

Nigeria is gradually transiting to youthful population, fertility level has dropped like in the Western part of the country, he said.

Oyetunji, however, said that the commission was working in synergy with Nigeria Identity and Management Commission (NIMC) for the automation and digitisation of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS).

We have 3,700 centres registering birth and death issuing certificates free of charge, yet we have the challenge of low as 40 per cent birth registration and 10 per cent death registration, he said.

The NPC boss assured of conducting a census in the nearest possible time with commitment of government and support of donors.

Source: NAN News

NSE

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday moved 158.62 million shares worth N1.75 billion exchanged in 3,194 deals.

This was in contrast with 179.55 million shares valued at N2.53 billion achieved in 3,055 deals on Thursday.

An analysis of the activity chart indicates that Zenith Bank was the toast of investors as it sold 19.08 million shares worth N321.99 million.

FBN Holdings followed with 17.89 million shares valued at N89.45 million, while GT Bank traded 16.15 million shares worth N408.79 million.

Nigerian Breweries accounted for 9.13 million shares valued at N327.44 million, while Chams sold 8.73 million shares worth N1.78 million.

However, the market capitalisation rebounded further by N9 billion or 0.07 per cent to close at N13.158 trillion against N13.149 trillion on Thursday.

Also, the All-Share Index which opened at 25,204.60 inched higher by 17.27 points or 0.07 per cent to close at 25,221.87.

Nigeria Breweries led the gainers table, gaining N1 to close at N36 per share.

International Breweries garnered 30k to close at N3.60, while Unilever improved by 20k to close at N13.95 per share.

Oando appreciated by 11k to close at N2.35, while University Press also gained 11k to close at N1.24 per share.

On the other hand, Okomu Oil topped the laggards chart with a loss of N1 to close at N79 per share.

Presco trailed with a loss of 50k to close at N51, while UACN lost 35k to close at N5.50 per share.

Guaranty Trust Bank shed 15k to close at N25.10, Dangote Sugar dipped 10k to close at N12.50 per share.

Source: NAN News

By Peter Okolie

The Anambra Government is to construct a N3.9 billion Lower Anambra Irrigation Project at Umumbo in Ayamelum Local Government Area to boost agriculture.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Nnamdi Onukwuba, while handing over the project to the the contractor handling it, on Friday, said it would enable farmers to cultivate three times annually, when completed.

According to him, effective utilisation of the 3,850 plots on the farm will change the livelihood of the farmers.

Onukwuba, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Stephanie Keri-Uzo, urged the contractor, a Chinese firm, Zhonghao Construction, to ensure timely completion of the project.

The commissioner said the 40km concrete canal lining was attracted to the state government sequel to Gov. Willie Obianos regular payment of counterpart contributions toward such a project.

He commended the Federal Governments Agricultural Transformation Agenda Special Project (ATASP) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) for funding the project.

The Zonal Project Coordinator of ATASP, Mr Romanus Egba, urged the host communities to provide maximum security for the contractor as well as ensure the security of equipment and materials of the firm.

Egba urged the contractor to carry the community along in the project by employing them as ad-hoc workers.

Responding on behalf of the construction firm, one of its engineers, Mr Pae Bae, promised that the project would be delivered on schedule and according to specifications.

Bae pledged to carry along the host communities in the contract execution, adding that community members would serve as casual workers.

Mr Chukwuemeka Okonkwo, the Project Manager of Diyokes, who is the Consultant for the project, pledged regular supervision to ensure quality work.

The President General of the Omor and Umumbo communities, Chief Mike Nebeife and Mr Anthony Nnamah, respectively, pledged their support and assured of safety of the contractor and the equipment.

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

The second tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari started on May 29, 2019 and a number of successes have so far been recorded.

These are the highlights of the achievement:

1. President Buhari established new Ministries, including Police Affairs and Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, exactly a year ago, Aug. 21, 2019.

2. The Budget Implementation Cycle was successfully restored to a January-to-December Calendar, with the signing of the 2020 Appropriation Bill in December 2019.

3. President Buhari signed into law a Finance Bill, to reform domestic tax laws, introduce tax incentives for investments in infrastructure and capital markets, and improve the business environment.

4. President Buhari approved a N10 billion Intervention Fund for the upgrade of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

5. President Buhari ordered a forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)

6. Nigeria rose 15 places on the World Bank Doing Business Index, to 131st position, from 146th, earning a place as one of ten top performing countries in the worLd

7. President Buhari assented to the Deep Offshore (and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract) Act, a landmark legislative reform which will generate hundreds of millions of dollars in extra government revenues annually.

8. President Buhari performed the ground-breaking for the University of Transportation in Daura, an investment by CCECC in Nigeria. On a similar note, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo performed the ground-breaking for a new Wagon Assembly Plant in Kajola, Ogun State.

9. President Buhari approved the Financial Transparency Policy, mandating publication of Public Financial Information through an Open Treasury Portal.

10. Nigerian has a new Visa Policy, that will improve the business environment, attract innovation and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), boost tourism and improve African integration.

11. Nigeria commenced issuance of Visas on Arrival to all persons holding passports of African countries

12. President Buhari approved the commencement of the Community Policing initiative, and has approved a N13.3 billion take-off grant.

13. Nigeria commenced Operation Ex-Swift Response, a multi-agency security operation to secure the nations land borders.

14. President Buhari flagged-off construction of the AjaokutaKaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline.

15. President Buhari launched the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Scheme.

16. President Buhari established the Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC), under the leadership of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the ESC developed the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP), a N2.3 Trillion stimulus package to help cushion the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.

17. The Federal Executive Council approved the kick-off of pre-engineering phase (and payment of part counterpart funding) of the Presidential Power Initiative, a government-to-government deal involving Nigeria, Germany and Siemens AG.

18. Final Investment Decision was reached on the US billion Train 7 expansion of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited (in which the NNPC holds a 49 per cent stake). This was followed by the signing of the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the project.

19. Commencement of payment of increased Allowance (33,000 Naira monthly) to NYSC members.

20. President Buhari established the National Humanitarian Coordination Committee (NHCC), and the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 (PTFCOVID19).

21. President Buhari approved the release of a N10 billion Grant to the Lagos State Government and a N5 billion Grant to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), to support the Coronavirus Response.

22. President Buhari signed an Amendment to Executive Order 8, the Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularization Scheme (VOARS).

23. The Department of Petroleum Resources commenced the bidding round for 57 Marginal Fields, the first such process in almost 20 years.

24. A National Special Public Works (SPW) programme began in the first quarter of 2020, with a successful pilot programme in eight States. It is now being expanded nationwide, and will provide employment and stipends for 774,000 young Nigerians 1,000 beneficiaries per Local Government) for three months, starting October 2020.

25. The Itakpe-Warri Railway Line is now ready for operations. Construction commenced more than three decades ago, and then the project was abandoned for many years. It is now ready to commence commercial operations, as Nigerias Central Line.

26. Track-laying for the main section of the new Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Railway Line was completed in March 2020, almost exactly three years after Vice President Yemi Osinbajo performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the project.

27. The Nigeria Police Trust Fund, established by the President in 2019, has now been operationalised, with the appointment and inauguration of a Board of Trustees, and an Executive Secretary.

28. Nigeria defeated Polio attaining, in Q3 2020, the status of being officially free from the Wild Polio Virus, for the first time in the countrys history.

29. No fewer than three private Modular Refinery projects have been completed in 2020, a clear manifestation of the success of the New Vision for the Niger Delta, President Buharis Peace, Security and Development Agenda for the oil-producing region of Nigeria.

30. President Buhari approved the establishment of a 75 billion Naira Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), to provide 5%-interest business loans to Nigerians aged between 18 and 35.

31. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) launched a 50 billion Naira Household and SME support facility, to cushion the effect of the Coronavirus pandemic. As at July 2020, N49.195 billion has been disbursed, to over 92,000 beneficiaries.

32. Applications opened (and have now closed) for a new Batch of beneficiaries for the N-Power Jobs Scheme, a component of the National Social Investment Programme, overseen by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. More than 5 million young Nigerians applied for the 400,000 places to be filled.

33. The Federal Government approved a new Policy for the promotion of local production of Bitumen and other construction materials In Nigeria.

34. President Buhari gives presidential assent to a landmark Bill amending the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA).

Source: NAN News