Camilus Ukah emerges ANA President - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:
The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has elected Mr. Camilus Chima Ukah, as its National President of the largest writers body in Africa, reports ITREALMS.

He will stir the affairs of ANA for the next two years.

His emergence follows the election of the association on Saturday, 18th of July, 2020.

The election took place during ANA’s emergency General Meeting (AGM) that was held in Makurdi, the Capital of Benue State as directed by the ANA Board of Trustees and the National Advisory Council.

ANA National Caretaker Committee constituted at the EGM and others headed by Prof. Jerry Agada, reports that Camilus Chima Ukah (ANA Imo) emerged as National President, while Maik Ortserga (ANA Benue) was elected General Secretary. The election was attended by card carrying members of ANA from twenty states of the federation.

In his acceptance speech, Camilus Chuma Uka promised to run an open door and inclusive administration. He further solicited the unwavering support of all ANA members across the country to enable the new EXCO to succeed.

Other members of the national executive members elected are: Farida Mohammed - Vice-President (ANA Niger), Freeman Okoson - Asst. Secretary (ANA Oyo), Stella Touremi - Treasurer (ANA Bayelsa), Chimankpa Ogbueri - Financial Secretary (ANA Rivers), Matthew Taiwo - Auditor (Kaduna), Wole Adedoyin - PRO South (Osun), Umar Kakamu Aliyu (ANA Nasarawa) - PRO North (ANA Nasarawa), Bentex Torlafia - Legal Adviser (ANA Nasarawa), Charles Iornumbe- Ex Officio 1 (ANA Benue), Odono Matthew - Ex Officio 2 (ANA Ebonyi).

The EGM also moved two other important notions that was adopted and would be communicated to the public shortly. Many ANA members joined the meeting on zoom among which are Prof Olu Obafemi, former ANA President, Dr. Wale Okediran( former President and member ANA Advisory Council ) , Prof Remi Raji ( Former ANA President) , Prof Akachi Ezeigbo etc.

Uj. N. Dominic/Editor

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Pix: Mr. Camilus Chima Ukah

Buhari appoints Victor Oye into Nigeria Agenda 2050 Steering Committee - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Nigerian President, General Muhammadu Buhari, retired, has appointed the National Chairman of APGA, Dr. Victor Ike Oye, as a member of the Steering Committee for the Preparation of Medium Term National Development Plan (2021-2025) and Nigeria Agenda 2050, reports ITREALMS.

Confirming this, APGA National Publicity Secretary, Tex Okechukwu Esq, in a press statement available to ITREALMS, said that the two plans will replace Nigeria Vision 20:2020 and Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, both lapsing by December 2020.

He also said that membership of the Steering Committee was drawn from the public and private sector, as well as opinion leaders among others; who will play key roles in providing oversight, guidance and direction for the preparation of the to plans aimed at accelerated coordinated national economic growth, lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty and improving the general well-being of Nigerians.

The committee will be inaugurated by the President soon.

Ọzọnkpu’s presidential appointment is well deserved and a profound testament to his leadership acumen and sagacity, as well as his demonstrated capacity in people oriented endeavours and nation building.

As the party felicitates with and congratulates our National Chairman on this enormous national assignment, we implore the Almighty God to continue to bestow our National Chairman with more wisdom and grace for his tremendous services to APGA in particular and Nigeria in general.

Ozo Nweke Ozo/Editor

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Angus Okoye’s murder: RULAAC petitions Anambra AG over missing files, DPP fingered - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, over the tampering of evidences in the case of murder of late Angus Okoye in Isuaniocha, Awka-North Local Government Area of the state, reports ITREALMS.

RULAAC in a petition entitled “Re: The case of the Murder of Angus Okoye in Isuaniocha Community, Awka North LGA, Anambra State (Case No. A/25c/2020) and the taking over of prosecution of the suspected murderers by the Anambra State Ministry of Justice” a copy of which was obtained by ITREALMS.

The NGO said it wrote on behalf of the family of the deceased late Angus Okoye and commended the Attorney general for promptly responding to the family's request contained in a petition addressed to the office through counsel, dated 27/5\2020 by taking over the prosecution of the case from the Police.

According to the Executive Director, RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, alleged that they were however, prompted to write to the Attorney General by the apparent foot-dragging by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and with particular reference to the incident that happened in court last Monday July 13, 2020 when the case came up in Court 2, which RULAC described as of serious concern, “not only to the family, but also to Civil Society representatives and the media who were in court on that day to observe the proceedings.”

As said by RULAAC, “On the day the police first arraigned the suspects on 18/6/20 the DPP informed the court that they will take over the case, file formal charges and properly arraign the suspects at the next adjourned date.

“However on the next adjourned date being Monday, July 13, when the case was called up, there was no representative of the DPP in court and the charges had not been filed by the DPP, leading to the defence moving a motion for bail. The case was stood down for a while by the Judge at the instance of the lawyer to the family who was in court to enable him ascertain why the representation from the office of the DPP was not in court as expected. On resumption of proceedings, and with the DPP representative still absent, the judge reserved ruling on the bail application moved by counsel to the murder suspects to the next adjourned date which is Monday, July 20, 2020

“The family finds this development curious and an ominous signal capable of causing a set back to the strenuous efforts they have put up to push the case to where we it is today in the face of unrelenting efforts by the affluent prime suspect to kill the case.

“It was based on this development that the family petitioned our organization requesting us to bring the troubling development to your attention for your necessary urgent action.

“The family members of the deceased say they 'suspect high level conspiracy by counsel representing the DPP that up till now he has not filed anything in court regarding the case while he continues to deceive us'. They fear that if the DPP does not file proper charges and arraign the suspects properly before Monday, the Judge may be left with no other option at the next date than to grant the bail application of the suspect. The apparent foot dragging and/or laxity of the DPP should not be allowed to sabotage the family's effort to get justice.

“We are fully confident that you will ensure that the DPP does a timely, thorough, diligent and honest job that will ensure that justice is served.

“Some shocking discoveries about how the affluent prime murder suspect Anthony Onyeagolu bribed the Police to tamper with case file in this case are already contained in an earlier petition addressed to your office dated 27/4/2020 and acknowledged on the same date.”

ALSO READ: Re: 'Obiano urged to wade into Isuaniocha crisis; detention of community PG' Setting records straight - ITREALMS

Background:

Anthony Onyeagolu, while he was President General of Isuaniocha community between April 2017 and December 2018 when he was deposed by the governor of Anambra State, put together a deadly hit squad with which he terrorised his community members who called him to account for community funds and resisted his attempt to foist his whims and caprices on the community.

His hit squad targeted several members of the community who were considered as opponents. The hit squad launched a deadly attack on Chidiebele Okoye on 18/11/18 and left him for dead. Although Chidiebele survived the vicious attack, he has remained paralysed and bedridden till date. This action exacerbated the crisis in the community that culminated in his deposition by the Governor.

Then, in his unrelenting vengeance against those opposed to his maladministration, he called a meeting at Mile End Hotel, Awka on 13/12/18 where he and members of his hit squad discussed and perfected plans to abduct and murder Angus Okoye and other opponents. The owner of the hotel where they held the meeting, Mr.Boniface Enweani, who is now at large, is also Anthony Onyeagolu's co-accused. They carried out their plot and abducted Angus Okoye in the midnight of 15/12/18 - two days after the meeting, and took him to the Onyeagolu family compound where they tortured and murdered him and dumped his dead body at the boundary between Nawgu and Otoko village, Isuaniocha, in a pool of his own blood, with bullet injuries.

Police officers from Dunukofia Police Station recovered the dead body with some exhibits including the passport photo of Moses Emebo, one of the murderers, also a member of Anthony Onyeagolu's hit squad currently on trial and remanded with him.

Anthony Onyeagolu and his co-murderers - together with his mother, who witnessed the attack on Angus- ran to Onitsha immediately after the murder and took refuge at the house of his immediate elder brother Paulinus Onyeagolu.

Following a petition by the family members of the murdered Angus Okoye a police manhunt commenced to arrest Anthony Onyeagolu and his accomplices

Meanwhile, investigation into a previous petition against Anthony Onyeagolu and others for the attempted murder of Chidiebele Okoye had been stalled with the help of the former Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, GB Umar who is a personal friend to Anthony Onyeagolu.

Anthony Onyeagolu was eventually arrested in Awka by operatives of the Homicide Section, FCID, Force Headquarters, Abuja after a visit to the Secretary to the Anambra State Government and taken to Abuja. While in custody at the homicide section, FCID Abuja, he made desperate efforts to compromise, derail and scuttle investigation through massive bribery. Efforts were made to free him in Abuja through the CP Homicide and later, through the CP Legal. But the vigilance and determination of the petitioners- aided by men of conscience within and outside the police countered the repeated underhand plots to free the culprits. Investigation was long drawn and tortuous but was eventually concluded and the suspects were transferred back to the SCID Awka for arraignment.

While still in custody at the SCID awaiting formal charge and arraignment, Anthony Onyeagolu and the CP Legal Sanomi, made an attempt to get the CP Anambra State Command to release him but they failed to secure his cooperation because the case file indicated that the suspects were to be arraigned in court for murder and attempted murder.

Then, in their unrelenting desperation, at the midnight of 20/4/20, Anthony Onyeagolu and his co-accused Moses Emebo were surreptitiously brought out and released from the cell by the O/C Legal, SCID Anambra acting on the orders of the O/C Legal Force Headquarters, Sanomi without the knowledge of the CP Anambra and the DIG FCID who is the supervising DIG. When the petitioners got wind of this strange, illegal release from custody of murder suspects awaiting arraignment, and informed the DIG, he was livid and ordered the corrupt CP Legal to ensure that Onyeagolu and Emebo were re-arrested and returned to the cell within 48 hours.



Anthony Onyeagolu and Moses Emebo were re-arrested, as ordered and eventually arraigned at the High Court 2, Awka on 8/6/20 for murder.

It is pertinent to mention that the CP Homicide had also facilitated the release of Cyprian Onyeagolu, Anthony's elder brother and bone of the suspects in custody in Abuja on the grounds of health and on the understanding that he would be produced for arraignment in due time. But he has remained at large till date.

The Ministry of justice, Anambra State, in response to a petition by the complainants dated 27/5/20 requesting it to take over the cases of murder and attempted murder for prosecution, appeared in court and took over the case files for the DPP to study them and properly charge and arraign the accused. This request was based on findings that the CP Legal had tampered with the case file.

Shocking findings:

A study of the casefile shows that two vital witness statements were removed from the file while one false witness statement was smuggled in to provide grounds for false alibi.

The exhibits recovered by Dunukofia Police Station when they recovered the body of Angus Okoye were also not mentioned in the report.

Whereas, during investigation at the FCID Abuja, statements were obtained from witnesses which did not include Paulinus Onyeagolu, it was surprisingly discovered that a statement purported to have been made to the Police investigators by the said Paulinus Onyeagolu, was smuggled into the case file. His false statement was dated 25/3/20.

Meanwhile, the statements of two vital witnesses who reported and made statements to the Police investigators in Abuja were found to be missing.

Anthony Onyeagolu and his brothers are unrelenting and desperate to derail and scuttle their trial using their money influence.

But we will continue to monitor the trial and provide regular updates.

We have absolute confidence that the Anambra State Ministry of Justice- which clearly understands the intrigues, will resist any attempt to distract the prosecutors and will see to it that justice is done in this case. We would request specifically that you kindly reassign this case to an honest and diligent prosecutor who will not compromise.

Ozo Nweke Ozo/Editor

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Pic: Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra State.

COVID-19: Expect 15m malnutrition cases in 2020 - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

An estimated 15.4 million cases of acute malnutrition in children under five years old are expected in 2020 in West and Central Africa, follows the COVID-19 pandemic, reports ITREALMS.

This figure, ITREALMS reported that one third of them from its most severe form if adequate measures are not put in place now, warned the United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

This represents a 20 per cent increase from earlier estimates, in January 2020, according to an analysis of the combined impact of food insecurity and COVID-19 on acute malnutrition in 19 countries of the region.

Conflict and armed violence have led to massive population displacements and drastically limited access to basic social services, leading child malnutrition to increase to unprecedented levels. The coronavirus disease is exacerbating fragile contexts in West and Central Africa, such as in the Sahel region across Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal, which were already stricken with food insecurity and malnutrition. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 4.5 million cases were anticipated to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2020, in these 6 countries. Today, with growing insecurity and COVID-19, that number has jumped to almost 5.4 million.

“Children suffering from severe acute malnutrition are at higher risk of COVID-19-related complications. Whereas, good nutrition for children, starting from their early days, protects them against illnesses and infections, and supports their recovery when they become ill,” said Marie-Pierre Poirier, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa. “Ensuring the continuity of preventive and lifesaving health and nutrition services, building shock-responsive social protection systems, protecting livelihoods and supporting families’ access to water, hygiene and healthy food are critical for child survival and long-term development.”

Several factors threaten the nutritional status of children under five in West and Central Africa. These include household food insecurity, poor maternal nutrition and infant feeding practices, conflicts and armed violence, population displacement, high levels of childhood illnesses and water-borne diseases such as diarrhea, fragile health systems, poor access to clean water and sanitation, and chronic poverty.

Adding to these malnutrition aggravating factors, COVID-19 pandemic containment measures have led to disruptions in food production and distribution, in health and humanitarian supply chains, as well as a slow-down of economic activities. The pandemic has had indirect negative impacts on food systems, households’ income and food security, and the provision of treatment against malnutrition. This makes it more difficult for populations to maintain healthy diets, optimal infant and young child feeding practices, and hinders their access to essential nutrition services.

“Thousands of families will be unable to provide their children with the nutritious food needed for their proper growth and development,” said Chris Nikoi, WFP Regional Director for West and Central Africa. “We must work together to improve access to nutritious foods and ensure that there are strong preventive actions that protect children from falling into the vicious trap of malnutrition and sickness.”

WFP and UNICEF are working with governments and partners to ensure the continuation of essential services. Together, they deliver an integrated package of care focused on the prevention and treatment of acute malnutrition and empower communities for the provision of basic services.

In northern Mali, for example, WFP and UNICEF are joining their efforts and resources to treat and prevent maternal and child malnutrition and reinforce good feeding practices. This includes screening of children for malnutrition. The screening is part of an initiative that promotes early detection of malnutrition in children by mothers and families, using a Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) screening tape. In addition, it allows for the referral of moderate and severe acute malnutrition cases to health facilities, supported by both agencies. Prevention activities include sensitization sessions on infant and young child feeding practices, supported by UNICEF and complemented by the provision of vouchers to women to exchange for nutritious foods available in the market, facilitated by WFP.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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Tyrese Haspil, 21 arrested over murder of GoKada founder, Fahim Saleh - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Mr Tyrese Haspil, 21 and the former Personal Assistant to the murdered Gokada founder and Chief Executive Officer, Fahim Saleh, has been arrested over his gruesome death that occurred early in the week, reports ITREALMS.

Gokada founder was reportedly killed and dismembered by an unknown assassin inside his Lower East Side apartment, in Manhattan, New York.

ITREALMS gathered that Haspil, was arrested earlier in the day by security operatives. He is expected to be charged with second-degree murder, and associated crimes.

This is coming a few days after Saleh’s sister found his dead body in his apartment and promptly alerted the police who swing into action by putting pieces together on the occasion leading to Saleh's death.

According to reports by The New York Times recalled that a man dressed in a black suit followed Saleh from his building’s elevator to his apartment, used a stun gun to immobilise him, followed by stabbing him to death, suspectedly on Monday.

ITREALMS gathered that the killer returned the next day to clean up the crime scene but was interrupted when Saleh’s sister, stopping by to check on him, buzzed his apartment.

"Police are of the opinion that the killer fled the apartment when Saleh’s sister arrived. When she entered, she found her brother’s body, decapitated and dismembered in trash bags. An electric saw was still plugged in nearby.

Also, detectives believed that the motive for the killing came from Saleh's discovery that his PA had stolen about tens of thousands of dollars from him, despite the fact that the deceased had not reported the crime and had set up what amounted to a repayment plan for him.

"The entrepreneur, 33, learned that Haspil allegedly stole $100,000 from him — but instead of reporting him out to authorities, he brokered a repayment plan with the younger man. But at some point, Haspil allegedly reneged on the deal.

"The killer used his employer’s credit card to pay for a car to a Home Depot, on West 23rd Street in Manhattan, to buy cleaning supplies to sanitise the crime scene.

"The killer returned to Saleh’s apartment the next day to dismember the body and clean up the crime scene."

Further, ITREALMS gathered that Mr. Saleh was born in Saudi Arabia to Bangladeshi parents who eventually settled near Poughkeepsie, N.Y., a small city on the Hudson River.

As at the time of his death, Mr. Saleh was the chief executive of Gokada and in February, Nigerian officials began enforcing a ban on motorcycle taxis in major commercial and residential parts of the country’s largest city, Lagos.

*Ayo Midele with additional reports from The New York Times and NewsMakers.

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HP's Amplify boosts global partnership - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

HP Incorporated has unveiled HP Amplify, a first-of-its kind global channel partner program that will drive dynamic partner growth and deliver consistent end customer experiences.

Built on a single, integrated structure, HP Amplify provides the insights, capabilities and collaboration tools needed to drive growth as digital transformation and customer purchasing behaviors continue to evolve. The new program goes into effect November 1, 2020 for commercial partners with retail partners slated to transition in the second half of 2021.

By consolidating HP’s best partner products, tools and trainings into one intuitive program, HP Amplify removes complexity, making it easier for partners to take advantage of its many benefits and engage customers on a deeper level.

Now comprised of just two distinct tracks – Synergy and Power - with clear compensation levels, HP Amplify provides partners with the flexibility to invest in value-added services and capabilities. The more a partner invests in these capabilities, the higher the rewards.

“Today’s buyer expects streamlined, automated and personalized experiences. To thrive in this changing environment – with data as the new currency - requires a combined shift to relate to our customers as individuals, not markets,” said Christoph Schell, HP Chief Commercial Officer.

“HP Amplify not only makes it easier for partners to do business with HP - it provides partners with a clear path to ready their business and succeed in today’s environment and beyond – to capitalize on emerging trends and play a central role in the evolving customer buying journey,” he added.

With the introduction of HP Amplify, HP is taking decisive actions to capitalize on shifts that have seen customers buying more products and services through digital channels. By so doing, HP is arming partners for future growth and to deliver a more satisfying customer experience.

“HP and its partners have an enormous and exciting opportunity to reinvent the way we do business and our route-to-market,” said Luciana Broggi, HP’s Global Head of HP Route-to-Market.

“Yet addressing these opportunities requires overcoming system inadequacies, legacy habits and embracing new business models. We’re making this leap together, embracing and investing in important changes to our ecosystem and our shared capabilities.”

Designed to enable progressive go-to-market strategies that cater to a combination of transactional, contractual and hybrid selling models, HP Amplify focuses on three core pillars: performance, capabilities and collaboration.

HP Amplify features an innovative measurement and reward system that accounts for the many strategic efforts partners employ throughout the holistic sales process, from registration volume to average sales value and account retention.

HP Amplify also measures rewards based on new capabilities, including investing in and improving digital skills, service delivery capabilities, e-commerce/omnichannel experiences and secure data collaboration.

HP will collaborate closely with partners to hone their digital skills, such as automated quotes and ordering, to provide a more consistent customer experience across multiple channels and equip partners with valuable research on the most important pain points in the customer journey.

Armed with this added opt-in customer intelligence, partners will have more of a competitive edge, with the intrinsic ability to anticipate and enable more positive customer outcomes. As a result, partners will be able to serve customers more seamlessly through automated inventory updates, product returns and holistic data intelligence.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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NLNG denies allegation in $1.05bn dividend account - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The management of the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has denied allegation of illegal withdrawal of US$1.05billion from NNPC’s (NLNG) dividend account, reports ITREALMS.

Speaking through its General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Eyono Fatayi-Williams, NLNG in a press statement available to ITREALMS, denied the allegations that the news making a round that House of Representatives were investigating an alleged illegal withdrawn is false.

NLNG also noted that although its Managing Director/CEO Tony Attah and the GMD, NNPC, Mele Kyari are signatories to this account, they have not been involved in any way in money laundering and "squandering".

Part of the press statement read:

"For the purpose of clarity, NLNG wishes to state that the company, as a private limited liability company, duly pays dividends to its shareholders and continues to conduct its business in full compliance with regulations and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"NLNG strictly follows extant protocols in the payment of dividends as value generated from the business and ensures that the process concerning payment of dividends to its shareholders is transparent and in full compliance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"Expectedly, NLNG’s involvement in the process ends with the payment of such dividend. The governance and controls around the Company's finances also makes the allegations against the Managing Director and the GMD an impossible scenario and therefore members of the public are advised to disregard the allegations as it is totally baseless and simply untrue.

"NLNG also wishes to emphasize that it continues to bring value to both its shareholders and the country, utilising best practices in the industry to monetise gas resources and contribute to the socio-economic wellbeing of the country in line with its vision of helping to build a better Nigeria."

Chuks Egbune/DoP

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Banks and risk governance - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Banks must resolve explainability and “black box” risk governance challenges to succeed with AI post-pandemic, says Economist Intelligence Unit report supported by Temenos.

The Economist Intelligence Unit report identifies data bias, “black box” risk and lack of human oversight as key concerns

AI will separate winning banks from losers, say 77% of banking executives surveyed during COVID-19; COVID-19 will intensify the use of AI, making effective governance more urgent; The Economist Intelligence Unit report identifies data bias, “black box” risk and lack of human oversight as key concerns; This independent global review consolidates findings from 25 regulatory reports to provide deep insights and guidance on the use of AI in banking.

Data bias, “black box” risk, and lack of human oversight are the main governance issues for banks using AI, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report “Overseeing AI: Governing artificial intelligence in banking”. The report is based on a review of global regulatory guidance on AI risks and governance in banking carried out by the EIU on behalf of Temenos (SIX: TEMN) (www.Temenos.com), the banking software company.

The report trends will be discussed on the webinar “Rules of the game changer – governing AI in banking” (https://bit.ly/391BsQh) on 23 July, with CWB Financial Group, TSB Bank and Temenos.

The report highlights that AI is a top priority for technology investment for banks and reveals that 77% of banking executives believe that AI will separate winning from losing banks. AI is expected to retain its importance after the pandemic as banks look to new technologies to help them adapt to changing customer needs and compete with new market entrants. The EIU report reveals that ensuring ethical, fair and well-documented AI-based decisions will be vital for banks deploying AI technology.

The EIU report highlights key governance challenges and distils regulatory guidance for banks using AI, including:

Ethics and fairness: banks must develop AI models that are ‘ethical by design’. AI use cases and decisions should be monitored and reviewed and data sources regularly evaluated to ensure that data remains representative.
Explainability and traceability: steps taken to develop AI models must be documented in order to fully explain AI-based decisions to the individuals they impact.
Data quality: bank-wide data governance standards must be established and applied to ensure data accuracy and integrity and avoid bias.
Skills: banks must ensure the right level of AI expertise across the business in order to build and maintain AI models, as well as oversee these models.


Prema Varadhan, Chief Product Architect and Head of AI, Temenos, commented: "AI is changing the face of the banking industry. It gives banks the ability to process more data in real time, and learn from customer behaviors, helping them to bring operating costs down and hyper-personalize their services. Banks are using AI to transform their customer experiences and back-office operations so ensuring that the technology is deployed ethically is more important than ever. “White box” models, like Temenos’ Explainable AI (XAI), can explain in simple human language how decisions are made and win the trust of regulators and customers alike. As the custodians of customer data and trusted advisors, banks have a responsibility to adopt transparent, explainable AI technology – those that do stand to gain the competitive advantage in the new normal.”

The EIU review cites data bias that leads to discrimination against individuals or groups of people as among the most prominent risks for banks using AI. Commenting in the EIU review, Prag Sharma, Senior Vice President, Citi Innovation Labs, said: “Bias can creep into AI models in any industry, but banks are better positioned than most types of organizations to combat it. Maximizing algorithms’ explainability helps to reduce bias.”

Pete Swabey, Editorial Director EMEA – Thought Leadership, The Economist Intelligence Unit, said: “AI is seen as a key competitive differentiator in the sector. Our new study, drawing on the guidance given by regulators around the world, highlights the key governance challenges banks must address if they are to capitalise on the AI opportunity safely and ethically.”

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Asiwaju Tinubu condoles Bishop Kukah over mother’s death - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has commiserated with the Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, over the recent passing of his mother, Madam Abashen Hauwa Kukah.

In a condolence message by his Media Office, Asiwaju Tinubu described the late Madam Kukah as a deeply religious woman who lived a blessed life.

The APC leader said: “My heartfelt sympathy and condolences to Bishop Kukah over the recent passing of his mother, Madam Abashen Hauwa Kukah, in her home in Kaduna.

“Please be consoled by the memories of the time you shared together and the fact that Mama lived a blessed life. I understand she was a deeply religious person who devoted her time to the service of God and humanity.

“Extend my commiserations to other members of the Kukah Family and all those Mama left behind. Our prayer is that Munificent God give you and all the family members strength to live without her. May He also grant Mama’s soul eternal rest.”

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COVID-19: Africa records 644,205 cases, 14,044 deaths - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

A total of 644,205 cases of coronavirus also known as COVID-19 have befell Africa with 14,044 deaths, reports ITREALMS.

This is coming as Nigeria is among top-five African countries with 73 per cent of all cases.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) made this disclosure to NaijaAgroNet on Thursday during a weekly press briefing on COVID-19.

Dr John Nkengasong, Director, Africa CDC made this known in his remarks to the media briefing said that in Africa, 54 Member States have reported 644,205 cases and 14,044 deaths.

This, he said, gives “a case fatality rate of2.2 per cent,”

In addition, he said, that there have been 334,547 recoveries.

In the past week, he also said, there was a 23 per cent increase in cases, with 119,546 new cases reported, an average of 17,078 new cases reported per day.

“Average daily new cases for previous week was 14,975,” Nkengasong said.

The top five countries accounting for 73 per cent of all cases in Africa includes South Africa: 311,049 (48 per cent), Egypt: 83,930 (13 per cent), Nigeria: 34,259 (5 per cent), Ghana 25,430 (4 per cent) and Algeria: 20,216 (3 per cent).

Chuks Egbune/DoP

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Business case for telecom tariff reduction - ITREALMS

Commentary@ITREALMS:

The news media is inundated with reports that the prices of data and telecommunication services are expected to crash 40 per cent by 2025. This, according to Dr Isa Ibrahim Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, is based on the steps taken by the Federal Government to attract huge local and foreign investments,

According to the Minister, the government has addressed two critical challenges in the telecommunications industry, particularly Right of Way (RoW) charges and infrastructural protection and development. He explained that these activities are part of the policy measures taken by the present administration to promote the digital economy and improve the living standard of the citizenry.

The goal is admirable. This explanation, however, is too simplistic. The logic is flawed, the argument untenable and the numbers won't add up This is definitely not how markets operate.

Someone would need to explain the sort of market dynamics that will make this possible because it is not clear to the uninitiated.

Granted, the reduction of RoW charges by seven states beginning with Ekiti is commendable. It would help to increase the pace and ease the cost of rollout. It is expected to equally attract new investment in broadband connectivity, boost the creation of new businesses, jobs, and thus by implication improve access to e-healthcare, digital education and electronic services in general.

But the major determinant of a tariff of any sort is the cost of operation. And the cost of operation for businesses in Nigeria is certainly not going down. Most businesses would attest to this.

For a case in point, consider a foreign exchange. The rates have been dropping faster than a hot knife through butter. And everyone knows that the bulk of telecom equipment is imported. So, the maintenance and expansion of growth are getting more expensive daily. This is a situation that is not likely to improve anytime soon.

In addition, the cost of power is rising in everywhere. The power distribution companies (Discos) are talking of increasing tariff, diesel and petroleum prices have gone up. As companies expend more resources on power, it is almost lunacy to expect prices to crash.

Take tax. The Nigerian government has increased Value Added Tax (VAT) from 5 per cent to 7.5 per cent. So, VAT has essentially gone up by 50 per cent in 2020.

The average revenue per user (ARPU), defined as the total revenue divided by the number of subscribers has been dropping every year in the last decade. ARPU is a metric that helps businesses better understand the sustainability of their operations and a possible path to profitability. In the communications sector, ARPU is dropping.

Vandalism remains a big issue. Billions are lost yearly. Monthly there are countless fibre cable cuts, thousands of generators stolen and diesel siphoned from base stations.

All these are in addition to the exigencies of running a business in a highly competitive space like telecommunications. Operators are known to be cutting cost to improve sustainability.

Yet someone expects prices to crash?

The expectation of tariff reduction is not based on any known fact. It doesn't add up. It is almost impossible to expect tariffs to drop when everything else is going up.

Yes, telecom tariff reduction is desirable. But there are things that must be done to achieve this. To provide a guide, here are five things that the government can do to actually improve the chances of sustainable tariff reduction.

First off, let the reduction in right of way charges be implemented across every state. The government at the federal and state levels must work together here. Then it would really be meaningful. Some others have suggested that there should be different tariffs for different states. This is another option worth a thought.

Then there is the issue of VAT. There is a need to reduce VAT, revert to the previous five per cent status. The truth is that ‘VAT is cake’. You can't eat it and still have it.

Furthermore, there should be special exchange rates to aid and indeed facilitate the procurement of telecom equipment. Efforts should also be made to encourage, where possible, indigenous production of some components.

The government should also provide grants to promote investments and better-quality services in underserved areas. The Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) was established precisely for this sort of things. One can only wonder about what is going in that space right now.

Generally, there is an urgent need to improve the general ease of doing business. This covers clearance at the ports, improvement in power supply and regulatory fairness, among other. Nigeria is currently ranked 131 on the World Bank's Doing Business 2020 index. It can be better!

Lower telecom tariffs are truly desirable. It would greatly benefit the consumers. It would also impact the economy, positively. But it should be a business decision and not by executive fiat.

The government needs to think holistically. Supply, demand and operating cost are near indispensable items in this discussion.

In reality, government fiat and regulation are not the ideal ways to strengthen market competition that would lead to price/tariff reduction. Indeed, it is always better to encourage market competition, create a platform for it to thrive and promote the progress made.

This is the way to go.

*Commentary by Elvis Eromosele, a Corporate Communication professional and public affairs analyst lives in Lagos.

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2nd Niger Bridge: Former MAN chairman applauds Buhari - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:
The former chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) for Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States,Chief Aloysius Azubuike Okafor, has applauded the President, General Muhammadu Buhari, retired, on the speed with which the Second Niger Bridge is being constructed, reports ITREALMS.

Chief Okafor, in a press statement available to newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra State, said, he visited the various sections of the project and was convinced that the project was being taken seriously by the Federal Government under President Buhari.

He also expressed conviction that the project would be delivered on schedule.

According to him,the project was no longer a political gimmick of the past but a reality made possible by President Buhari.

Listing the benefits of the project,Chief Okafor said it would not only decongest and reduce stress on the existing bridge but would promote business in the South East zone tremendously.

He pointed out that the quantum of movement of goods and services between the South Easterners and other parts of the country will multiply with the possibility of creating many employment for the youths.

The ex-MAN chief also commended the contractor handling the job, Julius Berger for their speed and diligence with display of sophisticated equipment which make an impressive and spectacular scenario of the site.

Speaking on the economy, Chief Okafor said the urgent approval of the revised 2020 budget would further stimulate the nations economy by giving it a soft landing over negative effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Chief Okafor pointed out that the decision of President Buhari to increase the budget was very strategic as it placed priority on provision of critical infrastructure projects that would possibly reflate the economy.

However he expressed regrets that in spite of efforts being made by the Buhari administration on power,the sector has remained comatose such that Industrialists are still groaning under the the negative effects of poor power supply and high tariff.

Ozo Nweke Ozo/Editor

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Tolulope Arotile was murdered says group, seeks independent inquiry - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

More facts may have began to emerge over the death Nigerian first-ever female combat helicopter pilot, late Flying Officer, Tolulope Sarah Arotile, reports ITREALMS.

A pan Yoruba group, Apapo O’odua Koya (AOKOYA, has demanded for an independent inquiry into the alleged murder of late flying officer, Arotile, suspecting her last altercations with top military commanders, may have fueled her death.

Tolulope was until her death on July 14, the first-ever female combat helicopter pilot in Nigeria.

AOKOYA made up of 18 Yoruba groups, in a statement on Tuesday asked the international community to investigate her death.

Also, the group said the least it expects is an independent inquiry, describing the story by the Nigerian AirForce as cock and bull story.

Arotile, who hails from Iffe in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi, was said to have died due to alleged head injuries sustained, in road traffic accident at Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base Kaduna.

According to the group: “We have very strong reasons to assume that Tolulope Arotile was murdered. We are aware she had altercations with top military commanders before her death and some hated her to a tilt for her brilliance and exploit against Boko Haram and bandits” AOKOYA said in the statement signed by its officials, Captain Abigo Oritsebugbemi (rtd) and its Middle Belt Coordinator, Akeem Meduna.

AOKOYA said the theory that Arotile died in a motor accident inside the Airforce base is a cock and bull story and it is doubtful.

“We want full investigation into this suspicious death. We find it difficult to believe the story based on the information at our disposal.

“How can she have died in a traffic accident right inside the Airforce base in Kaduna?. We have made preliminary findings and all officers who spoke to us could not understand how that could have happened. One officer, her colleague in Kaduna specifically said the case of murder was the strongest motive”, AOKOYA said. At the time of her death, she was 23, and one of the youngest fighter pilots in the world.

“There must be an independent enquiry for anyone to be convinced Tolulope Arotile was not murdered. The Fulani hegenomy hated bright officers of Southern origin. Tolu was exceptional and her brilliance was a threat to the establishment.” AOKOYA said.

The group recalled that a Yoruba Chief of Airforce, Shittu Alao was murdered in 1969s by the Fulani oligarchy adding that Dr Ademola Adetokunbo who carried out the autopsy was also murdered by the Federal authorities controlled by the Fulani. The Commandant of Nigerian Naval School, Mrs J.O Ogundana was murdered few months ago. Her body was mutilated and packed in a ‘Ghana Must Go’ bag. In the same manner, Dr Yomi Oniororo a 29 year old officer of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, (NIA) was murdered in Abuja, 2002. His body was mutilated. Dare, a senior police officer investigating the murder of Dele Giwa was also assassinated. His senior brother is the popular journalist, Prof Olatunji Dare.

“We are taking records. At the last count, some 413 Yoruba junior and senior Yoruba officers have been murdered by the Fulami oligarchy. Many of them were killed in a ‘neat job’ that looked like an accident.

Last year she completed her training in South Africa and was winged as a combat helicopter pilot.

AOKOYA said it has been reliably informed how Arotile led major onslaught against bandits and armed Islamic fundamentalist. Her sorties led to deaths of several militants and bandits.

“We have been informed that their agents and supporters in the military marked her and only succeeded in setting a trap for her”, AOKOYA said adding that her last operation was in the North Central States tagged “Operation GAMA AIKI”in Minna, Niger State where despite rockets fired at her, she succeeded in killing many bandits and fundamentalist.

“The Nigerian authorities are shedding crocodile tears on the murder of Arotile. We promise his murderers that the several cases of murder of Yoruba officers in the Army, Navy or Airforce are being compiled and at the right time when Yoruba Nation emerges, the murderers will face the full weight of the law even if it means abducting them the exact thing Israeli did after the second world war, to those who killed them in concentration camps.

Some industry watchers also aligned with the group, quoting the NAF spokesman, Air Force (NAF) spokesman Ibikunle Daramola who said “Flying Officer Arotile died on July 14, 2020 at the age of 24, when she was inadvertently hit by the reversing vehicle of an excited former classmate at the Air Force Secondary School while trying to greet her" according to Punch. 

They, therefore asked "if the driver was on 120 Kmh within the barrack to warrant a head injury? Why were they hiding the culprit, no name or any identification? Was she (Arotile) taking a walk when she was hit? She did not hear the sound of car on reverse?"

The watchers said they were not convinced with NAF story.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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Huawei: Cloud, Artificial Intelligence, 5G are already reshaping industries - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Huawei Oil & Gas Virtual Summit 2020 — exploring 'Data to Barrel' — was successfully hosted online. The summit gathered together global customers, industry partners, and thought leaders — including representatives from the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Schlumberger SIS, and the former Chief Information Officer (CIO) of French giant TOTAL — to share their experiences of helping oil and gas companies increase profits while cutting costs, creating added value through digital transformation. Key suggestions on how the industry can overcome challenges at this particular point in time, adapting to the new normal of the pandemic and post-pandemic periods, were also fully explored.

The Oil and Gas Industry Faces Upheaval: Huawei is Positioned to Help

In the first half of 2020, due to the global economic downturn amid the spread of COVID-19, international oil prices fell to a low of 30 dollars per barrel. In May, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures prices even turned negative, a historically unprecedented event. Undoubtedly, the oil and gas industry has entered an extremely difficult period and is witnessing changes, the likes of which have not been seen for over a century.

Huawei has been working hard to help oil and gas customers cope with these current challenges. David Sun, Vice President of Huawei's Enterprise Business Group and Director of the Global Energy Business Department, noted that, over the past decade, Huawei has partnered with customers in the oil and gas industry and together witnessed oil prices peak at 120 dollars per barrel, as well as fall to that low of 30 dollars. Along the way, Huawei's role has changed — and upgraded — with the support and help of oil and gas companies. Evolving from a vendor that simply provided switches, routers, and network devices, to becoming a full partner dedicated to providing digital transformation solutions, Huawei works with partners and customers alike to jointly promote the application of 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and big data in the oil and gas industry. It continues to explore new technologies and applications, where solutions to the current challenges lie.

Indeed, using elastic computing, big data analytics, AI, and cloud data centers, Huawei has already helped oil and gas customers achieve digital transformation, promoting the construction of intelligent oilfields and increasing oil and gas reserves.

Working with partners, Huawei planned and built a computing AI platform for an industry customer, to implement AI training and big data analytics. This has, in turn, led to an increase in both oil and gas reserves and in production. Indeed, solutions have been implemented in various scenarios, including artificial-lift fault diagnosis, well-logging and reservoir identification, and seismic first arrival wave identification, extracting significant value from underutilized — formerly 'useless' — data.

In the words of Dr. Mohamed Akoum from ADNOC: In an era of change for industries around the world, ADNOC continues to drive innovation and embed advanced technologies across its value chain to optimize performance, boost profitability and build resilience.

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Amotekun: Ekiti seeks traditional support, gets over 200 applications - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Ekiti State Government has solicited the support of traditional institution in the recruitment of personnel with proven integrity and character into its security network Amotekun, assuring that the recruitment process would be thorough, transparent and non-partisan.

The State Government had last week directed interested applicants between the ages of 18 and 60 years with minimum educational qualification of primary school leaving certificate to download the application form online at www.amotekun.ekitistate.gov.ng and get endorsement letter from their monarchs affirming their indigene-status.

The Chairman of the governing board of the security outfit, Mr Akin Aregbesola disclosed this on Tuesday, during an advocacy visit to traditional rulers and local government chairmen in Ekiti East, Gboyin and Ekiti South - West local government areas of the State.

Soliciting the support of traditional rulers in the recruitment process, Aregbesola explained that the traditional rulers had critical roles to play in the selection of personnel that would serve in the outfit.

According to the Chairman of the Board, the traditional rulers whom he described as the custodian of native intelligence had adequate knowledge of the people that reside in their respective domain.

Also, the Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Brig-Gen. Joe Komolafe (rtd), who spoke at the meetings, explained that the board decided to go through online application in order to guide against situations where fraudsters would capitalise on the process to swindle unsuspecting applicants, among other factors.

Brig-Gen Komolafe affirmed that the board has assented to the demand of the traditional rulers for 65 percent local content in the recruitment of personnel into the security outfit.

He noted that the traditional rulers are the ones that would recommend applicants that will serve in the organization. He stressed that the online application is free, adding that over two hundred applications were received within first 24 hours.

He said, "We decided to make the recruitment online because we got information that some people were already luring people into paying certain amount of money for them to be recruited into the security outfit.

"The online process is designed in a way that it would prevent fraudsters from compromising it. It would also guarantee that we can do background check on all applicants.

"The Governor told me that the security outfit is not established for political reason but to secure the lives and properties of the people by warding off all forms of criminality from the State."

The Corps Commandant further revealed that successful applicants would be deployed to serve in their local government of origin where they had adequate knowledge of the topography.

He used the opportunity to charge traditional leaders to be apolitical in endorsing applicants for the job but to attest to applicants who were of good reputation and vast in traditional technology.

Responding, the Chairman Traditional Council and Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi charged local government chairmen to live up to expectations by supporting local intelligence that would help in combating insecurity in the State.

The Chairman of the traditional council noted that Amotekun was mainly about intelligence gathering which he described as the bedrock for fighting crime.

Also, the Elekota of Ikota in Ekiti East local government, Oba Ajayi Fagbemi charged management of the outfit to guide against sabotage and ensure that they are discrete on strategies to be adopted on mode of operation. The monarch urged them to prioritize remuneration, discipline and supervision in its operations.

In Gboyin local government, the chairman, traditional council of the local government and Olode of Ode Ekiti, Oba Samuel Aderiye assured the board members that the traditional rulers would only recommend people of reputable characters that had been proven in the art of native technology for the job.

Also, the Chairman of the Ekiti State Chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in the State and Chairman Ekiti South West Local Government, Mr Amire Kolade, said local government chairmen were set to support the corps in achieving the essence of its establishment.

Ayo Midele/Editor
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Akpabio denies Joi Nunieh: Am avid believer of Affirmative Action - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:
The Honourable Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON said his attention been drawn to a cornucopia of false, malicious, and libellous press interviews granted by Ms. GBENE JOI NUNIEH, the erstwhile Acting Managing Director of the Interim Management Committee, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) in some news and social media platforms and a series of concerted vicious campaigns of calumny deviously orchestrated by her against his person ranging from allegation of corruption, sexual and workplace harassments, pipelines bombings, secret cult activities, abuse of office, amongst other lies peddled by her.

According to a press statement avaialble to ITREALMS endorsed by Anietie Ekong, his SA Media to the office of The Honourable Minister, Ministry Of Niger Delta Affairs, quoted Akpabio as saying that his initial attitude was to allow his lawyers and the judicial system vindicate him of the false allegations against him, but he is compelled to react to some of the wayward allegations levied against his person by Ms. Nunieh, especially the one bothering on sexual harassment.

To start with, let it be known that there is no scintilla of truth in all the allegations peddled around by Ms. Nunieh. They are simply false! The Honourable Minister did not at any time, place or circumstance make any form of sexual advances to Ms. Nunieh, not even to put himself in a position or posture suggestive of sexual advances towards Ms. Nunieh, or any female staff of his Ministry or the NDDC.

"For the records, the Honourable Minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio, is happily married and contented with his wife. Together they are blessed with children, four (4) of whom are young women. The Honourable Minister is an avid believer of the Affirmative Action and that was visible in the appointments he made as a two (2) term Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State between 2007 and 2015. Under his watch, he appointed several women into various high level positions as Chairpersons of Local Government Councils, Magistrates, Judges, Heads of Parastatals, Directors, Permanent Secretaries, and Commissioners.

He is the first Governor in Akwa Ibom State to have a female Deputy Governor, was also the first to appoint female Chief Justices of the High Court, recommended women for ministerial appointments one of whom was the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, and supported for appointment the first female Vice Chancellor of the only Federal University in the State etc. He has always championed and still champions the cause of women and young children.

Whilst the Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, the Honourable Minister summoned the political will and effrontery to stop modern day slavery in his state, where young women and children were ferried away from the State to other states in Nigeria to be used for all sorts of menial chores as house maids and most suffered unimaginable unethical trade malpractices and maltreatments. He ensured that anyone caught in that trade was severely punished. He signed the Child Rights Law to protect children, especially the girl child from stigmatization and punishment by ordeal where some were executed or banished on allegation of witchcraft. The Child Rights Law also made primary and secondary education in Akwa Ibom State free and compulsory; educating the girl child was his topmost priority.

The Honourable Minister has never hidden his admiration and respect for his wife, Mrs. Ekaete Akpabio, children and sisters, he therefore felt compelled to react to the malicious attack on his person by Ms. Nunieh bothering on allegations of sexual harassment. The Honourable Minister therefore finds the said allegation nauseating and a very cheap blackmail, for Ms. Nunieh to suggest or insinuate that he sexually harassed her, while she was the Acting Managing Director of the NDDC.

The Honourable Minister also finds it appalling that, Ms. Nunieh, never deemed it fit to report the alleged incident to the police at the earliest opportunity she had, before, during or after her tenure as the Acting Managing Director on 17th February, 2020, if indeed the allegation was true. Waiting till July 10th and 13th 2020 when the National Assembly appears to be probing some of her actions as the Acting Managing Director of the Interim Management Committee (“IMC”) exposes her motive, especially at a time when the momentum for the Forensic Audit

Investigation of the NDDC is heating up and the truth is about to be unveiled for all to see? The critical question is who is afraid of the Forensic Audit at the NDDC? Who is Afraid of the Truth?

There is no doubt that Ms. Nunieh’s attacks are both personal and sponsored. Those afraid of the truth, and who wish to bury it from seeing the light of the day, are strenuously behind Ms. Nunieh’s vicious campaign of calumny.

The Honourable Minister has a mandate from Mr. President, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR to unearth alleged looting and financial misappropriation that had gone on at the NDDC since its inception in 2001. He is committed to that mandate through the forensic audit of the NDDC and will not be deterred or distracted from that goal. The aim of this campaign of calumny is simple, get Senator Akpabio out, kill the forensic audit, and continue business as usual at the NDDC.

On the allegations of the Honourable Minister’s involvement in contract racketeering, bombing of oil pipelines, corruption/diversion of funds, the Honourable Minister has stated several times and at various fora that since his assumption of office, he has only awarded three contracts till date- the appointment of the lead forensic auditors which was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC); the emergency procurement contract for COVID-19 intervention in the Niger Delta Area which due to its urgency had his interim approval and Presidential approval in line with the Bureau of Public Procurement Act and the award of Vehicles procurement duly approved by the Bureau of Public Procurement and the Federal Executive Council but yet to be consummated. It is noteworthy, that all these contracts went through due processes.

On her allegation that the Honourable Minister directed her to change the Dollars in the NDDC’s Account; for the records, it should be noted that NDDC’s Account is domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria. Every inflow and outflow is known and traceable. NDDC gets its revenue in Dollars which is paid directly to its Treasury Single Account (TSA) with the Central Bank of Nigeria. The Dollar is then converted to Naira by the CBN and paid into the NDDC Naira Account still domiciled with the CBN upon a written application from the NDDC. It is therefore impossible for any sum of money belonging to the NDDC with the CBN including the several figures bandied around as missing to be missing.

It is important to state, that unlike in the past where the NDDC had over three hundred (300) bank accounts in different commercial banks, that practice had since changed under the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, which gave full effect to the application of the Treasury Single Account and the NDDC now has its accounts with the CBN. The Honourable Minister does not give verbal instructions to anybody, all instructions are in writing and in response to a request from the Commission.

On the allegation that the Honourable Minister directed Ms. Nunieh to remove Mr. Kaltungo, same is false. His track record marks him out as a totally detribalized politician and one of the best friends of Northern Nigeria. The Honourable Minister was informed by the NDDC management that over twenty three (23) top Management Staff, from various part of Nigeria including the Niger Delta region, who have evaded leave in the last ten (10) years or had the tendency to influence negatively the ongoing forensic audit were recommended for mandatory leave by the lead forensic auditors. They are still staff of the Commission currently receiving their monthly salaries and benefits.

The Honourable Minister has taken steps to instruct his lawyers to seek necessary redress in a Court of competent Jurisdiction on his behalf over the defamatory statements made by Ms. Nunieh.

On a final note, while encouraging all Nigerians to hold their leaders to account, he urges them to take their time to sift between the chaff and the substance before embarking on far reaching allegations, opinions and views.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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Pix: Joy Nunieh and Senator Akpabio

Relocating Tank farms, depots: NNPC gives conditions - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has advised against a swift relocation of tank farms from their current locations along Ijegun, Kirikiri areas in Lagos and other parts of the country in order to avoid a dislocation in the supply and distribution chain of petroleum products across the country, reports ITREALMS.

The corporation made the submission Wednesday at a hearing by the House of Representatives’ Ad-hoc Committee on Relocation of Tank Farms in Residential Areas of Ijegun, Kirikiri.

The NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, quoted the Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari in a press statement available to ITREALMS, as saying that NNPC was not averse to the relocation of the petroleum products tank farms and depots sited in residential areas but would rather that some time be allowed to achieve the full rehabilitation of the refineries and the completion of the Dangote Refinery to enable the nation exit fuel importation before their relocation.

The GMD who was represented by the corporation’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Umar Ajiya, told the committee that the tank farms and depots were a major artery for receiving and distributing imported petroleum products to all parts of the country and that their abrupt relocation would could trigger a crisis not only in the Downstream Sector but also in the nation’s economy in general.

“We are not opposed to the yearnings of the communities or the relocation of the tank farms and depots, but we want it to be done in phases because of the huge financial commitments by the stakeholders. If they are relocated abruptly, even the banking sector would be affected because of the loans they granted for the establishment of the depots”, the GMD stated.

Speaking earlier while inaugurating the Committee, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajiabiamila, said the Ad-hoc Committee was set up to investigate the concerns expressed by the residents in order to have a fair assessment of the situation.

Hon. Gbajiabiamila who was represented by the House Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Tobi Okechukwu, acknowledged that tank farms and depots were a critical component of the Downstream Petroleum Sector and assured that the House would look at the issue wholistically and make a decision in the public interest.

He decried the inability of the NNPC to distribute petroleum products through the pipelines due to incessant vandalism which has made products distribution by tankers over long distances a hazard to the society.

The committee was set up sequel to petitions by the residents of Ijegun, Kirikiri and others areas in Lagos State on the dangers posed by the operations of depots and tank farms to their respective communities.

The Committee is chaired by Hon. Sergius Ogun.

Chuks Egbune/DoP

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Pix: Representative of NNPC GMD and NNPC Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Umar Ajiya, exchanging pleasantries with the chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Relocation of Tank Farms and Depot from Residential Areas, Hon. Sergius Ogun (left) after the hearing at the National Assembly, Abuja… Wednesday.