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Saturday, August 15, 2020
Why SPDC appealed asset sale judgment - ITREALMS
ITREALMS:
Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has expressed disappointment over the judgement of the Rivers State High Court which affirmed the sale of interest in SPDC JV's assets in Kidney Island, reports ITREALMS.
Friday, August 14, 2020
‘Africa’s outlook is positive’ - ITREALMS
ITREALMS:
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has graciously informed potential India investors that Africa's outlook is positive, reports ITREALMS.
Africa and India, ITREALMS gathered, have a long-standing strategic partnership dating back almost 40 years since 1982.
The groundwork has been laid for Indian investors who are looking to invest in Africa.
During a recent virtual conference hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and its partners, officials called for Indo-African partnerships to go beyond government-to-government cooperation and promote private sector participation in order to accelerate Africa’s development.
The Conference on Innovative Financing Mechanisms for Doing Business with Africa took place on 30 July 2020 and attracted more than 600 participants from over 45 countries. Besides Africa and India, there were also participants from the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, representing businesses, governments, financial institutions, and business promotion agencies.
Akhilesh Mishra, India’s Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, urged the private sector to consider investing in youth and startups because those sectors have enormous potential for employment generation. He noted that, aside from the long-term funding traditionally provided as official development assistance, African countries will require more targeted short-term financing.
Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala, Acting Senior Vice President and CFO of the African Development Bank Group, highlighted business potential in Africa, noting that the continent had great prospects for investors, with a growing consumer market that Indian firms cannot afford to miss.
“The positive outlook for Africa is reinforced by the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to deepen regional integration across the continent and allow the free movement of people and trade across borders,” Tshabalala said.
Tshabalala said there was a tremendous opportunity for Indian industry to work together with the Bank in sectors such as power generation and transmission, energy, agricultural transformation, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, technology, transportation, and industrialization.
The Bank is seeking to expand the number of bankable projects in Africa and has set aside $100 million for project preparation activities in low-income countries. It is also keen to mobilize greater private sector participation in these projects from all countries, she added.
David Rasquinha, Managing Director of the Export-Import Bank of India, underscored the need to expand Indian financial inflows to Africa by expanding the Indian banking network. He said India and Africa could work together in areas such as healthcare and pharmaceuticals, the financial sector and infrastructure development.
Nana Spio-Garbrah, chief financing analyst from the African Development Bank’s syndications, co-financing and client solutions department, spoke on the Bank’s capacity to mitigate risk for foreign investors, especially during this era of COVID-19.
Spio-Garbrah also talked about the Bank’s Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG) and Partial Credit Guarantee (PCG), which has been upgraded to meet client needs better. She mentioned the Bank’s syndication services, particularly the A/B loan product, which allows B-lenders to benefit from the Bank’s Preferred Creditor Status. She also mentioned the Co-Guarantee Platform – a new cooperative of four risk mitigation providers and the African Union, which collectively pools their capacities to de-risk African projects.
Takashi Hanajiri, head of the African Development Bank’s Asia External Representation Office made a presentation on the partnership between India and the Bank, and the Bank’s COVID-19 Response Facility. Hanajiri pointed out the huge potential of the Africa Investment Forum and encouraged Indian partners to participate to find investment opportunities in Africa.
The panelists also included representatives from ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, and ABSA Bank, who introduced their financial services and products. Escorts Limited, one of India’s leading engineering companies, talked on the trilateral partnership between India, Japan, and Africa in the agriculture sector.
The conference was supported by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the African Development Bank, the Export-Import Bank of India, and other organizations.
The African Development Bank and India have a long-standing strategic partnership dating back almost 40 years to 1982, when India first joined the African Development Fund the concessional arm of the Bank Group. A year later the country became a shareholder of the African Development Bank.
The groundwork has been laid for Indian investors who are looking to invest in Africa.
During a recent virtual conference hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and its partners, officials called for Indo-African partnerships to go beyond government-to-government cooperation and promote private sector participation in order to accelerate Africa’s development.
The Conference on Innovative Financing Mechanisms for Doing Business with Africa took place on 30 July 2020 and attracted more than 600 participants from over 45 countries. Besides Africa and India, there were also participants from the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, representing businesses, governments, financial institutions, and business promotion agencies.
Akhilesh Mishra, India’s Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, urged the private sector to consider investing in youth and startups because those sectors have enormous potential for employment generation. He noted that, aside from the long-term funding traditionally provided as official development assistance, African countries will require more targeted short-term financing.
Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala, Acting Senior Vice President and CFO of the African Development Bank Group, highlighted business potential in Africa, noting that the continent had great prospects for investors, with a growing consumer market that Indian firms cannot afford to miss.
“The positive outlook for Africa is reinforced by the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to deepen regional integration across the continent and allow the free movement of people and trade across borders,” Tshabalala said.
Tshabalala said there was a tremendous opportunity for Indian industry to work together with the Bank in sectors such as power generation and transmission, energy, agricultural transformation, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, technology, transportation, and industrialization.
The Bank is seeking to expand the number of bankable projects in Africa and has set aside $100 million for project preparation activities in low-income countries. It is also keen to mobilize greater private sector participation in these projects from all countries, she added.
David Rasquinha, Managing Director of the Export-Import Bank of India, underscored the need to expand Indian financial inflows to Africa by expanding the Indian banking network. He said India and Africa could work together in areas such as healthcare and pharmaceuticals, the financial sector and infrastructure development.
Nana Spio-Garbrah, chief financing analyst from the African Development Bank’s syndications, co-financing and client solutions department, spoke on the Bank’s capacity to mitigate risk for foreign investors, especially during this era of COVID-19.
Spio-Garbrah also talked about the Bank’s Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG) and Partial Credit Guarantee (PCG), which has been upgraded to meet client needs better. She mentioned the Bank’s syndication services, particularly the A/B loan product, which allows B-lenders to benefit from the Bank’s Preferred Creditor Status. She also mentioned the Co-Guarantee Platform – a new cooperative of four risk mitigation providers and the African Union, which collectively pools their capacities to de-risk African projects.
Takashi Hanajiri, head of the African Development Bank’s Asia External Representation Office made a presentation on the partnership between India and the Bank, and the Bank’s COVID-19 Response Facility. Hanajiri pointed out the huge potential of the Africa Investment Forum and encouraged Indian partners to participate to find investment opportunities in Africa.
The panelists also included representatives from ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, and ABSA Bank, who introduced their financial services and products. Escorts Limited, one of India’s leading engineering companies, talked on the trilateral partnership between India, Japan, and Africa in the agriculture sector.
The conference was supported by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the African Development Bank, the Export-Import Bank of India, and other organizations.
The African Development Bank and India have a long-standing strategic partnership dating back almost 40 years to 1982, when India first joined the African Development Fund the concessional arm of the Bank Group. A year later the country became a shareholder of the African Development Bank.
Chuks Egbune/Editor
Matters Arising: Rivers withdrawal from NDE scheme - ITREALMS
Commentary@ITREALMS:
There are attempts by agents of the Rivers State Government to blackmail the All Progressives Congress and drag the party into a needless confrontation over the implementation of the ongoing employment scheme driven by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
We have intended to maintain a dignified silence over what we consider a misguided reaction on the part of the representative of the Rivers State Governor. We are however compelled by circumstances to react in order to clear the air and keep the record straight.
We state emphatically that while some special interest groups, including CAN, NURTW as well the Rivers State Government, to mention a few, have been drafted under the programme to ensure Rivers people benefit from the Federal Government's scheme, the APC has maintained a safe distance from its implementation.
The reason is that the APC respects the template painstakingly drawn up by the supervising Ministry which is being followed religiously across the country by all who wish to ensure that the unemployed in their midst, notably able bodied youths, widows and physically impaired persons, are given a unique opportunity to earn a little in these horrific and difficult times.
We are aware that as part of the guidelines put in place, all major groups as well as high ranking officials serving in the National Assembly or as heads of State Governments have been duly assigned slots as prescribed. What is left after the slots meant for the high and mighty who equally represent certain constituents are deducted, are reserved for the masses.
We recognize that the aim of the ongoing programme is to create a minimum of 1000 jobs in each of the 23 LGAs in Rivers State. It is not something any one, or reasonable institution should politicize. Rivers people and other Nigerians who reside in the various LGAs ought to benefit from a humane policy enunciated by the Federal Government. This is perhaps the point of departure between the APC and the PDP led Government in Rivers State.
Given our concern for the masses, we have refrained from involving ourself in the affairs of the Dr Bariko led Committee which is saddled with the responsibility of creating these much needed jobs in line with properly laid down guidelines. Although we do not intend to hold brief for the Committee, we still do not see how it strayed from its core mission.
The argument that more people are being allowed to collect forms instead of pinning down the number of beneficiaries to a specific number of slots, defeats the wild allegation made by the Rivers State Government. The truth is that the approach adopted by the Committee gives more persons who could have been excluded from the process, the opportunity to vie for the limited slots.
Those who ordinarily have no godfathers; no access to strong men; would certainly have a rare chance of placing food on their breakfast tables, where a straight jacketed arrangement proposed by the Rivers State Government as reason for its withdrawal from the scheme is not allowed to operate.
From our point of view, It is obvious that the government has a predetermined number of persons who should earn places under the scheme. Even though such a posture would be anthetical to the observance of fair play and justice, we would not oppose the idea of a parallel scheme by the Rivers State Government that is funded by taxpayers money which would give Rivers people access to jobs. The Rivers State Government should at least set a, good example for once!
In conclusion, it is our view that the State Government's position on this matter is as unrealistic as it is unscientific. It cannot control a project that it did not initiate under whatever guise. Rivers people are no slaves. They are free borns who have a right to shape their own destiny. No one born of a woman has the right to negatively tamper with their right to survive on account of preconceived political considerations.
While we commend the Federal Government for embarking on the scheme, we urge the good people of Rivers State to ignore the attempt of the Rivers State Government to politicize a process which gives them an equal to benefit from the actions and policies of a dependable administration that they voted to power at the centre.
The APC in Rivers State would remain neutral and impartial on matters like this which affect the well being of a great majority of our people. And we thank the Bariko led Committee for ensuring that the scheme which is being hailed by the needy is not hijacked by anyone for selfish and political reasons.
*Contributed by Ogbonna Nwuke, spokesman, APC, Rivers State.
We have intended to maintain a dignified silence over what we consider a misguided reaction on the part of the representative of the Rivers State Governor. We are however compelled by circumstances to react in order to clear the air and keep the record straight.
We state emphatically that while some special interest groups, including CAN, NURTW as well the Rivers State Government, to mention a few, have been drafted under the programme to ensure Rivers people benefit from the Federal Government's scheme, the APC has maintained a safe distance from its implementation.
The reason is that the APC respects the template painstakingly drawn up by the supervising Ministry which is being followed religiously across the country by all who wish to ensure that the unemployed in their midst, notably able bodied youths, widows and physically impaired persons, are given a unique opportunity to earn a little in these horrific and difficult times.
We are aware that as part of the guidelines put in place, all major groups as well as high ranking officials serving in the National Assembly or as heads of State Governments have been duly assigned slots as prescribed. What is left after the slots meant for the high and mighty who equally represent certain constituents are deducted, are reserved for the masses.
We recognize that the aim of the ongoing programme is to create a minimum of 1000 jobs in each of the 23 LGAs in Rivers State. It is not something any one, or reasonable institution should politicize. Rivers people and other Nigerians who reside in the various LGAs ought to benefit from a humane policy enunciated by the Federal Government. This is perhaps the point of departure between the APC and the PDP led Government in Rivers State.
Given our concern for the masses, we have refrained from involving ourself in the affairs of the Dr Bariko led Committee which is saddled with the responsibility of creating these much needed jobs in line with properly laid down guidelines. Although we do not intend to hold brief for the Committee, we still do not see how it strayed from its core mission.
The argument that more people are being allowed to collect forms instead of pinning down the number of beneficiaries to a specific number of slots, defeats the wild allegation made by the Rivers State Government. The truth is that the approach adopted by the Committee gives more persons who could have been excluded from the process, the opportunity to vie for the limited slots.
Those who ordinarily have no godfathers; no access to strong men; would certainly have a rare chance of placing food on their breakfast tables, where a straight jacketed arrangement proposed by the Rivers State Government as reason for its withdrawal from the scheme is not allowed to operate.
From our point of view, It is obvious that the government has a predetermined number of persons who should earn places under the scheme. Even though such a posture would be anthetical to the observance of fair play and justice, we would not oppose the idea of a parallel scheme by the Rivers State Government that is funded by taxpayers money which would give Rivers people access to jobs. The Rivers State Government should at least set a, good example for once!
In conclusion, it is our view that the State Government's position on this matter is as unrealistic as it is unscientific. It cannot control a project that it did not initiate under whatever guise. Rivers people are no slaves. They are free borns who have a right to shape their own destiny. No one born of a woman has the right to negatively tamper with their right to survive on account of preconceived political considerations.
While we commend the Federal Government for embarking on the scheme, we urge the good people of Rivers State to ignore the attempt of the Rivers State Government to politicize a process which gives them an equal to benefit from the actions and policies of a dependable administration that they voted to power at the centre.
The APC in Rivers State would remain neutral and impartial on matters like this which affect the well being of a great majority of our people. And we thank the Bariko led Committee for ensuring that the scheme which is being hailed by the needy is not hijacked by anyone for selfish and political reasons.
*Contributed by Ogbonna Nwuke, spokesman, APC, Rivers State.
IYD2020: Leaders agree on need to awaken entrepreneural spirit of young Africans - ITREALMS
The African Development Bank (AfDB) joined a number of development leaders in calling for greater support of youth entrepreneurship during a virtual event organized by the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which coincided with International Youth Day (IYD2020), reports ITREALMS.
The event which held on Wednesday 12 August, 2020, witnessed the Bank’s Acting Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development, Wambui Gichuri, a featured speaker.
For Gichuri, “Africa is young, and we need to do whatever it takes to empower our youth because they are the future of the continent. Entrepreneurship is an essential part in addressing Africa’s employment challenge and where we need to put our focus.”
The webinar, themed Investing in Africa’s Future: Youth Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship, invited a range of private and public sector representatives to discuss the challenges young African entrepreneurs face, and more broadly the continent’s economic future, in light of the ongoing pandemic. The event was part of an ongoing series the Foundation has been hosting.
The population of Africans aged 18-35 is expected to hit 830 million people by 2050, creating a youth bulge which experts predict could create a corps of young workers to fuel the continent’s long-term economic growth, but also poses immense job-creation challenges.
“Africa is the epicenter for the economic devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now is the time to come together and rethink and reimagine our commitment to young African entrepreneurs,” said Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, the Foundation’s CEO and panel moderator. “Investing in our future means awaking the entrepreneurial spirit of every young person on the continent.”
Also on the panel was 22-year-old Leroy Mwasaru, founder of Greenpact, a Kenyan alternative renewable energy startup. An alumni of the Elumelu Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Program, Mwasaru expressed a desire to see greater communication and sharing of lessons learned among small and medium enterprises.
The Entrepreneurship Program, which offers job skills, mentoring and funding to African entrepreneurs, in 2019 agreed a partnership with the Bank, which has provided $5 million in seed capital for the initiative. The Bank’s Director of Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development, also on the panel, praised the role of such partnerships in creating jobs on the continent:
“The Bank’s investment enabled the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship program to scale up and reach an additional 1,000 entrepreneurs in 38 African countries,” said Director Martha Phiri. “Let us give skills to our youth and also provide them with the necessary support to prove their business concepts, so that they can start, grow and scale their businesses in order to create jobs – not just for themselves, but for others.”
Phiri also mentioned the Bank’s AfricaVsVirus ideathon, which will provide training, mentoring and investment opportunities to African youth who developed the most promising solutions to address COVID-19 pandemic related challenges.
Joining Gichuri, Phiri and Mwasaru on the panel were: Shoroke Zedan, Chairperson, World Skills Egypt; Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, Founder of Wecyclers Nigeria and Ebube Emodi, Tony Elumelu Foundation Events Manager and Executive Associate.
Nenye Dom/Editor
For Gichuri, “Africa is young, and we need to do whatever it takes to empower our youth because they are the future of the continent. Entrepreneurship is an essential part in addressing Africa’s employment challenge and where we need to put our focus.”
The webinar, themed Investing in Africa’s Future: Youth Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship, invited a range of private and public sector representatives to discuss the challenges young African entrepreneurs face, and more broadly the continent’s economic future, in light of the ongoing pandemic. The event was part of an ongoing series the Foundation has been hosting.
The population of Africans aged 18-35 is expected to hit 830 million people by 2050, creating a youth bulge which experts predict could create a corps of young workers to fuel the continent’s long-term economic growth, but also poses immense job-creation challenges.
“Africa is the epicenter for the economic devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now is the time to come together and rethink and reimagine our commitment to young African entrepreneurs,” said Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, the Foundation’s CEO and panel moderator. “Investing in our future means awaking the entrepreneurial spirit of every young person on the continent.”
Also on the panel was 22-year-old Leroy Mwasaru, founder of Greenpact, a Kenyan alternative renewable energy startup. An alumni of the Elumelu Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Program, Mwasaru expressed a desire to see greater communication and sharing of lessons learned among small and medium enterprises.
The Entrepreneurship Program, which offers job skills, mentoring and funding to African entrepreneurs, in 2019 agreed a partnership with the Bank, which has provided $5 million in seed capital for the initiative. The Bank’s Director of Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development, also on the panel, praised the role of such partnerships in creating jobs on the continent:
“The Bank’s investment enabled the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship program to scale up and reach an additional 1,000 entrepreneurs in 38 African countries,” said Director Martha Phiri. “Let us give skills to our youth and also provide them with the necessary support to prove their business concepts, so that they can start, grow and scale their businesses in order to create jobs – not just for themselves, but for others.”
Phiri also mentioned the Bank’s AfricaVsVirus ideathon, which will provide training, mentoring and investment opportunities to African youth who developed the most promising solutions to address COVID-19 pandemic related challenges.
Joining Gichuri, Phiri and Mwasaru on the panel were: Shoroke Zedan, Chairperson, World Skills Egypt; Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, Founder of Wecyclers Nigeria and Ebube Emodi, Tony Elumelu Foundation Events Manager and Executive Associate.
Walter Carrington a true diplomat says Fayemi - ITREALMS
ITREALMS:
Dr Fayemi said Carrington diligently served humanity in his lifetime using the instrumentalities of law, academia and diplomacy in his home country and other parts of the world where he worked.
The Governor said the history of restoration of democracy in Nigeria will not be complete without a worthy mention of Carrington's courageous interventions during the period of military dictatorship.
Fayemi described Carrington as a towering figure in the struggle for democracy in Nigeria because of his courage, tact and commitment to its enthronement.
He hailed the deceased for giving the human rights and pro-democracy movement necessary moral support to ensure the return of civil rule to Africa's most populous country.
Fayemi credited Carrington with solving some problems encountered by the pro-democracy movement in the course of freeing Nigerians from the jackboots of the then ruling military junta.
According to him, Carrington was on the side of Nigerians and stood by the truth doing so at the risk of his life during the most brutal military dictatorship in the country.
The Governor said Carrington used his position as a diplomat representing the interests of a front line democracy in the world to clamour for respect for human rights, free speech, independent press and restoration of constitutional order in Nigeria.
Fayemi said his engagements as a pro-democracy campaigner gave him an insight into how much the late diplomat loved Nigeria hence his passion to ensure full entrenchment of democratic rule.
He noted that Carrington, years after his diplomatic service in Nigeria, was still interested in developments in the country and stayed connected to the friends he made till he breathed his last at a very ripe old age.
The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has extolled the virtues of a former United States of America Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Walter Carrington, who passed on Tuesday, aged 90 years old, reports ITREALMS.
Dr Fayemi said Carrington diligently served humanity in his lifetime using the instrumentalities of law, academia and diplomacy in his home country and other parts of the world where he worked.
The Governor said the history of restoration of democracy in Nigeria will not be complete without a worthy mention of Carrington's courageous interventions during the period of military dictatorship.
Fayemi described Carrington as a towering figure in the struggle for democracy in Nigeria because of his courage, tact and commitment to its enthronement.
He hailed the deceased for giving the human rights and pro-democracy movement necessary moral support to ensure the return of civil rule to Africa's most populous country.
Fayemi credited Carrington with solving some problems encountered by the pro-democracy movement in the course of freeing Nigerians from the jackboots of the then ruling military junta.
According to him, Carrington was on the side of Nigerians and stood by the truth doing so at the risk of his life during the most brutal military dictatorship in the country.
The Governor said Carrington used his position as a diplomat representing the interests of a front line democracy in the world to clamour for respect for human rights, free speech, independent press and restoration of constitutional order in Nigeria.
Fayemi said his engagements as a pro-democracy campaigner gave him an insight into how much the late diplomat loved Nigeria hence his passion to ensure full entrenchment of democratic rule.
He noted that Carrington, years after his diplomatic service in Nigeria, was still interested in developments in the country and stayed connected to the friends he made till he breathed his last at a very ripe old age.
Thursday, August 13, 2020
UNILAG crisis deepens: Senaate rejects removal of Ogundipe, demands fair hearing - ITREALMS
The Senate of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Thursday rejected the removal of Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe as the Vice Chancellor by the Governing Council, reports ITREALMS.
The council chaired by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Wale Babalakin, had Wednesday in Abuja voted to sack Ogundipe as VC of UNILAG on allegation of gross misconduct and acts of corruption.
In a twist, a meeting held on Thursday by 88 members and anchored by Prof Chioma Ago, a former Dean of the Faculty of Law, the institution’s Senate said the removal of Ogundipe was against UNILAG’s regulation, insisting that the Council’s removal of Ogundipe without the opportunity to defend himself lacks merit, just as they refused the
They also protested against the appointment of Prof Omololu Soyombo as Acting Vice Chancellor of UNILAG.
ALSO READ: UNILAG council insists Prof. Ogundipe remain sacked
As said by Ago, “Part of the condition for the removal of a Vice Chancellor is that a joint committee of the Senate and Governing Council must sit and investigate with three representatives from each side but the Senate was never represented, the Senate was never consulted, the Senate never knew the allegations against their member.
“The removal of Prof Ogundipe did not follow the Act establishing the university. He was not given fair hearing and the opportunity to defend himself.
“The Senate, therefore, rejects the removal of Prof Ogundipe and the appointment of an Acting VC,” a member, who attended the meeting, had said.
*Uj. N. Dominic/Editor with additional report from SaharaReporters.
MRA condemns N5m fine on Nigeria Info 99.3FM - ITREALMS
The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has condemned the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for imposing a N5 million fine on a radio station, Nigeria Info 99.3FM, for allegedly broadcasting “hate speech” over what the Commission termed the unprofessional conduct of the station in the handling of the programme, “Morning Cross Fire”, aired on August 10, 2020, reports ITREALMS.
MRA said in a statement issued in Lagos and signed by its Programme Director, Mr. Ayode Longe: “We are seriously concerned by this latest development in Nigeria of a supposed media regulatory body taking the country down a dangerous path of official censorship by constituting itself into a legislature making criminal law and acting at the same time as an accuser, a prosecutor and the judge in its own cause. This situation is an affront to the rules of natural justice.”
The organization noted that only a week ago, on August 4, 2020, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced at the unveiling of the revised Nigerian Broadcasting Code that the Federal Government had increased the fine for hate speech from N500,000 to N5 million and a few days later, the NBC is already abusing the provision to censor a media organization without due process for a broadcast that cannot be defined as hate speech under any circumstance.
MRA said in a statement issued in Lagos and signed by its Programme Director, Mr. Ayode Longe: “We are seriously concerned by this latest development in Nigeria of a supposed media regulatory body taking the country down a dangerous path of official censorship by constituting itself into a legislature making criminal law and acting at the same time as an accuser, a prosecutor and the judge in its own cause. This situation is an affront to the rules of natural justice.”
The organization noted that only a week ago, on August 4, 2020, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced at the unveiling of the revised Nigerian Broadcasting Code that the Federal Government had increased the fine for hate speech from N500,000 to N5 million and a few days later, the NBC is already abusing the provision to censor a media organization without due process for a broadcast that cannot be defined as hate speech under any circumstance.
Mr. Longe said: “We are aware that the NBC is empowered to make regulations for the conduct and operations of broadcast stations in Nigeria, but it cannot usurp the legislative powers of National Assembly, the prosecutorial powers of the executive and the judicial powers of the courts by making laws, interpreting the laws, imposing punishment and executing its judgment as it has done in this case. Such action is obscene and offensive, particularly in a democracy.”
MRA noted that it was appalling that in its haste, apparently to do the bidding of the Minister of Information and punish Nigeria Info 99.3FM, the NBC disregarded the due process provisions in its own regulations and rushed to judgment without conducting any investigation or awaiting the outcome of investigations by any other law enforcement or security agency or giving the radio station adequate time and opportunity to defend itself against the absurd charge of hate speech in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution.
The group, therefore, called on NBC to rescind its decision, saying it would only subject itself to public and international ridicule by failing to do so and trigger a wave of global condemnation of Nigeria that the country can ill-afford.
Africa Energy Forum 2020, partner AU Week, PowerGen, others - ITREALMS
ITREALMS:
The Africa Energy Forum 2020 is partnering with the African Utility Week & POWERGEN Africa and Oil & Gas Council’s Africa Assembly to host Digital Energy Festival for Africa, reports ITREALMS.
The event will take place online from 20th October – 26th November 2020. The digital platform will allow attendees to access content and networking offerings across all three market leading events with one point of entry, making it the largest ever energy event for the African continent marketed to a combined energy database of over 200,000.
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Following the impact of the pandemic on the energy sector in Africa, the event will seek to address critical issues such as pivoting to digital, new financial models and innovative power generation sources to allow attendees to make decisions and formulate recovery plans.
Under the theme ‘The 5th Industrial Revolution,’ the Africa Energy Forum agenda will look ahead to the digitalisation of the energy sector.
Managing Director of EnergyNet Simon Gosling commented; “The impact of Covid-19 has clearly magnified the need to be able to deliver energy in times of crises. The 5th Industrial Revolution theme will explore the relationship between energy and technology with purpose and inclusivity, seeking to understand how technological innovation can work hand in hand with humans to enhance energy security, sustainability and energy access in a post-covid future. We want to help our community harness this potential so the continent doesn’t just recover, it recovers better.”
Over 10,000 attendees are expected to register for the Africa Digital Energy Festival, which will employ AI technology to match attendees with relevant content and networking opportunities allowing for a personalised event experience over the four-week period.
As well as over 120 programme experiences the event will also feature an online marketplace of products hosted by sponsors and exhibitors.
Under the theme ‘The 5th Industrial Revolution,’ the Africa Energy Forum agenda will look ahead to the digitalisation of the energy sector.
Managing Director of EnergyNet Simon Gosling commented; “The impact of Covid-19 has clearly magnified the need to be able to deliver energy in times of crises. The 5th Industrial Revolution theme will explore the relationship between energy and technology with purpose and inclusivity, seeking to understand how technological innovation can work hand in hand with humans to enhance energy security, sustainability and energy access in a post-covid future. We want to help our community harness this potential so the continent doesn’t just recover, it recovers better.”
Over 10,000 attendees are expected to register for the Africa Digital Energy Festival, which will employ AI technology to match attendees with relevant content and networking opportunities allowing for a personalised event experience over the four-week period.
As well as over 120 programme experiences the event will also feature an online marketplace of products hosted by sponsors and exhibitors.
Nenye Dom/Editor
Anambra frowns on defiance to COVID-19 protocols - ITREALMS
The Anambra State government has frowned over the defiance to COVID-19 protocols by the citizens of the state, reports ITREALMS.
Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment, Mr. C. Don Adinuba lamented that certain individuals and groups in Anambra State have been going about their businesses in defiance of the directives, guidelines and the relevant law on the prevention of the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state.
"They neither wash their hands regularly for up to 20 seconds with water and soap nor observe social distancing of two metres. They do not apply sanitisers. They do not wear face coverings; when they do, the face masks cover only their jaws or their chins whereas face masks are meant to cover the mouth and nostrils because these are critical orifices through which the virus enters the human body. Worse, some of our people have begun to conduct burials and funerals as well as title taking ceremonies with pomp and pageantry, and in the process attract huge crowds.
"The State Government views this development with the seriousness it deserves because of the enormous implications for the health of our people. Consequently, Governor Willie Obiano has just issued a proclamation on the mandatory observance of COVID-19 protocols in Anambra State. Anyone who fails to comply with the protocols will be prosecuted at any of the Mobile Courts set up to try offenders.
"Presidents General of Town Unions, Traditional Rulers, Chairmen and Members of Local Government Transition Committees, Market Leaders, Officers of various Unions and Associations as well as Religious Leaders are enjoined to ensure that their followers comply strictly with the directives, guidelines and law on fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Any Town Union President General or Igwe or Local Government Transition Committee Chairman who allows a ceremony which attracts a crowd of more than 30 persons will be charged with dereliction of duty and sanctioned appropriately.
"The Anambra State Government wishes to thank all individuals, groups, organisations and communities that have gone beyond the call of duty to mobilise their people in the fight against coronavirus. We thank in particular the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, who is also Obi of Onitsha, for his extraordinary commitment and devotion. Agbogidi has demonstrated inspiring leadership in this battle and has as a result challenged all the leaders of our dear state in various endeavours to do more for our people.
"Together the people of Anambra State will win the war against COVID-19," he said.
Ozo Nweke Ozo/Editor
UNILAG council insists Prof. Ogundipe remain sacked - ITREALMS
The Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Oladejo Azeez, Esquire, has reiterated that the former Vice Chancellor of the school, Prof. Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, remain sacked, reports ITREALMS.
This is coming as the council has appointed Professor Theophilus Omololu Soyombo of the Faculty of Social Sciences in the university as the Vice Chancellor in an acting capacity.
"The council duly appointed Professor Theophilus Omololu Soyombo," Oladejo declared.
ALSO READ: Fresh facts: Why Prof. Ogundipe, UNILAG VC was sac...
The letter, he said, purports to deny his removal by the Governing Council of University at its Emergency Meeting of Wednesday, August 12, 2020.
According to the registrar, for the avoidance of doubt, "I am in my capacity as Registrar and Secretary to Council the only custodian of the minutes of Council and the authorizing officer on behalf of Council to issue official statements pertaining to all Council Affairs."
Oladejo maintained that the position of the council remains that he (Prof. Ogundipe) was lawfully removed by the Governing Council at a meeting fully attended by all Council members.
He also advised the public to totally disregard the statement attributed to the said former Vice Chancellor.
"I also wish to use the opportunity to inform members of the public that Council at the said meeting duly appointed Professor Theophilus Omololu Soyombo," he insisted.
Uj. N. Dominic/Editor
Social Investment: Shell's tool for empowering people, communities - ITREALMS
In the face of current COVID-19 pandemic, investment in people starting with intervention in the health sector among others, remain an utmost desire to empower a people in a society like Nigeria, writes REMMY NWEKE.
Prelude:
One thing that resonate very aptly throughout the lockdown and still much around due to the CoronaVirus also known as COVID-19 pandemic, is lack of adequate social investment in our polity, especially health, which buttresses the long old adage that ‘health is wealth.Thus a social investment has been defined as investing in the people. This also means policies designed to strengthen people's skills and capacities and support them to participate fully in employment and social life, with improved well-being.
According to the European Commission (EC), some key policy areas capable of bolstering social investment include education, quality childcare, healthcare, training, job-search assistance and rehabilitation.
Why invest $40m?
So, it was heartwarming to learnt that upto till 2019, Shell's Nigerian businesses comprising Shell Petroleum Development Corporation (SDPC, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) and Shell Nigeria Gas Limited (SNG) as well as the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited; invested the sum of $40 million, about N15,474,280,000.00.ITREALMS gathered that in 2019, for instance, Shell cumulatively made direct social investments of $40m in Nigeria, which industry observers said, made the country the largest concentration of social investment spending in the Shell Group. These investments were divided into five, namely the access to affordable healthcare, supporting education, enterprise support, accelerating access to energy, and assistance and safety.
WhatsUp with SCiN:
In this direct social investment of 2019 by SPDC JV, SNEPCo & SNG, precisely the community-driven programmes since 2006 is now worth $252 million; some 667,000 mobile health outreach beneficiaries since inception and some 6,000 University Grants since 2011 (SCiN).According to the Nigeria briefing notes update on activities and programmes available to ITREALMS, undertaken by several Nigerian companies either wholly-owned by Shell or in which Shell has an interest, together are referred to as the Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN). Four of these come to mind, namely SPDC - a wholly-owned Shell subsidiary, which operates an unincorporated joint venture (SPDC JV) in which SPDC holds a 30 per cent interest. There also are two other wholly-owned Shell subsidiaries through SNEPCo and SNG. While NLNG is an incorporated joint venture in which Shell has a 25.6 per cent interest.
Sources at SCiN revealed they have invested in healthcare and education initiatives in Nigeria for decades and continued to support a range of programmes. For instance, the companies under SCiN undertook two types of social investment activities; namely the direct social investment across Nigeria, which focuses on community and enterprise development, education, community health, access-to-energy, road safety and since 2018, biodiversity.
49 active GMoUs:
In addition, SCiN invested on community-driven development programmes and initiatives in the Niger Delta, which focus on various themes as determined by benefitting communities and delivered through a Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU), which currently stood at 39 active GMoUs across Abia, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers States. And in 2019, three new GMoUs were deployed and 10 GMoUs renewed.The GMoUs, ITREALMS learnt, provide a secure five-year funding for communities to implement development projects of their choice. GMoU projects cover community health, education, enterprise development and social infrastructure, such as improved water and power supply, and sanitation. Since 2006, a total of $252 million has been disbursed to communities through these GMoUs. Noteworthy is that since 2010, over 27,000 babies were delivered safely at Obio Cottage Hospital in Port Harcourt, and the Community Health Insurance Scheme was launched in 2010 at the Obio Cottage Hospital, a secondary health care centre in Port Harcourt.
Affordable healthcare:
Affordable quality healthcare is a critical enabler to any community, thereby improves health indicators, outcomes and strengthens families, educational attainment and business opportunities. Hence, Shell has supported community health programmes in Nigeria since the 1980s with equipment and pharmaceutical donations, emergency care and screening services, hospital maintenance and focused interventions on HIV/AIDS, malaria, cancer and vision care. As at the time of filing this report by ITREALMS, Shell seeks to increase access to health services, introduce health insurance schemes and strengthen health systems.Shell says it continued to work with key stakeholders to achieve universal health coverage by increasing access to health and uptake of services in the communities, just as the SPDC JV and SNEPCo support some 20 healthcare centres and signature intervention projects throughout the country, including the Health-In-Motion community care programme, funded by SPDC JV, which is a mobile health outreach programme that takes free medical services to where people live and work with outreach to average of 50 communities annually. In 2019, HIM services benefitted 27,490 individuals in Imo, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers and Ogun States. Since its launch in 2010, more than 667,000 people have benefitted from the programme.
Community Health Insurance Scheme:
The Community Health Insurance Scheme (CHIS) is a partnership between SPDC, Rivers State Government and local communities. The programme aims to provide affordable, quality healthcare to the people of Rivers State. Launched a decade ago at Obio Cottage Hospital, a secondary health care centre, CHIS costs individuals $30 per year and covers about 95 per cent of people’s health care needs with over 67,000 people enrolled, whereas in 2019, estimated 8,500 new clients registered with an increase uptake of services.This success of Obio Cottage Hospital has expanded to three other locations, including Oloibiri paving the way for the refurbishment of the Kolo General Hospital, which was inaugurated in July 2019, to name a few, outside the CSiN investment in supporting education, enterprise support,
Shell Livewire:
Every year Shell LiveWIRE supports thousands of individuals to access the knowledge, skills, networks and resources to turn their business ideas into successful enterprises which provide a sustainable income, create jobs and drive innovation. So, the purpose of LiveWIRE remain to improve opportunities for young people to realise their potential through the creation and development of their own businesses, which are expected to contribute towards a more buoyant economy and communities with more fulfilled young people.Relief for the North East:
ITREALMS reliably gathered that since 2018, SPDC and SNEPCo have committed $6 million to the government-driven strategic intervention projects for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Yobe and Borno States. The projects focus on immediate relief and critical support development related to health, water and sanitation, education and shelter.By December 31, 2019, the SPDC JV and SNEPCo completed the distribution of food, essential hygiene kits and other relief items to over 5,500 vulnerable households in IDP camps and impacted communities. So, also, SPDC commenced project work on school reconstruction, and teacher training, upgrading of a Primary HealthCare Centre, water and toilet facilities in Yobe State.
Cheap off-grid energy:
Unarguably, despite oil and gas resources, Nigeria has one of the highest levels of energy poverty in the world. In addition to investing in nation’s gas development and distribution network, Shell has established All On to boost off-grid supply to homes and small businesses in the Niger Delta.All On, an impact investing company, became operational in 2017 and is an independent Nigerian company that works with partners to increase access to commercial energy products and services. In December 2019, Shell made a significant additional long-term financing commitment to All On.
Speaking recently, the Chief Executive Officer, All-On, Dr. Wiebe Boer, said that Nigerians deserve more reliable energy, alluding that positive change is coming with All-On already investing in some 21 off-grid energy companies and two funds, leading to 21,000 new connections for low income households and businesses, stressing that school kids could now do their homeworks, agriculture products could be processed and preserved, businesses could thrive, and hospitals as well as schools could function, pointing out that about 75 per cent of Nigerian households and small businesses are either off-grid or have poor-grid connection.
He emphasised that All-On invests in off-grid energy solutions spanning solar, wind, hydro, biomass and gas technologies that complement available grid power across Nigeria, whilst providing fund, at least for eight mini-grids with a target capacity of 900kW to be installed in various communities, which saw to working with the likes of Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Norfund and ElectriFi. Also, All On participated in the $9 million equity financing round in Arnergy which enabled Arnergy to scale operations and provide solar energy systems for 1,500 small and medium-sized enterprises.
Conclusion:
Therefore, the $40m social intervention by Shell Petroleum Development Commission, will no doubt throw up some benefits including children and young people getting early support to break the inter-generational transmission of disadvantage that come with lack of healthcare centres, and address the severe youth unemployment problems, thereby availing jobseekers to be integrated with more accessible support for finding work, such as skills development.Women, especially from the benefiting communities would be availed with improved healthcare, aside some opportunities, better access to the labour market and thus better social protection, to name a few, while offering older people more opportunities for active participation in the society and the economy, bolstered with a larger, healthier and more skilled workforce.
In the near future, this kind of social investment being leveraged by Shell as a tool for empowering people and communities where it has operations and beyond, would leave our Nigerian society with anticipated higher productivity, greater employment, better health and social inclusion, more prosperity and an increased better life for all, across the nation. So, this social intervention is ever-commendable and should be sustained.
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