28032019 - NATIONAL ASSEMBLY LEADERSHIP:All clear for Lawan; fresh crisis brews over Gbaja

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18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019 TEN years into the war against the Boko Haram Islamic insurgency group in the North East, our country might face a new phase of threats with the final defeat of the self-styled Islamic State, IS, in Baghuz, its last stand in Syria last week. The BBC recently quoted the Head of the United States military’s Central Command, General Joseph Votel, as warning of the need to maintain “a vigilant offensive against the now grossly dispersed and disaggregated IS that retains leaders, fighters, facilitators, resources and the profane ideology that fuels their efforts”. The IS at the height of its bravado under its leader, Sheikh Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, once controlled a “caliphate” spanning 88,000 square kilometres of territory in Iraq and Syria. These areas are rich in mineral (including oil) and water resources, agricultural lands and factories that Danger for Nigeria after IS defeat in Syria help to sustain the economies of both Middle Eastern countries. Nigeria has so many reasons to be nervous that the IS terrorists might want to increase their presence in the West African sub-region where it had already established links with the Abu Musab Al Barnawi faction of Boko Haram. Like the Levant in the Middle East, the Lake Chad area is also believed to be oil-rich. It certainly controls a lot of water and agricultural resources, apart from being an ancient watershed of Islam. These are factors that attract Islamists. In addition, our anti-Boko Haram war in the North East has shown serious vulnerability in recent months. As President Muhammadu Buhari prepares for a new term of office from May 29, this year, we hope he is finally ready to bring on board a new crop of military chiefs as well as a recharged agenda to neutralise whatever intentions the IS network and its local agents might have in the North East. We must send clear signals that no inch of our country will be a comfort zone for the IS, Al Qaeda and other Islamic terror groups that might be contemplating evil thoughts about our country. One sure way of fortifying our defence and security in the North East is to approach it as the international threat that it really is. The victory in Iraq and Syria would not have been possible if not for the roles played by such countries as the US, Turkey, Russia, the Kurds and, of course, the local forces in both countries. We must revive the Multi-National Joint Task Force, MNJTF, and reenlist the support of the Lake Chad countries such as Niger, Chad, Cameroon and even Mali and Burkina Faso. More importantly, the world must also send fighters and technology to ward off the virus of terror before it plants deep roots in the Sahara and the Sahel. By Akunna Sophia Ofili WITH the evolving changes emanating from climate and environmental issues in all parts of the world, man has been saddled with the responsibility of finding lasting solutions to these problems. Nigeria as the most densely populated black nation in the world has been faced with serious energy deficit which have adversely affected the growth of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs. In the quest to meet up with the increasing demands on performance and the need to maximise cost for profit, alternative local and cheap measures have always been the major energy source adopted to enhance products and services in Nigeria. Many homes and restaurants resort to the use of firewood and kerosene for cooking, especially for larger families, groups, parties, etc., mainly due to the availability, inexpensive nature of firewood and lack of access to modern cooking fuels, However, a great number of households are not aware of the health implications and hazards that are associated with cooking with firewood. Also not knowing a better alternative, many users of kerosene do not only know the health hazards which include indoor air pollution and high volatility of the product when it is adulterated, but also don’t know that kerosene is more expensive to buy. Fire wood is considered as the oldest OPINION Revolutionalisng Nigeria’s MSMEs with off grid renewable energy form of cooking energy. The vast majority of households in rural areas cook with firewood, which is known to produce various airborne toxins. Traditional open fire and stoves which are mainly fueled by fire wood and kerosene come in handy for domestic cooking and heating. The use of these methods of cooking in the rural areas has continued to dominate the region. The smoke and toxins emitted can lead to an endless list of health problems such as heart diseases, lung cancer, low birth weight, impaired vision, increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing, decreased lung function, aggravated asthma, development of chronic bronchitis, irregular heartbeat, non-fatal heart attacks andpremature death in people with heart or lung disease. This impact is larger for women and children than for men due to the known fact that they are more familiar with the harvest and usage of these dirty energy sources. The use of locally made lanterns is also a major source of concern, especially because, they provide poor visual light that result in very serious eye defect and damage. These health problems are a great threat to human existence. Hence, it is important to provide MSMEs unlimited access to clean, safe and affordable cooking options. The success of many SMEs can be linked strongly with the method of energy used to run the businesses. Availability of electricity is usually a major restriction, especially at night and as such, limits the time for business operations. Using renewable energy to power street light will boost activities during night hours. In the rural areas many SMEs still make use of locally made lanterns for illumination, especially when it is dark or at evening hours. To reduce the ongoing damage caused by the use of dirty sources, time is now to provide MSMEs increased access to clean, safe and affordable Renewable energy facilities generally require less maintenance because as the name sounds, its sources which include the sun, wind, hydro, etc., renew themselves energy options, because they are nonpollutant and non-contributor to greenhouse gas that contribute to global warming. Renewable energy plays a major role in the reduction of the health and environmental problems, experienced in most areas. Renewable energy fuels are derived from natural and available resources and this makes it easy to harness. One major advantage of renewable energy is that, it is sustainable and will not run out and this increases the efficiency of the activities of MSME. Renewable energy facilities generally require less maintenance because as the name sounds, its sources which include the sun, wind, hydro etc. renew themselves. To provide sustainable businesses that can improve the economy of Nigeria, the government and other charitable organisations should see the need to provide grants, low interest finance, tax havens and other financial options to help them run these businesses effectively. Local governments can lead by example by generating energy onsite, purchasing green power, or purchasing renewable energy. Using a combination of renewable energy options can help meet local governments’ goals, especially in some regions where availability and quality of renewable resources vary. Manufacturers and wholesalers of these products and services should endeavor to provide energy options at rates that the MSMES can afford and have confidence in. This will go a long way in encouraging their businesses, increase capacity level and curbing the health and environment hazards that have been a threat to the human existence for a long time. Educational programmes should be organized to inform and educate rural dwellers on the negative implications of using these traditional and local forms of energy. They should also be provided with ample information on the advantages of renewable energy over other forms of energy, and how it can be used to overturn their lives and businesses. •Mrs. Ofili is of the Climate Transformation and Energy Remediation Society, Abuja.
Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 28 , 2019 — 19 Economic activities on upward swing —CBN report technical By Elizabeth Adegbesan The level of economic activities in Nigeria may have returned to expansion, though marginally, in March 2019 after a dip recorded last month. Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), reporting its Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for the current month said the indicator rose to 57.4 points as against 57.1 points last month. The indicator was 58.5 points in January 2019. Similarly, the Non Manufacturing PMI grew to 58.5 percent in March from 58.4 percent in February. The report showed that out of the 31 subsectors surveyed, 25 subsectors recorded growth while four subsectors contracted. The report stated: “The Manufacturing PMI in the month of March stood at 57.4 index points, indicating expansion in the manufacturing sector for the twenty-fourth consecutive month. “The index grew at a faster rate when compared to the index in the previous month. Eleven of the 14 subsectors surveyed reported growth in the review month in the following order: cement; food, beverage & tobacco products; fabricated metal products; furniture & related products; paper products; chemical & pharmaceutical products; plastics & rubber products; electrical equipment; printing & related support activities; transportation equipment and non-metallic mineral products. The Textile, apparel, leather & footwear; Petroleum & coal products and primary metal subsectors recorded decline in the review period. “The composite PMI for the non-manufacturing sector stood at 58.5 points in March 2019, CURRENCY BUYING SELLING US DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL SDR DANISH RAND $93.80 -1.55 2,247.00 10.00 $12.59 0.0 $67.82 -0.15 $59.36 -0.58 305.95 306.45 306.95 404.5271 405.1882 405.8493 345.1422 345.7062 346.2703 307.7968 308.2998 308.8028 2.77 2.7746 2.7791 0.5075 0.5175 0.5275 425.4544 426.1497 426.845 45.4983 45.5731 45.6479 81.578 81.7113 81.8446 426.1578 426.8542 427.5507 46.2153 46.2908 46.3664 . 20.8919 20.9261 20.9602 CBN Exchange rate as at 27/03/2019 indicating expansion in the Nonmanufacturing PMI for the twenty-third consecutive month. The index grew at a faster rate when compared to that in February 2019. “Fourteen of the 17 surveyed subsectors recorded growth in the following order: utilities; health care & social assistance; agriculture; information & communication; real estate, rental & leasing; repair, maintenance/ washing of motor vehicles; construction; educational services; wholesale trade; finance & insurance; electricity, gas, steam & air conditioning supply; professional, scientific, & services; accommodation & food services and water supply, sewage & waste management. The transportation & warehousing remained unchanged while management of companies and arts, entertainment & recreation declined.” From left, Bukola Oluyadi, Head, Enterprise Transformation, Ebun Alozie, MD/CEO, Care Organisation Public Enlightenment, COPE, Cancer-focussed NGO, Kehinde Gbelee, VP, COPE, Bola Adesanoye, Head, Sustainability & Tutu Aliu and Head, Corporate Banking (Oil & Gas) at the presentation of Prosthetic breast, bras and books to cancer survivors by Polaris Bank in Lagos . VAT: MAN urges FG to harmonize taxes, levies to attract more investment By Naomi Uzor The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, yesterday, advised the Federal Government to harmonize taxes/levies/fees payable by businesses in the country so as to attract more investments that would translate to higher productivity and more tax revenue for the government in the medium and long term. The Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, in a statement referencing hints on the possible increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) rate by the federal government of Nigeria, said on economic front, Nigeria should ideally be compared with the emerging economies and not just any country in Africa, adding, therefore, that comparative economic policies should be predicated on what obtains in this economic frontier. He noted that in terms of misery index rating, low per capita income, heavily lopsided income distribution pattern, the Nigerian economy will be in a more vulnerable state if VAT is increased. He stated: “No controversy, the burden of the tax would be shifted to the Nigerian consumers that are already struggling, the economy would certainly experience demand crunch, inventory of unsold items would soar, profitability of manufacturing concerns would be negatively impacted, many factories will witness serious downturn or wind down operations.” According to him, this would also worsen the already high unemployment position of the country which is above 23 per cent as Nigerians currently employed by manufacturing concerns and other businesses may join the army of unemployed and further bloat the unemployment rate in the country. El-Rufai, Enelamah open Kaduna International Trade Fair tomorrow By Naomi Uzor The Kaduna Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA) has disclosed that the Governor of Kaduna state, Malam Nasir El-Rufai and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah are amongst the special guests to declare the 40th anniversary of the Kaduna International Trade Fair open tomorrow. A statement by the Director General, KADCCIMA, Mal. Usman Saulawa, said dignitaries also expected to be at the opening ceremony includes other governors and ministers as well as members of the diplomatic community in Nigeria. Saulawa said the theme for this year’s edition, ‘Consolidating Interface between Industry and Agriculture for Sustainable Economic Development’, was deliberately chosen to compliment the efforts of the government in its attempt to promote Agriculture and Industrial development for the socio economic transformation of the nation. The fair will hold at the Kaduna International Trade and Investment Centre, from Friday 29th March to Sunday 7th April 2019 and the official African Prudential diversifies income base to boost stakeholders’ value By Peter Egwuatu African Prudential Plc has disclosed that it has diversified its income stream in order to boost stakeholders’ value. Speaking at the African Prudential Plc Annual General Meeting, AGM in Lagos, the Chairman of the Company, Chief (Mrs) Eniola Fadayomi said: “ Despite the challenging operating environment in 2018, our Company ended the year with an impressive performance. The company recorded a turnover of N4.485 billion, a growth of 35 percent over the previous fiscal financial year and a profit before tax of N2.39 billion which represents an increase of 16 percent over the previous year. As a result of the impressive performance and in line with our dividend policy, the Board is pleased to recommend for your approval 50 kobo per ordinary share.” Continuing she said” The Company continued to improve on the quality of its core business of registrar services through deployment of its Greenpole software and a range of other value adding products and services to facilitate the ease of its clients in carrying out transactions on their share accounts. These include, E- Accredit for accreditation of meeting attendees, the Personal Register USSD 4018# which enables shareholders to make routine share enquiries using their mobile phones, e dividend which allows direct crediting of investors’ bank accounts, e -Offer etc.” She further said:” In a conscious effort to diversify its income base and insulate the Company from uncertainties and risks of depending on a single line if business income, the Company took measured steps to grow its business solution segment. In view of the disruptive effects of new technologies and fast tempo transition to digital economy, the Company also took strategic measures aggressively developing new business segments covering innovative e- business solution, e-commerce etc. opening will be held on Saturday 30th March 2019. “This year, apart from the local participants, we have companies from countries like India, Pakistan, Cameroon, Egypt, China, Iran, Niger Republic and Bangladesh that have indicated their interests to participate at the Fair. Apart from the traditional flagship events that we use to organise during our Trade Fair such as Quiz competition for Senior Secondary School Students, Trade Far Seminar, Business Roundtable, there are other activities that will be organised to mark the 40th Anniversary of our Trade Fair” he disclosed.
Page 1 and 2: C M Y K OLU FASAN STATE OF THE NATI
Page 3 and 4: C M Y K Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 2
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Page 7 and 8: Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019
Page 17: Re: The judiciary: Matters arising
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Page 45 and 46: By Elizabeth Adegbesan THE Naira, y
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28032019 - NATIONAL ASSEMBLY LEADERSHIP:All clear for Lawan; fresh crisis brews over Gbaja

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