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18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021 THE recent announcement by Jack Dorsey, the CEO of tech giant Twitter, that it will hire its first crop of staff on the African continent in Ghana has, expectedly, set the social media and concerned Nigerians abuzz and melancholic. We have lost yet another opportunity to show that our country In taking this decision, Twitter is still matters in the considerations of following a similar drift earlier taken foreign direct investors. by its peer, Facebook. In June 2015, The implication of Dorsey’s Facebook had chosen Johannesburg, announcement, analysts say, is that South Africa, to site its African Twitter will imminently plant its Africa headquarters to oversee its 120 headquarters in Ghana. Twitters’ million (then) subscribers on the decision was not a knee-jerk one. It continent. is a product of careful consideration The clear conclusion to be drawn of factors. In 2019, Dorsey toured from the choices made by these tech Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia and South superpowers is that when it comes to Africa because he was led by decision making, high tech investors unfolding trends to believe that Africa do not necessarily put population or “will define the future”. What Twitter even the size of an economy first. If is about to do is an affirmation of its they did, Nigeria would most certainly belief that Ghana is among the nations win the race as the hub of big tech in that will define the future. Africa. Nigeria, with about 206 Twitter avoids Nigeria, goes to Ghana! million people and still retaining its first position as the largest economy in Africa, dwarfs the rest. In terms of Facebook users on the continent, Nigeria had 31 million subscribers in 2020, compared to Ghana (7.9m); South Africa (24.6m) and Algeria (25m). Internet World Statistics reported in March 2017 that in the top ten Twitter subscriber base in Africa, Nigeria dwarfed the others with 93.5m, compared to Ghana (7.9); South Africa (28.6m) and our closest rival, Egypt (34.8m). Twitter said its choice of Ghana was because the country supports free speech and online freedom. It also already harbours the headquarters of the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, another big loss to Nigeria. In effect, all these chances eluding our country in spite of our hype as the “giant of Africa” simply means that Nigeria’s size does not matter. What matters more is national character which is very much in deficit. Nigerian lawmakers must do away with primitive laws that abnegate the citizenry and make government to loom too large in our daily lives. For Nigeria to recover its economic relevance in Africa, we must rediscover progressive governance. We must also ensure that basic things like power and water supply, education, health, security, infrastructure, law and order and social justice are entrenched. We must pull back from this path of failure. OPINION Dealing with insecurity the el-Rufai way By SUNDAY ONYEMAECHI EZE EVEN the deaf can hear the rhythm of the prevailing chaos in the country. One could feel the heavy hands of the grave danger. There are no pretences about it. Internal peace and security of lives have departed. Lives are snuffed out of citizens day-in, day-out with impunity by criminal elements and unknown gunmen. In today’s Nigeria, life and living has no meaning! Banditry, kidnapping and Boko Haram insurgency have held sway for too long. There is growing threat of hunger arising from mounting challenges confronting farmers. What about the increasing sense of collective despair and despondency among the populace. The people no longer trust their government. In fact, government’s inability to crush security threats, despite saying so, has fuelled suspicion in some quarters that either people in government or their allies are behind the carnage. Centrifugal forces like the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB; the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, and others have capitalised on government’s glaring ineptitude to rise in defence of their identities. The people are glad these groups stood by them when government was nowhere to be found. The magnanimity of these groups, more than ever, has further emboldened their ideologies and attempt to dismember the nation. The very existence of Nigeria is seriously threatened. Nigeria is a country at war. A country in conflict with itself. Recently, former Head of State, General Abdusallam Abubakar (retd), painted an alarming picture of deadly arms and ammunition in circulation in the country, estimated at over six million. He lamented that the proliferation of weapons has heightened insecurity in the country leading to over 80,000 deaths and close to three million internally displaced persons, IDPs, across the country. This is coming on the heels of a recent report by SBM Intelligence revealing that civilians were in possession of more arms than security officials in the country. An estimated 6,145,000 arms in circulation in Nigeria are in the hands of civilian nonstate actors, while the armed forces and law enforcement agencies put together possess 586,600 firearms. The report attributed the proliferation of small arms as a major factor fuelling insecurity in the country. This, according to it, has an impact on the country’s internal security, which Resisting the attempt to negotiate for ransom, deploying exceptional intelligence and military higher fire power are the best in the circumstances at the moment has led to violence, deaths and injury of many citizens. Apart from that, Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State also informed that over 30,000 heavily armed bandits are roaming the bushes of the North West states. According to the governor, there are over 100 bandits camps across the states of Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi plus Niger State with each having no fewer than 300 members, while there are less than 6000 troops operating across North- West states. The governor spoke through the state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, at a news briefing in Kaduna. He said the Federal Government does not have adequate troops to fight the bandits across the region. The above ugly scenarios notwithstanding, the nation must rise to its responsibilities and save Nigerians from this menace. In dealing with insecurity, I think Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s recommended approach is a realistic, brave and effective way of pulling the nation out of the current security quagmire. According to the governor: “Bandits terrorising Nigeria have lost their rights to life under the Constitution and must be wiped out. The bandits are at war with Nigeria and there is no other way to approach the current insurgency but for security forces to take the war to the bandits and recover forests where they are occupying. “The security agencies mostly react to cases of banditry and abduction, we are in a war with these terrorists challenging the sovereignty of the Nigerian state. Our security forces must collaborate to take the war to the bandits and terrorists, recover and restore the forest to enable our lawabiding citizens to engage in legitimate farming and livestock production.” On negotiating for ransom with the bandits, Governor el-Rufai, after an expanded meeting of the state security council at Council Chambers, Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, said his job as governor is “to protect the people and prosecute those who committed offences.” He said: “We will not engage with bandits or kidnappers. Private citizens like clerics and clergy men can do so in their individual capacities, to preach to them and ask them to repent. We also want them to repent but it is not our job to ask them to do so.” In 2003, for example, US President George W. Bush (2003) declared: ‘You’ve got to be strong, not weak. The only way to deal with these people is to bring them to justice. You can’t talk to them. You can’t negotiate with them.’ At the height of IRA violence, UK Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, vowed never to negotiate with terrorists; a pledge also Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com made by other world leaders when they were in our shoes. No government all over the world bends backwards to all the demands of criminal elements as it is done in Nigeria. It is obvious that having understood the weaknesses of government, the criminals have become emboldened and more daring. According to Harmonie Toros in his work, We Don’t Negotiate With Terrorist!: Legitimacy and Complexity of Terrorist Conflicts: “Traditionally, negotiations with terrorists would legitimise the terrorists and terrorism more broadly. Legitimising terrorist groups and their actions would weaken the democratic quality of states and likely only serve to incite more violence.” Attack is the best form of defence. The wise does not attempt to kill a dangerous animal with bare hands. Suffice it to say that the entreaties made by an Islamic scholar Sheik Mahmud Gumi, who turned an apostle of amnesty for bandits, should be taken with a pinch of salt. No serious country will accept most of the reasons given by bandits for indulging in the dastardly acts of killing, rapping, kidnapping and cattle rustling . It may seem unkind, wicked and abnormal for a governor to publicly rule out negotiating with kidnappers to save lives of those held hostage. But is that the best in all fairness to ending this criminality? We are all aware and have heard confessions and analyses made in connection with ransom payment that the proceeds are used to buy more arms and funnelled back into the illegal business. Resisting the attempt to negotiate for ransom, deploying exceptional intelligence and military higher fire power are the best in the circumstances at the moment. •Eze, a media and communication specialist, wrote via: sunnyeze02 @yahoo.com
Manufacturing sector contracts further by 4.7 points — CBN By Elizabeth Adegbesan ECONOMY CURRENCY BUYING SELLING US DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL RAND 134.40 +2.50 2,421.00 -71.00 16.71 +0.50 66.27 -0.78 62.40 -0.98 379 379.5 380 529.5009 530.1995 530.898 456.8087 457.4114 458.014 414.1171 414.6635 415.2098 3.4953 3.5 3.5046 0.6763 0.6863 0.6963 542.8995 543.6158 544.332 58.3194 58.3967 58.4741 101.0532 101.1865 101.3198 26.502 26.537 26.5719 CBN Exchange rate as at 20/04/2021 INAUGURATION — From left: Sam Daibo, Area Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, , Field Operations; Chevron, Comrade Jude Ukori, Chairman Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation; Pott Johnson Reginald, Delta State Coordinator, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs at the inauguration of community projects in Delta State, on April 15, 16 and 20, 2021. THE nation’s manufacturing sector has recorded further decline as the sustained Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, latest sector report shows the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for January 2021 at 44.9 index points, a 4.7 points drop from 49.6 index points recorded in December 2020. Similarly, the non-manufacturing PMI fell by 2.4 points to 43.3 index points in January from 45.7 index points in December 2020. A composite PMI above 50 points indicates that the manufacturing/non-manufacturing economy is generally expanding; 50 points indicate no change while a performance below 50 points indicates a contracting sector. The apex bank’s Economic Report for January 2021, stated: “The Composite Manufacturing PMI contracted to 44.9 index points, from the 49.6 index points recorded in the preceding period. The decrease was associated with the decline in demand, rising production cost and supply chain bottlenecks experienced by firms, in the review period. “All components of the Composite Manufacturing PMI contracted, except supplier delivery time, which increased to 55.7 index points from 51.2 points in December 2020, due to improvements in logistics, shipments and inventory control.” On non-Manufacturing PMI, it said: “Similarly, the Composite Non-Manufacturing PMI for January 2021 dropped to 43.3 index points from 45.7 points in December 2020. The index recorded declines in all the subcomponent indexes.” The report also noted that the level of employment and business activity declined during the review period. According to the regulator, in January employment level fell by 2.1 points to 46.3 index points from 44.2 index points in December. Similarly, level of business NIMASA lists achievements of maritime law, gears-up for amendments By Godwin Oritse MARITIME THE Nigerian Maritime Ad ministration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has said the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari in June 2019, has shown Nigeria’s determination to end piracy and sea robbery in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea. Speaking at the at the maiden edition of the Nigerian Admiralty Law Colloquium organised in Lagos by the Agency, in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, NIALS, NIMASA’s Director-General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said that the admiralty law conference, in its 10th year, has achieved significant milestones in the continued effort to better maritime law administration in Nigeria. Jamoh stated: “The Admiralty Law Conference instituted by NIMASA has achieved important milestones in the pursuit of its target of continuously improving maritime law administration in Nigeria. I am happy to announce that the key recommendations captured in the communiqué of last year’s conference would be sent to the National Assembly for the necessary legislative actions expected to improve the SPOMO Act. “We have made good progress in the implementation of the SPOMO Act. We have secured convictions at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt and Lagos, and more judgements are expected next month. “These prosecutions and convictions have greatly helped to improve Nigeria’s image in the international community by producing a better appreciation of the country’s role and determination to end piracy and other maritime crimes in its territorial waters and Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021 —19 activity dropped by 3.1 points to 46.9 index points from 43.8 index points in December 2020. the Gulf of Guinea.” The NIMASA Director-General also spoke on the adjustment in the name of the maritime law sessions, saying it is prompted by the need to bring on board a wider range of stakeholders, including Supreme Court justices. “From next year, Supreme Court justices and more lawyers would be included in the continuous attempt to fine tune the processes and procedures of justice administration in maritime issues.” TGI Distri launches Kleansol toilet cleaner ECONOMY TGI Distri Limited, the sales and marketing arm of the Tropical General Investments Group has launched Kleansol toilet cleaner with power actives ingredient. The new Kleansol toilet cleaner, packaged in two sizes of 500ml and 750ml, offers 360- degree deep protection with 99.99% germ kill on the toilet rim. A statement from the company said “its power active shield instantly kills microorganisms, providing long lasting protection, making toilets not just clean, but healthy clean. Its active ingredients ensure the removal/ of lime scale and stubborn stains to reveal sparkling clean toilet bowls.” Speaking during the launch in Lagos, Govind Agarwal, Marketing Manager, TGI Distri, explained that due to growing reports of a large proportion of Nigeria’s being unable to access safe, hygienic private toilets, leading to poor toilet sanitation, there was a need to create a solution that is highly effective, healthy and pocketfriendly. Agarwal also stated: “The difference between the new Kleansol toilet cleaner and other toilet cleaners is its all-in-one power active ingredients that disinfects, providing superior cleaning value that improves overall toilet hygiene for the family.” He added, “Kleansol toilet cleaner is a product of years of research and development based on consumer insights on toilet hygiene and usage in Nigeria. Many homes and offices often make use of detergents and bleach to wash their toilet bowls, which do not guarantee deep clean and proper hygiene”. Unity Bank grows asset base by 67.9% to N492bn By Babajide Komolafe MONEY MARKET UNITY Bank Plc has re corded 67 per cent growth in its total assets to N492.02billion in the year ended December 2020 from N293.05 billion in the corresponding period of 2019. The agric-focused lender also declared Gross Earnings of N42.71 billion for the year ended December 2020 as well as Profit Before Tax, PBT of N2.22 billion and Profit After Tax, PAT of N2.09 billion. The bank disclosed these in its audited results for full year ended 31 December 2020, released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The significant growth in total assets was occasioned by 38 per cent growth in Customers Deposits as well as 92.2 per cent growth in Loans and Advances to Customers. According to the bank, customers’ deposit rose to N356.62 billion, up from N257.69 billion in the corresponding period of 2019, affirming the positive market uptake of the bank’s product offerings, as well as its growing customer base. The Bank’s gross loans portfolio increased to N206.2 billion in December 2020 from N106.9 billion in December 2019 reflecting the increased commitment of the Bank’s lending strategy to support the nation’s food agenda, and thus the added advantage of improving food security across the country, providing employment to thousands of youths and entrepreneurs, while contributing to the conservation of forex stocks. Consequently, Net Operating income rose to N25.46 billion from N23.21 billion in the corresponding period of 2019, representing a 9.71% increase, driven by 7.6 per cent increase in Net Interest income, which rose to N17.75 billion in 2020 from N16.49 billion in 2019. Commenting on the result, Unity Bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Tomi Somefun stated that the results showed the resilience of the bank during unprecedented times of uncertainties and our ability to innovate and focus on key balance sheet items that will enable us to maintain growth trajectory. Looking ahead, Somefun stated: “we will latch on targeted strategies to deploy significant investment in technology in order to ride the waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the back of this, the Bank will increase its focus on achieving major efficiency gains, deepening its retail footprints and penetrating identified cluster market segments, as bulwarks to tapping into various youth markets platforms, in addition to the mass market”.
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