WTO: EU Backs Okonjo Iweala In Race, As Jostle For Top Job Reaches Final Stretch |The Source

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October 6, 2020

By Akinwale Kasali

Nigeria’s Former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, has taken a big leap in the race to become the Director General of the World Trade Organization, WTO.

Iweala now has only South Korean trade Chief, Yoo Myung-Hee to contend with.

The battle between the two has further polarised the European Union governments, which are drumming support for the last two standing in the race to lead the World Trade Organization as the race enters its final month.

EU member-country envoys agreed on Monday in Brussels to endorse Okonjo-Iweala and Myung-hee, in their bids to become WTO Director-General, according to an official familiar with the matter, in a Bloomberg report

Hungary swung behind the planned recommendation after being the only EU country to withhold support at a lower-level meeting last Friday out of officials representing the 27-nation bloc, the person said on the condition of anonymity because the deliberations were confidential.

It plans to announce two finalists after today, Tuesday, and name a winner by Nov. 7.

Brazilian Roberto Azevedo stepped down from the job at the end of August – a year before his term ended.

The Geneva-based trade body faces headwinds from the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S.-China trade battle, a hobbled arbitration system and a lack of tools to tackle growing challenges such as industrial subsidies.

Six Days To Ondo Guber poll: APC behind Incessant Attacks – Gov Makinde |The Source

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Ayodele Oni

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October 5, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni

Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Election Campaign Committee and Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde, has blamed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the incessant violence in the state, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

Makinde, who was at the Ondo state police command headquarters in Akure Sunday evening, met with the Commissioner of Police, Bolaji Salami to lodge complaints on “the uncivilised and violent attacks by the APC thugs on PDP members in Akure metropolis.

The clash between supporters of APC and PDP, which started Saturday evening continued on Sunday with sporadic gun shots forcing residents to remain indoors.

A statement by Head of Media of Jegede Campaign Organization, Mr Samuel Fasua, stated that during a meeting with the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Salami, Makinde said, “We have always made our campaigns issue-based, but the APC government in this state prefers violent attack as a form of response.

“Ondo people are tired and our numerous supporters have continuously been subjected to unfair treatment by those who hold the reins of power in the state.

“But if they think what they did in Kogi is applicable here, they are making a mistake; because people are fully prepared for them.”

Makinde, therefore, called on relevant security agencies not to shirk their responsibility of ensuring a peaceful, free and fair election, on Saturday.

“More still need to be done in the area of security, because APC is trying to create vorters’ aparthy so as to scare people away from performing their civic responsibility on the election day, which will be resisted by the masses.

“We have come here to intimate the Commissioner of Police with this ugly situation, and to extract assurance from him that the APC armed thugs would be silenced and that nobody will be intimidated on election day,” he stressed.

The Election is slated for October 10. Unlike the Edo case, all the APC Governors are billed for Ondo on Wednesday for a final mega rally. In Edo, the planned mega rally was cancelled, allegedly, because a number of Governors and stakeholders were not interested in the fall of their former colleague, Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Ten Parties In Ondo Dump Candidates, Adopt PDP Eyitayo Jegede For Saturday Poll |The Source

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Ayodele Oni

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October 5, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni

Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), in Ondo state, Mr Fatai Adams, has welcomed leaders of ten political parties that collapsed structures for the PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede in Saturday’s election.

Ten out of 17 political parties that are participating in the Governorship election had met and resolved to team up with the candidate of the PDP to ensure his victory after they dumped their flag bearers.

Political parties involved in the alliance are AA, ADP, AAC, APGA, APM, APP, NNPP, NRM, SDP and Accord Party.

The parties, led by the state chairman Social Democratic Party (SDP), Oladele Ogunbamerun, explained that the move was to deliver Ondo state from political quagmire and undesirable social economic predicament occasioned by the present administration.

He pointed out that the present political leadership in the state could best be described as nothing but an antenna in the face of reality.

Ogunbameru, who said the decision was taken in the common interest of the state, declared that “we have resolved to back the PDP candidate for the polls.

“This decision was finally arrived at in the meeting held on Sunday 4th October, 2020 in Akure with the Party leaders and top echelon of the PDP in attendance

“We are committed to good governance in Ondo State, which we believe can only be offered by the PDP at this present austere time.

“The undersigned political party leaders therefore resolve to work as a team in tandem with the PDP’s well captured manifesto for the welfare well being and life more abundant for the good people of Ondo State.”

While receiving them, PDP Chairman assured them of inclusive participation in the party when voted into power on October 10.

Adams called on stakeholders, particularly INEC to ensure free and fair election by allowing the votes of the people count.

Edo: I Will Not Give Up, We Will Continue With Pre- Election Petitions – Ize-Iyamu |The Source

By

Uche Mbah

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October 5, 2020

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By Uche Mbah

The Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the just concluded Governorship elections in Edo state, Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu, says he will not challenge the results of the election of the Governorship elections. He will, however, continue with the pre-election cases already in court.

In a release, Monday, he personally signed, Ize Iyamu noted that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, already has cases in court before the elections in connection with the Edo elections.

Noting that the elections were not devoid of violence (according to him, two people were killed), and that the card readers malfunctioned in some places, he had decided not to go to court “to avoid further tension in the state.”

“We are also mindful that the leadership of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and many well-placed individuals have made pronouncements endorsing the process, which we have chosen to respect”, he said.

“Nonetheless, we must emphasize that elections are far more than actual voting, just as democracy includes more than just elections. It is in this light that we draw attention to the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its flagbearers have continued to pursue several pre-election suits in various courts against us, all totaling 13. One such cases came up in the High Court, Benin on 2nd October 2020, days after the election.

“On our part, we had filed two pre-election cases against the PDP and its flagbearer, challenging their eligibility to contest the election. These are all lawful and integral parts of the electoral process in any democracy, which we must all respect and acknowledge as genuine democrats.

“The outcome of these pending cases has a direct effect on the election. Consequently, we have decided to continue with our pre-election cases in full exercise of our legal rights, just as our opponents have considered it their prerogative to also continue with their pre-election cases against us. “

While thanking religious leaders” for their prayers and intercessions throughout the campaign and even thereafter”, he urged indigenes of the state to continue to be law-abiding.

Ize Iyamu lost the September 19 election to the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki, in an election that was generally regarded as free and fair.

CBN: Foreign Reserves To Hit $29bn By December |The Source

By

Bayo Bernard

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October 5, 2020

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By Fola James

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has disclosed that the nation’s current $35 billion foreign reserve is not sustainable and bound to fall below the current $35 billion by the end of the year.

The Godwin Emefiele-led bank made this known on Sunday, in its report titled ‘Monetary, Credit, Foreign Trade and Exchange Policy Guidelines for Fiscal Years 2020/2021’.

The apex bank blamed the depleting Reserve on the corona virus pandemic, but analysts in the sectors insist that, the nation’s savings is bound to plunge further as import responds to end of the year swings.

CBN said in the report that “Sequel to the COVID-19 pandemic, the viability of the external sector in 2020 is expected to deteriorate, given the present worsening current account balance and depletion of external reserves driven, largely, by decelerating export receipts, particularly oil.

“Specifically, the degree of external reserves accumulation is expected to decelerate, as outflows are expected to outweigh inflows.

“As a result, external reserves are expected to lie between $29.9 billion and $34.3 billion at end-December 2020 (predicated on current declining oil price between $20 and $40).”

The downward slope of the reserves which stood at $35.66 billion by end of August, has been a source of worry to many Nigerians who fear its negative impacts on the Naira, the national currency.

The reserve has experienced headwinds following the outbreak of COVID 19 in January this year, which has grossly impacted earnings from crude oil, the nation’s major economic export.

Buhari Will Not Succumb To Threats, Undue Pressure From Any Quarter |The Source

By

Akinwale Kasali

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October 5, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The President Muhammadu Buhari led Government has issued a note of warning to all that the recurring threats to the corporate existence of Nigeria will not be tolerated.

It said that threats from factions, giving specific timelines for the President to do one thing or another or else, in their language, “the nation will break up”, is a ruse and unpatriotic.

Senior Special Assistant to the President On Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement warned that such “unpatriotic outbursts are both unhelpful and unwarranted as this government will not succumb to threats and take any decision out of pressure at a time when the nation’s full attention is needed to deal with the security challenges facing it at a time of the Covid-19 health crisis.”

The statement added that the administration will not take any decision against the interests of 200 million Nigerians, who are the President’s first responsibility under the constitution, out of fear or threats.

“The President, as an elected leader under this constitution will continue to work with patriotic Nigerians, and in line with the Parliamentary processes to finding solutions to structural and other impediments to the growth and wellbeing of the nation and its people”.

Over the past weeks, different Yoruba Groups have been agitating for Oduduwa Republic, likewise the call from the South Eastern/Ndigbo Groups clamouring for Biafra Republic.

Few days ago, also, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Eunoch Adeboye, during an Independence Day Symposium called for the Restructuring of the Nation to avoid a possible break up of the Nation.

Fidelity Bank’s Big Changes |The Source

By

Bayo Bernard

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October 5, 2020

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By Fola James

Fidelity Bank Plc has announced the appointment of two new directors to fortify its management, barely two month after the tier two bank appointed Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe as managing director/ chief executive officer designate.

Henry Obih, Non-Executive Director and Kenneth Opara, Independent Executive Director, respectively have been appointed into the board of the bank that will work with Onyeali-Ikpe who takes over from Nnamdi Okonkwo by the end of the year, as managing director and chief executive officer.

Okonkwo describes the appointment of Opara who will take over from Onyeali-Ikpe as Executive Director in charge of the Lagos & South West Directorate, as a round peg in a round hole.

“The appointment of Ken is well deserved and in line with our succession planning policy. He has made significant contributions to the growth of the Region as well as the various Divisions he has headed in the Bank,” the banks’ CEO said.

In the last two months, the forward moving deposit money bank, DMB has made some serious changes, considered by many in the sector to be in line with its vision to join the elite class of tier one banks in the country. This includes an insider trading of over 4 million shares to two directors, Obaro Odeghe and Gbolahan last month.

Nnamdi Okonkwo — Okonkwo: Lauds Appointments

Odeghe purchasd 1978,500 units at N1.79 and 21,500 units at N1.80 while Joshua purchased 2,323,529 units at N1.80, according to a notice filed by Ezinwa Unuigboje, Company Secretary at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE in September.

The bank said the appointments of Obih and Opara “are in furtherance of our positioning for the next growth phase. We welcome Henry and Ken to the Board and believe they will make significant contributions that will sustain the performance trajectory of the Bank in line with our strategic intent.”

The two directors, whose appointments have been approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, the bank said, have robust experience in both financial and non-financial sectors of the economy that will assist them in their new roles.

Before his new appointment, Obih was the Group Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Downstream, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC until his retirement in 2019 and was subsequently appointed to the Board of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) in July 2020.

Prior to joining NNPC as GED/COO in 2016, Engr. Obih had a stellar 22-year career at Mobil Oil Nigeria (ExxonMobil Nigeria Downstream) and held several high-profile positions in the company including being Executive Director, Retail and Executive Director, Operations, Customer Service and Logistics.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN and an MBA in Financial Management from the University of Bradford, Yorkshire, England.

Opara who currently serves as General Manager/Regional Bank Head, Ikeja Region, has over 29 years’ experience in banking and worked at various financial institutions including legacy Omega Bank Plc, Equatorial Trust Bank Plc and Manny Bank Plc, before joining Fidelity Bank Plc in 2006, following its merger with Manny Bank Plc.

He attended executive management programmes at Harvard Business School, Kellogg School of Management, Wharton, INSEAD and Lagos Business School amongst others. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and an active member of the Institute’s Governing Council, where he currently serves as 1st Vice President, having previously served as 2nd Vice President and National Treasurer of the Institute.

He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Finance and Master of Business Administration, MBA from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Ph.D. in Credit Management from International University of Panama.

IPOB: Asari Rips Kanu, Reveals How He Helped Buhari Win |The Source

By

Bayo Bernard

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October 5, 2020

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By Tosin Olatokunbo

Mujahid Asari Dokubo, repentant militant and leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, NDPVF has ripped the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, for not doing enough to prevent President Muhamamdu Buhari’s re-election in last years presidential election.

He also took a swipe at the IPOB leader for disrespecting some prominent Nigerians, including Pa Edwin Clark, an elder statesman, Ken Saro Wiwa, late Ogoni poet and Nnia Nwodo, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, insisting that the IPOB leader is power drunk and selfish.

The former militant who tagged Kanu as a saboteur of the BIAFRA struggle told Vanguard that “during the 2019 elections, I said let’s vote out President Buhari and let the person we will vote for also know that we are the ones that supported him, so that when the person is there, even if he’s not with us, he will know that we contributed to the removal of Buhari.

“He said no and started calling me saboteur. At the end of the day, Nnamdi Kanu came and said people should go and vote. He said he had signed, sealed and delivered documents. Over one year and five months after the election, we have not seen the signed, sealed and delivered documents.”

The former allies went their separate ways, few years ago, over irreconcilable political differences and Kanu has since left the country after security forces lay siege in his Abia home few years ago.

Few months ago, the former Niger Delta freedom fighter told Kanu to come back home to continue with the IPOB struggle, because as he put it at the time, the aim of achieving a BIAFRA nation cannot be achieved with the IPOB leader in exile.

Asari’s latest outburst, however shed more lights on the deep-seated animosity between the former comrades, some say.

He also stated that one of his problems with Kanu is that he declared himself the Supreme leader of BIAFR and that’s why “It gives me regret that in my life, I ever associated with a person called Nnamdi Kanu. That when he was in crisis, I came out to defend him. In fact, my greatest regret is associating with Nnamdi Kanu. I can’t make peace with somebody like him. It’s a foreclosed issue because he has nothing to offer other than to derail our struggle,” Asari-dokubo said.

He said the BIAFRA struggle is doomed with Kanu as leader, adding that some prominent Nigerians made a mistake for ensuring that the IPOB leader was released from prison.

According to him “With Nnamdi Kanu, there’s no hope for Biafra. Those of us who get close to him know he’s not fighting for any Biafra. Nnamdi Kanu is just one individual in Biafra, so, we shouldn’t make him important, he’s not. He’s just like everyone one of us.

“He’s not in any struggle. Whatever spell he has cast on the Igbo will be removed very soon and their eyes will open. When he was in trouble, all of us came out to defend him because an injury to one is an injury to all. We risked our lives by speaking in support of him, for him to be released from prison and for him not to be killed.

“Now, he sees those of us who fought on his behalf for his freedom as his followers. Some of us regret ever lending our voice. We would have left him to rot in jail because he’s caused more harm to Biafra struggle than anyone else.”

“Listen to him! Don’t you listen to his broadcast? His insults to every Igbo person that disagrees with him? He has also extended his insults to other tribes including the Ijaw people.

“He’s attacking Ralph Uwazuruike and Nnia Nwodo (Ohanaeze leader). Now, he’s attacking Pa Edwin Clark who’s not a Biafran. Biafra is the former Eastern Region. Pa Clark has never been an Easterner but from the Western Region to Mid-Western Region. So he’s gone outside the Igbo to abuse Pa Clark, Isaac Boro, Ken Saro-Wiwa.

“How can you bring unity to the people by abusing and attacking their leaders? Is Biafra struggle an Igbo struggle? He’s making it an Igbo struggle. The Biafra Nnamdi Kanu is pursuing will be worse than Southern Sudan if he wants to promote Igbo hegemony over and above Ijaw hegemony, Ibibio hegemony, and so on.

“He’s power-drunk. We are not even done with the struggle, he’s assumed the position of leadership, calling himself the supreme leader.”

The bottom line of the disagreement between the former comrades at arms, he said, is that the IPOB leader failed to support the struggle to stop President Buhari from re-election during the 2019 election.

He said “It was during the Anambra governorship election when he said there would be no election in the state and I disagreed with him. I said it would be a fatal mistake not to participate in the election. I told him it will be better to elect somebody who will have some form of sympathy, even if the person is not totally in the struggle, than to elect an open enemy, who will use the state resources to support our enemies. He said no and declared that day ‘Ofe nsala’ day.

“Again, during the 2019 elections, I said let’s vote out President Buhari and let the person we will vote for also know that we are the ones that supported him, so that when the person is there, even if he’s not with us, he will know that we contributed to the removal of Buhari.

“He said no and started calling me saboteur. At the end of the day, Nnamdi Kanu came and said people should go and vote. He said he had signed, sealed and delivered documents. Over one year and five months after the election, we have not seen the signed, sealed and delivered documents.”

2023: Secondus Shocks South East, Atiku, Tambuwal; Why It Might Go To The North |The Source

By

Akinwale Kasali

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October 4, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

For those in the Peoples Democratic Party, rooting for an Abubakar Atiku or an Aminu Tambuwal, or a South -Easterner to pick the Presidential ticket of the Party, a shock is in stock for them.

National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Uche Secondus, says that everyone has equal opportunity to clinch the ticket of the Presidential Candidate of the Party.

Secondus made this disclosure during a visit to Governor Mohammed Bala of Bauchi State.

All members are free and qualified to give the Presidency a shot at the Presidency, he said.

“Everyone who is qualified, young, old, governors and non-governors, is qualified, and will have the opportunity to contest, and we have the space for everyone,” Secondus said in Bauchi.

However, his handling of the crisis in the party in the Southwest is not sitting well with the Governors elected on the platform of the party, its Board of Trustees (BoT) and some other stakeholders.

Secondus’ position appears to contradict the calculations in some quarters that the party would automatically zone the ticket to the South, as President Muhammadu Buhari would have completed two terms of eight years for the north.

Secondus, who, in a double-speak, said the PDP remained committed to zoning, said there would be no discrimination in picking the party’s presidential flag bearer in 2023.

He said: ”Zoning is entrenched in our constitution, and at the right time, you (reporters) will hear from us. However, the party is very democratic. There is no room for discrimination.”

However, not a few people think Secondus is right, and insist that the PDP ticked would go to the North. An insider told this magazine, “Yes, zoning is entrenched in our party’s constitution, but the last President from our party was from the South – Goodluck Jonathan. So, it follows that our candidate will come from the North.

Both Atiku, a former Vice President, and the PDP 2019 Presidential candidate, and Tambuwal, Sokoto State Governor and a PDP 2019 Presidential aspirant, are said to be interested in the 2023 PDP Presidential ticket.

Secondus was accompanied to Bauchi by Governor Aminu Waziri Taibuwal of Sokoto State, former Senate President David Mark, former governor of Gombe State, Hassan Ibrahim Dankwambo and the Deputy National Chairman of the party, North, Senator Nazif Sulieman Gamawa.

COVID 19 Stalls Entrance Of New Domestic Airlines Into Nigeria Airspace – Investigations |The Source

By

Uche Mbah

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October 4, 2020

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By Uche Mbah

As the country takes a toll on the negative effect of COVID 19 on the aviation industry, it has also to take into stock the fact that three domestic airlines were expected to have joined the growing number of airlines in the country, but were stalled by the COVID 19 pandemic.

Industry sources say three airlines were poised to enter the aviation space before the pandemic, with one of them –Green Africa – already having ordered 50 Airbus A220 aircraft to kickstart its fleet. This is an unprecedented feat for any domestic airline as a launching threshold. This is besides leasing three Airbus A220s from Irish-based lessor GTLK Europe, which will keep the airline going until the delivery of the A220 which is expected next year

The total cost was estimated at $4 billion-by far the largest single purchase by an African airline. Unconfirmed industry reports, however, said some prominent politicians ate behind the big deal.

The fleet is more than double that of Air peace, which currently stands as 23 aircraft.

Besides this, there are two other airlines that were expected to have brought in five aircraft into the industry, thereby making a total of 60 new aircraft to swell the number of aircraft in the domestic sky.

Currently, the total number of planes run by domestic airlines are put at about forty, excluding charter planes.

This will automatically boost the number of domestic flyers to about a hundred – which would have triggered a stiff competition and airfare crash. The number of air travelers in the country remains minimal due to the perceived prohibitive costs.

These airlines have already secured their air operating licenses. They are Green Africa Airways, United Nigeria Airlines, and Value Jet.

It is said that United Nigeria Airlines is owned by Obiorah Okonkwo, the chief executive officer of Abuja based The Dome Entertainment Limited. They are said to be involving Aerokeys for the training of United Nigeria Airline’s crew on Embraer 145 50-seater regional jet, which is the aircraft of choice. Now, after the COVID crisis, United is poised to begin flights soon.

It is expected to start with Enugu-Lagos- Abuja routes; then Lagos-Enugu-Abuja-Owerri –Benin-Asaba-Warri. Finally, Abuja-Lagos-Enugu-Asaba-Benin-Portharcourt-Warri.

Expectedly, the existing airlines are jittery over the new developments, even with the current distress due to COVID. Many of them are said to be calling for emergency strategy meetings, particularly those that are under the hammer by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, like, Arik and, Aero Contractors.