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Author: Alpha Maidawa

AfCFTA: Experts Seek Review Of Nigeria’s Trade Policy
The Federal government has been urged to review Nigeria’s trade policy to achieve the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) pact.
The call was made in Abuja on Monday at a maiden lecture series organised by the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (FCT Chapter) with the theme; “AfCFTA & The Service Sector In Nigeria: Implications For The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors.
Guest Lecturer at the event, Prof. Jonathan Aremu during his presentation said Nigeria’s trade policy is outdated and not globally compliant.
Aremu, who is a Professor of International Economic Relations at the Covenant University, said Nigeria is still using trade policy document of 2001/2002, even in the face of developments around the world.
“A lot of things are happening now, we have to be proactive to have a competitive advantage. The services sector which previously were not contributing much, is increasing in volumes as a lot of activities are more involved in trading and services.
“Nigeria is blessed with a lot of service industries like Nollywood, Art and Craft, Creativity industries, and also e-commerce, everything is growing, and all these are service industries which were not captured in the earlier trade statistics.”
Aremu, while citing example of services sector such as tourism, entertainment and construction industry, professional business services, said a lot is happening globally.
He said if Nigeria successfully enters into AfCFTA and get ratified, that there would be increase in volume of trade and services in the country.
Also speaking, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Mohammed Tor, said quantity surveyors and NIQS as an institute places so much premium on capacity building.
He said impact of AfCFTA would affect professional bodies in many ways and it is time to sensitize all members to key in and be proactive.
“We are here to look at how we can benefit and take advantage of the ACFTA agreement and also discuss on deliberate policies to move the institute forward,” he added.
The FCT Chapter Chairman of NIQS, Joseph Otaru, in his address said the lecture is aimed at empowering members through capacity building for effective service delivery.
He said the lecture would help to redirect the chapter’s focus for members to be aware of the opportunities that are available in the AfCFTA and the need to tap into.
“We are calling on the FG to ratify the agreement so that we can explore the opportunities that are there for us.” (NAN)
March 2, 2020
Minimum wage: Kebbi workers suspend planned strike
The Organised Labour in Kebbi has announced the immediate suspension of its strike notice, which was to take effect on Tuesday over delay in the implementation of the national minimum wage.
The workers unions issued the strike notice on Feb. 27.
However, Umar Alhassan, state Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), said that the strike notice had been withdrawn as the state government had agreed to the workers demands.
Alhasan made the announcement when he briefed newsmen after the union’s Executive Council meeting in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.
“The state government has agreed with our demands on minimum wage and consequential adjustment, payment of 2019 leave grant, annual increment and payment of retirement benefits.
“The government has agreed to set up a committee on minimum wage and consequential adjustments, and will be inaugurated today.
“On 2019 leave grant, the state government workers from GL 1 – 6 are going to receive their grant today.
“On annual increment, by the end of this month, our members are going to receive their payment while on retirement benefits a standing committee will commence sorting out of genuine members and process their payment soon,” he said.
Alhassan appealed to civil servants on Grade Level 7 and above to exercise patience, saying the payment of their leave grant would commence soon.
“In as much as we want our members to have a conducive working environment and atmosphere, we will not be unmindful with present reality of the situation.
“The civil servants on GL. 7 and above will not be getting their leave grant today, due to paucity of funds, as said by the government representatives in the discussion.
“We have agreed that civil servants on those grade levels will get their own later,” the chairman said. (NAN).
March 2, 2020
Coronavirus: Governors pledge massive response to contain spread
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), says members will deploy massive resources toward forestalling the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), after a case was confirmed in Lagos on Thursday.

The forum made the plea in a statement issued by its Chairman and Governor of Ekiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Friday in Abuja.
Fayemi said that the governors had taken note of the first case of COVID-19 case reported in Lagos on Feb. 27, and had initiated monitoring infrastructure to ensure that quick response and attention was given to anyone showing symptoms.
“Since COVID-19 was designated as a global epidemic, the state governments have been strengthening emergency response preparedness and capabilities in conjunction with the Federal Government and other agencies.
“In response to the first case reported, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has already activated its National Emergency Operations Centre and is working closely with Lagos State Ministry of Health.
“The goal is to respond to this case and implement firm control measures to prevent spread.
“As a forum of proactive Governors, we have initiated monitoring infrastructure in all states to ensure that quick response and attention is given to anyone showing symptoms of the disease.
“We encourage the citizens to self-quarantine if they notice symptoms related to the viral disease and contact the nearest health facility within the states.
“We will deploy all resources available to respond and contain further spread of the virus.”
The statement appealed to the general public to be calm and follow precautionary measures recommended by the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant government agencies.
“We also enjoin citizens not to spread fake news and misinformation that can trigger fear, panic and chaos.
“The Federal Ministry of Health and other designated Federal and State agencies will provide the relevant updates related to the disease.”
The first case in Nigeria, which is the first reported in Sub-Saharan Africa, involved an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria and journeyed from Milan, Italy to Lagos, Nigeria through Istanbul, Turkey on Feb. 25.
He was also said to have spent some time in Ogun.
The patient is said to be clinically stable, with no serious symptoms, and is currently being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos. (NAN)
February 29, 2020
Table Tennis: Oshonaike, Edem, Omotayo qualify for Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Nigeria’s Funke Oshonaike, Offiong Edem and Olajide Omotayo have qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Oshonaike would be making her seventh appearance at the Games, a feat which would see her become the first African woman to participate in seven editions of the Games.
It was also an exciting moment for Edem and Omotayo, who all sealed qualification at the ITTF 2020 African Singles and Mixed Doubles Olympic qualifiers in Tunisia and secured a semi final spot.
Meanwhile, Aruna Quadri, the world number 18 ranked player was forced to withdraw from his last qualification match against Hman Adam of Tunisia in the men’s singles, due to a recurring thigh injury.
The result meant Aruna finished third in group A, after earlier losing 2-4 (7-11, 8-11, 8-11, 11-6, 13-11, 7-11) to Senegal’s Ibrahima Diaw and winning one match against Togo’s Dodji Fanny.
Consequently, the former African champion did not qualify but still has a chance to qualify through the ITTF world rankings.
Earlier, Edem became the first Nigerian to qualify after a hard fought 4-3 (13-11,11-1,9-11,11-95-11,8-11,11-6) victory over Tunisia’s Garci Fadwa.
She had also defeated Marta Gulti of Ethiopia by 4-0 as well as Abir Haj Salah of Tunisia by the same scoreline.
Similarly, Oshonaike, who would be retiring after the 2020 Olympics, claimed a 4-1 victory over Algeria’s Lynda Loghraibi.
The same score was evident in Oshonaike win against Mauritius Nandeshweree Jalim.
Meanwhile, Omotayo defeated Kizito Oba of Cote D’ Ivoire 4-2 and Algeria’s Larbi Bouriah as well as Tunisia’s Kareem Yahia Ben.
The mixed doubles events holds on Saturday. (NAN)
February 29, 2020
Coronavirus: NPA says necessary protocols in place at ports
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Friday said it had put in place necessary protocols at the ports as safeguard against the dreaded Coronavirus disease.
The Managing Director of NPA, Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman, disclosed this to newsmen on the sidelines of a book presentation in Lagos.
According to her, once a vessel carrying yellow flag is sighted by the harbor master, port health will be immediately notified.
Yellow flag (contagion) is historically displayed on ships to indicate the presence of disease or quarantine.
“Once port health is notified, the vessel will be taken to a separate location where there will be immediate health assessment before anyone or cargo will be allowed to disembark,” she said.
The NPA boss said they were very conscious of the virus and had been in several interactions with the Federal Ministry of Health.
She pointed out that the NPA would continue to monitor and enlighten people, as it was a very serious issue.
“NPA is very mindful of its responsibility as the gateway to the nation’s economy and will do everything possible to protect the economy,” she said.
The managing director said that visitors and staff were also checked at the gate of the NPA office complex to ensure they were free from any form of illness.(NAN)
February 29, 2020
Coronavirus: Panic mood on NSE, market capitalisation loses N308bn
Trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday ended on panic mood, as the country recorded the first Coronavirus case after Egypt and Algeria.
The panic mood affected trading on the exchange with the market recording only two gainers against 41 losers.
Consequently, the market capitalisation lost N308 billion, representing a loss of 2.21 per cent in about six hours to close at N13.657 trillion against N13.965 trillion on Thursday.
Also, the All-Share Index which opened at 26,808.24 shed 591.78 points or 2.21 per cent to close at 26,216.46.
Commenting on the development, Mr Ambrose Omordion, Chief Operating Officer, InvestData Ltd., said the Coronavirus news heightened the negative sentiment already in the market.
Omordion stated that the news further affected the performances of the domestic equities which had been battling with liquidity issue.
“The news of coronavirus entering the country has further dampened investors confidence in the stock market as reflected in the global markets that are bleeding badly as a result of selloffs.
“There is already fear of global recession due to the virus,” he said.
He noted that market players expected government at all levels to be proactive in tackling the virus to avoid further spread to other parts of the country.
Omordion said the issue should be contained the way the previous administration fought Ebola, as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and others continued to look for solutions to put an end to the virus.
But, we at InvestData anticipated that recovering was underway because it is a global problem.
“The market and economy of China where it started is already recovering as over 35,000 people have been discharged from the hospital.
“And Chinese government has intensified efforts to check the virus and they have injected funds to the economy to stimulate economic productivity,” Omordion said.
Presco recorded the highest loss to lead the losers’ table, dropping by N4.95 to close at N44.90 per share.
Nigerian Breweries trailed with N4.50 to close at N40.50, while Stanbic IBTC dipped N3.60 to close at N32.50 per share.
Guaranty Trust Bank declined by N2.60 to close at N23.80, while MTN Nigeria was down by N2.10 to close at N110 per share.
On the other hand, Flour Mills led the gainers’ table with N1 to close at N22 while Vitafoam improved by 24k to close at N4.32 per share.
Investors traded 416.30 million shares valued N6.19 billion in 5,220 deals.
This was in contrast with 231.53 million shares worth N4.48 billion transacted in 3,606 deals on Thursday.
Guaranty Trust Bank was the most active stock, trading 96.01 million shares valued N2.29 billion.
It was trailed by United Bank for Africa (UBA) with an account of 49.51 million shares worth N318.78 million, while Zenith Bank traded 45.56 million shares valued N827.88 million.
United Capital sold 32.94 million shares worth N105.15 million, while FBN Holdings exchanged 32.91 million shares valued N155.89 million. (NAN)
February 29, 2020
We have identified contact persons with Covid-19 victim- Lafarge Africa
Lafarge Africa Plc says it has identified the persons who had direct contact with the individual who tested positive to Coronavirus in Nigeria.
The company stated this in a statement on Friday by Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Director, Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Ambrose-Medebem said that the company had equally initiated isolation, quarantine and disinfection protocol at Ewekoro plant.
“As a business, we have immediately identified the persons who had direct contact with the concerned individual.
“The individual concerned works for a vendor that provides services to Lafarge Africa Plc in Ogun State,” she stated.
Ambrose-Medebem commended the exemplary leadership of the federal ministry of health, Ogun and Lagos State Governments for swiftly providing response and testing facilities.
She noted that the company was working fully with all the local authorities.
“Lafarge Africa is also working in close partnership with International SOS, our medical service provider, a leading global health company.
“Health and safety remains a core value at Lafarge Africa and we intend to leverage this strength at this critical time,” Ambrose-Medebem added.
Ministry of Health in Lagos State had confirmed the first case of the disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria, which incidentally is the first in West Africa since the outbreak in China in January.
“In the last 12 hours, the first case of the chronic virus has been identified in Nigeria and the individual was visiting Ogun State.
“The individual is of Italian origin and he is a consultant to the Lafarge, Ewekoro factory,” it said early on Friday.(NAN)
February 29, 2020
ACCI to boost Halal sector economy through intl expo
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) says its forthcoming Halal Expo Nigeria 2020 will increase trade volume and investment in Halal economic sector.
Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, ACCI President, in a news conference on Friday in Abuja said that Nigeria had more than 100 million Muslim population making it an ideal market place worth trillions of dollars.
Halal economy is a multi trillion dollars opportunity that captures the core of faith-based Muslim spending.
The Nigeria First International Halal Expo being organised by ACCI is scheduled to hold from June 8 to June 10, to commemorate Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary.
Listing the benefits of the expo, the ACCI president said that it would create a platform to tap into the more than two trillion used Halal market and enhance Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as well as the economy.
“It will provide over 100 million Muslims Halal food from properly certified agency opportunities to expand and get exposed to other markets in the Muslim countries.
“It will create a platform that will encourage big volume export from Nigeria to Muslim countries and give access to markets in the Middle East, Malaysia, Pakistan and Indonesia,” he said.
The trade advocate said that it would equally project Islamic banking and insurance as a solution for all, not just Muslims.
He said that as the Halal movement gained traction, the global industry sets its sights on Nigeria’s growing demand for Shariah-compliant goods.
According to him, as a home to one of the world’s largest Muslim population next to Indonesia and India, Nigeria does not have one of the world’s most viable Halal markets.
He added that Islamic finance, relatively a mature interest-free market that catered to the Muslim consumer, had estimated the total assets of shariah-compliant products across the world.
According to him, the Halal industry now spans across food processing and services, cosmetics and personal care, pharmaceuticals and logistics industries are expanding further into life style offerings.
Dr Ibrahim Oreagba, Chairman, Halal Certification Authority also said that the expo was aimed at guaranteeing safety, wholesale, quality and public health to Nigerians and Muslim population that demanded Halal products based on their faith.
Oreagba said the expo would also create awareness in the sense that Halal products were not limited to what was permissible based on the Quran but also to something hygienic, wholesome and High quality.
He explained that Halal standard for products was just being developed in Nigeria with the agency in collaboration with Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
“But we at the Halal certification authority, has already given labels to those companies’ products that met the standard for Halal.
“There are different certifying bodies for Halal, we have few in Nigeria, but we are expecting more later. What is important is to see Halal label that is traceable to that particular certifying body,” he said.
He listed some Halal non-interest Financial Institutions as Jaiz Bank, Taj Bank Abuja, Lotus capital and Albarka Micro Finance Bank which partner with entrepreneurs by funding businesses based on loss and profit shares platform. (NAN)
February 29, 2020
UNICEF calls for more investment on child mortality reduction
The UNICEF Planning and Research Specialist, Maureen Zubie-Okolo, has called for more investments in childhood mortality reduction programmes in rural areas through Primary Health Care (PHC).
Zubie-Okolo said this in an interview in Port-Harcourt on Friday at a Media Dialogue for Editors and Reporters on Data-Driven Reporting and Dissemination of the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) Result.
According to the survey, the Information on Infant and Child mortality is relevant to demographic assessment of a country’s population and is an important indicator of the country’s socioeconomic development and quality of life.
It could also help identify children who might be at higher risks of death and lead to strategies to reduce this risk.
“Childhood mortality can be improved by providing health services, ensuring that mother, children at the rural areas can assess primary health care,” it added.
Zubie-Okolo, said the health policies should be implemented as well as make the Primary Health Care functional.
“(This is) when children receive full care from conception, by the mother receiving antenatal care, delivery at health service and the child receiving full immunisation,” she said.
She advised communities to continue sensitisation and to ensure that they improved on health seeking behaviours. NAN)
February 29, 2020
Bottom side Norwich stun high-flying Leicester 1-0
Norwich City’s Jamal Lewis threw his relegation-threatened side a lifeline with a 70th minute goal to beat visiting English Premier League (EPL) high-flyers Leicester City 1-0 on Friday.
Norwich remain bottom of the table in spite of the three points, but are now only four points from the safety zone.
They are three points adrift of Watford and West Ham United, with Aston Villa another point ahead.
Leicester stay third, six points ahead of Chelsea who now have a game in hand.
Unmarked defender Lewis’s swerving strike was the Canaries’ first goal in open play since New Year’s Day, or more than 700 minutes of action.
The clean sheet was also only the home side’s second of the season.
Leicester, with top scorer Jamie Vardy left at home to nurse a calf strain, had the ball in the net after 49 minutes through Kelechi Iheanacho.
But it was ruled out after VAR replays showed the ball hit his arm. (Reuters/NAN)
February 29, 2020