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The Merchants Times Tuesday Newspaper: November 03 2020 Flipbook PDF
Boris Johnson has announced a new month-long lockdown for England after being warned that without stringent action, a re
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Vol. 1, No 30 Tuesday November 03, 2020 | www.merchantstimes.com | N500 TUESDAY BROADSHEET NEWSPAPER
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A financial Catalyst for the African Ecosystem! Research on market relevant to business owners, economists, financiers, or public policymakers.
Freedom is not just the birthright of the few
CORONAVIRUS
INSIDE PAGES Imperialism in modern Africa and a philosophy of the total conquest of neo-colonialism.
England fear resurgent of Coronavirus British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a new month-long lockdown for England after being warned that without stringent action, a resurgent coronavirus outbreak will overwhelm hospitals in weeks. Eunice Ayobami
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EDITORIAL Lekki massacre, Nigerian leaders and the dilemma of redeeming Nigeria’s dented image By: Momoh, Emmanuel Omeiza E-mail: [email protected]
The fight for freedom is endless a friend of mine is always quoted to have said. The profile of events which culminated into the recent massacre of vibrant Ni-
gerian youths truly makes me believe the truth of the above assertion. Up till now, Nigeria’s alley smells with the stench emanating from the
blood of innocents Nigerians who were sent to their untimely graves by trigger-happy military officers. Nigeria’s flag which was meant to be a
symbol of national unity and identity has suddenly been drenched with the blood of martyrs. The green which represented fertile land has been
Aina Ademola A columnist of The Merchants Times Broadsheet Newspaper.
It is a thing of sorrow and a constant feeling of dysphoria to continue to see evidence that everything our African giants who led us to freedom fought against is still happening in our very eyes. This is because of the inept, mentally unbalanced
Lagos State Governor flags off reconstruction of Eti Osa-LekkiEpe Expressway Esan Bisola
METRO NEWS
ENDSARS: Sanwo-Olu lifts curfew in Lagos. By: Eunice Ayobami
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has totally lifted the curfew imposed on Lagos State after the hijack of the peaceful #EndSARS protests with immediate effect. Meanwhile, the 12 a.m. to 4a.m. curfew
earlier imposed by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to curb the spread of the pandemic remains. This was contained in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information
and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso. Earlier, Sanwo-Olu directed all public servants on Salary Grade Levels 1- 12, who were earlier directed to work from home since March 2020, to resume work fully from
HEALTH NEWS
Pinnick assures NFF will boost super Falcons squad for future games
TECH NEWS
10 foods you should never eat after age 30
Apple to launch MacBooks with own chips next week
Casmire Okedinachi
Tech research by Olu Matthew
Apple Inc.’s 15-year relationship with Intel Corp. will officially begin to unwind next week when new Mac computers are revealed. The Cupertino, California-based
Apple Inc.’s 15-year relationship with Intel Corp. will officially begin to unwind next week when new Mac computers are revealed. The Cupertino, California-based technology giant said on Monday that it will hold an online event dubbed “One more thing” on Nov. 10. That “thing” will be Macs with main
The president of the Nigeria’ football federation Amaju Pinnick has assured Nigerians that every effort has been made to boost the Super Falcons for future
Urban T U E S D AY PA P E R
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The Merchants Times Editorial Board Vol. 1, No 30 WWW.MERCHANTSTIMES.COM
FREEDOM IS NOT JUST THE BIRTHRIGHT OF THE FEW N500
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 03, 2020
Chairman/Editor-in-chief Oluwatobi Ogidiolu Deputy Editorial Page Damilare Ojo Managing Editor Emmanuel Akindoyin Associate Editor Eunice Ayobami Technology, Media, and Politics Momoh Emmanuel Omeiza Creatives Poet Tobias Writer Millicent Ezekiel Uche Okafor Chinedu Okafor Adewale Kelani Dan Oluseyi Timilehin Ogidiolu Oreoluwa (Ore’s Photography) Columnist Abigail Ocheibi Edmond Esi
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The Merchants Times publication board is proud to have resilient journalism who depend on accuracy in reports and research to arrive at a common perspective on significant issues. The board does represent Merchants Times and hold free journalism dear to heart. Amidst politics, dark democracy and Military oppression hat's ravaging Africa, The Merchants Times is saddled with responsibility from the people to inform the public on the happenings at the top of the pyramids (Government Houses, Industries, Religious Centers & NGO's), only with a clear conscience. The board contends for a world that is both free and fair, where people can exercise their rights without any form of discrimination or segregation. As Richard puts it, “Every time a newspaper dies, even a bad one, the country moves a little closer to authoritarianism…” Richard Kluger, Our quest is to serve as an example for a continent that demands a free press void of political tyranny or corruption from the religious sector. We do not want to be sponsored by corruptible Africans or deepens the wool of journalism into the corrupt oil. As the sun rises, we rise, as it sets we oil the lamp and set up for fire for Nations and the continent to be seen as bare as it ought to be. We are Merchants!
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EDITORIAL
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 04 2020
Lekki massacre, Nigerian leaders and the dilemma of redeeming Nigeria’s dented image
By: Momoh, Emmanuel Omeiza E-mail: [email protected]
The fight for freedom is endless a friend of mine is always quoted to have said. The profile of events which culminated into the recent massacre of vibrant Nigerian youths truly makes me believe the truth of the above assertion. Up till now, Nigeria’s alley smells with the stench emanating from the blood of innocents Nigerians who were sent to their untimely graves by trigger-happy military officers. Nigeria’s flag which was meant to be a symbol of national unity and identity has suddenly been drenched with the blood of martyrs. The green which represented fertile land has been stained with blood turning it into red which signifies danger. The carcasses and cadavers of people who were aforetime referred to as tomorrow’s leaders are scattered GETTY IMAGES all over the streets in an innumerable number. Nigerian youths who only took to the streets to protest against the excesses of the messengers and enforcers of law waving the Nigerian flag showing their allegiance were cut off in their prime. Rather, than becoming and triumphing a victor, they became the victim. In the first instance, who was the captain that blew Photo: Getty Image the whistle which culminated into the senseless Images killings Photo: ofGettythese harmless Photo: Getty Images citizens? Who authorised these daredevil criminals to use their weapons of war on hapless cradles? When was the invisible hand that ensured that the Lekki toll gate which was a beehive of economic activity be utilised and turned to a battleground? Was it a coincidence that the security apparatus (lights and cameras) were removed shortly before the commencement of the killing spree? In the second instance, Who takes the blame for the massacres? Is it the Nigerian government that are a bunch of clueless and inept individuals who have
no other duty than looting so ensures that the goals the nation’s public treasury and objectives of the organto the detriment of the en- isation are achieved within tire citizenry? Or of young the snap of a finger. HowNigerian youths who are de- ever, the recent profile of manding form legitimate events which culminated actions of good governance into the recent massacre of and better conditions of vibrant Nigerian youths truliving? Or of parents who ly makes renders the above seem to have neglected assertion obsolete. their parental duties? Well, we cannot blame him Just a few moments after though. Since it is a known the ugly incident Babajide fact that the Nigerian politSanwo-Olu, governor of La- ical system of governance gos, suddenly came to the prefers to utilise propaganfore denying the fact that da rather than speaking the no life was lost and that forc- truth. We may conclude es and circumstances be- that the cabal may have yond his control be blamed bought his mind over too. for the sad occurrence. In Thus, his political ears may his words, he asserted ‘’This have been defeated making PHOTO: GETTY IMAGE is the toughest night of our it difficult for him to listen to lives as forces beyond our di- the plight of the masses. rect control have moved to While we cannot dispute make dark notes in our his- the fact that the Govertory, but we will face it and nor’s action was despicacome out stronger.’’ ble and could be regarded Such a statement emanat- in administrative terms as ing from the verbal coffers “gross misconduct”, the law of the chief executive and which sanctioned the mursecurity officer of a state der of citizens at the Lekki shows the highest levels of toll gate was without ado incompetence. Afterall the passed by the Nigerian gov1999 constitution in its open- ernment operating at the ing paragraph clearly spells highest echelon. the fact that the first and The highly revered and safundamental duty of any cred Aso Villa chaired by elected official is the protec- President Muhammadu tion of the lives and proper- Buhari may have sparked ties of the subordinates he fires leading to the massaor she was elected to gov- cre. From the purview of ern. Has the Governor for- the constitution, the Presigotten this fact so soon? dent alone has the constituIn any organization, the tional powers and rights to powers of a leader are not disseminate orders to the to be toiled with. Apart Nigerian military and the from the performance of entire body of law enforceseveral duties, the leader al- ment agents and agencies.
These powers are not to be toiled with and cannot be challenged by any individual – a governor, Minister, Senator and other crops of political officeholders. Rather than utilise these soldiers to quell the violence which may have emanated due to the infiltration of thugs and other enemies of GETTY IMAGE the State, the President settled for the option of clamping down on these protesters with the instrumentality of force and coercion. This may have motivated the Nigerian army to commence the ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ on Tuesday which in the first operation recorded tons of casualties. The government is to be Photo: Getty Image Images blamedphoto: forGettydesecrating Nigeria’s streets with the blood of martyrs. The coming years and generations will not be quick to forget the ugly event and also the reign of terror and force which the Buhari administration successfully championed and orchestrated. Nigeria may never be able to recover from the same of this event which had attracted foreign attention. Nigerian leaders may not be able to wash off these stains from their garments too. Anyways, the struggle continues and until all is said and done it is “no victory, no surrender”. May the souls of the departed rest in peace”.
METRO NEWS
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 05 2020
England fears resurgent of CoronaVirus Outbreak British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a new month-long lockdown for England
British Prime Minister Boris made a sudden about-face Johnson has announced a and confirmed that tough new month-long lockdown restrictions on business and for England after being daily life would begin Thurswarned that without strin- day and last until Dec. 2. gent action, a resurgent coro- During a televised news connavirus outbreak will over- ference, Boris made it known that "no responsible prime whelm hospitals in weeks. On the day the U.K. passed minister" could ignore the one million confirmed grim figures. COVID-19 cases, Johnson "Unless we act, we could see
deaths in this country running at several thousand a day," he added. Under the new restrictions, bars and restaurants can only offer takeout, non-essential shops must close and people will only be able to leave home for a short stringent. Unlike during Britain's first lockdown earlier this year, schools, universities, construction sites and manufacturing businesses will stay open. As in other European countries, virus cases in the U.K. began to climb after lockdown measures were eased in the summer, and people began to return to workplaces, schools, universities and social life. Johnson had hoped a set of regional restrictions introduced earlier in October would be enough to push numbers down. But government scientific advisers predict that on the outbreak's current trajectory, demand for hospital beds will exceed
METRO by: Eunice Ayobami capacity by the first week of December, even if temporary hospitals set up during the first peak of the virus are reopened. The scientists warned that COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths could soon surpass the levels seen at the outbreak's spring peak, when daily deaths topped 1,000. The government's chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance, said the mortality rate had the "potential to be twice as bad, if not more" than it was during the pandemic's first European wave, if nothing was done. In the same vein, The United States, India, Brazil, Russia, France, Spain, Argentina and Colombia have also recorded more than one million cases, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore
ENDSARS: Sanwo-Olu lifts curfew in Lagos. By: Eunice Ayobami Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has totally lifted the curfew imposed on Lagos State after the hijack of the peaceful #EndSARS protests with immediate effect. Meanwhile, the 12 a.m. to 4a.m. curfew earlier imposed by the Presidential
Task
Force
on
COVID-19 to curb the spread of the pandemic remains. This was contained in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso. Earlier,
Sanwo-Olu
directed
all
public servants on Salary Grade Levels 1- 12, who were earlier directed to work from home since March 2020, to resume work fully from Monday, November 2, 2020. The directive to work from home was occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: Getty Images
METRO NEWS
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 06 2020
#Endsars: FG reassures youth of implementing 5-point demand By: Eunice Ayobami
Photo: Getty Images
LAGOS State Governor, Babjide Sanwo -Olu, has announced that the reopening of tertiary insti-
tutions in the state will commence from September 14, 2020. The governor made this known during a
media briefing at the State House in Marina where he explained that tentatively primary and secondary schools would resume by September 21, PUNCH reports. The governor also directed primary and secondary schools across the state to resume on September 21, 2020, but said the date could be subjected to further review in the ongoing modelling of the state’s response to the COVID - 19 pandemic. The reopening order is coming six months after all tertiary institutions and basic schools were shut on the order of the government, following the
outbreak of COVID -19 pandemic. Sanwo - Olu said the decision to reopen the schools was carefully thought through, given the decline in the number of positive cases and the progress recorded in the state’s response. He asked the management of the schools to ensure adherence to the safety guidelines as they reopen their campuses for activities. The governor directed all event centres, bars, lounges, nightclubs, spas, beaches, cinemas, gymnasiums and game arcades to remain shut till further notice.
WAEC set to release 2020 SSCE results Photo: Getty Images
By: Esan Bisola
The West African Examinations Council has said the results of the 2020 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination would be released on Monday, November 2, 2020.
postponed due to the violence and arson in the country, adding that the unrest in the country affected some of its offices and operations nationwide.
ed, “This is to inform candidates that sat West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates, 2020 that the results of that exam will be released by
According to reports, the release of the results was
While giving an update on Sunday, WAEC tweet-
@waecnigeria tomorrow, Monday, November 2, 2020
by 10:30am.” We would recall that the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination was taken between August 17, 2020 and Saturday, September 12, and the council was expected to release the results on October 27, 45 days after.
METRO NEWS
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 07 2020
Lagos State Governor flags off reconstruction Esan Bisola of Eti Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has rolled out a major infrastructural overhaul in the Epe Division of the State, flagging off the reconstruction of Eti Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway after it was abandoned for some years. The Governor flagged off the first phase of the road project on Sunday at a ceremony held at the Pan African University in Eleko, Ibeju Lekki area. The first phase, which will be completed in 20 months, will cover 18.75 kilometres, stretching from Eleko to T-Junction in Epe. The residents, who heaved
a sigh of relief, thronged the ceremony where Sanwo-Olu formally kick-started the project.
each side. A lane on each side will be dedicated as toll weighbridges only for heavy-duty vehicles.
The road was constructed in 1981 by the Alhaji Lateef Jakande administration as a single carriageway, but underwent an upgrade to a two-lane carriageway in 2006 by the administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Its condition, however, became deplorable as a result of population growth and increased vehicular traffic.
The governor, while declaring the project open, said the ceremony symbolised his administration’s revolutionary efforts at making life better for Lagos citizens and improving the ease of doing business in the State.
Sanwo-Olu’s intervention would see the entire stretch from Eleko to Epe dualised on rigid pavement, with three lanes on
He added that the Eti Osa-Lekki-Epe corridor was strategically important to the State’s economic prosperity, stressing that the completion of the project would further strengthen his administration’s commitment to
inclusive development. The governor however vowed that no part of Lagos would be left behind in his Government’s quest for transformational projects. Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, said the ceremony indicated another effort being made by the Sanwo-Olu administration in improving residents’ standard, noting the investment in infrastructure would support business and promote economic development.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 08 2020
The urgency of an emergency Oluwarotimi Desire
Emergencies are always unforeseen and unexpected making such situations dangerous and therefore calls for immediate action. Victims are usually in an urgent need for assistance and relief but from all I've seen, the reverse is the case as these victims are most times neglected thereby suffering pains that lead to their demise. Witnessing a few numbers of accidents in my life and having seen people's reactions to such incidents and scenes, I feel like there's a need for massive awareness and I say this because judging from the various reactions to these accidents, there is every tendency that people do not understand the meaning of an emergency.
Ever witnessed an accident where people gather around the victim(s) to take pictures capturing every defining moment while the accident victim lies helpless wallowing in pains; the verge of death at the expense of his/her incognizant onlookers. One would wonder if humanity permits that a soul escapes its body right under the watch of potential lifesavers. In another view, we have so much integrated into a society that has restricted itself from placing topmost importance on human lives. Instead of finding ourselves amidst salvaging medical emergencies, we prefer to bombard social media with the latest news of accident scenes by sharing heart prick-
ing photos of victims who are hungry for help. However, most people are quite afraid to urgently respond to emergency cases all because of security issues such as the request for police reports from hospitals before treatment. I believe this majorly restricts the public response to emergencies and may I remind our health organisations that with this been done, lives aren't placed as the topmost concern. It is noteworthy that the advent of legislation could have properly handled these incursions of health disasters and ascents of negligence during emergencies. There was a recent case of a bike man who got hit by a truck and had his left leg broken. De-
spite having arrays of active people around, all they could do was to drag him off the road to the roadside leaving him half dead and watch him bleed to death. No one, not just one man was willing to convey him to the hospital. SO SAD. What an incognizant society. An earnest request needs to be made to our government to step up actions that would address these issues. More importantly, if by chance there's the existence of any rule or law that says hospitals should request for a report in the face of an emergency, then I think such a law should be abolished as it doesn't depict a society that looks out for its dwellers. And if not, hospitals should be warned against doing such
and henceforth reprimanded when caught violating because saving lives should be their priority and not otherwise. Also, we need to come up with efficient emergency response plans to tackle whatever emergency we are faced with. Emergency response is a systematic response, a cyclical process involving repeated assessment, planning, action and review to respond appropriately to needs thereby mitigating the impact of such incidence on people and the environment. Conclusively, loss of lives through an unattended emergency is on the rise. It is an issue we all have to tackle, else, the ditch will definitely spread to our vicinities.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 09 2020
10 foods you should never eat after age 30 Casmire Okedinachi
When you were little, you couldn’t wait to be grown. Being an adult looked amazing. Adults are free to do whatever they want! This is never more true than at meal time. Remember when your parents used to make you eat peas and Brussels sprouts with dinner? As an adult, you can pick whatever side dish you want! Freedom, glorious freedom. But, if you have passed the big 3-0, you may have noticed something else along with this freedom. Even
though you don’t feel any differently than you did in your twenties, you may have noticed your food choices are leading to a little extra pudginess. As we age, the body changes and it becomes more difficult to lose weight and stay healthy. What’s more, what you eat may be making you look older! With all that in mind, here are 10 foods you should never eat past age 30 if you want to stay svelte and young looking.
FLAVOURED YOGHURT After you turn 30, you skin starts to change. Collagen production slows down and elastin (the protein that keeps skin firm) starts to break down. You cannot stop this process but you can help yourself out by avoiding sugar. Sugar accelerates skin aging. You may have cut obvious sugars from your life but don’t forget that they can be hiding in otherwise healthy looking places. Some brands of flavoured yogurt carry 24 grams of sugar in a 6
ounce serving! That will catch up with you in a hurry! CANNED SOUP A study published in 2013 found a connection between high blood pressure and aging skin. The connection between the two is not entirely clear but could it really hurt to cut back blood pressure raising sodium? Many popular canned soup brands contain 40% of your daily sodium in just one serving! You should also avoid these soups because many of the cans are
lined with BPA which has been linked to weight gain, cancer and infertility. If soup is your go-to comfort food staple, skip the cans, chop up come veggies and make your own! POP-TARTS & BREAKFADT PASTERIES That majority of sweet ‘breakfast’ foods pack a day’s worth of sugar. That is not how to get your day off to a good start! These can be especially hard to resist if you are raising wee ones and this is their breakfast
HEALTH & WELLNESS of choice. While they are convenient, they are not healthy. Do yourself, and everyone in your home, a favour and switch to a healthy, protein packed breakfast. Consuming so much added sugar can lead to health problems that will do nothing but shorten your life. COLA One of the benefits of being an adult means you can drink a soda any time you wish. One of the downsides of being an adult is knowing that downing that soda can spell disaster for your health. Now that you’re over 30, are you thinking of starting a family or adding to the children you already have? Colas are not helping you meet these goals! They are full of cancer-causing dyes and added sugar. Added sugar has been shown to have a negative impact on ovulation AND sperm motility. Not helpful for fertility! Try some fruit infused water if you really need a sweet drink! OREOS We have bad news for you: Oreos are full of empty calories and fat. “When we’re younger, eating healthier seemed pointless when you could just go to the gym 24/7 to lose weight,” says registered dietitian and founder of The NY Nutrition Group Lisa Moskovitz. “Unfortunately, as the body ages, exercise still has plenty of positive benefits, but weight loss is often not one of them.” Avoiding calorie-dense, hard-to-stop eating foods like Oreos is the only way. Why
MERCHANTS TIMES
feed an addiction when you can beat it? COCKTAILS & BEERS Have you noticed that it takes you longer to recover after a weekend bender? That’s because, according to registered dietitian, Martha McKittrick, as we get older, it becomes more difficult for our bodies to metabolize alcohol. What’s worse, when you are drunk, junk food cravings become so much harder to ignore. “It’s also increasingly difficult to get a good night’s rest with alcohol in your system. While you may have been able to get away with minimal sleep in your 20’s, that’s not the case in your 30’s and beyond. Sleepless nights lead to carb and sugar cravings the next day, which can contribute to further weight gain,” McKittrick explains. Besides, alcohol dehydrates you which makes the fine lines on your skin more visible. Why look older if you don’t have to?
our cells repair themselves. But, if you are drinking too much caffeine, you may not be getting the restful sleep you need to heal. AND, like that wasn’t scary enough, studies have found that repeatedly drinking through a straw can increase the fine lines and wrinkles around your mouth. Instead try sipping on some green tea. They can help you fight wrinkles by preventing inflammation and improving the skin’s elasticity. CONVENTIONAL PRODUCE Don’t get excited, we aren’t telling you to skip the produce. But, it is important to remember that by the time you are 30, you have been accumulating toxins from your food for 3 decades. This can have a negative impact on your metabolism and hormones balances. Buy organic whenever possible to prevent your metabolism from slowing to a crawl. SOY SAUCE
VEGGIE BURGERS Unless you are a vegetarian or vegan, don’t cut beef from your diet. Vitamin B12 is one way to prevent your hair from graying prematurely and it is abundant in beef. Aim for grass fed as it is leaner than traditionally raised beef and contains more omega-3 fatty acids. ICED COFFEE Coffee through a straw always seems like a good idea at the time. But, over the course of an average day, we are exposed to things that damage our skin, like UV rays. While we sleep,
While you may consider it to be an essential condiment, soy sauce may be working against you. Being dehydrated ages you. To avoid looking older than you actually are, take a pass on salty foods like soy sauce — one tablespoon contains 879 milligrams of sodium! While you are skipping these added salts, make sure you are drinking lots of water. Question: Have you noticed changes in your body since entering your 30s?
NOVEMBER 10 2020
Unless you are a vegetarian or vegan, don’t cut beef from your diet. Vitamin B12 is one way to prevent your hair from graying prematurely and it is abundant in beef. ....................................... BODYUNDER NIGERIA Fitness| Nutrition| Leisure| Enquiries: 08186578916 Contact person: kayce IG/Fb: bodyunderfitness and nutrition
TECHNOLOGY
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER
11 2020
Apple to launch MacBooks with own chips next week
GETTY IMAGES
Apple Inc.’s 15-year relationship with Intel Corp. will officially begin to unwind next week when new Mac computers are revealed. The Cupertino, California-based technology giant said on Monday that it will hold an online event dubbed “One more thing” on Nov. 10. That “thing” will be Macs with main processors designed by Apple for the first time, replacing Intel chips that have been a mainstay since 2006. An Apple spokesman declined to comment. Apple and overseas suppliers are ramping
up production of Apple has less than three Mac laptops 10% of the market for with Apple proces- personal computers, sors: new 13-inch and so the direct impact 16-inch MacBook Pros on Intel sales may be and a new 13-inch limited. However, the MacBook Air, accord- change highlights a ing to people familiar crisis engulfing the with the matter. Fox- world’s largest chipconn, known also as maker. It has delayed Hon Hai Precision In- a new manufacturing dustry Co., is assem- process, giving rivals a bling the two smaller chance to catch up. laptops, while Quanta These problems are at Computer Inc. is least partly behind building the larger Apple’s decision to to in-house MacBook Pro. The move smaller models are chips, although the further ahead in pro- company has been duction and at least steadily shifting to approach for those two laptops will this be shown at next years. week’s event. Beyond the processor switch, The partnership bethe devices won’t tween Apple and Intel have significant started in 2005, when Steve Jobs outlined a design changes.
move away from PowerPC processors. Intel helped Apple catch up to Windows computers, some of which were more powerful at the time. In tandem, though, Apple was working on more energy-efficient chips for mobile devices based on Arm Ltd. designs and continues to use those to power the iPhone and iPad. On Apple’s recent earnings call, Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook hinted at the Mac launch by saying, “without giving away too much, I can tell you that this year has a few more exciting things in store.” The
TECHNOLOGY
company generated a record $9 billion in revenue from the Mac in its fiscal fourth quarter. The first Mac processors from Apple will be based on the A14 chip found in the latest iPhones and iPad Air, and tests inside Apple indicate improved power efficiency over the Intel parts they are replacing. The new machines will also have Apple-designed graphics and machine-learning processors. Read more: Apple-Made Computer Chips Coming to Mac, in Split From Intel Apple said in June that the transition away from Intel chips will take two years. After updating its laptop line, Apple will still have until 2022 to update desktop computers -- the iMac, iMac Pro, Mac Pro and Mac mini -- with its own processors. The company is already at work on a redesigned iMac, the company’s all-in-one desktop, and a new Mac Pro model, Apple’s highest-end desktop, other people familiar with the company’s plans said. Apple engineers are currently developing
MERCHANTS TIMES
a new Mac Pro that looks like the current design at about half the size. It’s unclear if that Mac will replace the current Mac Pro or if it’s an additional model. Apple’s chip designs could help the company reduce the size of its computers due to increased power efficiency, but the current Mac Pro is large, in part, to fit components like additional storage drives and graphics chips. Apple’s test Mac for developers to write apps for the new processors is a Mac mini with an iPad Pro processor, but the company will still need to roll out a proper update to that model with a Mac-specific chip. The new Macs require macOS Big Sur, a redesigned Mac operating system that makes the software more like iPhones and iPads. When announcing the transition in June, Apple said the move would provide a common architecture across all of its devices. That means future iPhones, Macs, iPads and Apple Watches will run a variation of the same chip. That will allow devices to work together better and let iPhone apps run natively on Macs for
NOVEMBER 12 2020
the first time. Bloomberg first reported on the transition away from Intel in 2018 and again in April. The new Macs will mark Apple’s third major product release this fall. In September, the company announced new Apple Watches and iPads. The iPhone 12 and HomePod mini lines debuted in October.
Apple’s chip designs could help the company reducethe size of its computers due to increased power efficiency.
Apple and overseas suppliers are ramping up production of three Mac laptops with Apple processors: new 13-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros and a new 13-inch MacBook Air,
MAJEK FASHEK NIGERIA CONSCIENTIOUS SINGER
A dare to speaking the truth Over time, The Merchants Times journalists opinions piece have reflects the author's opinion about a subject. Because we believe independence is an underlying requirement of journalism.
STOCK MARKET
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 14 2020
Stock market report for November 2nd 2020 WEEKLY REPORT STOCK MARKET REPORT FOR OCTOBER 30TH 2020 PRODUCTS EQUITY It was a four-day trading week as the Federal Government of Nigeria declared Thursday, 29th October as a public holiday to commemorate Eid-el-Maulud. Meanwhile , a total turnover of 1.909 billion shares worth N23.610 billion in 23,578 deals were traded this week by investors on the floor of the Exchange, in contrast to a total of 1.505 billion shares valued at N19.668 billion that exchanged hands last week in 20,552 deals. The Financial Services industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 1.478 billion shares valued at N15.576 billion traded in 12,546 deals; thus contributing 77.41% and 65.97% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Consumer Goods Industry followed with 131.788 million shares worth N2.613 billion in 4,112 deals. The third place was the Industrial Goods, with a turnover of 83.526 million shares worth N3.573 billion in 1,818 deals. Trading in the top three equities namely FBN Holding Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc (measured by volume) accounted for 576.514 million shares worth N6.791 billion in 4,652 deals, contributing 30.19% and 28.76% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. Equity Turnover - Last 5 days Date 26-Oct-20 27-Oct-20 28-Oct-20 30-Oct-20
Deals
4,235 5,283 5,947 8,113
Turnover Volume
340,804,399 385,598,796 375,249,909 807,810,817
Turnover Value (N)
5,560,887,613 2,914,255,653 4,634,120,009 10,501,022,806
Traded Stocks
104 101 99 100
For Further Inquiries Contact: Market Operations Department
Advanced Stocks
27 46 41 43
Page 1
Copyright © 2020 [The Nigerian Stock Exchange]. All Rights Reserved. This stock report is originally published and own by Nigeria Stock Exchange
Declined Stocks
15 2 5 11
Unchanged Stocks
62 53 53 46
STOCK MARKET
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 15 2020
WEEKLY REPORT ETPs A total of 262,849 units valued at N2.160 billion were traded this week in 52 deals compared with a total of 284,105 units valued at N2.090 billion transacted last week in 44 deals. s/n 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Security NEWGOLD MERGROWTH STANBICETF30 MERVALUE VETGOODS VETGRIF30 GREENWETF VETBANK VETINDETF VSPBONDETF TOTAL
Deals 28 3 6 1 4 3 2 3 1 1 52
Volume 256,924 2,488 2,022 873 360 90 50 22 10 10 262,849
Value 2,160,268,825.00 25,451.00 147,939.60 8,817.30 1,816.00 1,200.15 5,000.00 80.20 128.70 2,754.60 2,160,462,012.55
BONDS A total of 7,730 units valued at N9.211 million were traded this week in 15 deals compared with a total of 19,811 units valued at N25.898 million transacted last week in 10 deals. s/n 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Security FGSUK2025S2 FGSUK2024S1 FG142027S1 FGS202261 FGS202267 FGS202268 FGS202270 FGS202129 TOTAL
Deals 3 4 1 2 2 1 1 1 15
Volume 2,403 1,501 1,016 1,000 800 500 500 10 7,730
Value 3,210,502.80 1,946,757.97 1,762,097.67 1,017,357.14 911,115.94 486,747.17 486,584.51 10,222.13 9,831,385.33
INDEX MOVEMENT
The NSE All-Share Index and Market Capitalization appreciated by 6.39% to close the week at 30,530.69 and N15.958 trillion respectively. Similarly, all other indices finished higher with the exception of the NSE ASeM Index that closed flat. (See summary of Index movements in the table below). WEEK WEEK CLOSE CLOSE 23/10/2020 30/10/2020 The NSE All-Share Index (ASI) The NSE-Main Board Index NSE 30 Index NSE CG Index NSE Premium Index NSE Banking Index NSE Pension Index NSE Insurance Index
28,697.06 1,177.41 1,230.28 1,032.70 2,587.13 344.86 1,153.53 137.36
30,530.69 1,274.78 1,319.45 1,098.34 2,701.82 372.61 1,235.76 145.11
WEEKLY CHANGE 1833.63 97.37 89.17 65.64 114.69 27.75 82.23 7.75
For Further Inquiries Contact: Market Operations Department
WtD
6.39 8.27 7.25 6.36 4.43 8.05 7.13 5.64
MtD
QtD
% Change 13.79 13.79 13.60 13.60 14.88 14.88 16.48 16.48 13.99 13.99 20.05 20.05 17.53 17.53 4.54 4.54
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Copyright © 2020 [The Nigerian Stock Exchange]. All Rights Reserved.
YtD
13.74 10.68 12.02 1.01 27.67 4.42 17.24 15.33
STOCK MARKET
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 16 2020
WEEKLY REPORT NSE ASeM Index NSE-AFR Bank Value Index NSE AFR Div Yield Index NSE MERI Growth Index NSE MERI Value Index NSE Consumer Goods Index NSE Oil/Gas Index NSE Lotus II NSE Industrial Goods Index
728.51 992.38 1,727.41 1,468.24 1,512.15 486.68 202.73 2,020.95 1,234.16
728.51 1,056.23 1,861.25 1,598.52 1,667.87 546.09 215.33 2,185.70 1,327.95
0.00 63.85 133.84 130.28 155.72 59.41 12.60 164.75 93.79
0.00 6.43 7.75 8.87 10.30 12.21 6.22 8.15 7.60
0.00 19.90 21.59 14.79 24.73 20.33 10.35 13.05 11.24
0.00 19.90 21.59 14.79 24.73 20.33 10.35 13.05 11.24
-0.88 6.90 34.39 14.71 16.66 -7.89 -17.98 19.13 23.46
SUMMARY OF PRICE CHANGES PRICGES
Sixty-eight (68) equities appreciated in price during the week, higher than twenty-eight (28) equities in the previous week. Six (6) equities depreciated in price, lower than thirty-five (35) equities in the previous week, while ninety-four (94) equities remained unchanged, lower than ninety-nine (99) recorded in the previous week.
For Further Inquiries Contact: Market Operations Department
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STOCK MARKET
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 17 2020
WEEKLY REPORT Top 10 Price Gainers
Company PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. STERLING BANK PLC. FIDELITY BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. CUSTODIAN INVESTMENT PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC.
Top 10 Price Decliners
Company MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC CUTIX PLC. NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC OMATEK VENTURES PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE PLC
Open
2.05 2.44 0.36 1.40 2.02 4.55 0.26 23.00 5.00 1,175.00
Open 0.60 0.60 1.90 14.30 0.26 0.60
Close 2.71 3.13 0.46 1.77 2.51 5.65 0.32 28.15 6.05 1421.70
Close 0.54 0.54 1.73 13.10 0.24 0.58
Gain (N) % Change 0.66 32.20 0.69 28.28 0.10 27.78 0.37 26.43 0.49 24.26 1.10 24.18 0.06 23.08 5.15 22.39 1.05 21.00 246.70 21.00
Loss (N) -0.06 -0.06 -0.17 -1.20 -0.02 -0.02
% Change -10.00 -10.00 -8.95 -8.39 -7.69 -3.33
NEW LISTING BOND The October 2020 Issues of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Savings Bond were listed on The Nigerian Stock Exchange on Monday, 26 October 2020.
Below are the details of the Bonds: Issuer Symbol Name Amount Issued (N) Units Price Coupon Symbol Code ISIN Issue Date Maturity Date Coupon Payment Dates Tenor
Federal Government of Nigeria 2.453% FGNSB OCT 2022 3.453% FGNSB OCT 2023 N29,122,000 N147,076,000 29,122 147,076 N1,000 per unit N1,000 per unit 2.453% 3.453% FGS202278 FGS202379 NGFGS2022781 NGFGS2023797 14 October 2020 14 October 2022 14 October 2023 January 14, April 14, July 14, October 14 2 years 3 years
For Further Inquiries Contact: Market Operations Department
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STOCK MARKET
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 18 2020
WEEKLY REPORT SUPPLEMENTARY LISTING ETF Additional 687,142 units of NEWGOLD ETF were listed on the Daily Official List of The Nigerian Stock Exchange (The Exchange) on Wednesday, 28 October 2020. The supplementary listing on The Exchange arose from the Issuer’s creation of additional units of NEWGOLD ETF. With this listing of the additional 687,142 units, the total issued and outstanding balance of NEWGOLD ETF listed on The Exchange has now increased from 1,050,000 to 1,737,142 units. CORPORATE ACTIONS Airtel Africa Plc Proposed Dividend Proposed Bonus Qualification Date Closure / Record Date AGM Date: Payment Date:
$1.5c (One and half cents of the US dollar) Per Ordinary Share Nil Thursday, 12 November, 2020 Friday, 13 November, 2020 Not Applicable On or around Friday, 11 December, 2020
NESTLE NIGERIA PLC Proposed Dividend Proposed Bonus: Qualification Date: AGM Date: Payment Date: Closure of Register Date:
₦25.00 Nil 11/20/2020 12/7/2020 12/7/2020 11/23/2020
NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Proposed Dividend ₦0.25 Proposed Bonus Nil Qualification Date: 11/20/2020 AGM Date: 12/1/2020 Payment Date: 12/1/2020 Closure of Register Date: 11/23/2020
For Further Inquiries Contact: Market Operations Department
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STOCK MARKET
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 19 2020
WEEKLY REPORT COMPANY REPORT S/NO 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
COMPANY TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC. ETERNA PLC. INTERLINKED TECHNOLOGIES PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE PLC TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. CHAMS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC CAPITAL HOTEL PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. CUSTODIAN INVESTMENT PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC OMOLUABI MORTGAGE BANK PLC LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC SECURE ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. MEYER PLC. LAFARGE AFRICA PLC.
3RD QUARTER 3RD QUARTER IST QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 2ND QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 3RD QUARTER
PERIOD UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED
SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER
YEAR 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020
3RD QUARTER
UNAUDITED
SEPTEMBER
2020
3RD QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 2ND QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 3RD QUARTER
UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED
SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER
2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020
3RD QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 3RD QUARTER
UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED UNAUDITED
SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER
2020 2020 2020 2020
Please visit http://www.nse.com.ng/Issuers-section/corporate-disclosures/companyresults for full details of Financial News and other corporate disclosures
For Further Inquiries Contact: Market Operations Department
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AFRICAN RENNAISANCE
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 20 2020
Imperialism in Modern Africa and a philosophy of the total conquest of neo-colonialism.
It is a thing of sorrow and a constant feeling of dysphoria to continue to see evidence that everything our African giants who led us to freedom fought against is still happening in our very eyes. This is because of the inept, mentally unbalanced and un-ideological leaders we vote into political offices year in year out. We need to, first of all, understand that imperialism doesn’t necessarily need to come in form of aliens, invaders or the elitist cosmopolitan western capitalist-colonial power who come by force to usurp and dominate territory. What the metropolis need do is to install a puppet African leader who’s going to be running an African capitalist-client state in favour of the imperialists and neo-colonialists state. In a nutshell, imperialism is refined colonialism run by an African puppet leader
on behalf of the oppressor. Now, imperialism can come in various forms, it can come in form of aids, food aids, financial & economic aids etc. As Thomas Sankara told us “He who feeds you controls you”. A case study is Nigeria; the political leaders in Nigeria are blind to the reality that China is an imperialist country who have succeeded in lending Nigeria a large amount of money she’s incapacitated of refunding. Now China is demanding for a part of Nigeria’s sovereignty. This is what happens when we vote greedy, corrupt, unintellectual and political ignoramus in power, perhaps every Nigerian should start looking for a Chinese name incase the Chinese imperialists decide to invade the Nigerian territory. It is sad to see that the same thing our
father and comrade Dr Kwame Nkrumah fought against in the 50s to the 60s is still happening in the 21st century. After the independence of the democratic republic of congo, imperialists sponsored reactionaries within the Congo to agitate for secession simply because they wanted to continually hold their grip of neo-colonialism. Belgian troops called the Force Republique with the backing of NATO-UN dominated Katanga province of Congo and were looting the resources of the Congolese free of charge. This was what Patrice Lumumba fought against till his last breath. It’s so devastating to see that in this present day, imperialists are doing the same thing in the Congo and all African leaders are helpless in solving this crisis. This shows the content of leaders we
have today, totally unaware, uninformed, greedy and unintellectual. The Congo is perhaps the richest country in the African continent. Congo produces 64% of the world coltan; coltan is used in manufacturing phones, laptops, jet engines etc. the list is endless, and because of this fact, imperialists have dominated Congo, denying the Congolese people of their sovereignty, looting the resources of the Congolese people, raping our Congolese women, using our Congolese kids for labour and ultimately degenerating our beautiful continent; and the sad thing is that African leaders are quiet about it. This is what happens when we have a puppet regime, running a client state in benefit of the metropolis.How do we solve this issue? This should be a constant question raised at conferences to solve the cur-
rent Congo crisis and to ultimately pulverize oppression and exploitation all over the African continent. But sadly, our African leaders don’t care. However, the solution to this problem is Pan Africanism. Kwame Nkrumah foresaw and predicted all happening now. He told us in his book Africa Must Unite that “I can see no security for African states unless African leaders, like ourselves, have realized beyond all doubts that salvation for Africa lies in unity, for in unity lies strength, and as I see it African leaders must unite or sell themselves out to imperialists and colonialist exploiters for a mess of pottage or disintegrate individually” he also told us that “It’s African Union now, we must unite or we perish”. The big question now is, is Africa not perishing?. Our problems are African construct and they need Afrocentric solu-
BUSINESS
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 21 2020
For Pan Africanism to work we, first of all, need intellectual leaders and not greedy morons. tions, no other persons will think for us, we are in a unique position, we must think for ourselves! For Pan Africanism to work we, first of all, need intellectual leaders and not greedy morons. The first thing we need is the organization of the masses of the people towards the total overhaul of puppet regimes running client states in benefit of the metropolis. We must take the revolutionary songs to the peasants who are unorganized and un-revolutionary. It’s the job of the unconscious to make the conscious. Awoke intelligentsias must spring up from the subject and oppressed African masses and be in the vanguard of the
resistance of this alien government. The intelligentsias must organize, be in the vanguard of the resistance and supervise the masses I.e the urban proletarians and the peasantry. The urban proletarians and the peasants are the most revolutionary elements, once they are awake, destruction looms the oppressive system. It’s our duty to take the revolutionary songs to them. We must oust ineffectual leaders and create a Pan African alliance to solve our problems. After ousting ineffectual leaders, it’s incumbent on us to unite and form a union African government. Pan Africanism doesn’t necessarily mean one president,
one flag, one territory. Independent African states shall still have their constitutional and territorial structures and everything that indicates their sovereignty, all we need do is unite and form a union government. Everything we do shall be on a continental basis, economic & political planning shall be on a continental scale. I’m African before I’m a Nigerian; I’m a Pan Africanist. And ultimately We must achieve the following:
cialism. If we had implemented all these things and united and created an all African people revolutionary army, what’s happening in Congo will not be happening because the African high military command will be strong enough to withstand and ultimately kick out imperialists who are dedicated to looting and raping our dear continent. Nonetheless, it’s not too late. In a nutshell towards Africa’s liberation, we must achieve the following
1 All African people revolutionary Party 2 All African people revolutionary army 3 All African people committee for political coordination. All must be based on the bedrock of scientific so-
1 interwoven political rebellion to oust Ineffectual leaders 2 political actions based on scientific socialism 3 Pan African alliance. Working classes and
peasants of Africa, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains, you have a world to win!
This article is originally written by Aina Ademola, a columnist of The Merchants Times Broadsheet Newspaper. For more articles on Africa and Africans, please subscribe to his Column, “Africa Renaissance”. Twitter: @ogbeniDemola
BUSINESS
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 22 2020
Nigeria mobile money revolution delayed by scarcity of licences
In late 2018, Nigeria said it would allow non-financial companies to apply for mobile banking licences — part of a money revolution aimed at transforming Africa’s biggest economy and unlocking the continent’s largest unbanked population. The move would permit mobile telecoms providers including MTN and rival Airtel to tap into the roughly 60m Nigerians who lack bank accounts, in a country where most transactions are made using cash. But two years after Nigeria’s central bank announced the new regime, little has changed and neither Airtel nor MTN has received a licence — although two smaller telcos and a payments company were granted licences in August. Observers blame the delay on
lobbying by banks that are wary of ceding any territory to mobile providers. The central bank declined to comment. “I don't think [banks] fully understand how telcos participate in mobile money — that we essentially expand the pie and everyone gets a bigger piece,” says one industry executive who did not wish to be named. “There’s a sense that telcos are coming to have their lunch, so there’s fightback from the banks.” Raghunath Mandava, chief executive of Airtel Africa, says receiving the licence that his company applied for in 2018 would “dramatically change financial inclusion in the country. For us, the business could be very big.” There’s a sense that telcos
are coming to have their lunch, so there’s fightback from banks He pointed to Kenya, a country with a $95bn annual gross domestic product, where mobile money operator Safaricom’s M-Pesa — which holds a virtual monopoly — earned close to $790m in revenues in the fiscal year that ended in March. “We look at it as [about] 1 per cent of GDP should be the revenue of all the mobile money operators together — what share each of us will get is something else,” he says. “But the GDP of Nigeria is about $400bn . . . that means someday it should be a $3bn-$4bn business for all the telcos.” The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the central bank under
governor Godwin Emefiele have made financial inclusion for Nigeria’s 200m people a priority. As the country enters its second recession in five years, with rising inflation and high unemployment, the need to expand savings and lending for Nigeria’s many poor has become more pressing. Nigeria’s central bank wants to avoid some of Kenya’s drawbacks — in particular M-Pesa’s virtual monopoly — by forcing banks and telecoms groups to work closely together, and to ensure that phone companies are regulated in the same way as financial services groups.
In an August circular, the central bank said it would grant more licences. However, the bank requires that
Source: Financial Times
BUSINESS
MERCHANTS TIMES
companies — including mobile operators — set up separate corporate entities with minimum capital of N5bn ($13m), which is likely to exclude some smaller contenders. Despite the lack of progress on licences, some steps towards financial inclusion have been taken by digitally savvy Nigerian banks, with mobile-to-mobile and SMS-based transfers now commonplace. Lagos’s fintech companies — which attracted nearly $400m in funding in a single week last year — provide an alternative form of banking through their own agent networks and mobile payments infrastructure. Nigeria, with its agents selling phone credit recharge cards in nearly every town and village in the country.
things telcos and MTN know how to do very well,” Mr Usoro adds. Nonetheless, without the issuing of more licences, the government is likely to find it more difficult to achieve Mr Buhari’s goal of bringing millions more Nigerians into the financial system. Without that increased inclusion, there will be negative consequences for savings and tax collection in an economy already struggling with a low oil price and poor infrastructure.
that’s one of the
The
NOVEMBER 23 2020
Raghunath Mandava, chief executive of Airtel Africa, says receiving the licence that his company applied for in 2018 would “dramatically change financial inclusion in the country. For us, the business could be very big.”
erchants
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Ryan Giggs: Wales postpone news conference over alleged incident involving manager Ryan Giggs was due to attend a news conference on Tuesday to announce the Wales squad for their games against the United States, Republic of Ireland and Finland
The Football Association of Wales has postponed a press conference on Tuesday following allegations against manager Ryan Giggs. It comes after police were called to an address in Greater Manchester on Sunday following reports of a "disturbance". "A woman in her 30s sustained minor injuries but did not require any treatment," read a police statement. "A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of section 47 assault and section 39 common assault. "He has since been bailed pending further enquiries. Enquiries are ongoing." The Welsh FA has postponed a press conference Giggs was due to attend on Tuesday to announce the Wales squad for their upcoming games against
the United States, Republic of Ireland and Finland. "The FAW is aware of an alleged incident involving the men's national team manager Ryan Giggs," read a statement. "The FAW will be making no further comment at this current time." Former Manchester United winger Giggs was appointed Wales manager in 2018 as permanent successor to Chris Coleman. Wales next face the United States in a friendly at Swansea's Liberty Stadium on November 12 ahead of two crucial games in the Nations League. Group leaders Wales host the Republic of Ireland on November 15, before facing Finland on November 18 with both games to be held at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Mauricio Pochettino on Marcelo Bielsa: What makes him a unique coach?
Pochettino earned all 20 of his caps under Bielsa, also playing for him at Newell's Old Boys and Espanyol. Speaking ahead of Monday Night Football, he explained what makes Bielsa such a demanding coach, provided some insight into the unique detail of his work that put him two decades ahead of everyone else, and
offered his view on whether Leeds can keep up their high-tempo approach…On his early memories of Bielsa… "The most important thing that everybody needs to know is that he is a very special man. He is a very different character and a very different coach who believes in a different way to play, his own method that he created to train. "It is difficult to adapt to him. But for me it is very difficult to talk about him because my relationship with him began when I was 13 when I arrived at Newell's Old Boys. When you are a kid trying to translate his ideas to the
SPORTS
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 25 2020
Diego Maradona: Argentina legend admitted to hospital, local reports say
Argentina's legendary Diego Maradona was reportedly taken to the Ipensa clinic in La Plata, about an hour from Buenos Aires, to undergo tests but it is not thought to be an emergency or related to coronavirusDiego Maradona was admitted to hospital in Argentina on Monday although his condition is not thought to be serious, local media has reported. Maradona, 60, was reportedly taken to the Ipensa clinic in La Plata, about an hour from Buenos Aires. Maradona coaches the local club Gimnasia y Esgrima.
The reports said Maradona, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986, was admitted to hospital to undergo tests as he had been feeling poorly for some time and will be held under observation for "at least three days", his doctor Leopoldo Luque said. "He is not well psychologically and that has an impact on his physical wellbeing. He's not as well as I would like and as well as I know he can be. He needs help, this is the time to help him. "Diego is a person who is sometimes excellent and sometimes not so much. He could be
10 thousand times better. And bringing him here helps him. "It's very difficult being Maradona."
Luque did not give specific details of Maradona's ailment but said it was not related to COVID-19. He had initially self-isolated after one of his bodyguards displayed symptoms of coronavirus, the country's state-run news agency Telam reported last Tuesday. Maradona last appeared in public on his 60th birthday last Friday before his side's league match against Patronato. He was gifted a plaque and
a cake to celebrate the occasion but he did not stay to watch the game and witnesses said he looked unwell and weak. The former Napoli, Barcelona and Boca Juniors player has suffered frequent periods in hospital over the years, often due to the extravagant lifestyle that accompanied and followed his playing career. The former Napoli striker was also admitted to hospital in January 2019 with internal bleeding in the stomach. He also fell ill at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he was filmed passing out in an
executive box at the Argentina-Nigeria game. Maradona was taken into hospital in 2004 with severe heart and respiratory problems linked to cocaine use. He later underwent drug rehabilitation in Cuba and Argentina before a stomach-stapling operation in 2005 helped him lose weight. In 2007, he checked himself into a clinic in Buenos Aires to help him overcome alcohol abuse problems.
Source: Sky Sports Uk
SPORTS
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 26 2020
Petr Cech says he is ‘100 per cent ready’ to make stunning Chelsea return PETR CECH insists he’s ‘100 per cent ready’ to play for Chelsea after his shock inclusion in Frank Lampard’s Premier League squad. And the veteran goalkeeper, 38, has dismissed doubters by claiming he still has the ‘same quality’ Source: The Sun Uk
Cech was named as Chelsea’s fourth-choiceshot-stopper in a stunning move by ex-team-mate Lampard - despite retiring from football last year. He won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the 2012 Champions League during an 11-year spell at Stamford Bridge, playing over 300 times for the likes of Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti. Cech also spent time at Arsenal, joining the Gunners in 2015 before bowing out after defeat to Chelsea in the 2019 Europa League final. He swiftly returned to west London as technical and performance advisor after Lampard replaced Maurizio Sarri in Chelsea’s dugout.
Europe. And veteran Willy Caballero has also fallen short between the sticks. Cech was instrumental in helping Chelsea land Edouard Mendy from Rennes over the summer, with the £22m man quickly becoming a firm fan favourite with consecutive clean sheets.But Cech is now braced to enter the firing line himself, insisting that he remains confident in his abilities and will jump at the chance to play if called upon. He told Telefoot: “It’s true that it would have been a professional error to do this if I wasn’t at Premier League level, but that’s not the way we work here. “I know I’m 100 per cent ready to help if needs be. I’m fit, and with the two months of training, I’ve seen I have the same quality.
But Cech is now juggling both an office role and a place on the training field following Lampard’s recent goalkeeper woes.
“Furthermore, I rested for a year without playing football. It really gave me energy.
Club record signing Kepa Arrizabalaga, who cost £71million, has established himself as one of the most error-prone goalkeepers in
“My body recovered after playing 20 years as a professional. If the circumstances put me on the pitch, I’m ready.”
Man Utd legend Roy Keane slams Edinson Cavani’s
ROY KEANE has questioned whether Edinson Cavani even warmed up before coming on against Arsenal. The veteran striker was introduced from the bench in the 75th minute of Sunday's 1-0 defeat to the Gunners after cameras appeared to show him looking relaxed before coming on. Cavani failed to make an impact as United lost to Arsenal at Old Trafford for the first time in 14 years. After the match, Keane called out the 33-year-old for not warming up before
being put on the pitch. The Red Devils legend told Sky Sports: "I'm intrigued when I look at warm-ups. Cavani never threw a leg, he actually didn't do a warm-up, did he? "Then he comes on as a sub and is being asked to get them back in the game. "Ole's talking about having to get him [Cavani] up to speed, well, sometimes it's up to the player to do something. "Ole will pay the ultimate price, obviously. "Ole will lose his job, walk out of this group of players,
that's whats going to happen. "I've been saying it for the last month or two, but you still think, 'you never know in this game, things might change', and you think it's up to Ole to motivate these players for Arsenal at home.
SPORTS
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 27 2020
Nwakali in line to replace injured Kenneth Omeruo for Sierra Leone Midfielder Kelechi Nwakali could be invited into the Super Eagles for this month’s African cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone. According to reports, Super Eagles technical crew led by Gernot Rohr could hand the Huesca midfielder his chance, should Kenneth Omeruo fail to recover from the injury he sustained over the weekend. Kelechi Nwakali was placed on standby in the initial list for the game, and could be drafted into the squad for Kenneth Omeruo who might sit out of the match according to reports. Kenneth Omeruo is facing two to three weeks on sideline after picking uo a hamstring injury in Leganes 1 – 0 win over Mirandes over the weekend.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winning defender left the pitch after suffering a puncture in the back of his left thigh while playing for Spanish second division outfit Leganes. Gernot Rohr have enough bodies in the Omeruo’s position withSemi Ajayi, Leon Balogun, Kevin Akpoguma, William Troost-Ekong and Chidozie Awaziem all available for selection. Kelechi Nwakali on his part, made his first Spanish Premiere Liga start for Huesca away to Real Madrid over the weekend. The clash with the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone is a double headerwith the meeting billed for Benin City while the reversed fixture has been scheduled Freetown.
Pinnick Assures NFF Will Boost Super Falcons Squad For Future Games football league. “We have gotten a new coach for the senior women national team and there are new foreign based Nigerian players who have declared their interest to play for the country. Young and enterprising players for us to prove women AFCON is our birthright.” He further explained that the NFF is working towards getting two friendly matches for the team to get them ready for the engagements. The NFF recently contracted Coach Randy Waldrum to tinker the team to the next level after Thomas Dennerby unceremoniously walked out on his job, poaching Precious Dede, to head the India U17 women’ team. Randy will be assisted by Ann Chiejine – a former Super falcons goalkeeper and captain, as well as Wemimo Matthew.
The president of the Nigeria’ football federation Amaju Pinnick has assured Nigerians that every effort has been made to boost the Super Falcons for future engagements. He spoke on the team recently in Abuja when he paid a visit to the Glass house, the new abode of the Nigerian women
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LIFE & STYLE
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 28 2020
The power of attraction Amy Poehler
One great lesson I learnt this year is how to position myself properly for the right set of people to come in. When you attract better people into your life, everything else gets better. They are the driving force you need to propel you to greatness. Imagine having a beautiful car without fuel in it. I wonder how you can make it move but the moment you fill it up, you are good to go. Whenever I refer to gifts of men, this is what I mean. This illustration is for proper understanding: you find yourself at certain crossroads in your life, someone just walks in and things begin to move smoothly and at that moment you ask yourself “what just happened?”.
Many of us claim people are not willing to help us but we have failed to realize we drive people away with our attitude and negativity. Your kind of mindset will determine the kind of people that will get attracted to you. Some are even lucky, irrespective of how they position themselves, good people still want to associate with them. They have this aura around them, people see it and cannot just explain why they want to associate with them. Now, if you find yourself in this category, I must say you are very lucky. You see, God deliberately allows some people walk into our lives because He has a specific purpose He wants them to accomplish and of course it means you are a useful vessel. Failure to
detect or discern makes you miss out on these wonderful things God has in store for you. Be careful, so you do not drive away your angels with your actions and character and just when you are about to take them serious, they are gone. Self discovery is the first step to take. What is your inner awesomeness? What virtues do you possess? If you have genuine answers to these questions, you have taken a bold step and sooner or later, you would discover the real you. Having a positive mindset is another thing to take note of. Birds of a feather flock together. Positive minded people will never associate with negative minded people. Ensure you exhibit a positive
attitude towards life and all that it brings. What is your lifestyle like? Would these set of people ordinarily want to associate with you? What kind of words proceed out of your mouth? If you have sincere answers to these questions, you are good to go. Be willing to make amends when corrected. Be open to criticism and lastly be thankful for life itself. 2019 is just around the corner, I feel this would help you start on a good note. Great achievements ahead for us all. You attract the right things when you have a sense of who you are – .
LIFE & STYLE
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 29 2020
If I could start over, here’s what I'd do differently Joel C Peterson When you talk to someone in his golden years, you're likely to hear about things he would do more of, less of, or just better if he had the chance to do it all over again. I’m generally happy with life, so can’t complain that a tortuous route got me to this point. But if I could do it again with hindsight, the second time around I’d make sure to live by the following guidelines: I’d be a cheerleader – not a policeman – for my kids. I’d hug them every time I see them and tell them I love them, I am proud of them and I miss them when we’re apart. And I’d never skip a day of telling and showing my wife how much I appreciate her. I’d celebrate others’ good fortune more often; I’d recognize and thank those in my life every time they do something noteworthy. I’d take the long view on reversals and disappointments, confident that most of them turn out to be great learning experiences. I’d make sure I like who I’m working with. More than that, I’d be certain I respect them and embrace their values. Most of all, I’d make sure I’m worthy of their respect. Finally, I’d get out of business with the “takers” sooner, and faster still with any who lack integrity. I’d hire slowly and fire quickly – but gently. I’d hire more for brains, heart and judgment – and less for experience. I’d put taking classes with great professors above picking the perfect major. I’d leave any job where I couldn’t find happiness and meaning, always
making sure I’m moving toward something I want rather than away from something I don’t. I’d look for patterns. Few things are so unique and unusual that you can’t generalize from them. I’d write down my goals and share them with significant others – but I’d put them down in pencil and not let anyone punish me for changing them. I’d make sure to say good-bye to my parents when their time has come and give them the gift of knowing of my gratitude as they leave me behind. I’d “re-pot” every decade, seeing life as a book with decade-long chapters, writing each one with its chapter end in mind. I’d turn off the voice in my head that comes from others’ expectations. I’d re-write the “operating system” I inherited from my upbringing, my DNA and my experiences to date, replacing it line-by-line with self-talk I choose. I’d write my eulogy – then do something about the gap between what I wish could be said and what could honestly be said. Those items on this list that I’ve followed have brought me to a good place. Those that I’ve failed to do have set me further back on the trail than I might have been. Writing out what I’d do if I could start over helps me start where I am and move on from there. It’s the same for all of us. Starting from wherever we are, we really can begin anew and do better.
www.twitter.com/JoelCPeterson.
RELIGION
MERCHANTS TIMES
NOVEMBER 30 2020
Franklin Graham Warns of 'Attack' on Christian Businesses, Nonprofits if Biden Wins
Evangelist Franklin Graham says an America run by a President Joe Biden and a Democratic Congress would result in Christian businesses and nonprofits being attacked for their beliefs and potentially shut down.Graham, the president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, made the comments Saturday on Newsmax TV’s America Right Now, saying a Biden victory this week coupled with a Democratic
takeover of the U.S. Senate would have dire consequences for Christians. “I am afraid there will be an attack against Christian businesses like we saw during the Obama administration. Florists who refuse to do flowers for a gay wedding, they will be put out of business. Someone who didn't want to make a cake for a gay wedding, put out of business. I think they'll see these kinds of attacks by the Left against Christian businesses
and Christian organizations,” Graham said. ... “I think they want to try to come after churches and tax churches and tax tax-exempt organizations that are doing humanitarian work, social work throughout the country. “Some of the best work in the country are the nonprofits that are working in the inner cities and throughout the country, trying to help relieve some of the problems that we have in society, and they'll want to
try to tax them and close them down.” The Biden campaign website says the Trump administration “has deliberately and systematically attempted to gut protections for the LGBTQ+ community by carving out broad religious exemptions to existing nondiscrimination laws and policies across federal agencies.” “Biden will reverse Trump’s policies,” the Biden website says.
No matter who wins this week, Graham said he’ll keep preaching the gospel of Christ. “If we just invite Him to come into our hearts and repent, turn from our sins and trust Him and invite Him to come in, He will not only forgive our sins, He'll heal our hearts,” Graham said. “He'll change us. Our country needs a heart transplant, and only God can give that to this country, and that's through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.”
source: Christian Headlines
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Lagbaja
Bisade Ologunde is a Nigerian afrobeat musician, singer-songwriter and percussionist. Widely known as Lágbájá for his signature use of mask which covers his identity. He believes in social reform through music.
Pursue peace with all Making peace doesn’t mean avoiding conflict. A conflict avoided is often a conflict postponed and therefore a conflict that ultimately becomes worse. Peacemaking begins with the honesty and courage to recognize a problem and face it. Without these steps no further progress can be made.