BusinessDay 05 Jan 2020

al amendment, PIGB, electoral legal dominate legislative business in 2020 DAY BUSINESS

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NASS to step oversight, economic laws, federalism

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ms of overresponsibilthe House, nvestigated ny of the nistries to ose corrupn line with on 58 of the nstitution

health, Nigeria in diasp ora, unemployment, youth, women, among others.

“In terms of oversight responsibility of the House, we investigated many of the ministries to expose corruption in line with section 58 of the constitution. It is the deliberations of the House on members motion that get the police and other government agencies to embark on using local governments as a basis for recruitment using Federal Character principles”.

The 9th Assembly (Reps) has in the last six months introduced over 499 bills some of which have passed second and third readings, resolved about 250 motions, paid oversight visits to many Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and hold investigative public hearings with several MDAs. Remarkably, the critical bills passed by the 9th Assembly include the historic N10.59 trillion 2020 Appropriation Bill which has been signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, marking the reversal to the January to December Budget Cycle, as well as, the N278.35 billion Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Statutory budget and 2020 Appropriation Bill.

It also passed the Finance Bill, which amended the Companies Income Tax Act, Value Added Tax Act, Customs and Excise Tariff etc. (Consolidation) Act, Personal Income Tax Act, Capital Gains Tax Act, Stamp Duties Act and Petroleum Profit Tax Act to Provide for the Review of Tax Provisions and make them more Responsive to Tax Reform.

Others are; a bill for an act to provide easy access to higher education for Nigerians through interest-fre e loans Nigerian Education Bank, the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (Amendment), a bill for an act to provide that 20 per cent of jobs available in all Federal Government ministries, departments, agencies and companies b e distribute d amongst the physically challenged persons in Nigeria, a bill for an Act to Amend the National Council on Public Procurement and the Bureau of Public Procurement Act and A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Health Records Officers (Registration etc.) Act. While there are over 300 bills to consider and pass in 2020, constitutional amendment, electoral act amendment and PIGB would be given Keen attention by the National Assembly (Reps).

This is as Femi Gbajabiamila,

www.businessday.ng Sunday 05 January 2020

inside

Constitutional amendment, PIGB, electoral legal framework to dominate legislative business in 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari

nly step in but retain d the same thing too ors. hrough this Assemrivate members bill democracy day from o June 12. It is this that increased the wage to N30, 000 as e 27, 000 proposed by ive. are many progressive d which are awaiting ere is one to remove mination because we er declared state of y on unemployment ur employed youths ates will receive fattention by the public

ion of first degrees dichotomy, granting women in the public ptions of citizenship, zenship of their fausbands, repel and of new company and mpany act which has mended since 1990 to business in Nigeria. bition of estimated electricity distribuanies, establishment th East Development on and also we have South East Developmission bill”, Pwajok

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stated.

He added that, “apart from bills which is the core function of the Legislature which is to make law, the 8th Assembly pursued its representational role as elected representative

of the people to speak for the people of Nigeria, passed many resolutions covering all areas of our national life that concerned the people from insecurity to terrorist attacks, murder, kidnapping, killings, education,

Senate Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan www.businessday.ng

p. 22 - 23

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Interview

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President Muhammadu Buhari ponders over the shortness of time as he walks to catch up with a state function inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Sunday 05 January 2020

Why Rwanda hasRwanda moved ahead of other Why has moved African countries - Says speaker of parliament

ahead of other African countries

Donatille Mukabalisa, 59, is speaker of Rwandan parliament and leader of the opposition Liberal Party.

In this interview with Temitope Ajayi in Kigali, she said her country is leading the world in area of gender equality and women participation in governance. She also spoke on the rise of Rwanda out of the ashes of Genocide in 1994 and the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and her country.

You are a lawyer and a former official of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); why did you join politics in 2000? he motivation came from our history and of course a career in the United Nations. There is no way one will work within the UN system and one will not be interested in politics and governance. I grew up in this country and the history of my country pushed me to join politics after 1994. Before 1994, the politics of this country was characterised by division and all kinds of evil that ed to the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. I was around when the genocide happened. I had a chance to escape. I am a survivor of the genocide against the Tutsi even though I was pursued by those who wanted to kill me.

I survived by miracle. I was in the country up till June 1994 before I was able to escape as a member of staff of UNDP. So, after 1994, there was the liberation ideology that promoted inclusiveness. I decided to join politics to contribute my quota to the rebuilding efforts of my country. I became active in the process and decided to contribute to the journey to rebuild and deSunday 05 January 2020 velop the country.

That was how I oined politics.

lower chamber, which is called house of deputies. You were a senator at the upper chamber before your current role. In a continent where men dominate the political space, do you feel any sense of accomplishment?

I can say that is a pride for our country first of all and I will add that it is a job that comes with a lot of responsibility for me to lead an institution that is making law for the country and overseeing government actions and programmes.

It is a big responsibility and a shared responsibility because I work closely with all members of parliament. We work together, put our efforts together and see the best way to move things. We are the best in the world as a country with the biggest number of women in the parliament and even in other institutions of government at the executive and judiciary down to the lower levels of governance.

We have 50 percent women in the executive and almost 50 percent in the judiciary. This happened in our country because we have the political will at the highest level.

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How will you describe the journey of nation-building in Rwanda in terms of economy and social cohesion in line with the Vision 2020 the country launched in year 2000?

We have made significant progress in all areas. The country was totally destroyed. We had to start from the scratch. The immediate priority was to re-unite the country because the country was divided and fractured for a long time. Everything was a priority in fact, because we did not know how to start and where to start from. Everything now boiled down to good eadership and the citizens. We have the blessing of a good and visionary leader in the person of His Excellency, Paul Kagame, whose eadership is about inclusiveness and making sure that every citizen ALYSSA from SPARACINO benefits everything we are doing. o doubt, the year Everything we are doing is allis already rolling. But, about the citizens’ well-being. is sad that many People cannotitwork unless they p ehad o p lto e work c a n non ot are together. We

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Donatille Mukabalisa

reconciling people even though it was delicate. We could not imagine the possibility of reconciling people who had perpetrated evil against the Tutsis, those who have killed and maimed, some exiled for decades all coming together to reconcile and now work together to rebuild the country. But it happened because the people trusted the leadership of President Kagame. We began the journey of healing people that were traumatised by the genocide. There were people that had no shelter at all after the genocide; people who had nothing. But we succeeded in the job of uniting people and the country. You can see the result of what we have achieved today. We are at a very amazing level if you see the result of unity and reconciliation barometer, considering where we were coming from.

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stick to the goals they set for themselves about few days ago when they ushered in the new year, especially living healthy. However, you can still focus and redeem your goals, particularly the healthier you because it results in a better and happy you.

Below are some tips to help you get more determined at living healthier in the remaining part of the year: It is hard to keep up the enthusiasm months after you have swept up the confetti, but it is not impossible. This year, pick one of the following worthy resolutions, and stick with it for your health.

Lose weight The fact that this is perennially among the most popular resolutions suggests just how difficult it is to commit to. But you can succeed if you do not expect overnight success. “You want results yesterday, and desperation mode kicks in,” says Pam Peeke, MD, author of Body for Life for Women. “Beware of the valley of quickie cures.”

Also, plan for bumps in the road. Use a food journal to keep track of what you eat and have a support system in place. “Around week four to six... people become excuse mills,” Dr. Peeke says. “That’s why it’s important to have someone there on a regular basis to get you through those rough times.”

Get more sleep You probably already know that a good night’s rest can do wonders for your mood—and appearance. But sleep is more beneficial to your health than you might realize.

A lack of sleep has been linked to a greater risk of obesity and diabetes. And sleep is crucial for strengthening memories (a process called consolidation).

So take a nap—and do not feel guilty about it.

Cut your stress A little pressure now and again will not kill us; in fact, short bouts of stress give us an energy boost. But if stress is chronic, it can increase your risk of—or worsen—insomnia, depression, obesity, heart disease, and more.

How has the country fared in the areas of education, health and other social services?

We can say we are in a good place

A new dawn...

Rwanda has one of the best records in the world in terms of high representation of women in governance. You are rated number 5…

(Cuts in) No. No. We are number 1 in the world in terms of women representation in governance. We are number five in terms of closing the gender gap and women participation. Don’t mix it up.

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p. 34 Health&Science - 35

in terms of education. We have put in place good policies on education, particularly education for young girls. We have a policy on education for all that has impacted so much on

school enrolment at very high level.

On health, we have a mechanism that provides health for all citizens.

We have healthcare coverage insurance for all citizens and we are at a satisfying level with the outcomes.

On economy, we have an economy that is growing and unique in Africa and all over the world. Our economy is growing very fast but it is not taken for granted. It is about the commitment of the people who trust their leaders and working together in other to get the country to move forward.

The healthier, The healthier, the the better you inin 2020 better you 2020

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I can say that is a pride for our country first of all and I will add that it is a job that comes with a lot of responsibility for me to lead an institution that is making law for the country and overseeing government actions and programmes

So, what is the strength of the private sector and its contribution to the economic growth of Rwanda?

The private sector is playing a very big role. It is playing a pivotal role because they are developing very fast. When you see the contribution of the private sector to the GDP, it is very high and I mean 85% of the total GDP of the country.

You are the second female speaker of the parliament; I mean the

We need action, not more promises - Citizens tell FG We are alive to our commitment - Govt ’Time not on Nigeria’s side’

Thanks for the correction. Now, what can other African countries learn from Rwanda in terms of women representation?

What I can say is that no country can aspire to develop in a very efficient way when it is leaving a big part of the population behind.

Women and men must work together to build a progressive society. We must have women participate at every level of governance in any country, including in the private sector and the political parties. Women play important roles in building a society. A society cannot hope to progress when 52% of the population is not carried along.

Women in Africa represent 52% of our population. A major part of our population must be at the centre of governance process and every citizen – men and women must be

OBINNA EMELIKE & INIOBONG IWOK

Long work hours, little sleep, no exercise, poor diet, and not spending time with family and friends can contribute to stress, says Roberta Lee, MD, an integrative medicine specialist at Beth Israel Medical Center, in New York City, and the author of The Super Stress Solution.

“Stress is an inevitable part of life,” she says. “Relaxation, sleep, socializing, and taking vacations are all things we tell ourselves we deserve but don’t allow ourselves to have.”

Cut back on alcohol While much has been written about the health benefits of a small amount of alcohol, too much tippling is still the bigger problem. (In fact, binge drinking seems to be on the rise.)

Drinking alcohol in excess affects the brain’s neurotransmitters and can increase the risk of depression, memory loss, or even seizures.

Chronic heavy drinking boosts your risk of liver and heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and mental deterioration, and even cancers of the mouth, throat, liver, and breast.

Quit smoking

Vol 1, No. 295 N300

Fear that you’ve failed too many times to try again? Talk to any ex-smoker, and you’ll see that multiple attempts are often the path to success.

Try different methods to find out what works. And think of the cash you’ll save! (We know you know the health benefit.)”It’s one of the harder habits to quit,” says Merle Myerson, MD, director of the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Program at St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals, in New York City. “But I always tell people to think of how much money they will save.”

Travel The joys and rewards of vacations can last long after the suitcase is put away. “We can often get stuck in a rut, and we can’t get out of our own way,” Kanaris says. “Everything becomes familiar and too routine.”

But traveling allows us to tap into life as an adventure, and we can make changes in our lives without having to do anything too bold or dramatic.

“It makes you feel rejuvenated and replenished,” he adds.

“It gets you out of your typical scenery, and the effects are revitalizing. It’s another form of

p. 41

new discovery and learning, and great for the body and the soul.”

Volunteer We tend to think our own bliss relies on bettering ourselves, but our happiness also increases when we help others, says Peter Kanaris,PhD,coordinatorofpublic education for the New York State Psychological Association.

And guess what? Happiness is good for your health. A 2010 study found that people with positive emotions were about 20 percent less likely than their gloomier peers to have a heart attack or develop heart disease.

Other research suggests that positive emotions can make people more resilient and resourceful.

“Someone who makes this sort of resolution is likely to obtain a tremendous personal benefit in the happiness department,” Kanaris says.

Save money Save money by making healthy lifestyle changes. Walk or ride your bike to work, or explore carpooling. (That means more money in your pocket and less air pollution.)

Cut back on gym member-

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pinions are divided on the President Muhammadu Buhari’s new year message.

While some citizens see hope of a better year for Nigerians,

ship costs by exercising at home.

Many fitness programs on videogame systems like Nintendo’s Wii Wii Fit Plus and Microsoft’s Xbox Kinect Your Shape Fitness Evolved can get you sweating.

Take stock of what you have in the fridge and make a grocery list. Aimless supermarket shopping can lead to poor choices for your diet and wallet.

Go back to school No matter how old you are, heading back to the classroom can help revamp your career, introduce you to new friends, and even boost your brainpower.

A 2007 study found that middle-age adults who had gone back to school (including night school) sometime in the previous quarter century had stronger memories and verbal skills than those who did not.

What’s more, several studies have linked higher educational attainment to a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

“You are gaining a sense of accomplishment by gaining new knowledge, and you are out there meeting people and creating possibilities that were never there before,” Kanaris says.

Happy New Year!

some others believe that positive change may not happen if things were not done differently.

In the new year message to his compatriots, President Buhari had reeled out fresh promises, even though past ones appeared to have been forgotten.

He had pledged to improve power supply, deliver on criti-

cal infrastructure across the six geo-political zones of the country, double down on local production of food and winning the war on terror. According to him, a couple of projects will either be completed or commenced this year.

The promises, analysts say, are ennobling. They however,

noted that this was not the first time Nigerians have heard such great promises, which never see the light of day.

Daramola Adeola, a financial analyst, said the taste of the pudding is in the eating.

“In Nigeria, the secret of lonContinues on page 2

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A new dawn...

Continued from page 1 gevity is in being positive no matter the socio-economic situation. If we look at where we are now as a nation vis-a-vis the quantum of promises that had been made in the past, you will agree with me that we are merely playing politics.

If you look at our external debt profile of over $81billion and government’s intention to borrow additional $29.6billion, you are likely to believe the new round of President Buhari’s promises,” Adeola said.

He further expressed the opinion that the promises were not necessary since Buhari had made similar pledges during the electioneering campaigns late last 2018 to early last year before the general election.

“For me, I think the rehash of the promises was not necessary. Mere talking does not help anything.

What Nigerians want to see are the deliverables not fresh rhetoric. It is said that the taste of the pudding is in the eating. It is to me, more or else an academic exercise,” Adeola further said.

Peter Onos, a trained computer engineer, told BDSUNDAY that Nigerians should be optimistic of a better year under the Buhari administration.

“2020 is a new year and I believe that government is not oblivious of the suffering of the masses. They may pretend in the open that they did not know the extent of suffering that people go through, but they tell themselves the hard truth in the secret. To that end, I strongly believe that, just as the President has promised, it is going to be better this year,” Onos said.

Some analysts have however, said that it was time for government to go beyond promises to putting in place tangible items of development policies that could drive economic growth.

The analysts expressed worries that Nigeria now lags smaller countries in Africa in terms of technology, respect for rule of law, quality policy implementation, among other growth drivers.

For Obadiah Mailafia, former deputy governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the President should come clear on how he is going to address is-

sues such as security, poverty and unemployment this year.

“The President has gone into details in telling us what the administration wants to achieve.

Without security, you cannot have growth and development. He has spoken about lifting 100 million people out of poverty and he has also painted the picture of projects that will be coming on stream in the course of the year.

“All of which is good but my problem is that he has not shown how he is going to achieve all these things. There is no major discussion on unemployment particularly youth unemployment. Youth unemployment is almost getting to 70 per cent.

Most youths are wandering the streets without jobs”, he said.

John Bayelsha, lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said Nigerians were getting tired of the frequent promises and without action of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Bayelsha advised the government to fight graft and concentrate on providing jobs and infrastructures.

According to him, “The President is still making promises five years into his administration; these are things his administration had promised Nigerians in 2015 that they ought to have done. You would realise that across all sectors there is so much talk but no action.

“Our electoral system is still in disarray, there is no electricity, no roads in Nigeria. As I am taking to you now, there is no light in my house in Ilorin.

These are things that are taken for granted in other places.

“Let him plug the leakages, corruption is still high under this administration. Repair the roads, the Kabba-Lokoja road have been in a bad state for years, what stops the government from repairing that road?

“Why borrowing such high amount of money when the country is already in debt? With prudent management of our resources, Nigeria can take care of itself with the money being generated in the country.

“All the money they say they are recovering, where is it? Create jobs for the people; right now

a lot of youths are graduating from the university and there is no job for them, even lawyers, not to talk of people in other disciplines. He may mean well for the country but without action the people would not believe him.

Until he fulfills the promises and begin to act, the people would not take him seriously”.

Hilary Osaji, an economist and university lecturer, noted that instead of promising more to the citizens or formulating new policies, the present administration should work to fulfill earlier promises and implement existing policies.

“Our new democracy is already 20 years, time is running and before you know it, 2023 election will close in. At present, Nigeria should not play politics with her development because smaller African countries are waking up and even challenging her might”, Osaji said.

“It is sad that at the African Union summit, which held in Nigeria last year, Ghana was chosen as the headquarters of the new African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), when Nigeria could have easily taken advantage of her position to host the body”, he decried.

For him, other African countries and most foreign investors would rather go to Ghana because of the clear-cut policies, sincerity of the government and maturity of their

democracy that have ensured stability over the years.

Though Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa, Osaji said if you remove crude oil revenue, Nigeria is nowhere on the economic ranking in Africa.

That for him, is the reason the country should wake up to the reality as more African countries are discovering oil in commercial quantity, and smaller countries ranking better that the ‘African giant’ in tourism, trade, mining, agriculture, aviation, education among other sectors.

Toeing Osaji’s line, Emeka Ozonna, a logistic business executive, said the President’s promise of jobs for the unemployed is unrealistic when on daily basis, more businesses are leaving Nigeria to Ghana because of the country’s favourable business environment, while Nigeria keep promising same but multiple taxation, touts, multiple registration and corruption have not allowed entrepreneurs to stay afloat.

He thinks that President Buhari should listen to his Economic Advisory Team and if the team does not have anything to offer to the ailing economy, the President should dismiss the team.

“You increased minimum wage to N30,000, which many states are struggling to pay, but you fail to implement the Civil Service Reform.

Government should have

implemented the reform because it will remove millions of ghost workers and dead woods in the system, reduce wage bills for the federal and state governments, create employment for the qualified and curb corruption,” Ozonna said.

On the promise on infrastructure development, Osaji said that the 47 road projects scheduled for completion in 2020/21, including roads leading to ports; major bridges, substantial work o n t h e Se c o n d Ni g e r Bridge, completion of 13 housing estates under the National Housing Project Plan; Lagos, Kano, Maiduguri and Enugu international airports to be commissioned in 2020 among others, are not realistic because the government is borrowing to complete them, and they are not telling Nigerians the impact of the debt on the economy.

“President Buhari is in his last term, and he does not need to impress anybody for votes. So, I advise he rather pick projects he can deliver at the scheduled time frame, monitor progress and fire contractors when they are not delivering in quality and time frame”, he said.

Though the President was excited that most families had local rice on their table this Christmas and promised that the border would be opened when neighbouring African countries agree to

collaborate with Nigeria in fighting smugglers from their end, Olumide Akani, an agro-economist, noted that local production is not sufficient enough, and that the masses are suffering the high cost of food in the market and not the policy makers in Abuja.

“Yes, the border closure has ensured stable business for farmers, but we need to boost rice production, poultry farming and the textile industry as well, so that farmers and middlemen will not ripoff the masses who cannot afford the exorbitant cost of local produce. If government is subsidizing farmers, there should be control price for farmers’ produce this year”, he urged.

Ta d e Ad e mo l a , t h e chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the InterParty Advisory Council (IPAC), said President Buhari said Nigerians were becoming disenchanted with the refusal of the administration to match it words with actions, while advocating for consistency in policies.

“The issue is that Nigerian has been promised over time, without anything to show for it, let the President match his words with action.

“Let him act. He said people should not travel out for treatment abroad but he went. Boko Haram is still a problem; personally I think he needs conContinues on page 4

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Continued from page 2 sistency in his policies.

For example, they are encouraging people to go cashless, but what of this new policy that people are been charged when they use POS machine?

Ac c o r d i n g t o h i m , “There should be consistency and sincerity of action. He should respect the rule of law; he should appeal judgment rather than seek jungle justice.

“The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the federation said they are releasing people based on compassionate ground, but these are people who have been granted bail.

They know what to do; they travel outside the country and see the way things are done,” he said.

Also Wunmi Bewaji, activist and lawyer, said the present government must put the welfare of the people first in its policy formation, while advising the administration to focus on providing the needed infrastructures that encourage SME’s and the private sector to create jobs.

“I think the most important thing now is for the President to concentrate his attention on the welfare of Nigerians. There is high rate of unemployment among the youths, thousands are graduating from the university every year, but there is nowhere

for them to get jobs. Let him build the economy for the private sector to come and invest.

“Right now millions of our youths are jobless, when you provide the much needed infrastructures it can provide jobs for millions of people. Infrastructure can drive agriculture and investment. There are several opportunities they can do; they can grow the economy and create opportunities they just need to sit down and sort things out”, she said.

However, the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), has urged Nigerians to ignore Buhari’s critics.

Niyi Akinsiju, chairman of BMO, said that Buhari was passionate about developing the country.

“The speech was also a report of his government achievements and setting a timeline for delivery of some of his targets for the New Year. He put them in black and white so that people can take him up on his promises. We have gone beyond sloganeering.

“The past governments wasted state funds of the oil boom era between 2006 and 2014 and did nothing. Our revenue generation has reduced by more than 45 per cent compared to that period but the President is managing the situation well by plugging leakages”, he said.

Ibadan chief wants more roles for traditional rulers REMI FEYISIPO,Ibadan

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aofeek Adegboyega Adegoke, an Ibadan traditional chief and chief financial officer, OES Energy Services, has urged the National Assembly to amend the Nigerian constitution in order to give roles to traditional institution in governance.

Adegoke, who is the Ajia Balogun of Ibadan land, disclosed this when he addressed journalists shortly after he and other chiefs in Ibadan were promoted by Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, the Olubadan of Ibadan land, at the weekend.

He advised the government to involve the traditional rulers in governance constitutionally, as he urged the present National Assembly to amend the constitution to give definite roles to

the traditional institution in governance. “ Na t i o n a l As s e m b l y should make legislation in giving roles to traditional institution in governance.

Government should not wait till there is crisis somewhere or when election is coming before they run to traditional rulers.

“Traditional rulers are closer to the people than local government chairmen, hardly will you see anyone who would not recognize his monarch, but they may not even know their chairman.

For this democracy to thrive there is need for involvement of traditional rulers in government constitutionally”, he said.

Olubadan had at the weekend promoted no fewer than 14 chiefs in the Ibadan traditional chieftaincy line.

Nigerian Army

Buhari allays fears over withdrawal of military from troubled communities

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has said the withdrawal of the military from areas in the country where peace had been restored will not be done in a manner that will expose communities to risk of attacks.

The president said the withdraw exercise will be gradual and carefully planned, not abrupt or arbitrary to jeopardise the success already recorded by the military.

In the face of rising security threats a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y, and the inability of the police to curb crime and insurgency in the north, troops have been deployed to many parts of the country in recent years to restore normalcy.

Re a c t i n g t o c o n cerns and appeals

from governors and community leaders over the proposed withdrawal of the troops, President Bu h a r i s a i d t h e “ a d ministration will not abandon citizens in need of protection.”

He urged Nigerians, especially public affairs analysts, ”to carefully study the statement following a security council meeting with service chiefs that the withdrawal of troops will be done after an ‘assessment’ to determine areas where peace had returned to enable civil authorities to assume full control.”

President Buhari said where it is determined that the withdrawal will not in any way jeopardise peace already achieved, the military pull-out will be in a careful and gradual way.

“You don’t need to

w o r r y. We w i l l n o t expose our people and their communities to harm o r dang e r, ” t h e P r e s i d e n t assured in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu on Friday.

“The withdrawal is to allow the military focus on its primary duty of defending the nation against external aggression.

It is the duty of the police to handle internal security since Nigeria is not at war. “ Th e Ni g e r i a Se c u r i t y a n d Ci v i l De fence Corps will support the police to provide intern a l s e c u r i t y. W h e n it is time to withdraw, nothing will be rushed,’’ he added.

S i m i l a r l y, Pr e s i dent Buhari has condemned the murder of 19 people by unknown gunmen in Ta w a r i c o m m u n i t y o f Ko g i L o c a l G o v e r n m e n t Ar e a , Ko g i State.

Bu h a r i i n a s t a t e ment said there is no excuse or justification for killing innoc e n t p e o p l e b y a n ybody or group, and for whatever motive. “ Th e k i l l i n g s a n d revenge killings will only aggravate the cycle of violence, creating neither safety nor security for any side.

“People should avoid taking the law into their own hands because doing so could make a bad situation worse and undermine the government’s efforts to tackle security challenges.

“I am gravely worried about frequency and temptation of using violence to settle disputes instead of following lawful and amicable means to avoid needless destruction of lives and property”, the president said in the statement.

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Bode George to join 2023 presidential race-aide recently.

But it is, however, not clear under which political party the former PDP stalwart will be contesting but last week, Walid Jibrin, chairman of the board of trustees (BoT) of PDP, said the party will soon commence the search for its 2019 presidential candidate.

George has been having a running battle with the national leadership of the PDP over the control of the Lagos State chapter of the party in recent time.

Recently he refused to support a fresh congress in the Lagos chapter ordered by the national leadership to produce a new state chairman which replaced the former chairman who is his loyalist.

Iniobong Iwok

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ormer deputy national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode Ibiyinka George, has joined the 2023 presidential race.

The Pathfinder Consortium, a group led by Uthman Shodipe-Dosunmu, George’s special adviser, made the announcement in a statement over the weekend.

Sources close to the former governor of old Ondo State, also told BusinessDay that George joined the race after meetings held in Lagos, London in UK and Berlin, Germany recently with some political leaders

Bode George

FG honors Vintage Group with National Merit Productivity Award SABY ELEMBA, Owerri

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or its continued contributions to the growth of the Nigerian economy especially to the agricultural sector, Vintage Group of Companies has been honored with a National Merit Productivity Award.

Mike Elechi, Chairman of Vintage Group said during a Thanksgiving Church service which concided with the 50th birthday of lady Stella Adekemi Elechi, his wife at the Chapel of Grace and Mercy Interdenominational, located inside the company’s premesis, kilometer 2, Ahoada road, Elele in Ikwerre local government area, Rivers State.

Vintage Group of Companies is a conglomerate of Vintage Farms and Products limited, which is into fish farming, with over 80 fish ponds, producing about 60,000 fish monthly.

The farm is also into animal husbandry, vegetables, cassava, yams, oranges and citrus, and farm development consultancy.

There is also Vintage Plastics limited, Vintage Water limited which manufactures Premium Table water, water drilling, water purification and factory development consultancy. Vintage Group has another arm, Vintage Resorts and Recreations which is engaged in outdoor catering and hospitality, consultancy, guest house hotels and recreations. L Veteran and Vintage Tech

limited, another construction firm and Cedar Construction limited which produces curb stones, pave stones, block production and building construction are parts of the Vintage conglomerate.

Elechi who spoke in an interview with BDSUNDAY , said Vintage Group had in the past received many awards but the one which is of much interest is the National Merit Productivity Award which came from the Federal Government as a result of the company’s invaluable contributions to the growth of the economy of Rivers State, South south and Nigeria in general.

“We have received many awards within the period, too many awards unsolicited but to crown it all is that they brought the National Productivity Award form and we filled the form.

“Many professionals, professors of agriculture visited the farms for checks where all we do were shown to them even though I did not see any of them until we received the award.

“I was in America when I was told that my company has been given an award. So it is not only about making money, it is all about service, providing service to for the people and the nation”, he said.

He revealed that since he left the Civil Service work even retired as a permanent secretary in 2010 before 2015 the actual year of retirement to come and farm, a lot of turn around for good has come

However, ShodipeDosunmu said the group will soon unveil George whom he described as a pathfinder and ‘big masquerade’ that will bring a new beginning to the country.

Another source close to the former governor of old Ondo State, told BusinessDay over the weekend that George joined the race after meetings held in Lagos, London in UK and Berlin, Germany recently with some political leaders recently.

“We will engage, inform without derogatory withdrawal. We will challenge, debate, instruct without angry, expletive crudity.

We will sustain and affirm in deliberate Churchillian supremacy.

“Pretenders and the pe-

rennial time-servers shall disappear from the fray.

Only the robust and the lucid patriotic band shall endure,” the group said.

“And the dark, disruptive uncertainties shall cease, giving way to a renewal and a rebirth of democratic contention,” it assured. “It is about rebuilding the broken walls, rectifying the festering wrongs and healing the persisting wounds.

“It is settled, our vision is stripped of ethnic or sectarian articulations. It is about rebuilding the broken walls, rectifying the festering wrongs, healing the persisting wounds,” the group further assured.

President Muhammadu Buhari will end his second tenure in 2023.

Edo 2020 guber: Ojezua inaugurates 39 - man mobilisation committee IDRIS UMAR MOMOH & CHURCHILL OKORO, Benin

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head of the 2020 governorship election in Edo State, the factional state chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Anselm Ojezua on Friday inaugurated 39-member mobilization committee for membership drive.

Ojezua who inaugurated the committee at the party secretariat in Benin City to be chaired by Mathew Iduoriyekemwen, former House of Assembly urged the committee to embark on serious membership drive by working with the party leadership at the state, lo-

Ojezua

cal government and ward levels.

He listed out the term

references of the committee to include embark on a serious membership drive,

identify and interact with notable persons across the state who has shown genuine interest to join our party, develop a program of action to receive them at all levels of engagements from the ward to the state level and do all that is necessary to achieve the objectives of which the committee was set up.

He also urged the committee to screen and make necessary recommendations that will be for the good of the party.

In his acceptance speech, the chairman of the Committee, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen to ensure promised to ensure that people of good character that will lead the party to the next level are brought to the party.

GMICORD Group CEO appointed Chairman South East Metal Operators of Nigeria SABY ELEMBA, Owerri

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he Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD) has appointed Goddi Ihenachor , the chairman/ chief executive officer of the GMICORD Industrial group Chairman of the Metal Operators of Nigeria, South East zone.

GMICORD Industrial group has its head quarters located at the Owerri -Onitsha road Industrial layout in Owerri West local government area, Imo State.

The company produces metcopo aluminum ridge caps for roofing, metcopo aluminum roofing steptiles productions and brick type aluminum roofing steptiles.

Others are spiral type aluminum steptiles roofing production, multicolour aluminium roofing coil coating process, profiles designs for production of steel doors etc.

“These doors were previously imported with huge foreign exchange but its import restriction made GMICORD to venture into its production which is now saving forex, creating jobs

and transfering technology to Nigerians”, GMICORD chairman said.

Meanwhile, Ihenachor has decried the activities of the Chinese companies in Nigeria which he said flood Nigeria’s South East market with “very low priced products. Naturally, this is pushing out operators who regularly source their forex needs from the black market”.

He disclosed that the “Chinese government encourages export incentives and/or rebates to their manufacturers, in their honest bid to encourage foreign

exchange inflow to China. “ Determined to earn these rebates Chinese manufacturers are now flooding the South East market not just to make huge profits in Naira but to achieve their government’s economic objective as well as earn the rebates”, Ihenachor added.

Jumoke Oduwole, Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Ease of Doing Business announced the appointment during a courtesy visit on GMICORD Industrial Group headquarters, in Owerri recently.

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News Abiodun cancels Amosun’s 37 LCDAs, appoints transition committees in 20 LGs RAZAQ AYINLA, Abeokuta

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n what looks like political move seemingly orchestrated to shut out the immediate past governor, Ibikunle Amosun; Adekunle Akinlade, governorship candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), who have just returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their loyalists, Governor Dapo Abiodun on Friday appointed transition committees for 20 constitutionally-recognised Ogun state local government councils.

By appointing transition committees in the only constitutionally-recognised 20 local government councils in the state, Governor Abiodun cancelled the 37 local council development areas created by immediate past governor Ibikunle Amosun during the second tenure of his APC-led government in the state.

BusinessDay reports that the immediate past government of Ibikunle Amosun had created the 37 local council development areas in addition to the existing 20 local government councils for which elections were conducted by the Ogun State Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) and

Abiodun

winners emerged as chairmen and councillors in all the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs. Recall that the National Executive Committee of APC had recently pardoned former Governor Amosun for anti -party activities allegedly accused of in the build-up to the 2019 governorship elections as regards the subtle political backing given to Adekunle Akinlade of APM, having been denied APC governorship ticket in favour of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

The pardon given to Amosun, who is now Sena-

tor representing Ogun Central Senatorial District on the platform of APC as well as Supreme Court’s ruling against the governorship election petitions filed by Akinlade of APM against Abiodun of APC, prompted Akinlade him to collapse his political structure back to his former party - APC with a view to jostling for existing and prospective appointments and elective posts in the party at the state level.

But, as a quick reaction to the rejoining of runaway members of APC in the

state, the governor cancelled the 37 local council development areas created by former Governor Amosun and announced appointments of transition committees to the only 20 constitutionally-recognised local government councils in the state.

These appointments came barely one month to the appointments of the 18 commissioner-nominees that would form the Governor’s Administrative Cabinet who are card-carrying members of APC and are expected to participate in the day-to-day affairs of the state.

According to press statement signed and released in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital by Kunle Somorin, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the transition committees will be in place until the Ogun State Electoral Commission (OGSEIC) conducts election to pick new council chairmen.

The press release added that the new caretaker committee members were chosen in furtherance of the Government philosophy of inclusive and participatory governance. Each of the committees comprises a chairman, a vice chairman, secretary to the local government and two members (see list attached)

IEIEPC celebrates with Modupe Cole pupils ... decries stigmatization of people with disabilities

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nclusive Education and Individualized Education Plan Centre (IEIEPC), rights advocate for persons with disabilities, marked last year’s International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD) with a visit to the Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care and Treatment Home in Lagos.

The UN-backed International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD), which started as the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons in 1983 and later became the International Day of Disabled Personsin 1992, is held annually on December 3 to celebrate people with disabilities, promote public awareness and draw the commitment of governments and organisations to implementing measures to improve the life of disabled persons all over the world.

The 2019 IDPWD theme, ‘THE FUTURE ISACCESSIBLE’ focused on the empowerment of persons with dis-

abilities for inclusive,equitable and sustainable development as envisaged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Speaking in his key address to the staff and mates, Oyeyinka Oluwawumi, director, Inclusive Education and Individualized Education Plan Centre (IEIEPC), stated that the IDPWD is convinced that disability is not a feature of a person, but rather that all people have different health impairments at some time in their lives.

“IDPWD exists to make sure that environmental and social barriers are identified, and to help everyone to work together to overcome them. There are some that most of the time their health impairment does not stop them from functioning, being included or participating in their communities; there are others that are affected by such. We will never eradicate health impairment but by overcoming barriers, then

we eradicate disablement”, he said.

Speaking further, Oluwawumi described as apt the theme for the 2019 IDPWD: ‘THE FUTURE ISACCESSIBLE’ because it focuses on the empowerment of persons with disabilities for inclusive,equitable and sustainable development as envisaged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which pledges to ‘leave no one behind’.

“This theme places on us all the responsibility to work towardsa future where thebarriers which stand in people’s way no longer exist; where people can access a building without using stairs, where a person can access a ramp to the beach oraccess a mainstream classroom or get a job without fear of discrimination.At the IEIEPC, we are ready to support a future which demands that people are not excluded because of their disabilities. There is the need to call out barriers

wherever we see them, and work together to overcome them”, he said.

He commended the Nigerian government for setting the tone for the future with the signing into law the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act by President Muhammadu Buhari on January 23, 2019.

Also speaking in her remarks, Sherifat Rabiu, director, Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care and Treatment Home, decried the stigmatization of persons with disabilities by members of the society “who rather should show love and understanding”.

“Stigmatisation of these people is still very rife in the society and it is rather an unfortunate development. It is painful to see that after we have laboured for years over these persons, deploying so much resources, the same society refuses to accept and integrate them as her respected and valuable members.

Kwara Bureau of Land reveals facts behind revocation of Ile Arugbo SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin

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he Kwara State’s Bureau of Lands on Wednesday revealed further details surrounding the Civil Service Clinic land and its adjourning plots in Ilorin, the state capital.

This followed the public enquiry on the status of the property recently reclaimed by the state government.

Ibrahim Salman, Director General of the Bureau of Land, Kwara State in a statement he personally signed and released to press, says that from available records, the allocation was not based on a formal application, nor application forms filled; and there was no evidence of payment for the said allocation as stipulated in the letter of allocation in principle.

Consequently, no right of occupancy was ever issued to the Company (Asa Investment).

The statement reads: “The entire land was acquired in the 1970s for Overriding Public Interest and same was initially designed to host the phase II of the State Secretariat.

“The construction of the said State Secretariat Phase II was actually commenced and it was at superstructure level before same was abandoned.

“The entire land was later

redesigned in the 1980s for the construction of a Civil Service Clinic, State Secretariat, and a parking lot for both the Clinic and the State Secretariat.

“The Clinic was subsequently constructed in 1982, while the remaining plots of land were conceived for the expansion of the Clinic into a full-fledged Hospital.

“The dream of the State Government was stalled when part of the land slated for the parking lot was spuriously allocated in principle to one Asa Investment for commercial purpose.”

Furthermore, it clarified that “in flagrant abuse of the allocation terms, the company took possession of the land and constructed what is today known as “Ile Arugbo” on part of the land that was designed as parking lot and later conceived to host the expansion of the Civil Service Clinic into a full-fledged Hospital.

“Following a resolution of the Kwara State House of Assembly mandating him to revoke/withdraw the spurious allocation, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq recently signed an instrument to reclaim the land on the ground that same was unlawfully allocated to a private Company contrary to the public purpose of its acquisition and occupied in breach of the terms of allocation.”

Abia HoS assures pensioners of regular payment soon UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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n y i i Wa m a h , the Abia State Head of Service (HOS), has assured retired civil servants in the state that very soon pensioners would be paid as and when due.

Wamah gave the assurance in Umuahia during the end of year party of Council of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Abia State chapter.

He said: “We have started by paying salaries regularly and it must come to fruition that pensions will soon be paid regularly”.

The Abia HoS who gave a soul lifting speech during the event pointed out that local governmentpensionershave started getting their pensions paid regularly and assured that with the forthcoming verification exercise, the state would come to terms of paying pensions regularly to retired civil servants.

Interacting with newsmen shortly after the event, Allen Okpokiri, cphairman, Council of Retired Permanent Secretaries Abia State

chapter, lamented that their pensions were only paid thrice in the year 2019, adding, “We have to squeeze and take what we have little by little to remain healthy”.

Okpokiri said: “We are not happy. We want the government to change her system.

If other governments in Nigeria are able to pay pensions, what will stop Abia from doing the same. We pray God to touch their hearts so that they will see it as a priority to pay pensions”.

Also, a retired Permanent Secretary, Hope Onyekwere reminded the government that pensioners were once workers who put in their best to ensure that the state moved forward and wondered why monthly payment has become a herculean task.

The event featured presentation of gifts and a talk on appraisal techniques as a tool for optional investment decision: the role of investment advisors.

A posthumous award was presented to late Abara Ijioma, a retired Permanent Secretary.

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Sunday 05 January 2020

News

2020: Lagos will invest heavily in waterways, rail transportation – Sanwo-Olu

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agos State government says it will be pursuing audacious development programmes in 2020.

Governor Babajide SanwoOlu revealed in a New Year broadcast. The governor unveiled his administration’s direction in policies and programmes in the year, disclosing that the government would be prioritising investment in critical infrastructure with a new vigour.

Sanwo-Olu said the state government was prepared to shift the burden of transportation away from roads alone, disclosing that there would be renewed focus on waterways and rail transportation in the current year.

The objective, the governor said, is to disperse traffic on the roads and give residents a new choice in mass movement across the State.

With the signing of the state’s N1.168 trillion 2020 Budget into law last Tuesday, the Governor said his administration had been statutorily emboldened to fully tap into the potential of its waterways and rail corridors by pursuing fresh investment

Sanwo-Olu

and partnerships that would help his government deliver an inter-modal transportation model.

Traffic management and transportation is a key pillar of the Sanwo-Olu administration’s development agenda, known as Project T.H.E.M.E.S, seeking to as-

suage the pains of Lagos residents occasioned by road gridlocks by reducing travel time and scaling up productivity.

The governor said: “We are prioritising investment in infrastructure this year to shift the burden of transportation away from the

Fuad restores Obalende’s street lights after 20 years of darkness

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uad Atanda-Lawal, Executive Chairman of the Ikoyi/Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has fulfilled his promise to the residents of Obalende to ensure that street lights in the community, which had been out of order for over 20 years, become functional again on or before the 1st of January 2020.

In his speech at the commissioning of the rejuvenated street lights on New Year’s day, Hon Fuad explained that he was committed to the completion of the project especially as he spent his for-

mative years in Obalende, a community which he had a vivid recollection of being a flourishing one.

He said the project was conceived as part of his administration’s goals to deliver dividends of democracy to the people and to restore the community to its former glory. According to him, the restoration of the street lights will enable residents of the community to live in a crime-free environment and enjoy prolonged business hours, which will help to increase revenue for business owners.

The Executive Chairman reminded the residents that his administration had promised that the project will be commissioned on or before the 1st of January 2020 and against all odds, the people of Obalende community are living witnesses to the commissioning of the project.

Obalende was once the host community to the seat of power in Nigeria during the military era before the federal capital was relocated to Abuja by former military President, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida on December 12, 1991.

L-R: Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Gbolahan Yishawu; Chairman, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Fuad AtandaLawal; APC Party Leader, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Ebun Amodu Ekemode and Head, Public Lighting Unit, Lagos State Electricity Board, Orunsolu Lukmon, at the Obalende Community Light-Up Project in Lagos

roads unto the waterways as a means of moving our people around safely and efficiently.

Lagos is endowed with a large body of water that has been under-exploited over the years. This is why we have set up a challenged ourselves to investment in this underutilised channel.

“Work will begin to happen on our waterways and Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has been saddled with this responsibility. In terms of the pace of work that is going on our Blue Line Rail project, which stretches from Okokomaiko to Marina, we expect the work to pick up and get Phase 1 of it completed for operations. Also, construction work to commence on the Red Line that will stretch from Agege to Ebute Metta, this year.”

Sanwo-Olu observed that Lagos State Public Works (LSPW) had been complementing his administration’s infrastructural renewal programme with persistent rehabilitation works on existing roads to ease flow of traffic on feeder roads. The repair work, he said, will continue

across the State.

The Governor said the State had doubled its budgetary allocation to healthcare purposely to boost human capital and productivity, disclosing that the Government would be building more tertiary healthcare facilities in underserved areas across the State. This, he said, will make quality healthcare accessible and affordable for residents irrespective of income level.

He added that massive upgrading programme of Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) will commence in the first quarter of the year, revealing that a chunk of funds had been integrated in the healthcare budget for comprehensive investment in universal health insurance coverage scheme for all residents.

Sanwo-Olu said his administration’s education programme remained on course, noting that the Government had commenced training of new teachers and retraining of those already in the system. This, he said, is being complemented with massive rehabilitation of public schools across the

State, pointing out that 300 schools were already being renovated in the Phase 1 of the scheme.

As the year progresses, the Governor promised that more development programmes would be unveiled across the pillars of his administration’s agenda that will directly touch the lives of residents, pleading for support and cooperation of the people. He said his Government would not retreat from taking actions that will solve challenges facing the State.

He said: “There is so much to look forward to in this New Year. I solicit for full cooperation and support as we take the first step into 2020.

Together, we can achieve the ‘Greater Lagos’ of our dreams. Let us join hands and usher in the New Year with hope and confidence, with the knowledge that brighter days are ahead of us.

“In spite of whatever challenges that the New Year might bring, we will not retreat from the challenges; instead, we will convert the challenges to stepping stone to success and true greatness.”

Group lauds Makinde’s choice of caretaker chairmen REMI FEYISIPO, Ibadan

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g r o u p, Eb e d i Frontliners, Iseyin (EFI), has commended Governor Seyi Makinde on the choice of young individuals as caretaker chairmen of the local government council and its local community development areas (LCDAs), saying only the young and vibrant could reciprocate the agenda of the State administration at the local level.

The group gave kudos to Makinde for picking young individuals who they said knew the needs and aspirations of the local community to drive his policy and programs at the rural areas.

“The governor has once again demonstrated his welfarism agenda by picking the youths that really understand the hopes and aspirations of their local communities to take the saddles at the local government council, especially in Iseyin.

In a statement made available to newsmen by its Publicity Secretary, Segun Fasasi after their new year emergency meeting, Iseyin

Makinde

said “these individuals are well known in their different fields of endeavors and know where the shoe pinches, they will know what solution to apply to ease the burden of living among our people in the areas of education, health, environmental system among others.”

The statement further called on the individuals chosen to lead the local government areas and the LCDAs to immediately come out with radical approaches to combat the menace of poor refuse disposal system in each local government as devices by the State government.

The group urged the newly-sworn-in caretaker chairmen not to be swayed by what they call political chicanery as it could affect their performance in office.

“The Chairmen and Sole Administrators that were sworn in were given a mandate by the governor to quickly fashion out ways to end the menace of indiscriminate waste disposal particularly at the local communities.

“Local problems might defy urban solutions, let them come up with radical approaches that will solve the problem once and for all, the funds that are monthly injected to refuse disposal system in the State is better used on other areas.”

The three individuals that were sworn in recently to man the affairs of Iseyin local government, Iseyin, Araromi LCDA, Awaye and Iseyin South, Koso include Mufutau Abilawon, Ogunleke Timothy and Raheem Ajobola respectively.

Abilawon until his appointment was Vice-Principal of a public secondary school while Ogunleke was a local executive member of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) while Ajibola owned a school for Special Needs in Iseyin.

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News

Cross River issues seven-day ultimatum to traders on illegal structures MIKE ABANG,Calabar

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he Cross River Government has given a 7-day ultimatum to traders on illegal structures along major streets in Calabar to relocate their businesses to Watt or Marian markets or face demolition.

Newly appointed Commissioner for Environment, Mfon Bassey, gave the ultimatum over the weekend in Calabar during an inspection tour from the Nipost office in Calabar down to Watt Market in view of clearing the hawking activities on the pedestrian way that impeded the free flow of persons and vehicles.

While addressing the hawkers at different points, Bassey said that the state gov-

Ayade

ernment was committed to a clean and green environment, hence the need to relocate all roadside sellers back to the markets.

He told the hawkers that the ministry had earlier issued an ultimatum on Dec. 27, 2019, asking them to remove

all illegal structures, shanties and containers from the roadside. He said structures on drainages should be removed also to allow for a free flow of water when the rains come.

Bassey said the exercise was to ensure a more organised Calabar and prevent

flooding during the rainy season.

He added that defaulters of the notice given would face stiffer sanctions and demolition of their structures.

At the Stadium junction where commercial drivers had formed an illegal park on the walkway and verge opposite the stadium, the commissioner ordered them to relocate from the spot forthwith.

“This move is to ensure a clean and green Calabar free of illegal structures that are militating against the government’s effort of making the city better.

“Under my leadership as commissioner, the state will witness an atmosphere of beauty and a warm serenity that would be attractive to investors and to promote the industrialisation drive of Governor Ben Ayade,” he said.

Akamkpa women accuse multinational coys of denying them medicinal herbs, vegetables MIKE ABANG, Calabar

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alima Oja, a resident of Mbarakom community in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State and some other women have protested what they called land grabbingbysomemultinational companies saying that their incursion into their land has

denied them access to forest, medicinal herbs, vegetables and firewood.

According to the them, these are species and condiments which women depend for daily living and now they can no longer have access to them, women are adversely affected by this deforestation and no women have received compensation from Willmar they noted.

Addressing a press conference in Akamkpa local government Area, the executive director of Environmental Rights Action and Friends of the Earth Godwin Ojo on the Theme Make Women voice count, respect for (free prior Informed Consent FPIC) they noted that it has become necessary to draw the Cross River State government attention into the impact of

Cattle herders sue Oyo govt., House over anti-grazing law REMI FEYISIPO,Ibadan.

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yo state government and the House of Assembly have been dragged to court by cattle herders in protest against the state’s anti-grazing law.

Cattle herders in Oyo State under the aegis of Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria stated that the new law was gross violation of their fundamental rights.

In a suit marked M/744/2019 which joined the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, the herders asked the court to declare the new law as illegal, null and void.

The bill, recently signed into law by the state government was aimed at checking persistent clashes between the farmers and the herders in the state.

The Open Grazing Bill, which was mooted in October 2019, prohibits open

grazing of livestock in Oyo State.

But however, the cattle herders urged the court to grant them an order of perpetual injunction “restraining all the respondents, whether by themselves, their servants, agents, officers or otherwise from carrying out any acts or omission which is likely to aid the enactment of the anti-grazing bill into law as this would amount to a denial of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the constitution of Nigeria.”

They also prayed the court to declare the law as a

coordinated attempt to hinder their means of livelihood against section 33(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

They asked the court to grant them N100,000 against the respondents jointly and severally for the violation of their fundamental rights.

According to them, as a matter of cultural heritage, open rearing or grazing of livestock, having been passed onto generations to generations, is the life and economy of the Fulani group on which the Fulani survives.

land grabbing on the people and environment, particularly the female folk and how this affect our food production system as well as the local economy. Also speaking Philomina Essien disclosed that as in the case of Willmar drive for the expansion of its oil palm plantations, communities land, families and individual lands are appropriated without FPIC.

Abia monarch advises FG to initiate programmes to check youth migration UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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ze Cyril Ogbenna, a royal father from Olokoro in Umuah i a So u t h Lo c a l Government Area of Abia state has called on Federal Government to introduce/ initiate policies that will be youth-friendly in order to reduce incessant quest by the Nigerian youths to travel out by all means in search of a greener pasture.

Eze Ogbenna in his New Year message said he had envisioned a day when Nigerians would give birth to a leader who cherishes science and technology.

Eze Ogbenna, who is also the Public Relations Officer, Abia Central Traditional Rulers Council, noted that Nigeria would be a paradise on earth and an envy of other nations, “when we have a duly elected president who is technically and technologically inclined”.

The monarch, who is also the traditional ruler of UziAmizi autonomous community, Olokoro, Umuahia South L.G.A, of Abia State, warned youths against laziness and advised them to look for something meaningful to engage in.

He said: “Our youths should shun evil and think of something better. Anybody who is determined to be reasonable will not claim that lack of employment

opportunities lured him or her to social vices. Most of our youths do not want to expose themselves to one entrepreneurial skill or the other but will prefer to risk their future with the most dangerous adventure like Yahoo Yahoo.

“The benefits of Yahoo Yahoo only last for a while, while the negative implications are overwhelming. So, for the good of their future, they should shun cultism, yahoo yahoo and all other illegal adventures that are inimical to the society”.

The Abia royal father also said that traditional rulers though not politicians should be given more backings to contribute in most of the critical issues that affect the nation, adding that since meaningful contributions of the royal fathers had made their communities to move progressively, they could equally replicate same at the state and federal levels towards nation building.

He challenged the security agencies to make adequate security of the nation, especially its borders, their new year resolution and specifically called on the officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service to fish out illegal migrants as it is being done in other countries, pointing out that cases of kidnapping and armed robbery might be traced to these illegal immigrants.

Penlight Centre for New Media kicks off training programmes for youths in Kano Adeola Ajakaiye, in Kano

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enlight Centre for New Media Innovation, a not-for-profit organisation based in the Federal Capital, Abuja, has expanded its operations to the commercial city of Kano, in what was said to be part of its on-going initiative to help address the prevailing knowledge gap existing in the usage of social media in the state.

One of the core activities that the organisation will be engaging in, is the provision of new media related training prepositions for the teeming army of unskilled young segment of the population of the state. The initiator of the Centre, Jaffar Jaffar, made this disclosurewithintheweek,while addressing Journalists, during the official commissioning of the Centre, currently domiciled in the premise of PR Nigeria in Kano.

Jaffar stated that the Centre was also established to assist in the grooming of

fresh journalists without the perquisite journalism experience in the art of investigative Journalism, as well as online publication.

Other activities which according to him, which the Centre was established to carry out, includes, provision of media interface for people residing in the rural communities in the 44 Local Government Areas of the State.

“I am glad to bring to the notice of all Nigerians about the birth of Penlight Centre for New Media Innovation in the commercial city of Kano. Our quest to expand the operation of the Centre to Kano, was borne out of the need to ensure that social media is used for constructive purpose.

“The Centre was open in Abuja, in 2018, and through the support that we have received from well-meaning individuals and organizations, we currently have in place about 20 computers, solar power panel, generators, and one year full subscription in the Abuja office.

“One of the things we discovered in the course of our operation in the past two years, was the need to extend to states in the northern part of the country, where we observed that the social media is not well in use.

“In addressing the observed challenge, the Centre will be providing internship training for graduates and students of communication and journalisms, in the field of new media innovation and usage” Jaffar explained.

Jaffar revealed that the Centre which is affiliated PR Nigeria, will also be involved in provision of empowerment skills, training in the area of social justice, and mobilization campaign that will focus on rural community development. Meanwhile, as part of the programme outlined for the commissioning of the centre, the outcome of a fund raising campaign embarked by the Centre for a blind, female social crusader in Kano, Hajiya Magajar, which led to the collection of over N5 million for her, was showcased.

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NewsFeature

Investing in Nigeria’s clean energy projects for sustainable development

W Francis Ottah

orld leaders are committed to curbing global warming by driving down greenhouse gas emissions, as climate projects won record financing from the world’s big development banks last year, with funds committed up by 60 percent since the 2015 Paris climate accord, a joint report by six development banks states.

With the Paris climate accord in mind, individual countries have continued to look for ways to curb emissions, especially in low and middle-income countries.

According to the African Development Bank, climate financing by the world’s largest Multilateral Development Banks in developing countries and emerging economies rose to an all-time high of $43.1 billion in 2018, boosting projects that help developing countries cut emissions and address climate risks.

As the most populous country in Africa, Nigeria has gained attention in its fight to combat climate change and carbon emissions, as individuals, groups and companies continue to increase their ambition to come up with solutions and financing for green investments.

The World Bank’s Practice Manager for Africa and Environment Resources, Benoit Bosquet, once noted that Nigeria needs to build resilience now, to the harsher climate of the future, and if it fails to do so in time, climate change can worsen Nigeria’s vulnerability to weather swings and limit its ability to achieve and sustain the objectives of the Vision 20:2020.

As part of efforts to support green investments, the Private Financing Advisory Network (PFAN), - a global network of expert consultants, provides free business coaching and investment facilitation to entrepreneurs developing climate adaptation and clean energy projects in low- and middle-income countries.

Initiated by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI) in 2006, PFAN facilitates green investments across the world, primarily catalysing these private sector investments to support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Leveraging just over $10m in Nigeria in the past two years, PFAN has worked towards finding and assisting clean energy businesses in the country, working with business owners, to improve business plans such that they are built into credible financeable and investable businesses for the long term.

PFAN currently has 11 coaches in Nigeria, who are focused on developing businesses that are more mature and ready for financing.

A team of investment facilitators then connects those businesses to PFAN’s network investors. Every year, PFAN gives the most promising projects in West Africa the chance to pitch directly to investors at the West Africa Forum for Climate and Clean Energy Financing. The next edition will take place on 26 September in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, hosted by the African Development Bank.

“The coaches develop relationships with the developer of the project. The relationship transcends just the PFAN process where PFAN is still in contact with a number of the businesses it has worked with even after 2-3 years”.

“PFAN is currently working with 17 projects in Nigeria, selected from roughly 80 applications. The projects are at different stages along the path of different development processes, from early stage to mature,” Olugbolahan Mark-George, Country coordinator PFAN, Nigeria says.

PFAN’s Impact in Nigeria Nigeria offers great investment opportunities in the clean energy and climate adaptation space.

PFAN cooperates with other donor programmes in the sector, such as the Kigali Cooling Efficiency Programme (K-CEP), and assists developers who are in the space by showcasing them and helping them

get the funding for their businesses.

P FA N h a s s e cured a number of investments for projects across various states in Nigeria that are benefitting the communities where they are established.

Gr e e n En e r g y & Biofuels, GEB, based in Lagos that manufactures and distributes an innovative clean cook stove which uses ethanol gel (a clean energy source made from biomass) as fuel, and has reached over 600,000 households.

By providing climate friendly cooking technology and fuel, the project has led to significant reductions in CO2 emissions. Starting as a very small business in 2015, GEB raised $5 million with PFAN assistance for its expansion, and is now in the process of building an international factory that is creating new jobs in Nigeria and also helping to take out emissions from the atmosphere.

For Femi Oye, co-founder Green Energy & Biofuels, PFAN has helped his business grow from nothing.

According to him, “We needed to attract the right kind of investment.

From inception till when we got to hear about the Private Financing Advisory Network, PFAN, it was a tough journey”.

“Before PFAN came into the picture it was really challenging to have any visible impact recorded, because if you don’t have the right partnership, the right funding to scale the business and structure that can help you envisage and predict what the future will look like and of course to overcome them, then the impact might be difficult or impossible.’’

The country’s energy situation has become worrisome, with power constituting 40 per cent of the cost of operating a business. The only way to get quick, efficient, long term and sustainable power, especially in rural

areas, is to go renewable.

Nigeria today, according to the Renewable Energy Association, REA, has an $18bn potential market for mini-grids alone.

Green Village Electricity (GVE) has begun to tap into this opportunity by building solar mini-grids in rural areas to fix Nigeria’s power problem. Reaching just about 10 houses initially with a few bulbs, GVE raised $5 million in investment with PFAN’s assistance and today the developer has become the largest solar mini-grid operator in Nigeria, and supplies electricity to entire villages.

A 5 mw project which is about to take off in Ijebu Ode is changing the face of the village in which it is located.

It will supply 5,000 households with electricity, create economic activities for the communities and also supply electricity to a private company; one of the largest international brewers in the country and to a University.

Ifeanyi Orajaka, CEO, Green Village Electricity (GVE) says his experience working with PFAN, has been an exciting journey. “It has helped us tremendously. We usually encourage any young and boarding entrepreneur who is interested in playing in the clean energy and climate adaptation space, to always look out for the PFAN course because the support is very phenomenal”.

“We’re currently a hybrid company and PFAN hasn’t left us. They are still providing follow on support that is very significant to helping us manage the level of growth and also help guide us in the attainment of our medium and long term corporate strategies,” Ifeanyi added.

“PFAN is one of the opportunities that we have where we see the public and private sectors all working together to provide credible long term solutions for clean power for our nation, continent and the world in general. We’re calling on more investors to be involved in the process in Nigeria and part of that is to work with banks and to also look at the private equity that exists and to bring them on board,” Olugbolahan MarkGeorge, Country coordinator PFAN, Nigeria says.

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11 Inside Lagos

Security remains priority for us in 2020, says Sanwo-Olu ….as new policy on ‘Okada, Keke’ underway Stories by JOSHUA BASSEY

S

ecurity of lives and properties will continue to receive priority attention in Lagos in 2020, the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said.

Sanwo-Olu stated this after the state security council, which he chairs, met to review the progress made in 2019, with an assurance to up their game in 2020. The council comprises heads of security agencies in Lagos, including the police, army, navy, air force and Department of Security Service (DSS), all of whom agreed that the strategies adopted in the out-gone year, yielded positive results, as there was a reduction in the spate of crime in Nigeria’s biggest commercial city.

According to SanwoOlu, some of the security challenges inherited by his administration at inception had been largely contained, but added that his government was not resting in the task of keeping the state safe for business and living.

L-R: Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos deputy governor; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Olujimi Hotonu, permanent secretary, Ministry of Works, and Bill Bian, executive director, CCECC, during an inspection of the Agboju/Trade Fair segment of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway on Friday.

The governor acknowledged that incessant kidnapping was part of the security challenges facing the state when he took over in May 2019. He noted that strategies deployed by the

government to confront the scourge had significantly brought down kidnapping and led to positive reviews of the crime in the final quarter of the out-gone year.

“As the chief security offi-

FG begins demolition under Lagos bridges

T

he Federal Government on Friday began demolition of illegal fences under some bridges in Lagos.

The demolition exercise began with a fence of about 250 metres built under the descent of the Apongbon Bridge on the CMS-bound carriageway on Lagos Island.

The fence which was still under construction had been raised by seven to eight coaches on various sections.

Some officials wearing the tags: “Toll Royalty Car Park Technologies” were, however, seen challenging the process but were told by the engineer supervising the team to direct their complaints to the federal ministry of works.

Musiliat Aloba, a senior

engineer in the ministry who led a team of engineers and security operatives on the exercise, said that she was acting on instruction to ensure that under the bridges were visible.

“I am not directed to speak to anyone. Please come to the federal ministry of works,’’ she said.

The demolition team went further to demolish fences stretching about 300 metres under the Obalende/Apongbon Flyover Bridge on the CMS-bound carriageway.

However, there was misunderstanding with the commencement of demolition of fences under the ramp of the CMS Bridge which was nearing completion on some sections.

Some workmen on site

who tried to resist the demolition argued that it was a legal project which had approval.

Aloba explained her assignment insisting that “nothing must block under the bridges’’.

“When you conceal the bridge, nobody can see what happens under. The Federal Government has lost so much money due to burnt bridges,’’ she explained.

Federal Controller of Works in Lagos,Adedamola Kuti, who spoke on the exercise, said that the removal of illegal structures under bridges was a continuous exercise.

Kuti explained that the ministry began the demolition in 2018, saying that it was aimed as safeguarding the bridges from all forms of abuses causing damage to them.

He debunked claims by some people who said they had approval to build structures under any bridge in Lagos state.

“Under the bridges belong to the Federal Government and the federal ministry of works ordered the demolition of illegal structures under the bridges in Lagos,’’ said Kuti.

cer of the state, I can confirm that strategies adopted by the security council have made Lagos safer than it was when we took over. We will continue to make the state secure for all law-abiding

residents and visitors.”

Corroborating the governor, Hakeem Odumosu, Commissioner of Police (CP), in charge of the Lagos command, submitted that said security operatives was able to weaken the capacity of kidnappers in the state, adding that the council remained vigilant to consolidate on the progress achieved.

He said: “Kidnapping has gone down drastically; those coming to Lagos for businesses should know that they are safe. But, we remain vigilant. We believe it is still the collective effort of everyone to ensure kidnapping becomes a thing of the past in Lagos.”

Odumosu also disclosed that implementation of the state government’s amnesty offered repentant secret cultists would start this new year, noting that the amnesty would be complemented with an integration programme for the pardoned cultists.

The CP explained that the security council would come up with a new policy to curtail the activities of commercial motorcycles (Oka-

da), and tricycles (Keke) on the highways. This, he said, would be rolled out within the first four weeks in 2020.

“We are introducing a policy to contain the menace of Okada riders and tricycles, and this policy will be fully implemented. We will be unveiling the plan in a few weeks and it will be sustainable.

The plan will not be without a human-face, but we expect all the commercial motorcycle operators to comply with the policy,” Odumosu said.

He noted that stringent measures would, in the new year, be taken against those driving against traffic flow (one-way), as the practice constituted a major security threat in Lagos.

“While we roll out more security plans to keep everyone safe, we urge members of the public to be security conscious. We have reviewed the progress and setbacks we recorded in the out-gone year, but we will be deploying more strategies this year to ensure improved performance in our security operations across the state,” said the police chief.

Two charged with theft of N119,000 goods

T

wo men- Mayowa Ayoola and Raphael Ojo, were have been charged before an Ikeja Magistrate Court, Lagos for alleged theft of aluminium profile, valued at N119,000.

Ayoola , 20, a casual worker and Ojo, 29, a businessman, were accused of receiving stolen goods.

They were arraigned on charges bordering on conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen goods, offences they, however, denied.

According to the pros-

ecutor, Adegoke Philip, the defendants committed the alleged offences in November 2019 at Agege.

He said that the first defendant, Ayoola, stole the aluminum profile, valued at N119,000, belonging to his employer, Adveen Nigeria Ltd, and sold it to the second defendant, Ojo. “Ayoola carted away the goods but unknown to him, he was sighted by the management. The defendant was trailed and arrested while selling the goods to the second defen-

dant, Ojo,’’ the prosecutor said.

The offences violate Sections 287(7), 328 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Section 287(7) carries seven years’ imprisonment for stealing, while Section 328 prescribes 14 years for receiving stolen goods.

The magistrate, O.A. Akokhia, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N50,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum, and adjourned until January 23, 2020.

Police arraign fake UniLag lecturer

T

he police in Lagos on Friday arraigned a 39-year fake lecturer, Isaac Obi, in an Ojo Magistrate Court.

Obi is charged with a three-count of false pretence, fraud and stealing.

The police prosecutor, Simon Uche, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on November 1, 2019 in Lagos.

He alleged that the defen-

dant presented himself as lecturer from the University of Lagos to one Lucky Ikeduba.

The prosecution also alleged that the accused lied to Ikeduba that he could help to secure admission into the university.

According to prosecution, the defendant requested and obtained N250,000 from the complainant to ”facilitate” the admission process.

The offence, he said, con-

travened the provisions of sections 78, 287, 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence.

The magistrate, A.A. Adesanya admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the case until March 4, for mention.

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PhotoSplash

L-R: Femi Fapohunda, Chief Operating Officer, Mouka, having a handshake with Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, first lady of Lagos State, amidst exchange of pleasantries, with Oluremi Hamzat (3rd l), wife of deputy governor of the State, and Femi Omololu (2nd l), medical director, Lagos Island Maternity Hospital at the presentation of gifts to first baby of the year at Lagos Island Maternity Hospital.

L-R: Oluwadara Awoyemi, mother of the ‘first baby of the Year 2020’ in Oyo State; Omolara Adeyinka, coordinator of National Population Commission in the state; Bola Olaniyan, wife of Oyo State deputy governor who represented the governor’s wife, and Lola Ajao, matron of Oyo State Government House Clinic, Ibadan, with the ‘Baby of the Year’, Adeyemi, born at Adeoyo State Hospital, Yemetu in Ibadan

L-R: Agede Olubukola, mother of the first baby of the Year 2020; the 1st Baby of the Year 2020; Ibijoke Sanwoolu, wife of Lagos State governor; Oluremi Hamzat, wife of deputy governor; Akin Abayomi, commissioner for Health, and Adenike Odubiyi, chief medical director, Ijede General Hospital, at the visit of wife of the governor and her team to welcome the 1st baby of the Year at Ijede General Hospital in Ikororu Lagos

L-R: Ayodele A.O, chief nursing officer; Banji Aluko, regional sales manager, Mouka; Awoyemi Oluwadara, mother of the baby, and Odusanya Oyinlola, national secretary, Nigerian Society Of Physiotherapy, at the presentation of gifts to first baby of the year at Adeoyo Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Udom Emmanuel (m), governor, Akwa Ibom, and other officials of the state dance during Akwa Ibom Solemn Assembly and Annual Thanksgiving Service at the Ibom Hall arena in Uyo.

Sugh Beatrice, head of department, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), FCT Command, DCC; Patrick Ukpan, NSCDC FCT commandant, and Felix Ikwuegbu, commandant second in Command, DCC, during a news conference by the Commandant on the preparation of the Command for the Christmas, in Abuja

L-R: Solanke Tinubu, deputy director, Physiotherapy Department; Adedokun Oluwatoyin Funso mother of the baby; Odusanya Oyinlola, national secretary, Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy; Banji Aluko, regional sales manager, Mouka, and Mrs Akintola, representative of the Medical Director University College Hospital, Ibadan,

R-L: Kehinde Shangodoyin, Oyo State commissioner for education, presenting cheques to winners of Raising Girls Ambition (RAGA) competition in Oyo State

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Lagos and the defining moments of 2019

PUBLIShER/EDITOR-IN-ChIEf

Frank Aigbogun

EDITOR Zebulon Agomuo DEPUTY EDITOR John Osadolor, Abuja MANAGING DIRECTOR Dr. Ogho Okiti EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS Fabian Akagha EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STRATEGY, INNOVATION & PARTNERShIPS Oghenevwoke Ighure ADVERT MANAGER Ijeoma Ude fINANCE MANAGER Emeka Ifeanyi MANAGER, CONfERENCES & EVENTS Obiora Onyeaso BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (South East, South South) Patrick Ijegbai COPY SALES MANAGER Florence Kadiri DIGITAL SALES MANAGER Linda Ochugbua GM, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (North)

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GM, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (South) Ignatius Chukwu hEAD, hUMAN RESOURCES Adeola Obisesan

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

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TAYO OGUNBIYI Ogunbiyi is of the Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

A

crucial phase for Lagos State in the past year was the change in political leadership that ushered in Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat as governor and deputy governor, respectively. Central in the mission of the dynamic duo is the vision to achieve a ‘Greater Lagos’. The vehicle to realize this is THEMES, a acronym for six strategic development agenda namely, Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism as well as Security and Governance The health sector recorded an appreciable improvement with the inauguration of the 149- Bed Igando Mother and Child Centre (MCC) in the Alimosho area as well as the 110-Bed Eti-Osa Maternal and Child Centre (MCC. Both have modern equipment that would enhance the achievement of better maternal and child health indices in the state.

Similarly, the state’s infrastructure renewal plan received a major

boost as key roads and highways were rehabilitated to ensure smooth commuting. Work also commenced on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway as well as the Pen-Cinema Bridge.

Equally, 31 networks of roads were commissioned by the governor in OjokoroLocalCouncilDevelopment Authority (LCDA).

The reconstruction and upgrading of strategic roads such as the 6.05 kilometer Phase 1 Road from Itamaga to Ewu Elepe town, the 7.8 kilometers Owutu-Agric-Ishawo Road Phase One and Bola TinubuIgbogbo-Imota Road in Ikorodu also began in earnest. Similarly, the Victoria Island, Lekki Traffic Circulation project on Oniru axis received a major attention. Preliminary plans for the construction of the 4th Mainland Bridge also got a key boost last year.

Intermodal multimodal transport system was also strengthened with the recommencement of work on the Lagos light rail project. Also, Uber Boat service, a partnership between the global ride-hailing company and Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, commenced operation.

The education sector was not left out in the ‘Greater Lagos’ movement.

A committee was set up to evaluate the state of public schools in the state and come up with plans for their rehabilitation. At the first phase, 350 schools are already slated for total overhauling.

Similarly, some public school teachers were sent on capacity building training to enhance their skill, just as new teachers were also recruited in some core subjects. History was also made as a major deal that will see the Lagos State University, LASU,

become a residential institution was sealed with some private developers.

In order to actualize its mission of ‘Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy’, the state government signed the $629 million financing facility aimed at completing the completion of the Lekki Deep Seaport project with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). According to the agreement, in 30 months, Nigeria’s first deep seaport will be delivered in Lekki. Upon completion, the project has enormous capacity not only to stimulate the Lagos economy, but equally to push it up in the index of largest economies in the world.

Also, foundation for the evolvement of critical reforms geared at giving the people greater access to justice was laid. The main goal is to reduce crime and all forms of security threat to the barest minimum.

In a democratic dispensation, the people determine the performance of a government partly via the quality of service render by the Public Servants. Hence, concerted efforts were made to reposition the state Public Service through training and retraining of staff.

Also, there was huge commitment to staff welfare, especially with the new minimum wage. This is quite instructive because the present administration’s vision of making Lagos a 21st Century Economy cannot be achieved without a well motivated workforce.

A noticeable improvement in the area of environmental regeneration was also recorded, as the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency

(LASEPA), became livelier and more focused in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities. Consequently, all forms of environmental nuisance are being frontally curtailed.

Similarly, the ‘Greater Lagos Extravaganza’ provided a major momentum for the entertainment industry across five locations in the state. The event, which began on Christmas Day ended on New Year day with much excitement and fanfare.

Perhaps, the crowning moment for Lagos in 2019 was the signing of the N1.168 Tr. 2020 appropriation bill into law by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The budget, christened ‘Awakening to a Greater Lagos’, is higher than the previous one by 34 percent and it is expected to be funded by a projected total revenue of N1.071 Tr. and a deficit amounting to N97.53 billion. That the audacious financial plan has a capital expenditure of N723.75 billion and a recurrent expenditure of N444.81 billion is a reflection of the determination of the Sanwo-Olu administration to truly achieve a ‘Greater Lagos’ 2020 offers even better prospects for Lagosians, especially in terms of infrastructure development, job creation and economic development. Possibilities such as renewed attempt to develop intermodal transportation, the prospect of 4th Mainland Bridge as well as the Lekki Deep Sea Port are some of the schemes that are bound to significantly alter the State’s landscape in 2020.

Ogunbiyi is of the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

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Politics Oshiomhole will encourage free, fair guber poll in Edo - Osagie Samson Osagie was a former Minority Whip in the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015. He was also the immediate past Executive Director, Marketing and Business Development of the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) as well as a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State. In an interview with CHURCHILL OKORO, in Benin City, the legal practitioner cum politician spoke on the crisis rocking the party in the state and ways to resolve it. Excerpts: Recently, the National Chairman was purportedly suspended by the factional chairman of the state chapter of the party, Anselm Ojezua; do you think they are being apprehensive of the nomination process of candidates in the upcoming elections. hose who purported to have suspended the National chairman are swimming in the ocean of illegalities and unconstitutionality. The APC is not an amorphous organisation; it has rules, regulations and constitution. The national chairman is the number one APC chairman in the country and he is the national officer of the party, the constitution is clear on that. In any case, the person who presided over the suspension of the national chairman, Anselm Ojezua, himself has been suspended and his suspension has been ratified by the National Working Committee (NWC).

So, we should not bother ourselves and glorify their media hype on the suspension of the national chairman. As you can see from the stable of the national chairman and of course the national headquarters of the party, they have refused to respond because there is no issue.

The national chairman is the chairman of the party in the country with 36 states chapter, 774 local government chapters and over 5,000 ward chapters. So, an embattled governor and a suspended state chairman of the party can not now purport to have suspended the national chairman.

You can see their illegalities in their attempt to create a situation in order to avert their immediate collapse and which is the primaries that is coming up.

The rules are clear, it is only the national chairman and the National Working Com-

norship. You can not close a democratic state. But Governor Godwin Obaseki and Anselm Ojezua want the democratic state closed against every other persons. This is not possible because democracy is about freedom of association, movement and opinion. So, as far as we are concerned, they are reveling in desperation and illegalities.

The purported suspension of the national chairman should be discountenanced and it can not affect the office of the national chairman.

T

Samson Osagie

mittee (NWC) that can organise primaries. They are afraid that if the NWC under the leadership of the national chairman organises the primary, they are not going to be in the position to manipulate it. So, what they are looking at is to find means to manipulate the process including trying to remove the national chairman so that they can have a pliable that can suit their

convenient.

Is it not laughable that one governor will be embarking on such a mission, because if the national chairman had told them do not worry your second term is guaranteed, this would not have been happening. But the national chairman of the party will encourage a free and fair contest among all those who are interested in the gover-

For the interest of the Edo people and as we countdown to the 2020 poll, don’t you think the aggrieved members should come to a truce so as not to lose the seat to the main opposition party?

But as you can see it is the governor himself who is facing an election that does not want any reconciliation. He has rejected all reconciliation moves that has been put up. Only recently, he rejected the reconciliation committee that has just been set up and sanctioned by the president. So, what do you want anybody to do?

If the man who should bear the burden of peace and reconciliation is saying he does not want the reconciliation committee, then he should go and bring his own.

Is he the one to set up reconciliation committee to reconcile him with the aggrieved party members? He is the one rejecting all reconciliation efforts. The APC is stronger today but the only problem the party has today is the governor. He is just the only problem, get him out of the way, you will see that the APC has a very strong house.

He is the only person trying to destroy the party because of his inexperience in politics.

Political events that made 2019 tick James Kwen, Abuja

T

he year 2019 was full of political activities and events that precipitated the general elections and off season elections in Bayelsa and Kogi states.

It kick-started with campaign rallies across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), especially by ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

President Muhammadu Buhari, APC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, PDP presidential candidate and candidates of other parties signed a peace accord three days to the general elections, pledging to ensure violence-free polls.

Shockingly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed the general election few hours to the polls date citing logistics and operational challenges and another date was fixed.

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu had said, “this was a difficult decision to take but necessary for successful delivery of the elections and the consolidation of our democracy”.

The general elections were conducted as rescheduled on February 23, 2019 across the country and President Buhari was returned elected for a second term.

Buhari garnered a total of 15.191 million votes, defeating his main challenger, the candidate of PDP Atiku Abubakar who scored 11, 262, 978 votes in the polls which had 71 other candidates on the ballot and Buhari was presented certificate of return.

Governorship elections were held in March in 29 out of the 36 states as the seven states of Anambra, Edo, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Bayelsa and Kogi have different times for their elections.

The governorship elections were declared inconclusive in some states such as Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Plateau and Rivers.

While APC lost four states of Bauchi, Oyo, Adamawa and Imo to the PDP at the polls, APC took control of lost Gombe and Kwara states.

Also, Local Government polls were conducted in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and chairmen were elected for the six Area Councils of Territory.

The elections were highly disputed and aggrieved parties headed to various Elections Petitions Tribunals.

Remarkably, Atiku and his party, the PDP proceeded to the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal to challenge Buhari’s emergence as president for a second term but their suit was struck out for lacking in merit.

First, the five-member panel of the tribunal held that Atiku and the PDP failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt, allegations of corruption and non-compliance with the Electoral Act against Buhari and the APC. Atiku and the PDP told the Tribunal that security agencies and agents of the APC perpetrated acts of violence, votebuying, manipulation of results, stuffing of ballot boxes, massive thumb-print of ballot papers, cancellation and addition of votes, and all manner of irregularities.

However, in a lead judgment delivered

by Mohammed Garba, chairman of the Presidential Elections Tribunal, ruled that the failure of Atiku and the PDP to call among their 62 witnesses those from the 11 focal states, mainly in the North, affected by the allegations contained in paragraph 15 of their petition polling-unitby-polling-unit as required by law was detrimental to their case.

“The burden of proof in sections 131

and 136 of the Evidence Act was not discharged on any of the grounds for the petition. The petitioners have not proved any of the grounds of their petition in Paragraph 15. The petition is liable to be dismissed and is hereby dismissed in its entirety”, Garba ruled.

The PDP and Atiku, not satisfied with the judgment filed an appeal at the Supreme Court, which equally struck out the appeal and upheld the judgment of the Garba-led Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal which affirmed President Buhari’s victory at the polls.

The seven-man panel of the apex court led by Tanko Mohammed, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), said the panel agreed that there was no merit in the appeal filed by Atiku and his party, the PDP. In 2019 also, the 9th National Assembly was inaugurated and unlike in 2015, APC anointed candidates, Ahmad Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila emerged president of the Senate and speaker of the House of Representatives respectively.

Off season governorship elections were held in Bayelsa and Kogi where apart from clearing the two States, APC took control of the erstwhile PDP stronghold, Bayelsa by producing a Governor, David Lyon.

Sunday 05 January 2020

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15

Politics Why FG must prioritise education and human capital development, by Adewale

Ayodele Adewale is a chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Lagos State and a former chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of the state. In this exclusive interview with INIOBONG IWOK, he says the Buhari administration must prioritise education and human capital development for the country to make meaningful progress. He also spoke on moves to amend the 2010 Electoral Act, 2023 general election, among other issues in the polity. Excerpts: What is your take on President Buhari’s New Year’s message and what areas do you think his administration focus should be now? would look at it from the different sectors; when you look at the state of infrastructure now compared with past administration, I would give them a pass mark. They have been able to bring about improvement in the state of infrastructures that would be long lasting and durable. On Oshodi Expressway, I can see the partnership between Dangote and the Federal Government, I see the concrete road and the project is doing well. I would also urge the administration to make sure that the estimate of the 2020 Budget is executed to about 90 percent; it has been signed into law. I would expect that every agency of government helps this administration to achieve that. That takes me to education; the administration is trying to revitalise the education sector, if you look at the content of the President Buhari’s New Year speech, he said that he would work with various state governments to revitalise that sector. But if you look at a federal constitution, education is the function of the state, the federal government can only support.

The system of driving the education in the country is wrong; it must be left to the state; the federal government is too preoccupied. The world is talking about artificial intelligence; so Nigeria should be looking into that direction of science and technology.

Only education that can help our people to be sustainable and develop individuals.

Nigerians should be educated so that they can survive on their own. They can create jobs; we can’t survive as a people by depending on people.

I am talking about sustainable education, we must try and key into sustainable development that the world is trying to drive into. Recently, a Nigerian professional is ranked number one consultant on kidney and heart treatment throughout the world, we have to try and bring back a lot of our citizens who are out there and doing well back to the country to come and help us develop what we have.

That is why I am starting with infrastructure in the president’s New Year’s speech.

Buhari talked about the on-going partnership between Nigeria and Germany, he talked about electricity, you can’t take it away from the Germans, the British, the advanced countries; these are people who have demonstrated capacity. Germany, most especially, produces a lot of electricity installations and equipment, the administration is working closely with them. Also state government should tap into these. I see no reason state and local governments cannot produce their own energy source.

We should be able to produce our own energy sources for rural, estate and schools; all of these things. Recently, University of Ife pulled out of the national grid; they are producing their own energy source now that is sustainable. We should encourage this because this is the kind of thing that would drive our economy. A lot

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Ayodele Adewale

of our youths have gainful energy that can be tapped, and help us develop the state and tackle insecurity and so on.

Recently, we saw how Anthony Joshua made the country proud. I am sure that there are so many like him in the country, only that we need to put in place the right infrastructures. This should be the concern of the state and federal governments.

One of the issues that has generated controversy in the last few weeks has been hate speech bill. What is your take on the bill?

I think we should be able to differentiate between individuals and the administration. President Buhari did not sponsor that bill. People are saying the administration, but someone in the National Assembly sponsored that bill. But the bill is a good bill; what is bad in that bill is the capital punishment that is there. Somebody just sitting in the corner of the house and just passing false information about the other person; but we need laws that would take care of that, may be not with capital punishment.

If that bill can be put to public hearing, let the NBA, the media and other stakeholders come and make input, it would help protect a lot of things. Look at what happened to Davido recently;.two girls just came out and accused him falsely; what if that had destroyed his relationship with Chioma? What if it had destroyed their relationship to a point of irreconcilable?

Why would someone just bring false news and people are killing themselves and later we would see that it was false? I think that capital punishment is what killed that bill, but it is a good bill.

President Buhari just reaffirmed that he is not seeking a third term; it is presumed that power would shift to the South in 2023; what do you think about the issue?

Is a lovely thing that President Buhari has come out to clarify that false news that he was going for third term in office.

The President also said that he was ready to work more with INEC, so that they can create more transparency and reform in our electoral system. But you should know that the way democracy is practised in this country it is about numbers, we don’t have any written power sharing formula, what we have is an understanding.

So I would not want to be sentimental. But I want power to also go to all the geo-political regions, especially the west.

It is good that power moves across the regions so that we all have a fair share of government in Nigeria. But again, it can be put into law that power must rotate across the country. If it is put into law, political parties must be ready to put out their best candidate, through that we would not allow some hoodlums or some people with questionable character to take power. We must try and put it into law that people who have questionable character, or do not have the love of the people should not come into power.

You have been a strong advocate of restructuring; Olisa Agbakoba recently advocated for cooperative restructuring, how feasible is that?

Well, I believe we can still take a look at restructuring, but what Agbakoba said is

still mostly the same with restructuring.

The country should be restructured; the state should have their own independence, the federal should have their own independence and local government should be independent.

We should allow resources to be controlled by the state, while they pay royalties to the federal government. The greatest resource that we have in Nigeria is human, it is not agriculture. Go to Silicon Valley, what they have is human resources and that is where you have goggle, Facebook, Apple and the rest.

Restructuring is good; if you put the GDP of these companies I just mentioned in Silicon Valley together, it is bigger than the GDP of Nigeria and the jobs they create is bigger than what the Nigerian government would create.

What I am saying is that; we should invest in education of the citizens. Who would not believe that Zamfara with its natural resources like gold and the rest, if adequately tapped the state would be bigger than Dubai. It would create jobs, so the best investment is to invest in human capital.

We should focus more on technology that would bring about human development that is the only way to go. A lot of people are very lazy now, that is why I applauded the Lagos State government that wants to employ teachers, but not doing it on the basis of influence. What they are saying is that anyone who is interested should just go online and apply.

NASS has started the process of amending the 2010 Electoral Act and part of it is to deregister political parties, what is your take?

Yes, I support the amendment; 80 percent of the political parties have not even won a councillor seat, so if you cannot win a councillor why are you there? They are just clogging the system. We would get to a stage where we would have a million parties; can we put that in the voting paper?

It would be crazy.

We need to set limit and set boundary; that is we are not saying you should not form a party, but if you form a party you need to be in a class, if you win certain number of seats you move to the next class.

We should create independent candidacy, because if we do that we would not have this number of political parties.

We should also encourage parties to form alliance with a dominant party. But what I think the focus should be more is on electronic voting so that people can vote from the comfort of their rooms. Not where poling units where someone would come and snatch the ballot box away.

E-voting is what is done in Canada, Britain and other advanced societies; it would discourage all these problems and make people have confidence in the system when they know their votes would count.

Even in LASU, electronic voting has been adopted and is being used in the conduct of SUG elections, within few minutes the result is out; we even do money transfer from our phones why not electronic voting?

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Sunday 05 January 2020

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Ogun Watch AFDB will support agro processing zone in Ogun to boost agribusiness, wealth creation - Adesina

....As Gov Abiodun declares commitment to fight poverty, unemployment Stories by RAZAQ AYINLA

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kinwunmi Adesina, President of African Development Bank (AfDB) has expressed total support for the establishment of agro processing zone in Ogun state as part of AfDB’s core interventions in the areas of food security, poverty alleviation, employment generation and wealth creation.

The AfDB Preaident, who paid a courtesy visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state at his Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta Governor’s O ffic e on Thursday in company of his wife, Yemisi, said one of the five priorities of the Bank was to feed Africa, pointing out that fe e ding the c ontinent requires making agriculture a business that would create employment opportunities as well as revive rural economic activities, hence, the AfDB is supporting the quest to establish agro processing zones in the state.

He said, “I assure the Governor of my full support to create special Agro Industrial Processing Zone that will allow processing of all range of agricultural produce. We are also looking at forest products as well, it is going to be very important, the commitment is there from my side and also from the governor’s side.”

While noting that the agro pro c essing zone would attract fo o d and agriculture businesses in the rural areas with the provision of basic

R-L: Governor Dapo Abiodun presenting Ogun Sate plaque and other souvenirs to Akinwunmi Adesina, President of AfDB and his wife, Yemisi, during Adesina’s courtesy visit to Ogun state governor. infrastructure such as water, power, among others, Adesina disclosed that the AfDB’s intention is to enhance the value of the produce from the rural areas with a view to providing a cluster where agricultural produce will be collected on daily basis for storage, processing and value addition.

“So what the Special Agro Processing Zone will do is to attract food and agriculture businesses into rural areas that have already b e en enable d with basic infrastructure like water, power, roads, so they can pro c ess and add value to every single thing that is produced in the rural areas,

obviously, that will expand the physical space in the rural areas, create jobs and reduce rural-urban drift”, he added.

Responding, Governor Dapo Abiodun stated that administration will continue to find ways of ensuring a mutually beneficial relationship with the Africa Development Bank

Gov Abiodun lauded for lofty achievements in sports sector ..as Perm Secy redeployed to revamp another ministry Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state has been lauded for various achievements recorded in the sport’s sector since inception of his administration in May, 2019, just as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Peter Fagbohun, redeployed to another Ministry, having helped Govenor Abiodun revamped the state sports sector.

Commending the Governor during the sent-forth ceremony organised by the Management and Staff of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in honour of the former Permanent Secretary, Peter Fagbohun, held at the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta, the Dire ctor Ad ministration and

Supplies, Adetunji Kanimodo, said the State government has invested greatly to the development of sport in the State.

He listed some of the achievements to include; renovation and general beatification, procurement of office equipment, installation of intercom for effective communication in the departments within the Ministry among others.

The Director noted that the successful hosting of the Ultra Race in Sagamu and the 10km race in Abeokuta had open up all the stadia to gain more attention, saying, the recent renovation of the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode was a great achievement.

Kanimodo revealed that all the achievements were made

possible through the efforts of the outgoing Permanent Se cretary, Peter Fagb ohun, describing him as a purpose driven leader, who has brought improvement to the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the Ministry.

Responding, Peter Fagbohun said all the achievements would not have been possible without the moral and financial supp ort of the pres ent administration led by Prince Dapo Abiodun, adding that ‘’the service we render to humanity is the rent we pay in our lifetime as we meet to part and part to meet”.

While appreciating members of staff of the Ministry for their supports and cooperation, he charged them to extend

same hand of fellowship to the new Permanent Secretary, Olayiwola Abiodun, assuring that he is forging ahead to continue in his service to the development of the State’s Civil Service.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Olayiwola Abiodun, said he was surprised at the level of cooperation and understanding between the outgoing Permanent Secretary and the Staff, saying that the cordiality should be maintained for further development of the Ministry and the sport sector.

The event witnessed presentation of gift to the outgoing permanent Secretary, Peter Fagbohun by members of staff and management of the Ministry.

(AfDB), in order to lift the people out of poverty, create wealth and generate employment opportunities through all efforts that can boost the entire economy.

The governor, who received the President of the Africa Development Bank and his wife to his Office, expressed appreciation to AfDB for choosing the State as one of the special agro- processing zones, pointing out that the zone would be fully operational with an airport location, as his administration was committed to boosting the agriculture sector.

He said, “We have an airport location that was meant to be an agriculture airport and we think there is no better location for this special agro processing zone; so we have the airport, we have the special agro processing zone, that can now be an avenue for cross-fertilization of different companies, processing different agro-allied products.

Be rest assured that we will do everything that is required of us to make a success of our agriculture sector.”

He note d that the State has an advantage to be the fo o d basket of the nation, with a land mass of ab out 16,000 square kilometers, out of which 12,000 square kilometers were arable, disclosing that government had explored an alternative road construction method, as a pilot process in three Local Government Areas of the State.

“We have begun to explore the alternative road construction method; we started with three local government areas of the State. All we need to do is grade the roads, camper them, have drainages and put this chemical on them; it won’t cost us that much and we can do it on time, am glad to say that we are going to begin that process this January”, he said.

OGSG commended for supporting families of fallen heroes

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he Chairman, Nigeria Legions, Ogun State Command, Taofiq Oloyede, has commended Ogun State Government for donating generously towards the welfare of the families of Nigeria’s fallen heroes Oloyede gave the commendation during an interview with journalists in Ayetoro, saying the huge amount donated during the launch of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem, demonstrated government’s passion and recognition of the soldiers’ efforts in ensuring that the unity and peaceful co-existence of the nation were not in vain.

He also expressed confidence in Governor Dapo Abiodun to keep to his promise of supporting the corps with a bus, patrol van and motorbikes for the administration of the activities of the Legion.

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Feature

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ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo t is almost two decades since the Akwa Ibom State government began the construction the Ibom science park which it later abandoned. The science park was meant to be the equivalent of the Silicon Valley, an innovation hub for start ups and tech companies in California, USA. Coming with lots of promises, it was seen as the solution to the growing challenge of youth unemployment in Akwa Ibom State sincec It would provide the ‘enabling environment’ for start ups, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises as well as be the harbinger to the industrial revolution in the state.

Sadly however, this laudable vision was never realized as the project was abandoned soon after former Governor Victor Attah left office in 2007 and his successor, Godswill Akpabio seemed not to have seen the need to continue with the project despite the huge amount of money spent by his predecessor.

The project was initiated by the Attah administration and by the time lapsed in 2007, the state government had paid the main contractor, SBT Juul of South Africa, N5.2 billion out of the contract sum of N6 billion.

According to investigations, the N6 billion contract sum was said to have been broken into two parts, N3 billion for civil works and N3 billion for the Information and Technology component.

An investigation by the state house of assembly in 2009 had shown that the equipment and IT components said to have been imported were nowhere to be found.

As public outcry continued to grow and people asking for accountability, the state house of assembly in 2009 with Ignatius Edet as the Speaker imraised a committee to determine the true position of the projec.

The committee was chaired

by Usen Akpabio, who represented Uruan State constituency with Jack Udota from Eket state constituency as his deputy while Dan Akpan from Nsit Ibom state constituency and Samuel Ikon from Etinan State constituency and Okpolupm Etteh, who represented Esit Eket / Ibeno state constituency, Etim Uno, Nsikak Ekong, Paul Owo and Akanimo Edet served as members Specifically, it was to “determine the amount of money paid out for the project and to find out if money paid was commensurate with the work done.

It was also find out the involvement of the ‘past administration’ in the project and recommend those found to have been involved in the mismanagement of funds When the committee turned in its report, it confirmed what many had feared, the funds re-

Governor Udom Emmanuel Akwa

What is new about Ibom Blue Sea Science and Technology project? leased for the project appeared to have found their way to the pockets of individuals which explained why the project was abandoned though more than 90 percent of the contract sum was paid out.

In its submission, it recommended that the contractor and some top government officials who served during the Attah administration should refund N2.1 billion to the coffers of the state government.

While defending themselves, those said to have been involved argued that the “N2.1b was the difference between the payment made by the Treasury and Ministry of Science and Technology adding “ that out of the N5.2b paid to the contractor, N3.1b was paid from the treasury and N2.1b was paid from The Ministry of Science and Technology.”

It was not immediately clear whether the money was refunded to the state government but last month, it became quite concerning when the state government re-launched the science park as the Ibom blue sea

science and technology park, a replica of the abandoned Ibom science project.

Unlike the abandoned Ibom science park which had gulped N5.2 billion, the new ibom blue sea science and technology project is to be private sector driven and the investors are Chinese known for their appetite for investment across Africa.

What is not however clear

“

The Ibom blue sea science and technology park project is located few kilometres from the collapsed Reigners Bible Church

is the share holding structure in the project, whether it is a wholly Chinese owned project without any equity participation of the state government.

Ac c o r d i n g t o Go v e r n o r Udom Emmanuel who spoke while laying the foundation of the project, it will be a major breakthrough in the industrial development of the state. “ We have created an environment for people to come and invest, we are calling on other investors to come and invest in Akwa Ibom to reap returns on their investments,’’ he said.

Apart from the cost implication of the project to the state government, there is also the concern about its location.

Though it still maintains the previous location , close to the Itu-Calabar highway in Uyo metropolis, environmentalists have expressed worry over the suitability of the location being in an area that was considered to be in a forest reserve zone with the soil not fit for such a project.

When the Reigners Bible Church collapsed in 2016, killing some worshippers, the commission of enquiry was told that

location of projects in the forest reserve area was done in violation of an existing law. In clear terms, the commission was told that the location of houses in the area was against the state’s policy of protecting the forest in the area.

The commission was told that the soil in the area was prone to landslide due to its texture and the topography of the area. The Uyo Capital Development Authority had promised to demolish all structures in the area, but this threat had not been carried out.

The Ibom blue sea science and technology park project is located few kilometres from the collapsed Reigners Bible Church.

Again, there is a similar project in scope initiated by the state government as contained in the manifesto presented by the governor during his electioneering campaign known as The Completion Agenda. The project is the Ibom Industrial city.

“I have advanced the implementation of Ibom Industrial City in the state to stabilize my industrialization drive. The Ibom Industrial City is planned as part of the state government’s long term economic strategy and at completion will be a modern state of the art industrial city that will foster innovation and attract investment.

“It will also harness its strategic waterfront location to become a national and regional industrial and economic hub , create new jobs and function as a fully integrated new city with housing and all required infrastructure services etc fully integrated with the Ibom deep seaport facility,’’ the governor said in the manifesto.

Though many have applauded the state government for revisiting the long abandoned science park project by launching the blue sea science and technology park, others have expressed doubts saying the state government might be biting too much than it can chew given that it has only three years to complete its tenure.

According to Franklyn Isong, a public affairs analyst and newspaper publisher, the governor should focus on economically viable projects in order to complete and commission them before his tenures in 2023.

‘In view of the limited time the governor has to stay in office and the fact that the state government is embarking on several projects like the Ibom Blue Sea Science and Technology park , Ibom deep sea port, the terminal building at Ibom airport, flyover projects, the 21-storey building for International Oil Companies, the international worship centre in Uyo and several road projects, it would be better for the governor to concentrate on a few key economically viable projects,’’ he said.

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Sunday 05, January 2020

Feature New Year resolution: How long and well do people live up to it?

Over the years, it has been a tradition for many to reflect on their lives in the passing year, especially their regrets and make resolutions to live better in the coming year. Some even do all manner of things perceived ‘bad’ till the last day of the year, and remain sober the moment the clock ticks into the New Year. But how long and well do people live up to their resolutions? OBINNA EMLIKE asks.

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or Emeka Udeka, the year 2019 was the worst for his 32 years of existence. But he blamed himself for taking a wrong decision. Udeka was among the first batch of 189 Nigerians flown back by Air Peace Airline on September 11, 2019 following a wave of deadly xenophobic attacks that left the victims, including Udeka poorer and hopeless.

He recalled leaving his oncethriving fashion business to seek greener pasture in Johannesburg, South Africa. After five years of toiling to build a catering business, his restaurant and delivery van were burnt during the September 2019 xenophobia attacks.

Since then, he has not found life easy as he lost his capital and other life savings in the process of looking for a greener pasture overseas, and relations (some of whom he helped) are not willing to help him bounce back.

Sitting in a church at Ajao Estate in Lagos on December 31 night, the young man was among many others who came for the usual New Year resolution ritual to reflect on their lives, the mistakes and are willing to start a new and clean page void of past mistakes and bad habits.

As usual, many in their resolutions vowed … not to do this or that and to be serious with one thing or the other.

But Udeka resolved to look inwards, try other opportunities here than spending huge sums of money to build businesses that would be target of attacks in South Africa.

Beside Udeka, other faithfuls were also pouring their hearts in prayer in the church that December 31st night cross-over service, vowing to do this or that, to leave one habit, to get closer to God and all that. Some, who could not visit places of worship made vows in their homes to live better this year.

For Olumide Amao, who won N2 million in betting last year, but lost over N3 million

since winning his first jackpot, his mother asked, “How truly are you going to keep your resolution of no betting this year?”

He assured his mother firmly that he would. Within him, he was not sure of keeping the resolutions up to the next month because of the economic realities of the time, and most importantly, as a habit. So also, many others that turned new leaf at the last minute of last year hardly keep to their resolutions.

The rate at which people fail in keeping up to their resolutions calls for the need to ask why they make resolutions in the first place. If one cannot keep a simple rule, why promise keeping the 10 commandments.

So, many husbands promised God or whatever they believe that they will be better husbands that will not beat or cheat on their wives. And likewise wives to be better wives and mothers this year. Few days into the New Year, many of them are going back to their past.

Some say that resolution, often time, does not work because of the situation in which they were taken. They are particularly taken at the last day of

the year and when one is sober and full of expectations in the coming year.

One of the reasons for living short of the realities of the resolutions, according to Mark Ikhine, a sociologist/ family counselor, is “to draw God’s hand, whether at home or in the church or mosque, one need to be sober and truthful for once.

But on leaving God’s presence, the temptations and challenges become fiercer, and naturally it is what one does not want to do that comes his way.”

At the end of every year, even atheists do one form of prayer or the other in order to prepare for the coming year, taking stock of their activities in the passing year to forestall their mistakes from reoccurring, and planning for the coming one.

But some others think that most people that make resolutions are those seeking to climb the ladder of success in life.

Manny Okwor, a public affairs analyst, notes that resolutions are meaningless for those who have arrived because their problem is not how to, but where to spend goodtime. “You will see few of these people in churches and mosques on any

December 31 night, because they look for hot holiday spots to usher in the New Year in their own unique way,” says Okwor.

But Sally Ojikere, a pediatrics doctor, notes that New Year resolution is a necessary thing to do because of its benefits.

For her, the heart forgives then, one thinks clearer and mends his/her mistakes. “Some broken homes see reasons to come together. Well I promised to spend more time with family this year,” she says.

The inability to keep with the resolutions, according to her, is an evidence of the imperfection of the human nature. “They really do not last for long except for those that are strong-willed.

Patients even take doctor’s advice more serious than their resolutions,” she states.

To keep resolutions, the pediatrics doctor says people should be objective in their personal assessments of themselves and should take on issues they can handle easily than those that require extra effort or spiritual advice to breakthrough.

Truly, New Year resolution is easier said than done. Most do not last up to a week, while some are left at the point the

person makes the resolutions.

For EmilIa Efua, her resolutions only last till the first quarter of the year. “It is often difficult keeping these resolutions because some of them require a total reverse in lifestyle,” she notes. But if you live a good life, the issue of New Year resolution, according to her, will not come up. For her, it is only when you do things that are not good or godly that you now resolve to make amends.

But some others see no reason in making resolutions and they do not bother making attempt. “I cannot remember when last I made New Year resolution. Not even now that virtually everything is falling apart in the country; one is not sure to wake-up the next day, I wonder how feasible resolution is,” Omokaro Robinson, says.

All the same, Robinson’s request is “God, help me to serve you better.”

The likes of Uzo Okafor are rather silent with their wishes for fear of not accomplishing them. “I chose to keep my resolutions between God and me, than to write and not fulfill it.

I am hoping to achieve greater things this year than I have done last year by the grace of God, because planning without God is heading to nowhere,” according to Okafor.

Ho w e v e r, Mo s e s On y e ka , a motivational speaker, notes that most people do not achieve anything with their resolution because they are not specific with what they want. “Most New Year’s resolutions are very general. It is like a child who wants everything in a supermarket. The father’s pocket will determine what the child can get and not the child’s wish,” he explains.

“Just take one or two major things. Career advancement, marriage, quitting one bad habit and some realisable things,” he advises.

For women whose health or fitness is giving them serious concern, the motivational speaker further advises: “Talk about losing weight without specifying how much to lose or which weight is the target, is one way to fail. So, even if you did keep to your resolution, you would never know when you have achieved it. Is it one stone or one kilo that would be a success?”

Well, the year is still fresh, but many resolutions are already abandoned, but you can keep yours. It takes self discipline and determination. Nothing good, they say, comes easy!

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BDSUNDAY 19

Feature

Possible twists in new US-Iran relations after General Soleimani’s murder DIPO OLADEHINDE

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h e mu r d e r i n a n American airstrike Friday of General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, has opened a new vista of possibilities reminiscent of the 1979 face-off between the two countries. That year, protesting Iranian students, described by the state as militants, seized the American Embassy in Teheran and held scores of people hostage.

Forty years ago, a mob of Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran and took dozens of staff members hostage.

Demonstrators chanting “Down with USA” and “Death to America” gathered in front of the same building as state TV aired videos of rallies in other Iranian cities.

Many of the ugly sentiments from 1979 remain today amid renewed tensions between the two countries, following the unraveling of Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal and the re-imposition of US sanctions on the Iranian economy.

International Brent crude could surge toward $80 a barrel if escalating geopolitical tensions disrupt the Middle East crude supplies, analysts told BusinessDay, with energy market participants “on tenterhooks” after a U.S. airstrike killed key Iranian and Iraqi military personnel.

International benchmark Brent crude traded at $68.65 Friday evening, up more than 3.6percent, having earlier spiked to an intraday high of $70.

“There is a possibility of oil price hitting $80 if US-Iran conflict intensifies,” Charles Akinbobola, an energy analyst at Sofidam Capital, said.

In the hours after Soleimani’s death, “one thing is clear: Iran will respond,” analysts at political risk consultancy Eurasia Group said in a research note published Friday.

Oil prices “will likely hold” around $70 a barrel, “but could make a run at $80 if the conflict spreads to the oil fields of southern Iraq or if Iranian harassment of commercial shipping intensifies,” they added.

“It has been always lingering as a potential threat … But I guess the timing of it was certainly surprising for the market,” Valentin Marinov, managing director and head of G10 FX research at Credit Agricole, said on its Twitter handle.

Reacting to the action of the US, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the “world cannot afford” another Gulf war.

“The secretary-general has

… Analysts say oil price could hit $80

General Qassem Soleimani consistently advocated for deescalation in the Gulf,” a spokesman for Guterres said in a statement.

“This is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint. The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s supreme leader has appointed Esmail Qaani as the new head of the Revolutionary Guards’ foreign operations arm.

“Following the martyrdom of the glorious general haj Qassem Soleimani, I name Brigadier General Esmail Qaani as the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement posted on his official website.

Also, Israel’s military have heightened alert amid fears that Iran could strike through its regional allies such as Hezbollah to the north, or through Palestinian group Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza.

Israel’s foreign ministry and defense officials announced a high-security alert at Israel’s oversea delegations, fearing re-

taliation by Iran following the death of Soleimani.

Israel’s defense minister summoned the country’s military and security chiefs to Tel Aviv in the wake of the killing. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly cut short his trip to Greece.

“

It has been always lingering as a potential threat … But I guess the timing of it was certainly surprising for the market

US President Donald Trump took to Twitter to defend his decision to kill Qassem Soleimani, claiming that the Quds Force commander was behind the deaths of “millions of people”, including US citizens and his own Iranian compatriots.

Soleimani “killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more”, Trump said.

“He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself,” he added.

Dozens of US citizens working for foreign oil companies in the southern Iraqi oil city of Basra were leaving the country on Friday, the oil ministry said.

The US embassy in Baghdad urged all its citizens to leave Iraq immediately while Iraqi officials said the evacuation would not affect operations, production or exports.

Flags at Iranian embassies abroad were ordered to fly at half-mast and preparations were

being made for Soleimani’s body to be transferred to Iran. The date for the funeral has yet to be announced.

Responding to the US’ killing of Soleimani, Iran’s National Security Council spokesman Keyvan Khosravi said “the legal, political, security, and military consequences of this crime is on the US government”.

“The costs that Washington has to pay will be much more severe than the mirage-like achievements of this sort of blind moves,” he added.

Syria strongly condemns the “treacherous, criminal American aggression” that led to the killing of Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, state news agency SANA cited a foreign ministry source as saying.

The source said the attack constituted a “serious escalation” and reaffirmed U.S. responsibility for instability in Iraq, according to SANA. “The rallying oil price should have an immediate positive effect on Nigeria’s economy, But corruption is the elephant in the room,” Abayomi Fawehinmi, an energy analyst at a Lagos-based consulting firm said.

Beginning of US/Iran’s tussle If there is a specific date for the beginning of Iran’s “malign impact,” it is arguably Nov. 4, 1979.

The assault that day on the US Embassy in Tehran was the culmination of protests by supporters of the revolution, demanding the extradition of the shah, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, who was in the US receiving treatment for cancer.

According to an AP report from the time, “a mob of Iranian students overran US Marine guards in a three-hour struggle Sunday and invaded the American Embassy in Tehran, seizing dozens of staff members as hostages, Tehran Radio reported.”

After seven days, the women and African-Americans were freed.

In April 1980, US President Jimmy Carter cut diplomatic ties with Iran, imposed more sanctions and ordered all Iranian diplomats to leave the US. The same month, a failed US mission to rescue the hostages resulted in several deaths, including eight US soldiers.

Finally, on Jan. 20, 1981, after secret negotiations that resulted in the signing of an agreement to free Iranian assets, the remaining 52 Americans were flown to Wiesbaden air base in Germany.

The hostage-taking marked the moment US-Iranian relations began deteriorating sharply.

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Feature

Mount Meru Hotel Arusha

A look at African hospitality sector OBINNA EMELIKE

A

t the 2019 edition of the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), which held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last September, delegates from across the African hospitality sector were toasting to a bumper year for African tourism and travel.

They were celebrating the achievements of the tourism and travel industry, which contributed $194.2 billion to the Africa’s economy in 2018, representing 8.5 percent of the continent’s GDP, as well as, offered 24.3 million African jobs, or 6.7 percent of total employment.

Impressed with Africa’s growth of 5.6 percent in 2018, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) described the continent as the second-fastest growing tourism region behind only Asia-Pacific.

As well, last year, there were 75,000 branded rooms in 401 hotels in the pipeline across Africa; representing a growth of 51 percent in total pipeline rooms since 2015, according to the annual African Hotel Chain Development Pipeline Survey by W Hospitality Group.

But the big global chains are still dominating, with Marriott International representing 81 hotels; Accor 57; Hilton 55; and Radisson Hotel Group 47 hotels in the pipeline, while countries with the largest pipelines; are Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco and Ethiopia.

However, some African hospitality management companies are waking up to the challenge and improving on their management skills, gaining confidence of African hotel owners and impressing with world-class service and facility offerings.

From the Mantis Collection, Legacy Hotels & Resorts, Sun International, Serena Hotels, the Icon Hotel Group, and to many other indigenous hospitality management companies, Africa is beginning to raise homegroomed hospitality business managers who now understand that the enormous growth in the sector cannot be ignored or left to international brands.

Of course, African hospitality managers are now engaging in the scramble for their market share in hospitality management considering the boom on the continent. Currently, there is an increase in intra-Africa travel with at least four out of every

10 travellers in Africa are from within the region. That means more guests for the hotels on the continent and more hotels to manage by the indigenous hospitality management companies.

Bearing in mind the need to address the shortage of quality hotels on the continent, as well as, to encourage patronage from Africa’s growing middle class, Icon Hotel Group (IHG) is among the management companies that are bracing up the challenge.

The group, which is spreading its reach beyond its Kenyan base, is a fast-growing end-toend African-grown hospitality hub that serves as a resource base for diverse core hospitality competencies across Africa and beyond.

A stay in Mount Meru Hotel or Palace Hotel both in Arusha, Tanzania, will attest to the worldclass signature service and commitment of the group.

From the East, IHG’s presence is now felt in West Africa starting with Nigeria. The turnaround at Best Western Hotel, Victoria

Island, Lagos, which resulted in the rebranding to BWC Hotel

by ICON is a testimony to the sophisticated network of experienced professionals ICON has.

As well, at the Royal Spring Palm Hotel in Owerri, the Imo State capital, ICON shows that in addition to its world-class service culture it parades staff who are armed with native understanding of hospitality management and related disciplines in Africa.

But ICON is looking to expand further in Nigeria. To ensure that, it appointed Adetope Kayode to drive its growth and expansion plans in Nigeria. With 16 years working experience across many sectors, Kayode, who started his career at KPMG, has achieved among many feats; leading a team that structured and established the first specialist hospitality and retail real estate investment fund in Nigeria. He is committed to the vision of ICON, which was conceived in 2008 as a response to the dire need of a homegrown hospitality management firm with a deep and holistic understanding of the hospitality sector in Africa.

He urges guests to look out for more ICON managed hotels across Nigeria soon.

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Feature NLNG Train 7 FID: Laying a solid foundation for economic development of Nigeria Olusola Bello

F

riday 27 December, 2019 would remain indelible in the annals of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry. It was the day the much-awaited Final Investment Decision (FID) of Train 7 of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) was taken.

FID refers to the decision by the board of directors of a company to proceed with the investment for a project, having among others, met sufficient financial resources to deliver on it. Similarly, an LNG train refers to a liquefaction plant that often consists of several parallel units arranged sequentially. The NLNG plant in Bonny Island already has 6 trains/units, leaving the 7th as the subject of the FID. At the historic occasion in Abuja, fully represented were officials of the four shareholders of the company, which are the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), representing Nigeria Government’s interest, with 49 percent equity holding, Shell Gas B.V., 25.6 percent, Total Gaz Electricite Holdings France, 15 percent and Eni International, 10.4 percent.

Established by an NLNG Act, the NLNG Limited was incorporated as a limited liability company on May 17, 1989 with the aim to harness a quantum of Nigeria’s vast gas reserves of about 200 Trillion Cubic Feet (TcF).

Currently, the company boasts of the capacity to produce 22 million tonnes per annum of Liquefied Natural Gas, and 5million tonnes per annum of Natural Gas Liquids, that is, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), otherwise referred to as cooking Gas, and Condensate.

The train 7, which FID was taken, is expected to boost the production capacity of the current sixtrain NLNG by 35 percent, which translates to 30 million tonnes per annum.

The NLNG remains one of the major success stories of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry, raking in billions of dollars to the coffers of the Nigerian Government annually; helping to reduce Nigeria’s gas flaring profile from 65 percent to below 25 percent, even as it also supplies about 40 percent of the cooking gas consumed in the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Mele Kyari, group managing director , Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC ), who made the announcement of the FID of Train 7 of the NLNG Limited, listed the benefits of the proceeding with the construction of the 7th train of the six-train plant, which he noted included: an affirmation that Nigeria remains a

Members of board of directors of NLNG during the signing of Final Investment Decision (FID) of Train 7

prime foreign investment destination; generation of $20billion to the Federal Government coffers and provision of 10,000 direct and 40,000 indirect jobs to Nigerians.

This could not have come at a better time to help government deliver on its promises.

Reflecting on the rapid consummation of the processes leading to the FID of Train 7, it is pertinent to exalt the leadership role of the NNPC boss, who has demonstrated immense dexterity to actualize major sectoral decisions in recent times. He spared no time to express the commitment of the industry to buoy the oil and gas sector’s contribution to the national economy, always emphasizing his regard to the ordinary Nigerians as forming the fulcrum of the shareholders of corporation.

As he promised during his declaration of the FID on behalf of other shareholders of the company, his team would work with partners to bring in more projects that would add value to the nation’s upstream sector, particularly in the gas processing sub-sector.

This expression of commitment by the NNPC is soothing as it indicates that other gas projects, which are no less of high promise to boosting Nigeria’s economy, may receive desired attention soon during his tenure.

Among these are the Brass LNG, as well as, Olokola LNG, otherwise called OK LNG. The other is the integrated gas processing facility in Delta Sate. Each of these projects is capable of generating tenths of thousands of jobs in the country; reduce gas flaring and boost the nation’s economy with the concomitant effect of enabling Government to provide for the needs of Nigerians

nationwide.

As NNPC boss noted at the occasion, kudos must be given to President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he stated gave his utmost support to the project. This, however, might not be a surprise to Nigerians as some of the nation’s refineries were constructed during his tenure in the 1980s as Minister of Petroleum.

As the board of directors of the NLNG took the FID of the Train 7 of the company’s plant, Nigerians in all walks of life cannot wait to witness its impacts on the nation’s economy and their respective wellbeing. It is a deserved kudos to all that have worked tirelessly to see that historic moment passed eventfully.

According to Tony Attah, managing director and chief executive officer of NLNG, “Train 7 is the crux of a growth agenda, which will ensure the company’s position as the 5th major supplier of global LNG is maintained, increasing value to its Shareholders and other stakeholders, as well as, further reducing the gas that would otherwise have been flared, in fulfillment of its vision of ‘being a global company, helping to build a better Nigeria’”.

He further remarked that “over 12, 000 jobs will be created during the peak of construction, trade and commercial activities within the Niger Delta region equally receiving a boost as a result. The project will also support the development of local engineering and fabrication capacity in the country. Other opportunities for local content include procurement, logistics, equipment leasing, insurance, hotels, office supplies, aviation, haulage, and many more.”

Also speaking on the part of investors, Henry Bristol, who rep-

resented the managing director of Shell, said Shell was committed to the project and the opportunities it provides for Nigeria.

On his part, Mike Sangster, managing director of Total, said the company was very pleased to be part of the decision to proceed with the Train 7, which he described as great and fantastic.

Peter Costello, managing director of ENI, who was also represented, expressed the commitment of his company for the decision to go ahead with the Train 7 project, adding that the decision was in tandem with the celebratory mood of the season.

It would be recalled that the Mele Kyari had, at various occasions in the year, expressed commitment to having the FID taken before the end of 2019.

The Train 7 would boost the production capacity of the current six-train NLNG by 35 percent from 22 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 30MTPA and increase its competitiveness in the global LNG market.

NLNG is an incorporated jointventure owned by four shareholders; the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (49%), Shell Gas B.V. (25.6%), Total Gaz Electricite Holdings France (15%), and Eni International N.A. N.V. S.àr.l (10.4%).

On December 13, 2019, NLNG signed the first Basic 20year term of Gas Supply Agreements (GSAs) for NLNG Train 7 with Joint Ventures (JVs) for the supply of feed gas to Train 7, closing out a condition necessary for taking of the Final Investment Decision (FID).

On September 11, 2019, the company issued a Letter of Intent for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC)

Contract of the Project to SCD JV Consortium. SCD JV Consortium is made up of Saipem of Italy, Japan’s Chiyoda and Daewoo of South Korea.

On March 22, 2019, NLNG and Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) signed off the approved plan for Nigeria Content (NC) for NLNG’s Train 7 project which will ensure the delivery of value and benefits to the Nigerian economy.

Simbi Wabote, executive secretary of the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) said the benefits of the Train 7 project would extend to site civil works on roads, piling, and jetties, 100 per cent local procurement of all low and high voltage cables, non-cryogenic valves, protective paints and coatings, sacrificial anodes and many others from local manufacturing plants.

The target, according to the NCDMB boss, is to assemble over 70 per cent of all non-cryogenic pumps and control valves in-country, while other spin-off opportunities include logistics, equipment leasing, insurance, hotels, office supplies, aviation, haulage and many more.

According to him, the schedule of the NOGICD Act set the minimum engineering man-hours for Front End Engineering Design and Detailed Engineering on LNG facility at 50 per cent.

Wabote urged the SCD consortium to fully implement the agreed Nigerian content levels as contained in the approved Nigerian Content Plan for Train-7 project, covering engineering, fabrication, civil works, local procurement, project services, logistics, equipment leasing, insurance, hotels, office supplies, aviation, haulage, human capacity development and jobs.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, had urged stakeholders connected with the NLNG Train-7 project to fast-track actions related to it.

He said the project is one of his focus areas to put an end to the drought of FIDs in the oil and gas industry in the last few years.”

He said apart from the job opportunities and the accruable revenues from the multibilliondollar Train-7 project, there is the additional tonnage of LPG to be produced from Train-7 as a key benefit to reduce importation of LPG into the country”.

He is also excited that Train-7 project attracts other upstream gas supply projects required to keep the LNG train busy. The project opens up other development opportunities for some gas fields in the shallow and deep offshore acreages such as HI, HA, HK, and Opoukunou-Tuomo fields,” he added.

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Analysis

Constitutional amendment, PIGB, electoral legal framework to dominate legislative business in 2020 ...As analysts ask NASS to step oversight, economic laws, federalism JAMES KWEN, Abuja

C

onstitutional amendment and the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB), which has been declined Presidential assent and review of the electoral legal framework, are exp e cte d to dominate the legislative business of the National Assembly in 2020.

The National Assembly in 2019 witnessed both the exit of the 8th Assembly and the entrance of the current 9th Assembly, making annual appraisal a bit elusive as each session records different achievements.

The 8th Assembly at its exit in June 2019 itemized not only the achievements recorded in that year alone but what was accomplished from 2015 during, which it passed 382 out of 1643 bills presented, resolved 1413 out of the 1588 motions sponsored and considered 205 out of the 1192 petitions received.

Giving account of its legislative business, Edward Pwajok, chairman, Rules and Business Committee of the 8th House, stated that in the first session, 685 bills were introduced and 68 were passed.

In the second session, 379 bills were introduced and 41 were passed. In the third session, 446 bills were introduced and 94 were pass e d. In the fourth session, 143 bills were introduced and 63 were passed.

The total I repeat, 1643 bills that we pres ente d and 352 were passed.

For motions, 1413 were resolved, 1137 were referred to various committees, 17 were withdrawn and 1 was deferred leaving a total of 1588. The House received and lay on the table, 1192 petitions, lay and yet to be consider 22, considered on the floor of the House 205, and rejected 2. 108 of the bills came from the Senate, 1465 of the bills were private members bills, he added.

Other areas of achievement of the House last year include an alteration of many sections of the constitution by the 8th Assembly including giving the State Legislature and Judiciary financial autonomy.

It also lowered the age limit for those contesting in the not too young to run bill, which opened up the space for our younger citizens to offer themselves to be voted for offices.

The 8th Assembly equally amended the constitution so that if there is any vacancy or something happen to the President, the Vice President

“

In terms of oversight responsibility of the House, we investigated many of the ministries to expose corruption in line with section 58 of the constitution

President Muhammadu Buhari

will not only step in but retain power and the same thing too for governors.

“It is through this Assembly that private members bill changed democracy day from May 29 to June 12. It is this Assembly that increased the minimum wage to N30, 000 as against the 27, 000 proposed by the executive.

“There are many progressive bills passed which are awaiting assent. There is one to remove age discrimination because we have earlier declared state of emergency on unemployment so that our employed youths and graduates will receive favourable attention by the public service.

“Abolition of first degrees and HND dichotomy, granting married women in the public service options of citizenship, either citizenship of their father or husbands, rep el and enactment of new company and allied company act which has not been amended since 1990 to ease doing business in Nigeria.

“Prohibition of estimate d billing by electricity distribution companies, establishment of the North East Development Commission and also we have passed the South East Development Commission bill”, Pwajok

stated.

He added that, “apart from bills which is the core function of the Legislature which is to make law, the 8th Assembly pursued its representational role as elected representative

Senate Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan

of the people to speak for the people of Nigeria, passed many resolutions covering all areas of our national life that concerned the people from insecurity to terrorist attacks, murder, kidnapping, killings, education,

health, Nigeria in diasp ora, unemployment, youth, women, among others.

“In terms of oversight responsibility of the House, we investigated many of the ministries to exp os e c orruption in line with section 58 of the constitution. It is the deliberations of the House on members motion that get the police and other government agencies to embark on using local governments as a basis for recruitment using Federal Character principles”.

The 9th Assembly (Reps) has in the last six months introduced over 499 bills some of which have passed second and third readings, resolved about 250 motions, paid oversight visits to many Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and hold investigative public hearings with several MDAs. Remarkably, the critical bills passed by the 9th Assembly include the historic N10.59 trillion 2020 Appropriation Bill which has been signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, marking the reversal to the January to December Budget Cycle, as well as, the N278.35 billion Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Statutory budget and 2020 Appropriation Bill.

It also passed the Finance Bill, which amended the Companies Income Tax Act, Value Added Tax Act, Customs and Excise Tariff etc. (Consolidation) Act, Personal Income Tax Act, Capital Gains Tax Act, Stamp Duties Act and Petroleum Profit Tax Act to Provide for the Review of Tax Provisions and make them more Responsive to Tax Reform.

O t h e r s a re ; a b i l l fo r a n act to provide easy access to higher education for Nigerians through interest-fre e loans Nigerian Education Bank, the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (Amendment), a bill for an act to provide that 20 per cent of jobs available in all Federal Government ministries, departments, agencies and companies b e distribute d amongst the physically challenged persons in Nigeria, a bill for an Act to Amend the National Council on Public Procurement and the Bureau of Public Procurement Act and A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Health Re c ords Offic ers (Registration etc.) Act. While there are over 300 bills to consider and pass in 2020, constitutional amendment, electoral act amendment and PIGB would be given Keen attention by the National Assembly (Reps).

This is as Femi Gbajabiamila,

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Analysis speaker of the House, had declared that the House would commence work on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution and the Petroleum Industry Governanc e B ill (PIGB) next year.

Gbajabiamila stressed that both the constitution review and the PIGB are part of the bills that the House would prioritise in 2020.

The speaker also assured that the 9th House is committed to the amendment of the Electoral Act and would give attention to the Police Reform Bill, the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) amendment bill, among others.

He said unlike what happened during the last Assembly where both the constitutional and Electoral Act amendments bills were rejected by the President, the current National Assembly would ensure a thorough work which will help ensure the President assents to the bills.

Gbajabiamila who had disclosed this when he hosted a team from the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), led

by Clement Nwankwo, its executive director, said, “You did talk about pending legislation such as electoral laws. We are on the same page on this. We cannot move forward if we do not understand the history and circumstances that led to the inability to do some things.

“The issue of reordering of elections, for instance, we felt it was targeted at the sitting president. You can’t do laws to target somebody. There was also the issue of who has the right to reorder elections. There were arguments that the constitution says INEC should do that. The PIGB, the CAMA Bill and the rest, we’ll work on them and get them to the President for his assent”.

Recall that President Buhari had declined assent to critical bills such as the PIGB and Ele ctoral A ct Am end ments passed by 8th Assembly, citing infractions especially those he considered at variant with his interest.

In the PIGB, Buhari withheld his assent for perceived reduction of his powers as Minister of Petroleum while there was the fear that reordering of elections timelines and e-voting will jeopardize his chances in 2019 general elections.

Since the coming on board of the 9th Assembly, many critical stakeholders in oil and gas sector have renewed calls for the reconsideration of the PIGB, just as those in the electoral process are bent amendment of the Electoral Act. For instance, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is seeking legal backing for Smart Card Reader (SRC) in the ongoing efforts to amend the Electoral Act. The Commission had promised to present a proposal to the National Assembly on the SRC as well as other areas in which further deployment of technology will deepen the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.

“The Commission will defi-

“

In year 2020, National Assembly members must take a second look at the 2010 Electoral Act (as amended) and dispassionately enact laws or amendments that can help strengthen the country’s electoral process Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

nitely send its proposals to the National Assembly to clearly state aspects of the existing Law it supports, aspects that need further retooling and new proposals that will strengthen the electoral process and the regulatory functions of the Commission. The Commission will beef up its own proposals and recommendations to the National Assembly”, Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner in charge of Publicity said.

Already, an Ele ctoral Act Amendment Bill 2019, sponsored by Deputy Senate Presi-

Femi Gbajabiamila

dent, Ov ie Omo-Agege and Abubakar Kyari (APC, Borno) has passed second reading in the Senate.

The bill, which has 26 clauses seeks to amend the Electoral Act to amongst others make provision for electronic voting and prescribing maximum fees payable by aspirants and restricting nomination criteria.

On constitutional amendments, so many constitutional amendments and alterations bills are presently before both Chambers of the National Assembly, waiting for kick-start-

ing in 2020.

Some of the bills are: Smooth Transition Bill, Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, Hate Speech Bill, Submission of Ministerial Bames with Portfolios Bill, a Bill seeking to amend Sections 65(2)a, 106(c), 131(b) and 131(d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to amend the powers of the president on the “Proclamation for the holding of first session of the National Assembly” not less than 48 hours after he was sworn in, a Bill for the amendment of the constitution to “Strengthen the Principle of Separation of Powers and Guarantee Independence of Different Arms of Government” and Local government Financial Autonomy.

With all these in kitty for the National Assembly, analysts want both chambers of the legislature to step up its oversight function, focus more on economic laws and true federalism.

They argued that lawmaking is not enough but strict monitoring to ensure implementation and checks on the executive is germane to socioeconomic development of the country.

Jude Uzoma, c o ordinator, Foundation for Sustainable D evelopment and Inclusive Growth, said what Nigerians want the National Assembly to do is not passing more of laws but to focus more on the second leg of their function which is project monitoring and evalu-

ation (oversight function) and quality implementation.

He said that aspect has been so long relegated and this really does not impact so much on policy implementation even the country has so many laws.

“Every day we are passing bills but what matters to Nigerians is the implementation of these laws - the oversight function. What are the committees doing? How well are government policies implemented?

“Lo ok at the N37 billion renovation of the National Assembly, why the people are agitating is because they do not understand what role the National Assembly is playing in the whole system. So, if the National Assembly would focus on that second role, I think there would be a new start in 2020”, Uzoma added.

According to Christian O ke ke , l e c t u re r i n t h e D e partment of Political Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, the year 2020 should be to federal lawmakers a year of patriotic legislative responsibility as never before and the 9th NASS must not lose sight of the huge expectations from Nigerians.

Okeke said, basically, there is need for a robust and productive legislative engagement with the executive arm of government in the year 2020 as this is no doubt, necessary for national interest. “ Le g i s l at i ve s u p e r v i s i o n should be tight. This is fundamental as to ensure prudence and efficiency in deployment and utilization of scarce public funds. It will equally set positive precedence as the country begins the much-expected January-December budget cycle.

“Beyond that, general legislative activities that promote equity and justice in the country should be a priority. Laws must be made to give every person and section of the society their due justice and sense of belonging in the Nigerian project. In doing this, proposals that can promote nepotism and disunity in the country must be effectively shut down not minding whose ox is gored”, he said.

The political scientist stressed that the National Assembly must listen to the voices for true federalism this year.

He said the legislature must listen to the cries against marginalisation, injustice, oppression, suppression, harassment and brutality must be ended through deliberate parliamentary actions.

“In year 2020, National Assembly members must take a second look at the 2010 Electoral Act (as amende d) and dispassionately enact laws or amend ments that can help strengthen the country’s electoral process. Issues such as ele ctoral violenc e, ele ctoral malpractices, vote-buying and external interferenc es must find their cure through legislation in 2020.

“It is high time Nigeria got its acts right with regards to elections. To achieve this, the parliament must take an immediate lead in this direction”, he concluded.

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Arts Events that shaped the Nigerian art scene in 2019 OBINNA EMELIKE

T

he Nigerian art scene had an impressive outing last year, though many stakeholders agreed that it could have done better.

From enthralling stage plays, spoken words performances, book readings, intriguing exhibitions to many other exciting events, the arts soared last year. However, there are some very remarkable events that truly made marks in the annals of 2019 art landscape in Nigeria.

The 2019 edition of the LagosPhoto festival was very impactful and memorable. Themed ‘Passport’, the festival sought to break global identity barrier and imbalance with breathtaking works from artists across the world, which excited viewers across the four venues of last year’s festival.

Aside the quality of work, the participation was impressive with artists from France, USA, Algeria, Ghana, Curacao, Belgium, South Africa, Lebanon, Morocco, Angola, Haiti, Poland, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Italy, Spain and Nigeria speaking one language and passing across same message with their photographs.

With photographs, the artists explored options of creating a fluid and permeable world, where nationality, gender, and historical imbalances are secondary.

Azu Nwagbogu, director, African Artists’ Foundation and director, LagosPhoto, noted that everything about the festival last year was spectacular, especially the very interesting works and supportive audience.

As well, the annual Ake Arts and Books Festival was another highlight. The 2019 edition, which explored the black body and mental health, took place from October 24-27, 2019 at Alliance Francaise | Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos. It featured 100 participants including; authors, poets, artists, storytellers, dancers, actors, musicians and thinkers from all over the African continent and beyond. It was truly a cultural immersion for the participants, while further spotlighting the Nigerian art scene.

Of course, Art X Lagos was about the most-anticipated event in the 2019 art calendar in Nigeria.

In its fourth edition, the annual international fair and West Africa’s premier international art fair surpassed the curiosity of many by creating a truly unique art, lifestyle and cultural experience for a wide variety of its local and international audience.

This year’s edition held from November 1-3, 2019 at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, La-

Participants at Impart Art Fair

gos, a new venue, which allowed for significant growth from 2018, welcoming 9,000 visitors in total.

In order to fulfill its commitment to expanding for 2019, ART X Lagos saw a vast increase in the number of gallery booths, growing from 14 to 23, exhibiting over 90 artists from 25 countries across the continent.

The fair featured eight sections in total including the addition of ART X Modern, and The Performance Pavilion.

Offering her summary on the fair, Tokini Peterside, founder & director of ART X Lagos, reiterated her commitment to redefining the African narrative by showcasing the best of Africa through its art and culture.

“Through ART X Lagos, we have created an atmosphere for

people to come and be inspired, to be provoked, to be challenged and to dream. Art collectors, as well as, everyday people who may never purchase this art, are given the opportunity to transition their excitement about the visual art we showcase, into euphoria that we hope will then generate employment and economic opportunities within the arts and culture sector for our people across Nigeria and across the continent. Through our curated and interactive projects, our prize for emerging artists, as well as, ART X Live!, we have been able to unconventionally showcase the very best of contemporary and modern, established and emerging, art and culture from Africa and the Diaspora.”

But one surprise event that

shook the sector was Impart Art Fair. In its debut year, the art fair converged about 300 African artists, over 1000 recent artworks and which hosted over 5000 visitors from October 25-27, 2019 at Alpha One at Eko Atlantic in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Despite being the maiden edition, the fair met world-class standards in organisation, exciting activities, quality works on display, diversity of the participants from across the world, break outs, innovation, infusion of technology in line with the theme, ‘Art Meets Tech’, among others.

After visiting to see the fair, the art editors were appreciative of sincerity of the organisers, applaud for pulling off a fantastic event that was adjudged the best so far by

most industry stakeholders.

The uniqueness of the venue is the huge space and its unconventional appeal. Credit goes to Hana Omilani, founder and director, Lasmara and her team for turning Alpha One’s massive car park of almost 5,000 square metres into an exhibition space, well-decorated, themed and fitted for the fair.

The maiden edition of the fair met beyond Omilani’s expectations. “The turnout, the audience, and the feedback were very humbling”, she said Some galleries were exceptional too. Alexis Galleries in Victoria Island, Lagos single-handedly hosted over 20 exhibitions last year, the highest of any gallery in Nigeria.

Top among the exhibitions was ‘View from the Masters’, an art exhibition in honour of Queen Moremi of Ife, where some Art masters flaunted craft. The roll call was who-is-who in the Nigerian visual art practice.

It featured 28 recent works by 28 art masters who generously displayed their craftsmanship including; Abayomi Barber, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Kolade Oshinowo, Abiodun Olaku, Gbenga Offo, Reuben Ugbine, Chinwe Uwatse, Tola Wewe, Sam Ovraiti, Duke Asidere, Dominique Zinkpe, Fidelis Odogwu, and Sam Ebohon.

Others include; Edosa Ogiugo, Alex Nwokolo, Mavua Lessor, Segun Aiyesan, Ato Arinze, Zinno Orara , Diseye Tantua , Joshua Nmesirionye, Gerry Nnubia, John Oyedemi, Joe Essien, Abraham Uyovbisere, Gab Awusa and Gerald Chukwuma. Knock on Wood was another exciting exhibition at Alexis Galleries, which saw artists romancing with wood as the only canvas.

The Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi also continued it support for the art by hosting several exhibitions courtesy of SMO Contemporary Art led by Sandra Obiago Mbanefo the curator. From Stasis, Convergence, If Wall Could Speak among others, the hotel hosted exciting exhibitions.

SMO Contemporary Art, which also exhibits at Temple Muse, held an exciting exhibition to launch the new location of the outfit in Victoria Island.

Emeka Udemba’s exhibition tagged A Question of Being, curated by SMO Contemporary Art, marked the opening of the new Temple Muse flagship store in Victoria Island. It presented “the vibrancy of hybrid cultures” referencing race, history, memory, gender, time, and beauty.

As expected, Bolanle Austen-Peters Production unveiled its latest musical called Fela’s Republic and the Kalakuta Queens. It enthralled guests during the festive season.

Bintu The Musical also excited as well.

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Arts Akwa Ndia’ great merriment debuts in Uyo

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kwa Ibom State has been in the spotlight for many positive things one of which is the debut of a yearend festivity of 36 hours nonstop music, food and lights tagged “Akwa Ndia- Great Merriment” headlined by Innocent Idibia aka TuFace, Nigerian international hip hop artiste, DJ Neptune, Dj Sose, DJ Peejay and other local acts.

The year-end concert was conceived to positively engage the youths away from restlessness and social disturbance in promoting the Government’s resolution of peace and security in the state kicked off at 6pm December 30th lasted till 6am of January 1st, 2020.

The event which also featured performances by DJs Neptune and Sose also had Comedians and a special appearance by the legendary Mr Xto and Udo Miriam also included a spectacular 30 minutes display of fireworks, lasers and sky lanterns re-

Innocent Idibia aka TuFace

lease to herald in the new year and decade.

Canvassing for continued unity to the over 15,000 attendees, Tuface “2Baba” as he is fondly called, advised Akwa Ibomites to remain

united in love so as to consolidate the developmental in the state. The former Plantashun Boys maestro who mounted the stage at exactly 3 am on New Year Day with one of his songs,

‘One Love’ brought the audience to an ecstatic mood.

The show which herald the New Year was kick started by an Akwa Ibom based gospel artiste, GodFada who held the audience spell bound

with scintillating gospel renditions in several languages.

Akwa Ndia sponsored

by Coca-Cola, according to the organisers, is an entirely private sector event and is the brain child of ‘The Xperience Council’, a collaborative project between media buying agency, ‘Maximedia Global Ltd’ and Soulcomms’ Limited, a leading strategic communications and engagement company.

Speaking on the initiative, Mojisola Saka, chief operating officer, Soulcomms Ltd, said Akwa Ndia is a platform to promote the rich culture and unbeatable warm hospitality of Akwa Ibom. It is a showcase of Akwa Ibom as Nigeria’s next big destination. It is about the fun, merriment, excitement and the boisterous life and “jollification” of Ibomites.

“Akwa Ndia is about life, fun, merriment, excitement and the boisterous “Jollification” of Akwa Ibomites.

“Ndia” means merriment, which is apt considering the time of the year we are host-

ing this event. Thus, the value in our strategic idea “Akwa Ndia” is intended to leverage our reputation, expertise and the famed hospitality of Akwa Ibom.” She added For Femi Adefowokan, managing director, Maximedia Global Ltd, the choice of a local theme was to create a sense of pride and ownership by the indigenes, same as Dakkada. We have strongly leveraged our reputation, expertise and goodwill in funding and promoting this great platform of audience engagement with the support of our corporate partners.

In his words, “Akwa Ndia is modeled after similar fireworks showcases that herald the New Year across the world and we have a 5-year commitment to hosting this annual event in the State “.

It is also one of several initiatives designed by The Xperience Council to stimulate the local economy and investments through uniquely designed consumer experiences for the next 5 years.

Akpata descendants launch book on family tree

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rofessor Enosakhare Samuel Akpata, a renowned dentist and academic, has written a book on the genealogy of the Akpata family of Benin Kingdom. The book details the origin and accomplishments of the Akpata descendants, while also touching briefly on the history of Benin Kingdom.

Titled “Our Family Tree, Five Generations of Akpata Descendants”, the book, which is published by Narrative Landscape Press, was formally unveiled on Saturday, December 21, 2019 at The Grand Junction Ballroom, Landmark Towers, Oniru, Lagos, during the 2019 Akpata Descendants Annual Carol Singing Event.

Osato Giwa-Osagie, emeritus professor and a tilted chief, chaired the occasion while Uyi Akpata, country senior partner at PwC Nigeria, was the chairman of the book launch organizing committee.

In the book Professor Akpata traces the roots of the Akpata family from the first to the fifth generation with a view to allowing Akpata progenies know their ancestry and facilitating networking among them.

His words: “Akpata descendants, including the extended family members, will find this book useful. Younger generations of the family, in Nigeria and in diaspora, who wish to trace their roots, will find it invaluable. It may also be a use-

ful resource for historians and an inspiration for other people who wish to document relationships within their families”.

As revealed in the book, Akpata was actually a nickname of one of the progenitors of the family, Abraham Okoro Oviawe.

“Abraham Okoro was a famous trader and travelled to several places including Otun, Ijero, Ilorin, Ijebu and the Lekki Peninsula in present-day Lagos State. According to the family archives that Emmanuel Fabiyi Akpata documented in 1925, Okoro participated actively in the expansionist wars of Benin Empire. For example, he was head of a troop during the Obadan war, and Oba Ovonramwen was highly impressed

by his performance”.

“It is possible that it was his prowess in war or perhaps his reliability in the commercial circle that led to Abraham Okoro Oviawe being nicknamed Akpata (meaning rock in Yoruba language)”.

The nickname was eventually extended to the entire family.

Also worthy of note is the book’s expose on the close contact between Akpata descendants and the Yoruba people as well as the Yoruba names of some Akpata descendants.

“At its zenith, Benin Empire extended far beyond western Nigeria and Benin people, particularly those who took part in the expansionist wars, lived

L – R: Uyi Akpata, country senior partner, PwC Nigeria, chairman organising committee of the book launch; Enosakhare Akpata, author of the book, his wife, Victoria Akpata; Osato Giwa-Osagie, his wife, Angela Giwa-Osagie; and Osagie Akpata of Faculty of Dentistry, University of Benin, unveiling the new book.

anywhere within its boundary. In fact, Idukpaye took his son, Abraham Okoro Oviawe along with him to Akure during the war between Akure and Benin. Abraham Okoro became a grown-up man in Akure and traded in different parts of Yorubaland. Just like many other Benin people in diaspora, he returned to Benin after the 1897 British punitive expedition. This explains the close contact between Akpata descendants and the Yoruba people as well as the Yoruba names of some Akpata descendants”.

In the book’s foreword, His Royal Highness, Professor Gregory Akenzua, the Enogie of Evbuobanosa/Abudu, Benin Kingdom commended Professor Akpata for writing the book.

According to Professor Akenzua, “Professor Enosakhare Akpata must be commended for writing this book. It may not be an Opus Magnum on Benin History, but it certainly provides inspiring insights into the life and times of prominent Nigerians of Benin extraction”.

“The narratives in this book have the potential to spur all Nigerian youths to strive for noble and higher ideals. I therefore strongly recommend the book for all Nigerian youths”.

“I encourage other Benin families that have not yet documented their family trees to follow this example, as this is bound to enrich Benin history”, Professor Akenzua added.

Fela’s Republic and the Kalakuta Queens

Fela’s Republic and the Kalakuta Queens, wraps up today at the Terra Kulture

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ela’s Republic and the Kalakuta Queens, a production of Bolanle Austen-Peters, which returned to Lagos last December, continues to spotlight prevalent social issues in the country, with the musical scheduled to wrap up on January 5, 2020 at the Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The critically-acclaimed stage play infuses the celebration of the unapologetic and prophetic messages enshrined in his music into the original storyline, capturing interests through the legend’s impact on music and socio-political consciousness. It has already been

staged in Abuja, Cairo and Pretoria to wide acclaim.

The play is based on reallife experiences of Fela and the Kalakuta Queens, having been adapted from the various encounters narrated by Fela’s surviving wives, Laide and Lara.

“We hope the play will create awareness, spark conversations around the issues that we are facing in our society today and get Nigerians to act positively in fighting off corruption and injustice in the country,” said Bolanle Austen- Peters.

‘Fela’s Republic and the Kalakuta Queens’ is staging its final show this weekend at Terra Kulture.

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Sunday 05 January 2020

Arts Killing Them Softly: A call to arm

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Andrew Iro Okungbowa illing Them Softly,

by Martins Agbonlahor, a Nigerian - born United Kingdom – based trained lawyer and professional journalist, is not just only a seminar book on the struggle for women’s rights in Nigeria but also of the exhibition of the oppression and injustice visited on the women based on cultural beliefs and practices and a revolt against this odious maltreatment.

It is obviously an x-ray in a very moving manner, of happenings in Nigeria, his country of birth, where bad governance has given root to endemic problems of injustice, abuse of human rights, bribery and corruption, religious bigotry and all sorts of social vices and economic woes. It is also reflection on other Africa countries where such practices are elevated to an act.

Interestingly, the writer has shown through his proper situation of the story that he may have left his country of birth, but he is fully abreast of developments in the country, as he draws essentially from his background and experience to lay bare the endemic problems plaguing his fatherland.

He will surely earn the recommendation of anyone reading the 318 pages novel for telling his story from the stand point of a feminist. Agbonlahor succeeded in sustaining interest in his socio-fictional cum factual novel by choosing to adopt the story telling technique rather than use mere polemics and socio-jingoism employed by many of the feminists or promoters of feminism.

It this story telling method; telling the story from the standpoint of a fictional lead character, Martha Clifford, that makes this work of his a great work and something that anyone will find difficult to put down once you get through the first few pages.

From the prologue, Agbonlahor left no one in doubt of what he sets out to achieve with his work. Detonate African’s oppressive culture as laid bare in a patriarchy setting and beliefs that at every point undermine the rights of women, putting a hold on them as second class, who are only fit to fan the embers of man’s ego, doing his biddings and satisfy his erotic and bestial desires most times.

Although not a feminist himself, but for obvious reasons and using his poetic license as a writer, he has decided to bring to the fore the disadvantaged position society has put the women. And so, at every point in the novel, while unfolding happenings across the socio-cultural, economic, religious and political planes, to bad governance, he

Martins Agbonlahor

does so highlighting how all of these are skewed against the women.

The 28 chapters are devoted to how Martha Clifford challenged the status quo, trying to break the glass ceil, act as a conscience of the society and a voice for the oppressed women and others in the society.

Agbonlahor takes his readers into the inner recess of the cultural practices and beliefs of his Benin background, giving us a benefit of his experience and apt understanding of the cultural practices of his forebears while growing up in the city of Benin.

Martha Clifford is raised in a polygamous home, where the father calls the shot and turns his wives and children to mere furniture or appendages to his person as none of them had no say in the running of the home or dare go against the autocratic decree of his father, who is seen as ‘The Lord of the Manor.’

Growing up, she agonises over these accepted ways of life and whenever she raises questions, she is silenced by her father and mother, as well as, others around her, who have acquiesce with the oppressive and degrading cultural practices, to simply do as she is told and not go against the societal code as the consequences are grievous.

Her fate was defined from the first day of her life. And this, she knew too well as she lived in perpetual fear of being denied education and given out early in marriage. Perhaps her first practical experience of the brutality of the skewed cultural practice was the mutilation of her genital at a very tender age by her parents. This single experience was like a wake - up call to the reality of her situation as a girl – child growing up in a patriarchy environment and under stultifying cultural beliefs.

But somehow, fate smiled on her as at the point of being given out in marriage, her prospective husband, who happens to be a creditor to the father, and the manager of the pool betting outfit in her community, brought the good news of her father becoming an instant millionaire following his winning.

However, before handling the cheque to her father, he succeeded in eliciting a promise from the father to educate Martha Clifford from secondary school level to university level.

It was this singular happening that changed her life as she gradually became more exposed to the realities of the injustices around her, especially those melted to the women; for which she naturally became a defender and decided to take on the establishment, going against the grains of her culture and society. For this, she paid the ultimate price, going to prison.

Reflecting on the road destiny has taken her through, she says of the transformation of her life from a local village girl to an internationally recognised feminist and human rights crusader thus: ‘‘I had set out to be a Microbiologist, sweating it out in the labs and fondling with all familiar and unknown test tubes and syringes, but events and call of conscience were to steer me in another direction. And here I am.’’

With five of her university friends, she formed a group known as ‘Women Incorporated,’ which was later corrupted by the government and the society to, ‘Woeman6.’ Imprisoned for over two years alongside her five other feminists, she fought every injustice against the women and children.

Despite her fight, she was not able to reach the ‘mountaintop of her desire’ due to the deep - seated nature of

the cultural beliefs and endemic corrupt practices in her country, as she voiced out her frustration on pages 314/315 thus, ‘‘Our country, Nigeria, has deep – seated, stone – age anti – feminine culture coupled with Christianity and Islam, as well as, the unofficial ‘traditional religion.’ All of these place the woman in an inferior position, their adherents quoting verses and spitting venom in support of the debasement, our slavish existence. ‘‘Therefore, so long as there are still these stark inequalities, there will always be toes to be stepped on, and we shall courageously continue to step, and in fact, thump on them, until these toes develop gangrene or feminine rights are respected in Nigeria.’’

Martha Clifford may not have reached the mountaintop of her desire, however, she has through her many fights succeeded in breaking many grounds and drawing attention of the international community and her people to the oppression of the women and the less privileged in the society and other issues that she set out to addressed.

This, she clearly reflected on in the epilogue, page 318, where she also expressed optimism following the recent developments in the political landscape of her country, with some women now being elected and appointed into political offices, and one of her members, Ifueko, made a minister of women affairs, predicting that in less than two decades

a woman president may just emerged in her country. ‘‘In short we’ve shown to the world that human rights being also women’s rights should not just be an empty phrase mouthed by insincere propagandists, but one that finds meaning and fulfillment in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

The author has carefully penciled the novel in a lucid and simple as well as easy to comprehend language, with symmetric flow and diction while he has also spiced it with anecdotes and drawing examples from other parts of the world to drive home his story.

He draws also in terms of anecdotes from his years of stay in Europe, precisely Italy, where he first sojourned before relocating to London, where he presently resides with his family.

This is a book every Nigerian, especially the women and human rights activists should read to understand properly the plight of women and the oppressed and seek to banish it through concerted efforts as Martha Clifford and her team sought to, drawing many followers to their fold in the process.

In a recent interview on his work, Agbonlahor tries to let the reader into his world view and the thought process, which gave birth to the story: “Martha represents every African woman who has been a victim of oppression, as well as, every other woman in the world.

“She personifies their collective strength, courage, tenacity and that stop-at-nothing spirit for true equality and recognition. Yes, it’s a fictional novel, but the narrative could have been plucked from any woman’s life.”

Furthermore, he revealed that though the setting is a reflection of an African background, however, he also has the Western and Europe reader in mind hence the attempt by him to make his story reflect the universality of the issues canvassed by him.

“It’s of course written with Western readers in mind. I want to show people how their own problems are reflected around the world, often in different ways. At the same time, the innate struggles and ensuing fight for justice are the same. Every woman is powerful and unstoppable.”

About the author Martins Agbonlahor is a journalist whose feature articles have appeared in the Insider Weekly (Nigeria), Tell Magazine (Nigeria), Foroyaa Magazine (The Gambia), and Fate Magazine (USA) among others. He was the Editor-in-Chief of Clarion, a human-interest journal based in Turin.

Agbonlahor is also a motivational speaker, who holds a Law degree from the University of Huddersfield, and an MS.c in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Portsmouth. He resides in Greater Manchester, North-West of England.

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BDSUNDAY 27

ExecutiveBookshelf With Chido Nwakanma • Reviews • News • Interview • List

My book world

Flora Nwapa

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hika Unigwe is the author of four novels, including the acclaimed On Black Sisters’ Street (Jonathan Cape, 2009), and winner of the $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature (2012).

I met Flora Nwapa when I was in elementary school, and I wanted to be like her In 2014 she was selected as one of the Africa39 lists. In 2016, Unigwe was appointed as the Bonderman Professor for Creative Writing at Brown University in Rhode Island and was a judge of the Man Booker International Prize in 2017.

1. What kind of book are you writing currently?

I am writing a novel, a reimagining /rewriting of the myth of Hades and Persephone, set in Nigeria (mostly Enugu) in the 21st century. Atlanta, GA and the underworld also appear in it 2. Recall for readers the spur for your decision to become a writer.

I met Flora Nwapa when I was in elementary school, and I wanted to be like her.

When and how did you 3. take the initial steps into your writing career?

I wrote a novel when I was in secondary school and sent it out to publishers. It was probably a

Biography of Chika Unigwe

C

hika Unigwe was born on 12 June 1974 in Enugu, Nigeria, the sixth of seven children. After completing her secondary school education at Federal Government Girls’ College, Abuja, she went on to earn a BA in English at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1995.

That same year, following her marriage to a Belgian engineer, Chika moved to Turnhout in Flanders, Belgium’s Dutch-speaking region. The couple have four children.

In 1996, she obtained an MA in English from the Catholic University of Leuven (KUL), and then earned a PhD from the University of Leiden, The Netherlands, in 2004, for her dissertation entitled “In the Shadow of Ala: Igbo Women Writing as an Act of Righting”.

Chika spent two years in Seattle from 2000 to 2002 but otherwise resided in Belgium until 2013.

During that time, she pursued her writing career but also engaged in other activities, such as sitting on the Turnhout town council and teaching Flemish to immigrants.

In 2013, she moved to the Atlanta area in the USA. Chika is Creative Director of the Awele Creative Trust, and she was a judge for the Man Booker International Prize in 2016. In

2016-2017, she was Bonderman Professor of Creative Writing at Brown University, Providence RI, USA. Over the years, Chika has received many prestigious awards and distinctions. A selection of these include: • Winner of the 2003 BBC Short Story Competition for the short story “Borrowed Smile.”

• Nominated for the 2004 Caine Prize for African writing, for the short story “The Secret.”

• Winner of the 2012 NLNG Prize for Literature, for the novel On Black Sisters’ Street She has also been the recipient of many fellowships, including the following: • 2007 Unesco-Aschberg Fellowship for creative writing • 2009 Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship (Bellagio Centre, Italy) • 2011 HALD Fellowship (HALD Centre, Denmark) • 2011 and 2016 Writing Fellowship at the Ledig House (Omi NY, USA) • 2013 Writing Fellowing at Cove Park (Scotland) • 2014 Writer-in-Residence, Haverford College (Philadelphia PA, USA) • 2014 Sylt Fellowship for African Writers

very bad book with lots of drama 4. Who was/were your influencers or role models?

The writers who came before me, my contemporaries, every good book I read 5.

Tell us, in summary, the key messages of each of your books.

They all tell human stories 6. Are you satisfied with the response that your books have elicited?

Yes 7. W h a t w o u l d y o u change in each of your published works?

Nothing. Not because I think they are perfect, but because at the time they went to print, my agents, my editors agreed that they were ready to confront the world.

8. Describe the process of writing your books. What do you do, how and when to get the work to the desired level?

I sit, and I write. I wake early.

I work best when the world is asleep. I leave the decision of when they are ready to be sent out to my agent 9. Chinua Achebe spoke of the writer as a teacher. How do you envision your role as a writer? How has it played out in responses to your works?

It’s easier for me to respond to this as a reader rather than as a writer. Every book I’ve read has taught me something, about the craft of writing, about human nature, about myself, about the world. Even the books I thought were poorly written ( they’ve taught me what to avoid in my writing) or books I haven’t agreed with (they’ve challenged me and helped me sharpen my arguments by thinking better through them) 10. What is your view of awards such as the NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature that you won?

Awards are useful because they tell you that people who owe you nothing and sometimes people whose opinions you respect ( like the NLNG judging panel the year I won) have read your work and thought it deserving of a prize.

I am a writer who’s plagued with self-doubt. Awards give me confidence in my writing 11. What informs your choice of a book to read?

Sometimes, they come rec-

ommended, sometimes they are books I pick up because I’ve read about them or I like the covers or the titles 12. What books would you return to again and again?

I love Alice Munro and I read her short stories very often; Bernardine Evaristo’s books too.

13. Which books would you consider essential or critical in your profession or line of business?

I always have my students read craft essays in addition to fiction 14. Conventional wisdom says young people today are mainly on digital for reading.

What are your thoughts?

I have kids who read both digitally and the old fashioned way. I don’t think it matters how one reads.

15. Do you prefer hard copy or digital texts?

Hard copy. Less strain on my eyes

16. What are the significant differences and appeal of each in your view?

Whatever differences and appeal they hold are subjective.

I like to flip pages, to hold a book in the bath.

17. Any preference between fiction and non-fiction?

I read both.

18. Who are your all-time favourite authors?

I am hesitant to name names because I always leave out names.

19. Do you share the notion that young Nigerians do not read?

They don’t? I was at the Ake Festival in Lagos this year, and it was full of young Nigerians enthusiastic about books and reading.

20. Any thoughts on reading generally and what it contributes to readers?

I can’t imagine a life where one never reads.

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Sunday 05 January 2020

Life&Living 2020 and the ‘New Year, New Me’ syndrome …Why new year resolutions are important

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sign up for a marathon and look forward to completing – and be smiling when you cross the finish line too? Then it’s important that you set yourself a New Year’s resolution to help you become that person. Setting yourself a resolution will motivate you, and is a good way to help you reflect on what’s important to you, clear your mind and focus on who you want to become.

Jumoke Akiyode-Lawanson

t’s a new day, new week, new month, new year and new decade; and the year 2020 has surely ushered in the beginning of new goals, targets and new year resolutions for many who want to change a thing or two about their lifestyle and attitudes in order to become better people.

Some would say it’s never too late to start on a clean slate and set new goals for yourself, but a new year definitely gives you the opportunity to reflect on the past year and make corrections for the future, which is popularly known as a new year’s resolution; where a person resolves to continue good practices, change an undesired trait or behavior, to accomplish a personal goal, or otherwise improve their life.

While some people are seeking ways to finally cut off from negative minded people, others are working towards becoming positive influencers to everyone around them; and so with the new year comes new attitudes, characters and personalities.

According to historic reports, the ancient Babylonians are said to have been the first people to make New Year’s resolutions, some 4,000 years ago. They were also the first to hold recorded celebrations in honor of the new year—though for them the year began not in January but in mid-March, when the crops were planted.

Although U.S. News & World Report says that 80 percent of New Year’s resolutions fail by February, it never hurts to at least start trying to make positive changes to your life and situations. It only makes you wiser, and will help a great deal if you set realistic, achievable goals. A new year is a great opportunity to have a new beginning on certain areas of your life.

New Year resolutions help us to challenge ourselves in the upcoming year.

They help us do away with bad habits; they also enable us to en-

hance positive traits. Every resolution is important, whether small or big, short term or long term.

Some people make resolutions on how to change a bad habit such as quitting drinking and smoking.

Many other make resolutions on how to develop positive habits like starting an exercise program and being more committed to a certain task.

People make long and shorter term goals that could change their lives for the better at the beginning of the year.

How to go about setting your

New Year’s Resolutions? Think about what you want to achieve, what you want to end the year feeling proud of. If you’re guilty of setting resolutions that you don’t stick to, making promises to yourself that you forget about all too quickly, there are definitely more than a few reasons why setting the new goals and keeping them are very important to becoming a better version of yourself.

Be a better version of yourself with dedication Want to be the person who can

It can provide stability Most people don’t know what their plans are for next weekend, let alone what they will be in five year’s time. Yet actually, having some idea of where you want to be can help you make the right decisions in life.

Make a New Year’s resolution for 2020, just a small one, and you can use it to help guide you along the right path when you’re struggling to make a decision.

It can drive you How many times have you thought to yourself, “I won’t drink Monday – Friday!”, and then found yourself sharing a bottle of champagne with a colleague who’s celebrating something? Just think, if you set yourself the goal to not drink on a weekday for a month – or even two months! – at the same time that everybody else is setting their personal goals, you’ll have the support and encouragement of everyone around you to help drive you to achieve yours!

Showcasing the best of Nigeria’s tourism through performing arts IFEOMA OKEKE

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igeria is blessed with enormous entertainment activities. The diverse cultures and values which are evident in our arts, dances, music and songs are admired by many countries.

Nigeria’s performing arts space is contributing to the success story the country has got to tell. In this space, artists use their voices, bodies or inanimate objects to convey artistic expression.

Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria, (SPAN) is helping to foster creativity across Africa while unveiling the 2019/2020 season-‘Your Success, Our Victory.’

Following a series of successful seasons in the past 12 years of operations, SPAN has continued to bridge the gap between performing arts education and presentation through missions and messages that have resonated through social and artistic challenges.

The impact of SPAN has stretched beyond socio-economic class, tribe or religion as the benefit of engaging the grassroots’ audience with performing art education, entertainment and transforming messages has

remained our core drive.

This season, it is set out to inspire the victorious among Nigerians, those who helped others succeed. Nigeria’s message projects with showcasing different sides to the story of Victory and Success, and how this can drive a sense of togetherness, growth and unity. The 2019/2020 season is tagged ‘Your Success, My Victory’.

Speaking on the rationale behind this message, Sarah Boulos, the Chairperson of SPAN, further stated, “I have realized that some of the barrier to our individual victory does not necessary mean our direct effort at something, but the effort at ensuring the other person succeeds. Victory should now be attributed to more than just our wins but also helping the other person win and our winning together.”

In addition to this, she said, “Focusing on helping someone succeed, can also assure your victory, and that poverty alleviation will be one of our emphases, using empowerment community programs and performing arts as a tool, starting from November 11, 2019.

“This season program includes an interesting line up of partnerships and community outreaches starting with the Film Makers Workshops, dance and music workshops, the “West

African Afro Latin Community” in partnership with Dance and Arts Alive, long with dance performances like ‘Black Out’.

This starting point will be in Lagos with four days of thrilling performances, encapsulated in a four-day empowerment and presentation programs featuring six international music and dance facilitators teaching about 400 students and building their professional skills, helping them to set up their studios. This four-day project will also connect local business to diverse audience making our victory your success.

With initiatives such as this and the many more to come, SPAN promises to offer an all-encompassing experience touching on key aspects of life through the Performing Arts.

Also speaking about the West African Latin Dance Festival, Buddy Agedah, the convener of the festival, added that this festival will be the 5th edition and they are expecting professional Latin Dancers from Europe, and over 6 West African Countries like Benin, Cameroun, Benin, Ghana and many more. Several workshops and master classes will hold throughout these days including special eve-

nings with spectacular performance to crown each day’s activity.

The Chairperson extended her invitation the general public to a special dance and music performance crafted from her life story themed “Reflection”. This story dives into the struggles and triumph of different stages of her life, all expressed in dance and music performances.

The lines up of activities for the weekend of 14th to 17th November are music, dance and drama workshops by six International facilitators which will be held at SPAN community center; West African Afro Latin Festival; performances and Competitions; The Dance Project - A Sarah Boulos Story: “Featuring tales of success from both international and SPAN dance artistes”; salsa congress showcase; amongst several other activities.

SPAN is a non-profit organization with the vision to build a performing art center in Nigeria to educate, present and empower the performing artists and their God given talents.

SPAN has become a key holder in the Nigerian economy, as their projects have provided lead to over 800 jobs development and the emerging of over 30 dance studios and music studios throughout Nigeria.

Sunday 05 January 2020

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BDSUNDAY 29

BrandsOnSunday SPOTLIGHTING BRAND VALUE

Udom: Building infrastructure of the future with completion agenda Ralph Inyang

U

dom Emmanuel plans to consolidate the successes of his first term as governor of Akwa Ibom State with a programme he has codenamed Completion Agenda. It is a programme that is expected to guarantee sustainable socio-economic development of the state from the present well into the future. The Completion Agenda is expected to be the final phase of the fulfilment of Udom’s promise to leave behind a state that meets all parameters of development by the time he completes his eight-year tenure in 2023.

A common denominator of the projects encapsulated in the Agenda, which actually builds on the success of the Five Point Agenda of the first term, is the fact that they are futuristic – legacy projects that are designed not just to meet the needs of today, but most importantly to build a state that would provide for generations yet unborn.

This has established Governor Emmanuel as the quintessential leader and visionary who thinks of the next generation, not a politician who thinks of the next election (In any case, he has no other election to worry about).

His success in his first outing was underscored by the many “firsts” the state recorded under his stewardship. Top on the lists of “firsts” is the fact that Akwa Ibom is the first state on the African continent to own and successfully operate an airline. The state has been able to prove that government enterprises can indeed be successfully managed, which has not been the case in Nigeria.

The wisdom in setting up Ibom Air can be seen in the fact that it has helped in opening up the state. The

Udom

airline is also expected to facilitate and simplify air travel into the state, against the background of expected influx of investors desirous of taking advantage of the conducive environment the administration has created with security, peace and attractive economic policies.

The expected boost to the state’s economy under this initiative is quite enormous. Already, more than 16 functional industries set up by the administration in just four years stand as confirmation of the state’s position as the most peaceful, secure and safest to live and work in the country.

Udom is trying to see tomorrow quite distinct from a darkened past

which was full of despair and despondency that held down a hugely endowed state for many decades, and is acting as the enabler of the real change the state badly needs. In doing this, he is guided by the words of a former American president, Lyndon Johnson, who said, “Your initiative and indignation will determine whether we build a society where progress is the servant of our needs, or a society where old values and new visions are buried under unbridled growth. For you in your time, we have the opportunity to move not only towards the rich society and the powerful society, but towards to the great society.”

The efforts of the administra-

tion in the current dispensation is geared towards moving Akwa Ibom from a predominantly civil service state to not just a fast industrialized, rich and great society, but also one that will witness unprecedented growth in all spheres of development and capacity enhancement.

This is reflected on the projects covered by the Completion Agenda. Take infrastructure, for instance. With over 1, 700 kilometers of roads so far constructed, the administration has been able to open up the state, including the hinterland, for transportation of goods and humans in a bid to stimulate economic growth throughout the state.

It is now possible to reach the farthest point from Uyo, the state capital, in a maximum time of one and half hours. The government’s strategic road network plan ensures that every road has an economic value, no matter how seemingly insignificant. Infrastructure development under the Completion Agenda will make it possible to have roads in every nook and cranny of the state that are motor able all year round. These include roads in the rural areas, to facilitate easy transportation of agricultural produce to the urban centres – in a state where agriculture, including fishing, is a major occupation.

This would ultimately improve the quality of life of people in the state through active participation in economic activities, including the hitherto forgotten people in the hinterland.

Work on the second runway at the Victor Attah International Airport has received a Category 2 Classification, with construction work on the taxiway currently ongoing. In the shortest possible time, Akwa Ibom will score another “first” in the country by being the

only state with two runways at its airport. This is expected to increase the number of flights, both local and international, in and out of the airport, with a huge boost to the state’s economy.

The significance of this development must be viewed against the background of the fact that the federal government’s plan to build a second runway for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja has remained on the drawing board for many years now. When the government needed to carry out repair work on the airport’s only runway in 2017, it had to close the airport for the duration of the repairs, while flights were diverted to Kaduna, with Abuja-bound passengers forced to complete the rest of the journey by road.

The only airport in the country today with two runways is the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos that was built in the 1970s.

The infrastructural development of the current administration in Akwa Ibom is headlined by the Ibom Deep Sea Port at Ibaka, in Mbo Local Government Area, arguably the most ambitious infrastructural project to be embarked on by any state government at the moment. The seep sea port is designed to serve as Nigeria’s gateway to the Gulf of Guinea – one of the richest economic zones in the world – and also serve as the hub for maritime trade in the West African sub-region.

Preliminary work on the site of the deep sea port in which the federal government has an interest has reached advanced stages. The port is expected to become operational during the life of the current administration, and will probably be the greatest infrastructural legacy the governor will leave behind when he bows out of office.

Inyang, a businessman, lives in Uyo

Communication lessons for the Marketer in African tradition

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hen elders in Africa want a key message to stick, they would either talk via proverbs or through moon light tales. Reason for this is simply people relate to stories better because they provide a garb for the key message to take residence, flight and arrive the desired destination as it were unscathed Well-deployed stories can and do improve an ad’s impact, and they are great instruments for engaging people since they generate more emotion and are more likely to be enjoyed than other types of ads.

Storytelling can also be an excellent tool for conveying information if the brand has a clear role in the story—in other words, the brand cannot be an afterthought. It must have a role, and the role it plays must be believable.

We know that stories are pow-

erful devices, but our research at Kantar Insight shows that story ads are not always more persuasive than non-story ads. This ineffective persuasion is likely caused by a lack of brand fit in many story ads and a consequent lack of believability.

While a story might be enough to engage viewers and generate emotions, if it jars with how people think of a brand, then it won’t necessarily be compelling.

The mere presence of a story in an ad is not enough to make it persuasive, and a bad story is worse than no story at all. If they don’t relate to the brand, or are not integral, then stories can make ads less compelling. Just as we Africans cherish story telling we also hate irrelevant perambulations and not hitting the desired story objective on the head. So many people in Lagos would typically say

in pidgin English leave mata or leave that story when a story is becoming purposeless.

Neuroscience techniques that use real-time facial coding can be very helpful in determining whether a story ad is appropriate and working for your brand. Are people responding where you would expect? If not, why not? Do what viewers experience help explain what they take away from the ad? Employing storytelling successfully is about identifying the drivers of people’s responses.

While there may be commonalities among summary metrics (lots of expressions are better than no expressions, more smiles mean more enjoyment, etc.), stories come in many shapes and sizes, so there is no one type of story or storyline that is most effective for all ads. Knowing

whether the reactions are correct for the story you are trying to tell is much more useful. You need to know whether your story is working for your brand or not.

And rather than merely jumping on the storytelling bandwagon, know when to employ a story and when to choose a more straightforward approach. Stories can evoke stronger enjoyment and engagement, but without a clear and compelling role for your brand, the emotion generated by the story will be wasted.

Marketers can also go one step further by Innovatingly asking for consumers feedback on the stories or marketing communication heard as a second level of creating buzz for the brand while ensuring understanding of the marketing communication at play. When Afri-

cans tell stories in the moon light the storyteller would ask for feedback and a summary lesson of what the story is driving at. Once the purpose is understood and there is a connect, it is assumed that the story would do the job that it is meant to do which is sell the brand and making if profitable. Africans have used this route for thousands of years and this method is still relevant to society today. Engaging the end users of the brand is a win - win strategy to ensure memorability and communication recall.

As a way of conclusion, I would like to acknowledge the savvy ness of the African story tellers as their method is still very relevant till date.

Michael Umogun is Marketing and New Business Specialist at Kantar Insight Nigeria.

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Travel Nature beckons with fresh encounter OBINNA EMELIKE

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lease do not get so busy this year to forget nature’s embrace, if you were in the past year.

The ever-enticing allures of nature are not hard to find. They are everywhere; from the lush green gardens and parks, the refreshing ocean breeze at the beaches, the beautiful landscapes and breathing sites to unique cultural events built around top destinations.

As a matter of importance, resolving to find time to relax and delight in nature’s beautiful abode, will do you well health, lifestyle, business and leisure wise this year.

They are really at your door step. As much as one works hard this new year, one of the resolutions should be to treat oneself to the best of leisure.

In doing so, obviously, it will do you good to allow the power of nature to nurture your body and soul this new year. There are so many ways to relax and ease off stress this year, all you need is to choose which suits you.

But the very accessible nature is the beach.

Truly, one sure thing is the experience on the several kilometers of sprawling beaches that nature blesses the country with. Taking a walk on the beach in the evening is both romantic and inexpensive date with nature. Look out at the huge ocean, feel the sand beneath your feet and for lovers, great conversation with each

other may be the magic. Why you must do this is that when you go in the evening, you get to view the colors of the sky and water in a whole different light than if you were to go during the day.

While on the beach, you can go horse riding. It is an incredible experience to be on the back of such a strong and beautiful creature. You can ride through on the sprawling beaches, on a trail in a scenic area with one or more other people. The length of time varies, depending on the location and the price paid.

Visiting a botanical garden will also heighten your communion with nature. The flowers may take your breath away. The education and experience that you get during your visit is priceless. You may have to pay extra for special exhibits and to view various parts of the botanical garden, but it is worth it.

A picnic in the park where you can watch the sun set will not be a bad idea. Pack a lunch, a fluffy blanket and head to your nearest park. Sit together with your loved ones or even alone as the case may be, enjoy fantastic food and experience a sunset that you may never forget.

Go on a bird or wildlife watch.

The ability to see these giant animals in their natural habitat is something that everyone should do at least once in their life. Going while on a date with one’s lover is the perfect opportunity. Both of you will be in awe and it is an experience that you can share

Canopy-walkway Cross River National Park

together.

Find time to relax and delight in these nature’s beautiful abodes.

They are at your door step. For beach lovers; La Campagne Resort, Port Harcourt Beach, Inagbe Resort, among others are ever ready to welcome you on a visit.

Afi Mountain Sanctuary and Mambila Plateau are relatively good and offer some kind of safari tours. The Obudu Mountain

La Palm Royal Beach Resort Accra

Resort, Shere Hills, Afi Canopy Walk among others will surprise you with their fantastic ecotourism potentials. A return visit will confirm the timelessness of their allures. City tours to Olumo Rock, Idanre hills, parks and monuments cannot come short of visitors expectations because there are many excitements that will clue their eyes to the attractions. For the family-minded, the good thing is that most of these

escapes have attractions that make for an excellent family location. There is always something for everyone to do.

The truth is that the excitements will usher you into your private retreat and set you on the mood for leisure.

To live a healthier life and enjoy your stay at these destinations: Play soothing music of your choice as you relax in a hot shower or bath. The heat of the shower or bath is relaxing to the muscles and rejuvenates your body.

Tell yourself about five things you really appreciated that day.

Even in the worst of days there are some things you can reflect on that can make you smile because smiling is a natural releaser of stress.

Laughter is a huge part of releasing stress; the more you laugh the better you feel and it makes the bad things not seem so bad. Sometimes, some of the events of the day are great ways to find laughter.

Find a sport that you enjoy and can give you a release. No matter your choice of relaxation do the things you love. When you love doing something you are more inclined to stick with it and enjoy it. Find a way to release your stress and live a healthier lifestyle without anger, stress, and the ability to be stronger.

And in some cases, turn off all T.V., radio, and sounds and allow yourself to sit in silence while you release your stress for the day.

Meditation is a strong source, but if you are not into meditation then just a simple few minutes of silence help control your thoughts and release stress.

To avoid unnecessarily delays or possible disappointments this year, you may need to make hotel reservations, ticket bookings and others in advance. It saves money and stress of rush-hour.

Happy New Year!

la-campagne

Erin Ijesha

Sunday 05 January 2020

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BDSUNDAY 31

Travel

IATA forcasts that airlines will earn net profit of $29.3 bn in 2020 Stories By IFEOMA OKEKE

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he International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts that the global airline industry would produce a net profit of $29.3 billion in 2020, improved over a net profit of $25.9 billion expected in 2019 (revised downward from a $28 billion forecast in June). If achieved, 2020 will mark the industry’s 11th consecutive year in the black.

In 2020 the global body expects return on invested capital to be 6.0 percent (improved from 5.7 percent expected in 2019); the net profit margin is forecast at 3.4percent (up from 3.1percent for 2019); overall industry revenues are forecast to reach $872 billion (+4.0percent on $838 billion in 2019) and industry operating expenses are projected to climb 3.5 percent to $823 billion from $796 billion in 2019.

IATA also expects passenger numbers to reach 4.72 billion (up 4.0percent from 4.54 billion in 2019); freight tonnes carried are expected to recover to 62.4 million, a 2.0percent increase over 61.2 million tonnes carried in 2019, which was the lowest figure in three years

and stronger economic growth should support passenger traffic (RPKs) growth of 4.1percent similar to 2019 (4.2percent) but below historical trends.

IATA also noted that economic performance in 2019 was weaker than had been anticipated at the time of the June forecast. This aligns with weaker global GDP growth of 2.5percent (versus 2.7percent forecast in June) and world trade growth of just 0.9 percent (down from 2.5percent forecast in June).

“These negative developments

contributed to softer passenger and cargo demand and corresponding weaker revenue growth, as passenger yields fell three percent and cargo yields dropped 5.0 percent compared to 2018,” the body said.

Operating expenses did not rise as much as anticipated (3.8 percent vs. 7.4 percent June forecast) largely owing to lower-than-expected fuel costs; but this was not enough to offset the softness in revenue.

“Slowing economic growth, trade wars, geopolitical tensions and social unrest, plus continuing

Air Peace sets tone in aviation with 3rd IOSA certification ....reaffirms commitment to safety

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est Africa’s largest airline, Air Peace has set the tone for the aviation sector in 2020 as it recently received its third International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification.

This development is coming on the heels of the airline’s announcement of flight operations into Ibadan from Abuja, Kano and Owerri.

It would be recalled that the airline set a record when it obtained its first IOSA barely two years into its operations and was subsequently inducted as a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

In a reaction, Toyin Olajide, the

Chief Operating Officer (COO), Air Peace, expressed that certification is another feather added to the Air Peace’s cap and it confirms the airline’s uncompromising adherence to safety standards in line with global best practices.

She explained that “the exercise this time around was tougher than what obtained in previous years but we scaled through every phase of the certification process due to our unwavering drive to keep raising the bar in our operations”.

She further reassured the flying public of the airline’s resolve to continue to comply with best safety standards and promised more seamless connectivity and an expanded route network in

2020.

The COO applauded the IATA for its efforts at ensuring that stakeholders in aviation globally comply with stipulated safety standards. She averred that the airline would continue to blaze the trail in Africa’s aviation landscape.

In her words, she stated that “Air Peace has attained an enviable position as West Africa’s leading airline and will continue to raise the bar in flight services, while ensuring a hundred percent compliance with all safety codes as required by the industry regulatory bodies”.

In a message to Air Peace, Catalin Cotrut, the Director of Audit Programmes, IATA, congratulated the airline on the successful completion of the audit.

He implored the airline of the standard reporting responsibilities in accordance with the IOSA Programme Manual (IPM) Section 7.7.1.

The IATA Operational Safety Audit Programme is an internationally recognised and accepted system designed to evaluate the operational management and control systems of an airline. It is the benchmark for global safety management in airlines.

uncertainty over Brexit all came together to create a tougher than anticipated business environment for airlines.

“Yet the industry managed to achieve a decade in the black, as restructuring and cost-cutting continued to pay dividends. It appears that 2019 will be the bottom of the current economic cycle and the forecast for 2020 is somewhat brighter.

“The big question for 2020 is how capacity will develop, particularly when, as expected, the

grounded 737 MAX aircraft return to service and delayed deliveries arrive,” Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO, said.

In 2020, IATA said it expects GDP to expand by 2.7percent (marginally above the 2.5 percent growth in 2019). World trade growth is expected to rebound to 3.3percent from 0.9percent in 2019, as election year pressures in the USA contribute to reduced trade tensions.

Growth is supported by actions from central banks as well as easing fiscal policy.

Passenger demand is expected to grow 4.1 percent in 2020, in line with 4.2 percent growth in 2019.

“In fact, this masks a GDPgrowth-driven pick-up since the underlying growth rate fell to less than 4.0 percent in 2019.

However, whereas passenger capacity (ASKs) rose 3.5percent in 2019, it is forecast to grow 4.7 percent in 2020 – as aircraft deliveries rise significantly, causing load factors to slide to 82 percent from 82.4 percent in 2019.

This will maintain pressure on yields, which are expected to slide 1.5 percent after falling 3.0 percent in 2019. Passenger revenues, excluding ancillaries, are expected to reach $581 billion (up 2.5% from $567 billion in 2019),” IATA said.

Olateru seeks world class air accident investigative body

C

ommissioner,AccidentInvestigation Bureau (AIB) , Akin Olateru has called for a new focus and total rededication towards improving Nigeria’s aviation sector.

In his 2020 New Year Message made available to journalists, the AIB boss urged AIB staff to reflect on the successes and accolades of the past years.

While congratulating management and staff for their contribution to the realisation of these goals and successes, he applauded them for the services they rendered to the agency and for some of the successes recorded.

His words, “May this year be our best yet, and only the beginning of much greater achievement within the Accident Investigation Bureau, in particular, the Ministry of Aviation, and our country as a whole”.

“As we start a new year, I invite us to reflect on the successes and accolades of the past years. Take a moment to congratulate yourselves, individually and corporately, for your contribution to the realisation of these goals and successes.

You certainly deserve it, and as your Commissioner and CEO, I applaud each and every one of you, and thank you for your service”.

He reminded workers that they bear the burden of a huge responsibility in matters which are always of national importance and often of the highest sensitivity to the parties concerned, hinting that it their

responsibility to ensure that, as far as it is possible, they help to keep air transportation safe, and transporters accountable.

“It is our core mandate to investigate occurrences in relation to air transportation and to make an accurate determination, in order to prevent their recurrence and to mitigate any undesirable after effects. We cannot and must not, therefore, rest on our laurels”.

He admonished them that there is always work to be done and room for improvement and growth, stressing that everybody must constantly self evaluate, take stock and re-evaluate their individual performances, to identify areas in which they could do better, and in preparation for any challenges which lie ahead.

He noted that it was essential for them to forge ahead with a greater sense of purpose, focus, and a clearer understanding of the role that they all play in this critical quest.

“We must be more determined and committed to the delivery of the high quality standards which are required in our industry.

“I offer you my firm assurance that, in my drive for excellence, investment in personnel development and welfare will continue to be a priority as is, too, the refinement of our procedures and processes. It is my view that job satisfaction, equity and fairness are pivotal to high quality service delivery.

32 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 05 January 2020

TheWorshippers ‘Inspiring the church for the year ahead’

A Happy New Year

ecember 31, is usually a special day for believers world over, as the day ends the outgoing year and user in a new year. For Christians and non Christians, December 31 each year is a day to be thankful for a passing year and hopeful towards a new year. Hence, the day is characterised by the ‘Cross

Pastor Ituah Ighodalo Trinity House, Zion Center, Victoria Island, Lagos title his message, A Happy New Year and took

D

Over’ or ‘Watch Night’ service by different denomination in Christendom.

The service often includes worship, praise, prayer, sermon and prophetic declarations for the New Year. The Cross Over service is to lift up the believers’ faith to see in his/herself the great possibilities in the coming New Year…

As a special edition of ‘The Worshippers’, SEYI

JOHN SALAU presents some Watch Night sermon to inspire our readers into the New Year, being the first edition of the year. The general superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM), Pastor William F. Kumuyi, inspired worshippers on the night with ‘Our 2020 Vision of the Final Solution’ while Pastor Sam Adeyemi assured of ‘God’s Rest’ in the year 2020.

Living the jubilant life in year 2020 Text: 2 Samuel 6:12; Esther 8:17; Psalms 126:5-6 Proverbs 11:10; Isaiah 61:1-11; Jeremiah 15:16; 31:13; 33:9-11; Zechariah 8:19; Habakkuk 3:17-19.

Psalms 118:15-16 15. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.

16. The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.

Proverbs 11:10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

Introduction: At last, to the glory of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Year 2019 ran its final hours.

What an eventful year! And, congratulations, you’ve made it to the finish line. Alleluia!

I, therefore, seize this moment to welcome you all Rhema Champion family to the borderlines of another blessed year 2020 – Our Year of Great Jubilation and Celebration.

As we dig into the New Year 2020 with faith and hope in the goodness of God, I decree that unstoppable celebration and jubilation will surround you and your family in Jesus name. You will not see sorrow or hear bad news this New Year. Rather, glory, honor, rejoicing, jubilation and celebration shall be your portion. You shall make satisfactory progress in all dimensions of life this year, and you will end it well with great jubilation and celebrations in Jesus name. Amen.

Now, the prophetic agenda for us in the year 2020 sets a very clear message: Great Jubilation. God is saying to us that all our bitter tears will turn to sweet joy. “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:5-6).

God’s ability to restore and give turn-around miracles to His people is beyond our human comprehension or understanding. When God is involved, no condition is permanent. He is able to bring good out of tragedy, and to make our tears turn to seeds that will grow into a harvest

Living the Jubilant Life in Year 2020

by Bishop Taiwo Akinola of Rhema Christian Centre and Towers, Ota

of jubilation.

Prophet Habakkuk was once confronted by the problem of prevalent anarchy, but at last he said:“yet I will rejoice in the Lord” (Hab.3:18). Brethren, it’s our turn to rejoice in the God of our salvation.

Our salvation has come, therefore, sorrow and grief must end and we must again find joy. Yes indeed, there shall be GREAT JUBILATION in your DESOLATION EXPERIENCES, in the precious name of Jesus.

True jubilant life is God’s Passion for His people in every age, and it’s the expected culture among them who put their trust in Him. Isaiah 65:17-19 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

The words of King David in Psalm 68:2-4 include a warm invitation to all true believers: “Sing you to God, make melody to his name ..... and jubilate before him.” What greater privilege could there be than to jubilate before our God? All those who have received grace for salvation, and who put their trust implicitly

upon the Lord are qualified to draw from the well of salvation, which is a sure fountain of joy (Isaiah 12:2-3).

Whatever the conditions we find ourselves today, the believers can still claim the experience of jubilation and rejoicing.

Understanding great jubilation Jubilation is an expression of a feeling of extreme joy and great happiness, especially because of a success or victory. It is the venting of a state of elation arising from certain goodly occurrences or sudden turn-around for the better.

Our year / my year of great jubilation This Year 2020, God has assured you and I that we will JUBILATE many times over! Yes, this declaration is stamped and sealed in heaven, and by your faith, it will be delivered to you, in Jesus Name. Alleluia! By reason of this, you can believe God in line with the following prophetic words: The powers behind our jubilation True jubilation of freedom, conquest and great accomplishments can be very very sweet. And, it’s important to dig in there this year and henceforward. However, this can only be possible if we understand and fully embrace the power base behind it.

Conclusion In summary, let’s be reminded constantly that: our joy is in proportion to our trust in God, and our trust is in proportion to our knowledge of God. To know Him is to trust Him. To trust Him is to triumph and excel, and therefore to jubilate for joy. May we be led into fuller knowledge and so find fuller faith and so enter the fuller joy.

As we come to Year 2020 I welcome you to into a full assurance of joy and great jubilation. God has spoken Good things concerning us, and as many as will fulfill the condition of a closer walk with him, He will take us to higher level glory and exploit, that will certainly produce unspeakable joy in our camp.

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eclarations/Pronouncements: Fear Not for, for year 2020 will bring good tidings, no matter what has happened in 2019, this year there will be no fear, Nigeria will hear good news, the oil prices will increase.

This year whatever you are looking for you will get in abundance, this is a new year of new things, new anointing, it’s a year of promotions, sudden miracles, there will be peace on your marriage, in your homes there will be peace. This is a year of perfect vision, a year of great and exceptional blessings, a year of speed and great compensations a year of restoration and of great lifting in Jesus Name.

A Year of Great Change -It is not what you do once, but what you do consistently that brings the right change -It is not how you start but how you end that brings true change - This new year you should endeavor to fellowship with God and the people of God that enjoy true and consistent change.

-This new year you should avoid SIN* -A lot of people think thta

sin os offence against God but the real meaning of SIN is doing something that will damage your own life -Sin has nothing to do with God, but everything to do with you.

The laws of God are for the benefits of man.

God will help us in 2020 and make it a delightsome Year.

Things to do in 2020 Things to do to make 2020 a great year.

Gen. 8:22 God has guaranteed that things will continue as usual, but what will make the year exceptional is what YOU do and how you do it.

What will make the year happy, progressive and productive is what you do and

A Happy New Year by Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of Trinity House

how you do it.

What to do to make 2020 Great 1. Know your God and serve Him well 2. Fear God, love Him and obey His commandments Psalm 128 3. Have a clear vision of what you want to achieve in 2020 within the context of God’s will for your life .Set clear goals, write them down and make it plain.

4. Live a peaceful life. No matter what happens to you don’t get upset. Don’t get angry, in every situation if you can find out where God is , you will discover His peace .

5.Look for an opportunity in every situation Gen2:5 If you can open your eyes and see then you will see that there is a great opportunity in every situation .

6. Be diligent Whatever your hands find to do it with all your might, every thing you do as unto God. 7. Have a fair, open and truthful mind to everyone , don’t think evil or speak evil about others, this is not a year to gossip and talk too much.

What you can’t say in front of people don’t say it at their back.

Go in the steps of Jesus Christ Revd. Dr. Olusola Idowu: Church Pastor; The Ajayi Dahunsi Memorial Baptist Church, Ilasamaja, Lagos …that you should follow in His Steps (1 Peter 2:21)

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irst of all, with the joy of the Lord in my heart and gratitude to Him, I would like to say “Happy New Year” to everyone; praying that the year will indeed be a prosperous one to the glory of God and the blessings of His children in Jesus Mighty Name. It is interesting to note that we have not just began a new year, but also a new decade.

This means that the year 2020 not only presents us with the opportunity to begin a journey of 366 days but also a journey of over 3,650 days.

This surely affords us a great privilege of a new beginning.

Consequently, we must be careful of how we travel this journey. We must be sure that we are on the right path as divinely designed by the Almighty God, so we could arrive at a blessed and glorious destination not only at the end of this year but also at the end of the decade. Our heart cry must be like that of David who said, “Show me the right path O Lord, point out the road for me to follow” (Psalm 25:4). In response to this heart cry of David, the Lord God said, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life, I will advise you and watch over you” (Psalm

32:8).

It is wonderful to note that this promise of God is still very active and potent. God is still in the business of leading His children in the journey of life.

However, for us to truly enjoy His guidance all through this decade and beyond, we must be ready to go in the steps of Jesus Christ. He (Jesus Christ) has come to show us the path.

He said categorically that He is “the Way, the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6). We need to go in the steps of Jesus Christ because: • The Steps of Jesus Christ Lead to SUCCESS–Acts 10:38. We are told that Jesus Christ came to this world, travelled the life journey just as we are doing. He took steps and all these steps led to huge

Go in The Steps of Jesus Christ by Revd. Olusola Idowu of The Ajayi Dahunsi Memorial Baptist Church

success. This is because, everywhere He went, He was doing good and healing people. In other words, every of His steps brought about success. This is because He was anointed with the Holy Spirit and God, the Father was with Him. It then means that as long as we go in the steps of Jesus Christ, we are blessed with the presence of God and success is guaranteed.

• The Steps of Jesus Christ Lead to VICTORY– Hebrews 4:14-16. Travelling the journey of life in the steps of Jesus Christ also affords us the privilege of victory over all the antics of the enemies on our ways. The enemies, led by the devil himself, would try their worst to derail us from the path of the Lord. But, as we go in the steps of Jesus Christ, we shall be victorious over all these antics which include sins, self and evil desires of the world. We need to note that all of these are not strange to our Lord, Jesus Christ. The Bible reveals to us that He was tempted (to get derailed) in all ways but He was victorious as He was without sin.

• The Steps of Jesus Christ Lead to FULFILLMENT– Philippians 2:5-11.One major truth about our lives is that we are created and kept alive to fulfil Divine purpose.

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BDSUNDAY 33

TheWorshippers Inspiration With Rev. Yomi Kasali

info@yomikasali.com

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ust few days ago, 2019 rolled away into history never to show up again and we ushered in anoth er year with mixed feelings depending on the kind of person you are.

I want to inspire you to move into the year with a ‘word’ from the Lord.

One of the Bible kings that I love is Jehoshaphat, he would not go to war without ‘hearing’ God clearly on His Will, he al-

See you in the next decade...2020 ways asked his neighbours about the ‘Word’ of the Lord before going to war and we should all learn from this king as well. How many people are asking God for a word as we move into the next decade? It is very important for us to have something to HOLD ON TO as we glide into the next year and decade, else we shall grope in the dark without clarity of purpose and intent.

‘But Jehoshaphat said, is there not here a prophet of the Lord, that we may enquire of the Lord by him.

And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, here is ELISHA ...which purée water on the hands of Elijah. Jehoshaphat said, THE WORD Of the Lord is with him....’

(2 kings 3 v 11-12).

The above passage speaks about my desire for everyone reading this article now, please do not go into 2020 without a WORD FROM THE LORD. No two years are alike, the months may be the same, the days but the year aren’t the same, the battles are not the same, the challenges are not the

same, the opposition will not be the same, the outcome can only be guaranteed by someone who has gone through the year and has a plan for you.

Prophecy is the link and bridge between today and tomorrow. I will be writing on Prophecy next week in the New Year but right now, let me share 5 reasons you should spend the year/ decade in a PROPHETIC church. All pastors do not have the Word of the Lord with them according to

2020, I see DSS arresting some top clergymen in the country this year - Emmah Isong MIKE ABANG, Calabar

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he General Overseas of Christian Central Chapel International (CCCI) Bishop Emmah Isong has predicted a massive shake up in the department of state security service (DSS) He said the shake up would be as a result of unnecessary and indiscriminate arrest and re-arrest of many Nigerians by the DSS. Isong said this at the 2020 pass over night prediction ( a yearly ritual done by the cleric to usher in the new year). He predicted that the department of state security services would face a shake up.

In his exact words, he said,” There is going to be a shaking because of the embarrassment of continu-

ously arresting of innocent Nigerians confining them and re-arresting some others again.

Isong who is also national publicity secretary of Pentecostal fellowship of Nigeria PFN claimed that the number of persons who will suffer more arrest by the DSS would not only be limited to ordinary citizens of Nigeria but shall also include clergy men who make public utterance that would be against the DSS. “I see the DSS arresting some top clergy men a thing that has never happen before, just because of the public statement that they made”. Isong stressed.

Isong who also doubles as the national Patron of Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ South South Zone further predicted that the

crises in Assembly of God Church is likely going to escalate this year.

“Crisis in the Assemblies of God is going to reach crescendo in 2020, tree of violence have busted in the Church”, adding that there will also be clampdown on breach of public peace.

Isong a Banker by training predicted that Cross River State shall witnessed a serious transformation from 2020,to the extent that those who see the state as a failure would become so shocked.

“Rotimi Amechi will have an unhealed task stressing that Ameachi would at the end of the day triumphed against his adversaries who trying to pull him down adding that Ameachi shall convince his friends and foes that he is still in charge.

the above passage; some are simply teachers while some are prophets.

5 Reasons you should not go without a word from the Lord 1.

God knows and owns tomorrow (ISA. 46 V 10): The Bible tells us that God knows and owns tomorrow, in fact He declares the end (December 2020) from the beginning (January 2020). I encourage you to approach Him to declare your end (De-

cember) from the very beginning (January).

2. God has a plan for your future (JER. 29 V 1113): The Bible tells us that God is thinking about your future and has thoughts of peace in addition to having good things in store for you (1 Cor 2 v 9-12; Psalm 31 v 19). The year looks bright and great for those who will align their ways and thoughts with His own for them.

3.

God reveals the plans through his servants the prophetS (AMOS 3 V 7): The plans of God for us are revealed to us through His servants the Prophets not CNN or Google. Many people are going to begin to Google what to do in 2020 while others are digging through scriptures and listening to Servants of God. 4.

The method of revelation is called and known as prophecy or the prophetic (GEN. 18 V 17; PSALM 25 V 14): There are different kinds of Word from the Lord; the Prophetic is directional and revelatory. This is what people should yearn to hear at this point of the

year, not the ‘instructional’ that pastors and teachers teach, this has a very great place for our spiritual development.

5. People have a choice to make by believing the prophetic or doubting it (HEB. 4 V 2-3): This is the mystery of the Prophetic; everyone has a choice to believe or doubt. If People do not believe, it does not make God a liar and the Word ineffective (Rom. 3 v 3-4). I ask you to believe and go on to your Land of Fruitfulness in Jesus name.

See you In The Next Decade, 2020. I hope you have been Inspired and Shalom.

Drop me a note of acknowledgment and encouragement and also follow me on my Social media handles below: Instagram: @yomi_kasali Twitter: @yomi_kasali Facebook: www.facebook. com/revyomikasali Youtube: www.youtube.com/ revyomikasali Be Inspired!

Rev Yomi Kasali is Senior Pastor, Foundation of Truth Assembly (FOTA), Surulere, Lagos.

The PFN publicity secretary urged Nigerians to pray

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ray against continuous communal clash and border crisis across the towns and villages which impeded pedestrian and vehicular movements so as the country wouldn’t experience any form of economic hardship.

Body of Crist in Akwa Ibom will be divided because of politics but the Lord said he will favour the church. There will be release of a major or controversial policing policy.

Isong went further to say ,”People travelling by air will be stranded for the whole day in Nigeria as they will be interruption of air travel in Nigeria for a full day On the issue of insecurity the cleric predicted that a king pin noted for his notoriety shall be brought to book by the law en-

forcement agent and the criminal subdued.

“A notorious and most wasted criminal and terrorist have been finally caught and God has given us victory not withstanding the fact that he has foreign support and sponsorship and will surrender at the end of the day”.

In 2020, there shall be a welcoming and overwhelming government policies on Nigeria.

Sea port, sea travel and marine businesses will strive again, Several reprisal attack on the Fulani headsmen l all over Nigeria, movement of cows in the road is heavily restricted to protect life Because of border closure, criminals and smugglers have device other means of breaking the law on the sea ways.

On anti corruption, a big

discovery of years of leakages linked to the banking sector by the CBN that would have change the minds of Nigerians over the years have been uncovered and the resources plunged back into the economy properly Nigerians should stop being hard and selfish, the Nation should have change by now for better if the people care for the weak, have change by now for the better if the people care for the weak, the young and the elderly There should be many protest and civil disobedience, I am seeing teargas everywhere, mind your steps this year Discovery of major channel and agents where arms have been stock pilled for criminal activities in Nigeria will be discovered and the criminal will be arrested

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Sunday 05 January 2020

Interview Why Rwanda has moved ahead of other African countries - Says speaker of parliament Donatille Mukabalisa, 59, is speaker of Rwandan parliament and leader of the opposition Liberal Party.

In this interview with Temitope Ajayi in Kigali, she said her country is leading the world in area of gender equality and women participation in governance. She also spoke on the rise of Rwanda out of the ashes of Genocide in 1994 and the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and her country.

You are a lawyer and a former official of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); why did you join politics in 2000? he motivation came from our history and of course a career in the United Nations. There is no way one will work within the UN system and one will not be interested in politics and governance. I grew up in this country and the history of my country pushed me to join politics after 1994. Before 1994, the politics of this country was characterised by division and all kinds of evil that led to the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. I was around when the genocide happened. I had a chance to escape. I am a survivor of the genocide against the Tutsi even though I was pursued by those who wanted to kill me.

I survived by miracle. I was in the country up till June 1994 before I was able to escape as a member of staff of UNDP. So, after 1994, there was the liberation ideology that promoted inclusiveness. I decided to join politics to contribute my quota to the rebuilding efforts of my country. I became active in the process and decided to contribute to the journey to rebuild and develop the country. That was how I joined politics.

lower chamber, which is called house of deputies. You were a senator at the upper chamber before your current role. In a continent where men dominate the political space, do you feel any sense of accomplishment?

I can say that is a pride for our country first of all and I will add that it is a job that comes with a lot of responsibility for me to lead an institution that is making law for the country and overseeing government actions and programmes.

It is a big responsibility and a shared responsibility because I work closely with all members of parliament. We work together, put our efforts together and see the best way to move things. We are the best in the world as a country with the biggest number of women in the parliament and even in other institutions of government at the executive and judiciary down to the lower levels of governance.

We have 50 percent women in the executive and almost 50 percent in the judiciary. This happened in our country because we have the political will at the highest level.

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How will you describe the journey of nation-building in Rwanda in terms of economy and social cohesion in line with the Vision 2020 the country launched in year 2000?

We have made significant progress in all areas. The country was totally destroyed. We had to start from the scratch. The immediate priority was to re-unite the country because the country was divided and fractured for a long time. Everything was a priority in fact, because we did not know how to start and where to start from. Everything now boiled down to good leadership and the citizens. We have the blessing of a good and visionary leader in the person of His Excellency, Paul Kagame, whose leadership is about inclusiveness and making sure that every citizen benefits from everything we are doing.

Everything we are doing is all about the citizens’ well-being.

People cannot work unless they are together. We had to work on

Donatille Mukabalisa

reconciling people even though it was delicate. We could not imagine the possibility of reconciling people who had perpetrated evil against the Tutsis, those who have killed and maimed, some exiled for decades all coming together to reconcile and now work together to rebuild the country. But it happened because the people trusted the leadership of President Kagame. We began the journey of healing people that were traumatised by the genocide. There were people that had no shelter at all after the genocide; people who had nothing. But we succeeded in the job of uniting people and the country. You can see the result of what we have achieved today. We are at a very amazing level if you see the result of unity and reconciliation barometer, considering where we were coming from.

How has the country fared in the areas of education, health and other social services?

We can say we are in a good place

in terms of education. We have put in place good policies on education, particularly education for young girls. We have a policy on education for all that has impacted so much on

I can say that is a pride for our country first of all and I will add that it is a job that comes with a lot of responsibility for me to lead an institution that is making law for the country and overseeing government actions and programmes

school enrolment at very high level.

On health, we have a mechanism that provides health for all citizens.

We have healthcare coverage insurance for all citizens and we are at a satisfying level with the outcomes.

On economy, we have an economy that is growing and unique in Africa and all over the world. Our economy is growing very fast but it is not taken for granted. It is about the commitment of the people who trust their leaders and working together in other to get the country to move forward.

So, what is the strength of the private sector and its contribution to the economic growth of Rwanda?

The private sector is playing a very big role. It is playing a pivotal role because they are developing very fast. When you see the contribution of the private sector to the GDP, it is very high and I mean 85% of the total GDP of the country.

You are the second female speaker of the parliament; I mean the

Rwanda has one of the best records in the world in terms of high representation of women in governance. You are rated number 5…

(Cuts in) No. No. We are number 1 in the world in terms of women representation in governance. We are number five in terms of closing the gender gap and women participation. Don’t mix it up.

Thanks for the correction. Now, what can other African countries learn from Rwanda in terms of women representation?

What I can say is that no country can aspire to develop in a very efficient way when it is leaving a big part of the population behind.

Women and men must work together to build a progressive society. We must have women participate at every level of governance in any country, including in the private sector and the political parties. Women play important roles in building a society. A society cannot hope to progress when 52% of the population is not carried along.

Women in Africa represent 52% of our population. A major part of our population must be at the centre of governance process and every citizen – men and women must be

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Interview involved.

President Kagame was the immediate past chairman of the African Union. He is also playing a leading role in promoting the Continental Free Trade Agreement. You were once the chairman of the committee on economy and trade; what’s your view on the free trade agreement that African leaders have signed unto?

It is a big opportunity for all African countries. We need to embrace this opportunity continent-wide by putting mechanism in place that will make the free trade agreement benefit the citizens of African countries.

and see how we can exploit those resources of Africa, especially putting education towards the needs of Africa and empowering young people and women in order to be able to exploit our resources, to transform them with value addition and not just export them as raw materials. We have to export finished products to other parts of the world as a way to develop our economy in Africa and make our resources benefit our people. We have to plan and develop our human resources in Africa and make our continent and people competitive. I don’t think we have anything to fear with free trade agreement in Africa. It will benefit us.

Don’t you think Free Trade makes it easier for developed Western nations under World Trade Organisation protocols to turn Africa to dumping ground for their goods, using African countries with weak manufacturing base as channels and not keeping to the rules of origin of goods and services from AU member states?

No. When we are working together, of course, it will be a win-win situation. Our continent is a very rich one. We have to take these opportunities especially for young people to see how we can exploit our resources for the benefits of our people. No country can work alone. We have to work together as a continent. We are stronger together. When we are stronger together we can develop our trade together. If we are not together we cannot work, trade and do things together. Togetherness is very important for us in Africa. On developed Western economies using Africa as a dumping ground for their goods, I will say we are not weak.

African countries are not weak.

The weaknesses we are seeing is about the choices we are making. If we make a choice to put our efforts together, we will start thinking big

You’ve spoke glowingly of President Kagame whom you described as a ‘visionary leader’. If he is all you have said of him, why are you not in his party?

That is not a problem. It is in our constitution that the heads of the two chambers of parliament cannot be in same political party with the ruling party which is the party of the president even when the ruling party has majority seats in both chambers. The RPF, the president’s party, is holding their congress and they have invited all political parties. We have chosen inclusiveness as a country. All political parties must work together with the same objective of moving Rwanda forward. We have same vision. Once we have same vision and objectives, we are all committed to Rwanda.

Part of the fundamental principles of our constitution is cooperation, dialogue and consensus.

As political parties, we all bring our ideas together; we seek the best way to achieve what is good for our country. All we aspire to achieve as a people, as citizens and as a nation is to have a great country for us all. For a long time, some political parties played a role in the

grammes are put in place at continental level and as parliamentarians we play our roles as lawmakers to ensure implementation and oversights. We see to good implementation of the programmes adopted by national governments.

So, at the various forums where we meet and interact we do peer review to see the progress we are all making. We share knowledge and expertise when we meet at IPU, CPA and Pan-African Parliament. We consider how issues that affect the population are being addressed in our countries in line with the programmes set by continental and global bodies. On education for example, we compare notes on progress being made by national governments on issue like access to education by girls, how national budgets are impacting in meeting specific needs of the citizens of our countries. We share expertise and knowledge on how to develop our countries and change the world for better.

destruction of this country, so we have decided as political parties to put our efforts together to develop our country. There is also a fact of our constitution that the president of the Republic and speaker of parliament cannot be in the same political party. It is what we have chosen for checks and balance. It is the governance system we have chosen as a country and it is working for us very well.

How many seats does your party have in the parliament where you are the speaker?

Yes, I am the leader of my party. My party has seven seats out of the 80 seats in Chamber of Deputies.

I attended the National Dialogue, Umushykirano where the president said he hopes a woman will become the next president of Rwanda, possibly after him. Do you see yourself becoming the president of this country someday?

(Long Laugh) Ah! Okay. I understand. That is not a question you want to answer. Before l let you go then, you belong to Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Pan-African Parliamentary Union and other regional parliamentary associations. At these global and continental parliamentary groups, what legislative agenda are the parliaments pursuing to ensure issues like education, healthcare and other matters under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are accelerated by governments of respective countries?

As a parliament and a country we are member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, we also belong to the parliamentary association of French speaking countries, we belong to the parliamentary union in East Africa and that of the African Union. Let me say in terms of gender equality and women empowerment we have set up goal that are in stages. We have also set up goals on African Union Agenda 2063 at continental level.

As parliamentarians, we are working to support the executive and our respective governments to achieve set global and continental development initiatives through legislation that will strengthen their implementation.

Once development pro-

My last question to you, have you been to Nigeria before? Interestingly, RwandAir flies into Lagos and Abuja. How do you think relations between Rwanda and Nigeria can be strengthened at bilateral and people to people level?

I have been to Nigeria before. I was in Imo State specifically for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association African regional summit. On relations between our two countries, what I can say is that we have good relationship between our two parliaments and our governments have very good relationship too. At parliamentary level, we have met at different gathering as I have told you. On bilateral and trade matters, Nigeria and Rwanda are doing well. Our president comes to Nigeria very often.

RwandAir comes to Lagos and Abuja and we are very happy with this because it will help us develop our trade and investments between the two countries. We have investors from Nigeria in our country. We want to see more investors coming from Nigeria to invest in Rwanda, in areas of our economy more than they are currently doing.

Rwanda is a much smaller country compared to Nigeria but we offer a good place for investors with our economic policies and ease of doing business which is about the best in Africa. Rwanda is a good place for businesses that have ambition for East Africa market. Nigerian banks are doing well in Rwanda.

We want to see more investment from Nigeria into our country. We know Nigerians love Rwanda. We also thank Nigerians for loving our president. When you love the president of the republic it means you love the people of Rwanda.

We want the relationship between our countries to grow stronger and stronger.

Culled from TheCable

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Sunday 05 January 2020

Interview ‘Price control mechanism will prevent Nigeria from being a dumping ground for foreign goods not only border closure’ Abdulqauwiy Olododo, president and co-founder, Heart and Capital Nigeria, an Ilorin, Kwara State-based agro-allied firm, has advised that border closure would amount to nothing if attendant price control mechanism were not devised to prevent farmers and manufacturers from ripping off Nigerians, saying farmers and manufacturers should rather see the border closure as an opportunity to boost their production capacities and not to extort consumers. In this interview with SIKIRAT SHEHU, Kwara State Correspondent, Olododo declares that a lot still needed to be done by government, investors and individuals to boost agribusiness. Excerpts:

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hat is Heart and Capital Limited all about and what motivated you and Umar Adelodun, your co-founder, into agriculture and agribusiness?

H&C, as Heart and Capital Limited is fondly called, is an agricultural revolutionary company focused on growing and easing agribusiness. This, we do through our various services such as professional farm management and consultancy, human capacity building, agro supplies, agro processing and platform for agro investments. It all started with just farming and then we realized the lapses in the practice of farming, which has been like that over the years. Heart and Capital Nigeria Limited helps you grow your business, by assisting in farm management, machinery procurement, capacity development, food processing, input supply and manufacturing. Also, it is to combat the menace of climate change and to create employment opportunity for Nigerian youths. We figured farming as barely profitable if not taken as a real business and we just saw the endless opportunities it comes with and here we are.

What are the challenges associated with your business, agribusiness generally and how have you been able to overcome them?

It is just like the challenges you face with every other kind of businesses, but the thing with ours is, we believe to thrive and grow, you need these challenges because that is when your creativity and innovative sense gets really engaged. With this attitude combined with perseverance, adequate planning, consistency and the urge to succeed, that is how we have been able to surmount the challenges so far.

are complaining is because the prices for most of these commodities are now on the rise, which is actually unfair to the people.

You have just won an award of excellence in agripreneur as one of the best CEOs under 30 in Africa, what prompted this?

Yes, we did and that was a big one. Big shout out to CEOs Network Africa (the Under 30 CEOs). The award was in recognition of exceptional African entrepreneurs who are breaking the odds at all levels despite the challenges that they face on daily basis. Yes, there have been other achievements since inception with recognition from the Elite Vibes Award for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Kwara Festival Group, just to mention a few.

Abdulqauwiy Olododo

How has the issue of agric value chain and mechanized farming been to Heart and Capital?

As we mentioned earlier, to be profitable you need to take agriculture as a business, on this note we are responding very well to this issue as we have now moved from one end of the chain to another with our cassava production, value and turning it into cassava flakes (garri).

We produce tons of Garri on monthly bases.

T h e re h a s b e e n s u s tained outcry on border closure; Nigerians have

We need to wake up and realize this is our time to make things right, every decision we make today will result in the kind of future we would have tomorrow and just how we keep trying to hold the ones before us accountable, saying they disappointed us, we need to realize if we do not act right now we would find ourselves in that same situation and it would be really sad if we fail at making it right

reacted differently to the development, and as a player in agro-allied and manufacturing industries, what is your stance on this?

For us, it is really a good development and if you ask any other farmers and agribusiness persons they will tell you the same. Our advice to government however is to provide more transparent incentive that will drive more production of what we consume in the nation and put in place a price mechanism to check the manufacturers and producers so as not to extort the citizens because the only reason people

What is your plan for future as regards Heart and Capital Nigeria Limited in few years to come and what is your advice to the teeming youthful but jobless population?

It is our dream to see H&C being publicly traded as one of the most foremost Agric solutions provider on the African continent. Heart and Capital would not rest in its oars in liberating the youths from the shackles of hunger, poverty and unemployment.

We need to wake up and realize this is our time to make things right, every decision we make today will result in the kind of future we would have tomorrow and just how we keep trying to hold the ones before us accountable, saying they disappointed us, we need to realize if we do not act right now we would find ourselves in that same situation and it would be really sad if we fail at making it right.

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BDSUNDAY 37

SundayBusiness Taking agric to greater heights in the new decade Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

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ven as the general consensus is that some meaningful achievements have been recorded in the nation’s agriculture sector over the past two decades a lot still needs to be done. That is, to make more meaningful impact at the grass root level, increase and sustain the productive capacity of related small and medium scale enterprises, SMEs, reduce the huge food import bills and generally boost food security.

Under the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo-led administration he was noted as “The Crusader for Nigeria’s Green Revolution” according to Adamu Bello. He said Obasanjo’s administration introduced a new agricultural policy that was developed to anchor all the efforts in the agricultural sector. That clearly defined the roles of the various tiers of governments, farmers associations, research institutes and extension centres. It also included the role of support agencies by which the policy was able to give clear roles to all stakeholders.Notably, the

cassava revolution began with the composite wheat-wheat flour ratio of 90-to-10 per cent.

Fast forward to the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration, with the Transformation Agenda. With the purposeful and forwardlooking Minister of Agriculture, Dr.Akinwunmi Adesina there came in the focus on developing the Value-Chain in the sector. The policies were people-driven as rural farmers were encouraged to form associations that were registered and got connected to the government. The issue of corruption in the fertilizer subsector was frontally tackled as the middle men were done away with.

As at July 2013 the then government decided to do something about the whopping sum of N1.3 trillion spent on the top-four food imports every year.

This huge import bill was growing at a rate of 11 per cent per year and furling inflation. In Adesina’s words: “We are importing products that we either produce in abundance such as N356 bn worth of rice,N217bn worth of sugar and N97 bn worth of fish.

“We are importing products that we can easily find local alternatives for that will reduce our import bill such as N635 bn being spent on wheat importation.” The administration worked towards achieving self-sufficiency in rice production by 2015. It also aimed to earn $136 million foreign exchange annually from exporting cassava chips as well as resuscitate cotton production.

And good enough, before the administration left power substantial progress was made in focusing on the areas of corecompetence of each geo-political zone. Rejuvenating cocoa in the south-west, palm oil in the southeast, cotton, groundnut, onions in

the northern axis and rice across the country began to yield fruits.

With the coming of the President Muhammdu Buhariled administration, the Anchor Borrowers Programme driven by the CBN has recorded some gains. So has the recent closure of the border with Republic of Benin made positive impact on rice revolution in the country. The issue of huge import bill is therefore, being reduced.

This is in line with the view of the Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian-American Agricultural Em p o w e r m e n t Pr o g r a m m e Limited, Chief Temitope Ajayi who predicted in 2013 that the huge food import bill is reversible. In a similar vein, Dr. Geraldine Ikenna the Director of Nigerian Agricultural Products Export Promotion Initiative hold a similar view.

In that wise, we take a panoramic view of the opinions of experts on the best way forward. For instance, Ikenna is of the opinion that there should be greater involvement of the private sector. Similarly, massive commercial and merchandised agricultural engagements will provide jobs for thousands of unemployed Nigerians and accelerate industrialization, especially with the development of SMEs. She noted, and rightly too, that out of the 84 million hectares of arable land only about 40 per cent was being cultivated, while less than 10 per cent was being optimized.

On his part, Richard Hargrave, the Managing Director of Dizengof West Africa Limited is of the opinion that government should have no business with agriculture. Said he:“Instead, it should focus on infrastructure essential for Nigeria to grow more of its own food.”

Governmentneedstobefocusedon assisting in building infrastructure to help the private sector to build a

Nigeria makes Jollof history, crowns first ever Jollof Master

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terling Bank, Nigeria’s food security thought leader, has announced emergence of Omotola Osikoya as the 2019 Champion of Jollof Master national culinary competition. Benjamin Oni and Hauwa Onifade were first and second runners up of the competition which heralded the seventh edition of #EatDrinkFestival held December 28 and 29 at the Sterling Arena in Marina.

Osikoya, who won the coveted N1,000,000 prize and also earned the national Jollof Master bragging rights, delivered across three major evaluation criteria - execution, appearance and taste - during the final cookout. Oni and Onifade won two hundred thousand Naira and one hundred thousand Naira cash prizes respectively.

Announcing the winners, Group Head, Agriculture Finance and Export of the bank, Bukola Awosanya said “We are excited to institutionalise and curate the popular but largely informal Jollof

conversations into a national culinary competition. Jollof rice unites Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, age and religion, online and offline. Beyond the usual social media banter, we provided a platform for talented Nigerians to create and serve amazing Jollof meals to thousands at the #EatDrinkFestival as part of our commitment to food security and the agriculture sector.

The Jollof Master competition was a major highlight of the #EatDrinkFestival this December. The last edition of the popular food and drink festival which is in its seventh year attracted about 5,000 guests, excluding children, and about 80 vendors from the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) segment.

Awosanya said guests at the festival were spoiled for choice on what to eat and drink from a broad selection of the city’s best food vendors in the SME category. The festival also featured masterclasses, games and

performances by notable artists.

Guests had the opportunity to experience delicious foods and drinks from local culinary talents such as: Fregz a Porter, Sooyah Bistro, Korede spaghetti, Dooney’s Kitchen, Bubbletii, Segi’s Zobo, A.J’s Gourmet, Corporate Jollof, Hans & Rene, Heels in the kitchen, Igbadun brewing Co, Limehouse, Quacktails, Hol Brew, Jaka’s grill, Kewa’s kitchen.

Others include Torte Sugarflakes, Sawari cocktails, Slush Queen, Sophisticated Wobia, Summer’s Bloom cake studio, Yellow Bunny, Yoede Fritters Vector, Crispy and Grill, 19.8 drinks, Anasbari, Adun-By-Abby, Beyond Fab Smoothies, Big Fish cocktails, Bubbletii, Ette’s Barbecue and cocktail, Bariety Club, Bunfire, Pink Panther, Cocktail Ville and Chops and more.

Guests were treated to cuisines from different parts of the world by more than 80 food and drink vendors at the two-day food festival.

successful agricultural sector.”

Hefearsthatthoughgovernment may have good intentions towards boosting food production the challenge lies with those he called “speculators and all kinds of dubious characters.”To bolster this claim he stated that: “There is no business that government places its hand on that works; the same will happen in agriculture, the same will happen in power. The government knows this and they understand it”. He cited the fact while back in 1997 NITEL had 50,000 lines but the figure has since increased to between 110 million and 120 million lines accessible to Nigerians as at seven years ago.

In terms of funding, he feels that the non-agric sector could go with 20 to 25 per cent interest rate but such cannot be sustained in the agric sector. Like the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN Hargrave believes that more should be done towards increasing the skills acquisition of local farmers.

That would enhance the value chain from land preparation through processing to preservation.

One area that the government could still be useful is funding.

According to Mr.Samuel Afolayan, the Executive Director, Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute, ARMTI doing so would boost industrialization and food security. He urged the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to make more money available to support capacity building of entrepreneurs, especially in agric products that could encourage more people to venture into farming. He has also appealed to the National Assembly to make laws that would make the environment more conducive for agric business people including farmers and investors.

The other issues that should be tackled frontally include the quality of machinery involved in food production, processing and

preservation. It has been observed that most of the tractors imported from China, India, and Pakistan do not work here in Nigeria because they were never made for our peculiar environment. That explains why several get spoilt easily without being useful to the small scale farmers.” Richard Hargrave insisted.

Beyond all these, more funding should go to research institutes as it obtains in the UK, US, China ,India and Brazil. They should collaborate with the private sector to increase the capacity of women and those willing to capitalize on research findings for mass production.

Local machine fabricators and millers need more encouragement from the government by the provision of stable electric power.

It is unacceptable that Nigeria leads the world in cassava tuber production but is not on the world map of cassava starch production.

We need a holistic approach to farming in such a way that right from our homes through schools, and communities agriculture could take its pride of place. We have had Operation feed the Nation, Green Revolution, Accelerated Food Production programmes, DFRRI and River Basin Authorities yet we are net importer of finished agric products.

Public Private Partnerships,PPP are needed in the sector to make for the gradual withdrawal of government from agric business to be given back to the people who should be encouraged with the right infrastructure, single digit soft loans of long term and enabling environment and laws to galvanise the much anticipated agric revolution.

Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media ayobaje@yahoo.co.uk; 08057971776

EduTech records first set of online degree graduates

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fter an eventful five years, EduTech -Nigeria’s leading provider of e-learning platforms -has recorded its first batch of graduates in its degree programme. The 37 graduating students took part in the recent 44th Convocation Ceremony Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and bagged B.Sc degrees in Accounting.

Expressing delight at the successful completion of the degree programmes, Femi Shonubi said, general manger, EduTech, “This graduation ceremony is a validation of our e-learning platform’s ability to provide students with a robust system leading to the award of a degree and we are grateful to our partners -the OAU Management -as well as the students for trusting our solution”.

Introduced in 2014 to deepen the experience of the university’s part-time learning programme, the EduTech platform replaced the erstwhile weekend learning mode with an online blended mode that is accessible to students remotely through an internet connection.

Through this epoch-making partnership with OAU, EduTech has

successfully launched B.sc degree programmes in Accounting, Economics and Nursing; with other courses of study in the pipeline.

“EduTech is pleased to contribute its quota to nation building by providing seamless platforms for students to conveniently take part in course work from their homes or offices and earn a full degree. We are happy to work with a progressive-minded institution like the OAU Center of Distance Learning to facilitate their Accounting, Economics and Nursing degree programmes. We are also very excited on our soon-to-be launched partnership with the Babcock University Centre for Open Distance and e-Learning where prospective students will be able to leverage our platforms to study for degree awarding courses from the university”, revealed Shonubi.

EduTech is a Nigerian Technology Company focused on helping African traditional universities take their on-campus degree programs online through the implementation of the very best of technology, process management, recruitment, admissions and advisory strategies.

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Sunday 05 January 2020

SundayBusiness What could be done differently to tackle illiquidity in mortgage system

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he dawn of a new year calls for new approaches to doing things that have not worked well in the out-gone year.

Efforts at tackling illiquidity and high cost of funds in the mortgage system in Nigeria has been encouraging, but a different approach is necessary in the new year for more results.

The mortgage system in Nigeria is a weeping baby troubled by two major factors, namely illiquidity which characterizes the operating primary mortgage banks and other mortgage lending institutions, and the high cost of funds which is a cankerworm eating deep into the entire financial system.

Several interventions in the mortgage market by the government with the aim of raising liquidity and making funds available for borrowers are yet to yield the desired fruit. The National Housing Fund (NHF) which was set up with the purpose of making mortgage borrowing a lot easier at 6 percent interest rate for low income earners remains an amorphous and elusive entity too difficult to access.

The coming of the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) was another bold step by the government towards raising the liquidity level in the mortgage market, but four years after close mortgage market watchers are becoming uncomfortable,

wondering if the company is out on experiment.

But that thinking may be borne out of lack of clear understanding of what the company is, or what it is doing at the moment, or both.

Its promoters, on their part, are betting on their commitment to raising the game in this sector of the financial system with a view to making mortgage accessible and affordable by a good number of Nigerians who need it.

In spite of all these, many people don’t know much about this company, hence this effort at bringing to the fore a few things an average Nigerian, especially a home-seeker, should know about the company.

NMRC was launched into the financial system by the Federal Government under former President Goodluck Jonathan four years ago as a response to the illiquidity and the high cost of funds in the mortgage system. This, many believe, is styled after the Fannie Mae in the US. A company conceived by the government but led by the private sector, NMRC was set up solely to drive liquidity into the mortgage system by refinancing mortgages originated by primary mortgage lenders. It is also aimed to create jobs and enable development of low income housing, among others.

Reduction in Mortgage Rate:

All other things being equal, the highpoint of this is that the current mortgage rate that fluctuates between 20 and 25 percent in the country will drop to between 9 -14 percent and what this means is that more people will be able to access mortgages and pay within a relatively convenient 20-year period.

Affordable Housing: It has always been argued that the transactions in Nigeria’s housing sector account for just about 5 percent of the market potential and this is even within the luxury-high-to-mid market. The reason the remaining 95 percent is left out is because there is no effective demand here due to high interest rate on mortgages, unemployment and job insecurity. But with the NMRC, it is hoped that a substantial number of people in the mid-low will become landlords.

Jobs, jobs and more jobs: It is estimated that Nigeria requires an average of one million houses annually for the next 17 years to be able to meet its housing needs.

However, the NMRC estimates an annual 75, 000 homes with an attendant 30,000 direct and 488,000 indirect jobs after the initial project period. What this means is that those who can’t afford a lease-toown house now can afford, at least, a decent living.

For the real estate industry, the coming of NMRC has strengthened the industry and with re-cap-

Keystone Bank partners Medplus to promote healthy living among women

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n furtherance of its commitment to empower, enhance and promote healthy living amongst Nigerian women, Keystone Bank Limited has announced its partnership with Medplus Pharmacy, Nigeria’s leading health and beauty retailer to offer its PINK Network card holders who purchase health and beauty products from the pharmacy, a discount ranging from 5 to 10 percent.

In a statement by the lender, the bank said it’s partnering with the health and beauty company to proffer solutions to the challenge posed in accessing quality, genuine healthcare and beauty products in Nigeria.

The bank further explained that the partnership would see its female customers with a Keystone Bank PINK debit card get 10 percent discount off all drug purchases and 5% discount off non-drug purchases in any Medplus Pharmacy nationwide.

Commenting on the partnership, Keystone Bank executive director, Adeyemi Odusanya stressed: “Women’s health needs differ at every life stage, from puberty to pregnancy, menopause and overall wellbeing. Women

are also very conscious of their beauty and self-care, hence the growth of the beauty industry.

“However, finding access to quality healthcare and beauty products can sometimes be a challenge, either they have to battle with the cost or the fear of counterfeit products which have infiltrated the market.

“And to solve this predicament, Keystone Bank is partnering with the renowned pharmacy, Medplus through its PINK Initiative for women, giving them access to quality health and beauty products at a discount.

“Our partnership with Medplus is an indication of the priority we place on women; if the women are healthy then we can

always be assured of healthy homes and a more productive nation at large.”

Odusanya further explained that to get a PINK debit card, all women need do is visit any Keystone Bank branch.

The Keystone Bank Pink proposition, launched on 18th of March 2015, which is an extensive bouquet of offering for every Nigerian woman. It seeks to provide women with all the necessary advantage required to thrive in their businesses, personal life, career, lifestyle, health amongst others.

Keystone Bank is a technology and service-driven commercial bank offering convenient and reliable solutions to its customers.

Talking Mortgage with CHUKA UROKO (08037156969, chukuroko@yahoo.com) italisation of the Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs), the company is working on implementing one of its objectives to raise the number of completed mortgages from the current 20,000 units to 200,000 units. These will see other sectors such as development, manufacturing, designing, services and construction do more businesses in the years ahead, thereby increasing the industry’s contribution to the nation’s economy.

All things being equal, it is expected that NMRC will create an investor-friendly market, leading to the inflow of foreign direct investment (FDIs) in residential housing as they are currently doing in the commercial space. The ability of the mortgage sector to regenerate more funds from the NMRC pool as they raise mortgages will also excite local investors.

New skills, innovation: This new direction in the mortgage market will definitely come with demand for innovations. One of such innovations will be the much debated alternative building solution. Also,

local artisans will be required to step up their games in terms of skill set and delivery, as activities in residential and commercial sector simultaneously will require more efficient way of working. Also, brokerage services which are already going digital will require new skill to manage multiple customers with different demands.

As for the economy, there will be increased GDP because an economy that can create 30,000 jobs annually will definitely not suffer growth problem. If more jobs are created through the construction industry, the impact will be felt.

Also, the present low contribution of real estate to GDP will give way to a refreshing new figure.

NMRC is not an old wine in a new bottle. Though it is not a perfect scheme because it is not going to put a roof over every head, particularly the lower end of the market, NMRC partners real estate developers to develop mass housing and rent-to-own scheme which enables Nigerians to own the homes they rent.

Red Star offers food items to children at red cross orphanage

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n line with its commitment towards giving to its surrounding communities, Red Star Express Plc, one of Nigeria’s foremost logistics solutions providers, paid a visit to the Red Cross Orphanage and Motherless Babies Home in Yaba, Lagos, recently.

The initiative was organized through the Red Star Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of Red Star Express Plc. Tonye Preghafi, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Red Star Foundation, explained that the visit was to felicitate with the children in the orphanage and make donations as well. “We have an initiative called the ‘I-Care Project’. Every year, staff members in our organization make donations, of different kinds, towards a particular cause. Therefore, everything donated here is from company staff members, and not the company itself. Last year, we worked to provide clean water for various communities across the country. In 2017, we made donations to the Internally Displaced People’s camps in the North. We are committed to ensuring that more less-privileged are reached on a yearly basis. Such is our desire and that is why we are here today,”

he stated.

In his remarks, Olakunle Lasisi, executive Secretary, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Lagos Branch, commended Red Star Express Plc for its support towards the orphanage. “We are delighted for this visit and these donations. It is moments like these that mean so much to the children. We are very grateful to Red Star Express Plc for this gesture and we look forward to many more gestures like this in the future,” he remarked. Donations made to the orphanage included bags of rice and grains, condiments, toiletries and other materials.

Red Star Express Plc is a Licensee of Federal Express (FedEx) Corporation, the world’s largest delivery solutions provider. The company has over 150 offices nationwide, with a network reach spanning over 1,500 communities in Nigeria and over 200 countries worldwide. It is made up of 4 subsidiaries specializing in areas such as Express Delivery, Logistics, Freight, Outsourcing services, Supply Chain Management, E-Commerce Logistics Solutions, Printing and Packaging, E-Archiving, Business Enterprise Solutions, as well as Agro Logistics and Trade.

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SundayBusiness Despite Nigeria being at crossroads, MTN continues to create value - Mroue SEYI JOHN SALAU

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a z e n Mroue, chief operating officer, MTN Nigeria, has stated that despite the socio-economic challenges in Nigeria on the back of an ailing economy, MTN continues to contribute to Nigeria’s socio-economic development in a way that no other company within its space has done.

During the last quarter of 2019, the MTN launched its mobile money service,

Mroue

MoMo Agent, under its subsidiary, the Y’ello Digital Financial Services (YDFS) Limited. Since its launch, the financial service has been well received across markets and rural areas in Nigeria.

While speaking at the recently held 10th edition of the BusinessDay CEO Forum Nigeria held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, with the theme ‘Nigeria at Crossroads: The Private Sector Opportunity. Mroue outlined MTN’s contribution to the country’s economic development.

While outlining some of the achievements of the telecommunications company, Mroue disclosed that MTN Nigeria has till date paid the Nigerian government over N1.7 trillion in taxes and that over 20 million Nigerians live in areas where MTN is the only network provider.

Tracing the origin of this laudable initiative to a partnership with then Diamond Bank, Mroue said the YDFS was busy building the Agents that would assist in making the MoMo Agent service a successful. “In fact we’re busy converting the airtime

agents, which are more than half a million scattered in communities across the country, into MoMo Agents.”

Linda Saint-Nwafor, MTN’s chief enterprise business officer, said, the company’s top objective has always been on how to create value for the customer. Interestingly, it can be adjudged that MTN Nigeria is so good at value creation that the company now has over 61 million subscribers according to recent data released by the sector regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Irrespective of the challenges with working in Nigeria - such as the highly contestable fine by the Nigeria’s apex bank, and the attacks on MTN’s infrastructure by Nigerians in retaliation to xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa, MTN has remained a strong and highly sought after development partner of governments at various levels.

Saint-Nwafor, one example is the MTN’s unveiling of its 5G capabilities with a live demo session in Abuja on November 25, 2019.

TGI Distri feeds 10,000 underprivileged in 10 Lagos communities

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n a major boost to its Corporate Social Responsibility profile and in the spirit of Christmas, TGI Distri has put smiles on faces of residents of Agege community in the final of Terra Cares4naija campaign.

The corporate social sustainability initiative, which commenced during the commemoration of the United Nations October 16, 2019 World Food Day, extended to Majidun in Ikorodu, Makoko, Iwaya, Ajegunle, Owode, Sari Iganmu, Oworonshoki and Ijora with the aim of feeding 10,000 Lagosians with nutritious food seasoned with Terra Cubes.

Nnenna Onyeanacho, media and activation manager of TGI Distri, while speaking during the Terra

Cares4naija outreach at Ag e g e c o m m u n i t y e x plained that the aim of the campaign was to connect with the people and put a smile on their faces with the show of love and care. At the event Terracares4naija Santa Claus gave out various items including education materials to Agege residents.

She also said the Terracares4naija is all about nurturing a happier society with love, care and food. While some talked about poverty, TGI Distri decided to put smiles on the faces of 10,000 deserving individuals in the last 10 weeks and in 10 communities.

Onyeanacho stated that the sustainability initiative was being undertaken as

TGI Distri feeds 10,000 underprivileged in 10 Lagos communities

a way of giving back to the society and as integral part of its continued efforts to add value to lives, making life better and putting smiles on the faces of citizens.

She said: “We care about the people and the community where we operate and that’s why we came up with this sustainable initiative.

The overarching goal is to reach out to the deserving underprivileged Lagosians in 10 different locations to spread love, care, spend time with them and feed them”.

It has been 10 amazing weeks of reaching out to 10,000 deserving individuals in 10 communities in Lagos State, spreading smiles & happiness around and Serving them Nutritious, tasty & Aromatic Foods.

LG to unveil 2020 real 8K TV lineup featuring next-gen AI processor at CES 2020

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G Electronics (LG), the company delivering the Real 8K experience, will introduce its expanded 8K TV lineup next week at CES® 2020 – eight TVs with new 77- and 65-inch class models joining LG’s existing 88- and 75-inch screen sizes.

The diverse 2020 lineup includes premium 88- and 77-inch class LG SIGNATURE OLED 8K TVs (models 88/77 OLED ZX) and advanced LG NanoCell TVs (models 7 5 / 6 5 Na n o 9 9 , 7 5 / 6 5 Nano97, 75/65 Nano95), with every model exceeding the industry’s official new 8K Ultra HD definition set by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) with trusted independent labs such as TÜV Rheinland validating that LG SIGNATURE OLED 8K and LG 8K NanoCell TV exceed this definition.

Not only do LG 8K TVs deliver Real 8K, they are also future-proofed to provide customers peace of mind with multiple ways to enjoy the Real 8K experience. The new models offer the capability to play native 8K content thanks to support of the widest selection of 8K content sources from HDMI and USB digital inputs, including codecs such as HEVC, VP9 and AV1, the latter being backed by major streaming providers including YouTube.

LG’s 8K TVs will support 8K content streaming at a rapid 60FPS and are certified to deliver 8K 60P over HDMI. LG ’s l a t e s t 8 K T Vs also feature upgraded performance thanks to the new (Alpha) 9 Gen 3 AI Processor. By leveraging deep learning technology, the 2020 lineup delivers optimized picture and sound quality for all types of content through AI-based 8K upscaling. Based on an intelligent deep learning network, AI 8K Upscaling

delivers vivid and accurate 8K images by analyzing the content and applying Quad Step Noise Reduction and frequency-based Sharpness Enhancer to increase lower resolution content to near 8K perfection.

The 9 Gen 3 processor’s AI Picture Pro is capable of recognizing faces and text on screen, fine-tuning and sharpening each to produce more natural skin tones, well-defined facial features and clearer, more readable characters. What’s more, Au t o Ge n r e Se l e c t i o n recognizes the type of content being watched and automatically applies the ideal picture settings, guaranteeing the best image quality among four genres: movie, sports, standard and animation.

LG ’s A I S o u n d Pr o analyzes and classifies the audio of content among five categories –music, movies, sports, drama or news – for clearer voices and richer, more textured background sound.

Spoken words are isolated and their volume increased, making it distinctively easier for viewers to understand while background noises are identified and the scene upmixed to virtual 5.1 surround for a heightened level of viewer immersion.

On top of the exceptional viewing experience, LG 8K TVs offer a new level of

convenience made possible

by AI technology. Users can monitor and control compatible IoT devices directly from the TV’s Home Dashboard, while Hands-Free Voice Control allows viewers to easily control multiple connected devices with just their voice, even from across the room. Available in 144 countries, ThinQ voice recognition is built into every LG 8K TV. And with LG’s popular smart TV platform, webOS, the new TVs support Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit as well as both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, with Amazon Alexa Premium Far-Field Voice compatibility in the future.

“LG is deeply committed to providing consumers with an outstanding viewing experience,” said Park Hyoung-sei, president of the LG Home Entertainment Company. “With LG 8K OLED and NanoCell TVs, customers can know they are getting future-proofed products that will deliver mesmerizing picture quality regardless of the format.

LG’s comprehensive, 8K lineup will be on show during CES 2020 from January 7-10 at the company’s booth (#11100, Central Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center).

FollowallofLG’sCESactivities and announcements on social media using #LGCES2020.

EduTech records first set of online degree graduates

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fter an eventful five years, EduTech -Nigeria’s leading provider of e-learning platforms -has recorded its first batch of graduates in its degree programme. The 37 graduating students took part in the recent 44th Convocation Ceremony O b a f e m i Aw o l o w o University (OAU) and bagged B.Sc degrees in Accounting.

Expressing delight at the successful completion of the degree programmes, Femi Shonubi said, general manger, EduTech, “This graduation ceremony is a validation of our e-learning platform’s ability to provide students with a robust system leading to the award

of a degree and we are grateful to our partners -the OAU Management -as well as the students for trusting our solution”.

Introduced in 2014 to deepen the experience of the university’s part-time learning programme, the EduTech platform replaced the erstwhile weekend learning mode with an online blended mode that is accessible to students remotely through an internet connection. Through this epoch-making partnership with OAU, EduTech has successfully launched B.sc degree programmes in Accounting, Economics and Nursing; with other courses of study in the pipeline.

“EduTech is pleased to contribute its quota to

nation building by providing seamless platforms for students to conveniently take part in course work from their homes or offices and earn a full degree. We are happy to work with a progressiveminded institution like the OAU Center of Distance Learning to facilitate their Accounting, Economics and Nursing degree programmes. We are also very excited on our soonto-be launched partnership with the Babcock University Centre for Open Distance and e-Learning where prospective students will be able to leverage our platforms to study for degree awarding courses from the university”, revealed Shonubi.

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Sunday 05 January 2020

Health&Science How to know if you’re at risk for heart attack

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ANTHONIA OBOKOH

omplications arising from heart attacks can be serious and possibly life-threatening. The older you are the more likely you are to experience serious complications following a heart attack.

A heart attack is a medical emergency. A heart attack usually occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the heart. Without blood, tissues lose oxygen and die.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) or Ischaemic Heart Disease is a leading cause of heart attack. It is a condition in which coronary arteries (major blood vessels supplying the heart with blood) get clogged up with deposits of cholesterol. These deposits are called plaques.

Signs to watch out for Heart attack is often not a sudden occurrence though in many people, it strikes suddenly, but more often than not, people have warning signs and symptoms sometimes for hours, days or weeks in advance.

Nigeria records more than 1.5 million cases of coronary heart disease per year according to... You or someone near you may be having a heart attack if they experience any of the following symptoms: tightness or pain in the chest, neck, back or arms, as well as fatigue, light-headedness, sweating , an overwhelming feeling of anxiety which may or may not include an unusual awareness of a racing heartbeat.

Women are more likely to have atypical symptoms than men.

Treatment of a heart attack will depend on how

much blockage has occurred within the ‘coronary’ arteries supplying the heart and how much damage to the heart muscle has occurred as a result.

Treatment ranges from lifestyle changes and cardiac rehabilitation to medication, stents and bypass surgery.

How to prevent heart attack According to the World Health Organisation, the following are key ways to protect heart health and could help reduce your risk of having a heart attack or having another heart attack.

Household dust may be contributing to childhood obesity epidemic WHO warns says tobacco use, an unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Engaging in physical activity for at least 30 minutes every day of the week will helpto prevent heartattacks.

Eating at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day, and limiting your salt intake to less than one teaspoon a day, also helps to prevent heart attack.

Having your blood pressure checked and knowing the number to avoid sudden attack. If it is high, you will need to change your lifestyle to incorporate a healthy diet with less salt intake and may need medications to control your blood pressure.

Know your blood sugar, raised blood glucose (diabetes) increases the risk of heart attacks if you have diabetes it is very important to control your blood pressure and blood sugar to minimize the risk.

However, experts say that the longer the delay in starting treatment, the greater the likelihood of a poor outcome after a heart attacks.

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reversible’ For the research, Stapelton and colleagues extracted chemicals from 194 dust samples collected from 11 households in North Carolina and tested them for their ability to promote fat cell development.

The extracts were placed alongside a pre-adipocyte mouse cell model that has long been used to test substances for their potential effects on triglyceride accumulation.

As reported in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, very low amounts of the extracts promoted precursor fat cell proliferation and seven of the samples triggered pre-

in those homes.” Christopher Kassotis, Lead Researcher.

The findings were recently presented at ENDO 2019, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.

EDCs, which disrupt or mimic body hormones, are known to affect reproductive, neurologic and immunologic functions, but preclinical studies have also suggested that early exposure to the chemicals can promote triglyceride accumulation and weight gain.

The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that children inhale, ingest or absorb between 60 and 100 milligrams of dust each day.

Study author Heather Stapelton says the current study found that “amounts of dust as low as 3 micrograms - well below the mass of dust that children are exposed to daily - caused measurable effects.”

The effects were ‘ir-

adipocytes to mature into fat cells.

Furthermore, once the process begins, it cannot be reversed and once the fat cells reach a certain size, more new fat cells start to develop.

“This suggests that the mixture of these chemicals in house dust is promoting the accumulation of triglycerides and fat cells,” says Stapelton.

ew research has found that chemicals found in household dust may promote fat cell development and contribute to increased weight gain in children.

Th e r e s e a r c h e r s observed endocrinedisrupting chemicals (EDCs) found in dust particles accumulated in fat cells, causing them to fill up with triglycerides and forcing more fat cells to be created.

“This is some of the first research investigating links between exposure to chemical mixtures present in the indoor environment and metabolic health of children living

Oyo acquires MRI machines for LAUTECH teaching hospital REMI FEYISIPO, Ibadan.

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n a bid to improve health care infrastructure, Oyo State Government, has procured a Siemens Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 1.5 Tesla for the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso.

The new 1.5T MRI machine would facilitate health care delivery in the country.

Emma Ajayi, Managing Director of Swiss Biostadt Limited, said with

the facilities available, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital had emerged as the leading centre for radiology and medical imaging in Nigeria.

Ajayi, a medical doctor in a statement noted that the hospital is now poised to take health care delivery in Oyo to the frontiers of internationally acceptable and reproducible health standards.

He noted that the 1.5T MRI would help to introduce sequences and protocols that were hitherto impossible, thereby re-

sulting in improved image quality, faster scanning and improved patient comfort.

“The machine will expand the scope of service with even the capability for whole-body screening for cancer without exposing the patient to radiation.

“Our company is a science-based technology company; we ensure that customers derive value for their money from the services we provide.

“We are a success story in Nigeria and our per-

formances have stood us out. Our goal as a modest Company is to create a healthy environment that will breed healthy people and improve the lives of men and women.

We are a leading light in the Healthcare sector of the Nigerian economy,” Ajayi said.

He added that the latest MRI 1.5 Tesla is highly productive, easier, faster, applicable with a rate of confidence, and a more efficient approach to highest and consistent image quality.

Ogun targets 1.2m newborns, children for vaccination, health intervention in 2020 ADESOLA OGUNBANWO & YEMISI FASHOLA, ABEOKUTA

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bout 1.2 million newborn and children are targeted for vaccination and other health intervention in the upcoming 2020 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) in Ogun State.

The Commissionerdesignate, Tomi Coker, stated this during a press

briefing, organised by the State Primary Health Care Development Board, held in Abeokuta, saying MNCHW was a bi- annual health intervention, aimed at addressing the high mortality rate among women of child bearing age, newborns and children.

Coker highlighted some of the health interventions to include, administration of vitamin A supplementation, screen-

ing for malnutrition, distribution of long lasting insecticidal treated nets, counseling and screening for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), health promotion on key household health practices for improved life style such as, hand washing, exclusive breastfeeding, antenatal care, among others.

She added that the programme would begin from Monday, January 13

through Friday, January 17, 2020 across the State, with a flag-off by the Wife of the Governor, Bamidele Abiodun on Monday, January 6, 2020.

Speaking in the same vein, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Ayinde Adesanya, enjoined mothers and caregivers to avail themselves the opportunity by getting their children and wards vaccinated.

EDCs could be linked to childhood obesity The team found that several of the dust EDCs were significantly elevated in the households of children who were overweight or obese.

Now, the researchers will continue to investigate the chemicals, some of which are commonly found in products such as detergents, paints and cosmetics, to establish which of them may be associated with weight gain and obesity.

Culled from News Medical LifeScience.

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BDSUNDAY 41

Health&Science

The healthier, the better you in 2020 N

ALYSSA SPARACINO

o doubt, the year is already rolling. But, it is sad that many people cannot stick to the goals they set for themselves about few days ago when they ushered in the new year, especially living healthy. However, you can still focus and redeem your goals, particularly the healthier you because it results in a better and happy you.

Below are some tips to help you get more determined at living healthier in the remaining part of the year: It is hard to keep up the enthusiasm months after you have swept up the confetti, but it is not impossible. This year, pick one of the following worthy resolutions, and stick with it for your health.

Lose weight The fact that this is perennially among the most popular resolutions suggests just how difficult it is to commit to. But you can succeed if you do not expect overnight success. “You want results yesterday, and desperation mode kicks in,” says Pam Peeke, MD, author of Body for Life for Women. “Beware of the valley of quickie cures.”

Also, plan for bumps in the road. Use a food journal to keep track of what you eat and have a support system in place. “Around week four to six... people become excuse mills,” Dr. Peeke says. “That’s why it’s important to have someone there on a regular basis to get you through those rough times.”

Get more sleep You probably already know that a good night’s rest can do wonders for your mood—and appearance. But sleep is more beneficial to your health than you might realize.

A lack of sleep has been linked to a greater risk of obesity and diabetes. And sleep is crucial for strengthening memories (a process called consolidation).

So take a nap—and do not feel guilty about it.

Cut your stress A little pressure now and again will not kill us; in fact, short bouts of stress give us an energy boost. But if stress is chronic, it can increase your risk of—or worsen—insomnia, depression, obesity, heart disease, and more.

Long work hours, little sleep, no exercise, poor diet, and not spending time with family and friends can contribute to stress, says Roberta Lee, MD, an integrative medicine specialist at Beth Israel Medical Center, in New York City, and the author of The Super Stress Solution.

“Stress is an inevitable part of life,” she says. “Relaxation, sleep, socializing, and taking vacations are all things we tell ourselves we deserve but don’t allow ourselves to have.”

Cut back on alcohol While much has been written about the health benefits of a small amount of alcohol, too much tippling is still the bigger problem. (In fact, binge drinking seems to be on the rise.)

Drinking alcohol in excess affects the brain’s neurotransmitters and can increase the risk of depression, memory loss, or even seizures.

Chronic heavy drinking boosts your risk of liver and heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and mental deterioration, and even cancers of the mouth, throat, liver, and breast.

Quit smoking

Fear that you’ve failed too many times to try again? Talk to any ex-smoker, and you’ll see that multiple attempts are often the path to success.

Try different methods to find out what works. And think of the cash you’ll save! (We know you know the health benefit.)”It’s one of the harder habits to quit,” says Merle Myerson, MD, director of the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Program at St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals, in New York City. “But I always tell people to think of how much money they will save.”

Travel The joys and rewards of vacations can last long after the suitcase is put away. “We can often get stuck in a rut, and we can’t get out of our own way,” Kanaris says. “Everything becomes familiar and too routine.”

But traveling allows us to tap into life as an adventure, and we can make changes in our lives without having to do anything too bold or dramatic.

“It makes you feel rejuvenated and replenished,” he adds.

“It gets you out of your typical scenery, and the effects are revitalizing. It’s another form of

new discovery and learning, and great for the body and the soul.”

Volunteer We tend to think our own bliss relies on bettering ourselves, but our happiness also increases when we help others, says Peter Kanaris,PhD,coordinatorofpublic education for the New York State Psychological Association.

And guess what? Happiness is good for your health. A 2010 study found that people with positive emotions were about 20 percent less likely than their gloomier peers to have a heart attack or develop heart disease.

Other research suggests that positive emotions can make people more resilient and resourceful.

“Someone who makes this sort of resolution is likely to obtain a tremendous personal benefit in the happiness department,” Kanaris says.

Save money Save money by making healthy lifestyle changes. Walk or ride your bike to work, or explore carpooling. (That means more money in your pocket and less air pollution.)

Cut back on gym member-

ship costs by exercising at home.

Many fitness programs on videogame systems like Nintendo’s Wii Wii Fit Plus and Microsoft’s Xbox Kinect Your Shape Fitness Evolved can get you sweating.

Take stock of what you have in the fridge and make a grocery list. Aimless supermarket shopping can lead to poor choices for your diet and wallet.

Go back to school No matter how old you are, heading back to the classroom can help revamp your career, introduce you to new friends, and even boost your brainpower.

A 2007 study found that middle-age adults who had gone back to school (including night school) sometime in the previous quarter century had stronger memories and verbal skills than those who did not.

What’s more, several studies have linked higher educational attainment to a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

“You are gaining a sense of accomplishment by gaining new knowledge, and you are out there meeting people and creating possibilities that were never there before,” Kanaris says.

Happy New Year!

42 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 05 January 2020

NewsXtra Reps hail Airforce for destruction of terrorist facility in Borno JAMES KWEN, Abuja

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he House of Re p r e s e n t a tives Committee on Airforce has commended the gallantry effort of the Nigerian Airforce in destroying terrorist logistics facility at Gujeri, Borno State .

The Chairman of the Committee, Muhammad Shehu-Koko who made this known in a statement at the weekend described the recent attack as a welcome development.

Koko said, the Parliament will continue to support the Air Force in

ensuring that Bokoharam Terrorists are completely wiped out of the Country especially in the North East.

“The House Committee on Airforce want to use this medium to congratulate the Nigerian Airforce in carrying out a night time airstrikes executed on 31st December after series of intelligence and Surveillance.

“This is a sign of a new year in their operations in year 2020. The Chief of Air Staff, Sadiq Abubakar has always proved to the Country that the force is capable and will continue to carry out it’s assign-

ment in the interest of Nigerians.

“We hereby use this occassion to commend the operations of the Force and promise to do all within our Constitution to provide all the necessary equipment needed for the discharge of thier duties.

The Airforce Committee assured Nigerians that the Committee under the watch of Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila will carry out it’s oversight functions deligently and efficiently.

The Committee Chairman said he is optimistic that the Force will sustain the tempo in its fight in wiping out terrorist hide-

Atiku to PDP: Focus should be on rebuilding the party not elections outs completely in Nigeria, especially the North East.

While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for his undying support for the Force, Koko urged residents in the North East to continue to provide necessary information to help the Airforce in its operations.

Recall that the Nigerian Airforce (NAF) through his spokesman, Ibikunle Daramola Friday said, it’s Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole had destroyed a Bokoharam Terrorists logistics facility at Gujeri, Sambisa Forest of Borno State.

Bajaj Auto, with distribution partner DAG roll out nationwide free service camps for 3 wheeler riders in Nigeria

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orld’s largest manufacturer of three-wheeler and twowheeler, Bajaj Auto Limited and its distribution partner in Nigeria, DAG Mo t o r c yc l e s Li m i t e d , recently stormed major cities across the country to o f f er f r ee s er v i c e/ checkup camps for their 3 wheeler riders.

They are conducting 28 camps in North Central (Abuja, Jos, Minna, Suleja and Nasarawa) N o r t h Ea s t ( S o k o t o , Kebbi, Bauchi, Jigawa , Yo b e , Ad a m a w a a n d B o r n o) , N o r t h We s t ( Ka n o, Za r i a a n d Ka duna) and Lagos from November 2019 till Jan 2020.

“Nigeria is a very important market for us and that is why we are working tirelessly to come up with products to serve the various needs of its people,”

INIOBONG IWOK with agency report presidential candidate in the

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tikuAbubakar,former vice president, has asked the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to focus on strengthening and rebuilding the party.

In a tweet on Saturday morning, the presidential candidate of the opposition party in the 2019 election saidthetimeisnotyetripefor the discussion of elections.

He said the party’s priority at the moment should be on how to tackle the challenges ahead.

“Our preoccupation at this point in the @OfficialPDPNig should not focus on elections, but on rebuilding and strengthening our party for the challenges ahead of us,” Abubakar wrote on Twitter.

Atiku’s tweet comes after reports of threat over zoning of the 2023 general election.

Two days ago, Walid Jibrin, chairman of the board of trustees (BoT) of the PDP, had said some people threatened him for not endorsing Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate for 2023.

While announcing that the party would soon commence the search for its

next general election, Jibrin had said the candidate could be from any zone.

But speaking to journalists on Thursday in Kaduna, the elder statesman said he had received calls for not saying the party’s presidential ticket would be zoned to the northeast, where Atiku is from.

Jibrin said he was tagged a traitor for failing to declare Atiku as his party’s preferred candidate.

“I have received calls from some people threatening my life over my coming out not to mention that the presidency of this country be zoned to the north-east,” he had said.

“They were saying that I am a traitor that I should have come out to say that it is only Atiku Abubakar because I said that Atiku was already overthrown by the Supreme Court. They said for that I should say Atiku is the man that I want.”

Last year November, the national working committee (NWC) of the party said the PDP would not stop any of its members, irrespective of geographical zones, from vying to clinch the party’s presidential ticket.

L-R: AG/Bajaj Regional Service Manager, Srinivas Rao, Bajaj International Service Manager , P.V Ramana, DAG/Bajaj Service Lead-2 wheeler, Sanjeeva H.Sreepadachar, CEO ZQ, Eunice Braimah and DAG/Bajaj Service Lead-3 Wheeler, Sandip D.Parasnis at the on-going Free Periodic Check Camps in Nyanya Abuja. the company said.

The company also reiterated its commitment to expand its presence i n Ni g e r i a b y m a k i n g

life simpler for customers through innovating more technologicallypowered products – creating jobs, improving

the transportation system and generally contributing to the socioeconomic development of the country.

DAG/Bajaj Regional Service Manager Srinivas Rao, Bajaj International Service Manager , P.V Ramana (4th L) and the Fleet owners and Tricycle Association officers, Abuja at the on-going Free Periodic Check Camps in Nyanya Abuja

per unit will now pay N36.92 per unit.

An increase was also recorded in the commercial customers C3 category that paid N24.63 per unit in 2015.

They are now expected to pay N38.14 per unit.

The industrial customers of the IKEDC D3 category who paid N25.82 per unit, the charges have been increased to N35.85 per unit.

Enugu Electricity Distribution Company residential

(R3) customers who were paying N27.11 per unit in 2015 are to now pay N48.12 per unit.

The commission also directed the DisCos to complete settlement of market invoices.

“All DisCos are obligated to settle their market invoices in full as adjusted and netted off by the applicable tariff shortfall,” it read.

“In the determination for compliance to the minimum remittance threshold

NERC direct DisCos to increase tariff

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igerians will now pay more for electricity as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed the 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to increase their tariff from January 1, 2020.

James Momoh, NERC chairman, and Dafe Akpeneye, its secretary, gave the directive in a memo sent to the DisCos. The commission had

published the new tariffs for the different DisCos and categories of customers on its website via an order dated December 31, 2019.

According the order, the new tariff was reached based on data obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the US rate of inflation.

The commission said the order supersedes other orders issued on the subject matter, and shall take effect

from January 1, 2020 and shall have effect on the issuance of a new Minor Review Order or an Extraordinary Tariff Review Order by the NERC. According to the new tariff, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) residential customers R3 that were paying N27.20 per unit will now pay N47.09.

For the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) customers, the R3 category paying N26.50

in this Order, the commission shall consider verified receivables from MDAs for the settlement period and DisCos’ historical collection efficiency for MDAs. “The commission shall hold the TCN responsible for deviation from the economic dispatch Order that adversely impact on the base weighed average cost of the wholesale of energy.”

NERC last approved an upward review of tariff last year July.

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Sports

BDSUNDAY 43

Lazio turn Serie A into 3-horse race Anthony Nlebem

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Can Liverpool shatter Premier League points record?

Stories by ANTHONY NLEBEM

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ollowing the decent run of performances, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side could be on course to shatter the record points haul in the English Premier League (EPL).

But it will now be a surprise if they failed to do so.

When Manchester City won the title in 2017/2018 it was felt their 100-point total, a new Premier League record, would become a high-water mark to endure for many years.

Manchester City’s haul that year was five more than the previous Premier League record of 95 set by Chelsea under Jose Mourinho in 2014/2015.

But they needed almost as many last season when they topped the table with 98 to Liverpool’s 97.

Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Sheffield United on Thursday means they have 58 points from a possible 60 after 20 games.

It was the tally Manches-

ter City achieved at th e same stage two years ago.

With 19 wins and a draw they are averaging 2.90 points per game, putting them on course for 110 from 38 games.

It will also be a record for Europe’s top five leagues.

Even with a couple of defeats or a few draws they would still would top Manchester City’s 2018 total.

Since losing to Manchester City exactly a year ago, Liverpool are unbeaten in the Premier League, taking 101 points from 37 games during that period.

On l y t w o o t h e r t e a m s have gone a year unbeaten in the Premier League.

They are Arsenal’s invincibles in 2003/2004 (a run of 49 Premier League games) and Chelsea (40 matches) from October 2004 to November 2005.

Since that Manchester City defeat, Liverpool have won 32 of their 37 league matches, averaging 2.7 points per game.

They are 13 points clear of Leicester City, having played a game less, and those desperately seeking a chink in Liver-

pool’s armour appear to be wasting their time.

Liverpool have scored in 29 successive league games and have netted 89 goals in their year-long unbeaten run.

They have won their 11 league games and have even stopped leaking goals, a theme earlier in the season when they went eight games without clean sheet.

The EPL leaders have scored 12 goals without reply in their last five league matches.

Yet Klopp believes his side are still improving.

“We can do things better and we have to,” he said after the win over Sheffield United.

“In the dressing room, there was no party or something.”

While a first English title since 1989/1990 looks a formality, Liverpool still has a way to go to match other great runs in European football.

Arsenal’s 49-match streak is beatable this season but matching AC Milan’s remarkable 58-game run without a Serie A loss from 1991 to 1993 still looks a distant prospect.

azio will attempt to chalk up their ninth consecutive league win when they visit lowly Brescia on Sunday as they threaten to turn Serie A into a three-horse race.

Third-placed Lazio have moved six points off the leading pair of Inter Milan and Juventus with a game in hand.

But, more importantly, they have exposed chinks in Juve’s armour by beating the Turin side twice in the space of just over two weeks.

They handed Juventus a first defeat of the season, beating them 3-1 at home in Serie A. They then overcame them by the same score in the annual Super Cup match played in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri was surprisingly generous in his praise of Lazio, who he said were experiencing a “magical moment”.

“If they carry on like this, there’s not much for anyone else to do.

“For me, right now, physically and mentally, they are the best team in Europe,” said Sarri, who coaches a team with far superior spending power to Lazio.

Juventus, chasing a ninth successive title, host Cagliari, the season’s other surprise package, on Monday as Serie A resumes after the two-week Christmas break.

Inter Milan are away to Gennaro Gattuso’s Napoli.

But Simone Inzaghi’s Lazio have always been a dangerous side.

Two seasons ago, they played

some of the best football in the league.

But their small squad ran out of steam towards the end of the season and they missed out on the UEFA Champions League in their final match.

Last year, they won the Coppa Italia, even though they could manage only a modest eighth place in Serie A. This season they have found a consistency that was previously lacking, helped by an uncanny ability to grind out late and dramatic wins.

During their winning run, they scored twice in stoppage time as they came from behind to beat Cagliari 2-1 away and they also beat Sassuolo by the same score, thanks to a stoppage-time winner.

The run began when an 89thminute goal from Ciro Immobile, Serie A’s leading scorer with 17 goals, gave them a 2-1 win at Fiorentina.

Also, an 83rd-minute goal brought them their first away win at AC Milan for 31 years.

Their surprising group stage exit in the UEFA Europa League, where they finished behind Celtic and Cluj in their group, could also be a blessing in disguise.

Inzaghi, however, is under no illusions.

“We know that there will be more attention on us from now on.

“We know that in football you can never take your foot off the pedal.

“We know that we have done well, but we need to start the new year better than we finished the old one,” he said during an event in Dubai last month. (Reuters/NAN)

“I think less about the goal and more about the game” Anthony Nlebem

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C Barcelona number ‘10’ Lionel messi reviews his career in an interview regarding LaLiga 90th anniversary, and reveals the secret behind his free-kicks goals or the Eto’o lessons.

Recently crowned as the Ballon D’Or in 2019, Lionel Messi has become one of the undisputed protagonists on the planet football in this year about to end. And obviously, it is also in LaLiga in Spain. In fact, regard-

ing LaLiga 90th anniversary, the FC Barcelona Argentine star has participated in a broader interview where he reviews his

career, under his condition of top historical scorer of LaLiga.

“The first few years, it was difficult for me to score goals; either I was missing or I didn’t have any luck. I remember Eto’o told me: ‘the day you start scoring goals it’s going to be… because you have a lot of chances and you don’t finish them’. Then one day it clicked, they went in”, reminds the blaugrana number ‘10’ about his teammate in Barcelona.

“To be the top historical scorer of LaLiga, with what the Spanish league means, is special.

To be honest I think that this is

one of the best records I have”, confesses Lionel Messi, who also makes another paradoxical revelation: “Every time I go out on the pitch, I think less about the goal and more about the game”.

Within the extensive collection of goals by the culé star, in recent times his free-kick goals have shined with own light. And Lionel Messi himself reveals the secret of his improvement: “Recently I have been looking into it, and especially in free-kicks, to see if they move before, if they make a small movement, if not, how they react, how they place

the wall… It’s true that I am now studying this a bit more […] But everything is work and training, I have been getting better with training”.

Speaking of his training routines, Messi confesses there are other issues which have made him change since he debuted in LaLiga in October 2004, and his children are responsible: “We have a very high tempo that depends on the boys. We finish training, go home to eat quickly, go back out to get them at school and it depends on that. They shorten my ‘siesta’ a lot”.

BDSUNDAY

NEW YOU CAN TRUST

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Time to rebuild Nigeria’s crumbling institutions

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ormer President Barack Obama of the United States, in a speech delivered to Ghanaian MPs in July, 2009.

Critical observers of Nigeria’s sociopolitical spectrum, over the past two decades of our pseudo-democracy must be worried stiff about the nation’s gradual descent into moral abyss. Rather than abate, the violent storms of the broken family unit, perversion of religious institution, personalizing power by not a few political leaders at the local, state and federal levels; utter disregard for the rule of law and political appointments skewed in favour of a certain part of the country at the expense of the others, have escalated.

And so have the ignoble issues of the high cost of accessing political power, impunity and battling the monster of corruption with political colouration. Not left out is the worrisome emasculation of the institutions of the judiciary, legislature and the Fourth Estate of the Realm.

Expectedly, the thorny seeds sown have resulted in the harvest of increasing crime rate, insecurity, inter-ethnic and religious disharmony, mass poverty, unemployment and job losses.

One does not therefore need the knowledge of rocket science to understand that as we have begun another journey into a new decade, Nigeria in the 21st century requires a paradigm shift in the leadership landscape.

This crop of leaders should be more nationalistic, driven by justice and equity; patriots who understand the importance of treating all ethnic nationalities as equals.

And talking about leadership, it should be understood ab nitio that it all begins from the home front-the family unit. Most unfortunately, that critical aspect of our national life has kept on crumbling over these two decades. Several parents are no longer there for their children. While some have far more number of children that they could effectively cater for, others have prioritized their inordinate crave for money and material gains over their children’s welfare.

Time was when the iconic broadcaster, Frank Olize would ask the pertinent question: “The time is 9 o’ clock, do you know where your children are?” Back then in the ‘80s many parents could answer that question in the affirmative. But sad to say that as

“Africa does not need strong men. It needs strong institutions,” at today, many of their abandoned children have been swept off in the gathering gale of yahoo-yahoo criminality, drug abuse, prostitution, kidnapping for ransom, banditry and of course, the seemingly intractable BokoHaram insurgency!

Unfortunately, the sacred institution of religion that should act as the moral compass has its altar desecrated by greed-driven so called men of God. Many of them are more inclined to prosperity preaching and obnoxious lifestyles than the salvation of the human soul, back to the path of righteousness that leads to heaven.

Truth be told, these are also graphic symptoms of a failed leadership institution.

Unlike some four to five decades ago, when the government was there as a protective father-figure, that provided the citizenry with scholarship awards, free education and medical care, its descent to ineptitude and cluelessness have exacerbated sundry crimes. Equally troubling is the violation of the sacred element of Trust between the leaders and the led majority. So, where do we go from here?

Perhaps, we can learn from the hands of history about how to rebuild the trust between political leaders and citizens, that seems to have depreciated over the decades, not only in Nigeria but across many countries.

Incidentally, this was the topic of the inspiration given by Paddy Radcliffe in the UK in July, 2019. He launched a project to ‘build trustworthiness and trust in and between our public leaders, institutions and citizens’ in the UK. The campaign involves developing a set of principles that leaders can sign up to, backed up by public scrutiny over whether they then follow them.

According to Alan Hirsch: “Trust was lost in late 19th century USA due to corruption

and abuse of power in the public and private sectors and populism blossomed, but first progressivism and then the New Deal rebuilt trust.” This is similar to the Nigerian situation, isn’t it?

On her part, Annie Feighery explains that: “I would point to social cohesion as a primary factor from which trust in public institutions is a symptom. Poverty is the most common setting for both.

Building mechanisms of/for elasticity and fostering interpersonal cooperation consistently help both”. We can certainly gain from this.

For Jose Manuel Roche: “Plenty of good examples in Latin America of countries that were able to overcome political polarization – often the result of sweat and tears. How Democracies Die is full of historical examples.” Also, Samy Ahmar points to another book, “Why Nations Fail” as a useful reference. Said he: “It makes the distinction between extractive and inclusive institutions as a helpful key to explore how trust between citizens and their rulers is built and destroyed. It doesn’t cover political apathy and distrust in rich countries though.”

Our political leaders in Nigeria could borrow a fresh leaf from the pages of these bestsellers. But someone insinuated that many of them hardly read such instructive books!

Leaders willing to make the difference in rebuilding our battered institutions here in Nigeria, should learn from one of the most compelling examples of leadership in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible–Nehemiah. So what did Nehemiah do to lead his people in rebuilding not just the Jerusalem wall but institutions of governance? Predictably, the pragmatic believer stated that: “We prayed to our God, and set a guard as a protection against them day and night” (Neh. 4:9).

In fact, when threats against the wall-builders mounted, Nehemiah also stationed guards at key positions. He encouraged his people not to lose heart because of their opponents: “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and terrible, and fight for your kin, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes” (Neh. 4:14).

AYO OYOZEBAJE Baje is Nigerian first food technologist in the media and author of ‘DRUMBEATS OF DEMOCRACY’

His leadership involved delegation of parts of the wall-building project to a wide variety of people, including “Eliashib, the high priest and his fellow-priests” (Neh. 3:1).

Nehemiah was able to inspire collegiality and to organize the project effectively.

A closer instance on rebuilding institutions is available from Rwanda. The double assassination of former Rwanda’s president, Juvénal Habyarimana and Cyprien Ntaryamira, the Hutu president of Burundi on 6th April 1994, triggered the state-sponsored genocide of approximately 800,000 of Rwanda’s minority Tutsi population and moderate Hutus. The mass slaughter was carried out in 100 days!

The challenge of rebuilding a country in the aftermath of such pogrom was daunting. But Paul Kegame and his supporters have been able to do so based on ensuring justice for the families of the bereaved, fence-mending initiatives, youth empowerment and gender balancing for women in politics. All these are backed by well-respected laws.

Nigerians desire, and indeed deserve politicians who would place the national interests far above their greed-driven whims and caprices and leave noble legacies that would inspire the younger generation to greatness.

But to rebuild our battered institutions, we need politico-economic restructuring, scaling down the huge payment structure of political appointees and visionary, nationalistic leaders who are ready to sacrifice their resources for the good of the country.

In this new decade, are you ready to serve and not be served? That is the million-naira question waiting for credible answers. As Obama rightly noted, we need strong institutions, not strong men!

Quick Takes

Off the Cuff

N50 billion

Zero arrest during yuletide!

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n 2017, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) recorded the safest year with zero air accident in the country. It was a feat worth celebrating, as well as, sustaining.

Then, Muhtar Usman, the director-general of NCAA, said the feat was possible through improved safety in civil aviation; improvement in navigational aids; development of global strategies for safety in air transportation; maintenance of standards and recommended practices; and monitoring of safety trends and indicators.

In same vein, Bala Elkana, a deputy-superintendent of police, who is Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), announced last Friday that Lagos recorded zero arrest during the yuletide.

He went further to say that no arrests were reported from the Divisional Police Officers (DPO) across the state; hence, the celebrations went peacefully across the state.

Well, some Lagosians do not think that it is a feat, especially those who settled officers when they were caught in one offence or the other during the yuletide.

Again, many incidents were not reported because people are tired of criminal arrests and the stressful prosecution process. As one bar owner puts it, “Those bad boys were here

again. They drank, break bottles and refused to pay, but if you invite police, I will be spending and be at the risk of losing customers who may not like frequent strolling in by the police”.

A night club in downtown Lagos Island had it rough this time, but reporting it means no more customers as majority of the people who made trouble in the night club are ‘omo onile’. No business wants to lose customers, even prostitutes who harbor criminals after their ‘hard day’s’ job, even this yuletide.

A bus company, whose staff ran away with bulk money collected from passengers due to faulty POS this yuletide, did not report yet, rather it impounded a tricycle allegedly owned by the staff.

Going to the police, according to a staff, will cost more and we may not recover the money.

There are many cases that are not and will never be reported because the people are tired of the justice system, when the victim often becomes the accused.

Poverty is on the increase, so also crime. Criminals are still out there, just that they may be smarter now and people saving cost from reporting cases.

On the other hand, must we always expect that bad things should happen? If there was no arrest during the Yuletide, and granted that criminals went on holiday, security authorities should carry

out a research on why it was so rather than beating its chest over “no arrest” feat.

We must go beyond celebrating no arrest to celebrating closure of prisons because there are no longer criminals. Whereas some countries are shutting down their prisons, we are thinking about building more.

In 2013, 19 prisons were said to have been closed in the Netherlands because the country didn’t have enough criminals to fill them. At the time of that report, five more were slated to close their doors by the end of the summer. It got to a point that the country had to import 240 prisoners from Norway just to keep the facilities full.

So, we are waiting for a time when we would no longer celebrate “no arrest” but “criminal-free” state and prisons.

Although the Netherlands is a country with far-less a population than Nigeria, it will be interesting to understudy them on why crime rate is very low there.

A number of factors are said to underlie the Netherlands’ ability to keep its crime rate so low; namely, relaxed drug laws, a focus on rehabilitation over punishment, and an electronic ankle monitoring system that allows people to re-enter the workforce.

This is the amount the poultry industry in Nigeria is said to have saved since the commencement of the closure of the land border with neighbouring countries according to Eustace Iyayi, registrar and chief executive officer of the Nigeria Institute of Animal Science (NIAS).

BLUNT!

“To service this current level of indebtedness, we must commit at least 50 percent of our foreign earnings; such a situation tells about an impending bankruptcy because no entity can survive while devoting 50 percent of its revenue to debt servicing”.

- Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, lamenting the nation’s rising debt profile and moves by the current administration to secure a fresh $29.6 billion loan.

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