Businessday 06 may 2018

BDSUNDAY BUSINESS DAY

More than 120 multinationals have no functional MoU with Eleme people - Abbey

Efficient cost management increases Dangote Sugar’s Q1 PAT to N5bn

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Sunday 06 May 2018 Market & Commodities Monitor Brent Oil

5yr Bond

$74.85

0.30 13.25%

Gold

10yr Bond

US1,314.00

0.13 13.17%

Cocoa

US2,777.00

20yr Bond

-0.10 13.02%

Vol 1, No. 216 N300

Herdsmen killings:

‘2019 won and lost’ ... in Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, others

ZEBULON AGOMUO & CHUKS OLUIGBO

inside There’s stronger desire now for change of leadership than in 2015 – Chekwas Okorie

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n 2002 when he first went public with his House of Nigeria F.R.E.S.H., which eventually metamorphosed into Fresh Democratic Party, Chris Okotie, pastor, Household of God Church International Ministries, told the story of a certain man in an unnamed town who went to bed at night and while he slept, robbers broke into his home and carted away some of his belongings.

When he woke up in the morning, the man went straight to the palace of the ruler of the town and

You must rise to protect yourselves from these people; if you depend on the armed forces to protect you, you will all die

asked to have back his stolen belongings.

“When you came asking for my support to become the ruler of this town, you promised that you would watch over me and guarantee the safety of my life and property.

That was why I went to sleep thinking that you would be there watching over me,” the man told the ruler.

That the primary responsibility of government is to guarantee the security of lives and property of its citizens is a moot point. The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) explicitly states in Chapter 2, section 14, subsection 2(b), “The security and

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Challenges of health care delivery for all ages in Nigeria (5) p. 13

To say there is fight against corruption amounts to fooling ourselves - Uma Ukpai

L-R: Afolabi Oke, founder, Runway Jazz Fashion and Music Festival; Ibidunni Ighodalo, CEO, Avantgarde by ElizabethR; Dolapo Osinbajo, founder, Step Up Initiative and wife of the Vice President; Moji Bakare, general manager, Wealth Management and Financial Institutions, Sterling Bank Plc and Oke Maduewesi, CEO, Zaron Cosmetics, during the Runway Jazz Fashion Masterclass powered by Sterling Bank in Lagos...Friday.

5,000 Ekporo refugees return home after five years ...Eleme Council boss makes case for re-integration Godwin Egba, Port Harcourt

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t last, over 5,000 refugees displaced from Ekporo community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State by communal conflict,

can now sing the song of freedom, as they head back to their ancestral home after five years of sojourn in other places.

The Ekporos were sacked from their land five years ago, following a bloody communal conflict between them and their neighbours

from Ogu-bolo community in Rivers State.

Several conflict resolution mechanisms applied by all stakeholders, especially the general overseer of CommonWealth Church Intl, Moses Kattey, in Eleme and the

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IssueOfTheWeek The travail of Dino Melaye, senator in a stretcher James Kwen, Abuja

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he arraignment of Dino Melaye, a senator representing Kogi West senatorial district, on a stretcher in Abuja and Lokoja in a terrible health condition has raised question whether there is indeed respect for human life in the country.

Granted that the law stipulates that no one is above the law, but citizens should not be taken to court in precarious health.

Femi Falana, a human rights activist and senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) among many other Nigerians have condemned the development.

Falana said: “The arraignment of Senator Dino Melaye on a stretcher in Abuja and Lokoja is unacceptable in a civilised society. It is particularly degrading and humiliating as it violates the fundamental right to the dignity of his person guaranteed by Section 34 of the Constitution and Section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.”

Those who have followed Melaye’s challenges easily allege that what is happening to him was a carefully scripted plan to gag and demystify him.

Melaye has been in the eye of the storm following his unwavering support for Bukola Saraki, Senate president, whose emergence was against the zoning arrangement of their party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

His larger-than-life posturing may have pitted him against the powers that be.

While he is seen as an enemy of the Executive arm of government, he is also in a war of attrition with the governor of his state, Yahaya Bello, who is a die-hard supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari.

In fact, Governor Bello is reputed to have clinched the Kogi State power stool on the huge support of the President.

Melaye was also said to have stretched his support base very thin in the APC by taking on whosever that challenged Saraki. He once dared the National Leader of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, when he clashed with Senator Oluremi, Tinubu’s wife.

Sometime ago, Melaye alleged that assassins were sent to his house and he suspected his governor.

But in a twist of events, a group of armed youths were arrested and paraded by the police, and it was said that they made confessional statements that they were “working” for Melaye.

While the boys were put in jail in Kogi, some of them allegedly escaped; a development that raised the suspicion that it was masterminded by Melaye. The police consequently declared the senator wanted. He was accused of gun-running and dragged to court.

Before this time, the senator’s constituency in Kogi West was said to have grown tired of his alleged ineffective representation and decided to recall him.

Bags containing signatures of electorates from the senatorial district indicating their willingness to recall him were sent to the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Melaye had ran to court to stop the process. He

Melaye

was able to buy time for a moment, until the court ruled that the process could go ahead.

INEC had fixed verification of the signatures penultimate Saturday; at the end of the day, Melaye survived what some people described as an orchestrated plan to destroy him.

It was found that those who allegedly signed the signatures refused to come forward to identify themselves which fuelled suspicion in some quarters that the entire process was fraudulent and at best shambolic.

The Nigerian Police, in their bid to arrest Melaye and forcefully move him to Kogi to face prosecution over the allegation of gun-running, alleged that the senator tried to jump out of the moving van conveying him and seriously injuring himself in the process.

Although he is evidently ill and unable to walk, the police have continued to move him about in a stretcher to face judgment, a treatment that has continued to elicit wide condemnation.

His colleagues at the National Assembly are mortally shocked that such a treatment could be meted to a serving senator, and expressed concern over some perilous developments in the country.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, urged restraint and condemned the decision of the police to treat Melaye shabbily.

The botched recall exercise of Melaye, could be described as political defeat for Governor Bello and the ruling APC, the party under which he was elected.

Melaye is also accused by the highest echelon of the APC of being too critical of the party-led Federal Government and his too much attachment to the leadership of the Senate which emerged contrary to the plans of APC, a development that elicited calls for his im-

mediate sack through the recall exercise.

However, the Kogi West Senator triumphed as out of the 189,870 signatories to the petition for Melaye’s recall, only 18 ,742 were verified by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This number represents 5.3percent of the total number of registered voters in the senatorial district and therefore, did not satisfy the requirement of the law demanding a simple majority of the signatures of voters registered to vote in the constituency.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 in Section 69 provides for the recall of senators and members of the House of Representatives which requires that “a petition signed by more than half of the persons registered to vote in the member’s constituency, alleging that they have lost confidence in that member, be presented to the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission”.

Thereafter, “the petition is subjected to a referendum conducted by INEC and if it is approved by a simple majority of voters registered in that member’s constituency, the member stands recalled. In-between the presentation of the petition and referendum, a verification of the signatures of the petitioners is conducted by INEC. “For the verification to succeed, 50percent plus one of the registered voters in the constituency need to be verified. The provision for recall of legislators is based on the sovereignty of the people affirmed in Section 14 (2) (a) of the Constitution to wit; that Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through the constitution derives all its powers and authority.

Reports from the recall exercise revealed that there was a very low turnout and the constituents were not in any

mood to recall their senator as they were also unaware of the sins of Melaye that would have led to the commencement of the recall process, ab initio.

Eze Onyekpere of the Centre for Social Justice noted that the constituents simply stayed away and went about their normal routine business. Again, he alleged that the media reported “fictitious and forged signatures and names of dead persons affixed to the recall petition by its promoters.”

“The constitution does not anticipate or provide that signatures would be forged or the names of dead persons be inserted in a petition to recall a serving senator. It is imperative to state that forgery is a criminal offence for which the offenders should face stiff penalties and sanction.

“It is the expectation that the police and INEC should proceed with the same rigour and vigour with which they moved to recall the senator and go after the culprits who forged the signatures and bring them to book.

“For constituents to lose confidence in a legislator, there must have been some misdeeds or offences committed by the legislator. Maybe, they mismanaged constituency project money and converted the same to their personal use. Or they have committed a grievous offence known to the law.

“Alternatively, they sleep in the chambers of the Senate and fail to bring up issues of importance to the constituency in the Senate. Also, the member has been docile without sponsoring appropriate bills and motions.

“None of these could be attributed to Dino Melaye in his representation of his people. I do not want to believe that people can make up their mind to recall a legislator for the fun of it to justify the number of petitioners who started the process.

Onyekpere wondered if it was possible for about 95percent of the persons who signed up for Melaye’s recall to change their mind at the same time, which he said would be magical and so drastic, and would not have been the case in the logical and natural sequence of human action?

He said that there must be a limit to the misuse of executive and state powers to prove a point which has nothing to do with the interest of the people as recalling a senator is not a tea party and that the Kogi drama should serve as a lesson to those who want to have their way through forgery.

Reacting to the outcome of the futile exercise, Melaye through his media aide, Gideon Ayodele, described it as victory for democracy, the reflection of the will of people of Kogi West and the entire state which will further spur him to continue to provide purposeful representation and attract dividends of democracy to them.

“Despite his current travails, his inability to mobilise his constituents and also deploy agents to monitor the signature verification exercise, countless number of supporters volunteered to do it without minding the associated risks posed by the Kogi State Government,” Ayodele said.

Monday 07 May 2018

BUSINESS DAY

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Herdsmen killings: ‘2019 won and lost’...

Continued from Page 1 welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” When a government fails in this primary duty, of what use, then, is that government? And what right has that government, or the party it represents, to go out to ask for the citizens’ votes in the next elections?

This is even more so for the President Muhammadu Buhari administration which made security one of the three cardinal anchors of its campaign during the 2015 general election. When he took office on May 29, 2015, Buhari reiterated his determination to tackle insecurity as well as myriad other problems confronting the country when he said, “Insecurity, pervasive corruption, the hitherto unending and seemingly impossible fuel and power shortages are the immediate concerns. We are going to tackle them head on. Nigerians will not regret that they have entrusted national responsibility to us.”

The reality, however, is that many Nigerians, particularly citizens and residents of Nigeria’s north-central states of Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and Plateau – as well as down south up to Enugu, Delta, Edo, Ondo and Ekiti – are today biting their fingers in regret that they ever gave their votes to a government that has not only failed to secure their lives and property but has also continued to look the other way while they are mowed down by so-called Fulani herdsmen.

Even though staunch supporters of the Buhari administration, especially members of his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), continue to tout the administration’s so-called achievements in the area of security, the word on the street is that the present government has failed abysmally on that score. Whatever little the government has achieved in the area of fight against Boko Haram insurgency has been eroded by its failure or reluctance to tackle the menace of the rampaging, blood-thirsty Fulani herdsmen who have turned the Middle Belt into killing fields.

Many prominent Nigerians, including Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former military President Ibrahim Babangida, Emeritus Archbishop of Lagos Catholic Archdiocese Anthony Cardinal Okogie, and a host of others have been drawing attention to the killings in the Middle Belt and the Buhari administration’s apparent reluctance to put a stop to the carnage. Indeed, the government’s lackadaisical response to the killings has fuelled suspicion that the marauders are acting out a script that either has the president’s imprimatur or tacit support.

Only on March 24, at the maiden convocation ceremony of Taraba State University in Jalingo, the state capital, Theophilus Danjuma, a former minister of defence, called on Nigerians to rise and defend themselves against attacks by marauding herdsmen or continue to suffer casualties.

“You must rise to protect yourselves from these people; if you depend on the armed forces to protect you, you will all die. I ask all of you to be on the alert and defend your country, defend your state,” Danjuma said.

He accused the military authorities of complicity in the violent killings, which he tagged “ethnic cleansing”, warning that the killings “must stop now otherwise Somalia will be a child’s play”.

To be fair, the killings in the Middle Belt had been going on before Buhari assumed power in May 2015. In a January 5, 2015 article in

BusinessDay, Obadiah Mailafia, a former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), painted a gory picture of what he termed “the silent holocaust in the Middle Belt”, “a silent war against an unarmed and defenceless people”.

At a time the world’s attention was focused on the deadly Boko Haram insurgency mostly in the northeast states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, Mailafia drew attention to an ongoing “equally pernicious and deadly holocaust...in the Middle Belt; in the ancestral savannah of Adamawa, Plateau, Taraba, Southern Kaduna, Nasarawa and Benue”, much of which, he said, went unreported.

“The term ‘Fulani marauders’ has been used to describe these invisible hordes. In reality, they are highly sophisticated and well-armed mercenaries, most of them from neighbouring countries. They kill and maim without mercy; highly mobile bandits who move about in the bushes, lurking to pounce upon their victims in the primeval darkness like bloodthirsty hounds,” Mailafia wrote.

“Ambush and surprise are their stock-intrade. They specialise in dawn raids, moving with speed; a guerrilla army without a clear political cause other than Jihad and mayhem. Once they descend upon a village, they would first torch it with petrol and fire; as children and women scamper out, they would then descend upon them with guns, bayonets and swords; a people devoid of mercy or humanity,” he said.

The unrestrained killing spree has, however, intensified since May 2015 when President Buhari assumed office. Ever since then, there have been almost daily tales of one coordinated attack after another, each with high casualty rate, massive devastation of farmlands and displacement of the people in their thousands in the affected states. The recent decision of the killers to invade worship centres may have added a dangerous and frightening dimension to an already bad situation.

That these attacks have continued un-

abated is a big issue in itself. However, it is the government’s half-hearted or utter lack of response to the killings that has been the major bone of contention. Despite the appeals made to Buhari and the security apparatchik to halt the orgy of killings in Benue in particular and rein in the perpetrators, the situation is rather degenerating and nobody, none of those saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property, has been sanctioned for failure to do what they were supposed to do.

Governor Samuel Orton of Benue State has exhausted his strength appealing to Abuja to rise to its responsibility. The National Assembly has screamed blue murder over the senseless killings in the North-Central and the lacklustre response of the government towards stemming the ugly tide. But all these seem to have fallen on deaf ears, with the government and its officials constantly changing the narrative to further compound the issues.

Ayo Opadokun, a pro-democracy activist and former secretary of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), who spoke with BDSUNDAY recently, expressed serious concern over the deafening silence from the Federal Government in the midst of widespread killings.

“I never imagined that it will come in my life time that the Nigerian security and intelligence will fail abysmally and will pretentiously not to be able to deter herdsmen from killing and exterminating communities from their land and taking over their land and the Nigerian state has failed to be able to stop it and stamp it out completely in spite of the loud promises made by President Buhari,” Opadokun lamented.

Opadokun, who said he invested his time and resources in 2015 into the campaign to bring the APC government on board, wondered why the Nigerian presidency had consciously attracted so much distrust to itself, with the defence minister, internal affairs minister and Inspector-General of

Police claiming that the events in Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa and Adamawa were communal clashes.

“Ordinarily, if there is sense of justice, equity and fairness; in this age, if there was nothing behind it; if there was nothing more to it; if there were no personal interests residing in the Nigerian security and intelligence and the presidency, all those ones ought to have been retired immediately to assure Nigerians that we are still together,” Opadokun said.

“But come to think of it, how will that happen when you have a Nigerian security council where the president who presides over is from Katsina; the director of state security is from Katsina, and you also now have the newly appointed director-general of National Intelligence Agency also from Katsina. With all these, how can other people from other parts of the country be assured that they are safe?” he queried.

But while the Buhari administration has more or less treated the killings as a featherweight issue, the president has preferred to concentrate on his 2019 re-election bid.

Barely two weeks ago, for instance, while the people of Benue State mourned the early morning killing of about 20 worshippers, including two Catholic priests, at St. Ignatius Quasi Parish, Ukpor, Mbalom in Gwer West Local Government Area of the state, by herdsmen on Tuesday, April 25, Buhari was busy at the Presidential Villa, Abuja meeting with state governors elected on the platform of APC specifically to get them work towards the emergence of Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State, as the party’s next national chairman.

Oshiomhole is believed to have the clout to mobilise massive support for Buhari in the 2019 presidential election.

Two days later, Buhari was also in Bauchi State ostensibly to commission some projects, but also to campaign for votes in 2019.

Political analysts, however, say that in saner climes, the 2019 general election would have been won and lost on the back of the unbridled massacres across the country. They argue that the heightened insecurity across the country, especially the killings in the north-central states, is enough to dislodge any government in any part of the world and stop it from seeking a second term.

While admitting that it is the APC’s right to aspire to continue to rule, and it is President Buhari’s right as a citizen to seek a second term in office, they add that it is also the electorates’ rights to say ‘Never Again’!

The analysts believe that indigenes of Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Plateau and other affected states, as well as the generality of Nigerians, have in their hands the instrument with which to effect a change in 2019.

“A government that has not been able to perform the least of its responsibility, which is protecting lives and property, but is busying itself campaigning for a return can only be said to be insensitive and has lost the true meaning and essence of leadership,” a political analyst, who does not want his name in print, told BDSUNDAY. “In saner climes, the party in power would have no chance of returning. The electorates in the north-central states of Benue, Taraba, Plateau and Nasarawa would have stopped their ears from hearing any campaign jingle from the ruling party, and Nigerians in other parts of the country would have toed the same line in sympathy with the Middle Belt people,” the analyst said.

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There’s stronger desire now for change of leadership than in 2015 – Chekwas Okorie The national chairman of the United Progressives Party (UPP), Chekwas Okorie, in this short interview, told ZEBULON AGOMUO, Editor that it is not likely that Nigerians will vote for President Muhammadu Buhari again on account of alleged poor performance and widespread killings in the country. According to him, the quest for change of leadership is stronger now than it was in 2015 against former president Goodluck Jonathan.

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May we know your take on the state of the Nigerian nation at the moment? ell, the truth is that the state of the nation at the moment is nothing that gives anybody hope or cheer but something that evokes fear of an impending anarchy.

This is because of the narrow-minded and sectional attitude of the present leadership. Everything is going wrong. All we see is government’s slow pace in executing projects; a government that is skewed towards one section of the country and religion. It has never been so bad. The country is today more divided along ethnic, religion and regional lines than the time of Lord Luggard. This does not give anybody any sense of patriotism as a citizen. And that is why all hands must be on deck to redeem our country from the brink.

Critics say that the government has been very ineffective, coupled with the massive killings across the country and that it could lose 2019 election on such planks; do you foresee that happening?

As a matter of fact, the average Nigerian will not vote for President Buhari to return to power, by extension the APC as a political party across the country. And they have somehow made political opponents to try to form coalition. And I am sure they are aware of it. So in order to seek to return by all means, they have started hounding political opponents, trying to intimidate and using coercion leading to a kind of gestapo arrangements we see all over the place. But that will not save them.

In 2015, there was this kind of desire for change of leadership and if anybody knew that what was going to come in place of that leadership would be what we are seeing now, I am sure Nigerians would have had a change of mind. I tell you, there is even a stronger desire now for a change of leadership. The truth is that it was only

Okorie

President Muhammadu Buhari that was a sole candidate from the Northern part of the country at that time, whereas Jonathan had other contenders from the south. Even at that the margin between Buhari’s votes and that of Jonathan was not so much, barely 2.5million votes according to INEC result which could have been easily written off had it been that the South East voted enthusiastically, if not that they voted with their back side and many didn’t vote at all because they were angry that President Jonathan took them for granted and they didn’t want to vote for Buhari either. So, it was that apathy so to say that brought Buhari into power. Now, with the minimum

of four presidential candidates that are going to be credible coming from the north this time around, out of the four, three of them are going to be Fulani. We are already aware of that. Fulani is not even the majority tribe in Nigeria.

There is nothing like Buhari magic here.

Now that the Middle Belt has practically joined the south in the quest for restructuring and devolution of power, you can no longer say that that monolithic north still exists. So, Buhari will no longer be a sole candidate from that part of the country.

Down south here, as a result of the anger and the feeling of marginalisation by the Buhari administration, election in 2019

is not likely going to follow the pattern it did in 2015. So, I don’t see the possibility of the APC coming back to power in a straight fight even though he still enjoys the advantage of incumbency. But with the coalition arrangement that is being talked about, I don’t see Buhari coming back, at worst, we may have a run-off election as we have been having in some parts of Africa in the recent times. Runoff elections have become something that is in vogue that allow for coalition governments. These coalition governments are usually more stable than this one party thing lording it over everybody.

What are you up to now?

You know I am leading UPP. First of all we have zoned our presidential slot to the South East geo-political zone of the country. Our convention was held on June 29, 2017; having done that we are still hopeful of joining a coalition that will be of benefit to the party and the nation. We have not closed shop to say we are going one way or the other. So, discussions are ongoing.

All kinds of permutations are flying here and there. I may not be able to at this point disclose some discussions that have reached advanced stage, buy by end of July entering August when parties will be rolling out their timetable for primary elections, relationships and collaborative efforts will begin to manifest. We are quite receptive to coalition.

Are you looking towards the Obasanjomidwifed coalition?

We are open to any coalition; the only no-go area is the APC as far as we are concerned. We would surely go into a coalition if we discuss the terms and the prospects look attractive then we would consider it because even the one Obasanjo suggested is not yet a political party, but still looking around; the Agbakoba’s NIM is also not a political party but is still looking for a party to anchor, and we are keenly watching.

Osun 2018: APC leaders in west senatorial district insist on zoning of guber ticket …Aregbesola says party will conduct primaries for all aspirants BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA, Osogbo

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ll notable leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Osun West Senatorial District may have unanimously agreed to demand the governorship ticket of the party.

A pointer to this was witnessed recently during the Federal Constituency visits embarked upon by Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his team, obviously to give account of his stewardship and canvass support for APC emergence in the governorship battle.

The West Senatorial District of Osun Sate comprises 10 local government areas and harbours three out of the 9 biggest towns in the state.

The last and only time the senatorial district produced governor for the state was when the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke was elected the first governor of the state in 1992 on the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Since the return of democracy in 1999, Osun Central has produced two governors in succession in Bisi Akande and Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

The incumbent governor, Rauf Aregbesola hails from Ilesa, a town in Osun East Senatorial District.

In Ede, the headquarters of Ede/Ejigbo/ Egbedore Federal Constituency, supporters of the ruling party practically changed APC slogan to reflect their resolve to have the governorship ticket of the party zoned to West Senatorial District.

Also, during a similar event held at Ayedaade High School, Ikire, all leaders of the party that spoke to newsmen and addressed the gathering made specific demands for the governorship ticket of APC to be given to

politician from the West Senatorial District.

While addressing party supporters in Ede and Ikire during his separate visits to the towns, Governor Aregbesola did not mince word on the resolve of the party to conduct party for all aspirants seeking APC ticket.

He said the APC is still geared towards touching the lives of the masses in the state through purposeful government, explaining that the only way to ensure that Osun continues to enjoy steady growth and development is by allowing the party to continue ruling the state.

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Senate condemns alleged illegal retrenchment in MDAs OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja

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he Senate has passed a resolution condemning what it called spate of illegal retrenchments in Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).

This followed the adoption of the report of its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of such illegal retrenchments.

Particularly, the Senate ordered the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) to reinstate its General Manager (Audit and Compliance), Maryam Danna Mohammed, earlier disengaged on June 10, 2016

by the company.

Rebuking the NDPHC for wrongful termination of appointment, the Senate also directed NDPHC to pay all

her entitlements.

It would be recalled that on November 23, 2017, relying on Order 41 of the Senate Standing Orders, Baba Kaka

Gabai (APC, Borno) drew the attention of the Senate to a petition from his constituent, Mohammed, against the NDPHC for wrongful termination of her appointment and urged his colleagues to look into the matter.

Presenting his report, Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Samuel Anyawu observed that prior to her disengagement, there was no meeting presided over by the Chairman of the Board, Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo or any other member of the Board of the NDPHC where the decision to disengage her was taken.

“That the disengagement of the officer along with the Executive Management and Executive Directors of

NDPHC was out of order because due process in accordance with terms and conditions of the employment and disengagement of officers in the company was not followed,” he said.

“That the officer was not accused of any offence, or queried or suspended prior to her disengagement.

“That the Senate hereby mandates the NDPHC to reinstate Mrs. Maryam Danna Mohammed and pay all her entitlements because her disengagement did not follow due process,’’ he further said.

Mohammed had disclosed in her petition that throughout her 26 years in service, she had never been found wanting in the discharge of her duties or involved in any

form of misconduct.

She noted that she was shocked to receive a letter dated June 10, 2016 with Ref. No. SGF.55/5.4/52 signed by the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal notifying her of her disengagement from service.

According to her, the termination was said to have been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, just as she was directed to hand over to the next most senior officer in her department when her position was not appointive but attained by growing through the ranks.

She submitted that her disengagement was discriminatory, unfair and did not follow due process.

Middle Belt, Southern leaders condemn deterioration in governance Ecuadorian ambassador commends OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja

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eaders of the South and Middle Belt have condemned the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Executive for it flagrant disregard for the legislative arm of government.

The leaders drawn from the four geopolitical zones of the South-South, South East, South West and Middle Belt condemned what they called gross deterioration in governance resulting in endless spate of killings, disregard for rule of law and contempt for the legislature.

They also sought the immediate approval of the much canvassed restructuring of government.

This development comes as Senate president, Bukola Saraki, expressed concerns about the economic consequences of the increasing abuse of the concept of Rule of Law by agents of the executive arm of government.

Saraki said the effort to attract foreign investment by the Federal Government would never yield fruits in the face of ceaseless abuse of due process and rule of law.

The leaders stated this on Thursday in Abuja when a high level delegation of group led by Edwin Clark visited the leadership of the Senate.

Speaking on behalf of the body, the president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Nnia Nwodo, said the recent invasion of the Senate by thugs that forcefully snatch

the mace of the Red Chamber and the refusal of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to honour the summons of the Senate were clear examples of the Executive’s disregard for the institution of the National Assembly.

Nwodo noted the decline in the economy as a result of serious disorders in the functioning of government.

“We have come at a time when our economic stability is in serious decline. Today our international debt is perhaps one of the highest as adjudged by the IMF. Our domestic debt is high and growing by the day. Our subsidy indebtedness is something that has defied solution and transparency,” he said.

He said a restructured Nigeria anchored on devolution

of power and functional fiscal federalism was the only way out of the crises bedevilling the nation.

He said the way out for the country was for the National Assembly to effect devolution of powers through constitution amendment.

According to Nwodo, systemic dysfunction is the worst of all the problems confronting the country and in fact, the precursor of most of the crises in the land .Our problems emanate from the constitution being presently run in the country as against the ones operated between 1954 and 1966 which gave room for decentralised federation with attendant development- driven or healthy rivalries among the federating units.

PDP leaders beg Mimiko not to leave party YOMI AYELESO, Akure

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eaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State have pleaded with the former governor of the state, Olusegun Mimiko, not to dump the party for Labour Party.

However, they said that if he turned down their pleas, they would not follow him and this may spell political doom. Chieftains of the party from the former governor’s Ondo Central Senatorial district met in ldanre area of the state to plead and warn him of the dangers ahead if he dumped the party and returned to Labour Party.

Speculations have it that Mimiko is planning to return to the party on which platform he became governor in 2009 and served two terms.

The former governor was

said to have been angered by the manner the South West was schemed out of the chairmanship of the party during the last National convention.

He was said to have not been comfortable with the domineering nature of the governors of Ekiti and Rivers states, Ayo Fayose and Nysome Wike respectively.

Mimiko, according to sources, has met with some of his aides, former members of his executive, chairmen and members of boards and parastaltals and other political office holders on their return to Labour Party.

While he is still consulting, major stakeholders in the state and party rose from the ldanre meeting and advised him to have a rethink.

His former Chief of Staff, Kola Ademujimi, former Ambassador to Australia, Olu Agbi, former state chairman

of the party, Tayo Dairo and his former lnformation Commissioner, Kayode Akinmade, said talks were on to persuade Mimiko not

to abandon the party but to remain in order to lead it in regaining power from the failed APC administration in the state.

free ICT training initiative for women Jumoke Akiyode-Lawanson

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he outgoing Ambassador for Ecuador in Nigeria, Leopoldo Rovayo has commended the effort of Elbativeni Foundation to provide free Information Communication Technology (ICT) training to 20 ladies in Nigeria for six months.

The Ambassador has also lent the full support of the Embassy to the ICT training initiative that empowers Nigerian/African women by developing their skills in digital marketing, apps development, graphics and other technologies.

Elbativeni Foundation launched its ICT training program at the last edition of ‘The Generation Next Youth Empowerment Summit’ organised by the Foundation in collaboration with the embassy of Ecuador in Nigeria, the Nigerian Com-

Babatunde Savage presenting gift to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare 11 in his palace during the unveiling of Royal Kingdom Premium Lager Beer.

Leopoldo Rovayo

munication’s Commission (NCC), Nanet Hotels and other partners.

The Ecuadorian ambassador, who visited with his wife Lucia Rovayo, said: “In 2015 I took the challenge to open a new embassy here and I really have enjoyed working in Nigeria as I have learnt a lot from Nigeria and from Africa. I am very sensitive to all the social issues and I have tried in my two and half years to find reliable partners to do something for Nigerian people and that is how we found Elbativeni Foundation.”

“So for the Embassy it’s a pleasure to support this cause and the foundation can use our facility while we are not working on Saturdays. I have requested my government for a new representative as I know that Nigerian government takes four months to give the agreement and part of my recommendation is that they continue this partnership with the foundation,” Rovayo said.

He urged the participants to utilise the opportunity to reinvent themselves to become useful to their immediate families and the society at large.

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News Abia govt to partner Chinese firm, Geometric to boost power in Enyimba Economic City UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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bia State government has said that it was set to partner the Geometric Power Plant and a Chinese firm, Ruyi Holding Group to ensure reliable power supply for the Enyimba Economic City and Abia State in general.

Ude Oko Chukwu, acting governor of Abia State, while speaking during a meeting with Geometric, Ruyi Group and the Enyimba Economic City Development Company Plc at the premises of Geometric Power Plant, Osisioma, assured that the government would partner with them and do everything to ensure that the project was realised.

According to him, the state would provide the enabling environment, including infrastructure such as good roads to drive the project which he said was very critical to the state.

While assuring the Chinese investors of their safety, the Ag Governor disclosed that Abia was the safest state in the country and noted that development could only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and security.

He expressed the optimism that job opportunities would be created for Abia youths once the project was completed.

Oyo LG poll: Your threat to disobey court order contemptuous, tantamount to undermining judiciary - APC faction warns OYSIEC

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Akinremi Feyisipo, Ibadan

he Unity Forum, a group within the camp of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, has warned the state Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) not to go ahead with the proposed local government election billed to take place on Saturday, May 12th 2018 as a result of the ruling by a Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan

A Federal High Court 2 sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Wednesday under the leadership of Justice Joyce Abdul-Malik in a brief ruling on the motion, granted the prayers of some aggrieved members of the APC from Ibarapa East Local Government Area, restraining OYSIEC from conducting election into the newly created wards pending the determination of the substantive suit.

H o w e v e r, O Y S I E C through a statement on Wednesday signed by Cosmos Oni, its Media Officer,

while reacting to the court order, however said that no amount of injunctions can stop the commission from conducting the election.

But APC Unity Forum, while reacting in a statement signed by its Secretary and former Chairman, Caretaker Committee in Ibadan North West Local Government Area, Wasiu Olatunbosun, warned the commission of the consequences of such attempt which he said “could be tantamount to undermining the authority of the judiciary, which in itself is

ment, “this provision is contrary to section 5 of the constitution which gave adjudicatory powers to the court.

Any provision which tend to oust the powers of the court, especially state law, which is inferior to the constitution, the ground norm, shall to the extent of its inconsistency, be null and void, and is of no effect. This is trite.

Olatunbosun added that the “Ajimobi administration twice postponed the said election due to court injunctions.”

Echoes of hope as Anamero foundation fetes Edo North PwDs Obinna Emelike

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Abiola Ajimobi, Governor of Oyo State, his wife, Florence and the widow of the late Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Abosede Adeyemo during the funeral service held for Rt. Hon. Michael Adeyemo at New Park, Lanlate area of the state .

BUSICON App Challenge hunts for ICT talents

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n a bid to encourage the youths to redirect the energies in productive ventures, BUSICON Nigeria Limited, an indigenous IT firm with over 33 years existence, has initiated a youth development contest tagged, ‘The App Challenge’. The contest is already open and winner will take home N1 million aside other benefits that are accrued from the project.

It is a solution driven contest that allows enthusiastic youth come up with fantastic ideas, which will be in form of solutions to prevalent challenges in the business terrain.

Would-be contestants are required to write their ideas on designated page or website, which will be sieved and successful applications picked for participation in the competition.

As the project advances, contestants will be invited to defend their ideas and show the workability of such indigenous proposal, while a winner will be announced at the end of the rigorous task this June.

contemptuous”.

Olatunbosunaffirmedthat “There was no place in logical or legal reasoning that places state laws over the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

Olatunbosun said: “The Unity Forum of APC has condemned the state government and Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) over a statement credited to the commission that no court judgment can stop the forthcoming election.”

According to the state-

R-L: Abdulwasi Musa, deputy speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly; Abiola Ajimobi, Governor of Oyo State and his wife, Florence during the special session held for the late Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Michael Adeyemo at the House of Assembly Complex in Ibadan.

Zoning breeds mediocrity – Abia SDP chairman UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia.

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hidi Nwosu, chairman, Abia State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has said that the party did not believe in zoning system as the formula breeds mediocrity.

Nwosu, who made the observation in Umuahia during the formal kick off of registration and drive for new members in the state, said that the SDP would field a candidate for the governorship position who is com-

petent irrespective of where the person comes from but can deliver dividends of democracy to Abians.

He said that the surge into SDP was unprecedented.

“SDP is an existing party but now has a new order. It has features of followership and it is a resonance of old order and it is accommodating. People have seen SDP as their savior,” said Nwosu.

The SDP boss said that he party was out to liberate Abians by wresting power from PDP in the state.

“Our motto is social justice. We are going to provide

justice to Abians,” he further said.

He said that past leaders of the state failed to provide economic activities in the state by not resuscitating moribund industries scattered in Aba and Umuahia.

On why he left APC for SDP, Nwosu said he did not see the drive in APC, hence, he left to join SDP which he described as a peopleoriented party.

He called on Abians from the 17 Local Government Areas of the state to “come and collect their membership cards”.

n furtherance of its empowerment drive, the Anamero Idofe Anamero Foundation celebrated recently with the Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in Afemai, Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State, an event meant to at inspiring, empowering and improving their conditions.

At the event, the foundation gave wheelchairs to some PwDs drawn from the six Local Government Areas that form the district with a promise to sustain the gesture.

The facilities were presented at the programme where industrialists, members of the civil society, political office holders and religious leaders inspired PwDs to think beyond their challenges. They encouraged them to go for their dreams as they have the capacity to attain any height despite their conditions.

Relating the success story of Nicholas Vujicic, who has impacted the world despite being born without limbs, Anamero Dekeri, founder of the foundation, told the beneficiaries that, “It is only your thinking capacity that can limit your success in life”.

Speaking at an event held in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area, Dekeri further charged the PwDs that, “There is nothing you cannot achieve if you are determined in life. Disability is a thing of the mind. Physical disability cannot stop anybody that has made up his or her mind to achieve greatness. The story of Vujicic has shown that there is no limit to what human beings can achieve no matter their physical state. It also proves that there is, indeed, ability in disability.”

Dekeri, a successful entrepreneur who started business as a cocoa/ker-

nel merchant at 18 years, said the event was a way of demonstrating the life of Jesus Christ whose sacrificial death Easter represents. He called for equal opportunities for all members of the society irrespective of their physical conditions.

“The foundation is committed to putting smiles on the faces of the less privileged in the society. It is our hope that the wheelchairs will make life easier for the beneficiaries and help them to compete for socio-economic opportunities,” he said.

Dekeri, at South Ibie Day, another event held in Etasko West during Easter where he described himself as quality education ambassador, gave scholarship to 10 students.

Ifedayo Eshieshi, a chieftain of the Edo State Chapter of All Progressives Congress, commended Dekeri for associating with PwDs, saying the world is taking note of his humanitarian services.

“The foundation has built town halls for several communities, rehabilitated roads, built several bridges, sunk dozens of boreholes, given scholarships to hundreds of students among several other projects since 2012 when it was founded. But Dekeri himself has been involved in humanitarian services since early 1990s when he was still very young. He started annual distribution of 200,000 exercise books to public school pupils in Edo North several years before the foundation was established. Edo is fortunate to have him as a son”, the APC chieftain said.

Andrew Sylvester, leader of PwDs in Okpella, who the foundation had earlier assisted to procure equipment for shoe-making, commended the organisation for identifying with them. He said the wheelchairs would go a long way in improving their lives.

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More than 120 multinationals have no functional MoU with Eleme people - Abbey Godwin Egba,Port-Harcourt

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he President General of O-EL-A obor Eleme General Assembly – apex socio – cultural organisation worldwide, Israel Abbey, says the benefits of the Corporate Social Responsibility (C S R) of over 120 multinational companies on Eleme land, as regards job/business opportunities and other socioeconomic benefits still elude his people.

Abbey adds that the Eleme industrial cluster host community is thirsting for portable water, internal road network, electricity, medical services and sustainable employment opportunities for ten Eleme communities which are hosts to the said companies.

Abbey was speaking at a recent Eleme peace and unity concert organised by the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (P M A N), Eleme unit. He notes that denial of C S R rights from the companies informs why youths of the various communities sometimes carry out agitations against those companies.

Abbey, who is more spe-

cific about multinational companies operating in the Onne Oil and Gas free Zone says hitherto, Eleme was not considered as a co–host community to the free zone until he took up the matter with the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Onne, being the land lord to the free zone.

He discloses that now Eleme community has been considered as a co–host community with its neighbouring communities such as Ogu and Okrika to the free zone to start getting what accrues to the Eleme people, especially the youth, through implementation of workable CSR by the companies operating there.

Also in his speech at the PMAN occasion, the Care – Taker – Committee (C.T.C) chairman of Eleme local government Area, Godwin Abbey – Oloo, says, “What Eleme needs most now is peace and unity in tune with the PMAN’s concert tittle “Peace and Unity”, assuring that the council would stand shoulder to shoulder with the music organisation with budding professional artists.

He envisioned that the Eleme chapter of PMAN as an incubator of professionals, would attain international standard that would create multi million naira job open-

ings for the younger generation of Eleme and Nigeria at large. He however advises those already on track to avoid the pull the down syndrome, and also to shun hard drugs, commonly associated with the music industry.

His parting message, “ Concentrate on development of your music career, that would promote peace and unity in Eleme that has become an attractive business haven to the international community because drugs are products of violence and criminality that destroys socio – economic development in our society”.

Also in her speech, the ElemePoliceAreaCommander, Betty Otumenyin, representedbysuperintendentofpolice (SP) Tare Akpoyibo, encourages the PMAN body to cultivate and promote peace and unity in Eleme land.

Otumenyin also appeals to parents in the land to take an interest in the company their children keep and their social life, so as to guide against drugs, criminality and violence. She notes that,” violence destroys but peace is priceless. Our primary duty as Nigeria police Command in Eleme is to ensure that security and peace will not elude the people and the business community.”

Angela Okorie, Ogus Baba, Osita Iheme blow fake whistle in Professor Johnbull

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ake whistle blowing by the trio of Nje (Angela Okorie), Samson (Ogus Baba) and Jeroboam, aka Boam (Osita Iheme) is one of the major highlights of this week’s episode of Glo-sponsored TV drama series, Professor Johnbull which dissects the issue of whistle blowing, one of the essential elements of Federal Government’santi-corruption crusade.

Viewers will see how finan-

state in general to settle the protracted disputes over land boundary met a brick wall.

But relief has come, as the new CaretakerCommittee (CTC) chairman of Eleme Local Government Area Council, Godwin Abey-Oloo, and other peacemakers from his domain secured the listening ears of the State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who promptly brokered peace between the two communities.

Abbey-Oloo disclosed the cheery news to his people during the May Day celebration by the

Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Eleme Local Government chapter. He said confidence building between the two local government authorities had begun and that in matter of weeks, the displaced Ekporo people would begin the journey back to their home.

Abey-Oloo commended the union’s leadership and the entire workers, saying their co-operation strengthened him to achieve the mandate given to him by Governor Wike, which included prompt payment of workers’ salaries, security of lives and property and environmen-

tal sanitation, among others.

Earlier in his address, the chairman of NULGE Eleme council chapter, Mimi Gospel, announced a special award of Good Governance and Leadership Quality to the CTC chairman, attesting that he (Chairman) has kept to his mandate since assumption of office.

Gospel noted that, “considering the interim nature of the government, the chairman and his members, administrative head and directors swung into action soon after their inauguration and within a few days, their efforts began to bear fruit which necessitated the award”.

Gospel, who congratulated the chairman for providing infrastructure to the staff, as well as for prompt payment of staff salaries and welfare and improving on Internal Revenue Generation (IRG) also appealed to him over the completion of remaining renovation projects started by his predecessor, Obarillor-mate Ol-

blowing be an avenue to lie?

Should the crusade be used as an avenue to shoot down perceived political enemies? Is there any correlation between the physical size of a person and his or her wellbeing? What are the consequences of raising false alarm?

The programme, which comes up on Sunday on DSTV Africa Magic Family and GOTV Channel 2 at 6.00pm, will also be aired on Thursday at 9.30 p.m. on the cable TV channels.

Viewers can also watch Professor Johnbull on NTA Network, NTA International on DSTV channel 251 and NTA on StarTimes at 8.30 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday, while Anambra Broadcasting Service will broadcast it at 8.30p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday.

Joe Okei Odumakin, Pres. Women Arise and Campaign for Democracy; Ayo Oyoze Baje, Author and Natasha Akpoti, founder, builders Hub Foundation) both winners of The Torch Bearer Of The Nigerian Project Award at the launch of ‘Drumbeats Of Democracy’ at NIJ, Ogba, Lagos.

5,000 Ekporo refugees return home after five years Continued from page 1

cial gains propel Samson, Nje and Jeroboam to blow false whistle and the consequence of such action.

The social satire, in the new episode titled Trumpet Blowers, urges Nigerians to regard the campaign as a noble and patriotic means of recovering looted fund and not a profit making venture.

Cautioningpotentialwhistle blowers, Kanayo O. Kanayo (Professor Johnbull) advises them to avoid passing wrong information to the authorities, adding that such act attracts punishment from the law.

“Be discerning and blow whistle with genuine interest,” he said.

Trumpet Blowers which expatiates on the details of whistle blowing will provide answers to the following pertinent questions: Should whistle

lor, which include renovation of the Union Hall which doubles as worship centre for the staff, payment of establishment exams 2013/2014 session till date and furnishing of union office.

The CTC Chairman responded that the union’s request had been approved by the Governor for immediate execution, while commending him (Wike) for carrying Eleme along in the areas of people’s projects he lined up, including the full renovation of General Hospital, Government Secondary School Onne, dualisation of Akpajo-Eleme road, and the flagging-off of Agbonchia road, among others.

Abey-Oloo had earlier declared to the workers that his administration would be anchored on transparency, accountability, peace and prosperity, assuring that there would be smooth and productive relationship between them and political appointees, so as to achieve the goals and objectives of the government.

Anne Foundation donates uniform, exercise books to Abia pupils UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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non-governmental organisation ( N G O ) , Da m e Anne Foundation, has donated school uniforms and exercise books to pupils of Amapu Awomukwu Community School in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State.

Augustine Uzoagwa, chairman of the foundation, while presenting the gifts noted that the gesture was all about putting little smiles on the pupils’ faces and schools starting from the communities that had been neglected for so long.

He disclosed that the Foundation had in the past provided Exercise books, desks, tables and chairs for pupils and teachers in Amizi Primary School also in Ikwuano Local Government Area, paid examination fees for some students in mission schools.

Uzoagwa hinted that the Foundation was moved by the humble request of Reverend Father Ehime who informed the Foundation of the plight of the pupils of the school hence, the dona-

tion of the 70 pieces/pairs of uniform for both females and males and exercise books to the school in addition to extra ones for incoming pupils.

He assured that the Foundation has the high hope to make the difference no matter how little it may be as long as it would impact and put smiles on the faces of the beneficiaries.

Ego Nwamuo, the Education secretary of Ikwuano Local Education Authority expressed joy with what Augustine Uzoagwa and his brothers had been doing by putting smiles on the faces of the less-privileged in the society. She noted that not long ago the Foundation donated desks, tables among others to Amizi Primary School which she also witnessed the ceremony, adding that she was surprised to behold that it was that same foundation that was making yet another donation.

Dorcas Ukaonu, the head teacher of the school, said the ceremony was a special one for the celebration of a man with a good heart and a giving spirit who has made the staff and Awomukwu Community School to smile.

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News

Top UK varsities advance globally competitive workforce for Nigerian employers …host Career Expo for Nigerian alumni KELECHI EWUZIE

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s part of its effort to extend their services and support to over 20 Nigerian employers seeking to meet with and employ recent graduates, 12 leading UK universities organised a maiden alumni careers event targeted at Nigerians that graduated from participating universities.

The event held at Eko Hotel and Suites Victoria Island Lagos provided a great opportunity to showcase the talent and skills of the Nigerian students trained in the UK. Laure Beaufils, UK Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, while speaking at the event said the UK was rightly proud of its education excellence and the universities

Taiwo Ayanleye, Stutern; Emma Tarrant Tayou, University of Nottingham; Laure Beaufils, Deputy High Commissioner; Ibilola Amoa, Lonadek; Arinze Odiari, University of Essex at the Top UK universities Alunmi career event in Lagos.

represented today “feature among the very best that we have”. Beaufils said there

was no doubt that the event would be a great opportunity for employers as they ac-

tively seek to identify talents to deliver on their business priorities, adding that this

MIRAL Pharm partners PSN, YPG for 2018 Ravimal Essay Series II ODINAKA ANUDU

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n line with its commitment to eradicate malaria in Nigeria, Miral Pharm Limited, a leading indigenous pharmaceutical company, has announced the commencement of Ravimal Essay Series 2.

Miral Pharm is organising the essay in partnership with Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the Young Pharmacists Group (YPG).

Ravimal Essay is an initiative aimed at ending malaria for good. This year’s topic is entitled, ‘Ready to Beat Malaria: Challenges & Opportunities’.

Speaking at a press conference to announce the call for entry for the essay competition in Lagos, Ahmed Ibrahim Yakasai, president of the Pharmaceutical Society of

Nigeria (PSN), said that the essay is open to all pharmacy students in Nigerian universities and all young practicing pharmacists.

According to Yakasai, N500, 000 is the first prize; N300, 000 the second prize and N200, 000 the third prize winner.

Also, the dean of a pharmacy school with the highest number of participants and the dean that produced the winner will have the privilege of going home with N500, 000 each. Consolation prizes will also be won.

He expressed delight at the tripartite partnership among Miral Pharm Ltd ,the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and the Young Pharmacists Group aimed at mobilising young pharmacists and pharmacy students to write on the topic, ‘Ready to Beat Malaria: Challenges &

Opportunities’.

He said to enter the competition, participants are required to register and submit essays www.miralpharm. com/essay. The registration and submission is expected to end on Monday, June 25, 2018.

Speaking on the need for total eradication of malaria in the continent, Yakasai decried the fact that the $37m given by global funds for the provision of mosquito nets was invested in the country as these nets were imported from outside the country.

This, he said, is a challenge to manufacturers.

He called for government and manufacturers to seriously engage in research and development as a measure to eradication malaria scourge.

In his opening address, Onyeka Onyeibor, manag-

L-R: Maimuna Maibe, head, Sustainability and CSR, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions; Adedayo Joseph, director, The Dorcas Cancer Foundation; John Irvine, chief executive officer, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions; and Peju Adeniran-Daodu, head, project committee, The Dorcas Cancer Foundation at the Memorandum of Understanding signing which held at the Visionscape regional office in Ikoyi .

ing director, Miral Pharm Ltd, stated that he is hopeful that the essays will uncover actionable research interests and, as such, Miral Pharm is favourably disposed to supporting such research efforts.

He noted that through the ‘Ravimal Essay Competition Project’, Miral Pharm Ltd intends to encourage thinking and improve expressions amongst young people as well as contribute knowledge to the nation’s research base.

“At Miral Pharm, we value people, excellence, courage and goodness. Thus, we are committed to encouraging people to be the best they can be. We take pride in investing in the lives of the next generation by empowering them with what they need to take on this stride,” Onyeka stated.

He noted that, according to the World Health Organisation, 3.4billion people live in areas with high risk for the transmission of malaria.

Onyeka stated that Miral Pharm presented a set of Miral First Aid Kit each to Oshodi Senior High School and Oshodi Junior High School, a laptop to the 2017 overall Prize Winner of ‘Ravimal Ends Malaria for Good Essay Competition’ to Oluwakemi Abiodun of Oshodi Senior High School and first prize winner of Ravimal Ends Malaria for Good, Sanni Khadijat of Oshodi Junior High School as part of the its activities to commemorate the 2018 World Malaria Day.

would also be an opportunity to encourage yet more Nigerian students to choose UK universities.

Emma Tayou, regional manager for West Africa at the University of Nottingham and the lead organiser of the event, said students wanted to return to Nigeria to work and employ the skills and knowledge they have acquired.

“There is more that UK universities can do to facilitate access to employers and to provide career support within the Nigerian job market. I’m thrilled to be organising the first ever event in Nigeria exclusively for leading employers to meet UK educated Nigerian talent,” Tayou said.

The institutions involved in the organisation of the event are the University of Birmingham, Cardiff Uni-

versity, University of Edinburgh, University of Essex, University of Glasgow, University of Leeds, Loughborough University, Newcastle University, University of Nottingham, Robert Gordon University, University of Salford, and University of Southampton. Popular with Nigerian students, these institutions have seen more than 10,000 Nigerians study with them over the last ten years alone at various study levels from bachelors through to PhD. Universities have reached out to leading employers in Nigeria and to successful alumni to secure the participation of major employers as well as smaller start ups at the event. Employers who have confirmed their presence include Andela, Dangote Group, GE, KPMG, Huawei, Stanbic, Siemens, and the World Bank.

Cautious optimism as Akwa Ibom seals MoU for specialist hospital management ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo

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n atmosphere of cautious optimism has surrounded the new agreement signed between the Akwa Ibom government and a Canadian-based firm, Clintech group for the management of the Ibom specialist hospital in Uyo, the state capital.

This follows the failure of the previous agreement entered into by the state government Cardio care medical services which ended in a failure as the hospital was shut down with allegations that some equipment got carted away in the process.

The hospital, which has so far gulped over N40 billion and meant to check medical tourism abroad, is wholly owned by the Akwa Ibom government.

Currently running skeletal services, it announced last week that it has carried out major breakthrough when it performed a neurosurgery on a patient who was in a coma.

Prior to when the hospital was shut down, it has consultants from many parts of the world working and being housed by the state government in an exclusive housing estate.

Speaking during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Governor Udom Emmanuel expressed the hope that the new management would have the technical capacity to run the hospital.

According to him, “hospital management experience and competencies as well as financial implications were considered in assessing the entries and capacity of bidders.”

Represented by the secretary to the state government, Emanuel Ekuwem urged the new management to work and meet the objectives of the huge medical facility explaining the state needs healthy men and women to put their hands, as patriotic citizens, on the plough to move the frontiers of economic development and public goodwill forward.

The Commissioner for health, Dominic Ukpong described the MoU as a-redletter-day for the Ministry of Health, noting that the build up to the formal signing of the agreement was very painstaking.

Ukpong, who earlier recalled the unpleasant experience with the last managers, noted that “the agreement has ensured that we will be together to make it succeed.

We do not have any reason to fail.”

Emphasing that the objective was to offer highly specialised medical services to members of the public, reduce morbidity and mortality through prevention and treatment of cases that are beyond the capabilities of secondary and tertiary health care systems, he observed with dismay that Nigerians spend billions of dollars on medical treatment outside the country.

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PhotoSplash

L-R: Abimbola Osinowo, programme officer, Lagos State Ministry of Health; Tolu Arowolo, national professional officer, World Health Organization (WHO); Omotola Elatuyi, marketing manager, home and hygiene, RB West Africa; Olugbenga Mokuolu, professor paediatrics, University of Ilorin, and Yetunde Ayo-Oyalowo, CEO, Preventive Health Managers, at the 2018 Doctors Discuss Malaria, with the theme “Ready to Beat Malaria” in Lagos. Pic

by Olawale Amoo

Femi Adeoti, MD/CEO Africa Operations of Inlaks (l), receiving the ICT Personality of the Year award from Leo Stan Ekeh, chairman, Zinox Group, at the ninth edition of Beacon of Information and Communication Technology awards in Lagos recently.

L-R: Mildred Oparaeke, general manager, management, CIG Motors; Steven Zhou, special assistant to chairman, CIG Motors; Mohammed Iyamu, vice president, Trading, Cars45, and Carol Ofem, marketing and consumer sales manager, Cars45, during the signing of business partnership agreement between the two companies in Lagos recently.

L-R: Manpreet Singh, head of marketing, Indomie; Girish Sharma, chief operating officer, DUFIL Prima Foods PLC; Femi Gbajabiamila, majority leader, House of Representatives, and Tope Ashiwaju, group public relations and events manager, during the Gbajabiamila’s courtesy visit to DUFIL corporate office in Lagos.

L-R: Marketing Director NBPlc., Franco Maria Maggi, Managing Director/CEO NBPlc., Jordi Borrut Bel, Winner of 2018 BBNaija Miracle Igbokwe, Corporate Affairs Adviser NBPlc., Kufre Ekanem and Portfolio Manager Mainstream, Lager and Stout Brands NBPlc., Emmanuel Agu, during a visit at the Nigerian Breweries Headquarters, courtesy of Legend Extra Stout.

L-R: Carol Chukurah assistant head of marketing Mikano int ltd third on the left is Mrs Wura Akindinagbe advertising officer in the middle is Mrs Misaa Hermes head of marketing Mikano int ltd followed by Mrs Chioma Ohakwe Proprietress Bethesda school of the blind on the right side is Miss Wuraola Alake PR officer SDM Communications second on the right is Media Manager SDM communication Paul George and third on the right is Managing partner SDM communication Ope Anipole

L-R: Akinola Salu, general manager, GOtv, Joseph Yobo , ex-international, and Martin Mabutho ,general manager, marketing and sales, MultiChoice Nigeria, during the launch of MultiChoice’s 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign tagged “Connect with Greatness” held at Landmark Event Center. Pic by Pius Okeosisi

Vodacom Business Nigeria wins multiple accolades at the Beacon of ICT (BoICT) Awards 2018 which held at the Eko Hotel & Suites Victoria Island, Lagos. L-R: Oluseyi Olanrewaju, finance director, Vodacom Business Nigeria; Solomon Ogufere, commercial director, Vodacom Business Nigeria; Ernest Ndukwe, chairman, Open Media and Kolawole Fayemi, executive head - legal, regulatory & compliance, Vodacom Business Nigeria.

Sunday 06 May 2018

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News Feature Mixed reactions trail Buhari’s US trip Stories by INNOCENT ODOH, Abuja

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eactions have continued to trail the recent visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the United States, where he signed bilateral trade agreements with US President Donald Trump on the May 30 in Washington DC. Reacting to the trip, a security expert and newspaper columnist, Majeed Dahiru, frowned at Buhari’s US trip, stressing that it gave Nigeria nothing apart from the rhetorical hype and the political glitziness that characterised it.

He pointed that the deficits of trade between the US and Nigeria were still in favour of America which are likely to deepen because US President Donald Trump made it known that he intends to flood the Nigerian market with US agro products and that might undermine Nigeria’s modest achievement in this sector. He added that it will dispossess farmers in Nigeria while it will improve that of the US saying “for me there was no benefit at all.”

“So Trump wants to regain lost grounds in her dealings with China and Nigeria being one of the largest in trade in Africa nobody should be surprised that he invited our country to come and discus trade terms that are in favour of his country while he is tantalising us with extreme

Buhari

diplomatic courtesies which are designed to obscure the real diplomatic victory of the US against Nigeria,” he said.

On the issue of security, Dahiru said there is nothing to celebrate about the Tucano aircraft because Nigeria is actually paying for the military hardware that we are using.

He admonished Nigerian leaders to get Nigerian diplomacy right by shifting it foreign policy focus more on economy rather that the politics of it. “In any bilateral trade agreement we should focus on getting a fair

share of world trade by securing external markets for our goods and services.

“We should go there to know what American citizens would likely need from Nigeria, what are those things that Nigeria has comparative advantage on so that we can negotiate trade in those areas that is favourable to us to reduce the trade deficit with the US,” he said.

On the issue of corruption Dahiru lamented that it was abnormal for Nigeria to ask the US to help her fight corruption, pointing out that there is an inherent con-

tradiction in such request.

“You cannot by our own way and examples elevate corruption to the highest level in this country and then go to the US to ask them to help you fight corruption. It is contradictory,” he said.

Renowned international relations expert, Charles Onunaiju, who is also the Director of the Centre for China Studies, an intellectual think-tank based in Abuja, told BDSUNDAY that the visit was essentially symbolic of Nigeria’s return to mainstream international affairs and signals the preeminence of Nigeria as a regional power and a leader in Africa.

“It is more symbolic than concrete in the sense that most of the issues such as sending Tucano aircraft to deter Boko Haram could kill tens and thousands of militants but it cannot destroy the ideology. What will destroy the ideology is a social engineering of more inclusive society that provides opportunity.

“At the end of the day, jobs, infrastructure development, and economic development, inclusive and sustainable economic development are key to defeating insurgency, especially at its roots. Because no matter the number of militants that might be killed by the Tucano aircrafts as far as the ideology is alive we can have as many people flocking back to the insurgent groups,” he said.

He noted that in terms of trade and investment the Africa

Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), established by former US President, Bill Clinton should have been a non -tariff trade agreement between Africa and the US but lamented that the agreement has not offered much to Nigeria and Africa, saying “the trade volume between the US and Nigeria is at a paltry level of 6 billion dollars in favour of Nigeria because of oil. We like to see more of that.”

On the security concerns, Onunaiju noted that Nigeria hopes that America’s security concern should be genuine efforts to assist Nigeria in curbing insurgency even as he blamed the US and its allies for the rampaging herdsmen allegedly trained by ex- Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to kill Nigerians stressing that “the US and its allies were responsible for the carnage in Libya, they were responsible for the chaos and the aftermath of that chaos spread violence in the region including the Boko Haram and now the killer herdsmen.”

“Buhari’s trip can be called successful in terms of its recognition of Nigeria as a force to reckon with in Africa but certainly Nigerians expect concrete engagements that can facilitate economic activity. We wait to see how much of American farmers could come here and we wait to see how much of American exports that could come to Nigeria and how much Nigeria can gain entrance into the US market,” he said.

INEC presents report on underage voting in Kano, absolves self of complicity

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented the report of its investigation into the allegation of its complicity on the issue of underage voting during the February 10 local government election in Kano state even as it absolved itself of any involvement in the issue.

INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, made the outcome of the investigation public during a press conference in Abuja Friday. He said that based on the terms of reference of the Abubakar Nahuche-led Committee, and given the fact that the INEC Voter Register was given to the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), which was not substantially used during the voting process, “it is logical to conclude that if underage voting occurred in the election, it was not due to any presence of underage registrants on the Voter Register.”

INEC, which accepted the report, admitted that the Voter Register was only sighted in few polling units which meant that the Register was not used during the

election, adding that accreditation using the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) largely did not take place during the Kano local election.

Mahmood said further that after examining some of the images in circulation, the committee found that they have been available long before the Kano Local Government Elections, stressing that the few images and video clips from Kano show no accreditation of voters or any relationship with the Register of Voters “You would recall that following the Kano State Local Government election held on 10th February 2018, there were several reports in the media, particularly the social media, alleging that underage persons voted in the election. Both explicit and implicit in some of these reports was the suggestion that since the National Register of Voters compiled by INEC was used in the election, the alleged problem of underage voting in the Kano Local Government election is linked to a prevalence of underage registrants in the National Register

of Voters.

“I must note that till date, not a single formal complaint on this matter has been received by the Commission. Rather, some stakeholders, including a political party, have taken to the media to criticize INEC and in some cases to impugn the integrity of the National Register of Voters.

“For the avoidance of doubt, let me emphasize first, that INEC was not in any way involved in organizing the Kano State Local Government election beyond the legal requirement that the register of voters compiled by INEC should be used in all Local Government elections nationwide. The conduct of that election was entirely the responsibility of KANSIEC,” he said.

The INEC boss added that the investigation committee was not established to inquire into the general conduct of the Kano State Local Government election or to inquire into the organisation or challenges of KANSIEC. He pointed out that INEC has no legal remit to do so. Rather, as the Terms of Reference of the Committee show, INEC’s role was strictly to inquire into claims

linking the register of voters compiled by INEC and the alleged incidents of underage voting in the election.

He called for more collaboration between INEC and all stakeholders to continue to update and improve the National Register of Voters to eliminate all ineligible registrants from it, including dead persons, aliens and underage registrants. He added that INEC would work with the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), Nigeria Immigration Service, the media and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to ensure continuous improvements in the quality of all elections conducted in Nigeria.

He said that the commission had since 2011 largely corrected the errors of the past and made the Voter Register very dependable although not perfect adding that the commission has increased the number new registration by over three million voters from the 68.8 million it inherited from the former commission in 2015 bringing the total so far to over 70 million registrants.

“From April 2017 when we commenced the CVR to De-

cember of the same year, some 3,981,502 new registrants were recorded, including figures from Anambra State Governorship election held in November 2017.

This figure represents the first major additions to the Register since this Commission came on board. Even so, except for the 190,767 new registrants added to the voter register in Anambra State, the new registrants are just about to be added to the national Register.

He however, noted that under the present INEC, only 432,233 new registrants have been added to our national Voter Register, which represents 0.9percent increase on the Register used for the 2015 general elections.

These additions came essentially from CVR in 2015 and 2016 in States where INEC conducted off-season Governorship elections namely; Bayelsa, Kogi, Edo and Ondo as well as the FTC Area Council elections.

He informed the public to seize the opportunity to register and collect their PVC since by law the CVR will end not later than 60 days to the forthcoming general election on 16th February 2019.

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Sunday 06 May 2018

Focus How the Neighbourhood Watch Agency can restore security in Rivers BARIDON SIKA

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nsecurity seems to be the biggest issue in Rivers State at the moment.

This is what the Nyesom Wike administration must be striving to wrestle down when he thought out the idea of a strong agency to recruit a well organised neighbourhood security system that would be trained, accountable and focused. This is because no sane government can sit and watch while its citizens are being hacked down by criminals in society.

It was the 47th mayor of Minneapolis City and member Minnesota Democratic FarmerLabour party of USA, Betsy Hodges, who once said: “True public safety requires collaboration between law enforcement and the community.”

No doubt, there is the urgent need for a virile partnership and synergy between the justinaugurated Neighbourhood Safety Agency and well-meaning Rivers people as well as residents to ensure public safety, security of lives and property.

Interestingly, the primary responsibility of government at every level is to protect lives and property and this is guaranteed under the 1999 constitution as amended .To this, end, Rivers State Governor Wike, has left no stone unturned in articulating policy architecture and by enacting law through the instrumentality of Rivers State House of Assembly that would reduce criminality in the state.

Evidence abounds that the state governor had in recent past given assent to Anti-kidnapping and Robbery Law in the state to subdue activities of men of the underworld.

Only recently, the Rivers State House of Assembly passed the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Bill into law. This is no mean feat in the task to ensure public safety.

The law is called the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps law Number 8 of 2018 to which the state governor again has since granted assent despite criticism and even threat by some members of the opposition to go to court against the body.

On Monday, April 16, 2018, the governor has gone ahead to inaugurate the board of the agency for which members were inaugurated. This bold demonstration of willpower deserves commendation in all ramifications.

The agency consists of members of impeccable character and proven integrity in their chosen field of endeavours and consistent track record in public

Governor Wike service.

They include a retired brigadier-general, Dick Ironabere, as the Chairman Board of Directors; Director-General Uche Mike Chukwuma (PhD), who is a retired high ranking police officer; a renowned Chemical Engineering professor, Emenike Wami; and a chief, Casa Ogosu- a public relations consultant and chairman Rivers State Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC).

Others are Dennis Amachree, Anthony Uzo-Ozurumba, and Victoria Chikeka. Nma Omereji will serve as secretary and legal adviser.

The governor charged them to commence the process of recruiting quality operatives that have the interest of the state at heart. He disclosed that some politicians have approached the police to sabotage the scheme by rejecting operatives to be recruited by the agency and further declared the state executive council would seek amendment of the law so that the police will not be required to screen recruited operatives.

Above all, Governor Wike urged members of the board not to be swayed by the antics

of opposition against the law, stressing that the Neighbourhood Safety Agency has come to stay.

The assertion of Governor Wike came against the cacophony of criticism against the body by the opposition.

It is also pertinent to note that the objectives of the law in-

Nigeria as a nation is replete with cases of kidnapping, ritual killings, politicallymotivated assassinations, rape, and acts of economic sabotage such as illegal refining of petroleum products popularly called Kpo Fire

clude to establish a uniformed Neighbourhood Safety Corps within the state with power to carry arms subject to police permit while it would assist the police maintain law and order

by gathering information about crime, put structure in place to ensure that no hoodlums or cult groups would have opportunity to operate in any community in the state.

It is on record that the objectives also include reducing the crime rate and ensuring that every offender is identified and made to account for his misdeeds as well as to follow up on arrest of every offender to the court and ensuring justice.

It is, therefore, surprising and indeed unfortunate that despite the laudable objectives of the agency and intentions of government, critics of the law and the agency pay undue attention to the power to carry light arms.

Some members of the opposition allege that the present PDP government in the state would use it against other political parties during the forthcoming Local Government polls in June 2018 and 2019 general elections.

This narrative does not hold water because before the advent of the agency PDP had defeated the opposition APC at most of the polls, tribunal, appellate and Supreme Court in the aftermath of the 2015

general election without the Neighbourhood Safety Agency.

More so, the safety agency is not bigger than the legal system of the federation. It is common knowledge that heinous crimes are prevalent in society and no government will fold its hands and watch criminals overrun legitimate government in society elected by the electorate.

Nigeria as a nation is replete with cases of kidnapping, ritual killings, politically-motivated assassinations, rape, and acts of economic sabotage such as illegal refining of petroleum products popularly called “Kpo Fire”.

One overwhelming advantage of the Neighbourhood Safety Agency is the engagement of communities in ensuring public safety. There are indications that the Rivers State Government plans to engage thousands of youths to serve in Neighbourhood watch.

It would be recalled that the chairman of the board in his acceptance speech appealed for timely provision of tools and resources to undertake the statutory functions of the Safety Agency creditably.

This remark by the chairman has far-reaching implications on how effective the body would be in ensuring public safety.

This is because some state governors across the country have exhibited the penchant to support federal agencies in an apparent show of eye-service when state parastatals were moribund and in a state of comatose and disrepair.

Without mincing words, the Wike Administration has supported security agencies in the state with logistics to lubricate their operations.

The Nigerian Army, Navy, Airforce, Police and other security agencies have all benefited from the magnanimity of Wike leadership through the supply of armoured personnel carriers, armoured boats, vehicles, communication gargets, among others.

Perhaps, the inauguration of Neighbouhood Safety Agency provides an opportunity for the present administration to show how a state government can fund its agencies to serve humanity.

As the Neighbourhood Safety Agency comes to stay in the state, it is only necessary to support government to succeed in securing lives and property.

As Irish poet Edmond Burke once said: “All there is for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing”. The safety agency provides an avenue for good people to improve society. The time for it has come!

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For the Records Challenges of health care delivery for all ages in Nigeria (5)

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At the state government level he already established provisions: 1. Each state was required to create the directorate of PHC since the 1980s to facilitate the practice of PHC in the states’ LGAs. Lately ONLY, these states are now being encouraged or required to develop state PHC (development) agencies, with the possibility of some direct funding from federal allocation (from the Health Act) to do so.

2. All medical and nursing schools were mandated to include PHC in their curricula; and some leadership posts in nursing in the state ministries of health will be unattainable by any nurse except she had obtained the community/ PHC training certificate.

3. At least one school of health technology is required to be owned by each state and to train the community health extension workers there.

The problems: 1. The provision of a fully functional general hospital by the state government for each LGA (or even a comprehensive health centre whose general hospital component will be looked after by a specialist, or otherwise at least very experienced, general medical practitioner) is not specified anywhere in our health system; and so, left to the caprices of the state governments. In some places or for some times, there may even be general hospitals run by nurses only.

2. Without properly organised and effective general medical practice (i.e., primary medical care coverage or secondary health care) to take off the weight of any fallouts from the PHC system, and close to the people within their LGAs, many state governments are busy competing with the federal government to provide all sorts of dysfunctional tertiary health care services. They do this for the very reasons of meeting the obvious need from the combined failures of the primary and secondary health services. Ironically, had these effective PHC and SHC services been established and working well, there would have been no enormous need for these state tertiary hospitals in the first place; nor the need to compete with the federal government for their provision.

3. The two-way (and mutually check-mating) referral system between the PHC and SHC on the one hand and the SHC and THC on the other, possible because they are each superintended by their relevant specialist physicians, does not exist in the country. As the Riga Conference on PHC22, midway to the year 2000 from Alma-Ata, had observed, without

Michael Asuzu

this two-way referral system providing the PHC primary support system, it will be impossible for it to work as due!

At the federal level The existing provisions: 1. The development for the first time in Nigeria of a national health policy based on PHC in 1988, at least in theory; with the aim of doing this properly in the country.

2. The creation of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) as a vital tool for the promotion of PHC in the country.

3. The recent signing of the National Health Act in 201423; with provision for funds for implementing PHC in the country; but which is taking so very long to get it to any functionality at all.

4. The numerous (though externally expertly influenced and funded; and therefore invariably vertical) programmes aimed at PHC implemented from the NPHCDA at Abuja; with a lot of statistics of numbers of staff and equipment and money expended, but with little or no measurable (or especially commensurate) health service functionality, sustainability or reasonable health index improvement outcomes. These have no basis of any sustainability without developing the states and LGA capacities for these programmes and services as due.

5. The continuous training of CHOs at the various federal training institutions, independent and with no reasonable links with the overall health professionals and systems, nor any communities of their envisaged specific practices, as surely the Nigerian-factor al-

ternative PHC system; compared with the world’s best practices in these regards.

The problems: 1. The efforts that resulted in the very famous production of the Nigerian national health policy, as a first of its kind in the history of the country as a nation and based on PHC, failed to reproduce, if not advance, the minimal public health acts of the country, even if only at the level of the colonial era, for the health services of the LGAs. The efforts to produce one by a draft approved at a National Council on Health in 199924, failed to be effected for reasons yet to be known. However, this is most likely because while the overall national health acts and policies may be made at the national level, the public health acts in the country were made by the regional governments of the properly federating units then; unlike the present Nigerian state govern-

Only partial efforts to develop the state PHCDAs have started with the enactment of the National Health Act; an activity that should have been the priority of the NPHCDA from its very creation

ments, that do not quite operate as such competent federating units. Largely as a matter of these non-federating unit capabilities by the states, they themselves have by and large failed to re-enact or upgrade and implement these old regional public health acts as due.

2. The NPHCDA has continued to function as a PHC IMPLEMENTATION agency, instead of a DEVELOPMENT one. The agency has kept creating or receiving programmes and finances from international development partners (or some national ones) and going directly to implement those in their sponsors’ self-chosen places or communities. In virtually all the cases, the NPHCDA has been bypassing the state governments as well as many times, the LGAs and communities themselves. As I am reliably informed at a recent job assistance at the Federal Ministry of Health, besides the fact that everybody can see these naturally in the country, less that 20% of the “PHC” facilities built in these ways are functioning in ANY ways.

Even in those “functioning 20%”, none of these has functioned at their intended full capacity. Only partial efforts to develop the state PHCDAs have started with the enactment of the National Health Act; an activity that should have been the priority of the NPHCDA from its very creation! Meanwhile, nothing in any of these recent actions has discussed the functionality and sustainability of the PHC itself at the LGA level, as in the best world best practices. Only individual states can make these decisions and implement them properly.

3. One of the funniest implementation of PHC from the federal government level through the NPHCDA that has happened, was the so-called community midwifery service scheme25. In this programme, the NPHCDA was largely to get a National Youth Service Corp type, but rapidly trained young girls as midwives but with no nursing training as yet. Without any requisite field experience, these young and unmarried, singly midwifery-only but not nursing qualified girls, were to be posted to various very remote places where they will be functioning as the sole midwives there; with counterpart salary payments required by the programme from the state or local governments. After some years of such services, the state or LGA was to take over the payment of the salaries and other conditions of service of those young girls.

Anybody who had properly trained in, understands community health, or worked where these have been properly practiced, would easily tell that such a plan was a disaster - both for those girls as well as to any African nation that tries to do so. This is so because the years

of marriageability of these young ladies, where the fairly early marriage of such young girls in whom much has been invested is of such great importance, is being wasted where these cannot take place in any meaningful ways! Moreover, community nurse-midwives are usually very experienced nursemidwives who eventually act as health matriarchs (the communities’ mothers in relation with their health and welfare, as William Rathbone described them as long ago as 1859!)10. Moreover, no local government as currently being run in Nigeria can take over and sustain the funding and services of such health workers. Many of the state governments are also not likely to absorb such staff, with the indigene/non-indigene discrimination in the state government employments in this country, even in the most desperately underserved states in the country!

4. Both the Federal Government and especially the NPHCDA keep insisting that the PHC and the health services as provided from the states in the country should be the same in all the states. Anybody who has lived in such big and variegated countries (as Nigeria surely is) would know that this is never ever going to happen; and to insist that this must be the case, is EXACTLY how to ensure that the health services in such possibly frontline states for this progression, and country as a whole, will never improve as they ought.

5. Failure to repair the creation of a so-called PHC work force, unlike and parallel with the internationally accepted best world model of creating these auxiliary work force, is such a sore issue in the Nigerian health services.This was created from the federal level, and is surely a continuing problem in these regards. Even the Nigerian history teaches us enough of these things. The assistant medical officers produced at the Yaba Medical School, eventually all got their advancements to fullfledged medical doctors through the British conjoint further training programmes organised for them in the UK; and most of those doctors have proven to be some of the best full-fledged doctors that this country has ever produced – the likes of Profs. TO Ogunlesi, JO Mabayoje, Drs. Michael Okpara, Christopher Okojie, to name just a few! The other such trainings (like the Kano Medical School one) trained such staff for only the time that they were needed; and they practiced only in that region as was fashioned and licensed for; etc. The application of a similar principle and phasing out of the programmes or retaining them only for carefully community selected fellows, where they still need them, is an urgent necessity in the country.

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Sunday 06 May 2018

SundayInterview To say that there is fight against corruption amounts to fooling ourselves - Uma Ukpai Uma Ukpai is a renowned evangelist and founder of Uma Ukpa Evangelical Association. He is a philanthropist also with over 40 years experience in the gospel ministry. He has established a polytechnic and donated drugs to hospitals in parts of the country. Recently, he was adopted as the spiritual father of governors in the south east of the country. In this interview with ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, he speaks on a number of issues including the need to give opportunity for the younger generation and how the killing of Christians should be confronted. Excerpts:

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hat is your reaction to President Donald Trump’s directive to President Muhammadu Buhari that the killing of Christians in Nigeria should stop?

Christians in Nigeria are regarded as a minority and they are almost snubbed. We begged to be part of Nigeria. We have not redeemed our place of honor and respect. Most believers are even shy to say that they are Christians.

I believe that what Trump said to our president will be well digested to not just our president but to our leaders. No one has the right to kill a life that he cannot replace. The way they kill Christians in Nigeria shows that cows are more valuable than human beings. From my own point of view, a cow is a cow; 50 million of cows remain 50 million of cows and cannot be compared with a human being; therefore, no one should lose his life because of an ordinary cow. It is painful that in Nigeria, cows are preferred over human beings. My worry is that nobody is shocked over what is happening. We have lost our capacity for astonishment and surprise, so if a man loses this capacity, he is among the dead; in other words, we are among the living dead of the world.

In the same vein, President Buhari recently said herdsmen that are killing people in the country are from Libya and not Nigerians and were trained by the late former Libyan leader, Muammar Ghaddafi? What is your take on this?

Ghaddafi? You can tell a blind man that there is no oil in a soup and he will believe but you cannot tell him that there is no salt in a soup because he will taste it and know. We are not children.

They should not fool us by saying that the herdsmen were trained

by Ghaddafi. He died about ten years ago? When he was alive he could not even do that. So how could he have done this after they must have killed and buried him many years ago? Let them tell us another thing. The problem with us in Nigeria is that we are the greatest inventors of excuse. You cannot beat us when it comes to giving an excuse. So when Buhari started giving excuses, of course you know that he is a Nigerian.

The sad news is that a man of excuses is a man of failure because you cannot confront what is confronting you. So somebody should stop deceiving us and answer our questions: who are the herdsmen? Who gave them the money they use in buying such guns they move with, who are the financiers? Why do they kill without being questioned or queried?

Why are they killing people and

Uma Ukpai nobody has ever taken them to court, no conviction.

As a respected evangelist and preacher, what do you think is the solution to this problem both spiritually and otherwise?

Well, Christians should give up their dinner for 200 nights and ask God to fight for them. If all the believers in Nigeria can give up their dinner for 200 nights and cry unto God, He will come down and fight for us. God has not come down to fight because we have not invited Him and I am showing you the shortest way to that invitation.

Let every believer in Nigeria give up his dinner for 200 nights and ask God to turn our lamentation into laughter, our disappointment into supernatural appointment and our disgrace into grace. I want to assure you that God will come down and answer us.

So why are our prayers not being answered before now?

No, I don’t think that our prayers are not being answered.

We are still here as a country because of the result of our prayers; that is what many people do not seem to know. People take our prayer efforts for granted. Had it been that we were not praying, there wouldn’t have been anything like Nigeria. We are still here because of prayers of all Christians.

Based on what is going on in the country, some people have called for the division of Nigeria into many nations; is the call appropriate now?

In order to succeed in life, you must not quit or surrender. You must learn how to confront what confronts you. Breaking up of the country is not the answer. Europe for reasons we may know yet are coming together. We will be better together because a good numerical strength is good. We will achieve more if we work together as a nation. Our problem is that we don’t love one another, we are self centered. We are people who want to be successful but not ready to pay the price of success.

Those who want to serve or lead us must pay the price of leadership. They must take care of us.

They must give account of what they are doing.

What will you say about the National Assembly; some people are commending them; in your opinion are they doing what they are supposed to do or are they dragging us backward?

My view is that the National Assembly members are fighting for themselves. They don’t know what the questions are; therefore, they cannot answer our questions. When you ask a man the longest river in the whole

world and the man answers that it is Aba River, then you will know that he did not even understand the question and so you don’t even expect him to answer the question in the next ten years.

How do you see the upcoming elections scheduled for next year?

There is still going to be Nigeria. We are still going to elect corrupt and wicked leaders. It is funny when corrupt people are expected to produce perfect leaders. In a country where you demand money before you vote, you cannot help but have corrupt leaders who gave you money to vote them. So long as we are corrupt and collect money to vote who we should not have voted, we will continue to produce corrupt leaders.

So what is the way forward; your advice to the people?

You will not like my advice because my advice will be that every man who is 25 years old and above should not seek to lead us. They should all resign and retire from active politics.

They have eaten the poisoned apple and they are no longer fit to rule. It is frightening that God said that when he wants to judge a nation, he gives them babies to rule over them. Babies are those who don’t know the evils of the

world. Leaders who don’t know what it means to bring unity and build the economy should retire hoping that God will give us men who know what the questions are. Younger ones should be allowed to rule us. The young ones are teachable, they have not been corrupted. I mean they are willing to learn.

Are you saying that the constitution should be suspended?

Not the constitution to be suspended, but to be amended. The important thing is to run a school for the young ones. A school that teaches them how to care for one another, no pastor can carry healing anointing who has no tears for the sick, a pastor who cannot cry for the sick cannot be used by God to heal the sick. When leaders do not have feelings for the poor, they are disqualified from being our leader.

How do you see the fight against corruption in the country?

Is there any fight against corruption? How many people have been charged to court? How many people have been convicted in three years? May be you know more than I do, just give me the names of those that were convicted and charged to court.

Can we stop fooling ourselves?

This is commotion without motion. If there is no conviction that means there is no fight against corruption.

You talked about choosing of leaders. Recently, you and other Christian leaders in Akwa Ibom endorsed Governor Udom Emmanuel for second term; was it out of revelation or conviction?

Number one thing you should know is that we may be equal in fellowship but not equal in anointing. I can walk into a stadium and declare that 100 cancer patients can go home healed and God will honour it. Sometimes, we look down on men of God without understanding who they are. God can decide to show some people what tomorrow will hold and you will not question Him. We are not equally gifted, there are certain things which you can do but I cannot do. It is on record that I can pick a microphone under a rain and command the rain to stop and it stops. I can tell a woman that is harassing me over child bearing that her punishment will be every year one child and God honours it. There are some people blessed with prophetic anointing, others with healing anointing, there are others that He blessed with wisdom and oil of meekness. Unless you are taught by God, you will not know the difference.

Sunday 06 May 2018

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15 Inside Lagos

Waste: How Tinubu’s intervention might have saved Lagos from epidemic JOSHUA BASSEY

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ola Ahmed Tinubu, the national leader of the All Progressives Party (APC), is a juggernaut indeed. Tinubu, also a former governor of Lagos State (1999-2007), is reputed to have nurtured, tutored and birthed more leaders than his contemporaries in politics since Nigeria’s return to democratic path in 1999.

While Tinubu is nationally recognised beyond political, ethnic and religious divides, he has remained a colossus in Lagos’ politics where he seems to have the magic wand of deciding who becomes what in the political system of Nigeria’s richest and perhaps most populous state.

Since leaving office in 2007 after he successfully installed his successor, Babatunde Fashola (now minister of works, housing and power) in what caused a stir within the ranks of many of his political ‘sons’ and appointees, leading to a number of them leaving the then Action Congress (AC), Tinubu has remained as relevant in the politics of Lagos as ever.

Indeed, rather than weaning, his influence has continued to grow not only at the state and party levels, but also at the grassroots, as aspiring politicians- young and old- look to his blessing and endorsement to get into political office.

It was no surprise, therefore, that in 2014, many of the aspirants at the federal and state levels including Akinwunmi Ambode, the incumbent governor of Lagos, relied almost entirely on Tinubu to secure party’s nomination and ticket ahead of the 2015 general elections. It paid off, as many of the political office holders inclusive of members of the state House of Assembly rode on the endorsement of Tinubu to secure their current positions.

Indeed, twelve years after standing down as governor, Tinubu, who goes with the popular title ‘Asiwaju’ (leader) has continued to shape decision making and governance in Lagos. He has on many occasions intervened in critical situations that could have worked against the interests of his party and those of his political ‘sons’.

Asiwaju, it was, who stepped in to save the situ-

Tinubu

ation when the former governor, Babatunde Fashola (2007-2015), would not succumb to pressure by civil societies and students of Lagos State University (LASU) to totally revert an increase in their school fees.

The Fashola’s administration had in 2011 hiked the fees in LASU from N25,000 per session to between N193,000 and N350,000. The government had insisted on not reversing the fees, as it was the decision of the university’s senate. After months of persistent protests and agitation, the fees were reduced by between 34 and 60 percent, but this would not pacify the students who wanted a total reversal.

Amid wider consultations with stakeholders and ahead of 2015 general election, with the opposition already cash in on the fee hike to score

Ambode

political points, Tinubu had visited the State House, Alausa, where he met and held discussions with Fashola. He emerged from the meeting into the waiting arms of State House Correspondents. He took the shine from Fashola when he told reporters that the hiked fees would be reverted.

Fashola was to later announce the cancellation of the hiked fees at the 19th convocation ceremony of LASU held at main campus, Ojo on August 7, 2014, eliciting wild jubilation from the students and parents who vowed to vote against the state government in the 2015 elections.

Last week, and ahead of the 2019 general election, Tinubu played yet another role in the lingering feud between Private Sector Participants (PSP) and the Ambode-led government following a con-

tract that the government signed with Visionscape Sanitation Solution, which excluded the PSP operators from domestic waste collection in Lagos.

Since the signing on of Visionscape to the exclusion of the PSP operators, Lagos had returned to the old days of heaps of refuse littering the streets with grave implications on the health of the citizens.

But in a meeting with the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAM), an umbrella body for PSP operators, led by Ola Egbeyemi as chairman, Tinunu pointed out the need to resolve the issue because of the immense contributions of the PSP operators to waste management in the state.

He assured that he would reconcile all the stakeholders in his capacity as grand pa-

tron of AWAM to promote the business interests of waste managers and wellbeing of Lagosians.

“It is disappointing and sad that at this stage of our development, the matter should result into petition. It should have been continuity and progress.

“Whatever is the shortcoming, we will correct it.

This will get to the governor latest by Monday, April 30.

“It is sad to see Olusosun dumpsite in dangerous smoke. As a grand patron of AWAM, I am concerned driving around Lagos and seeing built up refuse.

“I must say it is a challenge that is coming back and we will not allow that to happen.

The government is trying and responsive but the complexity of Lagos is compounding by the day,” he said.

Tinubu acknowledged the

fact that AWAM members travelled abroad to learn international best practices in waste management and should therefore be allowed to apply it in Lagos.

“I challenge you to go and be ready in your various communities and lines and get ready to work. I appeal to you to maintain peace. The House of Assembly, the government and the party will work together to promote your business interests. The only thing we can do is to encourage this kind of small scale business to grow. The governor might have been experimenting and it is not a shame to reverse to the former,” Tinubu said.

One week, after the intervention of the former governor, Babatunde DurosinmiEtti, the state commissioner for the environment, at a press conference to mark third anniversary of the Ambode-led administration, announced the decision of the government to allow the PSP operators resume their hitherto role of collecting waste from residences.

Against this back ground, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions, the municipal waste manager with which the government signed a deal in 2017, now has the mandate of implementing waste management infrastructure development across in the state, in addition to intervening in public waste collection to cover any service lapses that may occur.

According to DurosinmiEtti, as part of this new reform, the Lagos State Public Works Corporation would oversee drainage management across the state, while the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) and the Public Utilities Monitoring and Assurance Unit (PUMAU) would both focus on enforcement and monitoring.

According to DurosinmiEtti, LAGESC would handle enforcement of law against illegal dumping and fly-tipping, while PUMAU will track and control the payment of fees as well as supervise collection operations.

All this, according to the commissioner, is in the effort to rid the state of filth and the heaps of refuse littering the streets, stressing that before the heavy rains set in, the waste challenge would be totally resolve to save the state from a possible outbreak of diseases of epidemic proportion.

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Politics too important to be left to politicians alone – Gwamna, Gombe guber aspirant MUSA ALIYU, Kano

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he battle for the gove r n o r s h i p ra c e i n Gombe State in the 2019 general election has begun in earnest with many contenders declaring their interest in the seat currently occupied by Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo.

Aspirants, especially those from the two prominent parties in the state- People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), are not leaving anything to chances.

Some of the aspirants claim to have the ears of some political bigwigs in the state, particularly the incumbent governor and his predecessor, Senator Danjuma Goje.

The political juggernauts on their own part want to assert their strength and supremacy by ensuring that they install the next governor or that whoever that emerges, is their own making.

Among the big names that have already made their ambition known is Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, who is being described by some indigenes of the state as a silent servant of the people, who has impacted heavily on the development of his state in particular and the country at large.

Gwamna has also been described as a source of inspiration to many, especially, people of his age and the younger generation.

His humanitarian service is said to have touched so many indigent

Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna

students who benefitted from his scholarship scheme at all levels of education- secondary, colleges of education and university.

Enumerating some of the humanitarian works of the aspirant, an indigene, who claimed that he was a beneficiary of Gwamna’s philanthropy, said: “Over twenty students are on scholarship in Kebbi State Yamasa Science and Technical School in Zaur town and many more students are also in the university on his scholarship scheme. Also his contributions to the sustenance of his party, PDP,

cannot be quantified.

“Alhaji is a detribalised Nigerian in all its ramifications. He employs his staff based on qualification and merit not on religion or tribe.

He has given employment to over two thousand graduates from all over the country in his capacity as a loyal servant to this country.”

Gwamna is currently the managing director and chief executive officer of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).

The aspirant has promised Gombe people a new lease of life.

Although he commends the efforts

of past and present administrations in the state, he believes that Gombe is a work in progress.

On his facebook wall, the businessman-turned politician, notes that “Success comes to those who are too busy to look for it.”

He believes that his aspiration to become the governor of the state cannot come on a platter of gold despite his past achievements, but through conscious efforts to tell people what he has in store for them. He also urged the Gombe indigenes to get involved in the politics of the state in order to bring the desired development.

“Politics is too important to be left to politicians alone, get involved,” he said.

Gwamna is a decorated man with the National Honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) and he is a titled man as the Sardaunan Gombe.

After his graduation from the Ahmadu Bello University he started his working career with the Nigerian Bank of Commerce and Industry in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

He later switched from finance to industry, when he joined Kaduna Aluminum Limited from where he moved over to Kaduna Machine Works as group chief accountant. While he was preparing for an executive position, he was initially promoted to the post of marketing manager before being appointed the general manager of Kaduna Machine Works.

In 1990, having garnered enough experience as a result of his commercial and managerial exposure at the executive and

board levels in the utility, heavy equipment distribution and manufacturing businesses, Gwamna left to manage his own business, the Amstrade Ventures Limited, a company which imports and sells heavy duty, earth-moving equipment.

Gwaman was also the managing director and co-founder of Jamen consultancy.

In 2000, he started work in the utility sector when he accepted the position of the first executive chairman of Gombe State Water Corporation. He had also served as the managing director of Sahelian Energy and Integrated Service Limited before taking up the position of managing director and chief executive officer of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).

KEDCO being one of the eleven distribution companies that emerged from the privatisation exercise in the Goodluck Jonathan administration as part of the electricity power sector reform programme implementation. It is located in the North Western geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

The company has the licence to generate, distribute and market electricity in three states of Kano, Jigawa and Katsina. The geographical coverage of the company is 67,128 km2, and also it has the largest population with the combined population of three states at about 19,564,000 as at 2006 national census.

The KEDCO boss obtained his Doctorate Degree from the London Metropolitan University in 2008.

2019: INEC seeks NOA, NYSC support towards credible elections INIOBONG IWOK

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State has sought support of the National Orientation Agency & National Youth Service Corps towards the success of 2019 general election.

Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Sam Olumekun, stated this during his visit to the NOA & the NYSC orientation camp in the state to seek collaboration towards a successful conduct of elections.

In a statement signed by the public relations officer of the commission, Femi Akinbiyi, Olumekun urged NOA to sensitise Nigerians against violence during elections, stressing that electoral

violence could prevent people from exercising their civic responsibility during elections.

“While I thank you for your support to the Commission in the time past, I want to ask you for more support in mobilising Lagos and to participate in the electoral processes ahead of 2019 polls,” he said.

“I want the NOA to especially join the Commission in mobilising eligible voters who have abandoned their permanent voters cards (PVCs) to come and claim them. I acknowledge the strength of NOA & the fact that INEC cannot do it alone. Our people must participate in electoral process for democracy to thrive,” Olumekun said.

According to him, “The Commission is ready to partner with

Yakubu

NOA & other stakeholders in our drive to deliver credible, transparent, free & fair elections in 2019.”

“INEC has developed an elec-

tion project plan and strategic plan of action and has itemised all we need to conduct a successful free and fair election.

“If the last election was rated very high by both local and international observers, we are prepared to deliver a more credible one in 2019 to surpass previous achievements,” he further said.

The Lagos INEC head commended the state’s coordinator of NYSC, Mohammed Momoh, while seeking for more support of the organisation.

“We thank you for your usual support, the Commission will like to improve the MoU between us, please if there is area we need to fine-tune in the MoU let us know now so as to cement the synergy for it to work better in future,” he said.

“Because of the advancement in technology and other issues we must commence early training of Youth Corps members on the handling of the smart card readers ahead of the election. This time around, we want to devote time to educate the Corps members during their Community Development (CD) activities at various Local governments,” he said.

Responding, Shola Waheed, the state’s director of NOA, promised to assist INEC to publicise its activities and mobilise people to participate in electoral process.

“We shall avail the Commission our officials across the local government areas in Lagos State to publicise your programmes.

We have over 207 officials to assist INEC,” Waheed said

Sunday 06 May 2018

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AssemblyWatch From the Red Chamber With

OWEDE AGBAJILEKE

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n his famous speech to the Ghanaian parliament in 2009, former President of the United States, Barack Obama proclaimed that “Africa doesn’t need strongmen, it needs strong institutions”.

The 44th American President also recounted the violent history of Africa, insinuating that most of that history resulted from failures of institutions, and that solutions required Africa having the right structures.

Unfortunately, nine years after Obama’s remarks, weak institutions remain the greatest challenge facing Nigerian democracy, even as the influence of strongmen dominate the political landscape.

I must, however, admit that while Nigeria took a giant step forward in 2015 when former President Goodluck Jonathan became the first Nigerian leader to peacefully relinquish power to the opposition party, we have

Rising spate of strongmen in Nigerian politics taken ten steps backwards with the dominance of strongmen in the current political atmosphere.

From President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen, Acting Chairman Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu, former Lagos State governor Bola Tinubu, National Chairman Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Uche Secondus, his counterpart in All Progressives Congress (APC) John Odigie-Oyegun to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the list of strongmen in the Nigerian political atmosphere is endless.

At a time the governing African National Congress (ANC) forced former South African President Jacob Zuma to resign and is currently facing corruption trial, Nigeria is replete with strongmen who have shown by their actions that they are bigger than our institutions.

One of such strongmen is the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris who shunned the invitation of the Senate for the second time in one week.

Just like a fortnight ago, the police boss failed to appear before the Senate over the

alleged inhuman treatment meted out to the embattled chairman, Senator Committee on Federal Capital Territory, Dino Melaye as well as killings across the country.

When the Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Abu Ibrahim, told lawmakers during plenary about several futile efforts he made to reach the IGP and Saraki asked for contribution from lawmakers, the silence in the hallowed chambers was deafening.

But I don’t think their silence indicated disapproval of the police boss’ action. Rather federal lawmakers were scared that should they speak out against Idris or the President, they faced humiliation just like the Chairman, Senate Public Accounts Committee Matthew Urhoghide who was harassed at the Benin Airport recently in the presence of Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and the state Commissioner of Police after he urged the upper legislative chamber to invoke Section 143 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) against Buhari.

The arraignment of Melaye in court on a stretcher as well as prosecution of other critics of the President like Senators Peter Nwaoboshi, Shehu Sani, while perpetrators of last month’s invasion of the National Assembly and snatching of the mace are walking

freely, may have sent shivers down the spine of legislators.

Also, strong indications that Melaye may have been abandoned by the institution of the Senate, came to the front burner last week when the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, practically evaded questions from journalists relating to the ordeal of the embattled senator without expressly condemning the degrading and humiliating treatment meted out to him by the police.

Also, the disclosure by President Buhari in March this year that he was ‘surprised’ that the Inspector-General of Police disobeyed his directives to stay in Benue until the bloodletting between farmers and herdsmen was resolved, has sent further signals to lawmakers that Idris is an ‘anointed’ that must not be ‘touched’.

This informed why senators looked startled and frightened at plenary as though they had just seen a ghost. When the Deputy Senate Majority Leader, Bala Ibn N’Allah, finally summoned the courage to speak, he did so by choosing his words carefully.

“I am in a state of shock,” he said, even as he suggested that a delegation led by the Senate President should visit President Buhari to register their displeasure on the non-

Anticipatory approval of $496.375m and the doctrine of necessity

T

he coast is now clear for the passage of the passage of the 2018 Appropriation bill, barring last minute changes.

And as I earlier reported, Nigerians are watching with keen interest the hullaballoo coming from a cross section of members of House of Representatives and their Senate counterpart over the allegation leveled against President Muhammadu Buhari over the anticipatory approval of $496,374,470 equivalent to N151,394,421,335 for procurement of Super Tucano Aircfraft, into the 2018 budget, without the approval of the National Assembly.

While some of the lawmakers from the ruling party, All Progressive Congress (APC) were of the opinion that the approval was in order and in tandem with the section 82 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), however, other opposition lawmakers made strong argument that the President usurps the powers of the National Assembly for failing to secure approval before paying the fund into the US treasury. It’s quite an interesting scenario, because the issue as rightly pointed out by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, was not envisaged by the framers of the Nigerian Constitution. I also recall Mr. Speaker informed the House that, the 2017 Appropriation Act’s lifespan which was passed in May 2017, has not elapsed. This invariable means, President Buhari’s request is still tenable on one side.

Meanwhile, Dogara who tried to

17

be clever in banging the gavel and at crossroad as event unfolded that the situation at hand may snowball into another mega crisis, knowing full well the array of support he’s enjoying from the opposition lawmakers, submitted that “I don’t think as a matter of law, there’s a straight forward answer to this... yet on the other hand, we are duty bound to consider it,” mandated the House Committee on Rules and Business to do diligent search of precedence from other climes.

Take it or leave it, the Speaker was on top of the situation! As it was during the sixth Assembly and the take-over of baton by Goodluck Jonathan from his ailing boss, President Musa Yar’Adua through the ‘doctrine of necessity’, similar situation may be considered to save President Buhari from this Constitutional crisis.

Without doubt, both parties are justified by the positions taken. But beyond the present predicament, there is need for further alteration of relevant sections of the Constitution, in addition to the recently passed Fourth Amendment to the 1999 Constitution.

According to the proposed amendment to section 82 of the Constitution, the National Assembly secured the support of 25 out of 36 State Houses of Assembly to “reduce the maximum period that a President or Governor my authorize the withdrawal of monies from the Consolidated Revenue Fund in the absence of an Appropria-

tion Act from six months to three months. The House and indeed the National Assembly should send the Constitution amendment bill to the President for assent without further delay.

The opposition lawmakers however relied on section 80(1) which provides that “All revenues or other moneys raised or received by the Federation (not being revenues or other moneys payable under this Constitution or any Act of the National Assembly into any other public fund of the Federation established for a specific purpose) shall be paid into and form one Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation. (2) No moneys shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation except to meet expenditure that is charged upon the fund by this Constitution or where the issue of those moneys has been authorised by an Appropriation Act, Supplementary Appropriation Act or an Act passed in pursuance of section 81 of this Constitution.

•No moneys shall be withdrawn from any public fund of the Federation, other than the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation, unless the issue of those moneys has been authorised by an Act of the National Assembly.

•No moneys shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation, except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly.

Section 82 also provides that “If the Appropriation Bill in respect of any financial year has not been passed into law by the beginning of the financial year, the President may authorise the withdrawal of moneys in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation for the purpose of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on the services of the Government of the Federation for a period not exceeding months or until the coming into operation of the Appropriate Act, whichever is the earlier: Provided that the withdrawal in respect of any such period shall not exceed the amount authorised to be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation under the provisions of the Appropriation Act passed by the National Assembly for the corresponding period in the immediately preceding financial year, being an amount proportionate to the total amount so authorised for the immediately preceding financial year.

Meanwhile, the resolution passed by the House to investigate various conditions of service governing the tenure of public officers including political appointees, civil servants and chief executives of extra-ministerial departments, parastatals, bodies, agencies and other institutions of government, was long overdue. According to the resolution, the Ad-hoc Committee to be set up soon, will also beam its searchlight into public owned companies and corporations un-

appearance of the police boss before the upper legislative chamber.

Surprisingly, this suggestion was rejected by Saraki, who mandated the Senate Majority Leader, Ahmad Lawan and Abu Ibrahim to engage with the Executive on the matter and report back this week.

Perhaps, the fear of being lynched by their constituents informed the failure of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, which was mandated to investigate President Buhari’s approval for the payment of $496 million out of the Excess Crude Account for the purchase of military aircraft without legislative approval.

Although Saraki had, at the penultimate week, referred the matter to the committee for legal advice and report back on Wednesday last week, the panel failed to meet the deadline.

A ranking member of the National Assembly who spoke to me on condition of anonymity revealed that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle, than for a Nigerian President to be impeached.

“When push comes to shove, the National Assembly would be divided along political and religious lines,” he said.

From the Green House With

KEHINDE AKINTOLA der the control of the Executive, Legislature and Judicial arms of the federal government of Nigeria.

The Ad-hoc Committee is also expected to further inquire into the operational costs of running the federal government of Nigeria, by whatever name including security votes, running costs, service wide votes, imprests, contingencies, etc, in compliance with Sections 88(1a & b) and 2(a & b) and 89(1a-d) and 2 of the 1999 constitution (as amended).

While I’m not too excited by the resolution, because the best of such investigations conducted by previous Assembly were either swept under the carpet(s) or were not implemented or the hunters became the hunted. Nigerians will keep watching how far the investigation will go!a

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Nigerian youth and the scourge of drug addiction

PUBLISHER/CEO

EDITOR Zebulon Agomuo

Sunday 06 May 2018

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

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ecent directive by the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole banning sales of Codeine containing cough syrups without prescription across the country is, no doubt, a sad reflection of the alarming state of drug addiction in the country, especially among the youth.

According to Prof Adewole, the directive became necessary due to the gross abuse Codeine usage has been subjected to in the country.

Drug addiction is the excessive, maladaptive, or obsessive use of drugs for non-medicinal purposes. It is characterized by a compulsion to take drugs on a steady basis in order to experience its mental effects.

Drug addiction leads to habitual dependence on drugs which gives rise to mental, emotional, biological or physical, social and economic instability. Drug addiction, no doubt, has distressing and extremely awful consequences on the society. Violence, crime, social deviance, mental disorders and premature death are some of the consequences of drug addiction.

According to a 2011 World Drug Report, over 210 million people or 4.8% of the world population use

illicit substances yearly. In Nigeria, the youth seems to be more involved in this deadly act. A recent United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Report shows that the age of first use in the country is 10-29 years. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has expressed concern over the increasing level of drug abuse and drug trafficking among Nigerian youths. According to the NDLEA, the situation had been worsened by the affordability of substance of abuse such as cough syrups, lizard wastes, gums and cannabis sativa popularly known as Indian hemp.

Considering the delicate and sensitive position of the youth within the country, drug addiction among them remains a major threat to national growth and development.

Environmental influence, especially during childhood, is a very important factor in drug addiction.

Parents or older family members who abuse alcohol or drugs, or who engage in criminal behavior, can increase children’s risks of developing their own drug problems.

Friends and acquaintances can also have an increasingly strong influenceduringadolescence.Drugusing peers can sway even those without risk factors to try drugs for the first time. Academic failure or poor social skills can put a child at further risk for using or becoming addicted to drugs. High stress level, especially occasioned by dire economic strains, severe trauma,

psychological trauma, including loss of a loved one or chronic loneliness are some of the factors that could lead to drug addiction.

Tackling the problem of unemployment in the country is relevant to reducing the menace of drug addiction among the youth in our society.

According to a recent World Bank statistics, youth unemployment rate in Nigeria is 68%, but realistically, 80% of Nigerian youths are unemployed with secondary school graduates mostly found among unemployed rural population accounting for about half of this figure, while universities and polytechnic graduates make up the figure. What seems to be more worrisome is the fact that the nation’s universities and polytechnics continue to churn out more than 150,000 graduates both Bachelor’s degrees and Higher National Diploma annually and job creation has been inadequate to keep pace with the expanding working age population. Thus, idleness among youth could easily make drug addiction a fascinating option.

Perhaps, more importantly, parents must spend time to inculcate moral values in their children. Undue struggles for economic survival should not be a justification for parents to neglect their natural role in the proper of upbringing of their children. Of what essence is a family’s financial solidity if the children are not properly brought up?

It is only when parents spend ample time with their children that they

could really notice negative vices and in traits in them and quickly nips such in the bud.

Similarly, public enlightenment campaigns on the harmful effects of drug addiction must be stepped up by relevant government agencies, NGOs, Faith Based Organizations, community leaders, traditional institution, etc. Ignorance remains a major factor in drug addiction and so relevant stakeholders must continue to enlighten the youth on the evils of drug addiction and trafficking. Indeed, schools could include drug related issues their curriculum.

It is imperative that younger ones are taught the dangers that drug addiction pose to their health and future before they are exposed to peer influence in later years.

Also, the NDLEA and other similar law enforcement agencies must step up the clampdown on the production and illicit trafficking of banned substances. As long as these substances remain in circulation, the youths will always be tempted into consuming them. Additionally, the NDLEA can equally increase the pulse of its efficiency through the deployment of technological devices that can boost its seamless detection of hard drug dealers or users.

Given the enormity of the damage of drug addiction to mankind, no effort should be spared to curb its menace.

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

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Sunday 06 May 2018

Comment

comment is free Send 800word comments to comment@businessdayonline.com

JOHANNES TOBI WOJUOLA Wojuola is a lawyer and a member of the Abuja Global Shapers Hub, an initiative of the World Economic Forum.

S

cattered across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are heaps of truck-filled sand, caterpillars and the evidence of their work: bridges and roads under construction, some finished, some still in progress.

Residents of the FCT can testify to the abundance of construction sites that are reminiscent of the El-Rufai years. Drive here or there, alas, another diversion – Work in Progress, read the big signboards.

This is the same scenario at hundreds of locations across the country. Though, it may seem antithetical knowing that the Buhari administration undertaking all of these, has had the least funds to work with for an all round transformation of the nation. Buhari’s administration earns 60percent less than what the Goodluck Jonathan’s earned. But in three years it seems that it has done more – infrastructure wise – than its predecessor did in five years.

Nigeria, as reported by Vanguard in 2016, earned 51 Trillion Naira from petroleum resources in the five years of the Jonathan administration. That amount is more than the entire earnings Nigeria made in its 58 years of crude oil sales. Yet, the infrastructure bequeathed to the Buhari administration compared to the earnings, or even half of it, is nothing to write home about.

A pool of unfinished projects, contracts awarded and monies

GODWIN ADINDU Adindu, is a public affairs commentator.

“If you are incapable of gratitude, you are incapable of noble sentiments.

Even animals are grateful,” --- By Sir George Bernard Shaw. n that famous romantic Comedy, Arms and the Man, Sir George Bernard Shaw, the English dramatist and playwright observed that ‘If any man (by extension a community, society, country or even group) is incapable of gratitude, the man must also be incapable of noble sentiments.” Sir Bernard Shaw added: “Even animals are grateful” Indeed, it is from this standpoint that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu recently led the Ukwa Ngwa people to give honour to whom honour is due. On Friday, April 13, the Ukwa Ngwa people, led by their Governor, gathered at Ngwa High School, that old symbolic citadel of learning and expressed their heart-felt gratitude to Senator Theodore Ahamefule Orji (Ochendo) for helping them attain an almost

I

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So, who won the Buhari challenge? paid, but with nothing to show for it; power generation oscillating between a low of 2,500 MW and a high of 3,500 MW; incomplete rail projects with unpaid counterpart funding wahala; and tons of awarded contracts with no funding, and consequently no work done, litter across the country.

The question ordinarily begs to be answered: what did the Jonathan administration do with the 51 Trillion Naira it earned in 5 years?

It is evident that previous administrations paid lip service to the transformation of Nigeria’s infrastructure despite humongous revenue. If previous leaders were sincere about changing the fortunes of the country, infrastructure development would have gone beyond talk-shops and campaign trail promises. Today, lying before us is an infrastructure deficit that portrays a picture of a country that just started life less than 5 years ago.

It was not unexpected that President Buhari would have been challenged by social media users to produce evidence of work done in his almost 3 years in office. Nigerians have had too many talk-shops; let’s see work done. But the Buhari Challenge – as this challenge was known was particularly mischievous as it sought to limit the administrations achievements to projects conceived, commenced and completed within the last two and a half years. A trail on the history of the challenge promoters showed that its sponsors were PDP apologists. It was not a call for sincere

investigation, but was targeted at embarrassing the President.

Where some projects were put forward they cried that it was not enough; where none showed up they trumpeted that the government had done nothing. And that is totally false.

In the past 12 months, 17 projects from the Transmission Company of Nigeria have begun and have been completed. These projects have delivered a total of 1,138 MVA worth of transmission capacity to the administration’s Incremental Power vision.

Under President Buhari, power generation has improved from 2,500MW to 7,500MW. Several projects have been commenced and completed by the administration, but this should not be the single ultimate goal of governance. It amounts to sheer irresponsibility for a government to come into power, meet an abundance of unfinished projects, further abandon them, because it wants its own.

This contravenes the logic of governance and the principle that governance is a continuum.

It is more important to finish needful and critical abandoned projects than to hurriedly start new ones even if you have unlimited funds, which is not the case with Buhari.

Several projects, in road, rail, water, power, and housing were left uncompleted and/or abandoned by previous administrations which this administration is completing. The Itakpe – Ajaokuta Warri rail line is a 30-year-old project abandoned even before

the fourth republic commenced.

The Buhari administration would be completing it next year.

The Second Niger Bridge has moved from a mere architectural prototype and political promise to actual work under President Buhari. Conceived in 1970, its realization is making headway under President Buhari. It is currently at 44.6% completion.

Under the PMB administration, abandoned rail projects are being resuscitated and completed. One of the first projects completed by this administration was the Kaduna - Abuja railway. Also, 11 years after its flag-off, the Abuja Rail Mass Transit Project would commence operations before the year runs out. Three coaches have been delivered; tracks and the 12 Stations of the Rail Project have been completed.

The ingenuity of the SUKUK Bond to fund critical road projects cannot go without mention.

The bond of a 100 Billion was raised to fund the rehabilitation of 25 key economic road projects across the country. Some of the rehabilitated roads have reached 80% already.

Over 40 priority highway projects have been embarked on by the administration since it came into power. Two of these, the rehabilitation of the Apapa – Oshodi expressway and the Onitsha-bound carriage way of the Onitsha – Enugu road have been completed. Most of the others are above 50% completion.

The Lagos – Ibadan standard gauge rail-line is to be completed at the end of this year. It is the first

phase of the Lagos – Kano rail line.

The infrastructure drive of the President Buhari administration is sincere and unprecedented.

There is a clear fervor to revamp Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit. No country can successfully attract foreign investment without the presence of critical infrastructure. It is the bedrock of sustainable development.

Local businesses are the big beneficiaries of the infrastructure revolution we are witnessing.

With improved power supply they are spending less on petrol for their generators. With better roads the cost of transporting goods from one place to another has been mitigated.

So, who won the Buhari challenge?

Secondus’ apology finally admitting – though failing to restitute – the PDP’s wrong doing while in government, the yet most shameful act of the PDP is the promotion of a challenge it could itself never have passed.

If the same challenge was thrown at the Jonathan administration five years into its tenure, that is how many projects it had conceived, commenced and completed, it would have failed woefully. Same goes for Obasanjo’s first tenure.

An Arabic proverb goes: Commitments are clouds, implementation the rain. If we are to judge by the clouds, previous administrations have done fairly well.

But if we are to reward those who have made it rain, the Buhari administration deserves the accolades.

Ikpeazu’s capacity for gratitude elusive dream; for ensuring that an Ukwa Ngwa man became the Governor of Abia State. On that historic day, the people said their gratitude in great eulogies; they expressed it in music and dance; they did by their colourful attires and by the great multitude of men and women that assembled at Ngwa High School. The Ukwa Ngwa openly demonstrated that they are Sir Bernard Shaw’s men men who are capable of gratitude and therefore capable of noble sentiment.

Why did Governor Ikpeazu lead the Ukwa Ngwa to celebrate Ochendo? The governor was inspired by the history and the existential reality of the people. Remember that right from the First Republic when the Aba Division in the Old Eastern Region was shortchanged and their position given to an Efik woman, Margaret Ekpo, who represented them in the old Eastern Region House of Assembly, successive regimes have always short-changed the Ukwa Ngwa and reneged on whatever promise or agreement entered into with the people.

Thus, the struggle for the emancipation of the Ukwa Ngwa became a long-drawn battle that spanned over six decades, climaxing with the OTUONU Mass Movement led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe. The movement raised the momentum of the Ukwa Ngwa agenda and brought many issues about the people to the front burner of national discourse.

From the Old Imo State, it appeared as if the UkwaNgwa was consigned to the position of Deputy Governor, only good to play the second fiddle. From Isaac Uzoigwe, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Chima Nwafor, Acho Nwankanma to Col. Ananaba, the tradition endured. At different times and on different scenarios, many UkwaNgwa men of repute led heated struggles to break the jinx but to no avail. The iron hand of oligarchy continued to strangulate them.

But, significantly, the reality of the fate that confronted the UkwaNgwa came in 2001, at the hallowed ground of Okpuala Ngwa, the ancestral cradle of the people, when the former Gov-

ernor, Orji Uzor Kalu, looked at them eye-ball to eye-ball and announced that his daughter (who was three years then) will grow up to govern them if they did not give him support for his second term bid. The Ukwa Ngwa took it as the height of insult against the collective sensibilities of a people.

Based on the rotational principle in the Abia Charter of Equity, power was to rotate between the Old Bende and the Old Aba Zone.

Kalu, from inception, promised to adhere to this ordinance. But, out of his deep-seated hatred for the Ukwa Ngwa, he reneged at last and handed over power to his fellow old Bende man from Abia Central in 2007.

In the twilight of his administration in 2015, Governor T. A Orji came under intense pressure by his people of old Bende to shortchange the Ukwa Ngwa again. Thus, the Ukwa Ngwa are aware that, except for the firm and unwavering decision of Governor Theodore Orji who, against all pressure and odds, stood his ground on power rotation and kept his word as his bond on hand-

ing over to an Ukwa Ngwa, the people could not have attained the current milestone.

Thus, the Ukwa Ngwa showed gratitude to Ochendo for setting this standard of equity. They celebrated him as the only leader of Abia who has demonstrated that balance of power is critical and crucial for our common existence as one common humanity. The people celebrated Ochendo for being a father of equity.

By that grand thank you reception, the Ukwa Ngwa man re-invented himself. The act of paying good with good is primal in our value system. The Ukwa Ngwa does not pay good with evil. Such an act almost amounts to a sacrilege in our cosmology.

The Ukwa Ngwa are men of great honour who carry themselves with so much respectability and dignity and this also applies to the moral of gratitude.

This is why Governor Ikpeazu led his people to roll out drums and in colourful ceremony said: Thank you Ochendo for fighting a good fight and leading us across an important bridge.

We cherish readers’ reactions to stories and articles published in BusinessDay. All such reactions, which must not be more than 250 words, should be sent to bdsundayletter@businessdayonline.com with names and addresses of writers. The star letter every week will be rewarded.

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Sunday 06 May 2018

Politics As Obasanjo, Buhari feud rages over ambition INNOCENT ODOH, Abuja

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here appears no end in sight to the lingering feud between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Muhammadu Buhari. 2019 general election is the crux of the matter. Obasanjo has maintained his ardent opposition to the reelection bid of President Buhari, and he is said to be marshaling resources and men to ensure that the ambition becomes a pipe dream.

Obasanjo had on January 23 this year written a letter to President Buhari advising him not to seek re-election in 2019 but to rather give way for younger people to take up the reins of power.

Obasanjo was very scathing in the missive in which he detailed what he claimed was the gross failings of the Buhari administration in managing the economy of Nigeria, coupled with the President’s alleged failure to tackle the incessant killings across the country and alleged acts of clannishness and nepotism.

Former military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida also, in February, wrote to Buhari raising similar issues as Obasanjo and gave Buhari advice not to run again.

But on April 9, President Buhari defied the two former leaders and formerly declared his interest to seek re-election during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of his party the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.

Since Buhari’s declaration of interest to run, Obasanjo has not spared any moment to reiterate his stand that Buhari should have no business going back to office since he, according to Obasanjo, has not acquitted himself well in the last three years.

He has vehemently warned Nigerians to reject Buhari as he has failed serially and has allegedly even further divided Nigerians along ethnic, regional and religious lines.

On We d n e s d a y Ma y 2 , Obasanjo through his media representative, Kehinde Adeyemi, took a swipe at Buhari once again, saying that Buhari and his supporters were specialists in peddling lies, particularly for claiming that Obasanjo had made a volte face to support Buhari’s ambition. He reminded the President’s handlers that it was vain to begin to dish out falsehood in their desperation to launder the President’s allegedly battered image to the Nigerian public and make it appear good before the people.

“It has come to the attention of Olusegun Obasanjo that some elements in the Muhammadu Buhari camp and or support

Obasanjo

group are desperate to secure a second term, fair or foul. In this desperation, everything is fair, including telling libelous lies against persons and institutions, instead of addressing the fundamental issues of statecraft and economic management.

“In the last 24 hours the internet has been bombarded with deliberate falsehoods aimed at hoodwinking the unsuspecting Nigerians to believe that Obasanjo has now supported Buhari for his second term because of some perceived Buhari’s ‘superlative’ performance in his encounter with Trump during his visit to the White House in Washington DC,” the statement read.

According to Obasanjo’s aide, “In another breath, these blackmailers insinuated that Chief Obasanjo met with some Nigeria Labour Congress leaders in his house in Abuja on Workers’ Day. What a pathetic fallacy! Chief Obasanjo never met any Labour man or woman on May 1, 2018 to make any supposed volte face to support Buhari.

“Furthermore, neither was Chief Obasanjo in Abuja on that date nor does he own a house in Abuja. Any time he visits Abuja, he usually stays in a guest house or hotel. For the record, Obasanjo has not and cannot endorse failure. His position remains as stated in his January 23rd, 2018 statement on the state of the nation. Chief Obasanjo sympathises with the plight of those campaigners and supporters of Buhari. He doesn’t believe dishing out fake news that can only be believed by imbeciles will turn black into white.”

The statement added that “Nigerians know that Chief Obasanjo has only spoken the truth about widening poverty, alienation and social disunity and near disintegration of the country through Buhari’s incompetence, stressing that Obasanjo will continue to exercise his right to free speech and that no amount of hate speech

Buhari

would assuage Nigerians who are in need of a brand new leadership. The mediocre performance of Buhari cannot be described by anybody as ‘superlative’ even by morons not the least President Obasanjo.”

BDSUNDAY gathered that Obasanjo, former Chief of Army Staff, Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, and Babangida may have perfected plans to ensure that Buhari does not return to power through sensitisation and massive mobilisation of the Nigerian citizens against the re-election ambition.

An official, who is one of those at the driving seat of the Obasanjo’s inspired Coalition for New Nigeria (CNM), told BDSUNDAY last Wednesday on condition of anonymity that the three retired generals are in advanced talks to strengthen the growing antiBuhari alliance with some civil society organisations, religious groups, students, market women, professional bodies and a coalition of political parties, among others to stop President Buhari.

The source stressed that Obasanjo has sent out his foot soldiers to begin the groundwork, adding that the ex-military officers have vowed to fight Buhari from multiple fronts.

He further said that Obasanjo sees the Buhari attempt to seek re-election as “a declaration of

The mediocre performance of Buhari cannot be described by anybody as ‘superlative’ even by morons not the least President Obasanjo

war,” and has mobilised enormous resources for the antiBuhari project.

Obasanjo according to the source has met severally with stakeholders and all the interest groups have been issued with the plans to frustrate Buhari’s return.

Recently, Obasanjo met with the chieftains of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and specifically had a closed-door with the SDP National Chairman, Olu Falae, including some yet-tobe named loyalists of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu, where they are said to have perfected strategy to sway the South West away from Buhari.

Katch Ononuju, a public affairs analyst, had suggested that the battle for the South West would be intense as the region is like the political vein that holds the heart of Buhari’s political survival in 2019. He however, posited that even Ahmed Tinubu, the acclaimed national leader of the ruling All APC, who is said to be working for Buhari, would abandon him in the most important hour of need as he (Tinubu) is allegedly under severe pressure from South West leaders who have warned of the risk of voting Buhari in 2019.

“There are people who are today with Buhari but during the elections they will work against him because if Buhari wins they will go to prison. Tinubu is not doing what he is doing because he wants to work for Buhari but he is doing that out of fear. A lot of people are working for him out of fear. The Yoruba are not likely to follow Tinubu to vote for Buhari, they are likely to jump into SDP,” he said.

Ononuju stressed that the quest to stop Buhari has thickened because Buhari has allegedly abandoned the Nigerian project and sidestepped the directional principle of the state policy with regards to the Nigerian Project by allegedly conniving with the foreigners to slaughter Nigerians.

He added that Buhari has come to typify a “mistake” Nigerians made in 2015, saying “as a human society we will correct ourselves and move on. We have been challenged before and we moved on.”

He sounded confident that despite the alleged desperation of President Buhari to “cling” on to power, he will fail.

In the cabal of ex- generals, Obasanjo is said to be the most senior according to an insider, who named the other members working arduously to remove Buhari as former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, former National Security Adviser (NSA) Aliyu Gusau, while other ex-military men will act as their subordinates in collaboration with aggrieved politicians.

He added that the alliance is already thick.

To this end the National Chairman of the National Unity Party (NUP), Perry Opara, who led a delegation of the West African Association of Political Parties (WAAPP) to a meeting with Obasanjo, told BDSUNDAY that Obasanjo had both the local and international clout to dislodge President Buhari from power in 2019.

“Recall that Obasanjo and Babangida had taken turns to write President Buhari detailing his shortcomings and slamming him for the poor state of the Nigerian economy and his alleged lame-duck approach to the increasing violent killings across the country allegedly perpetrated by the Fulani herdsmen.

Danjuma was even more furious and blunt when in an unprecedented outburst recently, he accused the military of colluding with the killers to devastate the indigenous people of Nigeria. He also urged the citizens to defend themselves, alleging that if the indigenous people rely on the military, “they will die one by one,” Opara said.

The ex-generals are said to be unhappy that Buhari allegedly divided Nigerians along religious, regional and ethnic lines with his alleged nepotism. They have unanimously agreed that the nation is facing existential threat of invasion from outside and the man saddled with the responsibility is “fiddling while the nation burns,’’ and therefore, cannot be allowed to ruin the nation they fought hard to keep united.

But President Buhari has since refused to surrender his ambition which he is constitutionally entitled to. Although the President has refused to join issues with Obasanjo, his media aides have said that Nigerians remain the only people who can determine his fate in 2019 and not self-styled former leaders, who have failed to appreciate the good works the President is said to be doing.

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Politics Why I refused to defect to the APC, by Olorunrinu Dipo Olorunrinu, representing Amuwo Odofin Constituency1, is the only member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) out of five elected on the platform of the PDP in 2015, that refused to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In this exclusive interview with INIOBONG IWOK, he shared his experience, his contributions, expectations in 2019 and other national issues. Excerpts: Why did you refuse to defect to the ruling party, APC, with your colleagues? hey may be the ruling party at the federal and state; but the ruling party in my constituency is the PDP, they are the majority in my local government area. I refused to defect to the APC because I needed to stick to the votes of my people; they elected me into the House.

We don’t play politics here in the House of Assembly, and as a lawmaker the major thing I do here is to legislate for the people of Lagos State, I mean legislate on laws that concern the people; it was the decision of the majority in my constituency for me to come to the house, and that is why I am here; and they have not asked me to leave PDP for now.

The defection of my colleagues to the APC was their personal decision, and let me also say that am not aware of any promise that was made for me to defect to the APC.

not the party. It is not what you think; I want you to know that the House is not a rubber stamp as you have said, we act in the interest of the people; we are aware that a lot of people have made mistakes and we are willing to make amends.

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But are you not afraid of losing your re-election bid and how have you been weathering the storm in the house?

Let me say that no one wants to stay alone; but we must remember where we are coming from; before coming to the House, I was aware am going to be in the minority. The people put me here; I am here to speak for the people, legislate and contribute on how to make the state better.

For anything about second term, I don’t know about that; am not even aware of the promise made to my other PDP colleagues to defect.

Anything second term comes from the people and the party, I don’t know why they left the party; I think you should ask them. Personally, I see no reason why I should defect to the APC; my political career is in the hands of God. Is there any form of pressure on you to join APC? Everybody’s future is in the hands of God: I don’t have fear because it is not my business, if God put me here he would manage me; I don’t believe opportunity comes but ones, you have to identify opportunities, if God has put me here he would do his will. I am not desperate, I believe that if it is what God wants; fine. If that happens and I lose, that means we are losing our onions or the reason why we came in the house because we can’t solve them.

Dipo Olorunrinu

We are elected as leaders to solve problems; when we are elected and it is an opportunity to my leadership skill.

Many of your party members left during the PDP leadership crisis?

And you can see that the party is moving forward after the Sherrif crisis was resolved; we have had issues and there was a convention which had given us a new leadership.

What have been the challenges as the only opposition in a 40-member Assembly?

Yes it is a House of 40 members; but the first thing is to get back to the people that sent you here.

Am not saying sometimes I don’t fill lonely, even the Bible says that a man should not be alone, he should marry a wife that would keep him company, but my people have not asked me to defect.

We must know that if God wants to bless you he would single you out, when you talk about challenge it is a personal thing, am not one of those that have issues and I am not inferior to anybody. I have never been to APC; I don’t have problem with the leadership of the House and we have been working together.

There is the perception that most state Houses of Assembly are rubber stamp?

Let me say this to the people;

anybody expecting the lawmakers to go into the house and quarrel with the executives should not expect result. We must change that orientation, because you have given us mandate to legislate for you and represent you in government.

Let us stop expecting rancour between the legislature and executive; if we want result and things to work in the country, we must change our mind-set.

The people want us to go and make laws for them but the mind of many people is already polluted.

You should know that if you fail it is your name that failed and

Even a blind man would know that the administration is doing a lot, especially in the area of infrastructure

How do you react to the land use charge bill?

As a representatives of the people there is nobody that would not feel bad about the law, or that will not realise it is an extra load on the people. If you are buying a loaf of bread for certain price it would go up and you would still smile; I have some level of compassion for the people for the land use charge.

But if you look at the benefit of the law, it is for the betterment of infrastructure of the state, they say truth is bitter, even the Bible verses say you know the truth and it shall set you free.

We have a responsibility to ensure that the country is moving, if you look at Lagos and where it is now it is because of what we are doing right which has taken us far.

I am a lawmaker; we need to make laws that would move the state forward and I think that bill may have been necessary.

So you are saying the bill was a good one?

Well it may have been necessary and it may not have been necessary. The governor would not just come out like that and the Assembly would just be looking at the land use charge bill, but there is a reason we need roads, basic infrastructure, the light up Lagos project is still on, the maintenance and tax would be used in this projects.

You can’t eat your cake and have it; even though a minority, you can’t but say that the government has done well. The governor has catered for the majority to some extent; so why should we bother?

Critics say that the public hearing on the matter was not done with the interest of the masses at heart?

Let me be honest with you; the Assembly is an institution; there is no law that is passed without public hearing. But where people did not show up what happens?

All these have a process and we are cognisance of that, especially in a democratic society that we are now.

How true is it that there is division in Lagos PDP? You need to know that there is no

family without issues, but it is an internal problem. Your view may be different from mine; but the most important thing is that we are moving the party forward.

I know Salvador is with Bode George, but you can’t rule out administration issues; it is everywhere; that is not to say we have divisions in the party; I know Salvador came on as the head of PDP in Lagos on Bode George slot and I know they are still together.

How have you been giving back to the people?

I have given scholarships to the people and I have free bus and I have other things. We also have capacity development for the youths; we have programmes and especially for talented students; we have a studio for those that want to sing; where we subsidise the cost for them and their full album.

How confident are you of winning re-election?

My confident is in God; no matter what happens I can assure you that as far as God is there I would win re-election into the House.

The waste management issue is drawing sharp criticism against the Akinwunmi Ambode administration. How concerned is the house about this issue?

Even a blind man would know that the administration is doing a lot, especially in the area of infrastructure. I would say he has fought a good fight. Who does not know he has developed Lagos more than he met it? And this did not happen without the effort of the lawmakers.

The government may have made a mistake in the area of waste bins. People make mistakes; that is the word and I think he can, and will amend.

How do you assess the Muhammadu Buhari administration?

The simple word is, he has failed us. Let him bring forward somebody that is young that knows the job.

For me, he did not have any agenda; all he has promised have been a mirage; his fight against corruption is not visible; it is only the opposition that is being targeted.

What are the chances of the PDP in 2019?

For me, the PDP is going places; we have the opportunity to make it. We have apologised to the entire country for failing, and we have realised our mistake.

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Sunday 06 May 2018

Politics

Senators who may not fly their parties’ ticket in 2019

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OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja

he 2019 general election is less than 10 months away and political activities are gathering steam. According to the guidelines and schedule of activities released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), conduct of party primaries including resolution of disputes arising from the primaries would run from August 18 and October 7, 2018 while campaigns of political parties for the National Assembly elections would take place between November 18, 2018 and February 14, 2019.

Findings by BDSUNDAY revealed that due to disagreements between some senators and their governors or parties, they may not contest on the platform of the political parties that brought them to the upper legislative chamber in 2015.

Below are the affected senators, reason(s) why they may dump their current parties and the new parties they may pitch tent with:

Bukola Saraki Since Saraki’s emergence as president of the Senate against the wishes of his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the nation’s Number Three citizen has been having running battles with his party on the one hand and the Presidency on the other hand.

The governing party sees him as someone that cannot be trusted, having contested as Senate president against its wishes, as it preferred Ahmad Lawan, current Senate Majority Leader, as president of the Senate.

Findings revealed that the governing party would not want to be bitten twice, hence its resolve to give its ticket to anyone but Saraki.

On his part, the Saraki is said to be in high level consultations with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with talks centred on his return to the main opposition party, securing a return ticket and control of the party structure in the state. Although some media reports have linked him to the 2019 presidential race, he has vehemently denied such ambition.

Dino Melaye Dino Melaye heads the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT). On Monday, April 23, 2018, he reportedly escaped arrest by immigration officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on his way to Morocco. The senator representing Kogi West under the platform of the APC is, however, in police custody on charges bordering on alleged gun running. He allegedly jumped out of police van and ended up in hospital.

The controversial senator survived a recall process by his constituency last Saturday where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which organised the exercise, announced that only 5.34percent of the constituents signed to recall the lawmaker out of the legally allowed 50percent plus one.

The controversial lawmaker is also engaged in running battles with his governor, Yahaya Bello, the national

Saraki

Melaye

Sani

Kwankwaso

leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Presidency, Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, among others.

He was said to have won the 2015 election riding on the back of Buhari’s popularity. Like Saraki, Melaye is expected to fly on the ticket of the PDP in the forthcoming National Assembly election.

Isah Misau Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, Isah Hamma Misau was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District. The 44-year-old retired police officer is one of Nigeria’s youngest serving senators.

His rift with the federal authorities has led to his arraignment at an FCT High Court on seven-count charge bordering on alleged injurious falsehood against the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and the Nigerian Police.

He is also likely to pitch his tent with

The outspoken senator has been having a running battle with the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, which led to factions in the state’s APC chapter; one of the factions expelled him from the party

the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to seek a return ticket.

Shehu Sani Shehu Sani chairs the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District.

The outspoken senator has been having a running battle with the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, which led to factions in the state’s APC chapter. One of the factions expelled him from the party.

When calling on senators to take their seats in readiness for plenary, Senate Chief Whip, Sola Adeyeye, most times refer to the activist-turnedpolitician as “the only senator without a political party”.

Recently, the Kaduna Police Command named the lawmaker as a person of interest in a murder case. The embattled senator, who has been critical of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, has been linked with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to actualise his political aspiration in 2019. Although he has since denied the report, sources insist that the lawmaker has pitched his tent with the opposition party and is only waiting for the right moment to make it official.

Suleiman Hunkuyi Like Shehu Sani, the senator representing Kaduna North Senatorial Zone, Suleiman Hunkuyi, has been at daggers drawn with Governor El-Rufai for long.

The crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State has witnessed the demolition of a factional headquarters of the party on the orders of the governor.

The building located at 11B, Sambo Road, G.R .A Kaduna , belonged to Hunkuyi and housed the secretariat

of the factional Kaduna Restoration Group, which handed the governor a six-month suspension over alleged antiparty activities.

The APC senator had earlier unfolded what he called the ‘APC Aspirants Forum’ which he said he would float as a platform to unite all aspirants who were not among those being sponsored by the governor in the 2019 elections.

Political pundits say he may switch camp ahead of the forthcoming election to realise his governorship ambition.

“Although he has issues with the powers that be in the PDP, you can’t just rule out anything. There are no permanent friends or permanent enemies in politics but permanent interest. They may mend fences as the elections draw near,” one of the legislative aides of the senator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told BDSUNDAY. Rabiu Kwankwaso It is no longer news that President Muhammadu Buhari has constituted a one-man National Reconciliation Committee chaired by a former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, to resolve the internal crisis rocking the APC to guarantee the party’s electoral victory in 2019.

One of hurdles before the reconciliation committee is to bring to an end the crisis rocking the Kano State chapter of the party between Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and his predecessor and Senator representing Kano Central, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Rather than abate, the problem between the two political heavyweights has worsened since the setting up of the reconciliation committee.

Re p o r t s s a y Kw a n k w a s o, w h o emerged runners-up to Buhari in the

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Politics 2019: APC may lose South East again – Imo APC stakeholders JAMES KWEN, Abuja

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Kashamu

Uzodinma’s chances of pursuing his political ambition on the PDP platform in the state.

To this end, the ranking senator who is speculated to be eying the Imo State governorship contest in 2019 appears to have lost out in the struggle to gain control of the party’s structure in the state to Ihedioha.

Although the lawmaker recently joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) to realise his governorship ambition, he is yet to formally announce his defection on the floor of the hallowed chambers.

Fatima Raji-Rasaki

Uzodinma

December 2014 APC presidential primary against the expectations of political pundits, is set to take another shot at the presidency to confront President Buhari in 2019.

Most of his loyalists say he is on the verge of pitching his tent with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to realise his presidential ambition.

Hope Uzodinma Hope Uzodinma chairs the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) senator from Imo State is a known supporter of the Ali Modu Sherrif faction that lost out in the power tussle for the control of the party.

He is battling for the leadership of PDP in Imo State with a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha.

The emergence of Uche Secondus as national chairman of the party, a close ally of Ihedioha, may have foreclosed

Buruji Kashamu Just like Uzodinma , Buruji Kashamu supported Sheriff’s faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 14-month leadership crisis that rocked the party. He represents Ogun East in the National Assembly.

Recall that the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, had reserved judgment in the appeal filed by the Federal Government seeking the extradition of the lawmaker to the United States of America over his alleged role in an illicit drug deal.

With no end in sight to the almost eight-year-old crisis bedevilling the party in the state, reports say Kashamu may have concluded plans to move to another political party to pursue his ambition to govern the state in 2019.

Investigations revealed that he is still consulting widely on which platform to realise his ambition.

Fatima Raji-Rasaki Ahead of the general election, the ranks of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) continues to swell, as the senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Fatima Raji-Rasaki, has reportedly dumped the PDP and pitched tent with the SDP. She joined the party over Ayo Fayose’s alleged imposition of his deputy, Kolapo Olusola, as the anointed candidate of the party for the July 14 governorship election in the state. She is expected to re-contest on the platform of SDP in the forthcoming general election.

Although she is yet to officially announce the defection on the floor of the Senate, she attended the stakeholders’ meeting of the SDP in Ado Ekiti early April.

ll Progressives Congress (APC) is likely to lose the South East geopolitical zone again in the 2019 general election.

This was the position of Imo State APC Stakeholders forum during a protest visit to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party at its National Secretariat, Abuja.

The forum accused Rochas Okorocha of Imo State who is the governor of the only APC-controlled state in the entire South East of high handedness, political enslavement and exclusion driving members away from the party.

They said Okorocha’s antics were having boomeranging effect on the entire South East zone as Imo is the centerpiece of APC in Igboland and particularly lamented the decision of the governor to install his son-in law, Uche Nwosu as his successor.

Articulating the grievances of the forum, Ben Uwajumogu, senator representing Imo North called on APC National Leadership to intervene urgently before Okorocha completely jeopardised the efforts of selling the party in the South East to avoid the repeat of what happened in 2015 in 2019.

“Today, all is not well in Imo State. If you don’t do something to rescue the situation it will be a miracle for APC to win Imo State in the forthcoming elections.

“It will not only be Imo State but the damage that has occurred in Imo State will affect the other states in the South East. As we tell you today if you conduct a pool on all the APC members in the South East less than 10percent will support the continuation of what Rochas has imposed on Imo State and in the South East and there is no way one can incarcerate and deprive every members of this party their hope ad and aspiration in 2019,” Uwajumogu informed.

He stated that stakeholders were prepared to work for APC and ready to ensure that in 2019 the party wins elections in the South East but with a man like Rochas as the arrow head, APC is heading to destruction.

According to him, Okorocha has turned everything politically and administratively upside down in the state as a result of bad governance which is at variant with APC manifestoes and has brazenly undermined the powers of party leadership at all levels.

“The governor appropriated the powers of NWC, the power of the zonal and state EXCO of APC and dished out certificates and recognised people in what he called mock election.

“You have to make a statement now; let Igbo people know that there is an NWC that is ready to come to justice and deliver us from the wicked hands of Rochas Okorocha who make Imo people keep crying about APC so that the people will know that that is not the life style of APC,” the senator submitted.

Okey Ikoro, chairman Imo APC Stakeholders Forum presented a vote of no confidence in Governor Okorocha at the recent meeting of about 100 stakeholders, including, Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere, Osita Izunaso, APC National Organising Secretary, 16 out of the 21 APC local government chairmen and some serving and past members of the state executive.

Okorocha

Uwajumogu

Ikoro called on the party’s national leadership to urgently address the disputation to avoid jeopardising the party’s electoral chances in the state and indeed the South East region ahead of the 2019 general election.

Responding, APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun said the party leadership would look at the petition with a view to resolving the issues.

“I thank you for coming jointly. I promise on behalf of the NWC that we will do, one, all we can to maintain level playing ground; two, pursue avenues for a reconciliation of the various groups and tendencies in Imo State.

“And I want to also urge on your part that you should be ready for peace, you should be ready for compromise. At the end of the day, it is the vote that counts whether inside the party, or when finally a general election comes.

“You are the stakeholders; you are the bulk, the strength, the muscle of the party in Imo State. Well, it is time to prove it in the next few days and in the next few weeks.

“Imo must lead the charge in the entire South East. So, it is a painful thing to see that we are divided but I am happy that in your speech you have opened doors of unity. I want to assure you that we on our side will do everything possible to take up your complaints, your reservations so that an acceptable compromise can be reached that will make it possible for us to fight as one party.

“I am not unaware of the issues. I am certainly not unaware. I am a Nigerian. As party national chairman, all of these issues come to my table. There has to be unity but there cannot be unity without justice. So there must be justice”, the APC National chairman said.

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Politics

Imo looks to APGA for

...Will the party live up to the bidding?

T

CHUKS OLUIGBO

he prospects of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2019 governorship election in Imo State keep looking brighter as more and more citizens of the state bet on the party as the only one that can rescue the state from its present derelict state. This is as the party in the state has also continued to attract many more credible aspirants vying for its governorship ticket.

With the People’s Democratic (PDP) in the state still gasping for breath, unable to fully recover from its self-inflicted injuries over the years, and with the crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over Governor Rochas Okorocha’s determined bid to impose his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, as the party’s flag-bearer in the 2019 governorship election, all eyes are on APGA to take the lead.

Formed in 2002, APGA has been the dominant party in Anambra State in the past 13 years after Peter Obi rode to the Government House on the party’s platform. Obi was succeeded by Willie Obiano, and last November, riding again on the party’s platform, Obiano secured a 100 percent victory in the governorship election in the state to clinch what many political analysts described as a well-deserved second term of office. In January this year, Victor Umeh, a former national chairman of APGA, also won a place in the Nigerian Senate in the Anambra Central senatorial election.

But the history of APGA in Imo State has been a chequered one.

Although the party has always claimed to have won governorship elections in Imo State since 2003, it was only in 2011 that the party for the first time truly won an undisputed victory at the governorship poll in the state.

When Okorocha came to power on the APGA platform, he called on Imolites and Ndigbo in general to join the party which he said was a distinct political party that the Igbo passionately believed in and followed like a religion.

“All Igbo should join APGA for us to be identified, it is our culture.

Every Igbo man is APGA before any other party,” he said.

Barely two years into his tenure, however, Okorocha not only

Chidi Okoro

joined the then newly-formed APC but also condemned APGA and declared it dead in the state.

Okorocha’s exit to APC, carrying with him more than half of APGA members in the state, spelt doom for the party. However, within two short years, and by dint of hard work, APGA was able to regroup, reorganise and field a candidate in the 2015 governorship election, even though internal wrangling over the party ticket cost it dearly.

Now a wave of optimism is sweeping across the party ahead of the 2019 elections. Bolstered by its recent victories in Anambra, the party is pushing seriously to consolidate its position in other states of the South-East, including Imo. A surge of optimism Last December, Governor Obiano advised his fellow South-East governors to join APGA if they wanted to be re-elected in 2019.

Obiano, whose thoughts were made known via a report on the Facebook wall of Ifeanyi Aniagoh, his senior special assistant on social media, described APGA as hurricane that can never be stopped in the South-East by anybody.

“What happened here on November 18 when APGA swept the entire poll in Anambra State will be

replicated in Imo, Abia, Enugu, and Ebonyi States in 2019. APGA is a hurricane that nobody can stop in the South-east,” Obiano said.

“What I am telling my brother governors in the South-East is for them to join APGA now if they wish to be re-elected; otherwise, sorry for them, they must lose their seats to APGA in 2019,” he said.

Many party faithful in Imo agree, saying God has positioned APGA to play a central role in Imo’s redemption come 2019.

John Osuji, a political analyst, is of the opinion that the growing number of governorship aspirants vying for the APGA ticket is a positive sign that APGA is the party that God has positioned to rescue Imo from the doldrums.

“It is a fact that APGA in Imo State still retains enormous support from the Imo populace. It is the party that took Rochas Okorocha to Government House in 2011.

APGA nearly made Martin Agbaso governor if not that powerful forces who had denied the party of victory in the past also frustrated his victory. That tells the strength of APGA in Imo,” Osuji said.

Writing in an article “Imo APGA: Between The Frontline And Backline Guber Aspirants”, Osuji said APGA has the colouration of a movement and has also been embraced by the Igbo because it is

tailored towards championing the Igbo cause.

“With its victory in Anambra State governorship election last year, Imo State could be its next victory point if it harnesses the level of its followership. Because of its electoral appeal, it has become a new destination point for all manner of politicians who want to ride on the popularity of the party to become Imo State governor. It made the mistake in 2011 and it will be catastrophic if it happens again,” Osuji said.

He, therefore, advised the party to quickly separate the wheat from the chaff in order to save the party from implosion.

Chidi Okoro, a frontline aspirant for the APGA governorship ticket in the state who declared his interest at the party office in Owerri on April 3, is also very optimistic that the party is well positioned to wrest power from the APC next year.

Okoro, who said he possesses a superior, well-thought blueprint that would deliver sustainable, inclusive and diversified development in Imo State, insists that APGA’s strength lies in the majority of Imo people who want a better life for themselves and for their children and who trust that only the party can deliver the goods.

In February, Sam Amadi, a former chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC), while declaring his intention to vie for the APGA ticket at the party’s secretariat in

Frank-Nneji

Owerri, the state capital, said the party was positioned to salvage Imo and its people in 2019.

“Two things are involved in this 2019 election: one is integrity and the other one is governance. APC lacks integrity and true governance and that is what APGA has come to offer to Imo people,” he said.

Another aspirant, Uche Onyeagocha, had also boasted in March that Imo traditionally belonged to APGA and that the party has what it takes to reclaim the state in 2019.

Even Okorocha has keyed into this prophetic optimism, perhaps inadvertently. In February this year, he reportedly told governorship aspirants in his party (APC) that any of them who wanted to succeed him in 2019 should go and pick the APGA ticket.

Okorocha spoke through a statement by his media aide, Sam Onwuemeodo.

More aspirants join the fray With APGA positioning itself as the party to beat in 2019, it has become the most beautiful bride to be courted by the Imo people, but especially by aspirants to different political offices. And the courtship is on.

As at the last count, over 20 aspirants are jostling for the APGA ticket in Imo State. Prominent among these aspirants are Chidi Okoro, who has held senior management positions in Promasidor, MTN, Reckitt Benckiser and Emzor Pharmaceutical and has served as managing director/ CEO, GlaxoSmithKline Nigeria, and later, managing director/CEO, UAC Foods Limited; Frank Nneji, chief executive officer, ABC Transport; Stephen Nwoga, deputy national organising secretary of the party; and Sam Amadi, a former chairman of NERC.

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Politics

salvation in 2019

Ike C. Ibe

Others are Uche Onyeagocha, a former member of the House of Representatives; Okey Ezeh, who also contested for the ticket in 2915; Ike C. Ibeh, David Mbamara, Obi Njoku, Charles Onyeagbako, Humphrey Anumudu, Phillip Ibekwe, among others.

Indeed, this is the first time in the history of APGA in the state that such a huge number of aspirants have converged in the party at the same time.

While many may see the large number of governorship aspirants in the party as a bad sign, and while it has continued to generate concerns as some political analysts fear there might be an implosion in the party if the primary election and its outcome are not properly managed, some political observers say it is actually positive as it signals the high level of acceptance of APGA in the state. If properly harnessed, they say, this acceptance could translate into electoral victory for the party in 2019.

Learning from the 2015 experience Emmanuel Ihenacho, a retired captain and the party’s candidate in the 2015 governorship election, said recently that APGA had taken note of what happened in the last election and would “put the details of that experience into 2019”.

Part of the 2015 experience that APGA must take seriously, observers say, is the poor handling of the primary election and its aftermath.

Ihenacho defeated Okey Ezeh, another key contender in the party’s governorship primary election, to clinch the party’s ticket in 2015. Aggrieved, Ezeh had gone on to hold a parallel congress where he emerged the parallel APGA governorship candidate. Not satisfied, he later went

to court to challenge Ihenacho’s candidacy and, when that did not seem to produce the desired result, eventually mobilized all his structures, pledged loyalty to and worked for Emeka Ihedioha, the PDP governorship candidate in the election.

In the prevailing circumstance, APGA, a party that was tipped by many political pundits to win the election, could not garner more than 20,000 votes.

As 2019 approaches, it is gratifying to note that the party is already putting machinery in place to ensure that the outcome of the primaries scheduled for August, according to an insider source, does not breed rancour.

BDSUNDAY gathered that not long ago the leadership of the party in the state held a parley with some of its governorship aspirants at the APGA state secretariat at Egbu Road, Owerri, where the discussion dwelt on the need to imbibe political tolerance and work as one family, irrespective of who amongst them picks the governorship ticket.

It is also heartening to hear that some of the aspirants have said they would work harmoniously with whosoever emerges as the party’s flag bearer.

Nwoga, for instance, was quoted by an online medium to have said after the parley, “We shall work together to support whoever that picks our ticket to make sure APGA wins back Imo State.”

Sometime ago, a local newspa-

per in Owerri had reported that majority of the APGA governorship aspirants had endorsed Okey Ezeh for the party’s guber ticket, a report which triggered a wave of reactions that were capable of sinking the party into oblivion.

In a reaction, however, John Iwuala, assistant national organizing secretary, South-East Zone of the party, condemned “the image-tarnishing publication” and disassociated the party’s “responsible and reasonable gubernatorial aspirants” from what he tagged “political blackmail”.

He said APGA was yet to commence the sale of expression of interest forms to any aspirant for any elective position in the 2019 general elections, adding that the party was too credible “to have aspirants who will throw in their towel before the contest”.

More interestingly, Iwuala said all the governorship aspirants in Imo State have “mutual love for themselves and as well share things together which is uncommon with rival political parties in Nigeria today”.

He added that under the credible leadership of Peter Ezeobi, the party chairman in the state, and the direction of Victor Ike Oye, who “has always preached internal democracy within the various hierarchy of our great party”, APGA “is poised towards credible, transparent, free and fair primaries on a level playing ground for all the aspirants in the state”.

“APGA is the only hope of Ndi Imo State for a positive change come 2019 and would not take any chances to any undemocratic disposition from any individual or media outfit,” he said.

In order to water the ground for their emergence as the preferred candidates to clinch the APGA

Okey-Ezeh

ticket, some aspirants have begun to throw money about, with some already donating vehicles to the party for the campaign.

But analysts say in order not lose credibility, APGA must shun money politics to give every aspirant a truly level playing ground and ensure that the most promising candidate, not the highest donor, gets the party ticket.

Need for equity, justice Austin Echefu, new media, media & strategy coordinator, Imo Youth Platform, is of the view that God has positioned APGA in Imo State for serious assignment so that the state can move on again, but adds that the party must help itself to play its God-assigned roles.

In an article “2019: What APGA Must Do To Win Imo Guber”, Echefu commended the national leadership of APGA for demonstrating “orderliness, equity and justice” by adopting and maintaining a zoning formula in Anambra State. He, therefore, called for the same principles to be extended to the party in Imo State, saying that was the only way the APGA victory in Anambra State could be maintained and replicated in Imo State and other states of the South East in 2019.

While agreeing that what APGA requires is “someone with proven managerial ability to fly its flag”, Echefu insisted on the need for “equity and justice”, which, in this case, means “zoning of the 2019 governorship ticket to Okigwe zone”.

Justifying the need for zoning the ticket to Okigwe, he said though APGA in Imo State had always practiced zoning, Okigwe zone had always held the short end of the stick.

To buttress the point, he recalled

that after APGA was formed in 2002, the party’s governorship ticket in the state for the 2003 general elections went to Ezekiel Izuogu from Ideato North (Orlu zone).

In 2007, the ticket went to Martin Agbaso from Emekuku in Owerri North LGA (Owerri zone). In 2011, the ticket returned to Orlu zone through Rochas Okorocha from Ideato South, who picked Jude Agbaso from Owerri zone as his deputy. And in 2015, APGA gave its governorship ticket to Emmanuel Ihenacho from Owerri zone.

He further argued that apart from the APGA governorship ticket, the state chairmanship of the party had over the years also been shared between Orlu and Owerri zones, with Okigwe zone clearly missing from the entire permutation.

“Therefore, APGA has a golden opportunity to correct this anomaly and reassure everyone that it is not a party owned by Owerri and Orlu zones and that it is not into any conspiracy against Okigwe zone,” he said.

The best way to do this, he argued, is for the party to “immediately zone its 2019 governorship ticket to Okigwe zone and ensure that only a sellable candidate from that area emerges as its flag bearer”.

He reminded APGA in Imo State that it is going into the 2019 governorship battle with Okorocha, a man who once held its ticket and later turned around to spit on it, arguing that the only way to defeat such a man was for the party to zone the ticket “and shop for the man with the right arsenal to defeat the governor and his wouldbe candidate”.

He also reminded APGA that by zoning its 2019 governorship ticket to Okigwe, the party would be carrying every zone in the state along towards having a stronger party and winning the much coveted governorship.

For instance, he argued, the zoning formula would resolve the claim that APGA only has presence in Owerri zone while it suffers in other areas, dispel the discouraging feeling that some people own the party, give every member a sense of belonging, present the party in a good light before the Imo public as a party that caters to the interests of all, making it more acceptable to them, as well as give the party a broader outlook.

“If the right things are done, APGA stands a good chance to win the 2019 governorship election; that is, if the lethal war in the APC and PDP are not allowed a breathing space to rear up in APGA,” he said.

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Politics ‘I foresee danger in no re-election directive against two-term officers in Lagos APC’ Fouad Oki, Lagos Central vice chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a former director-general for the Akinwunmi Ambode 2015 election campaign organisation, in this exclusive interview with INIEBONG IWOK, talks about the state of the party in the state, the coming state congress, among other issues. Excerpts:

H

ow do you react to the message by the National Leader of your party, Bola Tinubu, that officers of the party who have served more than two tenures should not seek re-election in the coming state congress?

Yes, I am aware of the information; but much so because APC is a new party and whatever credential any party official has now cannot be counted forward in the coming state congress.

I was not at the stakeholders’ meeting that was held with Tinubu, but I believe whatever he said was just advisory; there is nowhere in the constitution of our party that says nobody should seek not seek re-election. Good, it is normal that everybody would always want a smooth transition from one administration to the other, it is in doing that, that Asiwaju tried to speak to party members so that the election would hold in a peaceful manner.

There is a danger in what he said; it is rather unfortunate; everybody should enjoy a level playing field except we want to apply double standard for the party.

In a couple of months, several other members of the party in the parliament, both in the state and federal, would want to seek re-election into the parliament, are we going to say they should not seek re-election? And mind you the constitution gives them the power to seek re-election.

We have agreed that lawmakers are like wine; the longer they stay, they better they are. So if we are saying that those that have served more than two terms should not seek reelection I don’t know what we are saying. Are we going to apply double standard and give them the ticket but deny the party officers from seeking second term? Put yourself in the shoes of those people.

Are you saying some officers are aggrieved by Tinubu’s directive?

I have not seen anyone aggrieved; the statement by the national leader is mostly in an advisory position, and it would not be fair to call him that name; he is a democrat and I am sure his credentials would speak for him.

He would not deliberately stop people from contesting for second term in the party.

But a coalition in Lagos central wants the chairmanship position zoned to the constituency?

Yes, I read the statement; it is my position that all people of good will, all individuals should seriously take more curious look at the agitation; it is unfair for the party to marginalise Lagos central; Lagos central is the cradle of politics in Nigeria, it is the first colony of Lagos, whatever reason one administrative division, that is Lagos east, should not be

Oki holding position for so long; mind you Asiwaju is also playing politics from Lagos East, but he is from Lagos west. At the party forum where he is the head, Hamzat his deputy is also from same east.

That statement and what the people are saying is the voice from the zone, it is the voice of the people; may be if Ajomale was not stopped from seeking re-election, this issue would not have arisen.

So the people that wrote that statement are normal and on course; the zone must produce the next chairman for the party.

Mind you, no zone has the experience more than our zone, if you are in doubt let them bring their credentials and we bring ours; I have experience at all levels in politics and it is there.

Because I hear some people in Ikeja saying that if Asiwaju is saying no one should contest, that some people in Ikeja should be given waiver, an exemption. I don’t think that is possible. Show me one party officer in their zone who has more experience than I do, or Alhaji Mato, or Kayode Olawepo, Alhaji Bature let them bring their first eleven and we bring ours and we would see who wins.

Are you contesting for the chairmanship of Lagos APC? The race is open; I have been talking to my people to contest; I have not given it a thought to contest for the chairmanship. In this constituency we do our thing differently; we give opportunity

to have their view; we constitute Assembly in the centre and we ask the people to indicate interest on the subject and it is subjected to the popular view of the people; then we can choose who would bring back the trophy. I am eminently qualified; we have a system and it is not about few individuals sitting down to decide; we call stakeholders’ meeting and we hold assembly and members are asked to indicate interest and from there we can say these are the people that would represent us. They would test their

Asiwaju stopped the process, I did not go to him and inform him, and he did not bother to ask or hear from me, but he saw it in the papers and asked them to stop the process. I was determined to make myself available to the committee that was set up to speak with me.

The objective of the Broom United Group that I set up and which was the genesis of the suspension initially is to complement what Tinubu is doing nationally

popularity in the Assembly of the constituency.

How do you react to the recently reviewed land use charge by the administration of Ambode?

You said earlier that in your recent interview with Ajomale, he said the party would take a position on it soon. Mind you, I am an officer of the party, Ajomale is my principal; and if he has answered the question; that is my opinion.

Has the issue of your alleged suspension by the Lagos APC been resolved?

I think the issue has been taken care of by the party; the leadership said I was not suspended, but he knows I don’t speak if I don’t have facts. If they come forward; I would show them the paper and those they told to go and suspend me, but it is important that that chapter is closed, so the nonsense should stop.

Asiwaju stopped the process, I did not go to him and inform him, and he did not bother to ask or hear from me, but he saw it in the papers and asked them to stop the process.

I was determined to make myself available to the committee that was set up to speak with me. The objective of the Broom United Group that I set up and which was the genesis of the suspension initially is to complement what Tinubu is doing nationally. Unfortunately, the people that clamoured for my suspension did not know I was working with the national leader on the reconciliation effort he is embarking upon in the party. They lacked the information

that I am part of the 3-man committee working with Tinubu to carry out his assignment and we are given advance information.

How do you react to the disagreement in your constituency about Femi Gbajabiamila going for the fifth term?

Every child that you have wants to live up to hundred years; you must allow that child to grow. But on this issue, don’t look at the gladiator, look at the challenges. It is normal.

It is an issue that is common; we are coming and getting stronger, you must also understand in this progressive politics, I mean this kind of politics would always serve the masses, and in society we have the bourgeoisies and the masses, both would always clash because of interest. A lot of us do understand the development of democracy.

You have to understand that there would always be a struggle between the have and have nots; they would always be at loggerheads. It is a family issue; some people feel ‘my voice has not been heard’. I have not taken a position or come out to say anything and deal with the issue.

The party leadership in the state is weak but when we now sort the chaff from the grain we now try to ask relevant question, what is this person bringing to table it?

I have not come out to take a position on the issues, sometimes you must know about Lagos; we are first cousins, and we are second cousins The Fashola family, the Gbajabiamila, the Fouad we have married each other; we would resolve the issues at the appropriate time and we come out stronger, we don’t not think this issue would divide us.

Buhari is seeking re-election and Tinubu has given him support has the president done enough?

I am an apostle of Buharism and also a student of Government and Comparative Policy Analyses. In government, you cannot have enough, he is doing and acting in the right direction and the average Nigerian is happy with his government.

Nigerians have one mentality; if you are elected into public position your family would tell you don’t come back empty-handed; we need to go back to the basis; the value system in the country has broken down, it is a very big problem that we need to deal with, we should stop expecting free things from government, I am on the same page with Tinubu.

Has the President done enough to curb the current Killings across the country?

The killings are unfortunate; my condolence to the victims’ families.

But it was in the news recently when the Governor of Benue State said that some of the killings were not done by the Fulani herdsmen it means we have a huge security challenge in our hands that we must deal with.

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TheWorshippers ‘The glory of this present house is greater than the former’ …the making of Deeper Life’s new Gbagada church SEYI JOHN SALAU

O

n Tuesday, April 24, 2018, Deeper Life Bible Church inaugurated what is today known as the world’s fourth-largest church auditorium as a place of worship for members and guests. The 30,000-capacity edifice, if not anything, shows leadership in action and vision.

When in 2005 the church decided to pull down its old worship centre in Gbagada for a befitting edifice to worship the King of kings, it was undoubtedly because it had a leader in W. F. Kumuyi with a clear vision to lead the people into a new glory.

The new giant leap of the church is being commended and celebrated, but the church started humbly in 1973 with just about 15 members. However, over the years, through grace, hard work and provision of leadership, the Deeper Life Bible Church has grown into a mega church with outreaches across the world.

And, just as the scripture said in Haggai 2:9, “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house, says the Lord Almighty. And in this place I will grant peace, declares the Lord Almighty”, Deeper Life Bible Church has shown that this verse of the scripture is a testament to what God can do, if people put their trust and hope on him.

However, like the new motto of the church, ‘Achieving heaven’s goal’, there is therefore no better time to tell the story of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry and its Gbagada church than this time when the doors of its ultra-modern headquarters building were opened to worshippers.

Like someone rightly wrote on social media few weeks ago, Deeper Life also inaugurated what is the biggest and most magnificent hospital in Gbagada. The hospital is open to every member of the public at no cost. Indeed, the beauty, tenacity of purpose, solidity and sheer commitment that characterise this edifice are metaphoric expressions of what constitutes the Deeper Life.

How it all began For many who know the history of the Gbagada church, it all began with a group of 15 individuals wanting an in-depth study of the word of God from a man who was then a Mathematics lecturer at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Kumuyi would gather the people in his sitting room on the campus of the university, and with this group, he began a bible study in August of 1973. Thus, was born the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM), a non-denominational endeavour committed to the spiritual welfare of the people.

However, in 1980, the church commenced the construction of the first 3,000-capacity auditorium, which like Kumuyi said at the inauguration of the new auditorium, was a ‘leap of faith’. This act of faith essentially shows that the Deeper Life lives and walks by faith.

With steel stanchions, the auditorium was considered to be a luxury considering where the church was coming from and the fact that it had been without a fellowship centre of its own for many years. Weekly fellowships of the church – Monday Bible Study and Thursday Revival sessions – ran along with construction activities and continued until the hall became inadequate for the growing

membership.

Gradually, other adjoining auditoriums were raised and completed. In all, five halls covering the entire landscape measuring a little more than an acre were built up. Additional space was secured across the road with a structure to accommodate the children church. Besides, the church rented blocks of flats nearby to serve as offices and for administrative purposes.

It could be said that out of a supposedly unattractive landscape, beauty and elegance have emerged. The new church location was nothing but a marshy lowland that did not appeal to individuals or estate developers until the church acquired it. Anyone who was interested in the land then must have considered the cost of several layers of sand-filling that must be done over a period of time to guarantee a future building.

Exponential growth The group of 15 which started the bible study in a flat apartment at the University of Lagos continued until early 1976 when the venue of the bible study became too small for their growing membership, necessitating relocation. The RCCG headquarters provided a sanctuary for this purpose. Located at 1-5 Redemption Way, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, the then moderate church auditorium was venue to the now-famous Monday bible study sessions, which held for several years before DCLM acquired a permanent site at Gbagada.

Besides the central Monday bible study sessions at Ebute-Metta, pockets of believers met regularly in different parts of Lagos for studies and evangelism. By 1977, several centres were created across Lagos, which is today referred to as Old Group of Districts by the church. Siting study locations closer to the people later appeared to be a strategic move by the church meant to bring the benefits of

in-depth bible study closer to the people, and thereby grow the church. This, coupled with the exemplary lifestyle of the leaders and members, brought rapid growth to the new movement.

The moment of transition The old structure continued to experience different forms of renovation and maintenance for more than two decades until 2005 when the church took a bold decision to commence work on the new edifice. The soil texture of the land was a big issue to consider if a standard multi-storey building was planned.

In this case, piling (a process of pushing stone or steel into the ground to serve as support base) was compulsory.

The piling work was awarded to Messrs Trevi Foundation on 17th June, 2005. The foundational work took about a year to complete. Afterwards, Cappa D’Alberto Construction Engineering Company began the first phase of the 30,000-capacity super structure on 8th March, 2006.

At various stages of the work, the architectural and structural details were reviewed and modified to achieve the goal of a modern international church auditorium in line with the vision of the founder, which also keys into the new motto of the church to achieve heaven’s goal.

The church has had to cut through numerous challenges to make the project a reality. These challenges include responding to technical, economic, social and regulatory dictates.

Constructing a 30,000-capacity church auditorium with adequate offices and facilities is obviously an ambitious project; what with the limited land-space! Of course, standard would not be compromised, irrespective of the challenges. Space became a huge challenge that must be overcome.

Besides the option to raise the floors to a

permissive level, the other is to acquire more landed properties and buildings which were not readily available. The church embarked on a difficult shopping for land, and convincing landowners to sell their properties to make way for what is today regarded as a mega church building.

At this point, let me take a moment to reflect on some of the comments made by some of the church representatives at the inauguration of the new Gbagada church on 24 April.

According to one Pastor Obodo, who represented the South-South region of the church, “We see a testimony of God’s ability to do all things; testimony of dedication and selflessness of leadership at the top, and testimony and obedience in followership.”

On his part, Pastor Bayo Oyeyemi, representing Lagos church, said a new Lagos shall be born with the commissioning of the new auditorium. “There shall be rain of power, anointing in the new Gbagada church,” he said.

Pastor Jerry Asemota, the church secretary, believes the newly commissioned and dedicated auditorium will draw more people to the service of God. However, it was a dream come through for Pastor Dabo, who represented North-West Zone of the church, as he said, “Truly a scripture has been fulfilled; the glory of the latter house is indeed bigger than the former. I am glad to be alive to witness the opening of the Gbagada project: the reason Gbagada was born and reborn will be fulfilled.”

As the Deeper Christian Life Ministry continues in earnest with the propagation of the gospel to the farthest recesses of the earth, in anticipation of the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ, one can convincingly write that indeed a scripture has been fulfilled and the glory of this present house is greater than that of the former.

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Equity Market Efficient cost management increases Dangote Sugar’s Q1 PAT to N5bn ... As profit margin rises to 13 percent

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Stories by TELIAT SULE espite a 34 percent decline in gross revenue in the first quarter of 2018, Da n g o t e Su g a r ’s first quarter profit after tax (PAT) rose by 11 percent to N5.3 billion compared with N4.76 billion made in similar period in 2017. Profit margin increased to 13 percent in the period that ended March 2018 as against 8 percent in corresponding period in 2017.

The reduction in sales has been attributed to low consumer confidence and renewed insurgency in the northern parts of the country. As a result, sales in the first quarter of 2018 fell to N39.25 billion from N59.53 billion in corresponding quarter in 2017.

When analysed along its regions of operations, sales revenue from the northern part of the country recorded the highest decline in the first quarter of the year. Its four regions of operations are Lagos, North, West and East. From N24.12 billion in Q1 2017, sales in the North fell by 46 percent to N13.11 billion in the first quarter of 2018. Revenue

realised from the West declined by 28 percent from N6.79 billion in Q1 2017 to N4.92 billion in Q1 2018.

Dangote Sugar also recorded a decline in sales in Lagos as Q1 2018 revenue of N19.04 billion was 27 percent lower when compared with N25.91 billion realised in Q1 2017. Sales in the East which stood at N2.16 billion

in the first quarter of 2018 were 20 percent lower than N2.70 billion made in similar period in 2017.

Meanwhile, efficient cost management resulted in 40 percent reduction in the company’s cost of sales which fell to N30.85 billion during the first quarter of this year from N51.69 billion in same period in 2017. Consequently,

cost of sales to revenue declined to 79 percent down from 87 percent in Q1 2017, meaning that Dangote Sugar generated a naira revenue with 79 kobo in Q1 2018 as against 87 kobo to generate a naira revenue in Q1 2017. “ In spite of a fall in sales, the company improved its profitability the quarter that just ended”, Saheed Bashir, senior analyst at

Meristem Securities, said.

Concerning the low consumer confidence which impaired consumers’ purchasing power, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in its first quarter 2018 Consumer Ex p e c t a t i o n s Su r v e y Re p o r t stated that consumer outlook for the first quarter of this year deteriorated as fewer consumers were optimistic in their outlook.

“The consumers’ overall confidence outlook worsened in Q1 2018, as fewer consumers were optimistic in their outlook. The index at -6.4 points was 23.0 points lower than the index in the corresponding period of 2017.

Some respondents attributed this moderation in outlook to worsening economic condition and family financial situation”, the CBN stated in the Q1 Consumer Expectations Survey Report.

In the last few months, renewed insurgency on the part of Boko Haram and incessant attacks by suspected herdsmen have displaced so many families in states such as Zamfara , Yobe, Borno, Adamawa , Taraba , Benue and Plateau states, with immediate impact of the sales of consumer goods and agricultural productivity.

Profit taking continues as equities lose N44bn in April 2018

Diamond Bank Nigeria divests its 100 percent holding in Diamond Bank UK

he beginning of the second quarter of 2018 saw the market capitalisation of listed equities decline

by N44.45 billion. This compares to N556.8 billion listed stocks lost in March 2018, signalling that profit taking by market participants moderated last month. As a result, the market capitalisation closed at N14.94 trillion on April 30, 2018 as against N14.99 trillion on March 28,2018. As at the end of April, market capitalisation closed year to date at 9.84 percent.

The All Share Index (ASI) of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) 41,268.01 points in April 2018 as against 38,243.19 points in December 29, 2017, representing a year to date performance 7.91 percent. The NSE Premium index which closed on April 30 at 15.19 percent year to date, NSE Pension Index at 16.22 percent; NSE Oil and Gas at 10.06 percent and NSE Banking index at 9.32 percent are the only sub sectoral indexes that outperformed the ASI. In April, the worst performing sub sectoral index was the NSE ASeM index which closed

iamond Bank Plc has signed a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement with a member of GFG Alliance, for the disposal of its entire shareholding in its international subsidiary, Diamond Bank (UK) Plc. The disposal is in line with the bank’s objective of streamlining its operations to focus resources on the significant opportunities in the Nigerian retail banking market.

The transaction follows the bank’s divestment from its West African business, Diamond Bank S.A., which was completed in November 2017. The Bank and GFG Alliance are committed to, and are pursuing a quick completion of the transaction subject to approval of the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority which regulate banking business in the United Kingdom.

“Diamond Bank’s strategic objective is to be the fastest growing, and most profitable technology-driven retail banking franchise in Nigeria.

This strategic intent requires the bank to optimize the use of its resources which means, where necessary, divesting from its noncore assets, and focusing on the

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at -11.85 percent. The ASeM Index closed on April 30 at 958.52 points as against 1,087.32 points on the last trading day last year.

Sixty seven stocks closed positive in April with 47 of them outperforming the ASI. CCNN emerged the best performing stock within the period as its share price rose by 115.3 percent year to date to close at N20.45 a share. Unity Bank witnessed 88.7 YTD share price appreciation to close at N1 per share. Caverton, 86 percent; NEM, 68.7 percent and Skye Bank, 68 percent complete the list of the ten most performing stocks in April 2018.

Six stocks had their share prices unchanged as at April 30, 2018.

The stocks are Arbico, Capital Hotels, Golden Breweries, NCR, Skye Shelter Funds and Studio Press.

On the other hand, 45 equities shed various amounts of which the worst hit were African Alliance Insurance, -56 percent; Sovereign Insurance,-56 percent; Courtville, -58 percent; FTN Cocoa, 60 percent and UNIC Insurance, -60 percent.

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Uzoma Dozie

priority area, namely Nigerian retail banking. In recent years, the bank has laid the foundation for growth in Nigeria with acquisition of over 15 million customers, many of whom are owning bank accounts for the first time. The Nigerian market has vast potential due to its strong fundamentals, including millions of people who are either underbanked or unbanked and changing lifestyles that favour the use of mobile devices to complete multiple financial transactions at the consumer’s convenience.

This is also underpinned by sig-

nificant economic potential driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, and a growing culture of innovation.

Moreover, by harnessing technology and fostering a digitally led approach, the Bank will have further positive impact on the overall development of the financial system, and the Nigerian economy in general,” Uzoma Dozie, Diamond Bank’s CEO, said while commenting on the transaction.

The sale of the international subsidiaries is not expected to cause service disruptions for the bank’s customers located around the world as they can continue to enjoy enhanced and convenient banking services through the Bank’s digital channels.

Diamond Bank Nigeria has played a leading role in partnering with domestic and International bodies such as Women’s World Banking, The Gates Foundation, MTN, etc. to create easy access to financial services for the unbanked. It has cultivated excellent banking relationships with well-known international banks, allowing it to provide a range of world class banking services to suit the business needs of our clients

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Report ‘Official corruption, impunity, widespread killing reign supreme under Buhari’ Being the part one of the 48-page 2017 Country Report on Human Rights released in Washington DC penultimate Friday; a very damning assessment of Nigeria by the United States Department of State under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari since 2015.

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g. Abuses in internal conflict illings: Units of the NA’s Third, Seventh, and Ei g h t h D i v i sions, the NPF, and the DSS carried out operations against the terrorist groups Boko Haram and ISIS- WA in the Northeast. Some military forces allegedly killed suspected members of the groups and engaged in retaliatory tactics against civilians believed to have harbored or be associated with the groups. Security forces also committed mass arrests of men and boys for suspected collaboration with or tacit support of the insurgents.

A 2015 AI report asserted that between 2013 and 2014, the military committed more than 1,200 extrajudicial killings in the course of operations against Boko Haram.

In February the New York Times newspaper, citing sources in the community, reported that in June 2016 unidentified elements of the military executed more than 100 unarmed men in two villages in the Marte area of Borno State.

As of September there were no public reports of investigations or prosecutions related to these incidents.

In 2014 press and NGOs reported the NA illegally detained and killed suspected members of Boko Haram in Giwa Barracks, in one instance executing 622 prisoners following a Boko Haram attack on the installation. NGOs and former detainees stated that starvation and other forms of torture by the military resulted in detainee deaths at military detention facilities, including Giwa Barracks. In a 2015 report, AI stated that security forces arbitrarily arrested approximately 20,000 persons in the region between 2009-15. Of these, AI estimated more than 7,000 died of thirst, starvation, suffocation, disease due to overcrowding, lack of medical attention, the use of fumigation chemicals in unventilated cells, and torture.

On March 8, the army convened a BOI to investigate allegations of human rights violations committed by the army during

campaigns against the insurgency in the Northeast, including in its detention centers. On May 18, the BOI presented its findings to the chief of army staff.

While the full report was not publicly available, the board briefed the press on some of the report’s conclusions and recommendations. The board documented conditions at military detention facilities, including the center at Giwa Barracks, and found instances of overcrowded cells and unsanitary conditions. The BOI concluded that these detention conditions, and delays in trials of alleged Boko Haram members, sometimes resulted in deaths in custody. The BOI also found that the denial of access to legal representation is a violation of human rights. The board, however, reportedly found no evidence of arbitrary arrests or extrajudicial executions of detainees. The board also stated it was “unable to substantiate” any of the allegations against senior officers, claiming a lack of documents or other forensic evidence. The BOI reportedly did not find any individual member of the NA at fault for any human rights violation in military detention facilities, nor did it recommend prosecutions or other accountability measures for any member of the Armed Forces of Nigeria or other government entity. Notably, however, the BOI did not meet internationally accepted best practices for investigations.

In particular, the board lacked full independence, did not have forensic or other evidentiary expertise, and did not consult testimonies from victims of human rights violations in compiling its evidence, thus calling into question some of its conclusions. In August acting President Osinbajo announced a civilian-ledpresidential investigative panel to review compliance of the armed forces with human rights obligations and rules of engagement.

Boko Haram and ISISWA attacked population centers and security actors in the states of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe. These groups also targeted anyone perceived as disagreeing with the groups’ political

Ibok Ekwe Ibas

or religious beliefs or interfering with their access to resources. While Boko Haram no longer controls as much territory as it once did, the two insurgencies nevertheless maintain the ability to stage forces in rural areas and launch attacks against civilian and military targets across the Northeast. From these areas of influence, the groups were still capable of carrying out complex attacks on military positions, and they deployed large numbers of roadside improvised explosive devices.

Boko Haram employed hundreds of suicide bombings against the local population. Women and children carried out many of the attacks. According to a study

by UNICEF, nearly one in five suicide attacks by Boko Haram used a child, and more than two-thirds of these children were girls.

As of August, UNICEF reported that Boko Haram used 83 children to carry out suicide attacks; of those, 55 were girls. On August 15, three female suicide bombers dispatched by Boko Haram detonated their suicide

vests in the market area of Konduga town, killing 16 civilians and injuring 82 others. There were multiple reports of Boko Haram killing entire villages suspected of cooperating with the government.

ISIS-WA targeted civilians with attacks or kidnappings less frequently than Boko Haram. ISIS-WA employed targeted acts of violence and intimidation against civilians in order to expand its area of influence and gain control over critical economic resources. As part of a violent and deliberate campaign, ISIS-WA also targeted government figures, traditional leaders, and contractors. For example, on July 25, ISIS-WA ambushed a Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation convoy escorted by the CJTF and NPF in Magumeri Local Government Area (LGA), Borno State, killing at least 48 persons and kidnapping three contractors.

Abductions: As of September, NGO and activist allegations of thousands of enforced civilian disappearances by security forces in

ISIS-WA employed targeted acts of violence and intimidation against civilians in order to expand its area of influence and gain control over critical economic resources

the Northeast remained uninvestigated by the government.

Boko Haram abducted men, women, and children, often in conjunction with attacks on communities. The group forced men, women, and children to fight on its behalf. Women and girls abducted by Boko Haram were subjected to physical and psychological abuse, forced labor, forced marriage, forced religious conversions, and sexual abuse, including rape and sexual slavery. Boko Haram also forced women and girls to participate in military operations. Most female suicide bombers were coerced in some form and were often drugged. Boko Haram also used women and girls to lure security forces into ambushes, force payment of ransoms, and leverage prisoner exchanges.

While some NGO reports estimated the number of Boko Haram abductees at more than 2,000, the total count of the missing was unknown since abductions continued, towns repeatedly changed hands, and many families were still on the run or dispersed in IDP camps.

Many abductees managed to escape Boko Haram captivity, but precise numbers remained unknown.

Approximately half of the students abducted

by Boko Haram from the Chibok Government Girls Secondary School in 2014 remained in captivity. The government successfully negotiated the release of 82 of the kidnapped women in May, in addition to the 21 women released in October 2016.

Physical Abuse, Punishment, and Torture: Security services used excessive force in the pursuit of Boko Haram and ISIS-WA suspects, often resulting in arbitrary arrest, detention, or torture (see section 1.c.).

Arbitrary mass arrests continued in the Northeast, and authorities held many individuals in poor and lifethreatening conditions.

There were reports some of the arrested and detained included children believed to be associated with Boko Haram, some of whom may have been forcibly recruited. Conditions in Giwa Barracks reportedly marginally

improved during the reporting period, as the military periodically released small groups of women and children, and less frequently men, from the facility to state-run rehabilitation centers; however, deaths in detention continued. According to army statements to the press, the BOI report made numerous recommendations for improving the detention conditions and judicial processes for suspected Boko Haram and ISIS-WAmembers. As of August, however, no one had been held accountable for abuses in Giwa Barracks or other military detention facilities.

Boko Haram engaged in widespread sexual violence against women and girls.

Those who escaped or that security services or vigilante groups rescued faced ostracism by their communities and had difficulty obtaining appropriate medical and psychosocial treatment and care.

Reports indicated government officials, security forces, and others committed sexual exploitation--including sex trafficking--and such exploitation was a major concern in state-run IDP camps, informal camps, and local communities in and around Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, and across the Northeast. “Gatekeepers” in control of some IDP camps, at times in collusion with police officers and soldiers, reportedly forced women and girls to provide sex acts in exchange for food and services in the camps; in July 2016 an NGO reported camp leaders, policemen, soldiers, and vigilante groups exploited 37 women and children in sex trafficking among seven IDP camps in Maiduguri.

During the reporting period, the government arrested several individuals accused of trafficking in the camps, and their cases were pending as of year’s end.

Child Soldiers: Children under age 18 participated in Boko Haram attacks. The group paid, forcibly conscripted, or otherwise coerced young boys and girls to serve in its ranks and perpetrate attacks and raids, plant improvised explosive Continues on page 30

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Report ‘Official corruption, impunity, widespread killing...

Continued from page 29

devices, serve as spies, and carry out suicide bombings.

According to UNICEF 83 children were used as “human bombs” from January to August, a number that was four times higher than it was for all of 2016. Of those, 55 were girls, most of whom were under age 15. Twentyseven were boys, and one was a baby strapped to a girl. In April the United Nations reported it had verified recruitment during the year of 563 children by Boko Haram, although the majority of these cases occurred in prior years. Boko Haram used children to conduct suicide attacks in the country, Cameroon, and Chad.

The group also used abducted girls as sex slaves and forced them to work for the group.

Although the government prohibited the recruitment and use of child soldiers, reports from a credible international organisation indicated that, in 2016, elements of the NA used children in support roles as messengers, porters, and guards. During the year reports indicated that the military coordinated closely on the ground with the CJTF, which used children in support roles, and in some isolated cases directed children associated with the CJTF in support roles during joint operations. The CJTF recruited and used 175 children in support roles in 2016. During the year at least 23 children were confirmed to have been used as of September, although the CJTF reportedly ceased recruiting children. The children were reportedly used to staff checkpoints, conduct patrols, spy, and apprehend suspected insurgents.

The Borno State government provided financial and in-kind resources to some CJTF members.

According to government officials, community members in the Northeast, and some international NGOs, only CJTF members who had been part of the Borno State Youth Empowerment Program--a state-sponsoredtraining and employment program whose participants underwent vetting to establish they were more than age 18--received any kind of support.

In the 2016 annual report of the UN Secretary-General, the CJTF was listed as responsible for recruitment and use of children. In September the United Nations and the CJTF signed an action plan to end and prevent

the recruitment and use of children. Among other actions, the plan committed the CJTF to issue written standing orders to all members banning recruitment and use of anyone under age 18, establish a Disciplinary Committee to respond to any violations, and establish Child Protection units throughout the CJTF. The United Nations and CJTF also agreed to provide support to rehabilitate and reintegrate children previously associated with the CJTF. As of November the CJTF and United Nations had begun implementing the action plan. The United Nations monitored compliance and provided technical support and training.

Also see the Department of State’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report at www. state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/.

Section 2. Respect for Civil Liberties, Including: a. Freedom of Expression, Including for the Press Although the constitution and law provide for freedom of speech and press, the government frequently restricted these rights.

Freedom of Expression: The constitution entitles every individual to “freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.” Although federal and state governments usually respected this right, there were reported cases in which the government abridged the right to speech and other expression.

Press and Media Freedom: Freedom House’s annual survey of media independence, Freedom of the Press 2017, described the press as “partly free.”

A large and vibrant private domestic press frequently criticized the government, but critics reported being subjected to threats, intimidation, and sometimes violence. Because newspapers and television were relatively expensive and literacy levels low, radio remained the most important medium of mass communication and information.

Violence and Harassment: Security services increasingly detained and harassed journalists, sometimes for reporting on sensitive problems such as political corruption and security.

Security services including police occasionally arrested and detained journalists who criticised the government.

On June 2, the publisher

Moday Riku Morgan

and editor of the People’s Conscience newspaper, Charles Otu, was abducted and beaten by unknown assailants in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

Otu claims the men who beat him did so because he wrote a Facebook post criticizing the governor of Ebonyi, David Umahi Nweze, for failing to live up to his campaign promises.

According to Otu, the men read from the post as they beat him.

A May Transparency International publication cited a June 2016 case in which the minister of defense condemned media reports regarding the chief of army staff’s links to highend property developers, describing them as “disgruntled and unpatriotic elements” and warning media that they should show more professionalism when reporting on security matters.

Following that statement, in September 2016, soldiers and officers of the State Security Services allegedly stripped and beat 10 journalists and media workers with barbed wire before arresting them.

In September, Emmanuel Atswen, a journalist with the state-run News Agency of Nigeria, was detained in Benue State for reporting that relief materials were allegedly being diverted from

a camp for flood victims. He was reportedly arrested because of alleged defamation of character and falsehood directed at a commissioner involved in the relief efforts.

Censorship or Content Restrictions: The government controlled much of the electronic media through the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), which is responsible for monitoring and regulating broadcast media. The law prohibits local television stations from transmitting programming from other countries except for special religious programs, sports programs, or events of national interest. Cable and satellite transmission was less restricted. For example, the NBC permitted live transmission of foreign news and programs on cable and satellite networks, but they were required to dedicate 20 percent of their programming time to local content.

Journalists practiced selfcensorship. Local NGOs claimed security services intimidated newspaper editors and owners into censoring reports of killings and other human rights abuses.

Libel/Slander Laws: Libel and slander are civil offenses and require defendants to prove truthfulness or value judgment in news reports or editorials or pay

Although federal and state governments usually respected this right, there were reported cases in which the government abridged the right to speech and other expression

penalties. The requirement limited the circumstances in which media defendants could rely on the common law legal defense of “fair comment on matters of public interest,” and it restricted the right to freedom of expression. Defamation is a criminal offense carrying a penalty for conviction of up to two years’ imprisonment and possible fines.

Allegations of libel are also used as a form of harassment by government officials in retaliation for negative reporting. For example, in January police raided the offices of the Premium Times, a leading online newspaper, and arrested editor DapoOlorunyomi and reporter Evelyn Okakwu. The arrests came after the newspaper declined to retract stories regarding the army and its operations that the Chief of Army Staff’s Office reportedly found defamatory. The case garnered significant media attention, and authorities quickly released the journalists. The incident was evidence of the occasional use of government entities to harass or intimidate members of the news media.

Internet freedom There were few government restrictions on access to the internet, but challenges with infrastructure and affordability persisted.

Civil society organizations expressed concern regarding the broad powers provided by the Cybercrimes Act of 2015. The act has been used by some local and state governments to arrest opponents and critics for alleged hate speech.

Those arrested were typically detained only briefly because the Cybercrimes Act had yet to be fully tested in the courts.

The National Assembly was considering the Digital Rights and Online Freedom bill. The legislation seeks to provide for fundamental digital freedoms and protections to citizens, but was not expected to clarify what constitutes hate speech.

As of September it had not been passed.

According to the International Telecommunication Union, 25.7 percent of individuals in the country used the internet in 2016. It estimated more than half of citizens ages 15 to 24 used the internet.

Academic Freedom and Cultural Events There were no government restrictions on academic freedom or cultural

events. b. Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Although the constitution and law provide for freedom of assembly, the government occasionally banned and targeted gatherings when it concluded their political, ethnic, or religious nature might lead to unrest.

Open-air religious services held away from places of worship remained prohibited in many states, due to fear they might heighten interreligious tensions. In September several northern states enacted restrictions on religious activities shortly before the Shia commemoration of Ashura. In November press reports indicated that three persons were killed in Kano after police shot at participants in an IMN procession commemorating Ashura.

In areas that experienced societal violence, police and other security services permitted public meetings and demonstrations on a case-by-case basis.

Security services used excessive force to disperse demonstrators during the year (see section 1.a.).

Freedom of association The constitution and law provide for the right to associate freely with other persons in political parties, trade unions, or other special interest organisations.

While the government generally respected this right, on occasion authorities abrogated it for some groups.

The government of Kaduna State proscribed the IMN, alleging the group constituted a danger to public order and peace.

The Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act (SSMPA), a law prohibiting marriages and civil unions among persons of the same sex, criminalises the free association of any persons through so-called gay organisations. In August a hotel owner and two of his staff were charged under the SSMPA, the first time the government brought charges under the act since it was passed in 2014 (see section 6, Acts of Violence, Discrimination, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity). c. Freedom of religion See the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report at Continues on page 31

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Report www.state.gov/religiousfreedomreport/. d. Freedom of movement The constitution and law provide for freedom of internal movement, foreign travel, emigration, and repatriation, but security officials restricted freedom of movement at times by imposing curfews in areas experiencing terrorist attacks and ethnoreligious violence.

The government cooperated with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other humanitarian organizations in assisting refugees and asylum seekers through the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and IDPs. Cooperation included signing a tripartite agreement with UNHCR and Cameroon in March to ensure that any Nigerian refugees in Cameroon returning to Nigeria were fully informed and gave their consent. As of October, however, the tripartite agreement had yet to be fully implemented.

In-country Movement: The federal, state, or local governments imposed curfews or otherwise restricted movement in the states of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe in connection with operations against Boko Haram. Other states imposed curfews in reaction to events such as ethnoreligious violence.

Police conducted “stop and search” operations in cities and on major highways and, on occasion, set up checkpoints. Upon assuming office, the new inspector general of police renewed his predecessor’s order to dismantle all checkpoints.

No n e t h e l e s s , m a n y checkpoints operated by military and police remained in place.

Exile: There are no legal grounds for forced exile, and there were no examples of formal legal proceedings to exile a citizen. Some citizens chose self-exile for political reasons or due to fear for their personal security.

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) As of October the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported there were approximately 1.8 million persons displaced in the states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe.

Insurgency was the main reason for displacement, followed by communal clashes. IOM estimated approximately 37 percent of IDPs lived in camps and camp-like settings and 63 percent with host families.

More than half of the IDP population was female and 56 percent of children were under age 18, of which 48 percent were under age five. The true number of IDPs was likely much higher, as IOM’s efforts did not encompass all states and did not include inaccessible areas of the Northeast.

Food was one of the IDPs’ greatest immediate needs, with 68 percent of IDPs listing it as their main concern. In mid-March the Cadre Harmonise--a food security analysis tool unique to West Africa--reaffirmed that the humanitarian crisis in the Northeast had significantly disrupted food security and nutrition conditions.

Through at least August, a projected 5.2 million persons in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States faced acute food insecurity. In addition to food, IDPs faced shortfalls in clean water, health care, and shelter.

IDPs, especially those in the Northeast, faced severe protection problems, including widespread sexual abuse of women and girls, some of which constituted sex trafficking. In April 2016, UNHCR published the results of a rapid protection assessment of IDPs in camps, settlements, and host communities in Maiduguri, Dikwa, and Damboa. In Maiduguri more than half of areas surveyed reported instances of survival sex in exchange for food or freedom to move in and out of IDP camps. Nearly half of all the areas surveyed reported rapes of women and girls in their camps and communities. Various NGOs and news outlets reported that children in IDP camps were victims of labor and sex trafficking, and some stated that government officials managing the camps were complicit in these activities. A report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) in October 2016 documented cases of rape and sexual exploitation of IDP women and girls committed by government officials and other authorities, including camp leaders, vigilante groups, police officers, and soldiers. The government initially responded quickly to HRW’s findings, indicating it had already ordered investigations into the matter. In November 2016 the inspector general of police announced establishment of a special panel to investigate all the cases reported

by HRW. Shortly after, the Borno Police Command announced it had deployed 100 female police officers to IDP camps. In December 2016 the inspector general announced the arrest of two police officers, one

Mansur Dan-Ali

prison warden, two CJTF members, one civil servant, and three service members suspected of sexual misconduct toward IDPs. As of August, however, none of those reportedly arrested had been prosecuted.

Government officials rarely investigated allegations of rape or sexual abuse or prosecuted perpetrators.

Slightly more than onethird of all sites in the UNHCR rapid protection assessment reported cases in which security services arrested and detained suspected Boko Haram members at IDP camps and in host communities; most families had not heard from the detainees since their arrest. Other protection concerns among respondents included attacks or bombings, lack of accountability and diversion of humanitarian aid, drug abuse, hostility and insecurity, harassment of women and girls, and lack of humanitarian assistance for host communities.

NGOs reported having insufficient resources available to IDP victims of sexual and gender-based violence, who had limited access to safe, confidential psychosocial counseling and medical services or safe spaces.

Women and girls abducted

by Boko Haram, as well as the babies born as a result of rape during their captivity, faced stigmatisation and community isolation.

Protection of refugees Refoulement: According to UNHCR the government

participated in the forced return of Nigerian refugees from Cameroon. For example, in June some 887 Nigerian refugees, most of them children, were repatriated in six trucks provided by the Nigerian military and Cameroonian police from the Kolofata border site.

The refugees were forcibly removed to Banki in Nigeria.

Insecurity in Nigeria prevented most forced returnees from returning to their places of origin. According to UNHCR most remained in camps in Banki, where resources were already scarce for the more than 45,000 internally displaced men, women, and children already there. Many did not have access to basic facilities such as shelter, drinking water, sanitation, or medical care.

Access to Asylum: The law provides for the granting of asylum or refugee status, and the government has established a system for providing protection to refugees. According to UNHCR, as of October there were approximately 1,525 refugees and 2,247 asylum seekers (including 1,200 Cameroonian asylum seekers). Asylum seekers originated mainly from Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Sudan, and Guinea, with a majority living in urban areas in Lagos and Ijebu Ode in Ogun State.

Employment: Refugees could move and work freely

The elections had originally taken place in 2015, but an election petition tribunal cancelled the results and ordered a rerun in response to a suit alleging intimidation of voters

in the country but, like most citizens, had few opportunities for employment.

Access to Basic Services: Refugees, like citizens, had poor access to police and the courts.

Durable Solutions: The country received a high number of returnees, both voluntary and forced, primarily in the Northeast. Accurate information on the number of returnees was not available. The government was generally unable to take action to reintegrate returning refugees. Many returnees did not find durable solutions, and were forced into secondary displacement.

Temporary Protection: The government provided temporary protection to a few hundred individuals who may not qualify as refugees.

Section 3. Freedom to Participate in the Political Process The law provides citizens the ability to choose their government in free and fair periodic elections based on universal and equal suffrage and conducted by secret ballot. The constitution and law allow the free formation of political parties. As of July, 45 parties were registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission, an increase from the previous 40. The constitution requires political party sponsorship for all election candidates.

Elections and Political Participation Recent Elections: INEC is the independent electoral body responsible for overseeing elections by regulating the process and preventing electoral misconduct. From November 2015 to August 2016, INEC conducted 139 elections, including end of tenure and by-elections. There were allegations of malpractices in some elections, and INEC suspended 22 of them due to violence. Since that time INEC has conducted 26 more elections, most of which were during the year.

Many elections, such as the Ondo State gubernatorial election in November 2016, were relatively peaceful. Significant violence and intimidation of voters and election officials by political operatives, however, marred several of the offcycle and rerun elections.

As a result INEC postponed elections in some states.

Elections during the year, however, were generally peaceful and conclusive.

No elections were postponed during the year.

There were several instances of INEC canceling,

postponing, and rerunning gubernatorial or state legislative elections in 2016. In July 2016, INEC postponed rerun legislative elections in Rivers State. In the commission’s view, incidents of violence in several of Rivers’ LGAs, inflamed political rhetoric, and attacks against INEC facilities in the state threatened the exercise. The elections had originally taken place in 2015, but an election petition tribunal cancelled the results and ordered a rerun in response to a suit alleging intimidation of voters, unavailability of results sheets, the disappearance of electoral materials, and noncollation of results in several LGAs. According to NGO observers, serious irregularities marred the Three Rivers rerun elections in December 2016.

These included breach of the code of conduct and rules of engagement by the security forces and overt bias by electoral managers and others. There were serious cases of violence perpetrated by the NPF, NA, and DSS that resulted in several deaths. At least one voter and one police officer were killed. There was evidence of election malpractice and ballot hijacking by party agents despite the presence of INEC and security agents.

Civil society organisations reported no legal restrictions on their ability to comment or observe parts of the electoral process.

They reported aspects of the electoral process, however, remained opaque, allegedly because of deliberate attempts to undermine or circumvent the integrity of the process by stakeholders or because of INEC’s financial or logistical constraints. According to some civil society organisations, attempts to disenfranchise voters were on the rise through circumvention of permanent voter card procedures and targeted electoral violence. In response to some of these trends, INEC regularly cancelled votes from polling units that failed to use card readers properly.

Participation of Women and Minorities: No laws limit participation of women or members of minorities in the political process, and they did participate. Observers attributed fewer leadership opportunities for women in major parties and government, particularly in the North, to religious and cultural barriers. Women occupied approximately 5 percent of National Assembly seats, and six of Continues on page 32

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Report ‘Official corruption, impunity, widespread killing...

Continued from page 31

the 36 cabinet members were women. Few women ran for elected office at the national level: in the most recent federal elections in 2015, women constituted just 128 of the 746 total candidates (17 percent) for the Senate, and 270 of the 1,772 candidates for the House of Representatives (15 percent).

Section 4. Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government Although the law provides criminal penalties for conviction of official corruption, the government did not implement the law effectively, and officials frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity. Massive, widespread, and pervasive corruption affected all levels of government and the security services. The constitution provides immunity from civil and criminal prosecution for the president, vice president, governors, and deputy governors while in office. There were numerous reports of government corruption during the year.

Corruption: The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) holds broad authorities to prosecute most forms of corruption. The EFCC writ extends only to financial and economic crimes. The ICPC secured 14 convictions during the reporting period. In 2016 the EFCC had 66 corruption cases pending in court, had secured 13 convictions during the year, and had 598 open investigations.

Although ICPC and EFCC anticorruption efforts remained largely focused on low- and mid-level government officials, following the 2015 presidential election both organizations started investigations into and brought indictments against various active and former high-level government officials. Many of these cases were pending in court. According to both ICPC and EFCC, the delays were the result of a lack of judges and the widespread practice of filing for and granting multiple adjournments.

EFCC arrests and indictments of politicians continued throughout the year, implicating a significant number of opposition political figures and leading to allegations of partisan motivations on the part of the EFCC. In a case brought

by the EFCC, in November a federal court convicted four firms allegedly used by a former aide of former president Goodluck Jonathan of laundering 1.67 billion naira ($5.3 million) in stolen funds. In its pursuit of corruption, the EFCC often did not observe all pertinent due process safeguards. In November the Economic Community of West African States Court of Justice declared unlawful the arrest and detention in 2015 of former national security advisor SamboDasuki. A court ordered him released on bail in a case brought by the EFCC for the alleged diversion of 13.6 billion naira ($43.2 million) intended to purchase military materiel during the Jonathan administration. Despite the court order, he remained in detention.

Financial Disclosure: The Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act (CCBTA) requires public officials--including the president, vice president, governors, deputy governors, cabinet ministers, and legislators (at both federal and state levels)--to declare their assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) before assuming and after leaving office. The constitution calls for the CCB to “make declarations available for inspection by any citizen of the country on such terms and conditions as the National Assembly may prescribe.” The law does not address the publication of asset information.

Violators risk prosecution, but cases rarely reached conclusion.

In 2015 the CCB brought charges before the Code of Conduct Tribunal--a court created by the CCBTA to try violations of that act-against Senate President BukolaSaraki for false declaration of assets. On June 14, the tribunal issued its final judgment, which found Saraki not guilty. As of November the judgment was under appeal.

Section 5. Governmental Attitude Regarding International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights Domestic and international human rights groups generally operated without government restriction, investigating and publishing their findings on human rights cases. Government officials sometimes cooperated and responded to

Abdulrahman Dambazau

their views, but on some occasions, dismissed allegations quickly without investigation and threatened some NGOs. Director of Defense Information Brigadier General RabeAbubakar explicitly warned international nongovernmental organizations such as AI in February to “desist from meddling in security issues in our country, which is inimical to national interest, cohesion, and unity.” For example, army spokesperson SaniUsman dismissed AI claims of a resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in September, accusing AI of starting a smear campaign against the military.

In March protesters--some of whom were reportedly paid to protest-- surrounded AI’s offices after the military issued a press statement accusing AI of “taking sides with terrorists and other belligerent groups to cause internal disorder.”

In 2010 the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened a preliminary examination of alleged crimes in the country, and in 2015 the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) reported it had identified eight potential cases of crimes against humanity and war crimes; six cases involved Boko Haram and two involved security force members. According to the OTP, authorities cooperated with the preliminary examination, including

during two visits by the OTP in 2016.

Government Human Rights Bodies: The law establishes the NHRC as an independent nonjudicial mechanism for the promotion and protection of human rights. The NHRC monitors human rights through its zonal affiliates in the country’s six political regions. The NHRC is mandated to investigate allegations of human rights abuses and publishes periodic reports detailing its findings, including torture and poor prison conditions.

In practice, however, the commission served more of an advisory, training, and advocacy role. During the reporting period, there were no reports its investigations led to accountability. The law provides for recognition and enforcement of NHRC awards and recommendations as court decisions, but it was unclear if this happened. Since December 2016 the NHRC has been without an executive secretary, significantly hampering its effectiveness.

Section 6. Discrimination, Societal Abuses, and Trafficking in Persons Women Rape and Domestic Violence: There is no comprehensive law for combatting violence against women. As a result victims and survi-

The NHRC is mandated to investigate allegations of human rights abuses and publishes periodic reports detailing its findings, including torture and poor prison conditions

vors had little or no recourse to justice. While some, mostly southern, states enacted laws prohibiting some forms of gender violence or sought to safeguard certain rights, a majority of states did not have such legislation.

The Violence against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act addresses sexual violence, physical violence, psychological violence, harmful traditional practices, and socioeconomic violence. The VAPP cites spousal battery, forceful ejection from the home, forced financial dependence or economic abuse, harmful widowhood practices, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), other harmful traditional practices, substance attacks (such as acid attacks), political violence, and violence by state actors (especially government security forces) as offenses. Victims and survivors of violence are entitled to comprehensive medical, psychological, social, and legal assistance by accredited service providers and government agencies, with their identities protected during court cases. Until adoption by the states, however, the provisions of the VAPP Act are only applicable to the FCT. The law criminalises rape, but it remained widespread. Sentences for persons convicted of rape and sexual assault were inconsistent and often minor. The VAPP provides penalties for conviction ranging from 12 years to life imprisonment for offenders older than 14 and a maximum of 14 years’ imprisonment for all others.

It also provides for a public register of convicted sexual offenders and appointment of protection officers at the local government level to coordinate with courts and provide for victims to receive various forms of assistance (e.g., medical, psychosocial, legal, rehabilitative, reintegrative) provided by the VAPP. The act also includes provisions to protect the identity of rape victims and a provision empowering courts to award appropriate compensation to victims of rape.

Rape remained widespread. According to a study, almost 20 percent of college students surveyed reported at least one incident of rape committed against them. In 2013 Positive Action for Treatment Access, an NGO focused on HIV treatment, released

a countrywide survey of 1,000 preadolescents and adolescents (ages 10 to 19), which noted three in 10 girls reported their first sexual encounter was rape.

No laws of nationwide applicability criminalize gender-based violence. The VAPP provides for up to three years’ imprisonment, a maximum fine of 200,000 naira ($635), or both for conviction of spousal battery. It also authorizes courts to issue protection orders upon application by a victim and directs the appointment of a coordinator for the prevention of domestic violence to submit an annual report to the federal government. Notwithstanding these federal provisions, only the states of Cross River, Ebonyi, Jigawa, and Lagos had enacted domestic violence laws.

Domestic violence remained widespread, and many considered it socially acceptable. The National Crime Victimization and Safety Survey for 2013 of the CLEEN Foundation-formerly known as Center for Law Enforcement Education--reported 30 percent of male and female respondents countrywide claimed to have been victims of domestic violence.

Police often refused to intervene in domestic disputes or blamed the victim for provoking the abuse. In rural areas, courts and police were reluctant to intervene to protect women who formally accused their husbands of abuse if the level of alleged abuse did not exceed local customary norms.

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C): Federal law criminalizes female circumcision or genital mutilation, but the federal government took no legal action to curb the practice. While 12 states banned FGM/C, once a state legislature criminalizes FGM/C, NGOs found they had to convince local authorities that state laws apply in their districts.

The VAPP penalizes a person convicted of performing female circumcision or genital mutilation with a maximum of four years in prison, a fine of 200,000 naira ($635), or both. It punishes anyone convicted of aiding or abetting such a person with a maximum of two years’ imprisonment, a fine of 100,000 naira ($317), or both.

Continues next edition

Sunday 06 May 2018

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BDSUNDAY 33

SundayBusiness Trumping Nigeria’s agricproduction?

Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

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rdinarily, trade and bilateral agreements between two friendly countries should be a source of joy to the stakeholders. That is, if at the end of the day, there is equitable, fair and just economic benefits that are symbiotically favourable.

In signing such trade pacts therefore, everyone concerned should, as in the Nigerian parlance, “shine his eyes”. But when it is skewed in favour of one party at the expense of the other, there is cause for serious concern.

That is precisely, what one Maiyegun General is raising concerns about, with specific regards to the recent trade agreement between Nigeria and the United States, as

represented by their respective political helmsmen, Muhammadu Buhari and Donald Trump. As highlighted by the former, “Nigeria’s trade volume with the United States stood at 6.07 billion dollars, according to 2016 statistics and comprised 4.176 billion dollarworth of Nigerian exports to the U.S. and 1.894 billion dollars U.S. exports to Nigeria. We urged greater effort to increase these figures substantially.” Furthermore, he said Nigeria very much welcomed increased US investment in the Nigerian economy, especially in the non-oil sector.

On the surface of it, Nigerians should welcome an increase of American trade with us. But there lies the bait! Trump’s America is currently not interested in our crude oil, which still remains the major source of our economic mainstay. Yet, it wants us to willy-nilly consume its farm produce in exchange for security support. The deal includes military hardware, 12 Tuscano jets and training. As many Nigerians, who, troubled by the self-inflicted woes of the Boko Haram insurgency would opine, this is a good deal! But is it? That is the million-Naira (sorry, dollar) question.

On the flip side, those rooted in America’s diplomacy would readily agree that it hardly signs an agreement that would not favour it at the expense of the others. So, why did Trump invite our President, a move which in this period of electioneering campaigns has seen his diehard admirers wanting to make a political capital out of?

The answer, bitter as it may

sound is not because Trump loves Nigeria more than his own country.

Waves of political intrigues are at play. For instance, “China is about to enforce new tax policies on American agricultural products in the next few weeks and President Trump needs new markets for U.S. farm products, before calling China’s bluff”. Nigeria happens to be China’s largest importer of soya beans.

Trump has therefore, approached Nigeria, Brazil and Argentina to take U.S. farm products as exchange for security deals. What a smart Alec, this Trump man could be!

But talking more seriously, what are the implications of the deal on Nigerian farmers? The first issue is that of the insurgency and rampant killings in the North-East that has spilled over to Adamawa, Taraba, Southerrn Kaduna and of course, Benue, the once acclaimed food basket of the nation. As expected, food production in those affected areas has suffered a drastic dip.

So, when the expected American grains get to our shores in the next few months, prices of grains will drop. This could be used as a campaign slogan for the supporters of Mister President, but it will in no way lure the embattled farmers back to their ravaged farms. Mind you, the killing spree, courtesy of the Boko Haram insecurity challenge which Lai Muhammed boasted has been technically defeated more than a year ago is back in full swing!

So, what is the way forward? The best is to employ the Root Cause Analytical Approach (RCAA). For lasting solutions, President Buhari

and his team should find the fundamental reasons for the insurgency, herdsman killings and the wanton wasting of the priceless lives of our once, hardworking farmers. If he needs to hold a stakeholders’ meeting with traditional rulers, village heads, the military, policemen, local council chairmen, state governors and the youth, so be it. We cannot continue with the bloodletting and expect any miraculous economic growth. No! Though the president told the world that the government was taking necessary steps to promote the peaceful co-existence of herdsmen and farmers, that still remains one distant dream. He has also promised that the government will be focusing on boosting security and enforcing legislation that will guarantee herders and farmers access to land, the tepid approach has so far not yielded the desired results.

While it is good that we go into partnerships with other countries, home-grown solutions are better adopted in this regard. We should be worried because the rate of our food production does not match that of population growth. For instance, researches have shown that between 1991 and 2015 there was a shortfall in domestically produced food in Nigeria. While the growth in the population was at the rate of 3.2% that of food production has been less than one per cent.

According to one Mr. Davies, as at 2009, Nigeria was ranked as one of the food-deficit countries in SubSaharan Africa, though it is arguably better in terms of production than

When UBA recognised, rewarded outstanding staff CHUKS OLUIGBO

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n the book ‘Taking Care of the People Who Matter Most: A Guide to Employee-Customer Care’, Sybil F. Stershic, a past chairman of the American Marketing Association (AMA), says, “The way your employees feel is the way your customers will feel. And if your employees don’t feel valued, neither will your customers.”

Anne M. Mulcahy, former chairperson and CEO of Xerox Corporation, corroborates Stershic whenshesays,“Satisfiedemployees mean satisfied customers, which

leads to profitability.”

It is with the understanding that a robust employee reward system leads to more productive, more satisfied, and more fulfilled staff which, invariably, impacts customer satisfaction that United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, the pan-African financial institution, in 2008 set up the UBA CEO Award.

The annual CEO Award aims to recognise, celebrate and reward the bank’s staff who had worked hard to ensure that the company remains a leading financial institution on the continent in the past year.

Tony Elumelu, chairman, UBA Plc, said this much at this year’s event which held at the upscale Eko

Hotels and Suites in Lagos.

“Itisatimetorewarddignity,hard work, and excellence in execution, and to show our multitude of staff globally that they are very much appreciated for their contributions,” Elumelu said at the event.

Thanks to the commitment and dedication of UBA Plc staff, the financial institution has recorded many notable achievements in the past year. Apart from the recent listing of its shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange’s Premium Board, UBA Plc, which prides itself as Africa’s global bank, in January became the first bank in Africa to embrace Artificial Intelligence in serving its customers when

L-R: Kennedy Uzoka, GMD/CEO, UBA Plc; his wife, Lotanna Uzoka; Tony Elumelu, chairman, UBA Plc, and his wife, Awele Elumelu, CEO, Avon Medical Services Limited, at the 2018 UBA CEO Award in Lagos, recently.

it unveiled Leo, a chat banking personality that enables the bank’s customers to make use of their social media accounts to carry out key banking transactions.

Now in its 10th year, the annual award has continued to recognise and reward outstanding staff while at the same time promoting the bank’s core values of Enterprise, Excellence and Execution.

“Every year, it is our tradition to appreciate our people who have put in their very best and gone far and beyond the call of duty to deliver excellent services to the bank and the customers by extension,” Kennedy Uzoka, group managing director/chief executive officer, UBA Plc, said at the event.

“What we are doing tonight is to tell the world that these ladies and gentlemen, who are from all our geographies of operation, have done so well and contributed immensely to what this bank has achieved in the past year,” he said.

As a t e s t a m e n t o f i t s commitment to the good of its employees, Uzoka said UBA Plc has in the last 12 months promoted about 47 percent of its staff, at a time many organisations were shedding weight.

Amongst staff who were given awards in various categories for their exceptional activities aimed at improving the bank’s fortunes and creating great experiences for customers include Emeke Iweriebor, executive director, UBA Plc; Sarata Kone, MD/CEO, UBA Cote d’Ivoire; Muyiwa Akinyemi, head, corporate banking, and Jerome Obada, head, IT Global Enterprise Applications, UBA Plc.

the others. As at then, “it had not suffered any major catastrophe that could precipitate scourges of famine, mass hunger and therefore food crisis”. But now, it does, what with the series of atrocities perpetrated by Boko Haram?

As severally suggested in previous related essays, there is an urgent need for a stakeholders meeting to fashion the credible way forward. Such meeting should have in attendance,representatives of local farmers, food processors, machinists, research institutions, ministries of science and technology and that of trade and development.

Such forum could take a look at the areas of FAO’s assistance in Nigeria’s agric sector and fine tune them.It focuses on five broad priority areas: Improvement in national food and nutrition security; Support for agricultural policy and regulatory framework; Support to the Agricultural Transformation Agenda for priority value chains and promote decent employment for youth and women.

All said, even in the absence of Trump’s support for agriculture, we have the capacity to stem the tide of insurgency, rein in the rampaging monster of killer herdsmen, get our farmers back to land with the right moral, monetary and environmental incentives, if only our leaders could muster the political will to do so.

Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media

TRCN hosts AFTRA conference on poor education quality in Africa Akinremi Feyisipo, Ibadan

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iqued by the poor education quality in Africa, the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) is set to host the 7th Africa Federation of Teaching Regulatory Authorities (AFTRA) Conference to find solutions to issues bothering on how to ensure delivery of quality education in Africa among other pressing issues.

The conference which titled ‘Teaching and Learning in Africa in the ContextofSustainableDevelopment Goal 4 (SDG4) and Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) 2016-2025’ is aimed at charting a sustainable strategy for the delivery of quality education in order to meet Sustainable Development Goals.

The Registrar, TRCN, Segun Ajiboye who stated this in Ibadan while speaking with newsmen stated that the conference provides opportunities for exchange of best practices between the statutory regulators of the teaching profession in Africa and members of the global communityparticularlytheacademia, ICT experts, employers of teachers, teachers unions and international development partners.

According to him, the AFTRA Conference and Roundtable which will take place on May 14-19 in Abuja will feature presentation on the implications of terrorism, refugees and internally displaced for education in Africa as well as the professionalisation of teaching in Africa.

34 BDSUNDAY

Sunday 06 May 2018

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SundayBusiness Abia signs MoU with firms for modular refinery, hydrocarbon exploitation UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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bia State government has signed MoUs with AG Gold Trust Limited and Whitepage International Company Limited for the establishment and development of Modular Refinery and Hydrocarbon Deposits in Ukwa West Local Government Area of the state.

Eme Okoro, secretary to state government, Abia who signed the agreements on behalf of the state, noted during the ceremony that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu from inception of his administration had conceptualised how to make the state a better place than he met it, adding that the partnership with the two organisations was the beginning of the dream.

He further disclosed that Ikpeazu had conceptualised development pattern on how to utilise both human and natural resources to develop the state.

“The ease of doing business is

what we believe in. Today, we have come to ensure that we utilise our resources. The exploitation of the hydrocarbon deposits will elicit investors,” said the SSG. Speaking earlier during the ceremony, Freeman George Amadum, managing director of AG Gold Trust Limited, the investors in Modular Refinery said his organisation had

garnered many years of experience in the industry.

He disclosed that his firm had established such facilities in many oil-bearing states, noting that Abia is one of the major oil producing states, hence the industry.

Amadum disclosed that modular refinery in Abia would spur industrial revolution and economic

development which in turn will create job opportunities for the youth.

Mohammadu Yakubu, managing director of Whitepage International Concept Limited also in his speech, said the exploitation of the hydrocarbon deposits in Abia would create jobs for the youth and also create opportunities for indigenes to own oil blocks.

L-R: Marketing Manager, Castle Lite Africa, Ramona Kayembe; OAP and Host, Castle Lite Unlocks Concert, Do2un; Musician and Performer at the Castle Lite Concert, Ycee; and Marketing Manager, Consumer Connections, AB InBev, West Africa, Ms. Jumoke Okikiolu; at the Castle Lite Unlocks Concert which held in Lagos recently

Guinness Nigeria pledges to add value to Edo economy

How Lagos is addressing waste infrastructure needs

…Rolls out new product with royal symbol

Christy Kayode

IDRIS UMAR MOMOH, Benin

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uthorities of Guinness Nigeria Plc has expressed their commitment to continuously add value to the economy of Edo State.

Babatunde Savage, chairman of the company, gave the assurance during a visit to the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and the Oba of Benin in his palace to introduce Royal Kingdom Premier Lager, a new brand product of the company.

Savage, who said the new product was brewed in the Benin plant, using local raw materials from the state, noted that the company was the biggest employer of labour in the state besides the state government.

He disclosed that the Royal Kingdom Premier Lager is a local lager of international repute that the people of the state will be proud of.

“The Royal Kingdom Premier Lager is actually a product that is a reflection of Edo people and culture.

Is actually a citizen of this place. It is a local lager of international standard product, and as we go on we will

continue using local materials. It is something that Edo State indigenes will be very proud of, and it is our belief that we will continue to cherish it and spread it all over the state.

“Just recently, we launched various brands of our spirit products and today we brought in the latest which we believe is actually brewed here for the people and owned by the people which is actually the Royal Kingdom Premium Larger and is always good for us to be able to bring it to the governor to see and also the Oba, our Royal Majesty who actually supported the Larger Beer,” he said.

While thanking the state governor and the Benin monarch for the good work, enabling environment and the support they have been giving to the company to operate in the state, Savage assured that the management would continue to look at the cultural heritage and the royalty that the kingdom is known for in crafting the best brew that is best for the people.

He explained that the priority of the company was to ensure steady job creation for the people and ensure that farmers who will be cultivating various agricultural products that will be using as ingredients in the supply chain get value for their products.

In his remarks, the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, who officially unveiled the new product, commended the management of Guinness Nig. Plc for using royal symbol as its logo for the new brand product, Royal Kingdom Premium Larger beer.

A

ccording to the World Economic Forum, in 1960, the only city in sub-Saharan Africa with a population of over 1 million people was Johannesburg; 10 years later, there were four, and by 2010 that number had sky-rocketed to 33 cities. While urbanisation is generally seen as progressive and leads to a higher standard of living, it comes with its attending challenges.

Higher purchasing powers and the social pressure to display prosperity through acquisition are two common factors that have led to increase in consumption. Higher consumption levels in these cities have equally led to higher generation of waste.

A case in point is Lagos, the commercial heartbeat of Nigeria.

The State receives an inflow of 85 people per hour, according to the WEF report, and is today estimated to host over 24 million residents; over three million more than the number it was in 2015.

The population explosion quickly became apparent in the number of litter blackspots and bad odor, as waste became a problem that the State struggled to manage.

The past administrations have tried to address the municipal problem with several forms of intervention programs and policies.

In 2011, the Fashola administration upgraded the waste management agency of the State – Lagos Waste Management Agency – with the appointment of Ola Oresanya.

The agency improved the regu-

lation of waste collectors and the commissioning of three transfer loading stations within the State.

This led to visible improvements in the collection of residential waste across the State. These were however only effective as short-term plans because the State required working infrastructure to manage disposal, and work towards resource recovery.

Also unaddressed was the problem of the overflowing unsanitary landfills across Lagos State.

The biggest of these is the Olusosun landfill, recognized across the world as the largest landfill in Africa and one of the largest in the world. The landfill sits in the middle of the State, behind a major car park and on the airport route. The landfill has led to economic losses in tourism, and more importantly in environmental sustainability and healthcare.

In March 2018, waste decomposition and the presence of hazardous materials led to a methane gas explosion that destroyed several vehicles. and became a health threat to residents in the area. The incident underscored the urgency for infrastructure upgrades in the State. It also highlighted the key reason for the decisions taken by the government to introduce the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) as a new waste management reform in the State.

The CLI is a holistic plan to address all aspects of the waste management process, from collection to disposal and resource recovery. Under the CLI, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions won the bid to develop and manage the core of the waste management infrastructure.

Group protests alleged marginalisation of Nigerian workforce by GIC Motors SEYI JOHN SALAU

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n pursuit of a better working condition for the Nigerian workforce, a group o f Ni g e r i a n s u n d e r t h e auspices of Movement for the Emancipation of Nigerians from Fresh Colonialism is protesting the alleged marginalisation of Nigerian workforce by a Chineseowned GIC Motors in Lagos.

Adetayo Adegbemle, convener, Movement for the Emancipation of Nigerians from Fresh Colonialism and director, at PowerUp Initiative for Electricity Rights, said the group wished to bring to the attention of the public, the sad and unfortunate subtle development in which foreignowned companies are subjugating Nigerians to what it called a new level of slavery and colonialism going on in the country.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Adegbemle said a popular news website, aledeh.com, owned by the former Channels TV reporter, on 18 March 2018, released an investigative report on the activities of one Diana Chen, of GIC Motors, which alleged that Chen has been severely maltreating the Nigerian workforce under her employ.

The movement further stated that the report among other things revealed that Nigerian staff under her employ were being treated as slaves, and were not given letters of employment, as stipulated under the Nigerian labour laws.

Adegbemle decriying the silenceoftheNigeriangovernment, especially the Ministry of Labour and Employment, said: “This also reminds one of all the terrible stories of African slavery: how our leaders sold us all into slavery in the pre-colonial era. Are we about to experience another slavery period under the Chinese?”

Th e g r o u p m a d e s o m e demands that they said should be met by GIC Motors following the allegations. Among other things, the group has asked that all Nigerians under the employ of Diana Chen at the GIC Motors should be given a full letter of employment with full benefits, as stipulated by the Nigerian labor laws.

Other demands are that all forms of monopolies being claimed by GIC Motors, under Chen should be terminated immediately. No single Nigerian can go to China to claim such monopoly.

The group also asked for an immediate audit of all Chinese employees under GIC Motors, their visa status, and their educational background.

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SundayBusiness NMRC, Kohath and sustainable city development

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n pursuit of its mandate to not only increase access to housing, but also make it affordable to a good number of low income and seeking Nigerians, the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) Plc, Nigeria’s secondary mortgage market institution and leading mortgage underwriter, has sealed pact with Kohath Housing Corporation for a sustainable development.

NMRC is not new to partnerships and has, in the last four years of its operation, entered into quite a number of strategic and collaborative agreements and partnerships with both public and private sector operators in the nation’s housing industry, as part of its efforts at raising accessibility and affordability.

Kohath Housing Corporation, a member of the Kohath Investment Group, are the promoters and developers of the ‘Land of Honey’ (LoH) City’ in Abuja. It is a leading player in the municipality development space in SubSaharan Africa.

The group is a wholly owned Nigerian company with business activities in real estate development, mining, agriculture, energy and trading, with the aim of positively contributing to the gross domestic product of the countries where it carries out its business and derives

Property Logic With Akhigbe Dominic

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ccordingly, Decree no.3 of 1992, the NHF is to operate under a situation that inter alia includes the provision that all Nigerian workers earning an annual income of N3, 000 and above should contribute 2.5 percent of their salaries to the fund. In order to ease the pooling of funds and facilitate access by the workers,

maximum value for shareholders.

The multi-billion naira LoH is a joint venture development the company is doing with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to deliver a city that will provide for commerce and community living. On completion, LoH will deliver between 15,000 and 20,000 housing units in different phases over a 5-year period.

The new partnership agreement, which was executed on April 25, 2018, will see NMRC and Kohath collaborate for the provision of project structuring and mortgage advisory for the delivery of a first of its kind city in the Gude District of Abuja.

Kohath’s transaction structuring include off-take arrangements for up to 10,000 affordable housing units with the Federal Integrated Staff Housing Scheme (FISH) through the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation and Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board.

The collaboration between these two major stakeholders in the housing sector (Kohath and NMRC) presents a huge opportunity which Kehinde Ogundimu, the acting CEO of NMRC, hopes will make a difference in home ownership in Abuja due to challenges that the LoH development will help to resolve.

Abuja as Nigeria’s federal capital city has enormous housing

challenges, especially in the low income segment of the market.

These challenges include proliferation of houses that are ‘dead assets’ due to titling constraints, low access to mortgage loans and lack of sustainable, planned, qualitative and affordable housing.

The LoH development and Kohath’s partnership with NMRC can best be described as a value-adding innovation that has been in incubation since 2011.

Teni Eleoramo, the executive chairman of Kohath Housing Corporation, disclosed that the project had successfully weathered the storm of title and legal challenges and has also survived the hash business environment in Nigeria.

“We are now ready to deliver its mandate of providing qualitative and affordable housing to Nigerians”, he assured, saying that LoH will deliver such house types as a few single-family homes and a large majority of affordable housing development portfolios. The development will also features multi-family apartment homes for mid-income families with support services that will cater to lifestyle, transform lives and strengthen communities.

The LoH development currently has an asset portfolio of over 900 hectares covered by a bankable certificate of occupancy that is conservatively valued at $180million, making Kohath one of Nige-

Talking Mortgage with CHUKA UROKO (08037156969, chukuroko@yahoo.com) ria’s largest developers of quality and affordable housing.

It is expected that Kohath’s development strategy will, in the long run, involve the deployment of the World Bank and International Finance Corporation’s sponsored Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies Certification process in building innovative, sustainable, green communities as part of Kohath’s Green Development Strategy for improved health, long-term economic and environmental benefits for residents.

The design of the city incorporates a proposed district light rail that takes into consideration the significance of access to requisite services and public transportation in building new communities and as such the design provides access to an array of retail outlets, schools, and other services within walking distance, as research shows that living in well-designed, walkable, transit-oriented communities near public transportation can result in a range of significant commercial and health benefits.

Ogundimum affirmed that Abuja is one of the most ex-

pensive housing markets in the country, quoting available statistics which says that the minimum annual salary required to purchase a medium-priced home is over $30,000 which excludes many hard-working people including doctors, teachers and public servants, from owning even two-bedroom apartments for their families.

He also affirmed further that the partnership with Kohath presented a huge opportunity for NMRC to support the Federal Government’s housing programmes aimed at providing affordable housing backed by affordable mortgages. “This is in consideration of the fact that, of all the challenges currently facing our nation today, just a few are more urgent than the deficit of decent housing”, he noted.

Analyst are of the view that without affordable homes, lowincome families in Nigeria have little hope of a better livelihood as the availability of housing plays a key role in determining whether they can find well-paying jobs, send their children to school, get quality health services, or access to reliable utilities.

Affordable housing and the runaway cost of building material; a convenient paradox (3) the law empowers employers to remit the mandatory contributions to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN). Also, commercial and merchant banks were mandated by the same law to invest 10percent of their loans and advances into the FBMN while insurance companies are expected to Contribute 20 and 40 percents of their nonlife and life funds into real estate development as a means of further easing the housing problem.

The Fund covers workers in both sectors of the economy i.e. the public sector and the organized private sector. The law also requires the three tiers of government (federal, state and local) to contribute at least 2.5percent of their annual revenues into the NHF. The policy works mainly by pooling resources from both the public and private sectors and thus limiting government’s direct participation.

However, the Decree pro-

vides for a 4percent interest on workers contribution to the fund. Also, the contributor is allowed to borrow up to five times his or her taxable income which is payable over a period of up to 35 years. While fifty percent of the pool of fund remains with the FMBN, the remaining fifty percent is kept by the Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs) for lending to workers. The workers are eligible to borrow any time for building purposes but where this is not done, the worker contributor can withdraw his savings (including the interest) at the age of 60 or at retirement.

The PMIs are empowered by the mortgage Decree to bridge the gap between the FMBN and the contributors (employers and workers). They are the primary lenders that evaluate loan applications from the individual contributors. The maximum

loan allowed for a contributor was pegged by the Decree at one and half a million naira and is to be jointly provided or financed by both the PMls and the FMBN. In 1994, the NHF was under the mandate to deliver about 121,000 housing units but less than 5% were recorded to have achieved. The 1991 housing policy sought for active participation of all tiers of government, the federal, state and local government and also government agencies and parastatals such as the federal housing Authority, the state housing Authority, Ministries and Departments.

Under the National Housing Policy 1991 FHA was mandated to develop and manage real estate on commercial and profitable basis in all the state of the federation, provide sites and services scheme for all income groups, with special emphasis on low income groups in the

major cities of the country; and provide low income houses in all states of the federation.

To ensure proper and positive implementation of this policy; a committee was constituted, the National Housing Policy Council which is saddled with the responsibilities among others to coordinate all activities relating to housing sector and insure continuous monitoring with a view to determine its performance. All these were basic efforts made to ensure affordable housing to the masses of Nigeria at the most affordable and convenient manner; these noble efforts by past governments have been rubbished by this government’s insincererity towards sanitising the market space. Till there is a paradigm shift towards a free market space without undue favoritism, the housing challenges will yet get worse.

Additional materials by Society for Business and Management Dynamics

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Sunday 06 May 2018

BrandsOnSunday SPOTLIGHTING BRAND VALUE

Why Nigerian Breweries un-caged ‘Tiger’ in Nigerian market DANIEL OBI

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igerian Breweries Plc, a Heineken operating company, known for its highly successful brands such as Star Lager, Heineken, Maltina, Gulder and others recently added Tiger Beer to its portfolio of brands in Nigerian markets.

It entered Nigeria 86 years after it rolled out the first bottle from a Malayan brewery in the territory now known as Singapore. The introduction of the beer

and its launch campaign tagged Uncage – the courage to challenge convention – showcased the courageous, bold and go-getting side of Nigerians, encouraging people across all divides to ‘uncage’ courage and the tiger within them in pursuit of their dreams and passions.

With the launch in Nigeria, ‘Tiger’ is inviting Nigerians to Uncage with a roar. It is a call to action for people to keep pushing boundaries without giving up.

The 3-day launch event which held at Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, in Lagos, also had guests and

attendees witness a virtual jungle called ‘The Tiger Den’, a jungle like experience of simulating an encounter with a ferocious tiger complemented with thrilling music, sound effects and life-like scenery.

There, participants tested their courage and enjoyed a ‘real life’ Tiger experience.

Speaking at the launch event, Franco Maria Maggi, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries said,“We have a goal to inspire the courage to act on your true passion and realize your true potential, Tiger believes every man has a tiger inside. Our streetsmart upbringing has forged our character and entrepreneurial spirit that still runs in our veins.

Tiger is the most dynamic, edgy and social premium beer!”

Today, the beer is arguably the world’s fastest growing premium brand, growing by 24% year on year (2015), and currently marketed in over 60 countries, including UK, US, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Australia and now Nigeria, a statement said.

In his remarks, Tokunbo Adodo, Portfolio Manager, International Premium at Nigerian Breweries says, “Tiger Beer identifies with the bold Nigerian, whose passion gives birth to a sense of purpose, while the Tiger sign is a symbol of courage and inner strength. This beer is for the courageous, and will be anchored around creativity, and inspiring real stories of people living their full potentials, and making their mark.”

MultiChoice slashes DStv, GOtv decoder prices for W/Cup

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ultiChoice Nigeria has promised football fans the best offerings on SuperSport, exclusively on DStv and GOtv. The company also announced that all 64 games of the FIFA World Cup in Russia 2018 will be available live in HD to DStv and GOtv viewers, with viewers getting the best of expert com-

mentary and analyses.

It equally announced decoder price slashes, with the DStv HD decoder, which includes a dish kit plus one-month subscription on the Compact bouquet available at N8,500, a 14% reduction from the previous price of N9,900. Also, the GOtv decoder, which comes with the antenna and one-month subscription on GOtv Max will be available for only N5,900.

The announcements were made in Lagos at the launch of “Connect with Greatness”, the company’s World Cup campaign.

Speaking at the event, Martin Mabutho, General Manager, Marketing and Sales for MultiChoice Nigeria, said: “The FIFA World Cup is football’s biggest event, featuring the best players and national teams all fighting for one ultimate prize. We are proud to say that we have been broadcasting the football tournaments since 2006 and this edition won’t be any different as we will be showing all

64 matches of the World Cup Live and in HD on DStv and GOtv. “Nigerians can enjoy all the games from the comfort of their homes and on the go with up to five mobile devices via the DStv Now app. We will also be providing exclusive live coverage from Russia with expert analyses from the biggest football professionals among other benefits. All you have to do to get in on the excitement is purchase a DStv HD decoder for as low as N8, 500 and a GOtv decoder for N5,900.”

Meanwhile, the World Cup pop-up channel, SuperSport 14 (SS14), has been live on DStv and GOtv ahead of the soccer feast with an assortment of exciting content including great legacy footage, highlights, documentaries, FIFA films, classic matches and interviews. The channel also features exclusive and rare archive footage of football’s best moments and matches on channel 36.

Lagos, Uyo and Enugu consumers hosted in “33” Export Friendship party

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agos, Uyo and Enugu cities were hosted to another edition of the “33” Export Friendship Party. As expected, it was a great experience as the beer known for celebrating and strengthening the bond and values of true friendship saw a massive turnout of people attended the event.

The friendship party was an all-round wonderful experience as guests were treated to all kinds of engaging activities, beautiful music, in a warm ambience that gave everyone present that feeling of belonging.

“33” Export Lager Beer is a premium quality beer which prides itself in celebrating real friendship with the yearly celebration which takes place in different cities across the Nigeria.

Talented comedians and DJs like

DJ Kentalky, DJ Real, MC Shakara, and Bash, also graced the party by thrilling the consumers with their hit tracks and rib cracking jokes giving the audience a total package of fun, life sharing memories and overwhelming laughter.

Speaking after the event, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Emmanuel Agu remarked on the memorable night saying, ”33” Export Lager beer recognizes the importance of friendships in the lives of consumers, hence the ‘Friendship Experience Parties’. This is used to reaffirm our brand’s commitment to providing excellent and memorable experiences that allows friends and communities from all over the country to connect, build stronger bonds and share memorable moments.”

L-R: Isiaka AbdulRazaq, group executive director/chief Finance Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), receiving merit award from Isma’ila Muhammadu Zakari, ICAN President in Lagos…recently

ICAN honours NNPC’s Abdulrazaq with Merit Award

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nstitute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (lCAN) has honoured Isiaka AbdulRazaq, Group Executive Director/ Chief Finance Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with Merit Award.

The award is for his contribution to the development of accountancy profession and exemplary leadership and promotion of transparency and accountability.

At the ICAN 2018 Annual Dinner attended by captains of industry, policy makers and leaders of thought at the Eko Hotels & Suites Lagos, a statement said Abdulrazaq was honoured alongside the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Babatunde Fowler and the traditional ruler of Sagamu and Akarigbo of Remoland Oba Babatunde Ajayi.

The ICAN Merit Award is conferred on members and nonmembers who have distinguished themselves in their careers cutting across both private and public sectors as well as members who use the profession of Accountancy to

promote national development and economic growth.

“One of such of our members Abdulrazaq whose professionalism and commitment to excellence has made NNPC to be more transparent in its books. NNPC accounts and subsidiaries are now regularly published and can be accessed by members of the public”,according to ICAN President, Isma’ila Muhammadu Zakari in the statement.

Abdulrazaq was also recognised for his outstanding contribution to the development of the Accounting profession through the establishment of “Youth Professional Development Trust (YPDT)” which has encouraged young Accounting Graduates in educationally less developed states to attain professionalism. As at 2017 a total of 734 students were graduated from the various center, the statement said.

He was also honoured for coordinating the effective implementation of “The Single Treasury Account (TSA)” policy of the Federal Government in NNPC thereby drastically reducing the number of NNPC bank accounts.

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Arts Nigeria-France relations blossom with creative arts exchange in Paris OBINNA EMELIKE

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ith the formal launch of the Nigerian Creative Arts Exchange at Wheatbaker Hotel Ikoyi on Friday, the country is set to showcase her rich cultural heritage, creative ingenuity and glamour to the global audience.

The initiative, which was launched by Modupe Irele, Nigerian Ambassador to France, is a cultural extravaganza; showcasing a selection of the best in Nigeria’s creative industry.

It is kicking off with France on May 16, 2018 at Le Pavilion Dauphine, Paris, Saint Clair. That day, the Nigerian arts and culture will take centre stage in the heart of Paris as the Embassy of Nigeria hosts French business community and friends of Nigeria to an exhibition of some of Nigeria’s finest art, cuisine, fashion, music, film and traditional games, on the platform of the Nigerian Creative Arts Exchange.

The Nigerian Creative Arts Exchange is a platform for promoting cultural exchange and diplomacy and aims to enhance social and economic collaboration between Nigeria and the world, by developing channels for commerce between Nigeria and France.

The exhibition is a platform that demonstrates Nigeria’s interest in expanding economic and cultural bilateral relations with France. It reinforces the similar commitment expressed last year when the French Prime Minister received Yemi Osinbajo, Nigerian Vice President, in Paris; and previously, when former President Francois Hollande attended Nigeria’s centennial celebrations in Abuja.

The sentiment is underscored by the fact that in only his first year in office, President Macron will be visiting Nigeria to further strengthen bilateral relations with Nigeria through trade and culture. Indeed, Nigeria is France’s largest trading partner in Africa, with diversified exports spanning petroleum,

L-R: Mabel Ndagi, head, Corporate Comms & External Affairs, BOI; Moses Umoru, DG, CCI-France Nigeria); Taiwo Taiwo, representative, Nigerian Ambassador to France; Carol Bossier; and Stella Okoli, CEO, Emzor, at the event.

pharmaceuticals, electronic and Agro-allied products.

According to Irele, in recent times, Nigerian art, music, film, fashion and food have caught and received international attention and acclaim. They have shown that there are industries that can and in many cases already are successfully operating internationally, at the requisite high standards. Like many industries in Nigeria, she said the creative industry is full of opportunities and open to further investment.

Explaining further on the rationale for the platform, the ambassador said, “Through the Nigerian Creative Arts Exchange we are thus creating a forum where participants can make enquiries, network and build useful links, in

a relaxed setting. We invite participants to both experience the elements of Nigerian culture that will be on display, and to use the occasion to initiate conversations with representatives from the different industries which will range from fashion to pharmaceuticals, agriculture to real estate, finance to tourism, among others. These together represent a wide array of trade opportunities”.

Also speaking at the launch, Stella Okoli, CEO, Emzor Pharmaceutical, noted that the initiative was in line with her company’s mission of building strong brands in Nigeria and exporting them to the world.

As well, Moses Umoru, director general, CCI-France Nigeria, described the initiative as an image

booster, which would ultimately improve the business/investment relations among the two countries.

Explaining the rationale for Bank of Industry (BoI) support for the initiative, Mabel Ndagi, head, corporate communications & external affairs, BOI, noted that the bank is committed to supporting indigenous business, especially the creative industry to flourish because of its enormous potential for creativity, job creation and impact on GDP. The Nigeria Creative Arts Exchange will beam the light on other fresh trading products as it focuses on Nigeria’s rich creativity and presents a diverse display of products in the arts and the wider Nigerian culture, enabling the French business and travelling public to better

understand the tremendous opportunities that lie in this jewel of West Africa.

The Nigerian Creative Arts Exchange will feature creative industry giants including; Bisi Silva (world acclaimed visual arts curator); Ituen Bassey (fashion); Orange Culture (Fashion); Andrea Iyamah (fashion); Lanre Da Silva (fashion); Chef Tiyan and Chef Fregz (cuisine); Kemi Lala Akindoju (Nollywood) and Adekunle Gold (singer-songwriter).

The exhibition is proudly supported by Bank of Industry, Emzor Pharmaceutical, UBA, Total, Lagos State Government, CIUC Consulting, Institut Francais, NEPC, CCI France Nigeria, SJ Tours, Aart of Life Foundation, and French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Basketmouth and Alibaba to lead comedians at Lagos Laughs 2018 today

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he second edition of Lagos Laughs holding today Sunday, May 6, 2018 at the Eko Hotels will be headlined by top comedian, Basketmouth, Alibaba and a host of other old and new generation comedians. The show is coming as a follow up to the first edition last year, which was a part of the 50 years anniversary

of Lagos State.

The event, which is also in celebration of World Laughter Day, will feature a power packed lineup of comedians, musicians, dancers and a host of other celebrity performances.

It promises to deliver comedy and entertainment in an unusual way. Performers will be carefully screened and selected to give

Alibaba

the audience quality value for their money and time.

This year will witness a mammoth of certified comedians who are geared to deliver an unforgettable performance. From Woli Arole, MC Lively, Akpororo, Seyilaw, Charles Okocha, Ushbebe, Frank Donga, DeeOne, Gbenga Adeyinka, Wofai and many more.

Thrilling the audience to won-

derful music is Nigeria’s foremost music band, Shuga Band and exclusive music from some of Nigeria’s finest DJs such as DJ Consequence, DJ Alatika and DJ Bellcheque.

The show will be happening at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. Red carpet starts from 5pm while it’s showtime from 6pm.

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Sunday 06 May 2018

Arts Nigeria witnesses breakthrough ideas at Falling Walls Lab Lagos …as winner emerges OBINNA EMELIKE

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n April 27, 2018, some bright minds from various disciplines gathered at German Consulate General in Victoria Island, Lagos for the first edition of Falling Walls Lab, an idea incubator established in 2011 by the Falling Walls Foundation based in Berlin to support ideas and innovation from outstanding academics anywhere in the world.

While the labs are organised independently in various places across the globe, typically by or in collaboration with a scientific institution, the Falling Walls Lab Lagos, which is the maiden edition, was jointly carried out by the German Consulate Lagos, the Nigerian arm of German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the University of Ibadan.

The Lagos Lab witnessed 20 bright minds selected

Agema Agatha, team leader of Sevhage Literary and Development Initiative and winner of the first ever Falling Walls Lab in Nigeria with Ingo Herbert, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany, at the event in Lagos

from 152 applicants based on their ideas, visions, social initiatives or business models relevant to the world today.

They each presented their ideas within three minutes to a jury consisting of experts from academia, research institutions and the business community among who are: Onyeche Tifase, CEO, Siemens Nigeria, Pat Utomi, founder, Centre for Values in Leadership, Idowu Olayinka, vice chancellor, University of Ibadan, Enase

Okenedo, dean, Lagos Business School, Jean-Marc Ricca, country Cluster head, BASF West Africa, Remi Raji, University of Ibadan among others.

Before hosting the participants on hot-seat, Ingo Herbert, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany, who moderated the event, noted that the jury’s job is to select the best three presentations and that the selected winner will travel to Berlin to participate in the

Lab Finale, where there will be presentations from 99 other winners of other Labs across the world, as well as, in the Falling Walls Conference, where more than 600 guests from 75 nations are expected to attend.

However, Kayode Richards, an undergraduate of University of Ibadan set the event rolling with his poetry performance titled, ‘Behind the wall’. The audience were thrilled once again by Darko Nanyil, an undergraduate

who rendered her poem in Hausa language. As well, Egwuata Ogechukwu, a University of Nigeria Nsukka student excited the audience with her poem in German language.

Going down to the business of the day, Abdulwahab Khadijat, a chemistry lecturer at University of Lagos, was the first participant to present her idea on renewable energy using organic solar cell.

After her three minutes presentation, Aboderin Olajide, CEO, Found Apps, presented his idea, which he hoped would break the wall of delivery unreliability in social media.

After the first round of presentations, the second round held with more participants making frantic efforts at convincing the jury with their ideas. The jury went for computation of the results and at the end a winner emerged.

It was with great joy that the jury announced that Agema Agatha, team leader of Sevhage Literary and

Development Initiative, as the winner of the first ever Falling Walls Lab in Nigeria.

Agatha, a PhD holder, won with her presentation on breaking the wall of clean water access using local method that is affordable to many people even in the rural areas in Nigeria.

Ilomuanaya Margaret of University of Lagos and Adenipekun Adebisi, cofounder/CEO, TechHealth. ng, came 2nd and 3rd respectively.

The participants were presented with awards later, while Agatha will besides the certificate award move on to represent Nigeria with her idea to the finals at the Falling Walls Conference in Berlin, Germany in November this year.

In his remarks, Ingo Herbert, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany, commended all the participants for their creative ideas and promised assistance in encouraging more breakthroughs that would impact the society at large.

Artistes showcase raw talents at Ariya Repete ...as Saheed Osupa, Taye Currency, Adekunle Gold thrill Lagos fans

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r i y a Re p e t e , the talent hunt organized by Goldberg to promote and develop indigenous Yoruba music is bubbling as 32 contestants make it to the Semi finals.

The event held in Lagos on May 4, 2018, with the 32 potential Fuji and Juju music artistes slugging it to the finals.

Meanwhile, the quarter finals, which held at Midas Arena, Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, featured a fantastic display of music and drumming talent by various acts who were recently mentored at Ariya Repete Academy in Ibadan by veteran artistes and music producers.

Some of the contestants for the Semi Finals include: Juju artistes- Ayegbayo Oluwaseun, Akinlabi Johnson, Korede Daniel, Wale Bravo, Bukola Ahmed, Prince Ade Michael, Femi Bright, Adebayo Adetayo. While those from the Fuji category are-

Ashafa Olushola Martins, Saheed Akangbe, Remilekun Olukotun, Mohammed Adewale, Ishola Ade Eric, Ode Ayomide, Suliamon Asibola Destiny, Olayemi Kehinde, Sodiq Ishola, Sulaimon Ajao, Adewale Oderinde, and Abiodun Olotu.

Expressing joy on reach-

ing the semi-finals, Ashafa Olusola Martins from Ibadan region praised the organisers for the opportunity afforded young people to showcase their talent to the world. He was particularly thankful for the grooming and mentoring sessions at Ariya RepeteAcademy,

which he said impacted positively on his performance in Ado-Ekiti.

For Bukola Ahmed from Sango Ota region, it was another opportunity to prove herself as she had previously participated at the Ariya Repete 2017 edition.

“This time, I am looking

forward to giving a better account of myself in Lagos during the Semi-Finals. I have my eyes on the two million Anita prize” Emmanuel Agu, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout brands, commenting on the talent hunt said, “we are deeply impressed by the performance of the artistes so far and can’t wait to reveal the latest future Juju and Fuji music greats to the world.

That is what Ariya Repete is all about; developing and promoting indigenous Yoruba music, artistry and drumming talent. And NB is glad to be leading the charge in that regard.”

During the semi-finals which will take place at the National Stadium, Surulere, the 20 successful musicians selected at the Quarter Final in Ado-Ekiti will slug it out along with the 12 traditional drummer groups.

The contestants would be pruned down to 10 musicians and six drummers for the grand finale.

Also commenting on the performance of the contestants, Funso Ayeni, Senior Brand Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, expressed pleasure at the quality of artistry displayed.

Ayeni encouraged contestants to do a lot better in Lagos, and charged the judges including Champion Kunle Opio, Adebayo Faleke, Ace Alhaji Sikuru Agboola- SK Ensation, to professional in selecting participants for the grand finale.

Frontline musicians from Fuji and Juju genres including Adewale Ayuba, Adekunle Gold, Taye Currency, Saheed Osupa and Sir Shina Peters are scheduled to perform at the Semi Finals in Lagos.

Meanwhile, the grand finale is scheduled to hold at Trans Amusement park, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on May 11, 2017.

Ariya Repete, an initiative of Goldberg, from the stables of Nigerian Breweries Plc is an expanded music talent hunt platform.

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Book Review A writer’s husky voice and a drunken giant on the brink of dystopia Title: Drumbeats of Democracy Author: Ayo Oyoze Baje Publisher: Oyoze Creative Concept Date of publication: 2018 Number of pages: 490 Reviewer: Folu Agoi

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Overview rumbeats of Democracy by Ayo Oyoze Baje is a uniquely robust collection of specimens of critical journalistic commentaries symbolic of the author’s enthusiastic efforts towards the institution of responsible political leadership and good governance in Nigeria and, by extension, the evolution of a civilised global community.

The publication – the culmination of four decades of commitment and contribution to the mass media, a journey that began with the Nigerian Herald in 1978 – is an intellectual monument to forty unbroken years of perspiration and, evidently, inspiration.

The text is presented in 14 chapters, each of which comprises several feature articles and – particularly Chapters 1 to 8 – a poem or two serving either as a prelude or an interlude to spice up the publication.

Structure Dedicated to God Almighty and the author’s deceased parents, Mallam Sadiku Jatto Umeche and Madam Awawu Avosuahi Oremeyi Umeche – for their love and inspiration, the book opens with a poem titled ‘Why?’ (Published in The Nigerian Herald on April 26, 1980). In the piece of poetry that laments the pathetic state of the Nigerian state, the poet’s persona poses piercing questions, asking: Why should I be a dot, a coma, a colon, a letter, a word, a line, even a banner and not a chapter for the pages of history?

That poem and another, ‘Witness to Agony’, set the stage for the first chapter of the book, a chapter – captioned The Leadership Question Persists – that parades eight critical articles, mostly bearing interrogative headlines, such as: (a) Do they know that we are suffering? (b) What is our concept of leadership? (c) Will democracy ever favor the people? (d) We have failed our founding fathers Chapter Two – with the banner The Polity: The Foundation of This House Is Faulty! – features an introductory poem, ‘Our Children’s Anthem’ and fifteen critical essays, which include: Parrots of patriotism, Local Government administration as scapegoats, One country, different nations, What we want from the national conference, Needed – The people’s constitution, 2015 and the imperative of political restructuring.

Chapter Three is dedicated to economic issues. Captioned It’s All about the Economy, the chapter features two powerful poems – ‘Sap Cares’ and ‘Requiem for The Naira’ – and twenty-two essays on the country’s economy and related matters. They include: Nigeria’s shameful poverty level, UN’s battle against poverty, Days of hunger, The national shame of unpaid salaries, Multinationals and second slavery, The second coming of Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s debilitating debt profile, Who will pay these huge debts?

Ajaokuta steel company, The power of bargaining in a globalized economy, Taxation and the people’s parliament, As economic recession looms, and Youth unemployment: A ticking time bomb!

Chapter Four, bearing the headline The Education Delivery Challenge, features nine articles, besides the introductory poem titled ‘Ode to rejected Inventors’. The essays include – Needed: State of emergency in the education sector, Making the best use of our best brains, Maximizing the potentials of our young inventors, Reviving Nigeria Reading culture, ANA’s celebration of Prof Akachi Ezeigbo, the literary icon, Strengthening Bio medical Engineering in Nigeria.

Chapter Five bears a screaming banner: Corruption Has Many Colours! The chapter contains three interesting poems – ‘The Question’, ‘Anini, and the rest it us’ and ‘The weaver birds’ – with nine critical essays, some of which are: The colours of corruption, Ha! Nigerians stash $107 billion abroad, High cost of accessing political power in Nigeria, Our politician’s shameless squandermania, Implications of legislator’s jumbo pay, Is impunity our middle name, 2Face Idibia’s protest and base sentiments and The obnoxious immunity clause.

The other chapters – each of which consists of several essays – bear the banner headlines: Morality: Has It Gone to the Dogs?

The Electoral Process: Must It Always Be Bloody?

The Imperative of Food Security Environmental Protection and Healthcare Delivery The Entertainment Industry To Our Youth: Where Do We Go From Here?

Substance The articles in the publication cover virtually all aspects of our existence – as Nigerians and as members of the human community.

But the main thrust of the publication, the subject to which the author has dedicated forty years of his working life, is the Nigerian project. Thus, the bulk of the articles are commentaries on the national question, leadership and governance, Nigeria’s defective structure, education and youth development, security of lives and property, food security, corruption, greed, the entertainment industry youth development.

Of particular interest are the antepenultimate and penultimate chapters. The first is dedicated to Lagos State. Titled Lagos State as Nigeria’s Success Story, the segment features the following contents: A Brief history, From Jakande to Tinubu – A Solid foundation laid, Lesson from BRF brand at 50, Gov. Ambode – Inspiring leadership in a grand style and Special status for Lagos? Why not?

The penultimate chapter, captioned And They Made the Difference, pays a glowing tribute to Joe Odumakin – ‘Hero of Democracy and Good Governance’ who demonstrates a great deal of ‘Passion for Human Rights’, personifying the struggle for an egalitarian society. The segment also offers floral tributes to some departed heroes like ‘Africa’s late labour leader number one, Pa Michael Aikhamen Imoudu’, ‘symbol of integrity’ who went to meet his maker on July 22, 2005 ‘at the ripe age of 103 years’, Babatunde Jose, MKO Abiola – the undeclared winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election cancelled by Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, Dora Akunyili, former Director-General of National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, described as ‘Portrait of selfless service’ – the Consultant endocrinologist who lost her life ‘through her contact with late Patrick Sawyer, the first index case of the deadly and dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, EVD’, Adamu Attah – the First civilian governor of Kwara state, Human Rights Activist Gani Fawehinmi and legendary Nelson Mandela.

Style In Drumbeats of Democracy, an edifying text logically and articulately presented, we find a good blend of powerful prose and beautiful poetry, a grand case of creative intermarriage seemingly symbolic of the author’s longstanding relationship with teaching and writing – sacred vocations that appear to be two sides of a gold coin.

Simplicity of style is one distinctive feature of Drumbeats of Democracy, a hoarse voice calling out a drunken giant, putting a clear mirror to the giant’s face, challenging him to come to his senses, to reinvent himself and take his place in the global stage.

Virtually all the articles in the publication reflect a schoolteacher’s simple explanatory style, as reflected in the rather laborious characterisation of ‘democracy’ in the introduction where the author catalogues Nigeria’s socio-economic and other ills – the most prominent among which are corruption, greed, nepotism and favouritism – and prescribes therapies for them.

The poet in the author A thorough stylistic analysis of Drumbeats of Democracy presents Ayo Oyoze Baje as a time-honoured poet, besides being an accomplished teacher, journalist, social commentator, academic writer, publisher et cetera.

Journalism entails writing news stories or articles for newspapers of magazines, if not for broadcast on radio or television, that is, reporting events and, sometimes, making commentaries on the events. But poetry, the song of the soul, is a sacred medium through which life’s day-to-day experiences are captured artistically, metaphorised and

fossilised for eternal preservation. In other words, creative writing is the zenith of intellectual activity; and poetry is the most sublime of the literary forms, a factor that informed Maxim Uzoatu’s characterisation of poetry as the god of literature. The poetry in Oyoze Baje is symbolised by the quality and quantity of the poetic interludes deployed to spice up Drumbeats of Democracy. Besides the poems that open the door and welcome the reader to the intellectual treasures of the book, each of the chapters of the publication – particularly chapters 1 to 8 – features exciting poetic expressions that speak to our creative imagination and emotional intelligence.

The poems in Drumbeats of Democracy exhibit natural cohesion, particularly considering the substance of the verses. They include: ‘Why?’, ‘Witness to Agony’, ‘Our Children’s Anthem’, ‘Sap Cares’, ‘Requiem for the Naira’, ‘Another Song’, ‘Ode to the Rejected Inventors’, ‘Corruption Has Many Colours!’, ‘When Angels Cry’, and several other exciting poetic compositions which serve to add colour to the book.

Conclusion Drumbeats of Democracy is a passionate writer’s warning voice calling a drunken giant on the brink of dystopia, an excellent intellectual effort in a land hardly known to reward intellectual excellence. The publication serves to announce Ayo Oyoze Baje as one patriotic Nigerian who, through the instrumentality of teaching and writing, has taken centre stage in the struggle for a civilised society, if not utopia.

All the articles in the publication exhibit some distinctive attributes. First, it must be asserted that the entire publication is a product of passion – passion for fatherland, and for the global community. The book, indeed the author’s entire teaching and writing engagements spanning over four decades, is a function of patriotism, one sometimes bordering on fanaticism – characterised by blind love for one’s country.

Drumbeats of Democracy, a bumper harvest of feature articles on practically every sphere of life with particular focus on Nigeria, is a product and function of a singular passion for humanity in general and the author’s fatherland in particular. Many of the articles in the publication lament the ‘inexcusable social inequality and injustice’ and other demons that have stunted Nigeria, a potentially great nation, since Independence. The most prominent among the identified demons is weak government facilitated by irresponsible leadership and compliant followership.

The articles in the book offer viable solutions to the socio-political and other malaise in the country. The suggested solutions, elaborately illustrated, are clearly pedagogically incontestable.

In a word, Drumbeats of Democracy, a giant portrait of a drunken giant or wayward child dreaming of El Dorado, is a colourful parade of lucid prose spiced with fine poetry, a testament to Ayo Oyoze Baje’s creativity and the power of his piercing gaze.

– Folu Agoi President, PEN International, Nigerian Centre (aka PEN Nigeria)

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Sunday 06 May 2018

THINGS TO DO IN LAGOS LAGOS AND ITS BEACHES Taking long walks on the beach can be very therapeutic; just before the heavy rains come to stay, take a trip to some of the most popular beaches in Lagos and enjoy the sight of the waves.

Elegushi Elegushi Beach is arguably one of the most popular private beaches located in Lekki, Lagos.

Although it can be quite crowded most of the time, It is still well known to be the go-to fun place for great meals, nightclubs and also a perfect spot for picnics, parties or other social gatherings.

It operates 24hours with a gate fee of 1000 naira and 200 naira as parking fee.

ATICAN Atican Beach Resort is a pristine ocean-side destination located at Abraham Adesanya Estate Road, EtiOsa, Lekki Lagos. Its clean white sand and beautiful Carribean-style layout will take you to another realm of peace.

TARKWA BAY For those that have ‘’surfing’’ on the list of things to do, Tarkwa bay is the right place to do that.

The sheltered beach is located near the Lagos Harbour which is popular with swimmers and water-sports enthusiasts, also home to a welcoming resident community.

It is the best place to be far away from the usual hustle and bustle of Lagos. Tarkwa Bay Beach, unlike most public beaches in Lagos, isn’t often noisy or overcrowded. This makes it a great place for some alone time with your significant other or perhaps a fun day out with your friends.

ILASHE This is a quiet beach resort with a serene environment in Lagos state. The beach is surrounded with attractive palm trees and huts. It also has speedboats that transport people to and fro the beach and other various places.

EVENTS HAPPENING TODAY

Photo credit: Hotels.ng and jumia travel

THE GIRL BOSS MEETUP Venue – The Village, 371, Borno Way, Alagomeji, Lagos Time – 12 – 5pm

LAGOS LEATHER FAIR Date – 4th to 6th May 2018 Venue – Harbour Point, Victoria Island Lagos

MENTE DE MODA Venue – BIC Garden and Boat Club, B20, Wole Olateju crescent, Lekki phase 1.

Time – 12noon

Sunday 06 May 2018

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MarketPlace with Art X Founder, Tokini Peterside

it a small market. You have artistes selling works for hundreds of millions of dollars. Infact, last year, there was a record for the artist whose work sold for 110 million dollars at action. Even within the African art world, you have African artistes who have broken the million dollar mark.

Contemporary/Modern Arts is a very profitable industry and I think that when it comes to the potential of the arts market within Nigeria, we really are at the beginning of a very exciting journey.

It’s going to be even more exciting in the future to see more Nigerian artistes break the boundaries.

Tell us a bit about the history of Art X

T

he history of Art X Lagos is an interesting one because, what we have done over the past 2 and half years is launch the first International Art Fair in Nigeria and also West Africa. This came into being as an idea that was nurtured in the course of my MBA program.

It was also just a very natural evolution of my interest in the Arts sector and my role within it as a collector for many years. But if I speak specifically about 2016 (which was the height of the financial crisis in Nigeria), we took the decision nonetheless to create this platform that would serve as a catalyst in the arts sector and which will bring the international art world into closer connection with all the fantastic activities that were happening with Nigerian artistes, galleries, pan African artistes, collectors, enthusiasts and the likes.

In Novermber 2016, we launched the very first Art X fair. It was a 3 day event held in Victoria Island, Lagos and which saw over 60 artists for 5 different countries showcase their works to over 5000 visitors. It was a very exciting time for us as it proved that there was something special about the mission.

In 2017 November, we held the 2nd edition and found that there was even more exciting growth to be experienced, with 9000 visitors come to see the works of artists from over 15 countries across Africa.

In essence, Art X Lagos has now positioned and launched itself as the premiere international art fair within West Africa and we are really looking forward to our 2018 edition which would hold between the 2nd-4th of November this year.

Why the alphabet X? The X in Art X Lagos means a variety of things: It’s the intersection between the art world and the city of Lagos.

It also refers to the unknown. The extra factor. The special piece in an equation that is the crocs around which so much evolves. We wanted to create a name that would make it clear that this was about an Arts experience with a difference. Yes there are other arts fairs that exist, but none like Art X. We’ve got a twist and that’s because we have been uniquely creating this exhibitions to fit Lagos city.

How Often do you intend to hold the exhibitions?

Every year.

How do you feel about being the creator of West Africa’s Biggest Arts Fair?

Being the creator of Art X which is the first of its kind in

What is your revenue model like?

Our revenue model for Art X is combination of cooperate sponsorships which we get from generous companies in Nigeria, such as Access bank, Absolute and 7 Up Bottling Company.

What is responsible for putting art x on the map?

Our sheer doggedness and tenacity. I have the privileged of working with a women dominated team and quite a number of men too who are passionate and excited about what we do and are consistently lending their brilliant ideas to the mission and vision that we have.

Also when we didn’t just want to copy and paste the art fair model that is seen across the world. Our vision was key. We wanted to create something unique and really special that would stand out.

Our openness also helped a lot. We opened up the art world and made it open to thousands of people who previously hadn’t engaged with the best work that was being shown in galleries.

How do you spend your free time?

I must confess that I spend most of my time thinking about the next big initiative that can come out of this mission.

Africa is a phenomenon responsibility, but it’s also an incredibly exciting mission. I feel very privileged to be involved in building this brand which is fast becoming the gate way for International art world to connect with what is happening within the local arts market. It’s a tremendous feeling of excitement that myself and my team have and it also comes with a significant amount of responsibility that I don’t take lightly.

Is contemporary arts profitable in the long run?

It’s very funny when I get asked if Contemporary arts is profitable in the long run because the global art world is a 60 million dollar industry, so you know it’s not a game, neither is

What issues will Art X be addressing in 5 years?

In 5 years time, we hope that the Nigerian market would be significantly larger than it is today and our expectation is that art x would have served as a very strong catalyst in collaboration with the many other key stakeholders in this market to make that a reality.

We want to evolve from being seen as just an art fair, to becoming a platform that represents and showcases the best art and artistic talents coming out of Nigeria and the African continent.

So really for us, the aim is to push the sector, to magnify the patriotism of Nigerian artists and to ensure that we are connecting with the next generation of artists.

Sometimes we just talk and ignore our sentence structure and meaning, as long as we have said what we want to say and it was well understood by the listen. Well let’s do a mini English class.

F

Here’s how Facebook dating will work: 1. Opt in to a create a profile with just your first name. Your profile won’t be visible to friends, users who aren’t on the dating feature, and it won’t show up in the News Feed.

2. You’ll browse Events in your city and Groups that match your interests. You can select to “unlock” one for dating. You’ll then see the profiles of other dating users who’ve unlocked that surface.

3. You can browse through people’s profiles that show

What do you think about Nigerian made Luxury brands?

Luxury in Nigeria is still in its early stage, in that Nigerian brands are having to work late nights to prove to the world that luxury truly can come out of the country. My prior experience in the fashion world has shown me that our designers face a tremendous amount of challenges when it comes to producing the kind of quality and volume that is required by the luxury industry globally.

Nigerians are very interested in buying luxury brands, but there is still so much work to be done to ensure that the quality of products sold are indeed luxurious.

13 Things That You’ve Been Saying Wrongly

Facebook Dating Page acebook has announced its plan to launch a dating service to help connect users with people who are not their friends to help them meet new people.

The company’s founder Mark Zuckerberg made this known Facebook’s F8 Conference in San Jose, California - “If we are focused on helping people build meaningful relationships then perhaps this is the most meaningful of all… so we are launching a whole set of new features around dating.”

The feature will be aimed at “building real, long-term relationships, not just hookups,” Zuckerberg said, adding that since “there are 200 million people on Facebook that list themselves as single… clearly, there’s something to do here.”

BDSUNDAY 41

off a few of their photos plus some basic information about them. You’ll be shown people based on mutual interests and friends, plus other data Facebook has on you.

4. If you both are interested, you’ll be able to start a conversation with someone in a special inbox that’s separate from Messenger and WhatsApp. For safety, only text can be sent for now.

Zuckerberg added that friends will not be able to see one another’s dating profiles, as part of its privacy policy for the new feature.

Are you excited about this?

1. Incorrect saying : beck on call Correct saying: beck and call.

2. Incorrect saying: be rest assured Correct saying: be at rest or be assured.

3. Incorrect saying: one in the same Correct saying: one and the same.

4. Incorrect saying: I could careless Correct saying: I couldn’t care less.

5. Incorrect word: conversating Correct word: conversing.

6. Incorrect word: convocating Correct word: convoking.

7. Incorrect saying: old adage Correct saying: adage.

8. Incorrect saying: statue of limitation Correct saying: statute of limitation.

9. Incorrect saying: a little bit Correct saying: a little or a bit.

10. Incorrect saying: bad omen Correct saying: omen.

11. Incorrect saying: birds of the same feather flock together Correct saying: birds of a feather flock together.

12. Incorrect saying: all asunder Correct saying: all and sundry 13. Incorrect saying: congratulations for Correct saying: congratulations on.

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Sunday 06 May 2018

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Travel

NATOP, SAT to deepen ties for growth of tourism industry Minister

seeks MDAs’ cooperation for tourism development

OBINNA EMELIKE

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he Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) and South African Tourism have both pledged to collaborate and strengthen ties between organisations to grow the tourism industry in both Nigeria and South Africa.

The organisations which acknowledge that the partnership between both parties have been mutual and beneficial promised to work closer by exploring areas in the industry that could further help in the needed tourism experiences, training of upcoming tourism professional and making access to both countries easy.

Speaking at the South African Tourism (SAT), office in Lagos during the presentation of The Award Excellence to the organisation by NATOP for its contribution to the growth of the association and tourism in Nigeria, Hloni Pitso, head, SAT, West Africa, , said the sector has a huge challenge in Africa that needs to be addressed by all stakeholders.

According to him, the African continent needs to grow economically and catch up with other industries in the world, adding that tourism is one of the tools to use to bring about growth in Africa. He said Africa countries need greater collaboration in the tourism industry to be able to market those experiences that tourists would like to see.

He said: “We have a huge challenge in tourism, and Africa as a continent needs to move forward but for us to be able to do that in this sector we need to use tourism to drive the growth. All the role players and the whole countries have to be involved. Just like in Europe, when one travels to Europe you will like to see more countries in one trip and Europe has made it so easy by investing in their infrastructure and most importantly in collaborations and partnership. We need more of these partnerships in Africa as a continent. I was privilege to be at the Lagos Tourism summit

L

NATOP, SAT to deepen ties for the growth of Tourism industry

and what was quite clear in that summit is that there was a big disconnect between the government and the tour operators. The content of the subjects that they had talked about all the developments but the people to make sure that those process takes place are the tour operators. You cannot promote a destination without partnering with the tour operators.”

Pitso stated that the organisation is working closely with the South African government to ensure that visa processes are made easier for tourists who would love to visit the country for business or tourism.

He assured that the President, Cyril Ramaphosa is keen on resolving all bottlenecks surrounding the visa process, noting that with the new government in place in the country hopefully the tourism sector will experience growth.

“I have new hopes because of the new leadership that we have in place. There are lots of tractions you might want people to see and visa is facilitation to all of these things,

because nobody is going to come to your country without access. As an organisation we are trying to get the visa issue resolved and we believe we will get there.

“Awareness of the countries tourism sector is at 91 percent but it is not necessarily all positive awareness, some of it might be negative, you might be known for the wrong reasons. One of the things we are trying to achieve is to have positive awareness. We have reach that stage were people know South Africa but now we need to make sure that they know us for the right reasons and tourism is one of those reasons we need to make sure have positive awareness.”

Nkereuwem Onung, chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT), NATOP, who spoke at the meeting, said he is optimistic that the collaboration between both organisations will grow stronger.

He said there is need to encourage tourism promoters in the industry who have taken it as a profession and to ensure that they can make a livelihood from the sector.

“We need to start taking statis-

tics of what we have done together and what it does to the industry. If we have taken 200 young Nigerians for training in South Africa, they have had the exposures, how many of them are in the business that has started something? What could we do to encourage the ones who have started? Those are the issues for us as a country because we are a national association. When you get people to train as tour guide and they do only one tour in a month, how will they survive? So it is about our industry, it is about the collaboration making impact”, he said.

“Going forward, it is to look at how to make it much more beneficial. Can people make money out of this relationship? We know the problems we are having with our national government, it is our own government that should do what you are doing. But waiting for them could be till eternity.”

Also, at the event, Bilkisu Abdul, president of NATOP, said the association will ensure that it sustain the relationship that both organisations have enjoyed, promising to carry all members along.

ai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, has called for cooperation among the various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in the generation of relevant data that will assist in making policies and planning decisions for the development of tourism in Nigeria.

The minister made in call in Abuja recently when he received David McEwen,Technical Consultant of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) on Tourism Statistics, on a courtesy visit to his office.

McEwen visited Nigeria to meet with the various MDAs of government with a view to developing a framework for the generation of data in the nation’s tourism industry.

“Tourism, as an industry, and the other sectors are interdependent, so it’s not by coincidence today that while McEwen is here, he is going to interact with at least ten other parastatals or departments and ministries, including the National Bureau of Statistics; the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation; the Nigeria Police Force; the Central Bank of Nigeria; the Nigerian Immigration Service; the National Park Service; the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria; the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria and the National Population Commission and other bodies,” Mohammed said.

He said the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, which develops policies for the tourism industry, does not generate the data required for policy formation and planning for the industry, hence the need for cooperation and coordination of the relevant MDAs. “The coordinating role of the ministry is of great importance and is for us to ensure that we persuade and get the cooperation of all the other different actors in the industry for us to be able to plan and develop,’’ the minister said.

Plateau State woos tourists with carnival OBINNA EMELIKE

J

os, the Plateau State capital is set to rock as activities and plans for the state’s 2018 carnival gathers momentum.

The carnival with the theme: ‘One People’‎ is set to rock the city of Jos with visitors and tourists expected from across the country later this June.

The event, which debuted in 2017 is expected to surpass last year’s records and attendance as the state partners with Folks Innovation Limited to organise a grand event that will be remembered many years to come.

Following the protracted crisis, which engulfed the Plateau

in the past years and the need to re-position the state on the path of sustainable growth and development using tourism, leisure, sports and other activities aimed at returning the state to its past glory which used to be the breeding ground for young talents in sports, music and other areas, the state government is striving to change the narrative by introducing activities that promotes unity and peaceful coexistence among the 54 ethnic groups in the state.

Against this background, a ‎ ctivities like Jos carnival, hosting of the National Association of Tour Operators, NATOP AGM and others come to mind in promoting the state government’s efforts aimed at restor-

ing lasting peace in Plateau State.

This is coming as the Governor Simon Bako Lalong is working to also provide super infrastructural facilities like good roads, electricity, pipe borne water and others to aid the growth of tourism in anticipation of the influx of tourists.

Speaking in Jos recently, Solomon Ejila, chairman of the Jos Carnival Local Organising Committee, stated that the government wants to use the carnival brand to expose other tourism assets and activities in the state.‎ Ejila listed events lined up for the carnival to include, the carnival Pageantry, culinary feast, guided tours to Wase Rock which hosts a specie of bird called the Red Indigo and guided tour to

Am-Pidon Lake, mini polo tournament, hiking to Sherre Hills among other activities.

He disclosed that there would be a music fiesta, bikers’ parade and children carnival.

Ejila disclosed that about 300,000 people attended the last carnival in 2017.

He noted that the essence of the carnival is to promote peaceful coexistence among the 54 ethnic groups that make up the state with their unique culture and tradition living together.

Ejila said Jos has brought up a lot of music talents, sports men and women, actors and actresses among others.

He stated that the carnival was deliberately planned to take

place after Easter, but had to be postponed tentatively till around May to fine-tune all arrangements to make it a grand event.

According to him, the May date is subject to the state government approval .‎He said the last edition was targeted at Jos residence, adding that now, the state is prepared to host visitors from across the country.

Ejila added that the organisers of the carnival have taken a more creative approach to organise a spectacular event that will linger for a long time.

The Chairman of the Carnival Local Organising Committee, stated further that arrangements are on top gear to get the carnival village ready for the event‎.

Sunday 06 May 2018

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Travel

ET deepens competition with 2018 Outstanding Food Services Award Stories by IFEOMA OKEKE

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thiopian Airlines, the largest Aviation Group in Africa and SKYTRAX Certified Four Star Global Airline, has won the 2018 ‘Africa’s Outstanding Food Services by a Carrier’ Award as voted by PAX International readers at a ceremony held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Hamburg, Germany in April 2018.

Tewolde GebreMariam, Ethiopian Group CEO remarked, “It is very gratifying to receive this prestigious award, which is based on the vote of the traveling public.

We are highly honoured that the traveling public has recognized our continuous effort to avail the best possible products and services.

“As part of our Vision 2025, we have built the largest and most modern catering facility in the

continent at our main hub in Addis Ababa with a daily production capacity of 100,000 meals.

“This has enabled us to significantly upgrade the capacity, the quality and the variety of our meal production. Our modern catering facility produces a variety of cuisines that can meet the need of our esteemed customers ranging from our national Ethiopian dishes to Chinese, Indian and Italian culinary delights. It also caters for specific dietary needs with vegan, Halal

Ghana Aviation Minister to speak at Accra Weizo 2018 …as organisers honour Top100 Hotels in West Africa

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he Minister of Aviation for Ghana Cecilia Abena Dapaah, will be Opening the 4th Accra Weizo event on the 22nd of June with a Paper titled ‘Harnessing the Opportunities in Aviation value chain in West Africa.’

West Africa is home to 15 countries of over 350 million people but Tourism and Travel is not the strong Suite of the Economic interaction in the region. The Region receives among the lowest Tourism figures per Capita in Africa. With a huge Population and over 40 Airports Aviation is dominated by Companies from outside the Region The ECOWAS region as it is known despite a protocol of free movement has not grown Intra regional Tourism and Travel. Accra Weizo is one of the events geared towards getting West Africans to Cooperate amongst themselves.

Accra Weizo is a Travel event now in its 4th edition aimed at creating a seamless travel environment in West Africa. It brings together Travel professionals in West Africa.

The first day will be the seminar on Aviation and the Second day will be dedicated to ‘Travel, Tourism and the Internet’ session to grow Travel Business and destination.

It will be taking place at ada Ekesi Hall at LaPalm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra Ghana on the 22nd & 23rd of June. The topics to be discussed on the first session of the event which is dedicated solely to Aviation in West Africa include: “Interlining in West Africa, a possibility or a Mirage?” “ Integrating West African Airport System”. “Standardizing Aviation Laws in West Africa for Regional

Growth”. “Why West African Airlines fail easily and the future”.

Confirmed panellists for that session are Ado Sanusi –Managing Director of Nigeria’s oldest Airline Aero owners of the major MRO in the region, Chike Ogeah, the Vice Chairman SAHCOL, a leading Nigerian Owned Aviation handling and Logistics company, Alex Nwuba, CEO of Ghana based Smile Aviation and former CEO of Nigerian based Associated Airlines, Richard Kyereh from Africa World Airlines the leading Airline in Ghana. Other Airlines Chief Executives are expected to join the panel. Because of the need to Organise the Tourism products available in the region to encourage Intra regional Tourism Atqnews will be hosting an Award for the Top100 Hotels in West Africa, amongst others.

and Kosher meals. Going forward, we will further diversify our meal offering with more choices and culinary delights from across Africa and other parts of the world.”

Winners of the awards were selected by PAX International readers over a period of six months.

“Each year, the PAX International Readership Awards honour the best in the industry, as selected by our readers,” said Aijaz Khan, publisher of PAX International.

“From airline caterers and air-

port lounges, to amenity kits and duty-free programs, to IFE and seating, the PAX Awards is a barometer of where executives in the onboard services and aircraft interiors industries have found their attention over the course of the previous year. We were overwhelmed with the response to this year’s event. The PAX International team and I would like to thank the industry at large for their continued support of our publication and these awards and would like to once again extend our congratulations to the 2018 winners. We look forward to an even larger celebration when we return to Hamburg in 2019.”

Ethiopian is a multi-award winning carrier crowned with Four Star certification by SKYTRAX last year, Airline of the Year awards by AFRAA as well as multiple accolades for its outstanding passenger and cargo transport services.

Free stopovers offered by Etihad to all economy class guests from Middle East, Africa, Pakistan

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tihad Airways is offering one night’s free accommodation in Abu Dhabi to all guests travelling in Economy Class from destinations in the Middle East, Africa and Pakistan, and stopping over in the nation’s capital.

The offer is valid from 1 May 2018 until 15 September 2018 and the travel period is until 30 September 2018. The hotels included in the offer are the Radisson Blu on Yas Island and the Yas Island Rotana.

Mohammad Al Bulooki, Etihad Airways’ Executive Vice President Commercial, said: “Etihad Airways is delighted to invite guests to experience Abu Dhabi, a city which has so much to offer every type of traveller, especially during a short stopover.

“Five million guest arrivals were recorded in Abu Dhabi in 2017, proving that the emirate continues to attract greater numbers of leisure

visitors each year.”

Guests can take advantage of world-famous leisure and business attractions, include miles of beautiful white sand beaches, theme parks such as Yas Waterworld, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and the soon-to-be-launched Warner Bros.

Theme Park.

There are unforgettable desert safari expeditions, arts and cultural institutions such as Manarat Al Saadiyat and the Louvre Museum; exquisite local and international dining, world-class golf, and Yas Marina Circuit.

Abu Dhabi also offers a wide range of shopping opportunities to suit all tastes with a large choice of popular outlets and brands.

The city boasts a selection of spacious high-end shopping malls such as Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi Mall, Marina Mall, and The Galleria – one of the world’s most luxurious shopping centres.

L-R: Peju Adeniran-Daodu, head, project committee, The Dorcas Cancer Foundation; Adedayo Joseph, director, The Dorcas Cancer Foundation; John Irvine, chief executive officer, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions; Maimuna Maibe, Head, Sustainability and CSR, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions; and Soala Amana, Head, Quality Assurance, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions; during a Visionscape management courtesy CSR visit to the Children Cancer Ward last week.

MMA2: Alaafin hails Babalakin’s vision

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amidi Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo, has hailed the vision of Wale Babalakin, the chairman of the Resort Group, for maintaining high standards of facilities at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), built and operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), a member of the Resort Group.

The Yoruba monarch who is also the Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) expressed pleasant surprise that almost 11 years down the lane, MMA2 still maintained its facilities “that are of international standards”.

A statement by Steve Omolale, the spokesman of BASL, said the monarch spoke last week at MMA2’s VIP Lounge on his way to Maiduguri for the convocation ceremony of UNIMAID. According to Omolale, Alaafin told the management team of BASL, led by Jari Williams, the chief executive officer, who went to see him off at the VIP Lounge that he was “pleasantly surprised to see the high standard of the facilities you have here. This is the kind of things you see in international airports all over the world. This place doesn’t look like a domestic airport at all.

“Babalakin is really doing a good job here. I was on my way to go and use the Presidential Lounge when one of my aides told me that you people have a nice lounge here.

Please tell him that I say he should keep up the good job.”

Emirates announces attractive offers to Dubai

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mirates is introducing special roundtrip fares in Economy class and Business class this May that include a 3-piece baggage allowance.

Dubai provides a great escape for visitors. Its year-round sunshine, world-class shopping and restaurants, stunning beaches and iconic buildings offers something for the whole family.

Visitors to Dubai can enjoy some of the city’s must-see places like Global Village - multi-cultural festival park and shopping destination - as well as theme parks such as Wild Wadi Waterpark and IMG World of Adventures.

The city also offers a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets.

On all Emirates’ flights, customers can look forward to hours of entertainment on the awardwinning inflight entertainment system, ice Digital Widescreen, which offers over 3,000 channels of on demand audio and visual entertainment, from the latest movies, music, audio books and games, as well as family friendly products and services for children, including complimentary toys, kids’ meals and movies, priority boarding for families and the use of free strollers at Dubai International Airport.

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Sunday 06 May 2018

Life&Living

How ‘So you think you can write’ will change the art of creative writing in Nigeria JUMOKE AKIYODE-LAWANSON

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ver the years, creative writing has become more appreciated globally, with top universities around the world offering specific programs on creative writing. In Nigeria especially, creative minds are being recognised for the wealth of talent showcased and their immense contribution to the economy.

Nigeria’s entertainment industry has raked in billions of naira and Nollywood alone, Nigeria’s homegrown film sector, has been identified as being among industries which boosted the country’s GDP to $510 billion, making it Africa’s largest economy. Who then are the writers of these movie scripts that place Nigeria on the global map? Do they not deserve to be recognised and should we not invest in young creative talents?

OVH Energy, a leading downstream oil and gas company, has recognised the huge potentials in the creative sector and has therefore commenced the 2nd edition of the company’s prodigy series titled

“So you think you can write.”

The company says this is in commemoration of the World Creativity and Innovation week which took place from April 15 to April 21, 2018.

The prodigy series are intellectually stimulating creative writing competitions, designed to support and encourage the art of creative writing in Nigeria, whilst proffering pragmatic solutions to business issues.

OVH Energy says that the initiative was conceived in line with the United Nations 2030 sustainable development agenda and is open to Nigerians between the ages of 20-35 years.

Commenting on the purpose of the prodigy series initiative, Huub Stokman, CEO, OVH Energy said: ‘the company conceived this idea to encourage Nigerian youths to effectively free up and deploy their creative energies as thought catalysts in suggesting practical yet differentiated business solutions to prevailing business problems. This year’s theme focuses on how leading corporates can positively influence their environment through socially responsible business processes or actions in the 21st century. Contestants are to suggest innovative social initiatives that can be created and adopted by corporate organisations to encourage and promote impactful social change in Nigeria.

We look forward to getting interesting entries this season.”

To be eligible for this competition, entrants must be Nigerian citizens, residing in the country. They must also be between the ages of 20 and 35 years and have verifiable proof of evidence attached to the submission. Submission deadline on the OVH energy website is May 29, 2018. All criteria for entries are also listed on the company’s website.

Why friendship is important to Nigeria’s premium beer brand JUMOKE AKIYODE-LAWANSON

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3” Export Larger, Nigeria’s premium beer brand has defined the true meaning of friendship, as it hosted three cities in the country to its annual friendship party between April 27 and 29, 2018.

The huge turnout at the friendship parties in Lagos, Uyo and Enugu showed that Nigerians are willing to celebrate and strengthen the bond and values of true friendship.

“33” Export Larger Beer which typically prides itself in celebrating real friendship by hosting annual parties in different cities around the

country, received compliments from its customers and guests who were treated to all to all kinds of engaging activities, beautiful music, and a warm ambience that gave everyone present that feeling of belonging.

The friendship party which saw different engaging games like Jenga and Connect Four, left consumers in amazement as consumers who participated won amazing gifts for themselves during the party experience.

Talented comedians and disk jockeys (DJs) like DJ Kentalky, DJ Real, MC Shakara, and Bash, also graced the party by thrilling the consumers with their hit tracks and rib cracking jokes; giving the audience a total

package of fun, life sharing memories and overwhelming laughter.

Speaking after the event, Emmanuel Agu, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Larger and Stout Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc., remarked on the memorable night saying, ‘ ”33” Export Lager beer recognises the importance of friendships in the lives of consumers, hence the ‘Friendship Experience Parties’. This is used to reaffirm our brand’s commitment to providing excellent and memorable experiences that allows friends and communities from all over the country to connect, build stronger bonds and share memorable moments.”

Fulfilling its slogan ‘code of friendship’ the residents of Epe, Uyo and Enugu testified to being electrified with the friendship party, as celebrating the values of friendship and sharing experiences with one another holds a great importance in their hearts and minds.

“33” Export Larger, the premium beer brand from the stables of Nigerian Breweries PLC, says that the Friendship Party train will now move to Ibadan, Aba, Port-Harcourt amongst other cities to continue strengthening the friendship bond across Nigeria.

AbayaLagos: Colour, vibrancy of Africa and Arabian luxury redefines fashion IFEOMA OKEKE

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ontemporary RTW fashion brand, AbayaLagos has debuted a new collection for AW18 titled “Cultured Arabica’’.

AbayaLagos was one of the top designers to showcase at the prestigious ARISE Fashion Week 2018 that featured international models such as Naomi Campbell, Oluchi Orlandi, Iman Hammamm, Ojy Okpe, Adeola Ariyo and more.

The new collection is characterised by the use of traditional woven fabric, Aso-oke for the signature

capes and flamboyant decorative detail on the sleeves and back of the pieces.

The silhouettes depict a structured flow of lines and shapes revealing a bold but seamless mix of Nigerian culture and Arabian opulence.

Jewel tones form the color palette (deep ox-blood, gold, emerald, bronze and antique rose) with rich and precious hues enhanced by neutral and soft tones such as camel, beige and cement grey.

AbayaLagos AW18 Collection is inspired by the colours and vibrancy of African and Arabian luxury and royalty!

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Inspirations God our rewarder PASTOR I.S JAMES TEXT: EX. 5:22 – 6:3, HEB. 11:6

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t is one of the profoundest thoughts in nature that the Almighty God would reward us.

For what, one should ask? For our often half-hearted efforts at one good deed or another? See how often we praise the returning prodigal son because of the things he said when he came to himself after having been battered by famine and loneliness. How many notice that all that display of contrition, which we have commended through the ages, was not motivated by how his actions hurt his beloved father.

His display of contrition was motivated by food. He wanted to eat good food and a well-prepared speech of contrition appeared to be a good way to achieving his objective. Of course, the father rewarded him with acceptance and a grand welcome. Please check the story once again in the Gospel of Luke

chapter 15. Did his feeble expression of contrition in any way compare with the grand reception he received courtesy of his father? Were they proportional in any way? Definitely not.

See how feeble our often touted good works are when we place them side by side God’s parameters for rewarding us with one grace or another.

Indeed, God is the rewarder like no other. God is so good. His measures and weights are like no other. For example, who can estimate the true worth of a child? How many can pay for a child if we could by any chance determine how much a life is worth? You now see why it is extremely humbling when one ponders the fact that the word says, ‘the fruit of the womb is God’s reward.’

What couple can explain what exactly they did for God to reward them with the best gift outside of the Lord Jesus Christ, the gift of a human baby? Yet all around us, and every day we hear of babies being born. Hold on the thought for a minute. Does this not mean that many are being rewarded by God and many others hardly notice or pay any serious attention?

Of course, God rewards us with other gifts apart from the blessing of the fruit of the womb. In fact, He has the prerogative for the kind of gifts he rewards us with. Apostle Paul said once that no eyes have seen, nor ears heard nor mind conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.

(Heb. 11:6) Rewarder is one of those names of God all believers must know intimately for what it portends in our relationship with Him. As rewarder, we can constantly engage with him in the place of communion to deliver his rewards to us. Rewarder (Greek translation – misthapodotēs) can also be rendered as Remunerator – one who pays wages.

(Isaiah 45:19) God has not called us to serve Him in vain. In Gen. 15:1, we see Abraham (Abram) encountering God as the Reward(er). What God is saying to him here is that your investment in serving, worshipping and obeying me diligently will never be in vain.

Reward (Hebrew – Sakar) – Salary, wages. Wages & salary paid as a recompense for services rendered. Reward (dictionary definition) – Something

given or received in return, a recompense for service, merit or hardship. Reward (Hebrew dictionary definition) – Recompense or equivalent return for good done, for kindness, for services and the like.

Why are we not experiencing/ receiving his big bag of rewards in our lives? What’s the problem? Where’s the disconnect?

I believe the main problem can be located on the desk of the quality of service we are rendering to God. If God is a Rewarder Who is fair, righteous and consistent then every action of ours (good or bad) needs to be rewarded accordingly. (Gen 31:42) How much of your love for God and your values have you passed onto your children? Do your children know that you truly fear God? • To be concluded next week!

Dr. Iruofagha James is the Founding Pastor, Glory Christian Ministries, Odo-Olowo Street, Apapa/Oshodi Expressway, Ijeshatedo, Lagos. www.isjames.org Tel: 08060599144

Endless opportunities DEBO ATIBA www.spiritonomics.org

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n life what is considered to be the scarcest commodity is an opportunity. Many times when one has the privilege of chatting with people about life, you realise what they are all waiting for is that big break, that singular opportunity that would turn their lives around.

They spend time daydreaming, expecting the opportunity to land on them like ripe mango off the tree.

Innumerable number of people have lost countless opportunities because they are waiting for that SINGULAR opportunity. Some have even wasted a fortune looking for that same opportunity outside the shores of their country. No doubt opportunity must be truly scarce according to them, because if it is not scarce in your nation you cannot be searching for it in another nation where they think there is an abundance of it.

How do you find what you do not know? How do you take advantage of what you cannot recognise? That is a million dollar question begging

for answers. That is where the majority of the people have found themselves like blind men leading other blind men, you can perceive that their level of ignorance is second to none.

Little wonder why only a few people are successful in life and majority are languishing in poverty or slaving the remaining days of their lives out.

Without a change of understanding, without a rude awakening as to what opportunities truly are, they will all end their lives looking for that proverbial opportunity that never exists.

Now, what are the ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES? Every problem you see and identify is an opportunity; it becomes your opportunity when you take responsibility for proffering solution to it. Every product or service that you see that are in existence is your opportunity because they are begging for change. Any product or service that you can see has become obsolete the moment they arrive at the marketplace. It becomes your opportunity when you take responsibility for improving on it. Without much ado, you will bear me witness that what we have going for us is nothing short of ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES and possibilities. Every process of conversion from their raw state to your personal opportunity is always filled with supposed challenges, but that is the least of your problem.

Most people are dissipating energy on what is not opportunity every day and they do not know. What is most important to you is the identification and recognition of what opportunity is. With this understanding, processing opportunity becomes easy.

The most important lesson a man can be taught in life is this, having this understanding of what opportunity is. The purpose of going to school and having a career should be this.

No man or woman with this understanding can ever be a burden to their society. They are always a blessing, they are celebrated and appreciated, and they are honored amongst their peers. This should be the reason for living. There is no man that does not have endless opportunity staring them in the face all day long, all year long. And there is so much joy and peace when you wake up every day knowing you are the solution to other people’s problems, or you are causing a change positively in your world. You can never run out of opportunity because you can never run out of problems. Every problem is a potential opportunity waiting to be harnessed.

Now that you know what opportunities are, you will bear me witness that they are truly endless. What this understanding does to you is that you will never view problems

the same way again, this is because if you avoid it or throw it away, you might be losing your God sent opportunity. Look at every business on the surface of the earth today, it is all about problem solving, they don’t run away from problems, rather, they run towards it. No business exist for no reason, the reason for their existence is traceable to the problem they are solving. Joblessness is a problem that has within it wonderful opportunities to generate wealth if they are solved. Illiteracy is a problem, security is a problem, lack of confidence is a problem etc., there are myriads of problems in the world we live in today, and all you need to do is to look around you and take your own problem and turn it into profit. wMy prayer for you this season is that the GOOD LORD will open your eyes to recognise the opportunities around you and grant you the Grace to maximise them in Jesus name.

Remain blessed. @spiritonomics.org

Dr. Iruofagha James is the founding pastor, Glory Christian Ministries, Odo-Olowo Street, Apapa/Oshodi Expressway, Ijeshatedo, Lagos. www.isjames.org Tel: 08060599144

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Sunday 06 May 2018

Health&Science NACA to conduct National HIV/AIDS survey in June

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ANTHONIA OBOKOH

he National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) on Thursday says the Federa l Go v e r n ment of Nigeria in its continuous efforts to improve the health indices of its populace will be conducting the Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS).

The survey, which starts mid-June to December, 2018 will also help to assess the uptake of HIV services at the population level and estimate the prevalence of HIV-related risk behaviours in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“This is a national household survey that will determine the distribution of HIV and Hepatitis B and amp; C in the country,” the release states.

NAIIS will be implemented through close collaboration with state ministries of health (SMoH), state AIDS control agencies (SACA), donor agencies and implementing partners. It will involve conducting interviews and blood tests on voluntary participants who qualify to take part, in randomly selected households across Nigeria.

The agency further stated that members of these house-

holds will be requested to take part in the survey to serve as a representation of the entire population in the selected communities.

“NAIIS will offer householdbased HIV counselling and testing, as well as Hepatitis B and C testing. Those who test

positive for any of the tests will be referred to suitable health facilities to receive appropriate services.

“Only individuals who voluntarily agree to participate will be interviewed and have their blood sample tested in a confidential setting in their homes,”

However, the agency revealed that the results of the survey will provide key information that will guide the Government to plan and develop more effective programs to control HIV and Hepatitis in Nigeria leading to healthier individuals and families.

The Federal Government of Nigeria appreciates its various partners including the United State Government, Global funds to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, UNAIDS, WHO and other organizations who are supporting the implementation of this survey.

Temperature swings to hit poor countries

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emperature fluctuations that are amplified by climate change will hit the world’s poorest countries hardest, new research suggests.

For every degree of global warming, the study suggests temperature variability will increase by up to 15% in southern Africa and Amazonia, and up to 10% in the Sahel, India and South East Asia.

Meanwhile, countries outside the tropics -- many of which are richer countries that have contributed most to climate change -- should see a decrease in temperature variability.

The researchers, from the universities of Exeter, Wageningen and Montpellier, discovered this “unfair pattern” as they addressed the difficult problem of predicting how weather extremes such as heat waves and cold snaps might

change in a future climate.

“The countries that have contributed least to climate change, and have the least economic potential to cope with the impacts are facing

the largest increases in temperature variability,” said lead author Dr Sebastian Bathiany, of Wageningen University.

Co-author Professor Tim Lenton, from the University of

Exeter, added: “The countries affected by this dual challenge of poverty and increasing temperature variability already share half of the world’s population, and population growth

rates are particularly large in these countries.”

“These increases are bad news for tropical societies and ecosystems that are not adapted to fluctuations outside of the typical range.”

The study also reveals that most of the increased temperature fluctuations in the tropics are associated with droughts -- an extra threat to food and water supplies.

For their investigation, the team analysed 37 different climate models that have been used for the last report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Although climate variability has been studied extensively by climate scientists, the fact that climate variability is going to change has received little attention in fields investigating the impacts of climate change.

- University of Exeter

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BDSUNDAY 47

Sports

‘AFA Sports on a rescue mission for African sports’ The managers of AFA Sports – the continent’s fast expanding sports merchandising organisation – underline their determination to help sports become real economic force for the entire continent of Africa ANTHONY NLEBEM

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hen a group of young men assembled in the USA to develop basketball concept for the continent of Africa they had a lot of on their minds. They wanted an African league with the base in Nigeria that would be highly professional and profitable to the players, teams and with their sights set quality facilities development.

Their bet was on the fact that a high net income league would save African players from the agony of loitering in the USA after college or hanging around just any team in Europe and Asia in the name of playing professional basketball. What was not really on the table was becoming sports merchandise manufacturers that would cater for types of African sports. It is the kit merchandising that has taken up the energy of this team led by Ugo Udezue. That was how theAFASportsconceptwasbornand they are gradually sweeping through the continent with this unique item.

The simple brand name AFA Sports means “Africa for Africa” and they say it represents a concept that highlights Africa’s sports development and national pride. They started with the simple desire to meet up with the huge kit demands of the Continental Basketball League and its ancillary set up but then the Nigerian national basketball team D’Tigers had a major kitting challenge going into the AfroBasket 2017 competition and this had a turnaround effect on AFA and their expanding foothold on the continent.

“The truth is that the major world brands are not interested in developing anything on the continent. AFA represents African sports and pride, it was established to showcase the pride and interest of the continent and this forms the core of the brand.

“The AFA brand was created to give the Nigerian and the African sports industry the attention and quality it deserves. And we are doing this by creating a range of products that have been adapted to the climate, kinetics and colours that are unique to African social context,” says Udezue, the Chief Executive Officer of the expanding African brand.

“The big names we all know of today are not interested in the lower teams or any team going down the ranking. Africa has to fight its own cause. We have hardly received any kit or equipment from Europe or America basically developed solely for the need of the continent and this is part of what we want to change.

“Can we fully quantify how the landscape is changing with the arrival AFA? Within this short time a lot of jobs have been created both at the upscale and lower levels. And this is part of what AFA is all about. We want to empower a lot of people; hugely as many as we can.

“We can boldly say that in the last two years AFA Sports have steadily been designing concepts that are unique to Africa; and unique in every sense of the word. We have also been creating a whole new market and industry that was non-existent before we came on board in terms of being huge or small scaled. The

Ugo Udezue

energy AFA has put this untapped market, has helped in the creation of jobs and opportunities for Africa and also major investments in the media and content development.

“A lot is happening in the marketing line especially. And there are others who have developed their own products along the line or have reengineered and improved upon their earlier and original concepts working along with AFA. So the whole deal is for help us and chat a more developmental and financial rewarding system for African sports.”

In 2017 AFA Sports launched Africa’s first Active footwear designed and engineered in Nigeria to underline their beliefs. And as inscribed on its soles, the active wear shoes were designedtoshowcasetheprideofAfrica.

The name “LIV (54)” represents the 54 countries on the African continent.

“LIV (54) is tailored and customized to the African physiology, kinetics and environment. It is lightweight and has the perfect combination of grip, comfort, durability and bounce,” AFA brand expert told ThisDay. “The features of AFA Sports premier active wear shoes include Contoured Traction Grip (CTG) technology with advanced arch support and rubber outsole borrowed from the multi movement patterns of the Sahara Desert. It also has a micro mesh knit that gives the shoes comfort and breathability in warm climates. It is also fitted with multi gel areas for force deflections.”

But the rating doesn’t end there.

The AFA Sports 54’s is classic. It can be worn to make a fashion statement or to elevate the user’s basketball game. And it has been widely tested and accepted.

Apart from delivering the continentally-customised designs of the AFA brand, it is also the goal of the big African brand to establish sports programmes and encourage sports development in these countries.

Extra attention is on the table for the countries adjudged neglected and marginalized due to lack of investment from the developed areas.

The CBL tournament is one of such designed to change the African sporting landscape. In the closed season clubs from Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Gabon featured. The clubs were made up of players from various African countries and across the world. A high number of the players were Africans in the Diaspora and African-Americans. In the barely two seasons that the league has held, fans of the game of basketball on the continent agree on a fact – that level of the competition is by above the various domestic leagues of the participating countries.

Experts of the game in Nigeria, for instance, are very optimistic that over time the CBL system will rub off positively on the Nigeria Premier League and effectively help raise the standard. Only very few of the best from the domestic leagues are able to meet the requirement for the CBL.

The packaging and ambience of the CBL is unrivalled on the continent.

Udezue added, “If we have quality leagues on the continent in terms of the games on the court and what the players take home, then less of these young players will run abroad ill prepared. When we say these things, we speak from experience because some of us landed in America unprepared for what we saw.

“Many of the system out there are basically designed for everyone on the court to enhance the system and help the economic system.

Most times the Africans barely get the best opportunity and can hardly get integrated into the system as soon as they can’t play anymore. At CBL we want to change all that. We want to keep quality talents here, make them earn good money and give them the opportunity to play in front of their parents, families and friends. It is also very important that these players are playing with the kits and equipment that were designed and engineered here. This is the kind of opportunity many of these young can’t get in America.”

It is hoped that by the next tip off, more basketball teams would have

the pan-African airlines will top the list of beneficiaries of the AFA-CBL ventures. Most of the journeys made so far have seen the league doing chartered flights or taking up 75 per cent of the seats available. The next group on the list of beneficiaries is the hospitality sector. Since 2015 when the league tipped off, hotels and catering services in Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon have enjoyed the boom. The expansion of the franchise to more African countries will naturally produce more number of spectators, travellers and investors and ultimately a plus for the tourism industry.

Apart from the level of competition in the leagues, the entertainment value and the ambience has made the Continental Basketball League games quite attractive to celebrities. The Nigerian domestic run by the Nigeria Basketball Federation is watched free-of-charge all over the country except in a centre like Kano but the spectators are usually a handful. Comparatively, the CBL charges fees, considered exorbitant by some people, but still the halls are practically filled up before any games. The only reason why spectators would

joined the system. More clubs are expected from Nigeria, Togo, Senegal, Mali and Central African Republic to get aboard.

Indeed the combination of AFA and CBL is changing the way the Nigerian basketball is being viewed by the ever sceptical society – scepticism developed over the years because the quality of services available hitherto. The games and the clothing have attracted the old, young and upwardly mobile in the society. It is now so easy for those in the ever growing Nigerian film industry and music icons in Nigeria and across a larger part of Africa to identify with the game of basketball based on what is seen on the court; the ambience around the entire competition and of course the various clothing designs put out by AFA that easily meet the taste of these socialites.

Until the start up of CBL, the little contacts across the borders were basically limited to the teams themselves travelling to play club competitions with little or no travelling fans accompanying. CBL has changed all that. Now we have fans travelling across the borders purely to watch this level of competition never witnessed on the continent of Africa in the past. It is believed that a lot more travelling across the continent would be seen as soon as the CBL gets into the next stage. From the high number of passengers made up of players, officials, the media and fans that move around with the games,

abandon a free game for an “expensive one” given the economic realities on ground is because of the value for money factor. People are desirous to get quality entertaining sports like the American NBA and the only platform closest to that in the whole of Africa is the CBL. There’s hardly an end to the drum beats of war in Nigeria, Africa and truly across the globe but CBL has not only continually encouraged shared love in Nigeria but has seen the growth of friendship amongst the African countries with the cross border plays. The league has also encouraged the exchange of players using their draft system.

There are so many other projects.

In 2017 the Nigeria Volleyball Federation came into the AFA expanding network as the national team was handled by the Organisation. There are similar plans for neighbouring Republic of Benin’s national team.

AFA Sports is already working with the Liberian Basketball Federation to help revive their league and teams.

Hockey and others are already lined up. There are also great plans to develop quality playing arenas in Nigeria and other places.

“This project is not for us; it is for Africa. And those that will benefit more are not the players on the court now but the younger players who will join when the system is far in the auto pilot and cruising form,” Udezue who sits in the organisational headquarters in Lagos assures Africa.

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NEW YOU CAN TRUST

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SUNDAY 06 MAY 2018

Workers’ Day: Tapping into our greatest weapon

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igerian workers, I congratulate you for this day. I salute your courage and resilience going through one of the most trying economic times in Nigeria’s history. But these challenges are showing how resilient and hardworking Nigerians are and that your indomitable spirit and work ethic will continue to go unchallenged throughout all of Africa.

These values have been the bedrock of Nigeria’s labour movement since its beginning. A movement which started off to protect the welfare of railways workers and later coal miners in the days of colonial administrations in Nigeria. A movement that has grown inheightandstatusasthesinglelargestrightsprotection organisation, representing not less than sixty million workers in our country.

Owingtothesheersizeofitsmembership,thelabour movements in Nigeria – under the umbrellas of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress – have evolved to become the pivot of governments’ objectivesofdeliveringgoodgovernanceandproviding higher standard of living.

Over the years, our labour movements have negotiated higher wage regimes for the Nigerian worker and it (labour) has remained a key component in the consideration for how much Nigerians pay on fuel and energy consumption. These are noble ideals that have ensured that Nigerians have more disposable income – an important safeguard for the kick-start of a prosperous economy.

Having been in government at a high level and being a private sector player with thousands of Nigerians on the payroll of my companies mean that I have seen first-hand the needs of workers both in the private and public sectors and the importance of the labour movement. But as I have stated throughout my adult life, true federalism and a proper decentralisation of resources and functions away from the government at the center tothegovernmentsatthestatetierofourgovernmental structure is key to providing the labour force what they needanddeserve.Ibelievethatourfederalgovernment willbecomesmarterwhen it is smaller and more flexible in addressing the needs of our labour force.

But we must have tangible solutions to address the needs of our incredible and talented labour force. Let’s engage our leaders on the following: Minimum wage: It is my firm belief that whoever works should be adequately rewarded. The reward of a service well rendered is a reasonable wage that can keep the earner sensibly motivated to put in his best.

The minimum wage of ₦18,000 per month (less than $50), as is currently obtained in the country, considering the current economic reality is not only ill-motivating but embarrassing.

While it is adequate that the federal government can set the standard for the national minimum wage, such a national minimum should however not be interpreted by respective state governments (especially the rich states) as being the maximum wage they should pay to their workers but simply the baseline for them to build on.

Industrialisation:Thecontinuingrateofde-industrialisation in our economy is of grave concern. Particularly our manufacturing sector which is supposed to create jobs for our productive youths, has continued to face decline as a result of unfavourable conditions imposed by the challenges of epileptic power supply, high cost of

credit, and multiple exchange rate regime and in extreme case inadequate foreign exchange supply and depreciating value of the naira. This trend must be reversed. Ability tobrokertherequiredsynergywithinternationalpartners and the private sector in key sectors of the economy such as automobile, textiles, agro allied petrochemicals, fertilizers and pharmaceutical industries, building materials, milling, paper and paper products, solid minerals, iron and steel, etc., should be the basis for the 2019 engagement with the organised labour and the Nigerian people.

Education: Our Educational Sector has continued to suffer decline. Agreements freely entered into by the Unions and the government has experienced serious setbacksasaresultoftheauthorities’penchantsforreneging.

This has persistently left us with demotivated academic and non-academic unions in the higher institution whose understandable resort to incessant strikes have rendered our institutions of higher learning comatose and pushes a substantial number of our youths out of the shores of the country in search of a more stable academic calendar and quality scholarship. This has exerted tremendous pressure on the foreign exchange of the country aided capital flight.

Funding for the educational sector has remained decimally low. The country has over the years, performed far below the international standard in terms of annual appropriation to the education sector. This problem cuts across all tiers of government. As we speak today, the Central Bank of Nigeria is in custody of billions of Naira, funds representing the Federal Government’s share of the Universal Basic Education Fund, which state governments are expected to draw from by paying their own counterpart funding. Majority of the states have failed to benefitfromthisfundbecausetheyhavenotprovidedthe required matching funds.

I am a firm believer in our youths and the height at which they can take this country if accorded quality and affordable education. We have seen what investment in education has done to the economies of the Asian countries. Nigeria has a better potential if a little more attention is accorded to developing our human resources through theeducationofouryouthandadultpopulation.Wemust increase funding for our education and research institutions where the foundational rubrics of our development can be hatched and nurtured.

Healthcare delivery: Nigeria’s Healthcare delivery system is in shambles. The system is exposed to poor funding and massive corruption. The rot in the system is so deep that unless a drastic measure is taken to comprehensively address it, the country might lose the chance to be a global player when its citizens can’t have access to quality health care that is affordable. There is an urgent need to make serious commitments to massive investment in the healthcare delivery system. We need a leadership that can gather enough investment in the upgrade of infrastructure and procurement of modern healthcare technology and equipment for our hospitals and primary and secondary healthcare facilities.

This would drastically reduce the annual lose to medical treatment abroad. It is on record that Nigeria loses so much annually as a result of capital flight and medical tourism. We must work to ensure that the Africa Union’s MinistersofHealthminimumbenchmark/thresholdofat least 15percent annual budget forhealthcareis not just an aspiration but a target that must be surpassed.

Pension: I was one of the apostles of pension reform when I was in Government. We initiated and got the pen-

ATIKU ABUBAKAR Abubakar is a former vice president of Nigeria and PDP chieftain.

We must create jobs and develop an economy that unites us and gives all of us a common purpose of building this great nation into what it truly can be.

The weapon to fix this great nation is not one purchased from a foreign government, but one that is found within each and every one of us – the weapon of pride and an unyielding desire to work and succeed

sion reform act passed into Law to address the serious challenge that turns our workers into beggars after retirement. Recently, there seems to be deterioration in the administration of pension in the country. Incidences of MDAs and other employers withholding deductions from workers’ salaries and not remitting same to their Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs); cases of workers leaving public service and having to wait for up to 15-18 months for their pension issues to be processed; and non-payment for those who are already pensioners – especially by state governments are becoming not just rampant but alarming. This indeed needs to be seriously addressed.

Many state governments are yet to join the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). It is apparent that despite all the hitches associated with the Contributory Pension Scheme, its benefits cannot be compared to its shortcomings. A critical factor here is that it is funded, and the funds once paid into the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) of workers, are protected from the general mismanagement and misappropriation that we see at virtually all levels of governance.

These reforms once embraced by the government and political parties of all shades will expand our economic base and address the needs of empowering our youths, and there is no doubt that the labour movement in Nigeria has a huge role to play in ensuring that the objectives are met.

In closing, if we truly wish to address the needs of all Nigerians; if we wish to end the violence, extremism and terrorism that grip our nation. If we wish to create a nation where we can see and hug our children and grandchildren every day and not only see them when they return from foreign lands where they have a better quality of life. We must create jobs and develop an economy that unites us and gives all of us a common purpose of building this great nation into what it truly can be. The weapon to fix this great nation is not one purchased from a foreign government, but one that is found within each and every one of us – the weapon of pride and an unyielding desire to work and succeed. If we allow this weapon to reach its maximum potential by empowering our labour force then we would have set the standard for a rebirth that will unite us, protect us, and get Nigeria working again.

Being presentation by Atiku Abubakar, GCON, former vice president, Federal Republic of Nigeria, at a symposium on ‘Federalism, Diversity and Nation-Building – Tackling the Challenges of Integration in Nigeria’, organised by the Institute of Governance and Social Research, at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

Off the Cuff

Privatise the insolvent states, NOW!

T

he result of the research carried out by Economic Confidentiality as contained in its recently released Annual States Viability Index (ASVI), stating that 17 states in Nigeria were insolvent, did not come to many people as a surprise.

Before now, many credible Nigerians had made the same statements, with warning of an impending doom if necessary steps were not taken.

Within two years of its occupation of the power stool, the Muhammadu Buhari administration has released bailout funds twice to most states to enable them pay salaries of their workers.

Over the years, it has been established that all the states are blessed with resources that can liberate them from the clutches of poverty if properly tapped, but the problem has always been the unwillingness of successive political leadership of many states to look inwards.

They rather look to Abuja for the monthly handouts.

The report in reference noted that Lagos

State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is more than those of 30 states put together. Over the years, Lagos has made a conscious effort to harness the resources in its domain. The state has always engaged in aggressive drive for rewardable business. Where they see opportunities, others see insurmountable challenges.

The ready excuse many of the slothful and sluggard political actors in the insolvent states give is that Lagos has many tappable resources and that the huge concentration of businesses in the state make the difference.

Although there is no argument about that, it takes hard work for a man to cultivate a large expanse of land to feed his family. There are those who have arable lands that can produce wealth for them if cultivated, but they will sell such land to others and collect money which they blow away.

We see a situation in some states where the monthly allocation from the Federation Allocation Committee (FAAC) is practically shared among political godfathers, aides, influential monarchs and a few individuals that are

close to the corridors of power. After the sharing, everybody returns to his house for merriment to congregate again when the next allocation comes.

Some governors are lazy and do not want to “suffer before pleasure”, so they depend wholly on what comes from Abuja and from where they take care of themselves and their families. Development of the state is none of their business. They are those who believe in the doctrine of “kicking the can” down the street.

Little wonder a state governor in South East geo-political zone is vehemently against the call for restructuring of the country. He came up with a castrated excuse that his state is poor and cannot survive without FAAC, whereas the state is rich in many natural resources and arable land.

Just sheer laziness. I think it is high time these unviable states are taken to the stock exchange and put on offer for whoever can offer to buy them at One Penny!

N250 For this amount which her daughter, Aishat Sheriff, could not account for, Ayo Sheriff burnt the girl’s upper and lower limbs with a hot electric iron.

What a perilous time!

Righteous indignation Last Sunday, Christians staged nationwide protests in obedience to the directive of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The protests were to express their displeasure over the unending killing and bloodshed in the country.

In the last two years, herdsmen have continued to carry out uninhibited killing of Christians across the country.

From Adamawa to Zamfara, Nasarawa, Taraba, Plateau and to Benue, the story is the same.

Benue has become a slaughter slab where mindless herdsmen slash the throats of innocent people, rip open tummies of pregnant women and kill feotuses. They took their satanic acts too far by invading churches and killing priests and other people of God. And the church is shocked and outraged. I foresee an Armageddon in Nigeria!

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