BusinessDay 07 Jul 2019

BDSUNDAY BUSINESS DAY

Sunday 07 July 2019

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BDSUNDAY 19

Sunday Magazine

How Lagos traffic robbers www.businessday.ng Sunday 07 July 2019 unleash terror on commuters A How Lagos traffic AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

s I tuned in to Traffic Radio 96.1 fm to listen to a live programme, that rainy Friday morning 28 June, which to me was the number one ritual, performed on driving out of the house in order to understand the situation of Lagos roads and to guide my trip, many commuters were calling in on the live programme to share their travel experiences within Lagos metropolis.

One striking thing about the programme that morning, which hosted Taiwo Olufemi Salaam, permanent secretary, ministry of transportation of Lagos State, was the complaints of many of the callers about the growing security concern in Lagos, especially in heavy traffic areas.

Most importantly, was the testimony of one of the callers (name withheld), who gave account of how robbers shot and killed one of his friends between Iyana-Isolo and Cele axis of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.

According to the caller, the horrible incident occurred on that fateful night Liverpool FC defeated FC Barcelona at the last season’s Champions League semi-finals.

He said the deceased left his office that fateful night in his Toyota Corona car together with one of his brothers. On getting to IyanaIsolo and Cele axis of the ApapaOshodi Expressway, there was heavy traffic congestion on the road such that the deceased had to go to Iyana-Isolo Bridge to turn and join the service lane, but that did not solve the problem.

“The traffic became alarming such that it was on standstill.

This made the deceased to come down from his car to ascertain the cause of the traffic. Unknown to him, some robbers riding on a bike popularly known as ‘okada’ approached him and shot him pointblank on the stomach for no just reason,” the caller narrated.

Narrating further, the caller reported that it was the sound of the gunshot that woke the brother of his riding with the deceased, who was sleeping in the car when the incident occurred. Other commuters, who were trapped in the same traffic, deserted their cars and fled at the sound of the gunshot leaving the deceased and his brother.

“The only thing the deceased was able to say was, ‘take me to the hospital because I was speaking with the last strength in me’.

The people around, who returned after the robbers had left, managed to take him from the traffic to a nearby hospital, where he was rejected but on getting to another hospital that accepted him, he was pronounced dead on arrival. That was how a promising young man lost his life for no just reason,” the caller added.

The pathetic story of the above mentioned young man, who lost his life to traffic robbers, was one

cial Tata Bus; hence, they needed the next private vehicle to perpetrate their nefarious intentions.

“One of them hollered, ‘Oga wind down your glass or I go break am’, brandishing an old-fashioned machete. I had last seen a sample like that in my village a few years ago. The other had an old dane pistol. I had seen a few in some Nollywood series.

“Immediately, I complied.

‘Oya bring the money, bring your phone’, the two robbers barked at me. Unfortunately for them and fortunately for me, I had only N1, 800 in the hand-rest of my car. I offered them the cash and my Tecno phone. They were unimpressed.

‘Oga come down jor’, they ordered me, preferring to conduct the ultimate search themselves.

“Flashing lights from the cars at the rear, perhaps gave away my watch as one instructed me to take it off my wrist, while the other continued the frantic search, scattering my documents and papers in the pigeon hole of my car.

“Done with me, they ordered me to move. At this point, I felt they wanted to use me as a bait to raid other vehicles behind. The rain kept pouring, there I was, barefooted (I had taken off my shoes earlier to free my legs a bit), walking in the rain. I felt like laughing, it seems like a scene in a movie, but it was real and I was the main character.

“As soon as I saw that they were distracted with their next victim; the first thought was to run far away from the scene, second thought was to head back to my car and zoom off. I listened to the second thought. I sneaked back to my car, approaching from the front and hoped to jump in and zoom off.

Alas! They had taken my key as a collateral damage. My car needed to be motionless in order to create artificial traffic and trap more victims,” the victim narrated.

“Realising this, I stood by my car, hands akimbo, watching as the boys had a field day moving from car to car. Some put up a fight, some complied like me. Those who resisted had their windows shattered. Satisfied, they made their way to the other side of the road to the waiting arms of an okada rider, perhaps, the third man in the team.

“At this point, I summoned courage and approached them.

‘Bros, what of my key na’, I asked.

I beckoned again, this time speaking their native language. One searched his pocket for it and offered to throw it to me than have me, approach them. I collected my keys and continued my journey with too many thoughts at that point racing through my mind,” the victim added.

According to him, the experience was unbelievable even though he had really lost nothing to them, except some memorable videos, recordings, photos gathered in the last four years, especially that of his family that were

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The racket called ‘child adoption’

robbers unleash terror on commuters

among many of such incidents, which commuters experience while travelling or trapped in traffic on Lagos roads.

In Lagos today, there is rising spate of insecurity on Lagos roads perpetrated day and night by traffic robbers, who seize traffic opportunities to rob innocent commuters and motorists of their belongings.

This pathetic development has attracted public outcry as many Lagos residents, especially those living in Lagos suburbs and other remote communities have called all security operatives and the state government to come to their rescue.

Mile 2 axis of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway has for years been a major operating spot for traffic robbers. In many instances, the robbers approach motorists ordering them to wind down, and give them money or risk forceful attacks particularly for those who try to struggle with them.

However, many others have had their glasses chartered by these miscreants even as some have been attacked at gunpoint or with other harmful weapons at one time or the other.

BDSUNDAY discovered that all roads in Lagos State, the presumed ‘mega city’, is usually characterised by heavy traffic congestion largely due to high influx of vehicular movements and bad roads occasioned by presence of potholes and gullies, even on major roads, including some of the bridges.

Many Lagos roads usually record high traffic congestion during rainy seasons and that comes with heavy flooding on the roads as a result of poor drainage system and illegal blockage of canals.

A few days ago, one Ekene Okoro, a Lagos-based journalist, was attacked at Cele bus stop on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

The account, which was tagged ‘My Experience: Robbed in the

Rain,’ he narrated that at exactly 9:35pm, Wednesday, June 26, “I finally came face to face with daredevil Lagos traffic robbers.”

“Until now, I had only been privy to listen to cases involving colleagues, close friends/relatives and a few friends on this platform (social media). I had just dropped off my colleague and friend at Iyana Itire bus stop on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. For the very second time since nearly a year, I dropped him off every night, I felt pity for him. Reason because the rain was pummeling hard, fast and furious.

I had no umbrella to spare him, but he assured me that he would be fine and home in no time.

“As I drove off, driving became a little bit harder, the rain covered my windscreen and even my wipers could do little to help the situation. The construction work

by Hitech on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway main lane inward Mile 2, compelled all vehicles approaching Cele Express bus-stop to negotiate to the service lane in order to continue their journey. I had become familiar with the route. So, it was neither a problem, even in the downpour.

“With less than 200 metres from Cele bus-top very close to PM Fuel Station, a little traffic had built up, perhaps, caused by the rain and a few cars driving on the opposite direction. I kept to the lane on the left, really for no reason but for the fact that I felt it would move faster.”

“While enjoying a solemn gospel track, two young guys, perhaps in their twenties, approached from the opposite direction of the road and stopped right in front of my car.

The vehicle in front was a commer-

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Ruga: How Nigeria averted another ‘civil war’

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egrattacks ahc ni ehTin Anyiam-Osigwe, who made the film making business and gross domestic product (GDP) peek llain hs tArdo nedurp eht ,syas elbib ;seirogetac suoirav ta tnemnrevog yeht ;kiZ ot ,owolowA ot yaluacaM evitisnesJenibanbu, rehto dna )NBC( and airegiNYelwa I dias eH ’?cte ,smotsuC ekil secalp tonnac erehT .syad esoht ni teiuq gnitneserper era yeht yas uoy nac rieht fo yna em and their internally the call on the back of her discov- lack of assistance to youths who lleT .eincrease nog lla evah

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Why there are too many sycophants in Nigeria today, by Umunna

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We are dying of hunger - Taraba IDPs cry out

…As NEMA allegedly diverts food items meant for them to Borno

Nathaniel Gbaoron, Jalingo

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S/East governors not harnessing huge opportunity in film production in their domain – Anyiam-Osigwe ZEBULON AGOMUO

Kola and Jalingo Local Government Areas by Fulani herdsmen.

The attacks, said to have lasted for four days, rendered more than twenty one thou-

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overnors of the South Ea s t g e o - p o l i t i c a l zone have been challenged to henceforth, take serious interest in the thriving film industry in their domain

generated revenue (IGR). The call was made in Lagos by Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, founder of the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), in an exclusive interview with BDSUNDAY.

ery during a recent two-day training on film making in Enugu, said that the state governors were just sitting on huge wealth without tapping into it for the greater good of their people, noting that

wish to pursue such career were unhealthy for socio-economic wellbeing of the zone.

“I discovered that there is void Continues on page 3

2 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 07 July 2019

Cover

Ruga: How Nigeria averted ...

Continued from page 1

once again beating lauder.

Therefore, on Wednesday June 3, surprisingly it was the Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, under the auspices of the National Economic Council (NEC), instead of the Presidency, which championed the cause that announced the suspension of the programme. Umahi had said that the Ruga project was not the same thing as the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) agreed upon by the NEC and other stakeholders.

Real reason Buhari suspended Ruga Project Weakened morale in the army One of the factors said to have compelled the President to jettison the idea was the alleged grumbling in the army and other security outfits. Following years of fighting the Boko Haram insurgents, the army appeared to be suffering from serious overstretch and morale has weakened. The army risks disintegration along ethnic or regional lines if they have to fight in different fronts in parts of the country at the moment especially over sensitive issues of land that border a lot of the soldiers constituting a threat to their own communities.

A security analyst, who wished to remain anonymous told BDSUNDAY that those elements in the army sponsoring Boko Haram have killed morale of soldiers, adding that the weakest part of Buhari’s plan to support the Ruga settlement is the army, which has been badly weakened.

“The weakest part of his plan is the army, the army is very weak and the morale is very low because from what is going on in the front a lot of people are now learning about the evil intension of the Fulani.

“That is why soldiers at the front don’t have the mind to fight because the people who are for Boko Haram at the Army Headquarters continue to undermine the war efforts and operations.

So if the army could be so weakened by Boko Haram and be so exposed by Boko Haram that means if you open crisis in about two or three fronts the country will disintegrate,” he said.

The source also noted that the South West region distrusts the Ruga idea, such that even the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who was earlier tipped to supervise the project vehemently, dissociated himself from the project, when his kinsmen in the region allegedly warned him against the idea.

Widespread anger that scuttled Ruga project Some security experts who spoke to BusinessDay had kicked against the idea. Speaking on the issue, a security analyst and columnist, Ben Okezie noted that the Buhari Government allegedly fueled the controversy and

caused more confusion stressing that no government in the history of Nigeria has ever settled any particular ethnic group.

“Who are you settling? Now which government has settled anybody in Nigeria except those people who have been hit by natural disaster or those displaced by insurgency? And once they settled them after some time they go back to their homes.

Boko Haram displaced so many people, the government settled them in IDP camps and after some time they have gone back to their towns and states to go and farm. The Fulani herdsmen are they not from a place?

“Never in the history of Nigeria are people so disgusted about a policy of government,’’ he said adding that the people of Nigeria will never allow such policy in whatever guise after having witnessed the violence unleashed on them by the herdsmen.

Katch Ononuju, public affairs analyst said also that all the violence allegedly perpetrated by a rogue unit of the Miyetti Allah, the umbrella organisation of the Fulani herdsmen, was to force the indigenous people into submitting their ancestral land to the Fulani for peace.

He also accused President Buhari of getting the policy wrong, adding that the Nigerian people have woken up to the sinister motive by the Fulani and had to scuttle the Ruga agenda.

“This violence was purposefully calibrated so that we can now be asking for peace and then what they will demand from us for that peace is that they want land , it is really sad.

“It is s repetition of what happened in Kaduna and what happened in Jos. As far as I am concerned Nigerians have woken up. If you meet a lot of these people with cows, they don’t even speak Hausa, or English but they are easy with French, most of them come from Mali some also come from different parts of Africa.

“We don’t have a national

policy to resettle migrant Fulbe (Fulani) in Nigeria. And Buhari is even trying to take the land belonging to the Nigerian indigenous farmer to give to the Fulbe. They are not Nigerians.

“Buhari now thinks that he can change the demographics by importing Foreign Fulani to come and settle in Nigeria and build population because the real problem is that they don’t have population,” he said.

Suspicion had been rife when was reported that the Federal government had earmarked N100 billion to settle the Fulani, followed by the attempt to set up a radio station strictly in Fufulde, the Fulani universal language.

The situation remained dicey as many Nigerians feared that the Buhari government had mutated the idea of the alleged Fulani imposition in the guise of grazing reserve, cattle colony and then Ruga.

However, the spokesman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Benue state and one of the national leaders of the group, GarusGololo, blamed the opposition to the Ruga settlement as the handiwork of those who do not wish to have a peaceful settlement of the farmers/herders crisis.

He said that Ruga settlement is being unnecessarily politicised by the opposition to derail the good intentions of President Buhari. “The opposition is using it against the President so that he cannot achieve his aim because they are ashamed that what they could not achieve in 20 years Buhari has achieved in just few years. It is those people who dont want Nigeria to move forward are the ones criticizing this policy,” he said.

History of Fulani struggle for land space The struggle for land for the Fulani cattle herders is an old story. The trajectory of this crisis between the Fulani and their neighbours particularly in northern Nigeria dates back to

the 19th Century.

The post- independent Nigeria however accentuated the crisis as pressures to build Fulani enclaves and enhance their population grossly pitched them in war of attrition with other more sedentary ethnic groups in competition for land and water resources.

In 1987 for instance, the Laguda programme initiated in Kaduna state, has been blamed for giving the Fulani an advantage over others as they allegedly used federal might under the military to seize the land from the indigenous people. It was reported that when they seized the land they set up an Ardo (Fulani local Chief) who will now progress to become an emir as they allegedly did in the place called Jemaa Local Government Area Kaduna state of today.

According to Ononuju, during the military era of the 1970s, the then Benue–Plateau state in the spirit of “One North One People”, allegedly gave the Fulani a piece of land in Bauchi Road part of Jos Plateau state in an area called the Tilden Fulani.

It was from that Tilden Fulani that they allegedly started looking into mainland Jos and environs. They allegedly cast their eyes on other rich planes of the Plateau and unleashed violence all over Dogon Dutse, Barkin Ladi and all over Central Plateau fighting for the control of land.

“The Fulani also tried going up to the highlands but met stiffer opposition from the Tarok ethnic group in Langtang and they withdrew. They tried going to Gembu, in Taraba State and have been at war with the Kaka, the Pansa and the Jukun ethnic groups at the Mambilla Plateau. Then they looked towards the Benue valley and they are confronted by the Tiv,” Ononuju said.

Since then it has been a grim battle for land and survival till the present time where the violence level has led to the death of thousands of people and displaced many more.

Solutions not yet in sight A security analyst Majeed Dahiru, blamed the crisis on the current government of President Buhari failure to show inclusiveness, which has forced people to begin to harden their ground and become territorially protective of whatever resource they may have.

“These resources could be land or mineral resources and it can go as far as political power in voting demography. Ruga settlement is not the solution to our security challenges. The government has failed to protect lives and property. The Buhari administration stood by and watched as killer herdsmen ravaged farming communities and we have not seen prosecution of these killers,” he said.

He added that the solution can never be settlement for the Fulani because “migrant pastoralists all over the Sahel are not interested in settled cattle breeding technology. They preferred nomadic grazing route to any form of grazing be it ranching, be it grazing reserve. They just prefer grazing from the Sahel through the Savannah to the forest region of Nigeria.

So unless you re-orientate pastoralists that having come in conflicts with farmers along these so called grazing route, they need to have a settled lifestyle, no amount Ruga will solve this problem.”

The problem may not go away soon because of the nature and character of the pastoralists and their business. It is believed that as far as the pastoralist is concerned the entire globe is borderless, he does not recognise Nigeria’s borders and he does not understand that ownership of land is a cultural thing in subsaharan Africa especially in a country like Nigeria. As far as he is concerned no body owns land and survival is for the fittest.

And this is compounded by the fact that Nigeria has a very porous and flawed immigration policy that has rendered its borders open to such an extent that Nigeria has become a thoroughfare for all elements out from the Sahelian region.

To tackle this menace, Majeed suggested the Ruga project should not only be suspended, but that a very strong immigration policy that aims to combat this menace be put in place.

He urged Nigeria to pull out of the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and Goods and restore sanity first before it can re-enter the treaty time.

There appears to be no end to this controversy as no concrete alternative has been put in place yet. The pastoralists are as important as the farmers in the chain of food and livestock production and therefore need to have space for their activities.

But their style of operation is suffering a reality of modern times and they may have to think about some level of transformation.

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BDSUNDAY 3

News

S/East governors not harnessing...

Continued from page 1

of information in the South East.There’s so much activity going on in the film industry there; but they don’t really know. This is me speaking to businesses and governments in South East and South-South; I don’t think they get it. To be honest with you, I don’t think the governor of Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Imo (well, Imo is just coming in) – the other two-term governors, I don’t think they get the huge GDP that is going on there because it is undocu-

mented,” she said.

Ac c o r d i n g t o h e r, “There’s a lot of money there, but these people seem unaware. While I was in Enugu and Asaba, almost 200 productions were going on almost at the same time on an average budget of N2.5million to N15million each production.

“You have students in Nsukka doing their own; they get together, they may raise N1million, do their production and put on YouTube or they sell to African Magic, and this is

thriving. Now, there’s a lot of passion in that industry.

I met a young guy who did animation, I can’t believe what he is doing there. People doing emotion graphics, and I am like where is the support? There isn’t anybody to help.”

The film maker and entertainment executive also expressed disappointment that “The people in charge of culture and tourism are not embracing them. These are the issues.

I see and am wondering, you want to increase the GDP? You already have a lot of GDP going on that

you can harness, you have stars coming out of the industry and you have a lot of talents that need encouragement; then what are you waiting for? What is the problem?”

“Some older actors are doing their best to assist the younger ones, on their own individual capacities, but what I see is that until we can harness the global picture of film industry in Nigeria; that is from the creative industry – because I met fashion designers, and everybody doing different things, and what I just felt was that there’s a

vacuum that nobody is trying to fill. Yes, the CBN has come up with this N200 billion loan; but my question is, did they actually understand how to get this money to these people?” the holder of the Nigerian national honour, Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), wondered.

Anyiam-Osigwe, who explained that the training activities of AMAA in the last 14 years had positively impacted individual lives and countries in Africa and beyond, said: “This is the kind of background

of what people don’t see apart from the main AMAA that we do. People tend to see the brand as, ‘O, this glamorous event that they do once a year’, but we’re still working year in, year out. The same thing we are doing here, we do in Rwanda; we do in The Gambia; Malawi. We do training across Africa; even if it is little workshop of 10 people; five people. If we charge students to do some of the stuff like in Enugu, they can’t afford it.”

Read full interview next SUNDAY.

We are dying of hunger...

Continued from page 1 sand (21,000) people homeless.

The spokesperson of the IDPs in Taraba, Kini Nomiri, said they were hungry and needed to go back to their homes and continue with farming which is principally their occupation.

He stressed that rather than supply food stuff to them, the officials of NEMA recently came with trailers to move the food items meant for Taraba IDPs to Borno. He also said that the action led to a serious protest by the hungry IDPs. Nomiri commended the efforts of the Taraba State government in trying to make sure that they (IDPs) were comfortable, but noted that the state government alone cannot handle the situation on ground.

He wondered why what was meant to be a temporal arrangement will become a permanent one, alleging unseriousness on the side of the Federal Government.

“Our people are hungry, no food and we had rumours that some trailers were moving relief materials from the store; so we went there to verify and the drivers told us that they were moving the items to Borno.

We told them that we are in serious hunger and the items should be shared to us; that was why we protested and up till now the trailers are still there.

“The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Taraba State government are doing their best but the Federal Government and NEMA are not trying; we are hungry,” he said.

According to him, “If we continue to be hungry, the only way out is to resist because we are not slaves.”

Duna Gembo Bala, director of relief and rehabilitation of Taraba State Emergecy Management Agency (SEMA), told BDSUNDAY that the issue of taking care of the IDPs was meant to

be the responsibility of the Federal Government. He said the state government, NGOs and well meaning individuals can only complement.

Bala, who said the agency was overwhelmed by the offensive growing number of IDPs in the state, expressed shock over the transfer of relief materials meant for Taraba to Borno, adding that it was the first of its kind.

“Taraba State is disturbed about the overgrowing population of IDPs in the state. For just Fulani and Kona crisis alone, we have over 21,700 IDPs in camp, we have about eight camps presently within Jalingo, the state capital.

“The issue of taking care of IDPs is not left to government alone, but in Taraba it appears as if only the state government is taking care of IDPs. In fact, the way SEMA is established is just to complement the Federal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), but for now, the population of IDPs has overwhelmed the state; the financial capability of Taraba State cannot take care of the IDPs we need Federal Government intervention in Taraba State which is not forth-coming,” Bala said.

“We received the news of IDPs protesting with shock.

Because we have never experienced transfer of relief materials from one state to another; this is the first time.

When we heard our IDPs rampaging, we went close to the scene; seven trucks of relief materials were packed ready to move, there was nobody to ask. Only the drivers who told us that they were contracted to pack rice to Borno State. Since they were not the people that brought the rice, we asked them to stop until we confirm from NEMA in Yola; up till today, the vehicles are still packed there and the materials are not moved,” he explained.

Simbi Kesiye Wabote (r), executive secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and Folasade Yemi-Esan (l), permanent secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, admiring crafts produced by internally displaced persons (IDPs) trained under the NCDMB-sponsored Fair Chance Initiative (FCI) at the graduation ceremony of the training held in Yola, Adamawa State, weekend.

Anambra, Rivers get new commissioners of police Innocent Odoh, Abuja

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he InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the immediate posting and redeployment of Commissioners of Police in charge of Anambra and Rivers States’ Commands.

A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, noted

that a new Commissioner of Police, CP Abang John, formerly of the Department of Research and Planning, Force Headquarters, Abuja, has been posted to Anambra State Police Command; while the erstwhile Commissioner of Police in charge of Anambra State, CP Dan Daura Mustapha has been redeployed to Rivers State as the new Police Chief.

The former Commissioner of Police in charge of Rivers State, CP Usman Alhassan Belel completes the triangular movement as he returns to Force Headquarters, Abuja to take over as the new Commissioner of Police in the Department of Research and Planning.

The postings, which are strategically routine in nature are designed to enhance the overall ef-

fectiveness and efficiency of policing services in the affected states and departments. Meanwhile, the IGP has advised the newly deployed commissioners of police to bring their experiences and expertise to bear in dealing with the peculiar challenges in their new places of work. The postings are with immediate effect, the statement said.

Assembly begins screening of commissioner-nominees in A/Ibom ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo

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month after Governor Udom Emmanuel was sworn into office for a second term, the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly has begun the screening of nominees for the office of commissioners and special advisers.

The screening followed the submission of the list of commissioners and special advisers tothestateHouseofAssembly.

All former members of the state executive council who had served as commissioners made the list while the names of two special advisers also made the list.

The returning commissioners include Ephraim Inyang, former works commissioner, Akan Okon, former commissioner for aviation development and special duties as well as Charles Udoh, who was in charge of the ministry of information and strategy.

Others who also made the list include Ime Ekpo, former commissioner for lands and housing,UwemedimoNwoko, erstwhile commissioner for justice and the Attorney General; Monday Uko, former commissioner for youths and sports as well as Ekong Sampson, former commissioner for economic development and planning.

The list also include Orman Esin, who was in charge of transport; Iniobong Essien,

former commissioner for environment,GloriaEdet, former commissioner for women affairs and Dominic Ukpong, former health commissioner.

The nominees also include Linus Nkan, former finance commissioner; Ukpong Akpabio, former commissioner for investment; Udo Ekpenyong, former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs and Raphael Bassey, who was also a member of the state executive council.

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Sunday 07 July 2019

News FG, governors to recruit NPower cadets, corpers for community policing …As Buhari decries attacks in Katsina ...Warns herdsmen and village heads to maintain peace Tony Ailemen, Abuja

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he Federal Government and governors Friday proposed recruitment of the N-Power cadets whose two-year service is coming to an end or youth service corps members, to boost the manpower of the Nigerian Police Force, as part of the community policing policy This followed directives by President Muhammadu Buhari to governors and security chiefs to work out detailed modalities for the takeoff date so that it can be drafted into a plan of action.

The President also directed immediate reinforcement of the security architecture in the state, and prosecution of all those involved in the conflicts that triggered violence and loss of lives in Katsina State last Wednesday, He also warned herdsmen and community leaders to stop taking the law into their hands by resorting to violence at every provocation, adding that the herdsmen return-

ing from the south due to the rainy season must respect the boundaries of farmers and villagers, while the communities must refrain from attacking herdsmen.

Briefing State House Correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Buhari, the Chairman of NGF, and Ekiti state Governor, Kayode Fayemi, said both parties felt the recruitment of 10,000 policemen to tackle the dearth of security agents in the country was inadequate.

Fayemi, said he briefed the President on the outcome of the meeting of security committee of the National Economic Council which he chairs, which reviewed concerns, issues around security and the proposed government reactions to them “This was a meeting that had in its membership, governors from the six zones, the Inspector General of Police, Chief of Defence Staff and the National Security Adviser.

“It was the outcome of the last Economic Council meeting which focused exclusively on security.

That committee has just met a couple of days ago and I was asked to brief both the Vice President

Buhari

who chairs the National Economic Council and to brief the President as well on the aspect of the work of the sub-committee of NEC that will require the Commander-in-Chief’s

Kwara governor approves N350m for Colleges of Education, FADAMA SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin

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equel to the ongoing industrial action across Kwara State Colleges of Education, the state Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has approved immediate release of N250 million to pay at least two months of their outstanding salaries.

Abdulrazaq, however, assured the schools of subsequent prompt payment of their salary along with gradual offset of the arrears inherit-

Abdulrazaq

ed from the previous administration under which the schools embarked on the strike.

The affected colleges are Kwara State College of Education, Oro; Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin; Kwara State College of Education (Technical) Lafiagi; Kwara State College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS), Ilorin; Kwara State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Ilorin and Kwara State College of Nursing, Oke Ode. According to a statement released Friday by Rafiu Ajakaye,

the chief press secretary to the governor, “The total amount the governor released for salary payment is N250,774, 328.34. This covers salary for the months of May and June.

“Concerned about the status of the schools, the governor also approved additional N25million for the College of Education Technical Lafiagi for immediate re-accreditation and N24.8million for CAILS for re-accreditation.”

Ajakaye said that this, along with similar steps over the last month, represents a bold step by the governor to match words with action on his commitment to education, workers’ welfare and socio-economic growth of the state.

“It is the intention of this administration to stabilise Kwara for growth. Greater things are coming but the governor is working round the clock to first restore normalcy across all sectors,” he said.

The Colleges of Education had long embarked on strike to protest the non-payment of their salary and other administrative issues, leading to the shutting down of the schools.

The statement added that the governor has also approved immediate payment of N49,786,667 as counterpart funds for FADAMA project.

The sum includes an outstanding of N13,914,667.00 third national FADAMA Development Project Additional financing for 2018 and N35,872,000 already due as 2019 counterpart fund for the same project.

support. Namely, the organisation of the community policing arrangement that the IGP has announced publicly as his own way of effective response to security challenges

across the board.

“As you may be aware, certain recruitments are going on now particularly with regards to the police. But, we feel in our humble opinion that 10,000 men and women are not enough to add to the police in tackling the dearth of security agents in the country. That we will have to figure out a way to increase that number either out of the NPower cadets who are coming to the end of their service year having spent two years or youth service corps members or any of the other institutions that will enable us to boost the manpower of the Nigerian police force,” he said.

On the President’s response, Fayemi said: “He commended the National Economic Council (NEC) for paying special attention to security and he also urged the NEC committee to work with the security chiefs who have already briefed him during the security meeting yesterday (Thursday).

“Mr. President also said that jointly, we should work out the detailed modalities for the suggested date so that can be draft into a plan of action.”

Dickson seeks right successor through prayers Samuel Ese, Yenagoa

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ayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson has organised a three-day interdenominational prayer and fasting programme to seek divine intervention in getting the right person as his successor.

Dickson is expected to hand over to his successor on February 2020 after eight years in office with party primaries billed for early August and the governorship election taking place in November.

At the interdenominational programme which commenced last Wednesday in Yenagoa, the governor stated that his successor should be a person of courage, who should be able to speak out on critical issues affecting the state In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media Relations, Victor Soriwei, he said the next governor

Dickson

should be able to speak out and say the bitter truth on critical issues irrespective of whoever was involved.

He explained that the state organised the programme to seek the face of God in the process of selecting the next leader due the enormous influence of the office and the need for the right person to succeed him.

Dickson restated his call on Bayelsans to prevent the emergence of a governor who could use political appointments to lure the people to cultism and other evil practices, saying he did not use his position to lure any of his 1,500 appointees into cultism, but led the state in the direction of God. “This transition is not about me.

So many people in my shoes will be relaxing, but we are still working from morning till night. This transition is about our state, about our people, about Christians possessing their possession. We have made a lot of progress. We want good, committed, patriotic, decisive and compassionate leaders.

“My prayer is that the person God will raise for us will do better than I; that person will not fail. The way I have worked for our people, defended their interest, spoken on behalf of the people, he will do,” he said.

Dickson lamented the attitude of some members of the political class who would even react with bitterness when universities, an airport, good roads, health facilities and key developmental projects are built in the state.

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BDSUNDAY 5

News Ihedioha moves to revamp Imo Rubber firm

Group calls for media advocacy on tracking UBE funded projects in Lagos

…targets IGR growth, job creation

SEYI JOHN SALAU

SABY ELEMBA, Owerri

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mo State is endowed with abundant natural resources that could be harnessed to stimulate development opportunities in agro-based and agro-allied industries as well as the hospitality and tourism sector of the economy.

One such area where agro-based investment opportunities exist is the Imo Rubber Estate in Emeabiam in Owerri West Local Government Area, the Umuokanne Agriculture Rubber Estate and the Obiti Rubber Plantation in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area, which today is known as Imo Rubber Nigeria Ltd. This company has remained moribund for years.

However, the new Governor of the state, Emeka Ihedioha, has raised the hope of Imo people for possible resuscitation and revamping of the Imo Rubber Nigeria Ltd. Sources that spoke to BDSUNDAY noted that during the administration of the late Samuel Mbakwe (1979-1983), the Imo Rubber was at its peak as revenue generating venture of the Imo government which

Ihedioha

accounted for about 35 percent of the gross state product (GSP) of Imo. They also recalled that after that period, successive administrations paid lackadaisical attention to the Imo Rubber Nigeria Limited, until now.

Our sources further disclosed that the heydays of Imo Rubber Nigeria Ltd, rubber plantations in host communities developed beyond just tapping latex from rubber tress to operating mini-processing industry that processed raw materials to actual ductile and

elastic rubbers ready for further industrial conversion to shoe soles, tires, rubber bands, rubber footballs, etc.

During his electioneering campaign, Governor Ihedioha had promised Imo people of real agricultural revolution and that his administration would simplify access to land for agro-based and agro-allied purposes; resuscitate and revamp the ADAPALM at Ohaji and Umuogu in Aboh Mbaise Lo c a l G o v e r n m e n t Area with higher-yielding improved variety of palm

seedlings and target the planting of 3,000,000 palms across the state within four years of his administration.

Ihedioha also promised to resuscitate the ailing Imo Rubber Company by injecting what would be required and necessary, including human and material resources for proper functioning with a view to increasing the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the state.

In line with his promise in this regard, the governor has set up a committee on Imo Rubber Nigeria Limited and the terms of reference including to recover, restructure and re-establish a viable and self-sustaining firm.

The essence, the governor reiterated, was to help and create employment opportunities, improve the internally generated revenue (IGR) base of Imo State.

Ihedioha went further to say that resuscitating and revamping of the Imo Rubber Company and other moribund state-owned companies would offer opportunities for tourism and hospitality sector of the state’s economy to grow, stem the growth rate in crime as well as making living meaningful for host communities in particular and the state in general.

Osun set to eradicate hoes, cutlasses in farming … Partners institutions, private sector for mechanised agric

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sun State government is set to partner with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and private sector to enhance mechanised agriculture. This development is expected to boost productivity and move farmers away from unproductive usage of traditional farming implements such as hoes and cutlasses. This in turn will promote commercial agriculture and improve farmers’ income and standard of living.

Governor Gboyega Oyetola made this known in a one-day Farmers’ Field Day exhibition that took place in the state capital, Osogbo, on Wednesday. “Under the partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the state government has provided 205.5 hectares of land in Ago Owu for the purpose of conducting researches and setting up demonstration farms for best farming practices,” he said.

Oyetola said that the state, under his leadership, is ever ready to support farm-

ers as well as embark on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in the agricultural sector. “We will also facilitate the provision of affordable access to farm machinery and equipment for farmers and youths in agriculture,” he added.

He thanked the various institutions that partnered with the state in the past.

“Our administration owes a debt of gratitude to our criti-

cal development partners, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), IITA, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) and National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), and several others who have been very supportive of our dream and drive to take agriculture to the next level”, he said.

Earlier, the head of mechanization unit of IITA, Dr. Peter Kolawole said that the insti-

tute is championing the running of a programme called Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) sponsored by the African Development Bank (AfDB). “We are looking at the technologies produced

by Nigerians that we can upscale and transform agriculture in Africa. Further we are aiming at taking hoes and cutlasses back to the museum.

Governor Gboyega Oyetola (m), his wife, Kafayat, surrounded by deputy governor, Benedict Gboyega Alabi, speaker Timothy Owoeye and other officials at the presentation of planting materials to beneficiaries at the Farmers’ Field Day in Osogbo.

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ouched by the 13.2 million out of school children in Nigeria and the need to ensure effective management of both human and educational resource at the primary school level to give unhindered access to basic education, a group of civil society organisations (CSO) led by Human Development Initiatives (HDI), have called for effective media advocacy on tracking the Universal Basic Education (UBE) funded projects in Lagos, to strengthen service delivery and build capacities of educational institutions to ensure the UBE funds are well utilised across the 20 Local Government Areas of the state.

This was the outcome of a recent media and CSO round table dialogue on monitoring of the utilisation of UBE funds project in Lagos State. The dialogue was necessitated based on the crucial place of basic education to national development owing to the fact that most of Nigeria’s 13.2 million out of school children could be linked to non-conducive learning environment. However, it was agreed that all hands must be on deck to ensure children of school age receive quality, free and inclusive basic education through effective service delivery.

“HDI supports and strengthens existing measures by local government and state on school services and project monitoring. HDI is also a strong advocate of Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance in Education all over Nigeria

(TAGG).

“As education stakeholders, HDI will appreciate your continuous collaboration as independent monitors and reporters,” said Olufunso Owasanoye, the executive director of Human Development Initiative (HDI) at a recent media roundtable dialogue to discuss the tracking and effective utilisation of UBE funds project.

According to her, many schools are still in dire need of education infrastructures despite the UBE intervention, stating that some schools have dilapidated structures while others have no basic education infrastructures to show for the various annual UBE intervention.

“Today’s dialogue is mainly on your role as key partners to achieve the objective of ensuring judicious utilization of the funds meant for the UBE projects in Government Primary and Junior Secondary schools in Lagos State.

This project involves both LGA and schools, given the fact that funds utilisation is spread round LGAs across the state. Monitoring of funds disbursement and utilisation is based on Lagos SUBEB Action Plan,” Owasanoye stated.

The media, CSO round table dialogue was primarily to develop strategies for more effective tracking of education projects in Lagos State, in the bid to further minimise corruption in the education sector owing to the fact that achieving quality basic education is the responsibility of all stakeholders, hence HDI and the CSOs are calling on all stakeholders to advocate for positive change in the area of implementation of UBE projects.

16 Brigade cleans up Yenagoa markets Samuel Ese, Yenagoa

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s a show of support and friendship for the citizenry, the 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday began a volunteer clean up exercise of markets in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.

Valentine Okoro, commander, 16 Brigade, said the exercise which seeks to maintain cordial civil-military relationship in its operational area is part of build up activities to the Nigeria Army Day which began yesterday, Saturday, July 6 nationwide.

Okoro, who spoke shortly after the exercise, explained that it was part of the social responsibility of the Nigerian Army to the host communities in line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff.

“In line with the overall

decision of the Chief of Army Staff, we are here to render service to the people of Yenagoa and Bayelsa State in general.

“The army has actually been involved in civil-military activities to support the citizens of this country who are the tax payers and probably our employers in order to let them know that the military is also part of the society,” he said.

According to him, “We promote not only peace and security, but also social welfare for the citizens of the country.”

Okoro said an important aspect of the exercise, was to inculcate the sense of humanitarian and social service in the military and to draw the attention of the general public to the importance of cleanliness in their environments.

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Sunday 07 July 2019

News

Virgin Atlantic celebrates 18 years of flying from Lagos to London Obinna Emelike

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irgin Atlantic is excited to celebrate 18 years this July since it launched its first flight from Nigeria on July 6, 2001 on-board a Boeing 747200 from Lagos to London and beyond.

Since the year 2001 Virgin Atlantic has welcomed over three million customers on board and carried over 5.5 million kilograms of Cargo.

Today customers travelling with Virgin Atlantic enjoy a daily service to London Heathrow on board a state of the art Airbus 330-300 with Wi-Fi in all cabins.

The Lagos to London service offers a consistent long haul experience for those customers connecting from Lagos seamlessly via London Heathrow to destinations throughout North America across the Virgin Atlantic network including New York and Boston, the leading commercial and educational cities of the US East Coast.

To commemorate the special day, the airline introduced a special birthday offer with fares starting from NGN304, 000 in Economy Class. These fares include taxes and charges are available for sale until Monday July 8, 2019 by logging onto www. virginatlantic.com.

Justin Bell, commercial manager at Virgin Atlantic, Nigeria says, “July 2019 marks 18 years of flying between Lagos and London for Virgin Atlantic. Our customers continue to enjoy amaz-

ing service from the best crew in the business, great food, inflight entertainment, Wi-Fi and much more! All of these are on the most timely and reliable direct service between Nigeria and the UK.” “It has been an honour for Virgin Atlantic, Nigeria’s airline of choice to the UK, to connect this great nation of travellers with London and the rest of the world.”

“To celebrate this landmark, we are offering a special 18th birthday fare. We

look forward to having you on board one of our flights soon.”

For passengers travelling in all cabins, three meal choices are available - some of which cater for the Nigerian palate. As part of the in-flight entertainment, in addition to box office UK film titles, Virgin Atlantic offers a number of Nollywood films across a range of genres.

Virgin Atlantic has helped communities in Nigeria by engaging in corporate social responsibility activities, which includes delivery of medical supplies to local maternity wards as well as facilitated long-term business mentoring with Sir Richard Branson for some Nigerian entrepreneurs.

Virgin Atlantic will continue to take the lead by offering innovative service and experience that is unrivalled and a delight to customers. We strive to continue to discover innovative ways to serve our customers, offering an experience that is different from the rest of the aviation world.

MWUN suspends nationwide strike as NPA restores port activities AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

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he Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN)hason Friday suspended the three days nationwide strike embarked on to protest the nonpayment of wages allegedly owed dockworkers and stevedoring companies by the international oil companies (IOCs).

This was as a result of the intervention of the permanent secretaries of Federal Ministries of Transportation, Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment and some notable stakeholders especially, Hadiza Bala Usman, managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and her management team.

Meanwhile, the management of the NPA has affirmed the suspension of the strike, saying that normal port activities have been restored.

Adams Jatto, general

manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications of the NPA assured stakeholders of industrial peace and harmony in the port industry.

“We regrets all inconveniences the strike might have caused port users and other stakeholders, and we promise to ensure that issues that led to the strike are resolved soonest in national interest, and to further achieve our mandate to delivering efficient services for customer satisfaction,” Jatto said.

Earlier in a statement jointly signed by Adewale Adeyanju, president general and Felix Akingboye, secretary general of MWUN, the union said it decided to suspend the strike pending the outcome of the meeting between the managements of NPA, NIMASA, NSC, NNPC and the IOCs with the leadership of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, which is scheduled to take place this week.

“We have noted with grave concern that some major stakeholders in the

industry who are not in any way involved with why the Union embarked on strike are adversely affected in their operations,” the statement reads.

It further reads: “We embarked on strike against the management of the International Oil Companies (IOCS) who have taken delight in breaking Nigerian laws with impunity and also denied us (the dockworkers) payment of salaries/wages for the past one year.”

Recall that on the 14 June 2019, the union issued a 14day ultimatum to the Federal Government to prevail on IOCs to pay stevedoring contractors appointed by the NPA, the charges due to dockworkers at the nation’s ports.

They alleged the IOCs has refused to grant access to the stevedoring contractors, process their invoices and effect payment as directed by the NPA, one year after the stevedoring contractors were appointed.

Buhari signs FCT Appropriation Act, two others Tony Ailemen, Abuja

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r e s i d e n t Muhammadu Buhari on Friday assented to the Federal Capital Territory Appropriation Act, 2019 of N243.3b Th e S e n i o r S p e c i a l As s i s t a n t o n Na t i o n a l

Assembly matters, ( Senate) Ita Enang, said the N243, 374,511.077 is for the 2019 financial year out of which N130.7 billion is for capital expenditure while the balance is for recurrent.

“This amount is from the Statutory Revenue Allocation due to the Federal Capital

Territory.

“This is in addition to the budgetary provision of N23, 023, 593, 146 for Capital Expenditure made in the 2019 National Budget earlier assented to by Mr. President on May 27, 2019.”

Enang said Buhari as part of his desire to improve and expand

admission opportunities for children in tertiary institutions in the country, also assented to Bills for the establishment of two Federal polytechnics in Nigeria, namely: Federal Polytechnic, Kaltungo, Gombe State and Federal Polytechnic, Daura, Katsina State.

Glo’s Amebo offers 5 times value on every recharge

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lo Amebo”, a new recharge offer launched by digital transformation leader, Globacom, is giving subscribers five times (500percent) the value of whatever amount they spend on recharge.

The offer, which is designed to add value to Glo subscribers in line with the company’s tradition, empowers them to talk continuously in pursuit of their social, educational and business endeavour.

According to Globacom, the five times bonus airtime can be used to call all networks to gist, share information, buy and sell products or any other activity they wish.

The implication of the offer is that just for N100 recharge, a customer will be given N500 worth of credit. On the other hand, a recharge of N1,000 will give N5,000 value, while a subscriber who recharges with N5,000 will receive N25,000 worth of airtime.

On how to enjoy the offer, Globacom said interested subscribers should dial *555*PIN# to receive

“

the mouth-watering 5 times value “to talk belleful (satisfactorily) on all networks”.

Th e p r o d u c t n a m e , “Amebo”, was taken from the legendary NTA television drama series, “Village Headmaster” in which veteran actress, Ibidun Allison, played a role by the name “Amebo”. The character was a typical gossip who enjoyed talking endlessly about people. The Glo “Amebo” offer thus emphasizes the unlimited power being given to subscribers to talk for as long as they desire.

“Glo Amebo” recharge is being introduced on the heels of the star-studded “We got people talking” TVC which is an exciting rejuvenation of the popular sing-along jingle created by Globacom nine years ago.

Globacom pioneered Per Second Billing at inception over fifteen years ago and has always made the welfare and empowerment of its customers a cornerstone of its products and services which are affordable and available anywhere in the country.

Kogi gives free medical care to pregnant women Victoria Nnakaike, Lokoja

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etermined to stem the tide of rising rate of maternal and infant mortality, Kogi State government has embarked on free healthcare services for pregnant women in the state.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the service in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area, Bello said that the aim was to make pregnancy as safe as possible for poor and vulnerable women who cannot afford antenatal and delivery care in hospitals.

He emphasised that the service, which was introduced 17 months ago, recorded huge success at its pilot

phases, which encouraged government to enlarge it with the assurance that “we were on the right track”.

Governor Bello, who was represented by Ahmed Attah, his special adviser on Health Matters, hinted that the achievements had encouraged the scaling up of the initiative to all corners of the state.

“Under this programme, our mothers, wives and sisters enjoy free booking, drugs, tests, and all other required antenatal and delivery cares.

“With Health Care plus, and more health-friendly projects to come, I have no doubt that the maternal and child health indices in Kogi State will continue to improve for the good,” he said.

NASS probe: PDP senators threaten defection OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja

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head of the submission of the report of the probe panel set up by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to investigate the role of its members in the just concluded National Assembly leadership elections, some PDP lawmakers have threatened to dump the party.

Those who spoke to BDSUNDAY on the matter, cautioned against any attempt to victimise them, adding that this could cause disunity within the party.

“Why would the party want to settle political scores

with us? Of what benefit will the investigation be for the average Nigerian? The election has come and gone.

“As an opposition party, we shouldn’t be witch-hunting our members; otherwise it would be catastrophic going into an election. The party should think and come out with programmes that will make us a vibrant opposition party in the Senate,” a ranking senator said.

Recall that the National Executive Committee of the PDP had set up a fact-finding committee on the role played by some of its members at the election of Presiding Officers of the Ninth National Assembly.

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News Expert calls for licencing of importers Nigeria is grossly under-policed – Okiro of used electronic product …Nigeria needs 0ne million well equipped policemen …Supports state police system but says equipping them is crucial

…Harps on dangers of improper disposal of e-waste

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Iniobong Iwok feanyi Ochonogor, president, e-waste Relief Foundation (ERF) has urged the Federal Government to license companies exporting used electronics, as a way out of checking the high volume of electronic waste that constitute environmental challenges in Nigeria.

He advocated for more cautious handling of electronic waste (e-waste) to avoid environmental and health challenges and ecological degradations.

Ochonogor, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of E-Terra Technologies Ltd, stated this in a recent presentation at the inaugural stakeholders’ meeting of players in the ewaste industry themed ‘Circular Economy Approaches to the Electronic Sector’ held in Lagos.

The expert, however, stressed the need for proper enlightenment and education of the citizenry on the dangers of e-waste and need for proper handling and disposal through the combined efforts of government and industry

stakeholders.

According to him, “As our lives and businesses continually transform with technology, so also does the associated challenges occasioned by the improper disposal of these devices at their end of life or obsolete period.

“Certification of companies importing these electronics is important to ensure they meet international best practices, electronic wastes (e-waste) are not properly handled by trained personnel with efficient machinery, capable of containing its numerous components, which results in severe environmental hazards such as air pollu-

tion, ground water contamination, food pollution and ecological degradations,” Ochonogor said.

S p e a k i n g f u r t h e r, Ochonogor, said research had showed that rising cases of diseases like cancer, diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases were caused by undue exposure to radioactive substances resulting from improper disposal of e-waste.

“Research have showed that the rising cases of diseases like cancer, diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases are caused by undue exposure to radioactive substances resulting from improper disposal of e-waste,” he added.

ActionAid commences 2nd phase of ‘SARVE’ …Says impact of 1st phase encouraging Victoria Nnakaike, Lokoja

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ctionAid Nigeria, a global organisation dedicated to fight against poverty around the world, has commenced the implementation of the second phase of a project tagged System and Structure Strengthening Approach against Radicalisation to Violent Extremism ( SARVE ) in Kogi and Nasarawa states.

The project, which will take 33 months in the two states and initially implemented in Kogi State from 2016 to 2018, has been extended to Nasarawa state, as it will cover more local government areas According to a statement jointly issued by Anicetus Atakpu and Lola Ayanda and was made available to BDSUNDAY in Lokoja, the project will reach 36, 000 direct individuals in which 18,200 youths, 12,600 males and 5,600 females and 4,160 women and 7,320 men and school children, 3,160 males

and 3, 160 females, would be covered, adding that several indirect beneficiaries would also be captured. The programme is aimed at supporting the benefiting communities against injustice and inequalities through building tolerance and strengthening community agencies.

The statement equally pointed out that the second phase of the project was informed by the need to decrease vulnerability of at risk young men and women to violent extremism, strengthening community system and structure to address violent extremism and create enabling environment for preventing violent extremism.

This, ActionAid Nigeria, said was as a result of the impact and achievements recorded in the first phase of the project since inception in Kogi State.

It could be recalled that the first phase of the SARVE was designed to systematically address the source of extreme restive violence that played out in Kogi State as a result of its numerous po-

rous borders by digging deep into the fundamental causes of the type of violence in the state and equally create a workable community-driven solutions to prevent and address internal conflicts and general restiveness.

It could also be recalled that the first phase of the project successfully reached 12,985 youths; 4,300 women and 8,706 men directly with building sensitisation programmes and socio economic empowerment.

The statement also recalled that during the first phase, ActionAid was able to set up nine mini cottage industries which include rice milling, cassava processing, bakery and block moulding factories in the communities where it was implemented which contributed to raising more Kogi women and youths above poverty line, adding that the project also leveraged on the “Catch them Young” principles by reaching children between the ages of 6-16 through its peace Club in schools and make them Peace Ambassadors.

DAVID EJIOHUO

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igeria has been described as a state with far less than the number of the police men and women it needs to effectively police and checkmate the crime rate in it. A one-time Inspector-General of Police in Nigeria, Mike Okiro, disclosed this at the weekend while answering questions from our correspondent at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, on the need for the proposed State Police and the modality to realise the scheme.

According to the former Inspector General of Police and the immediate past chairman of the Nigeria Police Service Commission, Nigeria has

far less than the number of the police men and woman for her population.

Nigeria, he pointed out, is about 208m people but is yet to boast of 500,000 police strength in her 57 years of existence and fight against crime and crime-related issues.

This, he explained, was far below the United Nation’s standard which he said, was about one policeman to 400 persons. Nigeria today, Okiro further explained, should be talking about at least one million trained, equipped, and functioning police strength for her population and size.

The absence of this size and number of well equipped and trained policemen could be responsible for the increasing crime rate and banditry across the length and

weight of Nigeria, he said.

According to him, the proposed state police which he said was widely accepted by Nigerians could be the saving grace for the country.

The State Police Scheme, if it comes on stream, will surely boost the urgently needed number of the Police men and women and put it in the position to checkmate the increasing crime wave across the nation.

Okiro, however, warned that the proposed State Police will make no sense if they are not equipped, trained and be made to function.

To make the State Police Scheme come on stream, the former IG called on the Federal Government to sponsor an executive bill to the National Assembly to formalise it as a law in the country.

After Buhari’s endorsement, Sokubo dedicates success to youths DAVID EJIOHUO

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he victorious President of the National Yo u t h C o u n c i l ( N YC ) , So k u b o Sara-Igbe Sokubo, has dedicated his victory in the battle for the soul of his office to God Almighty and to the Nigerian Youths.

The battle for the authentic President of the Nigerian Youth Council was a big issue until President Muhammadu Buhari endorsed him as the boss of the Nigerian Youths.

According to Ambas-

sador Sokubo, who spoke with our reporter at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, on his way to Abuja, no one else deserved the honour first than the God Almighty because only him gives position to whosoever he wills and then to the Nigerian youths, for their steadfastness and support.

The NYC President at the occasion, lauded President Buhari, for finding him fit and worthy to serve the youth of this nation as their President.

Rivers State he pointed out, will equally remain grateful to the President and

the Federal Government for the opportunity given to their son to serve the nation in this capacity.

According to Ambassador Sara-Igbe Sokubo, “This is the first time a Rivers’ man would ascend to the position of the President of the National Youth Council, since it was established 64 years ago.

He assured the Nigerian youths of a better time ahead of them and disclosed that he has already drawn a blueprint on how to better their lives and had submitted it to the presidency for necessary action.

Kogi NDE trains 1,000 unemployed youths on skills acquisition Victoria Nnakaike, Lokoja

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ogi State chapter of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has provided empowerment opportunity for another batch of 1,000 unemployed youths in the state, the Agency’s Coordinator, Zakari Abubakar also gave the assurance that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration would reduce

the alarming rate of poverty in Nigeria.

De c l a r i n g o p e n t h e three-month skills acquisition training for another one thousand beneficiaries, Abubakar disclosed that the scheme was aimed at empowering future leaders to be self-reliant in their various vocations and help provide jobs to unemployed in society.

The Coordinator also said that Buhari would rid the nation of hunger in the present

dispensation through his renewed commitment to diversify in agriculture, boost skills acquisition among youths and small scale enterprises across the country.

He hinted that 550 unemployed youths under the current training would acquire skills in tailoring, computer application, computer repairs, hair dressing, fashion designing, aluminium fabrication and welding, while 400 will be trained on cosmetology and 50 others who were earlier trained will go for advanced study.

He maintained that acquisition of skills is more beneficial to human beings than giving out money as it remains permanent until death, adding that the aim of embarking on the training programme is designed to reduce parental burden of caring for children.

8 Inside Lagos

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Lagos-Kebbi partnership on rice shaky …as Sanwo-Olu looks within S/West for paddy supply to Imota Rice Mill Stories by JOSHUA BASSEY

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ne of the biggest conversations that dominated the four-year tenure of Akinwunmi Ambode, the immediate past governor of Lagos State, was the partnership between Lagos and Kebbi States.

The two states signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in March 2016 to boost local rice production. While Lagos went into the deal on the strength of its burgeoning market, Kebbi on the other hand, would leverage on its vast arable land for massive rice cultivation. Under the arrangement, a greater percentage of rice paddy would come from Kebbi, while Lagos would do the milling and bagging of the LAKE Rice at state-owned 32 metric tons (per hour) capacity Imota Rice Mill,

Obafemi Hamzat (4th l), deputy governor; Hakeem Muri-Okunola, HOS; Abdul Hakeem Abdul Lateef (3rd l), former commissioner for Home Affairs, with members the ad-hoc committee of Lagos 2919 Hajj Pilgrimage.

in Ikorodu.

The rice mill was initially established by the former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola in 2012, but abandoned all too sudden due to what officials termed ‘technical

hitches’.

The Ambode-led administration in 2017 re-awarded contract to upgrade the facility to 32 metric tonnes per hour, hoping to leverage majorly on the deal it entered into with Kebbi

among other states for regular supply of paddy to the mill.

There are, however, indications that the two states may not continue in the spirit of MOU, as Lagos is looking within the south-

west and individual rice growers to feed the mill, which construction is at 60 percent completion level.

This came to the fore on Thursday when the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, visited the mill.

LAWMA shuts Sangotedo market over illegal refuse dump

Task force impounds 155 ‘okadas’, 17 buses

usiness activities at Sangotedo Market, Eti Osa, Lagos State have been put on hold by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), due to indiscriminate dumping of refuse and poor hygiene practices by traders, resulting in serious environmental problem in the area.

The agency’s director of public affairs, Folashade Kadiri, cited the state governor’s executive order on traffic and sanitation matters, which stresses government’s zero tolerance for environmental abuse, including illegal and indiscriminate dumping of

agos State Task Fo r c e h a s i m pounded over 155 commercial motorcycles (Okada) and 17 buses for violating traffic rules on the LagosAbeokuta road the last two months.

Taofiq Adebayo, head, public affairs unit of the task force, disclosed this, Friday, said that exercise, which began since mid-May, was meant to control traffic and enable Lagos residents get to their destinations in the shortest possible time.

“Our major objective at that spot (Ikeja-Along) is to control traffic. However, our major headache

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refuse, as justification for the action.

According to LAWMA, the state government’s effort in promoting environmental sanity in the area is being thwarted by unhygienic activities of traders, who continue to violate environmental laws and refused to patronise assigned PSP operators.

LAWMA said it was working round the clock to rid the state of waste, and this informed introduction of “Lagos at 4 am” operation and other initiatives, aimed at restoring environmental integrity in the state.

The agency warned of severe sanctions, including

closure of more markets found indulging in indiscriminate dumping of refuse on road medians.

It urged residents to support government’s quest to establish sustainable and livable environment that would be the pride of everyone, adding that they should shun indiscriminate waste disposal and patronise assigned PSP operators.

It would be recalled that in February 2019, LAWMA warned that it would shut down Ladipo auto spare parts market in Mushin, due to poor waste management practices, a plan later shelved after the traders turned a new leaf.

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Sanwo-Olu while fielding questions from journalists at the site, said his administration was in discussion with states of the southwest under the auspices of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, to source rice paddy for the Imota Rice Mill.

“This is a 32-metric tons per hour rice mill, which is the biggest in the country. In terms of national importance, the rice mill is expected to meet 15 to 20 per cent of national demand for rice. However, it is not for us to just have the biggest rice mill, but to also begin a conversation with rice producers in rural areas to have massive cultivation and production through the mill.

We’re also having discussions the states in the southwest under the DAWN Commission for massive production of rice to feed the mil,” said Sanwo-Olu

has been the activities of commercial motorcycles picking and dropping passengers on the highway.

You would have noticed that the road is narrow at that point, as we have many people crossing the railway, motorists driving toward the airport and people also crossing the highway.

“There is no bus-stop at `Ikeja-along’ but commercial motorcycles prefer to pick and drop passengers from the roadside just because they feel they will make more money during the working hours,” said Adebayo.

The task force spokes-

person said that the exercise was being carried out throughout the state to making sure no one, including private vehicles, drive one-way and on BRT lanes.

Ac c o r d i n g t o Ad e bayo, the task force is also working with the Lagos State Government Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) to rid the state of street traders who disturb the free flow of traffic.

He said the exercise would continue with the new executive order from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to clamp down on traffic offenders.

compromise, just as he commend the Amir Hajj, Abdul-Hakeem Abdul Lateef, for sustaining the tradition of excellence.

Abdul Lateef, on his part said Lagos “has been excelling because of creative ways of approaching issues relating to hajj.

He promised that the state, in this years’ hajj

operation, would strive harder and achieve greater feats.

Other members of the committee are Dauda Adegoke, Abubakar Olamilekan, Rahim Shittu, Muibat Rufai, Hakeem Ba m g b o l a , Ad e k o y a Bashir, Hakeem Awal, Shakiru Ayinde Gafar and Jubril Abdulkareem

Lagos constitutes ad-hoc committee for 2019 hajj

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he Lagos State government has inaugurated an ad-hoc committee to oversee the activities and welfare of pilgrims for a successful hajj operation in 2019.

The deputy governor, Obafemi Hamzat, who inaugurated the 11-man committee on behalf of

the governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, charged the members to commit themselves to achieving excellence which Lagos is known for.

Hamzat said since the welfare of pilgrims from Lagos was of priority to the government, it became imperative to put the committee in place

to work with others, to make sure that things are done right.

“In terms of transportation, logistics, feeding and other arrangements, things must be better than before; we must work together and make sure things are done right. We expect report on how we perform and how pilgrims

perform; Lagos has been excelling; we cannot lower the standard; we must be the best, that is what the government wants; that is what Lagosians want,” Hamzat said.

Chairman of the committee, Abdullah Hamed Jebe, said the state having set a high standard, the committee would not

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PhotoSplash

L-R: Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Celebrant, Member, Representing Kosofe Federal Constituency, Hon Rotimi Agunsoye (R.O.T), his wife, Yinka Agunsoye and wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu at the Thanksgiving service in honour of Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, LP 21, Victory Chapel, Magodo.

Dr Timi Olubiyi, Chairman, Investment Committee, Nigerian Shippers Council Cooperative Society (left) and Prof Ademola Tayo, President/ Vice Chancellor, Babcock University, during a dinner to celebrate Dr Timi Olubiyi and other graduands of the Babcock Business School & College of Postgraduate Studies, held at the university in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.

Rotimi Bankole (m), MD/CEO, SBI Media, receiving the Media Personality of the Year award from Tunji Olugbodi, executive vice chairman, Verdant Zeal Group (l), and Steve Babaeko (r), group MD/CEO, X3M Ideas Group, at the MARKETING EDGE Awards 2019 in Lagos.

L-R: Obong Okon, district police officer (DPO), Festac Police Division, Lagos; Judith Aikhoje, company secretary/legal adviser, Nosak Group; Osaheni Ogunbor, group executive director, operations and production, Nosak Group, and Joseph Agugoesi, chief security officer, Nosak Group, at the mid-year training for the Group’s Security Personnel on the overview of security issues and legal implications in Lagos.

L-R: Adesuwa Ladoja, relationship group director, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPEL); Oreoluwa Ala, winner of 2019 Tolaram Science Challenge and Pupil of Albesta Academy (Lekki); Morebise Ajibola, assistant director, Education District 3 (Lagos State), and Kunle Fadumiye, co-ordinator, Tolaram Science Challenge, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL), at the prize presentation to the winner of the 2019 Tolaram Science Challenge in Lagos.

BET Awards Welcome Home Party for Burna Boy

Oyedokun Ayodeji Oyewole (3rd r), president/chairman, Institute of Information Management (IIM) Africa, flanked by IIM Africa Professional and Honorary Fellows, at the 2019 Institute of Information Management (IIM) Africa Annual Lecture, Induction and Investiture on in Austin Texas, United States of America, recently.

Miyonse Amosu, chef /brand influencer, Ajinomoto; Helen Paul, brand ambassador, Ajinomoto; Francisca Ikediashi, corporate communication manager, Ajinomoto, and one of the market sellers sharing her food tasting experience with St. Charles Luwanga Women, at the Ajinomoto Neighborhood Cook-out in Onitsha.

10

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The true value of leadership in the digital age

Frank Aigbogun editor Zebulon Agomuo DEPUTY EDITOR John Osadolor, Abuja

Caroline Berns

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STRATEGY, INNOVATION & PARTNERSHIPS Oghenevwoke Ighure GENERAL MANAGER, ADVERT Adeola Ajewole ADVERT MANAGER Ijeoma Ude FINANCE MANAGER Emeka Ifeanyi MANAGER, CONFERENCES & EVENTS Obiora Onyeaso BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (South East, South South) Patrick Ijegbai CIRCULATION MANAGER John Okpaire DIGITAL SALES MANAGER Linda Ochugbua ASSIST. SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER Florence Kadiri GM, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (North)

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GM, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (South) Ignatius Chukwu

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Publisher/CEO

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS Fabian Akagha

@Businessdayng

Berns is head of talent acquisition at Ericsson Middle East and Africa.

F

ew years ago, at a large conference together with many other South African employers, we discussed graduate programs. My counterparts shared how they recruit the top talent from the Universities and what specific skills they look for. When I told them that we do not even ask to see the final grades of our graduates, they were surprised – but started to understand as I explained the thought process behind it. When our candidates come from different backgrounds including being the oldest who support their family or ones who live many hours away and struggle to commute day-to-day, we look at their determination to learn despite all and the potential we see in them to become leaders.

Looking at the graduate programs abound today, I cannot help but notice the immense po-

tential shining through in young African graduates. Yet we need to bear in mind that the digital skills needed for new joiners to thrive are changing at a rapid pace. The technologies our students are learning at University today will be outdated tomorrow. The journey continues for those who can only persist to learn and in my opinion, the greatest legacy companies of today’s day and age can leave behind is offering new mentality and approach in developing leaders who can lead the way to the future.

Nascent technologies are taking over the globe – Information Technology (IT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are already playing a central role in business and 5G technology is preparing to change everything. It makes it even more important than ever to ensure leadership potential is nurtured to build employees who can navigate the digital transformation complexities of our industries and redefine the shape of things to come.

From one industry to the next At Ericsson, we are at the forefront of this transformation and technology is at the heart of our business. In the midst of a digital revolution, People function is a powerful agent of change. The function is uniquely placed to

create new digital ecosystems that utilize people, technology and processes – playing a key role in getting existing employees to adopt a digital mindset and hiring future employees that will support this new culture. For the rising clusters of amazing youth talent rising from within the African continent, People function can play a crucial role in nurturing future leaders to take charge of tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities.

Creating a future world In a world that is increasingly complex, our team at Ericsson is on a quest to drive positive change. We enable the full value of connectivity by creating gamechanging technology and services that are easy to use, adopt and scale enabling our customers to capture the full value of connectivity. We do not simply transform technology. We transform people too. We consider and create diversity and inclusion in everything we do, building teams that reflect our approach. At the crux of this, we create space for youth talent to bring their unique perspectives to solve some of society’s most confounding challenges.

Tomorrow’s business leaders Development programs that offer opportunities to everyone, from undergraduates to those

with a few years’ commercial experience, are essential for industries to unleash potential of youth talent.

In order to create a unique space for individuals to share their ideas and perspectives, Ericsson leaders follow an omnichannel approach in communication, ensuring our brand reaches diverse communities. Our diversity and inclusion strategy incorporates mentoring circles and advisory boards to strengthen communication between a broad range of individuals.

We have built our business on empowerment. From the customers we partner with to the employees who bring it all together, we know that exciting things happen when people have the power to work to their full capabilities and unleash their natural leadership capabilities.

Africa’s youth of tomorrow will be the future innovators.

They will also be innovative leaders. Hence, it is important to empower them to incubate ideas and become globally sound technology experts and thought-leaders.

We can only unlock the unlimited possibilities of tomorrow’s digital age by going beyond what we are traditionally used to and by always searching for talents based on their potential to learn and potential to lead.

HEAD, HUMAN RESOURCES Adeola Obisesan

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Politics What’s happening in Edo State House of Assembly is an embarrassment – Ex-commissioner Gideon Obhakhan resigned as a general manager with MTN telecommunications to contest for Esan Central/ Esan West/Igueben federal constituency elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in 2015. In an interview with IDRIS UMAR MOMOH, the former commissioner for education during the Adams Oshiomhole’s administration in Edo State spoke on the crisis rocking the party in the state, among others. Excerpts: The All Progressives Congress in Edo State in the 2019 general election worked together as one for the purpose of winning the elections; at what point did division creep in? ell, we will always fight for the success of our party, the APC in every election. There is no amount of disunity that will prevent united forces during electioneering campaigns and the real election itself, but that does not take away the fact that bad elements within the party must be allowed to destroy the party. So, the reason for the current crisis in the party in the state is the fact that some of us have decided to say that the incumbent governor of the state, Godwin Obasski must not come back for the second term because in this first term he has not done anything to strengthen the party to come back to its winning spree. If you look at the result of the last general election, the party did not win Edo State. Why? Because of the governor’s arrogance, negligence and non-challant attitude towards strengthening the party for the purpose of winning elections. So, for those of us who are in Edo People Movement (EPM), our resolve and commitment is that we will ensure that we strengthen the party. That is our number one objective, and the second objective is to shop for a credible replacement for Governor, Godwin Obasski come 2020.

of the members-elect and because of that he needs to just honourably come out and tell us that he is not going to contest for second term or just honourably resign at this point in time.

W

The crisis among the party leaders has now snowballed into the Edo State House of Assembly. As we speak, some members-elect are yet to be sworn-in. What do you think will be the best way to resolve the political impasse in the party?

As it is now, there is no House of Assembly yet in the state, but what we have is just a constitutional crisis because according to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a house of assembly can only be said to be a house of assembly if it has at least, twenty four members and a maximum of forty members. But the kangaroo and nocturnal inauguration that was purportedly done on June 17, 2019 has to been reversed. For now, there is no question of a house of assembly.

We are waiting for the governor to properly send a letter of proclamation to the clerk of the assembly, inform all members-elect and let’s inaugurate the house properly. As it is, the governor is creating crisis in the state, putting the state in a very embarrassing situation because of selfish reasons. If he claimed to be popular in the state like he goes around boasting that he is more popular than the party how come that out of 24 members-elect he only has six that are loyal to him? It just showed that he is parading himself wrongly and these are the things that we want the Edo people to understand.

There is this belief that the leadership of the state House of Assembly, especially the

Gideon Obhakhan

position of the speaker, was micro-zoned to Esan North-East Local Government and that it was as a result of the zoning that produced Frank Okiye as the speaker of the house. Now, was the speakership position actually micro-zoned and were you at the meeting when the zoning was done?

The question you will ask is who were the leaders that were called and that attended the meeting? Because I was not aware of such meeting not to talk of micro-zoning. You know, what the governor has decided to be doing over the past few months is to select a few people who are his yes men, people who will always do his bidding and try to cajole them to do whatever he wants. So, the meeting you are talking about if there was any, was to call few people. In a local government where I come from, Esan West Local Government, I was not called. They might have called some few people who they believed are going to do their bidding and told them to micro-zone the position of the speakership.

But, ideally, because of the way Edo State has always managed the political leadership tripod among the three senatorial districts; we have three senatorial districts and if a governor comes from one senatorial district, the next senatorial district will produce the deputy governor, while the third senatorial district will produce the speaker of the state house of assembly. So, naturally speaking, considering that tripod arrangement Edo central senatorial district is to produce the speaker for the house. So, there is no issue about zoning to a particular local government. Like I told you, the tripod was not based on local government but on senatorial dis-

trict. So, it is just pure mischief on the part of the governor and those who are working with him in this whole kangaroo arrangement to say that the speakership position was zoned to a particular local government. The position has never been zoned to a particular local government. Go are check your records and history books. It is because they have looked at the six members-elect that are loyal to the governor, they therefore, decided to pick one from among the six members-elect and the one they picked happened to come from Esan North-East Local Government as speaker of the house because he has 19 members-elect that are against him.

So, it is a straight forward thing that he (the governor ) has been rejected by the people and he is trying to use what I will call cyber rants to create impression that people are working for him on the Internet.

The work of a governor is not done on the Internet, Facebook or any other social media platform. He should properly inaugurate the house. This is the first time, in the history of Edo State where a House of Assembly is purportedly inaugurated by 9:30 pm, and where they forced members-elect to swear to an oath or inaugurated under duress. If you see pictures that came out from the inauguration, there was one of them wearing a short. What is that lawmaker going to tell his children? He will tell them that a day that is as important to him as to be sworn-in as member into the respectable and the hallowed chamber of the state house of assembly, that he couldn’t see any other dress but to wear a short? This just shows you that he does not enjoy the support of the people. He does not enjoy the support

The thinking out there is that yes, the party has the right to produce its candidate in an election, but for the average electorate in the state they believe that the governor is doing well in terms of governance and that there is no need to change a winning team.

So, if the governor is working why is the need to replace him in the next governorship election?

There are two ways to look at the question.

First of all, since the All Progressives Congress (APC) took over the political leadership and governance of the state by occupying the Osadebay avenue, we have performed creditably well compared to the previous political party that had governed the state.

The national chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as governor of the state constructed several thousand kilometers of roads, schools and improved the lives of the Edo State citizens generally and by the time the present governor, Godwin Obasski was being brought to the fore for people to campaign and be voted for, he was an unknown personality in the state but today the people are saying he is working. The question I will like to ask those people saying he is working is, are they saying that the Edo State chapter of the party no longer has anybody that can do more than what the governor is currently doing ? The answer is no.

When Governor Godwin Obaseki was being voted into office as governor of the state, he had two major responsibilities.

One was governance and the second was to strengthen the party to continue to win elections. Because for somebody who was relatively unknown as himself, if there was no strong party structures we won’t have won that election. So, all we are asking is that he shouldn’t be selfish by coming to take over the helms of affairs and only consider working, building the roads and not strengthening the party structures because at that level you don’t just say you are working. I don’t want to say he is not working even though most of the jobs credited to him are NDDC, and World Bank-SEEFOR projects. But it is ok.

Let’s say when he was there as governor that is when those activities or projects took place or constructed. He is doing them on behalf of the party and I give kudos to the party. But that is not all. We need him to strengthen the party. We don’t want him to alienate the party’s structures. The people who run the party should not be put aside. The truth is that what we are assuring the people of the state and the entire Nigerians is that we have a wealth of experience within our party and have lots and lots of people that can do a lot more than what Governor Godwin Obasski is doing and we are assuring them that we are going to replace him with somebody that is better than him.

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Politics Nigerians knew who they voted for in 2019 election between PDP and APC - Olafeso Eddy Olafeso, vice national chairman (South-west) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in this exclusive interview with INIOBONG IWOK, spoke on the optimism of the main opposition party for victory at the presidential election tribunal. He also spoke on other issues in the polity. Excerpts:

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What has been the experience since you assumed office? e came to office May 14, 2016; at that time, there was internal wrangling in the party, we were taken to court.So, essentially our main job in the Southwest did not commence until 2017. But thank God today, that we have held a couple of elections in some states and we have done pretty well.Across the country, the PDP did well in the 2019 general election, but just before the general election we had the Ekiti governorship election; it was a stolen mandate, but somehow along the line they coveredup their tracks; despite our efforts, we lost.In the Osun gubernatorial election, we won; we did brilliantly well.

The outcome would be decided by the Supreme Court very soon.In the 2019 election, we went into the presidential election with optimism; in this zone, we had a good outing for the party. In Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Eikti and Lagos State, and the result was close, the Southwest had the largest turnout for the presidential election.We won Senatorial seat, House of Representatives, we won Governorship in Oyo State. We have proved that we are far more relevant to resolving the crisis in the country than the APC. We have done exceedingly well.

But the PDP has also lost some elections and some states like Ekiti since you assumed office?

I did not lose Osun State; we all saw what they did, PDP won that election.

The election, by the standard of the United State and European Union election observer team, was a fraud, characterisedby violence, rigging and other illegalities by the police and INEC. So, you can’t say our effort is not met with success. I told you that in May 29, we had 14 PDP governors across the country from 10; for us, it was a move forward.We should give thanks to the people who stood by their votes and made it count. In Osun State, we won the governorship election and they manipulated it; we have taken them to court.

Journalists must be the eye and nose of the people; you saw the violence that they unleashed on Osun people; would you call that an election, we have to give kudos to Nigerians who were vigilant and stood to protect their votes.

Talking about the presidential election, Atiku is at the tribunal; are you confident he would get a favourable judgment considering recent events about at the judiciary?

EU and other foreign election observers’ report, that the election was far from being credible; so, it is not new to us neither is it new to the Nigerian people.

Eddy Olafeso

The judiciary is still the last hope of the common man despite the challenges it is facing; the people believe in justice and doing their best to ensure that Nigeria is not humiliated, we are very confident that we would get a favourable judgment.

The PDP had relative success in the 2019 election, wining gubernatorial elections in states previously controlled by APC; what does this imply?

It is a testimony to our campaigns, rallies and general acceptance by Nigerians.

Look at the state of the country. There is insecurity in the land, unemployment among the youths is high, the country has all manner of problems, the people want a move away from all these and that is the reason they voted for us.

How do you react to the conduct of the 2019 election and recent international election observers’ report?

We have said it before that there is collusion between INEC and the APC to manipulate the election to truncate the

democratic process of the people, and it was created by INEC. Today, they would say they have a server, tomorrow they don’t have.But nevertheless, the Nigerian people have known the trust and they can’t fool the people anymore.

We have told the people even before the

The military kept us in this situation; this is a military-styled state and they did everything they did, used the resources of a zone to develop another zone

What is your reaction to the security situation in the country? Some are saying that government is trying, others sayotherwise?

How can you say the government is trying? It is something that started from the Northeast and has gone round the country now. Presently, in the entire six geo-political zones, no one is safe.

We hear they have over 800 cell camps in our southwest and our women are taken to be raped; our people are not safe.They destroy their means of livelihood, it is so alarming; it portends great danger for the country; this government can no longer secure the lives of our people, that is the first responsibility of any government which they have failed the people on.

The international community warned, the US has advised their citizens not to travel to 24 states in Nigeria that they are not safe. The Vice President was in the US the other day and he said the current security challenges were being exaggerated, how can you say that?

What is happening is so unfortunate, where we are as a nation is bad; unemployment is still the same level, is it power? You know Obasanjo raised the alarm recently that 30 million people are out of school.Where is Leah Sharibu?

What happened to those children, the tribe that was wiped out of Kaduna State because they are Christian and Fulani herdsmen wanted to take their land?

Nobody is saying anything about that.

And yet, the majority are suffering, it is not a place to be born this time; Nigeria is becoming an imperial state.

Eminent Nigerians have said the security situation would persist until Nigeria is restructured. To what extent do you agree with this?

It is not only vital, it is the only reason for survival, see the Nigeria state is a fraud, it was foisted on us and it is the reason the First Republic succeeded; because we were operating a regional government the regions were on their own.Since the military came and forge a unitary system on us we have not been the same; if the foundation is faulty what are you hoping to build on it that would survive?

For the PDP, it is total restructuring that can save the country, you know the Federal Government controls everything; look at how the Federal Government is taking share of the revenue of

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Politics the country; see how much is given to the states and the local governments; we need to go back to where we were before.

Those advocating for restructuring are not saying something new; and you as a journalist you the trust. The military kept us in this situation; this is a militarystyled state and they did everything they did, used the resources of a zone to develop another zone.Most of the states are not sustainable, neither can they survive; they are exploiting other people to maintain those places. Is just a matter of time Nigeria cannot survive like this.

But the APC has said the PDP should have implemented restructuring when it was in power?

Yes, why did they not implement the constitutional conference of 2014 report? At a point, we were ready, we lost that election in 2015, but does it mean because the PDP did not implement it, APC can’t do it?That argument is backward, it has no place in developmental democracy; just because one party did not do it does not mean you can’t do it. I don’t even want to hear that argument, because it is retrogressive, they came and say there is nothing called subsidy but now they are paying trillion for subsidy.How much of our resources is been used for debt serving? This is an insolvent nation, it is obvious that this nation is sitting on a time bomb and would explode very soon.

Do you mean that restructuring would be the focus of any PDP government at the centre?

That was the focus of Waziri Adamawa, Atiku, when he ran for the president; that is why many of us supported himand the Southwest voted for him.

We remain resolute that unless there is review and restructuring of the country, this country would totally collapse.

What is your reaction to the crisis in Lagos PDP? We are on it; I don’t want to talk much about it, but we are serious about reorganising the PDP in Lagos State; the party would sit down to access the election and very soon everybody would see what we are doing. We would bring all the stakeholders to a roundtable, everybody under the same umbrella.

SegunAdewale is still insisting he is the chairman of the party in the state; have you reached out to him?

No, I don’t know who SegunAdewale is; he is not known to me, and he is not a member of the party.

Are you bothered that so far, the President and state governors have refused to appoint ministers and commissioners, respectively?

Why would it worry me?We predicted initially that the President would behave like this; he has no capacity, he did it the first time, even when this ministers are appointed it would still be the same old story. It is a government of lowest expectation, why do you think Buhari would change? Does he know the expectation of the people? So, why

do you expect him to be different from yesterday? He did not promise anything during his campaign, so why are you expecting anything?Nobody voted for them, they lost that election; it is an illegal government; it is a government that has no legitimacy, that is why we are in the tribunal.

There are talks of electoral reforms and part of it is delisting of smaller parties

by INEC; how do you react?

We queried that abnormality by INEC; why should 91 parties be contesting election? Even when we know that so many of them would not win any elective office, INEC must take a look at it and make amend. We must be serious as a nation; no country develops without some level of seriousness, where in the world, universe do you have 91 parties contesting elections?

INEC said the move was to open up the democratic space?

What do you mean by opening up the democratic space? Does it prevent the rigging, security personnel’s interference in elections? Why do you think because you have 91 parties it would open up the political space; it would not.

We have about three political parties in the country now; it is either PDP or APC and few smaller parties that won one or two positions or the other. What is INEC waiting for to weed these parties out? they are just generally unserious?

What other electoral reforms are you advocating for?

There is nothing wrong with our electoral law; it is the usual Nigeria factor that is the problem. If you reform 20 times and our people are still the same way they are, you would still have the issues.

If you write the law 20 times and the operators are the same, the problem would still be the same. There is death and misery every day and nobody is saying anything about it. For the families of the people in this very failed state of Nigeria, they have different notions about this country; to me, it is not about reforms, it is about change of attitude.

The President does not know what is happening, he is constantly absent.

What is your view about Buhari’s antigraft war?

The anti-graft war has failed because it is targeted at the opposition; how many of their governors have they arrested and prosecuted? They are only after PDP leaders who refused to join them.

What is happing now is when you join the APC, they forgive you, it is the end time.Corruption would become a problem, the last four years the country has stagnated; look at the economy, health, water supply, everything is in bad shape.

Do you know the amount of debt we have today? We have mortgaged the future of our children; it is just a pity, they came; they made promises to the people and let me tell you; the people know that they did not vote for them, they don’t have the mandate of the people.We have gone to the tribunal, the people are sure that this mandate would be gotten back; justice would be done, that is why we have the judiciary.

Bayelsa guber: Silva returns to familiar turf ... Joined by Lokpobiri

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Samuel Ese, Yenagoa

or a long while, there were speculations over whether former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Silva would contest the 2019 governorship election slated for November this year, but the speculations have been buried as he has set up solid structures to prosecute that ambition.

Silva was denied the chance to spend another term in office in 2012 by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the zonal screening in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in October 2011 after it was clear he would clinch the party’s candidature in Yenagoa.

He subsequently left for the All Progressives Congress (APC) where he emerged the flag bearer in 2015 to contest the governorship, but lost technically as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cancelled the votes of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

Before the cancellation by INEC, it was clear that he was sure of victory had the nearly 180,000 votes from Southern Ijaw Local Government Area been added to those he won in Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas.

This time, however, there are indications that should Silva emerge the APC flag bearer, he could make a better showing against whoever the PDP would put forward as their candidate going by growing public support for some of his policies and programmes.

A growing number of Bayelsans seems disenchanted with the incumbent PDP administration of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson over the handling of certain issues, especially the welfare of civil servants and pensioners in the state as well as security.

Many people say that the present state of insecurity in the state is worse than was the case under Silva, pointing out that in spite of the propaganda against his administration, they allege there was no open courting of cultists and other criminals due to the operations of the defunct Operation Famou Tamgbe.

Some of the infrastructure in education like the 25 constituency school projects were actually started by the Silva administration including the Ijaw National Academy which was meant to be a permanent state orientation camp for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Still, in the area of education, he conceived the expansion of three secondary schools to be pilot projects for boarding schools and actually completed the Bishop Dimeairi Grammar School, Yenagoa as well as a College of Education which Dickson removed from Okpoama to Sagbama and renamed it Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education.

He completed the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Bridge across Ekoli Creek and commenced the Yenagoa-Oporoma Road before Julius Berger pulled out for security reasons; he also started the expansion of Azikoro Road, completed the Peace Park, among several important projects.

The Transparency Plaza, Revenue Building and Amassoma Road are other key projects of the Silva administration as well as a New Commissioners’ Quarters and House of Assembly Quarters, Ox-Bow Lake Road, Swali-Ox-Bow Lake Road, among others.

Some Bayelsans are of the opinion that during the Silva era, the power situation was better as residents enjoyed more hours of electricity daily compared to now and that the former governor achieved all even while at a point, the federal allocation to the state was less than N2.0 billion.

Timipre Silva

The only grouse that former President Goodluck Jonathan allegedly had against him for which he was denied the ticket was his inability to complete the Tower Hotel, which was unjustified as Dickson did not complete it, yet he was given the PDP ticket for a second tenure.

Even now, Dickson would be unable to complete the Tower Hotel in the remaining seven months of his eight years and, as many stakeholders believe, would leave several projects as abandoned, stalled or uncompleted.

Silva is expected to make a strong statement on his aspiration soon although it will not be smooth sailing for him in the race for the APC ticket as other contestants are in the race, notably former Minister of State for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri.

At the last APC gubernatorial primary inside the Samson Siasia Sports Stadium, Yenagoa, Silva outwitted one-time Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) strongman, Timi Alaibe to the consternation of incumbent APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

Alaibe has left the APC to return to PDP where he has picked the governorship expression of interest and nomination forms for N21 million; so, Silva is likely to battle Lokpobiri and others like Preye Aganaba, barring any last minute developments.

Lokpobiri is not new on the political turf in Bayelsa State, having served as Speaker of the House of Assembly before he was impeached for alleged bombing of the legislative chamber.

He weathered the storm and later went to the Senate where he served two terms, but his third tenure bid was truncated by Dickson who favoured Foster Ogola from Sagbama Local Government Area in respect of an unwritten rotational arrangement.

Angered at the alleged ill treatment by Dickson and the PDP, he left for the APC and was appointed Minister of State for Agriculture and Natural Resources by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Regarded as a strongman in the politics of Bayelsa State and particularly in Ekeremor Local Government Area where he hails from, he has what it takes to challenge the leader of the party in the state, Silva, for the APC governorship ticket.

The primary election could be a test between the two men, any of whom has what it takes to challenge the PDP in the governorship election going by the fact that APC had emerged stronger from the 2019 general election, clinching one Senate seat, two House of Representatives seats and three seats in the House of Assembly.

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Feature

How Casio, School kits deploy new technologies to boost education IFEOMA OKEKE

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athematics and science subjects are known to be the most complex subjects in secondary schools.

The WAEC 2018 Senior School Certificate Examination SSCE Results show “786,016 candidates representing 49.98 percent obtained credits and above in minimum of five subjects including English Language and Mathematics. However, without mathematics, students performed above average.

As students continue to struggle with the understanding of mathematics and are often left with the impression that the subject is one that should be left to those with special talents for calculations, it behooves on teachers, who are the custodian of these knowledge to translate it to the students in a manner that could ease understanding and make them love the subjects.

In a bid to achieve this, Casio, manufactures of innovative digital cameras, projectors and calculators, amongst others and School Kits, sole distributors of Casio products have partnered to train over 1,300 maths and science teachers with new technologies that could help impact the students in the long run.

Speaking during the 1st edition of the CASIO Maths Teachers Training in Nigeria known as GAKUHAN, a training designed for capacity development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) teachers implementing across the globe, Elie Karen, Business Development Manager, Middle East, Casio, said a three-year plan of the company is to train over 1,300 teachers with focus in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

Karen said Casio will also be moving outside these three states to other states and the training will cut across both private and public schools, after which the next stage will focus on the public schools.

On the success stories of the training, he said, “This training has been taken place in six countries and is a global training to help educational entities in each country. Japan is a leading country in terms of maths education. This training has been developed

L-R: Tayo Osiyemi, chief operating officer, School Kits; Elie Karen, business development manager, Middle East, Casio; Temilola Adepetun, CEO, School Kits and Jimoh Ishola Taylor, chairman, Mathematics Association of Nigeria at the Casio Maths and Science Teachers Training workshop in Lagos, recently.

by Japanese math teachers along with local Nigerian maths teachers that are really involved in the Nigerian and well as international curriculum. We have had many success stories.

“Recently, our success story was in Kenya, which is also a part of the Africa continent.

In Kenya, we have trained approximately 6,000 maths teachers nationwide. So, the training has been operated in the last four years in collaboration with Celestial, which is the central of development for Maths and Science in East Africa. We have a very good success story from developing and training these teachers for the last five years and this is what we are looking to apply in Nigeria.

He assured that the new technology deployed will help support the classroom and this is why Casio developed Casio tab, which is online software that could be used to solve mathematical and practical equations online.

“We have an online platform that gathers all global maths teachers, where we have developed this programme. On the platform,

teachers will register be a member. We share some educational materials and share the experience and solutions that have been faced in other countries.

“We have introduced a new model of calculators focused for the Nigerian market, which is a non-programmable model that goes with the Nigerian and international curriculum standard. We are looking to introduce these products in the coming months and it will be distributed to school kids as well,” Karen added.

He further explained that Casio don’t just want the students to be using its calculators alone but will also want them to think, therefore, they will like the teachers to cascade down these trainings to the students, which will indirectly help the students solve maths and science subjects in their exams.

On how it intends to fight counterfeiting of the Casio calculators, he said Casio has introduced a new design and model name. He added that the first model was introduced last month and it intends to introduce the next model, which holds the patent

design, patent name and a serial number with the barcode to differentiate between the fake and the genuine calculators.

Also speaking at the event, Jimoh Ishola Taylor, Chairman, Mathematics Association of Nigeria, (MAN) commended Casio on its new technologies, adding that with the new technologies inbuilt in the system, with time, training and circulation of the new calculators, it will be very impactful.

“It is one of the duties of MAN to continue to update the curriculum to meet local and international standards.

Once we have new technology, we can begin to work with the government to introduce the new technologies. It is until we know the different types of technology introduced, before we can now talk to government,” Ishola added.

On its relationship with Casio, Temilola Adepetun, managing director, School Kits Limited, said School Kits was nominated as the CASIO Authorized Distributor in Nigeria and is partnering with CASIO to bring this educational capacity develop-

ment program to Nigeria. This maiden edition is the beginning of CASIO’s plan to train over 1300 teachers within the next 3 years.

“School Kits Limited will remain a champion for initiatives geared towards empowering Nigerian students and teachers, thus plans are underway to sign an agreement with local partners such as established educational institutions and teacher associations in Nigeria to firm up our commitment to achieve our objectives for capacity development.

“CASIO seeks to support Nigerian Teachers and Students to enhance mathematics education through the provision of training, online resources and other CSR activities. This initiative is very commendable and will add to the transformation of the Educational Sector in Nigeria.

“It is indeed our hope that this training would add significant value to the development of Maths and Science education through capacity development and knowledge share for the Teachers and by extension, students across Nigeria,” Adepetun added.

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Feature Rotary in exciting mood as Nigeria puts Africa’s first top notcher on international executive suite Ignatius Chukwu

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otary Club in Nigeria seems to be in happy mood, having just planted Africa’s first and highest position holder in Rotary International, Yinka Babalola from District 9141, from the Port Harcourt zone. He is the first African to ever hold the post of Rotary International Vice President.

He served as District Governor of the old Rotary District 9140 in 2011/12 and was recognised as one of the top 10 in the world of Rotary out of over 550 during the year in which he served.

In a statement in Port Harcourt, Rotary said it is Rotarians in Rotary International District 9141 Nigeria will also install their 3rd District Governor.

The statement signed by Virginia Major, District Governor nominee, said: “On Saturday July 6, 2019, Rotary International District 9141, Nigeria will install its 3rd District Governor, Rotarian Nze Anizor of the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi. He will serve as District Governor in the Rotary year, 2019/2020 along with Rotary International President Mark Maloney of the Rotary Club of Decatur, Alabama, USA, and Rotary International Vice President Yinka Babalola, also of the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“Babalola from District 9141, is the first African to ever hold the post of Rotary International Vice President. He served as District Governor of the old Rotary District 9140 in 2011/12 and was recognized as one of the top ten in the world of Rotary out of over 550 during the year in which he served.

“Globally, the Rotary year begins on July 1st every year and District Governor Nze Anizor will be leading over 2,200 Rotarians in 63 clubs spread across Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Edo States. He is the 3rd District Governor of Rotary International District 9141, Nigeria. Rotary International District 9141 Nigeria came into existence on July 1 2017 when the old district 9140 Nigeria was split into two, Districts 9141 and 9142, Nigeria.

“Every year Rotary clubs and Rotarians work to end polio, improve maternal and child care, basic education and literacy, water and sanitation, economic empowerment and community development, peace and conflict resolution and disease prevention and treatment.

“In addition to other projects that clubs will be carrying out in the 2019/20 Rotary year, DG Nze Anizor will be drawing attention to the plight of children who do not have desks to sit on while they learn and persons who are physically impaired and have limited mobility, through the Dust to Desk and Mobility Device projects.

“Dust to Desk is a project aimed at making the learning environment more comfortable by providing desks and chairs for children in schools without desks and chairs in the four states of the District, while the Mobility Device Project will help the infirm, elderly and people who are physically impaired to move around better. Already, a 40 feet container loaded with the devices is available for distribution.

“Every year, Rotary International announces a theme that will

Searchlight on Nze Anizor

N

Yinka Babalola inspire Rotarians to think, act and serve with a particular focus and in a particular direction. For the year 2019/20, Rotary International President Mark Maloney has picked the theme “Rotary Connects the World”. In keeping with this, DG Nze Anizor has also called on Rotarians in District 9141 to “Innovate as Rotary Connects the World”.

Yinka Babalola He is a registered engineer, member, Nigerian Society of Engineers, fellow of Nigerian Institute of safety Professionals (NISP) and member International Association of Change management Practitioners (ACMP). He is a Safety Management system Auditor. He worked for Shell oil in various senior positions retiring after 24 years to pursue his other interests.

He is the lead coach and facilitator at Lead and Change Consulting, an Executive/ leadership coaching, organisation performance and behavior transformation advisory group.

He chairs the board of Riviera Technical services Ltd, an Oil and Gas infrastructure delivery outfit.

Yinka started his Rotary journey as a Rotractor in 1983. A Rotarian since 1993, Yinka is a member of the Rotary club of Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt District 9141, Nigeria.

As club President in 2002-03, he won the Rotary International Global quest Award for highest percentage net membership gain worldwide and was recognized onstage at the Brisbane convention.

The club with the sustained growth now has a membership of 85 and is the biggest in the district.

Yinka has served Rotary as Governor, raising over a million US dollars from an area normally considered as disadvantaged and growing membership by a net gain of over 650. The district 9140 under his leadership emerged one of the Top three performing district in the world and was so recognised at the Bangkok convention.

The membership growth he inspired has not only endured, it laid the foundation for the split of the district into two effective 1st July 2017.

He has served Rotary as Assistant Rotary coordinator, End Polio Zone Coordinator for English speaking Africa, the Rotary International Reach out To Africa (ROTA)

water and sanitation coordinator, member of the Sao Paulo 2015 International Convention promotion committee, Nigeria National Polioplus committee, Regional Rotary Foundation coordinator (English speaking Africa, Zone 20A) and Endowment/Major Gift Adviser.

He has served as RI President’s personal representative at District conferences, GETS training leader and International Assembly training leader.

He is on the Board of Rotary International as Director for the years 2018-2020 and will serve as Vice President of Rotary International for 2019-20.

He currently serves as a Vice Chair of the Rotary International End Polio now Countdown committee, member of the RI Membership Development committee, Joint RI/ TRF Committee on Partnerships.

Yinka is a Director of the Safeblood Africa project – A multi district Rotary initiative with a mission to improve the safety and expand the availability of blood in hospitals throughout Nigeria at the first instance and the rest of Africa.

He is a faculty member and the foundation Registrar of the Nigerian Division of the Rotary Leadership Institute.

He is a recipient of the Rotary Service Above self-award – the highest recognition that can be given to a Rotarian by Rotary International.

Other Rotary International recognitions include the four avenues of service citation, Club Builder award, Regional polio service award and The Rotary foundation Citation for Meritorious service. He is also a recipient of several club and district level recognitions.

Yinka, is an Arch klumph society member, and a Rotary foundation benefactor. He has attended several local Rotary seminars and conferences, Zone and international institutes, and over 20 international conventions.

Yinka’s spouse Precy is an Attorney, a Rotarian and member of the Rotary club of Port Harcourt East, District 9141, Nigeria.

She is a past Rotractor, a Paul Harris Fellow and the union is blessed with children.

ze Anizor is a 1995 graduate of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Nigeria at Nsukka. He attended Okongwu Memorial Grammar School, Nnewi; and Christ the King College, Onitsha.

He has a long history of service, and served as the President of the Students’ Union of the University of Nigeria at Nsukka. Nze is a former member of the Rotaract Club of University of Nigeria at Nsukka.

A Rotarian since 2000, he served as the President of the Rotary Club of Trans – Amadi, Port Harcourt in 2010/2011.

During his tenure, the club designed and initiated the Rotary Club of Trans – Amadi Spelling Bee, which has become her signature project and an annual event. In 2003/04, deeply passionate about Rotary’s public image, Nze participated in a global private initiative to refocus the public image policy of Rotary International. He was the only African who participated in the hugely successful project which gave rise to the current public image campaign of Rotary International and

He has served Rotary in different capacities. He is currently a member of the Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers, and a Faculty member of the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI), Nigeria Division.

H e h a s re c e i v e d m a n y other awards for his service to humanity including: RI District 9140 Best Club President – 2010/2011; his club won RI District 9140 Best Club – 2010/2011 (the year he served as president); RI District 9140 Best Assistant Governor – 2013/2014He also holds the ‘Rotary International Avenues of Service Citation’; ‘Rotary International Club Builder award; ‘The Rotary Foundation District Service Award’; and ‘The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service’.

He is the Veterinary Director/CEO of Pentagon Veterinary Services Limited, a veterinary clinic and animal behaviour consulting centre based in Port Harcourt.

A photographer and photoartist, Nze is a firm believer in the rule of law, and leadership by example. He is an ardent campaigner for

Anizor

her member clubs.

Nze has served as the Chairman of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) for Rivers/Bayelsa states. In 2011, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Nigeria at Nsukka honoured him with an award as a ‘Pathfinder of the Veterinary Profession in Nigeria’.

responsible governance and the protection of the rights of children to affordable and qualitative education. He is a Knight of St. John International of the Roman Catholic faith.

Nze is happily married to Clara and the marriage is blessed with children – Chukwuemeka, Zinachidi Adanze, and Akuoma.

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Sunday 07 July 2019

Feature

How Abia First Lady wages war against sickle cell disease UDOKA AGWU

N

kechi Ikpeazu, wife of Abia State governor, in her resolve to end Sickle cell disease in the state using her Pet Project, Vicar Hoppe Foundation, recently organised a workshop during the 2019 World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, involving major players in the health industry and other stakeholders.

The workshop focused on legislation, ‘Abia State Identification of Blood Group and Genotype Law 2018’ passed by the State House of Assembly and signed into law by the governor, which Nkechi pushed to the House of Assembly.

Vicar Hope Foundation, a nongovernmental organisation and a pet project Nkechi Ikpeazu, has said that it is poised to eliminate Sickle Cell disease from the state.

The workshop brought together major players in the health industry, education, judiciary, community and religious leaders, lawmakers, the media, marriage counsellors, and social workers to focus on a legislation recently passed by the State House of Assembly and signed into law, which the NGO believes is “a pivot to ending sickle cell problem in Abia”.

The law prescribes compulsory blood group and genotype testing for every Abian, and penalises anyone who fails to conduct such tests.

It has been discovered that over 150,000 babies born every year have the sickle cell disease in Nigeria.

Out of the above number of births, 100,000 of these children are said to have died before their 5th birthday.

Over the past three years, two Sickle Cell Care centres built and managed by Vicar Hope Founda-

tion in Umuahia, the state capital and Aba, the Commercial nerve centre of South-East of Nigeria, have been offering subsidised treatment and counselling to hundreds of sickle cell survivors.

The centres are often a beehive of activities as new patients and old ones are given a new lease on life courtesy of the NGO. The centres also parade stateof-the-art diagnostics and critical care equipment all aimed at ensuring the patients live a pain-free life.

According to Medical experts, Sickle Cell disease is a genetic disease passed on from parents to their children. It is associated with extraordinary pain as sickleshaped blood cells block arteries and veins, making it difficult for oxygen and nutrients to circulate in the body. This often leads to organ failures, stroke and death if not properly managed. Sufferers are prone to constant attacks called “crisis” even when the best medical care is given them. Complete cure is almost not available. Management of the disease is often very costly, sometimes, gulping several hundreds of thousands of naira when such crisis occurs. Sickle Cell Disease eats entire budgets of families who have survivors.

To this end, Mrs. Ikpeazu has taken it as a challenge to ensure that cases of Sickle cell disease are reduced if not fully eliminated in the state, hence her resolve to use her pet project, Vicar Hope Foundation to fight the scourge.

The subsidised treatment provided by the Foundation is a huge respite to families living with sickle cell disease. Children who have sickle cell disease often suffer stunted growth. Being ill most of the time affects their ability to get good education, engage in sports or live normal life like other children.

Ikpeazu, President of Vicar Hope Foundation, says though the centres are providing relief to sufferers, she would prefer cutting of the head of the monster by attacking the root of the disease: genotype incompatibility.

While her NGO conducts outreaches to markets, schools, churches and rural communities to do free genotype testing and warn people of the dangers, Ikpeazu believes that more needed to be done in this direction.

Addressing stakeholders at the Workshop in Umuahia she said: “I realised that it is not enough to build clinics and to give counselling and care, I discovered that if I really want to make an impression, I must seek actions that are more impactful, that is how I came to partner with the Abia State House of Assembly and they speedily gave passage to the bill.”

She noted that her strong passion for sickle cell sufferers, the emotional trauma and economic hardship caused by sickle cell anemia to parents led her to make the disease the centre point of what Vicar Hope as a foundation does.

“Sickle cell disorder causes the onset of many other diseases.

Sickle cell wreaks economic and emotional havoc on individuals and families. It is a terrible sickness and like many other diseases, it is spread by poor information.

“We put together this workshop because we intend to engage all the stakeholders and use the tools provided by Law No.5 of 2018 in order to save the future child from the burden of the disease through enforcement and sensitization,” she added Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, who was the special guest of honour at the workshop, re-

vealed that the lawmakers had passed a bill into law mandating Abians to test and publish their genotype and blood group on their identity cards and ahead of marriage ceremonies.

“We as lawmakers are playing our part to guarantee a future free from sickle cell for our people.

When the House passed this law, it was motivated by the pain and anguish of sufferers of sickle cell disease and their families. We made this law to protect them so that our people do not have to deliver children who would come into the world to suffer pain and anguish. Many Abia children die every year, because of the disease. The economic conditions of families with sickle cell children are often ruined. Furthermore, the disease puts a burden on our healthcare systems,” the Speaker said.

He also gave an assurance that his colleagues would not stop at making laws only, but would assist by sensitising their constituents on the menace of the ailment as well as employ other measures to combat it and reduce its spread to the barest minimum.

He said the primary responsibility of the legislative arm of the government is to make laws that would ensure smooth running of governance in the State pointing out that the Abia State Blood Identification Group and Genotype Law 2018, was established to help save children and families suffering the pain and anguish associated with the blood disease.

Orji promised that the 7th Assembly would always provide the necessary legislative backing through adequate budgetary allocations to the health sector and follow constitutional provision that would accelerate same.

John Chikezie, a Consultant

Physician, Abia State University Teaching Hospital and Chairman of the occasion earlier in his speech revealed that sickle cell disease though non-communicable, is a genetic disease that affects whole families wherever it is found.

Godwin Azu, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Abia State, in a goodwill message joined the rest of the world to mark the World Sickle Cell day, noting that the “disease is preventable if the right thing is done.”

One of the resource persons, a medical doctor, Andrew Ekhoragbon said the disease grew unchecked for many decades because of superstitions. He said modern medicine had brought about information that has been helping to combat the disease.

Ibe U. Ibe, another resource person, said the testing methods commonly available throughout the country were not modern enough to diagnose the disease at every early stage and called for a review and benchmarking of testing methods to meet the challenges posed by blood and genotype diseases. He promoted the use of HPLC machine as against electrophoresis as being the best standard for genotype testing.

Reviewing the Abia State law on blood group and genotype testing, a lawyer, chidinma Alozie said the new law if adequately implemented could reduce and eliminate the disease. She revealed that the law prescribes fines of up to two hundred thousand naira and closure for individuals who fail to obey and for institutions such as churches, laboratories, health centres, who conduct deliveries or weddings without first ascertaining blood group and genotype statuses using approved testing methods.

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Interview

We have touched over hundred thousand humans in 16yrs - NGO The founder and National coordinator of Jireh Doo Foundation as well as member of the West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA-Nigeria) among others, Josephine Habba spoke with BENJAMIN AGESAN on the successes and challenges of a non-governmental organisation founded in Makurdi, Benue State with presence at the federal capital and operational in four northern states. Excerpts:

M

ay we please meet you formally?

I am Josephine Habba, the national coordinator and founder of Jireh Doo Foundation Nigeria. I am also a founder of NIGONENT which is a humanitarian Network. I am presently the president of WAANSA-NIGERIA. Can you give us synopsis of the foundation and achievements made so far?

Jireh Doo Foundation was founded in 2003 and has been in existence for over sixteen (16) years; the organisation is a member of several national and International Networks.

JDF representation at the West African Action Network on Small Arms as Treasurer for 10 years meet with the opportunity for the leadership role, JDF represented

by Josephine Habba is playing today as the president of (WAANSA-Nigeria). NINGONET which is a humanitarian Network which was born out of the growing concerns of the huge un-attendant and under reported humanitarian challenges in Nigeria at the moment with attention on the North East from Government and international community the Network is engaging at National level with the right stockholders to bring to the table the discussion about the other states humanitarian challenges and advocate for localization of humanitarian intervention, monitor compliers of local NGOs, also strengthen capacities of local NGOs for effective, efficient and productive engagement with implementing partners.

Jireh Doo foundation works principally to, support women and men especially single mothers and fathers, with emphasis on protection and support for women and children; we uphold good governance and gender sensitivity. Jireh Doo foundation was founded on the 17th March, 2003 to be precise. The greatest challenge facing the country at that time was HIV/ AIDs. It was based on its Motto which is ‘the voice for the voiceless’. When it was difficult for the HIV/AIDs survivors to get treatment because it was very scarce and costly, the foundation intervened by engaging

hospitals to get treatment for survivors mostly women and children. While we were doing health, education and nutrition with the orphans and vulnerable children, we established support groups for women and children living with HIV in Benue and Nasarawa States where single mothers and fathers would come together, share their experiences and chart the way forward.

As we moved on, the challenge of the children became prominent because the issue of HIV/AIDs became top on the agenda and more children became orphans as parents died every day. Six years ago, we celebrated our ten years of existence and at that point, we had met and touched the lives of over one hundred thousand (100,000) persons. We have renovated schools, educated children and supported some who finished primary school education, some secondary school and some even to the university, when we were just ten years old. Many people got treatment under our care. One day, an orphan within JDF response was sweeping one of her elder brother’s room and found a sack of arms and ammunition in the room, out of fear she ran to my office which was close to their house and called me to come and see what she saw in her brother’s room, when I got there, I saw for myself and it was true. On interrogation it was discovered that her brother did not know the stuff was in his room.

He accommodated two friends who took advantage of just absence of an adult in the house as both parents had passed on living them in the house all by themselves, they will normally use the arms for robbery and return home as if they went to work and support some house needs as people who had paid jobs.

It was at this point that Jireh Doo Foundation started wondering on what to do, until we found West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSANigeria). So, we joined WAANSA as a member with the focus to educate children on the dangers of arms. I have worked with the Network for thirteen years of my life representing JDF; I served as the Network treasurer till October 2018, when I emerged

Josephine Habba

as the elected president of the Network.

What have been the challenges?

There are very many challenges; at first many people didn’t see the need of me doing the things I did, many read different meanings in them, but till today I do them because of the passion I have in seeing people turn from crying to smiling.

Also, training people and having them work with us has been a challenge because, we don’t have the kind of finances that will enable us to support and pay them as other national and international organisations that are better placed. In other countries, organisations like mine get funds from government to support them in the work they are doing. I give shelter, feeding and even education to some.

Seeing me on the corridors of government for a very long time one will think that I am getting some support for my work, but you can bet me that the gover-

nor that you see me around him did not know what I do, until last year when I was so broken and solicited for funds to implement the orphans and vulnerable children camp, JDF has run this camp for fifteen years. For the very first time of my existence in sixteen years, Governor Samuel Ortom donated a sum of one million naira (#1,000,000) to the camp; it was a huge relief to me.

If we had structures that support this kind of organisation, I wouldn’t have been begging or borrowing to feed and pay children school fees.

Challenging is the issues of rape; first I tell people that I am not just working on issues of rape and child molestation or abuse because I do see children being abused, but I have been passionate about it because I am a survivor of rape. I have been raped three times in my life with no one to help me or talk to, I was molested and abused and the people went scot-free.

So when God put my life to-

gether again, I decided that no perpetrator of child molestation of child or anyone that I get to know will just walk away like those that abused me did; if I will not do anything to give the survivors justice I will name and shame them.

So, doing this is not a job but a mission that I have embarked on to ensure that a child is not molested or perpetrators go free, is a mission to ensure that if you are being molested there is a shoulder that you can cry on; I can share with you and do the best I can do to support you pick up your life again.

What is your message to the government?

I will expect government will promote protection, intervention and ensure the implementation of the Child’s right law.

For example, we have passed a child right law in Benue but we don’t have a family court. So, is like giving someone a yam without a knife; if a child is raped, the prosecution is slow and the law that has been domesticated is not implemented. Benue has been championed in taking the lead with so much. I will expect the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, to seriously frown at the act of child rape in Benue and decide to put up their own laws in addition to the child rights to bring out the measures that will be so stringent for every perpetrator to know that if you rape anyone you don’t go scot-free. I will expect to see the law prescribe life sentences or implement death penalties. I will also expect that legislations should be in place, good enough so that if you rape a child or abuse anyone, you will not just be taken to police for you to pay the police to give you bail and let you go to continue your life, but I will expect measures as enforcement agencies, when they are caught in the act, their colleagues do allow them to go, just as I watched a video from Lagos where the police were caught molesting children in IDP camp; but if the governor decided that ‘let there be a law guiding children being molested’, he may decide to call on the stakeholders and work with them to put together the law, and implement just as we did for the Anti-open grazing and prohibition law, so that other states will copy from us.

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Interview We are committed to the empowerment of Nigerians – Simba boss The company has been in the area of giving back to society. Simba Group has been in the country for over three decades and started business with bicycles and bicycle parts way back in 1988.They are present in several key sectors that are critical to the development of the Nigerian economy, including transport, power, IT, agriculture etc. Recently, they partnered with TVS Motors India, which is the largest manufacturers of Keke Marwas in Nigeria and two-wheelers, also known colloquially as Okadas. In an interview with the Group Head, Simba TVS, Manish Rohtagi reeled out more of the company’s vision. Excerpts:

H

ow does the TVS brand add value to the Nigerian economy?

Transport is essential to the functioning of any economy and is one of the main drivers of it. Our products address the last mile transport needs of Nigerians. It has been shown each tricycle or motorcycle sold creates employment for around four people as these machines not only require riders but also mechanics, dealers and spares distributors etc. That’s even without considering our own employees. Hence this industry is one of the biggest employment generators in the country. Along with that, we have been running several programs that empower the youth of the country. We have worked with several government agencies including NADDAC, NDE etc and trained countless people into becoming Keke riders or mechanics for free.

We also try to partner with the State and Federal Governments so that we empower more and more youths.

Could you tell us a bit about Simba Group’s other companies?

As I mentioned earlier, along with transportation, Simba Group is into power backup.

Manish Rohtagi

Our Luminous Inverters are the most popular inverter brand in the country, we are also heavily investing in the development of solar energy. Other companies in the group include Simba Agric where we focus on mechanization which includes tractors and irrigation systems, both

responsible for increasing agricultural productivity. Simba Cycles sells bicycles, SimbaNET provides business connectivity solutions to corporates and Simba Infrastructure offers Business Communication Solutions in partnership with Avaya. But basically, the focus area for me

is transportation.

What are the challenges so far?

We get lots of support from government institutions but there is still a huge opportunity for public and private sector financial institutions to increase the access to cheap and collateral-free borrowing, in order to provide a major boost to the industry, and the economy at large.

How many financial institutions have helped you so far?

There has been much progress and impetus from the Central Bank of Nigeria as well. But there’s still a long way to go before we really begin to see efficient financial models coming to play. There are few microfinance banks who have partnered with us and things are getting better.

If more banks can come and offer people loans to buy Keke Marwa and Okadas at subsidized rates or even collateral fees, then things will move much faster.

What are your projections in the nearest future?

We see limitless growth potential in the country and the growth quantum can be much bigger than any other country.

Nigeria can be among the top ten economies in the world. I truly believe that, and our investments in the economy certainly reflect that.

Does Simba have any CSR project?

CSR has always been integral to the Simba Group. As part of our group philosophy of empowerment, even our CSR programs follow the same ideology. At the heart of our offering is our emphasis on training, something that we provide free of charge to mechanics and engineers who aspire to be mini entrepreneurs or gainfully employed in the industries we represent. We have intervened in times of national disasters, such as our actions and contributions during the recent Kano Floods, and have been praised for our contributions to the victims of that terrible atrocity. We believe in Women’s Empowerment very strongly, and our efforts to support the development of women, have taken two forms. Firstly, we have partnered with the NCWD to distribute cycles to girl student to encourage them to attend school. And secondly, we run the Queen Riders program, a program in which we train and certify women from underprivileged backgrounds to become Keke riders and help them on the path to self-employment by harnessing the ecosystem of financiers that we have created.

Society Watch

How noise pollution is driving Lagos sleepless

W JONATHAN ADEROJU

aking up and heading to work every morning gives Ikechukwu Eze, a resident of a Lagos suburb, joy. But sleeping in his flat is a nightmare because of the combined noise from electric generating sets that hardly go off until early hours of the morning.

Even when the owners of the noisygeneratorsmanagetoputthem off or fuel finishes and silence the machines,theloudcriesforprayersfrom places of worship take over.

Yet, music vendors sustain the noise at the bus stops with their loud speakers that almost make you deaf if you stay too long at the spot. With all these disruptions, Eze’s productivity is declining as he hardly thinks well.

For Joseph Irabor, another resident, the number of generating sets at his veranda scares because of the level of pollution they cause whenever there is power outage.

He wishes that the electric distribution companies in Lagos could improve in their power supplies due to curb the incessant noise and air pollution that are contributing to severalterminalailmentsnowadays.

“There is no building now in Lagos that does not use a generating set. In some buildings such as such in face-me-I- face-you, there are over 10 generating sets, which are lined up at the veranda.

“In the building where I live, there are four generating sets for each of the four flats. An overwhelming noise comes from and an industrial generating set from another building very close to my window. It is my prayer every night that EEDC should supply light to those tenants so that I can have at least, three hours of undisturbed sleep,” he says.

For him, there is no escape from noise pollution in Lagos, and even at the various markets there is a myriad of generating sets on the roof of the shopping malls, which are used by the traders to power their shops.

A resident who preferred anonymity says, “I wonder if it is possible to reduce the volume of noise in the state because people are coming up with new innovations every day. Look at all these electronic billboards, they use generator to empowerthem.Mostofthemplace it at a place behind the structure.

Noise is synonymous with Lagos because of its disposition as a com-

mercial nerve city”.

Aside generating sets, every day is chaotic for the average Lagos resident due to noise ranging from several sources airplanes, loudspeakers, traders, worship centres, hooting of vehicles to industrial machines. Precious Bamidele, a trader at Ikotun, thinks that government is not doing enough to curb noise pollution, especially regulating the volume of sound from the vendors of music and video CDs and sound system in the state.

According to him, “In almost every market, car park and on the street, there are music and video shops with ear-splitting sounds from giant loudspeakers that crack the ear drums”.

At Oshodi, a trader says that the idea of people placing television sets on a stand with giant loudspeakers also generate noise.

When BD Sunday went across the metropolis, the story was the same in Ikeja, Yaba, Ajegunle, Surulere, Mushin, Amukoko, Ikotun,

Mile Two, Iyana Ipaja and even in the elitist area of Lagos Island.

For them, perhaps it is the cheapest form of advertisement, but it is at the detriment of people’s peace and health. The crazy thing about the noise pollution is also the way most drivers honk their horns while in gridlock, with the hope that the constant blaring of horns will make the traffic disappear.

Although the Lagos State government frowns at the growing rate of noise pollution and even warned that those concerned should moderate their activities or face the law, religious houses, music studios, video clubs among others have even doubled their level of noise pollution without being prosecuted yet.

It is time to enforce the law because noise pollution has a lot of negative consequences on the health of the people such as hearing impairment, restlessness, high blood pressure, lack of concentration, body fatigue and loss of sleep.

Findings have shown that in some public schools, over 60 percent of pupils had impaired hearing as a result of their daily exposure to noisy environment. The number is increasing as nothing is done by the law enforcement agencies to curb noise pollution, especially the Ministry of Environment.

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Sunday Magazine

How Lagos traffic robbers unleash terror on commuters A AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

s I tuned in to Traffic Radio 96.1 fm to listen to a live programme, that rainy Friday morning 28 June, which to me was the number one ritual, performed on driving out of the house in order to understand the situation of Lagos roads and to guide my trip, many commuters were calling in on the live programme to share their travel experiences within Lagos metropolis.

One striking thing about the programme that morning, which hosted Taiwo Olufemi Salaam, permanent secretary, ministry of transportation of Lagos State, was the complaints of many of the callers about the growing security concern in Lagos, especially in heavy traffic areas.

Most importantly, was the testimony of one of the callers (name withheld), who gave account of how robbers shot and killed one of his friends between Iyana-Isolo and Cele axis of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.

According to the caller, the horrible incident occurred on that fateful night Liverpool FC defeated FC Barcelona at the last season’s Champions League semi-finals.

He said the deceased left his office that fateful night in his Toyota Corona car together with one of his brothers. On getting to IyanaIsolo and Cele axis of the ApapaOshodi Expressway, there was heavy traffic congestion on the road such that the deceased had to go to Iyana-Isolo Bridge to turn and join the service lane, but that did not solve the problem.

“The traffic became alarming such that it was on standstill.

This made the deceased to come down from his car to ascertain the cause of the traffic. Unknown to him, some robbers riding on a bike popularly known as ‘okada’ approached him and shot him pointblank on the stomach for no just reason,” the caller narrated.

Narrating further, the caller reported that it was the sound of the gunshot that woke the brother of his riding with the deceased, who was sleeping in the car when the incident occurred. Other commuters, who were trapped in the same traffic, deserted their cars and fled at the sound of the gunshot leaving the deceased and his brother.

“The only thing the deceased was able to say was, ‘take me to the hospital because I was speaking with the last strength in me’.

The people around, who returned after the robbers had left, managed to take him from the traffic to a nearby hospital, where he was rejected but on getting to another hospital that accepted him, he was pronounced dead on arrival. That was how a promising young man lost his life for no just reason,” the caller added.

The pathetic story of the above mentioned young man, who lost his life to traffic robbers, was one

among many of such incidents, which commuters experience while travelling or trapped in traffic on Lagos roads.

In Lagos today, there is rising spate of insecurity on Lagos roads perpetrated day and night by traffic robbers, who seize traffic opportunities to rob innocent commuters and motorists of their belongings.

This pathetic development has attracted public outcry as many Lagos residents, especially those living in Lagos suburbs and other remote communities have called all security operatives and the state government to come to their rescue.

Mile 2 axis of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway has for years been a major operating spot for traffic robbers. In many instances, the robbers approach motorists ordering them to wind down, and give them money or risk forceful attacks particularly for those who try to struggle with them.

However, many others have had their glasses chartered by these miscreants even as some have been attacked at gunpoint or with other harmful weapons at one time or the other.

BDSUNDAY discovered that all roads in Lagos State, the presumed ‘mega city’, is usually characterised by heavy traffic congestion largely due to high influx of vehicular movements and bad roads occasioned by presence of potholes and gullies, even on major roads, including some of the bridges.

Many Lagos roads usually record high traffic congestion during rainy seasons and that comes with heavy flooding on the roads as a result of poor drainage system and illegal blockage of canals.

A few days ago, one Ekene Okoro, a Lagos-based journalist, was attacked at Cele bus stop on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

The account, which was tagged ‘My Experience: Robbed in the

Rain,’ he narrated that at exactly 9:35pm, Wednesday, June 26, “I finally came face to face with daredevil Lagos traffic robbers.”

“Until now, I had only been privy to listen to cases involving colleagues, close friends/relatives and a few friends on this platform (social media). I had just dropped off my colleague and friend at Iyana Itire bus stop on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. For the very second time since nearly a year, I dropped him off every night, I felt pity for him. Reason because the rain was pummeling hard, fast and furious.

I had no umbrella to spare him, but he assured me that he would be fine and home in no time.

“As I drove off, driving became a little bit harder, the rain covered my windscreen and even my wipers could do little to help the situation. The construction work

by Hitech on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway main lane inward Mile 2, compelled all vehicles approaching Cele Express bus-stop to negotiate to the service lane in order to continue their journey. I had become familiar with the route. So, it was neither a problem, even in the downpour.

“With less than 200 metres from Cele bus-top very close to PM Fuel Station, a little traffic had built up, perhaps, caused by the rain and a few cars driving on the opposite direction. I kept to the lane on the left, really for no reason but for the fact that I felt it would move faster.”

“While enjoying a solemn gospel track, two young guys, perhaps in their twenties, approached from the opposite direction of the road and stopped right in front of my car.

The vehicle in front was a commer-

cial Tata Bus; hence, they needed the next private vehicle to perpetrate their nefarious intentions.

“One of them hollered, ‘Oga wind down your glass or I go break am’, brandishing an old-fashioned machete. I had last seen a sample like that in my village a few years ago. The other had an old dane pistol. I had seen a few in some Nollywood series.

“Immediately, I complied.

‘Oya bring the money, bring your phone’, the two robbers barked at me. Unfortunately for them and fortunately for me, I had only N1, 800 in the hand-rest of my car. I offered them the cash and my Tecno phone. They were unimpressed.

‘Oga come down jor’, they ordered me, preferring to conduct the ultimate search themselves.

“Flashing lights from the cars at the rear, perhaps gave away my watch as one instructed me to take it off my wrist, while the other continued the frantic search, scattering my documents and papers in the pigeon hole of my car.

“Done with me, they ordered me to move. At this point, I felt they wanted to use me as a bait to raid other vehicles behind. The rain kept pouring, there I was, barefooted (I had taken off my shoes earlier to free my legs a bit), walking in the rain. I felt like laughing, it seems like a scene in a movie, but it was real and I was the main character.

“As soon as I saw that they were distracted with their next victim; the first thought was to run far away from the scene, second thought was to head back to my car and zoom off. I listened to the second thought. I sneaked back to my car, approaching from the front and hoped to jump in and zoom off.

Alas! They had taken my key as a collateral damage. My car needed to be motionless in order to create artificial traffic and trap more victims,” the victim narrated.

“Realising this, I stood by my car, hands akimbo, watching as the boys had a field day moving from car to car. Some put up a fight, some complied like me. Those who resisted had their windows shattered. Satisfied, they made their way to the other side of the road to the waiting arms of an okada rider, perhaps, the third man in the team.

“At this point, I summoned courage and approached them.

‘Bros, what of my key na’, I asked.

I beckoned again, this time speaking their native language. One searched his pocket for it and offered to throw it to me than have me, approach them. I collected my keys and continued my journey with too many thoughts at that point racing through my mind,” the victim added.

According to him, the experience was unbelievable even though he had really lost nothing to them, except some memorable videos, recordings, photos gathered in the last four years, especially that of his family that were Continues on page 20

20 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 07 July 2019

Sunday Magazine

How Lagos traffic robbers unleash terror on commuters Continued from page 19 stored on his phone.

Apart from Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, axis such as Iponri-AlakaEko Bridge and Ijora-Apapa Wharf, known for its notorious traffic congestion, is popular spot for miscreants who perpetrate crime against innocent commuters.

In his own case, Idowu Johnson (not real name) a Lagos-based banker, was riding home with two of his colleagues one fateful night.

One of his colleagues occupied the passenger seat in the front while the second person occupied the seat directly behind the passenger seat.

The second colleague was on call when they drove out of their office in Apapa after work. Owing to a traffic snarl on the bridge shortly after Leventis towards the Ijora Bridge, Johnson was forced to slow down. About 10 minutes into the traffic, two uncoordinated coarsed male voices were heard, saying, “bring am, bring that phone,” that was the voices of two bad boys, who approached the vehicle and ordered the person behind the passenger seat to give them her phone.

It was at that point that the lady tried to roll up the glass to prevent them access into the car. Then, one of the boys used a stone and shattered the glass, and eventually made away with the lady’s hand bag containing her phones, identification card, ATM card and some other of her belongings without any reasonable cash.

When Johnson’s car was being robbed by the two miscreants, although there were passers-by and bystanders, no one challenged the thieves; everyone minded their businesses such that none of them made any effort to rescue the victims from the hoodlums or prevented the attack.

This is always the case and fate of any commuter, that falls victim of traffic robbers in Lagos as people rarely make effort to help others in such a situation. It is always, a matter of ‘To your tent O Israel.” In Lagos, traffic robbery occurs mostly in places with bad roads like the many incidents recorded on Apapa axis.

Recently, there was an ugly incident at Oshodi, when some traffic robbers, who initially feigned to be beggars, dispossessed some ladies of their cash and other personal effects. The most intriguing aspect of the sad story was that one of the robbers forcefully removed a

wedding ring from the finger of one of the ladies and swallowed it. He later confessed that, that was his method and that after swallowing such rings, he would go to a safe place and vomit them.

The suspect, 19-year-old Taofeek Adebayo, was arrested by the men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command at Oshodi-Oke together with his accomplice, 20year old Toheeb Tijani, shortly after dispossessing two ladies in a grey Sienna SUV of a gold earring and a set of wedding rings.

Similarly, one Emeka Eze, who was driving alone from his house in Surulere to Apapa, was robbed at a gunpoint by two bad boys on AlakaEko Bridge, one morning that his car broke down on top of the Bridge.

Narrating his experience, Eze told BDSUNDAY that on his way to his office that morning, his car developed battery fault and suddenly stopped on top of Alaka-Eko Bridge.

“As the car stopped, I came down from the vehicle, opened my bonnet to realise that it was the battery of my car that was bad. I had three of my phones with me including my ipad. I took one of my phones and called a friend, who at that time was also driving towards Apapa. He told me to stay put and wait for him as he was somewhere around Surulere. That was how I sat in the vehicle with my car bonnet open, waiting for my colleague.

“In a twinkle of an eye, I sighted two mean-looking young boys coming towards me from the opposite direction of the bridge. On seeing them, I told myself that this was no friendly visit judging by their appearance. On reaching where I parked, one of them pulled up his shirt and showed me a gun tucked into his trousers.

“He immediately issued an instruction, ‘cooperate, and bring out your phones and money if you don’t want us to harm you.’ I did not attempt to struggle with them and they collected all my phones including my ipad, ransacked the whole of my vehicle to ensure that nothing was left behind. They even collected the little money I had on me that very morning and zoomed off on a waiting okada.

“When this incident was happening, many other cars were passing and I could read the expression on their faces to mean that this man is being robbed, but none stopped to help,” Eze added.

To this end, Mohammed Ali, deputy commissioner of Police (Operations), Lagos State Police Command, recently warned traffic robbers and cult members in the state to renounce criminal activities, as the force had resolved to track them down.

He pointed out that various proactive strategies have been put in place to suppress and clamp down on traffic robbers in the state.

“Traffic robbers and cultists are criminals. My advice to them is to relocate, out of Lagos otherwise, we will dislocate them. Anyone arrested will be charged to court and he or she would end up in prison.

“Then, life to such person will have no meaning. So, instead of wasting your life as a young boy in jail, why don’t you drop the idea of joining any of these groups of criminals- be it cultists, traffic robbers, armed robbers or kidnappers?” he questioned. Despite this note of warning, many of these bad boys have continued to perpetrate these evil acts against innocent Lagosians. Commuters are being molested on a daily basis even in the full glare of the public without fear.

Miscreants and hoodlums seize every opportunity to dispossess motorists and passengers of their belongings, especially when they are trapped in the traffic.

Hence, the need for officers of the Nigerian Police Force and the

Lagos State Government to collaborate in addressing the rising security challenges in the state.

Also, Governor Babajide SanwoOlu administration in the state needs to, as matter of urgency, begin aggressive rehabilitation and repair of all the bad portions of Lagos major expressways as well as high traffic areas in order to reduce heavy traffic congestion on the road, which the bad boys capitalise on to ply their evil trade.

Places like Oshodi-Oke, OshodiIsale, Idumota – Eko, CMS, Costain, Maryland and Gbagada are also notorious for traffic robbery.

Just recently, a team of surveillance attached to the Police Command in Lagos State arrested five traffic robbery suspects.

According to Bala Elkana , spokesperson of the command, the suspects were arrested by the police patrol team on surveillance along Oshodi/Apapa Expressway.

Elkana narrated that the policemen sighted some bandits under Daleko Bridge, taking advantage of the traffic congestion to rob motorists and other members of the public of their valuables such as laptops, cell phones and money.

He said three suspects namely 19-year old Daniel Ani; 17-year old Akinbode Muiz, and 24-year old Oluwasegun Emmanuel were arrested, and they confessed to being responsible for traffic robbery along Mushin and its environs.

They also confessed to have stolen numerous phones and bags from different victims as well as a bag containing the sum of N25,000 belonging to one Oyebanji Ibukun of No 14, Waheed Ologunju Street, Oke-Afa Isolo before they were apprehended by the Police.

In addition, two other suspected traffic robbers, 20-year old Samson Oluwa, 22-year old and Michael Amodu Adamu, were also arrested in an all-night sting operation in the CMS area of the state.

In a different incident, a 38-yearold taxi driver, who gave his name as Obot narrated his ordeal with traffic robbers while driving along Ikorodu Road to pick up a passenger that had called for his service at Ojota. Obot on getting to IyanaSchool/Ile-Ile area met two young men in traffic. The guys stole from him using a simple trick.

“As I headed towards Ketu from Mile 12 to connect Ojota where a passenger that had called earlier was waiting for me, I encountered traffic around Kosofe bus stop that morning. On getting to Ile-Ile, a guy

waved me down, telling me my vehicle had slightly hit someone’s car.

“While talking to him through the window of the driver’s side and wondering how I could hit somebody’s car without knowing, one of his accomplices stole my two phones from the front passenger seat. Before I understood what was happening, two of them had disappeared. They crossed to the other side of the road and left with a waiting motorcycle. There was nothing I could do at that point,” he added.

Also, a 27-year-old banker in the Yaba area of Lagos, who gave her name as Betty Iroha, had a sad encounter with traffic robbers when she was trapped in traffic around the Onipanu axis of Ikorodu Road at about 6.00am in the morning on her way to the office.

She said the hoodlums smashed the rear seat window of her car and made away with her handbag, laptop, mobile phones and shoes. She added that they could have caused her more harm if not for some other motorists, who mustered the courage to confront them, which made them to flee the area.

Jide Abogunde, a businessman based in the Iyana-Ipaja area of the state, suffered injuries inflicted on him by robbers while in traffic at Oshodi.

He said he was heading home after the close of business at his shop in Anthony Village when he encountered heavy traffic that built up due to a fallen petrol tanker.

It was said that Abogunde tried to struggle with his attackers, which led to his receiving three stabs on his neck and hand.

Pending when the state government is able to address the issue of bad roads, the men of Nigerian Police, especially the Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), should move, in addition to mounting checking points on these crime hot spots, to also carry out regular patrol on these heavy traffic areas in order to scare away the hoodlums.

A cleric advice to government Speaking on the rising cases of traffic robbery across the cities in Nigeria, a cleric, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the same reasons that were responsible for the upsurge in banditry and kidnapping are also to blame for the “minor crimes” in society.

“First, we must look at the family system in the country. A lot of families are having issues. We now have many divorce cases in the cities and when these happen, the children bear the brunt. Before they know it, they join bad gangs and become street boys. Again, the economy is not helping matters. There are no jobs and governments at all levels are neither creating employments nor creating the environment for the private sector to create jobs.

The resultant effect is that those who ordinarily should have been involved in meaningful activities now channel their energy to criminality. Nature abhors a vacuum,” the cleric said.

According to him, “That people need food, shelter and clothing is not in doubt; so, people seek out ways to meet these needs, particularly in a society where government is almost non-existent. It is not just about police or security agencies scaling up their game, there must be a conscious effort on the part of government to create jobs or the right environment for people to fend for themselves in legitimate ways.”

Sunday 07 July 2019

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BDSUNDAY 21

This Life

The racket called ‘child adoption’ OBINNA EMELIKE

O

n August 3, 1996 when many Nigerians, especially football fans were celebrating the under-23 football team for winning gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, a middle-aged lawyer was in one of the city bars buying drinks for the jubilating folks to also celebrate his divorce.

The successful lawyer untied the nuptial knot after 10 years of childlessness, a situation he blamed on the bareness of his divorced wife. But that was shocking for some people who thought the enlightened lawyer should have gone for child adoption instead of divorce. But the lawyer’s relations, especially his mother would not listen to such advice, insisting that her son was ‘man enough’ to sire a child of his own and a heir.

About 20 years down the line, child adoption, hitherto looked at with disdain in society, is fast gaining ground.

Visits to some of the orphanages in Lagos reveal how trendy child adoption is becoming. Most of these orphanages, which used to appeal to Nigerians through the media to come forward to adopt a child, no longer do so because of the waiting list of couples interested in adopting babies.

The Ministry of Youth and Social Welfare across the states in the country, especially Lagos and Abuja now receive huge number of applications on a weekly basis without a corresponding availability of adoptable children.

The high demand has resulted in the proliferation of the baby factory business to feed mostly the illegal child adoption, which has become a big racket in Nigeria.

But a top ranking matron at a Lagos orphanage home, who prefers to be called Mama Hope, frowns at the bad image given to licensed and reputable orphanages in the country by the illegal adoption sponsors.

“We were set up in accordance with the law, we abide by the law, source our inmates from babies abandoned at birth, neglected and abandoned street children, from parents and relations who cannot take care of their children, formalise their stay with us, rehabilitate and train them”, she says.

She insists that anybody who wishes to adopt them must pass through the laws because “we have legalised their stay and are accountable to government for their daily affairs and wellbeing”.

Explaining the procedure for adoption, Samuel Okolie, a Lagosbased legal practitioner, says, “Order 26(1) of the Child Rights Act provide thus, that an application for adoption shall be made to the court as prescribed in form 3 and shall be accompanied with the relevant documents”.

However in practice, the lawyer says the application is not made

directly to the court rather by way of a letter addressed to the Ministry of Youth and Social Development depending on the state, and accompanied with the relevant documents. “Once the ministry is satisfied with the application and the relevant document, the ministry will send all the relevant documents to the court, and the judge or magistrate depending on the case, may decide whether to hear the application in open court or in chambers- see order 26(2) of the Child Rights Act”.

“The court having been satisfied with the application and the relevant documents, will direct the welfare officer or child development officer to go and investigate the character and suitability of the applicant as an adopter as well as the child to be adopted. See order 26(3) of the Child Rights Act”.

Emeka Ndukuba, a lawyer and public affairs analyst, says that though orphanages woo people to adopt children, the whole process is cumbersome, hence many intending child adopters go for the easy way and even connive with some unscrupulous orphanage home operators.

“Once, I was handling a clients’ case, but abandoned it when I noticed double standard by the social welfare personnel. My clients, a couple, were in the final process of adopting two babies when social welfare declined that they have history of battering in their family.

But a single lady scaled the hurdles with less stress meaning money

exchanged hands”, the lawyer decries.

With the firming of the laws, especially the Child Rights Act, child adoption is no longer as easy as it used to be when orphanages were begging people to adopt children as the court now revokes adoption order when investigations prove that the child is not in good hands.

However, the seeming difficulty in the procedure coupled with the high demand has resulted in a booming child adoption racket within a short time.

In the last decade, over 20 baby factories have been uncovered and sealed by the Police across the country. The factories, which are mainly in hospitals and often run by doctors, host young girls between 14-17 years who are impregnated by hired young men. They young girls are paid off between N200,000 to N500,000 once they deliver their babies and these babies are in turn sold from N2 million to couples who want babies.

A case that shook Nigeria was on May 6, 2011, when the Aba Area Command of the Nigerian Police uncovered a baby factory at Cross Foundation Hospital in Aba where Dr. Orikara Hyacinth, the owner and operator, was arrested alongside 32 pregnant girls for using the hospital for baby factory business.

The intrigue is that some of these babies from the infamous factories find their way in some legal orphanage homes, while some from the orphanage homes make their way to the black mar-

ket where people desperate of children pay dearly to get one, especially new born babies they can easily bond and acclimatise to.

With the uncovering of these baby factories, desperate couples are devising other means of getting babies cheaper. Some now convince innocent girls on the streets to live with them, have a baby and they send them overseas afterwards.

Others go in search of victims of rape, child abuse or breach of promise of marriage who are most vulnerable in their rejection by the society, harbor them until the babies are delivered, and then push them out, and probably relocate with the baby.

That was the method adopted in the selling of a new born baby on March 1, 2017 for N850,000 (though the mother was given mere N250,000) at a hospital in Ikota, Lekki, Lagos by a woman who took care of the baby’s mother during pregnancy. Sadly, while the couple who bought the baby and their collaborators were enjoying a big naming ceremony, the Police apprehended them and five other culprits who are still in detention.

The racket has even gone to another level. Some people adopt the babies legally here, and traffic them out of the country where they sell them to prearranged couples in hard currency.

Recently, an Abuja orphanage home, which suspected a highly placed woman’s involvement in child trafficking reported her to the

police but the case did not continue as the owner of the orphanage was harassed severally for embarrassing the high society woman.

According to the proprietress of the orphanage, the woman had successfully adopted two children from the orphanage in the last three years and wanted another one. It was on the third adoption that they made inquiry and discovered that same woman had adopted three children from a Lagos orphanage at the same time.

That led to the suspicion of child trafficking as the children were not found in the address she registered as permanent home during the adoption procedure.

She claimed that they were schooling overseas, but that claim baffled the proprietress who insisted that children between 3-8 years need to be around their mother and not an aunt in London or New York.

Susan Owan, a social welfare officer, notes that the racket will continue as long as there is hardship in the land, while orphanages may need interventions from government because the owners may be lured to sell children illegally to raise fund to run the homes.

“If a mother can connive with her teenage daughter to sell a new born baby for N200,000 after nine months of pregnancy, then think of the level of hardship in the land. Of course, child traffickers are building mansions in Abuja and Lagos, and young people are seeing them, so it is easy to also convince orphanages to sell illegally then”, she says.

A concerned matron told our correspondent that some women nowadays pretend to be pregnant while they have arranged with someone who would drop a child for them without going through the necessary legal routes. According to the matron, most of those who usually enter into such criminal agreement are students and young women who became pregnant by accident and are not ready to keep the baby.

On the moral and spiritual implications of such illicit adoption, a cleric, who just gave his name as Lawson, said: “Illegal adoptions attracts God’s wrath. Going to a young lady to buy off her child because she does not want to keep the baby because of the stigma of giving birth out of wedlock is criminal. Such transactions must pass through the acceptable process that is approved in a country.

Those who do such a thing live in perpetual lies. They hardly disclose to the child their real mothers and they are always secretive. It is a sin before God and man.”

The cleric explained that, “Child adoption in itself is not sinful if the right process is followed. I wonder why people should put themselves in perpetual bondage by going it the wrong way. People must be educated on the dangers inherent in buying children from anybody.

By the way, human beings are not to be bought. What we are seeing now is simply one of the signs of the last days.”

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Sunday 07 July 2019

Arts Artist in focus

Duke Asidere and his craft OBINNA EMELIKE

T

ruly, there is something so refreshingly cerebral about Duke Asidere’s work. No doubt, Asidere has paid his dues as one of Nigeria’s most talented contemporary artists. For over 25 years, he has boldly commented on Nigeria’s socio-political landscape through a variety of genre including pencil, engravings, oil and acrylic, pastels, and collage.

Duke Asidere was born in Lagos in 1961. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree with First Class Honours in Fine Arts (painting) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1988, and a Masters of Fine Arts in painting in 1990 from the same university. He taught painting, drawing and art history at the Federal Auchi Polytechnic for five years that continues to unfold a refreshing, highly suggestive and creative edge.

His work engages contemporary African politics. Through visual metaphors, the artist comments on the everyday human dramas that surrounds him; political, social, psychological or cultural. Furthermore, he adds an element of surprise to these sketches of human drama by infusing them with irony and humour.

Asidere’s broad oeuvre ranges

Duke Asidere in his studio, 2011

Duke Asidere, Back Seat mentality, 92 x 92 cm, 2015

from headless or limbless figures and faces of strangely hybrid beings to densely populated urban landscapes, accentuated with thick strokes of vivid colour. He has recently turned to car enamel paint, which he applies with a spray gun to produce emotionally charged works that retain figurative subject matter, and at the same time emphasize abstract qualities. Perhaps the most distinguishing characteristic

of Asidere’s style is his simplicity of form and expressive line, which he achieves with an economy of means.

He calls his highly textured black canvas with a few specks of color “one man, one generator”, an unflinching portrayal of the totally absurd lack of electricity plaguing one of the world’s largest oil producing nations. His drawing of the market woman selling tomatoes with dol-

A day at the Invent Alliance

I

t was a rainy Wednesday afternoon and traffic across Lagos metropolis was expectedly impenetrable. But in the midst of gridlock, I made it to the Invent.

Though, the movement was for a media event, getting there, the facility presented itself in another light; a somewhat business and tourism attraction.

Set on KM 29,Lekki-Epe Expressway by Alasia Bus Stop, the Invent is not one of those event centres that are busy, especially during weekend for concerts or social gatherings.

It is a place worth visiting because of how efficient the initiators have used the space; turning the place into a business hub, relaxation and technology centre.

From the gate, you can hardly guess the numerous productive activities that go on as the façade depicts a lounge or somewhat restaurant in line with the name.

However, the Invent is a multi sector and multi discipline business platform. From the grocery, bakery, consultancy to world-class logistics units, you have so many places to tour on a visit. For me, it was a facility tour worth repeating.

The facility tour under the guidance of Patrick Chukwudi Ogbonna, managing director, Invent Alliance, revealed a unique way of creating employment, creating wealth and innovating ideas.

For Ogbonna, the multi-seg-

ments at Invent are operated as strategic business units (SBU) with full profit and loss responsibility towards the alliance. While you wonder how the many businesses are thriving under one roof, Ogbonna says it is innovation and the way to go now.

The multi segments are operated as strategic business units (SBU) with full profit and loss responsibility towards the alliance.

So far, Invent Alliance has successfully run its four main business units; Virtual Office & Hosted Services, Bakery Services & Consultancy, High Tech Logistics and Digital Multi-Media, which make up its services proposition to customers.

With the feat, Invent Alliance is reaching out to the society amid collaborations. The outfit unveiled one of its corporate social responsibility projects on the day I visited. Tagged Turn2Me Service campaign, the project run by Invent BPO, a business unit of Invent Alliance Limited, is a special free counselling and legal services for those who cannot pay for them.

Speaking during the unveiling of the campaign, Ogbonna said the free counselling service provides frontline mental health counselling for those who may ordinarily not have access to such services. The firm is partnering with ElixirSalve Psychological Services for the free counselling service, whilst also part-

nering AtLaw Solicitors to provide free legal services to enable people access quality legal counsel as issues around rights keep increasing. But the counselling service is provided hand in hand with the legal service.

Speaking at the unveil Chukwudi Benignus of AtLaw Solicitors noted that the team of lawyers at the law firm are providing the free telephone legal counsel as a pro bono legal service to give back to the society.

He explained further that the legal service would focus on debt recovery, breach of contract, enforcement of fundamental rights, breach of promise to marry, dissolution of marriage among others. Chinelo

lar price doodles scribbled in the shadows is a wry commentary on Nigeria’s runaway exchange rates and galloping inflation apparently asphyxiating even the sale of locally grown produce.

“Duke looks at painting from the lens similar to that of many older masters. This is the lens of simplicity - the lens of sincerity,” wrote the famous Nigerian artist, Gani Odutokun (1946-1995) who mentored

Lynda Okeke, a clinic psychologist representing ElixirSalve Psychological Services, noted that the service is imperative going by the increasing number of Nigerians who are suffering from mental illness.

Due to the fact that it is telephone- based, she noted that most people with mental health issues who used to bottle-up would want to call in to seek solution as their faces are not seen.

Speaking further, she said the service would bridge the gap in the lack of mental health facilities, tackle poor mental health literacy, paucity of qualified professionals and high cost of seeking such service in the formal clinics.

Asidere while teaching at Ahmadu Bello University. “Duke possesses the kind of sincerity that has brought enormous recognition to artists (such as abstract expressionists like Philip Guston& De Kooning). These are artists who feel the urge to say something and will not like to be inhibited no matter how unpalatable to the society, what they might have to say. They will not create even a square centimeter of a picture just to please. But paint they will, to express an inner urgency. Duke belongs to this fold.”

One of his remarkable solo exhibitions, which held in 2016 was tagged “Mental Space”, which was Asidere’s external response to an internal, multi-layered landscape of deep thought, questions, and critique.

“Through his drawings, he challenges us to reflect on a constantly changing political context, in which he highlights the crazy and controversial excesses in our lives with bold, often humorous poignancy”, Sandra Mbanefo Obiago, the curator of the exhibition, explained.

Asidere is within reach. His works are in galleries, while he participates in one join exhibition or the other.

However, the best place to see him is in his studio.

He is well-exhibited in Nigeria and abroad and is a member of the Society of Nigerian Artists.

For Wole Adetuyi, managing director, Swift Telephone Network, a private network links (PNL) that provides connectivity the partnership with Invent Alliance would be opening opportunity to generate traffic, boost business sustainability and create jobs.

Adetuyi explained that it is always good to identify with noble and commendable initiatives such as the Turn2Me. Aside the counseling and legal services, Invent BPO, also unveiled a first of kind virtual receptionist service for small and micro enterprises (SMEs) and individuals in the country.

According to him, Ogbonna, “The Virtual Receptionist Service was created to provide virtual assistant to clients without having them in house.

This is a business to business (B2B) service targeted at SMEs.” He noted that the target is to reach 100, 000 SMEs in five years.

He explained that the Virtual Receptionist Service would help clients maintain contacts with their customers round the clock.

All calls, he noted are recorded so the clients can listen to them whole or to relevant portion as required.

The technology enthusiast said that the service is available in English and the major Nigerian languages Hause, Igbo and Yoruba. There are also options for two foreign languages French and Spanish.

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Arts African female writers to hone craft at Ebedi Residency

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OBINNA EMELIKE bout four female writers from across West Africa are gathering at this year’s edition of the Ebedi Residency in Iseyin in Oyo State.

The all female writers in the mid year project tagged ‘June/July 2019 Ebedi Writers Residency Session’ include; Bintou Sanneh from The Gambia; Josephine Odura Attafuah from Ghana, Oyindamola Rabiat Muhammed and Damilola Omotoyinbo, both from Nigeria.

Sanneh is excited at participating at the residency for the first time. The budding novelist is a member of the Gambian Writers Association, a youth activist and sports enthusiast. Sanneh, who speaks English and French, will be spending her time to complete her first novel. She will also use the time to interact with secondary school students in Iseyin and environs in the

areas of creative writing, and Gambian culture. Her visit to Ebedi is her first to Nigeria.

On her part, Attafuah is a member of the Ghana Association of Writers (GAW). The Helluva Dreamer, her debut novel about a teenage girl determined to get her novel published, is a frequently mentioned book in the Ghanaian press. Attafuah, who speaks English and French, has over the years attended many leadership programmes in Ghana.

Her visit to the Ebedi Residency, which is also her first visit to Nigeria, will be spent to complete her new book of fiction. She will also use the period to mentor Iseyin students in the arts of poetry and Ghanaian culture.

Rabiat Muhammed, a committed teacher of many years standing, is also looking forward to a great experience at the residency. Her first book, The Ingredients of Success published in December 2018, is a motivational work.

She wants to use her time at Ebedi to sharpen her writing skills and complete work on

her forthcoming book for children. Muhammed’s ultimate goal is to retire from teaching into full time writing. She will be counselling students from Iseyin and its environs on their careers and the challenges of adulthood.

Omotoyinbo, who re-

Blockpasto exhibition opens at Mbari Uno design hub

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IFEOMA OKEKE lockpasto, an expression of layered emotions by ‘Laolu Obende, has opened at The Show Room, Mbari Uno (House of Collaboration).

The two week long exhibition holding at Mbari Uno located at 10C Ladoke Akintola Street, Ikeja G.R.A. features an array of paintings using the blockpasto technique.

‘Blockpasto,’ Laolu’s second offering, foretells of his innovative feat, eclecticism, and passion for registering his imprint on the flourishing Nigerian contemporary vi-

sual art space. Blockpasto is a coinage emanating from two words, ‘’block’’ and ‘’impasto.’’

Impasto is a technique used in painting; this technique allows the paint which is laid on an area of the surface to have very thick layers.

According to Laolu Obende, “Life, as we know, is changing rapidly. These changes reach the building blocks of our reality. Blocks reflect unseen emotions and unspoken truths. The dwindling fortunes of the Nigerian economy have shaken its people, disrupting these blocks of reality and forcing us to question our long-held beliefs. I want to help shed light on those hidden realities and

emotions and pull attention to the broad and colourful spectrum of the many blocks of our reality. The Blockpasto art form allows us to peer into our depths through a tapestry of varied and coordinated textures, forms and media, evoking familiar emotions within us.”

Artist, Laolu Obende is a hybrid creative. Born on August 26, 1981 in Benin City-Nigeria, Laolu is a thoroughbred creative in every sense. He was raised in the ancient city of Ibadan by an artist father and this led to Laolu’s inclination towards creative expressions at a very young age. Laolu’s creative influences span across several disciplines while his curiosity keeps broadening his life perspectives. After his first Solo exhibition in 2009, he has painted on commissions specifically, and now combines both Painting and Advertising disciplines in full.

He has joined the likes of Ibe Ananaba, Lekan Onabanjo and a few other contemporary Nigerian artists who refused to be swamped by the frantic nature of the advertising industry but consolidate their rapport with their palette.

cently completed an online course in creative writing, is a proud winner of some literary awards. She hopes to use her time in Ebedi to complete work on her first full length fictional novel. She will also assist students in Iseyin and environs to think about how

they can shape their world and influence the society positively.

The Ebedi International Writers Residency was founded in 2012 by Wale Okediran, a foremost Nigerian novelist. It is a private initiative for writers to com-

plete their ongoing works in a conducive environment at no cost. Since its inception, the facility has hosted more than 100 writers from 10 different African countries. It also offers publishing opportunities to its fellows through an arrangement with one of Nigeria’s foremost publishing outfits, the Literamed Publishers, Oregun, Lagos.

However, the Ebedi Residency has benefited from the support of the Belgium based Arts Moves Africa (AMA) for the provision of air tickets for her foreign based fellows, the support of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), The Wole Soyinka Foundation, the Bukar Usman Foundation, as well as, many notable Nigerian newspapers and educational institutions. In addition, the support of the Bank of Industry and other private philanthropists has bolstered the residency’s commitment for the promotion of literature and cultural integration across the African continent and beyond.

Culture stakeholders storm Benin for final preparations of NAFEST 2019

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high-powered delegation from the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) led by Olusegun Runsewe, the director general, will embark on a week-long facility tour in Benin City, the Edo State capital, from July 8-12, 2019.

The facility tour is aimed at ascertaining the preparedness of the ancient city of Benin in hosting the foremost art and culture festival, while building a groundswell of support from stakeholders who will partner the NCAC to ensure a successful hosting of the 2019 edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) slated for October 19, 2019 in Benin City.

Key players that are expected to participate in the facility tour and national technical committee meeting include, the Edo State government, all commissioners of culture along with directors, art councils and history bureau in the 36 states and FCT Abuja.

According to Runsewe in a statement issued at his

Olusegun Runsewe

office in Abuja, Benin will experience a historic NAFEST embellished in royal splendour as the NCAC in collaboration with the Edo State government is leaving no stone unturned in the preparations towards a successful outing this October.

The DG was positive given the impressive commitment from enthusiastic stakeholders and the private sector enthusing that the

theme of this year’s NAFEST, “Our Royalty, Our Pride” has been aptly coined to suit the occasion.

Runsewe concluded that he anticipated a successful Technical Committee Meeting, which would include a robust line up of activities such as visits to Godwin Obaseki, the Edo State Governor, and to the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, in his palace.

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Sunday 07 July 2019

BookReview Posibility of Nigeria’s incredible economic future if...

Two professors see Nigeria’s economic possibilities through two books released by founder of Garden City premier business school Ignatius Chukwu

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ilva Opuola-Charles has a doctorate degree in Monetary Economics and Masters in Monetary Banking. He also had stints at the London School of Economic, Lagos Business School, etc.

Opuola- Charles acquired what experts called ‘composite competence’ by working across board in the finance world; 19 years in various banks and in various positions, public finance management by being the commissioner of finance and later for economic planning in Bayelsa State (Under Timi Silva).

On this score he grew into an institution-building expert and also turned around departments and institutions he headed. Now, he is founder of Garden City Business School in Port Harcourt and has just released two books which try to examine Nigeria’s economic position amongst peers in global competition. The two books speak to the health of the Nigerian economy.

One is Nigeria’s Strategic Frontiers: Dreaming to the First World (A strategic Comparative Road Map for Nigeria) in 78 pages. The other is Public Finance, 274 pages.

The books, especially ‘Dreaming to the First World’, are an adventure in Econometrics.

Teasers by ANA boss The Rivers State chairman of Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA), who was chairman of the book presentation and signing ceremony at 13 Herbert Macaulay in Old GRA, teased the audience as a compact crowd of intellectuals worthy to listen to the reviews by two erudite professors. “This is compact audience. The world is going compact and gadgets are getting smaller but more effective. So, the crowd here is quality because real people are here; book people are here. It is about releasing knowledge to a world crying for knowledge. The Garden City Premier Business School is unique; it is indeed a school for the future.

We must support it. We must know that book writing is no mean feat.”

Professors on duty: Olusegun Sobesan (DG: Onitsha Chamber of Commerce) The book is small but very powerful. Fear short people. Nigeria’s Strategic Frontiers: Dreaming to the First World (A strategic Comparative Road Map for Nigeria.

This book tries to show the difference between dream and vision; between aspiration and ambition.

It also helps one to know the mind of God on imaginations.

There is a difference between looking and seeing, as shown in this book; between decision-taking and decision-making. The character of the man (Opuola-Charles) has been depicted in the book; excellence. The three ‘As’ of character include attitude, aptitude and articulation. The book answers questions about Nigeria’s strategic roadmap to economic advancement.

An academic book is judged by concept, content, context, com-

posite and competence. The book passed all. He has the competence and the composite knowledge to write such a book. He also knows the context (Nigeria). The book is precise in size; rich in content, offering solutions. It points to the possibility of Nigeria’s incredible future.

Export: Opuola-Charles postulates that Nigeria without non-oil export is a Nigeria without a future. The book worked from problem to solution; and pointed at the need to return to Agriculture for achieving robust non-oil sector exports. The book looked at wasted opportunities which Nigeria seems to represent.

Look; thinking without acting (hallucination), or acting without thinking (madness), which is worse. This phenomenon is the problem with Nigeria. (Many answered that both are the problem with Nigeria).

There is a book in the making that looks at the gap and the lack in Africa. Africa must consider proper governance (which focuses on well-being of the citizens) which is a combination of good governance and strong governance. The Nigerian systemic odus is all about open-ended problems, which are distractions to development such as corruption, poor decisions, discrimination, incompetence, etc.

The book concludes on the need for sense of urgency in tackling Nigeria’s numerous problems. I offer to make this book compulsory in the Meturlogical Institute of Nigeria in Onitsha for their simulation tests in the PHD classes and other classes.

Tamunonimim Ngerebo, Banking & Finance, RSU (Book: Public Finance) Nigeria should see itself as the richest country in the world based on natural resources deposited by nature and possibilities in abundance, but the ability to create value is questionable. Some say Nigeria is rather moving backward, and that it should have been batter to standstill.

Nigeria is centre of Africa which is centre of the world, but we do not know how to add value to our resources to create wealth. That is what the second book (Public Finance) is saying. There are three perspectives with which the book was written: the past, now and the future. The paradox is; Nigeria is poor but not poor.

There is misapplication, misappropriation and misapplication (mismanagement). The book tries to look at maximising the social benefits of taxation. Good public sector finance management is important for tax collection. Thus, comparing Rivers and Lagos is wrong because the two cities do not have common traditions and development history.

What matters is optimizing the Rivers portfolio.

Public Debt: Borrowing is not bad but use of the loan is what matters. Debt servicing is risky because you end up paying above the principal that you owe, so said the book. It’s a faulty structure. The issue is about those who manage public finances and those who criticize them without having an

understanding of what the managers faced.

The two books complement each other because questions raised in one (Public Finance) were answered in the other.

Opuola-Charles gives glimpses The books are about identifying Nigeria’s problems and offering solutions. Solutions to Nigeria’s problems are easy because it is just about creating templates. There are areas where Nigeria has made significant progress such as stable democracy for 20 years; checks-balances has improved in the past three years. If this is sustained in the next 20 years, it would be great.

Merit must rule Nigeria (meritocracy). Strong opposition is cherished so the party in power would be eager to do good because the opposition is keen to overtake. It brings balance of power.

Nigeria must move its indices up to meet its peers especially in the emerging markets; South Africa, Mexico, Brasil, USSR, etc. Others like Singapore, Malaysia and China have moved ahead to join the First World.

Essence of the book presentation: What we are saying is that Nigeria’s underdevelopment is caused by poor management and poor leadership. It is poor leadership in the sense that public finance or coordination or mobilisation is very central to be able to develop the country because if you do not have finances, you cannot do anything meaningful.

The resources are there but not properly harnessed. If you do not have money, you cannot have development. So, ignoring tax (VAT) is very wrong approach.

In the money paradigm, you need to develop a finance architecture which seeks to attract people to your country and to create jobs. This, we are not doing well. There are a couple of things we need to get right. Education defines where we will be. Singapore is now a first world country because they were able to identify human resources. China was able to be where they are because they have the right demography. If they can do it, we can.

Strong leaders?

Some say those countries have dictatorships or strong leaders but a leader must have a national dream.

That is the kind of leader that will get us there, who can be chosen based on character, attitude, etc. Public finance management is not rocket science but the priority to do what is right, right competence, etc.

Some say any suggestion to increasing taxes (VAT) may cause riots. It is not so. You do not do it to satisfy people. No, you will explain your policy. See the amount of money people stole last time.

You must introduce control. Some countries pay as high as 60 per cent in taxes, but in Nigeria, some people do not even pay taxes. This is a huge asset for Nigeria, taxes.

It requires selfless leadership. It is about somebody that is sincere.

To be a leader, you will sacrifice, that

Dr Silva Opuola-Charles PhD, with wife and guests

is even if it affects you, you must stick to what is right. Do what is right and pursue the right policies.

Go for broke.

Some have asked if from my experience it is possible to have political leaders such as governors and presidents that would accept suggestions such as these; or if an idealist subordinate can convince the boss and those around him to implement idealistic policies such as

offered in these books. If I am to go back to government, I will first tell you my blueprint from the onset. If you accept it, fine, we work.

Conclusion: Reading through OpuolaCharles’ 33 recommendations and the interpretations from the two professors would make any president and his economic team move Nigeria to the real next level in economic prosperity and global comp

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Life&Living The battle between social media and family time

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Jumoke Akiyode-Lawanson

s technology really bringing people closer or is it creating a family divide? Unfortunately, there is no definite answer to this question as it can go either way.

In the early 2000s when social media became popular on the world wide web, it seemed like the technology was created for unity and closeness; as things like MSN instant messenger, AOL instant messenger, Yahoo messenger and later Facebook where helping people connect to old time friends, long lost family members and in fact, giving some people a social life that they never had before.

Today, the addiction to electronic gadgets, especially phones and computers and social media cannot be over emphasised. Research carried out by addictionhope.com shows that parents and children are spending more time with technology and on social media than with each other and Psychologists are increasingly concerned that technology is breaking down family communication.

In fact, I have realised that many families in Nigeria today have a family Whatsapp group and would rather talk to each other about serious issues and concerns on Whatsapp than to sit down and physical talk to each other to get matters resolved.

“It is easier to talk to my parents

on our family Whatsapp group because I can choose to ignore and keep mute when they start being annoying. Moreover, it is easier and faster to reach me on social media platforms because I am always with my phone but I am not always at home,” Nkechi Nwaneri, a student of University of Lagos told BDSunday.

It has become so bad, that some people find self fulfilment in being ‘social media’ celebrities; defining their self worth by how many ‘followers’ they have on Instagram, how many friends they have on Facebook and how many likes their

posts get on social media, without having any true real life friends or anybody that truly likes them in real life.

Popular celebrities have openly confessed that they are addicted to their phones and must post pictures on Instagram, tweet messages on twitter, post videos/pictures on Snapchat and check their Facebook messages every single day and recent survey shows that an average youth spends over half of the day on social media.

However, it is not only the youth that are guilty of being social media addicts. A book by Sherry Turkle,

Alone Together, talks about a study conducted where parents and children were asked their opinion about technology.

The results were stunning; as many children reported that they felt that their parents were addicted to their phone or computers. The children stated a desire for their parents to spend quality time and interact with them. The survey shows the need for family social interaction and the lines are blurred on when is enough with social media use.

It has become so bad, that some people can only express love and

affection through posts on social media rather than actually walking up to the person and speaking their feelings.

“My wife says happy birthday to me first on Instagram and Facebook before she says it in person or hands me a gift. I thought it strange the first year we got married, as we were in the same room and I didn’t get a ‘happy birthday’ but when I logged on to my Instagram, I saw the long sweet message she had posted with my picture.

But now it’s a norm, I guess social media has made it compulsory for us to let the world know how much we love each other first before letting each other know,” Kunle Adegbola told BDSunday.

There is a constant battle between screen time and real time.

Alternatively, technology can be used to keep families connected.

It can help members keep track of schedules, location, and a sense of security between members that parents and/or children can be reached immediately if needed.

At the same time, technology can bring forth negative interaction, or zero interaction between siblings, couples, or parent-child. It starves the family of learning and modeling with each other social cues, interpersonal relationship skills, communication skills, and bonding.

It is up to every individual to choose when to draw the line and make time for actual family bonding time.

How many is too many bridesmaids?

IFEOMA OKEKE

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hoosing bridesmaids can be a challenge if your girl squad is larger than Taylor Swift’s circa 2016, so one bride decided to make matters easier by having 34.

Casme Carter, from New Orleans, has six sisters, but the remaining 28 bridesmaids at her wedding were childhood friends, pals from university and colleagues she’s become close to over the years.

“I have so many women in my life who mean so much to me and I wanted them to share this day with me,” she said.

To keep matters simple, Carter let each of her bridesmaids choose their own dress, but asked them to opt for neutral “earth tones”. Still, it must have taken some organising, so how many bridesmaids is too many?

Jo Young, from London, had eight bridesmaids – “aka my bridesquad” – when she got married and says it was “so incredible for a ton of reasons”.

“I would tell anyone worrying about having too many to not bother, the whole thing was so easy for me and them,” she says. “Less put on them to organise and I worried less – best decision I made!”

But a large bridal party isn’t for everyone. One bride, also based

in London, says she regrets having seven bridesmaids, adding: “I wish I hadn’t had so many out of obligation.”

Having been a bridesmaid for other cousins, the bride felt obligated to return the gesture and worried about causing a family feud if she didn’t.

“My decision to have them as bridesmaids was really due to the fact that I hate any form of confrontation and I felt it was much easier to ask them then face the consequences of not doing so,” says the bride, who

wishes to remain anonymous.

“These girls had also outright stated ‘they were going to be my bridesmaids’ weeks after I got engaged and honestly it was easier to just spend the money on the dress for them than risk a wider feud.”

Leila Harris-Ryberg, who’s Canadian but based in London, found organising a wedding with five bridesmaids in different countries a challenge.

Three of her bridesmaids flew over from Canada, one was based

in London and the other was living in Sweden, where the wedding took place in 2008.

“They all had different body shapes so I suggested they choose their own dress by a brand that’s available everywhere. I just stipulated the colour,” she explains. “The only low point for me was that because they were geographically dispersed no one organised a hen do and I didn’t have anyone to help with the wedding plans.”

But, she maintains she wouldn’t change a thing. “They were my nearest and dearest and the important thing was that they were there with me on the biggest day of my life,” she says.

If you’re considering having a large girl squad on your wedding, take a moment to think about your other half.

One groom, who wishes to remain anonymous, is getting married in two weeks’ time in Surrey and jokes that he’s not sure how he’ll cope with his fiancée’s six bridesmaids staying in their two bedroom flat for three days.

“The highs are that my fiancée is extremely happy that her best friends in the whole world will be experiencing this important moment in our lives together, despite everyone living abroad,” he says. “The lows are the chaos that will ensue in my flat, and the money I’ll be spending to book a room in a local hotel for a couple of days to escape it. I can see in my dog’s eyes he wants to leave with me, but every war has casualties.”

The groom is having just one groomsman himself, who’s waiting for the big day with trepidation. “I’m not sure how tradition works regarding dancing arrangements, but I’ve told him that he needs to dance with all six of them separately – which his wife is genuinely finding hilarious.”

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Travel

Olusegun Runsewe, winner, West African Tourism Personality of the Year 2019 flanked by other dignitaries at the launch of Nigeria/Ghana Friendship Club at the event

Some of the stakeholders at the event

Again, seamless travel on front burner at Accra Weizo

…as Runsewe launches Nigeria/Ghana Friendship Club OBINNA EMELIKE

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onsolidating on the gains of the past four editions, Accra Weizo, a two-day travel expo, further pushed the frontiers for seamless travel within the West Africa region at its fifth edition this year.

The travel expo, which held at La Palm Beach Resort Accra, its base since inception, took the discussions and actions in favour of seamless travel within West Africa to a new level with panelists and contributors, comprising industry experts, offering practical solutions, getting the stakeholders to agree on collaborations, and setting a workable agenda for government/private sector relationship.

At the inception, the organisers of the travel expo initiated the campaign for seamless travel within West Africa and have sustained it since then to include the whole of Africa. The determination to sustain the campaign for smooth travel, improve regional trade, cultural and tourism exchanges within the region also reflected on the theme of the expo in the previous years and also this year, which is ‘Seamless travel in West Africa’.

Considering the almost 300 million population of West Africa spread across 15 countries, over 40 airports and over 40 years of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) existence, it is imperative the region open its skies and borders,

remove all barriers to trade integration to ensure economic prosperity across the region.

These were some of the issues the panelists tackled at the expo. They frowned at protectionist policies and bureaucratic procedures, which have not helped the regional body in achieving its objectives.

For Lydia Achel, chief superintendent of immigration, head intelligence unit, Kotoka International Airport, there is a need for information sharing and corporation among border officials on travellers in the region.

To achieve seamless travels in the sub- regional, she insisted that continental highways, single Advanced Passengers’ Information (API) system should be created across the borders of West African countries.

Sean Mendis, chief operating officer, Africa World Airlines (AWA) and also one of the panelists, decried the high operating cost and taxes charged by member states in the region as obstacles to seamless travel.

For him, it is challenging to obtain operational permits into some West African countries than in other regions in Africa.

Other speakers including Olanma Ojukwu, managing director, GOTA Voyage Travels, Benin Republic, Olanma Ojukwu, and Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited, called for single visa and action against extortion by border securities.

Leading a stronger voice to the issue, Joseph Kofi Adda, Ghana’s Minister of Aviation, in his opening remarks, noted that West Africa needs adequate air connectivity and seamless travel

among countries to fully realise its potential in the aviation and tourism sector.

He regretted that most African governments have not realised the role of the aviation industry in the development of the continent, hence still reluctant to open their skies fearing foreign competition could undercut their national airlines.

There was also a culinary panel where experienced chefs, hoteliers and other stakeholders agreed that African menus need to be repackaged to appeal to global palates, but not necessarily losing the local flavor in doing so.

While a team from Carnival Calabar entertained the audience for the two days the expo lasted, other highlights of the event include the Balafon Awards where some personalities across the region were recognized for their contributions to the growth of tourism, aviation and culture across the region. The biggest award of the expo was the Tourism Man of the Year Award won by Olusegun Runsewe, director general, National Council for Art and Culture (NCAC).

According to Africa Travel Quarterly Magazine (ATQ), the organisers of Accra Weizo, Runsewe was recognised for changing the narrative of Nigerian culture economy through instituting skills acquisition platforms on art and crafts to empower rural poor and also creating financial window for the creative community through partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI).

After receiving the award at

the expo, Runsewe noted that the Balafon Award was a call to duty and collective sacrifice as governments all over the world faced by economic challenges, look up to culture and tourism economy.

Other winners include; Allen Onyema, MD, Air Peace as Travel Personality of the Year in West Africa; Captain Solomon Quianoo (Ghana), Aviation Man of the Year in West Africa; African World Airline (AWA), Best Airline in West Africa; Carnival Calabar, Nigeria, Best Tourism event of the Year in West Africa; Ghana Tourism Authority, Best Tourism Marketing Agency in West Africa; Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL), Best Ground Handling Company in West Africa, among others.

The expo, which witnessed the recognition of Top 20 Conference Centers in West Africa, also made history with the launching of Nigeria /Ghana Friendship Club by Olusegun Runsewe, director general, NCAC, to further strengthen the relationship between both countries.

Runsewe noted that the newly launched friendship club would be the first in Africa that would leave a legacy for unborn Ghanaians and Nigerians to borrow a leaf from and work in harmony.

“Nigeria and Ghana have been together for a long time.

We are brothers and sisters meant to keep the long relationship between both countries going. The time has come for this continent particularly Nigeria and Ghana to come together and sort out their differences.

“With the launch of the club we are going to have a new thinking between Ghana and Nigeria.

We will have stronger ties better than what we used to have. This day marks a new beginning for both countries, the unborn Ghanaians and unborn Nigerians will come to meet this friendship with peace and nothing can separate Nigeria and Ghana” he said.

For Dr. Ziblim Barri Iddi, Ghana’s deputy minister of tourism, arts and culture, the club was a novel idea as Ghana/Nigeria friendship predates time and needed to be strengthened.

Expressing his excitement at the end of the expo, Ikechi Uko, CEO, Akwaaba African Travel Market, the organisers of the expo, said this year’s edition surpassed their expectations despite being a transit edition for the MoU signed between Akwaaba African Market and Ghana Tourism Authority for the joint organisation of the event for five years.

For him, the attendance surpassed the over 70 foreign delegates expected comprising a heavy delegation of travel professionals from Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa, Benin and Togo who came to join travel and tourism players from Ghana.

The new additions, especially the culinary panel truly spiced the event, according to him.

Earlier, some participants toured top tourism sites and destinations in some regions in Ghana, especially the Nzulezu, a village built entirely on stilts on Lake Amansuri, where the village chief and the people welcomed the visitors to share in their cultural heritage.

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BDSUNDAY 27

Travel The world’s most powerful passports revealed Stories by IFEOMA OKEKE

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apan and Singapore remain top of a ranking of the world’s most powerful passports, while the UK drops to sixth place alongside the USA, new global research has revealed.

Citizens of these nations can visit 189 countries around the world visa-free with the South Korean passport dropping to second place on 187 countries.

The UK passport has also moved down to joint sixth place in the list - one of its lowest ever spots since the ranking began 14 years ago - alongside the US passport as both allow visa-free access to 183 countries. Japan has the world’s joint most powerful passport, a new global ranking has revealed The ranking has been produced by the Henley Passport Index, which is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It analyses how many countries a passport holder can enter visa-free or on a visa-onarrival basis.

Sharing second place in the list with South Korea is the German passport (no change) and the

Finnish passport (up from third).

In third place are the passports of Denmark (no change), Italy (no change) and Luxembourg (up from fourth) followed by France (down from third), Sweden (down from third) and Spain (no change) in fourth place.

Joint fifth are Austria, Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland (all no change).

The top 10 most powerful

passports in the world 1 - Japan, Singapore 2 - Germany, South Korea 3 - Denmark, Italy, Luxembourg 4 - France, Sweden, Spain 5 - Austria, Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland 6 - Norway, UK, USA, Belgium, Canada, Greece, Ireland 7 - Malta 8 - Czech Republic

Delta to debut wholly reinvented international Main Cabin experience

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ustomers can expect to be impressed on board Delta’s international routes starting this November when the airline debuts its industry-leading Main Cabin experience. Free “Welcome Aboard” cocktails featuring Bellinis to start, hot towel service and mixand-match options for premium appetizers and larger entrees are just a few of the ways Delta is differentiating its international Main Cabin service.

“This is about investing in every single customer who chooses Delta, no matter where they sit on the plane,” Allison Ausband, Delta’s S.V.P. — In-Flight Service said.

“The thoughtful touches we’re investing in throughout the new Main Cabin experience were designed by flight attendants with one goal in mind: delivering an exceptional experience that our customers will rave about and one that our team, the best in the business, is proud to deliver.”

Designed to delight and create “wow” moments that feel like dining in your favourite splurge restaurant, Delta’s reinvented Main Cabin experience

has been met with high marks – with increased customer satisfaction scores on the more than 700 flights it’s been tested on between Portland and Tokyo (NRT) over the past year.

The experience launching in November isn’t the same service Delta started testing more than a year ago. Rigorous reviews of the service through nearly 14,000 hours of flight time, information from over 1,800 customer surveys, robust crew feedback and input from a design team made up of 24 flight attendants resulted in a number of changes to perfect the innovative service for Delta’s international flights.

“With this service, at the end of the flight I know I’ve made a difference in the customer’s journey,” said Michael Miller, a New York-based flight attendant and member of the design team behind the new experience. “I know I’ve had the opportunity to not only offer an exceptional onboard experience, but also to engage with customers and create special moments for them.”

Creating magical moments in-flight

In addition to these enhancements, over the past several months, Delta has provided specialized training to its team of more than 3,000 Pursers – the lead flight attendants on international flights.

Responsible for the customer experience from nose to tail, the Purser role at Delta has been elevated to include pre-flight introductions in the gate house and personal greetings at the boarding door – just a few examples of the important connections between crew and customers that lead to memorable moments and a delightful experience all around.

Also, in addition to recently upgraded amenity kits, more international onboard enhancements are coming soon — like refreshed ear buds and headsets — to further demonstrate the airline’s commitment to creating a best-in-class experience all customers can look forward to.

Delta’s new international Main Cabin service is part of the airline’s multi-billion dollar investment in the overall customer experience.

In the past several years, the airline has made significant enhancements to the Main Cabin experience including free Main Cabin meals on select domestic coast-to-coast routes, free mobile messaging, free in-flight entertainment, upgraded Main Cabin snacks, the addition of sparkling wine, access to Wi-Fi on nearly all flights and refreshed Flight Fuel food-for-purchase options.

9 - Australia, Iceland, New Zealand, Lithuania 10 - Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia In sixth spot along with the UK and the USA are Norway (down from fifth), Belgium, Canada, Greece and Ireland.

Malta is in seventh place followed by the Czech Republic in eighth and Australia, Iceland, New Zealand and Lithuania in joint ninth.

The top ten is rounded off with Latvia, Slovakia and Slovenia.

In significant shifts elsewhere, the United Arab Emirates has entered the top 20 for the first time, more than doubling its number of visa-free destinations to 167 over the past five years.

Provided by Associated Newspapers Limited, the ranking revealed that the world’s least powerful passport is that issued by Afghanistan, as citizens only have access to 25 countries.

At the bottom end of the table, the world’s least powerful passport is that issued by Afghanistan, as citizens only have access to 25 countries.

Iraqi passports also fair poorly with access to just 27 destinations followed by the Syrian passport on 29 countries and the Pakistani passport with visa-free travel to 33 countries.

Christian H Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners and the creator of the passport index concept, said: ‘This latest research appears to confirm something that many of us already knew intuitively.

“Increased visa-openness benefits the entire global community, and not just the strongest countries.”

Emirates announces additional flights for Nigerian pilgrims

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mirates has announced plans to operate additional flights to help facilitate travel for Nigerian pilgrims heading to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

The airline will be operating additional flights between July 27th and August 27th in order to support the Hajj journey of Nigerian pilgrims to the Holy city of Mecca.

committed to ensuring a comfortable trip. Emirates has planned several on-board initiatives that upholds the values and traditions of pilgrims.

“Extra provisions will be made to accommodate Hajj traveller’s needs such as performing ablutions and other cleansing rituals as well as advising passengers when they have entered Al Miqat zones

Nigerian travellers with a valid Hajj visa will enjoy travel which runs along with Emirates’ regular scheduled services to Jeddah and Medina.

Emirates has commissioned a dedicated team to manage check-in and transfers for the seamless movement of Hajj passengers leaving from and transiting in Dubai. Similarly, Emirates has planned several initiatives on-board that upholds the values and traditions of pilgrims when travelling for Hajj.

Afzal Parambil, the regional manager West Africa said: “We wish our Nigerian Muslim faithfuls who will be travelling to Mecca for Hajj this year, a holy pilgrimage and safe trip. We at Emirates are

to ensure readiness for Ihram (the point when pilgrims enter a state of sanctity) through dedicated passenger announcements. This is in addition to other service and product measures such as providing extra blankets and unperfumed hot towels.

“Nigerian travellers departing from either Lagos or Abuja to their various destinations can enjoy an amazing list of entertainment curated for their comfort on-board, but most importantly, it will also feature a special Hajj video that covers safety, formalities and information about performing the Hajj pilgrimage. Pilgrims will also be able to tune into the Holy Quran channel during their journey”, Parambil added.

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I won’t change my brand of music – Alariwo Ariya Repete 2019:

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eteran musician, Alariwo has said he wasn’t going to change his brand of music even though it is not as financially rewarding as it used to be.

However, the old school afro beat singer said he would rather infuse the current trend and make it more acceptable in today’s music industry.

In a recent chat with Bliss, Alariwo said, “I know my brand of music is no longer rewarding locally but in the international market, it is still very acceptable.

I won’t switch genre but I would infuse the current trend a bit to soothe the younger generation.

After all, 80 per cent of what’s being played now is from afro beat. I am working on that very soon but trying to choose the young talents that will soothe each track.”

Granted younger artistes seem to have taken over the music industry at the moment, the veteran singer posited that most of them don’t make “meaningful songs”.

He said, “Yes, they have taken over no doubt but really, some of them aren’t making meaningful songs and that is the truth. But it sure will get better with time.

A lot of them are equally making meaningful music like Timi, Simi, Burna Boy, Dekunle Gold and Asa, Niniola.”

Even as he was successful in his music career back then, Alariwo said music was just a hobby for him and not his calling.

Ibadan, Akure explode!

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“Media is my calling. I didn’t switch from music to media. I am just practicing what I love and I thank God that it can put food on my table. You should expect more from me in this aspect. But then, let’s keep watching because it’s

better to work hard in secret and bring the result to the public.”

Born Rotimi Martins, the singer said the name Alariwo, though an alias, has opened many doors for him and has made great impact in his life and career.

he ancient city of Ibadan and the serene city of Akure exploded simultaneously last weekend when the ship of Ariya Repete berthed in the cities.

It was an incredible audition that brought out another set of quarter finalists for this year’s edition of the music talent hunt show.

The turnout for the Ibadan selection party was massive as residents and lovers of indigenous music came out to show their support for the contestants. The Judges on the night which included renowned music producer - ID Cabassa, Juju veteran - Champion Opio, and Fuji Artist - Rasheed Abefe were faced with the herculean task of selecting three successful contestants after a series of breathtaking performances.

The experience was equally spectacular at the Sunshine city of Akure, where budding indigenous artists dazzled the audience with wonderful Fuji, Juju and Afro-pop melodies.

After an exciting night in both cities, a total of six quarterfinalists emerged from the Ibadan and Akure selection parties, with

three winners selected from each city.

In Ibadan, Ashley Oluwasegun, Adebayo Adebiyi, and Lukman Adebiyi were crowned as winners of the Afro-pop, Fuji and Juju category respectively. Fuji music star, Taye Currency also made a surprise appearance at the Ibadan selection party, and his performance was one of the many highlights of the night.

Akure auditions produced Mayowa Alayo, and Ibrahim Afolabi as winners from the Afro-pop and Juju categories respectively, while Seun Ayegbayo edged out stiff competition to emerge victorious in the Fuji category.

Following the dazzling display in Ibadan and Akure, Ariya Repete will now head to Osogbo and Ilorin for the last phase of the regional auditions.

Big Brother Naija: The clash of the Titans

Hi-life Fest: It’s a wrap for regional auditions

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he past few weeks have been so exciting for Highlife music lovers with the regional auditions of Life Continental Lager Beer sponsored Hi Life Fest, themed Rhythm of Progress.

The regional knock-outs which kicked off last June saw various highlife talents emerge, and the final round of auditions in Aba capped-off an amazing four weeks of breathtaking performances.

The Aba auditions which started early in the week, saw

hordes of artistes show their musical talents in hopes of earning a place in the quarterfinal.

After a night of thrills and awe-inspiring moments, our team of Judges had to make the difficult decision of selecting the finals contestants who will join the other regional champions in the quarterfinal.

The event ended with Chimaroke Chimex and Umunnakwe Nwajiakor emerging as the top two contestants in the singing category, while Mega-

star dance group emerged victorious in the dance category.

With the regional knockouts now concluded, the contestants will head to Lagos for mentorship, where they will learn the ropes and rudiments of the music industry from successful artistes and producers in the Nigerian music scene.

The winner of the 2019 HiLife FEST is set to earn a whopping sum of N5m while the first and second runners-up will also go home with N2m and N1m respectively.

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nd since the much talked about Big Brother Nija reality show hit the screens, it has been fun galore in the house and for most viewers who have stayed glued to their TV sets.

Last Sunday heralded the show, which is set to be a banger in the history of all reality shows.

With music stars, Burna boy and Teni performing, it was evident that this edition would be show stopper as all the contestants had a great time before they went into the house.

And since they got into the house, it has been nonstop entertainment. All the housemates have been putting up acts that would surely earn them marks from their fans.

It is sure going to be a clash of the Titians as virtually all the contestants are on point with each of them trying so hard to outdo one another in the game.

But then, there have been so many “fake” accents in the house ranging from British to American.

Apparently, most of them think the foreign accent would get them more votes from viewers.

There would defnitely be a lot of romance in the house as some of the ladies are already “eyeing” the guys in the house.

Isilomo, who many believe, has a soft spot for Frodd, surprised so many viewers during the mock Diary Session with fellow housemate Omashola.

Omashola who had played the role of Biggie, had asked Isilomo if there was any guy in the house she had a thing for.

Isilomo left Omashola speechless for a few seconds with her response when she said, “There are a lot of great guys here... while it’s really early in terms of who I might want to gravitate to, but I think I like Omashola. He has that grown man vibe and I am for grown men, not small boys.”

Later, Omashola asked Isilomo why she mentioned his name as her love interest in the House. He also declared his likeness for her.

Sunday 07 July 2019

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contemporary architectural designs with high-level finishes.

From inception, they

made it their policy to build the best homes at the most economical prices throughout Nigeria, thus

delivering optimum value for money.

A visit to any of The Address Homes in Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lekki, etc. will reveal their consistent passion for delivering exceptional homes with high-class finishing.

This strategy, coupled with their unwavering reliability and dedication to quality, custom-tailored homes, has made The Address Homes one of the highlyrespected companies in the property development business.

The Address Homes is also developing a 30-unit high contemporary estate next to Femi Okunnu Estate in upscale Lekki, Lagos. This project is at the roofing stage now and has already met the initial quota of sales, with just few units left to be completed.

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biggest acquisitions in the e-commerce sector

in Africa.

The 26-year-old, who is

today in the league of many successful young men, has turned his dreams into reality globally and loves to keep a very low profile.

While some claim that his decision to keep a low profile is a conscious effort in order not to be seen as competing with his father, he is always hugged in the limelight, but others say he is an introvert, who always buries his head in books.

Konga currently boasts over 1000 staff and this figure is expected to increase substantially with its growing network all over the country. Ekeh, who holds a certificate in International Business and Economics from Harvard, is a savvy entrepreneur and online enthusiast. His mission is to ensure that Africa is not ignored during conversations on technology and innovation.

Oil Magnate, Abdurazak Isa’s Next Move

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or Abdulrazak Isa, a businessman and an oil magnate, the journey to the boulevard of fame and success began over two decades ago.

Among his other sterling achievements, Isa has co-founded Savings and Loans Limited (now a subsidiary of Sterling Bank Plc. Besides; at the outset of his career, he had been responsible for the structuring and financing of several multi-million dollar transactions in the upstream and oil service segments

of the oil and gas industry.

At some point, Isa, together with his friend, Danjuma Saleh, conceptualized Walter Smith and Associates, a leading oil exploration company in Africa, a company that eventually merged with a Canadian company, Petroman Oil in Calgary, Canada, thereby becoming Walter Smith Petroman Oil Limited. Despite the loss recorded when the company suffered a major fire outbreak, an intervention turned their sorrow inside-out.

Obeahon Ohiwerei finds new groove abroad

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henhewasKeystone henchman, he had everything going for him. The erstwhile MD/CEO of that bank, Obeahon Ohiwerei, is no ordinary star and does not hide his common rules of common men.

Few months after rescuing Keystone from terminal decline, due to cancerous finances, and nursing it through remission and back to full health, Obeahon just shocked the entire world by handing in his resignation. Of course, that is no longer news.

The news is that those who thought he stepped down in order to assume a top job in a competing financial institution are still waiting for their expectations to materialize. In fact, since he relinquished his post, Obeahon has all going for him, leaving industry watchers to wonder whatever could have happened to the dude who began his banking career with Guaranty Trust Bank way back in 1991. However well he’d have wanted to hide, some

of his fans have finally fished him out like a goldfish that will never have a hiding place.

Those wondering about the whereabouts of the man whotookhometheBestBanking CEO Award 2018 at the prestigious European Global Banking & Finance Awards in London last year no longer have to wonder.

The 52-year old banker is now in Canada on a brief sabbatical, getting ready to launch self back to full corporate business. Meanwhile, as Obeahon Ohiwerei relaxes and strategizes in Canada, ahead of a presumedreturn,thepraisefor the work he did at Keystone continues unabated.

Seyi Tinubu’s Giant Strides

Nnamdi Ekeh’s grows in business

namdi Ekeh, the beloved son of Zinox b o s s , Le o S t a n Ekeh, has always nursed the dream of owning an online business, even before he graduated in Economics from the University of Lancaster.

The young and ambitious Nnamdi Ekeh had received the blessings of his billionaire father to set up the now thriving Yudala Online retail.

Immediately he received the desired financial intervention from his father, he turned the business into a mega fortune few months after. Indeed, within the first year of operation, Yudala became the best online retail market in the country.

Am b i t i o u s N n a m d i shocked the world when he acquired Konga, in what was considered one of the

BDSUNDAY 29

Bolatito Adebola

Bisi Onasanya soars in the realtors’ arena e has a cherished pedigree for doing well in many spheres, and he has proved this on many occasions. The former First Bank Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bisi Onasanya, the astute banker is making waves with his recently floated real estate firm, Address Home that owns choice properties scattered all over Lagos Island.

Bisi Onasanya’s The Address Homes Limited is now a leading real estate company engaged in the acquisition, development and management of luxurious contemporary homes across Nigeria.

Th e c o m p a n y h a s changed the face of Real Estate development in Nigeria, by delivering homes that combine high class

@Businessdayng

So, like Phoenix, the company rose from its ashes in a surprised manner.

In 2003, the new company won the bid for a marginal oil field, known as Ibigwe OML 16; and five years after, it commenced production and export of crude oil.

Just last year, Isa played host to several industry players in Ohaji/Egbema Council Area of Imo State, during the launch of his company’s 5,000 bpd refinery, and he made a good representation of his company.

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eyi Tinubu, the son of APC chieftain Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been doing his best to carve a niche for himself, and this is not associated with his father’s ownsphereofinterest,politics, if not influence.

The handsome dude, who has been scarce for some time now, was back in the spotlight daysbackwhenhetookpartat the Atinuda Conference.

The Atinuda seminar is the brainchild of Oaken Events’ boss, Ayírí Oladunmoye. This year’s event was severally jampacked with young speakers who came to share their experience in the education and master-class sessions during the two-day event, which was held between June 14 and 15, 2019, at The Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Seyi Tinubu had a grandstandingpresenceattheevent, and the accoladesthat greeted him were, to say the least, very encouraging to him. Seyi, the head honcho of rave-making

advertising agency Loatsad Media occupied pride of place among the speakers who included the likes of Ty Bello, David Tutera, Ndidi Nwuneli, Ifeoma Williams, Samke Mhlongo, Anita Erskine, Bukky George, Chukwuka Monye, Mary Akpobome, Jacqueline Nwobi, Udo Okonjo and Dzigbordi among others.

The US-trained lawyer was in his element as he thrilled the captivated audience with valuable nuggets and insights drawn from his own experiences navigating the business world.

Ayiri Oladunmoye makes waves with her industry

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hose who do good, and well in what they do, will always prove their mettle. Effervescent, dynamic and energetic Ayiri Oladunmoye, the CEO of Oaken Events and brain behind Atinuda Premium Conference, has the vision to bridge the gap in Nigeria’s event management industry.

She is now one of the most talented creative women in the industry. Her annual conference that parades speakers from across the world is just a reference point if the truth must be told.

Her tenacity has now paid off, as she was recently recognized as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent Global Class of 2018,

for her ingenuity and innovation as an entrepreneur. Four years ago, Ayiri Oladunmoye put her vision of bridging the gap in the event industry into reality by organizing an event with speakers from across the globe to help tutor their Nigerian counterparts. Her mission then wasn’t to play to the gallery, but to standardize the multibillion-naira empire.

The idea sounds impressive given the fact that people are beginning to embrace the industry with open arms and with a ‘guardian angel’ like Ayiri, the sky seems to be the limit. Atinuda , which is the largest event conference in Africa, was birthed by the Oladunmoye, founder of Oaken Events, in 2016.

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Sunday 07 July 2019

Focus

Day South West sounded the battle cry against insecurity, kidnapping

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REMI FEYISIPO, Ibadan

ecently, governors of the six states in the South West geo-political zone and other stakeholders met in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, to find a lasting solution to the lingering security challenges in the zone.

The summit organised by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) in collaboration with the six governors had governors Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Babajide SanwoOlu of Lagos, Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun and the host governor, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, traditional rulers, pressure groups, Fulani representatives, among others.

The summit with the theme, ‘Stakeholders’ security summit: Focus on Western Nigeria’ witnessed a huge turnout of people at the Theophilus Ogunlesi Multi-purpose Hall, University College Hospital, Ibadan, venue of the meeting.

The event, which drew participants from the six states of the region, was not attended by Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi. Even Ooni of Ife, Oba Eniitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi was not present either but was represented

by Aderemi Adedapo.

Both Olubadan and Alaafin said they were not invited. Prominent groups such as the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, and the Agbekoya Farmer’s Association were conspicuously absent at the summit.

But the meeting was able to set the template on how to tackle the kidnappings and insecurity which had plagued the region in recent times.

The governors promised to bring an end to the continued attacks, saying their people should hold them responsible for everything on the insecurity.

They also jointly agreed that state police could be part of the solution to the nagging problem.

According to them, “We should be particularly worried by the current spate of an insidious phenomenon, hitherto unknown and uncommon in our immediate clime, creeping into our erstwhile peaceful and prosperous ambience. The incessant perpetration of anti-social behaviours occasioning pervasive despair and the seeming helplessness of our security agencies to stem the tide of these aberrant attitudes, which threaten the very existence of our region as an autonomous socio-political entity, call for serious scrutiny. We must review these unfortunate incidents individually and collectively.”

The governors also agreed that “Every state must be able to ascertain the extent of this current threat.

We must locate the sources of compromise within our space with a view to curtailing same effectively in both the short and long run.”

The governors were of the opinion that there should be establishment of not only the state police but

L-R: Chairman, South West Governor’s Forum and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu; his counterparts from Osun, Ogun, Lagos, Ekiti and Oyo states, Gboyega Isiaka; Dapo Abiodun; Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Kayode Fayemi and Seyi Makinde, respectively, at the summit.

also community policing to check criminality.

Makinde, the host governor, in his welcome address commended the Federal Government for giving attention to the creation of state police, saying: “The advantage of community policing far outweighs the fears of the people. This is the time to act.”

According to him, “It is my belief that at the end of our deliberations, we would have come up with arguments that we are in support of state police.”

He described the problem of insecurity in the zone as “a snake on the roof and we cannot ignore it and go to sleep,” adding that as governors, their role was to ensure that everyone living in the region is safe.

According to him, “As governors, it is our responsibility to ensure that everyone in our midst, indigene or alien resident is assured of security of their life and property. We also know that there are barriers preventing us from carrying out this constitutional responsibility to the fullest measure”.

While arguing that a regional approach to resolving the security challenges facing the South West states was important, he noted that the South West states are interlinked and the challenges of one state could easily become the challenges of the entire zone.

Makinde, who decried the rising spate of kidnappings and the growing tension between farmers and herdsmen in the zone, said that some states were close to international borders, increasing the threat that the zone was collectively facing.

“As a group on this side of the Niger, we have always had more things that unite us than those that divide us. We have always held our doors open and have been welcoming strangers and want things to continue like this because the diversity in our states is an ingredient for economic development.

“We know that there are barriers preventing us from carrying out this constitutional responsibility to the fullest measure. One of those barriers is the fact that we do not control the security apparatuses in our states.”

The governor was, however, optimistic that deliberations at the summit would “throw up tailormade solutions that can be applied to the states of the South West.”

Akeredolu, who is the chairman of the South West Governors Forum, in his keynote address said this “meeting has become exigent considering the spate of insecurity in the country. The anxiety of our people is palpable. The growing fear among the populace makes nonsense of any plans conceived for the development of our Godgiven space.

“It is my fervent hope that this engagement will not be limited to the current challenge which threatens to wreck our collective peace. I look forward to future interactions on matters as important and affective as this one which compels this assembly. There is no gainsaying the obvious; the issue of socio-economic integration in the region must be taken seriously for any aspiration towards development to be meaningful. No remarkable progress can be achieved amidst chaos. No state in the region can achieve greatness in isolation.”

The Ondo State governor further said: “We should extend the possibility of cooperation on other socioeconomic fronts. Our people stand to benefit from our resolve to ensure that they remain at the centre of all permutations and considerations,” saying that no sacrifice is too much for the governors in the region to protect their people.

“Partisan coloration should not delimit the extent of collaboration aimed at maximum service for our people. With shared yearnings for the development of the region, there should be no difficulty in agreeing to provide the best services possible in the interest of our people.

“There should be no disagreement in aspiration for service, if altruism is the focus. Our seeming difference, considering political platforms, should not stand in the way of commitment to promote the collective well-being of our people. Convinced of our shared heritage, propelled by the desire to proceed on the enviable tradition of excellence for which our ancestors

are reputed, we cannot harbour any extraneous preferences to this inherited and established course of development.”

According to him, “We are particularly lucky; we have many examples to draw from history considering exemplary courage in the face of adversity, uncommon display of hospitality, even in privation, industry and distinctive virtues, all of which mark us as a unique people.

The influx of peoples from other parts of the country and beyond attests to our urbanity and humane disposition which accommodate divergence. The evidence of great successes recorded by those who seek refuge in our geo-political space is sufficient reason for the sustenance of our hospitable disposition, provided that our people’s interests are not in jeopardy.”

“Again, our history compels us to be cautious when confronted with strange occurrences. Our past experiences should teach us that understanding a phenomenon will assist us, tremendously, in proffering useful solutions. As leaders of our people we cannot afford to be emotive in taking decisions for their benefit. Any step taken must reflect the collective will to protect them.

No sacrifice is too much to preserve this heritage of peace and prosperity,” he further said.

He warned: “There is, however, the urgent need compelling a review of this liberal policy of openness.

Our people are under siege, the harbingers of death, sorrow, tears and blood threaten the existing fraternity among the peoples of this country. Narrow-mindedness gloats over the horrendous crimes perpetrated by these criminal elements. Some fail to see beyond partisan parochialism. The situation on ground should compel a broader and open-minded analysis of this strange incursion with a view to ascertaining the real reasons responsible for this disquiet.”

He further noted that “There can be no argument on the assertion that insecurity has become a major issue in the polity today. There is virtually no part of the country which is spared at the moment. All the six geo-political zones experi-

ence one form of crisis or the other.

From Zamfara to Katsina, the current trends are banditry and cattle rustling. Kano, Sokoto and Bauchi are not spared. Kaduna faces an uphill task in combating security challenges.

“The Middle Belt Region is also affected seriously. The crisis between the Jukun and Tiv in Taraba State appears intractable. Jos has witnessed a serious upheaval recently. Benue State was practically under siege at a moment.

The North East has been waging a seemingly endless war against insurgents who have now introduced an international dimension to the mindless killings and destruction of properties. The South East and South-South battle with communal clashes, banditry, armed robbery and kidnapping.

“There have been attempts by some to create disaffection among Nigerians. Others have tried to take advantage of the unfortunate crisis to further compound the problems.

A traditional ruler and a pastor have been accused of feigning kidnap to extort money from sympathisers.

Crime, of varying hue, is gradually becoming a very lucrative business in Nigeria.”

Governor Fayemi in his remarks said that the advocacy for state police was not in opposition to federal police.

Fayemi, who is also the chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, said there was the need for state police to complement the work of the federal police.

He noted that the security challenges were not peculiar to the zone alone but a national problem.

In his speech, Governor SanwoOlu suggested that advocacy be introduced while State Police be considered to compliment the effort of the Federal Police in all states of the federation.

“State Police is the way to go.

This would give the Chief Security officers in each of the states the opportunity to direct their affairs and make them accountable instead of waiting for Federal directives before major actions could be taken on incidents of banditry, cultism and other heinous crimes. Controlling one’s police at the state level would help us achieve unhindered and accelerated response to any criminal activities recorded within our communities,” he said.

According to him, “The importance of security in human existence cannot be underestimated which means security is paramount to the existence of all human beings and no meaningful development could be recorded in the absence of security.

Sanwo-Olu urged all states governors in the zone and stakeholders alike to put all machinery in motion to find a permanent solution to the security lapses, adding that we should all speak with one voice and remove politics so as to put a permanent stop to the incessant incursions on our land.

On their part, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun, and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun said the summit was a call to duty for the governors to secure the region.

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BDSUNDAY 31

NigeriaLastWeek COZA: Busola and Fatoyinbo tango

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he fireworks going on at the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) over the alleged human weakness of the presiding pastor, Biodun Fatoyinbo has gone international. From the blues, a former female member of the church, Busola Dakolo, pointed fingers at Fatoyinbo, saying ‘thou art the man that stole my virginity’ when I was 16 years old.

Since that day, hell has been let loose on the flamboyant cleric.

Apart from Busola, a few other women have come up to say the man touched them inappropriately at some point in their lives; that they decided to keep quiet but has now found their voice to speak out.

Although Fatoyinbo has continued to pledge his innocence, insisting he has neither raped anybody even as an unbeliever nor now that

he sleeps and wakes on the altar, more and more allegations are trailing him.

He has since stepped down from his position in the church until his innocence or otherwise

is established. There were protests in Abuja and Lagos branches of Coza, as the protesters called for his prosecution. Only tomorrow, which is pregnant, can tell the end of this saga.

Of RUGA and rugged controversy

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hank goodness, reasons prevailed last Wednesday.

Before that day, the entire country had boiled over following the introduction of an unfamiliar word into the Nigerian lexis.

They called it Ruga. Suddenly, news began to filter in as rumour and in the social media that Abuja had concluded plans to establish what they called Ruga settlements across the country for Fulani herdsmen.

The news had it that about 12 states

had been marked to be used as pilot scheme for the project. There was an outcry akin to what the Angels of God said when the Lucifer was pushed out of heaven “woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth…” The fear was that if the herdsmen who allegedly sent many souls to their untimely grave could be so brutal when they were not living with their victims, it would be an Armageddon if they should live with them, which RUGA allegedly seek to do

(to enable the herdsmen settle down in a place without roaming).

First, to scream foul was Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue whose state has tasted of the ruthlessness of marauding herdsmen. He cried out that no land in Benue would be used for the purpose. Taraba State joined, others followed suit and like a wild fire in the harmattan, the anger spread, and Abuja got the signal. Listening to some government officials that spoke on the project, there seemed to be no proper plan and articulation before rolling out the project.

Before some state governments knew what was happening, some earth-moving caterpillars were already stationed at some points in their states to begin the controversial project, it was alleged.

Well, to cut a long story short, the Federal Government heeded to voice of reason and made a volteface. For now, and probably forever, Ruga settlement has been dropped in the manner it was planned. Perhaps, it could be revived after it must have gone through proper metamorphosis.

Abbo: The ‘unsenatorial’ conduct of a youthful lawmaker

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igeria never runs out of news. While the COZA, and RUGA were competing for headline spaces in the national dallies, yet another story stole the news holes. This time around, it was the “unsenatorial” conduct of a “distinguished” lawmaker in the upper chamber of the nation’s legislative arm. Senator, Elisha Abbo from Adamawa was captured on video, displaying a Mike Tyson punching prowess on a defenseless woman in a shop in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the seat of power.

The youngest Senator could be said to be suffering from youthful exuberance; after all, it is not easy

to achieve the feat of being elected into the Nigerian Senate, which has become, for want of proper nomenclature, “old people’s home”, or better still “retirees’ colony” as someone put it. But the good thing is that Abbo has since come to his right senses and wondered why he allowed himself to descend so low.

In tears, he apologised, not only to the assaulted woman, but to the entire Nigerian people.

However, the Nigerian Police told him that tears have no place in law. They detained him. The Senate, which is his immediate constituency for now, is also looking into what brought the momentary “lost of touch with reality” or do

they have any plan to refer him to somewhere else for examination?

No one knows.

Oshiomhole VS Obaseki’s ‘janglover’ in Edo

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hese are not the good times in the relationship between Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State and his political godson, Godwin Obaseki.

The duo have been engaged in the political abracadabra in the state over who controls Edo affairs. While Oshiomhole believes that though he is in Abuja, his shadows must control the state he left some years back as chief executive officer, Obaseki says, it’s only a robot that can allow itself to be tele-guided. I think this tussle for the control of the people and resources in the state has become messy.

The other day, the state House of Assembly was nocturnally inaugurated and the speaker Nicodemusly elected. Edo people had gone to bed one night, without an Assembly in place, but before they

woke up in the morning, a functional Assembly was in place. Politicians are magicians.

Oshiomhole cried blue murder and alleged ambush. But, like a bible character said, Obaseki seems to be saying too, “what is written, is written”.

Last week, the festering crisis in the state drove the traditional stool of the state to the Presidential Villa. The Oba of Benin himself, Omo, N ‘Oba N’ Edo, Ewure 11, led the delegation, to beg President Muhammadu Buhari to call the two brothers to order. But observers believe that the President, known for his unwillingness to meddle in other people’s matters, would prefer to tell Oshiomhole and Obaseki, “you are of age, and you are old enough to know what is good for yourselves!” Edo people, who bear the blunt of the fight, are watching with trepidation.

The scramble in the House of Reps

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he House of Representatives was thrown into a market of sorts last Wednesday as people were scrambling for minority leadership positions at the green chamber. For whatever reason, Femi Gbajabiamila had unilater-

ally decided to pick other lawmakers different from the list submitted by the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP). It was indeed, a wrong start. It has given indication of what should be expected from the House going forward.

Okowa clinches the trophy; becomes first governor to appoint commissioners

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overnor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, broke loose from the ranks and grabbed the trophy when he cast off the cloak of lethargy that appears to have prevented 29 governors elected during the 2019 governorship election to constitute their cabinets, several weeks after their inauguration. While his colleagues insist they are not going to appoint any commissioner until order comes from above, the performing Delta State governor, who knows the negative consequences of undue delays in such appointments, last week made an epoch-making

move by appointing and swearing into office eight commissioners. It is hoped that others will follow his good example.

Supreme Court seals Adeleke’s hope

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ast Friday, Ademola Adeleke and his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) watched in awe as the Supreme Court ruled that the dancing senator did not need to appeal the ruling of the court that upheld the election of Gboyega Oyetola in Osun State. The ruling was so shocking to the umbrella party that the fact that the Supreme Court had a split judgment also speaks volumes on the matter. The party got pissed off by the turn of event that it caused its spokesperson, Kola Ologbodinyan, to convey its message that “Our study of the judgment however shows that the Supreme Court did not negate the position of the PDP and millions of Nigerians that our candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke won the election, but based its verdict on reservations over issues of technicalities arising at the election peti-

tion tribunal.

“Nevertheless, our party stands with overwhelming majority of Nigerians on that undeniable fact that the people of Osun State, by the votes cast at the poll, preferred Senator Adeleke as their governor.”

So, with the ruling, Adeleke may now have to wait for next four years

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SundayBusiness Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

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ne important aspect of the food value chain that is underrated, yet, a cash cow for investors, is the production and supply of ingredients. From carbohydrates and proteins to extracts or flavours, the diverse food ingredients sector spans carbohydrates, proteins to extracts of colours, and nutritional enhancers such as vitamins and minerals. There are a wide range of products that are used to maintain or improve the safety and freshness of our foods.

Though their production takes some technical expertise and strict adherence to quality standards they are worth the while, in terms of returns on investment. They also serve to meet the organoleptic qualities that consumers desire in the food items they eat, on daily basis.

One company known for this is AAFUD Group which is mainly engaged in the production and sales of natural colours, food flavour as well as food ingredients.

It was established in 1996 with its headquarters located in National

AAFUD: Making the difference in the ingredients market High-Tech Zone in Zhuhai, HongKong. It has leveraged on advanced compounding technology in the production of its several ingredients for different food items. Its global strength is predicated on the integration of sustained scientific research, innovation, production and technical sales service together.

So profound is its increasing impact that the AAFUD Nigerian Company Ltd came on board in 2018 as a subsidiary of the parent group. The multifaceted development format and application of its products have succeeded so far because of its Research and Development Centre. The Rand D team is actively engaged in collaboration with international experts, selected universities and institutes known for innovation.

The features that stand it out above its peers are the focus on strict quality control and sound product traceability system. That explains why it provides product liability insurance coverage and technical expertise for application and food products development.

There are a variety of the food flavours that they produce.

Amongst these are banana flavours and many others made from mango, pine apple, coconut, grape, apple, lemon, malt, red bull, raspberry, strawberry and natural ginger. As for aroma they are produced from similar fruits.

Bakery and pastry flavours produced by AAFUD Group

include vanilla, fresh milk, sweet milk, cheese, coconut, milk oil, egg milk, almond and natural ginger.

Those meant for ice cream, yogurt and dairy products are vanilla, strawberry and mixed berry. Others include chocolate, coconut and cherry.

Forconfectionary,candyandjelly flavours they come from cranberry, blueberry and strawberry. Others come from vanilla, orange, grape, caramel, lychee, coconut and peppermint. In addition to these are the concentrates made as drinks from mixed berry, lemon, orange, pine apple, strawberry, red bull and peech. The versatility of their products stretch to cake and bread preservatives, bakery and dairy ingredients as well as sweeteners. · Fermentation-derived ingredients such as probiotics, cultures, yeast, enzymes and algae form part of the products in demand. So are fibres such as inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS).

Apart from flavours, proteins from vegetables, fish and meat, gelatins.

Coffee and tea whiteners as well as sweeteners, maltodextrins are requiredbyfoodcompanies.Others are extracts from vegetables, fruit and berries.

On the science and technology behind it bacteria, yeast, fungi and microalgae can act as producers (or catalysts for the production) of food ingredients, enzymes and nutraceuticals. With the current trend towards the use of natural ingredients in foods, there

is renewed interest in microbial flavours and colours, food bioprocessing using enzymes and food bio-preservation using bacteriocins. Microbial production of substances such as organic acids and hydrocolloids also remains an important and fast-changing area of research.

Other areas include liquid handling and feed preparation through to the drying and packing of final products. The modern machines used in such processes assist to set industry standards in terms of hygienic processing, energy saving, product quality and maximum plant output, while complying with the strictest criteria for cleanliness and safety at all times.

According to the website: Spruceeats, it is good to know the functions of ingredients used in food processing. For instance, in baking the best-baked goods, including light cakes, tender cookies, finetextured breads, and high popovers depend on the precise combination of flour, liquid, leavening agents, fats, sugars, and flavors.

Flour provides the recipe foundation. Flour gives the structure for the product. The gluten, or protein, in flour, combines to form a web that traps air bubbles and sets. Starch in flour sets as it heats to add to and support the structure. In most baked goods, all-purpose flour is a good choice; it has less gluten than bread flour.

Fat holds it all together. Fat coats gluten molecules so they can’t combine as easily, contributing to the finished product’s tenderness.

In many cakes, fat also contributes to the fluffiness of the final product.

When sugar is creamed with fat, small pockets of air form from the sharp edges of the crystals interacting with the fat.

Commonly used baking fats include butter, shortening, coconut oil, and (less rarely these days) lard.

Sugar is sweet and helps tenderise.

Sugar adds sweetness, as well as contributing to the product’s browning. Sugar tenderises a cake by preventing the gluten from forming. Sugar also holds moisture in the finished product. Sugar crystals cutting into solid fats like butter help form the structure of the product by making small holes which are filled with CO2 when the leavening agents react.

Eggs add texture. Eggs are a leavening agent and the yolks add fat for a tender and light texture.

The yolks also act as an emulsifier for a smooth and even texture in the finished product. And the proteins contribute to the structure of the baked good.

Liquids add leavening and tenderness. Liquid helps carry flavorings throughout the product, forms gluten bonds, and reacts with the starch in the protein for a strong but light structure. Liquids also act as steam during baking, acting as a leavening agent and contributing to the tenderness of the product.

Apart from the production of food ingredients AAFUD assists customers in their food processing line, by giving advices, helping them with product analysis and also helping to design new processing line. In fact, it goes further to help customerstodevelopnewproducts according to their needs and requests for their food processing production.

Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media ayobaje@yahoo.co.uk; 08057971776

‘Unfavourable government policy killing local content’ Regis Anukwuoji, Enugu

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overnment needs to commit to changing the negative narrative in the nation’s economic development. It is not enough to say that Nigerians should buy or patronise locally-made goods without having the political will to enforce the policy.

What is happening in the Nigerian automobile industry is such that Nigeria may never have up to 80 percent locally-sourced materials to produce complete made-inNigerian vehicles. Because of this, those companies that could have engaged young Nigerians in skilled work are closing shops, thereby forcing motor manufacturing companies to source almost all the components outside the country.

This could be attributed to poor vision and faulty ideology of Nigerian leaders to make favourable polices that could move the nation forward.

This resulted in the closing of shops or reduction in production of such industries like the glass industry located in Ibadan, the Rubber factory which is raw material for tyre in Benin which has closed down; the Michelin and Dunlop companies that produce the tyres for vehicle manufacturing also closed shops due to unfavourable policies.

The government is always speaking about patronage of locally-made goods on paper but the governments at all levels know what the problems are. However, despite the harsh operating environment, Annamco Assembly plant in Enugu and some other manufacturing plants have shown that most plants in Nigeria have all the facilities and techniques to produce vehicles that could really be called made-in-Nigeria vehicles. For instance Anambra Motor manufacturing Company Ltd. ANAMMCO, the owners of DONGFENG Motor Truck in Nigeria that started production since 1981, today, is not only Assembling vehicles but also

involved in human capacity building, with a training institute where technicians are trained for effective handling of vehicle production.

Presently, ANAMMCO under third party arrangement is assembling over 150 trucks. Despite all these, one may be forced to ask, what is the attitude of government to the automobile policy? If the factories have all it takes to assemble and manufacture vehicles that would assist in creating employment for the both the skilled and unskilled, why wouldn’t government rally round these companies that have shown resilience and encourage them instead of growing foreign economies by pushing the employment opportunities to those countries that assemble and manufacture those vehicles that are brought into the country. In a discussion with Olalekan Sanyaolu, sales manager of ANAMMCO Nig Ltd, he said that ANAMMCO alone has the capacity to employ over 3000 workers out of the employment market in the sense that it has different de-

partments that can take skilled and unskilled workers in various fields.

Sanyaolu said: “We want Nigeria to know that in production, we are ready to meet up with the requirements of vehicles in Nigeria as far as truck and bus production is concerned; we are ready to produce vehicles needed in this country because we have the capacity”.

According to him, ANAMMCO can produce in single shift 7500 units of trucks and 1000 units of buses, “so, if government can just give us the contract to build buses for Mass-Transit, you can imagine the kind of employment market it will boost both directly and indirectly based on the fact that it is going to use local material producers”.

However, instead of the government encouraging these indigenous motor assembling and manufacturing companies financially or making favourable policies to enable them create employment and reduce poverty, they prefer giving out those employments out to Chinese and other foreign countries who in turn return them here with increased

costs.

“Imagine what will happened if 5000 buses were given to ANAMMCO or other motor assembling plants to produce, the number of people that would be involved in the production locally, the glass companies, the foams, rubber, leaders and companies involved in other components would engage workers, not to talk about those that would be employed directly

by ANAMMCO,” Sanyaolu said.

He urged the government to wake up and do the needful by encouraging local automobile industries particularly ANAMMCO that has all the facilities, experience and capacity to give the country quality products in terms of trucks and buses and on third party arrangement.

“Some of these social investment programmes, like the tradermoni where N10,000 is given to market women, are good, but it should also be extended to established industries that have the capacity to take a lot of people from the labour market,” he further said.

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SundayBusiness Stoking legislative reform towards model mortgage

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he legislature in the 36 states of the federation are all settling down now with the new members learning the rope while the old and returning members are perfecting their arts for effective legislative duties.

Expectedly and as is characteristic of Nigeria, virtually all of these legislative houses had a number of bills pending which have been inherited by the new assembly. One of such bills which the sponsors wanted urgently was the adoption of a model mortgage and foreclosure law by the states.

The bill was packaged as part of efforts at growing a mortgage system that would drive affordability in the mortgage sector by proposing a model mortgage and foreclosure law by key pilot states including Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Kano and Ogun states.

At the fore-front of the drive for this law is the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) which is riding on the relative success it has achieved in the last few years of its establishment and pushing for the adoption of the law by the states.

Given the importance of the law, mortgage sector stakeholders are urging the new states assembly to resume deliberations on it with a view to making their respective states adopt the law and pave the way for improved activities in the mortgage sector and, by extension, in the property market.

What NMRC is driving at, according to one its directors whose primary mortgage bank is a major shareholder in the company, is to get various states houses of assembly to pass foreclosure laws as a prelude to mortgage-backed affordable housing delivery.

This idea, when it filtered out, was good news and remains so for home seekers who may need mortgage facility because foreclosure law, upon adoption, fast-tracks the process for creating legal mortgages, ensuring timely resolution of disputes and creating an efficient foreclosure process.

According to the authorities of the mortgage refinancing company, the model mortgage and foreclosure law is in its final form for engagement with 21 pilot states committing to the implementation of an enabling environment for the development of the

Procurement and Supply Chain

with Gob-Agundu Uche Branch chair (CIPS), Nigeria (CIPS position on practice)

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…. Continued from last week t should be remembered that risks change over time.

Risk assessment should be iterative. When undertaking whole life costing, purchasing and supply management professionals should identify the relevant risks associated with each stage in the life of the product/service. Thus, in some cases, risk might increase dramatically towards the end of the life cycle due to end of life problems such as disposal or obsolescence.

One route to risk mitigation is insurance. Procurement and Supply management professionals should ascertain what insurance arrangements their organizations have in place as some risks may already be covered by insurance. It is also good practice to understand what insurance cover your supplier has in place that is relevant to the requirement. Equally, insurance is not always appropriate if the risk in question is not an insurable risk or if the risks can be managed properly

by the parties to the contract.

Some aspects of risk can be transferred to suppliers, where it is appropriate and agreed. Risk mitigation is a calculated trade off.

Too much risk transfer to a supplier will simply lead to cost increases as the supplier seeks to offset the risk.

Insufficient transfer of appropriate risk leads to the buyer accepting a disproportionate amount of the risk, which might be better accepted and managed by the supplier. Risks are best allocated to the person or party best able to manage them. This may be in terms of expertise, time and/ or resource. Where this is a supplier, or a sub- contractor, Supply chain professionals should be mindful of the fact that suppliers are likely to build in a suitable contingency amount to charge the buying organization.

Risk from the viewpoint of the supplier If the supplier perceives risk to be high they will naturally build in extra safety and extra margin. An effective buyer will try and identify and improve upon areas of concern.

Often this can be done in discussion

mortgage market.

The company hinted that it would be focusing on building capacity and completing outstanding operational activities. At various times, it has demonstrated uncommon resolve to live out its mandate with refinancing of some mortgage banks.

Mortgage operators have described this refinancing as a milestone and, according to Ben Akaneme, Imperial Mortgage Bank’s managing director, “this is an outstanding achievement in the march towards the realisation of affordable and single-digit interest rates for mortgages in Nigeria.

He assured that his bank would continue to strive to achieve its mission of enabling easily accessible and affordable mortgages to Nigerians in order to ensure housing for all.

NMRC is quite conscious of the demands and obligations inherent in the Nigerian business environment as it assures that it will continue to anchor all its services on global best practices, good corporate governance and strict risk management practices.

NMRC came into the Nigerian mortgage market on a very high pedestal, promising a major shift

Talking Mortgage with CHUKA UROKO (08037156969, chukuroko@yahoo.com)

in the interest rate regime in the market. But the authorities of the company have said that, though it is a partnership between the government and the private sector, the company operates as a private sector-led institution, relying on the market to determine interest rate on mortgage loans, meaning that the rate that applies to commercial loans also applies to its mortgage.

“The desire of NMRC, the Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is to achieve single digit interest rate, but we are not there yet because the market does not allow single digit interest rate”, the official said, adding, “as it is today, we cannot meet the single digit interest rate until we are able to reach that point where the

market allows it”.

Right now, the company is working under market conditions hoping that, over time, as the market deepens and grows, the issue of single digit interest rate will be expected. Whatever the rate is today, the desire is to drive it down to single digit.

After all, part of its mandate at inception is to increase liquidity in the mortgage system by raising funds from the capital, foreign and local, and using same to refinance mortgages to be originated by participating primary mortgage lenders.

To its credit, the company has visited the market twice and raised about N18 with which it has refinanced the loans presented by a few primary mortgage lenders as at the last quarter of 2018.

Risk management with the supplier and involves little, if any, cost, or compromise on behalf of the buyer. There are several sophisticated computer programs in the marketplace to aid the process of risk management.

The role of the Supply Chain professional is to: Identify and promote the business need for robust risk management in procurement and supply management Identifywhointheirorganization is/should be responsible for this and work with them in analyzing and assessing the risks Inform himself/herself sufficiently about the supplying organization(s) and the people involved to make discretionary judgements about the balance of probability of the supplier causing or allowing risks within their own control, to materialize Make a value-added input to commercial decision by leading a commercial risk assessment in the development of commercial strategies Be fully conversant with a range of contract strategies that can be applied when setting up contracts to achieve best value in meeting organizational objectives Various purchasing and supply management techniques can make a substantial contribution to this process, for example supplier appraisal or tender evaluation can minimize the risk of using unsuitable suppliers.

Where there is no-one identified as responsible for risk management,

the Supply Chain professional should communicate probable risks to all internal stakeholders.

They should seek to challenge assumptions and encourage colleagues to manage risks. Where there is little interest, the Supply Chain professional should take responsibility for all significant procurement risks and document these accordingly, e.g. assessing a potential supplier’s financial standing, taking references etc. For complex projects a cross-functional team should assume responsibility for risk management and the Supply Chain professional may well lead this team.

With respect to wider business issues (such as risk to reputation) a Supply Chain professional should often have an external focus in the organization, he/she has a responsibility to feed into the organization anything they detect which may generate a risk to the business. All Supply Chain professionals have a responsibility to understand the objectives of their organization and to ensure that the procurement strategy is in line with the corporate strategy and the wider business objectives.

Skills required Toundertakeriskmanagement, Supply Chain professionals should have: • A knowledge of the risk management techniques available and an awareness of ISO 31000, the global risk management standard1 • An analytical mindset with an ability to prioritize and to build a risk

management frame- work • The skills to assess risk effectively and to select and apply appropriate risk management techniques •Knowledge of the external marketplace and relevant regulation • The relationship that risk management has with governance and other functions. Supply chain awareness and an awareness of global issues such as culture and communication when building an effective risk management framework Conclusion Organizations are increasingly aware of the importance of managing risk. Supply Chain professionals can add value to any risk management process within an organization, whether or not it is directly related to Supply Chain Management. An awareness of risk should be regarded as a positive trait in the successful buyer; it should not be an expectation that things will go wrong, but rather an alertness to the fact that they might do so, coupled with a readiness to take positive steps to prevent undesirable outcomes.

Cips position on practice represents the opinion of the Institute on respective professional practices in the business of Procurement and Supply Chain. Its objective is to further the growth of the industry and provide useful tools for individuals and organizations alike for the establishment of sound professional practices.

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er things, he said.

“It is in Aba they sew most of things you see in Nigeria,” said Oguebunwa.

Debunking the myth that Aba produces fake product which makes consumers prefer foreign products, Chigozie said Aba’s operation is similar to what happens in China.

In the chain of distribution, the wholesalers usually prescribe to manufactures in Aba the specifications to be produced for them, the grade from highest quality to lowest quality.

“This is also what is obtainable in China,” Chigozie compared.

Surprisingly, according to Chigozie, some of the products sold in Italy, America, Dubai and other countries are being produced in Aba. Exporters usually go to Aba, demand for high quality specifications and then export such to foreign countries for sale.

Unknowingly for some Nigerians, they travel to these countries for shopping only to buy the same ‘made in Aba’ they run away from here in Nigeria.

“We usually experience such cases always,” he said.

Chinedu said government needs to enlighten Nigerians more on the need to buy Aba products, saying Aba produces good quality.

Aba can handle wears that are available in China and elsewhere, he stated.

“Aba is number one producer in West Africa,” Chigozie said.

He bragged that NYSC uniform is being sewn in Aba today, likewise military shoes.

“Aba is just like China.

Show us the sample, we will do it for you,” Chinedu concluded.

@businessDayNG

SundayBusiness Why Aba holds key to Nigeria’s industrialisation Joseph Maurice Ogu

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ba is China of Africa”, echoed Dim Ch i g o z i e , chief executive of Prince Dim Fashion Concept, Aba, Abia State.

“But there is no infrastructure in Aba to support our business,” he lamented over the telephone conversation with BDSUNDAY. The city is one of Africa’s industrial hubs. Like Chigozie, many SME operators in Aba wonder why federal and state governments neglect the potential of the city, thereby making China a viable alternative.

If necessary attention is paid to Aba, Chigozie said, the production capacity of the hub will increase the economy of the nation.

Aba industrial hub faces several challenges that affect the manufacturers.

According to Chigozie, whose office is located at Mbaise/Ngwa Road, Aba, the road network in the area is terrible, blaming the state government for not paying enough attention to a place that could turn the economy of Nigeria around

for good.

In addition, power supply is another major issue that Aba industrialists have to contend with.

As sources of alternative power supply, Aba industrialists have to go for generating sets to keep their productions going. This means that people like Chigozie usually buy petrol/diesel to power their generating sets.

This raises production costs and reduces competitiveness of their products.

“I buy fuel every day. It tells a lot in my pocket,” he lamented.

John Chinedu, a shoemaker in Aba, said most of his income goes to power generation by way of fueling his generators.

“If I do not power my generator, I will go out of business,” he said.

Acquiring the necessary equipment is another challenge of people like Chigozie, who have the technical knowledge to sew different types of clothes but do not have the financial strength to acquire some machines, especially for finishing, face.

“What you see in China is nothing; they only have the equipment,” Chigozie said.

According to him, even

with the little equipment they have, Aba producers are able to come out with products that are globally demanded, wondering what they could achieve if the right pieces of equipment are at their reach. His main challenge is to acquire ‘finishing machines’ that will enable his handiwork become more visible and appreciated.

“People who travel to China mainly go there because China has finishing machines, nothing else. If such machines are available

Omobola Johnson commends Sterling Bank’s high-level gender inclusion HOPE MOSES-ASHIKE

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former Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Omobola Johnson has listed some factors that can help women to reach the top of their careers in any field of endeavour.

The former minister who spoke on the theme of ‘Winning through Inclusion’ at the third edition of the Sterling Leadership Series (SLS) in Lagos recently said women can get to the top through mentorship, role modelling, assertiveness, confidence building and networking, among others.

While urging women to quickly adopt the tactics she outlined for better representation, Johnson said men are not likely to concede leadership positions to women in a friendly manner because lots of discriminatory practices exist in the corporate world so women would have to fight, kick and, if necessary, bite to get to the top.

According to her, available statistics show that the number of women in leadership positions in the political and corporate world was dwin-

dling. She noted that while she was in government, women had about 30 percent representation but the percentage has dropped to about 10 percent now while there are still fewer women at the board level in companies.

Johnson who is a Cofounder of Women in Business (WIMBIZ) commended Sterling Bank for its high level of gender inclusion.

She said available statistics show that when women are involved in leadership positions there is improved performance because there is better representation in decision-making.

She also advocated for policies that would support maternal and childbirth responsibilities among women because, besides women having responsibilities outside the workplace, it is important to have a workplace that represents the larger society.

In his opening remarks,Abubakar Suleiman,managing, director and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank explained that the leadership series has the objective of inspiring the bank to do things that are memorable and in order to do so, it is necessary to sit with people who have done

memorable things.

Suleiman said the maiden leadership series was headlined by Professor Wole Soyinka while the managing director of Unilever Nigeria Plc, Yaw Nsarkoh, was the guest speaker at the second edition.

Johnson who also doubles as the Chairman of Custodian Investment Plc enjoined the Federal Government not to regulate technology companies such as the Fintechs like other companies in order not to kill them because they can scale very fast.

She urged the government to listen and engage with citizens because technology is helping citizens to keep governments on their toes across the world, citing instances like the recent protest in Cameroon and the need to learn from what happened in Ukraine, Italy and the US where the electorates voted against the established order.

She observed that no developing country could talk about development without mobile phones, remarking that before the advent of mobile phones, banking services contributed about 46 percent while the introduction of mobile phones has enhanced financial inclusion to about 70 percent.

in Nigeria, Aba will compete with China,” he said.

“The main thing about the job is finishing. If we have the equipment, people will no longer go to China,” he boasted.

Chijioke Oguebunwa, an Aba based entrepreneur, said a lot of products come out from Aba, adding that government only needs to do more for the city to make it what is should be.

There is nothing that is needed that one could not get in Aba, ranging from shoes, cloths, belts and oth-

FOU Customs impounds smuggled textiles materials worth N11.2m in Lagos AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

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he Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said it intercepted 140 bundles of smuggled textile materials worth N11.2 million.

Speaking to newsmen, Mohammed Aliyu, Customs Area Controller, said 25,153 bags of foreign parboiled rice smuggled into the country were also intercepted.

According to him, the textile materials were intercepted after being smuggled from neighboring country.

He listed the other items intercepted were 49 cartons of paracetamol injection worth N39.2million; 86 sacks of used shoes worth N10.3million and 820 sacks of donkey skins worth N78million.

Other items include 347 cartons of codeine; syrup valued at N174million; 1,000 sachets of tramadol valued at N250,000 and Indian hemp worth N11million.

He also disclosed that the smuggled rice intercepted was worth over N331 million and they would be given to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs’) upon directive from the Customs headquarters.

The CAC also disclosed that the unit intercepted a truck loaded with cement and smuggled rice, thereby making the rice a poisonous food.

“This is a company vehicle that carries cement. The rice is loaded in the middle of the cement and this is what they sell to the public. The command will first take the rice to the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to know whether it’s fit for consumption.

He further disclosed that 16 vehicles worth over N470million were also intercepted in the months under review.

The seized vehicles included a Toyota Land Cruiser worth N189million; Mitsubishi Pajero; Land Cruiser; Toyota Venza; Mercedes Benz; Volks Wagen, Toyota Yaris and others.

He however reiterated that the federal government ban on imported used and new vehicles and foreign parboiled rice at the land borders still remain. He also advised importers of these smuggled items to use the nation’s seaports so as to avoid their business from being ruined.

Sunday 07 July 2019

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BDSUNDAY 35

BrandsOnSunday SPOTLIGHTING BRAND VALUE

Synergy and the demands of good governance Afeez Odunoye

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hen individuals andorganizations hit milestones in their respective enclaves, there are appraisals and warm handshakes. The reception of such gestures opens a conversation from two perspectives: the hits and the flops. Nigeria has a date to honour with the realities of the system of government. Two decades of unbroken democracy bears much significance. The significance pumps energy into a commentary of this form as we open fresh pages for discussions on the prerequisites for purpose-driven leadership and good governance.

As governance seeks to find firm standing at the federal and state government levels, President MuhammaduBuhariand governors elected and re-elected respectively during the last general elections must come to terms with the job to be done. Pertinent questions have transited from the public arena to the corridors of power. Will this dispensation drive prosperity? Will these set of elected representatives learn from the past and work for common good?

Often, public office holders slip into the euphoria and intoxicating nature of power. They help themselves to ‘generous’ servings from meals prepared from the collective will of the people. When protests, discussions are spearheaded to jolt them to the demands of the offices they occupy, irresponsible comments shut out their senses. And the ‘enjoyment galore’ continues. This tragedy cuts through the country’s formations. Kogi readily comes to mind. The state has a chief executive who is ‘at war’ with the plights of his people.

Before the tragedy of Kogi subverts this intervention, I suspend the talk to pitch the understanding of time as an important resource for the new class of elected representatives – members of the legislature

and executive arms of government. Deep understanding of time management will effectively drive the vehicle of good governance.

The demands of occupying elective posts require preparing the mind, body and soul and resisting the intoxications of power and playing two demeaning games.

These games include; apportioning blame to past administrations and the right-versus-wrong game. Both games steal quality time from the purses of elected representatives and derail the train of governance.

There are priceless learnings in handover ceremonies for the executive arm. Perhaps, members of this arm (governors and the president) care less about the irony of life after occupying positions of responsibilities. In The Flipside of Power, Olukorede Yishau brings this to bear. Once they are out of power, the doors of specific privileges and freebies are shut to them, forever. A colleague recently narrated how former governor of Lagos, Babatunde Fashola dealt with reality when he handed the reins of power to then governorelect, Akinwunmi Ambode. Swiftly, people queued behind the man of the moment and left the former governor to walk away with the memories of fulfilment and scars of what could have been. When Lagos

100% fruit juice products good for recovering lost energy – Expert

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he Publicity Secretary of the Nutritional Society of Nigeria, Olusola Malomo, has urged Nigerians and especially religious adherents to explore the nutritional and health benefits of 100% fruit juice to recover lost nutrients after a long period of fasting.

Malomo, in a statement gave the advice in the first series of his engagement on the health and nutritional benefits of 100% fruit juice, a monthly educative programme sponsored by Chi Limited, the parent company of Chivita, as part of its ‘no-added sugar’ campaign.

According to the sponsor, the engagement, which kicked off last year, is aimed at sharing unbiased information on the benefits of 100% fruit juice and support independent efforts by experts such as scientist,

nutritionist, and dieticians to show how 100% fruit juice contributes to the health and well-being of consumers.

In the series titled 100% Fruit Juice: a Healthy Way to Revitalize after Fasting, Malomo said fasting helps to relieve human system, adjusts fat level, strengthen the digestive system and increase its efficiency. He, however, regretted that many people lose the health benefits of the spiritual exercise when they take to junk food shortly after.

He continued: “Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables helps to reduce the risk of many diseases, including heart diseases, high blood pressure and cancers because they contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which keep one healthy and energized.

politics is being discussed in circles henceforth, both men will assume the same title: Ex-Governor.

When elected representatives make it a point of duty to reflect often on posterity and life after serving out their terms in office, leading with compassion and restraint becomes a habit. Music journalist, Joey Akan captures the mental view of some of our representatives in his piece, Nothing About Nigeria Ever Changes, Even Our Music.

He wrote: “Our economy loves to dance. It shakes and sways to music played from mismanagement, bad policies and the insistence of our leadership to embrace their selves before the needs of the people. “ The needs of the people should come first. We witnessed the rise and rise of bad governance in the days leading to May 29. In meeting the needs of citizens, can we overemphasize the interconnection and relationship between synergy and the governance process? Permit me to take you through a few instances in key economic sectors for a proper view: road infrastructure, commerce, health and security.

Harmonious relationships among occupants of elective positions are capable of addressing some, if not all of the needs of citizens. In March 2016, the governors of Lagos and Kebbi states signed the

green revolution memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance food security and sustain partnership. Three years down the line, the partnership has endured with both states affecting each other positively. Ex-Governor of Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode made valid points in his speech at the MoU signing ceremony. He offered: “The people are traditionally rice farmers with average land holding of about 10 Hectares. Presently, Kebbi has over 50,000 metric tonnes of paddy in store produced from the last two planting seasons. With these considerations in mind, Lagos State and Kebbi State have decided to collaborate and exploit our areas of comparative advantage to create value for both states. This alliance will ensure food security, job creation, increase in farmers’ income and the overall improvement in the living conditions of the residents of both states through wealth creation and poverty reduction.”

The foregoing statement contrasts what Lagos and Ogun states could have achieved with the administrations of Akinwunmi Ambode and Ibikunle Amosun respectively. Amosun effectively disregarded Ambode’s efforts to link both states together through road infrastructure. Do you remember the 21 Lagos-Ogun boundary roads inaugurated by Ambode in April, 2018? The roads and accompanying bridges were aimed at easing vehicular traffic and interconnectivity among both states. The fact here is: Ogun and Lagos states share an age-long history in commerce and socialization with tales of citizens working in one and residing in the other. But power-drunk Amosun wouldn’t be bothered.

The only exception to the absence of mutual understanding between both states was the recent collaboration on health: polio eradication. BusinessDay of May 24, 2019 underscored the import of the effort – Outbreak Response Campaign – aimed at accommodating children at the border towns and remote areas of both states.

Ogun and Lagos share borders in about 10 local government areas, thus making the campaign against the infectious viral disease spearheaded by the World Health Organization and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund key and beneficial to both sides of the coin.

Governors will do more when they choose to see the light at the end of the tunnel of collaborating with states sharing boundaries with their domain. This is not to undermine the job to be done in their territories, where most of the demands of governance would be fulfilled.

But to get the best from the highlighted economic segments, significant investments should be pumped into enhancing security, law and order. The submission of the Emir of Katsina on killings and kidnapping in the state affirms the importance of security to economic development.

Emir Abdulmumini Kabir Usman perhaps startled the high-powered Federal Government delegates with his viewpoint on security. The delegates had stopped at his palace to pay homage before proceeding to distribute cotton seeds and inputs for the 2019 planting season in the state. The Emir told the team: “Honourable Minister, tell the president that we have to take very good care of our people, security first. All these programmes, as good as they are, cannot be without security.

Security is first and fundamental.”

The vacuum created by the failure to synergize in some of the affected North-West states, including Katsina has made the task of protecting citizens and assets more difficult.

The people’s demands must be viewed to be ‘just and valid’. Public office holders must fulfil these demands with the resolve to live on in the hearts of the people for the right reasons, after their time in office.

The sight of tomorrow should matter more than the momentary, aesthetic and tempting view of today.

- Odunoye is a social commentator based in Lagos .

Naija Lottery unveils new website, First Bettabet Experience Shop

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oremost lottery and sports betting company, Naija Lottery has unveiled a new website and first Bettabet experience shop to offer enhanced gaming experience and entertainment to customers.

The new website is accessible and easy to use for customers to derive excitement whilst playing preferred games and staking bets on various sports. The website has a user-friendly interface which adds to the feel of the improved platform.

With a single click on the new website - www.naijalottery .com, customers can play the popular 5/90 lottery game online. Customers who have already registered with Bettabet do not need to register again, according to a statement

. “All they need to do is to log in with their username and password to play the 5/90 game. Lottery customers can also access Bettabet site through the Naija Lottery website”.

Speaking at the unveiling of the ultramodern experience shop in Isolo, Lagos, Chief Executive Officer International Lottery and Gaming Limited, Manolis Lambrakis in the statement said the company’s vision is to become the number one Nigerian trusted brand, the leader in the omni-channel gaming experience propelled by consumers’ submissions with universal access to fair lottery services.

“The Bettabet experience shop brings comfort and excitement to the sports betting/lottery enthusiast. The shop connects with our desire to be Nigeria’s No 1 trusted brand. The shop is well-equipped with ultramodern gaming equipment to entertain customers and uplift them in the process.

36 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 07 July 2019

TheWorshippers Why there are too many sycophants in Nigeria today, by Umunna On the sidelines of activities to mark his 65th birthday last week, Leonard Umunna, a bishop and general overseer of the Bible Life Church (worldwide), spoke with ZEBULON AGOMUO, Editor, on the state of the nation, in relation to Christendom. He also advised the newly elected national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to be true representative of the body of Christ. Excerpts: Bishop, what does it mean to be 65 years old in a country the life expectancy of which is below 50 years? ertain things keep me young. God told me that when I would be 50 years old, I would be growing younger.

Number one, I eat necessary things for my health. I make food my medicine. I don’t take anything that I don’t know what it will contribute to my body; the water, the food in our society are all toxic due to dirty environment; why would you not take things that will detoxify you weekly? Why wouldn’t you take some herbs that will also help cleanse your system along with the one you take for your food? Number two; I ensure that I have nothing against anybody – no quarrel to settle with anybody.

I leave a free life. I forgive people in advance because Christ has also done that for me many years ago. Number three, I ensure that I meditate; I give thanks to God and meditate on his word always. The moment you meditate on the word of God, it renews and cleanses you.

There will be joy in your soul and there will be light radiating. There is anointing and power in reading the word of God. It gives you energy to power on.

At 65, it means that you have witnessed many sides of Nigeria – the good, the bad, and the ugly.

You have listed the things that have kept you moving all these years; what do you think is responsible for the stunted growth of Nigeria?

The things that made Nigeria great have all died. Quote me. Not even one is alive. I told you before that Nigeria is like a plane that took off. There was an accident mid air and it crash-landed. The engineers have not been able to find the parts, let alone fixing it. It has been grounded and has not taken off again. But Nigeria can recover within one term of an administration that puts its heart to do it. Poverty can be a thing of the past within a four-year tenure administration. We can make Nigeria better again if they can do the following things. We must cast away avarice, tribalism, nepotism, injustice and all other things that have combined to keep the country in its present state. Who is ready to stick out his neck now for Nigeria?

They have all gone tribal. Who is talking national? Nobody. The nationalists are gone. So, if we want to make it, the people that can help us achieve it must be nationalistic in reasoning and approach.

We had them in the past, but they have all gone. From Herbert Macaulay to Awolowo, to Zik; they have all gone. Tell me any of their

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kind around? What we have now are state leaders; tribal leaders, regional leaders, zonal leaders, party loyalists. None of them can say like Nnamdi Azikiwe, ‘I don’t care who is president so far Nigeria is free!’ We need nationalists. It may not come through voting in a normal election; it may come through a referendum.

We have lost national vision.

What were those things that made us acceptable on the international scene in those days? Today, Nigeria has lost its glory. Anywhere you mention Nigeria, it is mostly in the negative. We have become like a sore that nobody would want to touch. Our children who are in school abroad are being shamed and made a caricature of because of the level of crime in Nigeria.

What kind of national vision do we have in education? None. What vision do we have on economy?

None. If they can come up with a workable national vision and stable economic policy that can stand the test of time, so that investors can rest assured that in the next 10, 20 years, this policy is untouchable; irrevocable – Nigeria will recover.

They must get their priority right.

We have insecurity, educational problem, economic woes; we have them all. If you are to prioritise, which one would you place first and what are the hands to execute them? Our governments are not addressing priorities.

The welfare of the people is not being given attention to. Look at the military, the people they are putting forward to go and fight the wars, they are not being taken care of. Even the things released to them do not get to them, if at all; it is paltry sum that gets to them. So, when it is so, the soldiers would not give their best. There should be budget for the soldiers prosecuting the war, and the council in charge of their welfare must be plainly told that it would be held responsible if there is any complaint about neglect. Government must punish those found to have compromised themselves in handling the release meant for the solders. As long as we see everything in Nigeria as ‘chop’ I chop,” then nothing will work well because it is that sharing mentality that has frustrated growth and development in the country. Nigeria is dead and even at the point of being buried. This is the reality. Before, it was sick and dying.

You mentioned that when the righteous is in authority people rejoice. Sometime ago, there was the campaign that more Christians should go into partisan politics or seek elective office. Now it appears there are many Christians in government at various categories; can you say they are representing

Umunna

the Christendom well?

They are not Christian per se.

The problem is that what is in the system is bigger than them. For instance, there is no more production in Nigeria, we are only subsiding consumption. Where is the production? Is it not when you invest right with the right people you get something right? If you put one Christian among 20 or 30 so-called Christians who go to church but are not practising the word, but are following a system that is fouled and messed up; it becomes so difficult. They are following the cabal. Everybody now knows that cabal exists. It is now on the pages of newspapers. They have mentioned their names and none of them has denied it. The president’s wife has mentioned their names.

How are you going to make the right impact when all your suggestions and your files end on your boss’ table and he never implements anything? There have been promises on how to lessen the suffering of Nigeria on fuel prices, but how can they do that when there is no single functional refinery in the country?

One of the things I would do if I were the president was to bring down the administrative overhead of this Nigeria.

As things are now, what is the role of the masses of Nigeria?

There can be no good follower now. No way. No way. If you come out and say anything bad, you are counted as an enemy. You can only be a sycophant this time around.

There are no true followers. The bible says, the prudent shall keep quiet in those days. There cannot

be a good follower now. Make any comment that points to disagreement with what is going on, you will be branded as an enemy. People are being accused of crimes they never committed because of their views and comments.

What role do you think the church has to pay in times like these; particularly when the church is being accused of compromise?

Excuse me, when you people are raising this kind of question, inside me, I feel pained. The people you are calling church are those who are like them. Those who are close to them and doing their bidding; you say they are the church? No. The real church is underground now; just like it was the case in the communist countries in those days. Answer this question, which church has the money to pay for newspaper adverts now? Which one can feature on a television programme and say the truth and it is aired? They are not listening to the real church. The ones that are talking now are using wisdom to talk so that they will be alive to survive the war. I don’t blame them for that because only the living can celebrate. People are just telling them what they want to hear so that they can live and continue with the work of God. This is the present truth. I remember when I told Abacha, ‘you raised Bamaiyi who was in charge of the NDLEA and he is doing it well, why can’t you raise somebody like that to be in charge of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other sensitive places like Customs, etc?’ He said I

was a political preacher; that I was a politician in Cassock; and he sent his men to come and clear me here (his church). You can imagine, I was suggesting something good to the government, yet they wanted to arrest me. I said to him, you have identified somebody who is doing great at NDLEA, why not replicate that in other agencies? Was that a bad suggestion? I said locate other people; they are many, and put them there to work. Everything stands or falls depending on the head. If we have nationalists, but the person heading them is a nepotist; it cannot work. If, one hundred lions are led by a fowl or goat, nothing will come out of it. But let one lion lead one hundred goats; something vibrant and serious will happen. That’s the reality.

Some Nigerians appear to be getting wearied. They say they have been praying but instead of Nigeria getting better, things seem to be moving from bad to worse.

You hear about kidnapping, killings, rape, etc., where then is the place of prayer?

Sometime ago, God took me to the Book of Revelation chapter 6. 1 read that when the Angel opened the fifth seal, the people were crying, ‘O God, your people are being killed for your sake; what did we do?

Avenge us; God said to them hold it until your fellow servants also and your brethren, that should be killed as you were, should be fulfilled!’ So, you discover that God is always patient and watching things. He knows when the time has clocked; then he will say, it is over now.

It has been prophesied that it would be so in the last days. It is happening all over the world and people are agitating against their governments and protests are all over the place. If you don’t take time as a believer, you will also be talked into taking negative steps.

What is your take on the rising spate of insecurity in the country?

You cannot tame the tide of insecurity when there is endemic poverty in the land. What caused Boko Haram is what is causing this one.

Now, they want to handle Almajiri.

Look, when they say ‘a hungry man,’ they mean that when there is poverty, anything can go with it. Anything can happen. The reality is this, the rich are getting richer; the poor are getting poorer. There is no middle class anymore. So, why would they not take up arms to feed? You go to any street now, it is difficult to find someone come to say, ‘I have just got a good employment in a good company’. Instead, companies are suffering; many of them have either gone under or about doing so. Even those running private schools are suffering.

Sunday 07 July 2019

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BDSUNDAY 37

TheWorshippers It is bill upon bill; from one levy to the other. Heavy, heavy bills from government.

There is no income; it is all about expenses. So, if companies cannot operate because of difficult operating environment, how can they employ?

The question is, where do those who lose their jobs go? Some of them become automatic armed robbers and prostitutes. Even those running school business are being suffocated. Taxes are increasing on a daily basis. I want to employ many people; I want to increase salary, I cannot; I want to establish more companies and employ more people but I cannot; I want to develop the area I am staying and by extension the state, but I cannot.

This tax nature is becoming burdensome. The people in authority should come down from their high horses; administrative overhead is too much; they should bring it down.

The way things are going, they are giving room for violence which does not do anybody any good; because if you throw a stone in the market; you wouldn’t know who it will fall on; it may be your own relation that the stone may injure. We have the solution to the insecurity in our hands.

All the recommendations during the Jonathan administration from the constitutional conference; all the recommendations by the 8th National Assembly for Electoral Reform, where are the results? These things are there; implement them.

We must change to a better, quality policy and per-

Inspiration With Rev. Yomi Kasali

@rev.yomikasali

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here are times that I get some messages on my social media handles that wants to make me scream and tear down my walls. These messages impugn my character

haps change the name of the country for a total beginning. The policies that are not working should be discarded.

We must openly bring God into the affairs of the nation; by our leaders declaring a national day of prayer and fasting. The leaders should come out and make a national proclamation that we are praying to God for mercy and change of character. That’s what changed Nineveh and saved it from wrath of God. They must create more jobs by emulating other countries’ methods which they are using. They must make agriculture to be more beneficial to the economy by emulating the way other countries are running theirs.

Forget RUGA; nobody is interested in allowing other people to invade his land for personal business. They must go ranching. State Police should start with the states that are ready. The minimum wage must not be uniform. It must be determined by the states based on their ability to pay. There are places in the north that have been paying N7,000 (seven thousand per month, even though you said you’re on N18,000. Why must you stand there and they put a load you cannot carry on your head or shoulder; when you know your strength cannot carry it? Let state workers negotiate with their individual governments and come up with a realistic minimum wage. There are some states that can pay N30,000; N40,000; N50,000 or even N100,000, let them go ahead and pay; all fingers are not equal. Those that can improve on their N7,000 and

pay N8,000 or N9,000 can go ahead. If you make good policies without anybody to implement them, it does not make sense, but government must make a conscious effort to ensure that the policies in place that gear towards addressing the issue of poverty which gives rise to the large scale insecurity we are witnessing in the country are implemented. If we get it right, poverty can be a thing of the past within one term of an administration in Nigeria. Take the national vision, encourage stable economic policy on education, health, security and on the economy.

Ensure that every small scale enterprise is encouraged by way of tax rebate, etc.

CAN recently re-elected Supo Ayokunle as its national president. As a member of that association, what advice do you have for him this time around?

If a Christian leader tends to hobnob with politicians and tend to make policies that favour them, his followers will be disenchanted.

They should remove politics from religion and do things the way Jesus Christ would do. They should represent the people. But when they leave the Bible which should be their compass to begin to employ extra-carnal ways to feather their own nest, why wouldn’t the people rise against them? When leaders are truly servantleaders, you will see that sanity will prevail. Whether in the church or in public offices, people are comfortable with such leadership. When a religious leader cannot differentiate between religious

governance and secular governance; he wants to rank with secular leaders and do things the way they do, then there will be problem. Some people now in the name of religion and prophecy go about

prophesying lies. Christian leaders must avoid such a thing to remain credible. The danger is that even the political leaders you are hobnobbing with will begin to tell you, ‘Jesus I know, Paul I know,

but who are you?’ They know who is who, and when you try to say something, they will say to you, ‘Is Saul also among the prophets?’ So, they must stand for the people and with the people.

social media. This all started in 2015, during the elections and it became worse by the day, it has reached an alltime high at this moment.

People just use very vulgar, abusive words on social media without restraints.

They are very stubborn and do not answer them for your own good.

Those who malign people not discuss issues: There are people who take issues to the back burner and discuss people; I always believe these are sophisticated fools because they leave issues and discuss people.

Bright and brilliant minds discuss issues not people always. Do not reply them on social media, they are very insidious and will not listen to you.

Those who are religious bigots: These are modern day Nigerian fools, those who believe certain people of faith are all evil and other kinds of faith are all good without judging their

character, these people are simply religious fools. Do not answer them on social media.

Those who spread gossip as news: There are some fools that just like to be heard; hence they spread any video, gossip, info without checking the authenticity of the same.

They are usually full of hatred for a tribe or another ethnic group so they push out Fake News in the name of Breaking news, these are fools because they do not think deeply about the consequences of spreading false news. Jesus was killed on ‘false testimonies’ by some people.

Social media is full of fools, do not answer them or else you will become one.

Be wise and ignore some messages to show your wit and I will inspire you next on The kind of fools to answer lest they think they are wise.

Answer not a fool and statements at times.

One of such was when I was called a ‘thief’, the fellow wrote something like this, “these pastors are all the same, thieves and criminals, this one too is one of them... shut up, you be barawo, ole, thief, see im face like anini...”

I felt so bad and did not know what to do.

A few days ago, someone sent me a text message that provoked me and I wanted to answer him, but the Holy Spirit restrained me, so I asked why and he whispered, ‘...answer not a fool’, but then I asked Him again that He told us to also ‘…answer a fool lest he thinks he is wise...’, yes He answered but immediately told me this is the kind of fool not to answer.

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. (Prov. 26 v 4-5) I will be inspiring you

today on the ‘fools’ not to answer especially on social media lest you also become a fool. Let me start by defining a ‘fool’ in my own opinion, this is ‘someone who knows nothing (ignorant by choice) about what he is saying yet makes authoritative claims and uses abusive words in judgment against the other party.’ I am sure you know many ‘fools’ exist on social media and many of us take them serious unfortunately.

5 Ways to know social media fools Those who judge igno-

rantly: There are many people who judge you without knowing or ever meeting you. Do not answer them because they are fools who do not deserve a response; they make categorical statements about your person without ever knowing you.

Do not dignify these fools with a response by replying them.

Those who abuse you: There are many Nigerian fools in this category and the politicians popularize these fools by paying them to abuse their opponents on

Be Inspired.

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Sunday 07 July 2019

TheWorshippers CAN’s intervention on issues will inspire hope in the church in Nigeria – Primate Udofia Primate, The African Church, his eminence, Emmanuel Josiah Udofia, in this interview with SEYI JOHN SALAU spoke on the role CAN/PFN can play in uniting the body of Christ in Nigeria and how such role can inspire hope in the church. He also spoke on other issues. Excerpt: The RUGA controversy has again given more voice to the call for restructuring; do you support such call? es, I support the call. Let Nigeria be restructured – I want to believe that will bring a great peace to Nigeria. It will bring a lasting peace to Nigeria; and that will help us to know ourselves even better than we currently do right now. Government should provide adequate security for the citizens especially Christians in the Northern part of the country.

There must be equality in handling herders/farmers crisis, and especially religious cases so as to avoid rancor from other parties. Those perpetrating evil should be severely punished under the law; this will go a long way in stopping others who want to do such.

CAN motto says, ‘That they may be one’. What is your take on the move to unite the church, especially in Lagos?

It is a welcome initiative that will contribute to helping Christians relate better: they will be able to live a kind of life that pleases God. Everybody that so much understands the

Y

Emmanuel Josiah Udofia

truth and what he (Pastor Kumuyi) believes, which is why he has to give people the basis of Christianity. Because giving somebody whatever the person desirest now, without the knowledge of the word of God;

‘Nigeria will be better when we preach the right gospel message’ SEYI JOHN SALAU

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s Nigerians continue to battle with the worrisome state of insecurity in the country and the alleged claim of Islamisation and ‘Fulanisation’ of the country in some quarters, an Ondo state born cleric has assured that the way to address the current insecurity is to preach the gospel of Christ.

“If we all preach the gospel and we emphasise right living, the country will be a better place. The way I see it is that if we preach the gospel there will be some of our listeners who will have a change of heart. The power to convert the sinner is of the Holy Ghost. But we are to preach the gospel and speak the word,” said Prophet Michael Okikiola, the founder of Daily Spiritual Tonic Outreach in a recent interview.

According to Okikiola, the real causes of insecurity are not being addressed in Nigeria, hence the alarming rate in the society. “But the problem is that we are not addressing issues about the lives of people. We should preach against armed robbery, we should preach against kidnapping and all kinds of crime. If that is done, many who are yet to know the Lord and those who are doing these things will come to repentance,” he stated.

However, in adding his voice

to the purported Fulani radio and alleged planned islamisation of Nigeria, Okikiola said he does not believe such is possible in today’s Nigeria.

“We are a country of both Christians and Muslims, and a few percentages of other religions. There is freedom of worship. So, any government that says it wants to Islamize Nigeria will have a hard time doing that. Christians should however be praying. We don’t need to fight. The Holy Ghost is the one who helps the believer.

I can tell you Nigeria can never be Islamized. I don’t think we should compare Nigeria with Turkey,” said Okikiola.

Speaking further on his ministry’s contribution to societal good, he stated that over the years the ministry has been able to bring some area boys, prostitutes and many unruly children to the knowledge of God. “We have been involved in impacting our surroundings. We believe in preaching the gospel and also getting involved in the community we find ourselves. We helped in the construction of road in the community. We have been of help to those looking for job,” Okikiola said.

On the tithing issue, Okikiola said anyone that castigates tithing is not a Christian. According to him, Matthew 23:23 talks about tithing and that have been the yardstick for Christians. “There must be a balance. You don’t concentrate on tithe paying and abandon the weightier matters of the law.

the person may not live up to his/her heart desire. It might cause the will of God for that blessing to multiply.

Lagos CAN recently organised an empowerment programme for ministers of the gospel; do you think there is a need for more of such programmes in the body of Christ?

Yes, there is the need for ministers of God to be empowered. It is not in all situations that people should depend on the church. There are some ministers who are called into full time; there are others who can also do it on part time basis; so there is the need for the ministers to be empowered so they will not be over-dependent on the church.

When the minister is empowered adequately to understand the scriptures better; he or she in turn empowers the congregation and the body of Christ. Anything that will assist that man/woman of God to raise some fund and assist himself/ herself and assist others is a welcome idea.

Another aspect of the church that people usually point fingers at, is the issue of empowerment of the youth ministry; what do you

think can be done?

There is urgent need for empowerment because when somebody is idle, which is against the will of God for anybody, because the bible says that we should not be idle; we should not be lazy, we should be industrious, diligent in whatever we are doing. So, the bible does not condone idleness or laziness; if the church now can organise some programmes to empower the youth, that means something that is very good for the church. And again, it is good for the society because most of the youth who were idle not having anything to do – at the time they are occupied, you will not see them on the street; you will see their mindset will be changed and will not allow anybody to deceive them because they have something to do, and in the nearest future they will become men and women that can take good care of themselves and their families. So, you will see that crime rate in society will reduce.

Over the past week, the social media have been awash with the rape allegation against a certain Pentecostal pastor; do you think it is right for CAN/PFN to intervene in the matter?

By the grace of God, CAN is the father of all the churches in Nigeria. So, if anything happens to any of the arms of the church, CAN has the right to play a fatherly role over every denomination. It has the right to mediate in view of finding a lasting solution.

Again, for somebody to even commit sin; CAN goes in and at the end of the day there is peace.

So, you will see that people will have confidence in the church and that will make the church stronger than before.

As someone elderly in ministry; what practical steps would you advise for Rev. Abiodun Fatoyinbo at this critical time of his ministry?

Well, by the grace of God, as a servant of God; I want to believe that God called him – like David, when he found himself in such a situation; David quickly went back to God, pleaded with God and God showed him mercy, and he was forgiven and restored. And so, by the grace of God, all he needs to do is to return to his Creator and plead for mercy. God is so merciful and forgiving, and if God restores him – he will never lose anything by the grace of God.

Commonwealth Covenant Church Int’l celebrates Lord’s goodness Godwin Egba, Port Harcourt.

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he Commonwealth Covenant Church Int’l Inc., Alode Nchia-Eleme, Rivers State marked her 3 days (July 21 – 23, 2019) Synod meeting (28th year of general meeting) packaged on a Theme, ‘Celebrating the Lord’s Goodness’.

Addressing his high profile Bishop members of the church and other invited guests, the General Overseer of CCCI, Archbishop Most Rev. Moses Kattey, on the 1st session of 10th Synod 2019, noted that despite all odds, “we are conquerors; you conquered all challenges and even death and qualified you to be here today”. He recalled amidst grieve that some of these members had wept instead of celebrating, as he thought of one of their Elder Engr.

Solomon Olakada, strong member of the church, member of the Borad of Trustees (BOT), a Senior Lecturer of Ken-Saro Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, Rivers State who passed recently and also the Late King of Eleme and, His Majesty Samuel Oluka Ejire.

Others include one mother Elder Rose Chindo and Elder Leticia Lalechu among few others.

Bishop Kattey said despite the cold hand of death that touched the church, the Lord ministered to him towards the end of last year 2018, that this year 2019 would be a year of celebrations for the church, stressing that God could not lie as he had arranged celebration for

everyone.

Among what God has so far done for the church to warrant the celebration is establishment of its University known as Commonwealth University awaiting Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with four partners after which its registration with the National University Commission (NUC) would commence, Kattey said.

He disclosed that arrangement had been concluded to kick-off the school at the Nne Krubur UltraModern Secondary School at Ebubu Community as take-off campus; also the church now has the sitting Executive Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area Council, Barrister Philip Okparaji as Assistant Secretary of International Executive Board of the church – a 3-year tenure.

The excited Bishop also revealed that God graciously answered his led prayer last year for Rev. Ezekiel Osarolube, an Eleme son be made

ArchBishop Moses Kattey

Managing Director (MD) Refinery Company, Professor S. Lale, be made a Vice Chancellor and Justice Teetito Esor be made Chief Judge one day and all get their positions.

Rev. Engr. Osarolube who was Assistant General Overseer of the church now left was appointed as the sitting MD of Kaduna Refinery and now the Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt while the church is waiting for the 3rd request to be manifested by God in no short time.

Earlier in his sermon on the Theme, celebrating the Lord’s Goodness, Bishop Ebenezer Onungwe – Assistant General Overseer, CCCI, enjoyed all Christians whether they are members of CCCI or not to take their mind to the goodness of God, stressing that “it is when you have been able to take your mind, heart and life to the goodness of God that you will be able to celebrating Him. Bishop Onungwe emphasized that “Celebrating God is all about thanking, praising and glorifying Him with spirit of motivated and energetic whether in time of grieve, storm and time with abundant blessings in matrimonial, financial, business success among others.

The servant of God argued that he stood to be challenged or proved wrong if anyone could be bold to say he or she has no reason to glorify the name of God even when such a person is still counted among the living-being protected from accident, untimely death, sickness and protection from the hands of the evil ones.

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EquityMarket Access Bank set to recommend interim dividend at half year

...as forecast puts total interim dividend payment at N8.88bn

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Stories by TELIAT SULE arring any unforeseen circumstances, Access Bank Nigeria Plc, is set to continue its tradition of rewarding shareholders at half year, a notice sent by the company to the Nigerian Stock Exchange last week indicated. The Nigerian lender indicated that its board of directors would meet on Friday July 26, 2019 to consider and approve its audited interim financial statement for the year ended June 30, 2019.

“The audited accounts will be submitted to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for approval before release on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The company has also declared a close period in respect of transaction on its securities from July 6, 2019 to such a date as will be subsequently announced (both days inclusive) in compliance with the listing rules of the NSE”, a statement authorised

by Sunday Ekwochi, company’s secretary, stated.

“The payment of interim dividend may also be considered at the meeting”, Ekwochi added.

Traditionally, Access Bank has consistently paid interim dividend to shareholders about August of the financial year. In 2015, it announced N0.25 per share interim dividend on August 20, 2015 with September 3 and 10 of that year as closure and payment dates respectively. It also announced N0.25 interim dividend on August 19, 2016 with September 6 and 13 as closure and payment dates respectively.

Furthermore, the bank announced

N0.25 interim dividend on August 23, 2017 with September 7 and 21 as closure and payment dates respectively. Similarly, on August 28,

2018, Access Bank proposed N0.25 interim dividend to shareholders with September 11 and 21 as payment dates respectively.

NSE lifts suspension on Conoil as PAT rises to N2bn

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ollowing the filling of its audited financial statement for the year ended De c e m b e r 3 1 , 2 0 1 8 , the authorities of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has lifted the suspension on the shares of Conoil Plc. Recall that on July 2, 2019 the NSE suspended trading in the shares of eleven companies due to their inability to file their financial statements as at when due.

The other companies that were penalised are FTN Cocoa Processor, Goldlink Insurance, Guinea Insurance, Lasaco Assurance, Niger Insurance and RT Briscoe. Others are Resort Savings & Loans , Royal Exchange, Standard Alliance Insurance and Universal Insurance.

Announcing the lifting of the suspension last week, God-

stime Iwenekhai, head listings regulations department at the NSE indicated that the NSE’s decision was in line with its Rule 3.3 of the Default Filing Rule.

“The suspension of trading in the Issuer’s securities shall be lifted upon submission of the relevant accounts provided The Exchange is satisfied that the accounts comply with all applicable rules of The Exchange.

The Exchange shall thereafter also announce through the medium by which the public and the SEC was initially notified of the suspension”, Dealing members are hereby notified that the suspension placed in the trading of the shares of Conoil Plc was lifted today, Friday, 5 July 2019”, Iwenekhai stated.

C o n s e q u e n t l y, i n v e s t o r s traded 331,941 shares of Co-

With 35.5 billion shares outstanding, and should Access Bank maintain its tradition of paying N0.25 as interim dividend, total dividend

payout will be in the region of N8.88 billion. And at 20.41 percent dividend payout ratio, total comprehensive income might hit N44 billion at half year 2019.

The announcement has triggered some enthusiasm around the stock in the sense that Access Bank gained 1.52 percent on the last trading day of the week to close at N6.70 per share as investors traded 10.44 million shares worth N69.16 million. Its 52-week high is N10.50 per share while the corresponding 52-week low is N5.20. Year to date, its share price is down by -1.50 percent.

In the first quarter of this year, ended March 31 2019, Access Bank, post merger with Diamond Bank, announced N56.83 billion as net interest income representing 27.3 percent increase over N44.65 billion realised in similar period in 2018.

Net fee and commission income was marginally down to N13.07 billion in March 2019 as against N13.92 billion in corresponding period in 2018. Profit before tax for the period was N45.1 billion compared with N27.44 billion in similar period in 2018. Profit for the period was N41.1 billion in contrast to N22.1 billion in 2018. The total comprehensive income was N47.03 billion compared with N16.82 billion same period in 2018.

During the second quarter of this year, Access Bank redeemed its $400 million subordinated unsecured notes on June 24, 2019, with accrued interest. In the first quarter, Access Bank accessed $162.5 million syndicated loan arranged

by FMO, the Dutch Development Finance Institution.

Equities lose N304bn in first week of July

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...as bond market cap closes in on equities noil Plc last Friday worth N7.79 million to close at N23.80 per share having gained 9.93 percent on Friday. Year to date, its share price has gained 2.4 percent.

Revenue for the period ended December 2018 rose to N122.2 billion up from N115.5 billion in same period in 2017. Cost of sales reflected the challenging Nigerian challenging business environment as it rose to N109.44 billion as against N102.5 billion in 2017. As a result, gross profit was flat at N12.8 billion compared with N13.04 billion in similar period in 2017. Profit after tax and the total comprehensive income for the period stood at N1.79 billion as at December 2018 in contrast to N158 billion realised same period in 2017.

tocks listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange recorded N303.75 billion losses in the first week of July, as the market capitalisation closed at N12.90 trillion on July 5 as against N13.21 trillion in the preceding week. The All Share Index (ASI) ended the week at 29,270.95 points which amounted to -2.32 percent decline and -6.87 percent year to depreciation in the values of equities.

Among the sectoral indexes, the NSE Meri value Index which closed at 1,123.40 points is the worst hit as year to date, the index has depreciated by -23.29 percent.

It is followed by the NSE Consumer Goods Index that closed 604.68 points last Friday representing -2.84 percent week to date and -19.25 percent year to date decline.

Interestingly, the bond market capitalisation is closing the gap

between it and equity market capitalisation as the former is presently higher at N707.83 billion. The bond market capitalisation ended the week at N12.19 trillion last Friday.

Investors traded 1.025 billion shares worth N9.91 billion in 19,375 deals last week compared with 1.77 billion shares worth N28.03 billion in 18,660 deals that were executed in the previous week.

Traders also executed 12,375 units of ETPs valued at N6.22 million shares in 8 deals last week as against 505,460 units estimated at N39.28 million in 27 deals during the previous week.

A total of 1.007 million units of FGN bonds exchanged hands valued at N1.02 billion in 14 deals last week compared with 47,212 units valued at N49.97 million in the preceeding week.

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LifestyleHomes&Suites

Sunday 07 July 2019

Paul Ojenagbon pauloje2000@yahoo.com

4 Quaters Estate Beckons In Lekki cellent finishing and features. The features include fitted wardrobes, close circuit television (CCTV) which is pre-installed to aid security. The floor finish is high grade floor tiles and the ceiling POP. Each unit boasts stylish glass fronted balconies/

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he development called 4 Quarters is situated at Lakeview Park II, a fully gated estate located in Lekk,Lagos. 4Quarters are a cluster of 2-4 luxury residential buildings in strategic highbrow areas.

Each building consists of 4-5 Bedrooms,all ensuite,living room,family lounge,dinning area,window courtyard,servants quarters enclosed within a perimeter wall fence.

The estate features 1000 square meters a private recreation center with amenities, site services and security.It is a development of Black Onyx Properties Limited.

They bring an intellectual slant to the the property development turf by working

terraces. The doors are a combination of high quality wooden doors and security at the major entrances. The kitchen is fully fitted with integrated appliances such as gas cooker, oven, heat extractor. Also, DSTV is pre-installed for the home buyers to key into for indoor recreation.

Electricity supply is complimented with pre-installed solar panel.

Other facilities include purified water, unique central sewage system, good access roads, landscaped parks, swimming pool and sport facilities.

The title on the land is Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Lagos State Government and backed up with governor’s consent. The price varies between N95-100million per unit depending on certain factors. The units in front enjoy more space and so attract the upper price limit. The project is now at finishing stage with plastering going on at the time of this report, and delivery is scheduled for late July to early August.

on the principle of symmetry,harmony and proportion which they reinterate should be followed even when builing innovative structures. In the words of its managing director/ chief executive officer, Mr Emmanuel Fatusin,” Our structures are designed to give the inhabitants and passers-by a sense of harmony; it denotes the principle that is the source, pattern and substance of everything that exists.

This is evident in the orientation of our buildings, the geometrical structure, the columns,building materials,texture and even the layout room within the building” 4Quarters is conceived as an upscale residential estate complimented with ex-

Osapa London House Makes The Cut In Lekki

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sapa London on the Lekki-Epe Expressway has many head turning houses within its enclave but in the present context is the location of one of this week’s lifestyle properties showcased in the column. The newly built 4-bedroom semi-detached duplex with Boy’s

quarters is sizzling new and hot and under the abode of Daniel’s Garden.

It lies on an access road that is tarred and it is a fully interlocked compound. It is described by the marketing agent as a top notch luxury duplex with all rooms ensuite.

Sitting on a plot site of about 350 square me-

tres, the house has a large sitting room with a family lounge on the upper floor. It is being marketed by Messrs Lightening Stone Real Estate. The house has toilets all with bathrooms. It is excellently finished in all the components and appliances with POP ceiling; the close circuit television (CCTV) device is a big boost for water tight security around the house being which is co-ordinated by an in-house security guard which the buyer can further beef up if he so desires.

Power supply is guaranteed all round the clock with other sources of electricity supplementing mains supply. There is potable water from borehole made good with treatment plant. It has parking space to accommodate 3 cars. The kitchen is fully fitted with gas cooker, oven, smoke extractor, and ready to dispense sumptuous. meals. It carries a price tag of N65million but is on special promo price of N56million

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Health&Science

Parkinson’s disease, its causes

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arkinson’s disease is a movement disorder. It affects the nervous system, and symptoms become worse over time.

Other movement disorders include cerebral palsy, ataxia, and Tourette syndrome. They happen when a change in the nervous system affects a person’s ability to move or stay still.

Read on to find out more about this condition, the early signs, and what causes it.

What is Parkinson’s disease?

The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease develop gradually. They often start with a slight tremor in one hand and a feeling of stiffness in the body.

Over time, other symptoms develop, and some people will have dementia.

Most of the symptoms result from a fall in dopamine levels in the brain. One study, based in France, found in 2015 that men are 50 percent more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than women overall, but the risk for women appears to increase with age.

In most people, symptoms appear at the age of 60 years or over.

However in 5–10 percent of cases they appear earlier. When Parkinson’s disease develops before the age of 50 years, this is called “early onset” Parkinson’s disease.

Early signs Here are some early signs of Parkinson’s disease: Movement: There may be a tremor in the hands.

Coordination: A reduced sense of coordination and balance can cause people to drop items they are holding. They may be more likely to fall.

Gait: The person’s posture may change, so that they lean forward slightly, as if they were hurrying.

They may also develop a shuffling

gait.

Facial expression: This can become fixed, due to changes in the nerves that control facial muscles.

Voice: There may be a tremor in the voice, or the person may speak more softly than before.

Handwriting: This may become more cramped and smaller.

Sense of smell: A loss of sense of smell can be an early sign.

Sleep problems: These are a feature of Parkinson’s, and they may be an early sign. Restless legs may contribute to this.

Other common symptoms include: mood changes, including depression, difficulty chewing and swallowing, problems with urination, constipation, skin problems, and sleep problems.

REM sleep disorder: Authors of a study published in 2015 describe another neurological condition, REM sleep disorder, as a “powerful predictor” for Parkinson’s disease and some other neurological conditions.

The importance of recognizing early symptoms Many people think that the early signs of Parkinson’s are normal signs of aging. For this reason, they may not seek help.

However, treatment is more likely to be effective if a person takes it early in the development of Parkinson’s disease. For this reason, it is important to get an early diagnosis if possible.

If treatment does not start until the person has clear symptoms, it

will not be as effective.

Moreover, a number of other conditions can have similar symptoms. These include drug-induced Parkinsonism, head trauma, encephalitis, stroke, Lewy body dementia, corticobasal degeneration, multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy The similarity to other conditions can make it hard for doctors to diagnose Parkinson’s disease in the early stages.

Movement symptoms may start on one side of the body and gradually affect both sides.

Prevention It is not possible to prevent Parkinson’s disease, but research has shown that some lifelong habits

may help to reduce the risk.

Turmeric: This spice contains curcumin, an antioxidant ingredient. It may help to prevent the clumping of a protein involved in Parkinson’s disease, at least one laboratory study has found.

Flavonoids: Consuming another type of antioxidant — flavonoids — may lower the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, according to research. Flavonoids are present in berries, apples, some vegetables, tea, and red grapes.

Avoiding reheated cooking oils: Scientists have linked toxic chemicals, known as aldehydes, to Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, and some cancers.

Heating certain oils — such as sunflower oil — to a certain temperature, and then using them again can cause aldehydes to occur in those oils.

Avoiding toxins: Exposure to herbicides, pesticides, and other toxins may increase the risk of neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. People should take precautions when using these types of product, for example, by using protective clothing.

Takeaway Parkinson’s disease is a lifelong condition that involves neurological changes in the body. These changes can make it harder for a person to function in daily life.

However, medications and other types of therapy are available for treating Parkinson’s disease and reducing the symptoms.

Current treatment can relieve symptoms, but scientists hope that gene therapy or stem cell therapy will one day be able to do more than this, and restore function that the person has already lost.

Culled from Medical News Today

Irede foundation, Nivea seek more supports for child amputees

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REMI FEYISIPO he Irede Foundation (TIF) and personal-care company, Nivea have called on Nigerians to support a child with disabilities by creating an enabling environment for them to access quality education.

The two organisations recently made the plea after the commemoration of the 2019 global limb awareness month and the ‘Out on a Limb’ annual awareness walk organized by The Irede foundation.

The annual walk which was graced by Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu had in attendance over 100 Lagosians across the state.

In his remark, Sanwo-Olu

charged affluent Nigerians and companies to provide support for limbless children. “To build a better world, we all need to support one another. The Irede Foundation and Nivea Nigeria have demonstrated that together, we can all do more.

I hope more companies and individuals can also join this social course”, he said.

To raise mass awareness on the campaign, Nivea recently organized a digital campaign – for every sensitization video posted, the company donated the sum of N1000 to support limbless children. A total of N1,802,659 was raised from the campaign to provide two prosthetic limbs for two indigent children who have both lost a limb.

Nivea has since received com-

mendations from many Nigerians for its unwavering support for socially disadvantaged children in the country.

“We are very happy with the campaign”, averred Godwin Harrison, Managing Director, Beiersdorf. “The total number of partici-

pants and the level of awareness generated gives us great hope. We are committed to ensuring that many amputated children get all necessary supports that will make them excel in life”.

Crystal Chigbu, executive director of the Irede foundation also commended Beiersdorf, manufacturer of Nivea for their support.

“It’s amazing to see how much power we have and what we are able to achieve when we come together. Because you hopped not just one child but two children will be empowered with prosthetic limbs to live fully functional lives and rise above their disability”, she stated.

The Out on a limb walk happens annually in April to commemorate the Limb Awareness Month.

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NewsXtra Billion naira projects abandoned at UniUyo ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo

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rojects estimated to worth billions of naira have been abandoned by contractors at the University of Uyo, leaving the main campus with a litany of uncompleted structures.

The University operates a twocampus system with the town campus located within Uyo metropolis, while the main campus is located along Nwaniba road.

According to checks by our correspondent, a total of nine proj-

ects funded by TETFUND, NEEDS Assessment Project and the Niger Delta Development Commission worth over billions of naira have been abandoned with work ongoing at a snail speed on a handful of other projects.

It was gathered that the contractors handling the projects had either deliberately stopped work to seek revaluation of the projects through contract variation or “delaying the work unnecessarily by working at a very slow pace.”

A top official of the university confirmed that funds had been released for the projects in phases,

adding that contractors were expected to utilise the funds released judiciously before asking for more funds.

Among the projects abandoned is the proposed agricultural laboratory, the contract of which was awarded in 2011 and funded by the Federal Government.

However, authorities of the institution blamed the delay in the completion of the projects on the release of funds.

Sunday Bassey, director of physical planning of the University who spoke with our reporter, absolved the institution of any complicity

in the delay in completion of the projects.

He denied insinuations that some of the projects have been abandoned, adding that the projects are ongoing but “at a slow pace.”

He stated that though nonrelease of adequate funds have stagnated the projects directly handled by the Federal Government, Bassey said money is released to the contractors as they complete the projects in phases.

He said that for about seven projects funded under the NEEDS assessment project of the Federal

Government, funds have been released for all the projects but that contractors handling TETFUNDfunded projects could not access more money until they had utilised the fund earlier released.

According to him, the agricultural laboratory project was N400 million, adding that only N18 million was released.

He however, explained that although N35 million was later released for the job, the contractor has not shown up for work, explaining that the University was planning to re-award the job to another contractor.

Timi Alaibe joins Bayelsa governorship race ...Says will transform Bayelsa into ‘Blue Ocean economy’

Onyinye Nwachukwu & Tony Ailemen, Abuja

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ormer managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ndutimi Alaibe has joined the Bayelsa State governorship race with a promise to transform Bayelsa into a strong blue ocean economy.

Alaibe, an acknowledged technocrat, businessman and politician, is contesting on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

He told journalists in Abuja, shortly before picking his PDP gubernatorial form on Thursday, that he will bring his wealth of experience at the NDDC to drive development and build critical infrastructures needed to expand the efforts of the current administration in the state.

Alaibe, who is expected to face strong opposition from Reuben Okoya, a known political associate of the former President Goodluck Jonathan and Ebi Egbe, current CEO Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Limited, is however said to have an edge as his area, Kolokuma-Opokuma has neither produced a governor nor a deputy, since the state was created.

“I will bring my wealth of experience to share economic prosperity for the people of Bayelsa State, using government as a social investor and an enabler” He disclosed that his administration will invest in security, schools, hospitals and environment, but more importantly, use government

as an enabler.

“To provide the enabling environment to invite the private sector capital, experience and strategy for the implementation of critical infrastructure development, accelerated economic development, small and medium enterprises support, tourism and culture, ecological remediation and flood control and implementation of a blue ocean economy.

Alaibe who stated that he is back to the PDP, expressed gratitude to former President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Seriake Dickson for providing a level playing ground for all the contestants No fewer than five major Bayelsa political groups including the Bayelsa Advancement Movement, Alaibe Support Group, Committee for the Development of Bayelsa State and Concerned Progressive Youths of Bayelsa, are backing his candidature Alaibe, who said he had stepped down for some other politicians in the past, stated that “Anytime I did that it was based on certain political exigencies. For instance, I believe that the party is supreme.”

“So, when the leadership of the party says something, we have to abide by it. But that era is over. It is different this time because I have carried out extensive consultation with the stakeholders both at the state and national levels. I can only say that I am humbled and overwhelmed at the magnitude of support I have received,” he further said.

L-R: Andrew Enahoro, head, Legal and Corporate Communications, Promasidor Nigeria Limited; Ali Nuhu, Nollywood Star; Nura Hassan Yaro, principal of Sardauna Memorial College, Kaduna, and Olaosebikan Sunday, regional sales manager, North-West, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, during the sixth edition of Promasidor Harness Your Dream (PHYD) initiative, a career guidance workshop for secondary school students, held in Kaduna, recently.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State governor, exchanging pleasantries with representative of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babatunde Lawal (2nd left) while the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Lagos, Folashade Jaji (3rd right); Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola (2nd right) and others watch with admiration during a courtesy visit to the Governor by Secretaries to different State Governments at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, recently.

Kaduna government commends Promasidor over career development initiative

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aduna State government has applaudedPromasidorNigeria Limited for its career development initiative, ‘Harness YourDream’, which was held for the sixth time recently. A pan-Nigerian project, the corporate social investment project this time took place at Sardauna Memorial College in Kawo New Extension of the state capital.

ThePermanentSecretaryofKaduna State Ministry of Education, Nana Kande Bage, who flagged off the state edition of Promasidor Harness Your Dream, described it as “an excellent programme,” while she encouraged the students from six schools to pay attention to the presentations.

She called on other corporate organisations to toe the line of Promasidor, particularly in the area of developing and empowering the youths. “Other corporate organisations should follow the example of Promasidorasthiskindofinitiativewill further boost the interest of the students in schooling,” she admonished.

“I thank Promasidor for choosing Kaduna State to be part of this programme. I feel highly delighted that Kaduna is the sixth state where this initiative is being held,” the Permanent Secretary further said, as she turned her attention to the students: “I encourage you to make good use of this opportunity. If you allow such

opportunity to slip off your hand, you maynotgetitagain.Workhardsothat you will excel in future.”

Earlier, the Principal of the host school, Nura Hassan Yaro also expressed gratitude to Promasidor for considering his school worthy of hosting the programme. He stated his belief that it would make so much impact on the career choices of the students of the schools selected.

Other schools represented at the Kaduna edition of Promasidor initiative are: Dalet Girls Secondary School,Kawo;GovernmentGirlsSecondary School, Kawo; Government Secondary School, Kawo, Government Secondary School, Badarawa and Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi Government Secondary School, Hayin-Banki.

Addressingthestudentsandother key stakeholders at the event, Promasidor’s Head of Legal and Corporate Communications, Andrew Enahoro said that more states would benefit from the initiative as the company is committed to giving back to the society.

He recalled that since Promasidor’s ‘Harness Your Dream’ was launched in Lagos in November 2017, it has been taken to other parts of the country with one edition being organised every school term. The programme has now been hosted by

Lagos, Ogun, Enugu, Cross River and Kaduna States as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Enahoro explained: “Promasidor Harness Your Dream enables us to give back under our CSR initiatives.

Our CSR strategy includes mentorship and empowerment. And that is where this initiative falls under. We try to let these children know how to make the right career choices as they progress in life. For each of the key subjects being taught at the programme, we bring from our Lagos headquarters professionals to impact hands-on knowledge on the students.”

The facilitators were Abolade Liyide, Olasunbo Amusan, and Michael Nwughala, all staff of Promasidor Nigeria Limited. They made presentations on Personnel Management and Emerging Entrepreneurial Opportunities; Information and Communication Technology; Accounting and Business Management; and Digital Marketing.

Enahoro recalled that Promasidor has become reputable for promoting youth development in the 26 years of operation in Nigeria through other initiatives that include Cowbellpedia Secondary School Mathematics TV QuizShow,LoyaMilkSwimMeetand NYSC Cowbell Chocolate Volley Ball Competition.

Sunday 07 July 2019

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BDSUNDAY 43

Sports Copa America: Brazil, Peru battle for continental crown …Match Live on StarTimes

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Stories by ANTHONY NLEBEM

ootball lovers are in for live sporting action of the 2019 Copa América Final, as host Brazil take on the underdogs Peru for a 10th successive title.

Brazil will be without Willian for the Copa America final against Peru with the Chelsea winger succumbing to a minor hamstring injury. The Chelsea attacker will have to watch his nation from the side-lines on Sunday as he has been ruled out through injury Willian was introduced in the second-half of Brazil’s 2-0 win over Argentina on Tuesday with the Brazil football federation (CBF) confirming on Wednesday he pulled his hamstring during the match.

While not a serious injury, Willian’s recovery time means he has been ruled out of the final as the hosts look to claim

the Copa America for the first time since 2007. Despite being without Neymar, Brazil have still managed to seal their place in the final and are yet to concede a goal at the tournament.

On the flip side, Peru will be making its first trip to the Copa finals since 1975. It has just two championship berths in the history of the program, walking away victorious each time (1939 and 1975). Peru’s previous best finish over the last four decades was third place, accomplished most recently in 2015.

On record, Brazil defeated Peru 5-0 on June 22 in the final match of group play. Casemiro opened the scoring in the 12th minute, and Brazil jumped out to a two-goal lead before 20 minutes were off the clock.

StarTimes is gearing up to deliver live broadcast of the games this Sunday by 9:00pm African Time at Maracana, Rio de Janeiro Stadium.

Visa names Nigerian kids for AFCON 2019 player escort

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isa, world’s leader in digital payments and official sponsor of the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations, has announced five children between the ages of 6-10, who have a won a once in a lifetime opportunity to be player escorts at AFCON 2019, through the Visa Unstoppable Stories campaign. The selected escorts will lead some of the world’s best football players onto the pitch during the quarterfinal match on July 11th.

These five children- Basil Okpara, 9 years; Ibrahim Tijani, 9years; Osidele Mayowa, 10 years; Adebayo Oluwaseun, 9 years; and Olubowale Oluwaferanmi, 10years alongside a parent or guardian, will embark on a three-day trip to Cairo, Egypt courtesy of Visa.

Three of the children were identified through #VisaUnstoppableStories campaign for AFCON, which called upon children from Nigeria to share their stories and inspirations of what makes them or their heroes unstoppable. The other two were selected at the finals of the Channels International Kids Cup which held in Lagos.

Kemi Okusanya, Country Manager and Vice President Visa West Africa said “Congratulations to the lucky winners who will get the once in a lifetime opportunity to take part in the Player Escort Programme at the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations.

For a young footfall fan, it is an unforgettable experience to escort a world-famous player onto the pitch in front of millions of spectators. The entries we have received for the Unstoppable Stories campaign have shown us the scale of talent, passion and determination that Nigerian children possess. We are thrilled to be able to offer this experience and witness the happi-

ness and joy that the campaign has brought to the winning children.

We wish them the best of luck in Cairo.”

Basil Okpara, a young serial game developer and one of the winners from the digital campaign, spoke of his excitement after being chosen as an escort. He said, “Walking into the stadium, hand

extremely excited about our trip to Cairo, which I’m sure will expand their thinking and make them truly unstoppable!

Through Visa’s sponsorship of the player escort program for the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations tournament, more than 1,100 children from around the world will be given the opportunity to lead

in hand with one of my football heroes, is a dream come true and I’d like to thank Visa for making it happen.”

Also speaking, Oluyole Oluseyi, Founder of Dream Catchers Dance Academy and guardian for Adebayo Oluwaseun and Olubowale Oluwafunmilayo, highlighted that the opportunity would leave an indelible mark in her wards’ life and help them believe in their dreams.

“With their upbringing in the suburbs of Lagos and the unpalatable experiences they have faced, it is a huge honor to have them lead famous football players onto the pitch, particularly at a prestigious tournament such as the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations. We are

out their football heroes as they take to the field during the football tournament.

Visa’s sponsorship of the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations tournament in 2019 and 2021, makes Visa the exclusive or preferred payment services provider at all venues and the official partner of the player escort program. With The Confederation of African Football (CAF), the organizer of the tournament, Visa is able to capitalize on football’s popularity throughout the continent, tap into high-growth markets and continue to deliver exclusive benefits to its local communities, clients, partners and fans as they come together to support the best of African football.

Organisers name new date for GOtv Boxing Night 19

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lykite Productions, organisers of GOtv Boxing Night, have announced 21 July as the new date for the 19th edition of the event, which was initially scheduled to hold on 14 July.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday, the organisers said the event has been moved by one week to allow boxers additional preparation time, as some of those billed to fight at the event also have sub-regional title bouts for which they need to train well, as GOtv Boxing Night 19 is a tune-up platform for those soon-to-come fights.

“Some of the boxers have been contacted for title bouts in the West African sub-region on soonto-be announced dates and they need an extra week to adequately prepare and recover in addition to the preparation time in between GOtv Boxing Night 19 and their next fights.

“GOtv Boxing Night has put Nigerian boxers in demand on the continent and it is our responsibility to ensure that boxers are in tip-top shape for local and international bouts, which is why we have moved the event by one week,” said the statement.

GOtv Boxing Night 19 will hold at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium and feature nine bouts, including two all-female encounters. wThe biggest of the fights will see e international welterweight challenge duel between Rilwan “Babyface” Babatunde of Nigeria and Eden Biki of Ghana. The lightweight category will see African Boxing Union (ABU) lightweight champion, Oto “Joeboy” Joseph, take on Tope “Berinja” Agboola, while Hammed “Ese Hammed” Ganiyu will face West African Boxing Union (WABU) lightweight champion, Rilwan “Real One” Oladosu. The featherweight division will attract plenty of attention with the fight between national champion, Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje, and former ABU champion, Waidi “Skoro” Usman. In another duel, the cracking Tope “TP Rock” Musa will be up against Kazeem “The Light” Oliwo. Others on the bill are Akeem “Sugar Boy” Olaiwola vs Waheed “Showmax” Shogbamu; Adeyemi “Spirit” Adekanla vs Isaac “I Star” Chukwudi, Adedeji Abiodun vs Cynthia Ogunsemilore and Rodiat Yusuf vs Rodiat Ibrahim in the female category.

BDSUNDAY

NEW YOU CAN TRUST

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SUNDAY 07 JULY 2019

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FOCAC: Walk the talk as equals for shared benefits

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he coordinators’ meeting on the implementation of the FOCAC Beijing Summit outcomes will be held on June 24 and 25 in Beijing.

Ministerial-level officials from China and 53 African member states including Nigeria and the African Union Commission will be attending the meeting.

The upcoming event will consist mainly of an opening ceremony, a plenary session, a closing ceremony, a joint press conference, a welcome banquet and a dialogue between heads of Chinese financial institutions and African coordinators. Party and state leaders of China will attend important activities and hold group or bilateral meetings with African delegates. A joint declaration will be released regarding the outcomes and consensus reached during the meeting.

Immediately after the coordinators’ meeting in Beijing, on June 26 and 27, the first China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, an outcome of FOCAC Beijing Summit, will be held in Changsha, the capital city of Hunan Province in central China.

In September last year, the FOCACBeijing Summit was held with great success, bringing China-Africa relations to a historical high. After the conclusion of the summit, China and African countries worked closely with each other to implement our leaders’ consensus and outcomes reached at the summit. We have achieved important progress and reaped early harvests.

As the international landscape undergoes profound and complicated changes, the two sides both believe it necessary to have a coordinators’ meeting to communicate over implementation and steer ChinaAfrica cooperation along the direction of high-quality and sustainable development.

Through this meeting, we will translate outcomes of the summit into more benefits for the people and show our strong will and firm resolve to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, uphold multilateralism and build a closer China-Africa community with a shared future.

Following the principle of consultation and collaboration for shared benefits, China stands ready to work with the African side to make good preparation for a successful meeting and inject new impetus into the China-Africa comprehensive strategic partnership.

China-Africa cooperation stands out with its pragmatism, effectiveness and results-oriented, which are also the unique advantage of the FOCAC, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

The FOCAC was incepted in 2000. The past 19 years have seen fruitful progress in China-Africa practical cooperation across the board. As a key platform for the collective dialogue and cooperation between China and African countries, the FOCAC has become a model of South-South cooperation and a banner of international cooperation with Africa.The benefits of China-Africa cooperation are abundantly clear.China has proved itself to be a reliable partner of Africa by always walking the talk.

China-Nigeria cooperation has always been a pacesetter for China-Africa cooperation. Under the strategic guidance of |President Xi Jinping and President Muhammadu Buhari, the implementation work of the FOCAC outcome has been going smoothly with prominent achievements in Nigeria in recent years. The commissioning of Abuja Light Railway and the new airport terminals in Port Harcourt and Abuja, the ongoing construction of Zungeru Hydropower Plant, Abuja-Keffi-Lafia-Makurdi Road, as well as Lagos-Ibadan Railway and Lekki Deep Seaport, the booming Ogun Guandong Free Trade Zone and Lekki Free Trade Zone, the fruitful promotion of the “Made in Nigeria with China” initiative, etc...

Though the world economic growth remains sluggish, the international situation is exposed to prominent unstable factors, and even the trade war provoked by the US deteriorates, China has never unilaterally drawn rein in cooperation with Nigeria and other African countries.

Last month, President Muhammadu Buhari, while receiving in audience the Chairman of China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, has expressed appreciation to China’s “genuine efforts to improve our infrastructural development”. The President said,“We are very grateful to China for the effort to rebuild our infrastructure, and for bringing technical expertise to the country. We will give the required support and cooperation, so that our old, out of date, and collapsed in-

frastructure might be turned around”.

China highly appreciates the positive remarks on China-Nigeria cooperation made by President Buhari.

China-Africa cooperation has always been open and transparent.

China welcomes the concerted efforts made by the international community to support Africa in achieving peace, stability and development.

Some allegations by some people in the international community however, are biased and not fact-based.

Take the concessionary loan provided

by China to African countries. Has it increased the debt burden of countries concerned? Are there any political considerations behind it? The answers are definitely negative, contrary to the claim. That kind of claim, I should say, is full of groundless words with an attempt out of ulterior motives. When providing its financing support to African countries including Nigeria, China has always adhered to the following principles in the process: First, the response made to the development demand of Africa itself.

Based on the wishes put forward by the African countries, China provides financing support within its due capacity and offers timely assistance to the economic and social development of the African countries, which has been unanimously recognised and welcomed by all countries.

Secondly, never attach any political conditions. Like African countries, China had a painful experience of suffering unfair treatment and even being exploited and oppressed. Therefore, China will never do what the western countries have done or impose its will on others no matter in assistance or cooperation.

Thirdly, stick to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win results. The nature of China-Africa cooperation is South-South cooperation, one of whose major characteristics is equal treatment, mutual benefit and win-win results. The financing support provided

by China must undergo serious feasibility studies and market-oriented arguments.

ZHOU PINGJIAN (Zhou Pingjian is Ambassador of China to Nigeria)

The current debt owned by some African countries was accumulated over a long period of time instead of occurring in recent years. China is not a main creditor of African countries. The solution to debt issues is to achieve diversified economic development by taking the path of sustainable development. China firmly supports this solution. China’s financing support to Africa is mainly invested in infrastructure construction and the productive field. The Chinese companies have built a large number of infrastructure projects such as highways, railways, ports, airports and communications facilities in Africa, which greatly improved the environment for Africa’s economic development, added to its appeal to foreign investment and enhanced its capability to achieve self-driven development.

There is a saying in China that “Only your feet can tell whether your shoes are suitable or not”. Africa has the best say on China’s cooperation with Africa. African people will have their own judgment and naturally come to the fair conclusion that who helps Africa sincerely and who is the most reliable partner of Africa.

As the largest developing country in the world, China highly values its strategic partnership with Nigeria, the largest developing country in Africa. Following the principle of consultation and collaboration for shared benefits, China is ready to work with Nigeria, through the integration of the two countries’ development strategies and the implementation of the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit promptly and efficiently, to step up the Belt and Road cooperation and bring more tangible benefits to the two peoples.

Quick Takes

Off the Cuff

N23b

Are there moles in the PDP?

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t appears all is not well with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the moment.

Since the party lost at the last general election, it seems that a good number of those hanging in there are just doing so to survey where next to perch. Politicians jumping from one party to another is not alien to the Nigerian people. For most political actors, there is nothing like ideology.

Many of them are always on the move.

They are only members of a party to the extent of what that party can offer them or help them to acquire for themselves.

The Babel, which the PDP has become, was made manifest during the election of the principal officers last month at the 9th National Assembly, when contrary to the instruction on who to vote for, many of the PDP senators did not only disobey but also made a public show of their disobedience.

Again, last Wednesday, on the floor of the House of Representatives chamber, the PDP members took the rebellion to a notch higher when they openly disregarded the list sent to the leadership of the House on who should represent them as minority leaders.

Contrary to the list from the PDP head-

quarters, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, personally chose those he wanted. While the Wadata office of the main opposition party watched in disbelief and repudiated the list reeled out by the speaker, Ndudi Elumelu, the newly crowned minority leader, the favoured one, took the trophy, in celebration mood, to Senator Walid Jibrin, chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), who immediately also, in a feat of ecstasy, gave a seal of approval. Although Jibrin has since made a volte-face, backing his party’s list, some observers believe that at his level, he should not have clapped with both hands when Elumelu came jubilating; he should have clapped with one hand, reserving the other to do the complete clapping when he must have got the full gist of the matter, assuming he did not know, even given his prominent position in the party.

Again, in what appeared as an ambush, when the PDP threatened to sanction the “erring lawmakers”, they allegedly chorused in unison, “we will decamp to another party.” This clearly shows that some are PDP in the day but other parties’ faithful at night.

Some appear to be PDP physically, but their heart is somewhere else. By Friday, about 86 or

more members of the PDP in the House had appended their signatures and sponsored a full-page advert in some national dailies, congratulating the four minority leaders, whose elevation is still a source of controversy. Could it be pre-meditated? It appears that the PDP will not be able to “cage” these members. It also seems that there must be something beating the drum for them, the rhythm of which they’re dancing to. It is indeed, of no use pursuing the matter, because it may lead to something else.

The Nigerian brand of politicians is a kind you do not and cannot predict their next move. They go only where their stomach is; service is never their drive even though they trumpet that a lot.

Even those remaining in the PDP today at the highest level may be eying somewhere else. For them, it is the stomach that matters. If the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) loses power today, you will see the mass exodus of those who now behave as though their umbilical cords were tied to the party. Talk of the wall gecko you cannot hold by the tail!

This is the amount to be spent in Nigeria by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) intervention on Effective Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services (E-WASH) pilot programme.

Red flag “The volatility of local and global markets and armed conflicts in the Northeast has taken a significant toll on animal ownership. Lack of livestock production has the potential to worsen the food insecurity situation.”

- Al Hassan Cisse, FAO’s head of office in the Northeast, raising alarm on climate change, conflicts that threaten food security in Northeast.

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