BusinessDay 07 Oct 2018

BDSUNDAY BUSINESS DAY

Cornerstone, Royal Exchange, 20 others trade below 50 kobo as equities lose N140bn WTD p.36

Raqib Bashorun and his abstract art

??

p. 37

Sunday 07 October 2018 Market & Commodities Monitor Brent Oil

5yr Bond

$84.31

-0.09 15.07%

Gold

10yr Bond

$1,205.60

-0.03 15.10%

Cocoa

$2,024.00

20yr Bond

-0.07 15.07%

inside SDP is setting up strong structure in Cross River - Ekpo

p. 40-41

Vol 1, No. 237 N300

PDP candidate emerges today

As 7,000 APC delegates affirm Buhari’s candidature

CHUKS OLUIGBO, Lagos, IGNATIUS CHUKWU, Port Harcourt, & JAMES KWEN, Abuja

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igerians are eagerly awaiting the emergence of the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who, it is believed, will be President Muhammadu Buhari’s major challenger in the 2019 election.

This is as about 7,000 delegates at the Eagle Square, Abuja venue of the Special National Convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were said to have affirmed the sole candidature of Buhari, who had earlier been elected through direct primaries.

“7,000 delegates are expected and in order to ensure that those from far-flung states make it in time for the exercise, we

decided to schedule it for 2pm. Aside from the statutory delegates, there would be three delegates drawn from each local government and area councils of the federation,” Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, vice chairman of the APC Convention Planning Committee, said while briefing journalists in Abuja on the preparations for the convention.

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How APC’s Tonye Cole emerged as Wike’s 2nd term threat

p. 24-25

INEC and the burden of credible election in 2019 Eagle Square, Abuja: Venue of the All Progressives Congress Special National Convention, yesterday.

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2019: The president Nigeria needs CHUKS OLUIGBO & ODINAKA ANUDU

Adamu Ajunam traces history of ‘Okada’ as a means of transport

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Adokiye Amasiemeka Stadium, Port Harcourt, Rivers State: Venue of the People’s Democratic Party National Convention, yesterday.

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f by now Nigerians do not already know those selected by the various political parties in the country to fly their flags at various levels in the 2019 general election, it is only a matter of hours before the full list is out.

For all the candidates that have emerged,

especially the presidential flag-bearers, the task ahead is an onerous one. Each and every one of them has a lot of job to do in convincing the Nigerian electorate that they are the right candidate for the job.

With increased political awareness in the country over the past few years, aided greatly by the influence of the social media, it is not likely to be business as usual. The Ni-

gerian electorate may no longer be sold to the old rhetoric of empty promises by politicians.

They are no longer impressed by campaign of calumny, vilification and mudslinging among contestants for political positions. Rather, an increasing number of Nigerians are demanding issue-based campaigns where candidates

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Sunday 07 October 2018

Cover 2019: The president Nigeria needs...

Continued from Page 1 not only state specifically what they intend to do to cause improvement in specific sectors of the economy and the growth and development of the overall economy but how they intend to do these things and how they hope to generate the required funds.

Many Nigerians who spoke to BDSUNDAY regarding the president the country deserves in 2019 say the ideal candidate must regard him/herself as a candidate being interviewed for the position of managing director and chief executive officer of Nigeria with clearly stated roles and responsibilities. As such, such a candidate must be willing and able to face a crack panel of interviewers made up of the Nigerian electorate and must be able to convince this panel to hire him/her for that role.

This means that the ideal candidate must see Nigeria as a nearmoribund conglomerate in dire need of a turnaround, show clear understanding of what the issues bedevilling the country are and have a step-by-step plan on how to navigate the difficult curves to get the country back on the path of sustainable growth and development.

Analysts believe that Nigeria is in a very hard place currently, with myriads of challenges tugging at the cables of the country’s very soul. Widespread poverty and hunger, worsening economic indices, insecurity, poor health and education delivery and outcomes, inadequate housing for the country’s teeming population, high rate of unemployment, poor or nonexistent infrastructure, and inadequate electricity supply are only a few of these apparently perennial challenges.

To properly tackle these and myriad other challenges bogging down the country, analysts say the ideal presidential candidate in next year’s election must give full attention to the following areas, among many others.

Budgeting Analysts believe that there are manythingswrongwiththeNigerian budgeting system. First is the disposition of Nigerian political leaders who see annual budgets as salary plans rather than tools for economic planning. Nigerian politicians have, over the years, allocated over 70 percent of entire budgets to recurrent expenditure and the rest for capital projects. The danger of this is that the country’s budgets have not been able to provide enabling infrastructurethatwillhelptheeconomy to grow. Over-bloated salaries and ghostworkersplantedbypoliticians havemilkedthebudgetsdry.Though President Muhammadu Buhari’s government allocates 30 percent of the budget to capital expenditure, more than half of the funds are not utilised for infrastructure each year due to late passage of budgets.

Nothing slows down an economy than late passage of annual budgets because investors and economic agents make decisions on the basis of what the budgets say. Economic activities kick-start as soon budgets are passed. But Nigeria has seen a series of budget delays resulting from late submis-

sion by the executive or legislative petty manoeuvring.

The 2018 budget, for example, wasthelongestbudgetpassagesince Nigeria exited military rule in 1999.

Thebudgetwassubmittedon7thNovember2017butwaspassedon10th May2018duetobitterpolitickingand unnecessary executive-legislative exchange of fisticuffs.

Apart from that, Nigerian budgets do not often reflect the economic directions of government.

Foraneconomythatrecentlyexited recession, whoever will campaign for the presidential position should be able to tell Nigerians whether his focus will be on the Human Development Index, infrastructure renewal, real sector expansion and FDI.Sectoralallocationsonbudgets should tell this story.

Energy/power Nigerian politicians have always promised to revivify the energy sectortomakemoreelectricityavailable for domestic and industrial uses. But these promises have turned out to be impossible to realise. As of 30 September this year, 12 out of 27 power plants in Nigeria were hit by low energy demand by the electricity distribution firms, resulting in idle generation capacity of 2,672.6 megawatts (MW), according to the latest data obtained from the MinistryofPower,WorksandHousing. This demystifies government’s claim of 7,000MW generation or distribution. Today, manufacturers self-generate over 13,223 MW, spending N117.38 billion in 2017 on alternative energy sources.

More critical is the operations of DisCos which fail to provide meters to customers, preferring to send over-bloated estimated bills to citizens. Nigerians need to prod presidential candidates to state openly how they intend to deal the DisCos with regard to performance, mountains of debts they owe and metering of customers.

Also, power (including gas) pricing is an issue that any 21st century Nigerian president must discuss.

Nigeria has over 181 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of proven gas reserves, the largest in Africa. In spite of this, only about 25 percent of those reserves are being produced or developed. Nigeria needs a leader who will speak to facts on what he/ she intends to do to boost energy production and supply.

Poverty alleviation Nigeria has 87 million poor people, making it the poverty capi-

tal of the world, according to the Brookings Institution in a report.

“What is more, extreme poverty in Nigeria is growing by six people every minute, while poverty in India continues to fall,” the report said.

Poverty situation in Nigeria’s north is pervasive and alarming, with the region posting an average of 85.36 percent in poverty rate in 2017, according to Oxford University Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) released in April this year. The worst-hit states are Zamfara (92 percent poverty rate), Jigawa (88 percent), Bauchi (87 percent), Kebbi (86 percent), Katsina (82.2 percent), and Gombe (77 percent).

Accompanyingthehighpoverty rate is unemployment. Nigeria’s unemployment rate is almost 20 percent, and it has risen 12 times since 2014. The rate was made worse in 2016 and half year of 2017 when firms did not employ but sacked hundreds of workers owing to dollar shortages and recession.

Therefore, anybody who deserves Nigerians’ votes must talk about concrete steps he/she intends to take to, on the one hand, stimulate the private sector to create employment and, one the other, haul the cash-strapped citizens out of poverty and hunger. Nigeria is past the era when politicians deceived citizens with the usual campaign of ‘job creation’. The simple reason is that all over the world, especially in capitalist and mixed economies, governments do not create jobs but provide the right atmosphere for that to happen.

“Government does not create jobs but creates the environment for the private sector to create jobs.

This is all about ease of doing business,”MudaYusuf,director-general, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), said recently.

The president Nigerians deserve must be one who is able to clearly state what he/she has in store for young, creative Nigerians who are daily roaming the streets in search of phantom jobs. The intending president should be able to discuss how heorsheintendstomakemorecredit availabletoentrepreneurs,especially managers of micro and small businesses,manyofwhicharedislocated fromthefinancialsystem.Atthesame time,theissueofmanagementofthe foreignexchangemarketmustcome to the front burner.

Is Nigeria going to see single-digit lending from the Development

Bank of Nigeria, which is accused of lending at double-digit rate? Will the Bank of Industry and the Bank of Agriculture be recapitalised?

These are the things that matter, not rhetoric.

Investor confidence Investor confidence is at a low ebb currently, owing to ill-advised steps taken by the present administration in its first 12 to 18 months.

Thestockmarket,whichhasbeenon a downward trend in the past three years, shed N1.9 trillion in the third quarter of 2018 alone. In the past four years, most of the foreign investorsthathavecomeintothecountry areportfolioinvestors.BDSUNDAY can confirm that a number of investors that signalled intention to set updirectplantsinthecountryturned their backs owing to policy uncertainties. Winning the confidence of investors is an issue that a future president of Nigeria must be ready to discuss. How will he or she assure investors that their money is safe?

How will the foreign exchange market pan out in the event of another oil price slump? How consistent will previous policies be?

Agriculture/industrialisation The present administration has supported agriculture in terms of funding and policy. The Anchor Borrowers Scheme has especially been successful in the rice subsector.

However, other crops such as palm oil, cocoa, rubber, among others, havesufferedowingtolackofattention. The palm oil producers – small and large players alike – complained that the Central Bank of Nigeria refused to lend to them because their commodity has a long gestation period of five to seven years. Cocoa farmers lament drop in production and foreign exchange because the trees are old and there is low investment in the industry.

While the present administration continues to profess its commitment to diversifying the economy away from oil, analysts say Nigeria cannot diversify until there is a holistic policy that will be all-encompassing.

Also, there is a fundamental problem with processing and agric value chain, which is still pushing a number of manufacturers into seeking raw materials abroad.

Post-harvest loss is still around 50 percent, with tomatoes suffering the most because of near absence of off-takers. Industries still move out in droves to get raw materials because they complain that some of the ones available do not meet their specifications in terms of quality or quantity. Backward integration has slowed down owing to poor policy back-up, high production costs, currency devaluation and poor infrastructure.

Many firms have also slowed down on export because the Export ExpansionGrant(EEG)hasnotbeen inoperationsinceAugust2013.Two years after assuring exporters that the EEG would start, the current governmentisyettocommencethe useofpromissorynotesfortheEEG. Manyexportersarestrandedanddo not declare their proceeds because the government does not have any incentive for them.

“Since the collection of the unutilised Negotiable Duty Credit Certificates (certificates used for the export grant) by the Federal Government, no payment has been made, which put our members at

difficult positions with their banks,” Ede Dafinone, chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Group,toldBDSundayonThursday in Lagos. “I hope that government will commence full implementation of the new EEG soon.”

All these issues, as well as issues relating to multiple taxation, should attracttheattentionofNigeria’snext president. An ideal president of Nigeria in 2019 should be able discuss 12 crops that have been designated through research as crops of competitive advantage for the country and how to boost production in these crops. In short, such a person shouldhaveknowledgeofhowbasic economicsworksandneedstostate measures he/she has to push up backward integration again.

Apapa/port reforms Nigeria’s next president cannot afford to shy away from reforms on Apapa and the ports. Africa’s biggest economy loses N600 billion in customs revenue, $10 billion (N3.6trn) in non-oil export sector, and N2.5 trillion in corporate earnings across various sectors on annual basis due to the state of Apapa roads,ApapaandTinCanports,says a new report by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) released on Tuesday.

The LCCI found during the researchthat5,000trucksseekaccess to Apapa and Tin Can ports in Lagos everyday,thoughtheywereoriginally built to accommodate only 1,500 trucks daily. It notes that 25 percent ofcashewnutsexportedfromLagos toVietnamin2017wentbadorwere downgraded owing to delays at Lagos ports. Similarly, only 10 percent of cargoes are cleared within the set timeline of 48 hours now while the majority of cargoes take between five and 14 days to clear. The report even states that some cargoes take as many as 20 days to be cleared at theports.Additionally,thenumberof government agencies at the ports is now 12 rather than eight, with each demanding inspection and associated fees.

What this means is that anyone seekingthevotesofNigeriansaspresidentin2019shouldtalkaboutApapa andtheports,andhavethecourageto develop ports outside Lagos.

“There is a need to extend reform action plans of Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) to Eastern ports, air and land ports,” Babatunde Paul Ruwase, president, LCCI, said at a press conference last week.

“The concessioning of Onitsha seaport should be finalised, while government should improve the security situation along and within the Warri port in order to ward off militants and touts. Stakeholders request that government should approve and publicise a bouquet of incentives to importers and exporters that patronise ports outside Lagos,” Ruwase said.

Infrastructure No President can afford to overlook the issue of railways, roads, energy,broadbandandotherforms of infrastructure. A recent report by the Financial Derivatives Company stated that the country needs to spend $15 billion for 15 years to properly develop its infrastructure.

How will the funds be generated?

What portion of the annual budget will be devoted to infrastructure?

Nigeria needs a president that will answer these questions.

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Analysis How Jimi Agbaje emerged Lagos PDP guber candidate and the battle ahead Iniobong Iwok

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erhaps, not many Lagosians and keen political observers in Lagos State expected Jimi Agbaje to come up again for the gubernatorial ticket of the now, main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Until a few weeks ago, it was as if nothing was happening in the party. Permutations were high that perhaps, the likes of Agbaje may have concluded plans not to run again this time around.

In some quarters, it was insinuated that it was going to be a race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) alone. Before the primary, PDP was embroiled in internal crisis that resulted in the defection of its state chairman, Moshood Salvador, to the ruling APC in Lagos.

Agbaje is not new to gubernatorial race in the state. He was the party’s candidate in 2011 and 2015.

In the 2014, the ticket was keenly contested and against all odds, Agbaje defeated Deji Doherty and former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro at the party’s primary to emerge the PDP candidate; but he was to lose the election to the incumbent, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of the APC. Agbaje had polled 659,738 votes against Ambode’s 812, 39.

This time around his only rival was Doherty who had contested for the same governorship ticket in 2007, 2011 and 2014 but lost.

Before the primary this time around, Doherty was perceived to be the favourite aspirant to clinch the ticket; he was said to be having the backing of the former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Olabode George, for the ticket.

This was amid reports that Agbaje’s had fallen out of favour with several leaders of the party in the state.

A chieftain of the party in the state had told BDSUNDAY some hours to the primary that leaders of the party in the state had not forgiven Agbaje, who, according to him, was sponsored to equally contest the national chairmanship position of the party, a move which was perceived was planned to scuttle the chairmanship ambition of Bode George.

Jimi Agbaje

However, at the venue of the primary, observers and ordinary Lagosians rooted for Agbaje; he was perceived to be the only “material” for governorship in the PDP in the state, at least for now. Those who hold this view said he had a huge grassroots support to pose a challenge to the ruling APC in the state.

Tension was high among supporters of the two aspirants over who among the two aspirants would win the contest.

But after more than 24 hours of voting by over 3,000 accredited delegates from 20 Local Government Areas (LGA) across the state, Jimi Agbaje emerged winner of the gubernatorial contest, garnering 1,100 votes, while Doherty scored 742 votes.

The primary, which took place at Yard 158 Event Centre in Oregun, Ikeja, was peaceful, except for initial challenge in crowd control, while voting ended at about 2pm the following day.

Speaking on the exercise, the head of the five-man electoral committee who conducted the primary, Victor Oyofo, said that the contest was free and fair, and should be an example of what democratic election should be.

Oyofo noted that the smooth

conduct of the primary was an indication that democracy had taken its root in the country.

He appreciated the two aspirants for comporting themselves maturely and for working like brothers, even as he appealed to them to work as a team to ensure that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was defeated in the 2019 general election in the state.

In his acceptance speech Agbaje, commended his opponent, Doherty, for his show of sportsmanship, adding that he was ready to work with him to defeat the APC in the state in 2019.

Agbaje stressed that the mandate given to him was to build on the success recorded in 2015, noting that the mandate of the party would be to free Lagos from “diseases” that the APC had plagued the state with since it captured it in 1999.

“Let me take this opportunity to formally accept to be the governorship candidate of the PDP in Lagos State in 2019. I want to congratulate my opponent; it was a keen contest.

“He has demonstrated a show of sportsmanship; I look forward to working with you and your support is needed so that our party can take over the state in 2019.

“I thank the electoral com-

mittee chairman; we had our up and down; the way we have conducted our primaries is a lesson for other party. This is a mandate to build on the success of 2015; we want to continue to build on that. We have a disease in Lagos State, our mandate is to free Lagos State, we would explain more on that later,” Agbaje said.

In his remarks accepting the result of the primary election, Doherty thanked Agbaje for the keen contest, promising to work with him to ensure that the state was rescued from bad governance, adding that it was time Lagos State was rescued from indebtedness.

He added that the peaceful conduct of the primary should be a lesson to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stressing that it was time Lagos was rescued from the grip of the APC. Some observers see the emergence of Agbaje as going to rattle the state APC given the tough fight that he gave the current governor in 2015.

They also believe that next year’s gubernatorial election perhaps, offers the best opportunity for the PDP to wrest Lagos State from the grip of the APC, if the party puts its house in order.

The PDP has never hidden its

intention to win the state, but since 2015, it has been plagued by series of internal crisis which had divided the party and affected its performance, including the recent council election in the state.

The recent crisis that dogged the party had to do with sharing of state executive positions between its former state chairman, Salvador and his presumed political godfather and leader of the party in the state, George.

The crisis eventually culminated in Salvador’s recent defection to the APC. Analysts are of the view that the perceived poor performance of the Ambode administration in some sectors, and the crisis over the choice of the gubernatorial candidate of the APC in the state, which has divided the party, could perhaps affect the performance of the APC in the gubernatorial election.

Some aggrieved supporters of Ambode, particularly in Epe Local Government Area (LGA) where he hails from, are said to have vowed never to vote for Sanwo-Olu. The governor’s supporters were said to have decided to vote for the candidate of the PDP to protest the decision of the national leader of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, not to support the second term re-election bid of the governor.

Agbaje in an interview with newsmen at the venue of the primaries admitted that the PDP would capitalise on the crisis in the camp of the APC in the state, while also outlining his priorities agenda if he is elected the governor of Lagos State.

“We would reap from what is happening in the APC and we are ready to do that. Our party is much stronger now unlike before,” he said.

According to him, “It is important to improve on the quality of our education in the state to meet up with the 21st Century.

By the time we address education properly then a man who collects salary can give proper account of his income, he will have no fear about his children, health. These are some of the basic things that must be addressed.”

In the months leading to the election, it is expected that there would be more drama and intrigues which may eventually play a huge role in determining which party and candidate will win the gubernatorial election in Lagos State next year.

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News

Abia civil servants to undergo compulsory annual medical check-up UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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n y i i Wa mah, Abia State Head of Service (HoS) has said that it was now compulsory for all civil/public servants in the state to undergo annual medical check-up to ascertain their health status.

Wamah disclosed this in State Planning Commission office, when his office alongside the bureau under his office defended their 2019 budget proposals.

He noted that the medical check-up was necessary so as to ensure that civil servants were healthy while discharging their duties, adding that health is wealth.

In another development, Abia civil/public servants clamouring for extension of time after mandatory service has ended would henceforth be disappointed as government has shut the doors of retrogressive extension of

service in the state service.

The Abia Civil Service boss who gave the hint before the State Budget Committee sounded it loud that part of his vision and mission as the HoS was to ensure the full restoration of the lost glory of the service in the state.

Wamah, who swore to adhere strictly to the stipulated guidelines governing the service, disclosed that only service contract as specified in the service rules could be given to a retiring worker to continue his/her service to the state where there would not be immediate replacement in the area of spe cialisation.

The number one Abia worker who expressed his concern over the low productivity and degradation in the service said that government has taken necessary steps to re-activate the bi-monthly public service lecture, re-institute monthly and annual merit awards as well as overall training and retraining of staff to enhance optimal performance.

The HoS hinted that

Melania Trump (l), wife of the United States president, during her recent tour to Egypt.

some of his targets for 2019 include: quality leadership and direction to public service, provision of enabling working environment and adequate packages for public servants

and resuscitation of the abandoned Public Service Academy to improve skills and knowledge of public servants for effective and efficient service delivery among others.

Wamah however, decried lack of utility vehicles, inadequate funding, obsolete service documents and insufficient office accommodation as some of the problems

Kwara APC faction elects candidates PDP candidate emerges today... for NASS, State Assembly seats Continued from Page 1 ti Baba-Ahmed, Attahiru judicial connections he acSIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin

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shola Balogun Fulani-led AllProgressivesCongress (APC) in Kwara State has announced names of its candidates for various legislative positions at both the stateandfederallevelsinnext year’s general elections.

The state secretary of the faction, Christopher Tunji Ayeni made the announcement of the names of candidates that emerged victorious in its primaries for both the state Assembly and National Assembly seats at the party’s secretariat, Onikanga road, GRA, Ilorin.

Ayeni said the party followed the directive of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) and conducted the primaries through direct method.

According to Ayeni, the party’s candidate for the Kwara central senatorial district is Umar Lanrewaju Babatunde while the winner of the House of Representatives seat for Offa/Ifelodun/ Oyun federal constituency is Dada Elizabeth. Usman Babalafia will fly the party’s ticket for Kaima/Baruten

federal constituency and AbdulHameed Ali will fly the flag for Ilorin West/Asa. Candidates, who are also elected for the state’s Assembly race according to Ayeni include Lawal Sodiq for Owode Onirin, Mohammed Ndakwa for Patigi, Victor Oguntimi for Ekiti, Alhassan for Gwanara/Ilesha and Gabriel Babatunde for Isin.

Others include Salman Hakeem for Ilorin North, Olarinoye Lasun for Ojomu /Balogun, AbdulKadir Olarewaju for Ilorin south, Mulikat Onagun for Ilorin West and Suleiman Kudirat for Ilorin East state constituency.

The factional secretary, who was flanked by other officials, said everything was done in accordance with the laid down rules of the NWC and asked the public to disregard any other primary held on the same issue.

He said: “Please don’t be deceived, there is no other primary apart from the one conducted by this group led by Ishola Balogun Fulani.

Any other primary is a kangaroo and has no place in the record of the APC and will therefore, becomes an exercise in futility.”

The event was, however, shiftedtocommenceat6pm because of the governorship and National Assembly elections in Anambra, Edo, Imo and Zamfara States.

On its part, the main opposition PDP went in for a convention late last night to elect its flag-bearer in next year’s presidential election after the convention commencement time was shifted several times due to late arrival of delegates from various states.

Our correspondents on ground at the Adokiye Amasiemeka Stadium in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, venue of the convention, reported that flights to the oil city were scarce from Abuja and some other cities in the country.

Although 12 candidates are in the race, early analysis of the likely outcome of the conventionindicatedthatthe battleforthePDPpresidential ticket was clearly between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.

Others in the race include Senate President Bukola Saraki, Ahmed Makarfi, Dat-

Bafarawa, Sule Lamido, David Mark, Jonah Jang, Kabiru Turaki and Rabiu Kwankwaso.

About 4,000 delegates participated in the primaries.

“Horse trading has continued with Atiku gaining more grounds. Force of money is said to be gaining more ground. Tambuwal is still running strong, hoping to lead in at least 20 states. Lastminute change of fortune is highly expected,” said our correspondent, an insight gained from his interaction with delegates at the venue.

“Over five states are sticking to the contestants from their states, hoping, however, for last-minute instruction. Benue is said to still stand with David Mark till he either stands down for somebody or fails at the ballot point,” he said.

His further analysis pointed to the fact that Tambuwal’s lead in many states and second position in most others was a result of his wide reach.

“Tambuwal is seriously seen to tap into the 360 members of the House of Representatives he worked with as Speaker, the many

quired as back bench in the NBA, etc, and the governors he has worked with in the past three years. His campaign team is expanding by the day as new stakeholders endorse him,” he said.

Meanwhile, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, chairman of the National Convention Planning Committee, said the outcome of the convention would leave the party more united.

Recall that an accord was reached a few days ago by the aspirants to stand by whoever emerged.

Okowa told Channels Television in Port Harcourt that he was confident the candidate that would emerge from the convention would be a strong candidate.

“We are a strong party and we are going to go through a credible process today. I believe that we are going to become more united even after this convention because we are very sure that we are going to deliver a very credible process,” Okowa said.

“Therefore, whosoever emerges in this process is going to be a very strong candidate that will be very

militating against effective service delivery.

He however gave assurance that he would give the best to the service, government and people of Abia state.

competitive, and we are sure that we will work hard to ensure his victory,” he said.

Okowa also said the total number of aspirants in the race remained 12 as no candidate had stepped down.

“I am not aware of anybody who has stepped down. We made it very clear, anybody who is going to step down has to step down in writing and also publicly announce it at the convention ground here,” he said.

Ahead of the convention, the option of a consensus candidatecameupanumber of times, but governors on the PDP platform rejected the option and also decided not to back any particular candidate at the convention.

The governors had asked all delegates to go and vote for candidates of their choice, and that delegates were free to choose whoever they wanted.

Before the decision of the governors, there had been fears that all the 12 PDP governors could rally behind a candidate, and that considering the formidable influence the governors wield over party affairs, whoever they endorse would easily clinch the ticket.

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News

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‘Meet the farmers conference’ holds in Lagos Wednesday James Kwen, Abuja

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he 2018 edition of Meet the Farmers Conference (MTFC) which will take place at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, VI, on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 has as its theme: Innov8Agric Challenge. It will host young farmers, agripreneurs and innovators in the Value Chain to challenge for the grand prize of $5,000 and all –expenses –paid trip to Dubai.

MTFC is an agribusiness organised by Crenov8 Consulting, a leading consulting and digital firm in the Middle East and Africa.

The salutary aim is to connect large scale agro- commodity producers to buyers and investors in the Middle East. It is also meant to strengthen interna-

tional trade ties which exist between Nigeria and the GCC countries through agriculture.

It is supported by GEO Travels, WalWanne and Son, FarmCrowdy, and government parastatals including Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

Others include Federal Ministry of Agriculture a n d R u ra l D ev e l o p ment, Lagos State’s Ministry of Agriculture, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Nigeria Export-Import Bank, FADAMA amongst others.

Expected at the event are Chief Audu Ogbeh - minister of Agriculture, Onyeka Akumah - CEO/ Co-founder at Farmcrowdy, Emmanuel Ijewere - Vice President at Nigeria Agribusiness Group, Yewande Sadiku - CEO

Jimi Agbaje giving his acceptance speech shortly after being declared winner of the Lagos State chapter of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial primary held in Ikeja, Friday.

Photo: Iniobong Iwok

NIPC, Kabir Abiso CEO Wal-Wanne and Sons, Iyalode Lawson - President NACCIMA, Abubakar Bello - MD at NEXIM, and other renowned Agric stakeholders in Nigeria

WANEP marks International Peace Day …Urges Nigerians to shun violence, embrace peace Ngozi Okpalakunne

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s part of activities to c o mme mo ra t e this year’s International Peace Day, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) in collaboration with Lagos Women 2030, a group of organisations focusing on peace building in the society recently organised a peace march in Lagos to sensitise the populace on the need to shun violence and embrace peace.

Head of programmes, WANEP Nigeria, Patience Ikpeh-Ubaulo who spoke at the event said the march was necessary as it gave them opportunity to educate Nigerians on the need to shun violence as the country prepares for the 2019 general election.

“There is need for peace in Nigeria, in January 1st this year in Benue

State, the headsmen attacked farmers and killed people aimlessly and this is in addition to millions of people that have been killed in the north east by Boko Haram group, it has been a concern, it is something of remorse, it has thrown the country into tears and the question we ask ourselves is, where is the peace?‘’ Ubaulo added.

Highlighting on this year’s theme, ‘Right to Peace,’ she said every man has the right to peace, adding, “every individual has right to peace and as people are celebrating it globally, here in Nigeria, we narrow down the theme to, ‘’every woman has the right to peace’’, because if you look at it, in the midst of conflict, women and children are the once that bear the brunt, they are the most vulnerable in the society.

When a woman loses her

peace, she cannot make meaningful contribution to the society, even in her home she cannot do anything because there is no peace.’’

She identified disagreement as one of the factors that triggers conflict in society.

“When people are not able to reach a particular goal and their interests are not met, they are not amicable, thus conflict erupts in that particular community; so, when there is issue, people should be able to sit down and relate with one another and if there is need to engage a third party that should be done; when you realise that the other person is not listening , there is need to call in a third party, because when peace is not working between two parties in a conflict and there is no third party involvement, they might decide to pick arms against each other.

would be speaking at the conference.

From research, UAE imports $100 billion agric products from Africa which is expected to rise to $400bn in the next eight years

without a commens u ra t e ex p o r t f ro m Africa.

The Conference was therefore, borne out of the need to fill the export gap and consolidate on it. It

is aimed to promote the industrialisation of agriculture business in inter and intra African trade , drive strategic Foreign Direct Investment(FDI), increase and promote and increase p ro d u c t i o n o f a g r i culture to GDP. It will also improve foreign exc h a n g e , i n c re a s e the GDP, reduce food wastages and improve on the existing ties between Africa and GCC countries.

MTFC began in 2017 as a veritable platform for productive interaction between African farmers and the off takers in the Middle East and beyond to engender lucrative deals, networking opportunities, and sustainable collaborations.

Expected at the ev e n t a re t e c h n i c a l partners, large scale farmers, financing institutions and investors.

Ekobits Foundation partner Poise Nigeria to graduate 42 less privileged youths AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

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koBits ICT Academy has in partnership with Poise Nigeria, graduated 42 youths from less privileged communities including Itedo, Marwa Ajiran, Ikate, Babalola, Jakande of Lagos state after undergoing 12 months training programme in various ICT related fields.

The field includes Graphics Design, Web Design & Development, Work Ethics & Professionalism, Attitude & Behaviour, Business Plan, Photography & Video Editing, Basic ICT Skills and Excellence in Customer Service.

The graduation ceremony, which took place at the permanent site of Poise Nigeria, was attended by the Human Resource department of some organisations where all the graduates were interviewed and the successful ones employed on the spot.

Umar Annual was awarded best male stu-

dent of the programme after specialising in Web design and development while Opeyemi Agbaje, was awarded the best female student.

Also, Uber Kenechukwu received the best Graphic designer award, while Simeon Samson was given the best Web developer award.

Speaking at the event, Innih Ikhide, project manager of EkoBits ICT Academy advised the graduating students to believe in themselves, and use the internet to develop themselves positively.

Ikhide also called on the Government, International Non-Governmental Organisations, philanthropist and Nigerians to support this laudable project which will serve as an avenue to reduce the rate of unemployment among Nigerian youths.

Uki Dare, senior special assistant to the Edo State Governor on youth employment and head of Edo Jobs congratulated the students and urged them to make the best use of the

skills acquired.

Fadoju Babajide, special assistants to the Oyo state Governor on new media and the head of digital communications in Oyo State advised the graduating students to focus on gaining work experience, adding that they would become captain of industries in their chosen field.

A special recognition was given to Edafe Mathew Eseoghene and Tella Rahamon for their outstanding dedication and commitment to the students through their mentorship during the 12months programme.

EkoBits is part of the network of Bits Schools that offer demand aligned training in creative technology targeted at youths from less privileged communities.

It is an initiative of the Work in Progress Alliance, Oxfam Novib and Butterfly. Since its commencement in Nigeria through Poise, it has trained over 130 students from different slums and informal settlements in Lagos.

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News Women engineers urged to translate career passion into enterprise

Ngozi Okpalakunne

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rofessional women engineers have been urged to translate their career passion into enterprise so as to improve human experience and make life better for the populace.

President, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Felicia Agubata who stated this at the recently concluded 2018 International conference /AGM and the 35th anniversary of the association tagged, ‘Passion translated into enterprise’ affirmed that women in the engineering profession can translate their career passion into enterprise which in turn will contribute positively to human development.

“Besides being a fe-

male engineer, one can have passion for enterprise, pursue and follow such passion and ensure it comes true. But before then, such an individual must have a business plan that she is passionate about, you might fail several times, but do not be discouraged because you will ultimately become successful,” Agubata added.

She described passion as the most effective driver when it comes to launching business or an enterprise and added that its presence or absence is a critical predictor of whether an idea will lead to success.

A c c o rd i n g t o h e r , “Most successful people on earth follow passion not paycheck, make your passion; make your passion your paycheck. Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire. Working hard for

something you do not care about is called stress.

Working hard for something we love is called passion. It is beautiful when career and passion come together,” she affirmed.

On the idea behind the choice of conference theme, the APWEN President said: “Over the years, we have been talking about girl-child advocacy on studying Science, Technology , Engineering , Mathematics (STEM) and how to pursue a career in engineering, over the years the theme of our conferences has been on capacity building, but this year we want to talk about the woman who is an engineer, practising engineering and we want to look at how she can translate the passion she has for engineering into enterprise and when she achieves that, she will not only do exploit in her chosen profession which

is engineering, but will also succeed in business she has passion for.’’

On his part, CEO, Seplat Petroleum Development Company, Austin Avuru commended the organisers of the programme, saying that training will spur the participants to become future successful industrialists.

Also speaking, former president of APWEN, Idiat Aderemi Amusu, regretted that Nigerian women were politically underrepresented, adding, ‘’Nigeria has the lowest female parliamentarians in Sub-Sahara and ranked 133 in the world. Their upper and lower house representation fell from 7 percent in 2007 to 6 percent in 2011, the African average is 19 percent. Only 7 senators out 109 and 35 out of 360 house of representative are women.”

India, Nigeria to build Convention Centre in Abuja in honour of Mahatma Gandhi Innocent Odoh, Abuja

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he Indian Government and the Federal Republic of Nigeria have mapped out plans to build a multi-purpose Convention Centre in Abuja to honour the late Indian political activist and foremost champion of non-violence protest and icon of social justice, Mohandas Kamaramchad Gandhi, popularly called Mahatma Gandhi.

The High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, BN Reddy, disclosed this to reporters in Abuja on Tuesday night, during events to mark 2018 International Day of Non-violence, which also coincided with 150th birthday anniversary of Gandhi.

He said that the project falls within the dimension of humanitarian and social aspect of the commemoration of the legacies of the Indian legendary leader.

“We are trying to bring the humanitarian and social aspect of the celebration of Mahatma Gandhi and part of the efforts to perpetuate the memory of Mahatma Gandhi is to build a convention center in Abuja. A committee has been set up by the Minister of FCT Mohammed Bello and we are in the process of finalising the concept note, which is given

Mahatma Gandhi

on the basis of the technical requirements by the FCT. “On that basis both sides will sit together and come up with a design, which can then be implemented. Our objective is to have this project completed in two- year period sooner than later,” he said.

He however added that at this stage it is difficult to place value on the whole project.

Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazzau, represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mohammed Bello Umar; said Gandhi’s advocacy for peace gave the

world a significant meaning that changed things tremendously for India and the rest of the world.

“This is a great man, an icon, a man of philosophy; he sacrificed his own life for his country and his people.

Truly, this is a lesson for those of us still alive. This was a man who has not only turned around India but he has turned around the world. His philosophy of non-violence has made India to become great,” the Minister said.

The United Nations Resident/Humanitarian Coordi-

nator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Edward Kallon, in his remarks, called on the world to use the occasion to remember and reflect on the life of Gandhi, his wisdom and achievements, which he said have had lasting impacts every one.

“The message of nonviolence is needed more than ever as unfortunately we are not yet living in the world that Gandhi dreamt of. Instead global violence has worsened, driven by ongoing conflict, violent

Army sanctions 3 officers, 2 soldiers over professional misconduct he Nigerian Army General Court Martial sitting in Maimalari cantonment, Maiduguri has sanctioned three officers and two soldiers for offences bordering on cowardice, negligence, abduction and discipline.

The accused includes: Captain Alhamdu Kwasau; Captain Jimen Babangida; Lieutenant Sanusi Sergeant Aliyu Hassan and Lance Corporal Bello Nasiru.

The President of the Court Martial Brigadier General Olusegun Adesina while delivering judgment said all the verdicts passed by the Court are subject to confirmation by the Appropriate Superior Authority.

He added that the court martial was to keep troops in check and ensure strict adherence to the code of conduct guiding counter insurgency operations in the North East while protecting human rights.

According to a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General, Texas Chukwu: “One of the accused, Captain Alhamdu Kwasau was found guilty of offences of cowardly behaviour and negligence

while carrying out his military duty. He was reduced to the rank of a Lieutenant with two years lost of seniority on the rank.

“Similarly, Captain Jimen Babangida and Lieutenant Sanusi Bello were also found guilty of conduct prejudice to service discipline. Captain Babangida bagged 9 months forfeiture of seniority on the rank while Lieutenant Bello earned 6 months forfeiture of seniority on the rank of Lieutenant.

“In the offence of disobedience to standing order, Captain Babangida is to suffer additional 9 months forfeiture of seniority on the rank of a Captain.

“Also in a 3-count charge of civil offences bordering on abduction, attempt to commit offence of abduction and extortion against one Sergeant Aliyu Hassan and Lance Corporal Bello Nasiru, the two soldiers were awarded five years imprisonment on the 1st and 3rd offences which are to run concurrently. They were also demoted to the ranks of Corporal and Private, respectively.

“The proceedings of the General Court Martial were adjudged fair by both the defence and prosecuting counsel,” he explained.

extremism and terrorist attacks are all time high.

“We have more people displaced today than at any time since World War 2. From Syria to Yemen, from South Sudan to Venezuela, conflicts and political violence are causing human suffering on an unseen scale and it is showing no sign of decreasing,” he said.

He decried the growing attacks in Nigeria and lamented that violence has continued to cause immense human and economic losses. He stressed that it is often those who are already farthest behind that suffer the most as the violence causes widespread displacement, abuse and violation of international humanitarian and human right laws.

“Beyond the devastating humanitarian impact violence also represents a threat to the stability and peace of the entire world.

Despite the growing violence and conflict we must use this occasion as an opportunity to affirm our commitment to find lasting and peaceful solutions and urge all actors to work together towards the non-violence resolution of conflict as exemplified by Gandhi’s life and work,” he noted.

He pointed out that when the member states of the United Nations adopted the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, a vision to create a safer and more peaceful world was set out.

He explained that of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, one in particular, Goal

17, which focuses efforts on enabling peaceful development stands in the midst of the philosophy of the great Gandhi.

“At a time of protracted conflicts and complex challenges Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence remains an inspiration. At the United Nations a world free of violence and the resolution of differences through non-violence means is at the core of our work.

“At a time when inequality is on the rise and the fear of globalisaion is an imperative, we also recall Gandhi’s commitment to social justice. And in the period when the world is striving to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, ensure gender equality and leave no one behind, Gandhi’s commitment to human dignity can light our path,” the UN envoy said.

Contributing, the Chief Medical Director of Hassan’s Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Shabihul Hassan, laid emphasis on Gandhi’s personal cleanliness, saying that “Gandhi was obsessed with cleanliness and discipline and his emphasis ‘Cleanliness is next to godliness’ focused on personal and societal hygiene and sanitation.

He added that Gandhi made the world understand the importance of non-violence in achieving peace and was an inspiration to all freedoms fighter all over the world as he used nonviolence to defeat the most violent enemy- the British Empire.

Stella Enenche, Abuja

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News No president in the world can be as irresponsible as the Nigerian president, says Kukah Akinremi Feyisipo, Ibadan

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he Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has said that no president of any country in the world can be as “irresponsible” in the usage of power as a Nigerian president.

“The structure of the Nigerian presidential office makes the holders of the office extremely powerful, so much that he can deploy power the way he want,” he noted.

“No president in the world has the kind of power the Nigerian president has and as such, no president in the world can be as irresponsible as the Nigerian president. His power is so much that he can give oil bloc to his girlfriend and many others. You thus can’t be a man of honour and live in a country like Nigeria and not be angry,” he said.

Delivering the annual Ulefunta/Oyemekun Festival lecture titled ‘Building blocks for a good society’ held at the Francis Idibiye Lecture hall of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Ondo State, Kukah said that from the first Nigerian Prime Minister, Tafawa Balewa to President Mu-

hammadu Buhari, virtually all of them were dragged into the presidential office, maintaining that this was unlike the presidency of the United States of America where the president does not emerge by circumstance.

“What is the problem?

It is the dilemma of leadership. In America, there are basic expectations of what a president should be. For instance, he must have gone through Harvard as an institution; he must have language and track records, not even wealth. You can’t surprise the system. Here in Nigeria, local government chairman wants to be governor; the governor wants to be president and the president doesn’t want to go! Many states have two governors representing them at the National Assembly. Governors have control and monopoly of resources of state and they use same resources to oppress them,” he said.

The clergy man, who said that the Nigerian society is in ferment, maintained that although instability, the type that Nigeria faces as a country is inevitable in any system, however, said that developing mechanisms that will confront the instability is the hallmark of great countries.

President Buhari

“In Nigeria, it is not a question of looking for trouble because trouble is already here. The Nigerian state has no capacity to protect itself and there is no loyalty to Nigeria from its citizens but to those who help individuals to get to positions in the system,” he said.

Kukah however, exonerated two former

Nigerian leaders from the leadership rot- Obafemi Awolowo and Aminu Kano- whom he called “architects of a good society.”

“Awolowo, for his major quintessential evidence as somebody who already figured out what he would do with power if he got it; he understood the building blocks for an

egalitarian society. Aminu Kano single-handedly took on the feudal class in Northern society and had a deep understanding of society, even as he textually talked about a free society in a way and manner that didn’t offend religion,” he said.

While stating that it is not enough for a people to have the building blocks

of a good society alone, Kukah also maintained that Nigeria has not been able to build a good society because the country has not obeyed the rules of design.

“We have to understand the building blocks of society which is not too different from the rules of building a house. A good society is not different from the building blocks of society. When a building collapses, it didn’t collapse in a day. It began to collapse a long time ago. For us to build a good society, we have to have eyes that monitor the needs, growth and development and feelings of that society. Then you can be sure of the quality of that society,” he said.

While reviewing the lecture, Kole Omotoso, a Professor lauded Kukah for what he called a very profound lecture and said that the only point of departure he had in the lecture was Kukah’s submission that education has the potential to remedy the problems of Nigeria’s existence.

Guests at the occasion included the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, Reuben Fasoranti, the chairman of the occasion, and many others.

We’re winning the war against Extended play on ‘Great illicit financial outflow - AGF Confidence’ for launch Oct 14

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ll is set for the public presentation of ‘Great Confidence’, an Extended Play put together by Ekene Agomuo, a principal tutor with the International School, Lagos.

The launch scheduled to hold on Sunday, October 14, 2018 at Whiteley’s Event Centre 10/12 Nnobi Street, Kilo, Surulere Lagos, will also feature Hymns Concert.

According to the organisers, the launch will also feature The Levite Crew, among other gospel artistes that will render soul-lifting songs.

The lead Artiste, Mrs. Agomuo, in a statement, said she expects that the songs being put together would minister to the souls and spirits of people, adding that the songs had been divinely inspired to create the right effects in people’s lives.

Felix Omohomhion, Abuja

“The programme promises to be an avenue for people to fellowship with the Almighty God. It is an evening of praise and worship. What we are doing that day is to present our songs that are inspired, just to the glory of God, not for self-exaltation or glorification,” she said.

On her motivation for getting involved in such project, she said: “It has been the desire of my heart to put together songs to the glory of God. My aim essentially is to draw people clos-

er to God through songs. I have no doubt in my mind that those who would attend the event would have a great evening and also have a renewed relationship with God. It is about expressing gratitude to God,” she said.

According to her, ‘Great Confidence’ is extolling the never-failing power of the Almighty. When you are confident, you fear nothing and you become unconquerable and unstoppable.

“I have nursed this dream for a very long time, so, am so glad that it has come to pass. Every one of the songs therein is divinely inspired to infuse total dependence in God. You know that in this part of the world people are confronted with myriads of challenges. And it is vain to trust in man. I am very optimistic that the songs will open the floodgate of abundant and supernatural blessings upon people.”

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he Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has said this present administration has gone a long way in curbing corruption in the country.

Speaking at the two-day Thabo Mbeki High Level Panel (HLP) on Illicit Financial Flows, chaired by former South Africa President, Thabo Mbeki, in Abuja, Malami said through legislation and commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhariled administration, corruption was being fought to a standstill.

He said the political will of the President has also helped in stopping the illicit flow of funds from the country.

Various policies adopted by this government, he noted, had helped in no small measure to stem the

tide of financial outflow from the country.

Policies like Treasury Single Account (TSA), Biometrics Verification Number (BVN), whistle blowing, are all geared towards ensuring that corruption is reduced to the barest minimum, he explained.

He stressed that there was need for African countries to collaborate with other nations of the world to block those who have stolen from the African countries from enjoying the loot.

He said there need for African countries to collaborate with the international community to fight illicit financial outflow from Africa cannot be over-emphasised.

He advocated for visa restriction, tracing and repatriation of stolen funds wherever they are found as a way to help curb corruption in the continent.

“We have gone a long way in stopping financial

flow through quality decisions. Above all there is need for collaboration with international community in the fight against illicit financial outflow.

“Nigeria has built institutions through quality legislation to curb this. We have created the EFCC, ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau, Code of Conduct Tribunal, Financial Intelligence Unit, among others to stem the tide of illicit financial flow. There is also Proceeds of Crime Act, Terrorism Act; they are targeted at financial crimes and in support of these other institutions.

“Biometrics Verification Number (BVN) is also a policy introduced by this government to trace ownership of bank accounts of illicit funds.

TSA was also introduced to identify movement of funds.

By way of this administration’s desire to block the flow of illicit funds, according to the Minister, this government has encouraged the policy of whistle blowing.

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Lagos inner roads of pain JOSHUA BASSEY

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his is not the best of times for Lagos residents especially commuters and motorists, who daily traverse the length and breadth of Nigeria’s economic capital city.

It’s been particularly traumatising the last three months.

Four to five hours spent on the roads on journeys that should ordinary take less than an hour.

No thanks to the inner roads, most of which have collapsed, including even those rehabilitated less than two years ago by the Governor Ambode-led administration.

Ditches and potholes have become permanent features on the roads; expanding wider and sinking deeper as the rains pound. Traffic flows have been grounded in different parts of the metropolis. The impact is being felt everywhere; taking toll on the health of the citizens and the public transportation system and fares.

A trip from Ikotun Bus Stop in Alimosho to Cele Express, on Apapa-Oshodi road, has gone up more than 100 percent.

Commercial bus operators now charge N250 as against N100 to make up for the time lost in debilitating gridlocks across the metropolis.

From Wharf in Apapa to Ojuelegba in Surulere now attracts between N150 and N200 as against N100. Commuters on Lagos-Badagry road have resigned to fate, as their pleas for intervention have failed to attract any positive response

from the government. It is either the commuters are seen trekking home or clustering at various bus stops in utter frustration.

No part of the state is spared the ordeal: From Apapa to the Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland to Mushin, Surulere to Agege, Amuwo-Odofin to Ojo, IfaikoIjaiye to Somolu, the complaints are the same.

In Ejigbo, for example, roads like Joe Ayika, Segun Awolowo, Jimoh Oke, and Olarewaju have become impassible, compounded by heaps of refuse.

The situation is not better in Ikorodu. Inner roads such as

Ola-Balogun, in Parafa-Ikorodu; Otun Street, off Itokin Road; Owutu Road; Agbede Meeting Road, Ishawo Road and Lagos State Polytechnic Road are all in a state of disrepair.

A resident of Ikorodu, Gbeleyi Oke while lamenting the situation in an interview with BD Sunday, accused the state government of abandoning the area. “We have not seen it this bad before. “The inner roads in Ikorodu are impassable. We’re still appealing to the state government to come to our aid,” said Oke. Utibe Akpama, a resident of Joe Ayika Street in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), said the situation of the road has brought untold hardship on the people. She equally called on the government to heed their cries and fix the road.

Within the Ira Quarters, in Ojo local government area of the state, roads such as Ajakaiye and Alimi have been in a state of neglect. For more than two years, residents of the area have had to park their vehicles outside their homes, as the roads have remained impassable.

John Owoeye, who pastors a branch of The Apostolic Church located along Dauda Street, said he resorted to parking his Kia Rio saloon car in a friend’s place outside Ira Quarters when it became obvious that the road (Ajakaiye Street) leading to his house, would damage the car.

“One a particular day last year, I had to pay N5,000 to a

towing van operator to pull my car out from a muddy ditch.

Since then, I have been parking at Agric,” said Owoeye.

The narrative is the same from Ile-Iwe Ejigbo inwards Oke-Afa and Ajao Estate to Osolo Way. A resident, Amarachi Okoro, lamented that all the inner roads within the area needed urgent intervention. “It takes some minutes of rainfall for all the inner roads to become impassable. People are suffering and the government seems not bothered. Why should one spend three to four hours on a trip within a city? It’s really frustrating,” said Okoro.

Two weeks ago, Ade Akinsanya, the state commissioner for works and infrastructure issued a directive to the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) to commence an immediate intervention on

But less than three months to end the year, it is to be seen how many of the 181 roads have been delivered and their impact on the state

inner roads across the state, to lessen the suffering of commuters and motorists. But nothing dramatic has been done since the directive, which Akinsanya said was from Governor Ambode.

A director in LSPCW when contacted, said notwithstanding the directive, there was little the corporation could this time because of the rainfall being experienced.

“It will amount to a waste of public funds to mobilise workers to the roads now. The rain is still falling. We’re only trying to carry out some palliative in critical areas pending when the rain stops to commence full rehabilitation work especially on the inner roads,” said the director, who craved anonymity.

Early this year, the state government announced it was spending N18.5 billion on the reconstruction of 181 inner city roads. The government said of this figure, N5.5 billion had been released to contractors to flag off the project across the 20 local governments and 37 LCDAs. According to Akinsanya , the reconstruction of the 181 roads would be undertaken in phases. The phase one would take one road each in the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas, as the contractors were already being mobilised to sites.

The commissioner said the sum of N5.5 billion released was 30 percent payment for the construction of the 57 roads, while the total cost of the roads stood at N18.5 billion.

“The roads will be done in phases. Already phase one has been released. This phase involves 57 roads cutting across the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas.

“To facilitate immediate mobilisation to sites, 30 percent has been given to all the contractors upfront,” Akinsanya said. But less than three months to end the year, it is to be seen how many of the 181 roads have been delivered and their impact on the state.

It would be recalled that the state government in 2016, awarded contracts for the reconstruction of 114 inner roads, taking two from each of the 57 councils. However, some of the roads had collapsed less than one year after they were commissioned due to poor quality of work done by the local contractors engaged by the state government. One of such roads is North Avenue, Apapa, which is now in a deplorable state.

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PhotoSplash

L - R: Henry Muogho, executive director, administration, Ibru Organisation; his wife, Lady Jacklyn; Rev. Fr. Osbert Egbe, officiating priest, Sacred Heart Catholic Church Apapa; and Sami Omai, managing director, Fundsworth Limited, during the 2018 Cultural Day of the Church in Apapa, Lagos........ recently.

Ukinebo Dare, senior special assistant to Edo State Governor on Youth Employment (l), and Innih Ikhide, project manager, Ekobits ICT Academy (r), presenting an award to Umar Annual, as the Overall Best Graduating Student during the graduation ceremony of the Academy, recently.

Dayo Aderugbo; Head, Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria (centre) awarding BUA Football Club, winners of the 2018 Standard Chartered Cup trophy, at the football tournament in Lagos recently.

L-R: Omonkhogbe Eromon, Optometrist; Babatunde Ojedokun, Brand Executive, Dexa Medica; Bolanle Omolade, benficiary of free eye glasses from Dexa Medica, and Ololade Jesufemi, brand manager, Dexa Medica, at the At the Boska Pain Free Day in Lagos.

L-R: Adegoke Adegbami, chairman of the Occasion; Adedoyin Adesina, state chairman, Nigeria Union of Teacher (NUT); Idiat Adebule, deputy governor, Lagos State; Aramide Giwanson, special assistant to Lagos State Governor on art and culture, and Bashir Braimah, representative of Lagos State Head of Civil Service, at the 2018 World Teachers’ Day Celebration in Lagos on Friday. NAN L-R: Babatunde Orungbeja, general manager, Ikoyi Club 1938; Theo Madu, Badminton chairman & gold winner of the aerobics tournament 2018 (Veteran Men), and Rajneesh Gupta, chief operation coordinator, Simba Group, at the Prize/Certificate Presentation held during the Ikoyi Club 1938 80th Anniversary Gala Night in Lagos recently.

Asmau Idris, president, Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), with other members of the executive after their meeting in Abuja on Friday Lagos. NAN

L-R: Remi Bella; CEO, Al-Amin Aqua Farm; Sakirudeen Olufowobi, CEO, Brandsupport Concepts /Publisher, Brandcrunch, O’Lekan Babatunde and wife, Folashade and Baale of Imagbon, Chief Kehinde Adesanya at the burial of late Daddy Babatunde Michael Enigbokan at Imagbon, Ijebu-ode, Ogun State recently.

10 BDSUNDAY

Off Duty With

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Bolatito Adebola Mobile: 08053859391, email - iambolatito@gmail.com twitter - @iambolatito

Emeka Emuwa’s magic touch at Union Bank

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or someone who came, albeit, unannounced to the helm of affairs at first generation bank, Union, the likelihood was there for him to make his glorious entry into the plum office at Union Bank; bringing in new ideas and policies to carry the bank into the new age of banking, and this is exactly what Emeka Emuwa has been doing since he assumed office.

Three key elements: innovation, beautification and a brand new look have been his watchwords.

Emeka Emuwa is the man they needed to chart a new roadmap for growth for a bank desirous to reclaim its lost glory. In line with their expectation, he is consistently replicating in Union Bank the success story he chronicled in Citibank Nigeria. Uneasy, they say lies the head of a chief executive officer of a bank hungry for rapid recovery and growth in an economy with one of the

most rapidly growing credit losses in the world.

The stakes are high and so are the expectations of shareholders for Emuwa’s recovery mission to yield the desired results in no time. When he assumed headship of the bank, the bank was clocking 100

years of its existence; it thus behooved Emuwa to change the face of a centenarian bank to that of the new age. He has since made considerable progress on the roadmap he charted to return the bank to glory and has faithfully implemented the defined strategy to

guide rapid growth over the first phase of his plan.

Emuwa’s Union Bank is one of the few banks that have so far been largely shielded from the high operating volatility induced by rising credit losses in the banking sector. To all intents and purposes, Union Bank, under Emuwa, has garnered appreciable confidence in its customers, and their recent award of ‘Excellence in Banking Innovation’ at the last prestigious New Age Banking Awards, is a testimony to Emeka Emuwa’s achievements, even with the recent video campaign of the bank released on October 1 that lent credence to the bank’s upward mobility. Emuwa, in such a short spate, has given minute attention to executing key elements of his growth strategy and the result is the operating stability that Union Bank has attained in the face of instability in the banking industry.

Geregu Power boss, Femi Otedola Off Duty!

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e is well known for his Forte Oil and Zenon concerns, but many will be amazed that he also owns Geregu Power Plc., which will be coming out to you now as a first hand information. For some time now, he has been off the scene and many have been wondering where he could have been. Billionaire oil baron and stupendously rich Femi Otedola, we gathered has been vacationing abroad for almost a month now, since he was speculated to be having a political ambition, which he neither denied nor confirmed.

Femi has since been jun-

keting major cities of the world like Paris, London, Monaco, New York, Los Angeles to mention a few and is not yet due to be back soon,

because he always takes time out for three months every year to take a deserved rest from work. The Lagos-born Femi Otedola

and Zenon boss was right and straight to the point when he said on his page …‘work hard, play hard! Start off my yearly three months vacation taking me to London, New York, Monaco, Paris and Los Angeles.’ The proverbial saying that ‘all work and no play makes a Jack a dull boy,’ could well be playing out on bespectacled Femi Otedola.

He works hard and plays hard without any let or hindrance. Unlike his traditional white caftan attire, Femi Otedola was never spotted in this attire as he rolled in casuals and other paraphernalia of a man having good time.

The Rainoil Boss, Gabriel Ogbechie’s smooth operation

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his is from the vantage point of entrepreneur par excellence, Gabriel Ogbechie.

The business world is arguably the best business school, away from the lecture halls of the formal business schools.

It is where you learn, through practical application, what you may not learn in the classroom.

Gabriel Ogbechie, the Chief Executive Officer of Rainoil, one of Nigeria’s leading operators in the downstream sub-sector of the oil industry, will

Sunday 07 October 2018

tell you this. Ogbechie’s experience as an entrepreneur, having grown his oil company from a mustard seed to an oak, is a lesson worth learning, by anybody that wants

to successfully navigate the turbulent and murky waters of business. His story is a study in doggedness, determination and the unwillingness to take ‘No’ for an an-

swer. It’s also about discipline, especially in money management, a major weakness that has seen the downfall of many an otherwise successful man. He tells you that the best way to succeed in life is not to copy the consumption pattern of others. He draws an analogy from two ladies who carry a handbag each, one, a N100, 000 Chanel, and the other, a DG that cost N150, 000, stressing the fact that both are handbags. How instructive and exemplary can one be?

The invisible billionaire

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e abhors publicity and undue appearances at events or functions like a plague, but character is an invisible force, which acts by presence and without means.

Just like the man, known in the business circuit as ‘The Bull’, Otunba (Dr.) Mike Adenuga, the Globacom Chairman, always loves to do his things in the background, be it business or private.

Of course, one thing that makes Adenuga infallible in the exclusive league of Nigerian multi-billionaires is that he seldom makes public appearances, except for even the rare ones that have to do with his businesses, where he even prefers to attend unnoticed.

Maybe this is the hallmark of his quintessence in the volatile business world, but a goldfish can never have a hiding place. The ‘Bull’ has the debatable reputation of being one of the most unreachable VIPs in Nigeria.

Consumed by a high drive to succeed which leads him to challenge estab-

lished ideas and practices, Adenuga is gifted with uncommon intelligence, creativity, wisdom, acumen, loyalty, steadfastness and charisma. Two examples of his hunger for innovation will readily suffice.

At a time other telcos said it was impossible, his company, Glo pioneered the then unprecedented per second billing. The service instantly became a game changer in the industry and brought unquantifiable relief to subscribers.

This appetite to conquer and acquire new business territories multiplies the charm of his popular moniker, ‘The Bull’.

Unity Bank Grandstands with Tomi Somefun

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irthdays are a thing of joy, so when one adds another year to his or her age on earth, albeit eventful and momentous, it is only meet and proper to celebrate it, especially when it is a milestone age. This is exactly what played out at the premises of Unity Bank head office recently, when the management and staff of the bank gathered to celebrate one of their own, the Managing Director and Chief Officer the bank, enterprising and very formidable banking Amazon and upwardly mobile Mrs. Tomi Somefun, who added a year to her glorious years on earth.

Since vivacious and workaholic Tomi took over the topmost post at Unity Bank Plc well over two years ago, she has been breaking new grounds with innovations and re-invention in the banking sector, just as she is still not relenting in her unwavering effort to take the bank to an enviable and unimpeachable height. With the same attitude of delivering prompt and efficient services in her plum capacity as the MD/CEO of Unity Bank Plc, Tomi is not showing any sign(s) of resting on her oars, as she continues to add more value and relevance of

her bank in the very volatile industry, not giving any room for ebb via non–performance or complacency.

Tomi, indeed, is a rare combination of brain, brawn and beauty and she is successfully pulling all these virtues together, albeit silently, to make a statement for the women folk in the banking industry and she remains committed and focused in her avowed mission to take Unity Bank to the next higher level. At her modest birthday celebration, the management team and sundry staff of the bank thanked her immensely, that under her leadership they have all succeeded more than they could ever have imagined. She, in like manner, responded by pledging to continue the good job she started and asked for more cooperation from the staff.

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News Feature NSTS conference addresses health, economic impacts of toxicants

…as Onu calls for collaboration with Science and Technology ministry

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CHUKS OLUIGBO he Nigerian Society for Toxicological Sciences (NSTS), a nonprofit professional society inaugurated by the International Union of Toxicology (IUTOX), recently moved to address the impact of toxicants on health, the environment and the economy with its maiden scientific conference held at the CBN International Training Institute, Abuja.

Toxicants are substances that produce adverse biological effects of any nature.

They may be chemical or physical in nature; can be man-made, biologically produced, or naturally occurring, and their effects may be of various types, e.g. acute, chronic, etc.

Themed ‘Health, Environmental and Economic Impacts of Man-Made and Naturally Released Toxicants’, the conference witnessed presentations of and discussions on research findings in several areas and x-rayed seven sub-themes that include Industrial and Agrochemical Toxicity, Oil and Gas, Solid Mineral Toxicity, Telecommunications Toxicity, Risk Assessment, Regulatory, and Tobacco Harm Reduction.

Uche Alex Osunkwo, president, NSTS, said the Society has a responsibility to contribute to national development by encouraging and engendering research in relevant areas to aid important national decisions as well as encourage informed personal actions.

Osunkwo, a professor and lecturer in Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the University of Abuja, said validating or invalidating notions was a major impact that science should be making in all areas of life, which only research could help man achieve.

“As scientists, it is clear to us that lots of decisions at national and individual levels are based on uninformed generalisations, often pointing in the wrong direction,” Osunkwo said.

“Regulators and decision-makers can benefit from research findings on each of the seven sub-themes because competent scientists and researchers have undertaken careful study to produce the conclusions presented and discussed,” he said.

Osunkwo stressed the need for application of scientific and research-proven knowledge to key areas of human lives, using examples of the evidences from Oil and Gas Toxicity and Tobacco Reduced Risk Products.

“While hydrocarbon is known to alter blood parameters, some of these blood parameters may affect the activities of certain systems like cardiovascular system. Hydrocarbon gets into man and animal either through ingestion of contaminated food and water, bio-concentration through food chain, occupational exposure, or by using hydrocarbon products,” he said.

Anoka Njan, secretary-general, NSTS, while strongly recommending astute use of research outcomes, said the conference theme was carefully chosen to ensure an amalgamation of all the important

L-R: Ibrahim Fadipe, director, corporate affairs, Philip Morris Limited; Uche Osunkwo, president, Nigerian Society for Toxicological Sciences (NSTS); Akinyemi Oyefeso, representative of minister of Science and Technology; Florence Nwinyi, a pharmacologist, University of Abuja, and Ashraf Elamin, manager, translational research strategy, Philip Morris International, during the maiden scientific conference of the NSTS in Abuja, recently.

areas in toxicology to kick-start robust discussions on the topics and issues for the benefit of the nation and the citizenry.

“The conference is not only significant but comes at a time the nation is in serious need of scientific solutions to daily exposure to industrial and cosmetic chemical, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, heavy metals and natural toxicants,” he said.

Njan, who is also chairman of the conference Local Organising Committee, said the conference would help to promote the identification of easy and practicable solutions that can enhance national development and quality of human co-existence.

On the issue of Tobacco Harm Reduction, whereas cigarette smoking is one of the leading preventable causes of illness and death, the campaign against smoking seem to be gradually getting to a point of diminishing returns in some countries. But all is not gloom, though.

Ashraf Elamin, manager, translational research strategy, Philip Morris International (PMI), in a presentation titled ‘Non Clinical and Clinical Assessment of Tobacco Heating System (THS)’, showed that the totality of scientific assessment (both clinical and non-clinical), a result of in-depth research done by the company, has the potential for harm reduction.

The THS, he said, has given rise to Reduced Risk Products (RRP) because they go through ‘heat’, not ‘burn’, to produce the feel of smoking.

“The absence of combustion results in a decreased number of toxicants in the aerosol as compared to conventional cigarette,” Elamin said.

Responding, Osunkwo said Elamin’s submission was an area of interest to NSTS as a body of scientists.

“If there is something science can do to reduce the negative impact of smoking, our position as scientists is that the adults who have made the choice to continue

smoking ought to be enlightened on it,” he said.

Earlier in his address, Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology, who was represented by Akinyemi Oyefeso, said the conference was a mark of NSTS’ commitment to contributing to the consolidation of the efforts of the government in making science, technology and innovation the fulcrum driving the nation’s economic development.

Onu, who declared the conference open, said the theme was apt given the positive and negative effects of chemicals used by man in one form or the other.

“Antibiotics, detergents, drugs, pesticides are toxicants which affect our lives on daily basis. As the use of technology in pharmaceuticals, paints, tannery, chemicals and allied industries is on the upsurge, so also the management of the wastes generated by these industries has become a source of concern to humans and living organisms due to the level of toxicity in the effluent wastes. Consequently, the study of toxicology has emerged as a major science tool that has found application in diverse areas of activities such as food and spices, oil and gas pollution, tobacco challenge, among others,” he said.

He called for closer collaboration between the society and various agencies of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

“The Ministry of Science and Technology is pursuing a new sustainable route for the country, which is to change from a resource-based to a knowledge-based society. Hence, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology seeks the collaboration of professional bodies like yours to partner with in achieving this goal,” Onu said.

“In this regard, your society has been identified to possess personnel with various skills and competences in fields of specialization and hence should collaborate with some of the agencies of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technol-

ogy, such as Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA ), in the area of herbal and traditional medicine; Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), in ensuring that our food and spices are grown and processed to meet international standards needed for export; National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Zaria, in the areas of chemicals and environmental issues; National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), in the area of Genetically Modified Organisms, amongst others,” he said.

Onu, who was special guest of honour at the conference, also informed the conference that the Federal Government has gazetted the Presidential Executive Order No. 5, which seeks to have all professional bodies and other Nigerian professionals involved in the planning and execution of projects, promotion of Nigerian content in contracts, and Science, Engineering and Technology. He advised NSTS as a body to key into the Presidential Executive Order No. 5 and avail the ministry of its views on it.

“Furthermore, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology acknowledges the great efforts of our researchers and advises that the results of their researches should be patented as a step towards the commercialization of such researches by would-be interested investors and industrialists. The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), an agency of this ministry, is helpful in this regard,” he said.

NSTS is established by and for individuals and institutions engaged in toxicology, especially in research, development and regulation of standards. It provides a forum that supports the development of principles and practices for toxicological sciences, protection, enhancement and management of public health and sustainable environment.

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Sunday 07 October 2018

NewsFeature

River’s man begins search for the ‘Right Policeman’ in Port Harcourt

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IGNATIUS CHUKWU ong ago, a policeman was a citizen’s friend. Not anymore! Now, most citizens view the policeman with bitterness and suspicion.

Some love to kill the cop. The result is widening gap between citizens and the police and a breakdown of the social infrastructure that oils the security machinery. Now, an enthusiastic expert and security consultant, Bosinde Araikpe, has launched a search for the ‘Right Policeman’, both as an ideal, a concept and a human face in the police in Nigeria and beyond. Backed by his non-governmental organisation (NGO), Bosinde Araikpe Global Peace Initiative, the expert has launched a scheme to not only identify the ‘Right Policeman’ but to promote the right attitude in the police and to close the gap between the police as a force and members of the public.

Araikpe, who was conferred with the status of an ambassador for peace, is a security activist, consultant, and a public speaker who talks about security tips and who helps people to understand how to approach the police. He gives general security initiatives, too.

He so far carries out his security activism by organizing the annual ‘The Police Is Your Friend’ and ‘Security Bridge with Bosinde Live”, a monthly. Of late, his organisation introduced free water scheme to policemen on duty. He does this by making safe water available at all branches of ‘The Promise Fast Food’.

Closing the perception gap in security In an exclusive interview with BDSUNDAY in Port Harcourt, Araikpe said: “We do this because we realize the problem we have between police and the public is mostly communication. What we do is try to bridge the gap. We believe that security is everybody’s business. For that to be, everybody must be on the same page. So, our organisation focuses on bridging that gap through seminars, symposiums, events, campaigns, etc.

We even in between situations intervene to assist members of the public to assist the police and other security agencies with regard to what they are doing, requiring our attention. It could be correctional or interventional. We assist members of the public to get access to relevant authorities. We try to seek out what we call the ‘Right Policeman’.

The right policeman Araikpe described the ‘Right Policeman’ as the one that cannot be unduly influenced to go against justice in a case. “An example of a Right Policeman is the one that stands on the road rejects N100 offer on an offence, if he is an inspector, and sees N100 as nothing. At

Bosinde Araikpe, Security Activist & Public Speaker

that point, he is a right policeman. If the matter gets to N10,000, it may not be possible for him to say no.

At that time, the matter has to be for his bosses, may be a Divisional Police Officer (DPO). If he says no, that DPO now is “The Right Policeman’. So, we help the public to access that policeman that cannot be biased for whatever reasons, that is the ‘Right Policeman’.

He went on: “Now, we help the public to get access to this kind of policemen and also help the police to understand the public. It is important for the public to understand why the police do what they do. We help them to know what the police need and how they should be approached. We go round to talk to groups on how to do these and if they have any issue, we help them get to the appropriate channels.”

The CEO gave examples and showed what some policemen did to be identified as ‘The Right Policeman’ and what his organization does to anyone so identified.

“One good example is the present Commissioner of Police, Zaki Mohammed Ahmed. I call him so because I have seen him handle many cases. Remember how Rivers State was before he came here, especially the political scandals about the two rival parties here, APC and PDP. Remember how he

has worked between these two, which is something most policemen will not handle well. There was frequent transfer of CPs here but this one has always done the right thing.”

Another such policeman, he disclosed, is the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit, the Ben Igwe. Araikpe said Igwe participates actively in rescuing kidnapped persons, but yet is very respectful to the Command, and to any state where he served.

Another ‘Right Policeman’, he noted, is the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations.

Even within the police hierarchy, he said, they know him as a nononsense person, that is Stephen Hasso, who he said would engage one with full straightforwardness and goes ahead to do what he needed to do.

He went on: “Another Right Policeman I know serves as the current DPO of Rumuolumini police division. He was the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) of Mile One. He is one person that has faced big money offer but refused to accept and refused to be intimidated. I know one particular case where he intercepted some movement of vans full of drinks but rejected initial N20,000 offer. The group kept increasing the offer till it got

to N500,000 but he kept saying no, and arrested the people. Investigation revealed that they were always stealing drinks from their master’s warehouse in Diobu. Further investigations revealed they had been stealing and it added up to N50m loss to the owner. This earned him elevation to DPO.” He went on: “Now these are all officers and we have many more with proofs. There are some rankand-file who have been outstanding in this regard. I have seen policemen who give lifts from Emohua in those days of serious kidnap in that place. They would lift people away from danger to their houses in PH, not for any inducement but as police duty. I have seen policemen who assist stranded persons in bush areas. Some help people change tyres so that can keep moving. One in Olu Obasanjo lost his life recently trying to be the ‘Right Policeman’ while changing tyre for someone.

No celebration for good policemen The Nigerian populace seems satisfied lashing out at policemen who did badly. They also lump all policemen as bad eggs. For this, the many others that are considered good seem to remain uncelebrated. “That is why most of what we do is to celebrate them. Such policemen are many but the bad that some do gets highly promoted because bad news is good news.

We are trying our best to do this.”

Asked if one NGO can change all this and reward all good policemen; and whether there could be an official mechanism to identify and reward outstanding policemen, the CEO said it was what his outfit and others desired without it being done. “Our target is that countries like Nigeria are able to celebrate servicemen. The US has one big example for veterans and servicemen. What we are pushing as an NGO is to push that culture of celebration and make it official to a point that the Government can celebrate such security personnel.

They earn meager salaries that cannot take them home. But, these people carry arms. Look, arms can bring money; that is the truth. They need to be well trained to act well.

In as much as we do not take excuses on corruption, but we must also agree that people who carry arms should be properly remunerated and celebrated. We will continue to press for this.” He agreed that a foundation or fund could be set up so that when a policeman does something outstanding, they could be screened and be given big appreciation? Willing companies and individuals can contribute to this.

Security Bridge with Bosinde Live The security expert said his NGO was actually pursuing the idea through their programme called ‘Security Bridge with Bosinde Live’ every last Sunday of

the month. He said it helps to push such courses. “By the grace of God, the September edition would dwell on how the public can monitor the right policeman. It holds at Golden Tulip Hotel, a four-star hotel on Evo Road in the GRA 2. We have the privilege to host top police officers to meet with the public. We will host the officer in charge of IG’s monitoring unit in Rivers State. The first edition was held in October 2017. We honour policemen that stood out but we lack funds to back it up. We only issue certificates.”

Why we honour outstanding policemen from rank-and-file We appeal for funds to support these policemen. We must promote goodness in the policemen for the sake of the public. One of those we will appreciate this period is the Best Traffic Officer, the second is the Best Crime Fighter, and the third is the Friendliest Policeman. These three awardees must be within the rank-and-file.

This is because we understand some welfare challenges in the lower ranks of the Nigerian police.

Here, sacrifice is more appreciated.

Public appreciation is a boost to their morale. We seek to use these persons to boost the image of the police and to show that there were policemen that can stand out in things that are good. Others will want to be honoured because appreciation is what everybody wants in life.

Transparency and appeals for support We are now looking for partners to create a police system we all desire. Our NGO has spent the little it has into this passion.

We believe Nigeria is a collective agenda. There must be real change if we wanted it. This country has potentials and we want to be part of those making it to happen. If we can make the police to be friends to the public, much will be achieved.

We expect corporate entities and governments to extend help. Our organisation is properly registered as an NGO and our accounts are open. Those who support us are made partners and they would be made to help spend the funds.

Policy: We must write the statement of spending of any donation we got to the donor. Transparency is our secret pillar because corruption kills initiative. Many people have abused privileges in this country using NGOs. We want to earn the trust of the public and our partners. When donors are satisfied, they give more. We have an agenda to bridge the gap between security agencies and the public.

We have a board as a matter of law and we account to both the board and each donor.

Free water We have launched a free traffic water scheme. We place water at all branches of The Promise Fast Food in Rivers State where traffic officers and policemen pick up free bottled water when they feel thirsty. We chose The Promise because they are everywhere in Rivers State. Testimonies and words of appreciation have been flooding in from policemen. If we get support, we can go further. We Continues on page 13

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BDSUNDAY 12

NewsFeature

Save us from decayed road networks in Oyigbo - residents cry to ‘Mr. Projects’

· Sales drop by 60 % in the area · Houses empty due to fleeing tenants · Schools not accessible to students

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MIRACLE IBOKO, Port Harcourt yigbo, the entry point into oil-rich Rivers State from Abia State axis, may have emerged as Nigeria centre of wasted assets and home to worst roads in Nigeria. The boisterous town is now underlined by rotten avenues that now form a network of decayed roads. Investors are said to be fleeing from the area in droves while income to businesses are seen to dry up fast, all due to impassable spaces known to be roads once.

Embattled residents have however appealed to Gov Nyesom Wike, Rivers State governor, who is known as ‘Mr. Projects’, to help the people of the area by putting his appellation and his awards as ‘Mr. Projects’ into action to rescue Oyigbo.

Every four years, residents say they hear new promises of a greater tomorrow on road matter but after elections, the roads seem to get worse, and even collapse.

Citizens now first trace spaces to walk to the Aba Road Expressway to get out of the decay and trapped town. They find their way back every evening through muddy passageways that serve as signpost of neglect and rejection. Three out of every three residents in Oyigbo see themselves as ‘Biafrans’ anyway, and when you press them, they point to the swamps called roads as their gift from Nigeria.

Neglect seems to be the signpostoftheOyigbopsyche,probably fueling unrest, unruly behaviours and tendency to behave like Biafra agitators of IPOB mentality. Residents of Oyigbo a Local Government in Rivers State seek the intervention of the State Government on the poor state of roads in the city.

The biggest change that the area seems to have enjoyed since 1976 when the Nasir Commission carved them out of old Imo State into Rivers State appears to be the change of name from Obigbo to Oyigbo, a change that makes it sound non-Igbo.

Oyigbo, however, is one of

the developing cities in Rivers State, due to high volume of construction of residential houses by families fleeing from high house rent in Port Harcourt. Also, the Garden City seems to be bounded on three sides by water bodies, leaving Oyigbo as the free zone for expansion. This is conurbation looks fast approaching between Rivers and Abia states on Oyigbo axis, except the Imo River that stands between them.

This fast expansion is badly halted due to the nature of its roads. Now, it seems like development has ceased. Obigbo roads are interconnected right from Afam Road down to the Federal Road (expressway) leading to Eleme in Port Harcourt Junction.

Lamentation seems to be their portion and curses now form a new chorus on the lips of Oyigbo residents. This was demonstrated when BD Sunday came calling for interviews last week. The residents in separate interviews

lamented on the decayed road network that is their dividend o democracy, although some local government officials have pointed to what they said was being done by the Wike administration.

The dominant message from across the rejected zone seems to bad roads and how this is preventing them from effectively embarking on of their day-to-day activities.

Samuel Ojinka, a bus driver, lamented in an interview that due to the decayed roads, he takes longer routes from Afam in Obigbo to Port Harcourt, a journey that is not meant to exceed an hour now taking up to three hours. This, he said, consumes more fuel and increases the cost of running the vehicle as a business unit, ferrying cursing commuters out of Oyigbo daily.

“The situation of the road has got worse to the extent that traffic is bad. Most times the traffic gets so bad, that I park my car along Timber Bus-stop at a friend’s place and

trek back to Afam Road,” he said.

He appealed to Government to come to the aid of Oyigbo residents over these abandoned roads. Confidence Okechukwu, a trader in the popular Obigbo Main Market blamed bad roads for grisly incidents and accidents.

She stated that the state of the roads is not only a major factor on high cost of items and transportation in the area. “Being a trader who deals on fresh tomatoes I have suffered more loss than gain since last year. Most of my customers who come from far places do not make it to my shop anymore due to the situation of the road. Normally, I sell up to six baskets of tomatoes but now I am unable to sale up to two’’.

In the same vein, Chukwuma Ekeduro who deals on ladies wears complained that as much as the roads were bad during rainy season, it is not better in dry season, either.

“We experience a lot of misfor-

tunes and challenges during rainy seasons, but the dry season is not better. This is because the clothes displayed as samples get dusty before it’s taken inside in such situation. The clothes get bad and can’t be sold and we suffer losses.

Most times, I am unable to sell up to N10,000 a day and this year has been my worst experience on sales,” he said.

A landlord, Success Okorobia, stated that the roads became worse due to road construction works. “The past governor (Chibuike Amaechi, never remembered Oyigbo and their roads, but Governor Wike is doing well. We believe he has projects assigned to people in order to take care of the roads and we believe and hope for a better change,” he said.

A high chief, Godson Chukwudi Onyegorom, the counselor representing Ward Nine in Obigbo Local Government Area, in an interview, seemed to agree with Okorobia. He stated that development started in Oyigbo some six months to one year ago when Governor Nyesom Wike visited Oyigbo and made a firm promise to its residents that Eleme-Oyigbo Road, Iriebe-Obiakpor-Oyigbo Road, and Express-Roundabout Road, would be fixed before the return of political campaigns, which is here again.

The counselor said: “The roads are a huge factor to the development of the city and before then, the dilapidated roads, buildings, businesses, economy of the city collapsed but because of the reconstruction of the roads, everything has started again’’.

He explained that Gerald Oforji, the executive chairman of Oyigbo Local Council, was doing well because though his administration is less than two months old. He said that the roads being a major inconvenience to the people would in no time be put to use again.

Others interviewed said the local government and the state must work hand-in-hand to save the Oyigbo economy, with the local council contributing its quota in rehabilitating the roads in the area.

Continued from page 12

River’s man begins search for the ‘Right Policeman’ in Port Harcourt

can pay school fees for children of good officers, float scholarships for them, etc.

No matter what we do, we must understand that being in any of the security agencies is not an easy job.

It does not allow you to settle. Most times, your family is left to suffer pains. Sometimes, the job will put your life on the line. We must show empathy to these people. Cutting the level of need for policemen will help. By supporting those that

do good, we would have removed greed from them. This will encourage them to do well.

We do skills acquisition for wives of policemen. We also encourage those who support us to also come out to see what we do with it. Be part of the running of this organization. You can see the projects we have. You can help to hand over the cash support too. We rely on integrity. I have been doing this for years.

The police of our dream are possible and the Nigeria of police dream is also possible. Bridging the gap is a two-way thing; the police, the public.

We come across bad policemen Yes, we have come across bad policemen, especially at traffic check points. We come across a lot of things. One thing we also do not do is obstruction of justice.

The policeman understands the

law. We are carefully looking into how these happen and we have seen that every policeman is wise enough to have a reason for actions they take. An example is the issue of receiving N100 on the road from drivers. If you check well, the drivers do not have their documents fully. A policeman has the right to caution you and let you go or take you to the station. Often, the drivers do not want to go to the station. They want to settle. People

should be right and complete to avoid having to settle. Let it be that everything is complete and he takes money from you. Honestly, if we get that kind of report, we will push it to the end. We are fighting a right cause. Policemen are also not stupid. Do not play into their hands.

We have seen police officers who apologized when found wrong.

We have DPOs (CSP Ikuri) who go round and deal with policemen doing wrong.

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Vote buying and cash-and-carry democracy

PUBLISHER/CEO

Frank Aigbogun EDITOR Zebulon Agomuo DEPUTY EDITOR John Osadolor, Abuja ASSISTANT EDITOR Chuks Oluigbo NEWS EDITOR Patrick Atuanya EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS Fabian Akagha EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DIGITAL SERVICES Oghenevwoke Ighure GENERAL MANAGER, ADVERT Adeola Ajewole ADVERT MANAGER Ijeoma Ude FINANCE MANAGER Emeka Ifeanyi MANAGER, CONFERENCES & EVENTS Obiora Onyeaso SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER Patrick Ijegbai CIRCULATION MANAGER John Okpaire GM, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (North)

Bashir Ibrahim Hassan GM, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (South) Ignatius Chukwu HEAD, HUMAN RESOURCES Adeola Obisesan

Sunday 07 October 2018

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

T

hough the issue of financial inducement in the electoral process has always been with us, it has, however, assumed a worrisome dimension of late. The recent elections in the country brought this phenomenon to the fore more than ever before. According to reports, during the governorship election of July 14 in Ekiti State, vote became a commodity that was openly bargained for. Also, in the September 22 Osun State gubernatorial election, it was alleged that the trend took a more bothersome dimension.

Without a doubt, this ugly trend portends a great danger to democracy in our nation as the choice of leadership no longer depends on the capability, preparedness, integrity and manifestoes of political parties and their candidates. As it stands, what we now have can at best be described as ‘cash-andcarry democracy’. This is rather pathetic as it tends to rubbish competence on the altar of cash.

In the Osun gubernatorial elec-

tion, for instance, in the debates that were organized prior to the election, Senator Ademola Adeleke was conspicuously absent. But then, as the election results started coming in, it became obvious that he was a leading candidate. One is, then, bound to ask: Of what use is a political debate to the outcome of an election? Is it really of any use?

Th i s g r o w i n g t r e n d h a s grievous implications on the prospect of democracy in the country. For one, it ensures that that leaders who attain political power via financial inducement rule over the nation.

Second, because such leaders get to power through commercial transaction, they tend to espouse self-seeking agenda while in office. Third, it makes it nearly impossible for credible and competent candidates who lack required financial resources to compete for political offices. Furthermore, it makes elected political leaders unaccountable to the people since they did not, in the real sense, derive their coming to power through legitimate means. Also, it makes it a bit hypocritical for those who voted based on financial enticement to criticize those they elected through the same process. As it is often said, you cannot eat your cake and have it.

Now, how did we really get to this point? At what point did we mortgage reason for vanity?

How did we become so overtly

materialistic that we no longer care a bit about who earns our vote? For one, there is extreme poverty in the land. The sheer willingness of voters to trade their votes is, perhaps, a reflection of the depth of poverty Nigerians contend with. Many are so impoverished that daily survival has become a gruesome experience. So, they don’t seem to see any big deal about selling their votes to the highest bidder.

After all, the votes they had cast out of free will have yielded little or no dividends. Thus, it is now a case of a bird in hand being worth 20 in the bush.

This brings us to the whole question of good governance in the country. Over the years, Nigerians have had to endure one form of bad government to the other, hoping against hope that somehow and someday things will change for the better. Sadly, however, they have had to tolerate diverse forms of impunity from succeeding governments.

However, irrespective of the genuineness of the argument, it is not right to take to vote trading. Taking part in the electoral process is an enormous responsibility that places the destiny of the nation in the hands of the electorate. It must, thus, be carried out with every sense of honour, dignity and patriotism. It is a sacred task that must be performed with utmost diligence and patriotism. This is because any slipshod choice that is made at the polls could portend great

danger to the polity.

The destiny of this nation and that of future generation lies in the hands of the electorates.

Whichever path the country would follow in the coming years would, thus, be a clear manifestation of the kind of choice electorates make. For all our hues and cries over bad governance and poor leadership, we won’t be able to actually absolve ourselves of complicity if we continue to thread this path of shame.

Public security, infrastructure development, the economy and much more are tied to the thumbs of the electorates. As 2019 approaches, if we bungle things again, it would take us another four years or more to get it right again. This is, therefore, not the time to indulge in unjustified political practices.

Therefore, in the coming days, INEC, political parties, the civil society, faith-based organizations, NGOs, the media and other stakeholders should give greater attention to voters’ education as well as other enlightenment campaigns that could re-enact the confidence of the people in the electoral process.

If not quickly checked, monetizing the electoral process could impede all the progress we have made in our democratic voyage.

Therefore, the time to stop it is now!

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

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Sunday 07 October 2018

Comment

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

KABIR SHEIKH Sheikh is chair of Health Systems Global, a policy adviser at the Alliance for Health Policy & Systems Research, and former Joint Director for Research and Policy at the Public Health Foundation of India.

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orty years ago last month, thousands of delegates from 134 countries gathered in Kazakhstan, then a part of the former Soviet Union, to adopt the Declaration of Alma-Ata. This landmark agreement committed the world to expanding health access, and the principles it enshrined in a mere three pages continue to have a profound effect on the field of public health.

The declaration’s continuing appeal consists in its dual character: it is part gospel of applied science, part political manifesto. Among its key messages are increasing community leadership in health planning; reducing elitism in modern medicine; and tackling social inequality for better health outcomes.

The declaration’s central con-

MASSIMO PIGLIUCCI Pigliucci is the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. He is the author of How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life.

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oes human nature exist? The answer has implications for anyone concerned about ethics. In an era defined by amoral political leadership and eroding social values, thinking about the essence of humanity has never been more important.

The philosophical concept of “human nature” has a long history. In Western culture, its study began with Socrates in the fifth century BCE, but it was Aristotle who argued that human nature was characterized by unique attributes – particularly, people’s need to socialize and our ability to reason. For the Stoics of Hellenistic Greece, human nature was what gave life meaning and contributed to their embrace of cosmopolitanism and equality.

Ancient Chinese philoso-

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‘Health for All’ forty years on tribution was its articulation of “health for all,” a precursor to universal health coverage (UHC). Examining the origins and evolution of UHC’s founding doctrine could prove useful in the ongoing struggle to achieve it.

One of the biggest differences between 1978 and today is the breadth of health v u l n e r a b i l i t i e s . Cl i m a t e change and shifting diets have created new risk categories, w h ile w e alt h i n eq u a lities and political exclusion have produced deeper pockets of vulnerability. Consider, for example, the issue of migration: the politicization of this ageold phenomenon has serious public-health consequences.

Health markets have also changed dramatically. Today, poorly-regulated private health-care sectors predominate in many countries in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. While the expansion of health-care markets expands patient choice, personal debt is also increasing. Moreover, commercial interests within

the food, alcohol, and tobacco industries undermine people’s health and complicate efforts to curb the rise in noncommunicable illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.

Regrettably, community involvement in health planning has remained virtually unchanged since 1978. Although research shows that services improve when people participate in health planning, “participatory governance” is not a common feature in many developing countries. With few exceptions – Brazil and Thailand are often singled out – community-centered health systems remain rare.

The Declaration of AlmaAta’s lasting legacy is the consensus that health can be improved only with a combination of good science, sound economics, and action against social injustices. This was true in the 1970s, and it is true today. The international community should mark the declaration’s anniversary by recommitting to the values it upholds.

Three of Alma-Ata’s messages merit special attention.

First, to improve health, leaders need to do more than build clinics and train physicians; they must also protect the environment, ensure access to clean water and sanitation, promote gender equality, create jobs, and strengthen infrastructure. Although these objectives are incorporated in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), there needs to be more serious commitment to the holistic approach advocated by the Declaration of Alma-Ata. Second, more needs to be done to promote interdisciplinary health sciences that address both the practical and ethical questions posed

by Alma Ata. One opportunity to reaffirm this principle will come this month, when some 2,000 stakeholders from around the world gather in Liverpool for the Fifth Global Symposium on Health Systems Research. Engaging government policymakers, civil society, the media, and

funders on the message of Health for All will be crucial to strengthening health systems.

Finally, just as the declaration prescribed, international health organizations and donors are beginning to reorient their strategies to empower leaders at the local and national levels. While there is still room for improvement, more women and citizens of developing countries occupy prominent positions in global organizations than before.

Th e w o r l d h a s y e t t o achieve the ideals announced in 1978. But we are moving in the right direction. True change takes place close to common people, and not just in centers of global power.

It can come through more representative public institutions, more relevant science, or more social action. In all of these areas, the Declaration of Alma-Ata will no doubt be a source of continued inspiration. (c): Project Syndicate

Human nature and the ethical life phers like Confucius and Mencius believed human nature was innately good, while Xunzi thought it was evil and lacked a moral compass. In the JudeoChristian-Islamic traditions, human nature is fundamentally corrupted by sin, but can be redeemed by embracing God, in whose image we have been created.

Modern Western philosophers, writing in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, expanded on these ideas. The English philosopher Thomas Hobbes argued that our natural state leads to a life that is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short,” which is why we need a strong, centralized political authority (the so-called Leviathan).

By contrast, Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that human nature is malleable, but that our original state was one without reason, language, or community. He concluded that the mismatch between our early condition and modern civilization is at the root of our unhappiness, advocating a literal return to nature.

David Hume, always sensible and moderate, proposed that humans are characterized by a combination of altruism

and selfishness, and that such a combination can be partially molded for the better (or worse) by culture.

Charles Darwin’s work in the mid-1800s made many of the early “essentialist” views of human nature untenable. The idea that humans had a small set of characteristics that only humans possess was at odds with the slow, gradual pace of Darwinian evolution. While Homo sapiens evolved as a particular species of primate, there are no clean breaks between our biology and that of other species.

So the philosophical debate over human nature rages on, updated with the findings of biology. Today, some philosophers interpret Rousseau and Darwin to mean that human nature itself is nonexistent, and that while biology may constrain the body, it does not restrict our minds or our volition.

Evolutionary psychologists and even some neuroscientists say that is nonsense. The message they take from Darwin (and partly from Rousseau) is that we are maladaptive in a modern context – basically, Pleistocene apes who find themselves equipped with

mobile phones and nuclear weapons.

As an evolutionary biologist and philosopher of science, my view is that human nature certainly exists, but that it is not based on an “essence” of any kind. Rather, our species, just like any other biological species, is characterized by a dynamic and evolving set of traits that are statistically typical for our lineage but neither present in every member nor absent from every other species.

Why does any of this matter to someone who is not a scientist or a philosopher? There are at least two good reasons that I can think of. One is personal; the other is political.

First, how we interpret human nature has broad implications for ethics, in the ancient Greco-Roman sense of the study of how we should live our lives. Someone who holds a Judeo-Christian-Islamic view of human nature is naturally going to worship God and follow the guidance of religious commandments. By contrast, someone adopting an existentialist philosophy along the lines of Jean-Paul Sartre or Simone de Beauvoir might believe that because “existence precedes essence,” we are

radically free to shape our lives according to our own choices, and do not need God to help us along.

Moreover, views on human nature affect views on ethics.

And today, our ethics are a mess. One recent study in the United States called Donald Trump’s presidency the “most unethical” in American history, while Gallup’s annual survey of US attitudes toward morality suggests a steady erosion of social mores. If we all took a moment to consider where we stood on the debate about human nature, we might gain valuable insight into our own beliefs – and by extension, the beliefs of others.

Personally, I lean toward the naturalistic ethics of the Stoics, for whom human nature constrains and suggests – but does not rigidly determine – what we can and should do. But regardless of one’s religious or philosophical leanings, reflecting on who we are – biologically and otherwise – is a good way to take more ownership of our actions. Needless to say, there are many among us who could benefit from such an exercise. (c): Project Syndicate

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

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Sunday 07 October 2018

Perspective

13.2 million children out-of-school in Nigeria AYO OYOZE BAJE “Education is our passport to the future, for, tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today” -Malcolm –X ormer President Goodluck Jonathan, a P.HD holder, while addressing the audience at the Peace Summit organized by the Junior Chamber International, JCI, in Malaysia in September, 2017 disclosed that his administration built 165 model Almajiri Integrated Model Schools in the northern part of the country to tackle the high rate of illiteracy in the region.

There is little doubt that he knows, just as the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo did, the noble role that sound and quality education delivery plays in transforming a nation from one of mass illiteracy and ignorance to that of a technologically advanced industrial hub. Countries such as India, Cuba and the Asian Tigers, especially China which currently rubs shoulders with the United States as an emerging economic giant attest to this assertion.

It would be recalled that Jonathan, who never sent any of children to study outside our shores, launched the programme on April 10, 2012 at Gagi in Sokoto State, where he registered 25 pupils in the new model boarding school. It was the first of 400 such schools to be built in the northern states for which the government had planned to spend about N15 billion. Each of the schools

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was built with facilities such as language laboratory, recitation hall, classrooms, dormitories, clinic, vocational workshop, dining hall and quarters for teachers.

But sad to note that in November, 2017 barely a month after his speech in Malaysia, the media revealed that many pupils in the Almajiri Schools had returned to the streets to seek for alms and food as a means of survival! That was the situation in Kebbi state. And in Kano, investigations revealed that though no school fee is being charged; pupils in the school sleep on mattresses and mats bought by their parents!

Methinks that the current, President Buhari-led administration ought to have consolidated on the worthy legacies on education that the Jonathanled government left behind.

Though the School Feeding Programme, it came up with is partly aimed at attracting children to school it has not achieved the desired results, sentiments aside.

Fast forward to October 2018 and it is most disheartening to note the claim made by Dr Hammid Bobboyi, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) that the population of Nigeria’s school-aged, out-ofschool children has increased from 10.5 million to at 13.2 million and again the highest in the world!

This scandalous figure, according to him is traceable to the number of helpless children that have been put out of school by the Boko Haram insurgency.

The other factor is the high birth rate. Unfortunately, this sad

situation is equally affecting the implementation of some education treaties that Nigeria is a signatory to. UNICEF said the reason why more children were out of school in the North was “rooted in socio-cultural and economic environment barriers, cost of education, poverty and negative perceptions to formal education.”

Apart from the North, several children of school age are forced into street trading even n the cities, exposing them to dangers of child-abuse, drug abuse, sexual harassment and early death by road accidents.

As a way out of the woods, UNICEF said it was partnering with over 200 traditional rulers from 19 Northern states to deliberate on handling Nigeria’s

Apart from the North, several children of school age are forced into street trading even n the cities, exposing them to dangers of childabuse, drug abuse, sexual harassment and early death by road accidents

out-of-school children, noting that they were mainly from the Northern region.

One persisting challenge however, is the absence of credible data to plan with. For instance, the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, during the annual gathering of state commissioners for education, permanent secretaries, directors and other relevant education stakeholders, lamented that absence of reliable and realistic data has continued to affect the implementation of education policies in Nigeria.

He was hopeful that the National Enrolment Drive Campaign that was launched in January would address the huge number of out-of-school children in Nigeria especially in northern Nigeria. The objective is to encourage states and all stakeholders to appreciate the magnitude of the challenge and possibly develop effective strategies for significant reduction.

Truth be told, a holistic approach will do the magic. Concerned Nigerians from both the public and private sectors, as well as NGOs should be ready to bring in their wealth of experience and expertise, funds, time and energy to reverse the drift to ignorance. The first step is to accept the fact that the debacle of ignorance is unacceptable anywhere in Nigeria, a country richly blessed with abundant natural and human resources.

For instance, Barrister Natasha Akpoti is doing this effectively in Kogi state by sponsoring as many as 600 children to school and 100 others up to university level. Little wonder,

that she has attracted huge following; of not only her people canvassing for her to get into the Senate come 2019 but the international community is interested in her philanthropic gesture and her patriotic fervor.

Nigeria needs more of her.

Perhaps, the policy makers should have listened to the earlier warning signal given by former governor of Kaduna state, Alhaji Balarabe Musa that the North was some 40 years behind the South, in terms of educational development. And also that from the reverred Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi who, last year canvassed for some urgent steps to be taken by the policy makers to do the needful.

As the former US President Barack Obama rightly noted, education is such a huge and critical responsibility that should begin at home. If parents heed that, perhaps the number of children who are conscripted into the Boko Haram sect, and others as killer herders and fully armed bandits would reduce drastically.

Also, the need for federal and state governments to adhere to budgetary allocation of 26 per cent to education, as Awolowo did back in the ‘60s has become an imperative. Former U.K. Prime Minister, Gordon Brown also increased education funding and succeeded.

Quality education delivery will ultimately provide qualified personnel, huge capacity building, reduction in incidents of armed robbery, militancy and all forms of youth restiveness. It has become the basic currency of the knowledge economy we are witnessing today.

Sunday 07 October 2018

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BDSUNDAY 17

Interview NBA election was marred by irregularities - Ashimole Felix Ashimole is the Secretary of Bwari branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Abuja. He has been a vocal voice against the conduct of the last election of the NBA that brought Paul Usoro (SAN) as president of the association, alleging that the process was flawed. In this interview, he speaks on why he believes the process was not credible and other issues surrounding the election. He spoke with FELIX OMOHOMHION in Abuja. Excerpts:

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ou have been so vociferous against the election of Paul Usoro (SAN) as the President of Nigerian Bar Association. Why? Yes, the matter is in court but I want to set the matter straight.

I’m not a party to the suit in court.

But as a lawyer I will restrain myself from some of the issues that are being contented in the court.

Also, having participated in the election, I have my right as a lawyer to address the issues without being contentious of the court processes. Having laid this foundation, in the course of the election we discovered that non lawyers participated and voted. In the course of the electioneering before voting proper, we discovered that the CEO of Charms (the ICT Company that handled the election) were non executive directors in some companies with Paul Usoro.

And we felt this may not augur well for the election. So from day one, I was not happy with the way Charms was chosen. I felt Charms would not allow their Oga to fail.

There was no bidding by other ICT companies.

Before you go further, you said non-lawyers took part in the voting, as a lawyer you lay emphasis on evidence. Do you have any?

Yes, one of the names is one Endurance. He is a photographer in Kano; I can supply you with his phone number. We even called him, I also called him, he told me he is a photographer, yet his name appeared on the voter list of NBA. This is somebody who has no Supreme Court enrollment number and he voted. I called him, I have his two phone numbers. After the voter list was dropped, we went through it and copied phone numbers from the list soliciting for votes for our candidate, so we were calling names one after the other. So, Endurance’s name stuck to my head. There are many more, so it is just not one off. I am telling you that Endurance’s is one I can swear to and stick out my next to till my dying day that he is not a lawyer, among others. There was a list flying about containing 1,004 names with fictitious email addresses, who are not lawyers.

It is also on record, you can verify, the, Chairman, Ahoda’s branch, Port Harcourt, wrote a letter to the national NBA that phone numbers and emails affixed to its members were not the one they submitted.

So somebody doctored Ahoda’s list that was submitted to national

That was why the election did not take place in July as mandated by the Constitution of NBA. We insisted that the verification must be thoroughly done. Charms admitted that it didn’t have the capacity to do that. This was the reason Krenet Tech Lab was brought in to do the verification and handed the result to Charms. We insisted that it was not good for a company to do verification and hand it over to another company, but NBA kept assuring us that we have nothing to fear that if Krenet finished the verification, that Charms will only conduct the voting. On the day of the election, it was impossible for Krenet data to be uploaded to the site and Charms now open a window for members to sign in through their email addresses. And spam email was now used to vote and the likes of Endurance now voted. Unlike if the code was sent to your phone number to vote.

NBA. You said from the beginning, you were against the use of Charms as the ICT consultant, is that it is not competent to handle the election?

Yes, because of the relationship between Charms’ Director and Paul Usoro, who was a contestant, I believe abinitio, Charms will not be fair. There was that element of doubt and bias. Particularly, Charms did not do go job when it conducted ICAN’s election. I’m a NEC member, Secretary of Bwari branch, as at Kano NEC meeting which was the last before the election, they never told NEC members who would be the ICT consultant that will handle the election. The last election before this one and conducted by Augustine Alegeh, Benin NEC meeting, I was in attendance. There was a demo, the company did demonstration of how it will go. But Charms never did demonstration until after Kano’s NEC, we started raising issues that was when they now called stakeholders’ meeting. So, we were supposed to tell branch members how to vote, that did not happen. We also discovered that there was multiplicity of names, Charms did verification of over 30,000 lawyers. When some protested on the multiplicity of names, particularly NBA, Abuja, their immediate past secretary, Noah Ajere used his phone numbers and email address to generate 50 names and Charms verified the

names. Rather than the names to come as spam but the names were verified, we protested. And we said in this election justice can be honest.

As a legal officer, why were these issues not raised before the election, probably go to court to stop the election?

I was not a candidate in the election. But one of the candidates Obi Okafor (SAN), raised the issues through his ICT person, and that was why the election was postponed two, three times. The first time it was discovered, verification stopped. They pushed it further.

Every lawyer has a code, which he or she is supposed to use to vote, how did non lawyers have access to such code?

Yes, the code is supposed to be sent by Krenet after it had verified you as a lawyer. The code is not your Supreme Court enrollment number, it is when you upload yourself to the system through your branch, you will now be verified through your Supreme Court enrollment number, NBA platform, then the election committee.

Then if your name goes through, it is deemed that you are a lawyer then the system generates a code for you, it is that code you now use to enter into Krenet website and generate a password that will now

allow you to vote.

How was it possible for those who are not lawyer to pass these processes you just explained to be able to vote?

Now what happened was that when they, thise who perpetuated the fraud, used those names verified and send you a message and say a message has entered your email, vote AYZ. When they finished with that they will revert to the original owners and send a message to say congratulations you have voted. I will keep referring to Ahoda branch because the Chairman complained that his branch members received messages that they have voted when they did not. And from what was published by Krenet, NBA site showed a different data from the one submitted. Names, emails and phone numbers of branch members were not the one sent to the election committee. So, it’s time to ask questions, who did the doctoring? Charms claimed that it is garbage in garbage out that it was the data given to them by NBA that was used. So who in NBA received the original data and gave Charms a different one?

You seem to be a lone voice in this struggle?

I’m not lone, I may be the most noisy one. There are two types of generals, there are some who love to go to war and perceive the smell of gun powder, while there are those who sit back in the tenth and do the plotting. Perhaps, I am the kind of general who wants to be at the forefront, inhaling the teargas and gun powder. That does not mean I’m alone. I firmly believe I’m not alone, there are many others who may not have the energy or the voice to talk to reporters, to write but there are lots of lawyers who are with me.

What of your branch, where you are a secretary; is the branch behind you?

My position is an individual one and not that of the branch. Because in the branch you also have those who supported Paul Usoro.

There are also those who supported other contestants like Obi Okafor, and Ernest Ojukwu. There are some also who have resigned themselves and say now that the election has ended let the NBA move forward and face reformation. But there are others like us who are fundamentalists, who feel no, we must get the foundation right but reformation.

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Sunday 07 October 2018

TheWorshippers

Nigeria is a good nation with bad leadership – Pastor Olalowo Pastor Dayo Banji Nehemiah Olalowo, a minister of the gospel in Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, in this interview with SEYI JOHN SALAU, bares his mind on some national issues. He says that 58 years after Independence, Nigeria has nothing to celebrate. Excerpts: Nigeria is 58. Does it call for celebration?

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he issue of Nigeria and celebration is this: Nigeria is not yet an independent country because independence is freedom from sin. The country gained freedom from the white but not from sin and that is why we are passing through what is happening in the country now. I imagine the world is proud of Nigeria with my little experience. I have noticed that when other country ambassadors come to Nigeria, they are not eager to go back to their home country; rather they prefer to reside here. That means this is a country flowing with milk and honey, but because of our atrocities, selfishness and bad character, things are not working well for the country. This is a good nation with bad leadership.

So, I do not see any reason for celebration with Nigeria at 58. If you observe what happened at the Independence Day celebration, you will notice majority of people that are supposed to be there were not there for that celebration because they know what is happening; there is nothing to celebrate. All what we are praying for as Christians is for the Lord to take control and let his kingdom come back to this country as it was in the beginning.

Nigeria seems to be more divided now than ever before.

What do you think is responsible for this?

There is something I want you to know with regard to the Nigerian constitution. I have a copy of the constitution with me and going through it, I saw that this country is a Muslim country based on what the constitution says. The constitution mentioned Islam up to 17 times, the constitution mentioned Sharia over 20 times, and there is nowhere in the constitution that mention is made of Christianity, or Jesus. We don’t care but believe nobody can turn this country, by the grace of God, to a Muslim country. In fact, if the leaders of the country are truthful to themselves, they know that it is not possible because of the genealogy of this country. It can’t work. They will keep trying it. Babangida tried it, so did many presidents, but because of the covenant of God for this country, it cannot work.

What is your take on the incessant attacks on the church, especially clergymen, in some parts of the country?

There will always be attacks and persecution or trials on any-

one that is called of God, who has been redeemed with renewed heart. Nowadays, though we can’t avoid problems, Jesus told us before he departed: ‘Do not let your heart be troubled; in the world you will have problem.’

He told us that we should be cheerful, that he has overcome the world. I want to believe that whatsoever clergymen are passing through today, to me and according to the scriptures, it is like checking your faith and stand in Christ. The attacks do promote and give us the assurance of being children of God and ministers of God. In other words, you see it as a test of their faith in Christ?

The issue of attack cannot be avoided. Another word for attack is problem. What is problem?

Sometimes, it is like a rubber band that befits us to what we are meant to be used for. In other words, that a clergyman or preacher is attacked is not new.

One needs to know what is the mind of the caller. If what you are passing through is in line with what the caller has stated before we entered into the ministry, I do not think we can do anything about it.

What is your view on the security architecture of the country?

As a clergyman, I would rather say we do not have security in this country, because the people we are asking to secure us have abandoned us to the extent that the dos and don’ts of this country are jeopardized. I want to urge those listening to us to see God as their security because there is no security anywhere.

Is that a way of supporting the call for state police?

The issue of state police may work a little bit because there is something about Nigeria. The genesis of our laws is always effective but within some time the laws wear out. But if government can permit or work towards state police, it will be better than what we have now.

Looking at the party primaries across the country, it’s been chaos everywhere. What is your view on governance in Nigeria?

I want to speak as a citizen of Nigeria and as a clergyman: we don’t have governance in Nigeria. What is democracy?

Government of the people, by the people, for the people. Politics is not do-or-die; however, Nigerian politics is do-or-die. In athletics, people compete for first position. However, two people cannot come first at the same time. But

Pastor DBN Olalowo of CAC, worldwide

the politics of Nigeria right from October 1, 1960, looking at the history of Nigeria from military to civilian rule, the same set of people have been ruling us; they are just rotating themselves. Imagine if Babangida should come back to declare interest in elective office today! Thank God he spoke his mind when he was leaving office that he was stepping aside, meaning he can still come back.

So, there is no democracy in this country; rather, we should pray that God should help us and that the country will understand what

they call democracy.

Are you in support of Christians going into politics?

It is not a taboo that Christians should be politicians. When Jesus came, he said he did not come to destabilize or cancel the law, but to fulfil the law. In fact, I said it some years back when I ministered at TBS that the problem of this country lies on the shoulders of us, so-called Christians, because we jeopardize so many things. When it comes to census, Christians will stay away from it.

We also stay away from elections

– ‘Let them do it,’ we say. They are doing it and we are still complaining. Why are we complaining?

Even the few ministers at the top are fighting for their own pocket, and the share they get that should have been for Christians are taken to their own ministry.

So, I want you to know that we southern Christians are selfish Christians. Here, you can tell your family members you are going to church, carry your bible and even display your clergy sticker on your vehicle, but it is not like that in the North. Christians are not playing their role well in nation-building the moment we stay away from politics. And we thought the moment a Christian is made head of state or governor, everything will be fine – it’s a lie. When they become leader or whatever, do we back them up with prayers? Anytime we go to them (politicians), it is usually to get goodies from them. The worst part of it is that in many of our churches, we have doctors, engineers, politicians, academics and others; has the church impacted them other than to collect goodies from them? It is a ridiculous situation we have found ourselves in the country. I just pray that the kingdom of God should bestow on the country and check the heart of our leaders and we the followers.

Looking at the level of politicking across the country, what would be your wish for the 2019 general elections?

Form the little understanding I have about this country, God will see us through 2019. This is my 38 years in ministry. We need prayers. The revelation for the 2019 general elections is so poor and bad. We pray that that revelation will not come to pass.

Divine Favour Prayer Assembly marks 10th anniversary with special service DAVID IBEMERE

I

t will be a time of jubilation and thanksgiving to the Almighty God for members and visitors of Divine Favour Prayer Assembly Ministries as the church celebrates its 10th year anniversary today, with the theme “The Lord’s Doing”.

Also known as Mount of the Living God, Goshen Parish, the church which is located in S.K Thuraya Crescent, Loburo Phase 2, Mowe, Ogun State, will have in attendance special guests, from traditional rulers to academics, grace the occasion under the distinguished chairmanship of Solomon O. Akinboye, a professor and dean, School of Post Graduate Studies, University of Lagos.

Speaking to BDSUNDAY, Tayo Popoola, the Head Pastor of the church, said that the celebration is a testament of how far God has helped the church, “from a small beginning to today with three branches, in Ogun states, running on three platforms, the church, seminary and prayer ministry preparing souls for heaven.”

While thanking God for the various miracles over the years in the church, he revealed that all the church buildings and current seminary ministry under construction in Ekiti are owned by the church.

“It is God’s mercy and divine favour that has uphold us all these years, there are churches that we started together but are no longer in existence, we encounter series of challenges but

God see us through them all and every year we have continue to grow expanding God’s goodness.

“The volume of achievement in the last 10 years, from salvation, spiritual and physical miracles is exactly what informed our theme, the prosperity of our members spiritually and physically, from toddlers to senior citizens, including men’s and women’s groups, children and youth programs the lord has been faithful,” said Popoola.

On the state of the nation, he told BDSUNDAY that: “Christians owe God and the country a duty to pray for Nigeria for corruption and killings to come to an end,” Popoola stated urging Christians to live a life of holiness, which according to him is the sure way to attract God’s goodness.

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BDSUNDAY 19

Inspirations The Overcomer’s mentality

PASTOR I.S JAMES TEXT – 1 JOHN 5: 1 – 5

Continued from last week Unknown to many Christians they are buying into the value system of this world.

Satan’s purpose is to pull us out of the realm of faith to the realm of reasoning (like he did to Eve). You cannot defeat him in that realm.

Eve could have simply resisted him but she allowed him to pull her to his turf.

Of course you know why it is said that the wisdom of this world is foolishness unto God; it is controlled by the devil. Christians must not allow themselves to put on the value system of this world or allow themselves to be squeezed into the world’s thinking mold.

Many of us started in the spirit but are now maturing in the flesh –from resisting headaches to taking analgesics at the slightest sign of a headache. This is because we have been moved from the level of faith to the level of reasoning. Always strive for the higher alternative: God’s standards/ways.

It is important that you put on the overcomer’s mentality because of the need to transit to the next level. Your system of behavior will have to change. Anyone who does the same thing over and over again expecting different results is not being sincere.

You would recall that not everyone who came out of Egypt went into the Promised

Land.

The Promised Land was the next level.

It was almost impossible for former slaves to see themselves as owners of houses and vineyards they never built. Those who came out of Egypt were former slaves who didn’t have an updated desire to want to get into cities and occupy homes and vineyards they did not build. It is not possible for such persons to move on to the next level. There has to be a mental rebirth of some sort.

Like them, many of us have remained at the same level because we have remained prisoners of our past. For us to make progress there has to be a mental renovation. They couldn’t go in to the Promised Land for a number of reasons: · They were a fearful bunch imprisoned to their past as slaves. They couldn’t see themselves moving on to a new phase. Remember, in the things of the spirit you can ONLY get what you can see. · They were a complaining and murmuring people. Their attitude to every challenge or struggle was negative, always wanting to go back to Egypt. Such persons never go forward. · They were generally lazy. What mostly defined their lifestyle was that they “sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play” (1Cor.10:7). They never were the sowing, laboring, working type. They were a people who only needed to wait for the cloud to move before they moved. But there was nothing like the cloud mentioned at the time Joshua led them into the Promised Land. He wasn’t led by a cloud but by wars and by the Commander of the Hosts at some other time. That was the mentality of those that came out of Egypt.

We may repeat their mistakes if we do not learn these lessons. The ‘Entering-in

generation’ did not have the Cloud to direct them. Neither did they wait for manna (in fact manna ceased when they got to the Promised Land). Subsequently they needed to fight, conquer and work before they ate.

They had to fight for every advancement unlike the ‘Coming-out generation’ that cowered in the face of the slightest challenge.

The ‘Coming-out generation’ lacked preparation to transit to the next level. The only choice that seemed open to God in the circumstance was to eliminate them and raise a new generation with occupation mentality.

Exactly what are we supposed to overcome? · The World’s System (a far greater enemy than Satan himself); this is a system we daily participate in and one which constantly works to squeeze us into its mold. And Satan is synonymous with this system sometimes. · The human nature which wars against the spirit, especially when you express the desire to embark on some spiritual exercises like fasting, preaching, praying, giving, etc.

This also includes our ingrained stereotypes, biases and prejudices. If you are an old believer from the S U (Scripture Union) times, recall your initial reaction when you saw a professing believer with processed hair. To you it was outrageous, carnal, etc. You reacted that way because the stimulus you received was rather new. For many people, whenever they see something new, rather than finding out whether it is intelligent, good or bad, they react negatively, rejecting it.

They would not even consider the possibility of cultural differences. It is part of human nature.

But this tendency has to be overcome and rightly utilized because many packages God sends us are sometimes wrapped with the

strings of the unfamiliar. Be less swift and less violent in rejecting new/unfamiliar things. · Every other obstacle that stands against God’s plans for our lives. Such obstacles could come from friends, spouses, finances, etc.

How to develop the overcomer’s mentality.

Break the bonds of your past experience.

Do not be tied by the negative experiences of your past. Follow Paul’s example, who, in spite of the rejection from most members of the early church (on account of his past life) moved on (Acts 9:1-2, 26). He refused to be bound to his past life even when people treated him, holding the misdeeds of his past against him. It doesn’t matter if you were a pimp or prostitute; while there isn’t much you can do about what others think or say about you, there is a lot you can do about yourself. “Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer” (2Cor.5:16).

Don’t allow people to define you from the human point of view. The word says you are an overcomer. Believe this and let your thoughts and actions be defined accordingly.

Speak the word; read it and set yourself in agreement with it.

Dr. Iruofagha James is the Founding Pastor, Glory Christian Ministries, Odo-Olowo Street, Apapa/Oshodi Expressway, Ijeshatedo, Lagos. www.isjames.org Tel: 08060599144

The fearless four

REV. YOMI KASALI

@rev.yomikasali

W

e just concluded our annual convention in our church and it was themed fearless and that has inspired me to write this article today; ‘The Fearless Four’. The theme is taken from 2 Tim. 1:7.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

I remember coming across a saying sometime back that read thus: “Your dream should be too big to succeed except God helps you.” Unfortunately, we live in a society where believers practice the exact opposite. They dream so little because of the fear of

losing it. They do not have enough faith in God to believe that He will pull them through. They make the Bible look like a marvel scripted movie filled with superheroes.

I want to share with you three secrets of a select four in the Bible who I have termed – “The Fearless Four.” They are David, Joshua, Daniel and Esther. We have a lot to learn from their exploits.

Allow me to share three of the secrets of these Fearless Four.

Boldness When you read through the lives of the Fearless Four, you will realise they were a bold bunch who refused to allow themselves to be cowered by the clout, size or importance of their enemies.

They did not hide from their fears but challenged them head-on without anxiety or trembling, keeping only their goal in mind. Esther summarises it succinctly in the book of Esther 4: 16 “… and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.”

Wisdom Another thing I love about the Fearless Four is that they were wise enough not to forget the ‘God’ factor. They were not like the foolish virgins who did not have extra oil; they backed up

their boldness in the place of prayers and communion with God. They knew the place of God in the pursuit of their dreams and aspirations. Hence, they were unstoppable. David epitomises this in I Samuel 17:37 when he said, “… moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine…”

Commitment to the promise The Fearless Four held on to the promise of God spoken to them in the book and by the prophets. They considered God faithful and never forsook the picture of the future He showed them.

They were sure God will honour His word no matter their current realities.

With that knowledge, they charged forward at their dreams.

The word of God came forth to us in Foundation of Truth Assembly

(FOTA) at the beginning of the year that it is our year of ‘Grace and Greatness’. As men and women who are fearless, I am expecting you to charge forward into the remainder of the year with that promise in mind ready to conquer territories and break protocols.

I hope you have been encouraged with the secrets of the Fearless Four and how they made history by conquering their fears and their worlds.

I therefore enjoin you to begin the last quarter of this year with the thought that you will conquer.

Be fearless!

Shalom.

Rev. Yomi Kasali is Senior Pastor, Foundation of Truth Assembly (FOTA), Surulere, Lagos

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Sunday 07 October 2018

Politics

How we will lift Kwara out of the doldrums – Saliu Mustafa

Saliu Mustapha is the former Deputy National Chairman of the defunct political party, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State. In this interview with journalists in Ilorin, he spoke on why he joined the race and his plans for Kwara if elected governor of the state come 2019. SIKIRAT SHEHU was there. Excerpts:

Y

ou are aspiring to become the governor of Kwara State under APC, what informed your decision?

For me, coming into the race and aspiring for this job is about a call to service, to serve our people and to make life better for them. We want to change the system of the state from the dilapidated situation it has found itself.

To take Kwara to the next level and make it a better society for your family and my own and for everybody.

Tell us a bit about your political sojourn?

We started way back with the APP that later metamorphosed into the ANPP. We got to a stage where we formed our own party, CPC in which I became the Deputy National Chairman. I was part and parcel of what we called APC today, how the merger came about and after the merger. We had people who migrated to the party from the new PDP and today they have left and I still remain in APC. This alone is a testament to the fact that I am a committed member of the All Progressives Congress.

As an astute politician with vast experience of the political situation in our dear country, I have always shared the ideological conviction of President Muhammadu Buhari and I have always believed in his political ideology.

There are so many people who are vying for governorship position in your party, how will you react to this?

You’re looking at it from one side. From the other side it is even more promising for the party because when you see people coming out vying for such position, it shows you have more qualified people that can do the job.

From the list of names I have seen, they are eminently qualified. What we are only asking is that there should be cooperation and sincerity of purpose for us to work together so that the best can emerge for our people to get the best. We are not saying that it must be central but from the political exigencies, it is better for us to present somebody from central now, so as to be able to counter the opposing party because for us it is about wining not about participating.

How will you assess the level of development in Kwara State, are you satisfied?

If I am satisfied, I will not be putting myself forward to serve the people because I believe what is on ground today is not good enough for our people and that is why some of us have come out of passion to serve our people better.

Saliu Mustapha

Trying to give them more accountability of their resources, to manage our resources better, try to guide and protect the common wealth of the people so as to be able to provide better living conditions for our people.

What is your opinion on the trend ofchangeagendabyaspirants?

Change is constant in life, if there is anything history has taught us about change; it is about the rise and fall of empires which also means change, so there is nothing in life that is permanent.

Even God in His infinite mercy that created us, He created us from one stage to another. At a stage you’re a baby, you get to the stage of adolescence, you get to another stage and then become an old person.

For me, change is constant; the change we talk about in APC is change from the situation we find ourselves to a better situation. We want to change to a better environment that is what we meant by change in APC. It is not about changing things from good to worse no, it is from worse to good.

We intend to come and give our people a better system of governance, a system that will serve our people better, not to come and rule them. That is the change we mean in APC. What would be your programmes for the state if you

eventually win the gubernatorial election?

My plan for Kwara is for it to be better and that is what we are all asking for, we want a better system.

For me, first and foremost is accountability to the people matters a lot, once you can account for whatever you’re doing, then you will definitely be able to provide a better system for them, a better formula, a better infrastructure, better education, better security and better welfare for the people, that is the whole essence of accountability.

One of them is in the area of education. Infrastructural decay has revisited most of them and more importantly, you must create a conducive environment. Security of lives and property. Let people have confidence to go about their daily activities. Secondly, we need reorientation, education and public enlightenment for us to know what works and what does not work for us. Thirdly, as a government too, we must quickly address dilapidated structures in hospitals, schools, providing social amenities for our people and also trying to look at what can be more of an investment and encourage people to come into the state and partner with us. We must look at the monthly allocations and think out of the box.

We must start looking at the

possibility of also generating and creating sources of income for ourselves, job opportunities for ourselves and feed ourselves. That is very important. We have a blueprint already to look at the immediate, mid and long term projects and how these things can be realised within a short period of time.

For me, why I have chosen education, skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, reorientation among the cardinal points of my reform, if and when I became the governor by the grace of God, is because you cannot give what you don’t have.

We cannot dream and think we can become another Small London if we don’t have what it takes to create that enabling environment for ourselves. So, we must be able to know what can work for us, what is practicable for us and what is not.

If the people don’t know what is good and bad for them, how would they start? Without the foundation built, you can’t get it right. These days, we are living in an advanced society where the conventional style is not what is obtainable again, you must have some level of orientation, some level of educational upliftment.

Nobody can beat science. You can’t beat technology. We are all using mobile phones now. Some years ago there was nothing like that. The world is a global village today. We must look at these things and then prioritise our needs.

We must have a strategic plan; short term, mid-term and long term, on how to address some of these things. The manpower is there. It is not everybody that must have a white collar job. The youth are there wasting away, calling themselves good boys, what is good about what they are doing?

They just constitute themselves into a menace to the society.

Some of them should be made to know and it has to be through some public enlightenment or reorientation that you need not have a PhD or Masters degree to be able to feed for yourself and to earn a living for you and your family. You can learn a particular skill and before you know it you start earning more money than the white collar people.

There are some mechanic workshops now that will charge you a consultation fee before they run a diagnostic on your car. Doctors do it in the hospitals and we think it is because they are doctors, it is okay. If you believe that the mechanic would do the job for you, you have no choice but to pay. So, we must start looking at these things and look at what works for us.

Those who want to go to farm, create an enabling environment for them. That is one of the main objectives of government. Security of lives and property. If you can do this, then you will now let people know that you can do this to earn a living and also employ others.

If not, it is like you are pouring water in a leaking drum. Energy, time and resources would just be wasted if we don’t get some of these things right and if we don’t prioritize our needs and look at how to improve the internally generated revenue for the state, look at what is not working for us than looking at elephant projects. There are some projects that are just lying down there without economic impact for us in the state. You don’t start a project that does not have the real effect for the people.

The kind of government we would run is participatory, where all hands must be on deck. That is why we must sit down and look at where wastages are taking place, look at how we can increase our revenue, cut down unnecessary spending.

If what is obtainable in other states is different from what our people are taking home here, we must look at how we can motivate them and by so doing, everybody must contribute their quotas. We must let them know adding more is also going to be proportional to what you are doing, because people should not just work and they are not well paid. That means you don’t expect the best from them.

So, the state must also motivate its workers.

You don’t wake up and start increasing taxes on people. If you don’t create a conducive atmosphere for them, how do they want to increase their productivity? So, you must be able to motivate the workers, create a conducive environment and by motivating them, the government on its own side would also do a lot.

Because you don’t expect the teachers to go to school when the classroom is leaking, no chairs, the place is not conducive and you want him or her to spend six hours giving his best to the students, it doesn’t work that way. But if you create a good atmosphere for them, they too would be happy to give out their best.

Ours is going to be a participatory government whereby we must sit down and look at things, depending on the peculiarity of individual sections, departments, problems or localities. Assuming somebody in Kaiama now, one of their major problems is road infrastructure. If you don’t help them, how do they bring out their food produce to the centre to sell? We must look at all these things, look at the immediate gains so that we can all reap these things and be able to manage it so that it can have immediate effect in the system.

The National Headquarters of the APC announced the dissolution of the Kwara State executive of the party and set up a caretaker committee. Now, both the dissolved executive and the caretaker committee are laying claim to the leadership of the party in the state. Under which of the executive do you intend to run?

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Politics Alaibe finally dumps APC for PDP with 6,200 supporters

F

SAMUEL ESE, Yenagoa

ormer Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ndutimi Alaibe has finally dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The APC chieftain decamped on Friday with 6,200 supporters, according to a Government House statement, and was received by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson in his conference room in Government House, Yenagoa.

BDSUNDAY reliably gathered that he had earlier deferred his defection for wider consultations on his future which is understood to be on the governorship in 2020 as the position has been zoned to his area.

Along with him were former Secretary to Bayelsa State Government, Gideon Ekeowei, one-time Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Keme Prefa and ex-Chairman of Sagbama Local Government Council, Barnabas Edure.

Among the decamped was one-time member House of Representatives, Nelson Belief and former Executive Secretary of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Rhodesia Whyte.

Governor Dickson stated that Alaibe’s defection along with his supporters spelled the end of APC in Bayelsa State and gave credence to the supremacy of PDP. Dickson also stated that the defection had justified his earlier belief that the APC cannot win any election in the state as its leadership had brazenly demonstrated lack of interest in the welfare and development of the state.

He noted that Bayelsa remains the only

Alaibe

PDP state that has re-elected its governor by defeating the federal might in 2015 after the party became an opposition party in the country.

He stressed the need for people of the state and Ijaw nation to embrace the PDP pointing out that no well meaning and decent person would identify with the other party because of the high level of criminality and falsehood associated with it.

In his words: “The APC in Bayelsa is a party of criminals, cultists and terrorists. PDP has the majority of the good and decent patriotic people. I used to say there are few APC members in Bayelsa that are good and patriotic. But now, imagine the few good ones have now left, so the APC in Bayelsa is completely a party of criminals, cultists and terrorists.

“When we come to campaign, we will wait for them to tell us the roads and bridges from Abuja that they have brought to this state, to show us the major appointments, benefits and patronage that they deceived this good and decent people to their dry party that doesn’t mean well for our people. The APC clearly is being folded up in Bayelsa with all of you leaving.”

Dickson congratulated Alaibe and his supporters for their decision to dump the APC and assured them of their full integration into the PDP and promised to organise a formal rally in their honour.

Continuing, he stated: “We are here to formally receive and welcome you back home to your party and I have told the chairman and the political desk working with your team that we will organise a formal reception and receive you because you are a big fish. You cannot come into the PDP and people will not know you have come. What is happening today is a prelude to your formal reception.

“We were pained when you left at a time we needed you all the most, but all of that is history. What is important is what is ahead of us and I want to assure you that you are all valued leaders in the party once again.

Earlier in his remarks, Alaibe, a former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Matters, described PDP as home for the Ijaw people in view of the recognition the party has given to them.

Alaibe noted that all the political positions he held were facilitated by the PDP stressing that they could not be left out in what he called, the wilderness which informed his decision to come back to the PDP to support Governor Dickson for the progress of the state.

He saluted Dickson’s efforts and his admin-

istration’s dogged commitment to the cause of the Ijaw nation and the development of Bayelsa State while maintaining a disciplined PDP. Alaibe stated: “PDP for me as an individual is home. My political life was defined by the PDP. My political public service work and all the political positions that I have held were facilitated by the PDP and for a lot of us here, it was the PDP. So for us PDP is home. It is a good-come-back home.”

“I want to thank you for some of the grandiose projects and programmes you have implemented in Bayelsa including this state of the art office for the people of Bayelsa State. I want to thank you for the continuous commitment to the Ijaw Nation. The commitment that has inspired some of us to continue to remain as a people in the space called Nigeria.

“We want to assure you that at some point in the course of our political life, just like a child will not know the richness of his mother’s soup until he tastes his neighbour’s soup, we have gone out there and we have tasted our neighbour’s soup and we have made comparison and our own soup, the soup you pilot is sweeter. And that’s why we are here.”

Also speaking, Chairman of the State PDP, Moses Cleopas described Alaibe’s return as a show of patriotism and love for Bayelsa State assuring that he would be given a sense of belonging to enable him contribute effectively to the success of the PDP. He stated: “We are receiving you with our spirit, soul and body. But one belief we have now is that you are coming to add value to this party and not with any fear that you shall by any way make the party less of what it is today because you are coming into a reformed PDP where everyone is on the same side.”

Legislative accountability mechanism may gain root in Ogoni …As group presses for effective representation … Clean up lingers, angers many IGNATIUS CHUKWU AND FORTUNE OKORIE

P

lans are afoot to groom Ogoni community people to demand and obtain account of what every lawmaker from the area has done with the legislative mandate at their disposal. This is said to be in realisation that lawmakers hold huge power and responsibility in the quest for good governance and effective representation.

Now, Citizens Trust Advocacy and Development Centre, with support from Dakar-based Trust Africa, has launched a scheme that may groom Ogoni community people to engage with their lawmakers in such constructive ways that may force a new dawn in legislative accountability and representation.

These were disclosed in a media interactive session last weekend in Port Harcourt where the programme coordinator, Lawrence Dube, unveiled the objectives of the latest scheme aimed at helping the Ogoni come out of misery inflicted by man and nature.

Dube, also a pastor, who runs other non-grant activism projects such as getting persons out of prison, said the intervention is designed to improve legislature-constituency relations in two local government areas of Ogoni ethnic nationality through civic awareness and capacity- building for citizens and policy engagements with states and federal legislators.

He said: “It is clear that a democratic government derives its credibility and legitimacy

through effective citizens’ participation, inclusion and engagement in the law making processes and oversight of government functions through their elected representatives.

And democracy can improve in Ogoni if the national and states legislators are more accountable to their constituents and includes them in their lawmaking and legislative oversight functions. If there are functional and open communication channels, feedbacks and periodic engagements between constituents and their elected representatives, the governance space will be more inclusive, participatory and accountable.”

This project, he disclosed, would be implemented in Bori in Khana Local Government Area and Kpor in Gokana Local Government Area. “The target groups for this intervention are men, women, youth, community leaders, traditional leaders, religious leaders and opinion leaders. The criteria for selection of these participants are based on the stakeholder dynamics and social relations in Ogoni where community power and leadership are structured around democratic village assemblies which involve men, women, youth groups, religious leaders, opinion leaders and political elites.”

The goal, he stated, is to improve legislative accountability in two the chosen areas so as to make constituency representation more inclusive, participatory and politically accountable for constituents.

Answering questions, the coordinator said the project last from September 2018 to February, 2019. “There would be stakeholder engagements and dialogue sessions with

stakeholders.” He said there was weakness in consistency and interface in most efforts so far in Ogoni, thus the need to float this particular scheme to close the identified gaps.

On effective representation, Dube explained that anyone in the parliament must know he has two levels of representation: constituency and sectoral representations.

He said a series of media briefings would be executed to brief the media on how the project would help to enhance representation in Ogoni areas.

On strategies, he said: “There is need to contact the representatives and let them know that now exists a mechanism of monitoring how they are representing the Ogoni people and what the issues are. It is also to let the constituents know how to handle their frustrations and complaints in a proper way that can attract the right attention from the parliamentarians.”

He went on: “It is important to show them there is no need to invest all their energies in complaining instead of in ways to achieve results. It is the task of Citizens Trust to teach them and make them viable citizens.’

Should this scheme be well implemented, he said good governance would be the reward to the people because of financial autonomy coming for state lawmakers through latest reforms from the centre. For now, most Nigerians think their lawmakers especially at state levels were mere rubberstamp legislators.

Dube declared: “This project is for all.

Village assembly is for all. If Ogoni people understand the clean up well and use ap-

propriate institutions to press for what they need, they would achieve their goals faster.

They need good roads, hospitals, clean water, effective security.”

On whether Ogoni has been over-sensitised, he said what was lacking is building appropriate structures and systems to help people understand the issues and act correctly. Thus the community people would be made to demand constituency visits; to learn to demand accounts of projects being executed in the community and force community people to demand for details.

Looking ahead, Dube said: “We want to build a society where the people can demand for accountability. Ogoni sensitization is not sustainable. There have been many intervention projects but with little effect.”

He said such work demanded for passion. “As a person, I am an activist and also a man of God, out to create peace for all the community. I am keen to see that the society works well. We help to create political systems to help the people. We are busy building the capacity of citizens to decide who represents them. Through this project, we are bent on fostering legislative accountability and inclusive constituency representation in Ogoni areas of Rivers State.”

Citizens Trust is said to be a citizen’s platform established to mobilise Nigerian citizens to engage constructively and nonviolently with governmental institutions through policy dialogue, institutional engagement and public advocacy to drive civic consciousness and socio-economic transformation in Nigeria.

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Sunday 07 October 2018

Politics SDP is setting up strong structure in Cross River - Ekpo Eyo Ekpo, a former attorney-general of Cross River State and the governorship aspirant of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in this interview with MIKE ABANG, talks about his mission, the state of Cross River, mistakes of the incumbent, chances of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) at the poll, what to do about the rising debt profile of the state, among other issues. Excerpts:

W

hat could be the worst thing that may happen to Cross Riv-

er State in 2019?

The worst thing that can happen to Cross River is that we find ourselves in the hands of a governor who given his current record will definitely handover to someone that will be worse than him and if we think that things are bad now, wait until we make the mistake which I pray will never, of making the current administration continue. Every one of us will see how it is possible to keep on setting new records of depravity in governance. Why am I saying it is a bad proposition?

We depend on governance to actually attract the people that will make us live reasonably well which is what we started doing in 1999 particularly during the second term of the Donald Duke administration when Cross River actually became a destination whether for business or for leisure.

What this administration has done is to force everybody to be dependent on government and I am sorry but it is really so sad that the 3 or 4 billion naira that we get as federal allocation is being consumed by salaries and we borrow on top of that just to pay salaries, not allowances, not imprest, not pensions and definitely not gratuities. So that mantra that we pay salaries, we have been so deceived by it that if there is any state that our ‘Mumu don do’ needs to become a slogan, it is Cross River.

The indices of underdevelopment did not start today, why have you decided to come in now and does your party, the SDP, have the structure to win elections in the state?

The political challenge to those who wish to go against incumbents in Cross River is to actually present a credible alternative and focus less on the party even though what is going to be on the ballot paper is the party’s symbol. There is actually something that you can interrogate very closely and I am calling on you guys in the

Eyo Ekpo

press to rise up to the occasion and help the people of this state interrogate very clearly what is good. It is not about empowerment alone because empowerment is all about taking my money and giving it back to me.

That’s not empowerment.

Genuine empowerment is that which we give to somebody to enable the person stand on his own two feet properly and not to give you five, ten thousand or even a second hand car that you will have to look for money to maintain. Give me training, show me how to use this camera, let me buy a camera, guarantee me a loan so that I can go and buy a garri milling machine, take my idea that I have for something or the other that can be built. Give me training on human resource management, accounting, small

business management, marketing and sales, put me through that school and then give me a loan that I will not have to repay for the next six months, give me a moratorium on it, three, four or five million by that you have empowered me. But what do you call empowerment today, total insult.

SDP is actually setting up a structure. It has a structure that goes into the states into local government areas, into wards, it’s a strong name. SDP is talking to us and maybe we should actually give some trial too but it does not take that long to see the truth.

Assuming Ayade is denied a ticket in PDP and he decides to come to the SDP, will the party accept him?

Nobody can stop them, you go to a ward take a member-

ship card and join. If he comes to the SDP, with the express purpose of becoming the candidate of the SDP, well those of us in the party will have the option of either staying or going to another party. If the SDP betrays its ideals and gives to somebody like Ayade its ticket which is the right of members of the party by either direct or indirect primaries, it’s an academic question because the PDP cannot afford not to give Ayade its ticket.

How will you defray the state’s debts in view of its high rate of insolvency?

We have a huge debt profile because we are not attracting investments into our state. It appears insurmountable because we want to pay our debts from the N5 billion that comes in from FAAC every month which is for states and local governments. Unfortunately, that 5 billion goes to paying salaries and that is the basic reason why you think our debt is insurmountable. Fortunately, government cannot be declared bankrupt, public entities cannot be declared bankrupt and there will always be money somehow.

So, I’m not worried at all about out debts. Debts can be restructured and bought.

Cross River state today does not have the ability, the thinking capacity in government which is very ironical considering the fact that we have the largest number of political appointees ever seen in the state. None of them is actually thinking of how to repay our debts. It’s amazing, truly amazing. Nobody is applying himself to actually sit down and come up with a valuable plan that will enable this state either to sell its debts or to pay it off and yet we have the natural resources, we have the brain in the state, we have the means to actually deal with this debt.

How much is it?

I hear that it is about 170 billion dollars or so. I’m not making light of it because it is hard work and by the way, if nobody knows, anybody that is going to be the governor that is a credible person it may be me or somebody else but whoever is going to be the governor of

Cross River state after this administration is coming to suffer because your work is to persuade people that had given up on Cross River state to come back. We do not have the earning capacity to pay up our debts ourselves, it’s that simple, you have to accept that. You have to get other people to buy in to the idea once again of a Cross River that is actually bubbling and brimming with ideas and know how to execute those ideas.

Will you continue with the projects the government is embarking on as from 2019 like the deep seaport, Calafarm, Centricot, and the rest?

The projects currently ongoing by the present administration, like the rice factory, garment factory, Calafarm, Centricot, most of these are MoUs. Our governor is known as the MoU governor. MoUs have a very finite life usually 90, 180 days and maybe a year and they will be renewed. The reason why an MOU does not become a solid implementable project, properly financed with commercial viability is that the people who are supposed to put money into it have sense.

They have come, looked and seen that there is no justification for what they were told and so they take their money and they go away.

That brings me to the project on the ground, how many of them have real private sector money? How many of them have real private sector funding? When you have a PPP, the money is from the private sector the public usually gives natural assets like land and guarantees which is not money but a promise that you will pick up a particular bill if it is not paid by the private sector. Has anybody called you to show you how we procured this project, how they procured their private sector partner? Has anyone said to you “this is the contract we negotiated with our private sector partner, this is the key financial and commercial terms, these are the guarantees we were given?”

The basic underlying rigor that enables a project to have life in a continuum is not there, its missing, so I suspect that the

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question that the new governor will have to answer is not whether he should continue those projects but whether he should go and resuscitate them and the answer to that question I would give is very simple. Is there anybody in the private sector that is ready to go and put his money in there?

If there is none then let’s deploy our money in the right way and to the right things. If there are genuine PPPs and they are actually viable and are continuing in business, then the question answers itself, why would I as a governor want to stop them?

That’s foolishness. Cross Riverians are unemployed, tax is being paid and people are coming into the state to do business, who am I to kill it? I must continue it and help to make it bigger, find a way to make it grow.

That’s my job as governor of Cross River state.

What institutional framework did you put in place for the sustainability of TINAPA because several governments have cited this as a huge problem to the state?

In April 2007 when President Obasanjo came to commission TINAPA, we had already rented two out of the four malls, and about 10percent of the 216 line malls had been rented out already. TINAPA was actually a going concern on the day Donald Duke handed it over to his successor. The framework that had gone into preparing TINAPA was tremendous, we had some of the best people come and look at what we wanted to do here, and it got to a point where we actually persuaded people with private money.

This governor went round talking and lobbying people with private money to come and invest in TINAPA and they did because they knew that it was going to succeed. We got all the regulatory approvals that were required from the customs, immigration, FIRS and from NPA. It was all in place and on the day that the former Governor left office, TINAPA

was viable. What happened afterwards is another matter of history. Somebody went and told the president of this country that TINAPA was a den of smugglers and it was shut down and that is where autocratic power can come in. nobody can work out any kind of antidote against that kind of thing happening, so the president’s order shut down TINAPA. It took another 19 months from August 2007 to February 2009 for TINAPA to be reopened and by then all the investors had gone. Donald Duke did not hand over an unplayable debt to anybody, whether it was in terms of the procurement and all that, I know that we had something that would have been the bedrock of our prosperity in this state. I know the next question will be why this guy did that.

Have we all been to Dubai? Most of us have been there, I’m very sure of that at least.

The world has not forgotten that Dubai started with that guy Kutum, that Sheik, building an airport in the middle of the desert and saying to himself that I had been told that this place that I happen to be the leader of is halfway between Europe and Asia. When people travel, they must stop to drink water so they will stop here because this airport is a fantastic one and I will hand it over to the airlines of this world to use as their hub free of charge.

The idea behind TINAPA was that we have a port, we have this entrepreneurial state that is landlocked behind us, Abia State, Imo, Enugu state and they are known for trading so we will make this place a trading hub and work to improve our hinterland infrastructure. You know what; I knew that TINAPA was going to work when the people who control Alaba international market and Aria Aria put money into TINAPA. If those people, they are not foolish, you can call them anything that you like if they put money into TINAPA then it was a matter of time.

This is Nigeria where the river that runs through your own land is not controlled by you which is an aberration and the one thing that you cannot really protect yourself against is somebody sitting in Abuja and saying kill it. When I went to Abuja to fight against what they did against TINAPA in 2006/7, somebody told me this TINAPA do you think it will work when there is nothing like that in Lagos, Kano and Enugu?

And I said to him we did not take anybody’s money it is our brain we used to do TINAPA, what stops Enugu State, Kano State and Ondo State from doing their own TINAPA? There is enough business to go round, but that is the kind of thinking that killed TINAPA. So how do you now expect Donald Duke or anyone else at that time to take responsibility for the inability or the failure of the people that succeeded him to move rapidly to find a way to a problem that he did not create?

Eleme begins clampdown on gangsters to protect over 120 industrial ventures

E

GODWIN EGBA

leme has launched a crackdown on gangsters making business difficult in the industrial area hosting over 120 companies. BD Sunday gathered that Governor Wike had given marching orders to the new Eleme boss to take the war to the criminal elements that seem to have given Eleme a bad name over the years.

Now a new dawn is set in accountability and good governance in Eleme Local Government Council Area through wide-scale capital projects and human capacity development.

Driving this engine is the newlyelected chairman of the Local Government, the barrister, Philip Okparaji, also a trained journalist.

Okparaji, who came into office on June 18 this year (2018) says he is armed with his priority tools to restore peace and security across the industry-rich space of Eleme. He has also vowed to break down every human barrier and other intractable problems impeding development in the area. The journey of his mission began with the restoration of peace and security in Eleme in less than two months.

This is an accomplishment mandate he made in a short time, following Governor Nyesom Wike’s ultimatum to him to carry out a holistic war against criminal elements in the area in synergy with security agencies in the state.

What followed was a crackdown on criminal elements in the area, particularly a notorious three-man gang led by one Mba Boy, alias SK from Ebubu community in Eleme. The end of the road for these miscreants sent a

Governor Nyesom Wike

clear signal to others that, “Eleme would no longer accommodate them”.

Okparaji identified insecurity as a barrier to his development plan, so he resolved to deepen his strategies to ensure he accomplished his mission through the co-operation of his councilors, selected projects supervisors and advisers, and most importantly, his pet-project known as Eleme Development Authority (EDA) which has a 20-man committee headed by a chief, Obele Ekee as chairman.

Last week Monday, the chairman carried out a formal inauguration of the supervisors, advisers and EDA Committee members at the council headquarters in Ogale Nchia – Eleme where he solicited for their co-operation, commitment and accountability in the course of doing their jobs and contribution to the development task on the shoulders of the council.

He said; “My election as chairman of the council and my councilors and your appointment as supervisors and advisers including you EDA members is a collective call to duty, a mandate bestowed on us all to give our Eleme people a sense of belonging through purposeful development that should touch the lives of the young and old positively.”

Okparaji also noted that when the his team came on board it was faced with some challenges such as insecurity, abandoned projects, environmental pollution, sanitation, and Internal Revenue Generation (IGR) difficulties.

He said that in the face of these challenges he was receiving the desired cooperation of the councilors, supervisors and every other stakeholders. He stressed; “I have not come to make money

for myself or to corruptly enrich myself because I have a sacred image as a lawyer and journalist to protect, therefore, join me with the language and spirit of accountability and prudent management for the interest of our Eleme people.

“That you were chosen as a supervisor and adviser does not mean you should see yourselves as above others. Rather, see yourselves as honourable peoples’ servants and an integral part of this new council administration with a human face accountable to its people”, Okparaji stressed.

The barrister who is very passionate about Governor Wike’s re-election come 2019 declared to his council members thus: “We have a challenge in 2019 to make sure that Eleme people deliver their total support by voting Wike into office for a second tenure as our appreciation for his tremendous good work in Eleme land.”

The chairman stressed that Governor Wike deserved the Eleme vote because he was carrying the people along in the scheme of development. “For instance, our Akpajo Road linking Trans-Amadi, Eleme town and the environs is Wike’s project. Others include renovation of schools, hospitals and other road projects he flagged off in Eleme”, he noted.

The chairman who also harped on setting up of the EDA being the first of its kind since the existence of the Eleme council said, “The aim is to spread our tentacles through a committee like this to attract development to our people. I know and have respect for all the committee members who are people of integrity; people who have built relationships with multinational companies that can stimulate them to contribute to the development of our people.

Therefore, I solicit your commitment to the noble course of the authority”, he said.

In her response on behalf of the inaugurated supervisors and advisers, the first female vice chairman of Eleme Local Government, Grace Osaronu, who also doubles as one of the supervisors, pledged their commitment and diligence to their call to duty in order to move Eleme forward beyond its present level.

She said: “Chairman, we will not let you and Eleme people down in the course of this responsibility.”

In his response on behalf of the 20 committee members of EDA, the chairman lauded the council chairman for the development authority initiative aimed at wooing development to Eleme.

He promised that as people with past credible pedigree in service delivery, they would replicate the same effort. He, however, appealed to the chairman to give the committee a free hand to operate as well as the supervisors to pave way for trust and commitment.

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How APC’s Tonye Cole emerged as Wike’s 2nd term threat IGNATIUS CHUKWU

A

ll weapons were trained on Magnus Abe and Dakuku Peterside to emerge from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) as challenger to the incumbent governor of oil-rich Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, for the 2019 guber diadem. Instead, from the hills rolled the tanks of the international business magnet, Tonye Dele Cole, CEO of Sahara Energy. Now, the weapons have changed aim because a new and surprising but highly formidable target has come into view, a new opponent is in the ring.

It was late before it became true and official that the globe-trotter had emerged as the anointed flag-bearer of the Rivers State APC to face the giant from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 governorship election. The senator, Abe, from Ogoni, and the Opobo-born Peterside were the two gladiators closest to the flag in 2015 to face Wike. Then governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who had earlier led the state and its government to the APC from the PDP, had taken both favourites into his inner office in the Brick House and many waited outside like when a pope was to be elected in the Vatican. At the end of the waiting, the flag went to Peterside, while Abe was asked to go to the senate.

Peterside was to lose to Wike and was compensated with the headship of a top federal maritime agency, NIMASA. Both men regarded it as a waiting room for the heart of the meat, the governor’s seat.

Now, 2019 came around the corner and the leader of the party, Amaechi, now minister of transportation and President Muhammadu’s trusted ally, ordered all itching fingers to cool down and wait till he would give the nod. This waiting led to Abe declaring unilaterally. This caused a break up in the relationship between him and his friend and leader, Amaechi. Soon, the push came to shove and all relationships were severed.

While this was happening, Peterside pledged more loyalty and seemed the

Cole

favoured person and many persons began to draw very close to him. Even Abe began to openly accuse Amaechi of playing God and favouring Peterside. All that while, the NIMASA boss kept urging caution to his supporters, that nothing should be taken for granted as long as the leader had not opened his palm.

When Amaechi did, the bird that showed up was Tonye Cole, not Peterside, not Abe, not even Dumo Lulu-Briggs that was jostling for attention or Dawari George that was also visible. As soon as that happened, the state exploded in activity; the Kalabari APC kingpins applauded the choice, the others hailed, even Peterside agreed, Tonye Princewill concurred, but more anger came from Abe camp. The Wike and PDP group went home to prepare for battle, now that a big threat was on display. They were used to Abe and Peterside because they all were in the Peter Odili/Amaechi dynasty, but Cole, that was new and phenomenal.

Few weeks back, Amaechi gathered those regarded as contenders and stakeholders in a place in Lagos and tabled his choice, Cole. After some debate, it was gathered, all agreed.

Amaechi said he knew not everybody would like it but he gave his reasons, especially the need to choose someone with less political injury or someone not known to lead a faction.

Wike reacted by calling it a business partnership, referring to the sale of Rivers power sector to Sahara Energy. He said he would lead the people to resist such partnership.

Senator Abe said the choice was to govern Lagos and that the ordinary people would sit in Port Harcourt and choose the flagbearer.

Two of the prominent persons seeking the position in the APC, Peterside and Prince Tonye Princewill have spoken, giving insight how the decision was reached and their support for the eventual choice.

How Amaechi unveiled the card: Tonye Cole is an oil billionaire and cofounder of Sahara Energy. He is known to have some relationship with Amaechi prominent of which is the sale of Rivers

the Son and the Holy Ghost, Amen”.

Wike

State power plants to Sahara Energy, a deal that Wike has not only probed but has continued to hammer on as source of wrongdoing. Wike says the money from the sale was diverted probably to fund Buhari’s election in 2015, but Amaechi had denied any wrongdoing.

Amaechi had told the stakeholders about his decision thus: “We are aware that not all would find it easy to accept the decision but I am also conscious that the decision was made for the best interests of the party and the group. We are aware that interests are divergent and numerous; and that they can only coalesce if we get someone neutral; someone who is able to get every interest to converge as one. What is critical is victory.

“Loyalty is not only when it favours you but when you are tempted and stretched to your limits. Ventilate we must, but to move ahead we also must as the battles ahead are numerous and tedious. You all urged me on to proceed to make a decision and swore to stand by that decision. The time has therefore come to so do. Good morning my fellow compatriots and wish that we stand with each other to bring down this evil government. God bless all of us.”

Many agreed, but some felt aggrieved.

Briggs, who was said to have helped to sustain the Rivers APC financially in the past felt bad. He went ahead to pick a form to show he did not believe in that move. He did not go far.

Tonye Princewill throw huge weight behind Cole Princewill, a Kalabari prince and long term fighter for a Kalabari governor, came up quickly to show solidarity and concede to both Amaechi and Cole. He said: “Being one of the few privileged to be in the room when the decision was taken, one would have expected me to speak a little sooner. After all, I have been known to shoot from the hip, speak my mind plus my thoughts on the decision were pretty clear, right from the moment

Amaechi

it was made. I confess that I had played out a series of scenarios in my head before hand and to each one, an appropriate set of responses was measured out and kept waiting. But I thought it wise to let the likely political gladiators for Governor have their say first, before doing my own justice to the moment. That time has come.

“I want to start by thanking God for his grace and blessings to let me see this day. Having decided to sit this 2019 contest out, I had repeatedly told my supporters and my associates, that my role in this process was to be a facilitator, to help the leader and his leaders achieve victory in 2019. I joined the APC to help ease Wike out of government house, not to run for the position of Governor. The fact that I saw Amaechi as head and shoulders above Wike and saw the Buhari/Osinbajo collabo as better than our recent past, did not hurt either. APC members were warm and welcoming to me and it felt real good coming home. I never hid my preference for a Riverine Governor, preferably of Kalabari origin, but in the end I said, power must rotate.

By negotiation.

“Now in just under two years of being in APC, our work in Rivers state is no longer business as usual, a more formidable team has been assembled and with new direction, our fortunes have been given sound assurance. So the question that was before Amaechi, before us, was “Who would bell the wicked cat?” If it was an easy decision it would have been made earlier. I was a witness to at least two caucus meetings chaired by HE Amaechi on the issue and several one on one meetings that spanned many months. Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs and Dr. Dakuku Peterside had put up a good case for their consideration, Engr. Bekinbo Dagogo Jack had also made himself available and to be honest, either of them could have done us proud if given the chance. But alas they weren’t. Amaechi’s preference, our preference rested on the shoulders of Tonye Cole.

“I say our preference because, it was not imposed on us. We all agreed. “Amaechi leads, We follow”. Not only when it suits us. It was not dependent on how he leads, neither was it dependent on where he leads. This was hard for me to swallow because I am used to being my own boss, being The Candidate, but I opted to be a team player by choice. So my word to my

team is my bond. Good leaders must also be good followers. Independence is growth, but interdependence, when independent people join hands, is maturity. Some people will encourage rebellion, some will prod us into exercising our independent streak. Many for valid reasons, some to further deplete our resources. What is a cause for some of us, is a job for others. I hope we will resist that temptation.

“So Tonye Cole is my choice and I urge us all to support him. Why? Because it’s either him or Wike, he has a track record of success, not failure. He puts his friends above profits, he’s not materialistic and he represents a total departure from the status quo or business as usual. Let’s actually try something truly new.

We may get different results. It will take some getting used to. For all of us, both for him, the party and for the state, I’ve had my differences with him, as I have too with Amaechi, but I’ve never had cause to doubt their ability to deliver and their concern for the fate of those who are less privileged. In Tonye, we have a very quiet Kalabari son, not a stranger to the atmosphere of politics (thanks to his colossus of a father).

In Tonye we have a man who can speak the language of business and a man who knows how to create jobs. He is not an ethnic jingoist, so he will see the whole state as his constituency, not just a part.

“We as Kalabaris will come out en masse to support him. Make no mistake about it. Let me use this opportunity to thank our Leader, the Hon Minister for giving Tonye Cole this opportunity to govern this great state. You stood by us when you did not have to. We will never forget. My message will not be complete without thanking the party. You have been open to change while standing by the Leader.

I’d also like to thank the elders. Your wisdom got us here. Let me also thank Hon. Byke Wanjoku and the IYM for sticking their necks out for us when it was not popular. Let me thank all of the other ethnic units of Rivers state, we respect you, we are coming and we need your support. To Ibiamu, Ngerebara, Dumo, Dakuku, Bekinbo, Dawari, Tolofari, Sokonte and all my Ijaw brothers, Haaaa Izon!!!! We did it!! It’s time to lead well. Truth has no hiding place. It‘s time to set Rivers State free. Peace, security, jobs, empowerment for all. In the name of the Father,

Wike team reacted Wike special adviser on media (Social media) Oraye St Franklyn, spoke from the governor’s camp. He called it Cole and the proxy plot to conquer Rives by false pretenses.

Franklyn said: “The politics of 2019 is throwing up a lot. One of the many things that have come to the fore is the plot by former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi to use his longtime friend and business associate, Lagos-based Dele Cole, as his backdoor route to power.

To achieve this, he has endorsed Dele as his preferred candidate for governor, ending years of tussling and feverish jostling among his followers for the plump position.

“Dele who is said to go by Tonye and is being packaged as the ‘solution’ for Rivers State under Amaechi’s Riverine Governorship gambit, is himself part of the problem of the State. The controversial circumstances around which State assets ended up in the coffers of his companies leave much to be desired of his bid to govern Rivers State. From Abonnema Wharf, to our Gas Turbine and Olympia hotel, Dele needs to explain to Rivers people why a man like him who has acquired State assets under controversial circumstances under Amaechi, a man who remains rejected by Rivers people, can be trusted and be termed qualified to hold the office of Governor.

“How does Dele imagine that as Amaechi’s candidate he can lose himself from the apron strings of his godfather, endorser and former Governor, whose legacies in governance are of colossal waste of our common wealth and the betrayal of our people?

“How does Dele whose friends Ade, Wale, Segun and Bola to name a few, are all alien to Rivers’ interests and cause, expect to be qualified to govern Rivers State as the poster boy of a political party that has not only crippled Nigeria but victimized Rivers State and her people, and left us with nothing to show for our huge contributions to sustaining the Nigerian nation?

“Yes, Dele is said to be a Harvard Grad.

But he would not be the first Rivers man to be in Harvard. Neither would he be the last. Graduating from Harvard as he freely flaunts is no criteria for the Governorship of Rivers State. Granted, he has made a fortune in business, but if his business strategy is about ripping off others, as it does appear in the case of Rivers State, does he in his heart of hearts not know that he stands disqualified?

“Does he and his promoters think that a man like Rotimi, who has consistently worked against the interest of Rivers State and clearly undermined our economy by ensuring our Sea and Airports remain redundant, and beyond that, wishes to deliver up the state to strange gods as his political trump card with him, Dele, as proxy, would be allowed to succeed in his bid?

“Dele is not being begrudged his political right to aspire for whatever he wishes.

But he must be informed that even before he says a word about his aspiration, he stands disqualified on moral grounds as Rivers State will not be delivered up as a conquered territory by the agency of his political aspiration.

“The internal wrangling within the APC is enough notice to Dele and Rotimi that their game is up even before it began. The

Abe

progress of Rivers State won’t be sacrificed for Rotimi’s political survival.”

APC primaries and Cole’s easy victory Many waited to see whether Amaechi’s choice was deep or shallow. BusinessDay contacted some Kalabari elders on the matter but found that most of them agreed with the choice of Cole, though some such as Anabs Sara Igbe disagreed. The Kalabari chiefs told BusinessDay that disunity cost them the position in 1999 and that they have hungered for it for long. Now, they said, is another opportunity not to be wasted.

Some had felt that the Opobo choice in 2015 was not deeply riverine and not fully Ijaw in colour. Also, the sentiment against Amaechi fighting Jonathan was still fresh.

Now, many groups say they want to pursue their destinies outside Goodluck Jonathan.

The trouble that came next was Magnus Abe and direct primaries matter. They fought and the Amaechi camp secured the right to indirect primaries which favoured them because the delegates were all from the Amaechi camp. Abe has been in court over it.

On the day of the primaries, both factions held the types they preferred but INEC and the National APC chose to attend the Amaechi camp primaries.

When it was over, Tonye Cole emerged the governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers State.

Announcing the result at Igboukwu Field, venue of the gubernatorial primaries, chairman of the APC Gubernatorial Primaries Committee for Rivers State, a retired colonel, Jafaru Lawal Isa, said governorship candidate pulled a total of 3, 321 votes to beat other aspirants.

Isa stated that other gubernatorial aspirants, including Dawari George scored 491 votes while Lulu-Briggs scored 38 votes.

He further stated that another aspirant, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe scored only one vote while a total of 18 votes were declared invalid.

Abe wins, too Meanwhile, wild jubilation as Abe was declared winner of his direct primaries thus: Dawari George — 1606; Tonye Dele Cole —882; Magnus Abe —144, 929; Dumo Lulu-Briggs —3444. This lingered on until October 3, 2018, when the NWC of the APC named Cole as the real winner and candidate for Rivers State. That seems final, except…

The battle starts Both the PDP and APC are now set to do battle. Wike is putting forward his power of incumbency, his popularity as defender of the Niger Delta against Amaechi’s onslaught, and his project execution record of hundreds of roads and other constructions.

On the other hand, APC’s Cole is putting forward federal might, vast business contacts, riverne justice, and the Kalabari hunger for governor.

Economic roadmap decides Many agree that Gov Wike has been most formidable in project execution especially with his strategy of attending to many roads instead of turnkey projects that may gulp hundreds of billions of naira unlike Amaechi did but some have faulted him on lack of clear economic blueprint that would touch on massive agriculture, job creation, industrialization, and foreign investments.

Insiders say Wike is perfecting a new plan for the second term having cleaned up the city from broken down roads and infrastructural revival. There are hints about a new Trans-Amadi in the making but nothing is unveiled yet.

In the coming days, it would be a matter of what economic blueprint and evidence of open budgeting that Wike can quickly roll out versus what Tonye Cole is expected to unveil as his economic roadmap.

Then, the people of the state would have a choice to make, but each candidate would do well to put a lot of sweeteners to his package because the stakes are very high and the challenge is huge.

The people seem to salivate already.

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Politics INEC and the burden of credible election in 2019

T

CHUKS OLUIGBO & INIOBONG IWOK

he protest march, last Friday, by some leaders of the major opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja has once again accentuated the urgent need for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to put its acts together and give Nigerians free, fair and credible elections next year.

Led by Uche Secondus, PDP national chairman, the protest march to INEC headquarters and, later, the Police Force Headquarters, was to register the party’s displeasure over the outcome of the just concluded Osun State governorship election.

The Osun election has continued to raise fresh concerns over the credibility and preparedness of the nation’s electoral umpire to conduct free and fair elections in 2019.

The concerns arise amid allegations that INEC is leaning too much towards the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and is always ready to do the ruling party’s bidding.

Secondus was joined by other prominent PDP leaders, including Senate President Bukola Saraki, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku, Rabiu Kwankwanso, immediate past governor of Kano State and presidential aspirant, among others.

The PDP leaders, who later marched to the Police Force Headquarters where they met stiff resistance and were teargassed by the police, said the declaration of Gboyega Oyetola, the candidate of the APC, as the winner of the Osun election was a call to civil unrest, even as they criticised the conduct of security agents at the polls.

Addressing the crowd at INEC headquarters, Secondus asked the INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, and the national commissioner in charge of Operations, Amina Zaraki, to resign.

“The country is sleeping on a keg of gun powder, you know it. If you feel that Nigerians are not aware of the activities of INEC and police, you are deceiving yourselves. You are pushing Nigerians to the wall and when you push them to the wall there would be resistant. We hope we will not get there, but this will serve as a notice,” Secondus said.

“Therefore, we demand that INEC chairman should resign, Amina Zakariyau should resign. She is the manipulator of all elections. Let me address Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari: you cannot continue to give instructions to security agents to carry out your agenda, instead of protecting Nigerians.

“The hunger in the land is too much, the corruption in the country is too much.

Yakubu

You are not fighting corruption, you are fighting your perceived enemies, you are fighting the masses. Nigerians have left you. You cannot change the will of the people by force, take note and stop directing the security agencies and INEC to rig elections. You must come out clean.

What we expect from you is to conduct a free and fair election,” he said.

Ahead of the September 22 election in Osun, political analysts and commentators had reiterated that it would be yet another litmus test for not just INEC but also for the police and other security agencies. The conduct of the poll, just like the Ekiti State election before it, they said, would give a peek preview into what Nigerians and the international community would expect from INEC in the 2019 general election.

But while most election observers commended INEC for the conduct of the original poll on September 22, saying it was an improvement over Ekiti, the rerun of September 27 has been trailed by widespread condemnation.

In its preliminary report on the Osun election, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, which comprises more than 60 civic groups, expressed concern that the conduct of the election was a departure from the recent achievements re-

corded in the country’s election process.

It further said the lapses observed in the Osun State re-run election raises serious concerns about the forthcoming 2019 Nigeria general election.

“From Situation Room’s observations, it is clear that the circumstances that led to the cancellation of the elections in the seven polling units where the elections were re-run, including violence,

Which INEC? Do you mean this INEC? The people of Ekiti State and Osun State can answer that question better. I really don’t know how to describe the current INEC

also repeated themselves in the re-run election, raising questions on why results obtained under these conditions should now stand,” the group said.

“Situation Room is further concerned that the entirety of the Osun State rerun election derogates from the recent gains made in our elections process and the confidence that was beginning to be built. The lapses in the Osun re-run elections has put a serious question mark on the electoral process and raises concerns about the forthcoming 2019 Nigeria general election,” it said.

There were reports of incidences of violence and gunshots around some of the polling units, heavy deployment of security personnel “in a manner that created heavy tension and apprehension among voters”, use of political thugs and hoodlums to intimidate voters, attacks on opposing political sides, denial of access to polling units to journalists and election observers, high rate of vote-buying in several polling units, fake observers, and tacit connivance by security forces.

“In the light of these anti-democratic acts which have undermined the sanctity of the ballot,” Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), an observer group, said in a statement on Thursday, “we hold strongly the view that the re-run poll of Thursday, September 27, 2018, does not meet up with the minimum standards for free, fair and credible elections.”

On its part, the PDP said it has lost confidence in the commission’s capacity and readiness to conduct a credible election in the country.

“With INEC’s fraudulent conduct in the Osun governorship election, and approval that a concluded election be declared inconclusive, the PDP and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians no longer have confidence in [Mahmood] Yakubu [INEC chairman],” the party said.

“It is completely inexcusable that Yakubu presides over an atrocious and compromised electoral umpire that manipulates electoral process, doctors figures, allocates fictitious votes and subverts the will of the people in an election,” it said.

“The PDP has additional documentary evidence of how this compromised INEC, through its Operations and ICT Department, doctored results from polling centres, directly short-changed the PDP with no fewer than 4,387 votes by slashing votes cast for the PDP at the polling centres while allocating fictitious figures to the APC. “The PDP has facts on how INEC slashed over 1,000 votes freely cast by the people for our candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, in Ayedaade Local Government Area, just to reduce our votes from our legitimate 10,836 votes cast at the polling centres to 9,836 votes so as to give the APC the lead with a

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Politics 1,000 vote margin in the local government.

“Also, the PDP has evidence of how INEC, while collating results, directly allocated over 1,367 fictitious votes to the APC in Olorunda Local Government Area, to fraudulently shore up the APC’s votes to duplicitous 16,254 votes. This is in addition to evidence of how INEC awarded over 2,000 fictitious votes in favour of the APC in Oshogbo to push APC’s vote to 23,379 against the actual 21,479 votes scored by the defeated party,” it said.

Other stakeholders who spoke with BDSUNDAY raised similar concerns, saying if the Osun State election was indeed a sign of what lies ahead, then Nigerians and the international community should expect something worse than the days of Maurice Iwu in next year’s elections. Iwu, a professor and chairman of INEC from 2005 to 2010, presided over the 2007 general election adjudged by observers as one of the worst in Nigeria’s political history.

Setonji Koshoedo, a former chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State and a former member of the House of Representatives, told BDSUNDAY that INEC as presently constituted cannot conduct free and fair elections.

Asked by our correspondent if he was confident that INEC can conduct credible elections next year, Koshoedo said: “Which INEC? Do you mean this INEC? The people of Ekiti State and Osun State can answer that question better. I really don’t know how to describe the current INEC. Let me just say that we all have been seeing what INEC has become.

Whether credible to conduct credible elections is revealed by what we have all been observing. In fact, if I were Buhari, I would close the current INEC down and create a new one with new staffs, if only

Secondus

not to further destroy my image.”

Chukwuka Ikwuazom, chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos chapter, said the current administration in the country lacks the political will to

conduct credible elections in the country, stressing that the electoral umpire has been hijacked.

“The APC government is not serious about conducting credible elections. If they want INEC to conduct a credible poll, let them show political will and honesty to organise a free and fair election,” Ikwuazom said.

He said whereas INEC may have been sincere in the first election in Osun State, the rerun was not free and fair as attested to by international observers and journalists.

“We should look at our laws. The constitution is clear on how a governor could be elected. It says a 2/3 majority in some local governments or the highest number of votes. But the laws are interpreted differently in states. It is a dangerous trend for democracy in the country ahead of 2019,” Ikwuazom said.

Frederick Fasheun, national leader of the Green Party (GP), said he doubted the possibility of INEC conducting credible elections next year.

“I don’t think the general elections next year would be credible. INEC has not been able to conduct free and fair elections in the country over the years – except Buhari would change the leadership before the elections. They have been saying they are committed to conducting credible polls, but I personally doubt that,” he said.

Yusuf Sanni, national chairman, Action Democratic Party (ADP), said the only way to overcome the current anomalies in the electoral system was for INEC to play by the rules.

“My concern is that INEC should conduct elections according to the provision of the electoral law. The electoral law says that voting should be secret open but what we saw in Ekiti and other elections in the country has been different; it is open throughout.

“These methods give room for rigging and put the voters in danger because the party agents who are stationed beside the polling booth can just see who such individual voted for. If INEC cannot provide cubicle, let them allow voting to be conducted far from the public view.

What we think now is that INEC is compromised and part of the rigging,” he said Recall that Just last Thursday, while playing host to a combined delegation of the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, Uche Secondus, the party’s national chairman, threatened that the party would pull out of the 2019 general elections if INEC and security agencies fail to demonstrate sufficient level of impartiality expected from them

by Nigerians.

Decrying what he called the manipulation of vote figures by INEC in the recent governorship election in Ekiti State in favour of the APC, Secondus also accused the Nigerian Police of chasing away PDP agents from various polling centres, particularly in areas known to be PDP strongholds.

“We are still contemplating on whether we will participate in the 2019 elections or not. We are yet to take a decision on this. We are not sure that the security agencies and INEC would be impartial and transparent,” Secondus said.

“In the Ekiti elections, there were instances where our party agents’ tags were removed and given to the APC agents. There were clear cases of manipulation, ballot snatching and harassment of our party agents,” he said.

Despite the pessimism being expressed, however, the commission has repeatedly said it was committed to conducting free, credible and all-inclusive election come 2019.

At a recent event in Benin City, Edo State capital, INEC Chairman Yakubu said the commission would deliver credible elections to Nigerians next year. He urged the cooperation of all citizens and the support of the international community.

Also responding the PDP protesters on Friday, May Agbamuche-Mbu, INEC commissioner in charge of legal matters, expressed the commission’s determination to deliver free, credible and fair general elections in 2019.

“I want to thank you, and inform you all that Professor Mahmud Yakubu would have received you all. The commission takes this demonstration very seriously.

We are happy that the protest is peaceful and carried out in civilized manner,” Agbamuche-Mbu said.

“INEC is up to this job. We are all here in INEC as professionals and not politicians.

We are going to do our best come 2019.I must say we are a team and decisions are made by the commission and not by any individual. All your comments have been noted and it will be passed to the chairman and the entire commission,” she said.

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VOX POP 2019: What manner of leaders do you expect? Youths react

A GBEMI FAMINU

gitation for generational power shift appears to be gaining ground, but analysts believe that the realisation of that dream may be long

in coming.

In May this year, President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the “NotTooYoungToRun” bill, but that effort appears to have ended at that.

Nigeria operates a multi-party system, as a result there are many candidates for each position. During campaigns, in a bid to become the citizens’ favourite, candidates give various mouth-watering and enticing promises, especially, promises that will ease people’s miseries. Unfortunately, many of the elected leaders either fail to redeem their promises, or do not deliver it fully Owing to years of broken promises and disappointments, the Nigerian masses appear to have lost interest in the electoral process , while many have become outspoken and as a result, they are ready to square up with any elected official that does not do what is expected. Instances of the increased awareness can be seen everywhere, especially on the social media.

Here our Correspondent brings the views of some youths on their expectations of the manner of leaders they would want to occupy elective positions in 2019 from the general election.

capacity to improve governance and develop the economy beyond mere promises. I also hope to see a logical end to the numerous cases of corruption, particularly of those using public office as an avenue to enrich themselves. I would like to see a government that would ensure that those who have looted the national treasury are punished to serve as a deterrent to others.

Ademola Emmanuel

Rather than making fighting against insurgents and corruption their priority, the incoming administration at all levels need to demonstrate that they have the

will reduce the masses’ suffering; this is one thing previous leaders failed to do.

tions; if they can start from there, it will be easy to make our country a better place.

Famous Seun

James Damilare

It may be difficult for our politicians to change; so I am expecting those coming in to do the same thing their predecessors did, promise and fail.

We need leaders who understand the concept of ideology; who are true democrats in the real sense of the world. The country has seen many fake democrats whose sole aim of going into politics is for self-aggrandisement. We must reject such characters this time around.

Adesanya Damilare

Fadodun Pricilla

Olu Emmanuel

Before we can expect anything from leaders in Nigeria let’s get rid of godfatherism in politics and let the old ones retire. We need young people who really want to work and will not have their hands tied. But with what I am seeing, it may be difficult to get the type of leaders we are looking for in the 2019 elections.

Benjamin Bisi Every year we hear about unpaid salaries, pensions and all that and people are going on strike every now and then. So, I would want to see leaders that would make it a habit to pay salaries and wages of workers, regularly; make payment for completed and verified contracts. They should also increase the minimum wage and not be selfish.

Aboluwade James

Past experiences and conduct of the previous governments have made me lose faith in leadership. They will definitely make promises during campaigns but once they are voted into office, they forget all they have said. The politicians I am seeing in this dispensation are not likely going to be different.

Sunday 07 October 2018

Incoming leaders should do something to improve the country’s electricity problem. We have the resources and the manpower. In my area, we get only a few hours of electricity daily which is not even constant, yet we being given outrageous bills at the end of the month for what we never consumed. I would like to see a crop of leaders in 2019 that would change the face of things in the country. they cannot provide consistent power supply they should make the prepaid meters accessible to everyone.

Godwin Funmi

We are in dire need of basic amenities in this country, and they should make grassroots government useful and relevant as this will help them reach out to people to a large extent. Those who understand this need are the leaders the country needs in this hour.

Omolade Agbeleye

Emuze Arnold

I would like to see leaders who would put viable economic growth policies in action, especially economic policies that

I am looking forward for leaders that would carry out major reforms in the country. A lot of things are really going wrong. I expect leaders that would recalibrate Nigeria and make sure that people are put in their areas of competences.

Some people are not fit for some posi-

Nigerians are suffering and the leadership needs to provide prompt interventions in the interest of the masses. There must be immediate measures to stem the biting poverty in the land before their long-term plans would materialise. We need leaders that are leaders indeed.

Obasuyi Tobi Leaders in 2019 must be transparent and responsible; when our leaders have these

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VOX POP We are looking forward to seeing leaders who will put the interest of the country and the people as priority before self.

We want open-minded, transparent, and trustworthy leaders. The much-talked about dividends of democracy must be made available to every Nigerian.

security of citizens’ lives and property, and combat threats to national security.

Adedotun Johnson

FELIX OMOHOMHION, Abuja

T

AdebanjoTemilade

qualities, they will be able to effectively make the necessary improvement in the country.

We need a total revamping of the economy, we need basic amenities, we need jobs, and we want to exercise our human rights without fear.

Owolabi Mercy

Adeyemi Lekan

Incoming leaders should first of all have the qualities of a leader- not being selfish, provide job opportunities for youths, try to put an end to corruption in the country, provide basic amenities and do everything that is expected of them.

Nigerian Leaders should emulate leaders of advanced countries and not just go about political jamboree at the expense of the masses and of the country.

We need leaders who value the lives of fellow citizens and who must sacrifice everything to rescue them when in danger. Look at what happened in Thailand recently how the government did everything to rescue the children trapped in a cave. We have too many unnecessary deaths in Nigeria and government does not show any feeling. We cannot continue this way in the country. So, we expect to see leaders who are sensitive, responsible and responsive.

Oriowo Abimbola

Over the years, our country has been badly led and badly governed and this is one of the reasons we are having problems as a country. We need people with true leadership qualities.

Bimpe Bello

Kosoko Oyeyemi

Nigerian leaders in 2019 should account for their actions and inactions. They must be accountable and transparent in whatever they do. Leaders should be able to make tough decisions and they should be ready to do anything to get things done the right way.

2019 leaders should endeavour to make Nigeria a corruption-free country, and they should do whatever is necessary to ensure growth and development in the country.

Extravagance and indulgence in government must be reduced and the leaders’ lifestyle must reflect seriousness and thoughtfulness.

Aderonke Ruth

Olarotimi Smith

Smyth Temiloluwa

Nigerian leaders should concentrate on rebuilding and restructuring Nigeria, and they should also pay serious attention to

‘Illicit financial flows have robbed Africa of resources for development’

Nigerians want to see a better working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. Their regular conflicts are being detrimental to the country especially in areas of decision making, orderliness and development. The executive and the legislature are two elephants fighting and the country is the grass being trampled on.

he Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, has said that illicit financial flows from the continent have robbed it of billions of dollars needed for infrastructural development.

She noted that the funds being shipped overseas by looters if retained in Africa would have been enough to invest in infrastructure for sustainable growth.

The Minister made this assertion in Abuja at the Inter-Ministerial African Union High Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs).

The panel was chaired by former South Africa President, Thabo Mbeki.

Ahmed was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mahmoud Isa-Dutse.

According to the Finance Minister: “IFFs have robbed Africa of the wealth and resources needed to invest in infrastructure, education, hospitals, electricity and many other necessities for sustainable and inclusive economic development.

“Today, our development is being truncated by our own citizens, often in connivance with foreign collaborators. The quest for Africa’s economic development will be accelerated if funds illegally acquired, stolen and hidden abroad by illicit finance flow perpetrators are repatriated. Our development will no doubt receive a leap if multinational Corporations desist from illicit activities of aggressive transfer pricing, base erosion, profit shifting and trade mispricing.

“As indicated in the HLP’s 2015 Report, the challenge of combating IFFs is particularly pronounced in countries such as Nigeria, due to the dominance of the extractive industries in the economy.”

She highlighted some of the reforms the government had undertaken to reduce illicit financial flows in the country.

“In July this year, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) Bill into law. This autonomous and independent agency monitors cross-border financial flows with a view to identifying and intercepting suspicious transfers. The Unit is also empowered to fight the funding of criminal activities, money laundering and terrorism through the international and domestic financial system.”

Ahmed said this administration is committed to fighting illicit outflow of the nation’s wealth from all fronts.

“We are determined in the fight against IFFs. We are therefore committed to fighting this on all fronts. To aid us in our efforts, it will be appreciated if the HLP will share its experiences in domesticating international best practices in the key sectors of our economy with respect to IFFs. In this regard, Nigeria stands to gain much from initiatives such as the European Union’s country-by-country reporting (CbCR) transparency measures. By requiring companies that are of a particular size or operate in certain industries to publish operational and tax data for each country in which they do business, governments such as ours would be better equipped to check the incidence of aggressive taxplanning strategies, adopt more targeted and risk-based tax audits, and persuade large multinational corporations to voluntarily reduce the magnitude of their tax avoidance,” she said.

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Sunday 07 October 2018

For The Record EBO: ‘Consistency and clarity of purpose will define the trajectory of our engagement’ Lafarge Africa Plc Being text of a speech delivered by Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, EBO Founding President, on the occasion of the launch of the European Business Organisation (EBO) Nigeria, during the 2018, 7th edition, of the European Union/Nigeria Business Forum (EUNBF), at the Eko Hotel & Towers, Victoria Island, Lagos, recently.

E Protocol

xcellencies, Distinguished Guests,LadiesandGentlemen, it is with great sense of humility and honour that I welcome you today.

We are deeply appreciative for your honouring our invitation Introduction This event is an important milestoneinourefforttowardsachieving closer collaboration between the private and the public sectors of the economy. We began this journey back in February. I am proud to report that the idea we conceived months ago and the processes we set in motion have led us to this day.

EBO Nigeria As you already know well too, industry coalitions, chambers of commerceandbilateralassociations have over the years driven private sector/governmentthink-tanksand contributed to policy development conversations. These have helped to open up the business space and often stimulate policies taking into account some contributions from the private sector. We aim to take Public/Private sector collaboration even higher.

Having emerged from a recession, today there is some measure of economic stability when compared to three years ago in terms of macroeconomic indicators. This is mostly driven by international confidence that Nigeria is genuinely determined to set the economy on a path for sustainable growth. However, at the micro level, there is still a lot of work to be done.

The Nigerian economy is evolving. The political space, business opportunities and challenges continue to transform as new policies and measures emerge. For example, the adoption of the new code of corporate governance; Non-oil export policy; The post-recession implementation of the Economic RecoveryandGrowthplan(ERGP); The Presidential executive order on local content; Control of dimension, weights and axle loads of heavy duty goodstransportvehiclesregulations 2018, to the purported increase of customs duty on alcoholic beverages and tobacco as well as the anxiety triggered by the non-signing of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by Africa’s two biggest economies have all but contributed to an atmosphere of uncertainty.

In the same vein, one of such advocacy we would have to champion is for the President to sign into law the bill for the establishment of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission which seeks, among other things, to erase/avoid monopoly and abuse of dominant market position as well as

Folashade Ambrose-Medebem

facilitate access to safe products by all citizens and secure the protection of consumer rights in Nigeria.

You would agree, therefore, in an economic climate like ours, contributing to dialogues is one leg of the hurdle. As the primary economic development partners for Nigeria, industry, through the EBO, has an even more crucial role to play by attracting and facilitating international collaborations that will bring on- board world class expertise, resourcesandcompetenciestolocal socio-economic discourse, policy formulation and implementation.

TheEuropeanBusinessOrganisation (EBO), therefore, subscribes to the expansion of private sector/government collaboration by leveraging the connections of its members within the international trade and business community.

Ours is about inviting and injecting fresh ideas to deepen the conversation stimulate investment and the institutionalisation of first world regulatory and policy frameworks within Nigeria. These constitute the crux of our objectives.

Broadly speaking, the EBO aims to: 1.Facilitate business networking for small, medium and large

enterprises including multi-national companies through local national chambers, bilateral chambers and recognised national business groups and the EU Delegation. 2. Advocate European quality standards, best business practices and corporate social responsibility.

3. Collect and analyse information and statistics for the purpose of offering perspective and context to the members in cooperation with local national chambers, bilateral chambers and recognised national business groups and the EU Delegation. 4. Provide monitoring of trade and investment agreements and identifyproblemshinderingdynamic development of trade between the EU and Nigeria. 5. Advocate the removal of trade and investment barriers for European companies operating in Nigeria and provide assistance to Nigerian businesses to take advantage of the benefits of entering EU markets. 6. Actively assist Nigeria in the development of a common ECOWAS market and to actively assist European and Nigerian business to take advantage of such common market. 7. Create and sustain a positive image of Europe, the European Union and European businesses in Nigeria. 8. Report and

create awareness about the importance of intellectual property rights andpatents.9.UndertakeEUfunded projects with due diligence in support of EBO-Nigeria’s mission, vision and objectives. 10. To help further increasetheeaseofdoingbusinessin Nigeria by providing new European entrants into our market with a support network for theirForeign Direct investment The EBO is all about taking the conversation further to bring understanding and actionable ideas closer.

Distinguished Guests, at this juncture, I would like to congratulate the founding member companies and the elected directors for rising to the occasion; for daring to dream; forbelievinginthepromiseofNigeria and subsequently developing the framework upon which the operations of the EBO will be based.

The Founding Member Companies of EBO Nigeria are: 1. Air France – KLM 2. ALSTOM Transport Nigeria; 3. Arla Foods 4. Asseco Software Nigeria Limited 5. BASF 6. Bureau Veritas Nigeria Limited 7. CFAO 8. Deutsche Bank Representative Office, Nigeria 9. GreenElec Integrated Power Solutions Limited 10.

Greenville Nigeria Ltd; 11. Lafarge Africa Plc 12. Presco Nigeria Plc 13.

Ringardas Nigeria Ltd 14. Schneider Electric 15. Siemens Limited 16. SunrayVentures17.ThalesInternational 18.TotalPlc.19.WeststarAssociates Founding Directors, I am of the firm belief that our enthusiasm and commitment will propel us to the many achievements we all envisage into the future.

Our gratitude goes to the European Union Delegation to Nigeria andECOWAS.Itsunwaveringconfidence in the potential of the Nigerian economy informs the base upon which the foundation of this great organization, the EBO, was laid. We also extend our warm appreciation to our lawyers, Udo Udoma and Bello- Osagie (UUBO), for their work regarding the corporate registration process.

Indeed, ours is about collaboration among peers - diverse private sectoroperatorspropelledbyacommitmenttocontributetocontinuous improvement and national success.

It is about recognising and playing our role to, among other things, accelerate government’s objectives of curbing corruption, improving security and infrastructure and rebuilding the real sectors of the economy for the common good. To this end, the Board of EBO Nigeria comprises (8) Directors from different backgrounds and fields of expertise.

Namely: 1. Folashade AmbroseMedebem (President) - Lafarge AfricaPlc2.AndreasVoss(VicePresident) - Deutsche Bank Representative Office, Nigeria 3. OhiozeUnuigbe - Bureau Veritas Nigeria Limited 4.

MaryOjulari-WeststarAssociates5.

Simon Melchior -Asseco Software Nigeria Limited 6. Christian Wessels - Sunray Ventures 7. Steen Hadsjerb - Arla Foods 8. Filippo Amato - Head of the trade and economic section of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, representing the EU Ambassador,whoishonourarymember of the Board of EBO-Nigeria.

The Future Finally, my sincere appreciation goes to all the founding members for the confidence your esteemed selves have reposed in myself and Andreas by electing us PresidentandVicePresident,tosteer this ship at its formative stage.

With your collective support we are confident on delivering our mandate successfully by ensuring that the EBO lives up to the ideals upon which it was founded.

I am optimistic that the ambition which led to the birth of the EBO will be best served through continued consultation and consensus building that leverages each other’s expertise. Indeed, consistency and clarity of purpose will define the trajectory of our engagement, networking, advocacy and partnership strategies towards achieving the laudable objectives that we share.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the European Business Organisation (EBO), Nigeria!

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SundayBusiness

Nickfest 2018: Maltina delivers family-friendly festival

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he biggest family-centric event, Nickfest, recorded huge success as children and parents were treated to nonstop entertainment.

The event, which was organized by Nickelodeon in partnership with premium malt drink, Maltina, took place on the 29th and 30th of September at the Balmoral Events Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos and was full of fun and so much happiness.

The partnership played a key part in delivering exciting experiences to families in consonance with Maltina’s commitment to ‘Share Happiness’ with various age groups.

Following the success of the maiden edition in 2017, the two-day event provided a very rare avenue for the brand to interact with its teeming consumers and fans.

“This is indeed an exc i t i n g p a r t n e r s h i p for Maltina. We realize that we are all busy and more often than not, life just gets in the way, however creating

family moments is paramount,” said Omotunde Adenusi, senior brand manager, Maltina.

“As a brand that is all about nourishing family moments, we are proud to partner with Nickelodeon again to bring all the excitement of Nickfest to families.

Nickfest is one of those events that families can enjoy,” Adenusi said.

Children were able to reenact their fantasies as the event featured some of Nickelodeon’s superstar characters in brand new shows including Dora the Explorer along with her animal rescuer cousin, Diego and Dora’s best pal, Boots; SpongeBob Squarepants; Shimmer and Shine; and Paw Patrol’s – Ryder, Chase, Marshall, Rubble, and Sky. Also this year, Happy the Maltina mascot took centre stage at the Maltina Happy Land at NickFest, and for the first time ever he performed his very own show to the delight of kids and parents.

Music lovers were not left out as leading artists in the industry in-

cluding Mi Abaga, Simi, Mayorkun and Adekunle Gold thrilled and entertained families at the event with electrifying performances.

Maltina lived up to its “Share Happiness” mantra by putting smiles on

the faces of some families at the Maltina Happy Land at Nickfest through exciting giveaways.

The event hosted 4,000 families with everyone present having a wonderful experience.

It is safe to say that they

we are all looking forward to the next edition of the biggest fun-filled family gathering event, NickFest.

The smooth, nourishing malt drink with complete richness

is fortified with Vitamins and Calcium for healthy families. Maltina remains the category leader with its innovations and message of sharing happiness.

M-Net appoints Nkateko ‘Business incorporation to help MSMEs succeed’ Mabaso new CEO

M

ultiChoice has announced the appointment of Nkateko Mabaso as the CEO of M-Net in SubSaharan Africa, effective immediately. Mabaso succeeds Yolisa Phahle who has stepped into the role of CEO of General Entertainment for the Video Entertain ment segment.

Sp e a k in g o n M a baso’s appointment, Phahle says; “Nkateko has been appointed in recognition of his continued commitment and contribution to local programming that audi-

ences love and watch in increasing numbers year on year. He is passionate about our continent’s film and television industry and I wish him every success.”

Over the last seven months in his position as acting CEO of MNet, Mabaso has been instrumental in driving and executing content strategies, including increased investment in local content and co-production initiatives. Under his leadership, local channels across the continent which include Africa Magic channels, Mai-

sha Magic East, Maisha Magic Bongo, Zambezi Magic, Mzansi Magic, 1Magic and others have produced highly talked-about local content and achieved consistent growth in audience and advertising revenue.

“I am incredibly excited to assume this new role and for the future of the company. I will continue to focus my efforts on local content creation to meet the growing audience demand for home-grown programming,” says Mabaso on his new role.

SEYI JOHN SALAU

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proper business incorporation and financial modelling is one of the key factors needed by Micro, Small and Medium scale Enterprises (MSMEs) to succeed and scale up their businesses, moving from the informal to formal sector of the economy.

Efe Ugboro, a UK-trained Nigerian lawyer made this suggestion at the recent launch of 618 Bees, a startup focused initiative targeted at helping Nigerian businesses escape the frustrations of incorporation, operations, filing, and taxation.

According to Ugboro, 618Bees.com was set up

to be the quickest way to get a company started in Nigeria. She opined that the company is launching with a focus on Nigeria with plans to open up to other African cities where aspiring entrepreneurs are facing similar challenges.

“618 Bees is a technology company using innovative solutions to help small, medium-sized, and big businesses succeed. We are the best way to get a company started, and we don’t stop there,” said Ugboro.

Ugboro, who has worked as a corporate lawyer in Nigeria and in the UK, before co-founding 618 Bees, says she’s dedicating her career to helping small businesses grow. “Working as a corpo-

rate lawyer, exposed me to the issues many businesses in Africa face. It’s difficult to register a business, difficult to understand all the issues around filing, taxation, and so much more. And most young businesses find themselves crumbling under the frustrations.

There are many who just wing it until they realise that they’re in a mess,” Ugboro stated.

This entrepreneurial drive amongst Nigerians may be considered a positive indicator, seeing the country’s unemployment rate stands at over 18%, while over 40% of the country’s labour force is either underemployed or jobless, according to data from Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

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SundayBusiness What home buyers need to know about arbitration in mortgage business

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n other jurisdictions where the mortgage system is fully developed and functional, it is almost the only means of owning homes unlike Nigeria where homeownership is largely through individual or household savings from generally very low income.

Though it is still on a very low scale, people still take mortgage as a source of housing finance in which case they are involved in a form of business transaction that has to do with borrowing and lending.

Like in any other business transactions and, indeed, human and commercial relationships, disputes are inevitable.

Frequently, in a mortgage business, cases of default arise that need legal interpretation and settlement.

People who want to buy homes, especially those that apply for mortgage loans and even tenants in landlords houses ought to know that there are rules which protect and also expose them in the event of a dispute on a property which mortgage has been taken.

In Lagos State, for instance, a good number of residents who want to own homes have applied for the state’s mort-

gage scheme called Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (LagosHOMS) which has been modified into Rentto-Own housing scheme by the current administration in the state.

But that initiative which was the brain child of the Babatunde Fashola administration serves as a model mortgage scheme where the rules guiding mortgage loan are quite clear even though those rules were violated in some cases.

In anticipation that disputes would arise with the full operation and enforcement of its tenancy law which was put up as an accompaniment of the mortgage scheme , the state government launched its homeownership scheme along with housing arbitration rules.

The launching of the arbitration law, the mortgage scheme and the tenancy law were a step towards the homeownership scheme while the scheme is a step towards homeownership with minimum stress.

Housing Arbitration Rules are aimed to take care of likely and/or anticipated disputes from the implementation of a mortgage scheme.

The objective of arbitration rules is always to provide for fair, impartial, speedy, cost-ef-

fective and binding resolutions of disputes arising from the mortgage transactions under this mortgage scheme. Under rules, each party in a mortgage transaction will have a reasonable opportunity to present his case and to respond to that of the other party. The arbitrator and the parties are expected to do all things necessary to achieve that objective.

Supo Sasore, a governorship aspirant and former Chief Judge and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, says the homeownership mortgage scheme and housing arbitration rules of the state were milestones by the state government.

Sasore who was the chairman of the committee set up by the state government to draft the housing arbitration rules for the state recalls that the committee was set up to formulate policies for the implementation of the mortgage scheme.

“The rules are to be read in conjunction with the Lagos State Arbitration Law 2009, hereinafter called the Arbitration Law 2009 or any other law agreed to, and the Deed of Mortgage entered into by the disputing parties with common expressions having the same meaning.

Talking Mortgage with CHUKA UROKO (08037156969, chukuroko@yahoo.com)

“Words that are not defined by the Arbitration Law 2009 or the Deed of Mortgage shall be given legal meaning”, he says, adding that after the arbitrator has been appointed under these rules, the parties may not, without the Arbitrator’s agreement, amend the rules or impose procedures that conflict with them.

Article 1 of the Rules says the Arbitrator shall have the power to resolve all disputes arising from the mortgaged property or the Mortgage Deed in a fair and just manner. It adds that, subject to the agreement of the parties, the agreement to arbitrate under these Rules is mandatory and irrevocable.

Request for, and commencement of arbitration as contained in Article 2 of the Rules stipulates that a party to a mortgage under this scheme who, in accordance with the Mortgage Deed wishes to have a dispute resolved under these Rules shall deliver to

Atican Beach Estate berths in Lekki Sam Muogho

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s the housing deficit in the country persists, the built environment is being inundated with more builders and developers.

While some offer sight and service, others build and sell houses and apartments; yet for others, it is a combination of both.

In this situation, there has been complaints of quality of the houses being put up for sale by developers, including the outrageous prices placed on them, making it difficult for people who really need the houses to afford them.

Concerned about this development, a property firm in Lagos says it is upping the ante in property delivery.

The Marketing Director, Atican Beachview Estate, Ridwan Atiku, said his firm, Atican Nigeria Limited, which started the construction of its pilot estate in 2015, has completed its first phase – the Atican Beachview Estate.

Atiku said the motivation for entering into the market was because many people

had complained about the less attractive houses being showcased in the industry.

“People are building, so we needed to build homes for people, not houses. What other real estate companies are doing mostly is to build houses, which they can’t live in. But, we build homes at Atican Nigeria Limited. So, that is why we entered into the property market,” Atiku explained.

The Atican Beachview Estate is a serene estate built on 4.3 hectares and located within the Lekki Scheme II in Lagos. The offerings range from four-bedroom fully detached house to three bedroom terrace house.

The four-bedroom fully detached house is built on a space of 300 square meters (sqm).

Its features includes four large en suite bedrooms, two living room, large kitchen space and store, one boys quarters, parking space for five cars, and a beautiful balcony view The four and five-bedroom semi-detached house option also has the features like the fully detached. However, it boasts of a parking lots capacity for seven cars, as it sits on a land space of between 320 and 330 sqm. Also is the four

bedroom duplex, having the same features.

For those with smaller family size, Atican Beachview estate also provides quality homes in the form of three bedroom terrace house, sitting on a land space of 180-200 sqm. In this category also is the Comoact three bedroom duplex with features which includes three compact en suite bedrooms; one living room, moderate kitchen space and store; one boys’ quarter; parking space for three cars. These houses go for between N35 million and N50 million.

“Ventilation is very key to us.

Unlike other developers, we try not to use up all the space on the land. So, at least, if you have a 300sqm land, we only build on around 200 out of it and leave 100 for other essentials that would be on the land.

That is what we mostly do,” the marketing manager explained.

Atiku explained that all the buildings come with beautiful balcony which owners can relax in and enjoy the cool breeze from the Okun-Ajah beach, lying a few meters away from the estate. Besides, he explained that a home owner in the estate becomes an au-

tomatic member of the Atican Beach exclusive club, with free access to the facilities at the beach at any time; this comes at no extra cost.

“From this place, you get fresh air from the ocean. That is good for your soul. That is why we built it to make sure that the people that can live longer. We do our own part to add to their years,” Atiku said.

Besides, he said the houses are also available in carcass form, giving room for the buyer to finish the house to his own taste. At present, the promoters of this estate said there were plans to facilitate mortgage for owners by introducing prospective buyers to some banks willing to partner them on the project.

Interestingly, land is also available in this estate- at 600sqm and 300sqm for all forms of building construction at between N15 million and N20 million. However, a buyer will have to conform to the approved exterior design provided by the promoters to achieve uniformity. He will also have to abide with the approved quality of structures by the team of engineers of the firm.

the executive secretary of the Lagos Court of Arbitration a written request for arbitration setting forth the facts that have given rise to the reference to arbitration.

The Rules make provisions for award of costs by the Arbitrator, and subject to any agreement between the parties, the cost of arbitration shall be pegged at two percent of the value of the purchase price to be shared in equal part by the parties.

The Rules add that subject to any agreement between the parties, the Arbitrator shall have the discretion to award the proportion of the cost to the costs of the arbitration that each party shall bear. It stresses that, in allocating costs, the Arbitrator shall have regard to all material circumstances including that have led to the incurring of the substantial costs and whether or not it was successful and the degree of success of each party.

Life Progress Booster set to empower entrepreneurs in Asaba

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ife Continental lager beer will be taking its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Life Progress Booster to Asaba. The brand recently empowered 37 entrepreneurs with the sum of N300, 000 each in the just concluded Enugu and Anambra states editions.

Funso Ayeni, the national trade marketing manager of Nigerian Breweries Plc, said beneficiaries will be selected after thorough consideration of their business proposals. “Life Progress Booster is one of the company’s CSR targeted at driving the core conviction of the Igbo man to step out each day and believe that his chosen craft keeps him progressive,” said Ayeni.

To be part of the initiative, interested participants are required to submit their business proposals at designated drop points or visit Life Continental Beer website (life-nigeria. com) to send in their entries.

Shortlisted candidates will then proceed to pitch their existing businesses to a team of business experts and judges.

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SundayBusiness Taking agric to the next level: 58 years after Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

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he huge potentials inherent in the agriculture sector to revitalise Nigeria’s economy are not in doubt. Several experts have alluded to that fact. From the period of independence in 1960 till now, successive administrations have offered intervention through policies andprogrammesaimedatincreasing production, adding to the value chain via processing, preservation/storage, marketing and research findings.

But these measures have not achieved the much-desired effect because of policy flip-flops on the part of governments, and inadequate funding of research institutes.

Others include lack of coordination of activities policy implementation between the federal and state governments, the growing gap between the private sector and aforementioned governments and institutions as we and low budgetary allocation to the sector.

For instance, in July 2011 the

Spiritonomics

Debo Atiba

www.spiritonomics.org

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here is no one that does not need the assurance of the presence of God in their lives.

When we were young, the presence of our earthly father around us gave us immense confidence in the ability of our father. Fear was far from us, intimidation was nowhere to be found. Bullies became nonexistent where we were. It was like we were living in a different world, cocooned in protection. And the funniest thing is that we had no care about what was happening around us because, subconsciously deep down in our hearts we knew that our father loves us and will take care of things. The only thing we were good at was asking, demanding and somewhat commanding, and they were willing to give. Remembrance of this brought feeling of nostalgia to my mind.

Those were best of days supposedly; they were days we would all

then Central Bank Governor, Lamido Sanusi Lamido decried the fact that agriculture got a paltry 4 per cent of the nation’s annual budget. Painting the scenario better Lamido said that “Nigeria’s agricultural import bill stands at N630 billion annually. Large food products imports include wheat, N165 billion, fish N105 billion; rice N75 billion and sugar,N60 billion. In the interest of our dear nation, this trend must stop.” It would be recalled that Nigeria’s food import rose fromN3.47 billion in 1990 through N230 billion in 2003 to its current embarrassing status. Let us learn from Uganda that has over 80 percent of its population actively engaged in agriculture and depends less on food imports.

With the increasing devastating effects of global warming; characterised by the twin evils of upsurge in seasonal floods and fast encroaching desertification food shortfall is evident. With advanced economies utilizing more grains and root crops in bio-fuel production and fluctuations in oil revenue Nigerian government cannot afford to fold its arms while the citizens go hungry.

While food production is also threatened by diminishing arable land and the abysmally low interest shown by the youth, most of who have migrated to the urban cities, what is in place at the tertiary institutions is theoretical agriculture. The graduates of agriculture would prefer banking jobs than availing the rural populace of their relevant knowledge in terms of the best food production practices; the right farming methods, the use of high-yielding, disease-resistant and early-maturing hybrid seedlings and the right application of fertilizer.

So, what do agriculture experts feel is the best way out of the woods?

Let us learn from the past. Back in 2008, First Bank Plc sponsored and hosted the highly successful

International Conference on Food Security in Abuja. Experts were drawn from both local and international institutions and related orgainsations.

Amongst these were the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRAI), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the hugely popular Songhai Agriculture Centre, Port Novo, Benin Republic as well as Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG).

AccordingtoDr.AkinwumiAdesina then of AGRAI, “One major problem that would need to be addressed is the poor state of soil in Africa, nay Nigeria. It has been estimated that Africa loses about $4.5 billion of soil nutrients every year.” This has been going on for over thirty years. The situation is even made worse by the low utilization of fertilizers by African farmers. For instance, African farmers use only 8 kilogrammes of fertilizers per hectare as against China’s 200 kg and the global average of 140 kg.

Similarly, only 8 per cent of arable land is irrigated in Sub-Sahara Africa compared to 42 per cent in South Asia. Yet, there is a prediction by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that African countries including Nigeria are most likely to experience more droughts in the years to come. Specifically, out of Nigeria’s total arable land of 74.9 million hectares only 120,000hectares were under irrigation.

To solve the fertilizer challenge, AGRA made several millions of dollars available to develop agro-dealer networks in Nigeria by supporting the International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) to train thousands of agro-dealers in Nigeria. It also worked with commercial banks through credit guarantee so that they offered loans to agro-dealers to stock up seed and fertilizers in their shops.

On his part, Reverend Father Godfrey Nzamujo, the Nigerian who left the country due to lack of the needed encouragement to establish the Songhai Centre said that the answer to Nigeria’s food problem lies in a new approach to farming. For modern farming to be productive all avenue of waste must be blocked.

For instance, at Songhai Centre the wastes from one system become the raw materials for another. He has admonished African farmers to drop the conventional approach to farming for more sustainable modern methods. To him there is need to evolve technology-based farming.

This could elevate many farms to resource centres.

UsingSonghaiCentreascasestudy Nzamujo reiterated that government has its part to play.”In Porto Novo government is chipping in by giving us free land and tax exemption. It has since become a real production centre for creating jobs and wealth. It is more than $12 million dollar project a year.

It is a research centre where we are developing new techniques; where entrepreneurs are trained. In addition, Songhai Centre goes beyond the primary production of fish, animals and crops. They are processed to add the needed economic value.”

What more, the Centre is into building machines and organizing marketing. It is getting marketing sources from everywhere and they deliver. Songhai is more than 80 percent financier. It has the determination and the manpower that turn their ideas into wealth. That is why banks want to work with the company.

The million naira question is why can’t the Federal Government call on Nzamujo and other well-heeled agric experts to come back home and set up similar centres that integrate agricultural production, processing

and marketing while minimizing waste? Songhai’s ability to bridge the gap that exists between production and production, research centres and the ministry of trade and investment is what Nigeria should be doing now.

In the light of this we do hope that the decision made by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to boost agricultural products processing would see the light of day.

It is on record that Nigeria would make more money from the processed cocoa beans, cashew nuts, coffee, sesame seeds and cassava than their raw materials. According to Adesina Nigerian has to move from the bottom to the top of the value chain. Nigeria can process cassava into high quality cassava flour, ethanol, livestock feeds and pellets. It can increase the 10 percent cassava flour policy to 30 percent as Brazil has since adapted into pastries.

According to Dr. Dick Cook of USAID, what is necessary is to develop market and technology which should be put within the reach of rural farmers that should be transformed into modern food producers. In a similar vein, Dr. Bayo Aromolaran of the University of Technolgy, Abeokuta there is the urgent need to train agricultural entrepreneurs and technologists instead of scientists The experts have spoken. Will the Nigerian government listen to them and take the sector to the next level?

The answer is blowing in the wind.

by Christ Jesus. (Phil.4:19).

•The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. (Ps.34:10) •I will not withhold anything that is good… (Ps. 84:11) •I am the Lord that heals you…

(Ex.15:26) •Fear not, I Will help you. (Is. 41:10-13) •Be of good cheer I have overcome the world. (John 16:33).

•I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places.

That you may know that I, the Lord, who calls you by your name, Am the God of Israel. (Is.45:2-3).

•Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away (Matthew 24:35) If these and many others are the words spoken to us by a loving father, father of all fathers and yet we are finding it difficult to believe, then we are not worthy to be called believers. It is indeed very sad to have these much love poured out to us in His spoken WORD and we handle them with a pinch of salt.

The journey of Jesus to our world was to make our journey in life to be free of hardship and challenges.

What He suffered was an exchange for what we should never suffer.

The enemy we are up against will pervert the truth with the sole aim of preventing us from ever taking God at his words. He is a skilled tactician that colors situations to make it fit his narrative of a wicked God. So what are we expected to do to regain this life of beauty freely given to us by our loving father?

•Surrender your life to Him and allow Him have control. Where you are today is a proof of how good a driver you are. Let Him take control of your life.

•Treasure His words (Is.55:11).

•Believe what He says by acting on it, for it is not the hearers alone that is blessed but the doers…

(James1:22-25) •Be patient to see his word manifest in your life, scripture says we should follow those who through faith and patience inherit the promise (Heb.6:12).

•Let your words always agree with His words irrespective of the situation you are faced with.

As we grow in our walk of faith by practicing what we are thought, it becomes very easy for us to be a believer in words and deeds, this makes for great confidence.

Remain blessed as you put these to work. @spiritonomics

Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media ayobaje@yahoo.co.uk; 08057971776

Confident living love to return to if we had our ways.

But were they really the best of days?

Were we really supposed to think we could return back to that time when there was no care? No bills to pay, no aches of anything be it of heart or of body? It was as though ease was what life was designed for and truly it was worth fantasizing about.

As beautiful as that experience was, it cannot be compared to the presence of God. Scripture says “Which of you fathers, if your son asks fora fish, will give him a snake instead?

Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give… !”(Lk.11:11-13).

One of the most difficult things to do for a believer is to believe in the presence of an unseen God. What a paradox! Believers that got their names from believing, are now finding it difficult to believe, what a contradiction! What a confused set of people! Take note that, every worrying believer is an unbeliever, every fretful believer is an unbeliever.

Every believer that lacks confidence is an unbeliever, it does not matter the title we carry or the position we occupy in the church, we are unbelievers if we doubt the presence of an unseen God and His power to help us.

We are living in the real world and what I am saying is real, and I know what I am talking about. This was the same problem the children of God had, which prevented them from ever entering the Promised Land. And God brought it home and warned us in (Heb.3:12) saying that, “we should be careful let there be found in us an evil heart of unbelief that we should depart from the living God’’. Old Testament is not old after all, if what was said is still happening in the present dispensation. If I am wrong, what God spoke about and warned us about should not be happening right now in our generation where words spoken by God has no meaning. Would anyone by chance please tell me what these words mean?

1. I will never leave you nor forsake you so that you can boldly say that the Lord is your helper and you shall not fear what man can do unto you.

(Heb.13:5) 2. But the LORD is with me like a strong defender. Therefore, my oppressors will stumble and not prevail. They will be disgraced by their own failures. Their dishonor will never be forgotten. (Jer. 20:11) •For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. (Ps.91:11) •But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory

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SundayBusiness

Agribusiness will create jobs, guarantee food sufficiency – Expert JEREMIAH MBATA

Politics: The New Tribe of Africans Fighting Poverty and Changing the Face of the Continent’.

Umoru said it was time for Nigerians to think outside the box and begin navigating towards ensuring that the country becomes sustainable and sufficient in food production in order to fix the country.

Highlighting some of the major problems in the agricultural sector, she said problems in agribusiness can be leveraged to increase income.

“People may say the availability of good seeds in the agricultural sec-

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igerians have been called upon to invest heavily in agriculture to fix the country’s high unemployment rate as well as guarantee internal food sufficiency.

Cynthia Mosunmola Umoru, a farmer/agribusiness entrepreneur and founder/CEO of Farmshoppe, made the call at this year’s ‘The Platform Nigeria’ which held on October 1 at the Covenant Christian Centre, IganmuLagos. This year’s addition had the theme ‘Beyond

Jamoh

Chivita rolls out ‘Frooty Happy Hour’ in 100ml pouches

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hi Limited, makers of Happy Hour by Chivita Fruit Drink, have launched Frooty Happy Hour by Chivita. The new fruit drink which is available in 100ml pouches is touted as a healthy, refreshing, fruit flavoured drink with exciting variants that offer an instant shot of refreshment for consumers.

Retailing at a N25 price

point, Frooty Happy Hour

by Chivita is currently viewed as the most affordable quality product in the market. It is a healthy beverage as it offers natural fruity benefits as well as provides high quality refreshment for the mind and body.

Along with its handy pack size which resonates with an upwardly mobile youthful consumer segment desirous of rejuvenating

satisfaction anytime and anywhere, Frooty Happy Hour by Chivita further seeks to increase its appeal and create a connection with consumers with three intriguing variants of Orange, Pineapple and Red Berries.

The brand’s tagline of “a shot of refreshment” highlights a consistent and memorable brand message that communicates its promise of unrivalled

refreshment. At its core is a promise to deliver a shot of affordable fruity refreshing goodness with each consumer experience.

Speaking about the new product, Managing Director of Chi Limited, Deepanjan Roy, said that Frooty Happy Hour by Chivita was introduced to invigorate and tap into a market demand for more affordable options of great tasting, refreshing and healthy drinks.

Alleged N1bn fraud: ICPC arraigns ex-Kebbi governor, Dakingari Felix Omohomhion, Abuja

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he immediate past Governor of Kebbi State, Saidu Usman Nasamu Dakingari, has been docked before Honourable Justice Ismail Haruna Bashir of Kebbi State High Court 2, sitting in Birnin Kebbi, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for alleged misapplication of the sum of N1,094,320,000.00 belonging to the state.

The ICPC in a press statement by Rasheedat

A. Okoduwa, Spokesperson for the Commission, Wednesday, said former Governor was accused of conniving with the then Commissioner of Finance, Mohammed Bello Tunga and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Garba Rabiu Kamba to defraud the State of the sum of N349,475,000. The fund was meant for the provision of power generators and “other logistics” for all polling units in Kebbi State for the 2015 general elections.

Tunga and Kamba are already facing prosecution

by the Commission at the Kebbi State High Court.

However, immediately after the commencement of proceedings today (03/10/2018), the court was informed that Tunga, the former Commissioner of Finance had passed on.

Consequently, the prosecution counsel by way of oral motion prayed the court to strike out the late commissioner’s name, which was granted.

Dakingari, who was the state governor between 2007 and 2015, was further accused of conspiring with his political asso-

ciates to misappropriate the sum of N430,000,000 which was released to provide logistics support for security agencies during the 2015 general elections.

The two-time Kebbi State Governor was also charged of siphoning N315,000,000 which was approved and disbursed to enable Imams and Mallams organize sensitization and enlightenment programmes against religious incitement of supporters for the 2015 general elections in the 21 Local Government Areas of Kebbi State.

tor is a problem, but if thought about, it can also be a business opportunity which will involve researchers, seed technicians. That is one industry that is waiting to happen,” Umoru said.

She said most seeds grown in the country are, to a large extent, imported, thereby limiting improvement in the agricultural sector of the economy and in turn growing the economies of other countries.

“The greatest land resource lies in the belly of Africa and the world is waiting for Africa to feed them,” she said.

The Platform Nigeria is a gathering of thought leaders to deliberate on nation building and how to develop the people’s potentials. It is a global media event which holds twice every year-on May 1 (Workers’ Day) and October 1 (Independence Day).

Other speakers at this year’s event include Poju Oyemade, senior pastor and organizer of ‘The Platform Nigeria’; Bosun Tijani, CEO of Co-creative Hub (CcHub); Orondaam Otto, founder of Slum2school A frica; Clare Akamanzi, CEO, Rwanda Development Board, amongst others.

Dell EMC launches PowerVault ME4 Series ...to help small, medium businesses modernise IT

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ell EMC has introduced the Dell EMC PowerVault ME4 Series, the next generation family of its entry-level data storage arrays designed for small- and medium-sized businesses.

The PowerVault ME4 Series, according to Dell EMC, can help organisations modernise IT and boost application performance, packing allinclusive enterprise features into a product that is simple, fast and affordable.

New data from IDC say Dell’s 31.6 percent revenue share lead in the External Entry Storage segment is more than the next six competitors combined. Dell EMC has an install base of more than 400,000 PowerVault units worldwide.

Small- and medium-sized businesses have similar needs to larger enterprises but must meet those needs in the face of smaller budgets and fewer IT support staff.

Balancing price and performance is a reality for these organisations, along with selecting storage solutions that are simple to use and manage. Dell EMC designed the PowerVault ME4 Series to meet these needs by offering a feature-rich, yet affordable storage array that is easy to

install and use, the company said in a note.

“Earlier this year, we made a commitment to simplify and streamline our storage portfolio to make it easier for customers to do business with us,” said Jeff Boudreau, president and GM of Storage, Dell EMC. “The new PowerVault ME4 Series is a key part of that strategy at the entry level, designed for customers looking for an affordable, yet fully featured storage array that’s optimised for SAN and DAS virtualized workloads,” Boudreau said.

The new PowerVault ME4 Series family delivers significant increases over previous Dell EMC entry systems in capacity, performance, simplicity and features, the company said. Dell EMC built the PowerVault ME4 Series with 75 percent more drives to increase raw storage capacity by 122 percent, while also boosting read IOPS performance by 4X. It is ideal for a wide range of block-based storage use cases such as video surveillance, HPC, virtualization/VDI, entry SAN, low cost consolidation, video editing, NoSQL databases, direct attached and OEM solutions.

Every aspect of the Pow-

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BrandsOnSunday SPOTLIGHTING BRAND VALUE

Nigeria’s brand pillars rot away

laboration with private sector for diversification of the economy towards achieving development but allowing those government-owned edifices to lie waste for several years without handing them over to the private sector for management and payment of handsome royalties to FG is unthinkable.

This failure on government part does not demonstrate walking the talk of diversification and seeking more income streams for itself (government).

Recently, government reiterated this desire to seek deep and genuine collaboration with the private sector to expand the nation’s economy from the 1.5 percent growth rate to enable wealth creation and job opportunities.

The country’s unemployment rate increased to 18.80 percent in the third quarter of 2017 from 16.20 percent in the second quarter of 2017 due to the sluggish economy, but Buhari government believes that with strong collaboration with the organised private sector and members of EU, certain economic indices will begin to look up.

Conveying the desire of the government at the 7th EU- Nigeria business forum in Lagos, Senior Special assistant to the President on job creation, Afolabi Imoukuede said the essence of economic growth that the government is championing is that it will be a private sector driven but government enabled strategy. “That defines the need for collaboration between private and public sectors and all other entities such as countries that represent the European Union and business within the European Union. This is one way in which we can grow the economy” Officials in a developing country like Nigeria that is in a hurry to meet its peers such as Asian Tigers, comprising Singapore, Malaysia etc, need to continuously adopt strategies for better economic governance. Nigeria at this time does not need waste of any resource but utilisation of every opportunity for economic growth and job creation.

Government should as a matter of urgency, adopt strategies to put the abandoned structures to good use not only to create jobs, create wealth but to improve the identity and face of Nigeria.

verification for the security equipment. We believe our partnership with you would be a win-win situation.

“As we speak, some other paramilitary forces such as Civil Defence, Immigration are making great demand for some of the essential defence related items. So, the challenge for us is to meet such increasing demand. I just hope that you as our partner do not delay in providing the essential security items.

“If I may add, I believe with the state of the art research and development facilities we have on ground, your company should be able to work together with us to help bring about new innovations.

I believe as we go on, we

would have more areas of collaboration”.

In his remarks, the Chairman of EPAIL, Kola Balogun described the partnership between the company and DICON as a sign of good things to come for Nigeria stressing that EPAIL is ready and prepared to meet the increasing demand of military hardware.

While commending the leadership team of DICON for its commitment to ensure a well-equipped military force, Balogun stated that he is delighted that the defence parastatal was exploring possible ways to provide military hardware that would be needed to combat hydraheaded security challenges confronting the nation.

DANIEL OBI

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or many years, Nigeria has allowed some of its national valued assets to lie desolate but the country has instead continued to look elsewhere for funds to meet national obligations. The assets such as National Theatre, Federal Secretariat, Ikoyi, Lagos and a host of others scattered across the country, are ordinarily national brand enablers, but today they are shadow of themselves. They are today, creating negative perception of a nation that is not serious.

These assets scattered all over the federation can be turned into good use by the private sector to raise funds for projects. The waste candidly is not a sign of seriousness of a country in a hurry to create wealth for its citizens.

Federal Secretariat, Ikoyi, has been abandoned for over 20 years without generating any income for the nation.

This year, government says it will borrow N1.6 trillion to finance part of the N9.12 trillion 2018 budget.

Nigeria has grown its debt portfolio by N9.61trn. The Debt Management Office (DMO), in a report said that the Federal Government has so far in August borrowed N410 billion domestically to fund the 2018 budget. This is as the country’s domestic and external debt (the Federal Government and 36 States and the FCT), as at June 30, stands at N22.38 trillion ($73.21 billion).

The government will keep borrowing heavily if there are no mechanisms locally

to grow revenue which will supplement little borrowing to meet infrastructure building obligations.

The abandonment of the 15-storey Federal Secretariat Ikoyi complex which was once a toast of pride for the nation is just one of those edifices neglected by the Nigerian government for several years. Other structures abandoned are Independence building at Tafawa Belewa Square, Lagos; National Stadium, Lagos; National Theatre, Lagos among several others.

Last year, Special Adviser to the Lagos State governor on Central Business District, Agboola Dabiri identified up to 60 abandoned Nigerian government buildings in Lagos alone which he said have been converted to criminal

hideouts where hoodlums perpetrate their nefarious activities.

It is incomprehensible why successive administrations in Nigeria have allowed these structures to lie waste and not bothered to put them into the hands of the private sector, either on lease basis or PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) arrangement to generate the needed income for the Federal Government.

“Is this how the entire economy is run?” a passerby at the Federal Secretariat Ikoyi, shaking his head in bewilderment, simply asked.

“For this edifice and others like that to lie waste for this number of years simply means that Nigerian government is either not thinking, not serious about the much-

talked about diversification or that the government is contented with easy oil money,” the concerned citizen said.

Statistics show the distribution of the gross domestic product (GDP) across economic sectors in Nigeria, indicating that in 2017, agriculture contributed around 20.85 percent to the GDP of Nigeria, 22.32 percent came from the industry and 55.8 percent from the services sector. Oil accounts for about 9 percent and unfortunately 95 percent of government revenue comes from oil. This explains why unemployment is increasing in Nigeria as serious attention has not been paid to other sectors.

Over time, government has said that it is seeking col-

DICON partners EPAIL to manufacture defence equipment locally

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efence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), a parastatal under the Ministry of Defence has entered into a strategic arrangement with Equipment Protective Applications International Limited (EPAIL) for the production of defence equipment which include ballistic vests, ballistic helmets among other defence related equipment or items.

This was disclosed during a visit by DICON leadership team headed by the Director General, DICON, Major General, Bamidele Ogunkale to EPAIL facility located at Lagos Ibadan Expressway, Ogun state recently.

EPAIL is an affiliate of

MOMAS group of companies that is responsible for the provision of security solutions to essential assets and infrastructure nationwide.

Shortly after the visit, according to a statement, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the two parties (DICON & EPAIL) that would see to the production of military hardware for the Nigerian military.

According to the joint venture agreement signed by both parties, the arrangement would ensure local manufacture and production of critical military items and defence related equipment as well as transfer of technologies especially in the areas of tool and tooling produc-

tion which would be needed by the Nigerian military and other security agencies.

Ogunkale therefore praised the EPAIL team for what he described as a world class facility capable of meeting the essential needs of the Nigerian Military.

He said “We are impressed with what we have seen so far particularly with the level of investment in the facility and the fact that it is an indigenous company. In fact, we are proud to be associated with this company as it has given us opportunity to look inward to address the issue of insufficient military hardware” he said in the statement.

He noted that the two companies (DICON &

EPAIL) would complement each other by combining technical knowhow with the facility with a view to ensure all the essential defence related equipment are readily made available locally thereby removing a lot of encumbrances associated with importing security equipment into the country.

He said” We are happy to be here and glad that you have the space and the facility. Although the joint venture agreement may not be as deep as you would think, we are hoping that going forward it would expand.

For us, we are excited to kick start the agreement as soon as possible. More so, we are glad that EPAIL is ready to provide certification and

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EquityMarket Cornerstone, Royal Exchange, 20 others trade below 50 kobo as equities lose N140bn WTD TELIAT SULE

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ornerstone Insurance, Royal Exchange and Sunu Insurance led the list of listed stocks that presently trade below their nominal values of 50 kobo per share. As at the close of business on October 5, 2018, the share prices of the three listed aforementioned firms closed at 20 kobo per share, representing 60 percent depreciation in share prices year to date.

Next on the list is Tantalizer, that closed at 21 kobo per share, translating to -58 percent depreciation in share price YTD. Thomas Wyatt at 23 kobo, and Japaul Oil, Regency Assurance, and Sovereign Trust Insurance each trading at 24 kobo, complete the list of the worst performing stocks on the Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE) as at the first week of the last quarter of 2018.

Mutual Benefit traded at 26 kobo a share while Chams’ last trading price was 28 kobo per share.

Others are Hallmark Insurance, 29 kobo; ABC Transport, Niger Insurance and Veritas Kapital, each trading at 30 kobo; Lasaco Insurance and Union Dicon at 31 kobo each; Guinea Insurance, 32 kobo; Multitrex, 36 kobo; Wapic, 40 kobo, while First Aluminum and RT Briscoe traded at 42 kobo each.

Daar Communications at 44 kobo per share completes the list of the 22 listed firms which traded less than 50 kobo on October 5, 2018.

Meanwhile, the losing streaks continued on the Nigerian Stock Exchange last week as the All Share Index(ASI) further shed points to

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SL Stockbrokers and Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers have topped the activity chart in the first week of October 2018. The former led the activity chart by volume while the latter topped the activity chart by value.

On the volume chart, CSL Stockbrokers executed 266.6 million shares which accounted for 21.02 percent of the entire market transactions in between October 2 through October 5, 2018. Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers sold 100.9 million shares to account for 7.96 percent of the market trades during the same period. FBN Quest Securities came third with the sale of 69.7 million shares to account for 5.5 percent of the market activity by volume.

Capital Express Securities sold 55.8 million shares to account for 4.4 percent of the market activity by volume. Morgan Capital

Securities was ranked fifth as it sold 53.2 million shares and with that accounted for 4.2 percent of the market activity by volume.

Others among the top ten most performing stockbroking firms by volume are Cardinalstone Securities that sold 50.6 million shares (3.9%); EFCP Limited, 41.32 million shares (3.3%); Readings Investment Limited, 30.7 million shares(2.4%); Rencap Securities, 30 million shares (2.3%); and Equity Capital Solutions that sold 28.3 million shares and accounted for 2.2 percent of the market share by volume. The top ten stockbrokers accounted for 56.87 percent of the entire market activity by volume.

Meanwhile, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers led the activity chart by value. The value of the transactions executed by Stanbic Stockbrokers amounted to N2.32 billion representing 14.8 percent of the entire market activity by value. It was followed by FBN Quest Securities, which by executing N2.04 billion worth of

tion of the listed stocks ended the week at N11.82 trillion which amounted to a loss of N139.91 billion in the first week of October.

Union Bank appoints Mbulu as Chief Financial Officer

CSL, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers top activity chart in October TELIAT SULE

close lower year to date. ASI closed at 32,383.15 to end the week with -15.32 percent YTD. Similarly, the market capitalisa-

transactions during the period accounted for 13 percent of the market value. CSL Stockbrokers traded N1.75 billion worth of transactions to account for 11.2 percent of the market value.

EFCP Limited executed N1.49 billion worth of trade to account for N9.5 percent of the market value.

Furthermore, Rencap Securities traded N1.15 billion shares representing 7.4 percent of the market share. Chapelhill Denham Securities executed N1.07 billion worth of trade to account for 6.9 percent while Capital Express Securities traded N677.1 million shares to account for 4.3 percent of the market value.

Others are MBC Securities, N647.6 million (4.1%); Cordros Securities, N473.22 million; and RMB Nigeria Stockbrokers which sold N453.7 million worth of shares to account for 2.9 percent of the market share by value. The top ten stockbrokers accounted for 77.12 percent of the market value from 2nd to 5th October 2018.

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nion Bank of Nigeria (UBN) has appointed Joseph Mbulu as the chief financial officer. The decision was taken at the meeting of the Board of Directors of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc held on 25th of September 2018.

His appointment follows the retirement of Oyinkansade Adewale, the immediate past CFO, from the bank.

The board noted Oyinkansade Adewale’s retirement from the board and the bank after six years, having joined the bank in 2012, shortly after its recapitalisation by new investors.

The retirement takes effect from the 30th of September 2018.

Emeka Emuwa, Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank, said, “The Board, Management and Staff of Union Bank are very grateful for the transformational work Oyinkan did in rebuilding the Bank’s Finance function to effectively support our business objectives. Union Bank has benefitted immensely from her experience and expertise, and her contributions have helped position the Bank for the future.”

Before his current appointment, Joseph Mbulu was the Transformation Director and Finance Business Manager (Deputy CFO). His appoint-

ment takes effect from 1st October 2018 subject to the CBN approval.

Mbulu joined Union Bank in August 2014, to direct and lead its transformation. He has over 23 years professional experience with world-class competences in financial management & analysis, organizational & business transformation, strategy/ operational consulting and project/ program management in the financial services, information, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and media industries.

Prior to joining Union Bank, Mbulu was the Chief Operating Officer for the Domestic Bank business unit of Ecobank Transnational (“ETI”), where he coordinated strategy formulation and execution for the banking group’s retail, SME, local corporate and public sector businesses. Before ETI, Joe led Strategy & Business Transformation at former Bank PHB. He also served as the Vice President for Business Transformation in the Global Finance Organization at Nielsen in New York.

Mr. Mbulu holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, Pennsylvania, an MSc in Finance from Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, and BSc in Agricultural Economics from the University of Benin.

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Arts Raqib Bashorun and his abstract art Stories by OBINNA EMELIKE

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f you have ever thought of seeing a body artwork that will leave you with different impressions, then you have to see the works of Raqib Bashorun. Many say his works are thought-provoking, others say his art is inspiring, while visual art connoisseurs insist his art is abstract and appeals to the mature minds. But funny enough, teenagers and children who see his works during exhibitions prefer taking pictures with them.

No doubt, Bashorun is one of Nigeria’s most avantgarde sculptors. Of course, what set the leading contemporary sculptor apart from the new generation are the geometric and abstract forms, as well as, the rigidity and hardness of his sculpture.

With his preferred media of wood and metal, the artist employs diversely colored and textured wood interspersed and intertwined with metal scraps, tools, nails, or pipes to create intricately embellished and clad artworks. He creates simplified metal forms that show deep integrity of design and symbolism, as well as, sculpts complex patterned works that create a powerful ebb and flow of sculptural meaning and message.

Bashorun belongs to

an exceptional, but older established generation of sculptors who have firmly inculcated the practice of employing unconventional techniques and media including recycled and found materials in their interrogation of the larger society.

For the past 30 years, Bashorun who was born in 1955 has focused on issues of waste, recycling, and environmental sustainability, skillfully using found materials, which he expertly reproduces as objects of beauty, form and function.

However, in the last decade, the sculptor has increasingly explored new directions and possibilities with the incorporation of recycled and found material from his immediate environment, most notably metal in form of aerosol and soda cans, as well as, domestic accessories like table cutlery.

Recently retired to full time studio work after 20 years teaching art at the Yaba College of Technology, Bashorun’s philosophy is hinged on the power of numbers, which he expresses in his work through detail and repetition. He expertly uses nails, pegs, can tops and other re-valued materials to reflect on Africa’s need to tap into its most important resource, its people, and focus on a knowledge-based economy.

“Most of my work addresses political issues and the power of numbers. Nigeria has over 150 million people. I use repetition in my work to address this issue.

We are wasting our power of numbers. We need to harness and use the power of numbers for our own advantage”, Bashorun explains.

His exemplary career as an artist and teacher is

marked by significant exhibitions held in the United States and Nigeria.

Some of his solo exhibitions include; Evolving in Discovery (2013) at Terra Kulture, Evolving through Waste (2014) and Evolving in 360(2015) both at Omenka Gallery.

He also had some joint exhibitions, especially Evolving Currents, which he jointly held with Chika Idu, a painter, from April 18-June 16, 2016.

Explaining some of his works at the exhibition, Bashorun says: “My works are individually inspired by differently elements, mood and environment”.

In sculptures such as Eastern Dragon, Bashorun’s artistry comes to light in his use of heavy metal machine spare parts to create a dragon rearing its defiant head, blazing eyes fixed on its enemy while its mane of

nails stands erect. The artist was inspired by the ancient Chinese dragon, a symbol of power and resilience, and Asia’s ability to harness and unleash its people to become a global force.

In Whistle Blower, Bashorun creates a hemisphere filled with thick intertwined metal chords protruding and seemingly growing out of a satellite shaped sphere.

This sculpture symbolizes the inter-connectedness of life and complex digital communication while exposing and revealing secret innards.

Bashorun’s prevalent use of the Socratic method of teaching comes through in his art as requires his audience to keep questioning. In Window Dressing, Bashorun makes fun of the flamboyant and materialistic “Eko for Show” spirit of Lagosians by creating a female form with dramatic and flashy

headdress and ostentatious oversized jewelry made out of nails and metal scraps.

With humour and deft symbolism Bashorun comments on society’s garish superficiality which is evolving but not progressing.

As well, in his latest exhibition at Omenka Gallery Ikoyi, Lagos tagged, ‘Realm of Freedom’, Bashorun displayed his recent and inspiring works. The exhibition, which held from March 18-April 5, 2017, unveils the artist’s ability to effortlessly blend metal, wood and other found objects.

“This body of work was inspired by the thought of the common agitations we all share irrespective of race, tribe or nationality and the tsunami of hardships meted out to us”, Oliver Enwonwu, director, Omenka Gallery, says regarding Bashorun’s recent exhibition.

For Sandra Mbanefo Obiago, director, SMO Contemporary Art Lagos, ”Beyond the creative ingenuity Bashorun brings to bear in his art, the artist has spent the better part of his career teaching art and inspiring young talent to find their own expression, hence is experienced and mentor in his own right”.

Now 63, Bashorun believes he is yet to optimize his creative ingenuity, more aspiring and willing youths to mentor and more to give to the society through his art.

Generation Africa calls for submissions on new narratives

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eneration Africa is a documentary film project aimed at stimulating a new narrative on migration through the stories made by African filmmakers, and particularly young filmmakers.

The project is presented

by South Africa based nonprofit Steps (Social Transformation and Empowerment Projects) through AfriDocs, the first and only free global streaming platform for African documentaries. (www. afridocs.net) The topic of migration has dominated world news for some time, polarizing societies in the West as governments scramble to get a handle on what they view as a dire ‘immigration crisis’. As the ‘crisis’ grows, negative images and portrayals of Africa and Africans are proliferated more and more.

Cumulatively these images contribute to a singular narrative told about African migration without the inclusion of African voices.

Therefore, many facts that go untold such as the fact that migration within Africa is higher than from the continent, or that Uganda hosts the third highest number of refugees in the world.

Africa also currently is the continent with the largest population of youth in the world, and is projected to have a population of over 840 million young people by 2050. This could spell a boom of growth for the continent, or escalating challenges, depending on how the continent responds.

Generation Africa is a collaboration with African filmmakers to create documentaries that will shift this narrative on migration, and also give insights into

a young generation on the move and making moves. “ We a r e l o o k i n g f o r compelling, nuanced and unpredictable stories that celebrate the achievements of African youth on the continent,” explains Don Edkins, executive producer, STEPS. “The focus for the project is

East and West Africa, as well as, the Horn of Africa, but we will consider stories from the entire continent if they are compelling.”

Filmmakers can submit up to three story ideas in the form of a one page synopsis, along with a CV, filmography, and links to previous works.

Submissions are invited from filmmakers who have made at least one documentary that has been broadcast or shown at a film festival.

Selected stories will be invited to take part in development workshops in East Africa, and West Africa (Anglophone and Francophone).

Steps is passionate about the power of documentaries to disrupt, shift, and transform the world around us.

They work with organisations and individuals around the world to create documentaries on relevant social issues.

Through its streaming platform, AfriDocs, and through a network of organisations that host community based screenings, Steps uses a multi-platform distribution approach to bring documentaries to audiences across Africa.

Generation Africa is presented in partnership with Docubox in Kenya, NAFTI in Ghana and OuagaLab in Burkina Faso. The project is supported by Deutsche Welle Academie, The Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, and the Robert Bosch Stiftung.

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Arts Legends the Musical, reconnecting with the past to revive the present

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OBINNA EMELIKE o doubt, the musical genre has had trickling success in the country over the years. But it still has so much to offer theatre goers in terms quality and insightful live entertainment.

However, The Legends, has emerged. The new musical drama seeks to shake up the landscape and take the thrill a notch higher.

It is outstanding for its masterful concern with the deeds of a-select African leaders and making their ancient, lofty achievements relevant to the 21st century Africans, in order to revive self-belief and reliance on their capabilities as a people.

In the musical revolution, five popular African heroes: Sango (Nigeria), Nana Yaa Asantewaa (Ghana), Neferneferuaten Nefertiti (Egypt), Shaka Zulu (South Africa) and Queen Amina of Zazzau (Nigeria), drawn from different African countries, must come together to save ‘Modaland’ from a common foe.

Hence, from October 1921, 2018 theatre goers in Nigeria will be treated to inspiring and spectacular stage performances when Legends the Musical lights up the stage at the MUSON Center, Onikan Lagos.

The musical drama is a collaborative production of Seeing Through the Arts and Declassical Arts & Entertainment, in partnership with the 22nd MUSON Festival of

the Arts.

Segun Adefila, theater veteran and artistic director, Crown Troupe of Africa, is one of the lead characters saddled with the role of Sango.

For Adefila, LEGENDS is a unique production for so many reasons; the approach of the producer and director.

“These guys are phenomenal. I have seen a couple of their works in the past; musical and then dances. For me, though my approach to theater is different, I find their approach unique because it is a huge attempt at looking where our arts should be focusing on at the moment.

The idea is telling our own story in a language that can be understood by all generations”, Adefila explained.

As well, the names of the legends in the musical are not strange.

“If you are young and do not know anything about your culture, the way the idea of the musical drama has been deconstructed makes it easier for you to appreciate and understand. There is a somewhat level of blend and that is what I think our arts should be doing at the moment; repositioning all the materials we were given, recreating modern narratives from cultural or traditional narratives, and bearing in mind that, everything called traditional today was once innovations”, Adefila continued.

While the legends are ancient, Adefila insisted that their past glories are relevant in today’s world.

Stage performance by Crown Troupe of Africa

“All these things our young people look at and tag “old school” were innovations some years ago. LEGENDS is placing the whole of these under a new lens for us to reevaluate and then talk about who we are. There is the metaphor in it too, a lot of humor and spectacle”.

As well, he thinks there are plenty things to take home from all of the ideas, as man, according to him, is the solution to his problems. “If there is any enemy to defeat, it is you, and once you can conquer the self, then, you are in control of every other thing. Then, you will become deified and gain ascendancy over everything. All of these legends we are talking about had some level of control over themselves, over the things they could do”.

“Popular people we vener-

ate today such as pastors, we must go and find out some of the sacrifices they made to be who they are. They dare not do the things we as ordinary humans do and this already places them on a pedestal. It doesn’t mean they are flawless either, but the ideas LEGENDS tries to explore and the reason for such endeavor are interesting to me.

“The approach to tell our own story in our own way without too much attempt at appropriating western values. We are saying to the world that our Legends are the real deal. You could bring the Thor legend out of Sango, you could bring the different foreign legends out of ours but we are not bringing ours from your point of view. What we probably might do with our costume for instance, is a hybrid of ideas, to say listen,

Africa is not isolated but developing with the rest of the world, which is a global village. We are developing with you but with lots of rooms.

The idea of Sango for him is one of the most contemporaries of all ideas.

“Let’s take it from the dance, Bata dance is a contemporary dance till tomorrow because, people keep reinventing it and it responds and never gets stuck. Basically, it is about Staccato beat and movement.

“Sango in today’s age and time would be the minister of mines and power because of his ability to conduct electrical energy. Mark Zuckerberg in about two thousand years from now would have become a legend due to his current innovative ideas. I have not been able to place Sango or any of the legends in the

past with the way the script has been treated, I can only see them through a modern eye in the light of things that confront us”, Adefila concluded.

Speaking on the new musical, Segun Dada, a rising star in the industry, said that Legends is the best thing that has happened in a while. He plays the role of the South African warrior, Shaka Zulu, in the musical.

Explaining the intrigues of being authentic in his role, Dada said,”I have done some musicals in the past which were great but the first time I read this script; the idea of bringing past legends and icons, and the concept of fusing them into the present era is fascinating. You want to know how these legends behave and of course, the story to fight one common foe is really charming. It has been good so far trying to tell the story and absorb the Zuu character”.

He insisted that the audience has not seen something like this before. “It is a milestone and a groundbreaking effort going by the story and characters. Nigerians might have seen something on these legends individually, certainly not collectively in a musical drama and I think that is outstanding. With the music and dance orchestrated by world-class professionals like Ayo Ajayi and Gbenga Yusuf, bringing foriginal music with popular music and singing inflection on the lines, it is a lot of emotions. The audience will definitely have a swell time”, Dada said.

‘Heaven on my mind’ to premiere December 7th

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ollywood actress, director and producer Uche Jombo is leading several talented actors to cinemas with her new movie ‘Heaven on my Mind’ come December 7, 2018.

The Nollywood heavyweight who has had her fair share of cinema runs with several collaborations with top filmmakers like Desmond Elliot, Emem Isong and more, will be making her first full feature and directorial debut with Heaven on my Mind, a family movie.

The highly anticipated movie, which began preproduction in late 2017 and finished filming in March

2018 is the first collaboration between two talented actors Uche Jombo and Ini

Edo as co-producers and will be released under their film companies, Uche Jombo

The shooting scene of Heaven on my mind

Studios and Minini Empire Production.

The movie tells the story of Ben Peters who sees marriage as a business transaction and he is hard working at it. On the other hand, his wife is sexy, a goal getter, hardworking and intelligent woman who never denies him sex. This will be an amazing love story if he is talking about just one woman.

The combination of Uche Jombo and Ini Edo has resulted in the casting of popular Nollywood faces from English and Yoruba speaking sectors as the movie features talented actors like Uche Jombo, Ini Edo, Mercy Aigbe, Ray Emordi, Andrea Chika

Chukwu, Femi Adebayo, Adunni Ade, Eric Ogbonna and Yvonne Nwosu.

Uche Jombo revealed that Heaven on my Mind is a breath of fresh air when it comes to storytelling, production and casting. She said; “Heaven on My Mind is really a breath of fresh air when it comes to filmmaking. The story, production, cast and crew members brought their A-Game to the table. It is refreshingly different and I had massive fun and joy filming this.”

On this being her directorial debut, Uche said; “I mean we all get to a point in life when you just know that it is time to do something you

really enjoy and take it to the next level. For me, directing this movie is a huge mark in my books and I really appreciate everyone who had faith in me. Not only did I get to act with some of the most talented actors in the industry, I also got a chance to bring out the best in them through the lens. It was an amazing experience.”

Uche Jombo ventured into the Nigerian movie industry in 1999 in the movie Visa to hell. She has since gone to make a name for herself as a screenwriter, actor, producer and now a director.

Heaven on My Mind to hit cinemas nationwide come December 7, 2018.

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Entertainment Davido, Tiwa Savage, others make 2018 MTV EMA’s ‘Best African Act’ nomination list

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CHUKS OLUIGBO

wo Nigerian singers, Davido and Tiwa Savage, are among six top artistes from the African continent announced as nominees in the Best African Act category of the 2018 MTV EMA. Others are Destruction Boyz (South Africa), Fally Ipupa (DRC), Nyashinski (Kenya), and Shekinah (South Africa).

One of these nominees will take the Best African Act category’s prestigious award home from the event which will be broadcast live to a global audience from the Bilbao Exhibition Centre, Barakaldo, Biscay, on Sunday, November 4. It will be seen in more than 180 countries and territories, reaching more than half a billion households around the world.

Internationally, Camila Cabello leads the pack of the nominees, snagging six nods including Best Song and Best Video for her charttopping hit “Havana” featuring Young Thug, as well as Best Artist alongside Ariana Grande and Post Malone, who follow Cabello with five nods each. Drake and Dua Lipa also join the above contenders for Best Artist, scoring four nods each alongside Shawn

Tiwa Savage

Mendes, including Best Local Act for all three of their respective home countries.

MTV creatively teased the nominees via a series of captivating Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) videos, with visuals involving floral foam smashing, paint mixing and kinetic sand slicing for the Best Artist,

Davido

Best Song, and Best Video categories. The mesmerizing video was broadcast across MTV’s global digital platforms and a coalition of media partners.

“2018 has been an incredible year globally for African culture, music and talent,” said Monde Twala, vice president for Youth, Music and BET at Viacom Inter-

national Media Networks (VIMN Africa). “Once again, the 2018 MTV EMA features Africa’s most celebrated entertainers who have the opportunity to showcase their talent through the MTV EMA Best Africa Act category at the annual award.”

Twala said the nominees reflect the continents diversity and

talent on par with international artists and congratulated all the Africa nominees, who, he said, continue to affirm Africa’s place on the global stage.

The official sponsor of the 2018 MTV EMAs is SKYY Vodka and voting will remain open on MTV website until November 3, so fans can cast votes beginning today.

Baba 70 at 80: ‘Overtake don overtake overtake’

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elabration is a music festival that celebrates Fela’s life, his enormous influence on Nigerian society, and the Afrobeat genre. The week-long concert maintains the same infectious energy that Fela possessed decades ago, bringing a wealth of artists from all over the world to keep the rhythm pulsing.

The festival was initiated to celebrate Afrobeat founder, Fela

Anikulapo Kuti, the legend who died on August 2, 1997.

This year’s edition is themed ‘Overtake Don Overtake Overtake’, taken from one of Fela’s hit songs. In that song, Fela sang about the effects of usurpation of power and the degradation of fledgling African democracies.

His grievance is that, in saner climes, the duty of the armed forces is to defend and support

the civil government; not to overthrow it or usurp the duties of any branch of government Local Nigerian artists and international acts grace the stage with notes of Afrobeat, hip-hop, R&B and jazz, among many others. The amount of talent that descends upon this West African hot spot speaks volumes about Fela’s status as a global icon.

The festival will showcase music performances, free medical services, public lectures and other musical concerts. It also includes various creatively diverse activities. ‘The Fela Debates’, symposium series, the secondary schools’ debate for schools in Lagos State, Dance Troupes, Photo Exhibitions, The Fela Street Carnival Parade with musical floats and costumed dancers.

Legend Extra Stout will be joining millions of Nigerians to celebrate the music legacies of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti as the official stout sponsor. The brand also intends to reward thousands of Guests at the event.

Venue is the New African Shrine from the 15th-21st of October. It is worth more than just an ordinary experience, it is Legendary!

Africa Magic comedy series, Hustle, returns for 3rd season

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ustle, the popular comedy TV series, is set to return to TV screens for a third season starting Monday, October 8, on Africa Magic Urban on weeknights.

The show which continues to be a favourite for comedy lovers is back with some new faces and more interesting hustle adventures in the populous mega city of Lagos. Hustle stars Seun Ajayi as the lead character and features veteran Nollywood acts Sola Sobowale and Afeez Oyetoro (‘Saka’). The series also stars comic act Seyi Law, as well as Maurice Sam, Deborah Anugwa, John Joshua, and for the first time this season, Big Brother Naija season 3 star, Tobi Bakre.

“We are delighted to bring season 3 of Hustle this October,” said

Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, channel director, Africa Magic. “Since it premiered in 2016, it has continued to receive positive reviews for its depiction of the vibrant and never-die spirit of the average Lagosian. It is our mission to keep Africa entertained with the best local content and in this return season of Hustle, fans will be in for more tales of city life as the series promises to be more hilarious.”

Season 3 continues with the tale of Dayo, a gullible Lagos hustler, who continues to see the best in people, hopeful that his dreams of making it big in Lagos will come true.

This season will also not leave out the antics of his best friend, Acid, and their hilarious neighbours as they continue to plot and discover new ways of becoming rich in Lagos.

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THINGS TO DO IN LAGOS It is another Sunday Funday and as always, I have somewhere for you to be at! Here are a few events happening today that will thrill you:

It is yet another Sunday-funday. Got nothing to do and no idea where to go? Not to worry, here’s a brief list of interesting events happening today: VIOLET JOHNSON

THE SOCIAL NETWORK LAGOS BRUNCH Date: Sunday, 7 October 2018 Time: 10am Venue: Impact Hub, 14 Gerard road ikoyi Lagos

BIMMERFEST 2018 Date: Sunday, October 7 2018 Venue: Akin Adesola street, victoria island Time: 12noon

DEATH CAFÉ LAGOS Date: Sun, October 7, 2018 Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Venue: The Backyard Bar & Grill; 4B Musa Yar’ Adua Str Victoria Island, Lagos

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BusinessDay MarketPlace With CEO Enyo Retail & Supply, Abayomi Awobokun

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ell Us A Bit About The History Of Enyo Retail For what it’s worth we are a start-up fuels retail company. Enyo is barely 1 year old and our strength is in our team and strong shareholders. One of shareholders are Glenco. Glenco is listed on London’s stock exchange main board and these kind of people Enyo Retail has backing it up.

At the moment we are just expanding. Our first sight opened in August 2017 and we closed the year with 5 sites. Today we own 42 sites, either by lease or 100% acquired (of which by the end of this month 27 will be operational). We are operational in 9 states across the country (usually the state capitals). We expect to keep growing as we consider ourselves to be the fastest growing fuels retail chain in the market at the moment. We have a great young energetic team, based out of Lagos and Abuja primarily and that’s our story.

How Did You Raise Your Initial Capital?

Initial capital has come from shareholders. All of them have contributed to a business plan, which we all worked on together. It’s basically to deliver above average margins in fuels distribution space and then to leverage our expertise – Global oil trading, General Management, Distribution, Service to customers, Forecourt services, creating a hub for customers to come in and also enjoy other services. That’s the business plan and we are all executing it together.

The Last Few Months Have Been Rocky For The Oil And Gas Industry In Nigeria, So How Have You Managed To Stay Afloat?

Well the strength of our business first and foremost is in the strength of our shareholders. If you look at the way that we have come together, what you have in a box a lot of international global trading experience, a very deep balance sheet, strong compliance and framework. These are the bedrock of the company’s foundation. With the two big shareholders and the minor ones, there is a lot of resilience.

The industry is actually doing through a lot of turmoil because of policies and some of the players too. Globally oil and gas has enjoyed a volatile regime in the last 6 months and we’ve been able to work around that because of the strength of our shareholders. Also because we keep growing a very energized and resilient team, who are always ready to innovate and come up with great new ideas. This I can say for a fact are the reasons why we’ve grown and will keep growing. We are poised to do very well in the local market and we expect that the challenges will increase, but we are here to stay.

What is your current revenue generation model?

Our major revenue comes from fuels. We sell fuel, we collect our money, we buy more fuel and we sell even more fuel. At the moment we are averaging close to 30,000 customers per day. However there are new opportunities that have sprung up and we are experimenting them. Our B2B (Business 2 Business) platform is doing well. Here we give energy to industries and commercial customers who are not necessarily drive in customers. We are already selling solutions to the advertisement, manufacturing is growing, we have some customers in the FMCG space. We are beginning to see our revenue model get deeper, apart from retail income.

We also do specialized services for estates with something called diesel to door. This allows us use our online expertise to deliver to estates and individual homes as well. Very easy to use and reliable too.

We sell lubricants and we do it in a different way. We have a car concierge service call Vcon and our revenue is boosted by sales from this.

At the moment we are marketing Castrol, a very famous first class international brand of lubricants and it’s contributing well.

Lastly we have just rolled out our cooking gas brand called superior liquefied gas. This is a month old and consumers love it a lot.

This is our revenue today, but in the next 2/3 years we hope to explore associated products that we can sell to boost the value proposition of Enyo market.

return if you have a cost sensitive model. I think that’s the best way to explain the space.

Revenues are generally high compare to most other retail businesses, but as you know revenue isn’t profit. It’s possible to make huge revenues and run at a loss still.

Now if you ask me if it’s a very lucrative sector, I’ll say that’s not so true because there are many other milking sectors but if you do what’s right in the oil and gas sector, you’ll see green lines all the way. It’s a bankable business, so just get you a great team, great channels and a great country like Nigeria.

I’ll like to add that it is indeed a very good foundation for entrepreneurs.

Everyone Believes There Is A Lot Of Money In The Oil Market, But Do Your Costs Ever Run Higher Than Your Profits?

42 sites by lease or owned….operational in 9 states (capitals especially).

The oil and gas sector gives a guaranteed

How Many Gas Stations Do You Currently Have After A Year Of Launching?

What Is Your Biggest Drive To Success And What’s The Most Challenging Part Of Your

Job? We are a great team and I’ll like to say we have a very successful business that we are running currently, but what will define our success is the quality of our shareholders, as their expectations drive the team and the market sets a very high bar for us as we are challenged to meet expectations of customers.

Personally what drives me is the expectations of the shareholders and the energy of the team. Every goal and purpose that we’ve set our hearts on is taken seriously. That kind of energy will drive any CEO. What Do You Think Is The Future Of Oil And Gas In Nigeria, Knowing That Cross River Is No Longer An Oil Producing State?

Where Do You See Enyo Retail In 5 Years?

We’ll be very popular in the space. A super-duper highstreetbranddeliveringgreatvaluetocustomers.

Interview by Uzochikwa Akumah

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Sunday 07 October 2018

Travel

The ‘Beauty of Remembrance’ OBINNA EMELIKE

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ruly, there is no place in the whole of the old Gold Coast that reflects the Beauty of Remembrance than the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial

Park.

Designed in a style reminiscent of the Taj Mahal, the park brings every visitor to a moment of stillness that leaves them wondering how much a single person accomplished in his life time, and queries why a quarter of the feat are yet to be achieved in present day.

The achievements of Nkrumah as eulogise and immortalised in the park are yet the big shoes that the legs of new generation may probably not fit in. No wonder his people call him Osagyefo; meaning “redeemer” in Twi language.

But the park is most befitting as more than 2000 visitors throng the place to see, hear, read more and photograph the resting place of Osagyefo.

Apart from the usual ‘Akwaaba’welcome from a very hospitable and warm heart from the gate before telling visitors the cost of entry, the pictures, quotes and write-ups of Nkrumah wellpackaged and presented in a facing projector boards immediately after the entrance gate, further the welcome. The scene is a mini-exhibition on its own.

A further walk, after feting on the rich contents of the mini-exhibition, exposes you to two reflective pools that draw you forward to the bronze statue of Nkrumah. Each pool had two rows of kneeling, bare-chested pipers, their right arms parallel to the pool as they play their instruments. The edges of the pool are also adorned with more diminutive fountains.

In a sunny afternoon, the gold exterior of the bronze status always shimmers in the afternoon glaze from as far as approximately 100 steps from the main gate.

With two larger fountains that flank the status, the scene is serene amid glamour.

Near the main entrance, there is a statue of a man playing a guitar with a rounded face and five smaller statues

of men playing drums; they are clad in the national dress. Trees are dotted throughout the park, but they had not been planted close together — this makes the park seem more open. It was very well manicured and spotless — like Accra itself.

After feting on the beautiful landscape of the park, the museum beckons.

Inside the museum, Amah Mensah, the curator, takes you on a journey into Nkrumah’s life. From his study desk, a selection of books from his library, his personal belonging in university days and during his reign as president and black-and-white photos that prove he

was a man that operated in wealthy and affluent circles, the museum is worth seeing.

On leaving the museum, there is yet a sight that will sadden you. Against a backdrop of three single palm trees sits a bronzed statue in two parts that has been rusted to a chestnut hue: Nkrumah’s head is atop a marble block; the rest of his body is on another block, the right arm raised to the sky, the left arm broken just above the elbow.

Moving a little closer to the statue, the inscription reads: The original statue of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah which stood in front of parliament house opposite

old polo grounds, Accra attacked by a mob, vandalised as it stands now in the wake of a military with police coup d’etat on 24th February 1966, recovered for the national museum in 1975, this is on loan to KNMP from Ghana Museums and Monuments Board mounted on 11th June 2007.

Before leaving the park, the question on every visitor’ lips that saw the damaged status is “why on earth will someone vandalise Nkrumah’s status?”

But the curator who sees his guests off to the gate always answers rhetorically - the vandalised status is a reason to visit, please come again and tell your countrymen to come and see it.

Dubai Tourism rolls out top autumn events T

he city of Dubai has revealed its calendar of top events for the rest of the year and the first quarter of 2019. Topping the list are the famous Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Food Festival, the Dubai Design Week, the Arab Fashion Week, among others.

This means that whether you are a sports enthusiast, culture vulture or looking for some family fun, there is an event for you in Dubai, and there is no chance to be bored in this city, which has more activities and events than can be enjoyed in a lifetime. As we move into Autumn and the city’s bustling events season ramps up, here are the top picks of what to do in Dubai over the next six months: Dubai Design Week – The event, which holds from November 12-17, 2018, at the Dubai Design District is the region’s largest creative festival, reflecting Dubai’s position as the design capital of the Middle East. The programme comprises over 200 design-focused events covering a range of disciplines including architecture, furniture, interiors and graphic design.

Arab Fashion Week - Organised by the Arab Fashion Council, the world’s largest

non-profit fashion body, the Arab Fashion Week (AFW) is the only official fashion week dedicated to promoting Ready-to-Wear-Couture and Pre-Collections that define luxury fashion in Dubai and the Arab World. AFW has received global recognition since its very first edition, with the world’s highest-profile designers choosing to showcase here, as well as at the four big fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris. The event comes up November 13-18, 2018 at Dubai’s City Walk.

Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens Enjoy edge-of-your-seat entertainment as the best sevens rugby teams battle it out at the 49th edition of the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens. Cheer on your favourite teams and experience a whole host of entertainment at one of the most exciting sporting and social events in Dubai. Attracting more than 100,000 fans, the event which holds at Dubai’s Rugby Sevens Stadium from November 29-December 1, 2018 has a lot on offer to keep everyone entertained – from sporting action, concerts, competitions and family entertainment, to buzzing food and beverage zones.

Sole DXB – This was launched in September 2010 as a platform for all the latest and relevant news in footwear, fashion, design and alternative culture in The Middle East.

Taking product design and brand marketing as the new frontier in compelling people to think differently, create distinctively and communicate effectively, Sole aims to inspire and encourage growth within the region’s design and progressive fashion sector. It is also a space where people learn about different cultures and can discover what’s new from the worlds of fashion, music, and art. It holds from December 6-8, 2018 at Dubai’s Design District.

Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) - Dubai’s malls and shopping destinations come to life at this annual event, where shoppers will find unbeatable deals on everything from fashion and jewellery, to electronics and accessories. As the world’s biggest shopping festival, this month-long celebration isn’t just about searching for bargains and shopping ‘till you drop’, there’s also a huge line-up of thrilling entertainment including firework displays, fashion shows, and live concerts. In addition, visitors will

get the chance to win incredible prizes, from SUVs to gold. It holds between December 26, 2018-January 27, 2019 across all of Dubai.

Omega Dubai Desert Classic – Known as the ‘Major of the Middle East’, the 2019 Omega Dubai Desert Classic (ODDC) promises to be another nail-biting tournament with the world’s top golfers converging on Dubai to compete for the 30th edition of this coveted title. The annual event which comes up at the Emirates Golf Club, January 24 – 27 has featured unforgettable legends such as the late Seve Ballesteros, Fred Couples, Ernie Els, Colm Montgomerie, Tiger Woods, Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia.

Dubai Tennis Championship - The annual Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships will return February 1 – 28, 2019 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, with world-class players expected to wow crowds at this unmissable sporting event. Past highlights have included the legendary Roger Federer winning three times in a row between 20032005. Other tennis greats such as Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams have also triumphed at this tournament.

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Travel

Air transport supports 65.5 million jobs, $2.7 trillion in economic activity – IATA Stories by IFEOMA OKEKE

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he global air transport sector supports 65.5 million jobs and $2.7 trillion in global economic activity, according to new research released today by the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG).

The report, Aviation: Benefits Beyond Borders, explores the fundamental role civil aviation plays for today’s society and addresses the economic, social and environmental impacts of this global industry.

Launching the report at the ATAG Global Sustainable Aviation Summit in Geneva, Michael Gill, ATAG’s executive director, said: “Let’s take a step back and think about how advances in air transport have changed the way people and businesses connect with each other the reach we have today is extraordinary. More people in more parts of the world than ever before are taking advantage of safe, fast and efficient travel.

“There are over 10 million women and men working within the industry to make sure 120,000 flights and 12 million passengers a day are guided safely through their journeys. The wider supply chain, flow-on impacts and jobs in tourism made possible by air transport show that at least 65.5 million jobs and 3.6percent of global economic activity are supported by our industry.”

The report also looks at two future scenarios for growth in air traffic and related jobs and economic benefits. With an open, freetrade approach, the growth in air transport will support some 97.8 million jobs and $5.7 trillion in economic activity in 2036. However, if governments create a more fragmented world with isolationism and protectionist policies, over 12 million fewer jobs and $1.2 trillion less in economic activity would be supported by air transport.

“By working with one another, learning from each other’s cultures and trading openly, we not only create a stronger economic out-

look, but we also continue the conditions for peaceful interaction across the globe.

Aviation is the key driver for this positive connectivity.”

Speaking about the release of the new report, Angela Gittens, the director general of Airports Council International, said: “Airports are crucial links in the air transport value chain that drive economic and social benefits for the local, regional, and national communities they serve. Airports act as catalysts for employment, innovation, and improved

global connectivity and trade. In responding to the growing global demand for air services, airports – in partnership with the wider aviation community – are also taking a lead role in minimising and mitigating the environmental effects of aviation and pursuing sustainable development”.

Jeff Poole, Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation director general said: “The provision of efficient, safe and cost-effective air traffic management is a key enabler to the benefits of

aviation. CANSO and its Members are achieving this through new technologies (e.g. spaced-based surveillance, digitisation) and new procedures (e.g. air traffic flow management). However, States need to play their part by enabling harmonised airspace and investments in ATM infrastructure”.

Alexandre de Juniac, director general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association , said: “Airlines empower people’s lives and turbo-chargetheglobaleconomy through a worldwide network

that safely carries more than 4 billion passengers and 62 million tonnes of freight each year. In challenging political, economic and environmental times, the ability of aviation – the business of freedom – to sustainably connect cultures and spread prosperity beyond borders has never been more important.”

Kurt Edwards, the director general of the International Business Aviation Council, added: “All sectors of aviation contribute to the industry’s benefits globally.

The business aviation sector employs almost 1.5 million people around the world, contributes hundreds of billions of dollars to the global economy, and provides connections to and economic activity in remote regions and underserved locations.

Business aviation allows businesses to thrive in small or medium-size towns and to stay connected to the rest of the world. Often, business aircraft operations at a remote airstrip serve as the catalyst for economic development in small communities”.

Overland Airways adds Niamey to network, enhances Inter-connectivity In West Africa

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verland Airways, one of Nigeria’s leading scheduled and charter airlines, will inaugurate its Lagos-Cotonou-Niamey flights on October 3, 2018.

Overland Airways’ LagosCotonou-Niamey flights will operate on Wednesdays and Fridays. The flights will depart Lagos at 19:00, arrive Cotonou at 19:30 for a brief stop-over and depart Cotonou at 20:00 to arrive Niamey at 22:00. The flights will leave Niamey at 05:00 on Thursdays and Saturdays to arrive Cotonou at 07:00 and continue at 07:30 to arrive Lagos at 08:00.

Overland Airways’ LagosCotonou-Niamey flights will offer opportunities for travellers in Niger Republic to reach Nigeria and Benin Republic for business and pleasure.

In addition, passengers may connect regional and longhaul flights from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Cotonou Airport to other parts of Africa, Europe, the Americas, Middle East and Asia.

Aanu Benson, chief operating officer of Overland Airways, says the LagosCotonou-Niamey flights will connect the Sahel region to

the dense business and tourism opportunities in Cotonou and Lagos both in coastal West Africa, thereby stimulating trade and commercial activities in Benin Republic, Niger Republic and Nigeria.

She says: “We must bring to life the whole essence and meaning of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the region.Overland Airways’ Lagos-Cotonou-Niamey flights promise passengers top quality services across its network.”

Essentially, the LagosCotonou-Niamey flights will connect traders, business people and holiday-makers to the rich farming and livestock industry, especially the Wadata Handicraft Village that presents an assortment of leather products, and milk production in Niger Republic.

The country has huge mineral resources that present business opportunities, and is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and other historical monuments, as well as fascinating traditional celebrations that attract international guests.

The Republic of Benin is a source of agriculture raw materials and mineral

resources. Its informal trade and commodity markets supported by the Port of Cotonou are fast growing in popularity among buyers and sellers on the West Coast. Lagos, the commercial capital of West Africa, with a population of about 20 million inhabitants, is the headquarters of many international businesses in Nigeria, and offers sea ports that have become West Africa’s biggest importation and exportation gateways.

Overland Airways, now in its 16th year of uninterrupted flight operations recently launched Lagos-CotonouLome flights which operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The flights depart Lagos at 19:00, arrive Cotonou at 19:25, and depart Cotonou at 20:00 to arrive Lome at 20:30. Also, flights depart Lome at 21:00 to arrive in Lagos at 21:45.

The airline operates domestic flights to several destinations in Nigeria such as Ibadan, Abuja, Akure, Asaba, Jalingo, Ilorin, etc. The airline plans to continually expand its fleet and route network across Africa, and would embrace regional and international partnerships as it expands.

A cross section of the International Educational Management Network’s (IEDUMAN), officials and partners

South African Airways celebrates Nigeria’s 58th independence Day with orphans

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outh African Airways (SAA) celebrated Nigeria’s 58thIndependence anniversary at the Arrows of God Orphanage in Lagos by donating food materials and goodie bags to the children of the home.

As part of the airline’s commitment to Nigeria and the less privileged, SAA donated customised cake, gift bags, drinks, noodles and other food stuffs to the Arrows of God Orphanage to ensure the children of the home are not left out of the celebration mood of the Nigerian nation as it clocks

58 year of Independence.

Kemi Leke-Bamtefa , South African Airways national sales manager in Nigeria led the staff of the airline to share the joy and hope of Nigeria’s Independence with the orphans.

“As part of our corporate social responsibility and giving back to the people, we are celebrating Nigeria’s 58th Independence Day with our long-time friends at the Arrows of God Orphanage. We are optimistic and committed to the Nigerian market and will continue to provide necessary support accordingly,” Kemi stated.

The National Sales Manager used the occasion to announce SAA will continue to prioritise the Nigerian market as it marks the milestone of 20 years of service in Nigeria this year.

The children and teachers of the Orphanage expressed their appreciation to the SAA team for their continuous support in putting smiles on the faces of the children always.

Recall that South African Airways began flight service between Lagos, Nigeria and Johannesburg, South Africa in December 1998.

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Sunday 07 October 2018

Life&Living

Adamu Ajunam traces history of ‘Okada’ as a means of transport IFEOMA OKEKE

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ilm makers and historians over the years have struggled to get pieces of information to base films and use for reference purpose. The reason for this is not farfetched. It is simply the lack of proper documentation of Nigerian history.

Life and times have passed without having traces of reason behind some phenomenon.

In putting an end to this, Adamu Ajunam, an engineer, photographer and publisher has not only officially opened his Anthill Art Gallery and Photo Studio, but is showcasing his first exhibition, focusing on Motor Cycles, popularly known as ‘Okada.’

Okada, as Ajunam satirically described as the ‘Modern Transportation in Nigeria’ is gradually been entrenched in the country, as a means of transportation almost everyone sees as indispensable, especially because of the heavy traffic in Lagos and other urban parts of the country where people need to get to their destinations fast. Unfortunately, the Okada means of transport which is not very comfortable, not so affordable, not safe and comes with its health hazards is becoming the most patronized means of transportation in Nigeria.

This documentary on the transformation of Nigeria’s transport system is a true reflection of the country’s epileptic transport system and lack of a transportation policy, which has made movement of people from one point to another increasingly difficult.

Speaking during the official open-

ing of his gallery in Lagos, Adamu Ajunam stressed that documentary is a neglected aspect in Nigeria and that is why he is exhibiting his works so that in over 30years, the young ones could look at the documentation and get inspirations from them.

“I was born in the north and I remember that when Christmas comes, Christians could freely celebrate Christmas and Muslims enjoyed it. You see children with masquerades; they went street to street dancing. Can we do that today? Do we have any documentation that it was done before? There is no documentation that these things happened which film makers could fall back on to produce a film.

“These things go hand in hand. A nation’s development is a process where everybody is involved. It is not only government. If you make narrations about these things, young ones could see it and it may inspire someone to do something else. We need to keep the story,” he said.

On the theme of his exhibition,

Ajunam noted that 30years back, there were motorcycles, popularly called ‘Okada’ in the fringes of Nigeria but suddenly Okada is everywhere. He inquired to know why people have accepted okada system, despite the dangers that comes with it.

“Some People say Okada provides job for people. A man gets up by six o’clock in the morning and he is on the road and he can be there till nine o’clock in the night. There is danger of accidents and okada riders inhale the fuse from the engines, yet get little income. The obstruction on the road is a menace. If you hit one, they come on you and attack you.

“Okada can be a mode of transport but that is if you are too tired to work 500 yards from your house to the bus stop. However, it is an issue for Okada to be used on major roads.

We cannot get rid of this menace in the next 30years. Okada has been entrenched.

“We have been building light rail since 2007, and eleven years going,

it is not even finished. Abuja has finished its own and they run twice a day. There is a problem. If you look really deep into it, there is no transportation policy. If we have a transportation policy, we won’t have all the chaos we have on the road. Any city you go to in Nigeria now, there is trailer. There is a need to have a master plan which goes hand in hand with transportation policy.

“The depots should be repaired.

Why should we have all these trailers on the road? No distance in Lagos should take more than 30minutes,”the photographer lamented.

Speaking on his choice of ‘Ant hill’ as a corporate identity, he explained that working as an engineer, he had always practiced arts, which requires he works in bits and pieces. “You see one ant taking bits of substances and later you see something big. That is how I came about the name. As an engineer, I used to write two lines or no line a day and eventually after six or seven years, a book comes out.

This is the idea behind the ant and the hill. It is what you see after they have worked for so many years.”

Ajunam who had written two books on Lagos and Nigeria, serving as tourist guides, decided to have a gallery where he could exhibit his works.

The Anthill art gallery and photo studio which is domiciled in the environs of Surulere, promises to bring arts closer to people on the main land, without going through the stress of getting people to travel long distances just to have a feel of arts and its beauty.

Lateef Adams, Oba of Ikate, Surulere, Lagos who was also present at the occasion, commended Ajunam for bringing gallery closer to the people. “I am so happy and delighted to see something like this in Surulere.

We only see galleries fully equipped like this on the island. The exhibits say exactly what is happening in the country and it will serve as a form of education to both foreigners and Nigerians.”

Yves Rocher Hydra Vegetal Radiance Exfoliating Gel It is no news that a proper exfoliation is the foundation of a clean, smooth and glowing skin. At least once or twice a week, exfoliate your skin to remove the layers of dead skin to allow products penetrate into the new cells instead of ‘sitting on top’ of a layer of un-exfoliated

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How best to indulge the Skin with Nature’s glow

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here is a reason why an exceptionally beautiful woman is called a “Greek Goddess.”

With their luminous olivetoned complexion and long shiny hair, the Greek women were popularly known for their beauty.

What makes their beauty even more fascinating is that the Greek women barely wore any make up. They were such big lovers of natural beauty and created many of their own skincare products and treatments using local, natural ingredients.

From using olive oil as moisturiser, to flowers and herbs for a relaxing bath, to yoghurt as a facial peel, to sea salt as scrub and pomegranate as an anti-aging ingredient, no doubt the Greeks were very in tune with the body’s natural aging process. As a result, they always sought natural ways to improve their appearance, experimenting with a combination of oils and herbs.

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Sunday 07 October 2018

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BDSUNDAY 45

Health&Science 81,481 persons live with HIV in Ondo - NACA YOMI AYELESO, Akure

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ani Aliu, the director general of National Agency for Control of AIDS (NACA) has revealed that total estimates of 81,481 people are living with HIV in Ondo State as at December 2017.

Aliyu said this when he paid a visit to Oba Victor Kiladejo, the Osemawe of Ondo as part of efforts to seek the monarch’s support to mobilise his subjects for NACA survey in the area.

The survey is tagged: Nigeria Aids Indicator and Impact Survey.

He said only 10,000 persons from the figure are currently on treatment across the State.

Speaking through Josephine Kalu, the director of resource mobilization in the agency, the NACA boss added 2,733 pregnant women are living with the disease, of which 638 are on treatment.

He said the agency would be conducting a survey in some designated centers in the state to gather accurate and up to date statistics as regard the disease.

According to him, the survey would help the agency step up its drive in ending the epidemic in the country by year 2030 as directed by the United Nations.

“Data is very important for proper planning. The survey we are having in Ondo State is to reliably gather data that will help to reduce the current status of HIV in the state.

“When you have accurate and reliable data, then map out plans to end this disease.”

Kiladejo commended efforts of the agency and urged it to do more on counselling and to focus more in

the vulnerable areas.

The monarch, who expressed worry with the high number of persons living with HIV, asked for more funds to fight it.

The NACA team had earlier paid a visit to the state Commissioner for Health, Wahab Adegbenro.

Adegbenro thanked the agency for its continued support, saying the survey would no doubt address problems of public health.

The commissioner promised that the state government would give its support for the success of the survey.

Infertility preventable, treatable – Oguntoyinbo SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin

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dewale Eri-Oluwa Oguntoyinbo, a Professor of Clinical Radiology at the University of Ilorin, has said that many of the causes of infertility are either preventable or treatable if appropriately investigated.

Oguntoyinbo made the submission while delivering the 181st inaugural lecture of the University, entitled “Delay is not denial: invisible made visible, giving hope to the hopeless through medical imaging in management of female infertility”.

The don, who noted that there is a synergy between divinity and humanity, added that when the country’s scientific knowledge or successes are divinely initiated or powered, their applications to human needs are better appreciated.

Oguntoyinbo disclosed, “defining infertility as the inability of a couple (male/female unit) to achieve pregnancy after one year of regular unprotected sexual exposure. From the time I chose to specialise in radiology after graduation from Medical College, I have been driven by the need to overcome the limitations arising from non-visibility (undetectable nature) of major causes of diseases or structural damages produced in the human body by diseases and injuries.

“Adequate public enlightenment or education should be given to the populace in order to reduce or eliminate activities of quacks or charlatans in medical practice. Allowance must be made for wife and husband to work and

live together through provision of more Job opportunities and other incentives”.

Oguntoyinbo therefore advised that intending couples with such a fear to take advantage of imaging evaluation, which makes the invisible visible. Saying, “Infertility is a serious socio-medical problem in our setting. Reports suggest that fear of infertility in both single and married couples may be the reason for low contraceptive use in Nigeria”.

The Inaugural Lecturer challenged stakeholders, urged patients, relations and religious leaders to “be hopeful and stay within the ethical/medical provision available for each case, be more tolerant with infertile couples as patience is a virtue in such cases and allow their followers to benefit from up to date medical facilities while praying for and with them respectively”.

According to him, many of the causes of infertility are either preventable or treatable if appropriately investigated, adding that infertility cases are not due to evil work or satanic attacks or angry gods but due to causes which can only be identified or made visible through medical imaging and must be recognised as such.

“For instance, bilateral tubal blockage can only be confirmed through imaging, there is no way a woman can know if her tubes are blocked unless a form of imaging is done.

“On the other hand, where the reproductive tract or the tubes are found to be normal, imaging studies such as Trans-vaginal scan to access the ovary (Follicular activi-

ties) can be done, the cutting edge is to investigate early once there is a delay in conception because delay is not denial; there is hope for all women of child-bearing age to have children,” he explained He further stated that infertility is the commonest reason for gynaecological consultation, with multiple causation including disorders of ovulation, defects in the seminal fluid especially low sperm count, and anatomical abnormalities of the female genital tract, adding that it affects 10 % to 15% of couples, and affects older couples (especially with older female partners) more commonly.

The don also noted that since the discovery of X-ray in 1895 and its application in modern medical practice coupled with the use of other medical imaging modalities or devices, problems involving the human body are better managed or treated.

Oguntoyinbo described management of infertility as both partners responsibility, requires a team approach (Medical/Surgical/ Radiological), with clinicians that follow the sequence of history, physical examination, laboratory and imaging Investigations critically evaluated and by initiating appropriate treatment measures or options.

“Infertility is a problem that involves both partners. Diagnostic testing is unnecessary if the couple has not attempted to conceive for at least 1 year. A complete infertility evaluation is performed according to the woman’s menstrual cycle and may take up to 2 menstrual cycles before the aetiology is determined,” he said.

NGO hosts prostate cancer walk to create awareness in Lagos ANTHONIA OBOKOH

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roject Pink Blue, a Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO) promoting cancer awareness and management, with support from Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation hosted a 5km Lagos prostate cancer walk recently at National Stadium, Lagos to commemorate prostate cancer awareness month.

According to press statement made available to BusinessDay, the prostate cancer walk is part of the “Men on Blue” project, focused of creating awareness of prostate cancer in Nigeria.

“The project started in Enugu with Enugu prostate cancer walk, where over 1000 men were engaged and 321 received free prostate specific antigen (PSA) test and later in Abuja where 1230 men were screened and all the people screened are navigated for care as the case may be,” it says.

The World Health Organization 2018 report shows that 70,327 Nigerians die every year from cancer while 115,950 new cases are diagnosis every year, 22 per cent (26,310) are breast cancer and 11.3 per cent (13078) are prostate cancer.

“Very few or nothing is said about prostate cancer, we see thousands of Nigerian families losing their fathers, uncles and brothers to prostate cancer,” said Runcie Chidebe, the convener and executive director of project pink blue.

Chidebe said that September is prostate cancer month, hence, the organisation is using this Lagos prostate cancer walk to create awareness, provide free screenings, and support.

“Nigerian men must take their health seriously, treatment outcome of prostate cancer is high if detected early, and the problem is that most men present late prostate cancer.”

“I want to urge Nigeria’s Federal

Government and State government to invest in cancer prevention like national cancer screenings, no nation will thrive by losing its older generation. We are losing our mentors and source of inspiration to prostate cancer,” he said.

In Nigeria, Prostate cancer has become the most common cause of cancer death among men. The cancer develops mainly in older men and could be more aggressive in African men compared to men of other races.

Men aged 65 or older are more at risk of prostate cancer, the average age at the time of diagnosis is about 66. Hence, it is rare in younger men, however, with the increasing rate of prostate cancer, men aged 40 above are encouraged to get screened.

Researchers have found several factors that might affect a man’s risk of getting prostate cancer, these are: age (6 in 10 cases of prostate cancer are found in men older than 65 years), family history/genetic factor (having a factor or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man’s risk of developing this disease), poor diet, obesity (overweight), smoking, exposures to some chemicals, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and vasectomy.

Also speaking Joe Okei-Odumakin, president Women Arise said prostate cancer is now critical public health issue in Nigeria; the health of citizens should be protected from the scourge.

“More Nigerians are dying of prostate cancer because of late diagnosis, access to cancer drugs and limited treatment facilities.

“I hereby call on the government to invest in cancer care, subsidize cancer drugs and provide more budgetary funding to healthcare and also call on philanthropists in Nigeria to please support the fight against prostate cancer, let’s save our men from prostate cancer,” OkeiOdumakin said.

Lions clubs target 50 million Nigerians for eye treatment

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he International Association of Lions Clubs are targeting treatment of over 200 million physically impaired people in the world for this year.

The Clubs’ year begins on July 1st, 2018 and ends on June 30th, 2019.

The International President of the clubs, Gudrun Yugvandottir who was in Nigeria to flag off the vision and diabetes campaign in Nigeria, disclosed this in a press conference on Friday.

She disclosed that though, the clubs have been treating eye problems over the years, they have decided to step up their services to treat other illnesses.

“We started treating eye diseases since the start of this club,” she said. “Through our programmes, we have eradicated eye problems in Africa, South America, China and all over the world.”

Yugvandottir also noted that since many people were suffering from diabetes, the body had decided to help tackle the situation.

She however, noted that

countries could tinker with the programme to suit their peculiar agenda for the year.

Speaking more on the programme, Lion Ademola Adesuyi, the vice district governor of District 404 B2 Nigeria, said the Lions clubs in Nigeria were targeting 50 million people with eye diseases this year.

“In Abuja, we are just building the facilities to treat eye problems with corneal transplant our major target.

“We are targeting 50 million Nigerians this year”, he said.

He said building of capacity to have more eye experts was top on their agenda while eye screening and awareness campaigns will start in earnest.

While disclosing that the treatment facility which is located in Abuja will service all Nigerians and Africans, he said the eye treatment project had been on going in the south for a while.

Lions clubs are in more than 200 countries in the world and are made up of over 1.5 million members all together.

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Sunday 07 October 2018

Sports Rape allegation: Nike may end $1bn contract with Cristiano Ronaldo

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Stories By ANTHONY NLEBEM

S Sportwear giant, Nike has said it is worried over the rape allegations against footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

Nike has a contract worth a reported $billion with Cristiano Ronaldo - said it would continue to closely monitor the situation, the Associated Press reports.

EASports,whichalsohasa contract with Ronaldo, made similar comments.

Ronaldo, 33, has denied assaulting Kathryn Mayorga at a Las Vegas hotel in 2009.

Ms Mayorga, a 34-yearold US former teacher, was inspired to speak out by the #MeToo movement, her lawyer said.

“The MeToo movement and the women who have stood up and disclosed sexual assaultshasgivenKathrynalot ofcourage,”LeslieStovallsaid.

In a statement, Nike said: “We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and will continue to closely monitor the situation.”

Meanwhile,EASportssaid “Wehaveseentheconcerning report that details allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo.

“We are closely monitoring the situation, as we expect cover athletes and ambassadors to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with EA’s values.”

In a separate development, Juventus - the Italian club Ronaldo joined from Real Madrid for £99.2m in July - came out in defence of its player.

In a tweet, Juventus said: “Cristiano Ronaldo has shown in recent months his great professionalism and dedication, which is appreci-

L-R: StanbicIBTC Representative, Ifeanyi Stanley; StanbicIBTC Man of the Match, Tobi James of OAU Giants and Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede at the presentation of the Man-of-the-Match Award in the HIFL 2018 semifinal match between OAU Giants and UAM Tillers.

ated by everyone at Juventus.”

The Portugal international had previously said the allegation, first reported in German magazine Der Spiegel, was “fake news”.

“I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me.

Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in. Keen as I may be to clear my name, I refuse to feed the media spectacle created by people seeking to promote themselves at my expense.”

“My clear conscious will therebyallowmetoawaitwith tranquillity the results of any and all investigations.”

Der Spiegel said Ms Mayorga had filed a report with Las Vegas police shortly after the alleged incident.

But the next year, she reportedly reached an out-ofcourt settlement with Ronaldo involving a $375,000 (£288,000) payment for agreeing never to go public with the allegations.

Her lawyers are now seeking to declare the non-disclo-

sure agreement void.

In a lawsuit, Ms Mayorga says she met Ronaldo at the Rain Nightclub in the Palms Hotel and Casino, and that he rapedherinhispenthousesuite.

MrStovallsaidhisclienthad suffered from major depression and considered suicide sincetheallegedassaultalmost a decade ago.

He said a psychiatrist had diagnosed Ms Mayorga with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Las Vegas police confirmed they had initially investigated a complaint in June 2009, but added they had no suspect in the case.

“At the time the report was taken, the victim did not provide detectives with the location of the incident or suspect description,” a statement said.

“As of September 2018, the case has been reopened and our detectives are following up on information being provided,” it added.

Ronaldo’s lawyers have previously said they will sue Der Spiegel magazine over its reporting.

HIFL 2018: Teams jostle for final spot U NILORIN Warriors secured a comfortable first leg win at home against UNICAL Malabites in the first round of semi-final matches of the 2018 Higher Institutions Football League (HiFL®).

Unilorin Warriors striker, Kabir Akanbi scored the only goal in the 55th minute to put the home team in good standing for the second leg in Calabar.

The UNILORIN Warriors showed early glimpses of flash touches on the ball and dictated the play for some minutes. However, as soon as the UNICAL Malabites settled in to play the game, the contest became more intense as both teams did all they could to outplay each other. Kabir Akanbi’s brilliant effort defined the game as the boys from Calabar could not get the needed equalizer and would wait till the second leg in two weeks’ time to give a better account of themselves.

At another venue in Ife, OAU Giants, showed class at home against the Tillers from Makurdi, as they defeated the team by five goals to three in what could be described as one of the most exciting fixtures of the tournament. Seyi James gave the giants an early 8th minute lead with a superb strike before Ogbole Emmanuel, equalized for the UAM Tillers in the 15th minute.

The game tensed up in the first half with the two teams giving a brilliant account of themselves. OAU Giants Toba James converted a kick from the penalty spot in the 40th minute before leading HiFL goalscorer Ebuka David equalized for the visitors with a penalty kick also to close out the first half in the 45th minute.

UAM Tillers continued to mount pressure on the home team and it did not take too long for Ebuka to record a brace in the 61st minute of the second half.

However, the joy of the visiting team was short lived as OAU Giants were awarded another penalty, which Toba James converted in the 66th minute.

OAU Giants and HiFL 2018 awesome revelation, Kehinde Oripelaye put the home team ahead in the 84th minute with an amazing strike to make the scores 4:3. However, the visiting team were awarded a red card after Shaibu Benjamin fouled OAU forward Toba James, before the Home team took advantage of the visiting team’s deficiency to seal their victory with a late strike from Toba James to give the home team a comfortable 5:3 win.

The second leg of the semi-finals is scheduled for the 17th of October 2018.

The HIFL is organised by Pace Sports and Entertainment Marketing in partnership with the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA).

Nigeria, Senegal impress in FIBA Women’s World Cup 2018 JONATHAN ADEROJU

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or the first time in the competition history, two African nations attained a revolutionary by moving out of the Group Phase, and more importantly, they proved to be the equals of their European and American counterparts.

Fo l l o w i n g t h i s d i s play, the FIBA Africa President Hamane Niang urged African countries to build on Nigeria’s and Senegal’s performances at FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018

in Tenerife, Spain.

Although both Senegal and Nigeria opened their campaigns in Tenerife on the losing side with defeats to eventual finalists USA and Australia respectively the Africans came up stronger on the 2nd day of the competition, with the Senegalese beating Latvia and the Nigerians getting the better of Turkey.

The defeat of the high flying Latvia by the Senegalese team came as a shocker to fans of the sport. And, even more surprising, was when Turkey - ranked 10th in

the FIBA World Ranking Women, presented by Nike - fell short against Nigeria, a team that had last participated at a

World Cup in 2006.

Nigeria went on a threegame winning streak beating Argentina and Greece to become the

first African team to reach the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Quarter-Finals for much to the delight of fans, basketball fans, and an entire African continent.

According to Niang an interview with FIBA. basktball she said “We have to tip our hats off to Nigeria and Senegal for their performances against European teams,” She further stated that “It was one of the objectives set out in Africa for our national teams to compete against the Europeans because, other than the USA and Austra-

lia, it is these sides from Europe that have been the big threats at past Women’s World Cups.”

However following the interesting run of the Nigerian team they finished in the eight positions, while Senegal returned home with an encouraging 12th place out of 16, and a lot to look forward in years to come.

The next battle for the crown of Africa women’s basket will take place next year at a country yet to be determined, and the winner will earn the right to represent African at

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BDSUNDAY 47

Sports

Klopp plays down Liverpool as favourite over City

AXA Mansard announces partnership with Liverpool FC

Stories by ANTHONY NLEBEM

XA Mansard, a member of AXA, the global leader in insurance and asset management is proud to announce that AXA, the Global Insurance Brand for the 10th consecutive year is partnering with Liverpool FC. AXA reignites its sponsorship strategy and is proud to join forces with one of the most famous names in sports. The multi-year partnership with English Premier League legends Liverpool Football Club sees AXA become the club’s Official Global Insurance Partner.

Commenting on the partnership, the CEO of AXA, Thomas Burbel said “I am delighted to announce this long-term partnership with Liverpool FC, which comes at a particularly exciting moment for AXA as the Best Global Brand Ranking, announced by Interbrand, recognized AXA as the number one insurance brand for the 10th year in a row.”

Building on shared values, AXA and Liverpool FC will create innovative experiences for clients, partners and fans around the world, as well

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i v e r p o o l ’s t h r e e victories over English Premier League champions, Manchester City, in 2017-2018 do not mean they have their rivals’ number, manager Jurgen Klopp said, ahead of Sunday’s clash between the pair at Anfield.

Liverpool beat City 4-3 in a Premier League thriller in January, 2018 before enjoying a 3-0 win in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Anfield.

At City’s Etihad Stadium, Klopp’s side won 2-1 in the return leg but the German technician believes that does put his team favourites over Man City.

“We beat City three times last season and not once after any of those games did we go into the dressing room and think ‘now we know how to beat them’,” said the Liverpool manager.

“We have to be spot on, on our best to keep them away from our goal and create chances in front of our goal.

“They have my respect, for sure. It will be hard work, no problem with that, everybody

knows it.”

While the pair are level on 19 points at the top of the table, Klopp does not view the game as a title battle.

“I don’t think it makes too much sense at the moment to think about the title, but it’s a home game against Man City and it’s tough. Man City is always tough, even when we won 3-0 in the Champions League.

“In the 4-3 they were really good. They nev-

er gave up even at 4-1 down,” he said.

The Reds lost to Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday and after a draw at Chelsea in the EPL and the home loss to the London club in the League Cup, Liverpool have gone three games without a win.

Klopp says the losing feel can help his team focus on the challenge of beating City.

“We want to show a reaction. I didn’t want to

lose at Napoli but if you ask the best preparation mood wise, it’s losing a game. We felt it now, we don’t want to have that feeling again,” he said.

Midfielder Naby Keita is an injury doubt for Sunday’s game although his back injury is not as bad as initially feared.

“He had a back spasm and so we have to wait a little bit. He will be in today. If he can do something on the training ground, I don’t know.

Hamilton calls for upgrade of F1 tyres

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ormula 1 championship leader Lewis Hamilton wants tyre supplier Pirelli to move three steps softer with its 2019 selection in order to do away with ridiculous one-stop races.

Pirelli expanded its tyre range for this year, moving a step softer with its existing compounds and adding the all-new hypersoft tyre.

Despite this, all but three of the 16 races held so far this season have been won by drivers on a one-stop strategy.

Speaking ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, Hamilton said he will be lobbying Pirelli for even softer tyres going forward.

He also advocated lowering tread thickness, which Pirelli did this year for races in Barcelona, Silverstone and Paul Ricard to combat overheating.

“I’ve really got to keep pushing Pirelli, because the tyres feel great here, but this whole one-stop business is just ridiculous,” Hamilton said.

“So next year I reckon they’ve got to go like three or four steps, maybe three steps softer.

“Swing them [the com-

pounds] all lower so we have to do at least two stops per race.

“It’s going to make it a little bit more challenging, and more grip, naturally, as you go to the softer compounds.

“And then the thinner gauge, so you have less of that thermal blisters that we see. And maybe we can be able to follow [other cars] and have more racing.”

Hamilton topped both Friday practice sessions at Suzuka, and radioed to the team during FP2 that

he was having the best day driving the W08 around the Japanese venue.

“Just every time we come here, the last couple of years particularly, the cars are getting faster and faster, and it’s incredible,” he said.

“The track - they don’t make tracks like these anymore. There’s very little room for run-off, a little touch of the grass and you’re off in the wall.

“It’s very marginal, on the limit, and it’s so quick through that first section.

It’s probably one of my fa-

vourite circuits, if not the favourite.

“I’m on the edge everywhere. Honestly, naturally it gets easier once you get to Turn 13, got the long straight and 130R - it’s easy from then for us.

“But the first and second section is insane. It’s the best rollercoaster ride, that first section that I’ve particularly felt in a Formula 1 car.

“I just love driving more than ever. The rest of the day, but when you get in the car, it’s just the best. It’s honestly so much fun.”

as making meaningful contributions to the local communities in which they both operate. Working closely with Liverpool FC’s players, manager, coaches and health professionals, AXA will also create unique and relevant content that will help support the shared goal of promoting a healthy lifestyle, delivering on the AXA brand purpose of empowering people to live a better life.

Also commenting on the Partnership, the Head, Strategy & Marketing at AXA Mansard Insurance plc, Mr Emeka Muonaka noted “We are excited about this partnership with Liverpool FC. It’s our way of identifying with the passion and energy of football fans both in Nigeria and all over the world, which reflects our passion to consistently provide quality products and services to our esteemed customers.”

AXA Mansard Insurance plc is a member of the AXA Group, the worldwide leader in insurance and asset management with 166,000 employees serving 105 million clients in 62 countries.

LaLiga Santander set for more thrills and spills

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he tighte s t La Li g a Santander early-season title race in years continues this weekend, with fans in both the Basque Country and the Spanish capital eagerly looking forward to ‘derbi’ clashes.

Defending champions Barcelona currently sit top of the table, but one of Real Madrid, Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, Real Betis, Alaves or Espanyol could take over by Monday with anything possible given the unpredictable results of recent weeks.

Meanwhile, local pride is also at stake in the Basque derby between Athletic Club and Real Sociedad on Friday night, as both the Bilbao and San Sebastian based sides look to return to form.

Sunday’s early fixture brings together two newly promoted teams, with Valladolid out to extend their three-game unbeaten run against a Huesca side looking for a first victory since week one.

Two of LaLiga’s in-form sides then meet at the Wanda Metropolitano, with Diego Simeone’s Atletico coming into the game on the back of a

strong showing in last week’s Madrid derby and Quique Setien’s stylish Betis side picking up form in recent games.

LaLiga’s current top scorer Andre Silva will then aim to shoot his Sevilla team to a fourth straight LaLiga Santander victory when the Estadio Sanchez-Pizjuan hosts the free-scoring Celta Vigo side.

Sunday evening also sees Espanyol and Villarreal clash, with the Barcelona-based side bang in form and the visitors’ forward Gerard Moreno returning to his old home at Cornella-El Prat.

League leaders Barça then round off the weekend action with a mouth-watering clash at Mestalla. After a bright start Ernesto Valverde’s side are looking for a first LaLiga win in four while fellow Champions League side Valencia are hitting their stride thanks to a super-tight defensive line.

BDSUNDAY

NEW YOU CAN TRUST

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SUNDAY 07 OCTOBER 2018

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Redefining African migration

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ew issues are as emotional as human migration. Images of desperate people on the move – whether trying to cross the US-Mexico border or packed onto rickety boats crossing the Mediterranean Sea – have heightened tensions and forged a narrative that migration has no upside.

But these images have also blinded us to the fact that people have always moved, and that migration is necessary and beneficial for human development. Nowhere is this fact more relevant today than in Africa.

Despite the ongoing political crisis surrounding African migration to Europe, the reality is that fewer Africans are migrating to European countries than when the numbers peaked in October 2015. As it happens, most African migrants move within Africa.

And for African governments in particular, that fact creates an opportunity to harness the positive power of human mobility.

Understanding how migration can build wealth in Africa requires closer attention to migratory trends. According to data from my organization, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), of the 41.5 million people who migrated from, to, or within Africa in 2017, nearly half – 19 million – remained on the continent. Some 17 million people left Africa, while 5.5 million migrated to Africa from other parts of the world.

African migrants include both blue- and white-collar workers, and those who move within Africa often do so to fill labor gaps.

For example, labor shortages in mining, construction, agriculture, and domestic services have fueled migration to South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire, two of the most important economic hubs on the continent. Elsewhere, Gabon’s lumber and mining sectors, Equato-

rial Guinea’s oil industry, and various industries in Kenya have also attracted migration from neighboring countries.

Simply put, migration in Africa helps destination economies grow. In addition to filling labor needs, the presence of large migrant populations spurs economic diversification, private-sector development, and value-added production. Moreover, migrants spend about 85 percent of their earnings domestically. That infusion of capital adds to destination countries’ tax base and boosts local consumption.

But Africa’s migrants also contribute to development in origin countries, thanks to remittances and knowledge sharing. In fact, the total value of remittances by African migrants now exceeds the amount of official development assistance (ODA) that African countries receive. Since 2015, remittances, which have grown strongly since 2000, have accounted for the bulk of total external financial flows to Africa, as ODA declined from 37 percent in 2001-2003 to 28 percent in 20122016. Remittances accounted for 51 percent of private capital flows to Africa in 2016, up from 42 percent in 2010.

Forecasts by UNCTAD predict that if promigration policies are adopted, Africa’s per capita GDP could increase 61percent by 2030 – to about $3,250. In other words, intra-Africa migration is not only a human and social phenomenon; it is also a vital ingredient of growth.

African governments are beginning to recognize this. Many countries are supporting the African Union’s new Migration Policy Framework for Africa. And, since March 2018, more than half of the nearly 50 countries that pledged to create an African Continental Free Trade Area have adopted its protocol on the free movement of people.

To build on these achievements, African

MUKHISA KITUYI Mukhisa Kituyi is SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

governments must draw inspiration from one another. For example, initiatives like Rwanda’s temporary visa program for semi-skilled migrants, and Morocco’s recent expansion of job categories for foreigners, will bring more flexible labor policies to these two markets. Many other destination countries would benefit from similar innovations.

Another milestone that would advance intraAfrica migration would be the rollout of the highly anticipated all-Africa passport. Unfortunately, while the initiative’s goal – to foster trade, integration, and socioeconomic development within the AU – is laudable, bureaucratic inertia is likely delaying its rollout.

Finally, the international community is preparing to adopt the first-ever Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration. This landmark agreement represents a blueprint for managing global migration flows. It is also validation that migration is an economic necessity, and not only for Africa. When the compact is finalized later this year in Morocco, it must reflect the priorities that Africa’s leaders have already committed to.

With well-crafted and properly executed agreements, migration can be a boon to people and the places they call home. Today’s skewed media narratives ignore or neglect the benefits of migration.

But with facts and commitment, it is possible to tell a very different story. ©: Project Syndicate

Quick Takes

Off the Cuff

4 months of campaign and 4 years of hell!

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ohn Webster (c.1580-c. 1632), English dramatist, said: “A politician imitates the devil, as the devil imitates a Cannon; wheresoever he comes to do mischief, he comes with his backside towards you.”

Experience of the masses of Nigeria since the return of the country to civil rule in 1999 has been hellish. It has been nearly two decades of disappointment, frustration and shattered dreams.

Every four years, the country is put on an election process; new leaders are elected for a four-year term. Nigeria runs a term of four years, and elected political office holders- president, governors and lawmakers (federal and state)- are entitled to re-contest for a second term.

In all of these years, one thing that has featured prominently is the penchant of the politicians to discard their electoral promises as soon as they are get into office. During electioneering campaign, they promise all

manner of goodies and regale the masses with promises of a better country and of a better life.

In the next few days, all the major primaries of various political parties would be over. Those who emerged as candidates for various elective positions would begin to move from place to place, soliciting votes and making bogus promises.

This time around, some would even go as far as engaging the services of experts to craft some blueprints for effective governance. They would arm themselves with the wordings of these documents and dish them out from them mouth and not from their heart. They would be mouthing great programmes they have put together for the people (but only on paper).

Experiences have shown that only an infinitesimal number of those with these blueprints, so called, remember such documents, let alone implementing the letters; for as soon as they win the election and get inaugurated they turn their back against those who voted them into

power.

This has been the pattern and there is nothing suggesting that the crop of politicians masquerading as lovers of the people now is ready to bring the much-needed change.

Why it is difficult to expect that 2019 will be different is that it is the same old brigade; the same set of people that have held the country down for years that are still milling around; they are all over the place scrambling for presidential, gubernatorial, senatorial positions. Although some of them have held political positions since 1999, they only succeeded in enhancing their individual selves while the country has continued its descent.

How do we get out of this quagmire?

Simple. We must say, “No; Our Mumu Don Do”(apologies Charley Boy and group).

• Zebulon Agomuo

$5bn

This is the amount of money that investors in the Nigerian telecommunications sector are said to have been adding every quarter according to NCC.

What manner of primaries?

The acrimonious primaries across the country by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) seems to have demystified the party. When the APC watched power from the sidelines when the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was in charge, it called the party all manner of names; today, the same ills, even in larger measure, have become the hallmark of the APC. So, let no one says he doesn’t eat a particular food until he/she has experienced and survived a famine.

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