BusinessDay 09 Sep 2018

BDSUNDAY BUSINESS DAY

Flooding: Residents appeal to LASG, FG to fix Lagos roads, drains p.10

Battle to unseat Buhari: Who clinches PDP ticket?

??

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Sunday 09 September 2018 Market & Commodities Monitor Brent Oil

5yr Bond

$76.88

0.00 15.08%

Gold

10yr Bond

$1,201.50

0.23 15.33%

Cocoa

$2,259.00

20yr Bond

0.00 15.26%

p.40-41

Vol 1, No. 233 N300

EIU sees tight 2019 presidential race …Says ruling APC losing support

inside Why I want to govern Delta – Okolougbo

T MICHEAL ANI

he Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has forecast that next year’s presidential contest would be a close one between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the major opposition, People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The London-based firm also predicted that manoeuvring ahead of presidential and legislative elections would cause high tensions in the Nigerian economy, thus distracting from containing security threats and implementing the muchneeded economic reforms.

According to the report, “The President Muhammadu Buhari is fast shed-

ding support from within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with governors and lawmakers defecting to the opposition en masses.

“Intra-party politics will be chaotic and we expect the incumbent to lose power, with the next government being led by the main opposition party potentially in

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FX stability boosts export revenue as unemployment weighs on domestic sales p.35

Would you consider going under the knife to have a ‘slay’ body? p.42

Economic downturn leaves parents with hard choices as school resumes Monday KELECHI EWUZIE

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L-R: Robert Petri, The Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria; Roel Van Neerbos, president, consumer dairy, FrieslandCampina; Yemi Osinbajo, vice president, Federal Republic of Nigeria; Hein Schumacher, Global CEO, Royal FrieslandCampina, and Moyo Ajekigbe, chairman, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria, during a visit to the vice president by a delegation of Royal FrieslandCampina at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, weekend.

2019: Concerns mount over illegal arms proliferation CHUKS OLUIGBO

iththe2018/2019academic session kickstarting on Monday, Kayode Oyetakin, a father of three who lives with his family in Egbeda area of Lagos, is

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esides the threat it poses to Nigeria’s fragile security system, proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons (SALW) across the country is accentuating the mounting concerns that insecurity may mar the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

Nigeria, which has been battling in-country terrorism since 2009 following the rise of the Boko Haram insurgency in the country’s northeast, has had its headache worsened by the increased activities of herdsmen mostly in the north-central region, as well as the threats of militants in the creeks of the Niger Delta.

All of this has been compounded by a heavy influx, over the past few years, of illicit small

arms and light weapons.

Olayinka Ajala, associate lecturer and conflict analyst, University of York, said in June that Nigeria did not appear ready for free and fair elections in 2019, arguing that the polls may be tarnished by acts of violence arising from politicians’ do-or-die attitude in their

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Cover EIU sees tight 2019 presidential...

Continued from Page 1

a coalition with small parties,” EIU said in a September 3, 2018 report circulated among its global client-base including major investors around the world, Friday.

It noted that PDP is itself prone to internecine feuds and it is in a particularly delicate phase ahead of primaries next month.

According to the report, “An uneasy truce has held recently, but an influx of ambitious ex-APC politicians looking to advance their own interests stands to be a major disturbance. Even so, Mr. Buhari appears weak enough for the selected PDP candidate to win power, regardless of whether they have universal backing from their party (which undoubtedly they will not).”

The report said a weak APC before the election and a troubled government thereafter implies that Nigeria manifold security threats will continue to fester and that parliamentary rift will remain the main problem, and that this applies no matter who is in charge, given competition priorities between representatives from different regions and the absence of a common ideology within parties.

“The authority will continue to interfere in the foreign exchange market, although the degree of interference should eventually lessen with higher oil prices supporting reserves and broad economic confidence slowly improving. The naira will nonetheless depreciate over 2019-2021 and be broadly stable in 2022,” it said.

“The current account will record small surpluses over the forecast period, as a pickup in oil prices is offset by recovering import demand. The difficult business environment will restrict the development of non-oil exports,” it further said.

The report said, however, “The 2019 elections will be completed without a widespread breakdown in stability with Nigeria’s democracy proving once again to be robust enough to endure.”

It noted that “as the country’s leadership struggles to shift Nigeria onto a more sustainable and robust path of economic development, the risks to stability will intensify as more and more Nigerians question what they have to

lose from pushing for violent change.”

The EIU said it expects Nigeria’s business environment to deteriorate in relative terms as the administration struggles with the reform process and other countries would make more significant improvements.

President Muhammadu Buhari took over office in May 2015 after vowing to improve security and crack down on endemic corruption, yet Africa’s top oil producer fell into its first recession in 25 years in 2016, largely caused by low crude prices and militant attacks in the Niger Delta. The country’s recovery remains fragile.

The economy managed to limp out from the recession after recording a 0.72 percent growth in the second quarter of 2017 due to the calmness in the Niger Delta region. However, the economy is still in its fragile state as growth in Q2 2018 slowed to 1.5 percent from the 1.95 percent that was recorded in Q1 2018.

The EIU said that policy reform, particularly in the vital oil industry, would be slow as a result of division in the political elite between advocates of tough, unpopular market and those who prefer pandering to nationalistic and pro-subsidy interest groups, but expects the latter group to remain in the ascendancy.

“The politicization of economic policy will also slow reforms and at times actively decelerate economic growth.

The Central Bank will not act completely independently as the overall policy agenda will be pulled in differing directions by powerful interest groups.

“Fiscal expenditure will remain dominated by recurrent spending despite attempts to boost capital investment.

Efforts to boost non-oil tax revenue will be constrained by weak bureaucratic capacity and low economic growth,” it said.

“Constrained by a crippling infrastructure deficit, economic growth will be well beneath levels needed to boost job creation and increase living standards.

“Inflation will remain high over the forecast period (2018-2022) amid expansionary fiscal policy and high food prices stemming from the government efforts to limit

imports and support local producers,” it further said.

The 75-year-old president in April this year sought his party’s presidential ticket to contest elections in February 2019 even after swearing to rule for one term if he was voted president in 2015.

After spending five months in Britain last year being treated for an undisclosed ailment, opposition groups in Africa’s most populous nation and other critics said he was unfit for office and his administration was beset by inertia.

Former Nigerian leader Olusegun Obasanjo and exmilitary President Ibrahim Babangida had earlier asked President Buhari not to seek re-election next year, saying he has failed in his management of Africa’s most populous country.

Political parties must select their candidates for the 2019 presidential election between August 18 and October 7 this year. Presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place on February 16, 2019.

President Buhari is preparing for a re-election in 2019, but he is fast shedding support from within the ruling APC with lawmakers and governors defecting to the opposition en masse.

More than 34 lawmakers and a state governor quit Buhari’s ruling APC in July this year, with the vast majority switching allegiance to the PDP. Nigeria’s third most powerful man in leadership hierarchy, Bukola Saraki, also defected to the opposition party after several showdowns between the legislature and the executive.

After his defection, Saraki sought after 2019 presidential bid alongside former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former governor of Kano State Rabiu Kwankwaso, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and a one-time Senate President David Mark, who has also purchased the PDP nomination form.

While both parties have struggled with internal divisions, the mass defections are breathing new life into the PDP, which ruled Africa’s most-populous nation from the end of military rule in 1999 until former President Goodluck Jonathan was ousted by Buhari in the 2015 election.

Analysis

NASS to slash 2019 INEC budget by N6.5bn?

OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja

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he decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to withhold assent to the Electoral Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill may have a domino effect on the N242 billion 2019 election budget, as indications have emerged that the National Assembly may further reduce the Commission’s budget by N6.5 billion This is because the Electoral Act Bill contains some proposals in the N143 billion INEC budget for 2018 for the conduct of the exercise.

Lawmakers argued that approving the INEC budget as it is will create room for corruption since the President had rejected the Electoral Act Amendment Bill which, among other things, legalises the use of card readers for elections.

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had last week declined assent to the Electoral Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill. This is the third time in 2018 that the President has withheld his assent to the bill, having rejected the Bill in February and August.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate) Ita Enang, he explained that the President withheld his assent to the bill due to some “drafting issues that remain unaddressed following the prior revisions to the bill”.

Key provision of the proposal is the legislation of the use of card readers only for voters’ accreditation.

Although the National Assembly Joint Committee on INEC had earlier slashed the commission’s budget by N200 million and forwarded its recommendation to the Joint Appropriations Committee, it was gathered that lawmakers are set for a showdown with the Executive by calling for downward review of the budget to remove line items that have to do with Smart Card Readers.

Except a political solution is found and the Electoral Act Bill is signed into law for the conduct of the 2019 election, INEC stands another risk of losing a whooping N6,558,868,100 being proposals that deal with Smart Card Readers in the yet to be approved elections budget.

Checks by BDSUNDAY on the INEC budget revealed that some items to be affected include Smart Card Reader (SCR) hardware modification for which N4.3 billion was allocated. Others are: purchase of SCRs as replacements N1.052 billion, replacement of aging SCR batteries and SAM cards N1.049 billion, SCR software upgrade for INEC Voter Authentication System N47.1 million and Software Upgrade of Card Reader for verification and authentication of voters N20.1 million.

In an interview with BDSUNDAY, Deputy Minority Whip,

Biodun Olujimi (PDP, Ekiti State) confirmed that following the president’s decision to decline assent to the Electoral Act, the elections budget for 2019 may be reduced further.

“Well, I think we will have to review it. We will have to look at it because the reason for which so much money is being asked for is because of the card reader in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. If that is not there, then we need to do a review when we resume on the (source) of funding,” she said.

The National Assembly is billed to resume from annual recess on September 25, 2018.

However, Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Rafiu Ibrahim, stated that lawmakers would make the necessary corrections and transmit same to the President for his assent.

The lawmaker who represents Kwara South in the National Assembly, however, expressed fear that the President may not sign the budget into law.

In a telephone interview with BDSUNDAY Ibrahim said: “For me, it is the constitutional right of the President to withhold assent. But the reasons are just typographical, drafting errors.

And I believe, once we resume, we are going to correct that. And everything will be straightened out.

“It shows that this government is not a very organised government. Because before they brought the budget, they were banking on the (Electoral Act) Amendment that most of them have been sorted out with INEC. And that is why INEC made presentation to the Presidency which they forwarded to the National Assembly.

“So, if at this point, he (Buhari) is withholding assent and he is asking us to approve the budget, for me, you should know which of the arm of government is in a confused state.

“Notwithstanding, we are going to correct all those errors and send back to him.

“But some of us are suspecting that the President is not willing to sign that amendment because he has peculiar interest in the election and he is afraid of certain things. He is just looking for flimsy excuse not to sign it”.

Other highlights of the Bill are: electronic transmission of election results, disqualification of any candidate involved in electoral violence, safe keeping of voters register at the Commission’s headquarters at federal, state and local government areas.

The amended bill further prescribes the limit of nomination fees that they would charge their aspirants.

Political commentators say if Buhari had signed the bill into law, this would have stopped the arbitrary fees imposed by political parties on their aspirants during purchase of Nomination and Expression of Interest forms.

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News

Fayose will leave Ekiti with N117bn debt, Fayemi cries out

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RAPHAEL ADEYANJU, Ado-Ekiti

kiti State Governorelect, Kayode Fayemi, has accused the outgoing Governor Ayodele Fayose of leaving the state with a staggering N117 billion debt.

Speaking while receiving the report of the Transition Committee set up to interface with the outgoing administration to facilitate smooth change of government, Fayemi said he is leaving Governor Ayo Fayose and his regime to God over the alleged mismanagement of state funds and resources.

The governor-elect was reacting to the latest debt figure released by the Debt Management Office (DMO) which revealed that the debt profile increased from N18 billion Fayose inherited from Fayemi in 2014 to N117 billion.

The committee said this is outside arrears of salaries, pen-

sions, gratuities and money owed contractors by the Fayose administration.

Fayemi also suggested the enactment of a Transition Act that will stipulate the duties of an outgoing administration and an incoming administration to pave the way for seamless transfer of power given the difficulties the committee faced and some al-

Oyo 2019: Adelabu, Alli, Tegbe, Omodewu likely to emerge …As one of the consensus candidate as Group warns Ajimobi AKINREMI FEYISIPO, Ibadan.

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ne out of the candidates which include Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, Bayo Adelabu, Isaac Omodewu and Lekan Alli governorship aspirants willing to succeed Governor Abiola Ajimobi will likely emerge through a consensus.

Ajimobi and some elders met with all the aspirants on Saturday to pick a consensus candidate.

According to Ajimobi, the essence of the meeting, particularly those aspiring to be governor was to appeal to some of them to possibly step down and avoid waste of resources.

He stated that it would be wrong to encourage governorship aspirants to waste 22.5 million naira on nomination forms without emerging as the candidate.

But the governor who

said all the aspirants are qualified and have good credentials, it was gathered that he might have penciled down the four aspirants. Sources told BDSUNDAY that at the yesterday meeting, Adelabu, Alli,Tegbe and Omodewu, one of this aspirants is likely to emerge.

Bayo Adelabu, Alli and Tegbe are from Ibadan while Omodewu is from Oke Ogun area of the state.

The governor had earlier stated that he will support Oke Ogun to emerge as governorship candidate because of their support during the 2015 elections.

About 30 aspirants are jostling to succeed the governor within the APC. The decision created tension within the party and camps of all the aspirants except four who are said to have been penciled down by the governor as likely candidates.

leged actions taken by the outgoing government after losing the July 14 governorship election.

Such law, according to him, is in operation in African countries like Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and other advanced democracies in other parts of the world.

Fayemi said: “The chairman (of the committee) talks about liabilities;thatiswhatgovernment

is all about, assets and liabilities, government is a continuum.

“We are not unmindful of the fact that there will be debts but we are focused on our agenda to make a difference in the lives of our people.

“So for us, we leave whatever that is done by the outgoing government to God and God will handle that in the best way possible.

“We want to focus on making the difference in the life of our people, so our people remain our priority.

“We hope some reason will prevail between now and inauguration day for the outgoing government to come up with the information this committee has been asking for since it was inaugurated.”

Fayemidisclosedthathespoke with some development partners and investors willing to work with his government during a recent trip to China who demanded the

report of the committee.

The governor-elect, who promised to hit the ground running immediately he is sworn into office on October 16 also charged aspirants to national and state legislatures in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to familiarise themselves with the contents of the report.

Adetunmbi said: “The subcommittees of this Transition Committee met with 76 interest groups including labour unions, interest groups, civil society bodies, development partners who assisted with information of what is going on in the outgoing administration.

“The report being submitted today represents the voice of the people that voted you (Fayemi) in and it contains what they want in the short term, medium term and in the long term.

“As at the last time the DMO released official debt figures, Ekiti is owing N117 billion.”

2019: Saraki pledges justice, equity, fair play as he takes consultation to Abia UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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ukola Saraki, the Senate president and presidential aspirant in the 2019 election under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has said his main objective is to ensure that every segment of the country will feel a sense of belonging and ensurethatjusticeandequity reign supreme in the nation’s body polity.

SarakistatedthisinUmuahia at the weekend when he visited Abia PDP headquarters to inform members of the party of his intention to run for the president of the country in 2019.

“My mission is for justice.

I believe that every Nigerian should have a seat on the

table with equal stake, justice and equity. Appointments should be based on Federal character and equal share,” Saraki said.

He said that Nigeria needs a visionary leader which he represents.

“We want somebody who will turn Nigeria around.

Nocountrycangrowwithout the private sector. A country will grow when the private

sector is growing,” he further stated.

The President of the Senate also promised to create enabling environment for businessmen to grow their businesses and for young ones to start off.

The presidential aspirant further promised to encourage Aba leather and shoe manufacturers, adding that a lot of creative brains abound in Aba producing shoes, booths and products for the military and paramilitary.

“I will ensure that Nigeria is restructured so that every state will grow and contributetothegrowthofthecountry,” he said.

Johnson Onuigbo, Abia PDP chairman in his remarks, stated that he was not doubtful of Saraki’s ability to steer the country out of its present problems based on his

Ahmed declares to run for Senate in Kwara south SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin

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overnor Abdulfatah Ahmed has announced his plan to run for Kwara south senatorial election next year.

Ahmed, who will be completing his eight-year rule as governor of the state in May, 2019, will be running for the senatorial election under the

banner of his new party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Go v e r n o r Ah m e d , who obtained his nomination forms on Friday and declared his intention to run for the senatorial seat of Kwara south, ended months of speculations about his future ambition.

The governor had on two occasions defected

to new parties with his godfather, Bukola Saraki.

He joined Saraki to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014 and about few weeks ago rejoined the PDP which brought him to power in 2011, toeing the path of the Senate president, Bukola Saraki.

Ahmed made his intention to run for the senatorial election known

antecedents.

“He will deliver as a president. If he becomes a president; I know that this state and other states of the country will grow,” Onuigbo said.

Earlier, Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia State governor, lauded the Senate president, for his efforts at uniting the National Assembly and defending the rights of Nigerians.

Ikpeazu made the commendation when the Senate President paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Umuahia.

He described Saraki as an excellent governor who had also done well as Senate president.

“He was an excellent governor and has done well as Senate president, holding forthandensuringthatthings work out well,” he said.

on his twitter handle, @ AbdulfataAhmed. Sayin: “In response to calls by my people and in keeping with my strong desire to upscale the excellent work we have done in all three zones of the state, through effective, purposeful representation, I have picked up the PDP nomination form for Kwara South Senatorial District.”

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News BDCs told to beware of money launderers, terrorists as 2019 elections approach Hope Moses-Ashike

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ureau de Change (BDC) operators have been told to refuse to be used as conduits to launder money or indirectly sponsor terrorism as Nigeria’s 2019 elections approach.

The BDCs were further advised to keep to their core functions and be mindful of the guidelines for their operations.

Th e y w e r e f u r t h e r warned that the relevant authorities will not hesitate to apply the necessary sanctions in the event of any infraction and that anyone caught in such web risked losing his/her license or even a jail term.

These words of advice came in the course of a twoday seminar held for Bureau De Change operators by Travelex Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Travelex Uk, in conjunction with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

A communiqué released at the end of the seminar, stated that various presenters of papers at the event agreed that BDC operators must familiarise themselves with regulatory guidelines and operate within the ambit of such rules as the CBN has determined to wield a long stick and that ignorance of the law is no excuse.

They further observed

that there was the need for Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) to work more closely with the CBN to discuss and address challenges affecting the sector, as well as the need to strengthen the capacities of financial service operators in the country.

It was also pointed out that operators must properly identify their customers before going into business with them and that proper documentation of their transactions would save them a

lot of heartache. It was also pointed out that international and national regulations, including anti-money laundering acts, intended to help stop criminal organisations from profiting from their illegal activities.

“These regulations were said to generally require banks and other financial businesses that engage in global foreign exchange to verify the identity of all their clients by gathering necessary information including name, date of birth, contact

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cessed by all licensed BDC operators across the country, presentsagoodmodelofantimoney laundering initiative.

That IMX’s GTS-Retail system, which came on board in 2016, allows the Bank of Zambia to view aggregated value of transactions performed by a customer, irrespective of where they are transacted, as well as allows multiple private operators to trade completely independently from each other, with only the Bank of Zambia having a global view

L-R: Mark Smith, commercial director for Africa, Travelex ;Christabel Onykwere, executive director, Inter-Bank Settlement System Nigeria (NIBSS ); Bayo Oladejo, MD/CEO, Centrifuge Consulting; Chidi Amuta, chairman, Wilson and Weizmann Associates, and Steve King, group head, corporate compliance, Travelex UK, at the day 2 of the sensitization forum for BDC Proprietors in Nigeria with the theme’ Systems, Processes & Compliance in Nigeria’s retail BDC Forex Sector in Lagos.

Pic by Pius Okeosisi

Ebonyi PDP suspends Umahi’s aide, State Assembly aspirant over alleged anti party activities

n aide to the Ebonyi State Governor, Emeka Igwe, and a member of the Abakaliki Capital Territory Development Board, Geoffrey Mgbada, who is an aspirant for Ohaukwu North State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, has been suspended from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for alleged anti party activities.

In a 10-point letter of suspension which was signed by the PDP ward chairman of Wigbeke ward II, Clement Elom, the two politicians were accused of anti-party activities including allegedly purchasing APC nomination forms in Abuja.

Elom further alleged that the PDP chieftains were suspended from the party

information, and applicable identity documents,” it was stated.

It was further noted that whereas some countries engaged in foreign exchange controls, such as banning the use of foreign currency within the country, fixed exchange rates, among others, such controls can result in the creation of black markets.

That Zambia’s IMX software, a centralised, real-time system to allow the Bank of Zambia to monitor foreign exchange transactions pro-

at the ward level after critical stakeholders meeting and party executives where it was confirmed that Igwe and Mgbada were seen in APC office in Abuja negotiating to defect to the APC the former had lost the mock delegate election to Chinedu Awo. Part of the letter of suspension read “that you Emeka Igwe and Geoffry Mgbada having been accused of indulging in anti-party activities and your inability to absolve yourselves of the allegation are hereby suspended from the party.

“You have also been suspended from our great party for your gross misconduct which includes but not limited to your disobedience to the guidelines of the party and disobedience to the

leader of the party, David Umahi, the governor and your insistence to run for the post of Ohaukwu North State Constituency against all odds despite your loss to Chinedu Awo in the hotly contested mock delegate election conducted by the governor himself. “ The letter further stated that “Having viewed your arrogance and disregards to the party and your constant attacks on the person of the governor and leaders of the party in the state, we hereby suspend you, Emeka Igwe and Chief Geoffrey Mgbada from our party at the ward.”

The letter further alleged that the suspended members of the party also purchased the APC nomination form in Abuja to contest the election.

of activity It was observed at the seminar, that CBN policies do have positive effects on BDC operators. Such effects include promoting uniform handling of similar activities among BDCs; establishing indirect control on activities of BDCs; offering answers to routine BDC problems, among several others.

These and other measures were necessary, it was observed, as the ability of any country or territory to protect itself from the consequences of financial crimes, money laundering and financing of terrorism depends on the effectiveness and quality of appropriate control measures put in place by regulators and operators to mitigate such identified risks.

Among prominent figures who attended the event, some of whom also presented papers, include Mark Smith, commercial director for Africa, Travelex; Christabel Onyekwere, executive director, Inter-Bank Settlement System Nigeria (NIBSS ); Bayo Oladejo, MD/CEO, Centrifuge Consulting; Chidi Amuta, chairman, Wilson and Weizmann Associates, and Steve King, group head, corporate compliance, Travelex UK; Tony Enwereji, general manager, Travelex Nigeria Ltd; Godson Evulukwu, adviser to the Board of Travelex; Aminu Gwadabe, ABCON president; Taiwo Ebenezer, ABCON chairman, South West and Festus Aderinoye, ABCON secretary, South West.

Ahmed knocks FG over insecurity, economy James Kwen, Abuja

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presidential aspirant on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Datti Ahmed, has tongue-lashed President Muhammadu Buhari for allegedly failing to secure the lives and property of Nigerians.

Ahmed said the Buhari administration remains largely unfulfilled in its promises to Nigerians as made manifest in the reign of terror which he noted has spread to new areas in an increasingly divided nation, while new forms of sophisticated crimes overwhelm a suppressed and depressed citizenry.

He told newsmen in Abuja shortly after sub-

mitting his nomination form that though President Buhari challenged the three previous elections to the Supreme Court, his own 2015 victory was not challenged as Nigeria witnessed for the first time a peaceful transition of power from a party that ruled for 16 years.

The former member of the House of Representatives Buhari’s unprecedented act of goodwill was complimented by taking an unprecedented period of 6 months to form a weak cabinet mostly from the old ruling party Ahmed pointed out that the economy is now at a point of near collapse as the Naira is currently 40percent of its value from where Buhari took over just as the rates have risen and banks

hardly lend, with millions of jobs consequently lost due to multi nationals leaving Nigeria.

The presidential aspirant regretted that rather than being transparent in fighting graft, the war against corruption has evidently mainly focused on the opposition and the past government thereby, ignoring the present government’s inflated contracts and all other known acts of corruption in addition to the heavily manipulated foreign exchange allocation business.

“Certainly, Nigeria may not survive the continuation of these unfortunate trends and therefore the 2019 general elections provide yet one more chance to produce leaders to rescue Nigeria” he said.

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Fayose, Fayemi disagree over sale of Ekiti properties RAPHAEL ADEYANJU, Ado Ekiti

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kiti Governorelect, Kayode Fayemi has accused the out-going governor of planning to sell off some state government property including Oja Oba ultra modern market and some landed property.

The governor-elect had recently through a public notice issued on his behalf by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, urged the public to beware of alleged moves by the out-going governor to dispose of some valuable properties of Ekiti state government through alleged shady arrangement.

However, responding to the allegation, Ayo Fayose said that he was still the governor of the state legitimately and that Fayemi should wait for his time which commences in October 16.

The public notice further read: “The attention of the Governor-Elect of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi has been drawn to the clandestine moves by the outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Peter

Fayemi

Ayodele Fayose to hurriedly dispose off some valuable properties of Ekiti State Government through shady arrangements.

Some of the properties are: i. A large expanse of land between Ondo State Civil Service Commission and Elan Club, in front of Government Printing Press, Alagbaka, Akure. ii. Erinfun Livestock Development Center, covering 600 hectares of land along Federal Polytechnic Road, Ado-Ekiti. iii. The new Oja Oba Market, among others.

“We hereby inform and advise the general public, particularly prospective buyers to be circumspect in entering into any trans-

Fayose

action with the outgoing Governor, Ayo Fayose in respect of any of the properties mentioned above or any other one whatsoever as the incoming administration may not recognise or give effect to such transactions.A word is enough for the wise!”

However, in his response, Fayose said: “The Governorelect is wasting his time. I am still the governor of Ekiti State till October 15 legitimately. He is only ranting.

That is ranting. He should wait for his time. Somebody stole a mandate and he is still claiming to have a mandate.

“It is the kind of leadership we have in the country that cause this kind of issue.

Adamawa 2019: Ahmed promises new lease of life James Kwen, Abuja

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top governorship contender for Adamawa State, Mahmood Halilu Ahmed has promised to create a new lease of life for his people.

Haliru, who is contesting on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the desire to let the people have a feel of what dividends of democracy means informed his decision to join the race.

He stated this in Abuja while receiving the APC expression of interest and nomination forms obtained for him by his friends and associates, saying with this gesture, victory was in sight.

The astute politician and accomplished business mogul who is presently the chairman of Hinterland Group of Companies noted that he would not like other politicians made superfluous promises but will change the fortunes of Adamawa when elected.

“Well, I don’t want to blow my trumpet but at my age having interacted with people, having lived my life it is for the public to judge well. it is very clear.

“There is a distinction in

Ahmed

The Adamawa state governorship hopeful expressed deep appreciation to his friends for purchasing the forms for him as his budget was over stretched by the cost of the forms approved by the party leadership.

“I lost half of my size immediately. I didn’t know that my friends are actually working on this. At about 11am today, one of them called me that they are actually having an emergency meeting that they put together this amount of money and they are proceeding to pick a nomination form for me.

“It is quite touching and from the bottom of my heart and most sincerely I like to thank each and every one of them. About 22 of them got together to have this thing done. I express my gratitude to them.

“I want to assure them that what they saw in me, I will not let them down. I am committed and they know me and the love, I have for my people and by the special grace of God, we are going to emerge victorious,” he said.

Ahmed however, maintained that as loyal party member, he was not opposed to the cost of expression of interest and nomination forms as that was in the best interest of party.

With the increased pressure on family budgets owing to the economic situation, they said the options of two to three instalments of payment would help them plan their finances which could help ease this burden.

Olufemi Babatunde, a parent who is still looking for funds to pay the fees of his two daughters before resumption, said the current economic situation is very difficult for him and his household.

He said he was still negotiating with the management of his children’s school to allow him stagger payment as full payment was not possible at the moment.

Anayo Anyanele, a parent with three children in private schools in Lagos, said the economic situation in the country currently was giving him hard time paying his children’s school fees.

He said the option of staggered payment would go a long way to help him survive the current challenge, stressing that failure by private school managers to help may force parents to seek schools with lesser fees or even public schools.

He, however, observed that his decision to seek such alternative payment

idea would not have arisen in the first place if government had addressed the issue of education in public schools.

Babatunde Akeem, a lowincome earner, said his situation was more challenging as his employers had yet to pay his salaries in the past two months.

For Akeem, feeding his family alone was enough problems, which would be compounded by demand for tuition fees and the incidental expenses on books and other materials for his children to learn in school.

“For two months, my salary has been pending. Even though I feel good that my child is going back to school, whenever I remember the many bills I have to pay, it makes me anxious. Paying school fees, changing school uniforms, bags and shoes are too expensive and parents are not finding it easy,” he said.

“The current dispensation should please ensure that we do not pay so much to get quality education for our children. If public schools were good enough, I don’t see any reason I should send my children to a private school, where I have to pay through my nose to keep them in school,” he said.

whatever that we do. In life, there are things to happen in one’s life say. There are some vacuums or things that are lacking in the state which I feel that a lot can be done if we have a change in leadership in the state with the current situation.

“I don’t want to go into it for too much. It is no longer secret. Our own citizens in the state also those outside are the feelers of what is happening in the state”, Ahmed said.

Decrying the current state of things in Adamawa, Ahmed stated that, “it is no longer news that the situation in my state informed the decision. My mission is to create a new lease of life for my people to feel what it means to actually have a feeling of the dividends of democracy”.

Economic downturn leaves parents with...

Continued from page 1 uncertain whether his children would be resuming with other children.

His reason is simple: he is not sure where the money to pay for the school fees of his children and other pending expenses that go with school runs will come from.

“The economy is not getting any better. Books, provisions and other things are too costly in the market, not to mention the school fees that I don’t know where to get the money from,” he says.

Having taken stock of these realities, Oyetakin says he has already prepared the minds of his children to the situation on ground hoping that things improve sooner than later.

“I have never had it this rough in my entire life,” he says.

The month of September is usually a hectic period for Nigerian parents as it heralds the beginning of a new academic session for children across the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education.

This year, however, amid biting economic downturn, purchasing power has dwindled consistently and spending every naira has come

with serious deliberations and considerations within families.

Parents who spoke with BDSUNDAY lamented that the last academic session was particularly hard. Some had to keep their wards at home until they could raise the money, while some faced the ignominy of having their children sent home for non-payment or incomplete payment of fees.

On the eve of another session, most parents across the country are not finding it easy gathering the necessary items required for their children’s return to school due to the current state of the economy.

A look at the major markets across the country shows that many of the bookshops and shopping centres are not experiencing the typical hustle and bustle that accompanies periods like this. Traders across the markets wear forlorn faces because of low patronage.

As in time past, dealers in school materials such as books, bags and others have raised their prices in anticipation of making brisk sales at this period of the year. Ironically, they have also been lamenting poor patronage and sales.

Adaeze Obirieze, a civil servant and mother of four, told BDSUNDAY that she is worried that it would be hard for her husband to raise the money with which to procure all the materials that their children would need for the new academic session.

“These are trying times for many families in terms of the availability of the financial resources to get their children returning to school the necessary items and materials,” she said.

She observed that school fees remained the same from the previous session but prices of textbooks, writing materials, school bags and shoes had gone up.

As the economic situa-

tion in the country weighs heavily on parents resulting in delayed payment of school fees, parents with children in fees-paying institutions have intensified their clamour for a staggered payment of fees to cushion the financial burden.

Some parents who spoke with BDSUNDAY said they pay on the average between N100,000 and N300,000 per term for their children in private schools and that the current economic situation has direly affected their purchasing power.

They appealed to school management for staggered payment as alternative measure to cushion their present situation.

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News ADP horrified at raid on Edwin Clark’s house, demands thorough investigation Innocent Odoh, Abuja

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he Action Democratic Congress (ADP) has expressed dismay over Tuesday’s raid on the Abuja residence of former Federal Commissioner for Information and Niger Delta leader, Edwin Clark, by three police officers of the rank of Inspectors, who were led by an Assistant Superintendent of the Police (ASP) over suspicion of arms stockpile, which turned out to be false.

A statement signed by the National Chairman of ADP, Yusuf Sani Yabagi, said although the party appreciate the fact that the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has tendered unreserved apology to the 91- year- old Clark, ordered the dismissal of the three inspectors and

put the ASP under interdiction, pending his imminent dismissal, the party is disturbed that the police could deny the Tactical Squad from the Office of the IGP, which carried out such raid with a search warrant allegedly obtained from a court.

“The police spokesman Jimoh Moshood while trying to absolve the IGP of any blames, said the indicted officers’ action was “unauthorised, illegal and unprofessional” but with regards to the circumstances of the invasion and uncivilised search conducted on Clark’s house and the attendant embarrassment the elder statesman suffered, it raises fundamental questions about the command and control system of the police.

“If police officers can carry out unauthorised and brazen raid on the house of a prominent figure like Clark based on unsubstantiated

information provided by one Ismail Yakubu, who the police said is now facing prosecution for misleading them, then it speaks volume as to how rogue elements within the force have rendered our country and lives unsafe,” Yabagi said.

The statement further quoted Clark’s lawyer, Kayode Ajulo, as saying that the Ijaw leader had confirmed that the officers and men of the IGP Tactical Squad commenced their search having introduced themselves, stating that they were acting under the instructions of the Inspector General of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police Yusuf Kolo as their commander.

Kayode said further that Ambassador Boladei Igali (Former SSG Bayelsa State and former Permanent Secretary Ministry of Power) who was with Clark at the venue of the search put a call

Clark

through to Assistant Inspector General of Police (Federal Intelligence) Umoru Usman Shehu who spoke with the leader of the search party and gave authority to go ahead with the search.

“So, it is baffling to us that the top echelon of the Nigeria Police Force will publicly claim they did not authorise the invasion despite the fact that clear contacts were made with them before the search commenced.

“We suspect a conspiracy against the IGP himself by his men or an attempt by the police to cover up what appears to be a failed vendetta mission on the elder statesman while making the hapless officers the fall guys of the botched attempt to hound the Niger Delta leader, following his ceaseless political activities on restructuring which elements within the government are unhappy with,” the statement said.

Most fake prayer houses may soon AUN president charges ‘freshmen’ to surmount personal limitations close shop – PH top cleric Ignatius Chukwu

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Port Harcourtbased top cleric has warned that most prayer houses may close down and their facilities may make way for schools, hospitals and warehouses.

This is as politicians have been told to desist from arming youths and twisting rules of the game to cause mayhem, saying God, the owner of Nigeria, would soon strike.

The general overseer of God’s Love International Ministries (a k a Power Holy Ghost Arena), the apostle, A O Barnabas, who made these revelations in Port Harcourt warned that those who have turned to evils and rituals to acquire strange powers to dazzle members would soon be exposed and would be on the run. The man of God was speaking on Sunday at the end of the youth week of the

A O Barnaba

Church.

On fake pastors and evil men claiming to be men of God, Barnabas said; “The activities of some pastors are carnal and the foundations of these churches are fetish. They are an abomination in God’s eye. Very soon, God’s wrath will fall on their pastors, and their buildings would be used as hospitals, schools and warehouses”.

He further disclosed thus; “Some even bury pregnant women, virgins, and animals beneath their altars in order to acquire powers to manipulate their members. Instead of seeking the face of God, they go for shortcuts. l know the God i serve, He is a jealous God. These charlatans go for shortcuts in acquiring powers from the marine agents, Indian sources, cult the occult, etc, so as to manipulate those that come in contact with them.”

He said the wrath of God would soon fall on leaders of these fake churches who h said preached materialism instead of how to make heaven and achieve salvation.

The apostle advised Christian youths in particular not to engage in negative behaviours that would portray the Church in bad faith because all those who destroy the name of the lord would be treated as anti-Christ.

The man of God warned the political class about the danger ahead of them. Hear

him; “As we enter the next political phase in the history of our country, God will strike down any politician that would want to use any of you for their political and selfish gains.”

His mission, according to him, is to bring old time religious practice at this particular time when everyone seemed to have lost hope in the body of Christ. He insisted that the body of Christ has never changed despite the desperation’s of those in charge (bishops, pastors, general overseers, apostles, etc).

Reminding men of God that they are burden-carriers in the temple of God, he said; “My personal observation these days is that most pastors now love comfort zones instead of being burden-bearers.”

Barnabas further warned that no longer would youths of the country be used to foment evil in Nigeria.

He advised the political class not to twist the rule of the game to avoid arson and violence that could consume the youths. He said the politicians usually did evil for their own selfish interest others do so for commercial greed.

“They seek to turn Nigeria into a battle field, but this country belongs to God. The political rules should be religiously followed so that unnecessary arson, bloodshed and vandalism could be averted.”

… At 2018 Fall Matriculation

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resident Dawn Dekle of American University of Nigeria has urged new students to strive to overcome personal circumstances of their birth and challenges in childhood, including economic and social class expectations, to achieve greatness.

Welcoming students and parents to the University’s Fall Semester Convocation and Pledge Ceremony, which marked the beginning of its 14th academic year for the undergraduate class of 2022, law class of 2023, postgraduate diploma class of 2020, masters’ degree class of 2020, and doctoral class of 2022, President Dekle admonished them to dream big and aim for greatness.

“You are so much more than where you were born or your childhood circumstances,” the President told the students. “You contain multitudes; you have the talents and skills you have not yet recognised. Use your time at AUN to develop yourself, make AUN work for you, make the most of it, and you will make your lives masterpieces.

Four Chibok schoolgirls and several freshmen from other African countries were among the more than 203 students who took the University’s Community Pledge, a tradition of American universities.

The four Chibok girls, who graduated from AUN’s New Foundation School, an intensive pre-college preparatory program, which integrates academic and counseling contents, met the admission requirements leading to their enrollment into undergraduate programs.

Three of the girls who plan to go on to medical school are enrolled in AUN’s globally acclaimed Natural & Environmental Science program, with a concentration in Biomedical

Dawn Dekle

Science; the other will study Law. Altogether 12 students from Chibok community in Borno State are enrolled in different programs at AUN. Five are studying to become doctors, two each are in Law and Accounting, and two others are in the Business Administration and Communications & Multimedia programs.

Supported by their parents, faculty members, fellow

students and other community members, the girls drew the loudest applause from the audience when they were called up to the podium to receive their Class sashes from Dekle.

Drawing broadly from sporting metaphors and anecdotes, Dekle noted that at its best, football transcends language, religion, race, and politics. Of all sports, it is the most inclusive, tolerant, and diverse.

“University study is a lot like football. In both, you have to rely on your team and make a plan for each test of your skill; you have to learn mental toughness to manage your anxieties and fears, and you have to take the opportunity to shine in the spotlight when you are asked to lead.”

“If I have one last prayer for each of you; it is that you use your time at AUN to develop the mindset of a midfielder on the football pitch.

Why do I choose a midfielder, when the striker is the one who bends or chips the ball into the goal and wins the glory for the team? I choose midfielder because the position is the most flexible and fit, the most adaptable, and the best team player.”

All the newly admitted students took part in their first Community Service the previous Saturday at the Yolde Pate Primary School in Yola South LGA.

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Sunday 09 September 2018

News

Adoption of direct primaries by APC stirs controversy in Akwa Ibom ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo

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he adoption of direct primaries as the mode of electing aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State is generating controversy with some governorship aspirants kicking against it.

Don Etiebet, the caucus chairman of the party in the state had in a press statement affirmed the adoption of direct primaries for the election of candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

A party stalwart, Bassey Eyo told Businessday in a telephone interview that the adoption of the direct mode of primaries will ensure inclusive governance and check inducement of delegates by aspirants adding that as the policy of the party, members were ready to with it.

But checks by our correspondent show that while some of the governorship aspirants have received the directive with a pinch of salt others have expressed

Etiebet

reservations over it saying it.

One of the aspirants who has been a member of the APC before the defection of others to the party is quoted to have said that he would accept the result of direct primary is it is free and fair adding that it not free, it would be a different ball game.

The controversy is so overwhelming that one of the aspirants has even threatened to defect to the

PDP if the outcome of the direct primaries is manipulated, adding that while he built the party from the scratch in the state, others were nowhere to be found.

Among the governorship aspirants on the platform of the APC in Akwa Ibom State are Nsima Ekere, the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), John James Udoedehe, a stalwart of the party and Bassey Dan

Abia, the immediate past managing director of NDDC. One of the supporters of a governorship aspirant is reportedly to have said that the APC would collapse in the state if his principal were to pull out of the party apparently if the direct primaries are skewed to favour other aspirants.

“We will vote for Governor Udom Emmanuel is APC is not willing to accommodate our interest,’’ a supporter of one of the governorship aspirants was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile controversy has trailed the publication of the lists of party’s ward/ chapter executive members with party leaders describing it as fake. This has to do with the inability of the party leaders to agree on the lists of executive members elected during the last congress of the party. Also, the state executive committee of the party has yet to be inaugurated apparently due to the internal wrangling within the party.

The secretary of the party, Austin Ekanem did not pick calls to his phone as to confirm the authenticity of the list.

I will create sustainable economy and jobs in C/River - Senator Enoh MIKE ABANG, Calabar

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enator John Owan En o h , Se n a t o r representing the central senatorial district of Cross River State has promised to create sustainable economy and employments if given the mandate to govern the state in next year general election.

Senator Enoh who stated this in Ikom while declaring his intention to contest for the number one post of the state on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, stated that his entry into the race is to rescue the state from the decadence it has been plunged into by governor Ayade in the past three years.

“I have no doubt in my mind that you are here because of your burning desire to see a better Cross River. I believe that our gathering here is borne out of our collective conviction that in the midst seeming despair in our state at this time, there can be hope. We are here today because of

inspite of the ruinous cloud of maladministration that has enveloped our state in the last three and half years, we still believe in the power of our own redemption .

“It is my firm believe that we will be leaving this place with the resolve to work together as party men and women to make that redemption possible by nominating me in our party’s governorship primaries as the flag bearer for the 2019 general election in our state to change things for the better” Senator Enoh listed transformation of education sector, improved security network, revamping of the tourism sub sector as part of his blue to redeem the state and called for support from he people o achieve his ambition “Perhaps, there has never been anything in our history that the consequences of our decision to choose who to lead as a governor will be more weighty, dramatic and consequential than now and we must work to actualise it”.

Dickson’s aide set to battle Ogola for senatorial seat Samuel Ese, Yenagoa

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L-R: Idiat Adebule, Lagos State deputy Governor; Mike Okonkwo, Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) , Peace Speaker, his wife Bishop; Barr Femi Falana (SAN) ; John Nnia Nwodo, chairman of the Occasion president general Ohanaeze Ndigbo, during the 19th Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture theme’ Nigeria’s Unity , Matters Arising held at Muson in Lagos.

Pic Chinyere Ikeanyi

L-R: Barr Femi Falana (SAN), speaker Bishop Peace, Okonkwo; Mike Okonkwo, Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), and John Nnia Nwodo, chairman of the Occasion president general Ohanaeze Ndigbo, during the 19th Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture theme’ Nigeria’s Unity, Matters Arising held at Muson in Lagos .

closeaidetoGovernor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State is set to slug it out with Foster Ogola for People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for Bayelsa West Senatorial District.

Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who was Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, a key member of the Restoration Team and confidant of Governor Dickson, submitted his expression of interest and nomination forms in Yenagoa on Thursday promising good representation.

Another member of the Restoration Team who submitted their forms alongside Ewhrudjakpo were the Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Konbowei Benson who is seeking the party ticket for the Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency.

Others are Fred Agbedi who wants to continue representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency and the representative of Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency is the House of Representatives, Douye Diri is seeking to represent Bayelsa Central

Senatorial District.

A former Secretary to the State Government, Steve Azaiki and strong ally of the Restoration Government also submitted his forms to vie for the Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency.

Helen Bob, a former Special Adviser to Dickson on Talent Hunt, also submitted her forms for the PDP ticket for the Nembe/Brass Federal Constituency.

Alongside their teeming supporters, they defied the heavy downpour to submit their forms at the PDP state secretariat in Yenagoa to beat the earlier deadline of Friday, September 7 for the submission of the forms.

Speaking to newsmen after submitting his forms, Ewhrudjakpo said he joined the senatorial race to bring governance to the grassroots and also fast track development of infrastructure in the state.

While decrying what he described as inadequate federal presence in the state in spite of Bayelsa contribution to the national coffers, he stressed the need to address the issues through restructuring and proper legislation.

Ewhrudjakpo said that as a lawyer, he would bring his wealth of experience to bear in the act of law making and true representation and thanked youth of the senatorial district for the confidence reposed in him.

Others who spoke in the same vein including Benson, Diri and Agbedi said law making was a serious business and assured that their experience as lawmakers would assist in the sponsorship of bills for the benefit of the people.

However, the talking point remains that of Ewhrudjakpo who is believed to be part of a subtle plot by Governor Dickson to oust Ogola from a second term as Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District.

It is strongly believed that Ewhrudjakpo would secure the seat for Governor Dickson until his second term expires in February 2020 and then resign to pave way for a bye election which the governor is expected to win.

Even other aides of Governor Dickson were monitored on social media describing his senatorial ambition as a bid to occupy the seat until the governor leaves office, arguing that they have remained childhood friends.

Sunday 09 September 2018

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PhotoSplash

L-R, Deacon Ignatius Edema, Rev. Canon Gabriel Kpagban, Widow of the late Olorogun Michael Ibru, Dr.(Mrs) Cecilia Ibru, Co-Founder Michael and Cecilia Ibru university, Agbarha- Ottor, Ven. Andrew Diadenaru, Vican/ Archdeacon Agbarha arcdeaconny, at the 2nd annual memorial Thanksgiving Service of late Olorogun Michael Ibru , Diocese of Ughelli Anglican Communion ST Andrew ‘s Church Agbarha-Ottor delta state.

Alex Ndubusi, director-general (DG) Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), (r), addressing a news conference on the cause of the recent Turmoil (earthquake) at Mpape and surrounding environments, at the NGSA headquarters in Abuja on Friday (7/9/18). With him is Isaac Okorie, deputy director, DG’s Office. NAN

Philip Ojo, director-general (DG), National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), (M), addressing a news conference on the newly licensed 158 Seed Entrepreneurs, at the NASC headquarters in Gwagwalada, Abuja, With him are Ishiak Khalid, director, Seed Certification and Quality Control, NASC, (l) and Okelola Sunday, technical adviser on seed to the DG.

Charles Oputa, convener, Our Mumu Don Do, (m), addressing a news conference on the negative issues surrounding the Presidential Aspirants Coming Together (PACT) arrangement, in Abuja, With him are Deji Adeyanju, convener, Concerned Nigerians, (l) and Adebayo Raphael, national secretary, Our Mumu Don Do.

Lin Jing, Charge’d Affairs, Chinese Embassy, (r), addressing newsmen on the just concludedForum on China– Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Beijing Summit, in Abuja.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (L), welcoming the Mentor of the Nigeria School Girls from Regina Pacis Model Secondary School, who won the Tech-novation World Pitch, Mrs Uchenna Onwuamaegbu, during a courtesy visit to the Vice President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday (6/9/18). with them are the School girls the won the Tech-novation World Pitch. NAN

L-R: Opara Doris, national coordinator, Standard Out Nigeria; Ebele Ulasi, director-general, National Agency for the Probability of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and Funmilayo Adesanya, presidential candidate, Mass Action Joint Alliance (MAJA), during the Women leadership summit organized by Students Union Government of University of Abuja, in Abuja. NAN

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria protesting alleged “1000 days of detention of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and wife”, in Abuja on Friday. NAN

10 Inside Lagos

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Flooding: Residents appeal to LASG, FG to fix Lagos roads, drains

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Stories by JOSHUA BASSEY

esidents of Lagos have appealed to the state and Federal Governments to fix roads and expand drains in many parts of the state so as to check flooding.

The appeal followed persistent rainfall in the last couple of days, which left several roads flooded, leading to gridlock on major roads across the metropolis.

The residents in separate interviews said most of the shallow drains could not withstand the water volume, which was compounded by bad state of some roads.

A resident of Gowon Estate, in Egbeda, Adedayo James, lamented that the entire estate was flooded due to poor drainage channels.

“The entire area was like a river; it was difficult for us to even leave our houses. The roads are bad, and every exit from the estate was locked down by flood; it was difficult.

“The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) should go back to the drawing board to give Gowon Estate a facelift; if not, it will soon turn into a slum,’’ James said on Friday.

A resident of Alimosho, Salome Qedone, said that adjoining streets in her area were flooded, affecting movement.

“In my area, all the streets

around us were flooded, almost at waist level, I had to take a vehicle across, instead of walking to the bus stop,’’ she said.

A fruit seller in Idi Oro Market in Mushin, who simply identified herself as Iya Ahmed, also appealed to government to expand drainage channels in the area.

“I have been living in this area and selling in this market for over 15 years and this problem is always like this every year.

“We are always afraid when the cloud gathers because we

know that will be the beginning of problems for us both at home and in this market; we want both Lagos State and Federal Government to help up with big gutters.

Checks around the state showed that areas like Oyinlola Street, around Adealu Bus Stop area of Iyana Ipaja, was submerged on Friday toward the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway end as residents struggled to free the drainage channels to reduce the impact.

LASG seeks protection of marine environment

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agos State Commissioner for the Environment, Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, has urged the residents to join forces with the government towards the protection of the marine environment because of its socioeconomic values.

Durosinmi-Etti said state this during the clean-up of Ibeshe Waterfront in Ikorodu, marking the maiden edition of the Clean-up of Lagos Waterfront.

The commissioner also wants the residents to desist from littering the roads, streets and highways with wastes, as such always find their ways into the marines. Durosinmi-Etti bemoaned the fact that Lagos contributed more than half of wastes to the nation’s waterways.

He said this was due to the increasing population of the state which he put at over 22 million as well as improper disposal of wastes by the residents.

The commissioner said that data generated in 2010 and captured in a Wall Street Journal Publication of February 12, 2015 showed that Nigeria ranked 9th on the list of countries polluting the oceans and the waterways the most.

According to him, Nigeria contributes0.34millionmetrictonnesof mismanaged marine plastic debris.

“It will be safe to infer that more than half of these quantities emanated from Lagos, being the most populated of the country’s coastal states. Cleaning the waterfronts will amount to efforts in futility if the debris/wastes still continue to find their ways back to the waterways and the shorelines.

“We must, together; as a people resolve to stop this menace by embracing best waste management practices. We must live by example and encourage our neighbours, relatives, and friends to do same,” he said.

Durosinmi-Etti said that the clean-up of Ibeshe Waterfront underscored the collective resolve to protect the Mother Earth, of which the waterfront was part.

According to him, Lagos, like many other mega cities of the world, was faced with a wide range of socio-economic and environmental challenges; one of which was pollution.

Durosinmi-Etti said that pollution of the marine environment had become a major source of concern globally, in view of the socio-economic and public health implications.

He said that the marine environment was a delicate one that should be protected. He said that this was

because it served as the source of water for socio-economic activities such as transportation, power generation, and irrigation.

According to him, the water bodies serve as habitat to aquatic life, which must be protected to ensure a balance in the ecosystem.

“The Lagos Lagoon and the other lagoons, rivers and streams have their shares of pollution and degradation. This is ranging from deliberate dumping of wastes and untreated sewage to discharge of untreated effluents into them.

“The menace of plastic wastes and the attendant impacts on the aquatic environment has become a global concern.

“As we clean-up the waterfronts in the state, we must not forget that most of these wastes emanate from the inland and we must ensure that they do not find their way back into the waterfront,” he said.

Monday Ayejuni, a fisherman said that the clean-up would help to keep the water environment clean and make their fishing work better.

Ayejuni said that it would ensure that there were no plastic items choking the fish.

Another fisherman, Emmanuel Emiloju, said the clean-up would ensure that more customers patronise them.

Various portions of the LagosAbeokuta Expressway still under construction were flooded, causing slow moving traffic.

Around Mushin and the popular Idi Oro Market, traders and residents waded through the flood while vehicles drove slowly through.

Also some residents of Magboro and other communities along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway heading for Lagos Island also spent hours in gridlock due to the flooded roads.

Sunday 09 September 2018

Eko Disco decries incessant assault on staff

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ko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has decried the spate of harassment and violent attacks on its staff while on official duties in some communities.

Adeoye Fadeyibi, managing director of EKEDC, during a town hall meetng in Mushin area of Lagos, appealed to electricity consumers to desist from such act.

Fadeyibi, represented by the company’s chief financial officer, Joseph Ezenwa, said that the essence of the town hall meeting was to rub minds on how to address issues affecting consumers and proffer solutions. He said the company was aware of several incessant attacks on its staff by some consumers and vandalisation of its property.

Fadeyibi, however, said that the company would not hesitate to ensure that offenders were prosecuted.

According to him, section 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State states that any person who unlawfully assaults another and thereby does him harm commits felony and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for three years.

“Consumers should support workers who come to rectify faults when reported. It is wrong for consumers to attack our workers who are on the ladder, it is also an offence to pull them down forcibly,” he said.

He said that neither poor power supply nor billing error should be a plausible excuse for consumers to take laws into their hands.

According to him, the company only supplies power to its customers based on the bulk energy load it receives from the national grid.

Lagos assures PLWDs of support

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he Lagos State government says it will continue to support and provide protection for People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) in the state.

Babatunde Awelenje, the general manager, Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs (LASODA), gave the assurance at a forum in Lagos.

Awelenje spoke at the public presentation of a research on the assessment of the level of compliance of public institutions in the state to the provisions of the Lagos State Special People Law of 2011.

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), an advocacy group for the rights of people with disabilities, conducted the research and presented the report.

Awelenje said the government was passionate about the well-being of PLWDs and taking steps to protect their interests. He listed some of the steps as the employment of 250 PLWDs in the state civil service and the creation of a N500 million Disability Fund to empower people with disabilities.

“We are passionate about the well-being and the protection of people living with disabilities, and we have taken a number of steps to show that.

“For example, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode approved the employment of 250 people living with disabilities last year and I can tell you

that those employed are already working at their various posts.

“Apart from that, the state government created a N500million fund in 2015 and just last year 100 PLDs were given N100,000 each, nonrefundable, to support them.

“If you look at the projects such as pedestrian bridges we are executing, you will see we are incorporating things to ensure the convenience of people with disabilities.

“We have also trained some people with disabilities, specifically those with hearing issues, on the use of sign language to be able to communicate verbally.

“We have been doing this and more, and the government will continue to do its best to ensure the well-being of people with disabilities is protected,” he said Awelenje said the government had also distributed items such as wheelchairs to people in need, to ease their movement.

The general manager said LASODA had increased its presence in five local government areas including Alimosho, Ikorodu and Epe, to improve access to PLWDs at the grassroots.

He, however, acknowledged that it was difficult for the government through LASODA to reach all PLWDs in the state, as some opted not to be supported while the influx of others into the state had made access difficult.

Sunday 09 September 2018

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Now that ember months are here

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

I

n our clime, a myth has for long been woven around the so-called ‘ember’ months, which refers to the last four months of the year from September to December, as naturally tragic periods. This belief has become so entrenched in the consciousness of the people that various religious groups and other institutions regularly organize special prayer sessions with a view to warding off perceived ‘dangers’ associated with the months.

The reality, however, is that the so-called ‘ember’ months are not really spiritually jinxed as many might want to swear they are.

Tragedy occurs in ‘ember’ months just as it does in every other month of the year. Ascribing needless spiritual and mythical undertones to tragic happenings during the ‘ember’ months could just be the usual Nigerian way of trivializing issues. Rather than clothing the ‘ember’ months in a garb of gratuitous mystery, the pragmatic way of explaining dreadful events during these months is more human than mythological.

The truth is that there is usually

an increase in the tempo of public, private and corporate activities during this period. Religious bodies are equally not left out of the frenzy of the season as they organize various events during the period. The ‘ember’ months are always the busiest on our roads for obvious reasons and the tumultuous air of festivity do not really help matter.

It is a period when people are in so much haste to make all the money they have not made since the beginning of the year. Hence, commercial drivers, who usually embark on five trips per day, capitalize on the aura of festivity to go for ten trips. This, naturally, comes with its fatal consequences. It is only logical that when there is a mass exodus of people from one place to the other, there is bound to be a measure of uncertainty and disorder.

The bottom line, therefore, is that tragic occurrences are bound to happen during the ‘ember’ season because of the intensity of human activities. In a bid to be part of the various end-of-year activities slated for the period, a lot of people throw caution into the wind by disregarding critical safety issues. Vehicles are driven irresponsibly. Alcoholic drinks are consumed with reckless abandon while social outings are organized as if tomorrow will not come. The atmosphere, during the season, is often filled with unusual allure and jollity. It is in the midst of this hilarity that avoidable human blunders

that result into diverse kinds of misfortunes usually occur.

Hence, it is imperative for everyone to, first and foremost, have a changed perception of the ‘ember’ months. Hence, conscious efforts must be made to disrobe the months of every garb of unfounded mysticism. It is only when we are convinced that the dangers associated with the months are human rather than mythical that we could really make considerable progress in averting disasters during the months.

Therefore, enforcement of existing laws and attitudinal change is central to making any progress.

Sadly, law enforcement agents are also involved in the mad ‘ember’ months’ rat- race. In a bid to make some ‘extra’ buck to furnish special festive ‘necessities’ , they usually engage in treacherous compromise that encourages lawbreakers to go unpunished.

The result, of course, is the continuation of avoidable circle of pandemonium and sorrow.

Consequently, as we march towards the end of the year, we must modify our views on the ‘ember’ months. We must not get involved in any pointless extra-ordinary end of the year ‘rush’ that could endanger our lives and , indeed, those of others. Those who have to organize social events to correspond with this period should do so bearing all safety precautions in mind. Commercial drivers and other road users must respect the sanctity of the human life by

observing required road safety measures.

Perhaps, more importantly, relevant government agencies must step up enlightenment campaigns as well as enforcement strategies to guarantee that ‘ember’ months’ crashes and other related tragedies are reduced to the barest minimum. In this respect, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, should be commended for their various ‘ember’ month’s safety strategies, in Lagos and adjoining States.

However, there is a need for them to intensify efforts in this direction while more appropriate government agencies should also come on board the ‘ember’ months’ re-orientation and reawareness project. Presently, the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy is embarking on an ‘ember’ months’ responsiveness campaign across the State.

The objective is to change the attitude of the people towards these months and offer key safety tips.

It is only in living modestly and responsibly that we could avoid the dangers and hiccups that are generally associated with ember months. If only we could rid ourselves of our usual ‘ember months’ excesses, we would discover that nothing is actually wrong with the months.

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

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Sunday 09 September 2018

Perspective

CBN’s sanctions on MTN, banks: Too many loose ends JIMOH MOKELU

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here is something unseemly about the sanctions and the circumstances around the sanctions issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria on the unfortunate five: MTN Nigeria and four financial institutions. Indeed, there are too many loose ends to the issue and expectedly, it has thrown up many questions and lent itself to deductions and misrepresentations. And I think the CBN must start to tie up the loose ends fast if it must be seen to have acted in good faith and in the interest of the nation.

On Wednesday, 28 August 2018, the CBN directed four banks, namely Citibank, Diamond Bank, Stanbic IBTC and Standard Chartered Bank, to repay the sum of N5.87 billion for allegedly issuing irregular CCIs on behalf of some offshore investors of MTN Nigeria Communications Limited. Standard Chartered Bank was fined N2.4 billion, Stanbic IBTC N1.8 billion, Citibank Nigeria N1.2 billion and Diamond Bank N250 million. MTN was also directed by the apex bank to refund $8.134 billion to its coffers.

The apex bank said its investigation was triggered by “allegations of remittance of foreign exchange with irregular Certificates of Capital Importation (CCIs)” between 2007 and 2015, in “flagrant violation of extant laws and regulations of Nigeria, including the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Foreign Exchange Manual, 2006.”

The CBN letter to MTN on its investigations and findings dated 28/8/2018 and routed through Standard Chartered Bank, with number GVD/GOV/ CON/DGF/118/121 signed by the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, had stated thus: i. The shareholders of your company invested the sum of $402,590,261.03 in the company from 2001 to 2006; ii. The investment was carried out through the inflow of foreign currency cash transfers and equipment importation, which was evidenced by the CCIs issued by Standard Chartered Bank, Citi Bank and Diamond Bank; iii. The CCIs issued at the time of the investment by the above banks to your organization in respect of the $402,590,261.03 showed that $59,436,923.44 was invested

as shareholders’ loan and $343,153,339.56 as equity; iv.

However, a review of your organisation’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007 revealed that $399,594,146.00 was recorded/ invested as shareholders’ loan and $2,996,117.00 as equity investment, in accordance with the shareholders’ agreement but contrary to the CCIs issued by the banks in (iii above….”

Essentially, the apex bank revealed it had investigated the five companies on three key “infractions”: Issuance of certificates of capital importation for three items (1) foreign currency sourced locally; (2) falsely declared capital importation; and (3) on interest-free loans converted to preference share without authorization.

“The CBN examiners had been investigating three charges of infractions against the four banks and MTN, particularly the manner of funding the equity investment into MTN and the subsequent capital repatriation that resulted thereafter,” Emefiele had said in an interview to clarify the issue.

According to Emefiele, the third infraction “is actually the crux of the matter in dispute,” which is the “unauthorized conversion of a loan of $399 million to preference shares by the MTN and the banks and thereafter the repatriation of the sum of $8.1 billion without CBN’s final approval.”

The very first puzzle to any

informed monitor of the unfolding case will be the time lapse between the infraction and the sanction. The infraction happened 11 years ago, 2007 as shown by item iv. in the CBN letter. And the CBN cannot claim ignorance in this case because item v. of the same letter clearly stated that Standard Chartered Bank sought “CBN’s approval to convert the shareholders’ loan to preference shares,” and that “an approval-in-principle was granted,” pending the fulfillment of certain conditions.

As a regulator, what steps did the CBN take to ascertain that the given conditions had been met? The Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that CBN succinctly quoted in its letter mandated that an authorized forex dealer who issued a CCI to an investor must “within 48 hours thereafter make returns to the Central Bank.” In its defence on the conversion, Stanbic IBTC Bank had denied involvement in any loan conversion but stated that the “CCIs issued by and received from Standard Chartered Bank Limited indicated inflows that had been received for preference shares and made no reference to any shareholder loans.”

What this means is that there was a CCI already on the converted loans, which Standard Chartered Bank forwarded to Stanbic IBTC Bank. Based on the Act, CBN must have

received a report on that CCI 48 hours after the issuance. So, why did it take this long for CBN to act on a falsification? And why did it take “allegations” about three years ago (CBN said it started investigating the issue 30 months ago), obviously by an external stakeholder, for CBN to act on what it already knew over 8 years prior?

In 2017, CBN had told the Senate committee investigating the matter that it “had pardoned the offences and based on this, the Senate towed the same line with the CBN and cleared MTN and the banks of the issues.” Before the Senate hearing, Emefiele revealed, “CBN wrote a letter dated February 22, 2017 granting MTN the permission to continue paying dividends on the CCIs” in question. This is strange considering that at this time, based on CBN’s timelines, it was already clear that the CCIs were issued “illegally”, without proper approvals. Another pointer to CBN’s knowledge of the infraction is contained in its letter to MTN. The CBN had stated in item vii. “The action of your banker in aiding your organization in the illegal conversion of the shareholders’ loan was later described by SCB [Standard Chartered Bank] in a letter to the CBN dated December 10, 2009 as an ‘unintended omission’.” CBN knew of this infraction since 2009, at least.

So, why were the five “pardoned” and why was MTN

granted “permission to continue” in the illegality. A greenhorn banker will tell you that the most important virtue required of a banker and emphasized above all else during training or orientation is integrity. The CBN action here is hard to comprehend and fail to speak to the venerated virtue.

And why pardon offences if the investigation was still ongoing and you had yet to have the full picture of infractions committed? Some will call such pardon flippant. It is hard to disagree.

The alleged infractions are not minor; they are not traffic offences where the offending parties can simply be asked to go and sin no more. These are very weighty allegations involving huge capital, about N2.9 trillion (that’s about a quarter of the 2018 budget) that may have been siphoned illegally out of the economy. So, whose interest was CBN serving to have looked the other way while the nation was being fleeced only to turn round and pretending righteousness now? CBN must know that monitoring is an important tool of regulation. In this case, it is obvious the apex bank failed itself and Nigerians.

I believe CBN has been unwieldy in its approach to and management of this issue, particularly its willingness and hastiness to go public at a time when the banking sector is still reeling from unusually high toxic assets and is suffering confidence issues. Unfortunately, this is not the first time the CBN has conducted its affairs in public thus eroding confidence in the financial services industry. The Sanusi Lamido Sanusi era was defined by such media sensationalism.

Many have long argued that the CBN is sometimes used as a political tool by the government in power. In my opinion, this may be one of those times CBN is being used in such manner and I stand to be proven wrong.

It is sad that our institutions are usually ready fodders in the hands of people who have scant regard for economic growth and development. As stakeholders, we must all insist that our institutions are better managed and national interest should supersede personal and sectional considerations.

It may sound farfetched, but it is actions like this that tends to harm our desire for growth.

Jimoh Mokelu, a former banker, and founder of an NGO on Corporate Governance, writes in from Ilorin, Kwara State

Sunday 09 September 2018

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Perspective

Nsima Ekere’s mission in Akwa-Ibom guber race EFFIONG USORO

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hen he joined the governorship race in Akwa Ibom State on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in 2006, Nsima Ekere brought freshness, excitement, instant connection with the youths and a trove of ideas on how to build a people-centred government that were lacking in the politics of the state. He was the youngest aspirant and his background as a successful businessman with strong social investments was direct challenge to the politicsas-usual of his home state.

Indeed, in a state where government is the only business, Ekere’s pledge to raise worldclass entrepreneurs resonated positively everywhere but it also ruffled the feathers of vested interests and political rent-takers.

When he lost that primaries and was later picked as running mate to the eventual winner, Obong Godswill Akpabio, the system revolted, forcing him to withdraw his candidacy.

He returned in 2011, running as deputy to Akpabio. But his tenure as the state Deputy Governor was short-lived as he resigned on October 31, 2012.

His decision to contest the governorship in 2015 received a major boost being an indigene of the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District whose turn it was to produce the governor. Ekere’s plan did not find accommodation in Akpabio’s calculations.

Whereas, Akpabio’s intendment was to pick his successor from Akwa Ibom South senatorial zone, Udom Emmanuel, who was drafted into politics as Secretary to the State Government, and not Ekere, was his preferred choice. Both men hail from neighbouring local government areas; while Ekere is from Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Emmanuel, who is now the incumbent governor, is from Onna Local Government.

Ekere, along with other aspirants were shut out of the PDP primaries and eventually out of the party. He was to pitch his tent with another influential politician in the state, Umanah Okon Umanah, in the All Progressives Congress, APC. Both of them had worked assiduously together to transform the APC in Akwa Ibom. He had actually supported Umanah in the 2015 governorship election in order to upstage PDP’s Udom Emmanuel.

Their effort had, however, fallen through.

Interestingly, about six years after his ill-fated governorship odyssey, Ekere is once again engrossed with the same enterprise, this time round on the APC platform. The statewide calculations and permutations remain the same: Akwa Ibom South Senatorial zone is to produce the governor of the state for eight years since the other two zones, to wit: Akwa Ibom northeast and Akwa-Ibom northwest senato-

Nsima Ekere rial zones had already produced governors for two terms of eight years each from 1999 to 2015 with Architect Victor Attah and Godswill Akpabio, respectively.

Ordinarily, Emmanuel Udom should have been allowed to effortlessly retain his mandate for a second term that will terminate in 2023 to pave way for the governorship position to rotate to the northeastern zone of the state. However, his below-par performance, growing unemployment in the state ranked second highest in the country and rapidly decaying public infrastructures, have prompted widespread calls for change in a state where two terms have almost become standard for all governors. It is Ekere’s audacity at disruptive politics that has understandably excited the Akwa Ibom polity ahead of the 2019 governorship election.

The concern has been the fate of the statewide zoning arrangement if Ekere wins. Will he serve for only one term and allow power to rotate to the northeastern zone? At a recent meeting with leaders of the northeast zone, Ekere had assured he would not deny them their rights come 2023. In fact, he has said repeatedly that what one cannot achieve in four years as governor, he cannot achieve in eight, which has been interpreted to mean that he can deliver on his vision in one term of four years.

As it is, the politics of 2019 and journey to 2023 are primary for now. What happens in 2023 going forward is in the womb of time and should be left for time to decide. It is in the context of the political exigencies of the moment preponderated by the alignment and realignment of political forces, and coupled with the imperativeness of playing mainstream politics, that the APC machinery in Akwa Ibom has become massively capacitated and Ekere’s aspiration has received an unimaginable state-

wide boost.

Interestingly, Akpabio, who stood between him and the PDP governorship ticket ahead of the 2015 governorship election, is now in the APC with him.

Akpabio joined the APC after the structures of the party had been clinched by Ekere, Umanah, Senator John Akpan Udoedeghe, a former minister and others whom he met on ground. And there are feelers that Umanah, a strongman of Akwa Ibom politics and current Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, has since decided to throw his weight behind Ekere.

In the circumstance of the political alignment and realignment of forces, the former governor, Akpabio, who is currently a senator, is likely to have been saddled with a fait accompli in Ekere, who, according to feelers has been able to build pervasive political structures in the nooks and crannies of the state.

As current managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ekere has done very well for Akwa Ibom State and indeed the entire region in just 20 month of taking charge. Political analysts say that presiding over the Commission with an annual budget of over N400 billion and tenure of four years with an option to renew for another term of four gives him greater personal advantage than the murky waters of state politics.

But a close associate says, Ekere’s politics has never been about him but the burden of responsibility for transformational leadership that benefits the greater number of people and communities across his Akwa Ibom State. Which is what he has demonstrated so far at NDDC. While the Commission under his leadership has judiciously deployed its annual budget to intervene in the nine NDDC states in line with its mandate, it has also taken steps to address a

perceived injustice against Akwa Ibom, the leading oil producing state in the country.

At NDDC project distributions are weighted along state oil production quotas. Which means that as the number one oil producing state, Akwa Ibom should enjoy the highest number of projects in cumulative value.

Ekere told the press recently that “this was not what we met on ground. The current Board has been magnanimous enough to redress this.” Which explains why Akwa Ibom is said to be benefitting massively from the current infrastructure development drive of the Commission with more than 400 projects ranging from roads, power, water supply, renovation of classroom blocks, supply of learning facilities, etc.

Akwa Ibom is also the centre of an innovative entrepreneurship development hub undertaken in partnership with SMEDAN and a pilot state for the planned region-wide digital learning initiatives in partnership with the a host of technology firms including Digital Learning Institute and Microsoft.

Besides, Ekere, who is seen as “governor” of the nine NDDC states in terms of directing and influencing the development narratives in the areas, has, by insisting on implementing the NDDC policy of using local talents for local projects, empowered many indigenes of Akwa Ibom State that a grateful state is now urging him to return home and take charge as governor. Such is the passion he has unleashed that the state government has become so uneasy with Ekere and the NDDC, turning down requests for official visits and chasing contractors out of sites of NDDC projects.

Indeed, the APC is aware that it has an uphill task to dislodge the PDP and Governor Udom Emmanuel in the state. That awareness is panning out well in favour of Ekere who looks good

to enjoy the overwhelming support of APC stakeholders in the state. It is possible that he may emerge as a consensus candidate in the interest of a united APC that is expected to go into the general election as a common front in the overall bid to bolster the election of President Muhammadu Buhari in the state.

Interestingly, Ekere, who is a native of Ikot Oboroenyin, Edemaya clan, was born on May 29, 1965. If he wins the election, he will celebrate his birthday on the day he will be inaugurated as governor. Double celebration! He had chaired the Akwa Ibom Investment and Industrial Promotion Council (AKIIPOC), the investment arm of the state government. He was also chair of Ibom Power Company, the independent power generating company owned by Akwa Ibom State.

He was recently conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).

Much more than the honour is the massive support of the people that he would leverage on to split the votes of Akwa Ibom South senatorial zones with Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Akpabio is expected to deliver his Akwa Ibom northwest to Buhari and by extension the APC and its governorship candidate. Akwa Ibom Northeast senatorial zone which is angling to produce the governor in 2023 is expected to weigh the situation and decide whether to push for Ekere or Udom in political contemplation that will yield fruits from 2023.

Ekere, popularly called ONE, and acronym for Obong Nsima Ekere, attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and graduated with a B.Sc. Honours Degree in Estate Management in 1986.

He had attended Regina Coeli College, Essene, Ikot Abasi, and Mary Knoll College Ogoja, Cross River State. He was briefly at The Polytechnic, Calabar, from 1981 to 1982. A Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (FNIVS); Registered Member, Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria, ESVRBN; Senior Certified Valuer, International Real Estate Institute, IREI, Minnesota, he began his political career in December 1997.

He had contested and won election into the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on the platform of the Grassroots Democratic Movement, GDM, one of the five political parties registered under the Abacha Transition. He had before joining politics been a passionate private sector player where he was Principal Partner of Ekere and Associates, a firm of estate valuers and real estate development consultants, which was established in 1993. He had, in 1989, set up Gassons Nigeria Limited, an indigenous anticorrosion, environmental, fabrication/maintenance engineering company.

– Usoro wrote in from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

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Sunday 09 September 2018

TheWorshippers Giving portrays absolute trust not in our substance but in God - Primate Udofia Stories by SEYI JOHN SALAU

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mmanuel Udofia , Primate, The African Church, has shared his thoughts on seed sowing and the essence of giving in Christendom.

This is coming on the heels of BDSUNDAY’s last week article on ‘seed sowing’ as it portrays the act of giving as core Christian values backed by the doctrine of the sower and reaper, one of the parables and teachings of Jesus Christ to his disciples and the church.

As believers under the grace, everything was freely given to us not because we merited it but because God is good and he causes his goodness to come over us – either as sinners or saints. As a measure of his love, he gave us his only begotten son as ransom for sin so that man can be reconciled back unto him. That love was and still is the foundation of the concept of ‘seed sowing’ in Christendom today.

Jesus taught his disciples about the parable of the sower, setting an example for believers who are to follow in his footsteps. The parable of the sower teaches us as Christians to give in secret and expect a reward in public. “Give and it shall be given unto you…,” and in agreement with the words of Jesus Christ, Apostle Paul also admonishes the early Christians to ‘sow bountifully and reap bountifully.”

Many have argued that the seed-sowing teaching is a getrich-quick scheme that preachers use to prey on desperate and seekers/worshippers that ‘hunger’ after God. Like Peter warned the church about such

Udofia

preying preachers in the vineyard in 2 Peter 2:3; “Through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you.”

However, Primate Udofia sees giving as an integral part of kingdom expansion that must be scripturally followed.

He says, “Giving is one of the Kingdom principles which God commanded His children to undertake through which He demonstrates or shows His concern and benevolence towards the poor, orphans, widows, because of their vulnerabilities, thereby establishing a good plan for their

welfare through the act of giving (Ps.41:1; Prov. 22:9&16) “Giving is also one of the kingdom systems by which God unleashes abundant blessings upon His children through the giving of their substance (that is why it is called seed sowing because it brings plenty harvest) Prov.

3:9-10. It is a Christian belief that when we give to God, there is assurance of abundant reward, hence many Christian prefer to give to churches and ministers of God with the belief that any act of giving done to ministers or churches is a direct way of giving

to God, knowing that they are God’s representatives and God’s house respectively. It is indeed a delightful thing unto God when such giving is done because it helps in advancing the kingdom works. Please note that giving is also an act of worship as demonstrated by Abraham in his obedience to God’s instruction to offer up his son.

The scriptures have made us to understand that God loves a cheerful giver, weather in context or contest but we should not assume that His love can and should only be shown in financial blessings. It is expected that when we give as believers, our goal and motive should not be to get material rewards in return; rather it should be godliness with contentment.

Oftentimes, we hear the promoters of the seed faith offerings asking the congregation to either bless the church or the vessel that was used in bringing the word to the church, ignore the fact that the apostles were not wealthy men. The apostles gave of the little they had unto others, expecting nothing in return: “I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well,” Apostle Paul said to the Corinthian church.

“However, giving must not be done out of compulsion (2Cor. 9:6-7) but it can be done sacrificially (1Kings 17:12-16) that is, a giver must not be compelled or coerced into giving; but it could be done sacrificially which is when it is done out of great inconvenience, but in both cases it must be a willful decision of the giver.

(Sacrificial giving delights God more because it portrays absolute trust not in our substance but in God).

Based on the doctrine of seed faith offerings, Apostle Paul gave

all he had to the ministry, yet he had this to say to the church in Corinth: “to this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands.” The apostles were materially poor, yet they were spiritually blessed of the Lord.

“Regarding our expectations after giving; according to Luke 6:38 God assures there will be abundant returns or reward after we give, therefore it is not out of order to expect reward or returns after giving but it becomes wrong when the sole motive of our giving is basically because of returns and more so, it is out of order when we give to someone because we want a reward or returns from the person (Luke 6:34-35) such giving is what I can refer to as bribe (when you give to a person to induce for his favour) that is why God’s grace is free (we don’t have to give anything before we earn it) it is a free gift of God. “Therefore, giving should be encouraged, especially to the poor, widows and orphans not excluding ministers of God and churches too, but no pastor should compel anyone to give.

The best a pastor should do is to encourage. So also giving should not be turned into a bribe due to our inordinate expectations.

“Let me also add that genuine giving should not be done with noise making as it is the deeds of some givers nowadays, they give and paint all social media and other media houses with the photographs and videos showing-off their act of giving so that they may be noticed by men, that is what is called hypocritical giving and such has no reward (Matt. 6:2-4) also it is an act of dehumanization being done to the person of the beneficiaries”.

Cleric urges Christian bodies to balance teachings with youth empowerment

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n Osun State based cleric and convener of ‘Emilerikan Prayer Mountain’, Prophet Timothy Oludele Oke has urged Christian bodies, especially church leadership to balance their teachings with youth empowerment as a way of curbing the high rate of youth restiveness in the country.

Speaking on the reason for the special choir convention, the cleric opined that the choirs are part of the main pillars of the church. “We have different celebration for the choir because they are one of the poles of the church; they preach and worship the lord through their songs; the Holy Ghost always show his power when we as believers gather together to pray

Oke

and worship God in praise,” said Oke. However, when asked about the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state, the cleric who is popularly referred to as ‘Baba Esute’ for worshippers on the mountain, calls for caution urging all party involved to stay clear of violence and election malpractice. “My opinion is that the election should be free and fair, we should practice a real democracy. Politicians should also resist corrupt practices and plan better ways to improve the county’s economy,” he said.

Furthermore, the clergyman charged the government to tackle the war against corruption with sincerity of purpose in order to rid the country of corrupt practices. “Fight against corruption is

a good thing but the government should not be bias, they should not take side with their party,” he concludes.

Speaking on the monthly prayer mountain and its importance to his ministry, Oke said he appreciates the opportunity it gives him to fulfill destiny in the kingdom. “I will appreciate them because they have given me a platform to explore and to release the grace of God upon my life to fulfill destiny. So, me helping them it’s not me doing it, it is the grace of God over my life; if I pray and God refuse to answer nothing. There is always a better option and better solution with God; it is God that we cannot replace; but when God decide to substitute you with somebody he will substitute you with better person,” he concludes.

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BDSUNDAY 15

Inspirations The power of divine connections

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PASTOR I.S JAMES ACTS 14:8-12

here’s a right way to both connect and disconnect. And every disconnection comes with a particular level of pain. For instance, if you have to leave your church because you are relocating to another country (in this case, God would have spoken to both parties involved because in the case of things that affect divine connections He never speaks to just one person), but if someone decides on his/her own to leave and chooses to frame it as God having instructed him/her to do so without God having confirmed this to the other party, then you’ve broken the connection in a wrong way.

It is also when most people have decided to break a divine connection that they now want to speak to the other person to explain their decision, this is not right. God doesn’t give you the option of altering the terms and nature of a divine connection, if you are having problems in the relationship the right thing to do is to sit with the other person and talk it out and not for you to walk out and break the connection. A person like this is deemed to be unfaithful and ends up becoming someone nobody wants to be connected to.

Looking at marriages as a form of divine connection, you won’t find a marriage that is without its own share of trouble and conflicts, but these problems are meant to be worked on and resolved through communication, patience and perseverance and not by walking

out when things get tough. That’s how marriages (and by extension, divine connections are preserved).

Man was designed and shaped to live in a community, husband – wife, father – son, employer – employee, friends, neighbourhood; even on the bad side you have cults, gangs and prisons: these are all forms of relationship/connections. Whether positive or negative, people live in communities and not independently of every other person. That’s how man was created, but the devil is trying to stop people from connecting to others and ensure they live in isolation.

The American Medical Association recently declared that loneliness/social disconnect is not just a psychological ailment, but a medical one as well; one which the Association says is worse than heart disease, obesity and smoking. This means loneliness will make one physically sick.

Eph. 4:11 Jesus gave the five-fold gifts of ministry to us, but even those who function in any aspect of these ministries ought to have someone he/she submits to (Gal. 2:1) Ps. 92:12-14 “12The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree, he shall grow like cedars in Lebanon. 13Those who are planted in the house of God shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing” The righteous person has a God-ordained place to flourish. Imagine what would happen if the righteous moves away from the place that God has ordained for him to flourish in.

There are two things that are necessary for us to be what we want to be: 1. You have to be planted 2. There is a right place to be planted For you to flourish, you need to trust the wisdom of the Master planter/gardener. You can’t plant yourself, only God can plant you; so trust in His wisdom.

There’s a difference between being planted and just growing. Planting connotes a

sense of purpose, it is deliberate. But growing happens by chance and it isn’t regulated by anyone. It also has a large measure of risk in that a plant that grew where it wasn’t planted can be uprooted at any point in time.

Going further from being planted, there is a particular place above every other place where a person will thrive best. Like the Cedar is native to and thrives best in Lebanon (as quoted in the passage we just read – Ps. 92:12-14), so a person will thrive best in the place that God has ordained for him/her to be planted. Don’t let anything whatsoever uproot you from the place God has planted you.

There are certain conditions God has made to favour each of His creations, there’s a thing as the proper connections to the right soil/place.

Those who are planted have a sense of divine connection. They know that’s the place that God has planted them, they are members and not just attendees. Connected people don’t truly ever leave, even if they are physically removed from the church by legitimate reasons, they will stay in touch and keep tab on whatever is going on there. Members have a sense of responsibility, commitment and then a sense of divine connection.

Divine connections shouldn’t be taken trivially and/or broken indiscriminately.

Even when disagreements and conflicts occur, they should be worked on and worked out, because you know if you are to leave that relationship where you’re planted and connected you are on the way to destroying yourself.

Just like you have it in marriage, if one disconnects himself from a divine-ordained relationship (like a Church) at will and enters into other relationships trivially, he’s an adulterer.

Adam (Man) fell because he didn’t know how to treat divine things as divine. We saw this with Achan (Joshua 7) as well; he touched what God said no one should touch, and he treated the divine instruction with levity. We see this happening in the Church with people disconnecting from church at will.

Truly committed people who are members of the church (those who have a sense of divine planting), take up the challenge of building their church.

Remain connected 3 ways people can be disconnected: 1. Overtly • Someone in open disconnection and disagreement with the church 2. Covertly • Someone who’s not involved and uninterested in anything that’s going on; who gradually withdraws from what’s going on in the relationship/church.

• These people are found in a circle of friends who are of a similar disposition to themselves; they have friends who are living in open rebellion to the standards of God and the Church.

3. Surreptitiously 1 Sam. 22:19-23S 1. Abiathar was the remnant of his family and he connected divinely with David.

2. As he stayed connected with David, he rose up in rank with David till he became the national priest of Israel.

• When God wants to bless you He sends you a person who will help lead you along God’s pathway to His predetermined destination for you. Your destiny helper.

• When the devil wants to mislead you, he sends you a person who will side-track you and move you out of your path to God’s predetermined destination for you.

• We see this with Abiathar, who even after he had risen through the ranks with David eventually disconnected from him because he sought out his own agenda.

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

‘Cancer we will defeat you’

REV. YOMI KASALI

@rev.yomikasali

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elevision has become one of the most powerful information tool in today’s world. Statistics have it that most people have their views shaped by what they watch on television; there is almost a Channel for anything you want to watch in civilized countries; education, News, information, entertainment, movies, sports, etc. are just a few of the options usually available on television, ranging from the good, the bad and the ugly, everything is available. We have to flip through those channels sometimes looking for what might be of interest to you with so many options available but it depends on the moral rectitude of the person watching to Change the Channel for their edification.

The Bible tells us to diligently protect our hearts by guarding what goes into it through the gateways to the heart, The Eyes and The Ears.

Solomon charged his son in Proverbs 4 v 20-23 – My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with

all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

The two gateways to the heart of man are the Eyes and Ears from the above passage of scriptures. You will become what you hear and see, therefore be careful how you expose yourself to your own peril, be bold to Change the Channel or else the Channel Will Change Your Life.

This is what I have done in the last two years or so with respect to ‘fake news’ on political affairs, I have had to Change The Channel because of my heart, I don’t want to expose my heart to poisonous information that is pushed out daily about people that I like or admire.

That is why I do not even watch some Christian programs again because of the values of the preachers they feature regularly. These Channels have the power to Change Your Life if you don’t Change The Channel today.

5 REASONS TO CHANGE THE CHANNEL YOU BECOME WHAT YOU SEE: Jacob used this rule to increase his flock in the house of Laban when he placed the cattle.

And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods. But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s. And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels – Gen. 30: 41 – 43.

FAITH COMES BY HEARING: Paul revealed the secret of faith to us as a product of what you hear often and regularly, so you develop trust and faith in what you hear on television.

THE HEART DEVELOPS YOUR CHARACTER: As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.

You are a product of what is in the abundance in your heart. Remember our Lord said, ‘out of the abundance of man’s heart, the mouth speaks.’

BEWARE OF ADDICTION: Some people that have been addicted to pornography acknowledged that they could not Change the Online Channel that got them addicted and destroyed their moral lives by killing their consciences. It is addictive.

THERE ARE MANY OTHER OPTIONS: The final reason to Change the Channel is because of the options available to you daily.

Don’t get stuck with the wrong Channels but just change it and protect your heart.

Remember, if you do not CHANGE THE CHANNEL, the Channel Can Change Your Life.

I saw this caption somewhere in a mall while on vacation and it excited me about the will of man to do something lasting in life. It was a poster done by a Cancer Center in Texas, in fact the project is anchored by the University of Texas, through a Cancer Center.

As I sat by at the food court, meditating on the poster and trying to source Inspiration from the same, it occurred to me that Man truly can defeat its enemies once his mind is made up in battle. I believe that Cancer is a mortal enemy of man, it has taken many loved ones away and

cruelly dealt with the best in our ranks.

I would love to echo the phrase in my own way, which would have been like this, “Cancer, we will defeat you In Jesus Name”, yes, I have to add In Jesus name because I believe it is a spiritual scourge on this godless generation of ours, and only the name of Jesus can aid us in our venture to defeat this enemy.

The Bible tells us we can indeed defeat any enemy in battle when certain things are taken care of in the mind. The battle ground is usually in the mind before we exhibit or manifest on the outside; therefore, I want to Inspire you to re-energize your faith once again and fight to win the battles of life.

John said in 1 John 4:4, ‘Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’

This is the primary reason behind our confidence, because of the ‘Greater’ One within us, we can defeat all oppositions of our faith and can overcome in this world. The Greater One gives us something powerful within and we should use this to fight our battles.

The Greater One gives us uncommon Faith within. Let me put it this way; The Greater One Lives within us and empowers us with the Greater Force of ‘Faith’ to overcome the world and all oppositions like Cancer. I am inspiring someone today to hold unto his or her faith in Christ to battle the enemy and overcome.

Be inspired.

Shalom.

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

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Sunday 09 September 2018

Interview ‘Without passion it is impossible to remain in business’ Morin Obaweya is the CEO and head designer of Morin O Designs Ltd. The pharmacist-turned entrepreneur through her establishment is determined to promote Nigerian and African artists and artisans to express their talents both locally and internationally. In a recent interview with Ngozi Okpalakunne, she spoke on her reasons for going into creative design, challenges facing entrepreneurs and other issues. Excerpts:

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What informed your decision to go into creative design? am a pharmacist by profession, but from a very early age l have alwayshadapassionandinterest in the creative art, for couple of years, l did some drama, acting and that was in secondary school, while in secondary school, l was part ofanactinggroupformystateandwe didsometravelling,actingdramaand playsinthetelevision.Aftermygraduationfromtheuniversity,lworkedfor few years before l began to find other ways of creative art expression so as to follow my passion. l started by setting up an art gallery with the sole vision of promoting other people’s work; so after attending a workshop organised by an international organisation in Ghana wherewomenfromotherpartsofthe worldcametoshowcase theirartistic designs, l had a change of mind. Prior to that time, my husband and other friends had wondered the reason l should be promoting other people’s designs, instead of developing my creative instinct, but l was a bit afraid, l was more comfortable pushing other people’s work forward; l did not have the confidence to express it individually.

So,lstartedaskingmyselfthekind of template that will be appropriate for me to express my intuitive inherent creativity and l thought of leather because it is pliable and colorful and that was how the idea of Morin O Leather work came to be.

Howdoyousourcematerialsfor

Morin Obaweya

your designs?

Our materials are sourced from the local market; when l said local market, l am talking about Mushin market in Lagos. Leather from Mushin is made up of leathers from a couple of other countries of the world, but it is limited, limited in

the sense that they are of smaller quantity; it is not a reliable place to sourceleatherformassproduction,if you want to source leather for mass production, you will be ordering directly from independent leather marketers and this led us to source leather from Kano because we want

to use it for mass production, though it is expensive, but we were looking at leather that will be of export value.

Where do your ideas come from?

I travel a lot and l see places and designs and because it has to do with creativity and design, sometimes when l am sleeping something will appear like a vision and that forms an inspiration in my mind and the next thing is to start thinking how to make use of this trend to portray the essence of Morin O design.

What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur?

The essential ingredients are passion and the intuition you have.

Without a strong passion, it is impossible for one to remain in business.

Your belief in your vision and passion iswhatkeepsyouinthegameinspite of the setbacks and challenges, passion makes you innovative because without innovation in the environment one finds oneself, there is not going to be a moving forward because the challenges are enormous, but one should be able to navigate throughandthatisthroughcreativity and innovative.

The business environment is harsh, but because one is looking at hismajor set goal which istosucceed, so, l do not look at challenges, but solutions . l tell my staff that whenever they are presenting challenges they should present three possible ways to overcome such challenges.

The next thing is knowledge, you can have passion, but if you do not have the right skills to convert that

passion to a successful endeavour you are passionately going around the circle and wasting energy.

There is also the issue of research , any industry you find yourself, you should be able to carry your own research, you should find avenues and platforms in order to be the most informed in that area of expertise and you should of cause be able to leverage on it to create successful outcome.

What are the challenges confronting local producers?

Adequate funding and lack of the set skills. One of the major challenges business owners face in this country, is getting good artisans who can produce quality products that can compete favourably with other products in the global market.

Quality control and detailing is something we need to focus a lot on, being able to produce products as good as when it’s being made abroad.

The work ethics of an average Nigerian is not encouraging and it is affecting employees negatively. If you employ a staff, you are employing his predicaments and that of the entire family. Besides, majority of Nigerian employees are after title which should not be, but l was brought up to look at labour with dignity; l was brought up to give the best in everything, whether l am working for myself or for someone else, it does not matter. l must give the best and l must not have the face of entitlement. l do my work and l get paid for it and it gives me pride and satisfaction, any other thing l get outside my remuneration is an added blessing. I am not entitled to it, what l am entitled to is what l am paid for.

‘There is still high demand for bags despite the global meltdown’

Ndidi Ugo is the Founder/CEO of Didi Creations Ltd, a fashion company based in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. It’s services include creating Unisex Bags, Footwear, Accessories and Clothing. In an interview with Ifeoma Okeke, Ugo speaks on her brand and experience operating in Nigeria. Excerpts:

Ndidi Ugo

What informed the name ‘Didi Creations LTD’ and what is the business all about? s a Designer, one of my major concerns was finding the right name for the brand. After much deliberation, I decided to use my middle name ‘Ndidi’ because it was my native name and I wanted my African heritage to be associated with the brand.

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However, I had to shorten it by removing the first alphabet ‘N’ and stuck with ‘DIDI’ to enable everyone irrespective of their ethnicity or nationality pronounce it with ease and accurately. I spoke with a few friends and family regarding my proposed business name; ‘DIDI Creations’. Some thought it sounded great, while a few suggested just calling the brand ‘DIDI’ without the ‘Creations’, whereby I explained to these minority that since the brand would be all about creativity of different fashion pieces, I felt It was necessary to have it as I proposed, which they eventually saw reason with me at the time.

How long have you been into bag business in Nigeria and what has been the experience so far?

The brand was launched in Nigeria June 2012. Nigeria happens to be one of our major markets, apart from the USA any Europe. We have hadloadsofpositivefeedbacksfrom clients which is one of the major reasons we’ve gone ahead to set up a flagship store in Lagos. Hopefully Abuja will be next.

Having travelled far and wide, how will you compare hand bag

business in Nigeria to other countries you have been to?

We’ve just launched our first flagship store in Nigeria. So I’ll be able to give comparison after we must have run the business for a bit. In the past we used to retail here through our various Stockists.

Considering the economic downturn that hit the country since two years back, how has it affected your business and how have you scaled through?

We are here to create a seamless shopping experience, and generate sales. We will offer incentives to our clients and do promotional offers often. Although irrespective of the global meltdown, the basic amenities of life would always be in demand. For me Fashion (clothing) happens to be one of the trio; after Food and Shelter.

What kind of handbags do you make and who are your target market?

My Design inspirations are drawn from Vintage pieces, Nature, Colours, African Arts and Culture; Hence the Retro, Colourful and Afrocentric theme that can be found in most of my Collections. The Ma-

follow the global fashion calendar.

Weunderstandourconsumerneeds and are constantly trying to meet up with these needs.

What/whomotivatedyoutogo into hand bag business?

I started designing bags, shoes and accessories as a result of my fetish for these fashion pieces. My personal love and preference for genuine leather and statement fashionpieceswasalsoahugefactor.

I believed I had something to offer on the fashion scene and had been told times without number by strangers, friends and family that I was quite creative, whenever I was seen in any of my designed custom made sample pieces hence I decided to pull the bull by the horn and made up my mind to start designing as a means of livelihood.

How and where do you source raw materials for your bag production?

I source for my raw materials across the globe, however 70% of it are from Nigeria and the rest of Africa.

‘Premium Quality for Less,’ how can you substantiate or clarify this claim on your product?

Our ethos and signature is offering quality and value for money to clients. This is key in everything we create, hence our slogan “Premium Quality for Less”. We are known for creating unique statement pieces (sometimes one offs) and most of our design inspirations are drawn from colours, retro, African Arts and Culture.

Tell us about your collections and how they match the everyday woman outfit?

Didi Luxury bead bags are handmade in Africa using the finest beads sourced from across Africa. These beads are woven together to create our perfect One-of-a-kind pieces.

At Didi creations, we manufacture high quality, desirable Ethical pieces because we believe it is possible to build a responsible Fashion Industry.

Hence our productions are handmade by some of the most talented Artisans across the Globe. Our bead bag collection is a must have. It’s a show stopper bag for the bold and daringfashionistaswholovetostand out from the crowd. They can now be purchased at our Lagos Store.

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Politics Mark: The super-senator and his surprising moves

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tician. He was president of the Senate from 2007 to 2015 and is the senator for the Benue South.

He is a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Prior to his senatorial career, Mark was the military governor of Niger State from 1984 to 1986 and a Minister of Communication.

Economic policies on his mind His wealth of experience acquired over a long period of years, on different beats, has also equipped him to know how to tackle the myriads of nation’s problems. He alluded to this when he said that “Irrespective of our political persuasions, it is incontrovertible that restructuring of the nation is an idea whose time has come.”

“I believe it will further strengthen our bond of brotherhood and unity more than ever before, because everyone would have a sense of belonging and live in harmony in any part of Nigeria without any fear of molestation and intimidation,” he further said.

According to him, his blueprint tagged ‘730’ will address critical

Early life and education Mark was born in Zungeru Niger State in April 1948. He attended St. Francis Catholic Practicing School before attending the Nigerian Military School. After that he attended the Nigerian Defence Academy. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1970 and became a Captain in 1971. He was Commandant of Static Communications in 1974, then later held a political post as Chairman Abandoned Properties Implementation Committee in the Eastern Region in 1976.

Mark headed the Communications Ministry and its two major parastatals: Nigerian Communications Limited (NITEL) and Nigerian Postal Agency (NIPOST). As Minister of Communications, Mark was sometimes known for his blunt talk; during a two-day walking tour of facilities in Akure in 1989, some union workers complained that some of its members had not been promoted since 1978. Mark’s response was that those who have not been promoted may have to be retired, meaning that unproductive workers will have to be let go. He also espoused the opinion of death penalty for telecom cable thieves, as well as a policy of dismantling underutilised telecom facilities citing political considerations for giving allocations to towns with limited use of phone networks. He was also said to have bragged that phones were not meant for the poor.

Mark was elected to his position as President of the Senate of Nigeria on June 6, 2007.

He ran for re-election to the Senate in April 2011 and was elected for a fourth term. David Mark noted that the polls pointed to his decisive victory, and called for his opponents to work together to improve Nigeria.

When leading the review of the Nigerian Constitution, Mark reportedly urged his colleagues to set aside their personal interests and focus on the interests of the Nigerian people. After the UK criticised Nigeria’s Prohibition of Same-Sex Marriage bill, threatening to pull their foreign aid, Mark responded that they “should keep [their] aid.” Mark called Nigeria’s National Football Federation the “centre of corruption in the country,” suggesting that they may need to temporarily disband to allow for reconstruction.

ZEBULON AGOMUO

hen on Tuesd a y, D a v i d Mark, a former Senate president, went to the Wadata House of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Abuja to obtain the expression of interest and nomination forms for the post of president in the party’s October 5 and 6 primaries, many Nigerians were surprised because they did not see it coming.

Months ago, the name of Mark was mentioned in passing as one of those seeking the PDP ticket for the presidency in 2019. But not many people committed it to heart, because nothing had been heard from him concerning that until the form purchase Tuesday.

While a number of others contending for the ticket have been on the road, moving from one state to the other consulting party stakeholders, Mark decided to keep his card to his chest.

One of his aides told BDSUNDAY that a “Mr. David Mark does not need any introduction in Nigeria.” The aide who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “Unlike those ‘who go and come’ in PDP, Senator Mark has remained ‘original/authentic PDP’.

So, if the returnees are moving about begging party members to forgive their habitual unfaithfulness; or if those who know they do not have what it takes to win the ticket are basing their chances on sentiment, Mark doesn’t have such baggage that can limit him. But that’s by the way. The senator is reaching out to people; you know you can’t embark on this journey without carrying people along. No matter the method the PDP may wish to adopt- direct, indirect or consensus- it is people that will decide the faith of the aspirants. To that end, he cannot take stakeholders for granted.”

David Mark

areas of Nigeria’s national life.

He specifically promised to tackle poverty, unemployment and neglect which he said had forced some of Nigeria’s youths to undertake the very risky route of going through the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea in their quest for greener pastures in Europe.

The aspirant also explained that the 730 economic model, was a strategy that would turn the economy around within two years.

“We will concentrate on developing our infrastructure, delivering on affordable housing, roads, rails and power. We will focus on education and create a pool of highly trained citizens with excellent IT skills who will be employable as well as create jobs.”

Mark, the longest serving senator since the return of the country to civil rule in 1999, also said: “We will support Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) as a matter of priority by providing interest free cooperative loans to produce optimally with appropriate technology which will be the main driver of the economy with attendant huge employment opportunities.”

Analyst’s view of Mark’s move Since early 70’s David Mark has been a beneficiary of politi-

cal posts in the country. He had a meteoric rise in the military, retiring as Brigadier-General. For many years, he has moved from one plum position or the other in the nation’s chequered political space. As a very prominent indigene of the state, critics say that nothing much is being heard from him in the gale of massacres that had been visited on fellow indigenes of the state by the alleged Fulani herdsmen.

Observers believe that with his stature in the country, Mark should have stamped his feet down and demanded from the government a more proactive action to end the unprovoked carnage in his state.

It is also doubtful if Mark’s long stay in the Senate has positively impacted many people in his senatorial district. He may have touched a few people’s livesthose who have direct access to him- but information about meaningful ventures established by him that have reduced the unemployment tally in his state is not in the public domain. If his reason for seeking the presidency is actually to create jobs and enhance the quality of life of the citizens, one would expect him to have shown example with the lives he had positively affected using the huge resources at his disposal. Mark does not need

to be the president of Nigeria to play his role- to give back to the society that has been very kind to him.

Was the motivation to join the fray well-thought out or something that came up just because he has seen other people going to buy forms? Someone alleged that it was because he had seen Bukola Saraki purchase his own form, that must have prompted him to do so. Or could it be that he is now tired of going back to the Senate and decided to create an alibi to enable him exit without many questions?

Does Mark have the needed wide acceptance across the country to sell his aspiration?

Although he was a two-term Senate president, it is doubtful if he is popular across the country, particularly among the voting populace. Some critics say that his mindset and perception of the poor which warranted him to say, when he was the Communication minister, that phones were not for the poor, may not have changed.

Again, going by the sad experience of the country in the hands of military men-turned politicians, it is doubtful if a leopard can truly change its spots.

His profile Mark, April 1948, is a retired Army Brigadier General and poli-

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Politics

Why I want to govern Delta GLORIA OKOLUGBO, a former Commissioner for Power, Commissioner for Multilateral Relations, and Commissioner for Government House Matters in Delta State, is an aspirant for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. In this exclusive interview with INIOBONG Iwok, Okolougbo unfolds her agenda for Delta State if elected governor in 2019.

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hy are you in the governorship race?

I had been in the last administration and served in different capacities, during which I initiated several projects in the state and made a difference in the lives of the people. When I was in government, I often took time to go home and visit my people; I make sure I am present on the ground, because when you know the needs of your people, you would know what programmes to initiate that would transform their lives.

I have paid the price over the years. In my community, we are confronted with the challenges of lack of potable water scheme, which has not been improved upon over the years. I initiated a borehole but at this age we should move beyond that.

Right now the farms are full with farm produce, but there is no vehicle or any organised transport system to take the produce to the market because of lack of vehicles.

Having been in government, I realise the problems and I know they must be fixed.

The buck is on the people who take the decisions; they must find solutions to these challenges. If you hold the top job and you don’t take the tough decisions, then we have failed. We are clamouring for change, but who would bell the cat?

Eastern businesses. I would create lanes for trucks to avoid traffic. I would equally introduce sport programmes that can create sporting careers for the youths. We would work towards generating 1,000 megawatts of electricity that will ensure 24 hours power supply for every household and business in Delta State. This electricity will come from solar power. In addition, we will have a hybrid power generation policy; that is, taking advantage of our abundance of water, wind energy and looking into the utilization of our procured gas turbines which would be geared towards establishing a truly Independent Power Supply Project (IPSP). We will create roads that will connect the riverine areas to the city, which will create access to our seafood. This, I believe, will improve the health of Deltans and equally improve commerce. We would also procure mega haulage trucks to transport farm produce from the villages to the city.

This is with a view toward enhancing the agricultural value chain, from the farm to the food table.

There would be a well-managed government-supported transportation system for all Deltans – light rail linking all the different cities in Delta State, including the trains for cargo. We would also introduce free education for pupils and students from primary to secondary What would be your pri- school. I would introduce ority programmes when free health care for under-5 elected the governor of and free medical checks for the over-50s.

Delta State?

My administration’s priorities are broad. Having been a Does that mean you would former commissioner in the prioritise infrastructure state, I know the challenges development when elected confronting Delta State. governor?

I would make Warri port Yes, infrastructure developfully functional to serve the ment would be my priority whole of the Niger-Delta and because when you do this,

Gloria Okolugbo

government; it is different from what your party manifesto says. In most cases in Nigeria, successive administrations erase your programmes after you leave office. It has contributed to the problems.

Government is a continuous process. When you start a project and leave office, it has to be continued even when you have left office for people to see the dividend.

For example, as a lawmaker, you have no business in providing infrastructure, your There is the perception business is about lawmakamong Nigerians that de- ing; you have to make laws mocracy has not given them that are justifiable for us. It the much-talked about divi- is about lobbying, putting the interest of your people dend. Do you agree?

We have to be patient as a on the table and as long as people. When people win we do that, development elections and build a team, would go round. We have to what you promise is based talk about change; you must on your knowledge of the know what you can do. It has you would create jobs. For example, no society can develop without stable power supply for the teeming population of the state. Infrastructural development in any society is key. There would be no problem in implementing these programmes. I have the will to do it; I have experience in civil society and public office. So, the required experience is there which would aid me to govern Delta State.

to be knowledge-based. If it is not, you would continue to move in circles. This is a well thought-out journey. I have been in government and I am scandal-free.

With the likes of Great Ogboru and co equally seeking the APC ticket, what are your chances?

Delta State is a state that is full of people that are well-educated; I mean professionals. But it is about the manifesto that you would bring to the table. My record in the state as a former commissioner would speak for me. We did a lot when we were in government and I believe that there is still much to be done in Delta State to take us to that dreamland. I am optimistic that next year’s election is about people being committed to do things. I have gone round the state and realised the needs of the people and what is appealing to them. I want to put a smile

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in 2019 – Okolougbo on the faces of the women who go out every day and come back with empty hands. I am speaking for people in the system that are frustrated; I am speaking for the frustrated youths who leave the universities and can’t find jobs.

Most of these youths are turning to fraudulent acts for survival; they are the `yahoo boys’ we hear about and all this is because of the hopelessness in the country. But as governor of Delta State, things would be different. No young man would be harassed under my watch as governor. I am appealing to young people in Delta State that there have to be a change and that change is me.

What is your view about APC’s introduction of direct voting for primary elections?

I think it is welcome idea and it would deepen our democracy.

Most times the right candidates are voted out in the primaries. It is time we have the right people in government. When this happens, the best candidate would emerge and you would see that there would be no voter apathy in the country; I mean Nigerians would come out to vote, because I believe this process would aid the emergence of the right people in the system.

Are you not bothered that the party leaders would still hijack the process?

Well, politics is a game of numbers. When you say leaders of the party hijacking the process, I don’t entertain any fear. I look forward to a party that would do every possible thing for the most credible candidate to emerge in the forthcoming primary. I want to look at it positively and I know that the delegate process has failed. When you have to spend so much money to take care of some delegates, when the person gets into office, he genuinely wants to recoup his money.

and picked up the Labour Party ticket which I was offered, but I did not; I rather joined and served in the Uduaghan administration. I was a technocrat and I learned the ropes. Leadership is about taking tough decisions and some of what is applicable, and we did take some of them when we were in power; and we can say we did our best which has worked for the party. The interest of the people was our priority; we can say this is why I served my constituency. I have been in the ruling party for some time now; it was decision I took to leave the PDP, and politics is about strategy which we have been doing in the APC. I have served my constituency judiciously in the party.

I joined APC because I felt it was the right party for me, and it was right time to move on. Part of the reasons I left the PDP was because I did not see anything like internal democracy in the party and there was no fairness in the party. In a modern democracy, I believe whatever you are doing must meet the selection process. There must be fairness towards all party members.

How would you react to Uduaghan’s defection to the APC? I worked with the former governor and if you look at his five-point agenda which focused majorly on building human capital and moving the state forward beyond oil, everything was done strategically to position the state towards its potentials.

Uduaghan has always been a progressive. When you are a progressive, you would want to be with like minds. I am glad that he has crossed over to the APC. I did that before If you lose the APC ticket, would he came over and I am looking you defect to pick up the gover- forward to building a party norship ticket in another party? that is progressive with him.

I don’t have the history of defecting from one party to another in There are insinuations that my political record. When I con- Uduaghan defected to the tested election in Abuja sometime APC because he was sideago and lost, I could have gone lined in the PDP. Is that true?

system is skewed towards making a man emerge. There was time that a company in this country was insisting that married women should leave their job because they were pregnant. That is the point you see emergency activists coming out. We should move beyond this; let’s talk about issues, not gender. I don’t approach issues as a woman; I don’t need to flaunt the card.

It is not true. He is after the interest of his people, which has always been his concern.

He believes and represents the people and the party, so it is not about him. He was a former commissioner and SSG and knows what governance and politics is all about.

What is your assessment of the Okowa administration?

I think His Excellency has done his best within his capacity since he came on board. He has experience, being a former SSG and commissioner for health. There were high hopes on him when assumed office and he has done well in term of roads, and I know part of the airport that had sand on the runway has been cleared and quite a number of things that have been done. When he came in, Delta State was suffering from the problem of flooding; the government is working on that. The drainage needs to be sorted out in resolving the flooding in the state. As it is, it leaves much to be desired. One of the things I was able to show during our

What is your assessment of Buhari administration?

Buhari came at a point that Nigeria needed change and I know a lot of Nigerians stayed up to make sure that their votes counted in 2015. The APC alliance was based on a progressive mantra. Government is a continuous process.

We have a government that has long-term objective. It is not a about individual, it is about the party. Buhari stands for integrity. The current cracks in the party may have affected his administraadministration was providing tion, but what you can’t rule speedboats, and these things out is the fact that corruption should be continuous. But is fighting back. as I speak to you, some of these things are nowhere to How do you react to the be found. I think my people, recent defection from the the young and the old, don’t APC? deserve what they are fac- The defection is not a minus ing now in Delta. We have a to the party. Saraki has a right situation where nobody is to all his actions. He wants speaking for them. This is a to be president; he is free government whose revenue to actualise his ambition. drive is high; they are taxing Realignment to me is part of the people. We want to see a politics. People talk about situation where we can move Nigerian parties not having farm produce from my village ideology. To me, the parties to the market. But this is not have ideologies; the questhe case; there is no money tion is if the candidates buy for them to buy other things. into these ideologies. So, to me the problem is with the Are you not afraid that be- candidates. ing a female you may be at a disadvantaged position in What is your reaction to the agitation for restructuring of the race?

I am a woman. I am not com- the country? ing to this election because The restructuring is necesI am a woman; I am contest- sary, but we must sit down ing because I have a job to and discuss the terms of our do. I am seeking the position engagement as a nation. The of the governor because I current structure is obviously understand the terrain, hav- not working, but there must ing served the state over the be nationwide knowledge of years. I am saying see me, here what we want to do so that I am. Everything about our there would not be confusion.

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Politics 2023: How feasible is the ‘Igbo president’ promise?

T

CHUKS OLUIGBO

he 2019 general elections are barely five months away and, expectedly, all hues and shades of promises are flying around as aspirants to various political offices continue their engagements with various stakeholders ahead of the forthcoming party primary elections.

Those angling for the office of the president are desirous of winning widespread support from across the geopolitical zones. And so, in their bid to win mass support from the South-East, the bait of producing the country’s president in 2023 is being dangled before zone.

Individuals and groups within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), from both within and outside the South-East, have been relentless in urging the SouthEast to support the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 so that Buhari would in turn support a candidate of South-East origin in 2023. The catchphrase seems to be: “Supporting Buhari is the shortest way to Igbo presidency”.

Suddenly, there have emerged overnight political advisers from all corners admonishing the South-East people against repeating the mistake of 2015. The socalled mistake was that the people voted en masse for then President Jonathan of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who lost the election.

Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, in April told a delegation of the Ebonyi State chapter of APC who visited him in his office that supporting Buhari in 2019 was the shortest way to Igbo presidency. In other words, he said, the South-East would have a better chance of producing a president in 2023 if they support Buhari’s second term ambition in next year’s election.

Mustapha re-echoed himself during a South-East APC mega rally for President Buhari in Owerri, the Imo State capital, in July. He told Igbo people that the only way they could produce the country’s president was by voting massively for Buhari in 2019. Put in another way, whether the Igbo would occupy the seat of power in 2023 or not depended on the people’s support for Buhari.

“2019 will make or mar the chances of the South East zone in occupying the presidency in 2023. I call on South East sons and daughters to have a paradigm shift in 2019 and support Buhari’s reelection,” Mustapha said.

“The presidency of this nation is always negotiated and you cannot negotiate from the point of weakness. It will be determined by the votes Buhari gets from the South East, and you have to bring the same expertise you have always employed in trade and commerce into politics, to take over in 2023. It is now the choice for the South East to make,” he said.

Also at a reception organised for Georgina Ehuria, permanent secretary, Cabinet

President Buhari

Affairs Office, by Orji Uzor Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, Mustapha said, “I can tell you without any fear, without any iota of doubt, that the shortest path to an Igbo presidency is for Buhari to complete his tenure and now engage the Igbo nation in a decisive move.”

Orji Uzor Kalu, who himself has been perennially nursing the ambition to run for presidency, has been singing a similar song for a long time. In November last year, at a church programme in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, Kalu had claimed the Igbo would produce the president in 2023 after President Buhari’s second tenure, urging the Igbo to support the president’s re-election bid to achieve the dream of Igbo presidency.

“The future of Ndigbo is brightest today in APC. Once Buhari finishes his second tenure, I am assuring you that either I or any other Igbo man stands a better chance of becoming the president of Nigeria,” Kalu had said.

Kalu had at some point been at the forefront of the push for the Igbo to produce the president of the country in 2015 at the end of Jonathan’s administration, hoping that Jonathan would be a one-term president.

The crux of the argument The argument in favour of the need for the country to produce a president of Igbo extraction has been on for a while.

The rationale is that apart from the sixmonth military regime of JTU Aguiyi-Ironsi (January-July 1966), the South-East has not produced a president for the country. At Independence in 1960, Nnamdi Azikiwe, the country’s first president, was a mere ceremonial president while power rested with the prime minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

The closest a South-Easterner has come to the presidency was in 1979-83

when the late Alex Ekwueme was vicepresident to Shehu Shagari. Unfortunately, the life of that administration was cut short through a coup by the incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari.

When Nigeria returned to civil rule in 1999 after long years of military dictatorship, the South-West produced the president through Olusegun Obasanjo, who spent eight years in office. Atiku Abubakar, from the North-East, was the vice-president.

Obasanjo was succeeded in 2007 by Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, from the NorthWest. The death of Yar’Adua midway into his administration, however, paved the way for his vice-president, Goodluck Jonathan, to complete the term. Jonathan went ahead to contest and win the presidency on his own merit in 2011, giving room for the South-South to have held power at the centre.

As it stands, Buhari, from the North-

Those people talking about supporting the APC so that we can have Igbo presidency in 2023 should forget about it. APC cannot be trusted

West, who came into power in 2015, is expected to complete his term in 2023; that is, if he wins next year’s poll. Many of Buhari’s supporters believe that thereafter, when APC is expected to zone the presidency to the South, the odds would favour the South-East, being the only region in the South that has yet to produce a president since 1999. This is coupled with the fact that the South-West is currently occupying the position of the vice-president through Yemi Osinbajo.

Supporting a fresh candidate from the North in 2019, they reason, would mean pushing the chances of the South-East to 2027 as the new candidate would want to do two terms.

Ken Nnamani, a former Senate president, echoed this sentiment while canvassing Igbo support for Buhari. He argued that supporting President Buhari to win the 2019 election was the best way for an Igbo candidate to become president in 2023.

“This is because the president will only spend four more years in office and it is naturally expected that the next president, after his four more years, would be the turn of the South-East. So, 2023 appears more feasible and realistic on the above premise if we are talking about justice and equity,” Nanmani said.

Joe Igbokwe, publicity secretary of the APC in Lagos State, is also known to have canvassed the same position at various fora.

“No Igbo man has ruled this country since the Aguiyi Ironsi-led regime. Since that time, no Igbo man has played good politics. We should not miss this opportunity. Politics is a serious game. If the Igbo do not play politics well, they will die. The shortest distance to Igbo presidency is APC. By 2023, a northerner, President Buhari, would have completed his eight years and an Igbo man will easily come in. APC will zone the presidency to the South-East,” he once said.

Recently, a pro-Buhari group, G-23, said it was both reasonable and politically correct for the Igbo to support President Buhari in 2019 “to complete his tenure, thus allowing power to rotate to the South at the end of his tenure as the conventional wisdom of our politics dictates”.

The group believes that if power is zoned to the South in 2023, it could go to the South-East.

JOJ Okoloagu, a Board of Trustees (BoT) member of the APC, told a national daily in an interview in July that he and other leaders of the party in the SouthEast met with Buhari and discussed the issue of Igbo presidency 2023 with him.

“I am a chieftain of the APC. In January this year, we met with Mr President and expressed our desire to take over from him and he never said no,” Okoloagu reportedly said.

Interestingly, while Buhari’s men have laboured so hard to convince the SouthEast that supporting Buhari in 2019 would

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Politics hand them the presidency on a platter in 2023, the president has kept mute over the issue. Analysts see this as an alibi, typical of Buhari, so he can comfortably come out in 2023 and say he never made any such promise.

But not only Buhari’s men have toed this path. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and frontline contender for the presidential ticket of the PDP, has also promised that he would ensure the emergence of Igbo president, even though he did not specify when this would be.

“I will work together with your leaders for the emergence of a president of Igbo extraction to give a sense of belonging to the people of the region,” Atiku said in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, while on his nationwide consultative meetings with PDP stakeholders.

Not a new phenomenon This is not the first time the Igbo would be sold this dummy. In the build-up to the 2011 elections when a political war raged between the North, which sought the chance to complete the eight-year term of late President Yar’Adua, and the Niger Delta over Jonathan’s insistence on his right to contest the presidential election, the South-East became the beautiful bride to be courted by all sides to the argument.

As such, it became fashionable to woo the zone with the promise of handing it the presidency in 2015.

Ibrahim Babangida, who aspired to the presidency in 2011 under the PDP platform, had declared that he would do only one term, if elected, and support an Igbo president in 2015.

In an address delivered to the World Igbo Congress in the USA in September 2010 through Chidi Amuta, a member of the IBB 2011 Campaign Organisation, IBB said, “I have recently expressed my commitment to completing the work of national integration of Ndigbo into the Nigeria political leadership, which we, as military officers began in the 1970s and 80s. This commitment is cardinal to my current campaign that come 2015, Nigeria should by consensus elect a president of Igbo extraction. This is not only a historical necessity but also a moral imperative. We must pass around the torch of equity and justice so that our federation can thrive as a place where justice and fairness reign supreme.”

Similarly, in a paper he presented at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Enugu Sports Club in Enugu on September 3, 2010, Atiku Abubakar, then a presidential aspirant on the PDP platform, argued that while every zone of the country had its own list to demonstrate some sense of neglect or marginalization, the signs were glaring in the case of the South-East. The lecture was titled ‘An Igbo Man Must be President in 2015: How to Address the Problems of the South-East’.

“Many Nigerians would not dispute that the South-East has some of the most deplorable federal roads in Nigeria. Why is kidnapping becoming synonymous with the South-East? Why would the South-East not have the same number of states as other zones? Why is the Onitsha seaport commissioned by President Shehu Shagari in 1982 not being used?

Why has it taken more than 11 years to build the Onitsha-Owerri road, a distance

will tell the Igbo to go to hell because he will not be seeking re-election,” he said.

Uche Okpaga, national publicity secretary of Ohanaeze, described the statement as puerile and pedestrian.

“There is no substitution for good governance. Ndigbo will vote according to their conscience. We have stated timelessly that Igbo presidency without restructuring is not feasible. The performance of the government will be the yardstick, not political statements made to hoodwink the people. Ndigbo are wise and would be wiser in 2019,” Okpaga said.

Atiku

of about 100km? Why has the second Niger Bridge remained on the drawing board for several years? Why has there been no functional international airport in the South-East despite the huge demand?

Why are the Igbo whom we appointed into high Federal Government positions being displaced? When will an Igbo man become president of Nigeria?” Atiku had questioned.

“Furthermore, at 50, and 40 years after the civil war, Nigeria should be able to reassure the South-East that indeed the war has ended by ending the neglect and marginalization of the zone. Nigeria should effectively resolve and put the question of abandoned properties behind us. Some 40 years after the civil war, it is about time that someone who is Igbo, one of Nigeria’s three largest ethnic groups, becomes president of Nigeria. This will be the boldest way to put the civil war behind us,” he had said.

On the other hand, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, had declared support for Jonathan so that Jonathan would in turn support an Igbo candidate in 2015. Ironically, Jonathan had not said a word in public about that.

In 2012 when he addressed Igbo youths at the Rojenny Tourist and Games Village in Oba, Anambra State, Ralph Uwechue, then president-general of Ohaneze Ndigbo, said, “We had a gentleman’s agreement with Jonathan to support Ndigbo in 2015 and we are working towards that, but we are not aware if he wants to run but if he so decides, Ndigbo will run against him in 2015.”

But analysts who saw through it all viewed the Igbo support for Jonathan in 2011 as puerile, arguing that supporting the election of Jonathan in 2011 while calling for the ceding of the presidency to an Igbo person in 2015 was akin to eating their cake and wanting to have it.

“For the Igbo, the emergence of Jonathan means further postponement of their ‘turn’ to provide leadership for this country. When Jonathan completes his tenure, it may be an odd and uphill task to convince other Nigerians that the presidency should move South-East from neighbouring South-South. The North may be better positioned to make a case. And because the North played a ‘national ball’ in 2011, the nation may be more inclined to reciprocate in 2015. It is usually a futile and frustrating effort to fight a national consensus of that nature,” Ochereome Nnanna, a columnist, wrote in an article on February 3, 2011, ahead of the presidential election.

‘We can’t be deceived’ The campaign for the Igbo to support Buhari in 2019 became pronounced during and after Buhari’s visit to Ebonyi State in November last year. But not many Igbo leaders bought into it.

Nduka Eya, a former secretary-general of Ohanaeze, had told APC to stop deceiving the Igbo, saying the party was not in a position to give the region presidency in 2023. He said the Igbo could only get the presidency with a two-third majority and not through the promises being made by the APC. “Those people talking about supporting the APC so that we can have Igbo presidency in 2023 should forget about it.

APC cannot be trusted. We are not even interested in it now, what the Igbo need is to put their house in order,” Eya said.

“They should stop deceiving themselves. My message for Ndigbo is that they should not take that bait...The Igbo should not take that bait from a party that promised so many things and did nothing.

What is the assurance that they will be committed to the promise when they are re-elected? That is even the time Buhari

A display of political arrogance Political analysts have, however, said it amounted to political arrogance for anyone to promise to give the presidency to any section of the country, as no one man or group can do it alone.

They argue that neither the president nor the ruling APC, nor indeed any single zone of the country, has the power to determine where the presidency goes in 2023 or who wins it.

An analyst who craved anonymity said rather than rely on bloated promises by desperate politicians, the Igbo should reach out, consult and build friendships across the country with a view to getting the buy-in of generality of Nigerians. This, he said, was because it would take more than just the Igbo or any single region to achieve the dream of electing a president of Igbo extraction whether in 2023 or any time in the future.

Chekwas Okorie, national chairman of United Progressive Party (UPP) and the party’s presidential candidate in the 2015 elections, told BDSUNDAY over the telephone that he did not believe in such empty promises by politicians.

“We know that politicians are opportunists. If they need something now, they will make any promise. When the time comes to rely on them, you can’t rely on them,” he said.

Okorie said such “support me and I will support you back” promise, if ever it stands, would mean that no matter who the Igbo produce as candidate, no matter how unqualified, no matter how unfit, he must be supported because of that promise.

“No, I don’t agree. I don’t believe in such things, I still say it and I hope I will be understood in good faith. Let a candidate come out from there, and he will be supported if he is good. That’s all. If a good candidate comes out, nobody would say he is an Igbo or any such thing. If he is the good, he is a Nigerian, and he is outstanding, he will be supported. That is the issue,” Okorie said.

“My advice to the Igbo is that they should be searching for that kind of candidate who, when he comes out, it will be difficult to ignore him. If the man comes out and he is outstanding, the people will say the Igbo have never held this position, but this outstanding man, let us swing towards his side,” he said.

Asked if he believes, in the spirit of equity, fairness and justice, that the Igbo should produce the president of the country in 2023, Okorie said, “Yes, but that is if Igboland produces a good candidate. That is very essential to me. In fact, that is the most crucial. Quality of the person, that’s the thing that matters.”

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Illegal arms proliferation: How safe is 2019?

Continued from page 1 desperate scramble for the “national cake”.

Ajala said that apart from the threats of Boko Haram in the northeast and violent herder-farmer clashes in the north-central region, arms proliferation was another major security concern.

“With the 2019 elections less than a year away, Nigeria’s ability to hold free and fair elections is open to question. Of particular concern are the security threats posed by the Boko Haram insurgency and clashes between farmers and herdsmen in northern Nigeria.

There is also a threat posed by the arming of rival political supporters. Finally, there is the lack of election financing regulations which leaves the door open for patronage networks to fund campaigns using public funds,” Ajala said in an article published on The Conversation.

“The proliferation of arms prior to elections also remains a huge threat. Since the 2003 elections, the arming of supporters has become an election tool,” he said.

Nigeria harbours over 350 million (or 70 percent) of estimated 500 million illicit small arms and light weapons circulating in West Africa, according to reports. Most of these weapons find their way into the hands of nonstate actors, posing serious threat to both the existence of the country and lives and property of citizens.

In December last year, Anselme Yabouri, director, UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC), warned that if left uncontrolled, these illicit arms had the potential to roll back the country’s developmental gains, impede its capacity to achieve further developmental targets, and negatively impact future generations.

Unsecured stocks and ill-managed stockpiles, he said, were major contributors to trafficking and diversion of arms into the illicit market.

“Good laws, procedures, goodwill and even abundant resources are by themselves not sufficient to win the struggle against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. A strong, effective, resourced representative and appropriately created and constituted national coordinative mechanism is essential if Nigeria is to emerge victorious in this effort,” Yabouri said at a workshop organised by the UNREC and Presidential Committee on Smalls Arms and Light Weapons (PRESCOM) in Abuja.

Olatokunbo Ige, Yabouri’s predecessor at UNREC, had in 2016 raised similar concern, saying Nigeria was one of the countries experiencing some of the most devastating effects of the proliferation of SALW as a result of spill-over effect of the crises in Libya and Mali as well as unresolved internal conflicts in different parts of the country, especially in the North East, Niger Delta and southern regions.

A disturbing trend Between January and September 2017 alone, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted a total of 2,671 pump action rifles.

These include 49 boxes loaded with 661 pieces of pump action rifles intercepted by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Service along Mile 2 Expressway in Lagos in January 2017; 440 pieces of assorted types of pump action rifles concealed in a 20ft container intercepted by the Tin-Can Island Port Command of the Customs on May 23; 600 pieces of Jojef Magnum black pump action, 300 pieces of Jojef Magnum silver pump action, and 209 pieces of Jojef Magnum plastic single barrels hunting gun pump action rifles loaded in a 20ft container discovered by the Customs Intelligent Unit at the Tin-Can Island Command of Customs on September 6; and another 470 pump action rifles discovered on September 19. Most of these arms were said to have been imported from Turkey.

In December 2016, the Tin-Can Island Port Command of Customs had also intercepted a set of guns concealed in an imported used vehicle, alongside some military camouflages and large quantity of gun accessories such as gun pellet and riffle paunch.

A number of arms seizures have been recorded this year as well. In May, military

officers attached to the 35 Artillery Brigade of 81 Division, Nigerian Army in Alamala, Ogun State, intercepted 300,000 cartridges of the 12-calibre that were smuggled into Nigeria through the Benin Republic border. The cartridges were concealed in a false base of three heavy-duty trucks and had successfully gone past borders until they were intercepted at Igbogila-Ilara area of the state.

Earlier in August, Customs seized a container-load of fake military camouflage in Port Harcourt and also impounded 23 cartons of prohibited military boots comprising 460 pairs.

Just on August 19, a Nigeria-bound Russian cargo ship, LADA, was arrested at the Port of Nura, near Port Elizabeth in South Africa, for carrying illegal arms. The arrest followed a tip-off. Security checks on the vessel revealed 20 containers carrying arms and explosives believed to be illegal. The ship was heading for Lagos and the United States.

Besides these seizures, a 40-ft container loaded with military camouflage, along with other suspected deadly weapons, in January this year reportedly disappeared from Apapa Port in Lagos under suspicious and mysterious circumstance.

Amid questions from Nigerians regarding ownership of these arms, what they are intended for, and where they end up after they have been impounded by Customs, Hameed Ali, comptroller-general of NCS, in September last year announced that all the seized containers of arms entering into the country originated from Turkey and that the Service had uncovered a Nigerian syndicate in Turkey involved in illegal arms imports into the country.

“Our findings have shown that this dastardly act is being committed by Nigerians and there are syndicates in Turkey that are manifesting this. We are yet to get to the bottom of the whole thing. Are these arms meant for commercial purposes, or meant to be given to a group of insurgents or agitators and kidnappers? That aspect of the investigation is still ongoing, the SSS and other agencies will let us know what their findings are,” Ali had said.

Arms imports linked to 2019 Many Nigerians have also linked the heavy influx of illegal arms into the country to plans by desperate politicians to arm their thugs and supporters for the 2019 elections.

On the heels of the recent seizure of a Nigerian-bound ship in South Africa for carrying arms and explosives, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) urged the Nigerian electorate to resist desperate politicians and their political parties bent on deploying illegal, undemocratic and sinister means, including violence, to manipulate elections.

“This is a red-flag security agencies must note and be alert to as political activities heighten in the lead-up to coming elections.

We invite the opposition to wake up to new realities where votes count and the people’s will prevail in all elections. We also call on all well-meaning Nigerians to support ongoing progressive efforts by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration to ensure that our elections are transparent, free, fair and

credible,” Yekini Nabena, APC acting national publicity secretary, said in a statement.

Dennis Amaeshi, a Lagos-based businessman, also believes the illegal importation of arms into the country at this time cannot be divorced from the preparations for the 2019 elections.

“Though it seems 2019 election is still far as we are currently in 2017, we sincerely believe that arms import is a trend that is synonymous with election preparation, especially in this part of the world where touts and thugs are used by politicians to secure positions in government,” Amaeshi told BDSUNDAY in a telephone chat last year.

Recall that in 2015, INEC had had to delay the presidential election for six weeks, citing security concerns. The six weeks had enabled the military to establish a reasonably peaceful atmosphere for elections to hold in 14 key local government areas in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, which were then under the firm grip of Boko Haram. This time around, the security concerns have grown following increased influx of illegal arms into the country, escalated herder-farmer conflicts in the northcentral, among other issues.

Security agencies promise violence-free elections Amidst these concerns, Emmanuel Imohe, chairman of the Presidential Committee on Smalls Arms and Light Weapons, said in December last year that the Federal Government was on a continuous process of destroying of illicit weapons recovered from criminals across the country.

“We take a stock of these weapons and have a database of them. In 2016, we destroyed 425 weapons in Katsina. We presently have over 5,000 weapons waiting to be destroyed in Zamfara. They were recovered from cattle rustlers and all sorts of criminal elements. We also have some weapons to be destroyed in Katsina. Last year, we destroyed over 600 weapons in Benue State,” Imohe had said at a workshop organised by the UNREC and PRESCOM in Abuja.

“So, it is a continuous process of destruction.... [W]e have many illicit arms in circulation but some of them are already in government’s stockpile. We believe that if the government manages its stockpile very well, there will not be leakages from the government’s stockpile to non-state actors,” he had said.

He did not, however, talk about the illegally imported arms confiscated by Customs in recent years.

When BDSUNDAY reached Joseph Attah, public relations officer, Nigeria Customs Service, on the telephone, after several failed attempts, with a query regarding what had happened to those seized arms, he said he had just got to his office and asked to be given some time to settle down. This reporter followed up with an SMS. But Attah failed to pick subsequent calls put through to him, and he was yet to reply to the SMS as at press time.

But BDSUNDAY gathered recently that Customs has begun to take proactive measures to prevent smuggling of illegal arms into

Nigeria.

Bashir Abubakar, the new Customs Area Controller in charge of Apapa Area 1 Command, said recently that in view of the renewed desperation of some people to flood the country with illicit and illegal weapons, the Service would no longer wait for imported consignments to arrive at the nation’s seaports but would monitor such consignments from the port of loading all through the transit ports until they arrive in the country.

“We are afraid now and so we treat all consignments with suspicion. In line with this, we have commenced strict monitoring of all consignments designated for the nation’s seaports from port of loading all through the voyage because of influx of goods that are harmful to the people and the nation at large,” Abubakar said at an interactive session with stakeholders in Lagos.

Other security agencies have also continued to give assurances of violence-free elections, despite the heavy presence of illegal arms. At a Conference on Logistics for the 2019 General Elections organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos in June, Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris gave assurances that there would be adequate deployment of armed policemen, vehicular patrols and helicopters for security before, during and after the elections.

Idris said the police, in collaboration with sister security agencies, would ensure the security and safety of men and material during next year’s polls, while also warning politicians to desist from arming their thugs to cause mayhem during elections.

“The police is determined to provide adequate security for the deployment of personnel and materials for the conduct of the 2019 general elections which I am convinced will be peaceful, free, fair and credible,” Idris said.

“Politicians should stop arming their thugs and see politics not as a win-or-die affair. Hate speech, which is the amber of violence, should be eliminated to ensure violence-free elections in 2019. Politicians should respect the restriction of movement order by the police on the day of the elections. Politicians and their agents should see elections in a sportsman’s spirit and be ready to accept the outcome of the result,” he said.

Babagana Monguno, National Security Adviser, at an Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security meeting held in his office in Abuja in August, said next year’s elections must be extremely fair and free and the process very transparent, adding that the bulk of the responsibility rests on the shoulders of security agencies.

Monguno warned security agencies to desist from aiding or abetting rigging, causing violence, or compromising the integrity of the 2019 general elections.

“We would not tolerate any unnecessary loss of lives; this is important and fundamental, and no innocent lives would be lost. And this has to do with how we carry out our duties.

What had happened in the past will not be tolerated,” Monguno said at the meeting which was attended by Mahmoud Yakubu, INEC chairman, and heads of security agencies.

“NSA is going to descend very heavily on security agencies which, as a consequence of their inability to carry out their functions, allow lives to be lost unnecessarily. This is very important and I want to stress it. I want to notify all security agencies that I will also not tolerate any collusion, aiding or abetting of criminal elements by security agencies in this process,” he said.

Matching words with action Despite these assurances, however, the concerns over the possible negative impact of the preponderance of small arms and light weapons on the 2019 elections have continued to mount. Stakeholders say the government and its agencies must go beyond these verbal assurances and work out ways to mop up illegal arms in the country and prevent influx of new ones through effective manning of the country’s airports, seaports, and expansive land borders.

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Politics

Shekarau’s exit and PDP ‘faux pas’ INIOBONG IWOK

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hen the news broke that Ibrahim Shekarau, a former governor of Kano State, has dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the question that came to the mind of many political observers is “what happened to his credibility?”

This is the same Shekarau, who, sometime this year took a mocking laugh at the APC ‘change’ mantra and President Muhammadu Buhari.

SaharaReporters had quoted him as saying that the APC was confused and had been lying to Nigerians about bringing change to their living conditions.

He was said to have described the “change” mantra of the party as a ruse. “ W h e n Ni g e r i a n s a s k e d : ‘When are we going to see the change we voted for?’ They were told to wait until after swearingin ceremony. After the swearingin, they heard silence without change and they asked, when will this change come? The answer was until they resume office and they subsequently resumed office and nothing happened,” Shekarau said.

He added that when the masses asked again when to expect the promised change, they were told to wait until the appointment of the Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF).

“After three months, the SGF was appointed and the people asked again: ‘Where is the change?’ The answer was they should wait for the change after the appointment of Chief of Staff. The masses got worried and said, please when will this change come? The answer was, until ministers are appointed.

After six months, they appointed ministers,” Shekarau said mockingly.

Following the appointment of ministers, the former Education minister said the APC promised that change would come when the budget was prepared and told the masses to wait for the budget. And when they got the budget, he added, Nigerians were told they would have the change after the National Assembly must have gone through the budget.

“Suddenly, the National Assembly approved and the people asked again: ‘Can we see and feel the change?’ Their (APC) reply was until the President signs the budget. After he signed, there was no change, we asked. They

Shekarau

said, the President’s ear is paining him and we should wait until he was healed,” the former governor further said.

The masses, he said, were prepared to wait, and rejoiced that the President could hear well and had returned.

Again, the APC did not deliver the change, shifting delivery to when fuel subsidy was removed. “They suddenly tripled oil price and they kept quiet and we talked. They said we should be patient that change will come.

While Nigerians were waiting, they now came again that the President was sick. They said we should wait, we waited and he came back from the first trip.

They said we should pray. We all secretly prayed for him, that Allah should heal him. When he returned they said we should give him time to fully recover,” Shekarau said.

He alleged that the APC started playing games, saying doctors said the President should return to London, where he stayed for 103 days before returning.

“We said when will the change come? They said until they drive away rats from his office. While we were hoping they would come and apologise, they came again and said the change will come when I (Buhari) return in 2019,” he mocked.

He cites ‘injustice’ in PDP as reason for his exit Shekarau defected, citing injustice by the party leadership for his decision.

He was said to be bitter about the alleged lack of internal democracy in the PDP, which has resulted in several of his follow-

ers being sidelined or forced out of the PDP in Kano State.

His decision was occasioned by the recent return of Rabiu Kwankwaso to the PDP and the party leadership’s decision to hand over the machinery of the state chapter of the party to him and his loyalists.

For a very long time, Kano has been a battleground between the followers of Kwankwaso and those of the state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, both of whom were in the same party, APC. While he took refuge in Abuja, Shekarau had been in the state and in charge of the PDP, with his loyalists in control of affairs there.

Shekarau’s defection from the PDP, perhaps, came as a shock to some political observers, having also recently declared his interest to contest the Presidential ticket of the PDP. He had recently hosted

With the template, it was obvious that Senator Musa Kwankwaso was highly favoured and expectedly, Mallam Shekarau and his group rejected the template

Kwankwaso, his erstwhile political opponent in the state, and some leaders of the Kano PDP at his Asokoro residence.

Some observers strongly believe that the national leadership of the PDP is poorly managing the recent benefits arising from defection of many political bigwigs across the country into the umbrella association.

“One of the mistakes PDP’s national leadership made was that before the defection of Senator Musa Kwankwaso and his followers from APC to PDP, the national leadership of PDP designed a template for sharing of the party’s structures in the state, without first discussing it with all stakeholders in the state.’’ One of the leaders of Kwankwassiyya, a political wing of Kwankwaso, said.

“In the template, 51percent of the state’s structure was given to Senator Kwankwaso-led group, while Shekarau was given 49 percent; the party also agreed on automatic party’s tickets for all defecting members of House of Representatives and State House of Assembly – Kwankwaso’s followers.

“With the template, it was obvious that Senator Musa Kwankwaso was highly favoured and expectedly, Mallam Shekarau and his group rejected the template,” the source said.

The PDP national executive committee had last weekend dissolved the Mas`ud El-Jibrilled executive of the party, put in place by Shekarau and Aminu Wali, Nigeria’s former minister for foreign affairs, and replaced him with Kwankwaso`s loyalists, Rabiu Bichi, who was the secretary to the State Government in the Kwankwaso administration.

The development was denounced by supporters of Aminu Wali and Ibrahim Shakarau, and they staged a solidarity protest at the party’s secretariat along Maiduguri Road in the metropolis.

Can PDP afford to lose Kano?

Observers believe that PDP may be toying with its chances in 2019. According to them, what it would have benefited by courting the two chieftains appropriately, it seems to have now lost.

“Had Kwankwaso and Sheka r a u w o r k e d t o g e t h e r, P D P would have made a serious impact in Kano in 2019,” an analyst said.

Kano State, according to the 2016 population census by National Population Commission (NPC), has a population of about 9.38million people, the most populous state in the country, even more than Lagos.

Kano State is estimated to

have more than three million eligible voting populations which are twice that of several states in the country.

However, this statistics have been over-shadowed by report of under-age voting in recent local government election in the state and the 2015 general election.

In view of this, political observers view this latest development as an indication that the APC is now enmeshed in a fierce war with the PDP over the control of Kano State, with both party’s realising how strategic the state is towards their victory in the 2015 presidential election.

Analysts have also stressed that the defection of Shekarau to the APC was a calculated move by the party to regain lost ground in the state, following the recent defection of Kwankwaso who is seen to hold much political influence in the state, even more than Shekarau and the incumbent State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.

But a chieftain of the PDP, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, disclosed that Shekarau left the party because the Kano PDP structure which he had earlier controlled was given to Kwankwaso, stressing that the party was not bothered about his defection to the APC. “He left because the party structure was taken away from him. We are not bothered by his defection, but we are surprised because it is the same Shekarau who sometime ago said that he did not like Buhari; how come he is moving now to work with him?

How can you be bothered with a man who has ten soldiers to go to war, when you have someone who has twenty soldiers?

Shekarau: At home with controversy Although brilliant and well exposed, Shekarau is said to find it difficult to draw a line between religion and politics. He tends to mix up everything, hence the controversy that greeted some of his moves and pronouncements when he was the governor of Kano State.

As governor, he opposed polio vaccination campaigns on the allegation that they were attempts to make Moslem women infertile. This position fetched him a barrage of criticism and the World Health Organisation (WHO) screamed foul and profusely denied it.

While Kano was under his watch, he created a local religious police, the ‘Hisbah Guard’, which enforced sharia law irrespective of the residents’ religions. It was considered very insensitive by many people.

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Politics

Battle to unseat Buhari: Who clinches PDP ticket?

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BY INNOCENT ODOH, Abuja igerians have cried out with unmistakable unanimity over the dysfunctional state of affairs in the nation in the last three years. This national outburst now serves as impetus for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to roll out strategy and men with which it hopes to unseat President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 general elections.

In the last three months about 12 aspirants of the PDP have emerged on the political turf to battle for the party’s presidential ticket as the October 6 primaries heat up. The aspirants have use all manner of means to sell their candidacy to the party faithful and the Nigerian people in their varied forms, structures, proclivities, potentials, policy thrust, open- mindedness, competence, priorities, focus, discipline, intellect, integrity, patriotism and education.

Nigerians are learning the hard way that they will have to choose a leader that is motivated by nationalistic desires to bring harmony to a nation almost fractured by divisive politics, policies, nepotism allegedly associated with the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Many have accused Buhari of incompetence, and lacking the ability to tame the pervasive hardship in the country coupled with his alleged disappointment in the area of the fight against corruption and insecurity. But the President appears to retain some degree of goodwill that ushered him in as president in 2015 and could still improve his rating in the eyes of the voting public.

However, the profile of the PDP aspirants who wish to dethrone Buhari in 2019 would probably not inspire much confidence on Nigerians, but the pulse of the nation appears to suggest that many want Buhari to be voted out in 2019 for what are considered his multiple failures which have allegedly become intolerable.

The men: Their antecedents, credentials, potentials, weaknesses

Abubabar Atiku: Born on 25 November 1946 (71 years)

Atiku

Education Atiku did his primary school in Jada Local Government of Adamwa, state after which he proceeded to the Adamawa Provincial School in and graduated between 1960 and 1965. He later gained

admission at the famous Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, where he bagged a Diploma in law between 1967 and 1969 and was employed in the Nigerian Customs Service, where he retired in 1989 after twenty years of service.

Political history Atiku Abubakar is politician who many regard as astute businessman and philanthropist. He served as the second elected Vice-President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, with former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Before he was drafted to become Vice President, he was already elected Governor of his home state Adamawa.

Atiku has not relented in his efforts to clinch the presidency despite some unsuccessful attempts in the past. But he had continued to soldier on still looking for the people’s mandate to fulfill his desire. He is an old political warrior judging by his exploits in the botched Third Republic when he contested the Presidential ticket of the then Social Democratic Party, SDP, which eventually produced the late acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election MKO Abiola. The mandate was annulled by former military President Ibrahim Babangida.

After years of internal political ‘war’ with Obasanjo, Atiku dumped the PDP for the first time in 2006 and joined the then Action Congress, AC, which later became Action Congress of Nigeria (A.C.N), one of the legacy parties that formed the ruling coalition called the All Progressives Congress (APC). The former President Obasanjo was said to be unhappy with Atiku’s role in his failed third term bid as he systematically plotted to frustrate Atiku out of the PDP through fresh membership registration that saw most of his supporters pushed out of the party, to ensure that he was not nominated as his (Obasanjo’s )successor.

Abubakar pitched his political tent with the AC, which provided him the ticket to run for president in the 2007 election which the late former President Umoru Musa Yar’ Adua won. The former vice president later dumped the AC and returned to the PDP in 2009.

Despite the crisis that engulfed the party, Abubakar remained in the PDP from 2009 till 2013 during which he contested the PDP presidential Primaries in the 2011 election won by the then incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.

Towards the 2015 elections Abubakar alongside seven governors staged a walk out of a PDP national convention in August 2013, accusing the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP and then President Jonathan of impunity. They eventually formed the ‘new PDP.’ Abubakar and five of the governors and others in November 2013 defected to the APC, where he and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who was also in the ‘new PDP’, ran for APC presidential ticket that President Muhammadu Buhari, won.

Then he complained of being marginalized in the APC and also accused the

9, 2015 across the party alliance comprising PDP and APC Senators. This was against the wishes of the party hierarchy, which preferred Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, from Yobe state.

After a vortex of crisis and a lingering threats of impeachment dangling on his neck like the Sword of Damocles, following his defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Saraki, on Thursday August 30, formally declared his intention to run for Nigeria’s number one seat under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

President Buhari

Buhari led government of impunity and lack of vision and on Thursday, November 24, 2017 Atiku dumped the APC and returned to the PDP. On Friday, August 31 an emotional Atiku wept when supporters bought the PDP nomination form and expression of interest forms for the Wazirin Adamawa in deep support that moved him to tears.

Strength Atiku is one of very privileged Nigerians with enormous wealth. He is reputed for his philanthropy and is said to have a cosmopolitan perspective about Nigeria and its diversity. He is also acknowledged to have built bridges across the Nigerian divides and created jobs through his businesses scattered all over the country including his quest to educate the less

Nigerians are learning the hard way that they will have to choose a leader that is motivated by nationalistic desires to bring harmony to a nation almost fractured by divisive politics, policies, nepotism allegedly associated with the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari

privileged Nigerians. Atiku recently promised to earmark 21% of the national budget to education and made very convincing policy statements on industry mines, agriculture and security.

He is perharp the man with the biggest campaign war chest among the PDP aspirants as he has made very fruitful consultation visits across the states of the federation. His has wide political connection and rich experience, which many believe will count to his advantage this time.

Atiku is also the beautiful bride of those clamouring for the restructuring of the country to have a balanced federation especially in the South West and the South East and South South.

He is also said to be a darling of the youth, who has provided education and employment in his chains of businesses.

Weakness In this era of the clamour for a generational shift of political power to younger people, Atiku at over 70 could be affected by this frenzy of paradigm shift because the old guards have been so maligned for failing to provide an enduring legacy and ideology and are therefore under pressure to quit the stage.

Atiku has another political nemesis in former President Obasanjo, who had allegedly sworn that as long as he lives, Atiku will never become President of Nigeria. Atiku had battled Obasanjo on many fronts for whatever reasons political pundits are still trying to unravel.

The former Vice President is in the race again, but pundits said that there are elements in the PDP who are angry that he abandoned the party in their hour of need in 2015 elections and contributed immensely to the loss the party suffered in the elections. Those elements are said to be working arduously to deny him the PDP ticket.

The APC is said to be uncomfortable with the Atiku President and there are alleged plans that the ruling party will use the EFCC to level allegation of corruption against him in order to

scuttle his ambition.

Bukola Saraki: Born on December 19, 1962 (56 years)

Saraki

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, is one of the political raves of the moment in Nigeria over a myriad of controversies that have characterized his tenure as President of the Senate.

Education Saraki completed his high school education in the Cheltenham College, United Kingdom and proceeded to the Hospital Medical College in London, which was under the charge of the University of London, where he bagged the degree of M.B.B.S after the completion of his studies in 1987.

Political trajectory The former two-term Governor of Kwara state (2003-2011) under the PDP was instrumental in the birth and formation of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) when he joined Atiku, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and others and move from the PDP to the APC in 2014. But today he is perhaps the most threatened politician in Nigeria. His travails began immediately he outwitted and out-foxed the high command of the APC to become elected President of the Senate on June

Strength The former Kwara Governor according his admirers learnt politics from the womb. He is the scion of the Saraki political dynasty established by his late father Abubakar Sola Saraki, who incidentally was a former President of the Senate.

Saraki is said to be a master strategist as he has continued to have his way in his war of attrition with his former party the APC, which has demonstrated unprecedented aggression against him. The APC bigwigs allegedly led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, considered Saraki’s defection as an aberration and affront to their integrity and party supremacy and unleashed a deluge of plots to either force him to resign or use the courts to muscle him out. And as expected the APC rolled out its ‘war’ machine against the ‘rebellious’ Saraki and in quick succession allegations of malfeasance were leveled against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

He was also accused of forging the Senate rules to become President of the Senate but the federal government withdrew this case when it realized it has no case against the Kwara lawmaker.

Saraki heaved a sigh of relief when the Supreme Court ruled that he had no case to answer in the CCT. But the APC henchmen tried other tricks this time allegedly using the Nigerian police which alleged that the President of the Senate had links to the dare-devil armed robbers who attacked a bank in Offa, Kwara state killing over 30 people.

Although the police said they are still investigating the matter but pundits said the attempt to rope Saraki to the robbery was in line with the desperate bid of the APC clique to taint his name.

Saraki once again beat the APC on July 24, when he ‘mysteriously’ sold a dummy to the men of the Nigerian police, who barricaded his residence in an attempt to stop him from presiding over the defection of about 14 senators, who dumped the APC for the PDP. Saraki again escaped another disarticulated plot by his detractors when hooded men of the Department of State Service (DSS) laid siege on the National Assembly on August 7 to stop the lawmakers from accessing the chambers in failed attempt to impeach the President of the Senate.

This failed ‘coup’ triggered a national outcry and led to the sacking of the former DSS Director General, Lawan Daura.

Since then Saraki has become a subject of indignation and intense hatred by the APC and the ruling party is said to be weaving new plots to unseat him judging by the belligerent pronouncements of

the APC leadership especially the rather unrestrained APC National chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

He is from the North Central, a region reeling in anger and seething with pain over the killings of herdsmen and the displacement of thousands. He has appealed to the victims with his soothing words and solidarity statements, which has endeared him to the hapless victims of the unmitigated onslaught by the Fulani herdsmen.

Saraki is known to play inclusive politics, which was what has sustained him in the Senate all through his travails. Saraki had ensured equitable distribution of committee positions in the Senate and won over even those who originally opposed him. Some of his policies while he is governor of Kwara state were the things he intends to bring to the table if he wins the PDP ticket and face probably President Buhari in the APC. As governor of Kwara, he initiated reforms in agriculture, health, education, finance and environment policy. One of his major achievements was inviting displaced white farmers from Zimbabwe to Kwara State and giving them an opportunity to farm. This led to the establishment of Shonga Farms programme, which is now being replicated across Nigeria.

Weaknesses Senator Bukola Saraki is constrained by the fact that he is not from the core northern states, which appear more favoured as the Presidential primaries heat up. Another issue that could serve as albatross to him is that he has jumped back to the PDP, where he has opened another ‘war’ front in the battle to secure the PDP Presidential ticket billed for October. He appears to be fighting too many battles at the same time and this strategy is known to have depleted the resources of even the most gifted person.

In the PDP he will face a stringent fight as some elements in the Party are said not to have forgiven him and others who caused the party to lose the Presidential Election in 2015. If he emerges the PDP flag bearer, he has a lot of work to do to as he is not very popular in the South and will have a herculean task going to campaign in the South West, where his arch-enemy, Bola Tinubu, holds sway.

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso: Born on October 21, 1956 (62 years)

Kwankwaso

Education Rabiu Kwankwaso had his early primary education at Kwankwaso Primary School.

After which he proceeded to Gwarzo Boarding Senior Primary School and later moved to Wudil School of Craft (19701972).

Mohammed attended Kaduna Polytechnic where he did his National and Higher National Diploma. From there he went on to Middlesex Polytechnic (19821983) and Loughborough University of Technology 1983 -1985) in the UK where he obtained his Masters Degree in Water Engineering.

His politics After he obtained his post-graduate studies in the United Kingdom, he joined partisan politics in the aborted Third Republic where he contested elections to the House of Representatives and became the Deputy Speaker. He was a member of the Peoples Front faction of the SDP Led

by General Shehu Yar’adua.

Kwankwaso was Governor of Kano State from 1999 to 2003 under the platform of the PDP before he was defeated in 2007 by Ibrahim Shakarau. He was re-elected for a second term as Governor on 26 April 2011 under the PDP before left the seat for his then deputy Abdullahi Ganduje. He was elected to the Kano State central senatorial seat on 28th March 2015.

Kwankwaso after being denied the chance to use the popular Eagle Square in Abuja for his Presidential declaration on Wednesday August 29, eventually declared at the Chida Hotel, where a mammoth crowd mostly his red-cap wearing Kwankwassiyya movement gathered to herald his declaration.

Strength Kwankwaso is a great social mobiliser with large following in the northern parts of the country especially in Kano state where he held sway for years. His ability to sway support away from the PDP was one of the reasons the party lost the 2015 presidential election with massive votes under the influence of his Kwankwasiyya movement.

On 26th November he was among the Five PDP governors that defected to the then new opposition party APC, where he contested the APC Presidential primaries but lost to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The former Kano governor is eying the Presidential seat but he will have to beat other formidable opponents in the PDP primaries and defeat President Buhari in the general election to realize is dreams.

Weaknesses Kwankwaso is alleged be an ethnic bigot and only represents views and interests of the northern oligarchy, a position that remains highly untenable today in a diverse country like Nigeria. This alleged attributes question his nationalistic outlook.

He is not particularly popular in the south east and south -south regions following the part he played in humiliating former President Goodluck Jonathan out of power. It would be recalled that about three years ago, President Goodluck Jonathan went to campaign in Kano State, which he was entitled to do as a Nigerian.

Continues on page 26

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Politics Battle to unseat Buhari: Who clinches ...

Education Tambuwal attended Tambuwal Primary School, Sokoto State, after which he proceeded to Government Teachers’ College, Dogon-Daji, where he obtained the Teachers Grade 11 Certificate in 1984.

He then proceeded to Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, where he studied Law, graduating with an LLB (Hons) degree in 1991. He completed his one-year compulsory legal studies at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, obtained his BL and was called to the Bar in 1992.

Continued from page 25 Reports have it that few minutes after Jonathan left the campaign venue, the then Governor Kwankwaso led other members of the Kano state executive council and they symbolically swept the president’s feet away. That was making a big show of disrespect for the President of the country that did not go down well with Jonathan supporters in the South, who are still members of the PDP. Today Kwankwaso is facing the battle of his life with his former deputy Ganduje who is a thorn in his flesh in the APC, which analysts believe will reduce his chances of being president. At the moment Kwankwaso according to one analyst “cannot visit his home state where he once ruled for eight years. Politically, Kwankwaso is now like an orphan. His Kwakwansiyya movement has been erased. Gandujiyya movement is the new order.” So he is like a king whose kingdom has been toppled and if he lost his political base, from where would he plot his presidential strategy?

However Kwankwaso has expressed confidence that wherever he wants to storm Kano the most populous city in northern Nigeria, nobody will stop him.

Sule Lamido: Born on 30 August 1948 (age 70 years) Education Lamido finished his primary education at the Birnin Kudu Primary 1955 before he proceeded to the Barewa College, Zaria where he graduated in 1962. He had training in Railway Engineering at the Permanent Way Training School, Zaria.

Political history This veteran politician entered politics as a member of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) in the Nigerian Second Republic (1979-1983). He was also very visible during the military regime of late Sani Abacha, and was imprisoned by the late dictator for criticizing his self-succession agenda. Lamido became National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party during the Nigerian Third Republic.

After serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs under former President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2003, Lamido contested and won the governor election of Jigawa state in April 2007 under the PDP. He ran successfully for reelection on 26 April 2011. He has since remained in the PDP which he now wishes to secure its ticket to dethrone President Buhari. He alongside the out- going governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose have remained the most ardent critics of the ruling APC. Strength Some pundits have insinuated that Lamido is favoured by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who has remained convinced that among all the political aspirants from the northern part of the country jockeying for power under the PDP, Lamido has the character, the right attitude and the commitment to rescue the nation from the abyss.

He has built enormous political connection across the nation with years of experience which has endeared him to many PDP faithful.

Weakness Lamido may suffer from the onslaught of the Buhari government if he emerges as the Presidential flag bearer of the PDP, as plans are on ground to use the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

Lamido

(EFCC) to destabilize him and ruin his ambition, following cases of alleged corruption leveled against him by the antigraft agency.

Ibrahim Hassan Dankwanbo: Born on 4 April 1962 (age 56 years)

to have constructed more than 500 kilometers of roads across the state capital alone while connecting many areas and states like Adamawa, Bauchi and Borno.

He has embarked on an agricultural revolution in Gombe by supplying agricultural implements, farm inputs, training of farmers and assisting the farmers with loans.

His politics The governor was among the few PDP governors that survived the APC tsunami in 2015 as he retained his seat even when the overwhelming majority of his people in Gombe voted for President Buhari during the Presidential election. This was a testament of his popularity and acceptance in the state.

On August 4 the Governor,who took to his twitter handle to announce his ambition to run for the Presidency of the country, said he decided to run for the presidency after wide consultations with party members and with Nigerians of diverse backgrounds.

Dankwabo

Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, governor of Gombe State is an accountant of repute and a former Accountant General of the Federation and adjudged recently as a star performer by BusinessDay, which conferred him an award for good governance in his state.

Education The Talban Gombe as Dankwanbo is fondly called holds a B.Sc in Accounting, M.Sc economics; PhD; Post Graduate Diploma in Computer science. FCA( Fellow Chartered Institute of Accountant); FCIB( Fellow Chartered Institute of Bankers); FCTI( Fellow Chartered Institute of Taxation); FNIM(Fellow Chartered institute of Management); FNIM(Fellow Chartered institute of Marketing); FES( Fellow Nigerian Economic Society).

If quality education is anything to go by, then this young man is one of the most qualified following his chains of degrees, and certainly his robust approach to issues of finance and management qualifies him as a fantastic presidential material, especially at this critical moment of Nigeria’s existence.

Pundits have praised him for transforming Gombe with huge projects, with perhaps the least in the federation allocation, which has not stopped him from embarking on huge projects. He was said

Strength Dankwanbo is considered a favourite judging by his age especially now that Nigerians are eager to have a more focused, youthful, educated, urbane laeder and with sound intellect in area of financial and economic management. The Nigerian economy that is basically going backwards in the last three years will probably get a fresh breath if the Talban Gombe is given a chance to clinch the PDP ticket and face President Buhari, who many believe is a growing disappointment.

Another factor that can count for him is the fact that he has remained a loyal member of the PDP and remained committed to the ideals of the party even when some of his colleagues who felt aggrieved at a point abandoned the party during its most trying times after the 2015 election defeat. The PDP is said to be considering rewarding him for that.

Political history He was elected into the House of Representatives on the platform of the then All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2003 to represent Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto state.

Few months to the 2007 general elections, he defected to the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), alongside the former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa. But when the DPP denied return tickets to former ANPP legislators, Tambuwal returned to the ANPP and picked the ticket for the election.

He had at point dumped the ANPP and eventually defected to the PDP when he followed the former Governor of Sokoto state Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko to the party in 2007.

He was later elected Speaker of the House of Representatives but on 28 October 2014, Tambuwal dumped the PDP and pitched his tent with the then opposition APC, where he eventually realized his ambition of becoming the Governor of the state.

Tambuwal

On August 1, Tambuwal announced his return to the PDP following the gale of impeachment that hit the APC and thereafter declare his intension to run for the presidency in 2019 under the PDP. Speaking to journalist recently Tambuwal expressed confidence of emerging as the presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in October 6.

Aminu Waziri Tambuwal: born on January 10, 1966 (52 years)

Strength Nigerians yearn for a more youthful and more uniting force especially now that the country is divided and the Sokoto Governor is said to possess the qualities needed to bring the people together. He has quality education and the exposure to go with it. He is also said to be in the consideration of the influential retired generals led by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who have allegedly sworn to unseat President Buhari.

Aminu Waziri Tambuwal is the current Governor of Sokoto State and the former speaker of the House of Representatives during the 7th National Assembly.

Weakness Tambuwal is said not to have the formidable network across the nation and this may cause him the PDP ticket.

Weakness Dankwambo is not widely known across the country and this may affect his candidacy.

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Politics Sustaining Amosun’s development strides in Ogun

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KAZEEM OLAGOKE

fter the storm come the calm is a popular adage that better explain the joy and excitement that are ultimately accompanying the well thought-out policy action and infrastructural investment in Ogun State under the administration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun in the last seven years.

Despite the cacophony of noise emanating from different axis when the rebuilding mission started, Amosun kept his vision alive and with the dexterity and focus of a pilot cruising through turbulent cloud, he simply gave his all to the worthy course of steering a new path for the prosperity and greatness of Gateway State.

Since he assumed office about 2,725 days ago, Amosun has never hesitated to make it clear that his administration is about mission to re-build. The concept of re-building in policy terms assume that there are structures on ground to be rebuild. Another assumption for the “rebuilding” concept is that structures on ground are in a state of despair, disuse or outdated as not to serve present and modern realities or incapable of serving projected future needs.

Certainly prior to the coming of Amosun administration many existing structures in all sectors suffer from these shortcomings in areas like provisions of water, roads and educational facilities.

That situation was further compounded by an almost paralysis of governance in the last year or so of the last administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel following a protracted face-off between the executive and legislative arms of government.

Apparently, based on the above Amosun was on point in undertaken great social and economic experiment, noble in motive and far-reaching in purpose that anyone nursing ambition of succeeding him must be ready to sustain. Perhaps, the most interesting thing about Amosun feat is that his works speak for him. You need not tell lie in the effort to highlight his performances. Without doubt, a lot has changed since the governor came on board about 2,725 days ago. What is most visible and generating excitement among the indigenes/residents of ogun is the fact that Ogun State is on the fast track towards bridging its infrastructural deficit. The rebuilding work has impacted positively in different sectors of the State’s economy.

Unarguably, the government was challenged to invest heavily in infrastructural and rural development. This is a critical component of the ‘Mission to Rebuild’ in terms of creating an environment that supports industry and commerce as well as enabling inclusive economic growth. Over the past seven years, several hundreds of kilometres of roads have been constructed, expanded and resurfaced. The vision of the government is to create an environment that enables businesses to thrive, attracts investment and opens up new (and existing) areas for growth.

The Amosun government constructed the Ibara-Totoro Road, the first international standard six-lane road in the State.

It built the flyover at Ibara, Abeokuta, also the first constructed by any administra-

Amosun

tion since the creation of the State in 1976.

The first 10-lane boulevard, which begins at Sokori and opens up into the elaborate Itoku Bridge, is a stamp of modernisation affixed to the state capital by the current administration.

The Amosun government brought to reality the Mobalufon overhead bridge in Ijebu Ode, which had been in the master plan of the State for decades, thus closing the slaughter-slab at the Mobalufon end of the Sagamu-Benin Road. Other overhead bridges in Sabo, Sagamu, Lagos Garage in Ijebu Ode, Sapon and Iyana Mortuary in Abeokuta have been completed and commissioned while work is ongoing in those at Ijebu Igbo and Ilaro.

The Amosun administration constructed the longest road, cutting across four local councils in Ogun West Senatorial District, the 107km Ilara-Ijoun Road. It ended the distress of commuters in and across Ado-Odo Ota Local Council through massive reconstruction of the strategicallylocated and commercially-important Ilo-Awela Road and modernised Ota through modern township roads. Ogun State, under the current government, is one huge construction site. The number of township roads, bridges rehabilitated or still under construction across the State are too numerous to mention.

Alongside infrastructure development, Amosun has carved out a niche for revolutionizing the education sector. Tuition fees and all forms of levies in the State have been abolished for all students in primary and secondary schools. In addition, the distribution of free textbooks to pupils of public primary and secondary schools by the Amosun administration has helped to ensure that education remains accessible.

This has equally ended the practice in public schools where only the class teacher

had textbooks or photocopies of textbooks while the pupils had none because of inability of parents to purchase them.

The current government offset WAEC fees it inherited and has consistently paid the (WAEC) fees for final-year students of public secondary schools in the State since its inauguration in May, 2011.

The administration also constructed 15 state-of-the-art model schools out of a planned total of 28 across the State.

Each school is designed to accommodate 1,000 students and over 200 teaching and non-teaching staff. The Amosun administration has consistently allocated over 20% of its yearly budget to education in accordance with UNESCO guidelines.

It won the 2015 Fafunwa Educational Foundation award, as the state with the highest percentage budgetary allocation to education.

Similarly, affordable and efficient healthcare delivery is another cardinal development agenda of the Mission to rebuild where the administration has performed creditably. To ensure a world-class secondary and tertiary level healthcare that supports the primary healthcare in the state, a state-of-the-art RadioDiagnostic Centre has been established in Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative. This Centre provides services such as multidimensional digital X-ray, ultrasound facility, telemedicine, mammography, fluoroscopy and CT scan.

The Amosun government was the first to pay its MDGs counterpart fund of N60 million to each of the three LGAs chosen as pilot project by the central MDGs. Its Gbomoro health scheme, which covered nine local councils, ensured that pregnant women not only enjoyed free health

services but received free ante-natal materials and ‘mama kit’ for mother and baby. Maternal mortality of enrollees throughout the duration of the scheme was zero, a proud accomplishment by any administration.

Since 2011, the administration has ensured the procurement of affordable drugs and consumables from reputable companies and suppliers through a competitive bidding process. This has helped to use resources more efficiently and reduce the risk of inferior medication. Also, government set up across the State 35 HIV/AIDS Counselling/Testing Centres and 31 Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) sites to take care of people living with HIV/AIDS, including free drugs for those with the disease.

Finance and financial policy under Senator Ibikunle Amosun administration is not short of ambition. The administration has continued to seek new ways to grow the economy of the State in order to achieve a sustainable and inclusive growth and development across the State. From a paltry N730 million monthly Internally Generated Revenue in 2011, the state currently boasted N7 billion and over 300 new industries have been established in the state between 2011 and 2018.

On a final note, for Ogun to continue to serve as a model for good governance , aspiring candidates into executive and legislative arms of government in the state must be ready to jealously preserve and sustain the Amosun’s legacies with the necessary political will. Anything short of this would only take the gateway state back to the years of darkness. God forbid!

Olagoke is the Secretary to Local Government, Abeokuta North, Ogun State.

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Politics 2019: Restructuring may determine presidential election outcome

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INNOCENT ODOH he quest for restructuring of the federation into what some people called “true or fiscal federalism” increasingly appears to be the main campaign thrust for 2019 elections as political parties and aspirants jockey for power especially the presidency. The debate on restructuring has dominated discourse in certain quarters, and the bug of restructuring has also hit prominent aspirants.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and frontline Presidential aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been in the eye of the storm judging by his consistency on the subject. Atiku’s support base seems to be widening especially in the South, where major stakeholders appears to be increasingly making restructuring perhaps the most important campaign item that will determine the wave of support for any candidate in the election.

Atiku in a lingering war of words with the Presidency over the vexed issue on September 4, 2018, blasted Vice President Yemi Osinbajo over his suggestion that the clamour for restructuring was in “geographic terms”. Atiku clarified that the concept of restructuring involves: “Devolution of powers and resources to the states; no state will receive less federal funds than today as a result of restructuring; matching grants from the Federal Government to the states to help them grow their internally generated revenue position and the privatisation of unviable Federal Government-owned assets.”

He added that restructuring involves; “A truly free market economy driven by the laws of demand and supply; Replacing state of origin with state of residence, and passing the PIGD so that our oil and gas sector will run as a business with minimal governmental interference.”

Former President of the Senate, David Mark, who on Monday declared his interest to run for the Presidency in 2019 under the PDP also promised to restructure the country if given the mandate to lead. He noted that “irrespective of our political persuasions, it is incontrovertible that restructuring of the nation is an idea which time has come. I believe it (restructuring) will further strengthen our bond of brotherhood and unity more than ever before, because everyone would have a sense of belonging and live in harmony in any part of Nigeria without any fear of molestation and intimidation.”

In the same vein, former governor of Kaduna State, and one time caretaker chairman of the PDP, Mohammed Ahmed Makarfi, while submitting his expression of interest form at the PDP national headquarters on Friday, September 7 reiterated his commitment to restructuring just as he emphasized the need to secure the nation and her citizens. “We believe in restructuring in the interest of all. Nigeria needs to be secured as there is too much bloodletting in the country today. We must restore sanity, and stop these killings,” he noted.

Osinbajo

The South, Middle Belt Forum had in a conference in Lagos in April renewed call for the country to be restructured, warning that Nigeria will remain in crisis until the country is restructured.

The conference was held under the auspices of Southern Nigeria and Middle Belt Development Forum (SNMBDF) and led by Sidney Imobhio. Representing over 200 representatives of ethnic groups, the conference resolved that it will work with local communities, social and cultural movements in the South and Middle Belt to ensure that the 2019 elections are driven by the need to urgently restructure the country.

The communiqué issued at the end of the two day conference established a Southern Nigeria and Middle Belt Working Group charged with the responsibility of sensitising the peoples of the South and Middle Belt towards the immediate restructuring of the country to ensure selfactualisation.

In the South east, prominent Igbo sons and daughters had in May 2018 met in Awka, Anambra State, where they issued a declaration and advocated restructuring as the solution to the crises ravaging the nation.

Explaining the rationale for the Igbo position, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Chukwuma Soludo, who is the chair of the planning committee said: “The position of Ndigbo is to seek a transformed Nigeria that works for every Nigerian citizen, a level playing field for all Nigerians to enjoy freedom, liberty, fairness, equity and justice to maximise their fullest potential. Ndigbo are uniquely positioned, by virtue of their huge stake in Nigeria, to join hands with every willing party to champion a pan-Nigeria agenda.

We do not seek any preferential or differential treatment from Nigeria.

“Ndigbo want a Nigeria that works to maximise their security, prosperity, and happiness. Igbo also want a Nigeria that allows every part of Nigeria the latitude and

Atiku

opportunity to develop at their own pace.

We want a national conversation to create a new and better Nigeria for all Nigerians.”

Prominent Yoruba sons and daughters had gathered in Ibadan, on September 7, 2017 and issued the famous Ibadan Declaration, where they unanimously took a stand on restructuring. The communiqué, presented by the Publicity Secretary of the Pan Yoruba Socio- cultural Organization Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin reads: “Yoruba insists that Nigeria must return to a proper federation as obtained in the 1960 and 1963 constitutions. This has been our position since the 1950 Ibadan conference and developments in Nigeria over the last 50 years reinforce our conviction.

“The position taken shall form the basis of negotiations with our partners in the Nigerian project for a united Nigeria based on justice, peace, and fair play. “The greatest imperatives of restructuring Nigeria are to move from a rent-seeking and money sharing to productivity by ensuring that the federating units are free to own and develop their resources. They should pay agreed sums to the federation.

“The federating units, whether states, zones or regions must themselves be governed by a written constitution to

A truly free market economy driven by the laws of demand and supply; Replacing state of origin with state of residence, and passing the PIGD so that our oil and gas sector will run as a business with minimal governmental interference

curb impunity at all levels. Nigeria shall be a federation comprised of six regions and the federal capital territory, Abuja.”

However, the clamour for restructuring has not been welcomed by President Muhammadu Buhari even though his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), capture restructuring in their manifesto. The APC had during a recent public presentation on restructuring made far reaching recommendations including devolution of power to the federating units. But the president, who will certainly fly the party’s flag in the coming election, has refused to embrace the idea.

The President is also backed by elder statesman, Tanko Yakassai, who in a recent interview with BusinessDay, flayed those clamouring for restructuring arguing that they do not have any serious blueprint on it.

He said “There is a belief in Nigeria that the fault of Nigeria is not that of the system, not that of the constitution but with the people. Restructuring whatever anybody will say needs changing the constitution of Nigeria.

“Those who are advocating for restructuring are yet to produce their own blueprint. When you restructure the country how will the county look like? In whatever a human being does there is the fear of the unknown, if a man does not know how the country will look like if it is restructured, he will not support you.

Despite the opposition against restructuring the subject appears to be drowning the voices of opposition such that any serious aspirant who does not embrace the idea especially President Buhari may lose substantial votes in certain sections of the country which have put the idea is the most important idea for vote negotiation in 2019.

Recall that the 2014 National Conference organised by former President Goodluck Jonathan had made far-reaching recommendations, which if implemented, could fundamentally change the structure of the country.

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Politics Uduaghan vs Okowa: Fireworks begin ahead 2019 elections MERCY ENOCH, Asaba

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ireworks may have begun between the immediate past governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan and the incumbent governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, ahead of 2019 general election.

This is coming barely a week of Uduaghan’s defection from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ruling at the federal level.

While Uduaghan is accusing Okowa of embarking on a vindictive mission to “bulldoze” his legacies as governor, Okowa on his part is accusing the ex-governor of spilling lies to the public, saying, “Deltans and Nigerians who visit the state daily are aware that the former governor has no legacies in his eight years in government, thus his day-dreaming claims of legacy projects will not fly.”

By his conduct and utterances, Uduaghan needs to do more to convince Deltans that his desperate desire to become a senator should not make him feed the general public with lies about a non-existent legacy project(s), said Okowa, who spoke through the commissioner for information, Patrick Ukah in an interview with newsmen in Asaba.

Okowa challenged Uduaghan to tell the world about the said legacy projects he claimed to have left behind which his (Okowa’s) administration has destroyed.

Marriage between incumbent governor and ex-governors Uduaghan, who had served variously as Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and commissioner in the state, became Delta’s number one citizen from 2007 to 2015. He was said to have backed the candidacy of Anthony Obuh for governorship position in 2015 but his candidate failed as Okowa emerged the governor of the state.

Obuh was later appointed the chairman Delta Bureau for Pension by the current administration. Uduaghan, who said he sacrificed his 2015 senatorial ambition because of former president, Goodluck Jonathan, has however remained in the PDP, backing Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration.

Many believed that the coming home of Uduaghan’s predecessor, James Ibori early 2017, after serving out his jail-term in the United Kingdom, would have automatically brought disunity in the ruling party in the state but that was not to be as the party waxed stronger with the two ex-governors and the incumbent cooperating. They have been in the party for over 16 years. In fact, in the recent months, Ibori and Uduaghan were always seen at public functions complementing the efforts of Okowa, causing pundits to read political undertone. Their political marriage was such that during public functions like commissioning of projects executed by Okowa administration, they would praise his sterling performance and further express support for his second term in office. They also called on Deltans to vote him back to

Okowa

Uduaghan

power come 2019. Okowa on his own part would then boast of a united PDP and a united Delta State.

is a major area of interest for me, because I staked my life going into the creeks severally without security and sometimes coming back at night negotiating peace. I will, therefore, give the strongest support to any President that shows commitment in the affairs of the Niger Delta”.

Uduaghan boasted that he was going to the APC as John the Baptist to open door to the numerous Deltans that are coming in, soon - very soon.

Uduaghan dumps PDP for APC Change is one thing that is constant.

Uduaghan couldn’t hesitate any longer to change his political platform, hence, he chose last month ending (August) to defect from PDP thereby ending his “political marriage” between Okowa and Ibori.

He said having sacrificed 2015, he would now contest for the senatorial seat in 2019.

Few months ago, he had said there were high interventions from the likes of Ibori and Okowa stopping him from leaving PDP. Now, less than two days to September, he publicly announced his exit into APC where he plans to realise his political ambition. He cited President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s commitment to the development of Niger Delta as the reason behind his defection to APC. “Since the inception of the APC-led Federal Government, there has been an encouraging interest and activities by President Buhari to bring a permanent solution to the Niger Delta crisis.” This, he said has pointed in a direction that is at once progressive and developmental.

“Topmost in these activities are the engagement processes. Rather than using the military to harass our people, the Buhari administration has embarked on various engagement processes that have led to agreements and brought hope to the people of the Niger Delta.

“Beyond the engagement processes, however, the Buhari administration has embarked on some infrastructural and human capital development activities as well as various human capital development programmes and several other projects across the region which has brought hope to the people.

He described the president as one who was able to set his priorities pursuant to creating an environment for peace in the region. He then asserted that it became incumbent on every well-meaning Niger Deltan and Nigerian to assist the process of building an economically prosperous nation.

The ex-governor said: “The Niger Delta

Fireworks between Okowa and Uduaghan Barely a week into his defection to APC, Uduaghan alleged that Okowa’s administration “is on a vindictive mission to bulldoze his (Uduaghan’s) legacies as governor. He denied allegation that he joined the APC for protection against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) etecetra.

Okowa fires back Okowa through his information commissioner, Patrick Ukah, fired back at Uduaghan, dwelling more on “bulldozing of legacy projects” “Since the recent defection of former Gov Uduaghan to the APC from the PDP, where he was bred and fed, we are inundated with both clandestine and visible plot to drag the Governor-Okowa-led government into his dwindling political fortune just to deceive the public and possibly score very cheap political point.

Barely a week into his defection to APC, Uduaghan alleged that Okowa’s administration “is on a vindictive mission to bulldoze his (Uduaghan’s) legacies as governor

“By his conduct and utterance, Dr. Uduaghan needs to do more to convince Deltans that his desperate desire to become a senator should not make him feed the general public with lies about a nonexistent legacy project(s).

“Deltans and Nigerians who visit the state daily are aware that the former governor has no legacies in his eight years in government thus his day-dreaming claims of legacy projects will not fly.

“We challenge Dr. Uduaghan to tell the world about the said legacy projects he claimed to have left behind which this government has destroyed.

“It is worth noting that the Uduaghanled administration’s free healthcare program had a budget of about N700 million yearly providing free healthcare in urban cities and Secondary Health facilities only.

No primary healthcare facility (PHC) in rural communities where the real people that need the free healthcare the most, was involved in the program.

“Also, no proper records of people that actually received the free healthcare service was kept. And, the free healthcare service was limited and had no provision for the referral of serious cases.

“In this administration, we now register all the people and have proper records of those that receive the service. It has been extended to rural communities PHCs where the real poor people that need it reside. The service has been e expanded to ensure all children under five years and pregnant women in Delta State receive full healthcare services with referral for serious cases, drugs with materials required to provide service are available in these facilities all the time under the Contributory Health Scheme, free for all children under five years and pregnant women and paid for by Gov Okowa’s administration.

“A man who couldn’t summon courage to vie for a senatorial election as a sitting governor is here, boasting about leading a failed mission to unseat a hardworking Gov Okowa who is committed to cleaning up the mess he left behind in his uneventful and sad era as governor.

“It is indeed amazing that the same Dr. Uduaghan, who a few months ago endorsed Gov Ifeanyi Okowa for a second term on account of his sterling performance in spite of the downturn in the economy, displayed lack of integrity when he stylishly dodged the question on the performance of the governor, while on a television programme.

Ukah observed that in the interview, the ex-governor made a statement that the Delta South senatorial district position is being zeroed down to a particular senator. He rather said part of Uduaghan’s anger was that “we were not narrowing the position down to him, adding that the party made it open that primaries would be free and fair. If you don’t want to subject yourself to that, you have the option to leave. Let him stay where he is and let peace reign, Ukah added.

Ahead of the 2019 general election, political observers see more defections and fireworks and lovers of peace want a peaceful Delta beyond politics.

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AssemblyWatch From the Red Chamber

OWEDE AGBAJILEKE

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resident Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to withhold assent to the Electoral Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill did not come as a surprise to me.

The moment he declined assent to the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) and the second Electoral Act Bill sent to him by the Eighth National Assembly after lawmakers removed the three contentious areas he earlier objected to, I knew the third proposal was dead on arrival.

As it stands, there are three options available before the National Assembly.

Option one: reconvene or wait till the September 25 resumption date to re-consider the contentious areas raised by the President and transmit same for his assent.

Although the President

Electoral Act Bill: Options before National Assembly had expressed optimism that the National Assembly would reconvene to correct the irregularities he observed in the bill, this is, however, not likely if feelers from the Legislature are anything to go by. If lawmakers resisted pressure from the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to reconvene to approve the 2019 elections budget, I don’t see them doing the contrary with regards to the proposal. The body language of majority of lawmakers suggest that they have had enough and would rather take their time and wait till the September 25 resumption date to formally take a position on the matter.

Another option is to override the President’s veto.

Section 58 (4-5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which empowers the legislature to do so, spells out the procedure for overriding the President’s veto.

According to the provision, “Where a bill is presented to the President for assent, he shall within thirty days thereof signify that he assents or that he withholds assent.

“Where the President

withholds his assent and the bill is again passed by each House by two-thirds majority, the bill shall become law and the assent of the President shall not be required”.

This implies that 73 senators in the upper legislative chamber and 240 lawmakers in the House of Representatives are needed to override the president’s veto.

However, this is a tall order as the only time the National Assembly overrode a President’s veto since the return to civilian rule in 1999 was during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Year 2000 when lawmakers created the legislation establishing the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) without presidential assent.

Furthermore, the polarisation of the National Assembly along the lines of Pro-Buhari and Pro-Saraki lawmakers will make it difficult, if not impossible, for lawmakers in both legislative chambers to invoke Section 58 (4-5) of the constitution.

Having learnt from the

experiences of April and May this year when attempts by both legislative chambers to override the President’s veto fell like a pack a card, the National Assembly leadership will not want to tow the same path this time.

This is because if it fails, it could be used as a rallying point for removing the four Presiding Officers (i.e Senate President Bukola Saraki, his deputy Ike Ekweremadu, Speaker House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara and his deputy Yussuf Lasun).

The third option is to maintain the status quo; meaning the electoral legal framework used in conducting the 2011 and 2015 General Elections would be used in the forthcoming exercise.

At a time when the world is looking up to Nigeria to improve on the next election, conducting the exercise without amending the Electoral Law would mean that deficiencies observed in previous elections which include analogue transmission of election results from polling units to collation centre, involvement of candidates in electoral violence without disqualification will be the order of the day.

Compromises and credibility of 2019 general election

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here’s no gainsaying that the scheduled date for resumption of members of the National Assembly slated for 22nd September, 2018 may be postphoned by two weeks, due to the forthcoming party primaries in accordance with the elections’ time-table reeled out by Independent national electoral Commission (INEC). The Presidential and National Assembly elections according to the umpire are scheduled for Saturday, 16th February, while the Governorship and State Assembly/Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council elections have been scheduled for Presidential and National Assembly Elections will hold on Saturday, 16th February 2019, while the Governorship/State Assembly/ Federal Capital Territory Area Council Elections will hold on Saturday 2nd March 2019. For the ruling party, All Progressive Congress (APC), sale of Nomination and Expression of Interest forms for all elective offices would commence on 5th September and end 10th September.

All forms are expected to be submitted not later than 12th September, while the party’s congress would hold on the 12th September nationwide to elect delegates for its primaries. 13th

to 14th September were fixed to hear appeals that may arise from the Congress, while 15th to 18th September would be for screening of aspirants that purchased forms. Meanwhile, all Appeals that may arise from the screening of aspirants would be heard between 19th and 20th September. As it is presently, the APC Presidential primaries would hold on the 20th September while appeal that may arise from the conduct would be heard on the 22nd September. Three days after – 25th September has been fixed for the party’s governorship primaries to elect Governorship candidates for the election, while 26th and 27th September will be for hearing of appeal that may arise from the gubernatorial election. 28th to 30th September was slated for hearing of appeals that may arise from all legislative primaries while 6th October was fixed for the National Convention to ratify the party’s candidate for the 2019 Presidential election.

However, just on Friday, the APC leadership extended the deadline for the submission of the expression/nomination forms by 24 hours.

But for the lead opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has set aside Friday, 5th October and Saturday, 6th Oc-

tober for its national convention where its presidential candidate for the 2019 presidential election will emerge. At present, the party displayed array of seasoned politicians vying for presidential slot.

Of course, all the lawmakers in both chambers – Senate and House of Representatives are locked up to secure return tickets in their various senatorial districts and federal constituencies. Except for African Democratic Congress (ADC) which granted automatic return tickets to federal and state lawmakers who defected from APC and PDP to the new party as compensation from their loyalty and courage, most of the lawmakers in the other visible parties specifically APC and PDP are left to carry their personal cross.

For example, except for one of the PDP lawmakers who recently defected to APC that was given return ticket, others including a principal officer in the Lower Chamber is currently left in the cold by the leadership of APC in Edo state. I gathered from the grapevine that the APC national Chairman and the Governor have anointed some loyalists to take over their seats though yet to unveil their identities. Without doubt, most of the scar of the outcome of the party primaries will still be fresh on the victims of

direct and indirect primaries as the case may be. But it is obvious that most of the Northern states are opting for indirect primaries while direct primaries which most consider to be autocratic affect Southern States. All of these will create animosity within the ruling party and PDP no matter what.

The development, according to my projection may also affect the consideration of the INEC budget and eventually truncate the scheduled 2019 general elections.

As alluded to by a former Minister of Foreign Affairs and the former Ambassador of Nigeria to the United Nations, Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari: “We must demand leaders who respect and uphold the constitution and obey the rule of law. The political parties must throw up candidates who have a clear vision for the future of our country and who are pro-active in addressing the obstacles to the realization of that vision. In this regard, the political parties need to ensure that their flag bearers must reflect competence, capacity and character.”

Let me quickly observe that the just concluded voters’ registration has deprived millions of Nigerians of their fundamental rights to participate in the 2019 general elections. I wish to advise the INEC authorities to adopt

The wider implication is that Nigeria’s hopes of conducting free, fair, credible and transparent 2019 general elections may be a mirage if the Electoral Act is not amended to correct the defects noticed in the last two previous elections.

It also means the trend of analogue transmission of elections results from polling units to collation centre which has been subject of controversy will continue.

The National Assembly also has its share of blame for passing the bill at the Eleventh Hour. For instance, it took lawmakers about three years after their inauguration to get the amendment passed and transmitted to the President for his assent. This was despite assurances by Saraki that the bill would be ready by December 2016. If they had concluded work on the proposal on time - as against February 2018 when it was first transmitted - perhaps all these grey areas would have been resolved and the amended law should have been used to conduct offcycle elections in Anambra, Edo, Ondo and Ekiti States.

From the Green House With

KEHINDE AKINTOLA an Oath taking process for all the staff and Ad-hoc workers that will participate in the election processes starting from the 2019 general elections in order to ensure credible, free and fair elections. Reflecting on my experience and public outcry, there are lot of compromises which led to the disenfranchisement of millions of electorates in the voters’ registration. The abuse since left unchecked will also be carried over to the election proper, in form of inducement and manipulation of election process.

But proper education and taking necessary legal actions will help in checking the menace going forward.

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SundayBusiness ‘Start-ups need bankable NMBC President canvases stronger economic ties between Nigeria-Malaysia business plan to stay afloat’ Iniobong Iwok

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he President of the NigerianMalaysia Business Council ( N M B C ) , Mi chael Aderohunmu, has charged the Federal Government to strengthen the bilateral economic relations between Nigeria and Malaysia, with a view to stimulating more investments in both countries.

Aderohunmu stated this while delivering his speech at the Malaysia day celebration held recently at the Malaysian High Commission in Abuja, urging the government to begin high level discussion with its Malaysian counterpart whose panel should compose of all major stakeholders in the sector.

“NMBC wants the government to start negotiation, to build a strong and highlevel team that comprises representatives of the Presidency, Ministry of Trade and

Aderohunmu

Investments, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, NEPC and the NMBC,” Aderohunmu said.

The NMBC President further revealed that the Council had boosted economic ties between Nigeria and Malaysia by initiating the Nigeria-Malaysia Trade Corridor, stressing that Ma-

Bossom Heart emerges winner of the ECA, Access Bank hackathon pitch competition

…on breast cancer Josephine Okojie

B

ossom Heart from Benin City, Edo state has emerged winner of Emerging Communities Africa (ECA), Access Bank and Brecan breast cancer hackathon idea pitch competition for start-ups.

The Bossom Heart team won with their idea of using an artificial intelligence based mobile and web application that provides diagnostics and preventive support on breast cancer to women, with ability to sync with smart wearable’s for effective diagnosis.

The team got N200, 000 as price award for the development of the idea into a working prototype as well as selection to join the inaugural cohort of the Akure tech hub in FUTA acceleration program courtesy of Access Bank, Nigeria.

“We have a road map for Akure to be one of the most preferred technological destinations for investment in West Africa by 2025, and one of the ways to achieve this is to have this hackathon addressing local and global problems,” Kitan David, cofounder, ECA said.

“Breast cancer hackathon

is surely one of them as this is a major problem especially in Sub-Saharan Africa,” David said.

The breast cancer hackathon idea pitch competition powered by Access Bank is an initiative of ECA in partnership with Brecan to democratise breast cancer diagnosis and advocacy process through technology.

The initiative started with a baseline survey to check for the level of awareness amongst women of breast cancer as well as the simple techniques they can use for self-examination.

35 teams from across Nigeria entered to pitch their idea on using technology to aid breast cancer early detection and prevention when the hackathon pitch competition was flagged off.

Six of the teams were shortlisted to participate in the final that was held recently at Curator hub, in Akure, Ondo state.

Other winners got an award plaque presented by the first lady of Ondo State, Arabirin Betty Akeredolu in the presence of other eminent dignitaries from Ondo State on the delegation of the first lady.

laysia can increase investment in various sectors of the Nigerian economy with a well-articulated policy approach by the FG. He added that the trade corridor will make Nigeria the trade and investment destination for agriculture and mineral resources for the Malaysian business com-

munity, stressing that the initiative will also stimulate vibrancy in workforce in the country.

“Part of NMBC mandate is to promote bilateral relationship between our two countries to develop robust cultural, economic and technical cooperation it is for this statutory role that NMBC partners with NEPC on Nigeria- Malaysia Trade Corridor.

“Nigeria needs more investments for agricultural processing products to drive value addition process in the sector. A break into new markets is the main objective of establishing the NigeriaMalaysia Trade Corridor.

“It is strategically aligned with the Economic Recovery and Growth Programme (ERGP) and the World Bank agenda. The aim is to create instruments to open markets and unlock investments, to develop and strengthen trade relationship between the two countries,” Aderohunmu added.

Binomo snags Victor Moses as new ambassador

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igerian player and Chelsea FC star, Victor Moses recently signed a brand partnership deal with a global online trading platform, Binomo. Moses, who was named by the Nigerian Football Federation as the 2018 Nigerian Footballer of the Year and recently represented Nigeria in Russia will function as Brand Ambassador contributing to the company’s marketing activities across the African market.

The 27-year-old star’s talent and effort contributed to Chelsea’s 2016/17 English Premier League title win, as well as Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 world cup in Russia where the Super Eagles finished 3rd in Group D after playing Iceland, Argentina and eventual finalists Croatia.

Speaking on why he signed with Binomo, Victor Moses said “I’m really proud of this partnership with a reputable brand like Binomo and look forward to working with them to engage my fans and friends across the continent of Africa. The Binomo platform is safe, secure, and reliable, and that was a major attraction for me.”

Also speaking on the partnership deal, representatives of Binomo expressed their delight, saying that “Victor

Moses is one of Africa’s most talented and successful footballers who perfectly personifies the ideals of Binomo brand: being a goal-oriented person, smart decision maker, a hard worker and someone who inspires millions of people in Nigeria and across the world. We are truly excited to work with him.”

Victor who plays as a winger on either flank, is an accomplished professional with 38 caps for the Super Eagles since 2012, during which time he has scored 12 goals for the Nigerian National Team. Moses who has also appeared for West Ham and Stoke City in the past, has played 63 EPL games for Chelsea since the 2016/17 season.

According to reports, Binomo as a brand offers a high-end trading platform with a wide range of financial assets with some of the most advantageous trading terms and investment options on the market.

SEYI JOHN SALAU

F

or start-ups and entrepreneurs to stay afloat in business and be sustainable, efforts must be made to turn their business ideas into a bankable business plan to attract more investment and capital to the business.

This position was made

by Ebi Obaro, president, Marble Education Canada Inc., at a recent business dialogue organised by El-Shaddai Bible Church, Omole phase 2, Lagos. The business dialogue was held as part of a youth empowerment initiative by the church, where Obaro as a facilitator donates N500, 000 annually to support the best bankable business ideas from the youth in the church.

Obaro, a certified Canadian immigration consultant and educationist spoke with the participants’ on investment and access to fund for SMEs and MSMEs. According to her, investors are seeking for fundable projects, howbeit; they want bankable projects that can guarantee return

on investment. “There are virgin investors willing to support your business with fund if your business plan is well structured,” Obaro stated.

Speaking on her business support fund for youth of El-Shaddai Bible church, Obaro said it was necessitated out of a sincere desire to empower the youth towards helping them to be self-sustaining in the society.

The N500, 000 nonrefundable grant is given as a start-up capital to the beneficiary to help them develop their ideas into a viable business, while training and mentorship is also provided to help the beneficiary understand the financial requirements of running a successful business.

Obaro who started her business trajectory as a confectionary maker said she used to bake bread in Ajaokuta, stating that her passion led her into business. “I started by baking bread for my husband and his colleagues in Ajaokuta; I saw that the bread they were eating was not hygienic for them,” said Obaro.

MTN Foundation awards scholarships to support STEM education SEYI JOHN SALAU

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n its resolve to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and also empower the blind, MTN Foundation has awarded hundreds of Nigerian students studying in public tertiary institutions, scholarships to further their education. 300 students studying science and technologyrelated courses and 60 blind students were among the beneficiaries of the scholarships.

The scholarships, covering tuition, book allowance and stipends, will be renewed every year until graduation for existing awardees who have maintained a minimum Cumulative Grade Points Average (CGPA) of 3.5. According to statements made by the foundation, over 8,400 scholarships have been awarded on the schemes.

Nonny Ugboma, the executive secretary of MTN Foundation in a statement on the scholarship schemes said, an investing in the youth is an investment in Nigeria’s future. “This is our way

of equipping the Nigerian youth for the challenges of the future. We have for the past nine years, awarded students with scholarships, and this year we are excited to be doing it once again.

We’re glad to see that many of our scholarships alumni are doing very well in their chosen careers,” said Ugboma.

According to Ugboma, the foundation has been supporting a wide range of pragmatic initiatives designed to aid youth empowerment and job creation including, but not limited to, the student innovation challenge platform and ICT trainings, provision of digital libraries, and ICT laboratories to secondary schools and universities across Nigeria, while also empowering other young Nigerians with scholarships in Music.

“MTN Foundation is committed to brightening the lives of Nigerians through its three focus areas – education, health and economic empowerment. This commitment is visible in targeted causes such as mother and child, arts and culture, and youth empowerment,” Ugboma concluded.

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SundayBusiness Unbundle power generation to save economy, NACCIMA tasks FG David Ejiohuo, Airport Correspondent, Port Harcourt

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he Federal Government must unbundle power generation section of the power sector now to save the economy, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), has demanded.

NACCIMA called it decentralisation of the production and the distribution of electricity generation in the country, saying it is the only way to save the nation’s economy from the impending collapse.

Iyalode Alaba Lawson, the NACCIMA president, made the proposal at the weekend, when she spoke with the newsmen at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, on the state of the nation’s economy.

According to her, both the Federal Government and the National Assembly should as a matter of urgency, put a motion in process that would allow states, organisations, the organised private, public sector companies, and other corporations to be involved in electricity or energy generation and distribution to save the nation’s economy from collapsing again.

The Nigerian economy, she explained, was recovering at a very slow pace and therefore needed all that was required to let it come on stream for the interest of Nigerians.

According to her, one of the things needed to boost the nation’s economy was adequate electricity or energy generation across the country but that the failure of the Federal Government to do so was not helping matters.

One of the ways to make this possible she pointed out was for the Federal Government to abolish all obnoxious laws affecting the generation and distribution of electricity in the country and ensure that all executive orders on electricity issues were carried out without further delays.

She stated: “It is obnoxious to make the generation and distribution of electricity the exclusive right of the Federal Government, even when the mission is an impossible one”.

The National Assembly and the Federal Government she pleaded, should legislate and allow interested parties get involved in electricity generation to save the nation’s economy and bring succour to Nigerians which she said were passing through hell to get energy.

They should remove the issue from the exclusive list to the concurrent one as a matter of urgency and in the interim, carry out all executive orders as concerning the electricity issues in the country”.

Iyalode Lawson waned that both the Federal Government and the National Assembly would be held responsible for failing the nation, if they failed to do what was obvious and necessary but watch the nation’s economy collapse once more.

Nigeria, the NACCIMA Presi-

Green Party in Kano State, Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zaura, said he totally agrees that the electricity generation and distribution should be removed from the exclusive list to the concurrent one.

According to Abdusalam Zaura, lack of electricity was slowly killing the nation, her economy and greatly affecting the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation and affecting the development of the nation as a whole.

He pointed out that over 300 industries in Kano State, were presently in comatose and all the workers laid off because of electricity problems.

Nigeria, he pointed out further, could be self-sufficient in the use of renewable energy or solar system or even the waste energy and that it would amount to sin for the nation to continue to depend on the old and inefficient method of generation of power.

“The world is advancing and we cannot continue on the old way of generating power, even in the presence of abundant sunlight for solar energy or waste energy plant”.

To him, there was much to it because of the inability of the Federal Government to source for an alternative power supply despite so much money spent on the same system and the lack of positively results.

“For me, I suspect foul play and corruption in the system because as at today, Nigeria is the highest importer and user of generators in the world and, am sure that some people are benefiting from this”.

Generators, he explained, were now used in other parts of the world in construction sites and not in homes. He promised to use the population of Kano State and the renewable energy system to transform the State and her people, if elected as the Governor.

The Federal Government has since rolled out policy to allow imbedded power system which allows others to generate power and sell through power purchase agreement but Discos usually sue the supplier for interfering with their markets, even if they were not covering such a market well. This seems to be the area of conflict.

tablets normal strength of 20/120 of Arthemether and Lumefantrine combination therapy can effectively treat uncomplicated malaria in adults as recommended by the WHO. Similarly she further disclosed, for ages 9-14, the standard dosage regime is 6 tablets of the Tripple Strenght (TS) or 18 tablets of the standard of 20/120 Arthemether and Lumefantrine Combination therapy respectively. ‘’The WHO recommendations must be strictly adhered to and that is what we did with Zeramal ranges,’’ she said.

Pharm…who appealed to authorities in NAFDAC to ensure strict compliance to standards in drug labelling by promoters of medicines in the country also urged the public to follow WHO recommended dosage regimen when treating malaria because any treatment of the disease that fall short of internationally acceptable standards leads to resistance of the disease causing malaria.

It would be recalled that Zeramal ranges had been well received

by Nigerians of all ages and drugstores across the country as the effective anti-malarial for treatment of uncomplicated malaria.

Zeramal ranges are packaged as Zeramal QS for adults, Zeramal TS for ages 9-14 years, and Zeramal Dispersible and Zeramal suspension for 6months-8 years.

The ceremony featured award presentation to twenty-five organisations in different categories and they include; food brand of the year award, table water of the year award and biscuit brand of the year award.

Others category of awards at the event include cooking oil of the year award, fast food, noodle/ pasta, toothpaste, restaurant, automobile and cereal brand of the year.

Similarly, fifty-five marketing practitioners were conferred with Fellow of the Institute prominent among them was the Chairman of Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria, Goddies Ofose.

Iyalode Alaba Lawson, NACCIMA president

dent emphasized, stands to gain much from it, apart from the fast recovery of the economy, but in the generation and distribution of the energy as it would yield lots of revenue to the Federal Government.

“The Federal Government should provide the infrastructure needed but allow those interested parties to be independent by not linking their produced power to the national grid but should be made to pay revenue to the Federal Government based on the amount of energy they produce”.

Also speaking on the issue, a Gubernatorial Aspirant, under the

Zeramal wins Brand Managers Award

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eramal, the anti-malarial drug of KCH Consumer Healthcare Limited has been recognised as the premium brand of the year 2018 by the Institute of Brand Management of Nigeria (IBMN).

The anti-malarial was honoured recently during the IBMN organised award presentation and investiture ceremony held at Sheraton Hotels and Towers Ikeja, Lagos.

The organisers of the annual event explained that Zeramal was recognised for its efficacy in the effective treatment of uncomplicated malaria among millions of Nigerians who make use of the drug product. ‘’The award was conferred on deserving companies as well as brands and individuals who have made impacts on the lives of consumers through their innovations, inventions and ideas,’’ said Mr Desmond Esorougwe, IBMN Registrar/Chief Executive Officer in his remarks at the occasion.

According to him, as the com-

petitive environment becomes increasingly hostile, strong brand building and branding will be required to thrive and succeed. He added that branding has become a strategic asset and source of competitive advantage for companies.

He further explained that the 2018 edition of the IBMN award was aimed at identifying, recognising and rewarding companies that apply branding culture and branding management best practices to analyse, plan, implement and control of polices designed to achieve corporate objective in both profit and non-profit organisations in Nigeria.

The IBMN boss however commended the awardees for their efforts in seeking high standards in their business operations despite the challenging economic environment and therefore urge them not to relent.

Speaking to journalists after receiving the award the superintendent pharmacist of KCH Pharm… , expressed gratitude to

the organisers for the recognition accorded Zeramal.

She admonished the public to stay on Zeramal anti-malarial ranges in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria because the products meet World Health Organisation (WHO) standards on use of ACTs Throwing light on the circulation in the country of some antimalarial with conflicting dosage composition, the pharmacist said that the public need not be confused about the internationally acceptable dosage regime for ACTs because Zeramal ranges have addressed the issue. She explained that only 6 tablets of quadruple strength (QS) or 12 tablets of double strength (DS) or 24

Sunday 09 September 2018

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SundayBusiness Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

Lessons from GCOML’s vegetable oil processing the steps involved:

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he economic value addition through multiple products that could be obtained by processing a single raw agricultural product, makes it profitable and pleasing. A good example comes from the Josbased Grand Cereals and Oil Mills (GCOML) Ltd, an arm of UAC Plc, which has been at the forefront of processing delicious and health-promoting vegetable oil, from both soya beans and groundnut. In fact, some years back its Grand Pure Soya oil was confirmed as the most heart-friendly vegetable oil in the country by the Nigeria Heart Foundation (NHF), with the tacit approval from the Geneva-based parent body in a grand ceremony in Lagos.

This was what prompted the visit of this writer to find out the processes that have accorded the product its appealing high quality. It was during that memorable visit that the then Assistant Oil MILL Manager of GCOML, Mr. Paul Chogi, a graduate of the University of Jos with a bachelor’s degree in Food Technology gave details of all

Property Logic With Akhigbe Dominic

The Processes (a) Removal of impurities The soya beans come from Gboko while the ground nuts are brought in from Katsina and Kano states. The impurities, which have to be removed include stones, fine sand, dust and sticks. The separation of extraneous materials is done on the basis of the different sizes.

The two screens used include the upper and the lower types. The upper one removes the stones and sticks. The lower screen is aspirated to remove the lighter particles.

An o t h e r c l e a n i n g s t a g e follows. Here the de-stoner removes stones which are of the same size as the soya beans or groundnut seeds. This is based on the difference on the basis of weight instead of size as was during the first stage of screening. The vibration of the slanted deck makes it possible for the stone to be collected through the spout at the back.

The cleansed seeds are sent to the Roller Mill for size reduction, with the smaller particles ensuring larger surface area for effective cooking. ( b) H i g h Te m p e r a t u r e cooking for oil extraction These are passed through the conveyors to the elevators which deposit them in the two cookers.

There is steam application at the second stage of the 5 – stage cooker where the temperature is increased to 105 0C. Th i s h i g h t e m p e r a t u r e cooking is to effectively remove trypsin, the inhibiting enzyme.

Thus the oil is released easily from the seeds especially during pressing. Under pressure there is extraction of the oil, which is squeezed out of the seeds. For soya beans, the cake comes out and it is used for animal feeds.

Mealia is formed using soya beans (protein) in combination with maize (carbohydrate).

The oil is mixed with the cake. While the cake goes for bagging, the oil with cake is recirculated back to the cooker at the vibrating screen. There, the oil goes down for filtration at the filter press while the cake is also recycled.

(C)Refining the oil The crude vegetable oil is sent to the refinery. Crude oil from the storage tank is conveyed to the neutralizer to undergo the first stage of refinery. At this crucial stage, phosphoric acid is added to remove gum or phospholipids at calculated dosage.

Sodium hydroxide is also added to remove free fatty acids which are injurious to human health. The stirrer is used to effectively combine fatty acids and soda to produce the soap stock containing insolvent impurities. This is separated from oil and sold to local soap makers.

The oil produced is now free from gum fatty acids. Clean water is used to wash away the phosphoric acids and sodium hydroxide thoroughly. This ensures that the oil does not have a soapy feeling .The oil goes to the Bleacher where bleaching earth is used to reduce the colour (to make it lighter). The oil is deodorized (to remove any offensive odour) from soya

beans at 200 degrees Celsius under vacuum. The oil is cooled to between 30 to 40 degrees Celsius.

At this point the oil is ready for consumption. There are 2 filling lines. The mill has the capacity to produce 1,000 tins of groundnut or soya beans oil per day, depending on request from the market. The packages come in 1 litre, 3 litres, 4 litres and 18 litres.

All these technical processes lead to t h e p rod u ct i on of GRAND PURE SOYA OIL and GRAND PURE GROUNDNUT OIL which are clear, odourless and do not foam or fume. These attributes, which come as a result of careful selection of the seeds and the subsequent high pressure cooking and oil refining using state-of-the art machinery confer on both vegetable oils their market leadership.

Nutritional Benefits: Soya beans’ efficacy against stroke and cancer Apart from promoting a healthy heart, several researches have attested to the power of oil and milk extracted from soya beans in staving off the debilitating effects of stroke and cancer.

For instance, recent research studies carried out by Japanese scientists have identified the power of linoleic acid in soya beans oil in reducing stroke, especially that caused by blood clots(ischemic strokes). From the studies conducted on 7,450 Japanese men and women between the ages of 40 and 85, it was shown that for every 5 per cent increase in linoleic acid in

their diet there was 28 per cent reduction in the risk of either type of stroke and 34 per cent drop in the risk of clot-related stroke and 19 per cent decline in hemorrhagic stroke.

The commendable role of the fatty acid is in the reduction of inflammation and regulation of blood pressure was well noted. Linoleic acid improves glucose tolerance, helps to lower blood cholesterol level, thereby increasing blood circulation.

As for reduction in breast cancer in women, years of studies have shown that Asian women, who consume more soya beans products, have much lower breast cancer risks than their western counterparts.

Ac c o r d i n g t o r e n o w n e d researchers at the University o f Te x a s Me d i c a l Br a n c h in Galveston and Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovol, Israel soy beans-rich Asian diets have been found to inhibit the development of breast malignancies.

Soy milk, for instance is relatively rich in genistein and daidzein, a pair of plant estrogens or phytoestrogens. They bind to and activate specific receptors on cells throughout the body.

And all because estrogen can promote and fuel the growth of many breast cancers, diets rich in phyto-estrogens might effectively starve pre-cancerous tissues, diminishing a woman’s cancer risk. Great isn’t it?

Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media ayobaje@yahoo.co.uk; 08057971776

The intrigues about land titles “The reason why men enter into society is the preservation of their property…”

--John Locke

J

ohn Locke FRS was an English philosopher and physician, widely regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers and commonly known as the father of Liberalism (according to Wikipedia).

John Locke died in October 28th, 1704. His quote cited above came long before his demise. Today; this quote has become more relevant in the

narratives of property ownership with definite respect to Real Estate. No one demonstrates confident ownership of any Real Estate variable without an unencumbered Proof of ownership to same. This is what is clearly referred as Title. If otherwise done; such a fellow only wallops in the illusion of real ownership. It is in view of the above assertion that we would take a cursory look at THE INTRIGUES OF LAND TITLES as a welcome back pack for our various teaming readers who have unavoidably missed us in the last two months when we consolidated on other very important assignments thrown

at us by those who reposed confidence in our capacity to emancipate them from political emasculation.

Your darling Column that enriches your nomenclature with undiluted information about Real Estate and Property is back with new Property peps that are expected to help mitigate if not totally take away the usual harrowing hassles associated with procuring, disposing or managing your Real Estate derivatives.

Just keep hanging on to PropertyLogic Incorporated; your One Stop Property Information Mall.

PropertyLogic Incorporated is a huge community that can

serve as a profitable medium to reach your target audience. Do you doubt me? As far back as 2016, close to fifty thousand persons read a single write up titled: When Regularization does not come to the rescue on: www.govandbusinessjournal. com.ng /when-regularization-does-notcome-to-the-rescue/ We are even larger today. Just keep visiting www.govandbusinessjournal.com.ng/propertylogic Incorporated and do not hesitate to reach out to us when there is need to reach your business target audience.

Now, let hit the ground running with this week’s business which is…

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Sunday 09 September 2018

SundayBusiness Why active insurance industry is needed for functional mortgage economy

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n active insurance industry is still lacking in Nigeria and this, according to experts in the country’s mortgage sector, the slow growth of this sector could be attributed to the nature of its insurance industry. Insurance penetration in Nigeria is still very low, due largely to poverty and low patronage.

The story is however different in developed economies of the world where the mortgage industry is functional and effective, an active insurance industry is in place.

For Nigeria to be where it is supposed to be in terms of mortgage growth, the insurance industry should be there to function as a lubricate the engine of growth. In other environments, both mortgage and insurance go together, and understandably so, because while mortgage is risk-prone, insurance is a hedge against risks.

To have a healthy mortgage industry therefore, there is need for a mortgage insurance functioning as a policy that protects a mortgage lender or title holder in the event that the borrower defaults on payments, dies, or is otherwise unable to meet the contractual obligations of the mortgage.

Investopedia, an encyclopedia

Spiritonomics

Debo Atiba

www.spiritonomics.org

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e s p i t e m u c h Ad o about God, It looks to me like God does not really play any role in our lives. The statistics is there to show it. We may mentally assent to it that it is untrue that how dare I say that, but we don’t have to look too far to know that it is true. Many are weary at heart and confused about God’s ability to truly help. If God truly has any role to play in your life how has He fared as your helper? How have you fared in the challenges you are faced with if God is for you?

What is responsible for the sense of hopelessness you feel? Every time you lose your

of investment initiatives, identifies three aspects of mortgage insurance.

These are private mortgage insurance (PMI), mortgage life insurance, or mortgage title insurance. What these have in common is an obligation to make the lender or property holder whole in the event of specific cases of loss. Private mortgage insurance may be called ‘lender’s mortgage insurance’ (LMI) if the premium on a PMI policy is paid by the lender and not the borrower.

For these reasons and more, an active insurance industry is needed for the growth and development of a functional mortgage industry. The mortgage industry in Nigeria is still a fledgling and fingers are frequently pointed to an insurance industry that is not as active participant as it should be.

For some reasons, in this country, in spite of everything the people have learnt, policy is still shaping the industry whereas, in advanced economies, it is the other way round—industry shapes policy because people in the industry are the ones implementing the policy every day.

The mortgage industry in United States, for instance, has been robust for decades and it is with continued activity. One is not however, saying that Nigeria

should replicate what happens in the US here, because Nigeria has its own unique characteristics which must be recognized and respected.

What the mortgage players in Nigeria should do however, is to make the US system a base-line because that system represents the global standard. Adenike Fasanya-Osilaja, a mortgage and finance consultant, advises that “we have to start learning that system and adapt it to meet our own unique cultural system and unique needs”.

Nigeria needs to lay a very good foundation for mortgage industry growth to ensure that what happened in America in 2006 with sub-prime mortgage crisis does not repeat itself here.

The Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) is a big possibility that can change and shape the mortgage system in this country and could also be an umbrella for the industry.

One of the high points of NMRC, as a secondary mortgage institution, is its long term, low rate global funds and, because the mortgage industry here is not yet buoyant, NMRC, whether it is succeeding now or not, can be a significant tool for achieving these attributes of a working mortgage industry.

Fasanya-Osilaja believes that the mortgage industry should be

Talking Mortgage with CHUKA UROKO (08037156969, chukuroko@yahoo.com)

shaping NMRC and not NMRC shaping the industry, advising that the Central Bank of Nigeria( CBN), through the NMRC, should be listening to the voice of the industry. “Experience has proved to me that the CBN is quite ready to listen and learn.

The problem here however, is that the industry has been rather passive”, she noted.

This industry has to be standardized so that global players, from global perspectives, could view the local industry from the perspective of NMRC and mortgage banking association of Nigeria (MBAN) and see something to hold on to in their investment decisions. Despite the current challenges, the Nigerian economy could conveniently support the growth of the mortgage industry as the country is one of the fastest growing economies in the world where talent resource is amazing.

The mortgage consultant ad-

vises further that Nigeria needs to understand there is time for competition and also time for association and each is as critical as the other. “The only thing that will stop this industry from growing is over-regulation by people who are not in the industry and therefore will not understand the effect of their policy on the actual market”, she said, emphasizing the urgency of an active insurance industry to drive the needed growth in the mortgage industry.

As a step forward, mortgage insurance could come with a typical ‘pay-as-you-go’ premium payment, or may be capitalized into a lump sum payment at the time the mortgage is originated.

For homeowners who are required to have PMI because of the 80 percent loan-to-value ratio rule, they can request that the insurance policy be canceled once 20 percent of the principal balance has been paid off.

Is God your helper, or does God help? joy and peace what does that mean, does it mean God was on vacation?’ Do you think that would have happened if God was by your side and holding your hand? When we are demoralized with fear in the face of challenges, business failure, does it not mean that what we are up against is either bigger or stronger than the God we claim to be our savior? When you use the word Savior, what do you think it means? To a lot of people they don’t know, they just automatically assume its salvation. Of course it is, what is salvation? A lot of time our religious cap is on, and it makes us loose out big time. So who is a savior and what is the definition of salvation? Like you are aware that whatever cannot be defined cannot be measured. A savior is defined as “a person who saves someone or something from danger or difficulty”.

Now unto Salvation, Salvation is defined as “preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin or loss”. Wow!!! How did we ever

come to the point of equating the salvation of our souls only to deliverance from sin and its consequences, and never knowing that deliverance from harm, ruin or loss is the least of what salvation is? If we look at the category of issues that we face as human that makes us to tremble with fear, they are all associated with harm, ruin, or loss. Here the strongest of men fall, here even the boldest are paralyzed with fear. David was an example, he and his strong army wept profusely as a result of sense of harm, ruin or loss they felt befell their loved ones.

It is very glaring now why it looks like God cares less about us after salvation of our soul. We have limited God and his ability to save only to Salvation. When we mention the word savior what resonates with us is Jesus the deliverer from Sin. Not our deliverer from, harm, loss or ruin that we face every time in the fallen world, or the challenges we encounter in our businesses.

So why does God not help? All

the conversation we have had up till this point shows that we cannot benefit from what we don’t know we have. Scripture says that ‘’God is a very present help in times of need”, not a future help. If you fail to experience the help of God in your life which is in abundance, you are to blame not God. God remains faithful and His Mercies endureth forever.

(Psalm 136) In the kingdom of God, knowledge is the activator of the power of God, and scripture attests to it the reason for our destruction is ignorance (Hosea 4:6).

How Did The Enemy Get Us To This Point of Never recognizing The Love Of God To Help Us? The enemy does not 1. need to do so much to reign supreme over us, all he needs to do is to define things wrongly for us through the agency of his teachers- circumstances and situations, and then we run with it. His depth of deceit and craftiness has no part two.

Because we never knew 2. the benefit of being proficient in

spiritual matters, we give less attention to knowing the truth (the word of God) that is meant to make us free in this fallen world.

Because of this deficiency, it becomes easy for us to be tricked into believing lies.

When we come to term that the power of God has always been working in our lives in little, little things that look insignificant, we would realize that our non-acknowledgement of them makes God look far from us. That is the more reason God told us to ‘count our blessing and name them one by one, that it will help us to recognize, appreciate what God has done and He is doing in our lives.(paraphrased) As you take note of these areas and put them to work, you will ever be confident of God’s abiding presence that drives away every sense of fear and intimidation. You will never again feel as though God is not for you. You will come to a conclusion that God is indeed your helper.

Remain Blessed. @spiritonomics

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EquityMarket FX stability boosts export revenue as unemployment weighs on domestic sales TELIAT SULE

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he foreign exchange stabilisation policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may have started to yield positive results following the resurgence in export activities of listed firms on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) at half year 2018. The combined export revenues of the seven listed in our analysis firms rose to N5.98 billion at half year 2018 from N5 billion made by the same firms in comparable period in 2017.

On the average, the seven firms collectively recorded 19 percent increase in their export revenues during the period.

When expressed as a percentage of the total revenue, their collective export revenues to total

revenue stands at 2 percent in June 2018 compared with 1 percent in similar period in 2017.

Gross earnings from the domestic market marginally rose by 1.3 percent. The total revenue which comprises the export and domestic revenues of the seven firms remained almost flat at 2 percent as it rose from N381.16 billion in June 2017 to N387.06 billion in June 2018. This implies that most of the export oriented firms from Nigerian presently play at the fringes as the domestic revenue accounted for 98 percent in the first six months of 2018 which is about the 99 percent in similar period in 2017.

The improvement in the export activities gives stakeholders in the Nigerian economy the hope that Nigerian firms are beginning to benefit from the relative stability in the foreign exchange market. Among

the firms that witnessed upward trend in their export revenues are Total Nigeria, Nestle Nigeria, Beta Glass and Cadbury Nigeria. On the other hand, Notore and Okomu Oil had their exports decline by 92 percent and 9 percent respectively during the period.

Total Nigeria sold N577.07 million worth of goods overseas in the first six months of 2018, an increase of 83 percent over N314.6 million goods it sold to its foreign buyers same period in 2017. Nestle Nigeria made N1.61 billion from export compared with N884.8 million as at June 2017, representing an increase of 82 percent. Beta Glass’ N516.3 million export proceeds in the first six months of 2018 was 36 percent better than N380.95 million it made in corresponding period in 2017.

Cadbury Nigeria recorded the highest growth of 101 percent in export sales among the firms analysed

as it made N2.69 billion in the first six months of 2018 compared with N1.34 billion in similar period in 2017.

“There is so much competition in Nigeria for Cadbury and this explains why it focuses on our West African neighbours. Poverty level in those countries is very high and Cadbury products are cheaper, these facts make its products easily affordable to individuals and institutions in West African sub region”, Fola Abimbola, analyst with CSL Stockbrokers, said.

“Nestle controls the beverages market in Nigeria, so Cadbury has to look elsewhere”, Abimbola said.

Between the two beverages giants, Nestle controls 90 percent of the domestic beverages market while 10 percent market share goes to Cadbury. On the contrary, Cadbury controls 63 percent of the export market share while Nestle controls 37 percent at half year.

The sluggish growth in the revenue made by these firms in the domestic market may be unconnected with the low purchasing power of consumers caused by high unemployment rates which presently stands at about 18.8 percent in the country.

Based on the data recently released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the sale of petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals accounted for 83.54 percent of Nigeria’s exports.

Cashew nuts accounted for 9.70 percent while sesame seeds as well as urea accounted for 0.44 percent and 0.25 percent respectively.

Similarly, naphthalene accounted for 0.21 percent; cigarettes containing tobacco, 0.17 percent; other lubricating oil, 0.24 percent, and leather further prepared after tanning accounted for 0.14 percent respectively.

CBN debits Stanbic IBTC’s account as it surrenders venture capital license

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he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has debited the account of Stanbic IBTC in respect of the penalty it imposed on it recently. The bank notified the authorities of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and all the stakeholders through its press release stated below: Following our earlier announcement to The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on 30 August 2018, in respect of the penalty of N1.886 billion imposed by the Central

Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on our banking subsidiary – Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc in relation to the remittance of foreign exchange on the basis of certain capital importation certificates issued to MTN Nigeria Communications Limited, we write to update The NSE that the CBN has debited the account of our banking subsidiary with the CBN for the full amount of the above stated fine advised to the Bank.

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC as

well as our banking subsidiary maintains our position on this matter, which is the fact that the Bank has done nothing illegal and accordingly the Bank will continue to provide CBN with documents and details in support of our contention that our actions in relation to these transactions were not illegal.

Please note that this debit does not impact on the capacity of our banking subsidiary to handle clients’ requests or clients’ ability to continue to carry out viable busi-

ness transactions with either the Bank or any member of the Stanbic IBTC Group, whether in relation to the importation of capital or otherwise. Our business transactions will continue to be handled professionally and in a manner that is aligned with Nigeria’s laws and regulatory guidelines.

Meanwhile, Stanbic IBTC has also notified the NSE of its voluntary surrender of the license of Stanbic IBTC Ventures Limited (SIVL), as a Venture Capital Manager and a

subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This surrender is entirely voluntary and the Commission has granted a “No Objection” to SIVL’s application.

We also would like to state that SIVL does not have any Venture Capital obligations with any of its clients and the surrender of its licence would not impact negatively on the Stanbic IBTC Group as SIVL will still continue to operate as a going concern.

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Sunday 09 September 2018

BrandsOnSunday SPOTLIGHTING BRAND VALUE

We are committed to deepening service excellence – Spectranet CEO You recently introduced express shops.

Could you share the reason for the introduction what it means to the consumers? ifferentiators in the internet service market are not restricted to product and pricing. Customer engagement is important too; it is critical to us as a brand. The introduction of Spectranet express service outlets is hinged on the importance of customer engagement.

We believe it is very important for the company to excel in that regard. Spectranet embarked on this journey six months ago to uplift our customer service offerings from good to being the best-in-class in Nigeria. We want to be up there as the best-in-class in addressing customers’ concerns. In the last six months, we have done a lot in terms of expanding arms-length service footprint.

We are ensuring that there is a Spectranet shop resolving customer service issues, just within 2-3 kilometres. In Lagos, we have a couple of shops created and operated by the brand. It is a reflection of the business terminology, Company Owned Company Operated (COCO).

We have about 12 of them, scattered across Lagos. On the other hand, we have Franchise Owned, Franchise Operated (FOFO) outlets.

There are about 13 of them run and operated by franchises approved by us. This puts the total of

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number of express outlets at 25 at the moment. By December, we should have 35 outlets. It is going to be the way forward. We are keen on spreading them evenly across the state.

The brand is concentrating more on Customer Service than Growth. Is it on the background that growth is getting limited?

It is not exactly so. I think the philosophy here is service business. If you do well with customer service, sales will automatically happen.

We believe that there is a bigger space out there and we just want to occupy that space by excelling in customer service. I am optimistic that once we have done that, we will have meaningfully engaged customers and business will start happening. That is why we are doing so much with creating sales and service outlets located within arms-length.

You have used some catchy words-Customer Service Quotient, Next Level, Arms-length distribution and Service Footprint. Are they connected to the investment you have made in upgrading your system and service experience?

We are quite mindful of the fact that customer service quotient is important. It is not just about the creation of solutions. One of the major enablers of IP networks is the 4GLTE advance technology because they are internet based in that sense. 4G LTE is a victim of cyber-attacks and threats. It is ideal to put up firewall to protect your systems. The purpose of the firewall is to keep on detecting those threats. Across the world,

Spectranet-Ajay-Awasthi

there are automated bots.

People do mischiefs; they meddle with your networks and then gain access to your customers. You would have experienced this with mails. At times, your mail box gets infected with embarrassing mails. These bots constantly search for vulnerabilities.

We understand that it is important to be one step ahead of those bots. This influenced the upgrade of firewall protection for our systems. We brought in the latest generation of firewall, Firepower 9300 to secure our customers. It’s the first of its kind in Nigeria.

The firewall is intelligent; it detects viruses and threats in data packets transmitted in large quantities from our systems. It is efficient in

deep package inspections.

We have made huge investment in networks so far. We are almost through with our optimization whilst we are focusing on Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) which can prevent sophisticated level of threats. Safeguarding our customers and business interests is important to us as a brand. We understand that some of our customers have websites that deserve the right kind of protection.

We have invested significantly in this regard. That is why we have put in place the latest kind of firewall to guarantee safety.

The brand’s investments in network and security are impressive. But the industry seems to be shrinking with the number

of ISPs . What are the factors behind this development?

The issues are contextual. Clearly, the challenges we are experiencing at the moment has to do with the viability of the industry. Without floor pricing, the market may continue to shrink. As a broadband provider, we have a niche which is high value customers who want high speed, larger number of GBs and nice experience. However, the cost of servicing these customers is very high.

When a customer raises a concern, we deploy a fix service executive to take care of the concern. There are over 100 fix service executives working with us at the moment.

The bigger players- TELCOS can afford to slash data prices because they have significant customer base. However, their actions are impeding the services rendered by ISPs. What can bring the prices down?

More companies should come in to erect towers and make prices to be more competitive. Certainly, we will witness a surge in the number of viable ISPs if this is achieved.

TELCOS come together to erect infrastructure.

Why is it difficult for ISPs to achieve this?

The cost of laying fibres is quite expensive. Getting permissions is another limitation. However, there are companies renting out fibres to ISPs at the moment. But we need more of them in the market to create infrastructure for ISPs to roll out much faster.

Beyond Lagos where

you are consolidating to reach customers, are you taking franchising beyond Lagos?

Lagos is our major presence area. We are in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Ibadan.

We definitely want to grow to the next level by consolidating operations in our coverage areas and more areas.

Recently, NCC stated that 40 million Nigerians don’t have access to internet even though mobile internet penetration is growing in millions. What are you doing to bring in people who are outside the internet space?

One of the key drivers of internet penetration is availability of compatible devices at affordable prices. So, if more number of smartphones come into the country at affordable rates, more people will get connected. If import duties are reduced, prices will come down. Government should help us in bringing in these devices at cheaper rates so that we can make them affordable to customers.

Customer reward is an aspect of customer engagement. Recently, Spectranet organized a World Cup promotion to reward customers. Why did the brand decide to do that?

There is a popular notion that if you have a loyal customer, you must engage them often else they will become passive. The best way to engage customers properly is to create means of bringing happiness to them. The promo was very successful. We connected with a significant number of the country’s youth population during that period.

‘Your Excellency Game App’ debuts in Nigeria

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fter two years of market research, ‘Your Excellency Game App’ has been introduced to the Nigerian public with the recent launch of its ‘Ready 2 Run’ version in Lagos.

Th e g a m e w h i c h i s first of its kind is all about Nigeria’s political arena. It is an adventure civic mobile game which is a learning tool for young people on governance. It’s a general

game of no age restriction.

The Executive Director Youth Alive Foundation Udua Okon, speaking on the theme, “2.0 Mindset Series said: “Innovation is developed by innovators, we have been nursing this idea for the past two years and now it has come into reality.

The game is designed for the age bracket of 15 to 35 but it’s played by everyone because it is an interesting game.

He added: “In the game you address governors and make a speech that inspires for excellence in governance. Players symbolically run for electoral offices starting from active citizens to attain governorship positions, while on the race they learn key governance issues and their role in contributing to a more accountable and transparent society so that they can translate the

learning experience to real life issues and contribute positively to the society.”

He went on “It’s designed to educate youth not only that, to the youths who have the intention of aspiring for the political posts such as governor or other positions.

“For you to become an Excellency, you must have been a governor before the presidency.” “ Yo u r Exc e l l e n c y i s designed to be about

something dynamic in order to bring a proper change that will benefit the society. Its core values are transparency, accountability and also good governance.

Through this means it helps in decision making, teaches people the rudiments of governance.”

Agboola Dabiri Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Lagos state, in his advice to youths at the launch said: “Create

opportunities for yourself do not limit yourself.”

While advising youth on innovation, he stated: “Do not wait until you have a whole lot of money before you find something doing.

For your plan(s) to succeed, stay away from drugs.”

He however, pleaded with the youths to stay away from drugs “because it kills the future, and promised to always support the platform.”

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Arts Multichoice Talent Factory; for those made for film Stories by OBINNA EMELIKE

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t the recently concluded Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (AMVCA), which held in Lagos, Tunde Kelani, a veteran cinematographer, won the Industry Merit Award 2018.

Movie director and producers from across Africa commended the 70 years old filmmaker for the welldeserved honour.

While the likes of Kelani have told their stories to the world and are rewarded for doing so, Multichoice Africa thinks it is time to groom younger creatives, especially ambitious filmmakers who will tell the world authentic African stories that have never been told before or if told, retelling the stories in more engaging ways.

The digital entertainment company is igniting the future of Africa’s creative industry with the Multichoice Talent Factory (MTF) Academy, an Africa-wide, and multi-tiered experiential training programme and platform to learn, develop talents, engage and connect through shared passions.

On October 1, 2018, about 60 successful students (20 from three regions of East, West and Southern Af-

rica) will converge at their regional hubs in Nigeria, Kenya and Zambia for a one-year scholarship in filmmaking.

The 60 students who emerged from over 3, 000 entries from 13 countries in Africa, were selected based on their industry-related qualifications and skills, as well as, their passion to narrate Africa’s unique stories.

As the first students of the MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy and the future of Africa’s film and television industry, they will be provided with skillsets to develop their talent, connect with industry professionals and tell authentic African stories through a comprehensive curriculum compris-

ing theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in cinematography, editing, audio production and storytelling after the 12-month long training holding simultaneously at the three regional hubs.

During the training, MTF Academy students will produce television and film content that will be aired on local M-Net channels across the MultiChoice platforms including Africa Magic, Maisha Magic East, Maisha Magic Bongo, Zambezi Magic, MNet and SuperSport to reach African audiences on the DStv and GOtv platforms.

Upon graduation, the MTF student will leave with the knowledge and skills to

contribute professionally to Africa’s film and television industry.

With the initiative, Multichoice Africa, which has undertaken the sponsorship of the students’ tuition, accommodation and stipend for the duration of their training in each regional hub, is stepping up its investment in local content and looking at the bigger picture tomorrow.

While hosting a continent-wide media parley at the Wheatbaker Hotel Ikoyi recently, John Ugbe, managing director, MultiChoice Nigeria, said the company is truly looking at the bigger picture as the MTF hopes to ensure better production of African stories that will reso-

nate with the global audience, and most importantly ensure healthy rivalry among film industries in Africa.

Ugbe commended stakeholders for the height the industry has attained so far, but insisted that the need to take African content to the rest of the world has necessitated the grooming of young talents that will be more daring and authentic in telling their African stories to the world.

In same vein, Yolisa Phahle, CEO, General Entertainment, MultiChoice, said the MTF is a veritable platform to magnify the opportunities for telling African stories in an unprecedented way, as well as, Multichoice’s humble way of paying back to its host communities across Africa.

For Femi Odugbemi, director, West Africa, MTF Academy, the initiative is one of the best legacies of Multichoice Africa because on graduation, the 60 students will set out to tell their stories, make impact in the industry, and engage in fruitful ventures across the continent and beyond.

He expects the 20 students from West Africa to take over the film industries in West Africa and the continent at large in the nearest future going by the legacies of the pioneers in the region.

Ile-Ife, culture enthusiast await Olojo festival

‘9/11: Escape from the towers’

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tear-jerking narrative of the tragedy of September 11 from twin towers survivors just below the impact zone History is remembering the events of September 11, 2001 with a new two-hour documentary: “9/11: Escape From the Towers” premiering Tuesday, September 11 at 7:15pm on DStv HISTORY channel. “9/11: Escape trom the Towers” provides a unique perspective on the tragic events through interwoven stories of survivors from two floors of the World Trade Center, some closest to the impact zone.

With never-before-told stories from occupants of the 81st floor in the North Tower and the 77th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center, this documentary provides an unsettling perspective of what it was like to be inside the buildings on that fatal day, as individuals came together as a group to make it to safety.

The World Trade Center towers each consisted of 110 floors and on 9/11 every floor faced a distinctive set of challenges. In this poignant documentary, survivors from one floor in each tower, most speaking publicly for the first time, share how they started the day as colleagues and ended it with their lives

…Ooni calls for promotion of heritage

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lojo Festival, an annual cultural celebration to comme mor ate the creation of the first dusk and dawn in Ile Ife, ranks the biggest cultural celebration in the ancient town that prides itself as the cradle of the Yoruba race.

Thus, the grand finale of the celebration that usually begins with ‘Gbajure’, the proclamation across town that the festival will hold, and thereafter, seclusion by the Ooni for seven days on average, attracts up to 300, 000 participants from all parts of the world to Ile Ife. Expectedly, the convergence of such a large number of people in one place, has been offering good businesses opportunities for locals and businesses that serve visitors during the festival.

Since ascending the throne, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ile Ife, has left no one in doubt of his desire to draw attention of the global community to the richness of all cultural festivals in Ile Ife, especially, Olojo, which is considered to be the most significant.

At every given opportunity within the continent and

outside it, the monarch has been preaching the ‘gospel’ of reorientation of Yoruba cultural beliefs and traditions, denouncing the tag of idol-worshipping on cultural activities of the race.

Of key significance during Olojo is ‘Ade’ Are, the crown adorn once in a year by Ooni.

The multicolour beaded crown, said to be as heavy as the weight of five bags of cement, according to Ooni Ogunwusi, is the oldest crown in the universe and was received at the creation of first day and night

by Oduduwa, the progenitor of the race.

On the grand finale of Olojo, Ooni adorning ‘Ade Are’, will appear in public after seven days seclusion, alongside other participants at the festival and trek to Oke Mogun, the point believed to be the place, where the first set of humans were lowered from heaven.

Preparatory to the grand finale of the 2018 edition of the festival, Ile Ife is already in the celebration mood. Apart from improved security at the entry and exist points to the town, souvenirsandculturalmaterials are on display across the town.

Meanwhile, the Ooni of

Ife has called on the people of the Yoruba nation within the country and in the diasporas to harmonize efforts towards promoting all cultural festivals and traditions of the race.

The monarch spoke in his palace in Ile Ife, during a press briefing heralding this year’s Olojo Festival.

Oba Ogunwusi, who was flanked by palace chiefs, priests and sponsors of the celebrations that include Bet9ja, MTN, Goldberg and Seamans Aromatic Schnapps, decried the continuous description of adherents of traditional religion as idol worshippers.

According to him, “failure to admire it would surely destroy the labours of our past heroes.

We are not idol worshippers,

but we are using the celebration of the festivals to acknowledge and give due honour to all our deities that have contributed immenselytohumanexistence.

“Olojo festival symbolises the celebration of the first day of creation and the beginning of existence in Ile-Ife, being the cradle of human race. The word “Olojo” implies reference to Olodumare, the creator and the owner of the day and that is why Olojo festival is being celebrated in Ife kingdom, the cradle of Yorubas.

“Christian and Muslims do celebrate Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohammed in due times, same thing should be applicable to the traditional religion adherents.”

Giving historical back-

ground of the Olojo Festival, Ooni said the owner of the whole universe (Olodumare) would be appreciated during that period of celebration of Olojo.

“All forces of nature such as rain, sun and water among others will interact for the betterment of the day and humanity.

We all believed and worship one God in diverse ways, Olojo festival is a day that God specially answers prayer not for Ife indigenes alone, but for all and sundry”, the royal father said.

Offering details of the activities of the festival, Ayo Olumoko, CEO, Infogem Limited, the Olojo festival consultant, said this year’s celebrations would begin on September 18, 2018 with ‘Gbajure Festival’, while Ooni would wear ‘Are Crown’ on September 30, 2018 to perform the symbolic trip to ‘Oke Mogun’.

Olumoko, who also consults for Osun Osogbo Festival and also an Otunba, called on the participants and indigenes of Ife to be law abiding during the celebrations and ensure that tourists coming for the festival enjoy their stay in the town.

forever intertwined. Their experiences are recounted in astounding and visual detail which include two men who volunteered to carry a stranger down 68 perilous flights of stairs; a small group determined to get their pregnant co-worker to safety and others who fought through flames and falling debris just one floor below the impact zone.

“9/11: Escape From the Towers” delivers deeply personal recollections of how it truly felt to be inside the Twin Towers on 9/11 and how people came together for the good of others, while also remembering those they lost.

The documentary will air a second time on Sunday, 16 September at 7:15pm.

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Sunday 09 September 2018

Arts Contentment, hard work, consistency have sustained me in the industry Foluke Daramola-Salako, Nollywood actress, writer and producer, was recently signed as the official brand ambassador of Suru Group Limited, a real estate and property company. In this interview with Ifeoma Okeke, she speaks of her lifestyle, Suru brand and other issues.

How do you feel taking up this ambassadorial role?

I am elated because I feel this partnership is long overdue. I have always wanted to work with this brand because it has been my family brand for a long time. I believe that with this opportunity, I have to go an extra mile to prove myself as being a part of Suru Group family.

What offerings will be bringing on board in your role as an ambassador of Suru brand?

I am due to travel in some days and I intend to discuss with the managing director for me to have a party when I get to the US, where all I do is talking about my brand to people in the diaspora because a lot of them do not have the opportunity to put money down once but can pay at installment and I know that this applies to Suru Group. So, I believe that if I go anywhere I can do a representation of Suru brand easily and at the end of the day, I am making a change. I see myself not just as a brand face of Suru but as a marketer of Suru product.

is loudest. You have to do this by understanding that there will always be a star that people will recognise and when that star goes, you have to work around being able to sustain your backstage. Part of sustaining your backstage is being able to sustain your family and being able to think outside the box on what you can do differently. That is why the partnership with Suru brand is great for me.

This way, I can say I am using my face to do something different because we cannot always be in the lime light.

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I am going to put myself in it and I am going to work diligently on it.

Being in the field for years, what lessons have you learnt about life?

The lesson I have learnt

about life is that life comes with ups and downs. My mother taught me contentment and being happy at all times. A lot of times we can be very unappreciative of what we are and who God has made us to be but I have

learnt that we are special in our own ways. We need to understand why we need to be content, hardworking and consistent. In the show business I have found myself, you have to take a bow when the ovation

What is the secret of your beautiful face?

Peace of mind is the secret.

I believe that no issue can supersede me. I believe that it will come but I know the only constant thing in life is change. Challenges will come and when it comes, just calm down because it will pass. If you do not handle it well when it is there, you will end up putting more pressure on yourself and when it goes, that pressure will not go. So, I do not stress myself, I rather make myself

Authors await final shortlist of three for NLNG Prize for Literature 2018 OBINNA EMELIKE

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he battle for the N L N G Pr i z e f o r Literature 2018 is truly getting tougher as the October grand finale gets closer. Of course, with $100,000 award to the winner, about N36 million, for excellence and literary craftsmanship, the Nigeria Prize for Literature, which has been sponsored by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) since 2004, is worth scrambling for by indigenous authors.

This year, the prize, which commenced with the call for entries on February 13, 2018, saw judges receiving 89 entries in April from authors on Play, the literature genre under consideration.

As the authors prayed fervently for their individual plays to be considered, the judges in July pruned the 89 to 11 longlisted plays.

The 11 longlisted plays

for this year’s prize include; August Inmates by Chidubem Iweka , Death and The King’s Grey Hair by Denja Abdullahi, Embers by Soji Cole, Guerrilla Post by Obari Gomba, Majestic Revolt by Peter E. Omoko, and Melancholia by Dul Johnson.

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Others are; No More the Taming Hawks by Diran Ademiju-Bepo, Once Upon an Elephant by Bosede Ademilua-Afolayan, Sankara by Jude Idada, The Rally by Akanji Nasiru, and Unstable

by Dickson Ekhaguere.

The intrigue in this year’s

edition of the prize is that a play by a prominent Nigerian royal father is among the 11 longlisted plays.

Eze Chidubem Iweka III, the Igwe of Obosi in Anambra State, is among the strong contenders of the prize with his play, August

Inmates.

Going forward, the creative ingenuity of the 11 authors will help in making the judges’ selection process easy as they prepare to release a shortlist of three this September.

While the Nigerian literary community awaits the shortlist of three, the panel of judges of the prize this year, which include;

by Matthew Umukoro, a professor of Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan, Mohammed Inuwa UmarBuratai, professor of Theatre and Performing Arts and Dean, Faculty of Arts at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and Ngozi Udengwu, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Theatre and Film Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has promised that the best play will emerge winner in the October grand finale of the prize.

The Nigeria Prize for Literature has since 2004 reward-

happy.

Tell us about your charity foundation?

I have a foundation called ‘Action against Rape and Abuse in Africa’. I was raped at 17. When I had an interview in the Punch newspaper, a lot of people were telling me that people will not admit that they were raped. I said I am lucky to have a man that understands me and we are on the same page.

Anyone can be a victim of circumstance. After I had the interview, I met a French guy that wanted to have a documentary on me and he asked if I had a foundation and he suggested I register one. So I decided to register a foundation. I try to be a shoulder for people who are abused and raped to lean on.

We are solaces to women and children that have been abused.

How many lives have you affected so far?

A lot of people have been affected. The kind of work we do, it has to do with privacy in marriages and other issues that people don’t want disclosed.

ed eminent writers such as Ikeogu Oke (2017, Poetry) with The Heresiad; Abubakar Adam Ibrahim (2016, Prose) with Season of Crimson Blossoms; Sam Ukala (2014; Drama) with Iredi War; Tade Ipadeola (2013; Poetry) with his collection of poems, Sahara Testaments; Chika Unigwe (2012; prose), with her novel, On Black Sister’s Street; as well as Adeleke Adeyemi (2011, children’s literature) with his book The Missing Clock.

Others are Esiaba Irobi (2010, drama) who clinched the prize posthumously with his book Cemetery Road; Kaine Agary (2008, prose) with Yellow Yellow; Mabel Segun (co-winner, 2007, children’s literature) for her collection of short plays Reader’s Theatre; Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo (co-winner, 2007, children’s literature) with her book, My Cousin Sammy; Ahmed Yerima (2006, drama) for his classic.

Sunday 09 September 2018

Bliss with Nonye Ben-Nwankwo

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Email: chiwuagwu@yahoo.com Phone number (SMS only) 08057511893

I’m not done with politics yet – KSB

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ven as she lost her bid to vie for a seat at the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2014, popular singer, Kenny Saint Brown, has said she is not done with politics yet.

In a recent phone chat with Bliss, the singer said she put a hold to contest for any elective political position this season but it won’t be so in 2023.

“I am very much into politics. It is just that right now, I am not vying for any political post. But I am in a campaign train of a particular sitting governor who I don’t want to mention his name at the moment. I work with the grassroots and I am getting more integrated and learning about proper politics and not ‘politricks’. I want to add value to the lives of those in the grassroots. In the next four years, I would contest for election.’” She said.

But at the moment, KSB, as she is fondly called, has started a radio talk show, which she says gives her so much passion.

“It is part of the gospel. I want to reach more people. I have been ministering in the last 10 years. I have passion for people. People are giving up easily. This is just adding to what I have been doing. People are going through a lot of issues. If you are able to overcome a particular issue in life, you try and encourage others.”

KSB said her talk show and the other genres of entertainment she has veered into don’t affect her music in any way.

“This is my 20 years in the music industry. I am more than the music. I have written a book and I am working on three other books. I have become cerebral. The inspiration is flowing. Nothing suffers. I still released a worship song this year. I have recorded four songs again this year.”

Still looking quiet energetic even after 50 years, KSB related her looks to genes.

“In my family we don’t get old like that. We usually look 15 years younger than our ages. It is just the grace of God. I always say to myself that God renews my youth like that of an eagle. My children are teenagers now. Just being with them keeps me strong and youthful. And then, I don’t keep any negative vibes in my heart. I don’t habour anger and bitterness in my heart.

Such things make you get old.

We’re dealing with Harrysong’s depression – Management

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he management of Harrysong has said they are dealing with the issues relating to the crisis the singer is facing at the moment.

Few days ago, the popular singer caused quite a scare when he posted what seemed like a suicide note on his instagram handle.

In the post, Harrysong had said, “Don’t cry when I die, celebrate, put up a kingmaker concert, empower more youths… I have Lived… I have done my bit.

Carry on in grace... TEKERO I LOVE YOU ALL.#altersoldier.”

In a chat with Bliss on the phone, Desmond Ike, who is the singer’s manager, said we the management is on top of the situation and everything would be okay soon.

“Harrysong got heartbroken over some things that happened to him in the last few days but he has decided not to make it public.

He is a very emotional person and most people don’t even know this side of him. No matter how strong a person is, there is always a breaking point. Before everything would get to that final point of depression, it

has to be taken care of. You have to take care of the person before he slips into depression. That is what we are doing at the moment. He will be okay. We are dealing with the situation just to make sure it doesn’t get to a terrible point.

“Depression is real and it is good to show love to people who are depressed. It is not good for friends to betray friends. He is having some personal challenges and he is dealing with it. When somebody gets to the point of wanting to commit suicide, that means the person needs help and that help is what we intend to give. He needs our love and our prayers. He will be very fine.

Chioma Akpotha claps back at fan

I’m scared of getting old – Arike Gold

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olorunsho Adeola, fondly called Arike Gold has some phobias in life and one of the greatest fears is the fear of getting old.

In a chat with Bliss recently, the actress said each time she celebrates a birthday, the fear of having added another year to her age scares her a lot.

“When I look at myself now and think back how I was 10 years ago, ah! I tell myself that I am really getting old and I get scared. I see people who are 50 and above and I realize that one day I will be like them. It scares me. So the slaying aspect of my life will not be there again. If you do some certain things at that age, people will quickly remind you that you are no longer young and you shouldn’t be doing such. If you wear something, people will ask you why you wore that. I am so scared of old age. Each time I remember that I am plus one, I get scared. I won’t be in my 20s again. I am in my 30s now. So Gosh! I will be in my 40s. It is scary!”

Getting old is not the only phobia she has; Arike said she is also afraid of marriage.

“I am scared of marriage. I hate to lose. If I want to do something, I want to make sure that I am ready for it. I know it is not in our industry that marriages fail. It is just because we are in the eye of the public and that is why people get to talk about us a lot. People know everything about you and can even say what you had for breakfast. I have not been married but God will not allow my marriage to fail. The right man hasn’t come.

Known to also be a shy person, Arike said her shyness doesn’t affect her career.

“I am only shy offset and when I am not with my friends. If I meet people for the first time, I am usually so shy. I am trying so hard to overcome it.

It was even so bad before now. However, camera is my friend. I am not shy in front of camera.”

In fact, she loves her job so much that she has

not considered leaving it for a minute.

“I love it more than anything in the world.

I used to run a business alongside my acting career but it didn’t work. I didn’t have time to monitor the business.

“I fell in love with entertainment when I was very young. I didn’t care the genre of entertainment. But when I got into school, I was involved in stage plays. And so, when I left school, I decided I wanted to be a professional actor. I told my mum and she introduced me to one of her friends, Toyin Adegbola. So officially I started acting in 2007.”

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ctress Chioma Akpotha paid back one of her fans in his own coins when the guy decided to cyber bully on social media few days ago.

The actress, who just came back from Dubai where she went for a vacation with her friends and colleagues including Ufoma McDermott, Uche Jombo and Omoni Oboli, posted a short video of herself on her instagram handle.

The video attracted so many likes and positive comments but one of her fans wasn’t in the mood to join the bandwagon.

The fan with the handle, osigweikenna, posted in the comment section, “U don old, so stop this things, I have ask u, what investments do u have in IMO State @chiomakpotha?”

Notwithstanding the other

numerous comments, Chioma singled this comment aside and gave it back to the fan.

In her response, Chioma said, “First, it is ‘these’ and not this. Second, it is ‘asked’ and not ask. Finally, ibu ezigbote anumanu (You are a real animal)”.

Her comment also attracted likes as her fans joined her to attack @osigweikenna.

With the handle, iamthenny, one of her fans said, “@ osigweikenna If y our life is bitter please leave @chiomakpotha alone to enjoy her life and stop asking silly questions about her investments.”

Another fan also said, “@ osigweikenna this is what you get when you bring out your unrefined self in public. Yawa ‘gasted’ upon you! For me it’s not about being a celeb but about leaving people alone to enjoy relative peace on their page.

Comment no be by force!”

40 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 09 September 2018

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:

Rise Networks Empowers 100 Lagos youths with N50,000 each to boost their business

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ise Networks, Nigeria’s leading Social Enterprise in Youth and Education Development in partnership with the Lagos State Government, has empowered 100 youths with N50,000 each to boost their small-scale businesses.

The presentation, which held at Onikan Youth Centre, was part of activities marking the Lagos Youth Week organised to mark the United Nations International Youth Day 2018 held between August 6th and 12th, 2018.

Delivering her opening remarks at the presentation of the cash prizes; Mrs Toyosi AkereleOgunsiji, founder/chief executive officer of Rise Networks, affirmed that young people should not be at the bottom of

the pyramid.

She said 100 grantees were selected from about 10,000 artisans and traders from the five IBILE divisions of Lagos; Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe. The founder of Rise Networks added that the vision of the programme is to reach young people in local communities who need capital to support their busi-

nesses.

Speaking on the criteria used in selecting the winners, she said: “Beneficiaries have to be between the ages of 18-40 and the business has to be situated in Lagos state, even though they don’t have to be indigenes of Lagos. We held business pitch competitions at the different Divisions comrising the entire 20 local governments of Lagos State and we had

seasoned entrepreneurs serve like Bisi Sotunde, Founder/CEO of Busy Bee Events; Mr. Olatunde Samson, CEO of Business Impact Limited; Lanre Messan, Founder/ CEO Trouggeurban Incubator and Bayode Treasure. Guinness World Record holder for the Longest Reading Marathon serve as judges. The judges did an audit of the contestant’s businesses and selected winners who needed the most support to improve the fortunes of their businesses.

We intentional focused on the grassroots because when people are poor and hungry, they cannot make the best decisions.”

Also, prominent career coach Mr Jimi Tewe, who gave the keynote address during the prize presentation, urged beneficiaries not to use the grant for personal needs, but invest in their businesses, to build a legacy of benefit to them and their children.

One of the beneficiaries of the Local Government SME Competition, 19-year-old Karen Umeike, a prospective university student said she would use the money to launch her ready-to-wear collec-

tions.

“I have been learning tailoring for a year and I came across a flier at my place of work in Surulere. I decided to give it a try even though I wasn’t expecting much from the government, but I was surprised when I got the information that I’ve been selected. I will use the money to buy Ankara fabrics for my ready to wear collection,” she said.

The prize presentation was the climax of a week long programme which targeted young professionals, artisans, young traders and graduates of tertiary institutions. Earlier in the week, a mega youth conference targeting young professions was held featuring renowned achievers such as Akintunde Oyebode, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Dr Ola Brown, a trained helicopter pilot and founder of West Africa’s first indigenous air ambulance service and Rotimi Williams, owner of the second largest rice farm in Nigeria by land size. Also, a mega youth concert featuring artistes such as 9ice, Reminisce, Small Doctor, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma was held at the Agege Stadium on Sunday 12th August.

Sunday 09 September 2018

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MarketPlace With Insight Communications MD/CEO, Feyi Olubodun

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hat is the origin of Insight Communications?

Insight originated many years ago, when the founder, who is now the Chairman, Mr Biodun Shobanjo and the vice Chairman, Mr Jimi Awoshika, decided that the current landscape of advertising then, needed changing. They also figured out that what will make them different from other players, was if the business knew something about consumers that nobody else knew and that would be building enduring relationships between the consumers and our clients. Hence, the name Insight (because this is the core of what we do).

The business has been around since January 1979.

So what’s the integrated marketing communications approach about and how can Nigerian companies adopt more of it?

This is just the idea that you have to think of the Marketing solutions from the point of the consumer, who is going to do the receiving. The consumer doesn’t see communications from the view of media houses, so delivering integrated market communications and solutions is essentially looking at the way consumers will experience that communication based on their lifestyle and then you organize a solution that you are taking to the client, around that discovery and deliver.

Client is king, at least that’s what we like to say to ourselves, but the clients won’t be existing if the consumers are not engaging with their products or services profitably.

Once you can figure this out, it will set you aside as a business.

What is your current revenue generation model?

I always tell my staff, that if your client coughs, you have to them him or her cough syrup. You can’t say I’m not a pharmacist and so I don’t know what to prescribe or buy. This is another way of saying, we have a relentless focus on our clients businesses and needs. We do believe that if we consistently provide the right solutions to them, they will pay us handsomely for it. Most of our clients recognize the value of what we do for them, so it’s never a struggle to pay.

Also quality is key for us. We always ensure to deliver at the best quality possible and also at a reasonable cost.

How do you ensure that profits are kept higher than your costs?

A philosophy we believe in here is that there is no innovation without margin. By margin here, I mean financial margin. Our clients expect us to bring innovative solutions to their problems and we can’t do that if the business doesn’t remain profitable. So what we do is that while we are delivering value to our clients, we will do it at a cost profile that is reasonable enough for us to have a decent profit margin. This

helps us invest in the best tools and training development, which in turn yields better hands to do the jobs expected of us.

What is responsible for putting Insight Communications on the map?

We’ve been around for so long and I’ve seen businesses in our industry come and go. There are quite a lot of new players in the game but for us realizing that yes we are a creative business, but creativity is not by accident. You are not going to stay in business for a long time, if you don’t have the capability to repeat past successes. This failure often comes from issues like improper management structures in place and lack of processes. We have figured this out and that’s what has kept us going over the years.

What challenges do you face as an advertising firm?

We are now in what you will call the post digital era because anyone who says digital is the future is just joking.

I say this because we are already in the digital age and it’s going to be here awhile. We have seen digital spark the rise of what they call Afropolitan and techpreneurs around the world.

People now take co working spaces as the new deal, because they don’t see the need for their own office space when they can run very profitable companies out of a shared office space. So for us, the challenge is that we’ve been around for four decades, and we continually convince the market that we are still as relevant now, as we were in the 80s. Despite the fact that consumer habits and behaviours have changed, we will always ensure to maintain our heritage and strength, while adopting new techniques that allow us to keep these consumers in our space.

have Insight Communications manage it’s advertising?

Just give me a call or drop an email. We are always ready to go!

How do you deal with competition?

The advertising market is quite competitive but as a business at the age of 40, we don’t need to be in every game.

Our competitive strategy has never to win for just now, we have stamina to withstand anything and we will repeat our successes over and over again through the years.

For us it’s a marathon approach, not a sprint (like most players do today).

Most businesses today are 5 round knockout players, but we are 12 round boxers.

Where do you see Insight Communications in the next 5 years?

In 5 years, Insight will still be the leading communications agency. I don’t say this very lightly, I say it because we know what it takes to lead. We have taken time to sit back and re-evaluate ourselves.

It you’ve followed us for some time, you would have noticed that we’ve stayed away from creative awards and that’s deliberate. We have told ourselves we need to take a back seat and constantly work on improving our strategy. What’s more? As you know, when you are a champion, you don’t go into every contest. We don’t play a game unless we know that we are going to win it.

Now we are done with all of our strategizing, it’s time to get back into the game. We have asked ourselves “what will it take for us to lead for the next 5 years”? We believe we have the answer already so just look out. I’m confident about us.

What will it take one company to

Interview by Uzochikwa Akumah

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Life&Living

Would you consider going under the knife to have a ‘slay’ body? ...pros and cons of cosmetic surgery downtime or recovery time is one of the most important factors in every patient’s plastic surgery decisions.

This is one of the primary reasons why newer, non-surgical approaches that require no downtime are so easily popularized. It can be tough for patients with families, careers, and typical life events to dedicate days, even weeks and months to healing after a surgical procedure. While this recovery process can be minimized with the proper precautions and techniques, it’s not altogether avoidable.

The possibility of being botched up: Like every surgical procedure, there is a possibility that things could go wrong, more so, when foreign components are being implanted in your body.

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JUMOKE AKIYODE-LAWANSON

eing a ‘slay mama’ or ‘slay queen’ has been taken a notch higher, as some women who feel the need to have ‘banging’ (good looking) bodies have opted for plastic surgery to enhance certain parts of their bodies to look nicer and boost their self confidence.

Believe it or not, some people look up to popular celebrities on television and on social media (especially instagram) to get inspired on fashion trends, looks, character and general being and way of life. These top celebrities set the trend for what’s cool and what’s not.

A random survey conducted among 15 young ladies based in Lagos, Abuja, Port-Hacourt and Enugu showed that majority of young ladies have fashion icons on Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook. In fact, Nine out of 15 of them mentioned Toke Makinwa, an on air personality as their social media style icon while four of them had Mercy Aigbe, a Nollywood actress and a couple of them had Laura Ikeji, Tonto Dike and Ini Edo as their go to icons. What then happens if I want to be like these top celebs but I don’t have their ‘banging bodies’?

Of recent, a lot of Nigerian celebrities have come out owning to the fact that their somewhat perfect bodies are as a result of cosmetic surgery.

This trend is fast becoming a thing in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, such that cosmetic surgeons offering bum implants, liposuction, fat transplant, breast lifts and waist sculpting are springing up in many parts of the country, especially Lagos and Abuja,

and have become more popular and sort after than ever before.

In fact, since Tonto Dikeh came out publicly with a video to show her surgical experience to enhance her body, it is rumored that many other celebrities have opted for the option to get the much anticipated perfect figure eight body. Destinations like Dominican Republic, Istanbul Turkey and Atlanta USA which have top notch, experienced cosmetic surgeons have become more popular than ever.

Although it is popularly preached to love yourself as God has created you, we cannot ignore the fact that not everybody will like every single thing about her body, and as women, we may get the urge to change a few

things especially after childbirth when the body of a woman goes through several changes and never really returns to the way it used to be.

However, it is very important to research thoroughly to help you make more informed decisions, weigh in your options and consider a few things before opting for plastic surgery. As there are two sides to every coin, here are the true pros and cons of plastic surgery procedures; Cons The Financial Cost: Cosmetic surgery is definitely not cheap. Figures range from about $4,000 for the simplest of procedures to as high as $100, 000 or more for major body enhancements. Cosmetic surgery really isn’t

something that should be bargained for. These are serious medical procedures that can end up being a lot more costly if patients rely on doctors who cut corners or use unconventional tactics in order to skimp out on costs.

Revision rates and patient dissatisfaction are extremely high in these types of circumstances.

Regrettably, many patients operate under the incorrect assumption that ‘surgery is surgery’ and that it’s okay to visit less-than-pristine practices in order to save few bucks.

It’s important to understand that these are life-changing, permanent decisions being made and as with any type of medical procedure, quality should always be the top priority.

Recovery time: The extent of

Pros - Instantaneous body change: Unlike other approaches to bodily improvement, cosmetic surgery offers a wide, yet precise spectrum of change that can be instantly recognizable. When it comes to aesthetic enhancements, plastic surgery is truly unparalleled in this regard.

- Reconstruction, Rejuvenation, and Repair: Plastic surgery has the ability to reconstruct and repair damage caused by injury, hereditary issues, aging and other harmful factors.

- Look good, feel good effect: The trickledown effect is something often talked about in the realm of health and beauty. According to Cosmeticare.com, “when people make a positive change involving their health or aesthetics, it typically trickles down and the betterment is felt in several other areas of their life. This is one of the most common benefits of plastic surgery procedures.”

Seven foods that will stop your sugar cravings before they strike IFEOMA OKEKE

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hile loading up on sugar has negative short-term consequences — like loss of energy — excessive sugar intake has long-term consequences as well. According to research, too much added sugar can lead to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and more.

If you want to break this vicious cycle, here are certain foods that will help you bust sugar cravings before they start. Here are seven of them; Avocado On top of adding more healthful fats to your diet overall, you can get ahead of a potential sugar craving by eating a creamy, high-in-healthful-fat avocado a few hours after lunch. If half an avocado on its own sounds too boring, try sprinkling some salt and a squeeze of lemon on top, or spread it on a slice of toast — as long as your bread isn’t packed with sugar. Ezekiel bread is a

great high-fiber, low-sugar option.

Fermented foods It might seem like an odd choice, but fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, kefir and kombucha, are an excellent way to offset sugar cravings. The tangy flavor is an easy way to satisfy your taste buds in the same way sugar does, and the probiotics and prebiotics that naturally occur in fermented foods may help curb sugar cravings, according to research.

A few squares of dark chocolate If you want to satisfy your sugar cravings without actually loading up on it, try eating a few squares of dark chocolate. It’s best to look for chocolate bars with a cocoa content of 70 percent or more, and check your labels. If possible, it’s best to opt for a bar with less than 5 grams of sugar per serving.

Chia pudding Chia pudding has decadence about it

— it is called “pudding,” after all — but the fibrous chia seeds will help keep you full and eliminate sugar cravings.

You can make your own chia pudding by whisking one to two tablespoons of chia seeds with coconut milk (go for a can, which is pure coconut milk and has a higher fat content) and letting it sit overnight. If you want to get fancier, check out this Creamy Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding. It does have a bit of honey in it, which you can choose to

Almond butter If you want something a little sweeter that will do the same trick as half an avocado, try eating a spoonful of almond butter after lunch. It’s pure (healthful) fat and protein, which will keep you full for hours. Almonds are a naturally sweet nut, so it’s best to look for unsweetened almond butter.

Trader Joe’s has an inexpensive selection, and individual packets of Justin’s Almond Butter are a great option as well.

Avocado

Almond butter

eliminate. Or try one of these recipes.

Cinnamon While there are more naturally occurring, better-for-you sugars out there — honey and maple syrup, to name a couple — cinnamon is a spice that happens to be slightly sweet and can satisfy your need for a treat without spiking your blood sugar.

Try sprinkling it on top of a bowl of oatmeal or on top of a few slices of almond butter and Ezekiel toast, or add it to your morning coffee. Both will be naturally sweeter and can help curb the craving for sweets throughout the day.

Herbal tea Here’s a secret to busting sugar cravings: If you’re wanting an ice cream cone, you might just be thirsty. We often mistake thirst for hunger, so if you have a hankering for something sweet, brew yourself a cup of herbal tea. Herbal teas tend be slightly sweet naturally, so they’ll hydrate you and get ahead of any of any sugar cravings that are waiting to strike.

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Travel

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t h i o p i a n Ai r lines Group, the largest aviation group in Africa and number 24 in the world, has reassured its customers and the general travelling public that the Ethiopian Airspace remains very safe and highly secured even after the illegal strike of the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Air Traffic Controllers.

In a statement, the airline said since August 21, when the illegal strike started, Ethiopian Airlines has been working in close coordination with the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority and the volunteer air traffic controllers, ATC instructors and ATC controllers that it brought from other sister African countries.

“It is successfully supporting the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority to enable the latter to efficiently and safely manage the Ethiopian airspace in line with global standards.

“As a result, all Ethiopian

Our airspace is safe, secured – Ethiopian Airlines Stories by IFEOMA OKEKE Airlines scheduled and unscheduled flights and other airlines operating to/from Ethiopia have been operating smoothly with high standards of flight punctuality and safety. We would like to inform all our customers that we did not have any flight delay or cancellation caused by ATC. “In fact, we are happy to announce that taxi-in, taxi-out and flight arrivals efficiency has improved significantly in the week under ATC strike. We take this opportunity to thank the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority management, the volunteer

ATC experts and all other stakeholders for the successful coordination, which enabled our country to con-

tinue business as usual in our airspace management,” the airline said.

Ethiopian Airlines is one

India cautioned to address infrastructure, policies that impose costs on aviation

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he International A i r Tr a n s p o r t Association (IATA) called on the government of India to maximize the potential contribution of aviation to India’s development by addressing infrastructure constraints that limit growth and government policies that impose excessive costs on aviation.

Growth forecasts for India indicate a trebling of passenger demand by 2037 when 500 million people are expected to fly to, from or within India. Already aviation supports 7.5 million Indian jobs and 30 billion Rupees of GDP (1.5% of the economy).

Global connectivity that only aviation can provide is a critical driver

of all modern economies.

The financial struggles of India’s airline industry put the stable development of connectivity at risk. And India’s carriers are suffering a “double-whammy” of steeply rising fuel costs and the decline in the value of the Indian Rupee. The rise in fuel costs is particularly acute for Indian carriers for which fuel makes-up 34% of operating costs—well above the global average of 24%.

“While it is easy to find Indian passengers who want to fly, it’s very difficult for airlines to make money in this market. India’s social and economic development needs airlines to be able to profitably accommodate growing demand. We must address infrastructure constraints that limit growth

and government policies that deviate from global standards and drive up the cost of connectivity,” Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO said.

De Juniac’s remarks came in an opening address to the International Aviation Summit in Delhi, co-hosted by the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), the Airports Authority India (AAI) and IATA. The joint Summit commemorates the approaching milestone of 50-straight months of double digit domestic growth for Indian aviation.

India’s aviation infrastructure has benefitted from significant upgrades in recent years. “It is clear that India has the capacity to develop effective

infrastructure. But the job is not done. Passenger numbers will grow. And infrastructure must not be a bottleneck in fulfilling the needs of travelers and the economy,” said de Juniac who called for work in four priority areas: D e v e l o p a comprehensive and strategic masterplan for I n d i a ’s a i r p o r t s . “ Th e infrastructure issue is critical for India’s future. Band-Aid solutions will not do the job,” de Juniac said.

“Remove all obstacles to successfully open Navi Mumbai as quickly as possible. Urgent relief is needed for Mumbai’s severe capacity bottleneck.”

Modernize airport processes using technology in line with global standards.

SAHCOL gets new managing director, executive directors

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he Board of Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) has appointed Basil Agboarumi as the new managing director and chief executive officer of the company. Boma Ukwunna, general manager Cargo Services, Olaniyi Adigun, sales and marketing and Babatunde Afolabi, Information Technology and Business Development were also elevated to the position of Executive Director.

Ag b o a r u m i h o l d s a National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication from

the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, a Masters in Communication Studies (Mcs) from the Lagos State University and a CertificateinCreativeDesign and a Digital Communication from the School of Media and Communication of the PanAtlantic University, Lagos.

Basil joined the SAHCOL then a subsidiary of the Nigerian Airways Limited, as the Pioneer Staff/Head of the Public Affairs Unit.

After the privatization and subsequent takeover of Skypower Aviation Handling Company Limited by the SIFAX Group in 2009, he

was appointed Head of CorporateCommunications, with a mandate to spearhead the rebranding of the new Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited. He was later elevated to the position of General Manager in 2014 in charge of Corporate Communications and Information Technology department, providing leadership for day to day operations of the unit until his recent appointment.

Babatunde Afolabi is a graduate of Computer En g i n e e r i n g f r o m t h e University of Ottawa ,

Canada in 2015. He has extensive technical skills in Information Technology spanning programming languages, database, scripts, web designing, design tools and operating systems.

Boma Ukwunna, the new executive director, Cargo Services and Operations is a 1997 graduate of Mass Communications in Delta State University, Abraka.

She holds a special Executive Master’s program in Business Administration which she obtained in 2011 from the University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom.

of the fastest growing airline in Africa. In its seventy plus years of operation, Ethiopian has become one

of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success.

Ethiopian airline commands the lion’s share of the pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 116 international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents. Ethiopian fleet includes ultramodern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as Airbus A350, Boeing 787-8, Boeing 787-9, Boeing 777300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200 Freighter, Bombardier Q-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of five years.

AMCON MD set to deliver Nigeria Travelsmart colloquium lecture

A

hmed Lawan Kuru, managing director/ chief executive o f f i c e r, A s s e t Management Corporation ofNigeria(AMCON),(ALK) will on Tuesday October 9, 2018 at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, address aviation stakeholders as guest speaker at the annual aviation colloquium.

The forum is organised annually by NigeriaTravelsMart (NTM) to seek ways of improving professionalism in the aviationsectoroftheNigerian economy. The theme for this year’s edition is “Corporate Governance and Airline Industry Development in Nigeria.”

Kuru who has been consistent in calling for the strengthening of good corporategovernanceacross different institutions (both private and public) in the country was selected as guest speaker by the Board of NigeriaTravelsMart magazine because of his outstanding commitment to this call over the years.

The AMCON boss, the organisers added, would use

Kuru

the opportunity provided by the forum to share the experiences of AMCON’s intervention in the transport and allied sectors, with particular interest in Aero and Arik airlines. ALK would also be expected to field questions from participants, aviation practitioners and the media during the event.

Simon Tumba, publisher and chief executive officer of NigeriaTravelsMartmagazine and organisers of the annual colloquium added that, “We are delighted to have the MD of AMCON, who is a strong advocate of good corporate governance deliver this year’s lecture. As a strong corporate player that practices what he preaches in his present organization and others he previously managed, I can tell you that industry players are already looking forward to having frank interactive session with ALK because of his bluntness.”

Given the leading role of AMCON in Nigeria as a stabilising and revitalising agent of the federal government and AMCON’s intervention in aviation, which is critical to economic growth, ALK’s contribution at the colloquium, Tumba stated will be valuable to industry stakeholders and the country in general.”

Others expected at the colloquium, Tumba added, includes Dapo Olumide, CEO Ropeways Transport Limited; Chris Amenechi, VP Pricing and Revenue Management Copa Airlines; Kola Ayeye, the group managing director of Growth and Development Limited (GDL), to mention a few.

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Travel Allure of the monastery OBINNA EMELIKE

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he clock strikes 1:32 pm as the Chisco-branded 18-seater bus pulls into the makeshift garage a few yards from the 9th Mile Junction along the NsukkaEnugu Expressway. But before our driver puts off the ignition, a drama ensues as drivers of commuter buses and cabs within the garage simultaneously rush to the doors and trunk of our bus hustling for business.

Some claim to know our destination even before we mention it, others woo us with cheap fare, while a few abuse those whom they think will be favoured in the fierce competition.

In all, the noise and showmanship by the drivers did not allow us respond to the Nnoo! Nnoo! (warm welcome greetings) of two elderly women hawking ‘Okpa’, a local snack, at the garage.

“How much is your fare to Awhum Falls”? I ask.

“Oga, the place is Ohum not Awhum and he does not know the place. I will take all of you the monastery and even to the caves for N3,000,” interjects an athleticlooking young man.

“That is too much. He is a thief,” echo many of the drivers. Having been warned earlier on safety, we are very observant and alert.

I pretend to buy Okpa and ask one of the elderly women how best to get to waterfalls. In a moment she calls three Okada riders (com-

Awuhum water fall Enugu

mercial motorcyclists) who agree on a round trip deal for N800 each.

The journey on the bikes is not easy. It is tortuous and long because of the bumpy and hilly topography of the Udi-Ezeagu landscape that provides both protection and shield for the earliest settlers.

As the bike rider engages his gears to surmount and snake through a stretch of picturesque hills and across streams, some village children keep cheering our convoy. It is intriguing, though.

After about 45 minutes of tossing forth and back on the bike because of the bumpy road, the Okada rider turns off the engine and beck-

Awhum Water falls

Awhum Water falls

ons for his fee. It is until I give him the money that he points to the dusty footpath.

“That is the way to the falls and caves. That signpost says Okada should not go beyond this point,” he says.

I pay him and have a closer look on the signpost. There is no

inscription on it that indicated prohibition of Okada. It rather reads: ‘No Cameras allowed’. It bears the monastery’s signature.

“Monastery?”I ask rhetorically.

The motorcyclist is already gone to come back in one hour time. But an elderly man replies: “Yes, it is the Catholic monastery that maintains

the waterfalls and caves.”

The man’s answer arouses curiosity and sets me on adventure mood. The further we move, the narrower the paths get, and the more rugged the staircases. But the melodious renditions by rare birds and sounds of refreshing water in a distance keep us going.

I am charmed on sighting the two breathtaking waterfalls that lure one to pull off his clothes for a refreshing shower. The towering limestone walls engulf the footpath and narrow into different parts of the cave. The statue of Virgin Mary standing on a platform above the path and beneath the caves raises no eyebrow until some devotees pay obeisance to the status on their way out. While my curiosity bites, my mind keeps urging me to just observe.

I truly observe and eventually discover the people there all visit in search of solutions to their problems. Some kneel opposite sculpted figures as they offer words of prayer. At least they all have holy water in the plastic cans to take home. But some leisureminded tourists who cannot resist the charm of the falls plunge in for refreshing bath and fun. The swimming erupt bubbles of water vapour as well.

While your eyes probe the area, you keep seeing shades of rainbow as sunlight sneaks through the tropical vegetation and disappear on getting to the flooded narrow crevice. The crevice continues with a stretch of 300m cave where the twin cascades of Awhum Waterfalls rest. As the small waterfall reaches the cave at about 100m from the entrance, the big cascade standing gigantically at the far end of the cave intimidates visitors’ sight, while the flowing stream along the cave floors enthralls.

Moments later, a group of people dressed in pilgrimage attire, engage the whole beings at the site with their glorious choruses. But I steal the opportunity to take some snapshots without flash. Moment later, I feel like joining the group to sing and or probably ask for forgiveness for taking snapshots against the monastery rules.

But the huge gush from the falls reclaims my attention once again.

On getting closer, I touch, taste and discover the coolness of the water.

Of course, the freshness renews one after exploring the dim caves.

But I also feel the healing ‘thing’, though I did not come to look for solutions to any problem.

It is until we leave the cave that a fellow adventurer asks: “How did you snap those pictures. I hope nobody saw you?”

While answering the question, the motorcyclist is already waiting to take me back to the garage.

However, on a visit, you may not be as lucky as I am in taking pictures.

But you can always ask for authorisation to avoid embarrassment and most importantly, keep refreshing memories of your adventure to the monastery and its allures.

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BDSUNDAY 45

Health&Science Insufficient ‘access’ to healthcare kills more Nigerians than poor quality care

Partnerships, scientific research could address public health in Nigeria ANTHONIA OBOKOH

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ANTHONIA OBOKOH acking access to healthcare leads to more deaths than poor care quality in Nigeria as an estimated 253,000 people die annually due to insufficient access, approximately twice as many as due to poor quality of healthcare services which cause 123,000 deaths every year.

Nigeria is among the worst among 136 nations when it comes to poor-quality care and insufficient access to health care, says a new analysis published in The Lancet.

In February, Nigeria was ranked 187 out of 191 countries in the world in assessing the level of compliance with the Universal Health Coverage (UHC), as very few among the populace are health insured, whereas even government provision for health is almost negligible.

“For too long, the global health discourse has been focused on improving access to care, without sufficient emphasis on high quality care. Providing health services without guaranteeing a minimum level of quality is ineffective, wasteful and unethical,” says Muhammad Pate, co-Chair of the Commission and Chief Executive of Big Win Philanthropy and former Minister of State for Health in Nigeria.

According to the first study, to quantify the burden of poor quality health systems worldwide, “an estimated 8.6 million deaths in low- and middle-income countries every year are due to conditions treatable by healthcare, of which 5 million result from poor quality of care and with a further 3.6 million being the result of insufficient access to care.”

These deaths led to economic welfare losses of $6 trillion (Rs 429 lakh crore) in 2015, the commission estimated.

Nigeria supposedly holds the title of the continent’s largest economy, only N1, 800 ($5) is what the 2018 budget provides for the health over 190 million citizens, when the N340 billion health budget is calculated on per capita basis.

The study said 253,000 Nigerians die due to insufficient access, showing up that of India (838,000 deaths), China (653,000 deaths), Brazil (51,000 deaths) as worse countries with epidemic.

“The terribly low doctor-patient ratio is one of the reasons why we have a lot of quacks within the medical profession. And a lot of Nigerians are dying in the hands of these quacks,” said Francis Faduyile, president, Nigeria Medical Association, in response to BusinessDay. The statistics get worse, for every 1,000 births in Nigeria, 108 infants (and children) die before the age of five, and again, the country sits comfortably close to

the bottom of the ladder in Africa.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics for 2017 further shows that over 72 million Nigerians are at risk of malaria, with 380.8 at risk, out of every 1,000 Nigerians. Whereas malaria has ceased to be a health concern for many other countries. Yet, Africa’s largest economy shares the three bottom slots on the continent with Burkina Faso and Mali.

Given the current global focus on universal healthcare (UHC), the commission found that expanded healthcare coverage does not always mean better quality.

“The central role of quality is not yet sufficiently recognised in the global discourse on UHC and is underappreciated in many countries,” the report says.

The report further reveals that there are approximately one million deaths from neonatal conditions and tuberculosis occurred in people who used the health system, but received poor care.

This highlights the need to increase access to care for these conditions, alongside improving quality.

“An estimate of 89 per cent cancer deaths, 85 per cent of mental and neurological conditions and 76 per cent of chronic respiratory conditions were due to insufficient access to care.”

Apart from insufficient access to care, poor quality care caused a major share of deaths, 81 per cent of cardiovascular, 81 per cent of vaccine-preventable diseases, 61 per cent of neonatal conditions and half of maternal, road injury, tuberculosis, HIV and other infectious deaths.

Just access to healthcare is not enough and good quality care is needed for better outcomes, the report says.

However, the commission says public accountability and transparency on health system performance are two ways to improve quality of health.

“Commonly used health system metrics such as availability of medicines, equipment or the proportion of births with skilled attendants do not reflect quality of care and might lead to false

complacency about progress.

“Better measures of health systems quality, and a proposed a dashboard of metrics should be implemented by counties by 2021 to enable transparent measurement and reporting of quality care,” it says.

Pate asserted that “the vast epidemic of low quality care suggests there is no quick fix, and policy makers must commit to reforming the foundations of health care systems.

“This includes adopting a clear quality strategy, organising services to maximise outcomes, not access alone, modernising health worker education, and enlisting the public in demanding better quality care,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO, adds that, “We cannot talk about quality without placing them at the centre.

When people are actively engaged in their own health and care, they suffer fewer complications and enjoy better health and wellbeing.”

he Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has called for stronger partnerships and investments in scientific research to address public health issues in the country.

Ac c o r d i n g t o t h e N C D C , in recent years, the world has experienced the emergence and re-emergence of infectious disease outbreaks. This includes Nigeria , where outbreaks of Lassa fever, Cerebrospinal Meningitis, MonkeyPox and Cholera, have been reported in the last two years.

“The risk of future outbreaks and possible emergence of an unknown disease highlight the urgency and need to build more resilient health systems and national public health institutes,” says a the press statement made available by the agency.

The agency noted that at the Third Annual Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (NFELTP) scientific conference which held recently in Abuja, over 200 epidemiologists and public health practitioners convened to share their scientific work.

The gathering also deliberated on the application of epidemiological methods to address public health issues in Nigeria and globally.

Osagie Ehanire, Minister of State for Health, delivering the keynote address at the conference themed: “Strengthening Health Security through Field Epidemiology”, underscored the importance of the NFELTP program, while calling on stakeholders to work together, as achieving national and global health security requires a multi-sectoral approach.

“One thing that has stood out for us in Nigeria and for our sister countries in Africa is the rise of field epidemiologists as foot soldiers during outbreaks.”

“We saw it in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone during the outbreak of Ebola, where in fact many residents and graduates of the Nigeria FELTP were part of the mission. We have seen this in every outbreak Nigeria has had to respond to over the last few years.

The NFELTP program is a great source of pride to the Ministry of Health and Government of Nigeria.” Ehanire said.

Chikwe Ihekweazu, chief executive of NCDC, in his welcome address, reiterated the importance of stakeholders working together in Nigeria and the need to strengthen public health institutes on the continent to achieve their mandate.

“Increasingly, with the complex public health landscape, ensuring national health security is no longer limited to the government alone. Individuals, businesses, communities, academia, and all levels of government, have important roles to play in protecting the health of Nigerians.” Ihekweazu said.

In the past year, the NCDC and NFELTP program have made great progress in preventing, preparing for, detecting and responding to disease outbreaks. At the conference, attendees agreed that a gap still exists in the scientific evidence required to detect new emerging diseases, with the need to strengthen this area.

Chima Ohuabunwo, executive director, Africa Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), encouraged the conference attendees to leverage on the discussions from the NFELTP conference to work with relevant stakeholders to influence health policy and strengthen health security in Nigeria.

Health benefits of yoga

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oga is a mind and body practice with historical origins in ancient Indian philosophy.

Various styles of yoga combine physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation.

In 5,000 years of yoga history, the term “yoga” has gone through a renaissance in current culture, exchanging the loincloth for a leotard and leggings.

Yoga has become popular as a form of physical exercise based upon asanas (physical poses) to promote improved control of mind and body and to enhance well-being.

However, scientific trials of varying quality have been published on the health benefits and medical uses of yoga. Studies suggest that yoga is a safe and effective way to increase physical activity and enhance strength, flexibility and balance.

Yoga practice has also shown benefit in specific medical conditions, and we will look at this evidence and current scientific research below.

Scientists and medical doctors pursuing yoga-related research focus on its potential benefits as a technique for relieving stress and coping with chronic conditions or disabilities, as well as investigating its potential to help prevent, heal, or alleviate specific conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, diabetes, and symptoms of menopause.

Here are some fast facts points about yoga.

The word “yoga” is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj meaning “to yoke or join together.” Some people take this to mean a union of mind and body.

A 2008 market study in Yoga Journal reports that some 16 million people in the US practice yoga and spend $5.7 billion a year on equipment.

Hatha yoga is the type of yoga most frequently practiced in Western culture. Ha means “sun” and tha means “moon.”

There are many styles of yoga.

A person’s fitness level and desired practice outcome determines the

type of yoga class to which they are best suited.

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 7,369 yoga-related injuries treated in doctors’ offices, clinics, and emergency rooms in 2010.

Common yoga injuries include repetitive strain to and overstretching of the neck, shoulders, spine, legs, and knees.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) believes the rewards of basic yoga outweigh the potential physical risks.

Yoga is defined as having eight branches or limbs: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyhara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.

Practicing yoga has many potential health benefits including relieving low back pain, assisting with stress management and increasing balance and flexibility.

There is some evidence to suggest that pregnant women taking yoga classes are less likely to experience problems in later pregnancy and labour.

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Sports 2018 US Open prize money Nike battling backlash over advertising campaign reaches record $53m …. 57 percent increase since 2013 Stories by ANTHONY NLEBEM

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he richest prize purse in the history of tennis is set to get even bigger with the announcement that prize money at the 2018 US Open will reach a record $53 million.

Each singles champion will receive $3.8 million, the largest payout in US Open history and a $100,000 increase from last year.

Similar to the past three years, the USTA is improving the payouts for the first three rounds of the tournament to drive more of the increases to the majority of the players.

“2018 is a significant year in our history,” said USTA Chairman of the Board and President Katrina Adams. “Not only is it the 50th anniversary of the tournament, we also have completed the fiveyear transformation of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. We know that we are poised for incredible growth moving forward.”

Prize money at the US Open has increased by 57 percent since 2013. The US Open was the first tournament to offer equal prize money to men and women competitors in 1973.

The total $53 million purse for the 2018 US Open is more than a 5 percent increase on the $50.4 million offered in 2017.

In the men’s and wom-

en’s singles tournaments this year, players will earn $54,000 for playing in the main draw, $93,000 for reaching the second round and $156,000 for advancing to the Round of 32. They will take home $266,000 for reaching the fourth round, $475,000 for contesting the quarterfinals and $925,000 for making the semifinals.

Reaching the final is worth $1,850,000, an increase of $25,000 over last year.

Both the men’s and women’s doubles champion teams will earn $700,000, the highest in US Open history.

First- and secondround losing teams will earn $16,500 and $27,875, respectively. Teams reaching the Round of 16 will receive $46,500, quarterfinalists will win $85,275 and semifinal teams will take home $166,400. Finalists will collect $350,000.

In addition, the US Open Qualifying Tournament will offer more than $3 million in prize money for the first time.

Round-by-round individual prize money for the US Open is as follows:

Singles:

Winner: $3,800,000 Runner-Up: $1,850,000 Semifinalist: $925,000 Quarterfinalist: $475,000 Round of 16: $266,000 Round of 32: $156,000 Round of 64: $93,000 Round of 128: $54,000

Doubles (each team):

Winner: $700,000 Runner-Up: $350,000 Semifinalist: $166,400 Quarterfinalist: $85,275 Round of 16: $46,500 Round of 32: $27,875 Round of 64: $16,500

The 2018 US Open kicked off on August.27th and ends on September 9th.

Critics have burned Nike trainers and clothing in protest at Colin Kaepernick’s appointment as the face of the brand’s new advertising campaign.

The American football quarterback, 30, protested against racial injustice and police brutality by kneeling during the US national anthem.

In announcing the deal, Nike said he was “one of the most inspirational athletes of this generation”.

But opponents took to social media, promising to destroy Nike products.

On Twitter, they hit out at the deal using the hashtag #JustBurnIt - a play on Nike’s slogan “Just Do It” - which trended on Twitter alongside #BoycottNike.

In an interview with the Daily Caller, President Donald Trump, who has been strongly critical of the protest movement Kaepernick sparked, said: “I think as far as sending a message, I think it’s a terrible message and a message that shouldn’t be sent.”

The NFL said it “embraces the role and responsibility of everyone involved with this game to promote meaningful, positive change in our communities”.

A statement added: “The social justice issues that Colin and other professional ath-

I

is pleased to partner with NLO in line with its commitment to growing the critical sectors of the Nigerian economy. “Nigerians are passionate about football and we are delighted to connect them to their passion point through promotion / relegation playoffs in the cities of Onitsha, Illorin, Makurdi and Jos.” “We are happy that actions will return to the Nationwide League One with the promotion and relegation playoffs that will take place in the second weekend in September across four centres in Nigeria. NLO appreciates the efforts of Sterling Bank in supporting the promotion and relegation showpiece and it is expected that the teams

DStv gets the ball rolling on a week of big-fight action with this weekend’s WBC welterweight championship fight between Danny Garcia and Shawn Porter in New York live on SuperSport.

It will be followed a week later, on Sunday 16 September 1, with the mustsee fight of the year – the rematch between Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alva-

R-L: Peter Paul Anagbe, plant manager Larfarge Africa Plc, presenting Trophy to one of the football team winner; Adamu Mohammed, maintenance manager, during the Larfarge Africa Plc 2018 Sports Day held at Ewekoro, Ogun State.

will give a good account of themselves on the pitch of play,” Ogunnowo said.

“We have Ilorin Stadium, Rojenny Stadium, Anambra , Aper Aku Stadium,

the problem of continued racial injustice in America,” said former CIA director John Brennan on Twitter.

“He did so not to disrespect our flag but to give meaning to the words of the preamble of our Constitution-’in order to form a more perfect union.’ Well done, Colin, well done.”

Nike is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its “Just Do It” slogan. Its new advertising campaign also includes ads featuring tennis star Serena Williams, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr and Seattle Seahawks rookie linebacker Shaquem Griffin.

Big boxing this weekend as Porter vows to beat Garcia

Sterling bank powers NLO playoff games

t will be different strokes for different folks when the promotion and relegation playoffs in Nationwide League One (NLO) powered by Sterling Bank kicks off in four centres in the second weekend in the month of September, National Daily gathered.

Shola Ogunnowo, the Chief Operating Officer of the NLO said that the league body appreciates Sterling Bank for supporting the promotion/relegation playoffs and he is very optimistic that the teams participating will display sublime football that is associated with the cradle of football in Nigeria.

Yemi Odubiyi, executive director, Corporate and Investment Banking, Sterling Bank Plc, said the bank

letes have raised deserve our attention and action.”

However, there has been an outpouring of support for ostracised former San Francisco 49ers player Kaepernick, who first protested by sitting during the national anthem in August 2016, later opting to kneel.

Other players followed suit, leading to criticism from President Donald Trump.

Kaepernick, who has received Amnesty International’s highest honour, has been without a team since he opted out of his contract with the 49ers in March 2017.

“Colin Kaepernick drew our collective attention to

Makurdi and Jos Township Stadium are the four centres where the teams aiming for promotion and those struggling to avoid the drop will play.

rez for the middleweight crown.

Garcia and Porter are both former champions and at the peak of their powers, albeit chasing down welterweight rivals Terence Crawford and Errol Spence jnr.

Like next weekend’s match-up, this one pits two of the best fighters against each other, a rarity in an age when managers and promoters do their best to avoid fighting anyone who has a chance of beating their boxers.

Garcia is a two-handed counter-puncher with a sweet left hook, while Porter is fast and athletic and gets to work quickly. They are both above-average punchers, too, setting the scene for an absorbing fight.

“The number one thing Danny’s successful at is punching when opponents are punching at him. He’s the guy who will take my aggression and use it against me. All it takes is one punch. This is boxing. I’ve got to be aggressive but also very aware and ready defensively,” said Porter.

“Beating Danny from the outside, making him frustrated, and making him come to me is just as important as being aggressive and allowing him to feel my power, strength, and relent-

less fortitude throughout the match. I think both are required to beat him.”

Said Gar c ia: “ Onc e you’re in there with me, it’s not the same as anyone else.

It’s not the same as what you expect it to be. You’re in for a rude awakening.

“I’ve knocked out a lot of fighters for the first time, so it won’t be surprising to me if I knock Shawn Porter out for the first time. Shawn had to have some skill to get to this level, it wasn’t all brawling. I’m not taking anything away from him.

We’re prepared for the best Shawn Porter.

“This is another opportunity to become a fourtime world champion and that excites me. I still feel like the WBC title is mine, so I’m even more ready to reclaim it.”

I n t e r e s t i n g l y, W B A champion Keith Thurman, who narrowly beat both boxers, gives Porter a narrow edge, saying “This is one of the best matchups of the year. I try not to overthink it. It’s Porter by decision or Garcia only by KO. I lean toward Porter.”

SuperSport 5 will cross to New York early on Sunday morning (2:00am WAT) to take in the action.

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Sports

Premiership in £275m takeover talks with CVC Stories by ANTHONY NLEBEM

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wners of Premiership Rugby, the English professional rugby union competition will in the coming days hold a board meeting on Tuesday, September 11th to discuss a potential £275m takeover of the league, the biggest in club rugby history.

Former F1 owners CVC Capital Partners is looking to buy a 51% share, and value Premiership Rugby at £550m.

“The board is always considering options for further expansion and the best ways to support that,” said a Premiership Rugby spokesperson.

The prospective deal would mean a windfall for the 12 Premiership clubs, many of whom have endured severe financial losses recently.

Worcester Warriors lost £8m and Harlequins £6m in the past accounting year, while only Exeter Chiefs made a profit.

However, there are concerns that a deal of this kind could drive a further wedge between the club game and the Rugby Football Union.

Financial equity firm CVC would also be unwilling to make such a play without seeing a sizeable return for its investment.

It is understood the clubs have long sought a means to raise extra capital in order to take the league to the next level.

Mark McCafferty, chief executive officer of premiership Rugby says new investment in the Premiership will make the league bigger and better.

Th e o f f e r i s w o r t h £275m for about a 50% share, although McCafferty has valued the league at “substantially more” than £550m.

“There is agreement the

club game is in significant growth, and there is an opportunity to accelerate it,” he said.

However he stressed “we cannot confirm or deny any interest by any party in the financing options being considered”.

McCafferty says the league has grown at a rate of 80% in the past five years, and is bringing in revenues of around £70m per annum.

“We’ve been in a very strong growth phase, we think we can do more both domestically and internationally, and we want to find the best way of achieving that.”

The club owners will hold a board meeting on

F1 at risk if safety falls short- FIA president

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ormula 1 and other categories of motor racing would be at risk of being banned if drivers were being injured or killed in the kind of accidents it has witnessed recently, claims FIA president Jean Todt.

As F1 digests the success story of Charles Leclerc’s escape at the Belgian Grand Prix, after his halo was struck by a wheel on Fernando Alonso’s car, Todt is no doubt about the job the FIA has to do.

And with F1 having seen drivers walk away from major crashes – like Marcus Ericsson’s barrel roll at Monza last week, or Fernando Alonso’s smash

at the 2016 Australian GP – Todt knows that such a state of affairs is essential.

For a while, fatalities and injuries were an accepted part of F1 decades ago, he says that the world has changed in such a way that any crashes could have terrible consequences for the sport.

“If you see Alonso’s crash in 2016, if you see Ericsson on Friday, you should spend some time and realise how amazing it has become and the progress that has been done. It is not taken for granted,” said Todt.

“A few decades back, after [crashes like] that, drivers would not be there.

It would be a big pain, because what was acceptable 40 years ago would not be acceptable now.

And it could maybe mean that motor racing would be banned. Things have changed. So we must consider that.”

Todt has never wavered in his belief that the halo was the right thing for F1, even though he faced criticisms from a number of drivers about its introduction at the start of this year.

“Sometimes, the frustrating thing is that when it was done, they [drivers] were not so much convinced,” added Todt. “But in a way we respect what they do and they should

BetKing rewards football pundit

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middle-aged man, William, has emerged winner of a whooping sum of N9.7 million on Nigeria’s fastest growing sports betting company, BetKing.

William proved to be a true prediction King when he staked the sum of N10,000 on a ticket with 15 selections from several soccer leagues and nailed all 15 to win a complete sum of N9,715,244.72. He was invited to BetKing head office to claim his winnings and was paid instantly.

Speaking further, he mentioned how his faith in the brand was more solidified as he got paid as quickly as possible. According to him, “BetKing has contributed to paying my children’s school fees this session.” He also plans to complete a couple of pending projects with the bulk of his winnings and he expressed gratitude to the brand for giving him the opportunity.

It is noteworthy that these win comes after previously reported big wins of N500k jackpot, N3million and

N7.7million on the BetKing platform. With a recent win of N9.7 Million, it appears that bigger wins will keep emerging from the playground for Kings.

BetKing is a popular sports betting company that launched on February 22,

Tuesday to consider their next step, with McCafferty insisting any decision will be “for the good of the game” in England.

With figures such as Bath owner Bruce Craig opposed to a takeover, it is likely at this stage the clubs will reject CVC’s offer, although McCafferty says there will be change coming in some form.

“Whatever we decide to do, the kind of people involved in our clubs - the shareholders who have seen this game through from professionalism they are very conscious about doing things the right way,” he said.

“They are very good custodians, and they have no intention to do this in any other way than what’s good for the game and good for the clubs.

“It’s about trying to accelerate this next phase of growth, because this competition can be even bigger and better than it already is.”

The Premiership Rugby spokesperson added: “This interest is of course very good news for Premiership Rugby and is a reflection of its growing international appeal. But a decision is not imminent.”

respect what we try to do.

We did it because we were convinced it was a good thing.

“And maybe you know, it changed a little bit the design of the car. But honestly I love racing, I love F1. I am not in shock when I see a car with the halo.

“My concern was, do they miss some visibility because of the halo? We did not want to introduce something where you improve some safety side, but you may jeopardise another one. And they did not have any concerns. So for me it was obvious. And sooner or later we knew that something would happen.”

2018 in Lagos, offering online services Nationwide and agency services in several states within the Nigeria. With headquarters in Lagos state, BetKing is working towards a nationwide expansion that places several physical shops across all states in Nigeria. Among the offerings of the company’s services are sports betting, not restricted to football, hockey, cricket, tennis, basketball and more, customized state-of-the-art virtual games including the exclusively designed sports Kings’ League.

Woods fires best opening round in 20 years

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iger Woods was in blistering form as he fired an opening 62 to share the lead with Rory McIlroy in the first round of the BMW Championship near Philadelphia.

The former world No. 1 reached eight under with seven birdies and an eagle for his lowest opening-round score since a 61 at the Bryon Nelson Classic in 1999.

It was some way for Woods to justify if he still needed to captain Jim Furyk’s decision earlier this week to include him as a wildcard for the USA’s Ryder Cup team.

His performances this season, which have included a brief lead in the final round of the Open Championship in July, have catapulted Woods up to 26th in the world rankings, a leap of more than 600 places since the end of last year as he recovered from spine fusion surgery.

Woods said much of Thursday’s success was down to him dusting off the 19-yearold putter he used for 13 of his 14 major wins.

“I’ve been monkeying around with it at home in the backyard through the summer,” the 42-year-old told reporters. “It just never felt right, but it feels good now.

I’ve hit hundreds of millions of putts with that thing.

“I’ve had it since 1999. My body just remembers it. It just feels very familiar to me.”

48 of the 69 players in the field were under par after the opening round.

“We all benefit from Tiger Woods playing well,’’ McIlroy said after the round. “I’m happy he’s up there. And it will be a great tournament if he stays up there.’’

The BMW Championship is the 3rd of four seasonending tournaments, which make up the FedEx Cup, with Bryson DeChambeau winning the first two.

The top 30 in the standings after the Sunday’s final round at Aronimink Golf Club will contest the Tour Championship at East Lake, Atlanta starting September 20.

The overall winner of the FedEx Cup will receive a $10 million bonus, while the Tour Championship carries a first prize of $1.62 million.

GOtv Boxing NextGen Search 4: NBB of C lauds sponsors

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he Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) has described as immense the support given to Nigerian boxing by Pay TV company, GOtv, through GOtv Boxing Night and GOtv Boxing NextGen Search. Speaking in Lagos yesterday, Remi Aboderin, NBB of C Secretary-General, said the decision of the Pay TV company to introduce GOtv Boxing NextGen Search, an initiative for unearthing young and talented boxers ready to turn professional, has addressed the scarcity of good professional boxers in the country. “GOtv Boxing NextGen Search has addressed the problem of ageing boxers by replacing them with young and vibrant ones. Every young boxer should take advantage of the initiative. The fourth edition is almost here and I advise every young boxer to enroll, “ he said.

GOtv Boxing NextGen Search will hold in Abeokuta from 13-15 September.

The programme, organised

by Flykite Productions, will see boxers aged between 18 and 25, take part in sparring sessions and assessed by the best boxing coaches, who will select those ad-

judged to be the best. It will hold at Dunkin Pepper Gym inside the MKO International Stadium Complex. Boxers selected by the coaches will have their licenses paid for by the sponsors, undergo free medical examination and may have the opportunity of fighting in coming editions of GOtv Boxing Night.

The programme was introduced in 2015.The first two editions held in Lagos, while the third held in Ibadan. Each edition drew 100 boxers, out of which an average of 25 selected.

The programme has catapulted many boxers into the big time, locally and internationally.

Among these are reigning West African welterweight champion, Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde, Ridwan “Scorpion” Oyekola, Prince “Lion” Nwoye, Chukwuebuka “Wize King” Ezewudo and Osamudiamen “Chiso” Goodluck.

Registration forms for the event are available free of charge at the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame Gym, Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) Secretariat, National Stadium, Lagos; Alake Sports Centre, Abeokuta; and Akure Township Stadium, Akure.

BDSUNDAY

NEW YOU CAN TRUST

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SUNDAY 09 SEPTEMBER 2018

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Rage over electoral act amendment bill

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he significant role that free, fair and credible elections play as the firm foundation on which to build the solid and stable house of democracy, anywhere in the world remains sacrosanct. Any form of political antics, gimmicks and acts antithetical to achieving that is anti-people and must not be allowed to hold sway.

In spite of several misgivings against our brand of democracy here in Nigeria, with the rich and powerful hijacking the political space, its benefits skewed in favour of the political class, policies and programmes not emanating from the collective wishes of the vast majority of the largely illiterate electorate, it still remains the hope of the people, Nigerians inclusive.

Against this background, it is therefore, worrisome that for the third time, President Muhammadu Buhari has declined his assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2018, alleging irregularities and draft issues. That this has come soon after the president also withheld his assent on the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, PIGB, over alleged constitutional conflict and others, including the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2018 calls for concern. In fact, it has a throwback on our recent view that Mister President should not misconstrue his personal interest for that of Nigerians whose constitutionally-recognized wishes he swore to protect. These fears are genuine and throw up some salient questions.

For instance, what will happen to the gains made with the card reader, back in 2015, the vulnerability of incidence form and the transfer of election results electronically? Should the issue of having the presidential election first, with its bandwagon effects override the national interest?

These questions, as raised by some concerned Nigerians are germane to the cultivation of the much-desired democratic culture, beginning of course, with acceptable elections.

As expected, the president’s refusal to sign the bill has drawn a groundswell of criticism from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere; Director of Media and Public Communications and the Coalition for Nigeria Movement. Others who have raised their voices against it include the Deputy Chairman of the Nigeria Intervention Movement, Mr. Akin Osuntokun, and immediate past Vice President of Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Monday Ubani.

To them it poses grave danger to next year’s elections.

On the other hand, according to the Senior

Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang: “A few of the outstanding issues include a cross referencing error in the proposed amendment to Section 18 of the Bill. The appropriate amendment is to substitute the existing sub-section (2) with the proposed subsection (1A), while the proposed sub-section (1B) is the new subsection (2A).

Also, the proposed amendment is supposed to include a new Section 87 (14). This stipulates a specific period within which political party primaries are required to be held.

The unintended consequence of leaving INEC with only nine days to collate and compile lists of candidates and political parties as well manage the primaries of 91 political parties for the various elections may not advance the cause of credible elections. That is, according to the president.

Indeed, the Electoral Amendment Bill does not amend sections 31, 34 and 85 which stipulate times for the submission of lists of candidates, publication of lists of candidates and notice of convention, congresses for nominating candidates for elections.

It would be recalled that the federal lawmakers amended the nation’s Electoral Act, months ago, reversing the order of the general elections as released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The amendments proposed by the National Assembly sought to make some changes in Nigeria’s Electoral Act, including changing the sequence of the 2019 elections. The lawmakers want their election to come up first, followed by that of state lawmakers and governors, and lastly the presidential election.

But, in a letter addressed to the Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, President Buhari had stated, among other reasons, that the amendments infringed on the rights of INEC. However, Dr. Isaac Ideh Imudia, a sociology lecturer, wondered why there should be controversy over the issue. because the President is well aware that the duty of the National Assembly is to make laws and amend laws they made, if the need arises. He is also aware that his refusal to assent to any bill does not render such bill invalid once the National is able to muster the required members to pass it into law.

Critical observers of the polity are of the

AYO OYOZEBAJE Baje is Nigerian first food technologist in the media and author of ‘DRUMBEATS OF DEMOCRACY’

Indeed, the Electoral Amendment Bill does not amend sections 31, 34 and 85 which stipulate times for the submission of lists of candidates, publication of lists of candidates and notice of convention, congresses for nominating candidates for elections

belief that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has no role to play in this matter but to wait patiently for the amended electoral laws to conduct the next elections.

That is what confers independence on it.

On the order of the elections, with that of the presidential contest coming first, some Nigerians have seen the negative consequences of the bandwagon effect. It may have brought in the incumbent president back in 2015 but may not be in the best interest of the country. Merit should therefore, take precedence over that of a political interest foisting itself on the people using the instruments of incumbency rather than the capacity to perform to the expectations of the people.

Nonetheless, one sees these developments as a clear test of powers between the Executive and the Legislature but could be resolved without rancor, at least in the national interest. The truth however, is that by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the National Assembly has the power to override the President’s veto by mustering a two-third majority in both chambers of the National Assembly. But can that happen in the current circumstances, with the lawmakers in recess and the polity heated up by the vaulting ambitions of several of members on both sides of the political divide towards 2019 general elections?

With the country’s unemployment ratio worsening from 14.8 per cent in 2017 to 18.8 per cent in 2018, the number of school-aged children still out of school increasing from 10 million to 12 million, the debt profile escalating to N21 trillion in over three years and Nigeria overtaking India as home to the world’s poorest people more has to be done than said on righting the wrongs of the past.

The onus therefore, now rests squarely on Nigerians, especially the enlightened electorate to decide where the pendulum of their political loyalty would swing to, come 2019.

Quick Takes

Off the Cuff

Buhari’s form could pay 2500 civil servants …At N18,000 minimum wage

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ince the news broke last week that President Muhammadu Buhari, noted for his austere lifestyle, allowed a faceless group to purchase his expression of interest and nomination forms with N45.5 million, many analysts have been looking at what such a huge amount of money could do for poor families in times like these in Nigeria.

One analyst who spoke with BDSUNDAY said it was immoral that such a humongous amount of money was contemplated in the first place as “form fee” under the leadership of a former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Adams Oshiomhole.

The analyst said that it was insensitive on the part of Oshiomhole for the former governor, whose administration in Edo State was not able to promptly pay workers, to now approve N45.5million for collection of presidential form in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I have done the mathematics; that amount

could pay 2,500 federal civil servants at the prevailing minimum wage of N18,000. So many people in this bracket, as civil servants, are not being paid their salaries. Government would tell you there is no money. If Buhari is truly integrity-personified as they want to force people to believe, the exorbitant price of the form would have discouraged him, even if offered as some faceless group claimed it did. What it simply shows is that Nigeria is in deep trouble,” the pundit, who chose to hide his identity, said.

“Look at it from another angle; can you imagine how many school children such huge amount of money could have fed in the government’s purported school feeding programme? The painful aspect of it all is that the money being collected will not be deployed to good use. A larger chunk of it will end up in a few individuals’ bank accounts,” the analyst added.

He reasoned that what APC has done was to tell every other presidential aspirant in the party that the form has been sold to a predetermined individual

and that they should simply bury their ambition.

“Moreover, the way the specially-designed ‘mega cheque’ was presented to Oshiomhole shows clearly that it was not just an idea that came up on the spur of the moment. Oshiomhole took time to brandish the mega cheque for photo-ops”, he said.

“It is a moral burden on a president that claims to be waging a war against corruption to have allowed a group to spend so much money just for a form. Apart from depriving many other party members who are qualified to vie for the position but limited by the cut-throat fee, it also exposes the president to all manner of pestering by his sponsors.

“It is said that he that pays the piper calls the tune. Purchasing N45.5 million form for the president cannot be out of magnanimity. The investors are not Father Christmas; they hope to reap someday, somehow,” he said.

$2.52bn

This is the amount of money said to have been pledged by international donor conference on Boko Haram

A season of ‘hide & seek’

When on August 7, 2018, operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) invaded the National Assembly, and embarrassed the country; the Federal Government said they were on their own. It quickly sacked Lawal Daura, the DG, to claim innocence. When on September 4, 2018, some policemen raided the residence of Edwin Clark in Abuja; the Inspector General of Police later said the raiders were on their own. The question is: who is behind all these? Is there no government in Nigeria?

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