BusinessDay 13 Jan 2018

BDSUNDAY BUSINESS DAY

2019: PDP heavyweights whose children and relations work in ‘enemies’ camp

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‘Anybody that tells you that Nigeria is working well needs to think again’

Sunday 13 January 2019 www.businessday.ng Market & Commodities Monitor Brent Oil

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Forward-looking investors lift ?? market sentiment as Julius Berger tops gainers’ chart

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Vol 1, No. 247 N300

Walter Onnoghen!

Condemnation trails FG’s plan to arraign CJN PDP says Presidency, APC want to destroy judiciary Ozekhome describes move as political witch-hunt

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OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja

Appointment of electoral umpire: The intrigues, politics p.18

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he National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus has accused the Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to destroy the judiciary ahead of the 2019 general election.

The reaction came following the plan by the Federal Government to arraign the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen on Monday, January 14 before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), in Abuja on charges of failures to declare his assets, Secondus, who reacted to the development in Plateau State during the PDP presidential campaign rally Saturday, said the move was to force the CJN to resign and put in place a lame duck jurist that would do its bidding.

The National Chairman said there would be dire consequences if the election is rigged by the ruling party.

He traced previous failed attempts by the government to move against opposition politicians and the National Assembly leadership, even as he expressed concern that the present admin-

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Bring back ‘our tourism’ in 2019 p.41

Sanwo-Olu, Agbaje clash at Lagos Chamber of Commerce-organised guber debate Read story in BusinessDay tomorrow (Monday)

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Bukola Saraki, Senate president and director general, Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation, acknowledging cheers during the PDP Presidential Campaign in Plateau State, yesterday.

Hope for cancer patients in 2019 on new radiotherapy machines, centres ANTHONIA OBOKOH

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ancer patients will soon beam with smiles this year if the Federal Government stays on track with its plans

for new sets of radiotherapy machines and centres, according to sources who spoke with BDSUNDAY. Radiotherapy, also known as radiation therapy, is part of cancer treatment which aims to control or kill malignant cells

through linear accelerators.

Some cancer patients undergo chemotherapy, which is another type of treatment for the sickness that uses one or more anti-cancer drugs in treatment.

“In healthcare, by January 15, 2019, we are commissioning

cancer care centres at the Lagos University Teaching Hos pital (LUTH) as part of private-public partnership programme and we are also commissioning diagnostic centres in Kano and Umuahia,” Uche

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Sunday 13 January 2019

News The path to Onnoghen’s travail ZEBULON AGOMUO & OWEDE AGBAJILEKE

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ecall that the refusal of President Buhari to ensure that Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen was appointed the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) generated negative reactions in the polity. Onnoghen was sworn in as Acting CJN on November 10, 2016 following the retirement of Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who attained the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Many political observers felt at the time that the president appointed the southerner in acting capacity to ease off pressure, dump him later and appoint a substantive CJN from the North.

Ju r i s t s a r g u e d t h a t there was no constitutional basis for Onnogh-

en to be appointed in acting capacity when the coast was very clear for him to be appointed in full capacity, based on the recommendations of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Se c t i o n 2 3 1 ( 1 ) o f the 1999 Constitution (as amended) gives the president the power to appoint the CJN on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) subject to confirmation by the Senate.

With the expiration of his tenure on Novemb e r 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 , Ju s t i c e Mahmud Mohammed, the immediate past CJN and Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC), had supervised the replacement process as required by the constitution. He forwarded the NJC’s recommendation of Justice Onnoghen as

the next CJN to President Buhari on October 14, 2016 but the president failed to transmit a letter to seek the approval of the Senate for that appointment.

Re p o r t h a d i t t h a t some members of the president’s kitchen cabinet were not favourably disposed to having a southerner as a CJN for a whopping four years, and the allegation that members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South in collaboration with their northern counterparts wanted to have adequate control of the judiciary ahead of the 2019 elections.

Eminent jurists who flayed Onnoghen’s app o i n t m e n t a s Ac t i n g CJN include former President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Wole Olanipekun (SAN),

Olu Daramola (SAN), Paul Ananaba (SAN), amongst others.

According to them, Justice Onnoghen ought to have been appointed in substantive capacity.

It would be interesting to see if the President would heed to the demands of the legal luminaries or act otherwise.

It would be recalled that in the thick of the agitation over the fate of Onnoghen when the three month acting period was expiring and his kinsmen were kicking, the CJN had pleaded with Nigerians to sheath their swords and allow the President a free hand to perform his constitutional duties as they affect his appointment in substantive capacity.

The fire was stoked

by Onnoghen’s kinsmen in Cross River State who frowned at the development, threatening that

they would resist any attempt not to confirm the acting CJN. A number of critics also commented on the development, urging government to toe the honourable path to avoid plunging the country into unnecessary turmoil.

It was against this backdrop that the Acti n g P r e s i d e n t , Ye m i Os i n b a j o, d e c i d e d t o take the bull by the horns, by forwarding a letter to the Senate to c o n f i r m O n n o g h e n ’s appointment as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Th e S e n a t e , w h i c h also read the mood of t h e c o u n t r y, d i d n o t w a s t e t i m e . By Tu e s day, March 7, 2017, the Cross River State-born lawyer was sworn into office by Osinbajo ins i d e t h e Pr e s i d e n t i a l V i l l a . Th a t c e r e m o n y brought to a permanent

halt, the agitation and adrenaline rise over the alleged shenanigans surrounding the man’s 90 days in acting capacity.

In October 2016, the National Judicial Council (NJC) nominated Onnoghen, who was the most senior member of the Supreme Court bench, to head the nation’s judiciary.

Following the confirmation of his appointment after his screening by the Senate, he was subsequently sworn into office by the Acting President.

Speaking at the brief swearing-in a ceremony which took place at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Osinbajo reminded the new CJN of the enormous task ahead of him, saying the fate of millions of Nigerians were now placed in his hands for justice.

accused the Federal Government of engaging in unnecessary political witch-hunt.

Ozekhome insisted that the six-count criminal charge FG entered against the CJN over his alleged failure to declare his assets was politically-motivated, querying the time the alleged infractions were discovered. Noting that the CJN, by virtue of his

position, will play a major role in constituting the 2019 presidential election petition tribunal, He insisted that under the 1999 constitution, as amended, Justice Onnoghen could not be forced to vacate his office, until when his guilt is established. According to him, “The CJN can be removed from office either if he has been convicted or if under section 291 of the constitution, the Senate affirms a request by the President to remove him by two-third majority vote.

“Our system of justice being Anglo-Saxon based, which is accusatorial, meaning that the innocence of a person is presumed. “It is different from the criminal justice system of the French model which is inquisitorial, wherein the guilt of an accused person is presumed.

“This doctrine has been encapsulated in section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, that the person’s innocence is presumed until he has been proven guilty. “Assuming for example that Senator Bukola Saraki had been forced to resign his office when charges were brought against him before the same Code of Conduct Tribunal almost three years ago, what would have happened and what

would have been his fate when the Supreme Court eventually discharged and acquitted him of the charge, following judgments and earlier order of the Court of Appeal and the Code of Conduct Tribunal itself? “If you ask me, I sense serious political undertones oozing from this so-called imminent arraignment of the noble CJN. Question, when did they discover the alleged offence for which they now want to charge him on Monday?

“Was it just yesterday, was it last week, two weeks or six months ago?

The CJN has been in office now for well over one year, how come that this misconduct or whatever offence that he is being alleged, was not seen up to now? “How come, that it is just less than 40 days to the 2019 Presidential election, when the CJN is going to play the major role in constituting the Presidential election petition tribunal, that he is being moved against? Who is afraid of the Judiciary?

Who is afraid of Justice Onnoghen and his impartiality and straightforwardness?

“How come we are reducing governance in Nigeria to one of impunity, one of despotism and one of absolutism. “Don’t this people know that the world is laughing at us?”

Walter Onnoghen!

Continued from page 1 istration is already setting a bad precedent.

His words: “Buhari and APC want to destroy Nigeria. They started with the politicians and moved to the Legislature. You are aware that there was a coup d’etat at the National Assembly. That one failed.

Now their target is to destroy the Judiciary, the last hope of the common man.

I want to tell you, you must rise to this occasion to resist Buhari and APC. Because they have destroyed the economy, no food on our table. There is hunger in the land. They have started killing upon killing our people. Atiku is coming to stop the killing. Atiku will provide food on the table for the people. Atiku will provide employment for all of you.”

According to Secondus, “I want to let you know and the international community that Buhari wants to destroy the Judiciary. APC wants to destroy the Judiciary. We must resist them.

30 days to the election, that is the time they want to destroy the Judiciary.

This never happened in Congo or Venezuela. But we promise them if they want crisis, they will see it.

But by the grace of God, we are peace-loving people of

Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen

Nigeria. We want peace but they want crisis. Because they want to rig the election. And they don’t want a Judiciary that will stand their rigging. It will not work. “ An d y o u m u s t b e strong and be ready on that day to defend your country. It is not a matter for PDP. It is a matter for the entire nation. After

all in Jos here, there was genocide and they want to kill Dino but they will not succeed. They want to kill the Senate President but they will not succeed, they want to kill all of us but they will not succeed”.

In his reaction, Mike Ozekhome, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who also is a constitutional lawyer and human rights activist,

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News ASUU rejects FG offer, says strike continues Iniobong Iwok with agency report

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he striking Academic Staff Union of Univers i t i e s ( AS U U ) has rejected the offers made to it early this week by the Nigerian government.

At the seventh meeting with the leadership of ASUU last Tuesday, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said the labour dispute with the university teachers was at the verge of being resolved. He listed the fresh concessions made by the administration to ASUU. According to Ngige, the office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation and the Ministry of Finance presented evidence that N15.4 billion had been released to public universities.

On earned academic allowances, he said President Muhammadu Buhari approved N20 billion to offset arrears of the 2009 to 2012 verified earnings by university teachers.

Pr e s i d e n t o f AS U U, Biodun Ogunyemi, in an interview with journalists Saturday morning, however, said that after reviewing the offers made by the government, members of the union across various campuses and zones rejected it.

Ogunyemi, described government’s offer on the outstanding revitalisation fund of N1.1 trillion as tokenism, saying members are insisting that government should release at Continued from page 1 Orji, managing director and CEO, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), said on AriseTV. Orji said opportunities are being wasted in the country as people still go to Ghana for cancer screening, which can be done locally.

“This is the 13th phase of the project across the healthcare in Nigeria. What we are doing is not social responsibility but commercial investment. So we are expecting to make about 8-12 percent profit in healthcare,” Orji said.

“At the moment, it is owned by NSIA and in seven years we will earn our return and over time transfer it to LUTH,” he explained.

Isaac Adewole, health minister, said last year that the National Hospital Abuja received a new cancer ma-

least a tranche of N220 billion spread over four quarters of 2019.

He added that on earned allowances, government’s proposal should not be lesser than the total amount released “the last time” out of the verified balance.

Recall that as part of the agreement reached between the union and the government before ASUU ended its industrial action in September 2017, the Federal Government released a total sum of N22.9 billion for earned allowances of both academic and nonacademic staff across 22 Federal universities.

Of the amount, academics under ASUU got N18.3billion, while nonteaching staff belonging to the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian University (SSANU), NonAcademic Staff Union (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) got N4.6 billion.

The sharing formula , which was condemned by the three non-academic staff unions, had led to pockets of protests across various campuses at the time, and eventually compelled the unions to embark on prolonged strike.

Apparently to avoid the controversy that greeted the sharing of the allowance in 2017, ASUU is insisting that the Federal Government should categorically state the amount earmarked for its members, which it said must not be lesser than N18.3 billion it received then.

AUN president Dawn Dekle (2nd l), with the winners - l-r Prof Tristan, Kamanzi & Chukwuma

Rwandan Ambassador’s son wins ‘Nature Photography Contest’ at AUN

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final-year student of Communications and Multimedia Design (CMD) at the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yvan Kamanzi, has emerged as the winner of the justconcluded Birds of AUN competition.

Yvan is the son of the Rwandan High Commissioner to Nigeria , H.E. Satnislas Kamanzi. Software Engineering major, Chukwuma Stephen emerged second-place winner, while Assistant Professor of English Mohammed Tristan Purvis, won third place.

AUN President, Dawn Dekle, who initiated the ‘Birds of AUN Competition,’ announced the winners early December, at the lobby of the Robert Pastor e-library building. Global conservation watchdog National Geographic had designated 2018 as the Year of the Bird, ‘bringing attention to the threats birds face and reigniting conservation efforts.’

Dekle had introduced the contest in January after she noticed the many beautiful birds on the campus.

President Dekle, who is leading the university

through a strategic sustainability agenda , had challenged students, faculty and staff to watch and photograph ‘the magnificent birds that inhabit our campus,’ and share their observation.

Mentioned in Kamanzi’s winning entry was the blue-headed Coucal (Centropus monachus), a bird, he said: “chooses to remain aloof.”

“Like all coucals, the blue-headed has very long claws that allow it to feed on tiny insects and amphibians. Their voices are deep with resonant ‘coo’ phrases. They sit upright as they perch

and sing on top of trees and branches. They are interesting to watch and do interesting things. The blue-headed Coucal can be found lurking around treetops behind Dorm EE’s open fields and the AUN huts behind the School of Law”.

The winners received N90,000 in cash prizes plus certificates.

Six semi-finalists were recognised, and each received a certificate of participation. They include Cyril Oni, Ifeatu Uzodinma, Jessica Gwadi, Terdoo Orje-Ishegh, Chiedozie Joseph, and Ruth Unde.

Hope for cancer patients in 2019 on new radiotherapy ... chine bought in 2018, which was undergoing installation and calibration.

BDSUNDAY checks show that construction work is going on at the Oncology DepartmentinLagosUniversityTeachingHospital(LUTH),Idi-Araba, whichwillaccommodatethree new linear accelerators for cancer treatment and another for radiotherapy. A source at thehospitalsaidthattheproject would be ready soon.

Cancer is responsible for thedeathsof72,000Nigerians yearly, according to Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA)’s 2019 research. Only four out of 11 radiotherapy machines in Nigeria are functional.

Cancer is sometimes a result of lifestyle, diet, age, alcohol, chronic inflammation, and hormonal changes, among others.

Francis Abayomi Durosinmi-Etti, consultant, clinical oncologist and chairman of National Programme on Cancer Management, said in a recent interview that many cancer centres were being planned for places such as Epe (Lagos), Ibadan (Oyo State) and Ogun, among others.

“Government is aware of the need of cancer care and is trying to increase the number of machines and facilities for treating cancer, including training of staff. With all ongoing projects, in the next two to three years, the situation of cancer treatment would have been a lot better than it is now,” Durosinmi-Etti said.

A review of the budgetary provision for 2019 shows that N780 million is

for the establishment of chemotherapy centres. The nine benefitting tertiary hospitals will be University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri, and FMC in Abeokuta.

“This will help deal with all the different aspects of the prevention, early detection, accurate diagnosis, treatment and palliative care that are important,” said Chukwumere Nwogu, a cancer

epidemiologist, thoracic surgical oncologist and chief executive officer, Lakeshore Cancer Centre.

Experts say that the cost of cancer treatment is high, which is why patients need urgentassistance.DurosinmiEtti said a configured linear accelerator costs about $4 million and if accelerators, accessories, stimulators and the treatment planning system are added, it will go as high as $5 million, depending on the type of model and year of manufacture of the machine.

“I know at the National Hospital, with the least equipment to treat a patient, the minimum you pay is about N600,000 ($1,666), but it is cheaper if you compare it with getting the treatment in Ghana,” he noted.

Durosinmi-Etti said that

cancer treatment in Ghana costs about $10,000$20,000 minimum; in India about $25,000, and about $40,000 in America.

“So if you look at that, the cost compared to the N600,000 being paid at the National Hospital in Abuja, I think is a fair deal,” he said.

Durosinmi-Etti said cancer treatment has always been expensive for the patients and their families and was yet to be covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

“If the country finds a means of getting the money, whether through the NHIS or even some other means of support, then patients can get treatment at a proper price and also service will be kept going,” he said.

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News FG arraigns CJN, Onnoghen, over alleged non-declaration of asset FELIX OMOHOMHION, Abuja

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L-R: Angela Ekpene-Umunna, women leader, Bible Life Church; Leonard Umunna, bishop and general overseer Bible Life Church; Zebulon Agomuo, editor, BDSUNDAY, and Godday Odidi Aguriase, editor, Mindset Media, at the first 2019 media event organised by the Bishop at his church’s headquarters in Olodi-Apapa, Lagos.

Bakare calls for spiritual rebirth in Christendom, urges believers to strive for holiness SEYI JOHN SALAU

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unde Bakare, the presiding overseer of the Later Rain Assembly, Lagos, has called for spiritual rebirth and reawakening in Christendom, as he urged Christian faithful to strive for holiness and righteous living.

Bakare stated this at the Apostolic Fire Conference (AFC) 2019 with the theme ‘Beauty of Holiness’ organised by The Worship Centre (TWC), an assembly of sons and daughters of Christ Apostolic Church.

According to Bakare, “the Bible made it clear that believers should pursue peace with all men, and holiness without which no man should see God. “Holiness emanates from God; no man can live holy outside of him

and when we submit ourselves to him after salvation, he does his sovereign work in us, ensuring that he sanctifies us. To sanctify is to make holy; so he works in our soul, spirit and body; so we begin to talk like, live like, and act like our father.”

Bakare opined that when Christians live a life of holiness, they in turn allow God to think through their thought, while he also speaks through their vocal cord.

According to him, “There is a role to be played by both parties; however, we have to make ourselves available for God to play his part. We have to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling and the fear of God will keep us everywhere we go.”

Earlier in his sermon, Bakare had stated that there was a very thin line between the church and the world, hence,

the need for believers to strive for holiness, as it is foundation of the Christian faith, which is considered critical and centre to Christianity. “Righteousness is our nature, holiness is our act,” said Bakare.

Seyi Adeyemi, the senior pastor TWC and convener of the Apostolic Fire Conference, said righteous and holy living were eroding in the church, hence the theme of the conference ‘Beauty of Holiness’ to call the attention of Christians back to holy living.

“We are calling people back to fundamental Christian values; values that are important to God, that are becoming extinct among modern Christians. It is time for us to go back to the values that God expects from us, and that is why we have brought this in the front burner in this conference,” said

Adeyemi.

According to him, holiness is not religiosity rather it embodies spirituality, calling on Christians to and those in position of authority to serve mankind. “People living right, doing the right thing, fearing God and serving humanity and that is the kind of values we want our politicians and leaders to imbibe; and that is the message for this season – fear God and serve man in all they do,” Adeyemi stated.

Apostolic Fire Conference presents a platform for those yearning for the move of the spirit this end time and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do exploits for God. The conference is intended to reposition the apostolic brand as a modern, contemporary, yet spiritual movement that is accessible to all; and equip the church for the expected end-time revival.

he Chief Justice of Nigeria(CJN),Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen, will on Monday appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over charges bordering on non-declaration of asset.

This is contained in a statement by the Head, Press & Public Relations, Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Ibraheem Al-Hassan, Saturday.

The statement said that the arraignment of Onneghen followed an application by the Code of Conduct Bureau for leave to commence the case.

He said the application was filed on Friday and summons for the Monday’s proceedings had been served on the CJN. All the six counts preferred against the CJN are said to border on nondeclaration of assets.

The CCT’s statement read in part: “The Code of Conduct Tribunal has scheduled Monday, January 14, 2019 for the commencement of trial against current Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justce Onnoghen Nkanu Walter Samuel for alleged non-declaration of assets.

“This was consequent to an application filed by the Code of Conduct Bureau to the CCT Chairman yesterday (Friday) for the trial to commence against the Chief Justice of Nigeria on six charges.

“However, service of summons has been effected to the defendant. The threeman panel led by Justice Danladi Y. Umar, will commence the trial on Monday, January 14, 2019 at its courtroom, situated at the headquarters, along Jabi Daki Biyu, Saloman Lar way, Abuja, at 10:00am.

“The application was filed yesterday by the operatives of CCB, dated January 11, 2019 and signed by Musa Ibrahim Usman (Esq) and

Fatima Danjuma Ali (Esq), containing six charges all borderingonnon-declaration of assets” A lawyer and investigator attached to the Code of Conduct Bureau, Usman Mohammed, said Onnoghen failed to declare his dollar, pounds and euro accounts when he was elevated to the Supreme Court.

In his statement, which has been attached to the charge sheet, the witness said investigations began after a Non-Governmental Organisation, Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data Initiative wrote a petition against the CJN. The statement of the witness reads in part: “That the respondent (Onnoghen) also operates three domiciliary and two naira accounts with Standard Chartered Bank Limited with the following particulars.

“Domiciliary account number: 870001062650 bearing the name Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen.

“Domiciliary account number: 9300106268bearing the name Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen “Domiciliary account number: 285001062679 bearing the name Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen “Domiciliary account number: 5001062683 bearing the name Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen “Domiciliary account number: 0100010626667 bearing the name Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen.”

The investigator said investigations revealed that since 2005 when Onnoghen was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court, he did not declare his assets until 2016whenhewasappointed as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

The statement added: “That in 2016 declarations, the five domiciliary accounts were omitted. We proceeded to request the account details from Standard Chartered Bank Limited.

Continues online

Atiku in Plateau, bemoans escalating insecurity in Nigeria OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja

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he People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abukakar, says that insecurity is escalating in the country because the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration does not know how to govern.

He added that the APC is not campaigning because it plans to rig the forthcoming election.

Atiku, who promised to address unemploy ment crisis, pledged to give 40 percent of his

government to the youth and 30 percent to the women, “making a total of 70 per cent, this is because I want you to succeed us.”

On his part, Uche Secondus, national chairman of the party, called on the people to come out en masse and vote for all its candidates at the General Election, saying that the party would set up a Commission to look into the activities of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.

He accused the police chief of being partisanship.

“Now you can see, IGP is a full-fledged member of APC, but I want to let him know that my father was also a police officer.

That after he leaves that job, whether he likes it or not, he will appear before a Commission. And he will account for all his activities. And he will appear before the International Criminal Court. Because he cannot destory the Nigerian Police. He cannot destroy this institution. So, let him be warned. Enough is enough! And Plateau killing must stop. And the only man who can stop it

is Atiku,” he said.

The National Chairman received APC defectors to the party led by the Chairman, Rules and Business Committee of the House of Representatives, Edward Pwajok (SAN).

He assured the decampees that they will have equal rights with other old members of the party.

On his part, Secretary General, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Umar Yusuf, promised to give 30 million votes for the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

He c o n d e m n e d t h e APC-led Federal Government for allowing the ongoing ASUU strike to linger.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki; former governors, Jonah Jang, Fidelis Tapgun; former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu; PDP governorship candidate in the state, Jeremiah Useni; former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki were among dignitaries at the event.

Al s o r e a c t i n g , Ko l a Ologbondiyan, Director, Media & Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign

Organisation, accused the Presidency of plotting to annex the Judiciary.

On a statement on Saturday, Ologbondiyan said: “The party also alerts of allegations that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and cabal at the Buhari Presidency are hounding Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen and seeking his removal so as to cause a constitutional crisis, instill fear in judicial officers and pave way for the foisting of a pliable CJN that will do their bidding on electoral matters.

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News ‘Buhari, APC using state resources, apparatuses in violation of Electoral Laws’ Innocent Odoh, Abuja

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ormer Vice President and Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has said that contrary to their claims, President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress are flagrantly violating the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2010 as amended by their unbridled deployment of state resources and apparatuses for the 2019 presidential campaign.

Atiku said this in a statement he issued on Thursday through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, even as he recalled that the National Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu had in December of last year warned incumbent office holders against using state resources or apparatuses for their campaigns, or deploying same against their opponents.

Yakubu, who issued the warning at a lecture titled “Political corruption and other emerging issues for the 2019 elections” in Abuja, noted that the commission has the power to monitor campaign financing and sources of funds according to the Constitu-

Atiku

tion and the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

Atiku said however that in negation of the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, the Buhari administration and the APC have taken to the illegal deployment of state resources to their advantage for the election.

“We wish to remind President Buhari and the APC that the use of state videos released by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture is illegal

under the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

The media is awash with advertisements with the hashtag #PMBDIDIT and signed by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and referencing so-called achievements of the APC administration in the states of Abia, Kwara , Lagos, Ebonyi, Delta and Kano, among others. These are without doubt 2019 presidential campaign materials produced by the Ministry of

Information and Culture using state resources and apparatuses to benefit President Buhari. (See attached videos).

“This appalling conduct, which is clearly in violation of Section 100 of the Electoral Act, is even more shocking when it is recalled that the state resources being used to the illegal advantage of President Buhari are being drawn from agencies which for over three years prior to this election failed to perform their duties to the benefit of Nigerian citizens. The Ministry of Information and Culture must stop this illegality immediately.

“We demand that INEC issues an immediate cease and desist order to both the Ministry of Information and Culture and to the broadcast channels running it.

“We also insist that INEC register the media spend behind it as part of the APC’s total N1 billion campaign spend limit.

“Fortunately, INEC is alert to this danger and itself warned the ruling party to refrain from such conduct. Now that the party has clearly flouted the law in negation of the electoral umpire’s warning, we urge that INEC sanctions them accordingly,” the statement said.

Commit to new minimum wage or forget our votes, Abia workers tell guber candidates, others UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia.

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igerian Labour Congress in Abia State has sought the commitment of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to the speedy implementation of the New National Minimum Wage of N30, 000 when passed into law by the National Assembly.

The state NLC vowed that the organised labour would not vote for any candidate who refuses to commit to the new wage.

The group, which came to the Government House on a peaceful rally to press home their demand, vowed that the new minimum wage would determine electoral preference of workers in 2019.

Uchenna Obigwe, chairman of Abia NLC, speaking while presenting their letter to Governor Ikpeazu, said they were counting on the state government to express agreement to their demands and convey same to them.

“The political behaviour of Nigerian workers is contingent upon the expeditious enactment of the new national minimum wage by the legislature before the polls.

“Nigerian workers and their families will not vote for any candidate who hesitates or refuses to commit to the new national minimum wage. For the avoidance of doubt, the new minimum wage will determine electoral preference of Nigerian workers in 2019.

“Nigerian workers and voters will indeed carry their fate to the polling station and indicate on the ballot papers their views on the implementation of the New National minimum wage by the executive,” he said.

Obigwe called on the state government to ensure that arrears of salaries, pensions, gratuities and allowances be equally addressed, adding that they are “ready to partner with the state government if the needful is done”.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in his response assured that his administration was committed to workers’ welfare and would continue to prioritise their demands.

Ikpeazu, who was represented by John Okiyi

Kalu, commissioner for Information, noted that Abia workers deserve the new minimum wage, adding that his administration was willing to pay whatever that would be agreed upon by the National Assembly According to him, “Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been paid up to date. We are worried that some parastatals are unable to pay their staff and the governor has directed that while we are ready to support those parastatals to immediately clear outstanding, all the heads of those parastatals must be prepared for discipline if they fail to pay their staff”.

Ikpeazu assured that pension arrears and gratuities would soon be sorted out.

Foursquare overseer tasks Nigerians on electoral participation ...preaches peace Daniel Obi

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igerians irrespective of creed and religion must take more than passing interest in politics to make those in government accountable. For them to also overcome poverty and have a better life, they must determine their own destinies by voting their conscience in the coming elections.

General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Reverend Felix Meduoye, according to a statement gave the charge recently on the state of the nation at the Church headquarters in Lagos.

Focusing on infrastructure deficit, insecurity, challenge of leadership and the economy, he restated that the country was presently going through trying times, adding: “There is apprehension in the land as a result of the political, social and economic issues in Nigeria.

“Political leadership has failed the nation and this evident in all levels - judiciary, legislature and executive.

The failure of leaders to provide the needed direction has left the country comatose as the nation’s human and material resources have not been well harnessed for development.”

He lamented that in spite of the nation’s huge economic potential considering its population advantage, its economy was still tottering as industrialisation has suffered fatally with low capacity utilisation, unemployment, underemployment and incessant strikes.

“Hunger and poverty are fanning embers of anger, frustration and disappointments in many quarters and Nigerians are becoming increasingly intolerant of one another. These negative features should be of great concern to all of us,” he stated.

He added that due to the parlous state of the country’s socio-economic milieu, Nigerians should use the forthcoming general elections to determine their destinies and future by voting for the right candidates in a non-violent, free and fair manner.

Meduoye, who spoke in company of other members of the Church council, stressed that Nigeria is blessed with abundant resources but the blessings have been grossly underutilized because of leadership failure.

“The forthcoming elections offer us another opportunity to determine the destiny of this country through active participation in the electoral process. Nigeria needs intervention and complete turnaround.

2019: Vote out bad government, cleric advises Nigerians JOHN OLANIYI, Osogbo

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cleric, Bishop Seun Adeoye of Sufficient Grace and Truth Ministry, Okinni, Osun State has charged Nigerians to vote out bad government during 2019 polls.

Adeoye, the spokesman of World Bishops Council (WBC) Africa, the World Federation of Churches (WFC) and the World Clergies Congress (WCC) in a statement issued at the weekend told Nigerians not to re-elect President Mohammadu Buhari.

He said his warnings against electing President Buhari were ignored by Nigerians in 2015 and that bringing Buhari back to office in the next general election may lead to more hardship for Nigerians.

The cleric said few days to the 2015 presidential election, he warned that if Buhari was elected as the president his government will cause untold hardship to Nigerians, adding that situation in the country presently has vindi-

cated him He said, “Not many people listened to me. They were overwhelmed by the ‘change’ campaign. Buhari was elected and the rest is history.

“To further sound a note of warning, I held a one-man rally in Osogbo, the Osun State capital where I emphatically declared that Buhari’s government did not bring change but ‘chain’. Few days after my one-man protest, I was visited by six heavily armed men in police uniform.

“What did we get in the last three and half years?

The primary responsibility of any government is to protect lives and property, but never in the history of any government in this country have we lost so many innocent souls especially in Benue, Taraba, Plateau, Kaduna, Sokoto and Zamfara states. Indeed, the blood of innocent souls is flowing like river in Nigeria.

“Bad enough, the governor of the President’s state, Aminu Masari Bello recently shouted out that his state, Katsina was under the siege of bandits, rustlers and kidnappers.

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Delta guber debate: AGAP vows to beat PDP, APC Francis Sadhere, Warri

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s the 2019 general election campaigns get tougher, the All Grand Alliance Party (AGAP), Delta State Chapter, has boasted that its Governorship Candidate, Brando Omu will defeat the Delta State Governor, Arthur IfeanyiOkowaofthePeople’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Chief Great OvedjeOgboru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the planned Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Delta State Council Governorship debate.

AGAP Chairman in Delta State, Prince Alex Oyoro said this in an acceptance letter addressed to the Chairman of NUJ Delta State Council, Comrade Michael, conveying the readiness of AGAP to participate in the planned NUJ Delta Gubernatorial Debate billed to hold on a date to be announced soon.

According to the letter signed by Prince Alex Oyoro, “AGAP accepts in good fate, the invitation by the NUJ Delta State Council to par-

Omu

ticipate in the governorship debate with open hearts. Our Candidate is very ready to face and stand governorship candidates of other political parties.”

“I am confident, our governorship candidate will floor Governor Okowa, Ogboru and any other person both at the NUJ debate and at the elections. They’re not the match of Our gubernatorial candidate,” he said.

Prince Oyoro said AGAP will ensure it showcases its manifestoes and the stuff that Brando Omu, the AGAP gubernatorial candidate, is made of, to convince Deltans

that they are the party to beat in the state come March 2nd, 2019.

Oyoro commended the NUJ for its bold step in organising the debate for the governorship candidates in the state, stressing that it will afford all the parties the opportunities to market their candidates.

He enjoined party faithful across the state to besiege the venue of the debate with their Permanent Voter’s Card on display and cheer up its gubernatorial candidate to intimidate and drive cold into the spines of Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa and Great Ovedje Ogboru of the APC. He further said that the PDP should be ready to show Deltans their achievements for 16 years’ reign in the state that would warrant the party to continue in office.

He also challenged the APC to show Deltans what it has to do differently in Delta State when it has failed woefully at the national level with so much suffering in the land.

He added that the option remains AGAP as the party has never been tried with power.

Ex- Benue SSG drums support for APC BENJAMIN AGESAN, Makurdi

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former Secretary to the Government of Benue s t a t e , Ta r g e maTakema has urged his people of Ipav district of GbokoLocal Government Area not to waver in their support to All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator George Akume, describing him as an asset to the Tiv Nation, and Benue State in general.

He stated this at the weekend at his country home, Takema Village, during a special New Year celebration with his community. Takema, a dexterous political strategist and retired diplomat, urged his people to massively vote for the governorship candidate of the APC in Benue State, Emmanuel Jime, who he said is well armed with the necessary knowledge to salvage Benue State. He assured leaders of the APC of overwhelming support of the people of Ipav district to the party to win all elections scheduled for February and March, 2019.

Innocent Asongo Dogo,

Hope for cancer patients in 2019 ...

Continued from Page 1

Hospital (LUTH) as part of private-public partnership programme and we are also commissioning diagnostic centres in Kano and Umuahia,” Uche Orji, managing director and CEO, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), said on AriseTV. Orji said opportunities are being wasted in the country as people still go to Ghana for cancer screening, which can be done locally.

“This is the 13th phase of the project across the healthcare in Nigeria. What we are doing is not social responsibility but commercial investment. So we are expecting to make about 8-12 percent profit in healthcare,” Orji said.

“At the moment, it is owned by NSIA and in seven years we will earn our return and over time transfer it to LUTH,” he explained.

Isaac Adewole, health minister, said last year that the National Hospital Abuja received a new cancer machine bought in 2018, which was undergoing installation and calibration.

BDSUNDAY checks show that construction work is going on at the Oncology Department in Lagos Uni-

versity Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, which will accommodate three new linear accelerators for cancer treatment and another for radiotherapy. A source at the hospital said that the project would be ready soon.

Cancer is responsible for the deaths of 72,000 Nigerians yearly, according to Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA)’s 2019 research.

Only four out of 11 radiotherapy machines in Nigeria are functional.

Cancer is sometimes a result of lifestyle, diet, age, alcohol, chronic inflammation, and hormonal changes, among others.

Francis Abayomi Durosinmi-Etti, consultant, clinical oncologist and chairman of National Programme on Cancer Management, said in a recent interview that many cancer centres were being planned for places such as Epe (Lagos), Ibadan (Oyo State) and Ogun, among others.

“Government is aware of the need of cancer care and is trying to increase the number of machines and facilities for treating cancer, including training of staff. With all ongoing projects, in the next two to three years, the situation of cancer treat-

ment would have been a lot better than it is now,” Durosinmi-Etti said.

A review of the budgetary provision for 2019 shows that N780 million is for the establishment of chemotherapy centres. The nine benefitting tertiary hospitals will be University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri, and FMC in Abeokuta.

“This will help deal with all the different aspects of the prevention, early detection, accurate diagnosis, treatment and palliative care that are important,” said Chukwumere Nwogu, a cancer epidemiologist, thoracic surgical oncologist and chief executive officer, Lakeshore Cancer Centre.

Experts say that the cost of cancer treatment is high, which is why patients need urgent assistance. Durosinmi-Etti said a configured linear accelerator costs about

$4 million and if accelerators, accessories, stimulators and the treatment planning system are added, it will go as high as $5 million, depending on the type of model and year of manufacture of the machine.

“I know at the National Hospital, with the least equipment to treat a patient, the minimum you pay is about N600,000 ($1,666), but it is cheaper if you compare it with getting the treatment in Ghana,” he noted.

Durosinmi-Etti said that cancer treatment in Ghana costs about $10,000$20,000 minimum; in India about $25,000, and about $40,000 in America.

“So if you look at that, the cost compared to the N600,000 being paid at the National Hospital in Abuja, I think is a fair deal,” he said.

Durosinmi-Etti said cancer treatment has always been expensive for the patients and their families and was yet to be covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

“If the country finds a means of getting the money, whether through the NHIS or even some other means of support, then patients can get treatment at a proper price and also service will be kept going,” he said.

who spoke on behalf of the community, appreciated Akume for his love to the people of Ipav making it possible for them to hold exalted positions in government. He urged the party leadership to device a more proper way of rewarding party loyalty after the 2019 elections which he believes APC will win at all levels.

A member of the House of Representatives for Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency, John Dyegh expressed joy in the fact that Takema has not only been healed but has the capacity to participate actively in political activities.

In a remark, governorship candidate of the APC

Takema

in Benue State, Emmanuel Jime, promised to give the people of Ipav district their due in the affairs of government if elected as governor.

He thanked God for healing Takema and prayed for more wisdom and good health to enable the former SSG continue adding value and contributing to the development of Benue State.

In his address, Senator Representing Benue North West, George Akume described Takema as an upright and consistent brother and friend who has been a pillar of support to his community. He thanked God for his return and urged his people to give him support in order to attract meaningful development to the area.

Akume again decried the crippling of the local government system in Benue State through alleged pilfering of its funds and urged the people to massively vote for the APC as the current government in the state is already on its way out.The Ipav community decorated all APC candidates and some special guests in Tiv Traditional attire as a Mark of honour and good wishes to their aspirations.

PDP chieftain accuses Buhari of increasing poverty in Nigeria Francis Sadhere, Warri

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obinson Ariyo, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of increasing poverty in the country.

Ariyo, who spoke to BDSUNDAY on the sidelinesof the Delta PDP rally in Koko, Warri North council area of the state, said Nigerians have not had it this bad since 1999.

According to Ariyo, “Reliable records have it that Nigeria is now the world headquarters of poverty,” noting that “a lot of Nigerians are feeling the pinch of the hardship.”

He said the common man in the street does not care about what the President is saying because all they wanted to see was food on their table.

“Man is a pleasure-seeking and pain-avoiding being.

One thing people want to see, irrespective of the grammar you speak, is food on their table. What the world’s study group has seen is that we have moved far, far below in world poverty index.

“You may not appreciate this until you go out to the streets and see that people

don’t have food to eat, people are unable to pay their children’s school fees and their own bills. What is happening now is a revolution by the people. The people are saying that they want things to be better,” Ariyo said.

The PDP chieftain urged the party to take advantage of the pains Nigerians are going through now so that they can wrest power from the ruling APC. “PDP can key into this because it is the masses that are clamouring for things to change for the better,” Ariyo added.

On security, Ariyo lampooned the Federal Government for lying to Nigerians that it has defeated Boko Haram, while people were dying in their thousands every year.

Ariyo said: “Look at the issue of insecurity in the country. It has become so bad that in a year we lose close to three thousand lives. Now, the terrorists are so bold that they are attacking army barracks. If army bases are fragile and cannot be protected where else and who else can be protected?

“Army bases are supposed to be bases of fortifications with armed trained men. If army bases are so porous and cannot be protected, then the security and lives of Nigerians cannot be guaranteed.

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News 2019: Group commends INEC for abolishing controversial Incident Forms Innocent Odoh, Abuja

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he Integrity Friends for Truth and Peace Initiative (TIFPI), an accredited independent election observer group has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for abolishing the controversial Incident Forms in the 2019 general elections.

The group gave this commendation in a statement it issued on Thursday by its Executive Director, Livingstone Wechie, stressing that the move will entrench the confidence of the Nigerian people in the electoral commission to conduct transparent elections in the country.

The group recalled that the use of Incident Forms had in the past caused some measure of irregularity as most people were either disenfranchised or the credibility of the elections were questioned by some stakeholders.

The group also welcomed the measures now being put in place by the Commission to make up for any forms of data and accreditation challenges by prospective voters during the upcoming elections even as it advised

Mahmood Yakubu

the commission to establish to public knowledge a mechanism to address issues of the large population of prospective voters with Temporary Voters Card (TVC) as against Permanent Voters Card (PVC) in which across the country many have complained of logistical constraints as a reason for their non -collection.

“This will help in avoiding the possible disenfranchisement of this category of persons. Hence community based organizations across the country should be engaged fully to aide domestic reach in helping to address

this issue knowing that most of these persons have limited education and only traditional platforms can help facilitate their access to INEC information on this matter,” the statement said.

The group also lauded INEC for the far reaching efforts towards ensuring a successful 2019 election in their preparations despite the non-signing of the controversial electoral Act amendment Bill into Law by the President.

“It is doubtless that the Commission under Prof.

Mahmood Yukubu has gone through narrow paths in

recent times in a bid to improve on election management; hence in spite of the difficult terrain particularly the unhealthy relationship between the National Assembly and the Executives as it touches INEC and other agencies, INEC was able to show great capacity and lived head above waters in the face of the almost impossible situation it found itself preparatory to the 2019 general election.

“We further commend the ability of INEC to move ahead to prepare for the election even when their budget approval by the National Assembly came too late and almost frustrated.

The first-in-history open defense of INEC budget at the National Assembly was one that has strengthened the transparency measures of the Commission during the instant period.

“We therefore urge INEC to transfer such transparency in the electoral process during the general election including opening their doors to Observer Organizations to the INEC Situation Room at the Headquarters to also observe the digital processes thereto or result collation, transmission and announcement,” the statement said.

FIRS leverages digital platforms to widen tax net in N8trn revenue target SEYI JOHN SALAU & JEREMIAH MBATA

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heFederalInlandRevenue Service (FIRS) is to leverage digital platforms in widening the tax net to meet the N8trillion revenue projection of the governmnet for 2019. In growing the nation’s revenue through taxation to surpass the N5.3tn generated in 2018, the highest revenue reneration for the FIRS, there is a need to strengthen legislation on Nigeria’s digital economy.

Nigeria digital economy is estimated to worth $88bn by 2021 with a capacity to create about three million jobs. The

FIRS in leveraging technology in tax collection, especially Value Added Tax (VAT), is to adopt the DSTV model.

Babatunde Fowler, the executive secretary of FIRS said DSTV is one of the first cooperate organisations in Nigeria to implement ‘VAT auto collect’, which has significantly increase on tax collection. “… as you pay your subscription to DSTV, the portion that is VAT is remitted straight to government and that is basically what we are calling on all corporate organisations to do including our state government,” said Fowler.

Fowler stated this at the 2019 FIRS stakeholders retreat themed, “Parliamentary

Support for Effective Taxation of the Digital Economy” held in Lagos recently.

According to Fowler, the FIRS have deployed technology in to tax administration and collection to bridge the burden on tax payers. You can pay your taxes through your phone, on your banking application at no cost.

So, in terms of the cost and even all cost of collection has gradually started going down. Basically we have to realise that those who pay taxes are those who make profit and those who earn income,” Fowler stated.

Speaking on the revenue generated in 2018 being the highest made by the service, Fowler said “It means it can be done – for the last three years the non oil revenue have exceeded the oil revenue; while the increase in tax payers has doubled within three years and Nigerians now realized the only way to get sustainable economy and get revenue is through taxation”.

Data from the FIRS also indicates a rise in taxes collected in comparison of non oil to oil revenue for 2016

– 2018. For non oil revenue, the services collected 64.99; 62.25; and 53.62 percent in 2016, 2017, and 2018 respectively, while oil revenue for the period under review was 35.01; 37.75; and 46.38 percent.

Babangida Ibrahim, the chairman House committee on finance said the National Assembly is ready to fast track legislative intervention for a digital economy. “I can assure you that anything that will bring improvement on revenue generation of government will be supported: anything that will assist government in deciding and implementing policy; we will support it,” said Ibrahim.

On the implication multiple taxation and burden of widening the tax net to bring in more revenue for government, Ibrahim said “There are many mechanism of widening the tax base; it is only when you widen the tax base that will enable you to collect more tax. Widening the tax base does not mean taxpayers are liable to pay tax – that is what most people do not understand.

WIMBIZ commends women vying for political office in 2019 SEYI JOHN SALAU

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omen in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) has commended the efforts of women vying for elective offices in 2019, particularly those going for the presidential race.

As the 2019 general election draws near, WIMBIZ said it is still on the drive to encourage women to exercise their legal rights and obligations in politics and governance.

“We salute all women who have offered themselves to serve across all tiers of governance to date,” the group said.

WIMBIZ called on all eligible female contestants and voters in Nigeria to ‘Run, Vote & Get Involved.’ “We must shun excuses and play our part in ensuring Nigeria moves ahead in 2019, and beyond,” it said.

The group congratulates the women for having the courage to step out to ensure better representation for women in the decision making circles of Nigeria.

WIMBIZ specially commend the courage of Angela Johnson, Presidential candidate for Alliance for United Nigeria (AUN), Eunice Atuejide, Presidential candidate National Interest Party (NIP), Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, Presidential candidate of Mass Action Joint alliance (MAJA), and Oby Ezekwesili, Presidential candidate of Allied Congress Party of Nige-

ria (ACPN) amongst others.

It also salutes the efforts of all the past female presidential candidates like Sarah Jibril and Remi Sonaiya, who were the forerunners to challenge the status quo and demonstrate that women can run for the highest office in the land.

According to WIMBIZ, these women have taken a critical step in urging other women to follow as statistics show that women are largely underrepresented in the Nigerian political landscape.

WIMBIZ, through its committee on Women in Politics (WIMPOL), observed that in 2015, out of the 109 seats available in the Senate, only 8 seats were won by women.

In 2017 out of 108 seats, only 7 seats were occupied by female Senators (6.5%). This poor level of representation is no better in the House of Representatives, where in 2015, out of 360 representatives, only 5.3%, just 19, are women. In 2017 the figure rose marginally to 20 (5.6% of available seats).

The numbers are equally very low across all other tiers of government. It is a proven fact that in countries like Rwanda and Norway where there is a significant proportion of women in government, development is fast-tracked. Our clarion call is specifically to get more women involved in the electoral process. Eligible women must go out and vote for candidates of their choice, and not just be bystanders in the process of democracy and nation building.

XLR8 clinches ‘Public Relations Consultancy of the Year’ award for 2nd time

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or the second consecutive time, XLR8, one of West Africa’s leading Public Relations and Communications Management consultancies, has emerged as the ‘Public Relations Consultancy of the year, 2018.’

This was the verdict of the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations at the 2018 edition of its annual Lagos Public Relations Industry Gala and Awards (LAPRIGA).

This award is following closely on a similar Presidential award by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in 2017 that proclaimed XLR8 as public relations practitioner of excellence and the “Best corporate public relations consultancy of the year 2017.” That award was issued by the president and chairman-in-council of the

Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.

Stating the criteria for the recent award, Olusegun McMedal, chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the NIPR, said “XLR8 won the award after a rigorous survey proved that XLR8 was ahead of its peers, on the basis of parameters ranging from creativity, employee relations, service delivery, relevance in the industry, processes and usage of technology for a variety of communication projects which deliver the desired outcomes for its clients”. for the recognition and dedicated the award to “our cherished clients” and his colleagues at XLR8.

“We are extremely honoured to be receiving such an important award from no less an authority than the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.”

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2019: Opposition victory in DR Congo: CUPP predicts worse defeat for Buhari Innocent Odoh, Abuja

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ollowing the victory of opposition candidate, Felix Tshisekedi in the just concluded Presidential election in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has boasted that the Nigerian opposition will inflict massive defeat on President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 16 Presidential election in Nigeria.

Tshisekedi defeated candidate of the ruling party backed by President Joseph Kabila in the keenly contested election fated to change the political trajectory of the resource- rich but troubled country.

A statement issued on Friday by the spokesman of the CUPP, Ikenga Ugochinyere, noted that the election result in DR Congo gives confidence to the Nigerian

opposition that with clear cut issues-based campaign as being led by the consensus opposition candidate, Atiku Abubakar, victory is in sight.

The coalition spokesman boasted in the statement that President Buhari will suffer the most humiliating electoral defeat of any ruling party in Nigeria due to his crass incompetence. “President Buhari is following the same trajectory which did not save outgoing President Kabila and his stooge/party’s candidate from defeat.”

The CUPP pointed out that President Kabila deployed the Inspector General of Police and Inspector General of the Armed Forces, John Numbi to intimidate voters and opposition voices. “He manipulated the Electoral Commission and thugs loyal to the Kabila government burnt the Commission’s office without any sanctions.

Leading opposition voices were dumped in jail just for expressing their fundamen-

Buhari

tal rights of free speech and many fled to exile.

“Despite all these, Congolese citizens spoke loud and clear that they were fed up with the Kabila Government,” the statement said.

Ugochinyere said further that Nigerians are patiently waiting for the opening of ballot on the 16th February to show the desperate non-performing and corruption-loving government of President Muhammadu

Buhari the way out of the Presidential Villa.

“The tenure of Mr. Ibrahim Idris as IGP has since expired, the niece of the President has been appointed by INEC as the Chair of the Presidential Election Collation Centre Committee. Military has been deployed nationwide under the command of APC point men and leading opposition figures and businesses are being hounded and emasculated.

Dufil Prima Foods to float vegetable oil processing refineries in Abia UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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ufil Prima Foods Plc, maker of Indomie Noodles, has performed the foundation-laying ceremony of two palm oil refineries in Amokwe and Okai communities in Item, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.

The company said that the development is in a bid to reduce cost of production, boost the economy and source for raw materials locally.

The organisation has acquired large expanse of Palm plantations, including virgin land where new breed palm seedling (Tenerra) would also be planted by Foods industry

The two separate locations of Okai and Amokwe communities of the town when completed would be producing vegetable oil.

Nnenna Ejekam, the Legal Adviser of Dufil Prima Foods Pls while speaking at the ceremony, said that the palm oil processing refineries were being established not only to create employment in the rural areas, but to comply with the directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN that all foods related companies should set up plants locally to produce their raw material needs.

This move the apex bank, noted would not only boost the local economy but stop the importation of their raw materials from Malaysia.

It could be recalled that Malaysia took some oil palm seedling from Nigeria to develop but today the country ranks number in oil palm production and one of the mainstay of her economy while the crops which made Eastern Nigeria economy thick during the regime of Michael Okpara as the Premier in the early sixties.

But following the discovery of oil the Agricultural sector which was the major income earner for Nigeria was negated.

According to her, the last days of 2018 would ever remain fresh in the memories of item people as it would serve a new dawn of would boost palm trees and the oil which has for long remained

Kingsley Ogba Nwokoro cutting tape during the ceremony while other stakeholders watch on

a source for the wealth of the community”.

Ejekam said that with the establishment of palm oil refineries in Item by Dufil Prima Foods Plc, “poverty, criminality will be eliminated as the youths will be gainfully employed and creation will be witnessed by the people of Item of Item.

She explained that the project has three stages such as: acquiring virgin land, the mill and the communities leasing out palm trees to Dufil Prima Foods Plc. The legal practitioner stated that before their own palm trees would start fruiting, the company would be using the leased palm trees from the communities to service the refineries while urging the people to ensure adequate security for the mills and workers.

Kingsley Ogba Nwokoro, the President General of Item Development Association while speaking at Amokwe Item during the sword turning ceremony for the two factory sites, said that Item people were happy with the company for siting their projects in their place.

Nwokoro noted that with the coming of the company into Item the people would support them and ensure that they and their materials would be given all the security and protection they require to succeed.

Ibom seaport to attract $2.5 bn investment ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo

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he Ibom seaport in Akwa Ibom State is expected to attract $2.5 billion investment when the project is completed.

To be executed under the Public Private Partnership between the federal government and a group of investors, contract for the project which on completion would help in decongesting Lagos ports will be awarded in April this year.

Chidi Izumah, Acting Director General of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) stated this during a high level stakeholders retreat on Public Private partnership (PPP) held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

“Ibom Deep Seaport is a PPP project that is going to bring $2.5bn dollars of investment and change the landscape of infrastructure in the country.

“It will have solutions to traffic congestion in Lagos port because those goods that normally go to Lagos will come here; this has been done in partnership with ICRC. “I can assure you before April, the contract for Ibom Deep Seaport will be signed and the approved consortium will start immediately.

“The President is committed to developing infrastructure, without infrastructure, we cannot have inclusive growth and development.

“The stakeholders conference is to redefine our strate-

gies and create investment to develop infrastructure across all parts of Nigeria,” Izuwah said.

In her remarks, Imeh Okon, senior special assistant to the president on infrastructure said the Federal Government has invested about N2.7 trillion in the development of infrastructure in the last three years.

According to her, some of the dividends include the the N100bn that has been injected into rail project.

She said that the federal government was committed to the development of infrastructure in the country, adding that infrastructural development enhances growth.

The presidential aide, however, said that revenue generation was a major challenge since the country depended on oil as its main source of revenue and the price of oil was not stable.

“So we are going to partner with the private sector to develop most of our priority infrastructure projects.”

In his opening remarks, Gabriel Aduda, the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, office of the Secretary to the Federal Government said that the retreat was for the improvement of infrastructure and its delivery in the country.

Aduda hoped that the retreat would galvanise and look at the legal framework and operational framework to ensure sustainable infrastructure programme in the country.

Cleric predicts victory for Ihedioha ...Advises him to remember Hgor/Okpala LG SABY ELEMBA, Owerri

I

n a special programme hosted by the True Believers Assembly, a world Church organisation, Reverend Eric Onunji, general overseer and a prophet renowned for true manifestation of his prophetic utterances has predicted Victory for Emeka Ihedioha, governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, even as the elections commence in a few weeks ahead.

It would be recalled that in 2015 he predicted the result of the presidential election and the gubernatorial election in Imo State and they came out true as predicted, he predicted also the result of the election of the late Independence Ogunewe (Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency) the result came true as predicted, he also predicted the election of Mike Iheanetu (Aboh Mbaise State Constituency) it came true, now he has sent words to Emeka Ihedioha and related the massage of victory which he said was a revelation from God to him.

“Emeka Ihedioha will win the governorship election of Imo State this year, 2019.

Because he has honoured this invitation, God will honour him this year; he will rule from the government and with the fear of God; with God all things are possible”, he said.

“We are not interested in your money or to tell you to raise funds for us but you are here because of what God said we should tell you, what he, God, has said about your victory at the polls,” he further said.

Emeka Ihedioha, however, was unavoidably absent and was represented by Kizito Onuoha and Kingsley Nzemechi, a lawyer and personal friend of Emeka Ihedioha.

At the church programme held at the True Believers Assembly headquarters, Nnorie in Ngor/Okpala Local Government Area, the crowd was huge. The Tuesday programme with the theme, ‘Push until something happens’ featured deliverance, salvation, healing, breaking of curses, yokes among others.

The Guest Minister was Pastor Kingsley Nwachukwu from the Eleutheria Ministries, Port Harcourt.

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PhotoSplash

L-R: Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Senate President; Atiku Aubakar, presidential candidate, Peoples Democratic Party, Umar Nasko, governorship candidate, Niger PDP and other PDP chieftains, addressing the mammoth crowd, at Pic by Tunde Adeniyi the party’s presidential campaign rally in Minna, Niger State.

L-R Marcellus Iheme, Egwu Ite 111 of Umuezegwu, Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area, Imo State, presenting certificate of chieftaincy title to Ikechukwu Mbadugha, as the otawa-ike 1 of Umuezegwu, during the title confinement ceremony in his palace recently.

L-R: Yemi Osinbajo, vice president; Rotimi Akeredolu, governor, Ondo State and Kayode Fayemi, governor, Ekiti State, at the burial ceremony of the Late Federick Fasheun in Ondo City, Ondo State.

Ifem Orji, coordinator, Legacy Initiative International Advocacy (LIIA), U.S. Chapter, (l), with Ben Okoyen, consulgeneral of Nigeria in New York, during the LIIA’s delegation visit to the Consulate-General in New York. NAN

Ifeanyi Okowa, governor, Delta State (2nd l) inspecting the guard of honour during the inauguration of the 63rd Brigade Nigerian Army, along Anwai Road, Opposite Government House in Asaba. NAN

Muhammed Abubukar, governor, Bauchi State (l) receiving the 2018 Ahian Pre-season Tournament trophy from the chairman of Wiki Tourist Football Club, Abdullahi Zubairu, at the Government House in Bauchi. NAN

L-R: Wale Elekolusi, chairman FCT, Water Sanitation and Hygiene Media Network (WASH); Saheed Mustapha, coordinator policy and sector capacity WaterAid Nigeria; Hamzat Lawal, Connected Development (CODE), and Demilade Odu, programme coordinator CODE, during the signing of MOU between CODE and WaterAid Nigeria on ‘’ Insisting on Social Development and Prosperity through the Ballots Project: Taking Vote for Wash to the Grassroots held in Abuja. Pic by Tunde Adeniyi

Godwin Obaseki, governor, Edo State acknowledging cheers from members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), during his ward-to-ward campaign in Egor Local Government Area of the state.

10 Inside Lagos

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Sunday 13 January 2019

‘Gele’ tying: Big time business at social events Lucy Osuizigbo

I

t is generally accepted that a typical traditional African look of a female is not complete without a headgear, which is popularly known in Nigeria as `Gele’.

As such, tying gele has lately become one of the most popular fashion accessories for women of different ages.

Gele is wrapped or moulded into a specific shape on the head.

It is usually made out of heavy or stiff fabric; the most common fabrics include sego, aso-oke, ankara, damask and brocade, as they are stiff enough to hold together and flexible at the same time.

Stoning, beading and sequencing are ways to accessorise gele depending on an individual’s fantasy and taste, to make the gele unique, richer and charming.

The most likely places one can see women in gele are society weddings/engagement parties, chieftaincy title parties, housewarming ceremonies, churches and parties generally. It is worn as a matching piece.

Innovation is being introduced to the tying of the traditional headgear which has been changing the definition of Nigerian fashion.

In fact, to attend a party without a gele will be considered a fashion `faux pas’.

Side rose, flowery umbrella, infinity pleats, perfect rose, orente gele, take-a-bow gele, icon gele, butterfly gele, couture gele and others are some of the styles that look really elegant and outstanding.

Checks at wedding parties in Lagos recently show that this trend is so entrenched, so much that women now queue, even at occasion venues, for experts to tie gele on their heads.

In some places, it costs N500 to tie a gele.

Some women interviewed in Lagos said it was difficult to tie some trending gele styles by themselves, so they paid to get the exotic styles from professionals who were on ground at venues to make their earnings.

Ashionye Ekuh, a civil servant, said she tried tying the trending styles but could not get it.

“I spent a lot of time trying to tie my gele into the infinity pleats style but I could not get it. “ I just tied it anyhow and when I got here I saw these ladies skillfully tying the gele at the cost of N500, so, I decided to patronise them,’’ she said.

Another woman, who simply identified herself as Kudirat said that it was cheaper tying her gele at the party venue than going to a beauty salon or make-up studios where she would pay N1,000 to get her gele tied.

Enimien Adiangbe, a 61-year business woman, said she decided to join the queue to make herself look good and be a part of the latest fad.

“In our days we tie our gele anyhow, as long as it fits, we are

Women tying ‘Gele’ at a party in Lagos (NAN)

good-to-go; but, these ‘New Skool’ styles are very beautiful; you need to be talented to tie them.

“I do not know how to tie these latest styles, so, when I got here and saw these girls at work , I had to untie my ‘Old Skool’ style so they could make me feel among the ‘New Skool’ generation,’’ she said.

Rose Agosu said she decided to patronise the girls because of the skills, creativity and dedication they put into what they do.

“I was impressed by their talent. It takes a skillful, articulate and patient individual to get that gele tied neatly, beautifully and quickly.

“I admire what they are doing. It is better than doing shady things to earn a living or depending on somebody somewhere to give you money; they should be encouraged,’’ she said.

The girls were seen whipping the gele materials into graceful folds and arcs in less than 15 minutes per woman; folding the gele fabrics into head turning shapes that left the women at the party impressed.

One of the girls tying the gele, Thelma Okwara, said that she charged N500 per person and made a range of N5,000 to N7,500 from tying gele and making women look regal at each party location.

“I graduated since 2010 but I could not get a job, so I went to learn gele tying and make-up for six months.

“You know it is not easy to pay for a shop in Lagos.

“I therefore improvised by making myself a mobile shop.

Every weekend, I go out with my make-up box and a plastic chair, gate-crashing in party halls and event centres in Lagos.

“There is no how I will not stumble on people having one celebration or the other. Lagos is well known for parties, so I am

taking advantage of that to make a living,’’ she said.

Another lady, Dunni Ayanwale said that taking her creativity and services to the women at parties was easier and more lucrative.

“I always look forward to gatecrashing Lagos parties because I make more money there than when I sit and wait for them to come patronise me in my salon.

“At my shop, I charge between N700 and N1,000 but here, depending on the situation of things, I charge N300 or N500. It can also be overwhelming when you will have to attend to over 15 to 20 people, especially on Saturdays.

“It is not everybody that can tie these new styles of gele.

“I had to spend money to learn it and I am happy that I am making money from it to take care of myself and my family,’’ she said.

Also, Aisha Jimoh said that the fashion sector had big and good business opportunities as women were willing to spend money to look beautiful, dress with confidence, wear latest fashion and feel self-assured in all situations.

“Gele tying is an art that takes practice, patience and often times a well-toned arm, but once tied, a gele can make any woman look regal.

“Gele is also an aspect of culture that makes women feel

At my shop, I charge between N700 and N1,000 but here, depending on the situation of things, I charge N300 or N500

beautiful no matter the occasion; so, I make money from making women look good.

“Some good Saturdays, I make N10,000,’’ Jimoh said.

A Lagos-based make-up and gele tying tutor, Doris Elekwachi said that gele is one fashion item that can never go out of trend as it has been modernised, with different creative ways of tying it being invented daily.

Elekwachi said: “there is no beauty to gele if it is not artfully or skillfully tied; which is why gele tying holds a big basket of business opportunities for the nation’s fashion and style sector of the economy.

“I can confidently say that I am gainfully employed with this skill.

“I charge N25,000 to train people for two weeks to one month. I get calls for home service and I charge between N2,000 to N5,000, depending on the distance.

“Many of the gele styles invented daily are being acquired and learnt; which makes it a profit-making venture for both the trainer and the trainee.

“Geles are the future of the traditional and modern fashion and it is an opportunity for young people in the country to be gainfully employed without resorting to government’s intervention.’’

A visit to some training and empowerment centres in Lagos to see how they operate and add value to nation’s social and economic growth was revealing.

At the Youth Empowerment Nigeria (YEN) Centre, Egbeda, Lagos, gele tying is one of the numerous skill acquisition programmes organised by the centre on a monthly basis.

YEN charges N19, 500 for two to three weeks professional make-up and gele tying training to include training manual, practical materials and certificate.

Chris Kohol, the ational president of YEN said that YEN’s way

of reducing unemployment in the country was to create more entrepreneurs, empower them with funds, capacity building and business tools.

“The biggest challenge in Nigeria today is the challenge of unemployment; it has led so many young people into stealing and other vices that can hinder their destiny.

“However, we have so many crafts that can solve this problem.

“One of them is headgear tying. We live in a part of Nigeria where people love to attend social events looking trendy.

“We give a professional and comprehensive training to our students on how to tie gele, give make-up services and make their clients look beautiful for events.

“Many Nigerian youths are gainfully employed from just tying headgears or scarf for women at parties,’’ Kohol said.

Rita Daniels, owner of Ritzdecor and Craft in Ojo area of Lagos, urged Nigerian youths to put their talents to good use if they must survive the current economic hardship.

“I think it is high time we started calling on the creative ones among the youth to find out what they can do for a living and create their own career.

“I have been in this business of tying gele for over five years and I can tell you that the opportunity for empowerment is huge.

“Every week, women attend parties and in trying to look trendy, they dress to `kill’.

“You can make a fortune by just offering yourself at events to help knot a tie for one or two persons and by making the bearer look trendy you earn something.

“It is not so difficult to tie gele; what is really difficult is your decision not to learn.

“Today’s youths will only survive the economic hardship if they can learn to do new things,’’ Daniels said.

Sunday 13 January 2019

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Lagos and the defining moments of 2018

Publisher/CEO

Frank Aigbogun editor Zebulon Agomuo DEPUTY EDITOR John Osadolor, Abuja

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

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS Fabian Akagha EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DIGITAL SERVICES Oghenevwoke Ighure GENERAL MANAGER, ADVERT Adeola Ajewole ADVERT MANAGER Ijeoma Ude FINANCE MANAGER Emeka Ifeanyi MANAGER, CONFERENCES & EVENTS Obiora Onyeaso SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER Patrick Ijegbai CIRCULATION MANAGER John Okpaire DIGITAL SALES MANAGER Linda Ochugbua GM, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (North)

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

11

F

or Lagos State, the past year was striking in diverse ways. For one, it was a year when the state government’s infrastructure renewal agenda continued on a better range across the state. Perhaps, the major highlight of this was the celebrated commissioning of 21 newly completed 21 roads and three bridges last Easter. The roads connecting the state with Ogun State were constructed with the intent of easing traffic movement and improving inter- connectivity between the two states.

The roads commissioned are Ikola Road with Odo Obasanjo Bridge – 6.4km (from Ipaja/Command to Ilo River); Ogunseye Road – 1.75km (from Ajasa/Command to Ikola Road);Oko Filling Road – 1.5km (from AIT to Ilo River).Others include Osenatu Ilo road – 620m (from Ibari Road to Ilo River); Amikanle road – 3.1km (from AIT to Ogunseye Road); Aina Aladi road – 1.9km (from AIT to Ilo River) and Aiyetoro Road with a bridge– 1.4km (from New Market/Ishefun Road intersection

to Ilo River). With the new roads, Lagos residents along the axis need not take the usual LASU-Iyana Iba course to Badagry. This has really helped in stabilizing traffic along the Lagos-Abeokuta Road as well as the Iyana-Ipaja/ LASU-Iyana Iba route.

Another equally defining event of 2018 in Lagos State was the feat accomplished by Bayode Treasures Olawunmi who broke existing record in world reading marathon. Before his record breaking feat, world record for marathon reading was set by Indian born Deepak Sharma Bajaan with113 hours 15 minutes in 2008. In setting this record, Bayode who was educated at the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and Comprehensive High School, Ketu in Lagos, began reading at 1:30pm on Monday, February 26, 2018 and ended it 3:30pm on Saturday, March 3rd .

The record breaking exploit was used to promote African literature and reading culture in Nigeria. Without a doubt, there is a sharp decline in reading culture in Nigeria while the publishing sector in the country is almost none existing. The reasons for the decline in reading culture in our land are not far- fetched. For one, reading is a tasking exercise that involves full concentration and present day youth are not really willing to embark on such obviously strenuous exercise which they believe wont yield them much money at the end of the day.

One other significant event of 2018 in Lagos was the historic visit of French President, Emmanuel Macron, to the ‘iconic’

Afrika Shrine in Ikeja, Lagos on July 3, 2018. The French President, who trained in Nigeria as a Senior Civil Servant in 2004, was so captivated

by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s Afrobeat music that he included a visit to the Shrine as part of his itinerary in a state visit to Nigeria. The visit was momentous in many ways. First, Macron is the first President to officially visit the Afrika Shrine. This is a massive approval for the clubhouse founded by Fela’s eldest son, Femi. Macron’s visit has placed the Shrine on the global map, considering the number of international media and dignitaries who accompanied the French President to the place. That visit also boosted the tourism potential of Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole. It is a huge thrust to the efforts of the current administration in the promotion of sports, entertainment, culture, music, dance and art.

In the area of economic development and growth, one of the significant moves towards boosting Lagos State economy by the state government was taken in 2018 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the State and Kano State. It was an economic partnership aimed at jointly exploring investment opportunities that are needed to create jobs and facilitate growth and development.

According to the MoU, the two States agreed to expand the level of economic and cooperation between them especially in key areas of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Agricultural Value Chain, Security, Skills Development, Information and Communication

Technology (ICT), Commerce, with a specific focus on ease of doing business, Urban Waste Management, Transportation and Power. Undoubtedly, this collaboration, cooperation and partnership between Lagos and Kano State is capable of bringing about economic sufficiency in both States and of course the entire nation.

Despite its modest achievements in opening up the Lagos economy for growth and development, the state government is not looking back in the onerous task of ensuring an economically secure Lagos where investors get adequate returns on their investments. There has been momentum for economic growth in the State courtesy high demand for related services and products including at weekends.

Also, sustenance of law and order was given a significant impetus in the past year with the signing of seven important bills into law. The Laws are Lagos State Electric Power Reform Law, Amended Land Use Charge Law, School of Nursing Law, Cooperative College Law, Cancer Research Institute Law, Amended Customary Court Law and the Yoruba Language Preservation and Promotion Law Without a doubt, the signing of these laws signifies commencement of the journey to further advance the dividends of democracy to Lagos residents. It is also an indication that Lagos is not resting on its oars, in-spite of recent giant strides recorded across all sectors in the state.

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Sunday 13 January 2019

Perspective

Addressing the menace of outof-school children in Nigeria FUNMILAYO ADEYEMI

B

y most accounts, education is the process of acquiring knowledge that can change the world as well as the people and their worldview.

In essence, education as been recognised as a human right and as an indispensable means of accomplishing other human rights.

Educationists believe that education is a potent way through which persons can be lifted out of poverty, while equipping them with the wherewithal to participate fully in the development of their communities.

The global emphasis on education delivery notwithstanding, the experts insist that Nigeria still has a large number of outof-school children.

By all means, this is not an exaggeration as the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) recently claimed that the number of out-of-school children in the country has increased from 10.5 million to 13.2 million in the last few years.

Alarming as this may sound, a recent visit to the Kano metropolis confirms that many children of the school age are still roaming the street, begging for alms but there are divergent views as to why the children are not in school.

Ahmed Mustapha, a 10-yearboy from Nasarawa State, who lives in Kano, said that he had a preference for the conventional school system there because it would give him more knowledge.

He, however, conceded that he failed to enrol in a school because of financial constraints.

He, therefore, called on the government and affluent Nigerians to rise up to the situation and make education completely free in order to accommodate the interests of poor people.

However, Kazeem Idris, an eight-year-old boy, said that he had no interest in acquiring Western education, insisting that the education he was getting from the Quranic School was enough to see him through in life.

“I don’t want to go to school; if you put me in school, I will not stay there because I don’t want it. The Quranic school is good and I am okay with what I am learning there,’’ he said.

All the same, concerned citizens have underscored the need to encourage parents, particularly those in the remote areas, to enrol their children in schools, as this would aid efforts to reduce the number of

out-of-school children roaming the streets.

Felix Ugochukwu, a parent, insisted that Western education could never be compared with other genres of education; hence the need for everyone to embrace it.

He also noted that children who were not in school often engaged in all forms of social vices plaguing the society.

Ugochukwu, therefore, encouraged parents and caregivers to support Western education and encourage their children to go to school.

“In my area, you will see a lot of children roaming the street without going to school, and nobody is questioning them.

This is one of the reasons why you see a lot of children in communities begging for alms, and in many instances, these hapless children often join bad gangs to perpetrate evils.

“Schools are built and equipped for the schooling of children. Don’t forget the fact that early education is good for children and we must realise this fact,’’ he said.

Besides, Eunice Badmus said that parents had a major role to play in the education of their children, adding that parents should also be able to influence the learning processes of their children.

She stressed that if parents failed in this regard, they would have consequently failed in their duties to oversee the proper upbringing of their children.

But in a bid to address the rising menace of out-of-school children in the country, stakeholders have been canvassing for the development of strategic plans for enforcing the child’s right to education.

Azuka Mekinti, the Education Specialist of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), said that the poor implementation of National Policy on Education had wreaked havoc on the promotion of gender equity among school-age children.

She urged the government to plan policy with appropriate considerations for gender equity, saying that the country would continue to have bad indicators and upsurge in outof-school children unless pragmatic efforts were made to close the perceptible gaps.

She said that UNICEF was already embarking on a campaign to stimulate massive enrolment of children in schools in the country.

Mekinti said that the organisation, in partnership with relevant stakeholders, was also working out modalities to reduce the number of out-ofschool children in the country.

“A lot of students are out of school at the moment and that is why it is one of the priorities of UNICEF to support the Federal Government in efforts to address the issue.

“UNICEF is also working with the government to embark on a campaign for massive pupils’

We are equally supporting government policies and programmes in education sector planning, while ensuring that the plan is reflected in budgets

enrolment to see if we can begin to change the mindset of parents to appreciate the value of education.

“UNICEF, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education, UBEC and the Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development, organised a conference of Nigerian traditional leaders on out-of-school children.

“Our organisation is also prioritising learning outcomes, training teachers and facilitators, while supporting the development of infrastructure in schools.

“We are equally supporting government policies and programmes in education sector planning, while ensuring that the plan is reflected in budgets,’’ Mekinti added.

Sharing similar sentiments, Dayo Ogundimu, an education and development consultant, underscored the need for the development of strategic plans for promoting the children’s rights to education.

He said the development of sustainable strategies for the development of the education sector would also go a long way to spur the socio-economic development of the country.

“Education should be part of the development planning processes of any country; this will enable the countries to know where they want to be in 50 years’ time.

“Several countries have put in place in programmes that are related to their national aspirations for the future. But in a country like Nigeria where you have over 10 million children who are out of school, what do you expect?’’ he quipped.

Ogundimu, therefore, called

on parents to accord priority to the education of their children so as to secure their future.

He commended the Federal Government for its school feeding programme and other interventions, adding that the government should, nonetheless, initiate more strategies to boost school enrolment in the country.

But this is not to suggest that the government has not making efforts to tackle the menace of out-of-school children.

For instance, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has pledged his commitment to addressing the issue of out-ofschool children in the state once and for all.

The governor made the promise, while receiving education stakeholders led by Abba Haladu, Executive Secretary, National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC), in Kano.

Ganduje said the state had over three million children enrolled in public schools, while almost three million children were still out of school.

He a ‎ ttributed these figures to the influx of people to the state, being the nerve centre of commercial activities.

Ganduje, however, added that the state would continue to accommodate non-indigenes because they were all Nigerians. “‎ T ‎ he number of children in school is over three million while we have the highest number of out-of-school children, numbering almost three million.

“We are doing all we can to address the issue of out-ofschool children; the answer to this is by integrating the curriculum to the Western form of education.

“Many of these Almajiri children can write and communicate in Arabic; so sometimes it is ironic to say they are illiterate, they are illiterate in the Western form of education and this is as a result of history,” he added.

By and large, development experts insist that government and other stakeholders should make pragmatic efforts to boost school enrolment and reduce the number of out-of-school children across the country.

NAN

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Politics When Udom, Ekere embrace peace ahead of 2019 polls ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo

W

ith the next general election around the corner, all eyes are now on the key political actors from all the leading parties to see how their actions would engender peace and stability in the country aside the veracity of their campaign promises.

In Akwa Ibom State, the two main political parties that are fielding candidates for the elections appear set and their governorship candidates have since presented themselves to be elected.

However, one of the issues of concern has been the security of lives and property and the need for an atmosphere of peace in the state with a population of less than six million people.

While Governor Udom Emmanuel of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is seeking a second term, his main opponent, Nsima Ekere of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is making the third attempt to be elected as governor.

Though they may have shown some level of commitment towards peace, their supporters and loyalists have tended to stoke political tension in the state through their actions and utterances, particularly on the social media.

Interestingly, Emmanuel and Ekere are from the same senatorial district of Akwa Ibom South, they have also been active players in the private sector and are also from the same ethnic nationality with many followers.

However, in recent times, the political atmosphere in the state has been so charged that many had feared that the existing peace in the state was being threatened.

So, when Emmanuel and Ekere met recently in Uyo, the state capital, during a

Governor Udom Emmanuel and Nsima Ekere, governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State respectively embracing each other.

programme organised by the Catholic Diocese of Uyo, it turned out to be the moment everybody may have been waiting for. And the question that was on the lips of many was whether they would trade tantrums or exchange pleasantries or seek to promote corporate rather than personal interest.

Indeed, the two politicians and governorship candidates of the two parties did not disappoint and they made good use of being in God’s presence during the programme by the Catholic Church.

For Governor Emmanuel, it was the best opportunity to embrace his opponent, having felt the inner peace and God’s presence.

“As we go into elections this year, let the God of peace grant us peace. I join my faith with all Christians; this is a Christian state.

May we enjoy peaceful and transparent election in Jesus name.

On his part, Ekere thanked the Catholic Church for hosting them and re-echoed the need for peace as key to development during and after the elections.

“All I am saying is that you (the Catholic Church) must continue to pray for Akwa Ibom State because at the end of the day, all that we have is Akwa Ibom State. It’s not about APC. It’s not about PDP. It’s about Akwa Ibom State.

“And you know that God knows the end from the beginning. So, even as we stand here, God knows who the next governor will be. And so, all we have to do as Christians is to continue to pray. So, please, pray for us, Sir (Bishop), pray for the political process.

We need peace and we need security. We do not need to spill the blood of any Akwa Ibom child in the course of these elections.

“I want to thank God for the peaceful coexistence of people in Akwa Ibom State. I want to thank God for what we enjoy today and Paul Apostle said, ‘We are many in this city’ because there are so many Christians praying for us. That is why we are enjoying this peace.

“I want to thank Christians for praying to God to watch over Akwa Ibom State. The world exists today because there is a church.

I want to thank God for all of us. I want to thank God for this Conference.

“Let me also say here, I want to join my faith with what my brother has said at the end of the day, it is not about us. It is about the soul of the state. It is about the destiny of this state. Whatsoever we do today as government, it is for the destiny of Akwa Ibom State.

“Everything we do in this state today is about the future of our own children. We promised Akwa Ibom people that we will not prepare the children for the future but also prepare the future for our children. What we do today is about sustainable development preparing the future for our children.”

Indeed, it was a pleasant surprise to see the two antagonists come together and embrace each other at a time political tension has almost reached a feverish pitch in the state.

Furthermore, it seems to reaffirm the adage that ‘election is no war’ and more importantly that a united Akwa Ibom would be good for all.

It now behooves the supporters of the two candidates to follow the example of their leaders by embracing each other despite their political differences, do more to tone down their rhetoric on the elections and then pursue actions that would engender peace and development of the state.

IGP Ibrahim Idris at 60 Emmanuel Umohinyang

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he greatness or otherwise of every being is always a reflection of where he stands at very critical moments of national history.

Whether in the advanced nations or developing ones, people who dare the odds, no matter the challenges, though few, usually stand out.

This is because their deeds stand them out of the crowd because they never fail to seize the moment to showcase their God-given potentials at every opportunity. That is why Nigeria can never be ignored because there is incontrovertible evidence globally that despite its battered image in the recent past, it has men and women who are global brands.

Have you bothered to ask yourself why President Muhammadu Buhari is showered unprecedented love by the poorest of the poor in Nigeria and are still yearning to vote him for second term despite the challenges facing the country?

Have you asked yourself why there was no in-fighting in his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in an attempt to succeed him when he was receiving treatment abroad like we had under the Yar’adua presidency?

This only confirms that truly perception matters in human relations because people judge you the way they perceive you.

Indeed, for the inspector-General of police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris, events of the last few years have given him the rare privilege of

writing his name in gold.

Perhaps, realising that the office of the IGP had almost been a subject of scandals in the recent past, Idris from day one dared to be different.

He did this by returning the police to the part of professionalism by ensuring its return to its core values of being a truly professional security institution.

Realising that this cannot achieved with a wave of the hand, the IGP has in the last few years motivated his officers and men for improved performance.

Under his leadership, the police force has recorded an unprecedented promotion since it was created to boost the morale of its personnel.

Recently, the salaries of police personnel were increased following the approval granted by president Muhammadu.

It is to the eternal credit of IGP Idris that this was achieved under him, though the idea could have been started by his predecessors.

For the first time, Nigerians can attest to the fact that they are seeing an institution that now treats them with respect and courtesy.

This is in line with the vision of the number one cop who believes that the police must be a friend of Nigerians and vice versa.

Recall that unlike in the recent past when cases against police personnel were swept under the carpet, the IGP has dared to be different.

He has done this by making sure that communication channels between the police and the public have been widened to

ensure better policing.

Thus Nigerians can now deal with the commissioners of police in their respective states, even as IGP’s personal telephone lines are public knowledge.

Aside this reported cases of erring officials are being swiftly handled and appropriate punishment meted to those found wanting In Lagos State for instance, a top official who killed an official of LASTMA was dismissed posthumously and an apology tendered to the family.

The police under this IGP was also at the home of a Nigerian who was killed in the cause of duty.

Furthermore, there is no gain saying that IGP Idris has restored credibility to the office he currently occupies by being above board.

Though he has his own short comings like everybody, there is no gain saying that perhaps for the first time in a very long time, this IGP has not been involved in any financial scandal.

Even those who tried too rubbish his reputation have since kept their mouths shut because they have since found Idris a hard nut to crack.

Under him, the police as an institution has no doubt been above board in the discharge of its duties.

From Kogi to Ondo, Ekiti, Anambra and Osun, the police have done the nation proud despite challenges, though there is still room for improvement.

Though the opposition People Democratic Party (PDP) may feel otherwise, nobody can equate the current police to the one we

had under the sixteen years of the PDP. The party has won elections in Kogi, Kaduna, Benue, Oyo and others with the Ibrahim Idrisled police providing security.

Even the same international community, to whom they take very issue including the mundane, was part of election observers who adjudged this election free and fair.

That the IGP has put up a superlative performance thus far is not surprising going by his background as a United Nations-trained Policeman.

Everywhere he posted, he was garlanded for excellence in the performance of his duties.

Those who know him are therefore, not surprised that he has brought sound, workable and credible reforms to the police.

Like President Buhari said some days ago while reacting to allegations that his family members have taken over certain businesses, Idris critics should also come clean on allegations against him or keep quiet.

Though his tenure as IGP may have ended, the consensus among those who truly love this country is that we still need his services especially at this time.

This no doubt in the best birthday gift President Buhari can give to the hard-working patriot as he clock 60 on Tuesday January 16, 2019.

I join other Nigerians in wishing him happy birthday on this milestone.

• Umohinyang, a social commentator wrote in from Lagos

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Politics

2019: Why Buhari will win Adamawa very clearly - Bindow Jibrilla Bindow is contesting for second term as Governor of Adamawa State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Bindow, who was a member of the 7th Senate, in this interview with selected journalists, explained why President Muhammadu Buhari will win Adamawa State in 2019 even with a sonof-the-soil, Atiku Abubakar in the race. James Kwen was there for BDSUNDAY. Excerpts:

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What will you be telling the people when you go out to campaign? onestly, there are certain local governments I may not personally go to campaign especially in the northern zone where I come from because I have done so much in terms of development in that area. They feel that I am their son and why should I come to campaign when I am going for my second term. Seeing what I have done, they know that if I return again as governor, I will do more for them. So, I will rather go to other areas to campaign. For example, if I go to Shelleng, for 70 years, they had no road. But if you go there today, I have given them an asphalt road. I promise to construct their road and I did fulfill my promise and construct a 47 km road for them with two big bridges and it is there for them to see.

Out of 21 local governments, I have projects in 19 and the projects are there for anyone to see; if it is not roads, then hospitals and schools. There are so many things that we can tell the people. In campaigning for the President, I can say that the money we are using comes from the President. The Mayo Beluwa, Jada, Ganye road where Atiku comes from is being constructed by Buhari and there is no way he will not win election there. Atiku is from that area and Bamanga Tukur is from that area also, and they did not construct the road when they had the opportunity.

Except if the people are ungrateful, they will not leave the person who is working for them to go and vote for the man who did nothing for them. If opinion molders who are coming in here have given Adamawa to APC because we have worked for the people. Even those people that don’t like me will try and work for Buhari.

You have flagged-off your campaign, what next are we expecting?

This campaign that we have flagged-off, we are going to start our local government campaign. Before then, we will zone the state into three segments and start within the zones. We have already established campaign councils in each of the zones and have already inaugurated them to campaign for the President, the governor and all other candidates of the APC. By Monday, we will start going to the local governments and to continue what the zonal campaign teams have started already. Basically, this is what we are going to do having inaugurated and flagged-off the campaign. You saw that the flag was given to us and l will now go round to give members of the Assembly and other persons their flags.

During the flag-off, you did say that President Muhammadu Buhari does not need to campaign in Adamawa and you know that this is the home state of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. Don’t you think there will be

out of the 25, l will tell you that 95 per cent of the contents of the IDP camps were not from Adamawa State. We say no, this must stop. We don’t want to say we have IDPs and it will stop us from developing Adamawa. So, we tried to send those IDPs back. Those from Adamawa were taken back to their communities and those from other communities, mainly Borno, we tried to talk to the governor to take them back and from there as far as Adamawa is concerned our security, generally is stable and everywhere is calm.

Jibrilla Bindow

a serious challenge?

Yes, as a former Senator, not only that l was opportuned to be in the Senate, l was also the Vice Chairman, Committee on Defence and l knew how this area used to be in terms of insurgency, struggling and the way our people were suffering. I was almost the de facto chairman because the chairman didn’t like coming to the North East because of Boko Haram. He is from Rivers State and he was not comfortable coming here. Honestly, after President Buhari was sworn in and we started seeing what he was doing in terms of fighting insurgency. The commitment of the President in fighting Boko Haram is what everybody here must commend. Before now, they (Boko Haram insurgents) used to go in thousands to capture villages and towns.

For your information, they even captured my own local government, Mubi the second largest town in the state. Some people will tell you that Mubi, in terms of population is even more than Yola but Boko Haram almost captured that place for 14 days and at that time, the Chief of Defence Staff, Badeh, who is now late is from there. He was in service and they captured that place and even changed the name of Mubi to Midinatumhanji Islam but immediately the President came in before you could say anything things started getting better and not only that, we in the state collaborated with the Military and with the local hunters in the entire process. The local humters really helped us. This Boko Haram thing, honestly, up till

now nobody has told me the real objective of this struggle that they are doing.

For me, it is just a bunch of International criminals that are just trying to terrorise everybody because they would go and burn churches, burn Mosques, kill children, kill women, break banks and do all sorts of crimes. So, what is it about? It has nothing to do with religion. There is no religion that says go and kill women and children. Basically, the President has done very well and even with the IDPs that were left with us in Adamawa. When we came in we had about 25 IDP camps and

...President Buhari was sworn in and we started seeing what he was doing in terms of fighting insurgency. The commitment of the President in fighting Boko Haram is what everybody here must commend

Are you saying that there is no chance for the former Vice President who is the son of the soil to defeat President Buhari?

We want to campaign based on issues.

On fighting the insurgency, President Buhari has done a lot of things in terms of community development in the State.

There’s no road today in this state, federal roads, where work is not going on. You can go and verify it. From Yola as you are going to Mubi, you will see contractor working. From Mubi to Maiduguri, people are working physically now. You can see it. From Yola to Gombe, one Chinese company is also working. From Numan to Taraba, they are on site. From Mayo Beluwa to Jada, which is where Atiku hails from, that road has been there for over 20 years, nobody has done the road. That road, Jada - Ganye – Tonga, has produced vice president, Atiku; Bamanga Tukur, the former PDP National Chairman, he is from Jada; PPS to former president Goodluck Jonathan, Hassan Tukur; the former Comptroller General of the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) is from there.

Many personalities that could have done that road are from there. So, will you go and tell those people not to vote for Buhari. This road is going on. They have seen development and change in their own life.

So, by the time we say ‘go and vote for Buhari’, they will do it. I hope you understand what I’m saying. The fact is that we can campaign based on issues. I don’t talk on anything personal. For me, it’s not politics.

Once you start personalising things, then you are not a politician. I don’t want to be part of that kind of uncivilised things. We want to campaign based on issues. Even in the state, if not because the President is helping us by bringing the Paris Club refund and all sorts of things, we cannot build all the infrastructure you are seeing.

And the people know. So, when we say vote for Buhari, they will vote. You will see Buhari winning Adamawa very clearly at the end of the day.

I want to take you back to the issue of Boko Haram you just spoke about. Your counterpart in Borno State, Kashim Shettima, wept at the Villa when he took stakeholders to President Buhari.

Would you say the government has done enough in view of the current development since they claimed earlier that the group had been degraded?

With the word ‘enough’ that you use, they

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Politics have done more than enough. If you have said they have eradicated Boko Haram, I will say no. But whether they have done enough, I will say they have done more than enough. That is what I just told you.

Before, towns were taken over. But since Buhari came, no single town, no matter how small that has been taken over by Boko Haram. You never see them moving in groups engaging in guerilla and suicide attacks. They may be looking for soft targets like markets where people are gathering and release bombs, killing people. But taking over villages and towns like before even in Borno, the case is now different. So, the president has done wonderfully well. Nobody can deny that especially anybody living in the North East, particularly we that are at the front line states – Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

Before now, if they tell you to come to Adamawa, you will not come because of the perception that there is Boko Haram. If they tell you that there was a time when Boko Haram operated here, even if you go to where they had reigned, you won’t believe because people have already assimilated into the community.

In Adamawa State, we are now safe by 95 per cent. The only local government that is under military watch is Madagali that shares border with Gwosa and Cameroon because there are mountains around there and that is where some of them are hiding. Let me tell you, my own belief is that – the remnants of Boko Haram are the locals. Like Madagali that I mentioned, it is their children who were in Boko Haram before, who are now back terrorising their own people. While looking for food, they will come, terrorise the people they know and rush into the mountain. To me, the present government has done a wonderful job especially the Armed Forces, the Army and the Air Force. The Chief of Army Staff has done a good job. He is a very strong person. They are all committed.

I worked with them in 2011 up to 2015 when I was in the Senate. I really worked with the military at that time seriously because that was my oversight job. I have key interest because Adamawa was part of it. I’m from Mubi which was also at the heartbeat of the problem at the time.

So, I can tell you elaborately that there’s a complete difference between the military of then and the current one. These are real professional and conventional officers. I relate with them personally because I was in the Senate at that time and I oversight them. I always meet them and tell them to help free my people. So, Buhari has done well specifically in the fight against the insurgents. As you know we have other problems like farmer-herders conflicts. This is a seasonal issue. Before we were born, it has been happening.

To me, sometime, I have belief that it is the politicians that are taking advantage of certain problem. Otherwise, herdsmen – farmers conflicts are things that have been there for long. There was no problem in those days. The farmers will even keep some grasses for cattle rearers.

They (cattle rearers) will offer fertiliser in return. But this is no longer happening now. It is generational change that comes with political intonation.

Are you not worried about the state of the party as it is right now, few weeks to the election?

I used to be worried but right now, we have settled ourselves and things have started

taking shape. The centre is stable now and so, there is no cause for alarm. Even the reward system has been addressed. These type of things happen everywhere. There are problems in all the parties. The PDP has more problems than the APC. Even the venue for their Presidential campaign in the South South is an issue because I learnt one of the governors is refusing to release the venue. So, you can imagine, if that is true, how they will go through election when a governor from the same party will refuse them a venue to campaign. For the APC, the governors are coordinating the President’s campaign and we don’t have problems with our people. All politics is local. So, the problems are minor and right now, I am not worried.

Some state governors are supporting their preferred candidates in other parties because they could not get the ticket from the APC. What is your take on this?

If it is happening, it is very unfortunate because in democracy, I don’t think it is acceptable for you to support another party’s candidate. That is from top to bottom, there is no chance of voting another person. It may not even work because the electorate are not that educated to be able to distinguish and when they voted for one person, the chances is that they will vote the same party all the way.

In spite of the obvious odds stacked against you, you scaled through the primaries. How did you achieve that?

It is normal; you know in politics, everybody is struggling to get a ticket. So, this is not the first time I will be undergoing

I used to be worried but right now, we have settled ourselves and things have started taking shape. The centre is stable now and so, there is no cause for alarm

primaries. I was in the Senate and I went through a lot of problems during the primaries but you know, I am always the masses’ candidates because of the perception that I can turn things around.

When I was in the Senate, I did very well and people were talking about what I did as a senator. Then in 2015, when I came for governorship, it was tough for me too, but God saw me through and in the last primaries, the only challenge we had was the stakeholders saying indirect and then the last minute they changed it to direct but we surmounted the hurdles, did the direct and we are happy.

For me now, whenever we are doing any primaries in our party, I will suggest the direct method because it is about popularity. If you are not popular, you cannot go and do direct. In the direct primaries, I got about 196, 000 votes and so I just need another 50, 000 to win my general elections because if I have 250, 000 or 270, 000 votes, I will win the general elections. So, if my party people voted me and gave me almost 200, 000, how about the general public that are happy with what we are doing? You see, development is something that you cannot hide and it is what the masses want to see especially when they are not used to seeing it. The problem I am having in this state is that I have brought change; change of development and naturally as human beings, we do not accept change just like that, we have to go through it slowly. But I am happy that the masses have understood why even some elites are struggling with me. The masses know the reasons. The good thing is that I don’t join issues with them because I do not have to. As a governor, even if somebody does not like me, it is normal. You do not have to like me. You see, in a democracy, when you want to vote for leaders, you may not have to like him; you don’t have to like me as a person called Bindow. All you have to do is to go for competence.

Like, going for a re-election now, people should just base their analysis on what I have done or put on ground.

They should be able to assess me based on what I have done in the last three and a half years. I have constructed 397 roads in this state; it is not something hidden. It is physical and everybody knows because where they know there were no roads before, they are seeing roads now and there are four General Hospitals that we have in this state and I have built a complete new

hospital in Numan. With the little money we have, we have renovated the Specialist Hospital in Yola. We have renovated the Ganye Hospital. Where I come from, Mubi, if you go there now, you will think it is a specialist hospital and with some NGOs trying to assist us by bringing some machines and the resources of the state is nothing to write home about. When we came in, there was nothing. Even mere salary of the state was not paid. There was about seven months arrears that the former governor refused to pay. So, of recent, I have been able to offset the areas with about N5 billion because this state is a civil service state. They say, yes I am laying infrastructure, but they also want their stomach infrastructure by way of salaries taken care of too and of course people must eat. If there is any country or state that cannot pay salaries, that country or state is a failed state because personally, paying salaries is not a yardstick for performance. It is compulsory that you pay people because they are working. So, it is not a developmental yardstick. You cannot say because this governor is paying salaries, then he has performed.

What is your position on the raging debate over an increased new national minimum wage?

As far as we are concerned in Adamawa, whatever the Federal Government agrees to, we also agree to. I cannot do otherwise.

How did you get money to do the work you have done in the state?

I don’t get any extra money. But, coming from a private sector back ground, I know how to manage resources. For your information, management of resources and human being is what makes a good Governor because it is not easy to manage human beings and then you must know how to manage resources. That is where the difference is and that is why you can say this Governor is doing this or that. Most importantly, God is on my side. I am a prayerful person and I believe in God especially now that I know that I don’t have anybody but God. We see Organised Labour at your reelection rally. What is the magic in getting them on your side?

Whatever I do, I carry everybody along.

Whatever I do in the state, even if it does not affect them, I call them in and they see how I do it. I have been paying their salaries and do not have problem with them. I am always with them and whenever they invite me, I am always there for them.

Where do you draw your inspirations from?

Honestly, I have passion to serve and I want to serve my people. Also, I know that the God who decided to anoint me to be in this office has honored me. So, when God gives you a position like Governor, you should not play with it. Try and leave a legacy so that when you leave, people will point to it and say you did this and that because one day you must leave that office. It is either your tenure will finish and you go or you die. So, something must happen and you leave that office and when you leave, people will point to that legacy. So, what is driving me is the passion that I want to serve and make people happy. Probably that is because of my background because that is what I grew up and met my father doing.

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Politics I want to liberate my people from maladministration in Abia - Ajaegbu Chidi Onyeukwu Ajaegbu, senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Abia Central, in the forthcoming general election, a former president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), a stock broker and investment banker, says he is in politics to liberate his people from maladministration. He spoke with GODFREY OFURUM in Aba. Excerpts:

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Do you think you stand a chance, as a greenhorn in politics? f you are talking in terms of elective position, yes, I have not contested an elective position before, but since 1999, I have participated actively in politics. And I want to put it on record that there is no politician of note from the Ngwa extraction that has not in one way or the other benefited from my support. From Enyinnaya Abaribe to Nkechi Nwaogu, Ezuche Ubani, Onyema Ugochukwu, Solomon Adaelu-my younger brother and of course Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, whom I expected much more than the comedy that we are witnessing.

You supported Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in 2015, and why are you withdrawing your support in 2019?

I am withdrawing my support for Ikpeazu, because of total lack of performance, not meeting the minimum expectation of the people that elected him into office, not being able to identify that Theodore Orji and his family are the major challenge the State has had in the last 20 years, not recognizing the fact that the interest of the State is far above anybody or family in the State and not rebuilding Aba and the economy of Abia State.

Was that why you left the People’s Democratic Party?

Yes, in the first place.

How come you hold a different view about the achievements of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, when some stakeholders in the state are applauding his efforts so far?

I am sure you live in Aba and from your conclusions, you can deduce whether he has done well or not. So, it is not about me, but about what we see on-ground. It does not take a rocket scientist to renew the infrastructure of Aba. It does not need federal allocation to renew the infrastructure of Aba. The State and Local Governments in Abia State collect between N3 billion to N4 billion every month.

I say between the Local and State Governments, because the State Government controls the Local Governments. And in our parlance in accounting, what we look at is substance over form or reality over legality.

So, I can conclude without any equivocation that the Abia State Government gets about N3 billion to N4 billion every month.

Let’s assign a zero value over that in terms of renewing the infrastructure of Aba without getting entangled with the appropriation of the monthly allocation.

Aba could probably have about 80 to 100 kilometer road network, strategic ones (I.e, core inner strategic ones) and if you say that a world class road that will last 20 to 25 years, will cost between

Chidi Ajaegbu

N150 million and N200 million per square kilometer, what that represents is that with N30 billion to N40 billion, you can effectively rebuild Aba road network over a period of time.

And what that therefore, means is that you can actually source funds outside these subventions to fix Aba over that period of time, knowing full well that it is not a one-off thing, it is not a bullet payment.

Payments are made on achievement of milestones. If you give a 500-kilometer road contract, you pay, may be at every 10 kilometers, so the N30 billion to N40 billion is not needed immediately. It does not have to be accumulated and put aside.

What therefore, that means is that, if I give you a contract of N30 billion, if I have about N3 billion in the next 30 days, I can get you to start work and every 90 days, I will look for N3 billion to give to you.

It is also important that we should recognise that every Aba citizen or resident will appreciate effectively that there is a true and genuine intention to fix Aba. And therefore, for them to pay tax, what we call tax psychology will come into play.

They will be willing to pay tax, knowing full well that you show transparency.

You can even dedicate accounts where they will pay some specific tax to fund the renewal of Aba network. And when they see that the contractors are of international standard and that there is transparency in what you are doing, I can assure you that some people can overpay what you ask them to pay.

Yes, it has happened in Lagos. And that is not to say that we don’t have leakages in Lagos, but the point am making is that if there is genuine intention to fix Aba roads,

then you can actually do that without relying on subventions.

You can do that through your internally generated revenue, you can do that through some sorts of financial engineering, you can get multilateral institutions to support renewal of Aba infrastructure, knowing full well that at some point in our history that Aba was the commercial hub of Central and West African trade.

The multiplier effect of getting Aba right, will flow across into other countries.

So you could have multilateral agencies, using empirical studies to support your request to fix Aba infrastructure and it does not stop you from whatever it is, you are doing with the subvention, all that is required is an approval from the State House of Assembly and not even in most cases.

You can appropriate the subvention and then have a financial mechanism of funding the renewal of Aba and you will have nothing to lose, after all Government is a continuum, it is not your money. Even if you are borrowing, you are doing that in the name of Abia State and not necessarily your money.

But the problem we have is that some of our people see the State commonwealth fund, as their individual fund. And by giving contracts, they believe that they are spending their individual resources, meanwhile this mandate is given to you to hold in trust and therefore all resources that are associated with this mandate should actually be the peoples’ money and you should be accountable for it.

But that is not the mindset and that is why you hear things like security votes that are bigger than the salary bill of the whole State for one or two persons to

appropriate every month.

People are walking about aimlessly hungry, dropping dead for lack of food, for lack of payment of salaries and pensions.

What I have to say is that these people that drop dead, these families that can’t buy basic medicine, people, who die because of typhoid that could be handled with just N5,000, because they do not get their salaries and because you failed to deal with these basic things that you are supposed to deal with, attracts generational cause.

So, the point I’m making is that Aba, can be fixed without Federal subvention, if truly we want to deal with it.

You are gunning for Abia Central Senatorial seat and you are facing two strong opponents, somebody, who had been in the Senate for 4 years, standing for APC and another candidate, who is seeking re-election on the platform of PDP, how do you see your chances and strategies of defeating these two candidates?

It is even written in the bible in Ecclesiastics chapter 3:1, which says that there are seasons for things. If in 20 years or 12 years, you cannot find a solution to the ills of the society, it simply means that you are clueless about the solutions and therefore it will be criminal to seek to influence to lead these people, if after 20 years you’ve made them worse than they were.

Nkechi Nwaogu has no business coming back or attempting to come back to the Senate. Whatever it is that she forgot, she should tell me, I will collect it for her, from the Chamber. Coming to Theodore Orji, I strongly believe that he is the major problem the state has and the reason why I have come out, is to challenge him.

He has been a chief of staff for 8 years, governor for 8 years and senator and super governor for nearly 4 years and don’t forget that this gentleman retired from civil service, so he must have done 35 years in service. And I think Abia State has deteriorated under his watch. And I think he should bow out from the leadership of the state. There is nothing more that this gentleman can offer to this state.

What are your chances?

In 2015, Theodore Orji got 44,000 votes from Osisioma. He lost in his Local Government, and lost everywhere and he was losing to a guy that did not even contest for election in the true sense of it. I am from Osisioma and it is unlikely that that scenario will repeat itself in 2019, because coming from Osisioma, guarantees me some votes. So, I think I stand a very good chance of defeating my opponents hands down, no matter how much they play in their system.

What will you do differently, if elected into the senate?

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Politics I have a manifesto, but aside from that I also believe that APGA will win the 2019 elections in Abia. I believe that we will win in all positions, because the people are yawning desperately for change and the elites cannot continue to keep quiet, while things continue to go wrong. And that is why people like us came into politics.

In 1934 when Adolph Hitler was coming into power, some Jews and elites among that society in Germany, felt unperturbed, by the anti movement of the Nazi Party and that consumed over 60 million people.

Abia State is not working. Abia State is a failed State; Abia Central has no representation anywhere. So, when I get into Senate, one of the first things that I will do, which is in my manifesto, is to invest in education.

I like education a lot. I know that it won’t cost me more than N1.4 million to fence a primary or scondary school on an acre of land. I have done it before in a primary school, located in my village. We need to create a conducive atmosphere for the pupils to take their lessons. We need to also upgrade the quality of teachers, who are teaching these children, by organizing refresher courses for them. And in order to encourage them, we need to give more financial incentives to motivate them to attend these refresher courses.

We need to expand our scholarship scheme to indigent, but very intelligent students.

We will also develop vocational centres to take care of students that couldn’t get into the University, in the 6 Local Government Areas of Abia Central.

Environmental upliftment If you pass through Osisioma, you will find out that we are living on top of plastic waste. I intend to partner with a foreign firm, using the Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme to develop a cottage industry that will recycle this plastic waste and convert them to plastic bottle waters.

How will it work? When you bring your plastic waste to our reception area, they will weigh it and pay you some money, clean it, melt and remold it and sale it.

If we get the economic model right, it will be self sustaining and have important effect on the economy of the people, because people will be paid for picking up plastics on the road. We will process it, convert them to pharmaceutical and plastic water bottles and sell it to companies that need them.

And we believe that over some years the impact will be felt. We believe that it will go a long way, if we get it right to start living in a clean environment.

I believe strongly that we need to rebuild infrastructure, especially the ones that we think are strategic. For example, the road between Osisioma junction to Eke Akpara, pass the market to Owerrinta into Imo River. We can dualise it, channel the water from Osisioma and direct it into Imo River.

What you have done is to open up that axis that populates about 200,000 people.

When you open up that road, you then can modernize Eke Akpara Market, through a PPP arrangement.

Having dualised and created a world class road network into that place, you have opened up that market and people from neighbouring States of Imo, Anam-

when they died, their children didn’t know how to manage it, because they never worked for it.

So, they will sell everything. 5 to 10 years down the line, there will be nothing to sale. And by this time, they have gotten used to drugs, women and laziness. So, what becomes of the family?

Finally, let me conclude on what I want to do in Abia Central. I will also make sure that citizens of Abia Central, especially the youths are placed in the right and appropriate Federal parastatals-the army, police, immigrations, federal ministries, among others.

bra and others, will find it more convenient to pass through that ultra-modern road and get into that market. And what it means is that you will have more demand and the subsistent farming of our people, will attract more price, because when supply is constant and you have more demand, the price goes up.

And you don’t require State funding to get these done. You can actually go into fund arrangement to get it done.

These things are workable. You can think about concessioning of the road and tie the money as part of the cost of the road project or the ultra-modern market. These things are workable; you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to see that they are working.

So, when you dualise the road to Eke Akpara Market, channeling the water to Owerrinta, that will cost between N1.8 billion to N2 billion. You don’t need to do it in one year, you can do it in 18 months.

And you could actually be running that simultaneously with the development of the market.

People would move into that area.

Price of land will go up; urbanization will start crippling to these villages. The culture and way of doing things will change.

There will be new houses. These are things that can be done within two to three years effortlessly without the State putting good money, apart from seed money.

Abia State is a laughing stock, because multilaterals don’t take us serious, nobody takes what we are talking about serious.

If you go to Ikwuano, there is a bridge that just collapsed about three months ago. A bridge that is less than 100 meters, it now takes people about 3 hours to go round the bridge to be able to connect the road and that bridge will not cost more than a N100 million to N150 million to rehabilitate.

We can take some palliative measures to ensure that the road is motorable before complete rehabilitation.

We intend to do all that, because I hear there is a constituency project fund of about N700 million per annum, which is about N2.8 billion for four years, and other legitimate monies, available to Legislators to appropriate.

N2.8 billion that you expend expeditiously can clean up the whole of Abia

Central.

Portable Water A sumo costs about N45,000 in Ariaria, but if you buy these equipment in large quantity, the price will drop. A generator to power the Sumo in Ariaria is about N70,000. There is what they call mounted drilling equipment, used to drill borehole, it was about N22 million to N23 million 4 months ago. What it means is that, you over 2 to 3 years, provide portable water in all villages in Abia Central. And these facilities will be handed over to the youth associations in the communities to take care of.

Electricity I bought the transformer in front of my compound for N2.4 million. It is brand new. And if you go to Germany, you can even get better ones for less that price and so we are going to provide transformers in all the communities in Abia Central.

Road maintenance We can buy earth moving equipment for every local Government and make our horrible roads motorable, pending when there is money to asphalt them. These equipment are not expensive. A fairly used Caterpillar in the United States of America is not up to N15 million. We’ll introduce centralized fuelling system to monitor the handlers.

These things are workable and won’t stop you from living a good life.

I keep telling people in position of authority that controls common resources of the people that N2 billion you put in Federal Government Treasury Bill, will give you N25 million every month with your principal sum still intact. So, why do you want to steal N30 billion to N40 billion.

What are you spending that N25 million cannot pay the bills every month? So, if for example, you’ve gotten or stolen N2 billion, why don’t you stop stealing and now start looking at your legacy?

What they fail to understand is that these generations unborn that they are accumulating this illegal wealth for cannot manage it. Some of the boys living under the bridge in Lagos are from good homes. Their parents stole for them, and

Qualitative representation I will give my people of Abia Central qualitative representation and attract Federal presence to the zone.

Of course you’ll ask how is that going to be, as APGA is not going to be the numberone party after the election, but there is going to be a Senate President. I’m sure he or she, whoever that will emerge will need some form of support from APGA. And if we play the right politics, we will support the right person. The candidate will win and there will be some conditions.

And this thing is about interest, so we will play the politics for the interest of our people. We want to show that there are possibilities in voting for the right people.

What makes you outstanding among other contestants?

I have done everything that you’ll expect a man to do. I don’t want to say a couple of things so that I won’t sound immodest.

I have reached the pinnacle of my profession, haven attend the highest position of my profession, which is the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

All my biological and non-biological children are all graduates. I have built all the houses I need to build. My wife and I are low maintenance people. I am not going into politics to make money. I came into politics to challenge the high level of impunity in this State. I came into Politics to see what I can do to liberate Abia State, for my children to be able to identify with Abia State and proudly answer my name in this State. And most impotently, I’m a people’s person.

In 2008 when I didn’t have any form of plan to run for elective office, I gave out almost 100 motorcycles, free. It is verifiable. I was coming home one evening, some youths blocked me and said we must drink together and I came down and joined them and they made a request that they need motorcycles for commercial purposes. I told them to write their names and 3 weeks later, I delivered on my promise.

In 2004, I built a civic centre for my community, when I hadn’t a house in my father’s compound. I was still living in my father’s house., but I built a civic centre of about N16 million.

How did I do that?

I saw a widow that was crying that they seized her farming tools, because she couldn’t pay N1,000 levy for that civic centre. I called her and after narrated her ordeal, I called the person in charge to refund everybody their money and promised to build the civic centre, which I delivered in 90 days.

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Politics

Appointment of electoral umpire chief: The intrigues, politics

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JOSEPH MAURICE OGU

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is Nigeria’s electoral umpire in charge of organising elections into various state and national political offices. From the provisions of the law establishing it, INEC is an independent body mandated to deliver free and fair elections by providing level playing grounds for all the political parties and candidates vying for different posts.

In this report, BusinessDay looks at the history of the electoral body and its past chairmen.

Inpreparationthepreparationsfor an independent Nigeria, the government then established the Electoral Commission of Nigeria (ECN) to conduct the 1959 elections preparatory the 1960 independence takeover. In 1960, the Federal Electoral Commission (FEC) was established.

Its primary duty was to conduct postindependence federal and regional elections of 1964 and 1965. That commission was suspended following the military coup of 1966.

However, the FEC was resuscitated in 1978 by the then head of state, General Olusegun Obasanjo, with the acronym FEC rechristened FEDECO. FEDECO conducted both 1979 and 1983 national elections that brought late Alhaji Shehu Shagari to power, and his reelection afterwards.

During the General Ibrahim Babangida’s transition programme, he instituted National Electoral Commission (NEC) and saddled it with the responsibilities of ushering Nigerian into the fourth republic. NEC was said to have conducted the fairest, freest and most credible elections in the history of Nigeria. Unfortunately, the elections were nullified by the then military head of state, Gen. Babangida.

When General Sani Abacha took over as the nation’s head of state, he disbanded NEC and established National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON). Like others who came before it, NECON too was mandated to conduct free and fair elections.

With the sudden death of Abacha June 8, 1998, and with the emergence General Abdulsalam Abubakar, NECON died a natural. In his effort to make electoral commission to be totally independent, Abubakar established Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The guarantee of the independence of the electoral body was important for Nigerians to build trust in the Abubakar-led junta that it was prepared to conduct free, fair and credible elections that would transit Nigeria into democratic rule.

So, the inclusion of ‘independent’ to the electoral body’s name by Abubakar was highly significant.

Since its birth in 1998, INEC has successfully conducted presidential elections in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011

and 2015, making it the longest surviving electoral body in Nigeria with five presidential elections conducted to its credit. The 2019 general elections slated for February 16 brings the number to six.

Since the appointment of the current INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the opposition has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of being tribalistic in his decision to appoint someone from his tribe as the head of the electoral body. The opposition also alleges that it could be a plot by the president and the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to rig the 2019 elections in favour of the president. There have also been suggestions that, to guarantee free, fair and credible elections, the chairman of the electoral body should not come from the same tribe as the sitting president.

Its current chairman, Yakubu has promised to deliver free, fair and credible elections in February, 2019.

Critics of the present government, however, say President Buhari is not

prepared to deliver credible elections to Nigerians, citing the reason the president appointed Yakubu to head the commission. Yakubu is from Bauchi state while the president is from Katsina state. Both states fall within the same northern extraction, the move critics think is against the status quo of appointing electoral chairman from a different region from the sitting president, which in this case, is a preparatory ground for electoral irregularities, they argue.

From the table, it shows that Buhari is the only president/head of state who had appointed two electoral heads who are both from his tribe.

On the expiration of Attahiru Jega’s tenure in 2015, the president appointed Amina Bala-Zakari as the acting chairman of the commission. Outraged by this appointment, as Zakari is said to be Buhari’s niece, some Nigerians moved against her appointment and confirmation.

In a similar protest, some Nige-

rians have kicked against Zakari’s recent appointment as the chairman of the presidential election collation center committee. Kola Ologbondiyan, director, media and publicity of the PDP presidential campaign organisation said “we have been raising the flag on how the Buhari presidency, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and some individuals at the echelon of INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) have been seeking ways to compromise our electoral processes and open the way for the allocation of fictitious votes to President Muhammadu Buhari, having realized that he cannot win in a credible, free and fair polls.

“We have been informed that the Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, apparently in furtherance of the plots to rig the presidential election, has appointed Mrs. Amina Zakari, a blood relation (niece) of the APC candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, as

the Chairperson of INEC Advisory Committee and Presidential election Collation Center Committee.”

Speaking on Channels Television, Monday January 8, Yinka Odumakin, spokesperson, Afenifere, a socio-political organisation, said Zakari should not head the collation centre because of her blood tie with Buhari and her affinity to Mallam Nasir el Rufai, the Kaduna state governor. Accusing Zakari of being a controversial INEC officer because of her alleged controversial roles in Ekiti elections, Odumakin stressed that for INEC to conduct free and fair elections, Zakari needs to resign because of her “being the president’s niece and by being nominated by el Rufai.

“Check records, look at all the elections where she has been alleged to have played some roles, you always see el Rufai being somewhere in the loop around the corner. So, we can’t have this woman. In fact, if there’s honour, the best thing for her is to resign,” said Odunmakin, adding that Zakari “has become so controversial that to guarantee the credibility of INEC, she should not participate in the elections.”

Irrespective of her blood tie with Buhari, will her new role entail counting of ballots as being circulated by the opposition? Her role has been likened to the football field manager who prepares the field for football game but does not officiate the game. Her role as the chairman of the collation center has nothing to do with counting of votes or announcing results.

Her job is basically to set up the stage for collation, counting and announcing of results.

But does appointing electoral commission chairman from any political zone or tribe have a legal backing? Responding to this question, Bar John Chukwudi, an Ogun state-based legal practitioner and Secretary General of Ohaneze-Ndi-Igbo, Ogun state chapter, said the president has the legal right to appoint anyone he likes from any tribe to head the commission, even if the person is from the same state with the sitting president. He however said it is on the basis of morality and equity that the president should appoint an electoral commission chairman from a tribe different from the sitting president’s.

“It is only the appointment of the electoral commissioners that should reflect the federal character of the country but the chairman can come from any part of the country,” Chukwudi said. He was quick to add, “Look, let me tell you. In the history of this country, Buhari is the only president who has chosen the electoral chairman from his tribe.

By that action, what does he want to tell Nigerians?”

Sunday 13 January 2019

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Politics 2019: PDP heavyweights whose children and relations work in ‘enemies’ camp OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja

T

he dictum, that in politics, there is “No permanent friend, no permanent enemy but permanent interests’, best describes the alignment and realignment of forces in the current political environment in Nigeria.

With less than 40 days to the 2019 general election, some Nigerian politicians have been switching alliances even as blood relations have become sworn enemies; no thanks to partisanship.

For instance, in the February 16, 2019 National Assembly election, the fierce rivalry in Anambra South Senatorial District will be between two brothers from the same father and mother, Andy and Chris Uba. While Chris Uba, the youngest of the Ubas, secured the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for the senatorial district, Andy Uba, who currently represents the zone in the National Assembly, will contest the race on the platform of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

This is not the first time two blood relatives would square up against each other under different political parties. In August 2018, Kabir and Ahmad Babba-Kaita competed on the platforms of PDP and APC, respectively for Katsina by-election.

The election was eventually won by the younger brother, Ahmad Babba-Kaita.

The forthcoming general election has thrown up a new political trend where children of political gladiators are breaking ranks with their biological fathers and pitching their tents with rival political parties. Interestingly, while these bigwigs command large followers across the country, their children are pitching their tents with arch-enemy-infested platforms.

BusinessDay also observes that while the political heavyweights are from the main opposition PDP, their biological children are supporting the ruling APC. Political commentators have expressed divergent views on the matter.

Some opined that the children of the political gladiators want to carve out their own political brands/niche distinct from their fathers’, even as others submit that whichever way it goes, the ruling class are beneficiaries of what they termed Any Government In Power (AGIP).

Olusegun Obasanjo Former President Olusegun Obasanjo withdrew his support for President Muhammadu Buhari and endorsed his estranged vice president, Atiku Abubakar.

But Olujonwo Obasanjo, son of the former president, would have none of that, as he pitched his tent with Buhari’s campaign team.

The former president’s son who wrote a letter to the campaign team in September 2018 declaring his support for the

Obasanjo

Okupe

Galadima

Mark

re-election of Buhari, was welcomed at the headquarters office of the Buhari Campaign Organisation by Director of Logistics, Buhari Campaign Organisation, Nasiru Danu, the following month. A lot of political capital was made out of the young Obasanjo’s moves.

However, in a swift reaction, Okupe said his son was supporting President Buhari to spite him over a disagreement they had in the past.

Doyin Okupe In November 2018, Ditan Okupe, U.Ktrained lawyer and first son of Doyin Okupe, former Senior Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan, followed the footsteps of Obasanjo’s son by declaring support for President Buhari’s re-election bid.

His father, Doyin Okupe, a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and ardent supporter of Atiku Abubakar’s 2019 Presidency, is currently facing 59-count charge over alleged money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

But in a letter he sent to the Buhari Campaign Organisation, the young Okupe begged to join the campaign team of Buhari to work for his re-election.

He described Buhari as the best candidate for the top job, adding that everything must be done to prevent his father’s party, the PDP, from returning to power in the forthcoming elections.

Atiku Abubakar It is no longer news that that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is President Buhari’s main challenger in the February 16, 2019 presidential election.

What is, however, news is that while the Waziri Adamawa dumped the APC and returned to the main opposition PDP to become its standard bearer for the presidential election, Atiku’s first child, Fatima Atiku Abubakar, refused to follow her father to the PDP. The medical doctor-turned politician is currently the commissioner for Health in her father’s home state of Adamawa, an APC-controlled state.

David Mark Despite being Nigeria’s longest serving senator, immediate past Senate President, David Mark, could not stop his daughter, Blessing Onuh-Mark, from dumping PDP. According to reports, Blessing’s defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) came barely few weeks after losing PDP’s ticket for Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency to her uncle, Johnson Egli Ahubi.

Atiku

With her emergence as SDP candidate, the development means that while Mark, a former PDP presidential aspirant will support Atiku for the 2019 Presidency; he will throw his weight behind the daughter in SDP. To this end, Blessing will slug it out in the Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency election on February 16 with her uncle, Ahubi, and other contenders.

Another report claimed that she was disappointed with her father’s inability to use his influence to make her PDP standard bearer for the election.

“The truth is, Blessing was not happy with the whole drama that played out. She is also not happy because her father did not use his influence to get her the ticket.

But Mark told her to wait until 2023 but she refused. Senator Mark doesn’t want to impose his daughter on the people,” a source said.

Buba Galadima Buba Galadima, a former ally of President Muhammadu Buhari currently chairs the Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC), a faction of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

The elder statesman who was Buhari’s long henchman since 2003 and was instrumental to his victory in the 2015 election, was said to have cut off ties with the President after the last general election, accusing him of neglect and failed campaign promises.

However, since he formed his factional party alongside other APC chieftains in 2018, he has been launching scathing attacks on the President. At the moment, he is a Spokesperson of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, which has vowed to unseat Buhari in next month’s presidential election.

Like virtually all the political gladiators listed above, Galadima’s daughter, Zainab, has pitched her tent with her father’s fierce critic, Buhari, in the forthcoming election, as she currently works with the Presidency as Special Assistant on Rule of Law to Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

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Politics 2019: Anxiety grips opposition parties over plots to rig polls …Begin counter plots Innocent Odoh, Abuja

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he usual frenzy associated with general elections in Nigeria has been inexplicably lull just one month to the February 16 Presidential election, but there is palpable fear by the opposition political parties that the President Muhammadu Buhari and his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have allegedly perfected plots to rig the 2019 elections.

BusinessDay however gathered that the opposition parties are deep into their anti-rigging mechanisms to stop President Muhammadu Buhari and his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the alleged rigging. Therefore a combination of factors suffuse the political landscape, upon which the opposition especially the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) based their apprehension that President Buhari has allegedly perfected his acts to rig the election. Tenure of the IG of Police/ Decline of Assent to the Amended Electoral Act BusinessDay had reported that there appears to be no haste on the part of President Buhari to let the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Idris Ibrahim, go after his tenure expired in January 2019. There are strong indications that the President will extend the tenure of the IGP by six months. Ibrahim Idris clocked 35 years in service on Thursday January 3 having enlisted into the police on January 3, 1984. According to the service rule, civil servants are to retire on completion of 35 years in service or on attainment of 60 years of age.

The out-going IGP will however, be 60 years of age on January 15, having been born on January 15, 1959. So which ever rule that applies, the IGP will retire officially in January.

Although the President has not made any conclusive statement on the matter, the opposition has cashed in on it raising alarm that the President intends to use Ibrahim to rig the elections

because of his alleged partisanship and loyalty to the President.

There is also another disturbing issue of the declining of Assent by the President Buhari to sign the Amended Electoral Act Bill passed by the National Assembly. The President’s excuse is that the Bill came close to the elections but the opposition insists the President is scared of the provisions of the amended Electoral Act because of the electronic transmission of results, which might be difficult to manipulate.

On these issues a member of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and the acclaimed National Chairman of the Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC) Buba Galadima, expressed certainty that President Buhari will retain the IGP allegedly for nefarious reasons during the elections.

He said, “Buhari just wants to use the IGP as an attack dog during the elections and that is why we are saying that we must come and ensure Buhari goes in 2019. It is not in the interest of this country that this man (Buhari) continues; he will destroy the small success that we have made in this democracy.” On the Electoral Act, Galadima also alleged that “Buhari has already decimated one of the indices of making elections correct by refusing to sign the Electoral Act for the fear that to strengthen the Electoral Act of 2018 will stop his people from rigging and they are telling him that once he signs it that is his death warrant.” Galadima however, noted that the PDP and its Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, have also set up an “Anti-Rigging Mechanism” to counter all the alleged rigging plots of the ruling APC. He however did not disclose the details of the anti-rigging plots but added that the mechanism is potent and efficacious enough to dislodge whatever plan of the Buhari government to rig the polls.

Python Dance The federal government had earlier announced that it will de-

Buhari

ploy soldiers nationwide under the “Operation Python Dance” to provide security during the elections. However, a public affairs analyst Katch Ononuju said that the Operation Python Dance being planned across the nation is to enable Buhari to deploy partisan security forces to allegedly intimidate voters during the election reminiscent of how security forces blocked voters from voting and allegedly paved the way for the APC to win the governorship election in Osun state in September.

He alleged that because Buhari has not achieved anything in almost four years as President, he is preparing to rig the elections by writing the results and forcing people to go court, warning that this could plunge the nation into deeper crisis as the other parties will not take it lightly with the President.

“Buhari has nothing to campaign on, he has now brought in the destabilizing logistic of frightening everybody by deploying soldiers, claiming is a python dance. Those are soldiers that will allow the APC chieftains to move about freely and as they move about freely they legitimize the fraud.

So the country could go deeper into crisis,” he warned.

He also noted that the for-

mer Vice President, Atiku is a potent threat to the alleged rigging campaign of Buhari and would use his international, local connection and deep understanding of the institutions to thwart whatever plot of the Buhari group to rig the polls, which he said could trigger crisis in Nigeria. Ononuju also expressed no doubts that Buhari will retain the IGP. “The IG will stay and do the job for Buhari because Buhari is so frightened about the 2019 election that he will never entrust another person with the IGP,” he said.

And from the civil society, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), is disturbed by the growing apprehension of Nigerians that the 2019 elections might be rigged, which he attributed to desperation on the path of the political players. He told BusinessDay in an interview that it is being alleged that the security apparatus are being prepared to do what is not really seen in the conduct of election management. “That is why we want to constructively continue to engage even the security sector to let them know the implication of anything that they will do to undermine the integrity of the electoral system.

So it is a serious concern. A lot

of people believe that there are some people being prepared to come and rig the election and cause violence. This is a big concern for the civil society,” he said.

He also lamented the decline of Assent to the Amended Electoral Act Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari. He said “one of the issues is the fact that we had the problem that even the Electoral Act that was amended was not signed into law by the President. That was a setback in terms of ensuring that we have a transparent, free and fair election.

Alleged INEC’s Connivance Spokesman of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Ikenga Ugochinyere told BusinessDay in an interview that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is steadily proving to be a tool in the hands of the Buhari and the APC government to rig the elections.

He criticized the INEC draft guidelines for the election alleging that it is a leeway to rig the elections as the INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, allegedly produced the guidelines without consulting the stakeholders.

He pointed out that some of the clauses in the draft guidelines which stipulated that accreditation and voting will go simultaneously will make it difficult to know the number of those accredited and could therefore make the process easy to be manipulated. He demanded that the stakeholders want to know the number of the accredited voters before voting commences.

“INEC guidelines will be the biggest electoral heist in history. Beginning from section 8 to 11, the INEC chairman said that Smart Card Reader shall be used for accreditation. He went further in section 10b to say that the method of accreditation shall be authentication of be fingerprints. But after the two clauses where he used the world ‘Shall’, in the others, he muddled up things. Under section 10, 11, he now said that when you come to the polling unit and

your name is not on the Voters Register, but the card reader has read your PVC that you will be given a ballot to cast your vote.

“That is madness because going by the provisions of the Constitution and Electoral Act, the Register of Voters is the only constitutionally recognized instrument and basis for you to come near a polling unit. The card reader is unknown to law, that is why the law that would have made the card reader mandatory was the one that the President ran away from sign into law.

“Under the section 11 of the guideline INEC chairman said if you go to a polling unit and they put your Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to a Smart Card reader if our name is Mr Musa and when they put in the Card Reader it reads Nkechi that you will still be given ballot to go cast your vote simply because your name is on the register of voters. “The INEC chairman also said that if in the cause of accreditation and the Card Reader machine presented another person’s name that is not your own, you will vote and if you go and somebody has voted in your name but you prove you are the original person that was supposed to have cast that vote, you will be issued a ballot to vote.

“Now these people buying PVCs have you now realized that they have a reason for buying the PVCs? Were we not asking how they will use it? So in that case when I buy it and give to Nkechi and she will enter the polling unit her finger print will not be read but her name is on the register and she votes.

“So you see why Osinbajo is junketing all over the market place collecting PVCs and paying 10,000 because they know that the INEC Chairman has opened a backed door for them.

That is why the INEC chairman refused to debate the guideline and refused to involve the parties. He did not consult us, he went in the night, drafted it inside Aso Rock and smuggled into our meeting,” Ogochinyere disclosed.

Controversy as Buni retains APC Secretary months after becoming Yobe guber candidate James Kwen, Abuja

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here is outright controversy as Mai- Mala Buni, the National Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC has retained his position three months after becoming APC governorship for Yobe State in the forthcoming elec-

tions.

Buni who is serving his second term as APC National Secretary was elected the party’s governorship candidate for Yobe State during the October 2018 APC Governorship primary elections and is still holding unto the party’s Chief Scribe slot.

Though the APC Constitution has no provision that

specified whether the National Secretary should resign his position having emerged governorship candidate, his continuous grip on office is becoming worrisome as the March 2 governorship election draws much closer.

Sources close to Buni confided in Business Day that he would however resign on February 3, 30 days to the

governorship polls in line with laws of the land and to have more time to pursue his ambition which is guaranteed.

The source said Buni is still discharging his duties as the party’s National Secretary and he is not a civil servant under any legal requirement to resign his current position before contesting election but would do so for the sake

of morality and fair play to pave way for a replacement from the North East zone, particularly from Yobe State.

“You know, the method is that it will be thirty days before his election. It will be February 3 that will be thirty days to election (governorship) that is the law. The law says thirty days to election.

You know he is a politician

not a civil servant. That is why when Segun Oni went to court for Fayemi he lost. If he is a civil servant you cannot wait.

“He is still doing the work of the party because he is still the National Secretary. They will replace him from the zone, from Borno State. You can see when Bolaji left they brought Onilu from Kwara.

BDLife Sunday 13 January 2019

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Indigenous visual artists to watch in 2019

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Sunday 13 January 2019

Arts Indigenous visual artists to watch in 2019

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OBINNA EMELIKE

ith the many exhibitions, exchanges, residences and fairs, the Nigerian art scene achieved some feats in 2018 despite challenges.

However, the feats were possible largely due to the activities initiated or involving a good number of acclaimed visual artists locally and internationally.

Some of the artists who ruled last year are also set to make huge impact this year with breathtaking works, exhibitions and other exciting activities.

Top among them are: Gerald Chukwuma Chukwuma is a celebrated visual artist with an enthusiastic local and international following. He is among artists to watch this year.

You need to see the University of Nigeria Nsukka Art School trained artist unleash his bold works made from multitude of found objects and representation of an unforgettable visual language, in which he uses African symbols and patterns in refreshing new ways.

He has numerous creative works to his credit. One of them is The Nerve Centre; one of the 19 monuments commissioned by Lagos Sate government to mark Lagos at 50 celebration. The enormous installation brought from conception to life by Chukwuma is built to last for decades.

Truly, it seems that Lagos slept one night and woke up to this new landmark.

Top among the reasons to see Chukwuma’s works is that fact that the artist who has participated in more than 20 exhibitions in the last decade in Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, France, Denmark, Holland, and the United States is promising more exhibitions, collaborations and engagements this year.

On your visit to his exhibitions this year, you will discover why his works (combination of textures, lines, symbols and colours laid out on painstakingly etched wooden panels) have become auction favourites.

Peju Alatise If you want to appreciate the female folks who are in the creative industry, Peju Alatise should be among the top 10. Alatise, a sculptor, exhibits rare creative ingenuity in her works. She was among the three artists that represented Nigeria at Venice Art Biennale in Italy in 2017. You need to see her works because Alatise has gone beyond mere sculpture to exerting some level of socio-cultural influence with

Victor Ehikhamenor

Peju Alatise

Gerald Chukwuma

her work and even personality.

You need to meet her this year because of her multiple talents.

She is a sculptor, mixed-medium artist, a poet and published writer whose interdisciplinary work has garnered attention on the global art stage. She was selected as the 2016 fellow at the Smithsonian Institute of African Art and was 2017 recipient of the highly coveted FNB Art Prize, a prize that made her join the ranks of previous winners such as Nolan Oswald Dennis, Turiya Magadlela, Portia Zvavahera and Kudzanai Chiurai.

As the 2019 elections draw near, she is reengaging her passion about addressing social, political and gender-related issues as her primary subject matter, through artistic works that also capture the joy and pain of womanhood in modern-life-African traditions.

This year, she is offering her works in private and institutional collections around the world more than ever before.

Victor Ehikhamenor If you visit the Legend Hotel by Curio Collection at Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, great

artworks courtesy of the Edo State-born painter welcome you into an awaiting leisure.

To say the least, Ehikhamenor is globally renowned. He led the team of three contemporary artists that represented Nigeria at Venice Art Biennale in Italy in 2017, Nigeria’s debut at the 122year old biennale. Emboldened with the exposure and networking at the biennale, the artist is set for more creative works now and in the future.

So, follow the artist this year to see sheer creativity, especially breathtaking installations.

most recent participation at the International art fair, Art X Lagos.

She is also represented in North America , by Cuverley LLC, an art management firm based in Atlanta, USA. Her works are in several private collections in the US, Germany, the Netherlands, Republic of Benin and Nigeria.

Queen Nwaneri-Olatunde Born in 1993 in Italy, Queen is reputed for her unabashed expressions in which rich texture of colours give vent to her subject, often times in a manner that escapes conventional exactitude.

As a portraitist, she draws her themes from the mood of her subjects (women and children) as she situates them in discourses; also allowing for spatial escape (as opposed to closed finish) this opens up extensive suggestions about her artistic concerns.

She has participated in several group themed exhibitions, her

Victor Butler Butler is a self-taught artist with over 30 years of studio practice.

His works have been exhibited internationally including in Canada, England, France and the United States. He studied medicine and has worked at the cutting edge of auto mechanics, information technology, and furniture design. His impressive painting technique and deeply philosophical approach to life is evident in his surrealist style and subject matter.

You need to see Butler’s works because they show the breadth

Victor Butler

of his signature surrealist style, celebrating relationships on the personal, family and community level. Butler speaks to the soul and identity of African communities as they draw on ancestral roots within futuristic mindscapes which reference cultural identity and traditions vis-à-vis the need to preserve and conserve the natural world.

This year, he invites his viewers to stop and look below the surface at issues his works throw up, which he references through arid worlds revealing intertwined forms and rich textures which speak volumes once they are recognized in the shadows.

Of course, there are many other artists who are set to boost the creative offerings in the Nigerian art landscape this year.

Visit museums, exhibitions, auctions and fairs to meet them, see their works and also buy some as artworks now stand for bank collateral.

Sunday 13 January 2019

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Arts The intrigues of ‘Queen Moremi The Musical’ OBINNA EMELIKE

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ver the festive holidays, Queen Moremi The Musical, threw the audience into frenzy of excitement and enthralling stage performances at Terra Kulture in Victoria Island, Lagos.

At every show time, the 400-seater capacity theatre thrills the discerning audience with an enthralling stage performance of the legendary Queen Moremi Ajasore’s story. The musical is a fusion of drama and ‘batta’ genre of dance on stage to showcase the rich Yoruba cultural heritage.

At the first show of the stage play, the stellar cast offered a superlative performance amid a stunning setting that depicted the original location in the then

A scene from the stage play

ancient Ile-Ife, Osun State.

From the awesome rocks, fearful forest and cultural themes, the setting made the play more natural and authentic to the audience.

As well, the make-up and costume worn by the cast revealed precision tailoring by the designers.

Queen Moremi is story of selfless sacrifice and leader-

STAR, Oracle Agency leave spectacle at Eko Atlantic days after New Year’s crossover

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ays after Lagosians have crossed over to the New Year, residents are still living with the euphoria of a week-long monumental ‘One Lagos Fiesta’ powered

by Star Lager, premium beer brand, from the stable of Nigerian Breweries.

With the event, Star and Oracle Experience Limited, its experiential agency, provided great atmosphere for fun seekers, especially with the building of 60ft “Aro Meta” statue, which some people also refer to as ‘three wise men’ made out of over 10,000 crates of the lager and reminds Lagosians of their roots.

Speaking on how the promoters of the brand came about the creative structure of the ‘three wise men’, Felix King, chief executive officer, Oracle Experience Limited, said what Oracle Experience Limited has done was to bring life into the age long belief of three wise men that stand for ‘Welcome to Lagos’ as seen in some towns and cities.

“The structure of the three wise men, ‘aaro meta’ or any name one chooses to call it, is as old as the memory of current generation of Lagosians.

It stands for many positive things and it is synonymous with the commercial city of Lagos. With this activation, we are actually welcoming

Lagosians into the festive period and into the New Year.

Last year, it was Eyo, another cultural figure that can be easily identified with Lagos but this year it is a 60 feet high statue of ‘aaro meta’ to attract equal traffics and celebrate the people and their heritage,” Speaking on how long the structure would remain at the Lagos Atlantic where it was erected, King disclosed that as happened last year with Eyo when Lagos State government implored his company to leave it for a while, the three wise men will also remain at the location for at least one month, in line with the recent discussion Oracle had with the state government.

“This year again, we wish to leave it for at least a month

before pulling it down. It is the belief of all stakeholders that it will go a long way in connecting with Lagos as well as connecting Lagosians with the Star brand,” King added.

Also speaking on the concept, Abayomi Abidakun, senior brand manager, Nigerian Breweries, expressed his satisfaction for the joy and excitement the event has given to Lagos residents.

“You can see that Nigerians are excited about it.

Our mission was to use the activation to reignite the Lagos culture. The structure erected gulped over 10,000 crates of Star and what you are seeing is synonymous with Lagos. It means many things to Lagosians; some call it ‘the three wise men’, and some call it ‘aaro meta’. To

ship. She was a queen who over a thousand years ago offered everything she had to Ile-Ife people by sacrificing her only son (Ila) to save her kingdom from destruction

us, whichever way one refers to it, the major thing is that it resonates with the Lagos status of excellence and reminds Lagosians of their roots. Star keys into this because like the figurative three wise men, the brand has been around in Lagos before independent and after independent and it will continue to share good time with the city as the commercial hub of the nation,” Sponsored by STAR, the annual event is known to be the official New Year countdown event in Lagos State and the biggest in Africa.

Music Lovers, tourism lovers and beer lovers all gathered at the Eko Atlantic, Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu and Epe from December 24, 2018 to January 1, 2019 to celebrate a very exciting year. Star Lager’s presence was felt in all five locations as they were all fully equipped with entertainment; ice cold Star Lager Beer and delicious canapes. In addition to the refreshments, Lagosians also had access to a variety of Star themed games as well as raffle draws and giveaways to end each night.

The beer brand also ran a promo tagged #YouTooCanShine where 30 lucky winners won N50,000 each by creating 30 - 60 seconds videos singing any song with the videos with the highest number of likes winning the cash prizes.

by the neigbhouring cities and towns.

Though a queen, Moremi was also a married woman and mother. She was a woman that believed that her kingdom deserved any great sacrifice to salvage it from their enemies.

The ancient Ile-Ife was subjected to captivity as the young men and women were taken away by their enemies and mothers were deeply troubled weeping at the king’s palace and sought an end to the menace.

Tension arising from insecurity threw great panic to the kingdom that even the Kabiesi was overwhelmed with the situation.

The Kabiesi consulted the Ifa-priest to enquire from the spirit a solution to the lingering threats. Four virgins were sacrificed based on the message of the Ifa-priest from the deity, but all to no avail.

As the insecurity in-

creased, some warriors were sent on rescue mission of the land by the Ifa-priest. They were given very difficult conditions; to capture alive a tiger, elephant and leopard.

But they returned home to king’s palace unsuccessful.

Challenged by unwarranted deaths of young people of Ife, Moremi decided to confront the reality in order to put an end to the menace.

She asked her husband for permission to fight to rescue Ife Kingdom; a mission the men were scared of. She was required to go to land of the spirits to find out the conditions for restoring peace to the kingdom.

However, it was more exciting seeing the performance than hearing the story.

Queen Moremi the Musical stage play hopes to reopen again to the public across the year at Terra Kulture.

Obijackson Foundation receives commendation for promoting cultural renaissance Josephine Okojie

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rofessor Patrick Lumumba, Kenyan activist and iconic public speaker, has commended the Obijackson Foundation for promoting African cultural renaissance through its annual ‘Face of Okija Cultural Festival.’

Lumumba who delivered a special lecture at this year’s event and also urged leaders across the continent to embrace the ideas espoused by the Obijackson Foundation which is lifting and empowering young people across Anambra State and the entire South East region.

He noted that the Foundation is making gradual but steady gains in building capacity and rewriting the narrative of the region.

“Africa will not develop with bang. It will develop village by village; town by town and state by state. It will take men with ideas to do what Obijackson Foundation is doing. And these ideas, I must say, deserve a place in our University curriculum,” Lumumba said.

Lumumba said that the African continent looks to Nigeria for direction and inspiration, adding that de-

mocracy on the continent will depends, to a large extent, on how Nigeria manages its democracy.

He urged Africa to focus on the things that matter; the things that build and grow the continent and the things that impact the people.

Speaking on democracy and the political process in Africa Lumumba said “by February 2019, Nigerians will go to the polls to elect their leaders. And I must state that the day Nigeria gets it right, Africa gets it right.”

“Young people in Nigeria and across Africa must identify what is in their best interest and actively participate in the electoral process.

They must understand the significance and power of their votes.

“But unfortunately, the electorate is easily persuaded with bribes. We must begin to interrogate how we use our votes. Who and what determine the direction we vote.

“What are the policies on the table? Are we voting people for what they have done, for what they can do or for the hand-outs they offer before the elections?” he asked.

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Sunday 13 January 2019

Life&Living

Why your smartphone needs a screen protector screen damage and scratches.

Some of the major reasons why you should protect the screen of your smartphones include; Higher resale value: It is more likely for you to sell off your phone easily and at a higher price if it still looks new, without scratches or a cracked screen.

No rainbow effect: Having a screen protector keeps your oily, sweaty fingers away from touching the screen directly, so you would not get the annoying rainbow colour effect on your screen when you wipe it. Dirt and oil directly on the screen of you smartphone makes your touch screen slow to respond.

Shatter and scratch resistance: As the name implies, a screen protector protects your phone screen from scratches caused by metals objects such as keys and other items in you bag or pocket where you keep your phones.

S

Jumoke Akiyode-Lawanson

creen protectors never really used to be popular when mobile phone were introduced. Not many people saw the need to protect their phones, probably because mobile phones used to be made stronger in its early years and cases of cracked or broken screens were somewhat rare.

However, as time passed and newer model smartphones were introduced, it seemed that cracked screens were synonymous to smartphones. It became a common problem and the cost of fixing or replacing a damaged screen did not help matter as repair sometimes cost as much as buying a brand new phone.

For this reason amongst others, people started buying tempered glass screen protectors and phone cases to protect their phones from

10 new design trends for modern kitchens

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IFEOMA OKEKE

re you planning your dream kitchen already?

Whether your current kitchen layout needs renovating or you simply want to refresh a boring colour scheme, now is the perfect time to create the kitchen of your dreams.

There new trending designs for modern kitchens that you need to know.

Modern day kitchens will perfectly blend form and function, and technology will become increasingly present, helping to make day to day life a little easier.

“The kitchen is the heart of the home for millions so it makes sense that there is a strong desire to make it the dream space, whether that’s with an ultra-modern look, traditional country style or handcrafted wood effect,” Mike Lavers, category manager for kitchens at B&Q says.

So with this in mind, kitchen experts have delved deep to uncover some of the biggest and emerging trends for the year that will help you plan your dream kitchen.

Bespoke Pantries and Larders “When redesigning your kitchen, a bespoke larder is still one of the biggest trends this year and next,” Naked Kitchens reveal. A must–have in the modern kitchen is a bespoke larder with storage at the right temperature and ingredients easily accessible.

Kitchen Islands “The kitchen island is synonymous with a luxurious and sociable kitchen,” says Mike at B&Q. Not only a great place to perch, dependent on its design it can be used for extra storage, and adding bar stools can

provide a casual dining area.

Looking for an alternative to an island? A peninsula is attached to a wall so you only sacrifice access to one side but it provides many of the same advantages. “Peninsula models work especially well in single wall or L-shaped layouts,” Mike adds.

Benches and Banquette Seating From built-in benches to banquettes and booths, the kitchen is becoming a communal space for lounging. “We are seeing an emerging trend with banquette style seating, in an area where kitchen islands and breakfast bars have dominated,” Matt Prall and Stephen Garland of Papilio explain. “Banquette style seating is a fantastic use of space and offers a more comfortable seating to relax and get some much needed headspace in this fast paced world we live in.”

Glorious Greens Naked Kitchens predicts a “new

rich blue-green emerging’ in kitchens this year, with Magnet Kitchens also heralding green as a key colour.

“Green kitchen cabinetry is set to be a new, key style,” Hayley Simmons, head of merchandising at Magnet says. “Green can be equally dramatic and luxurious when used in the kitchen. As a thoroughly modern look, deep forest greens can be balanced out with latte shades, smoky glass and soft metallics.”

Sophisticated in Black Tom Howley has reported a sharp increase in orders of black kitchens, reflecting the trend for using darker colours in the home, and Matt at Rotpunkt also notes that searches for black and dark colours are up 93 per cent in the last six months.

“2019 interior colour trends will embrace the darker colour palette, showing fewer primary colours and a greater emphasis on black which is contrasted by rich coffee browns, shades of grey, taupe and biscuit beige,” Matt explains Versatile Navy Don’t underestimate the versatility of navy. “We have noticed an increase in darker and more vibrant colours in the kitchen, but it’s navy

that continues to remain popular,” The Shaker Kitchen Company said.

“Its versatility means it’s a colour that can adapt to both modern and traditional surroundings.”

Bespoke Storage Ceiling height cupboards and tall units with overhead cabinets offering reams of additional storage will be a big trend, Andy Briggs, interior designer at Optiplan Kitchens says.

“Multifunctional and hidden storage will be an essential feature for both compact and large kitchens in the coming year and the demand for bespoke storage is expected to rise,” Joanne Emery, marketing manager at Burbidge says.

Reeded Glass Cabinets Open shelving and glass fronted cabinets allow homeowners to showcase their personalities with displays of quirky objet d’art.

“Reeded glass will be everywhere this year,” reveal Papilio. “This finish adds a wonderful layer of texture to a space, a great tool for the kitchen to mix up all those straight lines and smooth surfaces. The reeded effect works well with natural materials.

Plus the glass is semi opaque so you reveal a glimpse, not the entire con-

tents beyond.”

Joanne at Burbidge also speaks of ‘pretty and practical glass fronted dressers and cabinets’ making headway in kitchen design. “These stylish solutions allow decorative items and crockery to be beautifully displayed behind glass; adding a visual and personal touch to a contemporary kitchen,” she adds.

Multifunctional Trough Sink “Why have one use for a sink when you can have a multifunctional trough?’ is what the team at Papilio asked last year. Well the multi-purpose integrated trough sink hasn’t lost popularity.

With entertaining in the kitchen being a key function, wine racks and wine coolers are now seen as kitchen must-haves.

But you can go one step further.

‘A relaxed, modern country kitchen is a true marker of luxury, and this sunken champagne bath only goes to highlight that,” Tom Howley, creative design director of Tom Howley says.

Single-Slab Splashbacks Splashbacks are no longer resigned to just being practical elements – now, designers are using them to create real focal points in the kitchen.

Similar to how you would paint or wallpaper a section to create a feature wall in your living room, Cosentino predicts a growing demand for single slab splashbacks as opposed to standard tiling in the kitchen. Elegant and simple, a single slab is not only stunning but offers practical cleaning benefits as grouting between tiles can be difficult to keep clean.

Sunday 13 January 2019

www.businessday.ng

Off Duty With

https://www.facebook.com/businessdayng

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

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planning, Consumer Marketing, Brand Development and Experiential Marketing viz-a-viz Communication and Corporate Social Responsibilities, CSR. Segun Ogunleye loves music, football and always appears

trendy in eye-catching attires, which sums up for him as a good guy without lets or hindrances. Segun has solid cognate experience at SmartMark Ltd. Brand Manager SWATCH (Nigeria & Ghana,) TM Lewin,

Levis, Converse and Invivo,) Marketing Communications Manager/Brand Manager NIKE (Nigeria) and UBA Metropolitan Brand and Communication Specialist, just to mention a few. Segun can be easily described as the smartest guy with great wit, great work ethics, great intercommunication skills and presentation skills that would definitely sell ice to an Eskimo! His dedicated and highly-focused is about goal setter who never stoops low to amaze many with his problem-solving magic.

His rare ingenuity, creativity and innovative ideas have often times put whichever group he belongs to in class at an advantage. He is a highly dependable person and an agent for positive change. That is what makes Segun highly recommended in the comity of those that matter in the corporate world, just as he is small but mighty as a top corporate player.

BUA boss emerges 3rd Richest Man in Africa

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his is good news for Nigeria. Versatile businessman of repute, AbdulSamad Rabiu will forever remain in the annals of history for good reasons.

The BUA boss is ever inching towards greater heights and has remained very consequential in the scheme of things. AbdulSamad Rabiu, one of Nigeria’s most successful businessmen, is the founder of BUA Group, a Nigerian conglomerate that has interests in sugar refining, real estate, edible oils, logistics and port operations. Rabiu, one of Nigeria’s largest private property owners, also owns homes in South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. Despite the shield and myth that money has

created around him, Samad is reportedly a downto-earth family man. The billionaire businessman is right now in a gay mood, as he just officially gained a $650 Million bonus, after his cement firm merger.

According to Forbes, Nigerian cement and sugar tycoon, Abdulsamad Rabiu, has become at least $650 million richer after merging Kalambaina Cement, a subsidiary company of his BUA Cement, with publiclytraded Cement Company of Nigeria (CCNN), where he was the controlling shareholder. Abdulsamad is the third richest Nigerian on the list. The American magazine said Adenuga’s net worth dramatically increased from $5.3bn to $9.2bn because

he provided more detailed information about his assets.

With Aliko Dangote leading

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Captain Hosa Okunbo

success who in his life and business experiences, has traversed the land, sea and the air. At 21 he became a pilot, at 30 he had logged in 7,500 hours of flying time as a commer-

Hakeem Muri-Okunola warms up

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hen the mercurial Hakeem Mu r i - Ok u n o l a was tipped to succeed the former Head of Service, he knew he had been thrust into the vortex of history.

More importantly, he understood that finally, the ides of fate had called on him to ride and tame the excesses and subtle machinations of time. No doubt, Hakeem, the dark-hued dude has climbed to the top of the greasy pole like a Bengali bride; he has become the object of lust and high affection of every element and juggernaut prowling the cut-throat halls of the Lagos civil service. Prominent civil servants in the State lusting for wealth and perks of high office have re-strategized their blueprint for progress and achieving their heartfelt dreams; as you read, they are milling around Hakeem and singing his praises to high heavens. By this ap-

pointment, HMO, as he is popularly known, becomes the youngest ever person to occupy such an exalted position in the history of the Nigerian civil service.

He also becomes the most powerful civil servant in the state. An alumnus of the University of Lagos where he read law and the University of London where he got his Masters in Business Law, HMO was employed as Company Secretary at the stateowned Ibile Holdings before he was headhunted by former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who made him his Personal Assistant. He was later moved to the Ministry of Lands as Executive Secretary and later upgraded to Permanent Secretary.

It was in this position he came into social, financial and political renown. His financial liquidity became a hot-button issue among bona fide money-men.

The big return of corporate Wizard, Bode Opeseitan the trail followed by Mike Adenuga, AbdulSamad Rabiu is the rave of the moment.

Renowned businessman, Captain Hosa Okunbo celebrates

f happiness may be defined as good fortune joined to virtue or as independent, or as a life that is both agreeable and secure or as a plenty of property and slaves with the capacity to get more; and if these words are best to describe happiness, then the luxury businessman, Captain Hosa Wells Okunbo shouldn’t be exceptional to celebrate his 61st birthday in funfair and razzmatazz against all the advertorial and congratulatory messages in the pages of newspaper.

Captain (Dr) Idahosa is a model, a case study of

BDSUNDAY 25

Bolatito Adebola

Segun Ogunleye, the modest achiever ike a lamp doesn’t speak, it simply introduces itself through its light.

Achievers never expose themselves, but their achievements speak volumes, but for some time now, he has been achieving and breaking grounds with achievement and unassailable goals. Since he resumed office as Senior Brand Manager of SevenUp Bottling Company, Segun Ogunleye has brought so much fun to the corporate world and is relentlessly introducing interesting offduty packages for all corporate personae, while his small daily improvements over time lead to stunning results. Youthful and vibrant Segun Ogunleye is a passionate, insight-driven, innovative marketing professional with a demonstrated history of managing global brands in West Africa with quantifiable results in the corporate world. He is highly-skilled in brand strategic

@Businessdayng

cial jet plane pilot. Many years later, he ventured into agriculture where his company, Well Farms Limited has invested millions of dollars in greenhouse farming and agro-allied

business in Edo State. Idahosa’s exploits, business can be seen as a tool for fantasy, one by which the billionaire magnate shows that we can transform our reality. Idahosa’s life is certainly fantastic, the stuff of fairy tales, magazine covers and excellent portraits. But it’s crucial to note that he made his own destiny. He effortlessly melds into the roles of a diligent worker and responsible family man.

This is why his businesses thrive and his family blossoms with amazing speed, sophistication and simplicity.

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here is something a b o u t Gl o b a c o m that makes its former workers return, years after leaving the organization for greener pastures.

Some say it has to do with the job security and convivial working environment; a number of other ex-staff say it is because the chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga, GCON, CSG, CLH, quadruples as a teacher, leader, father, and mentor before being an employer. Bode

Opeseitan, a pioneer staff, who resigned in July 2017 to run a business is now back in the fold as Director, External Communications & PR. The brilliant journalist is one in a long line of ex-staff of the preeminent telecommunications company to return after seeking pastures greener elsewhere. Bode is a Fellow of the World Press Institute in Macalester College, Minnesota, USA; Poynter Institute, Florida, USA; and the Reuters Foundation, UK.

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Sunday 13 January 2019

Entertainment

‘Street Kid’, new movie, talks child labour, literacy

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…features Toyin Abraham, Kate Henshaw, Chioma Akpotha, others ollywood has seen a high churning out of movies in the cinemas in recent times but almost none is focused on the child and telling his/her story. That is about to change with new Nollywood movie, Street Kid, which recently concluded production and is getting ready to hit the cinemas soon. The movie serves as an advocate on the need for child literacy while making a statement on child labour as well.

The movie tells the story of a street kid who was forced to drop out of school to sell on the street and how he helped a rich kid to win a national spelling competition in our Nigerian indigenous languages.

The ‘Street Kid’ is a film that projects the “Ooni of Ife National Schools Spelling Competition in Nigerian Indigenous Language” and helps promote the preservation of our indigenous languages and cultures.

The stars of the movie cut across both the English genre and Yoruba genre, with the excellent likes of Chioma Akpotha, Kalu Ikeagwu, Toyin Abraham, Jibola Dabo, Rachel Oniga, Patrick Doyle, Femi Durojaiye and others. The movie was directed

by Tony Dudu, produced by Wale Muraina and executive produced by Dickson Edward.

According to the movie producer, the new movie will be

Toyin Abraham

revolutionary in many regards.

“Street Kid is not your regular movie and that is obvious in the kind of story we choose to tell. It was not about financial returns for us but about bringing to the front page of discussion issues that pertain to child labour and literacy for the child.

Education is a fundamental human right of every child but we have seen a consistent decline in the number of children in school”.

The producer further explained that, “A certain report even indicated that we have the largest number of out of school

children in the world. This is sad and terrible and this is why we believe our movie, Street Kid will drive the necessary discussions we need to have in order to find lasting solutions to these problems. We are calling on everyone to come out as soon as the movie gets to the cinemas, see the movie and start a discussion from there. Let’s stop child labour and get every child into school”.

The Street Kid movie has enjoyed support from the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and will be in cinemas nationwide soon.

Techno Mobile excites consumers at Computer Village carnival

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frica’s biggest smartphone brand, Tecno Mo b i l e d u r i n g t h e Christmas had fun with consumers during its 2018 Computer Village Carnival, engaging them in several fun activities. If you were out and about the bustling Computer Village located in Ikeja on Tuesday the 18th and

Wednesday the 19th of December, then you must have witnessed the brand’s entertaining parades, energetic display of performers, and the various colorful banners that adorned the streets of the Tech hub. The carnival which was nothing short of vibrant and colorful was hard to miss, as people lined the streets of Ikeja

with their beautiful outfits, and joyful spirits.

The 2018 Computer Village carnival featured great entertainment, live stage performances, games, food, massive freebies, raffle draw, and huge discounts on all TECNO devices. The TECNO sponsored carnival which hosted the Ikeja community and its shoppers to two days of celebration was a thrill of a lifetime, with lots of cheer, joy and excitement from all participants.

The icing on the cake during the carnival was the appearance of popular musician, Olu Maintain who performed many of his hit songs. The presence of the TECNO mascot T-boy also thrilled the crowd as they had the opportunity to take selfies with him while dancing to electrifying songs by the DJ. The fun and excitement continued well into the night, with lots of goodies and gifts won by the participants. It was truly a night to remember.

2018 movies, is ‘Chief Daddy’ worth your popcorn?

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018 was a year of movies in Nollywood. Some of the films were exceptional and dominated the discourses of movie lovers, and some were just Judas that betrayed the effort in rebranding Nollywood as industry of quality film productions. One of the films that made waves is Mo Abudu’s “Chief Daddy” directed by Niyi Akinmolayan. Of course, because of the publicity and the fact the film is star studded (two qualities that has become the trade mark of Mo Abudu’s productions).

The film featured Nkem Owoh, Patience Ozokwor, Joke Silva, RMD, Taiwo Obileye, Falz, Funke Akindle, Rachel Oniga (Aunty Joke), Linda Ejiofor, Mawuli Gavor, Kate Henshaw, Zainab Balogun, Beverly Osu, and others. “Chief Daddy” did not live to my expectations. This is not to say the film is a bad one; maybe because I went to see the movie with so much expectation. I concluded at the end that ‘Chief Daddy’ is neither here nor there; it is neither bad nor exceptional. I would have written the movie off but for the brilliant performances and quality production from cinematography, to sound, editing, and even the appropriate costume. The directing was also above average. There is this significant role these technical aspects played in salvaging the film from a too simplistic script.

One may want to argue that “Chief Daddy” is a comedy and such narrative requires little but on the other hand, comedies are not exempted from brilliant and mind tasking script/story.

In the film, Chief Beecroft (Taiwo Obileye)also known as Chief Daddy suddenly died leaving too much baggage behind. He had several secret relationships and marriages and after his demise, he tried to bring the different units of his family together to do one task which if they succeed in doing, they will be rewarded with inheriting the man’s money and property as contained in the will.

Failure to do this task comes with a disastrous consequence.

For the performance, Rachel Oniga and Joke silver came out as the best performers in the movie.

Patience Ozokwor and Nkem Owoh had good chemistry working out for them because both actors had featured in numerous films together so they understand each other very way. Nkem Owoh and Patience brought in the desired humour but failed woefully in the first major scene in the movie. They failed to impress on me with their acts when they suddenly discovered that Chief Beecroft had lost consciousness and were trying to resuscitate him.

Their acts were unconvincing and failed in portraying the urgency of the situation. The director failed in this regard in bringing out a more realistic performance from the duo. Compare their act with the more even performances of the doctor when he entered to check Chief Daddy and also Joke Silver when she entered the scene later.

“Chief Daddy” is not a farce where you expect too much unrealistic

performances (farce is a kind of drama with extreme and exaggerated follies). Other performers did considerably well except Falz who was struggling while Linda Ejiofor didn’t get it right at all.

There were pretty good and memorable dialogues like when Joke Silver was asked by the Beecrofts “what did you just say” and she retorts back “what did you just hear?” There were also memorable lines like when RMD was asked something like “whose gonna be making this call for you when you’re gone?” I also love Rachel Oniga line “it is best to stoop to conquer”. Mawuli Gavor’s call to her mother telling her of the chaos she met at Chief Daddy’s home did not portray a phone conversation; it was more of a monologue.

The technical aspect was the high point for the movie. There was so much synergy of the technicalities and the narration itself for instance the cinematography, the movement of the camera. How the cinematographer at the beginning of the film demonstrates Balogun Beecroft’s (Mawuli Gavor) tale of waking up from reality, with a sudden shift to another scene where Patience Ozokwor woke up the gateman from his slumber with a thunderous slap marked so much ingenuity. There is another one where a scene with Falz was introduced immediately his name was mentioned in a previous scene.

The movement of the camera from the faces of the Beecrofts while they were sitting at the dining table with the lawyer to the door when Nkem Owoh went to open the door for Mawuli Gavor was also apt. The sound effects were impressive, from the thundering slap, to the cooking pot of soup, the pounding in a mortar, to the banging of doors. The costume was good also. Ini Edo’s bum aptly demonstrates the reason a weak man like Chief Daddy will easily fall into temptation. The sound tracks resonate with the mood of some of the scenes like when Reekado Banks “easy jeje” was being played while the Beekrofts’ tempers were flaring” and Jim Reeves’ song “God be with you till we meet again” as Chief Daddy was being buried.

The storyline/script is relevant to Nigeria’s problems. It alludes to our politicians who always fan the ember of disunity using our differences (religion and tribe) but only unites when they want to loot Nigeria’s treasury. However, it was not a sucker punch. The script was weak but was salvaged by the general good performances of the cast, and quality production.

At the end of the movie, the story failed to leave me with an “affect” or impression particularly because of the way the conflict was too easily resolved. I hope the story has really ended because an attempt to stretch it will be easily a disaster, and predictable. “Chief Daddy” in all is worth your time, money and popcorn.

Destiny Isiguzo Follow on instagram @destinyisiguzo and on twitter @isiguzocid

Sunday 13 January 2019

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Politics Presidential Campaign: Has Buhari abdicated his responsibilities to Tinubu?

OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja

T

he decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to hand over his reelection campaign to APC National Leader and CoChairman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has continued to dominate political discourse across the country.

The development has elicited mixed reactions from a broad spectrum of Nigerians.

Speaking while inaugurating the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja last Monday, President Muhammadu Buhari handed over the role of leading the presidential campaigns to Tinubu on the grounds that he did not want the country’s governance to suffer.

He explained that much as he would be involved in the campaigns, it was Tinubu who would be fully in charge and must keep a 24-hour vigil to ensure the success of the campaigns.

BDSUNDAY reports that the 2019 election is exactly 33 days away.

According to the President, from the nation’s Number Two Citizen, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to the Adams Oshiomhole-led APC as well as Director General of the campaign council, Rotimi Amaechi among others, they are all to report to the former Lagos State Governor.

“But I must also add that, though we will all be deeply involved, I would like to assure the nation that I will do my part without making governance or my work suffer. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, my co-chairman, will be fully in charge and is going to be on 24-hour vigil,” he explained.

The development has thrown up several interpretations from political commentators in the country.

While the President’s critics are quick to point to United States President, Donald Trump who tranversed the country, campaigning for votes for Republican candidates in the build-up to the 2018 mid-term election, Buhari’s admirers have applauded him for the decision.

Particularly, to some, the President’s move is to use Tinubu’s influence to clinch the South West geopolitical zone, which many described as the ‘swing states’. Those who share this school-of-thought hinged their argument on the fact that Buhari had previously lost the 2003 to 2011 presidential elections unti he (Buhari) entered into a merger with the Tinubu-led Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to form APC in 2013 before he won.

Other political observers are of the opinion that the President’s decision may have been informed by his health challenge. According to them, Buhari cannot go through the rigours of campaigns because he had previously admitted

Tinubu

that his doctors had advised him to eat and sleep well.

It would be recalled that in 2017, the President had revealed that feeding well and sleeping for longer hours were the secrets of his good look after he recovered from illness. “I have explained to the public that as a General I used to give orders, now I take orders. The doctors told me to feed my stomach and sleep for longer hours; that is why I am looking much better,” the President had said.

BDSUNDAY reports that since he was inaugurated President on May 29, 2015, he had spent over 180 days receiving medical treatment abroad for an undisclosed ailment.

Coming barely 24 hours after a leaked audio tape involving Amaechi where the

Transportation Minister was reportedly caught criticising President Buhari, others believe the decision was to strip the embattled Rivers State politician his role as campaign DG. A source in the Presidency told BDSUNDAY that the President is miffed at Amechi for disparaging his person. He described the move as a vote of no confidence on the DG. “Forget the picture you see of Buhari and Amechi, smiling to the cameras, the President and his cabals are unhappy with him (Amechi),” the source who spoke on condition of anonymity, informed our correspondent.

The audio clip posted by Reno Omokri, an aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, on his Twitter handle,

echoed a voice which he attributed to Amechi purportedly saying “Buhari neither reads nor listens to anyone.”

However, the voice could not be authenticated by BDSUNDAY. As of the time of filing this report, Omokri had released the fourth audio clip of the Minister criticizing his principal.

The source explained that the two court judgments in Rivers State, which barred Rivers APC from fielding candidates in the forthcoming elections and the Minister’s inability to put his party in order in his home state, may have compounded his problems.

While some opine that it is a ploy by Buhari to get Tinubu more committed to his reelection bid, having neglected him after he won the 2015 election, others submit that this has confirmed the claim by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, when he accused Tinubu of plotting to succeed Buhari in 2023.

In the same token, other analysts have described the decision as an attempt by the President to avoid the forthcoming presidential debate scheduled for January 19.

In an interview with BDSUNDAY, a political analyst, Taiye Odewale, said Buhari may have made the pronouncements to test the waters.

His words: “This is strange in politics, not only in Nigeria but globally. It is about one month to the election. This is

the time that anybody who is contesting is supposed to be on the field to campaign to say ‘this is what I have done, these are the things I am planning to do’. Not that you say somebody should go and do it on your behalf. But let’s wait and see how Tunubu will do it. I know that by the time the Presidential Campaign Council starts going to the field, he himself will know that he needs to be there with them because there is no way Tunubu who is not contesting will now be the one to be telling Nigerians what Buhari will do.

It will be odd. So, I don’t think he will just sit in the Villa and expect Tunubu to be marketing him when he is very much around”.

On the influential role of Tinubu in swaying votes, Odewale said this can only happen in the South West which consists of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun.

“Outside South West, he has no influence. What about the remaining 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory?” he asked rhetorically.

Also commenting, a former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Jumoke Akindele, said the development is a testament of the President’s disdain for the masses.

Akindele expressed disappointment that the President would miss a golden opportunity that the campaign offers, to market himself to the people rather than do so by proxy.

APC presidential campaign and the fight against corruption: Where do former PDP Chieftains stand?

James Kwen, Abuja

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, January 7, 2019 inaugurated the the APC Presidential Campaign Council at an elaborate ceremony at the International Conference Centre, Abuja with a renewed vigour to fight the canker worm of corruption which has eaten deep in the fabric of the Nigerian state.

Buhari in his remarks at inauguration stressed that, “victory for us (APC) as a party is a victory for all well meaning Nigerians, who are committed to CHANGE from an inglorious past; where those in positions of public trust willfully took for themselves what belongs to us all; where the security of our citizens was second place to their acquisition of unwholesome wealth; where our economic growth was sacrificed for the fleeting ease of import dependency”.

“We have reset our national values: corruption is no longer

condoned and is no longer seen as normal for public office holders. The agencies of government are no longer equivocal in dealing with anyone who flouts our laws.

“The high and low are receiving jail terms, loots are being recovered, and Nigerians are increasingly displaying the timeless values of honesty, honour and decency. I congratulate us all for making these changes possible”.

The Buhari led APC Federal government from campaign, pen-ultimate to the 2015 general elections to the time of governance has made the fight against corruption its watch word with the most taunted slogan of, ‘if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us’.

The anti-corruption war has claimed many victims some of which are still languishing in jail even with court orders for their release with stories of Sambo Dasuki, former National Security Adviser, Olisa Metuh, former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Alison Madueke,

former Minister of Petroleum, Joshua Dariye, former Plateau State Governor and a serving Senator, among others are very fresh in memory.

Poignantly, the former ruling PDP and all their members have been characterized as the metaphor of corruption with which the fight has been channelled as the APC government minced no words at any given forum to demonized former government officials and politicians of PDP fold as corruption personified.

Ironically, however, Buhari has been working with politicians who received their partisan baptism in the sinful PDP but have been canonized into the sainthood of APC and most of them are now heading strategic positions in his reelection campaign even as some of them have reported cases of corruption against them. They include: Rotimi Amechi, DirectorGeneral, Buhari Campaign Organization Rotimi Amechi is the current Minister of Transport and second term Director- General of President Muhammadu Bu-

hari Campaign Organization.

Amechi was elected Member and Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly on the platform of PDP. He later served two terms as Governor of Rivers State on the platform of PDP but his political disagreement with the then President Goodluck Jonathan made him dumped PDP for APC in 2014.

George Akume, Vice Chairman North George Akume, a third term Senator is the Vice Chairman North, Buhari Campaign Organization.

Akume was two terms Governor of Benue State under PDP from 1999 -2007. He was also elected into Senate first on the ticket of PDP(2007- 2011).

Akume defected from PDP to ACN following plans by his successor, Gabriel Suswam to deny him second term ticket for the 2011 general elections. He was reelected on the platform of ACN and when the party collapsed in APC he remained there.

Ken Nnmani, Vice Chairman South Ken Nnamani, Vice Chair-

man South of the Buhari Campaign Organization is a former Nigerian Senate President elected on the ticket of PDP. Since 1999, this great politician of national viability has been a Chieftain of PDP until 2017 when he joined APC following his appointment as the Head of the Electoral Reform Committee by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Aliyu Wamako, North West Zonal Director Aliyu Wamako who is the North West Zonal Director of the Buhari Campaign Organization was the Governor of Sokoto between 2007 and 2015 on the ticket of PDP. He left PDP to APC at the twilight of his tenure and was elected into the Senate in 2015 polls under APC. Abdullahi Adamu, North Central Zonal Director Abdullahi Adamu is the North Central Zonal Director of the Buhari Campaign Organization and a second term Senator Representing Nasarawa West.

Adamu was Governor of Nasarawa State from 1999 - 2007

under the platform of PDP. He became Secretary of the Board of Trustees of PDP at the end of his two terms tenure. Adamu was elected Senator in 2011, still on the ticket of PDP but joined APC towards the end of his first term in the Senate.

Godswill Akpabio, South South Zonal Director Godswill Akpabio is the South South Zonal Director of the Buhari Campaign Organization who was Governor of Akwa Ibom State for two terms and Chairman of PDP Governors Forum. Akpabio was elected as Senator also on the ticket of PDP and he became Senate Minority Leader from 2015 until he joined APC in 2018.

Ita Enang, Council Member Ita Enang, a Member of the APC Campaign Council and Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate). Enang has been in PDP since 1999 to 2015 was elected variously as a Member of the House of Representatives and Senator on the party’s platform.

28 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 13 January 2019

Politics

A

INIOBONG IWOK

b r a h a m Li n c o l n one of the greatest American President in history who was credited to have revolutionised the American society was noted to be a determined politician, who until becoming the president had contested and lost several elections, but never lost hope on his political ambition because of his dream for the American people and the nation.

Perhaps, Lincoln’s doggedness and determination best illustrate the story and vision of the People’s Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje, who after contesting and losing the governorship position in the state in 2007, 2011 and 2015, is neither deterred nor ready to give up his ambition, but more determined to rescue the state from the grip of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Agbaje, a trained pharmacist, in his policy statement to Lagosians, lamented the deplorable infrastructures in Lagos State, promising to rescue the state from the stranglehold of few political elites who had held Lagos captive since the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999.

The PDP governorship candidate stressed that his administration would strive to tackle the current traffic gridlock in the state, revamp and modernise public transport system and revamp the education system, while also promising to prioritise the welfare of workers and create effective climate for the private sector to thrive.

According to him, “I am putting myself forward to ensure life is worth living in Lagos State where the economy thrives for all Lagosians; a state thinking about the future of our youth - if you elect me as governor of Lagos State. I put myself forward to change our story, to bring true freedom and democracy to the people: freedom from godfatherism, freedom from despondency of unachieved lives by our youth, freedom from dilapidated schools where our children do not get useable education, freedom from hopelessness by the masses, the artisans, market women, traders, labourers, public servants and honest hardworking people of this State.

“Freedom from want and poverty, we must also free our state from the terrible traffic that ensures you sleep only four hours a day because you spend anything up to six hours going to and returning from work.”

Agbaje also promised that his administration would bring “Freedom from traffic which disables you from attending that interview, keeps you jobless, traffic that causes death; because your loved ones could not get to hospital on time, traffic gridlock that makes market prices higher and locks us in fatal situations when there is an accident or the like”.

The pharmacist-turned politician lamented that despite the

A peep into Jimi Agbaje’s manifesto huge budgetary allocation to the state in recent years, there was visibly lack of government investment in industries which would create jobs for the large numbers of unemployed residents of the state, promising to invest in the health sector, initiate an effective waste disposal mechanism and create jobs.

“Over the past 2 decades, the government of Lagos, managed by the same core of people, has collected nearly N5.0 trillion or US$26 billion in revenues and spent approximately N6.2 trillion or US$35 billion. Important question to ask is whether the outcomes generated by this level of expenditure as sustainably improved our State. Home to the 5th largest economy on the African continent, an economy that is bigger than those of Kenya and Ghana combined, can we truly say that Lagos is working?

“As a megacity, Lagos must rightly be compared with other megacities and important metropolitan areas around the world.

Perhaps, the most telling of these comparisons shows Lagos has been and remains one of the worst cities to live in the world.

Our city is presently ranked 138 of 140 global cities. Only Dhaka in Bangladesh, of the megacities, ranks worse than our dear city,” he said.

He further promised to build an egalitarian society where all sections of the indigenes would have equal opportunity and access to amenities irrespective of class, vowing to restore the lost

”

Over the past 2 decades, the government of Lagos, managed by the same core of people, has collected nearly N5.0 trillion or US$26 billion in revenues and spent approximately N6.2 trillion or US$35 billion Jimi Agbaje

”

glory of the state and invest in the youths.

“Improving the quality of life of our citizens will remain unattained if their access, irrespective of their socio-economic status, to adequate healthcare continues to be unmet. Universal Basic Health coverage through a wellstructured and financed health insurance scheme is a key priority for a PDP Administration, under my leadership, in Lagos.

“In keeping with my determination to afford our young every opportunity to forge a sustainable future, re-organising the system of public education provision at all levels is an imperative. For us, education is not about lucrative building and procurement contracts. It is about ensuring that the needs of parents, children, educators and all stakeholders are cost-effectively met. Lagos must attain a position of preeminence.”

According to him, “it is a matter of great shame that after twenty years of governance, the ruling party and its various re-incarnations are still unable to provide and implement a framework that ensures the continuous cleanliness of our State.

“The failure of the state, despite huge expense, to discharge a responsibility as basic as waste management belittles us at the same time as it endangers our collective health. That we are obliged to discuss how to organise waste management is testament to the retrogression of our State over the past two decades”.

“This campaign is about a new future for Lagos built by the entire community of Lagosians; I am clear about the key imperatives towards a brighter future for Lagos and the role of government therein.

“The government must serve to ensure the safety and security of residents and visitors alike as they pursue their legitimate ambitions. It is about enabling Lagosians and their guests identify opportunities and take advantage thereof,” he said.

Agbaje further promised to revolutionised health care system in the state, institute a structured insurance scheme and transform the education sector for all categories of indigenes of the state.

“Universal Basic Health coverage through a well-structured and financed health insurance scheme is a key priority for a PDP Administration, under my leadership, in Lagos. In keeping with my determination to afford our young every opportunity to forge a sustainable future, reorganising the system of public education provision at all levels is an imperative. For us, education is not about lucrative building and procurement contracts.

“As I solicit your support throughout this campaign, an administration in Lagos State under my leadership will be guided by the words of Thomas Jefferson, who said: ‘When government fears the people, there is liberty.

When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.’”

Sunday 13 January 2019

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BDSUNDAY 29

Politics 2019: Why desperation to win at all cost may lead to voter apathy, by Rafsanjani

Auwal Musa Rafsanjani,executive director of the Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), is disturbed by the growingapprehension of Nigerians that the 2019 elections might be rigged, which he attributes to desperation on the path of the political players. In this interview with INNOCENT ODOH, the veteran civil society advocate warns the Federal Government on the dangers of having a skeptical public during election and demands that security and freedom of voters must be guaranteed during the polls if they must be transparent, free and credible. Excerpts:

W

hat is t h e level of engagement of CISLAC in voter education, policy issues and direction? Is the environment conducive for you to pursue these objectives ahead of the election?

Actually, the atmosphere is very charged and everybody is very skeptical about the 2019 elections given the fact that there appears to be some level of desperation and therefore, it is not a favourable environment.

However, as a civil society group, our responsibility is to make sure that we continue to advocate a non-violentelectoral process that will be transparent and allow Nigerians to make their own choice freely without beingharassed or intimidated or the process not being cajoled from being transparent.

So, in terms of civil engagement and voter education, of course, this is one thing that wewill continue to do despite the challenges that many of the civil society groups are not able to have the enabling resources to do that beside the volatile environment that we have.But as a committed group and individuals we must continue to do our best; we cannot give up.

We have to continue to engage the electorate so that they can engage themselves in a more constructiveand responsible way to avoid any violence and avoid electoral malpractice. We will also continue to call on theauthorities to ensure that there is level playing ground for anybody to express their political views without any intimidation or harassment. So, this is what civil society has been doing and of course, we will continue to engage within our limited resources at all levels to

Nigeria has the responsibility to continueto watch and monitor and also advise the citizens to stay away from those who will make use of them for violent activities.

So,because people believe that the vote does not matter so they can engage in violence, they can abandon issue-based discussion,such as poverty and unemployment, lack of security which we are experiencing. That is not even a priority to many of these people who, at all cost, want to retain power. So, it is a big challenge to us and that is why we have to continue to remind them that the issues of 2019 should be based on how to address poverty, and the widespread insecurity and we should deal with these issues drastically because without that we cannot make progress.

You have made massive efforts in recent times in terms of advocacy for free and fair Auwal Musa Rafsanjani ensure that the environment is conducive for the election in 2019.

But of course, we are concerned that there are so many issues that are not veryclearand straight forward.

What issues do you think are not straight forward especially as you have expressedskepticism about the desperation on the path of the political players?

One of the issues is the fact that we had the problem that even the Electoral Act that was amended was not signed into law by the President. That was a setbackin terms of ensuring that we have a transparent, free and fair election. However, we still have the opportunity to use the previous ElectoralAct of 2010, which is valid, but one had expected to have an electoral framework that

will be more transparent that will also give more confidence to Nigerians.

But we will have to continue to work with what we have on ground.

Another thing is that from what we are seeing, it is being alleged that the security apparatus is being prepared to do what is not really seen in the conduct of election management. That is why we want to constructivelycontinue toengage even the security sector to let them know the implication of anything that they will do to undermine the integrity of the electoral system.

So, it is a serious concern.

A lot of people believe that there are some elements being prepared to come and rig the election and cause violence. This is a big concern for the civil society. The other issues are those of the

campaigns. Many of the political gladiators are not even bordered about the issue-basedcampaigns.

But why are they not bordered about these issues such as poverty spreading across the nation, insecurity and corruption?

One of the reasons this is happening is because we don’t have political accountability and therefore, people just use whatever means to get in there without being cautioned, or being held accountable for their misdeeds.

So, that political impunity has given rise to what we are seeing. So, if we don’t address the issue of political accountability there is no way we can have political parties andpoliticians behaving in a manner that will be responsive andresponsible. So,the civil society in

”

We will also continue to call on theauthorities to ensure that there is level playing ground for anybody to express their political views without any intimidation or harassment

”

elections. What is your take on the feeling of apprehensionby the Nigerian people about this election? Are they being properly mobilised?

N o w, i f N i g e r i a n s are properly mobilised at least they will have a choice, they will have an option. But the way it is now there is no mobilisation; that is why you see less campaign and just a demonstration or showoff power. That is why we are afraid that many people may not even vote, on the basis of the fact that they want safety of their lives because they are not sure they can be protected.

So,it is a very big challenge and many Nigerians are not sure that even if they come out to vote they are going to be protected not minding whether their votes will be counted because of this same level of desperationalluded toearlier on.

Th i s i n s i n u a t i o n o f desperation is easily said to be on the path of the ruling government and theyare supposed to be the ones in charge of the security. Judging by the direction they are going and their behaviour, what do you advise?

They need to make sure that the primary responsibility is to protect the citizens’ lives and property and ensure that there is peaceful election and peaceful coexistence.

If they fail to do that we must hold them accountable because they are the ones that have the institutions of security and must provide security and assure Nigerians that they are not going to create violence. So, they have the responsibility to guarantee free and fair election. At the same time on the path of the opposition, they must also ensure that the do not trigger violence that will give the security agencies excuse to intimidate ordinary Nigerians.

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Sunday 13 January 2019

Interview

I do what I love, stay true to myself and live my dreams – Amina Isa Amina Isa, also known as Missaei, is just 25 years old and yet has started making her marks both home and abroad with her unique talents. She is a singer, song writer and also a fashion designer and would probably go into filmmaking in the nearest future as she had also recently delved into film production. She is a graduate of Public Relations from Syracuse University, New York, and now holds a Masters in Fine Arts from the University of Southern California’s renowned Film School. She recently visited Nigeria to mark her 25th birthday, celebrate her graduation from school as well as launch her music and fashion brand. In this interview with IFEOMA OKEKE, she speaks about her talents and career. Excerpts:

I

How did your journey into music start? have been singing for as long as I can remember but actually getting the courage to get into the studio and recording a song started five years ago and ever since, it’s been just going to the studio, recording music and becoming more comfortable with that whole experience.

Now, are you doing this for the passion or for the money?

Definitely not for the money, if it’s for anything, it’s for the love.

Just getting into it professionally was just a natural progression because I have been doing it in private for so long. And it is also something that I can utilise to get my name out there, meet people and network. It’s not for the cash.

Music is very competitive here in Nigeria. How do you intend to grow your brand, stand out and then remain on top of the game?

I honestly believe that if you do what you love, you are honest about it and you are genuine, things will fall in line to work for you. That’s how it has been with my life.

Anything that I put my heart into, 100 percent; I always find a way to make it happen for me.

It might not be the way others would want for themselves, but it always works out for me. So, I believe that though it is competitive, and a lot of people have a lot of disappointments, I know that I will find a path that works right for me in this industry and I believe that there is room for my kind of sound. I haven’t really heard any other artiste or a team of artistes that have done the kind of music that I’m trying to do, so I’m confident that there is a place for me in the music industry, competitive or not, I think people need the kind of music that I have to offer.

What inspires your kind of music?

I listen to different kinds of music. I get influenced by different kinds of music but I am more of the kind of person that likes listening to easy music – kind of music that you can just put on when you are getting ready, when you are driving. The kind you listen when you just want to relax. So, I’m inspired by things that I see, what I feel when I go to certain places like when I am onvacation, how I am feeling when I am with my friends – those are the kind of vibes that I try to recreate in my music. I re-

sense and that I should start a fashion line. So, it was like a natural progression for me as well until I came up with my fashion line, ‘Koy and Victoria’. It is a women’s wear brand targeted towards women aged 18 and above.

‘Koy and Victoria’ is a lifestyle brand that is for the women that love to feel good, feel free and sexy as well as being able to explore travel. A lot of the pieces are transitional, and you can wear them when you are going partying or just casual. So, you can dress it up or dress down Where are you based, currently?

Right now, I am based in Los Angeles, USA, and some pieces are being produced here in Nigeria too. We have the adire pieces, the silk adire collection which is made here in Nigeria. We got the fabric here in Nigeria and made it here in Nigeria but it is marketed globally.

Is your fashion line high-end?

It’s made market. So, the most expensive thing is probably going to be about 250 dollars and the most affordable thing will probably be around 65 dollars. Why? You may ask. That is because it is made out of silk.

What’s your niche in fashion?

Amina Isa

ally get that sort of feelings when I listen to some Sade songs as well as Mr. Eazi.

How has the journey been so far? Any challenge trying to reach your aim as a musician?

I think it’s a little premature to really see how it is in the industry for me because I just graduated from my Masters at USC in California, and prior to that, I wasn’t really 100 percent into music, I was focused on school and I was putting music on the side but now it is turning into something that is more on the fore front of my energy. So, we would see how it goes and God willing, everything goes according to plan but you know people plan and God laughs. Who knows what will happen but so far so good, it has been great.

How many songs are you launching now? Is it like an album?

No, I haven’t gotten to an album stage. I am still trying to let people know who I am, so they become aware of the brand, be-

come aware of the kind of music, just basically who I am and then an album will follow shortly after. I am working on some new stuff. I have a song that came out last year, which is doing pretty well now and I am going to be singing that.

The song called Flex, I dropped one December 1st, it is called ‘Tell Me’. And the music video for that is coming out soon so keep logged on to my Instagram to see it. My Instagram is @missaei You are also a fashion designer. Can we talk about your fashion brand?

‘Koy and Victoria’ is my baby.

I come up with the concept three to four years ago, but prior to that I have always been in tune with fashion – taking fashion classes while I was in the university and even in secondary school, I will draw sketches, I customised my school uniform. I would get into trouble but I was still doing it. And it was just something that was always a part of me. People always told me that I had great fashion

”

I was focused on school and I was putting music on the side but now it is turning into something that is more on the fore front of my energy

”

I call ‘Koy and Victoria’ laid back luxury brand, so you can dress it up and dress it down by either adding or removing jewellery. It is the kind of clothing that anybody can wear. It is the kind of clothing that any woman can wear and look beautiful.

How have you been able to combine both, trying to excel in the fashion line as well as in music?

I think they go hand in hand. I think that I can use the music persona to help elevate the fashion.

But I think that this is something that a number of successful artistes have done. This is something that I am passionate about. It is a natural thing and I enjoy doing it. I have been singing all my life but I just started recording in a recording studio. So, that is how I have been able to deal with that and I have enjoyed every minute or should I say opportunity that came my way.

What should people expect from Koy and Victoria in 2019?

This year, we would officially be launching. So, that means you can go on our site and actually buy the physical pieces. This is just a pre-launch. In 2019, you would be able to shop the brand and see it on your favourite blogs and be able to buy these pieces as well.

Where do you hope to be in the next ten years?

In the next ten years, I would be an established brand globally but known as being a Nigerian brand catering to women of all sizes, all shapes and making them look beautiful as well as working on my music consistently.

Who or what do you consider as your greatest influence?

My parents have been very supportive and I am very blessed in that regard. My father Abdulrazaqlsa, the Chairman/CEO, WaltersmithPetroman Oil Limited has been extremely supportive, while my mother, Kate lsa is the CEO, Katchey Company Limited, is a champion, helping me to stay motivated and stick to my passion.

If you had to advise young people today, what would you tell them?

Don’t listen to that voice beside you that says that you are not good enough; that you don’t have what it takes and so on. Just do what you love, do what you want and stay true to yourself. You know what, if you don’t; you are going to see other people doing the things that you know you could have done.

Sunday 13 January 2019

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BDSUNDAY 31

Interview

‘How I would transform Lagos if elected governor’ Adetokunbo Pearce, an academic with the University of Lagos, is the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Lagos State. In this exclusive interview with Iniobong Iwok, he outlined his agenda for the state, among several issues in the polity.

I

Why are you aspiring for the governor of Lagos State? am interested in being the governor of Lagos State because; I feel that Lagos deserves better. The state is faced with a lot challenges in term of integrity and commitment to the state by the present leaders. I am in the race for the interest of the people, because I feel concerned about the state and the progress of the people.

And I would only be answerable to the people who elected me and not to some god-fathers somewhere. That is the main reason I am in the race; there are too many problems in the state that are obvious: the traffic congestion, the streets are filled with filth, the level of unemployment is high and our schools are in a deplorable state, primary and secondary. So these are the reason why I want to take the change and bring about improvement in the quality of lives of our people.

Do you have the structure to dislodge the APC in Lagos State, which includes the Tinubu factor?

Well, the APC is in control of the state indeed. But the APC is in a terrible state itself, the level of performance is poor. That is why we believe the people are tired of the situation and want a new party that would improve the quality of their lives. If Lagos is working there would be no need for us to challenge APC, but Lagos is not working. It is not working in terms of transportation; it is not working in term of sanitation, in term of wealth creation, it is not working in term of sanitation.

That is why the people want a change and that change and that change is to vote in a new party in the state.

So whether they are in control for 100 year, one day that control would be over. It’s a government that just controlled by Tinubu sycophants, and people who are just saying yes to Tinubu. Therefore, I believe the people would decide to vote for another party, the Social Democratic Party. We are committed for a change rather than continue to vote for the APC which is corrupt.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely; they have had an absolute power and they are totally corrupt, inefficient and diminishing return has set in to the APC government. It is time for the APC government to step aside and it would be through a democratic process. It is the time for me and my party to take over government.

What is your vision for the state if elected governor?

The Social Democratic Party is the party that is anchored on free welfare programmes, free healthcare, affordable housing, affordable transportation system, and

Adetokunbo Pearce so these are the main areas that I would focus on. The philosophy of our party is restructuring; which means that I would do all I can to demand true federalism and empowerment, so that we can use our natural resources to develop our states; so that we can make laws and use the laws to develop our people.

In the immediate time what we would do is to look at the problems that Lagosians face and try to solve them. One of them is the traffic gridlock and all this trailers blocking our roads and causing traffic gridlock, causing menace on the road, which is wasting money and destroying lives. It is not just traffic gridlock, it is the money (being lost) a result of congestion of the road.

Everybody is losing money; even the state the taxes you would have collected from the taxi driver the state have also lost that. Another aspect is people dying in this traffic gridlock. Can you imagine you are being moved by an ambulance and you are caught in the gridlock? Where do you go?

It is a serious matter; our party will change things in the state and fix all when we get to power.

Firstly, I know what to do; it is to drain every gutter across the state, so that water would not be on the road and damage the road. Then we have to build more roads. I am committed to building

the fourth mainland bridge, the eastern corridor road started by Ambode administration would be completed.

When you do this, you would save lives. There is another problem with this traffic gridlock. When you are caught in the traffic, it is easy for armed robbers to steal from you. The second leg of this problem is individuals make more money, lives are safe and people make more money. These are the major things we would focus on when elected in the men time.

But your party is not on ground in the state?

Well, you must remember that SDP is a party of MKO Abiola. It had Emeka Ezeife in Anambra, Bola Tinubu, in Lagos State as governors in the third republic.

So we are not a new party in the country. The Chairman of the party is Olu Falae, who contested for the presidency several years ago. We must be reminded that the Lagosians are looking for alternatives, and the SDP is that alternative.

Presently out of 285 wards in Lagos State, we are in 185 wards already, we had this structure because we did not have problem, when we had primaries across state My posters are ready, I just called the LGA officials and they would take them down to the wards, people are already telling me, they saw my posters in their

area. We saw your poster in Ibeju lekki. We are not as new as people think, the people have found an alternative in the SDP and they are going with it.

When are you hitting the street for campaigns?

You know I have been in this party politics game for a long time, I know how things work.

Presently everywhere you go in the state, you see Sanwo-Olu posters littering the street. I know that is not how campaign should be. It should be you going to the local government areas to talk to the people. Nobody from PDP is going to vote for Sanwo-Olu that nobody knows, that was imposed on the people.

APC is not as strong as you think; the party is divided into four even among themselves.

We know the division is there in the party. Our campaign is going to local government areas. I just had a meeting with the driver’s association group. I can go to community and campaign and talk to the people. We are going to campaign every day. We go from one place to another. It is not only the people we are also talking to; we are also doing our campaign on the radio, newspaper, television.

People are seeing us, so we are working and moving.

Who is bankrolling your campaigns?

Well, so far as it stands, we do campaign materials and move from one place to another. A lot of the money is coming from members. It is time for sacrifice, and a lot of them believe in the philosophy of the party.

But there are many interest groups, however, election day funding is the main thing; 9, 000 polling booths, that must be manned, but a lot of our people are volunteers and helping the campaign move forward.

Do you believe the election would be free and fair election?

Buhari does not tell the truth and he is the biggest fraudster we have seen in the presidency in the history of Nigeria. How can he say he would conduct a free and fair election when appointment and interest of his administration have been in the north?

Now he is saying Amina Zakari does not have any relationship with him. My only belief is that the Nigerians know that the APC would try to rig this election and the people are determined to make their vote count. But I believe that with all the effort of Tinubu and Buhari to rig the election the people would not allow it to happen; if they rig the election we would go to court and reclaim our mandate.

What is your view about the prevalence of vote buying in recent elections in Nigeria?

It is clear that only the APC

has more money to buy votes, of course because of recent events, we may say both parties: APC and PDP are involved in the act. But no matter what they did the people’s votes will still count.

It is not really about the votes, we do not believe in corruption in the SDP, no matter how much they are giving to us we would stand with what we believe. If you are given the money, take it and vote your conscience. It is just that those people often monitor.

What is your view about Buhari’s second term bid?

The people of Nigeria have been deceived, they have been let down and I don’t think the people are ready to give Buhari another chance.

Buhari has shown that he is a tribalist, economic illiterate, that is why he is doing what he doing.

He as plunged the country into depression; this is the lowest GDP in 25 years, foreign direct foreign investment has fallen. Naira is weakening to a point that is worst in the country’s history.

Look at the cost of living; during Jonathan what you pay N400 for, now you pay N1,000 now.

Buhari has failed Nigerians. He does not deserve a second term in office, he did not deserve a first term in the first place. I think that is why all this rigging is taking place, because they know people would not vote for him and the only way is for them to rig the election.

Would the current crisis over the choices of presidential candidate not affect your party’s chances in the general election?

It is unfortunate this has to happen. But this is what you have to pay when you are a big party; everybody wants a piece of the cake of the election. So we hope to get over it. Jerry Gani went to court and the court said he had a case but since the national chairman has said we should wait till after the appeal court case we have to wait, 15th is around the corner.

For now Jerry Gana is campaigning and we would see after the appeal.

Do you think the opposition party have a hand in the crisis?

I don’t believe in this conspiracy theory. It may not be Jerry Gana, but another force in the party. Obviously the opposition always try to destroy other contending parties. I don’t see Jerry Gana being used; it may be another force within the party.

They will resolve the issues and he still stands a chance of winning the election. Look at the candidate that the APC has. Look at his performance and age; look at Atiku. Now they are fighting in the PDP all the easterners are saying they don’t want Obi, even the some people are saying they do not support Atiku. We all have our problems, but let’s see in the next one month how things unfold.

Would you be willing to step down for APC candidate in the state if approached?

The governance of the APC is directly against the interest of Lagosians; it is against the progress of Lagos.

As it is now, their policy is dependent on their god-father and it is negative and unacceptable to me. I don’t see anything they can give me to work for them, unless they are ready to come to SDP and adopt our philosophy, policy and values, which is commitment to the service and development of the people of Lagos State.

32 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 13 January 2019

Interview

‘At Couture by ISÉMINI, we aim to showcase African culture and beauty to the world’

Oluwatobi Adesanya, a trained lawyer-turned fashion entrepreneur, in this interview with BDSUNDAY, talks about her growing up, her passion for fashion, her role models, her clientele base and how she satisfies customer demands. She also urges the Federal Government to urgently revamp the nation’s textile industry. Excerpts:

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y way of introduction, may we know you?

My name is Oluwatobi Adesanya, the 3rd of six children of the late Mr. Bolaji and Mrs. Aderenle Adesanya, a Nigerian from Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State. I am a t-shaped lawyer.

That is to say, apart from being a professional lawyer, I am also a fashion entrepreneur (Milliner Extraordinaire by passion) as founder, ISÉMINI Empire and Creative Director, Couture by ISÉMINI the Go-To headpiece brand. I am a lover of God, man, creativity, fashion, entrepreneurship and football.

tomer demands?

Couture by ISÉMINI is a customer focused brand and very innovative too. We anticipate the change in customer behaviour occasioned sometimes by trends. So we study trends, equip ourselves with relevant skills, explore our innate creativity and importantly listen to and implement clients’ instructions as to their orders. This practice has resulted in our high customer satisfaction rate.

Although you are young and may not have a robust idea of yesteryear fashion, from what you have read up, about what transpired in the past, how would you describe today’s fashion?

You are a trained lawyer, at what point did you begin to show/develop passion in fashion?

Thank you. From childhood, I had wanted to be a lawyer and eventually a Judge so as to defend myself and also speak for other people who cannot defend themselves, the fact being that I was bullied as a child because of a speech impairment at that time.

I am glad I achieved that goal of becoming a lawyer and also grateful for a robust experience in active legal practice in litigation, commercial and corporate. Fashion on the other hand has always been in me. Growing up at a tender age of 9, I remember always styling my scarf differently from my sisters. I also used pieces of fabrics with needle and thread to create a bow or rose which I wore on my head or attach to my dresses just to look different, classy and stylish. In no time, I started drawing the attention of neighbours and strangers who commend my creativity and looks. I never knew I was going to be a fashion entrepreneur at that time. It was more like a hobby.

In 2017, I attempted writing my life plan. In the process, I found that the pathway was not through my profession but my passion. So, in March 2018,I resigned from my banking job, went for beginners and master’s classes in Millinery (hat making) and it has been a journey of growth, impact and lessons.

May we know the name of your brand and your clientele base?

My brand name is Couture by ISÉMINI. Couture is an Italian word meaning Fashion.

Our niche is in headpieces.

Our mission is to help African women get all the admiration and achieve improved self-confidence, showcase African’s culture to the world and empower many youths through training and employment.

Our ideal clients are fashionable urban women (upperclass and higher middle class)

Fashion is the word for what most people wear or should wear (clothes, bag, hats, shoes, etc.) in a society and the way they are designed.

The Nigerian fashion induswho appreciate innovative, try has evolved from what unique, classy, quality and used to be a trade for the exquisite headpieces at af- uneducated girl child who fordable and budget-friendly needs a skill to make ends meet to an industry where prices. highly educated people are What kind of headpiece do actively involved, building a career and creating wealth. you make?

The global fashion industry is Our ready-to-wear and be- said to worth 3trillion dollars, spoke headpieces include, while the Nigerian fashion fascinators, hats, turbans, industry is worth 10billion hatinators, headwraps, scarfi- dollars (1.55trillion naira). nators, headbands,etc. suitable for weddings, award cer- Today, Nigerian fashion emony, church, conferences, brands (including Millinery birthdays, hangouts, etc. Our brands) are showcased in services include millinery reputable fashion weeks training, gele styling and train- around the world. ing, facilitation and headpiece Nigeria is said to have lost consultancy. almost all of her known texOur headpieces are master- tile factories, making her a fully-handcrafted from indig- heavy importer of foreign enous fabrics like Aso-oke, fabrics. As a citizen, pasAnkara, Adire and foreign sionate about fashion, what materials like Velvet, Satin, suggestions do you have on Sinamay, Crynolen, Paper- how Nigeria can resuscitate the textile industry? mat, and so on.

How do you satisfy cus- Thank you. The decline in the

production of indigenous textile materials due mainly to neglect of agriculture and decline in the supply of cotton for fabric production in the 1980’s led to the death of most textile factories leading to the heavy importation of fabrics, clothing (including hats) from around the world. Thankfully, with the made-in-Nigeria campaign by government, there seems to be hope. More than ever, government as well as private investors need to refurbish our neglected textile factories and make available at favourable terms, funds to purchase new machineries so the textile companies can grow and scale. There is also need to enforce the ban of certain foreign fabrics to further encourage local patronage and remove unwanted competition in prices.

Who are your role models in the fashion (Millinery) industry?

MyrolemodelsarePhilipTreacy (heisthepioneerofmodernmillinery: hats/fascinators), Elaine Merged of Hat Academy, and EmeAkenzua of John 3v3 hats.

Final words Millinery in Nigeria has come to stay. As it is part of our culture for women to use one form of headpiece/headgears or the other. At Couture

by ISÉMINI, we are passionate about solving the problem of inferiority and bad hair days in African women using our exquisite headpieces.

We strongly believe that African women deserve all the admiration, also we aim to showcase African culture and beauty to the world, create wealth while empowering many youths through training and employment, thus, reducing the unemployment rate in Nigeria/Africa. We hope to achieve this and more in the long run, starting from Lagos, Nigeria.

Sunday 13 January 2019

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33

Interview ‘Anybody that tells you that Nigeria is working well needs to think again’ Leonard Umunna, a bishop and founder of Bible Life Church worldwide, in this interview with ZEBULON AGOMUO, Editor, decries the socio-economic, political and spiritual states of Nigeria, calling on all citizens to make conscious efforts to return the country to the glory of yesteryears. He urges Christians in partisan politics to show the light. The multi-talented cleric also speaks on the forth-coming general election, expressing the optimism that it would be violence-free contrary to speculations. Excerpts: As a Nigerian and a cleric who have operated in the country for many years; how would you describe 2018? od told me at the beginning of that year that it was going to be a year of greater glory manifestation to Bible Lifers and all true Christians in the country. The church (in general) made a lot of progress last year. People came to church for help; where government could not provide the basic things of life, it was church that filled the gap; where the people lacked security, the church provided. The church provided hope for the hopeless. It was the church that held programmes and fed millions of participants across the country.

The church visited the Internally Displaced Persons’ settlements and provided for them.

The glory of the church was lifted last year and it is going to be far lifted up this year because God is God of progress.

In every area, if not the church, it would have been very, very terrible. If not God, it would have been very bad for this nation.

Last year, Nigeria was declared the world poverty capital.

But to us, God has said in famine we will smile. We really smiled despite all the negative news and happenings in 2018.

Concerning the nation (Nigeria) and the world in general; I told you last year that God said it would be a year of WWWL (War, Wisdom Wealth and Love) we saw it, from herdsmen, to Boko Haram, everywhere it was war, conflagration and aggression. It was also a year of wisdom. For instance, some parties had better ideas, even the PDP that could have been totally disintegrated got wisdom to conduct presidential primary that was seamless, scandal-free and noisefree; nobody went to court for the first time.

That was wisdom. It was also a year of love.

In the midst of the crises, musicians released albums that called for unity, peace and love.

It was also a year of wealth. Yes, things were hard but it was a year of wealth. The summary of last year is that it wasn’t a bad year as I sang in my newest album. ‘I have no regrets, all I have are challenges; the more they come, the more I win.’

hate action that will provoke your brother who has been pushed to the wall. He has gone into the wall and you are still pushing him; what then do you expect of him? He should not defend himself? Our people say, you don’t beat a child and still stop the child from crying out. If he cries out and talks you say it is hate speech.

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What are your expectations for the current year?

It is a year of ‘Ruling and Slaying Giants’.

That’s what God told me. You can see that this is an election year for Nigeria; and there is apprehension everywhere. You can see now that the whole of North East is virtually engulfed. The bloodshed is getting so much that if government does not up its game to arrest the situation it will become very catastrophic for Nigeria, because every

Leonard Umunna

bloodshed cries to the God of vengeance.

The former President Goodluck Jonathan said his election did not worth the blood of any Nigerian.

The blood of one person spilt unjustly is enough to make heaven to shut its doors against a nation when the leader does not fight for that very soul, not to talk of hundreds of thousands of souls. Now, join the carnage in the North East to the activities of kidnappers, ritual murders, the militants and politicians who want to win election in a door die way. They are now getting involved in human sacrifices just to make money; make name or win election. The evil of Nigeria has reached the high heavens. So, the way I see it this year, is what God said to me that it is a year of ‘Slaying those Giants? And this year has an acronym – Last: It is a year that will last in the memories of citizens. It is a year that comes with light to expose the evil works of many. It will help us see the future ahead.

People will become aware of the state of the nation. It will bring more illumination for advancement to us.

A- stands for advancement but for adversity for those who would want to continue in their evil and pernicious ways.

S – stands for sabotage. It will start with the coming elections. Those who said yes in the open will say no at the polling booths. It is a year of surprises and embarrassments for some people.

Despite what you said about the role the church played in the physical economy of Nigeria in the last year, how would you rate the church in terms of corruption and unrighteousness?

Don’t go there. It is far from expectations.

Nigerian churches are not there at all. Only few are still marching on; they are hardly seen; they are underground. What we see today is that many of them are gathering money just to build edifices like the people who built the tower of Babel; just for their honour and glory. Only a few are blessing God will obedience and acceptable service.

Some have even gone to acquire occult powers just to be seen as being powerful. The level of deception is very high.

Now, elections are by the corner and people are saying true Christians should

go into politics to change the wrong way things are done there. But there are also some people who argue that the Christians who are there are not showing the light.

What actually do you think is the trouble with Christians going into partisan politics in Nigeria?

I think things have gone so bad in the nation’s politics that it is even possible to believe those who are into occult than those who hide under Christianity. Those in the occult know that nemesis will catch up with them, whereas those hiding under Christianity are still deceiving themselves.

So, if that is the case, where lies the solution?

The solution is in what God is doing this year.

You are going to see some demystification this year. If they had allowed the youth to come into politics, they would have learnt, but the youth have no foundation in Nigeria at all. The foundation they have is carrying the bags of old politicians, rigging of elections, who do you know; your godfather and your financial base and worth. That’s all they know that matter in politics. All the laws that could have been made now to give us a new Nigeria have been abandoned.

One would have thought that by now we would have advanced to the point of staying in our homes and voting. We don’t need to come to the polling booths; merge the person’s identity with the fellow’s bank account and other items of identification/ particulars, and you will see that this thing called corruption would be reduced to the barest minimum if not altogether wiped out in some cases. We thought that by now they should have put it into the laws and statutes of government that any person going to vie for an election, generation of the fund must come from the public and not from the individual. That would mean that those aspiring to public office would begin early to plan and it would be only for those who have the servant-leader heart; and not those whose only motive to go there is self-enrichment.

Government says it has outlawed hate speech but critics say government is even more guilty in this case than any other person…

What you sow you will reap; don’t bring

Now, the question is, what concerns do you have for the 2019 general election?

I had some concerns before, not any more.

This is because if not God there is no hope; I know that Nigeria is bigger than those who are beating the drum of war. Nigeria will survive it. Nigeria will come out of this and shine. It takes one ‘mad’ person to change the course of things, like what Jerry Rawlings did in Ghana. I am not supporting bloodshed; but if it is the only way to save Nigeria, ‘O Lord, clean the Augean stable’. If that is the only way to get things work for us in Nigeria, let God have his way.

Nothing is working. They continue hopping from one excuse to the other. Today, they will say it is dam; tomorrow they say it is distribution; that if they generate so much, no distributive capacity. Another one now they will tell you that all the things we need have arrived at the Wharf in Apapa and that they have been cleared but no facility to distribute them. When there is facility; they will come up with ‘O, they have stolen them’.

Now, the ministry has compounded the problem by making budget for the purchase of generators. No hope. I tell you, anybody trying to tell you that Nigeria is working well should examine his head, and ask the fellow if he/she saw Nigeria when I saw Nigeria. I was born in 1954. Nigeria was like a huge aeroplane that took off; but something happened midair; it force-landed and since then every attempt to make it fly again has been in vain. Generation of engineers have come and worked on it without success.

They don’t even know how to get the parts not to talk of how to do it.

We are seeing all manner of endorsement of candidates by pastors. There are too many prophecies and counter prophecies about the coming election right from the pulpit. What should be the acceptable limits of these pronouncements from the pulpits?

I have told you that when God wants to help a man, he will be using natural forces supernaturally to enable him gain momentum and his enemies losing momentum. They will still be explaining it away until the final hour. When you interviewed me on former President Goodluck Jonathan in those days, I told you that God said I should not say anything about Jonathan; that it is the end that would justify the purpose why he was placed there. We saw what happened in 2015. It was the step he took that averted war in the country at that time. In some states, the momentum will be rising; while it will be going down in some. At the federal level; people will change their mind at the point of casting their votes at the polling booth; last minute decision. But I must tell you that the way the election will go eventually, there will be nothing like ‘They rigged it’, this time. The thing has gone the way it should go already.

Those prophesying are prophesying for the sake of it.

34 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 13 January 2019

Consumer Watch Prices of consumer goods, services remain high after Christmas NGOZI OKPALAKUNNE

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espite the winding down of 2018 Christmas season, the prices of consumer goods and services remained high.

Report shows that the country in the past few years has continued to experience hike in the prices of all commodities thereby leading most families to financial pressure.

Analysts attributed the persistent increase in the prices of food items to unabated crises in the northeastern part of the country and added that as the unrest continues to prevail in the region, the country will expect continued shortage in food supply and a concomitant increase in food prices until the insurgency is reasonably contained.

A recent visit to major markets in Lagos metropolis, such as Tejuosho, Idumota, Mushin and Oshodi by Consumer Watch after the Yuletide reveals that prices of food items, imported and local beverages, wears including that of children and adults remain high, while the cost of fresh tomatoes pepper, yam , potatoes, cocoa yam and plantain slightly dropped as those items are in season.

Take for instance, 50 kg bag of Fresh rice, Cap rice, Mama Africa, My Choice, Stallion, that sold for between N16. 000 and N17.500 respectively during the season remained the same.

In the aforementioned markets, a paint bucket of yellow gari which sold for N400 during the Christmas period now sells for N450 while a paint bucket of white garri which sold for N350 during the period now goes for N400.

A bag of egusi that was sold N98.000 remains the same.

A kilogram and 10 Kilogram of semovita which went for between N2,500 and N3,500 during the festive period, now sells for the same amount, respectively, even as the price of a five kilogram of wheat which previously sold for N1.500 has not come down .

A kilogram of frozen turkey still sells for between N1.300 and N1.400. While the price of full frozen chicken still goes between N1.400 and N1.500.

A life chicken still sells for between N3.500 and N4.000.

A part from the aforementioned items, further investigations showed that the price of virtually every item has gone up from the point of production down to the final retailer.

Expressing disappointment at that, a trader at Ola market who described himself as Chinedu said: “I have to be truthful to you, what we have now is a situation whereby sellers increase prices because prices of imported items have increased. Yes, I can say that most things I sell are not imported they are produced here in Nigeria. l will not on my own increase the prices of such products because of exchange rate and if l may ask, what has dollar to do with locally manufactured

food items?’’.

However, he said: “What baffles the market now is that other products that could be sourced locally without foreign exchange have also witnessed a sharp rise in the prices’’.

A public servant, Boma Cyprian bemoaned the situation arguing that the prices of consumer goods ought to have come down as the celebration is over.

Collaborating, Tina Duru lamented the situation and wandered when prices of food items will come down in Nigeria. Duru observed that the moment the price of a commodity goes up in the country, that it will be difficult for that price to come down.

“Nigeria is a country where prices of goods goes up and never come down. I doubt if it is like that

in other developing countries.

“I advised that the government should come to the aid of the poor masses because they are the most affected. The rich are not feeling the pains, most of them do their shopping abroad while majority of the poor are jobless and those that are engaged don’t receive regular income because of the harsh economic situation in the country.

An Economist, Benedeth Uzoma wandered the reason government is delaying to implement the N30,000 new minimum wage and added that the amount will not even solve any problem for an average Nigeria.

“When you consider the present economic crunch, N30.000 cannot pay for a room apartment monthly, feeding and offsetting school bills of two children in primary or secondary school.

“Government and well meaning Nigerians should encourage farm work by giving financial assistance to farmers.

“The present administration should stop paying lip service to insurgency because that is one of the major setbacks facing the country today. Farmers in the northeastern part of the country that should be supplying adequate food products across the county are being killed in their thousands and those that escaped are confined in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps. It is a huge challenge and government should ensure that peace return in the area so that farmers will continue with their farm work,’’ she added.

Ways to stay financially disciplined in the New Year •Set a money objective. Oftentimes we don’t create goals because it seems too complicated or we don’t know what they should be in the first place.

Or you might feel uninspired because you created financial goals in the past, but they didn’t help.

This year, try a different, simplified approach by setting a money objective. It’s a word or short phrase that gives direction to your entire financial life and becomes a theme you rally around. You might keep the same money objective forever or update it from year to year.

For instance, if you’re worried about not saving enough for retirement, your money objective could be “future needs.”

Online shopping out of control?

Try “spend mindfully.” Or “kid’s college” could be your financial mantra if your No. 1 priority is paying for a child’s education.

Just pick something you feel strongly about and pursue it with a vengeance.

•Use automation. Whether you want to save for a house down payment, emergency

fund or beach vacation, make it as convenient as possible to achieve your money objective. Automation adds built-in discipline to your financial life and reduces the likelihood that you’ll forget your objective or spend money on things you don’t need.

If you have a retirement plan at work, always participate and contribute as much as possible.

These accounts are so successful at getting workers to save because contributions must be deducted from your paycheck before you ever see the money.

Most employers offer direct deposit for your paycheck that can be split into multiple accounts, such as your checking and savings.

Not having to think about saving takes the stress out of managing money. And after a while, you probably won’t even miss the money. *Give yourself a challenge.

If controlling your spending is a struggle, be aware of how it’s holding you back from achieving your money objective. Cutting unnecessary expenses is

the key to living below your means, so you have plenty of money left over each month to reach your financial dreams.

Give yourself a challenge by actively resisting expenses that are most tempting. For instance, you might: Cook at home every day for a month instead of eating out; not buy any new clothes for 60 days; avoid shopping as entertainment; wait at least 24 hours before buying anything more expensive than a certain dollar amount.

•Change your environment.

To change your habits, try changing your environment.

Sometimes staying motivated is as simple as frequently reminding yourself of your money objective.

Create visible triggers that prompt you to think about what you want to accomplish every day. Put cues in your home, workplace, car and other strategic places you can’t avoid. When those prompts get your attention, they spark fresh inspiration and foster good habits.

•Get support. You might find that it’s easier to achieve your

money objective with a partner or group than to work on it alone. Consider asking a close friend, roommate or spouse to help you stay accountable.

Set a time to check in with each other on a regular basis to report your challenges and progress, so you clear away barriers to success.

When you begin making fi-

nancial progress, something miraculous happens. You start to feel excited about having money in the bank or seeing your retirement account balance surge.

Knowing that you have the selfcontrol and discipline to achieve your money objective gives you energy to overcome challenges and completely transform your financial life.

Sunday 13 January 2019

C002D5556

BDSUNDAY 35

TheWorshippers ‘Many of today’s Christians go to church only to have their needs met’ The President of Christ Apostolic Church Mission, Pastor Adesoji Ajayi recently held an interactive session on the development in the ministry, where he shared his opinion on giving and the implication to the body of Christ. SEYI JOHN SALAU brings the excerpts: Nigeria recently lost about 100 soldiers to Boko Haram in Metele; what is your take on this? o and ask America what they lost in Afghanistan. America lost more than 3,000 persons in the twin tower. In any war, there are losers; the two parties will lose, there will be causalities. When you look at it, remember before Buhari Boko Haram was almost in Abuja, they have almost reached Ilorin. The people in Ogbomoso were running up and down. They were already threatening the northern part of Yoruba land. They were physically in Abuja. Before the advent of Buhari, they were bombing all over the place, churches, mosques etc. It has now been brought down drastically.

If you want to fight a three-year old boy, you have to be careful because he can bring you down. Boko Haram is a trained sect. They are militants. It is the issue of a man who wants to die now fighting a man who remembers he has family at home. Boko Haram fighters want to die, so fighting this man you have to be tactical. They looted the treasury.

Obasanjo had about N20, 000 in his account before he became president, where did he get money to build a University and presidential library? I will only advise the APC government to work on stomach infrastructure. A lot of Nigerians are suffering and not that they caused it. It is not Buhari that did privatisation, it was Obasanjo that did all that and Atiku was the chairman, they decided who bought what.

If you say Nigerians are suffering; how do you want the government to address this?

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Pastor Yomi Omiyale Resident pastor, Lighthouse International Christian Centre (LICC), Lagos Teacher of the Word and a Tax Accountant omiyaleyomi2013@gmail.com 08077587734

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Peter 5: 6 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time”.

We will continue with our discussion on how to be in the perfect will of God for our lives. Last week we discussed that praying in other tongues is a vital key to walking in the perfect will of God for our lives.

Today, we shall examine another vital key to walking in God’s perfect will – Humility.

Today’s scripture states that we should humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt us in due time. The mighty hand of God is a divine instrument that places us in the right place at the right time. It also ensures that we meet the right people. The mighty hand of God is God himself taking

Pastor Adesoji Ajayi

I will advise the present government to look into the banks. All over the world, no country excepts Nigeria that charges double digit interest rate. In the UK the highest is 2 percent, ours is 26percent apart from other satanic charges and there is no period of moratorium. If you get N100million loan they start charging you immediately, they don’t care if you have started the business or if you can make profit.

I want the president to take a bill to the National Assembly on this, lobby them and let us see how they can legislate on it.

As we head to the polls for the 2019 general election, what do you

see for Nigeria?

Before the coming of APC government, for days, you will forget about light, we used to spend 200250 liters of diesel here weekly.

Now we spend below 100 liters of diesel. I am not saying light issue is perfect but if you see a hungry man now being fed once or twice a day you will know there is a difference.

We have light about 10 hours.

Someone sent to school for 16 years that got nothing is now blaming someone who has only spent three and half in school for not performing, it is ridiculous. Atiku is loaded.

He promised infrastructure, is he going to spend his personal money

to fix it? How do you expect the judges and the lawyers to cooperate with Buhari? In the past, Buhari failed because he couldn’t give what Shagari was giving to do ‘rankadede’ for the leaders in the north. Buhari is good, but the terrain he found himself, the political terrain, he has failed to know. The axiom says a hungry man is an angry man. They have not addressed that.

Are you in a way saying this administration has done well with the resources available to it?

Fashola is addressing road, housing, power, divide the money being spent on that by two and give a portion to the people. What they are doing now is what they ought to have done in the past. They are now giving N10, 000 each to traders. If I were them, the billions they are spending to feed school children could be redirected because their parents have been feeding them in the past.

They could redirect that huge sum to establish people. I understand they have spent about N40billion so far on feeding. When you give N10, 000 to traders, what will they do with it? Give N50, 000 instead and let it cost you billions.

A billion dollars now is N360billion, take five billion Naira from the reserve, it will satisfy the masses of the nation. Don’t wait for them, establish them, and empower them.

Why did you stop people from kneeling down for you?

I am not God. And I don’t like being deified. If you prostrate for me I see it as you are doing that because I am older but why should older people prostrate for me? It is extremely embarrassing. I hate being deified. And again I stopped the 10

percent. You are giving 10 percent to God; are you putting me in the position of God? There was this money they used to contribute, they would give it to me, the Lord said it is for the poor, give it to the poor and it is one thing to read the Bible, it is another thing to get the message and have the understanding. Being a Christian doesn’t make it automatic that you are a bonafide Christian. A lot of people go to churches to have their needs met but the main reason for going to church should be to worship God. What does giving implies for a believer?

I have been giving since my teenage years. At the age of 18, 19, I started giving. I find it comfortable to give and giving is the best way to live as a Christian; even as a human being. I don’t restrain myself from giving, I thank God for that. When we were building this place I had an estate I was building, I abandoned it to concentrate on the church work.

I am always directed by the Spirit of God. I have been shown my home in heaven, it is built with gold; this is to the glory of God. For those who have seen heaven, they know it is real. Nothing on earth compares to it. As I wanted to enter they drew me back and said go and work for it. The fact that you were shown doesn’t make it automatic.

Finally, have you ever had a cause to regret that act of giving?

I have never. I don’t like people coming to greet me to thank me for giving to them. I don’t give because I expect anything back. That is what is missing in the life of people. I don’t like being praised, how many times do we praise Christ for all he is doing for us?

time so that his perfect will can be done.

Isn’t this God so wonderful?

Isn’t he worth serving with all our resources, strength and life?

However it takes humility to enjoy the mighty hand of God. Real humility is making God the sole aim of your existence. When you are humble, you regard God first in all your fears; you seek his face about everything that concerns you.

I seek the face of God about everything that concerns me. For things that could be as insignificant as where I should rent a house and when to buy a car; I seek his wisdom and his face; I don’t own my life, I did not create my life. I am only a steward of the life given to me and I must give an account one day to the giver and owner of life.

That is real humility: making God first and foremost in every decision and step you take.

I have observed people over the course of my few years and if you will ask me the number one reason why some people fail, I won’t think

twice in responding by saying, “they do not seek the face of God about the decisions they make.”

They live life as if they created life. They make their decisions and pray for God to bless it.

For instance, the trend now is for immigration to Canada; now I don’t live in the moon so I know that living in Nigeria could be challenging. But have you asked God? Have you prayed to God about it?

Maybe God wants you to travel out but maybe it’s the USA and not Canada.

Maybe he wants you to travel to UK or Germany. Maybe that is where your greatness truly lies; but no, most people won’t do that.

God is not priority for them - He is an option.

That is pride; doing your own things your own way without submission to God. Proud people don’t enjoy the mighty hand of God and hardly walk in God’s perfect will.

The mighty hand of the Lord ownership of your life and ensuring that you are where you ought to be even though you don’t initially know it.

Isaiah 63:12 “that led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?” That is the mighty hand of God leading them.

So how this mighty hand does operates?

“Isaiah 63:14 “As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the lord caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name caused him to rest”.

That is what the mighty hand of God does. It’s a compelling force that directs the affairs of a man’s life. I think I should give another testimony today to illustrate this.

The year was 1998: it was the period of the tribal war between the Yorubas and the Hausas in Lagos in the aftermath of the death of MKO Abiola. On this fateful day, armed Hausa thugs’ over-ran

a Yoruba suburb and went on a killing spree. They entered this man’s shop and killed his sales boy. They took the shop owner, placed him on the floor and were about to crush his head with an axe when an argument broke forth between them.

“He is Yoruba; no he is Ibo; he is Calabar; no he is Yoruba.” Some of the Hausa men wanted him to be killed insisting that he is a Yoruba man while others were of the view that his features were that of an Ibo man.

Luckily at that moment, a Calabar woman walked past and heard the heated argument. She screamed, “He is Calabar; he is Calabar.” They lifted down their axe and left him. Well she lied: that man is a Yoruba man. By the way, it’s not a story I read on the internet; that man is my dad and he is still alive till this day.

So, the perfect will of God for him is long life but God achieved that through his mighty hand.

He made that Calabar woman to be at the right place at the right

Shalom You are lifted.

36 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 06 May 2018

Inspirations Standing tall in crisis (2)

Pastor I.S James 2 Corinthians 4: 8 –18

2. Afflictions are momentary (they don’t last). t will not stay forever. It is short lived.

Soon you will not see it again.

Wipe your tears. Have you been disappointed, abused or jilted? Cheer up.

Your joy is coming in the morning. You are passing through. It is not a permanent experience. You are walking through every valley of the shadow of death (Psalms 23) because the Lord is with you. It is even a shadow, not the real thing. Remember, you are to fear only Him who can destroy both the shadow and the real; the body and the soul. You are in good company and on the right side.

3. Afflictions are working for your good and in your favour.

Thank God your crisis came. It came to produce character in you. It is building patience in you (Romans 5:1-8). It is producing endurance in you. Would you have known how to endure if you didn’t have some bad times? Just as we need the positive and negative ends to have electric light so we need the good and bad times of life to have the best out of life. We cannot have it rosy all the time. Begin to thank God for your bad times.

When next you see someone who’s

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taking life easy, realize it is because of what he/she has gone through. And vice versa. You will keep quiet in crisis when you know that it is working out something in your favour. You can even begin to look forward to it. You can dare the devil to fire his best shot and you won’t be moved because of your firm conviction that God allows his fiery dart to land on you for a greater and bigger good He is preparing for and in you. 1 Corinthians 10:13 say there will always be a way of escape.

Somebody somewhere is experiencing every problem that is coming your way but God is faithful, who would create a way of escape for you. He can be trusted.

Prepare your mind to bear it. God will never allow you to get to the point where you cannot bear it anymore. Very often we cannot immediately see what it is producing in us, but be sure, it is working “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”. Affliction worked in the Prodigal Son (Luke 16) and he came back home a better person, more matured and useful for kingdom business, as it were. Let me quickly say here that he is an immature Christian whose only prayer is, “Lord, Bless me, Lord bless me”. The young man went to his father to request for his portion of inheritance. When he left home he was a boy, but when he came back he was a matured man. Maturity is not only a function of your biological age. Much of it is dependent on how many afflictions you have gone through. Smile! You are a Christian! Afflictions prepare you for tomorrow.

4. Do not to concentrate all your energy on your crisis.

While we look not at the things which are see… Treat it like it’s not there. You may be going through a tough time but treat it with little regard. Look at that which cannot be seen by the natural

eyes. This is not an advocacy for absolute denial but an advocacy for the right approach and attitude to crisis. Some of us are so transparent about our troubles that others can see through us as we invite them for a pity party by the looks on our faces. Let your mind not settle on the crisis. Don’t allow your troubles make you lose sleep. You also need to learn how to turn your backs on criticisms that are not constructive. As a minister, do not use the pulpit (pul- pit –a place from where you PULL people from the PIT of hell) as a platform to settle personal scores.

Always remember that whoever is backbiting is behind you. Let this encourage you. Of course you know that there are many things that will trouble you in this world. That is why you need to see afflictions as light.

As a Pastor, I have seen some people who were very resentful of others. I had one of such persons in church some time ago. This sister created tension and anxiety. She didn’t mean to be that way, I found out that later, but I noticed that I began to resent her in my mind also.

When I took the matter up with the Lord, he gave me a gentle rebuke. He told me that He made all men (and their uniqueness), and that He bears up with them, particularly with their idiosyncrasies.

Shouldn’t I do the same as one who ministers on his behalf? According to the Lord, He didn’t have any problem with the lady.

His problem was with me. He wasn’t after her directly. He was after making my heart large enough to accommodate one and all.

We all need this capacity for tolerance of others, especially those who do not share our sentiments and orientation. The next day I went to her and embraced her. I have come to appreciate her deeply, having come to see her as a great supporter of this ministry.

When people say sentiments like, “I can’t stand him/her” etc it is an admission of failure to imbibe the largeness of heart a true disciple of Christ should have. Those we claim that we cannot stand are not the problem, we are!

5. Look on the things that your physical eyes cannot see.

Be more interested in what the affliction is producing in you that other people cannot see. The long period of waiting before Glory, my daughter was born is worth every wait my wife and I endured.

It fashioned in me some great qualities of any great father. How I love Glory and how she loves her mother and I. Your affliction (from the taunting of your parents over your delayed marriage etc.) should be a vehicle that makes you concentrate on the patience, self-control, love, etc that the experience is creating in you. “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (Jam.1: 3-4).

Hebrews 10: 35-39. Wait it out, my friend. Have you endured affliction for a while, and you are beginning to waver in your faith? Hold on! Do not cast away your confidence. It is your assurance that the reward will come. It is those who wait it out that have endless joy in the end!

Don’t be quick to pursue the option of the line of least resistance. Learn to see the blessings in every negative situation.

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

Happy New Year ...my prayer for you in 2019 MY 5 PRAYERS FOR YOU IN 2019

REV. Yomi Kasali

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@rev.yomikasali

appy New Year to all my ‘Inspire’ readers and Facebook friends, this is my first time of communicating my thoughts to you since last year and I feel compelled to pray some prayers for you. I know many pastors and Christian leaders are running prayer programs at this time. In fact, we run what we call ‘Creative Days’ in our church, coined from Gen 1 v 1 because we believe that the best way to Start a Year is to Create Your Year in the Place Of Prayers.

There are so many annual themes for different people from different church fathers, some are ‘Prophetic’, others are simply ‘Motivational’, ‘Instructional’ and perhaps ‘Political’. I want to start the year with my Prayers for all my readers and friends out there, these are simple Christian Prayers from a loving heart for godly people who love the Lord out there.

YOU WILL LOVE THE LORD MORE THAN LAST YEAR: This is perhaps the most spiritual prayer out there, it was the summary of Paul’s prayers for the Ephesians church in Eph. 1 v 17-19; 3 v 17-21. The greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our hearts and minds so I pray the same for you this year.

YOUR PROGRESS WILL APPEAR TO ALL: This is one of my silent prayers every year, because I like the word ‘Progress’ more than ‘Success’ as defined by most church leaders today, it’s one of the promises of the Word to us all in 1Tim. 4 v 15 - ‘Meditate upon these things, give yourself wholly to them; that they profiting or ‘Progress’ May appear to all’ ...what a promise!

ENJOY THE PEACE OF GOD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR: I strongly believe that it is a wealthy man who enjoys the Peace Of God not the person who lacks the Peace Of God but rich in gold. The blessing of ‘Divine Peace’ cannot be overrated in the life of a believer and this is what we get when we cultivate a habit of handing over our worries to God in prayers (Philippians 4 v 6-7; Isa. 26 v 3).

LIVE A HAPPY AND CONTENTED LIFE: Avarice is killing many young people and Nigerians in general, lots

of people are resorting to unthinkable levels in their unimaginable quest for wealth, the answer to such hunger is to Live a Content Lifestyle without being unnecessarily lackadaisical in outlook.

Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim. 6 v 6). The fastest path to a truly ‘Happy Life’ is Contentment.

YOU WILL LIVE AND NOT DIE: My final prayerful thought for you this year is that it will not be your last year on earth but rather, you will Live to declare the works of the Lord in your life. The psalmist made the declaration

that is my affirmation in Psalm 118 v 17. I truly pray that you will finish the year Stronger, Better and Wiser Than you started it.

Having shared my thoughts for 2019 above, I hope you will silently internalize them into Prayers today and keep them in your hearts throughout the year.

Happy New Year!

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

Sunday 13 January 2019

C002D5556

BDSUNDAY 37

SundayBusiness Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

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n the determined quest for job and wealth creation, food and nutrition security experts on agricultural practices have continued to canvass for fish farming as a profitable route to take. In fact, unlike in the past when the main method was by catching different species of fish especially from the village rivers, modern farm practices have added value using technological breakthroughs. This has been made possible by building fish ponds, managing them well and smiling all the way to the bank.

The advantages are profound.

Fish farming holds great potentials because the fish species mature quickly, act as popular sources of healthy protein, including omega-3 fatty acids good for both the heart and the brain.

Without doubt, fish is also very rich in calcium and phosphorus and is equally a great source of minerals such as iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium.

Spiritonomics

Debo Atiba

www.spiritonomics.org

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ost times when we think of the person of the Holy Spirit, we think about church and fellowship. For believers we are not likely to think Holy Spirit has any role to play in our lives let alone in our businesses. Our impression of the instruction of the Holy Spirit is basically Church based. Is the Holy Spirit needed in the marketplace? Does the Holy Spirit know about business? It is important we ask ourselves these questions because although most people have a head knowledge of this truth, their minds have been programmed otherwise. We think because all that we do in business looks physical then the place of the Holy Spirit is needless. This mindset actually makes us to lose a lot in life. We must be certain and

Lessons from Frotchery fish farm Fish sells within a short period of time. Besides, its production and processing do not act as an environmental hazard.

The piece of good news is that a groupofserious-mindedNigerians, realising the huge potentials in fish farming have thrown their net into the business waters and so far the members have sweet tales to tell.

Their company, Frotchery Farms Limited, located in Ibadan, Oyo State was incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission back in April 2017. It was cofounded by Messrs Oni Hammed Adedapo, Yusuf Ismail Babatunde as well as the agile lady in the house, Okeke Chituru Ngozi. These are young, vibrant and skilled agripreneurs who have acquired technical and business experience from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and other relevant organisation including; Ekimiks Nigeria Limited and the Lagos Business School.

It is interesting to note that with just about two years of operations it has so far made its presence felt in over 10 states in Nigeria. One of the reasons behind the success recorded is hinged on the production of high quality smoked fish, fish fillet, fish powder and frozen indigenous African fish. They have achieved this by deploying best aquaculture technology and practices thereby improving food safety, nutritional contents and quality through postharvest interventions.

Ap a r t f r o m p r o c e s s i n g healthy fish products which meet international standard it has provided various livelihood opportunities for poor households practicing aquaculture. Frotchery farm has created an avenue to

enlighten the consumers on hygiene and eating right through the consumption of quality fish products. Consumers are therefore, becoming conscious of the type of food they consume as a result of awareness on the dangers of consuming poorly processed foods. The consumers desire to eat nutritious, quality and clean fish products at affordable prices.

To boost commercial activities the company’s products and services are being utilised by several seasoned hotels, restaurants, caterers, food stores, supermarkets and homes. It is employing hygienic processes as the method of production encourages minimal waste disposal.

While the primary purpose is to deploy state of the art technologies for continuous production of high quality and hygienic fish products, its secondary goal involves offering capacity development services for youths, unemployed, corporate organizations, associations and pensioners.

Fr o t c h e r y f i s h f a r m i s equally leveraging on its value chain, including packaging, marketing and utilising the existing liaison with relevant developmental organisations.

The aim is to communicate the latest agricultural innovations, products as well as other pertinent information to youth who have interest in agricultural sector. But it has not been a stroll in the park for the fish farm given the inclement business environment that Nigeria presents.

The challenges to its operations like that of other fish farms have been enormous. Firstly, it wants the government needs to follow up

on its various measures to ensure ease of doing business, especially for the small scale business startups. The complexity in obtaining certification is enough to kill startup businesses.

Specifically, one of the greatest challenges in the fishery sector is the high cost of fish feed which makes farmers incur about 65percent-70percent of the production cost on fish feed purchase! Frotchery fish farm is therefore, calling on the federal government to work with relevant USA and European agencies to lift ban on made-in-Nigeria fish products. For instance, the USA only requires our government to comply with its directives on fish export which are mainly administrative issues which can be undertaken by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD). The essence is to meet international standards on production and food safety.

For some other Nigerians wishing to follow the footsteps of the brains behind Frotchery fish farm it is instructive to understand the risks and challenges in fish farming. Truth be told, fish is very sensitive to manage and any slight mistake in its handling could lead to degenerated growth or death of the fish. This may inadvertently cause massive revenue loss.

Secondly, setting up fish farm is a capital intensive venture, much more than that of poultry and snail farming. It is important to engage in more careful planning and much capital input. A relatively small fish farm may take up to N500,000 to setup, while bigger ones takes millions of Naira. Fish is priced high. This is due to the cost of

production. Products of modern fish farm are priced higher than those caught from the rivers and ponds by fishermen. Therefore, if there are good quantity of fisherman’s fish in the market, one may find it an uphill task to sell as people would prefer the cheaper ones.

Another drawback is that there is no byproduct in fish farming compared to poultry which produces other products including the drops which can be harvested and sold to other farmers to make extra profit. In fishery, all one gets is the flesh.

Frotchery farms however, plans to expand its current market opportunities to every state in Nigeria. This would create opportunities for interested distributors and build the capacity of more youth and unemployed graduates. It is creating a platform for consumers, for them to be enlightened on the benefits of consuming healthy quality fish products.

With its vision to become a leading fish processor in Nigeria, producing high quality products to meet international standards the future looks bright. This is especially so as it has positioned itself to deploy state of the art technologies for continuous production of high quality and hygienic fish products. All the same it should ensure that the fish varieties are made available at affordable prices, focusing on meeting consumers’ needs and enhancing the capacity of youth along aquaculture value chain.

Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media ayobaje@yahoo.co.uk; 08057971776

The Holy Spirit In The Marketplace reprogram our lives with the truth that God is indeed interested in all our affairs in this life including business.

The truth is that His presence in us transcends church activities, He is present as a help in all our lives and in everything we do whether you are a business man, housewife, career person. The presence of the Spirit of God is to ease the journey on the earth. Scripture says He (The Holy Spirit) has been given to us as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.

Below are His ministry to us in the marketplace; John 14: 26(Amp) “But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you”.

1.

Our Helper: Have you ever been in a situation before where it seems that all hell has broken loose and all hope lost? He is present in our lives for such a time as this, stationed to help us. I remember many years ago when I entered into a business transaction I should never have been a part of and was hugely indebted. The time

for repayment drew so close and I had no money to pay back. My wife and I were really bothered, however at that period the Spirit of God quickened in me scriptures for my salvation at that hour of great need.

He brought to my remembrance truth of God’s power to deliver so vividly that both myself and my wife were refreshed. We experienced the salvation of God and deliverance came from the same source we thought had swallowed up the investment. God saved us from losing our integrity among friends and relatives. Halleluiah!!!

2.

Our Comforter: You cannot be in the battle front and not be scared and scarred. Sometimes the inevitable occurs, you lose great opportunities, you bid for a job and it is given to someone else that is less qualified. You started the job and it was taken away from you because of politics. These and many examples in the market place are wounds that have capacity to leave scars for life.

Jesus was aware of the challenges that people will face in life and He warned us ahead by saying that, in this life you will face tribulations but be of good cheer for He has overcome the world.

The refreshing that is needed for

such a time is already in us in the person of the Holy Spirit. We are greatly comforted and encouraged. Holy Spirit reminds us that the opportunities in life does not end at the count of one. They are numerous and so we need not lose sleep over the one that we just lost. That He would make up for it that we would never remember that we lost anything.

What a beautiful God we have for a father. He considered it expedient to have the Holy Spirit to comfort us.

He is our Teacher: Of 3. course not like your regular teacher in class but much better because He lives in you. He is a personal coach made ready to open your eyes to opportunities around you.

He knows where they are and where God kept them. When we relinquish the rein of our lives to Him He does just that. He teaches our hand to profit. Many have lost great opportunities in life because their teacher was never contacted.

How would they even know that He is there to serve their interest when in their minds, they left Him in church last Sunday hoping to come back and meet Him. He lives in you and He exists to make life better for you in that business. The questions in your mind on how to sell, what to

sell, where to sell and whom to sell to He has answers to them all. Your fellowship with Him is important, it is in the place of fellowship that He reveals things to you. Scripture says what “…what eyes have never seen, what ears have never heard, what has never entered into the heart of man… these are revealed to us by His Spirit…”. Ideas out of this world, outlandish inventions that will shake the world to its root.

Our Strengthener: In busi4. ness we constantly have to have our strength renewed. We could become battle weary and disinterested by reason of various attacks.

This is where the Spirit of God comes in to pump in Adrenalin of heaven into us. We become revitalized, we are encouraged and filled with great optimism and excited.

He gives us reasons to live again.

Beloved anytime this truth is not acknowledged or flawed in our lives we are always at the mercy of the enemy Satan. He succeeds big time against us because we are in the dark when the light of the Holy Spirit is absent. As you acknowledge His ministry (Holy Spirit) in your business you see great lifting this year in Jesus name.

Remain Blessed. @spiritonomics

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SundayBusiness How long do Nigerians have to wait for affordable mortgage?

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dward Okon is a middleaged man who left higher school 26 years ago at the age of 24. Okon’s immediate plans on leaving school was to work for six years and marry at the age of 30. Thereafter, he would start processes leading to owning a home he would call his home before his 40th birthday.

That was a long term plan because he reasoned that the only easy, simple and convenient way for him to own a home from his not-too-big salary was to take a mortgage loan and pay back by installments.

Because of its low interest rate and long repayment period of 6 percent and 20-30 years respectively, Okon decided for the National Housing Fund (NHF). He approached one of the primary mortgage banks (PMBs) to subscribe for the fund. His experience there was anything but cheering.

After subscribing and contributing for one year instead of the statutory six months requirement, Okon’s long trek to obtaining a loan via his contribution began. His PMB made impossible demands from him, leading to his anger and decision to suspend his application for the elusive loan.

That was how Okon’s faith in his country’s mortgage system almost died and his dream of owning a home through mortgage was deferred.

Though, through frugal living and co-operatives, Okon has been able to build his housing, a modest three bedroom bungalow in a Lagos suburb, his interest and hope in the Nigerian mortgage system came

alife again when the Federal Government, in another round of intervention, set up the Nigerian mortgage refinance company (NMRC) in 2014.

NMRC was launched into the Nigerian mortgage market as a secondary mortgage institution aimed to raise liquidity in the mortgage system and drag down interest rate on mortgage loan to upper single digit or a spread of double digits. Its operation was also expected to catalyse the development and delivery of affordable housing to Nigerians within the low income bracket.

It is a private sector-driven company with the public purpose of developing the primary and secondary mortgage markets by raising long‐term funds from the domestic capital market as well as foreign markets for providing accessible and affordable housing in Nigeria.

The company whose mandate is mainly to increase liquidity in the mortgage system by refinancing mortgages originated by the primary mortgage banks (PMBs) came on a very high pedestal of providing cheap and long term funds, reducing interest rate to single digit, increasing the country’s housing stock by 720,000 annually, and creating 300,000 indirect jobs.

To Okon and many other Nigerians, particularly the mortgage operators, this was a new dawn because the company would issue long term bonds in the capital market as efficiently as possible and channel the proceeds to refinance memberinstitutions at a competitive rate, bringing to an end, or reducing to the barest minimum, the huddles posed

Procurement and Supply Chain

with Gob-Agundu Uche Branch chair (CIPS), Nigeria Some other skills and qualities of the procurement Professional include: ata and financial analysis skills: Success as a Procurement professional does not only require communication and interpersonal skills. It also requires sound data analysis skills.

A good professional must be comfortable with data and must possess the skills to analyze them using various analytical tools. This is because our normal work has both technical components and commercial components. Through training, a young procurement practitioner can acquire the data skills. In other words, if you are not comfortable with figures, you will not make a sound procurement expert. Data gathered constantly in the procuring process should be properly analyzed and presented to inform management decision making. These patterns and intelligence cannot be established by simply using traditional data analysis methods. Data analysis is a highly sought after skill that many procurement professionals lack.

Also ability to analyze Financials is a key skill which enables the procurement practitioner to understand how business decisions are arrived at by organizations

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and help them to come to more intelligent conclusions rather than making rash buying decisions. Ability to demonstrate a skill for financial analysis as well as communicate this to stakeholders will you stand you out as a smart and skillful procurement professional.

Strategic sourcing skills: Every organization has its corporate objectives. Procurement contributes its quota towards realizing these objectives through adoption of efficient sourcing approaches. Strategic sourcing is an approach to supply chain management that formalizes the way information is gathered and used so that an organization can leverage its consolidated purchasing power to find the best possible values in the marketplace.

It requires the practitioner to upgrade his skills from the regular tactical day – to – day procuring to strategic buying. According to Wikipedia, Modern supply chain management professionals have placed emphasis on defining the distinct differences between strategic sourcing and procurement.

Procurement operations support tactical day-to-day transactions such as issuing Purchase Orders to suppliers, whereas strategic so u r c in g in v o lv es s t rat egi c planning, supplier development,

to mortgage lending to real estate.

True to this expectation, NMRC has visited the capital market from where it raised N8 billion with which it has refinanced mortgages originated by six mortgage institutions including Stanbic IBTC, Imperial Homes, Sterling Bank, Sun Trust Mortgage Bank, Trustbond Mortgage Bank, and Homebase Mortgage Bank which got N1.8 billion, N1.7 billion, N1.6 billion, N1.3 billion, N700 million and N500 million respectively.

It has gone back to the market and raised more capital. By the end of last December, the company announced to the world that it has raised N18 billion from the market.

But it remains to be seen by Okon and his brothers and sisters what purpose this refinancing function has served Nigerians,four years after. The effect of the refinancing of the six mortgage institutions is yet to be felt in the housing sector as there is no news anywhere of any mortgage loan applicant, especially NHF contributors, that have been given loans to buy, build or renovate houses as a result of this.

The second capital raise by the company raised expectations that more mortgage institutions, especially the PMBs, will be refinanced and more mortgage applicants will be able to access mortgage to buy or build their homes.

Officials of the company assured that when they raised another capital, it would come at lower interest rate and PMBs will be able to access the funds at lower interest rate, if not at single digit, at least, at lower double digit.

Talking Mortgage with CHUKA UROKO (08037156969, chukuroko@yahoo.com) However, Femi Johnson, MD/ CEO, Homebase Mortgage, explained in an interview that it took the company this long to return to the capital market because the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires it to have expended about 70 percent of the earlier capital before returning to raise more capital.

High interest rate has been the bane of mortgage access for home ownership in Nigeria as many mortgage applicants and home seekers cannot afford the commercial interest rate of between 20 percent and 25 percent charged on mortgage loans with very short repayment period.

The role NMRC is expected to play in this direction is to provide liquidity for the mortgage market and, consistent with its mandate to promote wider spread of home ownership, accessibility and affordability, the company has come with some initiatives that have also failed to show impact.

The ‘Housing/Mortgage Market Information Portal (MMIP)’ is one of such initiatives aimed to enable it to gather data for intelligence and profiling of federal, states civil servants and informal sectors (off-takers) for affordable housing.

Another initiative is the Mortgage Market System (MMS) which is a transformational change that integrates the entire housing market, covering construction finance, primary and secondary mortgage. The system which is available to all players in the housing industry has the benefit of removing duplications of effort in gathering data and documents; improving the turnaround time, reducing the cycle time of transactions and helping in making homes more affordable.

But, affordable housing is made possible more by affordable mortgage which is not available at the moment . And Okon wants to know how long he has wait to see and access affordable mortgage.

The procurement professional part 2 contract negotiation, supply chain infrastructure, and outsourcing models. Getting the right mix and delivering optimum savings is a mixture of art and science. The procurement professional should acquire these skills.

Contract management skills: Contract management is not just about Contract drafting.

Some people assume they are contract management experts simply because they are lawyers.

However, the reality is that contract management goes beyond contract drafting and interpretation.

It involves monitoring the development, signing off and implementation of contracts as part of the foundation for a successful supplier relationship. It also requires technical knowledge of risk analysis and management, data analysis and commercial skills. These skills are vital for procurement professionals as they allow you to ensure that the initial benefits agreed in the contract are maintained throughout the contract life.Understanding of total cost of ownership: Total cost of ownership (TCO) is a financial estimate intended to help buyers and owners determine the direct and indirect costs of a product or system. It is a management accounting concept that can be used in full cost accounting or even ecological economics where it includes social costs. TCO has been adopted in Procurement profession to enable buyers in their cost computation in the contract process. By focusing only on bestlanded cost, your organization can achieve a very short-term benefit of buying something as inexpensive as possible. However, this myopic Purchasing practice can be very expensive in the long term. There is a difference between value and pricing. TCO looks at the

value rather than price. Therefore, other variables such as warranty cost, costs due to adjustment of production schedules and so forth are recognized by TCO and therefore, professionals are expected to acquire TCO skills.

Risk management skills: Risk Management is the identification, evaluation, and prioritization of risks followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities.

In procurement practice, we consider three key categories of risk among others namely: operational risks, commercial risks and legal risks. Documentation is a major mitigation for risks in procurement.

A successful procurement practitioner is expected to be skilled adequately in risk analysis and risk management in order to add value to the organization.

It is instructive that these skills and qualities of the procurement professional as discussed here are not exhaustive. Some other skills required include Integrity, which is a combination of good character and morality; Knowledge and organization skills; Forecasting skills; Entrepreneurial skills; Collaborative Attitude/Behavior skills; A balance of quantitative and qualitative analytical skills; Attention to details; Creative solutions skills; Time Management skills; as well as Capacity to learn new techniques and approaches.

These skills can be learned through training or on the job development to secure your future as a sought after procurement professional. They are both qualitative skills and quantitative skills and some are even behavioral skills. It is pertinent for the

professional to realize that these skills which in themselves impact on their general performances are a must have. We have situations in some organizations where some people are drafted to procurement and Supply Chain departments from other professional backgrounds and they assume that they do not require further training in the new field. This is not right. For any practitioner to add value to the procurement practice, he needs to internalize the culture, values and competencies of the profession.

These are acquired through formal training and on the job development.

Organizations must insist on every practitioner acquiring the minimum competencies required by the procurement profession.

In conclusion, Procurement practice as a profession has come a long way. We are fast creating a distinct identity in organizations gaining recognition even at Executive Management levels in many organizations. We are therefore, building a team of professionals across all industries both in the private sector and public sector of the economy. To this end, Chief Procurement Officers must continue to insist on hiring and retaining individuals whose training and professional development are consistent with our professional goal of entrenching world class procurement departments with the right staff equipped with requisite skills. Our processes and procedures must be regularly updated and simplified for use by our well trained and motivated procurement professionals.

Gob – Agundu Uche is a Fellow and Chartered Member of the prestigious Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, CIPS. She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, CILT UK.

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BrandsOnSunday SPOTLIGHTING BRAND VALUE

How DDB Lagos emerged as Nigeria’s most creative agency at 2018 LAIF awards Lagos Ideas Festival, LAIF was instituted by Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) 13 years ago with aim of recognising, rewarding and fostering creative excellence in all areas of marketing communication. Since then, the LAIF initiative has continued to promote Nigeria’s creative potentials while recognising outstanding creativity. This report assesses the 2018 edition held early last month.

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he mood was pensive, and yet at the same time festive as the big wigs gathered for the 13th edition of the Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival (LAIF) which is Nigeria’s most definitive event that recognizes, rewards and promotes creative excellence in all areas of advertising and marketing communications.

As the evening wore on, it was not clear which agency would take the day as quite a couple of veterans such as Insight and SO&U were making a good showing along with usual suspects X3M Ideas and Noah’s Ark. The intense competition was also heightened by the strong wins made by younger Agencies such as Culture, Etuodi, BBDO and UpIntheSky. However if there was one agency that clearly demonstrated a superior creative breadth and depth in diverse award winning work it was DDB Lagos. At the end of the evening DDB had yet again topped the overall list of creative agencies in Nigeria by winning the Grand Prix award for the acclaimed “Man in the Box campaign” for MTN. DDB Lagos was also awarded 6 Gold plaques for outstanding campaign ideas in “Children’s day”, “Independence day”, “My Influence” and “Man in The Box” for Royco, Baileys, Sunlight and MTN respectively.

Speaking on the Grand Prix Award for MTN ManInThe Box, Michael Zylstra, Regional President Aegis Dentsu and Chief Juror of the LAIF Awards noted that the concept won the top prize as an integrated and interactive innovation for growing SME businesses.

Because of its exceptional idea concept the “Man in The Box” won Gold plaques in 3 different categories. Silver (4) and Bronze (9) plaques were awarded also for campaigns like; “Reasons to Smile”, “See us 2 Male”, “Corn”, “Waist Line”, “Upper Room”, “Verve Naira Note (Worker’s Day)” etc for other several brands.

Other agencies that won highest number of awards include SO&U, Insight Publicis and X3M Ideas.

While Insight won 24 medals- five gold, 10 silver and nine bronze medals, X3M Ideas won five gold, seven silver and eight bronze medals; SO&U won four gold, 11 silver and eight bronze medals Other big winners on the night include Culture with three gold and two bronze medals; Noah’s Ark with one gold, eight silver and 11 bronze medals; Up In The Sky with one gold, five silver and four bronze medals; Etu Odi with one gold, two

silver and two bronze medals.

TBWA got four silver and three bronze medals; 7even Interactive won three silver and four bronze medals; 141 Worldwide now Nitro 121 garnered two silver and three bronze medals; Leo Burnett claimed two silver and one bronze medal; while DIJO and LTC Advertising got one silver and one bronze medal respectively.

Also rewarded were IMS, who got one silver; and Caritas and Stream Media who won one bronze each.

The Grand Prix is LAIF’s most prestigious award which is only given for an outstanding creative concept that has been able to redefine the industry standards.

The man in the box is Nigeria’s first innovative outdoor campaign which was conceptualised by DDB Lagos for MTN to showcase a game changing enterprise solution for SMEs and to make sure their businesses are noticed. The campaign was projected to be seen as a win-win for both MTN and the SMEs. The spotlight of the campaign was to convey an understanding of the painpoints of SMEs while giving them a unique platform to promote their offer-

ings to a bigger audience. The billboard was transformed into an office space making “Man in the Box” campaign Nigeria’s first innovative outdoor campaign. This caught everyone’s attention but most especially the eyes of small business owners. These business owners were then given use of the box to work in and to showcase their products or services for an entire day each. Aside giving the SMEs their own mini marketing boost and increasing exposure and media following for their respective brands, MTN also get to put their technology in front of the very people they were trying to reach.

Locally, “Man in the Box” received accolades for its effectiveness because it delivered on the promise that MTN knows what keeps SMEs up and it’s willing to go beyond the norm to provide solutions. DDB Lagos partnered with other agencies; TBWA a creative agency, PHD for outdoor media plan and Playhouse Communication, a local digital agency to bring this idea to life.

DDB Lagos is one of most awarded agencies in Nigeria at the annual LAIF Award ceremony since

its inception 13 years ago. DDB Lagos has also received international recognition when it won an EPICA Award for its “Speechless” campaign developed for GirlHub (an advocacy project for the Northern girl child sponsored by the Nike Foundation in partnership with USAID/DFID) in 2012.

Since then, DDB Lagos has also received several other international awards including the acclaimed “I Don Port” campaign for MTN, the agency was awarded the Silver Loeries Award for integrated campaign and Silver in Africa Cristal awards in the category ‘Best use of Branded Content’. Also, in 2014 DDB Lagos got an Emerald in Africa Cristal award for the Mouka foam campaign “Restful Night; Active Day” and in 2013 a Bronze in Epica awards for same campaign under the category ‘Best use of Branded Content’ DDB Lagos has and is still been recognised locally as the most awarded Nigerian creative agency since the inception of the LAIF awards. DDB Lagos was consistently highly identified in the Young Lions Competition within 2008 – 2011. In 2010, the agency was honoured for TV campaign of the

year, Overall campaign of the year and Marketing Leadership in Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) Awards for Marketing Excellence.

DDB Lagos is the Nigerian office and sub-regional hub of DDB Worldwide Communications in West and Central Africa (WECA).

DDB Lagos is a subsidiary of the Casers Group, a leading media and marketing holding company.

The agency commenced operations in 1987 and has since offered cutting-edge services to a roaster of leading local and multinational brands in Nigeria over the last three decades.

In 2015, the Casers Group completed its acquisition of the 5 other agencies previously of the Mawal Group thus extending its footprints to key Francophone markets across West and Central Africa including Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Benin and Congo. These agencies, along with DDB Lagos, form the core of DDB WECA which provides an extensive regional operation to multinational clients.

DDB WECA is driven by the desire to become the biggest and best among builders of brands in every market its serves.

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Sunday 13 January 2019

EquityMarket Forward-looking investors lift market sentiment as Julius Berger tops gainers’ chart TELIAT SULE

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orward looking investors are capitalising on the low equity prices to take position in stocks that have the potential to deliver strong growth before year end. The activities of these investors have started to reverse the losses the Nigerian equity market posted in 2018. As at the end of the second week in January 2019, the number of equities that appreciated year to date rose to 20 with the construction giant, Julius Berger topping the list. Julius Berger’s share price closed at N28.40 per share, recording 41.3 percent price appreciation year to date.

Cornerstone Insurance closed at 22 kobo per share which translated to 10 percent year to date price ap-

preciation. Cutix gained 9.8 percent YTD to close at N1.80 while John Holt and Livestock Feeds closed at 48 kobo and 53 kobo respectively translating to 9.1 percent and 8.2 percent appreciation YTD. Others stocks that are among the advancers year to date are Trans Nationwide Express, 7.7 percent; Okomu Oil, 7.6 percent; Union Bank, 7.1 percent; Jaiz Bank, 6 percent; Red Star Express and Wapic , 4.8 percent each; Sterling Bank, 4.2 percent; Union Dicon , 4 percent; CCNN, 3.1 percent; Vital Foam, 2.3 percent and African Prudential, 2.1 percent. the list also includes International Breweries and AIICO, 1.6 percent each; Forte Oil, 1 percent and United Capital, 0.4 percent.

The share prices of 15 stocks remained unchanged while those of 58 other stocks shed various amounts.

Unity Bank, Resort Savings and NEM are the worst performing stocks in week two 2019, after the shed 22.4 percent, 26 percent and 35.9 percent from their opening prices.

Thorpe-Apezteguia faces the task of returning MRS Oil to profitability TELIAT SULE

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riscilla Thorpe-Apezteguia, the newly appointed managing director/chief executive officer of MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, faces the uphill task of returning the MRS Oil Nigeria Plc to profitability. Her appointment was confirmed by the management of MRS Oil Nigeria in a note sent to all the stakeholders through the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Thursday January 10, 2019.

“That by a written resolution of the Board dated January 7, 2019 the Board of Directors of MRS Oil Nigeria Plc reviewed and approved the resignation of Andrew Gbodume as managing director/ chief executive officer of the company with immediate effect. By the aforementioned written resolution, the board of directors reviewed and approved the appointment of Priscilla Thorpe-Apezteguia

as director and managing director (acting) of the Company” said the notice sent to the NSE, signed by Bello Abdullahi, of the Dikko & Mahmoud Solicitors.

Unaudited financial statement for the period ended September 30, 2018 shows that MRS Oil Nigeria made N76.07 billion as revenue, representing 7.2 percent decline over N81.95 billion made in comparable period in 2017. Gross profit fell by 32 percent to N4.09 billion in 2018 from N6.09 billion in similar period in 2017. Operating profit was down by 85 percent to N183.8 million in 2018 from N1.24 billion made same period in 2017.

The total income for the period was a loss of N425.8 million as against a profit of N809.3 million in similar period in 2017.

Furthermore, total liabilities fell by 11 percent to N34.8 billion as at September 2018 compared with N38.1 billion in comparable period in 2017. Total assets fell by 7 percent

to N57.5 billion down from N62.2 billion in similar period in 2017. MRS Oil Nigeria’s share price closed at N25.70 on December 31, 2018 with a -6.4 percent return in 2018.

Priscilla Thorpe-Apezteguia holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in International Studies and Business from University of Coventry, United Kingdom. She has over 17 years’ experience in the oil and gas sector and has held high-level positions in reputable organizations, such as executive director, operations at Energy Solutions Integrated Services, senior manager, business development at Oando Plc, head of marketing/ customer service unit, retail manager, South West and sales and marketing manager, all at MRS Oil Nigeria Plc. Until her appointment as director and managing director (acting), she was the group sales and marketing manager of MRS Oil and Gas Limited. The aforementioned appointment is effective immediately.

On the contrary, the first week of trading in 2019 recorded 17 gainers, 42 losers while the share prices of 31 other equities remained unchanged.

At the end of the second week in

January 2019, the All Share Index (ASI) closed at 29,830.70 basis points as against 30,638.90 basis points at the end of the first week of trading and 31,430.50 basis points by the close of business in 2018, representing a year to date returns of -5.09 percent. The week two ASI return in 2019 compares with 11.74 percent return in similar period in 2018 and -2.04 percent return in 2017.

Investors traded 1.265 billion shares in the second week of this year worth N14.074 billion done in 19,278 deals as against 1.647 billion shares traded in 14,773 deals in the first week of trading in this year valued at N8.413 billion.

The financial services sub sector accounted for 84.73 percent of the market volume and 62.49 percent of the market value as investors traded 1.072 billion shares worth N8.79 billion executed in 12,278 deals. The conglomerates industry, with 83.6 million shares estimated at N155.49 million in 750 deals, was the second most active sector. The consumer goods industry was third recording 50.54 million shares valued at N3.43 million executed in 2,576 deals.

The market listed new debts. A total of 30,020 units of 12.39 percent FGS Nov 2020; 341,328 units of 13.39 percent FGS Nov 2021; 63,959 units of 12.40 percent FGS Dec 2020, as well as 300,007 units of 13.402 percent of FGS Dec 2021 were admitted at the Nigerian Stock Exchange on January 8, 2019.

Furthermore, the Nigerian Mortgage Refinancing Company Plc N11 billion 13.80 percent Series 2 Bond under the N440 billion Medium Term Note Program was equally admitted to trade at the NSE on January 10, 2019.

Multiverse Mining & Exploration appoints new external auditors

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ultiverse Mining and Exploration Plc has notified all its stakeholders of the appointment of a new external auditors, a statement signed by Ayodele Oluwasusi, an executive director and Ayedun Fasina, managing director and chief executive officer stated. The appointment is in line with the extant rules which prohibit external auditors from serving a company more than ten years.

“Multiverse Mining and Exploration Plc wishes to inform the Nigerian Stock Exchange and our esteemed shareholders that our external auditors, Messrs Sola Oyetayo & Co has carried out statutory audit assignments in our company for a period of 10 years and in line with the corporate governance rules, ceased to be eligible ofr re-appointment at the end of our 15th Annual General Meeting held on December 11, 2018.

“Consequently, Messrs Olukayode Aina & Co has been appointed as our new external auditors in pursuant to section 357(1) of the Companies and Allied matters Act (Cap C20 Law of the Federation of Nigeria , 2004)”, the notice stated.

Multiverse closed last year at 20 kobo per share and as one of the worst performing stocks on the NSE having lost 60 percent of its share price.

Sunday 13 January 2019

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Travel Bring back ‘our tourism’ in 2019 OBINNA EMELIKE

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hen this present administration came onboard on May 29, 2015, one of its promises was to diversify the Nigerian economy away from its dependence on crude oil revenue.

The diversification promise was partly due to the sustained crash of crude oil price at the global market resulting in economic downturn in most countries whose economies are dependent on revenue from crude oil.

While many people were singing praises of the idea, a few, especially those in the tourism sector pointed out to the Federal Government that tourism is the lowest hanging fruit in economic diversification, both on short and long term planning. Patrick Utomi, a professor of Economics, furthered the call in his speech as the guest speaker at the 2016 annual general meeting of Nigeria Association of Tour Operators in Calabar, Cross River State.

Utomi explained that while agriculture, manufacturing, technology among others are sure means of diversification of the economy, tourism, according to him, is the lowest hanging fruit, which government can easily take advantage of its low entry requirement.

It seemed government did not listen to tourism stakeholders. This was obvious with the removal of tourism from the parent ministry, which is now Ministry of Information and Culture with culture subsuming tourism.

The reason some people at government quarters gave

for the action was that the government was pruning the ministries to save cost and ensure efficiency. That did not go well with the stakeholders who started calling for a standalone Ministry of Tourism. But government still did not listen, instead Lai Mohammed, minister of Information and Culture, said that the ministry was covering tourism well enough and that there was no need to call for separate ministry.

Nkereuwem Onung, who was then the president of Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), noted that the absence of a full-fledged Ministry has left Tourism adrift and that the absence of a ministry has left stakeholders speculating on matters of Tourism.

Today, little or nothing is heard of tourism because of the lack of a full-fledged or standalone ministry to coordinate tourism activities in the country.

Of course, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, which is primarily charged with the promotion of Nigerian tourism, seems to be doing little.

With all these, the stakeholders made several calls to the government to bring back ‘our tourism’.

Government also responded to the calls. One of the responses was the hosting of the 61st United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Commission for Africa (CAF) meeting in Nigeria at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja in June 2018.

The government also said it was boosting visits into the country with visa-on-arrival policy, though delegates of UNWTO CAF meeting testified to the smoothness of their entry

into the country, but subsequent visitors had some complains, especially in the disparity of the charges.

There was also an attempt to revisit the once-abandoned national tourism master plan.

But the argument of most stakeholders was that same expatriate that worked on the botched master plan was invited after over a decade to review it. They do not have confidence in his credibility to deliver on the master plan again, yet the Federal Government still engaged him in collaboration of UNWTO. Again, there was a botched attempt to bring back the Presidential Council on Tourism (PCT) to be chaired by the President where different stakeholder like Immigration, Transport, Aviation, Housing, Environment and relevant state governments come together to discuss way forward and create policies that enhance both in-bound and out-bound tourism. But the move did not gain traction after initial talks.

Sadly, the private sector seems to be pushing the tourism frontiers with little or no effort from government. The likes of Synagogue of all Nations led

by Prophet T.B Joshua still woos the highest number of visitors to Nigeria on religious tourism. Others like the Redeemed Church of God, Winners Chapel and Christ Embassy are also drawing many into the country with their conventions and religious meetings.

Of course, Akwaaba African Travel Market is draws the highest number of travel and hospitality experts from across the world in one sitting in Lagos every September, while Calabar

Carnival is still the highest crowd puller for leisure tourists. The several music concerts, art fairs, corporate meetings and seminars also draw people.

But all these efforts from the private sector are often not recognized as most event hosts in Nigeria face many challenges, especially immigration to get their guests into the country, there are multiple taxes and salaries must be paid.

So, 2019 presents another fresh start for the country and all the sectors of the economy.

But tourism sector, according to stakeholders, still needs a standalone ministry in order to optimally contribute to the economy in 2019 and going forward.

The reasons to make tourism count in 2019 are obvious. With $7.6 trillion revenue (about 10 percent of global GDP) and 277 million jobs; representing one out of every 11 jobs in the world in 2014, tourism is, no doubt, a modern-day engine of growth and one of the largest industries globally.

As at 2018 over a billion people have travelled around the world for tourism and a meager 62 million tourists only visited Africa and a fraction of that number visited Nigeria.

The country should wake up to the realities and potential in tourism. It can boost the economy beyond the imagination of government if well funded like in developed world.

We need truly enabling environment from government in 2019, we need policies that support and secure investments in tourism, especially foreign direct investments, we need tariffs on tourism equipment, tax rebates among other incentives that will encourage the private sector to truly drive tourism.

So, any government that is coming to power on May 29th should give tourism the needed attention to enable it boost the economy.

Nobody should play politics with tourism master plan, the first draft did not sail because it did not carry all the country’s clusters along. The way to go is to consider everything that will make it inclusive, then efforts should be made to revisit Presidential Council on Tourism, tourism satellite account, soft loans for tourism entrepreneurs, connect private sector with policy makers to ensure efficient policies among others.

For all these to happens, Nigeria needs a full-fledged ministry of tourism from the incoming government, a focused Nigerian Tourism Development Corporations and related agencies that see no competition but supporting all other efforts to achieve same result-the tourists’ dollar.

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Travel

Here are the top 20 safest airlines for 2019 Stories by IFEOMA OKEKE

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irlineRatings. com, a global safety and product rating website has announced its top twenty safest airlines and ten safest low-cost airlines for 2019 from the 405 it monitors.

In making its evaluation, AirlineRatings.com takes into account a comprehensive range of factors that include: audits from aviation’s governing and industry bodies; government audits; airline’s crash and serious incident record; profitability, industry-leading safety initiatives, and fleet age.

In selecting Qantas as the world’s safest airline for 2019, AirlineRatings.com editors noted that over its 98-year history the world’s oldest continuously operating airline has amassed an amazing record of firsts in operations and safety and is now accepted as the industry’s most experienced airline.

Qantas continues its extraordinary safety achievements The Australian airline has been a leader in the development of: Future Air Navigation System; the flight data recorder to monitor plane and later crew performance; automatic landings using Global Navigation Satellite System as well as precision approaches around mountains in cloud using RNP. Qantas was the lead airline with real-time monitoring of its

engines across its fleet using satellite communications, which has enabled the airline to detect problems before they become a major safety issue.

The AirlineRatings.com top twenty safest airlines have always been at the forefront of safety innovation, launching of new aircraft and they have become a byword for excellence.

TOP 20 safest airlines for 2019 The top 20 safest airlines are Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, All Nippon Airways, American Airlines, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, EVA Air, Finnair, Hawaiian Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Qantas, Qatar, Scandinavian Airline System, Singapore Airlines, Swiss, United Airlines, and the Virgin group of airlines (Atlantic and Australia).

According to Geoffrey Thomas, AirlineRatings.com editor-in-chief, these airlines are standouts in the industry and are at the forefront of safety, innovation, and

launching of new aircraft.

Top 10 safest low-cost airlines for 2019 Responding to the public interest, the AirlineRatings. com editors also identified their top 10 safest low-cost airlines. These are in alphabetical order: Flybe, Frontier, HK Express, Jetblue, Jetstar Australia / Asia, Thomas Cook, Volaris, Vueling, Westjet and Wizz.

Unlike a number of lowcost carriers, these airlines have all passed the stringent International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and have excellent safety records. To arrive at its top twenty, AirlineRatings.com takes into account the most important factors for safety.

These include audits from aviation’s governing bodies and lead associations; government audits; airline’s crash and serious incident record; and the fleet age.

Thomas said the site only looked at serious incidents in making its determinations.

“All airlines have incidents every day and many are air-

craft manufacture issues, not airline operational problems,’ he said. “It is the way the flight crew handles incidents that determine a good airline from an unsafe one.

So just lumping all incidents together is very misleading.”

“And some countries incident reporting systems are weak further complicating matters.”

AirlineRatings.com also announced its lowest ranked (one and two stars) airlines which are: Ariana Afghan Airlines, Bluewing Airlines, Kam Air, and Trigana Air Service.

Ai r l i n e Ra t i n g s w a s launched in June 2013 and rates the safety and in-flight product of 405 airlines using its unique seven-star rating system. It has been used by millions of passengers from 232 countries and has become the industry standard for safety and product rating. The editorial team is one of the world’s most experienced with almost 50 international and national awards. They have also authored or co-authored more than 28 industry books.

Nigerian travellers to enjoy travel memories through Emirates discounted fares

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mirates is making Nigerian travellers enjoy new travel memories in 2019 with special fares to fulfill the traveller’s resolutions.

The offer is to commence on January 7th to 21st 2019, while travel period is scheduled for January 13th to June 30th 2019.

Nigerian travellers planning to travel to various destinations in Europe from Lagos will pay 3955dollars on Business Class and 725dollars on Economy class, while from Abuja to these destinations will cost 3075dollars on Business Class and 820dollars on Economy class.

Similarly, Nigerian travellers going to the Far East from Lagos will pay 4025 dollars on Business Class and 740 dollars on Economy class, while from Abuja to these destinations will cost 3745 dollars on Business class and $850 on Economy class. Travellers from Lagos to Americas will pay 3905 dollars on Business Class and 970 dollars on Economy class, while moving from Abuja to these destinations will cost 3950 dollars on Business Class and 1,105 dollars on Economy Class.

And finally, Travellers from Lagos to the Middle East is 3120 dollars on Business Class and 675 dollars, while Abuja to these routes cost 2955 dollars on Business class and 605 dollars on Economy Class.

“Whether it is celebrating a special occasion, taking the family on a holiday,

making that trip of a lifetime, or attending a reunion with family or friends, there is never a better time to turn those travel resolutions into travel plans, Afzal Parambil, regional manager West Africa said.

“Emirates is offering the chance to explore great destinations at great value, while making sure that journey itself is a great experience. We hope our special fares will help our customers have a flying start to 2019”.

Regardless of class of travel, Emirates’ customers can enjoy an unmatched choice of the latest movies, TV shows and music onboard from 4,000 channels of on-demand entertainment, up to 20MB complimentary on-board Wi-Fi, as well as regionally-inspired meals prepared by awardwinning chefs.

Air Peace begins flight demonstration for international operations …donates 550KVA generator to hospital

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i r Pe a c e h a s commenced demonstrations as required by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for commencement of its international destinations.

The carrier was granted rights to operate Dubai, Sharjah, London, Houston, Guangzhou-China, Mumbai and Johannesburg.

Chris Iwarah, spokesman for the carrier, said the demonstration flight to Dakar took off with NCAA inspectors onboard.

He explained that the non-revenue flight was to demonstrate, “our capabilities with the Boeing 777 next visit Kano, Port Harcourt, Freetown, Johannesburg & Sharjah”.

He also posted videos of events inside the aircraft during flight service to Dakar, adding this goes into ensuring the safety of the airline’s valued customers and crew.

“It is costly but necessary! But, first, our Chief

facilities in the nation’s health sector a facelift and provide infrastructure. It is our collective responsibility to ensure the advancement of the cause of humanity.

“The donation of the 550KVA generator to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital is in line with Air Peace’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy. We have continued to blaze the trail in giving back to society, especially in the areas of security, peace and health. We appeal to other corporate organisations and wealthy Nigerians to generously donate to the cause of humanity. The corporate world must be at the forefront of development of the nation through increased CSR projects,” Onyema said.

Speaking at the donation, Anthony Igwegbe, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, commended

Pilot’s tour of our B777 – it’s quite an exciting beauty to behold”, he added.

This is as Allen Onyema, chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace extended his philanthropy to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Unizik) Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State with the donation of a 550KVA generator to the facility.

Making the donation to the teaching hospital, the Air Peace boss urged wealthy Nigerians to donate to the cause of humanity as government alone could not provide everything for the people.

The donation, he said, was Air Peace’s way of supporting Federal Government’s effort to upgrade facilities and provide infrastructure in the nation’s health sector.

“We are delighted to support the Federal Government’s effort to give

Onyema for the gesture.

He described the donor as a “silent philanthropist and performer” that should be emulated by other wealthy Nigerians.

The donation to the teaching hospital came less than two months a f t e r On y e m a d o n a t ed N70 million to the Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Awka in Anambra State and pledged to establish Nigeria’s first Centre for Non-Violence and Peace Studies at the institution.

The Air Peace boss had also built and donated a police station at Uli in Anambra State in August 2016.

About two months later, Air Peace took its CSR project to Yobe State, where it donated relief materials worth millions of naira to internally-displaced persons’ camps in the state in October 2016.

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Health&Science Nigeria to reduce medical tourism spend as Euracare specialist provides quality healthcare …celebrates 2 years anniversary

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L-R: Medical Director, EURACARE Multi-Specialist Hospital, Tosin Majekodunmi; Consultant Anesthetist, Babaseyi Oyesola; Managing Director, EURACARE Multi-Specialist Hospital, Glenn de Villiers and Laparoscopic Upper GI and Bariatic Surgeon, Abuchi Okaro at the EURACARE Multi-Specialist Hospital Launch in Lagos, on Friday, 11 January 2019.

for patients who would naturally travel aboard for medical assistance”.

“The reality of specialist hospital is established to give Nigerian patients an international healthcare standard through a complete package of cutting edge facilities and resources all in one location,” de Villiers said.

However, to commensurate this milestone, Euracare Multi- Specialist hospital is celebrating its second anniversary in the Nigerian healthcare industry at its ultra- modern hospital in Victoria Island, hosting stakeholders from the medical industry.

Tosin Majekodunmi, medi-

cal director and chief cardiology, Euracare Nigeria said that there has been significant growth in healthcare but the country needs world class facilities and expertise for functional healthcare system.

“To reduce the costs, stress and many inconveniences of international travel, the same quality of medical diagnostic and treatment that would be find in the United Kingdom or the United states can be done locally.

“Bringing medical treatment services to Nigeria makes us world- class with cutting- edge equipment, high resolution imaging technology to address a wide range condi-

tions,” Majekodunmi said.

Also speaking at the anniversary, Abuchi Okaro, a consultant general and Laparoscopic surgeon emphasised that the focus of the facility is to get best interest and putting skills together in an enabling environment which is one thing Euracare has successfully achieved.

“It is always important to get commitment , safety and accuracy, The facility has harmonized treatment, diagnostic, expertise and we looking for opportunities where patients can understand what the facility is doing and have confidence to come for their needs,” said Okaro.

Dangote Foundation, UNECA, GBCHealth call for more collaboration to drive Africa’s healthcare ANTHONIA OBOKOH

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angote Foundation, UNECA and GBCHHealth as well as other top African leaders have called for more collaboration to drive Africa’s healthcare.

The top African leaders including heads of states, ministers, chief executive officers as well as representatives from the African Union and United Nations.

The leaders will converge at the inaugural Africa Business: Health Forum (AB:HF) taking place in Ethiopia on 12th February 2019 on the margins of the 32nd African Union Summit to discuss possible ways of fostering more public-private collaboration.

The forum is expected to unify Africa’s key decision makers in exploring opportunities for catalysing growth in the continent’s economy, through business partnerships to invest in the health sector.

The inter-relationship between the health of employees and economic growth is increasingly taking centre stage in many African countries,

Chiwuike Uba Founder, Amaka ChiwuikeUba Foundation (ACUF) sthma is a non-curable disease affecting more than 339 million people across the world, with over 1,000 deaths daily. In Nigeria, over 15 million people are currently with the disease and this number is projected to increase to 100 million people in year 2025. This chronic disease is caused by many factors, some of which are generally known as triggers.

Managing the triggers is one of the important steps in managing asthma, throughout an individuals’ entire life. Some of the ways to decrease the symptoms or risk of asthma are as discussed in the ensuing paragraphs.

Vitamin D decreases the rate of asthma exacerbations According to a study in 2017, Vitamin D supplements decrease the rate of asthma exacerbations when compared to a placebo. The study further showed that the use of vitamin D supplement is a potential future cost-effective strategy for asthma exacerbation management. Most deaths associated with asthma are as a result of asthma exacerbations. Acute asthma exacerbations occur when the sensitive airways are aggravated due to viral upper respiratory infections.

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ANTHONIA OBOKOH

igeria could reduce over $1 billion annual medical tourism spend as Euracare Multi- Specialist hospital is changing the face of healthcare in the country through its provision of quality healthcare services world- class medical diagnostic centre.

The leading Multi- Specialties hospital in Lagos has continued to successfully provide world- class advanced treatment to Nigerians through a team of local and international medical professionals.

“We have established the need to cut down on medical tourism, bringing in medical consultants and necessary equipment, from an intensive care unit to a full span of diagnostic equipment and I believe all of this goes to show that we are here for the long haul- providing quality healthcare in Nigeria,” said Glenn de Villiers, head and managing director, Euracare Multi- Specialist Hospital Nigeria.

“Looking back to the facility’s history and achievement it redefines the standards of healthcare practice in Nigeria by introducing several uncharted diagnostics services

Asthma: Ways to decrease symptoms, risks

and business is being pushed to exploring how to maximize shareholder value as a complex interplay between financial, human, social and environmental return.

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, a renowned financier and cochair, GBCHealth said that from a business standpoint, we are beginning to see the opportunities that could be created by focusing on improving and investing in health.

“There is a need to close the gap on the inequality of life in Africa from a healthcare standpoint and we must look to develop a universal plan that shifts the needle as far as healthcare in Africa is concerned. Health must cease being a source of pain, and become a source of prosperity instead,” AigImoukhuede.

African business entrepreneurs are waking up to the reality that good health is good business, and investing in health is both a business and social imperative with studies showing that by 2030, business opportunities in health and wellness sector will reach $1.8 trillion in current prices.

Investing in African health

systems is an opportunity to accelerate economic development and growth, contribute to saving millions of lives, prevent life-long disabilities, and move countries closer to achieving SDGs and Africa’s Agenda 2063.

The AB:HF is the vision of GBCHealth, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and Aliko Dangote Foundation, with the objective of driving business leadership, strengthening partnerships, and facilitating investments to change the face of healthcare in Africa.

Reiterating the need for business leaders to key into this vision, Aliko Dangote, group president, Dangote Group and chairman, Aliko Dangote Foundation, said “The best way to move Africa forward is for businesses to step up in health care and take bold action. We must work together, across industries and with governments and communities, to foster innovation and drive more strategic investments that benefit us collectively”.

“The time is now for a new era of cooperation in Africa that will position its people, com-

munities and businesses for success, now and in the future.

Good health is not only an outcome of, but also a foundation for, development,” Dangote said.

Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary, UNECA said; “The Commission will play a role in the design and implementation of policy frameworks around the financing of healthcare through Public Private Partnerships and the private sector. Building on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), this will also encourage regional trans boundary health investments especially in the pharmaceutical sector.”

The forum will culminate in the launch of the African Business Coalition for Health (ABCHealth), a coalition that will mobilize a core group of private sector champions through a coordinated platform to advance health outcomes and shape health systems across Africa.

ABCHealth will serve as the regional platform to unlock synergies that will contribute more directly to a healthy and prosperous Africa, enabled by collaboration and business partnerships.

Air pollution levels correlate to the number of asthma cases Several factors have been identified to correlate with the number of asthma cases.

These factors include the socioeconomic status, education, family, and the environment. However, the environment plays a huge role in the management of asthma.

Study shows that a higher number of asthma cases requiring emergency care were linked to environments with greater levels of air pollution.

People living in a polluted environment are more likely to have asthmatic attacks. Painfully, Nigeria is currently one of the most polluted countries in the world and may have contributed to the increasing cases of asthma in Nigeria.

Asthma also affects your heart A finding from a study in 2018 shows a positive correlation of asthma patients carrying a higher risk of developing Atrial Fibrillation (AF). The result further reveals that those who had their asthma under control had a slightly lower risk of having AF. Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is related to an irregular heart in an individual and may lead to increased incidence of blood clots, stroke, or worsening cardiovascular outcomes.

Asthma may contribute to the rising levels of obesity According to a European study, children diagnosed with asthma are found to be 66% more likely of becoming obese in the future. This relationship is attributable to deterrence from physical activity by children with asthma due to their trouble breathing.

In addition to an accumulation of fat in their body due to inactivity, the consistent inhalations of corticosteroids as symptom management may also be another cause.

Physical exercise can help decrease asthma symptoms According to the findings of Canadian researchers, physical activity, regardless of age group, reduced the prevalence and frequency of nighttime asthma symptoms and improved quality of sleep.

The research shows that participants who engaged in physical activity for a longer period of time even showed improvements in their asthma symptoms.

High fructose content is likely raising your chances of developing asthma Using data of over 30 years, it was found that 13.5% of individuals developed asthma and the risk of those who consumed non-diet soda five to seven times per week had a 49% higher risk than those who rarely consumed it. Similarly, those who drank apple juice two to four times a week had a 61% higher risk of developing asthma. The study noted that both orange juice and non-diet soda showed no links to asthma.

Fast-food diets worsen asthma symptoms A recent study has found a clear link between the frequent consumption of fast foods and severe asthma and wheezing problems. Specifically, the research showed that hamburgers in a fast food diet increased the risk. Furthermore, they found that body mass index (BMI) was also connected in fast food consumption and asthma and wheezing problems. The higher the BMI, the more likely an individual was to experience the issues. Consequently, consumption of fast food diets should be limited to reduce the risk of these specific health issues.

Eating fish protects against asthma According to study to find the connection between fish with high levels of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and asthma prevention, it was found that for the group who ate fatty fish roughly twice a week on the Mediterranean diet had significantly less bronchial inflammation.

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COURT WATCH Dasuki seeks interpretation of his trial by senior lawyers

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FELIX OMOHOMHION, Abuja

he detained exNational Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), Wednesday, requested prominent lawyers in the country to intervene in his trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Dasuki, who made this plea before the court in the resumed trial of the former NSA over complexity in the arms funds sharing, said he needed the lawyers to shed more information on developments in his trial.

He listed Chief Olowole Olanipekun ( SAN), Olisa Agbakoba ( SAN), a former NBA president; Constitutional lawyer and Human Rights activist, Prof. Koyinsola Ajayi (SAN), teacher of law, Onyeachi Ikpeazu (SAN), foremost legal practitioner, Paul Usoro, NBA President; Femi Falana SAN, Constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, as those he wanted to intervene in his trial.

The defendant at the resumed hearing, said he has filed an application dated January 8, 2019, seeking the court to invite ‘Amici Curiae’ (friends of court) for the hearing of its December 11, 2018 application which he said has become a constitutional issue.

Dasuki is standing trial on alleged illegal possession of firearms and moneylaundering and has been in

detention of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2015, despite various rulings of the court, ordering his release on bail.

The Federal Government has refused to release him on bail without explanation, despite the fact that five courts have granted him bail.

However, late last year, Dasuki said he would no longer attend court proceedings to face his trial until Federal Government obeys court orders to grant him bail.

At sitting Wednesday, Adeola Adedipe, counsel

to Dasuki, moved the application, urging the court to step down hearing of the December 11, 2018 application, pending the determination of the motion seeking the intervention of legal luminaries in the matter.

The application, which is supported by a 20-paragraph affidavit, is predicated on the grounds that, an ‘Amicus Curiae’ can be invited by the court at any stage of the proceedings to make contributions on novel or legal or conundrums which may have far-reaching implications

on either the society or practice of the law.

In addition, the counsel said issues submitted for considerations in the defendant’s motion on notice of December 11, 2018 raised very serious and unusual situation, which have far-reaching legal implications on the viability of the 1999 constitution as amended, the Nigerian criminal jurisprudence, rule of law, and sanctity/authority of the bench and the practice of law.

The affidavit deposed to by one Dolapo Kehinde (male), submitted that the court has inherent powers to invite and or request contributions from the enumerated Amicus Curiae, on their views with respect to the issues raised for consideration in the said application.

Recall that Dasuki, had on December 11, 2018, prayed the court for an order to adjourn sine die, his trial pending compliance by the Federal Government with the court’s judgment as delivered by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu.

Justice Ojukwu had on July 2, admitted Dasuki to bail in the sum of N200 million and declared that his continued detention by the Department of State Services since 2015 was illegal and an aberration of the law.

The court adjourned till January 29 to hear the application.

Police shoot two drivers over gratification VICTORIA NNAKAIKE, Lokoja

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police inspector identified as Mohammed Usman allegedly shot and injured two drivers in Lokoja, the Confluence state capital over bribery.

BDSUNDAY gathered that the incident happened at the Ibro Motor Park situated opposite the Lokoja International Market.

Ibrahim Yakubu, the Branch chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers of the Park, said trouble began when one of their drivers was stopped by a police team at a check point in Zango area on the Lokoja-Okene highway and was asked to give the officers bribe.

According to what the driver told Yakubu, he had nothing to give to the officers when they asked him to stop and he continued his journey towards Lokoja, however, he said that the policemen who were dissatisfied with the development, gave the driver a hot chase down to the Ibro Motor Park area where he (driver) stopped his vehicle and ran to the park to seek refuge.

Yakubu said: “We were just sitting at the park at about 11 am when we started hearing sporadic gunshots. The next thing, we saw was one of our fellow drivers running to the union office.

“The next thing, we saw two policemen following him down. Our union offi-

cials addressed them and then they left.

“The driver said he left his vehicle by the roadside and when we went there, we met a police inspector inside the vehicle.

“We told him that we are taking the vehicle to the park and he followed us inside. On getting to the union office at the motorpark, we told him that we had already settled the matter with the other two policemen.

“Upon hearing that, he (Inspector Mohammed Usman) became furious and brought out his gun and first shot on the ground. As he continued his sporadic shooting, a bullet hit one of our drivers, Mohammed Attah on the leg while another driver, Emmanuel was hit on the stomach.

“Following the incident, the other policemen stationed outside drove into the park with their hilux and quickly rescue the inspector and drove off.

“We then went to B Division Police Station to report the matter and the DPO followed us with the victims to Federal Medical Centre and from there we went to the state Police Command to report matter.

“The CP has ordered that the policemen involved should be detained until the outcome of victims in the hospital”, he said. He urged the Kogi Police Command to ensure justice is done in the matter.

N19bn Paris Club Scam: Court adjourns Saraki aide’s N3.5bn trial to March 13 INNOCENT ODOH, Abuja

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ustice Babs O. Kuewumi of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, adjourned to March 13, 2019 a N3.5bn fraud trial involving Gbenga Makanjuola, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, and three others.

A statement issued on Thursday by the Acting Head of the Acting Head of Media and Publicity , Tony Orilade, said that Makanjuola alongside Kolawole Shittu, cashier to Senate; Robert Chidozie Mbonu, a former Managing Director, Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria, SGBN (at large), Melrose General Services Limited and Obiora Amobi, Operation Manager, Melrose General Services Limited, were arraigned on October 3, 2018

on an amended 11-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, accepting cash payment beyond threshold and money laundering to the tune of N3.5billion ((Three Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira) only.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Gbenga Makanjuola, sometime in December 2016 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did accept cash payment of the sum of $500, 000. 00 (Five Hundred Thousand Dollars) only from Kolawole Shittu without going through a financial institution and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended by Act No. 1 of 2012) and punishable under Section 16 (2) (b) of the same Act.” The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge pre-

ferred against them. Consequently, the prosecution counsel, Ekene Iheanacho,

had asked for a trial date and also prayed the court to remand the defendants in pris-

on custody. The prosecution counsel had also urged the court to refuse the bail applications filed by the defence counsels on behalf of their clients. Justice Kuewumi had, therefore, adjourned to October 9, 2019 for ruling on the bail applications, the statement said.

In his ruling, Justice Kuewumi had granted the defendants bail in the sum of N250m each on October 9, 2018 and adjourned till December 4, 2018 for commencement of trial. At the resumed hearing today, Justice Kuewumi announced that he had been transferred to the Sokoto State Division.

“I have been posted out of Lagos State to Sokoto State. “I can’t open a matter that will not be concluded.

“So, we have to adjourn the matter”, the Judge had said.

However, in his submission, counsel to the pros-

ecution, Iheanacho, told the court that the matter was adjourned to today for the prosecution to open its case “My Lord, I am ready to proceed with the trial”, he further stated.

Counsel to the first defendant, K. T. Olawuni, as well as counsel to the third defendant, Omeoga Chukwu, said they were also ready to proceed with the trial. Also, counsel to the second and fourth defendants, Paul Erokoro, SAN, said he was ready to proceed with the trial.

Erokoro, however, said that the prosecuting counsel had just served him with an additional proof of evidence.

“My Lord, I need time to go through it very well,” he pleaded. Justice Kuewumi thereafter, adjourned the matter to March 13 for mention.

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CRIME WATCH

Money laundering: EFCC plans rally against voter’s inducement INNOCENT ODOH, Abuja

2019 poll: Edo monarchs raise alarm over alleged procurement of weapons, recruitment of thugs by politicians IDRIS UMAR MOMOH & CHURCHILL OKORO, Benin

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do State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs have raised the alarm over the alleged procurement of weapons and recruitment of youths as thugs to be used before and during elections by politicians in the state.

The Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, gave the hint on behalf of traditional rulers during meeting with chairmen and members of the various political parties in the state in Benin-City in his palace.

The monarch, who said political and spiritual power comes from

God, noted that it is against God’s wish if anyone tries to achieve political powers through spilling of human blood or killing innocent citizens.

While noting that the traditional rulers and chiefs condemned the act in its entirety, added that the council is against the use of youths or anybody else to cause violence or disrupt the electoral process.

He however, advised the youths to be weary of politicians who might come to recruit them as thugs for whatever amount.

According to him, “The youths ought to be wiser now and should not allow politicians use and dump them like rags,

while their children and siblings are enjoying the best of life in their comfort zones. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.”

He also urged the youths to support any candidate of their choice through free, fair and credible elections, and be ready to demand for good governance, transparency and accountability from their elected leaders.

He further appealed, to the electorate to shun vote buying, admonishing that if they seek their vote, they would not have any moral justification to demand for good governance, transparency and accountability from elected leaders.

“This is the way de-

mocracy should be practiced in our society.

Nigeria being the most populous country and an economic giant in Sub-Sahara Africa, it will augur well for our dear country to be the leader in democratic practice.

Consequently, we urge you all to support good governance and accountability,” he said.

The Oba also called on politicians to caution their supporters on the need to conduct themselves peaceful hand avoid hate speech and hostilities before, during and after elections.

He enjoined electorate to come out in large numbers and peacefully on Election Day to vote for a candidate of their choice.

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has finalised plans to host a concert aimed at rallying the grassroots against voter’s inducement and raising the consciousness of Nigerians against various forms of money laundering activities.

Acting Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu, in a statement issued on Thursday by the Acting Spokesman of the commission, Tony Orilade, said that the “Say No to Vote Buying” Concert, which will hold on January 13, 2019 at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, is part of the EFCC’s corruption prevention efforts, aimed at sensitising the public against the ills of corruption.

The Concert, which is being organised in partnership with Olaranwaju Toriseju, popular co-

median fondly referred to as Ambassador Wahala, will hold by 2pm, and will feature comedy by emerging comedians such as Dr. Ayuba, Ghana Must Go, Koboko Master, Stainless, Washington, Mr Odey, MC 3310, Cee Dee, Charles Aworum, MC Philip, Asawana, Chucks D General, Nick B, Sam & Song, Funny Bruno, and music by Victor Velmo, Yung Fresh, Maisty Sanusi, Fortune Tunez, Braine and Magic Steppers.

There will also be stage plays and talk shows, the statement said.

The event, which promises to be an entertaining day of music, performances, drama skits, talk-shows and comedy, according to Magu, is “yet another preventive thrust of the EFCC towards engaging and enlightening the public, encouraging them to take ownership of the anti-corruption mandate as championed by President Muhammadu Buhari”.

2019 elections: Kwara police to guard against unwholesome acts SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin

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he Kwara State Police Command has assured its commitment to provide adequate security for 2019 general election and ensure violence-free elections that will be adjudged fair and credible by all.

The command equally warned all to obey extant laws guiding the conduct of the campaign, election and voting, adding that all forms of election campaign should be free of hate speech, party leaders should have full control of all party members and make sure they are well educated to shun and avoid any form of act that could lead to violence or conflict between all

perceived political opponents.

Bashir Makama, the state police commissioner stated this at the summit organised by the command to meet with stalk holders towards ensuring a violence-free elections in Kwara.

The police boss who noted that security is every body’s business to ensure safety of lives and properties during and after the election, solicited support and cooperation of civil society, election observers and other relevant agencies to join hands with the security agencies for hitch-free elections.

Makama explained that while the police provide adequate security

personnel to accompany INEC officials conveying sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials to polling units, deploy vehicular patrols throughout the state and close monitoring and provision of anti-bomb at collation centres for successful electioneering period, he said: “The effective performance of these duties cannot be achieved without the support of our stakeholders in the elections policing space.

“Gone are the days when security was left for security agencies, the global approach now is the philosophy of Community Policing, practised all over the world, hence the resolve of the Federal Government of Nigeria

and the police authority to adopt Community Policing where members contribute to the way they are being policed.

“What we need now is for everybody to ensure that the peace and tranquility we enjoy in the

state is not truncated and also for every Nigerian to be mindful of the fragile nature of our National Security and the need to maintain and improve on it.

“Politicians and their supporters are advised

to play the game according to the rules by desisting from certain conducts which can graduate to violence and jeopardise the 2019 general election.

“Anybody or politician who engages in any act or negative conduct will be arrested and prosecuted no matter how highly placed.”

In his submission at the event, Garba Madami, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, assured that the electoral body in the state would provide a level playing ground for all the parties contesting election.

Madami promised that the agency would conduct a free, fair and transparent election that the state will be proud of.

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Sunday 13 January 2019

Sports World Cup: NFF line up friendly games for Super Falcons

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Stories By Anthony Nlebem

he Nigeria Football Federation has firmed up plans to provide African champions, Super Falcons, with what could turn out to be their best – ever preparation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, thenff.com can reveal.

Participation in the Four –Nation Invitational Tournament in China, 17th – 20th January, will be followed by participation in the Cyprus Women’s Cup (25th February – 7th March), before planned friendly matches with Spain or Canada before a final training camp in Austria that could also take in two tune –up games.

Recently, the players and officials of the nine –time African champions were at the Embassy of China in Abuja for visa processing. The team is expected to fly out of Nigeria to China on Monday.

Hosts China, Romania and Korea Republic are the other teams taking part in the four –day invitational.

Overwhelmingly voted as the Women National Team of Year 2018 in Africa at the AITEO-CAF African Football Awards in Senegal on Tuesday, the Super Falcons are determined to adequately prepare and be competitive at this year’s global tournament – a championship in which they have only reached the quarter finals once before, 20 years

ago.

Already, the Nigeria Football Federation has announced that the Falcons will have their final camping programme at the same Avita Hotel and Resort in Bad Tatzmannsdorf in Austria, where the Super Eagles stayed before flying to Russia to participate in last year’s FIFA World Cup finals.

On return from the invitational tournament in China, the Falcons will begin visa processing for Cyprus, where a 12 –Nation Invitational Tournament awaits between 25th February – 7th March.

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Italy, North Korea, Mexico, Slovakia, South Africa and

Thailand are the other nations taking part. Of the lot, Nigeria, Italy, South Africa and Thailand will be going to France.

Spain (who play African team South Africa, as well as Germany and China in Group B) and Canada (who play African team Cameroon, as well as New Zealand and TheNetherlands in Group E) have approached Nigeria for friendly matches. Jamaica, who play Australia, Italy and Brazil in Group C, have also written to the NFF expressing interest in playing the Super Falcons.

Nigeria, the only African country to have featured in all previous editions of the FIFA Women’s World

Cup since the competition was launched in China in 1991, will tackle host nation France, Korea Republic and Norway in Group A of this summer’s finals.

Th e S u p e r Fa l c o n s will open their account in France against Norway, at the 21,000 –capacity Stade Auguste Delaune in Reims on 8th June, before matches against Korea Republic in Grenoble on 12th June and against hosts France in Rennes on 17th June.

The 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals will hold 7th June – 7th July this year, with France up against Korea Republic in the opening match at the Parc des Princes in Paris on 7th June.

Dangote, BUA commend NFF’s transparency on Falcons’ cash

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wo big voices within Corporate Nigeria have thumbed up the Nigeria Football Federation for display of transparency with regards to the N50million and N25million windfalls from both organizations to the Super Falcons, following the team’s triumph at the Women Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana early last month.

At a special event honouring the Federation’s sponsors and partners and the Super Falcons in Lagos, Olakunle Alake (Group Managing Director, Dangote Industries) and Otega Ogra (Group Head, Corporate Communications of BUA) and Tajudeen Ahmed (Group Head, Business Development of BUA) lauded the decision by the NFF to have the monies transferred directly to the beneficiaries.

“We asked to transfer

the money directly to the NFF but the leadership opted for direct payment to the players and officials.

That was a most commendable decision. They sent us the account details of all the beneficiaries and we applaud such diligence and integrity,” said Alake.

Ogra said the NFF leadership had laid good grounds for corporate organizations to want to do business with the Federation with its transparency, integrity and accountability.

The occasion took place on the same day that the NFF published in two major national newspapers, its audited account for the world to see.

Both Dangote Group and BUA have since transferred the monies directly to the bank accounts of the players and officials of the Super Falcons.

Fury vs Wilder WBC heavyweight rematch gets new venue

Mourinho free to return to coaching … As Man United pay $19 million compensation

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ose Mourinho is available for coaching and could make a dramatic return to Real Madrid after ManchesterUnitedpaidhimareported 19 million in compensation following his sack in December 2019.

TheDailyMailreportsthat a source close to Mourinho whose contract was due to run till the end of the 2019/20 campaignwiththeoptionofan extraseasonhasrevealedthat compensation has been paid.

“There are no issues over Jose Mourinho’s contract with Manchester United.

Everything has been sorted,” the newspaper reports the source as saying.

“Jose is able to take on another job right now, but is in no rush.

“He is very relaxed about it and would be happy to wait untiltheendoftheseasonifhe needs to.”

The Sun reports that United agreed to the payment after his two-and-ahalf-year stint at Old Trafford following a meeting between Mourinho’s agent Jorge Mendes and United

executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

The pay-out leaves the 55-year-old Portuguese free to be considered for Madrid if the club decide to dismiss under-pressure coach Santiago Solari.

Mourinho’s time at Real Madridbetween2010-2013, which brought a league title and a Spanish Cup but saw them largely play second fiddle to Barcelona ended as it did at United and Chelsea, with bad results and discord in the dressing room.

However, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez remains a fan and with the club 10 points behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona and outside the Champions League places, Solari is under intense scrutiny.

“There has been no contact, but they did get in touch with Jose after (Julen) Lopetegui was dismissed in late October,”theMailreportsthe source as saying.

“He told them he was the manager of Manchester Unitedandtotallycommitted to the club.”

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yson Fury’s promoter Frank Warren says the Briton’s mooted rematch against Deontay Wilder is likely to take place in the United States in the first half of this year.

Wilder retained his WBC heavyweight title following a controversial draw in Los Angeles in December, with many observers insisting Fury had done enough to get the nod from the judges despite being knocked down twice.

Fury’s compatriot Anthony Joshua, holder of the remaining three major world belts in boxing’s blue riband division, has been linked with a bout against either of the pair when he returns to action at Wembley on April 13th.

But the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion is set to be left out in the cold again, according to Warren, who is resigned to his charge having to fight in America again.

“We’re trying to make that fight at the moment, everyone wants the fight and most importantly the fighters want it,” Warren told ESPN. “The venue is looking like the US, that’s where the money is. Tyson was disappointed

with the judging with the last fight, as I was, so a lot of things need to be sorted but the US is where they want it, probably in the second quarter.

“Vegas would be one of the options. I wouldn’t want to go back to California, I didn’t like working with the Californian commission and there were a lot of things we didn’t like there.

“Tyson is already in the gym working hard, ticking over, and I think we would get it [the fight versus Wilder] before June.”

Warren believes Fury’s willingness to travel to a champion’s back yard is in stark contrast to Joshua, who has never before fought outside of Britain in his 22-fight professional career.

“We’re not complicated, Tyson is the most uncomplicated person you will meet, and he will fight anyone,” Warren added.

“He went to Germany to fight Wladimir Klitschko and he went to America to fight Wilder. It’s (Joshua’s promoters) Barry and Eddie Hearn’s agenda that complicates it.

Joshua is their cash cow and they want to keep milking it.”

Sunday 13 January 2019

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BDSUNDAY 47

Sports

NPFL: The new season will be a fresh start- Ilechukwu

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idelis Ilechukwu, the head coach of MFM FC, says the 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season will be a fresh start for his team.

The Lagos-based Olukoya Boys will kickstart their 2018/2019 season against the Peoples Elephant (Enyimba) in an opening fixture of Group A of the new NPFL season.

The Peoples Elephant will host Olukoya Boys at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba on Sunday.

Ilechukwu says he hope to start the season on a good note.

“I hope my team can make a huge statement from the opening day contest.

“It’s going to be a

fresh start for us playing against Enyimba Football Club – one of the best in the Nigerian league “MFM Football Club is a good side as well, although I know it’s going to be difficult because we lost a lot of our players to other clubs.

“Last season, we lost eight players but the players we have now are young and as well new players.

“I know it’s going to be a little bit difficult but we will do everything possible to get a good result,’’ Ilechukwu assured.

The game will be the sixth between the Olukoya Boys and the Aba-based side. Enyimba claimed the available three points in the last fixture last season while the remaining four ended in a draw.

Murray sets date for retirement

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h r e e - t i m e Gr a n d Slam winner Andy Murray is still hoping to make it to one more Wimbledon tournament before his problematic hip forces him into retirement.

In an emotional news conference, a tearful Murray had to leave the room shortly after his first attempt to get it started, and needed to pause several times to compose himself once it had resumed, he confirmed he would play his first-round match at the Australian Open next week but was not sure how much longer he could continue beyond that.

The 31-year-old Murray said he practiced in the off-season with the main goal of making one last run at Wimbledon, where he ended the 77-year drought for British men with his title in 2013, but now wasn’t sure he’d make it that far.

“I can still play to a level — not a level I am happy playing at,” he said.

“But also, it’s not just that. The pain is too much really.

“I don’t want to continue playing that way. I tried pretty much everything that I could to get it right, that has not worked.”

Murray has reached the final five times at the Australian Open but never won the title. Getting through the first round will be a major achievement in

2019 for the former No. 1, who has slumped to No. 230 after playing just 12 matches last year following surgery on his right hip in January.

He opened this se ason at the Brisbane International, where he won his opening match against James Duckworth but lost in the second round to Daniil Medvedev, showing visible signs of limping between points and struggling to move freely around court. He had an incomplete practice match against long-time friend and top-ranked Novak Djokovic at Melbourne Park, but only won two games.

Murray has been preparing for the 2019 sea-

son knowing that his career could be over within months. In his training program last month, he told his support group that the pain was becoming too much and that he needed to set a date for retirement.

“I spoke to my team and I told them I can’t keep doing this, that I needed to have an end point because (I was) sort of playing with no idea when the pain was going to stop,” he told the news conference Friday.

“I said to my team ‘I think I can get through to Wimbledon’ … that’s where I would like to stop — stop playing.”

Murray added, becoming tearful again, “But I’m also not certain I’m able to do that.

Murray said he’s considering another hip operation, more to improve his quality of life than as a way of returning to the top level in tennis.

“I have the option to have another operation, which is a little bit more severe than what I’ve had before — having my hip resurfaced,” he said. “That’s something that I’m seriously considering right now.

Some athletes have had that and have gone back to competing (but) the reason for having an operation like that is not to return to professional sports, you know, it’s just for a better quality of life.”

Spain arrest fifteen over match-fixing scandal

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he law enforcement officials in Spain have arrested 15 people in an investigation into tennis match fixing by an Armenian criminal gang.

Spain’s Civil Guard said 83 people were implicated, among them 28 players from the ITF Futures and Challenger tours.

One of those arrested is Spanish tennis player Marc Fornell-Mestres, 36.

He was ranked 1007th in singles at the end of 2018 and was suspended by the Tennis Integrity Unit last month as part of an anticorruption probe.

Spain Civil Guard also said one of the players implicated in the investigation competed at last year’s US Open.

EU police agency Europol said 11 house searches had been carried out in Spain in which 167,000 euros (£151,000) in cash were seized, along with a shotgun.

It added that more than 50 electronic devices, credit cards, five luxury vehicles and documentation related to the case were also seized.

Forty-two bank accounts have also been frozen.

Europol earlier said on Thursday that 83 people had been arrested by the Civil Guard, but the Spanish authorities later clarified the situation.

“The suspects bribed

professional players to guarantee predetermined results and used the identities of thousands of citizens to bet on the pre-arranged games,” Europol said in a statement.

“A criminal group of Armenian individuals used a professional tennis player, who acted as the link between the gang and the rest of the criminal group.

The Civil Guard added that “once they got the bribe, the Armenian members went to the places where the matches were being played to make sure the player went through with what they had agreed, making the most of their imposing size”.

“Fifteen people have been detained, among them the leaders of the organisation, and 68 others have been investigated.”

None of those investigated has been named.

The Civil Guard said the

organisation had been operating since at least February 2017, while Europol said at least 97 ITF Futures and Challenger matches had been fixed.

The investigation started in 2017 after the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) grew concerned about “irregular activities” relating to pre-arranged matches in the tournaments, Europol added.

Last month a final report into corruption in tennis by the Independent Review Panel said there should be no live streaming, or scoring data provided, at the lowest tier of professional tennis.

The ITF Futures and Challenger tournaments are below the top-tier ATP and WTA Tours.

The International Tennis Federation estimates there are 14,000 players trying to make a living from the sport, half of whom do not make any money at all.

Federer says Wimbledon may be his farewell venue

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ormer world men’s tennis number one Roger Federer on Friday said the Wimbledon event, where he won his first Grand Slam title, could be the ideal place for a farewell tournament.

He said the All-England Club championship could be the venue when he decides to call time on his illustrious career.

Federer’s comments have come at a time when the tennis world is celebrating the achievements of his long-time rival Andy Murray.

The Scot had said next week’s Australian Open could his last as he struggles to recover from a hip injury.

Two-time Australian

Open defending champion Federer said he does not have a “fairytale ending” to his own career in mind, but he would like to leave the court in good health.

“I have a lot of places that are very special to me, thankfully,” Federer told CNN. “I’ve been very fortunate. Yes, sure, like a Wimbledon stands out as maybe a place.

“I don’t have the fairytale ending in my head saying it has to be another title somewhere and then I have to announce it big, I don’t have to have it that way.”

Federer, who turned professional in 1998, has collected an incredible 99 ca-

reer singles titles, 20 of which have been Grand Slams.

He is not expected to hang up his racket before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he will look to add an individual gold alongside his doubles triumph at Beijing 2008.

“I think there is expectation from the media (that) it all has to end so perfectly. I’ve given up on that a long time ago,” Federer added.

“As long as I’m healthy and I’m enjoying myself, I know it’s going to be emotional anyway… it should be a happy celebration day, not like a sad funeral type of day.”

Federer will begin his Australian Open campaign against unseeded Uzbek Denis Istomin on Monday.

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Sunday 13 January 2019

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Is President João Lourenço’s team driving the Angolan oil rebound?

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n December, I was accompanying OPEC Secretary General, Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo and Africa Oil and Power CEO, Guillaume Doane on a working visit to Angola. This is an oil market that has been under a lot of scrutiny by many industry players and there is no question that Angola’s oil sector is at a time of transformation. It is now clear that when President João Lourenço promised he would clean the country’s administration and revamp its economic engine, namely the national oil company Sonangol, he meant business.

Certainly, his plans are driven by a medium to long-term vision of diversifying the economy from oil, but in a nation so dependent on the black gold for its economic lifeblood (oil accounts for as much as 90percent of Angola’s exports), it is in the oil industry that the funds for developing other sectors will be found.

Since his term in office started in the summer of 2017, the administration of nearly every national strategic asset has been changed.

Particularly in Sonangol, the leadership of Africa’s richest woman and the daughter of former president José Eduardo dos Santos, Isabel dos Santos, has been replaced by an oil industry-savvy technocrat named Carlos Saturnino, which has over 30 years of oil industry experience within Sonangol’s core businesses.

This is a man much less likely to spend the company’s resources in questionable investments in healthcare, hospitality, aviation or sports clubs, than previous administrations of politicallycharged leaders have been, and which has led to Sonangol’s current dire financial situation. Further, the new Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources, Diamantino Azevedo, announced, last September, that fifty-four concessionaires under the Sonangol umbrella were to be privatised in the run up to 2022, in order to

shed costs, reduce operational complexity and allow the national oil company to focus on its core business.

Earlier in the year, the government announced a full revamp of the country’s legal framework for the oil and gas industry, which would include the landmark decision of striping Sonangol from its role as oil block concessionaire. That responsibility will pass to the newly created National Agency of Petroleum and Gas, a migration of duties that should be concluded during the second quarter of 2019. The decision puts an end to decades of conflict of interests between Sonangol’s role as an oil and gas operator and concessionaire of oil and gas blocks.

Further, over the last eighteen months, the government has put in place official policies that have largely simplified investment in the hydrocarbons sector, clarified and brought transparency to the rules applicable to bidding rounds and public tenders, and introduced the country’s first comprehensive antitrust law, in a row of decisions that is dramatically changing the industry’s landscape. In all, the decisions taken over the oil and gas sector sound like a housecleaning operation and will hopefully see Sonangol quickly become more efficient and focused on its core business.

However, that will not be enough.

Strong but pragmatic commonsense measures The first eleven months of 2018 saw Angola make more money from oil than in any of the previous four years, at the tune of USD$8.7 billion. While that goes some way into helping the country’s economy as a whole, those results cannot be attributed to the recent reforms in the sector. The rise in oil prices witnessed in the run up to November 2018 justified most of the gains. Actually, November 2018 marked the highest price

per barrel of Angolan oil (nearly USD$80) since November 2014.

The average sales price in the year up to November stood at USD$70,82, while the national state budget had been built on an expected average price of USD$50 per barrel for the year.

This represents welcome news for this cash-strapped economy, but it can also be misleadingly positive. While the income is rising, production is declining. 2018 marked the first time Angola’s average daily production stood below the 1.5-million-barrel mark in over a decade.

The lack of investment in exploration witnessed in the wake of the oil price collapse in 2014 (which resulted in a drastic decrease in exploration wells that culminated in a zero count for 2018) means that there are no new projects and reserves to replace the declining and ageing active oil fields. João Lourenço and his cabinet needed to get to work in order to attract investment and revamp the industry.

In part, this work will take the form of the Angolan Marginal Field Bid Round of 2019, the first bid round in the country in over 8 years. As the new investment attraction policies slowly start to impact the sector and again bring the industry’s big players into the country’s least charted waters, the new legal framework created to facilitate the exploitation of the country’s marginal oil fields will go a long way in slowing down the declining oil production. At the same time, Sonangol has drafted an ambitious plan to develop its downstream sector.

After securing a USD$200 million financing package to quadruple the capacity of the Luanda refinery, it is now in the last stages of contracting the construction of two new refineries, one in Lobito and another in Cabinda.

These projects will help address the long-standing issue of fuel imports, which today account

for 80percent of Angola’s fuel consumption.

These are long-term plans to address some of the country’s most structural issues, which have prevented it from rising as a wealthy nation despite its immense natural resources. At the same time, Sonangol has been signing deals in recent months with the likes of BP and ExxonMobil to streamline development in a number of offshore oil fields.

These deals have been facilitated by the renewed confidence these companies feel in the Angolan oil landscape. The words of BP CEO Bob Dudley, in December, when the two companies agreed on the joint development of block 18, are telling of this brighter vision for the sector. “I would like to thank President Lourenço, the government and Sonangol for their vision, leadership and drive to improve the industry’s competitiveness and encourage new investment”, he said in a statement.

Another factor underlying optimism for the future of the industry is the reviewed natural gas policy. Up until now, Angola’s hydrocarbon licenses referred solely to crude oil resources. Sonangol is technically the owner of all of the country’s natural gas resources, which are considerable. However, the national oil company has never really explored those assets, preferring to focus on the more profitable oil reserves. This will now also change, as a new policy will give licence-holders control over the natural gas resources within their licences, which could see a renewed expansion of the sector beyond the single standing LNG train of the Angola LNG Project, in Soyo. This intent was further reinforced by Angola’s ascension as a member of the Forum of Gas Exporting Countries in December.

Finally, after being at the brink of bankruptcy, Sonangol seems to

Miyetti Allah and the allegory of ‘smile of a vampire’

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be threading a more sustainable path, having secured the USD$1 billion loan it needed to finance its restructuring plan in December. In many more ways than one, the transformations we are witnessing in the Angolan oil sector are bound to propel the country into a level of development and sustainable economic wealth it has never seen before. If these measures are sustained in time, Angola will undergo a de facto transformation for the better and many oil leaders have already voiced their approval for these transformation. In that sense, we make ours the words uttered

by His Excellency Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, Secretary General of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, in his visit to Luanda at the end of 2018: “we congratulate the government’s heroic efforts to reform the industry. These are the right reforms at the right time.

We [...] applaud these reforms”.

NJ Ayuk is the founder and CEO of Centurion Law Group and the executive chair of the Africa Energy Chamber of Commerce. João Gaspar Marques is an energy analyst and a seasoned Africa specialist with in-the-field reporting experience from Africa’s petroleum hotspots.

Quick Takes

Off the Cuff hen last Tuesday a faction of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) pledged to work for the electoral victories of the Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and of Darius Ishaku, governor of Taraba State, who is seeking re-election, many Nigerians were left tongue-tied.

Miyetti Allah is a group that had repeatedly and openly accepted responsibility for some killings across the country, particularly in Benue State.

Governor Ishaku has been very vehement in his condemnation of the bloody campaign of the herdsmen and the seeming sealed lips the Muhammadu Buhari administration had maintained. His observations had also pitted him against members of the group and his state has not been spared in the brutal attacks.

The governor had wondered why the Federal Government was justifying the killings going on in the country instead of finding a solution to the problem. When

NJ Ayuk

is the founder and CEO of Centurion Law Group

the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, claimed that the anti-open grazing law in Benue had caused the massacre of innocent Nigerians by Fulani herdsmen, Ishaku fumed and screamed foul.

The PDP as the leader of the opposition parties had also condemned the wanton destruction of lives and property by the herdsmen, some of whom were said to be members of the Miyetti Allah. When the activities of the herdsmen were rampant, mere mention of Miyetti Allah evoked a feeling of hatred, revulsion and fear.

The bloody campaign of the herdsmen in Benue, Taraba , Adamawa , Niger, Edo, Delta , Nassarawa , Anambra , among others, had left many innocent citizens dead, prematurely.

It was also alleged at a point that President Muhammadu Buhari was the national patron of the group, and so it was not surprising when recently the group officially adopted the President as its candidate for the 2019 presidential election.

But it was surprising to many Nigerians that some members of that group could not

only conceive the idea of giving support to PDP candidates, but to also troop out en masse to verbalise their support.

However, many observers are still very skeptical about the sweeping endorsement as pronounced by the group.

They have also likened the declared support to something akin to the “smile of a vampire.”

The inability of the APC-led Federal Government at bringing to book those behind the massacres, despite the open acceptance of responsibility by the Miyetti Allah, had cast the Federal Government in bad light, particularly when it came out to say that it was better for people to lose their land than to lose their lives.

So, when members of the group marched to theTaraba Government House Tuesday in solidarity with the sitting governor who is seeking re-election, pledging their support, it came as a thunderbolt to many people who also felt that the group must be critically watched as they may be habouring something sinister up their sleeves.

500,000

This is the number of youths the Presidency said had benefited from its N-power programme, which the Federal Government initiated to provide jobs for youths and women.

Boko Haram and Shettima’s

One man who appears not have assimilated (as it were) the ‘Happy New Year’ wishes from many of his admires, including his retinue of aides, is Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State.

Only six days after the ‘happiness’ wish, Governor Shettima lost his manly disposition and composure as he wept like a kid on the shoulders of President Muhammadu Buhari right inside the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Shettima openly showed that happiness was miles away from him, when he, with tearful and tear-filled eyes, begged President Buhari to come to his aid as urgently as he could. It is all about Boko Haram and their murderous campaign.

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