BusinessDay 14 Jul 2019

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www.businessday.ng Sunday 14 July 2019

With what is going on in Nigeria, the country is not a democracy yet - Onovo

p16&17.

Market & Commodities Monitor Brent Oil

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inside The sleeping senators p36

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Vol 1, No. 271 N300

Indigenous contractor drags ?? Lasaco Assurance’s profit rises by 42 percent on higher premium NLNG to Buhari, says some others are dying p.35 p.32&33 p 41.

INSECURITY

Inter-state journeys now high risk in Nigeria

As kidnappers, killers lay siege to major roads Murder of Fasoranti’s daughter, others mirrors nation’s hopeless situation Nigerians urged to travel only when necessary

ZEBULON AGOMUO

T The film industry holds a bright future for Nigeria if properly harnessed – Anyiam-Osigwe p.12-14

BMO to clerics: Stop distracting Buhari

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he Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has described the call

by Reverend Tunde Adeleye on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign as uncalled for and absolutely unnecessary.

Reacting to the call by Adeleye, the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Niger Delta of the Anglican Communion, BMO stated that majority of Nigerians are in full support of President Continues on page 42

he brutal murd e r Fr i d a y o f Fu n k e Ol a k u nrin, daught e r o f Re u b e n Fasoranti,national leader of the pan-Yoruba sociocultural organisation, Afenifere, by suspected Fulani herdsmen along the OreSagamu Expressway at Kajola Village in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, has again strengthened a recent report that terrorists had established thousands of pockets of militia bases across Nigeria from where they ambush and unleash terror on innocent citizens.

A police spokesman in the state, Femi Joseph, who confirmed the attack was quoted as saying that the bandits ambushed the victims and that a man was also Continues on page 2

President Muhammadu Buhari is joined by other eminent personalities as he commissions the Tulsi Chanrai Foundation Eye Hospital in Abuja. He said that the Chanrai family has through its Foundation contributed so generously to the health and wellbeing of the Nigerian people. He pledges that his administration will continue to welcome and support similar philanthropic interventions.

Nigeria is diminished – Obasanjo RAZAQ AYINLA, Abeokuta

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lusegun Obasanjo, a former president on Saturday declared that Nigeria had been diminished by the spate of killings and high level of insecurity in the country. Obasanjo was reacting to the murder of Funke Olakunri, daughter of Afenifere leader, Pa

…Mourns Fasoranti’s daughter, condoles family Reuben Fasoranti, on Friday.

He said that Olakunri’s killing by suspected Fulani herdsmen was a worrisome development in the polity, especially, at a time when all well-meaning Nigerians are preaching tolerance and political accommodation in national politics.

In a condolence letter to Fasoranti, which was made available to newsmen through his Special Assistant Media , Kehinde Akinyemi, in Abeokuta, Obasanjo tasked the security agents to fish out those responsible for the heinous crime.

According to him, “This is

a worrisome development in our polity, especially, at a time when all well-meaning Nigerians are preaching tolerance and political accommodation in national politics.

“I must say Nigeria as a whole Continues on page 42

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Sunday 14 July 2019

Cover

Inter-state journeys now high risk ...

Continued from page 1

kidnapped in the process.

According to Joseph, “Young Shall Grow Motors Limited, a Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep with Registration Number LAGOS AAA 147 FM and a Toyota Camry were involved in the incident. The vehicles were ambushed by gunmen at Kajola on the Benin-Ore Expressway around 2pm.”

One of the recent videos going viral on the social media about some people who were shot at by suspected killers along Benin-Ore road showed private vehicles riddled with bullets. The bandits scampered into the bush because of repelling shots from some travelling escort who happened to be at the scene at that material point in time.

A woman, a tutor with one of the highbrow schools in Lagos, who was at the centre of it all, later narrated their near-death experience.

“It was last Monday, July 8, 2019. We (my husband, daughter and I) were returning from a burial in Anambra State. Shortly after Okada Junction, suddenly, we saw someone emerge from the bush, shooting pointedly at on-coming vehicles. What saved the day was a MOPOL, the escort, that goes with my husband. He quickly alighted and responded fiercely. The armed man ran back into the bush. The bullets from his AK 47 had shattered windscreen of two vehicles and torn some parts of the vehicles. It was a narrow escape,” she said.

The woman, whose name isnot mentioned here for security reasons, lamented: “I thank God for saving our lives, but no one knows how many other Nigerians that may have been kidnapped at that very point or would be abducted minutes, days or weeks at that very spot after our miraculous escape.

From our experience, I think the security situation is even worse than it is being reported, because it is he who feels it that knows it. And people are going through that hellish experience every day. Majority of them are not being captured in the media. Nigeria is really under fire.”

The Nigerian security challenge seems to be worsening by the day. It also appears that efforts by the Federal Government to rein in the ugly situation may not have struck the right cord yet, despite series of security meetings at the highest level of government.

The ugly state of affairs is affecting the country in all fronts.

Businesses are being affected as people no longer travel freely either to render services or supply goods. Inter-state transporters are complaining of low patronage as volume of passengers has drastically reduced.

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, governor, Ondo State, on a condolence visit at Fasoranti’s residence in Akure on Saturday.

It has also affected agric productivity as farmers have abandoned their farms. In all, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) is being negatively impacted.

Although Nigeria is not in a full-blown war situation, informed analysts say the country is in a low-grade war, and this has reduced the quality of life as though it were DR Congo, where security has since taken flight.

Nigeria also appears to be sharing brotherhood with Colombia, whose level of insecurity is pronounced as a result of activities of drug barons that

have made the vast parts of the country inaccessible.

A few weeks ago, the British Government had advised its citizens against travelling to about 21 states in Nigeria.

The warning, according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the United Kingdom, is as a result of the growing security concerns in the country.

The FCO noted that attacks

by Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East, raids by bandits in the North-West and militancy in the South-South, have worsened the security situation in the nation.

The states that made the infamous list were Borno State, Yobe State, Adamawa State, Gombe State, riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States, within 20km of the border with Niger in Zamfara State.

The FCO advised against all but essential travel to Bauchi State, Zamfara State, Kano State, Kaduna State, Jigawa State, Katsina State, Kogi State, within 20km of the border with Niger in Sokoto and Kebbi States, non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Abia.

The insecurity in Nigeria has become so scary that people

now dread major roads. There have been several accounts of survivors who were kidnapped, robbed or raped by bandits on that route. As a result of the increasing menace of kidnappers along the Abuja-Kaduna road, for instance, many people have resorted to boarding train instead of going by road. Even at that, BDSUNDAY gathered that the trains now move under heavy security escort as the kidnappers have also resorted to attacking the passengers on train tracks.

The highways in Nigeria have become “high way to hell”, as no day passes without gory tales of abduction for ransom and rapes of innocent commuters.

Today, almost all the major roads in the country have been taken over by kidnappers and ritual killers, making inter-state commuting a high-risk venture.

Some years back, when a notorious gang under the leadership of Osisikankwu took over Abia State and made lives uncomfortable for indigenes, the then Goodluck Jonathan administration gave the bandits no breathing space until they were subdued.

Osisikankwu, around whom was weaved a myth of invincibility, succumbed to the superior power of security agents.

What has become very difficult to understand in the spate Continues on page 42

Falae’s repeated attacks show farmers’ ordeals Below is the account of the ordeal of Olu Falae, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, in the hands of Fulani herdsmen in his farm:

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t first, they came to drink water from the Dam in my farm. We were tolerant. We did not suspect anything. We allowed them to drink water and go. But as time went on things began to take different turn, of course, all over Nigeria. They would come in the night, eat our maize and I complained to the police more than ten times. Later still, elements of the same people kidnapped me.

When they were tried in court, they said they were Fulani themselves. So, this hypocrisy that is going on should stop. I have been at the receiving end for a long time.

After I was kidnapped, I was humiliated, I was macheted and cut.

They came back and killed one of my guards, Ayo, His case remains an unsolved murder case with the police. They killed him and they opened his chest and took away his heart. And every year, they set fire to my farm. You know why?

There are two elements to their action. First is economic (I am an economist, and in anything I try to see the economic component. They burnt my farm, the

non-cropped areas because the grass is already dry, cows don’t like that. So they will burn the grass, in two weeks’ time, fresh grass will grow and their cattle will have very nice grass to eat; in other words, they’re already treating my farms as if it were their colony. They do this every year. The other year, they burnt the oil palm plantation near the dam. Grown trees that have fruit, they burn down. That is not done so that cattle can have fresh grass to eat; grass does not grow

on palm trees. Then you want to know why they do that; to do something that does not enhance their own welfare. It can only be an act of malice and hatred. I believe they have malice against me; they hate me. That is why they would burn my palm trees; uproot the palm trees that I planted and throw the seedlings away.

That does not help their cattle or themselves in any way; so, why do they do it? It means that if they saw me in person, it’s me they would hurt. But since I was not

present, they hurt my property.

One of my workers met one of the herdsmen in the bush some time ago, and said to him, why would you people not go to the other areas full of grass, you don’t eat the grass, and you come to eat our cassava and our crops?

The herdsman said, ‘how person go see rice, ego go chop garri?’ So, the grass, which they can’t even find where they normally come from, when they find it here, it is garri; it is inferior food; it is my maize and cassava that is rice which they prefer. Those are the insults that we go through here.

That I condemn it is the weakest way that I can speak about it. I am appealing to government to take steps to stop it; to ensure they don’t do it again; if they don’t, it means government is not offended, they support what the herdsmen are doing. When I say government, I mean government at all levels, especially the Federal Government, which should be a government for all of us. Regardless of how many votes we cast at election time, we are all entitled to the protection of the Federal Government.

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News Delta govt, community vigilantes to partner in securing school facilities Mercy Enoch, Asaba

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he past few days have been moments of unscheduled visits to state-owned primary and secondary schools in parts of Delta State by the new commissioner for basic and secondary education, Patrick Ukah.

Th e c o m m i s s i o n e r, whose visits offer him opportunity to assess the state of the schools, has not hesitated in handing out warnings to school heads and teachers over lateness just as he commended those

who are punctual.

According to him, they should justify government’s huge investment in the educational sub-sector by committing themselves to their responsibilities and showing

good example to the students and pupils by being punctual to school.

Now, his latest visit on Wednesday, July 10, was to schools where he carried out some inspections,

namely: Mgbala Primary school, Umebali Primary school, Oruchi Secondary, Okpanam High School, all in Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area, and Obomkpa Mixed Secondary School, Obomkpa, Aniocha North Local Government Area.

There, he called on community vigilantes to partner with the state government in securing school facilities against vandals in public schools in the state.

Ukah, who expressed displeasure over the incessant rate of public school vandalism, appealed for intensification of cooperation from the communities and

their vigilance groups that would guarantee the security of educational facilities of schools in their respective communities.

He urged the communities to step up their game in protecting the school facilities in their areas as it has become a big challenge, which according to him, must be tackled with all seriousness as government had spent huge resources in providing the facilities.

The commissioner, who reiterated the state government’s commitment in developing the basic and secondary education subsector in the state, stressed that the construction and

renovation of public schools across the state is a demonstration of government interest in making the public schools in the state conducive for learning, He s t a t e d t h a t t h e Okowa administration would continue to give priority attention to education as it played a very crucial role in the ‘Stronger Delta’ agenda of the present administration.

The heads of the various schools visited by the commissioner assured him they would continue to partner the state government to ensure that the standard of education in the state was not compromised.

Wike, first class graduate call for inventions, more research in Rivers’ varsity he Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, and the a first class graduand of the Rivers State University (RSU), Niivar B. Osumkpe, have both called on the university that was dedicated to Science and Technology to return to the quest for inventions and deeper research.

Wike, who was represented by his deputy, Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, admonished the RSU during its 2019 graduation (convocation) ceremony to return to quest for inventions so as to lead Nigeria in seeking technological solution to problems facing the nation.

The institution was Nigeria’s premier Science and Technology University (UST), before Governor Wike renamed it in 2018 with approval from the House of Assembly because the university is now to teach all courses beyond science and tech.

The immediate past vice chancellor, BB Fakae, who is credited with rescuing the UST had harped on research and tried to launch the university on that path. Now, the Rivers State government seems to see it as the only path of success available for

the university.

The governor stressed the importance of the institution to the state, but charged it to come up with major breakthrough in research, especially in the area of science and technology.

The governor, who directed the immediate take-off of the Emohua campus of the university charged the graduands to remember their parents who toiled day and night to ensure the success of their university education.

The vice chancellor of the university, the professor of medicine, Blessing Didia, said the RSU has attained some giant strides in academic leadership, staff welfare, collaborations, and infrastructure development.

Didia announced that the Rivers State University Chemistry Department Laboratory is adjudged the best in the country by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in conjunction with United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) assessment team that assessed chemistry laboratories of universities in 20 UNICEF supported States in Nigeria.

He furthered that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has also rated the University as the most improved institution in intakes of female students, and rewarded the institution with a cash price of N25 mil-

Wike

First Class in Physics, Niivar B. Osumkpe

Ignatius Chukwu

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lion in May, 2019.

High point of the 31st convocation ceremony was the crowning of Mildred AlaliAmakiri, with “Emeritus Professorship”. She is the first female emeritus professor of the University. A total of 3,924 students graduated during the convocation.

Physics wizard gives counsel Osumkpe hails from Jankrama in Engenni, Ahoada West Local Council Area of Rivers State and smashed the records in his department to graduate with First Class (4.5) CGP to become the only one in Physics, and only the 3rd in the history of his department in the RSU. In an interview, he revealed why most students have issues in the university and attributed it all to distraction, the most being addiction to handsets.

“Students these days are too excited that they forget why they are there. Many only focus on impressing the opposite sex, dresses, etc. Older people seem to pay attention to lectures and studies than younger ones.

“Remain focused. Some do not even know name of their heads of department or the time table. Expulsion (WAFFing) helped to force them to work hard during the Fakae days but now, they recalled those who were expelled. There was no counseling and so most of them simply continued in their old ways,” he said.

“I applied high level of attention, hard work, and dedication. I am always in school before any other person. I did not allow distraction of whatever nature,” he further said.

According to him, “Students are always distracted, especially with phones.

Phones are ruining students.

Lecturers are struggling to keep their attention. Reading culture has died. Students believe they can google ev-

ery question. Google has replaced the brains of our young ones. They hardly need to keep anything in their brains. Their brains are now in their palms.

“There is a difference in

reading to know or reading to pass. I browse to broaden my knowledge base, not to answer questions. What is in your brains is better, you can always recall. Prepare well before proceeding to

the university, else, they will not cope. Schools of Basic Studies used to do that.

There is a big gap between secondary school and the university and many drown in between.”

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News FG approves evaluation Adeboye: Why I remain silent on Ruga, killings report of gas flare commercialisation committee Iniobong Iwok

HARRISON EDEH, Abuja

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he Federal Government has approved the Statements of Qualification (SOQs) Evaluation Report presented by the Inter-Ministerial Committee of the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP).

Folasade Yemi-Esan, permanent secretary in the federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources gave the information while she also disclosed that each applicant on the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP) will receive an email while successful applicants will attain Qualified Applicant status in line with the design of the Request for Qualification (RfQ )and will subsequently be invited to submit their proposal for flare gas utilisation through the Request for Proposals (RfP) phase of the NGFCP. Recall thatover 850 interested parties registered their interest in the NGFCP while 238 Applicants submitted Statement of Qualification (SOQs) in response to the Request for Qualification (RfQ) published by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

The Permanent Secretary in statement signed by Justice Derefaka, the Programme manager, Nigeria Gas Flare Commercialisation programme said: “A total of 238 SOQ documents were evaluated in accordance with the provisions

of applicable Regulations, Guidelines, Standard DPR Practices for bid evaluation, and were adjudged either a ‘Pass’ or ‘Fail’ status.

“Following a rigorous exercise conducted in line with established protocol and using the Electronic Evaluation Tool (EET), 205 Applicants emerged successful (attaining a ‘pass status’) while the remaining 33 Applicants did not meet the minimum requirements and thus attained ‘fail status’.

She noted further that:”The PEC in the next stage, which is the Request for Proposals (RfP), will evaluate proposals submitted by the Qualified Applicants (QAs) to determine those Bidders that achieve Preferred Bidder (PB) and Reserved Bidder (RB) status in line with the criteria of the Request for Proposal (RfP) package. Ahead of the Request for Proposal stage, an NGFCP Qualified Applicants’ Workshop is scheduled to hold soon.

She clarified further in the statement that those that have not been successful, will also be advised through the NGFCP portal.

“However, unsuccessful applicants still have a chance to participate in the NGFCP (subject to acceptance by the Consortium) for them to join a Consortium that has been successful in the Request for Qualification (RfQ) process.

Please note that the arrangement of unsuccessful applicants to join a consortium is not the responsibility of the NGFCP,” she said.

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noch Adeboye, general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, has said his silent over recent burning national issues was because the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had taken public stand on the issues, saying that the group’s views represented his position and that of the RCCG. Recall that a group of students and youths under the leadership of some notable artistes like Baba

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ollowing the assault on a nursing mother by a senator representing Adamawa North senatorial district, Elisha Abbo, in an adult toy shop in Abuja that was released from CCTV footage, ActionAid has said it was incomprehensible that a lawmaker should behave so dishonorably and that the lawmaker should be held accountable for his ignoble act.

ActionAid Nigeria, a human rights and social justice non-governmental organisation working to combat poverty and all forms of injustice in Nigeria, has therefore, called for arrest and prosecution of the senator to serve as a deterrent to other Nigerians that have such tendencies.

According to the Country Director, Ene Obi who spoke in Abuja, “ActionAid Nigeria received with shock the news of the incomprehensible act of a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Elisha Abbo whose act can be described as criminal, unacceptable

and repugnant to natural justice and order. Violence against women and girls is unacceptable; they have rights to be treated with dignity and respect and this should be upheld by everyone irrespective of their social status”.

She emphasised that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria recognises the equal rights of all persons and states that no one should be discriminated against based on gender and other social classifications, adding that the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act 2015 also prohibits violence against persons in all forms. She said that ironically, Senator Abbo, who should be leading in upholding the constitution and other legislations, is the one contravening the law, and therefore, maintained that he should be held accountable for his ignoble act.

Ene Obi also said ActionAid appreciated the leadership of both People’s Democratic Party and National Assembly for prevailing on Senator Abbo to publicly apologise and the panel they set to investigate the matter, saying “We call on the Nigerian Police to

President of PFN, noted that the aforementioned Christian bodies had spoken on the issues of kidnapping, killing of Christians, herdsmen attacks and general insecurity in Nigeria and that his position and that of the RCCG was not different from their expressed views.

Adeboye further stated that his continuous silent did not mean that he had not made his views on the issues known to all relevant authorities, stressing that very soon Nigerians shall see that God answers prayers.

He, however, enjoined all Nigerians to remain calm and maintain the peace.

Governor of Katsina State, His. Excellency, Aminu Bello Masari (middle) with the Executive Secretary Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Uja Tor Uja (r) and Chairman, National Hajj Commission, Abdullah Muktar Muhammad during the 2019 HAJJ Commission’s Flag off at Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport, Katsina State.

Assault by lawmaker: ActionAid Nigeria wants justice for survivor Victoria Nnakaike, Lokoja

Fryo, Charley Boy and Eedris Abdulkarim last week staged a peaceful protest at the Redemption Camp, urging Adeboye to speak on the killings of Christians, and suspended plan by the federal government to establish cattle camps called Ruga.

But in a statement to Journalists over the weekend and signed by the church head, Media & Public Relations, Olaitan Olubiyi, reaffirmed his commitment to the umbrella Christian organizations that are mandated to speak on issues affecting the Church and the nation as a whole.

The clergy, who was a one-time

prosecute Senator Abbo which is what the law states for such an offence. We commend the Nigeria Police on some of the actions taken so far and we also like to use this medium to remind the Nigerian Police of the numerous cases of rape and other forms of gender-based violence that have been reported and are yet to be investigated”.

She equally commended Nigerians, the elite group also for using their various platforms to speak up and encourage more Nigerians to also speak up all the time in other to protect the vulnerable in the society, saying, “this type of issue borders on governance, justice and human right.”

According to her, “Assault of a citizen is an assault of the state and serving justice to whom justice is due, irrespective of social status of the persons involved, should be core of Nigeria’s justice system.

The world is watching; Nigerians are watching, the Civil Society is watching, and ActionAid Nigeria will be watching for this opportunity to seek justice for a vulnerable Nigerian is too important to miss.”

Glo-sponsored CNN African Voices highlights story of 3 vocal artistes

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wanda’s Sherrie Silver, dance choreographer, actress, creative director and philanthropist; Shifa Amankwah-Gabbey, a spelling bee winner from Ghana, and Pretty Yende, a singer from Mpumalanga, South Africa will be guests on CNN’s African Voices, a documentary program which celebrates Africa’s emerging trendsetters in various spheres of life.

The programme airs on the CNN channel on DSTV from 9.30 a.m. on Friday with repeats on Saturday at 12.30 a.m., 4.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. Other repeat broadcasts come up on Sunday, 5.00 a.m., 9.30 a.m. and 8.30 p.m. with more repeats on Monday and Tuesday at 5.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. respectively. The show is sponsored by telecommunications giant, Globacom.

24-year-old Silver is the brain behind This is America, American singer Childish Gambino’s video which has thus far attracted more than 540 million views on YouTube.

She reveals on African Voices her mission to educate the world about African cultures through the art of dance.

The award-winning choreographer is also campaigning to promote investments among rural Africa’s young people.

The second guest on the programme is 13-year-old Shifa Amankwah-Gabbey who beat over 150 other spellers across the country to clinch the ultimate prize of the 2018 National Spelling Bee competition in Ghana. The Junior High School student subsequently represented the country in the 91st Scripps Spelling Bee in the United States of America.

Yende, the third feature on the programme, is a 34-year-old opera singer and is seen as a ‘modern fairy-tale’ . A soprano singer, her ascendancy to the top of the opera world was very fast, having performed leading roles at opera houses internationally including La Scala and the Metropolitan Opera.

Her journey to the opera world began at 16 after seeing a British Airways TV advertisement that made a heavy impression on her young mind. She thereafter enrolled at the South African College of Music from which she graduated cum laude.

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News Udom inaugurates remodelled hospital, approves recruitment of more health workers ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo

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overnor Udom Emmanuel of Ak w a Ib o m State has inaugurated a remodelled general hospital in Iquita, Oron Local Government Area as part of efforts to reposition secondary healthcare services.

The state government had earlier completed the renovation of another general hospital in Etinan.

In additional, 25 additional doctors and consultants as well as nurses are to be employed by the state government.

Speaking while inaugurating the health facility, the Governor decried the sorry state he met the Iquita hospital upon assumption of office adding the modern facilities are similar to those that could be found in a teaching hospital elsewhere.

He charged the staff and management of the hospital to ensure strict maintenance and security of the facilities.

He maintained that his duty is to construct, while maintenance must be a shared responsibility.

“This project, just like all other projects in the state, has been executed by the PDP-led administration, but

Udom

once we put up the facility, it is for everybody. There is no political party here, even non-Nigerians can use the hospital”, the governor assured.

“As at today, we have brought in 36 containers of medical containers and our target is to bring in 50. The other 14 would be arriving in a short while,” he said.

The Chairman of the Hospital Management Board, David Udoumoh, described the transformation in Iquita as a holistic one, saying the hospital which is one of the three

reference hospitals in the state, is now fully digitalised to take care of the challenges of manual records and physical movement of documents.

He said that the hospital established in 1941 had long gone into a sorry state that, “coming into this facility became like a signature that you are going to die.”

The medical community in the State, according to Udoumoh, was happy with the vision of the governor who reconstructed, remodeled and re-equipped the hospital.

He thanked the contractors for working according to specification, adding that the heads in the state health sector will continue to work with the Governor in ensuring that he achieves his vision of revamping all the hospitals in the state.

Also speaking, the Akon Eyakenyi. a senator who represents Akwa Ibom South in the Senate said the Governor has written history in Gold for Oron people, by making the area his first port of call for project commissioning since his resumption for a second term less than two months ago.

“Your Excellency, Oron was one of the first local government areas you visited when you were first elected in 2015 and there you saw what the Oron people were passing through as it relates to roads construction, and you stood and made a statement and in few months we saw what you did. May the Lord bless you.”

She commended the governor for the contract awarded for the Atabong road project in Okobo as well as other developments he is bringing to the people.

Others who expressed their goodwill at the event were the Chairman of Oron, the House of Assembly member for the area as well as the Chief Medical Consultant of the hospital.

My dream 20 years ago, suffering of Kogi people driving force behind my guber ambition – Erico Victoria Nnakaike, Lokoja

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n aspirant under the platform of Peoples Democ r a t i c Pa r t y (PDP) has said that the suffering of the people of Kogi State coupled with his dream 20 years ago is the driving force behind his coming out to aspire to rule the state.

Joseph Ameh Erico, a security expert, disclosed this on Friday at NUJ Secretariat, Lokoja during a media parley, pointing out that his coming is to put Kogi in the right track and to build a future for the state.

Ameh also said his mind is full of creative ideas which he promised he would unlock when he comes in as the next Governor of Kogi within one year of his administration.

He stressed that civil servants are being treated like animals, saying that when he comes in as the governor, sal-

ary issue will not be a task as it is a compulsory obligation state government owes the workers in the state.

“I am the only one that deals on human beings. God has blessed me and when I come in, families will rejoice.

When I come in I will digitalise Kogi State, Kogi will not be analogue again. I don’t displace priorities. We are going

Erico

to feed our people, pay their salaries, get money and help them,” he said.

Ameh, chief executive officer of Real Strikers Security Service Ltd that has over 9,689 staff strength, said he believes in bringing people together so that they can put bread on their tables, also disclosed that his company cuts across the 36 states in the country, including the United States of America.

He also maintained that with his vast knowledge, he would fix Kogi State which he said is seriously lacking in various capacities, adding that he has the prerequisite ability to destroy the monster in the state called non-payment of salary to workers.

Ameh equally emphasised that being a grassroots person, he knew exactly where the shoes pinch and in collaborating with other patriots have painstakingly put together a compendium

of action plan called blueprint that will serve as a guide or political compass that restore Kogi State lost glory, adding that they believe that Kogi must not be a laughing stock among other state of the country “I wish to state categorically that my adventure into politics is not for selfish reason. I am essentially motivated by the political philosophy and ideology of J F Kennedy that says, ‘Don’t ask what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country’ but I am committed to make a difference in the governance of our dear state. I am not going to run a government of terror, but a humane, God-fearing and responsive administration that cares for overall wellbeing of its citizens,” he said.

“My dear Kogites, I bring you good tidings and I want you to rejoice. This is because I can see the great fall of your to mentors.

First anti-trafficking task force established in North-East Jonathan Aderoju with agency

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n a bid to better respond to trafficking in persons in Borno State, northeast Nigeria, where 7.1 million people need humanitarian assistance, twenty organisations are joining forces in a new Anti-Trafficking Task Force (ATTF) in humanitarian action.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), jointly with Heartland Alliance International and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) launched the Task Force on 9 July in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno. The Task Force will advocate for the inclusion of anti-trafficking measures in the regional humanitarian response and will operate under the Protection Sector Working Group (PSWG).

Humanitarian actors face many obstacles in uncovering violations, identifying victims and quantifying the overall scale of Trafficking in Persons (TiP). Victims of trafficking rarely self-identify or self-report, for fear of stigmatisation or lack of access to reporting mechanisms.

A fear of repercussions also often deters people who witness trafficking.

The ongoing conflict and displacement exacerbate the risk of trafficking, especially for female and childheaded households, unaccompanied and separated children and youth. These groups are at high risk of gender-based violence, abduction and recruitment in armed groups.

More than 130,000 people have displaced in northeast Nigeria since January

2019 in north-east Nigeria, increasing the population of already stretched camps.

As thousands of people lack shelter, they are forced to sleep in the open air in overcrowded camps which further increases their vulnerability to protection risks and exploitation.

According to Memory Mwale, IOM Nigeria Counter-Trafficking Project officer, “Prevention and response to trafficking in persons are frequently overlooked or not addressed in a comprehensive manner in humanitarian settings. Anti-trafficking measures save lives and should be incorporated in all interventions in areas of conflict,” The ATTF will be cochaired by the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development. Its 20 member organisations include government, UN agencies, international NGOs and civil society. IOM, together with UNHCR and Heartland Alliance International, will provide technical support. Last year, IOM joined a technical working group on national awareness raising to combat TiP chaired

by NAPTIP. IOM has a long-standing cooperation with the Borno State government in the response to combat TiP. The IOM Counter-Trafficking Unit strengthens the capacity of stakeholders to provide protection and assistance to identified victims as well as to mitigate and prevent trafficking through raising awareness and mainstreaming anti-trafficking measures into humanitarian interventions.

Lagos private schools Spelling Bee competition to improve reading culture - Rahul De SEYI JOHN SALAU

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ahul De, chief marketing and strategy officer of MTN Nigeria, has said that the Lagos State Private Schools Spelling Bee competition sponsored by the communication company is aimed at encouraging the reading culture among pupils and students of private schools across Lagos. “As we know, readers are leaders; we have found a way to encourage these future leaders to strive for even more,” he said.

According to De, in a bid to satisfy the yearning for improved spoken English skills among pupils and students, MTN Nigeria through its tween and teen proposition, mPulse sponsored the first phase of the Lagos State spelling bee competition. He stated that the first batch of the intra-school competition was held across 70 private schools in Lagos, with the sec-

ond batch of the competition to come up later in the year.

“The importance of a competition that enables young minds to exercise their creativity in English Grammar cannot be overemphasised. This will help thousands of students improve their spelling knowledge, increase their vocabulary, learn a variety of concepts and develop correct English usage that will set them apart and expand their opportunities,” De stated.

The second phase of the spelling bee will usher a threeweek inter-school competition, which will have schools compete in various education districts of the state, culminating in a grand finale during the last quarter of the year.

Ifako International School; Barachel Schools; Chrisland Schools; Caleb International School; Dansol High School; CTC School, are among the over 37 schools that have competed so far in the keenly contested competition.

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Sunday 14 July 2019

StateOfTheNation

The sleeping senators CHUKA UROKO

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fter spending huge sums of money and time to seek positions at the Senate, and after only one month of activity on the floor of the red chamber following its inauguration on June 11, 2019, many of the senators have converted the chamber into a sleeping parlour. A nation is doomed when elected lawmakers abandon their reason d’être at the National Assembly to become the biblical sleeping Eutychus.

Sleeping distinguished senators of the federal republic tell part of the Nigerian story as a country where anything goes. Again, the art of sleeping on duty by senators underscores the importance they attach to the job they are elected to do. And if after one month a senator is so tired that he sleeps away, it remains to be known what happens in the next four years.

Poverty, ethnicity and religion

have conspired to make mockery of not only the electoral system in Nigeria, but also democracy as a brand of government in the country. Political pundits say the absurd things seen in the Nigerian political landscape do happen because the political class is exploiting the looseness, weaknesses and loopholes in the polity, all fueled by primordial sentiments.

Because of poverty, people accept anything from political office seekers and sell their conscience to them and thereafter, lose the sovereign power which they have as the electorate or electors. Again, because of religion, ethnicity and other parochial consideration, the people in whom power resides cannot initiate any move aimed to recall an erring elected political office holder.

But it is so unfortunate that people spend so much money, cause destruction and death in extreme cases to win election only to go to the place where duty calls and sleep while matters of importance are being discussed and debated. This

means they have not gone there to represent anybody.

To think that almost all of these people who have been caught in the sleeping act are former public officers, mostly former state governors, who denied their people of good governance in order to amass enough wealth for their elections, make matters worse.

“These people have gone to represent their people in the Senate. They are not doing that. Instead they have gone there to sleep. What a betrayal, what a waste of public resources and public trust invested in them, as well as insensitivity to the plight of the people,” noted Emmanuel Okechukwu, a public affairs commentator, who could not come to terms with the idea of a senator sleeping on duty.

Okechukwu said he could not understand the reason for the desperation that usually characterize the quest for power by the Nigerian politicians who can do anything to get that power which they would not use to advantage or benefit of the people they have gone to

represent.

“Just come to think of it: Some of these people did not pick their victory on a platter of gold. Some took the battle beyond the ballot box to the court, spent time and money on fierce litigation only to secure the victory and go to the floor of the senate to sleep,” he lamented.

What is happening in the country in which senators now see the Senate as an old people’s home calls for a critical review of the modus operandi of the entire National Assembly. Agreed that the country is operating a borrowing system of government—president system— which allows some of the absurdities we see, nothing prevents the country from adjusting it to suit our peculiar circumstance.

The presidential system is not only too expensive, it is also very attractive in terms of remuneration, allowances and other pecks of office which is why many ex-governors see the senate as a retirement home where they go to continue to enjoy their ill-gotten wealth alongside the ‘freebees’ which the Senate offers.

Amidst widespread poverty in the land, each senator, including the sleeping ones, is said to be collecting over N10 million per month in a country where civil servants who report to duty without fail are paid N30,000 per month.

Looking at the Red Chamber on the few days they are in session, the chamber is largely empty as some senators don’t attend plenary sessions up to five times in a month, and when they do, they go there to sleep. This is enough reason for the country to decide and make the two chambers of the National Assembly a part time business so that only patriotic Nigerians will be found there.

“A situation where a senator is paid for not doing anything is not acceptable; receiving tax payers money for just going to the socalled hallowed chamber to sleep amounts to cheating and therefore, unacceptable to the good, but suffering people of Nigeria,” Okechukwu noted, stressing that time has come for the country to put an end to these cheating that is seen in every corner of the country.

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Inside Lagos

Ijegun explosion: Lagos talks tough …as senate committee visits site Stories by JOSHUA BASSEY

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agos State government has vowed it would no longer be business as usual for oil pipeline vandals as the criminals would be prosecuted and made to face the full weight of the law going forward.

The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stated this on Friday when members of the senate ad-hoc committee on pipeline explosion visited Lagos House, Alausa, as part of their fact-finding mission to Lagos. The seven-member committee was led by Ibrahim Gobir.

About 12 persons died when fire broke out in Ijegun on Thursday, July 4, attributable to activities of criminals vandalising oil pipelines in that community.

According to SanwoOlu, the state government is working with relevant security agencies to bring perpetrators of the Ijegun pipeline fire to justice.

Sanwo-Olu hailed the

Scene of July 4 pipeline explosion in Ijegun, Lagos

leadership of the senate for constituting the adhoc committee, following a motion by the senator representing Lagos West, Solomon Adeola.

The governor said the action showed that the senate felt the pain of the huge loss with Lagosians.

“I convey my best wishes to the leadership of the senate for responding quickly to this very ur-

gent national assignment.

I watched the debate on Ijegun fire on the floor of the senate and I saw how several senators felt the pain we are feeling in Lagos.

“I thank all the senators for showing compassion and the human side of them to assuage the pain we are feeling following the loss of lives. I appreciate members of the ad-hoc committee for coming out swiftly to in-

LASEMA, Marine Police to improve safety on waterways

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agos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and Marine Department of the Nigeria Police Force are synergising to improve safety on the waterways within the Lekki axis of Lagos.

Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the general manager of LASEMA disclosed this during an interactive session with the staff of LASEMA on Friday.

“LASEMA will actively complement the efforts of the state waterways agency, the marine police and other relevant stakeholders to ensure adequate safety of the commuting populace on the

state’s waterways,’’ he said.

Oke-Osanyintolu said that the response unit of the agency on the Lekki corridor would serve as its marine response centre. This, he believed, would reduce response time to scene of emergencies.

The unit, he said, would be solely dedicated to emergency surveillance and response on the waterways.

The LASEMA boss, however, decried the rate of boat mishaps in recent times, adding that the situation was a wake-up call to all responders to re-strategise their operations and rise to the challenges of respond-

ing on time to emergencies.

“The LASEMA established act as amended in 2005 (Section 5 (1-4) mandates the agency to coordinate and integrate disaster management in Lagos State, and to successfully accomplish this task.

“The agency is venturing into new relationships and sharpening the agency’s network and linkages to ensue better defined collaborations,” he said.

He said that the agency’s position was in line with the vision of the state government which is to provide adequate safety of lives and property.

Driver charged with manslaughter

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41-year truck driver, Jimoh Lateef has been charged before an Ikeja Magistrate Court for allegedly causing the death of one Kayode Adepoju through reckless driving on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The defendant, a resident of Ajegunle, Apapa, Lagos, is facing a three-count charge of reckless driving, damage to

personal property and manslaughter. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Benson Emuerhi, told the court on Friday that the defendant committed the offences on February 18, at 4.00p.m along theLagos-IbadanExpressway.

Emuerhi said that the defendant recklessly drove a MAN Diesel truck with registration LSD 245 XW

and rammed it into the deceased car.

He said the offences contravene Sections 27, (28) (1) and 29 of the Road Traffic Law of Lagos State, 2012.

The chief magistrate, Olufunke Sule-Amzat, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N250, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until October 17, for mention.

vestigate the root cause of this unfortunate incident.

“We are concerned about the damage to lives and property that trailed the incident. We are hopeful that we will identify the perpetrators; whatever level they are, they will be brought to justice. Bringing them to justice will serve as deterrent to other criminals who are bent on perpetrating economic

sabotage at the expense of innocent people’s lives.”

The governor expressed concern that the issue of pipeline vandalism kept re-occurring in the state.

As part of measures being taken by the state government to ensure the crime did not re-occur, Sanwo-Olu said he met with traditional rulers in the state to sensitise them on the need to join hand with the government and security agencies to secure Federal Government’s assets in their localities and also fish out criminals engaging in economic sabotage.

Sanwo-Olu expressed the hope that the recommendations of the committee would bring about lasting solution to the problem just as he urged security operatives to raise their game.

Leader of the committee, Gobir promised that members would ensure thorough investigation into the matter, assuring that the committee’s recommendations would help the Federal Government to take far-reaching ap-

proach to tackle vandalism.

Adeola , who moved the motion leading to the constitution of the ad-hoc committee, renewed the call for community policing, noting that it would help in checking re-occurring activities of pipeline vandalism. He said empowering community members to secure their neighbourhood against vandals would help the security agencies in tackling the problem efficiently.

The lawmaker hailed the senate leadership for responding to the call to investigate the cause of pipeline vandalism in his senatorial district.

It would be recalled that the senate had earlier directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) to review the security architecture of its pipelines.

It also directed them to consider the engagement of local communities and vigilantes in the architecture, to protect pipelines from vandalism.

Rail project: Mariplex Imperial Estate won’t be affected - Official

T

he ongoing rail project by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) would not affect the residents of Mariplex Imperial Estate in Ikeja, an official has assured.

Wasiu Akewusola, the permanent secretary, Lagos State ministry of housing gave the assurance in Ikeja. Akewusola said that the report on the project before the ministry did not indicate that the estate would be affected.

Akewusola urged the residents not to panic over the acquisition of part of the area for the expansion project. According to him, adequate arrangement has been made to protect their interests in the expansion project.

“We will do our best to safeguard the rights of the residents as part of our responsibilities to the home owners under one of the housing schemes of the state government,” he

said in a statement by Adeola Salako, director, public affairs in the ministry.

He a d d e d t h a t t h e rights of the “residents will be pursued utilising the accepted platform for the handling such issues, having it in mind that there are stipulated guidelines for compensations for those affected by government’s developmental projects”.

He said the government was assessing the impact of the project on the 1,000 square-metre to be acquired for the project to enable the state government get a credible data for the project.

“Lagos State Government is aware of the implications of the expansion of rail project, the result of the physical evaluation and environmental impact assessment will inform the next step of action in ensuring that the sanctity of the built environment is secured and the interests of the

people protected.

“The well-being of the people who placed their trust in us for a habitable and conducive shelter is of utmost concern to us.

We will ensure that we do our best to justify this huge confidence reposed in us,” Akewusola said.

Chairman of the residents association, Olusegun Adeyanju, said that certain critical infrastructure such as the estate’s swimming pool, the exterior fence, electricity poles and some parts of the road network would be affected by project.

Adeyanju said that should this happen, the residents would undergo a lot of inconveniences and deprivation since the total ambience of the estate would be compromised as a result of the project.

He also raised fears of noise pollution and security issues as some of the negative consequences that would accompany the project.

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Comment

comment is free

Of Ruga, COZA and Abbo

Frank Aigbogun editor Zebulon Agomuo DEPUTY EDITOR John Osadolor, Abuja

Tayo Ogunbiyi

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

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS Fabian Akagha

@Businessdayng

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

F

or some time, herders/ farmers clashes have continued to pose serious security threats in the country. In the last few months, the crisis, which was initially widespread in the northern part of the country, is curiously heading southward like a wild fire.

In a bid to stem the tide, the Federal Government, FG, came up with the Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) settlements plan for herdsmen. It seeks to settle animal farmers, not just cattle herders, in an organized place with the provision of basic and adequate amenities such as schools, hospitals, road networks, vet clinics, markets and so on.

However, the scheme was widely criticized by a cross section of Nigerians. Some state governors insisted that there is no land for ranches and cattle in their domains while several socio-cultural groups and traditional authorities openly opposed the initiative.

The last straw, however,

seemed to be a comment made

by Professor Wole Soyinka on the perceived danger of Ruga. A few days after Soyinka’s remarks, the FG announced that it has suspended the controversial programme.

Meanwhile, in the middle of the Ruga hullabaloo, the social media was equally buzzing with yet another thriller. Wife of popular Nigerian musician, Busola Dakolo, had accused the Senior Pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, of rape.

According to Mrs. Dakolo, Pastor Fatoyinbo raped her twice on same week. She alleged the pastor first raped her at her parents’ residence and at another time in an isolated road path. She alleged the incidence occurred before she turned 18, and added that she lost her virginity in the process.

Trust Nigerians, they quickly shoved the Ruga controversy to the background, and pronto COZA became the trendy news.

In the midst of it all, Pastor Fatoyinbo vehemently denied raping Bisola Dakolo or any other persons for that matter. In a post on his Instagram page, the pastor declared: “I have never in my life raped anybody even as an unbeliever and I am absolutely innocent of this”.

Well, while many analysts seem to agree that Fatoyinbo might be right in his claim, they, nevertheless, opine it is possible he had consensual sex with his accuser.

This is not the first time the Abuja based Pastor will be immersed in sex scandals. In 2013, Ese Walter, a member of his church alleged she had a sexual relationship with the pastor in London. Just a few days ago, another lady accused the pastor of rape. What will be the outcome of this new drama series?

Well, time will tell.

What is, however, no in doubt is that we are in a season of drama.

Senator representing Adamawa North, Mr. Elisha Abbo, is in the center of yet another blockbuster.

In a now viral CCTV footage clips, Abbo was alleged to have assaulted a shop attendant at a sex toy shop in Abuja last May. Details of the gory event were published in Premium Times and it prompted national indignation.

Initially, Abbo’s wife denied the allegation, saying that her husband, a ‘distinguished’ Senator of the Federal Republic is too decent to stoop so low. However, the Senator was to later rubbish her wife’s claim when he opened up to committing the alleged crime.

In an emotion laden press conference (which could be titled: Abbo Wept), the Senator apologized for his heinous conduct. He equally apologized to his victim and her family.

As we were taught in Didactic Literature, for the discerning, we could learn vital lessons from our current national dramas. The first is that we cannot wish away our national problems. As much as

people might disdain the FG Ruga plan, the fact remains that we still have a monster to contend with in the herdsmen/farmers mess.

If we choose to sweep it under the carpet as we often always do, we are merely postponing the evil day. On its part, the FG must consult widely in order to find a generally acceptable solution to this issue. We cannot continue to witness unnecessary killings of our compatriots in avoidable circumstances.

The COZA affair is a reflection of the moral decadence in our society. While randy charges against the trendy pastor remain mere allegation, it is a wakeup call to clerics who actually indulge in despicable sexual acts that their sins will, one day, catch up with them.

As for Abbo, as bad as his act was, for me, the apology is disarming enough. I don’t really care whatever happens to the case eventually, his public apology demonstrates penitence. With the resources at his disposal, he could have gone to court, hire a crafty lawyer that would use legal technicalities to drag the case for long, but he chose to follow a more honorable path. He said sorry. In our clime, it is not usual to see ‘powerful’ figures make an apology. Though Abbo acted naughty, he is also a lesson in humility.

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

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Focus

The Commissioned NNPC/Belemaoil JV 100,000 Litres Potable Water Project at Daura Airport, Daura Local Government Area, Katsina State.

President/Founder of Belemaoil, Jack-Rich Tein Jr. fetching water from one of the communal taps during the commissioning ceremony at Kumo Town, Akko Local Government Area, Gombe State.

Belemaoil founder explains project execution in northern Nigeria

…receives rare turbanning in Daura, Gombe Ignatius Chukwu

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elemaoil and its community development-minded founder/president, Jackrich Tein Jr, have taken their community projects to the northern part of Nigeria. He said this is in continued drive to bring succour to the people of host communities, Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large.

The leading indigenous oil producing company and operators of the NNPC/Belemaoil Joint Venture (JV) has thus commissioned water and road projects in northern parts of Nigeria. The projects were executed in Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe and Sokoto states under the NNPC/ Belemaoil JV. Speaking at the commissioning of the projects, President/Founder of Belemaoil Producing Ltd said the projects are a way of promoting oneness and unity in Nigeria as well as to better the lots of the people and give them a better lease of life.

Tein Jr said as someone who comes from a community that lacked potable water for hundreds of years, he understood the plights of the people of the communities who had to travel miles to get table water. He said, despite political differences and affiliations, that Nigeria remains one country and Nigerians must build bridges that promote love and oneness.

He said: “This gathering here today is as a result of our desire to share fellowship, to share oneness, a united country called Nigeria. Nigeria is one indivisible country that is centred on love irrespective of the political insinuations, affiliations and we must as a matter of fact build bridges that unite us. Political parties are platforms we use in showcasing our interests but when we get back to these political parties, Nigerians get back to us.

“We are here to demonstrate

L-R: Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, and Belemaoil founder/president, Jachrich Tein Jr, at the commissioning ceremony of the 180,000 Litres Water Project at the Sokoto State University, Wammako Local Government, Sokoto State. oneness; and we are here to demonstrate love. You here in the north and myself from the Niger Delta, are one.

Every country, the U.S., UK, Europe, they all have their challenges but when you have a challenge what you do with that challenge draws you to solution. So, the challenges we are going through as Nigerians is to bring us together and design new ways of making Nigeria a better country.

“When my friend, Umar Kumo (PA on Special Duties to SGF) mentioned this project to me, I said what your community is facing is what my community is also going through.

My community has been there for about 700 years with so much wealth in terms of natural resources and all that but lacked potable water. We drink from contaminated stagnant Emir of Akko, Muhammadu Atiku (Lamidon Akko) in a handshake with stream and well water sources that the President/Founder of Belemaoil, Jack-Rich Tein Jr. (Sarkin Ruwan have been contaminated. of Akko) during a courtesy visit at the Emir’s Palace.

“He said to me, my community

travels about 12 kilometres in search of water and I promised them that because NNPC loves community development, I will initiate the project and see how we can embark on them. We are happy that this project has come to a successful end and we are commissioning them today.”

The President/Founder of Belemaoil, thanked the NNPC and President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting the project and for granting the company the operatorship license of the OML-55, which has given the company opportunity to better the lots of many across the country. He, however, charged the people to guard the projects jealously and maintain them for the continued good of the people.

In his speech, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, represented

by Tolulope Derin-Adefuwa, called on the people to make good use of the projects. He said NNPC embarks on community development projects through its partnerships for grassroots development.

He said: “We are partnering with Belemaoil JV to bring this project to us. It is our firm and strong belief on our part to support the communities nationwide and we do this through joint partnerships, we do this with our products sharing contract companies to deliver community development projects to the whole of Nigeria. We do economic empowerment programmes whereby we deploy relief materials to the IDP Camps, we do education programmes, we do scholarships and so many other projects which we believe will touch the lives of the citizens of Nigeria.”

High points of the ceremony were the Turbaning of the President/ Founder of Belemaoil Producing Ltd as Sarkin Ruwan Hausa by the Emir of Daura, Umar Farouq Umar, in Katsina State and Sarkin Ruwan Akko, by the Emir of Akko, Gombe State, Umaru Muhammadu Atiku (Lamidon Akko), respectively.

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Sunday 14 July 2019

SundayInterview

The film industry holds a bright future for Nigeria if properly harnessed – Anyiam-Osigwe Peace Anyiam-Osigwe is the founder of the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), which is run through the African Film Academy. In this exclusive interview with ZEBULON AGOMUO, Editor, she said that beyond the yearly glamorous award events organised by AMAA, it does a lot of trainings for old and young practitioners across Africa. She also spoke on the huge opportunity waiting to be tapped in the film industry; why governments at all levels must show more interest in the creative industry, among other issues in the sector. Excerpts:

C

ould you please speak briefly about the activities of AMAA beyond the glamourous awards that hold every year? Are there some other engagements and roles that AMAA undertakes or plays (as the case may be), and how involved is it in the development of film industry in Nigeria, nay, Africa?

AMAA is 15 years this year. It was set up to celebrate film makers in Africa and also train people across Africa.

AMAA has been training for the past 14 years. We came up with three weeks’ intensive programme which is not just training in films but also the antecedents of films - everything that has to do with films. About 10 days of in-house training, which includes you actually listening to workshops; you actually coming up with your scripts, and learning the basic rudiments and you guys forming your little groups afterwards. You then shoot a short film or you practise what you have learnt in the training. So, across Africa over the past 14 years, we have done training for approximately ten thousand (10,000) students. Last year, we were in Rwanda; we worked with the film school of Cuba; we trained about 100 film makers in documentary which is very important for Rwanda because of their history.

We have some of the best teachers coming from Cuba, in Rwanda.This year, we decided that part of the things we are going to do on our 15th year– ‘Road to AMAA’- is to do an event in Enugu which we called ‘The Home Coming’. It wasn’t me that gave that title; it was actually some of the film makers in the South East that said, ‘O, you have not done anything here, you are from here; we’re going to call it the home coming. It was actually Osita Okeke, Ossyoffasson – the marketer that suggested it and impressed it on me and I agreed with the suggestion.

We brought a gentleman from New York, Jim Jermanok, who tutored them on how to passionately tell your story and also the quality and how to get it to other film making platforms across the world. He made them to understand that a good story would sell anywhere, but then you shouldn’t lose the soul of what you are telling which is our own story. We don’t have to lose our stories.

I think that’s what people tend to forget.

You shouldn’t lose what the essence of Nollywood was, which is our own stories in our own way. The difference is that we should make it technically right, professionally done; but we shouldn’t lose the

Osigwe

story. We should be able to impart the knowledge of our history; our culture to everybody and make it in a way that they will feel comfortable watching it.But don’t expect it to be totally accepted; and that’s why we continue telling people our stories. Don’t make any apologies for telling your stories! Now, if you understand that, we will not make any apology for telling our stories; the only apology I can make is when we don’t do it properly. So, Jim came and we had over 500 students to learn from him. For two days, nine (9) hours daily, it was amazing seeing the students sit there; the need to consume as much information as possible, for me was amazing. I discovered that there is void of information in the South East.There’s so much activity going on in the film industry there; but they don’t really know. I discovered that there are about four, five film making cultures going on in one country - what is happen-

ing in Lagos is totally different; what’s happening in Kano; in Asaba, South East and South–South are all totally different.

This is me speaking to businesses and governments in South East and SouthSouth, I don’t think they get it. To be honest with you, I don’t think the governor of Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Imo (well, Imo is just coming in) – the other two-term governors, I don’t think they get the GDP that is going on there because it is undocumented.There’s a lot of money there but these people seem unaware.

While I was in Enugu and Asaba, almost 200 productions were going on almost at the same time on an average budget of N2.5million to N15million each production.You have students in Nsukka doing their own; they get together, they may raise N1million, do their production and put on YouTube or they sell to African Magic, and this is thriving. Now, there’s a lot of passion in that industry. I met a

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

The people in charge of culture and tourism are not embracing them. These are the issues I see and I am wondering, you want to increase the GDP? You already have a lot of GDP going on, harness it; you have stars coming out of the industry. You have a lot of talents that need encouragement.Some older actors are doing their best to assist the younger ones, on their own individual capacities, but what I see is that until we can harness the global picture of film industry in Nigeria; that is from the creative industry – because I met fashion designers, and everybody doing different things, and what I just felt was that there’s a vacuum that nobody is trying to harness. Yes, the CBN has come up with this N200 billion loan; but my question is, did they actually understand how to get this money to these people?You coming up with a loan that says, do you have a collateral?

Do you also have 30 percent equity? The average film maker may not be able to do that. So, are you really trying to help that film maker in that area or is another, ‘let just say we are doing something’?

There’s got to be an understanding of the industry. If you say to a film maker, your IP (Intellectual Property) is your collateral, fine; or you bring equity of 20 to 30 percent fine; but collateral and equity will not work. There are some of us that can do collateral; but if you want to help to push this industry forward, you cannot do collateral for a lot of people in the industry. And that’s one of the things we did in Enugu; even right now we are actually doing a workshop for them; a financial clinic to help those who want to access the loans to basically understand; do their business plan; do the structure or whatever they have to put it together.

That’s actually what we are working on; on how do they raise the capital; and not just the CBN’s; the grants overseas; the grants for film makers.Again, the lack of structure makes it very difficult for them as film makers to get the finances they need to make the quality films they should be making. We are trying to say to them, that ‘Ok, this is what you can do; you can put this structure, write your synopsis and see if you can raise grants, and also if you might also get private equity participation and work on it’.

This is the kind of background what people don’t see apart from the main AMAA we do. People tend to see the

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BDSUNDAY 13

SundayInterview brand as, ‘O, this glamorous event that they do once a year’, but we’re still working year in, year out. The same thing we are doing here, we do in Rwanda; we do in the Gambia; Malawi. We do training across Africa; even if it is little workshop of 10 people; five people. If we charge students to do some of the stuff like in Enugu, they can’t afford it. If you look at the cost of bringing the resource persons on Business Class, and other expenses, you find out, they can’t afford it; so, you must have to look for support from elsewhere to be able to impart the knowledge to these people.

What level of assistance do you think the industry needs to make the desired mark in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general?

What I discovered is that there’s a need, constant need for not just government, because it can’t all be government, for private enterprises to work hand-inhand with the creative sector. Secondly, there should be an encouragement for tax incentives for film makers. Something like tax rebate is necessary. Even the Cinema tax is killing. A film maker makes money at the cinema – between the cinema and the tax office, he is losing almost 60 to 70 percent of the income before getting anything. May be, a film makes N100 million, in the cinema; divide it into three, film maker is only going to come out with only 30 percent.

So, taxes must be looked at for the industry to generate reasonable income.

Customs, piracy, etc are the problems the new government really needs to look into in real term, not just saying it, if you want to help increase your GDP; if you want to help this industry; if you want to take the kids off the street; instead of wasting time and saying you are building universities, skills acquisition is the way to go for a lot of young people; both the boys and young women in the South East are interested in the creative industry. They are not really interested in being lawyers and doctors any more.

Yes, we need lawyers and doctors, but, like I explained to film makers in Enugu, you need doctors on set, first aiders; if there’s an accident, who will make sure that people are taken care of; in fact, the creative industry needs every skill set – you need the lawyer to help with the contracts; accountants to help in the budgets, payments and finances; you need the dressmaker; the make-up artists; a doctor to handle crisis, etc. If, for instance, South East governors are saying they have issues with insecurity; well; if you don’t create jobs, there’s no miracle; these kids are doing nothing; it is so bad in the South East that many young people cannot afford N10,000 (ten thousand and naira) for their own part of the registration; then even the governors are finding it hard to support these kids. And I am wondering, how do you keep them away from crime? You are making them feel that by stealing or kidnapping they are more likely to get a quick return; but if you nurture their creative abilities, you will be helping them because creativity also give them the chance to also make sure that they make a better and proper living without going into crime; they will not only help themselves, they will also be helping other people. An average film set has, may be, 30 people working on it.

If you imagine that, how do you bring in Diaspora money if the films are not good enough? You can structure even making

Osigwe

In 15 years, AMAA has changed the face of film industry in many ways the embassies working to make sure that these films are shown and they are paid for, for people to come and watch them.

It will make sure that the DVD market which everybody keeps on assuming is dead, is not dead actually. But the people in the South East are very dependent on their DVD market, and they have ways of making sure that their DVD sells; and you still have some films doing well on DVD. And where do these DVDs go? East Africa, South Africa, Middle Africa, Congo, Brazil, and other places. Also, most of the time, they throw it onto Youtube to monetise it based on people who watch.

Now, you have identified some of the factors militating against the youth in society, part of which is lack of funding for them to pursue their dreams.

But experience has shown that many youths today are not willing to acquire skills that will sustain them in life. They want quick money. They want to ride okada that gives them daily income even though small and many want to be rich without laying a good foundation for it. What would you say about this in relation to your dream of seeing many youths come into the industry?

I want to tell all the youth, you have to be passionate about whatever you want to learn and you have to decide if you are just looking at making money, like you said, or if you are actually looking for a career; they are two different things.

When you are just looking at making money; you don’t care about learning; you are just hearing about figures and then you are just running inside. So, the thing is, decide what you want to be.

There are many ways of identifying who are actually film makers that want to learn.Let me give you an example.

When I came back from the South East workshop, I set up a WhatsApp group; you know the WhatsApp group can only have (200) hundred and something and here, I have five hundred students. I am not really someone that has a lot of time; but I have a group for Rwanda; for Malawi and I read what they are saying, and when I see some of them making some real sense. Then I will go on and say, ‘are you a film maker?’ Or they put up promos or chips of their films and you advise. You will know those that are really interested in interaction, and there are ones that will delete themselves immediately from the group because they didn’t like the criticism, because they didn’t want to hear the truth. But that’s the point. I want to identify that even if it is one hundred (100) of them that truly want to work to make this industry better, they will. And that’s what I have always tried to do. It is not for government to throw money at people. You see, sometimes, what happens in Nigeria is that, we like hype; we don’t like sustainability.Sometimes, even though Peace is going to come out to tell you the truth that you should hear; you should hear it.You may not want to hear that truth as it is; you may want to go for the people who would advise you; who you would have seen that are making a lot of hype about themselves on what they do; most people don’t really know that we have trained over 10,000 (ten thousand) youths. I don’t put everything I do out there. Not just in Nigeria. We

have consistently, for the last 14 years, gone around Africa, training. The former president of Malawi, Joyce Banda, always said then that AMAA helped to open up the film industry in Malawi. Even in South Africa, which is a very developed economy; within the communities of the black film makers that are not really in the main towns, we also impacted them.

It was like teaching them out of the box because sometimes, the structured way of learning film is not affordable to even the average South African film maker.

So, from 2006 till date, we have been on the road, training; training in the environments, not necessarily classrooms.

So, for identification, look out for their passion; don’t just make it available to the people that just came out from the streets. There’s a minimum understanding of what you should do, and like I have always told people, you have to have a minimum of competence- being able to read, write, understand (comprehend).

It is sad that we still have some cinematographers that can’t even read.Some of the cameras coming out now are very technical. We still have editors that do not even understand the dynamics of being proper editors. These are things that people should expect and even those that fought against the Motion Picture Practitioners Council that we have been trying to get, they say, ‘O, you are trying to stop people from entering the industry!’ No; it is a voluntary thing. The Motion Picture Practitioners Council is a voluntary thing. You are not going to be forced to go and enter; just like in America and UK; you are not forced to enter; you can operate outside of it. But it would be important to say, Ok, within this association, you would know thatthese people have received the basic level of professionalism.This is so, that somebody will not come and say,‘this film maker messed up my film’.

The ethics of the profession and the right conduct are the things we emphasise on. Even when government is working in this industry, it should ask basic questions to understand the concept of what we are trying to do.Make sure that they have the fundamental knowledge, just the foundation and the passion for what they are going to do. So, when you are saying that a lot of them don’t want to learn; right now, anybody can buy an Okada and ride; that’s the problem. Nobody is actually looking at the quality of the Okada they are riding and the riders themselves. When, for instance, you even meet some of the Okada riders and say, ‘where is that road?’ And they will tell you, ‘I don’t know!’ But before you become a taxi driver in England, you take a test of knowing where you are going. It is not like that here. It is not just only in the film industry that it is important for people to know what they are doing. There is the need to look at our demographies.

There is an essential need to also look at the headspace of people in charge of the work, the labour force, and the laws of education and everything and just start to realise that you just have to make it as simple as it should be; so that if you want to be an Okada rider, you have this basic requirement. Even if you want to work as a house help or looking after the elderly in England or in America, you must take basic lessons. You can’t just wake up and say, ‘I am going to be an assistant’ No; Continues on page 14

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SundayInterview The film industry holds a bright future for Nigeria if properly...

Continued from page 13 you will get that basic training – how to lift the old; how to put them down on the bed – those basic things are expected because you can’t expect people that don’t know this basis to just go in. So, in the film industry also, professionalism has to come in, but first of all, identify the passion; identify the basis of being able to read and right. Do they actually understand what it means to be a film maker?

Do they realise that it’s like Genesis to Revelation? It is not just like, you wake up and carry camera. No. You talked about the GDP and the inability of some state governments to understand the huge role the film industry can play in their economy.

The Goodluck Jonathan administration understood the importance of the industry; and I understand that some amount of money was released for practitioners to access to help their career. What happened to that fund? Are there some people who have benefitted, and what is delaying others from taking advantage of it?

You are right. President Goodluck did understand the industry, probably because he had worked with me actually from the beginning of AMAA in Bayelsa.

He was a deputy governor when we started AMAA in Bayelsa. He was actually very hands-on during that period in the process of setting AMAA up in Bayelsa. He was like an oversight for the late DSP Alamieyeseigha; then he became governor and he tried to encourage the film industry but again, what is said at the top needs to down line properly and broken down where it is understood.

There have been several interventions to the Nigerian film industry; but it hasn’t actually worked out the way it was supposed to; based on the industry itself.

Some people have issues with how the money was disbursed and I do as well.

You see, when we wrote that document and president Goodluck was aware; it was actually to look at distribution first; followed by capacity building; then followed by production.Finding money to do your film has never been a problem in Nollywood; let’s never make that mistake. With or without interventions, films are going on. But there is a problem that is major in Nollywood, which is distribution.We felt that this money; I think it was N3billion; majority of it should be brought out to look at distribution; more cinemas, online platforms as well as how to get DVDs, VCDs, etc. out there, even if it means having shopping malls that sell these things.That was the key. We felt, even if nothing, 774 local governments in the country, let’s get cinemas out there. However, they started the battle of Nollywood – ‘no, it should be production; no,it should be this; no, it should be that.’ So, I was working with Okonjo-Iweala and at the same time I was doing a lot of work for Joyce Banda in Malawi; so, we ended up having the late AmakaIgwe work on it. Somehow, it shifted. It became capacity building first; which took money and saidthey went to India; they went to California, to do this, and to do that, and that money went that way. Have I seen any impact of capacity building to the industry? Personally, I am watching. Then, the next thing,

they released production grant. A lot of people did not use the production money to do what it was supposed to do. That money was used for other things and not production. And when this new government came in, the remaining money that was there, Kemi Adeosun was pushed to release some money on distribution.

We have still not seenthe impact.The point is, structured distribution needs to take place. Bank of Industry (BoI) has also come up with their own funding; and a lot of films have not been able to recoup their money. That still brings us back to the same problem – distribution.

There is something wrong in the whole distribution chain. The BoI own was a loan; and the other was a grant. None of them has really solved the problem of Nollywood. So, the sooner we look at the cinema structure; VCD, DVD structure, the better for us, so that we don’t totally lose out of that. But you see, the value chain is for all creatives. You look at the music industry as well; you find out that the streaming from musical artistes from Nigeria alone where they should make their income is not coming from here.

You have countries in East Africa, probably spending more on our content than we do. Some countries like Brazil, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya; Uganda – people watching these things from these places are more than they are there. I remember a year we did viewers’ choice– I think it was in 2010 with ‘Jennifer’s Dairy’ when Funke Akindele won on AMAA – most of her votes came from Kenya. So, it shows you how much outsiders watch our films.

Can you hazard the worth of film industry in Nigeria?

It is really difficult, because everybody is filming one thing or the other. But let’s just say, on an average, on a weekly basis, with people doing films all over the country – even if you take an average of N2.5 million multiply into, say, 200 series, film, scripts, etc that are always going on, on a weekly basis; that will just give you an idea. So, even if it is 10, it is already N25 million. So, let just say, N250million to N500 million in terms of production going on all around; and then you have big productions that are going on from a film house; and many other places – films that are being done for N100 or N200 million out there, at the same time; I don’t think that films made by Nigerian film makers across the whole of Nigeria is anything less than N500 to N600 million a month, in production.

You are talking about production alone. You are not talking about the consumption. Money spent on these films by consumers?

At the moment, we are only capturing the consumers on cinema; which is why they are saying, ‘ok, we made N3billion plus on cinema last year’. What did African Magic pay for content last year?

What did Iroko, Rock TV pay for content last year? What did Star Times pay for content last year? What did other TV stations pay for content last year? What was other amount of money paid by Netflix and the other TV stations across Africa last year? If you pull it together that will tell you what is going on. What I am saying is the unseen figures. African Magic spent almost a billion naira on ‘Battle Ground’; I am not totally sure about the amount. They also did ‘Tinsel’;

Faces at the recent training event in Enugu tagged ‘The Home Coming’

Ken Erics

Rachel Okonkwor

they did like seven series last year. They still have ‘Sons of the Caliphate’ and a number of others. They are actually one of the heaviest investors on TV. You have them working non-stop. By the time you add all these things together, plus the fact that they are buying contents; they are buying series for showcase: for African Magic Igbo; African Magic Yoruba; African Magic Hausa. Star Times has the same thing. So, content is key. And there are people who are not even going on any of these and just throwing everything they have…you have Emmanuella; they have about 1.4million subscribers on YouTube; how much is she making?

How much is she worth?There are other channels like that that are just kids. So, for me, people who don’t want to see it, will never see it. But if you actually

have somebody that understands the business of films and business of the creative industry, they would know why California doesn’t joke with the creatives. They will know why India doesn’t joke with creatives; they will know why China doesn’t joke with creatives. It keeps the economy thriving. They have understood both the music and movie industry; we just haven’t.

You talked about culture and tourism. Part of the criticism that trail the movie industry in Nigeria is that producers copy a lot from other countries and that the films are not original. They compare the likes of ‘Living in Bondage’ with what is coming out today and believe today’s movies do not have Continues on page 15

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Analysis

Protecting Nigerians from Dichlorvos: How about protecting mental health?

O

CHINONSO EGEMBA

ver the recent months, even if you were not paying attention, you must have come across a social media feed or news article bearing the headline: “Attempted Suicide” Suicide, Sniper Suicide, etc, however, experts offer tips against depression, mental health challenges.

If you look closely at this recent news, you will find common denominators, the pesticide commonly known as Sniper, which you would agree with me is the most popular pesticide in Nigeria, and the age of the attempters, young adults, teens, and studies have shown that willful self-poisoning has become a common response to emotional distress and depression in these groups of people.

Following this recent reporting of attempted suicide was an outrage on social media calling for the outright ban of Sniper, and the chants intensified, ‘Ban Sniper, Ban Sniper, Ban Sniper!’ The more it was chanted, the more it gained traction, soon social media was divided into two main factions, one for the ban of Sniper, others against it, calling it an insufficient response to the problem plaguing Nigerians and ignoring what many know to be the real link to these suicides: Depression.

Even medical experts in the faction against the ban opined that people would find other means for suicide, like hanging, jumping off bridges and taking in other poisonous substances. I share these sentiments. Depression is a medical condition, a psychological state of unhappiness or low morale, which lasts longer than several weeks, and may include ideation of self-inflicted injury

or in extreme case, suicide.

It is usually caused by a decrease in the level of serotonin, a chemical in the brain that serves as a contributor to feelings of well-being and happiness in human. What many people fail to understand is that Depression is a medical condition, not a spiritual attack, not a mood swing and as such requires medical attention to help the person living with depression get adequate care.

The conversation on the topic of Depression is not adequate and organisations like Mentally Aware Nigeria have tried to shine the light on mental health, which has very little exposure in this part of the world, so sufferers are left to their own devices and inadequate coping mechanisms, which may result, in extreme cases, in suicide.

Following this outrage on social media, NAFDAC released a statement restricting easy access to the most

popular small packs of pesticides, including Sniper, among other brands, from supermarkets, malls, and stores.

But then, the question arises: How effective is this approach? Let us not forget that small farmers have depended on these small packs to increase the yield and quality of their crops, restricting them access to these packs will impact their ability to contribute to the total food production in Nigeria.

Small farmers have depended on this pesticide for over 5 decades as a way to control pests. Pesticide suicides and misuse primarily occur in rural areas of low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Central America, South-East Asia and the Western Pacific, Nigeria falls within this region.

While restriction to lethal means may be an effective method of preventing suicide, especially among impulse suicide attempters, it does not solve

the major issue, which is depression and people will find other means to commit suicides.

Restriction to means of suicide may be particularly effective in contexts where the method is popular, highly lethal, widely available, and/or not easily substituted by other similar methods.

Sniper does not meet these criteria in totality.

Restriction of Sniper and other brands does not exclude the possibility of other mentally distressed people substituting them for other methods that are just easily available. For suicide prevention to be highly effective, it should be implemented in conjunction with other suicide prevention strategies, which will include but not restricted to: Strengthening Economic support, identifying those at risk, access and delivery to suicide care, creating protective environments, connectedness, teaching coping and problem-solving skills, among others.

We have a mental health crisis on our hands and we cannot sit and fold our hands and focus on scoring cheap points; we need to treat the mental health crisis in Nigeria holistically, we need every hand on deck.

We have to call on the bodies responsible and this include the government to increase the level of mental health awareness in Nigeria and set up toll-free lines and counselling centres across the nation so that people battling depression can call or visit for help. You and I have our roles to play, but let us not assume that banning access to these pesticides solves our mental health crisis in any way, it does not.

•Egemba is a global health advocate, and medical doctor with Avon Medical Practice, he writes from Lagos

The film industry holds a bright future for Nigeria if properly...

Continued from page 14 elements of our culture in them. what is your take here?

I think sometimes, it is about what the producers think that the consumers/viewers want. But at the moment I will tell you that there is a re-thinking going on of what actually is the sole of Nollywood and what can come out.Yes, you want to make the films that travel the world, but like I said, don’t lose the essence of your story.Nollywood is where it is because people have stopped research. People just think,‘this is what people want to see’. No.The figures this year at the cinemas is not as beautiful as it has been before. So, you need to find out, what are the things you audience want to see; that’s the thing we had with the old Nollywood.For me, in Nigeria, only about 10 percent of the people live in the so-called upper and middle class; the remaining 90 percent are the real people, and these real people cannot afford N2,000 (two thousand naira) to

go watch a movie; some of these stories you people are telling, they are not understanding it; so they are still consuming the old Nollywood being done by some of the Yoruba film makers that are putting it on African Magic Yoruba and then also selling on their DVD’s quietly; the Asaba film makers that are also making for their own market; the

Kannywood are also making for their own market; the Edo people are also making for their own market; because those people exist and they are not going to cinema. So, don’t forget that there seems to be two or three layers of filmmaking going on. I said to a film maker the other day in Enugu-why is your film like this? He said, ‘that’s what our people want’. I was shocked; but he said,‘come with me’. We went to the market and I saw what people were consuming.

You know you can have these beautiful Lagos posters, but those posters are not going to work in South East.There is a market for everything, but you just have to find out what the people want in your locality.Why is it working for some people and why is it not working for others? And your location is very key in what you bring out. I think that is the thing that people should understand.

People should not forget the core audience of the Nollywood. The cinemas should also not forget the 90 percent of the 90 percent.

From where we are now in the development of Nollywood, where do you hope to see the film industry in the next ten years?

I would love to see more cinemas around the country; in localities, not glamourised cinemas but like you find in India and China where normal people, everyday people can go watch films.I would like to see a lot of work being done on piracy. You can’t eradicate piracy but you can minimise it. Look at a way,a functional way for DVDs to also be sold;to understand the DVD value chain, I would like to see that happen. You know, DVD will eventually be phased out once the data become cheaper based on what we can afford.

Once the income of an average African goes up and the data is more affordable, it will work. But right now, based on the income of an average African, you cannot stream data to watch films and still be able to pay your children’s school fees and do other things. These are the issues.

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Politics With what is going on in Nigeria, the country is not a democracy yet - Onovo Martins Onovo, presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 presidential election, in this interview with ZEBULON AGOMUO, editor, spoke his mind on some national issues, saying that Nigeria is seriously heading towards a dangerous direction. He strongly believes that Nigeria cannot be said to be a democracy given some reasons he listed. Excerpts: The level of insecurity in the country is getting out of hand. Every day we hear and read about figures of people being slaughtered, kidnapped or raped by suspected herdsmen. What is your take on this as a Nigerian? ell, it is very clear that the current government is unable to protect the Nigerian people and they have also confirmed their inability and unwillingness to protect Nigerians effectively. Anywhere else in the world, the government will resign or be forced to resign, but because of the dysfunctional politics we play in the country, where as at today, you have a northern Moslem as the head of the Executive arm, General Buhari; northern Moslem, head of the legislative arm, Lawan, and a northern Moslem as head of the judiciary, Justice Tanko. You have that kind of arrangement; so it becomes a sectional agenda for domination and it was deliberately orchestrated to exclude Christians from governance because of an Islaminsation plot. And since Christians dominate the South, excluding Christians was extended to exclude those of the South and also northern Christians. So, the security situation is deliberately orchestrated because it is one section that is promoting this violence against other sections.

In addition to that, the weakness of the security establishment due to corruption, abuse of security forces and lack of motivation has also complicated the situation.

W

But the President has been holding series of meetings with the security apparatchiks in the country without noticeable improvement in the security situation. What do you think is the problem?

It is a lack of sincerity of purpose and

Martins Onovo

incompetence and the lack of motivation that I talked about. It is unreasonable to expect the security forces to perform excellently if they think there is no sincerity of purpose. They will be naturally demotivated and demoralised.

You know that morale is critical in security operations. And when we say these things, the evidence is so stark that it is surprising that Nigerians have been intimidated to the point that they cannot even recognise the stark evidence. It was General Buhari that said that he will continue to show openly and within him his total commitment to the implementation of Sharia in Nigeria; not throughout Katsina; but in Nigeria. It is not Katsina because there are Katsina Christians; but this is throughout Nigeria. So, when a man makes this kind of clear

and categorical statement and then comes to power and starts a clear, deliberate Islamnisation agenda of trying to transform political and economical power to a tiny, minority Fulani group; the third most dangerous terrorist group in the whole world, which is the Fulani herdsmen, to continue to attack the Nigerian citizens without protection, to the point that the Armed Forces Commanded by him is conniving with terrorist group to attack the people; what

General TY Danjuma was very clear; Danjuma commanded those Armed Forces; he was very clear that these Armed Forces are conniving with this terrorist group to kill people, citizens

kind of a people will tolerate that type of situation if not only Nigeria? General TY Danjuma was very clear; Danjuma commanded those Armed Forces; he was very clear that these Armed Forces are conniving with this terrorist group to kill people, citizens. So, there has never been, in the history of the world such a dysfunctional government on earth, where the government itself is doing this type of thing. This is the testimony of General Danjuma and everybody knows it is true; because there are even television clips on these things. There are countless publications indicting the Armed Forces. And you cannot say this is done on a level below the commanderin-chief because if it is done below the Commander-in-Chief, he will ensure that corrective measures are taken and that the security commanders who collaborated in killing innocent people are identified and duly prosecuted. Now, put this in the background of a commanderin-chief who said he would continue to show openly and total commitment to the implementation of Sharia. Fulani terrorists are Islamic; which means the link is direct; it is not complicated.

The Federal Government last week soft-pedaled on its implementation of the Ruga settlement plan. What’s your reading of the development?

The government said it suspended the plan which shows its total commitment to the project. The government also, in the letter that is circulating from the Office of the Chief of Staff, said they would reconstitute another unit to implement the same programme. That shows, there is a total commitment to the implementation of Sharia. Look at Ruga, how simple can it be? I take the land of Christian, an animist farmer and hand it over to terrorist Islamic Fulani herdsmen.

How well can you define Islamisation?

What else is Islamisation? Now, when I hand over this land; the Fulani herdsmen and the terrorists settle there; the addition dimension you have not brought up is that, it becomes a militia base for further attack; and that is another form of Islamisation; and that is Fulanisation agenda because these people are Fulani; they are Islamists and not just Islamists they are also terrorists. And they are self-confessed terrorists; so, I am not accusing them. they have admitted terrorism severally. They have admitted it on national television severally.

These are not only globally classified terrorists, they are also self-confessed terrorists. So, when you hand over your land to them; you have also given

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Politics them a base for their militia to continue further attack and displace you further.

As we are talking today 4 million IDPs displaced by these same terrorists are all over the place. Boko Haram is Islamic; Fulani herdsmen are Islamic. We are talking today swaths of territory; large areas of territory have been taken over; renamed; churches have been forcefully converted to Mosques by these same terrorists and the government has not been able to displace them; yet government wants to take the remaining land and hand over to these people. How else can it be direct and clear that this is Islamisation agenda? It is direct. And then we remember the quote by Femi Adesina that it is better for us to hand over our land than to die. So, there is an agenda and no one is deceived because the Ooni of Ife has called on all Nigerians to defend their land. Professor Wole Soyinka has called on all Nigerians to defend their land. The Niger Delta people have said they have no land to give to any terrorist group. Ohanaeze has said the South East has no land to give to Islamist group; everybody is saying it.

But the impunity that the government led by General Buhari is using to pursue this agenda shows that in their own conception we are a conquered people.

It can be brazen; it can be blatant that nobody can do anything.

Although the president has not made public his ministerial list, the recent reappointments and appointments of aides so far announced have elicited reactions. What hope do you think that the much-awaited cabinet holds for Nigeria?

Leadership is key. I am quoting Professor Wole Soyinka. Another author says, ‘Everything rises and falls on leadership.’ General Buhari does not possess the right leadership capacity, and his first tenure has shown it. Leadership requires integrity. Now, if you look at the promises of 2015 and you look at the agenda of the first tenure, and you look at the falsification of the 2019 election result, then you can determine whether the government has integrity or not. We are still talking about WAEC; a legal case is still going on in the court. The simple question is, does Buhari have WAEC or not? We are still unable to answer that question till today. We have seen all sorts of claim of Cambridge WAEC, and a lot of things. How can you take exam in UNILAG and UNILORIN gives you result? So, we have seen all sorts of things that in any other country where people are less corrupt, questions will be raised on a national level; give us a simple answer. So, if you are asking the prospect for the next government I will tell you that it can only be worse than the first tenure. But the case is that there is no tenure. General Buhari knows he lost the election; his party knows that he lost the election. So, the whole 2019 election was a charade. Even the EU report was clear. So, how can a government founded on this kind of falsification, lacking legitimacy and being denied recognition by the large and influential group, like Afenifere; a mandate being challenged in court by too many political parties not just one, with hard evidence enjoy

And based on that, if everybody obeys that rule, the result can be determined, based on that. I can say that the stolen mandate of 2019 presidential election is worse than June 12, 1993 presidential election. Because June 12 was an annulment that did not allow the winner to come to power, but this one does not allow the winner to become a ruler, so you can see the stolen mandate of 2019 presidential election is worse than June 12 that is our position. And it is good that all former elected presidents of the country boycotted the inauguration.

These people champion cannot be seen to be promoting the June 12 presidential election given what transpired at the 2019 general election.

The Shi’ite movement staged a protest which turned violent, in Abuja last week. The protest was over the nonrelease of their leader, el-Zakzaky. Do you think the protest was necessary?

Yes, it was peaceful protest; it is the right of every citizen in a democracy, but when you protest you are not supposed to break the law. The law enforcement agencies too are not supposed to break the law.

That is what the President has caused by refusing to obey the law; the law enforcement officers must allow you protest without attacking you. Peaceful protect is legitimate right of every citizen. It is the rule of law, if a court rules against you wrongly that is why you have a right to appeal. If the court has given a judgment on El-Zakzaky, the government must obey, it is compulsory and if you don’t want to comply, you appeal. We have a situation where the Commander-in-Chief says he would not obey court orders and we left him as a Commander-in-Chief. What that means is that he has over thrown democracy; now the rule of law is openly and publicly disobeyed and then the integrity of the ballot has been ridiculed; why is the media saying that Nigeria is a democracy?

This is a full blown dictatorship.

legitimacy? Where is the integrity when INEC with all its publications on social media, press conferences and the print media can turn around and said it didn’t have server and this government is still going on and you are talking about appointing ministers; are you ok, you yourself as a journalist asking this question?

Who is going to appoint a cabinet? The one constituted by the INEC that has no server; that falsified results? INEC budgeted for server; INEC informed us on national TV that they were going to do parallel collation. INEC informed us officially that they were going to use server. The tapes are there. How can INEC go to court and swear a false affidavit that there was nothing like server and the media is tolerating it? For this scale of corruption and unpatriotism, the country is completely ruined. And General Obasanjo had warned a few years ago on the danger of throwing the country into deep crisis, and that

recovery may be very difficult; he said it in writing and we are at that point. We are at that point because corruption is at the highest level; productivity is at the lowest level; national debt is at its highest level; insecurity is at its highest level, unemployment is at its highest level. So, how do you start to address all these even if you get a new government today? Where do you start? And we all saw this and those who were constitutionally empowered to inform us slept while everything went wrong.

How would you describe the recent drama in the House of Representatives over Minority Leaders’ appointment?

Politics is naturally competitive, there are rules; one of the rules is that candidates that have the highest number of valid votes is declared winner, not invalid votes. Whether in the National Assembly or party elections, the candidate that has the highest votes is the winner.

Miyetti Allah appears to have become a strong voice in the country today.

They seem to have everything going for them. What danger does this pose for the country?

We have forgotten that the umbrella association of herders, Miyetti Allah, have confessed severally of violent attacks; the N100 billion offered to them to help improve security is unlawful; they are not security agency. If you look at that money, you would know that N100 billion is like 30 percent of the Nigerian Police Force budget; so, if you give that money to the Police they would make much difference. We don’t have money for the police but we have for the Miyetti-Allah. The National Secretary of Miyetti Allah said that the Vice President was in charge of the RUGA policy, until they denied it. So, that means they are in charge of the country. Fulani herdsmen are classified as the third most dangerous terrorist organisation in the world even ahead of Boko Haram. And they have been doing that. We you add that the Commander-in-Chief himself is a herder, owns several herds of cattle, so he is sympathetic to herders and Fulani.

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Politics Day Tinubu, Akande, Osoba, Fayemi, others stormed Ondo over APC crisis YOMI AYELESO, Akure

J

ust a little over a year to the next governorship election in Ondo State and the race for the 2023 general election, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the south west zone has begun moves towards resolving the lingering crisis in the state chapter of the party.

Trouble started in the party in 2016 following the primary election that produced Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was alleged to have been manipulated in his favour. This development made major aspirants in the contest and their supporters to express grievances by working against the interest of the party at the last governorship poll in the state.

Against all odds, Akeredolu won the election; however, the crisis in the party knew no end since he emerged the governor of the state. The party was polarised into factions.

In the 2019 general election, the ruling APC lost the presidential election to the opposition PDP and managed to get a seat at the Senate. Akeredolu, following the failure of his preferred candidates to get the party’s nomination for the senatorial and House of Representatives seats, sponsored candidates in Action Alliance (AA) against his party.

This development led to the poor performance of the APC in the state which resulted in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to issue query to the governor over his anti-party activities in the 2019 elections. The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Lanre IssaOnilu had disclosed in April that the governor’s anti-party activities greatly affected the chances of the party during the polls.

While a former deputy governor of the state and member of the party’s Board of Trustees, Ali Olanusi; Deputy Senate leader and Senator representing Ondo North, Ajayi Boroffice; a former chairman of the party, Isaac Kekemeke; Olusola Oke and other notable leaders of the party are not on the same page with Akeredolu, the party might be heading towards another round of failure in next year’s poll.

Worried by these developments, Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the APC, last Tuesday led other leaders such as the former governor of Osun State and pioneer National chairman of the party, Bisi Akande, and a

Bola Tinubu

Bisi Akande

Olusegun Osoba

Kayode Fayemi

former governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba to the state to meet all warring gladiators in the party to foster unity. The meeting, which lasted for more than three hours, was held behind closed door in Akure, the state capital.

Also at the meeting were Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Governor Akeredolu and his deputy, the National Vice Chairman(South) of the party, Bankole Oluwajana; the deputy National Chairman of the party and former governor of Ekiti, Niyi Adebayo; state chairman of the party, Ade Adetimehin; the immediate past National vice chairman of the party, Pius Akinyelure; Olusola Oke, Segun Abraham; Isaac Kekemeke, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, amongst others.

Speaking with journalists

after the meeting, Tinubu called on the warring and aggrieved factions within the party in the state to sheath their swords and work towards a united family.

Tinubu said the peace meeting was brokered by the APC leadership in the South West, to resolve the political difference among the various factions and groups, revealing that all members of the party in the state had agreed to work together in the interest of the party and state.

The former governor of Lagos State, who noted that political crisis, was not new in politics, enjoined leaders and members of the party to come together as one so as to win the next governorship election and every other future election.

He advised them not to destroy the house which they had built, stressing the need for all the

parties and factions to maintain peace He said: “We are leaving one thing behind. The charity that must begin at home. We want to win the next election in Ondo State and every other election.

The solution is in your hands. We want to thank you for your commitment to the party.”

He added: “We apply conflict resolution mechanism which is part of politics to resolve any other problem and smoothen the edges. The next move is unity; talking together, consulting one another and working together for the interests of our party and in particular Ondo State.”

On his part, Akande, former governor of Osun State, said the APC leaders had resolved to mend the broken fences in APC in Ondo State.

He noted that members of

the APC in Ondo State had been instructed to work together.

“We talked how we shall win next election resoundingly. You see all our leaders coming out together laughing and happy. We have our leaders in Ondo and we have told them to go and do their job and bring our party together as one.

“We shall also keep encouraging our leaders in Ondo State to do what we have agreed to which is unity at all levels,” Akande said.

The former chairman of the party in the state, Isaac Kekemeke, expressed satisfaction, saying all aggrieved members have agreed to sit down and find solution to the party’s problem in the state.

He said: “We have agreed that we will work together and we have agreed to find a domestic solution to address our domestic problem.

“So in a short while, we will be putting ourselves together and proffer domestic solution to our domestic problem as motivated and encouraged by our national leader.

“We have all agreed that we have offended ourselves and that the better thing to do is to forgive ourselves and make comprise the way forward and the most important thing is to build a platform and move the party forward.”

He assured that the internal wrangling within the APC in the state would soon be a thing of the past, saying peace would soon return to the party in the state.

Kekemeke, however, declared that the issue of second term of Akeredolu was not discussed at the meeting.

“All we discussed was how we will end the crisis, we never discussed the second term of anybody,” he said.

Also, speaking with BDSUNDAY after the meeting, Olusola Oke said the leaders of the party had agreed on some issues towards resolving the crisis in the state chapter of the APC. “Leadership of the party in the South West met with us to foster peace and unity and we have resolved on some fundamentals. We will meet again to pursue the fundamentals and when we finally resolve, we will brief them,” he said.

As the political atmosphere gearing up for the coming governorship election in Ondo State, many observers hoped the peace meeting would bring an end to the long term crisis in the state chapter of the APC.

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Politics APC government not living according to tenets of Nigerian Constitution - Ishaku Darius Dickson Ishaku, governor of Taraba State, in this interview with journalists in Government House, Jalingo, shortly after he received Aisha Jumai Alhasan, a former minister of women affairs, on a courtesy visit, spoke on ranching as the best form of cattle rearing. NATHANIEL GBAORON brings the excerpts: Your Excellency, your main Challenger in the March 2019 election was recently disqualified on ground of age falsification by the Supreme Court, meaning that the APC had no candidate in the March gubernatorial election; how do you react to that? ell, I thank you for that question and I thank God for the winning at the Supreme Court. But let me correct one impression. I wasn’t the one that went to court with the APC contender. It was an internal court case which happens to end up against him that he was not qualified to be a candidate. Therefore, the votes for the APC were all wasted votes. I also thank God that the verdict of Supreme Court is coming at the end of it all, otherwise you will be hearing stories like if I was left to contest this election I would have removed Governor Ishaku. I am happy that he contested the election and I gave him a landslide victory not in hundreds, but in hundreds of thousands. To cap it all, if Supreme Court is removing him on another offence entirely, it entails that God is not only a Nigerian but he resides in Taraba State, because it is in Taraba State that whatever you do God will punish you appropriately. I was not the one that went to court; it was the case of their party and themselves. Thank God, I am the beneficiary, all I will say is, I give gratitude to God Almighty and thank God that we will make these four years coming better than the other years we had.

her coming today to congratulate me. I see it as a good omen for the state because I have been yearning and crying that give me peace and I will give you development and today marked the peak of it. Because with her coming, I think we will see peace in Taraba State because we are going to work together in most of the things and I think it will be for the benefit of the state as a whole. I am glad and I thank God for the happening of today and I will make sure we translate it to the progress of our people.

W

Now that the distractions are over, what should the people of Taraba expect from you in terms of development and when should they expect your cabinet?

Well, I will say Tarabans should expect much better things than we have done in the past.

The fortunate thing is that we have built the foundation for most of the things, we just need to build on the foundations that are already established. Tarabans should expect the best from us; they should expect the best cabinet made up of people who are more professionally inclined, people who can be left on their own to deliver on state matters and I think we will be seeing a much better job than we handled before. There are so many areas I will lay emphasis on like Education, Ag-

Darius Dickson Ishaku

riculture; Tourism the civil service also needs restructuring and so many others. Like I have said, we have started, is just to consolidate.

Talking about peace, the state is passing through some crisis situation, especially the Jukun-Tiv crisis. What are you doing to address this crisis?

It is not just the Jukun-Tiv crisis. We have herdsmen/farmers crisis and tribal issues.

There is another crisis which is not herder/ farmer conflict but is being confused as such.

One is sitting in his house and others will come in and kill, destroy and displace people.

This is not herder crisis, it’s something else. I am praying to God to help me. Few days ago, we went for a meeting with the Tiv people in Katsina-Ala and we pleaded with them to join hands with us to find peace. We are trusting God that we will have peace. Back home too, I am pleading for peace, because there is little I can do as governor. I don’t have control over the police and the army. If you give them order they will not obey, but do what they

want to do. For instance, you tell the police and army that people are attacking a community, instead of going after the attackers they will turn and be killing innocent people and arresting others in the town. Is that the work of soldiers? Police and the army are not taking orders from governors. They are taking orders from Abuja, but God will help us.

Your Excellency, today one of your major political rivals, Sen. Aisha Jumai Alhasan visited you, what does this visit portend for the peace and unity of Taraba State?

Thank you very much indeed. Jumai Alhasan was the gubernatorial candidate in the last election and also the APC candidate in the 2015 general election if you can recollect.

We had election in 2015, I defeated her and she went up to the Supreme Court where I got the verdict and the mandate to be the governor of Taraba State. In 2019, she was the gubernatorial candidate of the United Democratic Party (UDP), we had the election and she came third. I am very glad for

Your Excellency recently, your private residence in Abuja was invaded by the police; what is your reaction to that development?

I feel very bad that the democratic government of the APC is not living according to the tenets of the constitution. It is disgraceful, embarrassing and insulting. I am shocked that only PDP could talk about it, APC didn’t talk about it. Don’t they have governors? Could somebody walk into APC governor’s house and search it? They broke all the doors of my gate and doors; threw away my children whom I used two years to beg them to come back to Nigeria and one of them has gone back after the incident and I am still begging him to return. The whole act is nonsense.

Last week, President Muhammadu Buhari suspended the RUGA scheme, for some people the suspension is not enough what is your take on the whole RUGA issue?

The whole RUGA scheme should be cancelled, you can’t do RUGA in the whole country, we do not accept it, is not workable and it will not work in Taraba State. Already, I have in place the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment law. It is a law in Taraba state that you are not allowed to graze openly and we are making a lot of progress on ranching. I have submitted a request for us to be given loan to establish ranches, but the Central Bank has refused to approve it for whatever reason, otherwise, I would have showcase what it means to be doing ranching in Taraba State. Ranching is the best form of practice in these modern days if indeed you are talking about cattle, grazing and grass. I don’t think they are taking about cattle, grass or grazing they are talking about something else which is colonisation.

Udom swears in members of Akwa Ibom Executive Council, promises manpower development

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ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo

overnor Udom Emmaniel has promised to pay attention to manpower development to enable youths be part of the emerging industrial development of Akwa Ibom State.

The Governor who announced the creation of a full-fledged Ministry to oversee Labour and Manpower Planning stated this while swearing in members of the state executive council.

He named Victor Bassey Inoka, a university lecturer as pioneer Commissioner in charge

of the ministry.

“I intend to create a full ministry to handle manpower planning for the state in general and we have a whole lot of people to train”, the Governor said.

He said that “with the new airline, the state government would hunt for those who studied aeronautics engineering to come and undergo on the job trainings with experts from Bombardier so that they can take over as engineers of Ibom Airlines,” adding that a lot of manpower development and trainings are required in the State.

He urged stakeholders to know that as they

play politics, they must look at manpower.

The governor who lamented the absence of indigenes of the state gradual in many federal agencies including the Police, Airforce, among others stated that “So we have a whole lot to do in terms of manpower as we play politics in our State” .

He expressed regret that Akwa Ibom has not filled its own vacancies at the Federal Level to fulfill the requirement of the Federal Character Commission submitted that “these are some of the things we must begin to look at as a people, we must rise and fight for ourselves and make sure we get a few things done”.

Emmanuel took a swipe at those engaged in cutting corners advising that there must be a reorientation of the mind to bring about the much needed discipline.

“It is only one word that can take us from where we are today... that’s discipline,” he said.

On his pledge to support local initiatives and local contractors to enable them compete with their counterparts in the country.

“How will I build my own people to reach the same height”, the governor pointed out.

Nineteen commissioners and two special advisers were sworn into office by the governor.

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Sunday 14 July 2019

ThisLife

The story of my life: Back on top

W

orld Bank Statistics shows there are 7.53 billion people on this planet earth, an indication that we all are unique and special in our different ways, this makes our stories different and unique.

I was born in a town called Sapele in Delta State of Nigeria.

The need to share part of my story is to further buttress the fact that our different stories makes us unique and special in our own way. I encourage people to share stories because we never can know just how far it can inspire and encourage others, especially those going through one of life’s challenges.

The story of my life took a dramatic turn downwards on 2nd October, 1978. That was the day my father locked my mother and I from our house. That was the day the story of our lives moved from the highbrow area to the lowest ghetto part of the town called ‘Urban Area’ in Sapele.

I am Festus Okotie, Founder Of Bernard Hall Group and Festus Okotie Consulting. I am a columnist for the BusinessDay newspaper in Nigeria where I contribute regularly (www. businessday.ng).

I have a Bachelor of Technology Degree in Maritime Management Technology. I am an alumnus of the Harvard Business School and the Speakers Institute of Australia.

My parents started together very young as business people. My father ran a shop selling electrical materials; my mother ran a shop selling fabric.

I remembered the evening of 2nd October 1978, when I and my mother came back from her shop and tried to open the doors of our house to no avail. After several failed attempts we had to go to my father’soffice around 7.30pm that day and on getting there he shouted that he has changed the keys of the house and that he was no longer interested in the marriage. As a three-year old I joined my mother in kneeling down while she pleaded with my dad to forgive her if she did anything wrong. But our pleas fell on deaf ears.

As a three-year old growing up in Urban Area, I saw everything you can imagine a little boy should not see: such as smoking of weed by neighbours, prostitution by neighbours, robbery, etc. I had total freedom and no parental guidance at that age because my mother was not always

Festus Okotie

around.

My mother was still in her twenties, running her own business and had to travel extensively. We were looked after by her younger sister.

But one thing was very significant in my growing up days, excellence in my academics. Being the best student of my class brought pride to my father, especially with so many recommendations from my school teachers.

This recognition brought so much joy and encouragement to my father, he was always excited to sponsor and spend his money on my education and welfare.

How I was performing excellently in school is still a mystery to me until this day. No one has ever helped me with my homework. No one has given me advice on assignments. I did it all by myself and promptly, despite the huge distractions around my environment where we resided, coupled with the fact that I needed to wake up very early to cook, take my bath and walk to school.

The desire to succeed and my hunger to make my mum happy (considering all she went through) propelled me to ‘Think excellence’ in all tasks. I was very determined never to allow my background to put my back on the ground. My peers had similar situations of growing up but most became

addicted to drugs, suffered lack of treatment for psychiatric illness, or even turned to armed robbery because they allowed their background put their backs on the ground.

Another day I will never forget is November 1st 2002, the day I lost my mother in a car accident. It was a day I felt my world crumbled because I wondered how a human will go through such sufferings and still die a painful death without enjoying the fruit of her labour; when she died along the Lagos-Benin Road. I wept continuously for over a month and was not able to eat for two weeks until I was advised by a doctor friend of mine about the negative implications of what I was going through.

The day of the burial, November 23rd, I will never forget the face of a lady who gave me N1000.00 (two notes of five hundred Naira, about $1.50 USD). The two notes were very hot and I couldn’t hold on to them, they just wouldn’t stay in the palms of my hands and that was another mystery I will never forget.

While the body of my Mum was being interred I had my revelation and vision to write a book to connect the memory of her to the leadership of the state. This was because for the first time the governor and leader of Delta State, Nigeria was from my mother’s

town in Oghara.

Meanwhile, Dad refused to sponsor me for a Master’s Degree programme in the United Kingdom. However, selfdiscipline, the power of positive thinking, and the fear of God kept me on track and led me to write my first book ‘The Icon -Unleasing Your Potential for Greatness’. Luckily, the book had the support of Delta State Government.

The book launch was held right inside the Delta State Government House in Asaba, Delta State, and happened to be the best occasion my father attended in his entire life time and the book launch was a success despite all the challenges that I encountered. My second book launch was less exciting, ‘Transportation Management – A Multi-Modal Approach’. Less exciting but much more relevant to my profession.

Where I am today Currently, I am completing my MBA in Maritime and Logistics Management through the Australia Maritime College, University Of Tasmania , Australia.

I have achieved quite a lot of very remarkable success as a result of reading the biographies and values of various business and political leaders all over the world. I have read and followed their life stories. Some of my inspirations are Barrack Obama, Hilary Clinton, and Margaret Thatcher.

Today, I am happily married and blessed with a wonderful wife (an electrical engineer by profession) and blessed with four beautiful children. I also have two companies I run back in Nigeria www.bernardhallgroup. com and www.festusokotieconsulting.com.

My message is geared toward giving hope to those that are hopeless and have lost faith in life as a result of challenges they are going through or their poor background caused directly or indirectly by them as a result of their foundation.

No excuse is good enough to fail in life; if didn’t allow my background to put my back on the ground despite all the challenges I went through, you too can make it and surpass all I have done.

Wake up, rise up, chart a new positive direction for your life and generation yet unborn, bring out the champion in you; all what you have gone through is meant to add more colour to your destiny and was targeted at you because you have a very bright future and all things are possible if you believe and set your mind to achieve it, You are the next to tell your story.

Sunday 14 July 2019

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Society Watch

BDSUNDAY 21

Traders take over popular Lagos bus stops as night market continues to thrive

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Jonathan Aderoju

us stop shelters were erected at specific locations in the Lagos metropolis for the convenience of commuters.

The idea was that passengers alighting from, or waiting to board vehicles will find shelter from an inclement weather. Most of them were provided with hand rails or cement slabs on which Lagosians could rest.

But these structures, found at motor bus stops, hardly provide any shelter for those they were meant for. They have been taken over by traders, the insane and hoodlums (‘Agberos’).

At almost every major bus stop in Lagos, there is a striking resemblance at night- the ubiquitous of small gleaming lamps flashing at passersby as they move towards their different destinations; the sound of traders from all corners yelling or ringing bells to potential buyers for patronage. If we consider the fact that the struggle for survival is daily renewed among inhabitants of West Africa’s largest city, finding such enterprising and distinctive features would be no surprise.

The practice is perpetrated on Lagos Mainland and the Island. At Legico Bus Stop, Victoria Island, mad fellows display their sleeping mats and personal effects. Besides, the stench of human waste renders the whole place hostile to the commuters.

Another is at the Junction Bus Stop, Mafoloku, Oshodi, where the traders have established a mini-market to serve the commuters and Okada riders. There are wooden kiosks, tables, benches, shafts of unwanted property.

They are the property of the traders and their customers. Besides, attachments are constructed at both sides of the bus stop shelters to serve traders who are not lucky enough to occupy the front building. The environment is also serving the hoodlums who have erected canopies to serve their own purpose, which most times is illicit.

At Ikeja Roundabout, when the traders are yet to resume their business, the shelter is a parking space for dozens of traders’ dirty sacks, chairs, stools, tables and baskets which make it dirty and filthy. At Ikeja Central Bus Stop, the environment is too small to accommodate multitude of traders who spill on the roadsides to display their wares.

The story is the same in almost all the bus stops. And the commuters have no choice but to return to the roadsides to wait for commercial vehicles.

On why the commuters do not use the bus stop shelters provided for them, a cross-section of Lagosians said the shelters are not conducive, as traders and the insane have taken over. But other Lagosians described the environment as dirty. Yet, others said that they cannot use the bus stop shel-

ters due to the rush in boarding a commuter vehicle.

A commuter at Legico Bus Stop, Victoria Island, Okechuwkwu Okonkwo told BDSUNDAY, “The mentally-retarded people are making the whole place uninhabitable.

They are all over the place. They have their loads displayed, coupled with the human waste that litter the place. No sane person would want to go and risk his life there.”

A regular feature of these bus stop markets is that the traders do not make use of conventional stalls. They, however, place their goods on an open sack on the floor known as bend down select stores;

this makes them mobile, as they usually pack away all their goods after each night trade. Including food staples, almost everything could be found in such settingsbooks, clothes, jewellery, watches, film DVDs, fruits, colognes, and shoes. They are there. Though not legal, the market has served as a means of livelihood for many citizens, apparently because it caters for the need of the many low-income earning Lagosians.

“My things don come down, na small, small money,” a seller yells at me as I approach him. I had just alighted from a bus coming from Yaba moving towards the Ojota

pedestrian bridge. He sells film DVDs. The DVDs were scattered on a cardboard on the floor. Like the other customers, I bent down and began to survey the movies he was selling to see if there would be any that interested me.

I saw a recently released Nollywood movie. The movie grossed highly in the box office but was not yet officially being sold on DVDs to the public. I ask him for the price; “500 naira,” he said. I tried persuading him to sell it for 200. He refused, explaining that the movie is very interesting and still new.

While haggling, we started talking about night markets. I asked why people preferred night markets. He disclosing his name as Michael, saying it is for convenience.

However, he said, not all the traders were solely night traders as some had actually been there since morning and just wanted to partake from the influx of customers who patronise the areas at night.

Michael further explained that he was still a student and was preparing for his senior secondary school leaving certificate examination (SSCE). He said he goes there after school hours, to trade in order to make ends meet and provide for his family.

At Olosha Bus Stop, Mushin, where rainwater has flooded the whole place, Philemon Adeyemi complained of the leaking roof.

“It is really dirty and messy. It is a terrible place. The government should not expect anybody to go and stand there while waiting for commercial vehicles. If it is conducive, commuters will surely use it”.

At Ikeja Central Bus Stop, yet another commuter, who preferred to be anonymous, said: “You can see for yourself the number of traders occupying the small place.

They have fenced the whole place even up to the roadside. Those who are selling cooked food have put benches at the back for their patrons. Dirty plates are displayed everywhere. The shelter is not serving the commuters, but the traders and their patrons.

At University Bus Stop, Akoka, some part of the walls have started falling off but the traders are not concerned if it poses danger to their lives, as most of the traders use the wall to support their make-

shift kiosk.

Night market, as it’s fondly called, serves as a base for most working class Lagosians who find it difficult to go to regular markets during the day.

I approached another trader at the other side of the Ojota Bridge.

His marketing song was ‘fine fine trouser, fine, fine trouser.’ He asked me what I wanted chinos or trousers. I replied, chinos. All his goods are displayed on the floor of the shed. They are placed on a sack. He began to select some chinos and showed them to me. I asked him for the price. He said 700 naira. I replied, “Is it not 500 naira?” pretending I knew the prices before.

“The way the economy be now, we no fit sell am for 500; a bale wey dem dey buy for N100,000 before don increase to N150,000,” he explained.

“People wey dey buy the clothes from warehouse dey sell am to us now for 500; how we go sell am for the same price?” His question made sense.

Prices have gone up generally, however, people still flock to these points to patronise the traders. From young ladies who look glamorous during the day, to men and women in suits, Lagosians are still attracted to night markets for several reasons. For some, convenience and flexibility; for others, the relatively cheaper prices of products in relation to structured markets, while for a set of ladies and guys, it is an opportunity to hide from the shame of buying fairly used products during the daytime.

I remember meeting an old acquaintance of mine in one of these spaces. Surprised to see me, she ignored the trader and jumped at me with a hug, and then we started chatting. She, currently a banker, was someone I had truly admired for her beauty and fashion. It was quite awkward and funny, though understandable, to discover that this was one of her sources of style. We left the place without her purchasing anything. However, afterwards, it became evident to me that the impact of these markets could be felt among most Lagosians, including her.

For most middle and low-income earners, night markets serve a great deal in providing affordable lifestyles for them. The low prices and the variety of materials help make these citizens blend into the Lagos culture; a culture of style and highlife which could be very expensive to adapt to. As the boutiques and supermarkets are for the rich, the night markets cater for other classes of residents of Lagos.

In a similar Research conducted

by BusinessDay Research Unit on Lagos night market, the report answered why these markets continued to strive because night trading activities meet up with the needs of millions of the working class Lagosians who couldn’t shop in the regular shops during the day because of their work schedules.

And you need to grab a copy of that research; it’s a useful compendium.

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Arts Nigerian literary circle on spotlight with Caine Prize 2019 OBINNA EMELIKE

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nce again, the Nigerian literary circle is on global spotlight with the winning of Caine Prize 2019 for African Writing by Lesley Nneka Arimah, a budding Nigerian writer.

Arimah, who was shortlisted for the Caine Prize in 2016 and 2017, eventually won 2019 edition with her short story titled, “Skinned”.

The prize, which is soughtafter by African writers, is often described as Africa’s leading literary award with prize money of £10,000 for the winner. Arimah’s ‘Skinned’ beat other African writers in the 2019 shortlist to win the prize including; Tochukwu Emmanuel Okafor’s All Our Lives, Ngwah-Mbo Nana Nkweti’s It Takes A Village Some Say, Cherrie Kandie’s Sew My Mouth, and Meron Hadero’s The Wall.

The story, according to Arimah, shows the disparity in the treatment of married and unmarried women in Nigeria.

‘Skinned’ envisions a society in which young girls are ceremonially ‘uncovered’ and must marry in order to regain the right to be clothed.

Lesley Nneka Arimah

It tells the story of Ejem, a young woman uncovered at the age of fifteen yet ‘unclaimed’ in adulthood, and her attempts to negotiate a rigidly stratified society following the breakdown of a protective friendship with the married Chidinma.

With a wit, prescience, and a wicked imagination, ‘Skinned’ is a bold and unsettling tale of bodily autonomy

and womanhood, and the fault lines along which solidarities are formed and broken.

Arimah was announced winner of the prize on July 8, 2019 by Peter Kimani, chair of judging panel, at an award dinner ceremony, which held for the third time in Senate House, in partnership with SOAS and the Centre for African Studies.

Speaking on the rationale for choosing Arimah’s ‘Skinned’ as the winner, Kimani said, “The winner of this year’s Caine Prize for African Writing is a unique retake of women’s struggle for inclusion in a society regulated by rituals.

Lesley Nneka Arimah’s Skinned defamiliarizes the familiar to topple social hierarchies, challenge tradi-

tions and envision new possibilities for women of the world. Using a sprightly diction, she invents a dystopian universe inhabited by unforgettable characters where friendship is tested, innocence is lost, and readers gain a new understanding of life.”

Arimah, a 2019 United States Artists Fellow in Writing, was born in London in 1983. Her work has been published in The New Yorker and Granta. In 2015, her story “Light” won the 2015 Commonwealth Short Story Prize for Africa.

In April 2017, ‘What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky’, her debut collection of short stories, was published by Riverhead Books and Tinder Press (UK), and was republished in Nigeria, by Farafina Books, in November 2017. It won the Kirkus Prize for Fiction, the Minnesota Book Award for Fiction and the New York Public Library’s Young Lions Fiction Award.

In September 2017, she was named as one of the fiction writers honored by the National Book Foundation, called “Five Under 35”.

In January 2018, it was shortlisted for the 9mobile Prize for Literature.

As well, her work has appeared in Harper’s, Per Contra, The New Yorker, and other publications.

Osundare’s poetry feast to hold in Calabar tomorrow

CEO iCreate Africa, Bright Jaja makes it on the Forbes Africa under 30 list

he fifth edition of the Niyi Osundare International Poetry Festival (NOIPOFEST) starts in the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Calabar, on Monday July 15.

The first of the annual feast of words to venture outside the southwest of Nigeria, it would be formally opened with a key note address by the Harvard Professor Biodun Jeyifo, whose paper is expected to lead the conversations around the theme Popular Poetry and The Search for Development in A Modern State.

The festival will feature poetry performances as well as straight

MICHAEL ANI

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Niyi Osundare

poetry readings, short drama skits and long drama productions, roundtable discussions on the festival theme. The audience, expected to be largely writers, critics, other creative artists, scholars and keen culture enthusiasts, will be feted to Efik Ballad.There will also be awards to secondary school student poets.

NOIPOFEST was conceived to honour Niyi Osundare, widely considered Nigeria’s poet laureate and one of the country’s top candidates for the Nobel, to an annual, three day celebration involving performance, drama, Music and Dance.

The party has been hosted in Ibadan since inception.

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n June 28, 2019, Forbes Africa released the 5th edition of its 30 under30 list of the continent’s most accomplished young entrepreneurs, tech stars and artists. About 120 gamechangers in Business, Tech, Creative and Sports were featured in the popular magazine.

The list was announced at Forbes annual Under30 meet up which took place at the Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Only one Nigerian, Bright Jaja, CEO ICreate Africa, made it on the 30under30 list in the Business industry. This is a major benchmark achievement as Jaja represents the promising Nigerian youth with the mind set to challenge the status quo and disrupt the existing system, thus creating innovative ways to solve the high youth unemployment in Nigeria through his company iCreate Africa.

A talented passionate creative, Bright Jaja started carving a niche for himself from his early teens and exercised persistence regardless of prevailing oppositions.

His company iCreate Africa was founded in 2016 and is a

Bright Jaja

hub for skill excellence and development based in Abuja. As a social enterprise, it promotes the need for a renewed focus on deriving the benefits of technical skills through skill competitions, grassroots community projects and training.

From hosting the first technical and vocational skill competition in Africa, the ICreate Skill Fest in

October 2018 empowered over 150 skilled workers with start-up funds, training and international exposures.

Also, it indirectly impacted over 100,000 people across the continent by changing the societal perception affecting technical skills and driving investment in technical and vocational skills education and training from both public and private sector.

This year, iCreate Africa is hosting regional Technical and Vocational Skills Competitions across geopolitical zones. After a successful outing in Kaduna on April 26-27, 2019 for the iCreate Northern Region Skill Competition, iCreate Africa will be hosting the next regional skills competition for the South East zone in Enugu on July 19-20, 2019 to commemorate the UN World Youth Skills Day. Va r i o u s s k i l l t r a d e s f r o m Building and Construction, ICT, Creative Arts and Fashion and Hospitality will be featured. The winners will compete at the Finals in Lagos on December 4-5, 2019 to stand the chance of becoming the iCreate Skill Champion 2019 in their respective trades. Benefits from the competition include cash prizes, training and internship programs, endorsement deals, start-up support amongst others.

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Arts Nri celebrates Agwu Festival to appease deity of rascality

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Emmanuel Ndukuba, Awka he ancient Nri Kingdom in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State is one of the oldest kingdoms in the world.

Nri, which no doubt, is the ancestral home of the Igbo race, has been in existence over 1000 years ago.

The sleepy community is widely known as the custodian of Igbo culture and tradition, as well as, the head of Igboland because of its abhorrence to artificial niceties of western materials during the pre-colonial era.

The town is adorned with rich cultural heritage, which many archeologists and anthropologists have testified through their wide researched historical documentaries.

The indigenes are predominantly traditionalists and strict believers of ancestral values and Christianity but the adherence to different religions has not created any divide in the course of their communing with their forefathers.

Consequently, they have a storehouse popularly known as Odinani Museum where all artifacts and deities of their forefathers are kept, which has equally blessed the town as a tourist centre.

But the most significant cultural disposition of the ancient town, which binds them together for years, is the recently celebrated ‘Onwa Agwu festival’ where masquerades display to the delight of the spectators.

The Nri clan celebrates the Onwa Agwu festival after the annul farm cultivation, at a time ‘Agwu’ (spirit of rascality) visits the farms. The

visit comes with blessings such as bounty harvests and in modern times, progress in business.

On June 30, 2019, the festival held. During the festival, the people believe that all the divine spirits in the town parade, but the traditional priests appeased the spirits earlier to ensure they do not harm living beings while parading during the festival.

The uniqueness of the festival is that it is only the Nri Kingdom that commemorates the Agwu spirit in the entire world because of its peculiarities to the town.

They believe that Agwu spirit comes in a particular time like the festive period to either do good or bad by luring people into vices; but if recognised earlier, it could be guided through appeasement.

Chibuzo Chukwu, chairman of Omenala Nri, says that Onwa Agwu festival is a period set aside for the celebration of their masquerades, which are not ordinary but believed to emerge from ant holes and align with the physical and spiritual worlds.

“Agwu is a divine spirit full of wisdom, which does not live in a man but visits a man.

It teaches us how we should do good things because it is an inspirator to develop modern technologies.

“If you do not appease the spirit of Agwu, you are bound to live extravagant life. You appease it by killing a cock and a small chicken, prepare ukwa (bread fruit) both dry and fresh, and abacha (tapioca), then you feed the spirit with left hand. You will observe the potency of the appeasement”, Chukwu explains.

Meanwhile, the Igbo lunar calendar is purely differ-

One of the masqurades at the festival

ent from European calendar due to the fact that the Igbo calendar, which Nri adopts, starts with February as the first month of the year and has 13 months instead of the conventional 12 months.

Investigation revealed that Agwu festival comes up after Iguaro Ndigbo, which is a declaration of Igbo lunar calendar in February by the Eze Nri who pronounces the year open and gives his subjects some seed-

lings to plant, wishing them bountiful harvest.

After the pronouncement, in the 5th month, the Agwu celebration commences.

Though, to arrive at this date appears rigorous as Nri recognises the month by firstly sighting the month and the four market days that make a week in Igbo calendar, which are Eke, Oye, Afor and Nkwo.

Seven of these four market days make a month and you

calculate from the time the new moon is sighted to proclaim the calendar year, then you calculate seven times of the four days that make Igbo week into six times, you will eventually see the moon at that time of early June. The calculation will arrive at 24 days in the month of June for Onwa Agwu period in Nri. According to Nnoli Nwako, a community leader, this year’s month of Agwu festival was sighted on June 3, 2019 and unfortunately it was Oye market day.

“Nri does not celebrate Agwu on Oye and Afor market days but on Eke and Afor, so the counting of date of the month started on June 6 being Eke day till we arrived at the 6th market day known as ‘Izu isi’ of the grand finale totaling the period of 24 days.

However, before the celebration, the Eke market square, where everybody converges for the Agwu masquerade, would be cleansed just like other shrines including; Obi Alike Nri, Obi Onyiorah and Obi Ogbo Nri shrines.

They are cleansed by killing a he-goat to inform the deities that the children of the town are returning and to seek for their protection. This signifies that whoever that step into the town with harmful charm would be visited with repercussion.

Nevertheless, the festival ties the umbilical cords of their brotherliness and creates opportunity for development of the community by the age grades, hence it always seen as a period of mass return.

It also attracts people from all walks of life to come and witness the celebration as it is always a time when the youths exhibit their youthful

strength through flogging each other while the female folks watch with ecstasy.

According to Patrick Ogo Egolum, secretary of Nze na Ozo Council, during the Agwu period, the night activities commence at 6pm and the free movement of every nonindigenes in the town would be restricted because they are Ogbondu (non-initiators of Agwu masquerade cult).

“Only the indigenes that are initiated are expected to move around at night. Any woman coming back after 7pm must be escorted by an ’Mmanwu initiate’ and he will be shouting ’Ogbondu’ to alert that a non initiate is passing by.

“Though civilization has done harm to our culture in the last 30 years, in the past the festival was strictly performed by only the indigenes but now, outsiders from Abakaliki, Nsukka people have infiltrated into Agwu festival because they live in the community.

“We always define a way to fine tone our culture to accommodate these people so we can all live harmoniously.

Therefore, to that extent, it has not totally affected our culture but certain modifications have been put in place.

But we are not neglecting our culture”, Egolum assures.

The highlight of this year’s celebration was the procession of the entire masquerades at Eke market square to enable the panel of judges led

by Charles Tabansi to select the most beautiful masquerade, the best flogger and the best enchanter of Mbem.

The winners were given cash awards totaling N1million donated by Oba Emilie Okika, chairman of Nze na Ozo Council, Nri.

Vlisco&co returns to Lagos on July 18th for the third time

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lisco&co’s creative network is returning to Lagos on July18, 2019; an event, which marks the brand’s third visit since its creation in 2017.

Since then, the network has grown to 52 young and experimental participants across West and Central Africa.

In the same spirit of collaboration and cooperation as it has done in the past, Vlisco&co is continuing its work in the creation and network of young and experimental creative across Africa, with focus on Nigeria, connecting, defining and demonstrating the interpretation of African culture in modern

Africa, but doing this through film.

Last year, the brand explored the culturally rich Igbo

land with its creative Nigerian network to research the ethnic group and its relation with their fabrics, followed by a round table gathering in to discuss the research and the concept of Vlisco&co’s next edition. The result explored the old and the new Igbo culture, its myths, mystery, magic and its world of colours and symbols.

This year, Dafe Oboro, a filmmaker, presents his film, ‘A Beautiful Struggle’, that shows his own perspective on the beauty of the streets of his home city, Lagos. The film is a fashionable portrait following a small town man’s pursuit of stardom against

a vibrant and psychedelic backdrop of Lagos city where music is his passion.

Dafe is accompanied by Abiola Olusola who returns with Vlisco&co for a second time and whose brand expresses above all, women empowerment and Papa Oyeyemi, who joins Vlisco&co for the first time with his own daring fashion statements.

With the explosion of young Nigerian designers and creative in the global fashion industry, and Nigeria as a central point for major fashion trends and influence, it is no surprise that this year’s theme for Vlisco&co focuses on the city of Lagos as a key

fashion influence and center of the film as it also holds a panel discussion with notable names.

The panel’s discussions will include life in Lagos, one of the most talked-about cities in the world, with Lola Pedro moderating the discussion between Dafe Oboro, Papa Oyeyemi and Tushar Hathimarani.

To celebrate this year’s vision, Vlisco&Co will showcase the teamwork in Lagos on July18, 2019 as it incorporates a panel discussion, a fashion film by Dafe Oboro and a fashion constellation

by Abiola Olusola and Papa Oyeyemi.

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Sunday 14 July 2019

Life&Living Could they be spying on your telephone conversations?

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Jumoke Akiyode-Lawanson

ave you ever wondered why some people block out the webcam on their laptops or desk tops with sticky tapes? Or don’t you think it’s weird that you had a telephone conversation with your friend, talking about how you desperately need a pair red shoes, and suddenly, all you see on your social media pages are adverts, promotions and conversations about red shoes?

We have all heard the (continually refuted) rumours that Facebook’s apps secretly listen to our conversations to know what ads to show us.

Well, it seems that a lot more mobile apps are doing the same; using or microphones and cameras to see exactly what we are up to. With the increased adoption of artificial intelligence, your patterns, biometrics and all personal details can easily be checked on and used, so we need to watch what we say and do with our phones and online.

“I called my husband to tell him that I was on my way to a venue in ikeja for a friend’s wedding. The conversation only lasted for about one minute and when I got into the car, I opened my google maps to get directions to the venue. As soon as

I typed in the first letter, the wedding reception venue popped up as the first suggestion. This seemed strange to me because I had never been to that venue before,” Winifred Okafor told BDSunday.

As more people use virtual assistants like Siri on iPhones — and let those assistants listen out for a command like “Hey Siri” or “OK Google” — people have grown

more worried about the privacy implications, and whether these assistants pick up conversations outside the command.

Cybersecurity experts have said that we are not being paranoid and that these smartphones are not called ‘smart’ for fun – they are actually listening in.

How to stop your phone from listening to and recording your

conversation: For iPhone users, open the Settings app, tap Privacy, click on microphone. On the next screen, you’ll see a list of any apps you’ve granted microphone access to.

Toggle the switch to OFF (white) next to any app you want to revoke access from.

For Android phone users, open settings on your phone and tap

Apps & notifications. Tap see all X apps to get a full list then scroll down to Google and select it. Finally, tap permissions and disable the Microphone slider.

It is important to note that Google could have a record of everything you have said around it for years, and you can listen to it yourself. The feature works as a way of letting people search with their voice, and storing those recordings presumably lets Google improve its language recognition tools as well as the results that it gives to people.

Also, If your laptop or desktop has a built-in webcam, be sure to have good computer security software installed because many webcam hackers use Trojan horse malware to secretly install and run remote desktop software without your knowledge.

Webcams are easily compromised even when it is not in use, and unsecured cameras on your computer could provide a malicious hacker with a direct window into your life. And once they’ve watched you for long enough, chances are they’ll try their luck blackmailing you with something they’ve seen.

So the best way to keep yourself safe is to cover in up with plaster or a sticky tape, especially if you don’t use it often.

All you need to know about pregnancy induced hair loss IFEOMA OKEKE

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any women often experience loss of hair weeks or months after moving past a pregnancy. Pregnancies do not only change a woman’s body but also cause some unexpected, strange changes to the hair. These changes lead to the shedding of hair a few months after delivery, and this condition is known as Postpartum Alopecia.

Before you start worrying if you’re about going bald, you’re not, this hair loss also known as Postpartum Alopecia is not permanent.

According to Chijioke Anaele, general manager, Recare Cosmetics, makers of Natures Gentle Touch haircare range, hairs on our bodies grow in a cycle that lasts between two to seven years. The growing phase of hair is called anagen and it determines the length of the hair.

“After a while, the hair follicle enters a transition phase called catagen, before entering a resting phase called telogen. Shedding also known as exogen then occurs and the process starts all over again.

“During pregnancy, a lot of hormonal changes occur and some of these changes affect the hair positively. Some women will notice

that during pregnancy, their hairs are usually healthier. This is as a result of estrogen that is being produced. The estrogen stimulates the hair follicles to start the growing phase, and that is why as a pregnant woman, you’ll notice that your hair grows significantly faster than it did before you got pregnant. After childbirth, the estrogen level drops and returns to the pre-pregnancy level, prompting the hair follicles to enter the resting phase. A hundred days into the resting days, the hair begins to shed,” he explained.

He explained further that it is important to note that besides the estrogen and progesterone changes, stress and nutrition also affect hor-

mone levels which can also affect hair growth. Thyroiditis, which is caused by an imbalance of thyroid hormones can create an imbalance in the thyroid hormones and affect growth.

So, how do we prevent postpartum hair loss?

Anaele highlighted the following points: • Ensure that you’re getting regular, gentle-to-moderate exercise. This keeps all the vital organs of your body active and can help regulate the hormonal imbalance during pregnancy.

• Do not underrate the essence of a good diet. Consume a healthy diet rich in nutrients to support your

body that is experiencing changes and help its postpartum recovery.

• If recommended by your doctor, take postpartum vitamin and mineral supplements if recommended by your doctor.

What to do about postpartum hair loss?

When you notice that you are beginning to shed hair after pregnancy, don’t panic. You can recover from it in a matter of time. All you need to do is: • Reduce stress Reducing stress levels do not only bring about peace of mind but also has the added benefit of regulating hormone imbalances. Practice different relaxation techniques like mindfulness, meditation or breathing exercises.

• Use anti-hair loss cream While going shopping for your delivery, do not forget to add hair creams that help hair growth during postpartum. The Ginger Anti Hair Loss Balm from Natures Gentle Touch has been proven to be very effective in this regard, both for people suffering from normal hair loss and women in their postpartum stage.

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle The hair follicles need nutrients to grow and be healthy. Besides applying tons of cosmetics and hair creams on your hair, another way of supplying nutrient to the hair follicle is by eating healthy food. Take lots of

vegetables, whole grains and fresh fruits. Do not forget to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

• Take nutritional supplements Speak to your doctor about taking mineral supplements to help boost your hair growth. Health experts have recommended Vitamin B complex and/or biotin (B7), Iron, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Zinc as necessary nutritional supplements for women going in postpartum.

• Go natural During postpartum hair loss, avoid colouring your hair or using harsh gels and sprays for styling.

Opt for natural oils that are said to help strengthen hair growth and reduce hair loss. Add a few drops of peppermint to your shampoo to help moisturize the hair and give it shine.

• Consumption of fish or flaxseed oils may help restore optimal levels of essential fatty acids like omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9, which promote hair growth • Gently massage almond oil or castor oil into the scalp as this can help to stimulate hair growth.”

In conclusion Anaele noted that postpartum hair loss is normal and should not be a cause for alarm when you start experiencing it. Following the steps highlighted above will set you on the right track to recovering from it.

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Travelogue

The Gambia: Allure of the smiling coast of Africa CHUKA UROKO

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isiting The Gambia a first and second time has always left one with this strong longing for another. The reason is quite simple.

Living in a society where life and living are tasking, one cannot but long for an escape which this small country with its warm people and caressing weather provides.

Arguably, the smallest country in Africa where the entire population is estimated at two million, The Republic of the Gambia is an interesting destination, especially for tourists who, since the country’s independence in 1965, have been feasting on its huge natural endowments for tourism.

Gambia is a small country, no doubt.

The entire country sits on a small land area measuring 11.295 square kilometers, about 4361square miles, which is bordered by the deep blue sea called Atlantic Ocean. But nature is always kind and so, compensates for whatever man in his short-sightedness sees as disadvantage.

Gambia is fondly called ‘The Smiling Coast of Africa’ and there are several reasons for this enticing sobriquet. Unlike its West African neighbours where the population is huge and the economy is buoyant, yet the people are hungry, angry, aggressive and agitated over anything and everything, the Gambia has a large dose of smiles from both nature and fate.

This agriculturally fertile country, dominated by farming, fishing and tourism with its capital in Banjul and English as its official language, has a warm weather and the usual wet and dry seasons. Around March, its weather is cool and usually characterised by chilly breeze which is warm for European tourists.

Tourism in the country is the equivalent of Nigerian oil. It has become the fastest growing sector of the economy as visitors coming in every year are drawn by its beaches, birds, sunshine and the culture.

As a country, Gambia is known for its friendliness and warm hospitality together with a captivating people living with the peace, security and relative political stability which has been the case since independence in 1965. This, indeed, is the major reason the country is known as the smiling coast of Africa.

One very fascinating feature of this country is its people. Unlike the starry eyes and scary, heavily bearded faces that stare at visitors on arrival in some bigger African countries, what visitors like see in the Gambia are a people that are very friendly and always wanting to talk and shake hands. They are very nice people always with warm smiles on their faces.

Seedy Bittaye, an official of the Gambian Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) epitomises these qualities. “My name is Seedy, an official of the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA),” he intoned, brimming with a warm and smiling face, at a dinner hosted for visiting Nigerian investors by Mustapha Njie, CEO, Taf Africa Global, in Banjul recently.

Seedy smiled to everybody within his table where yours sincerely was also seated. “Presently, tourism is the mainstay of our economy. But after 22 years of dictatorship under Yahya Jammeh, we want to diversify our economy which is why GIEPA was created,” he explained.

He assured that the country welcomes

The Gambia visitors with open hands, especially foreign direct investors, pointing out that in post dictatorship, Gambia needs to get all the foreign investments it could get and these investments were needed in agriculture, energy, real estate, manufacturing, etc, disclosing that investors enjoy tax incentives, stress-free access to land and 100 percent freedom to repatriate funds.

Njie, an outstanding entrepreneur and savvy real estate investor and developer, is another interesting personality who, in spite of his wealth and global exposure maintains a low profile with humility, generosity, hospitality and friendliness that are infectious.

As the pioneer real estate developer in his country, Njie does not see that as an undue advantage. Rather he sees it as a moral burden which demands a spirit of accommodation from him. “As the pioneer developers, I believe we have a role in helping others to come up. We look at it from the nationalistic point of view. My success should not be measured in terms of what I do as Taf, but in terms of the number of younger investors and entrepreneurs I bring on board to be like me”, he told this reporter.

The Gambia has eight indigenous groups and in addition to these, the country is home to fairly large communities from neighbouring West African countries. The country’s reputation for hospitality is second to none in Africa.

Gambians live harmoniously in communities, freely exercising their religious and cultural traditions are recognised all over the world for their spontaneous warm smiles and their peace-loving nature.

The people have an interesting lifestyle. Their dressing is religiously simple and responsible. Even in the capital Banjul, except for a very few cases, the lewd dressing that has debased womanhood in other African cities are non-existent,

thus highlighting their attachment to real African cultural values.

Despite this simplicity, the fashion industry in the country is thriving and their men and woman are fashionable without looking obtuse or provocative. There are many tailors and fashion houses within the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) area and in Kairaba Avenue, close to the tourism area. There one finds authentic African fashion or a fusion of European and African clothing.

“Young women in the country like colourful and flowery dressing. “Fashion shows take place all year round here,” a native who did not want to disclose her name said, citing the Gambian Fashion Weekend that showcases young Gambian fashion designers and regional designers yearly”.

As pointed out earlier, Gambia is a tourism destination. Beaches, hotels and resorts are all over the country. Banjul, which is the capital city, is a popular area for tourists. The population of the city is only 34,828, with the Greater Banjul Area, which includes the City of Banjul and

Young women in the country like colourful and flowery dressing. “Fashion shows take place all year round here,” a native who did not want to disclose her name said, citing the Gambian Fashion Weekend that showcases young Gambian fashion designers and regional designers yearly

the Kanifing Municipal Council, having a population of 357,238 (2003 census). It is located on St Mary’s Island (Banjul Island) where the Gambia River enters the Atlantic Ocean. The island is connected to the mainland by passenger and vehicle ferries to the north and bridges to the south.

In most of the hotels, tourists are seen swimming ceaselessly in the generously provided swimming pools and sunning themselves by the pool side. At Sunprime Hotel, Tamala, which is in the heart of Banjul, there were over 20 white tourists enjoying the country’s warm weather.

Besides the allure of beaches and resorts, The Gambia also offers opportunities for investors in various sectors of its economy, especially in real estate where investors are assured of about 8 percent rental income in the country’s active rental market. This contrasts sharply with Nigeria where rental income is about 5 percent per annum.

Isatou Touray, the country’s vice president, has assured investors of not only the safety of their investment, but also that the country was now ready and open to business, disclosing that opportunities exist in a new project in the country called GIETAF which is a joint venture between Taf Africa Global and the Gambian government.

Njie took it further, noting that as a small country, Gambia needed ‘big brothers’ from Nigeria to come and invest, not only to help the country and its economy to grow, but also to empower its citizens by creating jobs for them.

“I want to liken The Gambia to Dubai, which like us, has no natural resources but is a success story. Much of the investments you see in Dubai are owned by foreigners. We want to replicate that here. We want The Gambia to be the Dubai or Singapore of West Africa and we want Nigeria to play a leadership role here,” he pleaded.

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Sunday 14 July 2019

Travel It’s time to go inbound this summer

OBINNA EMELIKE

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u mme r h ol i d a y i s here again, and so t h e re i s a re a s o n to get out of town with your family and loved ones to enjoy a unique inbound escape.

Yes. While the naira is stable against the dollar now, you really do not need to go far to avoid incurring huge expenses on flight tickets and hotel accommodations. So, if you are looking for somewhere within and yet very exclusive, then read further to discover some fine places to unwind this summer.

If you want something outside Lagos, I recommend Smokin Hills Golf Resort, Ilara Mokin. The golf resort, which is just 15 minutes from Akure, the Ondo State capital, is a new offering, so pristine, enticing and will make a good escape this summer.

Yet, it sets on 140 acres of virgin land carved out of surrounding jungle and rolling hills that emit smoke early in the morning and also at dawn. The unique smoke feature, which is also where the resort derived it name will thrill you.

For golf enthusiasts, an experience at the resort this holiday season will worth your time, stress and money.

As well, Inagbe Grand

Le Meridien outdoor

la-campagne Resort and Leisure is inviting and exclusive. Set inbetween the Lagos Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, the resort offers a rustic living in a lush island haven, resonating air of simple luxury and refined elegance that makes it an ideal escape.

There, you are in your own world. You do things your own way with mother nature

as the only witness. There are many accommodation options, games, facilities and most importantly nature to enjoy-all at pocket friendly rates.

The resort is just 15 minutes boat ride from Paradise Jetty on Walter Carrington, Victoria Island. But if you are a spa fan, then I suggest a visit to Clear Essence

California Spa and Wellness Resort. From the outside on #13 Alexander Street, Ikoyi, the foremost spa and accommodation outfit does not tell its true worth. Inside is a different story as garden full of rare flowers and welltrimmed grass lawn ooze out freshness.

But the prime offering is the spa, managed by trained Balinese therapists. The therapists use their talents to send you into a journey away from reality, and that may just be a perfect escape.

Whether you are an avid spa-patron or have never experienced spa therapies, t h e i n t u i t i v e ex p e r t s w i l l leave you feeling relaxed and pampered. That is the reason you should try the spa this holiday season.

The spa offers 10 treatment rooms - a dipping pool, scented steam showers, sauna, a fitness centre with state-of-the-art gym equipment and certified personnel to ensure personalised spa experience.

If you are outside Lagos, Nike Lake Resort in Enugu is one place that is evergreen because of the pristine environment and therapeutic impact of the natural lake resort. A few metres to the resort, you will behold with great awe the natural lake stretching over three kilometres with its incredible and rare aquatic population.

“On getting closer, a look into the mud-coloured lake water mirrors not just your true self, but the whole es-

s e n c e o f l e i s u re . A d e e p of your feet into the water (though with caution), which chills all day long, will cool off the heat and relax wornout body tissues.”

Like a sort-of confluence, a V-shape point on the lake seems to connect bold leisure seekers to another point of the lake that flows towards the hinterland of the Agbakpa-Nike community.

You can enjoy a ride on the lake with trained boat riders or if you are more daring, you can join the local fishermen. Pictures taken afterwards will tell the story of how much you enjoyed your escape.

Guests can retire into one of the resort’s 210 wellappointed and tastefully furnished rooms and suites, suitable for all tasted and budgets.

However, Ibom Golf Hotel and Resort is promising enthralling experience this summer. The greenness and friendliness of everything around the gold resort will aid a memorable escape. It will be more fun trying to practice golf just for the sake of pictures, or holding the paddle in pretense of ridding a boat at the Nwaniba River at the resort.

There is an expanse of lush vegetation, top range of accommodation, set out lounge, private balconies and whatever you want for an escape at the resort.

So, just book your flight on Ibom Air or Peace to Victor Attah International Airport Uyo, which less than 30 minutes to the resort. You can also drive, but it takes longer from places like Lagos and Abuja to get to Uyo. You can also visit Fifth Chukker in Kaduna, La Campange Beach Resort Ibeju Lekki, Ikogosi Warm Spring in Ekiti, Obudu Mountain Resort, among others.

But if you cannot afford any of these places or you are too far from them, then try something within. There is always something within; all you need do is to see them with new eyes. Do that and your summer holiday will be memorable.

Remember, some people are leaving far places just to swim in the beach in your n e i g h b o r h o o d , s o m e a re flying to see an exhibition in a local museum near you, while many are visiting a forest reserve in your village, but you hardly see any leisure sense in all these.

It is time to look inwards and patronize local attractions and destinations, especially this summer.

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BDSUNDAY 27

Travel Air France-KLM: Combining elegance and comfort to your travel experience IFEOMA OKEKE

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one are the days when passengers only look forward to enjoying their travel experience at their choice destinations. Amazing and unforgettable travel experiences can begin right at the airport and on-board the aircraft. This however depends on how the choice airline could make each experience count for their passengers by way of the top-notch services they offer.

Some of the few airlines that have paid so much attention to details and offered personalised services to customers just to ensure travelling on long-haul flights are more comfortable, enjoyable and elegant are Air France and KLM. With the current renewal of all its cabins on its Airbus A330 in 2019, the new seats, new cabin interior, new lounges and new services can enhance customer trips.

With its new cabins, Air France is offering a new experience on board its Airbus A330, with 36 seats in Business, 21 seats in Premuim Economy and 167 seats in Economy.

On board, there is always something for all to enjoy with collection of various menus for passengers to choose from.

AirPort Lounges The first point of welcome for AirFrance-KLM is the airport through its exceptional lounges.

Throughout the world, customers travelling in business class have access to more than 600 lounges, including close to 40 Air France lounges, offering a wide range of services in a luxurious, quiet and cozy atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of the airport.

Passengers experience simplified

and priority route through the airport with SkyPriority.

In 2018, Air France inaugurated its 3,200 square meter business lounge in Terminal 2E, hall L at the Paris-Charles de Gaulle, created in collaboration with the designer Mathieu Lehanneur. The lounge has one of the largest well-being areas ever offered by Air France with private Saunas, Clarins treatment rooms, a dining area and a detox bar. The interior décor appeals to various class of passengers.

Speaking to BDSunday at the lounge in Paris, Sandra Ottavi, head Long-Haul Customer Experience, Air France said the lounge is designed in such a way that it appeals to all age brackets from little children to adults.

“The space in the lounge which accommodates over 500 passengers, gives the passengers different experiences based on what they want. There is a space for passengers to eat, work, play games, relax, sleep amongst others,” Ottavi added.

AirPort Hotel At the Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport is the airport hotel which can be accessed by all AirFranceKLM passengers. The hotel offers over 80 cabins, costing passengers about 82Euros to stay for four hours. For passengers who want to pass the night at the airport hotel, it cost within a range of 120 euros.

The airport hotel feels like home away from home, offering passengers an opportunity to relax at a comfortable ambiance while they await their flights. The hotel offers three different cabins for passengers, families and for passengers using wheel chairs, all in a bid to meet their various needs.

Business Class cabin The new business seat, adapted to the dimensions of the Airbus A330, offers an unparalleled travel

experience. The seats convert into a lie-flat bed that is two meters long and 57.1cm wide for jet lag-free flying across time zones.

Whether travelling alone or with a companion, the seats adapts to passengers’ needs. Passengers can choose to enjoy greater proximity when they are travelling with someone or total privacy, thanks to a sliding panel separating the seats. The ambient lightening emphasizes the details of the new Business cabin’s décor where leather and the Air France brand’s symbolic accent have pride of place.

The brand new 18-invh HD touch-screen offers over 1,400 hours of entertainment. Its intuitive interface comes with a new more user-friendly handset. The toilets, inspired from the cosmetics universe and the self-service bar in a blue and Champagne colour scheme have also been redesigned with passengers’ well-

being and comfort in mind.

Premium Economy This cabin offers 130degree seat recline in a fixed shell, additional storage space, a wider footrest and a 13.3 inch HD screen.

The softer seat cushion and wider leather armrest have also been redesigned. On board all its long-haul aircraft, Air France also ensures passengers’ moments of relaxation with a red feather pillow and a deep blue blanket. A comfort kit renewed every six months is also available.

Economy Economy class passengers are not left behind in this renovation, as the economy cabin has changed to provide additional comfort, with more space between the armrests, reinforced ergonomic foam in the seat and a 118 degree recline, 72 cm legroom, a larger tray table and a wider latest generation 11.7-inch 16:9 touch screen.

The little touches that make the difference As soon as passengers arrive on board, the crew welcomes them with an ashibori to freshen up. A comfort kit, containing Clarins beauty products is also offered to business and premium economy passengers.

Few minutes before take-off, the cabin crew offers business and premium economy passengers a complementary glass of Cham-

pagne in a brand new glass.

During the flight, meal is served in new collection of powdercoloured tableware on a black background and eco-designed in collaboration with Eugeni Quitllet.

The tray also reveals a new design highlighting the Air-France accent.

Passengers are given a Frenchstyle candy and ice cream on arrival, as a gesture to say ‘thank you for travelling with us.’

When asked why AirFrance/ KLM paying so much attention to put all these together and create the customer experience in a sector with small profit margins, Sandra Ottavi, head Long-Haul Customer Experience, Air France said, “This is not a question for us. It is in our DNA. We do want to provide the best experience for our customers every day. We will be so proud when passengers leave the plane and share their experiences when they arrive their destinations.”

On how the airline measures feedback from passengers, she said “We pay a lot of attention on customer feedback and we have made it in such a way that we provide materials where you can answer questions on how you feel on-board and we get on-the-spot feedback which is really useful for us. The voice of the customer is so useful and it helps us redesign our products.”

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Some people only celebrate you when you’re dead – Kcee Ariya Repete: Ilorin, Osogbo on fire!

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opular singer Kcee of the defunct KCPresh group turned into a motivational speaker earlier in the week on his social media page as he told his fans to make good friends and associate with people who love them.

In a video he posted on his page, the crooner said that most people only celebrate others when negative stuff happen to them.

He said, “I have to say this, some of you pay attention to those who don’t pay attention you and don’t care about you.

Those are the people you are chasing to be your friends and people you want to be around you. You have to stop that.

“Pay attention to those that love you, people that want to you to be around you, people who have respect and value for you. Some people are out there to celebrate you when you are sick, when you are dead or when you have an accident and they remember they have had a picture with you and they would want to post their picture with you.”

Kcee said there are some individuals who only celebrate others when they are dead. He said, “They want to celebrate you when you are gone, when you are dead. Why don’t they celebrate you when you are alive, when you have something to do, when you are shooting a movie or you have a product you want to celebrate

or promote? They don’t care!

They won’t post it.

“But they are quick to create hashtag when you are dead.

There are fake people everywhere. Don’t pay attention to them. Love yourself and love those who love you. Real friends are hard to find, it is important I pass this message to you.”

heongoingAriyaRepetetalent hunt show sponsored

by Goldberg Lager Beer, experienced another level of fun when the train berthed at cities of Ilorin and Osogbo, recently.

The event ushered the last batch of successful contestants selected to enter into the quarterfinal stage of the competition.

Over the last four weeks, the competition has moved across eight cities in southwestern Nigeria and has uncovered some amazing talents in Fuji, Juju and Yoruba hip hop.

At the Osogbo and Ilorin selection parties, six talented acts were crowned regional champions and they include: Adebayo Amos, Wasiu Onilewura, and Oyesola Boluwatife who emerged as Osogbo winners in the Juju, Fuji, and Yoruba Hip-hop category respectively.

While in Ilorin, Afolabi Ibrahim, Seun Agbayi, and Mayowa Alayo fought off stiff competition to make it to the quarter-final stage.

The next stage of the competi-

tion is set to up the stakes, as the 24 regional winners will battle at the quarter-finalconcertinAkuresoon.

However, contestants will undergo a one-week mentorship session in the Ariya Academy where they would be tutored on how to hone their skills by some of the leading Juju and Fuji musical acts in the Nigerian entertainment scene.

Speaking after the completion of the regional auditions and selection parties, Goldberg Lager Brand Manager, Funmi Ogunbodede, expressed his delight saying, “This platform has continuously discovered talented individuals in the indigenous music scene, while also giving them a platform to showcase their talents to the world. This year has been no different, and I’m very proud of the contestants. I believe we will have an amazing quarter-final showdown.”

He further congratulated the quarterfinalists and wished them all the best as they continue to compete to win their share in the grand prize of N20m.

Ali Nuhu motivates students at Promasidor’s Career Guidance Initiative

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tar actor and producer, Ali Nuhu Mohammed, has encouraged secondary school students to focus on their future dreams and not be distracted, particularly as they take decision on their career choices.

Nuhu, who featured at the Kaduna edition of Promasidor Harness Your Dream, a corporate social responsibility project of Promasidor Nigeria Limited held recently, told the students at the event to embrace education first before any other pursuit. “Without solid education, you can hardly achieve anything,” he counselled.

He said the students should consider themselves lucky to have an organisation like Promasidor show commitment to youth development through the programme.

“You must understand the importance of education and not allow this opportunity of career guidance

to go wasted. When I was like you, I never had the opportunity for career guidance,” he told the students, who became excited as he stepped into the hall.

Nuhu commended Promasidor for the project and said that other corporateorganisationsshouldtake a cue from the company. “Corporate organisations should emulate programmes like this,” he enjoined.

Nuhu, who holds BA Geography from the University of Jos, said that parents should support their children in the careers they had flair for, explaining that his mother encouraged him and convinced his father when he decided to go into the movie industry.

Earlier, the Kaduna State Government had praised Promasidor Nigeria Limited for conceiving the project and bringing it to the state.

Addressing the students and other stakeholders at Sardauna

Memorial College in Kawo New Extension, venue of the event, the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Education, Mrs Kande Nana Bage described Promasidor Harness Your Dream as “an excellent programme.”

“I thank Promasidor for choosing Kaduna State to be part of this programme. I feel highly delighted that Kaduna is the sixth state where this initiative is being held,” the Permanent Secretary further said, as she turned her attention to the students: “I encourage you to make good use of this opportunity. If you allow such opportunity to slip off your hand, you may not get it again.

Work hard so that you will excel in future,” she further said.

The Permanent Secretary, who led her team from the Ministry and the State Universal Basic Education Commission, urged other corporate organisations to join Promasidor in developing the youth in their education and talent growth. “Other corporate organisations should follow the example of Promasidor as this kind of initiative will further boost the interest of the students in schooling,” she admonished.

Students of five other schools participated at the workshop. They are: Dalet Girls Secondary School, Kawo; Government Girls Secondary School, Kawo; and Dr. Ahmed MohammedMakarfiGovernment Secondary School, Hayin-Banki.

The facilitators in Kaduna were Abolade Liyide, Olasunbo Amusan, Michael Nwughala and Andrew Enahoro, all staff of Promasidor Nigeria Limited. They made presentations on Personnel Management and Emerging Entrepreneurial Opportunities; Information and Communication Technology; Accounting and Business Management; and Digital Marketing.

Hi-Life Fest: Regional Champions shut down Ladipo, Okota

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t was an incredible and exciting time in Lagos when the regional champions of the ongoing Hi Life Fest stored some cities in Lagos recently.

Life Lager hosted residents in OkotaandLadipoinLagostoanight of amazing musical performances astheeightquarter-finalistsofHi-life Fest 2019 were brought to Lagos to thrill guests and consumers.

ResidentsinLadipoMarketwere treated to some amazing musical performances as four of the Hi-Life Fest quarterfinalists graced the stage. It wasn’t just the Hi-Life Fest hopefulsthatblessedthecrowdwith melodioustunes,as2017Hi-LifeFest Champion, Chibest David was also onhandtowrapuptheeveningwith a breathtaking performance.

The party then headed to Okota on Sunday, where the other four Hi-Life Fest contestants thrilled the guests with their impeccable vocals and some melodious tunes.

This was truly a night to remember

and the consumers could attest to this, with one of guest calling the events “one of the most exciting highlife shows in recent memory”.

Guests were also rewarded with gifts and prizes as Life Lager continues to empower its consumers and celebrating their progress.

This edition of Hi-Life Fest has upped the ante in every way imaginable. The competition is fierce this year, and with an increased grand prize of N5m up for grabs, it’s easy to see why the contestants are bringing their A-game.

Leading up to the performances in Lagos, the contestants were mentored by some of the biggest names in the Nigerian music scene. These included renowned Afro-pop producer Selebobo, veteran highlife Singer, Sunny Nneji, Afro-pop Star and winner of one the very first music talent hunts in Nigeria KCee, as well as Life Lager brand ambassador and acclaimed indigenous rapper, Phyno.

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BDSUNDAY 29

NigeriaLastWeek Nigeria’s victory over S/Africa that buried tribalism

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ast Wednesday in faraway Egypt at the ongoing 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, the Super Eagles shot Nigeria into semi-final with 2-1 against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Cairo International Stadium.

Today, Nigeria will be taking on Desert Foxes of Algeria, seeking a place in the finals. One thing about the exploits of the Super Eagles in the competition is that it has helped Nigerians back home to forget their sorrows, albeit momentarily.

The zest with which Nigerians, home and abroad celebrated the victory last Wednesday attested to what Nigeria can become if the political governance side of the country is working well. Regardless of who scored the goal and notwithstanding the part of the country such a person comes from,

all that Nigerians are looking for and what they celebrate is “Victory for Nigeria.”

For peace to reign in our country, let the goals continue to pour; for as long as the competition endures and as long as the Super

Eagles continue in their winning streak, our unity will remain sacrosanct as Nigerians hurdle in viewing centres across the country to catch a glimpse of the fiesta, without as much as remembering who is Hausa, Igbo, Efik or Yoruba.

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Shi’ites’ angry moves at FCT

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embers of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, known as Shi’ites, moved angrily against the Nigerian government on Tuesday, violently attacking security personnel at the National Assembly.

Since 2015, their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky, and his wife have been in incarceration by the Federal Government. Although there have been several court orders asking the Department of State Services to release the leader of the sect, the orders have not been obeyed. The Islamic sect protested on Tuesday, Wednesday and reportedly on Thursday also, meaning that they were determined to die this time around. Their violent disposition may have sent a warning that if nothing positive is done; they could become a serious threat to peace and security in the country.

Members of the House of Representatives have also seen this dangerous emergence; hence their advice to the Federal Government to do whatever is necessary to save the country from another emergence of security threat of the Boko Haram hue.

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n the last few years, a number of Nigerians have taken their own lives by drinking the insecticide, Sniper. This thing was made for small insects, but the level of frustration in the land has forced Nigerians to seek “easy escape” from pain by drinking Sniper.

Recently, following the increasing rate of suicide through Sniper, the Nigerian government, through National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) placed a ban on the manufacturing of small bottles of the product.

Just the other day, a Youth Corps member in Osun State, Ayomikun Juliana Ademorayo, in preparation for her birthday billed for July 18, had gone to her hairdresser to rid her hair of

lice. The hairdresser reportedly applied the insecticide on her hair which was said to have triggered a hemorrhage from Ademorayo’s mouth. All efforts to save her life proved abortive. But it remains shocking that the young woman died even though she did not drink the Sniper, it was only applied on her head and it touched the scalp.

Adrenaline rise as Nigerians, investors wait on Buhari’s ministerial list

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Senate warns S/Africa over increasing murder of Nigerians, but…

ast week witnessed avalanche of rumours cascading from the Aso Rock Villa. Stories made the rounds on the pages of newspapers and social media platforms regaling readers how President Muhammadu Buhari had transmitted the ministerial list to the Senate and how the Senate had determined to call off its recess to screen the nominees.

There were also insinuations over whom among the immediate past ministers that have been retained and some of the new ones likely to join the cabinet. But it emerged that the President is still compiling the list.

He even said that there was enormous pressure on him to release the list. The President was also quoted to have said that some of the ministers that worked with him in the first tenure were totally strangers who were forced on him by the powers that be in the party.

So, was he saying now that he

he Nigerian Senate Wednesday read a riot act to the Government and people of South Africa to ensure that the lives of Nigerians living in that country were secured.

The Red chamber of the Upper legislative arm was irked by the number of Nigerians said to have been murdered in South Africa.

While the Senate deserves commendation for this, the legislators must also be reminded that such killings are rude reminder to the

Disturbing ratings and painful deaths

The finger-pointing at the Senate committee hat Senator Elisha Abbo from Adamawa State assaulted a married woman and mother at a shop in

Oh Sniper, this Sniper!

Abuja is no more news; that he has since been arraigned by the Nigeria Police and granted N5million bail is also not news; what appears to be news and remains on the lips of many Nigerians, including Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer and senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is why Senate, the highest institution that makes law in Nigeria should sit in judgment over a matter that is before a competent law court.

The body language of the man in the eye of the storm, Abbo himself, indicated that he was pissed off at

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the apparent lack of understanding on the workings of the law and where the powers of the Senate should end and where that of the judiciary should begin.

Then, the statement by Senator Oluremi Tinubu that the Senate had the right to suspend Abbo struck a wrong cord, as the embattled lawmaker bared his fangs and went wild. He repeatedly pointed a finger at the committee and members appeared livid with anger.

The consensus among analysts is that Senate should and must be circumspect in handling the matter.

burden placed on them to ensure that Nigeria is conducive for her citizens to live in.

If Nigeria was a country that holds high hopes for her citizens, not many people who travel to such countries would do so. They would have preferred to stay here, because home will always be home. But where people are killed and life is becoming generally unsafe in Nigeria, people vote with their feet. On a daily basis in Nigeria of today, over 20 people are killed while in a month hundreds. How do we begin to cry over people killed in foreign lands where we have no control over, whereas we have not checked the carnage going on under our nose?

The killing of our brothers and sisters in S/Africa and elsewhere may have continued because those who kill our people there know that life does not mean anything to Nigeria. If indeed, they are not correct by thinking so, let’s show it by the quality of leadership we bring and the legislation we make.

Warning does not help, but action does.

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t emerged last week that Nigerian lawmakers, police, judges were the most corrupt institutions in Nigeria.

Transparency International (TI) alleged in the report of a survey it released Thursday.

The TI, in the publication of the 10th edition of the Global Corruption Barometer (GCB) – Africa, said corruption in African countries was hindering economic, political and social development.

Another sad news came from the 2019 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, which stated that

has learnt his lesson and would not allow such a thing this time around? But truth be told, Nigerians are looking forward to seeing this list. Investors want to see this list. Everybody wants to see this list for whatever it is worth. Please, delay no longer, Mr. President.

“multi dimensionally poor” Nigerians increased from 86 million to 98 million between 2007 and 2017.

The report was released in New York Thursday by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative. It was also heart-wrenching, the report that seven members of a family perished in Port Harcourt through generator fumes. It was indeed an amalgamation of, a potpourri of negativities, all in one day, Thursday.

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Feature Proliferation of substandard boreholes and Abia’s water project rehabilitation UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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here is no doubt that availability of potable water to the citizenry has been a major problem particularly in almost all parts of the country as efforts so far made by various governments have not yielded positive results.

In those old good days, potable water (pipe borne water) was always available in homes in most parts of the urban areas people were expected paid water rate at the end of every month which also served as one of the sources of generating revenue for governments.

Present governments have abandoned so many water projects across the country established by previous administrations and allowed them to decay, instead of rehabilitating them for the use of the public.

In the rural areas, so many communities do not have any good sources of potable water and some have to resort to drinking water from stagnant ponds and rivers which results in afflictions from water-borne diseases.

Resorting to self-help, many people decided to engage in construction of substandard water boreholes in various parts of

Abia State despite efforts so far made by the present administration of Okezie Ikpeazu to address the situation.

There is hardly any home in the urban areas of the state that does not have a borehole.

Those who cannot afford it rely on commercial borehole water sellers thereby making many not to even bother whether there is a public water supply from government or not.

The proliferation of borehole source of water has led to many of such boreholes not being sunk according to specifications to get to level of good source of potable water, Experts have warned that those who use water from such sources risk falling victim of water borne diseases.

Abia State government has raised the alarm that it was not comfortable with the way Abians are patronising borehole water sellers and therefore, has resolved to work round the clock to ensure that every nook and cranny of the state gets good drinking water regulated from the public tap.

Dike Nzenwa, permanent secretary, Ministry of Public Utilities and Water Resources in an interview with BDSUNDAY in his office on what the government of Abia state has done in the area of provision of potable water for Abians, said that Governor IKpeazu was leaving no stone

unturned in his determination to solve the water problem in the state.

He further said that the governor was investing heavily on the provision of water which he noted was essential to human life and economic enhancement of the state, adding that boreholes are springing up here, which is an ugly development.

Nzenwa pointed out that the government is aware of numerous side effects of untreated bore holes which causes illhealth, diseases such as Typhoid fever, Cholera and other water borne diseases.

The Permanent Secretary disclosed that Ikpeazu has vowed to ensure that potable water is provided to Abians in order to reduce the spread of these diseases.

He further said that the government has committed substantial amount in this regard.

He cited the Ozuitem Surface Water Scheme in Bende LGA, project the cost of which is put at N61.017million while work is said to have gotten up to 55 percent completion, while that of Nnamdi Azikiwe Civil Service Secretariat, Umuahia, Water Borehole Scheme valued at N14 million, with N3 million paid as mobilisation, while work is 21percent completed under direct labour.

“The government has also rehabilitated water projects in

three communities as Ezi na Erim Civil centre, Nsirimo in Umuahia South valued at N7.5 million with work reaching 15.5 percent completion; Umudike Ohia River in Ikwuano LGA contract valued at N101 million yet to commence,” he said.

According to him, other projects are Umuobiakwa Obingwa LGA Water Scheme put at N53.3 million yet to commence; Akanu Item in Bende LGA N145.7million, work yet to commence; Abariba in Ohafia LGA Water Scheme contract handed over to contractor to commence, the value of which is N27.4 million.

The Perm Sec maintained that the government has put in place efforts to end the glaring problems of water in the state by rehabilitating the moribund “Umuahia Regional Water Scheme, at Umuopara Umuahia South LGA and that of Ohafia Water Scheme, assuring that once these are achieved, the issue of commercial borehole water sellers would be a thing of the past in the state.

He hinted that Abia State government was collaborating with “E WASH” in this regard, adding the USAID programme wanted to take up the problem of Umuahia Regional Water Scheme which services the whole of Umuahia and beyond but for the capital intensive nature of the project; that the state government through the Federal Government

has approached Belfiux Bank in Belgium for a loan facility of 20 million Euros for the total turnaround maintenance of two major water schemes in the state.

He added that the loan facility was included in the 2018/2020 External borrowing plan of the Federal Government.

He also said: “Effective Water Sanitation and Hygiene (E WASH) has come to the aid of the state government by requesting them to pay counterpart funding to enable them provide equipment and materials worth N1.1 billion,” adding that Abia State would join their counterparts to declare a state of emergency on Water and Governor Ikpeazu would soon give a date for such declaration as well as signing a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with USAID. He also spoke on the Review of Water Policy under the auspices of E-WASH that would make Water Board and Ministry of Public Utilities and Water Resources more effective and efficient on provision of water to Abians.

“There is an idea of sinking industrial borehole for an interim treated portable water to Urban areas and that N170 million counterpart funding for the state and Governor Okezie IKpeazu has ordered the release of N50 million and directed the contractor to go to the site, among other measures put in place,” he said.

How warders deliberately hide traffic signs to make a fortune from commuters MICHAEL ANI

I

n any civilised society, the role of traffic warders is to direct the flow of traffic and probably penalise violators when necessary but for Nigeria’s commercial city (Lagos) the reverse is the case as road officers are always on the move to make a fortune from commuters.

In most scenarios, to extort money from road users, traffic management officers go as far as deliberately removing road signs or sometimes, relocate them to positions where they won’t be easily seen by commuters so they could violate such traffic laws and get penalised, B D S U N DAY i n v e s t i g a t i o n shows.

In the event of a likely violation, commuter’s vehicles get impounded and they are made to pay as much as N10, 000 before they could get their cars released.

“I was driving around M u s h i n a x i s w h e re I g o t confused on the route

t o t a ke . I l o o ke d o u t f o r signs to gain direction but couldn’t find any. I then decided to take a turn immediately; I saw a multitude who claimed to be working for the Lagos State government rushed to me. They forced into my car, took me to their office and deflated my car. At the end of the day, I spent all entire N9000 on me before I could get my car out,” a Ugandan-born chief executive officer who has been working for over six months in Lagos, narrated her ordeal to BDSUNDAY. “When I eventually got my car out, they showed me a traffic sign afar off that is nearly out of sight from anybody plying that route,” the person said.

Investigation also shows that traffic officers are always quick to extort commuters, when they realise such vehicles are either private or companies’ branded vehicles. The reason for this is not-far-fetched since they are aware they might not get juicy ransom from the ‘yellow’ commercial

buses.

Notable spots where these act are mostly predominant in Lagos are Lagos Island, Costain, Mile 12, Mushin, amongst others.

In what could be described as the straw that broke the camel’s back, B D S U N DAY w i t n e s s e d a n incident that occurred in Apongbon, Lagos Island between a commuter who happens to be a woman and the officers from the traffic section of the Central Business District.

The woman, who was stuck in the middle of the road and not knowing the r i g h t ro u t e t o t u r n f ro m under the bridge, beckoned on the officer for direction b u t h e p re t e n d e d n o t t o have heard.

As she continued to push the horn of the car to call the officer’s attention, the traffic to a large extent started building up. Anxiously, as she decided to take the closet turning so as to ease the traffic situation from building up the more, that was when offi-

cers from the CBD rushed to force into her car, saying she wasn’t supposed to take that turning.

It took the intervention of our correspondent who witnessed the scene, to stop the CBD officers from extorting from her.

BDSUNDAY engaged with the Head of Operations for CBD, Lagos Island, who refused to disclose his name, said it is the role of the government to provide traffic signs but not the agency.

“However, in situations where there are no traffic signs, it is the duty for our men to control and direct commuters,” he said.

Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub and fifth biggest economy in Africa, claims the number one spot when it comes to business location in Nigeria as the state boasted about $137 billion in Gross Domestic Product in 2017, almost three times of the $47 billion that Nigeria’s West Africa neighbour, Ghana recorded as its total market value for 2017.

The state has consist e n t l y ra ke d i n t h e h i g h -

est amount in terms of states Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) turning in N283billion in revenue as at the third quarter of 2018.

With a population of over 21 million residents, the state still battles with inadequate transport system that could ease free movement of goods and services.

In a bid to ensure that re s i d e n t s o b ey a n d c o m p l y w i t h t ra f f i c l a w s , t h e government of the state established several road management authorities’ to work hand-in-glove with the police.

Among these agencies include, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Centre Business District (CBD) and in most cases, officials from the local government councils.

With all the aforementioned agencies, it is ex pected that residents would heave a sigh of relief from the chaotic traffic situation in the state. However, this is yet to be the case with commuters complaining of extortion by road officers.

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Feature Cross Rivers students clamour for more contests and challenges

As Government Girls Secondary, Big Qua Town, Calabar carte away cash prize in Efiom Okokon Foundation quiz challenge Mike Abang, Calabar

S

chool teachers and other child development experts in Cross River State have welcomed a scheme to test the aptitudes and extracurricular activities of students.

They said it is the best way to expose students to challenges and equip them to achieve all round development.

They spoke when a non-governmental organisation, Efiom Okokon Foundation organised a quiz competition in Calabar last week for secondary schools.

The NGO was established with the main objective of improving community health among the people of the state; thus supporting education and youth empowerment.

Last week, the foundation organised the quiz competition at Kola Nut event centre in Calabar, Cross River State. The event attracted eight secondary schools including, Government Technical College, Manye Avenue; NYSC Demonstration Secondary School, Calabar; Holy Child Girls Secondary School, Calabar; Government Girls Secondary School, Big Qua Town, Calabar; Estate Secondary School, Calabar; Edgerly Memorial Girls Secondary School, Calabar, and the Word of Promise High School, Calabar.

At the end of the keenly contested quiz competition, Government Girls Secondary, Big Qua Town, Calabar, went home with coveted trophy and a cash price of N150,000 while Government Technical College, Manye Avenue, came second with a cash price of N100,000; and the Word of Promise High School, Calabar, won the third price of N75,000.

Highlight of the event was the distribution of school bags and exercise books by the Foundation to participating schools who were able to answer questions on current affairs. Many of the participating students commended Efiom Okokon Foundation for the initiative of bringing academic students together for interaction under one roof.

Etim Itam, head of department, Government Technical College, Calabar, had said: “I put the students through rigorous training and the students have made the school proud. They have also made themselves proud. They learnt a lot in the process. The victory is highly appreciated. They performed so excellently in a short notice.

We want to thank Efiom Okokon Foundation because their work will spur the students into more studies and to develop a spirit of competition. More schools would want to compete. “ Vincent Ejike, a year two senior student of Government Technical College, Mayne Avenue, added: “I feel very excited because my school came second. We thank the Foundation and we are happy for the outcome of the competition. By God’s grace we will study harder

CROSS SECTION OF STUDENTS FROM HOLY CHILD, BIG QUA, PINN MARGRET AND MORE

Efiom Okokon, principal partner, Efiom Okonkon Foundation to win the first price in the next edition.”

Speaking, Glory Ekpo Bassey, principal of Government Girls Secondary School, Big-Qua Town, whose school emerged overall winner with the cash price of N150,000 expressed huge excitement. “In fact, they called me that we won the star price and I was very happy. In the first instance, I have to give thanks to God because students from other schools participated and we were able to make it to win the star price. I feel so elated and proud of my students because they have equally made me proud. I give very special thanks to Efiom Okokon Foundation for organising this competition and I hope God will give them the grace to continue; let it not end”.

David Alobi Ogar, principal of Government Technical College, Mayne Avenue, added: “I was very surprised because of the time limit that my students were hurriedly brought in to participate in the quiz competition. I was expecting them to perform badly but surprisingly they almost won the coveted trophy because I heard that the tied with same points with the overall winner, but that at the end of the day, we came second. I am very happy for that. The foundation has done well to encourage students to look ahead and to focus on their studies. It is a good thing that they are doing.

It is a good idea to encourage students to learn more.”

Sylvester Etim, the vice principal, also commended the gallant performance of their students that came second, saying; “The students have lived up to expectation of the management of the school. As you can see, we are used to winning trophies and we want to commend the Foundation to continue the good gesture of encouraging students to excel in their academics.”

The Arch-bishop, Achibong

Archibong, founder Word of Promise High School, Calabar, whose school emerge third position with the cash prize of N75,000, stated thus: “We thank God they emerged third because they were not fully prepared for the competition. The notice was very short. We still thank the Foundation because the children have been exposed to a competition with other schools. We pray that more other groups and foundations do same because it builds the students into position of leadership. The victory is not about us but God. We give all the glory to God and encourage parents to bring their children as we thank the Foundation and the management of the schools for living up to expectation Gladys Atai Achibong, principal of Word of Promise Secondary School, Calabar, encouraged her students. “I was very happy because the invitation came suddenly but my children did their best. We will do better next outing. It was a very Good imitative by the foundation by encouraging reward system for students,” she said.

Efiom Okokon: Government funds comedy shows instead Okokon is the Principal Partner, Efiom Okokon Foundation.

He speaks: This is a non-governmental organisation, not for profit and apolitical organisation with four focus areas: Improving Community Health, Supporting Education, Empowering the Youth, and Supporting at-risk families.

This was borne out of our desire to impact positively on the society and be positive role models for young people. Knowing that the government cannot do everything, we decided to do what we can in our own little way because as the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child.

This is the second installation of our educational intervention.

Last year, we had a debate com-

The cross section of secondary school students at the event petition which talked about the effects of social media on young people. These interventions help refocus our students in a world filled with distractions.

Funding and sometimes government bureaucracy have been our most daunting challenges.

We however dug in deep to surmount them. Our support has largely been informal from friends and family. It was quite a disappointing outing with the government agencies and corporate organizations. This I feel is a shame because these people quickly jump on comedy shows, beauty pageants and such which in my view is great but not half as important as an educational intervention.

Some of our greatest milestones as a Foundation have been the provision of water to the community and health center at Ifiang King Duke. We also

have a kind of understanding with the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency on the rehabilitation of primary healthcare centres in Cross River state.

We are still looking for partners but our philosophy is to do the best we can with what we have and when the time comes the donors will willingly partner with us. Support from the government is welcome especially in the areas of approvals.

A success factor for us for this educational intervention will be Cross River State moving up from its present position in the educational ranking in Nigeria to a top percentile state in terms of education.

The Efiom Okokon Foundation will keep doing the little it can with the little it has to keep moving the state forward God helping us.

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Sunday 15 July 2019

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Feature Delayed payment syndrome:

Indigenous contractor drags NLNG to Buhari, says some others are dying

A

Ignatius Chukwu

n indigenous contractor has cried to the table of President Muhammadu Buhari asking for presidential intervention for him and other such Nigerian contractors allegedly being snuffed out of existence in the mega-corporation, the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) company located in Bonny, Rivers State.

Shedrack Ogboru, chief executive of Macobarb International, who has since tabled N1.147Bn (then) owed his company by the NLNG, has told President Buhari to compel NLNG management to resolve the matter and pay his firm so he and his workers do not die like some others. He has painted a gloomy picture of what he called ‘economic implications’ of deliberately snuffing out a set of entrepreneurs and contractors through deliberate act of ‘payment denial’.

He said a powerful group exists in the place that overrides whatever the due process system approves and end up destroying any person so marked.

He said most top officials in the NLNG especially the foreign ones believe in due process and smooth operations but that a few other persons form a strange cabal that do anything or destroy any indigenous firm without any rescue from the system because, according to him, everybody would just shake their heads and walk away.

The NLNG in response to public outcry by Ogboru had washed off its hands, saying Macobarb did not perform a project awarded to it and suffered contract termination as a result.

Ogboru however told President Buhari in a lengthy petition that ‘payment denial’ for job well done was used to knock contractors off the feet and get excuse to terminate the contract, as he said was the situation in his own case.

He said some other contractors who could not withstand the torture have died and workers belong to such targeted contractors have continued to die or fall into wretchedness and inhuman situations.

Ogboru, Delta State-born entrepreneur, had earlier told newsmen in Port Harcourt, that his firm, Macobarb International, is now heavily indebted to a commercial bank due to N68m loan obtained since 2014 to execute the first phase of the job that has turned into a protracted debt with unmentionable interest accumulation all due to the NLNG

Shedrack Ogboru, CEO OF Macobarb International

Tony Attah, managing director, NLNG

refusal to release payment.

He said the failure of the NLNG to honour payment schedules without any reason led to his firm being blacklisted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for bad debt all because of contract liability of about N1.147Bn that the multinational corporation (NLNG) has refused to redress to this moment.

Economic implications Macobarb CEO said the Nigeria oil and gas industry is usually closed to the generality of the public and information of this nature is often silenced and prevented at all costs from being aired or made public such that crimes committed against individuals and Nigeria as a country are often not known, hence this privileged information should be given the attention it deserves.

He said: “The action of NLNG in unlawfully and abruptly terminating the Macobarb contract has caused Macobarb untold hardship, psychological trauma and health challenges and NLNG is not prepared to reconsider the unlawfulness of its actions.”

He narrated how he has tried amicable resolution or seek redress in many quarters but that the initial enthusiasm or sympathy usually goes cold and that such authorities begin to avoid him or even urge him to seek legal action. He said the NLNG knows that small firms cannot

project, because of Macobarb inability to pay workers for several months just as it was with the other company, a labour personnel went in search of daily paid job in NLNG Residential Area just to scrape something to feed his family. The white woman he so approached raised a security alert for which all Macobarb personnel were barred access to the NLNG RA on the contract.

NLNG investigations regarding the issue later revealed that local contractors on the contract were being owed several months of payments. It took the intervention of an NLNG engineering manager then (name withheld) who vouched for Macobarb as a highly competent and responsible contractor before NLNG Human Resources Manager permitted Macobarb resumption of Work. The expatriate then immediately addressed the contractors’ payments backlog.”

Ogboru also told Buhari that NLNG as a lead player in the Nigerian gas sector, the company’s actions and in-actions have farreaching implications and NLNG therefore owes Nigeria certain responsibilities. The letter said the abuse of local contractors by withholding their payments for no cogent reason as these instances can’t be a service to the country’s economy. “More so, when it is a known fact that most

withstand them in court.

Hard blows: Ogboru told Buhari that most local contractors working for the mega-corporation have been going through all manner of arbitrariness as typical of the Macobarb situation. He mentioned a company handling Road Shoulder/Car Parks Works who he claimed died over such payment strangulations on projects. He said his firm, Macobarb, participated with other local contractors on same project.

Every Month, he stated, the debit alert on loan taken from a bank in Bonny Island to finance the project pelted the man. The man was so concerned, and often hospitalized and which eventually killed him.

He said Macobarb among other contractors participated in several HSE briefings on same contract (Road Shoulder Contract) and contractors (including the man now late) repeatedly drew NLNG attention to the payment problems regarding the contract and its consequential effects on contractors and their personnel.

He told Buhari of an instance when labourers working for such strangulated local firms would stray into the residential areas to seek daily paid menial jobs just to feed.

According to him: “It is on record in NLNG that on same

contractors solicit for loans at high interest charges for realisation of contracts. This is a major challenge which has stunted the growth of most local contractors with the attendant effect that most local contractors’ contribute poorly to the nation’s economy.”

He reported that the bank that backed Macobarb in the NLNG contract job has developed cold feet with a new disposition to funding oil and gas projects in Nigeria as a result of the NLNG payments summersault in the subject contract.

He further lamented: “Macobarb and its 32 workers that the NLNG inducted for the contract and their dependants have been forced into the labour market since 2014 as a result of NLNG’s inexplicable actions. It is an open secret that most local contractors are discriminated against by Nigerians working in the industry than their foreign counterparts but for the Local Content Initiative of the Nigerian Federal Government. Most of us Nigerians (contractors) now feel less confident of NLNG as a credible business entity.”

The entrepreneur further pursued: “NLNG who subscribes to international best practices, as an international player in the industry, seems to ridicule Nigeria when it portrays Nigerians as people who do not respect

Sunday 12 July 2019

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BDSUNDAY 33

Feature contracts willfully signed, as in these instances. For a fact, many Nigerian contractors have folded up their businesses, engulfed in litigations for no fault theirs just as NLNG now aims to stifle Macobarb into litigation. As in the Macobarb case being highlighted in this appeal, often contractors are forced willfully or otherwise, to take responsibility for clients failures on contracts (in this case, NLNG), to protect themselves.

Otherwise, such contractors are forced to the courts to annihilate, blacklist them and are forced out of business.”

Og b o r u w o n d e r e d w h y NLNG shunned all forms of mediation and as provided in contract but insisted that Macobarb seek redress in court, probably aware of the delays and peculiarities of the Nigerian judicial system. “This attitude can only be seen as a mockery of Nigerian judiciary, which is a huge disservice again to Nigeria and this accounts for the disrespect international operators seem to have for our Judicial system. This is not what Nigeria is or should be, and NLNG should not so ridicule the country.”

He said his firm was not in the category of local contractors perceived to be incompetent based on its track record of excellent performance in over 60 previous jobs and its being upgraded to higher level. He said this was why Macobarb was found worthy to collaborate with top international high-tech companies such as Bi-Protech of Poland (A Core Engineering Company) and Assignia of Spain (A medium Term Engineering/ Construction Company with over 1000 Workforce).

He appealed to President Buhari to intervene so that the FG/ NNPC is not misunderstood to be encouraging the NLNG to portray or ridicule Nigerian courts as places where offending parties (as NLNG) gleefully goad their victims to seek redress after breaching their contracts, willfully avoiding the mediation provisions of its contract with a view to annihilating it’s victim in court processes.

“NLNG, by it’s resources and as a Wellspring to the Federal Government of Nigeria, should not be allowed to think it can destroy any Nigerian or another Nigerian entity as Macobarb at will and can’t be reined in by NNPC/FG, and be accountable.

Cry for justice: Macobarb’s grouse is that it delivered the first phase of the job and merited payment which he said was turned down on the strength of one man’s action in the NLNG whereas four others signed. He said the continued withholding of payment frustrated further execution of the job. He said the contract terms barred Macobarb from removing equipment or men from NLNG yard and thus incurred cost of over N1Bn in over 600 days. He said the man frustrating the job now paid the amount he declined to pay all this while and terminated the contract on ‘poor performance’ without caring to pay what the contract

said should be paid in such a circumstance.

Ogboru said trapping equipment and 32 workers in Bonny for over 600 days was supposed to be paid for going by the terms of contract. This is the amount he wants President Buhari to help him get from the NLNG. NLNG reacts Reacting to media inquiries earlier before the matter got to the presidency, the NLNG, through Andy Odeh, its Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, stated thus: “That claims by Macobarb International Limited (Macobarb) regarding its dealings with NLNG are false and ludicrous. Macobarb was awarded the contract for Access Control to the Central Control Room, Laboratory, Shutdown Village and Gas Plant Area Improvement Project in 2014 after a competitive tender process, based on the company’s technical and commercial submissions as well as possession of financial capability and standing to execute the contract within the stipulated timeframe to the expected standards and stipulations.

“A contract was signed between NLNG and Macobarb and valued N95,479,057.86 with 18 months delivery schedule commencing in January 2014. It was never contemplated, neither was it written into the Contract Documents, that the contractor would take a loan to execute this project. The decision for any contractor to take a loan is purely on its own account and for its independent purposes. In this case, that delineation was prominent as NLNG was not privy to any loan transaction by Macobarb.

“Macobarb was unable to execute the project, thereby incurring protracted delays, despite several interventions by NLNG to help the company overcome its inability to finance the project in line with its obligations.

“It should be stated clearly that it was on this ground of non-performance, not on any act or omission attributable to NLNG or any of its personnel, that the contract was terminated in November 2015, after the date stipulated for its completion. Upon termination, Macobarb was paid N41.261m for work it was able to accomplish and the materials it elected to handover to NLNG during the close-out process.

“Therefore, there is no truth in Macobarb’ s claims that it was denied any payment. Furthermore, NLNG is not liable to Macobarb in the sum of N950 million, or any other sum that MACOBARB has claimed or will claim in different quarters, on the footing of bank charges for a purported loan which NLNG did not authorise, request, or guarantee.”

Conclusion: If the matter does not end at President Buhari’s table, both Macobarb and NLNG may well test strengths in court. Fears are that ants cannot survive in a wrestling contest with elephants.

Makinde, Falola, others laud Tech-U, say University Critical to Nigeria’s transformation REMI FEYISIPO, Ibadan

N

igeria’s premier technical university, First Technical University (Tech-U), Ibadan has been commended for its unwavering devotion to functional education through emphasis on technology, entrepreneurship and technical skills.

Speaking at the University’s first Annual Distinguished University Lecture held in Ibadan, the Executive Governor of Oyo and Visitor to the University, Seyi Makinde, represented by his deputy, Rauf Olaniyan, lauded Tech-U for its unique brand of education and for blazing the trail in bridging the skills gap of young people in the country.

This accolade came its way during its held last Thursday.

The Visitor, who also inspected exhibitions of products made

by Tech-U students during the ceremony, said he was impressed with the various innovative products on display and charged the University to continually think out of the box.

While commending the Lecture, he said that there is a need for the recalibration of the university system to meet up with

responsibility to develop our youths in preparing them to meet up with the prevailing challenges of the society, the University holds enough promises in grooming brilliant youths as a way to anchor our journey to technological revolution that will fill the spaces that were plagued with abandonment and catapult us to position of envy where we would enjoy the privilege of global competitions in solving problems.”

“I must concede, ladies and gentlemen, that the offered courses in the First Technical University spell clearly their social and educational mandates and the roads to achieving these goals have been cleverly mapped out. Courses such as Mechatronics Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Food Sciences and Technology, Cyber Security, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Physics with Electronics, Petroleum Engineering, Industrial Chemistry and Statistics show exclusively that the University’s planners are in tune with the educational currency of the global community and are committed to making groundbreaking accomplishments in this respect. Coupled with the fact that they are combining intelligence with skill acquisitions,

Tunde Afolabi, Chancellor, First Technical University (Tech-U); Visitor to the University and Executive Governor of Oyo State, represented by his deputy, Rauf Olaniyan; representative of Senator Abiola Ajimobi and former Special Adviser on Economic Planning and Budget, Isiaka Kolawole, and Professor Ayobami Salami, Vice Chancellor, during the commissioning of 2 units of 250-seater theatres by the Visitor as part of activities marking Tech-U’s first annual distinguished lecture in Ibadan.

the demands of a fast-paced knowledge economy.

Assuring of Government’s support, he noted that the Oyo State government under Engineer Makinde’s administration holds education in high esteem.

On his part, the Guest Lecturer, Professor Toyin Falola, who is the Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at the University of Texas at Austin, also extolled the strides made by Tech-U since debuted two years ago.

Falola,a Professor said, “When oil finishes, Nigeria will fall back to products of the Tech-U. It is certain that this University will play a critical role in the transformation of both the city of Ibadan and Nigeria as a whole”.

Speaking on the theme, Technology, Culture and Society, Falola noted, “Apparently, a tertiary institution like the First Technical University in Nigeria is long overdue in a country as big as Nigeria. Saddled with the

they are, as a result, paving ways for a generation of problem solvers and financially stable individuals who would compete well in globally dynamic markets”.

He counselled that for Nigeria to be competitive in the global economy, the country needs to incentivize productivity. In doing this, he said, “the nation needs a level of national discipline to cultivate the habit of productivity through the appropriate use of technology that has become rampant to encourage local productions which will answer to our needs in every aspect”.

“We should therefore begin to consider how we can maximize the knowledge of technology to drive more economic growth to us collectively, by marketing our cultural resources to the global buyers. The fact that our sociocultural system harbours a wealth of cultural resources should be a convincing reason for us to take a giant step in our search for technological knowl-

edge”.

Falola further challenged Nigeria not to abandon its cultural identity in pursuit technological revolution. “As thinkers, we must not leave any stone unturned as the world is gravitating towards identity revolution, and the people who can refine theirs and not abandon it would stand the hurricane of cultural erosion that is set to sail by globalization.

As such, this Institution would serve as the anchor of the societal values that have suffered strict abandonment under the colonial and postcolonial hypnosis”, Falola said.

Falola urged the new government in Oyo and other stakeholders to see the university as theirs, saying, and “It deserves our full support. Its products – students, research, patents, etc – will transform the city of Ibadan and by extension, put Nigeria on the global map of technological advancing nation.”

Earlier in his welcome address, Ayobami Salami,a Professor and Vice Chancellor, Tech-U, assured that the institution is committed to projecting Oyo State into national and international reckoning as a strategic player in meeting human capital requirements in newly emerging and projected new work areas, notably in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

“Both in our conception and modes of operation, the First Technical University is unique.

It was conceived as a financially self-sustaining publicly-owned institution with a strong leaning towards the private sector practices for efficiency and sustainability. The University seeks to create a niche for itself in the Nigerian higher education emporium by training students to combine intellectual advancement with the development of innate and acquired technical and vocational competences in diverse work areas”, Ayobami said.

As part of activities for the Lecture, Olaniyan and TechU Chancellor, Tunde Afolabi performed a foundation-laying ceremony for the IGR-funded Workshop and Laboratory Complex of the University while also commissioning two newlycompleted 250-seater lecture theatres.

Dignitaries at the event include the representative of former Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and former Special Adviser on Economic Planning and Budget, Isiaka Kolawole; Chancellor of the school,Tunde Afolabi; Pro Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola University, Professor Dapo Afolabi;a professor, Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Kazeem Adebiyi;a professor, Executive Vice Chairman, Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy, Tunji Olaopa;a professor, veteran filmmaker, Tunde Kilani; President General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Yemi Soladoye among others.

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Sunday 14 July 2019

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Why the discrimination?

Men also deserve empowerment Daniel Obi

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n September, 2015, member nations of the United Nations, including Nigeria, adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) towards ending poverty by 2030. The strategy is adopting inclusive development, ‘leaving no one behind’, towards achieving development for all.

Goal 1 of SDG addressed reduction in poverty, goal 2 on food security, goal 3 addressed good health, and goal 4 focused on quality education. Goals 5 and 8 addressed gender equality and promotion of productive employment, respectively.

Since then, goal 5, understood as empowerment of only girls and women, backed by resolutions of 1995 Beijing Conference, has visibly taken centre stage with various organisations setting aside interestfree and soft loan/funds and scholarships accessible only to girl-child and women. This is the same girl child who was today trained correspondingly in the university with her brother.

But the girl further receives special empowerment from the society with deliberate exclusion of the boy. The general notion is that the boy is already ‘empowered’.

The question is then is it strength or economic/capacity empowerment and by who?

Today, some organisations including some banks, telecom companies and FMCGs have empower-

ment programmes for women and girls to become high achieving leaders in society but there is rarely no specific equivalent programme for empowerment of boys. The understanding is that “increasing women’s and girls’ educational attainment and skills contribute to women’s economic empowerment and more inclusive economic growth”.

While this is true, it is not peculiar to women in the contemporary world. It is always argued that women face discrimination but it is said that discrimination cut across genders. Women have their strengths and weaknesses, so also young men.

Women cannot be men and men can’t be women and opportunities abound for both genders. But the society appears to be giving more attention to girl child in alienation of young boys, is this due to the weaker sex

syndrome or weak capability, when both receive the same capacity building and training in schools in the present world.

With more girl child enrolment in schools, it has become obvious that parents are now giving their children, boys and girls, the same treatment to education. Some of the focused children further self-train themselves. In as much as there were cultural barriers to women empowerment and training in the 30s, 40s and 50s, a lot of women have levelled up in the present day on account of the understanding of the modern-day parents and society.

In certain organisations today, women are more in number who lead certain departments. The society has begun to see almost equal representation of gender balance in boards. This is also on account of equal

high level of attainment of education by women and men.

However, while some girls and women are still disenfranchised due to various factors, largely economic, laziness and age-old orientation of dependence on men, as we can see in some cultures induced mostly by religion, some boys and men are equally alienated economically due to lack of attention.

This therefore, means that if organisations continue to set aside funds to empower only women with the thinking that men are already empowered, there will come a time when a lot of men will begin to do more odd things because they have been estranged.

What some of the organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are doing with their women-empowerment funds now is to

Chivita 100% wins outstanding fruit juice brand of the year award

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or the second year r u n n i n g , Ch i v i t a 100% won the highly coveted Outstanding Juice Brand of the Year Award at the prestigious Marketing Edge Awards for Excellence.

Chivita 100% Fruit Juice was adjudged winner of the highly competitive category because of its outstanding brand equity, segment leadership, customer engagement and innovative integrated marketing communications – across traditional and digital.

Made from real natural fruits with no added sugar or preservatives, according to a statement, Chivita 100% is a convenient, delicious, healthy and nutritious 100% fruit juice. It offers healthconscious consumers a range of refreshing and nourishing fruit choices as an addition for a complete breakfast diet.

According to organizers of the Awards, the selection of Chivita 100% was as a result of painstaking industry reviews and assessment of the patriotic contributions

of the brand to the growth, development and continuing evolution of the juice segment in the country.

“The brand has demonstrated robust commitment to excellence as well as the enthronement and sustenance of global best practices in the industry. Chivita 100% has also shown an uncommon innovativeness for market leadership, and this is why our jury decided that Chivita 100% was deserving of the recognition and celebration,” the organizers stated.

keep men stagnant with such programmes while bolstering women. The thinking should have been to give some men opportunity in such programmes too. Being strong as a man is not empowerment but making reasonable contributions for the growth of community and country. Sometimes, societies confuse empowerment with being strongly built, being brave, courageous or ability to take up difficult tasks.

In a write up on ‘Why we should empower men, too’ in Odyssey of Milligan College, Gabi Eierman advised that “We need to show men that ‘being a man’ isn’t about being tough and strong, but about loving who they are and trying their hardest at everything they do. When we begin to empower men, then we have truly succeeded as a society. Let’s start putting the pressure on men to become everything they possibly can be. I think we owe them that much”.

In her article, ‘Male Empowerment. Really?’ Maria Correia said: “Across societies, men are critically judged and assessed based on the dominant ideals of manhood, which generally means being tough, strong, resilient, exercising control over women and others, and being economically independent. The expression “man up” encapsulates the pressure felt by men to do the things they are traditionally expected to do.

Men (and boys) who fail to achieve this ideal pay a price by being belittled or ridiculed on the playground, in

sports, in the military—and by both men and women.

Correia, who worked at the World Bank from 1994 to 2016, during which she researched and wrote on gender issues, with a focus on men, advises that “As we have invested in women’s empowerment, we must now do the same for men’s empowerment.”

“If we are striving for a gender-equitable society, a sole focus on women is not enough; we must also empower men. Of course, not in the conventional sense by giving men more power over women and over other men. Rather, by empowering men to challenge the prevailing social norms that lead to gender imbalances and by giving them the space to adopt new roles and behaviors as men.

“The need to work with both women and men on gender issues seems obvious. Gender is a complex human system and women and men are integral parts of this social structure. Both contribute to and are affected by the system. Meaningful change and disruption of the system requires both women and men. Empowering women and expecting men to follow is unrealistic,” she also observed.

Young boys and men must be reminded that the way the society is structured; they are on a difficult lane. Much attention is not paid to them as there are hardly any special funds or Federal Ministry set aside for their empowerment.

Therefore, their own empowerment is in their own hands.

Keskese elevates Kayode Idowu to Executive Director

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he Board of Directors and Management of Keskese Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading Experiential and Event Management Agencies has announced the elevation of Kayode Idowu to the position of Executive Director of the company.

Prior to his new role, Idowu functioned as the General Manager of the company where he was responsible for providing leadership and direction to the Agency’s team in the discharge of service to Clients and man-

agement of major accounts in the company’s portfolio.

According to a statement, the appointment became effective July 1, 2019.

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Lasaco Assurance’s profit rises by 42 percent on higher premium

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Stories by TELIAT SULE he 2018 audited financial statements of Lasaco Assurance Plc which was released l a s t w e e k Fr i d a y showed that the company had a good outing last year, with significant improvement across all the top and bottom lines. Gross written premium for the period rose by 35 percent from N6.67 billion in 2017 to N9.01 billion by December 2018. When the gross written premium was disaggregated, Lasaco Assurance generated N5.64 billion premium from non-life while N3.38 billion came from life assurance services. Net underwriting income of N5.22 billion in 2018 represented 31 percent increase over N3.99 billion earned in corresponding period in 2017.

The underwriting profit was more than doubled as it rose by 64 percent to N2.06 billion last year December as against N1.25 billion the company realised in 2017. Accordingly, 67 percent of the underwriting profit, or N1.39 billion was realised from the nonlife services while 33 percent or N667.54 million came through life assurance services.

Investment income during the reference period was down by 14 percent to N753.68 million in 2018 compared with N874.67 million realised as at the end of 2017.

Profit before tax at N958.20 million in 2018 witnessed 12 percent improvement when compared with N854.27 million made in corresponding period in 2017.

Profit after tax stood at N736.27 million while the total income of the year was N746.14 million as against N661.87 million and N527.29 million respectively in 2017, representing an increase of 64 percent over the 2017 bottom line.

Recall that in the last two weeks, Lasaco Assurance was one of the eleven companies the authorities of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) placed suspension on the trading of their shares following the breach of post listing rules, the announcement of its audited financial results for 2018 may or may not warrant the lifting of this suspension by

the NSE, some industry analysts opined.

This is due to the fact that, presently, listed companies which abide strictly by the post listing rules have announced their closed periods for the announcements of their 2019 second quarter audited interim and unaudited financial statements.

Meanwhile, as last week Friday

July 12, 2019, Lasaco Assurance Plc was yet to release its first quarter unaudited financial statement for the period ended March 31, 2019.

“It will be difficult to say whether the release of the audited financial statement for 2018 will make the NSE to lift suspension on the trading of Lasaco shares. First, the

public has to understand that the penalty imposed on the company is not an indication that it is not doing well. But rather, it has to do with not meeting certain post listing rules of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

“If you look at the NSE now, most companies have announced their closed periods for the second quarter of 2019. What that implies is that Lasaco has two results it has release as a matter of urgency. So, it is left to the management of the NSE to determine whether or not the suspension will be lifted”, Jinad Ahmad, an analyst with Meristem Securities, said.

On April 23, 2019, a statement signed by Gertrude Olutekunbi, company secretary, indicated why Lasaco Assurance might not release its Q1 2019 results as t when due.

“This is to inform the Nigerian Stock Exchange (The Exchange), our distinguished shareholders and the general public that I-ASACO Assurance Plc (the Company) will be unable to file its 1st quarter unaudited financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2019, within the deadline of 30 April 2019.

“The request for extension of time is due to the fact that the Company is yet to file its Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018 (2018 AFS) as a result of the delays associated with the adoption and implementation of IFRS 9 on financial instruments and IFRS 4 (as amended) on insurance contract.

The company is optimistic that the 1st Quarter accounts will be ready and will be released on or before 29th July, 2019”, the company said.

Canon Properties and Investment Limited controlled 10.44 percent stake in the company; Ibile Holdings, 27.65 percent while Nigerian citizens and association control 61.91 percent as at December 31, 2018.

Stanbic IBTC Holdings allays fears as court awards N2.5 billion to creditors

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tanbic IBTC Holding Plc has assured investors and other stakeholders that it had made adequate provisions against the case which it recently lost at the Supreme Court to Longterm Global Capital Limited. The nation’s Apex Court mandated Stanbic IBTC Holdings to pay N2.5 billion to the Longterm Capital Limited.

In a release to stakeholders last week, Stanbic IBTC said that

it lost the case at the Supreme Court on technicality as the apex court refused to address the merit in its case.

“Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc has been advised by its wholly owned banking subsidiary, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, that they are aware that the Supreme Court has dismissed its application for a review of its judgment in Appeal No: SC. 535/2013 Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc vs Longterm Global Capital and Patrick

Akinkuotu. This judgment upheld the Court of Appeal’s decision that dismissed the bank’s appeal with respect to the Federal High Court’s 2010 judgment in Suit No. FHC L/CS/1491/2009: Longterm Global Capital Limited & Patrick Akinkuotu vs Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, on a technicality that did not address the merits of such appeal.

“As this litigation, which has spanned a period of approximately 10 years, has now been

brought to an end by the Supreme Court’s decision on the bank’s application, Stanbic IBTC Bank has discharged its liability under the judgment by paying the judgment sum of N2.5 billion to the judgment creditors”, the bank said in a note to investors.

At the end of the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 Stanbic IBTC Holdings announced N222.36 billion as gross earnings compared with N212.43 billion made in corresponding period

in 2018. Profit before tax was N88.15 billion as against N61.17 billion same period in 2018.

Profit after tax stood at N74.44 billion, representing 54 percent over N48.38 billion the company made in similar period in 2018.

Last week Friday, investors traded 10.78 million shares of Stanbic IBTC Holdings worth N431.57 million before it closed at N40 per share. Year to date, its share price is down by -16.6 percent.

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Sunday 14 July 2019

TheWorshippers Nigeria must go back to God to make the needed progress - Baba Aladura The Supreme Head of the Mount Shiloh Praying Band, Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) Worldwide, Baba Aladura, Henry Phillips in this interview with SEYI JOHN SALAU, spoke about the misrepresentation of the white garment churches by the public on the sidelines of the recent 60th anniversary celebration of the church. He also spoke on other national issues. Excerpts: What prompted the theme of the church’s 60th anniversary, Rehoboth? od revealed to me during a three-day prayer that the journey of our church this year is ‘Rehoboth’.

So, the theme is not only for the anniversary but for our church.

In the Bible, God warned Isaac not to go to Egypt. In Bible terms, it means not to follow idolaters, worship idols or seek help from the wrong quarters. Rehoboth, in the Bible advanced dictionary, means freedom. In the lesser dictionary, it is called a place or a space. There is no way there can be freedom without space.

How relevant is the theme in addressing the current situation in Nigeria?

42 years ago, the then military government under General Olusegun Obasanjo, through FESTAC ’77, took the nation back to Egypt. Although we heard that the plan was on during the regime of General Yakubu Gowon. All idols from other black African nations and even beyond were brought to our country. If those idols are not destroyed, we cannot reach our goal. We had a good economy, which was more buoyant than that of America in 1977; it was even more buoyant than that of the United Kingdom. After 1977, Nigeria found herself struggling. Our leaders have compromised. What I expect from President Muhammadu Buhari is for him to call the nation to repentance and sincere worship of God and also take us back to the promise land. If Nigeria wants to overcome the challenges, whether economically, political or of insecurity, we should go back to our God. We should be nearer to God; God is merciful and always ready to forgive us. He will transform our nation to Canaan Land because Nigeria is a Canaan Land to many nations all over the world.

Name any mineral resources, you will find it in Nigeria whether in large or small quantity. Nigeria is the most populous African nation.

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Nigeria is over 200 million; this means that we have the manpower. Anywhere the manpower is, the economy is supposed to be strong but look at us today. Nigeria as a nation has to move closer to God; this is what will make us prosper.

How can we prosper with sin? We can’t except we forgo our sins and make agreement to worship God in spirit and in truth.

President Buhari’s recent attendance at the meeting of Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) generated a lot of reactions: What is your take on this Sir? By virtue of the name, OIC, Nigeria has no business there.

Nigeria is not an Islamic country but a multi-religious country. The President said he went to get loan.

I know Vatican has enough money that Nigeria can borrow. So, let the President go there to balance the equation. Maybe, he can send the vice president. I want the President to take caution as an elderly person and also have the heart to accept criticism; there is no government that can progress without criticism.

This is not military government but a democratic government. When he was sworn in the first tenure, he said he was President for everybody but as we can see now, he is not everybody’s President. So, he should go back to that statement and uphold it. He has to be patient and have listening ears.

There is this misconception about the white garment churches that involves incorporating fetish practices into Christian worship, making it hard to draw a line between Christianity and African Traditional Religion. What is your take on this?

I am the third generation to be Baba Aladura; you can’t find it elsewhere. The Church of Aladura has the second generation and now third generation. We were taught not to receive money for praying for people. Our slogan is ‘work and pray’. We were taught to be fervent in prayers. I thank God that the standard is still standing. We do not compromise; I do not belong

Baba Aladura, Henry Phillips

to any occult society. The society I belong to is the fellowship of Christian Ministers and United Aladura Churches which comprises Aladura Churches. C and S is the Christian religious sect that gave Christianity footing in Nigeria. C and S liberated Christians from visiting herbalists after they leave church. The sect teaches people how to fast, pray and hold vigils, which are the keys to overcoming the turbulences in this world. In fact, we are the first Pentecostal because the gifts of speaking in tongues, healing and seeing visions which God poured out on the day of Pentecost is common among us though it is true that we are being misrepresented as a ‘ritualist’ church. It is a challenge to us; this is why our forefathers put their feet down to fight the menace. This challenge of infiltration is not uncommon in other denominations as well; this is why we are asking God to help the body of Christ as

a whole. It is also common in the Muslim religion; we have both the good and the bad ones. This is why we have to be praying for the spirit of contentment and righteousness so that we can make heaven. It is not about having fleet of cars; I do not have a car but I need to have and I’m not aiming to get it at all cost.

Our readers would like to know a bit about the church history, how it started?

We became independent from our mother church, the Praying Band of Cherubim and Seraphim, which is almost 100 years in existence. Fortunately, it was my grandfather who headed the mother church. On Monday June 29, 1959, the Mount Shiloh Praying Band of the Holy Cherubim and Seraphim Incorporated (member of United Aladura Churches) started in a room apartment on Onifade Street, Mushin. Since then, the church has been going

from strength to strength and we thank God for upholding us all these years.

Some ‘men of God’ have been in the news for various reasons, in recent times; what is your reaction to this?

Christ did not send us to the world to make riches. It is not about working miracles or having 10 million members. It is about preparing men for the kingdom of God and eventually making it there at last. I implore all servants of God to remember that we are answerable to God Almighty. We would meet with him someday and we would give every account of how we spent our lives.

Tell us about your emergence as the spiritual leader of the church?

At the demise of my father, I had to wait for five years to ascend the seat of the spiritual head. I didn’t occupy this position because my late father founded the church; I worked for it and suffered in the process. I thank God for everything happening today because I’m contended. It takes contentment to serve God, otherwise a person will be serving Mammon thinking he or she is serving God. So far, what is your opinion of the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu? I call him Oluwa-Sanwo-Olu. I do not have rapport with politicians in government but let me advise that he should not tread in a new terrain. Look at the Badagry Expressway. He should follow up the projects like the rail project, housing project, road project and others, which were started by his predecessors. He should beware of people because rumour has it that he came to satisfy party men.

Party men are not 10 percent of the population of Lagosians. He should try to make Lagosians happy than his party because if he wants to satisfy party, people will reject him. But when his party rejects him, the future would judge. He should serve the people not the party, though I am not saying he should not follow the party’s guidelines.

Group holds one-day fasting, prayer for community progress

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non-governmental organisation, Igbaye Development Vanguard (ICV), last week mandated all its members across the globe to organise special prayers to be accompanied with a one-day.

The Vanguard, a development group, was founded

over a year ago by some elite of Igbaye, a lively town in Odo-Otin Local Government of Osun State with the sole objective to contribute their quota to the development, growth and progress of their town.

The National Coordinators of the group, Sunday Alayemi and Rafiu Adeoye

Popoola Esq. told our correspondent that the purpose of the spiritual exercise was also to further pray for peace, unity, security and progress of every indigene of the community both home and abroad.

The prayer and fast, according to the duo, were in continuation of the

joint inter-denominational prayers going on at home among various community leaders, religious heads as well as other social organisations and political associations.

Alayemi and Popoola further informed that the power of prayer can never be over-emphasised, remind-

ing that, the good Lord has encouraged his creatures to call on Him always with the promise that, “whenever we knock, He is ready to open for us.”

The coordinators expressed delight about the enthusiasm exhibited over the spiritual programme by not only their members but

also by community members across the country and overseas.

Re c o r d s f r o m t h e group’s library showed that it has members in the United State of America (USA), United Kingdom, Canada, France, Singapore, Australia and South Africa, among other countries.

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TheWorshippers Inspiration With Rev. Yomi Kasali

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sat down in the luxury of my living room, watching a movie, with everything anyone could ever desire around me and all of a sudden, I slumped into the feeling of sadness, emptiness, despair and was wondering what was going on. That was

Loneliness... The killjoy when my phone rang and one of my closest associates noticed the feeling in my voice, asked what was wrong but I could not give her an answer because I was searching for one myself.

Still in shock over my sudden mood change, I started reflecting a little; I am currently on a brief vacation from the busyness of Lagos, I have a good life, I am happily married to a the sweetest woman anyone could dream of having, I have two of the finest children on earth, I have a growing church and a branch network that is thriving, I am not having financial challenges, my health is great and bubbling yet I still feel down, depressed, sad, empty... oblivious to the cause of this feeling of emptiness I watched as I got sucked in deeper into this lonely state.

Loneliness or some may call it ALONENESS is the Killjoy that sneaks into our lives and it is usually a tool in the hands of the devil to mess up with the minds of people. I

was ‘lonely’ for a moment in my living room and that horrible feeling brought along with it some other negative feelings that produced sadness and despair but I had to fight back because ‘Happiness is a choice you make not an happenstance in life’.

Let me Inspire you on what I did to fight back, I got up and drove out to give myself a great treat, called and chatted up a few friends, bought some snacks that I love, got myself a pair of slippers that I needed and had a walk in a mall just window shopping and reflecting on

Mankind. I observed Man like Solomon did and got fascinated with their activities and movements. The Lord is always right and scriptures cannot be wrong, God said in the beginning, ‘It is not Good that Man Should Be Alone...’ we often use this passage to teach marriage alone and we lose the plethora wisdom hidden in those few words... ‘It is not good that man should be alone...’

6 Ways to make yourself happy Rejoice in the lord: The Apostle Paul did not make this suggestion but actually

Scripture Union raises fresh concerns over poor state of affairs in Nigeria

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orried about the poor state of affairs in the country, Scripture Union Nigeria, an international, national, interdenominational and non-denominational faithbased Christian Organisation, has called on the federal government to engage in serious policy rejig and strategic implementation of programmes and value reorientation that will set the nation on the path of glory and honour.

They also identified injustice, inequality, nepotism, ‘ethnicism’, kidnapping, corruption, poor funding and misappropriation as major challenges facing Nigeria.

The union raised these concerns on the state of the nation in a communiqué signed by the trio in Scripture Union Nigeria, national chairman, Madu .O. Iwe, a professor, and the general director, Odelana Phillips Adewale during her 104th residential national council meeting held recently at the Training and Conference Centre (TCC) Ibadan, Oyo State. The union said Nigerians should be reminded that they have no other country but Nigeria and everyone should work towards its existence irrespective of religious, ethnic, linguistics and tribal differ-

ences.

According to a statement by the Scripture Union, unemployment rate in the land is getting alarming among the youthful population, thereby providing a platform for all kinds of crime.

The union therefore calls on the federal government to provide professional avenues where young people should be employed, especially in agro based industries and small-scale technical centres Also, the Union notices with dismay, skewed appointments in many sensitive positions in favour of some ethnic groups in Nigeria to the detriment of the others. The situation, it said, creates bad blood among the Nigerian citizens and generates avoidable tension and crisis in the polity. ‘’Despite appeals and agitations from the citizenry, merciless killings of innocent Nigerians have continued unabated with the consequential effect of sacking

agrarian communities, which results in deepening hunger owing to lack of cultivation of agricultural food materials.’’

The union urged the present administration to see every citizen of Nigeria as a Nigerian who must be treated with justice, fairness and equity.

The Union said the education system is still suffering decay with incidences of strike actions, poor educational facilities and graduation of unskilled graduates in Nigeria, due to repeated inadequate fund allocation from annual budgets.

“The Union observes with dismay, the level of degeneration of democratic processes in Nigeria with the recently concluded elections accompanied by agitations from many citizens who were disenfranchised,” the statement said, noting that if this is not urgently checkmated, the nation could degenerate to a racist state.

However, the union commended Nigerians for the atmosphere of commitment to democracy which prevailed during the last elections, calling on government to ensure grey areas are properly addressed.

It said the three arms of government must remain independent, void of interference by the executive.

“Our judicial arm must be secrosant as it remains the hope of the common man,” it said.

While commending the present administration for its fight against corruption, the Union notes that for the fight to be effective, it has to be comprehensive, devoid of partial treatment of some people due to their religious, political or ethnic affiliations.

On power sector, the Union said that distribution is still very low and noted that government should look intently on why despite privatisation availability of power has not significantly improved.

The union called on all Christians to go back to the Bible as the basis for their faith and shun all forms of pseudo Christian teachings, which do not assure one of eternal life in Christ. “Christians must intensify fervent prayer for our nation, as that is the only way the situation of our country could be improved.”

gave a directive when he told the Philippian church to ‘Rejoice In the Lord Always and again I say Rejoice’ (Philippians 4 v 4).

Reward yourself in life: Find ways of giving yourself a ‘treat’, do not work all your life for others and forget the most important person is YOU. Many people are waiting for God to reward our work of charity and forget to reward themselves with little things. Take yourself out if no one takes you out.

Watch a movie: One of the common ways of ‘controlling your emotions’ is by watching a movie of your choice. I love to watch comedies and documentaries and I find out that my feelings immediately comes under my control and the devil will be unable to access my mind through my emotions.

Listen to a song you love: I recall listening to a song by Bobby McFerrin that same night several times to the point where I was singing it loud in the store. The title

of the popular song is ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’ quite a rich song and very apt. Many people ignore the power of music when they are down, play music and change your mood to a happy mood. It is your choice.

Meditate on a scripture: Get a verse of scripture and meditate on it momentarily and you will experience a miraculous shift in emotions.

The Word Of God is Powerful and pierces into the man to the dividing of the spirit and soul. Heb 4 v 12.

Listen to a message: I would not have added this but it is just as important as listening to music and watching a video. However not all messages can Inspire at the lowest point of our lives, some listen to messages that add to the moody sad feeling. Get a good message on Contentment not Prosperity that will gladden your heart not sadden it further.

I hope you have been lifted and Inspired.

Forceful acquisition of lands for “Ruga” may not augur well for Nigeria - Archbishop Martins SEYI JOHN SALAU

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s mixed reactions continue to trail the reported suspension of the proposed Ruga settlements across the country by the Federal Government (FG), the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Adewale Martins, has advised the government to jettison the idea of acquiring lands across the federation for the purpose of creating rural grazing areas for herders.

In a press release made available to newsmen, the Archbishop, while commending President Muhammadu Buhari for his bold step in suspending the RUGA project in response to the high tension the issue had generated, implored the president to resist the temptation of going back to it or any similar project that leave an impression of wanting to promote the welfare, economy and preservation of any section of the country over others.

According to clergyman, such a move if encouraged, will undoubtedly further divide the nation along ethnic and possibly religious lines, thereby impacting negatively on the well-being of all Nigerians.

“At the moment, we gathered that despite the suspen-

sion of the RUGA scheme, there is a plan by some to move for the repeal of the Land Use Act in order to accommodate the scheme.

Any step in that direction will leave no one in doubt that the government is really not interested in settling the so-called herdsmen/farmer clashes. A bill to tamper with the present land use arrangement at this time cannot but heat up the polity, if indeed, it is being contemplated,” said Adewale.

Adewale further opined that any proposed solution to the problem should be put in the public domain for discussion so that it may have the desired effect. “It is not enough for the Federal Executive Council, National Economic Council or any other organ of government to sit in a room and take the decision without sampling the opinion of citizens, given the volatile nature of the issues at stake. It is even more ridiculous that a ministry without a substantive minister is presuming to announce and implement such a monumental decision. The RUGA Scheme as presently conceived for implementation is ill-conceived and skewed to create disaffection and divide the country and must be totally abandoned so that a better solution to the problem can be reached,” he stated.

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Sunday 14 July 2019

SundayBusiness Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

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hen Topfeeds, a prime brand from the FMN Plc stable was awarded the number one animal feeds brand by the Nigeria Brand Awards in 2018, many industry watchers were of the opinion that it was a well-deserved honour. It was given in recognition of the company’s contribution to agriculture in the country, especially in animal husbandry and its excellent service delivery.

Ac c o r d i n g t o De s m o n d Es o r o u g w e , t h e e x e c u t i v e registrar of the Made-in-Nigeria Brand Awards, the feed stood out as a local brand with very high international quality. Interestingly, he also referred to the heritage of the company and its consistency, especially in delivering excellent service for over five decades since it was established by Mr. George Coumantaros in 1960.

Flour Mills Nigeria and food security That precisely, is our focus in this piece as the Food and Agro-Allied Group is living up to its Vision, “To be the leading food and agro-allied group in Africa.” The aim of course, is to identify why and how it has managed to weather the economic storms to remain relevant not only with regards to Nigeria but across the continent. The other is for up and coming food-related companies to glean a lesson or two from the company’s survival strategies.

Perhaps, a more critical look at the Mission Statement would shed light on that aspect. It states that: “it is to produce and supply products of superior quality and value to the market thereby enriching the lives of consumers, customers, communities and all stakeholders”.

With the benefits of top technologists and technocrats at its disposal, the deployment of modern processing, preservation and marketing models, FMN has been able to cover a wide spectrum of the food industry, and excel at all.

Name them- from Food Service, through Retail Products, AgroAllied to Packaging, it has in place food products that appeal to people of different age, gender and social strata.

Under the Food Service is a range of the finest and high quality raw materials produced in commercial quantities. These are for the day-today sustenance of not a few small and medium scale food businesses.

Amongst these are Golden Penny Prime Flour, confectionery flour, soft biscuit flour, noodle flour and Eagle What Flour. There are Thai Farm high quality cassava flour, classic flour, easy bake flour, white wheat flour Golden Penny white sugar and margarines as well as Mai Kwabo flour. All these are premium flours with the requisite recipes of high qualities to meet

the expectations of the consumers.

On their part, the retail products make the delightful menu for home cooking and that of cafetarias across the country and beyond.

These are on high demand by millions of consumers virtually on daily basis which gladly meet their affordable nutrition. Which should we talk about-is it the Golden Penny Semovita, Goldenvita, Garri, Masavita, Masa flour or the instant noodles?

Maybe the Golden Penny Pastas, regarded as the numerouno of their types, especially in Nigeria are made from finest quality durum, which makes them high in fibre, good for the consumers’ or their growth and general wellbeing. The Golden Penny couscous, margarine, spread, pure vegetable oil, pure soya oil and cube sugar are also part of the Retail brands to satiate the palates of their teeming consumers.

Taking an integrated yet holistic view of what it takes to be leaders in the highly competitive food industry, FMN has the Agro=Allied Division that encompasses thousands of hectres of farmlands across the country. The network has several factories and a chain of activities for the cultivation and processing of agro products.

Therefore, the production of a range of fertilizer brands ranging from NPK 27-13-13, through NPK 15-15-15 to the NPK 12-12-17 and the Golden Fertilizer urea of the 460-0 types are there for the famers’ bumper yield.

With regards to the poultry industry there are Top Feeds chicken mash, grower mash, layer mash, the broiler super starter, feeds broiler starter and layer Phase 2 to meet the famers’ needs.

So also are the Top Feeds extruder catfish and Tilapia feeds t assist the fish farmers to grow their

businesses.

With all these and more in place, it is not surprising that the company’s Managing Director, Mr. Anthony Ewing, has reaffirmed the company’s position to continually improve its delivery of value to its customers and the nation as a whole.

As the market leader in the production of food and agro-allied products in Nigeria, the company now has in place, its biggest agricultural investment in Nigeria to date – the Sunti Golden Sugar Estate which was commissioned on the 13th of March 2018 by Muhammadu Buhari, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Located on the banks of River Niger, in Mokwa, Niger state, the Sunti Golden Sugar Estate is owned

by Sunti Golden Sugar Estates (SGSE) Ltd. a subsidiary of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc. The sugar estate features 17, 000 hectares of irrigable farmland and a Sugar mill that process 4,500 metric tons of sugarcane per day. At full capacity, the estate is expected to produce 1 Million tons of Sugarcane which roughly translates into 100,000 metric tons of sugar yearly.

The estate is the purest representation of the Federal Government’s Nigerian Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) with an ambitious backward integration program that intends to set Nigeria on the path to self-sufficient sugar production. The farm at peak production will provide direct employment for about 10,000 people yearly, and impact up to 50,000 people indirectly, including 3,000 small-scale out growers who will be cultivating sugarcane to feed the mill.

Th e e s t a t e h a s b r o u g h t infrastructure benefits to the

surrounding community, with 28 communities in total taking advantage of a new 30-kilometer road, plus expansive road networks that provide a variety of access routes to the homes of the indigenes. Drains, culverts, and flood-protection walls have also been constructed.

The project illustrates the desire to reduce sugar importation, save billions in foreign exchange, boost local capacity, and reduce unemployment by putting thousands of Nigerians to work.

What is important in all of these ambitious projects on ground, according to the Chairman of FMN, Mr. Coumantaros is for manufacturing to be seen as essentially the main component of all value chains. Such will facilitate higher-value-added processing using locally produced inputs and services in production. For manufacturing in Nigeria to truly succeed and play its rightful role in being a significant contributor to GDP, “we must look at all aspects of the value chain – from inbound Raw material procurement all the way to sales and after-sales service”.

Rightly too, he has urged the Federal Government to continue to implement reforms that would attract the much-needed investments- citing the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bank of Industry as few of the government agencies that are doing so much to boost the stamina of local industries and their opportunities to compete in a favourable environment.

Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media ayobaje@yahoo.co.uk; 08057971776

Management changes at Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc

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he Board of Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc has approved the retirement of Chris Mmeje, who was the Executive Director, Finance of the company effectively from October, 2019.

Chris joined the company and the Board as Finance Director in April, 2008 and has had a successful career, serving as Ag. MD/ CEO of the company between October 2017 and January, 2019.

However, moving forward the Board has appointed, Oluwaseun Temitayo Nelson as Executive Director, Finance to succeed Chris.

Temitayo is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria and a Chartered Banker.

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Extension Services from University of Ibadan in 1997. She is a registered member of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute, Information System Audit and Control Association (ISACA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant.

Nelson is a multi-skilled and

astute professional who has been instrumental to various strategic turnarounds in organisations she worked with and in various capacities both in Nigeria and in United Kingdom.

Her industry experience covers the oil and gas, consultancy practice, financial service, ePayment, manufacturing, automobile, technology and hi-tech industries.

Nelson started her career in Shell Petroleum Development Company, 1997, before she joined OA & Co Chartered Ac-

countants in 1998, where she trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant.

Her experience in the financial service sector cut across erstwhile Standard Trust Bank (now United Bank for Africa), from 2000-2005 where she rose from internal Control Officer to Area Compliance Manager within the bank’s Risk Management Division.

She was the Group Head General Ledger Control and Management 2005-2006 before she joined erstwhile Bank PHB (now

Keystone Bank) and led the Corporate Audit functions for the bank.

In the United Kingdom, Temitayo managed various roles for automobile, hi-tech, technology and consulting companies between 2006-2009 including Project Accountant for Man Diesel UK, Group Management Accountant for Westminster Group Plc and Management Accountant for Vega Group UK. She also founded InnoVision Business Consulting Services and consulted for various SMEs in Nigeria from 2009-2015.

She is an avid finance professional; risk manager and business process re-engineer who also held human resource management and corporate strategy roles within her career span.

Prior to joining Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc, she functioned as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Risk Officer for ChamsSwitch Ltd, an e-Payment company, leading the entire finance and risk management department between 2015-2018 and she supported Group strategic and operational requirements.

Nelson is expected to bring

her wealth of professional experience both in the Banking and Manufacturing sectors to Neimeth in its quest for new level of operational efficiency that will create value for stakeholders.

She is, however, married with Children.

Meanwhile, the Board has equally announced the re-designation of Florence Onyenekwe as company secretary/chief compliance officer, effective June 3, 2019.

Onyenekwe, however, also maintains her current position as company secretary.

She joined the company in 2000 as Internal Auditor and System Manager. She was appointed Financial Controller and Acting Company Secretary in 2001.

Onyenekwe holds a B.Sc. in Accounting from Olabisi Onabanjo University (2009); and a Master’s Degree from University of Lagos She has been a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and was appointed General Manager Finance and Company Secretary in 2013, the office she held prior to this announcement.

Sunday 14 July 2019

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BDSUNDAY 39

SundayBusiness At Benchmark Hotels quality of service speaks, says Odunayo SABY ELEMBA, Owerri

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n the South East and South-South geopolitical zones of Nigeria, Owerri, the capital of Imo State occupies a strategic location as the heartland of the east and with its proximity to other towns like Umuahia, Aba, Onitsha, Elele and Port Harcourt. All these towns could be reached within two hours drive.

Owerri is known for its avalanche of luxury hotels in their locations- New Owerri (Imo Concorde axis), Ikenegbu Layout, Works Layout, World Bank, Federal Housing Estate, etc, and they operate at full capacity, especially at weekends. One of these hotels is Benchmark Hotels Limited.

Benchmark Hotels Limited is located in a conducive

place, at No. 12 Odu-Obi crescent, Ikenegbu which is one the best residential layouts in Owerri municipality, and is easily accessible.

Benchmark as it is usually called is about nine years old, is outstanding for its high quality service, where you could be treated well, especially after the day’s stress and tension.

On a visit, guests or customers will get the most experience of good and quality foods, drinks and whatever good thing a hospitality and leisure centre of that standard can offer to its publics.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with BDSUNDAY, a professional and seasoned leisure and hospitality administrator, Ogunyemi Odunayo, the general manager (GM), Benchmark Hotels Limited said: “You can see for yourself, how glittering the environment is. Benchmark is easily accessible,

our high quality of service speaks for itself. We offer comfortable, clean and fun facilities for guests, family vacations, parties, corporate retreats, saddle clubs and weddings and facilities for romantic getaway for local and international guests or

visitors”.

He said that Benchmark is being run by professionals, and that apart from main services hotels are known for and provide for customers and guests, there are other ancillary services offered at Benchmark such as laundry,

gymnasium and other sports and leisure facilities.

The hotel has 30 rooms, like a modern hotel is equipped; each has a well functioning air conditioning system with the latest internet facilities for guests to enable them transact their businesses.

Customers, who eat at the restaurant, would always remember that blend of exotic cuisine, a flavour that had been perfected “it is a test that will nourish the body and the soul”, Odunayo said. “Wine and dine facilities are available, including serving breakfast, lunch and dinner”, he added.

In spite of the advantages of the environment, tight security and location to its advantage, Benchmark is easily accessible from Okigwe road by prison junction.

Odunayo, who complained of the challenge being posed by epileptic

power supply, said: “The major challenge is power, the epileptic power supply; we almost run the hotel with our generators which are expensive, eating almost the profits or gains we make. The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) which supplies power to Imo State has increased its tariff, the high rate of tariff goes a long way to reduce the profits, it is a very big challenge to us.”

According to him, “There are also challenges of multiple taxations in Owerri; because of too many tax agents that demand payment. The government can come in and do something about this because if we cannot make profit the business will not go on. And the multiple taxations will also discourage both local and international investors who would want to come to the state to invest.”

‘Abuja investment expo will explore opportunities of ‘rent to own’ to ensure more Nigerians own their own homes’ Johnson Somadina Anene, is the vice president of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (ACCI) in charge of Commerce. In this interview with HARRISON EDEH, he spoke on how the forth-coming Abuja Investment Expo would ‎ensure working class Nigerians could own their own homes though a ‘rent to own scheme,’ among other issues. Excerpts: Can you speak to us on the forthcoming Abuja investment expo? y name is Johnson Somadina Anene. I’m the Vice President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce,and chairman of the organising committee for the forth coming Abuja investment Expo; scheduled to commence with an open ceremony on 30th July and with a closing ceremony on 1st of August 2019.

What are the key expectations from this, and how impactful are we expecting it to be?

The Expo is about attracting more investment into the country, and particularly the Federal Capital Territory. This year’s own is being organised to consolidate and build on the gains of the previous editions.

We are also using this to foster Closer working relationship and cooperation between the Public and the Private sectors, so that they don’t see themselves as competitors rather to begin to see themselves as complementing each other’s role geared towards bringing about increased economic development.

Also,we want to use this year’s edition to see how we could tackle the concerns of housing deficit. It is no more news that Nigeria has an ever increasing 17 million housing deficits-meaning that about 17 million Nigerians are either poorly accommodate or not ac-

M

commodate at all. We want to use the investment Expo to see how we could tackle all these issues.

How often do we expect this event or is it just a one off something?

It is not going to be a one off something, but at least we have to start from somewhere. In doing that, we are introducing and pushing a scheme called: ‘Rent to own housing scheme’ whereby we get the housing estate operators to allow the tenant the opportunity to own houses by paying rent, of which that rent is taking as part payment of the purchase price of the house overtime.

We had found out that most people in the middle class and some civil servants cannot afford housing costs that we are talking about.

We also want to use this year’s edition to tackle high cost of housing .We want to tackle it from three ends. One is to appeal to the government agencies that allocate lands, to ensure that these plots are allocated to housing developers not speculators that would get the land and re-sell.

Secondly, we are also using it to promote the production of building materials locally. Because if you get these building materials at lower prices, that will definitely bring down the cost of the building of these houses.

The third one is the cost of finance. We are looking at construction fundings, and mortgages to ensure that it remains at

Johnson Somadina Anene

single digit, not just on paper but in practice.

At the investment expo, are you looking at a model to attract private capital into housing sector?

I’ve continued saying it that the government has no business to direct provision of houses; what they need to do is to provide that enabling environment, the infrastructure, and also encourage private sector investors to invest.

If you allocate the land for in-

stance to investors instead of speculators, the investor would have saved up the money he would have used in buying land.

Likewise if you provide infrastructure, you would have also saved him the money for that. Likewise, whatever money, he would have used in providing the infrastructure would have been used in providing the housing and it would help him provide more housing since the government has put up

the basic infrastructure.

In that aspect, what should the government concentrate on?

The government should concentrate on making lands available. What they should now do is to ensure that whosever that is being given the land will not re-sell it, but will develop it. They can give the land to investors and give time frame, during which if you don’t embark on active development of the land it, they will withdraw it. They can make it an accelerated development strategy and even give six months window to the allotees. The estate infrastructure in this case should be done by the estate developers.

How will the AFCTA signing impact on this expo?

Yes, we have always suggested to the government to sign the African Continental Free Trade Area, (AFCTA). Nigeria is the biggest market in Africa and we are all over. We will be the greatest beneficiary of that common market. Nigeria will be better for it.

Recall, this our expo is not just housing, but ensuring Nigeria’s economic growth while attracting investment to the country in various sectors of the economy. So what we are talking about is opening up more investments to the overall economy, and get more people engaged in terms of jobs and other economic activities. We are striving to see an emergence of the middle class, and it is only the private sector that could do that.

40 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 14 July 2019

Health&Science

WHO updates global guidance on medicines, diagnostic tests

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ANTHONIA OBOKOH

he World Health Organisation (WHO) has updated global guidance on medicines and diagnostic tests to address health challenges, prioritise highly effective therapeutics, and improve affordable access.

The two lists focused on cancer and other global health challenges, with an emphasis on effective solutions, smart prioritization, and optimal access for patients.

The two recently developed immunotherapies (nivolumab and pembrolizumab), WHO say, have delivered up to 50 per cent survival rates for advanced melanoma, a cancer that until recently was incurable.

“While several new cancer treatments have been marketed in recent years, only a few deliver sufficient therapeutic benefits to be considered essential,” the agency says.

“The five cancer therapies WHO added to the new Medi-

cines List are regarded as the best in terms of survival rates to treat melanoma, lung, blood and prostate cancers.”

The updated Essential Medicines List adds 28 medicines for adults and 23 for children and specifies new uses for 26 alreadylisted products deemed essential for addressing key public health needs.

The list is divided into two sec-

tions depending on the user and setting: one for community settings, which includes self-testing; and a second one for clinical laboratories, which can be general and specialised facilities.

According to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s DirectorGeneral, more than 150 countries around the world depend on the list as a guide to affordable, wholesome medicines.

“The inclusion in this list of some of the newest and most advanced cancer drugs is a strong statement that everyone deserves access to these life-saving medicines, not just those who can afford them,” he stated.

Other updates to the list include new oral anticoagulants to prevent stroke, as an alternative to warfarin treatment of deep vein thrombosis. These are “particularly advantageous” for low-income countries, according to WHO, because, unlike warfarin, they do not require regular monitoring.

Biologics and their respective biosimilars for chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases, as well as heatstable carbetocin for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage.

According to the organisation, this new formulation has similar effects to oxytocin, the current standard therapy, but offers advantages for tropical countries as it does not require refrigeration.

The first list, issued last year, concentrated on a limited number of priority diseases, such as HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis. This year’s list includes more non-communicable and communicable diseases. In all, WHO added 12 tests to the Essential Diagnostics List to detect a wide range of solid tumours such as colorectal, liver, cervical, prostate, breast and germ cell cancers, as well as leukemia and lymphomas.

The list focuses on additional infectious diseases prevalent in low- and middle-income countries such as cholera, and neglected diseases like leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, dengue, and zika.

The list was also expanded to include additional general tests, which address a range of different diseases and conditions, such as iron tests — for anaemia — and tests to diagnose thyroid malfunction and sickle cell anaemia, which is very widely present in sub-Saharan Africa.

NSE commits to war against cancer, Plant protein or animal protein- which is better for you? pledges N20m to combat killer disease CONTRIBUTOR

SEYI JOHN SALAU

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igerians from all walks of life recently joined the staff and management of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in a 5km race in commemoration of the 2019 NSE Corporate Challenge, an annual competitive and fun-filled race designed to raise awareness on the importance of early detection and to raise funds towards supporting cancer-related causes as the NSE pledged N20 million in support of initiatives to combat the disease in Nigeria.

“Cancer is a resilient attacker and we must be undeterred in our quest to erase the disease. Cancer related deaths in Nigeria are set to rise if urgent actions are not taken to raise awareness about early detection of the disease and to develop practical strategies to address the increasing burden.

“According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated 116,000 new cases of cancer and 41,000 cancer-related deaths were recorded in Nigeria in 2018.

However, there is hope that one day, using our God-given intellect, science will give us the eureka moment by finding a lasting cure for cancer,” said Oscar Onyema, the chief executive officer of the NSE. Cancer is a terminal disease that causes abnormal cells to divide uncontrollably and destroy body tissue. Genetic changes that cause cancer can be transmitted from parents to children. They can also arise as a result of errors that occur as cells divide, or due to damage to

DNA caused by certain environmental exposures.

However, cancer-causing environmentalexposures could include chemicals in tobacco smoke and radiation, such as ultraviolet rays from the sun.

The World Health Organization (WHO), in a 2014 study identified the mortality rate among Nigerian males to be 31.7percent for prostate cancer and 34.2percent among females for breast cancer.

The NSE Corporate Challenge attracted about 2,400 runners from over 340 institutions, comprising c-suite level executives, top government officials and celebrities. So far, about N63 million has been raised through support from sponsors.

The 5km race which kicked off at Muri Okunola Park Victoria Island, Lagos is aimed at calling attention to the importance of good lifestyle, early detection and practicalinterventionprogrammes to help sufferers.

The race witnessed a large turnout of professionals from diverse financial and business institutions, as well as a number of Nigerian celebrities including race ambassadors Kate Henshaw, Waje and Omololu.

Other previous race ambassadors include Ali Baba, MI Abaga, Burna Boy, Seyi Shay, Dolapo OniSijuwade, Gideon Okeke, Debola Williams, Tina Mba, Simisola and Yung6ix, Kemi Afolabi, Titi-the-Dynamite, Ikechukwu, Immaculate Dache, Monica Ogah, and Arole The Prophet amongst others all of whom have committed to working with the NSE to eradicate cancer.

TOBI AYODELE KEENEY

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rotein is a nutrient essential to human life. It is part of what forms the building blocks of basically all the tissues that make up our body. It is found in our hair, muscles, bone, organs, skin and every other tissue in between.

Protein also helps to repair and maintain the body’s tissues and structures.

Proteins are made up of amino acids and we humans need twenty two different types of amino acids in order for our bodies to function properly. Our bodies produce all these amino acids with the exception of nine, and those ones are called essential amino acids; they are very important for our bodies.

In order to get those amino acids, we have to source it through food that contains protein. We have two types of protein containing foods; complete protein and incomplete protein.

A complete protein contains all the nine essential amino acids, and is found in animal products such as red meat, fish, eggs, milk and chicken. Plant protein sources such as grains, legumes and nuts are almost always incomplete with a few exceptions. As a result,

conventional knowledge recommends we get most of our protein from animal sources. We feed our children milk and eggs from infancy and we strive hard and spend more money to make sure there is at least one type of animal served on our plates every day. Everywhere we go; there is the push to eat more protein, but is that much protein really healthy for us?

Whenever we consume protein whether plant based or animal based, we consume the entirety of the food. This includes the vitamins, minerals, the carbohydrates, the fibre, the fats and whatever else is contained in that food. The fact that a food is high in protein doesn’t necessarily make it very nutritious. If anything, it might have more disadvantages than advantages. This is especially true for animal protein.

Animal protein is very high in iron and B-12, but also very high in cholesterol and saturated fats which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Another major issue is related to how animal protein is raised and processed. As we consume milk, eggs and farmed raised animals, we consume the hormones, medications, antibiotics, and other chemicals used to rear the animal. These added toxins to our bodies in addition to the high saturated fat content increase the risk of cancers, auto immune disease, diabetes and heart disease.

Plant protein on the other hand, has negligible saturated fat or cholesterol. It is high in fibre

that is absent in animal protein, contains antioxidants, minerals and phytonutrients which actually help to protect the heart from cardiovascular disease, help in achieving a healthy weight, improves digestion and significantly lowers the risk of cancer.

Good sources of plant protein include nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains. And the wonderful part is this; plant protein can become a complete protein just by mixing two plant sources together, e.g. rice and beans, beans and corn, fonio and peas, oats and nuts, peanut butter and wholegrain bread.

In conclusion, let use this piece of information to educate ourselves. Animal protein is not totally bad for our health; fish and poultry are way healthier than any form of red meat and some types of fish contain omega 3s which are good for the heart.

But so do several plant sources which don’t also contain the cholesterol and fat that fish has.

If we must eat animal protein, let us limit it to a bare minimum and start to increase our plant protein intake. Heart disease and stroke was rare in the olden days mostly due to the fact that they ate meat, chicken, fish, eggs and milk only once in a while. At the end of the day, we have only sickness to lose and a long, healthy life to gain.

Here is to health!

•Tobi Ayodele Keeney Managing Director Quincy Herbals Email address: tobi@quincyherbals.com

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BDSUNDAY 41

LifestyleHomes&Suites

Paul Ojenagbon pauloje2000@yahoo.com

Asokoro Villa duplexes showcase ultimate lifestyle

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sokoro in the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, has some of the finest collections of houses in the entire country. Houses in Asokoro can comfortably give Lagos houses a run on the heels for whatever mega bucks they can command.

Indeed, Asokoro houses lavishly complimented with excellent infrastructure, compete naira for naira with the beautiful, hat dropping residential edifices that dot the estates in Banana Island, Ikoyi and Lekki just to mention a few.

Seated prestigiously some-

where off Theophilus Danjuma Road in the Asokoro Villa district are there four units of luxury 4-Bedroom duplex that have been put in the market for sale ‘’at a steal price” because of compelling circumstances to sell. They are seated in a land area of 1,970 square meters. There are upscale residences complimented with the necessary facilities and amenities to make it command it princely selling price. It is located within a great neighborhood of other well-endowed houses.

The title on the property is certificate of occupancy issued by the

Set within the units is a bush bar for the recreation of residents.

Each duplex is confined within a perimeter wall fence secured at the top with electric fence. The houses are excellently finished to taste in every component part including a polished Italian marble floor. There is potable water from borehole with treatment plant. Each bedroom is fitted with exquisitely hued wardrobes. A swimming pool in the general area serves the purpose of recreation in the mini estate.

The price stag on the lot is N480 million dictated by an immediate

Federal Capital Territory of Abuja.

It is being marketed by Procurement Masters Multi Global Limited. The lot is being sold enblock but each unit attached with selfcontained boys’ quarters, comes along with all ensuite bedrooms, spacious rooms, two large sitting rooms, dining room, ante rooms, visitors’ toilet. The kitchen is fully fitted and equipped with cooker, microwave oven, heat extractor.

need of the developer for quick cash and move on. The agent, Malachy Ashiegbu, managing director/ chief executive officer, Procurement Masters Multi Global Limited, insists that the actual market value is in the region of N800 million and also touts an annual rental value on each duplex at well between N5-6million and service charge of about N1.8million per annum.

Exotic duplex at Creek Avenue Court in Ikota Villa

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t is an exotically finished and furnished brand new 4- Bedroom semi-detached duplex with boys’ quarters located at Creek Avenue Court in the Ikota Villa axis within the neighbourhood

of Megamound’s Lekky County, Lekki. All bedrooms are ensuite in addition to 2 sitting rooms and 2 other toilets/baths. The compound is fully interlocked, spotting a welldefined green area while the ac-

cess road is tarred and interlocked from the expressway. It is located after Chevron the multi-national oil Company. The ‘’top notch luxury house’, as it is described by Ayoola Properties, the marketing agents, seats on a land area of approximately 200 square meters and boasts of excellent finishing with POP Ceiling, vitrified tile floor and good finishes in other components.

The kitchen is fully fitted with cooker, microwave, oven, extractor fan and refrigerator.

The security around the house has been made water light with close circuit Television (CCTV) device. Power supply is guaranteed round the clock on 24/7 which means there is a generator in the bargain to complement mains power supply.

The environment around the property is top class neighbourhood and the green area will help not only aid good ventilation within the house but also serves the purpose of outdoor recreation for the occupants. There is potable water supply from an industrial borehole with treat-

ments plant.

The price tag on the house is N60million but specially discounted to N48 million at the moment following pressure to sell and the attendant glut in the market. The title on the land is Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Lagos State government, backed up with governor’s consent which is the highest.

The owner allows 4 months flexible Payment plan with a mini-

mum deposit of N10million with the balance spread to the next 3months in installmental payments that would bring the ultimate total to N49million.

There is ample parking space for a minimum of 3 cars of the residents while space is also provided generously for visitors’ car parking.

Fire protection is given adequate consideration with the provision of extinguishers and general adherence to standard safety measures.

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Sunday 14 July 2019

News

From newsroom to soapbox and to statesmanship: The Osoba story

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INIOBONG IWOK

erhaps, regarded as one of the finest journalists of his generation, Olusegun Osoba, a former governor of Ogun, last Monday clocked the golden age of 80.

Born in July 1939, Osoba, has moved from one platform to another. He was a newsroom man, then he decided to adorn the politician’s flowing “babaringa”, mounted the soapbox on a number of times to solicit votes; now he is a statesman and has becoming a rallying point of the younger generation of politicians. He is today a major political gladiator, a power broker in the Southwest, and presently a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He is a celebrated journalist who had a robust career in the profession spanning decades. He started his career in journalism in 1964, working with the Daily Times as a trainee reporter covering crime. By 1966, he was the diplomatic cor-

respondent of the Times, becoming the news editor in 1968, deputy editor of the Sunday Times in 1971 and deputy editor of the Daily Times in 1972.

In August 1975, he became the Editor of the Daily Times of Nigeria, before leaving the firm in November 1975 to take up appointment as a general manager of the Ilorinbased Nigerian Herald.

He returned to Daily Times in 1984 as the managing director.

Part of the activities marking his 80th birthday, last Monday was the launch and public presentation of his memoir, titled: ‘Battle line: Adventures in Journalism and Politics’, which was published by Diamond Publication Limited.

The public presentation of the book was attended by Nigerians from all walks of life, including his political associates.

Over the last two decades, Osoba has remained a major political figure in the Southwest politics and indeed Ogun, his home state.

For many indigenes of the state, he is per-

Olusegun Osoba

haps, the modern father of Ogun State, due to his outstanding achievements and infrastructural development across the state during his tenure as governor between1999-2006.

Perhaps, a major political move he would live

to savour all his lifetime was the decision to team up with his political associate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to form the APC in 2014, a party which later, defeated the then ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in nationwide general election to

Inter-state journeys now high risk ... BMO to clerics: Stop distracting Buhari Continued from page 2

of killings and kidnappings across the country is the seeming inability of governments at all levels to stem the ugly tide.

Chidi Amuta, a publicist and former university don, in an interview with BDSUNDAY, said that it appeared the state has lost the capacity to guarantee security of lives and property.

“The capacity of the state to guaranteeing security of lives and property is also a function of the state of the economy.

It is the duty of the state to buy guns, to maintain a police force, military and all which is superior to those of the ones challenging them. But a situation where non-state actors are now challenging the state, in the area where the state used to have monopoly; then there is problem,” Amuta said.

According to him, “In those days, if you hear that government is coming , you run away because government has uniform and has big guns.

But today, uniforms and guns are no longer a monopoly. In fact, non-state actors- the militants and all the others- have bigger

guns. Theirs is even more frightening. Armies and soldiers have a protocol for deployment of forces.

Now, a militant or terrorist has no protocol, they have no rule of engagement; in fact, the bigger the gun a person wields, the more the person is a commander. And as a result of that, insecurity which breeds instability becomes the order of the day.”

The escalating incidence of kidnapping said to be perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen, BDSUNDAY gathered, was one of the reasons the Federal Government’s RUGA settlement policy was stoutly resisted across the country.

Martins Onovo, a former presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), in an interview with BDSUNDAY, said: “Look at Ruga; how simple can it be? I take the land of Christian, an animist farmer, and hand it over to terrorist Islamic Fulani herdsmen.

How well can you define Islamisation? Now, when I hand over this land; the Fulani herdsmen and the terrorists settle there, it becomes a militia base for further attack.”

Continued from page 1

Buhari given his numerous achievements in the last four years.

In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, BMO said Adeleye’s angst stemmed from the inability of the few privileged Nigerians who had, over the years, pillaged the economy of the country, to continue their stealing.

“We note that while the bazaar lasted, critical national infrastructure like roads, railways, power and seaports were left to deteriorate, with the attendant increase in the number of poor people in the country. There was also the sharp drop in the life expectancy of the average Nigerian to 53 years.

We wish to recall that before the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari, the previous PDP Federal Governments paid only lipservice to poverty alleviation, infrastructural development and revival of agriculture.

“This is essentially the difference that President Muhammadu Buhari is making with the vigor he is attending to these vital areas.

“We also need to inform the Archbishop that on account of President Buhari’s commitment to the fight against corruption, more resources are now available for development projects that impact directly on the people unlike in the past when greedy and corrupt individuals feasted on the country’s collective patrimony.”

emerge the ruling party.

Osoba remains an iconin Ogun State, the Southwest and indeed Nigeria.

In his tribute to him, former military head of state, Ibrahim Babangida, described him as a detribalised Nigerian, essentially cosmopolitan, octogenarian, suave, urbane, cerebral Seasoned and profoundly accomplished journalist.

He saluted Osoba’s professional sagacity and applauded his knack for unraveling the unknown and excelled in journalism at a time when technology was still a huge challenge.

“It is always gratifying to know how time flies on this putrid plane.

How, just like yesterday, you have clocked four scores at a time when life expectancy in Nigeria stands at 54.

“At 80, it stands tall.

At 80, it shows remarkable footnotes in your trajectory through life’s bramble forest. You can chronicle an unedited story of the Nigerian federation in such an elegant prose that distinguished

your reportorial skills in those good old days. At 80, I know you still possess your writing skill that made your pen worthy of mention each time we met.”

“Even as military officers, we had good company with our ‘bloody’ civilians who complimented our network. Chief Osoba was one of such ‘civilian generals’ who knew so well how to cultivate friendship and derive happiness from seemingly gloomy situation. He has a knack for unraveling the unknown.”

Ac c o r d i n g t o h i m , “Osoba remains to me as one of the most patriotic Nigerians I have come across in my sojourn in life. You are not only brutally frank when it comes to speaking your mind, your courage and ability to speak truth to power are an eloquent distinction of your persona”.

There were other numerous eulogies that space will not permit their reproduction here. But in all, they were all in agreement that Aremu Olusegun Osoba is indeed, a good man.

Don’t blame us if we retaliate, says Gani Adams INIOBONG IWOK

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ani Adams, the Aa r e O n a k a kanfo of Yorubaland, has said the region should not be held accountable if there was reprisal attack over Friday’s killing of Funke Olakunrin, daughter of the leader of pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Reuben Fasoranti.

Adams, who is the leader of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) described Olakunrin’s killing by suspected herdsmen in Ondo State as one too many by Fulanis who are invading the South West in their numbers and perpetrating atrocities.

In a statement by his

Continued from page 1

Nigeria is diminished...

is diminished by the manner of Funke’s death. We deplore this dastardly act and seize this opportunity to call on governments at all levels to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that our security agents vigorously pursue and find the perpetrators of such heinous crime and make them face the full weight of the law. We must, together,

find solution to all acts of insecurity in the country, particularly acts of banditry, kidnapping, robbery and killing by the suspected Fulani herdsmen,” he said.

The former president, who hinted that the condolence letter would be delivered by Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Oluwole Fasawe to Fasoranti in Akure, because of his engagement

in Morocco, says: “As you mourn the tragic loss of our very dear Funke, please be assured of the sympathy and profound sorrow of many others like me who are saddened by the manner of her demise, especially as she still had a lot to contribute to the nation and her family to which she was highly devoted.

“Let me also implore

Media Assistant, Kehinde Aderemi, on Saturday, the Aare Onakakanfo, noted that the Yoruba race was not at a loss as to what to do to put a complete stop to the atrocities of the Fulani herdsmen, but had continuously issued statements so as to call the attention of the entire world to the development in the peaceful South West.

He further stated that the Yoruba people were not afraid of acting and it was only being cautious.

Adams said the Yoruba race had been meeting over a period of three weeks on the security threat to the people, calling on governors of the South West states to ensure the conclusion of the Security Summit process. you to be strong for the entire family. I pray that God Himself will comfort you and sustain the whole family in this hour of painful trial. And may the soul of the dear departed rest in perfect peace.

“Because I have to be in Morocco, I am sending a delegation of Otunba Oluwole Fasawe and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola with this letter and to personally deliver my condolence,” he stated.

Sunday 14 July 2019

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BDSUNDAY 43

Sports

Nigeria’s Super Eagles set to rewrite AFCON history ... Eye fourth Africa Cup of Nations title … Battle Algeria for AFCON final ticket

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Stories by ANTHONY NLEBEM

igeria’s Super Ea g l e s a n d t h e Desert Foxes of Algeria will clash for a place in final on Sunday night in an AFCON 2019 semi-final encounter that promises lots of fireworks at the Cairo International Stadium, Egypt.

In the quarterfinals, Nigeria faced the challenge of South Africa. The Bafana Bafana had eliminated hosts Egypt in front of their public from the previous round. Udinese defender William Troost-Ekong allowed the Super Eagles to advance to the semi-finals by scoring the winning goal a minute from time.

“We worked so hard to be here. I am very happy that we are now in the semifinals. We worked hard to win this match and it was not easy”, man of the match Samuel Chukwueze said after South Africa’s game.

Three –time champions Nigeria are looking for their fourth title since winning their first on home soil at the expense of Algeria in 1980, while the Algerians are looking for their second title since their only title won on home soil at the expense of Nigeria in 1990.

Previous encounters between the Super Eagles and the Desert Foxes have always provided tremendous sparks, and the nature and balance of the rivalry is reflected in the record which shows that Nigeria has won eight of the previous encounters while Algeria had won seven, with five drawn.

After Nigeria swept to Africa

Cup of Nations glory on the back of a 3-0 lashing of the Algeria in Lagos in 1980, the Algeria got their pound of flesh by not only stopping Nigeria from reaching the 1982 World Cup, beating the Eagles home and away for their first –ever FIFA World Cup ticket, but also edging Nigeria 2-1 in a group phase match at the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations in Libya.

At the 1984 and 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, their matches were drawn, though the Eagles prevailed on penalty shoot-out in the latter as it was a semifinal match and a winner had to emerge.

Nigeria also stopped Algeria reaching the Men’s Football Tournament of the 1988 Olympics, beating the North Africans 2-0 in Enugu after a lone goal reverse in Annaba, for a 2-1 ag-

gregate win.

In 1990, Algeria hosted the AFCON and opened with a 5-1 spanking of Nigeria, before again piping Nigeria by the odd goal in the final match. Three years later, Nigeria stopped Algeria from qualifying for the World Cup, beating the Foxes 4-1 in Lagos and drawing 1-1 in Algiers for their own first –ever FIFA World Cup ticket.

At the 2002 AFCON in Mali, Nigeria edged Algeria 1-0 in a group phase match, and it was the same scoreline eight years later at the AFCON hosted by Angola, with victory this time earning Nigeria the bronze medals.

Most recently, in 2017, Nigeria stopped Algeria from qualifying for the FIFA World Cup, as they bashed the Foxes 3-1 in Uyo and tied the second leg in

Constantine 1-1 before FIFA awarded the match to Algeria after the Eagles fielded ineligible defender Abdullahi Shehu.

Both teams have secured their best wins over each other on Algerian soil. Algeria’s 5-1 win over Nigeria was in Algiers, in the opening match of the 17th Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria’s 5-2 win over Algeria was in Oran, in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.

At the ongoing 32nd Africa Cup of Nations, the Desert Foxes have emerged as perhaps the best organized team, tactically aware and disciplined in their approach, with swift counter-attacking competence, and have beaten Africa’s number one –ranked team Senegal, Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire among

others.

The Super Eagles have been matured in their approach, keeping their feet on the ground, cautious, but able to smell opportunities to strike and able to swing games in their favour even towards the end. This approach has accounted for Guinea, Cup holders Cameroon and South Africa, and also Burundi.

Coach of the Foxes, Djamel Belmadi made it clear on Saturday that his wards are aiming for the trophy and would like to pay Nigeria back for one after stopping Algeria from the reaching the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

On his part, Coach Gernot Rohr says defeat by Madagascar has awakened his Eagles to the approach they must adopt to win each game, by not underrating any team, and he believes the same will be deployed against the Foxes on Sunday night.

The winner on Sunday night will proceed to the Final match of the biggest –ever Africa Cup of Nations championship, billed for the Cairo International Stadium on the night of Friday, 19th July, against the winner of the first semi-final between Senegal and Tunisia. The Lions of Teranga and the Carthage Eagles clash at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo also on Sunday.

The Super Eagles will be playing their 15th AFCON semi-final on Sunday at the Cairo International Stadium. Absent in 2015 and 2017, the Nigerians who won the trophy in 1980, 1994 and 2013 will try to overcome the Desert Foxes of Algeria for a seventh AFCON final hoping for their fourth title.

Lightweight division most competitive in Nigerian boxing- Rilwan … As Waheed “Showmax” vows to treat fans with exciting boxing at GOtv Boxing Night 19

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i l w a n “ Re a l O n e ” Oladosu, West African Boxing Union (WABU) lightweight champion, has proclaimed that the lightweight division is currently the most competitive and the best on the Nigerian boxing scene.

Ol a d o s u i s d u e t o f i g h t Hammed “Ese Hammed” Ganiyu in a national lightweight bout challenge at GOtv Boxing Night 19, holding at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, on Sunday.

The flamboyant boxer explained that the division has the best groomed Nigerian boxers.

“Today, the lightweight category has the best boxers. It has Joe Boy (Oto Joseph), Berinja (Tope Agboola), Hamzat (Mubarak), myself and of course, my next opponent at GOtv Boxing Night, Hameed.

These guys might be my rivals, but they are all talented guys.

The former national lightwei g h t ch a mpio n a lso ex pressed his desire to challenge for the African belt and dethrone his compatriot, Joe Boy. GOtv Boxing Night 19 will be headlined by by the international welterweight challenge between reigning West African Boxing Union (WABU) welterweight champion, Rilwan “Babyface” Babatunde of Nigeria and Eden Biki of Ghana.

The event will also feature prominent professional boxers in the country compete in different weight categories, including Joseph, reigning African Boxing Union (ABU) lightweight champion; Waidi “Skoro” Usman, a former ABU featherweight champion; and Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje.

Two all-female bouts are also scheduled for the event, as Rodiat Ibrahim will square up against Rodiat Yusuf, while Adedeji Abiodun will take on Cynthia Ogunsemilore.

Waheed “Showmax” Shogbamu has declared that he is ready to be the next big thing in Nigerian boxing.

The fast-growing light welterweight fighter and product of GOtv Boxing Next-gen Search, is billed to face Akeem “Sugar Boy” Olaiwola in a national challenge bout at GOtv Boxing Night 19 on 21 July at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.

Speaking in an interview during the week, Shogbamu, who has built a fearsome reputation in such a short time, said he aims to dominate the light welterweight division in the country,

Africa and the world.

“I came into the sport at a very young age and I have been learning. There is also a wide scope of improvement for me because I am still young. I am being trained by the best coaches available, so I am on the right path,” he said.

GOtv Boxing Night 19, a ninebout show, will be headlined by feature the international welterweight challenge between reigning West African Boxing Union (WABU) welterweight champion, Rilwan “Babyface” Babatunde of Nigeria and Eden Biki of Ghana.

The best boxer at the event will go home with a cash prize of N1 million alongside the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy.

GOtv Boxing Night 19 will be beamed live on Africa’s biggest sport channel, SuperSport, in 47 African countries.

BDSUNDAY

NEW NEW YOU YOU CAN CAN TRUST TRUST

II

SUNdAY 2019 Sunday10 July 2019 SUNdAY 1014FEbRUARY FEbRUARY 2019

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Nigeria’s dehumanising debt -profile We will deliver Lagos to Buhari Ambode

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Alhaji Shehu Shagari-led administration, he recent warning signal raised the world. over Nigeria’s ever escalatIt would be recalled that back in June, “Where has our oil money gone?” Your ing debt profile by the glob- 2017 experts on the nation’s economy, guess is as good as mine.

Besides, many of the commercial banks ally recognised technocrat, including Prof. Pat Utomi and Bismarck Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, presi- Rewane had expressed worries over the are not lending to the real sector to boost dent of the African Development Bank increasing debt burden at both the state manufacturing. Sundry consumables, (AfDB),should be food- for-thought for and federal levels. Indeed, yours truly had including textile materials and electronic AKINWUNMI AKINWUNMI AMBODE AMBODE especially from Chinafinances, and our policy amakers to write an opinion essay titled: ‘Who will equipment, tt a e v that turned out here Federal Government so government inag go o ss S Sand a ttthose e g go o who v -- implethatis has has turned outdebts?’ herein July Federal Government so far. far. in inAsian government finances, inother South-East countries, are Governor, Lagos State ment them.

According to him, Nigeria pay these huge of 2017 as a Governor, Lagos State ernor, Akinwunmi and are grateful “ If u e r, creasing capital expenditure ernor, Akinwunmi and we wefollow are very very grateful If y yo o u rr e em meither em mb be ebeing r, tt h he e creasing expenditure imported dailycapital at astonishcurrently using 50 percent ofoits revenue up to the one with the“title, ‘NigeAm b o d e ss a ii d n that Lagos has been signed, first two years of this adand inflows, and implementAm b o d e a d o n that been signed, firstpublished two yearsing ofrates, this or adand inflows, anda implementsmugglers are having field to serviceSaturday its debts, that compared to theLagos ria’shas debilitating debt profile’ the sealed delivered to were reing the Economic the African sealed and and delivered to APC APC inministration ministration weday. were in re- have ing no thedoubt Economic Recovery AYO OYOZEBAJE All in these led to Recovery an average ofSaturday 17 percentthat for other by different newspapers January 2013. we state would already.

The message is very cession by and Plan (ERGP), would play play But already.

Thethe message ishas very cession caused caused by the the PDP, PDP, unemployment and Growth Growthlevel Planand (ERGP), countries! state This is unsustainable. this But, situation only worsened over unprecedented a role in but two years, among others. aismajor major role in ensuring ensuring vicBaje food upsurge in the wave of crime, including just part of an economic vicmalaiseclear. that the years. clear. but in in the the last lastan two years, among others. ss ii o n w e M a n u oismedia nNigerian we e rrfirst eauthor M aof ntechnologist u ff a a cc tt u u rr -tory for the and “We the we we have “I tory for President President Muhambanditry,that has consigned millionsMuhamof Nigerians in the For instance, as at September 30, armed “We appreciate appreciate the presipresiwe have have stabilized, stabilized, werobbery, have kidnappings, “I firmly firmly believe believe that our our in ers Association of Nigeria ers Association of Nigeria “DRUMBEATS OF DEMOCRACY” madu Buhari in February dent his to created groundwork for policies madu Buhari in the the February arson and hideous ritual murders! poverty quagmire even as a few favoured the external debt jumped tothe $6.2 dent for for2012, his support support to our our created the groundwork for economic economic policies are are beginbegin- (( M MA AN N )) ,, La La g go o ss Ch Ch a am mb be e rr 16 es state the and growth and is to the imcurrentning concern, however, is onesPr to enjoy the wealth of the in withthree a domestic profile of that 16 Prcontinue es idential/National idential/National state inbillion, the last last three and debt growth and that One’s is where where ning to make make the desired desired im- of Commerce and Industry of Commerce and Industry Assembly elections. will pay hugeEconomic debts? Willgrowth the nation. the state gov- who h a cc h ii e -- APC is from the pact. has Assembly elections. ha a ll ff y ye eN6.3trillion. a rr ss .. Th Th e e a aYet, h back ev ve ethen, APC is different different from thethese pact.

Economic growth has (LCCI), Nigerian AssoNigerian cannotand understand in (LCCI), and Nigerianwhy AssoBuhari is presidenburden being left by the reckless and frivoFurthermore, going by the frightenernors were still asking for an additional ments that we have recordPDP. They will tell you that resumed and is continuing to Buhari is the the presidenments that we have record- PDP. They will tell you that resumed and is continuingspite to ofciation the hugeof loans, monthly allocaSmall and Mediciation of Small and Meditial candidate of ruling lous political not be tooGrowth weightywas for higher ing figures recently made public by $7 billion external loan! Fast forward ed in were possible they want to Nigeria tial candidate of the the ruling edthe in Lagos Lagos were possible they want to to make make Nigeriaclassimprove. improve.

Growth was higher tions and funds not a few state um Enterprises (NASME). umbailout Enterprises (NASME). the leanthem shoulders of2017 our jobless children?

Debt Management Office (DMO), 2017.

As at MarchThis that year, the nation’s All Progressives Congress because All Progressives Congress governorsAs can pay staff salaries because of of his his support. support. This work work again, again, but but ask ask them in in 2017 than than in in 2016, 2016, data data i d e V i c e Pr e n As i d e V i c e Pr e ss ii d dase eand n tt ,, they notinbe turned to slaves and beg-sources the total debt stock stood at some hu- total debt had risen

by N7.1 trillion to Will (APC).

He a election is not about tribe who destroyed Nigeria even from external (APC).

He faces faces a major major when due.

Power supply is still epileptic election is not about tribe who destroyed Nigeria in even from external sources Yemi Osinbajo, Governors Yemi Osinbajo, Governors gars in their own country by the creditor mongous amount of N24.047 trillion a mind-boggling N19.16 trillion.

And opposition rr e ii o ii tt ’s abo u the place? shows that it also opposition in in the the person person of of o and infrastructure is still in utter decay. o rrthe e ll ii g gwait on n ,,for ’s o u tt ii n n -- Yemi the first first place? nations, just because shows that it was was also higher higher of Oyo Ajimobi), they want to 2017. pay of Oyo (Abiola (Abiola Ajimobi), as at March 31, 2019.

While that of thisa b –and Professor Osinbajo, Atiku jobs the “Therefore, this election in 2018 than in is surprised tooBagudu), about the speed Atiku Abubakar, Abubakar, former former vice vice frastructure, frastructure, jobs and the president “Therefore, this election in the 2018 than in have 2017. II am amOneKebbi (Atiku Kano off the debts left by locusts that Federal Government stood at N17,086, who was then the acting had, Kebbi (Atiku Bagudu), Kano president and presidential with which governors go for questioneconomy and right path is moving the confident that as we president and presidential economy and the the right path is about about movingravaged the econoeconoconfident that as we stay stay (Abdullahi Ganduje), Osun our common patrimony?

But that 204.66 that of the states, including the through a letter to the National Assembly, (Abdullahi Ganduje), Osun can’t of Peoples Democratic able bonds who, at the tail end of their to to my forward for this can’t ofCapital Peoples Democratic equated to go go is is requested to go go to to the the APC. myloans forward and for all. this to to the the course, course, it it will will be be better better (Gboyega Oyetola), Ekiti is not Federal Territory(FCT) thatAPC. $1.94 billion be ap-and (Gboyega Oyetola), Ekiti tenure,.

What is the guarantee that the Party (PDP).

“If you see what we are be possible, we need to constill at the end of 2019.

Party (PDP).

“If you see for what we are be possible, to con- as still the the endformer of 2019.

Surprisingly, at at 2013, to N 7,860,875.93. Reports have it that proved 10 states.

The explanation giv-we need (Kayode Fayemi) Min(Kayode Fayemi) and Minincoming administration andand the subseAmbode, who spoke at doing in Lagos already, you tinue on the foundation that “Inflation is coming down Ambode, who spoke at doing inen Lagos already, you on the that “Inflation is coming down isters, Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, N560 billion out of these was borrowed was that the huge sum tinue was meant forfoundation the session was isters, thehave session was also also quent ones would the capacity to the APC presidential rally, that airport have already made the steadily, is the APC presidential rally, will veryin person assistedthere the country in only three months! the road 2016 towe 2018 External will see see projects that the thefrom airport road we have alreadythe made in the who steadily, there is stability stability attended by many captains attended by many captains repay without harming the security and held at the Teslim Balogun the four years. in the rate held the Teslim Balogun out ofremains the huge debt to Paris Club As at September 2018, the debt is stood Borrowing (Rolling)or Plan last of the Federal is not not for for the Yorubas Yorubas or last four years. APC APC remains in burden the exchange exchange rate and and Aliko welfareof ofindustry the citizensincluding which is their priof industry including Aliko Stadium Surulere, Igbos or one remain one foreign exchange is Stadium intrn.

Surulere, Lagos, in 2005, justifying these new at N22.43in But as atLagos, June 30, the 2015 Government for theit’s concerned states. we the Igbos or the the Hausas, Hausas, it’s one party, party, we back remain one was foreign exchange is readily readily Da n g o tt e ,, Fe m iigovernment.

O tt e d o ll a mary purpose of being in Da n g o e Fe m O e d o a ,, said Buhari the Back then,available she claimed that such busiabout life nation and family,” the for genuine the country’s debtthree was N12.12 This rather scary economic situation said Buhari in intotal the last last three about making making life comfortcomfortnation and one one debts. family,” the available for genuine busiOb a O t u d e k o, Ji m Ov i a The earlier we start having credible Ob a O t u d e k o, Ji m Ov i a ,, and half years had supportto finance infrastructrillion.

That means within the firstfor up some salient all begable Nigerians and that governor said. ness.

Foreign reserves and half years hadthat supportable forthrows Nigerians and that questions, governor said. loans were needed ness.

Foreign reserves are are Bi ss m a k a k answers these Bito m a rr ccburning k Re Re w wquestions an ne e ,, N N iithe ke e ed infrastructure developturalat development, especially in the criti- capithree-and-a-half years of the current answers. Have a countryearlier is why the president has Speaking a and growing; ed infrastructure developis adwhy ging the for president has we, as Speaking earlier at a sesses- adequate adequate and growing; capibetter for us all. among Akande, others.

Akande, among others. surface, Iweala’s ministration the debt rose

by N10.31 trn not been making money from crude oil cal power ment in and would continually supported all with of the tal inflows have increased ment in Lagos Lagos and would continually supported all sion sion with members members of sector. the On tal the inflows have increasedThe unbundling Th ll y w a ll ll a Th e e rr a a llof ythe welectric a ss w we eenergy a tt -argument, then, was that Nigeria’s macrowhich is 85.06 percent.another The externalour debt sales over the past few years?

What aboutPrivate do more if projects by even refundOrganised Sector a n d t h e t r a d e b a ll a n cc e ii ss tended do more if given given another generation/supply and distribution our projects by even refund- Organised Private Sector a n d t h e t r a d e b a a n e by the who’s who tended by the who’s who economicMastability, a Sovereign Fund of componentof bothyears. the federal anding state theof huge revenues from held other at sources House, mandate funds we mandate ofoffour four years. meant in that government should spend ing some some ofasthe the funds we held taxes at Lagos Lagos House, Ma- inpositive. positive. the APC the in the APC including including the $1billion placed the international margovernments including the FCT increased such the multiple company inAc c o r d i n g t o h i m , t h e for capital projects so rina ,, President Buhari said “We are paying off debts Ac c o r d i n g t o h i m , t h e used less while the partners from the private used for capital projects so rina President Buhari said “We are paying off debts governors of Ogun, Osun, ket for lending, stable economic growth by 109.21percent according to the DMO. cluding VAT, inflow from the ports and governors of Ogun, Osun, February 16 election was can complete more it to note that were not even sector Oyo, shouldEkiti, injectOndo, more funds.

Why February 16 election was that that we wethat canfrom complete more Service? it was was gratifying gratifyingof toan note thatof 7that that were even publicly publicly Edo, Kano, average percent andnot attraction We surelytribe do not need rocket science the Customs Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Edo, Kano, not about or religion, should we then be bent on borrowing projects,” Ambode said. the economic policies of his acknowledged before now, not about tribe or religion, Ambode said. the economic of his acknowledged before national leader of for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) all now, Kebbi, to understand that the country’sprojects,” ecoWhere have all these gone in the face policies Kebbi, leader of the the but strictly about job ofnational money from external He it important already ii n cc ll u ii n g tt o but strictly job crecreHe said said it was was and important administration were already ntime ud dfor n borrowing. g tt h ho o ss e e o ow we ed d huge o sums APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; pointed to the best nomic growth about is undermined by the huge of decrepit dilapidatedadministration infrastructure, were APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; creditors at high interest rates at a time a t i o n , i n f r a s t r u c t u r e d e rr Ni e ss tt o n making the states, the electricity secadebt t i o nstock , i n fas r awell s t r uas c tother u r e dobvious e - ff o ofacNi g gannual e rr ii a an nbudget o e edeficits, n tt rr u u ss tt fragile making the desired desired impact states, theloans electricity sec- Babatunde Sheimpact even added that the have healthcare Fashola Babatunde Fashola other the naira-dollar exchange rate ,,isother astrovelopment and President Buhari ana e ii d b tt e marketers, exporters, velopment and economic economic President Buhari with ana ssthe ev vstandard de en n cc e ed d been by y ssnegotiated ea ad dy y tor, tor, oil marketers, exporters, serving withoil multilateral institors including sheer profligacy in running system and awith drastic dip in and past ministers, serving and past ministers, nomical?

Indeed, Nigerians are hard growth, saying that presiother four years in office to growth in the economy in backlog of salaries of workgrowth, saying that presitutions on highly concessionary terms. government apparatus. Crass corruption of education acrossto the country? other four years in office growth With in the economy in backlog of salaries of workp a rr tt y ccthe h ii e ff tt a ii n ss ,,advanced a m o p a y h e a n a m on ng g put to support reasons d e n t h a s s h o w n c o m m i t continue the of last three ers pensioners, amongst d n t hplaces a s s hand o wthe n chuge o m mpay i t - package She sounded convincing But years inehigh 23in oftrajectory 36 states unable to pay salaries continue inout the trajectory of the the last three years. years. ers and andthen. pensioners, amongst many others. by our political and economic pilots for many others. ment to making life comgrowth, warning that rethe others,’’ later, governsimilar reasons such ashe thesaid. need for of political office holders, that of our to civil servants as and due,said in spite ment to making life with comgrowth, warning that the the re-when He He said the APC APC governothers,’’ he said. the loans because of the grave implicafortable for residents. power--supplyAmong and infrastructural lawmakers ranking amongst the highest of the so called bailout onehad cannot turn opposition party ment kept the the fortable for residents. turn of of the the opposition partyfunds, ment had keptstable the prom prom Among the organisations organisations tions for the average citizen. This is “In and of development being provided as the in the have contributed butnothing remember thealter question Prof. would but ise to boost economy made “In world, and outside outside of the the stasta-in making would do do nothing but alter ise toAyodele boost the the economy arewhich which made presentations presentations Joshua dehumanising.

Joshua Bassey Bassey dium, you can see the crowd basis for new huge loans.

Yet, the ordinary Nigeria become the poverty capital of Awojobi (of blessed memory) asked the dium, you can see the crowd the the progress progress made made by by the the through through blocking blocking leakages leakages to to the the president president at at the the sesses-

...as President meets OPS, says economy on positive trajectory

L

Quick Takes Quick Takes

Off the Cuff COVER

COVER

‘Nigeria’s drop out of Africa’s Top Investment Destination in 2018 unusual’

Why 2019 election will defy expectations

A

leading estate firm, Messrs Ubosi Eleh+ Company has described as rather unusual Nigeria’s drop out of Africa’s top 10 investment page Continued from page 2 2 special destinationsContinued in 2018. Infrom a 110-page annual publication titled ‘The Nigeria Real in 14 Estate Report’, of thewhich firm outlined hownorthern, certain in 21 21 states, states, of which 14 were were northern, three belt and western factors including politics, macro-economy, three middle middle belt and five five western states. states.

“While permutation is micro-economy the budget affected thethe “While the theand permutation is that that the president is to in western real estate outlook in the preceding A president is going going to win win in all allyear. western principal partner the firm, Emeka states some and southstates and and someofsouth-south south-south andEleh, southsaid the development was unusual becausehas east states this time, the president east states this time, the president has it waslost thesome first time it would happen Benue, and also states like also lost some states like Kwara, Kwara, Benue, also for the fact that the the country remained Sokoto, Sokoto, Kano Kano with with the Kwankwaso Kwankwaso factor, factor, the largest economy in Africa and the most Plateau due to the killings and of course, Plateau due to the killings and of course, populous. Eleh believes that the size and Adamawa and Bauchi because of Adamawa and Bauchiconsumer becausemarket of Atiku Atiku potential of the country’s and Dogara”, he and Yakubu Yakubu Dogara”, he said. said. should have made Nigeria the preferred “Taraba will not vote APC “Taraba destination will naturally naturally notcontinent vote for for in APC investment on the because of the killings as well, while the like because of the killings as well, while the like 2018 but wondered why it was not so. of State is of percent vote of Rivers Rivers State is sure sure of a100 100 percent vote In all, the report posted largely underfor further said, adding that for PDP,” PDP,” he he further in said, adding that the performing economy 2018 despite thethe crisis the arising from bounce in theparty, oil market,” the yearacrimowas crisis in inback the ruling ruling party, arising from acrimonious work tough at variouscould levelsalso for different firmsthe nious primaries primaries could also work against against the ruling party.

Imo people bent and sectors the economy. furtherare conruling party.of“Already, “Already, ImoA people are bent traction in the the construction and real estate on Okorocha factor, while on removing removing the Okorocha factor, while in in industries that business confidence Ogun, incumbent governor is Ogun, the theshowed incumbent governor is supportsupportremained low even after a rally party. in oil prices”. ing from another ing candidate candidate from another party.

The aftermath effects of the elections

will be sustained the next government or even rewere also not sparing as the firm in the report, versed by the same government. This risk maniobserved that “less government spending fests easily as political risk and is easily evident as after election is likely to weigh economic election approaches. Capital inflows into Nigeria activity in 2019 as revenue at the state level “If Court ruling the people tend party to slowabandoned down as election and it in particular, continued to underperform “If the the Supreme Supreme Court ruling Friday Friday is is anyanyparty abandoned the approaches people when when it picks up post-election once investors become thing to go by, the APC is not going to field any mattered most.

Don’t forget that it and borrowing conditions proved more thing to go by, the APC is not going to field any mattered most. Don’t forget that it was was the directionof government policies candidate of Federal challenging”. candidate in in all all the the elections elections except except that that certain of the theofbehaviour behaviour ofofthe the Federal GovernGovernin a new administration”.

The firm observed that “little progress the presidency.

This may affect the electoral ment towards the presidency.

This may affect thewas electoral ment towards the the killings killings in in Benue Benue that that report identifies respect or certainty of made in diversifying thein economy away from also fortune of the Zamfara resulted in of Samuel fortune of the the party party in the state. state.

Zamfara also The resulted in the the exit exit of Governor Governor Samuel contracts in thefrom country as another risk investors its reliance on oil revenue during President is having a similar situation with Rivers.

AlOrtom the APC. Kwara State is having a similar situation with Rivers. AlOrtom from the APC. Kwara State are concerned about: “ Oftentimes, the because governMuhammadu Buhari’s four years in office but though is campaigning was totally for APC though the the party party is already already campaigning but was totallyinto for contracts APC in in 2015 2015 because ment has entered with investors and that restrictions imposed on access to the name is ballot.

When of Bukola Saraki today, things the party’s party’s name is not not on on the the ballot.

When you you of the Bukola Sarakitofactor; factor; today, only for government turn around andthings seek foreign currency also added tocan thebegin already put all these together you to have have changed.

The table has turned.

If put all these together you can begin to have havethe changed. has turned. to change terms ofThe suchtable contracts without If challenged business environment”. idea of what the country will be expecting to you have followed the politics in Kwara idea what thethe country willreduced be expecting to consent you have followed the politics in Kwara the of the companies or persons it enElehof attributed investor’s apsee the next days from now. will see in in next few few days frommore now.

State, you will agree agree with me me that that for for teredState, into theyou contracts with”.with petite forthe investing in the country to risk However, the ruling party is not sleeping; the APC to win would be like a Carmel However, the ruling party is not sleeping; the APC to win would be like a Carmel The terms of the contract, Eleh noted are not than return factors. A Accordingly, the report it efforts winning over new the needle’s only passing violated,through even third parties thateyepiece,” invested it is is making making efforts at winning overfirm, new votvotpassing through the needle’s eyepiece,” maintained that “globalat risk consultancy ers and states.

But majority of public comthe analyst said. in the projects are also affected adversely and ers and states. majority of public Control Risks, in itsBut latest risk-reward index com- the analyst said. ments suggest that voters are not All on INEC this he reiterated report identifies Nigeria offering ments suggest that as voters areinvestors not listening listening All eyes eyes are on even INECworse for contracts to campaign promises again The major being inherited by successive the returns on the continent, second they tohighest campaign promises again because because they The major fear fearadministrations. being nursed nursed by by many many Corruption, according to the report is another are never fulfilled, but would rather vote is that despite the assurances by only that offulfilled, Ethiopia”.but On the flip side, the vote is that despite the assurances by INEC aretonever would rather INEC majorthat risk their faced votes by investors doing business in according their conscience. will they country’s riskto rating was the second highest according to their conscience. that their votes will count, count, they think think Nigeria: arebody instances investors in the onlyon bycondition that of An analyst, who of electoral may have comAncontinent, analyst,surpassed who spoke spoke on condition of the the “There electoral body maywhere have been been comhave been askedwhile to bribe certainwill government Zimbabwe. anonymity, anonymity, said said that that he he was was certain certain that that the the promised, promised, while parties parties will take take vote vote officials that are in charge of approving projects The report identified policy inconsistency APC would not win Benue State. buying, which they experimented at the APC would not win Benue State. buying, which they experimented at the that Ekiti they and haveOsun already investedelections, significant as the first major risk investors worry about “How can Buhari win in Benue except off-season to “How can Buhari win in Benue except Ekiti and Osun off-season elections, amount s of moneylevel. into before such projectsto when investing inhave Nigeria: “ One is never sure The if the people lost their memory. a dangerous if the people have lost their memory.

The a dangerous level. will be allowed to progress to the next stage”. if a major policy initiated by one government

N620.5bn 10,000 the of This isThis the of money This is isamount the number number of women that Nigeria is said women that Nigeria is saidof budgeted for the Ministry to lose yearly to unsafe to lose yearly to unsafe Education in 2019. a abortion, abortion, according according to to a Thenon-governmental figure is, however, less non-governmental organorganthan the 25isation. percent recomisation. mended by UNESCO.

From the horse’s mouth

Point Blank “I“I am and am not not aa politician politician and II do do not not “Without restructuring believe in politicians because when believe in politicians because when back to federalism, I have no you are you see see those those who are canvassing canvassing hesitation inwho declaring that for votes today, many of them who for votes today, many of them who Nigeria’s development will had served in different positions had servedon in different positions continue a downward should be stoned but they are should be stoned but they are the the path, and the state of social people asking us to vote for them people askingand us to insecurity vote for them disharmony today…If I were God, II would today…If I were God, would send send will continue to heighten”. thunder and fire on all politicians thunder and fire on all politicians inin Nigeria.”

Nigeria.”

-Senator Femi Okuroumu, speaking on the state of the -Robert Clarke who -Robert Clarke (SAN), who has has nation in(SAN), Lagos. practised law for 50 years. practised law for 50 years.

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