BusinessDay 15 Dec 2019

Amid cost, risk, many travellers shelve trips for festive holiday

How Umahi is carrying out the infrastructure reengineering in Ebonyi, by Deputy Governor

Continues on page 4

See Pages 22 & 23

... resort to frugality ahead of presumed ‘difficult 2020’ OBINNA EMELIKE

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nce again, it is that time of the year when many people travel across the country and even abroad for family reunion and holiday. To a large extent, the festive season, especially Christmas, is the period when most Nigerians travel because of the long holidays and end-of-year festivities.

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Over time, travelling for Christmas has become a somewhat annual homecoming for a lot of people. But in the last 10 years, when insecurity peaked across the country, especially kidnapping, and most recently, brutal waylaying and killing of innocent travellers along major highways across the country, most people started shelving

elechi Igwe, deputy governor of Ebonyi State, in an interview with our correspondent speaks highly of the state Governor, David Umahi. According to him, “It is difficult to see any abandoned project in this state (Ebonyi) that is left on attended to since 2015 when we assumed office. I speak so highly of him because all of us have become students under him. Those who are under his government, including the citizens of Ebonyi, who enjoy the participatory leadership of the governor, all of us learn from him.”

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Why INEC must bring transparency to the electoral system, by Omotosho P. 14

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Vol 1, No. 292 N300

Citizens’ failure to make demands Eight months after, fireworks ?? on their leaders has encouraged rage over Dickson’s visit to bad governance - Khaleel Rivers’ monarch P. 18 P. 20p-41.

21

inside

‘To meaningfully celebrate Christmas, you must personally encounter Jesus’

p. 36

Beware of scammers; I’m not on Facebook – Bolanle Ninalowo

Seyi Makinde, Oyo State governor (sitting), signing the Anti-Corruption Bill of Oyo State, with him from left, his deputy, Rauf Olaniyan; representative of Speaker Oyo State House of Assembly, Majority Leader of State House, Sanjo Adedoyin and Secretary to the State Government, Olubamiwo Adeosun at Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.

p. 31

Dawn Dekle, president, American University of Nigeria

How rights violation, disregard for rule of law keep investors at bay Nobody invests in disorderly environment - Agbakoba Nigeria is fast losing investor-confidence - Ogunleye All major indices in macro-economic evaluation are negative – Onovo

p. 27

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Cover

How rights violation, disregard for rule of law keep investors at bay Innocent Odoh and Iniobong Iwok

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igeria’s economy is in a poor state at the moment. A myriad of factors contributed to this precarious condition, but none appears to have the potential to drive away or keep investors at bay than Nigeria’s human rights record under the current administration.

When President Muhammadu Buhari was being inaugurated in 2015, he promised to respect the rights of Nigerians and the rule of law, but analysts say that facts on ground appear to have proven his administration behaves otherwise.

The rave of the moment in the streak of human rights violations under the Buhari administration is the current travails of Omoyele Sowore, convener of #RevolutionNow protest and activist, in the hands of the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). The secret police has come under scathing condemnation over the alleged illegal re-arrest of Sowore on Friday, December 6 after the agency had released him the previous day on court orders.

The nation and the international community were stunned when reports and some video clips emerged that the DSS operatives, had allegedly stormed the courtroom to disrupt court proceedings in order to rearrest Sowore on the said date. Some reports said Ijeoma Ojukwu, the presiding judge, was forced to withdraw to her inner chambers to avoid any harm to her.

Sowore was arrested on August 3 in Lagos and he spent more than 120 days in DSS detention over his planned protests on August 5 with #RevolutionNow, which the government considered as treasonable felony. The DSS has allegedly ignored several court orders to release him. The #RevolutionNow protest, however, took place in Abuja and other states of the federation especially the south, where the authorities deployed the police in Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and others to disperse the

protesters. About three people were reportedly killed while many were injured as they staged protests against the biting economic hardship and the increasing level of insecurity in the land.

Al t h o u g h t h e D S S , through its spokesman, Peter Afunanya, in a statement, claimed the publisher of Sahara Reporters, only acted a drama in court with his supporters to bring the DSS to disrepute, Sowore’s lawyer, Femi Falana, wondered “If Sowore’s supporters subjected him to such brutalisation in the presence of DSS operatives, and why were they not arrested for contravening the provisions of the Anti-Torture Act, 2017? Or were the DSS operatives expecting the supporters of a defendant wanted by the state to kill him in their presence?”

The DSS also allegedly re-arrested Sowore without warrant of arrest and detention order, a development that has angered many and increased agitation for his release from further detention.

An oth er di s tu r bi ng case of rights violation is that of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, whose rights have been trampled upon. The former NSA is accused of embezzling funds meant to fight the Boko Haram insurgency.

The DSS has refused to release Dasuki after about five court orders, including an order from the ECOWAS Court ordering his release on bail.

Ibrahim el-Zakzaky represents yet another alleged despotism of the current administration.

The leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) popularly called Shiites, has been in detention since he was arrested in 2015 following an army crackdown on his members in Zaria, Kaduna State, on December 12, 2018 in which nearly 400 of the sect members were allegedly killed by soldiers over an allegation that the sect plotted to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai. He was also accused of leading a group that breaches public peace.

The panel of inquiry set up by the Kaduna State government recommend-

ed sanction against the perpetrators of the Shiites massacre but it is not clear if any action has been taken against them as the Shiites have continued to clash with the security agencies leading to more deaths, arrest and incarceration of the sect members.

The popular #BringBackOurGirls campaigners have also felt the fangs of the repressive nature of the state under Buhari.

The leader of the group, and former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili and others such as Aisha Yesufu have faced police teargas and other forms of autocratic measures aimed at whittling their agitations for the release of the remaining Chibok girls in the Boko Haram captivity. Even their campaign venue, the popular Unity Fountain, has been closed as the FCT administration claimed rehabilitation work was going on there.

The Sowore saga, ElZakzaky, Dasuki and others have raised fears in many quarters that Nigeria was gradually sliding back to the days of dictatorship, when flagrant violation of the rule of law was the order of the day, with the collateral consequences for investment in the country.

Analysts fear that the DSS, the police and the army appear to have surrendered their professional callings to the dictates of the powerful cabal in government.

The analysts urged government to urgently halt the nation’s drift into anarchy to save the little investments in the country and to encourage investor-confidence in the interest of Nigeria’s teeming population.

Speaking to our correspondent on the consequences of human rights violations and abuse of rule of law on investment and economic development, Olisa Agbakoba , a Maritime lawyer and senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said: “Nobody will invest in a disorderly environment; not even local investors. They cannot invest in a volatile area because a businessman calculates risk. Risk is the most important thing in an investment decision; so, the risk of doing

L-R: Onowu of Nsukka Kingdom, Chief Paulinus Eze; tricycle winner in Globacom’s ‘My Own Don Beta’ promo, Goddy Ijiga; Glo Dealers, Oliver Offordi, and Ngozika Ugwuyja, when Globacom presented prizes to winners in the Recharge and Win Big promo (‘My Own Don Beta’ in their community at Nsukka, Enugu State, on Friday.

business in Nigeria is extremely high. If Nigeria is rated as being a country in low-grade civil war, then it is not likely that heavy investment would want to come here; and if heavy investment does not come and it is likely that the poverty index will continue to grow.”

Majeed Dahiru, a public affairs analyst and columnist, said: “Buhari cannot continue to claim to be a born-again democrat and a civilian president and yet continues to lead the country down the road of impunity and violation of the rule of law and constitutionalism.”

Ac c o r d i n g t o h i m , “When a country is known for respecting their own laws, people are confident to make long term and medium term investments in such countries because there is certainty of the system, it is working according to the dictates of the law. But in an atmosphere of uncertainty like we have now, it can affect your livelihood; it affects your investment and existence, nobody wants to come to such a country.”

Dahiru pointed out that “Even in monarchical system of government in the Arab Gulf states, they actually abide by the little laws they have been able to make. You don’t have the arbitrary rule there.

So, Nigeria is simply on the path to being a pariah state if it continues like this. This is a typical African dictatorship that is devoid of any ideological leaning toward making their country prosperous, it is just power grab and misuse of it against the overall interest of the nation.”

Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, executive director of the Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), lamented the flagrant abuse of human rights and rule of law going on under the current government, describing same as unprecedented, and that it calls for concern.

“Gradually, the reputation of government is fast collapsing because of its continued violation of human rights, coupled with the monumental corruption that is currently going on,” Rafsanjani said.

A former chairman of the Lagos State branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Martin Ogunleye, warned that the country would lose investor confidence, while equally attracting negative perception if the unfortunate trend persists.

“Yes, it is affecting investment; but it is gradual.

What the security agencies are doing would negatively impact on foreign direct investment and the perception of the country among foreigners,” Ogunleye said.

“Investors are after profit; when the climate is not conducive, they don’t go or they pull out. Nobody would put his money in a country where they can be picked up on the way to work, harassed and detained against court order; that is what is happening with this Muhammadu Buhari administration.

“The problem is that the normal process of appointment of judges was changed. The process used to be very transparent, until it was abandoned. But because of the manner the judge’s

appointments are made, it is difficult for them to stand their ground and hold the government accountable,” he said.

Eddy Olafeso, national vice-chairman (Southwest) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said the country was already losing investors due to the dictatorial tendencies of the current administration, stressing that the trend had damaged the reputation of Nigeria in the international community and investors.

“It is already affecting us; we have seen a reduction in investment into Nigeria decline in the last few years. In 2017, foreign direct investment to Nigeria was N4 billion, but reduced to N1billion in 2018.

Until this government is changed through the ballot, don’t expect anything different,” he said.

Martin Onovo, an American-trained Petroleum Engineer and presidential candidate of the Na t i o n a l C o n s c i e n c e Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, said: “Nigeria is now the worst terrorised country in the whole world. Before General Buhari came to power we were Number 4; today we are Number 3. That is a deterioration; we didn’t get better, we got worse.

Now, look at corruption; it is worse than before; look at the economy – the five major indices in macro-economic evaluation are all negative: GDP (gross domestic product) is negative; debt is higher; currency is devalued; inflation is much higher and unemployment has more than doubled. So, the result is very clear.”

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Sunday 08 December 2019

News

Caritas Communications CEO honoured by OAU

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he Chief Executive Officer of Caritas Communications, Adedayo Ojo, has been conferred with an Award of Special Recognition, by the Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. The award, which was presented at the 2019 professional induction of graduating students in the Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, is in recognition of Adedayo Ojo’s contributions to the development of the Faculty of Education at the school and for his commitment to improving the lot of youths across the country.

“This award is for me, an encouraging pat on the back and coming from such an illustrious citadel of learning, with which I share a strong bond, makes it even more endearing. I feel highly honoured to have been selected for my modest efforts and passion to see that the emerging generation has

a strong foothold to keep this country on the right path.’’ he said at the award presentation.

He encouraged the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the university and of the country.

“As you embark on another phase of your journey in life, hold fast to the tenets that you have acquired from this school and remember that you have a responsibility to protect your good name and that of this prestigious university.”

In his welcome address, the Dean, Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor M.A. Adeleke, expressed gratitude to Adedayo Ojo for his long standing support to the Faculty and his commitment to the development of education in Nigeria.

“Mr. Adedayo Ojo has made significant contributions to the growth of our Faculty, including the donation of many computer systems that formed the

backbone of what today, constitutes the Faculty of Education e-library.”

Mr. Adedayo Ojo is the Founder and CEO of Caritas Communications, a top innovative, reputation management and integrated business communication service provider. An accomplished public affairs professional of over 30 years, he is the current Vice President, Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN).

Mr. Adedayo Ojo is also the author of a groundbreaking and thought leadership book – “Public Relations: Thoughts & Deeds”.

The event was attended by several important personalities in the education sector, including the ViceChancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Ebun Fajuyigbe, the Principal Officers of the university, officials of the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria amongst others.

USAID partners IHS Nigeria to deepen efforts to eradicate HIV/AIDS in Bayelsa Desmond Okon

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s part of its efforts to involve private sector involvement in Nigeria’s health sector, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has formed a partnership with a top telecommunications infrastructure firm, IHS Nigeria, to support its activities to eradicate HIV and AIDS in Bayelsa State.

IHS Nigeria, a subsidiary of the international telecommunications infrastructure provider, IHS Towers, will contribute 60,000 rapid test kits to the Bayelsa State government through USAID’s HIV/AIDS program.

It was learnt that the kits will be used to test young women and children specifically, to pre-

vent mother-to-child transmission and help health clinics improve antenatal services.

“This collaboration is a great example of USAID’s new approach of engaging the private sector to help Nigeria develop local solutions to solve local problems,” USAID mission director Stephen, Haykin said at a signing ceremony, which held recently. “The donation also shows the commitment of IHS Nigeria to social responsibility, in this case advancing HIV epidemic control measures in Bayelsa State.”

At the signing , the chief executive officer of IHS Nigeria, Mohamad Darwish, said IHS Nigeria’s contribution to HIV control in Bayelsa underscores the company’s support for the United Nations’ Sustain-

able Development Goals through its sustainability programs.

“We hope this assistance to the state health system in Bayelsa through USAID will help encourage other organizations to pursue strategic partnerships beneficial to their respective communities,” Darwish said.

In 2018, USAID tested over two million people for HIV, and funded treatment for nearly 80 percent of the 69,000 identified as positive.

USAID also provides more than 285,000 HIVpositive Nigerians with lifesaving therapy and continues to provide health agencies test kits and medicines, as well as support for more than half a million children orphaned or otherwise affected by HIV.

Amid cost, risk, many travellers shelve...

Continued from page 1 trips even for Christmas.

This year is not different as the economic downturn is a major impediment, while security has not improved despite government assurances.

As expected, transport fares are not going down; rather, transport companies are taking advantage of the exodus of passengers and the ensuing unprecedented demand for their services to triple fares across board.

Al r e a d y, i n t e r s t a t e transport fares have started increasing since December 1st, it will continue and climax during the last three days to Christmas when the rush is at its peak and fares can go as high as from N12,000 to N15,000 per passenger from Lagos to Onitsha, Abuja to Port Harcourt, Kano to Makurdi and so on. It means a family of five that chose to go by public transport will spend at least N60,000 on one way trip aside other expenses.

The domestic airlines are also taking advantage of the impassable highways dotted with potholes, kidnappers and killers. If flights were cheap, a lot of travellers would fly.

As at December 14, 2019, the cheapest air return ticket from Lagos-Abuja, Abuja-Port Harcourt, Lagos-Owerri, among other destinations, cost from

N50,000. That is about double of the minimum wage and almost getting out of the reach of the middle-class, which is yet to recover since the economic recession of 2016.

For families that depend on minimum wage, festive trip is now almost impossible going by unnecessarily exorbitant fares charged by transport companies.

Some families now resort to sending a delegation instead of the entire members because of the huge cost. For motorists, the cost of servicing cars to ensure they are roadworthy for festive trips keeps going higher each year, as well as, fuel, which is usually hoarded to create artificial scarcity during festive season and often adulterated by some unscrupulous elements to make extra gain.

In the past, auto workshops are usually very busy few weeks to Christmas as mechanics, panel beaters, spray painters, electricians, among other auto technicians work under pressure to deliver on cars they are servicing for customers, most of whom are travelling with the cars for the festive holiday.

Today, the trend is changing. Henry Asemota, a Ghanaian spray painter at Micky Autoshop, along Okota Road in Isolo, Lagos, still finds time to play draft game as low patronage has reduced the traditional pressure of work during

this period.

Mirroring the scenario, Asemota says, “I have been calling some of my customers who usually bring their cars for servicing against festive trips, but they keep promising to come. One of them called me recently to say that his family is not travelling again because he has debts to pay and would not want to incur additional one”.

Asemota, who is surprised that the customer he presumed as ‘a big man’ is crying for money, wonders if ‘the poor’ can even afford rice this Christmas.

But a shock for the spray painter is an alarm raised by one of his customers, who is a senior security personnel. “My Oga is not travelling. He said the road is not safe. When I told him to carry his gun, he asked me how many guns he would bring out against an army of terrorists on the highway. If he is scared of those hoodlums, what about those who donot have security training and gun like him?” he asks.

In the same vein, Maxwell Ohia, a customer at the auto workshop, recalls that in the past, people travel home with money, food items, gifts, among others to give their family members and acquaintances. With economic realities in the country, Ohia insists that there is no need travelling when one cannot appreciate people for keeping the home front.

“The reality is that people travel to spend money at home or wherever they visit during Christmas. But if you do not have enough money to spend, it is better to stay back and save yourself from embarrassment”, Ohia explains.

There are many people like Ohia, who are not travelling this festive season in order to save themselves from ridicule from family members and those who used to depend on them.

Beyond saving oneself from embarrassment, BidemiOyetola, a banker, who always travels to Ilorin for Christmas holiday, says he may not travel for

festive holiday this year because he usually spends twice his budget on any of such trips. “The economy is fragile now and requires prudence in one’s expenditure. I am beginning to be self-cautious,” he says.

The banker explains further that from the look of things, 2020 is going to be very harsh and that it is ideal to begin to adjust now than to be taken unawares.

“The banks are already enforcing Central Bank’s directives and are busy cutting money from depositors. The increase in Value Added Tax is waiting in the corner, price of food is going up every day with the border closure, and January is around the corner when you must pay for one thing or the other: school fees, house rent, renew bills, among others.

So, you can shelve travel and use the money for more important things”, he advises.

In line with Oyetola, IteneAmagah, a business executive, says that one does not need a soothsayer to foretell that hardship looms. “This dispensation for me is a trying one for our country, you wake up to hear one tax increment, ban of items, deductions, among other things that take money from you.

So, 2020 is already here and we are experiencing the hardship and government even confirmed that more are coming. Nigerians should be in survival

mode now, cut unnecessary expenditures including travelling for show like Christmas,” he says.

Lucas Emordi, a retired army officer, who works with a corporate security firm, notes that terrorists and kidnappers are still on rampage on the highways and festive season offers them huge number of travellers to kidnap, make money from and sadly kill.

“Two of our team members and the corporate clients they were guarding were waylaid early last month by terrorists along the Lokoja-Kabbah highway because of superior arms the hoodlums brandished. Our rescue was a miracle. There are many of such sad incidents every day and it may get worse this festive period as more vulnerable people are on the road,” Emordi says.

For safety, he suggests convey travels. “The transport companies can team up and raise threearmed security vans to escort from 50 buses at a time to save cost. All the buses will load, wait and leave at the same time every day. It will take an army of hoodlums to succeed in attacking three armed vans”.

However, if you succeed in getting home safely this festive season, one still needs to watch one’s back as family relations often collaborate in kidnapping for ransom of returning family members perceived to be rich.

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News Report finds hidden anger in Ogoni over disregard for compensation in clean up ·Warns against re-pollution · Wants HYPREP to seat up and help the people own the process with information Ignatius Chukwu & Favour Ichemati

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f the Federal Government does not act fast and address the seething anger over expectation of compensation as a component of the clean up, the entire $1billion effort may go down the drain.

This is the critical finding of the Symposium mounted by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Rivers State which ended in Port Harcourt last weekend. The group examined the environment with particular focus on the report of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Ogoni Clean-Up, and the compliance level of stakeholders, especially Shell and the FG (through HYPREP).

The discussants also held that since the underpinnings of Ogoni struggle have been environmental injustice, remediation without compensation still harbours injustice; and this seems to make the scheme a hard sale to the Ogoni community.

The symposium resolved that for the UNEP Report and consequent Ogoni Clean-Up to have enduring result, remediation must be followed with confirmation and monitoring to prevent further degradation.

There was therefore, a demand for the Federal Government to address the underpinning desire for compensation because cleaning brings environmental remediation but does not address

the aspect of human loss over the years.

It was emphasised that Nigerians and their government need to take the issues of environment seriously if we must ensure national security; including security of lives and property and food security.

The communiqué also pointed out that despite the hype by government and stakeholders, the issue of Ogoni Clean-Up seems to drag so slowly that it has created the perception of motion without movement. It was clearly pointed out that funds are not the problem of the Clean Up but stifling bureaucratic processes that make nonsense of procurement needs, thus, working against the expectations of the impacted communities.

There was a call to grant waiv-

ers so that action can move faster without compromising transparency.

It was also observed that the agency responsible for the Clean Up, HYPREP, has not been able to communicate the processes to the communities and the press effectively, thus creating impression that the clean up was a fraud or political.

Calls were made to open up communication to sell the exercise.

Participants commended members of the press for standing with the Ogoni community over the decades especially since the late Ken Saro-Wiwa broadened the awareness of the Ogoni on the environmental degradation of their land, but urged the press to do more on the issue concerning the Niger Delta region. The press was

L-R: BB Fakae, a former vice chancellor of UST; Legborsi pygbara, MOSOP president, and Chika onuegbu, TUC national vice president, discussing UNEP Report and compliance levels.

ActionAid Nigeria urges female journalists to amplify voices of vulnerable women VICTORIA NNAKAIKE, Lokoja

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ctionAid Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation, has called on female journalists to always amplify voices of women, particularly the most vulnerable women in humanitarian context and exclude communities.

The organisation, which engaged 30 female journalists from Kogi, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in a three-day media training on Feminist Journalism and Counter Narratives for Peace Building held at Goshen Guest House in Nasarawa State, also resolved that female journalists should

urged to deploy more resources in monitoring the clean up processes.

They observed that even as UNEP Report was not enough for the solution of the environmental degradation of Ogoni due to perceived influence of multinational oil corporations on the team, the Report at least validated the claims by the Ogoni of monumental degradation of their environment.

The participants averred that it is difficult for journalists to go into Ogoniland to do independent and investigative report due to grave security situation in the enclave.

It was painfully admitted that re-pollution has become the biggest threat to the clean up exercise with fears that more pollution sites must have emerged than the UNEP Report identified.

understand that feminism is a battle of the sexes not a call for equal rights for women and men.

A communiqué released at the end of the event, urged female journalists to “Be more deliberate in amplifying voices of women, particularly the most vulnerable women in humanitarian context and excluded communities.

“Practise solutions journalism and be consciously supportive of conflict mitigation as opposed to fanning the embers of bitterness. Deliberately seek to understand the power dynamics behind every story, particularly how hidden powers influence the truth.

“Constantly seek to shift power to the voiceless, par-

ticularly women, by using multiple platforms, online and offline to amplify their voices; lack of power is a form of poverty, and poverty is linked to the drivers to conflict.”

The communiqué also stated that female journalists should find a way of making parties in conflict situation ventilate and express their grievances in a balanced way, adding that “peace building initiatives through reports and campaigns targeted at duty bearers to address early warning signs through their publications and reports”.

“Identify peace builders in a conflict and give them platforms to promote peace in conflict situations as part of peace journalism.

Lagos First Lady tasks women on proper education Ngozi Okpalakunne

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t was a gathering of women from various professional backgrounds, for this year’s edition of Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) conference. The venue was the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island.

The 3-day event was the 19th in its series and was spear-headed by the wife of the governor of Lagos State, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu . It was indeed a conference to reckon with as it exposed the participants to what it takes to be an all-round successful woman.

Speaking at the conference which held under the theme, ‘Unlearn, Learn

and Relearn: 21st Century Women’s T.H.E.M.E.S Perspectives/Approach’, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu stressed the need for women to be educated, and that such efforts would go a long way in empowering women in society.

According to her, when women are educated, they she would not only contribute meaningfully to the development of their families but also to nation building.

She further explained that empowered and educated women would raise responsible children.

“As a nation, we need to invest effectively in maximising the capacity of women. As women, we must strategically position ourselves to take full benefits of the programmes of government,” she said.

SPDC promises alternative power source for Abia shoe factory UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia.

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hell Petroleum Development Company has promised to provide alternative power source to the Abia Automated Shoe factory to enhance maximum operation.

Sam Hart, the coordinator of the Shoe factory and Chinenye Nwogu, special assistant to the Governor of Abia State on Social Investment and Job creation, made this known while conducting Governor Okezie Ikpeazu round the factory.

Both Hart and Nwogu disclosed that the machines had been tested and confirmed to be in good condition for the job, saying that various kinds of shoes could be produced in the factory.

Ikpeazu, while speaking during an inspection visit to the shoe factory located at Umuokahia in Obingwa LGA

of Abia, expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far at the factory and thanked the team from China as well as coordinators of the project for a job well done.

The governor said that the decision to establish a shoe factory in the state was a product of one of his visits to China.

He stated that efforts were on top gear to provide alternative power source in the factory, and charged the Chinese contractors installing the machines to do everything needed to meet up the deadline. The governor directed that a canteen and other facilities needed to make the place a shoe village be provided at the shoe factory.

The Commissioner for Industry, Uwaoma Olewengwa and her Information Counterpart Chief John Okiyi Kalu, among other government functionaries accompanied the governor on the inspection visit.

Nigeria must address impunity, electoral violence to save democracy - CACOL Iniobong Iwok

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he Coalition against CorruptLeaders(CACOL) has said Nigeria must urgently take measures to address impunity and set up an Electoral Offences Commission to address the violence which has characterised recent elections in the country.

CACOL lamented the inability of security agencies and the Independent National ElectoralCommission(INEC) to punish politicians who perpetrate electoral violence in the country, stressing that the trend portends danger for the nation’s democracy.

Elections in Nigeria have increasingly become contro-

versial and violence-ridden in recent years due to desperation on the part of politicians to win at all cost.

According to INEC and security agencies, more than 10 people were killed in the recently concluded Bayelsa and Kogi States’ gubernatorial elections including a women leader of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State.

This,has,however,prompted outcry from stakeholders who have called for concerted effort to deal with the trend.

But speaking in an interview with BDSUNDAY, , Chairman of CACOL, Debo Adeniran said the trend had continued because of inability of government to punish culprits.

Adeniranurgedthegovern-

ment to put pressure on the National Assembly to pass the Electoral Offences Commission bill, saying that it was necessary to bring sanity into the electoral process.

According to him, “A situation where people rigged elections and get away with it and still remain in public office, collectsalaryandarenotfound guilty is not helping us.

“And that is why we are asking for the kind of Electoral Offences Commission to be set up so that it would monitor electoral offences and get people investigated, prosecuted and punished.

“Just like we are making progress in the fight against corruption, we should also make progress in the areas of conducting elections in the country.

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News Varsity don advocates for use of multimedia, internet for intellectual purposes SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin

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amuel Onasanya, a professor of Educational Technology, University of Ilorin, has stressed the use of ICT in enhancing intellectual and development of the nation in a rapidly changing global environment.

Onasanya, who stated this while presenting the 185th Inaugural Lecture of the University titled, ‘From the Slate Boards to the Webb: Paradigm Shift in Educational Resources Deployment’, advocated the use of multimedia and internet for intellectual purpose.

The use of interactive multmedia and hypermedia instructions, according to him, encourages individualistic teaching and learning, as

he posited that the E-learning was now widely hailed and synonymously associated with more effective and efficient learning outcomes.

According to Onasanya, research has shown that developed and evaluated virtual laboratory packages for Physics and Biology is adequate and effective for the teaching and learning of selected concepts in Physics and Biology.

The inaugural lecturer, therefore, advised the government and non-governmental organisations to endeavour to procure adequate digital learning tools and technologies at all levels of Nigeria’s educational system, saying, this will help the country to compete favourably, academically with their counterparts globally.

The don also urged stu-

dents to explore the opportunities offered by the virtual Physics and Biology laboratory packages for revision purposes as well as for individualised learning experiment.

“Investigations shown that multimedia can help in sports for facilitating the speedy acquisition of professional motor skills and experiences via monitoring of various styles and techniques.

“The educational technology programme in higher institutions in Nigeria should be redesigned with emphasis on repackaging of both teachers and students to learning via the deployment of digital learning tools such as the google classroom, socrates prezi, class dajo and computer graphic tools for subsequent deployment in future classrooms,” he said.

L-R: Aurelien Pillet, Sustainable Energy Finance Specialist; Eugene Itua, chief executive officer, Natural Eco Capital; Ayodeji Ademilua, chief executive officer, A4&T Power Solutions; Aisha Jibril, head, climate change mitigation, Federal Ministry of Environment, and Innocent Azih, director, Eko Carbon Exchange, during the launch of Eko Carbon Exchange, at the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties in Madrid.

Onasanya, however, observed that despite the numerous advantages of using the social media by students, there are perceived side effects of using it, such that can lead to isolation and addiction that may significantly affect productivity, interpersonal and personal behaviour of youths.

Ihedioha applauds Ndigbo for their entrepreneurial prowess on economic front …as Ideato Association raises fund for Centre Modestus Anaesoronye

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he Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha has lauded the entrepreneurial spirit of the Igbo people any where they found themselves, urging them not to relent in their quest for wealth creation and human capital development in economic activities.

This great business spirit, he said, had contributed immensely in the development of the nation, the world and their immediate environment.

Ihedioha made the remarks in Calabar while

speaking at the Ideato Cultural and Welfare Association End of Year Party/N50 million fund raising ceremony for the completion of their Hall/Event centre.

The governor, who was represented by the Chidi Okoli, general manager, Imo State Housing Corporation, commended the association for taking the bold step in initiating the construction of the multi-million naira edifice in Calabar.

He said: “I am satisfied with the quality of job I have seen here today. I can attest to it and I hope you will continue using quality materials as the work progresses”.

He reassured that Imo

State shall regain its lost glory as “so many projects like road constructions have commenced within and outside the state capital.”

Ihedioha also declared: “I am committed to lifting up Imo higher than where we met it before the end of our tenure. The roads are quality ones. We need your support to do more. In no distant time, Imo will bounce back again”.

According to him, “We had just started paying pensioners in the state. Over 4,000 teachers have been penciled for employment “.

He promised to visit Calabar soonest where he will create time out to in-

L-R: Onowu L.E. Ihezie, Nna-ndi Imo; HRH Eze E.A. Ezenwenyi, Eze-igbo, Cross River State, in handshake with the representative of Imo State Governor, Chidi Okoli at the Ideato Cultural and Welfare Association End of Year Party/N50 million fund raising ceremony for the completion of their hall/event centre in Cross River State.

spect the project, adding, “I am highly impressed with the project. It is a very solid structure that can stand the test of time”.

In his address Okey Maduekwe, president of Ideato Cultural and Welfare Association, commended the planning committee for coming up with the fund raising programme.

Maduekwe, while thanking all the guests, associations and well wishers that honoured the occasion, promised to judiciously utilise all funds realised in the interests of the association.

The association over the years had placed great emphasis on the development and mentoring of youths and it has been very rewarding.

The Hall, he said, had played host to some Igbo returnees on their way back home from the troubled region of Cameroon.

Earlier, the chairman of the occasion and Interim Chairman, Ideato North Local Government Council, Njesi Ernest, lauded the initiative of the people of Ideato in Cross River State.

While congratulating them for a successful outing, he used the opportunity to renew his membership with the Calabar branch The Country Representative, Cuso international, a Gambian, Ebrima Sonko, graced the occasion as a special guest of honour.

Kwara governor tasks cabinet on legacy, commitment ...as he assigns portfolios to commissioners SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin

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he Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq on Friday sworn-in 16 commissioners, four senior assistants and members of the Civil Service Commission, with a charge on them to be focused, always relate well with the public and to work together as a team, saying “stronger together, each watching the back of the other.”

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at the Banquet Hall in Ilorin, Abdulrazaq called on his cabinet members to consider what legacies they would like to be remembered for in the discharge of their duties, noting that his administration has a historical duty to change the narrative about the state.

“Let me remind all of you that we are not necessarily the best out of the 3.5million people in this state. However, providence has placed on our shoulders the historic responsibility to take our people out of Egypt and safely into the Canaan land.

“This task requires focus, patience, sacrifice, tact, speed, and constant supplication to God Almighty to guide us every step of the way. We must engage, listen, and relate well with our people whose mandate has brought us here. In doing so, we must see the whole of Kwara as our constituency.

“The recent retreat has offered you a clearer picture of where Kwara stands today and where we are headed as a team. Whatever assignment given to you must be done with all sincerity. Think always about what you want to be remembered for when you leave this office.

“Our team is faced on the one hand by high expectations of a populace long deprived of good governance and on the other by detrac-

tors who may never see anything good in whatever we do or stand for. But rest assured that the only obligation before us as a team is to prove the naysayers wrong and deliver on our mandate to the people of Kwara State,” he said.

“We are to build a state that is viable, accountable, inclusive, responsive to the basic yearnings of its people, and is equipped with the necessary infrastructure and institutions to meet the challenges of the 21st Century, while also welcoming constructive criticism to make us better at what we do. Iseya!” the governor declared.

Meanwhile, the governor has assigned portfolios to the commissioners and the Special Advisers.

Aisha Ahman Pategi was assigned Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Ayinla Jawondo Suleiman (Justice); Arinola Fatimah Lawal (Water Resources); Murtala Olanrewaju (Communications); Aliyu Mohammed Saifudeen (Environment and Forestry); Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu (Tertiary Education); Aliyu Sabi Kora (Energy); Ahmed Fatima Bisola (Education); Agbaje Wahab Femi (Enterprises); SuleimanRotimiIliasu (Works and Transports); Aremu Abosede Deborah (Social Development);JoanaNnazua Kolo (Youths and Sport); Adenike Afolabi Oshatimehin (Agriculture and Rural Development) Resources; Dr Raji Razak (Health); Oyeyemi Olasunbo Florence (Planning and Finance ); Oyedun Juliana Funke (Special Duties).

Abdulrazaq equally designated Kale Belgore as Senior Adviser and Counsellor; Saadu Salau as Special Adviser Political; Yinka Aluko as Special Adviser on Special Duties; Attahiru Ibrahim as Special Adviser Youths and Sports, according to a statement by Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.

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‘Why I Am Alive’ Campaign celebrates iconic Nigerians this December …Obasanjo, Dangote, Mo Abudu to speak Modestus Anaesoronye

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t promises to be an inspirational and mindprovoking gathering as iconic Nigerians will seek to inspire the emerging generation of Nigerian youths at the ‘Why I Am Alive Campaign’ end of year celebration billed to hold on the 27th of December at The Podium, Lekki, Lagos. This year’s edition is expected to draw professionals and stakeholders in Nigeria and over 300 attendees. Millions of others will have the opportunity to partake via online broadcast.

Themed ‘The Nigerian Story’, the inaugural celebratory event is designed to empower young Nigerians to be the best at their chosen fields of endeavour and live a purposeful life that is built on diligence and excellence.

The event will help to get clarity on goals and visions

Obasanjo

Dangote

Mo Abudu

for the future by tapping into key lessons from the success stories of these eminent personalities that have contributed to the social, economic and political growth of Nigeria.

Some of the distinguished personalities expected to speak at the event include former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Richest man in Africa, Aliko Dangote; CEO of Ebonylife TV, Mo Abudu and Olurotimi Badero who is the world’s only heart and kidney surgeon.

The ‘Why I Am Alive’ campaign is targeted at engaging over 300 million Nigerians and in the Diaspora. Caro-

line Moore, the convener of the campaign disclosed that the aim of the initiative is to change “the mindset of young Nigerians to believe in their potential, live purposeful lives and succeed as well as to use this event to change the perception of Nigeria globally” Chairman of the Board of Advisors of the ‘Why I Am Alive’ initiative, Ituah Ighodalo hopes that the conversations at the event will serve as a shining example for the attendees. According to him, “We are looking towards a great event that will impact lives and inspire people to greatness. Nigeria

is in dire need of change and everyone should dig in and discover why they are really alive, we want to thank our sponsors and speakers and of course those who will be attending. Nigeria will be great again” In a bid to empower the youth, the Why I Am Alive Campaign initiative facilitated a Masterclass hosted

by Caroline Moore with business coach, American entrepreneur and CEO of Sports 1 Marketing, David Meltzer as guest speaker. This helped in repositioning the minds of attendees to be more productive and inspired to maximize their potential.

FMARD trains 50 poultry farmers on bird production in Abia UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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ifty poultry farmers in Abia State have been trained in poultry value chain on Noiler Birds production and management by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and equipped with starter packs.

The training was in collaboration with the Federal Department of Agricultural ExtensionFarmersEducation Programme and Abia State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP).

The 50 beneficiaries who were drawn from the 17 Local Government Areas of the state were equipped with starter packs, each comprising of 30 Noiler Birds, feeds and chemicals.

Israel Amanze, the programme manager of Abia ADP, while declaring the training open at the premises of ADP in Umuahia said the training was for small scale poultry farmers who would be trained on Noiler Birds production in combination with local and other birds.

AfCFTA will promote economic growth and reduce poverty - NEPC MIKE ABANG, Calabar

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head of the July 1st deadline for the commencement of African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), signed by Nigeria, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says the agreement, when fully operational next year, will promote economic growth and development, and reduce poverty in partnering countries.

Olusegun Awolowo, chief executive officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, said this in Calabar during a oneday Stakeholders’ Conference on ‘Assessing the Impact of Eastern Ports and Continental Shipping on Export Trade Pre and Post AfCTTA Era’.

Awolowo, who was represented by Joe Ita, the regional coordinator of NEPC South-South, further said: “By our mandate, we are committed to actively developing and promoting non-oil exports and seeing the opportunities that will be available.”

According to him, the objective of organising the programme was informed by the fact that there is little misconception from m a n y a b o u t A F C F TA ,

whether it is a blessing to the nation or curse, part of which must have led to the initial delay in signing the agreement.

He said the objective of the forum is to prepare Nigerians in terms of proper understanding of the details of the agreement such as the rules of origin, protocols of trade in Goods and Services, dispute resolution, among others all of which will aid in making business decisions.

In his paper presentation, the keynote speaker, Sam Epiah, said: “In my opinion, government of Nigeria needs to put in place internal mechanism to protect local markets from smuggling and dumping by reviewing, harmonising and strengthening institutions.”

He said the relevant government institutions must engage key stakeholders to reach consensus on non-

tariff barriers.

“Considering the failure of the West African Free Trade Agreement, which did not really deliver much value to the nation, key players in the private sector must come together and strategise on how best the AfCFTA treaty will promote the frontiers of the muchdesired growth of their enterprise and the economy at large,” he observed.

According to the shipping expert, the Eastern Ports can play a major role in promoting and sustaining the business activities through the AfCFTA. He said government at all levels and stakeholders must aggressively begin to address the deficiencies to gain from the benefits of the Free Trade Agreement through investment, enlightenment programmes such as this by NEPC, both locally and internationally.

Amanze restated the determination of ADP to continue to train and empower Abia farmers.

He thanked the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for selecting the state as one of the pilot states for the training and pledged continued partnership with the Ministry to ensure that Abia farmers get anything due to them.

Karima Babangida, director, Federal Department of Agriculture and Extension, in her speech said that the training was part of the Federal Government’s efforts in taking Agriculture to the next level in Nigeria, and disclosed that the present administration was investing heavily in the sector because of the importance it attached in the improvement in Agricultural production and productivity.

Babangida, who spoke through Ibrahim Jimoh, her assistant, hinted that government would continue to train and empower farmers on other value chains with a view to making Agriculture the mainstay of Nigerian economy.

L-R: Nasiru Ibrahim (AGM, C&Sc) ,Nkechi Ali -Balogun ( FNIPR), Adams.A .Jatto, general manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications NPA), Hassan Danjuma (AGM, C&Sc), Atim Npubre (FNIPR) and Ayo O. Baje (Guest Lecturer) all at the recent NPA -Corporate and Strategic Communication Division 2019 Retreat @ SEFCON Suites and Apartments, Gwarinpa Abuja FCT

‘Music and Minds’ holds Christmas party …Urges Nigeria musicians to promote love, unity Ngozi Okpalakunne

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p-and-coming musicians in the country have been urged to play music that will promote love, peace and unity in society.

Speaking at the 4th annual Christmas party of the Music and Minds Group of Nigeria which took place recently in Lagos, one of the founding members of the group, Akin Fatunke stressed the need for young musicians to learn from the old musicians both living and dead, who through their works have positively impacted lives of the listeners.

According to Fatunke, music like, afro beat, high life among others were based on research and continuous

rehearsal of the lyrics before they were being played to the public. “What we have today is cut and paste; technology has taken over. There is need for today’s musicians to carry out proper research before coming up with any music, and by so doing, they will come up with music that will bring knowledge, peace and joy to the minds of the listeners,’’ he added.

On the event which tagged, ‘Meet and Greet’, Fatunke said: ‘’It is specially put together for friends and enthusiasts who have interacted virtually on WhatsApp, to meet physically at least once in a year, to put faces to names, to embrace, enjoy unity in diversity, and reinforce that music is a force for peace and conflict resolution”.

Speaking also at the event, another pioneer member of Music and Minds Group, Skidd Ikemefuna, described the gathering as a wonderful idea that brings together creative people in Nigeria.

“It is a meeting point for all the creative people in the country, including; artists, actors, actresses, song writers among others so as to share ideas and to see what is happening globally and adopt it locally,’’ Ikemefuna said.

On the other hand he appealed to government to come up with a legislation that will censor the music lyrics before such music is played to the public.

To him, some musicians of today have not in any way positively impacted lives of the young ones.

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Delta must produce next NDDC MD - Group insists Iniobong Iwok

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group, the Niger-Delta People’s Assembly (NDPA), has insisted that it was the turn of Delta State to produce the next Managing Director of the Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) based on the Act of the commission.

The group, however, took a swipe at media reports and moves by some individuals and members of the interim management board to act against the law of the commission and jeopardise the peace in the Niger-Delta region.

A statement to the media at the weekend, signed by Seiyefa Opuowei, convener of the group, noted that the NDDC Act stated that the tenure of the chairman and Managing Director of the NDDC was supposed to be rotated between the five oil producing states of the Niger-Delta, starting from the member-states of the commission with the highest production quantum of oil.

Opuowei said since Akwa Ibom which is the highest oil-producing state had just vacated the position, the position of the chairman ought to go to Delta State, which is the second-largest in oil-producing.

“On the position of a managing director, NDDC Act stipulates that the persons must be indigenes of oil-producing areas, and the slot is to be occupied sequentially starting with member-states of the commission with the highest production quantum of oil.

“Owing to the fact that Akwa Ibom State, which is the presently the highest oilproducing state just vacated the position, and the position of the chairman ought to go to Delta State, which is the second-largest oil-producing, it follows that Rivers

State ought to produce the next managing director being the third producer of oil based on current data obtained from the Department of Petroleum Resources.”

The statement said, it had become obvious that recent media reports were attempt to justify the moves by the acting managing director of the interim management committee Joi Nunieh to extend her stay in office.

The group recalled that Delta State produced the first MD of NDDC being the highest oil producing state then, while the position had since rotated among the oil producing states of Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom.

The statement added that disagreement over the new board had been settled with the naming of the new board

by President Muhammadu Buhari and screened by the Senate, in which Delta State produced the MD position, while the chairman was ceded to Edo State, being the next in line, while describing Nunieh interpretation as dubious and fraudulent.

According to the statement, “Our attention has been drawn to an article published in The Guardian of Sunday, December 8 2019 titled ‘NDDC: Board Crisis, Power Play Cripple Agency’ and written by one Kelvin Ebiri who goes by the title ‘South-South Bureau Chief.’

“Ordinarily, we would not have reacted to the issues raised in the said article, given the politicking that has attended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) since the list of board nominees was presented by President Buhari and confirmed by the Senate on November 5, but we are alarmed at the false claims made in that article, which can threaten the fragile peace in the Niger Delta region.

“It is clear that Ebiri is acting out a script, because the NDDC Act 2000 is very clear

on the appointment of Board Members. It is obvious that the usurpers in the IMC are trying to sell a false narrative to justify their agenda to remain at the NDDC. “What is apparent is that Nunieh’s comment and Ebiri’s analysis have one source and one objective; to sell the story that it is Rivers State’s turn to produce the MD, and strangely laboured to convince the public that the nomination of the MD of NDDC from Delta State was misplaced. This is the most ludicrous argument anyone can make.”

The group further said: “The NDDC Act states clearly that the MD position was to commence with the state with the highest production then, as at 2001, which was Delta State, and rotate subsequently. This is why Delta State produced the first MD in the person of Godwin Omene. That rotation came full circle with the position going from Delta to Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom State in the last four substantive boards.

“Now is the turn of Delta State to produce the MD. So, where did Ebiri and Nunieh get their fictional conclusion that Rivers State should get the MD position?

“Following from Delta State’s preference for the MD position, the chairmanship was ceded and Edo State, being the next in line was asked to nominate someone for the position and did so. This was the settled position that produced the current board members, which the President presented to the Senate and who were subsequently confirmed.

“Everything was done in accordance with law, equity, and due process, in line with good governance principles.

Therefore, the attempted false interpretation of the law as canvassed by Nunieh is fraudulent, dubious and quite unfortunate,” the group said.

ENYO Retail launches state-of-theart station at Naval Base, Apapa

L-R: CEO Enyo Retail and Supply, Abayomi Awobokun, CEO Naval Holdings, Rear Admiral S.A Adebari, FOC West Rear Admiral O.B Daji, FOC Navtrac, Rear Admiral S.I Enoch.

(Ribbon cutting)

L-R: CEO Enyo Retail and Supply, Abayomi Awobokun, FOC Navtrac, Rear Admiral S.I Enoch, Chief Petty Officer, F. Ossai (The one with the gas)

L-R: Customer Attendant Enyo Retail & Supply, Segun Olabisi, CEO Enyo Retail and Supply, Abayomi Awobokun, FOC West Rear Admiral O.B Daji, FOC Navtrac, Rear Admiral S.I Enoch. (The one at the fuel pump)

AOS Orwell, Inlakes donate $10,000 to sponsor cataract surgeries for Ogun indigenes Josephine Okojie

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OS Orwell, leading indigenous oil and gas servicing company in collaboration with Inlakes has announced a $10,000 donation to the Hope for Sight Initiative (HSI).

The donation is meant to support in financing cataract surgeries for indigenes of Ogun state.

Femi Omotayo, manag-

ing director, AOS Orwell, explained in a statement that the direction of the organisation is towards contributing to a better quality of living not just for its employees, but for its external community members as well.

“We are a compassionate organization with a heart for people. This is why we jumped on this initiative when we were approached. It is a laudable cause and we are proud to throw the full force of our financial weight behind

this,” Omotayo said.

He added that the company has been involved in several other causes that give back to the community at a consistent note.

According to experts, cataract is the leading cause of blindness in Nigeria and common among 50 years and above.

Also, the disease is on the rise in rural communities where sensitization levels are low and general misconception its treatment options, experts say.

L-R: CEO Naval Holdings, Rear Admiral S.A Adebari, CEO Enyo Retail and Supply, Abayomi Awobokun, FOC West Rear Admiral O.B Daji, FOC Navtrac, Rear Admiral S.I Enoch.

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Lagos and the prospect of waste-free future

Frank Aigbogun editor Zebulon Agomuo DEPUTY EDITOR John Osadolor, Abuja

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STRATEGY, INNOVATION & PARTNERSHIPS Oghenevwoke Ighure ADVERT MANAGER Ijeoma Ude FINANCE MANAGER Emeka Ifeanyi MANAGER, CONFERENCES & EVENTS Obiora Onyeaso BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (South East, South South) Patrick Ijegbai COPY SALES MANAGER Florence Kadiri DIGITAL SALES MANAGER Linda Ochugbua GM, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (North)

Bashir Ibrahim Hassan

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

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Imo Itsueli Mohammed Hayatudeen Afolabi Oladele Vincent Maduka Opeyemi Agbaje Amina Oyagbola Bolanle Onagoruwa Fola Laoye Chuka Mordi Mezuo Nwuneli Charles Anudu Tunji Adegbesan Eyo Ekpo Wiebe Boer Paul Arinze Boye Olusanya Ayo Gbeleyi Haruna Jalo-Waziri Clement Isong

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS Fabian Akagha

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Muyiwa Gbadegesin Gbadegesin is the chief executive officer, LAWMA

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ust recently, we introduced the Blue Box initiative – a waste collection programme designed to help residents sort recyclable waste from the source, that is, at the point where an item or material is considered waste. This eliminates the landfill process for recyclables, and we see this as a long term step by step and collaborative approach, to engage with the everyday Lagosian in our journey to a sustainable waste free environment.

Waste management is generally an inclusive practice which requires active participation and cooperation from individuals and the government, both driving a 2-way agenda to ensure a cleaner Lagos. It is important for people to understand the consequences of uncontrolled waste, as it could be very costly to both the society and the economy with significant health and environmental impacts linked to air, soil and water contamination.

The global waste management outlook report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) identifies waste as a global issue which concerns everyone and also studies how society consumes and produces waste especially in the urban areas. Here, effective waste

management is seen as a basic human need, sitting alongside the provision of potable water, shelter, food, energy, transport and other social amenities. This lays emphasis on how important the effective management of waste can greatly impact productivity and economic prosperity both from global and local levels.

According to research, Nigeria is one of the largest waste producers in Africa, with an annual waste generation of more than 32million tons. For Lagos state which is highly industrialised and one of the fastest growing cities in Nigeria and Africa with about 22million people, we generate about 10,000 metric tons of waste daily, which makes an average of 3.65million tons per year. This means that more than any other state in Nigeria, the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) has a responsibility to ensure that waste is managed appropriately, especially starting from the household and family levels.

Till date, we have increased private sector participation (PSP) by 32percent, expanding access in the waste collection and transportation systems across Lagos State.

Looking at the direct impact of improper waste management, this can be linked to two major aspects - public health and environmental pollution. Accumulated waste encourages organisms to breed, causing infectious and bacterial diseases especially for children. It also affects drinking water and can cause a widespread cholera outbreak, popular in some of the rural areas within Lagos. For the environment, this poses a serious threat to surface and groundwater, investors and tourist

activities.

Effective waste management collection, transportation and disposal processes, with the help of LAWMA and the PSPs, have become a very simplified procedure. First and most importantly, residents are encouraged to reduce activities associated with waste production, so that we can see a significant decrease in the amount of waste generated daily. Then it is also necessary for accumulated waste to be properly sealed and disposed in the waste storage materials provided by our agency across Lagos. Once this is done, the collection and transportation by the PSPs to the local landfills becomes a very straightforward and effective process and the cycle continues.

While we continue to work to ensure our environment is clean and healthy, we must emphasise the need for an urgent shift in attitudes towards waste disposal by residents across Lagos state. Indiscriminate refuse disposal practices have proven to cause severe problems in our efforts to sustaining a waste free society. In managing this, we have involved in several educational waste management programs like the Community Advocacy and CDA/ CDC Interaction, to create awareness on how we all have a role to play in keeping the environment healthy.

The state of our environment is an integral part of the quality of life we receive as humans. A cleaner environment inherently contributes to better livelihood for us, our children and many generations to come.

As an organisation, our mandate is to ensure a more secure, clean and prosperous state. Our vision is to build a smart city which was a

strong objective in the development of this initiative with components such as Residential Waste Collection and Processing, Commercial/Industrial Waste Collection, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Drainage Maintenance, Provision of Engineered/ hazardous Sanitary Landfill and Manual/ Mechanised Street Sweeping.

Through this initiative, LAWMA have successfully introduced 62 compactors, more than 380 waste bins, with over 600 community sanitation workers. Some of our results so far have been significant.

In our journey to building the future of a sustainable waste free environment for all, we have prioritised recycling, positioning it at the top of the agenda. We are challenged as a government to invest in solid waste recycling, exporting biodegradable waste which can be processed to high quality agricultural manure and other raw materials for several industries. Plastic wastes have also proven to generate wealth through recycling in the production of home and other domestic reusable items.

Recycling also creates jobs and in a broader sense, it is a significant contributor to our economy through the foreign exchange earnings associated with exporting waste. Small, medium to large scale companies are gradually exploring new ways on how to generate wealth from waste which buttresses our efforts at LAWMA in ensuring that waste collection can be simplified with initiatives such as the Blue Box, to help people sort waste for recycling.

Note: the rest of this article continues in the online edition of BusinessDay @ https://businessday.ng

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11 Inside Lagos

How we’ll utilise donations to LSSTF - Sanwo-Olu JOSHUA BASSEY

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s corporate bodies and individuals continue their donation to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), the state governor, Babajid SanwoOlu has promised judicious utilisation of cash and kind donations to fight crimes and keep Lagos safe for residents and businesses.

The latest donation to the LSSTF came from Airtel Nigeria, a mobile telecommunication operator. A delegation from Airtel led

by Segun Ogunsanya, its managing director, was at the Government House, Ikeja, to hand over their donations, comprising mobile phones, undisclosed sum of money, SIM cards, recharge cards. The items in kind are to be distributed to security operatives engaged by the state to fight crime.

Airtel management had during a private dinner organised by the LSSTF two months ago, pledged to donate in support of security operations in the state.

Lola Akande (l), commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Lagos State, and Oladele Ajayi (m), special adviser on Commerce, Industry Cooperatives, inspecting exhibition stand during the 4th edition of Lagos MSME Fair held at Agege Stadium on Friday

Sanwo-Olu, who received the donations, promised to further strengthen security across the state to justify the various donations being made to the LSSTF by individuals and corporate bodies.

He assured that his government would spare no effort in protecting the lives

of residents and corporate assets within the state. According to him, the provision of security in nooks and crannies of Lagos was among the top priorities in the effort to make Lagos 21st century-compliant economy.

He described the gesture as “a huge boost” for secu-

rity in the state. He said the fulfillment of the promises made by Airtel was an indication of the telecoms firm’s integrity and readiness to be a partner in government’s drive towards creating thriving environment for commerce.

“On behalf of the entire people of Lagos, I humbly

LASG pledges greater support for MSMEs

L

JOSHUA BASSEY

agos State has reiterated its supports to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating in the state.

At the just concluded 4th edition of Lagos MSME exclusive fair, which held at the Agege Stadium, the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Folashade Jaji, the secretary to the state government, noted that the supports to the MSMEs was important because of the catalytic role they play in growing and sustaining the economy of any state.

“The potentials of the

MSME sector in terms of creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship development, wealth creation, value addition and employment generation are too attractive to be ignored by any discerning government in the 21st century.

It is for this reason that we have deemed it expedient to initiate and sustain policies and programmes to empower our people. One of such initiatives is this MSME Exclusive Fair which is flagship trade fair and exhibition in Lagos State that gives indigenous small businesses increase leverage for greater visibility,” said the governor.

Similarly, Lola Akande, the

commissioner for commerce, industry and cooperatives, whose ministry organised the fair, said that MSMEs deserved the support because they were the engine of economic growth. “ M S M Es h a v e b e e n playing an important role in our state and the nation.

It therefore behooves the government at all levels to strengthen these agents of economic change.

As one of Nigeria’s most endowed economies, Lagos State has a lot of business opportunities and entrepreneurial potential which are being tapped by industrious and innovative citizens for the growth and develop-

ment of the economy,” said Akande.

On the essence of the fair, Oladele Ajayi, the special adviser on commerce, industry and cooperatives, explained that MSME fair was conceived to develop an innovation-driven private sector-led economy by enhancing productivity and visibility of local businesses through a dedicated marketing platform.

“Reports from previous editions have been very encouraging and the current administration in the state is committed to not only sustaining the spirit of the fair, but raise the bar international standards,” said Ajayi.

What we’re doing to empower women entrepreneurs - Official JOSHUA BASSEY

B

ola Dapo-Thomas, the permanent secretary in the Lagos State ministry of wealth creation and employment, has said that the partnership between the government and Access Bank through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) was aimed at giving women entrepreneurs leverage in the labour market.

According to Dapo-Thomas, the “LSTF W-Initiative” was recently launched by the state government to facilitate the development and growth of female entrepreneurs, adding that the initiative will make N10 billion available for women entrepreneurs in Lagos State to grow their businesses and consequently create employment for youth.

She this recently while speaking on programmes for the support of small businesses at a leadership and

economic workshop themed “empowered to break frontiers”, organised by the Redeemed Christian Church Of God. She noted that the ministry of wealth creation and employment had deployed a range of intervention activities to tackle unemployment, promote job creation, entrepreneurship and skill development in the State, saying that these activities are targeted at every Lagosian irrespective of gender,

religion or tribe with a commitment to ensure at least 50 percent of the beneficiaries are women.

She said that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu recently celebrated successful applicants and beneficiaries of the employment trust fund loan programmes, adding that over 10,753 entrepreneurs have been successfully credited with N7.5 billion in the last four years and this has resulted in the creation of 96, 142 jobs.

receive this cash donation, which will greatly boost our capacity to respond to security challenges. It is very cheap to make promises but it takes great courage to fulfill the pledges. Airtel has further proven its integrity by coming back to fulfill the promises it made two months ago.

“This is keeping faith with our government and a demonstration that LSSTF is making huge impact.

We will continue to justify the confidence of donors, whether individuals or corporate organisations, by deploying the resources judiciously and transparently.

By making this donation, Airtel has demonstrated to be a partner in our drive to keep Lagos safe. It has also shown that it is a responsible corporate citizen discharging its civic responsibilities without being prodded.”

Sanwo-Olu observed that security issues had recently dominated his conversation with members of the public and the media, pledging that his administration would not rest on its oars in making the state safe for business and living.

He restated on-going plans by the government to introduce technology in combating crime, while also disclosing that the donors’ funds would be deployed to build Data and Control Centre to enable security agencies analyse crimes and security incidents.

Sanwo-Olu also commended the mobile telecommunication operator for adopting Oremeji Primary School in Ajegunle for total renovation. He described the gesture as “complementary,” pointing out that the government had since begun the renovation of basic and secondary schools across the state.

Ogunsanya on his part assured that Airtel will always partner with the Lagos government towards socio-economic growth of the state.

The LSSTF established during the administration of Babatunde Fashola 13 years ago, has since its inception invested excess of N23 billion in security architecture of Nigeria’s populous city of Lagos. It has been emulated by other states, especially in South-West Nigeria.

Over 300 Agege residents benefit from free health services DAVID IBIDAPO

H

ealth is believed to translate into wealth and also a key indicator to measure the economic development and growth status of a country.

Perhaps this belief is what encouraged Kairos Inspiration Network to undertake a medical outreach in Agege area of Lagos, with free diagnosis and drugs to residents.

The outreach which was in partnership with a number of pharmaceutical companies and Sweet Sensation, featured general consultation, health screening, counseling, dental examination, basic eye test, free treatment, referrals and distribution of eye glasses to the people.

Olusola Abodunrin, an obstetrician/ gynaecologist and wife to the founder of Kairos Inspiration Network, said “events like this are key because compared to the rich citizens who can afford healthcare and consultancy; these ones we can term ‘poor’ are not able to access these services.

We are here with specialists to give them adequate medical services their money

ordinarily cannot no afford.”

Kairos Inspiration Network, a registered non-governmental organisation made available specialists, ophthalmologist, dentists, paediatricians, obstetrician, gynaecologist and laboratory scientists to offer their services at the event which attracted over 300 Agege residents.

“The prevalence of different forms of cancer is quite high in our environment and most are quite preventable.

Unless people are sensitised and adequate measures are deployed to avoid further deterioration of such conditions, they are likely to fall victim of this deadly ailment. Prevention is the way to go and that’s what we are emphasising,” Olusola said.

Adeoye Abodunrin, senior pastor of Kairos Network said “we acted based on directives from the Lord specifically that we should come to Agege local government and inspire the community with the word of God, and give free medical services to the people.”

The Network pledged its commitment to undertake a quarterly outreach across other local government areas of Lagos in the bid to fulfill its mandate as an NGO and Christian body.

12 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 15 December 2019

PhotoSplash

L-R: Onowu of Nsukka Kingdom, Chief Paulinus Eze; tricycle winner in Globacom’s ‘My Own Don Beta’ promo, Goddy Ijiga; Glo Dealers, Oliver Offordi, and Ngozika Ugwuyja, when Globacom presented prizes to winners in the Recharge and Win Big promo (‘My Own Don Beta’ in their community at Nsukka, Enugu State, on Friday.

L-R: Asimiu Jimoh ,deputy chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ecomog Park, Mile 2; Ajumobi Victoria, divisional officer, Amuwo Odofin, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); Cyril Zango Matthew, deputy corps commander, Federal Road Safety Corp., Lagos State; Onize Hauwa Salihu, signal operations command, Signal Barracks Mile 2, Nigerian Army, and Victoria Okafor, digital & media officer, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, during Honeywell/FRSC 2019 ember months rally at Ecomog Park, Mile 2, Lagos

L-R: Okwudili Nwakobi, national key accounts manager, Nigerian Breweries plc; Sarah Agha, portfolio manager, national premium brands, Nigerian Breweries plc; Vivian Ikem, head, government relations, Nigerian Breweries plc, and Chukwuemeka Anumba, regional business manager, Abuja, Nigerian Breweries plc, at the Star Draught Launch in Abuja

Winners of the Orange Corners Innovation Fund: Victor BoyleKomolafe, founder, Garbage in Value Out (GIVO); Olabanke Subair, founder and creative director, Cyrus45 Factory; Boluwatife Arewa, co-founder, Scrapays Technologies Limited; Chidiebere Nnorom, founder, Paper Bags by Ebees; Riches Attai, founder, Winich Farms; Adenike Adeyemi, executive director, FATE Foundation, and Kars Gerrits, programme advisor Innovation Funds, Netherlands Enterprise Agency, at the Orange Corners Innovation Fund pitching organised by the FATE Foundation in Lagos.

Stephen M. Haykin, director, USAID Mission, and Mohamad Darwish, CEO, IHS Nigeria, at a signing event to announce IHS Nigeria’s support for USAID’s HIV/AIDS Eradication Efforts in commemoration of World AIDS Day.

From Right: Nathaniel Ligbago, marketing manager, Equipment Hall; Garry Turin, purchasing manager, Eko Supreme Resources Nig. Ltd.; Damilola Essien, head, Procurement & Vendor Management, Sterling Bank; Sydney Sosoo, senior solutions architects, Dell EMC, West Africa, and Onyeka Anakwe, senior accounts co-ordinator, Equipment Hall, at the TechExec Breakfast Series 2.0 at FourPoints by Sheraton Hotel, in Lagos.

L-R: Bamidele Makanjuola, chairman, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc; Okundalaiye Ayodele, compere with a sense of humour, SACO Events Limited; Idi Ankwa, chairman, Idi Ankwa Enterprises/best national distributor, and Taiwo Adeniyi, group MD, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, during Vitafoam’s National Distributors’ Award in Lagos

Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani, energy finance specialist; Abayomi Awobokun, CEO, ENYO Retail and Supply Limited; Olalere Odusote, Lagos state commissioner for energy and mineral resources; Tunde Folawiyo, chairman, ENYO Retail and Supply Limited and Deji Wright, CEO, Transport Services Limited, at the inaugural Enyo Correspondents Breakfast Session in Lagos

L-R: Adejumoke Abolade, analyst, transformation office, MTN Nigeria; Evah Patrick, participant, MTN Telco Hack Day; Olubayo Adekanmbi, chief transformation officer, MTN Nigeria; Bukola Yeye, participant, MTN Telco Hack Day; Olalekan Olowofela, participant, MTN Telco Hack Day, and Victor Orie-Ononogbu, manager, transformation office, MTN Nigeria, at the MTN Telco Hack Day in Lagos.

L-R: Kyari Bukar, lead judge, The Next Titan; Amifeoluwa Yakubu, winner, The Next Titan, Season 6; Ozena Utulu, head, brand management and sustainability, Heritage Bank and Oliver Omajuwa, GM, SIFAX Off Dock Nigeria Limited, at the grand finale of The Next Titan Entrepreneurial Reality TV show sponsored by SIFAX Group in Lagos

L-R: Ademola Adeleke, Dean Faculty of Education; Simeon Bamire, deputy, VC (Academic), OAU, Award recipient; Adedayo Ojo, CEO, Caritas Communications Group, and Kayode Alao, former Dean of Education at the 2019 professional induction of graduating students in the Faculty of Education at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

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Politics Nigeria being in low-grade civil war will not attract heavy investment - Agbakoba

Olisa Agbakoba, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and human rights activist, in this interview with ZEBULON AGOMUO, Editor, insists that he remains an advocate of political and economic restructuring of Nigeria. He however, says that his belief in restructuring will not prevent him from suggesting low-hanging fruits for the country while waiting for the realisation of an aspiration that may take long in coming. He also speaks on state of the nation. Excerpts: Recently, you spoke with journalists, urging those calling for restructuring to look at other things that could be done in the interim to help the masses of this country as restructuring may take long in coming. You went ahead to propose what you called cooperative federalism.

Your position on restructuring attracted criticisms, as people said you may have been compromised or you have sold out. Do you have any regret for taking a position? ost of the sub-nationalities kicked against it and called me a turncoat, but I am saying that I am not; I am a realistic, flexible activist. I have made a choice based on a lot of factors. The most important factor is the decline I have seen in the standard of living in Nigeria, it is going down. I have made a choice because I have seen government response, extremely poor; and I have made a choice that in as much as I believe in the ultimate goal of restructuring, there are other steps that can lead to it. I have made a choice going back to Thabo Mbeki’s advice to me in Lagos in 1989. I have made a choice because the demand placed on the Federal Government by civil society is completely a dysfunction of state governments and it is not understandable. I made a choice because the state governors are not as helpless as we think. Governors can build roads, hospitals, power stations, virtually everything. There are things, of course, that governors cannot do like federal roads, solid minerals and this is where the principle of cooperative federalism comes in.

If there is this East-West road that covers three or four states, why can’t the Federal Government in cooperation with those states get the programme done? Because if the idea of cooperative federalism or restructuring is about people, I don’t see any reason anyone should say it is either this or nothing, which is what the argument sounds like; which I don’t accept at all. It cannot be either restructuring or nothing.

So, my short clarification is this, I hope that the time will come when we will reach to the stage of political and economic restructuring. But to the extent that we don’t have it, the limited space that, for instance, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has to have cooperative federalism with the Federal Government to explore his bitumen is there, but his people are not making demands. Ondo is a poor state, but they have one of the world’s richest bitumen.

Enugu is a poor state, but they have one of the world’s reserves for coal. Ebonyi is a poor state but has one of the world’s salt mines valued at N14billion. So, is it not possible that we, the people should also make demands, not only on the Federal Government, but on the states? So, what stops these states from cooperating with

which was why he wanted to transmute into civilian president. We didn’t have enough time to build power structures and unfortunately, it affected civil society.

Civil society today is not the same civil society that I ran. It is not. The guys that were with me were absolutely selfless; they were ready to take bullets. Not today. When I said that the youth of today are not rising to the challenge, There‘s a point I need to make. The sacrifice we made is not being made by the youth of today. At the end of the day, they are the ones that go on the social media insulting themselves.

M

Olisa Agbakoba

the Federal Government to harness these natural endowments? Look at the police, every time governors are complaining; but under the National Police Council all the 36 state governors play a role in picking the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), but they have never summoned a meeting since 1998, yet they complain; who do we blame? So, this is cooperative federalism that the state and presidency come together to provide institutions for Nigerians; but the states are not playing that role. So, I am entitled to say, why do we not also, as we head to the pinnacle of political arrangement called restructuring, why don’t we do many other things. Restructuring is not necessarily the answer to all our problems. What if we get there and all we do is transfer power from one strong centre to another strong centre?

So, that was what I meant when I said let’s first achieve cooperative federalism, then we can talk about political and economic restructuring. Like my critics, I also stand on restructuring but I believe there are certain things that could precede it. The call for restructuring has been there for years; so what I am saying is that we can’t stand still waiting for it to happen; let’s do other things that will help the country; while waiting for its realisation.

You said recently that having fought the battle for Nigeria’s democracy under the umbrella of civil society and now you are getting older, the youth should take up that fight. Critics said such statement suggested you were chickening out. Did they misunderstand you or you meant what you said?

I am getting older as you pointed out. I

am not as young as I was when we did what we did in those days. So, there is no question that the civil society movement will have to evolve for it to be continuous because after a while Herbert Macaulay died; Zik died and if they didn’t understand how to create people who would succeed them then, there would be a problem. So, I am saying that I can’t be what I was in 1989; that doesn’t say that I don’t have a role; but I certainly cannot be what I was.

In my view, if that suggests chickening out, that is not correct; just that I don’t have the energy as in those days.

What was your impression about the Punch editorial of last Wednesday on the state of affairs in the country?

It was absolutely correct. We are unfortunately not going in the direction I thought we should be going, given where we came from and the expectation everybody had. Most Nigerians had lots of expectations and they are not being fulfilled. And I am sure that is fueling the struggle for restructuring and I understand it. But as I said, every good General has a strategy; every good General who wants to achieve an objective, must look to diverse tools to achieve the objective. So, Punch’s point about the fact that Nigeria is declining is very clear and what they said about the nature of the regime. For me, 1998 did not usher democracy, it simply brought in civil rule. Civil rule is not democratic rule because the institutions of democracy – free press; strong civil society and strong intelligential were not there. They were absent. It was just that the international order have made coup d’état and soldiers unpopular; and Abacha understood it,

Every now and then the President and other political actors attend international summits and conferences; they claim they do so to attract investors and investments. How do you see this claim vis-à-vis the disregard for the rule of law and hostility in the country?

Nobody will invest in a disorderly environment; not even local investors. They cannot invest in a volatile area because a businessman calculates risk. Risk is the most important thing in an investment decision, so the risk of doing business in Nigeria is extremely high. If Nigeria is rated as being a country in low-grade civil war, then it is not likely that heavy investment would want to come here; and if heavy investment does not come and it is likely that the poverty index will continue to grow. So, that also again brings us back to the issue of cooperative federalism. What I have now discovered is the dissatisfaction; who speaks for the people? Do we as human rights activists really speak for them or we speak what is fashionable because in the human rights community we are split into two: the liberals, and the radicals (those who believe in socialism; those who believe that the commanding height of the state must be owned by the government).

Why can’t we simply say; let us demand that every state government should put one hospital in every local government? As civil society, we have been unable to articulate a developmental position devoid of the ‘isms’ that can move Nigeria forward.

Once you pick a word, it becomes a cliché.

Sovereign National Conference (a cliché); Government of National Unity (a cliché); it didn’t work. Now you have restructuring. I hope it works; but can’t we get up with thinking about the people? Can’t we make a demand, we in the civil society, on the governors of Nigeria to do something for their people? Who is talking about the development indices? That is where the gap is. It is a huge gap. We need the civil society to reassess its relevance to Nigeria and to the people. The whole essence of restructuring is the helplessness of states. But that is not true; they are not so helpless that they can’t do anything.

That is not true.

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Sunday 15 December 2019

Politics Why INEC must bring transparency to the electoral system, by Omotosho Mike Omotosho, national chairman of the Labour Party (LP), in this exclusive interview with INIOBONG IWOK assesses the Muhammadu Buhari administration. He also speaks on other issues in the polity. Excerpts: What is your take on the controversy over the invasion of the court by the DSS to rearrest Omoyele Sowore? he reality of the matter is that even though it is not constitutional, there is nowhere that it is written in the law of the land that arrest cannot be made in court.

But it is expected that customs should be obeyed; arrest should not be made in court.The traditions have been to respect the sanctity of the court. It is just like when you go to church nobody would tell you not to respect the sanctity of the church. Even some churches would not tell you to remove your cap when you enter the church, but you know that it is what you should do because you are going into a church. So, it is the sanctity of the church that you are respecting; not that it is written anywhere that you should remove your cap.

It appears to be anomaly when someone appears to wear a cap in church. So, it is anomaly when Sowore is been rearrested in court. It is not the norm. I think the important issue here is that the government, private individuals and the rest should respect the sanctity of the court. But I don’t think there is anything wrong, I have listened to a lot of arguments on the issue.

But it is important that what we do should be within the law.

T

But does it bother you that the DSS appears to have consistency disobeyed court orders?

Yes, it bothers me, but you need to also be careful; there are some offences that are not bailable. But if he should be released on bail, they should obey the court and release him.It is left for you to show compelling reasons why the person should be released. It may be his right but without proof there is nothing the court can do.

You have agreed as a law-abiding citizen to submit yourself to the dictate of the law as interpreted by the court. It would be unconstitutional to go against the court directive and there are avenues to appeal to the higher court even to the Supreme Court depending on how the case is. We are not there yet; I rightly agree that there is room for improvement.

What is your take on the ‘hate speech’ bill?

I think it is a little laughable. Even though hate speech is abominable, but having a death sentence for it is equally laughable.

There are war crimes being perpetrated and nobody is talking about that. The truth of the matter is that we should learn to respect each other and value each other’s opinions and see ourselves as brothers and sisters. All this would not even come in when that is the case. To me, what is important now is for the government to strive to eliminate hunger and poverty to the barest minimum in the country.

The moment we understand why we are together most of this hate speech would

Mike Omotosho

be eliminated and we can live in a better society. But I canvass for a reorientation as a nation, discipline as an individual, we should respect each other’s religion and dignity.We would appreciate why we are together as a country. Imagine your family member involved in hate speech, would you suggest that he/she should be beheaded? Rather you would look for ways in which everyone would live in harmony in the country.

There is increasing fear that this administration is becoming authoritarian;what is your take here?

I don’t think you can judge a book by its cover. I don’t think you can use one of two incidents to judge a book by its cover. We cannot come to that conclusion. Yes, there is room for improvement, but it is not to generalise. If you ask me, the most important thing is; how the lives of the ordinary people can be improved rather than these issues.

What is your take on the Kogi and Bayelsa States gubernatorial elections?

Unfortunately, I was not there but I can only talk based on what people said and based on what I read in the media. There are right channels to go to if INEC can’t do what is right. The court is there; candidates who are aggrieved should go there. In the present age, we can capture evident and the people are more aware now because it is easy to spot irregularities and based on that you can meet the court to annul an election.

But vote buying, violence and other anti-social behaviours were reportedly pronounced in these elections; the PDP women leader was killed?

It is not new; this is Nigeria where violence and vote-buying were pronounced during campaign for the 2019 general election.

We need to improve on that and make sure that elections are not a do-or-die affair, and make sure that ordinary Nigerians have a voice in who represents them. I think it is

not enough to elect a leader; we have a role to play to support them.

What should be done to bring credibility to Nigeria’s electoral system?

INEC needs to bring transparency to the electoral system so that people can have a say and confidence in elections.Ones they believe they can partake in it; when more people take part in the electoral process the elected representatives would know that people elected them and they are meant to serve them.But when they believe they came in through violence they believe they are there for the four years for themselves.If they are buying votes; who are they buying votes from? What I am saying is that, the fault is from all of us. My grandmother used to say that the person giving you money should count it in your presence; when you collect it, count it in his presence.So, if someone wants to buy votes and you refused by saying; I am going to vote according to my conscience then you are ahead. You cannot accept the money from vote-buying and then turn around to be complaining.

There are rumours the North is interested in holding the power beyond 2023; do you have any issue with that?

That is just beer parlour views. I am not bothered by that, it is not written in the constitution that there must be rotational presidency in the country. But at the same time, the rule of law must prevail. People understand what needs to be done automatically. So, I don’t think these are issues we should bother ourselves with, because they are just rumours, because at the right time things would unfold and we would know where we are going.

What is the latest on the leadership crisis in the Labour Party?

Well, we are still in court and the court has not ruled on the matter. We are still waiting court decision; I can’t say much because I should not be talking about a case that is in court.

Malami elected to chair UNIDROIT Felix Omohomhion, Abuja

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he Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has been elected chairman of the 78th session of the General Assembly of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT), an international organization that seeks to harmonize international private laws across 63 member countries.

The election which took place at the 78th General Assembly Meeting held on Thursday December 12 in Rome, Italy, followed the proposal by four counties; South Africa, Egypt, Australia and Spain.

The nomination was unanimously supported by the General Assembly of member states, including United State of America, United Kingdom, Germany, France and Canada.

This is contained in a statement issued by Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Friday.

In his address shortly before the election, the Chair of the General Secretary (20182019), Paul Duhr, Ambassador of Luxembourg to Italy noted that the post of Chair of the General Assembly has traditionally rotated among the four geographical regions of UNIDROIT pursuant to the Article 7(7) of the UNIDROIT regulations.

Addressing the Assembly as the newly elected Chair, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice noted that Nigeria has been an active participant member of UNIDROIT since 1964.

Malami who described Nigeria as a major global commercial player in the African continent said the country is “Africa’s largest economy and projected to be among the top 20 economies by 2050”.

He recalled that a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoaka, SAN was elected for a five year term (2008-2013) to the UNIDROIT Governing Council.

The Minister said with the Nigeria’s advancement in areas such as communication and e-commerce, the country has taken greater interest in the emerging global legal architecture being developed by UNIDROIT. As the Chairman, Malami said he was commitment to boosting the activities of UNIDROIT during his tenure as the Chairman and work assiduously towards ensuring the “entry into force of the Protocol to the Cape Town Convention on matters specific to Mining, Agriculture and Construction of Equipment (MAC Protocol) the text of which was recently adopted at the diplomatic conference held in Pretoria, South Africa November, 2019”.

“Following extensive consultations with stakeholders on the future Legal Guide on Agricultural Land Investment Contracts”, the Chair said he hoped to see to the “finalization of the draft text for presentation to and adoption by the Governing Council in May, 2020”.

While maintaining commitment to “entry into force the Luxembourg Rail Protocol, which currently requires only one more Contracting State to enter into force” he said with that Protocol’s entry into force, it could “begin facilitating cross-border and domestic financing of railway rolling stock, thereby generating economic growth, and provide further momentum in attracting more Contracting States to that Protocol.

For the Institutional development, the Chair said he will work vigorously to ensure the adoption and implementation of UNIDROIT’s Work Programme for the 2020-2022 triennium, which he said has great importance in guiding the use of UNIDROIT’s limited resources and determining its various projects and their respective priorities.

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15

Politics Amaechi always under fire at home, but... …Lone voice shouts back, names rail projects, others heading to S/South Ignatius Chukwu

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ivers State seems to be the most hostile state (government) to the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and that is for obvious reasons. It is the fallout of the political crisis in the then Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family which began in 2012 and rages on. His deeds seem to not reckon at home but the usual lone voice has shouted back, pointing to Amaechi’s feats.

Rivers State was not only taken from Amaechi who had decamped with his loyal team to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and rallied under Muhammadu Buhari who later became president, but was being pelted from home. He was the minister-nominee with the biggest battle to be screened.

Amaechi fought what many called survival battle and waged war against the president, Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, but his former ally and minister of education, Nyesom Wike, was brought in to fight.

Wike succeeded in taking the state from him but Amaechi took the federal government from them. Equation seemed to balance and destruction was mutually assured.

Both Wike and Amaechi seem to have a role-reversal, and it has not been easy for any of the two Ikwerre kinsmen.

Now, many critics or those regarded as Amaechi-haters have continued to insist that Amaechi’s charity has not only begun abroad but resides abroad. They point to the IbadanLagos modern rail line, the Abuja-Kaduna line, the Abuja international airport wonders, the Railway University in Daura, etc. They stuff the airwaves with what Wike did to his state as minister for eight years.

Now, the ‘lone voice, the former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) and chieftain of the APC, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has roared out once again. He has described as monumental, the FG’s approval of N1.7Bn for the construction of a jetty in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State. He said the project is projected to be completed in 15 months time.

The chief also mentioned the proposed New Warri Sea Port and described Amaechi as the ‘Pride and Hero of South-South’. In a statement circulated to media houses in the South-South, Eze said the Transportation Minister has once again proved beyond

Rotimi Amaechi

doubts that he means well for the country and her citizens. He commended the Minister for always putting the country first in his development schemes which he said has transformed the travails of the transportation sector to a success story within record time.

Eze mentioned the first-ever Bonny/Bodo Road Project, now said to be 60 per cent completed as well as the signing of NLNG Train 7 project, among others, as economic accelerators that would enhance human and vehicular movement and link Bonny to the rest of Nigeria.

The party chief expressed happiness over the federal government preparedness to build a new sea port estimated to cost $800 million in Pessu area of Warri in Delta state.

This, according to him, is again the brainchild of the Minister of Transportation in his determination to achieve the best for Nigerians in all areas of the transportation sector.

With the following projects attracted through Amaechi to the South-South region, Eze said the Minister has further revealed that he is the most outstanding Minister ever from the region. He went ahead to point at the completion and commissioning of the PH. International Airport; implementation of the UNEP Report on Ogoni; the development of

Railway Industrial Park in Port Harcourt, and the proposal for Railway connection to Bonny Island Deep Sea port from Port Harcourt.

Eze quoted Amaechi as saying that negotiations are already ongoing with the Chinese Government to begin the project.

He also revealed that the FG will also continue its negotiations with Russians for the commencement of the Lagos-Calabar Rail Project.

He went on: “The six geo-political zones are all covered, Port Harcourt –Maiduguri covered Port Harcourt, Aba, Owerri, Umuahia, Enugu, Abakaliki, Awka, Markurdi, Lafia, Akwanga, Jos, Bauchi Gombe and connects to Yobe, Damaturu and then Maiduguri.

“The Lagos Calabar is the whole of the South-South. We have Lagos coming through Akure, Benin and then from Benin and we have a spot leading to Agbor and Asaba and then to Onitsha and then you continue to Benin to Ughelii, Warri, Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Aba, Uyo and Calabar that takes care of the South-South while Port Harcourt – Maiduguri takes care of the South East and the North East.

“The Lagos Kano also takes care of South West and part of the North West, and North Central. The central line that starts from Abuja also takes care of the North Central,

Kogi, and also takes care of kwara and all of these requires money”, Eze further reported that currently what we have as functional lines are LagosIbadan 156km, Abuja-Kaduna 186km and Itakpe-Warri which is about 350km all put together Under this Government we have recorded a total about 600+km of railway and by the time we complete Ibadan-kano which is about 860km, we will be having 1500+km railway constructed by this Government Eze wants to be educated that if this is not revolution what is revolution all about.

All these projects and many more are aimed at fast tracking development, boasting the economy and ameliorating the unemployment situation in the region as many skilled and unskilled workers will be required for its execution.

Eze encouraged Amaechi not to be dismayed by forces who think by attacking him and plotting to dismantle his political structure that they will become relevant in the politics of the region and Nigeria at large and should continue with his patriotic zeal to give Nigeria and Nigerians a new dimension in the leadership of the country.

Eze further stated that the leadership position of Amaechi within the hierarchy of APC based on the risks and inputs he made in its formation, stability and sustainability coupled with his key role in the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari are neither in doubt or can be questioned by any body no matter how political naive such a leader or person can be.

Amaechi was taken to the cleaners in his home state when he flagged off the Transportation University to Daura in Kastina State but he fired back, saying Jonathan took a federal university to his village, Otueke, in Bayelsa State, and it was hailed. He had pointed at many Rivers sons and daughters he said he took to China to major in train techs, unsung.

Eze added a voice, saying connecting the entire country with railway system was no project for a state but a national strategic plan.

Others pointed out that the first modern train line to be commissioned was the PortAba system that runs about six time per day, rescuing most traders between both cities since the total collapse of the Port Harcourt/ Aba highway.

The fierce debate may not end in a hurry as politics with its loud talks seems to be the most thriving industry in Nigeria at the moment.

Defection rally in Edo: Masked armed men open fire to scare APC faithful IDRIS UMAR MOMOH & CHURCHILL OKORO, Benin

T

here was pandemonium weekend in Benin City as masked armed men shot repeatedly to scare members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from attending the mega rally organised by the party to welcome the former governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Osagie Ize-Iyamu into the party.

The formal defection of the 2016 governorship candidate of PDP member to APC has been a subject of controversy between factions loyal to the Edo State Government and those loyal to the national chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole.

The controversy resulted in the state government closure of all private schools in the state in order to ensure that the rally did not hold.

Determined to ensure that the rally took place, Ize-Iyamu and the faction loyal to the party’s national chairman relocated the venue of the defection to his house.

But as party faithful, supporters and dignitaries trooped to the venue, masked armed men shot repeatedly to scare them from attending the rally.

The masked men in three vehicles drove along Ugbor road, a few minutes’ drive to Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s house and closely followed by the security outfit.

The shooting however, forced residents and passers-by to scamper for safety.

Though Oshiomhole was absent at the rally, Pius Odubu, former deputy governor of the state, factional state chairman of the party, David Imuse, Julius Ihonvbere, federal lawmaker, representing Owan federal constituency, Abubakar Momoh, former federal lawmaker representing Etsako federal constituency,

members of the Edo People’s Movement, among others were present.

Receiving Ize-Iyamu and other defectors to the party, the factional state chairman, David Imuse urged them to work for the progress and development of the party.

Imuse, who noted that nobody can claim sole ownership of the party, added that they were co-partners in progress.

In his remarks, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the former PDP governorship candidate, pleaded with those who felt threatened by his homecoming to have a rethink.

Iyamu said his home-coming was to add value to the party and not to wage war against anybody.

According to him, “Those who feel threatened or apprehensive, I want to please reassure them that we are not coming to fight in APC, we are not coming to wage war, we are coming to add value and so, we will continue to

stretch our hands of friendship to everybody.

“Well, I am very happy. In my life, I have learnt never to be deterred by obstacles and so, I have made up my mind with those who also believed in me to join the party that we founded in this state and even in this country, the APC. “So, today, we are surrounded by old friends and comrades in politics who have come to receive us. The crowd, as you can see, is mammoth and we thank God that there was no obstacle.

“For those who could not make it because of the difficulty, we apologise to them and I assured them that there will be another date and for those who came, I want to appreciate them”, he said.

Iyamu, who said he thought that the rally would be marred by violence, however, added that he had gone to his ward to register as a party member.

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Sunday 15 December 2019

Politics Buhari’s ‘count me out of 2023’ declaration ignites fresh permutations

P

James Kwen, Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari had not too long ago made a solemn declaration not to contest for a third term in 2023, he however, insisted that his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), must not exit with him.

The President made the terse declaration at the last National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC in Abuja, citing age, respect for the constitution and the Holy Book (Qur’an) with which he took the oath of office, as reasons.

“I am not going to make the mistake of attempting a third term.

Beside the age, I swore by the Holy Book that I would go by the constitution and the constitution said two terms. I know that I’m in my last term and I can’t afford to be reckless because I’m not going to ask for anybody’s vote,” Buhari had stressed.

Prior to the open disclosure, there were reports that President Buhari or the ‘Cabal’ in the Presidency was rooting for his re-election for the third time in 2023.

Political pundits had alleged that the ‘Cabal’ in the Presidency was leaving no stone unturned, including constitutional amendment, arm-twisting of the judiciary, pocketing the Electoral Umpire, making the legislature a rubber-stamp and by castrating Civil Society Organisations ( CSOs) to ensure tenure elongation for the President.

Particularly, an erstwhile political associate of Buhari who is now the National Chairman of Reformed All Progressives Congress, rAPC, Buba Galadima, had raised the alarm that the President may be contesting in the 2023 presidential election.

Galadima said the forces controlling Buhari were planning to lure him into running for third term, alleging that the present administration had pocketed the judiciary and was doing all it could to muzzle the opposition.

According to him, Buhari had already pocketed the judiciary, and he feels that nothing will happen, and that he will be victorious at the court. His government has destroyed the judiciary and this is very troubling for democracy, and our nation.”

Similarly, human rights activist and lawyer, Femi Falana had alleged that President Buhari was secretly working towards a third term agenda as all moves by the President and his men were pointing to tenure elongation ambition.

Falana cited some of the moves by the president such as trying to

Muhammadu Buhari

stifle free speech, a crackdown on the media, including the new media, disobedience of court orders as a pointer to tenure elongation agenda.

“You heard this group demanding a third term for him and the President trying to distance himself in a very unconvincing manner. I have no doubt there is a third term agenda…”, he said.

In the face of these political permutations, Buhari denied such insinuations at the gathering of all those who matter in his party and indeed to Nigerians.

While his declaration sounded statesmanly, his insistence that APC must retain power beyond 2023 sent loud signals to political actors, especially those at the other side of the divide such as the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which according to insiders is regrouping to recapture power at Buhari’s exit.

He reminded the APC top brass that “at the meeting of the caucus, I made some comments, which are still relevant here but to me, the most important is that every member of NEC should reposition himself or herself to make sure that you have dominated your constituency politically. The aim is that, history will not be fair to us outright if the APC collapses at the end of this term”.

The President’s decision not to seek third term and the resolution that his party must retain power after the present dispensation have opened up two prime argu-

ments in the political discourse of the country. These are the party to control government especially at the centre and the zone to produce the next president.

Some political analysts who preferred anonymity said the statement by the President that APC must not go with him should not be taken for granted, especially by the main opposition PDP as it is indicative of the intention to make sure the party cling the Presidency either by hook or crook.

“The declaration by the President not to contest for third term and at the same time declaring that APC must retain power, casts a lot of doubts on the 2023 Presidential election. This should not be taken for granted considering what Obasanjo did in 2007 and of course what the APC just did to win second term for Buhari. It is a bad omen for the 2023 Presidential polls”, said an analyst, who asked not to be named.

Another rising concern following Buhari’s declaration is whether there would be power shift from the North, comprising North/East, North/West and North/Central to the South, made up of South/East, South/South and South/West in 2023.

Since the return to civil rule in 1999 the issue of power sharing has always been on the front burner of national political discourse. At the beginning, the Presidency was zoned to the South/West by the PDP which featured Obasanjo who ruled for eight years.

Af t e r t h e So u t h / We s t o r Obasanjo tenure in 2007, PDP zoned the Presidency to North/ West and nominated the late President Umaru Yar’Adua who died before the end of his tenure and was by the provision of the constitution succeeded by his Vice, Goodluck Jonathan.

The death of Yar’Adua altered the power sharing formula by the PDP as the party nominated his successor, Jonathan from South-South for 2011 Presidential election when he was re-elected and in 2015 when he was defeated by the incumbent, Buhari from North-West.

The 2019 Presidential election was almost devoid for agitation for power shift as the ruling party nominated Buhari from the North-West for second term while the main opposition PDP featured former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from North-West for Presidency.

However, there are already serious agitations for power shift to the South with each of the geopolitical zones claiming right to the office of the Presidency while the North is also indicating the interest to retain power even as one of their own would finish eight years tenure in 2023.

As it is, in the South, only the South-East has not produced the Presidency in the 20 years of Nigeria’s civil rule.

But as the agitations have begun, all the other Southern geopolitical zones have indicated interest with former Lagos State governors, Ahmed Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola both of the APC from South-West are said to be eyeing the Presidency just as Rotimi Amaechi of the APC from SouthSouth, while several names are being touted in South-East such as Rochas Okorocha (APC), Ike Ekweramadu (PDP), Peter Obi (PDP), Ogbonnaya Onu (APC), Ken Nnamani (APC), among others.

While the Buhari decision not to run in 2023 would have made an express way for the South not to contend with an incumbency from the North, there are serious permutations that the PDP, for instance, may feature Atiku Abubakar and Governor Aminu Tambuwal for Presidency and the APC may consider Governor Nasiru El-Rufai from the North.

The political rigmarole of retaining power in the North has been buttressed by groups and political commentators including Yerima Shettima, president of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, who insisted that the North would produce the next president when Buhari leaves office in 2023 as the current administration has not

favoured the North and that it is purely a South-West government.

“I don’t know who is going to be the next president of Nigeria until we see those who will declare interest. However, talking about the zone, which should produce the President in 2023, I have said it on many occasions that the North will produce the next President and you could see that the issue is becoming very clear,” he said.

Shettima further said: “I don’t just make pronouncement on something I am not sure of. We are sure that this government has not favoured the North. This government is purely a South-West government. They have taken everything. Even in the National Assembly, somebody was working to ensure that his interest is protected to make it easy for him to become President come 2023, but unfortunately, the party itself will die before 2023.”

Meanwhile, APC Governors under the auspices of Progressives Governors’ Forum, chaired by Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi have begun moves to choose amongst them, President Buhari’s successor in 2023.

Their first strategy is the alleged plot to remove the party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole so as to take full control of the party’s structures at all levels to make it easier for one of their own to clinch the party’s ticket for the 2023 Presidential election.

According to credible sources within the party’s hierarchy, the APC governors are afraid of Oshiomhole for two reasons - his high-handedness in handling party affairs as experienced in the 2018 primaries and his alliance with Bola Tinubu who is also eyeing the Presidency.

“You see, the APC governors want one of their colleagues to succeed Buhari and they know that in doing that they have to first remove Oshiomhole as national chairman to have express way.

Their fear is that Oshiomhole is too hard to bend and they don’t want to give room for what happened to Okorocha and Amosun. You know that Oshiomhole single-handedly stopped the two former governors from choosing their successors.

“Also, the Tinubu factor is another serious reason the governors want Oshiomhole removed because if he is allowed to remain in control, he will ensure Tinubu gets the APC ticket for 2023. Mind you, it was for that reason that Tinubu brought Oshiomhole as APC National Chairman to help him secure Presidential ticket for 2023,” a source in the ruling party told our correspondent.

Sunday 15 December 2019

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Politics Anybody who is not concerned about current situation in Nigeria is not patriotic - Onovo Martin Onovo, an American trained Nigerian Petroleum Engineer and presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, in this exclusive interview with ZEBULON AGOMUO, Editor, laments the current socio-political and economic conditions of Nigeria, saying it is only unpatriotic elements that may feel unconcerned. Excerpts: Some people say that it is very difficult for meaningful investment to come into Nigeria because of the situation of the things now. Do you share in that view? t is unfortunate that it has taken us four years to see the disregard for the rule of law by the General Buhari’s administration and I am surprised we are pretending not to know that this disregard for the rule of law has always been there; because I remember, when the Supreme Court judges were attacked, the Nigerian Bar Association made a release accusing the Executive of trying to intimidate the Judiciary.

Thereafter, the Executive did not renege on what they were doing.

They went ahead to attack the Chief Justice of Nigeria himself and harassed the man until the man was forced to resign. We have people, who are culprits but at the same time playing victims.

It is unfortunate because it has become systemic and all the negative things have become systemic in Nigeria. Dishonesty is systemic; corruption is systemic; hypocrisy is systemic. We made it happen; and no matter how much we pretend; the facts are clear that we made it happen. The government did not just become dictatorial; it was in 2016 that I said that the government is deceitful; it is divisive and dictatorial. These things are not new. Punch said they would be calling Buhari Major-General; they copied it from me. I have been doing that for more than four years now; I have never called him president Buhari. Wherever you see my interview referring to him as president, it must have been edited; I never did that. I always call him General Buhari; go and check all live videos. So, when you see a publication where it is said I called him president Buhari; it is edited; I have never did that. I started doing that in 2015. Our people refuse to be honest; you cannot reap the benefits of honesty. It is not even only about dictatorship; it is also about insecurity; it is also about poverty; unemployment; it is also about debt burden where the country is already in a debt trap.

Technical definition of a debt trap is that you are not able to pay your debt; you are already in a debt trap.

The next stage is debt crisis, and only a miracle can stop us from ending up there. Like I keep saying, and I will repeat myself until the Nigerian people accept it. If we do the wrong things we get the wrong answer. If we do the right things, we get the right answer. From day one, this government has determined to do everything wrong. This has

I

Martin Onovo

been confirmed because results don’t lie. The fruits identify the tree; good fruits, good tree; bad fruits, bad tree. The facts are here.

Let me list them for you, in case you have forgotten: - the fruit is that Nigeria is now the worst terrorised country in the whole world. Before General Buhari came to power we were Number 4; today we are Number 3. That is a deterioration; we didn’t get better, we got worse. Now, look at corruption; it is worse than before; look at the economy – the five major indices in macro-economic evaluation all are negative: GDP (gross domestic product) is negative; debt is higher; currency is devalued; inflation is much higher and unemployment has more than doubled. So, the result are very clear, and let me tell you, all those people pretending that the results are not clear are the people benefiting from the dysfunctional system. There is no objective or scientific assessment that does not show that the results are worse. Even government agencies have confirmed that the results are worse. So, anybody telling you they are laying a foundation for greater tomorrow is deceitful and is benefiting from the dysfunctionality. So, to me the facts are very clear.

It is said that poverty may have incapacitated Nigerians from empting into the streets to protest bad leadership in the country. People point to Hong Kong

where for months citizens have insisted on good governance. Do you see a time when Nigerians can speak with one voice, demanding good governance from their leaders?

I wish and I pray it will happen, but making a scientific and objective judgment I will say it may not happen soon; and it is not one reason.

The first reason is that the people are divided politically, ethnically and religiously. So, that is the first reason. The second reason is that our national values are identified in our constitution; but because of the mass hypocrisy, nobody regards these values. The constitution is very clear on hard work; nobody regards hard work anymore in Nigeria; honesty – you have to be stupid to be honest, but it is in the constitution. Self-reliance – everybody is looking for free tickets and free meals. So, the values as clearly stated in the constitution have been perverted completely.

So, because of that you have this loss of sense of outage, because if an armed robber sees another armed robber, he will not be outraged. If a corrupt man sees a corrupt man, he will not be outraged.

If a liar sees another liar, to him is a norm. So, the Nigerian people are not outraged because whether you like it or not the majority are corrupt. We can be pretending. In fact, one of my friends put the percentage of corruption in Nigeria at over 90. He said over 90 percent of people in Nigeria are corrupt.

So, how do you expect them to protest when they are waiting for their own opportunity to loot?

That factor is there; the eroded value system is there. Now, the additional factor is the fear factor because of the brutality of the government. You can see that the Shiites were not armed; they killed over 387 Shiites in one evening.

The government admitted this, but according to the Shiites, over one thousand of them were killed. The IPOB conducted peaceful protest; some of their members were killed.

So, people know these things. I don’t believe that any sane person should go and stand on the road against this government. If we go by what happened to the Shiites and IPOB, it is almost certain that anybody protesting will be killed by government. Now, look at the brazen, audacious, imbecilic, dictatorial actions that they took in the court against Sowore. So, if they can do that in the open court, what would they do on the street?

So, people know this and there is that fear factor. Then the opinion leaders who should even mobilise and aggregate the people are also afraid; because, you make a move they will label you either treason or corrupt. So, it is either EFCC calls for you or DSS calls for you.

Even the people who are supposed to lead in the Civil Society groups are also afraid. The fear factor, the erosion values; the ethnic, political and religious factor is there. So, it is not a single-factor phenomenon; and that is why you don’t see anybody on the street.

Beyond the fear factor you mentioned, the Civil Society groups appeared compromised; it is alleged that’s why they seem to have lost their voice?

No, that’s not enough; even the part that is not compromised is disillusioned or intimidated or afraid.

It is a combination of factors. It is not that simplistic.

How concerned are you about Nigeria at this point in time?

Anybody who is not concerned is not patriotic or is self-destructive.

Except you don’t live here; you must be concerned because if there is insecurity here, it affects you, if there is poverty here – you may not be poor – but the people in your environment will be poor and that affects you because they will turn themselves as a burden on you. So, it is not a question of personal calculation. It is a question of clear, universal, objective criteria. That’s what it is. So, I am really bothered. I know we are at the tipping point and no reasonable person-rich or poor– wants

that. This is because if you are rich, it could affect your business, your investment and all that. It won’t only affect the poor. This is a situation that is dangerous to everybody and anybody who does not recognise that is naïve. Look at the rise in crime rate; look at how easily the terrorists are recruiting Nigerians; it is the environment. If these people were educated and have a respectable source of living; they may not be available to be recruited. So, it is naive for anybody to think ‘O, I am rich; it’s not going to affect me’. The kidnappers for example, are not kidnapping poor people. I am really scared, but I think that whether we like it or not the government will collapse, either by the efforts of Nigerians or by its own contradictions. One way or the other, anybody thinking 2023 is not thinking clearly. Let us see this government survive.

When we have got to the point where the wife of the president has become opposition and the government claims it does not give a damn; and the international community has raised issues and government says it does not give a damn; then you can see that we are dealing with a situation of megalomania. When there is domestic and international rejection and the official position of the presidency is that they don’t give a damn; that’s megalomania, and it is going to collapse. The cabal of less than 10 men cannot hold 200 million people down. They are also being delusional by thinking they can hold 200 million people down.

They cannot.

What do you think about this Hate Speech Bill at the senate?

It is the return of the Decree 4 of 1984. It is a reinvention of that notorious decree that you must not say anything that I don’t like; then if you say it, you face the wrath. It is not going to work. I am happy that those who felt they were more level-headed while Nigeria was going down the drain and saw others as hot-heads, all of them now have woken up from their slumber. I know that a few lawyers have gone to court and many are threatening to go, saying that the hate speech bill is a violation of the constitution. We believe in ‘No to violence’, and we don’t want this government to have an opportunity to start killing people; that’s why I said, I would not encourage anybody to go to the street. There are civil, legal and political ways of dealing with the situation; everything doesn’t have to be violence.

Just like I have said before, when our people agree that enough is enough, this nonsense will stop.

18 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 15 December 2019

Feature Eight months after, fireworks rage over Dickson’s visit to Rivers’ monarch

… As Wike threatens to dethrone monarch who played host to Bayelsa governor without approval Ignatius Chukwu & Favour Ichemati

S

ome eight months after the governor of Bayelsa State visited the Amanyanabo of Kalabari in Rivers State, fireworks have started to fly as Gov Nyesom Wike has issued yellow card to the Amanyanabo.

The developing rift seems to confirm months of speculations that both governors, all Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lords, are at daggers drawn. The conflict was noticed months ago when Gov Wike began to declare that Soku oil wells were for Rivers State, something that former governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi said and was vilified.

This was followed by claims by some Kula chiefs and elders from Rivers State claiming that they and their oil wells (OML 25) belonged to Bayelsa State. Matters came to a head when the Bayelsa elections came few weeks again and both governors were seen to stand on opposite sides, with Wike siding wherever it was that the Goodluck Jonathan sided. Both governors were in the Jonathan kitchen cabinet from where they flew to become governors for the two sister states eight and five years ago. Dickson has remained sore over the loss to a man backed

by Jonathan, and by extension, Wike.

Now, for whatever measure, Gov Wike has fumed over a visit Dickson allegedly made in April 2019 to a Kalabari monarch, the king, Theophilus J.T. Princewill, whose son, Tonye, is a top notch of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

The monarch is said to be on sick bed in Port Harcourt this moment but the Gov has shot arrows his way, threatening to dethrone him if he tried to repeat such act (hosting a governor without clearance).

Wike chose an occasion as auspicious as solidarity visit of Kalabari people midweek at the Government House in Port Har-

Governor Dickson

court to strike, a sign that he was embittered enough to warrant a solidarity visit.

A Port Harcourt Government House statement signed by the Special Adviser on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, described Dickon’s visit as ‘illegal’. The statement said Gov Wike regretted that the Amanyanabo of Kalabari deliberately allowed the Bayelsa State governor to use him to promote divisiveness.

Wike called on Kalabari leaders to prevail on the Amanyanabo of Kalabari, not to allow himself to be used by external forces to create disunity in the State.

He said: “I want to publicly lay a complaint on the action of Amayanabo of Kalabari. The next time it happens, I will act as a Governor. The Amanyanabo of Abonnema didn’t do it, he called me on phone when the Governor of Bayelsa, Dickson tried to create problems in Rivers State.”

Gov Wike said that the outgoing Bayelsa State governor visited the state without getting in touch with the relevant authorities, under the guise of coming to see Ijaw people.

“He said he was coming to see Ijaw people in Rivers State and he would be hosted by the Amayanabo of Kalabari and Amayanabo of Abonnema.

“The Amanyanabo of Abonnema called me and

Governor Wike

said how can that be? The (Bayelsa) State governor did not call me. The Amanyanabo of Kalabari did not call me. What he did was to roll out drums to receive the Bayelsa State Governor “, Governor Wike said.

Gov Wike said: “That day I would have removed him, but I held myself.

What they would do is to go to Radio and abuse me.

But I am use to insults. I am trying to complain to you people. You can see how people are trying to divide a state. A fellow governor would come from somewhere to create Division.”

He said the outgoing Bayelsa State Governor professes love for Ijaw people in Rivers State, but is busy working to take the State’s oil resources in Soku and Kula.

“Already, we have gone back to court in relation to Soku oil wells. This is the man who is claiming Kula oil wells and Soku. I have gone back to court and we will reclaim the Soku Oil Wells for Rivers State. This is the same man you claim loves you and you roll out drums against Protocol”, he said.

“It is not good for anyone to come and divide Rivers State, because the state is one. It is unfortunate what my colleague did. I have handed him over to God and prayed for God to do his will”, he said.

The prince growls Son of the monarch,

entrepreneur and politician, Tonye Princewill, the producer of 1976 (epic movie), wondered if the governor spoke from a clear mind. “I’m here by the King’s hospital bed in Port Harcourt where he has been for almost a week now. So, you can see why my priority is not responding to Wike. The King will be 90 in a few days, so if a small boy speaks, his superiors do not always have to answer him.

“Yes, I have heard what he said and I saw the video.

I watched it well. It appears that he doesn’t understand that everything is not politics. I think we should pray for him and put him in God’s hands. I will be doing it daily. At the appropriate time, he will feel my response.”

Fireworks by media and security experts Reacting, a man who served for decades in Rivers Government House and versed in protocol management of dignitaries, Blessing Nwikina, said it is is a breach of protocol for a governor to visit another state for a public or official function without informing the host governor.

“It shows disrespect, and the visiting governor should tender an apology over that breech.

For one thing, the advance party of the visiting governor should have made protocol contacts

with the Protocol Department of the host state, even without directives of their principal. That’s official decency. I think Gov Wike deserves an apology from Gov Dickson, for purposes of protocol tidiness”.

To buttress his argument, he recalled two prominent incidents in the past. When Orji Uzor Kalu as the governor of Abia State during the Peter Odili era drove into the Liberation Stadium to watch his team, Enyimba, play with Sharks. He said he was in the stadium and noticed the presence of a governor without the knowledge of the home governor. He said he quickly notified the chief of staff in the Rivers Government House who contacted the governor and immediately, protocol attaches were dispatched to keep Kalu company while the deputy governor was dispatched to go stay with the visiting governor.

Nwikina said Kalu had to apologise when he noticed he had erred.

The next was when former head of state, Ibrahim Babangida allegedly came to attend the wedding ceremony of one of the daughters of the Alabo, Tonye Graham-Daouglas, then a minister. The state government was notified that a minister was to come and sent a protocol team to welcome and chauffeur him about.

He was it was at the airport that Babangida emerged from the plane and alert was sent to Government House that a former president was at the airport looking for a vehicle to bring him down. He said the governor gave orders and the protocol team was asked to switch attention to the former president.

He said they brought him to the wedding and remained with him while Odili moved down to stay with him. He said Babangida realized his mistake and apologized.

Another protocol team was dispatched to minister to the Minister. He said every dignitary that realized his mistake always apologises.

The APC spokesman reacted immediately on facebook, asking why Gov Wike did not confront his contemporary, Dickson, if the breach was gubernatorial. “Why nurse what happened since April? He’s playing this one up now because he and Dickson disagreed over Bayelsa governorship. Did he or the Amanyanabo of Abonnema apologise to then Gov. Amaechi? Is the standard no more to go to equity with clean hands?

Many recalled that Wike as minister did worse to Amaechi as governor, and wondered why it is now an offence.

A security expert and one time police public relation office who retired as an assistant commissioner of police, Mike Uche Chukwuma, said; “Sometimes I laugh when some people just make statements without looking at the two sides of the issue in question. As a Chief Security Officer of a State, an institution, or organisation, can you overlook such a security issue? Should anything have happened to the dignitary who entered without any reference to you, where will be the first port of the investigation?

This matter borders purely on security as against the political, sentimental, and or ethnic coloration some people are trying to paint it.

Efforts to get the Bayelsa State government house to respond to deteriorating scandal proved fruitless all Thursday evening.

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Feature DPR vows to achieve govt. mandate on crude production, cost, others

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Pipeline vandalism remains a crime in Nigeria

Finding solution to menace of pipeline explosion and crude oil theft P

recisely on December 5, 2019, Nigerians woke up to witness the ugly scene of another disastrous pipeline explosion ravaging Idimu, a suburb of Lagos.

That was not the first time such a thing had happened in that axis but the fourth time within a space of one year.

Last year, there was fire outbreak twice in this area. In February and April last year, and this year alone, in November and December, according to the chief operating officer, Downstream, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Adetunji Adeyemi.

The NNPC described the area as a place that is very prone to fire and vandalism. It claimed it is doing everything possible to ensure there is security and adequate maintenance in terms of pipeline integrity. “We are also appealing to the residents here, the community leaders and religious leaders to ensure that they also protect the pipelines”, Adetunji said.

He further said: “Truly, the pipelines are Nigeria’s assets and we must protect them as Nigerians. Like they say, security is for everybody, so when you see something, say something and not doing so has its own consequences on everybody.

“But when we look at the situation holistically, the Nigerian landscape is replete with the devastating effect of incessant crude oil and products pipeline fire explosion with its attendant consequences that has caused economic and social dislocation to both the country and individuals.”

The immediate and remote causes of oil theft and pipeline vandalism, according to stakeholders are essentially a social problem which underlying causes include: poverty in the communities, community-industry expectation mismatch and corruption.

Others include ineffective law enforcement, poor governance,

poor prosecution of offenders, high unemployment rate in the communities, thriving illegal oil market involving both Nigerians and foreigners, and inadequate funding of resources to combat oil theft.

Nigeria lost as much as 22 million barrels of oil to theft in the first half of this year, a problem that is a threat to the country’s economy. The stolen oil amounts to more than 120,000 barrels per day (bpd), or roughly 6 percent of Nigeria’s nearly 2 million bpd output.

Between 2010 and 2012, total of 2,787 lines breaks were reported on pipelines belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), resulting in a loss of 157.81 metric tons of petroleum products worth about N12.53bilion. Pipeline along the Gombe axis recorded 850 cases and Kaduna system recorded 571 cases of pipeline vandalism. The pipeline along Warri axis recorded 548 cases vandalism while Mosimi system pipelines in Lagos recorded 463 cases and Port Harcourt recorded lesser cases with 336 point vandalised (NNPC, 2016).

Recently, the Edo State Governor and Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC) Ad Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft, Prevention and Control, Godwin Obaseki, stressed the need to institute a proper governance structure for pipeline security in the industry.

Governor Obaseki called on the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA) to work with the NNPC in identifying possible international markets and destinations of stolen Nigerian crude oil.

He said that the industry must end the prevailing incentives that make it possible for crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism to flourish.

The governor disclosed that NEC had upgraded the Ad Hoc Committee on Crude Theft to a standing committee with mandate

to provide regular updates to NEC as may be required.

All over the world, there are pipelines that are under the surface. Pipelines can be buried deep but the cost is around four to five times what it will be to put pipeline on the surface. With that, money that could be used for other developments would be sunk into burying pipelines. This would not be too good for the nation’s development.

The effect of the activities of the pipeline vandals has far reaching economic, social, health and environmental implications on the Nigerian people than the pecuniary gains that would be accruing to those who engage in such unwholesome activity.

Apart from the serious economic losses recorded owing to the fact that the vandals sell whatever product or crude oil stolen at a rate that is far below the market price, the revenue realised is not captured by the government; the pipelines are also damaged and the government would ultimately have to spend money to repair them because either products or crude oil must flow to get to either the depots or export terminals.

The effect on land degradation and deforestation is massive as vegetations in those areas that experience oil spills may take several years of rehabilitation before they can grow again. Most vegetations in the areas affected often turn white and dry and are prone to fire should there be any spark anywhere. The situation is worse if they are close to residential areas like the one that happened recently in Lagos. The source of water in those areas is contaminated and the land also is exposed to erosion when the rains fall.

On health ground, it effects cannot be quantify as many diseases that are ravaging some of the prone areas like Niger Delta have been attributed to effect of pipeline vandalism. The thick smoke result-

ing from the explosion leads to acid rain. There is also air pollution which is major contributor to the rising case of cancer in the country. All these are enough reasons for people to desist from pipeline vandalism.

It is therefore, heartwarming to learn that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has forged a formidable alliance with some key stakeholders in the downstream sector of the Petroleum Industry with a view to stamping out the ugly incidences of oil pipeline vandalism while ultimately sustaining the prevailing sanity in the supply and distribution of Petroleum Products across the country.

Salmon Oladiti, National Chairman of Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), affirmed the commitment of his members to work with NNPC to combat the activities of oil thieves and pipeline hackers.

He said PTD prohibited its members from partaking in the illicit transport of stolen products because it views it as an act of economic sabotage.

To curb this menace, stakeholders have given clues to measures that should be put in place to include: a security architecture with single accountability for national critical infrastructure; Industry and regulatory commitment to transparent crude oil and products accounting; realistic expectation by host communities; and emplacement of sustainable social investment mechanism.

There is also the need to inculcate shared values of integrity and transparency across every level of the governance structure for pipeline security, policy refill and enforcement of legal actions on economic saboteurs. Anything short of these would make the fight against this malaise a tough battle to fight.

he Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has said it would work assiduously with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, to achieve the country’s target of reducing the cost of oil production and increasing the daily production from two million to three million barrels per day.

The department said it would align its deliverables with the ministerial mandate for the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.

The director listed other ministerial deliverables as, eradication of smuggling of petroleum products across Nigerian borders, complete gas flare commercialisation programme, promote the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, increase domestic refining capacity and create jobs for Nigerian youths.

Ahmad Rufai Shakur, acting, director of Petroleum Resources, stated this at the agency’s Strategic Management Retreat in Abuja.

He emphasised that the objective of the retreat was to cascade

Timipre Sylva

down the ministerial mandate to all staff of the Agency to enable DPR provide the necessary regulatory oversight for the oil and gas sector and achieve the next level agenda of government.

He said that the strategic management retreat will further assist the DPR to sustain the tempo of ongoing reforms in the Agency which is geared towards aligning with the Agency’s vision of being a world class regulatory agency.

He tasked the top management of the agency to ensure total alignment of their divisions and zones to the ministerial deliverables as it has been embedded into the DPR’s corporate strategy Timipre Sylva, Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, who was the Special Guest of Honor, commended DPR for the retreat initiative. He stated that there must be a shared vision by all players in the industry for progress to be achieved.

The Minister enjoined the department to swing into action as he has dubbed year 2020 the year to deliver and begin the actualisation of the oil and gas industry roadmap.

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Interview

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It will surprise you more when you see citizens, indigenes of a particular local government trooping into government houses of the various states in numbers, lobbing for a governor to appoint so and so person as a caretaker chairman, when the Constitution is very clear about leadership at the local government

Ibrahim Khaleel

Citizens’ failure to make demands on their leaders has encouraged bad governance - Khaleel The National President Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Ibrahim Khaleel, has said that governors, coupled with a weak citizenry has robbed the local government system in Nigeria of elected representatives. He insisted that there cannot be democracy without citizens’ participation, engagement and interrogation of the system, calling on citizens to begin to put their leaders on their toes. The NULGE boss also spoke about local government autonomy and other issues. NATHANIEL GBAORON in Jalingo, brings the Excerpts: You were recently turbaned. How do you feel about the honour? et me start by appreciating the Almighty God for his mercies and blessings on myself, family and the organisation I am leading. As a leader of this vibrant trade union I enjoy the support of membership across the country. It is through the loyalty, cooperation

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and understanding of the membership that we are able to achieve tremendous things we have been able to achieve, especially in the area of our struggle to emancipate local government system.

As you heard, the Galadima of Muri in his remarks before and after the turbaning, he noticed our activities in this organisation. So, by and large, I see the gesture more to

the organisation than to myself and my family. I feel so proud; I feel so good, that the little that we are able to contribute to the Nigeria project people across the country are seeing the positivity in it and are also appreciating us. Not only appreciating by statements but by actions.

In any community or traditional setting, they have their own culture of appreciating people that to them

excel or add value to what they are doing or their aspirations. And that was exactly what the Galadima expressed during the turbaning and I believe this is great.

The National Financial intelligence Unit (NFIU) has issued directives with regard to local government finances. Yet, some states are still operating the local government system on caretaker

arrangement. Do you have plans, with regards to such states?

Let me approach this question from this angle, which to me will look more global. More global in the sense that we should not continue to restrict or confine our thinking on local government administration to the encroachment of governors, violation of the Constitution and exclusive preserve of the local govern-

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Interview ment, hijack of the entire sanctity of the local government by successive administrations; we should look at it beyond that.

Why I am saying so is because the local government system is a product of useful instrument, inclusive platforms, that is designed purposely to bring government closer to the people; to address gaps in governance; to address gaps in democracy. It is a deliberate design to enhance citizen’s participation which is key in any democratic setting.

If you look closely, at any politician, be it in Nigeria, United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, or anywhere in the world the mindset of the politician is the same. They think alike, they pursue their personal interest and their interest is placed above any other interest. Why some countries get it right is that the followers, the citizens, interrogate governance; engage in governance. In Nigeria, the citizens have this ‘I don’t care’ attitude. They only complain at beer parlours, community squares when they are discussing issues. Failure to take the bull by the horns is where Nigerians are missing it.

For any citizen of any country to think that democracy will give them what they want, without they as citizens complementing, interrogating and engaging democracy to ensure that it is tailored towards their aspirations, certainly that democracy will be meaningless.

And that is what we are experiencing here in Nigeria. We have weak civil society organisations or even none; because here, civil societies survive with patronage from the government.

Is it the system that is bad or the politicians have succeeded in dividing us along ethnic, religious and regional lines to prevent us from coming together to actually take action?

I can clearly agree with the fact that failure of citizens to engage and interrogate the government is largely affected by the divisions and the failure of the citizens to understand that religion is not a yardstick for measurement in democratic dispensations. Merit, capacity and ability are the parameters the voter should use rather than that one is from my region, he is from my community, we pray in the same Church or Mosque.

I quite agree that the politicians are cashing in on these divisions, but I don’t believe that they created the divisions; the divisions were already there. They are only exploiting it; that is what I see.

You have a very strong organisation that cuts across local government areas in the country. Some of the issues you have raised here appear to be issues that can be addressed through engaging the people. Do you have a planned programme to cause your members to talk to the rural people?

Let me say that as a trade union we have our scope and our limitations. We have gone far in engaging government on the need to have useful constitutional reforms that will make the local government more inconclusive, more vibrant, more busy. We believe from the onset, that as local government workers’ union we are the most qualified people to speak on the issues of local government. This is

Ibrahim Khaleel because we are practically here. By and large, the issue of local government should have been of citizens concern; it should concern the citizens. The local government is the most critical, strategic and the most sensitive tier of government.

Unfortunately, Nigerians, being the kind of people that we are, we are less concerned about it; in the same way that we are less concerned about state governments.

So, the concern of citizens is very low generally, in Nigeria. And the capacity of our union cannot sincerely shoulder 100 percent cost of the responsibility. Even with those limitations we decided that we cannot continue to keep quiet. The worst that can happen to the system is when nobody talks about it.

I want to believe that our struggle, our actions brought the issue of local government to the front burner of national discourse. Our actions have made the local government very busy as a tier of government because our actions enlighten citizens on where the problems affecting the local government lies. We have done a lot of things to the extent of engaging the National Assembly, pushing the president to speak up on the ills in the local government and sometimes even the beneficia-

ries of the bad system in the local government, who are governors of the states to come out clearly and admit that something or everything is wrong with the local government.

For somebody that benefits from the rot to rise up and admit that something is wrong with that system I think our union deserves some kudos. We were in Taraba State and met with the governor. The governor was on air and he appreciated our actions. He clearly told us that before we visited he didn’t actually understand why we were visiting but he quite believes that the local government system needs some reforms. We were in Kano and the governor of Kano State being a former local government staff and chairman, also admitted that all is not well with the local government. I can mention a lot of states like that - in the south-south, in the east, in the west, everywhere in the country nobody is challenging our action or there is no Nigerian that did not believe in what we were saying, including the beneficiaries of the bad system.

Unfortunately, the citizens that ought to come out and join the struggle are not forth-coming. They are not forth-coming because that is the nature of Nigerian citizens.

And that is the reason behind the failure of our democracy. It will surprise you more when you see citizens, indigenes of a particular local government trooping into government houses of the various states in numbers, lobbing for a governor to appoint so and so person as a caretaker chairman, when the Constitution is very clear about leadership at the local government.

The responsibility is yours and so, why would you go to the governor to go and lobby? Why? Instead of protesting to the governor? Protest; tell him the truth: This is what the Constitution has said. We need a democratically elected representative; we need people we trust to manage our affairs.

But we see that government is still coming out with to shut out the few that are willing to speak out; is it democracy?

What do you expect? Do you expect them to romance with them?

Look! If I wanted to be one of the richest people in Nigeria I would have been the richest man just to compromise the struggle for Local Government autonomy.

Are you okay with the implementation of local government autonomy?

Is there any local government

autonomy? There is nothing like local government autonomy yet.

What we have achieved so far is the NFIU guidelines and I believe the guideline, largely is the product of our struggle. And you can see how strong the voice of the people can be. This is just a minute section of the society. Only NULGE engaged government on the need to make local government a bit more functional and we have this. If to say when we are engaging government, other groups emerged, citizens joined us; it won’t take us two months to achieve the goal. Things are happening the way they do in Nigeria because of citizens’ failure to engage government and there is no how you can have a functional democracy if the citizens’ participation is low.

As a citizen, you should not expect a bed of roses to be provided for you by the leadership because they say politics is about who get what, when, where and how.

Anybody you see in politics has his or her own interest to pursue. He will never think of you as a citizen.

That is why some people, like us begin to even believe that the military are more committed in having a more functional Nigeria than the politicians. Look around, any meaningful infrastructure executed in Nigeria was done by the military.

Look at all our international airports, look at even the seaports, look at the refineries, the teaching hospitals, most of the vibrant universities- all these were done by the military.

Look at Abuja, it was the military that decided that ‘O, we need to have a central capital.’

They cleared the bushy areas and started building a city and within few years, they built a beautiful city. You can’t match Abuja with any city in Nigeria today. So, that means that we have the capacity to do whatever we want to do. But the problem is that we are not getting it right. Or maybe, this presidential system is not working for us. We need to sit down and think as Nigerians, design our own democracy that will fit our own peculiarities. Even the agitation for restructuring, if you restructure Nigeria 100 times it will never change.

It is not about the structure, it is about approach.

Could you highlight your key achievements since assumption of office as the NULGE national president?

How I wish you ask some of the members of NULGE this question.

I always find it difficult to talk about my achievements because I prefer people to talk about it.

However, practically speaking, what just transpired in the Palace of the Galadima Muri (the turbaning) is a testimony of some of the achievements.

Galadima Muri is not a member of NULGE but he saw something positive in us. He said he didn’t know me; I’ve never had any business with him, I’ve never paid any homage on him but because of our action, because of our struggle he was attracted. He is a community leader; he lives with commoners and knows how people are suffering. He also believes the most effective way to address some of these challenges is to have a functional local government; a local government that will be the government of the people, by the people and for the people. So, practically, it is a testimony that we have achieved a lot.

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The Sunday Interview

How Umahi is carrying out the infrastructure re-engineering in Ebonyi, by Deputy Governor

Kelechi Igwe, deputy governor of Ebonyi State, in this interview with REGIS ANUKWUOJI talks about the exploits of the administration headed by Governor David Umahi. He explains the infrastructural development in the state; the participatory governance and what makes the administration tick. Excerpts:

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thusiasm, to multiply whatever is placed in your hand. If you do not have the idea of multiplicity, you cannot survive in anything; so, I call governance business. Our governor, David NwezeUmahi, my boss, is a man who is always conscious of the ability and skill he has in him to multiply whatever small seed that is in his hand. I came to appreciate him more, as a great leader, because when we read about great leaders in the world even in Africa, people like Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, Zik of Africa, Awolowo and Ahmadu Bellow, you see that these people had certain threats and qualities in common; every great leader must be accountable to his people, every great leader must be a good communicator, every great leader must be very transparent, honest and every great leader must be able to engage the citizens; citizens engagement in leadership; I have checked for the past five years that he has been my boss, that all these things are not lacking and are not in short supply in him. Therefore, his achievements in the land called Ebonyi State is something that is phenomenal.

Anybody who was here in the year 2015, specificallyMay 2015, would marvelat the tremendous achievement and infrastructure develop-

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our Excellency, how has the administration been able to deliver on huge infrastructure, empowerments, considering your-not-too-fantastic allocation from Abuja?

First of all, I want to thank BusinessDay for the giant stride; your integrity over the years is quite commendable. I am very much convinced that BusinessDay Newspaper is not one of the mushroom media houses that would just go into the society calling people up that they have been nominated for award for commercial reasons.

You do not often pick people to show to the world except you are convinced who they are. BusinessDay Newspaper is not seen in the society making unreasonable noise and that is why your stability over the years is something that we call other media houses to emulate; so, I commend you and also congratulate you for the recognition and award you have given to my governor. Ordinarily, it is something that is very difficult for him to speak about himself. Governor and I are one; we ran on the same ticket, whatever I say about him or to him is like saying that to myself.

So, the society would ordinarily be saying what else do you expect him to say about his boss, but it was Christ in the Bible that asked his disciples a very pertinent question, because a time came when he was almost, if it is possible to say Christ was confused, we would say he was confused; he needed to know the opinion and impression of people about him and he asked his disciples please what do they say and who do they say I am? A time will come in history when even if people don’t talk about you, you will say who you are to the people that may have some impressionsin their mind; what they say about BusinessDay, it may be all falsehood and you need to come up and speak for yourself so that people will hold you on what you said. So, it is on this premise that I wish to say that my governoris first and foremost, a Christian, a man who has the fear of God, a man who is also very conscious of the fact that whatever he does here on earth a day will come when he will be accountable to his Creator and Maker.Having that consciousness at the back of his mind, he has always worked with that goal that accountability in the great beyond is a focus he must not lose sight of. Secondly, he is a consummate politician, he is a politician of note; if about 10 percent of Nigerians will understand politics the way he does, I do not think that we would be having the rancour we all are

Governor David Umahi

having in the Nigerian political space. We call him the Professor of politics and we call him the master of the game.

Thirdly, he is before now a businessman; I still call him a businessman, because the art of governance is shielded in business.

If you do not have that mindset of a businessman you will not make any meaningful or tangible progress in governance. After all what is business, some says it is buying and selling, shielding your profit and loss, accounting to understand when you have made profit and when you have lost out in your trade. A man who is not convinced of the fact that profit is key to success in life, cannot successfully govern a people, you must be able at the beginning or at the end of the year, articulate the gains that the citizens have made in the cost

of your governance to appreciate what next you will do for them. A man who is just flat is not good in governance so you must have that business acumen, you must have that skill to engender the system and in a state where the citizens will be able mid-term, quarterly, annually to access the performance of government and say look we use to be there but now we are here.

The citizenry should also be able to say to themselves by way of assessment this government has failed, or passed and that is when you have made losses in government, that is when you have made losses in your business, Christ himself, after all, was interested in developments and increase and he was given to what the Christians call making or working of miracles. You must have that skill, you must have that focus, and you must have that en-

Looking at the jumbo size of the project, he already knows how much that project will cost him to execute and the time frame within which that project will be completed

ment that have taken place in the land of Ebonyi. It is supernatural and superlative transformation that has taken place in Ebonyi.Here is a state that everybody, including indigenes and citizens of the state, thought and felt is a backward state, it is a state that has been forgotten, is a state that will never come to be reckoned with in comity of states, but the governor came with all the attributes I mentioned, very well packaged to change the narrative of the state. Like I said earlier, because he is a great leader, he know why he was coming, it is also the Holy Scripture that says who is that man who would wake up to build the house without first sitting down to count the cost. He is a man that has been prepared for the job.

Apart from God endowing him with good abilities, he prepared himself sufficiently to lead; when the call came, he had to hit the ground running without looking back and that is the bane of Nigerian politics. You see, so many people that are entrusted with power as our leaders today, majority of them did not prepare themselves for leadership. So, once they find themselves on the throne they began to gamble with policies and ideas. That is why, you can see abandoned projects everywhere in many parts of the country. It is difficult to see any abandoned project in this state that is left on attended to since 2015 when we assumed office. I speak so highly of him because all of us have become students under him.

Those who are under his government, including the citizens of Ebonyi, who enjoy the participatory leadership of the governor, all of us learn from him. He came, he saw challenges as opportunity, but for some other persons who tried to lead,it overwhelmed them.

But because of his great qualities, challenges are opportunities. I tell you, when you go round the land of Ebonyi, you see that Chief David Nweze Umahi is not a man who is given to dreaming small, he is a man that dreams big. The bigger the project, the happier he is. The larger the programme, the more excited he is.

What he is doing in Ebonyi is laying very solid foundation and leading legacies that many generation will come and say,yes a man passed through this political space.

He has done not just so well; he has done very, very well in governance.

We wake up each morning to be greeted with a new idea of how things should be done. We wake up each morning to be told and thought by him that mantra that we hear at the Federal level, it is no long business as usual, it should

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The Sunday Interview

not be theoretical, it is something to be practicalised; something that we used to demonstrate. In Nigerian governance structure, before a contract is awarded, the civil servants will need to do their clerical and surgical operations to the budget and budgetary provision to such contracts. Sometimes, in the course of what we may call undertone among some of the civil servants, because in every trade you have some bad eggs, even in governance.

So, among the civil servants, there are people who have different intentions from what the leadership has, when they are preparing documents for contracts you see them padding out and padding in, it is the language of National Assembly, so they do all that, not necessarily at the back of their mind to truncate a project, they look for personal gains and aggrandisement, but the implication of that is that such projects are frustrated and government finds it difficult to execute the project that has or is over-budgeted,. In Ebonyi, he has thought all of us to become construction giants; he thought us to become farmers; he thought us to have that commercial orientation in whatever we are doing.

Do not be surprised that you see commissioner for information who is also a lawyer, doing what you may not be able to do in terms of engaging his hands infarming, having been in the ministry of agriculture where he also did very well. He also served in the ministry of human capital development, where he became the mobiliser of men and resources, and thought the entire society what the master of the game Engr. Umahi thought him.

This is the way the people will go to come out of poverty and

from there he is deployed to the ministry of information.People may tend to ask questions why this speed of achievement in Ebonyi, it is because he has gotten all hands to engage in what he is doing.How does he do that? While political appointees elsewhere are turning out memos for chief executive to approve for them to have this consultant or that, here, we have a man, the governor, who will tell you that the consultants you are hiring, how many heads do they have, they have only one head, and you have one head also; some of them who are foreign consultants are people that may not even have degrees or even certificate that our people have here in Nigeria and they come here and answer consultant; they are grabbing our resources.

In Ebonyi, if you want to hire a consultant, he will tell you to do the job of a consultant. When you get it right he will say yes you have gotten it right but if you don’t get it right he will tell you look you have failed here and there and encourages you to make corrections; that money that would have gone to the consultant flies back into the project. There is also a reward system.

When you do wonderfully well, you will be appreciated for it. So, he has given the impetus to his lieutenants to do very well and excel.

If the governor has trained so many of his lieutenants to do a good job in many areas; what then does he do as the chief executive officer?

The projects that he engaged himself in are the legacy ones, the projects like I said earlier, that will speak both now and tomorrow.

How is he succeeding in completing such projects within a stipulated time?

As I mentioned earlier, he is an

HIV/AIDS: USAID supports 300,000 orphans, others in three Nigerian states INNOCENT ODOH, Abuja

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ver the last five years, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has partnered with the Government of Nigeria to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS among some of the most vulnerable Nigerians through support for more than 300,000 orphans and vulnerable children in three southern states.

A statement issued on Thursday by the Public Affairs Section of the United States Embassy in Nigeria, said that since, 2014, the Local Partners for Orphans and Vulnerable Children activity, known as LOPIN 1, reached over 260,000 children and more than 50,000 caregivers, providing integrated services in the areas of health, education, nutrition, psychosocial support, protection, shelter and household economic strengthening in Akwa Ibom, Lagos, and Rivers states.

Olivette Smith, political and economic analyst at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos said during a ceremony in Lagos that similar activities are ongoing in other

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Deputy governor, Kelechi Igwe

engineer by profession;Engr. David Umahi will not start a project he will not complete. He will first sit down to calculate the cost and also think out the sources of funding before embarking on it. So, while you are looking at the jumbo size of the project, he already knows how much that project will cost him to execute and the time frame within which that project will be completed. Why he is succeeding is that he is not the leader of yesteryear Nigeria; he is the leader of today and tomorrow; as he is giving out assignments, he is following it with supervision and monitoring.

It will be delivered and contractors will always have stories to tell, while some projects are truncated, why they cannot take step further, but as he is awarding projects to contractors, he is following the contractor. He is also going to ask you, look, this is what I want you to achieve, between today and tomorrow, and even before tomorrow he is already there. If you don’t achieve those milestones, just be ready that the contract will be revoked and he will re-award it to a more serious person that will deliver on time. So, we believe that speed of completion of jobs and contracts is also key to his success in governance.

Can we say that he is doing what he is doing in Ebonyitoday out of genuine love for the state and the people, or some other ulterior motives?

Like I said earlier, he is a man who believes in God; who trusts God; he has come to serve; he did that when he was a party chairman, he also did that when he was a Deputy Governor and having learnt the game very well, this is the time to consummate all his experiences along the line, coupled with the natural ability God has given to him. Ebonyi people are happy because leaders like him do not come all the time, but once they emerge, they will do everything to make impacts, as the people will gain from him, He has done more than any governor could do in any state given the background where we are coming from.You see, when you have a state that is already running on the pledge of developmentprogramme, it is easier to achieve results. Then when you find yourself in a place that you need to do or start everything afresh. The first military administrator of the state Walter Feghabor, did tremendously well, first executive governor of the state Dr. Sam Egwu, also hit the ground running, he tried to develop human infrastructure, he tried to give a name to our people; a progressive name; he also tried to wipe away the social stigma that was attached to an Ebonyi man and gave us confidence that you can compete among the rest of the people and Governor Elechi came, by his age, so many people would say he will not perform, but he performed and tried his hand on so many things that also conferred advantage on the state. And here we are with the man who knows how to run the ring around and look at the entire thing all these people had done and say if we put them together, the achievement of all these great men, it can enhance the state; that is all; that is what we have done in the last five years.

BDSUNDAY 23

In a country like Nigeria, young people are the future. By helping this vulnerable cohort of the country’s youth population get access to health care and education and boost its economic resilience

regions of Nigeria.

“In a country like Nigeria, young people are the future. By helping this vulnerable cohort of the country’s youth population get access to health care and education and boost its economic resilience, the U.S. Government through USAID is helping Nigeria meeting its commitment to ensure the next generation is ready.”

Smith said.

The activity shifted away from the usual approach to support these populations by instead implementing a more inclusive and sustainable family- and community-centered strategy in-line with Nigeria’s National Priority Agenda. As a result, more children have now been linked to life-saving anti-retroviral therapy, helping move Nigeria closer to the United Nations’ goals for HIV/ AIDS control.

Through a large network of indigenous nongovernmental organizations led by the Association for Reproductive Health (AFRH), LOPIN 1 helped build the capacity of those NGOs to better address the needs of orphans and vulnerable children, the statement said.

It also worked to strengthen local health systems in its areas of operation and engaged the private sector to enhance sustainability and access, introducing innovations such as conditional cash transfers, household economic strengthening, community-based health insurance, and village-level savings and loan programs, the statement added.

According to the 2018 National AIDS and HIV Indicator and Impact Survey, the rate of HIV in the region fell from 3.4 percent to 1.4 percent in the last five years. Still, the United States and the Government of Nigeria agree that no child should die of the disease.

Through USAID, the United States will continue to work with local partners and support the efforts of the Nigerian government to ensure that all children live a healthy and productive life, the statement added.

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Sunday 15 December 2019

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Life&Living Best Christmas gift ideas for your loved ones Jumoke Akiyode-Lawanson

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t’s the most wonderful time of the year!!! Everyone is excited about Christmas for different reasons. For Christians, it’s the time to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, while for others it’s just the beautiful feeling the holiday season and beautiful Christmas decorations bring – a time to be happy and merry with the ones dear to you.

While we attend those fun office end of the year parties, visit relatives for Christmas dinners, dance and let loose at Christmas concerts, we should also take time to appreciate the people that have been kind to us all year round, and truly mean a lot to us.

To save you from cracking your head, thinking of gift ideas for the special people on your list while you’re playing Santa this year, BDSunday has been kind enough to bring you the best 10 Christmas gift ideas that are different from the usual Christmas hampers, fruit cakes and mulled wines; that will equally blow the minds of anyone and keep them smiling through the festive season without having you break the bank.

Novels: Considering that most people will be on holiday from work this season, an interesting read will definitely be appreciated. Reading is also a very comforting way of relaxing and exercising your brain at the same time. When we read, not only are we improving memory and

empathy, but research has shown that it makes us feel better and more positive too. Science has shown that reading has some amazing health benefits, including helping with depression, cutting stress, and reducing the chances of developing Alzheimer’s later in life. So wrap up a very compelling novel such as ‘Easy Motion Tourist’ and its sequel ‘When Trouble Sleeps’ by Leye Adenle and trust me, your gift will be more appreciated than a bottle of wine.

There are other amazing literature books that can be bought in CMS Bookshop Lagos, Quintessence Park View Ikoyi, or online on Amazon or Konga.com.

Toys: For children, toys will never go out of fashion. Light up your children’s face with the brightest smile by wrapping up their favourite dolls, or merchandise from their favourite cartoon character and they’ll never forget that present. Remember that it’s never really that difficult to excite children. They’d rather have their dream toy, than go on a holiday to Paris or go on a shopping spree.

Jewellery: They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Well, it’s true.

Gift your wife or girlfriend with a lovely pair of earrings, necklace, bracelet or wristwatch for Christmas and she’ll love you forever.

Scented candles: If you’re going

to visit friends and family hosting Christmas dinners, it’ll be really thoughtful of you to buy something for their home; and what’s better than giving their house that lovely Christmas smell of cinnamon and vanilla. Get really nice, colourful scented candles and essential oils as gifts for your loved ones. You can never go wrong with buying them.

Work appropriate gifts: Buying gifts for your colleagues or boss at work can sometimes be nerve wracking, especially when you’re being careful not to pass across the wrong message. Since they’re your colleagues or manager it’s important that your gift maintains

professionalism — but still gets the message across that you appreciate their hard work. So think of getting a nice business card holder, desk accessories, business calendar/diary or a briefcase.

Thoughtful gifts: since these are people dearest to you, you must know the things they’ve been longing for. Think of that your friend that’s always asking to borrow your earpiece and get her one, or that cousin that always compliments the smell of your perfume, he or she’d really appreciate it if you’re thoughtful enough to get them something that smells just as nice as your perfume smells.

Why a crèche in the workplace will improve staff productivity IFEOMA OKEKE

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roviding day care in the workplace can have many benefits for companies, including improving employee morale, lowering turnover and attracting a wider variety of applicants.

Although providing workplace day care can be expensive, many companies find that it actually saves money in decreasing employee absenteeism and turnover. Several options exist, from bring-your-babyto-work programs to on-site day care and cooperatives between small companies.

Workplace day care has important benefits for many employees, allowing them to spend more time with their children during the workday. Some on-site programs allow employees to spend lunch and breaks with their children or for new mothers to pop in and breastfeed.

Parents can travel to and from work with their children, increasing the amount of time they spend together.

These are some of the huge benefits TVC Communication envisaged it could have by providing crèche for its staff.

Last week, TVC Communications launched its crèche for staff, a place where staff of the media

can drop off their babies and still spend quality time with them at work within the premises. According to them, it is not just a crèche, it is a child support system for working parents of which parents will also be privileged to see the development of their babies even in their absence.

Andrew Hanlon CEO, TVC Communications, stated that the idea came in from the staff association to have a staff crèche in order to break all barriers of work in the organisation, to provide comfort, satisfaction and be relaxed at work knowing their children are safe and learning.

“The essence of the staff association is for us to work together to break down all barriers in the organisation and be able to work together as a team to make this a place where every staff will come to work happily, relaxed and satisfied. To have a really great company, we need to have a work force that is happy, contented and feels rewarded in other to be more productive “We are all in this together. This is the partnership between the company and the staff. It is a world class facility, so this is a manifestation of what it means to have a great place working,” Hanlon said.

Itoro Ugorji, Chief Executive Officer of the baby lounge and TVC Communications Creche Administrator, stated that this is one of the

few crèches they have done from the scratch and this is a bench mark for other organisations, adding that it is to set a standard and this will be open and run all year round.

“We will be managing the day to day activity to ensure that it is properly administrated. We will ensure that the parents here get an amazing experience with their babies. The foundation of a child is a critical part of a child’s development.

It is an ultra-sensitive service and I am proud to say we are equipped to deliver that service.

“There will be policies and we expect those policies will be well communicated to the parents for

understanding. We are looking to having a partnership with the parents using the crèche, it has been designed to ensure it is safe for children with CCTV cameras everywhere” Ugorji stated She assured that parents are excited to see the new development as the service has been provided to them for a token.

“For us to be a sustaining organisation, there should to be good quality of the staff and facilities. This is a marathon, so we are constantly refining the processes in place; there is a lot of quality control. This is one of the biggest crèches that has been done by baby lounge. We cre-

ated many space for the babies. We have planned activities; it has been designed having a nursing station, play rooms for different stages and kitchen.

“It is not just a crèche. It is a child care support system for working parents. The children will spend so many hours with us but parents will be privileged to see the first crawl.

We will be doing short videos and sending to the parents so what that means is that even in your absence you can see your child development journey, and all of that mom guilt is completely gone” she stated She further said “there is nothing wrong in getting a support system like this. It doesn’t make anyone a bad mom. So many parents are with the responsibility of building a career. Pursue that dream and at the same time, we are here to support” Also speaking during the launch, Kikelomo Ngwube Director, HR and Administration, TVC Communications said “This building started in October and because we wanted to deliver on time, we had to push the architects even during the raining season to work. The crèche will fully kick off in January and will cater for babies within the ages of three months to two years. We are only going to able to cater for 30 children.

Once the space reservation form gets to 30 it will be closed.”

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Arts Alexis Galleries marks remarkable 2019 with artists …closes year with Harmattan Workshop exhibition

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OBINNA EMELIKE t is amazing to trail the story of Alexis Galleries.

Si n c e 2 0 1 1 , w h e n i t opened to the public with a small shop, the outfit has grown from a homestore, art café, to a gallery and studio. Alexis Gallery is worth visiting, especially this festive season. But the real story is the averred commitment to support the Nigerian visual art sector, both established and upcoming artists, exposing them to global audience through their works and offering them platforms to reach their full potential.

Today, the artists are grateful to Patty Chidiac Mastrogiannis, founder and director, Alexis Galleries, for her vision, support and platforms, as well as, the many non-governmental organisations that always get some percentage of proceeds of sales from art exhibitions as charity.

For the nine years in the art space, Alexis Galleries has also excited the public, art lovers and collectors alike with many exhibitions.

However, 2019 is unprecedented for the gallery, artists and the NGOs because of the many exhibitions and residences that tasked the creative ingenuity of the artists; got the masters to prove their versatility, hone the skills of upcoming ones and brought art to limelight.

From the beginning of this year, the gallery has been busy, there is virtually no month that passed without an exhibition. In March, it opened the year with Truth, a joint exhibition of paintings by Yemi Uthman and Joseph Bidemi, two rising and selling Nigerian artists.

Some of the 28 art masters with Patty Chidiac Mastrogiannis at the Moremi exhibition

It went further to enthral with Sam Ovraiti, Retrospective; Exposition of 36 Years Romance with the Language of Colours.

The solo exhibition, which held in April featured 40 oil and pastel paintings by Sam Ovraiti, one of Nigeria’s leading art masters, as well as, celebrated the artist’s 36 years of practice.

Yet again, Alexis Galleries hosted ‘Iriri’ (Experience), a solo exhibition of paintings by Oluwole Omofemi, a contemporary Nigerian artist, in May. It also presented Imaginativeness, a group exhibition of paintings and drawings by Orlu Prince Ozangeobuoma, Karen Ogidi and

A work at Harmattan Workshop exhibition

Akinbanji Osanyemi. The exhibition depicted the expression of these three contemporary artists.

Alexis Galleries truly wowed the world when it collaborated with the Moremi Initiative of the House of Oduduwa to host ‘Moremi Art Exhibition’ (A view from the masters), a travelling show by Bruce Onobrakpeya, Kolade Oshinowo, Reuben Ugbine, Chinwe Uwatse, Tola Wewe, Sam Ebohon, Bunmi Babatunde, Abiodun Olaku, Sam Ovraiti, Duke Asidere, Dominique Zinkpe, Fidelis Odogwu, Gbenga Offo, Edosa Ogiugo, Alex Nwokolo, Zinno Orara, Diseye Tantua, John Oyedemi, Joe Essien, Segun Aiyesan, Ato Arinze, Tony Nsofor, Mavua Lessor, Joshua Nmesirionye, Gerry Nnumbia, Abraham Uyovbisere, Gerald Chukwuma and Gab Awusa, The exhibition was worth seeing because the masters really showed class with their works.

Beyond the exhibition, the gallery furthered its artists development initiative with a residency it called ‘Knock on Wood’. The one-month artists’-in-residency programme featured six artists: Samuel Tete-katchan, Chukwuemeka Michaels Osisiego, David Taiwo Olatunde, Kelvin chukwudi Ubani, Francis Sewanu Agemo and Darlington A. Chukwumezie, who explored wood as a medium and the works were exhibited in October this year.

The residency brought the best in the artists, most of who worked on wood as a medium for the first time.

Afterwards, the gallery invited art lovers once again for Les Contemporains (The Contemporaries), a group exhibition of paintings, sculptures and mixed media.

The exhibition featured many contemporary artists including Dominique Zinkpe, an artist cherished by the gallery.

In September it presented Brilliance, a group exhibition of paintings sculptures and mixed media, while Bald is Beautiful, another group exhibition, opened in October.

The group exhibition of paintings and mixed media was dedicated to those who have survived cancer, those battling with cancer, as well as, create awareness.

Alexis Galleries also hosted Afeez Adetunji in his second solo exhibition, which opened on Saturday, November 16 to Friday, November 29, 2019. The exhibition, which was titled ‘Unbreakable’, featured 28 recent work, As well, Bloom 2, a group exhibition by 21 Nigerian art masters happened in November.

But in a wonderful wrapping of the year’s exhibitions, Alexis Galleries is hosting its last exhibition for 2019.

Entitled ‘Harmattan Workshop Exhibition’, the last outing, which is a festive exhibition, opened on Saturday December 14 and will run until Friday 20, 2019.

The exhibition brings together a collection of powerful, creative, and masterfully-executed artworks that have been grouped to inspire, provoke, and educate audiences.

For the viewer, the exhibition will be an all-around representation of cultural genius. For viewers external to the culture, it is an awakening to the unknown and uncelebrated contributions of the artists to history.

It is featuring about 34 works by Bruce Onabrakpeya, Tola Wewe, Sam Ovraiti, Moses Unokwah,

Aderinsoye Aladegbongbe, Ajibo Chukwu, Andrew Onobrakpeya, Azeez Alawode, Barrett Akpokabayen, Bisi Ajayi, Bode Olaniran, Dele Oluseye, Ejiofor Ogochukwu, Gab Awusa, Godson Etokapan, Halimat Hamzat, Idio Emiefiele, Joy Philip, Lasisi Dare, LCA, Marcellina Akpojofor, Mukaila Ayoade, Odiri Orhorhoro, Yves Midahuen, Ofoye Idowu, Ojo Olaniyi, Oluwole Orowole, Rasaki Adeniyi, Salubi Onakufe, Shakiru Badmus, Sola Adeleye, Ufuoma Onobrakpeya and Yinka Ogunneye.

“Alexis Galleries in nine years has engaged in the presentation and dissemination of contemporary and modern art in the media of painting, drawing, mixed media and sculpture, which is the reason we are showing these works created from the Harmattan Workshop at Agbarha-Otor, Delta State”, Patty Chidiac Mastrogiannis, founder and director, Alexis Galleries, said.

The Harmattan Workshop as an informal educational setup is a retreat where artists meet, think, work, experiment and share ideas. They come with the view to develop and sustain their creative endeavours towards the development of the arts, particularly the visual arts. It takes place at the Niger Delta Arts and Cultural Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, Nigeria.

The Harmattan workshop is the flagship programme of the Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation, founded in 1998, a registered non- governmental organisation. It is set up with the primary goal of promoting the visual arts with an emphasis on research and experimentation.

Artists have therefore taken advantage of the opportunity to develop themselves through exposure to new techniques and interaction with one another. The Workshop has also succeeded in bringing together people of diverse ethnic backgrounds, academic standing and practical experiences to share ideas. The ultimate benefit has been that it has not only helped prevent artists from becoming stagnant but has also helped them to continue to produce works that are relevant to society. In addition, the workshops’ location in a rural community has significantly increased the level of art appreciation, leading to an increased sense of self-worth among participants and most especially those that are resident in the local communities.

It holds each year in several sessions of two weeks each. Facilitators for the various sections of the workshop are carefully selected from different backgrounds.

The exhibition is supported by Pepsi, Tiger, Indomie, Mikano, Delta Airline, Cool World, UPS, Cobranet, Cool FM, Wazobia FM/TV, Art Café and The Homestores Limited.

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Sunday 15 December 2019

Arts Queen Moremi the Musical enthralls this December OBINNA EMELIKE

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heHouseofOduduw a Fo u n d a t i o n (HOOF) will presents the reloaded edition of Queen Moremi the Musical from December 24, 2019 to January 2, 2020 to share the tales of a queen, a strong woman and a true warrior; Moremi Ajasoro who sacrificed her son to liberate the people of Ile-Ife from the hands of their oppressors. Her story symbolizes the strength and courage of women, to show that are a huge force in every race. This initiative hopes to encourage young women to step up in places of authority and share their gifts to the world.

Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, the Moremi ambassador, states that the December Queen Moremi The Musical will focus on women empowerment, the rights of the girl child and kicking against slavery and human trafficking.

The musical will be staged at Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The show will attract high net worth guests, prominent personalities, including Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), the, Ooni of Ife.

Also expected are Ife chiefs, traditional rulers from across the country, business leaders, politicians, the diplomatic corps and theatre aficionados.

According to Ooni Ogunwusi, the musical is a corporate endorsement for the war

against modern slavery and trafficking of young women.

He noted that the musical is awe-inspiring, as well as being laced with thought provoking narrative.

Ooni of Ife said, “I was glad people were touched the last

time the musical was staged.

I saw people crying. It made them to see the strength of a woman and her selflessness.

Moremi was a figure of high significance in the history of the Yoruba people of West Africa.”

Olam celebrates 30 years of impact in Nigeria OBINNA EMELIKE

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n Wednesday December 11, 2019, management and staff members of Olam Nigeria Limited hosted the general public, especially stakeholders in the Agric business and value chain to an elaborate outing at its 30th anniversary celebration and end-of-year party.

The colourful event, which held at Eko Club, Bode Thomas, Surulere, Lagos, offered excitements for the guests who were enthralled by the success story of Olam, while the staff members used the opportunity to cool off work stress, unwind and wrap up the year in a unique style.

From melodious renditions by a live band to rib-cracking jokes by Okey Bakasi, an ace comedian, the celebration was remarkable.

Pointing out the reason for the celebration in his opening remarks, Ernest Esada, general manager, Employee Relations, Olam Nigeria Limited, traced the days of little beginning of the company and commended the pioneer staff members, and the company’s leadership that steered it to success despite challenges.

For him, Nigeria was the launch pad for Olam’s global business endeavours in 1989 and since then the company

has never looked back, rather it keeps featuring prominently in the Nigerian economy with visible impacts ranging from creating employment, stimulating the agric value chain and boosting the gross domestic product (GDP).

Looking forward to another 30 years, Esada called for inclusiveness and team spirit in order to sustain the focus on the vision of the company. He assured that Olam is making efforts at keeping with the pace of development in its areas of operation, as well as, technology.

In his address at the celebration, Mukul Mathur, country head, Nigeria, explained that running a successful business in Nigeria for three decades is never an easy task, but that Olam succeeded because it keeps reinventing itself, changing in line with the business environment and government policies.

Capturing the success of the company in Nigeria over the years, he said that Olam has been “Growing Responsibly” while bearing in mind the environment, especially with climate change that is now obvious.

Offering details of the growth since three decades, Mathur said Olam, which started in 1989 with an initial focus on the procurement of primary commodities like cashews, cocoa and shea nut, has today refined its operations, expanding it business streams to include; exports, imports, and branded packaged food products.

“Considering that we started in Nigeria 30 years ago with less than 100 staff and today, we have over 3,000 staff members spread across 82 locations in the country, Olam Nigeria Limited has done well and is looking forward to wining more grounds”, he said.

Excited by the employment opportunities created by Olam and that is still growing everyday, the country head Nigeria, explained that the staff members help the company to manage its value chain activities of sourcing, processing, marketing and distribution.

Aside the smooth employer/staff relationship, Mathur said Olam has maintained cordial relationships with host communities, lifting their livelihood and impacting local economies.

Enumerating the feats of the company since the 30 years of operation in Nigeria, Mathur said that Olam has pioneered domestic sesame hulling and exports through its state-of-the-art Olam Sesame Plant in Sagamu, Ogun State, processing facilities in Lagos State, integrated animal feed mill, poultry breeding farms and hatchery in Gwagwada Kaduna State, rice farm and Olam Rice Mill, both in Nasaeawa, as well as, subsidiary companies.

The country head Nigeria, assured that Olam, which was born in Nigeria, believes in Nigeria and is Nigeria to stay and impact.

The celebration witnessed a lucky dip where guests won fantastic prizes amid cultural dance performance by a cultural group from Akwa Ibom State.

She was a courageous queen who contributed to the victory of Ife people over a neighbouring tribe. She was a member, by marriage into the royal family of Oduduwa, the tribe’s fabled founding father.

He continued, “Moremi showed what a woman could do to actually save a race.

There is need to speak more for the weaker sex (women).

Everything they do is very timed and sensitive. They are very caution about things that concern them. So, I decided to put more effort on women empowerment and leadership. We use stories like this with the infusion of our indigenous songs to encourage young children, the girl child and let them know what is called the strength of a woman. Moremi was liberation to the Yorubas. She was the pioneer and she gave strength to other women.

Women are multipliers, so, therefore the story would continue to resurrect.”

“Infusion of music in Moremi is to enable us promote our culture. We want to practice what belong to us and it is pertinent we infuse our culture in it. Moremi has come to stay.

It is a movement and a strong movement to empower girlchild in the world but we are

basically interested in Africa.

They are the most oppressed.

You barely hear the voice of women; very few women you get hear their voice. We are reloading it. We want to master the act, what we are doing is mastering using the platform of House Oduduwa, we have reached the U.S., Republic of Ireland and Canada and the people are willing to see the reloaded story of Moremi.”

He added.

The story of Moremi is an important tale to tell in this time. First of all, there is an urgent need for Nigerians to appreciate their culture and history and not view it through the lens of superstition and Western world bias.

It resonates with the feminist charge to take lead in a maledominated society.

Besides reinforcing the fact that performance is central to human experience, underlining the event is the reenactment of the life and times of Queen Moremi, which illustrates the pivotal role of women in societal development and to enable the younger generation, especially women, to recognise and aspire for leadership roles in society, which stood out the Queen in the history and liberation of Ile Ife town.

Zlatan, Mayorkun, Oritsefemi to light up GOtv Boxing Night 20

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hree high-profile musical artistes, Zlatan Ibile, Mayorkun and Oritsefemi are billed to perform at the 20th edition of GOtv Boxing Night, tagged “GOtv Boxing Night Musical Festival”.

This was announced by the organisers at a press conference in Lagos on Thursday.

The event is slated to hold on December 28, 2019 at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos.

According to Jenkins Alumona, CEO of Flykite Productions, the artistes have been contracted to perform as a way of sustaining the tradition of giving fans a total entertainment package for the support they continue to give to the event. He noted that the artistes have been carefully selected to meet various musical tastes.

“We have a tradition of making the year-end edition of GOtv Boxing Night a confluence of music and boxing. Two years ago, we had had Falz, Reekado Banks and Small Doctor.

Last year, we had Burna Boy, Teni da Entertainer, Wande Coal and Daddy

Showkey. This year, we are happy to have Zlatan, Mayorkun and Oritsefemi, who are on top of their game, agree to light up the show.

We are fusing music with boxing as a gesture of appreciation to the fans, who have been the pillars of support for this event since it debuted in November 2014. What they deserve is enormous fun and that is what we will give them.

It will be a cracking show,” promised Alumona.

GOtv Boxing Night 20 will feature nine bouts, including a World Boxing Federation heavyweight title clash between USbased Nigerian, Onoriode “King Kong ” Ehwariemi and Argentina’s Ariel Baracamonte. It will also stage two international title defences featuring top Nigerian boxers, Rilwan “Real One” Oladosu, who fights Ghana’s Ezekiel Annan; and Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde, who stakes his title against another Ghanaian, Sanitor Agbenyo; as well as an all-female fight between Cynthia “Bobby Girl” Ogunsemilore and Aminat Yusuf.

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BDSUNDAY 27

ExecutiveBookshelf With Chido Nwakanma • Reviews • News • Interview • List

Dawn Dekle, PhD, President, American University of Nigeria My book world

Dawn Dekle

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ur library contains the largest digital holdings in Nigeria, and our students tap far and wide into it Da w n D e k l e , Ph D , was appointed President of American University of Nigeria (AUN) in July 2017. Prior to joining AUN, Dr. Dekle was President of Orkhon University in Mongolia, and President of American University of Iraq. She also served as Provost of the American University of Afghanistan, and as Dean of SP Jain School of Global Management in Singapore.

Before Dr. Dekle’s ascension to senior academic leadership positions, she was a faculty member at Singapore Management University, National University of Singapore, James Madison University and Dartmouth College.

Outside of academia, Dr. Dekle was also a Council

Member for the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, and Leadership Specialist and Global Knowledge Manager at McKinsey & Company.

Dr. Dekle earned degrees from Stanford University (JD), Dartmouth College (PhD) and Texas A&M University (BS).

Outside work, she enjoys volunteering at refugee camps and animal shelters, bird watching, following Zinedine Zidane’s transition from football player to coach, collecting Starbucks coffee mugs, vegetarian cooking, reading historical biographies, and imagining the future.

What are you reading currently?

Educated, by Tara Westover; and Russian Roulette,

by Michael Isikoff Eagerly awaiting the release of The Body, by Bill Bryson – the next book on my list to read What informs your choice of a book to read?

New York Times Review of Books, Booker Prize finalists, recommendations of friends and colleagues, what students are reading, and sometimes just wandering around a bookstore…

Which books would you rate as the Top 5 or Top Ten in your reading experience?

Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World, by Jack Weatherford Disgrace, by JM Coetzee Angela’s Ashes, by Frank

AUN comes to the Executive Bookshelf

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merican University of Nigeria made news when a Google team tracked their internet footprint to Yola. The team wondered where in Nigeria was responsible for so many blips on their search engine.

The American University of Nigeria is Africa’s first development university, offering international undergraduate and graduate programs.

The school says “AUN offers programs that combine innovative approaches to liberal arts

education”.

Its five schools cover Arts and Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship, Engineering, Information Technology and Computing as well as Law. With such a pedigree, Exe c u ti v e Bo ok s h e l f sought to speak to their President about her book preferences, knowledge production as well as role of digital in education in the institution. Readers will find her responses deep, reasoned and indicative of so much more.

We intend to explore more.

McCourt Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini Memoirs of a Geisha, by Arthur Golden The Last Girl, by Nadia Murad Leonardo da Vinci, by Walter Isaacson Seabiscuit, by Laura Hillenbrand Life of Pi, by Yann Martel Americanah, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie What books would you return to again and again?

Animal Farm, by George Orwell The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupery The Greatest Salesman in the World, by Og Mandino Reverence for Life, by Albert Schweitzer The Beginner’s Mind, by Shunryu Suzuki One More Day Everywhere, by Glen Heggstad Atlas Obscura, by Joshua Foer Which 10 books would you consider essential or critical in your profession or line of business?

The Social Animal, by Elliot Aronson Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell Leadership Without Easy Answers, by Ronald Heifetz Immunity to Change, by Robert Kegan The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R Covey The Paradox of Choice, by Barry Schwartz The Infinite Game, by Simon Sinek Question 6: Please suggest five essential books in your field and five general interest books that are must-reads for young people?

Essential books: Walden Two, by B.F. Skinner The Hero with a Thousand Faces, by Joseph Campbell To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee The Blank Slate, by Steven Pinker Flourish, by Martin Seligman General Interest: How to Read a Book, by Mortimer Adler Flatland, by Edwin Abbott A Short History of Nearly Everything, by Bill Bryson Inherit the Wind (play), by Jerome Lawrence Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn Do you play any direct

role in the equipment of the library of your academic institution given the importance of libraries in education?

The University Librarian is a principal officer of the university, with faculty rank. I work closely with the Librarian to ensure the equipment of our library is maintained and meets our learning community’s needs.

How do you progress the process of knowledge production in your institution as vice chancellor?

We have a Library Com-

West Matters, and just completed a very successful book tour in the USA, including a visit to Harvard University, and our alum, English Language and Literature major, Victoria Toluwase Ifeolu, just published her first novella, Flying Pythons, available on Amazon.

Do you prefer hard copy or digital texts?

I am old school – I prefer hard copy. Digital is missing the feel and the weight of the book in your hands, the smell of the paper, the ink on your hands, all of the tactile

teacher.

Do you share the notion that young Nigerians do not read? What do the records from your library and interaction with your students show?

I think knowledge acquisition is evolving – young Nigerians do read, but they also listen to podcasts, which are very educational.

The podcast that accompanied the recent television series Chernobyl was phenomenal, as was the podcast that accompanied the book Bad Blood, about Elizabeth Holmes, added

mittee at our university, and the group is responsible for acquisitions and recommendations for ensuring our physical holdings and digital collections remain relevant. We also catalog all of our faculty publications and books.

What steps have you taken as VC to ensure your institution plays a significant role in knowledge production through book writing and publishing?

We provide support for research activities, including grant and proposal writing for external funding, and conference attendance, all of which helps our resident faculty members pursue their scholarship interests, which includes books and articles.

How many books have scholars here published?

Many – and we have new books coming out each year. Recently, our faculty member, Mahamadou Lamine Sagna , published a book, Cornel

stimuli that come with holding a physical book.

What are the significant differences and appeal of each in your view?

The appeal of digital is storage – you can take your library anywhere with you, anytime, and you can search it. The appeal of hard copy is the serendipity of discovering something by flipping pages with your fingers, and being able to give a book as a physical gift and writing an inscription in your own handwriting inside.

Conventional wisdom says young people today are mainly on to digital for reading What have you done to ensure they get the full benefits of reading while on digital?

I am not aware of any studies that definitively demonstrate that learning from digital formats is inferior to learning from traditional physical books. Whether digital or traditional, the key factor seems to be the right

significant understanding to the story. My favorite weekly podcasts are Freakonomics, hosted by Stephen J Dubner, and Revisionist History, hosted by Malcolm Gladwell. Our library contains the largest digital holdings in Nigeria, and records indicate our students tap far and wide into it.

Who are your all-time favorite authors?

Bill Bryson, Tom Friedman, David Brooks, Walter Isaacson, Laura Hillenbrand, JM Coetzee, Yann Martel, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Paul Th e rou x , V S Na i p a u l , Karen Blixen, W Somerset Maugham, Graham Greene, Qu e s t i o n 1 7 : An y thoughts on reading generally and what it contributes to readers?

Reading generally improves vocabulary and opens the mind to other perspectives. As Franz Kafka said, ‘A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us.’

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Sunday 15 December 2019

Travel

Holiday beckons at Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort O Obinna Emelike

n Nwaniba Road, a few kilometres away from Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, lies a hospitality jewel. Tucked in a lush tropical landscape, Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort is a prime leisure and business hotel by all standards.

The serenity of the environment amidst tropical beauties easily gives away the outfit as a top get-away and holiday option for discerning vacation seekers, especially this Christmas.

Its world-class accommodation option is a true complement of other facilities conceptualised by the owners to glue guests to a sustained leisure outing and memorable experience afterwards. The private terraces in each of the 130 guest rooms, 26 suites, and seven chalets will indulge you. Besides, each room looks over a forest of palm trees

and the golf course. The panoramic view created by this special offering is compared to that of viewing the Atlantic Ocean from the comfort of one’s hotel room.

Of course, the height of ex-

citement at Ibom resort is the 18-hole golf course, which has attracted best golfers from far and near to battle for honour on its lush and well-trimmed lawns.

The emphasis on the exclusive

and luxury sports allows guests to meet with top personalities who, while on a golf retreat, may share same table or swimming time with other guests. The rooms and other excitements may not make sense to you if you visit when golf tournaments are on because they are so engaging.

Apart from the golf course, the resort indulges guests in memorable leisure through other facilities such as three bars, three stylish restaurants, Marina Club House & BBQ Terrace, a heliport, three retail shops, a hair salon, and a VIP lounge.

With all its nature endowments and the world-class facilities, the idyllic resort truly woos you to a golf and leisure retreat.

Similarly, the needs of the corporate and business worlds are adequately met through the hotel’s conference and banquet facilities. While the banquet hall accommodates up to 1,000 people, there are various options

for meetings and seminars. As well, the hotel’s business centre includes rental office space and ten function rooms.

Emphasis is further laid on leisure with other recreational facilities such as a fitness and health club, outdoor children’s and adult pools, two Jacuzzis, tennis and squash facilities, Ibom Golf Club, as well as, a riverside marina with a floating jetty.

Of course, the Akwa Ibom axis is known for its great traditional culinary prowess. You will be feted with enough local dishes that keep whetting your appetite.

As well, you have a whole range of continental dishes and specialised cuisines developed

by Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort’s internal talent to choose from.

Now that many airlines fly to Uyo, especially Ibom Air, the journey to discover this hide-out is short and more convenient. But an ardent golfer will not forget a swell experience at the resort in a hurry.

Eko Hotel & Suites lights up for Christmas today Dubai Tourism offers free trips, freebies for Dubai Shopping Festival’s 25th anniversary

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ko Hotel & Suites Lagos is organising one of the liveliest Christmas events this December.

The Eko Hotels’ Tropical ChristmasWonderlandisapremierChristmas event created by the management of the hotel to raise the stakes in the Nigeria hospitality industry.

The month-long event will kick-off with a light-up ceremony on December 15, 2019. It will be followed by a lineup of fun events between December 23 and 27, 2019. The events are designed for families and individuals to relive classic Christmas memories and create new magical ones infused with the one-of-a -kind hospitality that only Eko Hotel offers.

To get the public in the festive spirit, Eko Hotels had earlier in the year unveiled its Christmas schedule for December 2019 on the event website www.ekohotelstropicalchristmas.com, as well as, other media channels.

The hotel situated in the upper crust of Victoria Island has set out to showcase a lot that Eko Hotels has to offer with a Tropical Wonderland experience never seen in Nigeria in its bid to continually excite and offer families unique experiences.

“In the last four years, we organised smaller scale Christmas holidays, but this year, for the first time, your family will relive the true essence of Christmas as was narrated to you as a child”, Iyadunni Igbadebo, marketing director of the hotel, said.

Tagged “Eko Hotels Tropical Christmas Wonderland,” the fun kicks off on December 15 with a “Light up” ceremony, and continues with three awesome packages in one magical venue designed to mirror a place right out of your imagination.

“Our four hotels including; Eko Signature, Eko Suites, Eko Hotel and Eko Gardens will offer families three- or five-day all-inclusive packages to a place where even

mummies and daddies read about in story books when they were young,” she continued.

From December 21-31, 2019 Eko Hotels will metamorphose into an adventurous Christmas wonderland destination and the highlights of the planned activities includes; a ladies night, an indoor and outdoor games arena, sensational carol-key, cinema pads- an in-house cinema experience, and a 24hour creche service.

The marketing director singled out December 24th as a Christmas Eve for holiday makers to enjoy a thrilling Santa procession with Nutcrackers and Elves, and fabulous barbecue buffet dinner.

On Christmas day, the Kuramo Sports Café will host families and friends to a choice menu of food options from over seven continents for their lunch buffet. The Christmas Costume concert on Christmas evening promises to be sensational.

Boxing Day will also feature a themed high life and palm wine night with spectacular high life music and an exquisite dinner buffet experience while the New Year eve features midnight fireworks

that usher guests into the brand new year 2020.

The hotel will be lit up this festive season and you can enjoy the amazing sparkling holiday décor over fine wine and dining options.

The Eko Hotels team wants you to experience luxury first-hand. “So, if you are looking for a truly special place, then come on into Eko Hotels and experience our unique lodging experience and outstanding one-of-a-kind food, beverage and entertainment offerings.

The Marketing Director urges patrons to make their bookings now “as rooms are fast filling up”.

The series of events promises lots of enriching surprises, especially for the kids to enjoy spectacles such as the lights, magic and tropical fun with Santa and his crew.”Its well over 800 rooms and suites, including upscale Signature, 11 restaurants, an out-door pool, fun gym, high speed WIFI; spa will constitute the wonderland for that special touch among other amenities.

Eko Hotel has undergone renovation and expansion that ensures it not only retains its No. 1 position in Nigeria, but also becomes the best in Africa.

D

ubai’s Department of TourismandCommerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), is set to delight Nigerians and Ghanaians with prizes and free trips to Dubai as part of activities marking the 25th anniversary of the famous Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF).

Dubai Tourism and its partners are kicking off several competitions offering Nigerians and Ghanaians the chance to win big just in time for the holidays. The gifts include shopping vouchers or fully funded trips to Dubai to enjoy unique experiences, world-class concerts, pop up markets, events, and daily firework displays during DSF, which takes place December 26, 2019 to February 1, 2020.

The opportunity comes in two options. The first option allows intending travellers to book a trip to Dubai with three tour operators; Tour Brokers International (TBI), Wontra or Wakanow between now and December 20th to travel to Dubai in January 2020 and be automatically entered to win shopping vouchersuponarrivaltospend while in Dubai. The winners will be announced after December 26 through the trade partners and Dubai Tourism.

The second option is a six-week online competition, in partnership with BellaNaija. It will see 10 winners from Nigeria and 5 from Ghana win a five-night trip to Dubai to celebratethefestivitiesduringthe25th anniversaryofDSF.Toparticipatein the competition ongoing through December 20th, participants must submit a 60-second video explaining how they would spend a week in Dubai, what they want to see and where they want to go. The short video clip then needs to be posted to Instagram, tagging and following @bellanaijastyle and @visitdubai_af&@dsfsocialaccounts.All participants must be 25 to enter the

competition.

The lucky winners will receive gifts including a shopping voucher worth AED 1000; five-night hotel stay; flight tickets and airport transfers. Winners will be announced on social media accounts on December 23rd and will travel to Dubai in January 2020.

Commenting on the contest, Salim Ali Mohammed Dahman, head of campaign management for Africa, said: “The Dubai Shopping Festival has been always been an event that the entire city really gets into. Now going into its 25th anniversary means it will be grander than ever before. We know that our African visitors love to shop; whether for luxury items or just the basics, they rate shopping as one of the top things they love to do when visiting Dubai. For us, we wanted to take this special occasion to invite first time visitors or those coming back to Dubai again with a warm welcome and a heavy dose of retail therapy. As a city, we are rolling out the red carpet to celebrate this milestone and encourage everyone in Nigeria and Ghana to participate in this competition.”

Established in 1996, DSF is one of the first city-wide shopping festivals in the world and the biggest in the region. It demonstrates the breadth of Dubai’s retail offering and this 25th anniversary edition will feature celebrations and entertainment, including the jubilee opening ceremony, concerts, live shows and cultural performances.

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Travel

Virgin Atlantic raises the bar in Lagos with new A350-1000 …Aircraft takes to skies between Lagos, Heathrow in late summer 2020 STORIES BY IFEOMA OKEKE

V

irgin Atlantic has announced that its brand new aircraft, the Airbus A350-1000, will fly the Lagos – London Heathrow route from August 2020.

The new aircraft will offer over 240,000 seats between the two cities, increasing capacity by 8.7 percent compared to the A340600 which is currently serving the route.

Taking customer experience to new heights, the A350 boasts a totally redesigned Upper Class cabin and social space. Customers can now enjoy The Loft, the largest social space in the airline’s fleet, which is designed for customers to gather, chat, enjoy a drink or dine with friends.

The Loft extends the airline’s world renowned Clubhouse experience to the skies, offering a wide range of cocktails, and the option for customers to dine together and enjoy Mile High afternoon tea

by Eric Lanlard and a selection of delicious dishes by Donal Skehan.

As well as enjoying luxe comfort and high end finishes, customers can settle in with Bluetooth headphones and connect to the 32” screen – catch a show, or watch the

live tailcam.

The Loft is not the only innovation to the Upper Class cabin, as customers can also experience an entirely new suite, which has been designed in collaboration with a number of Virgin Atlantic’s most frequent flyers; Every seat now faces towards the window and offers deployable privacy screens. Laid out in a 1-2-1 configuration, every suite has a 44” pitch, with a fully flat-bed length of up to 82.” All suites will transition seamlessly from an upright seat, straight to a bed.

It boasts Virgin Atlantic’s largest ever in-flight entertainment screen,

at 18.5”and features intuitive new system, controllable by customers’ own personal device.

In line with the rest of the fleet, every customer will still have direct aisle access.

Customers travelling in Virgin Atlantic’s award winning Premium cabin and its much loved Economy cabin will also be able to enjoy the increased levels of luxury and comfort the A350 has to offer.

Both have the largest entertainment screens ever offered; 13.3” in Premium and 11.6” in Economy.

Premium customers will also enjoy a generous 7” recline, increased space for storage, a four

Arik Air fleet receives boost, set for Christmas season

A

rik Air received two aircraft from C-Check over the weekend, thereby boosting the operations of the airline in the coming festive season.

The two aircraft include a Q-400, while the Boeing 737-800 check was conducted by Lufthansa Technik AG in Malta.

Over the last two years the current management has been working hard to improve the number of serviceable aircraft in the airline’s fleet. The efforts are yielding results.

The Arik fleet are nearly mid - life and such require major overhaul of engines, landing gear, etc.

Unfortunately, Arik in addition to

being over burdened by debts had no reserves.

The company was simply in a fix.

The significant work done to date has therefore been the result of prudent management of resources and the support of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

The management’s effort is bearing fruits with two more aircraft expected to return from C-checks in the next few weeks - one at the end of the year, and another in January.

Since the current management took over the airline operation its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) is positive, customers’ confidence has been restored On Time Performance (OTP) is over 70

percent - from as low as 30 percent; load factors on domestic routes are over 80 percent, flight cancellations are down to less than one percent from over 40 percent, Salaries are paid as at when due, pensions are being remitted, all current obligations are being met and the company is prepared for AMCON exit.

The Boeing 737-800 had been in Malta with Lufthansa Technik AG since 2015 before the current management came on board, and its return is a huge testimony of the achievements of the current management due to the high cost of C check of as a result of extended lay over.

Roy Ilegbodu, the Chief Executive Officer of Arik, said: “We are pleased to announce the return of some of our airplanes, following positive resolution of our outstanding debts with African Export Import Bank (AFREXIM) and strong support from Lufthansa Technik AG. “We are aware that our services are critical to numerous travelers in this festive season, and we are ready for the challenges ahead with improved schedule in our domestic and regional network and excellent customer experience.”

way adjustable headrest and a luxurious leather seat customers know and love.

Economy seats have been upgraded to new luxurious fabrics offering adjustable headrests.

Economy Light and Classic will offer a 31” seat pitch whilst Economy Delight offers 34”.

The entire aircraft will also have access to high speed wifi as well as the unique and personalised service of Virgin Atlantic’s world famous Cabin Crew.

Shai Weiss, CEO, at Virgin Atlantic commented: “Our Nigerian customers have always been amongst our most loyal and supportive and we’re delighted they will now be able to experience our brand new A350-1000 between Lagos and London Heathrow.

“Not only will it increase capacity for us on this popular route, it represents a true evolution of our customer experience and forms a significant part of our fleet transformation strategy.

“By 2024, we’ll operate the youngest, cleanest, greenest fleet in the sky and the fuel efficiency of Virgin Atlantic’s fleet will have improved by 32 per cent.”

Justin Bell, Commercial Manager Nigeria, at Virgin Atlantic commented: “This new aircraft is proof of our commitment to Nige-

ria and our customers. For years we have led the industry with the unparalleled service we offer our customers and this focus drives the inherent preference for Virgin Atlantic that exists today and remains at the core of everything we do.”

Virgin Atlantic has now taken delivery of three A350 aircraft currently flying on the London Heathrow to New York JFK route, then scheduled to fly on Los Angeles, San Francisco, Johannesburg and Lagos in 2020.

In total, Virgin Atlantic has ordered 12 Airbus A350-1000, joining the fleet by 2021 in an order worth an estimated $4.4 billion (list price.)

The aircraft, powered by RollsRoyce Trent XWB engines, continues Virgin Atlantic’s investment in a more sustainable fleet. The aircraft is designed to be 30 percent more fuel and carbon efficient than the aircraft it replaces and is expected to reduce the airline’s noise footprint at its airports by more than half.

The A350 will also be the first aircraft in Virgin Atlantic’s fleet to feature its new Flying Icons, which are set to replace the airline’s famous Flying Lady. The high flyers are a diverse range of men and women representing modern Britain.

Ethiopian Group CEO named ‘Airline Executive of the Year’ by CAPA

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thiopian Airlines Group CEO, Tewolde GebreMariam has been recognized as ‘Airline Executive of the Year’ at the annual Global Aviation Awards for Excellence organized

by Centre for Aviation (CAPA) in Malta on 5th December 2019.

Tewolde GebreMariam won the title for his commendable individual influence on the aviation industry, demonstrating outstanding strategic thinking and innovative direction for the growth of Ethiopian Airlines and the aviation industry at large.

Commenting on the accolade, Tewolde GebreMariam said, “I am honoured to have received the award and I sincerely thank CAPA for the recognition. We at Ethiopian have achieved greater milestones as one family.

“I want to dedicate this award to my colleagues: more than 16,000 brave men and women around the world who always challenge themselves to soar higher with the mind-set that every step they take can become new history and milestone in today’s 21st century aviation business.”

Peter Harbison, CAPA Chairman, on his part remarked, “Tewolde GebreMariam has become a giant in African aviation over

the past decades. He has guided a marginal airline into becoming a major global force, with a modern fleet and a world class operation.

“This past year he has been most strenuously challenged following the MAX accident, and emerges with an even stronger reputation. We are proud to present him with this award and look forward to him continuing to lead the airline to even greater heights.”

Having served Ethiopian Airlines in different capacities for decades, Tewolde took the helm of Africa’s leading flag-carrier as Group CEO in January 2011.

He has received a number of prestigious accolades in the aviation industry for his outstanding leadership that propelled Ethiopian to the top of Africa’s aviation.

Regarded as the pre-eminent awards for strategic excellence in aviation, CAPA first established the awards in 2003 to recognize successful airlines and airports based in the Asia Pacific region. The awards later expanded to the global stage in 2012 to acknowledge aviation excellence worldwide.

Tewolde has also been listed as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans in 2019 by New African Magazine this week.

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Sunday 15 December 2019

Trends

The latest scoop on the new ice cream in town, ‘Go Slo’

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ce cream’s origins are known to reach back as far as the second century B.C., although no specific date of origin or inventor has been undisputably credited with its discovery. We know that Alexander the Great enjoyed snow and ice flavored with honey and nectar. Biblical references also show that King Solomon was fond of iced drinks during harvesting. During the Roman Empire, Nero Claudius Caesar (A.D. 54-86) frequently sent runners into the mountains for snow, which was then flavored with fruits and juices.

Over a thousand years later, Marco Polo returned to Italy from the Far East with a recipe that closely resembled what is now called sherbet. Historians estimate that this recipe evolved into ice cream sometime in the 16th Century.

England seems to have discovered ice cream at the same time, or perhaps, even earlier than the Italians. “Cream Ice,” as it was called, appeared regularly at the table of Charles I during the 17th Century. France was introduced to similar frozen desserts in 1553 by the Italian Catherine de Medici when she became the wife of Henry II of France. It wasn’t until 1660 that ice cream was made available to the general public. The Sicilian Procopio introduced a recipe blending milk, cream, butter and eggs at Café Procope, the first café in Paris.

We know how hot Lagos has been, so I can only imagine that the rest of the country is also experiencing rises in temperature. Ice cream always does the trick to cool me down on a hot day so I was excited when I got the invite to attend a new ice cream launch this past Tuesday.

Fan Milk (a subsidiary of Danone) has launched Go Slo, a premium ice-cream range in Nigeria. Go Slo was unveiled at

a tasting event held in Lagos on 10th December 2019 and guests, including food bloggers, celebrities and media were treated to the first taste of Go Slo’s variants. I absolutely love ice cream and I am very particular about the quality of ice cream I indulge in; so, I wanted to do a quality check. “Go Slo is a premium ice cream brand made with Nigerians in mind and expertly crafted to provide a relaxing and indulgent experience that adapts to customers’ daily needs and lifestyles,” says Kola Adeniyi, the marketing manager.

Speaking on the product name, Adeniyi added that “Go Slo” is also a constant reminder to Nigerians to take a break from the fast-paced, hustle and bustle living, which in the long term could affect health and find time to savour the good things life has to offer. I find that the name is fitting for the objective of the brand. Nigeria is a country of hard workers and oftentimes hard work prevents one from being able to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. The name ‘Go Slo’ encourages consumers to take it easy and enjoy the precious moments of life.

“We believe that life should be taken at a slow and steady

pace, and with this, we are urging Nigerians to find that balance”. Go Slo features four variants- Peanut Butter, Cookies & Cream, Salted Caramel, and Chocolate Almond. According to Adeniyi, this product range is made in Nigeria for Nigerians to excite varied taste buds. The company stated that Go Slo ice cream is now available in major supermarkets nationwide in 460ml and 320ml tubs with a recommended retail price of N1,550 and N1,150, respectively. I find this price to be quite affordable for the quality of the product.

Who else is heading to the nearest supermarket for some ice cream? And more importantly what flavours are you trying first?! Do let me know which one your favorite is. Mine has to be the salted caramel.

Sunday 15 December 2019

C002D5556

Bliss with Nonye Ben-Nwankwo

BDSUNDAY 31

Email: chiwuagwu@yahoo.com Phone number (SMS only) 08057511893

Beware of scammers; I’m not on Facebook – Bolanle Ninalowo

F

ineboy actor, Bolanle Ninalowo has cried out on his social media handle as fraudsters have cloned a fake passport using his name and picture.

In a recent post on his instagram handle, the actor revealed that he is not on Facebook or twitter, as such, people should beware of anybody claiming to be him on those social media platforms.

Posting a picture of a Nigerian passport which had his picture and name and which he also claimed was fake, the actor wrote, “This is how far they go now to scam people - A fake passport in my name and picture (no surprise); a Real/Fake first bank ATM card (not sure because I don’t even know how possible it is to obtain one without a BVN number or did they generate one at the bank?)

“Well I am an Actor and not a crime investigator however I will implore everyone to refrain from all online dealings with anyone or any page who claims to be Bolanle Ninalowo.

“This is my only VERIFIED account. I am not on FACEBOOK,

TWITTER or any other social media platforms. I DO NOT make friends or deal with anyone online for any reasons whatsoever.

“You have NEVER chatted

ATS: Judges get emotional in Abuja

S

inger, Seyi Shay has not been able to hold her emotions especially when she sees great talents in this ongoing Access the Stars talent hunt show.

And indeed, as one of the contestants was auditioned in Abuja centre, the wanna be star even broke down in tears on stage and within a twinkling of an eye, Seyi Shay followed suit.

Really, the Abuja auditions would certainly be talked about for a long time especially, with the drama , tears talents that were witnessed at the event.

From Mathias, the skinny sultry singer who brought Seyi Shay to tears, to Miracle, the girl who sings to make her late father proud, the Access The Stars auditions featured some truly emotional moments that kept the whole auditorium buzzing.

Even with all the built up emotions and tears here and there, the Abuja audition was also spiced with moments of comic relief. However, it didn’t

take anything away from the emotional stories behind the music of these budding stars.

But the emotional judges and contestants were not the only highlight of the Abuja auditions. Celebs who performed at the event practically set the roof on fire and the whole auditorium lit up.

Fireboy was one of them and the young lad was on fire! He performed songs off his new body of work titled Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps.

The title of his album is very apt for the auditions as those words perfectly depicted the state so many of the contestants and guests were in whilst witnessing the Access The Stars Auditions in Abuja.

According to the organisers, the next round of auditions was held in Calabar at Venetian Arena along Murtala Mohammed Way on the 10th and 11th of December whilst the concert took place at the Calabar Stadium Car Park on the 13th December, 2019.

with me so stop making yourself believe what you know is totally false.

You get scammed; you are on your own. Beware!”

Teni, Burnaboy, Tiwa Savage ready for BAFEST

T

he entertainment circuit in Nigeria is all set to explode tonight as the biggest names of Africa’s creative and entertainment industry hit the stage of Born in Africa Festival (BAFEST).

The festival, which is in its second edition, will roll out celebs like Burnaboy, Tiwa Savage, Naira Marley, Patoranking, Teni, David Tlale, Tokyo James, Odio Mimonet, Wisdom Franklin, Maria Borges, Adesuwa Aighewi and Millen Magese at Eko Atlantic City, Lagos.

BAFEST, which is a fusion of music, art, film and fashion and a celebration of the distinct dynamism of the African spirit, is geared to take the festival a notch higher in this second edition.

Grammy nominated artiste, Burna Boy, who will be joined on stage by some of Africa’s biggest acts at BAFEST 2019 recently, performed alongside Grammy Award winning rapper, Cardi B in Lagos.

The day-long event will see these artistes feature in a concert after a showcase of arts, music and African film highlighting and rewriting Africa’s negative narrative.

Speaking about BAFEST, Group Head, Communications & External Affairs at Access Bank Plc, Amaechi Okobi, said, “For us Africans, music, art, film and fashion are much more than the

MUSON Appreciates MTN Foundation, others with Donors Concert

T

he Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) hosted donors to an appreciation concert as part of its end of year activities.

The event, which held at the Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, had in attendance MTN Foundation officials, senior members of the society, students and alumni.

Speaking at the event, Director, MTN Foundation, Dennis Okoro said, “We appreciate everyone who has performed tonight. We thank you all for being here and we are proud of what you have become. The MTN Foundation, as part of its arts and culture cause, will continue to support the music society.”

MTN Foundation had earlier in the year organised series of workshops for the students and alumni of the musical society,

lyrics, paint, stories and fabrics, they’re all forms of showcasing our culture, its richness, as well as its diversity. They are depictions of our style and identity.

“Last year, we had a fantastic time bringing together some of the most talented human beings on the continent. It was an opportunity to showcase these superb minds to the world and this year’s edition will be no exception.

“We, at Access Bank, have

over the past few years continued to highlight the best Africa has to offer with our string of event partnerships. With these events and with BAFEST, we’re aiming at rewriting the African narrative of negativity while positioning the best the continent has to offer.”

BAFEST, which is free for Access Bank account owners, is powered by Access Bank and produced by creative collective, Livespot360.

tagged Business of the Arts. The workshop focused on equipping the students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the business of music and the arts.

The Director, Music Society of Nigeria (MUSON), Mrs. Banke Ademola thanked MTN Foundation for its continued support.

“The Foundation has been of tremendous help to us. They came in to add value and have proven themselves”.

MTN Nigeria has continued to show its support for arts and culture in Nigeria through its social investment vehicle, MTN Foundation In the coming days, the Foundation will be sponsoring a series of arts and culture productions including Fela and the Kalakuta Republic, OMG, EMOTAN and Five Maids of Fadaka.

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Sunday 15 December 2019

Ogun Watch

Ogun shores up 2020 Budget with N75bn bond Stories by RASAQ AYINLA

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aving received names of 18 commissioner-nominees for which G ov e r n o r D a p o Abiodun submitted before Ogun State House of Aseembly on Thursday, Olakunle Oluomo-led State House of Assembly has declared intent to start screening on Monday as all the commissionernominees have been asked to appear before the House.

The 18 commissioner-nominees were also asked to come along with 30 copies each of their curriculum vitae and other relevant credentials including Evidence of Asset declaration with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), which suggests that the commissioner-nominees may be sworn in immediately after the screening this week.

BDSUNDAY recalls that Governor Abiodun submitted 18 names of Ogun indigenes drawn from the three senatorial districts and nine federal constituencies at exactly 196 days after he assumed office as governor of the state.

Out of 18 names submitted before Kunle Oluomo-led State House of Assembly for consideration, Dapo Okubadejo, immediate past Partner/Africa Leader, Deal Advisory and Private Equity at KPMG topped the list which gave a strong indication suggesting that the KPMG man might be appointed as Commissioner in charge of finance which would come in addition to being the Chief Economic Adviser to Governor Abiodun.

Some other commissionernominees who had already been constituted in Governor Abiodun’s cabinet are, Laolu Olabimtan, Consultant on Budget and Planning who may also retain the office as Commissioner for Budget and Planning; Jagunmolu Akande Omoniyi, Special Adviser on Housing can also be appointed as Commissioner for Housing while Prof. Sidi Osho, Special Adviser on Tertiary Education can be upgraded to man Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Others that made the list as read during the plenary by Olakunle Oluomo, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, included Afolabi Afuape, former Commissioner for Youth and Sports; Ganiyu Hamzat, former

World Bank moves to curb rural-urban drift in Ogun with provision of capital projects

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L-R: Godwin Emefiele, governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, presenting a gift to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State during the Bankers’ Committee retreat held at Ogere in Ogun State on Friday.

Ogun Central senatorial aspirant of All Progressives Congress (APC); Funmi Efuape, former Chairman, Sagamu Local Government; Tunji Akinosi, former Commissioner for Agriculture and Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, former member, House of Representatives.

The others are, Taiwo Oludotun, Dr Kehinde Oluwadare, Barrister Femi Ogunbanwo, Ade Adesanya, Adeola Odedina, Toyin Taiwo, Yomi Coker, Gbolahan Adediwura and Tunji Odunlami.

In a very short time, Dapo Okubadejo has played a very leading role in Governor Dapo Abiodun’s cabinet being the coordinator of the state’s economy with strong biases for finance, budget and economic planning, internally generated revenue, commerce and industry, agriculture and mining.

For instance, he is very instrumental to the establishment of Ogun State Investment Promotion Agency, formulation of Public-Private Partnership model of governance and a three-year Medium-Term Ex-

penditure Framework which p ro j e c t s ro b u s t g ro w t h f o r state’s gross domestic product (GDP); effective control of inflation rate within the state and increases budgetary votes for capital projects.

BusinessDay reports that Medium-Term Expenditure Framework is designed for a three-year economic and financial plan, projecting 2.4% gross domestic growth of N2.99 trillion for 2020; N3.06 trillion for 2021 and N3.14 trillion for 2022 respectively.

The State’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework also projects inflation rate at 10.2% for 2020; 8.49% for 2021 and 6.59% for 2022 respectively, just as the capital expenditure is retained at 60% benchmark for rapid socioeconomic growth, starting from 60% for 2020; 65% for 2021 and 70% for 2022.

In order to shore up deficit that may affect effective budget performance in the year 2020, Dapo Okubadejo had earlier declared that Ogun government would go to capital market to raise N75 billion bond to finance

N449.974 billion 2020 budget size budget, saying the proposed bond is part of financial buffers intended to fund the fiscal estimates with.

The breakdown of the budget presented N449.974 billion as budget proposal for the year 2020 which is tagged, “Budget to Build Our Future Together” by Governor Dapo Abiodun has a total of N269.132 billion as thecapital expenditure, representing 60.31% and a sum of N269.132 billion, representing 39.69% as the recurrent expenditure.

BusinessDay’s investigation shows that the N75 billion bond proposed to be raised at the Capital Market will form part of N129.566 billion, representing 28% covered under a finance source tagged, “other receipts”, having proposed budget finance sources which include internally generated revenue (IGR) that stands at N255.946 billion, representing 57%; statutory allocation is N43.431 billion, representing 10%; expected revenue from VAT stands at N22.031 billion which represents 5%.

s part of effort to curb rural-urban migration which has become stock in trade in African countries due to acute poverty and underdevelopment staring people on the face in the rural areas, World Bank has picked 13 rural communities in Ogun State for its micro capital projects.

World Bank micro capital projects that will be undertaken in 13 rural communities picked across six local government areas in the state will centre on water supply and hygiene, health and education as well as roads construction that boost standard of living of rural dwellers.

Sp e a k i n g o n t h e Wo r l d Bank’s micro capital projects in Abeokuta, the State capital on Friday, Sakirudeen Salaam, General Manager, Ogun State Community and Social Development, revealed that the World Bank chose the state for the micro capital projects after such projects had been presented for proper assessment and approval.

The general manager, who said that 26 micro projects had been penciled down for immediate implementation in 13 communities located in six local government areas of Ogun state, explained that the projects would provide quality social infrastructure and improve standard of living of the rural dwellers when completed.

Salaam noted that the micro projects centered on water supply, health, education and road construction, among others and the would be undertaken within World Bank focal areas, including Remo North, Abeokuta North, Odeda, Yewa North, Ado-Odo-Ota and Ipokia.

While describing the achievement as a landmark for the agency, the general manager promised to ensure speedy implementation of the projects, just as he advised the benefitting communities and each Community Project Management Committee (CPMC) to work tirelessly and ensure successful completion of the projects at a record time.

OGSG to regulate land use, curb illegal structures

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gun State government through its Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning and Urban and Regional Planning Board is putting up measures to regulate land use and curb illegal structures springing up indiscriminately across the state.

Special Adviser to the Gover-

nor on Urban and Physical Planning, Olatunji Odunlami, said this during a familiarisation visit to the 22 Zonal and Area offices in the State, disclosing that there might be need for new agencies to be carved out of the Board and Ministry for more effective monitoring of developments and speedy approval process

across the state.

Odunlami said the proposal would be forwarded to the Governor for approval, as the present administration, under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun focused on the need to change the perspective of how people view town planning in the state, saying there was need

to review its operations.

While admonishing the professionals to always strive to uphold town planning laws for the progress of the State, he advised the Chief Executive Officers to always delegate responsibilities to officers under them, in order to speed up their operations.

He therefore, admonished

them to think like registered planners, who serve as ears and eyes of development and relate appropriately on issues springing up in the towns and communities across the State, assuring of government commitment to provide all that was required to function effectively.

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SundayBusiness Making millions from fish farming in 2020 Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

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s N i g e r i a n entrepreneurs gear up to re-strategize for the challenges of the incoming Year 2020, with regards to employment generation and economic survival, one business enterprise to consider venturing into is fish farming. But why? The answers are provided

by Grand Cereals (GCL) Ltd, a vital arm of UAC Plc based in Jos. Make out time to read through and digest it: What is fish farming?

Fish farming or aquaculture is the rearing of aquatic organisms including fish, mollusks, crustaceans, algae and aquatic plants with human intervention to enhance productivity.

Why should I start fish farming business?

Fish farming is a very lucrative business. Many people consume fish because it does not contain bad cholesterol found in meat and is strongly recommended by doctors all over the world.

Fish also contains several other

minerals necessary for healthy living.Fish is filled with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins such as D and B2 (riboflavin). Fish is rich in calcium and phosphorus and a great source of minerals, such as iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium. Every year government spends billions of naira to import fish to supplement local production.

The demand for fish is increasing by the day.

Types of fish farming There are basically two types of fish farming. The first type is called extensive fish farming. This is the usual fishing people do. The fisherman simply goes out to the river or sea for fishing. There is no intervention to increase the production of the fishes.

The second type of fish farming is called intensive fish farming. This involves intervention to increase the yields of fishes.

How do I start intensive fish farming?

Most people choose one of four major methods of intensive fish farming. It includes Pond, Raceway, Plastic Tanks and Water Re-circulatory System (WRS).

Plastic Tanks are relatively common and appears to be the cheapest method.

Where do I get fish to start rearing?

There are many hatcheries across the country where you can buy high quality fingerlings and juveniles (young fish) to start fish farming. Getting good quality fingerlings or juveniles is very important in Fish Farming business. It is also advisable that you should be physically present at the hatchery to buy fingerlings or juveniles that have been sorted.

Why do I need to buy fingerlings or juveniles that have been sorted?

In fish farming, there are

fingerlings that have diseases and would “runts”. Runts are fingerlings that are called “shooters”. Shooters are the good type of fingerlings.

They grow faster.

What type of fish should I use?

Fish can be mash, pelletised or extruded.

•. Mash feed is a sinking feed. This is because it easily breaks down in water such that little is available for the fishes to feed on. We do not recommend mash feed.

• Pelletised feed has the same properties with mash feed. Though it comes in pellets, it however breaks down after sometime.

•. Extruded fish feed is the best kind of feed because it is stable and does not break down easily in water. It is therefore, available for fish feed. We strongly recommend extruded fish feed for you to use on your farm. An example of extruded fish feed is Vital Fish Feed available nationwide. It is a product of Grand Cereals Limited, a subsidiary of UAC Nigeria Plc. Vital fish feed; what is vital fish feed?

It is an extruded floating fish feed with high feed Conversion Efficiency and high water stability.

It contains essential nutritional requirement needed for your catfish to grow well, it floats in water such that are less wastages.

It is packaged in polypropylene bags and comes in 15kg packs. Vital Fish Feed comes in various sizes for the different growth stages of catfish.

What else do I need to know about fish nutrition?

Fish needs a balanced diet to grow well. A balanced diet is one that contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals in the right proportion. It is important to know what your fish requires when buying any fish feed.

BATN wins ‘Top Employer Award’ for 3rd consecutive year

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he British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) has been officially recognised as a Top Employer in Nigeria by the Top Employers Institute for the year 2020. This recognition was given to the giant tobacco company at a certification dinner held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 21, 2019.

Top Employers Institute CEO, David Plink, while congratulating the company on the award, said, “To become recognised as a Top Employer, an organisation will have to prove that the implementation of their people strategies enriches the world of work of their employees. The certified participants are a shining example of a dedication to people practices as they continuously commit to empowering their employees for a better world of work.”

The Institute also noted that organisations certified as Top Employers dedicate themselves

to providing the very best working environment for employees through their progressive ‘people-first’ HR practices.

While acknowledging the recognition, Temitope Akinsanya, Human Resources director, West Africa Area, British American Tobacco, remarked, “It is a real privilege to be selected among the top three countries in Africa for such a prestigious award. It demonstrates the pride we have in our heritage, the drive to outperform and deliver despite uncertainties, and the ability to strike a balance between work and life.”

Akinsanya noted further that “This award clearly demonstrates our adherence to international best practices and excellence. It is also a reflection of our resilience and commitment to the welfare and overall development of our employees, which makes BAT A Great Place to Work.”

Established more than 28 years ago, the Top Employers

Institute is the global authority on recognising excellence in people practices and accelerating these practices to enrich the world of work. The Top Employers Institute certification programme is a rigorous process through which a participating company can be validated, certified and recognised as an employer of choice.

It has certified and recognised more than 1500 Top Employers, in more than 118 countries/regions across five continents, who positively impact the lives of over 6 million employees globally.

The HR Best Practice Survey encompasses over 100 questions which cover 600 ‘People Development’ practices across 10 topics, namely, Talent Strategy, Workforce Planning, Talent Acquisition, On-boarding, Learning & Development, Performance Management, Leadership Development, Career & Succession Management, Compensation & Benefits and Culture.

For example, the minimum protein need for marine shrimp is 18-20%, catfish 28-32%, tilapia 32-38%, and hybrid striped bass 38-42% Protein requirements for smaller fish are higher than for larger fishes.

It is not advisable for fish farmers to use high protein as it may be lost to the environment. Unused protein is converted to ammonia and excreted as urea, constituting a pollutant to the water.

Fats are important high-energy nutrients that supply about twice the energy as proteins and carbohydrates. Fats typically comprise 8-12% of fish diets.

Carbohydratesare important constituent of fish feed as they also provide energy. In addition, starch is useful in the extrusion production of floating feed. The extrusion process makes it more biologically available to fish. It is good to note that Vital Fish Feed also contains vitamins and minerals needed for your fish to grow well and healthy.

What do you know about the fish feed range Grand Cereals Fish Feed Range is a collection of variety of premium, fish feed with low feed Conversion Ratio (FCR). They are fortified with essential nutrients thataids fast growth of fishes.Vital Fish Feed is the only fish feed endorsed by the Catfish & Allied Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (CAFFAN) and comes in various pellet sizes.

Fish Feed Range (FFR) is currently available in five major categories: These are: Vital Fish Feed (Gold), Regular, Aqua Boom, Vital Fish Feed (Tilapia) and Vital Fish Feed (Fingerlings)..

Vital Fish Feed (Gold) is a quality upgrade of the regular vital fish feed.

This brand is fortified with more nutrients and ensures that your fishes grow faster. It possesses

vital vitamins and minerals, with excellent feed conversion, excellent performance. It is available in 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 6mm and 9mm pellet sizes. ., It is presented in attractive 15kg bags.

Vital Fish Feed (Fingerlings) is a premium floating feed needed to give the fry the boost while transiting to fingerlings. It contains all the essential vitamins and minerals that ensure the fish’s growth and is very high in crude protein It is available in 0.3mm-1.2mm1.5mm pellet sizes and comes in attractive 5kg bags.

On its part, Vital Fish Feed (Regular) is a foremost brand of fish feed that is formulated to float and give maximum yield. It contains all the essential nutrients that last till the end of the farming season.

What makes Aqua Boom unique is because it is a floating fish feed that is formulated to give good weight gain at reduced cost with ultimate weight gain, and increased yield. It is made available in 6mm and 9mm pellet sizes and it is presented in 15kg laminated polypropylene bags.

Not left out is the Vital Fish Feed (Tilapia). It is a high quality feed that helps tilapia farmers achieve high yield of large-sized fish (600gm900gm) within a short period of time.

At the end of the day, the choice fish farmers make in terms of the fingerlings they raise or buy, the types of fish feed they provide and sustained procedure in nurturing them before harvest and marketing would determine their profit margin.

Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media ayobaje@yahoo.co.uk; 08057971776

3 winners emerge at Three Crowns ‘Mum of the Year’ competition IFEOMA OKEKE

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hreeCrownsMilk,fromthe stables of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC last weekend, held the grand finale of Mum of the Year, where three mums won an allexpense-paid trip to Dubai and a year’s supply of Three Crowns products.

The event which held at D’ Podium Event Centre, Ikeja featured comedian and compere, MC Bash, performances by A-list music artiste Reekado Banks and a panel of judges comprising Nollywood actresses, Adunni Ade, Belinda Effah and Fitness trainer, Bunmi George.

Mum of the year – an annual competition aimed at celebrating and rewarding Nigerian mothers for the important roles they play in their families and the society at large, had five finalists who were selected from a large pool of entries sent in from across the country in a bid to compete for the top three positions.

Having competed openly in fitness and witty tasks in the presence of the panel of judges, Chinwe Okoroafor (Delta State), Abi-

gail Oluwasegun (Lagos State) and Kafayat Salami (Oyo State) emerged as top three winners; while the other finalists, Wala May (Abuja) and Peju Akinde (Ogun State) emerged as runners up; each, winning consolation prizes of Kitchen makeover and a range of Three Crowns Milk products worth N500,000.

One of the winners, Chinwe Okoroafor praised Three Crowns Milk for paying special attention to health and particularly, the role of mothers.

In her words, “With the records which this brand holds, no one can be surprised at its increasing acceptance and patronage by people across all ages and across all areas in Nigeria. My family and I are for Three Crowns any day”; adding, “The transparency of this competition is very inspiring; the experience has been wonderful to me; and this outcome lifts my soul”.

She promised to be an exemplary ambassador of Three Crowns Milk.

Omolara Banjoko, marketing manager, Three Crowns Milk, explained that the aim of the campaign is to reward and celebrate every mum for her support and care, and as the heart of the home.

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SundayBusiness Understanding home buyers advantage in mortgage guarantee programme

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ost times when government comes up with programmes or policies that have to do with the mortgage system, the target are generally low income earners who desire to buy and own homes.

The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme is one such programme.

It is a new initiative by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that holds out hope for low income earners who, ordinarily, cannot take mortgage loan because it is unaffordable to them.

This explains why the delay in the implementation of the new programme is already raising concerns.

The programme is coming as a homeownership enabler and that is the advantage that the home buyer has in it. It is a kind of mortgage which is given to a borrower by a lender, where an identified third party will take responsibility for the loan if the borrower defaults.

The programme is structured in such a way that once the borrower defaults, the third party receives a claim from the lender, pays the lender off, and assumes responsibility for the mortgage. This frees the potential home buyer from liabilities that are ordinarily his or hers.

Mortgage guarantee products incentivize lenders to accept loans with lower down-payments, thus increasing affordability and accessibility even to low income buyers.

With increased affordability, it means more people will be brought into the mortgage net, making more money available to more home seekers.

Besides incentivizing mortgage lenders, a quality mortgage guarantee programme is also used to provide credit loss protection to lenders in case of borrower’s default and, according to CBN officials, a robust primary mortgage market is a synergy of several components, all working together to effect affordability and access for intending buyers. That homeownership level in Nigeria has remained low at less than 5 percent in a country that is Africa’s largest economy, is explained more by absence of mortgage system than anything else.

The country has practically no process that supports housing development and homeownership unlike advanced societies such as England where there is a body called building society which subsidises mortgage and delivers same to home buyers either through banks or by itself.

A major problem with the mortgage system in Nigeria is accessibility and the second is clarity. When you approach mortgage banks for loan, they will begin to ask you for things that you cannot provide and so, mortgage is not accessible.

In terms of clarity, there is no unified system. It is obvious that there is no clarity in the mortgage system and if there is any such thing, it is not

yet published and so people don’t know and, if people don’t know, it means such a process does not exist.

This is why the coming of mortgage guarantee products which exist in various forms, and are administered by different agencies are most welcome. Tokunbo Martins, director, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department (OFISD) at CBN, explains that, “in most cases, the national government of the host country is the driver of any successful mortgage guarantee programme, which they administer either through a government agency, a private entity or a hybrid encompassing both types of entity”.

The highpoint of this programme as homeownership enabler lies in its numerous benefits. It is a product of great value to any housing market because it offers opportunity to both the supply and the demand sides of the mortgage market. It provides potential opportunity of lower down-payment for borrowers, while opening up a larger market for lenders who make the decision to finance the target population for the programme.

The importance of this programme in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized given that Nigeria is a country where typical downpayment is over 20 percent, with extremely high additional costs for regularization, titling and other home-buyer responsibilities.

“Mortgage guarantee in our mar-

Talking Mortgage with CHUKA UROKO (08037156969, chukuroko@yahoo.com) ket will also be used as a valuable tool to regularize and standardize the market in every area from documentation to underwriting to collateralization and mortgage dispute resolution. These are major issues we need to resolve”, Martins noted in a paper she presented at a real estate forum in Abuja recently.

Continuing, she said, “one of the most important benefits of mortgage guarantee is that it has the capacity to encourage the influx of investor funds, both local and international, into the mortgage market.

A well-executed mortgage guarantee programme provides comfort to intending investors by signaling the presence of standards in the industry that would likely reduce the risk of losing their invested funds”.

In addition to all these, the programme also ensures increases access to housing finance; access to higher amount mortgages; better loan rate terms; market standardization and increased consumer literacy; more stable property values, and overall more stable and improved national housing sector leading to better economy.

It also ensures reduction of credit risk; expansion to new markets/ deepening of existing markets; reduction in capital adequacy requirements; enhanced access to financing such as portfolio risk rating, refinancing and securitization.

With all these in place, mortgages become more affordable to those who need it, especially home buyers; more people can meet their housing needs on their own; there will be financial system stability; more jobs and economic security for the citizens; better social inclusion and contentment for the citizens, and achievement of political and economic promises.

Like any other economic plan or policy, the programme which has proposed pilot project with Nigeria Mortgage Guarantee Company (NMGC) as special purpose vehicle (SPV) is not without constraints.

The project consultants, while cautiously optimistic about the viability of the project, have identified multiple constraints to its success and, according to the OFISD director, the biggest constraint is the 1978 Land Use Act.

A peep into Tecno’s latest version HiOS 5.5 FG warned against plan to Ohio (z) Okhai Elakhe

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ecno has unveiled another iteration of its operating system, HiOS 5.5, and the release promises to be more personal and enhanced to serve users more powerfully in their daily lives than ever before with helpful tools and tailor-made features. The newest release first debuted on the Tecno Camon 12 series and has now made its way to the Tecno Spark 4. ‘The HiOS 5.5 delivers the most helpful features’ says the release in that it ‘provides a slew of immersive experience

and creative features that not only improves the overall phone experience of users but also help users to be more productive in the longer run.’

It also ‘brings art to life with augmented reality (AR)’. The‘(AR) virtual canvas’ is essentially (a) futuristic finger painting (concept).

‘Many sculptors refer to their hands as a tool — and the HiOS 5.5 allows you to turn your fingers into sculptural brushes that you can use to paint in midair.

Just by aiming your ‘device camera at an object, you can paint or spray on any place in reality within multiple spaces with awesome brushes, emojis, animations, and stickers. You can also work on your creations with friends, or show off your masterpieces to your tribe by sharing it with them’.

It also has a gesture call picker, which is a cool new way to respond to calls. The ‘HiOS 5.5 introduces a new ability to answer and end calls with simple fingers and palm gestures without having to physically touch your phone. This will allow you to simultaneously use your hands for other things like eating or washing clothes while also being able to conveniently answer important calls without touching your phone. You can now simply just use “V” gesture to answer the phone or wave your palm above your phone screen to reject the calls Also available is a faster and im-

mersive game experience. This is ‘a dedicated Game Mode that comes equipped with a Game Assistant means you can now seamlessly neuter distracting apps or intrusive notifications like email, news, chats, and social media popup windows and calls to focus exclusively on gaming.’ ‘For that all-important message, it ‘also gives you the ability to remain on your screen without pausing your game and still reply chats and messages with floating windows without interrupting game play. You can also quickly go online to view game guides all while still remaining on your game screen.’

It further tells that you can ‘seamlessly enjoy heavy CPU power consuming games by boosting memory, turn on Wi-fi exclusively for the game, switch data SIM cards and more in-game without disrupting or exiting your game’ says the release.

It also has a ‘closed eye detection’ feature. ‘Face recognition technology’ is said to have ‘been vastly upgraded so it can help you secure your phone in a more intelligent and smarter way.’

‘Security has been stepped up a notch by making it impossible for your phone to be unlocked when your eyes are closed.’

The newly improved Face ID 2.0 is more intelligent and can detect eye-status of open, closed or sideways not only frontal faces but also for rotated or tilted head poses’ says the release

borrow $22.7bn VICTORIA NO AFAIK, Lokoja

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ederal Government has been asked to shelve the idea of borrowing the proposed $22.7 billion as it will in the long run create more hardship for Nigerians.

A financial analyst and the chairman board of trustees of Chartered Institute of Development and Social Studies, Shae Bebeyi gave the advice while speaking with newsmen in Lokoja, questioning the rationale for borrowing before servicing the 2020 Budget.

He expressed fears that rather than heal the economy the debt will cause the economy to bleed in the nearest future thereby causing more pains for Nigerians.

“The Federal government should look inward in servicing the budget instead of going capin-hand to seek for foreign loans.

There has not been enough transparency and patriotism in the previous loans obtained for the country.

“Nigerians need to know about the billions of naira that have been recovered from the looters since the inception of this government; we also need to know what has happened to recovered loots from Abacha

and how the billions of naira generated from oil revenues have been expended,” he said.

“I think what the Federal Government should do now is to block all leakages in all the ministries, parastatals and agencies, reduce its expenditure and cut down to the barest minimum the salaries and allowances of political office holders. The way we run our democracy is too expensive, the cost must be reduced drastically,” he said.

Bebeyi, who commended the Federal Government on the temporary closure of the land borders, added that it was the best thing to do for now as “it will grow our micro economy and will enhance a national rebirth that is capable of giving some kind of relief and succour to the common man.”

The Social commentator also condemned in strong terms the recent invasion of a High Court in Abuja by men of the Department of State Service (DSS) where they attempted to rearrest the convener of the RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore and said it was an affront on democracy which must not be tolerated.

“That unfortunate act by the DSS has further damaged the image of Nigeria before the international community as a country which has no respect for the rule of law,” he said.

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SundayBusiness Trade war could cost global economy $700bn - Georgieva In an interview for CNN Business, Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, discusses the rapid growth occurring on the African continent, lays out the three things countries can do to combat the economic slowdown, and tells CNN that the trade war could cost the global economy $700 billion in 2020- a situation in which she claims, “everybody loses”.

Can we keep our promises around the sustainable development goals? e must, and we can. But we have to focus.

Focus on the countries that are falling behind and focus on the issues that are more difficult to wrestle with. Of those falling behind, the attention ought to be on Africa. Today, Africa is only half way to reaching these sustainable development goals, and what we see here is tremendous progress over the last decades- the scale of poverty has dropped dramatically, life expectancy has increased, but the absolute number of poor people in Africa, because of rapid population growth, has increased. At the same time Africa offers the most dynamic economies today.

Twenty-five of the African countries outperform in terms of growth, the rest of the world. So, it is not just out of our goodness to invest in Africa, it is also because it is a winning proposition in many places” Are you worried we could get a scenario of the 1990s, where you’ve got unsustainable debt and need bailouts?

“For a number of countries in Africa, debt levels are unsuitable. There are a total of sixteen countries where they are either in debt distress already, or they are close to debt distress. We need to look carefully why, and the answer is: conflicts, climate, shocks and bad governance. We do need to concentrate on helping these countries to improve their ability to handle that, to be more transparent.

We also need to call on the lenders- what happened in Africa is a very significant increase in private commercial debt. Two thirds of the debt in Africa is now in the hands of private lenders. We need to urge countries to manage their debt and be transparent, but we also have to call on commercial lenders to be a bit more careful as they increase their lending in Africa. But we have to do more, and we have three very straightforward recommendations. Beef up domestic resource mobilisation, use money more

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Kristalina Georgieva

effectively, invest it well.

Will the IMF’s involvement adjust the perception of risk on the continent and take out the risk in terms of the accumulation of debt that we see?

It is very important to focus on the countries in Africa that are doing the right thing and are doing it well. Egypt is a very good example. Very brave reforms, from getting their exchange rate to float, not an easy decision but they took it and they did it.

There is also a need to bring down subsidies for the energy sector. Imagine all over the world you see protests because of energy prices going up, Egypt brought down energy subsidies the smart way. They took the advice we gave to identify who is most vulnerable and put in place social protection programmes to help the woman and poor families, so they can handle that price shock.

What is the outcome? From six percent of GDP energy subsidies shrunk to around three percent. So, Egypt has three percent more to spend on education or on roads and the image of Egypt and the energy sector attractiveness significantly rose. So, we have seen somewhere around 15bn dollars of private sector investment in energy.

What’s it like leading the IMF in such a time of volatility?

I’m very privileged to have a professional team, what we do is to provide objective analysis and then present it to policy makers.

First, we have been very clear what the cost of trade war is- by next year, we as a planet would lose 700bn dollars. This is 0.8 percent of the global GDP. Everybody loses. Second, we have also been very clear what can be

done so this slow down in a synchronised manner we have seen, can be stopped and reversed. And we say to countries three things 1) if you have monetary space, if you can cut interest rates, please do it- very few countries now have that space. If you have fiscal space please use it. Some countries do have fiscal space and we’re seeing even more reluctant players like Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, they’re coming up with stimulus packages. Most important, everyone can do it- structural reforms.

Labour market reforms eliminate red tapes, so the private sector can boom, and jobs can be created.

Does the IMF have enough resources to step in during trade wars?

Our shareholders committed to provide the IMF with fiscal financial capacity of 1trillion dollars. So, we do have sufficient firing power to step up but we tell countries do the right thing so you don’t need to come and knock on our door for money, and yes just to say on fiscal capacity yes in many countries it is quite limited, but it can be built up. If you take structural reforms, you can build more capacity so there can be a stimulus in economies that are slowing down.

Do Trump’s tariffs on Argentina and Brazil harm the efforts of the IMF in that region?

We have been repeating that very simple message on tariffs that they are not going to be helpful because trade is good for growth, good for jobs, good for the poor people. So, we are very keen to see that that historical message, that trade helps us all to do better and retreating from trade hurts everybody is going to be heard.

LG TVs first to exceed official industry definition for 8k ultra HD

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G Electronics (LG) announced that its TVs are the first in the world to exceed the strict requirements established by the Consumer Technology Association to define the new generation of 8K Ultra HD products and services delivering four times more detail than 4K TV and 16 times more than HDTV. The official industry 8K Ultra HD designation and logo were developed by the U.S.based CTA to set a clear definition for retailers and consumers to help better identify products that meet key 8K Ultra HD requirements. LG’s Real 8K TVs, which will make their debut at CES 2020, are the first to exceed CTA’s specific requirements including those related to resolution, digital inputs, high dynamic range, upscaling, bit depth and measurement methodology.

The CTA based its 8K definition on the threshold specified by the International Committee for Display Metrology.* The measurement guidelines based on contrast modulation (CM) state that resolution must meet a 50 percent minimum CM threshold along with at least 33 million active pixels in order to qualify as 8K UHD. Other industry standard-setting bodies such as the International Organisa-

tion for Standardisation also use Contrast Modulation as the industry benchmark.

Starting in January 2020, every LG 8K TV will display CTA’s 8K UHD logo. New 2020 models build on LG’s leadership position as the only manufacturer offering Real 8K TVs in two categories – OLED (LG SIGNATURE OLED 8K) and LCD (LG 8K NanoCell TV) – all delivering CM values in the 90 percent range, while some other models in the industry remain in the low double digits.

Third-party testing by the global product testing and certification organization Intertek verified that the 75-inch LG NanoCell 8K TV far surpasses the CM measurement re-

quirement set by ICDM, with the unit returning an impressive 90 percent CM horizontally and 91 percent CM vertically. Another leading international testing firm, VDE (Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker) reported nearly identical CM results.

“CTA is the consumer technology industry authority, and LG’s use of the CTA 8K UHD logo communicates a clear message to consumers that a Real 8K TV from LG will deliver the viewing experience they expect,” said Nam Ho-jun, senior vice president of R&D at LG’s Home Entertainment Company. “We expect LG’s 2020 8K TV lineup to set a new standard for the TV industry.

MindBody & Soul

with Chioma Nwosu

Managing your emotions

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aiwo and Kehinde are identical twins.

They do everything together, but they are also very different.

Taiwo is always burnt out; the slightest mishap will send her into a state of frustration and stress.

She is often affected by everything around her: the traffic, long queues, the mean colleague. Her mood and happiness are directly influenced daily by what is happening around her.

Kehinde, on the other hand, doesn’t let small things get to her. She decides how she wants to feel, and she is much happier than Taiwo.

Kehinde exhibits more emotional intelligence than Taiwo and manages her emotions appropriately.

Just like Taiwo, a lot of people struggle with controlling their emotions. Managing emotions effectively is actually like developing a skill or a habit. It is a way of doing something better, and as humans, we struggle with

change the most, especially when it has to do with emotions.

Emotional intelligence is the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically. If we understand a little more about how our emotions work, Learning to control your emotions can be one of the best skills, you will ever develop in your life.

Your emotions lead to the actions you take and therefore, create the life you are experiencing now.

Here are ways to gain better control over your emotions: Be aware of your emotions: How do I feel?

Label your emotions: hat do I feel?

Question your emotions: Why do I feel the way I do?

Solution: What do I do?

Engaging in a list of activities such as taking a walk can help you stop ruminating,

meditating, listening to uplifting music, calling a friend to talk about something pleasant, watching a comedy movie etc.

Do you control your emotions or you allow your emotions control you? Managing your emotions can be difficult. Still, the more time you spend on practising how to control your emotions, the stronger you become emotionally, not only would you feel more empowered and in control of life, you’ll be happier and much healthier.

Chioma Nwosu is a mental health/positive psychology advocate, speaker and founder of Olamma Cares Foundation an NGO focused on encouraging the social acceptance of developmental disabilities and mental disorders, finding and implementing long term solutions of these conditions through training, capacity building, advocacy and intervention.

Email: cnwosu@olammacares.com Instagram: _olamma_

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Sunday 15 December 2019

TheWorshippers

‘To meaningfully celebrate Christmas, you must personally encounter Jesus’ Reverend Bayo Sola Aremu, the senior pastor of Yaba Baptist Church and author of the book, ‘Dream: Compass to your desired destination’ in this interview with SEYI JOHN SALAU, spoke on the church and some national issues. Excerpts: With just few days to Christmas, what would you say is the ideal way to celebrate Jesus? he first thing is to understand what Christmas is all about because it is when you understand what it is that you can understand how best to celebrate it. Christmas to me is about Jesus Christ; although it is popularly and generally known as the celebration of Jesus Christ – there have been argument whether it is January, or whether it’s in December, but that is not our business now. For me, probably we should consider the first set of people that celebrated the birth of Jesus.

The Bible presents the story of the Magi (three wise men); they were the first to hear about the birth of Jesus Christ and anytime I consider the celebration, I want to refer back to that story: when they heard about the birth of Jesus Christ, what did they do? The first thing was that they travelled a far distance to seek Jesus – the first was; we want to see, we want to discover, we want to know whether the story is true or not.

So, for anybody to celebrate Christmas it begins from the point of discovering Jesus Christ – personal discovery; if you have not known Jesus Christ, what are you celebrating? The celebration of Christmas begins with discovering the person of Jesus Christ and that means you have to seek for Jesus. So, if we must celebrate Jesus, we must seek him first. The second thing is that after they found him, they worshipped him by bowing down. So, Christmas is about worshipping Jesus Christ – it is another opportunity for people to worship. The third thing they did was to present him gifts; different kinds of gifts, that is why people exchange gifts at Christmas. But, beyond material gifts, the kind of gifts that God will want is the gift of our life. A lot of people are celebrating Jesus today but they have not offered their life to Christ. So, what we should be thinking around Christmas is to think of how to give our totality to him.

Beyond celebration; Christmas is also about sacrifice, as God sacrificed his only son for mankind: is the church sacrificing enough to see more souls won to the kingdom?

I will say yes and no, because to measure the extent to which the church is turning men to God is difficult – it is a spiritual issue, but whether we like it or not there is impart; people are coming to the knowledge of Christ. The church is still engaged in the business of turning people to Christ. But, looking at what the church is today – we can all see what is happening in

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Bayo Sola Aremu

the country; the church has been turned into a business venture. So, people no longer see the church preaching the real gospel of our lord Jesus Christ, but the gospel of wealth, prosperity and others.

All those are part of the gospel but like Matthew 6:33 said, ‘seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you,’ so the church might be doing less when it comes to the preaching of the original gospel – gospel of repentance and holiness.

Evangelism today cannot be said to be the same, considering technological advancement; how best can the church leverage for effective evangelism?

For me, I have thought about it for sometimes, the very best method of evangelism today is what we call ‘lifestyle’ evangelism – preaching the gospel by what you do. It is winning people to Christ by what you do; the way you live, that is the very best way.

If you carry the Bible today that you want to preach to people; they already know what you want to say an average Nigerian today will know that when you preach you want to talk about giving your life to Jesus Christ; so everybody is born again because majority of people attend church.

But, you will surprise people at times when you convince them that really Jesus is love – when you show them love, it’s easier to preach to people by what you do by living an exemplary life than by carrying bible: so we are the Bible that people read. The other way is personal evangelism (one-onone evangelism) and that is still through relationship – beyond

crusade where a lot of people will be in attendance and very few might give their lives to Jesus Christ. From the point of view of those who engage in evangelism, the best method/strategy today is lifestyle evangelism.

Closely related to that lifestyle that you spoke about is the migration of young Christians away from what is referred to as orthodox/evangelical churches to the new generational churches: do you think it’s time to look inward for better ways of keeping them in the faith?

To the best of my understanding; it depends on what you want – if you look at it critically: I told some people in the next 10 years

I will encourage people to seek God more, if there is anything that we lack in Nigeria; it is that we are far from God. We seem to be close to God - we are religious

you will discover; even now the new generational churches are failing us, because the emphasis is on prosperity, wealth, miracle, not on Christ. So, people are not being built to become Christians – it is about life: what they place emphasis on is about how to live well, not spirituality. But, the orthodox churches preach general gospel – like the Baptist, we believe in the bible; we preach everything in the bible but the basic thing is Jesus Christ. The youth of today like what is flashy; so what orthodox churches should do is to balance preaching. What we do now is that we borrow some of these things from the new generation churches, but we are mindful of what we believe in, mindful of our doctrine. Baptist still believe in our doctrine – there was a time in Baptist church when you cannot shout halleluiah, today we are shouting halleluiah; there was a time when vigil was a no go area, but now we do vigil. We are charismatic in nature when we pray, unlike before when everything will be solemn.

So, if we are able to balance things, I think the youth will remain in the church.

Looking at the women ministry in the church, do you think they should be given more roles in the church?

Of course, in any society all over the world, women are significant; you cannot rule out that fact.

But in the church, from the Bible point of view both in the ole and the New Testament women are to be silent, they don’t have voice and that is according to tradition and culture of the Jew. But, the difference in there today, we have women who engage in ministry; we lady evangelist, pastor Mrs., we have women who believe they have been called. For me as a person, if God is calling somebody, so who am I to say God has not called you. If you say God has called you – it is personally relationship with God, it is a personal conviction.

In Baptist we have women who have gone to our seminaries who are pastors. But, in most cases women can be children, youth pastors or Christian education and others but they cannot be the main church pastor because we believe in what we call ‘pastorate ministry’ where you have multistaff ministry. Here we have three pastors, some have more – so, we can have a woman taking care of a ministry but like the senior pastor like myself: you hardly find a woman. There was one I heard of but am not so sure she is still a pastor in the church. But we have them in some other ministries and the new generation churches. In some cases they are founders of the ministries and they run it; but if you study those ministries very

well, you will discover that there are some issues.

Would you rather separate the Church from politics?

Well there are several opinions about politics; but I personally believe politics is a profession/career: it is a calling. Church is different from politics – politics is about leading people and of course there is politics everywhere, even in the church as well. As a pastor, it is my calling – I believe God has called me into this ministry and I pursued it. I have been in ministry for the past 16 years, almost 18 years now and am pursuing it. If God is calling somebody to be a politician, let him go for it; it is a career on its own. So, those called into that should gladly pursue it just like you have accountant, engineers, and lawyers, that is the way I see politics. But, God forbid that I say because am a Christian I can go into politics; they are two different thing. My take is that not all Christians can become politicians – I agree that we should encourage Christians to go into politics because they should make a difference when they go into politics. But, the fact remains that not all Christians are called to be politicians. Politics is about leadership, not all Christians are called to be leaders; there will always be followers and leaders.

As a pastor, I am a leader in the church, but not everybody will be pastor, so if any Christian is called to engage in politics, let him go.

However, as a pastor I don’t like talking about politics because the Nigerian politics is dirty – I want to be very careful about what goes on in the polity.

Finally, as we approach the end of the year and look forward to 2020; what would be your message to Nigerians?

I will encourage people to seek God more, if there is anything that we lack in Nigeria; it is that we are far from God. We seem to be close to God - we are religious. We pray and organise different prayer programmes but our hearts are too far from God. Christmas time is a time to seek God – I said that earlier, let people seek God, both leaders and followers. As the year ends, one thing that one should do, that I do every year is to look back and see how far have I gone so that I can project into the coming year. How far about my relationship with God; what have I done – that will help me to project into the New Year. So, as we move closer to the end of the year, getting into another year, I want to encourage people to seek God more and move closer to God. Because for God to spare one’s life is a privilege, as such people should honour God more for giving them the opportunity.

Sunday 15 December 2019

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BDSUNDAY 37

TheWorshippers Inspiration With Rev. Yomi Kasali

info@yomikasali.com

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sat somewhere in my office and watched some of the proceedings at my reception and church premises with keen interest. I could see what was happening all around me over several CCTV cameras from the comfort of my office away from the control room.

However, the fact that

The CCTV; miracle or magic?

I could see people that were not aware of my watching them Inspired me deeply and caused me to meditate on the similarities between CCTV and our God in Heaven. There are so many ways that technology has proven the Bible right and the things we read daily as possible.

Over the years, people have often wondered how this Great God could have the whole earth under His watch always but now we can confidently see the possibility with technological advancements in our world.

Let me Inspire you today with this scripture in 2 Chron. 16 v 9, ‘For the EYES OF THE LORD runs to and fro throughout the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect towards Him...’ This is an amazing passage in the Bible that spoke about our Father watching everyone around the whole earth to support, defend, protect and prosper those who love Him dearly, yet some

certain things happen to His loved ones because He sees ahead of us and He will not let us walk into dangerous waters and take us out of harms way. Like a loving Father, He will not let the robberies happening a few streets away take our lives; He will redirect our paths and defend the righteous always.

sceptics want to believe that the Bible is archaic while they believe technology is believable and not the Bible. I say, that is rather laughable.

I recall watching my guard doing some things that was unprofessional without him knowing because he momentarily forgot about the CCTVs. We are all like that at times and conveniently forget that God is watching us all.

4 ways to prove the omniscience of God

God sees all things: The Bible tells us that all things are ‘naked’ before the eyes of the Lord and nothing is hidden before Him with whom we have to deal (Heb. 4 v 13). We should know that He sees everything and all of us just like the CCTV monitors in front of me and the people did not know I was watching them all the while they were waiting to see me.

God defends the righteous: The Lord will not let

PFN rejects new marriage certificate law, says it’s attempt to exploit Christians

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he Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has kicked against the newly introduced marriage certificate law by the Federal Government, saying it is an attempt by the government to exploit Christians and churches.

Felix Omobude, the presi-

dent of PFN, in a statement personally signed in Benin City, chided the Ministry of Interior for imposing such anti-Christian law on the church in Nigeria.

The PFN leader in his reaction described the policy as exploitative and an attempt to commercialise Christian marriages in Nige-

ria. “If the Ministry of Interior is in dire need of funds, it should look elsewhere and resist the temptation of placing extra financial burden on Christians and their churches,” he stated.

Omobude further stated that the PFN would use all legitimate means to make the Federal Government

rescind on the new marriage certificate law. Recall that the Federal Government through the Ministry of Interior recently announced a compulsory N30,000 charge licence for Christian worship centres for the conduct of statutory marriages in churches and N21,000 for each marriage certificate.

Metropolitan celebrates 20 years of praise night in Lagos

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n its bid to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and appreciate God’s faithfulness in the lives of staff, customers and families throughout the year, Metropolitan Motors Ltd, recently celebrated its annual praise night through hymns, bible readings, prayers and Christmas carols.

Since 1999, Metropolitan has always dedicated the second Sunday of every December for a praise and worship night, to celebrate Christmas and also appreciate its customers.

Olutoyin Okeowo, MD/ CEO Metropolitan Motors

Ltd and the convener of the Annual Praise Night, stated that the annual event was an avenue to invite customers, friends and wellwishers to appreciate God’s faithfulness for the successes recorded in the past years and future blessings especially in the company.

“In our company, we start every week with praise, worship and devotion. We decide to organise praise and worship evening where we invite our friends and customers, and that was how the whole thing started.

“When we started 20 years ago, it was supposed

to be a customer forum but this time around, in form of praise and worship. Although, over the years it has grown bigger than just a customer’s forum but an annual forum for friends and well-wishers who are invited to be part of it,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Bishop of Lagos West, James Olusola Odedeji asserted that the annual praise night has been a pleasant event to the Christian community, church and the country at large, adding that the program was imperative to celebrate God’s faithfulness.

“It is always a great

time in the presence of the Lord. We have been able to gather together to appreciate God for His mercy as a company and individuals.

Singing with the metro voices was a great experience and a good bonding time spiritually for the staff as well,” said Wumi Akintola, a former Metropolitan staff.

Also speaking, Ibitayo Jeje, a pioneer member, Metro Voice, commended the efforts of the organisers for putting the program together every year as this will go a long way to spur God to further release His blessings even as year 2020 approaches

Nothing shakes and shocks God: There are no ‘accidents’ or ‘surprises’ with God because of the CCTV effect. There is no way someone outside my office will surprise me when they come inside because I am very much aware of their being outside and for how long. It is very clear that nothing happens by accident with God and He is not surprised by certain events in earth.

God knows how long we have been waiting for him: Someone came into my office once and lied to me that she has been waiting for quite a

while outside at the reception. I laughed within me and subtly corrected her without making her feel very bad. She didn’t know I knew precisely when she walked into my office and how long she had waited.

God knows how long we have been waiting for Him and He will call us in when He is ready for us. Let us be patient with God. I hope you have been Inspired by this piece; look up and know that God is aware of what and where you are. Remember the CCTV idea is as old as the earth but just manifested through technological advancement in this age.

Drop me a note of acknowledgment and encouragement.

Be Inspired!

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

Ikpeazu charges Christians to reflect on character of Jesus Christ …As Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ‘lights the world’ UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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overnor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has charged Christian faithful to reflect on the character of Jesus Christ in their day to day dealing with others.

He also urged them to be fair with their neighbours, associates at working places in line with the injunctions of the Lord Jesus Christ which says “love your neighbour as you love yourself”.

Ikpeau gave the charge in Umuahia during an annual event organised by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints titled “Light the World One by One,” designed to guide Christians on Christmas.

The governor, who was represented by Anthony Chidi Agbazuere, his Chief of Staff, pointed out that Jesus’ Birth was miraculous, adding that every Christian must believe in God and expect his miraculous touch in their lives.

He c o m m e n d e d t h e church for its commitment towards the propagation of the Gospel of Christ in Abia State and Nigeria and urged Christians to start the transformation of the society by

Ikpeazu

the characters they showcase.

Ikpe George Nkanang, national public affairs director of the Church, earlier in his speech, disclosed that the event was aimed at guiding members of the church and others on the programme and activities to observe from December 1 till the Christmas day.

“To help light the world this Christmas season, the Church is encouraging people to think of someone they can help or invite and minister to them as the Saviour did, one by one every day,” he said.

Nkanang noted that a simple act, big or small could spread the light of Jesus Christ, adding, “This celebration inspires individuals, families, youth groups and congregations to emulate Jesus Christ’s example of service as is depicted in the Holy Scriptures.

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Sunday 16 December 2019

Feature Divestment and decentralisation of oil power:

Oceanic Island, Robertkiri, explodes as Belema Industrial City begins

…Happy-looking settlers vacate to give way to Oil Terminal in 91-acre space

and Jack-Rich Tein Aid Foundation, the Belema Industrial Zone has already taken off the drawing board with the on-going reclamation work at Robertkiri for the siting of a world class airport which will stimulate the attendant developments and additional projects and business opportunities that will be attracted to the community, which shall include amongst others; The Belema Atlantic Island, the Belema Industrial Base, the Belema Atlantic Office, and the Billionaire Atlantic Island.”

The applause was thunderous.

Ignatius Chukwu

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hen news broke few months ago that the Federal Government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) just awarded an oil terminal license to Belemaoil Producing Limited (BPL) to be located in Kula, a town jutting into the Atlantic Oceanic (Akuku-Toru local council area of Rivers State), many did not wake up to its implications. Many did not also know that a small island, Robertkiri, connected by a canal, is the eventual destination.

To get to Robertkiri, a traveller taking off in Port Harcourt would either enter the waters directly at Abonnema Jetty or go first by land through Emuoha to Abonnema town in Asari-Toru Local Government Area. There, he would board a boat, often escorted by an army gunboat or by a private surveillance team (mostly formed from ex-fighters and recanted pirates) and head out into the vast waters towards the ocean. After about 45 minutes, the boat would turn right and soon navigate through the creeks until it gets to a canal that takes one to Robertkiri, total about one hour thirty minutes.

Fresh clearing showing pipeline right of way heading to the island would be seen. Signs of military posts in the swift-flowing waters would show that an important facility is upfront, not discounting the frequent sites of flow stations and communities dotting along the waterway.

At Robertkiri last week, a large crowd gathered to welcome the entourage. It was to be the final goodbye ceremony of the hundreds of dwellers, settlers, tenants and secondary landlords. The chiefs from Kula were on hand to add their voice for the nostalgic goodbye; an emotion smoothened by good tiding.

It was then that the news of few months back (that an oil terminal had been approved for Belemaoil and the coming of the proposed Belema Atlantic City, also known as Belema Industrial City) became appreciable.

The Atlantic City dream Belemaoil was able to emerge because some IOCs divested in shallow and upland fields to focus on less troubled deep waters (offshore). An oil engineer from the community (Jack-Rich Tein Jr) bought OML 55 from Chevron and started running an oil field. He later became a player in Shell’s OML 25, with eyes on bigger deals. His group is deep in exploration and gas adventures. He seems to be pushing the boundaries in marginal oil propensity.

The dream of the Atlantic City

Baribobe Kunah, Apostolic pastor in Roberkiri, confessing happiness and freewill relocation. was unfolded to Kula people on February 20, 2019, at the Anglican Church ground that serves as their community square where the people were almost dazed with the prospects that seemed utopian.

Sam Abel Jumbo, a lawyer, who is the External Communications Manager of Belemaoil, read the loaded address of the Founder/President, Jackrich Tein Jr, seemingly full of dazzling promises.

The Founder first traced the history and turnaround of Belemaoil and Kula as a people. “In 2016 when we resumed operations of OML 55, our communities, particularly Kula, were in dare need of quality drinking water. Today, we do not only have drinking water, we have a world class potable drinking water of W.H.O. and NAFDAC standard whose quality is commensurate with any standard all over the world.

“Within the last two years, we have created, supported and enhanced local wealth creation in Kula by ensuring that our people partake in contracts and other opportunities to enhance their livelihood. We have employed over 1,000 youths of Kula and other operational communities through our on-going Surveillance

Security and other opportunities.

“We have employed over 50 graduates of various technical skills from Kula and other of our operational communities, with more to come. We are opening Kula with the ongoing construction of the 6.5km Ring Road, linking the old city centre through the new areas back to the community jetty. We are reclaiming and opening the water fronts and other frontiers within the community, and thereby expanding the community.”

He said that was nothing yet.

“In collaboration with the FG, we have commenced preliminary work and approvals for the commencement of the construction of the 85Km Kula-Port Harcourt Road, which will link up all our satellite communities and settlements of Belema, Robertkiri, Luckyland, Boro, through Idama Kingdom and Degema. This multi-billion-naira project shall, when completed, not only guarantee the security of our lives and properties as we will no longer be preys to marauding pirates on our seas and water ways,” he said.

According to him, “Through our investment and development affiliates: J+G Global Gas & Oilfield Ltd,

Settlers listening to farewell address and collecting last logistics support to move.

Peaceful relocation The settlers were said to have moved to other nearby islands to give way for intensive construction work already on site. Heavy equipment were said to be on the way from Onne seaport.

Officials said the Robertkiri location would have an oil terminal, gas plant, water plant to manage the water from oil, storage facility, pipe coating, and many more. Excitement was in the air at Robertkiri.

The area would soon showcase a dehydrated unit (DHU) farm tank to manage water that would come from oil drilled nearby.

Giving details on site, Mufaa Welsh, a director of the parent company to Belema Pipeline Limited, said work has begun in earnest, requiring human s to vacate Robertkiri. He said the company handed hundreds of millions to the settlers who he said have already vacated.

“Now, we are here to appreciate them further. The founder (Jackrich Tein) has sent his appreciation to them. Goodies are coming and the youths are the target. Next week when different equipment will be arriving from Onne seaport, another token is also coming.”

He went on: “We express appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari who has empowered Belema to help the communities by approving an oil terminal here. This will bring many developments. JackRich Jnr is the vehicle that is bringing these things.”

Sources said the location was first acquired by Gulf Oil in 1964 before it went to Chevron and to Texaco and now Belema through one of its subsidiaries, Belema Pipeline. Settlers who followed a canal to the place later occupied the place due to many years of lull moments.

The company however doled out payments ex-gracia to the settlers and land owners to facilitate faster and smooth relocation. The settlers also heard about massive job opportunities and empowerment schemes on the way.

A chief and spokesman in the area, Iboroma Kelly Brown, who is head of the demolished Robertkiri riverine settlement, said: “The ownership of this place has since 1964 been from Gulf Oil to Chevron and now to Belema. Now, development has come here; gas plant and other

things are coming immediately. It will mean massive jobs and contracts like never before. We commend the Founder of Belemaoil and Belema Pipeline Limited, JackRich Tein Jnr for bringing ceaseless development and for deploying strategies to move the settlers out without for or bitterness.”

Another chief, Fiala Okoye-Davies, spokesman Kula Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, said the development coming was worthy and could transform Kula to another Dubai. “It is going to be a robust development drive. The Kula Council of Chiefs approved this and nobody was forcefully ejected.”

On his own, another chief, Ibiyosia Nath-Sukubo, Spokesman of Offoin-Ama Community, said; “We say without equivocation that this is an iconoclastic action in Kula kingdom. We are leaders and owners of the land. We are happy. We want the Belema Industrial City. We appeal to you to give jobs, empowerment to the people. We have no problem in Kula.”

The pastor of Apostolic Church of Nigeria, Maritme Territory, Robertkiri Settlement Church, Kula, Baribobe Kunah, spoke in support of the relocation while the woman leader and landlay, Mpakamaire Pakagbure, commended Belema for bringing life back to the people.

A landlord said they saw big money for the first time, while Ethime Japus, of Kula Youth Organisation worldwide said the impending projects seemed to be more for the youths. “It will bring engagements, jobs, empowerment, etc. We are thus happy and grateful to Belema Pipeline limited”.

Most speakers demanded for water, light, jetty, etc, to which the director (Welsh), said the contractor had been ordered to take action on the demands. He said the people around the area would see and taste modern life.

It must be with all the past evidence of goodies and more to come that when the Roberkiri community was asked to make way for the industrial city and paid what was called ex-gracia payouts that the hundreds of persons showed huge enthusiasm when newsmen arrived last week. They spoke their minds, saying they were happy to move, but made requests which were immediately granted.

The way work is progressing with rapidity, soon, many would hardly recognise the squeaky oceanic island that would be roaring with industrial wind. And prosperity would surely gush steadily from the noise to Robertkiri settlers, Kula and entire Niger Delta and Nigeria. Then would the world know what happens when wealth is decentralised in the oil sector through divestment by multinationals into the hands of community entrepreneurs such as Tein Jnr and his Belemaoil wealth creation enthusiasts.

Sunday 15 December 2019

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BDSUNDAY 39

BrandsOnSunday SPOTLIGHTING BRAND VALUE

How MultiChoice is leveraging consumer insight for customer satisfaction In this report, Daniel Obi writes the impact of consumer insight on brand loyalty leveraging the recently introduced new packages by MultiChoice, Africa’s foremost video entertainment company which is not only creating loyalty but meeting customers’ needs especially in the challenging economy and in this festive period.

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Essence of consumer insight hy has DStv succeeded in an environment w h e r e there are many local TV stations? It is basically understanding of the consumer and making the necessary investments to satisfy the consumer, the King.

While many viewers struggle to find programmes that will hook them on local channels consistently and daily, many women viewers easily find traction in movies and comedies on DStv while men find pleasure on news, documentary and live football competitions and repeat of them.

The pay TV has literally become the next neighbour and partner at various homes, delighting families with various entertainment programmes, though at a cost. No wonder DStv is enjoying brand loyalty with customers paying as high as N15,800 monthly for premium bouquet content and as low as N1,600 on GOtv. Marketers say that brand loyalty is guarantor of profitability, market share growth and sustainable success in the market place. According to Kola Oyeyemi, a marketing expert, businesses exist to generate profit and continuous customer satisfaction is the key to delivering this. “To therefore deliver sustainable success, brand loyalty becomes germane”. He said brand loyalty cannot happen

L-R: Tope Oshunkeye, executive head, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria; Busola Tejumola, executive head, Content, MultiChoice Nigeria; Martin Mabutho, Chief Customer Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria and Caroline Oghuma, executive head, Corporate Affairs, MultiChoice Nigeria at the Launch of new DStv and GOtv packages for Nigeria

without a thorough understanding of the consumer and a deliberate decision to satisfy and exceed the customers’ expectations”.

Customer satisfaction Following this trend and in continuation of its customer satisfaction with surprise value proposition, brand owners of DStv with consumer insight recently unveiled five new packages for its DStv and GOtv platforms to deliver more quality content at great value to customers during this festive season and beyond.

Since December 1, 2019, the Africa’s foremost video entertainment company MultiChoice, owners of DStv and GOtv introduced three more entertainment package options customers can choose from and they are:

DStv Confam, DStv Yanga and DStv Padi. GOtv subscribers will also get two new GOtv packages: GOtv Jolli and GOtv Jinja.

These new packages are said to be exclusively and specially-curated for the Nigerian market and come upgraded with new channels.

Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, explained that the introduction of the new packages customized for Nigerians will unlock a new level of entertainment and value for customers, give them improved choices and a brand new DStv and GOtv experience.

“We are constantly driven to ensure that customers are satisfied with the overall quality of our services. The new packages are exclusively

curated from Naija and for Nigerians, driven by great programing and affordable prices,” said Ugbe. “With improved package options available to our valued customers, they can choose a subscription plan that best fits their needs and budget. We remain committed to give millions of television viewers in Nigeria the opportunity to enjoy world class entertainment.”

For viewers’ pleasure, the new packages come loaded with the recently-launched channels – Da Vinci, TNT Africa and Real Time – as well as other top local, sports, movies and general entertainment channels.

For the new DStv packages, DStv Confam is a brandnew package designed for the whole family with over

Jumia provides opportunities for SMEs, expands platform for marketing

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etermined to ensure that more small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria have better opportunities of growing their businesses, Jumia has expanded its platform to accommodate more marketing opportunities from these category of business even as the more established business can tap into the opportunity.

It would be recalled that the ratings of visits to the Jumia platform has continuously increased over the years thus providing access to more business information for existing and prospective buyers.

According to McKinsey, the demand for electronic transactions has attracted payment facilitators from Europe and Asia who are investing in Nigerian electronic infrastructure projects. Fast growing youth populations, expanding consumer power and increased smartphone penetration is strengthening online commerce and financial technology in Nigeria. The current eCommerce spending in Nigeria is estimated at $12 billion, and it is projected to reach $75 billion in revenues per annum by 2025.

Consequently, the decision to open the Jumia’s e-commerce platform to

brands and corporate organisations to advertise will surely boost the potentials of SMEs in Nigeria.

“Our platform is one of the most visited in Nigeria and Africa. We are in 12 countries of Africa, and in each country, we serve consumers everywhere. We are much more than “e-commerce”, we have hotels, flights, restaurants, classifieds portals, and many more platforms, which give us even more data and more ability to target the right audience for brands looking to reach a wider and more targeted audience”, said Head of Growth and Partnerships, Olusegun Mar-

tins in a statment Added advantage to the Jumia platform is the availability of data for research.

“Every day, more users access Jumia and use it as a source of research, inspiration and shopping. “ Jumia is adapting the model of leading e-commerce platform in the US, Amazon. Over the last seven years, Jumia had remained one of the top 10 most visible websites in Nigeria, adding that the clamour by customers for an advertising platform from Jumia was on the increase, hence the decision by the company to give it a trial this year,” Martins said.

120 channels. It is the home for BET, Da Vinci Learning, TNT Africa and more, and the subscription price is N4,500 monthly. DStv Yanga has over 94 channels. For N2,500 monthly, subscribers will get to enjoy all things Nollywood on amazing channels such as Africa Magic Epic, ROK 2 and Ebony Life. Also on the package are lifestyle shows on Real Time and great local and international music on MTV Base. DStv Padi provides quality entertainment at anytime with over 51 exciting channels for N1,800 monthly.

The brand new GOtv JOLLI offers 68+ world class channels for family entertainment from top Naija and international channels. Subscribers will get to enjoy exciting Naija drama, reality shows, news, kid’s shows on brand new channels such as ROK2, CBS Reality, FOX, TNT Africa, and Davinci Learning for N2,400 monthly. GOtv Jinja provides 47+ exciting local and international channels, with entertaining channels such as with FOX Life and Real Time; educative kid’s channels like PBS Kids, local drama on Africa Magic Epic and lots more for N1,600 monthly.

Other values Other appreciable programme by MultiChoice which has operated for 26 years in Nigeria is MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) – a multi-tiered Corporate Shared Value, CSV project in partnership with School of Media and Communication of

LBS to ignite Africa’s creative industry.

The Talent Factory which started in 2018 was a journey to re-write Africa’s story. It believed that repackaging Africa cannot be done successfully without training and equipping Africans to tell authentic and well-produced stories.

In the first edition, it selected and trained 20 young men and women from Ghana and Nigeria out of 3108 applicants.

Second set is also undergoing training in Lagos As part of its continuous effort to make the customer happy, MultiChoice recently announced a landmark partnership, with some leading brands. These include KLM and Air France as well as Silverbird cinemas, Kilimanjaro Restaurants, and School kits.

DStv customers who pay theirDStvsubscriptionontime will be eligible to unlock new offers including 20% discount on economy class and 15% discount on business class trips on any trips using KLM or Air France, for Premium and Compact Plus customers.

Business success dependent on customer satisfaction For business success and brand loyalty, customer satisfaction is key and this is anchored on consumer insight which according to Oyeyemi transcends traditional research data to access the heart of the consumer for an understanding of his motivations, his needs and his aspirations. The MultiChoice new packages fit into this concept.

PZ concludes Cussons Baby competition, crowns winner with N1m prize

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Z Nigeria has concluded its Cussons Baby competition, a marketing strategy designed deepen its product and bring to the fore the need for baby caring.

This year, the 6th edition in the series, it also crowned the Cussons baby of the year 2019, Nathaniel Adeoye, who won the grand prize of N1 million and a year’s supply of Cussons Baby products.

The 1st runner-up was Baby Lewis Grant, who won a prize of N750, 000 and a year’s of Cussons Baby products while the 2nd runner-up was Baby Einstein Durosimi, who won N500, 000 and a year’s supply of Cussons Baby products. In the Special

Categories, Oluwadarasimi Olaniyan won the prize for Best Concept and Composition; Louisa Fabiyi won the prize for Best Candid Shot, and Praise Nsed-Ogar walked away with the Best Toothy Smile prize. These special category winners each received N50, 000 and a 3-month supply of Cussons Baby products.

The winners followed tough deliberations by the independent panel of judges, comprising veteran Nollywood actress, Ufuoma McDermott; fast-rising Nollywood actor, Deyemi Okanlawon; and food and lifestyle blogger Yemisi Odusanya, popularly known as Sisi Yemmie.

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Sunday 15 Deceber 2019

Consumer Watch Preparing for stress-free Christmas Stories by NGOZI OKPALAKUNNE

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hristmas period is at the corner and making adequate preparation no doubt will help one overcome stress associated with the season. Investigation has shown that some consumers do not make proper budget for the period as a result they end up over-spending.

Guess what? Over-spending during festive period like Christmas makes consumer run to debts in the New Year.

Benjamin Duru, a Lagosbased, consumer analyst, said that making adequate budget for the season is crucial as it will enable home makers to minimise spending while the period lasts.

Duru also opined that families who do budget do not suffer much financial challenges in the New Year.

“Christmas is a season characterised with over-spending; without proper planning, such an individual will over-spend and suffer huge financial challenges in the New Year,” he said.

However, he advised home makers to avoid those past family Christmas traditions that encourage over-spending, adding,

“Whatever your family practices during the season, if what was done in the past doesn’t work today, stop or change the practice. Just because something is traditional is no reason to keep doing it.”

Some other experts observed that the challenge one encounters while keeping one’s spending within the constraints of a Christmas budget cannot be compared with the challenges of coping with months of debt repayments in the New Year.

Explaining further, they not-

ed that the stress accompanying the debt can be avoided by realistically considering one’s current financial circumstances and future needs and added that settling on an amount one can comfortably afford is ideal.

Experts’ guidelines on how to achieve a stress-free Christmas Maintain a schedule Many families have two working spouses; single parents often work two or more jobs to make ends meet. The demands of preparing for the holidays on top of a normal work week can

be overwhelming for most people. Generally, the excitement of the season and the anticipation of a perfect Christmas will inspire you to draw down energy reserves to get things done, usually by giving up leisure time and sleep. Hopefully, the inevitable crash will occur after the gifts are open, the guests are fed, and visitors leave – but not always.

Everyone remembers a meltdown or two during Christmas.

Scheduling some downtime every day and week is impor-

tant to save your sanity and enjoy the company of your loved ones.

Be choosy with Christmas activities Yes, sometimes you may have one too many parties to attend, but don’t forget about the other Christmas ‘activities’ that eat up time. Do you really need to spend hours writing and sending Christmas cards to 100 of your closest acquaintances? Is it really necessary to try out that incredible but complicated dessert recipe? But if this stresses you out, there’s no reason to add it to the list.

Avoid the rush The holiday season is no season for last minute errands or one item trips to the shopping mall. Pull out that shopping list and don’t let it go. Traffic is more congested, check out, lines are longer and availability has become the more scarce.

You should combine regular errands with Christmas shopping.

This has drastically cut down on the hours one spends shopping for Christmas Get help Just because you have a master list of one too many to-do items, that doesn’t mean you have to do them all. You can visit your local bakery instead of mixing any eggs, milk and flour yourself.

Jochlieu Apparel holds sales bonanza

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s part of its activities to enable consumers and fashion-conscious people spend less in wears and consumables this Christmas, Jochlieu Apparel International recently organised a one-day sales bonanza in Lagos.

The event tagged, ‘Sales Basket’ featured sales of wears, shoes; food, accessories, bags, natural products; drinks among others took place at Jihalobia recreational park and gardens, Ajao Estate.

Speaking at the event, Executive director, Jochlieu Apparel International, Bridget Agba said that the programme which was the second in its series aimed to attract new customers to her brand as well as afford them opportunity to purchase her products at slashed prices.

Bridget also explained that asides getting new customers to herself and the vendors at the fair, the sales also meant to be a unique shopping and networking experience for both customers and vendors.

“When l started, l had challenges of new people recognising my pieces; it has always been the same customers. I then came up with the idea of organising, ‘Sales basket’ which will give other vendors opportunity to display and sell their products to the public.

So, it is a way of giving back. It is also in preparation towards Christmas, because it holds yearly towards November ending. All the

participating vendors sell their products cheaper than their normal store prices. We sell half of the price of what we sell in our stores,” she added.

Comparing last year’s sales with that of this year, she observed that the fair witnessed a larger turn out this year.

She lamented the present economic crunch in the country, saying that it has affected the purchasing power of consumers.

“Although we witnessed more participants and sales this year, the fact is that people are no longer buying things the way they used to because of the present economic crises. Consumers now minimise their spending on wears, they give more attention to food stuff,” she said.

Looking at Nigerians patronage

of locally made wears, she said it has been very encouraging, adding, “l think Nigerians are becoming more aware on the reason they should patronise locally made products. I could have ordered for raw materials to work with from abroad, but when l look at how Nigerians patronise wears that were locally sourced, l decided to continue sourcing the fabrics l work with locally’’.

She lauded the Nigerian designers, adding that they are doing amazing things.

“Nigerian designers are doing wonderfully well; their works can compete favourably with foreign designs,’’ she noted.

While commending the efforts of the Federal Government for supporting small scale industry, she stressed the need for the government to assist designers to create more production hubs in Nigeria. ‘’ Two major challenges facing designers in the country are sourcing for fabrics and lack of adequate production hub. If we have enough production hubs, designers need not to travel abroad. The quality of job done over there can be done here, if there are much production hubs that will cater for the needs of Nigeria designers,’’ Agba added.

Some of the organisations that participated at the event include Ariyike Cloister; Lyons couture; MCBK; Tribes by nobs; House wife cooking pot, among others.

LASCOPA seals up Big Boss Supermarket for alleged sale of expired products

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n a bid to ensure the safety of consumers from the purchase of unwholesome products and guarantee their satisfaction, the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has sealed up Big Boss Supermarket.

The Supermarket located at Ogunlana Drive in Surulere, Lagos was sealed up for continuous display and sale of alleged expired products contrary to the provisions of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency Law of 2014 Section 4(a) of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency Law of 2014 empowers LASCOPA to protect consumers against the marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to the consuming public.

The Chief Magistrate of the Consumer Court in Lagos, DaniOni issued an order in Suit No. MSC/154/19 for the seal up of the supermarket which was executed by officials of the agency

Recall that Monitoring Team of LASCOPA on a surveillance inspection visited the supermarket earlier in the year and discovered expired products on display in the shelf and issued a compliance notice to the supermarket.

According to the Agency, during another revisit, another set of expired products were found on the store and the Supermarket Manager allegedly called the bluff of the Agency, saying they could do their worse.

The continuous display and sale of expired products by the Supermarket necessitated the Court action pursuant to the promotion of Section 4 of the ConsumerProtectionLawofLagosState.

The Agency therefore, reiterated its commitment to ensu ring the safety of consumers from all forms of unwholesome products and charged consumable product producers and marketers to prioritise the interest of consumers.

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Health&Science How combating malnutrition issues remain in Nigeria While malnutrition is still highly prevalent in Nigeria with women and children being the most affected due to poor access to basic micronutrients writes ANTHONIA OBOKOH.

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igh rates of malnutrition pose significant public health and development challenges for Nigeria. Stunting, in addition to an increased risk of death is also linked to poor cognitive development, a lowered performance in education and low productivity in adulthood - all contributing to economic losses estimated to account for as much as 11 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Currently, Nigeria has the second-highest burden of stunted children in the world, with a national prevalence rate of 32 percent of children under five. About two million children in Nigeria suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). The States in northern Nigeria are the most affected by the two forms of malnutrition – stunting and wasting.

Malnutrition can arise in three forms. One, obesity or over nourishment, which is defined as a dietary energy intake that exceeds requirements for the maintenance of healthy body weight.

Two, micronutrient deficiencies, which is defined as a lack of essential vitamins and minerals required in small amounts by the body for proper growth and development.

It can also manifest as hun-

ger and undernourishment, which is defined as dietary energy intakes below the minimum levels necessary to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Meanwhile, it is a known fact that the three most basic needs man requires for his survival are food, shelter, and clothing. Food is an integral part of the existential requirements for the continuity of life.

Food is so important to humanity that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has labeled hunger (a feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food) as the single gravest threat to the world’s public health.

On the other hand, a health condition whereby an individual eats a diet in which nutrients are not enough or too much such that it causes health problems is referred to as malnutrition. Malnutrition is often used to specifically refer to undernutrition where an individual is not getting enough calories, proteins, or micronutrients. It is equally an undesirable condition.

Research has it that malnutrition is a direct or the underlying cause of 45 percent of all deaths of children under the age of five.

In Nigeria, extreme undernourishment, known as starvation, is common in the

nation and it may have symptoms that include: a short height (stunted growth), thin body, very poor energy levels, and swollen legs and abdomen. The primary causes of this are the large population, the rate of poverty in the country and lack of access to needed food.

Reports from the WHO indicate that Nigeria has about 56.9 million people now living with this ailment. UNICEF in a separatereportestimatesthat over 6.5 million children suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).

Recently, Sulaiman Mamman, Borno state Coordinator of Accelerated Nutrition Results in Nigeria (A.N.R.I.N), stated that from January to October 2019, about 5,029 malnourished children have been admitted into Community Management for Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) Centre’s in the state.

In addition, about 82 million people - roughly half Nigeria’s population - live in extreme poverty, under $1.25 a day, according to the World Data Lab’s Poverty Clock.

Put in another context, if poor Nigerians were a country it would be more populous than Germany.

The statistics are dire. Malnutrition is prevalent in the nation. There are too many people with little or nothing

INLAKS, others sponsor cataract surgeries for Nigerians ANTHONIA OBOKOH

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nlaks, the leading systems integrator in Sub-Saharan Africa, on Monday, December 9th announced its support to the Hope for Sight Initiative (HSI) to assist in conducting cataract surgeries for indigenes in Ogun State.

The announcement was made during a press conference in partnership with AOS Orwell and Eye Foundation Hospital in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Giving a background on the initiative, the visionary of the initiative, 16-year old Lakshmi Gopinathan shared some valuable data regarding people living with Cataract in the selected area as well as her passion to fund corrective surgeries to those battling the disease seeing that she also contended with optical challenges as a child.

The data revealed that Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in Nigeria and is common in the older age group that is 50 years and above. It also disclosed that the disease is on the rise especially in rural areas within Nigeria where sensitization levels are low and there is a general misconception of the disease and its treat-

ment options.

Speaking on behalf of Inlaks, Adetokunbo AyoOgunsanya, Group Head, Human Resources and Administration, lauded the Hope for Sight Initiative and its goal to provide free surgeries to visually-impaired persons.

“One of our core values at Inlaks is excellence, and we are happy to partner with AOS Orwell working with the best in the industry; Eye Foundation on this initiative. It is important to one’s existence to have vision and having the heart to give back to society,” she said.

She expressed her confidence in the Hope for Sight Initiative to change lives and reiterated Inlaks commitment to continuing this noteworthy cause in line with its Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR)drive.

Also speaking Femi Omotayo, managing director, AOS Orwell, explained the direction of the organisation towards contributing to a better quality of living not just for its employees, but for its external community members as well.

“We are a compassionate organization with a heart for people. This is why we jumped on this initiative when we were approached.

It is a laudable cause and we

are proud to throw the full force of our financial weight behind this,” he said.

He further explained that the company has been involved in several other causes that give back to the community on a consistent note.

Ad e y e m i O y e w u m i , Chief Business Development Officer, Eye Foundation expressed his confidence in the initiative especially because Eye Foundation has conducted thousands of free cataract surgeries and sensitisation programs in the past.

He further explained that the selection process of candidates would be purely based on a few key factors such as severity of the condition and willingness of those affected to participate in sensitisation and surgery programme among other underlying considerations.

“Eye Foundation has some of the best and most experienced doctors for this magnitude of work. We have run a series of sensitisation programmes and surgeries in the past and we are poised to deliver excellently and transparently on this as well. We are also very encouraged that organizations can recognize a need and go all out to meet that need,” said Oyewumi.

to feed on. It is no surprise therefore that malnutrition has lingered.

In the light of Nigeria’s rapidly growing population, coupled with rising food prices and poverty, something needs to be done to mitigate the lingering problem.

Studies show that underlying causes of malnutrition in Nigeria are poverty, inadequate food production, inadequate food intake, ignorance and uneven distribution of food, poor food preservation techniques, improper preparation of foods, food restrictions and taboos, and poor sanitation.

The obvious first step is to address family planning. It has to be adequately implemented across the country. It has to start with sensitisation campaigns in rural communities, educating nursing mothers on proper child spacing, and continuous free basic education in the local government areas.

Secondly, the government must take another look at its policies. It must seek to implement policies to expand the economy, reduce unemployment, empower the citizens and boost agricultural production.

Sylvester Igbedioh of the College of Food Technology from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi in his 1993 pub-

lication titled: ‘Undernutrition in Nigeria: dimension, causes, and remedies for alleviation in a changing socio-economic environment’, He recommends remedial programs such as more support for rural farmers through input subsidies and high producer prices, improving rural credit schemes (for example the People’s Bank) that target the poor, distribution of vitamin A and iron supplements in rural health centers, promoting the production of low-cost weaning diets, and integrating nutrition education in primary health care programs and in educational curricula.

“Malnutrition and related diseases (diarrhea, measles, anemia, and gastroenteritis) are the cause of most deaths in infants and young children.

Nigeria really needs sustainable remedies to alleviate malnutrition,” said Igbedioh.

Of course, there needs to be a proper orientation on the advantages of eating right. According to The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), exclusive breastfeeding rates have not improved significantly over the past decade, with only 17 percent of babies being exclusively breastfed during their first six months of life. Only 24 percent of children aged six to 23 months are fed the minimum acceptable diet.

Chimay Thompson, assistant director, Nutrition Division, Family Health Department in the Ministry of Health said that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life without water, infant formula, liquid or food has proven to save lives, improve women and children’s health and boots lifelong productivity.

“The baby gets the perfect nutrients needed from the breast milk, which is the first immunisation given to the child, the vaccine anti-gene rich in vitamin A, comes from the breast milk.”

“There are also anti-effective and growth factors which are contained in the breast milk and cannot be got from breast milk substitute or any source of animal milk such as goat or cow. It is proven that exclusive breastfeeding prevents most breast and ovarian cancers women experience today,’’ she said.

However, citizens must understand that a healthier, more balanced diet is the surest way to alleviating malnutrition.

Eating “fortified” foods that contain extra nutrients is key to a healthy lifestyle.

While malnutrition has been an issue in the lives of Nigerians for decades, it can be eliminated with the right approach, an integrated approach.

‘Investment on dental facilities will improve oral health, reduce medical tourism’ ...as Beacohill Smile Group launches Exclusive Smile and One for 10 initiatives ANTHONIA OBOKOH

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ental technology has come a long way over the years and has certainly changed the way dentists perfect their craft. However, experts from the field of dentistry are calling for more investment in oral healthcare in Nigeria to prevent medical tourism and brain drain.

These experts say quality dental care is usually inaccessible by indigents in the community due to distance and cost noting that providing an adequate and well-equipped facility where dentists can practice and improve their knowledge of oral health.

Oluwaseun Akinbobola, managing director and chief executive officer, Beaconhill Smile Clinics, speaking during the inauguration of Exclusive Smile and One for 10 initiatives by Beacohill Smile Group said that the aim of establishing worldclass dental facilities in the country is to reduce medical tourism, as well as reverse the trend of brain drain in the dental health system.

“We are trying to reverse the trend where doctors are relocating to Canada to practice. We are encouraging

foreign-trained Nigerian doctors to return to the country so we can give our people the best oral care, which they travel abroad to seek,” he said.

According to Akinbobola, most Nigerians come to the clinic when the cavity has gotten to a point where they cannot sleep.”We need to create awareness by talking about it. We need to look for ways the government can have dentals in Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) so that people can go there and do normal clinics and checkups.”

Speaking on the ‘One for 10’ initiatives of Beaconhill Foundation, he said it is an initiative where the foundation is trying to fund the foundation without begging for money in order to improve the quality of life for millions of people in Nigeria.

“The initiative is to help people in rural and urban communities access affordable and quality treatment for free. I urge Nigerians to ensure they avoid odd practices and go for check up to prevent severe dental complications,|” said Akinbobola.

L-R Oluwaseun Akinbobola (CEO, Beaconhill Smile Group), Pastor Ados Momoh (RCCG, TSP), Ijogun (Representative of the 1st lady of Lagos state), Jermaine Sanwoolu (Special Adviser to the Lagos state Gov on diaspora & foreign affairs), Akin Abayomi (Hon Commissioner for Health, Lagos state), Yemi Caxton, Adeyemi Odusanya (MD, Keystone Bank), Yasser Dayekh (Principal Dentist/Consultant Orthodontist, Exclusive Smile)

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LifestyleHomes&Suites

Sunday 15 December 2019

Paul Ojenagbon

pauloje2000@yahoo.com

Regina Terraces for waterfront living in the heart of Lekki

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escribedbythedeveloper as “a limited collection of exquisite 4-bedroom terrace development”, Regina Terraces showcases a modern, intelligent but simple way to live.

Distinguished by its exquisite red brick exterior, it was designed and developed by Foxbar Homes which has proven track record of top class, reasonably priced homes that fuse together the best of modern design and urban lifestyles.

Regina Terraces consists of seven units of 4-bedroom terraced duplexes located at Ilasan, off LekkiEpe Expressway. It is a beautiful neighborhood with a location that is barely 3 minutes walk to the Atlantic Ocean, offering incredible ambience for its residents. Each unit is ensuite and there are two living rooms to the bargain. Every Ter-

race house is attached with a maid’s room that leads strategically and conveniently to the kitchen where most of the domestic duties would understandably be performed.

Each terrace duplex is on three floors-ground, first and second floors. The ground floor has the maid’s room and guest room. The first floor has a living room, bedroom 1, dinning and kitchen while the second floor has bedroom 2, master bedroom with walk in closet and the family private living room.

The kitchen is fully fitted and ready for the press button to dish out sumptuous meals.

The title on the property is governor’s consent which is the highest at the state level. It is a completed development, the subscribers are offered two options to choose from-furnished and unfurnished which accounts for the N6million difference in the prices. While the furnished option carries N68million price tag, the unfurnished option goes for N62million per unit. Flexible payment options are available, but outright payment attracts fabulous price discount.

The terraces are beautifully finished internally and externally, fully serviced and professionally managed. Potable water is sourced from a borehole and made good in treatment plant. Each unit has two parking spaces on the ground floor that accounts for the limited accommodation on this floor.

Briscoe holds the Orchids in Ikeja GRA

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he Government Reservation Area (GRA) Ikeja offers one of the highest value locations of land in Lagos and arguably in the country as well. The land is expensive running into hundreds of millions, scarce in supply and so a rational developer would want to fully harness the maximum advantages in any development effort.

Most of such developments are essentially re-developments following the approved conversion of the original plans. Interestingly, apartment blocks are a new picture in a landscape that has been dominated over the years by detached houses on large expanses of land. Ikeja shares a very

familiar experience with Ikoyi.

They were conceived to provide affluent abodes for the cream of the Lagos State and Federal Civil Service respectively at the time when Lagos was still capital of the country.

Briscoe Properties Limited, an old name in the business of real estate development is one of the several outfits turning the sod of the Ikeja GRA into crisp naira notes and smiling to the bank. Orchid Court is one of their current developments in Ikeja GRA, Marie’s Court is another. Orchid Court is located at Plot 6/7, Michael Ogun Street and comprises 4-bedroom terraced house, 3-bedroom semi-

detached house and 3-bedroom apartment each attached with a servant’s quarters. Marie’s Court is located at Rev. Ogunbiyi Street in Ikeja and comprises 3-bedroom apartment on the ground floor and 4-bedroom terraced house with a boys’ quarters. The units in Marie’s Court are retained in shell form for the buyer to complete and finish them to their own taste.

Orchid Court is an elegant collection of family homes and apartments situated in a secure and private, serene and prominent neighborhood of Ikeja GRA. Other notable features of Orchid Court are the low density character of the neighborhood, excellent spatial arrangement, beautiful landscape, lively ar-

chitectural exterior and 90 year unexpired tenure which makes it legally attractive.

Orchid Court is fully serviced with a string of facilities that include swimming pool, gym and gazebo. Electricity supply is guaranteed 24/7 round the clock with 3 heavy duty generators complimenting mains supply.

Security arrangement is boosted with unique security systems that involve a fusion of CCTV and electric fence. Potable water is sourced from bore with treatment plant. Sewage effluents have a treatment plant and thus help to preserve a decent and hygienic environment.

For Orchid Court, the 4-bedroom Terrace house carries a price tag of N140million,the

3-bedroom Terrace House N135million and the 3-bedroom flat N80 million per unit respectively. Because the units in Marie’s Court are offered for sale in shell form, there is a wide differential in price-N60million for 3-bedroom flat and N90million for 4-bedroom Terraced house.

The target market for Orchid Court is essentially for those who want to buy for investment purpose because the apartments are occupied currently by tenants with tenures that will expire next year.

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Sports Godzilla vows to win WBF title for Nigeria at GOtv Boxing Night 20

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Stories by ANTHONY NLEBEM

noriode “Godzilla” Ehwarieme of Nigeria has vowed to defeat his opponent, Argentina’s Ariel “Chiquito” Baracamonte, when they clash for the World Boxing Federation (WBF) Intercontinental heavyweight title at GOtv Boxing Night 20.

Their clash will headline the nine-bout boxing show, which holds on 28 December at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. The show will also feature live musical performances by Zlatan Ibile, Mayorkun and Ortisefemi among other artistes.

Speaking after his training in Lagos, Godzilla, whose 18 fights have yielded 17 victories by knockout and a loss, said he is aiming to win the title for Nigeria.

“This fight is a fight for my country. I will do everything legitimate to ensure the belt comes to Nigeria. Argentina tends to beat us at football and I intend to summon the spirit that propelled Nigeria to win the gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games to avenge our numerous defeats by Argentina on the football pitch,” he said.

The hulking ring artist said he is familiar with Argentine boxers, having had nine fights in the country. While he is fighting Chiquito for the first time, he, however claimed to be familiar with his strengths and weakness through videos of his previous fights.

“I have watched videos of him of fighting.

I’m taller than he is, meaning I have a longer reach. He likes to get close to his opponents, but I’ll keep him at a distance and punish him once the opportunity arises. He won’t be able to cope with my punches and I’m confident that the fight will not go beyond two rounds,” he bragged.

Three other title fights are scheduled to hold at the event. They include a defence of the West African Boxing Union (WABU) lightweight title by Rilwan “Real One” Oladosu, who faces Ghana’s Ezekiel Anan; WABU welterweight title defence by Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde, who takes on Ghana’s Sanitor Agbenyo; and the national bantamweight title bout between Sadiq “Happy Boy Adeleke and Opeyemi “Sense” Adeyemi.

Other bouts are the national featherweight challenge clash between Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje and Olusegun Moses, national super featherweight contest between Ridwan “Scorpion” Oyekola and Sikiru “Omo Iya Eleja” Shogbesan; national light heavyweight duel between Adewale “Masevex” Masebinu, and Olanrewaju Segun. Professional debuts for Alaba “Eylbow” Omotola and Bolaji “Fight to Finish” Abdullahi and an all-female bout between rising star, Cynthia “Boby Girl” Ogunsemilore and Aminat Yekini.

The best boxer at the show will win a cash prize of N1 million attached to the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy.

Can Arsenal continue resurgence against Man City?

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overs of football have another exciting weekend to look forward to as the biggest games, including a showdown between struggling North London giants, Arsenal and Manchester City on Sunday, December 15.

Arsenal will aim to capitalise on their resurgence with a victory over Pep Guardiola’s City, after coming from behind to record a 3-1 victory over West Ham on Monday. The win was the North London outfit’s first in 8 games and the Gunners will be hoping that their forwards get firing against the Citizens. Champions Manchester City will be aiming for a victory at the Emirates, as they can’t afford any further slip up in the League after losing ground on leaders Liverpool.

At Old Trafford, Manchester United will relish a clash with Everton on Sunday after

seeing their fortunes turn around for good in recent weeks. The Red Devils will be in high spirits following a surprising 2-1 win over Manchester City last Saturday, but Everton will pose a tough test for Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s side as the Toffees strive to climb up the table.

On Sunday, Wolverhampton Wanderers face stiff test against Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur side.

Elsewhere, in Spain, Real Madrid will aim to intensify pressure on Barcelona at the top of the LaLiga table with a tasty game against Valencia at the Mestalla before the Classico three days later, while Sevilla will take on Villareal in another interesting clash.

In Italy, league leaders Internationale travel to Fiorentina for a showdown on Sunday after getting kicked out of the Champions League on Tuesday night while rivals Juventus will host Udinese in an interesting round of games in Serie A.

BDSUNDAY 43

Will Nigerian born Kamaru Usman retain his UFC Welterweight Championship?

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amaru Usman, Nigerian-American and the current UFC Welterweight Champion is scheduled to face Colby Covington in a showdown at the Ultimate Fighting Championship 245 on Sunday, December 15, 2019.

Fans and lovers of UFC will eagerly look forward to the outcome of this fight, as Usman will fight to retain his UFC Welterweight Championship title.

His opponent, Colby Covington, an American mixed martial artist, and former Interim UFC Welterweight Champion, is set to challenge Kamaru Usman who became the first African fighter to win the UFC Welterweight Championship in March 2019. Usman had entered the UFC by winning season 21 of The Ultimate Fighter, and he has turned away every opponent in front of him since.

Covington was said to have made his UFC debut as a 5-0 fighter in August 2014, and he’s gone 10-1 in the Octagon ever since then.

Covington won the interim UFC welterweight title at UFC 225 but was stripped of the title due to his inability to unify the belt because

of injuries.

The fight will be Live on DStv Supersport 6 (CH 226) at 04:00 am.

Also happening this weekend in UFC 245 is the World Featherweight Championship in which Holloway will meet Volkanovski.

Holloway has won 13 consecutive fights while Volkanovski is undefeated in seven UFC fights. In the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight, finishers Amanda Nunes and Germaine de Randamie will rematch in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight between champion Amanda Nunes and challenger Germaine de Randamie will be an extremely tough one, as Nunes, a two-division world champ hasn’t lost in over five years.

Best Africans from the weekend: Salah and Keita step up for Liverpool

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he 2019/20 season has been an exciting one for football fans. The fans were enjoyed another great weekend of football action, with the continuation of the 2019/20 Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A campaigns.

While Sadio Mane has so often been the talisman for Premier League leaders Liverpool this season, this last weekend saw Naby Keita and Mohamed Salah step up in the Senegalese player’s absence and score a goal apiece as the Reds romped to a 3-0 win away to Bournemouth.

The goal was a particularly important one for Keita, who will hope to establish himself in the team’s line-up over the next few weeks when manager Jurgen Klopp will have to juggle commitments across the Premier League, Carabao Cup, UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup and the FA Cup. In LaLiga, the African duo of Djene Dakonam and Allan Nyom continue to do great defensive work for Getafe, who won 1-0 away to Eibar on Sunday afternoon to climb to fifth place on the table – ahead of the likes of Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid and Valencia.

Dakonam and Nyom can next be seen in LaLiga action on Sunday 15 December when Real Valladolid visit the Coliseum Alfonso Perez satdium.

The top Africans in Serie A were on show in the thrilling

clash between Bologna and AC Milan at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Sunday night. Ivorian Franck Kessie and Algerian Ismael Bennacer were key men in the midfield as the Rossoneri claimed a 3-2 away win which lifted them into the top half of the table and eased some of the pressure on Stefano Pioli.

BDSUNDAY

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SUNDAY 15 DECEMMBER 2019

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Prayer for my country, Nigeria

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ith a contrite heart, a humble spirit and on bended knees I come to you, O God, our Creator, our Father and our unfailing Guide to pray for Nigeria, the only country I can call my own. Let me first of all fully appreciate your uncommon favour by blessing us with abundant human and natural resources. Our young men and women with brilliant and creative minds are breaking academic and professional barriersand doing us proud in various spheres of human endeavor across the globe. Only you could have done this for us.

I must thank you too for freely giving to us oil and gas, several solid minerals and vast arable land, scenic and breath-taking tourist attractions, traversing rolling hills and vales, waterfalls and the aquatic splendor of the rivers and lakes flowing into the vast Atlantic Ocean. What about the clement climate of all-year round sunshine and the seasonal rains? We are grateful for all these great potentialities, even though many of us take them for granted. Honestly, I know that you are never a joker to have blessed us so richly. It is all because you have a special interest in this country; to take it to heights beyond our human imagination. But only a few know this.

Our dearly beloved Father, let me admit the bitter truth, that we have failed you in several ways by not appreciating what you have given us for free.Worse still, we have beenmisusing them in more ways than one. With profound reminiscences, during my strange encounter with you back in October 2002 you described Nigeria to my humble self as “an irritating sore by your side”! And when I asked what it was all about, you took me round this same country to pin-point sundry crimes and criminalities that trigger your angst. Was it bestiality, sodomy or homo-sexualism?

What about ritual murders, involving innocent children, importing arms and ammunition and worshipping lesser gods?What about the crop of power-poaching politicians who have sold their souls to the devil and see money and material acquisition as the be-all and end-all to life? These are just some of the ways we have irked you.

“Every time we believe we have seen the worst from our country, the shameless, opportunistic power grabbers take us back to a new low.” - Nigeria Democratic Liberty Forum, NDLF New York (June, 2010) Let your Spirit begin with the people’s mindset, to understand that in a democracy political power truly belongs to them. They should not sell their votes in exchange for peanuts and enthrone their very enemies as their leaders. They should ask that their votes count as freely cast at the polls. They should know their rights and responsibilities and stand firm in asking for good governance. They should not view those voted into power as ‘they’ and as people to be feared or worshipped but politicians to be accountable to them.

Indeed, they should be servant-leaders as former President, Umar Yar’Ardua rightly highlighted.

Touch our leaders’ hearts never to forget that power belongs to you and that they are but the chosen channels to deploy that power in the service of the people, instead of satisfying their whims and caprices. Let them value the sanctity of human life. Let them not erroneously believe that they could intimidate, torture, maim and kill fellow human beings, to satiate their ego and go Scot-free. They should understand that might is not right in a democracy, as we are not instinctdriven animals hounding for survival in a jungle!

Let them earn whatever they wantnot by using the Machiavellian tactics thatonly the end justifies the means.Let them remember what you asked Cain in the Biblical time and that the voice of the blood of their voiceless victims cries unto you on daily basis. They should remember that you will ask them to account for the innocent souls they have killed, openly or done in secrecy on the Judgment Day, as no human action and antics is hidden from you.

Let our current leaders inculcate in us a sense of history, and that of allegiance to

the country called Nigeria. Let the people understand the sacrifices made by our founding fathers and mothers too.

That once upon a time, precisely on August 13, 1947, a group of Nigerian patriots was at theLondon Office of the British Colonial Secretary, Arthur Creech-Jones to demand for the country’s political independence. They also used the opportunity to openly criticize the anti-people’s Richards Constitution.

These worthy Nigerians included Dr. NnamdiAzikiwe, Nyong Essien, P.M. Kale (from the Eastern Region).

Others were Abubakar Dipcharima (Northern Region), Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Dr. Olorun-Nimbe and Adeleke Adedoyin (Western Region).

They were delegates of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) political party.

That they were not discouraged by the colonial masters who told them to “go home and cooperate with the colonial government,” Instead, they held several meetings in places such as London, Oxford, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dublin to convince the British public that they meant serious business-that Nigeria was ripe enough for independence.

Interestingly, they had tacit support from the West African Students Union, the Pan African Federation and the League of Coloured People.

Let our children know that none of Nigeria’s founding fathers who opposed the British, especially the Jajas, Zuberus and Ovaremis was spared.

Let them know that our soldiers who they used to fight the First and Second World Wars against the Germans were neglected thereafter. And that Herbert Macaulay, the great intellectual who formed the first political party, the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) in 1922 was equally antagonised by the colonialists.

Let not our politicians become intoxicated by transient power once they mount the pedestal of power, at the local, state or federal level. Let

AYO OYOZE BAJE Baje is Nigerian first food technologist

in the media and author of ‘DRUMBEATS OF DEMOCRACY’

them not forget the people or begin to play God because of the dire consequences of their evil deeds.Let them have a sense of history and remember howAdolf Hitler, Paul Pot, KertusodiroSuharto, Saddam Hussein, Idi Dada Amin, Nero, Haiti’s Jean Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier, Ethiopia’s Mengistu Haile Mariamall ended with disgrace and death!

Indeed, no reasonable political leader would want to be equated with Paraguary’sAlferedoStoessner, Liberia’s ex-warlord Charles Taylor, Chile’s Pinochet, Central African Republic’s BedelBokassa and Zaire’s Mobutu SeseSeko.

Guide our leaders right to act as the father-figures that provide and provide for the citizens and never to tread the ignoble paths that led to the clearly avoidable Biafra war. Instead, let them be patriotic, selfless, ensure inter-ethnic equity and harmony. Let them respect the constitutional provisions, the separation of power and the rule of law they swore to uphold. Let them be reminded always of the inspiring words of our first National Anthem: “Though tribe and tongue may differ, In brotherhood we stand, Nigerians all, are proud to serve Our sovereign Motherland.

Our flag shall be a symbol That truth and justice reign.”

And above all, let them imbibe in our youth the fear of you!

Thank you, Father for listening to my prayers.

Quick Takes

Off the Cuff

‘We recorded 60 electoral-related violent acts in Kogi’

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rdinarily, elections are not supposed to cause bad blood, let alone resulting in blood-letting, if the purpose of service had not been misconstrued. Public office was supposed to offer the holder an opportunity to serve the country and his/her people, selflessly. But in Nigeria, service is for self not for community. For this reason, the 2019 general election was war-like.

Innocent citizens were harassed, intimidated and some lost their lives for the simple reason that they went out to exercise their franchise.

The formula that was tested across the country by desperate politicians in March this year, was taken to another level in Kogi State on November 16 during the gubernatorial and senatorial rerun elections. Hell was let loose.

Dangerous weapons were freely used. Before the exercise, the political actors did not leave anyone in doubt of what was being expected as they allegedly sponsored thugs, who rained mayhem on opponents perceived as threats.

On the Election Day, some merchants of death visited many parts of the state, stealing peace and leaving in their trail tears and blood. In the days when Nigeria was innocent, election days afforded citizens the opportunity to relax and

mingle with one another. Today, many Nigerians have decided to disenfranchise themselves by staying in-doors all through the period of the voting exercise to avoid being hit by bullets. Elections are no longer being won by popular candidates. In fact, less-fancied candidates nowadays carry the day, with the backing of their parties and others.

Although the exercise in Kogi received global condemnation, it does not appear that the political actors have learnt anything from the outrage.

If the same election should be repeated today in the same state, it is not unlikely that more victims would be recorded. The reason is that the politicians have tasted the sweetness of free money and instant wealth that Nigeria’s political office affords. A concerned group, among several others that condemned the election in Kogi has come out with its observations. Search for Common Ground (SFCG), an international non-governmental organisation, said it recorded 60 different electoral-related violent acts during the exercise.

Lola Mamedu, Early Warning coordinator of the organisation, made the disclosure yesterday in Lokoja during her presentation at a post-election media review meeting.

Mamedu said out of the 70 incidents reported by its Long Term Observers (LTOs) from across

the 21 LGAs of the state on the election day, 60 were election-related violence cases, adding that the cases reported included killings, ballot box snatching, use of thugs to perpetrate violence, sporadic gunshots at polling units to scare voters, activities of unknown gunmen in fake police uniforms, open vote buying and selling; intimidation and harassment of voters; unprofessional conduct of security agents and some electoral officials, amongst others.

According to her, the reports they received in their database showed that electoral violence was more pronounced in areas such as Dekina, Adavi, Lokoja, Kogi -Kotonkarfe Igalamela, Ankpa, Ajaokuta, Kabba-Bunu, Ijumu and Olamaboro The organisation commended journalists and media organisations in the state for their objective reportage of the election and called for adequate security protection for members of the press while discharging their official responsibilities especially during elections.

VICTORIA NNAKAIKE, Lokoja

374%

This is the increase in the volume of non-oil exports in the country in the third quarter of the year, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) at the weekend.

It also said that the value of non-oil export rose from N222.6 billion in the second quarter to N1.08 trillion in the third quarter.

Hope rising!

“We’ve told our corps members that the allowance was captured in the 2020 Budget. Once signed into law by Mr. President, payment will commence”. …Shuabu Ibrahim, directorgeneral of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), speaking on plans by the scheme to pay serving Corps members the newly approved N30,000 national minimum wage.

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