BusinessDay 15 Mar 2020

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Sunday 15 March 2020

Cover Looming global recession tests Nigeria’s readiness for economic diversification CALEB OJEWALE

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igeria is standing feebly on wet floor and vulnerable to harsh economic realities, with the global economy down on its knees, as markets across the world take a beating from the coronavirus pandemic that has seen countries announce restrictions that will put a strain on economic activity this year.

Containment measures have resulted in drastic reductions in international and domestic transportation around the world as countries respond to the rapid spread of the virus, according to the International Energy Agency in its Oil Market Report (OMR) for March. The report further says while data are far from complete, in the first quarter, the visible decline in transport, industrial and commercial activity points to a massive drop in global oil demand of 2.5 mb/d compared with the first quarter of last year. This includes an estimated annual decline of 4.2 mb/d in February, of which 3.6 mb/d was in China.

From being a China problem, the pandemic has become an oil market problem, and invariably a potential nightmare for Nigeria if the situation is not resolved in the nearest future. Oil has traded $20 below Nigeria’s budget benchmark for 2020, with a deficit already in sight and likely to be worsened if the country will not even find buyers at the already low price.

Earlier in the week, it was revealed that Nigeria had about 50 cargoes of crude oil with no available buyers due to drop in demand. “Today, I can share with you that there are over 12 stranded LNG cargoes in the market globally. It has never happened before,” said Mele Kyari, groupmanaging director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) during a roundtable session by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

In 2019, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed Nigeria’s Crude oil exports with a value of N3.6 trillion accounted for 76.08 percent of total exports, while on the import side, manufactured goods were 73.13 percent of total imports with a N3.9 trillion value.

On one hand, Nigeria’s economy depends on the export of crude oil for the country to keep running, while on the other hand, the country also relies on importation of manufactured goods,

R-L: Aderemi Adebowale, special adviser, Office of Civic Engagement; Solape Hammond, special adviser to the Governor on SDGs & Lagos Global; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor; Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, senior special assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Joke Silva, chairman, Advisory Board, 17 Goals Africa; Segun Dawodu, commissioner for Youth and Social Development, and Kayode Oluokun, co-founder, 17 Goals Africa, during the presentation of the 2020 Global Goals Women World Cup Ball to the Governor at Lagos House, Marina.

especially machinery for the local economy to be productive.

However, with more countries restricting economic activities as they try to contain the spread of the Coronavirus, Nigeria is left exposed; finding it hard to sell its crude oil, and at the same time, difficult to import manufactured goods for the use of industry and ordinary Nigerians.

“Our import last year was almost $47billion. It is not sustainable. We cannot have 200 million people, growing at an average 2.7 percent and we are importing most of the things we consume,” said Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and president of the Dangote Group during the CBN roundtable event. “We need to be more serious so we don’t keep talking about diversification. It has been very elusive.”

In China where the outbreak started and has recorded more casualties, economic activity has been reported to plunge in February, setting the stage for what could be the country’s first economic contraction since the 1970s.

This is compounding an already fragile global economy, with Bloomberg reporting that the economies of Japan, Germany, France and Italy were already shrinking or stalled before the virus outbreak, and the U.K. is wobbling amid Brexit uncertainty.

The ‘Trade and Development Report’ for 2019 by the United

Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) noted that, a spluttering North, a general slowdown in the South and rising levels of debt everywhere are hanging ominously over the global economy; these, combined with increased market volatility, a fractured multilateral system and mounting uncertainty, are framing the immediate policy challenge.

With the coronavirus, more people are encouraged to stay at home and avoid travel, countries are announcing visa, flight and other forms of travel restrictions to keep people contained

We can diversify the economy through agriculture and manufacturing.

Manufacturing creates a lot of jobs, creates middle class and transforms families

in a way, and sporting events are getting cancelled. Added to this, factory shutdowns in China and other countries and the possibility of more disruptions in other parts of the world, have heightened uncertainty in supply chains. All of this will impact the global economy as every naira or dollar not spent, is money the global economy may never recover again.

Years of rhetoric on economic diversification in Nigeria have not become a reality, as the country’s near-absolute dependence on crude oil does not appear to have improved in recent years.

“We can diversify the economy through agriculture and manufacturing. Manufacturing creates a lot of jobs, creates middle class and transforms families,” said Dangote. “These are the areas we need to focus on. But how do you diversify into manufacturing and make it an inclusive growth? You need to do more of backward integration or import substitution.”

The IEA’s report says “the immediate outlook for the oil market will ultimately depend on how quickly governments move to contain the coronavirus outbreak, how successful their efforts are, and what lingering impact the global health crisis has on economic activity.”

However, the question for Nigeria remains how long the country plans to keep its survival at the mercy of the uncertainties

synonymous with the international oil market. For years, successive administrations had expressed plans to diversify the economy by focusing more on agriculture, but growth in the sector has not shown this is happening.

In an earlier eight-year analysis by BusinessDay, between 2011 and 2018, for every year the agric sector recorded a growth, it would decline the following year, and as abysmal as this was, it became an established pattern for six years between 2011 and 2016. In 2017, however, the sector declined in growth rate (as expected going by this pattern), and this decline continued in 2018.

In 2019, the agric sector finally grew by 2.36 percent, an increase of 0.24 percentage points and the first such growth to be recorded under Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency. Yet, the current growth rate is still lower than what was recorded in 2016 and even 2017.

The Foreign Trade Statistics report for 2019 by the NBS also indicated a 10.6percent decline in the value of agricultural exports by N32billion from N302billion exported in 2018 to N270billion. At a time when oil income is bound to dwindle, agriculture, which should come to the rescue also does not appear up to the task in rescuing the Nigerian economy, a trait shared by other sectors.

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Sunday 15 March 2020

News APC South-south leaders nominate Victor Giadom as Oshiomhole’s replacement Iniobong Iwok with agency

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eaders of the south-south region of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have asked the party’s national executive council (NEC) to confirm Victor Giadom as acting national chairman.

Gaidom, who is currently the acting national secretary, had announced that he had taken over the running of the party following the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as national chairman.

At the end of a zonal caucus meeting which was held in Abuja, the leaders of the region said Gaidom should replace Oshiomhole for now so as to maintain the zoning arrangement of the party’s leadership.

They also insisted that the party’s NEC meeting scheduled for March 17

must take place.

They asked all members of the party from the six states in the geopolitical zone to attend the NEC meeting, despite the call

by Hillard Eta, South-south national vice-chairman, for the boycott of the meeting.

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, read a communiqué after the end of the meeting, saying that the leaders of the party in the region arrived at the decision after an extensive deliberation.

According to him, “At the meeting, the leaders of the zone deliberated extensively on situation in the party and at the end of the meeting, they adopted the following resolutions.

“That as a party, we commend our brother, the Acting Chairman of the APC, Victor Giadom, for rising to the occasion by providing leadership for the party in this trying times.

“That we fully support the convening of the Na-

Victor Giadom

tional Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 17th, as the NEC is the only recognised organ under the constitution of our party to resolve the APC crisis.

“That we insist that the party should respect the current zoning arrangement by retaining the chairmanship of our great party in the South-South zone even in an acting capacity.”

Obaseki further said: “We resolved that the

most senior officer of the party from the zone, being the National Acting Secretary, Chief Victor Giadom, should be confirmed Acting National Chairman for the time-being.

“We urged all our brothers and sisters from the zone to fully embrace the NEC meeting and not boycott the emergency NEC meeting, which has been slated for Tuesday March 17th because boycott in a democratic environment is always counterproductive.”

The communiqué also listed those present at the meeting to include: Rotimi Amaechi, Goddy Agba , Osagie Ehanire and Festus Keyamo.

Others include Oserheimen Osunbor, former governor of Edo, Dakuku Peterside, immediate past director-general of Nigerian Maritime Safety Administration Agency (NIMASA), and Usani Usani, former minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

Obiano congratulates Offodile on his appointment as NIMASA executive director AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

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overnor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has congratulated Chudi Offodile on his recent appointment as one of the executive directors of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Offodile was on Wednesday announced the new NIMASA executive director in charge of Finance, following the reorganisation o f t h e a g e n c y ’s t o p management by the Federal Government.

According to a statement issued in Awka on Friday signed by Don Adinuba , commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, the state government described Offodile’s appointment as “eminently deserving as he is worth everything in gold”.

O f f o d i l e , a l a w y e r, political analyst and author, represented the Awka Fe d e r a l C o n s t i t u e n c y in the National Assembly from 1999 to 2005 and was simultaneously chairman of the sub-committee on Gas and chairman of the Special Committee on Joint Venture Oil Operations, and he later headed the Committee on Public Petitions.

“Though, he left the legislature 15 years ago”, the statement said, “his colleagues and officials of the National Assembly speak nostalgically about him on account of the brilliance, commitment and vibrancy he displayed as a lawmaker.

The statement further reads: “Having discharged his duties with aplomb, he set a standard by which a lot of his colleagues are still judged in matters of transparency, probity and commitment to the common good as well as legislative delivery”.

According to Adinuba, Offodile was one of the first major investors in the state after the restoration of democratic rule in Nigeria in 1999 “and he encouraged many people from Anambra State to follow his bold example of ‘Think Home’.

Given his impressive record, Adinuba said that Governor Willie Obiano appointed Offodile last December as a member of the Anambra State Vision 2070 Committee, a group drawing up a strategic plan to make the state attain the status of a fully developed entity in the next 50 years.

He noted that the committee is headed by former Central Bank g o v e r n o r, Ch u k w u m a Soludo, a distinguished Economics professor.

IWD: Chatroom puts gender-based violence on the front burner

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L-R, Issa Aremu, general gecretary NUTGTWN, Kole Shittima, chairperson planning committee, Owei Lakemfa, former national secretary NLC, Bayo Olukoshi, lead speaker and Kabiru Yusuf, chairman Media Trust Limited during a memorial colloquium, theme “The Future of Democracy in Nigeria” for Bjorn Beckman, comrade scholar internationalist and friend of Nigeria, in Abuja. picture by TUNDE ADENIYI.

Warning strike: FG, ASUU urged to seek amicable resolution of issues SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin

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he Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have been urged to seek peaceful and amicable way of settling the lingering issues of salary payment.

A group of students of the University of Ilorin made the appeal Friday in an interview with BusinessDay in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

The two weeks’ warning strike by ASUU over nonpayment of salaries of lecturers who failed to enroll in the Federal Government’s Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), started Tuesday.

The warning strike has consequently paralysed academic activities at the University of Ilorin, including the examinations that had started before the strike.

Jamiu Fatima, a postgraduate student of Mass Commu-

nication, expressed dismay over the strike, saying: “It’s quite painful that we had our mind on starting exams on 11th of this month but strike started same day.

“The truth is ASUU going on strike is for a genuine cause, if they join IPPIS as requested by the FG then it won’t be favourable to ASUU. So, I feel the government should exempt Academic staff from the IPPIS.” Fatima, who lamented that she had already made

plans on how long she would stay in Ilorin which have now been altered, saying: “I’m staying back because I can’t afford to travel and come back again for exams.

“My appeal is that the FG should hear the voice of ASUU because if they join IPPIS as requested by the FG it wouldn’t be favourable to them.”

Others, who spoke to BusinessDay equally wanted the strike to be called off for them to complete their exams.

s part of activities marking the International Women’s Day, Harriet Thompson, the Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, hosted guests to an exclusive screening of the movie, Chartroom, produced by Peju Ibekwe. The movie was produced to help women who are affected by domestic violence to break their silence and start the process of healing.

Speaking at the event, Peju Ibekwe, the producer of the film said she was motivated to produce it because of the remarkable increase in the number of violence recorded against women in the last three years. According to her, the project started since 2016 and was supported by the Bank of Industry and Sterling Bank.She said there are many families that are suffering in silence as a result of domestic violence, remarking that until they speak out about it, they will not come out of it.

“So they need to get into the Chatroom to unburden the loads in their hearts. We are doing this so that our children can have proper fathers and mothers in the future,” Ibekwe said.

While seeking partnerships from public spirited corporate organisations to

partner on the screening of the film to women groups across the country, she said efforts would also be made to train counsellors, screen in schools and set up trained counselling teams across all tertiary institutions in the country.

Ibekwe said free brochures would be given at all screenings on “how to protect your wards from abuse, how to protect yourself from abuse and what to do if abused.”

The Chatroom is based on a TV reality show where Ebiere, one of the contestants, hopes to escape the haunting ghost of her past deprivation, although fate has a different, intriguing and far-reaching thrust for her. An altercation leads to her revealing secrets that would have consequenceswithintheshowandbeyond up to the highest hierarchy of government.

The movie is highly entertaining and filled with a lot of humour and laughter without losing the message.

Some of the leading actors in the film are Odunlade Adekola, Tony Umez, Akpororo, Ronya Man, Nengi Adoki, Omawunmi Megbele, Sambasa Nzeribe, Damilare Kuku, Vivian Anani and Rykardo Agbor among others.

Sunday 15 March 2020

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News APC crisis deepens as new National Organising Secretary emerges ... Insists on Tuesday NEC meeting James Kwen, Abuja

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he leadership crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives C o n g r e s s ( A P C ) Fr i d a y took another dimension when the Deputy National Organising Secretary of the party, Muhammad Ibrahim declared himself, Acting National Organising Secretary.

Ibrahim, who made this declaration while briefing journalists in Abuja, said the development is in reference to a Federal High Court judgment in September 2018 which annulled the election of Emmanuel Ibediro as National Organising Secretary.

He said Ibediro held tenaciously to the office with the support of the then party’s National Chairman,

Adams Oshiomhole, the action which he described as erroneous and autocratic, stressing that APC must be rebranded.

“If you recall very well, the genesis of the crisis that rocked particularly the election of the National Or g a n i s i n g Se c r e t a r y, Emmanuel Ibediro no doubt contested the election of the National Organising Secretary.

By virtue of respect to constituted authorities and rule of law, the Federal High Court under Justice Dimgba annulled the election of the National Organising Secretary.

“It was a clear judgment and can’t be appealed. So by the virtue of judgment passed on the 14th of September, 2018, there is judgment nullifying all that happened till fresh elections are held.

Erroneously or autocratically,

the then Chairman of the party held to Emmanuel Ibediro”, Ibrahim stated.

The Acting National Organising Secretary insisted that the Tuesday National Executive Committee of the Meeting remains sacrosanct, stressing that, the story making the rounds that the NEC meeting may either not hold or be scuttled is untrue and unjustified.

“I, as the Ag. National Organising Secretary of our great party the APC, wish to hereby clear the air on the controversy in the media over organizational issues, notably the forthcoming NEC meeting scheduled for 17th March, 2020.

“I wish to assure Nigerians that the organization of the NEC meeting has already reached advanced stage and will proceed as planned.

“I wish to advise those who are trying to distract

the attention of the party with rumors of possible last minute and/or ‘scuttling it to desist from spreading such rumors. We are compelled to conclude that there is plan by desperate forces, working with interests outside the system,tocreatefalseflagasa strategy for distraction of our great party. This negative plan, I dare say, is dead on arrival.

“I call on all loyal party members to sustain the tempo of their loyalty as we brace up for the challenges of rebranding our great party.

“I solicit the support of all stakeholders, including you the media in promoting the truth, spirit of reconciliation and unity of purpose in the APC. I assure you all that on my part as Ag National Organising Secretary, I will givemyverybesttoachieving the Bible objectives of this party and our government at all levels,” he added.

‘We want to foster creative approach to learning for next generation leaders’ Kelechi Ewuzie

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etermined to foster 21st-century education that is not centered only on the basic Mathematics, English and Science, Hampton Preparatory School has opened a new location for its Upper School in Lagos.

Kemi Balogun, Linda Ad e y e m i - Ha s t r u p a n d Iyefe Oludoyi, directors of the school, said the upper school aims to value and recognise the uniqueness and achievement of every student, with a sole mission of creating a stimulating learning environment, where all students can grow in confidence and develop their full potential.

“The progress of every child is very important to us, we aim to nurture and support all abilities, helping every child to achieve his/ her potential in all areas of learning - intellectual, emotional, physical, social, moral, spiritual and cultural,” the directors said.

In her opening address, Bolanle Austen-Peters, member of the Board of Governors, observed that Education was about touching the hearts and souls

L-R: Roy K. Lillyman; Linda Adeyemi-Hastrup; Kemi Balogun; Bamidele Abiodun; Iyefe Oludoyi; Peter Thomas and Emma Elegbe at the official opening of Hampton Preparatory School in Lagos.

of each student and letting them explore their Godgiven talent.

Austen-Peters further said that the 21st-century education should also give young people the ability to think outside the box and the opportunity to explore their passions.

“Hampton Preparatory School was created out of the imagination of a group of women and men who wanted to add something positive to the Nigerian education system,” AustenPeters said.

Roy K. Lillyman, head of Upper School, in his official

address, said that a unique feature about the school was its family atmosphere and small class size that ensures an environment where all students can grow.

“Hampton Prep is a school where all students are valued and prepared to face the challenges the world may bring; it provides a common identity, sense of belonging, common good of community and country,” Lillyman said.

The head of upper school, who has served in various leadership capacities in the Nigerian educational sector for over 16 years, pointed out that Hampton Preparatory

School has shown its worldclass capabilities regardless of its short record.

According to him, “It gives students, staff, and parents something to value, something worth respecting and a worldclass experience.” Folakemi Fatogbe, a member of the board of directors of the school, said that Education should be given more attention in Nigeria, stressing that children should be educated differently.

“Teachers should be heavily invested in the growth of their students,” Fatogbe said.

Intra-party crisis rocks Arochukwu PDP in Abia UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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nthony Nwankwo, chairman of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, has dismissed as baseless, the news making the rounds that there was no peace in the party at the L.G.A, saying that the party under his watch has remained intact.

Nwankwo’s reaction is coming on the heels of alleged accusation by the Transition Committee Chairman of Arochukwu Local Government Area, Emmanuel OkwuObasiKanu, that the LGA PDP chairman, Anthony Nwankwo was sabotaging efforts to return peace to the LG chapter of the ruling party in the state, ahead of the forthcoming PDP Congresses across the state.

Kanu, who made the allegation in a statement signed by his Chief of Staff, Emmanuel Awah and the Deputy Chairman of PDP in Arochukwu, Ezinne Grace

Chijioke which was made available to newsmen, further attributed the party’s poor performance in the local government during the 2019 election to lack of peace.

The TC chairman was reported to have unraveled plans by Nwankwo to go against the directive of the state Governor, OkezieIkpeazu and other party bigwigs in the local government by attempting to hold a parallel stakeholders’ meeting at the party office without following due process, a move he claimed was thwarted, forcing the chairman and his loyalists to relocate to the home of another party chieftain.

Nwankwo in his reaction, reminded the Transition Committee Chairman that he was only on transition and the party’s constitution reserved no special recognition for him.

He wondered why the TC Chairman should organise a stakeholders’ meeting, get the deputy chairman of the party to sign the announcement while he was still alive and functioning as Arochukwu L.G.A PDP Chairman.

IGP strategises for implementation of community policing Innocent Odoh, Abuja

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he Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has said that the recent upsurge in crimes across states of the federation and Abuja has prompted the urgent need to implement community policing.

The police boss made this known at the Strategic Police Managers Meeting in Abuja on Friday, which was the first strategic management meeting to be held by the Nigeria Police this year, a statement issued on Friday by Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba said.

The IGP noted that recent incidents of armed banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery most especially in Kaduna, Niger, Kogi, Katsina and Zamfara States have prompted the need for the full and speedy roll-out of the Community Policing strategy across the country. “ Ac c o r d i n g l y, a s conceptualized, formulated, and approved by the Government, the current effort will be citizen-centered and driven by members of each community,” he said.

Adamu added that the plan will involve the setting up of Community Policing Committees (CPCs) at the Ward, Local Government, and State levels including the Federal Capital Territory.

The Committees, when inaugurated, are to identify credible and suitable citizens from across each locality for appointment as Special Constables who will serve as Community Policing Officers (CPOs), the statement said.

“The Committees are also expected to identify the security challenges peculiar to their communities and partner with the local police in formulating plans that would mitigate the challenges. The Community Policing Officers are to deal with and resolve low-level security issues without necessarily resorting to Police Stations unless the issue is of serious legal and security consequences and require police intervention.

The idea is to improve the capacity of communities to develop solutions to local security problems working closely with their local police,” he said.

The IGP said that when community police becomes fully operational, the citizens would be in control of their security with the guidance of thePoliceandtheCommunity Policing Committees, while the Nigeria Police would then concentrate on the management of violent and other highly organized crimes with a view to pro-actively responding to them in a manner that engender public confidence, trust, and public satisfaction in police service delivery.

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News

Dangote advocates made-in-Nigeria...

Continued from Page 1

L-R: Judith Mbonu, general manager procurement - ExxonMobil, president Women in Energy Network (WIEN) and Funmi Ogbue, managing director Zigma; Patricia Simon-Hart, managing director/CEO, Aftrac Limited; Awuneba Ajumogobia, director Multistream Energy Limited, during breakfast session tagged “closing the energy gap” organized by WEIN to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day held in Lagos recently.

Surviving in ‘famine’: Business leaders point the way for Nigeria Ignatius Chukwu (Port Harcourt) and Obinna Emelike (Lagos)

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hile many economists think Nigeria is still recovering from the impact of the 2016 economic recession; nobody knew that tougher one is on the way. Even President Muhammadu Buhari, in his second term inaugural speech, urged Nigerians to brace up for tougher times.

Yes, the tougher time is truly here with Nigerians, as Conoravirus has negatively impacted global economies hugely, with oil price slumping daily and causing panic to economies that depend on oil revenue like Nigeria. The realisation of the budget is threatened as the oil benchmark, which the budget was hedged on is fallen.

However, many are saying that Nigeria will survive the current situation as it has been living in such situations for a long time now.

Top business leaders in Port Harcourt have refused to see panic and danger in the crash of Nigeria’s oil economy caused by coronavirus and Russia oil price war with Saudi Arabia.

The President of the Rivers Entrepreneurs and Investors Forum (REIF), Ibifiri Bobmanuel, a tractor assembly plant CEO, called this a golden moment to do what is necessary.

Theengineerandglobetrotter called for complete deregulation of the downstream sector and closing the foreign exchange differentials on different windows.

He said: “This is a golden opportunity to completely deregulate and develop the local economy. This oil price crash is another opportunity and the FG must immediately remove subsidy.”

Bobmanuel wants the forces of demand and supply to be allowed to decide the market just as he has urged the FG to close the rate differences in the various foreign exchange windows.

He said: “Let the private sector take over fully and run the economy. Borrowing to support infrastructure is no more viable. Instead, create conditions for private investors to come in and invest in them. Open up the space instead of borrowing to invest in infrastructure.

Yes, scale back on the 2020 budget but allow the private sector to take over provision of infrastructure”.

The immediate past national vice chairperson and council member of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ekama Emilia Akpan urged the FG to look inwards right now.

She joined in seeing this as an opportunity to readdress the nation’s situation. She urged the government to sit down with MAN on how to manufacture almost all national needs locally.

She went on: “Give easy loans to SMEs to support a new economy through a Do-It-Yourself scheme. She warned that importation is no more an attraction and that even of something is ordered from abroad right now, shipping may be an issue because importation has been endangered.

“This is a blessing in disguise, so manufacture things

locally now especially foods and medicals. Let government agencies slow down on harassing businesses. Most schools abroad have closed down. The FG should find ways to keep children busy and alert in the brain.

“Let there be coaching on emergency approaches and use of things such as lime.

Bring back retired health officials to help in a national emergency scheme ahead of serious epidemic in our land based on what we see happening around the world.

Women and children should be given special attention in the coming days.”

She further said: “Finally, Israel prayed against Coronavirus and God seems to have answered them. Senegal has made progress also.”

“I did not see the ‘old good days’ neither my children. I have also adapted realities in the country from N1 to £1, N1-$150 for a long time to N1 to $360. If a dollar exchanges for N500, we will still survive, all it takes is to adjust our lifestyle”, Chumka Emordi, an economist said.

Adewale Ogini, a lawyer, noted that Nigerians are built to survive going by the harsh conditions they work in, earn their living and live in everyday. “We will survive; all it takes is drastic adjustments.

No more UK universities or Nigerian private schools if you cannot afford it. Overseas holidays are canceled, travel is now when it is very necessary and people will have to honorably leave Ikoyi and Lekki axis to areas they can afford. Nobody will care about what people will say again because everybody is impacted in one way or the other,” the lawyer said.

Abuja at the Roundtable parley with the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, with the theme ‘Going for Growth 2.0’, said the Asian Tigers are focused on exports because of the size of their markets, hence they produce for outside markets.

However, the business mogul said with the size of Nigeria’s domestic market, focus should be on import substitution, economic diversification and industrialisation so as to provide for the large domestic market and reduce the huge import bill, which stood at $47 billion as at 2019. He argued that if the nation can achieve 60 per cent in import substitution and diversification, this will create millions of jobs and drive inclusive growth.

He identified agriculture and manufacturing sectors as the hub round which the nation’s economic diversification should be hinged to achieve the goal of sustainable national development. He also added that several countries have achieved industrialisation through backward integration.

“We can diversify the economy through agricul-

ture and manufacturing.

Manufacturing creates a lot of jobs, creates middle class and transforms families. These are the areas we need to focus on. But how do you diversify into manufacturing and make it an inclusive growth? You need to do more of backward integration or import substitution. Our economy is great because we have a local market,” he said.

According to him, “The economy of Asia is focused on exports. But we have a domestic market with about 200 million people apart from the ECOWAS market. Our import last year was almost $47 billion. It is not sustainable. We cannot have 200 million people growing at an average 2.7 percent and we are importing most of the things we consume.”

Calling for fast-tracking of import substitution, diversification and industrialisation of the economy, Dangote cautioned that the risks are huge if the economy is not diversified as import bills would continue to mount, especially in the face of declining oil prices. He added that if import substitution and economic diversification is fully implemented,

revenue from taxation on produced goods will dwarf the one collected as import duties.

Dangote noted that diversification was possible, but, first long term funds with low interest rate should be given, as well as support by the CBN on foreign exchange. He lauded the CBN for its intervention in ensuring that the low interest rates were given to critical sectors.

To s t r e n g t h e n d o mestic manufacturing, he urged government to implement a number of policies such as local sourcing of raw materials, whereby manufacturing firms should source for local materials where available. Such a policy would reduce dependence on importation, increase production in the domestic economy and conserve foreign exchange, according to him.

He a l s o a d v o c a t e d deliberate policies to improve infrastructure for firms engaging in backward integration, adding that dedicated industrial zones and clusters with access to roads, power, and rail if possible would reduce the cost of production and improve profitability.

Government urged to ensure reality of gender equality …as UNAN partners UN to celebrate IWD Ngozi Okpalakunne

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overnment at all levels and individuals in the society have been urged to ensure that gender equality moves from being an advocacy to a reality so as to alleviate the suffering of women globally.

Speaking at a one-day forum organised recently n Lagos by the United Nations Association of Nigeria (UNAN) in collaboration with the United Nations Information Centre Lagos, and NAC CIMA Women group to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day (IDW), Joan Maduka stressed the need to change in a fundamental manner the prevailing mentality and culture about the profile and role of the female.

According to Maduka, there is also need to hold seminar sessions for male employees, so that they understand the signs and consequences of gender discrimination, adding that such will help the men become allies of female employees,

thereby creating a more collaborative, positive work environment.

Describing gender inequality as a prevalent issue that bothers most countries especially in the developing countries, she explained that it had its root way back in history, In her words: “when duties were often divided along gender lines. The philosophy behind this idea was that women needed to produce children and care for them.

Eventually, this led to another idea, that women were not as capable of other duties or job as in being a wife and mother. During this period, women were not allowed to work and were treated as fragile beings that needed protection.

“They faced intense discrimination, from a lack of legal rights and very little independence from their husbands, to being thought of as having inferior brains.

Conclusively, women have long been viewed as less than fully human.

“Unfortunately, this challenge has occurred in all societies known to history,

despite the extraordinary variations in culture and structure. The degree and specific form of gender inequality have varied greatly, but everywhere, women’s status has been secondary to men. Men usually experience better opportunities, more freedom, and higher social regard than women who share the same social characteristics, such as class, origin, race, nationality and age. Men usually hold sway in marriages and other direct relationships between women and men.”

A statement circulated during the programme which came under the theme, ‘I am Generation Equality- Realising Women’s Rights,’ from the United Nations Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngeuka described 2020 as a massive year of gender equality.

“We do not have an equal world at the moment and women are angry and concerned about the future.

They are radically impatient for change. It is an impatient that runs deep, and it has been brewing for years,” the statement read.

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Inside Lagos

7

LASG inaugurates parks monitoring committee …to go tough on alcohol consumption within motor parks JOSHUA BASSEY

I

n furtherance of effective management of traffic and public transportation in Lagos, the state government has inaugurated an 11-man committee to monitor parks spread across the state. The committee has the responsibility to also sanitise the parks.

Inaugurating committee on Friday, Oluwatoyin Fayinka, the special adviser to the state governor on transportation, charged the members to adhere strictly to the guidelines which empower to oversee all parks in the state without misrepresentation.

He added that the successful execution of the

A motor park in Lagos

task would depend on their comportment, diligence and commitment to the

work guidelines.

Also speaking at the event, the permanent sec-

retary in the ministry of transportation, Sewedo Oluseyi Whenu urged the

committee to handle its duties with civility in order to ensure the impact of the initiative is felt in the transportation sector.

Whenu assured that the committee would be supported with necessary tools to enable it carry out its assigned roles. He said that the committee would be expected to provide weekly reports on the level of progress and other details that may be required by the government.

Director of transport operations, Gbolahan Toriola advised the parks monitors to ensure orderliness in the motor parks in line with the Transport Sector Reform Law, and the State Government White’s Paper 2012.

Other responsibilities of the committee includes;

prohibition of sale and consumption of illicit drinks especially alcoholic at motor parks, collation and dissemination of security reports from various motor parks, ensuring cleanliness of parks, prevention of conversion of motor parks to abodes for miscreants as well as sanction of parks that fail to comply with the laws.

The committee headed by Tella Oluwayemisi would be aided by two senior officials in legal and secretarial relations in order to supervise their operations and provide feedback to the government on progress reports.

Chairman of the committee assured on behalf of his colleagues, to stay within the provided guidelines.

Stakeholders stage walk against building collapse

Sanwo-Olu offers best graduating student automatic employment

…decries loss of lives, property

JOSHUA BASSEY

S

cores of professional builders along with other stakeholders in the construction industry on Friday staged a walk in Lagos to demand for an urgent intervention from federal and state governments to end the menace of building collapse in Nigeria.

The walk was also to commemorate the 2020 maiden Builders Day organised by the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB).

The walk began with a visit to the 63, Massey Street, Ita- Faaji building collapse site for prayers and laying of wreaths in remembrance of children and adults who lost their lives in the March 13, 2019 incident.

The builders proceeded to the Ikeja local government secretariat from they walked to the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex and Ndubusi Kanu Park, Alausa, Ikeja for public enlightenment and advocacy .

Among those who participated in the walks were manufacturers of building materials, building artisans and professionals. They were seen carrying placards with inscriptions such as: “obey the law, engage registered builders, builders are specialists, we are builders”.

Kunle Awobodu, president, NIOB, said that the builders’ day had been earmarked by the institute to hold on March 13 of very year.

This, he said, was to commiserate with the bereaved families on the demise of the

school children and occupants of the five-storey Ita-Faaji, Lagos Island building which collapsed.

“The premature death of school children in a building that was constructed by quacks (developers) and had been showing visible signs of distress revealed a negligence that could not be excused by the government.

“The builders’ day in Nigeria is for the promotion of standard building construction that should add value to the dreams of prospective homeowners.

“A day for well meaning Nigerians to all say ‘no to building collapse’.

“From the fear of building collapse emerges the hope of a result-oriented building control that will correct the mistakes of the past and prevent further construction of substandard buildings,” he said.

According to him, frequent building failure in a nation due, majorly, to quackery is an abnormality that should not be allowed to continue in a sane society where the rule of law prevails.

Awobodu said the construction of buildings to standard in Nigeria is the demand of the practitioners from the government.

He explained that to forestall poor production of buildings on sites, the Nigerian government took some proactive measures by enacting into law, the Builders Act through Decree 45 of 1989, now CAP 23 LFN 2004.

The NIOB president said the essence of the Act, among others, was to ensure that trained and licensed builders solely manage the production of buildings on sites in order to ascertain quality output.

He questioned why the nation was still plagued with the sordid crisis of building collapse that continues to injure and kill innocent people.

Awobodu said this is to the detriment of national development and Nigeria’s image, despite the appropriate and commendable system already in place by the government.

He urged the Federal Government to emulate the approach adopted by the Lagos State government in its new building regulation with commitment and enforcement across the country in line with global best practice.

“Importantly, the government should be reminded of the fundamental relevance of building to its citizenry.

“Out of three basic needs of man, that is, food, clothing and shelter, shelter or building is the one that can stand the test of time – building is the most durable, and hence, it is cherished by the citizens as the bequest for the unborn.

“With the aspiration most Nigerians nurse to have their own buildings, the Nigerian government should assist them to ensure that they do not fall victims of the preying quacks, also, impostors that are currently superintending where they lack competence and thereby turning shelter into grave,” he said.

I

t was all joy for Nkechi Alexandra Kingsley, overall best graduating student of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) during the school convocation on Thursday, as Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu offered her automatic employment.

Kingsley graduated with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.93 on a scale of 4.0.

With the job offer, she is to work in the school.

Kingsley, who finished from the Department of Chemical Engineering, was the cynosure of all eyes when she stepped out to receive the prizes from the governor at the 27th convocation of the polytechnic at the Ikorodu campus.

A total of 16,315 students in combined sets of 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 academic sessions, who completed their programmes in the Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND), were graduated by the school, with 598 graduands finishing with distinction.

Also, 5,332 graduands finished with Upper Credit; 8,268 with Lower Credit and 2,117 got Pass.

Sanwo-Olu, who is the school’s moderator, charged the graduands to see their

periods of learning in the polytechnic as more than just an effort to obtain certificates. The governor said the graduates must deploy their knowledge and skills to advance development and prosperity wherever they find themselves.

Sanwo-Olu said the technical skills received by the graduates must never be seen as a second fiddle to university education, stressing that the polytechnic certificates had equal value and can serve as alternative to university degrees.

“On the education landscape, polytechnics occupy a very important position.

They are seen as the bastions of technological innovation and development. As Nigeria strives to join the league of industrialised nations, we must develop industrial capacity, which also means that we must be able to offer to the world goods and services that are of greater economic value.

“Our polytechnics must be properly positioned for these opportunities. Technical education must never be seen as playing second fiddle to university education; both must be seen as equallyplaced alternatives for young people on the journey to a productive future. My administration will not allow the Lagos State Polytechnic to lag behind in any way.”

Sa n w o - Ol u s a i d t h a t the vision was to catalyse

the development of the polytechnic and make it a world-class tertiary institution that will produce graduates who know and are confident of their place in the demanding world of the 21st century.

As the graduands were leaving the school to pursue different career paths, Sanwo-Olu charged them to prepare for opportunities that could accelerate their professional elevation after school, stressing that opportunities often hide in the midst of challenges and difficulties.

“Self-development is critical. Stay hungry for knowledge and never rest on your oars. Many of the things people complain about contain opportunities for enterprising people to make a difference,” the governor said.

To strengthen the capacity of the school management in administration, Sanwo-Olu announced that his government would be building a befitting administrative block and a mini fire station.

He also said that there would be a replica of Public Private Partnership (PPP)driven accommodation programme in LASPOTECH as currently being done at Lagos State University (LASU).

The rector, Samuel Sogunro lauded the government for unflinching support for the school in its journey to attain excellence.

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PhotoSplash

L-R: Anthony Okoeguale, internship and alumni relations manager, School of Media and Communication, PanAtlantic University (PAU); Rosemary Okolo, registrar, PAU; Marilyn Maduka, people director, International Breweries Plc., and Nkiru Ukachukwu, career and internship manager, PAU, at the 2020 PAU career fair in Lagos recently..

Director in Charge, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mrs. Esther Kwaghe with NCPC Chairman, Rev. Yomi Kasali on her left and others during a 2 days Retreat between Board and Management of the Commission at Barcelona Hotel in Abuja, today.

L-R: Lt, Col LB Ajao Managing Director Chief Executive Officer Sujimotor Construction Limited, Mr. Sijibomi Ogundele, Col. P Kulawe and others during the sujimotors construction visit to visit to the Nigerian Army HQ Engineering Dept., in Lagos...on Friday

Abdulkadiri Saidu-Umar (l), executive secretary, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), presenting a souvenir to Adamou Arzika-Aouta, general directorate of Hydrocarbons, Ministry of Petroleum, Republic of Niger, during Nigerien Ministry of Petroleum delegation Fact-Finding visit to PPPRA Office in Abuja on Friday. NAN

Maria Edeko (l), commissioner for social development and gender issues; Omon Oleabhiele (2nd l), proprietor, T.O. Omon Traditional Home, and other members of the centre, during the commissioners visit to traditional healing centres and orphanage homes across the state.

The cross section of Angus memorial high school old student of 88sets ,at the school premise in shomolu during a novelty matches to celebrate 40th Anniversary of the school.

L-R: Tope Oluwasola, protocol officer Foursquare Church; Modupeolu Adebanjo, pastor in Charge Foursquare Gospel Church; CSP Adekunle Omisakin, DPO; Yemi Ogundein of Foursquare Church and Adeyemo DaSilva, Admin officer, Foursquare Church, when Foursquare Gospel Church Light Arena parish, Sabo Lagos made a donation of a 7.5KVA generator to the Sabo Disional Police station as part of its effort to ameliorate the power challenge the stations faces

Idu Okwuosa, founder and CEO of LasGidis Recyclers (with microphone), providing guidance to the LAWMA team during the cleanup of Freedom Way, Lekki, Lagos on Saturday, February 29, 2020 as part of efforts by LasGidis Recyclers, a Lagos-based environmentalist social enterprise, to keep Lagos clean

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Imperatives of prison reform

Publisher/Editor-in-chief

Frank Aigbogun

editor Zebulon Agomuo DEPUTY EDITOR John Osadolor, Abuja MANAGING DIRECTOR Dr. Ogho Okiti EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS Fabian Akagha 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

9

@Businessdayng

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

P

rison is an institution established by law to provide rehabilitation and correctional facility for those who violated the law as a punitive measure.

However, besides its punitive goal, prison is primarily meant to reform the inmates to be better people in the society.

Like every other society, Nigeria has her own fair share of prisons scattered all across the country.

In 1872, the colonial masters set up the Broad Street prison with a capacity for about 300 inmates. It must be stressed that the colonial prisons were not really intended, at that time, to reform prisoners.

Rather, prisoners were mostly engaged in hard labour as dictated by the colonial administration.

It is, however, sad to note that nothing really fundamental has taken place in the outlook of the colonial days’ prisons and contemporary ones in Nigeria. In terms of being a reformation home, Nige-

ria’s prisons cannot be said to be to have arrived yet. Welfare of prison inmates has always been an issue as most of the nation’s prisons are considered not too good for human habitation.

Indeed, there have often been skirmishes between prison warders and prisoners based on issues such as poor feeding arrangement, inadequate accommodation space and pathetic medical facility among others. Sometimes, some of the prisons have limited number of suitable vehicles to convey prison inmates awaiting trial to court.

These shortcomings have resulted in poor prison conditions.

Therefore, inmates face years of confinement in often cramped and dirty rooms with insufficient food allocations, inadequate minimum standard of basic hygiene and scarcity of decent clothing. A major bane of prisons across the country is overcrowding which constitutes a serious threat to the health of inmates.

According to experts, cases of jail break have been partly traced to the unbearable conditions of inmates. It is not unusual to see a typical Nigerian prisoner look so frail with rashes all over the skin, among other deadly physical diseases. While one isn’t advocating that prison inmates should be treated as Lords and Queens, at the same time, prison shouldn’t be made to be hell on earth for them.

Universally, the prison ought to train inmates in trades or vocations that could uplift them whenever

they are out of prison. The idea is to ensure that they are properly integrated into the society after their sojourn behind bar. This way, they won’t likely constitute nuisance to the society. Towards this end, prisons ought to have facilities for both formal and informal education to support the various aspirations of inmates.

Ideally, the prison aside serving as a form of punishment for offenders, is also planned to be an agent of reformation and rehabilitation. But sadly, reverse seems to be the case as too many criminal offenders emerge from prisons worse off than they initially were.

This is largely due to the fact that first time offenders are often kept together with hardened criminals and they end up being badly influenced by the latter. Consequently, they will not be able to imbibe the right values which their imprisonments were meant to inculcate.

From all indications, the prison system in our nation is in dire need of interventions from various segments of the society. Major stakeholders need to come up with ideas and initiatives that would radically alter the system. In as much as it is true that prison is in the exclusive list and not within the control of the States, it needs to be stressed that State governments should not look away at the current state of the prisons in their respective States. After all, the police are not under the State too, but the various State governments across the country have

made major interventions because of the crucial nature of the police to public security matters.

Similarly, philanthropists, religious bodies and non- governmental organizations as well as corporate bodies could also assist the prisons through donation of essential items in order to achieve the goal of actually reforming the inmates. Also, prison officials should continuously undergo trainings, particularly in inter- personal relationships and psychology in order to attain the competence required in effectively performing their duties. Equally, the issue of gangsterism, which makes some inmates deferential to others, should be properly addressed. Juvenile offenders should be housed separately from the adults to forestall undue influences.

It is, however, important to emphasize that in order to reduce the burden on prisons in the country, more emphasis needs to be placed on the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (A D R) method. The main objective of ADR is to encourage and promote the resolution of disagreements in a way that is devoid of legal action. It is on this principle that the Lagos State Government anchors the creation of the Citizens’ Mediation Centre, CMC, in 1999. The initiative is to help in settling disputes without seeking redress in courts. The goal is to ensure that much strain isn’t placed on the judicial process.

With this, the prison would attract lesser number of inmates.

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

Enquiries NEWS ROOM 08169609331 08116759816 08033160837

} Lagos Abuja

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Issue of the Week

Sanusi: The ‘Good Samaritan’ in El-Rufai ZEBULON AGOMUO

T

he Holy Book, The Bible, says: “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly, and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

Conversely, there are times when it becomes very difficult for people to identify openly and freely with those they had regarded as friends in peace time. And “when a corpse begins to emit foul odour, friends disappear,” says an African adage.

It is easy to see a corollary of all these in the parable of the Good Samaritan, which Jesus Christ told of a man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and was attacked by robbers who stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.

A priest, Jesus continued, happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. A Levite too came to the place, saw him and passed by on the other side.

“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him,” Jesus said.

When, last Monday, the Kano State government under the leadership of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, dethroned the Emir of Kano, Mohammad Sanusi 11 (Sanusi Lamido Sanusi), and banished him to Nasarawa State, it was unpopular for politicians, particularly those of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to openly condemn the sad development.

Most of the politicians were akimbo and maintained sealed lips, especially as they were not sure Ganduje could pull such a stunt without the signature of Aso Rock. Nobody wanted to lose his favour and meal ticket from the seat of power in Abuja.

So, like the attacked man on his way to Jericho, Sanusi was abandoned to his fate, while the politicians, contractors, and the big names that had dined and wined with him, maintained sealed lips.

But one man, a serving governor, who though enjoys a robust relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari, elected to pour in oil and wine to sooth Sanusi’s wounds. His name is Nasir El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna State.

El-Rufai provided his shoulder for the deposed Emir to lean on, as it were. Other governors

Governor el-Rufai paying homage to Sanusi

from the zone were thinking of the likely consequences if they openly showed their disapproval of Ganduje’s ill-treatment of Sanusi which speaks volumes of the hypocrisy that define and nurture public office in Nigeria.

A day after Sanusi’s dethronement, the Kaduna State governor appointed the deposed Emir into the board of KADIPA, the state’s investment promotion agency.

The statement announcing the appointment read: “Mallam Nasir el-Rufai has appointed His Highness, Muhammad Sanusi II, into the board of KADIPA. “The appointment is part of the reconstitution of the board of KADIPA, which is statutorily chaired by the deputy governor and has as internal members senior officials of the Kaduna State Government.

“Governor el-Rufai hopes to benefit from the profile, experience, intellect and networks of His Highness, Muhammad Sanusi, who before becoming Emir, had built a solid reputation in global financial circles.”

According to the statement, “Mallam Nasir el-Rufai said that Kaduna State was honoured to be able to call on the services of a man of such calibre to drive its development.”

Sanusi would be vice chairman of the agency while Hadiza Balarabe will be the chairperson.

While many Nigerians were pondering the authenticity of the announcement, el-Rufai

followed with another jawdropping appointment of the Emir as the new Chancellor of the Kaduna State University (KASU), succeeding Malam Tagwai Sambo.

A statement announcing the development read, “On behalf

Governor elRufai hopes to benefit from the profile, experience, intellect and networks of His Highness, Muhammad Sanusi, who before becoming Emir, had built a solid reputation in global financial circles

of the government and people of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir elRufai is delighted to appoint His Highness, Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Chancellor of the Kaduna State University. In public life, His Highness has demonstrated a strong commitment to education.

“The Kaduna State Government has no doubt that as Chancellor, His Highness Muhammadu Sanusi, would provide symbolic and substantive leadership in raising the profile of KASU as an emerging centre of learning on the national and global level.

“This appointment of the new chancellor comes at an exciting moment for KASU which is transiting to a multi-campus structure with presence across the state.

“HH Muhammadu Sanusi II replaces the pioneer Chancellor, HH Malam Tagwai Sambo, the Chief of Moro’a, who has served in that role since 2005.

Governor El-Rufai has conveyed the profound appreciation of the government to HH Malam Tagwai Sambo for the long years of distinguished service to KASU and the state.

“Malam Nasir el-Rufai welcomes with gratitude the consent of His Highness Muhammadu Sanusi to serve as Chancellor of KASU and as Vice-Chairman of the board of KADIPA. “The Kaduna State Government is grateful that HH Muhammadu Sanusi II continues to

support and assist the realisation of the governance objectives of the Kaduna State Government.”

Shortly after Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted an interim order releasing Sanusi from detention last Friday, el-Rufai again raced to Awe Local Government Area where Sanusi was residing. He greeted the deposed Emir with all the courtesies he was entitled to, and had a brief meeting with the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Thereafter, Sanusi was said to have proceeded to Lagos, where he is expected to make his home for now, until the dusts are settled.

Speaking with journalists in Awe before leaving Nasarawa State, the Kaduna State governor said: “As you know, the Federal High Court in Abuja today declared his detention illegal and unconstitutional and his banishment also in violation of the constitution, so he is free.

“He can live anywhere he wants including Kano city, if he wants. But we are on our way to Abuja. It is quite likely that the emir proceeds to Lagos which was his preferred destination from day one.

“From the day he was informed of his deposition, it was his wish to go to Lagos because part of his family is now in Lagos.

And by the grace of God we’re on our way to Lagos,” el-Rufai said.

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News Feature Nigerians foresee end of Boko Haram on back of US $7m prize on Shekau

T

INNOCENT ODOH, Abuja

here appears to be some optimism that t h e Bo k o H a r a m systemic violence against the Nigerian state and neigbouring countries may soon end or at least be curtailed to a large extent, following Wednesdays’ $7million bounty placed on the leader of the sect, Abubakar Shekau, by the President Donald Trump administration.

Some Nigerians, who spoke with BDSUNDAY, said their hope was predicated on the fact that the current US President Donald Trump has demonstrated capacity and the will to destroy terrorist elements around the world and also back US allies to eliminate the terrorists whereever they are found.

The announcement that the US had placed a bounty of $7 million for information leading to the arrest of the terrorist leader, was made in a tweet by the United States Department Rewards for Justice Programme Wednesday.

“The United States Department of State is offering a reward of up to $7 million for information leading to the arrest of the terrorist Abubakar Shekau, boss of #BokoHaram,” the tweet said.

US forces in January killed commander of Iranian al-qud forces in Iraq, Qassim Suleimani who the Trump administration considered a terrorist. This triggered a bitter diplomatic row between the US and Iran but the Trump administration, remained unperturbed, vowing to take more actions against terrorists. The Americans had also deployed drones to kill another al-qaeda leader in Iraq, Qassim Al-Rimi in February and the attention on Shekau this month may have signalled US next plan of action.

Veteran security analyst, Ben Okezie, told BDSUNDAY that ‘Shekau’, is a title for Boko Haram leaders, adding that most time they use it to confuse people. He stressed that some persons that had taken that title before had been killed and other leaders had replaced them.

“The first Shekau that succeeded former Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf, was eliminated some weeks after Mohammed Yusuf was killed by the police and another one came on board which is the one that the military under

Abubakar Shekau

Donald Trump

Buratai eliminated last year,” he claimed.

He disclosed that when the US forces killed ISIS leader, Abubakar al-Baghdadi, last year in Syria, ISIS members which Boko Haram got affiliated to, migrated to Nigeria and appointed and trained another Shekau to take charge.

“So, the US got information that he is now in Nigeria and that is why they now put the money on his head. The US has a list of many of the ISIS members targeted for elimination. They found out that a new leader has migrated to Nigeria and you can see that immediately the guy came on board; you can see the type of killings that were happening in Nigeria; the war escalated again,” Okezie said.

He added that it became incumbent on the US to take that action because the ISIS has been training so many Boko Haram boys and recruiting more fighters from Nigeria , Niger and Chad even as he expressed hope that much pressure would be exerted on the terrorists.

The President of the Middle Belt Forum, Pogu Bitrus, who also spoke with BDSUNDAY, said the US has always been serious about the war against terrorism, adding that this is not the first time a bounty would be placed on Shekau.

“But given that the US, a foreign country, has realised the need to put pressure on Boko Haram to stop doing what they are doing and to assure Nigerians that we are not alone, is a good development. But wheth-

er or not the Nigerian military would put in more efforts to get Shekau is another thing.

He noted that the strategy the US might employ is left to them, saying, “We cannot predict that strategy. All we know is that a serious person like Trump has made good his statement at this time. It gives assurance to people who are being terrorised, that yes, the US is concerned about what is happening in Nigeria. They would use whatever strategy available to them.

“The US is a sophisticated country; they have intelligence

“

I abducted your girls; I will sell them in the market, by Allah. I will sell them off and marry them off,” Shekau had boasted

all over the world. In Nigeria, they have people who work for them and I believe they are going to deploy whatever they feel is most appropriate to achieve their objective but what they might do we cannot predict because they are more sophisticated than us and they have lots of options when it comes to such things,’ he said.

When asked whether USNigeria security collaboration would yield any good results, following speculations that some elements within Nigerian security forces work to undermine the war against terrorism, he said: “It remains in the domain of speculation; we believe the US has the capacity to deploy different forms of technology; the US President is not joking and we expect something good might happen,” he said.

Another Nigerian security expert who does not want his name on print said: “This latest bounty placed on the head of Shekau under Presid e n t Do n a l d Tr u m p m i g h t open a new vista in the hunt for the Boko Haram leader, perhaps in the same way that the leader of ISIS, Abubakar Al-Baghdadi was hunted and killed in Syria in October last.”

Recall that since he assumed the leadership of the Boko Haram sect, after the execution of the former leader, Mohammed Yusuf, in 2010, Shekau has been responsible for coordinated attacks and bombings leading to deaths and destruction of lives and property in Nigeria and neighboring countries in

the Chad basin such as in Niger, Cameroon and Chad.

Boko Haram activities have caused the death of over 35,000 persons in mainly the northeast states of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe and other parts of Nigeria since the beginning of the conflict in 2009. It has also led to the displacement of over 2.5 million people.

Shekau’s terrorist activities attracted world attention first with the bombing of the United Nations headquarters in 2012. He went further to shock the world when he masterminded the abduction of nearly 300 female school girls from Government School in Chibok, Borno State on April 14 2014 after masterminding the killing of over 100 people in Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja on the same day.

The world got up in fury to condemn the abductions and a flurry of campaigns for the release of the girls took a centre stage in the world with the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls, organised by celebrities, activists and former US first lady, Michelle Obama.

“I abducted your girls; I will sell them in the market, by Allah. I will sell them off and marry them off,” Shekau had boasted.

In June 2012, the United States Department of State designated Shekau as a terrorist and effectively offering a reward of up to $7m (£4.6m) for information about his location.

On June 21, 2012, the country designated Shekau a “specially designated global terrorist” under Executive Order 13224.

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Sunday 15 March 2020

Politics Oshiomhole: A politician and his many battles James Kwen, Abuja

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dams Oshiomhole, the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is one politician in Nigeria that has been having unbroken battles with his many political adversaries in the last three years.

As the National Chairman of a ruling party, Oshiomhole is always at loggerheads with governors of his party, his colleagues in the party leadership, ministers and the Edo State Chapter of his party.

Soon after the former Edo State Governor became the National Chairman of APC in July 2018, his political battles began with primary elections, ahead of the 2019 general election.

Oshiomhole, the fiery labour leaderturned politician, first fired the missile when he deviated from the normal indirect mode of primaries and introduced the direct method in which all registered party members participated in the nomination process, unlike the indirect method where only selected delegates voted.

This was almost contrary to the position of the highest party organ, the National Executive Committee (NEC) that states should choose among; the direct, indirect and consensus methods based on their individual priorities.

Rather than allow states to choose for themselves, the modes of primaries they found convenient, the APC National Chairman imposed on each state the primary method to use.

This generated a lot of crises as different factions in many states used both direct and indirect approaches, leading to parallel primaries with serious acrimonies and altercations that made APC to go into the 2019 general election as a fractured eagle.

The direct primaries method pitted Oshiomhole against many governors, ministers and senators who were stripped of powers of selecting delegates that could do their biddings via indirect primary method.

Those most affected were then Governors Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State who lost second term ticket; Ibikunle Amosun who could not plant a successor in Ogun State; Rochas Okorocha whose governorship candidate, Uche Nwosu lost at the primary level in Imo; Abduraziz Yari of Zamafara State, whose Senatorial ambition and his candidates for other elections were thwarted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), all as a result of parallel primaries that did not conform to the rules as enshrined in the Electoral Act. Some of them that went to court lost everything.

Another issue was the Rivers State primary elections in which the Rotimi Amaechi, minister of Transportation, led a faction that contested factional primaries against another faction led

Adams Oshiomhole

by Magnus Abe. Abe was at the time, the senator representing Rivers South East senatorial district. That also denied APC in the state the opportunity to field candidates for the 2019 general election.

Oshiomhole was also fingered for being behind the screening out of Adebayo Shitu, a former minister of Communications, from the Oyo gubernatorial primary election on account of not participating in the mandatory one year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Aisha Alhassan, then minister of Women Affairs from the Taraba gubernatorial primary election on the ground of alleged divided party loyalty.

There were also allegations that the APC National Chairman had collected bribes to favour certain candidates in the primary elections, a factor responsible for his alleged arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The issues that trailed APC primaries elicited thick criticisms and wide protests against Oshiomhole, as the APC National Secretariat became a pilgrimage of a sort for protesters from many states demanding nothing less than the removal of the party helmsman.

Recall that the Supreme Court’s ruling, that prevented Zamfara APC from claiming all the positions it won, was a tsunami, which relaunched Oshiomhole into a serious political battle first de-

clared by his second in command, Lawal Shuaibu, APC Deputy National Chairman (North) who demanded for nothing less than Oshiomhole’s resignation.

Shuaibu had in a letter dated May 27th, 2019 addressed to the Chairman, noted that in advanced democracies, people who fail to add value or build over and above what they met on assumption of duty should “honourably resign”.

He said: “It is my honest opinion that your ability to ensure this party flourishes is deficient as you lack the necessary composure and you also do not possess the capabilities and the requisite experience to run a political party.

“I write this letter to you with a very deep (sic) heart and high sense of responsibility. I write this letter thinking because I am a critical stakeholder in the APC project. I write this letter with my hands shaking, arising from the realising of my involvement in a project that is currently seen as failing, even before achieving the ambition of its founding fathers. I never found myself in any failed project.”

According to Shuaibu: “In advanced democracies, people who fail to add value or build over and above what they met on assumption of duty show some civilised examples, they honourably bow out. In that connection, therefore, I want to advise you to take the path of honour, to step aside and allow the Party to em-

bark on the onerous task of reconstruction and rehabilitation in those states it was weakened by the effect of the last primary election exercises.

“Or even the task of recreating the party where it is on the path of extinction, arising from the loss of a sitting APC government, for example in Zamfara State, where you directly and personally created the problem leading to the painful complete loss of APC’s electoral fortunes.

“From up to down, all these are uncontestable facts. You cannot exonerate yourself from what happened to APC (in) Zamfara State, thereby destroying the hopes and aspirations of 534,541 APC members and supporters”.

Shittu, the immediate past Communications minister, swiftly backed the moves for Oshiomhole’s ouster, as according to him, “Oshiomhole’s exit is necessary to avoid the APC going down in 2023”.

According to him, “This is somebody who met the party having 26 states. By the time he (was through) with shenanigans and destruction, the party is left with barely 20 states or so now. My fear is that if he is not removed before 2023, my fear is that there is a possibility of APC going down.”

Oshiomhole has also been in a war of attrition with his successor, Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Since after the inauguration of the 7th Edo State House of Assembly when 15 out of 24 members “loyal” to the former governor were not inaugurated while nine said to be “loyal” to the incumbent governor were inaugurated.

Thus, there have been verbal and physical battles between the Oshiomhole and Obaseki factions of the APC in Edo State, culminating in the destruction of properties and injuries inflicted on supporters on both sides.

In fact, since November 2, 2019, the Ward 10 in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State Executives passed a vote of no confidence in Oshiomhole and suspended him from the party, the suspension also led to the present legal imbroglio.

The height of the crisis was recently demonstrated when Edo Government submitted a written petition to the Inspector-General of Police and the Director General of the State Security Service (DSS) demanding immediate arrest of the National Chairman for breaching the state law banning political rally.

According to the Deputy Governor, Philip Shuaibu who spoke for Obaseki in Abuja, “I am in Abuja to meet with the IG. I have a petition to the IG and to the Director of DSS to the effect that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole be arrested by the police and be arrested by the DSS for the breakdown of law and order that he has consistently perpetrated in Edo State. We banned rallies, the IG in a letter also suspended rallies”.

Recall that it took the intervention of

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Politics Rivers’ APC group lauds Buhari for stepping in to save party, lists Oshiomhole’s sins March NEC meeting. This, he described as a wonderful development which will usher in a new acting national chairman for the party, pending the convocation of a national congress where a substantive national chairman would be duly elected to reconcile and unite the members so as to allow for brain-storming on how to recover the states that Oshiomhole’s chairmanship freely gave to the opposition PDP. Eze warned: “On no account should Adams be retained as chairman of the APC if the party must survive beyond 2023.”

Ignatius Chukwu

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group in the Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) mainstream wants President Muhammadu Buhari to go ahead in his decision to intervene and save the party from implosion over the crisis that has engulfed it from attempts to oust Adams Oshiomhole, the national chairman of the party.

The group spoke through Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a media consultant and staunch supporter of Chibuike Amaechi, former governor and now minister of transportation. He also called on the acting national secretary, Victor Giadom, an indigene of Rivers, to tread with caution.

Eze, erstwhile national publicity secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), described Giadom as a fantastic and intelligent strategist on a divine mission to rediscover the visions and mission of the founding fathers of the party.

In a statement made available to media houses, the party chief said one neither needs a soothsayer, a fortuneteller nor a necromancer to discern that Giadom, an administrator with what he called sterling and scarce qualities, will drive the party to higher grounds. He recalled that Giadom was commissioner for works in the Amaechi administration.

He also recalled that as directorgeneral of the then APC governorship organisation (for Dakuku Peterside), saying it was surprising to hear unguarded comments from people who may not have known Giadom well, questioning the man’s capacity to administer a party as large as APC. He went on: “Having taken firm control of the structure of the APC at the national level, I wish to remind him of the huge responsibility on his shoulders and

Godwin Obaseki

Chibuike Amaechi

encourage him to do everything humanly possible to reposition the party to withstand the deadly plots of PDP to take over power come 2023.

“I challenge Giadom to do his best and work with staffers of the party, relevant organs and particularly President Buhari, who is the ultimate leader and father of the party; the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee, Governors’ Forum of the party including the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, to rediscover the rationale behind our taking over of power from the PDP in 2015”, Eze stressed.

He further counselled Giadom to avoid the mistakes of Oshiomhole, who he said thought that a political party was a labour union, where noisemaking was a norm.

Eze went further to state that Giadom should know that his coming at this point in time in the APC’s history is crucial and urgent. “He should set the enabling environment for healing of frayed nerves in

the party. He should also take inventory of those shortcomings that tended to diminish internal democracy in the running of the party.

“He should reach out to aggrieved party men and document their grievances for necessary action. He should itemise the essential ingredients of change, which were the founding principles of APC. “As a type of John The Baptist, he has been positioned by situation and circumstances to clear the way for a new national chairman that would guide the party with honesty, humility and inclusion.”

Eze cautioned Oshiomhole to warn his boys who he said were threatening to sabotage the 17th March 2020 scheduled NEC meeting, because the period of madness and bravado in politics is gone with his ouster as the national chairman of the party.

He commended President Buhari for respecting the general opinion of the greater number of members of the APC, by approving and sanctioning the 17th

The ‘sins’ of Oshionmole Eze rejected Oshiomole’s outburst and claim that Amaechi was one of the top persons behind his travails. Saying the injuries were self-inflicted, Eze told the embattled party chairman that Amaechi who is not a member of the National Executive Committee should be spared the accusations.

“Judging from the crisis and attendant misfortunes his chairmanship has brought the APC, Oshiomhole ought to know that his stay as the national chairman of the party is over, no matter those promoting and encouraging him in the destruction of a party which he met as formidable, virile, cohesive and vibrant force,” he said.

Eze maintained that “Amaechi, Governor El-Rufai and Governor Fayemi or any other governor has nothing to do with your current state but the fact remains that for you to preside over a party that lost critical states like Oyo, Zamfara, Rivers, Sokoto, Adamawa, Bauchi and recently Bayelsa that were hitherto strong areas of the party portrays you as an unsound leader who can never make APC win the 2023 general election. If you truly love APC as you claim, humbly resign and allow those with better ideas to reposition and rediscover the party.”

Oshiomhole: A politician and his ....

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum to kill alleged plot hatched by Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa) and Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Oshiomhole to oust Oshiomhole at a recent meeting of some APC governors with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Zulum was reported to have foiled the plan when he saw that the four governors wanted to use the other governors to get the President’s backing for Oshiomhole’s removal.

It was said that the four governors told their colleagues that the President wanted to see them and at the meeting, the President sought to know the governors’ mission.

El-Rufai told Buhari at the meeting that the governors had resolved that Oshiomhole should go because he was not running the party well and they came to inform the President about their plan.

Oshiomhole also survived the attempt.

Again, while Oshiomhole was still celebrating as part of achievements the Supreme Court judgment that removed Emeka Ihedioha and declared Hope Uzodinma as governor of Imo State, the same Supreme Court sacked David Lyon, governor-elect of Bayelsa and his Deputy Governor-elect, Biobarakuma DegiEremieoyo few hours to inauguration.

The APC Chairman came under attacks again for his alleged role in the emergence of Degi-Eremieoyo whose inconsistent records led to quashing of the joint ticket with Lyon.

As many party faithful protested over the development and other issues were ongoing, a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Abuja ordered the suspension of the National Chairman.

The suspension order, which rattled the former governor, followed a suit filed by the National Vice Chairman, North East of the ruling APC, Comrade

Mustapha Salihu, a factional chairman of the APC in Edo State, Anselm Ojezua and others, seeking to remove Oshiomhole from office.

Oshiomhole quickly rushed and obtained an interim injunction from a High Court in Kano to stop his removal. Despite the latter judgment, APC leaders including governors and members of the National Working Committee are bent on the enforcement of the earlier judgment to ensure the suspension holds.

In all these battles, Oshiomhole has always demonstrated that he has developed a thick skin against opposition of any kind, and that he has the capacity to fight back. He is talking tough, accusing ministers and governors of being behind his ordeal.

“Those who are parading themselves, holding meetings at night, my prayer to my God is that let them meet at night, what they do at night will be destroyed my light in the daytime. I don’t go for

night business, I do day business. They know themselves, they know me and I know them,” Oshiomhole boasted.

With almost everyone that matters in the APC, except President Buhari and Bola Tinubu who have come out clear, against the call for Oshiomhole’s sack, nothing now is sacrosanct concerning the continued stay in office of the Edoborn politician as the national chairman.

Those waiting for the Tuesday, 17th March, 2020 National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party to eventually see the back of Oshiomhole out of the national secretariat, may have to wait a little longer as the Federal High Court in Lagos State has restrained the APC from holding the meeting unless Waziri Bulama, Abiola Ajimobi and Paul Chukwuma are allowed to carry out their duties as acting national secretary, acting national deputy chairman (south), and acting national auditor of the APC, respectively.

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Sunday 15 March 2020

Politics You can only understand true meaning of politics when you are into it - Hakeem Shokunle Olushola Hakeem is a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the chairman of the House committee on heath. In this exclusive interview with INIOBONG IWOK, he revealed why the House is probing former governor of the state, Akinwunmi Ambode, he also suggested what Nigeria should do to salvage the nation’s electoral system, among other issues. Excerpts:

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This is your second term as a lawmaker; what has been the experience so far? olitics is dynamic and change from time to time. There is no one that is an island of knowledge, you keep on learning; there is no special school where you go and learn politics you learn by practise.

There is possibility you have politics of paper and you have politics of ideas. Once you are elected and voted into office, your perspectives would be different from when you are outside and not occupying any post at all.

This is because politics is something you need to understand fully before you venture into it because you may fail.Personally, I think managing human being is not easy, not just human being now, but the whole Nigerians. So, it is something you need to understand; I mean what it takes to be a leader in Yoruba land.A lot of things have happened in the House in the last few years, I participated in the eight Assembly, I participated in the formulation and sponsoring of many bills. A lot of things were done.But when you talk about politics as a whole, it is dynamic, you can’t define it.

Those definitions they gave in school are not it.When it comes to the way politics is being played here you need to learn it. Politics in Lagos State is different, that has put it in high level; I believe with the Lagos we have now, the state would continue to excel.

But you were initially elected on the platform of the PDP; you and the other eight lawmakers defected to the APC. There were insinuations that you defected to safeguard your political future; how true is this?

If that is the way people would put it, I don’t see any problem with that. First of all, the good thing about it is that we all defected and at different times.The story behind our defection is a long story; it is an interview on its own and for another day. But we have to look at how we contested. The kind of support we received when we got the ticket especially from the governorship candidate of the PDP and the national chapter of the party.

Did the money they promised us get to us? A lot of us used our properties to get collateral from the banks because of what they promised us.

We have lost about two or three of us because they could not pay back the loans.

When you look at all these and what happened there was no choice than to join the progressives’ team in Lagos and the progressives’ team is APC. If you believe in a cause, but those people in the helm of affairs in the party do not believe in it, there would be a problem and a lacuna and when that takes place, you have to look for a way to solve it. Whatever they say about me, safe guarding the future, there is no problem, because the good thing is that I am now in APC. How do you reach out to the people in your constituency?

I should have been in Oshodi today if not for plenary; I don’t believe in jamboree; such money can be used for buying of JAMB forms.

I have a programme to distribute JAMB examination preparatory CBT training CD’s to the students; they would learn from it and it

would that serve? You have gone against the law, you just need to come and explain it to the house that everything would go not moving around going to all the courts around.It is only in Nigeria these kinds of things can happen; anytime a public officer leaves office we have the power to investigate. It was later that we got to know about all these things. What about the Paris fund, you are not even talking about it? He spent it without appropriation; is that how to spend money?He is not the owner of the money, so he must tell us why he decided to take the law into his hand because he is not an emperor.

Four lawmakers were suspended last week in the House, what actually led to their suspension?

Well, according to their letters, it was based on gross misconduct.There is no other language; they misbehaved and they were suspended. It was gross misconduct;I cannot define it more than that.

Shokunle Hakeem

would help them in their examinations.I did it last year and all the students benefited from it and are in higher institutions now; we are repeating that programme this year because it worked for us. This week, we are going to give about 200 JAMB examination preparatory CBT CD’s to students. We are doing a lot for our constituency, most especially in OrileAgoijaye, Shola Daniel Street; from the information I gathered, they would soon be attended to.Right now, we are fully in touch with the people, we hold stakeholders meeting with the leaders of the constituency to know what the people of the constituency need and this is regular.

The assumption among some section of the populace is that the Lagos House of Assembly is rubberstamp of the executive; how do you react?

That is why I said politics is something we need to know, we keep on learning. That is the reaction of the people, it does not mean we have to attack them.There is freedom of speech; it would only put us on our toes and make us do more. Whatever the people say we don’t have to overreact; it is not right. We should be able to do more if we believe we are doing something. During the time of Ambode, people saw what we did and till now Ambode is still on it.Look, if truly we are rubberstamp, it would not happen, we dealt with him and he ran to the judiciary. And now, the judiciary has sent him back to us and we are still going to do our investigation. For now, we are doing investigation about the Cardiac Arena Centre under the Ministry of Health.According to reports, they said they gave it out in 2013 they did not commence operation until 2015 and now everything is still under lock, but if we are rubberstamp why are we here? Any body found on the issue of the Cardia Arena Centre

probe would be seriously made to face the law; that is why we are doing the investigation.

But there is the assumption that Ambode’s probe is politically-motivated?

There is no force outside pushing the House to probe Ambode. Once you discovered something in the file of a public official, there is nothing bad in contacting the official to come and explain. If a public official does anything contrary, he must face the law. Leaders always account for their stewardship and once they are found guilty, they are jailed; there is no big deal about it.

Meaning the House is bent on getting to the bottom of this case?

Yes, we are; let him go to Appeal Court; let him go to Supreme Court we have the constitutional power to do this; it is one of our duty. It is our power to investigate anybody who we appropriate public funds to; we should be able to call you to say how did you do this and that?

So, is there anything wrong in that? If you like, run to the Supreme Court you would still come and meet us here. So, the basic thing is we are not witch-hunting anybody, we only said we discovered this and that you should come and explain so that we can close our files; there is no big deal in that.

But Ambode said the money was appropriated; the House cannot question how it was spent?

Can you imagine? Is he the owner of the money? This is public funds. If money is appropriated for you to buy bus and you now use the money to buy trailer, was the money meant for trailer? What is the purpose of trailer in what we are discussing? Before we appropriate money for bus, it means that it was needed in the community. In buying trailer, what purpose

Is this a sign of crisis in the Lagos Assembly?

No, the House is peaceful, there is no crack or crisis; are you saying if you offend the House and you are disciplined accordingly that means there is a crack? We are trying to put the House in order. Nobody is above the law, so if you are being disciplined for what you have done wrong that does not mean there is a crack; there is peace here.

What is your take on the power shift to the South in 2023?

Politics is about numbers, if the APC zones the presidency to the East and PDP to the North and at the end of the day PDP won the election what would they say again?Any region in the South should move out to other regions and lobby if they want the presidency to come to them. Politics is about numbers; let the National Assembly do proper legislation for zoning.

Are you comfortable the APC would retain power in 2023, with the worsening insecurity and high unemployment rate?

Yes, I am very comfortable they would retain power in 2023; the insecurity and unemployment issues are global problems. Boko Haram, even in America we have a lot of insecurity there. Even when PDP was ruling,things were like this. Does it mean because APC is ruling the insecurity would die?

The process to amend the 2010 Electoral Act is on; are you comfortable with the manner elections are conducted in Nigeria in recent times?

Let them do the amendment, as we speak today there is no way you would run an election without spending money. Maybe, it is because it is APC time, but during the PDP era we were spending money too. We have to sit in a round table and agree on how it should be done. We have to find a way to reduce money in our elections.You are talking about vote-buying, I don’t buy vote in Oshodi/Isolo, go and ask them. People have been saying it.I am using my election as an example. We can do better by changing everything to electronic voting, that is the only way out of the electoral logjam; it would help us.

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Politics El-Rufai is right, presidency must move to the East – APC S’East Integrity Group Ignatius Chukwu

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group in the All Progressives Congress (APC) says it has totally agreed with Gov Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State that the presidency must this time move to the South East if national harmony and equity still had any meaning in Nigeria. This is as the coordinator has urged the leaders of the party in some states of the east to see the dangers of wining and dining with PDP governors in the region.

The national coordinator of the SouthEast APC Integrity Group (SEAPCIG), Chinedu-Jideo Ogbuagu (PhD), who is also the president of the Marine Club of Nigeria (MCN), this would be a natural thing after President Muhammadu Buhari (a Northern Nigerian) has completed his second and final four-year presidential term.

Ogbuagu from Enugu State is one of the early holders of a Distinction (HND, 1981) in Shipping and Masters in Transport Management (1982); International Shipping (1983), and Shipping & Trade (1986), before going ahead to obtain a Doctorate degree in Maritime Policy (1988). He wrote for globally rated but specialized publications such as Lloyd’s List, Shipping World, and Shipbuilder in the UK, but hit career heights as Consultant to UNCTAD where he advised 77 3rd world countries and developed Cardifff Free Port, and developed the NMA that is now NIMASA. Ogbuagu as the president of Marine Club of Nigeria is pursuing the establishment of a maritime hub in Nigeria to rule West Africa. He is also consultant to Martime Academy, Oron.

The international expert believed to be the brain behind the blueprint that established Dubai development concept which was obtained from the UNCTAD has submitted numerous propositions on how to turn Nigeria into a marine hub and create an economy outside oil.

The expert said: “Governor El-Rufai, being a reasonable and morally upright man, knows that rotation of presidential power between South and North has become an established convention since 1999, and that after President Buhari has served out the North’s turn from 2015 to 2023, it must be the turn of the South to produce president from 29th May 2023.

“But we must go further to state that presidential power must not only shift to the South in 2023 but must be zoned to the South-East. That is because on the two previous occasions since 1999 that presidential power rotated to the South, SouthWest (President Olusegun Obasanjo) and South-South (President Goodluck Jonathan) took the South’s turns, both supported heavily by the South-East.”

In 2023, Ogbuagu said, South-East must not only produce president of Nigeria, ‘South-East APC Integrity Group’ wants a South-Easterner to become president of Nigeria on APC platform - the PDP having exhausted its goodwill in the South-East in particular and the South in

Chinedu Jideofo-Ogbuagu, convener, South-East APC Integrity Group

general.

He went on: “On our part as a strategic, advocacy and pressure group within APC, ‘South-East APC Integrity Group’ has - since immediately following 2019 general elections - been strategising and pushing for sanitisation, popularity and rapid growth of APC in the South-East.

“In good time before 2023, ‘South-East APC Integrity Group’ wants South-East to have more APC card-carrying members than any other geopolitical zone in Nigeria. And with the massive support of the other five geopolitical zones, a South-Easterner will become president of Nigeria in 2023, thereby ensuring justice, peace and continued oneness of Nigeria.

“With a South-Easterner as president of Nigeria from 29th May 2023, we also foresee outstanding governance of Nigeria and prosperity for all Nigerians.”

He debunked the argument of groups in the APC that the South-East can only expect presidential slot in the PDP, arguing that the rotational agreement was not just in one political party but a national understanding to restore harmony in Nigeria.

Stop hobnobbing with PDP governors Meanwhile, Ogbuagu has released what looks like an explosive letter of appeal to chairman of South-East APC, a chief, Emma Eneukwu, on the dangers of APC leaders continually hobnobbing with PDP governors in the region, saying it has made the APC not to win any seat in the region in many years.

Ogbuagu said his fights were always

without malice: “You and a few other leaders of Enugu State APC (Osita Okechukwu, Geoffrey Onyeama, Ken Nnamani, Ben Nwoye, Chris Ibe, etc) erred since 2015 by your uncalled for romance with Enugu State PDP that you were meant to oppose with every ounce of energy in you.

“Before 2015, your romance with Enugu State PDP would have been understandable though still not justifiable.

PDP controlled both the centre and Enugu State, and ANPP governors of few Northern states might not have been forthcoming in carrying the burden of Enugu State ANPP. So hardship probably drove you and other opposition party leaders into

In good time before 2023, ‘South-East APC Integrity Group’ wants South-East to have more APC cardcarrying members than any other geopolitical zone in Nigeria

unholy romance with Enugu State PDP. “But since 2015, with APC in control of the centre and appointing ministers and other federal government officials, what reasons or excuses remained for you and other leaders of Enugu State APC to romance with the Lion Building?

“The most perplexing and worrisome aspect of it all is that top APC and APCcontrolled Federal Government officials appear to think that Enugu State Government largesse is sweeter than your APC and FG entitlements. But in seeking accepting patronage of any kind from the Lion Building presently occupied by Enugu State PDP, you leaders of Enugu State APC have handed Enugu State APC to the ruling Enugu State PDP, to treat us with utter contempt and disdain.

Do I need to remind you that with two local government area elections in Enugu State since 2015 (in 2017 and very recently on 29 February 2020), APC - the ruling party at the centre, for goodness sake - has not produced even one councillor of any Enugu State ward? Do I need to remind you that after two general elections (conducted by INEC in 2015 and 2019), Enugu State APC has not produced even one state assembly member?

What other evidence does anyone need to show that Enugu State PDP has no regard for Enugu State APC leaders in bed with it?

“That has been my grouse since 2015.

No one is saying that you people should pick street fights with PDP in the streets of Enugu State, but crawling into bed with PDP-controlled Enugu State Government is not an acceptable expression of civility in Enugu State politics.

“No one is saying that Enugu State APC leaders and members should die of starvation, but none of you our leaders - with your fleet of exotic cars and big residences - is poor. Even if you were not as rich you would want to be, sacrifices are expected of political leaders.

“Besides, it is your duty to approach APC federal and state governments (not PDP, APGA or any other party government) for your empowerment and the empowerment of Enugu State APC members who rightly look up to you. You top party and government officials of Enugu State APC cannot be eating at a bigger king’s table and be scrounging for crumbs from the table of a lesser king.

“You, the Honourable Minister and other top APC and APC-controlled Federal Government officials from Enugu State should carry yourselves with dignity as leaders of the ruling party at the centre, task yourselves and create Enugu State APC structures capable of winning elections in Enugu State and controlling the Lion Building from May 29, 2023.

“May I finally remind you that a political party exists only to win elections and form or participate in forming government.

Therefore, everything we do in Enugu State/South-East APC must be geared towards winning elections - from councillorship to presidency. All other things matter less or not at all. I remain your brother and fellow party man of 20 years’ standing.”

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Sunday 15 March 2020

Politics Ahmadu Bello died with true leadership of Nigeria - Ambassador Gbasha Ambassador Mike Gbasha was the deputy chief of mission of Nigeria to the United States and head of mission to the Gambia High Commission. In this exclusive interview with NATHANIEL GBAORON, the octogenarian bares his mind on the high level of insecurity in Nigeria, zoning of 2023 Presidency, among other issues. Excerpts: In the next few days (April 1st, 2020) you will be 81 years old, how do you feel at this age? ell, I feel great; am grateful to my God who has brought me to this stage.

If I have gotten to this age and talking to you freely, you can see am reading, I read the tiniest print without using glasses; so, I feel great that God loves me.

W

May we know a little about your life; your trajectory in life?

My life has been a life of up and down; the good the bad and the ugly. I have seen all of these. I started as a child of a farmer that treked distance of miles to school from Mbagbera the present Vandikya in Benue to Gboko. At the age of 10, I went for an interview to attend a middle school in Katsina Ala; I spent three days on the road; returned back the same three days. I later rose to the peak of my career as a permanent secretary for five years. In my diplomatic service; the highest was an Ambassadorial appointment. I served as deputy chief of mission in Washington DC for three years; I headed a Commission of Nigeria High Commission to the Gambia from United States from 1981 until Buhari retired us in 1984. In the public service, I served in two important Commissions. Member of the National Electoral Commission from 1989 to 1993; I served as a Federal Character commissioner, from 1995 to 2001 and a member of the Constitutional Review Committee. In politics, when I was dragged into it by the then governor of Benue State, George Akume, I headed politics in the north central. I was the chairman of the elders’ forum ACN, PDP and SDP. I was the first to lunch APC in Vandikya, Benue State.

Along the line, I didn’t agree with the politics of the leaders because I refused to be a praise singer, a sycophant or a hypocrite.

When things were not going the direction I thought it should, I stepped aside. I think God has blessed me at 81 years. I still have a sharp memory to recall happenings in my secondary school days from 1951 till today 2020; I still can remember vividly my life span and what I have done.

Ambassador, you worked closely with the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello; could you compare leadership then and what is happening now?

I always tell Nigerians that Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto (may his soul rest in peace) died with the leadership of this country. Sardauna had a very good and clear vision for the progress of this country.

Unfortunately, the enemies of Nigeria’s progress cut him short and he went away with it. It will take us time to have a leader like Sardauna of Sokoto, the leader with a vision; not only vision but a clear vision and understanding of what it takes to build a country like Nigeria; he went with it. Am not saying we don’t have good leaders, Nigeria has good leaders but you always have the best, and Sardauna was the best leader Nigeria ever produced. He had a vision to have a great united Nigeria; I had wished he lived long to put Nigeria where he wanted it to be; Nigeria would have been a different and a great country.

Mike Gbasha

There is high level of insecurity in the country ranging from Kidnapping, banditry, Boko Haram to herdsmen attacks. What do you think is responsible for this?

It will be difficult for me to tell you categorically what the problem of insecurity in Nigeria is, because they are many. There is a saying that a hungry man is an angry man.

Are Nigerians hungry or they are well fed?

In the past, we had four regions- the north, the east, the west and the mid west. The sharing of positions along the line was the beginning of Nigeria’s problem and a coup came in between and shortly we moved into twelve states. If you look round the states, are the states equally developed? Where is the fault? Why are other states developed and others are are backward? If you move from Benue to Nasarawa State, two common things- light and water- are very big problem. When God was creating the world, the first thing he created was light; let there be light and there was light, for creation to continue. The second was water. Move from Benue to Lafia which is an appendix of Benue, you see traffic light on the road, but there is no light in Benue State. Gboko, the major city of the Tiv people has no such social amenities. So, are Nigerians living happily? Why are others living in affluence while others are suffering? I think this is the cause of insecurity in this country. There are so many other dimensions and time will not permit me to mention all of them. But I think the leadership of Nigeria is bad. Am not talking about Mr. President only, am talking about the governors, the chairmen, the senators, the House of Representatives members. When there is unhappiness, can people think well? It has become survival of the fittest. The problem of insecurity is more than something I can just give you now; they are very dimensional but the major one is that Nigerians are not satisfied with the leadership of this country.

So what do you think is the solution?

The solution lies in the hands of God. If our leaders can imbibe the leadership that Jesus Christ brought to this world, leadership that Jesus Christ told Peter that if I don’t wash your feet you have no cause with me. He went to a level where he could bend down and wash the feet of his disciples. Am not saying our leaders should wash people’s feet, but there should be that understanding because a leader without followers and followers without leaders cannot produce the best.

The activities of Fulani herdsmen are the major problem of farmers in the country; do you think there is more to grazing of their cows?

That is too big a question to answer. This country is too big for one section to take over. Christians cannot rule Nigeria alone; Fulanis cannot rule Nigeria alone, Nigeria is too diverse. What seem to be the problem is lack of understanding; l don’t think the Fulanis want to take over the country. The closest friends of Fulanis are the Tiv people from time immemorial; that’s where the word Munchi came from. It is only the Tivs and the Fulanis that know the meaning of Munchi, how it came about. They have lived many years ago without problem even the cattle rearing that we are talking about has existed for years. What is the problem now? Somewhere along the line we have missed the code of togetherness of Nigerian society. The Tivs, the Fulanis, the Igbos, the Hausas, the Yorubas, the Jukuns, name them, need to sit back and think. I will quote what Professor Jerry Gana said years ago about a leader ‘if you’re a governor govern well, if you’re a president, president well, if you’re a manager, manage well and if you’re a driver, drive well.’ Lead well if given any opportunity. We can’t live without one another, and those were the things sir Ahmadu Bello was preaching.

Where do you think the 2023 presidency should be zoned to, owing to the agitations already going on from various places?

Yes, the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended and the Federal Character principles require that each segment of the country must enjoy the leadership of the country.

I was a member of the Federal Character Commission that zoned the country into six geopolitical zones- three in the north, three in the south. When we proposed these zones, the zone called north central zone wasn’t there, it was the middle belt zone; that’s what many people don’t know. North East, North West and Middle Belt zones were in the northern part of Nigeria.

In the south, it was south west, south east and the southern minority zones. The coming into the proximity of Abuja by Niger State from the zone of Sokoto because of nearness to Abuja with Babangida leadership changed the two names; Middle belt zone became north central automatically; Southern minority zone became southsouth zone. The argument was that some of them were not part of the fight for middle belt. I don’t want to take that seriously. We established these zones and also enlarged the leadership that Mr. President and the vice president, the Senate President and the deputy Senate President, speaker of the House of Representatives and deputy speaker of the House so that each of the six geopolitical zones must be in government.

Meaning if the president is from any of the northern zones, the vice president must come to any of the southern zones and in that order. If things were done well there shouldn’t be problem at all from where leadership goes. When we proposed this arrangement, it was one term round. So, within 24 years Nigeria would have experienced the rotation of leadership. If it went well, Nigeria would have maintained that system.

Unfortunately, the first leadership that came into power at the first independence election decided to hold it long. Instead of one year term, they took two terms. That’s why under Obasanjo and Atiku Abubakar, the third term came in, it became a problem. Nigeria started this two-term and the governors accepted the same thing. Unfortunately, nobody has ever mentioned the chairmen at the third tier of government; they are left outside; that one is another imbalance. But, some people argued that how many number of years have the north ruled and how many years have the south ruled.

That’s the imbalance we are talking about.

Within the three zones in the north, has the North Central produced a president since independence? Are we talking about that?

Everyone believes that if the presidency is to come to the north, it is the term of Benue to produce a president. Are we thinking about that? So, the imbalance as to whether or not the northern zones have ruled less or more or the three southern zones have ruled more or less is immaterial because the Igbos have, at least, produced a president and a vice president but the people of north central have not.

The question of the presidency going to the East looks good but how will the other people feel? We really want to have peace in this country. We should love our neighbour as we love ourselves; what is good for one person should be good to the other.

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Ogun Watch We will fast track access to lands, create cheap loans for businesses to grow - Longe

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Stories by RAZAQ AYINLA

i k e l o m o Lo n g e , Ogun State Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, has declared that the state government currently works on improving ease of business ratings by ensuring unhindered access to industrial lands and facilitating single digit interest loans for businesses to grow.

Longe, who was an investment banker before her appointment as Commissioner in the State, disclosed that series of investment efforts in form of collaboration with relevant business groups such as Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA),

Manufacturers Association of Nigeria , among others to stimulate economic growth for local businesses and attract more foreign investors into the state.

Speaking in Abeokuta on Friday while meeting with the Executive of OGUNCCIMA and representatives of the Deutsche Gellschaft fur Internationale Zusamm (GIZ), Lo n g e s a i d O G U N C C I M A has common goals with the Ministry and assured them that beyond collaborating to attract more investors to the State, the partnership would also link investors to sources of capital which would aid business growth.

The Commissioner noted that Dapo Abiodun-led government had improved the speed

of obtaining land approvals as part of efforts to improve the ease of doing business, just as she lauded the interest of the Chamber in helping youths develop entrepreneurial skills, as the Ministry was already working on getting necessary approvals for the State’s Industrial Park.

She added that her Ministry was already working on the approval for the reconstruction of parts of the Trade Fair Complex demolished during the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway project construction around the area.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation and the first Deputy President of OGUNCCIMA, Wasiu Olaleye, while stating the various achievements of the Chamber, called

on the Ministry to support the body towards the success of the forthcoming Gateway Trade Fair.

Olaleye, who appealed to government to give land to local investors at discounted rates, also requested that the land arou n d t h e p rop os e d Industrial Park and the Model College around Onijanganjangan in Abeokuta, be made available for skills development and training of youths in the State.

The representative of GIZ/ SKYE, Felix Nitz said GIZ was partnering OGUNCCIMA in strengthening vocational capacity training for residents of the State, describing the body as the most advanced chamber in the country in the area of vocational training.

Former Governors Ibikunle Amosun and Gbenga Daniel in talks with Governor Dapo Abiodun at the wedding reception of Rotimi and Nefisa Daniel held in Lagos recently.

Ogun goes tough on air pollutants, seals off 12 metal firms

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aving considered the hazardous nature of continued emission of toxic gases into the air coupled with petitions from residents of Ogijo in Sagamu local government area of the state, Ogun state government has shut down 12 metal smelting companies for the environment infractions committed during production activities.

BDSUNDAY reports that almost all the 12 affected companies smelt and grind metal picked around and convert them to iron rod and steels but in the process emit thick smoke and toxic gas which is dangerous to human health for which petitions were sent to Ogun State Ministry of Environment for immediate action.

Speaking while leading a taskforce team from the State Ministry of Environment to some of the affected metal companies in Ogijo, Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, Ogun State Commissioner for Environment confirmed that series of petitions had been sent to the Ministry by residents for action and several warnings and correspondence were sent to the affected companies without a remedy to the complained infractions.

Abudu-Balogun, who explained that no government would fold its armsandwatchmanufacturingfirms pollute and discharge toxic wastes to the environment going by its effects on the populace, said that the affected companies were shut after several warnings and would remain closed until they show government cogent plan and roadmap to ending environmental pollution.

WhilereiteratingGovernorDapo Abiodun’s administration resolve to clampdown on erring companies no matter their sizes and employment opportunities to the people, urged prospective and existing companies in the state to make environmental safety their watchword since government has a zero tolerance for environmentalpollutionofanyform.

Also, speaking during the sealing off of the affected companies, a landlord in Ogijo, Mubasiru Adetunji commended the State government for the steps, which he noted should be extended to all parts of the state, saying that the action would save residents from dangerously thicksmoky and polluted environment.

Ogun partners NIWA, moves to establish water transport system

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s part of effort to bring about and create alternative transport system to congested intra and intercity roads across the state, the Ogun State government has partnered with National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on the dredging and expansion of waterways to allow establishment of water transport system.

The establishment of water transport system is being undertaken by Ogun State government in partnership with NIWA to explore and exploit opportunities inherent in waterway transport in terms of the provision of al-

ternative transport system apart from road, rail and air as well as creating wealth and employment opportunities.

Speaking on behalf of Ogun State government while welcoming the leadership of NIWA to the State on Friday, Tokunbo Talabi, Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, described the visit as very timely and mutually beneficial as the present administration is already weighing an option of dependable water transport system and effective waterways management geared towards reducing the pressure on the roads.

“The pressure on our roads to-

day has become worrisome, we welcome you to our dear state and appreciate the dire need for us to collaborate in enhancing waterways development, as an alternative means of commuting people and goods safely to other parts of the state,” he said.

According to him, “As a Gateway State, we pride ourselves as the entry point to the Country and as a result, we are poised to create viable partnerships with our stakeholders to bring succor to the people of the state.”

Speaking on the proposed take-off of the Jetty at Iwopin, Ogun Waterside local government area of the state being

facilitated by NIWA, the State Secretary said government was delighted with the project, maintaining that there was need for NIWA to assist in classifying the mode of commuting before the project finally takes off.

“On Waterways passage, we want NIWA to come up with the modalities that would improve commerce interaction within the host community and even beyond”, he maintained.

Earlier, George Moghalu, Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), noted that the agency would do everything humanly possible to explore and exploit

opportunities offered by waterways and water transport system for the country as Federal Government is ready to improve water transport system within the country.

“We are talking about opening up our waterways, clearing up our channels, ensuring all-year-round navigation. These are some of the things we want to achieve and for us todothesethingswerequiremoney.

Don’t forget that resources are not available and limited, so everybody is thinking outside of the box.

“We want to make water transportation means of choice.

That is the agenda we have set for ourselves.”

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Tribute

Obasanjo, still enigmatic @ 83 INIOBONG IWOK

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enultimate Thursday, March 5, 2020, Olusegun Obasanjo, a former president of Nigeria, clocked 83 years. He was born on March 5, 1937, in Abeokuta in the village of Ibogun-Olaogun to a farming family in Owu, Ogun State.

Obasanjo attended Baptist Boys’ High School in Abeokuta, and later worked as a teacher.

Unable to afford college, he joined the Nigerian Army in 1958 and received officer training in England.

Regarded as a nationalist, statesman and diplomat, he served as Nigeria’s military ruler from 1976-79 and as a civilian president from 1999–2007.

It is worthy to note that he was the first military ruler in Africa to hand over power to a civilian government in 1979.

A hero of the Nigerian civil war, Obasanjo was the leader of Nigerian Army’s Third Battalion and accepted the instrument of surrender from the Biafran military high command led by Phillip Effiong in Amichi, ending Nigeria’s three-year civil war.

In the last few decades, Obasanjo has remained an enigma, a force to reckon with, while to some people, he is also seen as a controversial leader.

When he clocked 82 last year, Ayodele Kusamotu, a barrister, chairman and principal counsel at Kusamotu & Kusamotu Law firm (The Greenfish Chambers), in an interview with BDSUNDAY described the former president as an enigma.

“In all honesty, General Obasanjo is an enigma of sorts.

A military head of state and two-term civilian president, he is renowned around the world.

The international community usually seeks his opinion,” Kusamotu said.

Upon assuming office in 1999, he used his vast political acumen to reposition the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and help extend the party’s political dominance to the Southwest region.

Obasanjo’s influence and grip on political affairs is worth mentioning, even after leaving office in 2007, he has continued to play an influential role in determining who emerges as the party’s candidates for key positions.

On several occasions, his Abeokuta home became a ‘mecca’ of sort for politicians across the country who rush to seek his ‘blessing’ and support towards their electoral success and in their political sojourn.

In fact, it was presumed at a point that it was impossible for a president to emerge in Nigeria without the support of Obasanjo.

Ironically, he later fell out

Obasanjo with Goodluck Jonathan, a president from South-South, who he favoured to succeed the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. His face off with Jonathan culminated in his decision to unceremoniously dump the PDP after publicly shredding his membership card.

In 2015, he joined leaders of the then newly formed and now ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to support incumbent Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential ambition; a decision he had severally publicly regretted.

Buhari and his party, APC, eventually dislodged Jonathan and the PDP from power.

Obasanjo over the last few years has fought many battles.

One of his worst times was when he was framed up in a phantom coup plot against the late military dictator, Sani Abacha. He was not only arrested, but sentenced alongside several notable civilian and military leaders.

Obasanjo eventually spent three years in prison before his release in 1998, following the sudden death of Abacha.

He was initially sentenced to death before another military panel set up by Abacha reduced the sentence to 30 years and again to 15 years.

He was released alongside others by the military regime led by Abdulsalami Abubakar and was subsequently chosen as the PDP presidential candidate in 1999.

Some of his open letters to President Muhammadu Buhari on the state of the nation and his take on the administration have brought him in confrontation with Aso Rock.

In the first term of the Buhari administration, Obasanjo was

always screaming at what he believed was clear manifestation of failure of governance.

He has severally condemned the high level of insecurity in the land; government’s apparent lack of clues on how to rein in the Boko Haran insurgency; the constant deadly strikes by the Fulani herdsmen in Benue and other states with high level casualties and government’s refusal to bring perpetrators to book, and the menace of bandits and kidnappers across the country. For his constant complaints on the unfortunate state of affairs, he was seen as an enemy of government.

However, pundits speak in tandem that though Obasanjo’s political influence may have waned considerably in recent years, he, however, remains an

“Nigeria owes you a debt that we cannot pay; because you led us to pay the foreign debts that we could not imagine paying. By that singular action, you planted trees for generations yet unborn.”

influential figure in the nation’s polity that cannot be ignored by any aspiring or incumbent president.

As he marks 83, in the last few days, encomiums have been pouring in from all quarters, both home and abroad for the octogenarian.

In a birthday message to him, President Muhammadu Buhari congratulating him for a life of courage, dedication and service to Nigeria, Africa, and humanity in general.

In a statement congratulating Obasanjo, signed by Femi Adesina, Buhari’s senior media aide, the President said he joined family members, friends and associates of the former president in celebrating the milestone.

According to him, Obasanjo’s commitment to Nigerian nationhood remains outstanding and commendable, while also underscoring his sacrifices for the continent, including standing up for democracy in many countries.

Also in a birthday message, the Northern Governors Forum led by Simon Lalong, who is the chairman and governor of Plateau State, praised Obasanjo for his visionary and patriotic service to Nigeria, the African continent and the world.

Lalong described Obasanjo as a leader who had given his best to the nation and humanity in the various positions and responsibilities he held over the years.

Similarly, former vice-president and the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general election, Atiku Abubakar, said no individual living or dead had

bestrode the Nigerian political space as positively and purposefully like him.

According to him, “As you turn 83 today, my family and I felicitate with you and thank God for your life. No individual living or dead, has bestrode the Nigerian political space as positively and purposefully, as you have done, for good and better, in peace time and war, in times of austerity, and times of prosperity”.

Atiku further said that from Congo, to South Africa, to Angola, to Liberia and São Tomé and Príncipe, Obasanjo’s democratic fingerprints on the African continent were indelible. He pointed out that the former president has served and still serves as a beacon of democracy and a guardian of constitutionality.

“Nigeria owes you a debt that we cannot pay; because you led us to pay the foreign debts that we could not imagine paying.

By that singular action, you planted trees for generations yet unborn.”

Unlike last year when he used the opportunity of his 82nd birthday anniversary celebration in Abeokuta to announce that he would continue to criticise President Buhari until he (the president) improves his style of governance, this time around, he used the occasion to advise political leaders of Nigeria, nay, Africa, not to look for the salvation of their countries from the developed world. He pointedly told them that their salvation is in their own hands.

“Now, whether we should redefine our democracy or not, I don’t know. But can we have a democracy that satisfies our needs? I think that is the point.

It can be defined in our own way to satisfy ourselves and we must be careful when we are doing that. Whatever we define for ourselves, when we are doing that, there will be hues and cries.

They will call us names. They will do all sorts of things.

“Lee Kuan Yew, founding Prime Minister of Singapore was a good friend of mine. When Lee Kuan Yew was moving in the Mid - 1970s, I was in Singapore in 1974. There was no name they didn’t call him and he worried.

When Singapore now moved from third World to the first World, Lee Kuan Yew wrote a book titled - From Third World to First World - they all shared and basked in the success of Singapore,” he said.

“Now, if we do something not too far away but radical enough to meet our needs and we succeed, they will grudgingly accept us. But if we do and fail, we will be on our own.

“What we must realise is that the world will not wait for us.

They will not want us to succeed because if we succeed, then we have taken something away,” he emphasised.

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Feature Nigerian Armed Forces Support Fund Bill holds solution to Nigeria’s security challenge - Experts James Kwen, Abuja

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ecurity experts have expressed the optimism that the bill for an Act to Provide Special Financial Support, Training and Modern Security Equipment for the Revamping of the Nigerian Armed Forces, cited as ‘Nigerian Armed Forces Support Fund Bill’ would help in tackling Nigeria’s multifarious security challenges.

They noted that when established, the Nigerian Armed Forces Support Fund would provide alternative source of funding for security activities, hence government has not been able to adequately fund security despite rising spate of insecurity.

Nigeria is facing grave security challenges ranging from activities of Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East, banditry in the NorthWest, Fulani herdsmen attacks in the North-Central and other parts of the country to violent crimes like armed robbery, kidnapping, assassinations, oil bunkering, cult activities and ritual killings.

Only last year, the United Nations (UN) Country Director to Nigeria, Edward Kallon lamented the spate of killings in Nigeria with over 1,400 people being killed as a result of kidnapping and banditry within a period of six months.

In the face of this unfortunate situation, government and security agencies seem to be helpless, blaming the situation on shortage of equipment and personnel which borders on funding, despite appreciable budgetary allocations to defence.

For instance, in the 2020 Budget, defence is allocated a total sum ofN878. 458 billion out of which the recurrent expenditure took N778.

589 billion representing 88.6percent while the capital expenditure stands at N99.869 billion, representing 11.3percent which is to be used for equipment and other infrastructure.

Informed by this precarious situation, the House of Representatives has passed for second reading the bill seeking to create a five-year funding plan for the Nigerian Armed Forces, outside the annual budgetary allocations to help in war against insecurity.

The bill is jointly sponsored by the Chairmen of House Committees on Defence, BabajimiBenson; Army, AbdulrazaqNamdas; Police Affairs, Bello Kumo; Air Force, Shehu Koko; Navy, Yusuf Gagdi; and National Security and Intelligence, ShabanSharada as well as Deputy Chairman, Committee on Defence, MakkiYalleman.

The draft bill proposed that the Support Fund would be derived from an amount constituting one percent of the total money accruing to the Federation Account and 0.5 percent of profit made from investment of the National Sovereign Wealth Fund (NSWF) by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

It shall also be obtained from an amount constituting one percent of Value Added Tax (VAT) remitted to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CFR), any take-off grant and special intervention fund as may be provided by the Federal Government, states and local governments of the Federation and an amount constituting one per-

cent of the air ticket contract, charter and cargo sales charge to be collected by the airlines and paid over to the support fund.

It would be as well gotten from aids, grant and all assistance from international agencies, non-governmental organisations and the private sectors, money derived from investments made by the Support Fund and an amount accruing from Annual National Fundraising as may from time to time be conducted by the Board.

The Bill provided that all funds received by the fund shall not be spent until it is appropriated by the National Assembly while the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) shall be responsible for the collection of the funds and remittance to the Support Fund.

The objective of the Bill is to provide for efficient management and control of the support fund established under the Bill for the training and retraining of personnel of the Armed Forces, acquisition of modern and state-of-the-art equipment and other related facilities for the enhancement of the skills of personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces to make them more efficient and resultoriented in the handling of the fight against any form of insurgency and all external aggressions against the Nigerian State.

Specifically, the Support Fund shall be utilised: “For the purchase of modern and state-of-the-art military equipment and machineries for the Nigerian Armed Forces.

“For continuous training and acquisition of knowledge and skills by the personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces all over the world for improved proficiency in the use of modern operational equipment and

machineries”, and “for such other purposes incidental or connected to the attainment of the objectives of this Bill”.

Speaking to the bill, Mike Ejiofor, a Security Consultant and retired Director with the Department of State Services (DSS) said, the Fund was going to assist the country in the fight against the dreaded Boko Haram and called on the international community to assist the government in the implementation of the bill when passed.

“We need it; we need to fund our security. Government have not been able to adequately fund security despite the huge security challenges we have. So, anything they can do to improve funding will be welcome like that Fund.

“As it is now, like any other sector, government cannot fund security. I welcome the development and also call on the international community to assist the government in the implementation of this bill when passed”, Ejiofor said.

Similarly, a Security Analyst, Ben Okezie told BDSUNDAY that the bill was a commendable idea as it was aimed at providing alternative means of funding for security in the country.

Okezie suggested that the Fund should not target only the military but include the Nigeria Police Force which is the country’s number one security agency while they should comprise journalists, civil societies, retired judges and retired security practitioners for accountability.

“The purpose of the bill should

be to provide alternative means of funding for our number one security agency, that is the Police, because they have larger number and they have larger responsibility. When this thing is functional, Police will not say they are in need of ammunition and vehicles.

“The bill wants the Nigerian populace to assist and also augment what the Federal Government is giving which is good. It makes Nigerians to now have more hands to contribute to what is happening in the Police and how the Police is acting because Police is the security nearest to the people”, he added.

While leading debate on the bill before its passage for second reading, one of the sponsors, Benson (APC, Lagos), said no nation relies wholly on its annual budget for the armed forces to combat crimes and fight insecurity.

According to him, Nigeria is fighting a war and the Armed Forces did not have enough resources to prosecute the war, hence the alternative source of funding is expedient, considering the present security challenges in the country.

“Nigeria has witnessed diverse and unprecedented level of insecurity in the recent times in which the Nigerian Armed Forces have been fully involved.

In the last fifteen years, the Nigerian military have been involved in thirteen operations and four exercises.

Coping with all these are, no doubt, an enormous task that requires a robust, well-trained, well-equipped and efficient Armed Forces.

Contributing, House Chief Whip, Mohammed Munguno said the armed forces need special funding to be able to fight the battle against terrorism, hence, “no nation on earth funds its security through budgetary allocation”, giving examples of Brazil and America.

He emphasised that it was not wrong going outside the annual budget to fund an important project or thinking outside the box to tackle areas of serious concerns.

Also, Nkeiruka Onyejocha, deputy Chief Whip, said the bill would change the narrative on the fight against insecurity and urged members to support and make it a reality because, security is everybody’s business.

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Feature What next after assent to ‘Amotekun’ bills by South West governors?

Iniobong Iwok

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it h t h e s i g ni ng into law of the bills establishing Amotekun security outfit by some of the governors in the South West geo-political zone, pundits say it is no longer a matter of “whether” but “when” the arrangement will take off.

In the first week of this month, Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo and Osun States Houses of Assembly had passed the states’ Security Network Agency Bill 2020 codenamed ‘Operation Amotekun’ into law.

Recall that the South West governors had resolved to roll out a security outfit for their individual states following an upsurge in killings, abductions and other crimes perpetrated by herdsmen, kidnappers and bandits. The decision gave rise to the sponsorship of the bills in the six states within the zone. Since the Amotekun arrangement began to take shape, there appears to be a noticeable reduction in crimes hitherto being perpetrated by the afore-listed groups in the region.

Before the decision by the state executive officers to establish the outfit, Yoruba land was almost being taken over by these merchants of death. A number of people were mindlessly slaughtered, women raped, farmers chased away from their farms and some people were abducted with hefty ransom.

While the dastardly acts were going on, the regular security agents were helpless, so helpless that some of the victims who went to report their ordeals in the hands of the criminals to police stations never got any redress.

In some instances, where arrests were made, the perpetrators of these heinous acts were freed almost immediately.

With the recent signing into law of the bills establishing Amotekun, by most of the South West governors, it means the outfit has come to stay. It has already sent a message to the enemies that it is not business as usual.

In recent years, the security situation in Nigeria has worsened and assumed an alarming proportion.

The emergence of the jihadist insurgency group, Boko Haram in 2009 and its resultant armed rebellion against the government of Nigeria further led to a deterioration of the security situation.

Another worrying trend to the security challenges bedevilling the country has been the increased cases of killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen, which in recent years have led to sacking of communities in some states.

The herders willfully invade people’s farm lands, feeding their cattle with crops in the farm and sacking farmers.

This was prominent is states in the Middle-belt (North Central

geo-political zone. The invasion of some states by the Fulani herdsmen has led to the deaths of thousands of innocent people, while properties and valuables worth several millions of naira have also been damaged and lost to the invaders.

Apart from outright mindless killing of villagers over their land, these herdsmen take delight in raping married women before their husbands, or daughters before their parents; they also maim and torture the victims mercilessly.

Some of these herdsmen have since scaled up their atrocious deeds in society by raining terror on highways as kidnappers. So many Nigerians have been killed by these kidnappers who also demand hefty ransom. Sometimes they kill their victims even after collecting the ransom. This means that it is not just an economic thing but crime motivated by hate.

Today, some communities in the Northern states such as Zamfara, Sokoto, Benue and Plateau often threatened to pay huge sum of money to placate bandits from invading such communities.

In recent time, the trend has spread to the Southwest states of Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo and Lagos with increased cases of kidnapping and armed robbery attacks on individuals in these states.

The kidnappers, herdsmen or armed bandits are often strategically located in major highways that connect one Southwest state to another or the expressways that link Southwest states to other geographical zones of the country.

Between the months of October and November last year, several cases of killings, kidnappings and armed robbery attacks were recorded in some of these

highways, mainly on Ibadan, Ikire, Gbongan, Ipetumodu, Ife, Ilesa, Akure to Owo for which a Professor of Medicine and Surgery from Obafemi Awolowo University, IleIfe, Olayinka Adegbehingbe was kidnapped by Fulani herders but later freed, afterthe payment of N5.045 million ransom.

Samson Adenipekun, civil servant in Osun State Local Government Service Commission, was murdered by herdmen at Ikire end of the road as well as many othertravellers were kidnapped, killed or robbed at gun point.

Last year, Dayo Adewole, son of the immediate past Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, was kidnapped at Iroko village near Fiditi along Oyo, Ogbomoso, and Ilorin expressway in AfijioLocal Government Area before he was later released by a gang of four bandits.

Last August, the daughter of Reuben Fasoranti, Afenifere leader, Funke Olakunrin was shot dead by unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

It was gathered that the incident happened in Kajola along Akure-Ondo expressway. The deceased was attacked alongside other travellers along the road.

All these attacks go on under the noses of security agents.

Perpetrators of most of them were never arrested let along prosecuted.

However, as a solution to the menace, the Southwest Governors on January 9, launched a regional security outfit co-named Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN) ‘Amotekun’.

The plan was initially declared illegal by the Federal Government.

Government’s stand was roundly criticised by many Nigerians.

It however, changed its position after a meeting with the governors, Inspector-General of

Police (IGP), Mohammed Adams and the Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo in which the outfit was rearranged.

Speaking on the ‘Amotekun’ security outfit Ondo State Governor (SAN) and the chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu explained that ‘Amotekun’ was initiated to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies that appear to have been hampered by the absence of local intelligence gathering.

According to him, “Amotekun will, when fully operational, serve the purposes of local information and intelligence gathering for the Police, Army and other conventional security agencies.

“This is more so that the Amotekun scheme is not targeted at any non-Southwest ethnic group just as its benefits are to be reaped by all Nigerians irrespective of ethnic or religious placements.

“Under circumstances of the nature of Amotekun, the choices are numerous. They range from prevarication and pretence; partisanship and sycophancy as well as moderate and complimentary steps not inimical to the corporate existence of our nation, Nigeria.

“The Southwest Governors have chosen the later. In unequivocal terms too, each of the choices has a consequence, if not consequences,” he said.

After several weeks of drafting of the legal framework by the Attorney Generals of the states in the region, all the states House of Assemblies has passed the ‘Amotekun’ bill, while they await the assent of the Governors.

However, the Governors of Ondo and Oyo States took the lead last week by signing the ‘Amotekun’ bill into law.

Several other regions across

the country have also mooted the idea of a regional security outfit in the last one month.

Law week, the South-south Governors met in Asaba and agreed to set up a regional security outfit.

In the Southeast, the Governors and other stakeholders recently met and agreed on the need for a regional security outfit, while arrangement and other necessary preparation for a launch is in top gear.

Observers are of the view that the seeming reduction in reported cases of banditry, kidnaping, robbery and other criminal activities in major highways and clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the Southwest since the idea of ‘Amotekun’ was mooted is perhaps an indication that a wellcoordinated regional security outfit could put fear in the mind of the bandits and kidnappers while helping in checking the worsening security situation in the country.

“No doubt the ‘Amotekun’ security outfit has helped in putting fear in the criminals. You would notice that before the ‘Amotekun’ security outfit came on board kidnaping was frequent on our highways, they were no go area.

“Most of us could not travel, we were afraid. But though, you can’t say things are now normal because people are still been killed daily and they are no reported, but I think it would checked them.

“The region’s Governors should be commended. Other regions should follow because it appears the current Government of Muhammadu Buhari have no idea on a way out,” Ogundimu Matthew a public commentator Observers say that with the level of sanity that is now being experienced in all of the South West states, it is important that South East and South-South should hasten up with their own arrangements in this regard.

Those who spoke with BDSUNDAY expressed the optimism that the establishment of Amotekun in South West would not only enhance the security of lives and property, but would also help the economy of the zone.

According to the observers, farmers who had abandoned their farming activities for fear of being killed or kidnapped would now go back to their business.

Rufus Adu, a farmer, said: “At this time when Nigeria is struggling to fund its budget as a result of the crash in the oil price in the international market, the most serious thing to do is to encourage farming. It is evident now that we can no longer rely on oil, there must be a viable alternative. We have paid a lip service to agriculture for too long; this is the time to consciously go into it. So, with the likelihood of peace and security returning to South East where some of us do our farming, through the launch of Amotekun, I see hope,” Adu said.

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Women’s World Being focused in life has helped me a great deal – Helen Oritsejafor Helen Oritsejafor, a multi-talented business industrialist, author and co-pastor of Word of Life Bible Church is the wife of Ayo Oritsejafor. In this personality interview with Modestus Anaesoronye, she shares her growing up years, how she manages her home alongside her numerous businesses, and how people can find joy in their marriage despite challenges. Excerpts:

Y

ou are such a strong woman. Even when you were in your 20s, before you got married you were a millionaire.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

Well, starting a life without a mother at four (I lost my mother when I was four years old), and I told myself that I wasn’t going to allow that to stop me. So I was very serve driven. It’s also a good thing that I gave my life to Christ at an early age so of course I wanted not to just be a business woman but also serving God. The dreams that I set for my life in my 20s, I just went all the way into it. I already had a company in the UK and I moved to Nigeria to establish another one. I started bringing in SMA baby food from the UK to Nigeria. I also had my road construction company, rural edification and many other things as well. It has been God all the way.

I’ve always been a very focused person and when I put my hands into something I see it to the end.

You must never allow your past define your life. Everything was militating against me becoming what I am today, but I never allowed my past or environment to stop me. Today, I’m not just a co-pastor with my husband in our church which is close to 50,000 in membership, I’m also the chairman of Eco Microfinance Bank and the MD/CEO of Africa Broadcasting Network. I run a medical centre, I run a school as well, the list is endless. It goes on and on but beyond all these, it goes to say that no matter what, you must never allow anything to stop you.

Many pastors’ wives get lost in the identity of their husbands. How have you been able to maintain your individuality and still able to achieve all that you have?

I need to establish the fact that I love being me. The importance of knowing your self-worth matters a great deal. When you know who you are regardless of who you are married to, you won’t lose yourself to marriage because that’s a common phenomenon. I remember when I was once in Ghana and some of the women were telling me that once a lady gets married that’s the end of it prior to when she has all her goals set up. So, the most important thing is to know who you are as an individual.

You also need to have a dream, a goal, things you’d love to achieve in life - do you just want to end up a Mrs. and be having children? Is that enough for you? For me, that wasn’t enough. I already had my goal set up even before I got married to my husband and I never lost that I kept on ever wanting to achieve them.

Also, I’m a people person wherever I’m found, I love to

Helen Oritsejafor reach out to people and add value.

That was also a motivation for me.

Another aspect is the God Factor; how do you think about a lady from a polygamous home setting who lost her mother when she was four years old and still able to become a multimillionaire by the time she was in her twenties? When you are focused as an individual and never allow things or pressure to bring you down; you’re already a winner and never a loser. I thank God, I have never lost my person, the real me and that is very important.

How have you been able to harmoniously balance your marriage, children and your numerous works?

It has to do with time management. I know when to be a wife to my husband. I know when to be a mother to my children and I know when to be the chairman of the bank and so on.

A lot of things call for attention so the ability to prioritise is needed. I have been able to prioritise; knowing where I’m supposed to be at what time. I also delegate duties at my organisations because I’ve been able to build a solid structure that can run effectively and ensure proper deliverables from my end and from those working with me. Many Nigerian establishments really lack proper structure.

Of course, you also need encouragement from your spouse as well. My husband has been a huge encourager; he has strongly supported me over the years. I also have understanding children as well who know that “mummy is goal-getter” and is ever pushing to achieving whatever it is that she lays her hands on.

You mentioned earlier that

the most important thing is loving yourself. How does one love oneself, especially when things around try to pull one down?

I think one of the things that has prevented people from loving themselves has to do with physical appearance such as when told you’re fat or short or uneducated and all sorts of things.

Once you start believing that, you start looking down on yourself as an individual. Never take those things as a determining factor.

Love yourself for who you are.

God never thought you were not enough, if he did, he wouldn’t have brought you the way you are.

Whether you are tall, fat, slim or short; you are unique. There are no two of you. You need to believe that. If you don’t believe that and go on to depend on what people say to you before you believing you’re a fantastic person then it’ll be a serious problem. Please believe in who you are, believe in who God has created and that’s you. No one can ever be you. The ‘you’ are needed in this world.

As an individual, believe in yourself. The authentic you is unique, beautiful, smart, intelligent, fantastic. Walk tall and square your shoulders. Look, people will always say things about you. Surround yourself with the right kind of people that are positive and will always cheer you up not people that point out your faults which cause you to internalize these stuffs and before you know it, they start affecting your psyche. So surround yourself with people who really believe in you and love you for who you are.

Never let go of you. Even at my age, I’m still improving myself.

The world is evolving, everything around us is evolving - so you

must also evolve too. Do something fresh about you, celebrate your person. When you wake up in the morning, psyche yourself up. Talk to yourself. Tell yourself how beautiful you are. Tell yourself how unique and beautiful you are before anything else in the morning.

What if the people who talk you down are your family members? How do you deal with that?

Sincerely, most people who may bring you down are usually family members. You can’t change a family you’re already born into, but you can set up boundaries. Be nice. Be polite. Be good. Choose whose voice you willingly listen to and that is what matters the most.

Who is it that you are listening to?

There has to be someone in the family who you are listening to. If you don’t have any, sometimes, friends can be much more, validating your person and nudge you on even in your family.

Let’s talk about your recently released book, ‘Joyfully Together; Keys to Enjoying your Relationship’ The first key is to love yourself.

If you don’t love yourself, then you have nothing to give. A lot of people are struggling with loving themselves. Even the bible says ‘Love your Neighbor as yourself’.

What was the inspiration in writing the book?

‘Joyfully Together; Keys to Enjoying Your Relationship’ stemmed out of looking at what is going on in Nigeria, be it married or single. Such challenges include not knowing the right person to settle down with at the end of the day with an increase in the ratio of men and women having desires of ending their marriages, it is something that

one needs to really look into. It’s literally growing everyday - this is one end. Then the other is the aspect of our culture not allowing women to express how they feel; they feel trapped in the marriage because they know it’s a taboo to even think about divorce which is why we don’t have high rates of divorce over here unlike the developed nations.

My desire is to challenge and change the narrative; telling people that they can actually enjoy their marriage not endure.

Just like a doctor needs to be trained to having the knowledge needed to function as a doctor, so also, there are principles that govern marriage. You have to internalize and make them a part of you as a man or woman knowing what you need to bring to the table. When those things are ironed out and well received, with time, things will start working out. You won’t have to stay in a marriage as strangers enduring each other making it look like it’s working but in the real world it’s like cat and mouse. Sadly, this is what is going on in Nigeria and even Africa as a whole. We don’t want that; we want harmony.

Having being married for over two decades, pastoring a church of over 50,000 people and counseled so many couples, in your opinion, what is the number one issue that has caused couples not enjoy their relationships?

Lack of preparation. People prepare to get wedded but never prepare enough for marriage. Wedding is one day but marriage is forever. I believe if we can put in the same efforts that we put into looking good for ‘that day’ towards our marriage; it’ll go a long way. Think first, are you whole as a person; psychologically, spiritually, physically, emotionally. Is your partner also ready in these areas? Also, do you love each other? Not the infatuation or sexual love, this goes beyond that. Of course you have to love and celebrate yourself first then love the partner that is coming into your life as a person and not because of the material things. Does the person have a goal? Are you intellectually connected? These things really matter.

Each of them needs to know their role in the marriage. The woman should have respect for the man, submit to and celebrate him. The man needs to love the woman as Christ loves the church. People are always emphasising on the woman submitting without stating the role of the man, she gives and gives until she can’t give anymore. It has to be vice versa. In a nutshell, a man has to know what he wants in a woman and a woman has to know what she wants in a man.

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Sunday 15 March 2020

Focus What GBV victims go through in search of justice in Akwa Ibom

S

ANIEFOK UDONQUAK, Uyo

he calls me “sweetsweet, It is a name I love to hear each time she calls me. But since she was taken away from me more than a year ago, I have no other one to call me by that name.”

That was the sad memory of Victoria Sylvester, the foster mother of the 10-year old girl who was defiled and left in the pool of her own blood at a market square in Use Offot, near Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.

More than year after, the trial of the suspect has not commenced and the victim seems not to have received justice. More worrisome is the suspicion that the suspect has been left off the hook and back in the community.

Though arraigned in a magistrate court in Uyo, the case file appeared to have been lost in transit between the Akwa Ibom police command and the state ministry of justice.

The victim, who is now deformed as a result of the violent sexual attack, is being looked after at the Divine Children Home, a rehabilitation centre, run by the governor wife’s non-governmental organisation, Family Empowerment Youth Reorientation Path Initiative (FEYReP).

The defilement case had generated a lot of interest since the community where the suspect was arrested had played a significant role in his arrest.

Miriam Daniels, a member of

a group known as Jasgebav, a civil society organisation which seeks to bring issues of Gender-Based Violence to the front burner of public discourse, who took the victim to a nearby St. Luke’s Hospital, about one kilometre away from where the incident occurred, said she was moved by the pitiable sight of the victim.

“She was bleeding profusely and had lost considerable amount of blood. She was getting pale and I was afraid she was going to die,’’ she said.

According to her, since the incident happened within the neighbourhood where the suspect lives, having been told by those who gathered around the suspect, she said she insisted that she should be taken the suspect’s residence.

“When I arrived his residence, the door to his house was locked; there was no indication that he was within the neigbourhood.

There was blood stain around the premises,’’ she said, adding that she took the initiative to report the case to FEReP. She explained that the suspect was later apprehended by the youth and handed over to the police and was arraigned in court.

That was in January 2019.

“Now, after the suspect, Edet Inyang Edem, a 30-year old man was taken to court, his case file was to be sent by the police to the Director of Public Prosecution in the state ministry of justice for advice, that is where the file appeared to have developed wings and flew away like a bird,” she said.

According to her, the suspect is

Martha Udom Emmanuel, wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State

facing a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and having a carnal knowledge of the victim in suit number MU/8/C/2019.

“That you, Edet Inyang Edem , ‘m’ and Blessing Saviour Ikpe ‘f’, on or before the 13th day of

January, 2019 at Use Offot Village, Uyo Local Government in the Uyo magisterial district, did conspire amongst yourself to committee felony to wit: Defilement and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 552 of

the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. 2, Laws of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, 2000.

“Count 2: That you Edet Inyang Edem ‘m’ on 13th day of January 2019 at Use Offot Village, Uyo Local Government Area in Uyo magisterial district had unlawful carnal knowledge of one Mfon Okon ‘F’ aged, 10 years and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 32 (1) and punishable under Section 32(2) of the Child Rights Law of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, 2008.”

This delay in the dispensation of justice for the victim, has left her foster mother, a petty trader, in shock and despair, given that the suspect is said to be back in the community without the case proceeding, after it was last adjourned.

Narrating her predicament, Victoria said: “I went to the farm, on coming back; I did not see my daughter any longer. I searched for her everywhere but she was nowhere to be found. I decided that I would report to the police in the morning.

“But I was informed that she had been found near the market square in Use Offot, bleeding. She was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua, in Uyo and taken into the theatre for operations.

“Members of the Governor’s wife Non-Governmental Organisation, Family Empowerment Youth Reorientation Path Initiative (FEYReP), later came back after she had been discharged

Continues on page 23

IWD: ActionAid, NAWOJ, CSO make case for gender equality VICTORIA NNAKAIKE, Lokoja

E

ne Obi, Country director, ActionAid Nigeria, has said that there has been some progress in Nigeria in the recognition of women in line with the Beijing declaration, noting however, that women are still faced with several obstacles that still need to be addressed.

Obi made the observation during the celebration of the International Women’s Day in Abuja.

Recall that ActionAid Nigeria, Civil Society Organisation and other non-governmental organisations have been collaborating with one another in Kogi State to push women to the limelight, requesting for gender equality, and soliciting for 35 percent inclusion in government appointments.

“This year 20th commemoration of the International Women’s Day marked 25 years since Fourth World Conference for women and the Beijing challenge for Action. Although some progress has been made, real change has been agonisingly slow for most women and girls in Nigeria as we

still gave several obstacles in law and culture which predispose us to multiple forms of violence at home and in public spaces. We suffer the burden of unpaid care and domestic works and remain in the face of poverty in Nigeria,” Obi said.

“We urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to fast-track the reduction of women’s labour by looking towards Provision of Gender Responsive Public Service (PGRPS) in recognition of women’s contribution to economy and national development.

“We also implore all Nigerian women to take action individually and collectively because our individual and collective actions, conversation, behaviour, mindsets will have an impact on our larger society. Together we can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situation and collaborate on women’s achievement,” she said.

According to her, “Gender equality is the responsibility of every Nigerian woman and the earlier we all take up this challenge

“We also urge government at all levels to regulate, subsidise or provide public transport, promote law a and public campaign to eliminate discrimination and violence against women and girls.”

Obi further said: “We welcome government commitment to gender equality, but we need to see this translated into investment in public services that account for every body’s needs. Government should ensure that women participate equally and meaningfully in all processes around designing legislating, not just for their safety but for national development.”

Also commenting on this year’s women’s day, Anne Olourinde, chairperson of the Nigerian Association for Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Kogi State chapter, during a programme organised by the chapter tagged #EachforEqual#IWD 2020, said Kogi NAWOJ was also adding its voice to the emancipation of women in the state.

She also said that the programme was organised to add voice to the call against domestic Ene Obi, Country director, Action Aid Nigeria

Continues on page 23

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Focus Ikpeazu’s wife continues to adopt measures to curtail sexual abuse of minors in Abia mothers and expressed shock at how parents have become lax in their roles in raising children, forgetting they would give account of the children to their Creator.

The wife of Abia Stategovernor commended the FIDA, the Uzuakoli Motherless Babies Home and others for ensuring the kids remained healthy and well fed in school, while assuring that she would continue to provide for their upkeep and education, adding that the children would remain in the care of the Home and under the supervision of the Ministry of Women Affairs and the Gender-Based Violence

N

UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia kechiIkpeazu,wifeof Governor OkezieIkpeazu of Abia State and founder, Vicar Hope Foundation, has decried incidences of genderbased violence and sexual abuse of minors, saying government and stakeholders cannot tolerate rising cases of abuse across the country and must come together to tackle it.

Ikpeazu stated this at Government House Umuahia while receiving members of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), officers of the State Ministry of Women Affairs led by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, UkachiAmala, and the Project Director of the Methodist Motherless Babies Home Uzuakoli, Joshua Okpara (a cleric).

The groups came in company of two minors aged three and four years who were victims of an incident of alleged serial abuse, molestation and child rape that occurred early last year in a village in Umuahia South. The two girls were rescued from the abusive environment in April 2019 through collaboration of International Federation of Women Lawyers and the Vicar Hope Foundation after a Good Samaritan had drawn attention to their plight.

The older of the two kids who had borne the brunt of the abuse had undergone medical treatment at FMC Umuahia before they were safely kept in a home where they are cared for and enrolled in school,

“

Nkechi Ikpeazu, wife of Governor OkezieIkpeazu of Abia State

courtesy of the President of Vicar Hope Foundation, Nkechi Ikpeazu.

The Abia first lady expressed regrets that even after a year of manhunt; the police were yet to effect arrest of the suspect who was accused of molesting the child.

She expressed concern that cases of child rights’ abuse required diligent investigation and prosecution,

recalling that it was the reason she had to pay a visit to the Commissioner of Police several months ago, and had helped the Police command build some capacity to do their duty.

She noted with sadness the upsurge in the activities of Pedophiles across the country while blaming it all on the carelessness of some

The Abia first lady expressed regrets that even after a year of manhunt; the police were yet to effect arrest of the suspect who was accused of molesting the child

IWD: ActionAid, NAWOJ, CSO make...

What GBV victims go through in search...

Continued from page 22 from the hospital and took her back for further treatment as she needed blood transfusion.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom police command, CSP Nnudam Fredrick who assumed duty barely two months ago maintained that the case file had been sent to the state Director of Public Prosecution and went to the extent of giving the date it was said to have been dispatched to the ministry of Justice.

“We have found out that the case file was sent to the DPP on February 15, 2019,’’ he said.

This is however, disputed by a senior lawyer at the ministry of justice who has insisted that they had been waiting for the case file.

The lawyer, who is also a member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), insisted that the police have yet to send the file to the office of the DPP. “I have checked with the office of the DPP, the file has not been sent, we are all interested in the case,” she said.

FIDA, which has been at the forefront of the campaign against GBV in Akwa Ibom State, has appealed to Governor Udom Emmanuel to sign the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Bill into law passed by the State Assembly, saying that it would help to check the rising cases of GBV in the state.

“The bill redefines the offence of rape and offenders will now be criminally liable if he/ she intentionally penetrates the vagina, anus or mouth of another person with any part of his/her body or with anything else without that other person’s consent,” FIDA stated.

“With the recent increase in all forms of violence and instances where abusers walk away free because there are no far-reaching laws to deal with the incidences of abuse, violence and sexual exploitation of women, including minors, it is imperative that the governor assents to the bill so that it becomes law and operative in

the state,” When FEYReP stepped into the case, taking the girl to hospital for treatment, many had that thought it would facilitate a speedy trial and bring about justice for the victim who has now been deprived of the comfort of living with her family members in addition to the sexual violence she has suffered.

Surprisingly, the NGO says it has not received any update on the case since it was to be sent to the DPP for advice in January last year. Ime Inyang Eyen, director of the NGO, said the last time the case was called, there was no bail granted the accused, adding that she was not aware of what had happened since then.

“We are interested and we will find out how, where that release emanated from? Perhaps, the basis too, so that we will know how to follow it up. It is one of the cases that had been code-named ‘hydraulic case’ in court; so we want to know who wants to spoil our ‘hydraulic case.’

GBV Focal Desk of Vicar Hope Foundation until it could be ascertained that it was safe for the kids to return to their family.

Recounting the incident, the immediate past state Chairman of FIDA, Chidinma Alozie said the three-year-old victim had accused a particular suspect of abusing her on six different occasions while the little girl’s mother and father were away and declared that the parents of the victim were unfit to care for the child, hence the need to take away the kids from the abusive environment and to involve the police in a criminal investigation.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, UkachiAmala thanked the wife of the governor for her year-long intervention, and for setting up a Gender-Based Violence Focal Desk while using the opportunity to reprimand the parent of the kids whom she described as grossly irresponsible.

She said government would not tolerate such rights abuses but would work with collaborators like Vicar Hope Foundation, FIDA, community and church organisations to ensure safe places in society to protect potential victims of abuses and to bring perpetrators to justice.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs revealed that two facilities, A Half Way Home and a Rehabilitation Centre were at 90percent completion, courtesy of the efforts of Governor OkezieIkpeazu, adding that the two facilities would make the Abia State better positioned to care for displaced, abused and trafficked children.

“Rape is a bailable offence since the law on the prohibition of Gender-Based Violence has not yet been accented to and that sometimes, they release the people on bail does not mean that they had struck out the matter. In this case, it was referred to DPP, with the hope it would be reassigned to a High Court and ever since they sent the case to the DPP, we have not been updated with any reassignment,” Eyen said.

As the case has suffered a prolonged delay and with the case file believed to be missing in transit, the victim’s foster mother has cried out for justice for her daughter even as the sexual assault has left her daughter permanently deformed, while the suspect is walking free and he has been kept away from her.

“I am heartbroken; the victim is my foster daughter, I took care of her since her father died many years ago; I want them to allow me see my daughter and I want justice to be done and seen to done for her,” Victoria said.

Continued from page 22 violence in the society, adding that there was the need for women to discover who they are, fight for their rights and avoid becoming victims of domestic violence anywhere they might find themselves in their dealings.

In her contribution, the Kogi State Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement, Stella Adejoh called for gender-based budget to enable women take their pride of place in society, pointing out that they are enforcing the fight against violence as the call has become necessary to give women a sense of belonging by allowing them participate in national development.

The Executive Director, Initiative for Grassroots Advancement, Hamza Aliyu in his contribution describedwomenasthelivewireofthe nationandcalledforgenderequality, freedom for women, adding that whydomesticviolencestillthrivesin the society is gender inequality, saying domestic violence do not know status, age, tribe or religion.

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Sunday 15 March 2020

Arts ‘Mixed Feelings’: A mirror into different views on life issues OBINNA EMELIKE

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hile variety is the spice of life, diverse views on issues underpin the fact that people are entitled to their opinions.

Bearing this in mind, two visual artists set out to further unravel different views expressed by people on life issues with their works.

Olasunkanmi Oyelusi and Adedotun Fashina, the two artists, are mirroring the diverse views with their joint exhibition titled Mixed Feelings. It is an exhibition of paintings featuring 27 recent works by the artists.

Mixed Feelings, which is billed to open at Alexis Galleries, Victoria Island, Lagos on March 28, 2020 and runs till April 4, 2020, is promising to be a must-see exhibition as the two artists who are inhouse talents of Alexis Galleries showcase enthralling pieces of art, from the stables of their creative ingenuity, honed at the gallery.

For instance, Adedotun Fashina’s works are sheer creativity because the selftaught artist, who studied Business Administration, is in the art for his passion, hence his works are inspiring. Again, the works for the exhibition are worth seeing because Fashina draws inspiration from the environment, people and everyday life in the urban cities.

A look at each of the 15 paintings he is showcasing at the exhibition reveals mixed feelings for the viewers. The works shed light on the chaotic and unavoidable processes of urbanization in the globalised and over populated world. The many build-

ings scrambling for space and leaving inhabitants with a near-choking environment tells it all, while in some other neighborhood, there seems to be a sense of decency.

For him, many people pass through stress to earn their living everyday, they live in near-madness environments and are stressed daily, while some others do not encounter stress or chaotic environment. That underpins the ‘mixed feelings’ for him.

On the other hand, Olas-

unkanmi Oyelusi , a Fine Art graduate from Auchi Polytechnics, Edo State, is good at what he studied in school.

Oyelusi is an aspiring artist to watch because his works are quite interesting. He practices impressionism, and uses vibrant colours for bold representation. He pours his heart out of his canvas done with oil and acrylic.

These qualities are evident in the 12 works he is presenting at the exhibition.

Taking a look at some of his

works that are going to be on showcase, the Fat Woman series, three works in one, comes to mind. The painting features a fat woman enjoying herself and not minding what issues her plum size and lifestyle would raise among people that see and talk about her. For, the artist, while many frown at her huge size, some others think she has a good shape-‘the figure 8’.

Meanwhile, in her curatorial view of the exhibition,

Bimpe Owoyemi, co-curator of the exhibition, explained that the gallery paired its two in-house artists in the exhibition for obvious reasons.

With their 27 works, Bimpe noted the artists delved into things people have issues with and talk about such as body shaming, lifestyles, chaotic neighborhood against serene ones, among others.

“The theme, ‘Mixed Feelings’ handles issues that are not definite and which people have different views on.

So, the artists put out their messages through the works and allow people to discuss them”, Bimpe explained.

Explaining further she noted that in the Fat Woman Series, some people think a fat woman should cover up her body, while others say fat women should flaunt the body, hence the mixed feelings.

In her remarks, Patty Chidiac-Mastrogiannis, curator, Alexis Galleries, noted that the exhibition is a must-see because the two artists who are Alexis’ in-house talents have honed their craft, improved over the years and are churning out masterpieces worth seeing, buying and preserving.

Citing instance with Oyelusi, the curator noted that the young and ambitious artist is now better priced than some years back when was still mastering his craft, while Fashina has shown what being passionate can do to someone’s career.

As well, in line with Alexis Galleries’ tradition of giving some percentage of the proceeds from the exhibition sales to a charity organisation, Chidiac-Mastrogiannis disclosed that the gallery is donating to Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria. For her, the foundation, which is getting another donation shortly after getting some last year, is an NGO that is committed to bridging the gap between children and adults with Down Syndrome with the rest of the society.

Mixed Feelings is sponsored by Pepsi, Tiger, Indomie, Mikano, The Guardian, Wazobia FM Radio, Cool FM, UPS, Cool Woirld, Cobranet, Delta Airlines, The Homestores, Art Café, Turkish Airlines and Lost In Lagos Magazine.

Nigerian literary community celebrates Odia Ofeimun at 70

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he Nigerian literary community is set to celebrate, Odia Ofeimun, one of its own, who turns 70 years on March 16, 2020.

Ofeimun is a man of many parts in the literary profession. He is a poet, essayist, poet, journalist, dance-drama producer, critic, columnist and public intellectual.

Part of the activities marking the 70 years milestone is a conference in

honour of Ofeimun, which will hold on March 16, 2020, at the Julius Berger Hall of the University of Lagos.

Themed, ‘Taking Nigeria Seriously: A Conference in Honour of Odia Ofeimun, the conference will be a gathering of intellectuals, scholars and academics from Nigeria and across the world.

The celebrations will end with a special dinner in honour of the celebrant on the evening of March 17 at the

hall of the University of Lagos Guest House.

Professor Biodun Jeyifo, a reputed literary scholar and globally recognised cultural theorist, is expected to give the keynote address at the conference, which would be chaired by Rauf Aregbesola, minister of Interior, while Olisa Agbakoba, renowned civil rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, chairs the dinner on March 17.

Odia has for more than

four decades now, exerted a phenomenal presence in the Nigerian cultural, creative, intellectual and political space. He served as private secretary to Obafemi Awolowo, the late Nigerian nationalist and politician between 1978 and 1981; was a member of the editorial board of The Guardian from 1983 to 1988, chairman of Editorial Board of The News, Tempo and AM News from 1993 to 1999, and president

of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) from 1993 to 1997.

O f e i m u n ’s Ho r n b i l l House of Culture represents a platform, which he has continued to use to execute his multi-dimensional activities including writing, dance-drama production, book publishing, cultural promotion and political interventions.

He has close to 40 published books to his name; they include volumes of poetry,

collections of critical essays, anthologies of cultural and political interventions, and compilations of journalistic writings.

In 2010, Odia Ofeimun won the Fonlon Nichols award for excellence in writing and human rights activism. He is an exemplary man in many respects and his contributions to Nigeria letters and ideas as well as public life make him richly deserving of such an honour.

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Arts Slum Art Foundation commemorates #MyFreedomDay with paint exhibition

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OBINNA EMELIKE lum Art Foundation, a CSR capacity building project with focus on mentoring, restructuring mindsets and developing the creative talents of children living within slums, held an exhibition and painting session with the kids in the slum to commemorate #MyFreedomDay in Ijora Badia Lagos.

Th e e v e n t t h e m e d #Painting with the good guys was graced by DCP Tunji Disu, Commander of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and his team who were shown the various art works done by the excited childrenas they collaborated in painting various art works in marking the globally celebrated day.

The global campaign against modern slavery championed by international cable network giants CNN themed #MyFreedomDay is one that spread across six continents and 100 countries and over the years seen the participation of students globally through creative expressions call for an end to all forms of modern slavery.

Speaking at the event, Adetunwase Adenle, cofounder, Slum Art Foundation and four-time Guinness World Record holder, stated that the scourge of modern

DCP Tunji Disu painting

day slavery is one which requires the full attention and deliberate efforts of not just the government, but every stakeholder, influencers and members of every household within every society in putting an end to the global issue.

He urged parents to be supportive of their wards, encourage them to enjoy their childhood memories with friendsand empower them with skills that would make them better persons for themselves and their community rather than saddle them with the responsibilities of being involved in trading on the streets of

Lagos at a young age which is unsafe.

“At Slum Art foundation, we are able to provide a conducive learning environment and platform for children in the slum to acquire skills in art, thereby taking them off the streets after school and empowering them to be more useful members of our society. The positive impact on our engagement is the multiplier effect of having the friends of children actively engaged in the training sessions also come around and joining them, thus keeping them busy rather than engaging in illicit activities.”Adetunwase

concluded.

Speaking at the event, DCP Tunji Disu, expressed delight on the initiative taken by the Slum Art foundation in empowering the children within the slum as he encouraged other well-meaning Nigerians to positively input their quota in making the society a safe and better place for everyone.

DCP Disu also used the medium to encourage the children and youths within the Slum to stay off crime and other illicit activitiesand rather focus on their studies and add value to themselves towards becoming the true leaders of this great nation.

‘Be Fearless, Campaign’ for gender parity… plans book tour to 20 universities

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ocused on promoting gender equality, increasing female representation in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers and providing support and direction for professional women, Jane Egerton-Idehen, a tech executive, author and speaker, has launched ‘Be Fearless, Campaign’ a national campaign focused on highlighting the hurdles that prevent women from fulfilling their potential, and providing a guide to younger women on the complexities of navigating career and life opportunities in their fields.

Jane Egerton-Idehen decried the gender gap that still undermines the economic security of most Nigerian women by limiting their ability to work and pursue a career and urged for gender equality focused on enabling higher growth, productivity and economic stability, not only for women, but their families and ultimately the country. She stressed that Nigerian women still have just three-fourths the legal rights and opportunities of men and called for activities that empower Nigerian women, especially in technology.

Speaking at the online release of her new book

International Women’s Day, reminds us that there is still more to be done towards improving gender equality and fostering a healthier, wealthier and more harmonious world. We hope to encourage more young girls and stimulate genderequality discussions, via this campaign, my new book, endowments to girls and the experiences of many African women who are contributing to this campaign”, she said.

Eg e r t o n - Id e h e n a l s o encourages the lovers of women; parents, siblings and husbands and colleagues to empathise and help them achieve their potential at home and in the workplace.

The campaign features a book tour to about 20 tertiary institutions in Nigeria, book reading sessions at some leading book stores, scholarships to female students in STEM courses and a formal launch of her new book. The campaign is also expected to encourage leading entrepreneurs and businesswomen in Nigeria to share their experiences building successful careers, challenges they encountered and lessons they hope to pass on to a younger generation of African women.

“Be Fearless: Give yourself permission to be You” chronicles the author’s re-

Every child deserves books Sheraton Lagos Hotel celebrated World Book Day 2020

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n the famous words of George R.R Martin, “A reader lives a 1000 lives before he dies…The man who never reads lives only one”. It is in this spirit that Sheraton Lagos Hotel celebrated World Book Day in a spectacular way.

On March 5, 2020 World

Book Day was celebrated around the world and Sheraton Lagos joined in by inviting children from Ijamido Orphanage to a book reading at the hotel.

Over 30 children arrived in the hotel excited for what lay ahead for them. After a brief introduction and speech on the reason for world book day,

Sheraton Lagos celebrating World Book Day with orphans

the book reading commenced.

Members of staff read books to the children and the kids also joined in the fun by reading to their peers.

After the reading, the biggest surprise of the day was the donation of books to the orphanage. Every child was handed a book with the extras

given to the administrators to add to the orphanage’s library.

The children were visibly excited with dancing and singing commencing immediately to show their glee.

There was also eating, more dancing, discussions and more before the hotel bid the children farewell with promises of prizes for those who read the books donated to them.

“At Sheraton Lagos, we go beyond and by doing this, the hotel believes that it will be cementing its place as a hotel not just business travelers but also a property that creates experiences for leisure seekers too”, he hotel said.

With the hotel’s proven success and exceptional reputation in hospitality and comfort, it believes that the celebration of world book day shows that hotel is hospitable in every way.

At Sheraton, the world comes together and infuses the energy of our guests coming into our spaces.

Jane Egerton-Idehen

“Be Fearless: Give yourself permission to be You”, Egerton-Idehen who is also the country manager, Nigeria/regional sales manager, West Africa for Avanti Communications, emphasized the under-representation of women in corporate Nigeria and challenges young women to pursue their dreams.

“There is a significant gender imbalance in corporate Nigeria, especially in the technology industry where ratio of women to men is as high as 1:5. We must now deliberately work towards a more balanced sector where everyone is enabled. ‘Each for Equal’, the theme of the

markable experiences challenging gender roles and stereotypes, via her rise from the slums of Ajegunle in Lagos, Nigeria, to brokering million-dollar deals for global telecoms giants. Written with the young woman who dreams of being more in mind, Egerton-Idehen opens up about her less-privileged background, education, career journey, marriage and motherhood stories, exploring the cultural expectations, biases, and impossibilities that turn dreams of career success into wishful thinking and demystifies them. The book is available online from March 17, 2020 on Amazon.

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Sunday 15 March 2020

Life&Living Understanding your partner’s love language

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Jumoke Akiyode-Lawanson

henever people meet a couple that have lasted more than 10 or 20 years in marriage, the first question they tend to ask is, “what’s the secret to your lasting marriage”? Well, according to many marriage councilors and relationship experts, the only secret to keeping a healthy and happy marriage or relationship is to really understand the ‘Love Language’ of your significant other by knowing exactly what ticks their boxes.

There are times when you feel like you and your partner are not on the same page even though you love each other. The most common issue in any relationship is the communication barrier. Everyone experiences love differently and it is very easy to miss the mark when it comes to showing your partner that you really care, especially when your partner does not understand or appreciate your communication method.

So what are the love languages, and how would I know which best suits my partner? You may ask.

According to Gary Chapman, the author of 5 Love Languages series, there are five ways we express and experience love (he calls them “love

languages”): Gift Giving, Quality Time, Physical Touch, Acts of Service (Devotion), and Words of Affirmation. We all “speak” one of them most fluently in each of our relationships - especially in a marriage.

Words of affirmation: Ijeoma

Okeke, a 23 years old Law graduate says she loves it when her boyfriend reassures her of his love for her by actually telling her. “I like it when he tells me that I’m beautiful, when he tells me how much he loves me and wants me to be his wife. How-

ever, some men do not usually like to be expressive by saying mushy things,” she told BDSunday. Here, we can see that Ijeoma’s primary love language is ‘words of affirmation’.

Appreciation and love for her are best affirmed through words from her partner.

Receiving gifts: A lot of people usually mistake this love language on materialism; the receiver of the gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness and effort behind the gift. Women or men who speak this language fell more prized and cared for when they are given the perfect gift and no matter how much you tell them that you love them, giving a gift would be more affirmative and acceptable to them.

Act of service: If this is your partner’s love language, then nothing speaks louder and truer than nice and thoughtful acts of service.

Things like making them breakfast in bed, helping out with house chores or doing something that you typically wouldn’t do, would make them fell super special.

Quality time: This is by far, the most common love language for both men and women. Nothing says “I love you” than full, undivided attention and time together with your lover. For some people, quality time is their primary love language

and if they don’t get that from their partner, then they don’t feel loved. If your husband or wife’s love language is quality time, then try as much as possible to give it. Spend more time cuddling up in bed, gisting, sitting to watch a movie together and just being around and focusing on your partner.

Physical touch: A person whose primary language is physical touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face – they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Just the physical act of a kind and warm touch lowers one’s blood pressure and releases the “love hormone,” oxytocin. And it goes both ways, those that give hugs for example, also have a similar physiological reaction. Touching is also a key factor to a lasting relationship.

In a relationship, you need to constantly study your significant other to identify his or her love language or languages, as individuals may speak more than one love language. Love language can also change depending on circumstances in life.

Yo u a n d yo u r p a r t n e r c a n take a short quiz on https:// www.5lovelanguages.com/ to identify your love languages and work on building an everlasting marriage.

Why you should love and care for your natural hair

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IFEOMA OKEKE

he uncertainty of what our hair will look or be like prevents us from keeping our natural hair away from attachments.

However, whether it be relaxed hair or not, there are plenty of good reasons why you should love your natural hair.

Sure, as soon as the curls start popping out we get all excited and a passion and/or curiosity for them quickly develops. However, this journey can feel much like a rollercoaster with ups and downs, but with an understanding of nature of your hair and the right products, you will be smiling to yourself everyday just seeing how your hair looks.

A company like Natures Gentle Touch, a personal style brand by Recare that uses natural ingredients to solve hair and scalp challenges can help you grow healthy beautiful hair.

Natures Gentle Touch kicked off a campaign for a competition which started on the 14th of February titled:#LoveYourNaturalHair was borne out of the fact that it observed that a lot of women, especially Nigerian and African women are not so proud of their natural hair.

With the influx of wigs, braids, the company thought it was time to change that narrative by coming up with a campaign where it told women to take a picture of their natural hair, post it on Instagram page and tag the company. The more likes they get, the more chance they get to be winners.

Amaechi Koldsweat, marketing manager, Recare Gentle Touch told BDSunday that with the campaign, Natures Gentle Touch wanted to reward 14 winners, strategically com-

mencing the campaign on February 14, the month of love.

“The campaign ran for two weeks and we shortlisted 14 ladies. They have been rewarded with an opportunity to be the cover girl of our unlimited exclusive brochure. They will also have products to help their hair grow better. They will also be given a free hair voucher where they come into the institute in VI or the one in Isolo, Lagos where they get their hair pampered free of charge.

“We have had over 16,000 likes within two weeks of the promo. We had over 300 entries and we shortlisted the top 14. So the 14 was based on the number of likes they got. Ten of these ladies are in Lagos and four are

outside Lagos. We will be sending the brochures and gifts to the winners that are outside Lagos,” Koldsweat said.

He stressed that the hair of a woman is her crown, and an institute like Natures Gentle Touch can take care of the hair and make it look as good as wearing a wig, so there won’t be a need for wig.

“We plan taking this further. We are going to do an Easter promo still in line with you loving your natural hair.

We stand for women looking beautiful and we feel using your natural hair makes you even more beautiful.

When we say natural hair, a lot of people think it is just virgin hair but we are trying to educate people to make them understand that your hair

is your hair, whether it has been relaxed or whether you are into a transition of going on natural hair.

“We are Trichology, we are not stylist. If you are first timer and you come into Natures Gentle Touch, the receptionist will ask if you are a first timer. We will take you to see a Trichology where we run a hair test and we have an exclusive machine we use to do that. It tells you everything that has to do with your hair,” he explained.

Thelma Ejuh, one of the winners of the campaign said she posted her picture on Istagram and tagged Natures Gentle Touch and her picture was reposted by many people and that was how she got into the competition.

“I had 951 likes during the competi-

tion. I have had my hair for a year now and I have been using Natures Gentle Touch products. Last year, I had a condition and I went bald at the centre of my hair. So, I got oil from Natures Gentle Touch and the hair grew. The product is very affordable. I also use the shampoo and conditioner.

“Natural hair is not expensive and it is very easy to manage. I can style my hair indifferent ways. I will advise women to maintain their way, get good products and maintain their way properly. Natural is beautiful. I wash my hair often with shampoo and conditional, though not every day. I apply daily oil to the hair to keep it shiny and healthy. This is something everyone can do,” Ejuh said.

Simon Willar, chief marketing officer, Recare-Natures Gentle Touch the company was pleasantly surprised at the overwhelming responses received from tens of thousands of entrants and supporters who, through their likes, decide who the 14 winners would be.

“At Natures Gentle Touch, scalp and hair consultations reveal the challenges facing Nigerian women and where the treatment solutions are recommended and applied.

“In addition, we train hair stylists from all over Nigeria who attend advanced styling courses to increase their skills as well a young ladies who are looking to make a career in the industry. We also run scholarships for young ladies who are unemployed with the objecting of up-skilling them out of unemployment.

“Our range currently comprises 45 different products-all of which are developed using natural ingredients treating, amongst others: Dandruff, dry hair, hair breakage, heat damage and virgin hair challenges,” Willar said.

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Bliss with Nonye Ben-Nwankwo

BDSUNDAY 27

Email: chiwuagwu@yahoo.com Phone number (sms only) 08057511893

AMVCA: Another booster for Nigeria’s economy

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n S a t u r d a y, March 14, 2020 practitioners and stakeholders in the movie industries across Africa gathered at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, for the 7th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ChoiceAwards(AMVCA).

Decked out in their best outfits, these guests were on hand to celebrate the top talents from Nigeria’s film and creative industry, who have excelled in the last year by creating outstanding movies and TV series. The evening was packed with heartfelt speeches and a whirlwind of emotions, with millions of Africans tuning in from their homes, celebrating with the winners,andsharingtheiropinions across social media.

No doubt, the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards is Africa’s most prestigious celebration of film and TV talent behind and in front of the cameras. The AMVCAs also represent the significant investment made by MultiChoice as a show of its commitment to the development of skills and talent on the continent.

MultiChoice continues to contribute immensely to the growth of Nigeria’s movie industry - Nollywood. In the last five years, as Bliss gathered, a totalvalueofN156.6billioncan be attributed to the development of local creative talent in Nigeria, as a result of sourcing and producing local content for DStv, GOtv, M-Net, SuperSportandAfricaMagic–aswell as investment in local production infrastructure by MultiChoice Nigeria. MultiChoice has so far contributed a total

of N31.9billion to Nigeria’s film and creative industry, making it arguably the biggest support structure the industry has enjoyed in recent years.

Last night, a total of 24 African actors and 44 filmmakers from various countries were up for the top honours as nomineesinAfrica’sbiggestcelebration of film on the continent.

A total of 43 films released between April 1, 2018 and November 30, 2019, received nominations. They vied for prizes on the biggest night of film and television in Africa.

Many have wondered if actors get paid for playing any role at the AMVCAs or if actors take extra money home after picking up an award. But it turns out no actor gets paid to grace the esteemed stage in any capacity. They don’t get an alert for winning, even though you can make a case for them auctioning off those shiny trophies for some heavy Naira should they ever need the funds.

The live event is far from a loss though. According to conversations from actors, directors and technical crew, while they might not immediately see any money, they get to experience an “AMVCA

Bounce” of at least some increase in their actor’s fees and rates during the year following an AMVCA win.

Actor Tope Tedela, who was a newbie when he won the Best Actor In A Drama at the 2014 AMVCA for the film A Mile From Home revealed on popular youth TV show, Rubbin’Minds,thathissuccess wasn’t overnight.

“What it did was to put a spotlight on you, and people are wondering ‘I know the name, let’s call Tope in to read for this or that’,” he said. Before winning an AMVCA, Tedela was another young, up and coming actor looking for work, but the AMVCA put his name in a lot of mouths, and into a lot of projects.

Stars also get to benefit from the mainstream visibility and their pockets too. Winning the award signals to sponsors and brands that there’s value in partnering with the creative. The AMVCA serves as the seal of credibility and importance for many new and experienced actors who are looking to expand their world and their income.

Fortechnicalcreatives,winning an AMVCA for any part of your work in a film adds

My father didn’t want me to be a musician – Mike Okri’s son

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ome might say Young Okri, one of the children of musician, Mike Okri, got into music in order to follow his father’s footsteps.

But the young lad has said the veteran musician didn’t want any of his kids to tow his line of career.

In a chat with Bliss recently, the budding musician said their father had wanted his children to venture into other professions but music.

“Growing up, I got my own dreams. But that didn’t stop me from loving music because I heard it almost all the time.

My father at a time didn’t want us to get into music. He wanted us to be lawyers, accountants etc. But I couldn’t help it, music took over.”

Relieving his growing up days, Young Okri said he had a great time but with ups and down.

“It was fun and ‘un- fun’. Every father has his own lifestyle no matter the profession he is into. My father has rules and you must follow those rules.

He used to say there was time for everything.”

Talking about why he went into music, Young said, “I went into music for the love of it and not because of money.

You must love something so much before it’s begins to bring forth money. Since I joined the industry, it’s hasn’t been easy but I thank God for His graces.”

Young Okri revealed his father is still into music and has not retired. According to him, the Time na Money crooner will soon go on an international tour.

“Oh yes. Mike Okri and

the URHOBO harmony band will be having a music tour in the USA which will take place at Radisson Blu Mall of America. The tour will start from September 3 to 7 2020.

It’s an annual convention and anniversary celebration by the (UPUA).

“After we are done with tour in America, we will be coming back to Nigeria on October 4 – 10 in Lagos, Abuja and Delta for another blast. We all know the performance of Mike Okri. So the fans should get ready big time because we are coming to entertain.”

further sheen to your resume and increases your chances for a recommendation on larger projects.SoundEditors,Picture Editors, LightingDesignersand more who are celebrated on the night, also get to experience the ‘AMVCA Bounce.’

For the host city and state, AMVCA produces a significant economic benefit to Lagos, its creatives and professionals. They include expenditures associated with visiting attendees from around the continent, incremental expenditures on accommodation, transportation,food,beverage, entertainment and shopping, car hires and wardrobe. Also, there are job opportunities created for production staff and talent for the award night and build-up events, as well as multiplier effects flowing from direct spending associated with the AMVCA, including state and local tax revenue, and more.

Throw in the economic benefits to Lagos designers, and spending associated with private AMVCA parties and local benefits associated with corporate sponsorships. Everybody wins with the AMVCAs. The inaugural Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards ceremonyheldinLagos, onMarch 9 2013, and was broadcast live in 50 African countries.

Seven years later, it is stronger than ever, with an expansion of categories, and growth in the social and professional value of the awards. All of that is possible through the underlying economic benefits for everyone associated with the project, whether you are winning or working, it all adds up to more money for everyone.

Stars rock MTV Base Island Block Party

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he city of Lagos almost exploded last recently as superstars jammed when the music, entertainment and lifestyle powerhouse, MTV Base, took over the month’s edition of Island Block Party to celebrate its anniversary with a concert.

The concert, which was held at the Lekki Special Event Center, had in attendance some of the heavyweights in the music and entertainment industry.

The MTV Base and Island Block Party rave, anchored by hypemen, BollyLomo, and Tolu Daniels, featured performances from top musicians Mayokun, Teni, Niniola, Peruzzi, CDQ, and Slimcase among others.

Commenting on the event, the Country Manager, VCN Africa, Bada Akintunde-Johnson, said, “At MTV Base, we sit in the heart of youthful culture, we have been able to build a bond with our audiences. Fifteen years in this industry is no easy feat, and we are grateful for all the support that we have received from our viewers over the years.”

MTV Base began the month-long celebration with a series of activities that included a panel session and the MTV Base takeover of Capital Block Party in Abuja. The bus takeover saw the entertainment giant offer free rides to commuters in Lagos for three days on MTV Base branded BRT and danfo buses.

Abiola Williams, Ige Kachi thrill at SHAPE 2020 launch

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opular Nigerian Actress, Abiola Williams and vocal coach, Ige Kachi joined hundreds of women at the Capstone Resource Center on February 28 to witness the launch of SHAPE 2020, a women empowerment program sponsored by The CocaCola Foundation and implemented by Whitefield Foundation.

Ige Kachi, popularly known as Ige Sings opened the event with an afro-pop rendition of the Nigerian national anthem which had the audience cheering with vigour. Ige is often described as the most prolific soprano voice to come out of Nigeria considering her unique ability to weave through both classical and contemporary genres of music in a dynamic manner.

Nollywood actress Abiola Segun Williams, better known as Titi Kabisoye on Tinsel also rendered a powerful monologue on the plight of women in Nigeria titled ‘Goddamned Rubbish’. The monologue highlighted some of the challenges women face in attain-

ing financial independence in Nigeria.

SHAPE 2020 is a women empowerment program sponsored by Coca-Cola through a grant awarded

by The Coca-Cola Foundation. The grant awarded to fund the SHAPE 2020 program by The Coca-Cola Foundation will help achieve Coca-Cola’s 5by20 initiative

which seeks to empower five million women economically across its value chain by 2020.

The Coca-Cola Foundation since its inception in 1984 has contributed more than $1 billion to help protect the environment, promote recycling, empower women and enhance communities around the world.

28 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 15 March 2020

Travel

Partnership between government and travel agencies is key to growing the sector - Sani Ahmed Mohammed Sani is the Managing Director of Amco Travel and Tours Limited. In an interview with Ifeoma Okeke, Sani speaks on why partnership between the government and travel agencies is needed to grow the sector. He speaks on how Amco is making a difference in the travel industry through its exceptional service delivery.

Are you a member of NANTA? If you are, what do you think the association needs to do to grow businesses of its members? am a member and a member of International Air Transport Association (IATA).

There are a lot of things that the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) is supposed to have done.

Most of the agendas of the leadership are never achieved. They abandon it as soon as they get to office. For example, across the world, you hardly see an airline operating within a city. NANTA rule prohibits airlines from setting up offices in the city. They are expected to operate within the airport area and no travel agent is allowed to have an office in the airport but vice versa. What is happening in Nigeria is different.

You see the airlines competing with agencies in the city. Most of the leadership had promised to change this. However, they have introduced some good initiatives but we need more.

How can the airline and the travel agency collaborate to build the industry?

Some of the airlines are trying.

If there will be tremendous collaboration, it must be championed

by NANTA. If NANTA perform as they should, it will give room for collaboration. Like i told you earlier, the world is moving on with a sanitised market but there are inherent challenges that proper enforcement by NANTA could address to reposition the industry.

The travel and tour industry has been viewed as one that is not properly regulated, as people easily set up travel and tour businesses even in the comfort of their homes, thereby breeding unprofessional practices. The sector is not well regulated in Nigeria compared to other countries in the world. You don’t just own a travel agency if you’re somewhere in the US, Asia or Europe.

To operate a travel agency, you have to follow due process and regulations and obtain necessary documents. Without an office, some practitioners go around with their laptops and issue tickets. These are the people that are likely to defraud clients. They have nothing at stake.

How do you think these challenges can be addressed so that the right people are the ones running the industry?

The leadership of NANTA may consider taking measures to address this challenges including publishing the names of their members. This will safe their image. National Hajj Commission has always done this. They

I

list accredited agencies who are ready to operate Hajj and Umrah.

Before you are listed, they would have requested for necessary documents including taxes and previous license that will qualify you to be screened. After screening they will check your office to be sure you own one before they give you a license to operate Hajj and Umrah. So I will want NANTA to apply the same rule.

How has the outbreak of Coronavirus affected aviation business, especially ticketing?

The impact has been very massive across the world, not only in the aviation sector but every aspect of the global economy.

Meanwhile its impact on domestic travel in Nigeria is very limited.

Though a case or two has been discovered in Nigeria, local flights have not been witnessing challenges as much as international route, particularly countries with high cases. There is need to continue to collaborate to find a lasting solution because no country is left out on the outbreak and its implications.

How can we develop tourism potentials in Nigeria?

There is a need for government to partner with tour and travel agency to grow the industry. A lot of things are left untapped in Nigeria and it is really affecting the tourism industry. If you go to Jabi Lake in Abuja today, it is a location that could add significantly to the revenue of government if handed over to private sector to manage.

If those resources are in others countries like Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, it would be a money making business but our government left it to rot. I will advise the next leadership of NANTA to look into something like this. Tourism could improve the economy of the country as the Federal Government is looking at measures to diversify.

Government is not really taking the sector to global standard.

Most Nigerians travel as far as Dubai just for tourism. Forty years back, Dubai was just like a desert but Dubai today is a tourist centre. We have more resources than them. There is no part of the country that doesn’t have a tourist attraction. In plateau, there is water fall, in Kogi there is also a water fall. In Enugu we have hills.

In Benin, Sokoto and Maiduguri there are tourist attractions but government is not investing in the tourism sector. Go to US today, we have the Disney World, it is a place being caved out for tourists.

It is public and private sector initiative. We need to pool resources to develop the sector.

One of the things people look

Sani

at when they embark on tourism is security, what is your take on security situation in Nigeria and the implication on the tourism sector?

I may not say much on insecurity because I am not an expert.

But I can tell you that there are a lot of saboteurs that are sabotaging the nation’s security architecture. Though people blame the military for the current situation, the problem emanated from the citizens, especially the politicians.

Politicians recruit thugs and use them to gain what they want.

After election they abandon the thugs, who have been armed including giving them Ak47. This is invariably creating criminals.

What happened in Kogi recently remains a good example. Where are the guns after election? Do they ask? The people fuelled the security challenges in one way or the other.

It is only when our leaders realize to do the needful that the industry will develop. We can address the situation by looking at the implications of our actions.

What does your company offer differently from other travel and tour companies?

Tourism and Travel Company have been limited in Nigeria to issuing of tickets. This is not the case at Amco travel and tours.

We offer more services apart from

ticketing. We help people plan their travel adequately and with integrity, knowing how critical the sector is to businesses and indeed the Nigerian economy. For businesses to thrive, reliable travel and tour companies are needed to enable people move from one location to another. At Amco, we go as far as offering charter aircraft for local or international engagements, though we are primarily focused on local charter for now.

We run airport services like cargo and ‘pick up’. You can equally agree with me that it is not all the traveling agencies that do those.

We equally provide training to boost capacity for public and private sector.

More importantly, we are committed to honesty and integrity.

We are known for that. We don’t compromise integrity. My staff prioritises integrity. If you are issuing ticket to a client, for instance, don’t offer promo tickets in place of another. We always insist that clients either put it in writing or send a message as proof that they are aware of the implications that come with promo tickets. Why I don’t like promo ticket is because of the consequences; while it offers low price, you must be certain that you won’t request a change in your travel schedule. So some people will go for promo ticket but eventually lose the entire money

if they have to change their schedules due to unforeseen situation.

Promo tickets are unchangeable, non-refundable and not transferable. But the average Nigerian will look at the immediate benefit.

So basically, Amco is into ticketing and reservations, hotel booking, chartered aircraft and we equally handle cargo. We also specialise in Hajj and Umrah.

We are at the edge of launching a platform that would enable customers book tickets at the comfort of their homes. We also offer Visa assistance. We don’t procure visa. We assist people in getting visas. Only the embassy can offer you visa.

Apart from tourism are there other things you do?

Yes. Our group is into engineering and real estate. These are more like family businesses. My father has been into real estate and I have been committed to growing the sector. I have a background in engineering and that has helped in offering customers the best as construction consultant and real estate manager. So this is not a matter of business but a passion.

From the records, AMCO Travel and Tour Limited prides itself in delivering various travel packages to its customers promptly. How have you done this over the years?

From the start of our operation, we know that for the tourism sector to grow in the country, indigenous operators must be ready to boost investment and concentrate on a sustainable plan to harness the potentials in the sector. That is what South Africa and Kenya have been able to do. So, our basic focus is to treat customers with all respect and handle them like they are all we have got. We are not in business to just make money but to improve customer experience, build trust and integrity and show that we can live up to our expectation sustainably.

How costs effective are your services compared to that of competitors?

Our prices are affordable because we have in mind the higher class, the middle class and the lower class. Our prices are more flexible than others. For those who can afford higher services, we have affordable services for them. Those in the lower class still have benefits they enjoy. We can put two or three persons in a classy hotel and room, so that they can also enjoy the benefits those in the higher class enjoy.

We also give discounts on air tickets for clients. Sometimes we give customers discount from the commissions the airlines give me.

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29

Travel

The Piazza del Duomo in Milan is the biggest attraction in the city

Global tourism groans under coronavirus impact … Destinations, airlines, hotels worse hit OBINNA EMELIKE

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hen Coronavirus (Covid-19), was first reported in Wuhan, in the Hubei Province of China on November 17, 2019, the world never imagined the kind of impact the virus would be creating afterwards as China was seen as capable of handling the health issue within the confines of its region.

Sadly, the world was wrong as the virus spread and became pandemic. As at March 13, 2020, over 142,791 cases have been recorded with 5,374 deaths and 8,235 new cases.

Aside the death toll, while the plague ravages the world, the global economy is slumping daily as businesses are impacted negatively with travel restrictions aimed at curtailing the spread of the virus. Of course, Chhina, which is the manufacturing hub of the world, is on lockdown As expected, with the travel restrictions, the travel and tourism industry is hard-hit and is groaning now.

According to a survey by Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the global business travel sector is expected to take a revenue hit of about $820 billion, with China accounting for nearly half of the losses, as corporates curb travel plans in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic.

At moment, the United States of America, with 1,886 cases including 189 new cases, has banned flights from Europe from entering into its territory to enable it handle current cases, help the infected to recover and stop new cases.

The European restriction is because the region is now the epicenter of the virus, taking over from China and Asia where the virus was first reported.

However, considering the volume of daily flights between Europe and USA, the travel industry is losing billions of dollars from the flight restriction, amid cancellation of flights, hotel bookings, tour packages and trips.

According to Cirium, an airline data research firm. Including all carriers, there are around 1,500 flights per week from Europe to the United States, carrying more than 400,000 passengers, while Delta Air Lines is the largest transAtlantic carrier, with 266 flights from Europe to the United States per week.

Already, Delta has disclosed plans at cutting overall capacity by 40 percent and park up to 300 aircraft and with the restriction in place. The idle aircraft mean millions of dollars loss in revenue, and imminent hardship as some staff would be laid off until normalcy returns.

Also, Norwegian Airlines alone operates 59 flights carrying 20,000 passengers and it announced on Thursday that it would drastically cut the number of flights from Europe to the United States, canceling some 4,000 flights and temporarily laying off 50 percent of its employees.

While the USA ban on European flights affected mainly EU countries, the ban, which took effect on Friday March 13, 2020 at 11:59 p.m, has overall impact on travel in all Europe including the UK that is excluded.

It means connecting flights from such countries are canceled with passengers going for refund on earlier bookings as most people are not sure of travelling soon. The refund is additional burden on airlines, which are already parking many aircraft for lack of passengers.

With a 95 percent drop in business travel since the outbreak, Chinese travel industry is expected to lose $404.1 billion in revenue from corporate travel,

followed by $190.5 billion in loss for Europe, Global Business Travel Association said.

Moreover, European hotels, which reported improvements on rooms revenue at a higher year-over-year pace for the last quarter of 2019, are almost shutting down due to exodus of guests from hotels as Europe becomes the epicenter of coronavirus spread.

Erstwhile in China, international hotel brands are closing hotels and counting losses as well.

Hilton has closed about 150 hotels totaling 33,000 rooms in China. The brands, according to Ahmed Mahmoud, founder, revenueyourhotel.com, is anticipating a $25 million to $50 million impact to full-year 2020 adjusted EBITDA and a 1 percent drop in RevPAR - that is if the outbreak lasts around three to six months with an additional three- to sixmonth recovery period.

•••Norwegian Airlines alone operates 59 flights carrying 20,000 passengers and it announced on Thursday that it would drastically cut the number of flights from Europe to the United States, canceling some 4,000 flights and temporarily laying off 50 percent of its employees

Also, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts closed 1,000 hotels in China, while openings scheduled for the first quarter will likely be postponed, causing flat to negative room growth for the first quarter of 2020.

With these factors in mind, Wyndham is estimating a potential adverse impact of approximately $5 million to first-quarter 2020 adjusted EBITDA and a potential adverse impact of approximately $8 million to $12 million to full-year 2020 adjusted EBITDA. Hyatt also closed 26 hotels in Greater China (mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan) with many others that remain open running at very low occupancies.

For the Radisson Hospitality Group, the negative impact would be negligible due to the limited impact of Chinese and Asian travelers on the client base.

Moreover, the impact is expected to reach everyone and every brand as brands like Marriott International, IHG group, Accor Hotels, and many others are now waiving cancellation fees, recording and tracking cancellations from around the globe to measure the real financial impact.

Destination managers are also groaning as global travelers are held back for safety sake, especially China, which had around 166 million outbound travelers in 2019.

It would be recalled that in 2018, the Chinese spent $277 billion in international tourism and a restricted Chinese travel means a loss of $69 billion in the first quarter of 2020, according to Mahmoud.

For many online travel companies (OTCs), when the Chinese are not traveling, Europeans restricted to travel, and Americans not allowing flights into their country, the travel industry

is gone.

Organisers of global tourism events are not left out, apart from Fitur, which held early January in Madrid, Spain, all other international tourism events and fairs have been canceled including ITB Berlin, which did not hold this March for the first time over 50 years.

Sports fans cannot travel to enjoy their passion again as major global leagues have been put-off, many countries now considering banning public gatherings all in efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Moreover, as governments around the world attempt to mitigate the spread of the new coronavirus many have ordered museums to shutter temporarily.

WIELS Contemporary Art Centre, Brussels and other major museums in Europe have closed. All Chinese museums are closed, as well as, museums in USA, Japan, South Korea among others countries.

Cinema and beach going, nightlife and social gatherings are impacted too as many people stay indoors for safety and to avoid further spread of the virus.

In Africa, the impact is beginning to be felt, though the continent has managed to sustain few cases of the virus, a situation, which baffles the world going

by Africa’s poor health management, inadequate facilities and poor response to emergencies.

However, the continent is fighting to stay safe as the spread of the virus will not mean well for Africa if USA could ban European flights.

But the impact is already affecting African economies, especially countries that depend on crude oil like Nigeria and Angola. There is fear that the ugly scenario of the 2016 recession may be playing back as global economy is hard hit with Nigeria inclusive.

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Sunday 15 March 2020

Sketches

With Zebulon Agomuo’ 08054691823

40 security personnel for deposed Emir? Our country has lost it!

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hile it is germane to canvass for a special funding for the security agencies in the country, the question remains, how has the government put the personnel to proper use in the interest of the masses? In a country where police-to-citizen ratio is abysmally too low for comfort, the few personnel are channeled into doing useless jobs other than the primary policing and protection of lives and property.

For instance, in 2009, a report said that Nigeria had more than 370,000 police officers and a police-to-citizen ratio of 1 to 400. According to Wikipedia, “Nigeria Police Force is with a staff strength of about 371,800. There are currently plans to increase the force to 650,000, adding 280,000 new recruits to the existing 370,000.”

In a country where kidnappers, Boko Haram, and herdsmen are killing innocent people on a daily basis, and security personnel sent to combat these menace are developing cold feet in confronting the enemies, and instead turn back to constitute a nuisance and a menace to the hapless citizens going about their lawful businesses, a case in point being the recent Ikokwu saga in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where those recruited and paid with tax payers’ money brutally killed and maimed innocent mechanics, can only point to a nation in trouble. It is disheartening that a large number of security agents made up of policemen,

LifeGuide

with Emem Nwogwugwu

tions. It is not about releasing money; a lot of money has been pumped into the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency, yet, it is as if nothing is happening. How on earth does a nation justify the deployment of over 40 armed security personnel to stand at the gate of a deposed traditional ruler, just to turn people back from visiting him, when an attrition war is raging in Borno, and other parts of the country? Look at Benue State, improper policing has

Sanusi in the hands of security agents

personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCD), were posted to a small compound where deposed Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is being held hostage. Reports had it that over 40 agents were stationed within and outside the compound. Does this make Nigeria look serious in the midst of threatening insecurity ravaging the country?

We are told that a bill has passed

second reading at the National Assembly for the creation of Nigerian Armed Forces Support Fund. Ordinarily, this is a great idea, but put side by side with the news making the rounds how funds meant to fight insurgency end up in private coffers, it would simply mean that the wealth of the whole world would not solve Nigeria’s problem if there is no change of mind and attitude on the part of those who superintend over these huge funds and their alloca-

continued to encourage the killer herdsmen to overrun villages and communities without any challenge. From Kaduna to Adamawa; from Plateau to Benue; from Enugu to Ebonyi; from Edo, down to Delta, and from Ogun, Oyo to Ondo, it is all about tears and agony over the killings going on unchecked.

Some highways in the country have become a no-go-area, yet, we have the conscience to waste resources and personnel. May God help Nigeria!

Emem Nwogwugwu is an entrepreneur, author, life coach and certified project manager.

For over a decade she has been working to motivate people to live their best lives.

08033455364

How to stay focused on your New Year goals

I

t’s not new to anyone of us, that a lot of people ignore their goals after a few weeks into the New Year.

Now, this isn’t like any other new year, considering the Coronavirus news globally. If you live in a country where you feel some sort of safe then maybe you might be able to focus or stick to your planned goals.

It’s not easy for anyone living in countries where this is already an epidemic, do not beat yourself, if all you can do now is to make sure you and your family are staying safe and healthy.

In order to be aligned with your planned goals, it takes more than a vision board session, which isn’t a bad idea except if you design the board and fold your arms. Below are a few tips to keep you accountable and self motivated throughout the year 2020.

List of goals They are: Health and wellness, contentment and peace, passion and energy, career, marriage & relationship, financial, friendship, and business.

Others are recreation & travel, personal development, charity & community service, achievements, and spirituality.

In setting goals, the first major mindset that is needed is making sure your

goals are S.M.A.R.T Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, and Time bound.

Re-access your goals again. Make sure your goals are clear and specific.

Understanding what you want exactly is the first step; as a life coach and project manager, many times people set goals to please other people and not themselves. When you achieve your goal how will it make you feel? Write down your answers in a book. There is power in writing down what you want in all aspects of your life. It helps you remember and encourages you to follow through.

Create an action plan and incorporate that into your daily activities. This is why I wrote a book titled ‘Parent Organiser’. As busy people, we need to find ways to integrate our work life into our personal daily goals; example, you want to lose weight but you are constantly rushing to work with no packed healthy meals, then you already know that won’t work. Accepting that you are responsible to find ways to balance or I like to say preferably, create a 360 work life integrated lifestyle. It means even at work, your goals are still ongoing.

Make sure your goals excite you.

Don’t set goals that drain your energy.

Remind yourself with the end results

daily when you look at your journal. You need more than a desire to achieve a goal, you need personal passion. Make sure you are still passionate about your goals and if you are not, you can tweak your goals again; it’s your life and your set goals. Make it fun and worthwhile.

Get an accountability partner - This is so important when it comes to setting and achieving your goals, spend time with high fliers who are on the same page as you. Choose an accountability partner, agree on days you will check up on each other, maybe you want to write a book, and you need someone to keep you accountable. You can also hire a Life Coach like me who is trained and certified; be sure they have proven results to show and track record of experience or success.

What’s your action plan? Review your action plan; a lot of times all our action plans are dependent on us, which can be difficult; this is why people hire Life Coaches or Consultant for their business to help them professionally achieve their goals. You can also work with me, if you need a life coach to work with.

Be Realistic in the pursuit of your goals. I am not saying you should not dream big. You should but, don’t set unrealistic goals that will give you

hypertension. Look at your goals objectively and take action steps to make sure it’s still S.M.A.R.T. It’s your life; you can also change it, if it’s affecting your health wrongly.

Schedule a time for all your goals.

Don’t set any goal without a timeline; this is how to stay constantly motivated and self-driven. Don’t set vague goals Prepare for obstacles - If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. As a project manager, we call this risk management strategy. Before embarking on any project, we need to access the possible risks and how to avoid or handle them.

For every goal, there will be obstacles, but with a plan ahead, you can prepare for it and overcome it, yes I mean you reading this. For example, I attend parties with my smoothies and fruits snacks. Then sometimes, I take lunch from home. On days when I failed to prepare, I had shocked myself as the whole healthy eating cannot be sustained mostly when I have been working for hours.

Don’t lose your values in the name of achieving your goals, make sure your goals are in alignment with your values.

Enjoy the journey, having fun is so important, don’t be hard on yourself.

Take breaks when you can.

-Emem Nwogwugwu

Sunday 15 March 2020

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31

Analysis

Insecurity: Why sudden attack at N/Assembly...

Continued from page 1

It was observed that security personnel that are stationed at various entry and exit points of the White House where the Red and Green Chambers are situated, were only seen checking accredited entry permit of staffers and visitors, and not luggage.

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan recently raised the alarm that NASS was under security threat as he said intelligence report revealed that there was influx of unknown persons into the place.

There were reports that assailants were planning to bomb the NASS complex, the reason Lawan insisted security must be remodelled.

Lawan said in a statement by his media adviser, Ola Awoniyi, that the intelligence prompted a quick response to provide temporary measures in the place.

He said: “As principal officers of the National Assembly, or let me say in the Senate in this respect, our responsibility and obligation is to ensure that our senators, members of the House of Representatives, workers of the National Assembly, our visitors and indeed anyone who has a lawful business to do in this National Assembly are safe.

“With the heightening insecurity in the country, the time has come for this National Assembly to be properly secured for members of the National Assembly to carry out their legislative and other functions, under a very safe atmosphere.

“Necessary security gadgets and technologies to ensure that our parliament is like other parliaments in other climes where you have no business in the parliament, you cannot go in and when you have a business on the first floor, you can only go to the first floor. You can’t go to any other floor.

“From the gate, people who shouldn’t be here at all, find themselves in. And then people come in, moving from one office to another, looking for nothing because they have no appointment with anyone. Yet, they pass through all the security systems that we have in place.

“Even our chamber. When we close from the chamber, you see a line-up of people. You wonder how these people have come in and what is their business there.

“We don’t want to wait until something happens. This kind of discussions had taken place in the past. This is the ninth Senate, we want to do it differently.

“We believe now we have to work together if it means the agencies talking to their people who are supposed to work here, they should do so because truly,

we are under ‘invasion’. Anytime you come to the National Assembly, it’s full like a market with all manner of people,” Lawan had stated.

Since Lawan raised the alarm and insisted that security be beefed up, new method of checking entry of staff and visitors into the complex have been put in place, beginning from the main gate situated near the Eagle Square. But the body and luggage scanners are yet to be functional.

Although, it is no longer news that the security system in the NASS complex is seemingly porous. It will be recalled that during the 8th Senate, some thugs had invaded the Senate Chambers and carted away the Mace which is authority symbol of the legislature.

The thugs had gone right into the Chamber, unhindered, when plenary was midway. They beat all security checks and were able to move out with the mace without any stoppage.

The 8th Senate had accused Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of masterminding the invasion of the Senate Chambers. He was subjected to probe by the ethics committee for further disciplinary action.

Till today, no one can tell what hidden arrangement the thugs might have made with the security personnel to gain free access into the Chamber.

It is surprising because persons such as staff and journalists with accredited identity, and who have lawful business in the complex are always subjected to stiffer security checks, sometimes leading to embarrassing

situations.

Be that as it may, the probe of Omo-Agege ended quietly, without cogent reasons to show. However, Senate spokesperson, Senator GodiyaAkwashiki when asked, explained that “the matter died because the life of the 8th Senate elapsed and it is constitutional that anything, whether a motion or bill in the last Assembly must not be entertained by the 9th Senate.”

On why the scanners were not working, Rawlings Agada, director of information, said: “I

“

Security clearance should be a major requirement for disengaging Legislative Aides.

Also, renewal of identity cards for Legislative Aides should be made annually

think the equipment has a lifespan. What we should consider is that the poor performance of this year’s budget is affecting everybody. Most of the equipment you are talking about, we don’t have the money to maintain them.

“The body scanners should be upgraded from time to time.

The software of some of the machines has to be upgraded and it takes time. And you cannot call anybody on the streets to come and service those things; they are under the supervision of the security agencies.”

With all the security threats, it is doubtful whether the National Assembly that has the constitutional mandate to make laws, and protect lives and property of the citizenry is showing a good example. The big question is, can the National Assembly protect Nigerians when it can’t protect itself?

Recently, worried by the security threat at NASS complex, a 12-man security subcommittee was set up by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani Omolori. The committee was headed by the Sergeant-at-arms, BrigadierGeneral Mohammed Sani Danwalis (rtd).

Some of the recommendations of the committee include, “rationalisation of banks and other business outfits whose operations are neither incidental nor complementary to the functions of the National Assembly.

“Leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives should prevail on legislators to submit themselves to

security checks, especially at the point of entry into the National Assembly.

“Security clearance should be a major requirement for disengaging Legislative Aides.

Also, renewal of identity cards for Legislative Aides should be made annually.”

Others are that the “Directorate of Human Resources and Staff Development should maintain a data base on all staff, legislative aides and legislators which should be shared with all security agencies.

“The Management of the National Assembly should advise security chiefs to desist from bearing arms within the precincts of the National Assembly; “The Directorate of Research and Information, in conjunction with security agencies, must ensure that journalists practising in the National Assembly are accredited on a yearly basis.”

The sub-committee also recommended that the National Assembly, in conjunction with National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), should ensure that henceforth, identity cards issued to staff, legislative aides and legislators have biometric features to stem the possibility of forgery.And that the National Assembly should procure more radio and communication equipment to enhance response capacity on the part of security agencies, among others.

Yahaya Dan-Zaria, director of Public Affairs in the National Assembly, has noted that the “NASS management has taken steps to nip the situation in the bud.”

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Sunday 15 March 2020

Environment

Red flag on open defecation in congested Apapa DESMOND OKON

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ajor cities in Nigeria are contending with absence or insufficient infrastructure to make livingworthwhilefordwellers.Many houses in some cities lack as basic thingsasconveniences,andbecause it is natural for people to want to use toilets after they had eaten food, many are forced to do it at wrong places, constituting environmental hazards for dwellers in such places.

In cities where the situation described above is the case, commuters are daily treated with unfriendly odour along major roads as they meander through excruciating gridlocks. For instance, Apapa in Lagos has become notorious for gridlocks, but the plight of commuters has been compounded by stench from urine and excreta that litter the roads.

With absence of public toilets, Apapa roads have been turned into open urinary and toilet for anyone to empty his bladder and bowels in response to the call of nature.

This environmental-degrading act, BDSUNDAY learns, is mostly perpetrated by tanker drivers who spend weeks on the roads; security officials, and sometimes street urchins, who have no known address, but live under the bridges.

A Lagosian taking a pee openly

Most truck and tanker drivers spend weeks in long queues trying to get their goods from the ports or to get the petroleum products from the ubiquitous tank farms in Apapa, as the case may be. So, whenever nature calls, they defecate or urinate by the road side, and under their trucks, toavoidpryingeyes.Sometimes,the faeces are splattered along the road!

This situation is more pronounced on the stretch of road from Iponri(Breweries)toIjora,whereitis usual to see some of the motor boys toiletinginthefullglareofpassers-by.

Itisalwaysanordealpassingthrough the area as a result of the offensive smell. Commuters are always seen covering their nostrils as they pass through.

…As tanker/truck drivers turn roads into toilets

A dumpsite beside Ajumoni Central Mosque where faeces is dumped. The food packs also contain shit.

Ayiba Sadiq from Kano, a tanker driver, confirms that the roads, dumpsites and cornered areas serve as toilets for them. He explains that it is risky to leave one’s vehicle unmonitoredinsearchofwheretoease oneself. “We do it near the motor because you can’t leave your motor alone”, Sadiq said with a smirk on his face.

The 38-years-old driver with about four trucks under his supervision at the time he spoke with our reporter, said he would like the government to provide public toilets in Apapa since they spend more time seeking to go in and out of the port.

“Some truck drivers piss and shit on the roads if they don’t have money to use the public toilet. There is a public toilet at Marina, under the bridge. But drivers who cannot afford it use the roads,” another truck driver from Jigawa said on condition of anonymity.

It costs between N50 and N100 to use a public toilet, but multiple sources, all of whom were tanker operators, complained about not having enough money to feed, not to talk of spending on toilets. But those who are willing to spend cannot find toilets.

“We would like to have public toilets because as tanker drivers, we can’t ease ourselves by the roads as the container drivers do,” another source said, suggesting that container drivers are mostly the perpetrators.

“All the human waste you see on the roads from Marine Bridge are from the container drivers,” he said emphatically, as if each lump of excreta was tagged.

Open defecation is the human practice of defecating outside rather than into a toilet. People may choose fields, bushes, forests, ditches,

a lump of human faeces under a truck

streets, canals or other open spaces for defecation.

In Apapa, Nigeria’s port hub with a population of 217,362, drainages and used food packs are also defecated into.

A security worker within the area, Chukwuka (surname withheld), who spoke with BDSUNDAY lamented that “truck drivers have messed up everywhere in Apapa”.

He alleged that when they park their trucks, they go out to have fun and when nature calls, “they do it anywhere.”

“I see a lot of faeces on the roads,” he said. “They do it in takeaway packs, on the roads, in the gutters, under trucks. They make the whole place smell.”

Nigeria has the second-highest prevalence rate of open defecation with 24 percent (47 million) of its population engaging in the act according to a 2018 national survey.

Currently, only 13 of the 774 lo-

Corners like this are choice areas for perpetrators

cal government areas in Nigeria are open defecation-free, UNICEF said.

These13localgovernmentareasare from four states- Cross River, Benue, Jigawa, and Bauchi.

This clearly shows that Lagos State is a major contributor to Nigeria’s status as the second country with the highest rate of open defecation after India, yet, efforts to stem the problem appear minimal.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says open defecation pollutes the environment and causes health problems, linking it to the high prevalence of waterborne infectious diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, and hepatitis A, among others.

Similarly, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in its advisorycampaignsaidopendefecation was one of the major causes of cholera in the country.

Every year, more than 70,000 childrenunderfivedieinNigeriafrom

One of the prefer locations to defecate near Flour Mills of Nigeria, Opposite Ajumoni Central Mosque

Another hot spot for defecation near FMN

diarrhoea as a result of unsafe water and poor sanitation conditions. To underscore the dangers open defecation poses, one gram of faeces is said to contain about 10,000,000 viruses, 1,000,000 bacteria, 1,000 parasitic cysts, 100 parasitic eggs.

Though it could be projected as just ‘wastes’ by the culprit, but from a perspective of public health, the risk lies in the pathogens in the shit!

Experts say that inappropriate humanwastedisposalalsoincreases the risk of exposure to these pathogens and it can cause significant healthriskstothehumanpopulation.

Lagos State, Nigeria’s putative centre of excellence, has an open defecation problem.

An investigation conducted by environnewsnigeria listed worst hit areas to include Badagary, Ijora, Iganmu, Flyover near the National Theatre, Iganmu, Orile to Mile 2 Bus Stop, Alakija Bridge, Trade Fair Bridge, Abule-Ado, Iyan-Iba, Maza Maza and Agboju Bus Stop.

But the practice, which is mostly carried out at nights,is endangering the health of residents as they are prone to transmitted diseases, especially diarrhoea and cholera.

In a phone conversation, the Chairman of Drivers Association, Apapa Ward D, Saheed Olowolagba acknowledged the growing nuisance in the area, stating that he is making plans to provide mobile toilets in the area, but he is yet to get approvalfromthelocalgovernment.

Explaining what it takes to provide a public/mobile toilet and the efforts he has made so far to that effect, Olowolagba said: “Before a person can put a public toilet around that place, he’s supposed to go and meet the local government to approve it. You will writealetterfortheapprovalofmobile toilets in Apapa and they will give it to you. I’ve already spoken to the man.”

He intends to fix the problem single-handedly because, according to him, the local government cannot provide public toilets.

“There’s no plan for it,” he said.

Recall that the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, pledged $100million(N36billion)toimprove water access, sanitation and the eradication of open defecation in Lagos by 2025, at Global Citizen Festival last year in New York.

But how much has been put to use is unknown.

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BDSUNDAY 33

SundayBusiness Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

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ncreasing awareness on the nutritional benefits of the food items we consume has led to the springing up of new food companies. These have their focus on producing and promoting products that are effective against different types of diseases. One of such ventures that is making waves at the moment is Olyke Foods.

The encounter began on Facebook. Reading the greetings she sent out to the public sphere on the International Women’s Day got one intrigued.

Simply tagged: “Greetings from Maureen, 1st Officer @ OlykeFoods”, her message read thus:”Did you know that food, like fashion, should provide a combination of function and pleasure? So, eating the right food is akin to wearing the right style. Again, food as an important part of cultural heritage and national identity can connect people and places.”

The nutritional essence of Olyke Foods Interesting, isn’t it? Of course, it is providing the connecting chord between the human needs of foods and clothing, and even narrowing it down to lifestyle and fashion offers some unique attributes to what we consume on daily basis. So, the urge to get to know much more about Olyke Foods brought more nutrients of knowledge for one to digest and assimilate.

From all indications, the company has a thematic thrust on providing its teeming consumers with foods that are not only nutritious but ones that serve to protect them from some debilitating diseases.

Amongst its prime products are ground almond, oat flour and coarse burger. Others include oat flat bread and ground almond banana pancake.

On nutrition, for instance, it directs those that have been looking for where to buy quality ground Almond, to look no further! In its convincing words, it states that: “You’ve come to the right place. We’re prepared to meet your dietary needs; whether you have celiac restrictions, comply with Paleo or Keto lifestyle, or just want low-carb feeding”. So, what is unique about the NAFDAC – approved product?

Chemical analysis reveals that its ground Almond consists of skinned and ground almonds to a coarse texture. This high quality, gluten- free product, sets the standard for baking items such as cookies, cakes, scone, and bread. It also serves as a substitute for breadcrumbs

for coating meat and topping vegetables as well as casseroles.

What more, when combined with Psyllium Husk, it is serves as a low-carb and healthy option for Fufu or Swallow, a staple food common in many West African countries. It is prepared by mixing and pounding into doughlike consistency and served with soup or sauce.

Another outstanding quality of Olyke foods is the assurance given with regards to Shelf-Life, or the length of time it would take for the food item to expire. For instance, Olyke Ground Almond will store for 1 year from the date of manufacture. But it should be stored in a cool, dry place away from strong odour. Once opened, it should be kept keep airtight. The packaged Olyke Ground Almond is available in 1kg pack and 12 x 1kg in a box.

Ingredients: 100percent Pure Almond.

In addition is the vital information provided on the package for those who are allergic to gluten: It states clearly that: “It may contain trace amounts of wheat. For allergens, including cereals containing gluten, see ingredients in BOLD”.

One other interesting offering from Olyke Foods is the information it provides for the preparation of some food items.

The ingredients for Oat banana fritters are 1 cup of Oat flour, 2 bananas, 2 teaspoons of ground nutmeg, 2 pinches of fine salt and Vegetable oil for frying It also gives the directions in an easy-to-read format. It states that one should peel the bananas

Bolt rewards top drivers with all-expenses paid trip to Dubai Jumoke Akiyode-Lawanson

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olt, a popular on-demand transportation app in Europe and Africa formerly known as Taxify has rewarded its top performing drivers for the year 2019 with an all-expenses paid trip to Dubai.

This is part of its broader effort to reward drivers and incentivise them for loyalty to the platform, maintaining high ratings and delivering high quality service. Using equal opportunity performance metrics, Ayodele Samuel from Lagos and Franklin Nnolum from Abuja emerged top drivers for the year under review.

For Franklin Nnolum, keeping his eyes on the prize and delivering top-notch service to his passengers has always been a priority. No stranger to Bolt rewards, Franklin is a four-time winner of the Bolt driver of the month reward and its accompanying cash incentive.

Sharing his experience as a Bolt driver, Nnolum who became a Bolt driver in 2017 said: “I started driving with Bolt just before Bolt launched its operations in Abuja.

So, you can say I’m one of the

pioneer drivers there. They started on a really good footing and have sustained that. So, I’ve never seen a reason to drive on any other platform.”

Selected for his consistently high rating and number of finished rides, Ayodele Samuel, who won the overall prize for the Bolt driver of the year was rewarded with a trip for two and joined by his wife for the trip to Dubai. Ayodele expressed his excitement amid shock as he

rarely paid much attention to his exceptional performance on the platform. In his words, “I have been solely generating income to fend for my family through the Bolt app since 2017. It’s been a wonderful experience so far.”

“I have never travelled out of the country before and look forward to this trip because it would be a lifetime experience” he said. He also thanked Bolt for being a stable source of income for many families and advised that it pays for drivers to continue giving their best on the platform.

Speaking on the rewards, Femi Akin-Laguda, country manager, Bolt Nigeria said: “Drivers are the backbone of our ecosystem and we are constantly looking for ways to improve driver incentives.

We expect that with this, driver satisfaction will greatly increase and the ripple effect of this will be superior ride experiences for passengers who choose Bolt.”

“Ayodele and Nnolum serve as great examples of consistently excellent service to riders. We applaud them and will continue to engage drivers with benefits and appreciation rewards,” he further said.

and mash together with the oat flour in a bowl until it is doughlike before adding nutmeg and salt. And to ensure consistency and no lumps, you can mould it with your hands on a flat kitchen worktop. Cut out small round balls and put in a bowl for pan frying.Pan fry till it is brown.

Sprinkle honey and serve with yogurt and strawberries (or any fruit of your choice).

Given such do-it-yourself information one can stay in the comfort of her house and prepare the food that ensures comfort and freedom from illnesses.

With emphasis on nutritional benefits, Olyke Oat Flour consists of pure, fresh, firstclass white oats. It works as an excellent substitute to wheat flour in bakery items like cookies, cakes, scone, bread, and pancakes, adding a great texture and moist results. It is also a healthy option for Fufu, a staple food common in many West African countries, prepared by mixing and pounding into a dough-like consistency and served with soup or sauce. It can also be used as a thickener for homemade gravy, frosting, batters, and soups.

This premium quality flour blends well with other products and has a unique, natural flavour that is detectable even after mixing. It consists of pure oats, and works as an excellent substitute to wheat flour in bakery items like cookies, cakes, scone, bread, and pancakes adding a great texture and moist results.

It can be combined with

other agents like salt and egg to crust meat or fish before baking. Whoever is preparing the food should ensure that the meat or fish is baked in its own juices, preventing evaporation through the sealing of the crust.

For fitness enthusiasts, it can also serve as a thickener for smoothies.

It is also a healthy option for Fufu or Swallow, a staple food common in many West African countries, prepared by mixing and pounding into a dough-like consistency and served with soup or sauce. It can also be used as a thickener for homemade gravy, frosting, batters, smoothies, soups and for crusting meat.

As for shelf-life, Olyke Oat Flour will store for 1year and six months from the date of manufacture. It should however, be stored in a cool, dry place away from strong odour. Once opened, keep airtight.

The packaging for Olyke Oat Flour is available in 1kg pack, 3kg pack and 4 x 3kg in a box.

Ingredients: 100percent Pure Oats.The Allergen information states that it may contain trace amounts of wheat.

The take-away from all these processed food products is the importance of patronising only those that would guarantee health to the consumers-both the enlightened and the ignorant ones.

Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media ayobaje@yahoo.co.uk; 07068638066

TBC trains Nigerians on crypto currencies, introduces innovations to ensure account safety IFEOMA OKEKE

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n a bid to help people get best benefits from Crypocurrencies, identify ponzi schemes and ensure safety of individual’s accounts, The Billion Coin (TBC) has trained over 300 people in Lagos as well as introduced facial recognition scanner to ensure safety of individual’s accounts.

TBC, which is a private crypto currency, uses a pair to pair system.

Its currency ‘krinkle’ grows in value by its membership. As a pair to pair system, TBC, which has over three million members aim to have a billion members.

In a bid to mark its four years anniversary on 21st of March, the international community of TBC embarked of a series of event in Nigeria. The event started on 1st March ended on 13th March with tours in Lagos, Abuja, Ondo and Enugu. The Lagos event, which trained over 300 people, equipped participants on how to spend ‘krinkle’ and how to profit from the system. The event also sought to answer questions and solve challenges faced by members.

Steven Cuffee, Good will

ambassador, TBC, America, said TBC was created to eradicate poverty.

According to him, TBC has introduced facial recognition scanner to ensure safety of individual’s accounts, adding that it is the first crypocurrency to implement this.

Cuffee also talked about the stability of the coin, which makes it immune to the changes in the economycaused bythe Coronavirus.

“TBC, which is termed an ‘abundance or people’s’, coin is not affected by economic standards because its value grow based on its members.

“Market-based currency like Bitcoin, fluctuates like stock market.

Asian and European counties are big on cryptocurrency, with the Corona virus hitting their economy, it has an effect on it,” he explained.

He added that government of countries around the world has accepted the coin because it strictly follows the guidelines of private business. On trainings, Mbeh Derrick, global trainer, TBC, said “We have 1.3 million Nigerian members and realised the need for training as many people have wrong information, which could lead to abuse of members.

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Sunday 15 March 2020

SundayBusiness What a viable mortgage industry means to an economy in dire situation

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or a mono-product economy like Nigeria, the free fall of oil price in the global market means there is a lot to worry about, because the economic situation is simply dire.

If there is any time this country needs to diversify its economy by looking at other growth areas, that time is now. And one of the areas that should readily come to mind is mortgage.

From an Olympian height of $110 per barrel in 2015, oil price has, in just five years, tumbled to less $50 per barrel in March 2020 and there are speculations that it may plummet to $20 per barrel if the stand-off between Saudi Arabia and Russia over production cut, and the Coronavirus fears continue.

Most developing economies of the world aspire to have a viable mortgage industry in the understanding that it means so much for the growth of their economy.

In the advanced economies of the world, the industry has made and continues to make significant contribution to their GDP and the overall economic growth and development.

In Nigeria, the story is different.

The industry is still struggling to find its feet and this is why mortgage finance as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is as low as 0.5 percent which is several steps behind other economies including Mexico, Malaysia and South Africa where mortgage contributions to

GDP are as high as 10 percent, 25 percent and 29 percent respectively.

However, notwithstanding the industry’s low contribution to GDP coupled with the economic challenges arising from low oil revenue, industry operators are saying that mortgage has all the potential to stimulate the economy when all the obstacles inhibiting its growth are removed.

The relative newness of the industry, lack of understanding of its dynamics and operational models by many Nigerians, and poor appreciation of the need and the ultimate benefits of keeping money in a mortgage bank are some of the militating factors.

But an economy like Nigeria’s can benefit a lot from a flourishing mortgage industry as it will help in directing the economy in the desired direction.

As part of efforts at stimulating the economy, government can make the necessary investment aimed to grow the industry. Enabling policies should also be put in place, leading to reducing high interest rate in order to encourage more people to embrace mortgage loans.

On account of the identified obstacles, many primary mortgage Banks (PMBs) are going through very difficult times such that some are not able to meet loan applications from home seekers.

“If government pays closer attention to the PMBs by removing some of the obstacles on their way such as

the drawbacks of the Land Use Act of 1978 which rests land ownership rights on the state governors, the right to easily foreclose on delinquent borrowers, ease of creating a legal mortgage and perfecting titles and the ease of falling back on one’s collateral to recover bad loan etc, the industry will surely improve tremendously,” a mortgage operator argues.

The operator, who does not want to be named, insists that until all these issues are resolved in a way that encourages the provider of capital, in this case, the mortgage bank, to give out loans, the sector will not grow as desired.

He hopes that when these obstacles are removed, the multiplier effect of mortgage will allocate more funds towards the provision of home loans while home buyers will better appreciate the implication of prompt interest and capital repayments as well as ensure discipline on the part of the people.

Some finance experts argue that limiting a mortgage institution to a fixed capital base of, say N10 billion, is wrong because that amount is too meager; even N100 billion is also meager given the kind of projects they finance.

For this reason, the federal government needs to come in, look at what is happening in other civilized world and copy because, these days, “copying is no longer an act of deception but actually something that is done even in the civilised world,” says Okika Ekwem, a US-

Delta to transform 25 lucky persons living with disabilities through skills, entrepreneurship Mercy Enoch, Asaba

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he lives of 25 lucky persons out of many living with disability may change soon after encountering the Delta State government which has enrolled them for skills acquisition and entrepreneurship schemes.

The 25 Persons Living with Disabilities (PLwD) were considered lucky to have been picked into the Skills Training Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) of the 2019/2020 cycle of Delta State’s Job and Wealth Creation Programme which is expected to last for months.

Out of the 850 youths invited by the state government for the scheme, 25 lucky ones emerged from the PLwD group for the skills and agricultural training in the current cycle who have already been inaugurated for the trainings. The office of the Chief Job Creation Officer handled the scheme and gave them special orientation to enable them cope like any other youth.

The skills involved are Catering and Confectionery, Decoration and Event Management, Fashion Design and Textile Design, Cosme-

tology (skin and facial care), Hairdressing and Makeover, including Braiding.

Other skills are Information Technology Services, Welding and Fabrication, Electrical and Solar Works, Carpentry and Joinery, Tiling and Interlocking, Production of Cleaning Agents, Plumbing, PoP, Screed-Making and Painting and Audiovisual services.

Addressing the enrollees at the event, the Chief Job Creation Officer of the state, Eric Eboh, a professor, told them to see themselves as lucky persons. “Many applied for

this programme but only 25 of you were selected. The reason is for us to maintain the quality of the programme so that you can succeed.

“The guiding philosophy is that your success is our success. So, distinguish yourself by being successful in the programme,” he said.

He encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity as the state would carter for them within the months of the programme as well as ensure they get their starter packs and other support they would need to be established in their various enterprises.

Talking Mortgage with CHUKA UROKO (08037156969, chukuroko@yahoo.com)

based realtor.

In such economies as US and UK, Ekwem says there is a secondary market for real estate financing where commercial banks or individual brokerage banks lend money to people and thereafter sell the securitized certificate to the secondary market and come back again to lend to individuals.

Mortgage industry growth that can impact the economy, according to Meckson Innocent Okoro, is possible if the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) plays the role of a regulator while the federal government, through the CBN, should empower the PMBs. To have a viable mortgage industry that can have significant impact on the economy, more PMBs have to be licensed such that there could be as many as 40 PMBs in each of the big cities, while each of the smaller cities could get as many as 10.

This is to discourage the concentration of these banks in urban centres and when this is done, access to housing finance will be increased.

The PMBs must be positioned to champion the whole issue of af-

fordable or social housing for the low income earners in the country.

Mortgage finance as it is today, is not particularly established as a structure and as it exists in developed economies. The culture of mortgage finance is just gradually catching on with Nigerians and mortgage is financed the same way as every other commercial financing.

It is curious that after the recapitalisation and consolidation of the PMBs, Nigerians are yet to feel the impact in the economy. As at today, the interest rate as it is cannot mobilise the industry and the situation is such that even at 10 percent, the level of income in the country cannot still support mortgage growth.

At a time like this in when the economy and the financial system were highly regulated, there were different interest rates structure for different sectors of the economy and within that period, lending to the housing sector was as low as 7-8 percent which underscored the importance attached to the sector and the government needs to look into this.

Ebong emerges UYOCCIMA president ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo

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seyen Ebong, a former rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, has emerged as the new president of the Uyo Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (UYOCCIMA), Akwa Ibom State.

Ebong was elected at the 12th Annual General Meeting of the association held in Uyo, the state capital.

Also elected as Deputy President of the organisation was the former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Martin Udoinyang; Emmanuel Akpanobong, a medical doctor emerged as the vice president 1, while Joe Ukpong emerged as vice president 2.

Others elected include the CEO of The Sun Centre in Uyo, Umanaette Udoh as vice president 3; Victor Okokon Ekpo, vice president 4; Ntiense Israel, vice president 5, and Ime Gamble was appointed as the organisation’s auditor, while Charles Eyo emerged as the executive secretary of the organisation.

In his acceptance speech, the new President, Ebong promised that his executive committee would work diligently and shall also imbibe the spirit of transparency, accountability, commitment and sincerity to justify the confidence reposed in them to move UYOCCIMA

forward.

He added that they would use their wealth of experience over the years in the public and private sectors to fast track the economic development of the state.

Earlier, in his remarks, the Chairman of the ceremony, Essien Ekidem thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for his industrialisation drive and prayed for God’s guidance, calling on the chamber to join hands with the state government in moving Akwa Ibom forward towards a better future. Similarly, the Member representing Itu State Constituency and Chairman House Committee on Commerce and Industry in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Kufre Edidem represented by Ubong Ekoi, urged the new executive of the organisation to key into the industrialisation agenda of the Emmanuel administration for economic renaissance.

In his remarks, the Commissioner, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment, Ukpong Akpabio represented at the occasion by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Oliver Udokpo said that UYOCCIMA remained a relevant stakeholder in the industrialisation drive of the present administration as such their advise is very critical to the development of the state as the Ministry will be glad to receive the new executive soon.

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BDSUNDAY 35

SundayBusiness We will make CFTZ a world class industrial park – NEPZA MIKE ABANG, Calabar

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he Acting Managing Director of N i g e r i a Ex p o r t Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Bitrus Dawuk has said that the management under his watch will make Calabar Free Trade Zone (CFTZ) a world class industrial park.

Dawuk disclosed this while commissioning a 500KVA transformer at Esuk Utan community and flagged off this year’s first quarterly investment forum at the conference room of the Calabar Free Trade Zone Authority (CFTZ) in Cross River State.

Commissioning the 500KVA transformer, the acting managing director of NEPZA also said the authority was working to ensure permanently that the issue of power was put to rest in the zone.

“I was the general manager of (finance) in the Authority, and in that capacity, I knew a lot about the problem facing the zone;

let me state here that it is our resolve to make Calabar Free Trade Zone a World Class Zone,” he said.

In his welcome address, the head of Calabar Free Trade Zone, (CFTZ), Godwin Ekpe thanked the acting managing director and his team for commissioning the 500KVA transformer and declaring open the first quarterly investment forum despite his busy schedules.

He said: “Today, we shall have the privilege of the acting managing director conferring on all esteemed investors and stakeholders certificates of participation on the recently training on Eco –Industrial Park by UNIDO. This is in line with management resolve to upgrade the present status of the Zone to World Class.”

According to him, the acting managing director used the visit to present certificates to investors who actively participated at the training on Resource Efficiency and Industrial Synergy Opportunity Identification which was organ-

ised by UNIDO last year and gave an award of excellence to the former (CFTZ) Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Tanko Mahmud who he described as an exemplary leader and for his contribution to the zone.

In her response, the Cross River State commissioner for commerce and industry, Rosemary Archibong said the state government was happy to identify with NEPZA, noting that “you can never give enough to your host community.” She called for more collaboration between NEPZA and the state government.

In a welcome address, Effanga Bassey, a representative of Esuk Utan community, said one of the basic needs of the community was power supply but lamented that for many decades the community had been in darkness.

He appealed to PHCN to put the transformer into good use so that the community would no longer be in darkness.

Transcorp releases 2019 audited results, posts N3.7bn profit-after-tax

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ransnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (“Transcorp”) has announced the release of its Audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Highlights of the result show the Group recorded a Turnover of N76.35billion, Profit-Before-Tax of N7.90billion and a Profit-After-Tax of N3.71billion.

Analysing the report, a statement signed by Oluwasayo Akinwale, head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, said: “Despite the drop in year-on-year financial performance, Transcorp retained a positive future revenue outlook with increase in Total Assets from N297.14billion in FY 2018 to N313.13billion, representing 5percent year-todate growth.”

It also noted that Transcorp’s hospitality business, Transcorp Hotels Plc (THP), grew notably by 17percent in its yearon-year revenue and had a gross profit increase of 19percent in compari-

son with FY 2018. Revenue from power business, Transcorp Power Limited (TPL), however, declined during the period due to gas supply, transmission, commercial and technical issues.

The statement also quoted Valentine Ozigbo, president and chief executive officer of Transcorp, as saying: “Our FY 2019 result attests to our resilience and long term commitment to the sectors in which we play as we have had to focus on creating value for our shareholders while contending with significant operational challenges including severe gas shortages, mandated reduction in generation from the National Control Centre and importantly, revenue exposures from delayed payment of receivables in our power business.”

“On our part, we have taken several actions aimed at proactively and sustainably addressing these issues. These include the activation of our Gas Supply and Aggregation Agreement, guaran-

teeing gas supply to our power plant in Ughelli; proactive engagement with our gas transporter to prevent further vandalisation of gas pipelines; engagement with regulatory agencies to review regulatory actions negatively impacting power evacuation from our plant; and preventive maintenance of our turbines,” the CEO said.

Ozigbo pointed out that “the actualisation of these steps, as well as improvement in market payment for electricity generation, will facilitate our projected revenue expansion in FY 2020 and in coming years.

This is in addition to even more significant contributions from our hospitality business, which is expected to benefit from the planned introduction of new service offerings.

The discharge of the hotel from the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) postprivatisation monitoring in the outgoing year, further speaks to its operational excellence and top-line corporate governance.”

Lessons from my life – the perfect decision Maker Kemi Adeyemi

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love Shea butter, especially the grade A type; raw and unrefined, straight from the nut without any additives. I don’t need to do a lot of research to know its health benefits as I have personally experienced its wonder working effects, from my hair, skin, to healing of wounds, athlete’s foot and relief from the effects of cold weather. Regardless of its very many benefits, I don’t know of many women or beauty queens who will go for the unrefined shea butter as their beauty treatment.

To start with, the aroma of the unrefined one is not so appealing. Secondly, it is usually not whipped so when using it, you might have to wait for few seconds before it melts into the skin. Set the not-so-attractively packaged unrefined shea butter down amidst hundreds of eye-catching creams and lotions even with shea buttercontentandtell ladies to indulge themselves. I am sure the unrefined shea butter will be the least selected.

A similar situation occurred in the early Bible days.

A powerful queen had just been relinquished of her throne. Beautiful ladies of the empire were invited to vie for the post. Tradition had it that they would be nurtured for twelve months, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with sweet odours. At the end of the twelve months, when each girl was to meet with the king, she was to ask whatever she desired.

There were no restrictions, there were no limits. Whatever they thought and knew would make them attractive enough to the king and win them the throne was to be given to them. As a lady, I drool thinking about this. What an offer! All those dreams I’ve had as a little

girl, anything to make me beautiful? Bring it on! I would fill my bag.

As tempting as the offer was, one of the girls stood out in what she requested.

While others filled their bags with eye-catching creams and lotions, beautiful bracelets, earrings and attire, this very lady asked for nothing but what the king’s chamberlain recommended. You see, in those days, kings usually had a eunuch appointed to oversee the care of the women in the palace.

Such men, having served the king for years, know nothing short of the king’s preference. Who better to give the ladies the best advice on what to go in with to meet with the king. Esther’s preference paid off, amidst the hand of God over her life. She was preferred above others and she was made queen.

Many times, life throws us in the valley of decision. We find ourselves at cross-roads and we are at a loss as to what decisions to take. Decision-

making processes are more daunting when we are faced with many good options; every option from the human point of view seems like the best option.

At such times, who or what can we be sure will guide us right to making the right decision.

No man has the ability to tell the future; hence, we can’t even judge what the outcome of our decisions would be.

Many only hope that things work out well after making a decision. But God knows the future because time and eternity to him is just one linear reality. It would do us good to involve him in our decision making. He has given us his chamberlain, in person of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us and makes known the mind of the Father to us.

Kemi Adeyemi SAP HCM Consultant rhodaadeyemi@gmail.com +234 813 804 5311

L-R: Omotola Oyebanjo, head of Corporate Affairs and Communication Africa, Upfield; Bamidele Amao, general manager West Africa, Upfield; Lola Akande, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Gianluca Mormile, head of operations Africa, Asia & Australia, Upfield during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives in Lagos…recently

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Sunday 15 March 2020

TheWorshippers ‘Christians should focus more on the glory above not on flitting persecution here’ The church in Nigeria has been under attack by Boko Haram, and persecution from some quarters in the recent past. However, Reverend Adepoju Ademola from Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Ojodu-Berger is taking a different approach and view about the persecution. For Ademola who was a guest minister at a recent 21-day prayer vigil, focus should not be on the persecution of the church; rather on getting the church and its people ready for the second coming of Christ. Excerpts by SEYI JOHN SALAU Are you disturbed about the rate of attacks on the church in Nigeria? ersonally, I will not say am disturbed. There is something we need to understand about this world; the bible says the end time will come, and when the end time comes different things will begin to happen. We have to consider this as part of the different things that are going to happen if we are expecting the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, things like this will happen. But, what matters is, let every Christian prepare themselves – the coming of our Lord is at hand. If you let the things that are happening now to destabilise you and you begin to run around; many will lose focus in that process.

Jesus said it that when he is coming back different things will happen – all over the world; I was reading a book written around 1980’s that was talking about the crisis in China today; I saw it and started weeping. That guy wrote a book and has given the warning in that book that in the year 2020; it was specific in that book that there was going to be a Wuhan sickness, and where did coronavirus start? It started from a village called Wuhan: this man wrote that book in 1989 and now its manifesting this year 2020. So, we don’t need to let that fret us about the Boko-Haram and everything that is going on; Christians

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should prepare themselves and pray. Boko-Haram wants you to manifest the totality of God in you. The bible says we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against principalities and power. Now, the question is; the Christians of today are we loaded to face the terrible situation that is even at hand? If you have Christ in you and you know your goal is heaven, those things should not bother you because you know God will take care of you and he will strengthen you.

So, in other words, what you are saying is that the church should not bother itself about present persecution?

The church should focus on the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; preparing itself and winning more souls. The devil will bring some things to distract us from fulfilling the purpose of God. From my own end, this is a distraction for us to look away from what the Lord wants to do. Let us be focused; we can win the Boko-Haram to Christ, we can win the herdsmen to Christ with the power of God backing us. With the theme of this programme saying ‘With God all things are possible – the unfailing God’; let us trust him and he will see us through.

What is the significance of this programme to your church?

We are here rounding off a programme that started exactly 21 days ago; this is the last day of that programme. It is a normal

Reverend Adepoju Ademola, Christ Apostolic Church

programme that is being held in this church by my father in the Lord,Pastor Isaac Olawusi, the founder of Christ Apostolic Church, Land of Fulfilment.

The revelation for this final day came from you; what influenced the revelation?

It is a direction from God. We have started a journey for 21 days; we are rounding off with praises and the significance of

the white is just for people to present themselves clean before God. Even from the heart, it is not compulsory that you are wearing white or not; but coming into his presence making this place glowing white, giving him a sacrifice of praise for what he has done and that will prepare the people to have an expectation of greater things after this programme.

What would be the take-away

message for the worshippers?

The message I want them to take away is total reliance on God. The theme of the programme is ‘The unfailing God.’ This year is a terrible whether we like it or not, and we have just started; the only thing that can see us through this year is total reliance on God – dependence on God; and that is what I want everybody to take back home: not on self, not on money or connection; with God, the bible says all things are possible. The bible says in Ephesians 3:30; it says he is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us.

So, people should get themselves prepared to expect greater things from God after this programme.

How do you relate this programme to the annual lent in Christendom?

Definitely, I believe there is a link because lent is a religious activity for every Christian, so it is meant for everybody. For us here in the Land of Fulfilment, we are preparing our people for the year.

Lent as a religious obligation preparing us for the death, resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ; it is more or less a celebration time. It has been more religious, however, what we have done for the past 21 days is to get our people prepared not even for this year alone; but even for the next decade because we know that this is going to go a long way.

The impact of our Christian faith must be felt in public life – Archbishop Martins SEYI JOHN SALAU

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he Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Adewale Martins in reiterating the message of the Catholics Bishops Conference of Nigeria in his Lenten talk, has urged Christian faithful in Nigeria not to allow the challenging situation in the country stop them from preaching the gospel of Christ.

“The present situation in Nigeria challenges all of us to a life of coherent witnessing to the gospel. The impact of our Christian faith must be felt in public life. This is not a time for compromises for the sake of personal convenience, but rather for heroism in Christian virtues,” Martins said.

According to him, Christians should remember the biblical saying about not being afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, they should be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body. “You will be hated by all

because of my name, but no hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance, you will secure your lives (Luke 21: 19).”

Martins further admonished Christian faithful that nothing should stop their witnessing in the face of what seems to be the fate of the Nigerian Christian. “Like Cain in the Bible who the Lord put a mark on, we seem to have been marked out, since we are Christians, by these bloodthirsty human beings.

“The Prophet Ezekiel speaks about those who received a mark on their heads because of their righteousness and faithfulness, in order to separate them from the corrupt and immoral people of the time and also to save them from an impending punishment,” Martins stated.

However, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos did not fail to mention about those who lost their lives on the back of being Christians in Nigeria. “May we kindly offer our prayers for all the victims of the ruthless acts of these terror groups, for their families and friends that

the Lord may console and comfort them. In all of these, our consolation is that evil and death never have the final say, this is the meaning of the Resurrection of JESUS: he has triumphed over evil, darkness and death,” the cleric said.

Speaking on the current socio-

Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins

political situation of the country, Martins opined that the volatile and occasional spate of killings, shameful insecurity techniques at all levels and the total lack of respect for the nation’s common humanity calls for serious concern. “It seems to be that nothing really sears us away

from each other more dangerously than religion; religious ideals and practices that trample upon the very core of our existence. What else can be responsible for this if not the egregious discrepancy between faith and reason? On the occasion that one of the other tilts to the extreme of the scale, the result cannot but be devastating,” said Martins, stating that faith without reason and reason without faith is never good for the survival of societies.

However, in the midst of the threatening and highly inflammable times, Martins said Christians must stand to “wage war” against the menace that givesthe country a horrific stare, with all the weapons of Christian moral values and a surprising attitude of non-violence to a violent society. “Our war isn’t that of bloodshed, vengeance, anger, hatred but the conquering of evil and its perpetrators with the light of truth and the balance between faith and reason that exalts humanity as the centre of every endeavour,” he said.

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BDSUNDAY 37

TheWorshippers Inspiration With Rev. Yomi Kasali

info@yomikasali.com

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he ‘Belly-God’ is the major challenge with the Nigerian church and believers. I ran into a video recorded by a former National Assembly Lawmaker who is the most unserious Nigerian politician alive in my opinion. The fellow did a video recording of himself in his

Their God is their belly house in Dubai, prayerfully asking the righteous God to ‘service his greed’ and satisfy his avaricious appetite for vanity.

My heart sank into temporary despair and wondered if I was the only sane person feeling deeply irritated by this clown’s show of insanity. It’s very inhumane of a man to reveal his opulence to a people in deep poverty without any sense of morality. The show of shame should have been condemned vigorously by the Clergy and Moral Leaders in the nation, yet such matters will be swept under the carpet because of political affiliations and not conscientious positions.

The Apostle Paul mentioned the God some people serve as what I call the ‘Belly-God.’ I make bold to say that that inglorious former lawmaker is a worshipper of the ‘Belly-God’.

They are people who serve their appetites without checkmating their tastes, they bow before their inner cravings for wealth without

have no shame are not the type decent men should tag along with. They should be left alone or else they shall rub their shamelessness on you.

restraint, they lick the dusty feet of mammon regardless of how they acquire their proceeds. Their God is their Belly!

Could you pls be Inspired with this scriptures below, meditate on the words and receive inspiration, ‘for many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ. Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly and WHOSE GLORY IS IN THEIR SHAME, who mind earthly things.’ (Philippians 3 v 18-19).

The above scriptures

Cleric urges Christians to commit to nation building SEYI JOHN SALAU

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he General Overseer of Christ LivingSpring Apostolic Ministry, Wole Oladiyun has urged Nigerian Christians to commit more to nation building as a way of propagating the gospel among unbelievers. “Nigeria needs the voice of the church in the area of advocacy, industry, media, we need to take over agriculture and be in different parastatals and be part of the affairs of the nation because we are the light of the world.”

According to Oladiyun, the church in Nigeria need to give people hope and be involved in humanitarian services in all the 774 local government. “We need to be together in purpose, not in doctrine. We may have our dogma, and style; let us put it aside for the purpose of expanding the kingdom,” he said calling on church leaders to put aside their differences and work together to advance God’s kingdom in Nigeria.

Oladiyun stated this at the just concluded eight edition of the End-time General Ministers’ Conference held at Vineyard Christian Ministry, Lagos. Tagged

‘God’s Battle Axe’, the conference had in attendance church leaders from across the country which featured prayer, teachings and prophetic ministration.

According to Oladiyun, the church needs to restore eroded family values, put people in governance and tell them about biblical advocacy and governance. He opined that there is a need to talk to people about biblical economic because everything is in the bible.

Although, Oladiyun asserted that the church is making great impact across all sectors in Nigeria; however stressed that Christians need to do more and make their impact count. “God has given us the grace through the eyes of the Holy Spirit to do things right. We can normalize this country if we unite together (CAN and PFN). Let us put away our differences, there is no perfect man or perfect person but through the help of the Holy Spirit, we will move this Nation forward,” Oladiyun said.

On the increasing rate of insurgency in some part of the country, Oladiyun appealed to Nigerians going through the horror of terrorism in parts of the north not to give up but keep their

hope alive in God as there will be respite soon.

Folake Adeyeye, a pastor and convener said that the conference aim to equip and raise new end-time generals as battle axe in the hands of the lord. “Our generals are dying and the mantles need to be passed on. New generals need to be recruited and equipped by our fathers so that as they pass on to glory, the work of the kingdom will not suffer.”

Adeyeye opined that if a nation refuses to recruit new army, it will submit to its enemy, noting that the old fathers in the faith are dying and they need to deliberately pass on the baton to new generals so that kingdom advancement can continue unhindered.

Adeyeye challenged church leaders to be available for God’s use as the harvest for the end-time mandate of soul winning is plenteous but the labourers are few. “God is looking for new generals, and new vessels that are available to be used for his purpose.

As many that are willing and available, God is ready to pour himself on them to go to the whole world and impact lives, set the captive free and harvest souls for the kingdom,” she said.

summarily put the life of many people, especially the former lawmaker into perspectives, their glory is in the shame. It is very apt and gives me comfort that the scriptures have concluded their end in destruction. I’ll share how to identify these categories of people so you can run from them.

How to identify people who serve the belly-God They are shameless: The Bible says their Glory is in Their Shame, meaning they are shameless. I have noticed that people that

They serve their appetite: The reason for obesity is lack of restraint when one is hungry for bad food. No one can be obese if they eat only vegetables so you must curb your appetites.

Whenever you see someone who doesn’t restraint himself and his appetites, RUN. They mind earthly things: Paul said people who serve the ‘Belly-God’ mind earthly things and are VAIN in their dispositions.

Clothes, jewellery, watches, shoes, designers, fashion, hairs, makeup, etc. They are so vain that they mind only earthy things and can also be termed worldly.

They are greedy and insatiable: There are some people who don’t know

when to say ‘enough’, they crave for more even when they don’t need more. The Clown I mentioned earlier has many cars and still asking God to help meet his greed and responsibilities. He is crying after being voted out of the National Assembly, he is a shameless greedy fellow.

I hope these 4 points will guide you in identifying people who serve the ‘BellyGod’. Keep your heart away from greed and be a Believer in conduct. Drop me a note of acknowledgment and encouragement and also follow me on my Social media handles below: Instagram: @yomi_kasali Twitter: @yomi_kasali Facebook: www.facebook. com/revyomikasali Youtube: www.youtube. com/revyomikasali Be Inspired!

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

News APC professionals forum seeks Buhari, Tinubu, others intervention in the party’s crisis James Kwen, Abuja

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equel to unending crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a group known as APC Professionals Forum has called on President Muhammadu Buhari, APC National Leader, Bola Tinubu and other leaders of the party to do more to intervene in the internal wrangling in the party.

APC Professionals Forum, a registered support group of the party which comprises of technocrats, intellectuals, experts and professionals across fields, disciplines and areas of endeavors who are card carrying members of our great party, the APC made the call at a press conference in Abuja on Friday.

Akintayo Akeem, National Coordinator of the forum said they were interested in the unity and stability of the party and Nigeria which supersedes any other individual or sectional interest and decried that in recent days, individual interest seems to be holding sway above Party’s interest.

According to him, some issues bothering on the breach of the Party’s constitution with respect to the functioning of critical

party’s organs like the National Executive Committee (NEC), Board of Trustees (BoT), seeming divisions amongst some members of the National Working Committee and non-filling of some vacant positions in the NWC, suspension of some members of the party without ratification by all organs of the party has to be addressed.

He said: “In view of the concerns stated above, we call on every interest groups in the party to sheath their swords and allow peace and internal mechanisms of the party to address their concerns instead of resorting to needless litigations in the law courts. We also plead with agitating individuals or groups to allow the National Executive Committee billed for 17th of March 2020 to address their concerns along with recently inaugurated APC Reconciliation Committee led by Chief Bisi Akande.

“The members of APC Professionals Forum are unanimous in the following: That we support the call for the National Executive Committee meeting to address all issues that are responsible for the current leadership tussle in the party and that we will support and adopt all the resolutions

of the National Executive Committee billed for 17th March 2020 and work with all organs of the party to ensure unity and stability of the party.

“That we call on President Buhari, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other leaders of the party to do more to intervene in the internal wrangling in the party.

“That we suggest that the National Executive Committee should set up structures that will activate all organs of the party including the once sidelined structures like the NEC and BOT 4. That we suggest that the National Executive Committee meeting should set up structures to fill all vacant positions in the NWC and every other vacant structures of the party in every state of the Federation.

“That the National Executive Committee should strengthen the recently constituted National Reconciliation Committee to immediately begin reconciliation of all aggrieved members of the party across the Nation.

“That members of APC Professionals Forum and other relevant support groups should be empowered to revive the support base of the party going forward.

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Sunday 15 March 2020

BrandsOnSunday SPOTLIGHTING BRAND VALUE

Executive Order 7: Spurring more involvement of private sector Daniel Obi

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he on-going construction of the road from Apapa port to former Toll Gate on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has brought hope to Nigerians on addressing infrastructure gap to make life and business stress-free.

The construction, when completed will not only ease transportation difficulties on that corridor but it will bring brightness and colour to Lagos as Lagos Airport road did which was re-constructed by Akinwunmi Ambode, former governor of Lagos State. The Airport road has increased the brand appeal for the state.

The work on Apapa -Toll Gate road being handled by Africa’s billionaire businessman and the owner of the Dangote Group, is a function of Executive Order No 7 signed by President Buhari in 2019 with its area of application being the ‘Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme’.

The executive Order was primarily designed to speedy up road construction through Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

With poor infrastructure in the country, occasioned by poor resources to attend to them, the Executive Order 7 , designed to bring the private sector on board to take on roads rehabilitation is therefore expected to close the wide infrastructure gap in the country, especially in the transportation sector.

President Buhari underlined the poor resources while signing the Executive Order. He said “in recent years, Nigeria’s reliance on annual budgetary allocations to fund roads development has been disappointing, given that the nation’s budget proposals have not always been passed in an expeditious manner by the National Assembly. There have also been revenue shortfalls that have hampered our efforts to fully fund critical projects”.

The Executive Order 7, according to Buhari marks another milestone in changing the narrative that has dogged past efforts at developing critical roads infrastructure nationwide. He explained that pursuant to the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, 19 Eligible Road Projects are to be undertaken by six leading manufacturing and construction firms,

located in 11 States, and in each of the six Geo-political Zones. In total, the President Buhari approved almost 800 kilometres of roads to be done under this Presidential Order Number 7.

He called on other local and international investors, as well as the State Governments, to embrace this roads infrastructure development Scheme Under the scheme, companies that are willing and able to spend their own funds on constructing roads to their factories or farms, will recover their construction costs by paying reduced taxes, over a period of time. “We shall ensure complete transparency in these set-offs”, Buhari assured.

Charles Foster, CEO, Kantar Insight for Africa and Middle East who was in Nigeria recently to discuss growth strategy with key clients and other stakeholders welcomes such pattern of development involving the private sector “I think that the underpinning of the country will be revolutionalised by that kind of behavior. I think that a trading country in Africa is not what we need, but we need manufacturing sector that is active, we need people on the ground, not buying and selling but producing, distributing and selling. I see more evidence of that happening and if that is the indeed the direction the country is going, then the future is sure.

What I fear is the opposite as

many countries in Africa don’t have that kind of manufacturing base such as Agriculture that is a big sector”.

It is expected that if government demonstrates genuineness in this initiative, more companies will indicate interest in this scheme which will eventually see to more development of road projects across the nation. It is indeed noteworthy that there are other Executive Orders 1-6 which deal on other areas of national development, but it will be imperative to see more Executive Orders which will see the easy buy-in of the Private Sector for national development

The Executive Order 7, according to Buhari marks another milestone in changing the narrative that has dogged past efforts at developing critical roads infrastructure nationwide

as seen with Executive Order 7 being embraced by companies and easily seen and appreciated by the citizens.

Over the years, government, even in the face of limited resources has taken the full responsibility of infrastructure development across sectors without achieving much, a situation which has compounded misery. This has been daunting with increase in poverty level in spite of the availability of the elements that can trigger exponential growth in Nigeria.

In a recent lecture, Ndubuisi Ekekwe, an alumnus of FUTO and Chairman of Famisco Group who subscribes to PPP arrangements for development as the practice in Western world, advised Nigerian government to create schemes that would allow rich people and companies to donate for infrastructure development, researches in schools and development of health care centers.

“In America and Western Europe, there is clever tax system that stimulates rich people to give money to schools because the more money they give; they are offsetting their tax obligation in other places. Nigeria does not have that system because when a rich man donates money to school, he is Father Christmas.

If there is such tax policy, people will inject capital into university system which will make universi-

ties competitive”.

Ekekwe who specialised in Microelectronics and Medical Robotics Engineering showed other examples on how to reduce poverty in Nigeria.

He underscored protection of intellectual property as a tool to achieve exponential economic growth. “In an economy where there is rule of law and respect for intellectual property, innovators will be encouraged to innovate more, commercialise and benefit from them” Ekekwe who spoke at Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) Alumni Biennial Lecture recently said people want to build things and profit from them but they will stop to innovate when they don’t have confidence that the legal system will protect their innovations.

“The propensity that someone can invest all his resources for an idea and somebody else steals it yet nothing happens to the pirate does not encourage the innovator to do great things” On poverty reduction, Ekekwe, a professor who writes in the Harvard Business Review said Nigeria needs to focus on agriculture. If 65% of people that work in Nigeria earn their income through agriculture and if they double their earning power by improving their yield, then poverty level estimated to be over 45 % of Nigeria’s 198 million population will be reduced by 37%, he said.

Ekekwe showed how China and USA that once had flat GDP growth over long period of time leveraged knowledge, technology; focus on agriculture and attention to education to ramp up their GDPs. As stated by Dangote, the PPP is an intervention move. “We are looking at this as an intervention and we should not leave everything to the government.

We think other private individuals should do same. If they are paying taxes, they should join in rebuilding these roads.”

With population growth at 3% and GDP growth at 2.7%, what Nigeria needs now is exponential growth through participation of PPP. There is already development deficit in most sectors which is monumental. Progressive development will not get the country out of the quagmire except exponential development. Perhaps Nigeria needs other Executive Orders or other schemes that will see the private sector key into infrastructure development to fast track economic growth.

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39

CapitalMarket Why tier-one banks are acquiring smaller banks

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TELIAT SULE urvival instincts are forcing tier-one banks in the country to acquire smaller and weaker banks, following the successful merger of Access Bank with the defunct Diamond Bank, with the new Access Bank giving other tierone banks a run for their money.

BusinessDay Research and Intelligence Unit (BRIU) gained some insights into the audited financial statements of Access Bank, Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), and Africa’s global bank, the United Bank for Africa (UBA), to the effect that when the aforementioned banks are ranked in terms of market share, Access Bank made the most progress in 2019.

Like retail bank that hitherto was a non-traditional field to Access Bank, the progress it made in 2019 was phenomenal as the bank recorded over 300 percent growth in retail banking revenue and over 500 percent growth in segment’s profit.

To show that other tier-one banks are not resting on their oars, last Friday, another tier-one lender, First Bank Holdings, neither denied nor confirmed the rumours making the rounds that it was in talks with Polaris and Heritage banks for the possibility of a merger and acquisition deal. Similarly, rumours also have it that Zenith Bank is about to acquire Union Bank.

The banking industry landscape is fast changing and this has started manifesting in the banks’ financials.

As a result, the combined banking industry revenue earned by Access Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Zenith and the United Bank for Africa (UBA) rose by 28 percent in 2019. The cumulative gross earnings of the four tier-one banks rose to N2.32 trillion in 2019 from N1.81 trillion in the previous year, representing an increase of 28 percent.

In terms of growth, Access Bank recorded 164 percent growth in revenue to earn N666.75 billion by 2019 year end in contrast to premerger N253.02 billion in 2018.

Africa’s global bank, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) grew its profit by 13.31 percent, and that was the second-best performance in terms of revenue growth among these banks. UBA’s gross earnings rose to N559.81 billion in 2019 up from N494.05 billion in the previous year.

By market share in 2018, GTB controlled 24 percent, Access Bank, 14 percent; Zenith, 35 percent and UBA, 27 percent. However, that was not the case in 2019.

Access Bank increased its market share from 14 percent in 2018 to 29 percent in 2019, as the board and management teams in Access Bank started to reap the benefits of the clinical merger executed with the defunct Diamond Bank. During the same period, other tier-one banks shed some market share.

GTB, which controlled 24 percent of the tier-one banks’ industry revenue in 2018 ended 2019 with

Source: Banks’ Financials 2019; BRIU

Source: Banks’ Financials 2019; BRIU

Source: Banks’ Financials 2019; BRIU

19 percent market share. Zenith Bank controlled 35 percent of the revenue in 2018 closed 2019 with 29 percent share of the industry

revenue, while the UBA’s market share fell from 27 percent in 2018 to 24 percent in 2019.

Similar trend manifested in in-

dustry profit. The combined profit of the four deposit money banks grew by 17 percent from N599.71 billion in 2018 to N700.34 billion

in 2019. When ranked by contribution, Access Bank gained the most market share in the last financial year.

In 2018, GTB accounted for 36 percent of the tier-one banks’ industry profit as at the time Access Bank accounted for just 8 percent.

Zenith Bank in 2018 maintained market leadership accounting for 39 percent of the industry profit while UBA made N106.8 billion to account for 18 percent of the banking profit.

In 2019, Access Bank and UBA controlled 16 percent each, meaning that the former made last year twice as much as the profit it made in 2018 to equate the latter in contribution to industry profit. Zenith Bank and GTB in 2019 contributed 35 percent and 33 percent of the industry profit.

Most of the significant gains made by Access Bank in 2019 came from retail banking, as well as from the corporate and investment banking segment. Revenue from retail banking grew by 387.4 percent from N45.8 billion in 2018 to N223.1 billion in 2019. Also, revenue from corporate and investment banking segment rose by 179.7 percent from N90.9 billion in 2018 to N254.4 billion in 2019. The bank also recorded a noticeable growth in commercial banking as revenue rose by 98.8 percent from N74.9 billion in 2018 to N148.9 billion in 2019. On the contrary, revenue from commercial banking segment slide by 2.54 percent from N41.4 billion in 2018 to N40.3 billion in 2019.

Profit Before Tax(PBT) from both the corporate and investment, and retail banking segment witnessed significant turnaround last.

PBT from corporate and investment banking segment grew by 172 percent while that of the retail banking segment rose by 572 percent.

GTB’s retail banking revenue grew by 15.32 percent while that of the corporate banking segment remained flat. Commercial, SME and public banking segments saw decline in their revenues to the tune of 29 percent; 12 percent and 6 percent respectively.

GTB’s PBT in corporate and retail banking segments recorded 13 percent and 26 percent growth respectively. Other segments witnessed a decline in PBT in 2019 compared with 2018.

Zenith Bank posted the secondbest growth in retail banking segment’s revenue after Access Bank.

At N82.8 billion in 2019, Zenith Bank’s retail banking revenue increased by 68 percent from N49.4 billion in the previous year. Revenue from commercial/SME banking rose by 17 percent during the period. Other banking segments, that is, corporate and public banking segments, witnessed a decline.

The same pattern was exhibited in profitability as only the retail and commercial/SME PBT increased by 74 percent and 38 percent respectively.

UBA grew the revenues from all its banking segments but the PBT of treasury and financial market declined by 47 percent.

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Sunday 15 March 2020

Perspective

T. A. Orji, EFCC, and the attendant hue and cry Iyke Ogbonnaya

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am deeply appalled and in one hand bewildered at the hue and cry trailing the recent but unsubstantiated allegation leveled against T.A. Orji, former Governor of Abia State, now a sitting senator and his unassuming household, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

However, a retrospective incursion in the activities of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, gives us a glimmer of hope that if more walks are given to multiplicity of talks in combating the stinking scourge of corruption in Nigeria, significant and far reaching achievements will be attained.

Consequently, we will have more Joshua’s Dariye’s, Rev. Jolly Nyame’s and Orji Uzor Kalu’s convicted for lack of accountability and fleecing of funds made for public good. The eagle eyed anti-graft body will increase the thumbs up by ridding and extricating itself from the toga of divide and rule, and dispassionately work without undue and ill-intended political interference.

Having said that, it is my firm belief that we will not require unnecessary intellectual sophistication to drive home the truth that a case such as the T.A. Orji’s has all the compositions of the retrogressive embodiments earlier on highlighted as inhibiting pitfalls to the Commission’s eldorado.

As earlier highlighted, objective approach to all the given sides in a matter such as the T.A. Orji’s will spare us the burden of dissipating energy on irrelevancies and channel same to more critical and life threatening issues like security, which as it where, is tearing the very fabric of our existence.

The humanity in us, as I attempt to generalize, should have lovingly reminded us of the possibility that Senator T.A. Orji could be hunted politically by other actors, whose initial gubernatorial drives did not see the light of day and have thus resorted to trumped up allegations as a way of cutting their own pound of flesh.

An objective appraisal of the allegation against the former governor, will uncover the fact that the N525 billion alleged to have been misappropriated, were spuriously manufactured. The allegation could not have been the true position given the reality that the sub-heads they were purported to have been drawn from were evidently not in existence, during the gubernatorial stewardship of the former governor.

The ingredient of the point being advanced, is that Abia under T.A. Orji did not know what is today’s ‘Paris refund’ as bandied and the consequent of which is that financial resources could not have accrued to the state from those concocted channels.

Gone are the days when financial documents and transactions are

T.A. Orji

shrouded in secrecy, else the likes of Sam Onuigbo, now a House of Representative member, and Maxwell Adindu, both of whom superintended over the finance of the state as commissioners could not have boldly and publicly disclaimed the Paris account allegation.

Shouldn’t we be amused therefore at the recent comic relief carried out by a motley gathering of conscripted hackers whose demand is that T.A. Orji’s household be rounded up and thrown into gaol irrespective of what they will weigh legally at the pendulum of justice?

I sincerely sympathize with the constitutional provision, that promotes our peoples right of association, but it should be administered without having to vent misguided resentments and tantrums on other innocent Nigerians and consequently delude ourselves into believing that every crap will be accepted and swallowed hook line and sinker.

These fixation on what seems right in our own conceit, has on different occasions beclouded our ability to fairly situate that aside from opponents and their willing collaborators conspiring to politically dent and diminish T.A. Orji’s credentials, he could ordinarily not have misappropriated a whopping N525 billion as presently being accused.

Curiosity compelled me to extensively and painstakingly consult and research on allocations brought to public domain

by National Bureau of Statistics referencing figures from the office of the Accountant General.

Abia buoyant month for any federation allocation never exceeded N4.5 billion before deductions for mandatory debt services. If left at a monthly gross of N4.5 billion, it could still not have amounted to N525 billion as alleged. Otherwise, payment of workers’ salaries, largely believed to have hovered between N2.4 billion and N2.6 billion monthly and which the government of T.A. Orji never owed, would have ended in catastrophe.

Perhaps, we may be oblivious of the expository reality that blue chip and thriving companies operating in Nigeria are mandatorily required to register with Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) under the control of Federal Gov-

ernment of Nigeria, and saddled with the responsibility of auditing and governance.

I have to rightly observe therefore that the companies being associated with the former governor’s family could not have been operating without meeting CAMA conditionality.

It also did not occur to us that the companies under focus have been in business for a period spanning over a decade, and preceding the gubernatorial stewardship of Senator T.A. Orji.

As mandatorily constituted, limited liability companies do not operate without the inclusion of other actors, who must bring their initial equity shares for a seamless pursuit of various business interests. My take in this regard therefore is that Chinedum Orji and his siblings are old enough to engage and partner with eagle eyed investors with the fidelity and bullish business permutations and financial wherewithal to jointly pursue and clinically deliver on any business interest.

Persecutors of the former governor did not consider it appropriate to reconcile their claim with what is domiciled in the Code of Conduct Bureau as should have been the case, before tactlessly drawing conclusion.

It is our duty, no doubt, to conscientiously follow up on how governors administer the use of security votes, but we should not be unmindful of the lacuna created by the Nigerian Constitution to the effect that it is largely not accounted for.

However, that is beside the point, knowing that governors whose stewardship recorded peace and tranquility like the T.A. Orji’s, attained that by expending billions of Naira in maintenance of security. Our memory will not fail us to at this point to hurriedly recall the menace of a kidnap king pin in Abia State: “Osisikankwu” who terrorized and gave our business moguls, a run for their money.

We should also have been agitated with how Abia under T.A. Orji could have chronicled some enduring infrastructural milestones viz: Goodluck Jonathan 144 Battalion Barracks Ohafia, Nigerian Army School of Languages Isuikwuato, Ultra-Modern State Secretariat, imposing and prestigious High Court complex in Umuahia and Aba, 5000 Capacity International Conference Center, classical JAAC and ASUBEB building, Ubani Modern and spacious market, New Umuahia Timber market, Abia Specialists Hospital, roads infrastructure et.al and still cornered away N525 billion. I am beginning to wonder when Abia economy became this incredibly buoyant.

I am not averse to the entitlements of our individual and collective opinions as it affects what we feel about Senator T.A Orji and his household but let us fairly think before we talk and critically consult before we draw conclusions.

Ogbonnaya, a public affairs analyst, wrote in from Lagos.

Adams Oshiomhole

Bola Tinubu

APC professionals forum seeks Buhari, Tinubu, others’ intervention in party’s crisis James Kwen, Abuja

S

equel to unending crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a group known as APC Professionals Forum has called on President Muhammadu Buhari, APC National Leader, Bola Tinubu and other leaders of the party to do more to intervene in the internal wrangling in the party.

APC Professionals Forum, a registered support group of the party which comprises of technocrats, intellectuals, experts and professionals across fields, disciplines and areas of endeavors who are card carrying members of our great party, the APC made the call at a press conference in Abuja on Friday.

Akintayo Akeem, National Coordinator of the forum said they were interested in the unity and stability of the party and Nigeria which supersedes any other individual or sectional interest and decried that in recent days, individual interest seems to be holding sway above Party’s interest.

According to him, some issues bothering on the breach of the Party’s constitution with respect to the functioning of critical party’s organs like the National Executive Committee (NEC), Board of Trustees (BoT), seeming divisions amongst some members of the National Working Committee and nonfilling of some vacant positions in the NWC, suspension of some members of the party without ratification by all organs of the party has to be addressed.

He said: “In view of the concerns stated above, we call on every interest groups in the party to sheath their swords and allow peace and internal mechanisms of the party to address their concerns instead of resorting to needless litigations in the law courts. We also plead with agitating individuals or groups to allow the National Executive Committee billed for 17th of March 2020 to address their concerns along with recently inaugurated APC Reconciliation Committee led by Chief Bisi Akande.

“The members of APC Professionals Forum are unanimous in the following: That we support the call for the National Executive Committee meeting to address all issues that are responsible for the current leadership tussle in the party and that we will support and adopt all the resolutions of the National Executive Committee billed for 17th March 2020 and work with all organs of the party to ensure unity and stability of the party.

POLITICS “That we call on President Buhari, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other leaders of the party to do more to intervene in the internal wrangling in the party.

“That we suggest that the National Executive Committee should set up structures that will activate all organs of the party including the once sidelined structures like the NEC and BOT 4. That we suggest that the National Executive Committee meeting should set up structures to fill all vacant positions in the NWC and every other vacant structures of the party in every state of the Federation.

“That the National Executive Committee should strengthen the recently constituted National Reconciliation Committee to immediately begin reconciliation of all aggrieved members of the party across the Nation.

“That members of APC Professionals Forum and other relevant support groups should be empowered to revive the support base of the party going forward.

“That party faithful and professionals in the party who have worked tirelessly for the party should be adequately rewarded in government so as to encourage our teeming supporters and enhance party loyalty.

“As we move forward in nation building, APC Professionals Forum will be partnering relevant MDAs and institutions of Government in policy analyses, project monitoring and delivery of people oriented projects in line with our party’s manifesto and campaign promises”.

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BDSUNDAY 41

LifestyleHomes&Suites

Paul Ojenagbon pauloje2000@yahoo.com

Secure luxury living visa at Canada Waters

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arrillion Nigeria Limited, a real estate construction company based at Lekki, is well known for building jaw-dropping contemporary homes in different locations on the Island part of Lagos.

One of these residences, Canada Waters, is a deluxe development of luxury units of 5-Bedroom Terrace homes with a maid’s room. It is located off Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island. Overlooking the Lagoon, it is a walking distance to the Canadian Embassy from which it derived its name. The ongoing project on 4 floors at about 65 percent completion status on a site area of about 670 square metres comprises 5 units each with a private elevator.

The Terraces are planned for excellent finishing with state of the art appliances and will be fully serviced to create the ambiance of living in a hotel. The title is governor’s consent.

Main entrance doors are Emtek Milano hardware with rectangular rosette in satin nickel finish while interior doors are solid core panel. Windows are double glazed commercial grade Aluminium.

Ceiling height is spectacular, up to 3.4 metres for floors. Walls and cabinet paints are to be latex paint with a rolled texture.

All trim moulding to be finished with semi gloss enamel. Each unit is prewired for Cable TV -DStv Explorer, telephone category 5 wiring, ceiling fans as well for sound system in living room, kitchen and all the bedrooms. Recessed lighting is to be provided in main living area, bedrooms and lobbies.

Other features include siematic (German) cabinet and bedroom closets. The terraces are fully airconditioned.

The kitchen is to be fully fitted with Wolf Cooking Appliances, Italian granite top (to colour of choice), dish washer, microwave, fridge, freezers, washing machine, oven and upper cabinet

The facilities proposed are unmatched, timeless yet welcoming interior amenity areas designed by renowned architects. There is ground floor parking for each residence. Amenities include electricity supply from mains and generators 24/7 and water supply from borehole with treatment plant. The recreational facilities include gym, swimming pool.

Carrillion’s other residences are just as impressive. Among

these is the scintillating Amusa 4 located by the Waterfront, Admiralty Pier Point at Ladipo Latinwo Crescent, off Fatia Arobieke Street, Lekki Phase 1. It is a bigger project comprising 22 units of 2/3/4- Bedroom Terraces and flats. There are 4 units of 2-bedroom apartments, 4 units 3 -bedroom apartments and 14 units of 4-bedroom apartments. It is an exclusive community sited on 3600 square metres of land in a well de-

fined environment in the heart of Lekki with breathtaking views of the Lagos Lagoon. Residents enjoy access to the Lekki Toll bridge and other major developments such as Lekki Tennis Club, Prest Boat Cruises, Chrisland Schools, Marco Polo, Oriental Cuisine and Prince Ebeano Supermarket, among others.

Infrastructure within the plot is of superior quality ranging from paved compound flooring to mod-

ern electrification and uncompromising security details. In addition to the recreational facilities in Canada Waters, Amusa 4 also has a children’s play area with an awesome view of the Lagos Lagoon.

This development is an exquisite addition of a fresh identity to the beautiful city of Lagos.

Equally outstanding is the Carrillion Luxury Apartment development in Banana Island. It is an elegant structure in the Foreshore Estate. The design accommodates communal dwelling and brings about the importance of quality within well defined perimeter.

According to the developer, it is designed to boost the ego of its occupants which transforms to serenity. The Amusa Luxury Apartment is being replicated as Phase 2 located by the UPDC Estate, off White sand School Road, Lekki Phase 1. It comprises 8 Units of fully air-conditioned, kitchen fitted 3-Bedroom apartment.

Each unit in the Canada Waters carries a price tag of N200 million, slightly negotiable. For Amusa 4 at Lekki 1, each unit of 2-bedroom flat is sold for N75 million, 3-bedroom for N100million and the 4-bedroom for N120 million, respectively. A unit of Amusa Luxury Apartment Phase 2 at Lekki 1 carries a price tag of N65million.

An initial deposit of 20 percent is required and the balance paid through 3 tranches of 20, 30 and 30 percent.

42 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 15 March 2020

Health&Science Investors raise $3.6m to boost supply Role of endometriosis in infertility Contributor of safe, essential pharmaceuticals

I

Godsgift Onyedinefu, Abuja

n an effort to address the disruptions in pharmaceutical and health care supply chain, Field intelligence in partnership with Blue Haven initiative has raised $3.6million equity to boost the availability of safe and essential Pharmaceuticals in Africa.

Peter Bunor, head of Growth, Field Intelligence, in a statement, explained that 80 percent of people in Africa rely on their community pharmacy as the frontline of the health system, but regrets that they routinely stock out of essential medicines, incure significant losses to expiry and struggle with substandard and falsified drugs.

Bunor said these inefficiencies cost the health system millions of dollars each year and limit access to quality care.

He also noted that the annual pharmaceuticals market in Africa is valued at over $60billion.

Field Intelligence has been a pioneer in pharmaceutical supply chain solutions in Africa. Its Shelf

Abayomi Ajayi

Y Life “Pay-As-You-Sell” subscription service for pharmaceutical products has grown rapidly since first debuting in Nigeria in mid 2017.

The new investment will fund Shelf Life’s expansion throughout Nigeria and Kenya, as well as the development of additional services for Shelf Life clients and their patients.

Shelf Life’s pharmacy clients can subscribe to over a thousand quality-assured and price-stabilised drugs from 50 medical, health and wellness categories. Using Field Intelligence’s technology platform, Shelf Life forecasts, procures, deliv-

ers, manages, and finances each product the pharmacy has subscribed to.

Michael Moreland, Co-Founder and CEO, Field Intelligence said the organization is delighted to welcome new investors into the business, as long as they share the vision for catalysing change in a huge and vitally-important sector.

“They should bring deep fintech and logistics experience, which will be vital in helping us build a new generation of healthcare supply chains in Africa and beyond,” he said.

Quality sleep critical to maintenance of optimal health, well-being -Murphy …as Mouka celebrates World Sleep Day, advocates healthy sleep culture ANTHONIA OBOKOH

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illions of Nigerans complain about not getting enough sleep. More often than not, stress is the main culprit. However, there are several causes for the sleep deprivation that demand medical attention. Even excess sleeping in itself is a sleeping disorder.

Speaking at the “World Sleep Day 2020” in Lagos, with the theme ‘better sleep, better lives, better planet’ Raymond Murphy, chief executive officer, Mouka said sleep is a necessary part of our lives and the indispensable aspect of our existence is beneficial to us in a lot of ways.

According to Murphy, while sleep may remain a puzzle to all of us, the role of sleep in mental and physical health which appears particularly relevant to life in this in this computer age, cannot be overemphasized. It is common knowledge that denying ourselves sleep for quite a long time makes us feel terrible; and that get-

ting a good night sleep can make us feel ready to take on the World.

“Undoubtedly, adequate or quality sleep is critical to the maintenance of optimal health and well-being. This explains this annual occasion aimed at celebrating one of the nature’s gift to man,” Murphy added that the World sleep day also served as a call to action regarding important issues related to sleep; including education, medicine and other social aspects. It also seeks to lessen the burdens of sleep problems in society through better prevention and management of sleep disorders.

“And it is one the strength of this reputation that we join the World sleep society in raising awareness in Africa’s most populous black nation, about sleep disorders, their better understanding and preventability, and to reduce the burden of sleep problems that constitute a global epidemic which threatens the health and quality of life for as much as 45 percent of the World’s population,” he said.

The Mouka 2020 World Sleep Day was an extension of previous editions; it, however, offered additional dimension to the emphasis on health benefits of quality sleep as requirements for boosting overall health and economic growth.

Also speaking Nnenna Chigbo, vice president of Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) explained that good quality sleep consists of 7-9 hours, and among other things, reduces labour-related and road transport accidents as well as improve circadian clock which ultimately leads to reduced premature ageing.

“Better understanding of sleep conditions and more research into the area will help reduce the burden of sleep disorders in the society,” she said.

The World Sleep Day is aimed at celebrating the benefits of good and healthy sleep and to draw society’s attention to the burden of sleep problems and their medicine, education and social aspects as well as to promote the prevention and management of sleep disorders.

‘Leveraging tech for UHC delivery among young Nigerians’ SEYI JOHN SALAU

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ollowing the increasing rate of unwanted pregnancy and the need to curtail Nigeria’s growing population, government, international organisations, development agencies and businesses are leveraging smart technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital health technologies to address inequalities andhelpaccelerateprogressinuniversalhealthcoverage(UHC),especially in regard to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of young Nigerians.

According to the world health organisation (WHO), decades of neglect and underinvestment have had serious effects on the health and wellbeing of young people and adolescents aged 10 – 24 years throughout the world. However, the way digitization is governed and made

accessible will either exacerbate thesechallengesorhelpresolvethem.

There is also a growing concern that the present generation of young peoplemaybethefirsttodemandand to gain a clear set of rights in relation to rapid technological development.

“There is high potential to improve health through digitally-enabled health systems and behavioural interventions, but there are also deep concerns about ownership, privacy, human rights and increasing commercialization,” said Njide Ndili, PharmAccess country head and commissioner, Lancet FT Commission on AI and digital health.

Ndili stated this at the one-day Youth consultation on Digital Health and Technology, organised in Lagos

by Lancet and Financial Times (FT) Commission in collaboration with some international agencies and the

Lagos State government, tagged ‘Growing up in a digital world’.

According to Ndili, the Lancet and FT Commission governing health futures 2030 was established to run betweenOctober2019toDecember 2021 exploring the convergence of digital health, AI and other frontier technologies with universal health coverage (UHC), with a special focus on improving the health of children and young people.

Hence, the commission will explore how to ensure that digital development helps improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people. It will also focus on examining integrative policies for digital health, AI and UHC. “Deliver a clear set of recommendationsonthegovernance of digital health, AI, UHC, taking full accountofgeopolitical,economicand social factors,” said Ndili.

are also available to help increase your chances of conception.

While there are medical advances to help manage the condition, however, because endometriosis is still poorly understood, there are no definite ways to prevent its development.

Confirmed cases are classified as minimal or mild, which means there are superficial implants and mild scarring.

Moderate and severe endometriosis typically result in cysts and more severe scarring.

Endometriosis can be one of the reasons for infertility even if you are an otherwise healthy couple. Diminished fertility may occur in many with endometriosis, and may incite scar tissue formation within the pelvis. If your ovariesandFallopiantubesareinvolved, the mechanical processes involved in the transfer of fertilized eggs into your tubes may be altered. Alternatively, the endometriotic lesions may produce inflammatory substances, which adverselyaffectovulation,fertilization,and implantation.

Indeed, endometriosis is more common in infertile women, as opposed to thosewhohaveconceivedapregnancy.

However, if you have been confirmed with endometriosis, you may be able to conceive without difficulty, particularly if the disease is mild or moderate. It is estimatedthatupto70percentofwomen with mild or moderate endometriosis willconceivewithinthreeyearswithout any specific treatment.

The reasons for a decrease in fertility when endometriosis is present are both anatomical and hormonal and are contributory to diminished fertility. The presence of endometriosis may incite significant scar (adhesion) formation within the pelvis, which can distort normal anatomical structures.

Alternatively, endometriosis may affect your fertility through the production of inflammatory substances that have a negative effect on ovulation, fertilization of the egg, and/or implantation of the embryo. Infertility associated with endometriosis is more common in womenwithanatomicallysevereforms of the disease.

Sometimes,endometriosiscangrow inside your ovary and form a cyst (endometrioma). This usually can be seen on ultrasound, unlike other endometriotic deposits. The only way to tell for certain if you have endometriosis is through a surgical procedure called laparoscopy.

At the time of surgery, your doctor may evaluate the amount, location, and depth of endometriosis and give you a score that determines whether your endometriosisisminimal(Stage1),mild (Stage2),moderate(Stage3),orsevere (Stage4).Thisscoringsystemcorrelates with pregnancy success.

If you have severe (Stage 4) endometriosis, which causes considerable scarring, blocked fallopian tubes, and damagedovaries; youwouldexperience the most difficulty becoming pregnant and often require advanced fertility treatment.

Treatment is available and several cases have been successfullytreated.

Endometriosis needs the female hormoneestrogentodevelopandgrow.

Birth control pills and other drugs that lowerorblockestrogencanbeeffective in improving pain symptoms.

Your doctor can surgically destroy or remove the endometriosis and remove the scar tissue. This treatment will restore your normal anatomy and will allow your reproductive organs to function more normally. Your chances of becoming pregnant are improved aftersurgicaltreatment,especiallyifyour endometriosis is in the mild or moderate range.

The combination of surgical and medicaltherapymaybebeneficialifyou are attempting to conceive through in vitro fertilization (IVF).

ou have probably heard that Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of a group of cells called endometrial cells that are similar to those that form the inside of your uterus. Their abnormal location outside of the uterus and commonly on other organs of the pelvis is the cause for concern.

Normally, this endometrial tissue is shed each month during your menstruation but when you’re having endometriosis, the lesions are most commonly found on your ovaries, fallopian tubes, surface of your uterus, bowels, and on the membrane lining of your pelvic cavity (peritoneum).

They also involve the vagina, cervix, and bladder.

Endometriosis is more common in women that are experiencing infertility but it does not necessarily cause infertility, even if it is one of the leading causes of pelvic pain.

Clinically, about 20 - 50 percent of women being treated for infertility have endometriosis and up to 80 percent of women with chronic pelvic pain may be affected.

While most cases are diagnosed in women aged 25 to 35 years, endometriosis has been reported in girls as youngas11yearsofage.Thecondition is rare in postmenopausal women but believed to be most common in taller, thinwomenwithlowbodymassindex.

Most of the time if you have endometriosis, there are no symptoms, but when the signs and symptoms show, they may include pelvic pain that may worsen during menstruation,intercourse and bowel movementsorurinationandinfertility.

Delaying pregnancy until an older age, never giving birth, early onset of menses, and late menopause all are risk factors for endometriosis. It also is likely that there are genetic factors which predispose a woman, since having a first-degree relative with the condition increases the chance that a woman will develop the condition.

Thebottomlineisthatendometriosisisasassociatedwithseverepainasit iswithfertilityproblems.Youmayhave endometriosis and not have symptoms. If you do, the most common symptom is pain (usually pelvic pain) thatoftenoccursjustbeforemenstruation and lessens after menstruation.

There may also be painful sexual intercourse, cramping during intercourse,crampingorpainduringbowel movement or urination, infertility, and pain with pelvic examination.

The intensity of the pain can vary from month to month and can vary greatly. Some women experience progressive worsening of symptoms, while others can have a resolution of pain without treatment.

Pelvic pain with endometriosis depends partly on where endometrial implantsofendometriosisarelocated.

The pain can result when endometriotic implants incite scarring of surroundingtissues.Deeperimplantsand implants in areas of high nerve density are more apt to produce pain. The implantsmayalsoreleasesubstancesinto thebloodstream,whicharecapable of eliciting pain.

Over time endometrial implants maygrow,orcystsmayresultbecause of endometriosis, which also may cause fertility problems. About 30-40 percentofwomenwith endometriosis have some trouble conceiving.

If you are experiencing symptoms, a number of therapies are available to provide relief. For infertility associ- Abayomi Ajayi, MD/CEO Nordica Fertility ated with endometriosis, treatments Centre: info@abayomiajayi.com.ng,

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BDSUNDAY 43

Sports

CAF postpones 2021 AFCON qualifiers over Coronavirus scare

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Anthony Nlebem

he Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the postponement of all its competitions initially scheduled to hold between March and April, including all the AFCON 2021 Qualifiers.

In a statement released on Friday, CAF explained that the decision was taken as based on the “growing concern of Coronavirus (CONVID-19) and the latest declaration of the World Health Organization (WHO describing it as a Pandemic”.

“As CAF’s top priority remains the health and safety of our stakeholders (players, officials, sponsors, broadcasters, employers etc), we have been monitoring closely, together with our medical committee, the impact of the current Coronavirus crisis,” the statement reads.

CAF made it clear that since the Coronavirus has been de-

clared as pandemic by WHO and since several players who were meant to feature in the AFCON qualifier matches come from countries which have been severely affected by the virus especially in Europe and Asia, they had no alternative but to postpone the qualifiers.

“We will share with you a proposal of a new calendar that will be communicated on a second step, according to the evolution of the coronavirus situation,”

Premier League suspends season after Arteta, Odoi test positive for Coronavirus Anthony Nlebem

A

ll professional soccer games in England have been postponed, including the Premier League, which has suspended play for the remainder of the month amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The announcement by the Premier League, FA, EFL and WSL comes hours after Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta and a Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive COVID-19.

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “Above all, we wish Mikel Arteta and Callum Hudson-Odoi speedy recoveries, and everyone else affected

by COVID-19.

“In this unprecedented situation, we are working closely with our clubs, Government, The FA and EFL and can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority.”

The Premier League had initially announced its intentions of continuing play with fans in the stadium this weekend before Arteta and Odoi’s diagnosis, which then prompted an emergency

shareholders meeting on Friday to discuss the future of the league.

The Premier League is one of the last major sports leagues to make strict changes to its scheduling amid the growing coronavirus pandemic. La Liga suspended the next two matchdays while Italy’s Serie A won’t return till April 3 at the earliest. Major League Soccer has suspended play indefinitely.

The Premier League is still determined to finish out the season as most teams still have nine games remaining on the schedule and Liverpool is just two points away from snapping a 30-year championship drought. Its intention is to resume play on April 4.

The Football Association said England’s games against Italy on 27 March and Denmark four days later are off.

The EFL, which hopes to resume play a day earlier than the Premier League on 3 April, said clubs were also advised to suspend “non-essential activities” such as “player appearances, training ground visits and fan meetings”.

Football has also been suspended in Italy, Spain, France, Netherlands, Portugal and the USA.

added CAF in their communication.

The South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) had this morning written to CAF in relation to the current situation of the Coronavirus. South Sudan’s Bright Star were meant to face Uganda Cranes in back to back ties of the qualifiers.

This means that Nigeria’s AFCON 2021 qualifiers against Sierra Leone earlier scheduled for this month will not hold.

GOtv Boxing Night 21: Esepo vows to Knockout Ghana’s Dodzi Anthony Nlebem

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igeria’s Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje has vowed to crush his Ghanaian opponent, Moses Dodzi, when they clash in an international featherweight challenge bout at GOtv Boxing Night 21 on 12 April.

The bout, which will take place at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, is one of the three international fights scheduled for the six-bout event.

Agbaje, who is famous for his allaction style, said in an interview on Friday that he is in top shape and is ready to see off his opponent within three rounds.

“This is my first international fight here in Nigeria and I am very excited and more than ready to confront Dodzi. I have been training for the past few weeks and I am in top shape. I don’t see him going beyond round three,” Agbaje boasted.

He also thanked GOtv Boxing Night for giving him the platform to showcase his skills to the entire nation and the African continent.

GOtv Boxing Night 21 will have three title fights. The biggest bout on the night is the World Boxing Federation (WBF) International lightweight title bout between Ni-

geria’s Rilwan “Real One” Oladosu, the West African Boxing Union (WABU) lightweight champion, and Ghana’s Emmanuel Quartey.

The other international title fight is the WBF Africa welterweight title between Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde of Nigeria, the WABU welterweight champion, and Mkwalekwa Salehe of Tanzania.

There is also a national title fight as Sadiq “Happy Boy” Adeleke will square off against Tunde Olojede for the vacant national bantamweight title clash. Daniel “Big Shark” Emeka will be up against Segun “Success” Olanrewaju for a national light heavyweight challenge bout, while Alaba “Elyblow” Omotola will face Lateef Akintola in a national lightweight challenge contest.

Mechanic Team wins maiden Yamaha Cup in Lagos

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h e Me c h a n i c s t e a m h a s emerged Yamaha Cup Champions in the Lagos zone, they beat the Marine Boys of Ikorodu 2:0 in a nail biting final game played at Kith and Kin School Sports Field, Ibeshe in Ikorodu on Saturday 7th March, 2020.

Yamaha Cup was organised

by CFAO Yamaha Motor Nigeria Limited, the 5 weeks long 5-a-side football tournament was played among stakeholders in the mobility industry; Marine Boys (Boat Transporters), Boat Users, Motorcycle Riders, Tricycle Riders and Motorcycle Mechanic Team.

The games right from first match on 1st of February was full of in-

trigues and drama as expected of a football tournament with nonprofessional players competing against each other.

The tournament’s objective was fostering camaraderie, encourage physical fitness and wellness among the players and their larger team.

The Executive Secretary of Igbogbo-Bayeku LCDA, Barrister Ade Ayeni presented the winner’s medal, and the Yamaha Cup to the triumphant Mechanic Team. Speaking at the event, Barrister Ade Ayeni congratulated the winning team and thanked Yamaha for organizing the tournament and choosing Ikorodu as venue for the exciting competition in a friendly and fun environment.

The Team Lead Marketing of CFAO Yamaha, Victor Momodu said organising the Yamaha Cup is our own way of giving back to our customers and promoting unity and togetherness because you need your whole team contributing to win a game of football.

At CFAO Yamaha we put our customers first and we are always seeking to rev their heart by giving them all round value whether in an experiential manner or otherwise.

We are very happy that the Yamaha Cup 2020 5-a-side tournament has provided complete entertainment to our people; the players, coach, their supporters and the general public.

It’s for us mission accomplished.

Barrister Ade Ayeni, Secretary to Igbogbo-Bayeku LCDA, presenting the Yamaha Cup trophy to the triumphant MC Mechanic team at Kith & Kin Sports School Sports Field in Ikorodu on March 7, 2020

BDSUNDAY

NEW YOU CAN TRUST

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The transience of power!

M

an hardly learns from the helping hands of History.

Even when they are open, like the wavy lines on our palms, not a few of the world’s political, economic and spiritual leaders ever find the time to read God’s handwriting on the wall. As at today, we are witnessing global situations similar to the time of the Biblical Daniel when the words, “mene mene tekel upharsin” appeared on the wall of the king’s palace.

They were written by a mysterious hand when King Belshazzar held a great feast with drinks from the vessels that had been looted during the destruction of the First Temple. Back then, the king was holding the Jews captive in the foreign land of Babylon in the 6th Century B.C So, how would the world leaders take the necessary precautions, from preventable tragedies if they refuse to harken to God’s voice through the people they lead?

Aldous Huxley said: “That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons that history has to teach.” That is the tragedy!

Such leaders are often too enmeshed in satisfying their personal agendas, satiating their epicurean tastes or massaging their ego at the expense of the wishes of the masses or statutory provisions than listening to that silent voice within, that says “no!”, even when the their driving, devilish desires say “yes, why not?”

So, here we are in 2020, the year that I have since described as that of “God’s anger”using the sudden stroke of reversal of fortunes. Here we are witnessing the good, the bad and the ugly events that unfold beyond our wildest imaginations, all too suddenly!

From the freaky, weather conditions, characterised by the cold harmattan winds in January, here we are in March crying over the haunting humid heat. What about the horrifying spectre of the coronavirus that emerged suddenly from the incubation stage in Wuhan, China in December, 2019 and has metamorphosed into a global pandemic status- according to the World Health Organization (WHO) - all within three months! But as it is with the

‘Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. ‘ - George Santayana (writer and philosopher). unpredictable waves of Mother Nature, so the sudden changes being reflected in Nigeria’s shifty, quick-sand political sphere.

Again, within a space of three months, the likes of Emeka Ihedioha, David Lyon, Dakuku Peterside, Adams Oshiomhole and ex-Emir of Kano State, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi have fallen victims of the swinging pendulum of political power. They have been compelled to hand over their batons of power to someone else. How transient the capacity to dictate the destiny of men and materials could swing! Few, if any of our fortune-seeking prophets saw it all coming.

For instance, when tomorrow comes how history would judge the seven-man panel of Justices of the Supreme Court, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad, who declined to restore Emeka Ihedioha of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as the governor of Imo State?

That a candidate who came fourth at the governorship election suddenly emerges as the winner with the total number of votes cast, predicated on evidence from a security officer and not the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) defies common logic!

It would interest the next generation and others therefore, that a member of the apex court panel, Justice Centus Nweze, disagreed with the lead verdict and gave a dissenting opinion that allowed Ihedioha’s application. Nweze said that the judgment that declared Uzodinma winner was entered in error. He held that the apex court had a duty to in the interest of justice, set-aside its decision that was given in error. Even after Ihedioha’s return to the Supreme Court, his prayers were not answered! The rest, as we know

is history.

Still caught in the eye of the storm, the same Supreme Court nullified the election victory of Bayelsa Governor-elect, David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and that of his Deputy, Biobarakuma DegiEremieoyo. The five-man panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice Mary Peter-Odili upheld the November 12, 2019 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja which had disqualified Degi-Eremienyo from partaking in the election for submitting forged certificates to INEC. But for the vile vituperation of the embattled APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, bent on turning the apple cart, and which unfortunately triggered angst against Diri, many observers felt that justice has indeed, been served.

And talking about Oshiomhole, he has been accused of being “at loggerheads with key stakeholders and did not heed the president’s admonition to resolve the crisis within the party.

His critics say he is too highhanded, proud and lacks the capacity to manage a political party as diverse as the APC”.

The loss of governorship elections in states such as Zamfara, Rivers and Bayelsa to the opposing PDP, given the controversial direct and indirect primaries for different states, have not stood him in good stead. Add the increasing intra-party acrimony to his running battle with Governor Godwin Obaseki of his home state, Edo, as well as the fear of the incumbent governor of Ondo State, Barrister OluwarotimiAkeredolu (SAN) not clinching the ticket and the chorus clamouring for Oshiomhole’s removal becomes louder by some decibels!

As the APC Chairman, the crisis in the party “took a new twist as a meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party was marred by shouting and quarrels over the announcement of Arch. Waziri Bulama as the new National Secretary by the National Working Committee

The lamentation of the concerned!

A

Baje is Nigerian first food technologist in the media and author of ‘DRUMBEATS OF DEMOCRACY’

(NWC) of the party,” it would be unheard of for Mr. President to tolerate such frequent bickering within the ruling APC fold, under his watch.

As for Dakuku Peterside, the erstwhile Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), his removal by President Muhammadu Buhari is reportedly because of his inability to develop indigenous shipping, thereby losing industry operators’ goodwill. His failure to curb the menace of piracy at sea, as well as his inability to maintain a harmonious relationship with federal lawmakers became his undoing.

But watchers of the political terrain felt that it was a subtle attempt to clip the wings of his mentor, Rotimi Amaechi ahead of 2023 general election. Where the truth lies, only time will tell.

When it comes to that of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, his recent removal as the Emir of Kano by Governpr Abdullahi Ganduje is purely political, from all indications.

To many critical observers, his audacity to speak truth to power is responsible for his ordeals. But what one finds reprehensible is his manner of banishment by the powers that be. He went to court to seek redress, and last Friday, the court ordered his release from confinement.

The groundswell of public sympathy he is currently enjoying should be instructive to his traducers.

In all of these, what matters most are the lessons we stand to glean from the transience of power and perhaps, never to repeat them. Now is the time for the leaders to read the handwriting on the wall and act when it matters

Quick Takes

Off the Cuff s many countries of the world are now panicky, fashioning out ways how they could avoid being caught napping in the seeming looming catastrophe that is staring the entire world in the face, the Nigerian government has been called upon to go down to meaningful work and avoid the usual ostrich style of burying the head in the sand.

Beyond the gale of reassurances and the “no shaken” pronouncements from the corridors of power, concerns are being raised in some quarters that some of those giving the assurances may not have really dimensioned the enormity of the problem at hand.

One of the numerous videos making the rounds on the social media, had the voice of an obviously concerned citizen of Nigeria, who called out the political leadership of the country to awake from its slumber and face the reality of a perilous time that is already here.

Ayo OyozeBaje

Below are his words: “The world of 2020 is not the same world of today. The world has truly become a global village and we are more connected now than we have ever been. The coronavirus is already in over 60 countries in a three month period, but beyond the infection spread and the fatality count, the world system we know now might just disappear before the year runs out. The world is facing an existential threat. The coronavirus is about to impact the global economy like nothing ever imagined. Countries and companies will go bankrupt; manufacturing lines will be shut down, supply lines will disappear and long queues for essential commodities will appear everywhere.

“Nigeria is already affected. Ship laden with oil are stranded with no buyers in sight and it will go worse. The Senate just approved a nonsensical package that doesn’t address our current reali-

ties in any way. In the next four months when it is clear that most nations are in peril, it will be difficult to get any loans, especially for foolish projects. We are a mono-economy dependent mostly on oil even though this administration touts all sorts of number suggesting that we have diversified. This is the litmus test for the Buhari administration.

This would have been the opportunity for our farmers to feed Africa if not the world, but unfortunately, armed herdsmen have scared people away from farming.

“It is likely that the weak will be consumed; the rich will become poor and the poor will eat the rich.At a time like this, our country needs the best hands to pilot our affairs and not the clannish approach to governance that we currently have. Our fault lines are about to be exposed; the world will see our nakedness. A new world order beckons to be called faithful and brave.”

5%

The federal government says the old 5% value added tax (VAT) should be used for contracts signed before February 1.

Garba Shehu,Senior Special Asistant, media and Publicity to President Buhari Muhammadu, stated the government position on the confusion if the new old or new VAT rate should be applied to contracts.

“He can live anywhere he wants including Kano city, if he wants. But we are on our way to Abuja. It is quite likely that the emir proceeds to Lagos which was his preferred destination from day one,”.

Kaduna State Governor,Nasir ElRufai speaking on the movement of the deposed emir Kano, Muhammad Sanusi 11 after they left Awe town in Nasarawa State, where he had been banished.

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